Canad. Med. Ass. J. 66 MEN AND BooKs: SIR JAMES HECTOR July 14, 1962, vol. 87

THE story of James Hector, a medical truant1 lectures in geology, minerology and paleontology to geology, merits recital. He ranks with Mungo delivered by Macadam, Rose and Page. When in Park (1771-1806) and David Livingstone (1813- 1854 occupied the Chair of Natural 73). Yet neither texts nor the monument erected History, his lectures interested Hector, who worked to his memory at the Great Divide claims this re- zealously as his assistant. markable man for the medical profession. In 1856, at the age of 22, Hector took his M.D. Very early in the nineteenth century, there lived His graduation thesis was entitled "The Antiquity in a writer to the Signet, and a Con- of Man". This title was later chosen by Lyell for veyancer of note, named Alexander Hector. Mem- his famous book. For a short time after taking his ber of an old family with excellent connections, medical degree, James Hector acted as assistant Alexander Hector enjoyed the friendship of Sir to Sir James Y. Simpson (1811-70), who nine years Walter Scott, for whom he transcribed and trans- earlier, on November 10, 1847, communicated lated old manuscripts. his account of a new anesthetic agent to the Edin- His wife, Margaret Macrostie, was a niece of burgh Medico-Chirurgical Society. This assistant- John Barclay (1758-1826), the first anatomist who ship with Simpson was the only definitely medical did not also practise medicine or surgery. Teacher appointment which Hector ever held. of Owen Knox, Ballingal, Campbell and a host of In March 1857, an opportunity for which Hector other surgeons and anatomists of renown, Barclay proved to be eminently qualified presented itself was the founder of the Museum of the Royal Col- when the Imperial Commission of the British lege of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Crown planned an expedition to the western part A son, James Hector,2 was born in Edinburgh of British North America. Her Majesty's Govern- on March 16, 1834. Like most Edinburgh boys, ment was anxious to obtain correct information James Hector received his elementary education at about the facilities or difficulties of communication the Edinburgh Academy and City's High School. between the and the country west of Lake At 14 he entered his father's office, but soon left on Superior and north of the 49th parallel. The being articled to an actuary. Here he remained for Government was also desirous of obtaining in- three years, at the same time attending classes at formation relative to a large belt of country until the University and School of Arts. James Hector then almost unknown, namely that comprised be- early manifested a strong inclination towards tween longitude 970 W. and the Rocky Mountains, chemistry and natural sciences. At the age of 18 and ranging from the 49th parallel of latitude to he gave up all office work. the North Saskatchewan. In addition, the Govern- James Hector matriculated at the University of ment wished to ascertain whether any practicable Edinburgh in November 1852. Earnest as a medi- pass or passes available for horses existed across cal student, he felt most strongly the spell of the Rocky Mountains within the British territory, geology. Under its influence he developed the and south of that known to exist between Mount instincts of exploration and adventure. Summer Brown and Mount Hooker in latitude 54010P.* holidays were spent in long excursions in the high- The formation of the expedition under the direc- lands of Scotland, England or Ireland. tion of Captain Palliser, at the several recommenda- Resourceful, accurate, quick, the general value tions of General Sabina, Sir , of Hector's work attracted the attention of his Dr. Purcell and Sir William Hooker, also included teachers. Thus while attending Balfour's classes in *During the summer of 1955, my wife Gertrude, my son botany, he was selected to give an account to the Samuel (who served as photographer) and I enjoyed the exhilarating experience, aboard a scenic Canadian Pacific Botanical Society of the geological and physical dome train, of journeying westward through E. Pauline ex- Johnson's world of prairie, plain and grain, to the land of features of the ground gone over in student totem folklore. The circumstances which prompted us to of Geology at the modify our original prudent intent, and subsequently not only cursions. There being no Chair brought us face to face with geological antiquity, but resulted University, Hector attended extra - academic in our retracing a number of Hector's steps, occurred just beyond Calgary. When our train guide began to discourse about the "shining mountains" of the Kootenays, known to the Crees as the "Assinwati" or the Rocky Mountains, and *Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal. neglected the Selkirks. he was subdued by a previously un- tIn abridged form, this narrative was presented before the noticed dark and deeply sun-tanned gentleman about five Osler Society of McGill University on February 6, 1956, as feet ten. He had piercing coal black eyes, greying black hair the Honorary President's Address. Dr. William Willoughby and a similar scraggly beard. He wore a broad, black, short Francis (1878-1959) attended. Dr. Francis's comments were hanging tie and a blue-black beret. As we approached intellectual treats, and on this occasion his flash of quaint , which flows out of Lake Wapta. my dry humour, accompanied by his characteristic twinkle and curiosity was stirred by our unknown mentor's reference to chuckle, found expression in amusing references, which in- the fact that Kicking Horse river and cluded Hector the Pointer. Because Dr Francis, always had been named after James Hector, a surgeon and geologist. generous in the disposal of his stores, enriched my life with Fortuitous preparation beforehand enabled us to reroute our his friendship, I returned to the completion of this article as return motor and walking trips. an expression of my gratitude. Canad. Med. Ass. .MEN AND BOOKS: SIR TAMES HECTOR 67 July 14, 1962, vol. 87

Lieut. Blakiston, R.A., Dr. Hector, Mr. Sullivan, and M. Bourgeau (Fig. 1). The manner in which the selections were made is not clear. The reports and observations by Palliser, Hector and Bourgeau are detailed in the Palliser Journals, which cover the years 1857 to 1860* (Fig. 2). Dr. Hector, Mr. Sullivan and M. Bourgeau started with Captain , of the Water- ford Artillery Militia, from Liverpool to New York on May 16, 1857, in the Arabia, Captain Stone in command. Twelve days later, they entered the Hudson. Owing to their unwillingness to unpack cases containing barometers, thermometers and other fragile instruments, they experienced considerable difficulty with the Custom House authorities. On June 2, they started from New York for Detroit, to await the American lake steamer Illinois, in order to proceed to Sault Ste. Marie. There Palliser expected two canoes, "which he had by directions from England several mails prior to his departure, arranged to meet him from LaChine in ." On June 10, 1857, at Sault Ste. Marie, they were joined by the voyagers with their two canoes. Fig. 1.-Captain John Palliser and Dr. James Hector Among them was old Jack Sakorontikitato who had (courtesy william C. Ireland, Provincial Librarian and served Sir George Simpson as guide and steersman, Archivist. Victoria, B.C.). and for 30 consecutive years had not missed one VT-;:. .*.**..--, - season of the journey from LaChine to Norway House on Lake Winnipeg. James Beads, also trans- ferred by Simpson, joined the second canoe. On June 12 they came within sight of Isle Royal, and on Hamishee (Thunder) Bay landed on a small islet consisting of red trap rock. At Fort William, upon the advice of Sir George Simpson, they .:.:.Ps ,, changed canoes for others more suitable for carry- * ing over the portages. On June 14 they camped opposite the mouth of White Fish River. . A Journal entry dated Tuesday, June 23, 1857, stated that the party was now on the watershed of the continent, which divides the waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from those which run into . Hudson's Bay, and was the boundary between Canada and the Hudson Bay Company territory. On June 30 at 9:00 a.m., Hector entered Lower Sturgeon Lake and halted on the right bank of the river. Here the party found the remains of an Indian - - camp, among which, in a secluded grove, were several platform burials upon raised posts five or six feet above the ground. In one of the coffins, which they had the curiosity to open, they found the skeleton of a child. Dr. Hector was of the opinion that the child had died from disease of the bones of the skull, which was much enlarged and thickened. f . . July 1, 1857: At Fort Frances they received an Indian deputation. The chief commenced his harangue by an assurance that his tribe had not

.william C. Ireland, Provincial Librarian and Archivist in dealing Victoria,withofficesHector'sof providedRoy life.MacKie,meAt withthegeneralVancouvera numbermanagerlibrary,of ofpublicationstheI C.P.R.had myhotels,first Fig. 2.-Frontispiece of the Palliser Journals. (Courtesy of and the Redpath library, I was permitted to study the . Thiiifii. Railway ' Palltser Journals, leisurely. Canad. Med. Ass. J. 68 MEN AND BOOKS: SIR JAMES HECTOR July 14, 1962, vol. 87 assembled to beg. His own importance was indi- According to custom, the Indian had thrown all cated by the statement "that his arms extended far his clothes away to celebrate the event. back into time, and that he thought long." The Doctor also reported that he had slept in an From Rainy River they proceeded to Lake of the adjacent Indian camp on the Coteau. In one of the tents an Indian scalp was suspended. The wife Woods. of the unfortunate Blackfoot was obliged to dance July 6, Monday: Just beyond the rapids of around her husband's scalp. They also met another Winnipeg River, an Indian came begging for medi- Indian who informed them that he was in pursuit cine for his wife. Dr. Hector could not make out of his wife who had run away with a young man a what was the matter with her, but in his great few days previously. There was among the party wisdom "gave the poor fellow some simple medi- also another Indian who had been scalped in an cine, which would at least do her no harm." On encounter with the Blackfeet. When insensible the same day they met up with the eminent path- from loss of blood, he was left for dead. After his