USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc > Part 57
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The city of Baltimore was incorporated in 1796 by the following Act:
"An Act to erect Baltimore Town, in Baltimore county, into a city, and to in- corporate the inhabitants thereof."
This charter was supplemented the fol- lowing year by other acts giving fuller pow- ers to the corporation. That portion of the charter which gives authority to the city to preserve the public health is found in Article IX and is as follows:
"And Be It Enacted, That the corpora- tion aforesaid shall have full power and au- thority to enact and pass all laws and ordi- nances to preserve the health of the city; to prevent and remove all nuisances; to prevent the introduction of contagious dis- eases within the city, and within three miles of the city."
The health of the city of Baltimore is protected by what are called Public Local Laws. These laws protect the people from all manner of nuisances, including the burial of carrion; the keeping of dog kennels in unclean condition; offensive trades-workshops and factories; pollution of sources of water supply; infectious dis- eases-small-pox; establish vaccine agency and regulate the practice of medicine, and pharmacy; fix the hours of labor for chil- dren and also protect their morals and health; prohibit the sale of tobacco and cigars to minors; the manufacture of dele- terious candy or cake; prevent selling liquor to minors; prevent blindness in in- fants; regulate sanitation of water closets and out-houses in public schools; provide seats for female employes in stores and fac- tories, etc. (this last law is not generally enforced).
A notable incident in the history of the health department of Baltimore was the ac- tion taken in 1855 by the City Health Board
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during the terrible epidemic of yellow fever at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va. While other cities established barriers and strict quarantine regulations to prevent the en- trance of refugees fleeing from the pestil- ence, Baltimore opened wide her gates and welcomed these terror-stricken guests. A boat was sent daily with supplies of every kind to the sufferers. Twenty-six found refuge in Baltimore, all of whom died save one, a child. Not a single citizen con- tracted the disease. Physicians and nurses were sent from Baltimore, all of whom died save two physicians.
The immunity of Baltimore at that time can be explained by the action of the Health Board (Drs. Kemp, Houck and Gilman) in the preceding year. Every street, alley and by-way was put in a sanitary condition, particularly the lower part of the city, where outbreaks of yellow fever had occurred in former years.
Taken as a whole, the health laws of the city of Baltimore cannot be excelled by those of any municipality in the country.
BOARDS OF HEALTH.
Between 1809 and 1864 there were no Health laws upon Maryland statute books save those providing for the care of the in- sane and dependent classes. Attempts to enact vital statistics laws had several times failed. The earliest enactment in relation to public health was that of 1864, empower- ing the Governor to appoint a State Vaccine Agent once in six years. This law was amended in 1867, and again in 1872.
In 1874, a law was passed creating a State Board of Health, consisting of five mem- bers, to be appointed by the Governor. The powers and duties of this Board were en- larged in 1880, 1886, 1890.
In 1882, the Infectious Disease Act was passed, its provisions being directed chiefly against small-pox.
In 1884, a law to regulate offensive trades was enacted.
By Act of Assembly in 1886, the Com- missioners of the several counties were charged with the functions of local boards of health. This Assembly of 1886 passed and amended more sanitary laws than any Legislature before or since. The Nuisance Act, that upon Pollution of Water-supply, the first laws against adulteration of food, the Act creating the Lunacy Commission, that providing for the safety of railroad crossings, the law against Opium Joints, and that against the committal of children into almshouses were all passed in 1886.
The Legislature of 1888 passed an Act Regulating the Price of Medicine. This law was amended 1892 and again in 1894. The Sanitary Live Stock Board was also created by the Assembly of 1888.
The first report of the State Board of Health was published in 1876. The mem- bers of the Board were:
Nathan R. Smith, M. D., President.
J. Robert Ward, M. D.
C. W. Chancellor, M. D.
Charles M. Ellis, M. D.
E. Lloyd Howard, M. D., Secretary.
Dr. Nathan R. Smith died in 1877. He was succeeded as President of the Board by Dr. E. Lloyd Howard, and the Board was completed by the appointment of Dr. Geo. C. Porter, of Allegany county. Dr. C. W. Chancellor was elected Secretary.
In 1880, the organization of the State Board of Health was altered by amendment of the Act of 1874. The membership was increased to seven, the Attorney General of
William Travis Howard, IN. D .
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
the State and the Health Commissioner of Baltimore City becoming ex-officio mem- bers of the Board.
