1239 that safety first is not the optimum treatment, nor doing the best for the patient. It would be deplorable if by creating an atmosphere conducive to complaint and by multiplying procedures of inquiry the ethics of the professions in clinical practice should be distorted". Emphasising the point in oral evidence, Sir Rodney Smith, speaking on behalf of all the Presidents of the Royal Colleges and the Deans of Faculties, declared: "If a system which encouraged the practice of defensive medicine were introduced, it would be harmful in prescribing and even more so in providing investigations in the field of radiology and pathology. The Presidents of the relevant Royal Colleges have said that in these specialties facilities are so stretched that any increase in work load caused by the introduction of defensive medical practice would be catastrophic". The other major concern of the medical profession has been the issue of double jeopardy-giving patients the possibility of having "a trial run" of possible civil litigation before the Commissioner and forcing those against whom allegations are made to stand trial twice on the same facts. The B.M.A. laid considerable weight on the misfortunes in America, where the population was described as "action crazy". One of the committee’s motives in pursuing its brief was to avoid any similar explosion of malpractice litigation in Britain. The committee recognised this concern about double jeopardy, but it had to admit that it could see no complete solution to the problem. Some danger must remain. It also accepted the doctor’s concern about defensive medicine, but it said it would be unwise in the long run to make the courts the only place in which clinical judgments could be questioned. This might simply force people to litigate who had no wish to do so. It was the view of the health authorities that 75% of complaints fell into the category of "nothing can replace Mum, but we want to make sure that it does not happen to any other Mum". An extension in the Health Commissioner’s powers to include complaints about clinical judgment would, the committee decided, fill a present gap in the structure between the Commissioner and the courts. His role would not be to criticise past actions and judgments which, even if they turned out with the benefit of hindsight to be mistaken, were reasonable at the time. He would be as much concerned to protect clinicians from unfair criticism based on hindsight as to see that the concerns of patients and relatives were heard and considered. With the opposition of the medical profession in mind, the committee made the point that legislation would be counter-productive if one of the groups primarily affected was not prepared to make it work. It simply hoped that its unanimity would help the Government in its negotiations with the doctors. On one issue, the M.P.s and the doctors were in complete agreement-the need to end ad-hoc inquiries set up by health authorities in which they were also potentially a defendant in any action for damages. But this will not be enough to placate the doctors and to encourage them to accept these wider powers for the Health Commissioner. The sensitivity of the issue rules out any early legislation. But the authors of the report are hoping to win enough support from M.P.s on both sides of the Commons to strengthen any Government which eventually decides to grasp this hot potato.
Obituary WILLIAM HENRY McMENEMEY D.M.Oxon., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Path., F.R.C.Psych.
Prof. W. H. McMenemey, emeritus professor of pathin the Institute of Neurology, University of Lonand honorary consulting pathologist to the National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, died on Nov. 24 at the age of 72. He was distinguished both as a neuropathologist and as a medical historian.
ology don,
He trained
at
appointments
in
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and after junior pathology and neurology there he became registrar in pathology at Maida Vale Hospital and assistant pathologist to the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases. He moved the Radcliffe Infirmary, to Oxford, in 1937, and to the Royal Infirmary, Worcester, in 1940, returning to London in 1949 as pathologist to Maida Vale Hospital; he was appointed professor of pathology in the Institute of Neurology in 1965. He was president of many bodies, including the International Society Clinical Pathology, the Association of Clinical Pathologists, and the Sections of Neurology of Medicine of the Royal Society of Medicine.
