Professor John Dundee

Professor John Dundee, OBE, M.B, M.D, Ph.D, F.F.A.R.C.S, F.F.A.R.C.S.I, F.F.R.C.A, M.R.C.S, A.T.C.L, (1921 - 1991) was one of the world's leading anaesthetists. He was Professor and founder of the Anaesthetics Department at Queen's University of Belfast, held the Chair at the Royal College of Surgeons and worked as an anaesthetist and surgeon in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and had a hugely successful career in medicine. He was a Fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal College of Surgeons, a Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the College of Surgeons in Ireland and held a prestigious music qualification from Trinity College, London.

Professor Dundee was born in 1921 the eldest son of a farmer, near Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, educated at Ballyclare High School and Queen's University Belfast.

Career

One of his most notable achievements was the scientific discovery that the appropriate use of acupressure could lead to a decrease in morning sickness among pregnant women. In 1988 his report in The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine showed that the women in the trial who used acupressure had suffered significantly less nausea and vomiting than those who didn't. He was also largely responsible for the discovery of many of the techniques used in anaesthetics today and he wrote countless books on the subject, many of which are still a source of study for medical students around the world.

Professor Dundee was also greatly responsible for the development and research into the drug Ketamine, used as an anaesthetic on humans and animals (namely horses). He was also instrumental in the development of intravenous anaesthesiology.

His contribution to medicine, both at home and abroad, was acknowledged towards the end of his life when he was awarded an OBE for his services and dedication to medicine. He was appointed Professor Emeritus after his retirement and continued to work as a Professor and Doctor for the remainder of his life. He was also one only a few people in living memory to receive two passports at any one time, so that he could carry out his work in two countries at war with each other without harassment from either side for working with the other.

Throughout the course of his career, Professor John Dundee received countless awards and a great deal of recognition for his hugely significant advances, discoveries and developments in the medical field.

Professor Dundee died in 1991 following a heart attack.