Janice Morgan

Palmer reportedly hated the work almost immediately and constantly felt undervalued. It wasn't long before he decided to remedy that. Soon after starting, Palmer began stealing small amounts of money from patients. Palmer may not have needed the funds, but it seems he felt entitled to them. The modest sums added up, and after three months, his employer caught on and fired Palmer.

Palmer reportedly hated the work almost immediately and constantly felt undervalued. It wasn't long before he decided to remedy that. Soon after starting, Palmer began stealing small amounts of money from patients. Palmer may not have needed the funds, but it seems he felt entitled to them. The modest sums added up, and after three months, his employer caught on and fired Palmer.

For Palmer, the firing didn't matter. He could easily find another job, and if things got bad, he could lean on the family fortune. His mother quickly found him a new position at the Stafford Infirmary. There, Palmer watched as the medical staff operated and cared for patients. However, like most rural hospitals at the time, the conditions were horrid.

For Palmer, the firing didn't matter. He could easily find another job, and if things got bad, he could lean on the family fortune. His mother quickly found him a new position at the Stafford Infirmary. There, Palmer watched as the medical staff operated and cared for patients. However, like most rural hospitals at the time, the conditions were horrid.

Locals knew being admitted into the facility was potentially akin to a death sentence. There weren't nearly enough staff to properly care for all the patients. And without sufficient resources, patients weren't kept clean. Infections were rampant. Patients died from minor ailments like colds, cuts, or scrapes. Death was everywhere. Perhaps not only from infection.

Locals knew being admitted into the facility was potentially akin to a death sentence. There weren't nearly enough staff to properly care for all the patients. And without sufficient resources, patients weren't kept clean. Infections were rampant. Patients died from minor ailments like colds, cuts, or scrapes. Death was everywhere. Perhaps not only from infection.

There's a legend about Palmer's time in Stafford. Apparently, the wife of a local plumber caught his eye, so Palmer challenged her husband to a drinking contest. Palmer won because his opponent couldn't hold his liquor. The poor plumber suffered intense vomiting. Then he passed away. While the death was never prosecuted, in retrospect, it's theorized that Palmer poisoned his romantic rival.

There's a legend about Palmer's time in Stafford. Apparently, the wife of a local plumber caught his eye, so Palmer challenged her husband to a drinking contest. Palmer won because his opponent couldn't hold his liquor. The poor plumber suffered intense vomiting. Then he passed away. While the death was never prosecuted, in retrospect, it's theorized that Palmer poisoned his romantic rival.

Palmer didn't stay in Stafford long. He quit the infirmary or was asked to leave before he completed a full year. A few weeks after leaving the infirmary, Palmer set off for London. He had his eyes set on becoming a physician. In London, Palmer studied at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, one of the country's oldest.

Palmer didn't stay in Stafford long. He quit the infirmary or was asked to leave before he completed a full year. A few weeks after leaving the infirmary, Palmer set off for London. He had his eyes set on becoming a physician. In London, Palmer studied at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, one of the country's oldest.

However, while Palmer attended all of his lectures, it appears his heart wasn't in his studies. The rambunctious nature that drew the ire of classmates in Rugeley blossomed in London. Palmer spent many late nights at local pubs, drinking until he stumbled home sick. On his days off, he spent countless hours at the nearby horse track. Win or lose, Palmer didn't mind.

However, while Palmer attended all of his lectures, it appears his heart wasn't in his studies. The rambunctious nature that drew the ire of classmates in Rugeley blossomed in London. Palmer spent many late nights at local pubs, drinking until he stumbled home sick. On his days off, he spent countless hours at the nearby horse track. Win or lose, Palmer didn't mind.

He had his inheritance and a lucrative career as a physician to look forward to. Once he opened his practice, he'd grow up. But starting a medical practice was easier said than done. While Palmer dutifully carried on his education at St. Bartholomew, he was woefully unprepared to take his medical entrance exams.

He had his inheritance and a lucrative career as a physician to look forward to. Once he opened his practice, he'd grow up. But starting a medical practice was easier said than done. While Palmer dutifully carried on his education at St. Bartholomew, he was woefully unprepared to take his medical entrance exams.

It seems Palmer's interest in experiencing everything London had to offer came at the expense of his medical knowledge. So Palmer's mother paid a local doctor to tutor him. The physician spent weeks with Palmer, going over the basics and making sure he knew the pitfalls of the test. To his and Palmer's credit, Palmer passed and was officially licensed as a physician in 1846.

It seems Palmer's interest in experiencing everything London had to offer came at the expense of his medical knowledge. So Palmer's mother paid a local doctor to tutor him. The physician spent weeks with Palmer, going over the basics and making sure he knew the pitfalls of the test. To his and Palmer's credit, Palmer passed and was officially licensed as a physician in 1846.

Shortly after, Dr. William Palmer moved back to Rugeley, where he quickly opened up a practice. It was a difficult undertaking, but Palmer's practice thrived in its first year. To everyone in town, it seemed Palmer had rounded a corner and finally grown up. And in his business, Palmer acted kind and courteous. Yet this professional attitude was a facade. Palmer still had the same wild spirit.

Shortly after, Dr. William Palmer moved back to Rugeley, where he quickly opened up a practice. It was a difficult undertaking, but Palmer's practice thrived in its first year. To everyone in town, it seemed Palmer had rounded a corner and finally grown up. And in his business, Palmer acted kind and courteous. Yet this professional attitude was a facade. Palmer still had the same wild spirit.

On days he could sneak away, he was at the races. Apparently he feigned interest in the sporting aspect of racing to disguise his true interest, gambling. But he didn't spend all his money at the races. Some reports claimed that Palmer paid £22 a week for a luxurious home near his practice.

On days he could sneak away, he was at the races. Apparently he feigned interest in the sporting aspect of racing to disguise his true interest, gambling. But he didn't spend all his money at the races. Some reports claimed that Palmer paid £22 a week for a luxurious home near his practice.