October 2024
Dear Members
Greetings to all members, long-standing and new, and all those who are interested in the Edinburgh Medico Chirurgical Society. We have just completed our first talk for 2024-2025 [on Friday 18th October] plus the Annual General Meeting.
We are an organization founded in 1822 – so now over 200 years old. Initially it was about medical education between surgeons and physicians. When it was first started each speciality would read papers to each other – followed by a communal dinner and plenty of friendly talk.
Please feel free to invite friends, medical colleagues and possibly younger doctors to come and try out the Med Chi. We are now a sociable and communal organization, which welcomes doctors from all backgrounds. Recognizing that there is so much online education available, we now concentrate on current medical events, medical history, some lectures about Art, friendly dinners and a concert or other event before Christmas. In addition we also welcome non- medics who are keenly interested in the Med Chi, and what we do.
Previous programme
I believe it went well.
In October Dr Gavin Francis, a GP and well known author, came to talk about his two latest books, including medical history and the crisis in the NHS.
In November Prof Elizabeth Cumming presented a lovely talk about a doctor’s daughter “Phoebe Traquair” with many slides of her work and family.
In December we were fortunate to hear Nicola Benedetti play with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the Usher Hall, with sociable drinks in the interval.
In January we had a traditional Burns Supper in the Academy Main Hall , with very good speakers.
In February we had a fascinating talk from Prof Arthur Trew about the “ Origin of the Universe – and could it support Life?”
In March Dr Tom Scotland [ orthopaedic surgeon and medical historian] spoke to us about management of wounds in WW1 – including the revelation that injured soldiers should be operated on immediately, to avoid gangrene and sepsis. He described one recovered soldier who became a doctor, surgeon to the King and generated a very large medical family!
In April we had our Annual Dinner in the New Club with Iain Milne, Head of Heritage at the RCPEd, talking about the Treasures of the Library, manuscripts and books etc including a medical case used for Bonnie Prince Charlie after the battle of Culloden.
The coming session [2024-2025]
We have just had an October talk from Prof Wilson Poon about “ Fudge and the Titanic” which described the disaster, and why it happened. [We also ate two types of fudge !]
In November Prof Richard Wiseman [Psychologist] will talk about “ Magic and Illusion “.
In December we have a concert organized with RSNO which includes the Dvorak New World Symphony.
In January we will have our Burns Night Supper – on Burns Night!
In February Dr Patricia Andrew, Honorary Fellow in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, will talk about “Volcanic Visions. Etna, Vesuvius and Naples in Art”.
In March Dr Sylvia Valentine will describe how Med Chi members achieved compulsory smallpox vaccination in Scotland in the 19th century, and talk about current views on vaccination.
In April we will have our Annual Dinner at the New Club
In May we will have our summer outing
Finances
Dr Bill Campbell [Med Chi Treasurer] presented a data sheet for the Medico Chirurgical Society. There was a small deficit last year – but overall the financial situation is reasonably stable.
Communication
We generally send emails to all members and remind you of the next events. We have also re-instated this year the printed card which lists all of our meetings. [A good thing to put up on your mantelpiece ]. Please let us know if you have any issues with email correspondence. Currently, talks are held in 50 George Square, in lecture room G.04, with a sociable drink from 7pm before the lecture starts at 7.30pm.
In summary, we appear to have had a good year – and we hope that the coming year will go well.
And finally please feel free to encourage friends and colleagues to try out our Med Chi meetings – with a view to hopefully joining. Our subscription remains at £20/ annum. We have been in existence for 200 + years – and it would be wonderful if we can continue in an active way.
Yours sincerely
Dr Rosemary Dixon [Rampen]