Guide to the Records of the British Medical Association (as filmed by the AJCP)
M2563 - M2564
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2019
Collection Summary
- Creator
- British Medical Association
- Title
- Records of the British Medical Association (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1914 - 1958
- Collection Number
- M2563 - M2564
- Extent
- 36 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The records include correspondence, minutes and extracts relating to the Australian branches of the BMA.
Correspondents include Dr R.H. Todd, Sir Henry Brackenbury, Dr J.C. Matthews, Dr J. Newman Morris, George S. Thompson, Dr Robert V. Storer and Dr John G. Hunter.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Archival History
Filmed at the Contemporary Medical Archives Centre, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London, as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project, 1989 (AJCP Reel:M2563-M2564). Original microfilm digitised as part of the NLA AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
Contemporary Medical Archives Centre, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, Euston Road, London.
Collection Reference: SA/BMA. For more information see Records of the British Medical Association at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine.[https://wellcomelibrary.org/]
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2303232] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Related Materials
The AJCP also filmed the following material from the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine:M2565 Eugenics Society Archive[https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2303242]
M2570-M2574 Contemporary Medical Archives Centre Miscellaneous Collections
Finding-aid Notes
This finding aid is a revised online version of the original finding aid prepared by the Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP), published by the National Library of Australia in 2018. The original AJCP finding aids were unpublished typescripts or photocopies available from libraries that held copies of the original microfilm.
Dates used in this finding aid refer to the date range of the records selected for filming rather than to the date range of the Series or Files.
Subjects
Brackenbury, Sir Henry; British Medical Association; Hunter, John G.; Matthews, J.C., Dr; Morris, J. Newman, Dr; Storer, Robert V.; Thompson, George S.; Todd, R.H., Dr
Bibliography
Originally cited in Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 8: Miscellaneous (M) Series. Third Edition, published 1998. Entry 55, p19. [http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-397322928]
Biographical / Historical
The BMA was founded in 1832 by Sir Charles Hastings. In 1879 the six BMA members in South Australia formed the South Australian Branch. This was quickly followed by the formation of branches in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, West Australia and Tasmania. In 1921 the BMA articles and bylaws were changed to permit overseas groups of branches to become locally incorporated or self-governing. In 1934 the Federal Committee of the BMA in Australia became incorporated, with the title of Federal Council of the BMA in Australia. In 1962 the six BMA branches were formally dissolved and the independent Australian Medical Association founded.
Item Descriptions
Series A. Organisation, 1914 - 1947
27 itemsSubseries A 4. Incorporation of Overseas Branches: Minutes: Correspondence with Australian Federal Committee, 29 June 1921 - 19 October 1928
4 items
Central Ethical Committee, 11 January 1927 (File)
Confidential communications to members: questions raised by Australian Federal committee as to amendment of model memorandum of Association of an incorporated branch including possibly amendment of the memorandum of association of the parent body. (15p)
Correspondence between BMA and Dr R H Todd (London and Sydney), 9 July 1921 - 19 October 1928 (File)
Re incorporation of Australian branches and proposed changes to model memorandum of associations (118p).
Includes: 3 Feb 1926 E.F. Mitchell, Melbourne. Case for opinion of Council and opinion of Council in re confidential communications to members.
Subseries A 33. Australian Federal Committee: Constitution of Australian Federal Committee: Proposal to Form Federal Council for Australia (181p), 1914 - 1947
1 item
Extracts from minutes of Organisation Committee and Council, 1914 - 1947 (File)
General
Report on Conference re capitation fee in Australia, 29 June 1932, London; memorandum on organisation of the medical profession in Australia, 1938; minutes of special committee on Association organisation in Australia and South Africa, 11 July 1939; Annual subscription to Association from members in Australia; correspondence and reports of conference.
Subseries A 34. Australian Federal Committee: Constitution of Australian Federal Committee: Correspondence A-D, 1931 - 27 July 1938
7 items
Correspondence with BMA's accountant, 8 October 1937 - 8 April 1938 (File)
Regarding delay in answering Australian letters and remittance received from Australian members (5p)
Correspondence with Prof. Richard J A Berry (Bristol), Representative for Queensland and NSW, 1931 - 4 May 1938 (File)
Re subscriptions paid by Australian members, and formation of an Australian Medical Association (109p).
