OBITUARY
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1035 OBITUARY JAMES HAIG FERGUSON, F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S. Edin., F.C.O.G. CONSULTING GYNJECOLOSIST TO THE LEITH HOSPITAL AND ROYAL INFIRMARY, EDINBURGH WE regret to announce the death of the well-known surgeon and obstetrician, Dr. Haig Ferguson, which occurred on May 2nd at his house in Coates-crescent, Edinburgh, in his 73rd year. James Haig Ferguson was born in 1862 the son of the Rev. William Ferguson, minister of Fossoway, and was educated at the Collegiate School, Edinburgh, and at the medical school of the University. A prominent student he graduated as M.B., C.M. Edin. in 1884, took the M.R.C.P. in 1887, was elected F.R.C.P. in 1889, and proceeded to the M.D. with DR. FERGUSON IPlaotograph by Bacon honours in the following year. He obtained the F.R.C.S. Edin. in 1902, and from that time forward held a series s of f important posts connected with his chosen specialty as obstetrician and gynaecologist. He served as resident physician at the Infirmary, the Maternity Hospital, and the Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children. He lectured on midwifery and gynaecology in the University medical school, was both ... gynaecological and clinical tutor at the infirmary, and was duly appointed assistant to the physician for diseases of women and obstetric physician to the New Town Dispensary. With such varied and excellent equipment in the three great branches of professional knowledge, it is not surprising that he proved to be a practical and successful lecturer and that his services were in demand as an examiner. He acted in this capacity in midwifery and gynsecology at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, at the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Aberdeen, and he passed rapidly from assistant to full gynaecological physician at the institutions with which he was connected. He soon began to communicate to the medical press on obstetrical and gyn2ecological subjects, writing interesting notes for the Edinburgh Medical Journal and especially for the transactions of the Obstetrical Society of Edinburgh, while the reports of the Royal Infirmary contain also papers from him. He wrote a " Notebook of Obstetrical Nursing " in collaboration with the late Dr. F. W. N. Haultain, his colleague at the Public Dispensary, which went through several editions, the fifth one appearing in 1906; he collaborated also in a text-book of "Obstetrics and Gynaecology," and contributed to the " Encyclopaedia Medica." His academic and practical work and the all-round nature of his experience and acquirements fitted him inevitably for high official posts. Like many prominent Edinburgh men he started with presiding over the Royal Medical Society, later he was president of the Edinburgh Obstetrical Society-this twice with some interval, he served the Edinburgh Harveian Society in the same capacity, and was president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for the years 1929-31. He was an F.R.S. Edin. and received the hon. degree of LL.D. from his University and was one of the first Fellows of the College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In due course he became consulting physician to the Royal Infirmary, the Leith Hospital, and the Royal Maternity Hospital, while he was for a period chairman of the Central Midwives Board for Scotland. In this capacity he proved himself indeed the right man for the post. He dealt with the problems of the Board in a catholic spirit and was vigilant in seeing that the regulations were drawn in a generous manner, so that the Board was able to examine candidates for the certificate from continental countries and from the U.S.A., a certain reciprocity in registration becoming possible. He was of practical assistance to the General Medical Council in dealing with the situations arising both from the supply of suitable cases for teaching purposes and with the superintendence of the students’ education. As a disciplinarian he was fair. He never hesitated to take any steps necessary to deal with unprofessional conduct among midwives, but he was sympathetic in his outlook and in particular he never forgot the public standpoint. As an example of his readiness to adjust the working of the Board to varying interests there may be mentioned his arrangement of a full- dress discussion on notification of puerperal pyrexia with the Obstetrical Society of Edinburgh and with representatives of the public authorities, when his freedom from prejudice stood him in good stead by securing the coöperation of general practitioners. Ferguson worked at a very high pitch and it seems probable that his relatively early death was related to his unceasing activity and to the large demands on his professional attention. His periods of relaxation were few and took the form of spending short periods at Loch Rannoch. He will be greatly missed by patients, students, and professional colleagues, for he combined first-class professional competence with highly sympathetic personal qualities. Dr. Ferguson, who was a member of the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers), married in 1889 Penelope Gordon, daughter of the well-known surgeon, the late Sir Patrick Heron Watson, by whom he had one son and three daughters. Prof. R. W. Johnstone writes : "Dr. Haig Ferguson’s death leaves a great blank in the hearts of his friends. His strong but gracious personality never failed to leave an impress for good upon every- one with whom he came in contact. He was a man of handsome physical presence with a noble head and features, which, as age whitened his hair and care lined his face, became imbued with the very spirit of benevolence. His mere presence, as many a patient can attest, brought a helpful influence in all circum- stances-comfort, encouragement, strength, good humour, gentleness, charity. An unusually high sense of duty dominated his whole character and life, involving self-sacrifice and self-expenditure to a degree that sometimes seemed almost quixotic but never other than wholly admirable and lovable to those less endowed with it than himself. Such was the charm of character and personality which he radiated that it tends to eclipse in one’s mind the greatness of his more strictly professional attainments.
