Sir Charles Hercus dead

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 20

Sir Charles Hercus dead

(N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 26. The Dean of the University of Otago Medical School, Sir Charles Hercus, died in Dunedin today at the age of 83.

As dean from 1937 to 1959 Sir Charles Hercus was responsible for transforming the medical school into an institution with a proper balance between teaching and research, and with a world reputation.

His early work on the relation of soil iodine to endemic goitre provided a sound basis for the preventive measures which have successfully reduced the incidence of goitre. He was responsible for the compelling arguments and the persistent demands that eventually led to the introduction, of iodised salt in 1924. Sir Charles Hercus showed similar determination in pressing for the establish-; ment of the hydatids research; unit for the country at Taieri.’

Sir Charles Hercus was bom in Dunedin in 1888 and ; educated at Christchurch

Boys’ High School. He graduated from the University of Otago in dentistry in 1911 and medicine in 1914. After service with the New Zealand Medical Corps in the First World War, during which he won the D.S.O. and was mentioned in dispatches five times, he returned to Dunedin to complete his doctorate in medicine in 1921. The next year he was appointed professor of bacteriology and preventive and social medicine, succeeding Sir Lindo Ferguson as dean 15 years later.

In 1955 the chair was divided, Sir Charles Hercus retaining preventive and social medicine, while Professor J. A. R. Miles was appointed to a chair of microbiology which replaced bacteriology.

Sir Charles Hercus was knighted in 1947 for his services to medicine, having been awarded the 0.8. E. in 1919. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh), and of the Royal Australasian Colleges of Sur-

geons and Physicians. In 1962 the honorary degree of doctor of laws was conferred on him by Otago University. Wide influence As a member of the university council for 22 years he took a prominent part in the founding of the physical education school, in the provision of the student health service, in the long-range planning of university buildings, and in the affairs of the Otago University Development Society. Sir Charles Hercus was closely associated with the New Zealand Medical Research Council being chairman of the endocrinology, Island territories and hydatids research committees, and a member of the nutrition research committee.

He was also associated with the Board of Health, the town planning board, medical council, council of physical education, dental council and Selwyn College Board. Sir Charles Hercus is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.