Maste rs o f Me dic in e

Ti tle . A u th o r . JOHN HUN TER Stephen P aget ’ WI LLI AM HARVE Y D Arcy P ow er

I R M S YOUNG I MPSON H Lai G rd S JA E S . ng o on WI L L I AM STOK ES Sir Wlliam Stokes SI R B E NJAMI N BRO DIE Timothy H olmes C LAUDE BERN ARD Sir M ielzael Foster ’ M K drick. R F VON H LMHOLTZ . H M N L . G E A N . E en

T O S YD N F P a H M H M . A S E A 17 . yne

I n P reparation .

R S V S LIUS C L uis Ta l r AN D EA E A . o y o

THO MAS SYDEN HAM

O SEPH FRAN K P AYN E M D J , . . Ox0N FELLOW AN D HARVEIAN LIB RARIAN OF TH E ROYAL COLLEGE O F PHYSICIAN S

M a dalen Colle e Ox ord of g g , f

L O N DON T S U W . F I H E R N I N PATERN O STER SQ UARE

MDCCCC

C o ri bt b T Fixaer U wi 1 00 or Gr at B ritai py g y . n n, 9 , f e n

’ and Lon n am Gr {9 C o. or toe g , een f United State; 4 Ameriea

Th ri fit o trans ati on resew ed ! g f l . ] I R M EL WI LK S BA ON S SA U , R ET,

LATE PRESIDENT O F

TH E OYA O O F PHYS ANS H S O R L C LLEGE ICI , T I REC RD

O F A GREAT ENGLISH PHYSICIAN

I S A DEDIC TED .

N WITH RESPECT AN D A FFECTIO . PREFACE grapher to make use O f the E n glish historical docu

s . é é ments was a French phy ician, M Fr d ric Picard, whm i e e s u e l f of Syd nham, a most laboriou and acc rat stud r l s s is far s y from o igina ource , uperior to any Of its e s e o th e r pred cessor . But ther are books and docu m e nts which it was imposs ible that M . Picard, with

his o u s o . all thor ghness, hould kn w The following ske tch is not based upon an y pre vious

o but e n tire l o autho ri bi graphy, compiled y from riginal

e whe ther e o . ti s, pr viously qu ted or not Some sources

e r w have, I believe, nev been dra n upon before excep t in the article on Syden ham which I contributed to ” the Dictionary of National Biography . On this account it has seemed necessary to print in

full some documents which are rather materials for

history than history itself ; and generally to give a good deal o f detaile d evide nce which somew hat in

te rfe res th e s with writing of a continuou narrative.

i e s Wh le regr tting thi , I hope that the stamp Of authenticity th us give n to the history may make up

for other defects.

In a work of th is compass it would be impossible to

give the autho rity for every s tatement ; but a general

ie is . Fo r O list of authorit s given at the end thers, as

’ as Of well for a bibliography Sydenham s writings, I f “ ” may re er to the Dictionary of National Biography . x PREFACE

I should be glad if this sketch should induce some

’ reade rs to study fo r the mselves Sydenham s o wn

s o f w o s o n s work , hich g od edition , b th E gli h and

e e s e the Old e a o Latin , w r publi h d by Syd nh m S ciety, an d are s a ess e till cc ibl .

The portrait place d as a fro ntispie ce is from a di re ct

o o ra the a n the o e e O f s a s ph t g ph Of p i ting in C ll g Phy ici n ,

is a rd to the es au t es th e which , cco ing high t thori i ,

O f a ea e work M ry B l .

us o es e to ex ess a s to In concl i n , I d ir pr my th nk

Dr as w ho ve e a a e his o es o n . Ni , ry lib r lly pl c d n t the a fa d s sa Syde nh m mily at my i po l .

xi

C O N TE N TS

r-Q:

I NTRODU CTION

C H T I AP ER .

EARLY LI FE AN D EDU CATION — — — — Birth Paren tage Fam ily histo ry Pe digree Ho m e life — irst resi en e a r F d c t Oxfo d .

C H T I I AP ER .

TH E FI O HTI N C SYDENHAM S — — Civil War in Do rset I ts peculiar features Service s an d — ’ e xplo its Of th e Sydenh ams De ath Of Syd e nh am s m o the r — — H o w avenge d LOSS an d re co ve ry o f We ym o uth Syden ham — — in the fi e ld En d Of first Civil War Syd enh am returns to Oxfo r d . CH T AP ER III .

SECOND RESIDENCE AT O XFORD

A chan ce m eetin g de te rm in es Syde nh am to beco m e a phys ic ian —Se co n r i e nce a xfo r —Crea M B —A in e es t O te . o d d d d . pp t d ' e llo w Of All So uls —Oxfo r un er Puritan rule—Character F d, d — — o f studies the re The sc ientifi c m o ve m ent I ts co nne ctio n — ’ — with th e Lo n do n So c iety Syde n h am s studies Re vive s h is — — kno wle dge o f L atin Fac ilitie s fo r m e dical study Teach in g

o f me icine anato m che m istr bo an . d , y, y, t y xiii CO NTEN TS

C H T V AP ER I .

’ SYDENHAM S SECOND MILITARY SERVICE

' S e nh am s e i io n to Cro m well— o hn S enh am an yd p tt j yd , infan r ca ain ro m o e d to be m a o r—K ille in Sco lan t y pt , p t j d t d —Tho m as S e n ham ca ain o f h o rse— arro w esca e fro m yd , pt N p — a d runken so ldie r Services in Englan d an d Sco tlan d ' S enh a arria —S art in ra ce in estm ins er yd m s m ge t s p cti W t .

C HA T V P ER .

LI FE I N LO N DON ; VISIT TO MONTPELLIER

’ — Syd enh am s residence in We stm inster A m alario us district — — Be c o m e s can didate fo r parliam ent Appo inte d Co m ptro ller — — o f th e Pipe Vis its Mo ntpe llier Pro bable d ate o f th is — jo urney Pro bably a pupil o f BarbeyraC Resto ratio n o f Charles I I —S e nha e urns to o n do n—Suffe rs se vere l . yd m r t L y ' fro m o u —De a h o f Co lo ne l S enham an d o f S enh am s g t t yd , yd — — fathe r Obtain s lice n se o f Co lle ge o f Physic ians Re aso ns — why n o t a Fello w Always m e ntio ne d with re spe c t by the o C llege .

C H T V I AP ER .

SYDENHAM AN D THE PLAGU E — Previo us histo ry o f the Plague in Englan d Ce ssatio n sin ce — — I 647 Re crudescen ce in I 664 The Great Plague o f I 665 — Flight o f th e riche r citiz ens Syde nh am le aves Lo n do n — — ]ustificatio n fo r th is step Re turns in the autumn H is

views o n the Plague .

C HA T VI I P ER .

’ SYDENHAM S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

His rs wo r Me ho o f Curin e ver —De icatio n o fi t k, t d g F s d t — ” Ro bert Bo yle Review in the Philo so phical Tran sactio ns

- — Attacked by H enry Stubbe Reprinte d at Am sterd am Se co n e di io n wi h a o em b o hn o c e—The hir d t , t p y j L k t d e i io n entitle Me dical Observa io n s o n cu e Dise ase s d t , d, t A t — His greatest wo rk Theo ry o f Epide m ic Co nstitutio n s

- Descri io n o f scarla ina pt t . xiv CO N TEN TS

C HA TE V P R III .

' SYDE NHAM S SHO RTER WRITI NGS — Ep im lc Respoasoriee duet To who m the letters were ad — — dresse d M aterials o n whic h the y we re base d Disrsrmrio — E irrelarir addressed to Dr Co le Re fere nce to Dr. Go o all p . d — ' — Syde nham s explan atio n o f hyste ria Treatise on Me Gout — ' — and Dmp y Syde n ham s pe rso nal experie nc e o f go ut His — — explan atio n o f dro ps y His estim ate o f anato my Sch ema — — u n iform Descriptio n o f a ne w fe ver Remarks o n o the r ’ isease s e s e ciall cho res o f en calle S denh am s ch ores d , p y , t d y ’ Clo se o f S denham s li erar ac ivi y t y t ty .

C HA TE I X P R .

’ MEDICAL PRACTICE I N SYDEN HAM s TIM E — Change in m edical practice amt the Resto ratio n Rue o f — the Chem ical s ch o o l I n fluen ce o f th e fi rewo rk- The K ing — enco urages quas h C o mpe titio n with surgeo n s an d apathe — — caries Manners o f phys ician s A caricature po rtrait o f — — Sydenham His o wn metho ds o f practice His treatm ent o f ' — ‘ ' - J the sm all po x H is use o f bark an d o pium- Syde nham s

laudan um .

C HA T X P ER .

H O ME L I I AN D LAST DAYS

' — Syde nham s childre n and grand children Pro fess io nal s ucces s — — His sufferings fro m go ut His habits o f life - His pupils — Re co mmends tio n o f Do n Quixo te to Blackmo re Failing heal h—Dea h an d burial—Memo rial an d e i a h t t p t p .

C HAPTE XI R .

’ SYDENHAM S WILL ; H I s DESCEN DAN’ I ’S

The will- Pro visio n fo r childre n ran dchildren an d o her , g , t — ' — n h tivefi Sydenh am s e ldes t so n H is pro fess io nal care er — — ' little kn o wn Wro te a small m e dical work Syde nham s n childre n gra d . XV CO N TEN TS

CH XI I APTER .

’ SYDENHAM S POSTH U MOU S WOR KS

Pre erm : I nte ri writte n fo r the use o f h is so n—The m o st t g , ’ — po pular o f Sydenham s wo rks L arge sale o f e arly e ditio ns e xfo r MS —Anecdora S dméamiana —Wn tten b Th O d . y y o c e —l eolo ta Rati onal“ a MS wo r o n n atural heo lo L k g , . k t gy — x ant le e rs o f S enh am E t tt yd .

C H T X AP ER III .

WHAT LANGU AGE DI D SYDEN HAM WRITE ! — Ge neral use o f Latin in Un ivers itie s Preem p tio n that — Syde nh am kn ew Latin Classical quo tatio ns in h is writings — Po si tive state m e n ts that his wo rks were Latin iz e d by ’ o the rs—Ev i e n ce fro m S enh am s En lish MSS —Co m d yd g . arIso n o f tho se with th e rin e w o r s—Co n clusio n p p t d k .

C H XI V APTER .

SYDENHAM AN D H IPPOCRATES

’ — Syde nh am s aim s in studying d iseases Why he value d — H ippo crate s so high ly The do gm atic system o f Hippo crates — — The natural m eth o d o f cure Debt o f Sydenham to Baco n — ’ Syd e nh am s o riginality Co m pariso n o f H arve y an d S enh am yd .

C H T XV AP ER .

’ SY NHA S FRI EN Ds : BOY E LO K AN D O H S DE M L , C E, T ER — — Ro bert Bo yle H is scie n tific re se arches I mpartial intere st — in m e dic ine Sym path y with Syd enh am Le tter fro m S en ham to him— o h n o c e a re ular h sic ian—Was yd J L k , g p y — m uch in flue nce d by Sydenh am The ir re latio ns to e ach — — ' o ther L etter o f Sydenh am to Lo cke Lo cke s vie ws abo ut — ’ — m e d ic in e Mo re re vo lutio nary than Sydenh am s Other ’ — frie n ds o f Syd e nham s His co nte m po rary an d po sthum o us u tio n rep ta . I N TRO DUCTI ON

NE of the most sympathetic critics who ever

t a l t s wrote about Sydenham, h t de igh ful essayi t, “ o a o f as i Dr . J hn Brown, Spe ks him The Pr nce of

n is e u l practical physicia s, whose character as b a tifu ” as his His and as genuinely English name . name,

e ha s s . ls inde d, a thoroughly Engli h sound It cal up before our minds a little home ly So mersetshire village which the fame o f the great physician has made known

u th r all th e o thro ghout e wo ld . And associati ns which

his e e re e H e cluster round hom lif a qually English . was born an d bred in the heart o f one o f the most

o f a o ld English parts England, th t West Saxon king dom which the modern Do rsetshire novelist has taught

a to s was u a e at the us gain know as Wes ex . He ed c t d

s e al a a Oldest Engli h Univ rsity, which has w ys dr wn to iwelf e e st n e , along with oth r elem nts of re gth , the b st

l s s n s e inte lectual promi e of the we tern cou tie . He liv d through a time when the English character was strun g I B I NTRO DUCTIO N

e o f n up to an unexampled h ight inte sity, and, being

ce n tre o f ffa o o rtu placed near the , a irs, had special p p

n it o f h o f th e n y feeling the t rob ational heart, and

sharing its emotions. ’ Sydenham s character was certainly noble and

e We e b autiful . will l ave it to the genial Scottish

e e physician to call it genuin ly English . If ther are

r r t t st ong elements in the English cha ac er, hese

s s Sydenham po se sed, and if he had limitations, these l i i a so were national, and so not eas ly discern ble by

us . We might go further and recognise a thoroughly English type of intellect in the follow er of Bacon an d

o f n s two comrade Locke li king his name with the e , the t e s t e o f t perhaps mos r pre enta iv English hought, no t fo r f only his independence and originality, but o r his o e h is sa s l ve of the concr te, pro ic, practical wi dom, l his piety and benevo ence . Locke le ft the subtleties Of philosophy to show the reasonableness o f Chris tian it o f C y, or to discourse the education of hildren ; l and not their education on y, but their diet and th e

s e s . ss a al thickne s of th ir hoes Bacon, if le practic l, at l events gave such aims as these their most dignified

k w as expression, when he defined no ledge, not “ a t a o r rs m t er for contempl tion discou e, but as a rich Storehouse for the glory o f the Creator and the ’ ” e N O o relie f o f man s estat . words c uld better consist ’ o f with Sydenham s Conception knowledge .

ut u B we must not be too excl sively national, lest we 2 I N TRO DUCTI O N

’ run o f is the risk being provincial . Sydenham s a

r name not fo r England only but for the wo ld . We do not igno re the foundation of Greek science on

th e o f e which Sydenham built, nor breath Fr nch

i n o s e i i medic ne, which doubt in ome d gree nsp red him i . St ll in the main the object of the following sketch is to exhibit the li fe and character o f Syden

o but its ham not only in connecti n with medicine, in

e r lation to E nglish life, English history, and English

e e sci nc .

We have now to try to give some picture of that little corner of E n gland in which th e g reat refo rmer

r i e r the l of p act cal medicin fi st saw ight, and of the material and moral surro undin gs in the midst o f which he e u gr w p .

l i s ai First, it wi l be interest ng to give ome det ls concerning ‘ the little Dorsetshire village with which

b ut his e so e not our physician only, family w re clos ly ’ o to s s associated . Wynford Eagle (acc rding Hutchin History o f Dorset) is a hamlet and chapelry belonging to e r l e ratrum i a o Little Toll or To l r F , ly ng b ut eight

l s Do m esda is m i e from Dorchester . In v Book it

a W n o rt I ts s a i i e is c lled y f . curiou dd t onal nam

H onor dc A uila the e o f derived from the q , or Eagl ,

f r which it was orme ly held . “ This great Ho nour o r Barony of Eagle had its

in um b ut e e seat S ex, d riv d its name from a Norman

i e a in family named Aqu la, or Aigl , from town 3

INTRODUCTION

h s e porch wit tone bench s . The wings recede and are pierced with old mullioned windows wrought in

e e very hard ston , and perfectly preserved . The whol building is very solidly constructed o f stone and

flin t.

r e A thick g owth of ivy covers the whol front, and makes it difficult to de cipher the date carv e d on the

to 1 6 0 so central block , but it appears be about 3 , ’ th at the house would have been built by Syde nham s father . On the summit of the central gable an e agle carved

s e e th e in ton declares the anci nt name of house . This

is e e bird, however, of modern workmanship ; the old agl o f the e Sydenhams, headless and maim d, may be found in a back yard . The old walled garden and a large orchard beyond appear to be quite in their o riginal

s s state . The whole hou e appear small, having perhaps once been larger ; and it stands in an awkward rela

s e a e tion to the road, which mu t form rly h v taken a d e ilfe ren t directio n . The int ri o r is almost entirely

o ak u modernised, but one old room, beautif lly panelled

the e in Jacobean style, remains to t ll of its ancient dignity . The little church of Wynford Eagle is a chapelry

to the e ratrum belonging mother church of Toll r F , two le o if mi s . The original chapel must have be en o f an ti uitit a io su great q y, as it cont ined port ns of p

e x . w e pos d Sa on architecture The Sydenhams, are t l o n r f o d, erected a building one side of it fo a amily 5 INTRO DUCTION

' i - c rs o ur i s bur al pla e, and there most membe of phys cian

e a But the o ld o s family wer l id . chapel with the t mb o f n i d e n o t the Syde hams has been ent rely estroy d, a

e v stige of it remaining . The poor little modern s 1 8 0 s tructure, built in 4 , does not even tand on the

sa i e o r o ld me s t , and has only a fragment two of the

s s chapel built into its wall . Thu of the old family which interests us hardly a trace remains in their

a e e e is e ncient and dignifi d hom . Th ir name preserv d

o n e f s only in ield, which still goe by the name of ’ " e s Syd nham .

a The surrounding district, without being not bly

e e n s pictur squ , prese ts a rich and pleasing Engli h

s . o f land cape Its centre, course, is D—orchester, a e e f plac of anci nt ame, and having been as its name

e s implies, and some remarkabl remain of antiquity — testify an important military station in Roman times. This importance was probably due to its proximity to

o f o c s e flo ur the seaports the D rset oa t, onc busy and

ishin s o f e . g, though deserted by the cour e modern trad

o the is t As, h wever, history of epidemics an impor ant

e w e feature in the life of Syd nham , may recall the

es o f e e s fact that the great t all record d pidemic , the Great Pestilen ce or Black Death of the fo urte enth

t e s s at s a . cen ury, first reach d our hore a Dorsetshire e port The proximity o f Wynford Eagle to Dorcheste r

a s th e was lso important in another way, ince fact had great influence in determining the political sympathies f ff t of the Sydenham amily, and thus in a ec ing the 6 INTRODUCTION

’ o o f o ur h i D r was t c urse p ysician s l fe . o chester s rongly “ r l t e dis Pu itan . Clarendon says a p ac e more en ir ly ’ ” “ aflfe c ted to l no t the King Eng and had , and it was the magazine whence the other place s were supplied

l io o u with principles of rebe l n . This was d btless true no t only of the town itself but o f the surroun ding i d strict . Sydenham was thus brought up in an atmo

o f a o r l r ee l it sphere Purit nism, rebel ion , as Cla endon l s , and it is worth while for a moment to consider what

this meant . ’ We c an Mr n f o f gain from s. H utchi son s li e her

s ea i hu band, Colonel H utchinson, a very cl r not on of the reasons which determined consc ientio us men

00 a th e side with the Parli ment against King. There

e al r i w re politic g ounds and rel gious grounds. Politi

c l m en i f a ly, such protested against the assumpt on o

t w the absolu e po er by the King, upholding old English principle that the sovereignty o f the State

e o does not r side in the Cr wn alone, but in Crown l and Parliament. On re igious grounds, this party desired to make the En glish Church approximate more clo sely to the Re formed Church es of the Con

tinen t o f t the e h and Sco land, regarding chang s whic had be en made at the English Reformati o n as in co m

e te o r i ho pl nadequate . But some w felt deeply o n

th e i e n h e polit cal qu stio , Mrs . Hutc inson t lls us, had less sympathy with the religious aspect of the contro

ve rs — e e e y that is, th y w re mor Parliam en tary than

7 INTRODUCTION

o r r On the other hand the Royalists, Cavalie s, wi th i u equal consc entio sness, took entirely Opposite views

s both political and religiou . They considered their loyal ty to th e King to be paramount over all othe r

a ff political consider tions, and if the Parliament di ered

e o from the King, that was flat r belli n . On the re ligious side they had no desire to see the Church o r England made more de cidedly Protes tant the y cl ung

to the s o a t the t e Epi c p cy, wi h ceremonial and o h r features o f the o ld Ch urch which the Reformation o f the preceding ce ntu ry had spare d and which were s th e n trongly supported by Ki g . The views o f th e tw o parties were totally irre c o nc ilable but is a e s , it clear th t consci ntiou men

o n t s . might be found, and were found, bo h side The Syde nham family were evidently both Parlia mentary an d Puritan ; and it seems that an unusual number o f county families in Dorset were on this “ ” s e e e t n id . They wer t rmed by heir oppo ents Rebels ” t he e n t term Roundh ad, which origi ated in ano her

o f un v s the part the co try, being rarely, if e er, u ed in

Do re s s the e rsetshi pamphlet . In its literal ense, latt r nickname would have be en hardly app licable to our

fo r e l i hero, Syd nham , like Cromwe l , M lton , Hutchin so n and o f the u ta w av e , most P ri n leaders of hom we h

his a o portraits, wore h ir l ng . It can hardly be thought an unimportant matte r

w a e to hich p rty Syden ham belong d . We cannot appreciate his whole character and career without 8 INTRODUCTION re membering that he was imbued with the inte nse e s o f the s e e arnestne s Puritan , and was quite pr par d, in n o f oppositio to authority any kind, to be called,

ss if nece ary, a rebel .

TH O MAS SYDEN HAM

EARLY L ure AN D E o v ca r to n

HOMAS Sydenham was born at ‘ Wynford d z e a e an t o 1 62 . E gl , bapti d September , 4 He the fifth son o f William Syde nham of Wynford

his e au o f Sir o Eagle, and Mary wif , d ghter J hn

' fle ut n ri e r K . t e . e m l J y, , of Ca h rston Without y

i s u e e suppos ng that geniu is the res lt of xternal influenc s, o r r e s of he editary transmission alon , the various factor which make up the antecedents and surroundings o f

o f e l t a man genius are w l worth s udying . As regards antecedents th e fam ily history of Syden

is e fa i ham v ry interesting . The mily s first recognised

e at Sydenham, North Petherton, n ar Bridgwater,

Somerset, which manor was held by Robert de

e m Sydenham in the tim of King John . Fro his

i o d t me nward a pe igree is traceable, which has been 1 1

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

r . e fo r Cha les I at Oxford , but aft rwards compounded h is estates and e ven became a mem be r of the (Parlia mentary) Coun cil of State but was removed in 1 65 1 fo r s t uspected complicity wi h the Stuarts .

ss o f the a An heire Sydenhams of Orchard Windh m , married Sir John Windham of that place and o f

Fe llbri e s an a gg , Norfolk, and was thu ncestress of

s a a o ne o f the distingui hed Windh m f mily, whom ,

W a e e r Sir illiam Windh m, was a S cretary of Stat unde

e so n a s George I . He l ft a , Sir Ch rles Windham, al o

t es e o f a s at man , who becam Earl Egremont but the

e t 1 8 title becam extinc in 45 . The Dulve rton branch h as left the largest number o f dwc e n dan ts o known , among wh m we find the

- . u h e e n th e s e e Rev H mp r y Syd ham, called ilv r tongu d

o f n t preacher, a noted Anglican divine the seventee h

e a e who c ntury ; and Colon l William Sydenham, fought in the civil wars on th e o pposite side to his

e o e e e o ur nam sake, Col n l Syd nham, the broth r of physician .

the e i e fi n d P In ghte nth century we loyer Sydenham,

n s s f s the learned Plato i t, who publi hed the ir t English

s o f e s o n e tran lation Plato, a v r ion at time much

e valued . In lat r times we note among the Sydenham dec e ndants the o ss i s s late Pr fe or Will am on, the naturali t,

e e s Mrs . of Owens Coll g , Manche ter, and Mary

e e e e a e e o Ev r tt Green , the learn d and ind fatig bl dit r

o th e a s to o of many v lumes of State P per , wh m all

o s hist rical students are so much indebted . To thi I 3 THOMAS SYDENHAM

’ lady s research es also is due a great part o f what is t e e kn own about the Syden ham pedigree . O h r nam s more or less known in literature o r in the public

e s services might be mentioned, and many d scendant f f t ll l i o this amily are s i iv ng . Those who have m y belief in hereditary genius or talent will be interest ed in a record whic h shows so

o n i i many members of e family d stingu shed in arms,

t o r sta ecraft, letters . We now pas to the branch o f th e family to which

our physician belonged . The Sydenhams first appear at Wynford Eagle in

so n the person of Thomas, the third of Richard

e a e Sydenham of All r, Somerset, who, as already st t d,

the o o o he bought man r of L rd Z uc . Nothing is

o f n known this William Syde ham but that his mother,

he r f e when a widow, made will early in the ift enth

e i l c ntury, ntending to make a pi grimage to the Holy

o r to s e . Land , at least vi it the tombs of St . P ter and St

e e . s Paul, but died befor carrying out her d sign Thi was not th e last instance o f strong re ligious feeling in

the Sydenham family . Thomas Sydenham bought a farm and manor formerly belonging to the estate of the o f e e Abbey Cern , and is mentioned in the r ign o f Q ueen Elizabeth as the m essor of a park called 1 60 Wynford or Sydenhams, to the extent of acres,

n e beside co siderable rights of sheep pastur . So that

ne - the property was an important o . His great great

r o l g ands n Wi liam was the father of our Sydenham . I 4 EARLY LIFE AND E DUCATION

All we He was born in 1 5 93 and die d in 1 66 1 . know abou t him is th at he was of Puritan leanings and s s the s e so trongly upported cau e of the Parliam nt, that,

w e e e h n an eld rly man , he fought in the Parliam ntary

was e e army with the rank of Captain , and for som tim

to s . a prisoner the Royalist He married, November

1 6 1 1 the au o f 4, , Mary, orphan d ghter Sir John

ff e e s e s o s re . Je r y of Cath r ton, dec a ed six m nth befo Of this lady nothin g is kn o wn beyond the circum

a o f t st nces her death , to be af erwards mentioned but we naturally try to learn something about her family . Her fathe r must have be en a gentle man o f wealth and

o s o th e r a go d po ition in the county, th ugh me e f ct of his having re ceived knighthood in the firs t year o f

s . s s e si e Jame I doe not perhap prov very much , nc at that tim e knighthood was re garded by many country gen tlem e n more as a burden than as an

a n u is honour . His tomb t Whitc hurch Cano ico r m “ ” s fi e a o de cribed as a n alt r t mb with canopy . It is ’ his so n o rs recorded that Ge rge, M . Sydenham s

t th e t l s bro her, died at age of thirty, af er a long i lne s, “ ” fi s e a sses with rm faith in Chri t . His pit ph expre

e m s s mor than a conventional a ount ofreligiou entiment,

s s e o ne as e u and the phra eology trik s som what P ritan, ’ so as to imply that Sydenham s moth e r came of a pious family ; the more so as the monumen t was plac ed by th e Sydenham family . George Je fli ey is “ ” s u e u described as e q ire, which at that tim wo ld

n te h e th e i dica that was eldest or only son . The I S THOMAS SYDENHANL

’ family of Jefli'e y does no t further appear in H utchins

s o f is s Mrs. S de n Hi tory Dorset, and it po ible that y f h ham was the last representative of the amily, thoug

no he i it is t stated that she was an res . William and Mary Sydenham had born to them s m be even sons and three daughters, who it may

e fo r o f e n t d sirable, the sake cl arness, to e umera e .

1 i - ( ) W lliam, the well known colonel and Crom

wellian 8 l 1 6 1 xst , baptized th Apri , 5 , buried August,

1 66 1 .

2 th e a ( ) Francis, major in Parliament ry army,

o r z 2 th i 1 6 1 born ( bapti ed) 4 Apr l, 7 ; killed in the — s t o th 1 6 . war , February, 44 5

a6th 1 6 2 1 u . (3) John, born April, died yo ng

o th m 1 6 2 (4) Ge rge, died s Septe ber, 9. Tno mas 1 0th t 1 62 i (5 ) , baptized Sep ember, 4 ; d ed

2 1 h 1 68 9 December, 9 . 6 a ( ) John, major in the Parliament ry army, born

rd 1 62 6 r 3 March, killed in the wa s in Scotland, and th 1 6 1 buried 7 May, 5 .

i th e Co m (7) Richard, Civil Comm ssioner under m o n wealth and Protectorate ; date of birth not

e e a th 1 6 . r cord d ; buried 7 January, 5 7 He is des “ c ribe d e s Ca ta n e his in the R gi ter as p y , but mili tary service, if any, cannot be traced . The daughters were

( 1 ) Mary married Richard Lee .

2 z a t 1 6 1 ( ) Eli be h , born in 9 ; married Roger

nh s Syde am, a di tant cousin .

1 6 EARLY LIFE AN D EDUCATION

1 6 2 2 W ll (3 ) Martha, born in ; married i iam

e Lauren c .

is a e t a th e e a e s th e It notice bl h t Syd nh ms, at l a t s w a s - e o ne e e ons, ere hort liv d family . Only b sid

o e l be e o Th mas, nam ly, Wi liam , lived to ov r f rty ;

1 66 1 o as e i - s e and in Th m Syd nham , then th rty ev n

s was the s e e e r e a e the year old, ol mal r p es nt tiv of

he a o f t e no t family . T d tes dea h of his siste rs ar

e record d . It may be conv e nient before going further to say something about th e characte r and caree r of Syde n ’ s e s e e had u o ham broth rs, inc th y a great influence p n

e n an d us a e e to the lif of the physicia , m t h v h lped

o his a e m uld char ct r .

th e e s was e at o e e William, lde t, ducated Trinity C ll g ,

no t to e . Oxford, but does appear have taken a degr e

He was e s e e e not a lit rary man , but mu t hav b n a fair

h e his ea t l a sc olar , for a lett r of d ling wi h mi it ry

s e i has matter addressed to Sir L w s Dives, which

i a i u e s i us u s . been pres rved, cur o ly f ll of L t n q otation That he possessed great energy and also military

l is o i h is i a a abi ity und ubted . Dur ng m lit ry c reer he

k o f the a the Parliam en was spo en by E rl of Essex , “ e as o e tary command r, a gentleman f approved courag ” and industry ; and he live d to be e ulo gised by Milton

n f th o o r l o n di as o e o e c unsell rs of C omwe l . Str gly s

l a a he posed to the Par i mentary party by f mily ties, be came s till more close ly co nn e cte d with the P uritans by marrying the daughte r o f Jo hn Tre nchard o r 1 7 THOMAS SYDENHAM

Warm w ell t r e m a , an impor ant Dorsetshi e gentl n who w as s a n o f the u t a t u ch supporter P ritan par y, being an original me mber o f the Long Parliamen t ’ o f t he s ud for Wareham and named one King j ges,

u no t a a The ue o f tho gh actu lly re gicide. infl nce this st rong and maste rful characte r o n h is brother

o was n e s e Th mas, who ni e y ars younger, mu t hav

o e been c nsid rable. Sydenham had before him another example of the

u a s e e o e s w ho e e P rit n oldi r in his n xt br th r Franci , n v r

e to the n ve but a e a s a w nt U i rsity, ft rw rd became a d ring

o fi c er o n e o f the i e ea ers and energetic , most act v l d o f t he a e a a in o o u his ar P rliam nt ry p rty D rset, th gh p tic ular services are with diflic ulty separate d from those o f his e W l The e r e o f broth r il iam . a ly d ath Francis

d the a s Sy enham at t king of Weymouth, where Thoma

s Sydenham was also pre ent, was one of the sad events

h e e which cast a shade over t Syd nham family . The further care ers of these brothers will be noticed h in the following page s . At t e time we are no w conside ring th e y w er e livin g the ordinary life o f

u e e r young co ntry gentl m n, busy p obably, for the

s s th o u h if mo t part, with farming and field ports ; g , s n i l we judge by their ubseque t life, sett ng an examp e o f e manlin ss and sincerity . It was thus under the influence o f a conscientious h father, a pious mother, and manly elder brot ers that ’ a Syden ham s boyhood was p sse d . We have already said something about the extern al

1 8 EARL Y LIFE AND EDUCATION

’ hom e of the P uritan gentleman s family ; its co n nec tio n wi th the Sydenhams did no t last for many ’ e s a e s e gen ration ft r o ur physician tim .

i a e a m a r s th e To antic p t little, we y he e tate that family es tate passed o n the death o f the elde r Syde n

n l ham to his grandso , William, the e dest son of

o e e n li Col n l William Syd ham, whose ne became ex

w t his 1 1 8 m tinct i h death, in 7 . The estate pa d

the a e a out of family in not v ry credit ble manner,

w is t u a hich h s rel ted . “ This William Sydenham put up the estate at a

n r u private lottery . It was ge e ally s pposed that there

a e fo r was ri o r le ast was trick d signed, it cont ved, at

th e a i e t l e hoped, that fortun te t ck wou d fall to the shar o f a co nfidan t o f e e the family, who th y imagin d would have been prevailed upon to return the a tate fo r a s a s mall consideration . That ticket h ppened to be her ;

but o she i e , to their great disapp intment, immed at ly

a r r o Initc he ll Es . fte wards mar ied D ily , q , who sold

r e r o f Lo n bre d . it to Geo g Richa ds, g y, Esquire But

his two it being necessary that Mr . Sydenham and daughters (his sons having die d during his lifetime) sh ould mak e a fo rmal surrender of the estate to the

de e a e c o m m itmd to ven e, on th ir refus l they wer

e e a 1 0 Dorch st r prison bout 7 9, where they ended ” e th ir days. I n this dignified and beautiful home was Sydenham

t n his brought up. We know no hi g of early life, and ve ry little o f the friends an d connections of the family 1 9

EA RLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

s o f e s Oxford . The election this Univ r ity for a

r i his e Do setshire man was almost inev table, and ldest brother had already been a Fellow Commoner o f

l e e Trinity Col eg in that Univ rsity . The college

fo r was Nla dalen e e he selected Thomas g Hall, wh r

a o n Ma 2 0 matriculated as Fellow Commoner y , 1 6 42 . Magdalen Hall was originally closely con nec ted

no t e a o f a with, though strictly sp aking part M gdalen “ ” e n th e r e fo r Colleg , bei g Gramma Hall intend d the elem entary e ducation o f university scholars in l grammar, but had gradual y assumed an independent

i is e n b f e posit on . It now m rged i o Hert ord Colleg .

s l e e Originally a mall society, it had rapid y incr as d in numbers during th e early part of the seventeenth

so a o 1 6 2 n o M e century, th t ab ut 5 it had than thre

e n a s s hundred m mbers. This i cre e eems to have been

fl its i chie y due to the high reputation of Pr ncipal,

l e John Wilkinson, Fe low and afterwards, und r the

a i o f o le P rl amentary rule, President Magdalen C l ge . Wilkinson was o n e o f the chief leaders o f the Puritan

a t e s t r his p r y in the Univ r i y, and unde guidance Magdalen Hall beeam e the great centre o f Oxfo rd

th e Puritanism, which , notwithstanding High Church

e r r action initiated by Laud, had still a conside able

s ffi following in the University . The e reasons su ciently explain why Syde nham should have be en sent to this i l as be ng the popular Puritan col ege, presided over by u i s ch a man as Wilk nson . 2 I THOMAS SYDENHAM

But Sydenham was no t destin ed to pro fit very lo n g

o f u by the studies the University, or to sit nder the s l i e a r was cut ermons of Wi k nson . His Univ rsity c ree

fo r ea but short at its outset, not any personal r sons, by the course o f political events. In the summer of the co nflict between the King and the Parliament was

its al e ef r rapidly proceeding to fin ruptur . Even b o e the time that Syden ham went to Oxford pre paratio m

n s the i were bei g made for armed re istance to K ng. In May the Parliament called o ut the militia in ’ defiance o f the King s prohibition ; and at the very moment whe n Syde nham was ente ring at Oxford the trained bands of London were being drilled in Finsbury

Fields . As is well known , all attempts at reconcilia tion were in vain ; and when on August 2 2 nd th e

c King raised his standard at Nottingham, the ountry

in is actually a state of civil war . It plain that this summe r term was no time for quiet study ; and the crisis had n o w arrived when every Englishman had to askhimself o n which side he meant to play his ’ s r part . In Sydenham case the answe could not be

His s doubtful . family connection and the state o f political fee ling in his native co unty placed him ine vit

o n e n ably the side of the Parliam nt . The U iversity and city of Oxford being strongly in favo ur of th e

e fo r his S den King, this was no plac opponents, and y

t f s s m ham mus have left Ox ord ome time in the u mer,

h is we ul t ough prec ely when do not know . It co d ’ hardly have been later than the King s declaration at 2 2 EARLY LIFE AN D EDUCATION

o t o h e N tingham, and may very pr bably av been earlier, since even before that e ve nt Do rchester an d Poole were being fortified by the partisans o f th e Parliament .

who n o t s Anthony Wood, does di play with regard to e his u Syd nham c stomary omniscience, merely says i that he left Oxford without tak ng arms for the King,

s e h u t a as the other cholars did. But Syd n am m s h ve left with a much more de finite inte ntion of the opposite

th e t e E e o , t , kind and . as, af er bat l of dg hill Oxf rd

' e t he s o no t becam King headquarters, he c uld return

i as there t ll the first war w over .

see t o u c o We , then, that h ugh it is q ite rrect to say that Syde nham e nte re d the Unive rsity in his e ighteenth

s st had e o r n o i ue e his year, thi ep littl real nfl nc on

u at o n o e e ed cation . His stay Oxf rd can t hav exc eded

' two o r s t afiairs three month , in a dis urbed state of , so s e e e o and that he mu t hav learn d littl or n thing, as re gards University training this period was virtually

His r e a blank . eal University ducation began much

a e r un e r e l t and d very diffe r nt circumstances . We have now to follow him into one of the most

v o f We acti e centres civil war . shall find him, still

o f s e the s almost a boy, playing the part a oldi r in mo t memorable conflict of arms an d opinio ns at o nce in w l e e ee hich Eng ishmen hav ev r b n engaged . In dis

s n an d s e s ffi fo r cus i g these great tormy ev nt , it is di cult

l n the s a any Eng ishman, eve at pre ent day, to void

i ee r s . s is be ng in some degr a pa ti an The hi torian, it

r at true, p ofesses to aim being, and doubtless in a large 2 3 THOMAS SYDENHAM

e s s a an d n o m a ure succeed , in being imp rtial this is less the duty o f o n e who ass umes the humble r o ffi ce

o r s in the of a bi g apher . But it mu t be admitted that case of the latter a stronger e ffo rt and more dilige nt circ umspectio n are necessary to preserve a rigidly

a o n imp rtial attitude . In e who undertakes to write th e e o f m an o his ad lif a great , the bject of warm mira

a n n e tion , it would argue certain wa t of huma natur

h e a s a s his if were not, gener lly pe king, on the ide of

o I f f th e f o s her . , there ore, in oll wing slight ketch of ce rtai n episodes in the Civil War thi ngs are looked at as th e y wo uld have be en lo o ked at fro m the Syden ham o o f e w le t s s e ws are p int vi , not tho e who e vi diffe rent take offence We all reco gnise that there we re h e ro ic Puritans and he ro ic Cavaliers but it w ill n o t appe ar strange if in th e life of Sydenham mo re is said abo ut the hero ic Puritans than abo ut the ir

T th e e fa as to v s . o o r ri al Syd nham mily, many the s

' e s te was a s o n o f o s on th ir ide, the mat r que ti c n cience . Frc n r rn o Sv n s n n au s

amas Sydenham le ft Oxford in the f his Unive rsity career checked

a n ” f his a t s e o f at cm : W , ound n tive coun y in a tat

at o o activ e prepar i n for war . P litical feeling was was o n s the s trong there, and mainly the ide of

s s is e o Parliam e nt . Dorche ter e pecially Spok n f by “ ” Clare ndon as the mo s t malignant Puritan)

es place in England . Even before Charl I . had raise d

e his standard at Nottingham, men w re drilled and

s a m muste red in Dorsetshire to upport the P rlia ent . t In August Dorches er and Poole were fortified, to guard against a suspected de sign of the Marquis o f

o an d s Hertford t seize them for the King, hortly afterwards soldiers and ammunitio n were sent down

e s ri to by the Parliam nt, which al o cont buted the

i is expe nse of fortification . In these proceed ngs it

o o fi n d probable the Sydenham family t k part, but we no defi ni te record of their being emplo ye d o n the

s e 1 6 the Parliamentary id till April, 43, when eldest 2 S THOMAS SYDENHA M

c ei i i brother, William Sydenham, re ved a comm ss on

i o f s i in as capta n of a troop horse, his po it on the

l e v county, and probably the proof he had a r ady gi en

n him to i of energy and capacity, e abling dispense w th

passing through any inferior rank . His rise was

fo r rapid , in December of the same year he became h a colonel . The military service of Thomas Syden am

in but do no t must have begun the same year, we find

the 1 6 u him mentioned till next year, 44, nder circum

s be e f stance which will spok n o later . It is curious to remark that the very fact o r ’ Sydenham s having serv e d in the Parliame ntary

o i army, th ugh always established by d rect contem

o rar e st r o bm ured p y t stimony, has been angely and

e n a e ven d ied in l ter times. In the great biographical “ o f Bio ra hia dictionary the last century, the g p ” e i o f Sir r Britannica, the direct t st mony Richa d

co n Blackmore, who knew Sydenham well, is flatly

tradic ted e i bio , without any reason, and all succe d ng graphers have o nly touche d the subj e ct as if wi th the

n e t e h tips of their fi g rs. The mo iv in all t is has been to clear Syde nham from th e imputation of having h been a soldier of the Parliament and Commonwealt . But that Sydenham did embrace the Puritan cause

s e with earne t conviction, and wh n engaged in the

e u a quarr l, q itted himself like a man, is abund ntly

l n o ld proved, not only by more di igen t readi g of the

o flic ial s c books, but by document which have ome to

o f light and been edited late years . 2 6 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS

’ Before speaking o f the future phys ician s military

e l to s the car er, it will be we l get ome general view of i m c rcu stances under which it was passed . In the fi rst war (a distinction to be carefully noted) Syden ’ ham s activity was limited to his native coun ty o f

the l Dorset, where Civi War had certain noticeable

To was a c features . begin with, it remark bly lo al,

a no t o o r l the h ving connec i n, very litt e, with great campaigns by which the main issue o f the war was

d The re o do decide . Dorsetshi f rces not appear to have le ft their nati ve county or its immediate neigh

e o n bo urho o d. B ut an int rnal co nflict w as c stantly

n e o s e maintai d there, and owing to a curi u sequ nce of events was never terminated by any decisive

i t o o f e a o ro v c ry . The field battl w s too rem te f m the great theatre o f war fo r e ither o f the conte nding parties to concentrate any great force the re exce pt in

r e some transito y emerg ncy .

o n e n l d The c unty was co sequ t y divide . Each party posse$e d some of the strong places ; there was a co n

tin ual s s was uccession of attacks and reprisal , and it not till th e coming of Fairfax and Cromwell in 1 646 that the co unty was completely gained for the Parlia

ment . At the outbreak of the war nearly the whole county

a o n o f th e e w s the side Parliam nt . The only strong fo r the King appears to have been Co rfe ich sustained a memorable sie ge by the

f in orces, which one o f the Sydenham 2 7

THE FIGHTING SYDEN HAMS

i e o f s s s e s de, but the exc sses the Royali t oldiers tirr d up a strenuous o pposi tion and brought into the suhac quent struggle a bitte rness of feeling which is re cog nise d an d u t fo r The acco n ed by Clarendon . Royalist historian states that after the capture of Dorcheste r ’ o the s a and Weym uth King party, t king advantage ” the a a n e s of gre t m lig ity of th se places, u ed great ’ a o f n s license. The E rl Carnarvo , one of the King

er h - n t ft gen als, a igh mi ded Royalis who shortly a er

l at l ur wards fe l with Falkland the batt e of Newb y, was so indignant at th e non - observance of the articles of surrende r by his own party that he quitted his co mmand and we nt 0 5 to join the Ki ng before

These things must be borne in m ind it we find the subsequent fighting in Dorsetshire to show a some

t s the o i what bi ter pirit, populati n generally be ng on o n e i th e s e o n the o n the s de, oldi ry other . Later notorious c3o n (to use the words of a Royalist h s s e es r u so i torian), a man whose riotou xcess b o ght “ ” s e the o a a e e e much di cr dit on r y l c use, carri d lic nc

e to a high r pitch . The fighting which fo r the next tw o years harass ed the county was not exactly what is described by th e

a s ue a a convention l phra e, g rill warfare . It r ther state o f things on the Scottish borde r

has u th e Scott made s familiar . Each of

e o possessed c rtain strongh lds, from which

sallied forth , with small bodies of daring

7- 9 THOMAS SYDENHAM

rs e t s to 05 n ho em n , to in ercept supplie , cut co voys of

n e o r am ult t a e ammu ition, to threat n hos ile c stl s and

- i es to o manor houses, somet m levy contributions n contumacious towns or tradesmen ; or occasionally wi th larger forces to lay serious siege to o ne o f the ’ o e e enemy s f rtified towns . On n ither sid could the force s be regarded quite as regular soldiers ; the y

no o e followed d ubt their natural l aders, the country

e r s e m le o n gentl men, whose raids and ski mi h s rese b d a

s the o a o f the smaller cale b rder for ys Howards, the

Pe rc ies o ns th e Do u lam . i , the J h tones, and g The r

s s if deed of daring were never ung ; only recorded, at all s fo r the a s no t , in the balde t of prose ; Cav lier did any more than the Puritans encourage th e making of re ballads . But for any one desirous of finding f sh

and material for that style of poetry, the keen fights hazardous escapes recorde d in the o ld pamphlets might offer many promising themes. So much it se ems worth w hile to say in order to show what kind o f mili tary life it was in which these stormy years of Thomas Sydenham’s youth were prime d ; b ut of the act ual e ve nts of this provi ncial campaign a few only can be mentioned .

