William chambers: British army surgeon (Toulon,1793) and his vaccination institution (1803) in Brighton,England

Abstract

Following Edward Jenner’s research into cowpox, a wave of vaccination services emerged across England. Despite some resistance, these began to promote population prevention where variolation had failed. Sussex’s first vaccine institution has long been considered to be that of Sir Matthew Tierney (1776–1845). Founded in 1804, Tierney’s “Royal Sussex Jennerian Society for the Extermination of the Small-pox” comprised sixteen stations, including one in Kent. This article presents an earlier example: the 1803 “Brighton Royal Jennerian Institution”, founded by a “Mr Chambers” to serve “the indigent poor”. Given that both held royal and military appointments in Brighton, Tierney must have been aware of Chambers’ efforts in vaccination. It is unclear why Tierney’s 1804 plan for the Sussex Vaccine Institution makes no mention of Chambers. In 1803 Chambers also directed the establishment of Brighton’s first military hospital and is noted as “surgeon extraordinary” to the Prince Regent. Chambers is identified as William Chambers of the 10th Royal Dragoons, who served at Toulon (1793) as a surgeon’s mate. He is also documented at Corsica in 1794 where he examined Nelson’s injured eye following the siege of Calvi. Mr Chambers’ origin and more details of his biography remain unknown.

Keywords

Vaccination Sussex Toulon Corsica Nelson Dragoons Brighton Calvi surgeon

Introduction

In the middle of the 18th century, Brighton – a city on the south coast of England – was transformed from a remote fishing village (then known as Brighthelmstone) into a seaside resort. This rapid development has been attributed to the popularity of sea bathing therapy promoted there by the Lewes physician Dr Richard Russell (1687 – 1759).¹ Following Russell’s death, his position was filled by the Irish physician Anthony Relhan (1715–1776).² Relhan is notable for his account of the health benefits of Brighton, published in his comparison with mortality in London.³ Other practitioners of sea bathing in Brighton at that time included John Awsiter (1732–1801)⁴ and the “shampooing surgeon” Sake Dean Mohammed (1759–1851).⁵ Awsiter is also remembered for his early treatise on the dangers of opium⁶ and Mohammed for his appointment to two successive kings: George IV and William IV.⁷ Beyond physicians and surgeons in private practice, little is documented about the establishment of public medical services in Brighton prior to the town’s early clinics and hospitals: the Brighton Dispensary (1809), the Sussex General Infirmary (1812) and the (later Royal) Sussex County Hospital and Sea-Bathing Infirmary (1828).¹ Recent research has documented the establishment of an earlier institution, the Sussex Vaccine Institution (1804).⁸

This article presents evidence of two earlier medical institutions in Brighton. The format of the article recapitulates the research process, a journey which initially commenced as an investigation into the establishment of Sir Matthew Tierney’s 1804 Sussex Vaccine Institution.⁸ This research was undertaken through handsearching microfiche copies of The Sussex Weekly Advertiser from 1800–1808 at the Keep Archive in Falmer. Sussex.The review of these newspapers revealed the founding of two previously unrecognized medical institutions in Brighton in 1803: a vaccine institution and a military hospital. These references led to the identification of their founder, a British Army surgeon named “Mr Chambers”. This article, thus, considers the development of vaccine institutions in Sussex and presents evidence about Mr Chambers’ institutions, royal association, biography and identity.

The emergence of vaccine institutions in England

Edward Jenner’s research on cowpox quickly led to the provision of vaccination from dispensaries and the establishment of dedicated centres for this service across the British Isles, starting in January 1800 with the London Vaccine Pock Institute.⁹ Provincial cities and towns followed suit. The Royal Jennerian Society for the Extermination of the Small-Pox was founded in London 1803, with thirteen 'vaccination stations' throughout the city.⁹ Part of the work of such institutions appears to have lain in promoting public trust in vaccination, for example by keeping registers of patient outcomes and the use of sermons in church.^8,9

