Charles Delucena Meigs
Encyclopedia
Dr. Charles Delucena Meigs (February 19, 1792 - June 22, 1869) was an influential American obstetrician of the nineteenth century who is remembered for his opposition to obstetrical anesthesia and to the idea that physician
s' hands could transmit disease to their patients.
and Clara Benjamin Meigs. He died June 22, 1869, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
He graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
in 1817. In 1818 he was awarded an honorary degree of M.D. from Princeton University
. Meigs specialized in obstetrics and was for a long time the acknowledged leader in this branch of medicine. In 1841, he became professor of obstetrics and diseases of women in the Jefferson Medical College, until his retirement in 1861.
Meigs was a lifelong opponent of obstetric anesthesia
. In 1856, he warned against the morally "doubtful nature of any process that the physicians set up to contravene the operations of those natural and physiological forces that the Divinity has ordained us to enjoy or to suffer". He also opposed the idea that doctors could convey childbed fever
(a disease) on his hands on the grounds that "Doctors are gentlemen
and a gentleman's hands are clean".
A son, Montgomery C. Meigs
(1816–1892), achieved distinction as Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army during the American Civil War
.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
s' hands could transmit disease to their patients.
Biography
Meigs was born February 19, 1792, in St. George, Bermuda, the son of Josiah MeigsJosiah Meigs
Josiah Meigs was an American academic, journalist and government official.-History:Meigs was the 13th and last child of Jonathan Meigs and Elizabeth Hamlin Meigs. His older brother was Return J. Meigs, Sr., whose son was Return J...
and Clara Benjamin Meigs. He died June 22, 1869, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
He graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1817. In 1818 he was awarded an honorary degree of M.D. from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
. Meigs specialized in obstetrics and was for a long time the acknowledged leader in this branch of medicine. In 1841, he became professor of obstetrics and diseases of women in the Jefferson Medical College, until his retirement in 1861.
Meigs was a lifelong opponent of obstetric anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
. In 1856, he warned against the morally "doubtful nature of any process that the physicians set up to contravene the operations of those natural and physiological forces that the Divinity has ordained us to enjoy or to suffer". He also opposed the idea that doctors could convey childbed fever
Puerperal fever
Puerperal fever or childbed fever, is a bacterial infection contracted by women during childbirth or miscarriage. It can develop into puerperal sepsis, which is a serious form of septicaemia. If untreated, it is often fatal....
(a disease) on his hands on the grounds that "Doctors are gentlemen
Gentleman
The term gentleman , in its original and strict signification, denoted a well-educated man of good family and distinction, analogous to the Latin generosus...
and a gentleman's hands are clean".
A son, Montgomery C. Meigs
Montgomery C. Meigs
Montgomery Cunningham Meigs was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, construction engineer for a number of facilities in Washington, D.C., and Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army during and after the American Civil War....
(1816–1892), achieved distinction as Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
External links
- P M Dunn, Professor Charles D Meigs (1792-1869) of Philadelphia and persistent fetal circulation., Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1994; 70; F155-F156