1820.] Memoirs of the Literary Society of Manchester. 139 



nities of professional improvement, Mr. White joined his father, 

 and soon became an eminent practitioner in his native town. 

 When the Manchester Infirmary was estabhshed in 1752, he 

 was appointed the surgeon to that important Institution, and he 

 continued to fill that statioii till a few years before his death. 



During- the early part of the last century, the art of midwifery 

 was not so generally practised by males as at present, and the 

 female midwifes were too often extremely ignorant, and were 

 under the dominion of inveterate prejudices. The injurious 

 effects of these deficiencies were more felt in the subsequent 

 treatment of puerperal women than during the time of labour. 

 The lying-in woman was not allowed to rise from her bed before 

 the ninth day ; the curtains were drawn around her ; the doors 

 and windows were closed ; every avenue to the external air was 

 stopped ; and a large fire was kept up in the room. She was 

 loaded with blankets, and crammed with caudle, cordials, and 

 broth. The frequent effects of this absurd treatment were puer- 

 peral and mihary fevers. Mr. White set himself in opposition to 

 usages so fatal in their consequences, and by great perseverance, 

 a manly spirit, united with great professional ability, and the 

 possession of the public confidence, he was fortunate enough to 

 be ultimately able to accomplish his object. His patients were 

 allowed to rise on the second day; the room was well ventilated, 

 and kept cool ; and no cordials or vinous liquors were allowed, 

 except when absolutely necessary, and under proper restrictions. 

 The good effects of these changes were so evident as to carry 

 conviction wherever they were introduced. The miliary fever 

 almost entirely disappeared, and the puerperal soon became 

 comparatively of rare occurrence. 



Mr. White was chosen a member of the Royal Society in 1761. 

 On the original institution of the Literary and Philosophical 

 Society of Manchester, he was appointed one of the vice-presi- 

 dents, an office which he continued almost to the period of his 

 death. In 1803 he was seized with ophthalmia, and suffered long 

 and severe pain in his left eye. The inflammation was subdued, 

 but the sight of the eye was permanently injured. In 1812 the 

 right eye became diseased, a total loss of vision ensued, and his 

 general health rapidly declined. At length, on Feb. 20, 1813, 

 when in the 83th year of his age, he finished a long life of unre- 

 mitting exertion, and of great and extensive usefulness. 



The following is a hst of his writings : 



In the Phil. Trans, are inserted the following papers : 1. An 

 Account of the Topical Application of the Spunge in the Stoppage, 

 of Hemorrhages ; 1772. This practice was afterv/ards super- 

 seded by the invention of the tentaculum, for which surgery is 

 indebted to Mr. Bromfield. 2. An Account of a remarkable 

 Operation on a broken Arm ; 1760. 3. An Account of a com- 

 plete Luxation of the Thigh-Bone of an Adult by external 

 Violence : 1766. 



