THE SAD FATE OF DR MICHAEL UNDERWOOD'S WIDOWED DAUGHTER

Abstract

The most advanced writer on diseases of children in the 18th century, according to G. F. Still, was Michael Underwood.1 He was the first to describe sclerema neonatorum, apneic attacks in the newborn, "malignant familial jaundice" of the newborn, and the first to write about congenital heart disease of children. His Treatise on the Diseases of Children (1784) passed through at least 17 editions and remained in favor for more than 60 years; the last American edition appeared in 1842. Unfortunately, Underwood apparently received no royalties from his textbook and died without being able to provide for his widowed daughter. Friends tried to help her by putting together a book entitled Extracts from the Diary of the Late Michael Underwood, M.D. (1823) that would then be sold to subscribers. In the prospectus for this book Underwood's friends poignantly described their reasons for publishing this book as follows: It is confidently hoped that the Friends of the late Dr Underwood, and more especially those in the Profession who are acquainted with the estimable works which he published on the "Diseases and Disorders of Children" &c. will feel an interest in the case of his widowed Daughter, who now stands in need of the benevolent exertions of her Friends. She is in her fiftieth year, and is borne down by an accumulation of troubles, arising partly from the loss of relatives and friends, and partly from serious mental debility, which frequently incapacitates her for the humble and precarious employment of needlework, in which she is at other times engaged.