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Resource Name:
Resource Type:
External Resource
Metadata
Asset Name:
E002473 - Lane, James Robert (1825 - 1891)
Title:
Lane, James Robert (1825 - 1891)
Author:
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Identifier:
RCS: E002473
Publisher:
London : Royal College of Surgeons of England
Publication Date:
2012-06-20
Description:
Obituary for Lane, James Robert (1825 - 1891), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Language:
English
Source:
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows
Full Name:
Lane, James Robert
Date of Birth:
1825
Date of Death:
6 June 1891
Place of Death:
London
Occupation:
Titles/Qualifications:
MRCS May 28th 1847

FRCS December 12th 1850
Details:
Educated privately and at the Grosvenor Place School of Medicine, which he entered in 1843 under his uncle, Samuel Armstrong Lane (qv). The reputation of this school was at that time high, and young Lane shone among his fellows by reason of his zeal and diligence. He was also a fine oarsman, and as a member of the St George's Hospital Boat Club was twice in the winning crew of the Ladies' Plate at the Henley Regatta. Rowing was at that time the popular form of athletic pursuit with medical students, and Henley already ranked high among rowing contests. After qualifying he was appointed Demonstrator of Anatomy at the Grosvenor Place School of Medicine, and on obtaining the Fellowship in 1850 was elected to the surgical staff of St Mary's Hospital, then newly opened. Subsequently, in the Medical School of St Mary's, he held successively the posts of Lecturer on Anatomy, Physiology, Operative Surgery, and Surgery. Early in his career he was appointed to the surgical staff of the Lock Hospital, where he became a well-known specialist in venereal diseases. In conjunction with Berkeley Hill (qv) and others, he laboured unremittingly to alleviate the sufferings and condition of the patients at the Lock, and the result of these public-spirited labours, and of his valuable evidence before the Commission, was the passing of the Contagious Diseases Acts in 1864, the repeal of which in 1870 caused him deep regret. Appointed Surgeon to St Mark's Hospital for Fistula, he gained an extensive knowledge of diseases of the rectum, contributed on the subject to medical literature, and on his retirement was presented with a valuable testimonial by over two hundred of his patients. In the full tide of his career he developed symptoms of paralysis, and passed through all the agonies of an aggravated form of the disease to the end. Until the year 1881, however, he continued with great equability of temper his work as Surgeon to St Mary's Hospital. He had then to retire and was appointed Consulting Surgeon. His old pupils marked their esteem and affection by presenting to him a massive piece of plate and an illuminated address. He was also latterly Consulting Surgeon to the Lock Hospital, and in 1876 delivered the Harveian Lectures as President of the Harveian Society, the subject being syphilis. As a lecturer he was clear and simple, an earnest speaker with great grasp of his subject. During his illness he went his rounds at St Mary's on the arm of his house surgeon, with his dressers and a few students. Closely associated both in hospital work and in private practice with his uncle, Samuel Armstrong Lane, he was greatly influenced by the conservative principles which guided his illustrious relative. Thus, though his practice might perhaps be considered by a younger race of surgeons as not sufficiently 'advanced', it had the overwhelming merit of being absolutely free from rash and speculative interference. If Lane advised that such-and-such an operation should not be performed, there might perhaps be some little doubt still lingering in restless minds; but, on the other hand, if he declared in favour of operation, everyone in the theatre or at the bedside felt satisfied that the proceeding was amply justified. There should be on the staff of every hospital such a man, not merely someone who is ready to apply the brake, as it were, to the too rapidly revolving wheels of contemporary surgery, but one whose extensive and ripe experience can command regard. As a surgeon, Lane was not only good, but excellent in every department; it was, however, in connection with operations in the pelvic region that he distinguished himself. Those who watched his long and slender fingers dealing with a difficult case of vesico-vaginal fistula could not fail to be impressed by his manipulative skill. He delighted in these plastic operations, and though possibly his equals in the art might have been found, it is quite unlikely that his superiors would be forthcoming. In rectal surgery too he greatly excelled, and had his health been better he would doubtless have held a leading position in this branch of practice. Lane was at his best in connection with the treatment of vesical calculus. Lateral lithotomy upon a straight staff to which he had added a short rectangular beak was the only cutting operation that he performed, and this he did to perfection. For the removal of large tumours, of joints, or of limbs, he was less suited. Indeed, these operations and others which should be done in the standing position he would often pass on to a junior colleague. Lane died in retirement at his residence, 9 Matheson Road, West Kensington, on June 6th, 1891, from acute pneumonia, and was buried at Fulham Cemetery. His son, James Ernest Lane (qv), succeeded him, both as a Surgeon at St Mary's Hospital and as a syphilologist. His photograph is in the Fellows' Album. Publications: Lane hated quackery, advertisement, and the restlessness and push at that time known as *fin de siècle*. Accordingly he disliked publication and limited his writings, which are as follows: *On the Prevention of Contagious Venereal Disease*, 8vo, London, 1869. *Facts respecting the Contagious Diseases Acts*. Answer to a speech by Duncan McLaren, Esq, MP, published under the above title. 8vo, London, 1870. *Lectures on Syphilis delivered at the Harveian Society*, 12mo, 1878; 2nd ed, 1881. "Lithotomy in the Female." - *Lancet*, 1863, i, 34, etc. "Diseases of the Rectum." - *Ibid*, 1865, i, 444; ii, 87, etc. "Lithotomy with the Straight Staff." - *Ibid*, 1865, i, 142. Revision of articles on "Amputation", "Dislocations", "Fractures", "Diseases of the Anus and Rectum", and "Vesico-vaginal Fistula" in Cooper's *Surgical Dictionary*. In conjunction with EDWARD BALLARD he published *On Vaccino-Syphilis*, containing extracts from his Harveian Lectures, 12mo, Stockton-on-Tees.
Sources:
*Lancet*, 1891, i, 1344

*Brit Med Jour*, 1891, i, 1312
Rights:
Copyright (c) The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Collection:
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows
Format:
Obituary
Format:
Asset
Asset Path:
Root/Lives of the Fellows/E002000-E002999/E002400-E002499
Media Type:
Unknown