William SmellieDied 5 Mar 1763 (born 1697). Scottish obstetrician who was the first to teach obstetrics and midwifery on a scientific basis. He was also first to establish rules for the safe use of forceps. Further, he separated obstetrics from surgery. For almost two decades, from 1720 to 1739, he practiced as a surgeon and apothecary in his home town of Lanark. He then moved to London, opened a pharmacy, and in 1741 shared his home with the Scottish anatomist, William Hunter. He commenced lecture-demonstrations to midwives and medical students on obstetrics. By offering his services free to poor women if his students were allowed to attend the childbirth, he established a trend to have medical trainees at a delivery. He favored the natural birth process, avoided any Casesarean section unless truly necessary, and used forceps with caution. Smellie retired to his hometown in 1759.« |
