Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II, Part 23

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II > Part 23

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PRESIDENTS OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA.

The following is a list of the members of the association elected to the presi- dency of that body: Arnold, R. D., Savannah, 1851; Alexander, J. F., Atlanta, -; Burney, S. W., Forsyth, 1857; Battey, Robert, Rome, 1877; Charters, W. M., Savannah, 1867; Campbell, H. F., Augusta, -; Colley, F. S., Monroe, 1859; Coe, H., Atlanta, 1860; Calhoun, A. W., Atlanta, 1884; Dickinson, R. Q., Albany, 1854; Dugas, L. A., Augusta, 1855 and 1868; Dupree, Ira E., Twiggs county, 1856; Elliott, W. H., Savannah, 1894; Eve, Joseph A., Augusta, 1880; Ford, Lewis D., Augusta, 1849; Ford, De Saussure, Augusta, 1875; Foster, Eugene, Augusta, 1885; Griggs, A. W., West Point, 1891; Holmes, G. W., Rome, 1873; Holmes, J. B. S., Rome, 1890; Holt, W. F., Macon, 1882; Johnson, Jno. Thad., Atlanta, 1879; Kollock, P. M., Savannah, 1853; Logan, J. P., Atlanta, 1858; LeHardy, J. C., Savannah, 1881; Means, A., Oxford, 1852 and 1866; Moore, K. P., Forsyth, 1883; Mulligan, G. W., Washington, 1892; McDowell, G. M., Barnesville, 1871; Nottingham, C. B., Macon, 1869; Nunn, R. J., Savan- nah, 1886; O'Daniel, William, Bullard, 1878; Powell, T. O., Milledgeville, 1887; Smith, A. A., Hawkinsville, 1893; Taliaferro, V. H., Atlanta, -; Todd, J. S., Atlanta, 1889; Thomas, J. G., Savannah, 1876; West, Chas., Houston county, 1850; Westmoreland, W. F., Atlanta, 1874; Whitehead, A. G., Waynesboro, 1888; Westmoreland, W. F., Atlanta, president-elect. The board of censors: Eugene Foster, Augusta; William O'Daniel, Bullard; J. G. Hopkins, Thomasville; C. D. Hurt, Atlanta; R. O. Engram, Montezuma. The secretary of the association is D. H. Howell, Atlanta; treasurer, E. C. Goodrich, Augusta

MEDICAL JOURNALS.

"The Southern Medical and Surgical Journal," published at Atlanta, Ga., was the first medical journal published in the southern states so far as known to me. Indeed at the date of its entry into the field of journalism there were not more than six or eight medical periodicals in America. The publication of this journal originated with Dr. Milton Antony, the illustrious founder of the medical college of Georgia. Dr. Antony was the editor, with Dr. Joseph A. Eve as associate editor. The first number was issued Oct. 1, 1836. It was published monthly, each number containing sixty-four pages. The object of the journal was declared to be as follows, from the introductory of the editor: "The profession at the south have

