Joseph Carne-Ross (1846-1911) was a Portuguese-born physician and science-fiction author. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, being awarded an MD in 1882 entitled 'Observations upon the modes of treatment of pleurisy with effusion: with special reference to the therapeutic value of thoracentesis'. He published a series of letters presenting the results of experiments using

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to treat cancer,

scarlet fever Scarlet fever, also known as Scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by ''Streptococcus pyogenes'' a Group A streptococcus (GAS). The infection is a type of Group A streptococcal infection (Group A strep). It most commonly affects childr ...

measles Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than , cough, ...

and

influenza Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These symptoms ...

in '' The Lancet'' medical journal in 1894. He was the author of the science-fiction novel ''Quintura: Its Singular People and Remarkable Customs'' (London: John and Robert Maxwell, 1886), which presents a description of an Island governed on classless but Eugenic lines by physicians, who also serve as the culture's police force, applying scientific advances in medicine to predict accurately when and where individuals are about to commit crimes. This prefigures the use of the concept of precognition in the science-fiction short story '' The Minority Report'' published by Philip K Dick in 1956 and made into the film ''Minority Report'' directed by

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spie ...

in 2002. He married Kate Selwyn. They have three sons and one daughter, including Stewart Buckle Carne Ross, the Postmasters-General of Hong Kong.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carne-Ross, Joseph 1846 births 1911 deaths 19th-century Scottish medical doctors 20th-century Scottish medical doctors People from Madeira Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Medical School