Francis Mitchell Caird
The grave of Prof Francis Mitchell Caird, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh
Francis Mitchell Caird FRCSEd (8 August 1853–2 November1926) was a Scottish surgeon who was an early advocate of Listerian antisepsis and then asepsis. He was a pioneer of gastrointestinal surgery. From 1908 to 1919 he was Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Edinburgh and was President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1912 to 1914 .[1][2]
Early life and education
He was born on 8 August 1853[3] in Edinburgh in 1853 the son of Margaret (née Dickson) and Francis Garden Caird who lived at 22 Gayfield Square at the top of Leith Walk.[4] Caird was educated at the Royal High School, where he received a medal for botany. Botany was to remain a lifelong interest and on leaving school he became apprentice to a seed merchant. John Hutton Balfour, who had been his examiner for the school botany medal suggested to his parents that he should have a university education. After serving as Balfour's assistant in the Botany Department of the University of Edinburgh he went on to matriculate as a medical undergraduate at the university[5]. His lecturers there included eminent surgeons including Joseph Lister and Thomas Annandale. It is thought that his uncle, also a surgeon, John Caird of 21 St Patrick Square, was another influence that inspired him toward a career in surgery.[6]
While an undergraduate he served as a dresser on Joseph Lister's' wards at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary [7] This experience was to have a major influence on his future career and life’s work. He became an early disciple of Listerian antisepsis and was to practice and promote this throughout his working life.[2] He would later promote the techniques of aseptic surgery as these emerged as superior.[5] He graduated MB ChB from the University of Edinburgh in 1877.[5]
Surgical career
After a resident post in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary under Mr. John Chiene, he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1880.[2] He then made the first of what became a series of regular visits to surgical centres in Europe, studying under the leading German pathologist Friedrich von Recklinghausen in Strasbourg. After demonstrating in anatomy for three years in the Extramural medical school, at Surgeons' Hall under C W Cathcart and at Minto House, he became assistant surgeon to The Royal Infirmary in 1886.[2] . Over the next twenty years he continued to lecture in the Extra-mural school of medicine.
He was appointed surgeon to the Royal Infirmary in 1903. In 1908 he succeeded Professor Thomas Annandale as Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, a position previously held by his mentor Joseph Lister.[6]
Pioneer of gastrointestinal surgery
His use of rigorous aseptic technique and visits to continental surgeons like Mikulicz in Breslau and Billroth in Vienna allowed him to successfully pioneer intestinal surgery in Scotland. He was one of the first exponents of major gastrointestinal resections in Scotland, his work extending throughout the gastrointestinal tract. His repertoire included, for example, techniques of excision of the tongue for carcinoma, closure of perforated gastric and duodenal ulcers, excision of the small bowel for tuberculous stricture and excision of the rectum for carcinoma, the latter performed under spinal anaesthesia.
1912 he succeeded George Andreas Berry as President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.[3] He was succeeded in turn by James Hodsdon.
From the early 20th century he lived at 13 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh's First New Town.[8] The house had originally been the home of Sir William Fettes. He was a close neighbour to his colleague Professor John Chiene.
He retired in 1918 due to ill-health and was succeeded by Sir Harold Stiles. On retiral he moved from Charlotte Square to Royal Terracev on Calton Hill.[9] In 1920 University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD).
He died in Edinburgh on 2 November 1926 and is buried with his wife in the first northern extension to Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh. The grave lies on a north-south path towards the east.[10]
Family
He was married to Jean Rorie Caird (1868–1935). Their son Karl Francis Caird was a general practitioner. His grandson, Francis Irvine Caird, was Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Glasgow.[11]
Publications
- Hints on Antiseptic Management of Wounds
- A Surgical Handbook for the Use of Students (1903 and multiple later editions)
He was a regular contributor to the British Journal of Surgery.
References
- ^ "History of the Chair of Clinical Surgery" (PDF). 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- ^ a b c d "Francis Mitchell Caird". Edinburgh Medical Journal. 33 (12): 743–747. 1926. ISSN 0367-1038. PMC 5320352.
- ^ a b "Francis Mitchell Caird FRCS. E. (1853-1926) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree". wikitree.com. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office directory 1853
- ^ a b c "F. M. Caird, M.B., C.M., F.R.C.S.E., LL.D. - PubMed". Br Med J. 2: 911–2. 1926. PMC 2523651. PMID 20772862.
- ^ a b "Francis Mitchell Caird, M.B., C.M., F.R.C.S.E., LL.D". Can Med Assoc J. 17 (1): 127–128. 927. PMC 406913. Cite error: The named reference "nih" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Francis Mitchell Caird & Charles Walker Cathcart" (PDF). 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1911
- ^ "Francis Mitchell Caird, M.B., C.M., F.R.C.S.E., LL.D". PMC 406913.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=73182&scrwidth=300". gravestonephotos.com. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- ^ "Munks Roll Details for Francis Irvine Caird". munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-23.