The fonds comprised of two series of records. The first series, History of Medicine at UBC (1936-1976), contains correspondence, memoranda, and reports relating to the proposed establishment of an Institute of Preventive Medicine (1936-1940). It also includes records associated with the preparation and execution of the Medical Education survey (1946), correspondence and reports relating to the Department of Bacteriology and Preventive Medicine (1951-1955), and a history of the UBC Medical School (1976). Records of the Royal Society of Canada comprise the second series. A large portion of this material reflects the efforts of the Society to participate in the formulation and implementation of a national science policy beginning from the mid-1960s through to the early 1970s.

The fonds consists of the following series: correspondence (1966-1978); publications (1960-1977); subject files, including the Faculty of Medicine (1977-1979), British Columbia Medical Centre (1974-1975), Shaughnessy Hospital (1954-1979),Department of Veteran's Affairs (1951-1959); research materials (1956-1977); and miscellaneous newspaper clippings.

Fonds consists of correspondence, reports, course materials, minutes and agendas, published materials, photographs, and audiovisual materials. It is arranged in fifteen series: Personal Material (1943-1986); Correspondence (1958- 1982); Articles, Speeches, and Reports by Detwiller (1952-1982); Courses Taught (1953-1980); Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops (1964-1984); Greater Vancouver Regional Hospital District (1953-1984); UBC Health Sciences Centre (1946-1986); Hospital Equipment Mission (1967-1980); Study Tour of Australian Health Systems (1972-1979); Publications, Speeches, and Conferences (1953-1984); UBC (1974-1985); B.C. Hospital Insurance Service (1949-1973); Miscellaneous Organizations (1968-1986); Research Collection (1943-1985); and Tapes and Photographs series (1964-1984).