Scots and paediatric surgery

Scotland and Scots paediatric surgeons have been in the forefront of the de velopment of surgical services for children. Development has occurred at di fferent rates in sections of society. Progress or obstruction has seldom be en for 'scientific' reasons but much more according to the personal interes ts or drive of individuals. The Scots can justifiably claim some influence in the overall evolution of paediatric surgery, It is no wonder that Henley wrote after his visit to Waiter Scott in Edinburgh, "The conceit of these bloody Scotsmen is atrocious".