Ten year old Mary Ann Gladwell was a thatcher's daughter in Rattlesden, Suffolk. To help the family, she worked in a farmer's wheatfield. One day in March 1838, she came home complaining of pain in her knee and ankle. There also lived in Rattlesden the Rev John Heigham Steggall, a curious clergyman, the perpetual curate at nearby All Saints church in Great Ashfield.
Steggall kept a "little shop" in Rattlesden where he practiced a bit of medicine, pulling teeth, midwifery and the like. He'd picked up the knowledge as a boy on whaling ships and in India. Steggall examined Mary Ann and diagnosed her pains as the result of a fractured ankle which he "violently" reset. Then, using the two hard covers from a Bible as splints, he wrapped her ankle in wet calico.
The girl did not improve. Her parents became quite concerned. Removing the Bible pieces, Steggall discovered large blisters which he pricked and drained "a teacup full." He prepared various poultices - including one of bread and turnips. The Gladwells eventually took their daughter to see Mr. White, a surgeon in Gedding who determined there was nothing for it but to amputate the leg at the knee. Surgeons in Stowmarket carried it out.
At the 1839 Lenten Assizes in Ipswich, the Gladwells sued the Rev Steggall for malpractice resulting in the loss of their child's income. The jury heard the history of poor Mary Anne's leg. She came to court on her "stilts", of course. A surgeon who had examined the child's limb after the surgery said there was never a fracture. He produced the bones for all to see. The doctor testified that there was infection in the ankle that had ulcerated; Steggall had displayed gross ignorance.
The medical profession of Suffolk was well aware of the 50-year old Steggall's "practice" and there had been a lively controversy predating this "unfortunate calamity." Steggall's lawyer said his client had done his best but professional jealousy was behind the lawsuit. He also accused Mary Anne's parents of a "mercenary and vile" attempt to profit from their daughter's injury. The jury disagreed and quickly returned a verdict for the parents with damages of £10.
Steggall remained a legendary character in the area, helped by his biography, published in 1856, The Suffolk Gipsy. Containing the Real History of John H. Steggall, Who Has Been a Gipsy, a Sailor, a Soldier, a Surgeon, and is Now a Clergyman of the Church of England.
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