Sidney Dyke Bulkley River

EDITORIAL 323

Sidney Dyke Bulkley river. He travelled up to Hazleton

...... on the stern wheeler “The Royal City”, J Clin Pathol: first published as 10.1136/jcp.56.5.323 on 1 May 2003. Downloaded from working as an assistant to a Chinese cook, Tom Koo. Paying passengers were Sidney Dyke put ashore for the dangerous passage up the grand canyon. On the return journey W R Timperley, J Burston, E Howl the steamer jammed crossways in Kitse- ...... las canyon and broke in half, with half the steamer piling up at the canyon An inspiration to us all! mouth. Five men were drowned. According to an interview with a Van- couver Sun journalist in 1954, Sidney and he founding of the Association of and bought a large house called “Beech- a companion left the main party at British Pathologists (later the wood”. Hazleton and returned to Port Essington TAssociation of Clinical Pathologists Sidney’s father, John, had worked his in an enormous dugout manned by Indi- (ACP)) in 1927 was testimony to Dyke’s way across Canada to British Columbia, ans from the missionary settlement at professional standing and drive and was leaving his wife as “head nurse” in an Meansaniskit, “the city of God”, where the springboard for his inspired leader- Irish country house, after the final no smoking, drinking, or swearing were ship. During the course of his profes- collapse of his fortunes in an unsuccess- allowed. Sidney had to go half a mile up sional life and into retirement he had a ful attempt to run a brewery in Dublin, river for a quiet cigarette. profound and wholly beneficial influ- in which Edward had set him up as At one point he and a friend went ence on the practice of pathology in the manager. Thinking that British Colum- ashore in the Kisplax country, walked for UK, in Europe, and in much of the world. bia would be a good place to settle, his hours, alarmed by the footprints of griz- Sidney Campbell Dyke was born on 5 brother Edward and his daughter Laurie zly bears, spending the night up trees September 1886 and died on 3 March went out there to buy a 20 acre farm in and listening to bears snuffling around 1975, aged 88. His early life was compli- the Frazer valley, near Port Haney. His below. cated, his father having gone to Canada, wife and children followed at intervals He went on several survey expedi- leaving him to live with his father’s afterwards. This seems to have been tions, sometimes acting as cook and fol- brother, Edward. His aunt Kate, Ed- rather a disastrous purchase; the land lowed the gold rush trail of 1896 in ward’s wife, had lost her only son at the consisting largely of tree stumps after Alaska, noting the skeletons of the pack age of 14, one year before Sidney was the woods had been felled. Sidney Dyke animals lying by the track, together with born, and it seems likely that she recalled the thrill of stuffing a tree stump the many useless items of equipment conferred some of her affection for her with gunpowder, lighting the fuse, and that hopeful miners had abandoned, son to Sidney. He certainly grew up to be then running “like hell”. including a full sized billiard table. a warm and loving person himself and The transition to a flea ridden log From 1906 to 1909 he studied general somebody must have encouraged his cabin in the Frazer valley in 1899, aged arts at Toronto University. This course interest in books and reading. It is said 12, must have come as a shock. He was covered history and English literature that one of his earliest sayings was “me sent alone across the Atlantic with his 14 and he was awarded a first class honours http://jcp.bmj.com/ wants to learn”—a trait that lasted all year old brother from Tilbury to Ottawa degree. He was an avid reader with a his life. He went to the village school, on “harvesters tickets” costing £5, sleep- superb memory for poetry and the Bible wearing skirts, as was usual for boys up ing on a straw paliasse, covered with red and his advice to the young was to learn to the age of 5, and remembered his fear cotton, which stained his face pink. as much poetry as possible by the age of of the geese on the common he had to Not long after his arrival in Canada 20, because this would be what they cross because they pecked his legs. uncle Edward, who had recognised his would never forget. This quality re- potential, arranged for him to attend mained with him for the rest of his life

