nferences tomorrow

B OOK SHE L F
A motley collection of medical tales and fascinating experiences by one of
WA’s best-known doctors is a book to be savoured over several days, says Robert Reid
P
rofessor Max Kamien is a freak.
The book is not one
A beloved doctor experienced
to be read at a single
in a vast range of medical
sitting, but is well
areas, incredibly well travelled, a
worth keeping close
medical volunteer throughout Australia
for a few days and
and a range of other countries, and
dipping into.
a prolific author, Prof Kamien surely
Memories of the
hasn’t slept for many years – his life
introduction of
has been far too busy.
Medicare in the early
In fact, his CV gives the impression that
1970s, views of the
if you were to get close to him, you
record keeping of
should grab hold of his jacket and hang
the police service,
on – it will be quite a ride.
sick notes, the Indian
Already the author of at least 200
bureaucracy, even
medical articles, he now has combined
some fascinating
his other articles – the more relaxed,
background on the
informative and humorous ones – into
establishment of
a book.
the World Medical
From such original sources as
Association, formed
Australian Doctor, ABC Radio National,
after the Nuremberg
the RACGP Newsletter along with
Doctor Trials “which
some never before published, Prof
revealed to an
Kamien’s collection provides clear
unbelieving world
evidence of a mind that obviously
the atrocious crimes
never stops, while reflecting his (very)
of so many doctors in Nazi Germany
full life, his vast experiences, his travel
and Austria” are all included.
and his views on a host of issues.
There is hardly an issue of life or
Emeritus Professor of General
medicine that is not examined or that
Practice at the University of Western
Prof Kamien doesn’t have a view or a
Australia, Prof Kamien’s postgraduate
story about, whether it be late-night
qualifications include Internal
surgery, tennis injury, politics, the legal
Medicine, Child Health, Psychiatry
world, and the need to better market
and General Practice – in fact, he was
General Practice; even the provision
the Foundation Professor of General
by a patient of free crayfish are all
This time however, could you please
Practice at UWA, a position he served
examined.
give the spine a bit more strength – my
with distinction from 1976 until 2003.
For the record, the patient carrying
Professor Kamien has written a very
the free crayfish died at home only
enjoyable, funny, insightful and, yes,
for his wife to deny that he was dead,
Barcoo Rot, Sperm That Untie a Knot
valuable book with quite an astonishing
refusing to allow the ambulance crew
and Other Medical Tales from the
title: Barcoo Rot, Sperm That Untie a
to remove her husband because, with
Back of O’Bourke and Beyond.
Knot and Other Medical Tales from the
his phobia of doctors, he would surely
Publisher: Platinum Rat Productions;
Back of O’Bourke and Beyond.
die if he was taken to a hospital.
RRP $25. ■
With the book sitting on my desk a
few weeks ago, a colleague picked it
up, opened it randomly, read the story
– and laughed. I had to fight to get it
back from their bony hands as they
walked away from my desk, reading it
as they went.
Max, please tell us there is another
volume on its way?
copy is already in pieces and not just
because it was (almost) stolen!
MAY 2016 M E D I C US 57