Saints and Sinners: John Lionel Stretton

John Lionel Stretton was born in Kidderminster in 1860. Apprenticed to his father, Samuel, at the age of 17, he trained at Bart's hospital, obtaining his MRCS in 1881, and was immediately appointed Junior Assistant Anaesthetist before he had to resign and return to Kidderminster, to help his father who was seriously ill. He worked in Kidderminster as a surgeon for 56 years, promoting healthcare for the working people and falling out with the industrialists whom he badgered persistently for funding. He is best remembered for his medical innovations, including the introduction of tincture of iodine for skin sterilisation, for which he should be recognised alongside Joseph Lister, the 'father of antispetic surgery'. This article is based on anecdotes from Lionel's own story from his manuscript that was eventually published after he died.