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long regarded and anticipated as a most desirable object the establishment of a journal that should collect and preserve the valuable discoveries and improve- ments of southern practitioners relative to the nature and treatment of diseases incident to southern climates." But it would be a mistake to conclude that this journal confined itself to the narrow field outlined in the introductory. It was a thoroughly first-class publication in every particular, covering all departments of medicine. Each issue presented original articles from some of the ablest physi- cians, surgeons and obstetricians in the south. It was divided into other depart- ments than original communications, such as editorials, native and foreign. correspondence, selections and articles from American and European journals, reports of medical societies, reviews of current medical literature, medical items of interest, etc. One of the striking features of the journal throughout its entire publication was the marked ability of its editorials. It differed from medical periodicals of to-day markedly, in the fact that it depended for support on the merit of the journal, that is, upon the high order of its medical literature, rather than revenue from advertisements. Published in Augusta, notcd for the learning of its practitioners of medicine, these distinguished physicians made the journal the object of their love and pride, and vied with one another in contributing frequently and ably to its pages. The ablest physicians in Georgia and of the south made numerous and valuable contributions to this journal. An examination of all the volumes of the "Southern Medical and Surgical Journal," embracing a period from 1836 to 1866, demonstrated the fact that it was one of the ablest medical periodicals ever published in America. Throughout its long, useful and honor- able career, the "Journal" was singularly devoted to the promotion of medical science, professional brotherhood and medical ethics. It had a large circulation in all of the southern states, and exerted a powerful influence in the upbuilding of medical science. With the publication of the first volume, Dr. Joseph A. Eve withdrew as associate editor, leaving its editorial management solely in the hands of Dr. Milton Antony. Upon the death of Dr. Antony in 1839 the "Journal" was suspended until Jan. 1, 1845, at which date its publication was resumed under the editorial management of Profs. Paul F. Eve and I. P. Garvin, members of the faculty of the medical college of Georgia. These gentlemen continued the editorial management until 1847, when Prof. Garvin retired leaving Prof. Paul F. Eve as editor. In 1850 Prof. Eve retired from the editorial chair, being succeeded by Prof. Garvin, who was succeeded in 1851 by Prof. L. A. Dugas. In an editorial in May, 1851, page 315, I find the following reference to the career of this journal: "This journal has, therefore, been edited during the issue of the nine volumes (old and new series) preceding the present one, alternately by Profs. M. Antony, Joseph A. , Eve, Paul F. Eve and I. P. Garvin. That these frequent changes were the result neither of fickleness nor of ill success is abundantly established by the progressive increase in the number of subscribers, and the high estimation in which the work has been held throughout the country. The true cause is to be found in the vast amount of labor required for its creditable management, and in the extensive professional engagements of the parties. No one who has not tried it can justly appreciate the task of editing such a periodical and of attending at the same time to the harassing duties of a large practice.

"The multiplicity in our land of medical periodicals is regarded by many as a decided evil. This, however, is a great error. Every new medical journal increases the number of readers as well as of writers. When the 'Southern Medical and Surgical Journal' was first issued it was rare that the voice of a Georgian was heard upon medical topics. By a reference to the original com- munications it contains we find that they number 412, and that they were written

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by 146 different physicians, the large majority of whom are Georgians, and the remainder from the adjacent statcs. With such facts before us, we feel that the career of our journal must continue to be one of progressive prosperity and usefulness. As a native Georgian, we feel proud of our rapid advance in refine- ment and science; as the editor of this journal, we desire to honor those who have by their contributions made it what it is."

The names of Georgia contributors are given in the editorial. Prof. Dugas edited the journal until 1855, when he associated with him in the editorial chair Dr. Henry Rossignol. They continued to edit the publication until 1857, when they were succeeded by Drs. Henry F. and Robert Campbell. The Drs. Campbell continued in its editorial management until 1862, when, in consequence of the civil war, the publication was suspended from 1862 to 1865 inclusive. The war having terminated in April, 1865, disastrously to the southern cause, the poverty of the physicians, in common with other citizens of Georgia, made it appear well nigh impossible to successfully re-establish the "Journal" Notwithstanding the difficulties surrounding the enterprise, Drs. L. A. Dugas, W. H. Doughty and De Saussure Ford assumed charge of the "Journal," and its publication was resumed under their editorial management. Each of the editors labored faith- fully to re-establish the "Journal," and each of them contributed able editorials and other articles to the pages of the periodical. At no period of the life of the "Southern Medical and Surgical Journal" was it edited with more signal ability than during 1866. At no period of its existence did the "Journal" publish a higher order of medical literature. It contained in 1866 numerous articles from many of the ablest medical men in Georgia, yet the poverty of our people was such that it was found impossible to continue the publication. It suspended through lack of financial support because of the poverty of the physicians of Georgia through the disaster of the civil war. In the last year of the "Journal," as throughout its entire career, the effort of its cditors was to furnish the profession a high order of medical literature and to promote the dignity and honor of the medical profession.

