BRAVE DOCTOR DIES

Dunstan Times, 13 March 1933, Page 3

BRAVE DOCTOR DIES

TYPHOID EPIDEMIC HERO FIGHT TO SAVE OTHERS. Dr G. C. Parkin, a medical officer who freely faced the mortal dangers of the typhoid epidemic in Malton, Yorkshire, lias paid with his life for his courage. He died on December 3 as a direct consequence of the sacrifice he made for his patients. When the broke out two months previously in the rural district of Malton and Denby Dale Dr Parkin, the assistant medical officer of health to the Malton authorities, who was thirty-two years of age, was among the first to try to stop the spread of the epidemic. He worked day and night attending cases in Malton and other hospitals and examining suspected “ contacts ” at his surgery and in private Imncps. Dr Parkin’s strength began to fail, but he, like others, thought he was merely run down by the strain. Finally it was realised that he Pad become infected with the dread fever germ. He had not contracted the typhoid from patients, but, like most of the other victims, from the contaminated water supply. Malton called him “ the beloved doctor,” and while he was ill the villagers prayed for him and sent him flowers. Had Dr Parkin not given himself so tirelessly to the fight against the epidemic his strength would have been sufficient to throw off the infection. He was taken to the hospital where previously he had worked so hard. He was attended by the doctors with whom he had collaborated. His thought, even in his illness, was for others. He made constant inquiries about the epidemic and about individual patients. A few days later Dr Parkin became worse. The news that a definite check had been put to the epidemic caused him to rally slightly, but a day or two later he died. His wife, who had been a constant visitor, was with him at the end. Her husband, the first in the fight, had become the twentieth victim The majority of the 210 odd cases have recovered.