BC 1163 CHRIS BARNARD COLLECTION
Manuscripts & Archives
University of Cape Town Libraries
Biography
Dr Christiaan Neethling Barnard made medical history on December 2nd, 1967, when he and his team performed the first successful human heart transplant, by implanting the heart of Denise Darvall, a 25-year-old automobile accident victim in the chest of Louis Washkansky. Eighteen days later Washkansky, a wholesale grocer, died of pneumonia.
The next month Dr Barnard performed his second heart transplant on Philip Blaiberg, who survived for nearly two years.
He also was the first to implant a second heart to serve as an auxiliary pump in November, 1974.
These pioneering surgical procedures opened new eras in the treatment of heart disease.
Chris Barnard, an Afrikaner, was born in November 1922, in Beaufort West, where his father was a Dutch Reform Church minister.
He left his Beaufort West high school in December 1940, and began his medical training with the University of Cape Town at the Groote Schuur Hospital in January 1941.
He gained his M.B., Ch.B. in December of 1946, and entered private general practice in the small town of Ceres in the Cape Province.
He soon found that his interests lay not in general practice but in innovative medicine and breaking new ground.
He accepted the posts of Senior Resident Medical Officer at City Hospital, Cape Town from 1951 to 1953, and then Registrar in the Department of Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital from 1953 to 1954. Whilst holding these posts Dr Barnard studied and experimented, and gained the degrees of M.Med., M.D. as a result of his research, from the University of Cape Town in 1953.
He remained at Groote Schuur Hospital until January of 1956, when he was awarded the Dazian-Foundation Bursary, which permitted him to study cardio-thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota in USA. After training under Professor Owen Wangensteen, Dr Barnard was awarded the degrees of M.S., Ph.D from the University of Minnesota. These degrees were earned in a span of only two years and nine months – a university record.
At the University of Minnesota Dr Barnard gained not only a Ph.D in surgery, but met colleagues who were on the same wave-length as himself, and with whom he could discuss professional problems after he returned to Cape Town, and some of these became his life-long friends.
Dr Barnard returned to Cape Town in 1958 to join the staff of the Groote Schuur Hospital once more, this time as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. He also became a full-time lecturer and Director of Surgical research..
By 1961 he was Associate Professor of Surgery, and by 1969 a full Professor.
Dr Barnard was elected a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1963 and of the American College of Cardiology in 1967.
He was awarded a D.Sc. (Hon.Causa) by the University of Cape Town in 1967. Subsequently he has been presented with numerous honorary degrees and awards from medical schools and teaching institutions throughout the world.
It was in 1967 that his name hit the world headlines when he led the team that performed the first human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Overnight he gained celebrity status, and invitations flooded in requesting his presence at various functions in South Africa and abroad, both social and professional.
Such interest would soon have petered out, had Dr Barnard not been such an eloquent and witty speaker, and an entertaining and charming guest. His fame spread and he became caught up in the celebrity world, befriended by the rich and famous.
His devotion to his work, and his self confessed love of woman led to the break-up of his first marriage to Louwtjie, a nurse he had met in his student days.
He subsequently married the beautiful young socialite Barbara Zoellner, daughter of a South African steel millionaire. This marriage ended in divorce also, as did his third marriage to Karin.
Dr Barnard has many academic and professional publications to his name.
He has also written several books aimed at the general public. One life – written in 1970, is not only his biography, but also a detailed account of the first heart transplant operation.
This was followed a year later by a popular scientific book, Heart Attack – You Don’t Have to Die. His third book and first novel, The Unwanted, co-authored by Siegfried Stander, was published in South Africa in 1974, and subsequently released in USA. A fourth book, South Africa: Sharp Dissection, a commentary on Dr Barnard’s personal political philosophy was published in 1977.
He is quoted as saying jokingly " I am paid $24,000 a year by the hospital. I have no private practice, which is why I have to write novels on the side and journey to America to promote them."
These publications were followed by other books.
Dr Barnard retired from UCT in 1983.
Description of the collection
This large collection comprises :
Section A: Heart surgery statistics and individual patients records on registration
Section B: Correspondence sent to Dr Barnard at his professional address, dating from the late 1950s to 1992
Section C: Papers relating to Dr Barnard’s celebrity status
Section D: Miscellaneous material
Section A: The surgery statistics cover the period 1965-1977. There are some gaps, and the information is not full.
Section B: The correspondence is sorted into :
Medical correspondence, which is potential patients asking for treatment; correspondence with other doctors and specialists re specific patients; referrals; and some correspondence with past patients - African and overseas.
Correspondence with sufferers of various diseases – these are categorised – asking advice. Many of these queries are outside the scope and expertise of Dr Barnard.
Correspondence with professional bodies to which Dr Barnard belonged, in South Africa and USA; as well as that with colleagues – mainly about research into experimental methods and materials relating to heart surgery. Some professional articles and papers sent to him by colleagues are included.
