NYCC_Winter_Newsletter_15

NYCC WINTER 2015-16
Mark Your Calendars!
A Nation of Medical Innovation
An t-Albannach
The Newsletter of the New York Caledonian Club
December 2015
Continued on page 4
by Sue Ann McDevitt, RN, BSN, COHN-S
Affiliate Member, Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons – Glasgow
The popular anthem, Scotland the Brave, is a rousing tune to be sure and most people associate this with bravery on the battlefield. But one
must also recognize the bravery of the scientific and medical innovators throughout Scottish history. As a specialist in Travel Medicine and
tropical diseases, I owe much to the courage of Scottish physicians and scientists who discovered many of the treatments, equipment and method-
ologies modern medical and lay people now take for granted.
Education:
According to www.bestmedicaldegrees.com, St. Andrews University Medical School holds #21 on their list of the 30 oldest medical schools in
the world: St. Andrews opened in 1413 with medicine as an educational path from the start but the medical school, as its own entity within the
university, opened in 1450 and remains in operation today. University of Glasgow (1756) where I had the pleasure of attending for a post-
graduate certification in Travel Medicine, and the University of Edinburgh’s (1726) Medical Schools are relative newcomers, although medicine
was taught at both universities from the 17th
century.
Devices:
The syringe: Who doesn’t just love getting a shot? While syringes date back to Roman times, Alexander Wood, a
second generation physician educated at University of Edinburgh, refined the syringe and developed the first hol-
low-bore needle making injections less painful. This invention in 1853 was initially used for administration of
morphine for pain management and predated vaccine development but would play a huge role in defeating many
deadly diseases. Scary fact: As recent as 45 years ago, needles were reused and had to be sharpened on a whetstone
before sterilization! YIKES!
Ultrasound technology: Parallel work was done on sonogram technology in the 1940’s and 50’s, and evolved into a widely used non-invasive
diagnostic tool. Dr. Ian Donald and his team of obstetricians and researchers at Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital refined industrial sonography
equipment into medical applications and developed the prenatal sonograms common today to assess fetal development.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scans: Again, parallel work started in several countries in the 1970’s and in 1980, Dr. John Mallard at
University of Aberdeen, built a full-body MRI scanner that in 1980 provided usable imaging leading to the patient’s diagnosis of metastatic
lung cancer. MRIs are also widely used non-invasive tools to diagnose injuries and illnesses. Prior to the development of this as well as ultra-
sound technology, patients would often go an invasive procedure known as an “exploratory laparotomy” which required general anesthesia and
a long hospital stay.
Artificial Kidney: Kenneth Lowe (born in Arbroath & educated at University of Dundee) was working in London after WWII with colleagues
when they developed Britain’s first artificial kidney machine, also known as hemodialysis, and published important papers on renal failure and
its treatment. Dr. Lowe specialized in cardiology and kidney disease and served as the Queen’s Physician.
ImagescourtesyofSueAnnMcDevitt
Burns Supper - January 23, 2016,
Robert Burns in Film,
Amy Beshara Scottish Fiddle Workshop,
NYCC Spring Gaelic & Song Classes Begin
March 1, 2016,
Pre-Parade Ceilidh – April 8, 2016
AND
Tartan Week 2016!!

December 2015 www.nycaledonian.org Page 2
HAIL FROM THE CHIEF
Chief Lee Harwell
PhotoCourtesyofCapturedColorPhotography
UPCOMING NYCC EVENTS
For more information or to pay for tickets via PayPal for any of the upcoming NYCC events listed below, visit the website
www.nycaledonian.org, or call (212) 662-1083 or email events@nycaledonian.org. To inquire or send checks or money
orders by regular mail for tickets, made to the order of NYCC (note which event!), write to: The New York Caledonian
Club Inc., P.O. Box 4542, Grand Central Station. New York, NY 10163-4542.
Hi all,
Just a brief note from the Chief
to remind everyone that we have
some great events coming up as
well as those that are in the works.
If you need more detail, please go
to the “Events” page on our website or better yet,
get your updates in person by joining us at the up-
coming Burns Supper on January 23, 2016. Details
to follow soon.
