The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and its Medical School, 1784–1966

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and its Medical School, 1784-1966, by J. D. H. WIDDESS, 2nd ed., Edinburgh and London, E. & S. Livingstone, 1967, pp. viii, 152, illus., 35s. When it first appeared eighteen years ago Professor Widdess's book emphasized the importance of the Schools of Surgery, really a general medical school, founded in Dublin by the Irish College of Surgeons in 1789, five years after its own incorporation. Both College and School have contributed notably, as he shows, to the advance of surgery. Though this new edition is mainly a reprint of the first, Dr. Widdess has brought the story up to date and recorded somewhat more about the College itself. He has also made the book a really useful work for permanent reference by providing several new appendices. There are now lists of the Presidents and the Honorary Fellows of the College and its Faculties, a most distinguished roll, besides those of Professors and Scholarships which appeared in the first edition. We are also indebted to Dr. Widdess's wide-ranging interests for an informative explanation of the Arms borne by the College, with an account of their history and their relation to those of the French and English surgeons. There is a chronological summary of notable events in the history of medicine in Ireland, and a detailed story of the tragi-comedy of the College's occupation by a detachment of Insurgents during the Easter Rising of 1916. The illustrations have also been increased. Altogether this is a thoroughly worthwhile revision of a most readable history and one of far more than local interest.