John Hunter : his life and labors / by C.W.G. Rohrer.

  • Rohrer, C. W. G. (Caleb Wyand Geeting), 1873-1952
Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: John Hunter : his life and labors / by C.W.G. Rohrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    [13] At this time Hunter resumed, with unabated zeal, his re- searches in comparative anatomy and physiology. Finding that his experiments could not be conducted properly in the midst of a large city, in 1764 he purchased two acres of ground about two miles from London, beyond Brompton, and built upon it a small house to suit himself, well known by the name of Earl’s Court. In 1768 a vacancy on the surgical staff occurred at St. George’s Hospital, and Hunter became a candidate for the position. Aided by his brother William, he was elected surgeon to the hospital, where he served until his death, twenty-five years later. Soon after his appointment to St. George’s Hospital he was elected a member of the Corporation of Surgeons. Al- though the corporation embraced some excellent men, Hunter had so little respect for it that he seldom attended its meet- ings or took any active part in its deliberations. In the winter of 1773, Hunter determined to become a pub- lic lecturer on the theory and principles of surgery, his reasons for which were usually explained as often as he began his course. He stated that he had so frequently been com- pelled to hear his opinions either incorrectly quoted, or deliv- ered as the discoveries of others, that he found it absolutely necessary himself to explain them systematically. For two winters he read his lectures gratuitously to the pupils of St. George’s Hospital, and in 1775 publicly delivered them in his house in Jermyn Street.13 Contributions to Medical Science. Hunter made many notable contributions to medicine and surgery. Several of his early papers were published, in 1762, in Dr. William Hunter’s “Medical Commentaries.” These 13 The task of lecturing, even with his copy before him, was so formidable that he was obliged to take thirty drops of laudanum at the beginning of each course. Yet he certainly felt great de- light in finding himself understood, always waiting at the close of each lecture to answer any questions; and evincing evident sat- isfaction when those questions were pertinent, and he perceived his answers were satisfactory and intelligible (Adams).
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