I look forward to seeing those whom I know, and
meeting those whom I don’t, at the beginning of the
New Year 2016.
Happy Holidays to everyone. May they be safe and
filled with ample amounts of joy.
le meas agus deagh dhùrachdan,
Chief
Lee Harwell
Wednesday, December 2, 2015: Robert Burns on Film
7-9:30PM, Saint Andrews Society of the State of New York, 150 East 55th
Street, 3rd
Floor, Manhattan (between Lex-
ington & Third Avenues). Hosted by Burns scholar, Thomas Keith. Half a dozen films about Robert Burns were made
between 1926 and 1959 and we will be viewing three of them: Auld Lang Syne (1937), The Romance of Robert Burns
(1937), and Robbie & His Mary (1959). Please join us promptly at 7:00 for refreshments. Auld Lang Syne will begin
showing promptly at 7:15. Admission: $20 for NYCC & SAS members; $25 for non-members. To purchase tickets,
visit website www.nycaledonian.org. For more info, call 212-662-1083.
Saturday, January 9, 2016: NYCC Scottish Fiddle Workshop with Amy Beshara
2-5PM, 150 West 46th
Street, 6th
Floor, Manhattan. Led by Amy Beshara, well-known as a teacher and performer on
the East Coast, and a member of the Iona Scottish Sessions and the Philadephia-based band, Burning Bridget Cleary.
For any fiddlers, advanced beginners and up, who would like to learn a Scottish tune or two! Please note, that this is
not a class for absolute beginners and the tunes are taught traditionally without sheet music. Early Bird special at $35;
admission goes up to $45 on January 5th
, 2015. Please send checks to: ATTN: Scottish Fiddle Workshop, New York
Caledonian Club, PO Box 4542, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-4542. Payment also will soon be avail-
able through the website www.nycaledonian.org. For more information, call 212 662-1083
Saturday, January 23, 2016 – The Annual NYCC Robert Burns Supper
Details will be announced very shortly. Check for updates on the website at www.nycaledonian.org. SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, April 8, 2016: Pre-Parade Ceilidh
7PM, Abigail Adams Auditorium, 417 East 61st Street, between First Avenue and York, Manhattan. Check the website
www.nycaldeonian.org for updates on ticket info. Any questions please call 212-662-1083 or write to events@nycaledonian.org
Saturday, April 9, 2016: New York City 18th Annual Tartan Week Parade
2PM, Parade Route on Sixth Avenue from West 44th
to West 55th
Streets, Manhattan. From West Highland Terriers to bagpipes, see the
Scots on parade. And maybe a celebrity or two. This year’s Grand Marshal TBA.
OTHER EVENTS IN AND AROUND NYC
Saturday, December 19, 2015 - Pipes of Christmas
2PM and 7PM, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Avenue (at 73rd Street), Manhattan. Featured performers include
James Robinson, Mhairi Calvey and Andrew Weir from the film Braveheart; fiddle champions, Paul Woodiel and Calum Pasqua; River-
dance piper, Christopher Layer; guitarist Steve Gibb from the musical Jersey Boys, and many others. To purchase tickets, visit website:
http://www.pipesofchristmas.com/get-tickets/. General admission $60 and Patron (reserved seating), $150.
Thomas Keith
PhotocourtesyofThonasKeith
Amy Beshara at Iona
PhotocourtesyofAmyBeshara

Just down the road from the kirk is The Kilmartin House
Museum which contains articles recovered from excava-
tions of The Kilmartin Glen. One article of interest is a
two-person corrach; a hazel ribbed boat covered with cow
hide. This type of vessel was so efficient that up until re-
cently it was used on the River Boyne in Ireland.
Another object of interest is a stone cist or ossuary dated
from circa 2,000 to 1,500 BC. Willow eel traps, flint tools
and a rowan bow are only some of the multitude of artifacts
on display that our ancestors left behind as clues to how
they lived.
