Ralph Beattie Blacket (July 11, 1919 – 2010) was an Australian Foundation Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales in Australia. He was responsible for important research on beriberi and heart disease.

Early life and education

Blacket graduated from Sydney Boys High School in 1935. He attended Sydney University, graduating in medicine in 1941, and won the University medal.

Career

During World War II, Blacket joined the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps in New Guinea, and served in 1942 with the 45 New Guinea 9th Division, earning the rank of Major.

After the war Blacket completed his residency at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He was a Hallstrom Fellow in Cardiology, and studied at Sydney University while lecturing part-time, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine in 1957. He researched the disease Beriberi, and his thesis won the Peter Bancroft Prize. "Beri-beri Prize wins prize and doctorate". The Sydney Morning Herald - Jan 25, 1957. He wrote a book about this called The Beri-beri Heart.

Blacket worked as a Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales,"For new settlers, loyalty is gradually acquired". The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, New South Wales, January 26, 1984, page 36. and as Director of Medicine at two hospitals. He studied the causes of heart disease, and proposed that cholesterol was a factor in heart disease. He established a group of researchers around him. He and Joan Mary Woodhill conducted research about diet, cholesterol and heart disease. He was a co-founder of The National Heart Foundation of Australia."Doctor made breakthrough on heart disease'. Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 2009

In 1977 he was quoted in the press regarding the high cost of tests used in modern diagnosis."Jests By Doctors Under Attack" The Sydney Morning Herald - May 29, 1977 Peter Mahoney . Blaket participated in the Bunbury life study of clinical management of large hospitals, worked on medical advisory committees and published about 120 papers in medical journals.

Blacket was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1984 for his contributions to medicine.

IN 1999 Blacket was presented with an honorary degree by the University of New South Wales."Honorary Degree and Fellowship holders". University of New South Wales website.

Personal Blacket was married to Margaret McIlrath and the couple had five children.

References

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