I’m working on an idea for a book. And as part of my research I’ve been delving into the life of Sir James Young Simpson.

Simpson was a medical man concerned about the pain patients suffered (especially in child birth) and made it his mission to find a drug that would enable him to alleviate that pain. So, in the fine traditions of Victorian doctors he experimented on himself and his assistants first. On the evening of 4th November 1847 Simpson and his guinea pigs met as usual at his home, to inhale potential new anaesthetics. They took turns trying out the latest possibility, chloroform. In two minutes they were under the dining room table. (Sounds like a particularly good party). Meanwhile his poor wife, her sister and a niece were watching on in horror. If the men inhaled too much it would kill them.
Simpson came round first and declared, “this is far better and stronger than ether, it will turn the world upside down”

What it actually did was start an unholy row with the Scottish church. They declared that he was interfering with the “divine plan” and that by artificially putting people to sleep they were making it easier for “the dark powers” to overwhelm them. And they were especially furious that Simpson was trying to save women from the pain of childbirth, quoting Genesis-:
“In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children”.
Simpson fired back his own quote from Genesis:
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof.”

Luckily the overwhelming response was in favour of Simpson and when Queen Victoria used chloroform during the delivery of Prince Leopold then its use was no longer in question.
Simpson’s brave/mad experiments took place at his home at 52 Queen Street in Edinburgh. Pop down there and you’ll see a plaque on the outside wall which reads “Sir James young Simpson lived in this house from 1845 to 1870 and in 1847 discovered the anaesthetic power of chloroform."
Now, turn your attention to the plaque by the door, which reveals the present occupants of the house. Their plaque reads “Church of Scotland. Simpson house.” Wonder if anyone even realises the irony?