Obituaries

British Medical Journal, Nov 14, 1998

Sir John David Nunes Nabarro

Former consultant physician Middlesex Hospital, 1954-81 (b London 1915; q UCL 1938; MD, FRCS), d 28 April 1998. The son of a pathologist, he was an extremely good general physician combining clinical skills with a scientific approach. John quickly realised the possibilities for exploiting the development of radioimmunoassays for peptide hormones and techniques for measuring thyroid and steroid hormones. He trained a large number of endocrinologists, many of whom rose to positions of distinction in Britain and abroad. An incredible hard worker he set a pace that tested the juniors who were fortunate enough to work with him. He was pre-eminent in clinical endocrinology and made major contributions to the studies of the pituitary and the treatment of pituitary disease, to analysis of adrenal function and dysfunction, and to reproductive endocrinology. At the same time he made important contributions to the field of diabetes, particularly in the management of diabetic keto-acidosis and the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and new insulins. When he retired he became director of the Institute of Clinical Sciences. John was chairman of the executive council of the British Diabetic Association--he persuaded the government to give free prescriptions for disposable syringes and blood glucose test strips--a senior vice president of the Royal College of Physicians, 1977-9, and chairman of the Joint Consultants Committee, 1979-82. This involved critical discussions with the Department of Health, and during his chairmanship important decisions were made about the training of junior doctors, not the least was persuading people that there had to be a closer balance between the numbers being trained and the opportunities at consultant level. One of his chief interests was philately, particularly of the Netherlands. He leaves a wife, Joan (also a doctor); two sons; and two daughters. [J L H O'RIORDAN]

Edoardo Parma

General practitioner Milan (b 1955; q Milan 1979), died from pancreatic carcinoma on 8 June 1998. Edoardo was a fellow in the department of psychiatry at the Luigi Sacco Hospital between 1982 and 1986 at the same time as he started his general practice career. He was a founder of the association to promote clinical research in general practice in Italy and in 1993 contributed to the launch of the first school of research in general practice in Italy. He witnessed the emergence of evidence based medicine in Italy and cautioned against making it a religion. He published many articles on psychiatric problems and drug use in primary care and the relationship between primary and secondary care. He leaves a wife, Cristina (a gynaecologist), and five children between 3 and 15. [VITTORIO CAIMI]

Mary Veronica Porter (nee Burdett-Smith)

Former general practitioner Southend (b Nigeria 1954; q Charing Cross 1979), died from multiple sclerosis on 2 September 1998. Mary followed her father to Charing Cross and then into general practice. Before her illness caused her to give up work she was a keen medical officer in the Territorial Army and a conscientious and caring doctor with an interest in well woman clinics. Her twin interests of astronomy and science fiction combined to make her a keen Star Trek fan--a "Trekky," and she relieved the long hours of inactivity with a complete set of Star Trek videos. Sustained by her Catholic faith, she inspired everyone with her cheerfulness and refusal to be defeated by her progressive deterioration. She leaves a husband, David. [C B BURDETT-SMITH, P BURDETT-SMITH]

Anthony Watson Purdie

Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist North Middlesex Hospital, 1939-73 (b 1908; q Glasgow 1931; FRCP (Glas), FRCOG), died from old age on 16 August 1998. After junior posts in Glasgow and London he was appointed to the North Middlesex to be one of two consultants in a busy 100 bed maternity unit. He played a full part in developing a former poor law institution into a major district general hospital. He established a reputation as a meticulous obstetrician with high professional and moral standards. He was always immaculately turned out and unflappable even when bombs extensively damaged his wards. Always a devout Christian, after he retired he gained a bachelor of divinity degree and was ordained in the Church of England. He retired to Devon and took services in local churches where priests were non-existent or overworked. He leaves a with, Erica (also a doctor); a daughter and a son; and a granddaughter. [H CAPLAN]

Rory Sadler

Senior registrar in anaesthetics Manchester (b 1958; q Dundee 1982: FRCAnaes), d in July 1998. After house jobs he was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1984. His strength and stamina were legendary and many of his less physically fit colleagues depended on his help. He joined the Parachute Regiment and then opted for a hospital specialty. He saw active service in the Gulf war--sometimes working from the back of a Land Rover or unsupervised in far flung military hospitals. He rejoined the NHS on the anaesthetic rotation in Manchester in 1992, but as with some of his contemporaries the transition to civilian teaching hospitals was not easy. He leaves a wife, Laura, and three daughters. [JOHN D C BENNETT]