Charles James Cullingworth
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Charles James Cullingworth (1841–1908) was an English
gynaecologist Gynaecology or gynecology (see American and British English spelling differences, spelling differences) is the area of medicine that involves the treatment of women's diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs. It is often paired with ...
and
obstetrician Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surgi ...
.


Early life

The son of Griffith Cullingworth, a bookseller, and his wife Sarah Gledhill of Eddercliff, he was born on 3 June 1841 in
Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...
. Of Wesleyan stock, although he afterwards joined the Church of England, he was educated at
Wesley College, Sheffield Wesley College, a school to educate the sons of the laity, opened in 1838 in new buildings designed by William Flockton on Glossop Road, Sheffield, England. It was founded by Rev. Samuel Dousland Waddy (1804–1876) to "supply a generally sup ...
. On leaving school he was employed in his father's business, but on the latter's death in 1860 entered the
Leeds School of Medicine The School of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Leeds, in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The School of Medicine was founded in 1831. The School of Medicine now forms part of the University's Faculty of Medicine an ...
(1861), and at the same time served four years as an apprentice to a general practitioner in Leeds. He became M.R.C.S. in 1865, and licentiate of the
Society of Apothecaries The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London is one of the livery companies of the City of London. It is one of the largest livery companies (with over 1,600 members in 2012) and ranks 58th in their order of precedence. The society is a m ...
in 1866.


In Manchester

After 18 months as assistant in a country practice at
Bawtry Bawtry is a market town and civil parish in the City of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. It lies between Doncaster, Gainsborough and Retford, on the border with Nottinghamshire and close to Lincolnshire. The town is historically part of ...
, Cullingworth entered the
Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) is a large NHS teaching hospital in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, England. Founded by Charles White in 1752 as part of the voluntary hospital movement of the 18th century, it is now a major regional and nati ...
in 1867 as resident physician's assistant, and later was appointed resident medical officer. In 1869 he set up in private practice in Manchester, and from 1872 to 1882 was police surgeon. In 1873 Cullingworth began specialist work, on being appointed honorary surgeon to
Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester Saint Mary's Hospital is a hospital in Manchester, England. It is part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Founded in 1790, St Mary's provides a range of inter-related services specifically for women and children. History The hospita ...
for women and children. In 1881 he graduated M.D. at
Durham University , mottoeng = Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1) , established = (university status) , type = Public , academic_staff = 1,830 (2020) , administrative_staff = 2,640 (2018/19) , chancellor = Sir Thomas Allen , vice_chan ...
, and then gradually dropped private practice, becoming a consultant only. Appointed lecturer in
medical jurisprudence Medical jurisprudence or legal medicine is the branch of science and medicine involving the study and application of scientific and medical knowledge to legal problems, such as inquests, and in the field of law. As modern medicine is a legal c ...
at
Owens College Owens may refer to: Places in the United States *Owens Station, Delaware *Owens Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota *Owens, Missouri *Owens, Ohio *Owens, Virginia People * Owens (surname), including a list of people with the name * Owens Bro ...
, in 1879, he made a success of teaching. In 1885 he was appointed to the chair of obstetrics and gynæcology in Owens College. He was secretary to the board of studies in medicine at Victoria University, Manchester, from 1883, when the university obtained in its charter power to confer degrees in medicine. Cullingworth worked for the Manchester Medical Society for 19 years, as honorary librarian (1872–8) and honorary secretary (1879–84). In Manchester, too, he helped to found the ''Medical Chronicle'', a monthly magazine providing abstracts of work in medical journals.


