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1011 love of music was second only to his love of surgery. On his retirement he began to learn and study the songs of Schubert, and he lately told me that he knew over a hundred and fifty songs by the great master. His musical god was Beethoven, and he was prepared to defend that contention against all comers. He was a humble man, as only a great man could be, and it was an honour to have known him, worked with him, and been counted as one of his friends. He was indeed the
complete
man.
N. C.C., another of his his disarming humility.
colleagues
at Weston, also recalls
Dicky (he writes)
was always willing to help with his sound which was given almost apologetically. One felt that one could go to him for help and advice, receiving understanding and valuable assistance, given with the wisdom born of sound knowledge and experience. He had a deep sense of humour and his anecdotes and reminiscences, which were many, were told in a quiet voice which gave them added charm. In his leisure he got recreation from shooting and fishing, and even in his seventies he was often to be seen on the mudflats at dawn or dusk, looking for duck and snipe. He was also a musician and his knowledge and appreciation of classical music were of a high standard. In fact, he was so widely informed that there was scarcely a subject he could not discuss without obvious understanding and some authority. Mr. Warren married in 1912 Violet Irene Jenkin of Heamoor, Cornwall. She died in 1941 and they leave two sons and a daughter.
opinion,
GEORGE HERBERT COLT M.A., M.B. Cantab, F.R.C.S. Mr. Colt, who died at his home near Guildford on Oct. 26 at the age of 79, began his surgical career while still a student at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, when he designed his apparatus for the treatment of aneurysm. He was born at Hampstead, the son of Frederick Hoare Colt, and he was educated at Tonbridge School and at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he took a first-class in the natural sciences tripos in 1900. After qualifying from Barts in 1904 he held house-appointments there and at the Derby Royal Infirmary. In 1908 he took the F.R.C.S., and in 1910 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, and assistant to the professor of surgery there. At the beginnings of the 1914-18 war, with his chief, Sir John Marnoch, he was one of a group of doctors who formed themselves into the 1st Scottish General Hospital, and later he was one of the team who went to Salonika to become the nucleus of the 43rd General Hospital. After the war Colt returned to Aberdeen, and in 1923 he was appointed full surgeon to the Royal Infirmary and lecturer in clinical surgery in the University. But he was not chosen to succeed Marnoch in the chair, and soon afterwards he returned to London and set up in practice in Harley Street. Later he joined the staff of the Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. Though he continued to work in the South until he retired, he returned every August to Deeside to fish. Of Colt’s contribution to surgery S.M.C. writes : His inventive mind showed itself in the manner in which his final apparatus was produced. He first of all devised a machine to deliver, through a cannula, long lengths of "snagged"
(milled or roughened) wire. He then proceeded to devise a cutting guillotine device which could divide the wire whilst the cannula was still in the aneurysm. In both procedures there the hazard of the wire travelling into the main aorta Finally he produced the ingenious wire cage which folded into an umbrella, and which, when floating in the aneurysm, circulated round and round like a sputnik. Its gossamer, delicate construction was perhaps its weakness. Unless clear of the laminated clot the umbrella failed to expand, and in one patient from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, who dropped dead outside the hospital a year after the operation, the well-opened umbrella was found without clot adherence. There were many lost battles, and, except for an astonishing case of Courcy de Wheeler, life was rarely prolonged more than a few years ; but all who used it assure me that the relief of was
stream.
pain
was
spectacular.
In his work Colt had terrier-like tenacity of purpose, and for twenty years and more he spent every moment of his spare time in the study of necropsies on aneurysm and he collected
where natural cure had 75% of patients with abdominal aneurysms. were dead within two years. This, of course, does show that grafting surgery, despite its hazards, invariably needs strong consideration. But even if he had not designed his apparatus, his condemnation of the "morbid" management of aneurysms was in itself an achievement. He condemned and poured scorn on the regime of ten weeks of "8 oz. liquid and 10 oz. solids, with a pebble to suck when thirsty and a cheerful room of Southern aspect." His other inventions are perhaps not as well known as they should be. Colt’s needle-large, thin, curved, and extremely pliant-is a more or less standard instrument in many hospitals for the tension stitch or for the skin of the fat abdominal wall. He devised a distraction apparatus for fixing and holding the fractured ends ready for plating. The modern type of bonedrill owes something to him ; for he was the first, as far as I can gather, to attach an interchangeable "pistol grip". To operate on the tossing, heaving aortic aneurysm, with wall frail as a mulberry, and ready to burst from a trickle into a torrent, even today (with ample blood available) requires cool courage. What manner of man, then, was Colt? Small, bespectacled, with a round, unwrinkled face and a manner as gentle as the gossamer cage he planned for his operation, he showed that courage is not the privilege of any particular type. He might well have been an antiquarian (before television days), a librarian, or a research worker. To me he always seemed like the clerk Charles Lamb come to life ; with his kindly mien, his gentle manner, and a whimsical piquant smile never far from the angles of his mouth. In surgical history the memory of this little man with great courage will remain as a milestone. some
707
cases.
