SIR ROBERT MUIR, SEPSIS AND SCOTTISH HEALTHCARE

Sir Robert Muir

Honours and Scientific Interests

An eminent pathologist and scientist, Muir accumulated a huge number of well-deserved honours. 

Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, President of the Royal Society said that it was 'Muir's accessibility, his sympathy and scientific generosity which first of all had created an atmosphere in his department which allowed his scientific vision and knowledge to have full play...he had been a torch-bearer for many years who had illuminated the paths of progress for British Pathologists.'

In 1933, the Canadian Medical Association invited Muir to give the fourth Lister Lecture and in 1934 Muir was knighted by King George V. In 1936 the Royal College of Surgeons of England awarded him the Lister Medal, for contributions to surgical science. Muir was the first man who was not a surgeon to receive the award, which is among the most prestigious a surgeon can receive. 

Throughout his career Muir was chiefly interested in two main arenas of science. His earliest work revolved around the development of blood cells, how they modulate disease, and how blood poisoning occurs. Muir communicated a great deal of knowledge about the immune system, its form and its function. Progressing on from diseases of the blood, Muir became interested in the development of breast cancer, and did a great deal of work in this field, his Lister Memorial Lecture was entitled 'Malignancy with Illustrations from the Pathology of the Mamma.' 

Muir himself stated that 'Knowledge of causes brings with it the possible means of prevention and has already been effective...I see much that is hopeful.' A statement as true today as it was in 1936.