Lawson Tait : his life and work, with personal reminiscences... / [Christopher Martin].

  • Martin, Christopher, 1866-1933
Date:
[1931]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Lawson Tait : his life and work, with personal reminiscences... / [Christopher Martin]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    40/56 page 22
    and the late Dr. Saundby of Birmingham, up the Severn. Saundby and I were at the prow ; and as the launch went up stream, we noticed we were getting into very shallow water. We shouted back to warn Mr. Tait ; but he was busy cooking our lunch in a frying pan, a weird mixture of eggs, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Suddenly, the stern grounded, the current swept the boat sideways and we were nearly capsized. As it was, the frying pan and its contents were upset, and our lunch spoilt. Mr. Tait called us a pack of damned fools, seized the tiller, and got us safely to shore. We scrambled out and sat on the bank, whilst he proceeded to cook another lunch for us in the boat. Speaking of Saundby reminds me of a characteristic incident. Tait read a paper before the Midland Medical Society ; and after it there was a rather heated discussion. Saundby and Tait flatly contradicted each other. Finally Saundby blurted out, “ Really, Mr. Lawson Tait is the rudest man I know.” Tait at once retorted, “ It is very strange that Dr. Saundby cannot open his mouth without insulting somebody.” It was the pot calling the kettle black ! And yet it did not interfere with their friendship ; they went out arm in arm and had supper together. He was an able and convincing speaker, ready in retort, quick to see the weak points in his opponent’s arguments, and clever in concealing his own. In 1895 he read a paper on “ The Germ Theory of Disease ” before the Birmingham Branch of the British Medical Association. He had the cream of the local surgical talent against him—Jordan Lloyd, Priestley Smith, Gilbert Barling, Leedham Green, all refuting his arguments. But he was a match for the lot of them, and came out of the debate with flying colours ; though we all knew that they were right and he was wrong. He was an ugly enemy ; and when he hit he hit hard, and did hot mind whether it was above or below the belt. He was some¬ times also inaccurate in his facts and figures. He hated hypocrites, humbugs, and cowards ; but rather liked those who had the courage to stand up to him. I remember once he went to a patient’s room, and rang the bell several times for a nurse ; but no one came. He stormed out of the room, and down the corridor to the nurses’ sitting-room. There he met a new nurse, an Irish girl, who had just joined his staff. “ Where the devil have all the nurses got to ? ” he roared. “ I am damned if I know, Sir,” she calmly answered. This soft answer turned away his wrath and rather pleased him.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3