Harriet Wheelock / Thursday 9 August 2018 Guest post: Surgeon James Kerin (1779-1848) - Part I Today we are sharing the first of a two part guest post focusing on the life of Surgeon James Kerin (1779-1848). Many thanks to Sylvia Turner for sharing her fascinating research on Surgeon Kerin with us. Sir Henry Marsh Introduction James Kerin was an Irish surgeon who practised in Dublin during the first half of the 19th century. His contemporaries were the eminent surgeon and anatomist Sir Philip Crampton (1777- 1858) and the surgeon and physician, Sir Henry Marsh (1790-1860). Despite lack of enduring recognition, Kerin achieved considerable status and recognition during his lifetime. Kerin was a Catholic unlike most of his colleagues. Until the process of Catholic Emancipation in the late 18th and early 19th century took place, the Penal Laws (1607) meant Catholics were barred from holding public office or serving in the Irish Army. Medicine was one of the few careers that were that did not exclude Catholics. Although not barred from entering Trinity College, non-Anglicans could not be elected to Scholarship, Fellowship or made Professors. Catholics who wished to be-come physicians would have had to attend universities outside Ireland or become surgeon or apothecary apprentices. Background There is limited information about Kerin’s family background other than that he was born in County Kerry 1779. He was the son of a farmer and his mother was closely related to Sir Michael O’Loghlen, (1789-1842) of County Clare. O’Loghlen was distinguished judge and politician who was a good friend of Daniel O’Connell, having been his junior counsel in 1815. Newspaper reports reveal Kerin to be a successful gentleman and his success would seem based upon his character, professional skill and possibly his association and relationship with prominent Catholics of the time. Training and qualifications Kerin was apprenticed on 24th June 1806. His Master was Peter Harkan (c.1775-1814), a surgeon demonstrator for Sir Philip Crampton who had opened the first private school of anatomy in Dublin 1804. Peter Harkan was also a Catholic, the son of landed proprietor from Elphin, Co Roscommon. The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI) was granted a Charter in 1784 which enabled the College to control the practice of surgery and make provision for surgical education. Trainee surgeons like Kerin, were not taught at one institution but attended classes at a variety of schools before gaining their qualification to practice. The apprenticeship lasted between 5 and 7 years and the apprentice received board and lodging. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Kerin attended both the RCSI and Crampton School. In order to gain a licence to practice, an apprentice would have to pass examinations in anatomy, physiology, surgery, midwifery and surgical pharmacy. Surgery was seen as a craft and, like any apprenticeship, knowledge and skill were learnt by practical experience under a skilled Master. Kerin would have been one of the last pupils of the Crampton School as it was closed at the end of the 1812-13 session when Crampton became Surgeon-General. He was successful and in 1811 he is found to be teaching himself. An announcement in Saunders Newsletter in 1811 on behalf of James’ pupils commended his teaching. Sir Philip Crampton James’ master, Peter Harkan, gained a certain level of notoriety. Teachers of anatomy often employed people called ‘resurrectionists’ to disinter bodies of the recently dead in order to carry out anatomical research. As a consequence, graveyards employed night watchmen to prevent this practice. Harkan took parties of pupils to graveyards to find subjects for Crampton's demonstrations. Unfortunately, his activities led to his demise when he got caught across the cemetery wall and was pulled by his legs in opposite directions by his students on one side and his captors on the other. This action was reported to lead to a ‘see-saw ‘movement which injured him so severely that it was believed he never quite recovered from its effect. He died in 1814 only in his thirties. Royal College of Surgeons James obtained his licentiate from the RCSI in 1813 and in 1815 he was elected a member, unlike his Master, Peter Harkan who was rejected for membership. Kerin is seen to be active in this role frequently cited in the Press being an attendee at meetings. Acting on behalf of the Venezuelan Government, Kerin sat on the Medical Board with RCSI colleagues to assess the suitability of those wishing to emigrate. He would be seen to have gained the respect of his colleagues as he was voted as censor in 1826. The Saunders Newsletter announced that James was unable to carry on with the role as censor due to ‘peculiar professional duty currently’. However, he had returned to an active role by 1832 when he became Vice President and President in 1833, one of just 11 Catholics out of 57 incumbents to hold this position in the College’s first 75 years. To be continued... Sylvia Turner