The 1804 Royal Sussex Jennerian Institution

One of the very first clinicians to put into practice Jenner’s vaccination technique was Sir Matthew John Tierney (1776–1845). Tierney was an Irish physician who went on to become Physician in Ordinary to the Prince of Wales (the Prince Regent and future King George IV) and to King William IV.⁸ Tierney learnt vaccination directly from Jenner in Gloucestershire and moved to Brighton in the summer of 1802 where he was soon appointed physician to the Prince of Wales’ household.² In 1804 Tierney put forward his plan for a Sussex Vaccine Institution.¹⁰ This became known as “The Royal Sussex Jennerian Society for the Extermination of the Small-pox” and Tierney was appointed first president of its Medical Council.⁸ The foundation date is given as the 12 May 1804.⁸ Like its namesake in London, the Sussex Vaccine Institution was founded under the patronage of the Prince of Wales and comprised multiple vaccination stations: fifteen in Sussex and one in Kent.⁸ The fate of the Sussex Vaccine Institution is unknown but its Brighton station was probably incorporated into the Brighton dispensary.⁸ Certainly the dispensary undertook its primary purpose: providing free vaccination for the poor.

In his plan for his vaccine institution and in his brief recollections, Tierney makes no mention of previous efforts at vaccination in Brighton and certainly not of any predecessor institutions in the town.¹⁰ Tierney may have been keen to emphasize his own role in founding the first ever countywide vaccine institution to differentiate his achievement from other provincial vaccine centres based elsewhere in towns and cities. It is also possible that he wished to distance his achievements from a previously unrecognised vaccination centre in Brighton, established by a “Mr Chambers”.

Mr Chambers’ 1803 “Brighton Royal Jennerian Institution”

Mr Chambers was a British army surgeon who has previously not been associated with Brighton. Fragments of his work and biography were initially identified in the form of eight newspaper references from the years 1803–1804. The following evidence from 1804 summarises his endeavour in promoting vaccination in Brighton:

“An inftitution for the inoculation of the indigent poor, with the genuine Cow Pox, is eftablifhed at Brighton, under the direction of Mr. Chambers, the furgeon, who gives up much of his time and attention to endeavour to eradicate the Small Pox; he has already inoculated upwards of 200 at his own houfe, fince that fatal difeafe made its appearance in the town, befides a great number at their refpective Houfes, and in the neighbourhood; two only have failed, fo as to re-quire inoculating a fecond time, and not one of thofe who have come under Mr Chambers’s management, and have gone through the neceffary period of the difeafe, (14 days, which it abfolutely requires for the fecurity of the perfon inoculated,) [sic] have in any one in-ftance, though ever fo much expofed after-wards to the moft inveterate Small Pox, taken it in the fmalleft degree.”¹¹

The same paragraph goes on to explain that Mr Chambers is mentioned in association with an unnamed “London institution” for vaccination. Due to the mention of “Royalty” it is almost certainly London’s Royal Jennerian Society for the Extermination of the Smallpox. The anonymous newspaper author(s) goes on to highlight challenges facing vaccinators in Brighton at this time. The account reveals problems of contaminated vaccine material and suggests the ongoing practice of variolation (also called inoculation, the intentional exposure to dried material from the pustules of smallpox patients) by local clinicians:

“A fpurious or falfe kind of the fluid has lately been much in circulation at Brighton, as well as Worthing, and to which alone is to be attributed, any accidents which have afterwards arifen. – Mr C. [i.e. Mr Chambers, surgeon] [sic] keeping up a conftant correfpondence with the London Inftitution, befides being very careful always to have by him the pure fluid, offers it at all times to any practitioner who may apply to him; and regrets much that notwithftanding the fupport not only of the firft phyficians and furgeons, but of the moft digtinguifhed nobility, (Royalty not excepted) and learned of the prefent age, that fome of the medical men at Brighton ftill continue to introduce the Small Pox, which of all difeafes in this country, comes neareft the plague, as feveral fatal inftances here lately evince, particularly among the foldiers, who laterly [sic] when fick, of all others of the middling ranks in life, have perhaps more attention paid to, and comforts afforded them, confequently greater chance of recovery.”¹¹

