SIR VICTOR HORSLEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1621, 7 October 1916, Page 4

SIR VICTOR HORSLEY.

FAMOUS BRAIN SPECIALIST

Medics!l science has sustained an irreparable loss (says News ot the World) through the death ot! . Sir Victor Horsley, who has given his life for his country while lighting' disease among the troops.in Mesopotamia. He was one of the greatest authorities on hrain surgery in the world. Sir Victor volunteered for service in Mesopotamia lust. March, after he became aware of the had conditions prevailing. His patriotic and unselfish offer was accepted, and he left at once for India, from which country he went to the scene of operations. At first he was stationed at the base at Basra, but within a short period he passed up to Amara, where, it is stated, his death took place from heat stroke. All those who were privileged to •know the late surgeon will feel that this last sacrifice for his country wits but the consummation of a life full of sacrifice and of a generous patriotism. Sir Victor did not consider his years when the chance of being useful offered itself, and the welfare of our soldiers was his first anxiety. Very early in the war he wiis in France on behalf of the British Red Cross Society, and later, on being gazetted-colonel, he was sent to Egypt as a consultant hy Sir Alfred Koegh. Tie had served also in the Boer war. Sir Victor Horsley was not only a very distinguished surgeon; he was a pioneer in'the field of scientific medicine, one of those rare men who seek out new paths into the unknown, and lay there foundations on which all those who follow after must build. His work on the surgery of the hrain belongs to (his category, as also docs the experimental study of the ductless glands, which he carried out with so great eagerness and enthusiasm. In 1884, for example, he proved by experiment that the disease myxoedema was caused hy absence of (he thyroid gland. It was his generous custom to invite other workers to his laboratory, and to place bis resources at their disposal; he would carry out all the delicate manipulations neeessai’y at the request of any colleague, and would then resign to that colleague all the credit ot the work accomplished. Supreme in his own sphere, Sir Victor took an active interest ip social questions. His

ABHORRENCE OF ALCOHOL and his efforts to restrict the sale and use of it are wel) known. Not less well known at the time was his championship of the woman sulira ge movement. He contested the University of London as a Liberal and was prospective candidate for Market Harborongh on temperance and woman suffrage lines, though on these grounds he was afterwards refused the support of (he officials. He was vice-chairman of the London County Council Sub-committee of Inquiry into the Medical Inspection and Treatment of School Children, and also vice-president of the English League for the Taxation of Land Values, His strong personality and unyeilding adherence to his convictions frequently brought him into collision with his opponents, but none ever denied him the meed of respect and honour, for above afl things he was a man. A brilliant controversialist, he expressed opinions on many subjects in vivid language, .anfi was particularly eloquent on the subject of anti-vivisec-tion. Honours were showered on him hy almost every university and learned society in the world,