Born in Scotland in 1728 John followed his older brother William to London to study medicine and run an anatomy school with him. Whereas his brother quickly became established as a doctor making a good living in rich society, John was more interested in pursuing his studies of anatomy and comparative anatomy. However he did develop a successful private practice through gaining a reputation as a skilled and caring surgeon. He would frequently waive his fees for those who couldn’t pay.
Grave Robbers
John preferred to mix with ordinary people in ale houses rather than network among the rich. His socialising with the ‘lower classes’ had a benefit: it gave him frequent contact with grave robbers whose services he purchased. At that time in London dissection of the human body was only allowed on the corpses of convicted criminals. Despite the high level of crime and the death penalty for many crimes, there were always too few dead bodies available for the teaching of anatomy.
Not only was John Hunter a dedicated teacher but also an avid collector of anatomical specimens: animal and human. His dissections show the differences between different species and how these relate to differing function. They also show how disease processes affect anatomical structures, for example tumours and deformities.
The Reluctant Surgeon
Although there is no single medical or surgical advance that is credited to him, John Hunter greatly extended our understanding of disease processes making real inroads into areas such as inflammation, transplanting teeth, gunshot wounds and venereal disease.
He has been described as a ‘reluctant surgeon’ in that he would only operate when really necessary. Given the absence of anaesthetics and the dangers that attended surgery in the eighteenth century this was a sensible approach. John taught his students that surgery should only be attempted if the surgeon had a clear outcome in mind and that it would do the least amount of harm to the patient. This approach, of only operating- indeed conducting any treatment, on a rational basis coupled with his extensive anatomical studies is what gave him the accolade of father of scientific surgery.
A Bribe for a Body
Although an essentially a kind man, John Hunter was no saint, particularly when his curiosity drove him. He bribed a mourner to help him obtain the body of the 7 feet 7 inch Irish giant Charles Byrne for dissection (John was fascinated by the unusual). The unfortunate Irishman knew that John wanted his body and asked to be buried at sea to ensure that the grave robbers couldn’t get to him. He failed to take into account John’s determination and a mourner’s greed.
A Man with a Fierce Temper
John had a fierce temper which, he thought, might one day kill him. In a heroic experiment to determine that nature of venereal disease, John purposefully inoculated himself with infected material from a sufferer. This gave him syphilis which over the years severely damaged his heart and the rest of circulatory system. John was well aware of the dangers this combination of a badly damaged heart and an uncontrollable temper, saying that ‘My life is at the mercy of any rogue who chooses to provoke me’.
This proved prescient. During an argument with fellow surgeons John collapsed never to regain consciousness. He died on 16th October 1793.
Much of what remains of John Hunter’s collection can be seen in the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons, London. If you can't get there, the website has a virtual tour.
Reference
The Reluctant Surgeon, John Kobler. Heineman 1960
Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons, Lincolns Inn London
John Richard Roberts - I am a practicing osteopath and acupuncturist living and working in the UK. I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Neuroscience. I have ...