finder, Sir George Simpson. enemies had departed, he regained consciousness. On July 8, at 6:15 p.m., Hector and his party He wore a handkerchief bound tightly around his arrived at Fort Alexander, which stands on the head "and did not wish to show it to the Doctor, left bank of the River Winnipeg, about a mile and nor did he like that his misfortune should ever a half from its mouth. Here Dr. Hector "found a be talked of." great many patients, all suffering, more or less, By September 21, Hector and his party were from symptoms of intestinal worms, caused by within sight of the South Saskatchewan, which exclusive fish diet." In commenting upon the cat- they crossed on September 26. On October 2, fish (Suluris felis) which was plentiful here, he they arrived at Red Deer Lake. The journey to noted that "the liver of this fish abounds with an Carlton, where they wintered, was concluded on oil which might be successfully substituted for October 8, 1857. cod-liver oil in the treatment of consumption." Hector saw great numbers of case wolves On July 14, 1857, they prepared for the journey (mischechogenis or tagonie), and referred at some over the plains in their Red River carts. In their length to the larger grey or black thickwood wolves construction these carts are totally devoid of iron which in the spring go mad "and do not scruple to or metal of any kind. By July 22, they had travelled attack anyone they meet with." Hydrophobia re- 38 miles from Fort Garry. On this same day they sulted from their bite. The Indians' cure for it "is were visited by an old traveller, said to be one of to sew the patient up in an old buffalo robe and those who first crossed the mountains in the famous fling him on a large fire until the robe is well expedition described in Washington Irving's singed, when he is considered done." Hector's com- "Astoria". He was after that, for a long time, a ment was "that if the person survives this, it must runner with the mails between Pembina and Fort produce violent diaphoresis which with the fright, Garry. "He is 91 years old, and only last week had may produce salutory effect on the disease." walked from Fort Carry to this place, a distance October 12: Hector was amused "to observe of 70 miles in two days, driving a young bull." He Indian children playing with tops, a game which came to seek Dr. Hector's advice as to what he must have penetrated from the haunts of civiliza- should do for his knees, for he did not, as he tion." innocently said, "find them as strong as they used One night Hector was called to a violent case of to be." hysteria in an Indian girl. Some years previously August 3, Monday: "Large numbers of garter she had been shot through the shoulder by the snakes have left their retreats and are very numer- Blackfeet. Since then she was clairvoyant, "her ous on this portion of the prairie." Dr. Hector friends having the utmost confidence in 'her pre- dissected one, and found it to contain 54 young dictions." ones in different stages of development. Dr. James Hector made a number of significant After leaving Turtle Mountain, they proceeded observations on goitre. When at Fort Edmonton, to Souris (Mouse) River, crossed Snake Creek on Saturday, February 6, 1857, he wrote: "Goitre and went on to Fort Ellice. They followed the is very prevalent among the residents here at the Assiniboine River to its junction with the River Rocky Mountain House, but in a modified form; Qu'Appelle and successively crossed the North and I have only seen one case where there is any Kootanie Pass, Pipestone Creek and Hairy Hill, approach to cretinism." Apparently familiar with arriving at LaRoche Perc6e on August 21. They the numerical method of Louis, he tabulated the made numerous stops and did not set out for details of 60 cases. Although he did not discover Qu'Appelle Lakes until September 7. They crossed the "condition or habit of life, that is common to Moose Jaw Creek 10 days later. all who suffer from this complaint", he recorded September 19, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.: Accompan- the important fact that children born at one post ied by a large number of Crees, Hector reported are never attacked till removed to another post. that travelling on foot he had met a poor Indian He noted also that goitre disappeared when they returning from burying the bones of his relation returned to their native place. On July 8, 1858, who had died of smallpox the previous year. Hector also remarked that goitre, sometimes seen Canad. Med. Ass. J. MEN AND BOOKS: SIR JAMES HECTOR 69 July 14, 1962, vol. 87 among the Crees, was rare among the Blackfeet; and so general among the Sarcees "that it is a matter of considerable difficulty to find a Sarcee without a goitre well developed." The Crees lived on the prairies, on the Peace, Athabaska and Slave Rivers, and on the lakes of the same names. The territory of the Blackfeet, "the Ishmaels of the prairies", stretched from the Rocky Mountains into Saskatchewan, and from the North Saskatchewan River almost to the upper Missouri. The Sarcee (Not Good)4 Indians of ranged from the Peace to the Red Deer River. There is also a reference to a visit by 70 of the Sarcee tribe. Several of them had lost a joint of one of their fingers. It was learned that this was conse- quent on a custom common to them and many other kindred tribes, of biting off a finger when unsuccessful in the performance of a vow. Among thefr women also, as among those of the Blackfeet, it was not uncommon to find many without a nose, or minus an ear, bitten off by their husbands in a fit of jealousy. For the wife of one of his hunters taken very ill with inflammation of the lungs, Hector recom- mended blistering and prescribed a great deal of medicine. While at on February 3, 1859, Hector revealed how he had dealt with a pack of thickwood wolves which had killed a number of horses. He selected a fine freshly killed young mare Fig. 3.