Eminent Members Research Articles

Education and eminence in British medicine.

The educational background of eminent members of the British medical profession was examined by recourse to Who's Who. Substantial differences in background were found among the various medical specialties. Members of specialties enjoying high prestige within the profession-physicians, surgeons-were more likely than other members of the sample to have been to an English school as opposed to one in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, and to a headmasters' conference school as opposed to a grammar school. Educational background was also found to relate to the aspect of the patient's body on which specialists normally worked. Specialists coming from English headmasters' conference schools were more likely than others to work on living bodies rather than dead bodies or parts of bodies, on the head rather than on the lower trunk, on male bodies rather than female bodies, and on the body's surface rather than its inside.

The Science and Technology of Navigation

The wide range of interests of members of the Institute, combining as it does all aspects of marine and air navigation from the basic concepts through research, development, design, manufacture and marketing to practical operation, presents a most interesting challenge to the president in his address. This challenge is increased by the knowledge that this address will appear in the twenty-first birthday issue of the Journal in company with articles by eminent members of the Institute on developments in their own fields.

Brain—Thyroid Relationships: Ciba Foundation Study Group No. 18.

In addition to its well-known Colloquia , the Ciba Foundation in London also publishes the proceedings of one-day meetings organized around the work of eminent members of its scientific advisory panel, which it calls Study Groups. This small volume honors the Turkish professor, S. Artunkal, who is also one of the contributors with an article on psychological studies in hyperthyroidism. There are five other papers dealing with various aspects of the influence of the brain on the thyroid or vice versa. G. W. Harris presents a succinct but well-documented summary of the status of knowledge of the nervous control of thyroid function at the time the meeting was held, January 1964. S. Reichlin discusses some of his own studies concerning the effect of brain cooling on thyroid activity and the presence of a thyrotropin release factor in hypothalamic tissue as well as various pituitary hormones, including thyrotropin, in the pars tuberalis

Role of Dermatology in a Medical School

At the outset I want to make my position clear to this distinguished group. This will not be a formal discourse on education in the field of dermatology. Rather, I am going to discuss with you thoughts of my own concerning the role of dermatology as a specialty in a medical school. I address you as a staunch friend and supporter of your specialty, one who for long has had an abiding interest in its progress and development. While I will express my own beliefs, I have spent no little time with the literature bearing upon this matter, and I acknowledge my debt to the many eminent members of your specialty who, through the years, have contributed thoughtful essays on the subject. It is interesting as well as encouraging to note the rising and well directed ferment in this area in the past decade. From time to time I will

A lawyer's history lesson

Within the month—this month—one of your many eminent members, Dr. Lee DuBridge, published an article which begins like this: “The fact that social and natural scientists seem to have so little to say to each other is one of the tragedies of modern times.”

Modern trends in diagnostic roentgenology of the colon.

Mr. President, Members of the Institute, Ladies and Gentlemen: On behalf of the Swedish Radiological Society I feel it a great honour to have been invited to deliver the famous Mackenzie Davidson Memorial Lecture. I thank you and your committee. When looking through the list of predecessors I was pleased to see the name of Gosta Forssell, since Gosta Forssell in Sweden was what Mackenzie Davidson was in England—an outstanding pioneer in the field of radiology. To be included in a list with such eminent members of the profession marks an important occasion in my life. I have chosen as the subject of my paper: Modern Trends in Diagnostic Roentgenology of the Colon with special emphasis on the question: Is routine double contrast examination worth while in the investigation of bowel trouble? In other words, if we have to with hold the benefit of double contrast examination simply because of some discomfort to the patient or because of extra cost, it is surely being penny wise and pound foolish. First of all ...

