ABSTRACT
John Garvie Robertson Howie’s research career started in his first year in pathology. Based on his personal experience, his research focused on the diagnosis and management of appendicitis and abdominal pain. In his practice in Partick, Glasgow, Howie became interested in how decisions to prescribe antibiotics during winter respiratory epidemics were made. Along with Angus Clark from a neighbouring practice, they carried out a randomised study of antibiotic against placebo for flu-like illnesses, finding no benefit for normally-fit antibiotic takers. In 1970, Howie moved to a lectureship in general practice at the University of Aberdeen where his research into antibiotic prescribing and respiratory tract infections developed further. In 1976, Howie published a landmark study in the British Medical Journal involving a series of pictures of sore throats with clinical histories attached. The histories remained the same but patients’ personal circumstances were varied. In 1980, Howie moved to the University of Edinburgh to be professor of general practice.
