XXXVIIth congress - Galveston (Texas), USA 10-15 september 2000

by Robert A. Macbeth
national delegate (Canada)

The 37th biennial Congress of the International Society for the History of Medicine was held in Galveston, Texas, from 10 to 15 September 2000. This was the first time the meeting has been held in the United States. Canadians who know Dr. Chester Burns, the chairman of the Congress Committee, will flot be surprised to learn that this Congress was, without doubt, the most efficiently organized in recent memory. The congress hotel, situated in and named for the Moody Gardens, was new and has exceptional conference facilities. The gardens themselves, with three immense glass pyramids housing an aquarium, a ram forest, and a discovery museum provided exceptional on-site attractions for guests. The some 160 participants and 50 accompanying persons were treated to a fine scientific and social program although we, on the North Amencan continent, really cannot compare with Europe and old world countries in providing a social program which showcases centuries-old historic sites and, to us, fascinating glimpses of ancient cultures. One gracious innovation in the social program was that, one evening, ail registrants who wished to do so were entertained to dinner in the homes of Galveston residents. The Galveston group was particularly unfortunate in that a tropical storm dumped 3.41 inches of ram in 24 hours (a 127-year record) on the area and ait short the scheduled day-long visit to the Johnson Space Centre. Canada was well-represented on the scientific program which included "Jock" Murray as a keynote speaker at one of the plenary sessions, and Geoffrey Hudson and Sebastian Normandin as program participants.

The meetings of the Administrative Council and the General Assembly were saddened by the announcement of the deaths of Professor Jean-Charles Sournia of Paris, France, a past-president of the Society; and of Professor Sleim Ammar, the genial host of the 1998 Tunisian Congress. Professor Ynez V. O’Neill of Los Angeles, the dynamic president of the Society for the past four years, having completed her term of office, turned the presidency over to Professor Jean-Pierre Tricot of Antwerp, Belgium, who had been elected to that office at the Council meeting. At the same meeting, Professor Alfredo Musajo-Somma, of Italy, was elected co-treasurer, replacing Professor Robrecht Van Hee of Belgium. Dr. Chester Burns continues as the other co-treasurer.

Professor Doctor Nil Sari, president of the 38th Congress to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, 1-6 September 2002, led a large delegation of Turkish medical historians at the Galveston Congress and presented a most attractive promotional film on the beauty of the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) and the Sea of Marmara. The first announcement regarding the Turkish Congress was available in Galveston. Individuals wishing further information should contact the Congress secretary : Dr. Yesim Isil Ulman (yesimul@yahoo.com) to be put on the mailing list. The second announcement and caîl for abstracts will be issued on 15 April 2001.

Hungary, Italy, and Russia have expressed interest in holding the 2004 International Congress but no definite decision has, as yet, been made in this regard. Interest also has been expressed by some delegates in holding smaller more focused meetings in association with other societies interested in the history of medicine in non-congress years. Mr. John Blair of Perth, Scotland, suggested that such meetings might be combined with those of specialty societies, and specifically that it might be possible to arrange one such meeting with that of the International Society of Surgery which will be meeting in London, England, on 26-31 August 2001.

The General Assembly also received reports from the president, Professor Ynez O’Neill; the secretary-general, Dr. Alain Lellouch; Dr. Musajo-Sommo on behaîf of the co-treasurers, and Dr. John Cule, editor of Vesalius.

For further information about, or membership in, the International Society for the History of Medicine, please contact: Dr. Robert A. Macbeth, national delegate (Canada), International Society for the History of Medicine, 1 Concorde Place, Apt. 1506, Toronto, Ontario M3C 3K6.