“During the course of his New Westminster High School and board and he became famous for his ability to on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. professional life and into locally. Sidney broke away from his fam- produce an apt quotation at medical retirement he had a profound and ily at this stage and was never close to meetings. In the early years of the second wholly beneficial influence on the them again. world war, when invasion was antici- practice of pathology” At school he founded and co-edited pated, he set himself the task of learning the school magazine, The Pharos, and the whole Bible so that if imprisoned he His sister, who visited every summer, when he matriculated he won the would have it in his head. remembered life at Taplow as an eternal “Governor-General’s Gold Medal”. On his return from Toronto he worked golden Edwardian summer. Uncle Ed- After leaving school he worked for a for three months as news editor of the ward had a houseboat, two punts, and a short time on the New Westminster Gazette, New Westminster Daily News and did some canoe. There was tennis and bathing. for which he wrote some short stories teaching at Vancouver High School. His Sidney remembered Boulter’s lock and gained a reputation as a wonderful love of teaching proved useful in the war crammed with punts, full of smart young storyteller. He was particularly proud of when he received anonymous food par- men in blazers and boaters, and beauti- a story about a man who had seduced cels from a former grateful pupil. ful girls with parasols. But the position of and deserted an Indian girl who took In 1910 he went up to Exeter College, Sidney and his elder brother Gordon in revenge by cutting his throat from ear to Oxford, as a Rhodes scholar to read their uncle’s household was somewhat ear while he slept. natural science with medicine in view. equivocal. They were treated very much He spoke little about his time in He saw the last days of an Oxford that as poor relations, eating with the staff in Canada with the exception of his adven- was to die in the mud of France. Each the servant’s hall where Sidney became tures while serving in the north, espe- student had a room with a small very devoted to the coachman Talbot. cially his voyage up the Skeena river in bedroom and a coal ﬁre, which was lit Edward ran a lucrative private school 1905. He had been ﬁred from his paper before rising by his scout. He described in Taplow, known as Taplow Grammar for inaccurate reporting of a Board of breakfast parties of lobster and cham- School. The school was subsequently Trade meeting and signed on as an pagne. Lectures were in the morning and sold and with the proceeds Edward suc- axeman with a survey party going up the not compulsory, the afternoon being free cessfully invested in land and housing Skeena river to the upper reaches of the for sport or long walks with friends. He

www.jclinpath.com 324 EDITORIAL rowed for Exeter College, being coached inﬂuenza epidemic was raging and many the constitution, inheritance, and the by the future Archbishop of Canterbury,

