VETERAN DOCTOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 140, 16 June 1932, Page 8

VETERAN DOCTOR

PRACTISED FOR 67 YEARS. EVENTS OF CROWDED LIFE. Dr. J. H. Salter, who had practised for 67 years and was the oldest practising medical officer in England, died recently at the age of 90 at his home, D ’Arcy House, Tolleshunt D ’Ar*cy, Essex. He had intended surgery to be his career, but in his early twenties he lost an eye in a shooting accident, and ho then settled in Essex as a country physician. His practice attained enormous proportions and embraced towns as far apart as Colchester, Chelmsford, Maldon and Witham. Even before the days of motor-cars, and in the worst weather in winter, he would make light of a 40-miles journey, and sometimes two or three horses a day were necessary in his work. As a doctor ho brought over 7000 babies into the world and, as he once said, he then had to keep them here, and had looked after them all their lives—even when they had become grandparents. He was president of Crufts and claimed to bo one of the best shots in the country. He made 10 shooting expeditions in Russia and his homo was full of the trophies of the •chase, including bears, elks and wolves. When in Russia he went, hunting with the late Tsar and was the guest of the Grand' Duke Nicholas.

Ho owned many champion dogs and thoroughbred horses and was an enthusiastic horticulturist. His diary ran into 80 volumes, each covering a year.