of
and the History R. K. writes: "When one has
just lost a very good friend it may not be easy produce entirely detached assessment of his contribution to life. But with William McMenemey the task is not difficult, because his achievements were great in every field of his to
an
endeavour. Like Godwin Greenfield before him, and indeed like many good neuropathologists, he trained first as a clinical neurologist, and he remained a good clinical neurologist ever afterwards, whose advice was held in high esteem by his clinical colleagues. During his very busy professional life he made many contributions to knowledge in his specialty, especially on the subject of the dementias, and he turned his laboratory at Maida Vale into a reference laboratory for the whole of the South of England, thus gaining an unmatched experience in the pathology of cerebral degenerative disease. "His national and international reputation was such that he was elected to many presidencies and to honorary memberships of learned societies overseas. He shared with Ludo Van Bogaert responsibility for the establishment and initial organisation of the International Society of Neuropathologists. But his greatest contribution was in the encouragement of young trainees to enter neuropathology, and in the interest that he was able to stimulate in young neurologists to familiarise themselves with the changes that occur in central-nervous-system disease. His weekly joint seminars with the surgeons and registrars at Maida Vale were one of the most popular and valuable features of postgraduate training in the Institute of Neurology. Like all truly great and busy men, he was always ready to listen, to help, and to explain, and to do so with courtesy and without pretension and pomposity. There are many neuropathologists throughout the world who owe their initial interest in their subject and their first-class basic training that has helped them to establish their own departments, to him; they will miss him, and the intense interest he always showed in them, just as much as those of us at home. "Quite apart from his main professional interests, William McMenemey was also one of our most outstanding medical his,
torians. This
was
really
an
extension of his
enormous
interest
1240 in people; it is clear that historical figures were just as much people to him as those he knew personally. It will always be some consolation to his wife, Rubie, herself a professional so much for her support, her her in the pursuance of and criticism gentle encouragement, his own professional interests, that he has so firmly established his own name in the medical history of our times."
woman, and to whom he owed
ARTHUR CAPEL HERBERT BELL
Kt., M.B.Lond., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.O.G. Sir Arthur Bell, who died on Nov. 24 at the age of 73, was formerly consultant gynaecological surgeon to the Westminster Hospital and the Chelsea Hospital for Women, and president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He qualified from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1927, and after house-appointments at Barts. and in Liverpool, he was appointed obstetric and gynxcological registrar at the Westminster Hospital, where he became full surgeon in 1954. He the staff of Queen Charlotte’s Maternity Hospital. examiner for a number of universities, as well as for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynxcologists, for the conjoint diploma, and for the Central Midwives’ Board. He served as honorary adviser in obstetrics and gynaecology to the Army from 1963 to 1970. The fifth edition of his book, A Pocket Obstetrics, was published in 1962. was
He
also
on
was an
B.E. writes: "His colleagues will remember Arthur Bell for reasons other than the outstanding professional and administrative abilities that led to the presidency of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He was a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm with an ability to do many things at the same time and do them all very well. He had a sharp wit and a great sense of fun, which endeared him to students; his clinics and lectures were most popular, but woe betide the slacker, who would find himself singled out for special attention. He took a great personal interest in all those with whom he came in contact, be they patients, porters, nurses, or colleagues, and we are all grateful for his kindness and help. "An expert gardener, who ran his own market garden for many years, he enjoyed racing, especially at Sandown Park, fishing, and shooting, and he was a natural at golf, cricket, and tennis. In spite of his many outside interests and activities, he was essentially a family man whose life was centered on his home. His many friends will always remember visits to Claygate, where he and Hilda entertained in a delightfully informal manner. And Westminster students will not forget the parties which followed the annual cricket match between Claygate and the Medical School."
JOHN CHASSAR MOIR C.B.E., M.D. Edin., D.M. Oxon., F.R.C.S.E., F.R.C.O.G. Prof. John Chassar Moir, who was Nuffield professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in the University of Oxford from 1937 to 1967, died on Nov. 24 at the age of 77; he was known equally for his clinical and academic contributions to his specialty. He was educated at Montrose Academy and the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.B. in 1922 and M.D. (with gold medal) in 1930. He also studied in Vienna and Berlin and later, with a Rockefeller travelling fellowship, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and other American clinics. He worked in the obstetrical unit at University College Hospital in London and in 1935 he was appointed reader on obstetrics and gynaecology in the University of London, at the new British Postgraduate Medical School. Two years later, at the age of 37, he was appointed to the Nuffield chair at Oxford, which he held for 30 years. Over the same period he was a professorial fellow of Oriel College, Oxford.
