"SCALPEL AND SWORD."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

"SCALPEL AND SWORD."

A NEW ZEALAND SURGEON LOOKS BACK. Under the alliterative but unnecessarily bloodthirsty title of "Scapel and Sword" (A. H. and A. W. Reed), Sir James Elliott, of Wellington, giveS the reminiscences of a not uneventful life. The author came from Xorthern Ireland to New Zealand as a child in 1884, and the first four chapters are mainly occupied with a description and history of Wellington. There follows an account of his student days at Otago, and later at Edinburgh, and then his enlistment and service in the South African War. Of the period between that and the Great War he tells his readers little, but 1914 finds him as senior medical officer 011 the hospital ship Maheno, and the chapters dealing with this period show an aspect of the war that is not frequently described. The last two chapters consist of an account of a visit to America and a description of some of Xew Zealand's scenic wonders.

It would have been better, perhaps, had Sir James Elliott laid aside his modesty and put more of his own personality into this volume. Admittedly it is reminiscence and not autobiography that he writes, but even reminiscence needs to be infused with the breath of individuality, or its most exciting incidents remain inanimate. Only once or twice concerning episodes of his childhood does the author allow himself to unbend. The best chapters are perhaps those on the "Romance of Medicine" and "Medical Life," in which lie expounds his philosophy of the science in which lie has so distinguished himself. On matters of general importance he avoids both the profound and, for the most part, the controversial point of view, though some readers will be unpleasantly jarred by his remarks 011 women convicts. It is difficult to justify the inclusion of the last chapter of all, named "Roving in Maoriland," which is an almost entirely impersonal description of Xew Zealand bush, scenery and tourist resorts; this has 110 connection with the rest of the volume and sadly mars its construction. The main part of the book, however, is full of interest, of information, and of very amusing stories. All past students of the Edinburgh Medical School will enjoy the sketches of its famous teachers, and those who passed their childhood in Wellington will revel in Sir James' picture of the growth of that community.