OBITUARY 141

3ohn lkftirkpatrfck 1890-1943

ALL who have worked in the Pathology Department of Glasgow University or have been in any way connected with it, would learn with deep regret of the death of John Kirkpatrick, which occurred on 28th October. He was indeed one who by his gifts and personal qualities had come to occupy an important place in the scientific life of the University.

Kirkpatrick had the great advantage of being trained by Richard Muir in the University of Edinburgh. He learned from him what was best in technique at the time, and the high standard of his master’s work had a determining influence on his own. He went to Glasgow as a laboratory assistant in 1908 and not long afterwards was appointed to the senior post. In 1928 he was promoted by the University Court to the office of demonstrator in pathological and bacteriological methods, a post created for him in view of his special attainments. He was an original member of the Pathological and Bacteriological Laboratory Assistants’ Association and won a high place in the affection and esteem of his fellow-members. In 1932, as a well merited recognition of his original work, he was elected a member of our Society.

It would be difficult to speak adequately of Kirkpatrick’s many gifts and attainments. All his work was done with rare efficiency ; he always had everything in complete control and was reliable down’to the smallest detail. But in addition, with the passing of the years, he became in increasing degree a mainstay in the work of research, and every worker in the department will have some- thing to say as to what he or she owed to him, both for advice and for active help. Not only had he a mastery of technique but he possessed also no small degree of originality and was ever on the quest for improved methods. Some of his results are contained in papers which he published in this Journal, for example those on the staining of bacterial capsules and a new mounting medium for microscopical preparations. He also contributed technical notes to several of the later editions of Muir and Ritchie’s Bacteriology, including his useful method for staining flagella. But few of the ordinary methods were not modified by him in some way, usually in the direction of increased simplicity. Many members of the Society will have seen for themselves the special and often arresting quality of his microscopical preparations. In his later years he was concerned with the preparation of a medium as polyvalent as possible for pathogenic organisms and had made considerable progress in this direction.

Of everything connected with the microscope and photographic

142 JOHN KIRKPATRICK

apparatus he had an intimate knowledge such as is possessed by few. He had established a complete photomicrographic outfit in his own house and possessed a fine collection of lenses to which he was constantly adding. He set for himself an exacting standard in all his photographic work and spared neither time nor material in reaching what he considered a satisfactory result. And, an important point, he was exacting also as regards the quality of preparations submitted to him. The high quality of his own work is seen in numerous papers published from the department. Practically all the illustrations in my Textbook of Pathology were made by him and, personally, I am indebted to him more than I can say.

Whilst an enthusiast and an artist in his own line of work, Kirkpatrick had many interests outside it. He had a wide knowledge of world affairs and a keen critical faculty associated with a sense of humour, and conversation with him was always of attractive interest. He enjoyed outdoor life just as much as his indoor hobbies, and I recall with pleasure the afternoons spent with him on the golf course. In all his personal relationships he was kindly, courteous and helpful, and these qualities made him beloved by a large circle of friends, by whom he will be greatly missed. He has left a widow and two daughters and to them we offer our most sincere sympathy.

ROBERT MUIR.