doctors died. He recalls visiting a house general importance of the blood groups; J Clin Pathol: first published as 10.1136/jcp.56.5.323 on 1 May 2003. Downloaded from Geoffrey Fisher. Many young men com- in a poor part of Abingdon where he had and both alone and in collaboration with bined the pleasures of Oxford with hard to climb over three dead bodies lying in a Mr BC Maybury, FRCS, he conducted study and he was one of these. He bed to reach the only one living. He him- experimental investigations into the graduated, again with a first class hon- self picked up the infection but fortu- routes and mode of infection of the kid- ours degree, in 1913, and won a scholar- nately survived. neys. The results of these various projects ship to St Mary’s Hospital. His love of His continuing interest in the applica- resulted in several publications. Oxford remained with him for the rest of tion of new methods in the laboratory He was admitted to the Member of the his life. investigation of disease and treatment Royal Collage of Physions in 1924 and While working in London, like many led to his first appointment after the war was awarded the degree of Doctor of other young colonials, he joined King as assistant microbiologist at the Univer- Medicine at the University of Oxford in Edward’s Horse as a volunteer. He sity of Durham Medical School in 1918. the same year. He always enjoyed wear- started the war as a trooper in the This post involved the teaching of bacte- ing the scarlet robes and velvet cap regiment described by a visiting general riology both to medical students and relevant to that degree. as “bloody rabble on horseback”. He was candidates for the diploma of public Also in 1924, he was appointed pa- anxious to qualify as rapidly as possible health, and the carrying out of diagnos- thologist and bacteriologist to the Royal and managed to cram 18 months of tic bacteriological work. While occupying Staffordshire General Hospital, which clinical training into six months and this post he began an investigation into became the Royal Hospital, Wolverhamp- qualified as Licentiate in Medicine and the prevalence of the various types of ton, where he worked until his retire- Surgery of Apothecaries, the lowest pos- pneumococci. ment in 1952. His reference from SG sible medical qualification in 1915. He Shattock, FRS, for that post survives and proceeded to France as captain in the reads as follows: “While in France he became Royal Army Medical Corp without filling “I have known Dr SC Dyke since he interested in the subject of any resident hospital appointments. was appointed pathologist to the units at While in France he became interested in nephritis, and while attached for a St Thomas’s Hospital in 1920. From my the subject of nephritis, and while short time to a base hospital he direct knowledge of his work I can say attached for a short time to a base hospi- was able to make observations, that he is, I think, an excellent patholo- tal he was able to make observations, which later resulted in several gist of the broader type. His knowledge, which later resulted in several publica- publications on trench nephritis” both practical and theoretical, extends to tions on “trench” nephritis. all the chief branches of pathology. His memories of France left him with In 1920, Sir Cuthbert Wallace, director He is an enthusiastic teacher and like- a deep hatred of war. He remembered the of the surgical unit, invited him to set up wise an able investigator, as his experi- jingoism of those who stayed at home a laboratory for the clinical unit at St mental work on the fate of staphylococci and how different it was from those at Thomas’s Hospital, London. The patho- in the kidney after intravenous injection, the front. He once said, jokingly, that if logical and bacteriological laboratories in the rabbit, proves. He is, moreover, a there ever was another war he would go were non-existent; his first duty was to most obliging colleague and conscien- in the navy because at least your feet tious officer.”

establish and equip them and to arrange http://jcp.bmj.com/ were not immersed in the mud. for a diagnostic service to be provided. Before leaving London he had been In 1917 he developed pleurisy and The work comprised a mixture of teach- elected Secretary to the pathological sec- suffered a haemoptysis, which in those ing, research, and, more importantly for tion of the Royal Society of Medicine. days was usually a sign of tuberculosis. Sidney, clinical diagnosis. The teaching The 1920s were a period of rapid He was invalided home to work in the consisted of lectures and classes in mor- advances in the scientific basis of medi- military hospital, which was housed in bid anatomy and histology, in clinical cine. Insulin had become available for the examination schools in Oxford. Here pathology and bacteriology, and in prac- the treatment of diabetes and liver began his lifelong interest in diagnostic tical histology; in addition, individual extracts for pernicious anaemia. Sidney on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. pathology. He acted as demonstrator in personal instruction was given to stu- became especially interested in these pathology and bacteriology in the de- dents, who were encouraged to work in conditions and was thrilled with the partment of pathology of the University the laboratories in their own time. His opportunity that this presented for treat- of Oxford, as clinical assistant to the research at that time was concerned ing diseases that were previously fatal. Oxford Eye Hospital, and as temporary mainly on the correlation between ab- Another contribution to local medicine tutor in physiology to Exeter College, normalities in renal function and the was the development of blood transfu- Oxford. One of his first students was a morphological changes in the kidney sion. He gave the first blood transfusion slim and beautiful woman called Janet and other organs. Other work included in his area and in 1925 collaborated with Smith, who was rather unenthusiasti- the Rotary Club to organise a voluntary cally engaged to the son of a bishop. They transfusion service. Donors were ur- fell in love and he asked her father’s per- gently summoned by a motorcyclist, mission to marry her (fig 1). After a even in the middle of the night, to be short engagement they were married—a rushed to hospital to save a life. By 1939, khaki wedding in September 1918. On this service had developed into the the evening before the wedding he Emergency Transfusion Service in antici- opened his Gideon Bible in his hotel pation of the coming war. His wife room, which fell open at the verse “thou headed a team of women who went shalt see thy children’s children and around local factories to enrol donors peace in the land”. and take blood samples. They returned to Oxford and set up In 1929, he was awarded the Radcliffe house in Longwall Street. That winter Prize for the Advancement of Medicine was so cold that the water carried by the University of Oxford and during upstairs by the maid had frozen in the Figure 1 Sidney Dyke and his wife Janet the 1920s he was twice offered professor- jug by the time it arrived, and the urine on the occasion of their golden wedding ships: one in pathology at Cairo Univer- froze in the chamber pot! At this time the anniversary, September 1968. sity; the other in Medicine at Chulalong