Includes : BMA (Queensland Branch) Annual report of the Council 1931 (printed); report of Conference re position of Association in Australia, 6 Oct 1932; 9 Nov 1934 Walter C Dobbie (BMA, Adelaide) to Berry; Minutes of Council Meeting [of South Australian Branch] 3 Jan 1935, 6 Dec 1934, 7 Feb 1935; Minutes of Federal Council of BMA in Australia, 4th session, 28 Feb 1935, 8th session, 19 Aug 1937; Federal Council of BMAin Australia, report 1936/37.
Correspondence with Sir Henry Brackenbury (London), Chairman of Council, 5 July 1932 - 4 July 1938 (File)
Re the position of the BMA in Australia. Includes: Report of conference re capitation fee in Australia, 29 June 1932. (42p)
Correspondence with L.R. Broster (London), 18 July 1938 - 27 July 1938 (File)
Re BMA meeting in Plymouth and Australian scheme of loaning articles in Journal. (5p)
Correspondence with Dr A.J. Collins (Sydney) re Newman Morris' scheme for separation. (3p), 17 November 1937 - 20 December 1937 (File)
Correspondence with Dr H. Guy Dain (Birmingham) re Newman Morris' plans (3p), 29 September 1937 - 17 May 1938 (File)
Correspondence with Dr T P Dunhill (London) Representative of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australian Branches, 20 March 1931 - 26 January 1936 (File)
Re Dunhill's attendance at council meetings and the position of the BMA in Australia (48p)
Includes: Report of Conference re Capitation Fee in Australia, 29 June 1932; Report of Conference re position of Association in Australia, 6 Oct 1932.
Subseries A 35. Australian Federal Committee: Constitution of Australian Federal Committee: Correspondence E-L, 1 July 1930 - 11 February 1947
6 items
Correspondence with L Ferris-Scott, BMA Financial Secretary, 1 July 1930 - 5 February 1936 (File)
General
Re subscriptions paid by Australian members and financial questions arising from proposed Federal Council for Australia (21p).
Correspondence with Dr R.G. Gordon (Limpley Stoke), 24 May 1938 (File)
Re possible special despatch of Journal to Australian members (5p).
Correspondence with N. Bishop Harman (London), 27 October 1930 - 27 September 1937 (File)
Re proposed Federal Council of BMA in Australia (40p). Includes: Report on Conference re Capitation Fee in Australia 29 June 1932; Report on conference re position of Association in Australia, 6 Oct 1932
Correspondence with Messrs Hempsons, Solicitors, London, 3 October 1930 - 11 February 1947 (File)
Re proposed Federal Council of BMA in Australia and Australian members' subscriptions (116p).
Includes: Copies of letters from R H Todd (Sydney); Memorandum of Association of the Federal Council of the BMA in Australia; Draft form of agreement Federal Council of BMA in Australia and the BMA; Memorandum and Articles of Association and by laws of Federal Council of BMA in Australia Sydney, Australasian Medical Publishing Co Ltd, 1933 (printed); Opinion by Montagu Gedge on Formation of groups within the Association in Australia, 1937.
Correspondence with Dr Isaac Jones (London) re letter Victor Hurley to Dr Hunter (BMA, Australia), 29 April 1938 - 3 May 1938 (File)
Re the organisation of medical profession in Australia and relationship with BMA in England (14p). (Copy of letter included)
Correspondence with Dr E.K. Le Fleming (Wimborne) re BMA in Australia (24p), 21 September 1932 - 11 July 1939 (File)
Includes: Copy of letter of 30 Aug 1937 from Dr J Newman Morris (Melbourne) re proposal break away from BMA by Australian association and disquiet in profession in Australia at inforced registration of refugee doctors; Minutes of special committee on Association reorganisation in Australia and South Africa 11 July 1939. (24p)
Subseries A 36. Australian Federal Committee: Constitution of Australian Federal Committee: Correspondence M-Z, 27 April 1932 - 2 January 1947
9 items
Correspondence with Dr J C Matthews (Liverpool), 28 November 1932 - 11 August 1938 (File)
Re organisation of Association in Australia, and formation of special groups within the Association (45p).