General correspondence, which includes letters of congratulation; requests for financial help, donations, photographs, autographs, sponsorship and invitations.
There are also some private messages from personal friends, including Sophia Loren and Lyndon B Johnson.
Section C: This section deals with CNB’s celebrity status, after his historic first heart transplant in 1967, and includes invitations to functions, correspondence, travel itineraries and memorabilia of visits, such as interview transcripts, photographs, newspaper clippings, awards and menus – one such being from the Variety Club of Israel 5th Anniversary Dinner in 1972, which he attended and which is inscribed by Golda Meir.
CNB’s visits, from 1968 to 1979, cover South Africa and overseas.
Section D: this miscellaneous material includes some documentation relating to the Porphyria and Renal Metabolic Research Group; some journals (mostly medical) and
other publications – some in foreign languages.
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BC 1163 THE CHRIS
BARNARD COLLECTION |
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A |
CNB – SURGEON |
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A.1 |
Heart Surgery
Statistics 1959-1978 |
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A.1.1 |
A4 hardcover book
"Waiting list for Groote Schuur and Red Cross Hospitals" 1969-78 |
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alphabetical list of
mostly overseas patients - adults & children listed separately |
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A.1.2 |
A4 hardcover book
"Closed-heart operations GSH & RCH 1972-1977", arranged by
date |
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A.1.3 |
A4 hardcover book
"Open-heart operations 1972-1977",
arranged by type of operation |
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A.1.4 |
A4 hardcover book -
open-heart operations 1978,
arranged by type of operation |
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A.1.5 |
"List of Open
Heart Operations; 1976-December,1979", chronologically arranged |
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A.1.6 |
"Open Heart
Operations; 1980-1983", chronologically arranged |
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A.1.7 |
Set of index cards
arranged by type of operation 1963-66 |
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A.1.8 |
Typed lists:
Starr-Edwards & UCT Mitral valve prostheses used Oct.69 to
April 70; "List of Italian patients";
etc |
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A.2 |
Specific - individual
patients records (25
boxes) |
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A.2.1 |
Folders of patients'
records |
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Operations done at GSH.
Records include op. notes, pre & post operative correspondence,
some test records, especially for overseas patients, thank you letters.
1965-74, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
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A.2.2 |
Folders of
"Overseas patients" [enquiries
from overseas] A-J only |
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1972, 1973, 1977-79 |
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A.2.3 |
Folders of "Copy
operation notes (open heart) 1967-70,
72" |
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[1972 = Jan.-June only] |
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A.2.4 |
Departmental
administration |
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Correspondence, mostly
with Government departments, 1972-77 |
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A.3 |
CNB – Teacher |
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A.3.1 |
Examination
administration 1972-76 |
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Examination reports, |
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Provisional & final
exam timetables |
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External examiners fee
schedules |
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Examination
venues |
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Admin
memos |
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A.3.2 |
Examinations |
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M.MED(Thoracic surgery)
Part II -
June 1972 |
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M MED(Thoracic surgery)
Part II -
June 1973 |
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Set papers, J
Losman’s answer books; some correspondence |
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B |
CORRESPONDENCE |
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B.1 |
Medical correspondence |
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B.1.1 |
with potential patients
asking for treatment; |
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correspondence with
other doctors & specialists re specific patients; referrals.Some
correspondence with past patients |
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B.1.1.1 |
South &
Southern Africa - 1972-84, alphabetically arranged |
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B.1.1.2 |
"Overseas Info.
1968-72", alphabetically arranged |
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B.1.1.3 |
"Overseas Info.
1973-74", alphabetically arranged |
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B.1.1.4 |
"Overseas Info.
1974-75", alphabetically arranged |
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B.1.1.5 |
"Overseas Info.
1975-76", alphabetically arranged (G – P only) |
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B.1.1.6 |
“Overseas Info.