F T FORAYS O HE SYDENHAMS .

d a s o n As might be expecte , m ny of the daring deed the u are e P ritan side set down to the Syd nhams.

a t e Thus Vicars, the enthusi s ic Parliam ntary chronicler,

i o ut relates how William Sydenham, sett ng from 30 ING SYDENHAMS

a e Dorchester, ppreh nded the

an d his . lie ute nan t , who had been

and e the Parliament, br aking open freed such honest men as had be en c o m ” s e e he tho e cruel cormorants . Th r also

a e s o e cart lad n with mu kets and gunp wd r,

The e he e i bound fo r Bristol . gunpowd r thr w nto the

2 00 s and as mu kets, took away many as

e He e abl to carry . also borrowed there “ o f o ne o k r . C a u Mr , a malignant goldsmith , s ch and all this he did in an ho ur and a

e d s e s a af to his garri on at Wareh m . A little before this he we nt into the I sle o f Purbeck

e 2 e o f and carri d away from thence 3 3 cattl all sorts . “ ” On an othe r occasion he had a brave bickering ’ w Sir Dives s t i ith Lewis forces, taking for y pr soners,

The s i had o the m e Royalist on the r side , of c urse, sa tale to tell and t he Royalist journ als record success ful

i s s the skirm shes and attacks, with imilar re ults in

u e . e capt r of prisoners, arms, and booty For instanc , o n 2 1 Sir s s se t o u t o November , Lewi Dive fr m he rbo rn e to dislodge a party o f re bels

e e Poole, who had post d th mse lv es at

i u e e s he e Hav ng s cc ed d in thi , march d to and hearing that a large bo dy of the rebe l

th e a e n neighbourhood, att ck d them with

an d e put th m to flight . N ext

to r in triumph She borne, having 3 1 THOMAS SYDEN HAM

eas s i rse incr ed his numbers by this march, be des ho s,

so arms, and pri ners taken from the enemy . Cavalry raids and skirmishes o f this ki nd were co n stantl i fl y go ng on ; and one sees that the at, heathy

e D no r in the country of astern orset, much enclosed

t a e seventeen h century, would have been very suit bl

e ff lame for this kind of warfare . In th se a airs the s do

not seem to have generally been severe, but there were some more sanguinary engagements like that

o f now to be spoken . We first hea r o f the activity of the Syden ham

1 6 in i family in 43, connection with the obst nate

ar t i defence of Poole . It was app en ly Will am

s Sydenham who, when in the garri on there (though

s o r not governor), led the Royali ts under the Earl

a o u e a e e Crawford into a dis str s ambuscad . H ving b n

tampere d with by Royalist e missaries, and offe red

e a the e heavy bribes if he would b tr y town , Syd nham adapted the familiar device o f pre tending to e ntertain

e . f e th ir proposals Lord Craw ord f ll into the trap, and it was agreed that if h e came o n a certain night w i th

his s t a o force the own g te sh uld be secretly Opened .

t th e The Royalists came at the appoin ed time, and gates being sile ntly opened they e ntered witho ut

suspicion . But when most of the force had pm ed in

e e l the o the gates w r c osed, and R yalists found them selves exposed to a terrible fire o f musketry and

artillery . Many were made prisoners, many were

e o ut. killed , whil some fought their way The 32 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS

Royalists were sav e d from total destruction only by th e error of the garrison o f Poole in having closed the

e s the t he gates a littl too oon, and by fact that Parliame ntary artillery was found to be badly placed so that the canno n balls passed over the heads o f the

e e . w e n my Lord Cra ford had a severe lesson , whil ’ Syde nham s combination of craft and fidelity gaine d

ea a l s his him gr t pp au e from party .

o u D se o o e Th gh at the end of or t, except P l

e was a s re su e o a s and Lym , lmo t enti ly bj ct to the R y li ts, the face o f affairs was co mpletely changed in the next

Th e Ea o f his year . rl Essex, marching through on

- s e the e ill tarred xpedition to W st, easily recovered

o o D rchester and Weym uth . The former town was

h Me l u e a e o f e e . T e a j dg d incap bl d fenc l tter, with l combe Regis, as the lower town was then ca led, was put by Essex under the command of C o lonel William

o f e o f his Sydenham . Other names, one th m that

h s e are o e brot er, Major Franci Syd nham, menti n d in

th e a s e original warr nt, igned and s aled by the Captain

e e a o f s e 2 2 G n r l the force of the Parliam nt, June ,

6 is l the 1 44, which sti l in the B ritish Museum . At same time Colonel Sydenham was put in c ommand o f

s o f the three troop of dragoons, and a foot regiment

s He nominal strength of a thou and men . built some

the W upper town, and made eymouth His occupation of this place must

( 1 as be th e , it will central point in our t the Dorse campaigns . 33 THOMAS SYDE NHAM

In the meantime the s tage was clea red by the

w his departure o f the tw o greater armies. Essex ith forces pursued their march to wards the West and co m ' pelled Prince Maurice with the King s army to

s s e vacuate Dorset . A Royali t garri on was, however,

s e o ur left in Wareham, which had om bearing on

history . Whoeve r looks at the map of D o rset will see that Ware ham is not far from Poole and lies on the way

D s But i from that town to orche ter . in its pol tical

e was l sentim nts Wareham totally opposed to Poo e, “ s so r being trongly Royalist, that late on when it came

e an s e into the power of the Parliament, aft r ob tinat

s e e o o resi tanc of the townsmen, it was ven pr p sed to

raz e the e ra to . , r f ctory town the ground The Royalist leade r left in command at Wareham ’ u 1 6 l l O B rie n s in J ly, 44, Co one , an Iri hman , brother

In c hi uin to sit e of Lord q , was not disposed down qui tly

a a . m th e ff i se t and wait an ttack He umed o ens ve, and out on his side to atmck Dorch este r in th e mo nth of

u He o e e l and J ly, was enc unt r d by Colone Major (Fran cis ) Syde nham with th e ir garrison of

e m us a n a s re f W y outh , and s t i ed eve de eat . The Sydenham s pursue d th e Royalists almost to the gates of

e 1 60 War ham , and took prisoners, among whom were

e o e eight Irishm n, of whom m re h reafter . What m ost “ concerns us is that old Captain Syde nham (probably

e had s a the fath r) , who been pri oner long time to the

al s Roy i ts in Exeter, behaved himself very bravely in 34 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS ” s thi action , serving wi th a lower military rank than his s o as e was son ; and Th m , though a young soldi r, probably also present. In the county history the “ r o ld o wo d is mitted, and this at first led the present writer to believe that Thomas Sydenham was

t r e the cap ain ef rred to . Afte r this victory th e re is recorded an act of severity

fo r Wil a e has l d which li m Syd nham been much b ame ,

n e en o s and eve by a r c t bi grapher . The Irish prisoner of whom mention has been mad e had suc h q uarte r given the m as the y gave the Protestants in Ire land

n Th e a e that is, they were promptly hu g . f te of thes poor Irish and of others o f their countrymen at this

o f v wa e period the Ci il War s very sad. Brought ov r from their native land to fight in a cause which was

no t o wn o f their , they found themselves deprived the

o rdinary rights of war and treated as mere criminals .

e e e The Th xcuse was the s tate of national fe ling . hor ror excited in England by the n e ws o f the te rrible

a a es the e e the m ss cr in Irish r bellion, the fe ling that

i had e s s n K ng b en lack in puni hi g the rebels, and the sus picion (w hich afte r all was not confirmed) that he was going to bring o ve r the ruthless Irish sa vages (as the English thought th e m ) to fi ght against his own

l s had w r e u e rebe lious ubjects, o k d p th national feeling

t e to a pitch of wild exci em nt, only comparable to the intense feeling which in o ur time was

a u ri the tales of the Indi n M tiny . The Pa l ament made a formal ord e r that Irish me n talt en in arms on 35

THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS

This he states in the most definite manner in his

th e autobiography . At same time Colonel and Major

e the s an d Syd nham rode up at other side of the hou e,

n o r o n k owing not knowing what was going in front, admitted the Ro yalists to quarte r and sa ve d their lives ; at the same time saving the Parliamentary party

a s t e e the from serious disgrace . Thi in erf r nce of

e s e a to h e Syd nham gave, how ver, gre t umbrage As l y

o ffi was Cooper and other cers, and probably the occa sion o f the evident hostility to William Sydenham

e e se We the shown by certa in gentl m n of Dor t . find “ ” D t o e orsetshire Commi tee, among wh m was Ashl y

o f t to en Cooper, writing to the Council Sta e recomm d ’ that Co lonel Syde nham s co mmission sho uld be

his r s cance lle d and egiment di banded . B ut Sir l i l Wil iam Waller, the ch ef Par iamentary general, spoke

n a o u o f e The stro gly in f v r Syd nham . Council

e his a o s t naturally follow d dvice, and not nly uppor ed

am a e e o f Sydenh , but m d him command r all their fo rc es in Dorsetshire his brother Francis being about the same time made c ommander of all the horse . This active offi c er is soon afte rwards found in Londo n

o a et a fo r his c mpl ining that he can g no p y men. In this same summer there occurre d a tragical and

e fa e mysterious vent in the Sydenham mily . Th ir

e Mrs e s e the moth r, . Syd nham, lo t her lif in war, and ,

is au was as recorded by two contemporary thorities, kille d by the Royalists : it is said by a certain Major

a s is r s r Willi m . It also shown by the parish egi te 37 THOMAS SYDENHAM that she act ually died and was buried at Wynford

i . Eagle about this t me, in the month of July The circumstances under which a lady in her posi

s un o tion was killed by the oldiers are quite kn wn , and it is diflic ult to understand how such a thin g a n

can c have happened. We only conje ture that it may have been in an attack by the R o yalists o n Wynford

no t Eagle, which in this war of raids and reprisals is likely to have been unmoles ted ; and that she m us t have in some way in cen sed the soldiers . A plausible

e t the e i i conj c ure, and one which has m rit of impart al ty, since the blame stands to th e account o f the other

a at the party, may be suggested by the de th of a lady

the e at hands of Parliamentary soldi rs, namely, C ’ l s t i u the o we l s orm ng of Basing Ho se in f llowing year .

o f afi ir Mr . Hugh Peters, who gave an account the

s o f ea to the Hou e Commons, reports, as may be r d in ’ “ ” “ l s e ff : Carly e Cromw ll, to the following e ect In the several rooms and about the house there were slain se - o ne o a r venty four (men) and only w man, the d ughte

ffi who h e r r of Dr. Gri th, , by railing, p ovoked " e e e s soldi rs th n in heat into a furth r pas ion . Something like this may have been the fate o f

a the Puritan gentlewoman . Of Mrs . Sydenh m we know little but that she was the mother o f four brave

e o f e e fo r soldi rs, two whom gave th ir liv s the cause in which they fought . For a lady in her position to have

s to s s thu exposed herself the ri k of war, she must have been either very courage ous o r ve ry rash ; but it is 38 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS not hard to suppo se that the m o ther o f fm r bcro es

l I n re at tra e was herse f heroic . the g g dy of a civil

one s l o fo r l b ut fo r her war such ca ua ty c unts ittle,

f it was a m ed in imd m d had ” own amily g y fl ,

u t e o f d we shall see, f r her consequenc s a tragic kin . The adventure no w to be related is told by o ne co ntemporary authority (Vicars ) o f Colonel William

u w as e li it o f Sydenham, by another (R sh orth) xp c ly

a r i . is im o mible to sa l the M jo , Franc s It p y certain y which version is the correct o n e ; w e are in clined

e o to think that Francis Sydenham was r ally c ncerned, s in ce at this time William Syde nha m was Governor ’ o f but Vim rs s ti Weymouth, as narra ve is the fuller,

s l au . es th e we hall fo low that thority Sir Lewis Div , Royalist leader who had been left in September o f this

1 6 a o year, 44, with garris n in Sherborne Castle, and was called Commander- in- Chief fo r the King in

o ut m o th e f Dorset, set on Nove ber 3 with a forc rom

t o lo e Dorchester to threa en Poole, where C n l or Major

s Sydenham was then in command . The Royali ts made “ (according to the Puritan chronicler) a darin g show

r b ut fi n a a and b avado, ndi g Sydenh m prep red to

05 an d v u receive them, drew , anished like a vaporo s ” l n i a e c oud, marchi g stra ght b ck to Dorchest r, which

n e n was the tr ated as an open tow , and was at the mercy of whichever party might be s uperior in the “ l h a i s fie d . Syden m determ ned to retaliate and how ” Sir e a Lewis Div s some ction , drew out a party of ” f r u le t fi ty o sixty horse do b pis olled, and marched 39 THO MAS SYDENHAM

to e the that night Dorchester, wher he fell upon enemy “ u s o t o ut- u s in their q arter , and dr ve in heir g ard

i o n his or pickets . Then call ng men for a charge, ' w h e beat Sir Lewis s regim ent quite through th e to n .

s s an d e l The Royali t rallied, a second charg fo lowed with equal s ue c ew to the Parliamen tary force . Then

e e happened an occurrence which, v n as told in the

e e rough words of the old chronicl r, rises to the h ight o f tragedy . Whe n the Royalists rallied a third time Sydenham

e e e e s r cognised in th ir l ader a c rtain Major William , “ ” “ a and e who, it is s id, had basely cruelly kill d ’ e s o Fo r a s e fie to Syd nham m ther . oldi r in the ld find himself confron te d in arms by the slaye r of his mother would be a cris is strange and startling enough to e e o o a o us e turn v n a c ward int her . It m t hav

a was n o t o f roused the Sydenh m blood, which that

s e o coward , to an unexampled h at . What f llowed

t he s o f the o ld a s must be told in word narr tive, ince

to e n o r we the we can add nothing th m, have right

ta e to k anything away . “ So soon as Colone l Sydenham saw Williams he

a e a e s i Sp k to his men th t w re next to him, to t ck close

’ he no e s to him for said , I will w av nge my mother in noce nt blood and so h e made his way to Major

l a l Wi li ms, and slew him in the p ace, who fell dead ’ ” his o s e under h r e s f et .

is is the s o s Th t ry uch as we have it . It is of course the statement of a partisan, but there seems no reason 40 THE FIGHTING SYDE N HAMS to regard it as unhistorical ; and with it closes the f s amily tragedy of the Sydenham . If these tales o f fighting and bloodshed should se e m

e n s a w e s u of littl mome t in the life of a phy ici n , ho ld re member that this ro ugh school of warfare forme d a ’ o f e s i was ess a part Syd nham educat on . It entially

e we school of r volt, good or bad as may choose to

s a s re o i think it, and mu t h ve had a ha in f rm ng the character of one who brought i n to matters of thought and science the cou rage o f a soldier and the in de

e n den c e e p of a reb l .

e e s e l e is o n e Only one mor pi od wi l be r lated, but it

o u s fi n in t he e fe o f which, th gh in igni ca t gr at i ld

s o o e o ur so a hi t ry, t uch d family ne rly that it might

ed the e almost be call Sydenham pic .

TH E LOSS AN D R ECOVERY OF WEYMOUTH .

Colo nel Syde nham was now Gove rno r o f Wey

e s two o e r mouth and M lcombe Regi , and had y ung

s an d the brother , Major Francis Thomas, with him in

e e e o s us o ur garrison, wh n an ev nt occurr d which sh w

u re si e f tu phy cian actually in the fi ld .

o f e u 1 6 — a In the beginning F br ary, 44 5 , the Parli

a was u t s mentary g rrison in ndis urbed po session, having

e e s e e e e no fo s near r than Portland Ca tl , wh re th r was a s i e e as and Royali t garr son und r Sir Walt r H tings,

e e the e Sherborn Castl , further to north , h ld by Sir

e was e Lewis Dives . The plac w ll defended by two

s h n fort , one at least of whic had been built by Colo el 41 THOMAS SYDEN HAM

n m o f the Syde ham . But a plot contrived by some townspeo ple to admit a force from Po rtland into

a Weymouth by tre chery . Accordingly at midnight “ ” o f February 9th the Portlande rs were admitted

o into the t wn by some secret ways, and secured the

S den forts with scarcely any resistance . Some of y ’ ham s troops made a desperate attempt to recove r

but e u a i them, wer rep lsed with loss, and M jor Franc s

e was o f the Syd nham, who doubtless in front fray,

o he the e received a m rtal wound, of which died n xt morning.

us s e o the Let quote the word in which Pet r J ice, ” ’ s e o f th e s s a o f r s mini t r garri on, pe ks the Governo “ “ e r s he s broth , who e memory, ays, may not be

e His o ur buri d with him . death was no small joy to

to enemies, whom he was a perpetual vexation and

e e who had e to o t rror, and no small gri f to us our yes ” much upon him .

Sir The next day at noon arrived Lewis Dives, with ho rse and foot from Sh e rborne and the Parliamen tary garrison was co mpelled to evacuate We ymouth and

e re to o t he e r ti Melc mbe, on other sid of the harbour, drawing up after them the bridge between the two towns . Here the Syde nhams and th e ir men were in a

i o f posit on temporary safety, but Melcombe was

e e e e regard d as untenabl , b ing imperf ctly fortified, and ’ th e e h o n s s to garrison w re thoug t, in Clarend word , be “ " e e rs t t . no be t r than prison a mercy Sydenham, 42 THE FIGHTING SYDEN HAMS

to s his however, at once set to work trengthen

f c r s l de en es. The fo t on the hi l at Weymouth, ” l especia ly the Chapel Fort, commanded the position , and the re was some cannonading an d an attempt to

u e - s but a b rn M lcombe by red hot hot , after a ret lia

e s e w as s e tion in kind by Syd nham, thi m thod di card d as e n to o e o e e b i g dang rous to b th towns . Aft r a littl while Me lcombe seems to have been le ft pre tty much

e the e e e alon by Roy alists, b ing r gard d perhaps as harm

ss as s n to a e le , or being too tro g be t ken by a sudd n a was e se s and ttack . It , howev r, clo ly be ieged, apparently was no t thought like ly to be able to hold o t u long .

o o e e e n ss C l nel Syd nham, how v r, with dau tle resolu

n e his r e a to e tio , h ld g ound and manag d gradu lly improv hi c e s position . He received supplies and reinfor ments

c o by sea from the Admiral (Lord Warwi k) and thers, and a troop of Parliamentary horse succeede d in finding the ir way in by land .

' He re occurred a little skirmish which we must

s us o s we mention, because it give the nly glimp e get

The e o f the e . Thomas Sydenham in fi ld Gov rnor,

a h is o Colonel Sydenh m, sallying out with all h rse, ’ une xpectedly encountered a troop o f the e n e my s

o t l e e a h rse, and comple e y rout d th m, t king sixty prisoners and chasing the re mnant up to the gates

o was e the o f of We ym uth . This don without loss ’ o n e o the Governor s brother e li man, nly b ing s ghtly

s wounded . Of cour e Francis Sydenham being now 43

THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS s d a e urren ered in a panic, a l rge number b ing taken

s prisoner .

s w was n e Thi brilliant success, hich gained o F bruary

a th s fo r e th e 5 , practically ecured Syd nham possession

th e t e u he o But of own of W ymo th and t other f rt .

e o s e e fi n a e befor the remaining p sition w r ally c rri d, Goring tried to make up for h is previo us supineness

a by final e ffo rt to cr ush the Parli ame ntary garrison .

o e e a a e fo Marching from D rch st r with l rg rce, he

e a u e o u made a determin d night ttack pon W ym th .

e w ho e a n o f Colonel Syd nham, had r ceived war ing his w e u to l approach , allo d the o tworks be easi y carried, and re ce ived the attack in the streets with barricades

e e o The a e l a . a d fend d by cann n Roy lists ch rg d ga l ntly,

o t th e ad was and g behind main barric e, which only l saved by Sydenham in person ral ying his men . At ’ tw o s f e ffe e last, after hour ighting, in which th y su r d

i e an d great loss, the Caval ers were comp lled to retire,

a f . S m th e the retreat became light ydenha , on

da the ss o f e was eighteenth y after lo W ymouth , again

s a e n in posses ion . Goring, ft r drawi g out the Royalist

n e o ff his garriso , march d with all force, to the great

’ sur rise o f his to the p adversaries, and great chagrin , as w e are the e e s D e told, of k en Sir L wi iv s, and

o us e finally le ft Dorsetshire alt gether . Th Colon l

n a as o Syde h m w again Governor ; and Weym uth , with

s o n o f the . Melcombe, remained in posses i Parliament m The loss and recapture of Wey outh, though not

i e e much noticed in the great h stories, xcit d great 45 THOMAS SYDENHAM

atte ntion at the time . It was a serious blow to the

a s re ex a to the a Royalists, and cau e of g at ult tion Purit n

s o f i e a party . The thank Parl am nt and grant of

e en to th e o f c e w re giv fi ers, soldiers, and seam n

e c e o o f Weymouth and M l ombe . Clar nd n speaks with great seve rity of the conduct of the Royalist com

s a whwe l mander , especi lly Lord Goring, soldiers on y “ dis tinguished th e mselves by horrid outrages and ” a es b rbariti and unheard of rapine, without applying ” th e mse lves to any enterprise upon the rebels . At this point the his tory of medicine must concern i tself fo r a mo ment with a curious coincidence which

o s e — political history w uld not toop to notic that is, an approximation quite unperce ive d on e ithe r side between two re presentatives of English me dicine an d English

e e his em e surgery resp ctiv ly in t m orable si ge .

the s e Richard Wiseman , mo t minent English

s e e s e m surgeon of the ev nte nth century, om ti es called

o f s s was e the Father Engli h urgery, ngaged as a ’ su e s s e i rg on on the King id in the Civil War . Dur ng this period he was no t present at any o f the great battles (though late r o n he was at the battl e of

o e was a r th e W rc ster), but ttached to the a my in

es E a o f W t of ngl nd, under the nominal command the

e s a e IL Prince of Wal s, afterward Ch rl s , and in this

in capacity served Somerset, Dorset, and other parts

o c e . He as with the Royal f r s was present, he himself

e the u s the the r cords, at s rpri e of Weymouth forts by

s o an d garri on from P rtland, remained in the place 46 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS

e his th e e whil it belonged to party . At v ry time ’ whe n Colonel Syde nham s troops surprise d the Chape l

o he e F rt, had an adventur which may be recorded in

his o wn r wo ds . I was dressing a wounded man in the town almos t

the n under Chappell Fort, and heari g a woman cry, Fly l fly 1 the fo rt is taken I turne d aside a little

s n o t amazed toward the line, knowing what had been

o e u th e saw o ur o e d n ; but getting p works, I pe pl

u n w e r nni g a ay and those of the fort shooting at th m .

s t the t I slipt down thi work in o di ch, and got out of

as a to the trench ; and I beg n run, hearing one call

i u d Ch rurgeon l I t rne back, and seeing a man hold

stum d was up a w arm, I thought it an Irishman whom

e e I had absolut ly dismember d, whereupon I returned ,

‘

hel ed him . and p up We ran together, it being within ’ half a musket- shot of the en e my s fort but he o utran ” e me quit .

a ad a e e Evide ntly Wisem n h very narrow scap . Now

a e a as is e a e his if Thom s Syd nh m was, v ry prob bl , with

o e the ne o n s s o e s e br th r Colo l thi occa i n, th y mu t hav been within an ac e o f taking th e Ro yalist surgeon

The ms a e prisone r . circu t nc would have had no

t u a s e an d e par ic l r intere t for Syd nham , certainly Wis man co uld not have recognised in a young cavalry o fiic e r n e not r of ninetee , at that tim d eaming of

e e o f becoming a doctor, the futur r former medicine . But at this dis tance of time we can wonder at the c urio us iro n e i l e y of fat , br nging a most in pr sence of each 47 THOMAS SYD ENHAM

s t other two men opposed in politic , but both des ined to the s a e s adorn ame profession . In ft r year Wiseman practised surgery in London at the same time as Syde nham pract ised medicine th e re but the n ame doe s n o t occur among the n umerous physicians mentioned

e is by Wiseman in his works, and for various r asons it

e e e t not lik ly that th y ever m . From this time th e conflict in Dorset became much less a s th e active, all the important pl ce being in poss ession o f the Parliame nt ; though the strong

as e s u e s as c tle of Sherborne, impregnabl by ch m an the e se l e u Parliam ntary forces m es d, sti l h ld out nder “ ” the i inexpugnable Sir Lew s Div es . B ut while there was any fightin g going on we may be sure that

e a the Syd nh ms were in the thick o f it . Sherborne was reduced by Fairfax and Cromwell in August,

1 6 e e w as no 45 , and after this th r more fighting in

e Dorset, but we are not told that the forc s were disbanded .

the the 2 0th o f u e 1 6 6 o In next year, J n , 4 , Oxf rd s e e to a a an d fo e e nd o f us urr nder d F irf x, be r the Aug t, ’ “ e s s in Carlyl word , the First Civil War, to the last ” was ember of it extinct . It is well known that at the en d of 1 646 and in the following year a large part of the Parliame ntary

was s n army di banded, and we cannot doubt that amo g

s e e ss had o n e those who urrend r d his commi ion, if he , was is Thomas Sydenham . B ut there no positive proof

h e that he held any milita ry ran k in the fi rs t war . If 48 THE FIGHTING SYDENHAMS

l was no t . did ho d any it probably that of cornet, captain The elder brother William was continued in the

e s i o f fo r e r gov rnor h p Weymouth som time longe , and

e the o f e always r tained rank colon l . He was next

l the o made mi itary governor of Bristol, sec nd city of

i o f the the k ngdom, and colonel popular General ’ Ski o n s a o e pp f m us r giment ; but not for long, as h e so o e e o f W n becam Governor of the Isl ight,

e s o e and h ld be ides th r civil dignities, which had ’ a great infl uence on his younge r brother s career ;

are n o t o e but with these we now c nc rned . Thomas

a n o Sydenh m had part in them, and when he gave up

i u a e m litary service, which wo ld h v been probably in the

e r th e 1 6 6 r his o n latt part of year 4 , i f not ea lier, ly

in u his s his aim life was to ret rn to Univer ity . On journey thither he had a chance meeting an d conver s t r e s ation with a physician , which al e ed the whol cour e

in hi o n o f his e . s l s w s lif The story hal be told word .

49 T x o a TH E URIT U E I SYD ENHAM A O r n . P AN R L N TH E UN IVERSITY

e e D Ma le to ft N the l tt r of edication to Dr . John p pre fixe d to the third e dition of his work calle d ” O bse rvatio nes Me dic ze n a s bio , Syde ham m ke a

e e has e graphical stat m nt which been often quot d,

w s a e is e though not al ay accur t ly, and here giv n in a

s tran lation .

e a n e It is now the thirtieth y r si ce the time wh n ,

e o n o to o f o b ing my way to Lond n , in order g r m the nce a second time to Oxfo rd (from which the m is fo rtunes o f th e first war had ke pt me away fo r so me

e s f f l the s y ar ), I had the good ortune to a l in with mo t

e an d e s e w as learn d honourabl Dr . Thoma Cox , who at that time atte nding my bro ther during an illne ss ;

h e has e e se e and then , as b en up to the pr nt tim ,

ne ea n He practising medici with gr t disti ction . , with his - ss s well known kindne and courtesy, a ked me

f s to a what pro e sion I was preparing enter, now th t I was u was e resuming my interrupted st dies, and com 5 0 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

’

to s s . e a s man e tate I had at that time no fix d pl n , and was not e ven dreaming o f the professio n of medicine ; but moved by th e recomme ndation and

i so e nfluence of great a man , and in som way, I

u o wn s ppose, by my destiny, I applied myself

s . c ff seriously to that pur uit And ertainly, if my e orts

ave e to e as i h turn d out be of the l t public ut lity, the cre dit mus t be thankfully referred to him who was the

o o f s u patr n and promoter my early t dies . After

the rs spending a few years in Unive ity, I returned to ” e o n o f e London and ntered the practice m dicine . Now the work to which this le tter is prefixed was

e 0 1 6 th e e finish d December 3 , 75 , and d dication , being

u e was o nat rally composed wh n the book c mpleted,

e 1 6 6 h is would have been written arly in 7 , whic the f date o the published work . It wo uld therefore have

1 6 6 h e e e o been in 4 that r turn d to Oxford, but fr m the political circ umstances it is clear that it could not

a e e l th e e nd o f a o sa h v b en ti l th t year , and in c n q uen ce of the unsettled state of the University it is not likely that many students returned even so early

is s l i a e e as that . It pos ib e, ndeed, th t th r may have

a e a been littl vagueness of dates, and th t he did not

a o e n l 1 6 actu lly g into resid ce ti l 47, which would not ’ e o n s e He be inconsistent with Syd nham s w tat me nt .

e u the fi e his o ld seems to hav ret rned, in rst instanc , to c l e a . o leg , Magdalen H ll

n 1 6 was s the The ext year, 47, a tirring period in

e s Ma 1 st Univ r ity . The Parliament, on y , passed an 5 1

SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

that his reason for selecting this college was that the

e Dr s s . t i cel brated Wilkin (a trong Presby er an , though afte rwards Bisho p of Chester) was alre ady designated

fo r the s i o f the e o f head h p Coll ge, in place the

s W e e e th e i s Royali t ard n ject d by Vis tor . But as Wilkins did no t come into o ffice till April in the next

e no n o e year ther may have been con ecti n . Syd nham himself re fe rre d in after life to his havin g been a

He in 1 6 . 8 to member of Wadham says 7, writing a D l w l octor Gould, a Fe lo of Wadham, I myse f was o nce a Fellow Commoner of yo ur ho use but how

o s s u to w o l ng ince I ho ld be glad kno fr m you, as I rem ember it was in the year that Oxfo rd was s e o f a n urrend red, though I had bin Magd le Hall ” s b e . is ometime efor It not, however, quite clear whe ther he Speaks of the military s urrender of Oxford

rfa 1 6 6 th e ~ surren de r o f Un iv ersit to Fai x in 4 , or the y to e ss o 1 6 th Commi i ners in 47 .

e th e e It is, howev r, singular that nam occurs again i ale a th n connectio n with Magd n H ll . When e col le ges we re summone d by the Visitors to submit to

e ea o f e w as th ir authority, ch member the coll ge asked

l e b e s e individua ly wh e th r ubmitt d . In the case of Magdale n H all we find am ong the Maste rs o f Arts ”

Sidnam . . s s . e e is no Mr. , M A aid, I ubmit Th r w o n s s l e e e why thi hou d not hav be n our Syd nham , the variation in spelling being of no consequence and th o ugh there is no rec ord of his takin g the de gree of

fii all n as n . c i M A . he was o y recog ised havi g this degree 5 3 THOMAS SYDENHAM

e o f when admitted , long afterwards, a Licentiat

the College of Physicians, and must then have

i s o f e exh bited ome evidence it. Mor over, it was

fo r probably possible then , as in later times, a man to have his name on th e books o f two colleges at

once . ' The st o f e l is ory Syd nham s medica degree, which

has to W the rather a curious one, now be told . hen

i es s Puritan party came nto poss sion of the Univer ity, an d had a number o f vacant fe llowships and othe r

e er e e e u pr f m nts to giv away, th re were a large n mber

s ts e who r th e of tuden desirous of taking degre s , f om

es to disturbances of the tim , had been unable qualify themselves by t he o rdinary course o f residence and o f exercises in the scho o ls (examinations in th e mo dern

To s f sense being not then organised) . atis y their aspi rati o ns and to provide a s uflic ie n t number o f graduates ' fo r a o fiices a r e the v cant , la ge number of degrees wer “ ” e as is . conf rred by actual creation, it called That is to sa y, they were given by direct vote of Con

o s es s the e vocati n, ometim ubject to candidat perform in n e e e s i o s g certai x rcises, som time w thout any conditi n

. e e e e s at all Oft n, or ind d gen rally, thi was done in compliance wi th a re commendation (amo unting to a command) from the Chancellor or even some oth e r

e s important person . When th re wa a king upon the throne he not unfreque ntly exercised this royal privi

o f o e th e lege n mination . Aft r battle of Edgehill

a u r e e e Charles I . ordered n mbe of d grees to be conf rr d S4 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD — on his supporters a transaction called by Wood the ” Caroline creation . ’ During the King s residence in Oxford the same

was e e the privilege frequently xercised, and aft r Res

to ra n o f e tio still more liberally . This right conf rring

s the e s degrees by creation , always posses ed by Univ r ity,

s se i was s though paringly u d in ordinary t mes, lavi hly

i e o th e a o f Pe m employed by the act ng Chanc ll r, E rl

The e ees o n 1 2 £ an d broke . d gr given April , 4,

1 1 68 his o an are ca lle d o 5 , 9, by c mm d by Anth ny “ ” b u Wood the Pe m ro kian cre ation . Tho gh political and personal interest had great influence in these

s de grees they we re not conferred o n unworthy person .

Dr. the a a m e n Wilkins, Warden of W dh m above

tio ned e o f D the , was created Bach lor ivinity day

efo e he was ut n o his s a b r p i t Head hip, and Dr . Wh rton ,

th e e e t a t s e his a e e to the c l bra ed na omi t, ow d medic l d gr e

o i at Sir as fa I t was e a co n n m n ion of Thom Fair x . g ner lly

r e to th e u c a o side ed dec nt state gro nds of re ommend ti n .

e e e e o Sy d nham, th n , was actually cr ated Bach l r of

e o n A 1 1 6 8 o f Medicin pril 4, 4 , by command the

r o f e r e Wo o s a he n o t Ea l P mb ok . d note th t had

e us a e an e re he do so pr vio ly t k n y d g e in Arts, nor did at any time b ut we have se e n the re is a pres um pti o n

he e e e o f . . h e o u that possessed the d gr M A , which c ld

v e eas as a o f MB have recei ed by cr ation as ily th t . Pro bably it was confe rred at a time whe n the re gis te rs

a a e as is o were not very ccur t ly kept, c nfirmed by

e evidence to be given lat r . 5 5 THOMAS SYDENHAM

The mode rn reader may wonder a little that

a e ro fm io nal e e medic l d grees, involving p privileg s, wer conferred as readily as honorary titles in arts or law are i s was the g ven at the present day . But thi

e custom . Sydenham could not at this time have mad

o f i n e any serious study medic ne, having bee bar ly

e e i e e y ar r sident in the University, and in a t m of gr at

He s e u e to confus ion . had thu the rar good fort n obtain a de gree at the beginning insta d of at the end ’ o f h i h e to o s s s o u s . So tudent c r e much owed patr nage . B ut if w e consider th e incalculable gain to the scie nce o f e o medicin involved in making Sydenham a doct r, we must admit that seldom has the blind Go ddess of Patronage dispensed her favours wi th a happier hand . It is possible that this business o f the de gree may have been hurri e d o n in order to q ualify Syde nham for an important preferment which he obtained soon

e 1 6 8 was a after. On Octob r 3, 4 , he ppointed by the ’ e l e Visitors to a F llowship of All Sou s Coll ge, doubt

ss e e l e o s le in plac of an exp l d R yalist . It is uggested that this place w as o btained fo r him by the influe nce

i e h s the o n e . e e s so of broth r, C lo l V ry lik ly thi was

was a a ersona ram a a Sydenham lre dy p g , f vourite with the s s s a o a e o f the e di pen er of p tr n g . In March n xt

e was e o f l e y ar he appointed S nior B ursar the Co leg , and must thus h ave been in co mfortable circum stances.

