This article encapsulates the career of Joshua Burn, whose work encouraged new lines of experimentation and paved the way for fundamental advances in our knowledge of the autonomic nervous system. His legacy also endures in his efforts as Department Chairman to oversee a very supportive environment which led to the development of many successful scientists. By producing a body of work that enabled the discipline of pharmacology to contribute in a major way to the advancement of clinical medicine, Joshua Burn stands out as a unique figure in the annals of true scientific pioneers.
Bulbring E and Walker JM. Joshua Harold Burn. 6 March 1892–13 July 1981. Biogr Mem Fell R Soc (Nov) 1984; 30: 44–89; Vogt M. Obituary: Joshua Harold Burn (1892–1981). Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 1982; 94(1): 1–10. For a personal perspective see: Burn JH. Essential pharmacology. Annu Rev Pharmacol 1969; 9(1): 1–21.
2.
A inspirational reminiscence of Joshua Burn’s accomplishments and unique attributes is chronicled in: Vane JR. J.H. Burn: an appreciation. Br J Pharmacol 1982; 75(1): 3–7.
3.
Vogt M. Op. Cit. Ref. 1. pp. 3–4.
4.
BradingABoltonT. Edith Bulbring. Biogr Mem Fell R Soc1992; 38: 69–95.
5.
BulbringEBurnJH. Observations bearing on synaptic transmission by acetylcholine in the spinal cord. J Physiol (Lond)1941; 100: 337–368.
6.
BulbringEBurnJH. Formation of adrenaline from noradrenaline in the perfused suprarenal gland. Br J Pharmacol1949; 4: 245–247.
7.
BurnJHVaneJR. The relation between the motor and inhibitory actions of acetylcholine. J Physiol (Lond.)1949; 108: 104–115.
8.
Dale Sir HenryH. Adventures in Physiology, London: The Wellcome Trust, Pergammon Press Ltd, 1953, pp. 35–35.
Vaughan WilliamsEM. Classifying antiarrhythmic actions by facts or speculation. J Clin Pharmacol1992; 32(11): 964–972.
12.
Burn JH. Op. Cit. Ref. 1. pp. 11–12.
13.
TainterMLChangDK. The antagonism of the pressor action of tyramine by cocaine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther1927; 30: 193–207.
14.
BurnJHTainterML. An analysis of the effect of cocaine on the actions of adrenaline and tyramine. J Physiol (Lond.)1931; 71: 169–193.
15.
BurnJHRandMJ. The action of sympathomimetic amines in animals treated with reserpine. J Physiol (Lond.)1958; 144: 314–336.
16.
Burn JH and Rand MJ. Sympathetic postganglionic mechanism.; Nature. 1959; 184: 163–165.
17.
Burn JH and Rand MJ. Sympathetic postganglionic fibres. Br J Pharmacol 1997; Feb. 120: (Suppl. 1): 179–180.
18.
Information negating the cholinergic link hypothesis can be found in: Muscholl E. From the cholinergic link to the cholinergic antilink in adrenergic transmission, the muscarinic inhibitory mechanism. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1980; 1: 381–382. Vincenzi F. J.H. Burn: a personal remembrance. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1984; 5(6): 211–212.
19.
Trendelenburg U. Joshua Harold Burn. 6 March 1892–13 July 1981. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1982; 3 (March): 91–92.
