USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time > Part 64
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" Report on Disinfectants to the Board of Health of the District of Columbia," 1867, in the Journal of American Medical Science; "G. S. W. through the Pelvis," October, 1865; "Case of Morphine Poi- soning," 1867; "Diphtheria and Tracheotomy, Membranous Croup, and Operations for Radical Cure of IIernia," 1868; "Case of Inflammation of Fibrous Capsule of Eyeball," 1868; "Case of Spurious Labor Pains at Fifth Month"; "Convulsions after Profuse Hemorrhage from Abor- tion at the Sixth Week"; "Obstruction of Bowels in an Infant, with Autopsy," 1870; "Hysterical Tetanus," 1879; "Case of Mastoid Abscess Opening into Lateral Sinus, and Death from Pyæmia," 1882; " Is Croup- ous Pneumonia a Zymotie Disease?" "Chorea in Pregnancy, and Abscess of the Liver," 1874; "Case of Double Hydronephrosis, with Specimen, and Remarkable Case of Hysteria with Paralysis and Aphasia," 1883; "Cases of Poisoning by Atropia, by Opium, and by Quinine," 1890; "On Revision of Pharmacopwia of 1880"; "Death from Diphtheretic Paralysis"; "Remarkable Change in the Color of the Ilair from Light Blonde to Almost Black in a Patient while under Treatment by Hypodermic Injections of Pilocarpine"; "Case of Prolonged Anuria." 1881; "Membranous Croup Treated with Pilocarpine"; "Change in the Color of the Hair," 1881; "Overdose of Podophyllin," 1882; " Ma- ternal Impressions- Effect on Fœtus," 1882; "Answer to a Protest Against the Use of the Metric System in Prescribing," 1883; Croupous
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Pneumonia," report of eleven cases occurring in private practice from February to June, 1878, read before the Medical Society of the Dis- triet of Columbia; a "Report of the Pharmacopcia Convention of 1880," as a delegate from the National Medical College, 1880; a "Re- view of the Sixth Decennial Revision of the Pharmacopwia of 1880"; "Avi-Fauna Columbiana," being a list of the birds of the District of Columbia, revised and rewritten by Dr. Elliott Coues and Dr. D. W. Prentiss, 1883; "Gall Stones or Soap." 1889; a "Report of Five Hundred Conseentive Cases of Labor in Private Practice," 1888; "Case of Change of Color of Hair of Old Age to Black, Produced by Jabo- randi," 1889; "Three Cases of Poisoning by Japanese Lacquer, by l'ellets Labeled ' Rhus,' and by Cashew Nuts," 1889; "Report of a Remarkable Case of Slow Pulse," 1889; "Purpura Hemorrhage Rheu- matica," 1890; "Apoplexy Following La Grippe," in the Philadelphia Medical News, August 29, 1891.
John R. Piper, M. D., the first physician to introduce homeopathy into Washington, was born in Baltimore in 1811, and was educated in his native city, studying medicine at, and graduating from, the University of Maryland in 1839. After living in the South and West for some years, he returned to Baltimore, and embraced the principles of homeopathy. He located permanently in Washington, District of Columbia, in 1849, and, during a period of thirty years, was a most successful practitioner, despite the opposition which the new system of practice encountered here, as elsewhere, in the United States. During the latter years of his life, he was afflicted with cancer in the face, and went to Europe with the hope of obtaining relief, if not absolute eure, being treated there by the most eminent homeopathic physician in Europe next to Hahnemann. Upon his return to America, he con- sulted a celebrated cancer physician in Philadelphia, but the treatment of this physician, if followed, failed to effect a eure, and on account of his disease Dr. Piper was compelled to confine himself to office practice after his return to Washington. His death occurred March 16, 1871. Dr. Piper was one of the first members of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and it is due to him that this system of practice was first recognized as a success in Washington.
Dr. Green was one of the earliest of the homeopathie physicians to settle in Washington, but the precise year of his coming could not be ascertained. His office was on Four and a Half Street, and he remained in practice here about seven years.
Dr. Appleton came next after Dr. Green, remaining about four years.
