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This article was downloaded by: [Arizona State University] On: 27 October 2014, At: 14:37 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Medicine and War Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/fmcs19 David Josephs MBChB MFCM Mercy Heatley Published online: 22 Oct 2007. To cite this article: Mercy Heatley (1991) David Josephs MBChB MFCM, Medicine and War, 7:1, 38-39, DOI: 10.1080/07488009108408962 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07488009108408962 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form

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Page 1: David Josephs MBChB MFCM

This article was downloaded by: [Arizona State University]On: 27 October 2014, At: 14:37Publisher: RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T3JH, UK

Medicine and WarPublication details, including instructions forauthors and subscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/fmcs19

David Josephs MBChB MFCMMercy HeatleyPublished online: 22 Oct 2007.

To cite this article: Mercy Heatley (1991) David Josephs MBChB MFCM, Medicine andWar, 7:1, 38-39, DOI: 10.1080/07488009108408962

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07488009108408962

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of allthe information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on ourplatform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensorsmake no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy,completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinionsand views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views ofthe authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis.The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should beindependently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor andFrancis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings,demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoeveror howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, inrelation to or arising out of the use of the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private studypurposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution,reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form

Page 2: David Josephs MBChB MFCM

to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use canbe found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

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Page 3: David Josephs MBChB MFCM

IN MEMORIAM

DAVID JOSEPHS MBChB MFCM

A concert was performed by the Gemini ensemble for the FifthEuropean Symposium of International Physicians for the Preventionof Nuclear War on the evening of 15 September 1990. Theperformance was dedicated to the memory of David Josephs, andthe programme notes included the following Appreciation.

David joined the Medical Association for the Prevention of War as a medicalstudent. He also worked for peace with persistence and determination asa member of the Medical Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons until histragically early death in 1989.

As a member of the British Medical Association David played a major partin initiating and orchestrating resolutions against nuclear weapons. This ledto the BMA asking Sir John Stallworthy to chair a working party on theMedical Effects of Nuclear War. The working party obtained up-to-datecomputer prediction from independent scientists of likely nuclear-attackscenarios and estimates of probable damage to buildings and to humanbeings. Published in 1983, Medical Effects of Nuclear War showed HoneOffice predictions of British casualties from nuclear attack to be based onout-of-date evidence, and to be misleadingly reassuring on the protectivevalue of civil defence measures to be carried out by local authorities.

Medical Effects of Nuclear War sold more copies than any previousreport by the BMA Board of Science and Education. It became the bibleof the British anti-nuclear movement. Local authorities opposed to nuclearweapons formed their own association of Nuclear Free Authorities, andfollowing the example of the BMA commissioned independent scientiststo predict bomb damage and casualty numbers for their particular regions.For further information on medical effects the Nuclear Free Authoritiesconsulted David. These reports confirmed and further publicized the BMA'sfinding that the National Health Service could not properly care for thecasualties resulting from even a minimal nuclear attack of 200 megatons.The Association of Nuclear Free Authorities with increased confidencerefused to spend money on carrying out the government's civil defencerecommendations. Public scepticism became so strong that after re-writing

MEDICINE AND WAR, VOL.7, 38 (1991)

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Page 4: David Josephs MBChB MFCM

INMEMORIAM 39

its pamphlet of advice to householders, Protect and Survive, the governmentmade a surprise announcement that this leaflet would not after all bedistributed.

As a Community Physician David had a difficult dual role. On the onehand his consultant status entitled him to express his own professionalopinion on everything related to Public Health including the preventionof epidemics, and measures to deal with every kind of disaster. On theother hand he was accountable to a Health Authority whose memberswere appointed by the government, were for the most part Conservativesupporters, and as such believed in nuclear deterrence backed by an effectiveprogramme of civil defence. The difference in outlook between David and hisHealth Authority was to become a gulf over the issue of AIDS prevention.

David was invited to speak at a national conference outside his ownregional area. He identified a small group of adolescents at special risk. . . those who seek early promiscuous sexual experience. He suggested thata sympathetic teacher in touch with such an adolescent might offer practicalinstruction in avoiding the possibility of HIV infection. Both the tabloidand the local free press trivialized and sensationalized David's suggestionin banner headlines. His Health Authority was appalled and suspended himfor not having obtained their prior agreement to his proposal.

Colleagues were shocked and astonished by the suspension. Letters to theGuardian and the British Medical Journal supported David, and the BMAprovided legal advice for his appeal. After a painful struggle lasting formonths David was reinstated. Other doctors who have endured suspensionhave described their isolation and depression on being suddenly deprived ofthe work around which their lives have been built since leaving university.David, who had previously experienced no mental instability, now developeda manic-depressive illness, and himself raised the question of suspensionhaving triggered it. In this savage illness the sufferer is sure he can personallysolve all his problems in a high, and in a low is too depressed to believe thatanyone can help him. David now accepted early retirement, and for twoyears courageously looked for alternative work, only to be defeated by therecurrence of his illness.

David would have rejoiced in the democratic freedoms won by EasternEurope, and warmly welcomed its representatives to this Symposium. Whenthe campaign for nuclear disarmament sometimes felt like a lonely dispiritingtask, David's energy and humour rekindled hope and enthusiasm. He isgreatly missed and will long be remembered with affection and gratitude.Our lasting sorrow is that in caring so much for the vulnerability of othershe gave so little thought to his own.

Mercy Heatley

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