The "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal."-When the Atlanta Medical college was organized in the summer of 1855 it was thought advisable to issue a journal as an adjunct of the college. Such was the origin of the "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal." The "Journal" was the child of the college, and the object of its pride and care. The "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal" first appeared September, 1855, edited by Drs. Jos. P. Logan, professor of physiology and path- ology, and W. F. Westmoreland, professor of surgery. The new journal was well received and patronized, and the early numbers give evidence of careful editor- ship and successful management. It was thus conducted by the above gentlemen until September, 1860, when they were succeeded by Dr. John G. Westmoreland, professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the college. Soon after the out- break of the war, the "Journal" ceased publication-September, 1861. An attempt was made to revive it in the fall of 1867 by the two Drs. Westmoreland, but only a few numbers were issued. In March, 1871, it was re-issued under the same editorial management, and published continuously up to 1873. It then passed into the hands of Dr. Robert Battey, W. A. Love and V. H. Taliaferro. This management continued two years and a half, when Dr. W. F. Westmoreland again became editor, assisted by Dr. W. S. Kendrick. This management lasted two years and the "Journal" died again. In the summer of 1881 it was exhumed by Drs. Jas. B. Baird and J. Thad. Johnson, and named the "Atlanta Medical Register." Under this management it was published from October, 1881, to Sep- tember, 1883. Then it was suspended again. In March, 1884, it resumed publi- cation under its original namc, edited by Drs. W. F. Westmoreland, H. V. M.

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Miller and James A. Gray. It stated editorially that the journal "now com- mences her third series under flattering auspices and bright prospects." On this staff Dr. Gray particularly was active and energetic in the work of rehabilitating the journal. He added to the subscription list, increased the advertising business and placed the property on a sound financial basis. Under the management the journal was made the official organ of the State Medical association in 1885, and published all the papers of the association. He was a highly accomplished gentleman and physician, and well qualified for the duties of medical journalism. His death in 1887 was a misfortune to the journal, as well as a loss to the state profession.

After the death of Dr. Gray the ownership and editorial management of the journal witnessed many changes in quick succession. Within a few years the editorial staff at different times was composed of Drs. A. B. Ashworth, W. S. Kendrick, V. O. Hardon, F. W. McRae, L. P. Kennedy, M. B. Hutchins and L. B. Grandy. Since March, 1892, the property has been owned and conducted by the last two gentlemen just named, Dr. Grandy as managing editor, and Dr. Hutchins as business manager. The "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal" has had its periods of elevation and depression. It has seen many changes, some- times good, sometimes bad, but it has a clean record in seeking to represent that which is only honorable and professional in journalism and medicine. It began as the organ of a college. The present management reject the "organ" idea, and endeavor to conduct the journal as a free and independent publication, untrammeled of all college affiliations. Under its present management the journal has taken a high stand in favor of a state medical examining board and the necessity for better medical education. An editorial in the November, 1892, issue was the beginning of the movement which has only lately resulted in the establishment of medical boards for the state. The journal now ranks among the best of its class-the monthly medical journal. It has departments devoted to original communications, reports of medical societies, correspondence, editorials, selections from other journals, book reviews and medical items of general interest.

The "Southern Medical Record." -This journal is published monthly in Atlanta. The first number was issued January, 1873. Dr. T. S. Powell and Dr. W. T. Goldsmith were the first editors. In 1877 Dr. R. C. Word was added to the editorial corps. Its present editorial staff is as follows: A. W. Griggs, M. D., W. F. Westmoreland, M. D., J. M. Gaston, M. D., L. H. Jones, M. D., and D. H. Howell, M. D. The editorial management is one of ability, and the editors have labored to promote the best interest of the profession. The "Record" covers the whole field of medicine, being divided into departments: Original articles, society reports, selections and abstracts, editorials, prescription department, etc.

"Savannah Journal of Medicine."-This publication was inaugurated in May, 1858. It was published bi-monthly in Savannah. Its editors were Dr. Juriah Harris, professor of physiology in the Savannah Medical college, and Dr. J. S. Sullivan. Dr. R. D. Arnold, professor of principles and practice of medicine in the Savannah Medical college, was associate editor. In August, 1859, Dr. Sulli- van retired from the editorial chair, leaving Dr. Juriah Harris as editor. Dr. R. D. Arnold continued as associate editor. This periodical was published from May, 1858, to October, 1861, and was one of the ablest journals in the south.

"Oglethorpe Medical and Surgical Journal" was published in Savannah. It was a bi-monthly and contained sixty-four pages. It was under the editorial management of Dr. H. L. Byrd, professor of principles and practice of physics in the Oglethorpe Medical college, and Drs. Holmes and Steele and V. H. Taliaferro. The first number was published April, 1858. In 1859, Drs. Steele and Taliaferro retired from the editorial management and Dr. William Hauser was added. In

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1860 Dr. Hauser retired and Dr. J. C. C. Blackburn succeeded him. This journal was discontinued April, 1861.

