Lot 278
Australia -- Medical journey -- Edinburgh University -- Sir John Fraser
Auction: 26 January 2011 at 11:00 GMT
Description
A journey round the world . 3 thick volumes, 4to, typescript journal of a tour round the world [the greater part dealing with Australia], January-April 1935, 206 pp. text, illustrated with 645 personal photographs, average size 9 by 13cm., original buckram bindings
Footnote
Note: A fascinating illustrated world tour by a distinguished Edinburgh physician. Sir John Fraser was born in Tain in 1885, went to Edinburgh University and succeeded Sir Harold Stiles as the Regius Professor of Clinical surgery in 1927. He was made K.C.V.O. in 1937, appointed surgeon to His Majesty the King in Scotland in 1935, was created a Baronet in 1943 and served briefly as Principal of the University of Edinburgh before his untimely death in 1947.
In 1935 he departed London on board the Aquitania for New York, travelled overland to Los Angeles & crossed the Pacific to Honolulu, the Samoas, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. He visited numerous medical facilities and hospitals and records conversations with doctors and surgeons. In Australia he visited the new medical school of Sydney University, lunched with the Vice Chancellor, inspected the University, gave the Clubbe Lecture, visited the new Sydney Bridge & the Children's Hospital. He visited Coff's Harbour, and then Brisbane where he stayed with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Robertson, & gave a lecture on Appendicitis in children. At Melbourne he was received by the Melbourne Branch of the Australasian College of Surgeons, visited the Children's Hospital, attended lectures, was entertained at Government House, visited St. Vincent's Hospital to see Devie do a gastrecomy, visited Frankstone Hospital, visited Melbourne Hospital to watch Dr Newton operate on a case of goitre, attended medical lectures & discussions, gave a lecture on Cleft Palate &c. He also visited the races & botanical gardens, before proceeding to Adelaide, again visiting medical facilities and vineyards, Freemantle and Perth.