Francis John Drake, MA MB BS (Melb) (12 December 1860 - 17 December 1929) was resident medical superintendent, Launceston Hospital. In 1860, Drake was born at St. Kilda, Melbourne. On 28 April 1879, he began work as a messenger at the Melbourne Public Library with an annual salary of £50. He attended Scotch College from 1875 to 1880. In 1886, he graduated with a BA degree, and in 1887 received the MA degree from Melbourne. In 1888, Drake completed the MB from the University of Melbourne Medical School.[1]
In 1896, the Statistics of the State of Tasmania listed Drake as holding 2 appointments. He was surgeon superintendent at Launceston General Hospital with an annual salary of £400 that included quarters, rations, and fuel. The appointment began on 1 January 1890. Concurrently, Drake held the position as medical officer at the Contagious Diseases Hospital at Launceston.[2]
In 1896, Drake and Dr. John Ramsay participated in the first demonstration of X-rays by Frank Styant Browne at Launceston Hospital.[3][4]
The February 1898 issue of the Australasian Medical Gazette listed the resignation of Drake from the Launceston Hospital as surgeon-superintendent.[5]
The burial of Drake, who died on 17 December 1929, took place at Box Hill Cemetery. Drake was a specialist in the treatment of tuberculosis. He was surgical superintendent at Launceston General Hospital since 1921. His son was Dr. F.L. Drake of Tasmania.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b Editor. (20 December 1929). Death of Dr. F.J. Drake. Examiner. Launceston, Tasmania. Page 8.
- ^ Editor. (1897). Statistics of the State of Tasmania. Australia. Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. Tasmanian Office.
- ^ Trainor, J.P. (1946). Salute to the X-Ray Pioneers of Australia. W. Watson & Sons. Sydney, Australia.
- ^ Huon, Dan. (2012). Emergence of modern medicine in Tasmania: Dr. Francis Drake MA MB BS (Melb): The application of scientific medicine at the General Hospital in Launceston, 1890-1898.
- ^ Editor. (21 February 1898). Medical Resignations. The Australasian Medical Gazette. The Journal of the Australasian Branches of the British Medical Association. Volume 17. Page 90.