The London Welshman

Welshmen known in London.XVI. DR. D. L. THOMAS. IT is generally admitted that the Yale of Teify is represented by a larger number of residents in the Metropolis than any other district in the whole of Wales. From the northern, and rugged portion, of the county, where the river finds its source, down to the broad and stately vale around Cardigan town where its waters slowly find a resting place in the Irish Channel, there is scarcely a hamlet that has not its connecting link with one or other of our large trading houses or the leading professions within this city. Of these represen- tatives to-day no one has risen to a more important position, or is more popular with his fellow countrymen in London, than the subject of this sketch—Dr. Daniel L. Thomas, the Medical Officer of Health and Public Analyst for the Borough of Stepney. It was in the old historical town of Newcastle Emlyn that Dr. Thomas spent his early days. Here he was born on March ist, 1869, and though yet a 'mere youth' as compared with officials genei ally, he has for the past ten years held one of the most important posts in relation to the health of this great city that could be entrusted to any public officer. At an early age he was sent to the Board School under the care of Mr. Davies, who still looks after the educational wants of the young in that town. He proved himself a lively pupil, and after satisfying the re- cognised elementary routine entered the famous Emlyn Grammar School, under Mr. Elias, who has turned out a host of eminent scholars, preachers and successful business men during the past 30 years. To become a preacher or a parson was the ideal of most youthful minds in that academy, but young Thomas, or Dan as he was. popularly named, had set a higher goal before him, and determined to qualify for the medical profession. When 17 years of age he entered The London Hospital as a student, where he had a very successful record, and though his health at one time failed him, he qualified in the early weeks of 1892 in surgery and medicine. To gain the letters M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. is one thing, but to establish a practice is quite another matter in these hard days of overcrowded professions; but young Thomas never daunted. He soon selected upon a spot in the populous Mile End Road to try his skill' as is usually said, and though only 2 2 years of age he was successful beyond ordinary anticipation. He secured his first public appointment when only 23 years of age, In being selected surgeon to the Fire Brigade out of 62 applicants, and as his fame as a skilful Surgeon became more widely known he secured several minor appointments to the local institu- tions during the succeeding years. His ex- perience among the poorer patients of the neighbourhood brought to his notice the un- sanitary conditions under which a large section of the community dwelt, and quickened his desires to become an authority on sanitation. He secured the necessary qualifications under the Sanitary Institute and Diploma in Public Health, and in September, 1897, he was appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Limehouse District Board of Works, a post in which he distinguished himself in the DR. D. L. THOMAS. amount of good work he did on behalf of the poor of East London. His crusade against canned goods at that period showed he was- fully alive to the poisonous stuff that was being shipped here from America and elsewhere intended for human consumption. Particularly did he distinguish himself in the notorious Fells case, when he succeeded to convict a dealer of canned filth, who had swamped East London with his rotten potted goods, and who had eluded previous officials and successfully contested all prosecutions hitherto instituted against him. On this occasion Dr. Thomas was able to secure his imprisonment, and thereby breaking up the gang that carried on this nefarious industry. From that day Dr. Thomas has not relaxed his attention to canned goods imported from foreign countries. It was not necessary to write a novel on the Chicago Beef Trust to expose the vileness of the trade, as far as this officer was concerned, for we notice in the latest report issued by him, and published only last week, that over One Ton Daily of Canned Goods have been destroyed under his inspection during the past five years. The figures are stupendous and it can hardly be realised the amount of illness and fevers that have been avoided under his supervision of our food stuffs. His ex- perience of fever is also unique, for during the last small-pcx epidemic he examined and re- ported on 1,500 cases, i,oco of which proved to be this dread disease, After the Limehouse Board of Works he secured the important office of Medical Officer of Health for the Boruugh of Stepney, the post that he now holds. His qualifications as a public officer are numerous, and include, Member of the S.I., Member of the Council of the R.Inst.P.H., Member of the Society of Public Analysts, a Member of Gray's Inn, &c. On all questions affecting the poor of the East End he is always consulted, and his figures and counsel often quoted in Parliament. When the Alien enquiry was being held some Z, time since, his evidence was most exhaustive, and was under examination for two days before the Commissioners. In 1900-3, he was lecturer on Public Health at the London Hospital, and during the period many of our public men and leading sanitary officials attended the series. Though he has been unusually successful in the English world, Dr. Thomas remains A Thorough Welsh Nationalist, and as enthusiastic on behalf of all matters affecting his native country as he was when in the Emlyn Grammar School. He is a ready supporter of all Welsh functions in London, and for years has been the leider in most of our movements. A prominent member of New Jewin Chapel, and as staunch a Methodist as was ever trained under the dcctrines of the venerable Evan Philips, of Emlyn. Dr. Thomas is Treasurer of the Welsh Club, a president of the Welsh Football Club, and the elected Wor- shipful Master of the London Welsh Lodge of Freemasons. A good speaker, he presides at many of our public gatherings, and his genial countenance and ready wit always secure him a hearing and keeps the company in a happy mood. With the young people of Dinas Emlyn there is no one that is welcomed more readily, and whenever an Eisteddfod is organised, or a testimonial is being arranged, his services are always readily sought and secured.