John Birkett

Biography

• Born 14 April 1815, Upper Clapton, Middlesex, England
• 1837 – MRCS
• 1844 – FRCS
• Died 1904 6 July 1904, London, England

Medical Eponyms

• Birkett forceps; Birkett artery forceps; Birkett haemostatic forceps
• Birkett hernia: inguinal hernia where the sac extends into the anterior or inferior wall [aka Synovial hernia]
• Pipkin femoral head fracture – first described by Birkett in 1869

Key Medical Attributions

Controversies

Major Publications

• von Behr A. Handbook of human anatomy, general, species and topographical. [English adaptation Birkett] 1847
• Birkett J. The diseases of the breast, and their treatment. 1850
• Birkett J. Adenocele of the mammary gland. 1859
• Birkett J. On the causes of death after amputation. 1859
• Birkett J. Series V. Cartilaginous and bony growths. In: Contributions to the practical surgery of new growths or tumours. 1866
• Birkett J. A contribution to the surgical pathology of sero-sanguineous cysts in the neck and axilla. 1868
• Birkett J. On the mortality arising from abdominal hernia: with suggestions for its diminution. 1868
• Birkett J. Description of a dislocation of the head of the femur, complicated with its fracture. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions. 1869; 52: 133-140

References

• Obituary: John Birkett FRCS Eng. Lancet 1904; 164(4220): 182-184
• Obituary: John Birkett, F.R.C.S. Br Med J. 1904; 2(2272): 154–155.
• Biography: Birkett, John (1815 – 1904). Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows Online. Royal College of Surgeons of England.