Hugh Owen Thomas

Thomas was descended from a line of Welsh bone setters and placed great importance on rest in treatment of fractures.

[1][2][3] Hugh Owen Thomas was the great-grandson of a young boy who had been shipwrecked on Anglesey (Ynys Môn) between 1743 and 1745 with his brother.

[3][4] Hugh Owen Thomas was born on Anglesey (Ynys Môn) on the 23rd of August, 1834 whilst his mother was visiting relative on the island.

Hugh was described as frail child and his parents sent him to live with his grandparents on Anglesey (Ynys Môn) until he was 13, hoping this environment would benefit his health more than industrial Liverpool.

Thomas started wearing an eye patch to keep the cold air out and later kept his peak hat down over it to stop others from staring.

[7] Thomas started his own practice at 24 Hardy Street, Liverpool and in 1866 he acquired 11 Nelson Street, Liverpool, enlarging the surgery house to contain two waiting rooms, four consulting rooms, a surgery, and a workshop.He employed a full-time smith and leather worker to make splints and other medical devices that he himself designed and treated many patients from the Merseyside area.

[9][10] In order to achieve a combination of prolonged rest, Thomas created the 'Thomas Splint', which would stabilise a fractured femur and prevent infection.