Richard Pearson (physician)

After graduating Pearson travelled in France, Germany, and Italy for two years with Thomas Knox, Lord Northland.

While a student, Pearson was awarded a gold medal from the Royal Humane Society for an essay on the means of distinguishing death from suspended animation.

In 1795 Pearson published A Short Account of the Nature and Properties of different kinds of Airs so far as relates to their Medicinal Use, intended as an introduction to the Pneumatic Way of Treating Diseases, and in 1798 The Arguments in Favour of an Inflammatory Diathesis in Hydrophobia considered, in which he combats the then prevalent opinion of John Ferriar of Manchester that general inflammation and inflammation of the fauces were the chief pathological conditions in hydrophobia.

An influenza epidemic had begun in London in February, and spread all over England; and this work, after a statement of the clinical features of the disease, discusses its treatment, and concludes with some letters from practitioners in country districts.

An epidemic of bubonic plague was seen in 1804, and he published Outlines of a Plan calculated to put a Stop to the Progress of the Malignant Contagion which rages on the Shores of the Mediterranean.

He also wrote medical articles in Rees's Cyclopædia and in the British Critic and took part in the abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions.