Notes

Abstract

WE much regret to record the death on April 2, at sixty-three years of age, of Sir James MacKenzie Davidson, the distinguished ophthalmic surgeon and radiologist. Sir James Davidson received his early education in Buenos Aires. He came to England as a youth, and entered for medicine at Aberdeen University. He also studied at Edinburgh and London. After graduation at Aberdeen in 1882 he became first assistant to the professor of surgery there, and later lecturer on ophthalmology. He was also ophthalmic surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, and the Royal Sick Children's Hospital, and physician to the Blind Asylum. The experience gained as an ophthalmic surgeon in Aberdeen exercised a great influence on his work when he came to London. In 1896 Röntgen's discovery of X-rays was announced, and with characteristic energy and commendable foresight Sir James Davidson at once grasped the significance of this discovery in relation to medicine. The same year found him making a pilgrimage to Würz-burg to interview Röntgen. After removing to London in 1897 he became radiologist to Charing Cross Hospital and to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital. At a later date he became consulting radiologist to both these institutions. Henceforth Sir James Davidson's whole energy became absorbed in research work, and he quickly took a leading position amongst the pioneer workers in X-rays and radium. His early training in ophthataology led him to grasp the value of X-rays in this branch of medicine, and particularly in the localisation of foreign bodies in the orbit and eveball; the method elaborated by him, and alwavs associated with his name, became recognised as the standard one, and upon it all the modern methods are based. He also advocated the practice of stereoscopic radiography. He received a knighthood in 1012, and at the time of his death held the positions of past-president of the Röntgen Society and honorary consulting radiologist to the London District Command. The development of radio-diagnosis and radiotherapy are intimately bound up with the name of MacKenzie Davidson, and he was recognised in America and on the Continent as the leading radiologist in this country. By his death radiology has lost a distinguished exponent of technique, an original worker of the highest order, and an enthusiastic advocate of its future in medicine and science.