'Wednesday last being the anniversary of the colony, a splendid dinner was laid out by mine host of the Forbes Hotel. In consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather, and the short notice that was given, the room was not so full as it would otherwise have been. Mr. J.J. Harpur was in the chair, and Dr. Stolworthy officiated as vice president. Several loyal and Australian toasts were given and responded to; and some really eloquent speeches were delivered by the chairman, the worthy Doctor, Mr. Maxwell, and others. Mr. Rotton spared no expense to have the dinner served up in first rate style, every article having been placed on the table that could tempt the appetite; the wine was also excellent. After the tables were removed the music commenced; but the streets being so shocking muddy, the ladies were afraid of wetting their pretty little feet and so to the great disappointment of the anxious gentlemen, after a few tunes were played, the company returned home much earlier than they would else have done.'

Soon after this he was presented to the Governor Sir Charles Fitzroy in Singleton. He was also Steward at a dinner later held in the Governor's honour in a room at the rear of Mr. Ledingham's  'Surveyor General Inn' , and after dinner gave a speech on behalf of the Stewards there who had 'got up a dinner so extensive in a place with such limited means at their disposal.'

In 1848 the following account was given of Dr. Stolworthy's  experiments with chloroform on two gentlemen of Singleton.

'From one he extracted the stump of a tooth without pain being felt by the party, although something resembling a crush was felt. But as these remarks are intended to illustrate its effects, we would add the particulars of its action. It was exhibited in a piece of cotton stuffing, folded in a handkerchief, which was considered better than a sponge, and appeared so by the fact that it required time to produce its effect, by which means it was more easily governed in its application, and served as a check upon any dangerous effect. When first applied it nearly produced choking, but steadily continued, was followed by an apparent stream of luscious sweetness passing down the throat; after that commenced its stupefying action, like a sudden quickening of the pulse from the extreme points of the body to its centre, violent but not painful, which gradually melted away into nearly insensibility. So far the party himself maintained the power of application after which it required an assistant. The stump was then lanced and withdrawn without an apparent sensation; neither did the most violent pinching appear to create any emotion. Previous to the extraction of the stump violent vomiting came on, of which, however, he was not aware; but this, we think, arose from a disordered state of the stomach. It was some time before he fully recovered the effects of the experiment. the quantity employed was not more than 10 drops, which appears sufficient for the purpose, when the party using it does so without fear. The exhibitions to the other party were those of pleasure, although it was never carried so far as total insensibility; but he is at any time ready and willing to take the chloroform. From the results we can confidently state that, with moderate caution no serious effects will follow its use; although at the same time we cannot admire a taste for its use only for amusement. As the article is very dear, we would recommend economy in its use, and point to the fact that 10 drops properly applied is sufficient, and if not, it is easily renewed.

Early in December 1848 David Stolworthy was called to the nearby aboriginal camp area where a drunken brawl had taken place some time before. He took with him spirits and bandages. On arrival he found several seriously wounded men - 'one of them had had his fore arm so frightfully broken that the bone was protruding through the skin; one had serious spinal injuries; and one begged the doctor to put his fingers in his mouth to feel if his jaw was broken'!

In January 1849 Dr. Stolworthy assisted by Dr. Glennie performed an amputation below the knee on Peter Gibbon who had been injured when his leg was crushed against a tree by his horse. Gibbon, a 35 year old shoemaker was said to have evinced considerable fortitude prior to the operation which was performed in about 2 1/2 minutes. He had been given only a light dose of Chloroform due to his debilitated state and 'gave not the slightest evidence of pain or suffering during the various incisions of the limb, consciousness only returning during the application of the saw'!

Administration of chloroform was not always successful. In 1849 a puzzling disease became prevalent in Singleton, amounting almost to an epidemic. It affected the fingers with abscesses in the joints and palm of the hand to such an extent that in several cases amputation was found to be necessary. Dr. Stolworthy performed the amputation with the aid of chloroform in most cases, however Patrick Kelly, reacted badly to the chloroform  - 'a great nervous excitement was produced by a rush of blood to the head and he became delirious'. Despite earnestly entreating Dr. Stolworthy to again try the chloroform the good doctor refused and the operation was performed without. Patrick Kelly submitted to the ordeal with great fortitude and resolution. Dr. Stolworthy 'removed the metacarpal bone close to its articulation at the wrist joint' and Kelly was left with a small but useful hand.

For more information see Australian Pioneer Medical Index