A New Program for Treatment of Youthful Offenders

HE great interest that American sociology manifests in crime and what produces it certainly is warranted by the gigantic proportions that this social phenomenon assumes in our national life. Studies of incidence and causations are only first steps toward planning relief from one of our costliest burdens. Then what are the next steps? Should the sociologist, rightfully stressing the ounce of prevention, lay most emphasis on those factors in early upbringing and in economic and group pressures which tend to foster criminality? Perhaps so, especially if the prevalence of misconduct in high places is stressed as it influences our population and even in young people breeds cynicism about their world and consequent contempt for the law; and also if due weight is given to the incitements to crime deriving from the continual bombardment of youth with fact and fiction about criminalistic exploits and gains. Some of your eminent members, among them W. I. Thomas, have called attention to the inevitable results of this, and all of my craft who delve into causations in individual cases know that ideas of criminality are antecedents of criminal behavior. Other aspects of the problem of prevention are also of vital importance to society. In medicine, when symptoms of disease appear, a prime consideration is to give the person treatment that will not only afford immediate relief but prevent later recurrence of the symptoms. If criminality is displayed, it is a symptom. When an offender is taken in hand by the law, is he treated by methods that are calculated to prevent recurrence of his symptomatic behavior? Here is a matter of great sociological import: the law itself and the assets and weaknesses of its structure and methods as it attempts to check crime by prescribing what shall be done to the criminal. In presenting to sociologists certain proposals of a committee appointed by the American Law Institute, the need appears for asking some little consideration of what the law really is as a basic instrument of cultural organization, and this particularly, because some of the proposals may seem rather revolutionary. To orient myself, I reread that product of a preMachiavellian Germany, Berolzheimer's The World's Legal Philosophies. Nothing in this scholarly review stands out more clearly than the sociological implications of the nature and evolution of the law. Though we are

The Constitution and the Legislature

This distrust was the strikingly predominant characteristic of all of the state constitutions adopted during the period immediately following the Civil War. And between 1864 and 1880, thirty-five new constitutions were adopted by nineteen states. Distrust of the legislature was the keynote of the Pennsylvania Constitution in 1873, which-because of my intimate familiarity with its provisions -I shall use to illustrate my discussion of the subject which has been assigned to me. On page after page of the Debates of the Constitutional Convention of 1873 will be found the most vigorous denunciation of the legislature by the most eminent members of the convention. Accordingly, in the Pennsylvania Constitutiontypical of its contemporaries-the power of the legislature was restricted in so many respects, either by express prohibition or by the inclusion of a mass of details properly the subject of legislative action, that it would be impossible, in the space allotted to me, even to state them all.

LONDON

<h3>The National Radium Fund</h3> The attention of both the medical profession and the public is now fixed on the new hope which the advance of radium treatment offers for delivery from a dread and increasing scourge—death from cancer with all its possible sufferings. In a previous letter the necessity for an increased supply of radium was stated. An appeal for funds over the names of the presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and other eminent members of the profession has been published. They point out that month by month it becomes more manifest that in the treatment of cancer radium is essential and that the profession is seriously hampered by the grievous insufficiency of the supply of radium in this country. The disease is not confined to those worn by age and debility but attacks vigorous men and women in the plenitude of their usefulness. Four thousand

THE WAE AGAINST THE VENEREAL DISEASES IN FRANCE.

The question of venereal prophylaxis is the order of the day in our country; from all sides medical men, statesmen and even literary men are combining their efforts to contend against this scourge. New measures are being studied and ourSociete de Prophylaxie, composed of internalists, surgeons, obstetricians, the most eminent members of the school of law and the principal police officials, meets once a month to consider important matters relative to the subject. This society has been productive of definite results. The system in use in France is composed of two separate branches—absolutely different—that is, the police and the medical service. Government surveillance is exercised in reference to houses of prostitution as well as to the so-called free prostitutes who are registered at police headquarters. The inmates of all houses are examined once a week, the others are obliged to report to the examiner once in two weeks. A

Eminent Members of the Profession

Eminent Members of the Profession

Art. XX.—Some Notes on Past and Future Archæological Explorations in India

Just thirty-five years ago, in 1860, the Government of India agreed to institute an Archæological Survey of Upper India, and thus to take an active part in the exploration of the numerous and extensive historical remains of the country, which task until then had been left to the desultory efforts (occasionally aided by grants from the public funds) of the learned societies and private individuals. Adverse circumstances, however, very soon counteracted the effects of this official recognition of the claims of antiquarian research to continued Government assistance and guidance. Already in 1866 financial pressure induced Lord Lawrence to stop the work which Sir A. Cunningham had barely begun. The Survey was abolished, and there followed a regrettable time of inaction, which lasted until 1870, when, in consequence of urgent representations from various influential quarters, and especially from eminent members of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Secretary of State and the Supreme Government of India consented to return to the principle laid down in 1860. The next result was the re-opening of the Archæological Survey for the Northern half of India, which was now organized on a larger scale, and the issue of orders by the Secretary of State for the registration and preservation of the historical monuments all over India. Soon afterwards, in 1873, the Government of Bombay was permitted to establish a survey of its own for the Western Presidency, and somewhat later the Government of Madras likewise directed its attention to the collection of notes regarding the antiquities of Southern India and to their scientific exploration.

