Charleston Science Walk  Introduction  Noisette Garden  Ernest E.Just  William Wells  John Shecut  Hannah Williams  Charles Shepard  John J.Chisolm  Alonzo McClennan  John Lining  Robert Furchgott  Eli Geddings  John Bachman  Further Reading  Credits

John Julian Chisolm (April 16, 1830-Nov.2, 1903) John Chisolm, surgeon and oculist, was born in Charleston, the son of Robert Trail and Harriet Emily Chisolm. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of South Carolina (1850) and continued his studies in London, Milan and Paris (1859). During the Crimean War Chisolm studied treatment techniques in European military hospitals.

At the outbreak of the Civil War he received the first Confederate military commission issued to a medical officer and attended the wounded at Fort Sumter. His Manual of Military Surgery (1861) was presented to the surgeon-general while the Battle of Bull Run was fought. Chisolm was the author of many articles on special surgical topics.

Chisolm Inhaler Drug supplies were limited during the Civil War. Chloroform was prefered to ether as it was nonflammable and could be used for operations performed near open fires. Chisolm invented an inhaler for use of chloroform which helped prevent drug loss and also reduced doctors' and nurses' exposure to drug fumes. The inhaler was later used to treat throat infections. Chisolm was among the first to surgically remove cataracts and to use cocaine in eye surgery.

Chisolm House 23 Legare Street

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