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 58

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344

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 58

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Alexander H. Bayley, M. D., was elected President, and William Lee, M. D., Sec- retary.

On March 14, 1892, President Bayley died and Rufus H. Dashiell, M. D., of Prin- cess Anne, Maryland, was appointed a Commissioner by the Governor to fill his place. Dr. John Morris was the next Pres- ident. In 1893 Charles W. Chancellor re- signed from the Commission and Samuel C. Chew, M. D., was appointed in his place. In 1896, Dr. Samuel C. Chew resigned and was succeeded by I. E. Atkinson, M. D.

The quarterly inspection of the various institutions in the State, in which the in- sane are confined, is made by the Secre- tary, acting under instructions from the Commission. In the early work of the Commission it was found necessary for the Secretary to explain the Lunacy Law and give all necessary information to those hav- ing the insane in charge concerning the treatment of the last named and their rights.

Much has been done for the relief and comfort of the insane since the establish- ment of the Lunacy Commission, notably the structural improvement of the various institutions of the State; the erection of a building for the colored insane, doing away with all forms of restraint, as far as pos- sible; giving occupation to the insane; pro- tecting them from fire, and removing the criminal insane from prison. An asylum and training school for the feeble-minded and idiotic has been erected; an addition has been made to the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, and, most important of all, the recommendation from year to year of the State care of the indigent insane. To meet this requirement, the State is now en- gaged in erecting handsome buildings with

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every possible provision for sanitation and comfort.

The vicious practice of Magistrates in committing insane paupers to the jails and houses of correction has been suppressed as far as possible.

The present Commission consists of John Morris, M. D., President; Thomas S. Lati- mer, M. D .; Rufus H. Dashiell, M. D .; I. E. Atkinson, M. D., and Harry M. Clabaugh, Attorney General. The Secretary is Wil- liam Lee, M. D., and the office of the Com- mission is at No. 344 North Charles street, Baltimore.

MEDICAL SOCIETIES.

The first Medical Society was organized in Baltimore on the 26th day of December, 1788. It consisted of nineteen members, with Dr. Charles Frederick Wiesenthall as President, and Dr. Frederick Dalcho, Secre- tary. This Society only existed one year, when a second Medical Society was formed in 1789 by many of the same members. On June IIth, 1853, the first meeting of the Baltimore Pathological Society was held. The Medical and Surgical Society of Balti- more was formed by the Committee on Con- versational Meetings of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty, June 11th, 1855. The records show that Drs. Christopher John- son, George W. Miltenberger and John Morris delivered orations during the existence of this Society. After the dis- memberment of the Medical and Surgical Society no other was formed until February 26th, 1866, when a number of physicians met at the office of the Commissioner of Health to form a society for professional advancement, the diffusion of knowledge, and the cultivation of friendly relations. At the next meeting, that is, on the 6th of

March, 1866, these gentlemen adopted a Constitution and By-Laws, naming their Society-The Baltimore Medical Associa- tion. This Society is still in existence and has a very large membership, embracing the names of some of the most distinguished medical men of the city. In the year 1868 the Pathological was merged into the Clini- cal Society. In 1870 a German Medical So- ciety was formed, but it had only a brief ex- istence of two years.

From this time the following medical so- cieties have been inaugurated, viz: The Epi- demiological Society; The Baltimore Acad- emy of Medicine; The Gynecological So- ciety; The Johns Hopkins Medical Associa- tion; The Society of the Woman's Medical College; The Neurological Society.

MEDICAL JOURNALISM IN BALTI- MORE.

The history of Medical Journalism in Maryland dates from 1808, when the third Medical Journal published in the United States, and the first in Baltimore was estab- lished by Dr. Tobias Watkins, a graduate of Edinburgh and a man of distinguished abil- ity. This journal was called the Baltimore Medical and Physical Recorder, but not be- ing supported, its existence was brief. In 18II, a second effort was made to establish a journal. This publication was called the Baltimore Medical and Philosophical Ly- ceum. Dr. Nathaniel Potter was the editor, one of the brightest men who ever adorned the profession in Maryland.

The next venture in the field of Medical Journalism was, perhaps, less successful than the two aforementioned. This venture was undertaken in the year 1823 by Dr. John B. Davidge, another gentleman of dis- tinction. The first and only number of this

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publication was issued in the month of July, although supported by the ablest literary men of the time. The Vaccine Inquirer, or Miscellaneous Collections Relating to Vac- cination next appeared.

In 1829, Dr. Horatio J. Jameson, a very distinguished surgeon, commenced the publication of the Maryland Medical Re- corder. During the existence of this peri- odical a rival journal appeared in Baltimore, edited by Dr. Nathan R. Smith. Its title was The Baltimore Monthly Journal. There was really no necessity for the new journal, as there was not sufficient support for one, but the jealousy of these two great surgeons belonging to different Schools of Medicine led to this unnecessary rivalry. Not only the surgeons, but the medical men of the town were divided at that time, and for many years afterwards by petty jeal- ousies and animosities unworthy of a learned and liberal profession. This un- generous spirit has fortunately disappeared in a large measure.

Both the journals above mentioned hav- ing suspended, as one might reasonably ex- pect, Baltimore was without a medical pub- lication until the year 1833, when the Balti- more Medical and Surgical Journal and Re- view, edited by Dr. E. Geddings, appeared. This journal existed for only one year, hav- ing fallen by the wayside for the same reason that caused the downfall of its predeces- sors -- a want of support.

In 1834, Doctor Geddings issued the North American Archives of Medical and Surgical Sciences. In his introduction to this publication, Doctor Geddings deplores in words of sadness the apathy and want of public spirit displayed by the medical profession in Maryland. This last effort of

Doctor Geddings survived only a year, and, saddened by his failure, he shook the dust of Baltimore from his feet and sought the genial atmosphere of Charleston, S. C., where, amidst honors and dignities, he lived and died.

In the year 1839, the Maryland Medical and Surgical Journal was established under the auspices of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland and as an official organ of the Medical Department of the United States Army and Navy. This publication appeared regularly until 1843, when it sus- pended. From the year 1843 until 1860, a period of seventeen years, the profession of Maryland was without a Medical Journal published within the borders of the State.

In 1890 the Virginia Medical Journal changed its name to the Maryland and Vir- ginia Medical Journal.

In 1861, Dr. Edward Warren (afterwards Bey) established the Baltimore Journal of Medicine, but the Civil War having broken out in that year, Doctor Warren left Balti- more for the South and consequently his journal had a brief existence. After the War he returned to Baltimore and estab- lished a journal called the Medical Bulletin, which, like its predecessors, enjoyed a very short life. It was however merged into the Baltimore Medical Journal, which was edited by Drs. E. Lloyd Hamilton and Thomas S. Latimer.

The Baltimore Medical Journal made its appearance in 1870. It survived nearly two years. The next attempt at medical jour- nalism was made in September, 1872, when a publication appeared under the title of The Physician and Surgeon. It was supported chiefly by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, under whose auspices it was in-

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augurated. After reaching No. 5, Vol. VI, it was discontinued.

In February, 1877, The Maryland Medi- cal Journal was founded. The first number was issued May Ist, 1877. It was edited and conducted by H. E. T. Manning, M. D., and T. A. Ashby, M. D. This journal still survives, and is supported by the profession generally. It is the only medical periodical in the State, save the two publications of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. These are entitled The Bulletin of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the News Letter, edited and published by several undergraduates of the University.

A review of the medical journalism of Maryland is a mournful task. It is sad to consider that journals established and edited by some of the brightest medical men in America, such as Tobias Watkins, Nathan- iel Potter, John B. Davidge, Horatio G. Jameson, Nathan R. Smith, and Dr. E. Ged- dings, should have met with such unmerited neglect. The contributions to these publi- cations were of the very highest order. They were eminently practical and in this respect totally unlike the writings of the majority of the practitioners and teachers of the present day, whose literary efforts are made up chiefly of theories unsupported by facts or experience. A certain kind of med- ical jargon has obtained, derived from the Greek, but, inasmuch as not one man in ten knows as much Greek as William Shake- speare, who knew little according to Ben Jonson, this jargon only confuses and some- times leads to absolute despair. Not only this, but it leads to a marked increase in the nomenclature of diseases. In 1815 only 44 causes of death appeared in the Health

Record; in 1883 the number had increased to the alarming extent of 308. Of course, there are not 308 causes of death, but the vanity of men and their great desire to in- vent pompous technicalities, particularly from the Greek and Latin, has led to this wonderful effusion of terms. A reaction in the future must necessarily take place, and a simple nomenclature, lessening the number of the causes of death, be adopted.

