James Douglas (physician)

James Douglas ( born March 21, 1675 Badds, West Calder, near Edinburgh, † April 2, 1742 in London) was an anatomist, surgeon and obstetrician. He was physician to the Queen of England.

Life and work

Douglas was the son of William Douglas of Baads, the most influential landowners in the region and Joan, daughter of James Mason of Park of Blantyre. He was the third of twelve children and one of seven sons. A brother, Walter Douglas (1670-1739), another John Douglas ( † 1759).

His master's degree graduated from Douglas in Edinburgh, where he graduated in 1694. On 28 March of the same year he went to Holland, among others in Utrecht, where he probably studied medicine, his conclusion, however, comes from Reims in July 1699th In 1700 he returned to London and became in 1706 a member of the Royal Society selected. One of his students was William Hunter.

He has published numerous anatomical studies and descriptions. In anatomy, the excavatio rectouterina is still named after him ( pouch of Douglas ).