John Wall (physician)
Encyclopedia
John Wall was an English
physician
, one of the founders of the Worcester Royal Infirmary (now demolished) and the Royal Worcester
porcelain works. He was also involved in the development of Malvern
as a spa town.
, Worcestershire
, in 1708, was the son of John Wall, a tradesman of Worcester city. He was educated at King's College, Worcester
, matriculated at Worcester College, Oxford
, on 23 June 1726, graduated B.A. in 1730, and migrated to Merton College, where he was elected fellow in 1735, and whence he took the degrees of M.A. and M.B. in 1736, and of M.D. in 1759.
. He settled in a grand house at 43 Foregate Street, Worcester, and built up a very large private medical practice, becoming both wealthy and well-known. He was one of the founders of a charitable hospital, the Worcester Infirmary, in Silver street in the town in 1745. By 1751, the infirmary had become famous, particularly for its treatment of Scarlet Fever
and Diphtheria
cases. In 1771, The institution transferred to Castle Street.
Wall was also active in the development of nearby Malvern
as a spa resort. Together with William Davies, a local apothecary, he commissioned analyses of the well water in the area (from St. Ann's Well
, the Holy Well
and the chalybeate
spring there). The results were eventually published as a 14 page pamphlet in 1756. as "Experiments and observations on the Malvern Water". This had a second edition a few years later and a third edition of 158 pages in 1763. In fact, the water actually contained very little mineral content, which inspired one local humourist to write:
Subsequently he became involved in schemes to improve facilities and accommodation in Malvern for visitors to the spa, and also organised the bottling of water from the wells for those too sick to attend in person.
In 1751, Wall founded the Royal Worcester
porcelain factory (then the "The Worcester Tonquin Manufactory") with William Davies and a group of 13 business men.
Wall, was also a talented artist, producing original paintings as well as designs for bookplates and stained glass windows. It was said that "an unremitting attachment to the art of painting engaged almost every moment of his leisure hours from his infancy to his death".
He died at Bath on 27 June 1776.
in the treatment of the hiccough, of fevers, and in some other cases of spasm. In 1747 he sent a paper to the Royal Society
on 'the Use of Bark in Smallpox
' (ib. No. 484, p. 583). When cinchona
bark was first used its obvious and immediate effect in malarial fever led to the opinion that it had great and unknown powers, and must be used with extreme caution, and this essay is one of a long series extending from the time of Thomas Sydenham
to the first half of the mineteenth century, when it was finally determined that the evils anticipated were imaginary, and that bark in moderate doses might be given whenever a general tonic was needed, and to children as well as to adults. He published in the Gentleman's Magazine for December 1751 an essay on the cure of putrid sore throat, in which, like John Fothergill
, he records and does not distinguish cases of scarlet fever
and of diphtheria
. He was the first medical writer to point out the resemblance of the condition in man to epidemic
foot-and-mouth disease
in cattle, a suggestion of great importance. In 1756 he published in Worcester a pamphlet of fourteen pages, 'Experiments and Observations on the Malvern Waters.' This reached a third edition in 1763, and was then enlarged to 158 pages. Like all works of the kind, it describes numerous cures obviously due to other causes than the waters. He recommended olive oil for the treatment of round worms in children, in 'Observations on the Case of the Norfolk Boy' in 1758, and agreed with Sir George Baker
in a letter as to the effect of lead in cider (London Med. Trans, i. 202). In 1775 he published a letter to William Heberden
on angina pectoris, which contains one of the earliest English reports of a post-mortem examination on a case of that disease. He had noticed calcification of the aortic valves and of the aorta
itself.