Notes

AT the meeting of the Convocation of the University of London on Tuesday, the University was saved from committing an act detrimental to its best interests. The report of the annual committee condemning the recommendations of the Gresham Commissioners as to the reconstruction of the University was under consideration. It was urged by the supporters of the report that the rapidly increasing number of candidates who present themselves for the University examinations, was a sufficient argument against any change of constitution. We agree with Dr. Hart, that the University has raised the standard of education, that it has encouraged the aspirations of persons unable to bear the expense of residence in University towns, and that it has done much for the higher education of women. But the time has arrived when the University must become more than a mere examining body, if it wishes to keep pace with the times. Members of Convocation who are jealous of the prerogative position at present occupied should look around, and then ask themselves whether London ought not to have a teaching University like those of other capitals in Europe. A mistaken idea as to the dignity of the University should not be allowed to stand in the way of the proposed developments. It would be far more dignified to accept the changes, unless, indeed, the University of London desires to find itself eclipsed by another with a charter more suited to the requirements of to-day. Some of the most eminent members of Convocation recognise the necessity of the old order giving place to the new. Prof. Sylvanus Thompson pointed out that when functions were, as in the case of London University, extremely limited, they should be extended. “Why should not,” he said, “the University perform all those great duties of encouraging research and learning and of teaching, which were an essential part of a true University. He hoped the matter would be approached in a temperate spirit, and that they would not stand on a mistaken notion of their dignity. There might be blots on the scheme which they should seek to remove, but was it wise to oppose the scheme in a thoroughly hostile spirit? Let them beware of showing such a spirit, for it might be that a new University would arise, discharging all the functions of a University, and the present University of London might be left in the cold. The substitution of a new charter for an old did not, as they knew from past experience, impair the continuity of their existence. It would be a great pity if two Universities should arise—one not called by the name of the capital, but doing all the work of a University, whilst that which was called the University of London was restricted to the narrow sphere of examinations.” Mr. Thiselton Dyer also supported the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners, rightly remarking that the scheme would enable the University to develop its full powers, especially in the department of post-graduate study, in which lies the true glory of a University. The resolution of the annual committee, protesting against the withdrawal of the present charter, was eventually set aside by an almost unanimous vote. This is satisfactory as far as it goes, but it does not dispose of the matter in a very effective manner. A motion was afterwards proposed by Sir Albert Rollit, in the following form:—“That, with a view to the speedy and satisfactory reconstitution of the University, it is desirable to secure, if possible, the co-operation of the Senate and Convocation, and with this object Convocation refers the whole question of the reconstitution of the University to the annual committee, with power to nominate members of a joint consultative committee of the Senate and Convocation.” This was unanimously adopted; so the University is once more given the chance of reconsidering its policy, and of gracefully accepting the proposed changes before they are forced upon it.

The Iron and Steel Institute

THE annual meeting of this institution was held on Thursday and Friday of last week, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Sir Frederick Abel, the President, occupying the chair. After the reading of the Council's annual report Sir Frederick Abel delivered his Presidential address. He began with a reference to the losses which the Institute had sustained during the year by the death of some of its eminent members. He spoke especially of the solid services rendered to science by the late Duke of Devonshire. The Duke's wise munificence in the establishment of the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge University, and the important part he took in the labours of the Royal Commission on scientific instruction and the advancement of science, were described as “illustrations of his active participation in a movement of most vital importance to the maintenance of our position and influence among nations.” Sir Frederick also referred to the Duke's ready consent to fill the post of first president of the Iron and Steel Institute as a proof of his appreciation of the high importance to be attached to the successful foundation of an organization of which he predicted that it would prove “a powerful instrument for the advancement and progress of the iron and steel trade of Great Britain, by promoting intercourse and interchange of knowledge between its members”—a prediction which was speedily and amply fulfilled. In his introductory address the Duke had discussed the development of iron-manufacture in most interesting and comprehensive fashion. In referring to the most extraordinary mineral wealth of the United States, he pointed out that although in 1867 the production of pig iron in America had risen to nearly 1,350,000 tons (of 2240 lbs.), the price of labour did not warrant the belief that there was any immediate prospect of the United States competing with the iron-producing countries of Europe in the open markets of the world.

