The Richard Dunning Cup

This has been awarded by the Society in memory of Richard Dunning at an Annual Debate held in conjunction with Plymouth University medical students.

In 2011 Mr Bill Gall, Consultant Surgeon gave the following speech at the Debate:

Richard Dunning Cup Prize Giving

Richard Dunning lived in St Albyn Street, Dock at the time that the Plymouth Medical Society was being established and was one of the founder members.

He had been interested in cowpox since the beginning of the century. Indeed, there is a book in the Medical Library entitled ‘Dunning on Cowpox’.

Following Jenner’s original paper in 1798 - (quoting his experience of several farmers, who had suffered blisters on their hands from milking cows affected by ‘the pox’, who had not suffered from smallpox during several recent epidemics) - he had collected serum from some of these vesicles and inoculated several patients producing what he believed to be total immunity.

Dunning’s first case was of a child in Devonport, whom he successfully vaccinated from a dairymaid in Eggbuckland, who had the vesicles on her hands.

He had been in regular communication with Jenner, who recognised Dunning’s work and his coining of the word ‘vaccination’, which he announced at a meeting of the Royal Jennerian Society in London.

It is to commemorate this splendid piece of clinical investigation that this prize had been inaugurated and is awarded to the winning team in an annual debate, presided over by a circuit judge.

During my clinical years, 60+ years ago in Bristol, I remember there were a number of eponymous prizes, usually following some oral examinations. It was a stimulating experience, demanding some extra effort and endeavour, as indeed, does the preparation to ‘propose and second’ in our Richard Dunning Annual Debate.

It has given me great pleasure to have presented this cup for the winners each year. The debate this year, as usual, was of a very high standard and I am delighted to present the cup today.

Mr. Bill GALL

Consultant Surgeon, Plymouth.

Richard Dunning b 1761, died 5th March 1851; buried at Stoke Damerel on 11th March 1851. Later resident at no 8, Albemarle Villas. The Society intends to investigate arranging a blue plaque for this house in recognition of his great importance to Plymouth‘s medical history.

Dr. Sarah Murray 9/10/21