title: Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802): neurologist.
abstract: Erasmus Darwin was the founder of evolutionary biology, a renown poet, an inventor, and a general medical practitioner. Erasmus Darwin wrote specifically about the evolutionary and phylogenetic development of the nervous system, neuroembryology, psychiatric illness (including delusions and depression), and electrical therapy for childhood hemiplegia. He conducted experiments in neuro-ophthalmology and wrote about color vision, afterimages, the blind spot, and visual memory.
authors.affiliation: Exeter Neurosciences, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, United Kingdom. cgardnerthorpe@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gardner-Thorpe
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pearn
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history*; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history*