INSANITY .- LUNATIC ASYLUM.

In December, 1837, the legislature enacted a law providing for the establish- ment of a state lunatic asylum, and directed the governor to appoint commissioners empowered to purchase a site and erect the necessary buildings. The appropria- tion for this purpose amounted to $24,000. Fifty-seven and one-half acres of land, about two miles from the then capitol at Milledgeville, were purchased from Mr. Hines at a cost of $4,000. Immediately thereafter the erection of two separate buildings, one for males, the other for females, was commenced. The work was slowly carried on until the winter of 1841, when the commissioners were directed to stop work on one of the buildings, and as rapidly as possible complete the one nearest finished. This structure was completed in October, 1842. The building was thirty-nine feet wide, 129 feet long, four stories high, and contained sixty-three rooms, nine by ten feet each. The total capacity of the building was sixty-three patients. The institution was opened for reception of patients Dec. 15, 1842. At the winter session of the legislature, 1841, an act was passed organizing the asylum and placing its management in a board of trustees. The superintendence of the institution was vested in board of trustees and steward until such time as, in the judgment of the board, the increased number of patients should render it necessary to elect a resident physician, which officer should also be the superintendent. But until a resident physician should be a necessity the needful medical services should be rendered by one of the physicians of the neighborhood, at a salary of $200 per annum.

The institution was opened for reception of patients Dec. 15, 1842. The law at that time required that the board of pauper patients should be paid by the counties from which they were sent. The expenses of non-pauper patients were paid by relatives or guardians. The legislature in 1843 amended the law so as to relieve the counties of the cost of maintenance of their pauper patients in the asylum and placed this duty on the state. The amended law allowed $50 per annum for support of each pauper patient, and authorized the board of trustees to draw warrants on the governor from time to time for such portions of this fund as were found necessary. In 1845 the legislature again amended the law and substituted for the $50 per capita per annum appropriation the present plan of appropriation of such amount as deemed necessary for the ensuing two years. In January, 1843, the board of trustees decided that the number of patients in the asylum rendered it necessary to elect a "resident physician and superintend- ent." Dr. David Cooper was then elected to fill the position. He continued in office until January, 1846, when Dr. Thomas F. Green was elected superintendent and resident physician. The law organizing the institution authorized the com- mitment to the asylum of all idiots, lunatics and epileptics, and requires that all such persons, who are residents of this state, and whose pauperism is certified by the court committing them, shall be supported in the institution by the state; all others were required to pay board at such rate as may be determined by the trustees. The charge at that time was one hundred dollars per annum, the friends of the patients supplying all clothing necessary. In the fall of 1847 the second building was completed upon the same plan as that first erected, and furnished a separate department for the use of female patients. In the early history of the institution a very large proportion of the patients were of the worst possible description. From the general want of proper information among the mass of the people in relation to such institutions, the incomplete condition of the establish-

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ment, and the influence of other causes, such only were sent to the asylum as had become burdens at home, too intolerable to be longer borne, certainly in very many instances from the influence of no hope of benefit to them, as their state was such that, in a number of cases, they did not survive a month after their reception.

ASYLUM IMPROVEMENTS.

The completion of the second building in 1847 enabled the trustees to make markedly beneficial changes in the asylum. The female patients were placed in the new building-thus entirely separating them from the males. This enlarge- ment also offered greater facilities, and the increased appropriation of money for maintenance enabled the authorities to make many improvements, the substitution of white attendants for negroes who had formerly discharged this duty being one of them. The amount expended for fifty-seven acres of land and the two buildings was $38,000.

