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Thomas Sydenham (1624–1689)

Image credit: Royal College of Physicians, London

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Thomas Sydenham (1624–1689) was one of the greatest early English physicians and has been called ‘the Father of English Medicine’. Sydenham’s achievement was to introduce an entirely new spirit into the medicine of the time, laying emphasis on clinical observation and accurate descriptions of disease, for which he earned the nickname ‘the English Hippocrates’. He was not concerned with medical theory and scorned those who were. This led to hostility between Sydenham and other physicians in the later years of his life. He revolutionised the treatment of smallpox and fevers in general and was the first person to recognise hysteria as a distinct disease. He also did a lot of work on pneumonia, rheumatism and pleurisy, recognising the important role of climatic conditions in the development of epidemics.

Royal College of Physicians, London

London

Title

Thomas Sydenham (1624–1689)

Date

17th C

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 76.2 x W 63.5 cm

Accession number

X93

Acquisition method

gift from Mr Bayford, 1832

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

Royal College of Physicians, London

11 St Andrew's Place, Regent's Park, London, Greater London NW1 4LE England

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