A map can be obtained from the museum, detailing ap-
proximately six miles of walking trails where one can ex-
plore Neolithic and Bronze Age cairns, standing stones,
henges and abandoned settlements. Rocks carved with the
enigmatic cup and ring symbol seen all over Europe dot the
area. Also located in the glen is Dunadd Hill Fort which
was occupied by Scotland’s earliest kings. In other words,
Kilmartin Glen is an archaeology buff’s dream-come-true.
The Kilmartin Glen is located in Argyll which is often
neglected by visitors to Scotland. This is unfortunate be-
cause its virtually unspoiled landscape of rolling hills, an-
cient forests and verdant fields is one of the most beautiful
in the entire country. It is the perfect place to escape the
hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with the
world that our ancestors knew. Even if only for a day.
Travelogue: Kilmartin Glen
PhotoCredit:SuzannePresent
Upon first glance,
Kilmartin Parish
Kirk appears to be one
of the many typical
19th century stone
churches scattered
throughout Scotland.
However, a walk
around its churchyard
reveals it to be any-
thing but typical.
The southern por-
tion of the yard con-
tains a lapidarium constructed in the 17th century.
Once a burial aisle for Neil Campbell, Bishop of Ar-
gyll and his wife Christiane, it now houses twenty-
two carved grave slabs and one tomb chest
slab. Ranging from the 1200’s to 1700’s they are ar-
rayed by date in a clockwise semicircle. Many of
them display swords amid their interlacing patterns.
This was a symbol of their status as land owners or
of being members of the noble classes rather than be-
longing to a particular military order as was once
thought.
As was customary,
no names appear on
the slabs. However,
one life sized high re-
lief carving of a me-
dieval knight contains
the name “Mac-
Tavish.” It is believed
that this was inserted
later in time by some-
one trying to identify
the person who lay in
the grave. Or possibly
the slab was reused
and the name belonged to the second owner.
The kirk itself was built over an early 17th century
church and that one replaced a medieval one. It is
possible that there was an even earlier one on the site
due to archaeological evidence of early Christian ac-
tivity in situ. Inside, two ornate crosses can be seen;
one from the 9th or 10th century and one from the
16th.
Kilmartin Parish Kirk
MacTavish Grave Slab
Grave slabs in the lapidarium in the churchyard.
--Suzanne Present

Electrocardiography: Alexander Muirhead was an electrical engineer at a time when electrical technology was in its infancy. In 1872, he
recorded the first electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG), the tracings well known to adults over age 40 and anyone watching a medical drama on tel-
evision (also a Scottish invention!). The tracings in no way resembled what we know today nor was there knowledge to interpret the tracings
but it was a major innovation. Interpretive knowledge wouldn’t develop for another 30-plus years.
Disease Identification, treatment and prevention:
Typhoid Vaccine: Typhoid is an insidious beast. Carriers can have no symptoms and easily pass on this bacteria
to others, most often through food production. Contaminated water also is a primary source. Glaswegian Lt. Gen.
William Leishman helped discover, with Sir Almroth Wright an effective typhoid vaccine in 1902. He is also
credited with discovering the cause of Kala Azar (black fever), now known as Leishmaniasis.
Malaria: In 1902, Sir Ronald Ross was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his groundbreaking 1895 discovery
of the mosquito’s role in malaria transmission and the lifecycle of the malaria parasite. In history, malaria – from the
Italian mal aria or bad air – was believed to be caused by a miasma arising in the warmer weather, or when the trash and
sewage in the open gutters were at their most malodourous. Assigned to India as a military surgeon, he was in prime
malaria territory. Alphonse Laveran, a French physician discovered that malaria is caused by a parasite but it wasn’t until
the “how” of malaria’s transmission was discovered that methods of prevention began to be discovered. Malaria is still the #2 infectious disease
affecting several hundred million cases per year and approximately 675,000 deaths per year. Dr. Ross established the Ross Institute & Hospital
for Tropical Diseases in London, which is now part of the world-renowned London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. Influenza is the
#1 infectious killer.
