USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > The early history of the medical profession in the county of Norfolk, Mass. : an address delivered before the Norfolk District Medical Society, at its annual meeting, May 10, 1823 > Part 4
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Dr. Luther W. Sherman was a native of Wayland, where he was born in 1806. He studied medicine with Dr. Ebenezer Ames, of that place, and first settled as a physician at Falmouth. In 1835 he removed to Wrentham, where he continued until his death, which occurred October · 29, 1837. He had the reputation of a conscientious and devotedly pious man ; was much respected as a physician ; and bore repeated afflictions with exemplary patience and Christian resignation.
A few other physicians have resided in Wrentham for longer or shorter periods, most of whom have removed to other places.
FRANKLIN.
Franklin, originally a part of Wrentham, was set off from that town August 29, 1737, and incorporated March 2, 1778.
Dr. Ebenezer Metcalf, the eighth child of Elder Michael Metcalf, was born June 1, 1727, and " died March 30, 1801, in the 74th year of his age." He was a physician in Franklin, of good reputation. He had one son only, Paul Metcalf, born in 1766, and died August 9, 1793. He also was a physician, and lived in his native town.
Dr. John Metcalf was a physician in Franklin for half a century, from 175S to 1808. He was born in Wrentham, July 3, 1734; was a
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descendant of Michael Metcalf, who emigrated from England in 1637. Dr. Metcalf was a medical pupil of Dr. Joseph Hewes, of Providence. He had in Franklin and vicinity an extensive and successful practice, and was the medical instructer of several pupils, among others of Dr. Amos Holbrook, of Milton. For three years he was representative to the General Court, and was a colonel of militia in the time of the Re- volution. In 1808, when he had become too infirm longer to sustain the labors of his profession, he removed to St. Albans, Vt., where he died Aug. 22, 1822, aged 88.
Dr. William Pitts Metcalf, son of Dr. John Metcalf, was born June 30, 1775 ; studied medicine with his father, and settled in Franklin, where he still resides, but has never been very actively engaged in medical pursuits.
Dr. Lewis Le Prilette was a French surgeon. He came to this country in 1782; resided for a time in Norton, then at Roxbury, and finally in Franklin, where he died 29th July, 1804, æt. 54. His remains were carried to Roxbury for interment, where a handsome stone with a Latin inscription marks their resting place .*
Dr. Nathaniel Miller was a native of Swanzey, where he was born April 23, 1771. In 1775 his parents removed to Rehoboth. At the age of 19 he was apprenticed to Dr. Le Prilette, then a resident in Nor- ton, and eminent in his profession as a surgeon. He soon acquired, by his industry and mechanical ingenuity, the confidence of his instructer, which in time ripened into the most intimate friendship, and was con- tinued during his life. Having completed his medical studies, by the advice of his patron, Dr. Miller went to St. Domingo with the intention of establishing himself in his profession. But his education and habits were not adapted to that sphere. He found little sympathy and less employment in his new abode ; his funds became exhausted ; and after some months passed in very trying circumstances, he returned to the United States and once more received substantial aid from his early benefactor. For a time he became an inmate of Dr. Le Prilette's family at Jamaica Plain, affording him such aid in his business as he required. At length, both Dr. Miller and his patron settled at Franklin, about the year 1799 or 1800; and from that period his eminence as a surgeon may be said to have been established. He was accustomed to perform all the more important surgical operations from the commencement of his career. He was a very cautious, ordinarily successful, but by no means
* The following is a copy of the inscription :- " In memoria Doctoris Ludovici Le Prilette, Mass. Med. Soc. Socii, nati Nante in Gallia, Oct. 10, Anno Domini MDCCL. Advenit Ameri- cam MDCCLXXXII. Obiit carcinomate in glandula prostata, Julii die 29, MDCCCIV., Ætat. snæ 51. Celeberrimus in Chirurgia."