His son, Martin Wall
, collected his works into a volume entitled 'Medical Tracts,' which was published at Oxford in 1780.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, one of the founders of the Worcester Royal Infirmary (now demolished) and the Royal Worcester
Royal Worcester
Royal Worcester is believed to be the oldest remaining English pottery brand still in existence today.-Overview:Royal Worcester is a British brand known for its history, provenance and classically English collections of porcelain...
porcelain works. He was also involved in the development of Malvern
Malvern, Worcestershire
Malvern is a town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, governed by Malvern Town Council. As of the 2001 census it has a population of 28,749, and includes the historical settlement and commercial centre of Great Malvern on the steep eastern flank of the Malvern Hills, and the former...
as a spa town.
Early life
Wall was born at PowickPowick
Powick is a Worcestershire village two miles south of the city of Worcester and four miles north of Great Malvern, close to the River Teme. It is a civil parish of the Malvern Hills District, and it includes the village of Callow End and the hamlets of Bastonford, Clevelode, Colletts Green, and...
, Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, in 1708, was the son of John Wall, a tradesman of Worcester city. He was educated at King's College, Worcester
The King's School, Worcester
The King's School, Worcester is an English independent school refounded by Henry VIII in 1541. It occupies a site adjacent to Worcester Cathedral on the banks of the River Severn in the centre of the city of Worcester...
, matriculated at Worcester College, Oxford
Worcester College, Oxford
Worcester College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. The college was founded in the eighteenth century, but its predecessor on the same site had been an institution of learning since the late thirteenth century...
, on 23 June 1726, graduated B.A. in 1730, and migrated to Merton College, where he was elected fellow in 1735, and whence he took the degrees of M.A. and M.B. in 1736, and of M.D. in 1759.
Career
After taking his M.B. degree he began practice as a physician in Worcester, marrying Catherine Sandys, the youngest daughter of Martin Sandys, a barrister and uncle of Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron SandysSamuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys
Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys, PC was a British politician in the 18th century. He held numerous posts within the government of the United Kingdom, namely Chancellor of the Exchequer, Leader of the House of Commons, Cofferer of the Household and First Lord of Trade...
. He settled in a grand house at 43 Foregate Street, Worcester, and built up a very large private medical practice, becoming both wealthy and well-known. He was one of the founders of a charitable hospital, the Worcester Infirmary, in Silver street in the town in 1745. By 1751, the infirmary had become famous, particularly for its treatment of Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by exotoxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes. Once a major cause of death, it is now effectively treated with antibiotics...
and Diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
cases. In 1771, The institution transferred to Castle Street.
Wall was also active in the development of nearby Malvern
Malvern, Worcestershire
Malvern is a town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, governed by Malvern Town Council. As of the 2001 census it has a population of 28,749, and includes the historical settlement and commercial centre of Great Malvern on the steep eastern flank of the Malvern Hills, and the former...
as a spa resort. Together with William Davies, a local apothecary, he commissioned analyses of the well water in the area (from St. Ann's Well
St. Ann's Well, Malvern
St. Ann's Well is set on the slopes of the Malvern Hills above Great Malvern. It is a popular site on a path leading up to the Worcestershire Beacon and lies on the final descent of the Worcestershire Way....
, the Holy Well
Holy Well, Malvern
The Holy Well is set on the slopes of the Malvern Hills above Malvern Wells. The well is believed to be the oldest bottling plant in the word.-History:The Holy Well was granted to John Hornyold Esq in 1558.In 1743 Dr John Wall analysed the spring water...
and the chalybeate
Chalybeate
Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.-Name:The word "chalybeate" is derived from the Latin word for steel, "chalybs", which follows from the Greek word "khalups"...
spring there). The results were eventually published as a 14 page pamphlet in 1756. as "Experiments and observations on the Malvern Water". This had a second edition a few years later and a third edition of 158 pages in 1763. In fact, the water actually contained very little mineral content, which inspired one local humourist to write:
The Malvern water, says Doctor John Wall,
Is famed for containing just nothing at all.
Subsequently he became involved in schemes to improve facilities and accommodation in Malvern for visitors to the spa, and also organised the bottling of water from the wells for those too sick to attend in person.
