William Buchan (1729-1805) was born in Roxburghshire in southern Scotland; he entered Edinburgh University as a Divinity student. However, after spending nine years there, mostly studying medically related subjects, he entered medical practice in Yorkshire, soon thereafter becoming physician to a Foundling Hospital. Next, he was in Sheffield. He returned to Edinburgh in about 1766, but eventually settled in London. Although Dr. Buchan maintained a medical practice, he devoted easily as much time to writing a book of medical advice for the lay public.

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