He
never saw a case
followed, and showed that
at least
ROBERT MAXWELL CHANCE M.D. Aberd. Dr. Chance, who died on Aug. 27, had been in practice in the West End for some forty years. He was chairman of the Euston branch of the National Service medical boards. He was born at Battle, Sussex, in 1887 and was educated at Hymers College, Hull, and Aberdeen University where he excelled in boxing and rugby football. He graduated M.B. in 1910 and took his M.D. two years later. During the 1914-18 war he was a captain in the R.A.M.C. He was invalided out after suffering the effects of the first For a short time he was resident gas attack in 1915. medical officer at King Edward VII Hospital for Officers and then was in charge of the Freemasons’ War Hospital. He started in general practice in London in 1917. W. E. T. writes : Many visitors from all over the world were fortunate enough to come under Max’s care. He embodied all that was fine in medicine with his wise counsel, kindliness, and meticulous attention to detail. It was a well known fact that all patients referred by him to London hospitals were correctly diagnosed no matter how complicated the medical problem. He appeared to be always right. Mrs. Chance survives him with their daughter.
Appointments BEVERIDGE, ELSPETH V., L.R.C.P.E., D.P.H.,
D.OBST. : assistant M.O., Inverness-shire. I. D.P.M.: assistant C., CHURCH, M.R.C.S., psychiatrist (s.H.M.o.), De la Pole Hospital, Willerby, near Hull. Fox, D. L., M.B. Manc., D.P.M. : county psychiatrist, Staffordshire. JACKSON, DANIEL, M.B. Glasg., D.P.M.: consultant psychiatrist, child guidance service, school health service, Manchester. MORRISON, A. B., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Nottingham General Hospital. MUKHERJEA, T. K., M.B. : senior casualty officer, Royal Infirmary, Halifax. STREET, D. R. K., M.B. Leeds, D.P.M. : deputy medical superintendent (consultant), Rampton Hospital, Retford. WrLSON, A. S. M., L.R.C.P.E. : school M.o., Co. Durham.
Births. Marriages, and Deaths BIRTHS MURPHY.—On Nov. 4, to Dr. Isabelle Murphy and Dr. Grahame Murphy-a son, Jocelyn William, a brother for Gretta, Christopher, and Bridget.
MARRIAGES RUEBNER—MAUTNER.—On Oct. 26, in Halifax, Ruebner, M.D., to Miss Susan Mautner.
Canada,
Boris
complete
man.
N. C.C., another of his his disarming humility.
colleagues
at Weston, also recalls
Dicky (he writes)
was always willing to help with his sound which was given almost apologetically. One felt that one could go to him for help and advice, receiving understanding and valuable assistance, given with the wisdom born of sound knowledge and experience. He had a deep sense of humour and his anecdotes and reminiscences, which were many, were told in a quiet voice which gave them added charm. In his leisure he got recreation from shooting and fishing, and even in his seventies he was often to be seen on the mudflats at dawn or dusk, looking for duck and snipe. He was also a musician and his knowledge and appreciation of classical music were of a high standard. In fact, he was so widely informed that there was scarcely a subject he could not discuss without obvious understanding and some authority. Mr. Warren married in 1912 Violet Irene Jenkin of Heamoor, Cornwall. She died in 1941 and they leave two sons and a daughter.
opinion,
GEORGE HERBERT COLT M.A., M.B. Cantab, F.R.C.S. Mr. Colt, who died at his home near Guildford on Oct. 26 at the age of 79, began his surgical career while still a student at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, when he designed his apparatus for the treatment of aneurysm. He was born at Hampstead, the son of Frederick Hoare Colt, and he was educated at Tonbridge School and at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he took a first-class in the natural sciences tripos in 1900. After qualifying from Barts in 1904 he held house-appointments there and at the Derby Royal Infirmary. In 1908 he took the F.R.C.S., and in 1910 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, and assistant to the professor of surgery there. At the beginnings of the 1914-18 war, with his chief, Sir John Marnoch, he was one of a group of doctors who formed themselves into the 1st Scottish General Hospital, and later he was one of the team who went to Salonika to become the nucleus of the 43rd General Hospital. After the war Colt returned to Aberdeen, and in 1923 he was appointed full surgeon to the Royal Infirmary and lecturer in clinical surgery in the University. But he was not chosen to succeed Marnoch in the chair, and soon afterwards he returned to London and set up in practice in Harley Street. Later he joined the staff of the Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. Though he continued to work in the South until he retired, he returned every August to Deeside to fish. Of Colt’s contribution to surgery S.M.C. writes : His inventive mind showed itself in the manner in which his final apparatus was produced. He first of all devised a machine to deliver, through a cannula, long lengths of "snagged"
(milled or roughened) wire. He then proceeded to devise a cutting guillotine device which could divide the wire whilst the cannula was still in the aneurysm. In both procedures there the hazard of the wire travelling into the main aorta Finally he produced the ingenious wire cage which folded into an umbrella, and which, when floating in the aneurysm, circulated round and round like a sputnik. Its gossamer, delicate construction was perhaps its weakness. Unless clear of the laminated clot the umbrella failed to expand, and in one patient from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, who dropped dead outside the hospital a year after the operation, the well-opened umbrella was found without clot adherence. There were many lost battles, and, except for an astonishing case of Courcy de Wheeler, life was rarely prolonged more than a few years ; but all who used it assure me that the relief of was
stream.
