NEWS
letter
Number 19
Hannah Institute for the History of Medicine
Student scholars study
medical history whilethe
sunshines
FOR UNDERGRADUATES, SUMMER IS THE TIME TO SCROUNGE TOGETHER
ENOUGH MONEY TO RETURN TO SCHOOL. OFTEN JOBS ARE A BRAIN-DEAD-
ENING EXPERIENCE, OR MORE AND MORE THE PAST FEW SUMMERS—
LONG BOUTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT THAT DEMORALIZE THE STUDENT.
But thanks to the Hannah
Institute's summer studentship
program, medical and history
students can turn summer into a
significant learning
experience—and receive a sti-
pend of $3,675 to boot!
Students work under a super-
visor on an aspect of medical
history they find interesting.
The student benefits from an
opportunity to fully study one
area while honing skills crucial
for future graduate work or
other research.
Having a supportive supervi-
sor can be key to making the
most of the experience. Just ask
Andrea Rideout, a second year
medical student at Dalhousie.
Due to her supervisor Dr. Jock
Murray's persistence, a poster
from Rideout's history of Multi-
ple Sclerosis project impressed
participants at several confer-
ences so much she's getting de-
mands for the poster from
Fall, 1993
1660 and 1740 was a bit of a
gamble.
"My biggest fear was spend-
ing four months and finding noth-
ing," says Dick. "My supervisor
didn't know what primary
sources were out there. I was
surprised at the amount of
information—I spent three weeks
at the computer typing in notes."
Dick drew on the period's
across North America and fcu-
newspapers for technical data
rope.
on each ship's detail of crew
And Rideout admits without
and provisions, while the only
the studentship, this past sum-
sources for the ship surgeon's
mer would have been a tough
perspective were peer manuals.
slog looking for work in the
Studentships were also
Man times.
awarded to undergraduates in
For McMaster University's
Manitoba and Quebec.
Karen Dick, exploring the
gruesome world of British
maritime medicine between
For Physicians Only—
new customized course in medical history at the
University of Toronto
Canadian doctors interested ing in medical history will as-
in pursuing formal training in sist physicians-in-training to
medical history can now do so
in Canada.
Medical schools across What's Inside
Canada have been scrambling
to reintroduce the art of medi- Program Profiles 1-3
cine into science-based cur- Conference Notes 3
ricula in reaction to public pres-
Scholarship news 4
sure for a kinder, gentler breed
of doctor. It is hoped a ground-
 H A N N A H I N I T U T E F O R T H E H I S T O R Y O F M E D I C I N I

PROGRAM PROFILES

step back and have a more critical perspective on
the current state of the profession.
Co-operation between U of T's history of medi-
cine program and the Institute of Medical Science
enables physicians to receive an MSc or PhD in
medical history. In the past, physicians without
undergraduate history courses were left high and
dry, only able to study medical history as a hobby,
or travel to study in Europe or the United States.
U of T Hannah Professor Edward Shorter and
the Hannah Institute's Executive Director, Dr.
Jim Connor will jointly teach a core course. Stu-
dents will also be required to take another full
course on medical history and prepare and defend
a Master's thesis. Upon completion of the MSc,
students may apply for PhD work.
"The department of history already offers a
graduate program in medical history leading to a
PhD," says Professor Shorter. "But up to now you
had to be accepted in the history department as a
graduate student in order to qualify for it."
Interested doctors can call Professor Edward
Shorter at 416-978-2124, or fax 416-971-2160.

Victorian country doctor opens window on

medical past
Today's doctors often bemoan the dizzying made no discoveries," writes Dr. Duffin.
technological, medical and economic changes that "I don't know if even he is typical or atypical
challenge the profession. But the cacophony can of the era," she says. "I'm very hesitant to say he
cause amnesia. Was there another time that simi- represents the era."
larly challenged physicians?
What Dr. Duffin did discover is fascinating.
The last century also saw the profession turned Langstaff, she says, did accept changes, though
on its head by revolutions in medical technology rarely immediately. And in some cases he must
and thought. An enlightening journey through the have had access to non-journal sources to learn of
words of an ordinary, and until
new medical discoveries.
now unknown Ontario doctor, is
on offer in the latest work by mm^^mm The family's medical dynasty
Queen's University Hannah Pro- meant Langstaff s medical
fessor and associate dean of the records were passed on down the
faculty of medicine, Jacalyn "He was a generations, though unfortunately
Duffin. passionate personal
lost.
diaries and letters were
Though chances are good
you've never heard of Dr. James
reformer and Langstaff was also a social
Miles Langstaff (1825-89) of the ran for public activist, especially in the push for
higher sanitation standards, says
small Ontario town of Richmond
Hill, Dr. Duffin is out to prove
office many Dr. Duffm.
the life of this once unsung doctor times." "He did well financially—
can offer profound insight into ^^^^^^ third richest man in his census
the past. district. And being well-off gave
Released this fall by Univer- him a certain position in society.
sity of Toronto Press, Langstaff: He was a passionate reformer
A Nineteenth-Century Medical Life, takes readers and ran for public office many times."
on a journey through this small-town doctor's Dr. Duffin offers this sobering thought to fel-
carefully crafted daybooks and financial records, low travellers in the late twentieth century. "We
offering illuminating tidbits about how he coped delude ourselves to think we are the only ones who
with the turmoil of the 1800s. live in a time of change."
"He was not famous, published no papers, and
H A N N A H I N S T I T U T E F O R T H E H I S T O R Y O F M E D I C I N E

