Robert Thomson (physician) facts for kids

Dr. Robert Dundas Thomson (born September 21, 1810 – died August 17, 1864) was an important British doctor and chemist. He was a leader in making sure public places were clean and healthy, which is called sanitation. He worked as a university teacher, a public health doctor, and wrote many books. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of London (FRS), which are big honors for scientists.

Early Life and Education

Robert Dundas Thomson was born on September 21, 1810, in Eccles, a small town in Berwickshire, Scotland. His father, James Thomson, was a minister, which is a type of church leader. Robert went to Duns Grammar School nearby.

He later studied to become a doctor in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In Glasgow, he learned chemistry from his uncle, Thomas Thomson, who was a professor there. Robert earned his first medical degree (ChM) from Glasgow in 1831. He continued his studies in 1840 in Germany, working with a famous chemist named Justus Liebig. He then received his main medical degree (MD) from Glasgow University.

Work as a Doctor and Chemist

After finishing his studies, Thomson traveled to India and China. He worked as an assistant surgeon for the East India Company, which was a big British trading company. Around 1835, he settled in London and became a doctor. He also helped start a medical school there.

In his early career, Thomson used his chemistry knowledge to study how the body works. He looked at things like the makeup of blood, especially in people who had cholera, a serious disease. The government also hired him to do experiments on what animals eat. He also analyzed the water that London companies supplied to homes. His research on food and animals helped improve how we feed farm animals. This field is now called veterinary nutrition.

Teaching and Public Health

In 1841, Thomson went back to Glasgow to help his uncle, who was not well. He worked as a deputy professor and assistant in chemistry. Later, he returned to London and became a chemistry lecturer at St. Thomas's Hospital.

In 1856, new laws in London led to the creation of "medical officers of health." These doctors were in charge of public health in different areas. Thomson became the medical officer for Marylebone, a part of London. He created a system to inspect the area and make sure it was clean and healthy. Other health officers even chose him to be the president of their association. He became very well-known for his knowledge of public health. He also helped the government by reporting on how clean London's water supply was each month.

Later Life and Achievements

Thomson became a member of the College of Physicians of London in 1859. This is a group for important doctors. He was also the president of the Meteorological Society of London when he passed away. This society studies weather and climate. He was also a member of other scientific groups, like the Botanical Society of Edinburgh.

Robert Dundas Thomson passed away on August 17, 1864, at his brother's home in Richmond, London.

Family

Robert Dundas Thomson married his first cousin, who was the daughter of his uncle, Professor Thomas Thomson.

Writings

Thomson wrote many articles for medical and science magazines. He also published several books, including:

• ‘Records of General Science,’ published in 1835.
• ‘Experimental Researches on the Food of Animals and the Fattening of Cattle, with Remarks on the Food of Man,’ published in 1846. This book looked at how food affects both animals and people.
• ‘School Chemistry, or Practical Rudiments of the Science,’ published in 1848. This was a book to help students learn chemistry.
• ‘Cyclopædia of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Physiology,’ published in 1854. This was a large reference book about chemistry, minerals, and how the body works.
• ‘Report to Government on the Waters, &c., of London during Cholera,’ published in 1854. This report was about London's water during a cholera outbreak.
• ‘Annual Report on the Health of the Parish of St. Marylebone,’ published in 1857. This was a report on the health of the area he worked in.