The doctor's casebook--a process of discovery

A bound manuscript describing the medical cases seen by a mid-eighteenth century Scottish doctor was discovered in the possession of the first author's family. The identity of the doctor is not revealed in the book. The aims were to identify the doctor and understand the significance of this book in the context of Scottish medical history of that period.

The process of investigation involved transcribing the book in order to undertake detailed study of the text, with particular focus on style of writing, location, and the names of patients and doctors mentioned. This information was then used in searches of the Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, London and the Department of Special Libraries and Archives of the University of Aberdeen as well as searches of the internet.

The author was discovered to be a doctor working in Aberdeenshire in the middle of the eighteenth century. His style of writing suggests an educational purpose, with a particular interest in midwifery, and evidence of teaching midwifery techniques to students. He associated with other prominent local doctors of the time and was aware of the current thinking being put forward by his contemporaries. He had a particular association with Dr John Gregory, with whom he not only worked, but whose extended family he also treated.

The author of this casebook was identified as Dr David Skene, and this adds to our knowledge of this important figure of the Scottish Enlightenment who had a particular interest in midwifery and campaigned for the proper instruction of midwives.