Abstract
GILBERT BLANE was born at Blanesfield, Ayrshire, on August 29, 1749. After studying at Edinburgh and graduating M.D. at the University of Glasgow in 1778, he sailed to the West Indies in 1779 as private physician to Admiral Lord Rodney. His ability and coolness in action won him the Admiral's friendship and the appointment of physician to the Fleet. On his return to London he was elected physician to St. Thomas's Hospital. When Blane was a boy of four, James Lind recommended the use of fresh fruit and vegetables for the prevention of scurvy. At forty-seven, Blane, as commissioner for sick and wounded seamen, succeeded in getting Lind's pioneer suggestion officially adopted by the Admiralty. The disease at once disappeared from the official sick-returns. Other naval reforms effected by Blane were the ventilation and cleansing of ships, the supply of soap and medical necessities, and the introduction of hospital ships to take the place of shore hospitals. He also advised on quarantine legislation, on the prevention of prison fever, and on many other public health problems. He became a baronet in 1812 after his return from Walcheren, where he had arranged for the transport of the sick following government acceptance of his advice to withdraw the disease-stricken troops from that unhealthy island. Physician-in-ordinary to George IV, and a Fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, his most important book was "Observations on the Diseases Incident to Seamen" (1785). Blane's health began to fail in 1821, and he died on June 27, 1834. Because of his austerity he was nicknamed "Chilblain" ; but in the annals of history he lives as the 'Father of Naval Medical Science', whose memory is honoured by the Royal College of Surgeons in the annual award of the Blane Gold Medal.
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Sir Gilbert Blane (1749–1834). Nature 164, 343 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/164343b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/164343b0