5 6 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

U OXFORD UND ER PUR I TAN R LE.

’ Before continuing the story o f Sydenham s life in

f w e to s e fo r a Ox ord, it ill be w ll con id r moment the s tate o f the University in his time and how it had

e ffe th e e n n be n a cted by r ce t cha ges . When Oxfo rd surre n de re d to Fairfax at the close o f the fi rst war the Unive rs ity was comple tely dis

a fo r ea u ea s s o f organised , h ving been n rly fo r y r the eat

e r so government, and occupi d by a gar ison that the

a s e e n s e ordin ry tudies must have b su pend d . The colleges had been occupie d by courtie rs and soldiers

e h s e an d s a s mor t an by tud nts, the few chol r who

e s se e remained had b en in ome sort of military rvic . Both th e Unive rsi ty and the colleges were impoverish ed by their quasi - voluntary gifts to the King ; some o f

e e u was th ir buildings wer in r ins, and there , in ’ “ Anthony Wood s words, scarce the face of a Uni ” versity left . It was necessary fo r the Parliament to deal wi th

s ff s n th e s thi state of a air , and findi g that Univer ity

s to e to be e authoritie refused comply, th y had comp lled

e a r e The e e in the mann r l eady d scribed . chi f chang

was o n e o f e s s a u l o e a at first p r on . It n t ral y foll w d th t those w ho re fuse d to submit to the n e w rul e we re

e is to se e e expell d, and it not easy how it could hav

e i n o f been oth rwise, cons deri g the political importance i the Univers ties . No b o vern men t exe rcising its elementary duty o f S7 THOMAS SYDENHAM self- preservation could tolerate its o pen ene mies in academical seats any more than in ecclesiastic or civil o fli c es and it should be remembered that during the Royal occupation the University had been thorou ghly

r e u purged of all Pu itan el ments, only faithf l Royalists

o f being permitted to remain . The warden Merton,

l to o ne Sir Nathanie Brent ( take instance), being

v th e l m absent and ser ing in Par ia entary army, was very

e l his naturally, though not quite l ga ly, deprived of

f his en to o fice by the King, who used influ ce procure the election o f a more than worthy suc cessor in the

n the e perso of great Harv y, destined to hold the

e fo r Ward nship one year only . The important point was the character o f th e new i r e can men thus forcibly nt oduc d, and there be

o f m no doubt as to the eminence of many the . Anthony Wood has left an amusing picture of the

c new s holars, some of whom, coming from Cambridge, “ ” the r the e s he calls d egs of n ighbour Univer ity, ” He commonly calle d Seekers. ridicules their fond ’ a a ness for the sermons t St. M ry s ; their mortified

a u e counten nces, p ling voices and ey s lifted up ; their “ ” a o o the e e cut short h ir, c mm nly called committ , and s a e m e m e e a re n h bby attir , aking th look rath r lik pp tices or antiquate d schoolboys than academicians or

s a mini ters . All this w s fair game ; but it is n o t sa fe to

se s n th e take a humorist like Wood too riou ly . Amo g

e importations from Cambridge wer Wallis, one of the

reata t a g English mathematici ns, and Seth Ward the 5 8 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

o a Savilian o f astr nomer, ppointed professors in place “ u n th e e two uns bmitti g Royalists. Among intrud d “ ” o f heads houses was the universally curious Dr .

W l a o f o f a i kins, W rden Wadham, a man vast ttain

l e ments and marvellous ingenuity, as versati e in scienc as he was fickle in politics ; destine d in a short time to become the leader of the scien tific movement in

he e Oxford . At this time was a Presbyterian minist r, ’ and soon afterwards married Cromwell s sister ; but “ bein g what is called in mode rn times an o ppo r ” s a s e s e r e tuni t, man ged to ecur till high r pat onage aft r

s was e s o f the Re toration , when he mad Bi hop

Chester .

o f o Dr Another the Puritan heads of h uses was . ’ o na h s e J t an Goddard, Cromwell s phy ician , and mad by him Warden of Merton in successio n to Sir Nicholas

e . s f Br nt He was a distingui hed physician, a terwards

e s o f in e Prof s or Medicine Gresham Coll ge, and who,

f had even be ore he came to Oxford, occupied himself in Londo n with philosophical experiments. He is stated to have con struct e d with his own hands the first

s e telescope ev er made in England . It wa creditabl also to the Parliame ntary Commissi o ners that they

e the a his allow d Pocock , great Ar bic scholar, to retain

s . professorship, though he refused to ubmit

a ea i e A doctor by actu l cr t on and an intruded f llow,

a e far like Sydenh m, was William P tty, an economist

s ahead of his age, and accompli hed in many sciences one of the most brilliant men o f scien ce ever born in 5 9

THOMAS SYDENHAM

even wrote a treatise o n Ratio nal Theology so that

s s u s this ide of Oxford t dies seem to have left its mark . Another side of the in tellectual life o f the University would no t have been thought much o f

o ut th e by Anthony Wood, but has turned to be

o f a o r most important all . In W dham College in th e

o f i lodgings Dr. Will am Petty met a remarkable

m e n l i s group of scientific . The universa ly cur ou Warden was ge n e rally the host ; aro und him would

e e be Wallis and S th Ward and P tty, and that “ ” o f n miracle a youth , Christopher Wre , whose

s Wa w h o budding geniu was nursed in dham, but ’ became a collea gue of Sydenham s as a Fellow of All ’

. . s t e Souls Dr Thomas Willis, the anatomi t, h n

a s practising in Oxford, though Royalist and ecretly

n o t a an Anglican, would stay aw y . Dr . Jonathan ’ e e Goddard , Cromw ll s physician, whom he had mad

o f was e o f the Warden Merton , anoth r member

th e e e to circle . Later, great Robert Boyl , who cam

1 6 a e the r u live in Oxford in 54, was dd d to g o p which “ ” was the suc c es o r of his Invisible Colle ge in ’ n o Wallis s Londo . R bert Hooke, then young assistant in chemical experiments ; Thomas Mil ’ ’ in t o n m u s e g , fro All So l , a friend or Syd nham s, a s s o f o f fterward Pre ident the College Physicians,

o f n c c and Richard Lower a younger generatio , who ’ Willis s a e operated in an tomical research s, were also

e con n ect d with the meetings . This scientific mo vement had indeed originated in 6 2 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

London d uring the early years of the firs t civil war

. i a Drs Goddard, Wilk ns, and W llis had been the principal figures in a group or club o f scientific — — inquirers what the French call a cinarle which ’ to s s used meet sometime at Goddard lodgings, some t s at h l e e e a e ime Gres am Co leg , or elsewh r , for m th matical a i T o and physic l d scussions. w of these have

e o f r i was b en spoken al eady . The th rd, Wallis, in

s a e s tho e d ys cl rk of the Westmin ter Assembly, and was specially obnoxio us to the Royalists because he had used his knowledge of ciphe r to give eviden ce agai n st — Laud o n his fatal trial a piece o f service fo r which he was never fo rgiven by staunch Cavalie rs like Antho ny

Ro bert Boyle and Pe tty are mentioned as corre s o nden ts o f o f p this club, which , under the name “ l o f The Invisible Co lege , was the real embryo the

a e e e as s e Roy l Soci ty . Its c ntr w partly hift d to

f 1 6 e e Ox ord about 49, wh n Puritan patronag trans

l s ss r e ferred Wal i to be a Profe o th re, and Wilkins and

t a s o f So a r Goddard o be he d houses. th t afte this

e e e u o s s e th r w re two gro ps, in c n tant corre pondenc

i o ne — the i w th another parent soc ety in London , and

the s e the Oxford colony, called Philo ophical Soci ty . “ As th e movement has been strangely called An ti ” u is t to P ritan, it necessary to draw at ention the stre n l th e ro an d g y Puritan cast of original g up, of

f o most o the Oxf rd Society . The scientific impulse

e in fo r o e r made itself f lt Oxford an ther g ne ation, 6 3 THOMAS SYDEN HAM

amongs t its most conspicuous results being the

a ca anatomic l and physiologi l researches of Willis,

w a o w . w a unac c o un t Lo er, and M y Then it some h t

e a o es i ably di d aw y, but in Lond n the corr pond ng movement gave rise to the formation o f the Royal

f e n Society, ounded after the R storatio . One wo uld like to thi nk that Sydenham joined the

lo th e m i Phi sophical Society, and took part in eet ngs ’ a h at e s i at W d am or P tty lodg ngs. B ut there is no e vide nce that he did so ; the on ly link connecting him with the scientific circle be ing his friendship fo r ’ fo r Dr Robert Boyle, and . Millington of All Souls . There is e ven some presumpti o n that he did not

o t the i s f r alt ge her sympathise with ph losopher , o whe n in London he never showed any interest in the advance of anatomy and physiology o r the other

e objects of the Royal Soci ty . We ge t a vivid picture of Oxford in the days o f ” ’ Puritan desolation in John Evelyn s record of his visit there in 1 65 4” H e talks of th e Acts performed ’ s th e s s n at St . Mary and in chool , accordi g to ancient

f a : o s s . n custom ermon from the famou Dr Owe , perstri n ging Episco pacy o f the disputations o f the doctors ; the long speeches of the proctors and the Vice - Chancellor ; the creation of th e doctors by

the e o f the i kis &c . old ceremoni s cap, r ng, , , not yet

a e n Dr l wholly bolished ; the exc lle t oration of . Kendal , o n e o f e s a his r e ri the Inc ptor , bating P esbyt an ani “ m o sities ; and even the drolleries o f the Pre vari 64 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD ” cato rs x In a th e were not forgotten . the Bodlei n

si s s vi tors were shown the preciou manu cripts, English

Th e and Oriental . Physic or Anatomy School,

e e a an d the adorn d with some vari ties of n tural things,

i r o es Phys c Ga den, with its botanical curi siti , were

v e The l u s . also isit d . col eges were prof se in ho pitality ’ e s o l the n At Ev lyn old c llege, Ba liol, stau ch Royalist ’ was e made extraordinarily w lcome. At All Souls he

a s th eo rbo e s he rd mu ic, of voices and , performed by

s e i om ingen ous scholars. In New College and Magdalen the Chapels were still in their ancient

t he s t garb, notwithstanding crupulosi y of the times ;

in Ma dalen s s , g t and _ was till anding the double organ

a ( fterwards removed) on which Mr . Gibbon, the

f a o f s an d. talen ts. amous musician, gave taste his kill An d above all he mentions the magnificent enter

tain m e nt his in Wadham given by dear friend Dr.

i i i his as W lk ns, the Warden , who d splayed v t collection

i fi ns m of curiosit es and scienti c i tru ents, belonging to

r . himself and to that p odigious young scholar, Mr

Christopher Wren . Evelyn went away well satisfied with the hospita lity

n of Oxford, and has left us a favourable impressio of

ie o f i the activities and the amenit s the Univers ty,

e s e ss wh re academical tudi s, though not le exact than

Dmller rlw P rw aricaron This was wha Eve l n e lse whe re y gf . t y calls an o ld fac e tious w ay o f rallying upo n th e q uestio ns pro po se d in ' s u i I was re lace b th e co arse bufl er o f the di p tat ons . t p d y o o n y “ ” Tm Filius co ndem ned b Evel n o n a la er v isi to Oxfo r in , y y t t d s 6 69 . 6s THOMAS SYDENHAM

in former times, seem to have been more varied and S de n more modern . Whatever positive knowledge y

a the ham may have g ined in Oxford, he certainly had advantage of living in a vivid centre of intellectual i l fe . The unquestionable success of the Puritan rule in

u e Oxford seems to have been due to several ca s s . i First, the steady discipl ne to which the scholars were s ubject, however irksome, would undoubtedly make u for ind stry . Then the Commissioners exercised great care in appointing men of eminence to fill the

f r pro essorships and chief places in the Unive sity, as well as in the selection o f young men of remarkable

s e promise, uch as Wren, Petty, Syd nham , and

s a Millington, with other fterwards eminent, to

v The s occupy the acant Fe llowships . candidate recommended for degrees by the Chancello rs (including Cromwell himself) would also form a

. e o ne is t t to striking list Inde d, emp ed suppose that all these appointments were made with considerable

a e fac uo t reg rd to consci nce . Another very important was doubtless the intellectual s timulus arising from ’ the s i s hock and agitation of men s m nd , and the spirit o f o riginality foste red by the breaking do wn of

so traditional landmarks that, as has often been noted

e o f i o f n in similar tim s cris s, a period keen me tal activity succeeded to the political and military i intensity of the Civ l Wars. At all events it is quite clear that the speculative and scientific Renascence, 66 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

t ut e o f the s some imes p to the cr dit Re toration , s a nd t rted, both in Oxford and Lo on , under the

m e e Co monw alth and th Prote ctorate . ’ Little is known from actual evide nce of Sydenham s

u his s o n e e es p rsuits during Oxford re idence, but int r t ing s tory showing how he trie d to mak e up fo r the deficiencies o f his inte rrupte d University course comes

us a to in very indirect way .

a e Stu ke l is In the di ri s of Dr . Wm . y (publ hed by the Surtees Society ) Stuke ly says he h eard from Lo rd

a he o s Pembroke th t had heard from Dr . Th ma Millingto n that he was c hamber fellow with Thomas “ ” Sydenham at Cambridge (meaning Oxford) and

s e had told the following tory . That when Syd nham ’ re t urned to the University after thre e years absence

e his a n e he had forgott n L ti , but r covered it by o e e a i bstinat reading of Cic ro, tr nslat ng him into

s t e s i o Engli h, and h n retran lating nt Latin, correcting

o the fr m original .

Dr l Se dle ian . Mil ington, afterwards Sir Thomas,

o e o f o at Pr f ssor Natural Phil sophy Oxford , and

e o f e e s a a Presid nt the Coll g of Phy ici ns, was actu lly ’ fe w o f u the e as e a a llo All So ls at sam time Syd nh m ,

ein the a a s b g also appointed by Parli ment ry Vi itors, and is refe rre d to by Syde nham himself in one o f his works as an intimate friend there fo re the story seems au e o e a a e th ntic en ugh . Syd nham was lways an dmir r o f an d a n to a Cicero, ccordi g Sir Hans Sloane kept

s i hi bu t of him n s library . 67

SYDENHAM AT OXFORD

had a weakness which e ntirely disqualified him fo r

his ffi o a the s o ce, namely, that he c uld not be r ight of lo o w b d without fainting . Ho ever, he provided a substitute far better acquainted with anato my than he

f s a was himsel , Dr . William Petty . Thi remark ble

l s e s man was accomp i h d in many science , though now “ his a i known chiefly for Politic l Arithmet c, and o a ther economic l works, by which he is regarded as having fo unde d the scie nce o f vital statistics or

e m o a e h ad s D gr phy . Ev lyn said he never known uch a o e e n s He h ad s a n th r g iu . tudied natomy on the ’ Co n tin e n t ro babl s s , p y at Leyden and Pari , ince he is known to have discussed Vesalius with Hobbes o f

a s e in The s a u es M lme bury, wh n living that city . t t t

re o o n e p scribed nly dissection in the year, in Lent

- e a o be had term, if a newly execut d crimin l c uld but ’ we know from Wood s diary that the medical stude nts got news of pe rsons hung in Abingdo n and othe r

o u e to a places r nd, and made arrangem nts obt in the

bodies for dissection .

o f One celebrated case, a poor woman hung at

x was u O ford, who fo nd when brought to the anatomy

n o t e was school to be d ad , and recovered by the skill

a e ois th e was of Petty, m de gr at n e at time and co m m en ted o n e - e in a rather w ll known pamphl t, Newes

o d the a u us an fr m the Dea , or mir c lo deliver ce of Anne

w ho e x o e 1 Greene, being execut d at O f rd, Dec mber 4,

1 6 0 af s and the are 5 , terward revived by c of certain ” h i s t is t p ysic an here perfec ly recovered . Several 69 THOMAS SYDEN HAM

o f s l h gentlemen the Univer ity, inc uding C ristopher

Wren, Dr . Ralph Bathurst, and others, celebrated the

e o f s . vent in Latin, English , and French copies ver es

s Thi occurrence brought Dr . Petty more celebrity than his anatomical learning . Another similar event which is men tioned by Wood had a less favourable

e s s o n n i issue, the ex cutioners ruthles ly insi ting fi ish ng their work . It is clear that Sydenham h ad the opportunity or acquiring that moderate knowledge of anatomy

o e as he with which he was c nt nt, never attached much importance to this de partme nt of medical training .

i e The accompl shed Dr . Petty also gav lectures on

s chemi try, which Sydenham might have attended. After acting as deputy Petty was afterwards appointe d to the To mlyn Reade rship in Anato my Sir Thomas

s o fiice Clayton , with much good sense, re igning the

fo r to make room him . Petty, however, did not ' n two occupy the chair long, obtaini g years leave of a l 1 6 1 bsence from his col ege in March , 5 , to be

s to i phy ician the Parl amentary army in Ireland, and

o did not return to teach in Oxf rd.

Another branch of medical science, botany, was represented only by the Physic Garden , which was

s e 1 6 8 s of considerable iz and could show, in 4 , ome six n e hu dred Speci s ; though, according to Evelyn , it

o i at the o f his c nta ned, time visit, nothing very remark

I t was c h to able . ertainly at t at time inferior what it 70 SYDENHAM AT OXFORD be came a few years later under its excellent German

ra Bo bart cu tor, . The account no w given exhibits the whole o f the medical education which Sydenham could have received — in Oxford a very impe rfect curriculum according to o ur ideas ; but he afterwards supple me nted it by a

o f s more practical kind tudy in Montpellier, which

n o f e his will be spoke pr sently . In the meantime University studies were interrupte d by dutie s of a ve ry

iffe r l h er I c a t . d ent kind, as wi l be told in the next p

I t m ay be o bse rve d that what is no w to be re late d see m s inco n ’ sistent with Sydenh am s o wn statem ent in h is de dicatio n to Mapleto ft a e o ha after s e n din so m e ears in the Un iversi he re urne (p g s ) , t t p g y ty t d to o ndo n But af er the Re s o ratio n all who had fo u h in the L . , t t , g t Grea Rebellio n w ere n a urall re icen as to he ir ex lo i s and S de n t t y t t t p t , y ham co uld hardly have declare d publicly th at h e h ad bo rne arm s again st the rei nin m o narch . H e him se lf it m a be no te d ne ver a ribu e d g g , y , tt t he un o ulari o f which he co m laine to his cause t p p ty p d t . ’ — SYDEN HAM s SIac o un MILITARY S ER VICE MAR R IAG E — START IN P R ACTIC E

HE mos t authentic document bearing upon ’ Syde nham s military services is a re markable

t in e s e e peti ion his own handwriting, pr ent d to Oliv r

r e e 1 6 — C omw ll, then Prot ctor, in March, 5 3 4, which

Is the ffi S P. r preserved in Record O ce ( . Inter egnum, ’ f s a e d vol . lxvii . . and printed in Green C l n ar of

1 6 I is State Papers (Domestic Series, 5 4, p . 4) . It ’ s n endorsed Captain Sydenham petitio . It seems best to give this inte resting memorial

n e n to n can be e tire, and th show what conclusio

’ f it drawn rom .

’ CAPTAIN SYDENHAM S PETITION .

To his H i hness the Lord P rotector En land Scotlana g qf g , ,

and I reland.

“ e The humble p tition of Capt . Thomas Sydenham .

Sheweth

That there was due to my brother Major John 72 SECOND MILITARY S ERVICE

al e e Sydenham , ayn in Scotland, a very consid rable arrear for sundry and constant services in England and l Ire and . “ That your Highness Petitioner besides that he was le gally entitled to the sayd arrears did furnish h is sayd brother with divers sums of mo ney to inable him to buy horses and o ther necessaries for his going to

o was e s i e Scotland, for which your petiti ner nev r at sfi d . That the se ve rall papers which should ce rtifie the

o u aforementioned services, being all l st pon the death o f the sayd Maj o r Sydenham to get he r with what else

had e was e he , your petition r mad incapable in the

a to e was ordin ry way recov r what due . “ That your Highness pe titione r after a two years

e o n t he a fo r s att ndance Parli ment atisfaction, did applic him selfe to a Committee newly cons tituted fo r t x o n o f his receiving peti ions, who upon e aminati

Rawli h s u e case did order that Mr. Carie g ho ld r port

a e was a sa s their sense to the Parli m nt, which th t ti f s o ut o f action hould be made him Irish lands, but your petitioner not being able to get o n the Report

s e till tho e Lands w re passed away to Act, would not e o f a e njoy the benefit th t ord r . “ Your petitioner there fo re most humbly prayes your Highness that your Highness w ill please in considera tion of the faythfull and valiant se rvices of your

s s su a s a as petitioner ayd brother, to order ch s ti f ction in your Highness pie ty and wisdom s hall be thought

to fit be made to your petitioner, who hath likewise 7 3 THOMAS SYDENHAM himse lfe faithfully served the Parlia ment with the lo ss

blo ud th erb dimble d his of much and y much body,

all an for which yet he never sued for y satisfaction . Yo ur petitioner would likewise in sist o n the many s o f o ne s ervices of another brother his, Major Franci

sla ne the Sydenham, y in West, whose executors never received more than eighty pounds satisfactio n o f his arrears ; but your petitione r shall cease to trouble

u yo r Highness.

r And your petitione shall pray etc . “ OM Sv n s un w TH AS .

rd 1 6 Friday March g , 5

The first point which strikes us as noteworthy in

is e the m e b the te th docum nt is endorse nt, y which wri r is officially recognised as Captain Sydenham and in further documents connected with the affair is called

is e Captain Thomas Sydenham, so that he cl arly

i N o w o r o ut o f ident fied . it seems unlikely even the quest ion that he would be called by this military title in virtue o f his service (in th e first Civil War) as a young man in Dorset nearly ten years before, even

— is if he had a commission then which doubtful . It

to s clearly points ome more recent military rank, and shows that he must also have taken part in the second — war namely, that against Charles II . On consulting the Calendar of State Papers for the

1 6 0- 1 e e to years 5 , we find sev ral ref rences Captain

o f i Sydenham, all wh ch are referred in the index 74 SECOND MILITARY SERVICE

s But to Thoma Syde nham . a closer examination shows that there are clearly two Captain Syde nhams

to . O n e was referred a captain of foot, the other

i a o fi e r e in a cavalry regiment . The nf ntry c serv d

e e o f o o n Ma in the r gim nt Col nel Stubber, which, y

2 1 1 6 0 was o f , 5 , ordered by the Council State to march from Kent to Chester for transportation to

e a n e a Ir land . A few days l ter the Cou cil addr ssed severe reprimand to Colonel Stubber about the

e hi e n b haviour of s m . The Council had heard com

i his o s e pla nts of the misconduct of s ldier whil in Kent, and also in many places wh e re they passed ; more

at o f especially the house Sir James Harrington, near

’ r two se e a s c o m Uxb idge, rg ants of C ptain Sydenham

a a e o s a e s pany had beh ved in v ry utrageou m nn r . Thi ’ n captain was evide tly Sydenham s next brother John , w ho as we know from the petition did actually serve in Ireland ; and this will be the best opportunity to

a m e is s r tell wh t or known about thi brothe , who

es o f his a evidently possessed the fighting qualiti f mily .

o u the He was to o y ng to have served in first war,

and when he entered th e army w e do no t know . He ’ must have gone with Stubbe r s regiment to Ireland and returned ; and at the beginning of 1 65 1 was

promoted to be major, bein g then barely twenty

o ld a e ffi fi ve years . As fi ld o cer he would have

e required an equipm nt of horses and so forth, for

his as which brother Thomas, comparatively wealthy ’ o f All a . He a Fe llow Souls , dvanced him money 75

SECON D MILITARY SERVICE

e an d ea e th e a Parliam nt, the gr t r part of P rliamentary forces being in Scotland and Ire land it was resolved to a us o i s call out a militia in v rio c unt e . Of these f e o s orces th re were to be h rse, and po sibly there was some diffi cul ty in finding e xperie nced o fi cers to a comm nd so large a body .

o e s a e e e at all t H w ver thi may h v b n, even s a com miss ion in the first re gime nt of militia cavalry w as

e t o s giv n o Captain Syde nham . The riginal li t of

s a e 2 1 1 6 1 is in commission (d t d April , 5 ) the Record

f e has e e is O fic , and be n car fully examined ; but it tantalisin g to find that no Chri stian name o r initial

is a the e e o ttached to title . How v r, it c uld be no

e th e o e other than Thomas Sydenham, sinc nly oth r

was brother, Richard, engaged in important civil “ business in London as Commi ssione r of Fee Farm ” e s and his i in o are R nt , records of activ ty this p sition

s e till extant in the Stat Papers .

We e e a d a e f conclud , th n, th t Sy enh m l ft Ox ord d obeye d the ( a ll of duty by again taking the field

a a o fl r His a e e as a c v lry ice . comm nd must have b n

a e as so e im rtan ce s n fi nd reg rd d of m m , i ce we two urge nt notices from the Council of State respecting

his o n e is be the m re resen troop to Army Co mittee, p

’ a a e n a s ting th t Capt in Syd h m troop, now appointed to i t v s a a . n o e r s o march upon ser ice, mu t h ve p y A th

the a o m e o f o e Militi C mission rs Essex, rd ring them to comple te his numbers by sending ce r tain m e n to “ Capt ain Sydenham that he being comple te may 77 THOMAS SYDENHAM attend the service of th e C o mmo n wealth to which he " is a . comm nded, and which cannot bear delay It is to this period that we must assign a remarkable

s w as the anecdote of Sydenham, ince it only time ’ when he would have be en in London with a captain s

is e rank . It related by a Dr . Andr w Broun , a Scottish ’ admirer of Sydenham s to who m he confide d in after

e e s o f his a y ars c rtain particular military c reer, and

ho u w had this from his o wn mo th . “ e he dis At the time of those Civil Wars, wh n

o flice c ai charged the of a apt n, he being in his lodging

to at his t s at London, and going bed night with clo he

s f s loo ed, a mad drunk ellow, a soldier likewi e in the

i e r o n e same lodg ng, ntering the oom, with hand

s his s e griping him by the brea t of hirt, with the oth r

s s o o h di charged a loaded pi t l in his bosom . Yet, s ! u to trange witho t any hurt him, most wonderfully indeed by such a narro w shield as the edge of the ’ e st e soldie r s hand was his br a defend d . For the admirable providence o f Go d placed and fixed the tottering hand that gripped the shirt into that place an d e a e all s postur , th t the edge ther of, and the bone of

metacar us e the the p that mak up breadth of the hand , we re situate in a right line betwixt the mouth of the pistol and his breast ; and so the bullet discharge d

e to e no r h r but neither declin d the one sid to the ot e ,

e keeping its way through all these bon s, in crushing

s and e them lo t its force, f ll at his feet . Oh l wonder

o f the o ful situation hand, and more w nderful course 78 SECOND MIL ITA RY SERVICE of th e bullet ! by any industry o r art never again

e few the s e imitabl l and, moreover, within a days oldi r being taken with a fever arising from so dangerous and i t e e compl ca e a wound , died . Sur ly Providenc

e no t so do s bring forth stupendous miracles, but for ” o e e n d s me great and equival nt .

o Thus moralises the w rthy Dr . Broun and indeed ’ this marvellous escape sho ws that Sydenham s military service had othe r dangers besides those of the field of

h as o he battle, on w ich , he t ld Dr . Broun, had several very narrow escapes . The re giment of horse thus embodied was ordered ’ ’ o s t join Colonel Rich s force . The Council orders

e n the to Colonel Rich were, in ord r to securi g Midland

s e t n lie post , to march to Leic s er or Notti gham, and ’ u his a s thereabo ts with own troops, Captain Sydenh m an d e se e oth rs to disperse them lv s to any emergency, and keep up a constant corresponde nce wi th Major

e e the G neral Harrison in Scatland . Her troops

e e l u in r main d ti l J ly, when Cromwell, writ g from “ a the Scotl nd , sent for them to embody upon ” borders ready to serv e in Scotland o r England as

a i o Ee r i se s occ s on should . Sydenham h m lf refer (in “ ” Anecdo ta Syde n hamiana ) to his having been in

he his Scotland , where seems to have physicked men

a t as well s led them o fight .

We e know what happened next ; Charl s, slipping ’ a e s o a aw y from Cromw ll pr jected ttack near Stirling,

e ro mad a sudden dash southwards into England . C m 79

SECOND MILITARY SERVICE fortun e by his generous help to his brother ; and had consumed nearly two years in vain attem pts to obtain

a a o what seems very re son ble compensati n . Now,

o e e e his e h wev r, the influ nc of brother, Colon l

e Sydenham , with the Protector, gave him a b tter

o f su s chance cces . Colonel Sydenham had been a

o o e He e dev ted adherent of Cr mw ll . had been larg ly conce rned in th e proceedings by which Olive r became

d o f hi l a e o e o an w as s . Pr t ct r, one first Counse lors of St t

was n o w i r his He a wealthy man, rece ving f om a s t a ppointment alone, according to a con empor ry

e en s s e sum stat m t, at lea t a thou and a year, a very larg

e hi in those days . He does not see m to hav ass isted s

his i f n brother in pecuniary matters, but political n lue ce l would doubtless be available, and probably it was part y owing to this that the Protector returned a favourable

s to an wer the petition . The result w as the following document appended to

ffi e the petition in the Record O c .

a 1 6 — Frid y, March 3, 5 3 4. Hi: H ighness being v ery rcmiblc cf the ma tter: re resented in thir etition is leased in an es ecial p p , p p manner to recom me nd it to the Council that they may giv e the petitioner due satisfaction and that with all conv enient ex edition p .

Sa n t s s (Signed) J . .

o n a rd six n s Accordingly, April 3 , hundred pou d

8 1 0 THOMAS SYDENHAM was ordered to be paid to Sydenham out o f certain eys belonging to the Co mmonwealth in the hands o f the Commissioners fo r coal duti es in the port o f

- o n - e Newcastle Tyn . In the minute of the Council of State orde ring this payment we also fi nd t he en try that the Revenue “ Committee was direc ted to give Syden ham such ” o e as e empl ym nt he is most capabl of. But it was not till five years later that h e received any public appointment . It would appear from this fact that Sydenham had no t even at this time definitely resolved to enter the

n e e o n medical professio , and he probably still had an y a political career ; but an event which happene d in the e i was l e next y ar, and which we may imag ne a r ady

his o much in th ughts, seems to have finally decided him e a e to engage in prof ssion l lif .

’ The archives of All Souls College show that Syde nham resigned his fe llo wship in the year 1 66 5

e e is e (though the pr cis date not giv n), and in the same year the Parish Register of Wynford Eagle records that Tho mas Sydenham was married to Mary Gee ;

e the t her again without giving da e . But these two e s o his vents were of cour e closely c nnected , marriage

c n his ne essarily deprivi g him of fellowship. One would naturally be anxious to know so mething about the lady Syde nham chose for his wife ; b ut

e r is r o f o r a th e no positive reco d her parentage f mily . w There is, ho ever, a little conjectural evidence, whic h, 8 2 SECOND MILITARY SERVICE

c o f in the absen e positive knowledge, may be worth

n recordi g .

As e o the marriag to k place at Wynford Eagle, we should suppose that the lady was o f a D o rsetshire

family . The only person hearin g this name who is mentioned in the coun ty Histo ry is a certain Sir

an who s a s Orl do Gee, bought an e t te in Dor etshire,

t at s l though he af erwards lived I leworth in Midd esex,

1 o r io o and died there in 705 . F var us reasons he c uld ’ no t f o f sh e have been the ather Sydenham s bride, but

his may have been connected with family . Some

e b ut oth r members of the Gee family are traceable, we hav e not been able to find anything connecting ’ them with Sydenham s wife . ’ his s o h h e Whoever wife m t er may av been ,

fo r He Sydenham certainly had a great regard her .

r fo r in his she and p ovided her will, for survived him

it seems pro bable that she had lived in his house . The sum which Sydenham received as co mpensa

c tion , equivalent, according to the ordinary alculation,

to two s s s nearly thou and pound at the pre ent day,

s constituted a small capital . Doubtless thi enabled

l his e the him to marry, and also faci itated ent ring into

a medic l profession . We kno w nothing posi tive abo ut the time at which

e but tw o al s his Sydenham began to practis , lusion in

to the th e published works give a clue date . In

e l e 1 686 d dication to Dr. Gooda l, in S ptember, , of his ” u o n he sa s he had work entitled Sched la M itoria, y 8 3

L I F E I N Lounou AN D Mo n rrs t m s a

’ E know n othing directly of Syd e nham s life in

H e London . certainly se ttled down in Wes t

s and has s min ter, it been hown that he first lived in

e s e King Street, the littl tr et running parallel to Parlia

c 1 8 ment Street, whi h only last year, 99, was demo lishe d r e ffi to make oom for new Gov rnment o ces . It

e did not, however, of late y ars, contain any house which Sydenham could have lived in, having been

e is much mod rnised . It stated by Mackenzie Walcot , ” his s s s he in Memorial of We tmin ter, that lived in a ’ house upon the site of the Ram s Mews . But even “ ” the Ram had disappeared in the latte r days of

King Street . ’ The reasons fo r Syde nham s choosing this part are

was a u evident enough . It in the immedi te neighbo r ’ s l hood of the Protector Court at Whiteha l, and the

f s e a e e o ficial re id nces of his st tesmen and g n rals. Poli tic ians s a a n , member of P rli ment, while Parliame ts 85 THOMAS SYDENHAM

o fiice rs e there were, and army wer all around ; and it ’ was o f course among this party that Sydenham s

n ec tio n His a lay . brother, Colonel Sydenh m, must have been living near ; and somewhat later had

lodgings in Whitehall itself. His brother Richard

n o r e r e o il e the lat was a littl further , at Worc ster ’ u e i Ho s in the Strand . And within a few m nutes

P e i n i walk, in etty France, liv d Mr . John M lto , Lat n

o f i Secretary to the Council State . One would l ke to think of the young Puritan physician being calle d ’ i s i in firmities in to tend the bl nd poet grow ng , but

o is of such a c nnection there no trace. It is not indeed possible to recover the names of any o f ’ s Sydenham patients in these days, except the worthy M rs . r to Saltma sh , formerly referred , on whose ’ e s o ne dropsy he tri d his prentice hand . Thi case i d is, however, just enough to show that he pract se

o the s no t the am ng citizen , and solely, if at all in ffi o cial circles . Eve n the phys ical conditions o f the neighbourho od ’ o o s had s me bearing up n Sydenham practice . He

r e u e s and e w ote very larg ly pon f ver agu s, and as has

e a e Dr. th e o e i been r m rk d by Nias, wh l ne ghbourhood o f s was s Westmin ter wampy and malarious, so that s e e e uch diseases must have been rif th r . The old

was as l i t e Westminster , is we l known , built upon a l t l

o n . e creek, l ng si ce covered up Behind King Stre t lay s a e o ut o t gnant marsh s, stretching towards Pimlic , now ’ e n o the o a o f s coll cted i t rn mental waters St . James 86 LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER

h u e Park, whic must have abo nd d in gnats or mos

uito es h s the q , known in t ese day to be necessary to

m n a r e ende ic prevale ce of m la ious diseases . Many w ll

n suEe re d t known perso s from hese complaints indeed,

e o f a i a Cromw ll died a m l gnant gue, the recurrence of

o ld he h u e a l an enemy of , which , t ough attrib t d to chi l

caught at Hammon Court , might as well have been

the e w e acquired in neighbourhood of Whit hall . So

t r i u s e e do see that ex e nal c rc m tanc s, even if th y not

the r n mould characters of men , la gely determi e the

e a a form which th ir ctivity t kes . It is n o t lik e ly that Sydenham was at first ve ry s s ul a fo r are ucces f in pr ctice, there two facts, to be

t s se t e presen ly mentioned, which how that he som

a se to his s e wh t loo ly profes ion , and was even pr pared

to o fiicial e throw it up for political no lif . Also it may be divined that he found his scanty sto ck o f pro fessi o nal knowle dge hardly sufiic ien t fo r practising medicin e with the thoroughness which his conscientious nature

e n o t to must have f lt to be necessary . It was in him carry o f impe rfe ct kno wledge by plausible man ne r or

ss o dogmatic a umpti n .

e s e his a a s ffe e The unsettl d tat of pl ns, perhaps, l o a ct d

e e s is s o his a a by pecuniary n d , h wn by becoming c ndi date fo r Parliament as burgess for Weymouth in the

r a e o f o o e fi st Parli m nt the Pr tector, Richard Cr mw ll,

s e the e n d o f 1 6 8 the s which was ummon d at 5 , writ

the being actually issued on January 3rd of n ext year . Sydenham had then been probably less than thre e 87

LIFE IN LONDON AN D MONTPELLIER

e is e e a Indeed, ther no evid nc th t he ever performed the

i o f th e o flic e a e dut es , which may possibly h ve b en a

o f n ur o r a a e n a e sort si ec e, c p bl of bei g disch rg d by a

. r t e e is e s v t his deputy Howeve , h r r a on to belie e hat o flic ial e e r be un was i e u lif , if it was ev r eally g , nt rr pted by an important eve nt in his care e r which may with

o a be e e e to s his much pr b bility r f rr d thi time, namely,

t e going to s udy at Montpelli r .

SYD ENHAM AT MON TPELLI ER .

