Peter Parker (physician)

Peter Parker (Template:IPA-en) was a prominent physician and missionary who introduced Western medical techniques in China during the 19th century.

Etymology

The name "Peter" is derived from the Greek word Petros, meaning "rock". The surname "Parker" is of English origin and was originally given to someone who worked in or lived near a park.

Early Life and Education

Peter Parker was born on June 18, 1804, in Framingham, Massachusetts. He attended Yale University, where he received his medical degree in 1831. He also studied theology at Yale and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1834.

Medical Career

In 1834, Parker was appointed by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to travel to China. He opened the Ophthalmic Hospital in Guangzhou (Canton) in 1835, which was the first Western hospital in China. Parker specialized in treating diseases of the eye and performed many surgeries, including the first recorded use of anesthesia in China.

Later Life and Legacy

Parker returned to the United States in 1855 and served as the U.S. Commissioner to China from 1855 to 1857. He continued to advocate for Chinese interests and was instrumental in the negotiation of several treaties between the U.S. and China. Parker died on January 10, 1888, in Washington, D.C. His work in China had a significant impact on the development of Western medicine in the country.

Related Terms

Ophthalmology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
Anesthesia: A state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes.
Missionary: A person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Peter Parker (physician)
Wikipedia's article - Peter Parker (physician)

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Peter Parker (physician)