In London

In 1888 Cullingworth gave up his posts at Manchester to become obstetric physician at St. Thomas's Hospital, London. He remained on the active staff until 1904, staying on for three years beyond the usual age limit. He was then appointed consulting obstetric physician and made a governor of the hospital. On moving to London he was appointed visiting physician to the
General Lying-in Hospital The General Lying-In Hospital was one of the first maternity hospitals in Great Britain. It opened in 1767 on Westminster Bridge Road, London and closed in 1971. Lying-in is an archaic term for childbirth (referring to the month-long bed rest pre ...
, York Road. In 1879 Cullingworth became a member of the
Royal College of Physicians The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a British professional membership body dedicated to improving the practice of medicine, chiefly through the accreditation of physicians by examination. Founded by royal charter from King Henry VIII in 1 ...
. In 1887 he was elected a fellow, and in 1902 he was the first obstetric physician to read the
Bradshaw lecture The Bradshaw Lectures are prestigious lectureships given at the invitation of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. List of past lecturers at Royal College of Physicians List of past lecturers at Royal C ...
, on ''Intraperitoneal hæmorrhage incident to ectopic gestation''. For many years he was active in the
Obstetrical Society of London The Obstetrical Society of London existed from 1858 to 1907. History The Society was set up in 1858, the successor to an Obstetric Society dating from 1825, and in the aftermath of the Medical Act 1858. The founding group included James Hobson Ave ...
.


Last years

Cullingworth was prominent in the movement for securing the legal registration of
midwives A midwife is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery. The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughout their lifespan; con ...
. After the
Midwives Act 1902 {{Infobox UK legislation, short_title=Midwives Act 1902, parliament=, year=, citation=2 Edw. VII c. 17, royal_assent=31 July 1902, commencement=1 April 1903, status=Repealed The Midwives Act 1902 ( 2 Edw. VII c. 17) was an Act of Parliament of the ...
he was appointed to represent the Incorporated Midwives Institute on the Central Midwives Board which was instituted for the proper working of the Act. He received the honorary degrees of D.C.L. from Durham in 1893 and LL.D. from Aberdeen in 1904; he was a member of numerous gynæcological societies at home and abroad. During his later years Cullingworth suffered from
angina pectoris Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is chest pain or pressure, usually caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium). It is most commonly a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina is typically the result of obstru ...
, but continued his work till his death in London on 11 May 1908. He was buried in the St. Marylebone cemetery at Finchley.


Works

Cullingworth did his major professional work on the causation of pelvic
peritonitis Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part or ...
, which he maintained was secondary to other conditions, and not a primary disease. On this subject he wrote ''Clinical Illustrations of the Diseases of the Fallopian Tubes and of Tubal Gestation'', a series of drawings with descriptive text and histories of the cases (1895; 3rd edition 1902), and an article on pelvic inflammation for
Clifford Allbutt Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt (20 July 183622 February 1925) was an English physician best known for his role as president of the British Medical Association 1920, for inventing the clinical thermometer, and for supporting Sir William Osler in fou ...
,
William Smoult Playfair Dr William Smoult Playfair FRCP (27 July 1836 – 13 August 1903) was a leading Scottish obstetric physician and academic. In 1896 a trial, Kitson v. Plafair, found against him for a breach of medical confidentiality. Biography Playfair was ...
and Thomas Watts Eden's ''System of Gynæcology''. He also published: * ''The Nurse's Companion, a Manual of General and Monthly Nursing'', 1876; * ''A Manual of Nursing, Medical and Surgical'' (1883; 3rd edit. 1889); and * ''A Short Manual for Monthly Nurses'' (1884; 6th edit. 1907). On strictly obstetrical and gynæcological topics Cullingworth generally wrote in the ''Transactions'' of the Obstetrical Society. He was one of the founders of the ''Journal of Obstetrics and Gynæcology of the British Empire'', contributed some papers to it, and during the last two years of his life was its editor. A paper read before the Obstetrical Society in 1892, entitled ''The value of abdominal section in certain cases of recurrent peritonitis, based on a personal experience of fifty cases'', gave rise widespread debate.


Family

Cullingworth married in April 1882 Emily Mary, daughter of Richard and Harriet Freeman of London, and left one daughter.


Notes

Attribution


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cullingworth, Charles James 1841 births 1908 deaths Burials at East Finchley Cemetery English obstetricians English medical writers Medical doctors from Leeds Medical doctors from Yorkshire People educated at Wesley College, Sheffield