PROGRAM PROFILES

Award-winning research on history of

eugenics reaps honours
Though many feel a golly-gee-whiz response Canada there's a woman who was sterilized in
when medical science leaps yet another hurdle to- Alberta who is now suing the Alberta govern-
wards genetic manipulation, research by two re- ment, so that is bringing it back into the con-
cent Royal Society Hannah Medal winners into sciousness that these things actually did happen."
the history of eugenics send a ^^^^^m ••••• "Many quite respectable indi-
chill up the spine. viduals took it as given that there
Both University of Toronto's must be something in eugenics.
professor Pauline Mazumdar,
"Many quite That was the difficulty in writing
author of Eugenics, Human respectable the book, determining who was a
Genetics and Human Failings:
The Eugenics Society, its
individuals eugenist and who wasn't. It was
so widely believed that it was
Sources and its Critics in Britain took it as very hard to make a serious de-
(Routledge, 1992), and Angus
McLaren, University of Victoria
given that marcation."
Professor McLaren found win-
professor of history and author of there must be ning the medal helped raise his
Our Own Master Race: Eugen- something in profile. And the resulting media
ics in Canada, 1885-1945
(McClelland and Stewart, 1990), eugenics." interest allowed him to put the
issue in historical perspective.
disclose how mainstream genetic •••••• "The problem as ever is people
selection once was and possibly looking for some sort of a quick
still remains. fix to social problems—hoping that some sort of
"Ever since the test tube baby breakthrough a genetic tampering will allow very complex prob-
decade ago, there's been a new concern for the lems to be surgically dealt with." B3
spin-offs of this research," says McLasen."In

CONFERENCE NOTES

Conference to investigate cross-fertilization

of medicine and philosophy through history
Psyche and Soma or mind and body is the title each chapter, blending together the various expert
of 1994's Hannah Conference, to be held next opinions."
October in London, Ontario.
Canada will be heavily represented, says Pot-
University of Western Ontario Hannah Profes- ter, because in the last few years, many scholars
sor Paul Potter says internationally-recognized have become world authorities in their specialty.
authorities will analyze the relationship between Other academics will hail from France, Germany
Greek, Roman, early Christian, Arabic and Ren- and the United States.
aissance philosophers and physicians. Their find-
"This is going to cover both medicine and phi-
ings will be synthesized into a book.
losophy because we want to show the influences
Professor Potter is organizing the conference back and forth," continues Dr. Potter. "How what
along with University of Windsor's philosophy medical writers wrote influenced philosophers,
professor John Wright, and philosophy professor and how what philosophers wrote influenced
John Thorp of Western Ontario. medical people."
"We've invited about 14 people who we "It's an area that hasn't received a survey view
thought were the greatest experts on their particu- by experts from all the different times—and that's
lar time period," says Professor Potter. "We are why we think it's a particularly good opportu-
going to have them each write a chapter and the nity." B3
other people will ask questions. We'll modify
 H A N N A H I N S T I U T E F O R S T O R Y M E D I C I N E

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

New internship to assist NEWS

IP f t p r
museums and archives I/ v I/ It C i

Like institutional pack rats, many under the supervision of a permanent The Newsletter is produced
museums and archives have become archivist or museologist responsible three times a year by:
victims of their own success, awash in for significant medical history hold- Hannah Institute for the
historical materials. The Hannah In- ings. History of Medicine
stitute is prescribing a new internship Duration of internship is four 14 Prince Arthur Avenue
to remedy the backlog. months, with two available every cal- Suite #101
The Archives/Museum Studies endar year for the next five years Toronto, Ontario
Medical History Internship Program is only.
M5R 1A9
open to full- or part-time archival or Value $4,000
museum studies students enrolled in a Telephone 416-924-3368
Canadian university. If accepted into deadline: October I and April I Fax 416-323-3338
the Program, the student will work of every year
Editor-in-Chief
J.T.H. Connor
Funding deadlines Editor and Writer
David South
Special grants Studentships for
Letters of application for Special undergraduates Layout
Grants, including the new Archives/ Three-month undergraduate David South
Museum Studies Medical History In- studentships are available to students The Newsletter welcomes
ternship Program, are welcome. to carry out research in the history of iiiformation from readers
deadline: October I and April I medicine under the supervision of a about Hannah-supported
of every year faculty member. Medical and history
activities, publications, or
students are given preference.
other related medical
First year Master's Value $3,675 history events.
scholarships deadline: January 20
These scholarships are for highly-
qualified FIRST YEAR MASTER'S Publications assistance
STUDENTS only, registered in a full- Scholars wishing funding for publi-
time program in the history of medi- cations assistance should contact the Note: For full details of AMS /
cine leading to a Master's degree. The Hannah Institute for details. Hannah Institute awards just fax,
scholarships are tenable only at Cana- telephone or write the office.
dian universities with appropriate fac- 0) 416-924-3368
ulty and facilities to support graduate John B. Neilson Award
This Associated Medical Services i 416-323-3338
study in the history of medicine.
award recognizes ongoing contribu- Hannah Institute
Value 514,865; $28,810 for FIRST tions to the history of medicine by a
YEAR MASTER'S STUDENTS with for the History of Medicine
Canadian physician whose primary 14 Prince Arthur Ave.
an MD degree. responsibilities have been in some Suite #101
Jetdlinc: January 13 other area of the profession. Toronto, Ontario
- *5R 2R8