Malcolm Macmillan (1) (1929–)

“Snowy Campbell: Australian Pioneer Investigator of the Brain” by Malcolm Macmillan” is well-researched, well written and a pleasure to read. Alfred Walter (Snowy) Campbell was instrumental in the establishment of the neurosciences in Australia. He completed medical training in Edinburgh before working in Asylums in Prague and the UK. His initial research focused on the minute structures of the human brain. He then returned to Australia and begun his clinical practice and study of the cerebellum. In addition to his work with servicemen suffering from neurological conditions from Gallipoli, he served as a Specialist Witness in the New South Wales courts system, and investigated Murray Valley Encephalitis.

Macmillan punctuates the descriptions of Snowy’s remarkable scientific research career with amusing anecdotes about his early life, his sporting prowess, student life, and later, his married life. The book provides, in part, a history of Australian life, and the history of brain research in Australia.The book is available from Australian Scholarly Publishing: Email enquiry@scholarly.info Malcolm Macmillan is a Professorial Fellow, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne… (meer)

This book tells the story of the man who suffered a horrific brain injury when an explosion sent a 3-foot long iron bar through his skull in 1848. Amazingly, he survived and lived for another 13 years, but his personality was radically altered. Modern neuroscience probably dates from this time, as scores of doctors examined Phineas Gage and debated the true nature of his brain injury. Unfortunately, there was no autopsy after his death, but his skull was preserved and can be seen on the cover (the bar entered just beneath the left cheekbone and exited at the top of the skull). This book is strongly recommended for anyone interested in how the brain functions.… (meer)