John Riddington Young

Retired General ENT Surgeon

TD and bar, MPhil, FRCS, DLO, North Devon DGH. Barnstaple, UK.

Latest Contribution

Photo showing statue of St Blaise, which was in the lobby of the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital.

St Blaise - patron saint of the throat

6 January 2023 | | ENT, Laryngology / Swallowing / Voice

In a previous article, we looked at some interesting legends surrounding patron saints of the ear and hearing [1]. As we celebrate the Feast Day of St Blaise of Sebastia on 3 February, we hear some fascinating tales and myths...

Photo of Captain David Alexander Draffin, RAMC.

Did you ever meet Draffin on your travels?

2 September 2022 | | ENT

Draffin’s rods or bipods are a well-known ENT instrument. Before their invention in 1951, the attendant anaesthetist or nurse was obliged to support the mouthgag during tonsillectomy. Their originator, David Alexander Draffin (born in 1917 in Ballybey, Co Monaghan), was...

Illustration showing contemporary icon of St Mamas (2017) by Father Silouan Justiniano.

Patron saints of the ear

2 March 2022 | | ENT, Otology, Audiology - Adult

We all know that ear symptoms include hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and otalgia, but did you know there are patron saints for all these symptoms? John Riddington Young shares an overview of the patron saints of the ear, inspired by...