Medical Ethics

IT is customary at the beginning of this address to refer to the changes which have taken place in the Staff of the Hospital during the year which has elapsed since the last Annual Oration. WVe have first to record with regret the death of a former member of our Dental Staff, Mr. WVilliam Muirhead Hunter, which took place on 26th MIay of tllis Nyear. Mr. Hunter was a native of Stranraer who qualified in dentistry in Edinburgh. Having served in the First World War, he came to Belfast to practice, and was appointed to this hospital in 1920 as one of the first members of our Honorary Dental Staff. He was also one of the original lecturers in dentistry in Queen's University, and for many years held the position of Executive Officer of the Dental Staff. He retired from the active Staff in 19-52, and we honour his memory as one of the founders of our Dental School. Two former memnbers of the Visiting Staff, Professor Mavrs and Sir Frank Montgomery, reached retiring age during the year and we now welcome them to our senior ranks. Professor Mayrs joined the Auxiliary Staff as Pharmacologist in 1927. His activities were mainly confined to the University Department, but when his special knoxvledge was needed in connection with hospital patients, his advice was always helpful aned willingly given. WVe wish him many happy years of retirement. Sir Frank Montgomery became a member of the Visiting Staff in 1925, and has been Senior Radiologist since 1929. In an outstanding career of public and professional service composed of so many highlights it is possible today to refer only to some of the brightest: for example, in 1913 and 1914 his service to Ireland as a rugby international; his service to his country in the First World XVar from 1915 to 1918 when he was awarded the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre with bar; his service to this and other hospitals from 1925 to the present time in developing the Radiology Departments, and as a member of various committees; and his service to the Government, medical profession and people of Northern Ireland from 1948 to 1956 as the first Chairman of the Hospitals Authority. This difficult position called for the highest qualities of tact and ability, and we must count ourselves fortunate that he was available.