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Duncan McArthur
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Duncan McArthur
DUNCAN MCARTHUR Medical practitioner, physician to the fleet (the prison or the navy ?) Date: 1773 - 1855
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Media ID 14096342
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1773 1855 Duncan Mcarthur Physician Practitioner Prison Fleet
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "Duncan McArthur: The Compassionate Healer at Sea in the Age of Sail". This evocative image depicts Duncan McArthur (1773-1855), a renowned medical practitioner and physician to the British Navy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. McArthur's service to the fleet, specifically during the time of the prison hulks, is a significant chapter in maritime and medical history. Duncan McArthur was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He began his career as a naval surgeon in 1793, serving in the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary Wars. McArthur's dedication to the health and wellbeing of sailors set him apart from his peers. He was known for his compassionate care and innovative approaches to treating illnesses and injuries at sea. The prison hulks, large decommissioned ships moored in ports, were used to house and quarantine sick and injured sailors, as well as convicts awaiting transportation to the colonies. McArthur's appointment as a surgeon to the prison hulks in Portsmouth, England, in 1815 marked a pivotal moment in his career. He dedicated himself to improving the living conditions and healthcare for the thousands of men confined within these floating prisons. McArthur's tenure as a prison hulk surgeon saw the implementation of numerous reforms, including the establishment of a proper hospital on a hulk, the introduction of vaccination against smallpox, and the implementation of a more systematic approach to the treatment and care of patients. His efforts significantly reduced the mortality rate among the sick and injured men housed in the prison hulks. This photograph captures the image of a compassionate and dedicated medical professional who made a profound impact on the lives of countless sailors during the Age of Sail. Duncan McArthur's legacy as a pioneering physician to the British Navy and the prison hulks continues to inspire and inform modern medical practices at sea and beyond.
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