Bell

BELL, Charles (Sir Charles Bell, 1774-1842), surgeon, famous physiologist and anatomist. He attended the high school in Edinburgh (Scotland), where he studied medicine, and in particular, anatomy. Being an excellent draftsman, while still a student he published in 1798 "A system of dissection explaining the anatomy of the human body" with engravings on copper from his own drawings. B. skillfully prepared and wax specimens in pathological anatomy. In 1804 he moves to London due to difficulties being created for him in teaching by the Edinburgh medical faculty. In 1811 in "An idea of a new anatomy of the brain" there are already the first reports by Bell regarding his great discovery about the difference in functions of the anterior and posterior roots of the spinal nerves. Bell did not like to perform vivisections and only 10 years later made his famous report to the Royal Society—"On the nerves: giving an account of some experiments on their structure and function, which lead to a new arrangement of the system", on the same, already fully developed topic. In 1824 B. takes the chair of anatomy and surgery at the College of Surgeons; 4 years later he is professor of physiology in the newly opened London University. Soon, however, dissatisfied, Bell leaves service, engages in medical practice and continues his physiological research (facial nerves, human vocal apparatus, functions of the brain and spinal cord, individual nerves, etc.). In 1834 B. is awarded a gold medal (of 50 guineas) for his discoveries, and a year later he receives the chair of surgery at Edinburgh University.