In contrast to Tierney’s Sussex-wide vaccine institution,⁸ no formal notices publicising Mr Chambers’ Brighton vaccine Institution were identified. Perhaps for this reason, there emerged some uncertainty over its official title. One possible title is hinted at above: an “inftitution for the inoculation of the indigent poor, with the genuine Cow Pox”.¹¹ It is, however, unlikely that a disciple of Jenner would describe vaccination as “inoculation” within a formal title, especially given the risk of introducing smallpox into a community through variolation. It is also much more likely that its formal title would reflect that of one of the two London vaccine institutions. A more definitive name along these lines is given in the quotation below and points to a close relationship between Mr Chambers and the Prince of Wales. This was of such significance that the newspaper offers the title of the “Brighton Royal Jennerian Institution”.¹² As the word “Brighton” precedes “royal” it may also be that the author perceived the institution as an outpost of the London society. Finally, it cannot be completely excluded that this title simply represents confusion between Chambers’ efforts in vaccination in Brighton and Tierney’s nascent countywide institution. Our observation that the Sussex Weekly Advertiser regularly made efforts to correct errors between editions, and that the title above – including royal patronage – passed unchallenged in subsequent issues of the newspaper, suggest the name was genuine. The following newspaper report also reveals where Mr Chambers practised, including vaccinating at a previously unrecognized “Medicinal Laboratory” in Brighton:

“The Brighton Royal Jennerian Inftitution, for the extermination of the Small Pox, eftablished laft year by Mr. Chambers, in St. James’s-ftreet, continues to be carried on at Mr. C’s [sic] apartments [sic], at the Medicinal Laboratory, Great East-freet, Brighton, where the poor are inoculated every morning gratis”.¹²

Further information about the new medicinal laboratory where Mr Chambers’ practised is included in an advertisement from the same edition:

“BRIGHTON, JUNE 24 THE public are refpectfully informed, that a MEDICINAL LABORATORY is eftablifhed in GREAT EAST STREET, BRIGHTON, under the di-rection of a PHYSICIAN and SURGEON of eminence, and conducted by an able CHYMIST from London; where Phyficians' Prefcriptions, Surgeons' Recipes, and Family Recipes, are accurately prepared at London Druggift's [sic] prices. Perfons of experience only are allowed to compound or fell Medicines at this Laboratory, which are either prepared there, or procured at Apothecaries Hall, only; and all Medicines sold, ARE WAR-RANTED genuine”.¹²

Mr Chambers’ association with the Prince of Wales and Parallels with Sir Matthew Tierney

An intriguing parallel between Mr Chambers and Tierney lies in their close relationship with the Prince of Wales. Two newspapers describe Mr Chambers as surgeon to the Prince.^13,14 As early as 15 October 1802, he is even described as “furgeon [sic] extraordinary” to the Prince of Wales. This designation is consonant with an impression that some accounts of Mr Chambers in these newspapers receive prominence because of his association with royalty. Again, these titles are never revoked in subsequent editions of the newspaper. Mr Chambers’ royal appointment appears in the following account of operating on a dragoon (a mounted infantryman) who had been bitten by a monkey:

“A private of the Prince's regiment of Light Dragoons, had, on Saturday laft, one of his arms amputated, in Brighton Barracks, in confequence of hurt he fome time fince received from the bite of a monkey. The operation was performed by Mr. Chambers, furgeon extraordinary to the PRINCE of WALES, and principal furgeon to his Royal Highnefs's regiment, affifted by Dr. Guy. Moft of the furgical gentlemen of Brighton, attended the operation”.¹⁵

A more direct link between Chambers and Tierney is evident through the former’s treatment of one of the South Gloucestershire militia.¹⁶ Given that Tierney was physician to this regiment it follows that the two met or, at least, were well aware of each other’s work. No documents were identified to show Mr Chambers’ attendance at meetings of the Sussex Vaccine Institution.⁸ It is also notable that Mr Chambers’ name was not identified in association with either of the London vaccine institutions, in particular the Royal Society for the Extermination of the Smallpox.

