David Pitcairn
British physician
David Pitcairn (1 May 1749 – 17 April 1809) was a prominent British physician known for his contributions to the field of medicine during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was particularly noted for his work on infectious diseases and his role in the development of medical practices in London.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
David Pitcairn was born in Scotland, the son of Major John Pitcairn, a British Marine officer, and Elizabeth Dalrymple. He was educated at Eton College, where he developed an interest in the sciences. He later attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied medicine and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree.
Medical Career[edit | edit source]
After completing his education, Pitcairn moved to London to further his medical career. He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1779 and was elected a Fellow in 1784. Pitcairn was known for his clinical acumen and was highly regarded by his peers.
Contributions to Medicine[edit | edit source]
Pitcairn made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of infectious diseases. He was particularly interested in the study of fevers and was one of the first physicians to recognize the importance of distinguishing between different types of fever. His work laid the groundwork for future developments in the classification and treatment of infectious diseases.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
David Pitcairn married Elizabeth Almack in 1784. The couple had no children. Pitcairn was known for his warm personality and was well-liked by both his patients and colleagues. He was a close friend of the poet William Cowper and was involved in the intellectual circles of his time.
Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]
Pitcairn died on 17 April 1809 in London. He was buried in the family vault at St Bartholomew-the-Great, a church with which he had a long association. His contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of infectious diseases, were recognized by his contemporaries and continue to be acknowledged by medical historians.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD