THE death of Dr. Hugh Rhodes, a young man of considerable promise, on November 16th [1899], has occasioned great regret. Circumstances made it almost a tragedy. Not that it was sudden or at all unexpected, but for the courageous struggle he persistently and to the very last made, to carry on his professional duties, when for at least two years he and his more intimate friends were well aware that he was the subject of disease which, ere long, must prove fatal. This was not long after his marriage. The indomitable pluck he displayed could only be admired by those who knew the circumstances, and in spite of the difficulties mentioned he acquired such a success that, had his health and life been spared, it was clear he was marked out for a more than usually successful career. As it is, he passed away at the early age of 34, leaving a name for honourable dealing in professional and private life, and one which must for long be held in the highest esteem by his seniors no less than by his more immediate con-temporaries.
He was the eldest son of Mr. H. G. Rhodes, Manager of the Dronfield Branch of the Sheffield and Rotherham Banking Company, and was born at Fulwood. He was educated at Dronfield and at Sheffield Grammar Schools, and passed on ,to Glasgow University to study medicine. He gained the Walton Bursary and the first prize in Anatomy in his year; and became M.B., C.M. (with honours) in 1887, M.R.C.S.Eng. in 1890, and M.D. in 1891. His first appointment was that of Assistant House-Surgeon to the Cumberland Infirmary, Car-lisle ; subsequently he was Assistant House-Surgeon and House-Surgeon to the General Infirmary, Sheffield. In 1892 Dr. Rhodes resigned the latter post, receiving many substantial tokens of regard, and joined Mr. W. Dale James in partnership in Sheffield. He was for a time Demonstrator of Anatomy, and lately Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence in University College, Sheffield. He also lectured on Ambulance -class work for the Sheffield School Board and the Midland Railway. About three years since he married the youngest daughter of the late Mr. E. Lucas, of Dronfield, and has left ,one little girl. He was Local Secretary of the Medical Defence Union and of the North of England Gynaecological Society, and was a member o' the Sheffield Medico-Chirurgical Society. He was the author of a thesis entitled Koch's Treatment in Phthisis and Lupus. Dr. Rhodes was much respected by his fellow practitioners.
The funeral took place at Dronfield Cemetery in the presence of his father, brother, and a large number of other relatives and friends.
[BMJ]