William Smellie (obstetrician)

William Smellie (5 February 1697 – 5 March 1763) was a Scottish obstetrician and medical educator who is considered to be the founder of scientific midwifery.

Early Life and Education

Smellie was born in the town of Lanark, Scotland. He was apprenticed to a surgeon in Lanark, before moving to London in 1720 to further his medical studies. In 1728, he returned to Lanark and established a successful medical practice.

Career

In 1739, Smellie moved back to London, where he focused on teaching midwifery. He developed a number of innovative teaching methods, including the use of anatomical models and practical demonstrations. He also wrote extensively on the subject, publishing three volumes of A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery between 1752 and 1764.

Smellie is credited with introducing the forceps to obstetric practice, a tool that greatly improved the safety of childbirth. He also developed a method for turning the fetus in the womb to facilitate delivery, a technique that is still used today.

Legacy

Smellie's contributions to obstetrics have had a lasting impact on the field. His emphasis on scientific observation and practical training set a new standard for midwifery education. His writings, particularly his Treatise, remain influential texts in the history of obstetrics.

See Also

• History of medicine
• Obstetrics
• Midwifery

External Links

• Britannica Biography of William Smellie

William Smellie (obstetrician) Resources
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