A biographical sketch of James Ranald Martin, Esq., F.R.S., surgeon in the Bengal Army, and late Presidency Surgeon and Surgeon to the Native Hospital of Calcutta.

Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A biographical sketch of James Ranald Martin, Esq., F.R.S., surgeon in the Bengal Army, and late Presidency Surgeon and Surgeon to the Native Hospital of Calcutta. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    his distinguished uncle. After a painful struggle, the youth gave way to the wishes of his father and maternal grandfather, but only upon the compromise that he should become a surgeon, and enter the army in that capacity. His studies at the aca- demy went on, and to them were added, during his last two years of residence in Inverness, elementary instruction in medicine and pharmacy, under the direction of Drs. Robertson and MacDonald. The former was a physician of great experience, and a thorough gentleman, and the latter an able practitioner. Both gentlemen entertained the most friendly regard for their pupil, who, in his turn, has never ceased to feel indebted to them. In the year 1813, he came to London from Inverness, and entered himself as a perpetual pupil at St. George’s Hospital. Here he was first under Sir Everard Home, and then under Mr. Brodie, carrying on his other medical and surgical studies in the school at Windmill-street, superintended by Messrs. Wilson and Charles Bell. At this time, the dis- secting-room was under the superintendence of the late Mr. John Shaw, to which gentleman’s friendly guidance the youthful student was greatly indebted, and he has ever felt grateful in after-life for the invaluable services then rendered to him by his friend and teacher. Mr. Martin passed his examination at the College, October, 1816. He remained some months in London, after which he went down to Inverness. His father was now about to remove into Morayshire, his purpose in residing at Inverness having been accomplished. Mr. Martin took a hasty and final leave of his family, and embarked for India, in June, 1817, on board the ship Lord Hungerford, from London to Calcutta. His commission of assistant-surgeon was obtained through the interest of his uncle. Sir John MacDonald. During the voyage an intimacy arose between the young assistant-surgeon and Captain Sneyd, of the Bengal Cavalry, which terminated only with the death of that distinguished and estimable officer. Now commenced his Indian career. He landed in Calcutta on the 2nd of December, 1817, after a voyage of nearly six months, and was immediately ordered