Historical information

In 1932, Edward Thomas Both invented the first portable direct reading electro cardiograph. This item is a three lead electrocardiograph tracing conducted on one of Dr Angus' patients in 1939.
Dr William Roy Angus (1901-1970) came to Warrnambool in 1939, purchasing the general practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson. He was the last serving Warrnambool Port Medical Officer. A health problem after the war prompted a change from general practice to ophthalmology. Dr. Angus became an important ophthalmologist , pioneering the use of the intrascleral cartilage implant which resulted in cosmetically better artificial eyes. He was an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He was Secretary of the Victorian South West sub-division of the Australian Medical Association from 1949 to 1956 and Chairman from 1956 to 1958. His obituary in the Medical Journal of Australia (July 1970) stated he was "dedicated and devoted to both his profession and his patients" .

Significance

This item provides a link to an Australian invention of medical equipment which improved diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in the 1930's. It is an example of diagnostic recordings used by a Warrnambool doctor in 1939.

Physical description

This is a card record of a three lead "Both" Electrogram. The upper one third has places for the date patient details and diagnosis. There are three electrocardiogram tracings over graph paper in the bottom two thirds of the item.
The reverse side has a handwritten in ink interpretation of the tracings.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: BOTH ELECTRO-CARDIOGRAM No. Date July 4th 1939 Rate 130 Name Age Diagnosis The patient name has been blacked out. Dr. Angus is printed in the top right hand corner.
Rear: The P wave in lead 1 is broadened and notched, and has a suggestive "plateau" top. This may indicate a mitral stenosis, auricular hypertrophy. E Bannon