Obituaries Australia

Dr. H. [Henry] Critchley Hinder, one of Sydney's lending surgeons, died at his residence, Carleton, Summer Hill, at 6.45 last evening, after a desperate struggle for life extending over a period of nearly five months. In April last, while performing an operation he pricked one of his fingers with a needle, and, despite all precautions taken by him, blood-poisoning supervened. He was compelled to take to his bed, and received the attention of the best medical men of the city, but, although his life was prolonged for several months, a cure was found to be impossible. A little over a week ago Dr. Hinder was in a semi-conscious condition, but he lapsed into unconsciousness two or three days before his death.

The deceased surgeon, who was the son of the late Mr. E. R. Hinder, was born in the Hawkesbury district 48 years ago. He graduated at the Sydney University in 1889, and on the completion of his course was appointed resident medical officer at the Prince Alfred Hospital. He filled this post for a year, and afterwards acted first as assistant and then as a partner to his brother-in-law. Dr. R. T. Jones, of Ashfield. Dr. Hinder started practice on his own account, but it was not long before he confined his attention to surgery.

While practising at Ashfield he was appointed honorary assistant surgeon to the Prince Alfred Hospital, and gradually went up the staff until he was a full surgeon, ranking next in seniority on the honorary surgical staff of the hospital to Dr. MacCormick. For years he was a lecturer to the Medical School at the University.

Dr. Hinder was one of the first committeemen of the Western Suburbs Cottage Hospital, which was established in 1894. He continued on the committee till the time of his death. He was also honorary consulting surgeon, and performed practically all the major operations. The Parramatta District Hospital also claimed his services as honorary consulting surgeon.

In addition to the self-sacrificing help given in this way, Dr. Hinder was a prominent figure in all associations that tend for the good and advancement of his profession. He was a member of the council of the New South Wales branch of the British Medical Association, and in 1909 filled the presidential chair.

Dr. Hinder took an active part in the work of the Australasian Medical Congress, and was closely identified with the surgery section. At the seventh session, held in Adelaide in 1905, Dr. Hinder was a vice-president of his section, and again at the eighth session, in 1908, he held this office.

He was one of the founders of the University Medical Society, in which he also had official status. As a founder he was a member of the first committee. He frequently read papers before the society, and only last year, after his return from Europe, gave the members an opportunity of gaining from his wide experience. Dr. Hinder contributed many papers to the "Australian Medical Gazette" dealing with unique and peculiar cases that came under his observation, and also in the general surgery.

As a lecturer at the University he was most popular, and never regarded it too much trouble to help those at the threshold of their career. About 18 months ago an exceptionally interesting article from his pen descriptive of a Spanish bull fight appeared in the columns of the "Sydney Morning Herald."

In sport Dr. Hinder was an enthusiastic lawn tennis player, and was a vice-president of the Sydney association. He evinced great interest in the University Lawn Tennis Club, and presented the Hinder shield for competition. Dr. Hinder was also a great motorist, and owned one of the first motor cars imported into Sydney.

Dr. Hinder married Miss Pockley, daughter of the late Captain Pockley, who survives him. He also leaves three sons and two daughters, Mr. Robert J. Hinder, of Maitland, and Dr. W. S. Hinder, of Macquarie-street, are brothers of the deceased surgeon.