Some account of the life and character of the late Thomas Bateman, M.D. F.L.S. physician to the public dispensary and to the fever institution in London / [James Rumsey].

  • Rumsey, James, 1778-1856.
Date:
1826
    excellent paper on this important subject for the first volume of the Philanthropist. As an author, Dr. Bateman is remarkable for the clearness and unaffected style of his com- position ; and for the power which he possessed of discriminating truth amidst conflicting testi- monies. The account of Elephantiasis, contained in his Synopsis, is a strong illustration of this faculty. And in Mr. Robinson's paper in the tenth volume of the Medico-Chirurgical Trans- actions, we have the testimony of a writer who has enjoyed very considerable opportunities of study- ing that remarkable disease in India, in confirm- ation of Dr. Bateman's accuracy in describing it. His intercourse with his professional brethren was conducted in the same spirit which charac- terised every other part of his behaviour. He was an honest man; and in discharging his own duty every where to the best of his ability, never directly or indirectly defrauded another of his claims, bearing in remembrance often, besides his natural desire to do right, the honourable manner in which he was wont to say his former master, Dr, Baillie, invariably treated him when
    called in consultation to his patients. On such occasions, he was fond of repeating, he always found that he stood better himself with the pa- tient and his friends than before. His friends therefore loved him, and his professional acquain- tances honoured him. And the estimation in which his services were held at the benevolent institutions to which they were dedicated, was testified by repeated votes of thanks, the compli- ments of which he well merited. To these substantial proofs of the good opinion of all who knew him, his simple integrity, love of truth, and steady obedience to every demand of duty, as they never wore in any degree an artificial appearance, but were the unstudied manifesta- tions of his real character, naturally conducted him. And here it can hardly be wrong to record a testimony to his professional care and humanity from a quarter seldom alluded to in a manner to reflect much honour upon human nature, since it exhibits a sense of justice, and a capacity of feeling there, which do not admit of any sinister interpretation. Many of his Dispen- sary patients resided in the worst parts of
    St. Giles's ; and thither it was his business to follow them. The scenes he had thus to traverse were often as fearful as they were distressing; but he did his duty to his patients; and even in that extreme depth of depravity there were never wanting some to do theirs to him. For the wretched people knew the value of his visits, and fierce as they were, it was common for the first who caught sight of him, as he entered their appalling precincts, to step forward for the pur- pose of protecting and conducting "the Doctor!" to the sick room. * Happy the country, whose charities are so administered! — whose servants are thus faithful to their trust, howsoever difficult or revolting; and the most abject of whose inmates involuntarily so testify to the praise of both! * A. friend who was once walking through the streets with him, will not soon forget the expression which lighted up the countenance of a labourer, who, on suddenly meet- ing them, exclaimed, " God bless you. Sir! God bless your Honour !" On Dr. Bateman being asked who the poor man was, he said he did not recollect, but did not doubt he had been a patient at the Fever House or the Dispensary, it being very common for such greetings to happen to him from his Irish patients there.
    Let no man, while he labours in such a calling as he ought, for a moment doubt of his sufficient reward ! It may not come to him in the shape he expects, or would choose ; but come it will, if he honestly merits it; and surely in the form for which he may be above all most thankful, if, as in this instance, while he is made the instrument of healing the diseases, it is given him also to sof- ten the hearts of the most hopeless of his kind ! His zeal for the advancement of knowledge was evinced by the warm interest he took in the various societies with which he was connected, and of which he was an efficient and much valued associate. In Edinburgh he had thus gained a place among the most worthy of his fellow-students; and on coming to London, he joined the Medical Society in Bolt Court. He was also a fellow of the Linntean Society; but resigned his seat on leaving London in 1819. He was a member too of the Academical So- ciety : and on the resignation of its first Presi- dent, who likewise was a distinguished physician, Dr. BAXEMAN was called to the chair, and re- elected through several sessions; as long indeed p 3
    as he was able to devote sufficient time to the duties of the office. On the foundation of the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, he took an active part in its proceedings. And the character which he had established for a profound knowledge of medical literature led to his being appointed its librarian, a post not of mere distinction, but attended with consider- able labour in assisting to form the valuable collection of books which that very I'espectable society possesses; and to arrange its catalogue for pubhcation. Dr. Bateman was thus an eminent and an useful man " in his day and generation." His career was interrupted at its height, and when he had most to expect from emolument and fame. After the unexpected amendment which took place in his health during the summer of 1820, it was proposed to him by a medical friend whom he greatly respected, that he should in the ensu- ing winter fix himself in York ; and this being the field he had originally looked to, he acceded to the scheme with much satisfaction. Yet he often felt a dread of returning to an intercourse