AR'NOTT, \EIL ( 1788-1874). A Scotch physician and physicist. lie was born at Ar broath, Scotland, and was educated at the Gram mar School of Aberdeen and at Slarischal College, in the same city. After studying medicine at Aberdeen, he went to London in 180fi and soon entered the East India Company's service in China. In 1811 he returned to London and en gaged in general practice. in 1836 Dr. Arnott participated in the foundation of the University of London and was appointed a member of its senate. He was afterward elected a fellow of the Royal Society and of the Geological Society. In 1837 he was appointed a physician extraordinary to the Queen. In 1823-24 Dr. Arnott was in duced to deliver a course of lectures at the lomathic Institute on natural philosophy in its applications to medicine. The substance of these lectures formed the basis of his Elements of PhysNi•s, or Vatural Philosophy, aencral and published in 1827. Among the numer ous applications of physical science to medical practice and to the alleviation of human su•er ing in general, invented by Dr. Arnott, may be mentioned the water-bed; hut it is in connection with improvements in the warming and venti lating of houses that the name of Dr. Arnott was
best known. In 1838 he published a treatise on 'Warming and Ventilating, and in 1855 another on The Smokeless Fireplace, rhimncy-ralres, etc. He was the inventor of the 'Arnott Stove' and 'Arnott Ventilator,' which, with characteristic philanthropy and disinterestedness, lie did not patent, but for which lie received the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society in 1554. In 1861 lie published .1 Surrey of Human Progress, full of interesting and enlightened views on improve ment generally. In 1864 appeared Part 1. of the revision of the Physics: this was followed by Part IL. which contained the subjects of optics and astronomy for the first time, and also an in teresting supplement entitled Arithmetic Arnott's last publication was a small work nn national education. Ile was a liberal benefactor to the University of London and the various Scottish universities. For memorial notice, consult Proccedia9s of the Royal Society, Vol. XXV. (London. 1877).