At Oxford Professor Chassar Moir built up a thriving department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Radcliffe Infirmary, and, though the emphasis was on postgraduate teaching and research, during the war years the department was able to take on responsibility for extra undergraduate teaching
and for the care of expectant mothers evacuated from London. He was an examiner in obstetrics and gynaecology for the University of Oxford and for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which he also served as lecturer, counsellor, and ambassador. He was much in demand as a lecturer both at home and abroad, particularly in North America. In 1950 he was visiting professor at Queen’s University, Ontario, which awarded him an honorary LL.D., and he was honoured by several medical societies in the United States. He also
received honorary degrees from the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester. He was president of the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Royal Society of Medicine, and at the time of his death he was visiting professor at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London. One of his important research contributions was his work on ergometrine. His early studies of the muscular activity of the human pregnant and non-pregnant uterus led to the discovery of a new active principle in ergot, and in collaboration with Dr H. W. Dudley, F.R.S., he was able to isolate the substance responsible for the traditional clinical activity of this drug which, as ergometrine, was widely used for the reduction of heemorrhage after childbirth. Professor Chassar Moir later made a
special study of the treatment of vesicovaginal nstutae, and his book on this subject was published in 1961. He was co-editor of Munro-Kerr’s Operative Obstetrics for several years and sole editor of the sixth edition. He is survived by his wife and
two sons
and
two
daughters.
JOHN HENRY WILKINSON C.B.E., Ph.D., D.Sc. Lond., F.R.I.C., F.R.C.Path. Prof. J. H. Wilkinson, professor of chemical pathology at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and consultant chemical pathologist to Charing Cross Hospital, London, died on Nov. 20 at the age of 62. After qualifying first in pharmacy and later in chemistry he worked for several years for Messrs May and Baker. In 1947 he
joined Prof.
N. r.
Maclagan’ss
department of chemical pathology at the Westminster Hospital Medical School, where he remained for eighteen years. It was while working at the Westminster that his interest in clinical enzymology began. His researches in this subject, which continued up to the time of his death, brought him international recognition. In 1965 he became head of the William Pepper laboratories in the University of where he held the chair in clinical chemistry. In 1969 he returned to the United Kingdom to take up the chair of chemical pathology at the Charing Cross Hospital Medical School. Henry Wilkinson was the doyen of English clinical enzymology. Among his publications are An Introduction to Diagnostic Enzymology and Isoenzymes, which are in use throughout the world. He was in great demand as a lecturer and adviser at home and overseas, and he received many honours. He was recently appointed C.B.E. He served as president of the Association of Clinical Biochemists, which presented him with the Well come award in 1974. The committees he served on are too numerous to list, but in all his activities an inherent charm and tact endeared him to his associates.
Pennsylvania,
1241
Henry took an active interest in teaching and guided many students to higher degrees. Many of his friends at home and from overseas visited him and his wife Dorothy. He was a kind host and took great pleasure in escorting visitors to the gardens at Polesden Lacey, which he greatly loved. In his youth he played first-class tennis, and he was a life-long
cricket, particularly that played in Essex. It was a pleasure on the few days which he could take off to accompany him to the Oval or Lords, where his shrewd comments were a great delight. Those who worked with him must count themselves most fortunate to have been acquainted with this notable, shy, gentleman. He is survived by his wife, four sons, and a daughter. lover of
J.S.
Mr FRANCIS JOHN HECTOR, consulting gynaecologist tol Royal Hospital, died on Nov. 11 at the age of 83.
to
Bris-
Appointments Birmingham
Area Health
Authority (Teaching):
BOND, R. A., M.B.Lond., F.F.A. R.c.s.: consultant anaesthetist, Central Birmingham health district. CAMPKIN, M.B.Lond., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, Central Birmingham health district. M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with a special interest in respiratory physiology, East Birmingham health district. DoNOVAN, W. M., M.B.Brist., M.R.C.PSYCH., D.P.M.: consultant forensic psychiatrist, West Birmingham health district. FARRAR, D. J., M.B.Lond., F.R.C.S. : consultant urologist, South Birmingham health district. LEYLAND, M. J., M.sc.Manc., B.D.s.L’pool, M.R.C.S., M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with a special interest in hsmatology. East Birmingham health district.