THE HISTORY OF HOMEOPATHY IN BALTIMORE.

The remarkable progress of Homeopathy in the city of Baltimore has excited general comment. As early as 1839 Dr. Felix R. McManus, a graduate of the old school of medicine, embraced the doctrines of Hahne- mann and must be considered the pioneer of Homeopathy in Baltimore. He was a sincere follower of the great German Mas- ter and practiced his profession successfully up to the time of his death. About 1841 a German physician, Dr. Moritz Wiener, ar- rived in the city and commenced the prac- tice of medicine in accordance with the laws of the new school. Three other German physicians followed in succession: Drs. Amthor, Haynel and Schmidt. Since that time the number has been greatly increased, chiefly by natives and men of learning. They have established two schools of teach- ing, two hospitals, beside several dispen- saries. They also publish a journal. All this has been accomplished in half a century. The patrons of Homeopathy in Baltimore . have been exceedingly liberal in their con- tributions, and have no doubt added much to the general fame of the city for charitable and beneficent work.

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THE EARLY HISTORY OF OPH- THALMOLOGY AND OTOLOGY.

The history of the two affections above named is a very interesting one. There is no doubt that there were some medical men who confined themselves to diseases of the eye in the last century. This is indicated by a resolution adopted at the convention of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland in 1805. It was resolved that the Board of Examiners be authorized to grant special licenses to oculists and dentists to practice in their respective branches, sub- jecting them to an examination only on these two branches. It appears that the "oculists" of that day did not stand in very good repute.

The first mention we have of any institu- tion for the treatment of the eye is to be found in a treatise by Dr. Isaac Hayes. He states that the New York Eye Infirmary was opened in 1820, Pennsylvania Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye and Ear in 1822, "with respect to the institution at Baltimore he has but little information to communi- cate. It is attached to the Baltimore Dis- pensary and is committed to the care of Dr. Geo. Frick." Professor Gibson, of Balti- more, was the most distinguished operator on the eye of his day. He made the experi- ment of introducing a seton through the cataractous lens, with the view of producing its absorption. Professor Gibson also at- tempted the cure of strabisums by dividing the recti muscles of the eye in a manner now practiced universally. The next distin- guished operator was Dr. George Frick, the author of a valuable treatise on diseases of the eye, the first work of the kind that ap- peared in America. He was appointed sur- geon to the Baltimore General Dispensary

in 1824. He delivered clinical lectures at the Maryland Hospital in 1822. He also devoted himself to the study of the sciences and belonged to all the scientific bodies of that day. We learn from Cordell's History of the University of Maryland that the foun- dation of the Infirmary was laid in 1823 and that patients were received the same year. Of the four wards, one was reserved for eye cases, instruction in ophthalmic surgery forming a prominent feature in the course. This was the time of Dr. George Frick's greatest activity. He was the uncle of the eminent clinician and author, Prof. Charles Frick.

The next noteworthy surgeon who de- voted himself to diseases of the eye was Horatio G. Jameson. He was the editor of the Maryland Medical Recorder. He wrote many valuable articles for this journal. In one of his papers he describes two cases of ossification of the lens with luxation through the pupil, and in another he gives an inter- esting account of "An encysted tumor of the orbit."

John Mason Gibson published, in 1832, in Baltimore, a work on the "Condensation of Matter upon the Anatomy, Surgical Opera- tions and Treatment of Diseases of the Eye. Embellished with twelve lithographic plates, illustrative of the anatomy, operations, and morbid appearance."

DR. JOHN HARPER.

