A series of pre-operative casts of the head, one of plaster of Paris and the other of wax, have recently been discovered in the Department of Anatomy. Edinburgh, of a patient with an immense tumour of the left maxillary antrum which produced an enormous degree of facial distortion. These casts complement a series of engravings published in the contemporary literature. This lady's tumour was successfully excised by Robert Liston in 1834 in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, only a month before he left Edinburgh for London. The tumour was believed to be benign, and was removed without the benefit of anaesthesia. The patient returned the following summer to have a gold palate fitted, and while her voice was initially indistinct, it subsequently recovered.
ColtartD.J. Surgery between Hunter and Lister as exemplified by the life and works of Robert Liston (1794–1847). Proc Roy Soc Med1972; 65: 556–60.
2.
PatersonR. Memorials of the life of James Syme. Edmonston & Douglas, Edinburgh, 1874; Anon. Syme, James (1799–1870). Dictionary of National Biography 19. Oxford University Press, London, 1963–64: 266–267; Anon. Russell, James (1754–1836). Dictionary of National Biography 17. Oxford University Press, London, 1963–64: 439–440.
3.
ComrieJ.D. A History of Scottish Medicine. 2nd Edition. 2 Volumes. Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, London, 1932; Volume 2: p 594.
4.
PowerD'A.SpencerW.G.GaskG.E. Plarr's Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2 Volumes. John Wright & Sons Ltd., Simpkin Marshall Ltd., London, 1930; Volume 2: p. 371.
5.
ListonR. An essay on strictures of the urethra, and some of their consequences: submitted to the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, when candidate for admission into their Body. John Moir, Edinburgh, 1818 [pp. 46; dedicated to ‘Robert Nasmyth Esq. by his friend the author].
6.
Cornrie1932; Volume 2: pp. 496–497; Lonsdale, H. A sketch of the life and writings of Robert Knox the Anatomist. Macmillan & Co., London, 1870 [See pp. 66–68, for the original description of this case, but where no mention is made of Liston].
7.
Power1930; Volume 2: p. 371.
8.
SymeJ. A probationary essay on Necrosis; submitted, by the authority of the President and his Council, to the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, when candidate for admission into their Body, in conformity to their regulations respecting the admission of ordinary Fellows. Abernethy & Walker, Edinburgh, 1823 [pp. 44; dedicated “To Robert Liston, Esq. Surgeon, this essay is inscribed by his friend, the author”].
9.
McCallH.B. Some old families: a contribution to the genealogical history of Scotland. Watson & Ball, Birmingham, 1890 pp. 105–116 [See p. 106].
10.
Anon. Death of Mr Liston. Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal1848; 69: 267–268; Anon. Liston, Robert (1794–1847). Dictionary of National Biography 11. Oxford University Press, London, 1963–64: 1236–1237.
11.
ListonR. Observations on some tumours of the mouth and jaws. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions1837; 20: 165–199.
12.
ListonR. Practical Surgery. With one hundred and twenty engravings on wood. John Churchill; Henry Renshaw, London, 1837.
13.
SymeJ. Contributions to the Pathology and Practice of Surgery. Sutherland & Knox, Edinburgh; Simpkin, Marshall & Co., London, 1848 [For chapter on excision of the lower jaw, see pp. 13–29].
14.
SymeJ. Art. VI. Case of osteo-sarcoma of the lower jaw, removed by James Syme, Esq. FRC. Surgeons, Lecturer on Anatomy and Surgery, &c. Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal1828; 30: 286–290; Kaufman MH, Royds MT. The Penman case: a re-evaluation. J Roy Coll Surg Edin 2000; 45: 51–55.
15.
SymeJ. The Principles of Surgery. Maclachlan & Stewart, Edinburgh; Baldwin & Cradock, London, 1832 [This is the first edition of this text; for the section on tumours of the gums and jaws, see pp. 687–692]; Syme, J. The Principles of Surgery. 5th Edition. John Murray, London, 1863 [For the section on tumours of the gums and jaws, see pp. 536–539; the section in this text is less detailed than in the first edition].
16.
Liston (1837), see ref. 11 pp. 186–89, including Plate 2, Fig 1.
17.
Liston (1837), see ref. 11 p.187.
18.
BallingallG. Catalogue of the Museum attached to the Class of Military Surgery in the University of Edinburgh. R & R Clark, Edinburgh, 1855: p.31.
19.
Anon. Catalogue of the Specimens in the Anatomical Museum of the University of Edinburgh. Vol. I. - Pathology. James Thin, Edinburgh, 1909: p 1031.