CAYTON, RUTH M., M.D.Sheff.,
Notes and News
TOWARDS REFORM OF THE
TUBERCULOSIS Greater Glasgow Health Board: ABEL, B. J., M.B.L’pool, F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant urologist, eastern and northern districts, based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. BALLANTYNE, DAVID, M.D.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant physician, south-eastern district, based at Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow. CARTY, M. J., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.O.G., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, south-western district, based at Glasgow Southern General
Hospital. CocHRAN, K. M., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant psychiatrist, northern district, based at Woodilee and Stoneyetts Hospitals. CocHRAN, WILLIAM, M.B.Aberd., F.R.C.S. : consultant psediatric surgeon, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow. FINE, ADRIAN, M.D.Dubl., M.R.C.P. : consultant nephrologist, Western Infirmary and Stobhill General
GRAY, H. W., M.D.Glasg.,
Hospital, Glasgow. M.R.C.P. :
firmary. HENDERSON, J. J., M.B.Glasg.,
consultant
physician, Glasgow Royal
consultant
F.F.A. R.C.S.:
anaesthetist,
In-
western
district and Institute of
Neurological Sciences, Glasgow. HOGG, R. B., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant hsematologist, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. IMRIE, C. W., M.B., B.sc.Glasg., F.R.C.S.G. : consultant surgeon with a special interest in gastrointestinal disease, based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. JAY, J. L., M.B., B.sc.Glasg., F.R.C.S. : consultant ophthalmologist, western district.
McKEE, A. H., M.B., B.sc.Edin., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, northern district, based at Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. MACKENZIE, J. F., M.B.L’pool, M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with an interest in gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. ROONEY, P. J., M.D.Glasg., M.R.C.P.: consultant physician with an interest in
rheumatology, western district. SiM, A., M.B., M.R.C.PSYCH., D.P.M. : consultant psychiatrist, northern district, based at Woodilee and Stoneyetts Hospitals. SIMPSON, R. G., M.B.Glasg., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant, accident and emergency department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. SLATER, P. J., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.O.G., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, northern district, based at Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. SUTHERLAND, G. R., M.B.Edin.,
F.R.C.P.E., F.R.C.R., D.M.R.D.: consultant radi-
ologist, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow.
G.M.C.
The Medical Bill, which had its second reading on Nov. 29, seeks to dispose of the two least thorny proposals in the Merrison report-that the General Medical Council should be enlarged so that members elected by doctors are in the majority, and that committees should be set up to examine not only professional misconduct but also unfitness to practise through mental or physical ill-health. The Government has decided to leave the trickier Merrison recommendations--on specialist registration, postgraduate education, and registration of overseas doctors-for another time, and several Lords resented this procrastination. In any case, they asked, what was the point of setting up a greatly enlarged council when the Bill provided none of the extra work suggested by Merrison? And what about money? According to Lord Winstanley there would be trouble if doctors were asked to pay a lot more towards this body which existed largely for protection of the public. (Lord Wells-Pestell said that a Government contribution was not out of the question-if that was what the medical profession wanted.) Lord Platt referred again to the powerful influence of pressure groups on G.M.C. elections as they are now organised; yet the Bill said nothing about the method of election. Turning to the new committees, speakers expressed anxiety about the absence of an appeal procedure for doctors suspended from the register because of ill-health and about Press publicity on G.M.C. disciplinary hearings. Merrison had recommended legislation to prevent Press reporting of cases which were found unproved; in other words, no Press reports would appear until the hearing was concluded. Yet the Bill said nothing about this. It now goes to committee, where some of these matters may be attended to.
