RCS Eng. Senior Fellows Society: AGM - December 2009
Apart from London’s world famous museums attracting free entry for eager tourists,
there exist almost unnoticed, smaller but no less interesting historic gems. So the visit
to the Foundling Museum proved for members of the Senior Fellows Society on the
occasion of the Annual winter meeting. Adjacent to the original Hospital, this
museum now houses exhibits of social history, art and music which are linked to
show how concern for the unfortunate poor of London was first met by Thomas
Coram in 1741. Our guided tours revealed the support offered by George Frederick
Handel, who raised considerable sums from his concerts to aid the work of housing
and educating foundlings, and of William Hogarth in attracting donated works from
famous contemporary artists leading to the provision of the first British public art
collection.
Following lunch and a brief AGM, at which there was an announcement of the details
for the York meeting to be held in June, five fellows produced an entertaining
program of short lectures. “Speed Sailing” revealed James Grogono to be both an
expert engineer and sportsman in developing a sailboat that rose on skis from the
water, flying at a record speed set in 1970 of more than 23 knots. Numerous
illustrations showed the establishment of various classes for competition. These
developments included his own collaborative work with Swan Hunter in the design of
twin hulls and rigging as well as his bold attempt at adapting a racing skiff.
Subsequent work has now produced speed sailboards capable of reaching more than
50 knots – all rather breathtaking even on a sunny day!
James Moss provided an exceptional illustrated account of the History and
Development of 3D Imaging, related to measuring the face, particularly in those with
cleft lip and palate and other facial anomalies. The initial pilot study (1978) produced
3D optical surface scanning, later combined with data from CT scans to predict the
soft tissue contours of the face and skull. This lead to the production of milled models
useful for the rapid manufacture of skull prostheses required in cranioplasty,
assessment of geriatric body contours for bed mattresses and in the positioning of
artificial ears retained on implants inserted in the skull. Technical developments
produced linear scanning and a hand held scanner. A study of human models from an
agency assessed the differences seen in female and male faces using coordinates to
program a composite ideal face. Colour coding also made comparison of surface
contours possible. Prediction of facial form from the underlying skull was valuable in
orthodontic treatment, maxillofacial surgery and forensic work. Analysis of surface
face shapes was employed in studying heredity and genetic effects. Scans of the Moss
family identified who had inherited father’s nose!
David Jones produced a thoughtful analysis of the influence of anaesthesia on the
development of surgery. Patients suffering appalling agonies from the crude practises
of dental and general surgery were the beneficiaries of the introduction of nitrous
oxide by Horace Wells, ether by Crawford Long and William Morton, and of
improving childbirth with ether and chloroform by James Simpson in the early to mid
1800’s. These benefits, aided by the control of infection, initiated with Lister’s use of
the antiseptic spray using his “donkey”, marked the birth of modern surgery. X-rays
and aseptic surgery techniques were to aid further improvement in treatment.
Experience of war was to make major contributions with the introduction of
Endotracheal anaesthesia and the logistics of treating casualties on the battlefield. The
use of nerve blocks, Ketamine in developing countries and the promotion of Triservice anaesthesia have all advanced modern care. Anaesthesia has been
significantly promoted by the Royal College of Surgeons: first by the establishment of
the Faculty of Anaesthetists, and then by wisely facilitating the freestanding Royal
College of Anaesthetists in 1989.
After tea the music of Purcell set the scene for Terence Hope’s account of the life of
Thomas Willis (1621-1675). Graduating in medicine at Oxford in 1646, Willis was
later awarded an MD by decree of King Charles the Second. His contempories and
supporters included John Fell, Robert Boyle, Christopher Wren and Archbishop
Sheldon. Wren assisted Willis with dissection when tissues were preserved in wine
and injected with Indian ink. His account of the “Circle of Willis”, published in
Cerebri Anatome in 1646, was dedicated to Sheldon who suffered from carotid
stenosis. Wren meticulously engraved the figure that illustrated the anatomy of the
area. Willis became a member of the Royal Society but proved an irregular attendee.
After his death in 1675 he was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Andrew Rafferty’s passion for fast horses was revealed in “The Sport of Kings – a
History of Horse Racing”. The first meeting was recorded in the reign of Henry the
Second in 1174. Newmarket, the home of horse racing in England, was popularised
by James 1st. Spring and autumn meetings were held in the time of Charles1st, banned
by Cromwell and promoted by Charles 2nd. Queen Anne founded the Royal Ascot
meeting, with its proximity to Windsor. A royal winner of the One thousand Guineas
in 1974 and the St Ledger in 1977 has marked the keen interest shown by our current
Queen. The Derby first run at Epsom in1780 is the blue ribbon of the turf. The race
was immortalised by the protest of the suffragette Emily Davidson who threw herself
under the hooves of George V’s horse. Regulation of the sport was established with
the foundation of the Jockey Club (1752), later placed under the British Horse Racing
Board (1993) and now controlled by the British Horse Racing Association. Three
founding stallions established the thoroughbred pedigree: Byerley Turk (1680),
Darnley Arabian (1700) and Dolphin Arabian (1724) all of whom produced
outstanding progeny of classic winners. Racing colours, first registered in 1762,
served both to identify the owners and to aid identification of winners. Perhaps the
most famous jockeys to carry owner’s colours remain Sir Gordon Richards and Lester
Piggott. Alas time ran out before questions could be raised on the certainty of backing
winners.
To conclude the afternoon, the activities, proposed developments and challenges
facing the College were succinctly reported by David Jones. Sampling Argentinean
wines, promoted by A-Z Wine and Spirit Solutions, provided a convivial interlude
before a most enjoyable dinner arranged by Judith Mitchell and her team whose
organisation of the day’s events was much appreciated.
Professor Roger Watson, Chairman.