in matters requiring more knowledge of physiology and hygiene than he possessed. His evidence before the royal commission on vivisection, and his relations with homeopathic practitioners, which he was led to modify, are instances of this. But his faults were faults of sympathy, not of self-conceit or intolerance of criticism. Family On 10 October 1833, Fergusson married Helen Hamilton Ranken, daughter and heiress of William Ranken of Spittlehaugh, Peeblesshire. They had two sons: Sir James Ranken Fergusson (eldest son and heir) and Charles Hamilton (who would eventually rise to the rank of major in the army), and three daughters. Bibliography Fergusson's principal work is his System of Practical Surgery, London, 1842; fifth edition 1870. (https://archive.org/stream/5thsystemofpract00ferguoft#page/606/mode/2up), where he mentions the incision used for removing maxillary tumors (known as the Weber & Fergusson incision) He also wrote Lectures on the Progress of Anatomy and Surgery during the Present Century, 1867 (also in Lancet, 1864–1867); and the following papers and pamphlets: "On Lithotrity", in Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, volume xliv.; "Account of the Dissection of a Patient in whom the Subclavian Artery had been Tied for Axillary Aneurism", in London and Edinburgh Monthly Journal of Medical Science, September 1841; "Case of Aneurism of the Innominata, treated by Ligature of the Right Carotid Artery", in London and Edinburgh Monthly Journal of Medical Science November 1841; Introductory Lecture at King's College London, 1848; Hunterian Oration, 1871; "Observations on Cleft Palate and on Staphyloraphy", Med.-Chir. Trans., volume xxviii.; "Case of Excision of the Upper End of the Femur", Med.-Chir. Trans., xxviii.; "Case of Resection of the Scapula", Med.-Chir. Trans., xxxi.; "On the Treatment of Aneurism by Manipulation", Med.-Chir. Trans., xl.; see also Lancet during many years for reports of cases under his care. References Attribution: Endnotes: H. Smith's Sir W. Fergusson, a Biographical Sketch, 1877, enlarged from Lancet, 17 February 1877, pages 255–8; Medical Times, 17 February 1877, pages 186–9; British Med. Journ. 24 February 1877, pages 240–2; Lonsdale's Life of R. Knox, 1870. External links William Fergusson's Letters upon cholera morbus, with observations upon contagion, quarantine, and disinfecting fumigations (London, 1832) Biography in Plarr's Lives of the Fellows Online 1808 births 1877 deaths People from Prestonpans People educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Academics of King's College London Academics of the University of Edinburgh Scottish inventors Scottish surgeons Fellows of the Royal Society Fellows of the Royal