South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc

Sir Henry Simpson Newland was born in Adelaide on November 24^th, 1873. The Newland family was one of the early pioneers, had a religious background and were among the early land owners at Victor Harbour. During his school days he attended St. Peters College and obtained his medical degree from the University of Adelaide in 1896. This was the year of the “hospital row” and as a result, he was unable to continue his surgical training locally. He sailed to London and spent his early days as an observer. Later because of his rowing prowess, and with the help of Lord Treeves he became a house surgeon and soon thereafter became the first Australian surgical registrar at the London Hospital. In 1899 he passed the examination becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He returned to Adelaide in 1901 after visiting European and North American Surgical centres. Among others he visited were Dr. Kocher in Switzerland, and Dr. G. Crile at the Cleveland Clinic, both pioneers in thyroid surgery.

Sir Henry Simpson Newland,
Honorary Staff RAH
1908-1933

In Adelaide he was the first surgeon to pass the Master of Surgery Degree, but his first appointment to the honorary staff was not until 1908 when he became the Honorary Radiographer because of experience gained in England. He became Honorary Assistant Surgeon and spent WW1 in Lemnos, Egypt and France. His surgical reputation grew and resulted in the awards of DSO and CBE. In 1919, he became Honorary surgeon to the Royal Adelaide and Adelaide Children’s Hospitals. He had a leading role in Australian surgery. He was one of the founders of the The Royal Australian College of Surgeons, becoming it’s second president (1924-1934). He retired from the Honorary Staff in 1933 but continued teaching for a further 2 years. He was a role model for many students and young surgeons, and believed in high standards and a team approach to patient care.

Sir Henry Simpson’s Walking Cane & Foot Stool

These items were bequeathed to Mr. Beard by Sir Henry. The footstool was brought from England by his grandmother on her voyage to Adelaide 1839. While the wooden structure is original, it may have been reupholstered.

Cane and footstool.

Ophthalmoscope

Rear view of the opthalmoscope.

Front view of the opthalmoscope.

The instrument was a present to Mr. Beard from Sir Henry Simpson Newland. It has no internal light source, the illumination is from a concave mirror, similar to reflected light produced by the mirrors used by ENT surgeons to view the larynx. It used by Sir Henry whilst house surgeon and registrar the London Hospital in 1898-1891, after he left Adelaide because of the “Hospital Row”.

Mr. Donald Beard AM FRCSEd, FRACS, holding the trophy for a cricket match between the Mike Benness English Supporters’ Team and Donald Beard’s Taverners Team 17/12/1982.

Needle holder

The needle holder was a parting present from Dr. Crile to Sir Henry when he left the Cleveland Clinic. Dr Crile was one of the founders of the Clinic and was renown for his thyroid surgery. Before his retirement his son Barney, also a surgeon, assisted him with his fifteen thousandth thyroidectomy. The present confirms the respect and friendship between the two men.

Needle holder.

Bobbin containing suture thread

The needle holder & bobbin containing thread were used by Sir Henry Newland and presented to Donald Beard.

Suture thread bobbin.

Surgical saw and hammer

Surgical hammer used by Sir Henry Newland and presented to Donald Beard.

Surgical saw.

Surgical hammer.

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