44 seems to consider, that the formation of the The practice mentioned in this paper I slough was not so much the effect of in- have recommended in other cases, not only tensity and degree, as the peculiar kind of of smaU-pox, but of severe varicella, and inflammation. In reply we must observe, found it successful. I now beg leave to lay that peculiarity of inflammation is a thing it before the profession, most of whom, in we know little about, except from its ten- civil life, will have better opportunity of dency and effects; that if a healthy adhe- meeting with the disease, and judging of sive inflammation be produced where an the merits of the practice, than military unhealthy tendency to the production of medical men, the vaccine system being too certain known effects existed, then the ex- rigidly enforced to met often with this istence of that peculiarity of action became formidable disease in the army. Whether of little consequence, being so easily de. this disease, thus destroyed in its infancy, stroyed. We must also take into consider. can have the effect of preventing its recur. ation, that since the days of the justly rence in after-life, must be as yet only mat. celebrated Ilunter, opinions have changed ter of speculation, but that would appear to with respect to the nature and texture of be of little consequence, as the treatment the skin itself, many, both in Great Britain that once could so easily check the disorder and on the Continent, being very doubtful is always at hand to remove it. of a rete mucosum. We also know, that Dublin, 14th Feb. 1829. the interior of the corion, or side next the body, is more permeable than the side next the surface ; that the vessels on this outer surface are more delicate and smaller than BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LATE those of the inner, and that, for many rea- JOHN HENNEN, M.D. sons, it is here cutaneous diseases com- D. Westminster monly exist. Reflection will also teach us, By O. EDWARDS, Esq., that inflammatorv affections of the skin Hospital. will, pari passu, often run their course and Ir the following notice of the profes- terminate much like inflammatory affections sional career of one of our first military sur- elsewhere, thus showing obedience to the geons be deemed wotthy of insertion in your same laws ; thus a portion of blood is thrown widely-circulated Journal, it is quite at your upon a part, no matter what the causes service. simple or specific, a small red pimple is Dr. John Hennen, who lately fell a vic- observed, whether itchy or otherwise; it tim to the malignant epidemic fever at may remain a short time, then gradually dis- Gibraltar, was descended from a very re- appear, or be resolved; it may end so far spectable family in the county Mayo, Con- in effusion, that a papula surmounts it ; this naught. The first of his ancestors that set- papula is either opened or bursts ; the ex- tled in the sister kingdom was a confidential ternal air absorbs its more, and presses to.. follower of Oliver Cromwell, and was re- gether its less, fluid particles, and a scab warded for his services to that great forms, adhesion takes place to the parts usurper, by -an extensive grant of land near beneath, and, covered by nature’s dressing, Castlebar. The family of the Hennens the part gets well and the scab falls off. The have ever since been respectable land- cuticle may have been also thickened, or at owners in that neighbourhood, and the least not yield, then the effused fluid, find- patrimonial estate is still held by a lineal ing no exit, reacts by pressure on the origi- descendant of the first settler. nally inflamed part, which being excited to John, the younger of the two sons of greater action, a suppurative one is induced, James Hennen, Esq., was born at Castlebar and pustule is the result. Should the por- in the year 1779. He acquired the first tion of disease be more highly excited, and rudiments of his education in a respectable more extensive, the surface of the coricn is boarding school at Limerick; and, at a drawn into disease and sloughs, u’.ceraticn suitable age, he was bound apprentice to must succeed to throw off that slough, and Mr. J. Hennen, a surgeon and a near rela- when the part heals pitting must naturally tion, who enjoyed an extensive practice in be expected. It has been asked, by a ta- his native town. In the autumn of 1797, lented writer,—" If the pock does not sup- young Hennen was sent to Edinburgh, purate, will tlie slough ever be found ! I; where he was more distinguished for the it willuot, then the suppuration is as much beauty of his person, and the urbanity of his as the slough itself." I