Includes: Draft of Victor Hurley's letter to Dr Hunter (Federal Council of BMA in Australia) April 1938; Minutes of regulations and standing orders Sub-Committee conference re Australia and South Africa, Plymouth, 17 July 1938.
Correspondence with Dr E S Meyers (Brisbane), 21 April 1929 - 6 November 1933 (File)
Re formation of Federal Council; Overseas subscriptions; BMA loyalty in Queensland. (14p)
Correspondence with Dr J Newman Morris (Melbourne), 16 June 1932 - 25 April 1938 (File)
Re reduction in Australian members' subscription; His proposal for independence of branches in Australia; problem of refugee doctors. (32p)
Correspondence with Sir Henry Newland (London) re Australian members' subscriptions (29p), 6 June 1932 - 24 November 1932 (File)
Includes: Report on conference re position of Association in Australia, 6 October 1932.
Correspondence with New South Wales Branch (5p), 27 April 1932 - 16 June 1932 (File)
Includes: 27 April 1932 J.R. Ryan (Lismore) to BMA, London re disagreements on policy between local branch associations in NSW and New South Wales Branch
Correspondence with Dr J.A. Pridham (Weymouth), 31 December 1946 - 2 January 1947 (File)
Re proposed amendment to Constitution of Federal Council (3p)
Correspondence with J.R. Ryan (North Eastern Medical Association, Lismore), 27 April 1932 - 6 September 1932 (File)
Re the local Association's disagreement over matters of hospital and advertising policy with NSW branch (10p).
Series D. Ethics, 1915 - 1958
9 items
Subseries D 104. Correspondence with New South Wales Branch with Reference to Bringing a Disciplinary Case Before the Authorities in New South Wales (160p), 1926
Includes: Minutes of Central Ethical Committee, 26 May 1926-11 Jan 1927; correspondence with Dr Todd (Sydney), W.H. Hempson (London); case for opinion of council; General Medical Council Memorandum as to the constitution, functions and procedure; opinion of Stuart Bevan, KC, 8 Nov 1926; memorandum and articles of Association of NSW branch of BMA, 1923; opinion of F.M. Mitchell, (Melbourne), 5 March 1926.
Subseries D 150. Ethical Rules of Australian Branches, 1926
Includes: Minutes of Central Ethical Committee, 23 Oct 1928; revised model rules governing procedure in ethical matters of a branch in Australia; correspondence with Dr Todd (Sydney) 1926 -1930; correspondence with Oswald Hempson (London) 1928.
(120p)
Subseries D 159. Cavendish Institute of Pathology and Venereology and Dr R.V. Storer (119p), 1933 - 1958
1 item
Correspondence and minutes concerning Dr Robert Vivian Storer, 1933 - 1958 (File)
Correspondents include: Dr John Hunter (Sydney); L. Ferris Scott (BMA, London); Dr R.V. Storer, (London); Michael Hesseltine (GMC,London); Dr H. W. Starkey (Nottingham); Dr J.P. Maror (Melbourne).
Biographical / Historical
Dr Robert Vivian Storer, formerly of Australia, who established the Cavendish Institute of Pathology and Venereology at Cavendish Square London, was struck off the Medical Register in England and Australia in 1935, and re-established the Cavendish Laboratories (A/SIA), Bourke Street, Melbourne, c.1947
Subseries D 178. Notice Regarding Appointments, Colonial, New South Wales, All Friendly Society Appointments, Minutes Extracts, Correspondence etc, 1915 - 1938
Includes: Extracts from agenda and minutes of Central Ethical Committee, 8 Jan 1915 - 19 Dec 1933; extracts from BMJ; correspondence with Dr R.H. Todd, and Dr Hunter NSW branch, 1914 - 1938 re dispute with Friendly Societies re rates of pay for medical work; C.E.C.notices in BMJ regarding appointments, 1914 - 1938.