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rapid operator. He rested his reputation on the correctness of liis diag- nosis, and upon the final result of his operations, rather than upon their number, or the celerity with which they were performed. He was ob- serving, cautious, inquisitive, rather than original. He knew how to draw out from other men the knowledge they liad acquired, and, having revolved it thoroughly in his own mind, and incorporated it with his own thoughts, to appropriate it to practical purposes, as an original treasure. He prided himself on the delicacy of his touch, by which he was some- times enabled to detect deep-seated matter, when it had eluded the ob- servation of others ; and thus by a timely operation to save a valuable life which might otherwise have been lost. He was peculiarly careful of the reputation of those physicians who confided in his judgment and called him in consultation. He adopted it as a principle, in every such case, to sustain the reputation of the physician who sought his counsel, and if possible to elevate it in the estimation of the patient. How much more honorable is such a course than the low, pettifogging, envious spirit, which seeks to add to its own fame by destroying the good name of a brother in the same calling. In consequence of his habit of careful ob- servation, he was sometimes able to detect among tumors usually con- sidered malignant, varieties which might be successfully removed. Such a case occurred in Harvard many years ago. A lady was afflicted with an abdominal tumor, supposed to be malignant, extending from the epigastrium to the pubis, which he removed in 1808 or 1809 by a protracted and careful dissection. The tumor was situated under the muscles, but external to the peritoneum ; was of a reddish color, and in appearance " had some resemblance to kidney," weighing 112 lbs. The cure was complete ; the case in all respects remarkable, and should have been published. The facts were related to me by Dr. Ephraim Stone, still living, and now of Boston, who was present and assisted in the ope- ration and had the care of the patient during the progress of the cure. The patient survived many years.
Dr. Miller frequently performed the operation of lithotomy, commonly but not always using the gorget. In the early periods of his practice, before the establishment of eye infirmaries, he was much consulted in diseases of that organ, and had the reputation of a successful oculist. Ordinarily he preferred the extraction of the lens to its depression in cases of cataract.
Dr. Miller was exceedingly happy in his domestic relations. As a wife and mother, Mrs. Miller possessed very remarkable accomplishments. " The heart of her husband safely trusted in her." He left two sons eminent in the profession, and an, example of devotion to his favorite
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pursuits worthy of all commendation. His death occurred June 10, 1850, at the age of 81.
ROXBURY.
Roxbury was incorporated Sept. 28th, 1630. Among its earliest and most respected inhabitants was George Alcock. He was made Free- man May 16th, 1631, having filed his application the preceding autumn. In December, 1640, he made his will, directing that his debt of £40, which he had in his hands, should be paid to his son John; also that his house and lands should be improved for the best for the education of his children, and the half of the revenue of the farm, together with the wisest improvement of his £40, to educate his son John in " learn- inge "; the other half to educate son Samuel. Thus highly did our pu- ritan ancestors prize good learning. Next to piety towards God, a good education was the highest boon they sought for their offspring. "Child," said the mother of Dr. Increase Mather, as he left his home for the College, "if God make thee a good Christian and a good scholar, thou hast all thy mother ever asked for thee."* Such were the views of George Alcock respecting his sons, and his hopes were realized.
Dr. John Alcock, the eldest son of George, graduated at Harvard College in 1646, pursued the study of medicine, settled as a physician in Roxbury, was a man of worth and much respected. He died in 1667, at the age of 42.
Dr. Samuel Alcock, a brother of the preceding, graduated at Harvard College in 1659, became a chirurgeon in Boston, and died March 18, 1677, aged 39.
Dr. John Glover, a native 'of Dorchester, who graduated at Harvard College in 1650, received a medical degree at Aberdeen, and settled as a physician at Roxbury. He was a benefactor of Harvard College, and is supposed to liave died before the close of the century.
Benjamin Tompson was the son of Rev. William Tompson of old " Brantry," where he was born July 6, 1642. He graduated at Har- vard College in 1662, and settled at Roxbury, where he became emi- nent as a physician and school-master, with some celebrity as a poet also. This town, indeed, which Johnson says " the Lord so blessed, that in the room of dismal swamps and tearing bushes, they have very good fruit trees, fruitful fields and gardens," seems to liave been fruitful in poets also. About the year 1639, " the New English Reformers " com- mitted the Psalms of David to the reverend clergymen of Roxbury and Dorchester to be rendered into metre suitable to be sung in the churches.
Pierce's History of Harvard College, p. 51.
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This task they undertook and accomplished, yet it would seem not quite to the satisfaction of the good Mr. Shepard of Cambridge, who, after having examined their version, expressed his opinion of it by addressing to them the following couplet :-
" You Roxb'ry poets, keep clear of the crime Of missing to give us very good rhyme ; And you of Dorchester, your verses lengthen, But with the text's own words, you will them strengthen."-Magnal., i., 367.
