{Dr.} George DUNSTERVILLE

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Dr. George

Dunsterville

1810 - 1877

Dr. George

Dunsterville

, Issue. Weekend Post, June 1965 HEALER AND A CRACK SHOT by Pamela FFOLLIOTT Part III NINE CASES The smallpox epidemic of 1839-1840 did not miss Port Elizabeth. In June 1840 it was reported that there were nine cases there and two deaths. One patient "has escaped from the nurse and cannot be found" Probably the old leper building was used again as a temporary smallpox hospital. Citizens of the town protested vigorously at the lack of hygiene during the epidemic, when bedclothes and clothing of smallpox victims were left about on the ground. The early story of Port Elizabeth's medical growth ends with the appearance of Dr. George DUNSTERVILLE who became, along with Mr. John PATERSON, his great friend, one of the town's most respected citizens. He had qualified at the Apothecary's Hall in London and had acquired the M.R.C.S. at the end of 1841. He arrived with his wife and child in Algoa Bay in January 1842. Dr. DUNSTERVILLE's brother, Henry was Port Captain of Port Elizabeth at the time, and his sister Harriett had married the widower, Lieut DANIELL of Sidbury Park, Albany. The DUNSTERVILLES settled down in Donkin Street and Mrs. DUNSTERVILLE took in borders, John PATERSON living with them for awhile. Dr. DUNSTERVILLE also opened a chemist's shop in Main Street. In 1845, Henry DUNSTERVILLE died suddenly and about the same time Dr. FAIRBRIDGE died in Uitenhage. Dr. DUNSTERVILLE applied for and received the appointment of district surgeon in Uitenhage, an appointment which had been held by Dr. FAIRBRIDGE. Mr. RUTHERFORD, nephew of the Cape Town merchant, was left in charge of the chemist shop, and the DUNSTERVILLES moved to Uitenhage. IN DEMAND The doctor served the wounded troops during the War of the Axe and the government published the following in the Gazette, "With reference to Dr. DUNSTERVILLE, acting surgeon to the forces at Commando Kraal and elsewhere, the government will not allow his prompt services to go unrequited. When the DUNSTERVILLES returned to Port Elizabeth Mr. RUTHERFORD took over the chemist shop started by DUNSTERVILLE in Uitenhage. The doctor now became a popular member of the community. He was church warden at St. Mary's and later a town councillor. As a singer he was greatly in demand at concerts and he belonged to both the Good Will and Good Hope Lodges of the Free Masons. His trap, drawn by two cream-coloured ponies, was a familiar sight and the children all adored the doctor with bon bons in his pockets. Dr. DUNSTERVILLE, with Dr. RUBIDGE, who came in 1850, supported PATERSON's efforts to build a Provencal Hospital. along with Dr. DAVIS. The first two served as medical officers at the temporary hospital in Rodney Street.where the matron had the power to send "at once to the tronk (goal) any disorderly patient" In 1847 DUNSTERVILLE assisted a young dentist to start in the town. "Decayed teeth," declared Dr. SMITH "stopped to render them again serviceable for mastication. For artificial teeth extraction of stumps is unnecessary. Enquire at Dr. DUNSTERVILLE's home. In 1853 DUNSTERVILLE offered to train an articled pupil for the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons and Apothecary's Hall. With enterprise at the age of 53, Dr. DUNSTERVILLE returned to England in 1863 to study for his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. Three years later he was back in Port Elizabeth with F.R.C.S. after his name. He died after a long illness in 1877 and on the day of his funeral all shops were shut and flags flew at half-mast. However, this was in the future when, in 1847, Port Elizabeth still had only two civilian doctors and only two wards set aside in Fort Frederick to serve as a hospital. The town was still far behind the medical achievements of Grahamstown.