Medicine 
Sir Charles Bell – Born in
Author of ‘The Nervous System of the Human Body’, was the first great investigator into the nervous system. He was the discoverer of the distinct functions of the nerves.
Sir J.Y. Simpson – Born in Bathgate
The first to use chloroform for the relief of childbirth pains. Simpson persisted in this despite opposition from obstetricians and clergy. Clergymen quoted against Simpson, accusing him of violating the Divine Will, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception: in sorrow shalt though bring forth children.” The first patient given chloroform was a lad who could only speak Gaelic. The first child born under chloroform was named Anaesthesia. When Dr Simpson died, 30 000 attended his funeral, a tribute to a great and kindly man.
Sir Alexander Fleming – Born near Dalry
Bacteriologist, discovered penicillin. He also discovered lysozyme, and anti-bacterial agent in tears and saliva. Some years ago a modern building was erected in
Sir Ronald Ross, of Scottish ancestry, by discovering the malarial parasite laid the foundations for combating malaria. He made the building of the
Sir William MacEwan, Rothesay born, was a brain surgery pioneer. .”MacEwan, a Scottish general surgeon of outstanding versatility… in 1893 recorded 19 patients operated on for brain abscess, 18 of whom were cured; at that time most other surgeons had 100 per cent mortality rates for the same condition. His achievement remained unequal: led until the discovery of penicillin.” – 15th edition Encyclopaedia Britannica.