UNCONQUERED
IN his annual report,’ the Chief Medical Officer of the D.H.S.S. summarises the findings of a symposium held by the Department in April, 1976, in order to review the epidemiology of tuberculosis in England and Wales and the policy for its control. Despite the steady decline in the incidence of tuberculosis, the disease is likely to cause trouble for many years. In 1974, it was estimated that 1935 hospital beds (just over 1% of the total available) were in daily use for the treatment of tuberculosis. Part of the reason for the persistence of tuberculosis may be the susceptibility of Asian immigrants, who, together with vagrants and men over 65, constitute the group at high risk of tuberculosis. There is no evidence that tuberculosis among immigrants has resulted in any increase of the disease in the indigenous population. The report notes that a comparison of age-specific rates for respiratory tuberculosis among several developed Western countries shows that Sweden and Denmark have a higher rate for those over 65. If this difference is due to increased post-mortem diagnosis by the greater number of necropsies carried out in Scandinavia, then the full extent of the problem in Britain may not have been uncovered (although England already has a high notification-rate among the over-65s).
MEDICAL SCIENCES BUILDING AT LEICESTER THE first purpose-built accommodation for the new Medical School at the University of Leicester was being opened on Dec. 1. On the State of the Public Health. Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Social Security for 1976. H.M. Stationery Office. Pp. 135. £2.10.
Obituary WILLIAM HENRY McMENEMEY D.M.Oxon., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Path., F.R.C.Psych.
Prof. W. H. McMenemey, emeritus professor of pathin the Institute of Neurology, University of Lonand honorary consulting pathologist to the National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, died on Nov. 24 at the age of 72. He was distinguished both as a neuropathologist and as a medical historian.
ology don,
He trained
at
appointments
in
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and after junior pathology and neurology there he became registrar in pathology at Maida Vale Hospital and assistant pathologist to the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases. He moved the Radcliffe Infirmary, to Oxford, in 1937, and to the Royal Infirmary, Worcester, in 1940, returning to London in 1949 as pathologist to Maida Vale Hospital; he was appointed professor of pathology in the Institute of Neurology in 1965. He was president of many bodies, including the International Society Clinical Pathology, the Association of Clinical Pathologists, and the Sections of Neurology of Medicine of the Royal Society of Medicine.
of
and the History R. K. writes: "When one has
just lost a very good friend it may not be easy produce entirely detached assessment of his contribution to life. But with William McMenemey the task is not difficult, because his achievements were great in every field of his to
an
endeavour. Like Godwin Greenfield before him, and indeed like many good neuropathologists, he trained first as a clinical neurologist, and he remained a good clinical neurologist ever afterwards, whose advice was held in high esteem by his clinical colleagues. During his very busy professional life he made many contributions to knowledge in his specialty, especially on the subject of the dementias, and he turned his laboratory at Maida Vale into a reference laboratory for the whole of the South of England, thus gaining an unmatched experience in the pathology of cerebral degenerative disease. "His national and international reputation was such that he was elected to many presidencies and to honorary memberships of learned societies overseas. He shared with Ludo Van Bogaert responsibility for the establishment and initial organisation of the International Society of Neuropathologists. But his greatest contribution was in the encouragement of young trainees to enter neuropathology, and in the interest that he was able to stimulate in young neurologists to familiarise themselves with the changes that occur in central-nervous-system disease. His weekly joint seminars with the surgeons and registrars at Maida Vale were one of the most popular and valuable features of postgraduate training in the Institute of Neurology. Like all truly great and busy men, he was always ready to listen, to help, and to explain, and to do so with courtesy and without pretension and pomposity. There are many neuropathologists throughout the world who owe their initial interest in their subject and their first-class basic training that has helped them to establish their own departments, to him; they will miss him, and the intense interest he always showed in them, just as much as those of us at home. "Quite apart from his main professional interests, William McMenemey was also one of our most outstanding medical his,
torians. This
was
really
an
extension of his
enormous
interest
1240 in people; it is clear that historical figures were just as much people to him as those he knew personally. It will always be some consolation to his wife, Rubie, herself a professional so much for her support, her her in the pursuance of and criticism gentle encouragement, his own professional interests, that he has so firmly established his own name in the medical history of our times."