1980-84”, alphabetically arranged
|
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B.1.2 |
with sufferers (non
patients) asking advice |
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B.1.2.1 |
Cardiothoracic |
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B.1.2.1.1 |
General: |
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"SA, SWA, Rhodesia
1968-76, alphabetically arranged |
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Specific: |
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Hoffmann, Sydney
(Johannesburg lawyer) |
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Correspondence, social
& advice/arrangements re sick Hoffmann child, 1958-63 |
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B.1.2.1.2 |
"Foreign" |
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1968-77, alphabetically
arranged |
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B.1.2.2 |
other medical fields |
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Correspondence from all
countries, 1966-76 |
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B.1.2.2.1 |
Arthritis |
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B.1.2.2.2 |
Diabetes |
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B.1.2.2.3 |
E.N.T. |
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B.1.2.2.4 |
Limbs/spine |
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B.1.2.2.5 |
Liver/kidney |
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B.1.2.2.6 |
Neurology |
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B.1.2.2.7 |
Reproductive organs |
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B.1.2.2.8 |
Other - A-Z |
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B.1.3 |
With Professional
Bodies |
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B.1.3.1 |
American Association of
Medical Assistants, Inc. |
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Correspondence,
1968 |
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B.1.3.2 |
American College of
Cardiology |
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Correspondence;
newsletters & info sheets; CNB's fellowship, 1968-70 |
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B.1.3.3 |
American College of
Surgeons |
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Correspondence;
newsletters; congress papers; |
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CNB's application form
- detailed career history, 1962-71 |
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B.1.3.4 |
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American Heart
Association |
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Correspondence and
newsletters |
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1961-68 |
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B.1.3.5 |
Association of Surgeons
of South Africa |
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Correspondence re first
AGM 1972 |
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Also programme of
events including summary of papers to be read. |
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B.1.3.6 |
Carnegie Corporation of
New York |
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application for travel
grant, 1963 |
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B1.4 |
With Colleagues |
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Mainly about research
into experimental methods & materials relating to heart surgery. Some
professional articles and papers sent to CNB by colleagues are included. |
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B.1.4.1 |
South Africa |
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General: |
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including notification
of new practices, change of address etc., 1968-69 |
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B.1.4.2 |
UK, Europe, Asia,
Australsia |
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General: |
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1960-71 |
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A-Z
[no C, N, O, P, Q, R, S] |
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Specific: |
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Brock, Sir Russell
(Medical doctor at Guy's Hospital, London) |
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Correspondence, 1960-68 |
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De Balsac, Dr R Heim
(French Cardiologist) |
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Correspondence, 1959-71 |
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B.1.4.3 |
USA, Canada, South
America |
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General: |
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Chronologically
arranged, 1950s - 1977 |
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Specific: |
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Frater, Dr R W M
(American surgeon) |
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Correspondence re
exchange of ideas & exchange of experimental material, 1959-68 |
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Kirklin, Professor J W
(Colleague of CNB when at Mayo University, USA) |
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Correspondence -
exchange of ideas re cardiac surgery & materials, 1959-72 |
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Kubicek,
Professor W G (University
of Minnesota, Medical Dept.) |
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Correspondence re drug
research (to solve transplant rejection) & Impedence Cardiography
technology, 1968-70 |
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Maciel, Professor Mary
(of School of Medical Illustration at the University of Cincinnati) |
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Visit to UCT Medical
School |
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Correspondence |
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July/August 1969 |
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Varco, Dr Richard L
(CNB colleague at University of Minnesota) |
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Correspondence re new
surgical procedures & equipment. |
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Also re stinkwood
dining table made in SA for RLV, 1959-65 |
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B.2 |
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE |
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Including letters of
congratulation; requests for financial help, donations/photos/autographs;
requests for sponsorship; comments on CNB lectures; Friends of Italy
newsletters; invitations; get-well-soon cards (road accident December
1972); etc. |
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Copies of letters from
CNB thanking senders for gifts. Also some private messages from personal
friends. Some newsclippings and photographs are included. |
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B.2.1 |
South Africa |
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B.2.1.1 |
1969-72 |
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A – N only |
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B.2.1.2 |
1973-75 |
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A – M only |
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B.2.1.3 |
1976-77 |
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H, I, J, V, W only |
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B.2.1.4 |
1992 |
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Letters from the public
– 25th anniversary of the first heart transplant |
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B.2.2 |
UK, Europe, Asia,
Australasia |
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B.2.2.1 |
1960-72 |
|
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A-Z
[no C, O, P, Q, R, S] |
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B.2.2.2 |
1974-75 |
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A-Z |
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B.2.2.3 |
1976-78 |
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A-M only |
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B.2.3 |
USA, Canada, South
America |
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B.2.3.1 |
1958-71 |
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C, D, E, F, H, I, J, K,
N, O, PQ, R, S |
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B.2.3.2 |
1972-75 |
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L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S,
T, U, V, W, XYZ |
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B.2.3.3 |
1976-77 |
|
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A,B,C,D; J,K,L,M;