An American Medical Temperance Society.

To the Editor: —Several months since the undersigned received a communication from the Secretary of the British Medical Temperance Association, suggesting the formation of a similar organization in this country and the establishment of fraternal relations between them. The British Medical Temperance Association was organized in 1876, in London, with thirty members and Dr. Edmunds as President. It now embraces about five hundred members, with Dr. B. W. Richardson as President, and Dr. J. J. Ridge, Secretary. Among its members are many of the more eminent members of the profession in that country, and it has exerted a wide and most beneficial influence. The objects of the Association are declared to be to advance the practice of total abstinence in and through the medical profession, to promote investigation as to the action of alcohol in health and disease, and to constitute a bond of union among medical abstainers scattered all

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Dr. John Swinburnedied at his residence in Albany, N. Y., on March 28, 1889, aged 69 years. He had long been one of the most eminent members of the profession in that city. He had, at different times, filled the offices of Health Officer of the Port of New York, Member of Congress, and Mayor of Albany. Dr. R. L. Howard, of Montreal, Canada, died on the 28th of March, 1889. He was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in McGill University, and well known as a leading member of the profession. <h3>COLCHICINE IN OCULAR Therapeutics.</h3> —At the meeting of the Société d'Ophthalmologie of Paris on February 5, M. Darier said that since the discovery of salicylate of soda many ocular affections have been regarded as of rheumatismal nature, and have been much benefited by this agent. This drug has been shown to be of great efficacy in cases

Ohio State Sanitary Association.

—The Second Annual Meeting of this organization will be held at Columbus, Ohio, on February 5 and 6, 1885. Full programme for the meeting will be issued in due time by the Secretary, R. Harvey Reed, M.D., of Mansfield, Ohio. Prof. Darling, for many years well known as an eminent teacher of Anatomy in the Medical Department of the University of New York, died on the 25th inst. Dr. Edward Jarvis, one of the most philanthropic and deservedly eminent members of the profession in Massachusetts, recently died in Boston at the advanced age of 81 years.

On Certain Methods of Valuation

The proper method of estimating the liabilities of an office under its policies, is a question of so much importance that numerous essays on the subject have at various times been contributed to the pages of the Journal by some of the most eminent members of the Institute, whilst Mr. Manly, in his Messenger Prize Essay, and Mr. Valentine in his extension of the same, and more recently Mr. Geo. King, in his paper in vol. xx of the Journal, have furnished us with valuable information as to the financial results arrived at by the employment of different data in valuations. The subject has been so extensively treated in these papers, that I should not have ventured to refer to it again, but for the employment recently in some quarters of a method of valuation producing certain anomalies hitherto but little noticed in the pages of the Journal, and I therefore beg to submit for the consideration of its readers the results of an investigation showing the effects of the use of that method on the reserves and profits of an office.

Railway Debenture Stocks considered as a Security for the Investment of the Funds of a Life Assurance Society

Two valuable contributions to what may perhaps be called the “Finance of Life Assurance” appear in the Assurance Magazine; both by eminent Members of this Institute. The first in 1858 by our present President “On the Investments of the Funds of Assurance Companies;” the second in 1862 by Mr. A. H. Bailey, “On the Principles on which the Funds of Life Assurance Societies should be invested.”

Opening Address, Session 1859–60

It has been customary for those who have opened the business of the Session in the Royal Society, from the seat which I now occupy, to give some notice of those members who may have been taken from us by death during the preceding year. The rolls of the Society still exhibit many names illustrious both in science and in literature, but seldom has a year occurred in which we have been deprived of so great a number of eminent members.