John Hunter (surgeon)
John Hunter (
1728 -
1793) was a Scottish surgeon, who was born
near East Kilbride.
He was a younger brother of
William Hunter, the anatomist. He studied, taught and practiced in
London (initially with his brother). Hunter was an excellent anatomist; his knowledge and skill as a
surgeon was based on sound anatomical background. Among his numerous contributions to medical science are :
- study of human teeth and advancement of dentistry
- extensive study of inflammation
- fine work on gun-wounds
- some work on venereal diseases
After years of hard work he set up his own
anatomy school in London in 1764 and started in private surgical practice.
His recognition rose in 1767 when he was elected as Fellow of the
Royal Society
and in 1768 he was appointed as surgeon to St. George's Hospital. Later he
became a member of the Company of Surgeons.
In 1776 he was appointed surgeon to
King George III; in 1786 he was appointed deputy surgeon to the British Army and in 1789 he was made Surgeon
General.
