NEIL E. McKINNON, M.B.Source: Canadian Journal of Public Health / Revue Canadienne de Sante'e Publique, Vol. 53, No.6 (JUNE 1962), p. 258Published by: Canadian Public Health AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41982865 .

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258 CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Vol 53

NEIL E. McKINNON, M.B.

BORN IN 1894 in Priceville, Ontario, Neil E. McKinnon received his early education in Grey County. Interrupting his course in medicine at the University of Toronto, he proceeded overseas in 1916 with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Invalided home in 1917 he resumed his medical course, graduating in 1921. Following internship in the Toronto General Hospital, he engaged in practice.

In 1925 Dr. McKinnon became a member of the Connaught Laboratories, engaging in medical research. His first studies related to vaccinia virus. With the organization of the School of Hygiene in that year, he was appointed to the staff of the Department of Epidemiology and Biometrics and as Research Associate in the Connaught Laboratories. With Dr. Mary Ross he undertook studies of the efficacy of diphtheria toxoid, using primarily the records of the immunization of 36,000 children in Toronto. These studies established un- equivocally the effectiveness of diphtheria toxoid in preventing diphtheria and the acceptance of this immunizing agent in Canada and elsewhere was greatly advanced. He continued studies of vaccinia virus and smallpox vaccination, including technique and the interpretation of the reactions following vaccination.

In 1930 Dr. McKinnon was appointed Assistant Professor in the School and two years later Assistant Director of the Connaught Laboratories, residing at the farm section and directing its work.

In January 1940 he enlisted for service overseas. He was attached to 15 General Hospital and later transferred to 8 General Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed to Headquarters Staff in Ottawa. He returned to the University of Toronto in 1944 as Professor of Epidemiology and Biometrics and Head of the Department and Research Member in the Connaught Laboratories.

As Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biometrics he has, with his staff, made many surveys and studies. The studies include the trends of the mortality in Canada from important causes, presenting these with comparable statistics of Great Britain and the United States. Cancer mortality has been a major subject of study and his findings have attracted international attention. Frequently, his papers have challenged accepted conclusions and current teach- ing. Dr. McKinnon has established a reputation for frankness in the discussion of papers and for the keenness of his appraisal of the significance of new findings.

In his teaching he has stimulated his students to think and encouraged them to face facts and to search for truth. His former students, in Canada and in many lands, carry with them the imprint of his zeal for reality, justice, and for human rights. All of his friends are conscious of the strength of the bonds of his friendship and know how great is his confidence in them.

As a member of the Canadian Public Health Association Dr. McKinnon has had a long association with its work. For many years he was Associate Editor of the Journal. He has long been a member of the Laboratory Section and is a charter member of the Vital Statistics Section. He has been a life-long member of the Canadian and Ontario Medical Associations and a member of the American Epidemiological Society for more than twenty years.

The Canadian Public Health Association is privileged to have Dr. McKinnon as an Honorary Life Member.

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