Whilst on a recent project at St Margaret's Church, Horsemonden I came across this memorial to John Read who is accredited with amongst other medical instruments the stomach pump. The monument, which possesses a gaunt looking bust of John Read is high on the south aisle's south wall and has the inscription of
'Sacred to the Memory of John Read. Inventor of the stomach pump and many other useful implements for the benefit, or relief of suffering humanity of humble origin. He yet possessed talents which would have honor to the highest station and he used them to the Christian end of doing good to his fellow creatures in submission to the will of the great creator. This tablet was erected by the representatives of the late Revd Dr Marriott to whom for many years John Read was a faithful and zealous servant. He died may 3rd A.D. 1847 aged 87. The bust was dedicated to the church by the executors of the deceased'
Despite this memorial, there appears to be a discrepancy regards the actual invention of the stomach pump itself. Whilst various versions of similar instruments are known from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, there is a detailed account of the invention of 'The Patent Syringe or Stomach Pump and Lavement Apparatus' by a Richard Read who was a highly regarded Instrument Maker by appointment to the young Queen Victoria of c.1850. Richard Read was also regarded as the inventor of the 'veterinary syringe for removing intestinal obstructions of horses and other animal; also probangs for relieving hoven or chocked cattle'.
I have yet been able to clarify the relationship between either John, or Richard Read whom may have been brothers, or the inscription on the church memorial could have recorded the incorrect name. I have also been unable to ascertain the relationship of either John, or Richard Read, with the village of Horsmonden. It would appear that a John Read is recorded as the gardener to the Rev. Dr. Smith-Marriott whom was the Rector of Horsmonden Church, but appeared to have no medical background. He (John Read) was definitely an ingenious man being accredited with solving problems with land drainage, hop drying and the treatment of blown cattle. However, the John Read of Horsmonden died c.1847, whilst the book published by Richard Read was produced c.1850, possibly posthumously and maybe by his son Richard Read whom was the instrument maker and improving his fathers patented device?
