David Henry Goodsall 1843-1906

Abstract

David Goodsall was born in Gravesend, England, January 4, 1843. His father, rather late in life, decided on medicine as a career, and he matriculated at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. While doing a post-mortem examination as a student, the elder Goodsall injured his hand and subsequently died. In 1865, David Goodsall entered St. Bartholomew's, having his fees waived because of his father's tragic death. In 1870 Goodsall was appointed house surgeon to St. Mark's Hospital, becoming full surgeon in 1888. It was there that he developed his life-long interest in rectal surgery. He contributed many articles to the surgical literature, especially in his chosen field, including reports onforeign bodies of the rectum, pilonidal sinus disease, colostomy and anal fissure. But his most significant work, a book entitledDiseases of the Anus and Rectum, was done in concert with Mr. W. Ernest Miles. It was in his chapter on “Anal Fistula” that he espoused the rule that has become eponymously associated with him. In addition to Goodsall's medical prowess he was a skilled businessman, directing a waterworks company and the Western Telegraph Company. He died, presumably of a myocardial infarction, September 14, 1906. He had married late in life and was survived by his widow and seven-year-old son. Because of space limitations, the following chapter on “Anal Fistula” has been slightly abridged by deleting the discussion on the operative approaches to treatment.