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Gustavus William Pope, M. D., is the eldest son of Dr. G. W. Pope, Sr., and was born in December, 1829. His early education was received at Whitesborough Institute. Matriculating at the University of New York in 1847, remaining there three years, and graduating at Albany in 1851, he became assistant physician to the New York State Lunatic Asylum in 1852; but the close confinement of his position affecting his health, he resigned, returned to his father, and assisted him in his practice. For two years he was physician to the Oneida Almshouse, and while thus engaged his attention was directed to the claims of Homeopathy, and after giving the subject thorough attention for three successive years, he became convinced of its superi- ority over the allopathie system of practice. He removed to Wash- ington in 1856, where he soon secured an extensive practice. At that time there were but two homeopathie physicians in Washington, Dr. Piper and Dr. Green, and upon the death of these two physicians Dr. Pope became the senior homeopathie physician in Washington. Dr. Pope has made notable discoveries in medicine, one of them being the antidotive action of belladonna and opium, fully twenty years before the subject was mentioned in medical journals. He was the first to introduce into homeopathic practice in Washington the Veratrum viride and Gilsemium. In 1856 Dr. Pope treated the first ease of diphtheria that ever appeared in Washington, and during that year and 1857 he treated about one hundred cases, losing only three. It is probably just to say that to Dr. Pope is due the firm establishment of homeopathy in Washington.
Tullio Suzzara Verdi, M. D., is a native of Italy, having been born in Mantua in 1829. He was educated at the Mantuan Gymnasium of Science and Literature, and entered the Sardinian army in 1848, under King Charles Albert, who was then moving into Lombardy against the Austrians, and after the defeat of the Piedmontese army at Nova- rara, in 1849, by Marshal Radetsky, young Verdi escaped into Switzer- land, thence to Paris, thence to England, and from England he came to the United States. In Brown University, he familiarized himself with the English language while teaching the Italian and French. Three years later, he succeeded Professor G. W. Greene as professor of modern languages, and while engaged with the duties of this professorship, devoted all his spare time to the study of medicine under Dr. Okie. In 1854 he attended medical lectures in Philadelphia, graduating from both the allopathic and homeopathie schools. For some time he practiced in Rhode Island, but removed to Washington in 1857, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine
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according to the principles of homeopathy. In 1871, he was appointed by the President of the United States a member of the only board of health of the District of Columbia created by Congress. On April 15, 1873, Governor Cooke appointed him sanitary commissioner to visit the principal European cities with the view of perfecting a sanitary system for the city of Washington. Dr. Verdi still continues in practice in this city.
Dr. Simon I. Groot was born in Glenville, New York, March 16, 1820, graduated from the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mas- sachusetts, in 1846, and commenced practice in Virginia, remaining there until 1861, when he came to Washington, and has been engaged here in the practice of medicine according to homeopathic principles most of the time since then; though in May, 1888, he sold his practice to Dr. James A. Freer, who thus became his regular successor. Dr. Groot is probably the only homeopathic physician licensed by the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, but this was mainly, if not wholly, on the ground of his having graduated from a regular school of medicine.
Dr. Charles Waldemar Sonnenschmidt, a native of Suhl, Prussia, was born January 2, 1832. Both his father and grandfather were Lutheran ministers. He was educated by his father and in various institutions until old enough to be subject to military service in his own country, and then he emigrated to the United States. He gradu- ated at Georgetown College, District of Columbia, and commenced the practice of medicine in Washington in 1867. He has ever enjoyed a quiet and comfortable practice. Dr. Sonnenschmidt is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and served for some years as secretary of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Washington.
The Medical Society of the District of Columbia was organized September 26, 1817, and was subsequently chartered by Congress, by an act approved by the President of the United States February 16, 1819. By this charter the society was authorized to license duly qualified physicians to practice medicine within the District of Col- umbia. The first officers were: Dr. Charles Worthington, president; Drs. Arnold Elzey and James H. Blake, vice-presidents; Dr. Henry Huntt, corresponding secretary; Dr. Thomas Henderson, recording sec- retary; Dr. W. Jones, treasurer, and Dr. R. Weightman, librarian.
A new hall for this society was commenced in 1867, and it was completed and dedicated in 1869, the ceremony occurring January 27. This hall is located on the south side of F Street, west of Tenth Street. It is three stories high, with a handsome pressed-brick front.
