"BELOVED PHYSICIAN”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 8

"BELOVED PHYSICIAN”

DE. DAVID BOBBIE. An indication of the universal esteem which a New Zealand doctor, the late IDr. David Forbes Borrie, had won for himself in Irak is given in an issue of the Irak Times, which has just reached Auckland (states the New Zealand Herald). The late Dr, Borrie, who was a brother of Dr. W. Gillies Borrie, of Remuera, was director of hospitals in Basra at the time of his death, which occurred on March 23. He was known among the Arabs and Indians as “the beloved physician,” and thousands of all classes attended his funeral. The late Dr. Borrie, who was born in Dunedin, went as doctor to the British residents in Basra, in 1911, after experience in England, and in 1915. he was appointed Civil Surgeon of Basra—a post which he held until his death As civil surgeon during the military regime he was thrown into intimate touch with the native population. He ran a very efficient hospital and dispensary, crowded at ail times, tnd his staff were probably the most averworked officials in the country throughout the war the paper states. His first thought was the interest of ‘he civil community, of which he was m charge, and through hig strong representations, a .equate medical facilities were maintained throughout the war period. He was awarded the honour of the 0.8. E. for his work. Although invalided in 1919, he returned later in the year to continue his work, and it was principally through him that the Maude Memorial Hospital, a modern and well-appointed institution. was set up in 1926. In addition to his work in the Maude Hospital, he organised a system of hospitals and dispensaries. “His local friends in Basra were countless in all classes, from the ‘Ashraf’ to the poorest.” the Irak Times adds. “On all questions of public interest his opinion and advice were lought as a matter of course. Throughout his 22 years of service in the Perlian Gulf, he laboured to promote the welfare of the civil community of Basra, and his work was crowned with success. He died in harness near its completion.