Cairns, Hugh William Bell1896-1952Neurosurgeon

BiographyIn AMSS

The AAI.S.S, Review, November, 1952 19

Sir Hugh Cairns -- An AppreciationLeonard Lindon.

The death of Hugh William Bell Cairns on July 18th, 1952, has robbed this Society of one who was probably its most outstanding member. If memory serves, he joined the Adelaide Medical Students* Society in 1913, coming up from the Adelaide High School with a bursar); and it is worthy of record that the whole of his education from High School to Oxford and the F.R.CS« was financed by scholarships and bursaries.

Fie was born in June, 1896, at Riverton; his parents were by no means well off, hut if Hugh Cairns lacked money, he was blessed with far greater assets in the qualities of energy, ambition, determination, mid an intense desire Lu get to the bottom of a problem. His examination results in his student years were not brilliant, partly because Cairns was a good and happy ’'mixer,** and a very keen athlete. Although Iv- was better known in the rowing world—a Blue both of Adelaide and Oxford— he was an all-rounder, and played for the love of playing, and for the good companionship. When the first war broke out he served in the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Egypt and Lemnos. He was then recalled to complete his course, which he did in 1917. gaining the Everard Scholarship. He was also elected Rhodes Scholar for 1917, but did not go up to Balliol until January, 1919. He returned to France as a Captain A.A.M.C., and served there throughout 1918. He was destined to return to Australia only once again, when in 1948 he visited Australia as the first Sims Travelling Professor.

1 doubt if any of us who worked and played with Cairns in those days ever realized the brilliant and immense character which lay dormant within him. In fact, the writer had the unhappy experience of failing in the Final F.R.C.S. in his good company. But the fire was there, and needed only the fair wind of opportunity to set it ablaze. And opportunity did not come to him at once. As soon as he gained his RR.C.S. in 1921, he married Barbara, the youngest daughter of the then Master of Balliol, A. L. Smith. Cairns then settled down to four years of waiting, what time lie worked in the Department of Pathology in the London Hospital, and learnt from Professor Turnbull much that was to stand him in good stead in neurosurgery. But in 1926 he was appointed to the staff of the London Hospital, and a few months later a Rockefeller Fellowship look him to Harvey Cushings Clinic in Boston for one year. On his return to London, the members of the staff of the London Hospital supported him in his desire to establish a neurosurgical clinic there, and immediately Cairns began to get results. From this time until his death twenty-five years later he was deluged with work. But he was determined not to be just a neuro-surgeon. Ever since his Oxford days he had been drawn towards research, and he found that his increasingly busy London practice was leaving no time for research work. At this lime lie was taking a large part in the reorganise-

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The A-AI.S.S.' Revidiv, Noreriwer, 1952 tion of rhe Oxford Clinkai School; rind when he was offered the Nuflield Chair of Surgery, he had no hesitation in accepting it, and giving up his extremely successful London practice. Once again his qualities as organiser and teacher resulted in the formation of a neuro-suTgical clink unsurpassed in Great Britain. Perhaps his greatest gift lay in his love of teaching his assistants; teaching them not just neurology and neuro surgery, hut teaching them the humane and proper approach to any patient; teaching them the qualities of patience, endurance, and Honest judgment, without which no man will become a first-class neurosurgeon. And during the years he trained a succession of voung assistants, who have since carried on his good work in all corners of the Commonwealth. Many an Australian neuro-surgeon owes his present ability to the training of Hugh Cairns.

It is not possible lor the writer to enumerate all the honours, distinctions, and degrees which were conferred upon him. These will doubtless Ire fully noted in some Oxford publication. But my chief desire is to draw a picture of the man himself. A series of obituary notices have appeared in the columns of the London Times, notices written by his neuro surgical colleagues, his friends, and Ins patients. I hope they may one day be published as part of his biography, for each tine of them brings out some facet of his character.

Cairns was not just a surgeon; his work was marked by care, gentleness, and a very sound, shrewd judgment. It was all based on an intense sympathy for a patient, and the principle that nothing else mattered when faced with the well-being of the sick. I Jis case-records were truly remarkable; one could read up his notes of an old case, and form a clear picture oE the paLicnt, and the problems of diagnosis and management. He drove his assistants, but he drove himself hardest of all Fortunately, he was blessed with great physical fitness, and would finish the longest craniotomy in lrettcr condition than his much younger assistants; and would then set out on a ward round, doing dressings, or working up the next case.