-Map showing course of the North British American The Exploring Expedition, and in particular Hector's 1858-59 and salted the carcass well with strychnine. Branch Expedition (from the Palliser Journals). The greater poison did its work. Soon four enormous wolves part of the geological and meteorological work and map- were found lying on their backs, either dead or in making fell upon Dr. Hector. different stages of paralysis. Ravens lay on their passing, but not in such numbers as previously." backs with only power to croak; others waded in (It has been estimated that around 1350, twenty the snow "in a most solemn manner, with their million head of the giant bison of the West were wings trailing behind them". still alive.) Hector found tea very useful in counteracting August 5: "Continued travelling today over the injurious effects of swamp water, which pro- broken rolling country with occasional outcrops of vided many cases of dysentery. indurated micaceous sandstone . noted marked Hector's Branch Expeditions* commenced on increase in the variety and luxuriance of the flower- August 3, 1858, and ended on May 26, 1859. ing plants, the pasture is abundant and well mixed." (Fig. 3). August 6: "We delayed our start till noon to take August 3: Slaughter Camp: "After Captain advantage of the clear powerful sun for the drying Palliser and his party left us this morning, we con- of meat. The snow of the mountains with the fore- tinued our course westward towards the base of ground sharply lined by projecting ledges of rock the Rocky mountains which were now in constant was quite exhilarating, after the dreary monotony view, bounding the horizon from S. to W. by N. of the arid plains." Hector then struck off to the The prairie surfaces rise into undulations which south, descending 600 feet over a succession of increase in decision and altitude, till at length, rolling hills, and after six miles, reached Bow where we camped for the night, they formed a River. Here the Bow is a swift, rocky stream, with low broken range of hills. We camped early, in clear water. "Sections of shale and sandstone, with order that the hunters might make a final onslaught seams of coal, occur along the banks, much dis- on the herds of Bison through which we were still turbed and forming flexures, the strike of which is N.W. and S.E. A succession of hill ranges are thus *we would not have been able to retrace some of Hector's formed by those beds, which lie parallel with the steps were it not for our guide, waiter Ashdown, M.M., a hero of world war I. He is also known for his thrilling race mountains, and rise 600 to 1000 feet above the with death across the . In 1930. when there were but few good roads, with pulmotor in car, he raced river level, meeting its course at right angles." Their from canmore across the Great Divide-81 miles in 80 minutes-to save two German miners dying from asphyxi- camp under Dream Hill was in a most picturesque ation. we called on and received the assistance of a number hills, except of mountain men, including Jimmy Simpson of Num-ti-Jah position surrounded by well-timbered Lodge; and the son of Edouard Fez, the famous Swiss guide, to the west, in which direction a level plain seemed now located at Lake Louise. Canad. Med. Ass. J. 70 MEN AND BOOKS: SIR JAMES HECTOR July 14, 1962, vol. 87

to sweep up to the base of the mountains, and from weathers to a light blue colour, and is traversed by which rose the craggy knob called "Devils Head". veins of calc spar". After ascending 500 feet they August 7: This morning they came to Deadman's got out of the timber. Bourgeau began to collect River. By afternoon they were skirting along the Alpine plants in abundance, among which was a left bank of the Bow River. To encourage them to saxifrage with a denticulum leaf. On one side of trade leather and pack saddles for tobacco and this little valley, in a great deposit of angular ammunition, they induced their Stoney Assiniboine blocks of rock, they found a large cave (still friends to camp beside them on a fine level shelf, visible), with a high-arched roof and narrow unouth, near the Old Bow Fort. Here they remained, busily probably "designed for a rectangular Spirit," and engaged in preparing for work in the mountains. as in Robinson Crusoe's cave its old goat, long They examined the surrounding country, making dead, for a tenant. observations and obtaining corrections for instru- When Hector got the latitude 51 O44. N., he took ments. On August 11, the expedition broke up into leave of Bourgeau, and continued on with his own branch