Robert William Philip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert William Philip
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| Born | 29 December 1857 Govan, Renfrewshire
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| Died | 25 January 1939 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Extra-Physician to HM the King in Scotland Consulting Physician, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Professor of Tuberculosis, University of Edinburgh |
| Years active | 1887 - 1939 |
| Known for | the treatment of tuberculosis |
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Sir Robert William Philip (born December 29, 1857 – died January 25, 1939) was a Scottish doctor. He was a very important person in finding ways to treat and control a serious illness called tuberculosis. He helped many people get better.
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About Robert Philip's Life
Robert Philip was born in a place called Govan on December 29, 1857. His father, George Philip, was a minister. In 1866, when Robert was nine, his family moved to Edinburgh.
He went to the Royal High School in Edinburgh. After that, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He became a doctor in 1882. In 1887, he earned his advanced medical degree. He was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1889.
Robert Philip lived in Edinburgh for most of his life. During World War I, he served as a lieutenant-colonel in the army's medical group. He passed away in 1939 and is buried in Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh.
His Important Work on Tuberculosis
Robert Philip became a doctor in 1882. This was the same year that another scientist, Robert Koch, found the tiny germ that causes tuberculosis. Robert Philip spent many years working on a plan to treat tuberculosis in a new, organized way.
On November 25, 1887, he opened the very first special clinic for tuberculosis in Edinburgh. It was called a dispensary clinic. In 1890, he started working at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a full-time doctor. He also taught students about lung diseases at the University of Edinburgh.
Creating a New Treatment System
In 1894, Robert Philip started the Victoria Hospital for Consumption. This hospital was a special place called a sanitorium. It worked together with his clinic. Before there were medicines for tuberculosis, doctors focused on helping patients get fresh air and exercise. They also kept patients separate from others to stop the illness from spreading.
By 1912, the government in the United Kingdom saw how well Robert Philip's ideas worked. They started opening similar clinics in other cities, like Paddington, London. This showed that his new way of treating tuberculosis was very successful.
In 1917, he became a professor of tuberculosis at the University of Edinburgh. He also led the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1918 to 1922.
Awards and Recognition
Robert Philip was recognized for his important work. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1889. In 1913, he was knighted, which means he was given the title "Sir."
His work was even honored on a stamp in Belgium in 1955.
