MEDICAL RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 127, 26 November 1945, Page 6

MEDICAL RESEARCH

THE OTAGO SCHOOL

BRITISH EXPERT'S TRIBUTE

There was great activity in medical research in Dunedin today, said Surgeon Rear-Admiral Gordon Taylor, consulting surgeon to the Royal Navy, in a broadcast address last night. Eleven years ago, he was in the Dominion as an examiner in anatomy for the Royal- College of Surgeons in England. Since then, the Otago Medical School had grown considerably in size and greatly in renown. The torch of learning and instruction was being vigorously carried forward by the successors to men of the calibre of Professors Gowland. Carmalt Jones, Fitchett, and Malcolm. "It would be impertinent for a mere visitor to pass public criticism on the medical policy of another country, but New Zealand is probably wise in concentrating her resources into one medical school, and until the population of this country has increased to four or five millions, it might be unwise to duplicate your present medical educational centre," he continued. "The present arrangement must surely be admirable. Turn your eyes to what your graduates have achieved. 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' "

NAVY'S MEDICAL, HEROES

"Military medicine has long been a conspicuous feature of the Otago sphool, and its enthusiasm in that direction has constantly been fostered by the stimulating influence of Dr. Hercus, the Dean. Doubtless the very high reputation earned by New Zealand graduates serving with the Armed Forces has been partly due to this training in student days. The record of the Otago Medical School in connection with the recent war has also been a .distinguished one; 19 graduates have served with the senior service and 425 in the Army and Air Force. The services of 70 have been singled out by his Majesty for special recognition, and 20 have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives." , In the medical branch of the Royal Navy, research work had been enthusiastically seponsored by the Medical Director-General, Sir Sheldon Dudley, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and the environment of a dressing station in a fighting ship did not conduce to the advancement of the art of surgery; the facilities and possibilities were comparable with those of an Army regimental aid post. But the journals of ships' surgeons told an epic story of gallant work done under difficult and even appalling conditions. ' The call of the sea to the young medical graduate of Britain during the war seemed irresistible, and an over-whelming proportion of those obtaining a medical qualification desired employment in the Royal Navy. Since the quota allocated to the Navy was but 7 per cent, doubtless the Navy got the very best doctors the country could produce. At one critical period of the war. 10 per cent, of the medical officers afloat lost their lives, and 10 per cent, were decorated for gallantry.