Mr Chambers and the new 1803 Brighton Military Hospital

Newspaper reports about Mr Chambers reveal the existence of a previously unreported military hospital in Brighton. Prior to its founding, surgery appears simply to have taken place “in Brighton barracks”.¹⁵ Presumably this was a multipurpose room used whenever needed for surgery. It is clear that the new hospital was established under Mr Chambers’ direction:

“A Military General Hofpital is immediately to be eftablifhed at Brighton, under the di-rection of Mr. Chambers, the Prince of Wales’s furgeon”.¹⁴

Further evidence shows that the hospital was indeed completed:

“The man of the South Gloucefter Militia, on whom Mr. Chambers, Surgeon to the Prince of Wales, at Brighton, lately operated for frangulated hernia, in the military hospital at the above place, has obtained a complete cure of his rupture, and actually joined his regiment…”.¹⁶

“Laft Wednefday the Mafter of a public-houfe, in George-freet, Brighton, was committed to our Houfe of Correction, by Sir Charles Burrell, bart, for violently affaulting with a poker in his tap-room, a Mufician of the band belonging to the Suffex Militia, named Cramer, who received fuch a violent blow on his head from that dangerous weapon, that fell fenfelefs, and like a dead man on the floor, in which ftate he remained till. Mr. Chambers, the furgeon, came to his affiftance, and reftored him to his fenfes. Mr C [sic] next examined the wound, and had the fatisfaction to find (though the fcalp was dreadfully lace-rated to the bone) that his fkull was not fractured. The poor man was taken to the military hofpital, where he has been ever since under the care of the fame furgeon, and we are glad to hear, is now in a fair way of recovery”.¹⁷

Further newspaper references to Mr Chambers

Only two other accounts of Mr Chambers were identified. While these provide no further information about his biography, they do offer insight into the nature of his clinical practice. They also suggest that – beyond fame by association with the Prince of Wales – Mr Chambers was esteemed as a skilled surgeon. The following quotations show that his practice included amputation and surgery for hydrocele:

“A young woman of Sompting, near Worthing, laft week fuffered amputation of one of her legs, in confequence of a white fwelling on her knee, of upwards of feven years ftanding. The operation was performed by Mr. Chambers, furgeon, attended by Mr. Taylor, his affiftant, in the prefence of Dr. Bankhead, an eminent phyfician, Mr. Guy, of Brighton, and feveral other profeffional gentlemen”.¹⁸

“A new mode of practice has been lately adopted for the cure of the Hydrocele, to which one of the oldeft inhabitants of Brigh-ton has fubmitted and experienced a radical [unclear, but almost certainly “cure”], under the management of Mr. Chambers”.¹⁷

William Chambers, surgeon to the forces in the Mediterranean (1793/1794)

The identification of Mr Chambers was ultimately made through his role as “principal furgeon to his Royal Highnefs's regiment”.¹⁵ This reference also mentions the “Prince's regiment of Light Dragoons”, information that led to records that reveal a Surgeon William Chambers of the 10th (or the Prince of Wales’ own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars from 1806). No evidence was identified of Chambers having a university or college qualification. He is not listed in the medical register for the year 1783.¹⁹

The following progression for William Chambers is noted in Drew’s records of Commissioned Officers in the Medical Services of the British Army:

“S.Staff [i.e. Staff Surgeon], at Toulon, 7 Nov. 1793 : 10 Dns. [Dragoons] 2 Mar. 1797 : Staff, 27 Aug. 1803. H. [hospital] Mate previous to being commissioned”.²⁰

A further reference from 1793 in a national newspaper confirms William Chambers’ status as “Surgeon to the said Forces”, a position that does not appear to have been associated with any particular regiment. In the quotation, the preceding sentence (referring to a Dr Roberson) has been retained for context:

“HOSPITAL STAFF. Dr. Dr — Robertson to be Physician to the Forces serving at Toulon and in the South of France. Surgeon Thomas Meyrick from the 10th Dragoons, to be Purveyor to the Hospitals for the said Forces. Hospital Mate William Chambers to be Surgeon to the said Forces”.²¹

