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Australian Colonial Surgeons. The doctors of the early colonies were more
than just surgeons. Aside from their main role, doctors ...
... fever gripped the nation and the colonial authorities responded ... up 3.3 per cent of
the Australian population, the ... In the 1900s, surgeons would often implant a ...
... a wide range of people, both native and colonial. ... The Australian marsupial rat-kangaroo
and platypus were such ... at his Royal College of Surgeons, Owen caused ...
Submitted by intrepid245 on March 31, 2008
Category: History Other
Words: 2519 | Pages: 11
Views: 71
Popularity Rank: 100,384
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The doctors of the early colonies were more than just surgeons. Aside from their main role, doctors contributed to the fledgling colony as magistrates, farmers, graziers, naturalists, explorers and traders. In these side pursuits the surgeons were quite successful and some such as Thomas Arndell and Thomas Jamison built up large estates. They were also effective in keeping the colonists generally healthy. Most of the deaths in the early colony were closely related to the lack of fresh food or the arrival of large amounts of sick passengers that arrived upon ships from England. Their efforts were helped by the discovery of plants that provided vital supplies of vitamin C and reduced the incidence of scurvy.
From the very beginning, the surgeons played an important role in the development of the colony. As the ships were being loaded with supplies and convicts for the long journey to New South Wales, the newly appointed principle-surgeon, John White, was looking to make this a safe voyage for all under his care. When he found the convicts stored below decks, he immediately implemented disease-preventing measures such as ensuring the convicts had adequate food and clothing, that they were given plenty of time on deck for the fresh air and that the holds were kept as dry and as clean as possible . Surgeon White, along with Captain Arthur Philip, was influenced by the work of Doctor James Lind . Doctor Lind proved through clinical trials that the effects of scurvy could be treated with citrus fruit. Doctor Lind had influenced Captain Cook and his relatively few cases of scurvy through out his career also showed Philip and White the importance of having a fresh supply of fresh fruit or vegetables. It was for this reason that the fleet made extra stops for supplies at Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town before heading on to Botany Bay. Undoubtedly, these measures were of great benefit to all the passengers on the first fleet and when compared to the...
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