Physician contributions to nonmedical science. Robert Bell, the great geologist

CMAJ continues the series by Dr. Swinton on distinguished physicians who have contributed to nonmedical science. Sponsors of the articles are Associated Medical Services, Inc. and the Hannah Institute for the History of Medical and Related Sciences. Science and Art is a department of CMAJ that presents medicine in rela- tion to the humanities; readers' con- tributions, literary, serious and humor- ous, are welcomed. iliar with the significance of what he the respect of authorities and institu- to give on his journeys. The degree saw and its relevance to the whole. At tions far beyond the geological survey makes him an anomaly. The doctor first he worked closely with Alexander and Canada. But there was more to turned scientist or explorer is not un- Murray, the assistant director of the them than that, for in addition to being common; the scientist turned doctor to survey, and with his friend, T. Sterry a conscientious scientist and respecter enhance his work is unusual, as indeed Hunt. of native rights, he must have realized his devotion to his tasks was unusual. Their explorations took them into the needs of a good exploration team. It follows that his surveys were not the upper Great Lakes region, where By some rearrangement of his time and restricted to the rocks. His bibliography rocks are among the most ancient in extension of his studies, he attained the of about 200 pamphlets, nearly all of the world. Laid down more than 2000 MD of McGill in 1878, when he was which are part of his work for the million years ago, they have since been 37. The doctor-explorer is much more survey, include scientific and economic almost inextricably mixed by the weight valuable than the ordinary explorer, reports on geology, as would be ex- and pressure of other rocks, and they and much of his phenomenal success pected, but also on biology, folklore, have been etched and eroded by this must have been due to his educated, forestry and of course geography. For vast amount of time. Yet these three personal discipline; goodness knows the last-named purpose it was essential men realized their significance as "the what unrecorded assistance he was able that main features should be recorded backbone of Canada" and gave them the name of the Laurentian System. That series of rocks, extending for some 5 million kin2, was - and is - of tremendous economic value in its mineral wealth and immense cover of forests. These investigations were also aided by Elkanah Billings, a lawyer who for- sook the law for the laws of geology, and John Richardson, who, like some biblical disciple, left his farm for the II I rocks. The complete selflessness of these men is remarkable and contrib- uted to the steady and relatively rapid understanding of the North American continent. Endurance, prescience A :1 Among them Bell enjoyed a preemin- ence in indefatigability and singleness of purpose. His acquaintance with the northern parts of Ontario provides ex- amples of his endurance and pre- science. He was firmly attached to the value of Hudson Bay as an export base for Prairie wheat. He had examined and travelled along the Churchill River until he was satisfied of its geography and value for travellers. He made seven passages of the Hudson Strait and was assured of its lack of menace for ships to Europe in summer. Not only was he interested in the waterways but he was concerned with the effects of all the projected travel on the native settle- ments. He became fluent in Ojibway and never failed to discuss things with the Indians. Realizing that their only assurance was a strict adherence to all promises and agreements, he was meti- culous in observing this basis of sound relations with the Indians he met. But his explorations were not con- fined to northern Ontario or Quebec. He did the surveys of northern Mani- toba, Alberta and the Northwest Terri- tories, and some of these journeys were surveys for the first time. In 1884 and 1885 (and again in 1897 when he was 56) he led expeditions to Baffin Bay and in 1897 to the south coast of Baffin Island. These were of great im- portance at the time and earned him CMA JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 6, 1976/VOL 115 949 pected the promotion and was dis- mayed to find that he was appointed only as acting director at his previous salary. None the less, as administrator, chief reporter and planner, he con- tinued for the next 5 years in that act- ing - and not very highly paid - capacity, with his customary selfless- ness. In 1906, in his 65th year when re- tirement loomed, some recognition was given him. He was appointed to the special post of chief geologist with an annual salary of $3000 and the prom- ise of $50 per annum rise in subsequent years. He was however "superannu- ated" in 1908 when presumably he KY faced an unaccustomed idleness after earning $3100 in his last working year. But he did retire and lived on his farm at Rathwell, Manitoba, where he died 17 June 1917, aged just over 76.

Private life It is strange to reflect that, in spite of all his travels, writing, advising, con- trolling, he had a private life. In 1873 he had married Agnes, daughter of a man of substance, Alexander Smith of Westbourne, Glasgow and Auchentroig, Stirlingshire, from the Scotland whose influence in on. way or another had sustained him all his life. He was a strong man in will and life habits; bearded and greying with a smiling face, he was kindly and considerate. It is therefore pleasing to know that many Portrait of Bell published in proceedings of Royal Society of Canada, 1918 in high places liked him and wished him well. as precisely as possible, and here his though his actual expenses must have He had long been a fellow of the land-surveying training was of con- been small. His explorations and field Geological Society of London (Eng- tinual use. But he was mostly in virgin costs were borne by the survey depart- land) and he was a charter member of territory and things had to be named. ment. According to a biographer, he the Royal Society of Canada. In addi- He himself named more than 3000 "eschewed spirits and tobacco", but tion to his MD in 1878, he was made geographical features; hills, places for nonetheless these were economies of a DSc at McGill in 1901. He had possible habitation, promontories and his own choosing, and a man who had been given an LLD by Queen.s in rivers. He seldom failed to consult na- done much to open Canada to science 1893. His services to science were rec- tive tribes as to their names if the and commerce, to indicate railroad ognized by Cambridge University in regions were even slightly inhabited, for routes and sources of water power, de- another doctorate of science (ScD) in he felt that ancient usage should be served well of his country. 1903, the same year in which the Brit- and confirmed. He did not continued The survey ish government conferred upon him as a good biologist and geographer at- the Companionship of the Imperial tempt to attach his own name to any When he joined the geological survey Service Order (ISO), a handsome dec- of these features, but the Canadian it was young. Its first director, William oration little seen in Canada. Geological Survey Board did, and he Logan, governed it with distinction Even greater, more professional, is remembered by the Bell River in from 1842-1870; he was succeeded by honours were the Patron's Medal of the western Quebec and Bell Island in a remarkable geologist, George Mercer Royal Geographical Society (which is Hudson Bay, named in his honour. His Dawson, son of Sir William Dawson conferred with the sovereign's approval) reports were regarded as so full and (the long-time president of McGill and and the Cullum Gold Medal of the accurate that it is said that the Grand an ardent antiDarwinian). Dawson was American Geographical Society. Trunk Railway had enough information an able geologist and director who Anyone who has received such rec- in his survey papers for its planning made remarkable field trips despite the ognition deserves remembrance in the purposes; if the Canadian Pacific Rail- fact that he was frail and kyphotic. pages of any learned journal, especially way people did not go quite so far, When Dawson in turn died in 1901, one that circulates in the country he they made much use of his information it was generally expected that Dr. Bell did so much to reveal. in the track construction from Quebec would succeed as director. After all, to Winnipeg. he had had some 45 years service in These are eloquent tributes to a the survey and was a man of great Bibliography great Canadian, but what of his re- prestige and academic achievement and CAMPBELL R: The Jubilee of a Scientist. Cana- dian Magazine of Politics, Science, Art and wards? Financially they were trivial, only 60 years old. Certainly Bell ex- Literature, 30: 256-261, 1908 950 CMA JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 6, 1976/VOL. 115