The first Board created under this Act consisted of:
E. Lloyd Howard, M. D., President.
J. Robert Ward, M. D.
C. W. Chancellor, M. D., Secretary.
Jas. A. Steuart, M. D., Health Commis- sioner of Baltimore.
J. Crawford Neilson, C. E.
St. George W. Teackle, M. D.
Doctor Howard died on September 5, 1881, and Dr. J. Robert Ward was elected to succeed him as President.
In 1883, a Sanitary Convention was held under the auspices of the State Board of Health, Prof. Richard McSherry was Presi- dent of the Convention.
Dr. J. Robert Ward, President of the Board, died in 1883, and was succeeded by Prof. Richard McSherry.
A second Sanitary Convention was held in September, 1884, at the Blue Mountain House, Washington county. Both of these conventions were notable on account of a spirited controversy between Dr. C. W. Chancellor and Col. Geo. Waring upon the disposal of sewage.
Dr. Richard McSherry died in 1885, the fourth of the Presidents who passed away in ten years' history of the Board.
The Board, in 1886, consisted of:
Dr. Jackson Piper, President.
Dr. C. W. Chancellor, Secretary.
Dr. John Morris. Dr. J. M. H. Bateman.
Mr. J. Crawford Neilson, C. E.
Hon. Chas. B. Roberts, Attorney Gen- eral.
Dr. James A. Steuart, Health Commis- sioner of Baltimore.
A third Sanitary Convention was held in November, 1887, in Baltimore, at which there was an extended discussion upon Asiatic cholera. This was the last Sanitary Conference held for some years. Hon. WVm. Pinkney Whyte, then Attorney Gen- eral, was a member of the Board at this time.
In 1891, Hon. John P. Poe and Dr. James F. McShane became ex-officio members of the Board.
In 1892, Dr. C. W. Chancellor resigned as Secretary to accept a consulship to Havre. Dr. James A. Steuart was elected to the Secretaryship. The other members of the Board were:
Dr. John Morris, President.
Dr. J. M. H. Bateman, of Easton.
Mr. J. Crawford Neilson, C. E.
Dr. James F. McShane, Health Commis- sioner of Baltimore.
Hon. John P. Poe, Attorney General.
Dr. John H. Jamar, of Elkton.
In 1895, Hon. Harry M. Clabaugh suc- ceeded Hon. John P. Poe as an ex-officio member. In 1896, the terms of Mr. J. Craw- ford Neilson and Dr. John H. Jamar ex- pired. Mr. Henry Brauns and Dr. S. Chase de Krafft were appointed. Dr. James A. Steuart resigned as Secretary and Dr. John S. Fulton was elected to succced him. The members of the Board now are (1897):
Dr. S. Chase de Krafft, President.
Dr. John Morris.
Dr. J. M. H. Bateman.
Dr. James F. McShane, ex-officio.
Hon. Harry M. Clabaugh, ex-officio. Dr. John S. Fulton, Secretary.
There is one vacancy, Mr. Henry Brauns having resigned.
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
The City Board of Health is composed of the Mayor, the Health Officer and the As- sistant Health Officer of the city. These gentlemen appoint a large number of Sani- tary Inspectors, inspectors of sewers and nuisances and also an Inspector of Plumb- ing. Vaccine physicians are appointed by the City Council. The Keeper of the Dog Pound is appointed by the Mayor. The Quarantine Officer is also appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the City Coun- cil. The Local Health Ordinances are gen- erally amply sufficient to prevent all viola- tions of the Sanitary Law and consequently the State Board of Health does not interfere with the city authorities save in great emer- gencies.
COLLEGES.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
This school of medicine, one of the three oldest institutions of its kind in the United States, originated in a private class estab- lished by Dr. John Beale Davidge, in 1802, which, in 1807-Doctor Davidge being joined by Drs. James Cocke and John Shaw -was chartered by the General Assembly of Maryland and constituted a college under the name of "The College of Medicine of Maryland." In 1812 the Legislature au- thorized the Medical College to become a university, which is now our University of Maryland.
A lottery of $50,000 had been granted to the Medical College of Maryland, but in 1817 an additional lottery scheme of $100,- 000 was granted to the University. At that time it was the custom of the Legislature to grant lottery schemes to public and benevolent institutions. The Cathedral, the City Library and many churches
throughout the State were established in this way.
OTHER UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.