One further reference to William Chambers was identified: a parliamentary register published in 1798 which shows him to have been a Surgeon at Corsica. No definitive date for this is given, but it clearly shows that he took part in the flight of the Royal Navy with the British forces from Toulon to Corsica (on 19 December 1793). In this reference, Surgeon William Chambers is described as: “employed with the forces ferving at Toulon, and were transferred with the faid forces to the island of Corsica, without any new commiffions”.²²

Examination of Nelson’s eye injury (1794)

Recognition of Chambers’ title of “surgeon to the forces” in the Mediterranean led to one further historic reference: a medical report from Corsica in 1794 documenting Horatio Nelson’s (1758–1805) famous eye injury.²³ Whilst in command of HMS Agamemnon, Nelson undertook onshore duties that included the 1794 siege of Calvi. Nelson offers the following account of his injury in a letter to his wife Fanny:

“on the 10th of July last a shot having struck our battery the splinters of stones from it struck me most severely in the face and breast. Although the blow was so severe as to occasion a great flow of blood from my head, yet I most fortunately escaped by only having my right eye nearly deprived of its sight. It was cut down, but is as far recovered as to be able to distinguish light from darkness, but as to all the purpose of its use it is gone. However, the blemish is nothing, not to be perceived unless told. The pupil is nearly the size of the blue part, I don't know the name…”.²³

Nelson’s injured eye was assessed by at least two surgeons, one of whom being “W. Chambers”. Chambers offered the following opinion:

“These are to Certify that Captain Horatio Nelson of his Majesty's Ship Agamemnon, now serving on Shore at the Siege of Calvi, was on the 10th day of July last, wounded in the face and right eye, much injured by stones or splinters, struck by shot from the Enemy. There were several small lacerations about the face; and his eye so materially injured, that in my opinion, he will never recover the perfect use of it again.

W. CHAMBERS,

Surgeon to the Forces in the Mediterranean.

Calvi, August 12 1794”.²⁴

Mr Chambers’ and the 10th Light Dragoons (1797–1803)

Mr Chambers’ fate between 1794 and 1797 is uncertain but no evidence was identified to suggest a change in his status of “surgeon to the Forces”. In 1797, he re-emerges when appointed surgeon to the 10th Dragoons. It is noteworthy that one year earlier a Lieutenant John Chambers joined the same regiment²⁵ and it is possible that the two men were related.

Mr Chambers joined the 10th Dragoons on the 2 March 1797²⁰ and is noted as the regimental surgeon for the years 1797–1803 inclusive.²⁵ In 1803 the following change in his circumstances was identified: “To be furgeons to the forces: furgeon Wm. Chambers from the 10th light dragoons”.²⁶ Drew gives the following date for his new appointment: “Staff, 27 Aug. 1803”.²⁰

Records of the 10th Royal Hussars make no mention of Chambers after 1803.²⁵ Given his return “to the forces” it is likely that he was bound for a different surgical post, possibly at an army hospital or to join a military expedition. It is notable that no further biographical information was elicited by Drew and he is not listed under Challis’ Peninsula War roll call (1808–1814).²⁷

The fate of Mr Chambers remains unknown. It is notable that in 1808 the 10th Dragoons (now as Hussars) returned to Brighton. One reference to its “regimental surgeon” was identified in relation to the drowning of a hussar named “Dix”.²⁸ The newspaper authors make no mention of Mr Chambers as part of references to the regiment at this time.

Other “Surgeon Chambers”

The identification of Mr Chambers as the “W. Chambers” who examined Nelson rests upon records of contemporary British army surgeons.²⁰ Drew’s comprehensive database of medical officers offers three other surgeons called “W Chambers”, all being Williams. Only two of these were active at the end of the 18th century. Most notable of these was Surgeon William Chambers of the 18th Dragoons who fought in the peninsular wars and survived the battle of Waterloo.²⁰ Drew also notes, in October 1794, a Surgeon William Chambers of the Honourable Henry Dillon’s Regiment of Foot that formed part of the Irish Brigade. No evidence was identified during this research to suggest that Dillon’s regiment was in Corsica and sources indicate that in 1794 it was active in the Caribbean.^29,30