It is difficult to do justice to the memory of a well-loved friend. One had the privilege of visiting him and Lady Cairns al long intervals; and one found that, away from work, he was just the same attractive character, full of good humour and youthful ideas, interested in all things; and in spite of the great heights to which he had risen, he remained entirely modest and humble. He also remained extremely pmud of the country of his birth, and of his own Medical School. It was the ambition oE the late Cecil Rhodes that his scholars should devote themselves to the service oE mankind, and the furtherance of goodwill and understanding amongst ail people. How well Hugh Cairns followed this ideal is made evident by the worldwide regret at his untimely death, at an age when he was just reaching his finest years, rich in the promise of further achievement.

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(1896 - 1952)NEUROSURGEON,

ADVOCATE OF CRASH HELMETS J

LIVED HERE

I'Jnr .4.jILS.S, Rtfi’juit', I9>2

Tire foil owing letter kfls been received by Mr. T. H. /V/ck.Dcar Mr. A Hen,

I 1ihv< just received the kind letter you s&ttt me from the Adelaide Medical Students’ Society. Thank you all for your sympathy, 1 don't need to assure you at my husband's faithful loyalty to Australia as his Hist home—it will be apparent in all you will reqd about him and Iiuju what some of you may perhaps have seen of him on that happy occasion when he was able to revisit Au st rail a and Adelaide in particular. He planned tn take me there next time.

1 would like to tell you how moved he was when, at the time of liis second operation (in April), Professor Seddnn sent him a message sayingj Australians always win in their second innings. Me djdir't in his second innings, but it was not For lack of courageous play. He Fought For his own life with the same indomitable determination with which he had always fought for his patients, £ lc thought of his Work to the very end, and he spoke of his patients only an hour or two before he died, keep him as your model for kindness and infinite consideration towards the sick and suffering, ana of honesty and generosity in your work.

He loved and was deeply interested in the young, and gave most generously of time and encouragement to them, I know he would wish me to send every sori of message oF goodwill to yon all Qf the Adelaide Medical Students' Society, so in his name 1 wish you all good fortune.

Yours sincerely,BARBARA F. CAIRNS.

Further Biography

Clement-Jones family - Person Sheet

Name Brig Sir Hugh William Bell CAIRNS KBE FRCS, 9412Spouses1 Barbara Forster SMITH, 9399Birthl896Death 1967Father Arthur Lionel SMITH , 9388 (1850-1924)Mother Mary Florence BAIRD , 9390 (1855-1946)Children David , 9420 (1926-)(Hugh) John Forster , 9421 (1922-)

Notes for Brig Sir Hugh William Bell CAIRNS KBE FRCSSir Hugh William Bell Cairns KBE, DM, FRCS (26 June 1896 Port Pirie, South

Australia - 18 July 1952 Oxford) was a British neurosurgeon.Early years and education

Hugh Cairns was born in Port Pirie, but came to Adelaide for his secondary education at Adelaide High School and tertiary education at the University of Adelaide. He was awarded the 1917 South Australian Rhodes Scholarship^] and went to the University of Oxford to read Medicine. He was president of the Balliol Boat Club and represented Oxford as bow in the Boat Race of 1920.

on 72Ash Ave

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Residence in Adelaide

CareerCairns worked as a neurosurgeon at the London Hospital and with Harvey Cushing

at Harvard before setting up the Nuffield Department of Surgery in Oxford, in which he became the first Nuffield Professor of Surgery. He was a key figure in the development of neurosurgery as a specialty, the formation of the University of Oxford Medical School, and the treatment of head injuries during the Second World War. The Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford is named after him. A blue plaque for him at his 1920s residence at Loughton has been erected.