Th e re is good e v ide nce that Syden ham studie d at

e e o e is o s e u u Montp lli r, th ugh th re c n id rable do bt abo t

e at The a s o n th e the tim which he did so . f ct re ts

t e n o f a u u e o f the s atem t M . Desa lt, a French s rg on e t who v e o f ighteen h century, says positi ly that a friend

who his, a doctor named Emeric, studied at Mont

ellier n e e p , knew Syde ham intimately th r , and for a long time carried o n a corresponde nce with him by

e i suflic ien t lett rs . M . Emer c was not a man of

in e i importance to be mentioned m dical biograph es, and w e canot tell to what date this acquaintance is to

n ui e e n e i e . o s be r ferred Our ly g d , th , in this matt r ’ h o wn what we know of Syden am s history . ’ s u From what we know of Sydenham occ pations, it is very unlike ly that he le ft England for any c o nsi de rable e e e e e r time, or ind d at all, befor he nt ed on

e s e t h e is n practic . The ugg stion hat v ited Mo tpellier “ o can be e t during a long vacati n hardly ent r ained . The question o f vacation or te rm time would have 89 THOMAS SYDEN HAM made little difference to him as a fellow of a college ’ but absence from All Souls would have meant losing

i s the chief part of his ncome, ince at that time the profit of a fellowship to a non - resident was very small . We have also no reason fo r thinking that he had any

m n his 1 6 inco e i dependent of fellowship . Between 5 5 1 6 ha and 5 9, on the other hand, it is not impossible t t h e s o fiice may have aved some money, or the conferred upon him in 1 659 may have been imm ediate ly pro fi t

a o r m a n e r t ble, y have e abl d him to aise some capital on

s its ecurity . There is also another so urce from which some light may be thrown on a possible Continental journey . During the Commonwealth and Protectorate (as indeed nominally under the Monarchy and even now

n o was al e to in many countries) , one low d travel on the Continent wi thout a di rect permit from the Co uncil

e e a s of State . For this th r were politic l reasons, e pe c ially that any o ne proceeding to the Continent might be s us pecte d of keeping up communications with the

i s e e e . banished King. No doubt th s rule wa oft n vad d John Eve lyn in his diary says that he counterfe ited a “ aw s so f to p with uccess, it being di ficult procure one ” e m an of th e r bels without e ntering into oaths. But a ’ of Syde nham s position and connections would have incurred grave suspicion if he had go ne abroad without

the a e a pass . Now minutes of the Council of St t , as

s o f publi hed in the Calendar State Papers, contain the names of many persons to whom permits were 90 LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER

e the o f s r grant d, and name Sydenham occur seve al

times, though in most cases wi th a Christian name

o n showing it was not our physician . However, the

a8 th u J ly we find permiss ion given to Mr . Sydenham

an d s s. o e e Mr . Briggs to travel beyond ea We c nj ctur

u that this meant Dr . Sydenham, tho gh no Christian

is the e u e name given in original ntry . A f rth r con jec ture may be hazarde d as to w ho was his trave lling

o o e s s Co l compani n . Among the pr f s or at Gresham

lege, with some of whom, at all events, Sydenham

was e a s Pro fefi o r was intimate, a c rt in Robert B rigg ,

Law o f of , son of Augustine Briggs Norwich , a

w e wealthy member of Parliament . Now learn that

e so n . Co n Briggs had anoth r , who died abroad jec ture again sugges ts that this son may have been a

o e th e c nsumptiv young man , proceeding to South of

a e his e a a Fr nc for h alth , and th t Sydenh m accompanied

as i f him his phys cian, the wealth of the Briggs amily

u e s . making this a not nremunerativ ta k All this, we

is must repeat, conjectural, and the fact that Sydenham had jus t been appointed to a lucrative office may be co nsidered as making it probable o r improbable accord in s c e g to circum tances whi h we do not know . Th re is s s c e e u , however, ome light orroborativ vidence, fo nded o th a e e n e st te of medical ducation at Montp llier . Amo ng the French write rs the re is a strong tradi tion that Sydenham was at Montpellier the pupil o f a e i e Barbe rac cel brated physic an nam d Charles y . The details referring to this suppo wd connection may 9 1

LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER

u s e e His p pil with xc llent judgment and fluency .

as a s e e but ide bout many di eases w r entirely novel,

u e e . His e was r l cid and w ll found d practic admi able,

at being onc e simple and ea sy . He had discarded a large number of the useless reme dies employe d be fore

his e s tim , which served only to embarrass the ick man : making use o f a fe w only ; but those well

ch osen and effi caci o us . These he employed so well that no ph ysician ever had more successful and striking

' results from his treatment It is also said that the ables t E uropean physicians who studied at Mont ’ e lli r be ra s his s p e in Bar y c time were pupil . Now much of this account is so like a portrait of Syde n ham himself that it is easy to suppose it a portrait o f

s his ma ter . ’ is a e s e It lso notabl that Sydenham friend , Lock , s tudying at Montpellier some years after and kn owing

Barbe rac e s to sa o Mo re ri a y w ll, u ed y, acc rding to , th t h e ne ve r kne w two men mo re alike in o pinions and

t t o s The e character than hese w phy icians. mer fact

o co m red is s that Locke sh uld have m them ignificant . It may also be observed that both were ge ntlemen by

o birth , and professed a f rm of religion unpopular in

s l their re pective countries, but closely a lied for French Protes tantism and English Puritanism we re

e s muc h alike . This may have be n a bond of ympathy

e e t m a a o n u betw en th m, and in bo h y h ve c trib ted to

an a foster inde pendence of thought d origin lity .

s o t o It mu t be admi tted, theref re, that the raditi n of 9 3 THOMAS SYDEN HAM the connec tion o f Barbeyrac and Syden ham is an

t a o ne n no t e s ex remely prob ble , eve if d finitely e tab lish ed ; and that the unacade mieal Fre nch teacher may have had a large share in forming the professional

o f his o s u iL o character more illustri u p p Furtherm re, we may remember that Sydenham did not go to

l i to and n no l Montpe l er take a degree, was u der ob i

atio n to e ure so r g attend Univ rsity lect s, that he ve y

do th e likely had little to with University, and found the instructions o f an indepe ndent c linie al teacher

s e e more to his ta te . Th se circumstanc s may throw some light on the entire absence o f anythin g like an aeade mieal a i s c st in his writ ng . It would be interesting to know whe ther Barbeyrac taught any doctrines re sembling those afterwards ’ r . known as Sydenham s. A late French writer (M

1 6 a had e Bouteille, said (in 77 ) th t Sydenham l arnt his l in o f Barbe rac coo ing method ( fevers) y , which

e o . seems somewhat hasty, sinc , acc rding to M Picard, the French teacher left no genuine works, tho se pro fessing to give an account o f his doctrines being

Barbe r c without authority . y a was a great personality, tho ugh hardly a prominent figure in the history o f

was o f n Medicine but if he the teacher Syde ham, he has an additional title to fame . We have consulted a " is e rtatio ns little work called D sur les Maladies, by

Bar r i M . bey ac . It could hardly have been wr tten by him but may perhaps be based o n some unauthorised

se s reports of his teaching . It profes to teach new 94 LIFE IN LON DON AND MONTPELLIER ideas about diseases in opposition to the opin ion of th e e m e s s anci nts, and to so extent ju tifies thi preten s o i fi i n . Look ng at the article on Small Pox we do nd “ th e words cooling remedies ( chore: rafi aichirranter) ; but in no othe r respect does the book remind one of

e to Syd nham . It is also important remember that Mo ntpellier was regarded as the chief seat of Hippo cratis m e , whil Galenism reigned in the schools of i Par s .

I n e to r gard the chronological question raised above, it is clear that Barbeyrac did n o t become a popular t e l 1 6 8 e his each r ti l 5 , so that Syd nham, if he was

u o n o p pil, c uld not have visited Mo tpellier bef re that

d e year, and he coul not have been there lat r than

1 660 us s , when he m t have been in London, ince he speaks of being laid up for two mon ths wi th a severe attack of gout in th e summe r o f that year ; and his

s the e s o n e in 1 66 1 observation on diseas of L ndo b gin .

e e th e 1 6 u t e the e H nc date 5 9, s gges d by p rmission

f e e of the Council of State, its in v ry w ll . It may be asked why Sydenham selected Montpellier to improve his medical knowledge rather than the nearer schools of Paris o r Leyden ! It may have

as as su f been, h been ggested, because pro essional

the e duties called him to South of Franc . It may

o n o f have been account of the reputation the school, though at this time it does no t seem to have bee n much visited by English physicians . A little later ’ e s s i Syd nham friend , Locke, and a younger phy ic an, 9 S

LIFE IN LON DON AND MONTPELLIER

His e e n fo rt u broth r, Colon l Syde ham, was not so

. th e t e s e e th e nate He was one of twen y p r ons, b sid

f s regicides, named by the House o Common to be

f the o f exempted from the bene its of Act Indemnity, in all articula r: not extendin to li e his p g f , but inclusion

s o a in the li t was nly c rried by a small majority . In the end he was de clared perpetually incapacitate d from

l ffi o r o ho ding any o ce public empl yment . William

n to a n Syde ham retired Cl pham in Surrey, the a country

h n village . Later in the ye ar e was i formed agains t

a an d o e to e a for using seditious l nguage, c mpell d giv bond of to refrain from disturbing the quie t o f the kingdom . This may be the best place to give what more

e t is to be said of Colonel Syde nham . He r turned o

a e xst Wynford E gle, died, and was buri d there on the

1 66 1 be in as a th e of August, , g, we im gine, crushed by

his a an d se He e ft so n W o n a . d w f ll of p rty cau l a , illiam ,

c s a e ssue who suc eeded to the e t t , but died without i in

1 1 8 . His e al e o 7 daughter, Mary, marri d W t r Th rn

l e e r o f Sir l hil , and becam the moth James Thornhi l the ’ t o e i t pain er. Col n l Sydenham s w ll was made in has e,

s e his at his r h e s only a few day befor de h , b ot r Thoma

e o r u bein g both a witness and an xecut . The amo nt o f th e s t is a e but is s t e r e ta e not n m d, it tated from o h sources that Colo ne l Sydenham le ft a plentiful estate

e s &c . in money, j wel , The year 1 66 1 was a fatal o ne to the Sydenham ’ a o o e e s s he r f mily . C l n l Syd nham widow urvived 9 7 H THOMAS SYDENHAM

s The o ld f i hu band barely a week. ather d ed in November of the same year ; and as Richard Syde n

d 1 6 th e ham had die in Jan uary, 5 7, Thomas was now only survivor of that remarkable family o f brothers. We do not know exactly how soon Syde nh am

r his t recommenced p actice after re urn from France, nor where he live d but he must have been practisin g

in 1 66 1 i r in London , since his observat ons, afte wards

i d e e e publ she , on w ather and dis ases in London b gan

s with thi year. ’ The next important even t in Sydenham s lite w as his o btaining a lice nse to practise fro m the Royal

e o f s e the Colleg Physician . He pass d three obligatory

o n a th Ma 8 th examinations April 4 , y th, and June s ,

t o n 2 being admitted a Licentia e June 5 , In the admission book he is recognised as being Master

o f f f o f Arts and Bachelor Medicine o Ox ord. It may seem s trange that Syde nham had no t obtaine d

f e but h t this license be or , had been practising wit ou

e legal permission . Strictly Sp aking, no doubt he

s s s s e i should have taken thi tep ome year earli r, s nce

Syden h am see ms to have h ad so m e diffi culty in bri nging e viden ce of r Pro babl he was as e at e e xam ina f his de g ees . y k d th first tio n or diplom as w ic h he did no t o ssess H e t ee m a t have l wi h p . o taken co un se th Ro bert who wro te his frien d Dr i o le to R char o wer in Oxfo r . o we r B y , . d L d L “ ’ o b ain e fro m Th e Re is er a c ert i ca e o f S denh am s M3 e re e t d g t fi t y . d g , but no reco rd o f th e M . . co ul be isco vere S enham woul not A d d d . yd d

a e claim ed an M . de re e un les s he had ll h v A . g actua y taken it but this s o r co n rm . wha was sai abo ve abo u the re co rd of it be in lo s t y fi t d t g t. Th e abo ve s or o ccurs in a le er fro m o w er to Bo le a e ri t y tt L y , d t d Ap l 1 7 ' 1 6 and h ou h S denham r n am e is no t m en io n e d i m 6 3 ; t g y t , t ust have ferre to him re d . 98 LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER the College of Physicians had th e exclusive privilege o f licensing all physicians in London and some miles

o n e a se round, so that no could leg lly practi without

u n o e its license . But d ri g the tr ubl d times of the Civil Wars and the Commonwealth these regulatio ns

no t e t t e o and had be n s ric ly nf rced, a good many

s i am n h physician were, l ke Sydenh , practisi g wit out a

u . i s o f the legal stat s About th s time, the Pre ident

ar College of Physicians, Sir Edw d Alston, took vigorous steps to bring all physicians in Lon don within

' was e fie c te d the collegiate fold . This object partly

i a s n by admitt ng many physici ns of good ta ding, who i possessed the requ site University degree, but from their age and position were unwilling to undergo the

u H onora Fellow s reg lar examination, as ry with full

1 66 . n o s privileges . In the year 4 less than eventy

e r s a e re au w e thu dmitted, and by th ir fees g atly g

n te d fin es the s ff m e the anc of College, which had u ered

o f e se riously during the times troubl . This privilege

e ffe e to n could not have be n o r d Syde ham, as he was

n o f i b ut o ly a Bachelor Medic ne, he had probably received a hint that he ought to apply for th e

a e authoris tion of the Coll ge .

e o f e Syd nham never attained the higher rank F llow, and since this fact has been interpreted as showing some special animo si ty agains t him o n th e part of the

l s Co lege, it is right that the question hould be

e a . fi o n e ad x mined In the rst place, no could be m itte d to th e Fellowship unless he were a. doctor o f 99

LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER

is u th e e The fact, however, undo bted that up to y ar 1 676 Sydenham was not eligible for the Fellowship

the s r and que tion could only be why, in the thi teen

s o f his a t i remaining year life, he did not ttain h s

u . e fo r o hono r Certainly he never appli d admissi n , as there is n o re cord o f any such application in the a w e c an e e rchives of the College, and w ll beli ve that he would have been disinclined to present himself for

e a i o e as a the an x m nation . Pr bably th re w a p rty in

e e o to him an d is e e i t Coll g pposed , it quit c rta n hat

e a o e e Fo r s w e e Syd nh m th ught th r was. thi hav the

t e o o t tes imony of Dr. Andr w B r un . This w r hy and candid Scot relates that while in Edinburgh in the ’ “ year 1 687 he came across S de nham s Sc h e dula Moni ” y m s e ri , and was so much impr ssed with his new method of curing fe ve rs that he determ ined to seek further

s e knowle dge of it at the fo un tain head . Ha t ning

e e e he s e th r for to London, ought out Syd nham, and “ fo und in the man and his practice e ve rything that use to beget in wary and prudent peo ple trust and ” o e e e s s his s e kn wl dg . Aft r ome months pent in oci ty, he re turned ho me as much overjoyed as if he had

o n a e e g tte tr asur . Syde nham seems to have been ve ry confide ntial with

o and o o e s o a e Br un , am ng th r thing c mpl in d to him that by all his labours to advance me dicin e he had only gaine d the sad and unjust re compence of calumny

o in r the e i s and ign m y, and that f om mulat on of ome o f his l e t in di co l giate bre hren, and others, whose g I O I THOMAS SYDENHAM

i n len did c ulm in to that i h that the nat o at gth ate he g t, y

u him as i e i n endeavo red to banish , gu lty of m d ci al

r s es o ut o f l he e i , that i lustrious Society .

r e If a ce tain clique ever had any such d sign, it is

e e cl ar that it nev r came to any overt act. On the

en n th e ri other hand, Syd ham e joyed f endship and admiration o f several o f the most emi nent Fe llows ; ffi a t while the College in its o cial cap ci y, whenever

e was o c casnom e th re to mention Sydenham, spok of

th s e him with e highest re pect. When the Coll ge had to give its imprima m to the second edition of t he ” n s i Schedula Mo itoria, the licen e to pr nt was granted “ and e L ube ntis with the unusual cordial exp r ssion,

’ The presentation copies o f som e o f Sydenham s

r s e o f wo ks, till pr served in the library the College, also hear curious testimony to the high wtimatio n in “ e a which he was held . Wh n he gave the Epistol ” “ Res o nso riae . i p , the inscription is Ex dono Cl !clar

Mar. 0 arissim i auth ris . or cl ] o . 3 The same ” are the Dim rtatio E isto laris words used in p , given

1 68 2 e o f m e in ; but the scal ad iration ris s, for in

o n in 1 68 i o the treatise gout, given 3, the nscripti n ” is Donate : ab aurora re rtantin imo p . All this shows that Syde nham had warm friends as

s well as some enemie in the College . It is possible that the opposition o f the latt er deterred him from

n fo r o n t applyi g the Fellowship ; but, the o her hand, considering that candidature would have impli e d a 1 02 LIFE IN LONDON AND MONTPELLIER f e a a a s a to a m an ormal x mination , p rticul rly di t steful o f his o is e e age and distincti n, it p rhaps mor likely

s a e e o in that thi b rri r, togeth r with a constituti nal

ff e e s e s e e di er nc to honour and titl , may hav induc d

a him to conte nt himself w ith the title o f Licenti te .

1 03

SYDENHAM AND THE PLAGUE

e e e What is c rtain however, is, that aft r the fourt enth

r e century, though not constantly p esent, it renew d

e m the fi t itself in destructive pide ics during f eenth , six teen th e u , and seventeenth c nturies . Some tho ght that it was always in troduced from abroad ; some that it s e in i prung up afr sh our own so l from local conditions, a d e n o t s e e e dispute qu stion which need be con ider d h r . It will be suffi cie nt to say that th e re we re se ve ral

s o utbm ks u o r a ea seriou in T dor times, m e especi lly n r ’ the e z s e beginning and n ar the end of Eli abeth r ign , but a much more alarming ep ide mic occurred in the fi I 1 s . 60 . rst year of King Jame , in 3 This was a “ ” u e great plag e causing over d aths, and pro l bab y in proportion to the population of London , ’ s hardly less de structiv e than that of Sydenham time .

o f s I . . In the year the acce sion of Charles , viz , in

1 62 e 5 another epidemic occurred still mor fatal, m using deaths but whe ther this number was higher o r lo we r in proporti o n to the population of the

f c sa . e city, would be di fi ult to y B tween these visita tions and up to the plague was never absent

o s s s a a from L ndon, cau ing in ome year l rge mortality . In are said to have died of it but in the

e th e fe w n xt year mortality fell to a hundreds, and in s a s s to o Du ucceeding ye r almo t n thing. ring the civil

o o e wars, and under the C mmonwealth and Protect rat ,

e was so the dis ase virtually absent from London, few de aths being asc ribe d to the disea e that the figures

v may have no significance whate er . In other parts of 1 05 THOMAS SYDENHAM

o n e the country a fe w small epidemics were recorded,

es i u r n of th e being not ced, tho gh not from pe so al knowledge by Sydenham himself ; but they were fi insigni cant. The exem ption o f London and England from its o ld i t and dreaded enemy for sixteen years, t ll it re urned

1 66 . in 4. is a very remarkable fact Explanations

w l o ur might be hazarded, which it ou d be beyond

e purpose to discuss . We n ed only consider how it

a W l appeare d to th e popular imagin tion . e are to d it was a popular saying that the plague came in with a ne w o f rs e king, referring, cou e, to its app arance in the

r o f as early yea s James I . and Charles I . And it almost vanished after the memorable year when the monarchy was overthrown by the execution o f

e I . is s s Charl s , it not urprising that uperstitious minds traced a connection between these pestilences and

The politi cal events . Puritans were not alone in recognising the hand of divine Providence in sendin g

n e fo r the s s pestile c as a judgment in of mankind, but they were especially prone to inte rpret these e vents in

Tesmm en t as the light of Old history, a judgment the e n e peopl for the sins of their ki gs . Hence w find eve n John Milton when he wrote in 1 660 his last despairing , plea for A fre e Commo nwealth in opposition to Monarchy, remarking on the plagues and pestilences that in the time o f Monarchy wasted ’ o f the City London , such as through God s mercy,

a had not been known since . Prob bly when the 1 06 SYDENHAM AND THE PLAGUE

e e u a a the p stil nce recurred, only abo t four ye rs fter

s the s Re toration, Puritan may have thought their

e fi r ading of History con rmed . Apart from political or re ligious pre judices these facts will help us to understand the fe elings of th e

o citizens f London about the Great Plague . It w as

t n e as the a no hing unprecede ted or xceptional, popul r

t s the e e s his orie of vent hav led many to uppose . It was not a new and fore ign disease like the Asiatic

o e a e es a a s fo e ch l ra of l t r tim , but f miliar dome tic . Old m e n might remember something ev e n of th e ’ great plague of James the First s reign many would have live d through that of 1 6 2 5 with its repeated

e e the r currences, and ven younger generation would

e r e f o f e e have h a d th ir athers tell those t rribl calamities . So in 1 664 when news came o f a des tructive pestile nce

a in Holland there was some feeling of alarm . Schol rs would have mutte red something about pan !: proxim as ardet ; the government pro posed stringent rules o f

e e s the s quarantin and xclu ion , which citizen and

s s s commercial classe , in the intere ts of trade, teadily

so e s o e . opposed, that nothing d ci ive was d n In the meantime indications of the coming storm became

e e s . the u o f 1 66 o s mor num rou In aut mn 4. a seri u outbreak o f plague occurre d on the easte rn coas t at

a e e e Y rmouth , a seaport having fr qu nt int rcourse with

an d e e Northern Europe, in London its lf w re premoni

s le at t tory ymptoms, litt heeded the ime, but as since

s f brought to light, of great igni icance . During the 1 07

SYDENHAM AND THE PLAGUE

As the reade r m ay like to have some notion of the

o s e actual m rtality of thi historical epid mic, we may say that the n umber of deaths recorde d in the bills of mortality is but the re can be no do ubt that

s u is e thi n mber to o low . The numeration was made from the reports furnishe d by certain igno rant old h women called searchers to t e parish cle rks . For obvious re asons the se archers wo uld often be tempted

e the s o r e e to giv di ease an ther name ; mo eov r, larg

s ur s n o t e ll an d ub b were included in th se Bi s, no account would be taken o f those who le ft the city an d e s e e So a di d el ewh r . th t, taking the population o f London then as about it is probable that

- fi o f e about one fth may have died the plague, whil a

large though uncertain number sought safe ty in flight .

t n fi the e 1 66 This great mortali y was co ned to y ar 5 ,

fo r u e e th e s tho gh the diseas r curred in next pring, and

o s r ea e e no t cause d a c n ide able number of d ths, th y wer

so nume rous as to amount to a great epide mic . I n succee din g years it steadily declined to a vanishing

n and as has poi t ; , we know, never recurred in this

The s e uses o f its e a country . po sibl ca xtraordin ry vio le nce in 1 665 and o f its final extinction are

ar to e o n ques tio ns too l ge be ntered here.

We en the s 1 66 fi a return, th , to pring of 5 , and nd th t in the month o f May there was alre ady cons iderable u h alarm on the subject o f plag e . T is would have

the e e e be en greater in West End, wher Syd nham liv d ,

e o f o than in oth r parts L ndon, since the group of 1 09 THOMAS SYDENHAM

’

a e e e s . p rish s m ntioned , specially St. Martin and St ’ '

iles s fi th e u o f we . G , were at rst chief foc s the d ase From these parts it travelle d slowly eastward to the

so a no t ea th e e City, th t it did r ch eastern parish s, as

Bo h urst l had six n t th e g tel s us, till it been mo hs in

r . who weste n parts Pepys, lived in the City, says that o n his journeys to Westmi nster he found the l plague prevailing there, while he stil hoped it had

' afle c ted the o r s ho usa not City, at lea t only in a few , but he thought going home from Westminster to the

r s . City a very dange ous pas age Thus, when June came, there was great commotion in the West, and Pepys again records how on the ru st o f June he “ ” o i o ut w f und all the town almost go ng of to n . Duri ng the mo nth of June nearly all the rich people and those who could a rd to leave their busin ew left

The n the West End. King and Q uee went to Hammon Court ; afterwards to Salisbury and the n to Oxford . 80 it happened that in the latte r part of J une

e c Syden ham says the dang r ame to his own do ors, and he was persuaded by his friends to add himself

th e s s his to increa ing number of fugitive . He and

e a n w t , t family re ir d few miles from Londo af er ards,

o it w uld seem, to some more distant spot, possibly to

Dorset . ’ This is the o ne event in Sydenham s life which his

To biographers have always regretted. a student o f epidemics no more notable object o f study could have 1 1 0 SYDENHAM AN D THE PLAGUE be en pres ented than th e pestilen ce which was invading

n a the u Londo . To a physician it might seem th t d ty w as indicate d o f re maini n g to h e lp suffe re rs w ho stood in so ea e o f e a e Had h e re a e gr t n ed m dic l h lp . m in d he might have adde d a me morable chapter to the

r o f e se v histo y the plagu , and done good r ice in his

ro o p fessi n . On the othe r hand the re are certain circumstances apart from the me re fact th at he had a wife and

o u ut his u e y ng children , which p cond ct in a som what

' diflere n t i s his l ght . To begin with , mo t of patients

s a e e mu t h v l ft, or been on the point of leaving town . The regular or college physicians then practi sed chiefly

o e so far as e e am ng the rich, xcept they w re conn cted

e f a with hospitals. Th ir regular ee was high o n e for

h iz an a n el e ua to te n t e v . times, , g , q l shillings, worth

o r e r three r fou times as much in mod n money . The n ame of this coin gav e rise to num e rous j ests at the

e s . Bo h urst the a o th e xpense of physician g , worthy p

w ho s h is the cary, tuck to post during epidemic, says “ it was only the rich who were permitted to die sur ”

o n e e s. u e the e s r u d d by ang l C lp pper, h rbali t and “ has r e a i a s quack, a bitte gib th t Phys ci n of the ’ are e Balaam s ass e present day lik , they will not Sp ak until th ey see an Ange All this me ant that

t e f l physicians a tend d chie ly wea thy patients . When it is said with some re proach that so many

o s e the e Lond n physician l ft the city during plagu , this statement must be qualified by remembering the

1 1 1

SYDENHAM AND THE PLAGUE

n o t o fo r they had appeared so str ng, if this great

to s u the e e a observer had remained t dy pidemic, m dic l literature might have been e nriched by a masterly a o n o f e cc u t it, instead of the som what meagre and

sa i fa e un t s ctory account of the diseas , which was all ’ that our physician s scanty o pportunities e nable d him

s h e the . to furni h . Probably saw very little of disease Before he we nt away the e pidemic was not widely

e Spread, and the only case which he d scribes, saying

r he did not know whethe it was plague or not, may

n o w o ur e o s be , with pr sent kn wledge, aid pretty c a e so ertainly not to h v been .

his r u e On retu n he fo nd the disease still ling ring, an d he m s o the a e o f e y , m destly, that, in bsenc old r

c s h e e o f ac e physi ian , had a good d al pr tic . B ut the

i ea o f as is u d s se, if he saw true cases it, had then , us al

e e a u a e t an d s S de n in pid mics, ss med mild r ype, thu y

ham was led to take an over- sanguine vie w o f the

e ffi cacy of treatment .

His o wn o n method of treatment, founded partly

his e u h e own xperience, partly on acco nts which had h eard o f successful practice in isolate d cases which

r e u i was o use occu r d d r ng the Civil Wars, that of pr f

e e n h a l bl di g, w ich he dmits was genera ly held in

horror .

- t v has e d b This me hod, howe er, be n con emned y mos t of the best physicians who had large expe rien ce

the e o e e of diseas , though it had been rec mm nd d by

s Bo hurst e ome . g , the apothecary, whose exc llent 1 1 3 r THOMAS SYDENHAM

w e e a ea f s account hav lr dy re erred to, condemn it

s unre ervedly . ' Syde nham s theory of the origin of plague was n o t

ff s his very di erent from that of mo t of contemporaries,

s s b e ascribing it to atmo pheric di turbances, and a e rtanc e n u ttached littl imm to co tagion . Wi th m ch

h e he e candour, however, admits that had grav s s o t the e t s e t o u pici ns whe her m re a mo ph ric constitu i n ,

t e o u o e a wi hout some Fom s, or intr d cti n from p stilen ti l

o f o u t a e localities an infected person , c ld in i self origin t plague . He instances th e e ffect of strict preventive

e o ut e was d e measur s in keeping plagu , as on in Italy, when the pre cautio ns taken by th e Grand Duke o f Tuscany in 1 65 0 k e pt o ut of that co untry a plague

r e a which had avaged n arly th e w hole of It ly .

a da was as Medical opinion in th t y divided, it has

to e e e two e been som extent ev r since, betw en opposit — views on the subject vi e ws w hich may be summarily defi n d tha f i t a n t e as t o the Local sts and h t of Contagio is s. The fo rmer referred the outbreak o f plague in any particular place to local conditi o ns ; the latte r to i s e t W mportation from om oth e r infe cted locali y . e see that Sydenham w as in the main a Localist ; but he admitted the possibility o f some truth in the views o f the Contagionists .

1 1 4 ’ SYDENHAM S Wnrrm c s o n Fe v e ns

’ YDEN HAM S absence from London d uring the

o f the a o n e time pl gue had advantage, that it gave him some mo n ths o f enforced le isure from

e Fo r practice, and he employ d the time well . it

e e his fi r was th n that he compos d rst medical wo k,

ne n e o of o small importance in th e history of me dicin .

o f r was u e o s It treated feve s, and fo nd d on bservation w had s e 1 66 1 e he hich he been collecting inc , wh n began to study the fe v e rs of Londo n as th e y presente d

s o w n e ss them selves to him in hi practic . This cla ’ o f e was a e dis ases always favourit study of Sydenham s,

as d s and, alrea y mentioned, had a local ignificance fo r him as being es pecially prevalent in the neighbour

e a hood where he practised . Th y also had much greater relative importance in his time than at the

da e a e e present y, sinc he estim ted that th y mad up tw - e o ur o wn the s o thirds of me dicin . In day ame

ffi u s class of maladies, called in o cial ret rn zymotic 1 1 5

SYDENHAM ’S WRITI NGS ON FEVERS

bu t was took great interest in medicine, not on

u that acco nt popular with th e medical profession .

He was regarded as something o f an interloper . “ One contemporary physician names the virtuos i (alluding to such men as Boyle) and English books as amo ng the crying evils which injured the interests ’ o f n o t m e medicine . Hence Boyle s was a na to

n o t conjure with, and might have been the best

o r to choose f the patronage of a media l work . But Syde nham had a definite and very good reason fo r ’ i o a e s h s dedicati n . In the first pl ce it was by Boyl advice and prompting that Sydenham undertook to

s o f e s treat of thi department medicin , and he call Boyle as a witn ess to the fide lity and usefulness o f his o e s e e bs rvations, inc the philosoph r had, with

reat i e his s s to his g k ndn ss, accompanied him on vi it

s s patients ; in which , say Sydenham, he howed a ben e volence and con desce nsion contrary to the spirit

the . e s r o n o t of times The tr ati e, moreove , w uld be less welcome to Boyle because it was small in bulk and not swollen out with the spoils of other autho rs (whose ashes might res t in peace so far as Sydenham

e e o was concerned) . Ther w re ther parts of medicine

to ea the s which he hoped tr t in ame manner, and thus re deem a promise made to Boyle ; but fo r the present he thought it be tter to try the fate o f this

e a e i s a little work befor rashly tt mpt ng more, e peci lly in an age when subtle spe culations were m ore valued

than honest practice . 1 1 7 THOMAS SYDENHAM

’ It is plain that Sydenham s respect and admiration for Boyle we re paid to his independence of thou ght and habit of investigating nature at first hand fo r

s so the o f e him elf, not much to value his sp cial

es s si r earches, which lay for the mo t part out de ’ o f Sydenham s sphere interest . The preface to the reader displays so well the no ble and lofty s pirit in which Sydenham regarded his work as the o f is t a physician , that beginning it wor h

s tran lating . “ Whoever applies himself to medicine ought

e the i seriously to w igh following cons derations. First, that he will o ne day have to render an acc ount to the Supreme Judge o f the lives of sick persons

r s committed to his care . Next, whateve kill or

e knowledge he may, by the Divine favour, becom

e i s poss ssed of, should be devoted above all th ng to the glory o f Go d and the welfare o f the human

e le t a is no t rac . Moreover, him remember th t it any base o r despicable creature o f which he has under

the . E t So n Go d taken cure or the only bego ten of ,

e o r th e by becoming man , recognised the valu human

e His o w n the e race, and nnobled by dignity natur H e

s . s s a a sumed Finally, the phy ician hould be r in mind t is t th e lo t hat he himself no exempt from common , but subject to the same laws of mortality and disease as o the rs ; and he will care for the sick with more diligence and tenderness if he remembers that he him ” s - s ff self i their fellow u erer . 1 1 8 SYDE NHAM ’ S WRITINGS ON FEV E RS

’ These sentences express Syden ham s deepest con v ic tio ns ; they reveal his religio media, and th e sam e high tone is maintained through all h is writings o n s s to sa medical ubject . He goes on y that every physici an who desires to be held an honest man should no t l do his e to s e the s on y b st re tore h alth to ick, but also to give greater certainty to the art which he

so a e professes, th t it may become better and rich r, and some benefit may accrue to mankind even when i he himself is in h s grave .

e e o f Syd nham do s not omit, after the custom the

to a e the s s his o time, anticip t critici m which w rk may “ ” e Z is ncounter. The carping critic or oilus a figure whose shadow darkens mos t prefaces in the

a seve ntee nth cen tury . Syde nham expects th t supe r c ilio us pe rsons will fi rst pro nounce h is new method to be me re ly the outcome of a love o f novelty and

o fi a e e parad x, and then, if they nd th t after all th r is s r a was ome good in it, will asse t th t it all well

n s n o t s k own before. He doe write for uch critics, but for serious and candid men w ho will put his

e so me thod to the proof. If th y do he has no doubt

r that thei experience will confirm his own , and they will cast another pebble o n the heap which he has begun .

So fo r f w a e much the pre ace, hich we h v dwelt upon especially because it did not appear in the final

o n s m a edition of his work Fever , and, therefore, y

o sometimes have escaped bservation . 1 1 9

SYDENHAM’S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

n o t . can expository, critical We give only a few extracts . “ This book undertakes to de liver a more certain and mo re genuine method o f curing fe vers and agues

has a e An d e than ppear d hitherto . it being pr mised ’ First that a fe ver is Nature s e ngine whi c h she brings into the field to remove he r en e my o r her handmaid

fo r in s o f the o either evacuat g the impuritie bl od, or fo r u o a new sta te —Secm d1 the red cing it int y, that true and ge n uine cure of this sickn ess con sists in such

ri the o o n t a tempe ng of comm ti of the blood , hat it ma e e r e e e be to o a u y n ith xc d nor l ng id . This, I say,

re th e h e : being p mised by author, informs the reader “ ' th e First Section the difleren t e to be In , of m thods e o e o f e s n o t in o f mpl yed in the cur f ver , only respect

ff n s s o ne s e o f the di eri g sea on of and the am year, but

ff r n e t e As the di e e c of one year from ano h r . to the

e he w a s atients form r, sho s in wh t ort of p , and at what

o f e t time the fever phl botomy, or vomiting, or bo h , are to be used ; and wh en an d where not ; ih w hat

e o f e the de uration a no t t spac tim p , if N ture be dis urbed l h or hindered in her work, wil be performed ; w en

s a 81 C . purgative ought to be dministered,

As h e o ne f to the latter, observes that of the chie

e th e f e s so caus s, rendering cure of ev r uncertain and

s s t do t un ucces ful is, that practi ioners accommoda e

e o w e a e o u th ir observati ns, hich th y t k fr m the successf l

s e e rs in o n e a o o f the e o r cure of om fev se s n y ar, of

m e all f e so e one y ar, to that of evers in any s ason , or 1 2 1 THOMAS SYDENHAM

s rst in any year whatsoever. And here he observe fi

is s rin ho w how vigorous the blood in the p g, and

dis pirited in autumn ; and thence regulates the le ttin g

o f St e . N ext ho w ffi s blood, , di cult it is to as ign the cause o f the difference between the fevers of sev eral

ears &c y , . “ In the Second Seetian he treats of the sympt oms

s as h rensis u i e accompanying continued fever , p , ple r si s,

&c . n coughs, hiccups fl uxes, , showing whe ce they are

to . caused, and how they are be cured To all which he subjoins a particular account of the iliac passion (o r Ile us ) es teemed by him to be s e es a o f e om tim a symptom lso f vers, not only dis

s its s e cour ing of cause, but adding al o a v ry plain

s way of curing the ame, and that not by the use of

s o r e o s quick ilver bullets (judg d by him to be noxi u ) ,

l - e the a l a o f but on y by mint wat r, and pp ic tion a ’ living whelp to th e patient s stomach to stre ngt hen ” its a to e u e . the s me, and r d c it to natural motion !This curious prescription o f applying a live puppy ’ dog to the patient s stomach was maintained by

e n his Syd ham in last edition . ] “ Third Section o f In the , he treats intermittent

u s o f fe vers or ag es . When he discourse the cold and

fi the a hot ts, and of sep ration of the subdued aguish

t t a ma ter, distinguishes ague in o vern l and autumnal, takes notice that as there are very fi w continued

e so o l i i f vers, there are n y quot dians and tert ans in the s u pring and only tertians and quartans in the aut mn . 1 2 2 SYDENHAM ’ S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

He s e s a o e t s o — inter ct , mong th r things, hi n te That the e o period of f rmentation in fevers, both c ntinued ’ n is a s and intermitte t, (if left to N ture own conduct,

e l re l e r e a and w l gu ated, if n ed be, by art) perfo m d in bout

6 u o r ur e a s int ermitte n t 33 ho rs fo te n d ys, ubducting in

th e ss fi e ones hours of intermi ion, and coun ting v

a e s an d i u and a h lf hours for ev ry paroxy m, mp ting th e e xcursio n be yond that time to the distu rbance

n e given to ature by the e rror o f practition rs . “ I n the Fourth Section a o t , the uthor in conf rmi y

the s who e e s dis with cu tom of those writ of f ver , co urses o f th e Small - pox ; and e xam ining the cause o f

s s ss an d its a e s his a thi ickne , univers lity , d liver peculi r ’ opin ion of th e blood s e ndeavo uring a re no vation o r a ’ e e s s e is new textur (onc at lea t in a man lif ) , and incline d to pre fe r th e same to the rece ive d do ctrine o f

Fo r the e he es its malignity . cur , advis , in short,

to he r o wn e to permit Nature do work , r quiring

e u e nothing of the physician , but to r g late her wh n she is to sh e is exorbitant, and fortify her when too

ea He u e e e o f w k . concl d s all with d liv ring a model th e e he u use so n u m thod wo ld for his only , if he sho ld ” al t s n ss f l in o this ick e . On a fe w points in the above e xtract a little ex ’ a a m a be u s o pl n tion y seful . Sydenham noti n, which

e so e to us a e was a l e app ars strang , th t ther natura p riod “ o e a s fo r a o e s e s of f urt en d y the ferment ti n in fev rs, e m to hav e been fo unde d on the observation that the most definite and well - marke d species among the co ntinued 1 2 3

SYDENHAM ’S WRITINGS ON FEVERS and was there noted for his sk ill in carrying o n s u e cholastic disputations in Greek . He was do btl ss a

o f o f i s n master formal logic, and a man mmen e readi g,

sa la so his not to y e rning, that friend Anthony Wood

t o e thought him one of he greatest lights f the ag . It is plain that he made himself the champion of book

° learning and the anci e nt me thods agains t th e

s the a the tion of Scientific School, the B conians, or

t o Virtuosi ; and especially of he R yal Society . Stubbe

e u en m the e f ll fo l of Syd ha , probably because d dication o f his book to Bo yle identifi e d him as o ne of th e ” ” s o r at a - s virtuo i, least semi virtuo o, as his critic l ca ls him . The pamphlet in which th is passage occurs is calle d ’ The Lord B acon s re lation o f the sweating- sickness examin ed in a reply to George Thomson pretender

an d Ch m is tr e a e e to Physick y v, tog ther with d fenc of

e o o o th e s e Phl bot my, in ppositi n to am author

Dr e . m &c . o . Whitak r and Dr Sydenha , L ndon ,

1 6 1 7 . Stubbe re fe rs to the pm ge mentioned in th e

v is s s e e re iew, which till tronger in the original, wh r

Syde nham speaks o f Small - pox as due to a spontane ous

e ff the to new e an d ort of blood bring itself into a stat ,

o ff its e putting nativ state, by a process like moulting,

e to put on , as it were, a new shape . He much pref rs this vi e w to that of a malignant substance rece ived

has l . he into the blood , which to be expe led But

an the says, if y one prefers latter view, he will not 1 2 5 THOMAS SYDENHAM

r w the i d re g eatly quarrel ith him, for n ications for t at i i s m he e . ent remain t sam Q uot ng th s, and al o ea another something like it, in which Sydenham sp ks o f f i e evers in general, Stubbe crit cis s them in the following words “ d i to n Whether Dr . Sy enham ntend ascribe se se,

e o e appetit , and judgment unto the blood I cann t w ll

can teth in o r ex lain eth tell, but either he Metaphors, p

i n e e u Fa ve rs himself his g n ral hypothesis abo t , as if

and his meaning were such . But it seems strange irrational to attribute such an unde rs tanding to the

to s e a a blood, and tran mut natural gent into one that

is an d is i e n t spontaneous ; which more, hav ng repr se ed

s so a to it as uch, to make it c pricious as not know when it is well ; but to run phan tastically upon such dangerous c han gw as occurs in putrid feave rs and the ‘ - fo r ariseth rom a desire the Small pox, even this last f ’ blood a t t h th o change its sta e .

