Selections from the works of Abraham Colles : consisting chiefly of his practical observations on the venereal disease, and on the use of mercury / Edited, with annotations, by Robert McDonnell.

  • McDonnell, Robert, 1828-1889.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selections from the works of Abraham Colles : consisting chiefly of his practical observations on the venereal disease, and on the use of mercury / Edited, with annotations, by Robert McDonnell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    tip by the schoolboy in a meadow near his father's house. He restored the volume to Dr. Butler, but putting some pointed questions respecting the contents, satisfied that gentleman that his young friend had looked into its pages. The book was probably of no great value, for the Doctor made it a present to Abraham Colles, who carried it home in triumph and soon preferred it to his Horace or Lucian. Not long after, during a visit to Dublin, at the house of an uncle who was a member of the Bar, he discovered to that relative the passion he had conceived for medical studies, and his mother was advised to permit him to follow the bent of his talents. In the year 1790 he entered the University of Dublin. His progress at school had been such as to promise the highest collegiate success. But he aimed at success in life rather than success in college. He left his brother to gather academic lam-els, and to obtain premium and scholarship. He limited his own studies to the object of passing through the course respectably, and at once, after matriculation, commenced his medical studies. He became apprentice to Dr. Woodroffe then resident Surgeon in Steeven's Hospital. From the first he devoted himself with extraordinary earnest- ness to the profession of his choice. He embraced it with ardour and paid to it no divided allegiance. There are still in existence case-books filled with notes of cases taken during his apprenticeship. An anecdote connecting his name with that of Edmund Burke ought not to be omitted. His uncle, Mr. Bichard Colles, at whose house he was now a frequent visitor, had some dispute with a London bookseller concerning the publication and copyright of a satirical poem. He had also a correspondence with Mr. Burke on the subject. Edmund Burke's letter suggested to the young Surgeon some remarks On the condition of political satire, which he committed to paper and showed to his- uncle, who privately sent them to his illustrious friend in England. Edmund Burke returned them with enconiums on their spirit and good sense, even recommending their publication. The author, however, when requested by his gratified relative to prepare them for the