John Bunnell Davis, M.D., was born at Clare, in the county of Suffolk, and was the son of Mr. Timothy Davis, a surgeon apothecary, at Thetford, in Norfolk, who subsequently removed to London and became surgeon to the Customs, He was educated at the Borough hospitals, and became a member of the college of Surgeons. A severe illness at this period led to his undertaking a journey to the south of France with a family of distinction during the short peace of Amiens. His detention in that country as a prisoner of war enabled him to pursue his studies in medicine at Paris and Montpelier, at which latter university he took a degree in 1803.
Dr. Davis was compelled after a time to take up his abode at Verdun. There he published Observations on Precipitate Burial and the Diagnosis of Death, a copy of which he forwarded to Corvisart, first physician to Buonaparte and the Empress, with a petition to Buonaparte to allow him to return to England. The permission to do so was accorded through Corvisart in May, 1806. Shortly after his return Dr. Davis proceeded to Edinburgh to complete his medical studies, and there graduated doctor of medicine 24th June, 1808 (D.M.I. de Phthisi Pulmonali).
In 1810 he was appointed by the Army Medical Board temporary physician to the forces, to attend the sick troops returned from Walcheren.(1) Dr. Davis was admitted a Licentiate of the College of Physicians, 22nd December, 1810. He was the founder of, and physician to the Infirmary for Diseases of Children. He died 28th September,1824.
Dr. Davis was the author of-
The Ancient and Modem History of Nice. 8vo. Lond. 1807.
More Subjects than One, concerning France and the French People. 2 vols., 8vo. Lond. 1807.
The Origin and Description of Bognor or Hothampton. 8vo. Lond. 1807.
A Scientific and Popular View of the Fever of Walcheren, and its Consequences in the British Troops returned from the Expedition. 8vo. Lond. 1810.
Cursory Inquiry into the Principal Causes of Mortality among Children. 8vo. Lond. 1817.
Annals, Historical and Medical, of the Universal Dispensary for Children, founded in 1816, at St. Andrew’s-hill, Doctors' Commons. 8vo. Lond. 1821.
William Munk
[(1) Authentic Memoirs, Biographical, Critical, and Literary, of the most Eminent Physicians and Surgeons, &c. 2nd edition. 8vo. Lond. 1828, p. 434.]