The second medical school established in Baltimore was a branch of the Washington College, of Pennsylvania. This institution was located on Broadway, and is now known as the Church Home. Whilst this. school was never a great success, it had some very able men among its teachers, viz., Baxley, Dunbar, McCook, Stokes, Fonerden, Charles Bell Gibson, Monkur and other distinguished physicians of that time. This school was merged into the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas E. Bond, one of the brightest medical and literary men of his day. Thos. Opie, M. D., is the present Dean of the Faculty.
THE BALTIMORE MEDICAL COLLEGE.
This college has been exceedingly suc- cessful in attracting students not only from the South and West, but from outlying possessions, including Canada and other British Provinces. David Street, M. D., is the present Dean.
THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE.
This school is in the Eastern part of the city, a locality in which accidents occur al- most hourly, and therefore it must neces- sarily afford great opportunities for clinical training and the practical teaching indispen- sable to young medical men. H. R. Bied- ler, M. D., Dean.
The Woman's Medical College, another branch of teaching which has been emi- nently successful. It has a large corps of able instructors and the graduates would do credit to any institution in the land.
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
The Johns Hopkins Medical School is a branch of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. It is only intended for graduates. William H. Welsh, M. D., is the Dean.
There is also a Homoeopathic Medical College which has a full faculty and a large attendance of students.
DENTAL COLLEGES.
DENTAL DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
This department was founded in 1882. It took the place of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the oldest dental col- lege in this country, if not in the world. Large buildings have been erected on the university grounds on Greene street, em- bracing an infirmary and laboratory. Prac- tice Hall has also been given over to the department of dentistry. Drs. Gorgas and Harris were among the first teachers in this school, which has since attracted students from all parts of the world, and numbers at the present time more than five hundred graduates.
BALTIMORE COLLEGE OF DENTAL SURGERY.
This college is connected with the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons. Like its older sister it has been eminently successful and numbers among its graduates young men from all parts of the Union. Dr. M. W. Foster is the Dean.
DENTAL DEPARTMENT OF BALTIMORE MEDICAL COLLEGE.
This is a new School of Dentistry which is growing in usefulness and popularity. Dr. I. W. Smith is the Dean.
An extended and elaborate history of the
Dental Schools of Baltimore has been pre- pared for this work by Dr. R. Grady, a gen- tleman eminently fitted for the task. .
THE MARYLAND COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.
This institution was incorporated by special legislative act passed January 27, 184I, and signed by the then Governor, Hon. William Grason. It had its origin in a meeting held June 8, 1840, at the resi- dence of Dr. Samuel Baker, who, with Drs. Wm. E. A. Akien and Wm. Riley, repre- sented the Medical and Chirurgical Fac- ulty. Pharmacy was represented by Messrs. Thos. G. Mackenzie, Geo. W. An- drews, David Stewart, Robert H. Coleman, H. B. Atkinson, John Hill, Jonathan Chap- man and J. W. W. Gordon. Regularly un- til 1848 instruction was given and classes graduated. In 1848 teaching was not re- sumed but reorganization occurred in 1856. Since then the college has been very suc- cessful and has been universally recognized by medical men as an important adjunct to their professional work. It was the first to establish a separate chair of Pharmacy and took the lead in making attendance upon the analytical course compulsory. It has greatly extended its curriculum until it now includes the study of inorganic and organic Chemistry, Botany, Pharmacognosy, Ma- teria Medica, Toxycology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vegetable His- tology, Microscopy, Pharmaceutical Man- ipulation, Analytical Chemistry and Assay. Thorough laboratory work is insisted upon. The present faculty consists of Wm. Simon, Ph. D., M. D .; Chas. Caspari, Ph. G .; D. M. R. Culbreth, A. M., Ph. G., M. D. Ad- junct faculty, John P. Piquet, Ph. G .; Chas. Schmidt, Ph. G .; Sam'l. Base, Ph. D. The college building, located on Aisquith street
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
near Fayette, is well arranged and fully equipped.
One of the most noted pharmaceutists of the early part of the nineteenth century was Mr. Edme Ducatel, a native of France. Nearly all the prominent apothecaries of the city fifty or sixty years ago served their ap- prenticeship under him. His son, Jule Tim- oleon Ducatel, was a distinguished writer and lecturer. He was Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Mechanics' Institute and filled the chair of Chemistry and Geology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in the University of Maryland. He resigned in 1837 to accept the appointment from the Legislature of State Geologist. He after- wards occupied the chair of Chemistry at St. John's College. Professor Ducatel was one of the founders of the Maryland Acad- emy of Sciences. He was recognized as a high authority in Geology and took part in the exploration of the Upper Mississippi and Lake Superior.
