Biographical Sketch of

SIR ASTLEY PASTON COOPER, BART. F. R.S. (With a Portrait.)

[1829.

very imperfect, owing to the low state of the mechanical arts, and the general ignorance of the structure of the human frame. We cannot, at present, conceive how any operations could be performed on so com

ledge of the arrangement and connexion of its parts. Anatomy is undoubtedly the foundation both of medicine and surgery; since without some skill in this science, it is impossible to ascertain either the seat or the cause of several diseases. It would, therefore, appear natural to suppose, that anatomy must have been at least as ancient as medicine or surgery. But history contradicts this idea.

MEDICINE, Surgery, and pharmacy, were not originally distinct professions, but unit-plicated a body, without an exact knowed in the same person. It was not necessary to subdivide the healing art into separate classes, till knowledge became extended, and the occupations of men multiplied. Celsus says, and there is every probability in favour of his assertion, that surgery is the most ancient branch of medical science; for which a good reason may be assigned, in the simplicity of primeval manners: and it has ever been observed, that savages are generally dexterous in treating wounds and other casualties, while they are perfectly ignorant of remedies for inward disorders.

Anatomy is at present that branch of art which requires the deepest study and penetration, the most various and extensive knowledge, and the most delicate operations, conducted with great care, and good instruments. Anatomy, therefore, considered in this point of view, must have been unknown in the first ages of the world. Notwithstanding this, men might have some imperfect knowledge, even then, of the internal structure of their bodies, particularly from opening those of the animals made use of for their food; besides which, some useful hints must also have been furnished

To say nothing of other accidents which require the assistance of surgery, men were very early engaged in quarrels ; and, therefore, as soon as battles were fought, it be came necessary to study the art of extracting arrows, stanching blood, reducing dislocations, setting broken bones, and healing wounds and bruises. These things, however, require such a degree of experience and dexterity, as can only be acquired by long practice. It was consequently requi-by the frequent recurrence of wounds, fracsite that some persons should devote themselves to the study; and it is even likely that the first physicians owed the honours of that name to their skill in surgical operations.

We have no account of the manner of healing wounds in the early ages of the world, but it was doubtless very simple. Bandages must have been the first means used for stopping blood, and defending the injured part from the air. In process of time, the juice of roots or simples, either pounded or steeped in wine or water, would be adopted for the same purpose. The wood and bark of certain trees, oil, and resin, were also used. These were the only remedies originally known. The composition and virtue of ointments and plasters must have been of posterior date.

With respect to operations, we may well believe, that they were for a long period

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tures, and other accidents. Yet even with the light thus afforded, the curative art necessarily made a slow progress; a striking proof of which is, the fact, that the study of anatomy was quite abandoned for many years, and was not resumed till the sixteenth century.

At that period, the first surgeons in Europe were blind followers of the Arabian practitioners, and, neglecting operations, endeavoured to supply their want of dexterity by increasing the number of cataplasms. A few of the more expert occasionally attempted difficult cases, but their learned brethren could not be easily convinced of the advantage of operative practice. The Gothic taste still prevailed in the construction of chirurgical instruments, which were so complicated and clumsy, as rather calculated to aggravate than diminish the evils they were designed to remove.

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Innumerable instances might be adduced, from which it would appear, that the most skilful surgeons of this age very seldom undertook difficult operations; and that these were generally intrusted to ignorant barbers or itinerant pretenders.

One history is very remarkable. When Mathias, king of Hungary, was wounded in a battle against the Moldavians, in 1464, the arrow remained so closely fastened in the wound, that none of the royal surgeons would venture to extract it. The monarch, therefore, issued a proclamation, in which he offered great riches and high honours to the person who would repair to his court, and heal the wound. Notwithstanding the powerful excitement thus held out, four years elapsed before any adventurer appeared. At length, however, John of Dockenburg, a surgeon of Alsatia, ventured to undertake the task, and saved the king, who loaded him with extraordinary rewards. It merits observation, that all evils are, in some degree, productive of good. Thus the madness of the crusaders, in which millions perished, extended commercial in- | tercourse, and introduced various scientific improvements hitherto unknown among the European nations. In like manner, the invention of gunpowder, and its application to warlike purposes, gave a new and beneficial turn to the practice of surgery.

As the treatment of gun-shot wounds could neither be learnt from the writings of the ancients, nor from the methods of the Arabians and Saracens, the surgeons were now under the necessity of studying the structure of the parts, and of adopting a bolder method of practice, for the extraction of balls, the reduction of fractures, and the amputation of limbs. The number of practitioners therefore multiplied, particularly in those countries which were much exposed to war; and with that increase, medical science rose to distinction. No century, indeed, was ever so productive of great and interesting discoveries, nor in any did the knowledge of the human frame advance so rapidly, as in the period of which we are speaking, and which formed a new era in the history of mankind, by the junction of the two hemispheres, the invention of printing, and the wide diffusion of scriptural knowledge. The concurrence of these important events, about the very point of time most favourable to the production of general and continued improvement, cannot be ascribed to blind chance, but is resolvable only into the design of infinite wisdom.

