Robert Whytt

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Robert Whytt

Born	1714
Birth place	Edinburgh, Scotland
Died	1766
Place of death	Edinburgh, Scotland
Nationality	Scottish
Known for	Research on the nervous system

Robert Whytt (1714–1766) was a prominent Scottish physician and physiologist, renowned for his pioneering work on the nervous system. He is best known for his studies on the reflexes and the concept of the "Whytt reflex," which refers to the pupillary light reflex.

Early Life and Education

Robert Whytt was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1714. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied under some of the leading medical minds of the time. Whytt completed his medical degree in 1737 and subsequently traveled to Leiden, where he furthered his studies under the tutelage of the famous physician Herman Boerhaave.

Career

Upon returning to Edinburgh, Whytt began his medical practice and was appointed as a physician to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. In 1747, he became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and in 1756, he was appointed as the King's Physician in Scotland.

Contributions to Medicine

Robert Whytt made significant contributions to the understanding of the nervous system. His most notable work was on the concept of reflexes. In his seminal publication, "An Essay on the Vital and Other Involuntary Motions of Animals" (1751), Whytt argued that reflex actions were not merely mechanical responses but involved the central nervous system. He proposed that the spinal cord played a crucial role in reflex actions, a concept that laid the groundwork for future research in neurophysiology.

The Whytt Reflex

The "Whytt reflex" refers to the pupillary light reflex, where the pupil constricts in response to light. Whytt's research demonstrated that this reflex was mediated by the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord, rather than being a direct response of the eye to light.

Other Research

In addition to his work on reflexes, Whytt conducted research on various medical conditions, including tuberculosis and rickets. He was also interested in the effects of opium and other drugs on the body, contributing to the early understanding of pharmacology.

Legacy

Robert Whytt's work had a lasting impact on the field of physiology and medicine. His insights into the nervous system and reflex actions influenced subsequent generations of researchers and helped establish the foundation for modern neurophysiology. Whytt's emphasis on the role of the central nervous system in reflex actions was a significant departure from the prevailing mechanistic views of his time.

Also see

• Herman Boerhaave
• Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
• Reflex action
• Neurophysiology