In 1849 it was found urgently necessary to make additional provision for the insane of the state. Plans and estimates were submitted to the legislature for enlarging the asylum accommodations. The plan contemplated a large, showy building to be erected in front of the existing wings and additions to the latter, which would make the structure in the shape of the capital E, which is known in insane asylum architecture as the Kirkbride plan, so called because it was the plan originated by Dr. Kirkbride, superintendent of a Pennsylvania asylum, and subsequently recognized by insane asylum superintendents as the best shaped building for treatment of the insane. The legislature appropriated $10,500, and in 1851 $24,800, for the enlargement of the institution. Every dollar of this appro- priation was expended upon the foundation of the present center building before the walls had reached the surface of the site. Supplemental appropriations were made as follows: 1853, $56,500; 1855, $110,000; 1857, $63,500; 1858, $30,000. This building was completed in 1858. In addition to furnishing quarters for asylum officials, and the necessary offices, it provided accommodations for a large number of patients-each patient occupying a separate room ten feet by twelve feet. This building, as all others attached to it, is divided into sections or wards, each provided with a dining room, parlor, etc., and all modern improvements. In 1870-71 an appropriation amounting to $105,855 was voted for enlargement of the asylum. This sum was expended in enlarging the main building. In 1881, at the urgent solicitation of superintendent Powell and the board of trustees, the legislature decided to erect two separate buildings for white convalescents, one for males and the other for females, and appropriated $165,000 for this purpose. In 1883 a supplemental appropriation amounting to $92,875 was voted by the legislature. In 1893 the legislature, after an urgent appeal from the board of trustees, voted $100,000 for erection of additional buildings for white and colored insane. Plans have been drawn and accepted, and contract awarded, for a build- ing for whites with a capacity for 500 patients, and two annexes for negroes. Emancipation of the negro population in 1865 necessitated asylum accommoda- tions for the insane of this race. In 1866 the legislature appropriated $11,000 for an insane asylum for negroes. The building was located on the grounds of the asylum for the whites. In 1870 additional accommodations for insane negroes being necessary, the legislature appropriated $18,000 for enlargement of the negro building. In 1879 the legislature appropriated $25,000 for enlargement of the negro building. These several enlargements provided for 541 negroes. The over- crowded condition of the negro building and the urgent demand for care of a number of negro insane who could not be admitted for want of room caused the

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board of trustees to begin enlargement by adding two annexes 128x31 feet each, four stories, to the existing negro asylum. These additional buildings will provide accommodation for 270 additional patients in the negro institution.

THE INSTITUTION AS IT NOW STANDS.

The lunatic asylum comprises a number of buildings, as follows: First .- The main building. The front presents a handsome, showy brick structure three stories high, of Grecian architecture. With the exception of the capitol building in Atlanta, the center asylum building is the handsomest edifice in the state of Georgia. Besides the superintendent's apartments, rooms for visitors and offices for officials, this building accommodates about 500 patients with necessary nurses, etc. Second .- Two brick buildings for convalescents three stories high, accom- modating 140 patients each, and nurses. These are located on each side of the front of the center building, about 500 feet from the latter, and about 1,000 feet apart. Third .- Two brick detached buildings three stories high in rear of center edifice, accommodating about 100 patients each. Fourth .- Two one-story wooded detached buildings for patients too feeble to ascend or descend the higher floors, accommodating each forty patients. Fifth .- The building for negroes located half mile in rear of the main building for whites. This is also of brick, three stories high, and, like the building for the whites, provided with all modern con- veniences. It comfortably provides for 500 insane negroes, besides the supervisor and attendants. A brick wall twelve feet high separates the yards of the buildings for whites and negroes. About one mile distant from the asylum building proper, is located the contagious diseases hospital, which, as its name indicates, is reserved for treatment of any contagious disease which may be brought into the institution. This is the best contagious diseases building in Georgia, and readily accommo- dates sixty patients and attendants. A contagious diseases hospital is an essential feature of insane asylum management inasmuch as patients are usually brought to the asylum after being confined in jail, and have thus in previous years intro- duced smallpox into the institution. Under intelligent and faithful management of the superintendent the disease was promptly stamped out. In addition to the above described buildings the new structure for whites, now in process of erection, will accommodate 500 patients. This edifice, like the others, is provided with dining rooms, parlors, sun rooms, and all modern conveniences. When this work shall have been completed ample asylum accommodations will have been provided for the white insane of the state. The completion of the annexes to the asylum for negroes will relieve the present over-crowding and provide accommodations for 180 of the negro insane now outside of the institution. A new feature in the buildings now in process of erection is the substitution of congregate dining rooms for the former ward dining rooms.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II, Part 23

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166