HOSPITALS.
The site of the first hospital established in Baltimore was selected by Captain Yel- lott, some of whose descendants are still liv- ing in Baltimore county, as a temporary re- treat for strangers and sea-fearing people during the epidemic of yellow fever, which raged in the city in 1794. In 1798, it was purchased by the city and in 1808 it was leased to Drs. James Smythe and Colin Mc- Kenzie, who conducted it as a general hos- pital. It afterwards become the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, and the ground is now occupied by the Johns Hopkins Hos- pital.
Baltimore is wonderfully well supplied with hospitals, viz., The Maryland Univer-
sity Hospital, connected with the University of Maryland; The City Hospital with annex for colored patients, under the care of the Sisters of Mercy; St. Joseph's Hospital conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame; Samaritan Hospital, connected with the Woman's Medical College; The Baltimore Medical College Hospital; The Hebrew Hospital; Hospital for the Relief of Crip- pled and Deformed Children; The Balti- more University Hospital. Every College has a Lying-in-Hospital connected with it, and also a School for Training Nurses.
The largest hospital in the city and one of the best in the world is the Johns Hop- kins Hospital, an endowed institution, so named in honor of its founder. Its great reputation attracts patients from all parts of the United States and remotest countries. Henry M. Hurd, M. D., is the Superintend- ent. St. Agnes Hospital conducted by the Sisters of Charity; United States Marine Hospital; The Garrett Free Hospital for Children; the Maryland Homeopathic Hos- pital; Providence Hospital (colored),. all deserve special mention.
SPECIAL HOSPITALS.
The Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat Hos- pital; The Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital; Hospital for Consump- tives, and Hospital for the Women of Mary- land; Home for Incurables; Miss Barnwell's School for Crippled Children, and The Nursery and Child's Hospital must not be forgotten in the enumeration of the many charities of the city.
INFIRMARIES.
There are several Infirmaries, notably, the Union Protestant Infirmary, which can accommodate one hundred patients; The
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
Church Home Infirmary, and Dental In- firmary of the University of Maryland.
DISPENSARIES.
There is a Free Dispensary connected with every College, and there are also four City Dispensaries. More than twelve thou- sand persons avail themselves annually of this charitable service. The City Dispensar- ies are supported by the city; those con- nected with the Colleges are supported by those institutions. Altogether it is believed that more than fifty thousand patients an- nually receive medical aid in Baltimore free of charge. Many are visited at their homes by the Dispensary physicians.
INSTITUTIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE INSANE.
The city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland are both most fortunate in the number and character of their institutions for the care of the insane.
On November 2, 1797, the Legislature passed an act to authorize the erection of a hospital in or near Baltimore for indigent sick and lunatics (this became the City, Public or Maryland Hospital).
On January 20, 1798, the Legislature appropriated $8,000 for the erection of the City Hospital for sick and lunatics. On February 20th, the same year, the City Council directed a committee composed of Mayor (Calhoun) and Messrs. Yellott, Rich- ard Lawson and Alex. McKim to select a site, and authorize the purchase of six and three-fourths acres at the corner of Monu- ment street and Broadway for that purpose for the sum of £600. In November follow- ing the Legislature granted $3,000 more in aid of the erection of the hospital. In 1800 one-third of the building was completed and
accommodated one hundred and thirty pa- tients. To complete the buildings the Leg- islature in 1812 ordered the payment of $5,000 annually for three years. In 1813 the same body authorized the Chancellor to commit idiots and lunatics to the hospital and increased the number of visitors from five to twelve. In 1822 Drs. Colin Mac- Kenzie, Frick and Macauley delivered clin- ical lectures in the Maryland Hospital. In 1826 the Legislature ordered additional buildings to be erected for the hospital, and the conveyance of the claim of the city to the same, to be transferred to the Board of Visitors and President, in virtue of which the hospital became the property of the State.
From this time forward the hospital was entirely supported by the State; its name was changed to the "Maryland Hospital for the Insane." The act excluding all except- ing lunatics from the privileges 'of the hos- pital was passed in 1828, at which time the change of name took place. On March 7, 1834, Dr. Richard Sprigg Stewart (really the true founder of Spring Grove Asylum), was appointed President of Maryland Hos- pital and Superintendent, which position he held for nearly the remainder of his life.
