John Blackall
Encyclopedia
John Blackall M.D.
, FRCP
(24 December 1771–10 January 1860) was a physician.
John Blackall was the sixth son of the Reverend Theophilus Blackall, a prebendary
of Exeter Cathedral
, by his wife Elizabeth Ley, and grandson of Bishop
Ofspring Blackall
, was born in St. Paul's Street, Exeter
on 24 December 1771. He was educated at Exeter grammar school
, and then studied at Balliol College, Oxford
, as a member of which he graduated B.A.
in 1793, M.A.
in 1796, M.B. in 1797, and M.D.
on 2 March 1801.
Immediately after taking his first degree he applied himself to the study of medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital
, and it was in its wards, while working as the clinical clerk of Dr. John Latham, that he made the observations on albuminuria
which were afterwards stated and enlarged in his treatise on dropsies
. In 1797 he settled in his native city, and on 1 June in that year was chosen physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital
. At this period, however, the medical practice of Exeter was engrossed by Dr. Hugh Downman, Dr. Bartholomew Parr, and Dr. George Daniell, and in 1801 Dr. Blackall resigned his appointment at Exeter, and settled at Totnes
, where he became the physician of the district.
His reputation increased, and in 1807 he returned to Exeter, where he was a second time elected physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, and in 1812 was appointed physician to St. Thomas's Lunatic Asylum. In 1813 he published his well-known Observations on the Nature and Cure of Dropsies, London, 8vo, of which there are four editions, and which entitles its author to a position among medical discoverers. Dropsy is the morbid effusion of the serum of the blood into the cavities of the body and into the meshes of its tissues. It had been observed from the beginning of medicine, but up to the time of Richard Lower nothing was known of its morbid anatomy. He made the first step, which was the demonstration that dropsy of a limb always follows direct obstruction of its veins. Blackall's discovery came next, and was that dropsy is often associated with the presence of albumen in the urine
. His treatise states clearly the relation between albuminuria and dropsy, and shows that he suspected that the kidney
s were diseased in these cases. The further discovery of Richard Bright
in 1836 of the constant relation between renal disease and albuminuria is based upon the observations first made by Blackall.
Blackall also published in 1813 some observations on angina pectoris, a disease then much discussed, owing to William Heberden
's writings upon it. Blackall was admitted candidate of the Royal College of Physicians
on 22 December 1814, and a fellow on 22 December 1815. His progress from this period was rapid and uninterrupted, and for a long series of years he had a great practice in the west of England. He was famed for his skill in diagnosis, and it was based upon a thorough method of clinical examination. He used no complicated remedies, was patient in waiting for results, and was justly confident in the conclusions to which he had attained with so much care.
Dr. Blackall retained his strength and faculties to an advanced age, and he did not relinquish private practice till he was eighty. He died at Southernhay, Exeter, on 10 January 1860, and was followed to the grave in the burial-ground of Holy Trinity Church by a large body of relations and friends and the whole of the medical profession resident within the city.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, FRCP
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
(24 December 1771–10 January 1860) was a physician.
John Blackall was the sixth son of the Reverend Theophilus Blackall, a prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon in South West England....
, by his wife Elizabeth Ley, and grandson of Bishop
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
Ofspring Blackall
Ofspring Blackall
Ofspring Blackall , Bishop of Exeter and religious controversialist, was born in London.-Early life and education:Baptized on 26 April 1655 at St Gregory by Paul's, the son of Thomas Blackall , freeman of the Haberdashers' Company and later alderman of the City of London, and his wife, Martha...
, was born in St. Paul's Street, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
on 24 December 1771. He was educated at Exeter grammar school
Exeter School
Exeter School is a selective independent co-educational day school for pupils between the ages of 7 and 18 located in Exeter, Devon, England. In 2010 there were around 180 pupils in the Junior School and 670 in the Senior School...
, and then studied at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, as a member of which he graduated B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1793, M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1796, M.B. in 1797, and M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
on 2 March 1801.
Immediately after taking his first degree he applied himself to the study of medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
, and it was in its wards, while working as the clinical clerk of Dr. John Latham, that he made the observations on albuminuria
Albuminuria
Albuminuria is a pathological condition wherein albumin is present in the urine. It is a type of proteinuria.Measurement=The amount of protein being lost in the urine can be quantified by collecting the urine for 24 hours, measuring a sample of the pooled urine, and extrapolating to the volume...
which were afterwards stated and enlarged in his treatise on dropsies
Edema
Edema or oedema ; both words from the Greek , oídēma "swelling"), formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in one or more cavities of the body that produces swelling...
. In 1797 he settled in his native city, and on 1 June in that year was chosen physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , is a medium-sized teaching hospital situated in Exeter, England. The hospital is part of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust which also runs Heavitree Hospital, Honeylands Children’s Centre , the Exeter Mobility...
. At this period, however, the medical practice of Exeter was engrossed by Dr. Hugh Downman, Dr. Bartholomew Parr, and Dr. George Daniell, and in 1801 Dr. Blackall resigned his appointment at Exeter, and settled at Totnes
Totnes
Totnes is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
, where he became the physician of the district.
His reputation increased, and in 1807 he returned to Exeter, where he was a second time elected physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, and in 1812 was appointed physician to St. Thomas's Lunatic Asylum. In 1813 he published his well-known Observations on the Nature and Cure of Dropsies, London, 8vo, of which there are four editions, and which entitles its author to a position among medical discoverers. Dropsy is the morbid effusion of the serum of the blood into the cavities of the body and into the meshes of its tissues. It had been observed from the beginning of medicine, but up to the time of Richard Lower nothing was known of its morbid anatomy. He made the first step, which was the demonstration that dropsy of a limb always follows direct obstruction of its veins. Blackall's discovery came next, and was that dropsy is often associated with the presence of albumen in the urine
Urine
Urine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
. His treatise states clearly the relation between albuminuria and dropsy, and shows that he suspected that the kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
s were diseased in these cases. The further discovery of Richard Bright
Richard Bright (physician)
Richard Bright was an English physician and early pioneer in the research of kidney disease.He was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, the third son of Sarah and Richard Bright Sr., a wealthy merchant and banker. Bright Sr. shared his interest in science with his son,encouraging him to consider it...
in 1836 of the constant relation between renal disease and albuminuria is based upon the observations first made by Blackall.
Blackall also published in 1813 some observations on angina pectoris, a disease then much discussed, owing to William Heberden
William Heberden the Younger
William Heberden the Younger was a British physician.He was born in London the son of the medical doctor William Heberden the Elder and his wife Mary Wollaston...
's writings upon it. Blackall was admitted candidate of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
on 22 December 1814, and a fellow on 22 December 1815. His progress from this period was rapid and uninterrupted, and for a long series of years he had a great practice in the west of England. He was famed for his skill in diagnosis, and it was based upon a thorough method of clinical examination. He used no complicated remedies, was patient in waiting for results, and was justly confident in the conclusions to which he had attained with so much care.
Dr. Blackall retained his strength and faculties to an advanced age, and he did not relinquish private practice till he was eighty. He died at Southernhay, Exeter, on 10 January 1860, and was followed to the grave in the burial-ground of Holy Trinity Church by a large body of relations and friends and the whole of the medical profession resident within the city.