Putting Tiny Patients First : A life in paediatrics

Dr Herbert Barrie was a leading figure in paediatrics and apioneer in neonatology.

He passed away in 2017 yet his story lives on in hisown words.

Now published by his son, PuttingTiny Patients First is a collection of tributes, articles, editorials andanecdotes penned by this astonishing man and those that knew him best, spanninga staggering career that hugely advanced paediatrics and neonatology.

As apaediatrician he was much sought after, looking after the children of actors,politicians and the aristocracy - but he was best known for his ground-breakingwork in the care of the preterm infant.

In his early days, Herbert would rewardhis medical team with champagne whenever they had a survivor of a difficultneonatal ordeal.

This was a time when very few babies born before 32 weekssurvived, and those who did often suffered brain damage. Dr Herbert Barrie pioneered advances in resuscitation of thenewborn; he published his findings and a film showing the practicalities ofresuscitating a preterm infant was shown around the country.

But his work wentfurther: Herbert penned hundreds of articles and stories in a wide assortmentof journals, periodicals and magazines.

Highbrow articles detailing hisresearch, amusing anecdotes, commentaries that were necessarily controversial. Many are included in this elegant book. PuttingTiny Patients First, compiled and edited by his son, tells the inspiringstory of Herbert Barrie's life as a paediatrician.