parties. party over Grotto Mountain. At dark they camped August 11: Having placed the horses and opposite a mountain with three peaks (Three supplies for Captain Palliser under the care of "old Sisters, highest peak, 9744 feet) which form a Paul", his guide, Hector started out with M. Bour- striking group. geau, who also wished to follow up the valley of August 15: They reached a beautiful little prairie the Bow River. They both chose this route as it at the base of Cascade Mountain, 9826 feet allowed them to enter the mountains promptly ("mountain where the water falls"). Old Stoney without travelling farther into the open country, told Hector that he once guided Rundle to this "which yields little of interest either to the geolo- place. The Indians often get white goat on Cascade gist or the botanist." Mountain. Here grey sheep are also common. The Hector's party consisted of Red River men, Peter Rocky Mountain goat,6 a sort of aberrant antelope Erasmus, Sutherland and Brown, and his Stoney with a prominent beard and a doleful countenance, friend. Because his unpronounceable name signified has been the subject of many hoary mountain "the one with a thumb like a blunt arrow" Hector jokes. As confirmation of the fact that the Oreamnos called him Nimrod. They had with them eight americanus ("American Lamb of the Mountain") horses, three of which served to carry all the is the hardest to kill of all animals, Hector noted baggage they cared to take. Their baggage con- that "once a wounded white goat stood for seven sisted of instruments, bedding, ammunition, to- days, on a ledge beside a waterfall. When it fell bacco, a little tea, a few pounds of grease, and a down over the precipice they found that it had male dog of wolfish cast, emasculated to tame his been shot in five places." work. fierceness and spirit without spoiling him for August 16: At 8:00 a.m., Hector continued his Crossing the deep ravine, Hector's party skirted ascent of Cascade Mountain. He got up about to the left bank of Bow River. Soon the valley 1000 feet (by the sympiesometer). While resting became hemmed in by the precipitous cliffs of there a humming bird, "the midget of the feathered limestone that form the mountains of the outer world", blown by a strong west gale, flew against range. "In the ravine, shales were exposed of a his face, but he did not succeed in capturing it. of purple colour, slaty fracture, with a good deal of iron in cross seams, but not so soft and earthy in There then follows a delightful description texture as the clay shales seen overlying the grits the hoary marmot (Marmot caligata), and Cony they or Pika. "Among the blocks of rock the siffleurs ten miles down the river." After three miles whistl- saw the track leading to the ford by which Bow (whistler) or mountain (rat) marmots kept is to reach Kananaskis Pass. ing in a very loud shrill note answering one another, River crossed and I also heard the squeaking note of the little On reaching this point, they had to cross over Pika (Cony), or tailless hare which is very common heaps of loose rounded stones that had been swept here. This is one of the most comical animals I down by the torrents, so that they got on very have seen. It is about the size of a small rat, but slowly. Their horses with tender feet were unfit for made exactly like any other rabbit, excepting that such rough ground. They had indeed fixed light it has round open ears. It sits up on its hind legs plate shoes on some of their horses' feet, but these fashion, Above and calls its note in the most imprudent seined only to increase their discomfort. faster and faster as you approach, but always the contracted part of the valley they plunged ready to pop out of sight so quickly, you can into a labyrinth of dense forest and struggled hardly shoot them." (Mountain Redskins utilized on through fallen timber. Damming back of the cony pelts as papoose underwear.) Although it is river had given rise to several large lakes. Bourgeau not a true member of the hare family, the Indians named them Lacs des Arcs, and the peak opposite called the Cony or Pika "Little 'Chief Hare".7 Pigeon Mount and behind their camp, Grotto Mountain. August 17: "Looking up the valley to W.S.W. evidently August 12: At dawn Hector and Bourgeau started we had before us a truncated mountain, to ascend Grotto Mountain. They passed over composed of horizontal strata and which I named "rugged ledges of deep blue limestone, which Mount Bourgeau (9575 feet) Canad. Med. Ass. J. MEN AND BOOKS: SIR JAMES HECTOR 71 July 14, 1962, vol. 87

