841

see why this work is not regarded as part of their routineduties.Dr. Arblaster’s article appears to me to be a dangerous

attempt at oversimplification at an early stage in thecampaign.

Tuberculosis Dispensary,Coventry.

A. GORDON EVANSChest physician and director of

mass radiography.

Obituary

WALTER BROADBENT

M.A., M.D. Camb., F.R.C.P.

Dr. Walter Broadbent, consulting physician to theRoyal Sussex County Hospital and the Royal AlexandraHospital for Children, Brighton, died at his Sussex home

on Oct. 17, at the age of 83.Third son of the late Sir William Broadbent, M.D.,

F.R.S., he was educated at Harrow and at Trinity College,Cambridge. He qualified in 1893 from St. Mary’s Hos-pital, London, and after holding resident appointmentsthere and at the Brompton Hospital he settled in Brighton.In addition to his Brighton hospital posts, he was formany years medical referee for consumption to theCharity Organisation Society, to the Benenden Sanatoriafor Workers, to Queen Alexandra’s Sanatorium, Davos,and to the Royal National Hospital for Consumption,Ventnor. He was also consulting physician to the LadyChichester Hospital for Nervous Disorders, at Hove. Inthe first world war he was consulting physician to theForces in Italy, and later he made a tour of prisoner-of-war camps as an observer with the Swiss Commission.He was chairman of the Brighton division of the BritishMedical Association in 1923-24, and president of theSussex branch in 1928-29. In 1913 he was presidentof the Brighton and Sussex Medico-Chirurgical Society,of which he was a member for 54 years. He retired fromactive hospital work in 1933.His first medical article, which appeared in these

columns in 1895, is believed to be the first record ofBroadbent’s sign, and was inspired by his father, whohimself wrote of it in 1898. From then until 1945 Broad-bent contributed many papers to medical journals-mainly on cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological dis-orders. He also made a study of subphrenic abscess andof undulant and other fevers. In 1908 he published aselection of his father’s writings.

&.M.W. writes: "Dr. Broadbent had a large con-sulting practice drawn from a wide area. His quiet andthorough investigation of each case inspired greatconfidence, and his elucidation of physical signs wasmasterly; he had, for example, an almost uncannypower of finding an interlobar or subphrenic abscessand putting in a needle. He was equally an artist inprescribing, and was alive to advances in treatment, toeach of which he applied a thoughtful and analyticalmind. He was a pioneer in laboratory investigation,using his own microscope. In appearance he was slightand far from robust, but he never spared himself andnever appeared tired. His knowledge was vast; and hediscussed cases or gave his opinion in a courteous, gentlemanner encouraging to juniors. His Yorkshire ancestrywas reflected in his probity and in the concealing of allemotion. His warmth of heart was shown only to hispatients. At Cambridge he rowed for First Trinity atHenley and he was a member of the Leander Club.Later he became an expert skater. He had a great loveof Switzerland and was an early winter sports enthusiast.He delighted in mountains and also in the cathedralsof Europe.""Dr. Broadbent," adds E. D. S., " was a master of

clinical examination and his diagnostic ability was

outstanding. It was unfortunate that he was not on thestaff of a teaching hospital, because, with his clear thinkingand clinical acumen, he would undoubtedly have been afirst-rate teacher of students. His interest in medicinenever waned, and he was a constant attendant at themeetings of local medical societies almost to the last,even when his health was failing. As he lived twelvemiles out in the country at Henfield the effort must have

been great, but his presence and wise remarks in thediscussions were a stimulus to the younger generation."

Dr. Broadbent married Edith, daughter of the lateRt. Hon. John Munroe, who survives him with two sons,one of whom is a doctor, and two daughters.

Mr. PETER McEVEDY .

Mr. Robert V. Cooke writes : " The loss of Mr. McEvedywill ’not only be felt in Manchester and the North.’For years past visiting surgeons have included Ancoatsin their Manchester itinerary. There was always sucha welcome for visitors and visiting clubs. A few hourswith Peter McEvedy and his colleagues never failed tobe a stimulating and refreshing experience. I am surethere are very many of us who have reason to thankhim for much in the way of renewed inspiration, revivedenthusiasm, and a determination to work harder andto work better. The sustained quality of his operativeskill, his unremitting care and gentleness, were a lessonto us all. Discussions with him were always lively andprovocative ; there was always something to learn andmuch to think about. The courtesy and kindlinesswith which he treated every patient was exemplary andan indication of the sort of man he was. Those of uswho were privileged to be at that last operating sessionwill never forget his quiet courage. It was a magnificentthing to do, and it made one feel certain, that, in thewords of another friend, he well knew that peace whichpasseth all understanding. We shall respect his memory,and continue to be thankful for the help and encourage-ment he gave so freely to so many of us."

Medicine and the Law

Death from DigoxinAT Taunton on Oct. 24 the coroner found that a 71-

year-old woman had died from an overdose of digoxin,and that she had taken her life when the balance of hermind was disturbed.The patient’s doctor had prescribed for her one

0.25 mg. tablet of digoxin twice a day ; and evidence

given by her daughter indicated that one night she hadtaken about 100 such tablets. The patient was found deadat 7.15 the next morning.

Births, Marriages, and DeathsBIRTHS

ALEXANDER.—On Oct. 17, in Liverpool, the wife of Dr. M. K.Alexander-a daughter.

BRiaaTOCKE.—On Oct. 24, at Amersham, the wife of Dr. MervynBrigstocke-a son.

FpANELiN.—On Oct. 27, at Newcastle-under-Lyme, the wife ofDr. C. B. Franklin-a son.

GRAY.-On Oct. 10, the wife of Dr. J. A. B. Gray, of London-, a son.JOHNSON.—On Oct. 25, at Romsey, the wife of Dr. Peter Johnson-

a daughter.KNOWELDEN.-On Oct. 23, at West Wickham, the wife of Dr. John

Knowelden-a son.LANOELEY.-On Oct. 23, at Hoylake, Cheshire, the wife of Major F.

Lanceley, R.A.M.c.-a son.LEE.-On Oct. 24, the wife of Dr. Grant deJ. Lee, of London-

a daughter.SMITH.-On Oct. 23, at Sudbury, Suffolk, the wife of Dr. R. W.

Smith-a son.WILKIE.—On Oct. 21, the wife of Dr. Duncan W’ilkie-a son.

MARRIAGESMACDONALD-DRYSDALE.-On Oct. 19, in Edinburgh, James

Stewart Macdonald, M.B., to Catherine Wilton Drysdale, M.B.

DEATHSBEVAN.-On Oct. 26, at Brighton, Arthur Bevan, M.D. Lond.COOPER.—On Thursday, Oct. 25, at Brough, East Yorkshire,

Wilbye Cooper, M.o., M.R.c.s., aged 78.FLEMING.—On Oct. 17, in Nairobi, Alan McKinstry Fleming,

M.O., M.B. Lond.GALSTAUN.-On Oct. 17, at Yelverton, S. G. Galstaun, M.A. Camb.,

M.R.C.S., F.F.R., late of Calcutta.HUNTER.-On Oct. 25, at Bristol, Frank Smallpage Hunter, M.R.C.S.,

aged 80.KELF.-On Oct. 25, at Parkstone, Dorset, Henry David Kelf,

M.R.c.s., aged 76.PAGE.-On Oct. 24, at N. Walsham, Cecil Herbert Winter Page,

M.A., M.D. Camb., aged 72.SERJEANT.—On Oct. 25, at Brighton, Robert Serjeant, M.R.C.S.,

aged 79.