In the year 1853 he, in co-operation with Miss Dix, secured the first appropriation of five thousand dollars from the Legislature to lay the foundation of the present Mary- land Hospital for the Insane. Dr. Sprigg Stewart had already purchased the land by subscriptions from his friend he himself having headed the list with the sum of $1,000.
In 1846 Dr. John Fonerden was ap- pointed Resident Physician. In 1869, nearly twenty-five years after the laying of
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
the foundation, the buildings at Spring Grove were ready for occupancy, and all the patients from the old hospital (Monument street and Broadway) were transferred to their new home. The old buildings with six and three-quarters of an acre, originally purchased by the State, were sold to Mr. Johns Hopkins, and his trustees after his death erected upon this site the magnificent collection of buildings known as the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The trustees are yearly erecting additional structures, one having been recently built named the Gynecolog- ical Department, which is fitted up with all the appliances of modern science. This is a brief history of what was done for the in- sane in the early days of the city.
MARYLAND HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
(Spring Grove Asylum.)
This, the oldest of our institutions for the insane, is greatly over-crowded, there being now 508 inmates. In addition to the many marked advances made in former years there has recently been constructed a tasteful mortuary chamber, separate from the hospital buildings; electric lights have been introduced a new laundry erected; floors renewed throughout the entire house; wood work repainted and mechanical in- dustries established. The house telephone system has been adopted and a Pathological laboratory fitted up after the most approved modern models.
The "Waring" system of sewage (super- soil) works admirably on the land attached to this hospital.
SECOND HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. (Springfield).
This magnificent estate purchased from ex-Governor Brown, affords immense pos-
sibilities in the future. By this purchase the State has secured five or six hundred acres of rich, rolling land, on which there is a number of beautiful and extensive views. The buildings now temporarily oc- cupied by the chronic insane and dements (fifty-eight in number), were on the estate at the time the State came into possession of the property, and, while not adapted to the care and treatment of patients, have been well arranged by the Superintendent.
The first group of new buildings, now being finished and soon to be occupied, will consist of a service building and three cot- tages, arranged on a high point surround- ing an open space about 150 feet square, all of which are near the Superintendent's residence.
These new cottages, with the service building, form a quadrangle. These cot- tages are connected by open corridors, with a pavilion in the centre.
There is an admirably arranged fire-proof stair-case in each dwelling, communicating directly with the exterior at ground level, and affording ample and sure means. of exit for the inmates in case of any emergency.
The heating of the entire group of build- ings is by means of hot water, direct radia- tion being applied from a central plant in the basement of one of the cottages.
The electric light and pumping station and the steam laundry will be located at some distance on the bank of a small stream from which the water supply will be taken. A storage reservoir holding about 600,000 gallons forms part of the water supply sys- tem, the water passing through a sand filter entering the reservoir. From this the water will be pumped into a steel pressure tank capable of holding 165,000 gallons. The
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
distribution of water from the pressure tank is through a six-inch main to the center of the group, whence individual supply pipes run to the different buildings.
There will be four double outlet fire plugs in the quadrilateral by means of which there will be ample protection against fire.
The main switch-board of the telephone. system will be in the head attendant's office, in the service building, whence wires will run to the Superintendent's house, to the office of the physician in charge, to the first and second floors of each cottage, to the boiler-room, to the electric light and pump- ing station and various other places requir- ing telephone service.
THE LUNACY COMMISSION OF MARYLAND.
The Lunacy Commission of Maryland was created by an Act of the Legislature in the year 1886. The object of this Com- mission is to secure to the insane proper and humane care and intelligent treatment of their maladies, as well as due considera- tion for all their rights as involuntary wards of the State. Secondly, its purpose is to prevent the incarceration or detention in asylums, hospitals or prisons of any one illegally deprived of his or her liberty.
The Lunacy Commission has supervision over all institutions public, private or cor- porate, including alms-houses in which the insane are confined.
The Commission was represented during its first years by Alexander H. Bayley, M. D., of Cambridge, Md .; John Morris, M. D., Charles W. Chancellor, M. D., Thomas S. Latimer, M. D., all of Baltimore, and Charles B. Roberts, Attorney General, of Westminster, Md. At its first meeting,
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