Michael Underwood (physician) facts for kids

Michael Underwood (1736–1820) was an English physician and surgeon. He was born in West Molesey in Surrey, England. He is an important person in the history of medicine and pediatrics (the study of children's health). This is because he was the first to describe several childhood diseases, including infantile paralysis and polio.

Early Medical Work

In 1783, Michael Underwood published his first book. It was about leg ulcers, which are open sores on the legs. In his book, he looked at old ways of treating these sores. He then suggested a new, safer method. He believed that patients could often get better without needing to stay in bed.

His book also talked about how ulcers form and how to treat certain swollen glands and breast infections. A magazine called The English Review wrote good things about his work. They said it was very helpful for surgeons. They also noted that he challenged old ideas and brought back some useful practices based on his experience.

Important Career Moments

In 1789, Michael Underwood made a very important discovery. He was the first person to describe the symptoms of Poliomyelitis. He called it "a weakness of the lower extremities," meaning the legs. This was a big step in understanding this disease.

Later, he was chosen to be a member of the Royal College of Physicians in London. This is a very respected group of doctors.

In 1796, Underwood was picked to be the doctor who helped with the birth of Princess Charlotte of Wales. This was a great honor. In 1801, he became sick and stopped working as a doctor. He faced some money problems during this time. However, because he was a very religious man, he found comfort and hope in his faith.

His Diary Published After His Death

In 1824, after Michael Underwood passed away, a collection of his thoughts was published. These thoughts came from his personal diary. The book was published to help his daughter, who was a widow. The full title of the book was Extracts from the Diary of the late Michael Underwood, M.D. consisting of Mediation, Critical and Practical Remarks on various Passages of Scripture, Miscellaneous Essays, and Occasional Hymns.

A review in The Literary Chronicle said that his diary covered more than sixty years of his life. Dr. Underwood regularly wrote down what happened each day. He wrote about his family life, his visits to patients, his religious feelings, and his duties as a Christian.

Another review in The Monthly Repository described him as a man with very strong and honest religious beliefs. A review in The London Literary Gazette mentioned that he thought deeply about religious mysteries. It also said he showed a true desire to find truth and peace for his soul.

Michael Underwood was buried in Whitefield's Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road in London.

His Published Works

• Treatise upon ulcers of the legs, scrophulous sores and mammary abscesses (1783)
  • See Surgical tracts, containing a treatise upon ulcers of the legs (1788)
• A Treatise on the Diseases of Children: With Directions for the Management of Infants; (1835), 9th edition with notes by Marshal Hall- (Originally published in 1789)
• Extracts from the diary of the late Michael Underwood, MD (1824)