The present research initially explored whether Mr Chambers’ identity could be that of an apothecary surgeon named “John Chambers” who practised in Lewes in the second half of the 18th century, for example in 1766³¹ and in 1783.¹⁶ He is believed to have practised at 80 High Street, Lewes³² but to have died in April,1787.³³ It remains unclear whether John Chambers had any descendants who became surgeons. John Chambers was initially tantalising as he was local and offered something of an apostolic link with Brighton’s foremost doctor Richard Russell through the Snashall dynasty of Lewes surgeons.³² John Chambers also initially seemed plausible due to a link with Sir Matthew Tierney. That is because John Chambers was associated with Mr Ridge,³² a surgeon later listed at Lewes under Tierney’s 1804 vaccine station in the town.⁸

Discussion

This research offers insight into the biography of William Chambers of the 10th Royal Dragoons (later Hussars). Most notably it identifies him as the W. Chambers “Surgeon to the Forces in the Mediterranean” who examined and reported on Nelson’s eye injury after the siege of Calvi in 1794. This deduction rests upon Drew’s biographical database of military officers coupled with evidence of Chambers’ presence in Corsica in 1794. It is of note that his rapid rise to being surgeon to the forces at this time has been called into question.³⁴ In contrast, one recent article describes Chambers as “Surgeon-general to HM Forces in the Mediterranean” in relation to his report on Nelson’s left eye.³⁵ Attempts to contact the author proved unsuccessful and we consider this elevated title an error.

Mr Chambers’ career reflects that of a British army surgeon of the Napoleonic war period, in particular starting as a surgeon’s mate rather than undertaking a university education. His professional life was shaped by the rise of Napoleon. Chambers’ documented military career began at the siege of Toulon in 1793, the battle where Napoleon earned his spurs as an artillery commander by enforcing the evacuation of the British. It is of historical note that at Toulon Napoleon was bayonetted in the thigh by a British soldier.³⁶

Mr Chambers’ association with Brighton reflects the deployment of the 10th Dragoons to Sussex in 1803. This was in direct response to the threat of invasion by Napoleon, a fear lifted by Nelson’s famous victory at Trafalgar in 1805. It was through the Dragoons that Chambers must have become acquainted with the Prince of Wales. It is likely that Chambers encountered other notable figures in this way, both military and civilian. For example, records of the regiment note that between 1797 and 1798 Chambers overlapped with the Regency figure George “Beau” Brummell.²⁵

Mr Chambers had a key role in the foundation of two previously unrecognized institutions in Brighton: the “Brighton Royal Jennerian Institution” and a military hospital. In 1803 this vaccine institution was based in St James Street and in 1804 at Mr Chambers’ “apartments [sic]” on Great East Street. His institution provided free vaccination to the “indigent poor”, a strategy that contrasts with the lucrative practice of variolation. In contrast to Tierney’s institution, Mr Chambers offered vaccination in the “neighbourhood” and at patients’ homes. In 1804 he is also associated with a previously undescribed “Medicinal Laboratory” in the town. This prepared prescriptions and “recipes”, not just for local physicians and surgeons but also for households. It may also have served as a space for Mr Chambers to undertake some civilian practice. It is unclear where his military hospital or even contemporary barracks in Brighton were located.³⁷

Probably as a direct result of his military experience, Chambers was considered an experienced and esteemed surgeon. This conclusion is supported by his status as “surgeon extraordinary” to the Prince of Wales. In the absence of other, official sources, it has not been possible independently to verify an official appointment of Chambers’ as “surgeon extraordinary” and “surgeon to the Prince of Wales”. Despite that, the contemporary and uncontested nature of these positions clearly points to widespread acceptance of the titles.

Given Brighton’s small population of about ten thousand in 1804,³⁸ Chambers and Tierney must have met through their relationships with the Prince of Wales and the army. Strong evidence for this, presented above, lies in the fact that Mr Chambers provided surgical care for a soldier of Tierney’s regiment, the South Gloucestershire Militia. Given these close links and his experience in vaccination, Mr Chambers may well have been party to the very first discussions about a Sussex-wide vaccine institution. It is unclear, however, why Tierney makes no mention of Mr Chambers, or his vaccine centre, in his 1804 Plan or Annual Report of the Royal Sussex Jennerian Institution.

