H11 The pioneer of dermatology in Northern Ireland: what a legacy!

Abstract Henry Samuel Purdon (1843–1906) was the pioneer of dermatology in Northern Ireland. Born into a family of doctors, Purdon qualified as a physician in Scotland, earning an M.D. (Glasglow) and an L.R.C.P. (Edinburgh). His interest in dermatology started under the influence of McCall Anderson’s dermatological teaching in Glasglow. After his return to Belfast, he quickly gained the public approval in an open meeting at 12 Wellington Place, resulting in the establishment of ‘The Belfast Dispensary for Diseases of the Skin’ in 1865. With creativity, he made wax models of skin diseases to gain financial support to fund the institute. The models included lupus vulgaris, which was very prevalent during that time. With the steady increase in attendance, the dispensary was renamed ‘The Belfast Hospital for Diseases of the Skin’ in 1866. In 1868, the Belfast Charitable Society funded the construction of a new hospital in Regent Street, which was opened in 1869. This new building provided mainly outpatient facilities with consultation rooms and an operating theatre, which were deemed sufficient, in addition with eight inpatient beds. Despite hectic clinical commitments, in 1870 Purdon became the editor of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, which invited articles from the USA, and from Europe and the UK. Further, Purdon published three dermatology textbooks, titled On Neurotic Cutaneous Disease, Including Erythema (1869), Classification, Correct Dietary, and Treatment of Diseases of the Skin: as Practised at the Belfast Hospital of the Skin (1889) and A Treatise on Cutaneous Medicine and Disease of the Skin (1875), which recorded his clinical experience. With Purdon’s famous reputation in dermatology, the need of the service had drastically increased. His fame attracted funding of £4000 from philanthropist Edward Benn, to build a new skin hospital on Glenravel Street in 1873. The Benn Skin Hospital was opened in 1875. This hospital was fully furnished with the finest amenities, with 30 hospital beds and a suite of baths to meet service demand. Purdon was elected president of Benn’s hospital and held this position until his death, at the age of 62. Purdon’s legacy in dermatology was carried down by his son, Elias Bell Purdon, until the hospital was destroyed by a Luftwaffe bomb during the Belfast Blitz in 1941. In 1957, ‘The Purdon Skin Ward’ in the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast was established to recognize Purdon’s service to dermatology.