David Macbride
David Macbride (1726โ1778) was an Irish medical writer. He is now remembered mainly for his work on the treatment of scurvy.
Life
Born at Ballymoney, County Antrim, 26 April 1726, he was the son of Robert McBride, Presbyterian minister there, and brother of John MacBride; his mother's name before marriage was Boyd. He was educated at the village school, and apprenticed to a local surgeon.[1]
Macbride was for a short time surgeon's mate on a hospital ship and surgeon in the navy, and he acquired an acquaintance with the diseases of seamen which he afterwards turned to advantage. After the peace (1748) he attended lectures on anatomy by
Until 1764, when the publication of Experimental Essays made his reputation, Macbride had only a small medical practice. The University of Glasgow created him M.D. 27 November 1764, and he prospered. In the winter of 1776โ7 he began lecturing on medicine in his own house.[1]
In December 1767 Macbride made a discovery in the art of
In 1777 Macbride sent over to England by Dr. Morton what was said to be the original of the
Works
Macbride published:[1]
- Experimental Essays, London, 1764; 2nd edit. enlarged, 1767; another edit. 1776. The essay "On the Nature and Properties of Fixed Air" in it to a some extent anticipated the discoveries of Sir John Pringle.[2]
- Historical Account of the New Method of Treating the Scurvy at Sea, London, 1768. In 1762 Macbride communicated his views on the treatment of soda water and scurvy drew on Macbride's ideas.[3]
- Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Physic, London, 1772; 2nd and enlarged edit. Dublin, 1776, 2 vols. This work grew out of his lectures; it was translated into Latin, and published at Utrecht in 1774.
He also contributed medical papers to periodicals. His Account of the Improved Method of Tanning Leather was published in
Family
Macbride married, first, on 20 November 1753, Margaret Armstrong; and secondly, on 5 June 1762, Dorcas, widow of George Cumming. He left no issue.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 34. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ISBN 9780521347730.
- ISBN 9780199215300.
External links
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). "Macbride, David". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 34. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.
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