Doctor Harper, who practiced surgery about this time was one of the most success- ful operators in this country. His opera- tions for cataract were particularly skillful. His mode of operating consisted of lacera- tion of the capsule and lens substance, which he repeated as often as necessary on the

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same eye. Doctor Harper was a native of Ireland, and graduated at Glasgow. He was well known as an oculist.

OTOLOGY.

The science of Otology was very little cultivated in the early days of the profession in Baltimore. The first contribution to the subject was a translation of a treatise on the ear from the French of Saissy by a renowned surgeon, Nathan Rhyno Smith. This was the second work published in this country. The translator added many valuable sugges- tions on diseases of the external ear. Doc- tor Smith devised a new instrument for per- forating the tympanum, which is still in use; also a knife designed to slit the lachrimal canal.

Up to the time of the Civil War Dr. Joshua I. Cohen occupied alone the field of Otology.

After the close of the war a number of very brilliant young men devoted them- selves to the special study of Ophthalmology and Otology, and their labors have been so successful that patients have been attracted to Baltimore from every part of the United States. As these gentlemen are all living we do not mention their names, fearing such mention might seem invidious. Baltimore has become a medical center for the study of Ophthalmology and Otology.

MEDICAL LIBRARIES.

There are three medical libraries in the city, all of which contain very valuable books of a scientific character. The largest of these is the Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, which contains over ten thousand volumes. Very rare books, particularly the writings of the Fathers of medicine, are to be found on the

shelves of this library. An addition of near- ly two thousand volumes has been recently made to this collection by the relatives of the late Dr. Charles Frick. This family has contributed liberally to the support and pre- servation of the works that they have placed in the hands of the Faculty. The next li- brary to be mentioned is that of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, which contains eighty- two thousand volumes; those of the Fif- teenth, Sixteenth, Seventeeth and Eigh- teenth centuries being especially interesting. Next in order is the Library of the Univer- sity of Maryland, which comprises more than three thousand volumes. This collec- tion is intended for the use of the students of the University. There is also a Medical Section of the Peabody Library, where works of the highest character are to be found.

VITAL STATISTICS OF BALTI- MORE IN THE PAST- 1815 to 1883-1896.

The local report of the Health Depart- ment of Baltimore contains a table prepared by the Secretary in which the total number of deaths from all causes in the city from January 1, 1830, to December 31, 1883, is given. Though the details in it are drawn from official reports, they are frequently in- correct, and consequently misleading, as they do not contain an exact statement of the causes of the mortality of the city in different years.

As the experience of the present writer extends over half a century, it has occurred to him that his investigations on this sub- ject might not prove uninteresting. The examination of the mortality records of the past in Baltimore, while it proved a tedious was not, by any means, a dreary or cheer-

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less task, for there is much to be found in them to surprise and amuse, if not to in- struct.

In the very beginning, one of the things that strikes us is the remarkable increase in the number of diseases within the past fifty years. In 1815, only forty-four causes of death are given. In the Health Report for the year 1836, there are 141, and in 1850 only 101, whilst in the report for 1883, the number of causes of death has increased to the alarming extent of 308. With only forty-four diseases to treat, the practice of medicine must have been a much simpler and less difficult art than it is in our days.

There could have been very little need or room for specialists in 1815, unless they devoted themselves to the cure of "worms and fits," for we find not less than seventy- five deaths from the latter reported in that year. These two diseases seem to have held their own remarkably well, for they do not disappear from the Health Reports until many years later, convulsions taking the place of fits in the city nomenclature about the year 1825. Worms, however, held their ground until 1876-1877. In 1873, we took up the cause of these innocent en- tozoa in the medical societies of the city, and with some success, for there is not a single case of death ascribed to them in the health report for 1883.

Thrush is another disease that plays an important role in our vital statistics. The first death records we have are for the year 1815, and two deaths from this cause took place that year, and from that time until 1875 it appears annually in the reports. In 1874, there were no less than thirty-seven deaths attributed to its direful influences. It has. since gradually disappeared, and in

the report for 1883 the note of the thrush is heard no more. We find, however, in one year since 1875 a single death from apthae.

Flux and mortification were two notable diseases in the early history of the city. No less than seventeen persons died of mortifi- cation in 1817. People must have been more sensitive in those days, for very few die now from this cause, owing to the fact that the race has become pachydermatous in the process of time.