www.jclinpath.com EDITORIAL 325

Horn University in Bangkok. His daugh- circulated these to all members for the on pathology services, travelling in a ter, Dr Elizabeth Howl, recalls finding a benefit of those who were not able to transport Dakota, sitting on the floor, J Clin Pathol: first published as 10.1136/jcp.56.5.323 on 1 May 2003. Downloaded from tattered canvas cot swathed in mosquito attend. He put an enormous amount of propped up against a bag. netting in the attic, which had been time and enthusiasm into working for In the years leading up to his retire- bought for Siam; so he must have the ACP, serving as honorary secretary ment he became something of an elder seriously considered going. from 1928 to 1936, president from 1937 statesman, travelling extensively, often He was always clinically orientated to 1943, and chairman of council from accompanied by his wife, who was and established outpatient clinics for 1943 to 1952. As the most active, always elegant and charming and who diabetes mellitus and pernicious anae- forceful, and articulate member of the enjoyed meeting so many people. They mia in his laboratory, in addition to hav- association, he invariably represented it were both received in audience by the ing charge of a few beds in the hospital. (often with others) at meetings, commit- Pope. She had been a magistrate and He believed that the place of the clinical tees, etc, where the views of hospital enjoyed visiting courts and penal estab- pathologist was at the patient’s bedside pathologists were of importance, such as lishments and was sometimes addressed and not isolated in the laboratory. As he the Royal College of Physicians’ com- as “Judge Dyke”. said “the impression exists that the mittee considering the Beveridge report. Following the second congress of the beginning and end of clinical pathology In 1947 he became editor of the first edi- International Society of Clinical Patholo- is the examination of a specimen with- tion of Recent Advances in Clinical Pathology gists in Washington, USA, he and his out reference to the patient”. After their and continued this editorship through to wife paid their first visit to Vancouver blood tests patients would queue to see the sixth edition in 1973. since he left for Oxford in 1910. him. Sometimes the queue was long, In 1952, he gave the first triennial In addition to his many medical extending out of the doors, whatever the foundation lecture, which still bears his activities he founded the Wolverhamp- weather. Dr Thorne, his successor, re- name, and received a gold medal with a ton Civic Hall Arts Society and made a membered more than 75 patients being very good likeness of himself on it. In short excursion into local politics, being seen in a morning. At the end of the ses- that same year McMenemy wrote “his elected as an Independent for Tettenhall sion Sidney would sit back, light a services to the association are so out- Council. He was the last man to wear the cigarette, and proclaim “By God, Thorne, standing, indeed they must be unique, chairman’s ornate chain of office, be- that was a good morning’s work.”. that the possibility of retirement seems cause Tettenhall merged with Wolver- Additional publications included pa- to us who know and admire him, to be hampton in 1966. In 1952, the year of his pers on the diagnosis of pernicious anae- out of the question”. The reports evolved retirement, he was appointed curator of mia and locally he introduced the use of to the publication of “Reports and the regional histological collection at liver for its treatment, in addition to Broadsheets” and in 1947, at a meeting Birmingham University, funded by the insulin for diabetes. Later, in 1936, he in Oxford, the decision was taken to British Empire Cancer Campaign. pioneered the use of sulfonamides in the publish a journal, the Journal of Clinical His attitude to retirement was one of treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia Pathology; AG Signy was appointed first disgruntlement, which might just be and meningitis, also usually previously editor. apparent in the official portrait that now fatal. This received some national public- He knew all of the regular attenders at hangs on the stairs of the Royal Hospital. ity and tributes from grateful patients in the meetings well, where they came He remained fully occupied, attending newspapers. from, and their interests, and was still national and international meetings, and http://jcp.bmj.com/ attending meetings until shortly before continued to look after a large number of “He believed that the place of the his death. The question of honorary devoted private patients, particularly clinical