David Barry (physician)

Barry was born in county Roscommon, Ireland. He completed his medical education at home, and entered the army as an Assistant-Surgeon in 1806;[1] present as surgeon, 58th foot, at the Battle of Salamanca; and afterwards held several Peninsular appointments.

In 1822–6 he studied physiology and medicine at Paris, and there read several original papers before the Academy of Sciences and the Académie Nationale de Médecine on the influence of atmospheric pressure on various functions of the body. The experiments on which these were based were repeated before Cuvier, Duméril, Laennec, Cruvelhier, and other eminent men of science, and much commended. These researches were published in London in 1826 under the title given below, and brought Barry into much repute. In 1828–9 he acted as English member with a commission of French doctors which visited Gibraltar to report on the causes of an epidemic of yellow fever there in 1828. In 1831 he was appointed on a commission to report on the cholera, and visited Russia, being knighted on his return. Among other commissions on which he acted was one on the medical charities of Ireland.

Having distinguished himself in the Peninsular War, he settled at Oporto as surgeon to the Portuguese forces. There he married Miss Whately, sister of the future Archbishop. Returning to England in 1820, he perfected himself by further study, and in 1826 published his researches relative to the absorption of poison, and the means of counteracting it by the application of cupping-glasses. He was employed by Government in several medical inquiries, both at home and abroad, and was one of the commissioners in the investigations that led to the Factory Acts.

In 1828–9 he acted as English member with Nicolas Chervin, Pierre Louis, and Armand Trousseau (a commission of French doctors) which visited Gibraltar to report on the causes of an epidemic of yellow fever there in 1828.[2] In 1831 he was appointed on a commission to report on the cholera, and visited Russia, being knighted on his return. Among other commissions on which he acted was one on the medical charities of Ireland.

His work on hydrophobia and venomous bites is declared in Allibone "to be very important, and to display great ability."

He died suddenly on 4 November 1835 of aneurysm.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Barry, David (1780-1835)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.