Thomas Harris (surgeon)

Thomas Harris (1805–1866) was a prominent American surgeon and medical author in the 19th century. He is best known for his contributions to naval medicine and his influential medical texts.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Harris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1805. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1823. He then pursued medical studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1826.

Career

After completing his medical studies, Harris joined the United States Navy as a surgeon. He served in various capacities, including as a ship's surgeon on the USS Constitution. His experiences in naval medicine led him to write several influential texts on the subject, including The Principles and Practice of Naval and Military Surgery (1839) and Naval Hygiene (1851).

In addition to his naval service, Harris also held several academic appointments. He was a professor of anatomy at the Jefferson Medical College and later served as the president of the American Medical Association.

Legacy

Harris's contributions to naval medicine were significant and long-lasting. His texts were widely read and used as standard references in the field for many years. His work also helped to establish the importance of hygiene in naval and military settings, a concept that was not widely accepted at the time.

See Also

• History of medicine
• Naval medicine
• 19th century in medicine