woman, and to whom he owed
ARTHUR CAPEL HERBERT BELL
Kt., M.B.Lond., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.O.G. Sir Arthur Bell, who died on Nov. 24 at the age of 73, was formerly consultant gynaecological surgeon to the Westminster Hospital and the Chelsea Hospital for Women, and president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He qualified from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1927, and after house-appointments at Barts. and in Liverpool, he was appointed obstetric and gynxcological registrar at the Westminster Hospital, where he became full surgeon in 1954. He the staff of Queen Charlotte’s Maternity Hospital. examiner for a number of universities, as well as for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynxcologists, for the conjoint diploma, and for the Central Midwives’ Board. He served as honorary adviser in obstetrics and gynaecology to the Army from 1963 to 1970. The fifth edition of his book, A Pocket Obstetrics, was published in 1962. was
He
also
on
was an
B.E. writes: "His colleagues will remember Arthur Bell for reasons other than the outstanding professional and administrative abilities that led to the presidency of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He was a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm with an ability to do many things at the same time and do them all very well. He had a sharp wit and a great sense of fun, which endeared him to students; his clinics and lectures were most popular, but woe betide the slacker, who would find himself singled out for special attention. He took a great personal interest in all those with whom he came in contact, be they patients, porters, nurses, or colleagues, and we are all grateful for his kindness and help. "An expert gardener, who ran his own market garden for many years, he enjoyed racing, especially at Sandown Park, fishing, and shooting, and he was a natural at golf, cricket, and tennis. In spite of his many outside interests and activities, he was essentially a family man whose life was centered on his home. His many friends will always remember visits to Claygate, where he and Hilda entertained in a delightfully informal manner. And Westminster students will not forget the parties which followed the annual cricket match between Claygate and the Medical School."
JOHN CHASSAR MOIR C.B.E., M.D. Edin., D.M. Oxon., F.R.C.S.E., F.R.C.O.G. Prof. John Chassar Moir, who was Nuffield professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in the University of Oxford from 1937 to 1967, died on Nov. 24 at the age of 77; he was known equally for his clinical and academic contributions to his specialty. He was educated at Montrose Academy and the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.B. in 1922 and M.D. (with gold medal) in 1930. He also studied in Vienna and Berlin and later, with a Rockefeller travelling fellowship, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and other American clinics. He worked in the obstetrical unit at University College Hospital in London and in 1935 he was appointed reader on obstetrics and gynaecology in the University of London, at the new British Postgraduate Medical School. Two years later, at the age of 37, he was appointed to the Nuffield chair at Oxford, which he held for 30 years. Over the same period he was a professorial fellow of Oriel College, Oxford.
At Oxford Professor Chassar Moir built up a thriving department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Radcliffe Infirmary, and, though the emphasis was on postgraduate teaching and research, during the war years the department was able to take on responsibility for extra undergraduate teaching
and for the care of expectant mothers evacuated from London. He was an examiner in obstetrics and gynaecology for the University of Oxford and for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which he also served as lecturer, counsellor, and ambassador. He was much in demand as a lecturer both at home and abroad, particularly in North America. In 1950 he was visiting professor at Queen’s University, Ontario, which awarded him an honorary LL.D., and he was honoured by several medical societies in the United States. He also
received honorary degrees from the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester. He was president of the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Royal Society of Medicine, and at the time of his death he was visiting professor at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London. One of his important research contributions was his work on ergometrine. His early studies of the muscular activity of the human pregnant and non-pregnant uterus led to the discovery of a new active principle in ergot, and in collaboration with Dr H. W. Dudley, F.R.S., he was able to isolate the substance responsible for the traditional clinical activity of this drug which, as ergometrine, was widely used for the reduction of heemorrhage after childbirth. Professor Chassar Moir later made a
special study of the treatment of vesicovaginal nstutae, and his book on this subject was published in 1961. He was co-editor of Munro-Kerr’s Operative Obstetrics for several years and sole editor of the sixth edition. He is survived by his wife and
two sons
and
two
daughters.
