Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1174.5

JOHN CLARKE (1761-1815) Practical essays on the management of pregnancy and labour: and on the inflammatory and febrile diseases of lying-in women Printed for J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard 1793 ix, 1 unnumbered page, 170 pages 22 cm

First edition containing an early statement of the importance of cleanliness in lying-in wards. Clarke also emphasized the necessity of isolation in cases of child-bed fever. His book was one of a few British works on midwifery from this period that recognized that puerperal fever was transmitted from ill to healthy patients. Clarke received his medical education at St. George’s Hospital in London. He established a private practice while lecturing on midwifery at John Hunter’s medical school. In 1787, he received a license in midwifery from the College of Physicians and became physician to several London lying-in hospitals. He also dealt with diseases of children. “As a lecturer on midwifery, he speedily gained a deservedly high reputation….He was chiefly solicitous to simplify the management of difficult cases and improve the after treatment: and how well he succeeded, our best obstetrical writers bear ample testimony….To great acuteness of perception was added a promptitude in action and a fertility of resources which obtained for him the confidence of patients and the admiration of the profession” (Munk, Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London, 2:370).

Cited references: Garrison-Morton 4825; NLM 18th century (p. 90); Wellcome II (p. 354)

John Martin M.D. Endowment