Page 32 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

Chapter I: The Cradle of Our Origins

Surgeons at the Helm

Experienced surgeons were at the core of the leadership of the Hong Kong
College of Medicine for Chinese in its early development:

1887-89 Professor Sir Patrick Manson, GCMG, FRS, the founder and
first Dean of the College, was trained as a surgeon at the University of
Aberdeen and came to Hong Kong in 1883, after spending 17 years in
China where he made important discoveries in parasitology, including
the transmission of the elephantiasis parasite to humans via mosquitoes.
This laid the foundation for the study of malaria. Manson also developed
several operations that bore his name, one of which was surgical removal
of elephantoid tumours due to filariasis.

Apart from his work with the College, Manson contributed to public health
by establishing the Dairy Farm company in Pokfulam in 1885 to address
nutritional needs and he helped form the Hong Kong Medical Society to
promote continuous learning. He returned to London in 1889 where he
founded the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

1889-96 Dr Sir James Cantlie, KBE, FRCS, KStJ, the obvious choice to
succeed Manson, was recruited by him and arrived in Hong Kong in 1887.
He left a major imprint on the College and surgery during his tenure
from 1889 to 1896. Like Manson and Dr Ho Kai, Cantlie was a graduate
of the University of Aberdeen and an able administrator. He established a
governance structure that included a senate, a court and a standing council,
and he developed the medical curriculum and professional examinations.

Cantlie made several contributions to surgery as a whole, pioneering first aid
and participating in the establishment of the Journal of Tropical Medicine
in 1898 and the London School of Tropical Medicine (led by Manson) in
1899.

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