The sun., 1901-12-18
SIR WILLIAM MAC CORMACS LIFE.
Famous British surgeon n Victim Of tho
DOer War.

LONDON. Dec. 8-Sir William MacCor-
macs death az the age OF e5 cannot be
considered other than premature. The
famous surgeon was, in fact, one Of the
many thousand victims Of the Boer war.
'His giant frame and consummate surgical
skill and knowledge says writer In the
Outlook, .seemed good 10 ward of death
for many wears yet But tho dysentery
he contracted in South Africa was the
chief cause of his death.
William MacCormac was born in january.
1898. at Belfast, where his father, Henry
MacCormac, NJ. D., was in practice as
physician. William was the eldest son
and was educated for the medical profession
In Dublin and Paris. He graduated In
arts, medicine, and surgery at the Queens
University Of Ireland, and commenced
practice in Belfast, where he became sur
geon to the General Hospital. Not being
entirely satisfied with the prospects open
to him In his native place, he determined
to seek his fortune in London, where he
had established himself. and was begin
ming to be looked upon as man likely To
rise In his profession, at the outbreak Of
the Franco German War in 1870.
Wishing to embrace so good an oppor-
tunity of acquiring experience in military
surgery, he fastened 10 Paris, where he
found Sir John Furley, the representative
Of the then newly established British Red
Cross Society; DR.. Franks, formerly an
English Army surgeon and then OF Cannes,
and DIR. Marion Sims OF New lork-all
bent upon rendering service to the wounded
As the result Of a conference between these
gentlemen it was decided that they should
combine their forces for the establish
ment OF an Anglo-American ambulance;
and Sir John Flrley, who went forward
to reconnoitre. having decided upon Sedan
as the place for commencing operations.
the ambulance proceeded thither, with Mr..
MacCormac as its chief surgeon. He re-
manned with the ambulance, in and about
Sedan, until the great bulk Of the wounded
had been dealt with. and was conspicu-
Gus for the zeal and ability with which his
duties were discharged The French and
German Governments both enrolled hi m
on their lists OF honor.
On his return TO England the London
Committee Of the Red Cross Society secured
his election against competitors better
known than himself as Assistant Surgeon
to the new St. Thomas's Hospital. This
appointment. says the writer of the obituary
notice in the Times. afforded him an oppor-
tunity OF exhibiting his powers as a surgeon
and as a teacher. and IL at once opened
the door to marked degree OF professional
success In due course OF time he became
full surgeon to the hospital and lecturer on
surgery In the medical school: and, after
many years Of service In these capacities.
at last accepted the retirement Of con-
sulting surgeon and emeritus lecturer
on clinical surgery.
In addition TO his appointments at st.
Thomas he was consulting surgeon TO the
French and Italian hospitals in London.
to Queen Charlotte's Hospital and 10 the
General Hospital al Belfast, and at various
times he has been examiner in surgery to
the University Of London and for the naval
military and East Indian services Of the
Crown. In 1879 he accompanied Lord Want
age TO the scene OF the Turko-Scrvtan War.
but his stay was not Of long duration. In
1881 he was honorary General Secretary TO
the International Medical Congress held
that year in London. a post for which his
many acquaintance among Continental
surgeons rendered him especially well fitted.
II was upon this occasion that he received
his knighthood from the late Queen.
He was a member 81 the council Of the
ROYAL College Of Surgeons of England.
and was elected President Of the college
In 1893, al Office to which be- was thrice
re4lected in successive years In 1897
he was created a Baronet on the occasion
% the jubilee. and appointed Surgeon Ia
Ordinary to tho Prince of Wales. upon
whom he was required "a attend In tho
followins wear. after tho accident 60 his
Royal Highness's knee In September
of that year hs wa made "a Knight - the
ROYAL Victorian Order. and. soon after
his hAjesty's aiD"ssiDu, vas appointed
honorary Sergeant Surgeon. bic vas an
honorary mrmbBr - the 81 Petersburg
Academy - Medicine, aud m"mt-,r -
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q pos-sssJr = uumHfpu- decorations o.
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tie Victorian Oriar. lo Sas a Knight Il
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