Malaria in War

XVar By BRIGADIER J. A. SINTON, V.C., O.BE., F.R.S., M.D., D.SC., D.P.H. Hon. Consultant in Malaria to the War Olice I CANNOT tell you how much I appreciate the honour that the Committee has done me in its invitation to give the Robert Campbell Memorial Oration. I feel especially proud as I have had the honour, the privilege, and the pleasure not only of being one of his old students, but also of serving under him as a resident pupil and as a house surgeon in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Before I aeal with my subject-"Malaria in War," I must say a few words on a text that Kipling has modified from the Scriptures-"Let us now praise famous men, for their work continueth, greater than their knowing." We are gathered here to-night to keep alive the memory of a famous man, Mr. Robert Campbell, whose work continueth greater than he in his modesty would ever have anticipated. I see here to-night many of his old colleagues and students who must have felt the stimulus of his example and teaching as I did. As a teacher I have known few to equal Robert Campbell. He explained his theses with the simplicity, lucidity, and logic that mark the born and inspired teacher. He showed that he had his subject at his fingertips, both mentally and practically. He taught one not to accept what at first sight appeared to be an obvious and simple diagnosis, without first fully weighing the pros and cons of other possibilities. I think it was he who first laid the foundation in my mind for the acceptance of that great principle in research work: "Never take authority when you can get fact, and never guess when you can know." He taught one to be critical, and more especially of one's own work. His technique as a surgeon was a delight to watch, and I fortunately had many opportunities of observing it at close quarters. He was no mere carpenter, but a surgeon in the very best and widest meaning of that term-a surgeon must-be a clinician first. The greatest benefit of his patients was always his aim. As a result his patients had unbounded confidence in him. He was a faithful friend, a wise counsellor, and an ever-present help in time of need. I wish I was more worthy of paying a suitable tribute to his memory and to that greatness which he never advertised. It is only right that his memory should be kept green by the Belfast Medical School, for which he did so much.