SIR ROBERT MUIR, SEPSIS AND SCOTTISH HEALTHCARE

In 1899, Muir was elected to the Chair of Pathology at the University of Glasgow upon the recommendation of many eminent peers including the famous German physician and scientist, Paul Ehrlich. 

For the next 36 years, Muir worked relentlessly to improve the Glasgow University School of Medicine and the Western Infirmary. Under Muir's leadership the School of Pathology became prestigious, Muir's pupils being known for their thorough scientific grounding and ability to integrate modern literature into their work in order to solve clinical problems. 

Reported by Roy Cameron, Muir made many observational and experimental contributions to the field of pathology, a recognised pioneer in bacteriology and immunology. In 1911, Muir was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1924, Muir published his 'Textbook of Pathology,' the first textbook of its kind in English, many students have gone on to profit from this seminal work, indeed it is still in print today, having now reached its 15th edition. The text-book logically travels through many disease states and provides a comprehensive overview of each. 

In 1929 Muir was awarded a Royal Medal for his work on Immunity, and multiple honorary degrees and positions were gifted to him, from societies such as the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh, the Universities of Bristol, Dublin and Leeds and many more. 

Muir earned the trust of his pupils and colleagues through honesty and fairness, and many of these people would remain in touch with him throughout his life. His integrity, perspicacity and sensitive judgement served to have him appointed to the University Court. Muir has been noted for his uncommon ability to treat all men the same, whether they were lowly lab technicians or esteemed clinicians. This ability is particularly notable given the time in which Muir lived - at the turn of the century Britain still had a clear class system, and the confidence to meet everyone with the same attitude would have been a rare trait.