In the town records of Braintree the death of Mr. Tompson is thus noticed :- " Mr. Benjamin Tompson, practitioner of physick for above thirty years, during which time he kept a grammar school in Boston, Charlestown, and Braintree ; having left behind him a weary world, eight children and twenty-eight grand-children, deceased April 13, 1714, and lieth buried in Roxbury, aged 72."*
Dr. Jonathan Davies came, it is understood, from Maine. He gra- duated at Harvard College in 1738. On the College catalogue his name is written Davis. His reason for changing the spelling is unknown ; per- haps from some whim or dislike to persons bearing the same name. He married Sarah Williams, and had but one child, that died in infancy. The tradition is, that for a considerable period he attended most of the families in the town, and that he was a reputable physician.
Dr. Thomas Williams was born at Roxbury, October 12th, 1736 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1757 ; studied medicine under the di- rection of Dr. Thomas Williams of Deerfield ; returned and settled in Roxbury on the ancestral estate, and continued in the practice of his profession, with, reputation and success, until September 10th, 1815, when he suddenly died. On that day, being in his usual health, he had occasion to visit a patient at Quincy. Just as he was about to re- turn, he complained of indisposition, and asked for a glass of water; and having drank it, he immediately fell from his chair and expired without a groan. Thus closed the career of a physician who was distinguished through a long life for his industry and devotion to professional pursuits.
Dr. John Bartlett was born in Boston in June, 1760; graduated at Harvard College in 1781; studied medicine with Dr. John Warren ; commenced business in Roxbury in 1787, and continued in practice until
* EPITAPH.
Sub spe immortali. Ye herse of Mr. Benjamin 'Tompson, learned school master and physician, and ye renowned poet of New England, Obiit Aprilis 13, anno Domini 1714, et ætatis suæ 74 ; mortuus, sed immortalis. He that would try, What is true happiness indeed, must die.
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within five years of his death, which occurred November 26, 1844, at the age of 84. The occasion of his relinquishing business was the loss of sight by cataract, not the loss of health. He was much esteemed by his patients and friends ; possessed a pleasing countenance and man- ners ; was rarely absent from his circle of business ; was totally opposed to new theories and new modes of practice ; and being entirely satisfied with his daily routine of duty, he usually succeeded in giving equal satis- faction to his employers.
Rufus Wyman, M.D., was born at Woburn, July 16, 1778 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1799 ; and studied medicine in Boston under the di- rection of Dr. Brown and Dr. John Jeffries. He first settled as a phy- sician in Boston, where he was for one year an assistant of Dr. Jeffries. He then, on account of a commencing pulmonary disease, removed to Chelmsford, where he was much beloved and had an excellent reputa- tion as a physician.
In 1817 he was appointed Physician and Superintendent of the Mc Lean Asylum at Charlestown. To the best interests of that institution he was unremittingly devoted during the seventeen years in which he was its Superintendent ; having been absent during the first twelve years but one night from his post.
In 1834, owing to his ill health, it became necessary for him to resign a situation which he had held to the universal satisfaction of the Trus- tees and the public ; and he removed to Roxbury, with an intention of devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. Until the close of life, how- ever, he continued to be much consulted in relation to the sick, especially the insane. He died of bronchial inflammation, June 22, 1842, aged 64.
Dr. Wyman was admitted a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety in 1803 ; was elected its President in 1940 and 1841; delivered the annual discourse, on the subject of Mental Philosophy as connected with Mental Disease, in 1830 ; was a friend and advocate of temperance, and was, at the time of his death, President of the Norfolk County Temperance Society.
Dr. Nathaniel Shepard Prentiss was born at Cambridge, August 7th, 1766; graduated at Harvard College in 1787; studied medicine with Dr. Israel Atherton of Lancaster ; first settled at Marlborough, where he remained nine years in full practice, and then removed to Roxbury ; was appointed Principal of the Grammar School, an office which he retained until after the death of Dr. Williams in 1815. For thirty years he was Town Clerk of Roxbury ; was occasionally a Representative to the Gene- ral Court, and for some years had frequent calls as a medical practitioner. He was faithful to every trust ; a man greatly beloved. He is still
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living, resident with a daughter in West Cambridge, calmly and confid- ingly waiting his summons to depart.
