BURNS, ALLAN. This talented
anatomist and surgical writer, in whom a life of high promise was too
soon arrested, was the son of the Rev. Dr. Burns, minister of the Barony
Church, Glasgow; a venerable clergyman, who, after bearing for several
years the title of "father of the Church of Scotland," on account of his
seniority, died in 1839, at the very advanced age of ninety-six. Allan
Burns was born at Glasgow on the 18th September, 1781. When
not more than fourteen years old, he entered the medical classes, where
his diligence and proficiency were so remarkable, that only two years
afterwards, he was able to undertake the entire direction of the
dissecting rooms of Mr. John Burns, his brother, who at that time was a
lecturer on anatomy and surgery in the city of Glasgow. In this
situation, his opportunities of extending and perfecting his knowledge
were so carefully employed, that he attained, even though still a youth,
a high reputation among the practical anatomists of his day. His views
being directed to medical practice in the army, he went to London, in
1804, for the purpose of obtaining a commission; but, before his
application was made to that effect, he received an offer that altered
his intention. It was to repair to St. Petersburg, and undertake the
charge of an hospital which the Empress Catherine was desirous of
establishing in her capital, upon the English plan. Allan Burns had been
recommended to her majesty by Dr. Creighton, as one every way qualified
for this important charge; and when the offer was made, it was with the
understanding that he might make a six months’ trial before finally
closing with it. Tempted by so alluring a prospect, Burns left London
for St. Petersburg, and commenced the duties of his new career. But
Russia was not at that time the country which it has now become, and the
sensitive mind of the young Scot was soon sickened by the Asiatic pomp
and Scythian barbarism with which he was surrounded. On this account, he
abandoned the tempting prospect of court favour and professional
advancement that were held out to him, and returned to Scotland before
the six months of probabion had ended. At his departure, he was
presented by the empress with a valuable diamond ring, as a token of the
royal approbation and esteem.
On returning to his native
country, which was at the commencement of 1805, Burns resolved to occupy
the place of his brother, who had discontinued his lectures on surgery
and anatomy. This he did in the winter of the following year, and
quickly won the admiration of his pupils, by the correctness and extent
of his professional knowledge, and great power of illustration. Indeed,
as a lecturer, the most abstruse subjects in his hands became plain and
palpable, and the driest subjects full of interest. Still, however,
notwithstanding his reputation as a lecturer, his fame would have been
limited and evanescent, had it not been for the works he published, by
which the high admiration of those who knew him was participated in by
the world at large. The first of these publications, which appeared in
1800, was entitled, "Observations on some of the most Frequent and
Important Diseases of the Heart: or Aneurism of the Thoracie Aorta: or
Preternatural Pulsation in the Epigastric Region; and on the Unusual
Origin and Distribution of some of the Large Arteries of the Human Body;
Illustrated by Cases." The second, which was published in 1812, was
entitled, "Observations on the Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck;
Illustrated by Cases." This was the whole amount of his authorship, with
the exception of two essays, which he contributed to the "Edinburgh
Medical and Surgical Journal"; one, on the anatomy of the parts
concerned in the operation for crural hernia; the other, on the
operation of lithotomy. The career of professional distinction which
these works had so favourably opened up to him, was closed before it
could be further pursued. So early as 1810, his health had begun to give
way, and though he continued to lecture for two years afterwards, it was
with great difficulty and pain. His death occurred on the 22nd
of June, 1813.
