Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Watson, Patrick Heron

by D'Arcy Power

WATSON, Sir PATRICK HERON (1832–1907), surgeon, born at Edinburgh on 5 Jan. 1832, was third of four surviving sons of Charles Watson, D.D., minister of Burntisland, Fife, and Isabella Boog his wife. His three brothers all attained distinction, two (Charles and Robert Boog) in the church, and the third (David Matthew) in business.

Patrick Watson was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and at the University, where he graduated M.D. in 1853.

Admitted L.R.C.S. Edinburgh in 1853, he was elected F.R.C.S. in 1855. After a year's residence at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Watson volunteered for service at the opening of the Crimean war. He was appointed a staff assistant surgeon, but his operative skill and his teaching powers were so obvious that he was retained at Woolwich to instruct other volunteer surgeons. He went to the Crimea some months later, and was attached to the royal artillery; but an attack of enteric followed by dysentery caused him to be invalided home in 1856. He received the Crimean, Turkish, and Sardinian medals. As soon as his health was restored, Watson began to teach surgery at the High School Yards, Edinburgh, and became lecturer on systematic and clinical surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons there. Watson afterwards acted as private assist- ant to Prof. James Miller, whose eldest daughter he afterwards married. He declined an offer of a similar post under Professor James Syme [q. v.]. In 1860 he was chosen assistant surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, and full surgeon in 1863. On the expiration of his term of office in 1878, the managers appointed him an extra surgeon for five years. Watson, who endeared himself to his patients, was as an operator unrivalled in Edinburgh for brilliancy of execution and rapidity of manipulation. He devised and carried out many of the operations which only became general in a succeeding generation. Before the introduction of Listerian methods he had removed the whole larynx, extirpated the spleen, performed ovariotomy with success, and popularised excision of the joints. As a lecturer he was eloquent, clear, and impressive; as a hospital surgeon and clinical teacher he was effective and popular.

In 1878 Watson accompanied the third Earl of Rosslyn on the special embassy sent to Spain on King Alfonso XII's marriage, and was decorated caballero of the order of Carlos III of Spain. At the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Watson was president in 1878 and again in 1905, at the quatercentenary festival. From 1882 to 1906 he represented the college on the General Medical Council. He was one of the honorary surgeons in Scotland to Queen Victoria and to King Edward VII. He was made hon. LL.D. of Edinburgh in 1884 and hon. F.R.C.S. Ireland in 1887. He was knighted in 1903. Through life he was a keen volunteer. He joined the Queen's Edinburgh brigade as a surgeon and retired with the rank of brigade surgeon lieutenant-colonel, V.D. He died at his residence in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, on 21 Dec. 1907. Watson married in 1861 Elizabeth Gordon, the eldest daughter of Prof. James Miller, and left two sons and two daughters. A portrait painted by Sir George Reid belongs to Watson's son. Charles Heron Watson, F.R.C.S. Edin.

Watson's works, all published at Edinburgh, are:

1. 'The Modern Pathology and Treatment of Venereal Disease,' 1861.
2. 'Excision of the Knee Joint,' 1867.
3. 'Amputation of the Scapula along with Two-thirds of the Clavicle and the Remains of the Arm,' 1869;
4. 'Excision of the Thyroid Gland,' 1873.

[Scottish Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. xxii. 1908, p. 66 (with portrait); Lancet, 1908, i. 69; Brit. Med. Journal, 1908, i. 62; private information.]

D’A. P.