Transcript of OBITUARY
1035
OBITUARY
JAMES HAIG FERGUSON, F.R.C.P.,F.R.C.S. Edin., F.C.O.G.
CONSULTING GYNJECOLOSIST TO THE LEITH HOSPITAL ANDROYAL INFIRMARY, EDINBURGH
WE regret to announce the death of the well-knownsurgeon and obstetrician, Dr. Haig Ferguson, whichoccurred on May 2nd at his house in Coates-crescent,Edinburgh, in his 73rd year.James Haig Ferguson was born in 1862 the son of
the Rev. William Ferguson, minister of Fossoway,and was educated at the Collegiate School, Edinburgh,and at the medical school of the University. A
prominent student he graduated as M.B., C.M. Edin.in 1884, took the M.R.C.P. in 1887, was electedF.R.C.P. in 1889, and proceeded to the M.D. with
DR. FERGUSON
IPlaotograph by Bacon
honours in the
following year. Heobtained theF.R.C.S. Edin. in1902, and from thattime forward helda series s of f
important postsconnected with hischosen specialty asobstetrician and
gynaecologist. Heserved as resident
physician at the
Infirmary, theMaternity Hospital,and the EdinburghHospital for SickChildren. Helectured on
midwifery and
gynaecology in theUniversity medicalschool, was both
... gynaecological andclinical tutor at the infirmary, and was duly appointedassistant to the physician for diseases of womenand obstetric physician to the New Town Dispensary.With such varied and excellent equipment in thethree great branches of professional knowledge, it isnot surprising that he proved to be a practical andsuccessful lecturer and that his services were in demandas an examiner. He acted in this capacity in midwiferyand gynsecology at the Royal College of Surgeons,Edinburgh, at the University of Edinburgh, andthe University of Aberdeen, and he passed rapidlyfrom assistant to full gynaecological physician at theinstitutions with which he was connected.He soon began to communicate to the medical
press on obstetrical and gyn2ecological subjects,writing interesting notes for the Edinburgh MedicalJournal and especially for the transactions of theObstetrical Society of Edinburgh, while the reportsof the Royal Infirmary contain also papers from him.He wrote a " Notebook of Obstetrical Nursing " incollaboration with the late Dr. F. W. N. Haultain,his colleague at the Public Dispensary, which wentthrough several editions, the fifth one appearingin 1906; he collaborated also in a text-book of"Obstetrics and Gynaecology," and contributed tothe " Encyclopaedia Medica."
