Psychiatric Bulletin (2000) 24: 398. doi: 10.1192/pb.24.10.398
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2000) 24: 398
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Max Berthold Clyne
Formerly General Practitioner, Southall, Middlesex
Michael J. Clyne
Dr Clyne was born in Leipzig, Germany, in 1910 and came to England in 1936.
As his degree was not recognised, he initially worked as a pharmaceutical
representative, but following naturalisation, he was commissioned into the
Indian Medical Service in 1940 and served in India until he was demobbed in
1946. On returning to civilian life in England, he worked as a locum in London
until he became a partner in a general practice in Southall in 1947, where he
remained until retirement. He belonged to the Royal Army Medical Corps of the
Army Emergency Reserve and was called up for the Suez emergency, retiring with
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel when the Reserve was reorganised in 1961.
His introduction to psychiatry happened in 1951 when, in his search for an
understanding of ‘neurotic’ patients, he made contact with the
Tavistock Clinic, London. Following correspondence with the then Director, Dr
John (Jock) Sutherland, he was invited to attend lectures by two
psychiatrists, Drs Dicks and Luff. This led him to join the first discussion
group on psychological problems in general practice given by Dr Dicks,
together with a Dr Michael Balint, in April 1951.
The few general practitioners in this group were in awe of these men, who
were not just psychiatrists, but were also psychoanalysts. However, this was
the beginning of his fascination with psychiatry and Balint groups, with which
he was involved until his retirement in 1990. These doctors at the 1951
meeting formed the first Balint group, and by the time of Balint's death, in
1970, about 300 doctors had gone through training in such groups. Following
Balint's death, the Balint Society of Great Britain was formed and Dr Clyne
was President from 1974 to 1976.
A number of publications, both by Balint and members of this group emanated
from their early work. His own publications included two books: Night
Calls (1961) and Absent: School Refusal as an Expression of Disturbed
Family Relationships (1964). In addition he published over 70 articles,
in British and foreign medical journals, on the application of psychiatric and
psychotherapeutic thought in general medicine.
He successfully combined his interest in psychiatry with his main field of
general practice. He was a founding member of the (Royal) College of General
Practitioners, was awarded the James Mackenzie Prize in 1967 and obtained
Fellowship in 1969. He was a clinical assistant in group psychotherapy at St
Bernard's Hospital, Southall (1963-1975) and at Wembley Hospital (1966-1973).
In 1975 he was a member of a joint Royal College of General Practitioners' and
Royal College of Psychiatrists' Working Party considering the training of
general practitioners in psychiatry. He was also a member of Council of the
Royal College of Psychiatrists from 1976 to 1979 and was awarded a Fellowship
in 1986.
In his final few years he suffered increasing physical and mental frailty,
having to reside in a nursing home for the last 2 and a half years. He died on
24 January, 2000. Predeceased by his wife, he leaves a son (a doctor, myself)
and twin grandsons.
References
CLYNE, M. B. (1961) Night
Calls. London: Tavistock Publications.
CLYNE, M. B. (1964) Absent: School Refusal
as an Expression of Disturbed Family Relationships. London:
Tavistock Publications.