pain
was
spectacular.
In his work Colt had terrier-like tenacity of purpose, and for twenty years and more he spent every moment of his spare time in the study of necropsies on aneurysm and he collected
where natural cure had 75% of patients with abdominal aneurysms. were dead within two years. This, of course, does show that grafting surgery, despite its hazards, invariably needs strong consideration. But even if he had not designed his apparatus, his condemnation of the "morbid" management of aneurysms was in itself an achievement. He condemned and poured scorn on the regime of ten weeks of "8 oz. liquid and 10 oz. solids, with a pebble to suck when thirsty and a cheerful room of Southern aspect." His other inventions are perhaps not as well known as they should be. Colt’s needle-large, thin, curved, and extremely pliant-is a more or less standard instrument in many hospitals for the tension stitch or for the skin of the fat abdominal wall. He devised a distraction apparatus for fixing and holding the fractured ends ready for plating. The modern type of bonedrill owes something to him ; for he was the first, as far as I can gather, to attach an interchangeable "pistol grip". To operate on the tossing, heaving aortic aneurysm, with wall frail as a mulberry, and ready to burst from a trickle into a torrent, even today (with ample blood available) requires cool courage. What manner of man, then, was Colt? Small, bespectacled, with a round, unwrinkled face and a manner as gentle as the gossamer cage he planned for his operation, he showed that courage is not the privilege of any particular type. He might well have been an antiquarian (before television days), a librarian, or a research worker. To me he always seemed like the clerk Charles Lamb come to life ; with his kindly mien, his gentle manner, and a whimsical piquant smile never far from the angles of his mouth. In surgical history the memory of this little man with great courage will remain as a milestone. some
707
cases.
He
never saw a case
followed, and showed that
at least
ROBERT MAXWELL CHANCE M.D. Aberd. Dr. Chance, who died on Aug. 27, had been in practice in the West End for some forty years. He was chairman of the Euston branch of the National Service medical boards. He was born at Battle, Sussex, in 1887 and was educated at Hymers College, Hull, and Aberdeen University where he excelled in boxing and rugby football. He graduated M.B. in 1910 and took his M.D. two years later. During the 1914-18 war he was a captain in the R.A.M.C. He was invalided out after suffering the effects of the first For a short time he was resident gas attack in 1915. medical officer at King Edward VII Hospital for Officers and then was in charge of the Freemasons’ War Hospital. He started in general practice in London in 1917. W. E. T. writes : Many visitors from all over the world were fortunate enough to come under Max’s care. He embodied all that was fine in medicine with his wise counsel, kindliness, and meticulous attention to detail. It was a well known fact that all patients referred by him to London hospitals were correctly diagnosed no matter how complicated the medical problem. He appeared to be always right. Mrs. Chance survives him with their daughter.
Appointments BEVERIDGE, ELSPETH V., L.R.C.P.E., D.P.H.,
D.OBST. : assistant M.O., Inverness-shire. I. D.P.M.: assistant C., CHURCH, M.R.C.S., psychiatrist (s.H.M.o.), De la Pole Hospital, Willerby, near Hull. Fox, D. L., M.B. Manc., D.P.M. : county psychiatrist, Staffordshire. JACKSON, DANIEL, M.B. Glasg., D.P.M.: consultant psychiatrist, child guidance service, school health service, Manchester. MORRISON, A. B., F.R.C.S.E. : consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Nottingham General Hospital. MUKHERJEA, T. K., M.B. : senior casualty officer, Royal Infirmary, Halifax. STREET, D. R. K., M.B. Leeds, D.P.M. : deputy medical superintendent (consultant), Rampton Hospital, Retford. WrLSON, A. S. M., L.R.C.P.E. : school M.o., Co. Durham.
Births. Marriages, and Deaths BIRTHS MURPHY.—On Nov. 4, to Dr. Isabelle Murphy and Dr. Grahame Murphy-a son, Jocelyn William, a brother for Gretta, Christopher, and Bridget.
MARRIAGES RUEBNER—MAUTNER.—On Oct. 26, in Halifax, Ruebner, M.D., to Miss Susan Mautner.
Canada,
Boris