PENSIONS FOR X-RAY MARTYRS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 13

PENSIONS FOR X-RAY MARTYRS

SCIENTISTS’ SAD SUFFERINGS A story of unflinching devotion to duty, in spite of terrible suffering, lies behind tho bare announcement that British Civil List pensions of £75 and £SO have been awarded to Dr. G. A. Pirie and Dr. George C. W. Williams. Dr. Pirie, who lives at Dundee, was a pioneer in X-ray research. Both his eyes and hands became seriously af-« fected during his work, and he had to give up practice. In 1926 the Carnegie Hero Fund trustees awarded him £ 200 a year. Dr. Wiliams who, early this year, was also awarded £l2O a year from the Carnegie Hero Fund, is a martyr of Xray research work. He is over 60 and was obliged to relinquish his practice on account of his sufferings entailed in his work. In the last 15 years he has had eight operations to his hands. He has lost his entire right hand and the fingers of his left hand are also affected. The awards to these two doctors are given *‘in recognition of their self-sac-rificing and devoted services.” One of the most interesting name* on the list is that of Miss Margaret MacMillan—awarded a pension of £7s— has for many years devoted herself to X-ray Work, and who has been crippled by it.