CAYGILL, Marjorie L (fl 1970-1998)

Scope and Content

Typescript of paper by Marjorie Caygill 'The British Medical Association and its Overseas Branches: A Short History' on the development of medical links within the Empire and Commonwealth, and variations between the UK pattern and its overseas offshoots. The paper covers the establishment of the BMA in the UK and in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, India and the Colonies; the development of the medical education and General Medical Council recognition; and the establishment of the Commonwealth Medical Conference and the Commonwealth Medical Association. It is a working paper prepared in the 1970s as part of Terry Johnson's project on the Nature and Significance of Professional Links within the Commonwealth.

Administrative / Biographical History

Marjorie L Caygill had an extensive career at the British Museum, and is the author of several books on the Museum and its collections.
The British Medical Association was founded, as the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, in Worcester in 1832 by Dr (later Sir) Charles Hastings. There was no regulation of the profession at this time and anyone, whetherqualified or not, could practise as a doctor. The Association lobbied for aregulatory body and this led to the setting up of the General Medical Council in 1858. The Association also campaigned on behalf of doctors providing medical care under the Poor Laws and on other issues.
The Association's membership grew rapidly. In 1853, it extended its membership to London doctors and became the British Medical Association in 1856.

Arrangement

Single item

Access Information

Open although advance notice should be given.

Acquisition Information

The papers were presented to ICS by Marjorie Caygill in 1983.

Other Finding Aids

None

Archivist's Note

Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Conditions Governing Use

A photocopying service is available, at the discretion of the ICS Library Staff. Copies are supplied solely for research or private study. Requests to publish, or quote from original documents should be made to the Information Resources Manager.