A new exhibition has been installed in the Fellows Room of the College in which I delve into the early days of colonial medical journals of Australasia. The need for a platform to exchange ideas and disseminate knowledge amongst the professions was crucial in the colonies of Australia and New Zealand, but limited resources, geographical isolation and the challenges of colonial life posed formidable obstacles for doctors.

A number of medical publications were born in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria during the 19th century and mostly faded away due to lack of resources - but some of these publications persevered, driven by a commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving medical outcomes. From detailed case studies to impassioned editorials each journal published offered a window into the diseases of the day and medical challenges of the time. These journals serve as a testament to the spirit of inquiry and collaboration that defines the medical profession.

When the first issue of Australia's longest running journal, the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), appeared in July 1914, President of the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association, A. L. Kenny, wrote that:

'The first issue of the new journal is an occurence of greater importance than anything that has happened in the history of the medical profession in Australia, not even excepting the foundation of the Australasian Medical Congress, since the new journal symbolises the intimate union of all the Branches of the British Medical Association in Australia and it will continue every week to indicate and advocate the common aims, interests and ideals of the profession.'

The MJA had its roots in two other journal publications that had come before it - namely the Australasian Medical Gazette (AMG) (NSW, 1881-1914) and The Australian Medical Journal (Vic 1856-1895, 1910-1914). The Victorian publication had a number of name changes in an attempt to make it a more widely read throughout the other colonies beyond Victoria but it struggled to find readership beyond its borders due to several factors including the depression of the late 1800's:

'It was started by and has always been the organ of the Medical Society of Victoria, a position which has always been its strength and its weakness...[which] undoubtedly kept the Journal going when it otherwise would probably ceased to exist...Notwithstanding all these adverse circumstances the Journal has been able to hold its own but it is now felt that a combination with the recently started Intercolonial Quarterly [Journal of Medicine and Surgery] which has acquired a powerful connection in the other colonies would materially strengthen the position of independent medical journalism in the Australian colonies.'

The newly amalgamated monthly Journal was entitled 'The Intercolonial Medical Journal of Australasia' (1896-1910) - it had editors from each state and carried advertising to offset the costs of publication. In 1910, to reflect the newly federated colonies, it once again became titled the 'Australian Medical Journal' before amalgamating with the AMG to become the 'Medical Journal of Australia' in 1914.

The Australasian Medical Gazette began in 1881 in Sydney as a commercial venture, published by Ludwig Bruck with Frederick Milford as editor. The New South Wales branch of the British Medical Association took over its publication in 1895 and its subtitle went from being the 'Accredited organ of all the principal medical societies in Australasia' to 'The Journal of the Australasian branches of the BMA' and was edited by Samuel T. Knaggs. (The History of Medicine Library holds Knagg's copies of the Journal.)

From 1897 to 1900, the AMG had a further subtitle: 'with which is incorporated the 'New Zealand Medical Journal'. The New Zealand Medical Journal is of course the longest running medical journal in the region, founded by the New Zealand Medical Association in September, 1887. After briefly being absorbed by the AMG, it became published separately again by the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association in 1900 and has only recently looked like folding before being saved from liquidation by the Pasifika Medical Association Group in 2022.

To get a visual representation of Australasian medical journals of the 19th century, see this timeline