We might still find a PDP 11 or an IBM PC in some museums. However, we would need help finding a matching FORTRAN compiler. But fear not! Jeff Parsons from Seattle, WA, has relieved us of that burden. He has developed a method of running ancient machine code in our web browser. Clicking “Launch Simulator” results in a new web page with the picture of an IBM PC screen.
Before you start the simulator, you might want to download the manual of the specific computer model to have it handy.
After you have started the simulator, you should optimize the processing frequency by repeatedly clicking the corresponding button to achieve the computer’s highest possible processing frequency. Be patient, the button is cycling through all available processing frequencies. Then click the Full Screen button, and you are ready to simulate. On your keyboard, type DOPE, MAN, PEE, or PUF, followed by the return key, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Simulation Manuals
MacDope
A simulation of pharmacokinetics.
MacMan
A simulation of heart, peripheral circulation and arterial baroreceptor function.
MacPee
A simulation of heart, peripheral circulation, kidneys, body fluids, electrolytes and hormones.
MacPuf
A simulation of human respiration, gas exchange and control.
MacSphere Collection
McMaster institutional repository housing source materials including PDFs and videos related to the Mac Series.
Video Tutorials
John Dickinson produced four instructional videos using computer simulations to demonstrate some fundamental physiological principles inherent to human cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal physiology and the way the body handles foreign substances. These four video lectures are accessible from this page. The demonstrations also vividly illustrate the immense progress video and computer technologies have made over the past fifty years.
Apart from showing John Dickinson as a superb teacher, the videos also demonstrate the potential of computer simulations for investigating and explaining complex processes despite the somewhat primitive technological level of the 1970s.
You may be somewhat disappointed with the technical quality, but please keep in mind not only the state of video technology in the 1970s but also the fact that the UMATIC tapes on which they were recorded have suffered for over 40 years in some forgotten basement archive to be revived in a 2024 lab.
MacDope
See and learn about the MacDope simulation of pharmacokinetics.
In the last part of this video John Dickinson discusses a further software package, "McAid". Unfortunately, we were unable to locate it.
MacMan
See and learn about the MacMan simulation of heart, peripheral circulation and arterial baroreceptor function.
MacPee
See and learn about the MacPee simulation of heart, peripheral circulation, kidneys, body fluids, electrolytes and hormones.
MacPuf
See and learn about the MacPuf simulation of human respiration, gas exchange and control.
Software Manuals
Ingram, D., K. Ahmed, and C. J. Dickinson. MacMan: Elements of Systemic Haemodynamics. Graphics version. Mac Series of Medical and Physiological Simulations. Oxford: IRL Press, 1987.
———. MacPee: Model of Body Fluids and Electrolytes. Mac Series of Medical and Physiological Simulations. Oxford: IRL Press, 1987.
———. MacPuf: Model of Human Respiration. Graphics version. Mac Series of Medical and Physiological Simulations. Oxford: IRL Press, 1987.
Ingram, D., L. Saunders, C.J. Dickinson, R.Fl Bloch, G.D. Sweeney, and K. Ahmed. MacDope: Model of Human Pharmacokinetics. Graphics version. Mac Series of Medical and Physiological Simulations. Oxford: IRL Press, 1987.
Utsch, M. J., and D. Ingram. “Generator Program for Computer-Assisted Instruction: MACGEN. A Software Tool for Generating Computer-Assisted Instructional Texts.” Computer Programs in Biomedicine 17, no. 1–2 (1983): 167–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-468x(83)90037-5.
Mac Series Repository
MacSphere Collection
McMaster institutional repository housing source materials including PDFs and videos related to the Mac Series.
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