is N atural is Also Stubbe asks, if this disease , why it no t more ancient and universal ! Whe reas it is very

e doubtful whether it exist d in ancient times, and it certainly was unknown in the West Indies till th e

e Spaniards cam there . “ f in to lle rable . Again, he inds it most in Dr Syde nham that he seems to attribute all the evil co n sequences o f the Small- pox to the indiscretion of those

e s i . that att nd them, be they nurses or phy ic ans

w e s e had Sydenham , may add, poke of c rtain sympto ms o f the Small - pox in a highly figurative

1 2 6 SYDENHAM ’S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

manner as due to the inability o f the blood to carry through th e m utation an d renovation which

had it begun . It cannot go back to its original

and is e n u o the n e w state, not strong o gh to g on to

o ne is i to u e which it striv ng ind c . It can neither go

no r f w e . backward or ard, and the pati nt dies

’ - o x was Sydenham s theory of Small p , not worse than

his that of contemporaries ; than that of Willis, for

th e o f instance, who adopted doctrine the Arabian

' s difie re n t chool ; but it was totally . The objections to Sydenham ’s theory are just what

u e s wo ld occur in any mod rn physician . They mu t

e who have come hom to Sydenham, prided himself o n abstaining from theories ; so without making any reply to Stubbe he om itte d the whole passage in his

n He the fi al edition . did not, however, expunge passage about the evil conseq uences of wrong treat

e the the his e e n m nt of disease. To end of lif Syd ham

e o the - o x seems to hav th ught that Small p , if properly

u to e l treated, o ght be a v ry mi d disease, and cause

ta only a slight mor lity . B ut his manne r of dealing w ith the firs t point is

e f as e e v ry characte ristic o him . He w not av rs from

e an d i es e his fan in th orising, somet m indulg d cy giving

e a b ut e speculativ explan tions of disease, h ld theories

o f t e i e an d o e m to be lit l mportanc , w uld not allow th to influe nce his practice ; o r at leas t such was his

to e he i intention, and a v ry large extent carr ed it out . 1 2 7

SYDENHAM ’S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

e 1 668 . Plague, app ared in To this was prefixed a ’ i c long Lat n poem by John Lo ke, Sydenham s intimate friend, who deserves much credit for dis ’ c o f e erning the importance Syd nham s little volume . We will quot e the opening and concludin g lines

' ’ M im e“ a im Sale ms t n e c c d ieiraee ex m am r y f .

ebriles c ams vic nm ue ardo ribur o r e F , t q b m Fle vit n o n an is ar Me dic in a malis , t t p N am o s mille af ter m e ic: ten tam ina c urt p t , d , r e adhuc ebris ne c velit ar e re i A d t F , t g . 0 O 0 0

Tu me lio ra aras vic rix Me dicin a tuus ue p , t q ,

Portia ua: ru e rat eunc ta trin m hus cri . q p , p t ive Liber vic is Febrilibus i nibus un us V , , t g ; ” Te t imn l e t m un dum ni man e i nis erit . q t, g

The subjoined rough version may give the English reader some notion of the heroic vein in which Locke ’ praised his friend s work

“ ' ith Fe ver o hea s hro u ho u the wo rld ha ra e W t , t g t t t g d ,

A tho usan d arty a tho usan d cures ahe trie s ; S ill Fe ver bur s an d all her s ill de fies t n, k ,

’ N are his o f Fe ver r m s ic laws o dreams y t , He blame s no fan cb d Humo ur as ita cam e ;

Shunn in th e word co mba s o f the Scho o ls g y t , v Where an inte nser heat th an Fe er rules . 0 0 O O

Th arm s ic torio us Medic ine l m o re in en y , V t d , T ium h an th an the uneo n uere d Pla ue shal en d r p t, q g t , ' L e ver s van uish e d flam es e x ire ive, Bo o k while F q p , " Thee and th e wo rld awaits o n e com mo n fire . 1 2 9 THOMAS SYDENHAM

’ Locke w as so much interested in his friend s efforts to refo rm me dicine that he and Sydenham planned

- to a joint treatise on the Small pox, which was be dedicate d to Lord Ashle y (afterwards Lord Shaftes

’

e s . bury) , Lock friend and patron Locke, indeed, ’ wrote the dedication an d the preface in Syde nham s

w are l th e name, hich still extant, in Eng ish, in

e . the u Shaft sbury papers But scheme was given p, and the materials were do ubtless used in the co m position o f the w ork no w to be spoken o f.

o n was e t Finally the work Fevers ntirely recas ,

e r e i e and with v y considerabl additions, mak ng it thr e o r es a 1 6 6 a ne w four tim as large, appe red in 7 with “ title as O bse rvatio n es Me dic a: circa mo rbo rum ” Ac uto rum s e t C uratio ne m h Hi toriam , whic , not

s s with tanding the great alterations, mu t be regarded

o e as the third editi n of the little book on F vers. Th e fourth editio n (so - calle d on the title - page ) o f 1 685 w as u e e ta e f rth r r vised, but con in d no importan t

e alterations. Ther were also at least two other

e t u Continental di ions, printed at Strasbo rg and at

e was e r s G neva . It d dicated , not to Lo d A hley, but to r Ma l to f D . e t p . ’ e s e In this, Syd nham great st work, are contained numerous observatio ns on the e pidemic diseases o f

1 66 1 to 1 6 . London , from 75 The leading principle in all his researches o n this subject was to study fo r himself the bewildering variety o f diseases known as

e all a f vers, discarding traditional expl nations an d 1 30 SYDENHAM ’S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

th t o s a even e traditional names, o b erve them in f ct as objects o f natural histo ry w ithout being biassed by a premature attem pt to account for their phenome na in accordance with the anci e nt do gmas or eve n according to the mo de rn physical and chemical

t s a s se o s science . The book con ain l o ob rvati n on

s as u n and other di eases, such pleurisy, pne mo ia, rheumatism . It would be impossible within the limits of this — — work to give any analysis eve n a short one o f “ ” s Th e u o f the the Medical Obse rvation . acco nts

n o t a several diseases are rranged, as they are in a

- c the diseases modern text book, ac ording to them selves ; but accordin g to the e pidemics of partic ular ’ e u e o n n a o w n y ars . They were fo nd d Syde h m s records of the diseases occurring in London from

1 6 1 6 e s f e 6 1 to 75 . In those y ar he recognised iv

- — - 6 66 s viz . 1 1 66 1 2 1 66 1 period , ( ) 4 ; ( ) 5 ( 3 ) 7 9 ; — - s (4) 1 669 72 ; (5 ) 1 6 73 5 . Each of these period

E idemic Constitution was characterised by a particular p ,

the a s e as or disposition of tmo ph re, and many peculiar

s e s o f e e viz . e e . t pecim n pid mics, , f v rs In the firs ,

e e e s e d n e int rmittent f v r pr omi at d , accompanied by a

s es c o n timied e . the s peculiar peci of f ver In econd , o r t i s u e pes ilent al con titution, occ rr d the Plague,

e i e e a o u but along with pestil nt al f v rs, nal go s to

n the e e . diEe ri g from tru Plagu In the third, or

s - o w as variolou constitution, Small pox pred minated, but

e s n o f accompani d by a pecial ki d fever, produced by 1 3 1

SYDENHAM’ S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

re pudiates the beli e f that the successio n of e pidemics will in future years follow the same sequence as in the years to which his observations re fer.

The conception , however, of a definite epidemic cons titution in particular years was absolute ly taken from Hippocrates ; with the practical corollary that the diseases in particular constitutio ns required

ff h e di erent treatme nt . Syden am attached the gr atest

e to importanc this idea, as will be seen from the following extract . “ Just as an individual ease o f an epidem ic has its

o s n i i pr per periods, its tages of i crease, cris s, and decl ne, so s also has the con titution in general, which deter

n o mi es the epidemic ; that is, proporti nally to the time of its predominance it has de finite pe riods ; it increases from day to day in its epidemic extension ; it reaches its height ; it then decreases at the rate

e of its increas s ; and , lastly, it dies away altogether, ” s king room for a new con ti tution . The modern teaching would be that all this may be quite true o f epide m ics o r outbreaks o f particular diseases ; but that it is not necessary to resort to the “ hypoth esis of a purely imaginary con stitution to i t expla n hem .

e It was impossible for Syd nham to know, what medicine has established by long and painful observa

i i a f t on dur ng two centuries, th t the species of evers

n e are co stant, and that their succ ssive prevalence is

due o r not to atmospheric climatic conditions, but l 33 THOMAS SYDENHAM

a v o f t u i io to ariety circums ances, s ch as mpo rtat n o f r t u o o the germs f om o her co ntries, c ntagi n, infl uence

e e f of particular sp ci s of animals, and so orth, many o f which can be controlled by purely mec hanical

is so o n arrangements, while heat, cold , mo ture, and , t play only a subordina e part .

to l r Sydenham would have been quite prepared ea n,

c e at if he ould have looked forward to these tim s, th

a e fla t the Plague never pp ared again in England,

an d the intermittent fevers are practically extinct,

- m t Fo r Small pox reduced to very narrow li i s. he e xplicitly states his belief that some dise ases would

and e d become extinct, new on s, then unknown, woul

e o f r app ar . But with the withdrawal these fo midable e pidemics his whole system o f epidemic constitu tions

. lws dis crumbles to pieces No one, however, was po sed to believe than Sydenham himself in the finali ty o f his o w n doctrines. ’ The most disappointing feature in Sydenham s se

o f a i n count fevers is th t, notwithstand ng their mi ute

s e diflic ult c e ne s, it is extr mely to be certain what spe i s

as no w he i in of fever, understood, is describ ng any

e i particular y ar . Th s partly arises from his tendency to believe that the forms and symptoms of f we rs were contin ually changing under the influence of the

the fa t epidemic constitution, and partly from ct tha he purposely abstained from giving in detail the

s t e i hi tories of par icular cas s. In th s he did not

f o f l f ollow the example Hippocrates, who has e t 1 34 SYDE NHAM ’ S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

many histories o f patients with the precise dates o f their being take n ill an d the occurrence of prominent

e n a a e symptoms . Had Syd h m done this it would h v

to e v e As is s been much easier id ntify his fe rs . it , uch

is f an d the e n d e an identification di ficult, in unc rtain .

i o f o e e a s In the sixth divis on his w rk, wh r he spe k

o f n o t e e s h e certain acute diseases gen rally called fev r , may be said to have in some degre e anticipated very

r He modern views especting these diseases. refused to recognise them as local diseases o riginating in th e

ffe r to e organs a cted . With rega d Pleurisy and Pn u

a fo r h e s are due a moni , instance, insi ts that they to ge neral inflammation of the blood which causes t he

ffe o f the s. a ction organ So with Erysipelas, Rheu

a i m an d e all as ev er: m t s . , Q uinsy He regarded th m f to be in with no t as s s the g , feveri h diseases ari ing from

n o e e local co diti n . He expr sses these views wi th ven

is ear e s greater confidence in h li r edition . N o w though this would not perhaps be accepte d at the presen t day as a quite accurate state ment of the

e s s s u nature of these dis ases, till it recogni e the tr th now more and more generally acce pted that these diseases are no t affections o f one part o f the body

l o on y, but what are called general specific infecti ns .

s o f Skoda, the eminent profe or Vienna, held very nearly the same view about Pneumonia half a century

s ago, though it was regarded when he fir t propounded

it as a startling innovation . Without unduly prolonging strictly medical dis 1 35

SYDENHAM’ S WRITINGS ON FEVERS

f s a s n o r e . fl s o urp s ed, are lik ly to be Many ashe

s e s in ight and pr gnant hint might be collected, which

e s e to cont mporarie did not und rstand, and which later

n i e s u . k owl dge only able to do j stice Above all, the resolute endeavour to study natural facts by pure

se u s e e f s ob rvation, p tting a ide the th ori s, act , and

o ut o f o s fictions collected b oks which, he ays, have as much to do with treating sick men as the painting — o f pictures has to do with the sailing o f ships this e ss f no t e ndeavour, succe ul or , will always be the b st

o f l u o f e example method to a l st dents medicin .

1 37 ’ Sv n am m s S aon'ras Warr m c s “ Errsro u e Rs sro nso au e

YDEN HAM was o f i apparently not fond wr ting, though he thought it a duty to publish his e the o f o xperience for benefit thers, and probably want o f health as well as want o f leisure made compositio n

ffi to e c di cult him. His two next works were li ited from him by m e dieal friends who urged him to give

o n s s them his views certain ubject , and who should be remembered with gratitude as having conferred a benefit on medical science by so doing.

fi . The rst was Dr B rady, the eminent Regius Pro

“ fwso r o f Medicine at Cambridge and master o f Caius

t e College, who in a very complimentary Latin let r begs Sydenham to continue his observati o ns on the fevers o f London up to the present year and also asks his advice o n the use o f the Peruvian bark in

A nes o n o f i . g , and the treatment Rheumat sm B rady, we may observe, anticipates that Sydenham will meet 1 38 “ SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS with malicious opposition and calumny m alevo lo rum

ur ia e t inv ido rum j g , stigmata atque displeasing though th ese will be to liberal and candid men .

' The next to draw upon Syde nham s stores of

e was an r m an Dr medical knowledg also impo tant , .

a o o f the n rs Paman, Public Or t r U ive ity of Cam

e e n h bridg , and Prof ssor of Medici e in Gres am

o n H . e s e n f e C llege, Londo remind Syd ham in latt r ing terms of his promise to supplement his great work

D viz . o on Acute iseases by a greater one, , on Chr nic

e e Diseas s . He begs him th refore to write on a subject

s o e e they had often di cussed t geth r, namely, the Ven real Disease, which was commonly and very badly

e treated by quacks, barbers, and the lowest mount banks . The answers to these le tte rs we re produced in a

e e s t the e few w ks, and publi hed ogether with titl “ ” t a: Res o nso riae ze 1 680 Epis ol p du in , being dated

8 1 0 1 6 - 8 0 s e e . F bruary and March , 79 , re pectiv ly The copy presented by Sydenham to the College o f

i is a 0 1 680 Phys cians dated M rch 3 , .

o These letters are really finished, though sh rt

i es s co m treat s , and it may eem strange that they were

in so e . e v r posed short a tim No doubt, how e ,

d a i Sy enham had the materi ls ready . The observat ons o n fevers must have been extracte d from the notes

he re e o n th e n which gularly k pt diseases of Lo don . There is evidence also that a part of the tract on the I 39

SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS

u s illustrio s ma ter of language and thought, my

t the i s his no t favouri e Cicero, lead ng pirit of age, if of

as the the world at large, that laws place welfare of all

e e f o f a men abov the w l are the individual, so good and

i the w u wise man , obed ent to la s, and mindf l of his

as fu duty a citizen, will think more of being use l to ’ h o n e o r f men in general t an to any to himsel . Certainly it is clear that while to kill a man is the act of a criminal it will be the duty o f a good man to

e to do so w seek to save life, or t ach others how , hen

i in ' his Fo r is he himself s grave. it an inh uman and detestable sentiment that it matters nothin g to us

h we w at happens when are dead, even if the whole ” s world hould be destroyed .

' ' ' m sss a ra rro ap xs ro u ars.

’ Sydenham s next work was ab o called forth by the W r e e Dr. o m ter equ st of a l arned friend, Cole, of ,

ho 1 68 1 s w wrote to him in November, , a king for

o n e o f - further advice the managem nt Small pox,

he e a re su which had b en tre ting with the g atest ccess, ’ s . m by Sydenham methods A com on friend, Mr .

n had Ke rick, had told him that Sydenham some unpublished o wervatio ns on this disa se and had also hinted that there were some new observations on Hysterienl Diseases which also he hoped Sydenham would publish for the benefit of the present age and posterity .

r e was e o to D . Col (who not p rs nally known THOMAS SYDEN HAM

e o f i a in w ho Syd nham) was a man ab lity and le rn g, ,

u i tho gh not holding any academical posit on, had acquired a re putation by his writings on Apo plexy

r t e a o n and other subjects. He afterwa ds wro work ' ’ Fev e ns e difie re nt , of a v ry kind to Sydenham s. ’ Sydenham s answer was completed by the next

u is n two r January , and tho gh it lo ger than the forme

t s e r n n let er tak n togethe , Syde ham explai s that he is

so h n obliged to be short, because his health was s ake ,

a at o f the to especi lly that time year, that if he were

u a n ind lge in any deep tr in of thought, it would bri g

o f on an attack Gout . The le tter appeared in 1 68 2 with the ti tle ” Disse rtatio E isto laris ulie lm um Th e p ad G Cole . presentation copy in the College o f Physicians is — a 2 1 1 68 1 2 . dated M rch , The firs t part o f the letter deals with the trea t

e - n t e m nt of conflue nt Small po x . I it occurs h name

. as e of Dr Goodall, who, an intimat friend, sent

Sydenham the account of a case o f Small - pox under i ' h s e . car Sydenham s mention of him is remarkable . “ Dr . was th e e Goodall friend who, wh n many m e n ve ntured to assert that I had done but little in th e o f investigation and cultivation medicine, threw

th e himself in way of my maligners, and defended m e with the zeal and affection of a son towards a ” father . Now Goodall was something more than an eminent

lo o e e s Fel w of the C ll g of Physician . He was th e 1 42 SYDENHA M ’S SHORTER WRITINGS

s th e and f e its hi torian of college, a warm de end r of

he as e a rights ; w inde d typical Colle ge physician . So that his chivalrous de fe nce o f Syde nham is a fact not without importance in conside ring the attitude of

the l s the Co lege toward great innovator in medicine .

e e s The second part of this l tt r, relating to Hy terical

a m s the Dise ses, is more i portant than the fir t, since clear recognition of Hysteria as a special form of ’ disease is rightly th ought to be o ne of Sydenham s

e to l titl s origina ity in Me dical Science .

his i When we look into treat se, we find, however , that he had a very diffe rent notion o f the disease from

o f a s s is that modern physici n . He ays that Hysteria

s o f se As e s the commone t all chronic di ases . F ver

a e two - o f m k up thirds all diseases, and chronic

e the - o f dis ases other third, one half this third is con s e a titut d by Hysteria. So th t by this liberal estimate

Hysteria is res ponsible for o ne - sixth of all human

he s e e maladies . Women , ays, xc pt those who lead a

e f e hardy and robust life, are rar ly quite r e from it ; and w m fo o n e - omen, be it reme bered, rm half of adult

persons.

m e n le a ar Those who ad seden t y or studious life,

r a e v e are s and g ow p l o er th ir books and papers, ubject

e s is to the same complaint . In th ir ca e it indeed called Hypochondria ; but this disease is as like

i i e Hyster a as o ne egg s like anoth r . Men are less su no t o n u the bject to it than women , acco nt of

ff o f i s o f i di erence the r organs, but becau e the r more 1 43

SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS

Even those who think that Hyste ria defies de fini tion must admit that this explanation is a very fair

t o f the sta ement observed phenomena . And with this the whole traditional fabric o f hypothesis indicated by the etymology o f the word Hysteria fell to th e ground . ’ With Syde nham s exaggerated notion of the im

o f s s portance Hy teria, it was natural that he hould

s carry his doctrine into ex treme . He thought this

ff i n a ect on not o ly produced the symptoms of disease,

i e b e but set up actual organ c dis ases . Chlorosis

ff to regarded as a hysterical a ection , and attributed the

e a i o f o f v sam at x a the spirits, the production o arian

i c dropsy in women , wh ch to modern experien e seems lilt e putting the cart before the horse .

e as In the treatm nt of Hysteria, he understood it,

Sydenham again showed his good sense . Although

a e un bl to dispense with the traditional remedies,

ur i th e bleeding and p g ng, he held chief curative indi ” cation to be the restoration of the blood . For this

e e is o to purpose he gave chalyb at s, and it curi us

a s a La observe th t he preferred steel in sub t nce, , steel

t i eflie sc io us filings, hink ng them much more than

o f any chemic al preparation the metal . This

m rs practice, at that time co mon, has, of cou e, “ given rise to the customary medical ph rase o f pre t scribing steel when chalybe a es are given . It may also be worth noting that Sydenham thought cinchona bark very useful in Hysteria and Hypo

1 45 t. THOMAS SYDENHAM

not the st to chondria. Although he was certainly fir

use fo r s bark Ague , he does seem to have been the

ho as n first w used it what we now call a To ic.

When the doctor of to- day prescribes his salts o f

o sa quinine and salts of iron as t nics, he often ys he

is m e giving bark and steel . But what is hardly or than a metaphor with us would hav e been a literal

description o f what Sydenham prescribed .

“ ' ' r aac rA rus o n Po n ac nx ET DE m m ao rs

the 1 68 e In following year, 3, Syd nham brought

o ut e t an ind pendent work, not due to the promp ing

his o r so licitation o f any of friends. It was a short

o n diseases th e Latin treatise two , Gout and Dropsy ; former part especially being justly regarded as o f very

e great imp ortanc . The copy which he prese nted to the Colle ge o f

a s is n o t s Physici n dated , but we may uppose that it

s is a d came out about June, ince the dedication d te

2 1 1 68 . May , 3 ' On the title - page is a motto from Sydenham s

he s favourite author, Bacon , which used al o in a

' s e N on n endum aut exco rra ndum ubsequ nt work , fi g , g , ” W red inv eniendum uid N ature at iaraut erar. e , q f f

e o ut have not to imagin , or to think out, but to find what Nature does o r No words could ’ r As more truly exp ess Sydenham s method . there is o i nly one true method in science, we are not surpr sed at finding the same advice given a century later by 1 46 SYDEN HAM’S SHORTE R WRITINGS

n e in - Hunter to Jen r the often quoted words, Do ” “ no t : ! o r ! think try more correctly, Why think why no t try the experiment

to The book was dedicated Dr . Thomas Short, an

o f o f S de n eminent Fellow the College Physicians. y ham says he presents this little tract in place o f the larger volume which he had intended to write on

in e chronic diseases g neral . This longer work he had

o fo r so s as eve r been unable to c mplete, oon he applied himself seriously to composition he was interrupted by

v o f u re s a se ere attack the Go t . The fore he mu t confine himself at present to treating of these two

h s dism es. He de dicated i work to Short for two r u u easons. First, beca se Short had recognised the val e, ’ and publicly expressed his high Opinion o f Sydenham s former writings when they had bee n slighted by

s an d a se u s other secondly bec u , in freq ent consultation

his e his t with fri nd, he had learned to know prac ical s a e n s kill in medicine ; and th t, though v rsed in all ki d o f o f c to learning, he preferred the niceties practi e

i his empty speculat ons. If labours commend them

to s selves thi friend , and those few other good and

e his e w l honourabl men whom he counts fri nds, he i l nothing for the hostility of those others who attack him because he thinks o therwise than they do of diseases and their cures . “ ” is u to s It my nat re, he says, think where other read ; to ask less whethe r the world agrees with me than whether I agree with th e truth : and to hold 1 47

SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS h rs B u he t after all that they are . t will hones ly put down what he knows about it. It would be o ut of place h e re to disc m the purely ’ s medical aspect of Sydenham s views on this disea e . He give s a full account of the causes and dispositions

h o to e o f w ich predisp se it, with a d scription its attacks,

e has v s s so vivid and accurat that it ne er been urpas ed,

c lamieal and remains to this day absolutely . Any teacher o f me dicine even now who may be tempted to ' try and improve upon Sydenham s picture o f a fit of the Gout will pro bably find that he had better stick to th e r actual words of the g eat Gouty Physician . It has often been m id that Sydenham seems to have

i t i as been a l t le proud of his liabil ty to this complaint, being the special appanage of distinguished men . If

s le t e e . thi observation be just, the read r judg ” sa e n It may, he ys, be som co solation to those

ff r t e su e ers from this disease, who like myself and o h rs are o nly moderate ly endowed w ith fo rt une and in te l

e u s e e l ct al gift , that gr at kings, princ s, generals,

r o e o f admi als, phil sophers, and many mor like emi

' n en ce sufiere d th e e have from sam complaint, and

e ultimately died of it . In a word , Gout, unlik any

t di l o o her sease, kil s more rich men than poor, m re wise

i th e u e o f than s mple. Indeed, Nature, mother and r l r

s al n o all, shows in thi that she is imparti and respecter

h are e e e e o f persons ; t ose who d fici nt in one r sp ct, being mo re richly endowed in another her m unific e n t provisio n fo r some me n being te mpered by an equitable l 4-9 THOMAS SYDENHAM

ro o rti n o f l H uniw r ll e o o p p o evi . enc e that law e sa y r g n ise d that no man is ex m ai pad r éw tm na ' yet o n the o ther in all t i r ble And t h hand espe c s m se a . is

r o

At the end o f the bo o k o n e m s Gout, Sy d nham y that if he sho uld seem to have been niggardly in his list o f me dicin es fo r this co m plain g he will make up for the deficiency by giving a long catalogue collec ted

in ‘ d‘ o u by Lucian his Tp o M o a o S p a, or G t ” y i c l in i h Tragedy, a wh msi a sort of comedy wh c

Po da ra a ears as o ne o f the r i he r g pp cha acters, boast ng

l re t o o f o s invincibility, and ridicu ing the p ensi ns th e who profess to have fo un d a remedy fo r her tormen t s. Two unhappy doctors who made this empty boast are brought in and tortured with the pangs whic h t hey

r t to t cr . p e ended relieve, ill they y for mercy In a concluding speech Podagra recounts the lon g list o f some fifty use lm remedies which have been direct ed

ff if e against her in vain, promising the su erers that th y

l do i wi l nothing to resist her, she will be much k n der to them .

l o f s ff e Final y, the Chorus u erers renounce all th ir

e to o n to pretended rem dies, and promising do n thi g

the t o n he r resist invincible Podagra, throw hemselves

mercy .

S denham erha s did no t no w the sa in o f the wi Fa h er y , p p , k y g tty t l w " Ba de , ho calle d Go ut Den im" workman er m en: Den im 1 5 0 SYDEN HAM’S SHORTER WRITINGS

The ff ho w wisest su erers from Gout, who know

use l e is ess all treatm nt , will, Sydenham thinks, agree

r is the with the Chorus . The moral appa ently that less you do against Gout th e better ; not a very

' hopeful conclusion either for the sufi e re rs or for the

physician . The short tract o n Dropsy which fo rms the second part of this volume is m uch l ess important and val uable

o u than that on Gout . This c ld hardly be otherwise, because Syde nham did not an d co uld n o t understand

the e u e s a We tru nat r of thi compl int . now know

a is n o t a th t it a disease in itself, but a condition rising

e e from several different diseases or caus s . Syd nham had no explanation for it but a watery state of th e

the n blood, entirely ignoring alteratio of the blood stream and mechanical causes which are largely co n

ce rned in producing this condition . Now these causes we re n o doubt at that time impe rfe ctly ascertained but Syde nham does not re co gnise what was actually

e his known, nor what was being discov red by contem

o raries m who e a p , the anato ists, w re engaged in c rry

th a is a a a ing on e work of H rvey . It notable f ct th t Sydenham nev e r once in his wri tings me ntions the name of Harvey ; nor does he seem to have had any ’ o o f e s noti n the importance of Harv y discovery .

o he e e Pr bably, had b en ask d about it he would have s o u all s was u e e a aid that no d bt thi q it tru , but th t it

e had made no differe nce to practical me dicin . If he s n n o t aid any such thi g, it would have bee n without 1 5 :

SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS

s so o n all the to exi t, and , which writer says has less do

the f e with art o h aling than with the art of painting . Probably the writer did not refer to the structure o f the body so much as to philosophical speculati o ns o n

o f . e the origin man However, Syd nham, supposing

o e sa a that anat my was meant, tak s occasion to y th t a physician ought to know the s tructure of the human

‘ s o f e is body. But he ays this kind knowl dge very

il dim fi o n eas y obtained, by of men or brutes, and

n e n l eve by persons o f littl wit or j udgment . Evide t y he thought a very gene ral knowle dge o f the subject was e e s e e quit enough . Ev n then, he ays, th r is in acute diseases (that is in two- thirds o f all diseases) “ s something divine, a pecific property, which the st u r cture of the body will never e xplain . (Modern s e e a the i f e ci nc dmits spec fic actor in such diseas s, but

a a i s e e e S den c lls it m crobe in tead of a divin lem nt .) y ham goes o n to use the very dangerous argume nt ” o o the fr m ignorance . We may kn w, he says,

e o o f e larg r rgans the body, but its minut structure will

s r always be hidden from us . No micro cope will eve show us the minute passa ges by which th e chyle leaves the e th e intestin , or show by which blood passes from

e r s the the art ie to the veins. Now the fact was that

i ss s a last ment oned pa age , or c pillaries, had been demonstrated under the microsco pe by Malpighi in

1 66 1 e o e the , more than twenty years b f r ; and minute

u r lymphatic ducts, tho gh demonstrated late , are now

lai p n enough . 3 5 3 THOMAS SYDENHAM

t no t r lu Sydenham, we mus admit, only unde va ed, but was ignorant of what had been done in anatomy .

n m in In another place he says, usi g the e argument

o c i from ign rance, that the human intelle t w ll never be able to unders tand the use o f th e diEeren t parts o f

i n es the brain, forgett ng that Galen, many ce turi

r u before, had shown by experiment much mo e abo t

his this matter than Sydenham recognised, and that

n s “ e t own co temporary, Willi , w ext nding hat know

n ledge i a remarkable degree . He lays down a still more dangerous principle whe n he says that a li ttle research teaches us how much know ledge is enough for the guidance of those who claim to be healers of ” disease ; which in the light o f modern research we

is may say j ust what no experience ever has taught,

r v i to e o is e er l kely t ach us. So much it seems desirable to say in order to show i that Sydenham, like many orig nal investigators, was s o ne - o u o f omewhat sided ; and, abs rbed in the st dy

his i n medicine by own method of pure observat o , i ignored the results obta ned by other methods, and by

n a a l the a atomic l and physiologic l schoo s, which was the school of Harvey. ’ Syde nham s method was admirable in studying the class of diseases to which he especially devoted himself.

r But in othe s, namely, in organic diseases and most

f . chronic maladies, it was insu ficient Perhaps this was one reason why his long - promised work o n chro nic diseasa never appeared . He may have found 1 5 4 SYDENHAM ’S SHORTER WRITINGS

i i the task more d fi c ult than he imag ned . At all

e d i o n events, th se consi erations expla n why the treatise

Dropsy was so i nadequate .

“ s v ssu c n anuu t mo nrro ata n s no z re am s m o aa .

1 686 e o ut the In September, , Syd nham brought last medical work which was published during his “ e a s lifetime, with the above titl , which me n A sketch by way- o f warning of th e approach o f a new

e is o f e Fev r, that , a new species fev r which he had

th e the a N e w observed in course of ye r . The term Fever was used both by Sydenham and o thers for

‘ ce rtain e pide mics o f Fever difle rin g from what had

r s a l been observed befo e. Whether thi p rticu ar epidemic re ally was o n e o f a new disease it is diffi cult

sa As e is a to y . b fore remarked, there often gre t difficulty in determining to what species of Feve r ’ e s e a as . Sydenham s d scription , l borate they are, apply This disease seems to have prese nted some features

e o r o o n lik those of Enteric Typh id, but the other

a the we hand, as it beg n in spring can hardly identify

s ea th e it with that disease, and mu t l ve question

e s o bse r und termined . The little book contain also vatio ns o n o n e other maladies, and the whol must be f considered a sort o s upplement to his larger works.

s It was de dicated to Dr . Charle Goodall with ex pressio ns o f gratitude and fri e ndship which we have

is fi e s quoted before . There a nal chapt r on Calculu , I SS

SYDEN HAM’S SHO RTER WRITI N GS ‘ the disease in question was ofte n an d fo r long after ’ ” wards calle d Syde nham s Chorea (a name still ”

Chorea minor. occasionally met with), or ’ This was the las t product o f Sydenham s literary

o f the activity. At the end book, dated September

2 1 686 e 9 , , he stat s that he has now delivered nearly

s e as all that he know r specting the cure of dise es.

I S7 ’ c rrc s m r n aun m s ru e M anre n t. Paa S a T

0 understand what there m novel o r unusual ’ in Sydenham s methods we mus t consider what kind o f professional world it was into which he made

a his w y when he settled in London . Never was there a period when the m edieal pro femio n unde rwent a more rapid change than it did in t London after the Restora ion. Before the Civil Wars

i had o n phys cians in London been a very limited and, m the whole, a very uniform cla . They were guided chiefly by the Galenical tradition which had at first only acquired new strength by the Revival o f Medical Learning and in this rev ival Linacre and other early Fellows o f the College o f Physicians had played a

i i u o f d st ng ished part. The great discovery Harvey, which seems to us no w so signal a lan dmark in the

s o f Hi tory Medicine, had introduced no change in l its practice . The traditions of the classical school st i l

u s s i bore almost ndi puted sway, and the Engli h physic an 1 5 8 MEDICAL PRACTICE was s till the fo rmal and learned scholar such as Linacre had intende d to make the type o f a Fellow o f his

College . The only other school o f Medicine which had any

i o r s in d stinct name, formed a di tinct school practice,

Chemical u was the , or Spagyrical, consti t ted by the

i o f a s in disc ples P racelsu and Van Helmont. But

e r a England, at l ast, the chemical physicians we e at th t

s l e time a small and di credited c ass . Th ir exorbitant pre te ns ions to infallible skill and their traflickin g in secret remedi es eaused them to be ostracised by the “ ” o . uad C llege of Physicians The very name Q , “ ” o l uackm lber fo r is rigina ly Q , invented them, an

i o index of the r position . For this meant riginally

h uecb ilber o r i the not ing more than Q , Q uicks lver,

m e r u use German na e for m rcu y, a dr g the of which was o ne o f t e i i u s i a s h r dist ng i h ng m rk . The long controversy of th e College of Physicians with a ce rtain

m had se Anthony, a che ical physician, who a cret " e e d urum P arabile l r medy call d , or Potable Go d , shows the essential antagonism betwee n the quacks

r o and the regular p actiti ners . B ut during the Civil Wars and under the Common wealth the upheaval o f thought and di sregard of traditi o nal o pinion put a sort of pre mi um o n uno rth o dox y which gave the quacks a gre ate r vogue ; and the laxity of professional restrictions degenerated into an unbridled licen se vexing to the souls of the o r

s u tho dox physician . Abo t this time and later a I S9

MEDICAL PRACTICE

An o ther factor o f great we ight in producing the ’ motle y dive rsity o f medical practice in Sydenham s time w as undo ubtedly the personal influence of

s is o ne Charle the Second . It true that on the hand the s e is s e King anction d, and, it aid, ord red a

e a l n r m di regulation of a most co se vative kind ,

a e the l n m ly, the limitation of Fe lowship of the College of Physicians to doctors of Oxford and

s e o f Cambridge . Thi singular r striction the highest ho nours of the profession to graduates of two univer

i the u o f t i s e s ties which could not, from nat re h ng , giv e fiicie nt h s u u medical teac ing, and thu co ld prod ce

e e s only a v ry limit d number of phy icians, was an

n v o ld l e i no ation . In times the Col eg had welcomed

s o f d graduate Pa ua, Leyden , and other Continental s o s e r cho l , without r quiring them to pass th ough an

E s The e ngli h University . wisdom of the new r gula

o e s the o n e a ti n has b en much que tioned . On h nd, it undo ubtedly maintaine d that standard of learnin g and

th e e e dignity by which London Coll ge has, by gen ral a ss the o e dmi ion, always been distinguished . On th r

s e s hand, it kept many of the mo t abl and distingui hed physicians o f the succe e ding century in a subordinate

i e n d h s e n posit on, and in the had t at fossili ing t nde cy

s n u e which bigoted excl usiveness never fail to i d c .

e i u c o m But, wh ther right or w g, no do bt it

s and his as me nded itself to Charle advisers, not

th o f th e e as maintaining e dignity Coll ge, but a part

the l h an a o li r of po icy by whic Rom C th cs, P esbyterians,

1 6 1 M THOMAS SYDENHAM and Nonconformists w e re to be kept out o f all im

t n por ant public positio s.

th e a es l r On other hand , Ch rl IL , part y th ough

o u e c a did of the most fav rabl points in his har cter, more to lower the dignity o f the professio n in anot h er way than he could have done by encouraging th e

r s i e estrictions ju t ment on d . ’ N o o ne can doubt that whatever Charles s faults as

l e t . a king, he was a man of acute and lively inte l c t He took a genuine, if somewhat languid, in erest in physical science ; he kept up a laboratory in his o w n

his t e no t palace, and pa ronage of the Royal Soci ty was

m ere ff e e a a a ectation . Sci nc in Engl nd has every reason to be grateful to him for the dignified an d assured position which by this foundati o n he gave to

B ut i i i him it . these very sc ent fic procliv ties led ,

u e a nfortunat ly, to give his counten nce and patronage

e n e o r i e . to quackery of very ki d, reputabl d sreputabl

his e l n Beside r gu ar physicians, he dignified certai

o f a s persons discreditable char cter with the ame title.

O n e e o f e u s John Archer, a writ r disr p table book an d ve ndor of secret rem e dies for diseases not willingly

named, who might in these days be prosecuted as an “ e s s l Ch m ical t o obscen quack, call him e f Physician ” y his Majesty (though his chemistry was certainly “ ’ o f His e s not that the Royal Society), or Maj sty ” in Physician in Ordinary, and boasts that the K g

e e to his r recomm nded several nobl persons ca e . ’ Another of the King s physicians in Ordinary was

1 6 2 MEDICAL PRACTICE

e a s the e Gid on Harvey, fterward Physician to Tow r,

a o f the fo r was not person stamp of Archer, he a

an d an u as graduate ed cated man , but chiefly known th e u s M hle ts author of sc rrilou p p , written with

o r and s e plenty of vig u ( , it mu t be admitt d, not without

t n a s e s a e wit), at acki g other physici n und r tran p r nt

s an d th e e e di guises, especially Colleg , which for som

e so r a n did not admit him as one o f the ir body . Syde nham himself is e vide ntly re fe rred to in one place “ ” “ as a u as a trooper t rned physician , and probably

e Buméin t s Limbo th e W stern , that pre end to children in ” - a Small pox by a new me thod . Ch rles ce rtainly read “ ” at t n s these libels, leas The Conclave of Physicia , and though he is re porte d to have censured a too

o e th e e . l s vi l nt attack upon minent Dr Wil i , one can ’ imagine th e me rry monarch chuckling ove r Harvey s jokes at the expense of th e Ins titution of which he

was s to o fi c ial upposed be the patron .

was o a as Nor the King m re p rticular, might be

a supposed , about the moral char cter of those whom he

his honoured with patronage . His favourite physician , ’ e z is e e e s Sir Alexand r Fra ier, m ntion d in P py Diary as noto rious for practices w hich in our times might

s t he la is bring him within the gra p of criminal w . It a striking testimony to the loyalty of the College o f

e Physician , that no word of complaint was ev r heard of the scandalous manne r in which official patronage was dispe nsed by the fo under of the Royal Society and

the a e is Patro n of Roy l Coll ge . B ut it easy to 1 6 3

MEDICAL PRACTICE swe e p up the remai n i n g cr umbs o f the medical

e s f a t . B es ides having to sustain competition o f various

s s t h e s kind of spurious physician , regular doctor had their practice m uch c ut into by the surgeons and

o h a s e ap t ec ries . Surgeon w re not allowed to prescribe

l so . for internal ma adies, nevertheless they did Apothecaries were supposed to make up the presc rip

fo r i tions of the physicians individual pat ents, but really the y made very lucrative use of the prescriptions which passed through their hands by supplying them without the orders of a physician to any patient

is whose case seemed similar . One apothecary said to have boasted that he made a hundre d times as much o ut of a certain prescriptio n as the physician got for

. e was writing it Besid s which, as natural, they prescribed for a multitud e of patients without troublin g the so a e the doctor at all, th t Gid on Harvey reckons apothecaries had fifty to o n e hundred patients to th e ’ “ ” “ - s i s o ne . e he s fi ve si o f phy ic an Henc , say , xths the physician s go with th e ir hands in their pockets all

s r s r day, the greate t pa t of business pas ing only th ough ’ few men s hands (though some o f them are much m r the s is ore igno ant than other ), whereas there scarce

but e o t e any little apothecary, one tim or an h r in the

i i o w s day the re s life perceived in h s mortar. N thi scarceness of busin ess being by Physicians imputed to to o great a share o ne hath before another makes them

so growl and snarl at one another, like many barking 1 65 THOMAS SYDENHAM

’ animals at a bone in the water they a n t come at 0, Thus while o ne clas o f apothecaries wo rked fo r the

l as i t physician, probab y much to the r mutual advan age ’ a o f the t as in Chaucer s time, when, as he s ys Doc or and the Apothecary

“ Each of the m m ade o th er for to win e “ Their f ie ndshi was no t m e to e inne r p b g , there was another class who practised quite inde

o f ia v m pendently the physic ns, ne er calling the in ,

o w n o r to except occasionally to fortify their position,

o f r o att e m m renew their stock p escripti ns. Many p

a u rs were made to check this abuse, bout which n mbe o r i i f polemical pamphlets we e publ shed ; but in va n .

f o o e h Dr . Goddard , the Gresham Pro essor, pr p s d t at

o n me dic inw an d physicians should compound their w , ‘ r himself did so, producing the celebrated Godda d s

r n am drops, which were highly app oved of by Syde h . It should be observed that physicians an d surgeon s were at this time abso lutely distinct ; and physicians educated in E ngland had no Opportunity o f learnin g any surgery while it was also often m rted that th e y had a very imperfect knowledge of the science o f t he “ ” ic apothecary . So what with virtuosi, the chem al

e a o th e quacks, royal favourit s, surgeons, prescribing p

e i s v an d o ld cari s, astrologers, base emp ric , midwi es,

was women, it a motley rout of competitors that the

to N honest physician had contend with . o wo n der 1 66 MEDICAL PRACTICE

r i there was g umbl ng and bitterness . The profession

— s at is was going to the dogs thi , least , what was l general y said in the profession .