JOHN HENRY WILKINSON C.B.E., Ph.D., D.Sc. Lond., F.R.I.C., F.R.C.Path. Prof. J. H. Wilkinson, professor of chemical pathology at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and consultant chemical pathologist to Charing Cross Hospital, London, died on Nov. 20 at the age of 62. After qualifying first in pharmacy and later in chemistry he worked for several years for Messrs May and Baker. In 1947 he
joined Prof.
N. r.
Maclagan’ss
department of chemical pathology at the Westminster Hospital Medical School, where he remained for eighteen years. It was while working at the Westminster that his interest in clinical enzymology began. His researches in this subject, which continued up to the time of his death, brought him international recognition. In 1965 he became head of the William Pepper laboratories in the University of where he held the chair in clinical chemistry. In 1969 he returned to the United Kingdom to take up the chair of chemical pathology at the Charing Cross Hospital Medical School. Henry Wilkinson was the doyen of English clinical enzymology. Among his publications are An Introduction to Diagnostic Enzymology and Isoenzymes, which are in use throughout the world. He was in great demand as a lecturer and adviser at home and overseas, and he received many honours. He was recently appointed C.B.E. He served as president of the Association of Clinical Biochemists, which presented him with the Well come award in 1974. The committees he served on are too numerous to list, but in all his activities an inherent charm and tact endeared him to his associates.
Pennsylvania,
1241
Henry took an active interest in teaching and guided many students to higher degrees. Many of his friends at home and from overseas visited him and his wife Dorothy. He was a kind host and took great pleasure in escorting visitors to the gardens at Polesden Lacey, which he greatly loved. In his youth he played first-class tennis, and he was a life-long
cricket, particularly that played in Essex. It was a pleasure on the few days which he could take off to accompany him to the Oval or Lords, where his shrewd comments were a great delight. Those who worked with him must count themselves most fortunate to have been acquainted with this notable, shy, gentleman. He is survived by his wife, four sons, and a daughter. lover of
J.S.
Mr FRANCIS JOHN HECTOR, consulting gynaecologist tol Royal Hospital, died on Nov. 11 at the age of 83.
to
Bris-
Appointments Birmingham
Area Health
Authority (Teaching):
BOND, R. A., M.B.Lond., F.F.A. R.c.s.: consultant anaesthetist, Central Birmingham health district. CAMPKIN, M.B.Lond., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, Central Birmingham health district. M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with a special interest in respiratory physiology, East Birmingham health district. DoNOVAN, W. M., M.B.Brist., M.R.C.PSYCH., D.P.M.: consultant forensic psychiatrist, West Birmingham health district. FARRAR, D. J., M.B.Lond., F.R.C.S. : consultant urologist, South Birmingham health district. LEYLAND, M. J., M.sc.Manc., B.D.s.L’pool, M.R.C.S., M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with a special interest in hsmatology. East Birmingham health district.
CAYTON, RUTH M., M.D.Sheff.,
Notes and News
TOWARDS REFORM OF THE
TUBERCULOSIS Greater Glasgow Health Board: ABEL, B. J., M.B.L’pool, F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant urologist, eastern and northern districts, based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. BALLANTYNE, DAVID, M.D.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant physician, south-eastern district, based at Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow. CARTY, M. J., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.O.G., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, south-western district, based at Glasgow Southern General
Hospital. CocHRAN, K. M., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant psychiatrist, northern district, based at Woodilee and Stoneyetts Hospitals. CocHRAN, WILLIAM, M.B.Aberd., F.R.C.S. : consultant psediatric surgeon, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow. FINE, ADRIAN, M.D.Dubl., M.R.C.P. : consultant nephrologist, Western Infirmary and Stobhill General
GRAY, H. W., M.D.Glasg.,
Hospital, Glasgow. M.R.C.P. :
firmary. HENDERSON, J. J., M.B.Glasg.,
consultant
physician, Glasgow Royal
consultant
F.F.A. R.C.S.:
anaesthetist,
In-
western
district and Institute of
Neurological Sciences, Glasgow. HOGG, R. B., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.P. : consultant hsematologist, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. IMRIE, C. W., M.B., B.sc.Glasg., F.R.C.S.G. : consultant surgeon with a special interest in gastrointestinal disease, based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. JAY, J. L., M.B., B.sc.Glasg., F.R.C.S. : consultant ophthalmologist, western district.
