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James ParkinsonEnglish doctor who discovered Parkinson's disease
Date of Birth: 11.04.1755
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of James Parkinson
James Parkinson was an English doctor who discovered Parkinson's disease. He was born in 1755 in London, England, to John Parkinson, a surgeon and pharmacist practicing in Hoxton Square. After his father's death, James took over his practice and continued to work there. On May 21, 1783, he married Mary Dale, and they had six children together.
Medical Career and Other Interests
In 1784, James Parkinson's candidacy was approved in the City of London Corporation as a surgeon. Contrary to popular misconception, Parkinson never worked as a physician. In addition to his thriving medical practice, Parkinson also had a keen interest in geology, paleontology, and politics. He actively participated in the political life of England, being a member of several secret political societies. He even spent a few months in prison after being suspected of a conspiracy to assassinate King George III.
After giving up his political ambitions, James returned to his active medical practice. From 1799 to 1807, he published numerous valuable medical works. He was the first to identify inflammation of the appendix as the cause of death in appendicitis. Parkinson also extensively researched peritonitis and was one of the first to write a scientific paper on the subject.
Parkinson's Disease
However, James Parkinson's most important research was presented in his work 'An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.' In this work, he detailed the disease that is now known worldwide as Parkinson's disease. Published in 1817, this period is considered the beginning of the study and investigation of the disease. Despite over two centuries of research, a universal cure for Parkinson's disease has yet to be found. The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including tremors, slowed movements, and loss of balance, were recognized as not paralysis. Although there have been advancements in alleviating suffering, a universal treatment remains elusive.
Legacy and Death
It is estimated that over 4 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson's disease, with the majority being elderly individuals. Interestingly, while describing the disease, Parkinson observed its symptoms not in a medical setting but in everyday life on the streets of London. The disease received its official name six decades after Parkinson's initial observations.
James Parkinson was also an advocate for the rights and protection of mentally ill individuals. He was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and one of the founding members of the Geological Society of London. He authored numerous works on chemistry and medicine. Parkinson showed great interest in collecting and studying fossils, and several fossils were named after him after his death.
James Parkinson passed away on December 21, 1824, in London. His grave is located in the courtyard of St Leonard's Church in Shoreditch. Additionally, a memorial plaque in his honor can be found on the house at 1 Hoxton Square, where he practiced medicine.
