Nelson's Surgeon

As the title reveals, this book has three interconnected themes. The opening chapter provides the background to the book through an important, pioneering study of naval medicine in the Nelson era. It has the great merit of addressing a relatively large profession through a prosopographical data base, and stresses the close connection between professionals working in naval, military and civilian practice. Thereafter, William Beatty's career takes centre stage. After tracing his Ulster origins, the authors outline his naval career before Trafalgar, demonstrating the combination of ability, determination and good fortune which underpinned his success. Beatty was neither an innovator nor a scientist: his concerns were to keep the men healthy by ensuring the ship was clean and dry, and there was sufficient fresh food to keep the crew healthy. His surgical practice was infrequent, with but one exception. On 21 October 1805, as the surgeon of HMS Victory, he would

Ancient history · Battle · Innovator · Management · Political science · Victory · Classics · History · Law · Medical History and Innovations · Medicine