Obituaries Australia

Miss Dora Lush, MSc, who died yesterday morning from scrub fever, may truly be said to have given her life in the cause of science.

About 3 weeks ago, when she was inoculating animals at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, the syringe slipped, and the needle entered her finger, causing an infection of scrub typhus. During her illness she asked that specimens of her blood should be taken to assist research work on the disease.

There is no specific cure or method of preventing scrub fever at present, indicating the vital importance of the work on which she was engaged. Dr Burnet, assistant director of the institute, said that Miss Lush was an extremely skilled bacteriologist, and her death was a very severe loss to the institute.

Miss Lush was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs J. F. Lush, Ryeburne ave, Hawthorn. She was educated at Fintona, and did a brilliant science course at Melbourne University, graduating MSc. From 1934 to 1939 she worked in Dr Burnet's laboratory at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Shortly after the outbreak of war she went to England, where she did outstanding research work at the National Institute of Medical Research, Hampstead, at first on influenza, but subsequently on typhus.

Returning to Melbourne last year, she rejoined the staff of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in September, and took up investigation of scrub typhus, which has assumed considerable importance as affecting Australian troops in New Guinea.

Miss Lush's father is attached to the staff of National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd. Her 2 brothers are in the services–Lieut George Lush, AIF, who served overseas for 2 years, and who practised as a barrister before he enlisted, and Sqd-Ldr J. F. Lush, RAAF.

The funeral will leave her parents' home, Ryeburne ave, at 10am tomorrow for Springvale Crematorium.