Some Tracer and Therapeutic Studies with Artificial Radioactivity Sir James Mackenzie Davidson Memorial Lecture

Abstract

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Institute, Ladies and Gentlemen: I appreciate the honour you have given me in asking me to be one of the Sir James Mackenzie Davidson Memorial Lecturers. I am mindful of the fact that many distinguished men have given these Lectures in the past. Therefore I am conscious of the responsibility you have placed on me and hope that I will not fail you. Sir James Mackenzie Davidson was one of the greatest pioneers in radiology. Immediately after the discovery of X rays in 1896 he saw their immense possibilities in medicine and visited Röntgen in the same year. During his life he made numerous contributions in this field, particularly in instrumentation and in methods of localisation. His many important pieces of work were possible because, in addition to his training in ophthalmology and radiology, he possessed a knowledge of physics and mathematics. The laboratory in which I work is founded on the belief that physics, chemistry and mathematics more than ever have much to offer in medical research, diagnosis and treatment, and in our laboratory more and more of the younger men are gaining fundamental training in these sciences in addition to their medical training. My last trip to England was in 1939 to attend the British Association meeting in Dundee.