James SYME1799–1870

Who’s Who in Orthopedics amputation. Even within his lifetime, the Syme amputation was recognized as a major technical advance. In 1868, a book written by D.E.D.

Hudson, The Mechanical Surgery, described the Syme amputation as follows: “No amputation of the inferior extremity can ever compare in its value to the subject with that of the ankle joint originated by Mr. Syme.”

Syme recognized the tremendous contribution of his son-in-law, Lister, to the practice of surgery, and in 1868 a paper was published by Syme in the British Medical Journal entitled “On the Anti- septic Method of Treatment in Surgery.” Another article by Syme in April of 1868 states, “As the most important subject of our attention, I may first mention the antiseptic treatment, which, if it had not already done so, is certainly destined in no small degree to revolutionize the practice of surgery.” Honors were showered on Syme from all parts of Europe.

In 1868, Syme suffered a stroke that involved his left side. That same year he resigned the chair at the University of Edinburgh, to which he had brought such prestige. He died in June 1870. He was buried in the family vault at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh. In the Scotsman newspaper of June 20, 1870, there is a resume of Mr. Syme’s character and achievements as a surgeon. It is believed to be from the pen of Joseph Lister: “The most prominent feature of Mr. Syme’s character was uncompromising truth- fulness; and with the love of what was true and noble was combined in a corresponding measure, the detestation of what he believed to be counter- feit and base.”

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James SYME

1799–1870

James Syme was born in Edinburgh in November 1799, the son of well-to-do parents. During his school days he was fascinated with the subject of chemistry. In 1818 he described in The Annals of Philosophy a new solvent for India rubber derived from coal tar. This process was patented by a Glasgow manufacturer named Macintosh, and had Syme followed the advice of his friends, our rainproof garments today might be referred to as

“Symes” and not “Macintoshes.” Syme was prob- ably induced to study medicine by the brilliant Robert Liston, with whom he worked as an assis- tant and demonstrator in anatomy. After a quarrel with Liston in 1824, Syme began lecturing on his own in surgery and anatomy. In 1833 he was appointed to the chair of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh and was given an appointment on the staff of the Royal Infirmary.

In 1853 Joseph Lister migrated from London to Edinburgh and established a warm relationship with James Syme. By his marriage with Agnus, Syme’s eldest daughter, Lister became the son-in- law of the distinguished professor and acted as his assistant and substitute on many occasions.

Syme introduced conservative alternatives to

major amputations and is best remembered for his

contribution of ankle disarticulation with preser-

vation of the heel pad as an alternative to below-

knee amputation. Since cartilage is more resistant

to infection, the postoperative healing with this

new operation, reported by Syme in 1844, was

much better than with other traditional types of