Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bushnan, John Stevenson

1317035Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 08 — Bushnan, John Stevenson1886James Dixon

BUSHNAN, JOHN STEVENSON (1808?–1884), medical writer, was born about 1808. After studying at Heidelberg, where he graduated M.D,, he passed at Edinburgh in 1830 the examinations of the Royal College of Surgeons and of the Royal College of Physicians. Eventually he settled in London, where he filled the post of editor of the 'Medical Times and Gazette' from 1849 to 1852. He published 'A History of a Case of Animals in the Blood of a Boy,' 1833; and in the same year, from the German, Dieffenbach's 'Surgical Observations on the Restoration of the Nose,' and an 'Introduction to the Study of Nature.' This was followed in 1837 by the 'Philosophy of Instinct and Reason.' In 1840 he contributed to the Naturalist's Library an article on 'Ichthyology;' 'Observations on Hydropathy,' 1845; and 'Cholera and its Cures,' 1850. In the same year he published an 'Address to the Medical Students of London;' and 'The Moral and Sanitary Aspects of the New Central Cattle-market,' 1851. In this year he engaged in a controversy with Miss Martineau, in 'Miss Martineau and her Master,' He wrote 'Homeopathy and the Homeopaths' in 1852; 'Household Medicine and Surgery' in 1854; and in the same year he contributed to Orr's 'Circle of the Sciences.' In 1860 he wrote 'Religious Revivals ' and 'Our Holiday at Laverstock House Asylum;' and in 1861–2 two reviews in the 'Journal of Mental Science.' Ultimately he became unfortunate in his affairs, his sight failed, and he ended his days as a 'poor brother' of the Charter House, where he died on 17 Feb. 1884, aged 76.

[Medical Times and Gazette, 8 March 1884.]