T he John Austin Society welcomes all members of the Queen's and Kingston community. Named after Lorimer John "Blimey" Austin, who was Professor of Surgery at Queen's from 1926-1945, the purpose of the Society is to promote an interest in the history of medicine, science and allied professions by providing opportunities for fellowship and continuing education, and by encouraging and fostering research by its members. To this end, we meet several times a year for presentations by members or guests on topics of medical or scientific interest - broadly interpreted. We hope you will find our slate of speakers and topics interesting and enlightening, and will join us as often as you wish. You may bring guests along as well.

Speakers for the 2011-2012 season

October 13th:  Meryn Stuart (Univ. Ottawa) & Jackie Duffin on "The Feminization of Medicine. Voices from the Second Wave." [After a brief Annual Meeting of the JAS. ] Note this particular meeting will begin at 6-00 pm.

November 17th:  Topics by Medical Students: Victoria Squissato on "From Vanity to Sanity: the Legitimization of Plastic Surgery;" Emily Swinkin on "Sex Behind Bars: A History of Condoms in Prison;" Daniel Ting on "Kidney Transplant Tourism by Canadians: An Emerging Public Health Concern."

March 22nd: John Schreiner on "The 2003 Nobel Prize and Then Some: The Influence of Physics on Medicine."

May 10th:  Greg Baran on "Update on Military Medicine 1812 with Guest Speaker, the Regimental Surgeon for the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry."

A Brief History. In 1964 three members of the Queen's medical faculty decided it would be desirable to establish a convivial medico/historical society. The founding meeting was held on April 9th 1965 in Etherington Hall under the chairmanship of the then Associate Dean of Medicine, Dr. John Firstbrook. Some 20 interested persons met and considered that even though, as alleged, 'history is bunk', spending an occasional evening in congenial company talking about each other's historical or cultural hobby-horses would be a welcome relief from one's day to day responsibilities.

Dr. Ford Connell suggested the society be called the John Austin Society after his mentor and later colleague, distinguished former professor of surgery, Dr. Lorimer John Austin (1880-1945). After discussion this name was unanimously adopted.

The first paper presented was by Dr. Ford Connell on the subject of John 'Blimey' Austin. John Austin studied medicine in England at Cambridge and the London Hospital. He gained much practical experience as a surgical registrar in London's East End (hence the cockney slang name of 'Blimey'). In 1914 at the beginning of the Great War he volunteered as a surgeon with the Red Cross. He left England on August 16th and was sent to reconnoitre the set-up of a hospital near Namur in Southern Belgium. The German advance on Namur was faster than expected and despite Red Cross credentials by Tuesday lunchtime JA was a prisoner of war. He was repatriated five gruelling months later, to become an army major and work in field hospitals in Rouen. In 1920 he was recruited to come to Queen's. He played an instrumental role in the development of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and advanced the practice of surgery at Queen's. With his sister, Miss Austin, as housekeeper, JA gave a home-from-home to legions of medical students over the years. Brother and sister were noted characters in the community.

The John Austin society met firstly in private homes, and latterly at the Faculty (now University) Club.