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PRACTIONERS IN MEDICINE OF COLCHESTER & NE ESSEX  UP TO 1900
Compiled by Dr John Blake Penfold FRCP 

We are grateful for the assistance of pupils of Colchester Royal Grammar School and Colchester Sixth Form College who have helped format this index.
The reorganisation of the biography is organised by Surname.
​Click on the relevant initial.

A      B     C     D    E      F      G      H      I and J      K      L      M      ​

N      O    P and Q      R      S      T      U  and V      W X Y Z 
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John Penfold researched the lives of all physicians, surgeons and 'medical men' who had been members of the Colchester Medical Society from its founding in 1774. Some information is quite brief but other papers are extensive and include portraits or photographs.


Below are brief insights into some of these early medical men.

Charles Becker           worked with German Mercenaries on Abbeyfields at time of the Crimean War
                                           (thanks to Neil Brindred for the article)

William Swallow
           his notes include details of weird and wonderful remedies                             

John Henry Salter        maintained personal diaries for an amazing 84 years

Sydney Propert            papers tell the story of a mad mother and the poisoning of 2 doctors

Ronald Reid                 described as 'an outstanding medical man'

Penry Rowland            known for being a fresh air fanatic and very stern with his children

John Rogers               his file is amongst several containing detailed case notes
                        
Joseph Ryan               insisted on a dinner plate to lay his hat on when he visited patients
                                    
Richard Chambers     warned of the 'danger of persons prescribing for themselves'                                   

George Young            Rumanian - patients had to wait while he played the piano

Sir William Gull           very distinguished man. Current day books and films implicate him in the Jack the Ripper case

Ezikie Varenne           active naturalist with works in Kew. Had an ‘alcoholic problem’ but later became a Temperance man

Alexander Wallace    'cunning and tricky’ - a great cricketer and tennis player

William Wallis             used to ride about with white goose quills which he would  shake at other medical men

A good number of the records note the address of the doctors
 and the details bring to life many aspects of the medical and social history of Colchester
Picture
Mr John Lay, Hospital Secretary 1839 to 1878. Founder of the Colchester Wine Merchants, Lay and Wheeler
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