Draft:Henry Plowman (surgeon)
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'''Henry Plowman''' (June 1779 - 1 March 1842) was a [[Royal Navy]] [[Naval surgeon|surgeon]] during the [[War of the Second Coalition]] and the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. He was the second son of the Rev'd John Plowman |
'''Henry Plowman''' (June 1779 - 1 March 1842) was a [[Royal Navy]] [[Naval surgeon|surgeon]] during the [[War of the Second Coalition]] and the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. He was the second son of the Rev'd John Plowman,{{cite web |title= The Clergy of the Church of England Database: Plowman, John (1764 - 1784) |url=http://db.theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/persons/DisplayPerson.jsp?PersonID=19262 |access-date=27 April 2026}} vicar of [[Toller Porcorum]], with his second wife Elizabeth née Gollop. |
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On 4 March 1810 Plowman's ship, [[HMS Triumph (1764)|HMS Triumph]], and [[HMS Phipps (1808)|HMS Phipps]], salvaged a large load of elemental mercury from a wrecked Spanish vessel [[Spanish ship Purísima Concepción (1779)|Purisima Concepcion]] near Cadiz, Spain. 130 tons were removed and stored aboard the two vessels. The quicksilver was in kidskin bladders. The bladders containing the mercury soon ruptured. The element spread about the ships in liquid and vapor forms. The sailors presented with neurologic compromises: tremor, paralysis, and excessive salivation as well as tooth loss, skin problems, and pulmonary complaints, symptoms of [[mercury poisoning]]. Henry Plowman had concluded that the ailments had arisen from inhaling the mercurialized atmosphere. His treatment was to order the lower deck gun ports to be opened, when it was safe to do so; sleeping on the orlop was forbidden; and no men slept in the lower deck if they were at all symptomatic. Windsails were set to channel fresh air into the lower decks day and night. |
On 4 March 1810 Plowman's ship, [[HMS Triumph (1764)|HMS Triumph]], and [[HMS Phipps (1808)|HMS Phipps]], salvaged a large load of elemental mercury from a wrecked Spanish vessel [[Spanish ship Purísima Concepción (1779)|Purisima Concepcion]] near Cadiz, Spain. 130 tons were removed and stored aboard the two vessels. The quicksilver was in kidskin bladders. The bladders containing the mercury soon ruptured. The element spread about the ships in liquid and vapor forms. The sailors presented with neurologic compromises: tremor, paralysis, and excessive salivation as well as tooth loss, skin problems, and pulmonary complaints, symptoms of [[mercury poisoning]]. Henry Plowman had concluded that the ailments had arisen from inhaling the mercurialized atmosphere. His treatment was to order the lower deck gun ports to be opened, when it was safe to do so; sleeping on the orlop was forbidden; and no men slept in the lower deck if they were at all symptomatic. Windsails were set to channel fresh air into the lower decks day and night. |
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Two papers have been written covering the effects of Mercurial vapour on the Triumph's crew and Plowman's treatment. The first was in 1823 by [[William Burnett (physician)|William Burnet]], MD who published it for presentation to the [[Royal Society]], |
Two papers have been written covering the effects of Mercurial vapour on the Triumph's crew and Plowman's treatment. The first was in 1823 by [[William Burnett (physician)|William Burnet]], MD who published it for presentation to the [[Royal Society]],{{cite journal |last1=Burnett |first1=William |title=An Account of the Effect of Mercurial Vapours on the Crew of His Majesty's Ship Triumph, in the Year 1810 |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London |date=1823 |volume=113 |pages=402–408 |jstor=107658 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/107658 |access-date=27 April 2026}} and the second in 2003 by Dr Michael J. Doherty MD. {{cite web |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15037700|title= The Quicksilver Prize: Mercury vapor poisoning aboard HMS Triumph and HMS Phipps |first1=Michael J. |last1=Doherty |access-date=27 April 2026}} |
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In 1817 Henry Plowman married Mary Elizabeth Kirkham at Winterborne Houghton and their daughter was born in 1818 but died aged 8 months in 1819. His wife, Mary, died in 1820.The Gentleman's Magazine,July to December 1820 edition, Page 281 In 1822 he married Frances Louisa Taunton a daughter of Thomas and Agnes Taunton of Wrackleford House. They had three sons. [[Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy]] stood as Godfather to the eldest, Thomas Henry, in 1832. |
