Thursday 19 November 2015

Who Is Parkinson'S Disease Named After

Parkinson's disease affects the central nervous system.


Parkinson's disease negatively impacts the central nervous system, affecting a person's motor skills and speech. While the symptoms of this illness had been acknowledged since medieval times, it was not until 1817 that the disease was named after Dr. James Parkinson, a British physician who published the symptoms in a formal documentation.


Birth and Death


Dr. James Parkinson was born in London on April 11, 1755. He died in London on December 21, 1824.


Personal Life


Dr. Parkinson married Mary Dale on May 21, 1783. Together, they had six children.


Natural Science


While he had primarily functioned as a physician, toward the end of the eighteenth century, Dr. Parkinson began to focus on natural science. His major interests were geology and fossils.


An Essay on the Shaking Palsy


In 1817, Dr. Parkinson created his most important work. Publishing "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy," the doctor officially established the disorder as a clinical disease.


Recognition


Dr. Parkinson received very little industry recognition until 1912. J.G. Rowntree, an American, wrote an article for the Bulletin of the Johns Hopkins Hospital entitled "English Born, English Bred, Forgotten by the English and the World at Large," Such Was the Fate of James Parkinson."

Tags: James Parkinson, central nervous, central nervous system, Essay Shaking, Essay Shaking Palsy