Dr. Charles Williams Windship died at Roxbury, August 27th, 1852. He was the son of Dr. Amos Windship, of Boston ; graduated at Har- vard College in 1793; was a medical pupil of Dr. Samuel Danforth ; afterwards went abroad, and received a medical degree at Glasgow in 1797. On his return he settled at Roxbury, and with the exception of three years passed in Cuba and eight years in Boston, there continued until his death. In stature he was rather below the medium size, was very neat and particular in his dress, possessed good natural abilities, and was well read in his profession. He was very decided in his opinions, and by some was represented as a little " heroic " in his practice. He had some very warmly-attached friends, but never sought or acquired a large circle of professional business.
Dr. Peter Gilman Robbins was the son of Rev. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, where he was born in 1779. He studied his profession at Andover, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Kittredge, and com- menced the practice of his profession at Lynn. In 1814 he removed to Roxbury, and there continued until his death, which occurred May 18, 1852. He was admitted a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1809, and sustained the reputation of a good physician and " truly benevolent and good man."
Dr. Samuel Rogers, graduated at Harvard College in 1828, M.D. 1831, was admitted a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1832, and died in 1849, aged 41.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin Parker graduated at Harvard College in 1831, M.D. 1839 ; died in 1844, aged 33.
Dr. Anthony Woodside, M.M.S.S. 1844, settled at Roxbury, and died about 1850.
WEST ROXBURY.
West Roxbury includes what was formerly the second and third parishes of Roxbury, or Jamaica Plain and Spring Street Parishes. In early times few physicians made either of these parishes a permanent residence.
Dr. Lemuel Hayward, father of Dr. George Hayward now President of the Massachusetts Medical Society, was born at Braintree, March 22, 1749 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1768, and died March 20, 1821. Before commencing the study of his profession, he was engaged one year as " Master " of the Public School at Milton, and had under his tui- tion several pupils who became distinguished in after life ; among them Hon. Edward H. Robbins, and Rev. Thomas Thacher. Having ful-
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filled this engagement to the universal satisfaction of his employers, he commenced and pursued the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Joseph Warren. On the completion of his studies, by the advice of his preceptor he settled at Jamaica Plain, where his practice soon became extensive and lucrative. In 1775 he was appointed a hospital surgeon by Congress, but resigned his commission on the removal of the army southward. As early as 1776 he commenced the practice of in- oculating for the smallpox. He continued to reside at West Roxbury until 1783, wlien he removed to Boston. He was elected a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1784, and through life sustained an excellent reputation.
It is said that a Dr. Willard succeeded Dr. Hayward, respecting whom I have been unable to obtain any satisfactory information.
Dr. Lemuel Le Baron was the son of Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, of Ro- chester. He graduated at Brown University in 1799; studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Kittredge, of Andover ; settled at Jamaica Plain in 1803, and in 1814 removed to Roxbury street. 'There he continued to reside until 1821, when he became melancholy and partially deranged. He then removed to his native village, and afterwards to Rochester, N. Y., where he died in 1848, aged 73. He was, during his residence at Roxbury, an active and judicious physician, and his deplorable malady was a subject of much lamentation.
Dr. Andrew Foster was the son of Bossinger Foster, Esq., of Cam- bridge. He graduated at Harvard College in 1800, M.D. 1812, and first settled at Dedham. He removed to Jamaica Plain in 1815; was an excellent man, well educated, a pleasant companion, and universally respected. He never acquired in Roxbury a large share of professional business. After the death of his brother, Dr. Thomas Foster of Cam- bridge, he removed to that place, where he died in 1831.
Dr. Abijah Draper appears to have been the earliest resident physi- cian in the southerly part of West Roxbury. He was a native of Ded- ham; graduated at Brown University in 1797 ; studied medicine with Dr. Ames ; settled in West Roxbury in 1802 ; had a good medical re- putation and business ; was highly respected as a citizen, and was much employed in town affairs. He died March 26, 1836, aged 60.
BROOKLINE.
Brookline appears to have been a part of Boston from its first settle- ment. It was incorporated in 1705, but long before that period became the residence of a few families.
Dr. Thomas Boylston was the son of Thomas Boylston of Water
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town, and was the earliest physician or chirurgeon in Brookline. He was probably born January 26, 1637, and died in 1695, at the age of 58. He was the father of Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, the earliest inoculator for smallpox in the British dominions. The latter, although a citizen of Boston, was much employed as a physician in his native town, and indeed throughout all the region. He lived to the age of 86, having survived all his calumniators. His remains were deposited in the family tomb at Brookline, on which is inscribed the following just tribute to liis memory :
" Sacred to the memory of Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, F.R.S., who first introduced inoculation into America. Through a life of extensive be- nevolence, he was always faithful to his word, just in his dealings, affa- ble in his manners, and after a long sickness in which he was exemplary in huis patience and resignation to huis Maker, he quitted this mortal life in a just expectation of immortality, March 1, 1766."
