Analysis of Simpson's Contributions to 19th Century Medicine

History
GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A source analysis worksheet focusing on Simpson's role in 19th-century medicine. Students will evaluate a primary source related to Simpson's work and assess its usefulness and reliability.

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Analysis of Simpson's Contributions to 19th Century Medicine

Subject: HistoryGrade: GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
A

Primary Source Analysis: Simpson and 19th Century Medicine

Source A: Recognition of Simpson's Medical Innovations

"James Young Simpson was a pioneering Scottish doctor who greatly advanced the understanding of anaesthesia in the 19th century. In 1847, he famously administered chloroform to Queen Victoria during childbirth, which helped popularize the use of anaesthetic in surgery. Simpson's work fundamentally changed surgical procedures by making operations less painful and more humane. He also conducted research into medicinal properties and promoted the use of ether and chloroform as effective anaesthetics. His contributions earned him international recognition, and he was regarded as a leading figure in Victorian medicine. Simpson's innovations contributed to the development of modern anaesthesia, which remains a vital part of medical practice today."* Provenance: Medical report written by a contemporary historian, 1900, secondary source.

B

Questions

1.
What does Source A tell us about Simpson's role in medicine during the 19th century? (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Explain the provenance of Source A and how it might influence its reliability. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Compare the usefulness of Source A for understanding Simpson's impact with a hypothetical patient’s personal letter describing their experience with chloroform. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
4.
Outline how Simpson's work in anaesthesia changed medical practices in the 19th century. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
5.
Analyse the limitations of Source A when used as the only source to understand Simpson's impact on medicine. (5 marks)
[5 marks]
6.
Compare Simpson's contributions to medicine with another Victorian medical pioneer, such as Louis Pasteur. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
7.
Summarise the importance of Simpson's work in the context of 19th-century medicine. (3 marks)
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet