Australian Colonial Surgeons

The doctors of the early colonies were more than just surgeons. Aside from their main role, doctors contributed to the fledgling colony as magistrates, farmers, graziers, naturalists, explorers and traders. In these side pursuits the surgeons were quite successful and some such as Thomas Arndell and Thomas Jamison built up large estates. They were also effective in keeping the colonists generally healthy. Most of the deaths in the early colony were closely related to the lack of fresh food or the arrival of large amounts of sick passengers that arrived upon ships from England. Their efforts were helped by the discovery of plants that provided vital supplies of vitamin C and reduced the incidence of scurvy.

From the very beginning, the surgeons played an important role in the development of the colony. As the ships were being loaded with supplies and convicts for the long journey to New South Wales, the newly appointed principle-surgeon, John White, was looking to make this a safe voyage for all under his care. When he found the convicts stored below decks, he immediately implemented disease-preventing measures such as ensuring the convicts had adequate food and clothing, that they were given plenty of time on deck for the fresh air and that the holds were kept as dry and as clean as possible . Surgeon White, along with Captain Arthur Philip, was influenced by the work of Doctor James Lind . Doctor Lind proved through clinical trials that the effects of scurvy could be treated with citrus fruit. Doctor Lind had influenced Captain Cook and his relatively few cases of scurvy through out his career also showed Philip and White the importance of having a fresh supply of fresh fruit or vegetables. It was for this reason that the fleet made extra stops for supplies at Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town before heading on to Botany Bay. Undoubtedly, these measures were of great benefit to all the passengers on the first fleet and when compared to the fleets that followed, the First Fleet can be viewed as huge success for its principle surgeon.

Once the colonists had landed in New South Wales, the surgeons were faced with a range of new challenges and opportunities. The most pressing of which was the outbreak of scurvy. Because of the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables growing natively, White along with Surgeons Mate Dennis Considen, set about locating a native growing plant with antiscorbutic properties, eventually finding a native sarsaparilla plant or �sweet tea’ . The sarsaparilla was later proven to contain about the same amount of vitamin C as a tomato so it is highly likely that this discovery helped put an end to the Scurvy epidemic .

Surgeons White and Considen also took an interest in the native flora and documented the medicinal properties of some native plants such as the antiscorbutic qualities of the native sarsaparilla and a native berry later named �Leptomina Acida’. Considen also noted the effectiveness of the acacia gum in soothing the symptoms of dysentery. Although, White claimed to have discovered these plants himself, Considen’s claims that it was he who made these discoveries has some contemporary support . White was also interested in native flora, he began collecting specimens from the areas surrounding the colony and sent these back with his journal. Illustrations were made in England using the specimens White had sent back and together with his journal were publish in 1790 as Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales which was very popular in England and was even translated in other European languages .

The new landscapes, plants and animals raised the curiosity of the other surgeons as well. George Worgan, the naval surgeon based aboard the Sirius, joined in several expeditions west of the colonies. The areas he visited included Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River and on one of his journeys the upper Nepean River was named the Worgan River in his honour . John White too, was a keen explorer and accompanied Phillip on his early inland journeys. The large areas of unknown country also inspired Naval Surgeon George Bass, perhaps the best-known surgeon from those days. Bass went on several journeys inland, he found the lost herd of cattle that had fled the colony in the early years at the Cow Pastures but failed to cross the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. He did, however, have a lot more success at sea, discovering and naming Bass Straight . While Arthur Bowes Smyth, or Arthur Bowes as he was known while he was in colony, showed an interest in the wildlife. He reported on the birds that inhabited Lord Howe Island where he had stopped briefly with Lieutenant Ball with the Supply to collect supplies of turtle for the colony. He is also thought to be the first European to see and draw an Emu.

From an early date, surgeons were required to serve as magistrates due to a lack of other educated officers. William Balmain, who replaced White as principle surgeon for the colony in 1796 served as a magistrate and won high praise from Governor John Hunter for his hard work . Other surgeons were more controversial like Thomas Jamison, while serving as a magistrate in 1806 he clashed with the Governor Bligh. The bad feeling between these two gentlemen most likely stemmed from Bligh’s refusal to grant Jamison leave to return to England, Jamison in return sided with John Macarthur, Wentworth and Major Johnstone in their dealings with Bligh. Bligh finally dismissed Jamison from the magistracy due to his involvement in what Bligh called “improper transactions”. Predictably, Jamison supported Johnstone in the overthrow of Bligh on January 26, 1808 . William Redfern’s appointment as a magistrate caused the most controversy. Governor Macquarie nominated Redfern 1819 against the advice of Commissioner Bigge who was in the colony conducting review of the colony on behalf of Lord Bathurst, the Colonial Secretary. Bigge objected to the beneficial treatment shown to the emancipists under Macquarie’s administration. This difference of opinion was typical of the conflict between the free settlers and officers and the emancipists like Redfern. Unfortunately, a year after he was appointed, Redfern was removed from the magistracy by Lord Bathurst .

As traders, several of the early surgeons were very influential. The general lack of money in the colony combined with the fact that they were among the few people who could access sterling to buy cargo from the ships that visited the little colony put them into an advantageous position. Most notably Jamison along with Macarthur and Garnham Blaxcell invested in Sandalwood that was shipped to Canton and exchanged for goods that could be sold in the colony although this partnership, like many others in the early colony broke down. He