John Aitken (surgeon)

Little is known about his early life. He is described as "Scotus" on matriculation rolls indicating that he was Scottish. He matriculated at the University of Edinburgh in 1763 to study anatomy, surgery, and chemistry and again in 1769 when he studied the theory and practice of medicine and midwifery. In 1770, he was admitted as a Freeman or Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He was elected Senior President of the Medical Society of Edinburgh (later the Royal Medical Society) on two occasions: in 1774–75, and again in 1775–76. == Career ==

Aitken became a surgeon in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. In 1779 he is described as surgeon and lecturer on surgery in Edinburgh. He also wrote several books, chiefly as textbooks for his lectures. They were said to 'contain much valuable information, and show him to be fully conversant with the literature and philosophy as well as the practical department of his profession." John Aitken made certain practical improvements in surgery. He introduced an alteration in the mode of locking midwifery forceps "to render the matter easier for the practitioner and... more safe for the mother and child." It is not clear where he graduated MD, which he included as a post-nominal from 1783. His name does not appear on the graduation lists of any of the Scottish universities or Trinity College Dublin, but it is possible that he obtained this qualification in Europe. but all of his publications and other biographical sources use the spelling "Aitken". ==Works==

He wrote: • Essays on several important subjects in surgery, chiefly with regard to the nature and cure of fractures, London, 1771, 8vo. • 'Essays and Cases in Surgery, London, 1775, 8vo. • Conspectus Rei Chirurgicæ, Edinburgh. 1777, 8vo. • Medical Improvement; an Address to the Medical Society of Edinburgh, Edinburgh. 1777, 12mo. • Elements of the Theory and Practice of Surgery, Edinburgh. 1779, 8vo, republished with the ‘Elements of the Theory and Practice of Physic, thus forming 2 vols. entitled Elements of the Theory and Practice of Physic and Surgery, London, 1783, 8vo (with portrait). • Outlines of the Theory and Cure of Fever, London, 1781, 12mo. • Principles of Midwifery or Puerperal Medicine, 1784, 8vo. • Osteology; or a Treatise on the Bones of the Human Skeleton, London, 1785, 8vo. • Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Edinburgh. 1786, 2 vols. 8vo. • Essays on Fractures and Luxations, London 1790, 8vo. ==References==