Parkinson’s Disease

Dr. James Parkinson (1755-1824) from London was quite the polymath, making strides not only in medicine but also geology and paleontology. He also actively campaigned for universal medical welfare and protection for the mentally ill. Parkinson was one of thirteen founder members of the Geological Society of London in 1807, along with Sir Humphry Davy and he authored three volumes of ‘Organic Remains of the Former World’ (1804-11).

However, his name is best associated with the neurological condition analysed in his 1817 paper, ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy’. This describes the “involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported, with a propensity to bend the trunk forwards..”. The Royal College of Surgeons awarded Parkinson their 1822 Honorary Gold Medal for distinguished research and discoveries.

The ailment was named Parkinson’s Disease from 1876 and its incidence is increasing, unfortunately. There are sub-types and different stages, with the worst accompanied by dementia and the sufferer being wheelchair-bound. In 1812 Parkinson’s son John, also a doctor, was the first to publish findings on the perforation of the appendix leading to death. Coincidentally, a 2018 study (Killinger, B.A. et al) indicates a correlation between early appendectomy and a reduced risk of Parkinson’s Disease.

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