William Murrell (1853–1912) was an English physician, clinical pharmacologist, and toxicologist. Murrell is best known for being one of the first to recognize the clinical benefits of glyceryl trinitrate (also known as nitroglycerin) for the management of patients with

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 ...

Early life And Education

Murrell was born in London in 1853, the son of a lawyer. He was educated at Murray School in Wimbledon and University College in London. He trained at the University College and Brompton hospitals. At the University College hospital he taught physiology. He qualified for membership in the

Royal College of Surgeons of England The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is an independent professional body and registered charity that promotes and advances standards of surgical care for patients, and regulates surgery and dentistry in England and Wales. T ...

and

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 1877. The MD was granted by the University of Brussels in 1879.

Personality

Edith Smith, a graduate student of Murrell, describes him as a quiet, polite, considerate and unassuming man. Smith stated that Murrell was always pleasant to the nursing staff, however, he commanded respect in a quiet manner and expected the nursing staff to adequately prepare the patients for his visits.

Nitroglycerin and angina pectoris

Murrell's administration of nitroglycerin to patients with angina pectoris was documented in the article "Nitro-glycerine as a remedy for angina pectoris," published in 1879. The article describes a case series of patients which benefited from the administration of the drug. He also describes in detail the effects of nitroglycerin experienced by testing the drug on himself. Ironically, Alfred Nobel, the inventor of Nitroglycerin for use as an explosive, received nitroglycerin for treatment of angina.

Other work

Some of the other research interests of William Murrell included the treatment of chronic bronchitis, treatment of arthritis, forensic medicine, and toxicology.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murrell, William 1853 births 1912 deaths 19th-century English medical doctors English pharmacologists Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons