Physick, Philip Syng (1768-1837)

US surgeon. He drew on his mechanical skills to improve medical instruments, including such inventions as the needle forceps, the guillotine/snare for performing tonsillectomies, and improved splints and traction devices for treatment of dislocations.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His desire to be a goldsmith was thwarted by his father's ambitions for him to pursue a medical career. After studying at the University of Pennsylvania and in London, he took his MD at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Back in Philadelphia he built up a private practice while also serving with the Pennsylvania Hospital (1794-1816) and teaching surgery at the University of Pennsylvania (1801-19).