Tuberculosis: The #2 most common infectious disease. Dr. Sir John Crofton, and Anglo-Irishman, was working at University of Edinburgh
in the mid-20th
century when he discovered multi-drug therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis, also known as TB. Followed correctly, “The
Edinburgh Method” can cure and prevent spread of TB nearly 100%. This therapy led to the eradication of TB in Scotland.
Penicillin: From messy work habits came one of the most important medical innovations. Ever. Sir Alexander Fleming is known for his dis-
covery of penicillin in 1928. Upon returning to his lab from a vacation, Sir Fleming realized some of his staphylococcus bacteria cultures were
contaminated by a fungus and the bacteria was dead. He actually gave up trying to develop enough of his penicillin as it was quite hard but
some doctors at Oxford took up the banner and were able to make enough product to treat all troops injured in the D-Day invasions. Unfortu-
nately, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics today is leading to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This and the lack of new drugs being developed
threatens to undo Dr. Fleming’s great discovery.
Diabetes: Perthshire-born Nobel Laureate John J R MacLeod worked with Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto to discover successful
use of insulin in humans in 1922, saving millions in the ensuing decades.
Flush Toilets: While not a strictly medical invention, Alexander Cumming’s development of the flush toilet in 1775 could be considered an
adjunct discovery. Oddly enough, it took a very long time for the toilet to become a fixture in homes throughout the UK & US. Proper man-
agement of human waste contributed enormously to the eradication of many water-borne diseases. The lack of flush toilets in less-developed
countries contributes to persistent diarrheal illnesses, most often affecting children where these diseases are a leading cause of childhood deaths
in Africa and Asia.
Methodologies:
Anesthesia: In 1847, Sir James Simpson, an obstetrician, developed the use of chloroform as an inhaled anesthetic for surgery and childbirth
making such procedures more comfortable for the patients. However, it was potentially hazardous to the doctors and nurses: they were affected
by the drug if not used properly: chloroform was poured onto a handkerchief or dripped onto a mask and fumes could cause dizziness or fainting.
Queen Victoria used chloroform for the birth of one of her children causing an uproar among some of the clergy who felt that childbirth was
payment for Eve’s original sin and the use of anesthesia in childbirth circumvented that bit of penance – imagine their point of view if it were
men to give birth! Sir Simpson also invented obstetrical forceps and led the fight for sanitary childbirth practices.
Decompressions tables: John Haldane, MD in 1908 developed methodology for safe diving and the prevention of “the bends.” Dr. Haldane
also developed the guidelines for the practice of oxygen therapy in hospitalized patients.
A Nation of Medical Innovation
Continued from page one

Glasgow Coma scale (GCS): Drs. Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett developed the GCS in
the 1970’s to determine objectively the possibility of total recovery and/or the extent of damage
following brain injury. Around the time this tool was developed, there was a heart-wrenching
case of a young woman in New Jersey who through taking a combination of cold medications
and alcohol, became comatose in a chronic vegetative state. This case became an early and
one of the most important right-to-life cases in U.S. history. Following a protracted trial, the
parents were allowed to remove the patient from a respirator and surprisingly: she could breathe
on her own. She remained in her vegetative state for 10 years. As an offshoot of using the
Glasgow Coma Scale and the survival data its implementation
provided there is now a basis for advising people to consider their wishes in the event they become incapacitated
and have an advance care directive to let family and medical personnel know a patients preferences. This doc-
ument helps avoid the difficult end-of-life decisions when brain death has been established.
All of these fabulous contributions to the medical knowledge base from a geographically small but mighty land.
Consider these innovations when next at your physician. And lift a glass of Scotland’s other fine contribution
to mankind in a “thank you” to those brave Scots of the past who ignored sceptics, naysayers, the clergy and
others to drive change in their day and to those who continue working for innovations in health care that benefits
everyone today.
University of Glasgow, Scotland
where Teasdale and Jennett developed the GCS scale.
NYCC AT THE 2015 LONG ISLAND GAMES
AND BEYOND!
