The Real Sherlock Holmes: How an Edinburgh Doctor Inspired Doyle’s Detective

Joe Bell was a busy doctor in Edinburgh during the late 19th century.

He worked at a hospital, ran a large private practice with up to twenty house calls daily, and even examined patients for an insurance company.

Bell was known for his sharp observational skills, which allowed him to diagnose patients quickly and accurately.

For example, he once detected a deep-seated cold in a minister by listening to his laugh, realizing the man would be too ill to preach the next day.

His ability to notice small details made him stand out among his peers.

Bell also worked as a medical examiner for insurance companies, a role that required him to identify fraudulent claims by detecting inconsistencies in patients' medical histories or appearances.

His keen eye helped insurers avoid paying out false claims.