Dr James Crawford
Known as: Jim
1914-1998
Place of birth: Greenock, Scotland
Nationality: British
CRN: 723863
Education and qualifications
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General education |
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|---|---|
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Primary medical qualification(s) |
MB ChB, Glasgow, 1936 |
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Initial Fellowship and type |
FFARCS by Election |
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Year of Fellowship |
1953 |
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Other qualification(s) |
DA (RCP&S) 1939 |
Professional life and career
Postgraduate career
After graduation Crawford was house officer at Greenock Royal Infirmary, followed by the ENT and Ophthalmic Departments of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading; next he was resident anaesthetist at the Royal Infirmary in Huddersfield. He passed the examinations for the DA in 1939 and enlisted with the Royal Air Force just before the start of the Second World War. After demobilisation with the rank of Sq. Leader in 1948, he was anaesthetist at Ballochmyle Hospital in Mauchline, Ayrshire. In 1952 he was appointed Consultant Anaesthetist for the Hexham Group Hospitals. Finally in 1956 he moved to be Consultant Anaesthetist at the Western Infirmary (WI), Glasgow where he remained until his retirement.
Professional interests and activities
In the 1960s Crawford contributed to a study on the outcome of chloroform anaesthesia in a large series of patients, using a Chlorotec vaporizer; this concluded that continued use of chloroform was justified. He became head of the Department of Anaesthetics at the WI in 1966 and later first Chairman of the restructured Division. He was a member of Council of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland from 1967 to 1970, and President of the Scottish Society of Anaesthetists for 1972-73. Clinically he was much involved in anaesthesia for thoracic surgery; notably he published a series of 41 cases of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (Anaesthesia 1971; 26: 513). He also contributed to anaesthesia for renal transplantation.
Other biographical information
Described as “personable and hospitable”, he was interested in golf, rugby and gardening. In retirement he enjoyed fast walks with an Airedale terrier around Bearsden, Glasgow. He was survived by his wife Joyce and their five daughters
Author and sources
Author:
Dr Alistair McKenzie
Sources and comments:
[1] Spence AA. Appreciation. Annals of Scottish Society of Anaesthetists 2001; 41: 16-18. [2] Medical Registers and Medical Directories. The photograph is courtesy of the Scottish Society of Anaesthetists.