OBITUARY, R. STRAFFORD SMITH, M D., Physician to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. THE intelligence of the death of Dr. Strafford Smith has caused the keenest regret, not only among the profession. but also among a large section of the public in the north of Ireland. About three to four weeks ago Dr. Smith suffered from a carbuncle. From this, however, he had recovered, and was congratulating himself on the prospect of a well-deserved holiday when, about September 24th, he was seized with a sharp pain in the course of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of a general intense septicaemia set in, which chiefly manifested themselves in a low form of pneumonia and in spinal irritation, probably meningeal, but the whole system was evidently affected, and he sank rapidlv, and died on the morning of October 5th. Dr. Smith was the elder son of the late Dr. J. W. T. Smith (Belfast), one of its leading physicians, well known as an indefatigable worker and an acute clinician. He inherited many of his father's qualitiess; the excellent sense of humour, the gentle touch of irony, his marked enthusiasm, and what may be termed his delight in his professional work. He was 40 years old, and had studied medicine in Belfast, London, and Vienna. His connection with the old Royal Hospital, now the Royal Victoria Hospital, was lifelong. He was in succession Resident Pupil, House Physician, Assistant Physician, and in 1895 he became Visiting Physician in succession to the late Dr. Ross. Amongst the students he was a general favourite, and his sound practical clinical teaching was clear and precise, and of that quality which stands to the practitioner in after-life. At the time of his death he was also Consulting Physician to the Belfast Charitable Society, Honorary Physician to Nurses Home, the Lord Cbancellor's Visitor in Lunacy, and the Honorary Secretary to the Medical and Surgical Staff of the Royal Victoria Hospital. He also enjoyed a large practice amongst the better class, and, like his father, he gained the warm friendship of his patients as well as their entire professional confidence. Apart from the many close and life-long personal friends who so deeply regret the loss, everyone must deplore the death of one who had just reached his zenith of usefulness, and will extend to his widow and child their deepest sympathy. Nevin _NALIL - North Antrim Local Interest List In a message dated 26/12/2008 04:30:11 GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Strafford Smith _ (http://nalil.blogspot.com/)