The naval career of Sir Thomas Spencer Wells in the Mediterranean : 1842-1853

Abstract

The British naval connection to the Maltese Islands saw the arrival during the nineteenth century of a number of British medical practitioners. Some of these were noteworthy either because of their contribution to local medical and social history, or because of their contribution to the navy and to medicine. One important medical practitioner of note, who during his short stay on the Islands contributed towards improving medical practice in Malta, was Thomas Spencer Wells who served for six years in the Naval Hospital in Malta from 1841 to 1847, subsequently being transferred to the HMS Hibernia and Modeste until his release from the Navy in 1854. Spencer Wells later became one of the leading nineteenth century pioneers in abdominal surgery and a renowned leader of the British Surgical establishment.