Photocreditfor“Merida”&PipeBand:SuzeSylvester
PhotocreditforL.I.Games&audience:SueAnnMcDevitt
Gillebrìde MacMillan presents an award to
NYCC Gaelic student,Barbara Rice, at the
2015 U.S. Mòd.
CourtesyofACGA-LiamCassidy
The Club went to “Brigadoon”,
presented by the St. Jean Players
on Nov. 21, 2015

True Tales from Scotland
Ileft school at the age of thir-
teen when classes ended and
the summer holidays began. I
had the whole summer ahead of
me to fish, hunt, or any other
sport or project that came to
mind.
My hopes were dashed at the supper table that evening when
my father announced that he had spoken to Harry Morrison that
day and had got me a full time job working in the woods as one
of his crew. I would start off stacking brush and could advance
on to be a woodsman [lumberjack]. I would be starting on Mon-
day.
This was the last kind of job I had in mind for my future but
to complain would have been useless, to say the least. I thanked
him without showing too much enthusiasm and agreed to the
job.
It was only half a mile to the Pine plantation where Harry
and his five men were engaged in a thinning operation. Every
other tree or so was felled by two of the crew with a long saw
which had a handle at each end, followed by the other men with
axes who cut off all the branches at what I considered lightning
speed. These trees averaged twenty five feet in height and three
to six inches in diameter.
It was my job to drag the branches and stack them in rows
about twenty feet apart where they were left to rot or provide a
habitat for wild life.
As the weeks flew by I became quite proficient with the axe
or on the saw.
I was always known as “The Loon” [Kid] but was expected
to keep up with the rest of the men.
We moved from wood to wood where ever the next contract
landed us. Not always plantations; sometimes it would be huge
trees, hard and dangerous work. When working on the bigger
trees it was customary for men to cut a cross in the stump with
only four strokes of the axe, each one precisely aimed at an
angle so that the chip would come out clean. Every time it
rained, the cut would fill up with water which would speed the
decay of the stump. I think it was more of a signature of the
woodsman, because there were never two crosses alike.
I had been secretly practicing the move, and was quite con-
fident I could match any of the others.
My opportunity came one day as we sat round the camp fire
having our sandwich and tea, when the subject came up. The
men all claimed each was better than the other, so it was decided
there and then they would have a competition to decide the out-
come. It appeared that I was not going to be asked to take part,
The Woods
so I told them I would like to compete also.
I was amazed at the response; they shook my hand, patted my back
and unanimously agreed that I should be allowed to go first. They ush-
ered me over to the nearest tree stump while one of them busied himself
clearing the area of branches and other debris. I was even given a
choice of axes. [No one would dare touch the axe of a fellow worker].
I cut a perfect cross to the delight of the men. More handshaking and
back patting then one of them summoned the boss, Harry Morrison to
come and take a look. He ambled over and gazed at my handiwork.
“Nae bad. But could ye do it blindfolded?” he asked, not a smile on
his face.
The crew gathered round me again; lots of encouraging words to
the effect that I could do it “Nae bother.”
Someone produced a handkerchief as they guided me in the direction
of a fresh stump. I was totally overwhelmed by all this new found af-
fection, but was enjoying every minute of it. “Tak aff yer jacket” some-
body suggested as two eager helpers removed it just as the blindfold
was tightened over my eyes.
Many hands gently lined me up with the stump, assuring me that I
had perfect alignment. “Wait a minute” says Harry, as he took me by
the shoulders, and re aligned me another few degrees.
“Go for it loon” says he.”
Dead silence. Whack……………..Whack.
A loud cheer went up; more backslapping and words of praise as
they gently rotated me the necessary forty five degrees to complete the
cross.
Whack……………………………....Whack.
Another louder cheer broke the silence. Yes!! “Well done.” As I felt
fingers undo the blindfold.
This had to be one of the most memorable days of my life; accepted
into manhood; now I would be one of them, no more ‘Loon’.
The blindfold was off, but why had everyone retreated, and why the
dead silence.
I looked down at the stump expecting to see another perfect cross;
horror of horrors.
There lay the sleeve of my jacket; sliced to shreds.
“The buggars”.