His academic and practical work and the all-roundnature of his experience and acquirements fitted himinevitably for high official posts. Like many prominentEdinburgh men he started with presiding over the
Royal Medical Society, later he was president of theEdinburgh Obstetrical Society-this twice with someinterval, he served the Edinburgh Harveian Societyin the same capacity, and was president of the RoyalCollege of Surgeons of Edinburgh for the years1929-31. He was an F.R.S. Edin. and received thehon. degree of LL.D. from his University and wasone of the first Fellows of the College of Obstetricsand Gynaecology. In due course he became consultingphysician to the Royal Infirmary, the Leith Hospital,and the Royal Maternity Hospital, while he was for aperiod chairman of the Central Midwives Board forScotland. In this capacity he proved himself indeedthe right man for the post. He dealt with the problemsof the Board in a catholic spirit and was vigilantin seeing that the regulations were drawn in a
generous manner, so that the Board was able toexamine candidates for the certificate from continentalcountries and from the U.S.A., a certain reciprocityin registration becoming possible. He was of practicalassistance to the General Medical Council in dealingwith the situations arising both from the supply ofsuitable cases for teaching purposes and with thesuperintendence of the students’ education. As a
disciplinarian he was fair. He never hesitated to takeany steps necessary to deal with unprofessionalconduct among midwives, but he was sympatheticin his outlook and in particular he never forgotthe public standpoint. As an example of his readinessto adjust the working of the Board to varying intereststhere may be mentioned his arrangement of a full-dress discussion on notification of puerperal pyrexiawith the Obstetrical Society of Edinburgh and withrepresentatives of the public authorities, when hisfreedom from prejudice stood him in good stead bysecuring the coöperation of general practitioners.
Ferguson worked at a very high pitch and itseems probable that his relatively early death wasrelated to his unceasing activity and to the largedemands on his professional attention. His periodsof relaxation were few and took the form of spendingshort periods at Loch Rannoch. He will be greatlymissed by patients, students, and professionalcolleagues, for he combined first-class professionalcompetence with highly sympathetic personal qualities.Dr. Ferguson, who was a member of the King’s
Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers),married in 1889 Penelope Gordon, daughter of thewell-known surgeon, the late Sir Patrick HeronWatson, by whom he had one son and three daughters.
Prof. R. W. Johnstone writes : "Dr. HaigFerguson’s death leaves a great blank in the heartsof his friends. His strong but gracious personalitynever failed to leave an impress for good upon every-one with whom he came in contact. He was a manof handsome physical presence with a noble headand features, which, as age whitened his hair and carelined his face, became imbued with the very spirit ofbenevolence. His mere presence, as many a patientcan attest, brought a helpful influence in all circum-stances-comfort, encouragement, strength, goodhumour, gentleness, charity. An unusually highsense of duty dominated his whole character and life,involving self-sacrifice and self-expenditure to a
degree that sometimes seemed almost quixotic butnever other than wholly admirable and lovable tothose less endowed with it than himself. Such wasthe charm of character and personality which heradiated that it tends to eclipse in one’s mind thegreatness of his more strictly professional attainments.
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He was, however, a man with fine intellectual gifts.It was inevitable that such a man should obtain a
very large practice, and he thus acquired a vast andvaried practical experience. He was an exceptionallyskilful obstetrician, endowed with that most importantof all gifts in such work, patience. As a gynaecologist
, his sympathy and understanding led him to the heartof the psychological troubles that so often obscurethe physical causes of the diseases of women, andgave him the unbounded confidence of his patients.As an operator he was sound and reliable rather thanspectacular, and his results were very good. His
professional interests were primarily clinical ratherthan scientific, and this is shown in his writings whichare instinct with the wise judgment born of a widepractical experience. The same applies to his teaching,which while revealing a comprehensive knowledge ofhis subject was always mainly focused on the problemof how best to treat the individual patient. Nostudent or visitor to his wards could fail to benefitfrom his clinical teaching, and probably none leftwithout perceiving and acquiring something of hishigh sense of duty to his patients and of his highstandard of professional conduct."The Transactions of the Edinburgh Obstetrical
Society, of which he was twice president, show thatDr. Haig Ferguson was ever active in recording casesof special interest and in contributing papers onquestions of practical importance. Amongst hisrecent contributions to obstetrics and gynaecology hismodification of the axis-traction forceps is perhapsthe most outstanding, the instrument being one ofgreat practical value. He was also joint author of awell-known Combined Textbook’ of both subjects,which recently went into a second edition. At thetime of his last illness he was engaged in laboriouslyinvestigating the records of maternal mortality forthe Scottish Department of Health.
