Peter Snow (doctor)
Encyclopedia
Dr Peter Snow was a general practitioner
who served the New Zealand
rural community of Tapanui
for over 30 years. He was president of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs from 1998–99 and received their highest honour, Distinguished Fellowship, in 2001. He was a member of the Otago Hospital Board and its successor, the District Health Board.
, graduating with the class of 1948.
While training in medicine he intended to become a surgeon, but was unable to do so because he wore glasses to correct his eyesight, so he took up general practice in Tapanui.
'flu
-like illness, but presenting no diagnosable condition. While some people thought they were no different from commonly found "tired all the time" (TATT) cases, Dr Snow was convinced that they were indeed sick and proceeded to investigate. Many were sheep farmers who previously had a perfect record of health. Observing a similarity between the symptoms of stock suffering from selenium deficiency and these patients, he was the first doctor in New Zealand to identify the disease which turned out to be an outbreak of myalgic encephalomyelitis, now classed as chronic fatigue syndrome
. Due to, often disparaging, publicity surrounding these discoveries and a study into them by Peter Snow, Marion Poore, and Charlotte Paul, the illness came to be known in New Zealand as "Tapanui flu
" after the town of the same name in West Otago.
Dr Snow also became concerned at the number of farmers injured in farm accidents, particularly those involving motorcycles, and made recommendations for improving farm safety. He campaigned unsuccessfully to prevent the closure of the Tapanui hospital, at which he was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
. Peter Snow died on February 28, 2006. A memorial to Dr Snow, comprising a moon rock and plaque was unveiled in the main street of Tapanui on Saturday 8 August 2009. The moon rock was chosen because of Dr Snows belief that a meteor had collided with the moon in 1766 and dispersed debris across West Otago.
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
who served the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rural community of Tapanui
Tapanui
Tapanui is a picturesque town in West Otago in New Zealand's South Island, close to the boundary with Southland region . A forestry town, it lies between the foot of the Blue Mountains and the Pomahaka River. Deer stalking and trout fishing are popular pastimes of the area...
for over 30 years. He was president of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs from 1998–99 and received their highest honour, Distinguished Fellowship, in 2001. He was a member of the Otago Hospital Board and its successor, the District Health Board.
Education
As a boy Peter Grahame Snow attended Auckland Grammar SchoolAuckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
, graduating with the class of 1948.
While training in medicine he intended to become a surgeon, but was unable to do so because he wore glasses to correct his eyesight, so he took up general practice in Tapanui.
Practice
In 1984 he was presented with a number of patients with a prolonged exertionalExercise intolerance
Exercise intolerance is a condition where the patient is unable to do physical exercise at the level or for the duration that would be expected of someone in his or her general physical condition, or experiences unusually severe post-exercise pain, fatigue, or other negative effects...
'flu
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
-like illness, but presenting no diagnosable condition. While some people thought they were no different from commonly found "tired all the time" (TATT) cases, Dr Snow was convinced that they were indeed sick and proceeded to investigate. Many were sheep farmers who previously had a perfect record of health. Observing a similarity between the symptoms of stock suffering from selenium deficiency and these patients, he was the first doctor in New Zealand to identify the disease which turned out to be an outbreak of myalgic encephalomyelitis, now classed as chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
. Due to, often disparaging, publicity surrounding these discoveries and a study into them by Peter Snow, Marion Poore, and Charlotte Paul, the illness came to be known in New Zealand as "Tapanui flu
Tapanui
Tapanui is a picturesque town in West Otago in New Zealand's South Island, close to the boundary with Southland region . A forestry town, it lies between the foot of the Blue Mountains and the Pomahaka River. Deer stalking and trout fishing are popular pastimes of the area...
" after the town of the same name in West Otago.
Dr Snow also became concerned at the number of farmers injured in farm accidents, particularly those involving motorcycles, and made recommendations for improving farm safety. He campaigned unsuccessfully to prevent the closure of the Tapanui hospital, at which he was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Retirement, death and legacy
After more than thirty years in Tapanui, Peter Snow and his wife retired to Lake HayesLake Hayes, New Zealand
Lake Hayes is a small lake in the Wakatipu Basin in Central Otago, in New Zealand's South Island. It is located close to the towns of Arrowtown and Queenstown....
. Peter Snow died on February 28, 2006. A memorial to Dr Snow, comprising a moon rock and plaque was unveiled in the main street of Tapanui on Saturday 8 August 2009. The moon rock was chosen because of Dr Snows belief that a meteor had collided with the moon in 1766 and dispersed debris across West Otago.