The pass by which Sir George Simpson crossed cut by the constant leaping and scrambling over the Rocky Mountains (now called ), the fallen timber, so that on the whole they have in his journey round the world, lies to the south their tempers and patience tried a good deal. Soon of this mountain. To accomplish the same objective, we met a very large stream equal in size to Bow Hector considered crossing the Bow River and River where we crossed it. This river descends the following it. But he was discouraged by his trusted valley from the north-west, and on entering the Indian guide who found much "white" (silt) wide valley of Beaverfoot River, turns back on its water in the streams from the south, indicating course at sharp angle, receives that river as a that they were in flood. He therefore decided to tributary and flows off to the south-west through continue up the same side of Bow River until the other valley. Just above the angle there is a opposite the old neglected Vermillion pass, formerly fall about 48 feet in height, where the channel is used by Cree parties. contracted by perpendicular rocks. On August 19 they camped opposite Castle "A little way above this fall, one of our pack Mountain,* 9930 feet high and eight miles long at horses, to escape from fallen timber, plunged into the base, and so named because of its natural the stream, luckily where it formed an eddy, but bastion-like formation; it is now known as Mount the banks were so steep that we had great difficulty Eisenhower. in getting him out. In attempting [Hector] to re- After entering a second great valley of magnifi- catch my own horse which had strayed off while cent proportions, they noted that along the eastern we were engaged with the one in the water, he side there ran a wall of vertical beds of light grey kicked me in the chest, but I had luckily got close limestone. Its serrated edges at once suggested the to him before he struck out, so that I did not get name of Sawback Range (10,000 feet). Through the full force of the blow. However, it knocked the valley they turned to the N.W. by W., and me down and rendered me senseless for some found it occupied by an extensive swamp over- time. This was unfortunate, as we had seen no grown with scriggly pines and the Labrador tea tracks of game in the neighbourhood, and were plant. now without food; but I was so hurt that we could not proceed further that day at least. My men Thus having ascended the Bow River to what covered me up under a tree, and I sent them all is now known as Altrude Creek, Hector proceeded eat... by way of the Little Vermillion creek to the head- off to try and raise something to waters of the Vermillion river, down to its junction H. S. Patterson, Q.C., of Calgary, upon whose with the Kootenay. Hector ascended the Kootenay important publication and communications*O I to the divide between it and the Beaverfoot river; have drawn freely, provided the following im- "Kicking portant addendum. "There was an old connection then down the river to its junction with between a Club in Philadelphia and the Alpine Horse River". Dr. Hector returned over the summit the of the main chain by the same route, namely Club, and Dr. Schaeffer of that city was one of Bow Club. He and his wife were at the Old Glacier "Kicking Horse Pass", and thus reached the Hotel (now destroyed, but originally situated in Valley once more. Glacier National Park, that lies westward of Yoho) James Hector's discovery of Kicking Horse, a around the first of August 1903, when Dr. Hector practicable pass through the Rocky Mountains and his son came in and registered. Mrs. Schaeffer within the British Possessions, provided a key which heard Dr. Hector say that he was returning to facilitated the unlocking of the Rockies.t The see the place where his men had commenced to dig import and anticipated influence of this great the grave in which to bury him. Patterson has discovery was communicated to Her Majesty by indicated that these facts are covered by a letter Sir E. Bulwer-Lytton, Bart., M.P., Secretary of received from Mrs. Warren (Mrs. Schaeffer re- State for the Colonies.8 married after her husband's death). And whereas There are a number of apocryphal stories about the statements go beyond the story contained in how Kicking Horse River received its name. The Hector's Journals which do not mention that men August 29, 1858, entry in the Palliser Journals reads were digging his grave, etc.,' that he 'would accept as follows: the above mentioned statements as correct.' "For the last few days, our horses have fared Many great peaks were discovered or named by badly . their legs are also getting very badly Dr. Hector.t'0

*The older ancient grey limestones of the Selkirks (the shape *Communication to Miss B. Donaldson, December 22, 1955. of a huge hor.seshoe, and nearly as large as England) were tBalfour: Mount, 10,741 ft.; after John Hutton Balfour thrust over the younger Rocky beds. The fault that resulted (1808-84), botanist, Edinburgh. Scotland. in the "writing-desk" type of mountain relegated the Selkirks Ball: Mount, 10,825 ft.; after John Ball, Under-Secretary of to a secondary position and is exemplified by Mt. Rundle. State for the Colonies, (1855-57). Photography was applied to surveying by Colonel H. Waus- Bourgeau: Mount, 9575 ft.; after E. Bourgeau, botanist to sedat of France, in 1849. Arrowsmith's 1795 map shows only the Palliser expedition. one large range, the Rockies. In Thompson's 1812-14 maps Castle: Mountain, 9826 ft.; during World War II renamed the Selkirks are shown as the Nelson Mountains. The Selkirks Mt. Eisenhower. appear in Hector's (1860) and Arrowsmith's (1863) maps. Goodsir: Mountain, 11.676 ft.; after John Goodsir, Professor tThe second key needed to unlock the Rockies was the of Anatomy, Edinburgh University. dhscuvery of Rogers pass in 1881 by Major Rogers, engin..r. Hector: Mount, 11,135 ft. lake, 57u4 feet. Mountain Division of the C.P.R. (Williams). On November Kicking Horse: Pass, 5332 ft. (near site of present Wapta 7, 1885, at 9 a.m., Sir Donald Smith. later Lord Strathcona, over) drove the last spike at Craigellachie, and the East was station). (Continued united with the West. 72 MEN AND BOOKS: SIR JAMES HECTOR Canad. Med. Ass. 3. July 14, 1962, vol. 87