" His patience, sagacity, and scrupulous fairness ledto much administrative work being placed on hisshoulders. He gave endless time and thought to thework of the Central Midwives Board for Scotland, ofwhich he was a member from its inception andchairman for many years up to the time of his death.The Royal Maternity Hospital, the Royal Hospitalfor Sick Children, the Queen’s Institute of District
. Nursing, and many other boards obtained his activeand devoted service. The Royal College of Surgeons,of which he was president in 1929-30, and the’Extramural School’ also claimed much of hisinterest, while he never failed in attendance uponthe meetings of the Obstetrical Society, in which hisvast experience and sound judgment were held in thetruest respect. The Lauriston Home for RescueWork owed its inception in large measure to him, andits work and welfare were always close to his heart.
" He was fond of open-air sport, angling andarchery for example, but his devotion to his workgave him little time to indulge in them. He loved
hospitality and was the most genial of hosts, and thebest of dinner-table companions. It would be easyto continue the catalogue of his interests and activities,but in the end one comes back to the man himself.He was in very truth a ’beloved physician,’ and aperfect Scottish gentleman."
WEST KENT MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.-Ameeting of this society will be held to-day, Friday,May llth, at the Miller General Hospital, Greenwich,London, S.E., at 8.45 P.M. Dr. Cassie Williams will givean address on cookery and its relation to medicine.
ALFRED RICHARDSON, M.B., B.S. Lond.,F.R.C.S. Eng.
PROFESSOR, CLINICAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS ;SURGEON, LEEDS GENERAL INFIRMARY
THE sudden death of Alfred Richardson on
April 22nd at the age of only 49 years was a profoundshock in medical circles and to his many friends inLeeds. He appeared to be the very embodiment ofperfect health, gifted with magnificent physique,active, and happy in his work. We are indebted to Mr.L. R. Braithwaite for the following obituary notice :-
" Richardson was essentially a Leeds man. Hewas a brilliant student qualifying M.B., B.S., London,in 1907, and adding to his qualifying degrees distinc-tion in pharmacology and honours in medicine. Hebecame a house surgeon at the General Infirmary atLeeds and step by step was elected casualty officer,resident surgical officer, surgical registrar and tutor.During his residential appointments he gained theF.R.C.S. England, and was clearly destined for thesurgical staff, to which he was elected as an honoraryassistant surgeon in 1920, rising to the full staff in 1927.
"
Amongst his many other appointments the one heloved best was that of visiting surgeon to the Ministryof Pensions Hospital, where he found himself in anatmosphere of camaraderie and courageous optimismwhich exactly suited him. The affection between himand his patients at this hospital has been vividlydescribed, and was shown by the large attendance ofex-Service men at his funeral. It need hardly be saidthat he himself served throughout the war both athome and abroad. He was honorary consultingsurgeon at the Ilkley Coronation Hospital, theNormanton and Castleford Hospital, and severalothers. He succeeded in gathering together a wideand busy practice, especially in areas north of Leeds,where his name was widely known. His services asan expert surgical witness were in constant demandand he had a very large practice in this branch of hisprofession, his patent sincerity and power of lucidexposition making him invaluable.
" Richardson’s capacity for surgery as an art wasremarkable. He was cautious, calm, gentle, and yetfirm, having always uppermost in his mind the well-being of the patient. His value to the university asa clinical teacher has probably never been surpassed.He was a true text-book’ man in that he tirelesslydrove home the things that were needed to get aqualification; but he did much more than this, hetaught the need for sympathy, gentleness, and mostrigorous examination and investigation. His popu-larity with students was proverbial and no successpleased him more than this. When he was appointedprofessor of clinical surgery about a year ago it wasfelt that we had in sight the man who would someday lead the surgical side from the more senior chair,and were well satisfied that he would do it with thesame quiet enthusiasm which characterised all hiswork. And those of us who met him so often in thecourse of the daily round will always value delightfulrecollections, He would come unexpectedly to one’stheatre and look on with a merry twinkle in his eyeand a jest on his lips. One would return the visitand be met by the same happy smile and a reparteehumorous and caustic but never resentful.
" As a student he showed an unusual interest inand aptitude for sports; his physique made him aredoubtable boxer and footballer. He retained theclosest interest in sport, especially in the medicalschool, up to the time of his death. All lovedRichardson as a brother, and as such we mourn him."
