Journal ~[ the neurological Sciences, 1975, 25 : 119-120 119 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam Printed in The Netherlands

Obituary*

BRIAN BAXTER TURNER (1926 1974)

With the sudden death of Brian Baxter Turner on 21 February, 1974, Australia lost one of its most illustrious neuro-pathologists, geneticists and research scientists in the complex field of inborn errors of metabolism. Brian's exceptional capabilities and the remarkably wide scope of his interests have won him the respect of neurologists, paediatricians, pathologists and those concerned with the early detection and preven- tion of genetic disorders--surely an unusual achievement for a man of 47 years.

The late Dr. Gilbert Phillips first aroused his interest in clinical neurology, a subject in which he soon became proficient and which he utilised later in his career for precise and astute correlations with neuro-pathological and metabolic observations. His ability to think clearly and write concisely found an early expression in papers on "Some Aspects of Motion Sensitivity" and "Some Considerations on Nystagmus", written during the third year of his undergraduate course at the University of Sydney.

Brian's interest in neuro-pathology was kindled by Dr. Oliver Latham. the doyen of this science in Australia. After postgraduate studies with the late Dr. J. G. Green- field at the National Hospital, Queen Square, London, he returned to Sydney and established the Oliver Latham Neuropathology Laboratory at Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic which was later moved to the North Ryde Psychiatric Centre. This was initially very much a "one man show" and flourished only through Brian's determination and zeal. He had recognised alcoholic cerebellar degeneration and had discussed it at meetings before 1959, though his lucid paper on this subject was published only in 1965. Two years later he contributed the chapter on "The Pathology

*Based upon an obituary notice previously published in the Medical Journal of Australia, with the kind permission of the editor.

120 OBITUARY

of Parkinson's Disease" to the Handbook ~1 Clinical Neurolo~ly. Although Brian's interest during the last 15 years became increasingly devoted to genetic a~d :~etaboli~ disorders, he never abandoned neuro-pathology and was frequently consuhed about difficult problems by the pathologists and neurologists of his own city and from far beyond.

The third phase of Brian's scientific life began in 1959 when he t~)cussed his attention on chromosomal abnormalities and developed new techniques of marrow and tissue culture. He established the first human chromosome laboratory in Australia. His exceptional ability to foresee the potential scope of new scientific procedures led him to the next stage of his career which was concerned with the study of inborn errors of metabolism. He organised a State-wide screening programme tZ~r amino- acid abnormalities on all newborn infants ---the first and largest survey of this kind in the world before the Guthrie technique was developed. He gained further experien~ in this field when he worked with Dr. John Menkes in Baltimore in 1964--5 and during the last 10 years of his life he became increasingly involved with paediatric neurology. including the vast problem of mental retardation.

Realising that the majority of metabolic defects could not be corrected b~ any of the means currently at our disposal, he turned his efforts to their prevention by ante-natal diagnosis through amniocentesis. Shortly before his death he was awarded a research grant to develop new methods for the detection of minute amounts of aromatic compounds in the urine a field which is likely to produce new discoveries of meta- bolic errors in some of the many remaining mysteries of paediatric neurology.

As a man, as well as an outstanding scientist, Brian was universally liked; he must have been one of the few people who had no enemies. He had a most unassuming personality, yet he was full of enthusiasm, cheerful and radiating a warmth which endeared him to so many friends. He was intensely critical of his own work yet never

derogatory of that of others. Brian found his relaxation in sailing and twice participated in the Sydney to Hobart

Yacht Race. In one of his club's races he lost his pants, but won the race; the victor's cup was inscribed "Pantless" a nickname which he tolerated goodheartedly from his friends. He was devoted to his wife Gillian, who collaborated with him in much of his research work, and to his two children. The void left in her life is shared by his professional colleagues in Australia and throughout the world. We sadly realise

that he cannot be replaced.

(. ~1~0 R( ;f,~ SELBY