V 
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x MEMOIR OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 
Dr. Alexander Russell, an elder brother, had been for a considerable time in Turkey, 
as physician to the English factory at Aleppo. Dr. Patrick joined him there in 17 50, 
and lived with him for several years. During this time, he applied himself with great 
diligence, and with remarkable success, to the acquisition of the different languages of 
Syria. 
In 1 7 5 5 Dr. Alexander Russell left Aleppo on his return to Britain, and his brother 
Patrick succeeded him as physician to the British factory. 
In this situation, Dr. Patrick Russell’s affable and engaging disposition soon rendered 
him as much beloved as his predecessor had been. It endeared him not less to the Turks, 
than to the resident Europeans. Elis medical attentions were equally as conspicuous to 
the natives of all ranks, as to the gentlemen belonging to the English factory. Such was 
the esteem he was held in by the Bashaw of Aleppo, that he was honoured with the 
privilege of wearing a turban ; there considered as a signal mark of distinction to an 
European, and one which is seldom conferred. 
Although his professional labours occupied much of his time, and were attended, in 
that climate, with great personal fatigue, his ardent attachment to the study of natural 
history incited him to snatch every opportunity for such investigations. Fie occasionally 
transmitted communications on their results to his friends in Britain, 
Dr. Alexander having, in 1 7 56, published his Natural History of Aleppo, sent a copy 
to his successor, with an earnest request that he would collect and send home additional 
information. To Dr. Patrick’s own predilection for such studies, was thus superadded the 
powerful motive of gratifying a brother, to whom he was bound by ties of esteem and 
gratitude, as well as affection. For many years, therefore, did he continue regularly to 
correspond with his brother on scientific subjects connected with the history of Syria, and 
to collect and transmit authentic information on a great variety of topics, in the view of 
correcting and enlarging a second edition of the Natural Idistory of Aleppo. 
In 17 59 several remarkable shocks of an earthquake occurred in Syria. Of the phe¬ 
nomena attending these, and of their consequences, Dr. Russell gave a particular account 
in letters to his brother Alexander. These letters were published in the Philosophical 
Transactions for 1760. :: 
Aleppo, it is well known, is liable to that calamitous epidemic, the plague. When the 
first symptoms of that scourge of human nature at any time appeared, far from shutting 
himself up, as was customary with Europeans, Dr. Russell remained calm and collected, and 
displayed a steady perseverance in the discharge of his duty, which could result only from 
the guidance of a beneficent, courageous, and well regulated mind. After communicating 
to the English Consul instructions in writing for the observance of those attached to the 
English factory, he used to take leave of all his friends, who, at his express desire, shut 
themselves up within the limits of the factory, and did not suffer the least intercourse to 
be had with them. At the most imminent risk did Dr. Russell then apply himself to the 
treatment of the diseased. If he was not able to arrest the progress of the malady, he had 
thus at least the best opportunities of investigating its nature, watching its symptoms, and 
trying the effects of various powerful medicines, and different modes of treatment. The 
correct and extensive information which he acquired by experience in this most hazard¬ 
ous manner, during several successive visitations of the plague in 17 60, 61, and 62, qua¬ 
lified him in a peculiar manner for writing a history of that direful distemper ; an advan¬ 
tage of which he happily survived long afterwards to avail himself. 
* Vol. LI. Part II. p. 529 - 
