John Jones (doctor)

John Jones (1729 – June 23, 1791) was an American physician who wrote the book Plain, Concise, Practical Remarks on the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures.

Jones was born in Jamaica, Queens County, New York. He graduated from Reims University in 1751 with a degree in medicine. Among others Jones studied medicine under Percival Pott. Jones served as a surgeon in the French and Indian War. After the war, he wrote his guide on wound treatment and served as a professor of medicine at King's College, which is today Columbia University.

In his book, first published in 1775, Jones recommended such actions as removing bullets as soon as possible and cleaning wounds.

In 1777, Jones was appointed to the New York State Senate but resigned in February 1778, due to ill health. In 1780, he removed to Philadelphia and became the physician of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.

Sources

• Middlekauff, Robert. The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982) p. 525
• Joyner Library catalogue mention of Jones book
• Peltier, Leonard F. Fractures: A History and Iconography of Their Treatment. 1990. p. 35
• The American biographical dictionary by William Allen (John P. Jewett & Co., Boston; and Henry P. B. Jewett, Cleveland, Ohio; 1857; page 483)