There are 167 deaths reported from cholera morbus in 1815; only seventeen in 1883. There were 108 deaths from pleurisy in that year, while, strange to say, not a sin- gle case is returned for 1883.

Colic is one of the diseases that killed a great many persons in olden times, if we may judge by the statements furnished us; eight deaths are reported in 1815, and it holds its place in the annual reports, either as simple colic, cramp colic or bilious colic, until the year 1878, when two deaths occur. In 1854, it assumed an epidemic form, and III deaths are reported from that cause. Colic reached its acme in 1871 when 271 fell victims to this insidious and painful affec- tion. There were only five deaths from colic in 1883. Since then it has disap- peared, it is hoped, forever.

There were 218 deaths from consumption in 1815 and 321 in 1821. The population of Baltimore in 1815 was about 40,000. In 1883, when the population had increased to 360,000, the mortality from this disease numbered only 272, not six times as many deaths as in 1815. The total mortality, too, of the city in that year was very great.

Last year, 1896, when the population had increased to 550,000 the returns for phthisis

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were 1,122, a decrease of nineteen as com- pared with the year 1895.

The improved condition of the health of the city is no doubt due to the general drainage and filling up of the low grounds, as well as the better knowledge of sanitary laws. Typhus fever occupied a prominent place in the mortality records of the past. There were eighty-five deaths from this fever in 1815; and we find a number of cases reported every year until 1848, 1849, 1850, when there was a very great increase, 143 deaths being reported in 1849. In 1847, there are but twenty-nine deaths given as the result of typhus, yet there are 106 as- cribed to ship fever. This would appear a very queer distinction at this time, as ship fever is certainly a bad form of typhus. There is one death from "nervous fever" in 1815, and there are cases reported an- nually for some years afterwards. It dis- appeared as a cause of death in the mor- tality tables about the year 1827, to re- appear in 1843 when two cases are reported, three in 1845 and three in 1849, when it gives place to typhoid fever, which first made its appearance in 1851, seventy-one deaths having occurred from this newly recognized disease in that year.

Influenza was also an important trouble in former times, twenty-five deaths being caused by it in 1815; thirty-two in 1830; forty-five in 1832, and thirty cases in 1844. During the last mentioned year it was called the "Tyler grip," in compliment to the dis- tinguished President of that name, who, having thwarted the expectations of the Whigs of that day, produced in these pa- triots colicky pains of a very trying char- acter. St. Anthony's Fire and St. Vitus' Dance claim an important place in the old

nomenclature. These papistical diseases disappear about the time of the "Know Nothing" party, when they went over to the "Greek" communion, under the names of Erysipelas and Cholera.

The old Saxon disease, flux, obtained a place until about the year 1830; there were six deaths from it in 1815. There is one death from "bleeding" reported in the same year. This surely must be an error, for if profane history speaks truly a great many persons fell by the wayside, pierced by the lance.

Hydrophobia is noted as a cause of death in all the early records of the city, but there are only one or two deaths reported an- nually. The ignorant seemed to think this disease a reproach, and consequently there are no deaths recorded from this cause be- tween 1850 and 1860. So great, however, was the fear of hydrophobia that a society was formed in 1814 by the medical men of the city for its prevention. There are a great many persons at the present time who suffer from the bites of dogs, but they re- sort to an old remedy, the hair of the vicious animal, with the happiest results.

There is nothing notable in the Health Records for 1816. In 1817 there are 214 deaths from cholera morbus. Strange to say, in 1832, when 853 persons died from true cholera, only two deaths from cholera morbus are noted. In this year, however, 322 children fell victims to cholera infan- tum. Only 473 succumbed to this disease in 1883. Cholera infantum must have been a formidable trouble in past times, for the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty offered a prize of $50 in 1822 for the best essay on the subject, which was awarded to Doctor

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Cartwright, of Mississippi. This paper, which is sensible enough in its way, would not be considered an extraordinary produc- tion in this age.

The Health Records for 1818, 1819 are missing, a fact much to be deplored, inas- much as a severe epidemic of yellow fever prevailed in the last mentioned year.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1344

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344