Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge

Proceedings of the Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge from 1793 until its dissolution in 1817, with additional notes and letters inserted by Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie the elder and Charles Hawkins. Before f.l. Letter from Charles Hawkins to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. 1882. ff. 3-34. Proceedings 1793-1817, with additional notes by Sir Benjamin Brodie, 1818 and 1829. ff. 35, 37, 38, 39. Autograph letters of members John Hunter 1790, Sir Everard Home 1821, Sir Benjamin Brodie 1856, and Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke 1855, inserted by Charles Hawkins.

1790-1882

1 volume 1 volume: 320 × 215 mm., 80 ff. (36, 40-80 blank; several folios cut out between ff. 33 and 34). Contemporary calf binding.

Purchased from Dr E Clarke, 1983.

.i1797950x Composed of between nine and twelve physicians and surgeons from London hospitals, the Society met monthly to dine and to hear communications on medical topics. Members included John Hunter, George Fordyce, Sir Everard Home, Sir Gilbert Blane and Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie.

Database description taken from that in: Richard Palmer, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts in the Wellcome Library for the History & Understanding of Medicine: Western Manuscripts 5120-6244 (London: The Wellcome Library for the History & Understanding of Medicine, 1999).

On the dissolution of the Society the proceedings remained in the possession of Sir Benjamin Brodie, whose son presented them to Charles Hawkins. He in turn presented them to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society in 1882.