. t an i Dr George Whar on , eminent physic an and

s r in the o w anatomist, ummed up the matte f llo ing

s u r reason , which he gave to dissuade a yo ng man f om embracing Physic fo r a livelih ood “ Because now there was mo re apparent cause of

m es u o Phisic k e the ine and d tr cti n of than ver, by the swarm es uac kes e a s s a o the of q , mount b nk , chymi ts, p

s an d e a s n e w caries, urgeons, speci lly thi upturned ‘ ’ o s w ho are s e e bro d of virtuo i, mo t lik ly by th ir

esuitis me o n s o x J and p licy, E gli h bo ks, e periments and

hisic k fill i o f in receipts in p , to all fam lies note

ff o o ur o ld England with their stu , to overthr w all

c o f hisic k settled and approved practi e p , especially in Londo n : which is now miserably impoverished

its n an d ui e by burni g b lding and d sertion of trade, that they have scarce money fo r thei r present sub sistanc e le fo r hisic k hisitian s , litt p and p , and like to

e e So e t hav less her after . hat every one out of necessi ty and good husbandry must become the ire

n i tia hisic k o w e ph si ns and make their o wn e p . For all our ladies and gentle women keeps and stores up receipt- books and clo se tts o f medicin es fitted for most

e Phisic k is to o Besid s, much overstocked with students graduated from the University . For I doe really be lieve it will easily appear that now there t 67

MEDICAL PRACTICE

u u s tho gh drawing with the pencil of a caricat ri t, probably hit o ff some o f their v ulnerable points .

e o f the he e o ut had Som regular doctors, mak s ,

e a d e e more l arning than pr ctical knowle g , and v iled the ir ignorance of disease un der pedantic language

s e and a pompou mann r . “ Harvey supposes the Infant- physician so com ple tely dressed up with School and Acade mic

s s s ornament , and ome new tinkling notion in

the o f his medicine, that you may hear clapper tongue echo from the East to th e Wes t- Gate of your town . Introduce him to a Patient, and grant that he by appuisin g o r resting his ve lve t Body on his

a a fi his n t the J p n crutch, and xing i ellect, by drawing

o a e o e h is e s se e e br d brimmed beav r v r ye , m th to m im ic k a e e decr pit gravity, and by that to w igh

se to the o o f o r e to e him lf down bott m y u b lly, rummag for the disease When he wakes (fo r he has o nly been ’ in s o f s he shall no e dumps) out this brown tudy, mor kno w the Distemper or the cause o f it (though he hath read it in authors twenty t imes) than the skipper that never was towed o n the ocean before pretends to fi his Wa e n e nd out Bermudas by gg aer. Nev rtheless

e u fo r e r r doth he adv nt re to call pap and ink, to figu e

e e down a remedy he never saw b for , being on ly ” th e acquainted with bare name of it . The basis o f truth here was that most English physicians had to gain their experience at the expense o f e th ir earlier patients . The custom for young 1 69 THOMAS SYDENHAM doctors tro m the Universiti es to Spen d a short time at o ne o f the lm do n ho itals was o nl ust be innin sp y j g g,

’ Syde n ham s generation had probably never attended a hm ital he had studied abro ad p unless t y .

“ The o ats take live rs n o m . fla D s C A at y y y g and ; ,

u ca - brains o r o ther rai s as ar i l ngs, lves , ent l , dry, ro t, p bo l o n little partic le s o f them mro ugh a m icro so o pe z then o btm de to t he wo rld in prin t whate ve r fi lse app earances gleam ed into their e yes ; and all this to no o th er end than to be e t a belie f in e o le that , g p p the y who have so pro fo undly dive d in to the bo tto mlw po re s o f the partg m ust undeniably be skilled in curin g ” the ir dis rs tempe .

e o ur i i ec o o s to o R ally, old phys c an b mes alm t modern ! So w e will o nly say that by th is clas of doctors who m he nickname s the Anato m im l

i r o r Head i s Phys d ang Do t ye g Calves D s ecmrs,

' he in te nde d to hit o fi suc h men as Whart o n lisso n , G ,

er an d th e ra t W l i Lo w , g i l s .

Whe n o ur do c to r ta d in ra t a a was s rt e p c ie e it ppe rs, ac co rdin to Harve the ain o in ts ere to ha g y , m p w ve a go o d unders tanding with the apo theearieg an d to

e n re ul rl h be se g a y at c urch . “ Tbe ch urc h do o r shall no so o ne r be o pened but

Mr Do c to r sitti in e t vi ib a a re . n th mo s s le se v e , g g , I 7° MEDICAL PRACTICE

f o as Dea , Dumb, and imm veable if an Apoplexy of

D z o ut o f evotion had sei ed him , which his Apothecary is to raise him by knocking at half- sermon at his pew door to fe tch him away post to a dyin g patie nt ; by which means he draws the e yes of the whole congre gatio n after him ; but instead of going to the pretended House o f Visitation they both drop into a

to s a n cabaret, there pas the f tigue of a fore oon

a o f o e e is be e Sunday . This kn ck c nf d racy to repeat d

a un several Dominic l days, til it hath made an impres s e a he is o f ion of the peopl , th t a man importance, and ” o f s great Physick bu iness .

e a sa o H re ag in, we can only y, how m dern Did

Bo b — e N o lt e mo rf the Sawyer lat c , in Pickwick ” r o n Papers, descend st aight fr m the seventee th

u ! o r is t e in e cent ry it only that human na ur , lik

a in i e n ! circumstances, cts l k ma ner

Several well - kn own physicians o f the time are ’ glanced at in Gideon Harvey s scurrilous carica “ ” r s as who e tu es, uch the Sieur de Tattle, frequ nts

e all s a n o o the conventicl s of sect , making a v st i r ad int

o f Z e s the good opinion the alots, and thu hauls in “ ” o f i . u Phle mati ue shoals pat ents The Sie r g q , who se constant attendance at church with a broad

e s brimmed hat, the littl band, an au tere gravity and

u e him o f dull co nt nance, soon gained the title an

honest, conscientious, knowing physician . These

e e fie e might hav b en identi d by their contemporari s, t c m ac rm tho ugh no by us. But when we o e the 1 7 :

MEDICAL PRACTICE — polished and conciliatory more the manner of a Dorsetshire squire and captain of horse than that o f a courtly physician He was essentially a man o faction

e s i i re o s can wh n mo t phys c ans we m e n f book . We imagin e him taking command o f the sick- room and

h is e t u w o r tw o having orders obey d, wi h a ro gh ord if

s o s thing went wrong . He und ubtedly gained the mo t co mple te confidence o f his patie nts ; of this th e re is

u v e e e his ab ndant e id nce . But it would hav be n by plain hones ty and benevolence an d the ascendancy o f a strong nature rather than by pleasing an d flatte ring.

his e t In treatment he was emin ntly s raightforward . Having made o ut the nature of th e disease he ado p te d

e whatev r means seemed best . Of drugs, bleeding,

s b e was n o t s n and other strong mea ures pari g, but — sometim es would give no medicine at all a proof o f

s u u e s . was s h o u unu al co rage in thos day He trict, t gh n o e a o u e b ut n o t a n s e p d nt, ab t di t, did disd i impl and

o e su e su as air o e o ws. h m ly mea r s, ch fresh and p n wind ”

His n e a is se u is . n e o ly rul was, Wh t u f l good He c

o u to e e n he had rec rse sometimes v ry strang proceedi gs, such as the application o f a puppy do g to give warmth

a o r o f a o r a ir as a to a p tient, even boy g l , the c se

be u i e e e w might . Ro t n and prec d nt had little eight with him ; and th e re was pro bably a grai n o f truth

s us a m o in what was said of him erio ly by Bl ck re, sc o fi n l a e he e his r n g y by Gideon H rv y, that mad it p i

o f e a s c iple to go contrary to the practice oth r physici n . It is plain that such manne rs and practices would r73 THOMAS SYDENHAM

in his fe i not bring him popularity own pro ss on, e e e rs as a specially if he expr ss d in conve ation, he prob bly s s the t did, those trong opinion about faulty prac ice of

te u in i t n ot he rs which so of n occ r h s wri i gs. And his popularity with th e public is not likely to have been t u t u of rapid grow h, tho gh in the end his ri mph was

e i a e o complet . He is ce rta nly not likely to h v s ught to bring himself into notice by the methods satirised by Gideon Harvey such as by pretens ions to a know

o f t he o r in ratia ledge ana omy (which despised) , by g

n l t s ti g himse f with apothecaries, or by ostenta iou

e r gularity in attending public worship. It may be well h e re to e n ume rate those points in ’ e o wn as Syd nham s treatment which were specially his ,

applied to various diseases .

i l - his s o f t F rst, in relation to Sma l pox, ystem reat “ ” l o ment, cal ed the Co ling Method, was certainly

ne w d so e e in England , and acknowledge to be , wh th r

his r . for praise or for blame, by contempo aries We cannot discover that it had been carried o ut in at all

the same way by any Contin e ntal physician . I ts me rit can only be judged in re lation to the tres tm mrt pre vale nt at the time ; and t he matter will be be st ’ e s e n l und r tood if we give it in Syd nham s own E g ish,

his o f - in o f taken from account the Small pox the MS . e i the Coll ge of Physic ans .

“ ON THE TRE TM E T o r Trrs a - x A N sm rt Po .

This I thought fit t to write both in re gard t hat r74 MEDICAL PRACTICE what I forme rly published concerning this dise ase in a

' ran ebres etc booke of mine e n titule d M ethodus cu dr F . was less perfect fo r want of those o pportun ities o f

tho ro wl o s e i e e being y inf rmed, which inc that t m I hav

l s e s 1 66 an d 1 668 plentifu ly had, e pecially in the y ar 7 , in both which the small po x rage d more then scarce ever hath bin kn o wn e ; an d like wise fo r that I am abundantly sens ible of the great m isc hie fes that are dayly don e through mistakes about this disease but

u a is especially about its c re, wherein great pudder

e th e i e i wont to be k pt, and Pat ent fright ned nto the enduring the to rment of bein g ke pt wholl weekes swe ltering in his be dd and o f being burnt up with c d s all ff o r iall . And to noe other e ect oftentimes than ’ o f a o r his s the destruction the P tien t, at best cure appearin g to have bin better then it was by his having

he es bin made worse than needed , both in r pect of those great and dan ge ro se accide nts to which he was u u his sickn ee e is nnecessarily exposed d ring , and lik w e o f the disfiguring impressi o ns remaining oftentimes on his face afte r recovery that otherwise would c e rteynly

a d have bin voide . Truly the just indignatio n I have both at the fo lly

the r e and cruelty of received p actise in this dis ase, provokes me to appeale to the less fallible because common reason of mankind whether the event were

to s s t e o r not be u pected, if the s outest Port r some such ' person under the happiest circumstances o f health and

u u o his s ss fo r vigo r, sho ld be taken fr m bu ine and x75

MEDICAL PRACTICE in e xhibiting to the world the true if n o t the o nly

o f s s e history thi di ease, which before lay ntangled in the obscurity of notions taken up by bookmen and fitte d to Hypotheses whe rewith t hey had prepossessed themselves in their c lo se tts ; as allso in de livering a cure that will render this heretofo re so fatall a disease

s as e s as afe any oth r whatsoever, will be the Q ue tion ’ tis e till tried but noe longer . And till th n I doe not l b li f begg but may reasonably cha lenge a e e e . I know

the t o f s s to write his ory a di ea e is common, but so to doe it as not to deserve th e j ust contempt expressed by

s ratio nall the that great Geniu of nature, Lord Bacon, agaynst some undertakers of the like kind is somewhat

ffi Allso to th e o f more di cult. write cure a disease is

s a so do e as not les ordin ry, but to the same to render men as potent in actions as words will be thought a greater task by those that shall consider that every Praxis abo unds wi th the c ures of those diseases which neither the Auther himself nor any man since could ever cure. But lett me have don the o ne o r the other ever so

l u the e o f exactly, yet neverthe ess I nderstand G nius

s is to o thi age and with what it delighted, well to expect any other reward from men save to be reproached for my paynes, which would have bin bestowed more advanta geously to the acc o mmo dac io n o f e s my fame and interest, ither in the tarting some new supposition to administe r matte r of dispute in

e e to the school s, or else in xhibiting the world the ! 77 N THOMAS SYDENHAM diaco very o f so m e min ute part in the bo dy w hic h was as c o f o f a e as o mu h out the ken former g , it is bey nd the skill o f this to improve the discove ri es o f the lik e nature which are allready made to the ta ll curing o f

e Ho weve r I n o t ff diseas s . shall su er my selfe to be

e s as discouraged by th se con iderations, but lo n g as

Allmi h t l r g y God shall give me life, shall stil p es forward to my avowed end o f doing all th e good I can

n m selfe in my calli g, and shall trust him with y and

e nte rte n in i my concerns, y g in the meane t me a perfect

un dervalluin fo r e e o f contempt and g, either the sc rn s an man u o n acc o un t o r fo r o f y p this , that share lo ss whic h I myselfe (though otherwise noe pro digall o f my fortunes) may susteyne in my practice by disc over f ing what I know or shall ind out, to every body. No w if it shall be sayd that other men that have

e u i se n as much as I, and that have bin f rn shed with suflicien t sagacity and parts to make observations, have ' o f s r thought otherwise the ubject he e handled , I answere its u u e b , that not my b siness to exc se oth rs, ut in o wne s f my defence to atte t matter of act, wherein I am not long able to impose upon the world but ' twill q uic klye be found out whether I have do n a be nefitt to mankind in this and succeeding age s by

e what I have here writt n , or whether like a person of p ro fligated life and manners have drawne upon m y

dm ths m e n s a selfe the of , even when I h ll be in my ’ uid v erba audio cum arts v idcam r grave . But q f is no t

Latino r because , a wiser saying and more exp essive o f 1 78 MEDICAL PRACTICE

n s e the vanity of dwelli g longer upon thi subj ct, then

o f o wne the Proverb our country. The proof of the ’ pudding is in the eating . 66 Wri tten in Juli 1 9 . In some fevers Sydenham followed to a certain

A n es extent a cooling treatment . In g or Inter m itte n ts he e c o n gave Peruvian bark very larg ly, and

a s tributed to bring it into f vour. He was not the fir t

. to physician use it even in England . It had been

Pru ean used by Brady, j , and others some years before

Talbo r Sydenham wrote on Fevers ; and Sir Robert ,

e an unlic nsed practitioner supported by the Court, had made it very popular, though he kept his method of

fi s admin istration a secret. Sydenham in his r t book o n F 1 666 s c o evers, in , spoke of thi remedy with auti n as sometimes useful though dangerous ; but in 1 676

his r had acquire d greater confidence in it . In late years he was no doubt specially distinguished fo r usi n g

s e s to e thi r medy, which he seem have be n the first to

use s th e l as a tonic, in the manner hown by fol owing ’ a e s o i letter to a patient . It lso gives Syd nham pin on

' o f e fiect e fit o f the salutary , in som patients, of a the

— i n t Gout an opinion in wh ch he has o been singular .

“ FOR THE HONOURED MAJOR HAL E

AT s c WALDEN . Leave this at ye Post house in Hitcham in i Hartfordsh re .

Though I am perfectly satisfied that your case is I 79

MEDICAL PRACTICE you shall thin k fit to use this reme dy be pleased to

i . give me not ce thereat, and I shall give order to Mr Malthus to furnish you with that which I can de pend

n upo and shall likewise instruct you how to use it . Be pleased to present my most humble service to

fo r e e u heart l your Lady, and your s lf I co ld y y wish instead of a me rry Christmas that yo u might have a s a the u m rt fit of Gout, which would q ickly dissipate your o the r fe ars and th o se symptoms which if I m is take n o t do e naturally desire and discharge upon the

an d e e o e a o all s Articles, th r f r m ngst tampering that yo u may be put upon at any time I doe adv iz e you to beware of bleeding or Purging as dive rting this bitter

'

e fie c tual v iz the . but most remedy, . Gout

I am, Sir,

s Your mo t humble Servant,

Tao . E M SYD NHA .

e the 1 th Pell M ll, December 7 ,

It m ay be observe d that the use of Bark as a ’ n o t o fi e s a e remedy nly modi ed Syd nham pr ctic , but must have some what change d h is ideas about the action

was to a c of remedies . It impossible expl in its a tion on the o ld Hippocratic principles o f concoction and

a o to a elimin tion . He was bliged call it Specific, and

' efle c ts a s s m seeing its good , hoped th t pecific ight be

o su as discovered for ther diseases, ch Gout . But he

f e a s to re used, for c rt in reason , allow that mercury was

a specific in Syphilis. 1 8 1 THOMAS SYDE NHAM

’ i was s so t Op um a favourite drug o f Syden ham , hat He in

o r ro u i f o f u n vented int d ced a liqu d orm La da um, a a u revio ml use called by his name, the L ud n m p y d

i r r i S den hav ng been a solid p epa at on . The name y ’ ” ham s Laudanum was in use a ce ntury o r two after

death es eciall o n on tinen t and is still f his , p y the C , ound

e in re cent Fr nch and A ustrian pharmaco peias. Old

m man ufi ct ure phar acy jars, of French or Italian , sometimes be ar the inscript ion Laudanum Syden ” l “ hami . This preparation, closely resemb ing Wine o f in a i Opium l ter pharmacope as, has probably made ’ Sydenham s name more widely kn own than any o f his

fo rm o f his a books. He used Opium in the Laud num fo r a variety of diseases in which it was no t usually

e - o x b employ d, such as Small p and Gout, and proba ly

r contributed to bring it into mo e general use. At the same time the famous o ld medicines contai ni n g

u Theriac um o ut f . s ch as , were going of ashion

1 82 ’ Sv n an a a m s Home LIF E A ND LAST Da y s

T see ms now a convenient time to relate what ’ e e o f e s littl is known about the r st Syd nham life,

s l which , like that of mo t doctors, was uneventfu .

As his k his regards family, we now that eldest son , l 1 666 f Wi liam, was born before rom the allusion in “ ” Met ho dus G F e ee u e the urandi br , p blish d in that

o o f a year, where Sydenham, describing his meth d tre ting

Small- pox,says that he would treat in the same way his e t he o f only son , whose life and saf y held more

o f the importance than all the wealth Indies. This

a ff e l - o x 1 6 0 son actu lly su er d from the Sma l p in 7 , and was u s ccessfully treated . “ In 1 685 we find fro m a referen ce in the Observa ” tio nes z t was th e a e o f children Medica hat he f th r . From his will we learn the names of th e two other

a . e is o f sons, Henry and J mes Th re no mention any ’ e i e e other children . Syd nham s w fe must hav di d before him, as she is not mentioned in the will ; but 1 83

HOME LI FE AND LAST DAYS his to th e methods of treatment world . Sydenham

e s s was abov all uch mean consideration , and frankly accepted th e possible injury to himself resulting from this manly self- assertion and conscie ntious e ndeavours

do but e its to good to mankind the odium l ft mark .

e e h e N v rt eless, after making all allowanc s, and admittin g that by studying popularity he might have

e is a was th e mad more money, it plain th t he on

o e e e wh l very successful . His practic k pt him

s a s he e re a s o f con t ntly bu y, and numb d m ny person

s n o a s e di ti cti n mong his patient . Indeed, his lif might have been prono unced in all external res pects pe rfe ctly prosperous but for the troublesome and painful in te r ru tio ns a p c used by his frequent illness es, which to a m an of less resolution might h ave bee n a suffi cient u i exc se for undertak ng no important work .

' He began to sufler from Gout befo re his thirti e th year ; and to this was afterward s adde d the still mo re

ai p nful disease, Calculus. The attacks were certainly

e 1 660 e - e fr quent, for in the summer of (wh n thirty sev n years old) he was laid up fo r some months with a seve re r attack o f Gout th an he had ev er suffe red from

e an d wa a o a e the fi s e befor , it s cc mp ni d for r t tim by ae the e r r o f 1 6 e H maturia . In a ly pa t 77 he had a v ry

se e a o f s s ver att ck Gout, and symptom of tone, which

a a a e e to m de driving in carri g extrem ly painful him .

e These troubles lasted for three months, and compell d

e t i the a u so him to r tire into the coun ry t ll ut mn, that during the who le o f that year he was unable to vis it 1 85 THOMAS SYDENHAM

a i 1 68 1 e u l e . his p t ents . In his h alth was serio s y shak n He tho ught himself getting to o o ld to go beyond his

fo r n co m sitio n own house company, and fou d literary m inc reasingly diffi cult through his mind being unfi tted the fo r serious thought from th e effects o f Gout . In ” Dimertatio Epis to laris published at the beginnin g of

1 682 he if he , he says is obliged to be brief because

to e u wo were indulge in any d ep train of tho ght, it uld w n bring on an attack of Gout . Th e were o ly the severer manifestations o f maladies which must have almos t constantly harassed him .

is no e e r h It wond r, ther fo e, t at Sydenham paid

to e particular attention these two diseases, and mad use of his o wn experience to try an d he lp oth ers

' sufle rin in g the same way . His treatise on Gout is e lsewhere Spoken o f ; we will only set down here the re gimen which he was led to i c adopt as a defence against these compla nts, his ruel foes ; since it gives us some notion of his general habits of life . “ Conce rning the regimen and mod e o f life whic h see m suitable for those who labour under either of

o r l llo i these diseases (Gout Calcu us), I add the fo w ng

il to remarks, being unw ling pass by anything which may be of use to such as are affl icted in the same way l as I am myse f.

s o r two o f On getting out of bed, I drink a di h

tea, and ride , in my coach till noon ; when I return

r home, and refresh myself moderately (for mode ation

1 86 HOME LIFE AND LAST DAYS is the one thing to be always and most strictly observed ) with some sort of easily digestible food that

. a e s I like Immediately fter dinn r, I am accu tomed every day to drink somewhat more than a quarter of a

o f the o f pint Canary wine, to promote concoction

in e a the food the stomach , and to ke p way Gout from h t e e . e e bow ls After dinn r I rid in my coach again , and (unless pre vented by business) drive two o r three

i th e air. miles nto country, to breathe a purer !One o f h is favourite drives was to Acton . ]

o f a s fo r A draught sm ll beer erves my supper, and I re peat this when I am in bed and about to compose

s e o e s my elf to sle p . My bj ct in taking thi draught is to cool and dilute the hot and acrid juices lodged in the e h is kidn y o ut of which t e stone formed . Both at s e s thi time and at dinner, I pref r the hopped mall

h is e e beer to t at which not hopped, how v r thin and

e a e o e mild . For ven if th t mad with ut hops be bett r fitted by its greater softness and smoothness to remove a stone already formed in the kidneys still the h0ppe d

o n o f s beer, account the slightly typtic quali ty which the e i l to e an hopps impart to it, is l ss l ke y gen rate s dy

l s t is or calcu ou mat er, than that without hops, which o f s u u a more limy and m ddy s bstance . On the days

e e r when I take a purg , I din on poultry but d ink my

as s . am e Canary u ual I car ful to go to bed early,

i i e r e e a e espec ally in the w nt , nothing b tt r th n arly

r u and e r n hou s, to accomplish a f ll p fect co coction and to preserve that order and e ven course of life which 1 87

HOME LIFE AN D LAST DAYS

u s in t e e re e s among the b she Bond S r t, and the th y lo t him . ’ This is the o nly re ference to Syden ham s smoking

He v r s o f m se b ut is tobacco . ne e peaks it hi lf ; it not

k his e o e o improbable that, li e gr at c nt mporary, J hn

u s an e e . Milton, he ind lged in the olace of v ning pipe He was at this time living in the ne w ly built s treet

e and Pall Mall, next door to the Pestl Mortar It appears to have been in that part o f the stree t near th e

a r s se bottom of the H yma ket, and thu very clo to the

e The an d present Coll ge of Physicians . Pestle ’ Mo rtar was do ubtless the shop o f Sydenham s worthy

e n a u r n fri d, Mr . M lth s, the apotheca y, whom he mentio s

his o an d dian o f hi i uar . s e in w rks, made the g h rs,

a e the . . a a e c o n o nc stor of Rev T M lthus, the politic l

o f mist . As the south side Pall Mall and Cockspur

ee e e n o t e n u t he u us a e Str t w r th b ilt, ho se m t h v looked ’ s ra t the . s s a fe w t ight in o Mall in St Jame P rk . Very ’ e s e e e d tails of Sydenham home lif hav been r covered, b ut the fragmenta ry anecdotes which follow are o f

some interest .

his e Beside family, Sydenham sometim s had pupils

his e - living in house, one of whom was the w ll known

Dr Do var fi u . , buccaneer and physician, rst compo nder ’ o f the Do var s l u o f immortal Powder, and a thor “ ’ ” his The Ancient Physician s Legacy to Country . Do var has le ft a curious account of how he was treated

for th e Small- pox by Sydenham while living with

a s was him . It ppear that he not allowed to stay in 1 89 THOMAS SYDEN HAM

i n Do var re r bed during the first part of the ll ess . fe s ' ” lace to n . in another p honest Dr . Syde ham w e Another young man who might be alled a discipl ,

a to l i in as, ccording Pu teney, he l ved for a time ’ s was t Sydenham house, Hans Sloane, af erwards

i i i a s as kn ghted, a very dist ngu shed natur li t as well

the the physician, President of Royal Society and of

f o f College of Physicians, and the virtual ounder the

Ma . t a i British Museum ! y we be permit ed, in p ss ng, a word of grateful tribute to Sir Hans for the remark able medical library which he collected The story about Sloane is that when he came up

1 68 t s o n the ti to London (in 4. af er tudying Con

o f nent, he brought a letter introduction to Sydenham .

o m as The letter c mended him a ripe scholar, a good ” . th e botanist, a skilful anatomist Sydenham perused

r o u lette , looked hard at the y ng man, and said “ ’ f n — This is all very ine, but it wo t do Anatomy

s s ! I o ld Botany . Non en e Sir, know an woman in

s t as Covent Garden who understand bo any better, and

o s l for anat my, my butcher can di sect a joint fu l as

is t ff o u well ; no, young man, all this s u y must

o to is e o u can g the bedside, it ther alone y learn

Allowing fo r the exaggeration which is incident to

n o t all anecdotes, the story is improbable. Sydenham,

a r m n however, was afterw rds ve y kind to the pro isi g

n his young physician , and freque tly made him c o m u panion in his favo rite drive to Acton . On o ne I 9O HOME LIFE AND LAST DAYS

occasion Sloane took the opportuni ty o f consulting Sydenham about his project o f a voyage to Jamaica for

o f s i i the purpose tudy ng plants. Sydenham kept s lence . e e r till the coach Stopped in the Gr n Park, whe e

e e Sloan alighted to walk home, and th n burst out

us o to o u No, you m t not g Jamaica ; y had better ’ ” s s as e drown your elf in Ro amund s pond, you go hom . ’ ’ was o f s !Rosamund s pond a piece water in St . James

fo r u s Park, a favourite place s icide ] Sloane, however,

o a r ra ults to did g to Jamaica, and with wh t impo tant

o f t l as the science bo any is we l known , he brought back more new species of plants than any o ne person

to f re was known have collected be o .

t - Ano her well known doctor who, though not an ’ was l i actual pupil of Sydenham s, great y nfluenced by

a a him was Sir Rich rd Blackmore, popular physician

e o f u e I . in the tim s Q een Ann and George , and author o f Prince Arthur and ther dull e pic poems o ” the u all s now forgotten, and b tt of the wit . Black more tells us that when a young man he asked the

e o f n as his u e advic Syde ham to st di s, more especially as to what books he should read to gain a knowledge ’ o f . l medicine Sydenham s reply is we l known, Read ‘ ’ o n i is I e D Q u xote . It a very good book ; r ad it ” s o f s myself still . The obviou meaning thi retort was Read what you like readin g books will never ” Dr. e e make a doctor . Though Johnson, who r p ats

t s ks the the s ory, has some ponderou remar about harm

fli an t s is which such a pp ob ervation might do, it 1 9 1

HOME LIFE AND LAST DAYS

e e as s i his ean n s e Mor ov r, a phy ic an, l i g wer entirely the opposite of w hat would be implie d by the epithet

o r - o a th e o f S de n of pedant book w rm . Perh ps shaft y ’ a s o e the u e h m wit went h me, and d termined f ture b nt

his all r a of mind . At e vents th e e was never more thoroughgoing asserter o f the uselessness o f learning in

e e a o e in a e s m dicin th n was Blackm r ft r year . He

e all the s s e o r threw ov r cla sic , m dical lay, and reno unced e ven the divine old man whom Syde nham

s w o s i s o f almo t rshipped, prote t ng that the writing Hippocrates we re o f n o value to a modern physician an d o his ss us thus g ing much beyond teacher . A iduo ” i he the o s o f s d gging, says, in w rk the eldest phy i

e e l e in th e cians, is lik d lving for si v r mines of Corn

l i l n th e a an d wal , wh ch wil not recompe se l bour

is to expense . It amusing also find Blackmore more “ than once quoting th e i n ge n ious author of Do n ’ 7 ’

’ s Such was th e effect o f an obiter dictum o f Syden ham .

’ One other pupil of Sydenham s may be mentioned

o e . e Barth lom w Beale, son of Mrs Mary Beal , who ’ e a He painted Syd nh m s portrait . afterwards practised

n at Cove try . ’ Another glimpse into Syde nh am s life is given by

u e o e e Dr. Andrew Bro n, already m nti ned, who trav ll d ’ from Scotland to beco me acq uainted with Sydenham s

m o f r s ethods t eatment. The mo t important parti

ar o e e c ulars which he has recorde d e menti ned lsewher . We will only here obse rve that his visit took place in 1 9 3 o THOMAS SYDEN HAM

’ th e n he m 'S e last yea r of Sydenham s life . Ev n the , y ,

o ld e i the physician , though honour d by the adm ration o f f his ro fcs io n most of the eminent men o own p , still felt bitte rly the neglect and opposition which are

o f elsewhere spoken . As years pamed Sydenham became mo re and mo re

o f afilic te d wi th the two diseases alre ady spoken . He found composi tio n increasingly difi c ult and laborious

e his and, we may suppose, was less abl to practise to profession . Still he persevered in doing good ot hers and s triving to advance the science o f

medicine .

la t w i l u l t he The ork, wh ch he himse f p b ished, “ ” r t Schedula Monito ia, begins with hese words “ a a e s Although my dvanced g and con titution,

r s b oken by continual maladies, might have eemed rightly to de mand release from the labour o f thought

e n f and intens meditatio , yet I cannot re rain from endeavouring to relie ve the sufferings of oth e rs even ” ‘ th e car e nse e . o s at p of my own h alth Its closing w rd , which fo llow directions fo r the treatmen t of the

a u l sulfe re d p inf l disease from which he himse f , are And this is about the sum of all I know respect in g

e o f a es to the cur dise s , up the day on which I wri te

e 2 th nam ly, the 9 September,

So his Sydenham laid down pen , and all we can say about the remaining y ears o f his life is that he wrote

no more.

He i o n 2 1 68 his in d ed December 9, 9, at house Pall I 94 HOME LIFE AND LAST DAYS

’

a an d was e 1 5 t . es s M ll, buried, D cember g , in St Jam

m s n o w e e as Church, West in ter, g n rally known ’ . es l St Jam s, Piccadil y. The original monument or inscription which

a ed his s e a e was m rk grave having di appear d, a t bl t

a e the e e e s s pl c d at xp nse of the Coll ge of Phy ician ,

f n e Who se with the ollowi g pitaph . actually compo d

is but e was it not recorded, v ry probably it Sir Henry

a f e f H l ord, who insert d the fine phrase adapted rom a —“ ” “ line in Horace medians in omne m um nobilis ( a physician famous fo r all time

n o n : nurse LOC UM se ro t ‘ro s e ar

'ruo sin a sv nm an u

mz nrc us m 0m m .e vuu n o u n s

NATUS ERAT a m. 1 62 4

1 ' e ro 6 v x1 r m t s 5 .

e xam s ve re in s sn o re “ : vz srre us.

N: an m u o am ran -e arne r

no e m amo a PO N! Jussrr c o n t o ur“

nae /tn m me o nun mo no m e rs“ A.D. 1 8 1 0

' o r m u m u ro .

I 9S

SYDEN HAM ’ S WILL

to his e are equal shares thre children, whose names

n a give as Thomas, Barbara, and Henrietta M ria . The Hertfo rdshire property was to go to the three

in e a s e l e a u children qu l har s direct y . Dani l M lth s was to be the guardian o f these children during thei r

was i e 1 0 a fo r h is minority, and to rece v £ year

sum o f 2 0 trouble . A £ to buy him a piece of plate,

o f e t was s in memory the t s ator, also left to thi faithful

s e friend, with warm expression of confidenc and

friendship .

e 0 Another l gacy of 3 was left to James Thornhill , ’ e o s e son of Mary Thornhill, the t stat r ni ce, to bind

s o r t him apprentice to ome profession rade . The

s e was to ll a e nh a whole personal e tat left Wi i m Syd m ,

as the e e u who w made sol ex c tor .

l e 2 1 68 th e e r By a codici , dated Nov mber 9, 9, y a ly s um payable to Daniel Malth us was re d uce d to £ 5

ns ea o f 1 0 s e a the sum i t d £ , in con id ration th t larger

a e might be too great a charge upon the est t . Also ’ e s was u 0 H nry Sydenham portion red ced by {I5 , “ which had been already given him fo r an adve n

ture .

' The e flec t the general of will was that Sydenham,

da e according to the custom of the y, left nearly very

his the u e thing to eldest son, two yo ng r receiving

t e r as only small portio ns. But as h e w no preference

e e s e the e o n is e giv n to h ir mal in next gen rati , it vident that Sydenham did not entertain the ambition of ” “ i found ng a family . 1 9 7 THOMAS SYDENHAM

v o f e no t iven b ut the The total alue the state is g , as Leicestershire property alone was worth in modern

00 is t Wi ll m money about J£4 a year, it clear hat ia

l o a i Sydenham was we l pr vided for . At the s me t me th e whole es tate probably did no t represent a large

e c i fortun for a su cessful phys cian .

to n in i With respect the perso s mentioned the w ll, we may observe that Henry Sydenham was evide n tly

i the o un w a merchant in Spain , wh le James, y g

n o t r i brother, was possibly of age when his fathe d ed, as his no t fo r portion was to be paid two years.

r - ti th e James Thornhill, the g eat nephew men oned in

e i t will, adopted the prof ss on of painter, and was af er

s - l n ward well known as Sir James Thornhi l, an emi ent

s e e in t arti t in his day, who was mployed in d corat g he ’ s His e a interior of St . Paul Cathedral. daught r m rried i a greater art st, William Hogarth, and thus another eminent name is introduced into the Syde nh am pedigree. ’ n Daniel Malthus was an apothecary, Syde ham s i w h neighbour in Pall Mall, and his intimate fr end, o probably owed his success in businm largely to t he

o f h s t n patronage the great p y ician . His son, chris e ed

a t the Sydenham M lthus, was the ances or of R ev .

rhe t o f Thomas Malthus, political economist, au hor “ ” the celebrated Essays on Populatio n . Our kno wledge of the family and dmce ndan ts o f

is The s Sydenham very scanty . only son who e t is l n a fortunes can be raced further Wi liam Syde h m, 1 98 SYDEN HAM ’S WILL

l is e and but litt e known about him . He must hav

1 6 6 o r 1 6 o r been born about 5 5 7, and became in

1 6 r about 74. a pensioner of Pemb oke College, Cam

e his was bridge, the same coll ge with which father incorporated in 1 676 for the purpo se of taking his ’ Mun s e e . lt o doctor d gre Dr . , in his Roll of the C llege " o f i s e Physic ans, tates that William Syd nham seems to have left th e Univers ity without taking a degree ’ s o r e e t s either in Art M dicin , but ob ained a doctor de gree fro m some foreign University and became

at o f the e o f s i s o 2 Licenti e Coll ge Phy ic an N vember 9 ,

1 6 8 I n 1 6 1 o f his a e 7 . 9 he presented a portrait f th r

c a se s to the College . He ert inly practi d as a phy ician ,

sa whether in London or elsewhere we cannot y . He

s a o 1 8 as his appear to have died b ut 73 , in that year

e We name disappears fro m the Coll ge List. find that

i l ratrum a Mr . W l iam Sydenham was buried at Toller F

e t in which may have m ant the doc or, but

e possibly it may have be n a cousin . ’ Sydenham took a great interes t in his son s pro

fessio nal his his career, and compiled for use ”

th e r e . a posthumous work, P oc ssus Integri Willi m Sydenham published in 1 7 1 9 a little book e ntitled “ ” Praxeo s S den ham i n Compendium y , contai ing a

s the s and fe w emendation to book ju t mentioned ,

’ some additional formula derived from his fath e r s

o l o fo a manuscripts . It is a mere c l ecti n of rmul in

n o at ta o tt . i L in, con ining no riginal ma er An i tr duct on

a s i was supplied by Dr . Walter H rri , an enthus astic l 99

’ Sv n s nn a m s POSTHUMOUS WORK S

’ F we were asked which o f Sydenh am s works has bee n most popular an d has had the most in f we to n the s luence, should have mentio mall work

s e e his e e e us e publi h d aft r d ath, ntitl d, Process Int gri

m o rbis e o s c uran dis 1 6 in fer mnibu , London , 9 3 .

e e s r n a s ise s Compl t method for t eati g lmo t all d ase .

is n re e The history of it i te sting . This littl com pe ndium (for it is a tiny vo l ume) was written o ut by

e fo r use s e fo r Syd nham the of thi son, but deliver d

s e to . te af keeping a friend, Dr Monfort, who edi d

u and published it . Monfort first had abo t twenty

e copi s printed for distribution among private friends . In some way a copy came into the hands of the

i s o f e e publ sher a German rudit journal, the Miscellanea Cariora of Nuremberg w ho reprinted

l n h ei a f . it in t r journ , but in an i convenient orm

o o th e M nf rt thereupon, with the approbation of

o f College Physicians, published a regular edition 2 0 ! THOMAS SYDENHAM

1 6 in 9 3, which was followed two years later by a

n e le seco d . The success was r markab . Salmon, the “ " t ho rm nds English translator, tells us that many

o f t o e i these w Latin editions wer sold. The Engl sh l ’ ra i . e t o f t nslat on, ca led Dr Syd nham s Prac ice ” e r 1 6 had aka Physick, app a ed in 95 , and probably

i was s c a large sale . Th s a remarkable u cess for a

medical book in those days. Very numerous editions

a e i e have since ppeared, both her and on the Con t n nt . This little volume was t he Vade Mcc um o f

e English physicians for mor than a century . Th e present writer c an ev e n remember an Oxford medical

d c o m student who, in his a miration for Sydenham, “ ” m itted large portions of the Process us Integri to

is to sa w as no t memory . It right y that his example

e generally follow d . Certainly nothi ng could be more suited to be a

i in o f i guide for pract ce, s ce it consists an abr dgment ’ a s o n e o f i e e of all Sydenh m precepts the tr atment d s as ,

i n to omitting explanat o s and discussions, so as be t s reduced o the sm allest possible compa s. Suc h abridgments are gene rally the work o f compile rs ; rarely has a great writer himself prepared suc h a

hi n concentrated essence of s o w works. In the second and subsequent editio ns are added

r o ne o n two short chapte s, Phthisis, the other o n

Gout . The former must have been ex tracted (and ’ S s MS s e . i tran lat d) by Monfort from ydenham , s nce it agrees very closely with an English chapter in 2 02 SYDENHAM ’ S POSTHUMOUS WORKS

the Oxford MS . elsewhere spoken of. The chapter ' on Gout is essentially an abridgment o f Sydenham s “ ” Tractatus de Podagra . It mentions ho w Syde n ham (spoken o f as autor c larissim us treated himself

fo r ut s su the Go . Thi has been pposed by a modern writer to show that the Processus Integri was not ' h o wn Syden am s composition . But the explanation

is obvious.

