Medical Papers

  • Reference
    • GB 133 Eng MS 1032
  • Dates of Creation
    • 19th century
  • Physical Description
    • various sizes. 1 volume (23 items);

Scope and Content

Medical papers relating to the celebrated case of Mark Yarwood, who was born in Ashley in Bowdon parish, Cheshire, in 1812, and died of an epileptic attack in Prestwich Asylum in 1859. Yarwood was born without forearms, yet learned to feed himself and write. Papers include:

  • a folded life-size anatomical watercolour of Yarwood's head and upper body at the age of twelve, together with a much reduced steel engraving taken from the watercolour;
  • clinical observations and notes on the case taken in the 1820s;
  • samples of Yarwood's own handwriting at the age of twelve;
  • a proof copy, with manuscript corrections, of an article or pamphlet by Samuel Hibbert-Ware, On the natural expedients resorted to by Mark Yarwood, a Cheshire boy, to supply the want which he has sustained from birth, of his fore-arms and hands;
  • a copy of an article by T.N. Brushfield, M.D., of Budleigh Salterton, Devon, on the case, published in the Cheshire sheaf, 9 September 1885.
 Entitled: Mark Yarwood's Memoirs in gilt on a spine label.

Custodial History

Bookplate of Samuel Hibbert-Ware.

Bibliography

The case is discussed in William E.A. Axon, Cheshire gleanings (London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co.; Manchester: Tubbs, Brooks & Chrystal, 1884), pp. 219-25.