The King's Physicians Were Unimpressed by Willis's Qualifications and He Was "Considered by Some Not Much Better Than a Mountebank

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MEDICAL NUMISMATIC NOTES, XVIII: PORTRAITS OF PHYSICIANS ON BRITISH TRADE TOKENS MAYER HYMAN, M.D. Director, Department of Electrocardiography Tucson Medical Center Tucson, Ariz.

OwFthe hundreds of British trade tokens struck in the i8th century, only three bear portraits of physicians. One of these was de- scribed in an earlier Medical Numismatic Note.' Tokens were used initially as small change in trade, but as their popularity became evi- dent similar pieces were used for advertising, political propaganda, and in limited editions issued to satisfy collectors. One such piece, used for advertising as well as propaganda, was struck and distributed by Dr. Francis Willis to publicize his successful treatment of King George III.2, 3, 4 It is now widely believed that George III suffered from porphyria. During the royal attack of "madness" in I788, Dr. Willis was asked to treat the patient. The treatment, although not exceptional for its time, would be deemed harsh and sometimes cruel by present standards. A political crisis was averted by the patient's recovery, and the circula- tion of the medallic portrait of Dr. Willis publicized the therapeutic triumph. Dr. Francis Willis (17i8-I807)5 was the third son of the vicar of Lincoln Cathedral. Although he was extremely interested in medicine, he acceded to his father's wishes and studied theology. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brasenose College, Oxford. Long after taking holy orders he studied medicine and was granted the M.B. and M.D. from Oxford University in 1759. At that time he was 4I years old. Ten years later he was appointed attending physician at a hospital in Lincoln and became interested in the treatment of mental disease. He had surprising success. As his reputation grew so did his practice, and he moved to a larger house at Gretford. The king's physicians were unimpressed by Willis's qualifications and he was "considered by some not much better than a mountebank,

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Fig. 1. Obverse of Francis Willis token. Author's collection. Photographed by the American Numismatic Society. and not far different from some of those that are confined in his home.' '5 Despite the professional jealousies and political intrigues, the royal ill- ness remitted and Dr. Willis returned to his private practice. He found it necessary to build a second house to care for the large number of patients who were referred to him for treatment. For the remainder of his life he felt that his efforts in caring for the king were not fully appreciated, although he received iooo pounds a year for 20 years.6 During his later years Dr. Willis was aided in his practice by two of his five sons, who also became involved in "the trade in lunacy."7' 8 The tin token is 36 mm. in diameter. The obverse (Figure i) is a portrait bust facing three quarters to the left between the words DOC-

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Fig. 2. Reverse of Francis Willis token. Author's collection. Photographed by the American Numrismatic Society.

TOR WILLIS. The reverse (Figure 2) announces BRITONS RE- JOICE YOUR KING'S RESTORED. 1789. The token is common in tin but is rare in silver. Another physician whose portrait is found on a token is Richard Greene (07i6-1793),9 a relative of Samuel Johnson. It is believed that Greene obtained his M.D. degree from a Scottish university and he practiced as a surgeon and apothecary in Lichfield, the city of his birth. His professional activities did not interfere with his political activities or with his hobby of collecting all sorts of "collectables." At various times he was sheriff, bailiff, and city alderman in Lichfield. His collection of curiosities was extensive and was a repository of anything un-

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Fig. 3. Obverse of Richard Greene token. Author's collection. Photographed by the American Numismatic Society. usual: there were "coins, crucifixes, watches and specimens of natural history. Later, this was augmented by additions of minerals, orreries, deeds and manuscripts, missals, muskets, and specimens of armour. It also contained numerous curiosities from the South Sea Islands."9 Samuel Johnson was deeply attached to his home town and in later years would visit Lichfield almost every year. He was particularly fond of Greene and enjoyed visiting his family and admiring the collection. Greene published several catalogues of the collection, listing among the donors Charles Darwin, Dr. Johnson, and Dr. William Withering, as well as other notables of the day. After Greene's death his collections were sold and widely scattered.

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Fig. 4. Reverse of Richard Greene token. Author's collection. Photographed by the American Numismatic Society.

Obviously the token was struck to satisfy collectors, since only a small number was made. A specimen is on display in the Johnson Mu- seum in Lichfield, Staffordshire. The piece is in bronze and has a diameter of 36 mm. The obverse (Figure 3) bears a head facing left, with the inscription RICHARD GREENE. COLLECTOR OF THE LICHFIELD MUSEUM DIED 4 JUNE, 1793, AGE 77. The reverse (Figure 4) depicts an ornate Gothic window or door, with the words WEST PORCH OF LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL. i8oo. The edge is lettered in relief PENNY TOKEN PAYABLE BY RICHARD WRIGHT LICHFIELD. Only 72 pieces were struck and the token is considered scarce.

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REFERENCES 1. Hyman, M.: Medical numismatic notes, 5. Smith, G.: The Dictionary of National XVI: Philemon Holland, "the great Biography. London, Oxford University translator." Bull. N.Y. A cad. Med. 50: Press, 1917, vol. 8, pp. 508-09. 949-53, 1974. 6. Treue, W.: Doctor at Court. London, 2. Whiting, J. R. S.: British Trade To- Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1958, p. 94. kens. A Social and Economic History. 7. Macalpine, I. and Hunter, R.: George New York, Drake, 1972, pp. 121-24. III and the Mad-Business. New York, 3. Amann, A. F.: Francis Willis, physi- Pantheon, 1969. cian. Seaby's Coin Medal Bull. (Lon- 8. Parry-Jones, W. L.: The Trade in don): 119, 1963. Lunlacy. A Study of Private Mad- 4. Macalpine, I. and Hunter, R.: The houses in England in the Eighteenth insanity of King George III: A classic aid Nineteenth Ceiutries. London, case of porphyria. Brit. Med. J. 1:65- Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1972. 71, 1966. 9. Smith, G.: op. cit., vol. 21, pp. 488-89.

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