Thomas Bates (surgeon)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bates was an English
surgeon
in the Royal Navy
.
of Fevers common to Seamen in the Mediterranean, published in London
in 1709. He served for five years as a naval surgeon
in the Mediterranean, and subsequently he practiced in London
.
He also distinguished himself by his efforts during the cattle plague of 1714. This epidemic
, which is said to have destroyed a million and a half of cattle
in western Europe
in 1711–14, had made its appearance in England
, where it had been unknown for centuries, and had reached the Islington
cowyards.
The energetic measures adopted by the Privy Council
on Bates's suggestions proved so effectual that, at a sacrifice of six thousand head of cattle
, it was stamped out within three months.s
in December 1718, and was admitted into the society 8 January 1719.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
Career
Bates is known from his EnchiridionEnchiridion
Enchiridion is a Late Latin term referring to a small manual or handbook. Some notable enchiridions include:* Enchiridion of Augustine, a compact treatise on Christian piety...
of Fevers common to Seamen in the Mediterranean, published in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1709. He served for five years as a naval surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
in the Mediterranean, and subsequently he practiced in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
He also distinguished himself by his efforts during the cattle plague of 1714. This epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
, which is said to have destroyed a million and a half of cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
in western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
in 1711–14, had made its appearance in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where it had been unknown for centuries, and had reached the Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
cowyards.
The energetic measures adopted by the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
on Bates's suggestions proved so effectual that, at a sacrifice of six thousand head of cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, it was stamped out within three months.s
Death
Bates was elected a fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in December 1718, and was admitted into the society 8 January 1719.