University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine - Scope Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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r. 33. Qlexanher ihanhall AJS., MILA., DNJII., ljlhjll. Hrnfessnr nf Qlltnlugg 1 512-1924 By Dr. George F efterolf Dr. Burton Alexander Randall, Professor of Otology, in the University Medical School, from 1891 to 1924, having reached the University's retiring age, vacated his chair on July 1, 1924. Dr. Randall was born in Annapolis, Md., September 21, 1858. He attended St. Iohn's College, Annapolis, and graduated in the Class of 1877. Graduating at the early age of 19 he was nevertheless selected as Commencement Salutatorian. From this same college he received the degree of A. M., in 1880, the year of his graduation in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. At the University he continued his custom of taking commencement honors, halving the Hrst prize for the best graduation thesis. The University also bestowed upon him the degree of Ph.D., in the Course Auxiliary to Medicine, a course discontinued some years ago. He began his teaching by spending the years 1880-1882 as Assistant Demon- strator of Histology in the Medical School of the University. His other positions 32

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18969 St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, 1901.5 Consulting Pediatrist, Abington Memorial, jewish and Misericordia Hospitalsg Consulting Physician to the Widener Home for Crippled Children, the Philadelphia Home for Incurables, the Rush Hospital for Consumptivesg Editor Proc. of Coll. of Phys. for several years, and of International Clinics, at its start. Memorial Association American Physicians CTreasurer, 1900-171, American Pediatric Society, American Association Teachers of Diseases of Children, A. M. A., College Physicians Philadelphia, American Philosophy Society, Academy Natural Sciences, Pennsylvaniag Historical Society: Corresponding Member, Societe de Pediatric de Parisg President of the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Orphanage, one of the me1nbers and Chairman of the Board of Managers of the American Baptist Publication Society, member of the Board of the Crozer Theological Seminary. It is fitting that the official organ of the undergraduate body of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School should give recognition to the retirement of Dr. Griffith after 35 years of active service on the faculty. The students who will not have the advantage of sitting on the benches during his clinics have sustained a great loss. It is fortunate that many will yet have the privilege of sharing his vast experience, wonderful clinical sense, and his peculiarly extensive knowledge of pediatrics-his continued activity and interest in the Children's Hospital and in thc graduate school of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as in practice and in consultation work will make this possible. His many contributions to pediatric literature have all been of a nature which has been helpful and constructive and he has ever kept pace with the march of medical progress. In his text-book on the Diseases of Infants and Children he has done something which will be very difficult for any one to surpassg a book thought by many to be the best work of its type obtainable. One whose contact with an individual is only in a certain line may sometimes fail to realize the various phases of his activities. It is only necessary to read the foregoing resume of Dr. Grifi'ith's interest to see that they are many and that he possesses the rare quality of being proficient and accomplished in things outside of his life work. That he is great in the latter is obvious and nationally and internationally he is known as a leader in the Pediatric world. 'One who has worked many years in close association with him can testify to his kindliness and his fairness in dealing with his associates. The affection of children for him is but an expression of his gentleness in dealing with them and demonstrates better than can words alone the type of man he is. From these things there is much to learn as well as from the acquisition of mere medical knowledge. .31

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have been Eye and Ear Surgeon, Episcopal Hospital, 1882-1891, Ophthalmologist and Otologist Clater Otologist onlyj, to the Chi1dren's Hospital, 1885, to date, Pro- fessor of Otology, Philadelphia Polyclinic, 1888-190:25 Ophthalmologist and Otologist Clater Otologist onlyb, Methodist Episcopal Hospital, 1896-19015 Professor of Otology, University of Pennsylvania, 1891-1924. Being a consistent contributor to medical literature he has had world-wide recognition in his specialty, and no text-book on otology can be consulted without linding references to his work. ln addition to numerous papers on otological and ophthalmological subjects he has been a co-author of the following books: Photo- graphic lllustrations of the Anatomy of the Ear, 1887, American Text-Book of Diseases of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, 1890? Elected a fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1887, he was one of the organizers, was one time chairman and continues to be a very active member of the Section on Otology and Laryngology. He has had many honors bestowed upon him and he holds membership in many societies. Among these are The American Otological Society, The American Ophthalmological Society and the American Laryngological Association. Of the lirst of these he has been President, and he is OIIC of very few men to have been elected to Fellowship in all three of these national blue-ribbon societies. Possessed of a restless intellect, an analytic mind and a tireless activity, Dr. Randall's habit has been to take nothing for granted and no detail of his work has been allowed to escape his careful scrutiny and his keen reasoning faculties. Always a student, he couples with this conservatism of judgment, an optimism as to the vis n1edicatrix naturae, which has carried many patients through crises without resort to the radical measures that lesser men would have advocated. Gifted with a retentive memory, his storehouse of classiiied information is freely opened to all who may knock at the door. In his lectures, in his talks at society meetings, in personal conversations, there is poured out a wealth of ripe knowledge that enriches and delights his auditors. No matter what major or minor subject in otology is Linder discussion he always has a fund of knowledge and a rounded point of view wherewith to illuminate and clarify the point at issue. Widely read in the best of the world's literature, and possessed of a rare sense of humor, he frequently enlivens his scientific talk with sparkling bits of crystalline illustrative comment. To his colleagues and to his junior associates he always has been the helpful, considerate consultant. No distance would be too long, no sacrifice too great, no weather too inclement, no time too inconvenient, no patient too humble, to prevent him from genially and quickly coming to a brother physician's aid. His knowledge of anatomy and pathology, his quick clearness of diagnosis, his ripe surgical judg- ment, and his therapeutic resourcefulness are a joy and an aid to the many who have availed themselves of his helpfulness. If he becomes a trifle vexed at the views expressed by a younger and less evenly balanced professional brother, he sometimes pleasantly dismisses the subject by saying that he would have to leave such views or procedures to his Hyoungers and bettersf' Upon giving up his teaching of undergraduates Dr. Randall was elected Pro- fessor of Otology in the Graduate School, so fortunately the University will retain his services in the specialty which he has practiced, enlightened and taught for many years. '- 33