Profoundly affected by treating T. E. Lawrence for head injuries during the 6 days before the latter died after a motorcycle accident, Cairns began a long study of what he saw as the unnecessary loss of life by motorcycle despatch riders through head injuries. His research led to the use of crash helmets by both military and civilian motorcyclists. As a consequence of treating Lawrence, Sir Hugh Cairns would ultimately save the lives of many motorcyclists. [2]Last Modified 29 Jul 2012Created 6 Nov 2016 using Reunion for Macintosh

Cairns, Sir Hugh William Bell - Australian Dictionary of Biography - ANU

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cairns-sir-hugh-william-bell-5464

Editorial

Hugh Cairns - the centenary of his birth

Brian North fragsDonald Simpson d univ ms fracsIta|>Arlrneiii «r Xcv>rnvui-gcr|-r H^ml Adckaldt 3-kityiuk AdeLude -Siji.qilrj AiisiiiTillh

Journal oTGHnical NducucietlfC 1996 3( 11:5-7 © PcuTsnn Professional 1996

Hugh Cairns was born 100 years ago, onjurwi 2ft, ISPOj at Puri Pine in South Autirtlia. Il kcjuq apiwprwtc to mark thisuLcasfon by recalling some of die fcaiuies sraned as a captain In the AAMC in 1917, serving In France io 1918J

Sherrington had a formative influence on Cairns1 choke cif neurosurgery as a career, and was fobbed in arranging for Cairns io work with Gushing in Boston fur a year? Cairns" career in Oxford, Landon, Busion* and later in London and Oxforrl makes compelling reading The accounts dcscrihe Cairns a* exceedingly able, tall (S’ll"), handsome and well connected. Thcie qualities were exploited by Cairns but to them we dioufd add his undoutued abilities as-an organiser, a conqiasdonate surgeon , a good ductor, a picnnoter of research, an ability to identify potential in non neurasurgicaJ fields and a lack of pretence?

Cairns4 Australasian TraineesWhile slill aL the Lonrfon Hospital, he trained Frank -Morgan from Melbourne, ;ind Douglas Miller4 and Gilbert Phillips from Sydney - al! to be Founder Meraher? afihe Neurosurgical Society of Australasia? Several orh.tr founders voiced ill* London Hospital and later indicated ihdt they were inspi red ly Cairns; these included Leonard Lindon. Rex Money and Albert Coates.

When ciiablishcd In Oxford. Cairns needed io train competent military neuro&xirgeaiu for his Mobile Neuro surgical Teaina.® Reg Hooper was outstanding among these. Murray Falconer uiw a notable trainee, working with Gairru in Oxford from 1434 co 1943. when be esiablkslHfd the Dunedin unit un the Oxford model. Other Ausffalaiian neurosurgeons trained by Crims included Donald McKesiraiea Scoll Gharlmn, Jinn AlnJae, Jnhn Curtis., Stuart Morson. Keith Henderson and Geoffrey Vai idErfitld.T

J, Clin. Neuroscience Volume 3 Number 1 January 1996 5

Fig. 2 Sir Hjgn Cairr-siH Mjrdi OE^H, inmn rothM of MFj AdclAFfla,

The Nuffield benefactionOne of Calms' ^Tcale'sl Icyarir.i wilj his roll," in CE>r,lvinC" i ng- Lord Nuffield to endow the cl Ln kaJ medical school in Oxford and lo promote rrj^ii.rch in medicine. Much of this clTurt v.aa iwciikliated by Cairiu' esodlent cminec- tiniw - he had married tine daughter of AX. Smiah, die tegci.iclu.i y Master of HjiII iol College. Lord Naaiii+zkl gave £E5 million, in 1936 and 1937 id the Oxford Med il J School project and this was quite separate from his other benefactions io the NuHfcld Foundation. Jefferson wrote*in 1959 than‘...although Hugh Cairns was the real begetter of die final scheme', it would bu very iwid indeed if it were quite so virtuoso a solo performance as it prubaWjr appears or will appear to those who did nut know who was who in those days. Hugh was always one to enlist advice arvd Lo get the right people, people widi dif- Eerent knowledge arid different Influences. people who could help, on his side.

Multidisciplinary ResearchCairns had an uncanny knack tn being able Lo identify gifted professLuniJib in olbOr fielrh, and wjj I bus an early promo-Lcr of multidisciplinary research, lie collaborated with CS. 1 [uJlpake-3 Lei elucidating the pathology of

Fig. 3 Ek Hugh Cains about 1 y-car befewa his dtath.