“ a n ac n o r a SYDENHAMI AN A .

’ a s Some other medical observations of Sydenh m ,

l the ea 1 8 not published ti l y r 45 , have a curious

The history . late Dr. Greenhill, one of the most learned physic ians and most exact medical scholars

a o d o e o th t this c untry ever produce , disc ver d am ng

he a a the Rawlinson MSS . in t Bodlei n Library small ’ e s E s s volum in cribed, xtract of Sydenham Physick ” o s o n s s Books and s me good letter variou subject , i which contains notes on var ous medical topics. The

l a n y writer was evidently wel acqu i ted with S denham, and states that he compiled these notes partly from ’ s in 1 68 2 - Sydenham dictation the years 3, and partly ’ o f e from certain MS . notes Syd nham s to which he 6 had e s 1 0 . s v acc s , written before 7 On thi e idence, together with re markable co incidences betwee n these ’ notes an d o ther passages in Sydenham s printed o r

n s u es n un printed writi g , there co ld be no qu tio of

r e t t . has s the i auth n ici y But Mr . Fox Bourne ince

r to added a new inte est this MS . by showing that the 2 03

SYDENHAM ’ S PO STHUMOUS WORKS

e s fi ue are body had som peci c virt . Several cases ’ e record d in Sydenham s own English . “ a e ee s One Mr. Little had a fever bout sev n w k , and at the time was so far spent that his doctor judged

D n a e Ma . He n him a ad was ancient, and h vi g been

h i i s as ea treated wit v olent med cament , was w k as ever

an a I saw y that recovered . Other treatment h ving

e i o r e fail d, I told his w fe that n thing could p eserv

is she h life but the putting a bo y to bed to him. So procured a Link Boy to lie very close to him all

e n night . The n xt morni g I fo und his fever almost o ff an d his e e an d e , y countenance mor lively, upon

e Ye t which I pronounced all dange r to b over.

s n the o f afterward , upo recess the boy, he began to

bo i relapse, but the y being got again , w thout any

e more treatm nt he perfectly recovered . ’ wa s The same y he cured Bishop Monk lady, an a o f e l ged woman a very fe b e and thin habit of body, so weakened by an Ague that her physicians looke d

e a th e n upon her as dead . Syd nh m told doctor nothi g could save he r life but a Spe edy transplantation o f

s he r a some young pirits upon . Accordingly girl

was l of thirteen years put in c ose to her breast, upon

e s e n which she recov ered v ry pe dily. Unfortu ately

s t e th e girl fell ick, which was at ribut d to her lying with the lady ; but Sydenham was confident to the

the r o t ell. contrary, and gi l in the end g w Thwe cases m ay be regarded as among the curiosities o f me dical practice . 2 05 THOMAS SYDE NHAM

O ne very remarkable statement is made about a

Alexi harmaca D. D. h a certain Tinctura p Syden m,

o i is ive n for which a very elab rate prescript o n g . Of this Sydenham is made to say that when in Sco tland l i is so he used a gallon of it . No other a lus on known ' n m a a Sydenham s havi g been in Scotland , but it y h ve

War been when he was serving in the second .

te the x m aid so One chap r on Nephritic Paro ys , s be ’ o f m te 1 6 0 is taken from a MS . Sydenha s writ n in 7 ,

i e l e the e l t ra ly th sam e as a pasa ge in MS. of t h

o f s t e c ie College Physician , and mus have be n op d — by Lo cke from that a co i ncidence whic h co nfirms the authenticity of both documents . ” ' rn ao no c u aarro wau s.

Among the writings of Sydenham un publishe d during his lifet ime reference must be made to a ” n Theo lo ia Ratio nalis manuscript treatise, e titled , g , by Dr . Thomas Sydenham . This was prin ted in ' ’ d s Dr. Latham s English edition of Sy enham works

th r from an MS . in e Cambridge University Lib ary .

e the i is Anoth r copy, slightly more complete, is in B r t h

s a a Mu eum . Both re in more modern handwriting ’ d s the c o n than Sy enham time, but work must be sidere d to o is to belong to the author wh m it attributed , unle m an can the nt y reason be shown to co rary . The work is a fragment o f a Treatise o n Nat ural

’ i to r i n c e Theology, des gned p ove, on rat o al prin i pl s, the Go d the o s existence of and imm rtality of the oul, 2 06 SYDENHAM ’ S POSTHUMOUS WORKS an d the nce to deduce reasons for a virtuous life . The style and sentiments are pe rfectly consistent with

a wh t we know of Sydenham , and it seems reasonable

o u to suppose that he was the auth r . But witho t

the the discussing matter, we will leave reader to judge by copying the opening paragraphs .

s ho w far the o f u it The que tion is, light Nat re,

e e t e closely advert d to, may be extend d toward h making good men ! Toward the determinin g of

s is s fo r n which, thi all that hall be taken gra ted

viz . is i by me, , that he a w se and thinking man,

t s . whoever he may be, hat sets upon thi enquiry “ Such a man must needs think thus with himself. I see that there is a most perfe ct and e xq uisite order in th e several natures o f the world fully conducing to

v the preser ation of their individual beings, and to the

propagation of their kinds . In all which they con tribute nothin g th e mse lves by th e ir o wn counsel] o r

e in ho w are o r contrivanc , as not know g they made

i e t e i s how cont nu d in heir b ng . And therefore I am e nforce d to th ink that some thin g which is par take r of admirable wisdom and power is the con trive r

e and mak r of them . But further, considering not

o a fi s s nly the rti ce, by which the e particular bodie which I se e and converse with are made with respect

a o f l if of e ch them to its se f ; but likewise that art ice, by which each of them hath some s ubservience o ne to

h r anot e for safeguard, food and other convenience,

was I am still led into greater certainty, that there 2 0 7

SYDENHAM ’S POSTHUMOUS WORKS in the British Museum ; o n e (to Locke ) among th e

a s a s at ffi was Sh fte bury P per the Record O ce . One

o ss ss o a e un an d a o in the p e i n of the l t Dr. M k, phot

a fa s o f was s d gr phic c imile it publi he by the late Sir B .

a s his e a e is a s W . Rich rd on in Ascl pi d . Th re l o

’ ’ a Conrz lz um a o n ase o f o by Sydenh m, the c L rd

a es u o af s a s. Sh ft b ry, am ng the Sh te bury P per

2 09 I N q 'r LAN GUAG E n rn SYD ENHAM V

HE question in what language Syden wrote his books is a very curio us o ne

e ub been much debated . They w re all p

i as e E rs o Lat n , we hav seen ; the nglish ve i appeared later being direct translation s fro Si nce nearly all books written by physicians o ut e r i E urope wer in Latin , the e was noth n

and d t 0 ing in this, it had the great a van age his works at once available for the who lc w o an d a trc rld . Only surgical books p pular

t s ua health, with the lit le pamphlet of the q

i . th e r in Engl sh Moreover, Latin was curre o f s e s Universitie and learn d bodie everywhere.

e s proceedings, d bates in convocation, di i

t . examinations, and many lec ures were alway

e i 1 the learned language . The R g ster and the College of Physicians were kept in La

o f th e s En the end eventeenth century, when used on the recommendation of the legal in 2 1 0 IN WHAT LANGUAGE DI D HE WRITE !

l the Col ege, in order to avoid the uncertainty arising

t o f The from the ambigui y many Latin phrases. annual Harveian oration was given in Latin up to the ’ o n o r o n year 1 865 . H arvey s w notes f his lectures

a i he anatomy are still extant, and are in L t n , though now and then breaks into Englis h under the exigency o f difli ult the s a i some c point. At ho pit ls phys cian s

o t o f h fo r we used to dictate Latin n es t eir cases, hear

n o f n that at the beginni g the ni eteenth century Dr . ’ l o f o s i fo r We ls St . Th mas Hosp tal was noted the e legance of his Latin as compared with that o f his

e colleagu s . In the Universities the custom was of course still ’ so s more general and permanent, that in Sydenham time a sort o f colloquial knowle dge o f Latin must have been essential for taking part in any Unive rsity pro

din To t s da s c ee gs. hi y a peaker in Convocation at

o is s to to s e s Oxf rd suppo ed ask leave p ak in Engli h . On the Continen t the custom of lecturing in Latin

i o f has q uite recently d ed out . Within the memory

o ne o f o a s o n i e living men , the f rm l lecture medic n in

s a Ge rman University was alway given in Latin . The present writer has heard a hospital physician in Vie nn a use Latin when speaking by the bedside if there was anythin g he did not wish the patient to understand ; and since s uch remarks were often of

i e the ominous mean ng, it used to be said that wh n

a u his patient heard the doctor talk L tin, he tho ght case was hopeless. 2 1 !

IN WHAT LANGUAGE DI D HE WRITE !

an d a e the two only, Hippocrates G l n ; former very

o n i e auda e frequently and fte w th som l tory pithet, the

e e and o e latt r only thre times on min r points . Aristotl

is e o Are t at us s are quoted onc nly . and Cel us never

o e nce referr d to .

The allusions to and q uotations from n o n - medical ’ s e was e s classics are more numerou . Cic ro Syd nham “ favo urite autho r ; he calls him the author I most

a the ea e dmire, as great t ch r both in thought and

e s his language, the first g niu of own and perhaps of all ”

s . es f m e e age Besid him we ind na d or quoted Hom r,

ia Luc n, Theocritus, Virgil, Horace, Lucretius,

n i Juve al, Seneca, Pers us, and Boethius. Among

e r i s o f e mod n Lat n writer the names Politian , Scalig r,

and Bacon occur. In addition we frequently come

r s a o r l ac oss current clas ic l phrases, in modern anguage ” ’

s s e n Dr. tags, ome of which Sydenham l ar ed editor,

l has a s . Greenhil , traced to the Ad gia of Erasmu Perhaps some of the minor class ical quotations may

a e s o r s h v been derived from the ame, from imilar

sources . N o w eve n allowing that some o f the quotatio ns

e e is h s s wer mad at second hand, it clear that t i hows

e an e e a wid r g of classical reading, and if wid reading implie d a corresponding ability in com pos itio n there ’ co uld be no ques tion of Syde nham s competen ce to i write his own works in Lat n . But we know that bei ng able to read a language and bein g able to write

it are by no mean s the same thing . 2 1 3 THOM AS SYDEN HAM

‘ hand the re e i m m On the other , are sev ral pos tive

in in E l h and ments that Sydenham wrote orig ally ng is , r fi had his works put into Latin by othe s. The rst

in S l ea occurs the pamphlet by Henry tubbe, a r dy

e i c n m ntione d . Q uot ng a senten e from Syde ham, he “ ’ s t u he in i but ano t he r ays, Tis r e did not pen it Lat n,

his il that . fo r him (Mr. G . H ) ; and perhaps sk l in tongue may not be such as to know when his th o ugh ts ” are t o f an d righ ly worded. This is, course, rude,

s e e is difiie nlt u meant to be di agre abl , but it to s ppose that Stubbe mere ly invented the story . Mr. G . ” . s o f i H evidently mean Gilbert Havers, Tr nity

l w e e . Co lege, Cambridge, of whom h ar again The second statement on the subject is a very

fi o ne in - de nite . Dr . John Ward, a well known work, “ ” o f the e o o f e l the Lives Prof ss rs Gr sham Co lege, ’

1 0 t . s w n published in 74 , asser ed that Dr Sydenham or were written in English and translated into Latin by

Ma l to f o ne o f h i e . e t s i . Dr p , med cal fri nds, and M r

s e a e e Havers. This tatem nt h ving b en challeng d,

' e Gen tle man s M a az ine e Ward r plied in the g , and th re su e his v e Re v pport d position by the e id nce of the .

o Ma let o ft so n o f th e o fi t a J hn p , doct r, who testi ed h t ’ his father claimed to have tran slated all Syden ham s

s in o s work contained the v lume of 1 683. Thi volume ’ includes all the works published in the aut hor s life “ ” e the n t a th e time, exc pt Schedula Mo i ori , which

o Ma le to ft th e u o f y unger p had heard on a thority D r . Montfort (editor of the P rocessus Inte gri to hav e 2 1 4 IN WHAT LANGUAGE DID HE WRITE !

r fi e Havc rs . t the been t anslat d by Mr . He excep ed rst book o n th e Treatment of Fev e rs because at

the o f r Ma le to ft date its publication D . p did not

know Sydenham . But this is the very book to which ' Stubbe s rude innuendo abov e quoted refe rs ; so that

e o f Ma le to ft e thes statements p and Stubbe, tak n

r e togethe , cover the whole of the works publish d in ’ e s i an d e s e Syd nham lifet me, positiv ly as ert that th y were

w t n Lit not rit e in tin by Sydenham himself. The posthumous Processus Inte gri is said to ’ n e have bee printed from Syd nham s own manuscript, but this is almost entirely taken from his previous

an d so h works ; , t ough it is in Latin, it hardly raises

e i difiic ult see the qu st on of authorship . It is to what

can be said against statements as positive as these . ’ The only definite amertio n o f Sydenham s having written Latin is a report at second hand that a number

r n e addres e d of letters w itte by him in el gant Latin,

r e to Dr . Baldwin Hamey, we e still xtant in the

e e e ighteenth c n tury . B ut these letters can no long r

o and o a e to a be f und, th ugh many letters ddr ssed H mey

s e is are pre erved in the College of Physicians, th re

is e none from Sydenham . It curious also that very ’ scrap o f Syden ham s handwri ting now known is in

s Engli h . The mo s t important manuscript in English beari n g ’ Syde nham s name is one in the library of the College o f i As to Phys cians . the authorship there can be no

o e is doubt, th ugh the id ntity of the handwriting open 2 1 5

IN WHAT LA NGUAGE DID HE WRITE ! but weare also a body that is made up of the grease

e is and vil parts thereof, and necessarily determined to that suddain chan ge and dissolution where un to the laws o f its constitution have subjected the whole. “ e s an ] a u But neverth le s I have intellectual n t re, which incessantly aspires afte r anothe r and that

o a s e an d s a m re h ppy tat of being, beside its know ledge o f a future happin ess is furnishe d with faculties su e t n e it d to the at ainme t th reof, if in compliance

th e e with r vealed will of God in Christ, and the innate laws of its o wn e o riginall purity it shall

a u e o o f vanquish the irregul r s gg sti ns my body, to which fo r a while it is coupled : and managing bot h

e a due its self , and th t, under a obedience to that will

' s a th e a and those laws, h ll employe utmost f culties of

the s r e e ff le in both in adoring up em and in ab being,

the i tu . practis ng of vir e, and in doing good to men

s so c fin de as Thi being , I it highly imports me, I am h l to a Physician , not only wit all my might to buck e an indus trio us manage ment o f my calling for the

e o f a e e se the present ben fit my p ti nts, but lik wi to

da l e o f th e a its e fo r the y y improv ment f culty self , more universal] bene fit o f man kin de when I shall be

a m a ere th e s s de d . In co pli nce, th for, with en e I have

o f a is ut e n s se t wh t my d y her i , I hall, God willing, do wne the most usefull observations which I h ave or

i es As to shall make touchin g d seases or their cur . the faithfulln esse wherewith I shall do e the same I shall not need therein to beg the good opinio n of any 2 1 7 THOMAS SYDENHAM

sa in f hi man , by y g I should be a raid of anyt ng I write to en taile upon my selfe the deaths o f men ev en when I ahall be in my grave ; bu t shall appeale to the o bservations of others (provided the y be n o t super!

ficiall i o z as i i ), for the j ust fying my wne I can l kew se

to o wne o i fo r i m v doe my c nsc ence, the s ngle ai e I ha e at the benefit of man kin de herein : being sensible t hat I have no t been intrusted by God with these talents o r skill how ma ne soever they are which I have

e o ut e rec ived , to lay them as I list ither towards the acquiring riches or applause but to doe good in the

world. B ut be my end what it will, sure I am that I do here in a little present even to the ingrate full and supine th e product of all my great and scare travail

i s me ane tim e both of m nde and body, and perhap in the am so well acquainte d with the c usto mes of this c vill

c fo r h t world, that I lo ke for noe other reward here w a

r a vil f in a I doe than their rep o ching and y y g my l bours. ’ tis no e m atter I w t B ut , expect my re ard in a be ter

s e e and w sha l ab tat of b ing, in a world here I l be cap le

’ e a i o f of true f licity, in which neither the ire nor d rt ” c this ould have instated me .

We will give also two or three sentences from the

o iwe lf e the o i assa w rk , which are r ally rig nals of p a ” g O bservatio n s in the e , and se e ho w they bear o n the

u o f s r q estion language. It seem clea that Sydenham

e s wro t a plain English tyle, which was rendered into ambiti o us and rhetorical Latin with many use le m 2 1 8 IN WHAT LANGUAGE DID HE WRITE !

o t fo r o f rnamen s, all which the translator must have

s o been re p nsible .

a e For inst nce, Sydenham sp ak ing of fevers, observes ' ff s ve that they di er from each other in uc cm years,

k e e e a unli e other diseas s, and unlike speci s of veg t bles

which are the same in any year whatsoever . He gives

two s reasons in support of thi , and then says Both which doe evin ce that they are of a quite ” ffe e di rent g nius and nature . This plain sentence ap pears in the Latin as follows Ex quibus constat morbos ho sce u tur q uadan ten us specie e t sym pto matis alien a: admo dum m e indo lis ct ” din e r: at c lu in m p ir. “ i l as ff c Th s ast phrase, di erent as oins from Lupines (flat seeds which were used o n the Roman s s e a tage as ubstitutes for mon y), com from Horace, “ ” is on e o f n and just the traditio al quotations, or tags, with which a conven tional Latin writ er would swell o ut his h was phrase. It is not in the Englis , and

a cle rly added by the translator .

So e Mm les . in sp aking of , the English MS says “ quite simply : This disease begins with a rigor and

o f horror, and an inequality heat and cold, which the ” t v r l s r firs day se e a time succeed one anothe . In the Latin this paw nge appears as follows

e t ho rro re calo ris ue e t ua A rigor a que , q frigoris, q se e x e llun t in z ualitate tra e die s : mutuo primo die p , q g

2 1 9

IN WHAT LANGUAGE DID HE WRITE !

It is needless to inquire why Syde nham did not

his o l o his acknowledge b igati ns to Latin translators, but pro bably it would not have been tho ught by any o n o e at that time a matte r of great imp rtance . ’ It may be tho ught that this question o f Sydenham s s l i u ty e s not n o w o f much co nseq en ce . But it must always be a matter o f interest to know wheth e r we have before us the actual words o f an author whom we

r o n e s To e admire o r th e wo ds of so me el e . som readers it has appe are d t hat the pretentious and ’ artificial s tyle of Syde nham s Latin works is both

i e an d n i n t resom u attractive itself, and not what we

’ should earpec t from the author s simple and manly

is a f a was character . It satis action to know th t it not ’ o ur n o n n a e English physicia s w la gu g . The pedantry

r and hetoric belonged to the translator . ’ Of Syde n ham s English we hav e n o specime n which

was a u l e e fo r the es an d ul ct a ly pr par d pr s, it wo d be hardly fair to tak e the ro ugh notes above re fe rred to

as a e Th e what he would h v finally approved .

e s sentences are som time terribly long, and the syntax

l s o s s invo ved, if not que ti nable ; but the e blemi hes

e e e e th e - if might hav be n r mov d by press reader, not

the u o f i by a th r himsel , before publ cation . When

m i as e co b ned, th y unmistakably are, with rugged

r e an d o s o na u o f s o fo c , cca i l pict resqueness expres i n , t u u o f r l o s ee and wi h s dden o tbursts e igi u f ling, the style is characteris tic of his age and of his

party . SYD ENHAM AND Hrrro caan s

YDEN HAM e i i e l , as we have se n , pr ded h ms f studying diseases wi thout any preconceived b y; i N thes s, and recording plain matter of fact . o do n

e his a uc d to e lat th se were ims, and he s cee ed a v ry

had he s ee d extent in attaining them . But ucc completely he would have done mo re than a

o f e v att e m observer Nature has ev r achie ed . The

u e u re io ns to re to look at nat r witho t p po sses , and c s

so - f t u e ide only called acts wi ho t xplanation, is an

ea a No one has ever completely r lise d it. We c n avoid usin g the forms of thought be queathed by e

r o so to e th ro pre de cesso s, l oking at Nature, sp ak, w

s a The d e s c w their pect cles . very wor s Dis a e, F Epidemic are the outcome o f a long pm observation and deduction . To say that a patie nt I

is m n f a fever a co plicated inference, far i deed rt “ " a e n being plain st t me t of fact . Sydenham in studying disease carefully gu rd SYDENHAM AND HIPPOCRATES

' himself agains t bein g biassed by the hypotheti cal

i s da He u explanat on current in his y . wo ld not accept the tradition al class ification o f fevers derive d from o ld

s to Greek and Arabian medicine . He refu ed regard

r e o f e e Fever as a me e proc ss f rmentation, lik the

e o r u i ch mical school, as res lt ng from the collision of

o discot part icles like the mechanical scho l . B ut to avoid making any assum mio n as to the

a r o f s ne r o r o f n tu e disea e ge ally, Fever specially,

his to beyond power . He was obliged take a great “ ” e . o f e s d al for granted The heir all the ag , coming

o f e ti n r after a long series inv s gators and thi ke s, must

fo r was do so . What Sydenham took granted the

o f i rate s no medical system H ppoc s . He howed

s l t re pect for and hard y quoted any other ancient wri er, and passed by the modems in still more contemptuous

e to o to sa a silenc . It is hardly much y th t Sydenham “ ” regarded the divine old m an as not only the earliest but th e only physician before himself who had been

n quite o the right track . Later physicians had all erred

u s i more or less, though in the co r e of the r wanderings

i a e they m ght h ve pick d up some valuable truths.

r to It seems wo th while, then, inquire for a moment what it was in Hippocrates that Sydenham valued so

highly . The o ne feature in the Hippocratic writings (it is

st ill difi c ult to say what . Hippocrates actually wrote) which dis tinguishes them from many other ancient medical c lm ics is that they contain a large number 2 2 3

SYDENHAM AND HIPPOCRATES

the The s o bse r Father of Medicine . only previou vatio ns o n th e subject in modern times had bee n

a e o r Ballo n ius 1 0 to 1 m d by Baillou , from 5 7 5 79 , but

e is no e e a th re vid nce th t Syde nham kne w of them . If w hat h as been here sk e tched o ut were th e whole

s e to sy tem of Hippocrates, and if our id a of him were

o e o n e u es a be f und d these f at r alone, he would appe r

as e o e s a pure clinical observer, coll cting bs rvation and drawing in ductions after the manner of mode rn

e n e v s he was sci c . Some ha e thought that thi is what

an d n e s but e was u e e si nothi g l e, th re q it anoth r de to

e s be Hippocrat s which hould not forgotten , the

do ma tic e s a s was g sid , and with thi l o Sydenham

e e conc rn d . Hippocrates was regarde d in antiquity as the

o f under and chie f of the dogmatic school of Medicine .

He au an e e s s e m e t ght laborat y t m of dical theory,

e e o e e e o b ut certainly not d riv d fr m xperi nc al ne, from

s u a . s s s e n e e as pec lation lso Thi y t m explai ed .dis as s “ ” disturbances o f four imaginary humours o r e le mentary principles o r the body : their concoctio n

o r u o f e o r digestion, the prod ction a d termination “ ” s e so crisi , the discharg of a morbid material, and

forth ; much to o large a subj e ct to discuss here .

s th e so - u a o Thi , called H moral P thol gy, has utterly

s is diflic ult fo r the e man pa sed away, and it mod rn

e e e B ut o v n to und rs tand it . it was accepted with ut

s n e th e que tio by Syd nham , who generally used tradition al te rminology of this syste m in describing 2 2 5 Q THOMAS SYDEN HAM

s e ffi u cc any disease . Perhap it would hav been di c lt use any other express ions ; and Syden ham m ay bavr ' ’ treated the sys tem as a sort o f wo rln n g hyp othe sis . But it is no t able that he never re gards the Hipp o c ratit dogma as a hypothesis lik e the modern hypotheses and speculations agains t whic h he was so fond o f i n nveighi g . O n e principle deriv e d from Hippocrates occupies so ' s st important a place in Sydenham method, that it mu

s e s is the s le be eparat ly poken of. It famou princip ” s e e in that Nature cure dis ases, not found precis ly

se e two tho words in Hippocrates, but deducibl from o r t ree e n e The e o f 3 h xpressio s somewhat lik it. id a v i: medicatrix nature s ha re , in ome form or other, s p

i all o e va led ver the world . It merely expresses th fad

s s c to an en d t sic lt that mo t disease ome , and mos people re cov e r without the aid o f art ; and n o o the n

s sa a N at urr cau e of recovery bei ng apparent, we y th t

e cures th e diseas . But what was meant by Hippocrates an d Syde n han w as some thing more de finite ; it was that th e m eans

’ by which Nature e fle c ts her cures are ce rtain o f t ha

ss s i th e e r proce es con titut ng dis ase, while other p oce sse

e ffe o f r n are the ct the disease itself, and me ely i j uri o us How were the two kinds of process& to be dis tin guished The salutary processes or natural methods o f c un

e s r b wer those by which omething, p esuma ly th e

e a th e was e i o r matt r c using disease, lim nated cast o n 2 2 6 SYDENHAM AND HIPPOCRATES

th e o r s th e e s of b dy th ough ome of natural chann l ,

u s o r s The prod cing variou m bid di charges . Hippo c ratic s th o ught th e y o bse rved that such discharges ofte n occ urre d at the turn ing- po int o r crisis of th e

e . e e e a a u critical e a a s diseas H nc th y t lked bo t v cu tion , critical s e an d so o r an d s a e o r i e a w ats, f th, t t d mpli d th t

v such pro cesses w e re fo llo wed by reco e ry . By th ese co ns ide rations we can unde rstand Syde n ’ “ ham s famous d e finitio n o f a disease as a n {fort qf

N ature striv in w ith all her mi ht to restore the atient , g g p ” b the elimination the morbi c m tter y qf fi a . This might seem to apply o nly to acute diseases

w e a u a e a hich hav a n t r l t rmin tion . But Syde nham

e to r a appli d it ch onic diseases lso . He thought that Gout was the e ffort of nature to ge t rid of a de le te rio us substance which it could not e liminate ; by re mo ving it fro m the blood and s to ring it away in

ts o f th e e re u ess par body wh it co ld do l harm . To

n a ra ns u e o f e these tu l i tr m nts cur , Sydenham, with

r i r si a e e an e el e e . xtrao d na y in ght, dd d oth r, nam y, F v r He he ld that the production o f excessive heat was a means by which Nat ure neutralised the injurious

e s a u e ise s s e matt r cau ing c t d a e , and doubted wheth r

s a s se e e o t e e e . s e uch di ea v r g w ll without F v r Thi id a,

l s e l e his e re a mo t unint ligibl to cont mporaries, has

the e o o curred in most mod rn Path l gy . ’ This general id ea of Nature s me thod of cure was o f

se n o t u a to en h e s cour pec li r Syd ham , but tated it with

e all remarkabl clearness, and made it the foundation of 2 2 7

SYDEN HAM AND HIPPOCRATES

were merely carrying on the wo rk of the Father of

e ha M dicine . B ut Syden m greatly extended the

e m thod of Hippocrates . He may be said to have been the first who explicitly laid down the principle that disease should be studied by the Natural History u Method, like Natural objects, witho t trying to

The o f explain them . method mos t of his c o n temporaries was to try to explain all morbid processes

s e c by ome chemical or m chani al theory, and to guide

i s e their practice by these explanat on . Syd nham “ e s s s e would hav aid, Inve tigate fir t, explain aft rwards if yo u lik e ; but remembe r that Nat ure is always some thin g very much greater than all yo ur ex

s planation . He was n eve r tired o r saying that human faculties are quite incompetent to know the primary causes of

n a We t h natural phe nome . may know e se condary “ ” e a or conjunct, that is, proximat c uses ; in modern

e o f a language, the immediate ant cedents any physic l

v the s s o . I e ent, but true cau e are bey nd our ken t

' m ay be that Syde nham underrated the value o f ex

planations or scientific theory in medicine . The science o f Physiology which he unde rval ued is essentially an attempt to e xplain the processes o f life an d s e e o di ease by wid r g neralisati ns, called physical

o far er e laws . And physiol gy has had a great influenc on the progress of medicine than Syden ham eve r

ll s s dreamed of. Sti the le son mo t needed by his con temporaries was that the premature attempt to apply 2 2 9 THOMAS SYDENHAM

e c l o r h i thea t ies to ch mical, mechani a , p ysiolog cal

i H e medical practice was m isle ading and pern ciou s.

e e s no t n enforc d this l s on o ly by precept, but by

s th e o f r e example, howing that method Hippoc at s, who k i th e s e w as il new noth ng of modern cienc s, st l

i o f to fresh and liv ng, and capable leading new and

u fr itful deve lopments in medicine . Next to Hippocrates the name of another gre at ge ni us should be me ntioned as havin g ex e rcis ed a

e u fl e e h r s pow rf l in u nce on Syd n am , namely F anci

a o S a o un a i r B c n . ydenham had pr fo d admir t on fo

He o es o r e n o s w Bacon . never qu t m ti n him i thout

s t e is n o t a praise and re pec . Ther doubt h t by

e as his a m e n o f Syd nham , by contempor ries, the

o e a as science who f und d the Royal Society, B con w re garde d as the great i nnovator who had introd uc ed a

s o . o e new pirit into the investigati n of Nature C wl y, the poet of the Royal Soci e ty (who was himse lf a Doctor o f Me dicine ) has e xpresse d this se ntiment in

u e e is e a nmistakabl t rms . It the more n cess ry to s s us o f tate thi beca e the tendency late years, espec ially

E has to e e an d in ngland, been d preciat Bacon , to

s o h is fl o n o s e que ti n in uence the pr gress of ci nce . In saying this we do not pretend to estimate th e posi tion

o f s to Bacon among philo ophers, but only emphas ise the historical fact that his writings had a powerful ff e ect in stimulating research , especially in the gene ra

l his . As s a m e l tion fo lowing own regard Sydenh m hi s f, it might eve n be suggested that the ge m o f his 2 30 SYDENHAM AN D HIPPOCRATES

Hippocratic and natural method is to be fo und in a “ ” e o f a e e passage in the Advancem nt Le rning, wh r Bacon laments that modern phys icians have discon “ tin ued that profitable and accurate dilige nce of

a u was se t e Hippocr tes, whose c stom to down a narrativ ” o f his &c . of the special cases patients,

e is o ss e o Ther an ther pa ag from Bac n, quoted by

a r th e su Syde nh m himself and be a ing o n e sam bj ect . We do not k now that Syde nh am co ns cio usly fo llo we d the a e the tie o f ua filiatio n dvic of Bacon , but intellect l

o o e r o o e cann t be v l k d . Beside s Hippocrates an d Bacon w e cannot trace ’ the in fl ue nce of an y earlie r thinke r o n Sydenham s s e fi e no o u a e ci nti c m thod, but d bt he would himself h v name d Cicero as the third great teach er fro m whom

o f he had learned . He calls him that Great Master “ a ua e as h e s Thought and L ng g , call Bacon that ” a s o f o a u e e o e e Gre t Geniu Rati nal N t r . B y nd th s thre e w e do not discern an y o n e to whom Sydenham

e his c o n ackno wledges any intell ctual debt . Among

e has o s o f s fo r o t mporaries he w rd prai e many, but nly Bo yle and Locke se e m to have made a dee p impressio n

s o f f e se upon him . The ignificance requent int rcour with two such active intellects can hardly be ove r rated .

’

SYDB N H AM s ORl G I N ALITY .

Though Syde nham pride d hims e lf on being the

s s was r e e di ciple of Hippocrate , and , in a mino degr , 2 3 1

SYDE N HAM AND HIPPOCRATES

We do not know what arguments Sydenham meant

s e subse to use, as thi treatise was n ver completed, but quent experience has shown that here Sydenham was

a mist ken . Researches in morbid anatomy have had

m e r an i m nse influence on the prog ess of Medicine,

i o f se and especially in the discrim nation di ases, which ’ was o ne s o f of Sydenham main objects . The kinds feve rs which h e so carefully investigated have only been clearly dis tinguishe d by the study o f anatomical

e the i e o chang s in dead body, qu t apart from any the

retical e vi ws . These prejudices sho w o f course a ce rtain limitati o n

o r ss o f e s as is so o se e narrowne vi w, uch ften n in men

o f o s wh o r e s u e riginal geniu , , abso b d in t dying Natur

h e e s e e s s by t ir own m thod , und rvalue or ev n de pi e

o f methods employed by another school . It is one the

privileges of geni us to be ~ in this sense o n ea sided ; the eclectic philosoph e r wh o care fully avo ids this fault

e o f a o e o often shows other d fects m r seri us kind . Thi s blindness to the importance of the who le ana

to m ical s a e sa e chool, which, as we h v id, m ant in

a th e o f a e is the o se s Engl nd school H rv y, nly riou defe ct which c an be fo und in the comple teness o f ’ e h Syd n am s character as a Re fo rme r of Medicine . But

f all s its e The a ter thi fault had comp nsations. cor rection which Sydenham applied to the anatomical

a o i school was probably needed . The an t m sts and

s didlittle e physiologi ts for practical m dicine, and, what

i e is more, seemed dis nclin d to study anything which 2 33 THOMAS SYDENHAM

e i s a e te co uld n o t be put into a sci nt fi c h pe. Th y wan d to r e in th e as o f ationalise verything sometimes, as c e ’ Willis s i i t i Rational Therapeutics, they rat onal sed h ngs

u the a prematurely. Nothing co ld, on other h nd, be ’ furth e r from Sydenham s views than th e att e mp t to

a e i s t H e reduce everything to sci nt fic ys em . c are d

t n in s . u e t al u io t lit le for scie ce it elf P re intell c u c r si y,

e is th e r n o f t wearc h which aft r all mainsp i g scientific , s to s o i to th e r eemed him, perhap partly w ng Pu i tan

s a his ara e r o f e . tr in in ch ct , littl importance He valued

o ei fo r its e a a as s in knowledge nly ther thic l v lue, how g f the o r th e e o o r i orth gl y of Cr at r, for its pract cal

e o o n th e fa e o f . valu , as pr m ti g wel r man The contrast which has be e n ske tched o ut between the i i a n scient fic school, of wh ch H rvey was in Engla d t he s o f S de n founder, and the practical chool which y

the e t ham is acknowledg d leader, might sugges a co mparison between these two great glori es of E nglish

Medicine . The work of Harvey which has gone on up to the

da o the u present y, pr ducing new fruit, laid fo ndation

a e i of that elucid tion of the problems of Lif , which s and always will be the basis of the sci e n ce o f

Medicine . The great merit of Sydenham was to pro claim

l s the great truth that science was, is, and a way mus t be incomplete ; and that dange r lurks in th e natural

e e a as r c t nd ncy to ct upon it if it we e omplete. The practical man has to be guided not only by pos i tiv e 2 34 SYDENHAM AN D HIPPOCRATES

no e but is fe k wledg by much that imper ctly known . He must listen to the hi n ts o f Nature as we ll as to

ar u e a es To e e m a be her cle tt r nc . combin th m y diffi cult ; b ut the di ffi culty is solved in mino r matte rs

' by the faculty called co mmo n sense in greate r afiairs

s o e us by the ynthetic p wer of G ni .

se u s o f u s e fi an d The two c rrent tho ght, the ci nti c

a a a a s a e e x s e an d a a s the pr ctic l, lw y h v i t d, lw y will, in

n e e a practical sc ie ce lik e M dicin . Th e daily wo rk o f every do ctor has to do with bo th

s e We are a n e fo aspect of M dicine . happy in h vi g b re us tw o such great e xamples : Harve y the maste r o f

n e an d e a as o f a . Scie c , Syd nh m the m ter Pr ctice

2 3 5

SYDENHAM ’S FRIENDS

1 W been born in 62 6 . e cannot say precisely wh e n

e a a e a n e bu t Syd nh m first bec m acqu i t d with him, in ’ all probability it w as d uring Sydenham s last year o f

e e e e to e r sidence in Oxford, wh r Boyle cam liv in

1 6 s e o f 54, and joined him elf to that sci ntific s cie ty o

a e a ea s o had e i e which we h v lr dy poken . B yle be n s nc

1 6 6 e in e a esea es o e 4 engag d ch mic l r rch in L ndon, b ing then con necte d with the earlie r group o f scie ntific ' “ ” n n inquirers in Lo do kno wn as the Invisible Co ll e ge .

o e n as w e e s was n o t While in Oxf rd Syd ham, hav een , s e e t the e i o u no r pecially conn ct d wi h sci nt fic gr p,

e T u u de ply inte rested in their pursuits . he m t al attractio n betwe e n these two m e n would hav e d e pe nde d upon a sympathy in ge ne ral aims rathe r

o o f te res s s than on c mmunity in t in pecial ubjects.

h er Bot were investigators ; both w e Baconians, and ready to de fy th e rule of authority in matte rs of

e knowledg .

e we o v was e all i Boyl , too, must bser e, abov th ngs

e d e He ean n s o s l e unpr ju ic d . had l i g t ward A ch my and ne ve r qu ite re pudiated a be lief in the possibility

i e ta s . e l of transmut ng m l In m dica matters, which

e e he o e e greatly int rest d him, sh w d perfect tol rance

s o the s towards tho e wh m profession called Q uack . In 1 666 his name is fo und among those w ho attested

u s u e e Greatrakes the mirac lou c res of one Val ntin , a

s s s e fanta tic Iri hman, who in a ense anticipated Mesm r and th e Hypnotists ; curing various complai n ts by

and o s. s e stroking manipulati n And inc , according to 2 37 THOMAS SYD EN HAM

“ ” e a the s Gre atrakes : mod rn ide s, cure of we

s us ei e s 1 mean miraculo , her n Boyl howed

e r a i a is n o t sci ntific impa ti lity . Th s f ct significance in re gard to h is attitu de

w he ar i n ti Sydenham . For hen appe ed year as the patron (if we may say so) o f Sy r

n e s his a a e o f Method of curi g Fev r , p tron g G may have diminished the value of his app rova

o w rk .

a e a e 1 66 w h r We h v lr ady seen that in 3,

l no t u L a was frequent y, though reg larly, in did Syden ham a small service ; while his co ’ with Syde nham s me dical researc h es and with

e s ffi e n l book hav been already u ci t y discussed . B o yle contin ued to interest himself in Sy c

as fo llo win practice, will be seen by the writte n in th e year in which Boyl e came 1 Londo n though it is e vident that at this tim

e still in Oxford . The book refe rr d to was “ t he second e dition of the Me tho dus C uran di ’ in which Locke s congratulatory Latin v e r

fi s u The a e r t p blished . ironic l r fe re nces to “ an d che mistry and th e Mountebank at ” Cross are significant as bearing o n what said about the medical charlatanry rife in Sy

i t me . ’ The e is e e o r l tter print d in Boyl s w ks, an ’ a s o f a L tham Life Sydenh m, but in the latter

2 38 SYDENHAM ’S FRIEN DS

We hav e not be en able to trace an y furth e r

o s o e n e o n a c rre p nd c between B yle and Syde h m .

fi r S M r Robert Bo le denham to . . y . y “ PA LL A A ril 2 1 688 . M LL, p ,

Sra — I t had e o e m e to a e e e , b c m d h v b gg d your

e a e e n I o o the o ss to e e acc pt nc , wh t k b ldne t nd r to yo u the second e dition of my book ; but partly

s s u ss e bu ines , and partly an nwillingne in me to giv you

tw o u e at o e e m e o . tro bl s nc , divert d fr m writing But n o w that yo u are please d to give yo urself th e pains of

s which ‘ I e e u se a a e a thank , n v r tho ght my lf c p bl of

o u o se o e to deserving from y , I h ld my lf blig d return

o u u e o u a e y my h mbl thanks, that y t k in good part my

e e vo are ase to e e weak nd a urs, and ple d hav a conc rn

as o u fo r ( y have always done) me.

