Sir Thomas Richard Fraser. 



XV 



from being identical, are widely different in their actions, the hsemolytic 

 effect predominating in the latter, whilst a paralysant action on both central 

 nervous system and motor nerve endings at the periphery is the dominating 

 effect of the former. 



In consequence of a severe outbreak of plague in 1898, a Commission was 

 appointed by the Governor- General, with the approval of H.M. Secretary of 

 State for India, which was charged with conducting an enquiry into the 

 origin of the disease, the manner of its communication, and the effects of 

 certain sera as means of prevention or cure. As such an enquiry, from its 

 nature, demanded the presence of the Commissioners in India, Prof. Fraser, 

 who had been nominated for service as their President, asked and was 

 granted leave of absence from his University duties. 



Having arrived in Bombay, the Commission at once began its enquiries, 

 examining numerous witnesses, and making searching personal observations 

 in many of the plague-stricken areas. Much important information was 

 elicited, which finds incorporation in the voluminous report issued in 1901. 

 Therein also the Commissioners make suggestions as to the proceedings most 

 likely to prove effective for preventing or circumscribing plague outbreaks 

 in the future. These suggestions are not adopted in all instances with entire 

 unanimity, and consequently there are presented certain minority recom- 

 mendations, amongst which is an important expression of opinion by the 

 President. 



In addition to his service upon this Commission, Prof. Fraser was called 

 upon at various times to occupy other important positions. In 1881 he 

 acted as President of the Section of Materia Medica and Pharmacology at 

 the International Medical Congress, which was then held in London. He 

 filled the Presidential Chair of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and 

 he was appointed by the Admiralty a member of a Committee charged with 

 an enquiry into an outbreak of scurvy, which occurred in Sir G. ISTares' 

 Arctic Expedition. He also acted as Consulting Medical Officer to the 

 Prison Commissioners for Scotland. He was appointed Honorary Physician 

 to H.M. the King in Scotland in succession to Sir Wm. Gairdner. The 

 honour of Knighthood was conferred upon him in 1902. 



Apart from his professional work, Sir Thomas Fraser served his University 

 in various capacities. His precision in method, administrative ability, and 

 close acquaintance with the requirements of medical education, peculiarly 

 fitted him for the discharge of the duties of Dean of the Medical Faculty, 

 and this onerous post was held by him for twenty years. He was actively 

 concerned in the preparation of memoranda relating to the Scottish 

 Universities' Bill, and in facilitating the work of the Commission of 1889, 

 which held its sittings in Edinburgh. Sir Thomas was elected by his 

 University in 1905 as its representative to the General Medical Council, and 

 acted in that capacity for the ten years ensuing ; apart from his contribu- 

 tions to the main business of the Council, he rendered very special and 

 important assistance as a member of the Pharmacopoeial Committee of that 



