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As it was in the beginning . . .the British Medical Association (Victorian Branch)
Insights
The British Medical Association
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Professional Associations
Background:
- The establishment of the British Medical Association (BMA) branches across the Commonwealth.
- Victoria, a densely populated Australian state, saw the later formation of a BMA branch.
Observation:
- Internal conflicts within the Victorian medical society, including dissatisfaction, cliques, and varying ethical views.
- The catalyst for the new branch was the blackballing of a candidate due to his ancestry.
- A key supporter of the rejected candidate resigned from the existing society and co-founded the new BMA branch.
Findings:
- The co-founders, Dr. Neild and Dr. Louis Henry, led the new BMA branch for years.
- They achieved prominent positions in medicine, music, and other fields.
Implications:
- Highlights the impact of social prejudice on professional medical organizations.
- Demonstrates how internal disputes can lead to the formation of new professional bodies.
- Underscores the long-term influence of founding members on professional associations.
Abstract:
Branches of the British Medical Association arose throughout the Commonwealth, one of the later being in Victoria, one of the smaller and thickly populated of the States. There were the usual causes. Dissatisfaction led to cliques, views of ethics varied with age and position and ambitions clashed. But the immediate causa causans was the blackballing of a candidate whose merits were his own, but whose ancestory was condemned. His "fidus Achates", with many traits in common who had been 20 years the mainstay, and 18 years the Editor, of the existing and repellant Medical Society of Victoria, promptly resigned, and refused repeated offers to return even at the price of a testimonial. SoDr Neild and Dr Louis Henry came together and between them ran the Branch for years and in process of time took prominent positions medically, musically and many ways.