Clement Dukes

Clement Dukes,the son of a clergyman, studied medicine at St. Thomas’ Hospital, where he was a brilliant undergraduate. He gained his MRCS in 1867 and graduated MBBS in London in 1869 with honours. He interned at St. Thomas’ and then at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street. He also worked at the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest and the Royal Ophtalmic Hospital, Moorfields and in 1871 was appointed medical officer at Rugby school, a position he held until 1908. He gained his MD in London in 1876 and became FRCP in 1876. At Rugby he won world-wide renown for his books and articles on schoolboy health and health care.

In 1900 he published an article entitled «On the confusion of two diseases under the name of rubella (Rose Rash).» In this he distinguishes the two disorders rubella and roseola infantum, and concluded that they were two similar, but etiologically and pathologically distinct, infections. In 1901 he reported an epidemic in school children which he differentiated from scarlet fever, common measles and rubella, and called the fourth disease. Although this 4th disease was much debated and questioned during his day, history has vindicated his view.

• Health at school.
  With Malcolm Alexander Morris (1849-1924) et al. London, 1883; 4th edition, 1905.
• The preservation of health. London, 1884.
• An address in school hygiene on medical guidance in the selection of schools for certain children. London, 1889.
• The essentials of school diet. London, 1891.
• Work and overwork in relation to health in schools. London, 1893.
• On the features which distinguish roseola (roserash) from measles and from scarlet fever. London, 1894.
• Remedies for the needless injury to children. London, 1899.