Though England cannot be said to have made so early or quick a progress in me

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|dical science as the continental states, she did not neglect it in any of its branches. The foundation of the Royal College of Physicians, and of St. Bartholomew's and St. Thomas's hospitals, at the beginning of the Reformation, gave an impetus to study, by dignifying the profession, and checking empiricism. The incorporation of the body of surgeons, at the same time, was another step in the advancement of the healing art, but unfortunately the art was degraded by uniting this fraternity with the worshipful society of barbers; and what is more extraordinary, near three centuries were suffered to pass before the unnatural alliance was legally dissolved. One consequence of this preposterous connection was, the depression of science; and though the discovery of the circulation of the blood conferred immortality on Harvey, the practice of surgery received comparatively but little improvement, till the noble establishment of Guy's Hospital, and its union with the neighbouring one of St. Thomas's, by which means England at length obtained a medical school of the first reputation. Before this took place, students who were desirous of acquiring a thorough knowledge of anatomy and of operative surgery, found it expedient to visit the continent, and to profit by the lectures and practice of foreign profes sors, particularly those of Paris.

The case is now altered; and though much has been said of the impediments to medical study, by the want of subjects for anatomical purposes, the alleged deficiency has not had the effect which might have been expected, of deteriorating the profession, or preventing improvement. On the contrary, the number of practitioners has rapidly increased of late years, and England may boast of operators, who in skill and knowledge are not surpassed, if, indeed, equalled, by any in Europe.

Among these distinguished persons, without disparagement to others, the name of Sir ASTLEY PASTON COOPER stands preeminent, both as an operative surgeon and teacher of anatomy.

This celebrated practitioner was born on the 23d of August, 1768. His father, the reverend Samuel Cooper, D. D. who then resided at Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, was rector of Yelverton and of Morley, in that county; and his mother was the daughter and heiress of James Barnsby, Esq. of Spottisham, also in Norfolk.

The subject of this memoir, who was a younger son, obtained his baptismal names from his two godfathers, Sir Jacob Astley and Mr. Paston, both gentlemen of the first distinction in the county. After receiving

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a private education, he was, at his own desire, articled to Mr. Henry Cline, principal surgeon of Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. Under such an able instructor, and with the advantage derived from the practice of two great medical establishments, an enterprising and intelligent young man, who was bent upon excelling in his profession, could not fail to acquire distinction. The diligence, attention, and acuteness of Mr. Cooper, added to a suavity of disposition, and a commendable degree of patience, rendered him no less a favourite with the patients and students, than with his worthy preceptor. So well satisfied, indeed, was Mr. Cline with the steadiness and ability of his pupil, that he entrusted him with a large share of hospital practice, even in cases of the most intricate nature. The curators also were equally confident in him, and as a testimony of their approbation, appointed him, while yet very young, demonstrator of anatomy at St. Thomas's, and assistant surgeon at Guy's hospital. Mr. Cline being thus, in a great measure, relieved from the weight of labour, gradually relinquished the task of lecturing to Mr. Cooper; and this, instead of lessening, considerably increased the number of pupils at the hospital, as well as auditors in the theatre.

In the year 1800, Mr. Cooper appeared before the public in the character of a discoverer in anatomy. This was in a communication to the Royal Society, of an important paper, stating the effects produced on the organ of hearing, by a perforation of the membrana tympani, commonly called the drum of the ear. It had hitherto been generally imagined, that such an accident must be unavoidably attended with deafness, but several cases were adduced, all concurring in the proof, that the loss of this faculty is but partial, and sometimes so little, as to produce very slight inconvenience. A perforation of the membrane is indicated when air or smoke can be drawn from the mouth through the external ear.

Other communications, wholly of an experimental nature, free from hypothesis, and drawn up with commendable simplicity, were made to the same learned body; in consequence of which, on the 18th of February, 1802, Mr. Cooper was unanimously elected a member of the Royal Society.

In the same year he imparted to the editors of the London Medical and Physical Journal, some interesting and important cases, accompanied with a descriptive plate, exemplifying an improved treatment of popliteal aneurism. The celebrated surgeon, John Hunter, first con

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trived a plan of securing the arteries; but his method sometimes failed in practice, on which account that skilful operator, Mr. Abernethy, directed his attention to the subject, and suggested the application of two ligatures instead of one, and afterwards dividing the vessel, thereby lessening the danger of hæmorrhage. Great as this improvement was, some danger still attended it, particularly from the effusion of blood. Mr. Cooper, therefore, contrived a more facile method of fastening the wounded artery, by an eyed probe with a double ligature, which happily answered the purpose, and that in some very desperate cases.

