Alan Brown, the man J. HARRY EBBS, MD, FRCP[C]
"The Hospital for Sick Children, the would reduce the rate by 50%. Robertgrowth of paediatrics in Canada, the son responded by appointing him an training of those later to become pro- assistant physician and in 1920 Brown's fessors of paediatrics and practicing report to the chairman stated that inpaediatricians, all owe to Alan Brown fant mortality had indeed been rea tremendous debt. It was due to his duced - from 155 to 88/1000 admisdistinctive personality, his excellent sions. This accomplishment marked the training and prodigious reading of pae- beginning of Alan Brown's career as a diatric literature that he became one of pioneer in pediatrics. He continued to the greatest paediatricians in Canadian press for changes in infant care and treatment and, following Robertson's history."1 Alan Brown was born in 1887 at death, was named physician in chief Clinton, Ont. His mother was one of and associate professor in the subdethe first two female students admitted partment of pediatrics. He attracted many outstanding peto the University of Toronto school of medicine at a time when women were diatricians and research workers to the instructed separately from men. She left hospital, and under his leadership many medical school after 2 years to raise innovations were implemented. In 1920 he brought Angela Courtney from New a family. Her son also attended the Univer- York to start a research laboratory and sity of Toronto school of medicine; he Frederick Tisdall arrived the same year was an excellent student and active to begin an illustrious career in the in sports. He tried out for the track field of nutrition research. Dr. Gladys team and, after breaking his hand while Boyd was also appointed to the staff practising for the Varsity football team, in 1920, and when insulin was disbecame its manager. He later became covered in 1922 Dr. Frederick Banting its president and was elected to the uni- joined her in treating children with versity's athletic directorship. He gradu- diabetes. The Society for the Study of Diated in 1909 with honours and was seases of Children (later the Canadian awarded a silver medal. Following internship at The Hospital Paediatric Society) was created by a for Sick Children he spent 3 years at small group under Brown's chairmanthe Babies Hospital, New York, study- ship in 1922. Brown helped found the ing under the renowned pediatrician, University of Toronto Institute of Child Dr. Emmet Holt. He took further train- Study as well. Outpatient clinics were organized ing in Germany, Austria and France and returned to Toronto to establish a at The Hospital for Sick Children for the treatment of congenital syphilis, and practice. Although he referred his patients to nutritional, cardiac and neurologic conThe Hospital for Sick Children he ditions. A special ambulance service could not obtain an appointment on its was instituted to transport prematurely staff. He was appalled at the high in- born infants, and the first psychologifant mortality at the hospital and wrote cal clinic for children in Canada was to its benefactor and chairman, John established. Adequate trials of new research Ross Robertson, claiming that if he were in charge of the infant ward he techniques were strongly encouraged. Although preliminary clinical trials of polio convalescent serum were inconclusive, Brown had large quantities Reprint requests to: Dr. 3. Harry Ebbs, The shipped to Winnipeg when an epidemic Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University occurred there. Measles convalescent Ave., Toronto, Ont. M5G 1X8
serum was tested and reported to be unsatisfactory. Nutrition research was a major area of effort under the leadership of Fred Tisdall. Surveys of dietary habits and studies of deficiency diseases among pregnant women, schoolchildren, Indians and Inuit were conducted in conjunction with studies on iron- and vitamin-enriched foods. Research in this area led to the designing of prisoner-of-war food parcels for the Allies. As a result of his training in New York and Europe Brown was a proponent of "scientific" feeding. He was also an advocate of breast-feeding. Brown illustrated the principle that "good work is self-expenditure". Some of his students and staff disliked his disposition and unconventional methods but all recognized his expertise in diagnosis and teaching. He did not hold staff meetings but encouraged attendance at out-of-town clinics for crippled children and babies, and public meetings on child-care subjects. He believed the hospital should actively serve the community beyond its walls and gave his services freely. His retirement after 36 years brought to an end a rich and productive career. It was an occasion for sadness and nostalgia. Brown had been a pioneer in pediatrics in Canada and a new and overwhelming world had grown up around him. He found it difficult to cope at the large new hospital and missed "the old friendly home we had at 67 College St." On Sept. 9, 1960 The Globe and A-fail (Toronto) paid him the following tribute: "When Dr. Alan Brown died this week, there passed from the scene a brilliant, irascible, dictatorial, dedicated man who was generally considered to be the best baby doctor Canada ever had." Reference 1. SILVERTHORNE NL: My most unforgettable character. Readers Digest: Apr 1962, p 92
