| Description Of Item | Born in Sorn, Ayrshire, George William Balfour intended to emigrate to Australia and in preparation for country life, at the age of 20, qualified as a veterinary surgeon. His interest in medicine stimulated, he gave up thoughts of Australia and became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Doctor of Medicine, St Andrews.
After study in Vienna he commenced practice in Cramond, near Edinburgh. After being Physician to the New Town Dispensary and the Hospital for Sick Children, Balfour received the post of Physician to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He opposed the practice of routine blood-letting in pneumonia. He was the first to observe the prevalence of phosphorous poisoning amongst workers in match factories. He made his name as a cardiologist and was appointed Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. A sister of Dr Balfour was the mother of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Artist: unknown |