In 1804, Mr. Cooper published, in one volume, folio, and dedicated to Mr. Cline, a work entituled "The Anatomy and Surgical Treatment of Inguinal and Congenital Hernia, illustrated by Plates." -Though the world in general is not quite aware of the extreme frequency of hernia, every medical practitioner knows that the disease is one of common occurrence in every rank of life. But notwithstanding the obligation under which the faculty lie, of studying this complaint in all its varieties, there was still wanting a clear and accurate treatise, exhibiting all that minute anatomy has been able to discover, and skilful surgery to practise, in the knowledge and treatment of hernia. This deficiency was now in a great degree supplied by our author, who in his preface says, "I have almost uniformly avoided quoting the opinions of authors on this part of surgery. This I have done, certainly not from any wish to slight or undervalue the labours of some of the most excellent physiologists and practitioners that have adorned our profession, but because it did not form a part of my plan to give a history of this branch of surgery, and because I wanted to confine myself to the very wide scene of observation afforded by the two noble institutions of St. Thomas's and Guy's Hospitals, and to that portion of the practice of this metropolis which I have been personally enabled to authenticate. I have therefore, related no cure, and given no remark, to the truth of which I cannot vouch; and for the same reason, the subjects of all the plates annexed to this volume, are from preparations either in my own possession, or in the Anatomical Museum at St. Thomas's Hospital."

The style of this performance, as also that of all the author's productions, is a simple communication of facts, clear and unaffected. Almost every thing relating

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to the history of opinions and dicoveries in the disease, is omitted: the author has appeared desirous of incurring a personal responsibility for the accuracy of every case and assertion; and to confine himself to the results of a multitude of dissections, of which actual demonstration exists in one or two cabinets of anatomy, or to the records of numerous operations, of which living witnesses remained at the time when he published the respective cures to the world. Under a plan thus circumscribed, to have made so valuable an accession to the kindred arts of anatomy and surgery, displays a brilliant testimony of extensive knowledge, professional skill, unsparing industry, and scrupulous integrity in the author.

In 1807, our indefatigable observer completed his design by publishing, in the same splendid form, a treatise on "Crural and Umbilical Hernia.” These two works have been since concentrated in one volume, with additional cases, and edited by the author's pupil and coadjutor, Mr. Key of Guy's Hospital.

In 1805, Mr. Cooper co-operated with some of the most eminent London prac titioners, in founding a social institution for reciprocal information and public improvement. The first-fruits of this "Medical and Chirugical Society," appeared in 1809, when a volume of its Transactions was published. In their preface, the editors give a modest account of the plan on which the institution was founded: "The varied forms of disease, whether medical or surgical, and the modes of treatment which may be found adequate to their removal, are subjects concerning which the Society necessarily feels the highest interest. Cases having a fatal issue are often not less instructive than such as terminate favourably. They frequently tend to point out more accurately the plan to be pursued in the treatment of similar complaints; they afford valuable information relative to the probable causes of failure, and, when dissection is permitted, they throw light on the more intimate nature and modification of the disease."

This volume contains "two cases of Aneurism of the Carotid Artery," by Mr. Cooper; the first of which terminated fatally, and the second fortunately. The subsequent volumes of the transactions were also enriched with valuable papers from the same source. Other publications devoted to the extension of science and professional improvement, have also been

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enriched with valuable communications from this indefatigable practitioner; and among the rest, may be mentioned The Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal," to which he voluntarily transmitted, at the very commencement of the work, some

curious cases.

In 1811, Mr. Cooper, favoured the profession and the public with a series of experiments instituted by him, in order to ascertain the resources with which nature is provided for distributing the vital fluid throughout the bodies of animals, when the principal trunks of arteries are destroyed. To determine this point, Mr. C. tied the aorta descendens of dogs, very near to the heart, in such a way as to stop the current of blood from passing by that vessel, to all the lower parts of the frame. The animals seemed to sustain no great inconvenience by this treatment; the wounds soon healed, the health was not impaired, the secretions proceeded as usual, and the creatures even remained active and lively. When they were destroyed, after some weeks or months, in order to ascertain what changes had happened from the destruction of a part presumed to be so essential to life as the aorta, it was found obliterated where the ligature was fixed, and that the blood had been transmitted by anastymosing branches.

On the resignation of Mr. Cline, there could be no hesitation in regard to the choice of a successor; and Mr. Cooper from this period may be considered as standing unrivalled in the double situation of surgical operator and anatomical preceptor.

To the acquisition of wealth, distinctions of the most flattering description were soon added. He was nominated surgeon to his Majesty; and in 1821, he had the satisfaction of relieving the august personage from a very uneasy excrescence which had formed on the top of his head. The operation was painful, but the King bore it without evincing any emotion; and when complimented by Mr. Cooper for his fortitude, he replied, "None of our family was ever known to want courage." For his skilful performance of this service, the dignity of a baronet was conferred upon the surgeon, the 27th of July, in the same year, with remainder, in default of male issue, to his nephew Astley Paston Cooper, Esq. the third son of the late reverend Samuel Lovic Cooper, A. M. rector of Ingoldesthorpe and Barton, in the county of Norfolk.

On the 11th August, 1828, Sir Astley was gazetted as sergeant-surgeon to the King,