A Short History of Otolaryngology

IT is customary to refer to the speaker at the annual address at the opening of the winter session as the orator. I was relieved to find, on looking up the Oxford Dictionary, that orator was defined as "the maker of a speech" as well as "an eloquent public speaker." I may, therefore, claim the title for today. On behalf of the medical staff, I have the honour of extending a hearty welcome to the students of all years, but more especially to those who walk the wards of this hospital for the first time. This is one of the most important milestones in your life, probably your first experience of mass sickness and suffering. The suffering may not be noticed by some of you at first, as the majority of those who suffer succeed in hiding it from the superficial observer. Those whose heart is really in medicine will soon learn to see through the barrier and will thus have acquired something which is essential to a good doctor. You must not only learn all about the diseases which afflict the human frame, but also the individual reactions which vary so much from one patient to another. This you can only acquire by careful observation and close contact with patients during your time in the wards. No amount of reading can do this. The advantage which you take of the opportunities presented during your undergraduate years in hospital will, more than anything else, pave the way for success or failure in your profession. It is our sad duty to record the great loss which this hospital and the whole comnmunity have sustained during the past year by the passing of three distin. guished members of the visiting staff. Professor Sir William Thomson was a member of the staff of this hospital for thirty-one years, and occupied the Chair of Medicine at Queen's University for twenty-seven years. He was elected to many important positions, including membership of the General Medical Council. Known to all as "W. D.," he was a man of outstanding personality. His humility, gentleness and charm endeared him to all. He was one of the greatest of our clinical teachers and was beloved by students and patients alike. He was strong and brave in time of adversity, of which he had more than his share. He fought and conquered a long and tedious illness, and bore the …