In 1817 Henry Plowman married Mary Elizabeth Kirkham at Winterborne Houghton and their daughter was born in 1818 but died aged 8 months in 1819. His wife, Mary, died in 1820.The Gentleman's Magazine, July to December 1820 edition, Page 281 In 1822 he married Frances Louisa Taunton a daughter of Thomas and Agnes Taunton of Wrackleford House. They had three sons. [[Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy]] stood as Godfather to the eldest, Thomas Henry, in 1832.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/threedorsetcapta00broa#page/213/mode/1up |title=The three Dorset captains at Trafalgar: Thomas Masterman Hardy, Charles Bullen, Henry Digby by Alexander Meyrick Broadley Page 213}} |
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==Naval career== |
==Naval career== |
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=== Surgeon's mate === |
=== Surgeon's mate === |
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* [[HMS Orion (1787)|HMS Orion]] 31 March 1801 - 10 July 1802. |
* [[HMS Orion (1787)|HMS Orion]] 31 March 1801 - 10 July 1802.{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C513517 |title=National Archives Kew: Surgeon Services ADM 140/30] Page 323}} Captain: Robert Cuthbert. |
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:On 15 January 1802 whilst anchored at Spithead he wrote his will which was signed by the Captain. |
:On 15 January 1802 whilst anchored at Spithead he wrote his will which was signed by the Captain.{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7481844 |title=National Archives Kew: Will of Henry PLOWMAN Rank Surgeons First Mate on HMS Orion Ships Pay Book No. 125 Dated 15 January 1802 ADM/48/73/153}} |
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* [[HMS Prince (1788)|HMS Prince]] 13 April 1803 - 5 January 1804. Captain: [[Richard Grindall]] |
* [[HMS Prince (1788)|HMS Prince]] 13 April 1803 - 5 January 1804. Captain: [[Richard Grindall]] |
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===Surgeon=== |
===Surgeon=== |
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: In September 1805 [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Admiral Lord Nelson]] sent Hoste and the Amphion on a diplomatic mission to Algiers which meant they missed the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] by a matter of days. |
: In September 1805 [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Admiral Lord Nelson]] sent Hoste and the Amphion on a diplomatic mission to Algiers which meant they missed the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] by a matter of days. |
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* [[HMS Barfleur (1768)|HMS Barfleur]] 9 March 1808 - 15 May 1809. Captain: D. M'Cleod. |
* [[HMS Barfleur (1768)|HMS Barfleur]] 9 March 1808 - 15 May 1809. Captain: D. M'Cleod. |
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:In January 1809 the Barfleur was at Corunna and was involved in the evacuation following the [[Battle of Corunna]]. On the 16th January General [[Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet|Sir David Baird]] was wounded in the upper arm and taken to [[HMS Ville de Paris]] for treatment. Henry Plowman, with the Ville de Paris's surgeon, amputated Baird's left arm.. the Barfleur received 34 wounded soldiers after the battle of Corunna of which three died, two of them shot through the lungs and one through the abdomen. All the rest at the time of their departure from the ship, which was 10 days after the battle, was in a fair way of recovery. |
:In January 1809 the Barfleur was at Corunna and was involved in the evacuation following the [[Battle of Corunna]]. On the 16th January General [[Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet|Sir David Baird]] was wounded in the upper arm and taken to [[HMS Ville de Paris]] for treatment. Henry Plowman, with the Ville de Paris's surgeon, amputated Baird's left arm..{{cite web|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/lifeofsirdavidba00wilkrich#page/284/mode/2up |title= The life of Sir David Baird by Walter Harold Wilkin}} Plowman's medical journal records that '' the Barfleur received 34 wounded soldiers after the battle of Corunna of which three died, two of them shot through the lungs and one through the abdomen. All the rest at the time of their departure from the ship, which was 10 days after the battle, was in a fair way of recovery.''{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4107089|title= National Archives Kew: Journal of HMS Barfleur by Henry Plowman, Surgeon, for 9 March 1808 and 8 March 1809 ADM 101/89/2}} |
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* [[HMS Triumph (1764)|HMS Triumph]] 16 May 1809 - 10 August 1810. Captain: [[Samuel Hood Linzee]]. |
* [[HMS Triumph (1764)|HMS Triumph]] 16 May 1809 - 10 August 1810. Captain: [[Samuel Hood Linzee]]. |
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* [[HMS Ramillies (1785)|HMS Ramillies]] 2 November 1812 - 28 August 1815. Captain: [[Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy]]. |
* [[HMS Ramillies (1785)|HMS Ramillies]] 2 November 1812 - 28 August 1815. Captain: [[Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy]]. |
