“A complete and thorough understanding of Anatomy is essential to intelligent, successful, and honest work in Medicine”

Abstract

The anatomist Thomas Cook (1893) reminded us of a letter written to him by the president of the Royal College of Physicians, Sir Andrew Clark, where he remarked, “A complete and thorough understanding of Anatomy is essential to intelligent, successful, and honest work in Medicine.”

Sir Andrew Clark (Figure 1) was a highly esteemed physician described by colleagues of the day as a “man of science” and “one of the wisest of physicians and best of men” (Reminiscences of Andrew Clark, 1893). His early work was devoted to morbid anatomy and microscopy, where his powers of observation and attention to detail were put to good use. In this regard, he was fond of quoting the words of Sydenham, “Tota ars medici est in observationibus”- the whole art of medicine consists of observations. He lectured on anatomy and physiology while working at London Hospital.

Clark was born in Aberdeen in 1826, the son of a physician (Matthew, 2004). He studied at Edinburgh University and would become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, developing a particular interest in pathology. After retiring from the Navy, where he was an assistant surgeon, he became curator of the pathological museum at the London Hospital. In 1866 he became a physician to the Gladstones with William Gladstone (1809–1898), a British statesman and prime minister, being one of his famous patients. Later, in 1888, Clark became president of the Royal College of Physicians and died in 1893.