In 1751, Wall founded the Royal Worcester
Royal Worcester
Royal Worcester is believed to be the oldest remaining English pottery brand still in existence today.-Overview:Royal Worcester is a British brand known for its history, provenance and classically English collections of porcelain...
porcelain factory (then the "The Worcester Tonquin Manufactory") with William Davies and a group of 13 business men.
Wall, was also a talented artist, producing original paintings as well as designs for bookplates and stained glass windows. It was said that "an unremitting attachment to the art of painting engaged almost every moment of his leisure hours from his infancy to his death".
He died at Bath on 27 June 1776.
Medical research and writing
In 1744 he wrote an essay (Philosophical Transactions, No. 474, p. 213) on the use of muskMusk
Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a...
in the treatment of the hiccough, of fevers, and in some other cases of spasm. In 1747 he sent a paper to the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
on 'the Use of Bark in Smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
' (ib. No. 484, p. 583). When cinchona
Cinchona
Cinchona or Quina is a genus of about 38 species in the family Rubiaceae, native to tropical South America. They are large shrubs or small trees growing 5–15 metres in height with evergreen foliage. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate and 10–40 cm long. The flowers are white, pink...
bark was first used its obvious and immediate effect in malarial fever led to the opinion that it had great and unknown powers, and must be used with extreme caution, and this essay is one of a long series extending from the time of Thomas Sydenham
Thomas Sydenham
Thomas Sydenham was an English physician. He was born at Wynford Eagle in Dorset, where his father was a gentleman of property. His brother was Colonel William Sydenham. Thomas fought for the Parliament throughout the English Civil War, and, at its end, resumed his medical studies at Oxford...
to the first half of the mineteenth century, when it was finally determined that the evils anticipated were imaginary, and that bark in moderate doses might be given whenever a general tonic was needed, and to children as well as to adults. He published in the Gentleman's Magazine for December 1751 an essay on the cure of putrid sore throat, in which, like John Fothergill
John Fothergill (physician)
John Fothergill FRS was an English physician, plant collector, philanthropist and Quaker.- Life and work :...
, he records and does not distinguish cases of scarlet fever
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by exotoxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes. Once a major cause of death, it is now effectively treated with antibiotics...
and of diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
. He was the first medical writer to point out the resemblance of the condition in man to epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids...
in cattle, a suggestion of great importance. In 1756 he published in Worcester a pamphlet of fourteen pages, 'Experiments and Observations on the Malvern Waters.' This reached a third edition in 1763, and was then enlarged to 158 pages. Like all works of the kind, it describes numerous cures obviously due to other causes than the waters. He recommended olive oil for the treatment of round worms in children, in 'Observations on the Case of the Norfolk Boy' in 1758, and agreed with Sir George Baker
George Baker, 1st Baronet
Sir George Baker, Bt, MD, FRS, FSA was an English physician.He was born in Modbury, Devon, the son of George Baker, vicar of Modbury, and his wife Bridget Harris. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. In 1749 he went to Leyden University to study physic, becoming MD in 1756...
in a letter as to the effect of lead in cider (London Med. Trans, i. 202). In 1775 he published a letter to William Heberden
William Heberden
William Heberden , English physician, was born in London, where he received the early part of his education.At the end of 1724 he was sent to St John's College, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship, around 1730, became master of arts in 1732, and took the degree of MD in 1739...
on angina pectoris, which contains one of the earliest English reports of a post-mortem examination on a case of that disease. He had noticed calcification of the aortic valves and of the aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
itself.
His son, Martin Wall
Martin Wall
Martin Wall FRS FRCP , was an English physician and educator.Wall was the son of John Wall and was baptised at Worcester on 24 June 1747. He was educated at Winchester College, and entered at New College, Oxford, on 21 November 1763. He graduated B.A. on 17 June 1770, M.A. on 2 July 1771, M.D. on 9...
, collected his works into a volume entitled 'Medical Tracts,' which was published at Oxford in 1780.