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BELL, BENJAMIN, a
distinguished surgical author, was born in Dumfries in 1749. He received
an excellent classical education at the grammar-school of that town, under
Dr Chapman, the rector. The property of Blackett House, in Dumfriesshire,
having devolved to him on the death of his grandfather, he gave a
remarkable instance of generosity by disposing of it, and applying the
proceeds in educating himself and the younger branches of the family,
fourteen in number.
Mr Bell had early made
choice of medicine as a profession, and accordingly he was bound
apprentice to Mr Hill, surgeon in Dumfries, whose practice was in that
quarter very extensive. It was a distinguishing feature in Mr Bell’s
character, that whatever he had once engaged in was prosecuted with
extreme ardour and assiduity. He therefore went through the drudgery and
fatigue necessarily connected with the detail of a surgeon apothecary’s
shop, with the greatest spirit. He, by degrees, materially assisted his
master, by attending his patients; to whom his correct behaviour,
unfailing good humour, and agreeable manners recommended him in the most
powerful manner. He repaired to Edinburgh in 1766, entered himself as a
member of the university, and set himself, with the most serious
application, to the prosecution of his medical studies. The Edinburgh
medical school had just sprung into notice, and was beginning to make very
rapid strides to its present eminence. The first and second Monro had
already given evident tokens of the most distinguished genius. The first
had now relinquished, in favour of his equally skilful son, the business
of the anatomical theatre, and only occasionally delivered clinical
lectures in the infirmary. Mr Bell’s ardour in the study of anatomy, in
all its branches, was unabated. As he proposed to practise surgery, he was
well aware that eminence in that department of the profession could only
be arrived at by persevering industry. He was appointed house-surgeon to
the royal infirmary, which afforded him every opportunity of improvement.
It was here that he laid the foundation of that superior adroitness and
dexterity which so peculiarly characterized him in the many hazardous but
successful operations which he was called to perform.
Though Mr Bell was more
particularly designed for the profession of a surgeon, there was no
department of medicine neglected by him. Dr Black, whose discoveries
formed a new era in the science of chemistry, had been removed from
Glasgow to Edinburgh during the year in which Mr Bell entered the
university. His lectures and experiments proved generally attractive, and
powerfully interested the mind of Mr Bell. Dr Cullen was professor of the
Institutes of Medicine, and his original genius excited the greatest
ardour amongst the students. The practice of medicine was taught by Dr
John Gregory, and Botany by Dr John Hope. These were the professors whom
Mr Bell attended, and it must be confessed, that they were men of
distinguished talents, whose lectures no diligent student could listen to
without deriving very great advantage.
Mr Bell had resolved, in
1770, to visit Paris and London, the two great schools for surgical
practice. Before doing so, however, he passed the examinations at Surgeon’s
Hall, and was admitted a member of the Royal College of Surgeons,
Edinburgh. In those great cities he remained nearly two years, assiduously
improving himself in surgery. Returning to his native country in 1772, he
commenced business in Edinburgh. Few came better prepared than he did for
the practice of surgery. His education was liberal and extensive. His
appearance was much in his favour. His address was good, his manner
composed and sedate. Mr Bell had early formed the plan of composing a
system of surgery, and this he at last accomplished. He did not publish
the whole work at once; but in the year 1778, about six years after he had
finally settled in Edinburgh, and become established in practice, the
first volume was given to the world. The remaining volumes appeared from
time to time until the work was completed in six volumes 8vo. in 1788. In
1793, appeared his "Treatise on Gonorrhea," and in 1794, another
"Treatise on Hydrocele," which is understood to be the least
popular of his works.
Mr Bell married, in 1776,
Miss Hamilton, daughter of Dr Robert Hamilton, professor of divinity in
the University of Edinburgh, by whom he had a numerous family. He died,
April 4, 1806.
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