Charles Delucena Meigs

Charles Delucena Meigs (February 19, 1792 – June 22, 1869) was an American obstetrician who worked as chair of obstetrics and diseases of women at Jefferson Medical College from 1841 to 1861. He worked as editor of The North American Medical and Surgical Journal and published multiple papers and books on various topics in obstetrics including thrombosis as a cause of sudden death in women during childbirth, diseases of the cervix and postpartum infections. He was a fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and served as president from 1845 to 1855. He was opposed to two of the major obstetrical advances of the 19th century. He advocated against the usage of anesthesia during childbirth due to concerns that it would interfere with uterine contractions. He also argued against the ability of postpartum infections to be spread by the hands of physicians. Early life and education Meigs was born February 19, 1792, in St. George, Bermuda, the fifth of ten children of Josiah Meigs and Clara Benjamin Meigs. In 1794, he relocated with his family to New Haven, Connecticut where his father was a professor at Yale University. In 1801, he relocated with his family to Athens, Georgia and attended a grammar school. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1809 and his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1817. In 1818 he was awarded an honorary degree of M.D. from Princeton University. Career Meigs returned to Georgia for a brief time to practice medicine, however his wife insisted they return to Philadelphia due to her disgust at the harsh treatment of enslaved people in that state.