Fig. 5.-Dr. James Hector (courtesy William C. Ireland). the Provincial Government of Otago, , he accepted. In 1863 Hector explored the xvest shore of Lake \Vakatipu, collecting significant "evidence on the theory of the glacial origin of the West Coast Sounds".0 To New Zealand he gave freely the gifts of his great capacities, energies, and wisdom as an or- ganizer. In 1865, appointed Director of the Geo- logical Survey for the whole colony, he also assumed responsibility for the meteorological de- partment, its museum and botanical gardens. The following year he was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society of London. In 1868, Hector was the moving force in the formation of the New Zealand Institute, and edited the volumes of its transactions to which he con- tributed 71 papers. Of these, 31 dealt with birds, whales and fishes; 28 with geological subjects, and three with botany; nine were of a more general character. Eleven species have been named Hectori.9 In 1868 James Hector married Maria Georgiana, daughter of Sir David Munro, Speaker of the House of Representatives in New Zealand. They had three sons and three daughters. A member of the Senate of New Zealand Uni- versity (1870), then Vice-Chancellor, Dr. James Hector was Chancellor from 1885 to 1903. Recipient of the Golden Cross from the German Emperor in 1874, Lyall Medallist in 1876, Hector represented New Zealand during the same year at the Philadelphia Centenary Exhibitions. Created C.M.G in 1875, a K.C.M.G. was con- ferred upon Dr. James Hector in 1886 (Fig. 5). Canad. Med. Ass. . . HECTOR 73 July 14, 1962, vol. .7 MEN AND BOOKS: .MR JAMES

Cemetery-a seven-ton slab of native New Zealand granite marks the spot. * A puzzling fact, writes Ire- land, is why the records show a burial date of October 3, 1903, while the newspaperst give the date of death as (Sunday) August 16, 1903. Sfr James Hector (Fig. 6) died at his home near Wellington, New Zealand, on November 5, 1907.11 Lady Hector died in 1930. James Hector had magnificent powers of obser- vation, an orderl.r infallible memory, tenacity for minute descriptive detail, and above all, a profound interest in nature and circumstances. Had he not veered away, this remarkable scientist, geologist and surgeon would have taken an equally dis- tinguished place on the roll of physicians. The monument (Fig. 7) to Sir James Hector was erected at the Great Divide in 1908. This is fitting, since from the summit of Kicking Horse Pass (5339 feet), the walker can pass from Alberta to British Columbia, from , to the

*Personal communication from S. A. Manning to W. C. ireland, January 26, .1956. tThe Vancouver Daily Province, August 17, 1903, Vancouver, B.C.: "The body will be embalmed and taken to the family home in Wellington, N.Z." The Revelstoke Herald and Railway Men's Journal, August 16, 1903.

. L Fig. 6.-Sir James Hector, M.D. (courtesy W. C. Ireland). My curiosity about the death of Sir James Hector's son Douglas was stimulated by Dean Lloyd Stevenson, McGill University, who indicated that when in Montreal Dr. E. P. Scarlett had related the incident to him. So that I might "have an accurate and fully documented account of the exact circumstances of the whole incident", Dr Scarlett had Miss B. Donaldson, R.N., the librarian of the Calgary Associate Clinic, "prepare a short summary of all the facts concerned". * They revealed that Sir James Hector and his son arrived in Vancouver on August 6. from New Zealand, by the steamship Acrangi. They stayed a few days in the city, then left for the mountains, intending to go east after spending a few weeks at various resorts along the line. At Revelstoke Mr. Douglas Hector was taken seriously ill. He was removed from the hotel to the hospital, and the best medical attendance was secured for him. He died at 2.20 o'cLock on the afternoon of Sunday, August 16. The cause of death was peritonitis.t Walter C. Ireland. raised the question concerning the lapse of time between the death and burial of Douglas Hector. He has indicated that Douglas Hector is definitely buried in Mountain View Fig. 7.-Monument erected In honour of Sir James Hector, KC.M.G., Geologist and Explorer to the Palliser Expedition *Scarlett, E. P.: Personal communication, December 20, 1955. of 1857-1860 by his friends in Canada, the United States and tPatterson, H. S., Q.C.: Letter to Miss B. Donaldson, Calgary England. "6ne of the earliest scientists to explore the Can- Associate Clinic, December 22, 1955. "Dr. Schaeffer was much adian Rocky Mountains, he discovered the Kicking-HorsE concerned as he thought the boy was suffering from appendi- Pass through which the now runs citis concerned about the matters of seniority, he did from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans." (Note the absencE not suggest anything." of any reference to the fact that Sir James Hector was a lPersonal communications to and from S. A. Manning, City member of the medical profession, and that he also served Clerk, Revelatoke, B.C., December 29, 1955. as surgeon to the Palliser Expedition.) Canad. Med. Ass. 3. 74 CASE REPORTS: OSTEOGENIG SARCOMA IN CHILDREN July 14, 1962, vol. 87

