Sir Lindo Ferguson. Australasia's First Ophthalmologist?

Bruce Hadden

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, and Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand.

Sir Lindo Ferguson made enormous contributions to 19th and early 20th century ophthalmology and medical education, and to the founding of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The Chain of Office of the Chairman of the New Zealand Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, and formerly the Presidents' Chain of Office of the Ophthalmological Society of New Zealand, has engraved on it "Sir Henry Lindo Ferguson CMG. FRCSI. 1858-1948. The first ophthalmologist in Australasia". However, there were others practicing ophthalmology in Australia and New Zealand before Sir Lindo arrived in Dunedin in 1883. They included James Rudall, Andrew Gray, and Aubrey Bowen in Melbourne, and H.D. McLaurin at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Some others were very colourful characters, including Dr John Wilkins and Dr Schwartzbach, both of whom practiced in Melbourne and Sydney as well as in New Zealand. Their peripatetic and promotional practices have parallels to modern trends.

This presentation will highlight the more interesting and entertaining ophthalmic activities in those pioneering times in our two countries.