Zabdiel Boylston. First American Surgeon of the English Colonies in North America

Abstract

Zabdiel Boylston (1679–1766), distinguished American surgeon, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and educated through apprenticeship to his father, Dr. Thomas Boylston, and Dr. Cutter, another well-known Boston physician. Zabdiel Boylston soon acquired an excellent reputation because of his knowledge, skills, and humanity.

Dr. Zabdiel Boylston performed the first surgical operation by an American in the English American colonies. In 1710, he successfully performed an operation for bladder stones, and in 1718, for removal of a breast tumor. Both were firsts in their class performed by an American. All of this information was gathered by historian Francisco Guerra in his American Medical Bibliography in 1962 and popularized by surgeon historian Scott Earle in 1965.

Boylston also introduced another great medical and surgical accomplishment on the American continent, inoculation for smallpox in 1721. This medical advancement saved an incredible number of lives. Thus, Boylston stands with the surgical and medical giants of America.

Notes

*Genevive Miller recognizes this name as Cutler [[9]].