Tobias Smollett, Doctor of Men and Manners

Among the great British writers who were physicians, the name of Tobias Smollett ranks high. The author has done a comprehensive research which does not neglect the surgical practice of Tobias Smollett or his literary apprenticeship. Smollett received his medical degree in 1750 from Aberdeen. His writing was a coincidental profession which eventually absorbed his full time. He gave up the practice of medicine about 1753, having written some satires on medical practice. The available literary remains indicate that he must have attended hundreds of patients, but the records of only two were preserved. One record describes an abnormal obstetric case which he reported to Smellie. The second medical note describes a postmortem examination. His knowledge of medicine does not seem to have contributed much to his literary accomplishments. The British at that time had small regard for Scotch medical degrees. An essay which he wrote in 1752 on the