Obituaries

British Medical Journal, April 24, 1999

John Bullough

Former consultant anaesthetist Dartford group of hospitals (b Essex 1921; q St Bartholomew's 1947; FRCA), d 9 January 1999, having suffered from emphysema for three years. During the second world war he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in India and the Middle East After this he dedicated himself to anaesthesia and resuscitation, spending hours designing equipment, some of which was eventually produced commercially. In 1957 the successful Rainer-Bullough method of resuscitation, which involved bending the patient's legs to compress the abdomen and lower chest and did not involve opening the chest or abdomen, was described in the BMJ. In the United States external cardiac massage and the kiss of life were being investigated, and John travelled to the States to take part in the studies. It was shortly after his return that he gave the kiss of life to a 19 year old woman who had been in a road accident Describing the incident at the BMA's annual scientific meeting he said, "She was clinically dead. There was no pulse, no breathing, no sign of life. I started massaging her chest and breathed into her mouth. Within four minutes, the heart began to beat again and she was breathing." A plea was made for doctors, paramedical staff, and the public to be trained in on the spot heart massage.

John wrote many papers on resuscitation, anaesthesia, and intensive care. His record keeping was meticulous, and his photographs, drawings, and papers will be donated to the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It had been his intention to set up an award to promote the practice of resuscitation, and with the aid of the college this wish will be fulfilled. After retirement he turned to other disciplines and did short courses in dermatology, gynaecology, and genitourinary medicine, and obtained posts in London hospital clinics. John was a larger than life character with a low threshold for boredom. He enjoyed opera and the theatre; if the performance was not up to his standard he would leave in the interval. He wrote plays and short stories and his London home became a meeting place for people to enjoy his intellect and wit. Each day started with a cigarette, listening to Radio 3. He leaves a wife, Regina, and four daughters. [REGINA BULLOUGH]

John Cramsie Camac

General practitioner Swadlincote, 1953-92 (b Church Gresley 1927; q Guy's 1951), d 4 September 1998. He spent his national service as a medical officer in Nairobi and Lusaka, and when his father died suddenly he replaced him in the family practice. John was an early advocate of full radio contact in general practice and pioneered locally the idea of purpose built surgeries. He encouraged regular practice meetings, the development of appointment systems, and a proper share of work between partners. A keen golfer and efficient gardener, he was also a fine amateur cinephotographer and a witty after dinner speaker. He leaves his second wife, Honor; four daughters from his first marriage; and nine grandchildren. [SELWYN H GOODACRE]

Anne Kirkman Collins

Former director Northern Regional Transfusion Service, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1978-88 (b Carlisle 1937; q Royal Free Hospital 1962; FRCPath), died from lymphoma on 25 April 1998. Anne did her early training in London and Newcastle and was appointed consultant haematologist to the transfusion service in 1976. With her lively and cheerful disposition, she was largely responsible for the planning and commissioning of the new transfusion centre, which opened in 1985. Predeceased by her husband, she leaves three children, one of whom is a doctor. [LINDY CARTNER, CATH CHAPMAN]

Elizabeth Mary Curry (nee Tuck)

General practitioner Northallerton, 1984-97 (b Saddleworth 1949; q Newcastle upon Tyne 1972), died from motor neurone disease on 9 January 1999. Liz joined her husband in the Northallerton practice as a principal in 1984 and introduced and supported innovations. Her organising abilities and communication skills were highly valued, and the patients appreciated her down to earth and practical advice. It is ironic that someone as fit and active should have contracted motor neurone disease; she made the diagnosis herself and accepted it with dignity. The disease affected most of her interests so she developed others and learnt new skills to adapt to her enforced progressive disability. She leaves a husband, Andrew; a daughter; and her mother. [CHRIS OATES, HILARY ENEVOLDSON]

Christopher John Day

General practitioner Enfield, Middlesex, 1969-80 (b 1940; q St Bartholomew's 1966), d 3 January 1999. He hoped to follow a career in obstetrics and gynaecology, but as a committed Christian knew that he could not agree to "abortion on demand." He went into general practice, but had to retire as his multiple sclerosis advanced. He found appointments in occupational medicine, was a medical referee for the London Borough of Islington, undertook sessions in counselling and general medicine at the Whitechapel Mission, and taught for the British Red Cross. These activities were made possible by his untiring wife, who drove him to his various places of work. He leaves a wife, Pat; two daughters; and three grandchildren. [ERIC K GARDNER]