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Obituary Notice of Francis Douglas, M.D. By W. B. 

 Boyd, of Falclonside. 



No sadder task can be imposed on any one than to record the 

 death of a dear and much loved friend, such a friend was the 

 subject of the present notice, and it is difficult to realize that the 

 once well known face and form will be seen no more amongst us. 

 From Dr Francis Douglas' long connection with this Club and his 

 kindly interest in its affairs, his death cannot but be deeply 

 regretted by each and all of its members. He was born on the 

 14th March 181-5, at Ednam House, Kelso ; being the third son 

 of Dr James Douglas, who for many years carried on a most 

 successful medical practice in Kelso and its neighbourhood. 



Through Pringle Home of Bassendean, who married his 

 grandfather Dr Christopher Douglas in 1769, he was at the time 

 of his death the representative in line of that old Berwickshire 

 family. His education was carried on at home under the super- 

 vision of a private tutor, and in November 1828, he went to 

 Edinburgh University after having gone through the usual Arts' 

 course. He commenced his medical studies in 1831, passed as 

 Surgeon in 1835, and took his degree of M.D. in 1836. At an 

 early period of his life he began to show a decided turn for the 

 study of Natural History as during his college career we find 

 him a member of the Cuvierian Natural History Society, in the 

 work of which he took a great interest, for during the session 

 1836-37 he was elected President of the same society; and he 

 was also a Vice-President of the Anatomical and Physiological 

 Society during the same years. 



In 1837, he commenced practice in Kelso, and in 1830 leaving 

 a brother in charge of his practice, he spent several months in 

 Paris attending Hospitals and Lectures. On his return he 

 continued to practice successfully his profession for several years, 

 but finding his health unequal to country practice, he accepted 

 the offer of an appointment as Assistant- Surgeon in the Bengal 

 Army. During the practice of his profession in Kelso, he held 

 the appointment of Medical Officer to the Tweedside Lodge of 

 Oddfellows for four years, who on his retirement presented him 

 with a very handsome silver cup in token of their appreciation 

 of his services. 



He went to India in 1845, and soon after his arrival the first 

 Sikh War broke out, in which he served with the Horse Artillery, 



