The continuing influence of William Smellie (1697–1763) in Japan during the early Meiji Period (1868–1880s)

Abstract

From the second half of the 18th century, Japanese obstetricians incorporated William Smellie's Anatomical Tables in their publications. The translation and explanation of an obstetrical print from 1880 indicates that Smellie's influence continued during the early Meiji period, a transition period characterized by a combination of western knowledge and traditional medical thoughts from the Edo period (1603-1868).