Lister and the institutions
A statue in Portland Place
A statue of Joseph Lister stares down from the north end of Portland Place overseeing the homes of several important scientific councils, colleges and institutes.
Joseph Lister
Lister pioneered antiseptic surgery at a time when very many patients died after operations because of the effects of gangrene. Lister demonstrated the effectiveness of using a spray of phenol (carbolic acid) solution to prevent infection. He began his medical career in Glasgow but became professor of clinical surgery at King's College London in 1877. From 1895 to 1900 he was president of the Royal Society.
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics has over 30 000 members all over the world. The Institute promotes the interests of physics and physicists. It publishes physics journals and books. It also awards qualifications in physics.
Biochemical Society
The Biochemical Society is a membership organisation for biochemists. The aim of the Society is to promote the advancement of the science of Biochemistry. It publishes a professional journal and other publications through the Portland Press.
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Mansion House gets its name from the first president of the Society which promotes the study, control and prevention of disease in people and other animals in warm climates.
Novartis Foundation
The Novartis Foundation is a scientific and educational charity, formed in 1949 by the Swiss company Ciba (now Novartis). The Foundation exists to promote scientific excellence by arranging scientific meetings, publishing books and communicating science to the public.
The Association of Anaesthetists
This Association will be moving to 21 Portland Place which is taking over from the Institute of Gas Engineers to maintain the strong presence of professional organisations in this part of London.
Royal College of Radiologists
The College has some 5 600 members worldwide. The College has two main divisions:
(1) clinical radiology - the use of radiation, including X-rays, for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
(2) clinical oncology - the use of radiation to diagnose and treat cancer.
Just next door is the Institute of Radiology.
Medical Research Council
The offices of the Medical Research Council are just around the corner from Lister in Park Crescent. The Council is funded by the UK taxpayer to promote research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving health and quality of life.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 18 January 2007
