William Lambe (physician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Lambe
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 26 February 1765 Warwick, England
|
| Died | 11 June 1847 (aged 82) Dilwyn, England
|
| Occupation | Physician, writer |
William Lambe FRCP (born February 26, 1765 – died June 11, 1847) was an English physician, or doctor. He was one of the first people to promote a plant-based diet, which is now often called veganism. Many see him as a leader in healthy vegan eating.
About William Lambe
William Lambe was born in Warwick, England. His father, Lacon Lambe, was a lawyer. William went to Hereford Grammar School and then to St John's College, Cambridge. He studied hard and graduated with a special degree in 1786. He became a doctor in 1789.
In 1790, Dr. Lambe started his own medical practice in Warwick. He also studied the water from Leamington, a town known for its healing springs. He wrote about his findings. Around 1800, he moved to London. There, he became a Fellow of the College of Physicians in 1804. This meant he was a respected member of the medical community. He also gave important lectures to other doctors.
Dr. Lambe had his medical office in London, where he saw patients three times a week. He was known for helping people who couldn't afford to pay him. He stopped working as a doctor around 1840.
He passed away on June 11, 1847, in Dilwyn, England. He is buried in his family's burial place there. His son, William Lacon Lambe, also became a doctor.
His Plant-Based Diet
Dr. Lambe was seen as a bit unusual by people at the time. This was mainly because he followed a very strict plant-based diet. He also believed that drinking only filtered water was very important for health.
Dr. Lambe suffered from several long-term illnesses. In 1806, he decided to stop eating animal foods and only drink distilled water. His health got much better, so he continued this diet for the rest of his life. He even tried this diet with some of his patients and wrote a book about the results in 1815.
Dr. Lambe believed that a diet of distilled water and vegetables could cure almost any disease, even cancer. His diet was very simple. For breakfast, he ate bread with fruit or salad. For dinner, he had vegetables and sometimes an onion dumpling. His supper was the same as his breakfast. He did not drink coffee or tea. He also always walked everywhere, no matter the weather. Because he did not eat dairy or meat, he is seen as an "early vegan pioneer."
Most doctors during his time did not agree with Dr. Lambe's ideas. However, he did influence the vegetarian movement in the United Kingdom. People like Howard Williams later said that Dr. Lambe was very important in the history of healthy eating.
His Written Works
Dr. Lambe wrote several books about his ideas on health and diet. Some of his notable works include:
- Researches into the Properties of Spring Water (1803): This book looked at spring water and warned against using lead pipes for water.
- A Medical and Experimental Enquiry into the Origin, Symptoms, and Cure of Constitutional Diseases (1805): This book explored how diet might help with diseases like scrofula, consumption, cancer, and gout.
- Reports of the Effects of a Peculiar Regimen on Scirrhous Tumours and Cancerous Ulcers (1809): This book shared his findings on how his special diet affected certain growths and ulcers.
- Additional Reports on the Effects of a Peculiar Regimen (1815): This continued his reports on the effects of his diet.
- An Investigation of the Properties of Thames Water (1828): This book studied the water from the River Thames.
