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Letter to William Osler, December 8, 1915
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Dr. John George Adami was born on January 12, 1862, in Manchester, Lancashire, England.
He was an English pathologist. In 1892, he was made Strathcona professor of pathology at McGill University, Montreal. Here, by his own original work, the organization of his laboratories, and his ability to attract and inspire students, he quickly made a name for himself and for his department. He was also the head of the pathological department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. A colonel in the Canadian Army Medical Corps, he served throughout World War I as assistant director of medical services in charge of records at London and in 1919, he received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire award (C.B.E.) for his services. The same year he resigned his position at McGill University to became Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool University. In 1898, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1905. In 1912, he became president both of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Association of American Physicians. Two years later he was awarded the Fothergillian gold medal of the Medical Society of London, and in 1917, he delivered the Croonian Lectures before the Royal College of Physicians. He died on August 29, 1926, in either Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales or in Liverpool, Merseyside, England (according to different sources).
Letter to William Osler from John George Adami, England. Informs him that Surgeon-General Jones's opinion is that it would be wiser to take no part in the matter of the venereal diseases in the army and on the question of the prostitutes in Shorncliffe. His argument is that Colonel Rennie from Shorncliffe was instructed by General Steele not to go to a meeting of the National Council for combating venereal disease. It may be a move to make the British authorities responsible for the state of affairs, and to eventually permit them to be free to take their own action. Deplores that the conditions are getting worse, there are as many cases now with less Canadian soldiers as there were when they were more. The General thinks that it is time for the Militia and Defence Act to be put in operation so, as to drive the prostitutes out of the Shorncliffe and Bramshot districts. The latter, contrary to Adami, doubts the efficiency of the American System for this matter. Explanations. Adami agrees with the General's suggestion to cease having a special venereal hospital and make the M. O. of each battalion look after the venereal cases of that battalion. Suggests that Barlow of the Council should induce the General to take more active measures.
Copy or transcription.
Cushing's colour code: White (Correspondence)