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was then lecturer on anatomy in Old Surgeons' Hall, and Goodsir 

 followed eagerly his brilliant prelections, and practical work. Under 

 the third Monro anatomical teaching in the University was at a low 

 ebb. At that time Wm. Fergusson (afterwards Sir Win.), and John 

 Keid (1833), afterwards Professor of Physiology in St. Andrews, 

 were Knox's demonstrators. He learned surgery under James Syme, 

 than whom few have done more for the surgical fame of Edinburgh 

 — save always his son-in-law Lord Lister. 



Amongst Goodsir's earliest papers was one on the development of 

 the teeth. After practising for some time in Anstruther, Goodsir in 

 1839 took up his abode in Edinburgh, 21, Lothian Street. About 

 that time Dr. (afterwards Sir) J. Y. Simpson, John Reid, Martin 

 Barry, W. B. Carpenter, and John Hughes Bennett were beginning 

 their life-work. Dr. John Reid's work on the eighth pair of nerves 

 had already made his name known on the Continent. 



He was for a time curator of the Museum of the College of 

 Surgeons of Edinburgh, and also gave some lectures, but it is said 

 his "matter was very much better than his manner." He eagerly 

 took up the cell doctrine. He knew the importance of the nucleus 

 and the part played by cells in the process of nutrition, secretion, 

 and reproduction. He had views regarding the "centres of 

 nutrition," and advanced considerably our knowledge of the growth 

 of cartilage, both by his own work and that of his pupil P. Redfern, 

 still happily amongst us, and formerly Professor in Aberdeen and 

 Belfast. There is one curious chapter in Goodsir's history. The great 

 work on Cellular Pathology was dedicated by its author, R. Virchow, 

 to John Goodsir, F.R.S. &c, " as one of the earliest and most acute 

 observers of cell-life both physiological and pathological, as a slight 

 testimony of his deep respect and sincere admiration by the Author." 



"In 1840 Goodsir, in the strength of his adolescence, presented a tall, gaunt frame, 

 whose height (75 inches) towered above all his friends. There was a grave if not sombre 

 tone in his looks, increased by his brown hair combed downwards over his capacious 

 forehead, his stooping shoulders, and downcast visage. His face, however viewed, was 

 striking from its size; his prominent nose, deep and thoughtful eyes, large mouth and chin, 

 and general expression, showed power, calmness, and perseverance. . . . His hands, 

 colossal in size and muscular power, and not less fine in delicacy of action, were fitting 

 instruments to his brain, and often in co-ordination with its manifold manifestations." 

 (Memoir by Henry Lonsdale in Anat. Mem., ed. by W. Turner, 1868 p. 70.) 



John Goodsir was elected to the Chair of Anatomy in 1846, and 

 succeeded the 



" evergreen tertius (i.e. Monro), who unconcernedly at noon ate cranberry tarts in the 

 midst of grinning students at a small pastry-cook's, and with digestion unimpaired the 

 next hour read his grandfather's essays on Hydrophobia as part of an anatomical course." 

 (Lonsdale.) " The three Monros occupied the chair of Anatomy in the University for the 

 long period of 126 years." (J. Struthers.) 