Dr. William Aspinwall was born in Brookline, May 23, 1743 ; gra- duated at Harvard College 1764 ; commenced his studies in Connecti- cut under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Gale, and completed them in Philadelphia, where he received a medical degree in 1768. He then returned to his native town. In the Revolutionary war he was a regi- mental surgeon, and for some time deputy director of the hospital at Jamaica Plain. He was personally engaged at the battle of Lexington ; and after the death of Dr. Boylston succeeded him as an inoculator for smallpox, and established in Brookline a permanent hospital. In 1788 he obtained a grant to keep his establishment open, not only when the disease was epidemic, but at all times. His success inspired universal confidence. He was well skilled in huis profession. When vaccination was first introduced, after a careful examination of its claims, he said to Dr. Waterhouse-" This new inoculation will take from me a handsome annual income, yet as a man of humanity I rejoice in it." Dr. Aspin- wall became wholly blind from cataract some years before his death, which occurred April 16, 1823, at the age of 80.
Dr. William Aspinwall, Jr., son of the preceding, graduated at Har- vard College in 1804, studied medicine, and became associated with his father in business. He died April 7, 1818, aged 33.
Dr. William Eustis graduated at Harvard College in 1830, received a medical degree in 1838, and became a resident in Brookline, where lie died in 1843.
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I have thus, gentlemen, noticed, as fully as your time and my means of information would permit, the general character of most of the phy- sicians in the County who have preceded the present generation.
In this sketch, the names of some worthy men may have been over- looked. Others may have received a more or less extended notice than they were entitled to by their relative merits. Much of the informa- tion communicated having been received by tradition, it can scarcely be expected that all errors should have been avoided. If any such have been noticed by members of the Society now present, or should they be detected hereafter, I shall feel grateful to any gentleman who will kindly point them out, and favor me with the means of correcting them. Per- mit me, in conclusion, to acknowledge thankfully my obligations to all those persons, in the profession and out of it, who by correspondence, furnishing documents, and in various other ways, have afforded mne es- sential aid in prosecuting the inquiries the result of which I have now presented.
Gentlemen,-If the effort, which at your suggestion and in accord- ance with your appointment, I have made to revive the memory of those who have heretofore filled the stations we now occupy, shall prove ac- ceptable to you and to other medical brethren of the County ; espe- cially if it shall have a tendency to elevate our noble profession in view of the public and to stimulate any of our successors to a more faithful performance of duty, I shall feel that my humble labors have met an ample reward.
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APPENDIX.
NOTE A .- Page 5.
THE Oath of Hippocrates is preserved in the Hippocratic writings, and is substantially as follows. I use the somewhat free but elegant translation of Professor Felton of Cambridge, as given in his recent course of Lectures before the Lowell Institute, on " The Life of Greece."
" I swear (calling on the gods to witness) that I will fulfil religiously, ac- cording to the best of my power and judgment, the solemn promise and the written bond which I now do make. I will honor as my parents the master who has taught me this art, and endeavor to minister to all his necessities. I will consider his children as my own brothers, and will teach them my pro- fession, should they express a desire to follow it, without remuneration or written bond. I will admit to my lessons, my discourses, and all my other methods of teaching, my own sons and those of my tutor, and those who have been inscribed as pupils and have taken the medical oath, but no one else. I will prescribe such a course of regimen as may be best suited to the condition of my patients, according to the best of my power and judg- ment, seeking to preserve them from anything that might prove injurious. No inducement shall ever lead me to administer poison, nor will I ever be the author of such advice. I will maintain religiously the integrity and purity both of my conduct and my art. Into whatever dwellings I may go, I will enter then with the sole view of succoring the sick, abstaining from all injurious conduct, and observing the strictest propriety and purity of de- meanor towards all. If during my attendance, or even unprofessionally in common life, I happen to see or hear of any circumstances which should not be revealed, I will consider them a profound secret, and observe on the subject a religious silence. If I observe this oath and do not break it, may I enjoy prosperity in life, and in the practice of my art, and obtain general esteem forever. Should I transgress and become a perjuror, may the re- verse be my lot."
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