biographies

Butler, Hildred Mary ( - 1975)

D. Sc.

Died
8 April 1975
Occupation
Bacteriologist

Details

The articles transcribed below were written by Arthur M Hill and David Leslie and were published in the Medical Journal of Australia, 29 November 1975.


HILDRED MARY BUTLER
(1931- 1971)

Dr. Hildred Butler, D. Sc., who died on April 8, 1975, was one of the great and gifted medical bacteriologists this country has produced. In an outstanding career she devoted 40 years to the investigation and control of infections in women. She worked in the dual roles of clinical and research bacteriologist and in each won international renown for herself and her hospital.

During the 10 years from 1928 to 1938, as Bacteriologist to the Baker Institute of Medical Research, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, under Directorship of the famous Dr. W.J. Penfold, she showed talent and creative ability, publishing eight significant papers and a book, "Blood Cultures and Their Significance", which is a classic.

In 1931, when severe and fatal infections after abortion and childbirth in Victoria were appallingly frequent, The Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, with Dr. Penfold’s co-operation, enlisted Miss Butler’s services for the investigation of serious and puzzling infections. She soon discovered in these the predominant role of anaerobic streptococci and by 1937 had established that serious puerperal and abortional infections at The Women’s Hospital were largely due to four bacterial causes; anaerobic streptococci, haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus pyogenes and Clostridium welchii.

In 1938 Miss Butler was appointed first Bacteriologist to The Women’s Hospital. She at once introduced a continuous 24-hour bacteriological service and soon established definitively the bacterial pattern of obstetric infections with their predominance of anaerobic bacteria. She demonstrated that the dangers of infectiousness were confined to infections with group A haemolytic streptococci and Staphylococcus pyogenes and had the Victorian Midwives regulations modified in 1941. She intensified research into virulent infections of Cl. welchii and group A haemolytic streptococci, the lightning progress of which nullified the diagnostic value of cultures; she overcame this challenge with a brilliant original contribution: development of a direct smear test whereby the nature and virulence of an infection could be determined within an hour. As a member of the Hospital’s first Infection Control Subcommittee in 1957, she was jointly responsible for solving the problem of staphylococcal antibiotic resistance within two years.

In summary, during 33 years at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Hildred Butler investigated exhaustively the infective problems of 236,000 women who were confined and 64,000 who aborted. Much of this is recorded in 21 papers and contributions (13 of joint authorship) published here and abroad. Her papers on the major bacterial infections are classical, being original, first in the field, bacteriologically exact and covering material of statistical magnitude.
Dr. Butler was a fine teacher and lecturer to medical students for 25 years. Although not a medical graduate she became an excellent clinician, for collaboration to her meant consultations between clinician and bacteriologist at any hour of the day or night, at the bedside, in the theatre or laboratory. Particular strengths were her determination, apparent tirelessness and meticulous attention to detail in routine work, and originality, imaginative brilliance and tenacity in research. These won her an unassailable place in the elucidation of the infections which complicate childbirth and abortion in Australia. She had a wide circle of friends who enjoyed her distinctive personality, her humour and her warmth. My personal debt to her is incalculable for we shared an unbroken scientific collaboration for over 40 years.
(Arthur M. Hill)


It is rare to have the privilege of meeting a person who, though near retirement, combines the experience of a lifetime with enthusiasm and soaring imagination. Dr. Hildred Butler was such a person.

Her work was her life and it was a life that was filled with experience of a type which none of us can expect to gain. With her death an era of unprecendented change in bacteriology draws to a close. It spans a period from pre-to-postantibiotic therapy, and her work played a pivotal role. By painstaking observation Hildred Butler was able to shed light on the interpretation of bacteriological findings in female genital tract infection and this was of inestimable value when antibiotics and chemotherapy became available. Her understanding of the clinical aspects of maternal infections was exceptionally broad, and it is the perspective provided by this understanding that is often sadly lacking in the scientist of today.

After retirement from her position as Bacteriologist at The Royal Women’s Hospital in 1971 she continued to demonstrate her unquenchable spirit in spite of great physical discomfort and was actively engaged in unraveling the complex interplay between strange bacterial forms and the kidney at the time of her death. With her passing, Australia has lost a farsighted and unwaveringly scientific mind driven by a degree of dedication to which we can all aspire. We at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, miss a respected colleague and a loyal friend.
(David Leslie)

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

  • Book of Remembrance, 1956 - 1975; Royal Women's Hospital Archives [ Details... ].

Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 28 September 2006, Last modified: 26 November 2006