After I had been blindfolded they had laid the sleeve of my jacket
over the stump. The whole thing had been planned ahead of time which
is common practice in any trade. I suppose it is meant to make you
stronger; to make you accept humiliation; to make you not so sure of
SketchCourtesyofRonaldStewart

yourself; in my opinion, a tradition that should never be allowed to die.
I spent at least two years in the woods; I enjoyed the open air and most of the time you had no one looking over your shoulder.
I had experienced almost every aspect of the logging industry, even to the art of skidding out the timbers with horse, [another story
perhaps] to running a “prop Mill” [the smaller trees were cut into pit props for the coal mines] all nothing more than, hard, back breaking
work.
A few weeks later found us round the camp fire at dinnertime. Harry wasn’t there, he had cryonic asthma, which required him to miss
quite a few days of work. In his absence we had the opportunity to discuss the present wage table which was unanimously agreed, way
below what we should be receiving.
Scott, one of the crew who I had grown to respect for his wisdom and rational respect for others, addressed me the with question of
of why a bright, educated young man like myself should be following such a dead end job like this. “You should be following a trade,
serving an apprenticeship, instead of wasting your time around here”.
I agreed with him wholeheartedly, but explained that I had been following every lead available to no avail.
“Nonsenses” says he “Smith and Gordon, Up at the Crofts of Dipple was. Lookin’ for a loon tae serve an apprenticeship wi’ them as
a jiner [carpenter], it was in the paper on Setterday”.
Well, we never get a paper on Saturdays, but I took him at his word, and after getting the directions to The Crofts of Dipple I mounted
my bike and was off right there and then to see if I could secure the job.
I reached this ramshackle, run-down building, which resembled a chicken house more than a carpenters shop, but the sign, faded from
years of exposure, assured me that this, indeed was, Smith and Gordon, carpenter and joiners.
The door was already open so I entered rather timidly to see two dungaree-clad individuals deeply engrossed over some very large
sheets of paper on a workbench already laden with tools and some half-assembled work pieces.
They turned round, a little surprised at my presence, and before they could comment, I exclaimed, “are yi lookin’ for a loon tae be a
jiner.”
Well, the long and the short of it was, after a mired of questions on my education, family, and what my father worked at, where did I
live , did I fully realize the five year commitment I was about to enter, Geordie turned to Alex and said . “I think we should gie ‘ im the
job”.
It was agreed I should start the following Monday. They both seemed very happy with their selection and, even at this point I felt that
I was genuinely accepted.
I sped back to my despondent group of collogues who were sitting exactly where I had left them over two hours ago. I broke the news
to them as to what had happened; in low tones they congratulated me and were totally in support of my decision ; especially Scott who
claimed responsibility for my good fortune.
That evening, at the supper table I broke the news to the family; everyone was glad for me, expressing their feelings for the way I had
taken the Bull by the horns and pursued the job of my dreams. Only my father, although not disappointed,
hinted that my choice of future employment rested in law enforcement.
“ Ye should go for the Bobbies Loon” was his input.
An t-Albannach, the newsletter of the New York Caledonian Club,
is published several times a year. ISSN#1520-077.
Editor-in-Chief: Barbara Lynn Rice, with contributions from many.
The New York Caledonian Club, Inc. (Est. 1856), is a
501(c)3 nonprofit, charitable, educational and literary organi-
zation and is open to anyone interested in Scotland and
Scottish-Americans.
The author, Ronald Stewart
PhotoCourtesyofRonaldStewart

The New York Caledonian Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 4542, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-4542
www.nycaledonian.org
(212) 662-1083
NEW YORK CALEDONIAN CLUB
2015-2016 BOARD OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Officers
81st Chief
Lee Harwell
Chieftain
Lesley MacLennan Denninger
Secretary
Marti Dorais
Treasurer
Kyle Dawson
Directors
Daphne Jay Bell
Gilbert Green, Jr.
Katherine Hendry
Steve Klugman
Sue Ann McDevitt
Suzanne Present
Mackenzie Reid
Barbara Lynn Rice

NYCC_Winter_Newsletter_15

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