M£iti£rr'ti syndrome. flu uranciatidiii with the physicist A.HLS, holbourn on crash helmets for motor cycllsuwaa ii landmark ilutiy. Lil the first 21 mon ihs of World War 11b 2 J£79 motor cycle riders and pillion passengers had been kilkrt on the road and two thirds of (hem were army riders. Cairns* seeutLg bo many of the army's dispatch riders killed or maimed, carried chic a vigorous campaign plihliLLijrig the advantages cdilie finish tirlmet in papers published in 194 k 1942. 1945 and 1946. In the 1943 paper/ lie 'Collaborated with rfolbourn in a description of the physics of brail! injury arid on llie action of the hel- rncu and ih* properties of the materials und in their construction. One of Gurus1 major legacies ia die mandatory use uf bed naris hy :1U molnr cycle riders and lliey should. long bit Sa him for die benefits of thia.

Cairns had an immense latent for being able to identify areas where advances in basic knowledge could bn applied! to clinical medicine Perhaps ihe best known example was his aBSi:M:iiitirjn with Flurry in thr clinical application n-f penirillin.10 Another project which now tends io be furgotten was ihe development of stfepao- myrin Ireqtmonl for niibrrculosis- Cairns and li is ax mcl- ates took up dih challenge with great enthusiasm,IJ an example cif Cairns’ Hair Tur teamwork, arid fcia' getting grind people lo work with him.

6 J„ cfln-Neurpsdertc* Volumes Number! January 1996

Cairns visit to Australasia in 1947/48Calms ivas the first Sms Commonweal di Travelling Professor and travelled by flying beau lakmg eight day's for ihe journey from. England to Sydney. He visited Melbourne, Adelaide. Sydney, Ajirckland-, VfaUingiHn, Christchurch and Dunedin, touring for four months, The visit was a grrai success mid. TAr Tfaui of The May 4, !£HR carried a leading ankle praising the worth of die tour, headed *A Surgeon Ambassador* 1

Cairn*" death at the relatively young ago of 56 cut him off when lit was sailing on the full flood. His achievements on the wojJd stage were enorcnoui and are a source of great pride io all Allufalamian neurOMirgrons.

AcknowledgmentWc would like tn thank Pnafeswr C-J- Fraenkel fur his helpful arhice and for the use of die photographs.

ReferencesI FraenleLCJ. Hugh Cairns. First FTuflkM PtoftHnrof

Surgery L'rawersiry of Oxford. Oxford, Oxford UnoVCTlity Prcisjwi: I.

2. Can ns H. A Study cif Intracranial Surgery. Spec Rep Sei med Kei Cuuia 9929.

3. /efFer^in Ci, Memories of Hugh Cuini&J. Neurol. Ncuiosurg. IhydibMty 1959; 22: 155- ltjfl.

■1. Miller Li. A Surgeon's Story. Sidney [okra Fcrgumt Piy. Lid, IW&JV2.

5, Curtis [R, Miller |J, Simpson D. Tin* NeufOiuj i^ical Society nf AuNLcaitudt the first fony years. Aeim N 7 | Sue;. lUfiD; 30:1S4-4S7,

fi. CtliriU H. Neurosurgery in I he Briiish Ai njy> |iJ3!i J MIL hrJSurg 1947; War Surgery SuppL;!>-26.

7. impwn DA,Jam lawn KG, Morson SM.Thi* foundadorii of tKUrOIXirgcry in AusrraJiaand New Zealand. AustN Z l Suig. 1974; 44:215-227.

H. Calms H and HzdJpjkcCS. Ofucrwuoius ijji the Pathology -'I M£nifei tfs Sycidrume. Pftw: R Sot Med. 195R; Si: 1317 1321.

9. Qasms H and Hulhoum H, Head Injuries in MoDQf-Cydists. with Spccul Befetcncc to Crash Hclrnclx Br Med J 1943; 1: Sfll-GflEL

10. MacTwIwte G_ Howard Florey. Oxford OKluid University Pre®, 1979: S2&

1L CaJmd H, Ikiihie ES-, and Smith I EV. IntratlHUalStreptomycin Lft Meningitis Cllnkil Trials in Ttibciculaus, Colilunn and Other Sntcctinns. Ijincet 1!M6;2: 133-155.

Cairns, Sir Hugh William Bell - Australian Dictionary of Biography – ANU