pathologist was at the membership was considered about the those with diabetes. He and his wife patient’s bedside and not isolated time of his retirement, but was not continued to live in their solid 19th cen- in the laboratory” proceeded with because it would have tury residence facing the Upper Green in meant that he would have lost his right Tettenhall, surrounded by their grand- Sidney’s greatest claim to fame was to vote. children. He remained physically and the creation of the ACP. From its incep- Although short handed and working mentally active until 1975 when he on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. tion it met twice a year, the summer very long hours, particularly during the became short of breath and had devel- meeting in the provinces and the winter second world war, he remained full of oped widespread cancer. He accepted meeting in London. The early scientific hope for a better world after the war. He this calmly, having been a practising meetings concentrated on scientific de- firmly believed that citizens from differ- Christian for over 30 years. Shortly velopments followed by discussion. He ent nations and cultures were more before his death the local vicar took a reported on the various activities of likely to get on together if they met and family house communion, attended by council at the business meeting, often spoke to each other. It was from this all the family including children and humorously and in expressive style. The belief that, in the darkest hours, in 1941, grandchildren. Afterwards they drank warm and relaxed mood of these meet- he founded the European Association of sherry and discussed the difference ings was long remembered by his col- Clinical Pathologists, and he became its between being a devout Catholic and a leagues and this acted as a magnetic first president. In a letter circulated to staunch Protestant. At one stage Sidney attraction to attend. He regarded the the members of the ACP touching upon had considered becoming a Catholic but dinner as a particularly important part of the European Association he wrote as could not accept the doctrine of Original the meetings. There were no set speeches follows: “Mr Winston Churchill has Sin. and no invited speakers, but it was pointed out the duty laid upon each and understood that after dinner anyone was all is to strive to become ‘good Europe- “His attitude to retirement was one free to air his/her opinions and receive ans’. This demands an acquaintance and of disgruntlement, which might just the views of fellow members. These after contact with our fellow Europeans closer be apparent in the official portrait dinner discussions proved of the greatest than we as people have sought or has that now hangs on the stairs of the value in formulating the early policies of been sought from us in the past.” This Royal Hospital” the association. This policy continues association evolved to become the World today and has evolved to include recita- Association of Societies of Pathology, of His memory remained good to the tions of a non-medical nature. which he was also the first president. end. Shortly before his death he quoted After each meeting he produced a After the war he was asked to go to Kingsley’s “Crossing the Bar” to his detailed account of the proceedings and newly liberated Czechoslovakia to advise daughter, Elizabeth.

www.jclinpath.com 326 EDITORIAL

In his “Personal recollections of Sidney described him as “a truly great medical ...... Dyke in the early years of the ACP”, pub- man whom it was a great privilege to have Authors’ affiliations J Clin Pathol: first published as 10.1136/jcp.56.5.323 on 1 May 2003. Downloaded from lished in the Journal of Clinical Pathology in known—a loyal friend. The present gen- W R Timperley, 18 Park Avenue, Dronfield, 1966, Cuthbert E Dukes described him as eration of clinical pathologists owes more Derbyshire S18 2LQ, UK a very sociable person, easy to get on to him than it may realise.”. J Burston, Tanyards, Rowsel’s Lane, Totnes, with—a far sighted man, but not a mere The authors and many others looking Devon TQ9 5AG, UK E Howl, visionary—he was a man of action with back over Dyke’s life and the many years 8 Broxwood Park, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton WV6 8LZ, UK Correspondence the courage of his convictions. Professor E since his death fully endorse this dis- cerning appraisal. to: Dr W R Timperley, 18 Park Avenue, K Blackburn in an article on Sidney Dyke Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 2LQ, UK; published in the same journal in 1991, J Clin Pathol 2003;56:323–326 [email protected]

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