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At the time of the erection of this hall, Dr. Thomas Miller was president of the society, Dr. F. Howard first vice-president, Dr. Louis Mackall second vice-president, Dr. J. W. Lovejoy corresponding sec- retary, Dr. William Lee recording secretary, Dr. William Marbury treasurer, and Dr. J. M. Toner librarian.
At the present time, the officers are as follows; D. W. Prentiss, president; J. B. Hamilton and J. T. Winter vice-presidents; Thomas C. Smith, corresponding secretary; S. S. Adams, recording secretary; C. W. Franzoni, treasurer; J. H. Mundell, librarian.
The Medical Association of the District of Columbia was formed January 4, 1833, under the name of the " Washington Medical Associ- tion." The physicians of Georgetown were admitted to membership June 6, 1848, and the present name of the association adopted. The object of this association is the elevation of the medical profession, the establishment of a code of ethics and a fee bill, and the promotion of harmony and good fellowship among its members. The member- ship consists of the regular practitioners of medicine of the District of Columbia. Frederick May, M. D., was the first president of the society. The present officers are: C. W. Franzoni, president; G. B. Harrison and C. W. Richardson, vice-presidents; J. Dudley Morgan, secretary; and S. S. Adams, treasurer.
The Homeopathic Medical Society was organized in 1870, under a charter granted by Congress. At first there were seven members, which number has increased to about forty. The society holds regular monthly meetings in the rooms of the Washington Homeopathic Medical Dispensary. The officers of the society at the present time are as follows: Dr. L. B. Swormstedt, president, and Dr. Z. B. Bab- bitt, secretary.
Besides the above societies there are in Washington the Medical and Surgical Society of the District of Columbia, the Medico-chirur- gical Society, the Woman's Clinic, and the Washington Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The Smithsonian Institution - United States Naval Observatory - The Congressional Library -The Navy Yard - The Soldiers' Home - National Asylum for the In- sane - Providence Hospital - Columbia Hospital - Washington Orphan Asylum - St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum -Garfield Memorial Hospital -Other Public and Charitable Institutions.
TI MIIE Smithsonian Institution, the name of which is now familiar . to every intelligent individual in Christendom, is situated on the Mall, between Seventh and Twelfth streets, in the southwest part of Washington. It is on "the Smithsonian Grounds," which cover fifty- two acres, finely laid out with fine driveways, handsome lawns, and beautiful groves of luxurious trees. The laying out of the grounds was designed and partially executed by the distinguished landscape gardener and horticulturist, Andrew J. Downing, but he died in 1852, before his work was completed. To his memory the American Pomological Society erected a monumental vase in the eastern part of the grounds. The building of the institution was constructed of red sandstone, from quarries near Washington, on the upper Potomac. The style of architecture is the Byzantine. The front of the building is four hundred and twenty-six feet in width. The center is two hundred by fifty feet, and there are two wings, the eastern one having a vestibule and porch attached, and the western one a semicircular projection. It was designed by James Renwick, Jr., and was the first building, not an ecclesiastical edifice, of this order of architecture erected in this country. The interior is substantially constructed, and conveniently arranged for the purposes for which it was designed. The center of the building is used mainly for the exhibition of objects of natural history, and the wings are utilized for the apartments of the officials and employees. The building is surmounted by nine towers, of different designs and altitudes, the highest one being one hundred and forty-five feet above the ground.
The history of this institution, and especially of the bequest by means of which it was founded, is extremely interesting, and it is given somewhat in detail in this work, for the benefit of those readers
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thereof who may not be familiar therewith. It was made by an Englishman, named James Smithson, who died at Genoa, Italy, June 27, 1829, having made a will disposing of his estate, a copy of which is here inserted in full.
"I, James Smithson, son of Hugh, first Duke of Northumberland, and Elizabeth, heiress of the Hungerfords, of Andley, and niece of Charles the Proud, Duke of Somerset, now residing in Bentick Street, Cavendish Square, do, this 23d day of October, 1826, make this, my last, will and testament.
