Alexander Monro primus

Alexander Monro (September 19, 1697 – July 10, 1767) as the first of three generations of physicians of the same name, is known as Alexander Monro primus. He is noted for his role in advancing Medical School of the University of Edinburgh to international prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries. He showed that jaundice is caused by obstruction of the bile duct, and advanced many new ideas in surgical instruments and dressings.

Monro Primus, was born in London on September 19, 1697. He was the son of Mr John Monro, the youngest son of Sir Alexander Monro of Bearcrofts, who was a colonel in the army of Charles II at the battle of Worcester. John Monro was a surgeon in the army of King William, who, after retiring from the army, settled in Edinburgh and entered the College of Surgeons. Although medical and anatomical chairs at that time existed in the University of Edinburgh, he sent his son elsewhere to complete his education: to London, Paris, and Leyden. While he was away, his father assiduously advertised his son's emerging talent in anatomy, presenting several of his preparations to the college. The titular professor of anatomy resolved to relinquish his appointment in favour of the young Alexander Munro, who was duly appointed Professor of Anatomy in 1719, at just twenty-two years of age.

The following year, he began the first regular course of anatomical lectures and demonstrations, ever delivered in Edinburgh. These lectures were continued for nearly forty years, from the end of each October to the beginning of the following May.

Without his knowledge, his father had invited the president and fellows of the college of physicians, and the whole company of surgeons, to attend the first of these lectures. This prompted him to forget completely the lecture that he had preepared and memorised. However, he immediately began to show some of the anatomical preparations, and to speak spontaneously about them. The success of that first lecture led him to resolve never to 'read' a lecture, but instead to talk freely and naturally - a mode that proved extremely popular with students.

Meanwhile, his father, persuaded Dr Alston, then King’s botanist for Scotland, to begin a course of lectures on the materia medica. His father also persuaded the physicians and surgeons of Edinburgh to establish regular courses of lectures. To complete the plan, subscriptions were raised for the foundation of a new hospital - The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. There, Monro commenced clinical lectures on surgical cases, while Rutherford taught a similar course on the medical cases. Monro personally attended the opening of every body for dissection; dictating to the students a report of the dissection, contrasting the diseased and sound state of every organ.

Monro, soon also became known by his publications. His first and principal publication was his Osteology, or Treatise on the Anatomy of the Bones, which appeared in 1726, when he was still under thirty years of age. This treatise, became widely known and was translated into most of the languages of Europe. The French edition, published by M. Sue, demonstrator of sculpture to the Royal Academy of Paris, was adorned with engravings. In later editions Monro added a concise Neurology, or description of the nerves, and an account of the lacteal system and thoracic duct.

Dr Monro was a member of the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons; of the Medical Society; of the Philosophical Society; of the Select Society for questions in morality and politics; and of the Society for promoting arts, sciences, and manufactures in Scotland. As secretary of the latter, he edited six volumes of ‘Medical Essays’, the first of which appeared in 1732, including papers written himself on anatomical, physiological, and practical subjects, including his Essay on the Nutrition of the Foetus.

In 1759 he resigned the anatomical chair to his youngest son, Alexander Monro, Secundus, but still continued his clinical lectures at the Infirmary. His last publication was an Account of the Success of Inoculation in Scotland.

Dr Monro married Miss Isabella Macdonald, daughter of Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat, by whom he had eight children, four of whom, three sons and a daughter, reached maturity. Two of his sons became distinguished physicians—namely, Dr Donald Monro, who attained an eminent practice in London, and became the author of several valuable treatises,—an Essay on Dropsy, 1765—on the Diseases of Military Hospitals, 1764—on Mineral Waters, 1771--on preserving the Health of Soldiers, &c.,—and died in 1802; and Dr Alexander Monro secundus. He died on July 10, 1767, aged 70.

Besides the works which he published, he left several manuscripts, written at different times, of which the following are the principal: A History of Anatomical Writers,—an Encheiresis Anatomica,—Heads of many of his Lectures,--a Treatise on Wounds and Tumours,—a Treatise on Comparative Anatomy,--and an oration De Cuticula. The last two were printed in an edition of his whole works, in one volume, 4to, published by his son, Dr Alexander Monro, 1781.

MONRO, Alexander (1697-1767). Traité d'Ostéologie. Paris: Guillaume Cavelier, 1759.