As a punishment for breathing and having an opinion of my own, I was often forced to sit through long episodes of ER when I was younger. Although I was soon bored by the hysteria of the show, the presence of George Clooney did compensate a little and I believe he was the reason that my wife and her sister liked ER so much.
I can remember one episode which we watched after returning from Blackbushe Market in which the character, played by George Clooney, noted to a senior colleague that they were returning to the Stone Age in reference to the lack of facilities available in the white gleaming hospital that featured in the series. This line I remember prompted a line of thought in my fading brain that evening. Did Stone Age people have any conception of medical treatment? I thought about it for a while and then the question faded from my memory. That was until yesterday when I was given a book of poems written by T Wilson Parry (1866-1945). To tell the truth, I had not really heard of this chap so I researched his details on the internet. I found very little (and nothing relating to his poetry) but what I did find was most interesting and was found on the Science Museum website.
Thomas Wilson Parry was heavily involved in medical research and in some rather original trephination experiments between 1918 and 1920. There is a photograph of a piece of flint which Wilson Parry used in his trephination experiments and it looks very much like the flint that we find in this area. As the limit of my medical knowledge is probably how to successfully cover a cut with an adhesive plaster, I will in part quote from the website to illustrate what Wilson Parry was looking to achieve.
Trephination involves cutting into the skull to remove a small area of bone. It is probably the oldest surgical procedure and is thought to date from 5000 BC. Tools such as pieces of flint and sharp animal teeth were used to perform the operation although they would have taken a long time to cut through the skull compared to more modern instruments.
Thomas Wilson Parry was a researcher who made and experimented with instruments of a type that would have been used to perform trephinations in the Neolithic period.
Trephination is thought to have been performed in order to release evil spirits from the body, which were believed to be responsible for causing illness.
As noted, I had found out nothing about Wilson Parry’s poetry but had found an answer to my question which had been swimming around my empty skull since the days of George Clooney and his ER pals.
Yes, Fred Flintstone and his chums did have a primitive conception of surgery and I would like to think that they also were aware of how to treat minor injuries such as cuts and bruises. Life was tough for our ancestors, but they would have observed and have used logic when living from day to day. So instead of writing them off as a bunch of football supporters, we should give them some respect. We may be more advanced today, but if you scratch the surface then the basics are the same.
I read some of the poetry in Wilson Parry’s book which was called Immortal Names andOther Poems. It was published by The Mitre Press in 1937 and really some of the poetry is very good, but what intrigued me was Wilson Parry’s dedication. It was addressed to a Desmond Cronin. In parts it is a little difficult to read, but I will reproduce as much as I can to give you flavour of what was written.
It was in the spring – over fifteen years ago – that I first came into contact with a little fellow, five years of age. Desmond Cronin, whose mother was grievously anxious about. It had been my pleasure to attend to him professionally from that day till he became a medical student at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
He has now passed his intermediate medical examinations for the London University and has made his first gallant attempt at the age of twenty-one for the Primary Fellowship. Desmond is a thinker and I have always believed will take a high place in our profession. Beside the thousands of facts necessary for a clear knowledge of our profession.
The next line is hard to read but appears to note that love and human kindness are very important if one wants to become a successful doctor. Wilson Parry ends his dedication with these gentle words.
Such Desmond, I believe you possess (love and human kindness?) and with the necessary scientific knowledge – you have the required pre-requisites to mount high in an ideal profession.
I could wish no better for any man.
T Wilson Parry
July 1937
It appears that Wilson Parry gave Desmond a book of his poems as an appreciation of what the once sickly boy had achieved with a great deal of hard work and dedication. In a way it is a little haunting as I cannot find any direct detail about Desmond Cronin on the internet.
If Desmond was twenty-one in 1937, then he would have been born in about 1916 and there is a good chance that he might still be with us. I hope so, although the book has found its way into the antiques trade which does give an indication that it might have been disposed of as part of an estate. But I will not ponder on that thought and just be pleased that I was introduced to both Thomas and Desmond via the book of poetry that was kindly given to me.
George Clooney has gone on to better things which is pleasing for such a handsome and talented actor and I suppose it is with a little nostalgia that I remember those evenings watching the episodes of ER with a glass of Blue Nun balanced on the arm of the settee next to me.
Until yesterday, I had not heard of Thomas Wilson Parry or Desmond Cronin and my Stone Age question had remained dormant in my grey matter for more years than I cared to remember. But within the hour of researching my gift I was able to answer my question and was aware of the poetry of this rather talented doctor and the uplifting story his protégé.
It all goes to confirm that one does not know what knowledge lies ahead and all questions have an answer and it only a matter of time before you find what you are looking for.
As a punishment for breathing and having an opinion of my own, I was often forced to sit through long episodes of ER when I was younger. Although I was soon bored by the hysteria of the show, the presence of George Clooney did compensate a little and I believe he was the reason that my wife and her sister liked ER so much. 
Trephination involves cutting into the skull to remove a small area of bone. It is probably the oldest surgical procedure and is thought to date from 5000 BC. Tools such as pieces of flint and sharp animal teeth were used to perform the operation although they would have taken a long time to cut through the skull compared to more modern instruments.
Yes, Fred Flintstone and his chums did have a primitive conception of surgery and I would like to think that they also were aware of how to treat minor injuries such as cuts and bruises. Life was tough for our ancestors, but they would have observed and have used logic when living from day to day. So instead of writing them off as a bunch of football supporters, we should give them some respect. We may be more advanced today, but if you scratch the surface then the basics are the same.