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*Half Pay. |
*Half Pay. |
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*[[HMS Hyperion]] 7 March 1827 - 19 September 1828. |
*[[HMS Hyperion]] 7 March 1827 - 19 September 1828. {{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C513498 |title= National Archives Kew: ADM 104/12 Surgeons Vol. I Part I pp. 1-215 Page 127}} Captain: William James Mingay. |
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:The Hyperion was based at [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] and Plowman was employed as a Supernumerary Surgeon visiting various locations in Sussex.The Navy List 1828 |
:The Hyperion was based at [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] and Plowman was employed as a Supernumerary Surgeon visiting various locations in Sussex.The Navy List 1828 |
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==Half pay and retirement== |
==Half pay and retirement== |
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Between 1815 and 1827 Henry Plowman was on half pay living at 9 Portman Street, London, and worked as an apothecary |
Between 1815 and 1827 Henry Plowman was on half pay living at 9 Portman Street, London, and worked as an apothecary and chemist.{{cite web|url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/LMA_OPAC/web_detail/REFD+CLC~2FB~2F192~2FF~2F001~2FMS11936~2F488~2F983802?SESSIONSEARCH |title=London Metropolitan Archives: Henry Plowman 9 Portman Street apothecary MS 11936/488/983802}}Robson London Directory 1820 He treated Admiral Hardy for a number of medical complaints in 1826{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/threedorsetcapta00broa#page/196/mode/2up |title=The three Dorset captains at Trafalgar: Thomas Masterman Hardy, Charles Bullen, Henry Digby by Alexander Meyrick Broadley Pages 196-198}} In 1828 Plowman retired on half pay and moved to Dorset. In 1831 he declared himself unfit for Naval service due to the effects of the mercury poisoning he had suffered onboard HMS Triumph. |
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While living in Dorchester, he was involved in local activities. In July 1834 he was a member of the committee set up to look at the proposed railway between Dorchester and Weymouth. He was the secretary to the Weymouth and Dorchester Medico Chirurgical Book Society,Dorset County Chronicle 21 Aug 1834 supported [[Henry Ashley (Dorchester MP)|Henry Ashley]] in the 1831 |
While living in Dorchester, he was involved in local activities. In July 1834 he was a member of the committee set up to look at the proposed railway between Dorchester and Weymouth. He was the secretary to the Weymouth and Dorchester Medico Chirurgical Book Society,Dorset County Chronicle 21 Aug 1834 supported [[Henry Ashley (Dorchester MP)|Henry Ashley]] in the 1831{{cite web|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=HdgHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA32&dq=%22Henry+Plowman%22+-wikipedia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHscTgpc3hAhWBJVAKHWb7C_QQ6AEIVTAJ#v=onepage&q=%22Henry%20Plowman%22%20-wikipedia&f=false|title= Dorset election, September and October, 1831. The poll Page 32}} and 1835Dorset County Chronicle 22 Jan 1835 elections, and in 1838 was elected as a member of the [[Board of guardians|Board of Guardians]] for the [[List of poor law unions in Dorset#Dorchester Union|Dorchester Union]] representing Winterbourne Herringston.Dorset County Chronicle 26 Apr 1838 |
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From 1836 Plowman was a subscriber and committee member of the Dorchester DispensaryDorset County Chronicle, 2 June 1836 until it closed in March 1841.Dorset County Chronicle,25 March 1841 He was also involved in the Dispensary's replacement, the [[Dorchester Hospital|Dorset County Hospital]], as a subscriber and member of the Management Committee until his death.Sherborne Mercury,17 January 1842 |
From 1836 Plowman was a subscriber and committee member of the Dorchester DispensaryDorset County Chronicle, 2 June 1836 until it closed in March 1841.Dorset County Chronicle,25 March 1841 He was also involved in the Dispensary's replacement, the [[Dorchester Hospital|Dorset County Hospital]], as a subscriber and member of the Management Committee until his death.Sherborne Mercury,17 January 1842 |
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Henry Plowman died at Dorchester on 1st March 1842The Gentleman's Magazine, January to June 1842, Page 450 and was buried in the aisle of St Peter's Church Dorchester. |
Henry Plowman died at Dorchester on 1st March 1842The Gentleman's Magazine, January to June 1842, Page 450 and was buried in the aisle of St Peter's Church Dorchester.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/apopularandillu00metcgoog#page/n46/mode/2up |title=A popular and illustrated guide to St. Peter's Church, Dorchester}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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