James SYME Surgery.” Honors Were Showered on Syme from All Parts of Europe

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James SYME Surgery.” Honors Were Showered on Syme from All Parts of Europe

Who’s Who in Orthopedics amputation. Even within his lifetime, the Syme amputation was recognized as a major technical advance. In 1868, a book written by D.E.D. Hudson, The Mechanical Surgery, described the Syme amputation as follows: “No amputation of the inferior extremity can ever compare in its value to the subject with that of the ankle joint originated by Mr. Syme.” Syme recognized the tremendous contribution of his son-in-law, Lister, to the practice of surgery, and in 1868 a paper was published by Syme in the British Medical Journal entitled “On the Anti- septic Method of Treatment in Surgery.” Another article by Syme in April of 1868 states, “As the most important subject of our attention, I may ﬁrst mention the antiseptic treatment, which, if it had not already done so, is certainly destined in no small degree to revolutionize the practice of James SYME surgery.” Honors were showered on Syme from all parts of Europe. 1799–1870 In 1868, Syme suffered a stroke that involved his left side. That same year he resigned the chair James Syme was born in Edinburgh in November at the University of Edinburgh, to which he had 1799, the son of well-to-do parents. During his brought such prestige. He died in June 1870. He school days he was fascinated with the subject of was buried in the family vault at St. John’s chemistry. In 1818 he described in The Annals of Episcopal Church in Edinburgh. In the Scotsman Philosophy a new solvent for India rubber derived newspaper of June 20, 1870, there is a resume of from coal tar. This process was patented by a Mr. Syme’s character and achievements as a Glasgow manufacturer named Macintosh, and surgeon. It is believed to be from the pen of had Syme followed the advice of his friends, our Joseph Lister: “The most prominent feature of rainproof garments today might be referred to as Mr. Syme’s character was uncompromising truth- “Symes” and not “Macintoshes.” Syme was prob- fulness; and with the love of what was true and ably induced to study medicine by the brilliant noble was combined in a corresponding measure, Robert Liston, with whom he worked as an assis- the detestation of what he believed to be counter- tant and demonstrator in anatomy. After a quarrel feit and base.” with Liston in 1824, Syme began lecturing on his own in surgery and anatomy. In 1833 he was appointed to the chair of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh and was given an appointment on the staff of the Royal Inﬁrmary. In 1853 Joseph Lister migrated from London to Edinburgh and established a warm relationship with James Syme. By his marriage with Agnus, Syme’s eldest daughter, Lister became the son-in- law of the distinguished professor and acted as his assistant and substitute on many occasions. Syme introduced conservative alternatives to major amputations and is best remembered for his contribution of ankle disarticulation with preser- vation of the heel pad as an alternative to below- knee amputation. Since cartilage is more resistant to infection, the postoperative healing with this new operation, reported by Syme in 1844, was much better than with other traditional types of 329.

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