Hello Rootschatters, I'm afraid we have a problem!!
Just when I thought we were making some good progress!
There were two David surgeons practicing in London at the same time, one Burn and the other Burnes, as shown on this listing from the London Medical Directory of 1845. (see below).
The really confusing thing is the second individual in the Directory, David Burn, is shown with the qualification L.A.C. June 25, 1835, and later LSA 1835, yet the record from the Apothecaries Hall (reply#9) shows this qualification was given to David Burnes on exactly that date.
I have had this reply from the University of Edinburgh.
A David Burnes is listed in our volume ‘ A List of the Graduates of Medicine in Edinburgh University’ as graduating in 1830 with an MD. There is a brief entry in our matriculation index stating these details also, plus his thesis title – ‘De Febre Mediterranica’ , and that he practised in London, and died at Montrose, Angus. Unfortunately we probably will not have further information to provide, as our original volumes ‘ Graduates in Medicine ‘ do not commence until 1833 [ they would provide details of the curriculum and grades achieved ] . Also, our ‘ First Matriculation’ series doesn’t start until 1869, which would have given only just a few details, but would have included his date of birth. I have confirmed that a David Burnes was born Montrose, Scotland 1806 and died there 1849 at age 43.
The David Burn ancestor I am trying to trace was born about 1785 and died Shadwell, England 18 Nov 1848.
The surgeon on HMS Asia in 1828 as reported by Bookbox (reply#15) is shown as David Burns, so at this stage could be either one.
I'll try and get some more details from Admiralty records at National Archives, but in the meantime I'd welcome any thoughts or suggestions on where to look next.