McKEE, A. H., M.B., B.sc.Edin., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, northern district, based at Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. MACKENZIE, J. F., M.B.L’pool, M.R.C.P. : consultant physician with an interest in gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. ROONEY, P. J., M.D.Glasg., M.R.C.P.: consultant physician with an interest in
rheumatology, western district. SiM, A., M.B., M.R.C.PSYCH., D.P.M. : consultant psychiatrist, northern district, based at Woodilee and Stoneyetts Hospitals. SIMPSON, R. G., M.B.Glasg., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant, accident and emergency department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. SLATER, P. J., M.B.Glasg., M.R.C.O.G., F.F.A. R.C.S.: consultant anaesthetist, northern district, based at Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow. SUTHERLAND, G. R., M.B.Edin.,
F.R.C.P.E., F.R.C.R., D.M.R.D.: consultant radi-
ologist, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow.
G.M.C.
The Medical Bill, which had its second reading on Nov. 29, seeks to dispose of the two least thorny proposals in the Merrison report-that the General Medical Council should be enlarged so that members elected by doctors are in the majority, and that committees should be set up to examine not only professional misconduct but also unfitness to practise through mental or physical ill-health. The Government has decided to leave the trickier Merrison recommendations--on specialist registration, postgraduate education, and registration of overseas doctors-for another time, and several Lords resented this procrastination. In any case, they asked, what was the point of setting up a greatly enlarged council when the Bill provided none of the extra work suggested by Merrison? And what about money? According to Lord Winstanley there would be trouble if doctors were asked to pay a lot more towards this body which existed largely for protection of the public. (Lord Wells-Pestell said that a Government contribution was not out of the question-if that was what the medical profession wanted.) Lord Platt referred again to the powerful influence of pressure groups on G.M.C. elections as they are now organised; yet the Bill said nothing about the method of election. Turning to the new committees, speakers expressed anxiety about the absence of an appeal procedure for doctors suspended from the register because of ill-health and about Press publicity on G.M.C. disciplinary hearings. Merrison had recommended legislation to prevent Press reporting of cases which were found unproved; in other words, no Press reports would appear until the hearing was concluded. Yet the Bill said nothing about this. It now goes to committee, where some of these matters may be attended to.
UNCONQUERED
IN his annual report,’ the Chief Medical Officer of the D.H.S.S. summarises the findings of a symposium held by the Department in April, 1976, in order to review the epidemiology of tuberculosis in England and Wales and the policy for its control. Despite the steady decline in the incidence of tuberculosis, the disease is likely to cause trouble for many years. In 1974, it was estimated that 1935 hospital beds (just over 1% of the total available) were in daily use for the treatment of tuberculosis. Part of the reason for the persistence of tuberculosis may be the susceptibility of Asian immigrants, who, together with vagrants and men over 65, constitute the group at high risk of tuberculosis. There is no evidence that tuberculosis among immigrants has resulted in any increase of the disease in the indigenous population. The report notes that a comparison of age-specific rates for respiratory tuberculosis among several developed Western countries shows that Sweden and Denmark have a higher rate for those over 65. If this difference is due to increased post-mortem diagnosis by the greater number of necropsies carried out in Scandinavia, then the full extent of the problem in Britain may not have been uncovered (although England already has a high notification-rate among the over-65s).
MEDICAL SCIENCES BUILDING AT LEICESTER THE first purpose-built accommodation for the new Medical School at the University of Leicester was being opened on Dec. 1. On the State of the Public Health. Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Social Security for 1976. H.M. Stationery Office. Pp. 135. £2.10.