(147p)
Subseries D 179. Notice Regarding Appointment: Queensland I. Brisbane Associated Friendly Societies and Australian Natives Association, 1915 - 1939
Includes: Extracts from agenda and minutes of Central Ethical Committee, 1915 - 1937; correspondence with Queensland branch, BMA re dispute with Friendly Societies and Australian Natives Association re low remuneration for medical work, 1914 - 1939; C.E.C. notices in BMJ regarding appointments.
(209p)
Subseries D 180. Notice Regarding Appointments: Queensland II. Toowoomba Association, Friendly Societies Medical Institute, Toowoomba; Minutes, Correspondence etc., 1931 - 20 December 1933
Includes: Extracts from agenda and minutes of Central Ethical Committee, 1931 - 1932; Correspondence with:- Messrs Hempsons, Solicitors, (London) re expulsion by Queensland branch of doctors associated with Toowoomba Friendly Society Medical Institute, 14 Nov 1931 - 30 May 1932;
Dr A Lyndon, (Hindhead) re Doctors Alexander and David Horn, 4 December 1931 - 27 June 1932.
Dr D.J. McDonnell (Toowoomba) re BMA Contract Medical Service in Toowoomba, 8 January 1931 [ie 1932] - 17 February 1932. (Dr McDonnell's letter written on reverse of BMA Contract Medical Service flyer)
Dr B. Clarke, (Queensland Branch, Brisbane) re dispute with Toowoomba Associated Friendly Societies' Medical Institute, and foundation of BMA Contract Medical Service, 21 Sept 1931 - 20 December 1933.
Includes: Amended rules; contract attendance - Friendly Society Lodges; galley proofs of draft of amended by laws Queensland Branch BMA.
Copies of correspondence Queensland Branch BMA Drs. Horn and T.A.F.S.M.I. re non recognition of T.A.F.S.M.I.; copy of agreement between Queensland Branch BMA and T.A.F.S.M.I. re 'open panel'.
(156p)
Subseries D 181. Notice Regarding Appointments, Colonial, South Australia, Friendly Society Dispensaries, 1915 - 1932
Includes: Extracts from minutes and agenda, Central Ethical Committee, 1915 - 1933; correspondence with Walter C. Dobbie (BMA South Australian Branch, Adelaide) re disagreement with Friendly Societies, 12 Dec 1929- 18 Feb 1932.
(33p)
Subseries D 189. Thompson v NSW Branch. Extracts, Minutes, Correspondence etc., 1923 - 1932
Material concering Dr George Stanley Thompson, a member of the NSW Branch. In March 1921, Dr Thompson published in a Sydney newspaper criticisms of the professional handling of a case by another practioner. The case concerned the sanity of Mrs Farr of Dunedin, N.Z. He was expelled from membership of the branch. In May 1922 Dr Thompson filed a declaration and claimed £5,000 damages from the BMA. At the first hearing the jury returned a verdict for Dr Thompson, but he lost the case on appeal to the Supreme Court. Dr Thompson then appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council - which upheld the verdict of the Supreme Court. In 1932 Dr Thompson, now practicing in London, applied to be re-elected to the BMA, his request was refused.
Correspondents include: G.C. Anderson (Medical Secretary, BMA), Sir Henry Brackenbury (BMA), Dr R.H. Todd (BMA, Sydney); (letter of 19 June 1923 gives background to case and discussion of Thompson's eccentric character); Dr W.H. Crago (Sydney); W.E. Hempson, (solicitor, London); Sir Henry Newland (London); Dr G.S. Thompson (Sydney and London).
Includes: Extracts from BMJ, 1924; extracts from Council agenda and minutes, 1924; newspaper cuttings; Judgement of Supreme Court, NSW, 7 May 1923 (printed); Judgement in Supreme Court, NSW (lunacy) re Maud Farr, 3 May 1921 (printed); opinion of W. Hempson re appeal to Privy Council, 9 May 1924; Memorandum and articles of association of NSW Branch of BMA. 1913 (printed)
(197p)