This research shows that Mr Chambers’ departure from Brighton was after Tierney devised his plan for the Sussex Vaccine Institution. One explanation is that Tierney and Chambers were effectively competitors and Tierney wished only to publicise his own achievements in promoting vaccination in Sussex and establishing England’s first countywide vaccine centre. Another explanation is also plausible: given that Tierney learnt vaccination directly from Jenner, Mr Chambers may have been trained in its use by Tierney. If true, Tierney would have perceived Chambers as a pupil rather than an independent innovator. The fate of Mr Chambers’ vaccine institution is unknown. Other than descent through royal patronage and possible association with Tierney, no formal evidence of any merger with Tierney’s institution was uncovered.

Conclusion

William Chambers was a British army surgeon present at the Battle of Toulon and at Corsica. This research identifies him as the “W. Chambers” who examined Nelson’s eye injury sustained at the siege of Calvi in 1794. Chambers was associated with Brighton from 1803 to 1804, a period that reflects the deployment of his regiment, the Tenth Royal Dragoons, to the town. Chambers held close links to the Prince of Wales, even being described as his “Surgeon Extraordinary”. In 1803 Chambers played a central role in the foundation of two previously unrecognized medical institutions in the city: the “Brighton Royal Jennerian Institution” and a new military hospital. He was also associated with a “Medicinal Laboratory” on Great East street, Brighton, from where he provided vaccination in 1804.

Given their military links and the small size of Brighton, Mr Chambers and Sir Matthew Tierney must have been acquainted. It is notable that Tierney failed to mention Chambers’ vaccination centre and, instead, emphasized his own as the first county vaccine institution. That may have been in order to underscore his personal achievements as a vaccine pioneer. Alternatively, Chambers may have learnt vaccination from Tierney who, therefore, felt no impetus to acknowledge his own pupil. Chambers appointment in 1803 as “surgeon to the forces” suggests he embarked on a new role in the army medical staff, possibly at a hospital or on a military expedition. No portrait of Mr Chambers’ is known to exist and his origin and further details of his biography remain unknown.

Mr Chambers’ achievements illustrate the importance of royal patronage and the military to the early development of public medical institutions in Brighton. Vaccination was brought to Sussex by military clinicians such as Tierney and Chambers, initially to protect their regiments. Nevertheless, both were passionate about preventing smallpox in civilians, an endeavour most evident in Chambers’ vaccination service in people’s homes. Mr Chambers’ 1803 vaccine Institution and the new military hospital have not previously been described and constitute the earliest formal medical services (beyond private practice) recorded in Brighton. Through its royal patronage and free vaccination service, the former offers a thread of heredity to Tierney’s 1804 vaccine institution and the 1809 Brighton dispensary. As an esteemed army surgeon who served Brighton’s “indigent poor”, royalty and Nelson and, finally, for his key role in establishing Brighton’s earliest hospital and first vaccine institution, William Chambers deserves recognition.

Footnotes

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Maxwell J Cooper

Author biographies

Maxwell J Cooper is an academic GP with an interest in the history of medicine. He grew up in Houghton, Huntingdonshire, and attended RAF Wyton school there. Max graduated in psychology (intercalated BSc) and medicine at Southampton university. He then undertook GP training at Portsmouth and Gosport (Stoke Road surgery). He has worked as a GP assistant in genitourinary medicine (Southampton and Glasgow). In 2007 he published a Swahili medical dictionary/phrasebook. Outside medicine, Max’s interests include cricket and fly fishing.

Benjamin Whiston recently completed his foundation training in Cornwall and is now a Senior House Officer at Worthing Hospital, currently working in Haematology. He grew up in Brighton and has a keen interest in the city and its history. Ben has previous degrees in History (University of Leeds) and International Development (University of London). Following his return from conducting doctoral fieldwork in Sulawesi, Indonesia, he completed his thesis and went on to train as a doctor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

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