think not, to) manners, than for application to his studies. should suppuration exist, the matter be With an improvidence, which was cliarac- evacuated ly puncture, be absorbed by lint teristic or his whole life, he contracted a and the apex and base unite, no patting ha marriage before lip was eighteen years old, followed, therefore it would appear that with a young lady of good family and great no slough existed, nor ulceration became accomplishments, but who was still younger- necessary for its expulsion. than himself. ile hall littl0 cause, how- 45 ever, to regret this apparently imprudent succeeded the actions at Waterloo, he union with Miss Malcolm. She proved for I exerted even more than his wonted energy, twenty years a faithful and affectionate and contributed greatly to form those ex- companion, and partook with him in all the Ie cellent arrangements which were adopted in dangerous services in which he was subse- the management of the wounded thousands quently engaged. In 1799, he joined the of friends and foes. army of Sir Ralph Abercromby, with the The severe bodily and mental fatigue, rank of hospital mate, and was soon pro- and the long-enduring privations which he moted to the assistant-surgeoncy of the occasionally underwent, had made him, 40tli regiment of infantry. In 1800, he whilst campaigning, contract a habit of con- accompanied the expedition to Egypt, and tinual smoking ; and his constant activity was slightly affected with the ophthalmia brought him, frequently, under the eye of which proved so severe a scourge to our the Duke of Wellington. The following troops. John Hennen was naturally a man anecdote respecting him was long current of very quick observation, and soon became in military circles. On the celebrated 17th convinced of the necessity of supplying the of June, 1315, Mr. Hennen being on duty in deficiency of his early education, and apply- the presence of the Duke, whose attention ing his opportunities of acquiring know- had been caught by the ever-burning cigar, ledge to the improvement of his mind ; with his Grace observed, "Well ! Hennen, is what success his exertions have been at- that the fortieth cigar to day?" No, my tended, those who have had the happiness lord," replied the surgeon, " it is only the of enjoying his richly varied and deeply thirty-eighth." erudite conversation, can fully appreciate. In the autumn of 1315, he was raised to On his return from Egypt, he was stationed the rank of deputy inspector of hospitals, successively at Malta and at Gibraltar, and was placed on the Home Staff, at Ports- where he acquired a familiar knowledge of mouth. The leisure which he enjoyed in the lingua Franca and the expressive lan- this district, enabled him to complete his guage of Spain. On his return to England, book on the " Principles of Military Sur- he was removed to the 7th Garrison Bat- gery." This work was received with uni. talion, and remained some time quartered versal approbation. The clear and rational in the north of Ireland. About the spring views which it presented of the nature, of 1806, he was appointed surgeon of the consequences, and treatment of the injuries 2d Battalion of the 30th foot ; and we find sustained in war, illustrated, as they were, him in Portugal, with his regiment, under by a series of authentic and well-marked, Sir A. Wellesley in 1807. In 1809 he was and relevant cases, established the reputa- in Cadiz during its bombardment by Mar- tion of the author. In 1820, he removed shal Soult; and afterwards was actively to Edinburgh, and experienced an irrepara- and unremittingly engaged in his arduous ble loss in the death of Mrs. Hennen. In duties, during the whole of the Peninsular the beginning of that year he took the de- campaigns. I-lis energetic promptitude and gree of M.D. Soon after, he became editor indefatigableness soon obtained for him the of the Edinburgh illedical and Surgical friendship and good offices of Dr. M’Gregor, Journal, and delivered a course of lectures the chief of the medical staff, who intro- on military surgery. In the springof 1825, duced him to the favourable notice of the he was appointed principal medical officer commander-in-chief. The medical care of a atI Malta and the Ionian Islands. During division of the army was entrusted to him.his residence on this station, he drew up an That service was performed with the great- extremely accurate, comprehensive, and in- est efficiency and integrity, and called forth teresting topographical history of those the approbation of his superior officers. islands, which lies in MS. in the office of During the actions in the Peninsula, and, the Army Medical Department.