P,R,S,T,V,W |
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B.2.3.4 |
1968 |
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School children’s
letters |
|
C |
CNB - CELEBRITY STATUS |
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C.1 |
Visits |
|
C.1.1 |
1968 |
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Iran |
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Honorary Doctorate from
Pahlavi University |
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Scrapbook of clippings |
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Whole newspapers |
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Maps |
|
C.1.2 |
March 1972 - Durban |
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CNB guest speaker at SA
Junior Sportsman of the Year award ceremony |
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Correspondence,
itinerary, photographs |
|
C.1.3 |
March
1972 |
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Jansenville
(SA) |
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Includes judging of
baby competition; and Marino Queen competition |
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Correspondence,
clippings, photographs |
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C.1.4 |
April/May 1972 |
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Germany/Romania/New
York/UK |
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Correspondence,
itineraries, clippings |
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C.1.5 |
June
1972 Bloemfontein |
|
- |
CNB guest of honour at
banquet and cancer appeal |
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Correspondence,
itinerary, banquet programme |
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C.1.6 |
June 1972 East London |
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-
CNB guest speaker at Selborne College Centenary |
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Correspondence,
programme |
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C.1.7 |
September 1972 Port
Elizabeth |
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-
CNB guest of honour at Press Ball |
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Correspondence, menu,
newspapers |
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C.1.8 |
September 1972 Windhoek |
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CNB guest of honour at 14th Annual Show |
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SWA Yearbook 1972,
correspondence, itinerary |
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C.1.9 |
November 1972 Greece
(private visit), Israel, Italy (private visit) |
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Correspondence,
itineraries, clippings |
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Variety Club of Israel
5th Anniversary Dinner menu inscribed by Golda Meir |
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C.1.10 |
July 1973 London |
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TV discussion
programme, lectures |
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Correspondence,
itineraries, clippings |
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C.1.11 |
Sept./Oct.1974 France
& Italy |
|
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Letters 1975-77 |
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C.1.12 |
June 1974; July 1975
Upington (private motoring holiday) |
|
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Touring
documents, maps etc. |
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C.1.13 |
May/June 1975 Italy,
Spain |
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Correspondence, address
lists, itineraries, clippings, photographs |
|
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June 1975 Paris press
– newsclippings |
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C.1.14 |
January 1976 India |
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Correspondence,
itinerary, published articles, notes for lectures |
|
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clippings, photographs,
memorabilia |
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C.1.15 |
July 1977 America
(via Athens & Rhodes, Greece) |
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Correspondence,
itinerary, lecture transcripts (lectures on CNB's opinion on medical and
also SA political matters), photographs |
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C.1.16 |
September 1977 Columbia |
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Correspondence
(including advice on arthritis cures), address lists, book of clippings,
memorabilia |
|
C.1.17 |
June/July 1979 |
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Europe and America |
|
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Small collection -
address list, flight schedule, photographs |
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C.2 |
Invitations accepted
& declined |
|
C.2.1 |
1973-74 |
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Invitations to present
lectures, be guest of honour, attend social functions etc |
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Correspondence,
itineraries, social engagement schedules |
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(separate folders for
those accepted and those declined) |
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C.2.2 |
1976 |
|
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Invitations to present
lectures, be guest of honour, attend social functions etc. |
|
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Correspondence,
itineraries, social engagement schedules |
|
|
(separate folders for
those accepted and those declined) |
|
NB |
pre 1974 invitations
included in general correspondence |
|
D |
MISCELLANEOUS |
|
D.1 |
Porphyria and Renal
Metabolic Research Group |
|
|
Reports &
motivations (for staff, funding, equipment) to Medical Research Council.
Some publications lists. |
|
|
- notes and typed copy |
|
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1970-81 |
|
D.2 |
Journals
& publications |
|
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South African &
overseas journals + foreign language journals |
|
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in which articles about
CNB appear |
|
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The American Club of
Paris Yearbook 1913-1914 |
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Current Contents: Life
Sciences, Vol.12 no.48 Dec.1969 |
|
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Elseviers Weekblad, 24e
Jaargang no.5 Feb.1968 |
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Hospitaal/Hospital RSA,
Vol.1 no.1 March 1968 |
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Medical World News,
Vol.15 no.39 Nov.1974 |
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South African Journal
of Hospital Medicine, Vol.1 no.2 July 1975 |
|
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Steroid Therapy : a
clinical update for the 1970s |
|
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Unity Promotions &
NRA presents Nandi Duggals |
|
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Kishore Kumar Show
[1976 |
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Unity Promotions
presents Live Show in Africa [1976] |
|
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Who’s Zoo? A
light-hearted look at wildlife and animals |
|
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Ortopedici e Sanitari,
Anno 5 no.45 Feb.1968
[Italy] |
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Por Que?, Ano II no.2
[1968 – Peru] |
|
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2 Iraqi journals –
one with CNB on cover & one with article |
|
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[written in Arabic] |
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Chirurgia najczesciej
spotykanych wrodzonych wad serca |
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[Polish? translation of
a textbook written by CNB & V Schrire] |
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Magnetismo cientifico
universal [inscribed to CNB by author] |
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[Columbia, South
America] |
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NB. |
Some medical articles
are included in correspondence with colleagues |
|
D.3 |
Newspaper &
clippings [in foreign
languages] |
|
D.4 |
Correspondence of
Marius Barnard |
|
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re
“Parachute Debate” 1976 |
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re
visit of Rumanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 1978 |
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Other correspondence,
1975-6 |