"I bequeath the whole of my property, of every nature and kind soever, to my bankers, Messrs. Drummond, of Charing Cross, in trust, to be disposed of in the following manner, and desire of my said executors to put my property under the management of the Court of Chancery :
"To John Fitall, formerly my servant, but now employed in the London docks, and residing at No. 27 Jubilee Place, North, Mile End Old Town, in consideration of his attachment and fidelity to me, and the long and great care he has taken of my effects, and my having done but little for him, I give or bequeath the annuity or annnal sum of £100 sterling, for his life, to be paid to him quarterly, free from legacy, duty, and all other deductions; the first payment to be paid to him at the expiration of three months after my death. I have at divers times lent sums of money to Henry Honore Juilly, formerly my servant, but now keeping the Hungerford, in the Rue Canmartin, at Paris, and for which sums of money I have undated bills or bonds signed by him. Now I will and direct that if he desires it, these sums of money be let remain in his hands at an interest of five per cent. for five years after the date of the present will.
"To Henry James Hungerford, my nephew, heretofore called Henry James Dickinson, son of my late brother, Lieutenant - Colonel Henry Lewis Dickinson, now residing with Mr. Auboin, at Bourg la Reine, near Paris, I give and bequeath for his life the whole of the income arising from my property of every nature and kind whatever, after the payment of the above annuity; and after the death of John Fitall, that annuity also, the payments to be made at the time the interest or dividends become due on the stocks or other property from which the income arises.
"Should the said Henry James Hungerford have a child, legiti- mate or illegitimate, I leave to said child or children, his or their heirs, executors, or assigns, after the death of his or their father, the
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whole of my property of every kind, absolutely and forever, to be divided between them, if there are more than one, in the manner their father shall judge proper; and in case of his omitting to decide this, as the Lord Chancellor shall judge proper.
"Should my nephew, Henry James Hungerford, marry, I empower him to make a jointure.
" In case of the death of my said nephew, without leaving a child or children, or in case of the death of the child or children he may have, under the age of twenty-one years, or intestate, I then bequeath the whole of my property, subject to the annuity of £100 to John Fitall, and for the security of the payment of which I mean stock to remain in this country, to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an estab- lishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.
"I think it proper here to state that all the money which will be standing in the present five per cents., at my death, in the name of the father of my above-mentioned nephew, Henry James Hungerford, and all of that in my name, is the property of my said nephew, being what he inherited from his father, or what I have laid up for him from the savings of his income.
" JAMES SMITHSON."
The following letter to Hon. Aaron Vail, Charge d' Affaires of the United States at London, was the first intimation that the fund mentioned in the will of Mr. Smithson was at the disposal of the United States, when the proper steps should be taken to secure legal possession of the same:
" CRAVEN STREET, STRAND, July 21, 1835.
"SIR: We send you enclosed the copy of the will of Mr. Smith- son, on the subject of which we yesterday did ourselves the pleasure of waiting upon you; and we avail ourselves of the opportunity to repeat in writing what we verbally communicated.
" Pursuant to the instructions contained in the will, an amicable snit was, on the death of the testator, instituted in chancery by Mr. Hungerford against Messrs. Drummond, the exeentors; under which snit the assets were realized. They were very considerable; and there is now standing in the name of the accountant-general of the Court of Chancery, as the trustees of the will, stock amounting to about £100,000. During Mr. Hungerford's life he received the income arising from this property; but news has just reached England that Mr. Hun- gerford has died abroad, leaving no child to survive him.
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"It now becomes necessary that measures be taken for the pur- pose of causing the decision of the Court of Chancery, as to the further disposition of the property. On reference to the will, it will appear that it is not very clearly defined to whom, on behalf of the United States, the property should be paid or transferred; indeed, there is so much doubt that we apprehend that the Attorney-General must, on behalf of the Crown of England, be joined in the proceedings which it is requisite that the United States should institute.
" We act in this matter for Messrs. Drummond, the bankers, who are mere stockholders, and who are ready to do all in their power to facilitate getting the decision and carrying into effect the testator's intentions. We shall therefore be happy to communicate with such professional advisers as your Government may think fit to appoint to act for them in this country. In the meantime, we may perhaps be permitted to add that it is perfectly competent for us to carry on the proceedings on behalf the United States, and possibly some expense and delay may be avoided by our so doing.
"Having thus briefly stated the nature of the business, we at present abstain from making any suggestions as to the party in whose name proceedings should be adopted, considering the point should be determined by our counsel here after the opinion of the proper law officers in the United States has been taken on the subject.