3. JOHNSON, E. P.: Flint and feather, The Musson Book Co. "wonder and delight" of Yoho Park. It is un- Ltd., Toronto, 1912 fortunate that the fact that he was also a 4. JENNESS, D.: The Indians of Canada, 3rd ed., Bulletin surgeon No. 65 (Anthropological Series No. 15) National is not inscribed on the monument. He must stand Museum of Canada, Ottawa, 1955, P. 324. 5. HECTOR, J.: On the physical features of the central part remembered in the accounts of those who departed of B.N.A. and on its capabilities for settlement, Neil & Co., Edinburgh, 1861. from medicine. For via the avenue of medicine to 6. WooD, K.: Birds and animals in the Rockies (illustrated by F. L. Beebe), H. R. Larson, Hamilton, Saskatoon further scientific study, he achieved a succession of and Vancouver. 7. MCGOWAN, D.: Outdoors with a camera in Canada, The monumental authentic achievements. He was a Macmillan Company of Canada, Toronto, 1947. 8. BTJLWER-LYTTON, E.: Proceedings of the Royal Geographi- master builder. cal Soeiety of London, 3: 122, 1859. Idem: Journal of the Royal Geographical .Society of London, 30: 267, 1860. REFERENCES LABOUcHERE, H.: Proceedlings of the Royal Geographical Socie(y of London, 2: 38; 146, 1858. 1. MOYNIHAN, B. G. A.: Truants: the story of some who 9. PATTERSON, H. S.: Historical Bulletin, Calgary Associate deserted medicine yet triumphed, Cambridge University Clinic, 6: 2, 1941. Press, London, 1936. 10. WILLIAMs, M. B.: The heart of the Rockies, H. R. Larsen 2. WALLACE, W. S., editor: Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. 3, Publishing Co., Hamilton, Saskatoon and Vancouver. University Associates of Canada Limited, Toronto, 11. KIRK, 3.: Transactions New Zealand Institute, 54: 9, 1936, p. 330. 1923.

A 4 '44 Osteogenic Sarcoma in Young Children: A Case Report with Review of Literature GEORGE M. FRASER, M.D., C.M. and KURT ATERMAN, M.D., Ph.D., M.R.C.P., D.C.H.,* Halifax, N.S. O STEOGENIC sarcoma, although a compara- genie sarcomas occur in patients between 10 and 25 tively rare tumour, is the most common years of age; according to Willis,4 nearly two-thirds primary malignant neoplasm of bone; it accounts of all patients are between the ages of 10 and for about 5% of all malignancies in childhood.' 30 years, and one-third are over 30 years of age. Many accounts have appeared in the medical litera- Very young children and old people are only seldom ture of the biological characteristics and morpho- affected. Stowens' also considers these lesions to be logical features of this tumour, but authors who uncommon in the first 10 years of life. Therefore, have attempted to summarize the literature in the a detailed report of the occurrence of osteogenic past have encountered difficulties because of varia- sarcoma, conforming to the standard description tions in terminology and definitions, inadequate of this tumour, in a 4'/2-year-old boy is presented, data, and so on. Only comparatively recently has with a survey of the pertinent literature. the whole subject of bone tumours, including osteo- genic sarcoma, been clarified by the efforts of such CLINICAL HISTORY workers as Jaffe,2 Lichtenstein,3 Willis4 and A white male child, aged 4. years, had complained others.3-9 of pain in the left knee for three weeks prior to ad- The term osteogenic sarcoma, or osteosarcoma, mission to hospital. Two weeks after his first complaint, is now generally accepted to denote, in the the parents noted that the knee was swollen. The family definition of Willis,4 a malignant tumour derived physician referred the child to hospital after clinical from bone matrix whose ". tumour parenchyma and radiological examination. There was no history of to bone or trauma to the left leg. Except for measles, chickenpox, displays recognizable differentiation and whooping cough the child had not been ill previ- osteoid tissue". That these tumours form bone ously. matrix is an important and definite criterion in At the time of admission, the general physical distinguishing them from other sarcomas. appearance was that of a well-developed boy. The These osteogenic sarcomas develop more fre- lungs were clear, both on clinical and on radiological quently in males than in females (in a ratio of examination; a short systolic murmur was heard over about 2:1), and it is widely held that they occur the apical region. Examination of the left leg showed mainly in older children and in young adults. For a swelling above the knee, with tenderness mainly on instance, Anderson'0 states that about 75% of osteo- the medial surface. A noticeable limp was present when the patient was asked to walk. The following laboratory findings were recorded: urine normal, hemoglobin, 14.4 From the Department of Pathology, Daihousie University, and the children's Hospital, Halifax, N.S. g. per 100 ml.; total white cell count, 6450/c.mm. with *Present address: Pathology Department, Woman's Medical urea nitrogen College of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia 29, Pa. a normal differential count; blood