Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene

Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene first attended King’s College in Scotland, but immigrated to North America when he was 19 years old in 1857. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated M.D. from Long Island College Hospital in 1863. The following year he settled in Brooklyn, joined the U.S. army and planned an army ambulance corps.

Returning to private practise he worked as an assistant to Austin Flint Senior (1812-1886). He then specialised in gynaecology and was appointed professor of gynaecology at Long Island College Hospital in 1870. He was a founding member of the American Gynecological Society, being president in 1886-1887. He wrote five textbooks as well as many scientific papers.

Skene died of angina pectoris in his summer house.

• on of Sir James Simpson’s uterine sound.
  Medical Record, New York, 1869.
  This probably refers to the Scottish obstetrician Sir James Young Simpson, 1811–1870.
• Prolapsus uteru with an illustration of his surgical treatment. Medical Record, New York, 1871.
• Sclerosis uteri, one of the sequel of puerperal matritis. Medical Record, New York, 1872.
• Drainage through the cul de sac of Douglas after ovariotomy. Medical Record, New York, 1874.
  Referring to the Scottish physician and anatomist James Douglas (1675-1742).
• Urocystic and urethral diseases of women. Medical Record, New York, 1875.
• The treatment of abortion. Medical Record, New York, 1875.
• The treatment of the cervix preparatory to the operation for repairing a laceration.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York, 1878.
• Endoscope for the female urethra and bladder.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York, 1878.
• Prolapse of the ovaries.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York, 1879.
• The anatomy and pathology of two important glands of the female urethra.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York, 1880.
• The relation of the ovaries to the brain and nervous system.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York, 1881; IV.
• The pathology of endometritis, subinvolution and sclerosis and sclerosis uteri.
  Michigan University Medical Journal, Ann Arbor.
• Diagnosis and symptomatology of corporeal endometritis.
  Medical Record, New York.
• Deranged menstruation from imperfect development of the reproductive organs and diseases of the general system. Medical Record, New York.
• Deformity of the uterus.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York.
• The pathology and treatment of bronchitis. Medical Record, New York.
• Cases of thoracic diseases showing extensive pulmonary lesions attended with but little constitutional derangement. Medical and Surgical Reporter.
• Feigned diseases and its diagnosis as occurring in military practice.
  American Medical Times, New York.
• A new needle for introducing the sutures in rupture of the perineum.
• Craniotomy performed through Sim’s speculum.
  Referring to the duck-billed double vaginal speculum named for the American gynaecologist James Marion Sims (1813-1883).
• Gastro-elytrotomy successfully performed.
  American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, New York.
• Ciatrices of cervix and vagina.
  Transactions of the American Gynecological Society, Boston.
• Areolar hyperplasia and sclerosis uteri. Obstetr. Journal.
  Kan være: Obstetrical Journal of Great Britain and Ireland (1873-1880)
• Inhalations of lime-water in croup. Medical and Surgical Reporter.
• Education and culture as related to the health and diseases of women. Detroit, 1869. Obituary in American Journal of Obstetrics, New York, 1913, 67: 966.
  Album Am Gyn Soc Phila., 1918, page 446.