James BegbieFRSE FRCPE FRCSE (1798,Edinburgh – 26 August 1869, Edinburgh) was a Scottish medical doctor who served as president of theMedico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh (1850–2) and as president of theRoyal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (1854–6).
He was among the first physicians to give a detailed description of exophthalmic goitre, currently known asGraves disease (previously called Basedow's syndrome or Begbie's disease). He is also related to the study ofDubini's disease, the old name formyoclonicepidemic encephalitis.[1]
His sonJames Warburton Begbie was also an eminent physician.
Begbie was born on 18 December 1798 inEdinburgh, and educated at theHigh School.[2] Aged 14 he was apprenticed toDr John Abercrombie (1780–1844) at 19 York Place.[3] Later on, he also became Abercrombie's assistant.[2]
In 1821, Begbie obtained his medical doctorate (MD) from theUniversity of Edinburgh. In 1822, he became afellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1827 he is listed as a Governor of theDean Orphan Hospital[4] At this stage he lived at 30 Abercromby Place.[5] In 1827 he was elected a member of theHarveian Society of Edinburgh.[6][7]
He was elected a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Edinburgh his proposer wasDavid Maclagan.[2]
In 1847, he also became a fellow of theRoyal College of Physicians, and became its president from 1854 up to 1856. For forty years, Begbie was a physician for theScottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society 1837 to 1869.[2] In 1848 he was elected a member of theAesculapian Club.[8]
In 1850 he lived at 3Charlotte Square.[9]
Begbie's final years were spent living at 10Charlotte Square one of Edinburgh's most prestigious addresses.[10] His neighbour wasJames Syme.
For several years he was Physician in Ordinary toQueen Victoria in Scotland.
Begbie died in Edinburgh and was interred at theNew Calton Cemetery.[2] The grave is in a concealed location on the north face of the north-most vault against the east wall.
Begbie wrote about important statistical data, the use of arsenic forchronicrheumatism, the use of nitric-hydrochloric acid foroxaluria, and the use ofpotassium bromide for nervousness.[1]
Contributions to Practical Medicine (1862).[citation needed]
He was married to Elizabeth Spear (1805–1874).
Begbie's son was DrJames Warburton BegbieFRSE (1826–1876).[2]
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