The collection consists of records documenting John MacDermot’s proposed History of Medicine in British Columbia, and includes correspondence, written notes, minutes, clippings, completed survey forms, and written and typed manuscripts.

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).