" Any further information you may require we shall be happy to give you, and are, sir,
"Your most obedient servants, "CLARKE, FYNMORE, & FLADGATE. "A. VAIL, EsQ., 49 York Terrace."
Soon after receiving this communication, Hon. Mr. Vail wrote to Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary of State of the United States, at Washington, as follows:
"LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, LONDON, July 28, 1835.
"SIR: The papers which I have the honor herewith to communicate to you will acquaint you with the particulars of a bequest of prop- erty to a large amount left to the United States by Mr. James Smithson, for the purpose, as stated in the will, of founding at Washington an institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. The letter of Messrs. Clarke, Fynmore, & Fladgate, the solicitors by whom I was apprised of the existence of the will, together with the inquiries 1 have made, leave no doubt of its having been
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established, and its disposition recognized by the Court of Chancery; the first legatee under it having for several years, and to the time of his death, received the income of the property, which is stated to have amounted to upward of £4,000 per annum.
"According to the view taken of the case by the solicitors, it is now for the United States, in the event of their accepting the bequest and the trust coupled with it, to come foward by their representative and make themselves parties to an amicable suit before the Lord Chancellor, for the purpose of legally establishing the fact of the demise of the first legatee without children and intestate; prove their claim to the benefit of the will, and obtain a decree in chancery awarding them the proceeds of the estate. Messrs. Clarke, Fynmore, & Fladgate are willing to undertake the management of the suit on the part of the United States, and from what I have learned of their standing, may safely be confided in. Not being acquainted with the exact structure of our institutions, they are unable to point out the exact manner in which the United States should be represented in the contemplated suit; but they believe that their diplomatic agent here, if constituted for that purpose the legal representative of the President, would be recognized by the Court of Chancery as the proper organ of the United States for all the purposes of the will.
"Should it be thought necessary to await the action of Congress to authorize the institution of the requisite legal proceedings, and should the course suggested by the solicitors meet the views of the President, his power of attorney authorizing the diplomatic agent here to act in his name will, I apprehend, be necessary; and as the suit will involve some expense not connected with the contingent fund of the legation, your instructions upon this branch of the subject will likewise be desirable.
"I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, "A. VAIL. "JOHN FORSYTH, EsQ., " Secretary of State of the United States, Washington."
To this letter the following reply was sent:
" DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, September 26, 1835. " SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 28th of July last ( No. 197) relative to the bequest of property to a large amount left to the United States by Mr. James Smithson, for the purpose of founding an institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, and to inform you that your
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letter and the papers which accompanied it have been submitted to the President, who has determined to lay the subject before Congress at its next session. The result of its deliberations, when obtained, shall be communicated to you, with the necessary instructions.
"Of the course intended to be pursued in relation to this matter, as above explained, you will take occasion to acquaint the solicitors who apprized yon of the existence of Mr. Smithson's will.
"I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "JOHN FORSYTH.
" AARON VAIL, " Charge d'Affaires of the United States, London."
On the 17th of December, 1835, President Jackson transmitted to Congress all the correspondence and information in his possession in reference to the subject, and said: "The Exeentive having no authority to take any steps for accepting the trust and obtaining the funds, the papers are communicated with a view to such measures as Congress may deem necessary."
The select committee appointed by the House of Representatives to consider this matter, consisted of the following members: IIon. John Quincy Adams; Mr. Thomas, of Maryland; Mr. Garland, of Virginia; Mr. Pearce, of Rhode Island; Mr. Speight, of North Caro- lina; Mr. MeKennan, of Pennsylvania; Mr. Hannegan, of Indiana; Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, and Mr. Chapin, of New York. This committee submitted the question to Congress whether it was com- petent to the United States, whether it comported with their dignity, whether it was expedient and proper, that the United States should appear as suitors in a court of justice in England to assert their claim to the legacy in question as trustees for the intended charitable insti- tution to be founded at Washington. The conclusion arrived at was that the United States must be regarded as the Parens Patrice of the District of Columbia, and that in that character they had a right and were in duty bound to assert a claim to any property given to them for the purpose of founding a charitable institution of any kind within the District of Columbia, and concluded with recommending the adop- tion of a joint resolution authorizing the President to take measures for the recovery of the said legacy.
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