05 October, 2011

One hundred years ago

1911 address by Sir William Osler:


Session 1911-12 LXIX
Meeting No.1.

The Society met in the Faculty Hall, 242 St. Vincent St. on Thurs. Oct. 5th at 8.30p.m., the President in the chair.

Business
Sir William Osler, Baronet, the Honorary President, delivered a most instructive address on "The advantages and disadvantages of a High Blood Pressure". In his opening remarks he referred in detail to the similarity between the various facts of the circulation of the blood and the various facts on the irrigation by the hills of the surrounding country. He then divided into three groups patients with high blood pressure - viz: firstly, those with high blood pressure, no arterio-sclerosis, no renal changes; secondly, those with high blood pressure, arterio-sclerosis and no renal disease; thirdly those with all three. These groups were illustrated by typical cases. The address, which was not only most instructive but also very interesting, was listened to by a large audience of nearly 200,including several ladies. After Dr TK Munro had avowed a vote of thanks the lecturer gave as his parting word the advice "Don't have your blood pressure taken!" This was all the business.
HENRY L.G. LEASK

1. Transcript.
The above transcript was taken from the seventh minute book of the society, covering the period from 1910 to 1923.
In 1911 William Osler was Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford, a post he had held since 1905. In the year he gave this talk, he founded the Postgraduate Medical Association, of which he was the first president, and was made a baronet in the Coronation Honours List for his contributions to the field of medicine.
Dr Henry Leask was president of the society from 1911-12. He had previously been auditor (1906-7), member of council (1909-10), and vice-president (1910-11).

Notes on transcription
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