I ei e e o e a perc v my fri nd Mr . L ck h th troubled you

o as he o n e with an acc unt of my practice, hath d him self in visiting with m e v e ry many of my vario lo us

a s s al . is s e e as a e p tient e peci ly It a di eas , wher in, I h v be e n more ex e rcised this year than e ve r I tho ught I

a e e so a e s e o e its a could h v be n, I h v di cov red m r of d ys

a e e o u u e th n v r I th ght I sho ld hav done . It would be too large fo r a letter to give you an account o f its

n in e n e a fi s history ; o ly g r l I nd no cau e, from my

a to e n s best observ tion , rep t of anything aid by me in ’ De Vario lis b ut r a n o t my tract , do g eatly, th t I did sa a o s e n the a es a a n y, th t, c n id ri g pr ctic th t obt i , both

n e amo gst learn d and ignorant physicians, it had been 2 39

SYDENHAM ’S FRIENDS

flux- o x fo r r f a p or a measle, that so t, in its irst appear

is i is se s ance l ke it. And, which likewi ob ervable in th e all as c es the highest flux of , that which om out

fi s is i th e s rst or econd day, it in va n to endeavour rai

h e fo r is s e ing t m to an height, it both impos ibl and

s s e e un afe to attempt, but all the di charge th r can be,

s e t s o s n mu t be eith r from a p yali m , in a gr wn per o , or

h e f the s is n o o a diarr a, in an in ant, to whom ame m re

o the r f danger us than othe to the ormer ; and, wherever

e fl ux s s o e th y , their di charge mu t be made n of those two s s d s se way . But of these things I hall i cour to

o u at n s to y more large, whe I hall have the happiness

see o u 0 sii ddenl . y , which I h pe may be y

The o ur town stands well in health , and at end

- not anybody sick , that I hear, of the small pox . I

a u h ve m ch business about other things, and more than

n o t e a th e a s I can do, who yet am idl . I h ve h ppines o f u a ie ts at e s n s o f c ring my p t n , l a t of havi g it aid me, that tew miscarry under m e ; but cannot brag o f my

e n i s t o f correspond cy w th ome o her the faculty, who, notwithstanding my profoundness in palmistry and m ffi che istry, impeach me with great insu ciency, as I s r a hall likewise do my taylo , when he m kes my doublet

i o e to l ke a h psack, and not before, let him adh re what

e t hypothesis he will . Though y , in taking fire at my at t e to s e s tempts to reduce prac ic a greater ea in s ,

l e p ainness, and in the m antime letting the mounte

ri r bank at Cha ng Cross pass un railed at, they cont a i d ct themselves, and would make the world believe I 2 4: a THOMAS SYDEN HAM may prove more co nside rable than th ey w ould haw

. But le t ir me , to these men alone to the books,

e e i desi hav again tak n breath, and am pursu ng my g o f s s e so l a n pecific , which , if but a d lusion, close y h u m e o u b ut the s n in o f , that I c ld not indulge pe d g

o e o n little m n y and time at it nce more . I have m a a e and e s to ho great progr ss in the thing, have r a on 1

s s s not to be di appointed . My occa ion will n o t sufi me give you mo re trouble and therefo re be please d

e e n e s h h e acc pt of those v ry u f igned thank , whic I

e o u s ss s mak y , for all the ingular kindne e and fav o u wh e re by you have obliged me to be very un c o m pl mentary .

Sir, your most humble servan t, “ . E M T SY D N H A .

The name of Locke in the fore going letter intr d uces us to th e most important and interestin g frien ’ s e s hip of Syd nham life . John Locke was eight years youn ger th an Sy denh ar

a 1 6 2 an d h ving been born in 3 , in the same q uarter

— is England that , in the adjacent county of Somers! He also was closely connected with the Purita n part his fath e r having been a captain in the Parliam e n ta

. He e e s in army ent r d Chri t Church , Oxford, 1 6 5 and was therefore an undergraduate whil e Sy de n ha ’ l e ua t was a Fel ow of All Souls . Th ir acq in an ce d not begin at Oxford but its co mmencemen t

in his referred by Mr . Fox Bourne, Life of Locke 2 42 SYDENHAM ’S FRIENDS

to 1 668 e e e to o Dr. , wh n Lock cam live in Lond n .

Ma le to ft o r e is e e to e e p , a comm n f i nd, b li ved hav mad

e a Locke and Syd nham cquainted . ’ Locke s great e mine nce in philo sophy h as made

an e le o a h e a a o He w s o . was m y p op f rget th t d ct r ,

w a a a e n an d ho ever, regul r physici n by ducatio by

r e e . He f a the p actice, having a medical d gre irst beg n s u e e s r t dy of m dicin in Oxford, though, for ob cu e reaso a e his e e at th e ns, he did not t k medical d gr e us ual time ; and studied at Montpellier for a longe r

He was e s period than Sydenham did . turn d a ide from active practice as a physician partly by his delicate

ea th e o r h lth , partly through obtaining position domestic physician to Lord A shley (the first Earl of

a e r a Sh ftesbury) , which , togeth with a small p trimony, relieved him from the necessity o f en tering a p ro f o n e o His th e essi for a liv liho d . practice among

m s ur o e fa ily and friends of Lord Shafte b y was, h w ver,

s e u o e r o o e s con id rable . N mer us pr sc ipti ns and th r record showing his pro fess i o nal activi ty are still extant in th e

e s r e s a e n e s e Shaft bu y pap r . Some h ve be rec ntly publi h d

o r a o f a e d e 40 1 1 43 Dr in the J u n l Historic l M icin , 7 , by .

He a his t a e ro Withington . tre ted pa ron for a d ng us

e e e s s f Empy ma with r markabl kill, aving a li e which

f to t he t was o importance S ate .

e e was s o n Mor v r, Locke very nearly obtaining a po iti which would have given him great we ight in the

a o s e s a medic l w rld, and might perhap hav been of ign l

e importance to the science of medicin . He w as at 2 43

SYDENHAM’ S FRIENDS

to the e t it may be interesting give gr ater par of it,

a s copied from the original in the Shaftes bury P per . ’ We do n o t know enough abo ut t he nature of Locke s malady to be able to judge of its me dical value ; but the scrupulo us and affectionate care fulness o f his friend

te a are us is a . and physici n obvio . It not d d, but Mr Fox Bourne th inks it was writte n in the autumn of 1 67+ t / e Syde nha m o ifs m Lori . “ FOR R e ttin — o a e M . L g Y ur g , ill habit of body,

e o u c and approach of wint r c nc rring, it omes to pass that th e distemper yo u c o m plain e of yie lds not so soone to remedies as it wo uld doe un de r contrary

w o u the s circumstances . Ho ever y may not in lea t doubt but that a steady persisting in the use of the following directions (grounded not on opinion but

' uni n terrupted experience ) will at least e fie ct your

e s f in to th e e n des ire d cur . Fir t there ore order div rti g

s the ich o ro se e l and ubduing also matt r, it wi l be re quisitt to take you r pills twice a w ee ke as fo r ’ le e u o c lo c ke p e v ry Thursday and Sunday abo t 4.

s o u are l . in the morning, con tantly till y we l In the next place fo r as much as the re is wanting in bo dyes broken with b us in em and dispirited upon the be fo re

t s o f naturall e w mentioned accounts, hat tock h at hich ’ should bring the matte r q uickly to digesti o n twill be highly necessary that you cherish yo urse lfe as much as possibly yo u can by go ing to be d very early at ’ e e n 8 o clo c ke night, v at , which next to keeping bed, 2 45 THOMAS SYDENHAM

is u r e r to o 1 that np acticable, will contribut mo e y

As die tt all c l an relie fe can m . than be i agined to , e of easy digestio n and th at no urish we ll may be allo w e

e sw o r s e and ab provid d they be not salt, eet pic d,

ui o s an d su . i e excepting fr ts, r ot ch like For w n to tall e e at forbearanc th reof if it could possibly be, in its stea d the use o f v ery mild s mall beer s uch as m

e o uses do e a rd w o u as h r as ca n ue l sser h , ld ea e I g be s e dicn t ere u I mo t c , for th by your body wo ld kept o o o le and co nsequen tly all accidents p ro c eedir from ho tt an d sharpe humors grating upon t h e p a

e o ff k pt . “ This is all that I have to offer yo u and I h ear

h n to o r t ought of it, and all circumstances relati g y

the s as case, with ame intention of mind if my li ’ an d my son s were concerned therein .

Lock e always wrote o f Sydenh am with the h igh e a a as a i ed e fo ppreci tion, h ving ntroduc importan t r rm

e e . e a e his e h e la in m dicin Som years ft r d ath , m e n that the physician s o f the day had n o t follow ed Syde 1 ’ s a e w s e ham n tural m thod, but ere till occupi d

e a s o f v rb l di putes about their theories disease . ’ Lock e s practice was evidently founded upon SYdC ! ’ s w e see n o e diff e be t ham , and can gr at er nce w e i th e m tho ugh we may assume th at the older p hysic i: was a be tter practitioner. B ut with regard to th e ir vie ws o f medicine as 2 46 SYDENHAM ’S FRI ENDS

’ e s r s e s scienc , the canty reco d which remain of Lock o pinions seem to show that they were not pre cisely ’

as . e i e was the same Sydenham s To b g n with, Lock a far more tho rough - going sce ptic than Sydenham as

e . e a l e s to all m dical dogma Syd nham, in f ct, ik mo t

o u n o t be a e as men of action , c ld fairly reg rd d a

a al He e e e o f s e o s sceptic t l. f lt the n d om rgani ed

e e his a o s body of doctrin to dir ct pr ctice, and f und thi

he he t s s e es . e t in y t m of Hippocrat Lock , on other

n o o e res e fo r the o es o f hand, had m r p ct d ctrin the a h fo r th e n o f the e m ncients t an speculatio s mod s . O n e sentence in a letter to Molyneux seems to show this “ m e far i You cannot i agin how a little observat on , carefully made by a man not tied up to the fear humour: o r m l sul hur mercur o r to arid , p , and y ; and d ealt has e e a i a , which of lat pr v iled, w ll carry man in the u s e st c ring of disea es, though v ry ubborn and

o u e r danger s, and that with v y little and common ”

in an d s e . th gs, almo t no m dicine at all “ th e s l s Of word in ita ics, the four humour “ ” e vidently means the dogma of Hippocrates and “ le sal u e a Ga n ; , sulphur and merc ry r fer to Par “ cels us and Van H e lmo nt ; acid and alcali to th e

w e s s ius as e ne r chemical y tem of Sylv , extend d by

Th e w e se e e Willis . hol nt nc is thoroughly in the

e an d s s his spirit of Syd nham expres e practical method . B ut w e see that Lo cke classes the doctrine of the humours wi th the modern speculations as all e qually 2 47

SYDENHAM ’S FRIENDS but the gain of Philosophy was the loss o f Me di

In any case the connectio n of Locke an d Syde nham was s the o s a e ar e perhap m t rem rkabl p tn rship, in

h two s o f thoug t and work, of great physician , which

a o we h ve any rec rd . ’ e w e e e s o f e s o f Th re er oth r fri nd Syd nham whom,

s s e n be s did pace permit, om thi g might aid ; but all we can do is to giv e a bare e n um e ration of the name s

s e of ome of th m . ’ s h e e r e o f In All Soul b came the f i nd Dr . Milling

e e o f the o e s a ton, aft rwards Presid nt C ll ge of Phy ic i ns , a man as e minent by his character and manners as by

r s o a p ofes i n l knowledge .

. Ma le to ft s l Dr p , Professor at Gre ham Co lege, an

m f o f o f has inti ate riend Sydenham as Locke, been

e Drs. a more than once ref rred to . P man , Brady, and

e Cole, all eminent men, conferr d a benefit on medical

s s e science, and al o howed their respect for Syd nham

e o e by eliciting from him the treatises befo re m nti n d . ’ s o e n o f e Dr . Goodall chivalr us d fe ce Syd nham has

a e s He f w been lr ady poken of. re ers ith high praise “ to Sydenham in t he preface to h is His tory of the

o e s a s C ll ge of Phy ici n s. The de dication of the treati e

o a e on Gout t Dr . Short shows th t he also had mad ' se o ne s e e e e him lf of Sydenham d f nd rs . Syd nham himse lf recognises the respect and friendship ofWalte r

e st i . N edham, an eminent anatomi and physic an Dr .

l t o n o f Wa ter Harris, au hor of a book the diseases 2 49 THOMAS SYDENHAM

is e s children , of which it r ported Sydenham aid

e r to o n e would hav been p oud be the author, was

his rs s en th usias warmest admire , peaking of him with in h is lifetime and after his death . Andrew Bro un te lls us that a very im p o rts

rs Dr. w i s e o f t he o pe on, Mickleth a te, Pre id nt Coll g tardily acknowledged the me rits o f Syden ham “ t h ea h e r e th prac ice . For w en near d th did p of ss no tw ithstanding the atte mpts o f sev e ral against tl

e s o f e h wo u l ] m thod Syd n am, yet these ld yet prevai a ” o t triumph over all ther me thods. O her ingenio

sa e saw and honest physicians, Broun ys, mad the a o e h s m a ckn wledgment though others, l ss one t, i it t ’ e s t w e m Syd nham me hods while they disavo ed, and

calumniated, the author. ’ It thus appears that among Syde nham s fri e nds 3 1 admire rs were many of the mos t eminent physic ia

' o f . es t o n t the time His enemi and detrac ors, o The a ther hand, cannot be traced . p mphlet Stubbe and the veiled insults of Gideon Harve

ea o the e e alr dy menti ned , are only lit rary vidence

- e a t controv e rsy . Some ill natured r m rks of Mar

s e but Li t r might be quoted , they are quite u

important .

o is s e o f l Dr. Richard M rton sometimes pok n continental write rs as th e antagonist o f Syde nh ar

No thi n g could be mo re mi sleadin g . Morton was

an e n a s a younger physician th Syd h m, and hould r th

s e as his r e w be de crib d followe , sinc his method 2 5 0 SYDENHAM ’S FRIENDS

“ His hthisio lo ia a e . fi P much the sam rst book, g ,

o n u o a th e ar o f treatise cons mpti n, ppeared in last ye ’ a e the Sydenham s life . In the pre f ce Morton nforces

a e o f a o e o s e an d import nc pr ctical bs rvati n in medicin , takes occasio n to pro n ounce a warm eulogium o n

e s re the a Syd nham , not in pi d by partiality of priv te

r e s e e a w e are t a l e f i nd hip, sinc Syd nh m, old, h rd y kn w ’ s o n s - o e e s him by ight . M rto well kn wn book on F v r ’ e was not publishe d till afte r Syde nham s d ath . In this he is led to diffe r from Syde nham on ce rtai n

s s so a his e point , but doe in such a way th t d ferential criticism and reluctant dissent are more flatterin g than u e e ncritical agr em nt . While Sydenham was gradually conciliating pro fessio nal e r n opinion at hom , he met with mo e striki g

e e n o n the n has and imm diate r cognitio Conti ent . It o e the f e s as o f o e to be ft n been lot of re orm r , pr ph ts, soone r and more highly honoured abroad than in the ir

o e r o f own country and city . Many important pr f sso s

d a an e n s s s . m dici e howere prai e upon him Sch cht, e e s e as w e are o minent prof s or of L yden , t ld by

s e r e s e n e S de n Chri toph r Mo l y, con tantly recomm d d y ’ his s e Ettm iille r o f e z ham s works to tud nts . , L ip ig, frequently menti o ned Syde nham in his writings with

se . S o n ius s s s prai Spon (or p ) , a phy ician at Lyon , al o ’ e l e e s a s n a s t e a m dica writ r, peci lly prai ed Syde h m r at

e e s s h e n o o ment of f v r , and ays that we t in L nd n by “ h - D B ze ns h e t e e e . t e nam of F v r curing octor ol ,

en c c lo x dic w o n e s o e his an y p riter medicin , h w d 2 5 1

SYDENHAM ’ S FRIENDS

lec ted. i e d s And from the practical s d , no oubt thi ’ a u Willis s r c was fair j dgment, though g eat servi es to a a an d o e o n tomy physiol gy can never b f rgotten . Be fo re the first quarte r of the eighteenth century Sydenham was es tablish e d in th e es timatio n which h e

as e e e o f m e n e still holds, the gr at r form r practical dici , th e the s an d glory of Engli h school, was named with “ pride in Harve ian orations as th e English Hippo ” c s . His f u e u e rate in luence, no do bt, larg ly contrib t d

s s th e ac c um u to form that sober empirici m, re ting on lation of detaile d observatio ns, which was the charac te ristic o f i English medic ne in the eighteenth century,

v s and which it has ne er lo t . A recent medical his

i . e has e tor an , M Laboulb ne, observed that the mod rn clinical school of Vienna might trace its special

to characteristics the same inspiration . ' I n this ins piration w e reco gnise Sydenham s chie f

n u o to a e t as co trib ti n the dvanc men of medicine . It w no t his u e s i s e f nction to promot ystemat c cienc , some as s he a pect of which cert inly undervalued . It was rath e r to hold up to ove r- c o n fide nt Science its per pe tual co un terpart and corrective in the shape o f

a t a a simple observ tion . If his w s necessary task in his o wn da e e s s y, it has oft n be n needed ince, and ome may think it n o t quite unn eeded even in this age o f

N o t his contributions to the knowledge o f special

e his diseases, important as th se were, nor revival of the

u f e st dy of epidemics, which airly arns him the name of 2 5 3 THOMAS SYDEN HAM the f e e t S den ounder of mod rn Epid miology, consti ute y ’ s t f e I t h e firs set ham chief ti les to am . was that t

he a e o f a His n e t ex mpl the true clinic l method . i d

e t an d s w rea pend n unprejudiced pirit, combined ith g t

w e s o e a e o f ca po r of bs rvation, m d him the type a clini l

a To s al st . inve ig tor become uch, not only intellectu

t s w e essa — s n gifts but moral quali ie , er nec ry tro g

a a e e f t r f ss an d fa s nse ch r ct r, p r ec t uth ulne , an un iling e

u y w f his of d t , hich in Sydenham were rein orced by

n t o a l e inte se re ligious convic i ns . More th n a l oth r w ise an d s w ade good physician of whom we kno , he m his pro fess io n a part o f his religion he prosecute d his task o f advancing knowledge and healing th e sick with the same fervent zeal w hich other m e n have s o w a e as s v o h n in what are reg rd d more acred a c ations.

is n e his fe as e f hi It o ly by consid ring li a whol , rom s

o s th e y uth upwards, that we can under tand complex

e es ll a o , , t , us h influ nc inte ectual poli ic l and religi , w ich h e lpe d to mould the characte r o f the great Puritan

s an e phy ici , Thomas Syd nham .

2 54 RE EREN C E AN D AUTH RITIE F S O S .

C are n do n H s o r o f h e Re b e ll o n t . l . i t y i ” Rush H o r al Co lle 6 h . s c o n s 1 wo r c 2 . t i t i ti . 9 ” Whi M e m o r als 1 2 te lo ke . . c . i 7 3 W h O xo n ie se s nd s n h n o o d. e n a n a A t o y At Fa ti . so h is D ar e s ubl sh ed b th e xfo rd s o r c al Al i i , p i y O Hi t i o c e S i ty . re e n C le n dar o f a e a rs D a e . o m e s c G . St t P p ti e r e s S i . “ V c rs ar a e n ar Ch ro n e M n li i i a . P li m t y i c l ( ag a a De An gli c ana

M rc ur us iv i us 1 6 . e i C c . 44 “ A B ri e f Re latio n o f th e Surp ri se o f th e Fo rts o f ” W b e B e mo u h th e e e o f M e lc o m &c . . I . y t , Si g , y P

e e r In c e M n s e r to th e arr so n . Lo n do n (P t ) , i i t G i , 1 6 44.

Re s e r o f the V s o rs o f th e U n v e rs o f xfo rd gi t i it i ity O , — 6 1 6 8 Ed ro f. Mo n a u urro ws . C m d n 1 47 5 . . P t g B a e

o c e 1 8 8 1 . S i ty , ’ Carlyle s Le tte rs and Spe e c h e s o f Oliv e r C ro mw el l . ’ h s s H s o r o f Do rse rd e d o n 1 86 H u c n . t i i t y t 3 iti , 4. ro u A V nd c a o r c h edule c o n An dre w B n . i i t y S c e rn n th e N e w C ure o f Fev e rs firs n v e n e d b i g , t i t y ” Ed n b r th e sa ac o us Dr Th o m as de n ham . u h g i . Sy i g , 6 1 1 9 . 2 5 5

I N D E X

A B

bo sb ur H o use akn ac o n m o o fro m 1 6 Ab t y , t i g B , tt , 4 o f 6 re fe rre d to 1 his , 3 , 77

ue s in We s m n s e r 8 6 n flue n c e o n de n h am Ag t i t , i Sy , na o m c a h s c an s 1 0 2 0 A t i l P y i i , 7 3

n a o m h o w au h at a llo u o r Ballo n ius 2 2 A t y, t g t B i , , 5 ’ xfo rd 6 8 Barb e rac de n h am s su O , y , Sy p ’ na o m de n ham s v e w s o se d e ac h e r 1 m e n A t y, Sy i p t , 9 o n 1 2 tio n e d b Lo c ke , 5 y , 9 3 ne c do a S de n h amiana e ale arth o lo m e w u l A t y , B , B , p pi ’ MS. 2 0 - wr e n b o f de nh am s 1 , 3 ; itt y Sy , 9 3 Lo c ke 2 0 lac km o re Sir R c hard , 4 B , i , n m al s r s 1 1 his an e c do e s o f A i pi it , 44 7 3 t

An h o n a c h e mic al h s de n h am 1 1 v e w s t y, p y i Sy , 9 i c ian 1 o n m e d c al c lass c s 1 , 59 i i , 9 3 o h e c ar e s 1 6 m e n lac k De a h 1 0 Ap t i , 5 B t , 4 tio n e d b Ch auc e r 1 66 o e rh aav e ro fe sso r 2 2 y , B , P , 5 Arc h e r o h n a uac k 1 6 2 Bo h urst A o h e c ar o n , J , q , g , p t y, shle C o o e r Lo rd th e a ue 1 0 8 1 1 0 1 1 A y p ( Pl g , , , 3 haf e s ur 6 o an at xfo rd 0 S t b y), 3 B t y O , 7 As ro o e rs 1 6 o urn e Fo x 2 0 2 2 t l g , 4 B , , 3, 4 2 5 7 INDEX

Bo e Ro e r 6 2 6 6 Co nc ave o f h s c ans b yl , b t, , 3, 4 l P y i i , y ’ e nc o ura es e n ham s deo n ar e 1 6 g Syd Gi H v y, 3 firs o o 1 1 6 C o rfe Cas le 2 t b k, ; t , 7 fr e n d o f de n ham 2 6 C ro mwe ll v e r S de n i Sy , 3 , Oli , y ’ e e r fro m e n ham h am s e o n to 2 in l tt Syd , p titi , 7 2 c o an 6 an swer 39 S tl d, 7 , 79

rad Dr. 1 8 1 to th e e o n 8 1 B y, , 3 , 79 p titi , ’ r s e n h am s rav e C rawfo r Lo rd Ro a s B igg , Syd t l d, , y li t n c o m an o n 1 c o m m an de r 2 li g p i , 9 , 3 ro un Dr . n dre w an B , A , D dm re r o f de n ham a i Sy , De re e s c o n fe rre b C rea v s s him 1 0 1 1 8 1 g d y i it , , 4, 9 3 o n ti , 54 ro wn Dr. o h n his a re B , J , pp Disse rtatio E isto lan s c iatio n o f e n ham 1 p , Syd , 1 41 D v e s Sir Le w s 1 1 C i , i , 3 , 39, 4 , 8 4s, 4 Carnarvo n Ear o f 2 , l , 9 Do lz us ro fe sso r 2 1 , P , 5

Charle s II . his re a o ns to , l ti Do n u xo e o o k re co m Q i t , b M e d c n e 1 6 1 fo un e r i i , d m e nde d b e n h am y Syd , o f Ro ya So c e 1 6 2 l i ty, 1 9 1 Ch e m c a c h o o o f M e i l S l di Do rc h e s e r 6 2 2 8 2 t , , 5 , , 9 c n e 1 i , 59 Do rse sh re C v War in t i , i il , Cho rea 1 6 , 5 2 2 7 a 3 C c e ro read and a r i , dmi e d Do rse sh re C o mm e e t i itt , 37 b e nham 6 y Syd , 7 his v r r u o f d n Do a D . S e , , p pil y fav o ur e au h o r it t , h am 1 8 , 9 2 3 1 ’ C n c h o na ar de n h E i B k, Sy am s use o f , 1 1 8 1 Em r c s 1 6 45, pi i , 4 C v l War firs e n d o f 8 En sh Hi o c ra e s 2 i i , t, , 4 gli pp t , 5 3 C a o n Sir Th o mas 68 En sh c h arac e r o f S de n l yt , , gli t y

C o e Dr. 1 1 l , , 4 h am , 1 Co o n g Me tho in Sma En sh c ho o l o f M e c ne li d ll gli S di i , Po x 1 , 74 2 5 3 I N DE X

E i e m C ns u o s 1 1 arr s Wa er a m rer o f p d ic o tit ti n , 3 H i , lt , d i E emi s h s o r o f 2 2 e nha 1 pid c , i t y , 4 Syd m, 99 ar e eo n 1 6 1 68 H v y, Gid , 3, , F x7 3

Har e W am War e n o f v y, illi , d Fe llo wship o f th e C o llege o f M e r o n 8 n e ve r m e n t , 5 h s cians its m a o n P y i , li it ti , n ed b e n ham 1 tio Sy , 1 1 6 1 y d 5 h is s ho o 2 c o m are ' , 3 3 p d e vers e nham s wr n s c l F , Syd iti g w h e nh am 2 t Sy , 34 o n 1 1 i d , 5 av ers e r 2 1 H , Gilb t, 4 raz e r Sir e n e r 1 6 F i , Al xa d , 3 ’ o a e s e nh m s Hipp cr t , Syd a G de bt to him : feature s o f his wr n s 2 2 his iti g , 3 a e n 1 1 o m a 2 2 G l , 44, 54 d g , 5

o ar Dr. o na han m o ra a h o 2 2 G dd d , J t , 59, Hu l P t ol gy, 5 s M e o fh e r Hutc hin o n rs . , , lif

o al Dr. 1 2 1 h us an G od l, 4 , 5 5 b d, 7 o r n Lo r Ro a s o c ho n r a 1 G i g, d , y li t Hyp d i , 43 ’ e n e ral 2 s e r a e n ham s e ws G , 9 , 44, 45 Hy t i , Syd vi ’ o u e n ham s rea se o n 1 G t, Syd t ti . 43 o n 1 8 suffere ro , 4 d f m,

' 1 8 5 sal utary e fle c ts o f a fit o f 1 8 1 re me n in Ir sh r so ers e xe c o n o f , ; gi , i p i n , uti , 1 86 3 5 ’ o u Tra e Luc an s Iro ns e e r 2 0 G t g dy, i , id , Gilb t, 1 0 I n s e Co e e 6 2 5 vi ibl ll g ,

re e n h l Dr. e i o r o f G il , , d t S e n h am 2 0 2 1 yd , 3, 3 l

an us o urna o f s o r a J , J l Hi t ic l H M ed n e 2 ici , 43

’ e ffre Sir o h 1 1 1 J , J , , 5 a e Ma o r e nh m s y n H l , j , Syd a e er to 1 l tt , 79

am e Dr. a dw n e e rs H y, B l i , l tt a dresse to him 2 1 Kin tre e W s m ns er d d , 5 g S t, e t i t ,

IN DEX

x o r Un ve rs ar a o o le s e e o f 2 O f d i ity , P li P , i g , 3 m e n ar v s a o n 2 rev ar a o rs 6 t y i it ti , 5 P ic t , 5 the Pe mbr ki r n o an c e a o Pru e an Dr. 1 ti , j , , 79 un e r ur an ru e r an s h e r r nc e s 5 5 ; d P it l , Pu it , t i p i ipl , 7 5 7 te sti m o ny o f Claren do n 60 s u a o ns in , di p t ti Q re e 6 1 th e sc e n fi G k, i ti c uac k o r n o f the nam e ’ Q , igi , mo ve m e n 6 2 Ev e n s t, ly 1 59 v si 6 i t, 4 P R

am an Dr. 1 P , , 39 Ro u hea s 8 nd d , e s o n th e a ue 1 1 0 P y , P g , p l Ro o c e 1 60 yal S i ty, e o n to C ro m we P t t , i i ll Ro a s s h e r r n i es 8 t , t p , ’ y li i i c pl e nh m s 2 a swe r Syd a , 7 n , 8 1

e W am 6 2 6 P tty, illi , 59, , 3 ’ e c he r o f a o m 6 . V tus s an e 1 6 t a An t y, 9 St i d c , 5 ’ Mrs nham s o so h c a o c e 6 m arsh . Phil p i l S i ty, 3 Salt , , Syde h s ar e n at o r firs re o r e a e n 8 P y ic G d Oxf d , t c d d p ti t , 4 0 c hac h ro fe sso r 2 1 S t, P , 5 7 ” h s n s in th e s ve n he a Mo ni o r 1 P y ic ia e Sc dul t ia, 5 5 ’ tee n th c e n ur h e r c o n e nh am s ser t y, t i S tla d, Syd d ffi c u e s 1 6 he r c e in 2 06 i lti , 7 ; t i vi , 79, m an e rs 1 68 m ean s o f h es ur Ear o f 2 n , ; S aft b y, l , 43 ; a n n rac c e 1 0 se e sh e Co o er g i i g p ti , 7 ; A l y p na o m h s ians h e r o rne Cas e 1 a t ical p y ic , S b tl , 39, 4 , 1 7 0 42

a ue his or o f in En ho r Dr. e t o n to Pl g , t y , g S t, , d dica i n 1 0 th e rea him 1 la d, 4 ; G t , 47 a ue 1 0 re va e n c e o e Sir an s u o f Pl g , 7 ; p l Sl an , H , p pil ’ in We s En d o f Lo n o n e n ham s 1 0 t d , Syd , 9 1 0 e n h m saw e u e e nr a ac s 9 Syd a littl St bb , H y, tt k ’ o f 1 1 0 h is e ws e nham s o o o n it, ; vi Syd b k a u 1 1 e rs 1 2 2 1 bo t, 4 F ve , 4, 4 de hham n M a o r Sy , Joh ( j ), 1 6 Co m r lle r o f , pointed pt o the i e 8 8 M o n P p , ; at t e llier 8 ret r 6 p , 9 ; u n, 9 ; o btains lice nse o f College o f h s ns 8 e er P y icia , 9 n v m e a o w rea ad Fell , 99 , so s 1 0 1 t es e ree n , ak d g 0f M D 1 00 raised b . ; p y Sr o s n nau Tno sras : r h th e Co e e 1 0 2 , bi t , ll g , ; 1 1 ed ree 1 2 first bo o lt 1 1 r e p ig , , 5 , eview d “ he and s s e rs 1 6 in hi o so h al T am bro t rs i t , P l” p ic r ear e 2 0 e s sac tio ns 1 2 0 t c e ly ducation, ; go , ; a ta k d to O xfo r 2 1 mili ar 1 2 his d, ; t y by Stubbe, 4 ; ser e 2 6 in th e fi e s o n m Po x vic , ld, view S all , e m r se r e 1 2 o n E i e m s 1 1 43 l ft ilita y vic , 3 p d ic , 3 ; 8 se n res en c e at o n r a n 1 6 4 co d id Sca l ti a, 3 ; 0 m ee n Oxford, 5 ti g Ma le to ft 0 with p , 5 at W d m 2 e n te rs a ha , 5 at M e n l agdal Ha l, 5 3 ; m e a e re e c 1 r u dic l d g , 54 ; a tivity . 57 ca icat red e o w o f o u s 6 b e o n arve 1 6 F ll All S l , 5 y Gid H y, 3, s u es at fo r 1 1 2 his m e h o ds o f t di Ox d, 7 7 t e o n to Cro mw e 2 r e 1 2 n n rs p titi ll , 7 ; p actic , 7 ; ma e ,

' o mm ss o n as Ca a n 1 re a m en 1 0 c i i pt i , 73 ; t t t, 7 3 3 1 n rro w e s a e fro m sma x 1 o fa ues 77 a c p ll p o , 74 ; g , e n e 8 serv c es 1 e te r to Hd e 1 b i g kill d, 7 i 79 ; l t ; 79 ; in En lan and Sc o d an d his laudanum 1 8 2 o g d , , ; h me 8 0 re o m nde fo r i e 1 8 c i dren 1 79 , ; c me d l f , 3 ; h l , 8 3; 2 62 INDEX

S dc nham William u o r y , (j ni ) , his ran c h re 1 8 C o lo ne 1 6 1 ma e g d ild n, 4 l , , 7 ; d ro ess o n l fe 1 8 C o o n e 2 6 re o v e rs p f i a li , 4 ; l l , c suc c e ss 1 8 nesse s We mo u h 1 in d er , 5 ; ill , y t , 4 ang 1 8 : re m e n o f e at th e Res o ra io n 5 gi lif , t t , 97 1 8 6 use o f sm a e e r his ea h ; ll b , d t , 97 1 8 8 his u i s 1 8 e nh am W am se n o r ; p p l , 9 ; Syd , illi ( i ) , a re o f h e 1 1 1 1 f ilu alth, 94 ; , 5 e a h 1 his w e n ham W m so n or pit p , 9 5 ; ill, Syd , illia ( 1 6 va ue o f an e th e h s c an 1 8 1 8 9 ; l l d d p y i i ) , 3, 9 es a e 1 8 e es $01 1 his m e d c a wo r 1 t t , 9 ; ld t , i l k, 99 1 8 s h um o us wo r s his fam 2 00 9 ; po t k , ily, ’ 2 0 1 unusua m e ho s o f e n ham s wife h e r fam l t d Syd , ily, rea m e n 2 0 a us o n 8 t t t, 4 ; ll i 3 to o an d 2 06 e e rs T Sc tl , l tt , 2 0 8 ; in what anguage l Talbo r Sir R har 1 , ic d , 79 he wro e 2 1 0 ; no ” t , k w T eo lo i tio nalis 2 06 h g a Ra , e e o f La in 2 1 2 g t , ; l d Th o rnh Sir am es 1 8 ill , J , 9 o r e a ho rs 2 1 t t , 3 ; fav u i u To llc r ra r m F t u 3, 5 M m e ic a o se rv S . d l b a “ Trac a s dc o a ra &c . t tu P d g , , o n s 2 1 En sh s e ti , 5 gli tyl , 1 46 2 1 8 2 2 1 re a o ns t o , l ti V H i o a e s 2 2 2 to pp cr t , V r uo s 1 60 ac o n 2 0 es ma e o f t , B , 3 ; ti t i i Mo r n a o m 2 2 bid A t y , 3 W m are w h ar e co p d it H v y , 2 his fr e n s 2 6 Wa h am Co e e 2 34 ; i d , 3 d ll g , 5 e e r to o e 2 Wal s th e ma h e ma c n l tt B yl , 39 li , t ti ia , r e n sh w h Lo c e f i d ip it k , 2 2 his e ra o rs 2 0 War e h 8 6 2 4 d t ct , 5 d, S t , 5 , W re uta o n o n th e C o n a Dr. o h n 2 1 p ti ti rd , J , 4 n e n 2 1 at ho m e 2 2 Ware h am 6 t, 5 , 5 ; , 34, 3 e nera v al e o fhis wo r We m u h and Me c o m e g l u k, y o t l b 2 2 Re s o ss and re 5 gi , 3 3 ; l c o ver o f 1 y , 4

and Bedro o m .

H I G H E S T Q U A L I TY

AN D S IMI LAR 00005 .

SO FT AND ABSO RBENT.

‘ ’ The O m n Tur h Tow l s a kis e . ‘ ’ h t The Osman Turkish Bath S ee . ‘ ’ e m Tur Mat Th Os an kish Bath . ‘ ’ n The Osman Turkish Bath Gow .

“ ’ Th e Om an Turkish Go o ds e n um e rated he re are an abs lute ne c e s s i in ve u h T e lu ur b ut o e r h o se o ld . h e ar a x ty y y y , no t ex ens ive an d can be o btained at ric e s wi hin reac h o f p , p t ’ ve o n Be s ur to b u ‘ d avo id e ry e . e y the O sm an B ran and ' Th e s l ers im itatio ns . O man s are so d b y all th e Prin cip al Drap r in th e W o ld .

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And ld all i - so by Hgh Class Drap ers and Up holsterers . UST RE DY. La e s ua re 81 1 0 a bo ut the siz e W e J A q , q ' ' ’ nabn d cd D na r d i n P ia U g y , bo un half ers

ma c . rble l a lga Price “ 0. net. AN E N TI R E L Y N E W CyclopediaOi Practical Medicine Surgery

B ume ll s . y Se ve nty S pec ial Co ntrib uto rs. One Vo l (I u trated) co n c ise Refere nce H andbo o l hab e icall A k, A p t y Medic ine S ur er O bs e rics Ma e ria Me dica , g y , t t , t , and th e vario us S e c iali ies with Particular p t , Diagno sis and Tre atm ent. Co mraile d under

Su E GE. Edito r v G R M . Go u M . D er isio n o f w . p O , , ' i n . . s Sur M cal o urn al a d ALTER L PYLE M D . ss tant J , W , , A “Ill s E e H o s i al fo rm e rl Edito r I n erna io nal Med y p t , y ” t t M a az in e & c g , .

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VO1 l l . H ndsonr s ua re dvo —q , 7 3ca n t: y us a t witz 1 9 j;4ll pagc p la ks l c a t r P ri ha f moroc o le he . ce Sgt . ne t.

e i lv F D sa pt e Circular Pos t re e o n req uest. R I AL ANAT M S U G C O Y. A Tm tise o n H um an Anato m y in its A p lic atio n to the Prac tice

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