Dalton, Katharina (1916–2004)

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Dalton, Katharina (1916–2004)

English physician and chiropodist. Name variations: Katharina Kuipers Dalton; Katharina Kuipers Thompson. Born Katharina Dorothea Kuipers, Nov 12, 1916, in London, England; died Sept 17, 2004, in Poole, Dorset, England; dau. of Dutch parents; attended Royal Masonic school; m. Wilfred Thompson (killed in action with RAF in WWII, 1942); m. Tom E. Dalton (minister), 1944 (died 1992); children: (1st m.) 1 son; (2nd m.) 1 son, 2 daughters.

Pioneering doctor, the 1st to define and treat pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), was initially a chiropodist and wrote The Essentials of Chiropody for Students (1938), a successful textbook with 6 editions; began pursuing medical studies at Royal Free Hospital (1943); went into general practice in Wood Green, north London, and later in Edmonton; became interested in and interviewed women about menstrual-cycle stages; produced more than 100 articles and research papers about PMS, postnatal depression, the importance of steady blood sugar levels, and the dangers of vitamin B-6 overdose; publications include Depression after Childbirth (1989) and The Pre-menstrual Syndrome and Progesterone Therapy (1984); was a Royal College of General Practitioners founding member; became the 1st woman member of Royal Society of Medicine's general practitioner section (1971). Received Hawthorne Clinical British Medical Association Prize (1954, 1966, and 1976).