On June 4, died Mr. Chas. Cave, surgeon, Petersfield; the circumstances of whose death must excite respect for his memory, much sympathy for his loss, as well as caution to the profession. On the Saturday se’nnight previous to his death, a seafaring man, who had been ill for a few days preceding, was attacked, whilst at Petersfield, with a violent inflammation on the lungs; and after being attended several times during the day by Messrs. Cave and Wicher, he died the next morning. The surgeons, being of various opinions as to the real cause of his death, agreed to open the body; which they did, and found the lungs in a complete state of putrefaction. They afterwards sewed up the body, in doing which they pricked their fingers; and, in the evening, both of them were seized with violent pains in the arms, which soon extended to nearly the whole of the body. Mr. Cave, after enduring the most excruciating pains, died on the following Monday. Mr. Whicher is still alive, though suffering extreme pain; but his hand and arm have been opened by several of the most skilful surgeons of the neighbourhood, and from the metropolis; and a discharge being obtained from the wounds, it is hoped his life will be saved. The death of Mr. Cave is the cause of universal regret, for he was not more respected for his abilities, and general demeanor, than he was for his humanity. He was always forward in attending to the wants of the sick sailors and soldiers who might be passing through the town, in whose service, it may be almost said, his life fell a sacrifice. He was in the 36th year of his age, and has left a young widow, who deeply mourns his loss. It is a remarkable circumstance, that the late Mr. Whicher, (of Petersfield) father of the above mentioned Mr. Whicher, died of a fever, which was brought on by his great zeal to save the lives of some sick soldiers, who, on their return from the disastrous expedition to Spain, about 15 months since, dropt down in the town.