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"The Hospital for Sick Children, the would reduce the rate by 50%. Robertgrowth of paediatrics in Canada, the son responded by appointing him an training of those later to become pro- assistant physician and in 1920 Brown's fessors of paediatrics and practicing report to the chairman stated that inpaediatricians, all owe to Alan Brown fant mortality had indeed been rea tremendous debt. It was due to his duced - from 155 to 88/1000 admisdistinctive personality, his excellent sions. This accomplishment marked the training and prodigious reading of pae- beginning of Alan Brown's career as a diatric literature that he became one of pioneer in pediatrics. He continued to the greatest paediatricians in Canadian press for changes in infant care and treatment and, following Robertson's history."1 Alan Brown was born in 1887 at death, was named physician in chief Clinton, Ont. His mother was one of and associate professor in the subdethe first two female students admitted partment of pediatrics. He attracted many outstanding peto the University of Toronto school of medicine at a time when women were diatricians and research workers to the instructed separately from men. She left hospital, and under his leadership many medical school after 2 years to raise innovations were implemented. In 1920 he brought Angela Courtney from New a family. Her son also attended the Univer- York to start a research laboratory and sity of Toronto school of medicine; he Frederick Tisdall arrived the same year was an excellent student and active to begin an illustrious career in the in sports. He tried out for the track field of nutrition research. Dr. Gladys team and, after breaking his hand while Boyd was also appointed to the staff practising for the Varsity football team, in 1920, and when insulin was disbecame its manager. He later became covered in 1922 Dr. Frederick Banting its president and was elected to the uni- joined her in treating children with versity's athletic directorship. He gradu- diabetes. The Society for the Study of Diated in 1909 with honours and was seases of Children (later the Canadian awarded a silver medal. Following internship at The Hospital Paediatric Society) was created by a for Sick Children he spent 3 years at small group under Brown's chairmanthe Babies Hospital, New York, study- ship in 1922. Brown helped found the ing under the renowned pediatrician, University of Toronto Institute of Child Dr. Emmet Holt. He took further train- Study as well. Outpatient clinics were organized ing in Germany, Austria and France and returned to Toronto to establish a at The Hospital for Sick Children for the treatment of congenital syphilis, and practice. Although he referred his patients to nutritional, cardiac and neurologic conThe Hospital for Sick Children he ditions. A special ambulance service could not obtain an appointment on its was instituted to transport prematurely staff. He was appalled at the high in- born infants, and the first psychologifant mortality at the hospital and wrote cal clinic for children in Canada was to its benefactor and chairman, John established. Adequate trials of new research Ross Robertson, claiming that if he were in charge of the infant ward he techniques were strongly encouraged. Although preliminary clinical trials of polio convalescent serum were inconclusive, Brown had large quantities Reprint requests to: Dr. 3. Harry Ebbs, The shipped to Winnipeg when an epidemic Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University occurred there. Measles convalescent Ave., Toronto, Ont. M5G 1X8
serum was tested and reported to be unsatisfactory. Nutrition research was a major area of effort under the leadership of Fred Tisdall. Surveys of dietary habits and studies of deficiency diseases among pregnant women, schoolchildren, Indians and Inuit were conducted in conjunction with studies on iron- and vitamin-enriched foods. Research in this area led to the designing of prisoner-of-war food parcels for the Allies. As a result of his training in New York and Europe Brown was a proponent of "scientific" feeding. He was also an advocate of breast-feeding. Brown illustrated the principle that "good work is self-expenditure". Some of his students and staff disliked his disposition and unconventional methods but all recognized his expertise in diagnosis and teaching. He did not hold staff meetings but encouraged attendance at out-of-town clinics for crippled children and babies, and public meetings on child-care subjects. He believed the hospital should actively serve the community beyond its walls and gave his services freely. His retirement after 36 years brought to an end a rich and productive career. It was an occasion for sadness and nostalgia. Brown had been a pioneer in pediatrics in Canada and a new and overwhelming world had grown up around him. He found it difficult to cope at the large new hospital and missed "the old friendly home we had at 67 College St." On Sept. 9, 1960 The Globe and A-fail (Toronto) paid him the following tribute: "When Dr. Alan Brown died this week, there passed from the scene a brilliant, irascible, dictatorial, dedicated man who was generally considered to be the best baby doctor Canada ever had." Reference 1. SILVERTHORNE NL: My most unforgettable character. Readers Digest: Apr 1962, p 92
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