Our County and Its People: A Descriptive Work on Erie County, New York (Volume 1), Part 87

Author: Truman C. White
Publication date: 1898
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION .- In 1871 the subject of organizing an alumni association of Buffalo Medical College was agitated and many con- ferences on the subject were held between members of the faculty and prominent alumni. An organization was finally perfected with Thomas D. Strong, '51, of Westfield, as its president. The first public meet- ing, however, was not held until February 23, 1875, in connection with the commencement exercises. An address to the alumni was delivered in the evening by Dr. William Warren Potter in St. James Hall, that stood on the site of the Iroquois Hotel, and the graduating class was addressed by Prof. James P. White. At the first banquet of the asso- ciation held at the Tifft House on the same evening, Dr. Thomas D. Strong presided, grace was said by the Rev. G. W. Heacock, D. D., and Prof. James P. White responded to the first toast, "Our alma mater."

Meetings have been held with regularity every year since 1875, large numbers of the alumni have attended each year, and they have con- tributed to greatly increase the interest in commencement day. The part they have acted in the evening exercises and at the annual ban- quets has been a distinguishing feature of the ceremonies incident to the commencement exercises. Moreover, the alumni distinguished

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themselves during the Civil war and were found on almost every battle field ministering to the wounded and otherwise performing duties as medical officers. Several of them received wounds while in the dis-

charge of duty, and a number were taken prisoners. It would be interesting to speak in detail of many who have so distinguished them- selves, but a limited space prevents. It is fitting, however, that we should men- tion of one whose name and fame be- came co-extensive with the boundaries of the globe. Albert J. Myer, of the class of '51, entered the U. S. Army as as- sistant surgeon in 1854, and soon after- ward was assigned to duty in Texas. There he devised a single hand deaf- mute alphabet. Still GENERAL ALBERT J. MYER. later he invented and put into practical operation a system of military signals that was adopted by the army and which contributed inestimably to the success of our armies in the late civil war.

A separate bureau was created by act of Congress, and Dr. Myer was placed at the head with the rank of brigadier general. After the war General Myer, who was gifted with a scientific mind as well as invent- ive genius, prepared a code of weather signals that has become the basis of the present system in operation throughout the world, and which gained for him the familiar title of "Old Probabilities." He

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died at Buffalo, August 24, 1880, and his remains rest in a beautiful mausoleum in Forest Lawn cemetery.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT NIAGARA UNIVERSITY.

In 1863 an academic school called the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels was established near Suspension Bridge. In 1883 this semi- nary was erected into a university by the Regents at Albany with au- thority to establish any of its colleges in Erie county. A department of medicine was thereupon organized by Niagara University which was located in the city of Buffalo. The chief promoter of the enter- prise was Dr. John Cronyn, of Buffalo, who in connection with Bishop Ryan and the other officers of the university succeeded in establishing the new medical school in season to begin operations in September, 1883. Its requirements for admission, instruction and graduation were that students must pass a matriculation examination in such branches as were considered necessary to fit them for the study of medicine; a course of three years' study to comprise three full lecture terms of six months each; and a final examination by a separate board appointed by the trustees. These demands were in advance of the requirements then usually in force.

The first faculty consisted of the following-named gentlemen: John Cronyn, pro- fessor of the principles and practice of medicine and clinical medicine, president ; Thomas Lothrop, professor of obstetrics, vice-president; William H. Heath, pro- fessor of descriptive and surgical anatomy; Augustus R. Davidson, professor of chemistry, pharmacy and toxicology; Henry D. Ingraham, professor of gynecology and diseases of children; Charles G. Stockton, professor of materia medica and therapeutics; Charles C. F. Gay, professor of operative surgery; William S. Tre. maine, professor of the principles and practice of surgery and clinical surgery ; Clay- ton M. Daniels, professor of clinical surgery, physiology and microscopy; Alvin A. Hubbell, professor of ophthalmology, otology and laryngology; Hon. J. M. Cong- don, professor of jurisprudence. The Rt. Rev. Stephen V. Ryan, D. D., was an- nounced as chancellor of the university and John L. C. Cronyn was appointed dem- onstrator of anatomy. Of these Drs. John Cronyn, Lothrop. Ingraham and Hub- bell still remain in their original places. Bishop Ryan, Drs. Davidson and Gay are dead; Drs. Stockton and Heath are teaching in Buffalo University; Drs. Tremaine, Daniels, Fell, John L. C. Cronyn and J. M. Congdon have resigned.

Dr. C. C. F. Gay, who first occupied the chair of surgery, was dis- tinguished in his department. He served on the surgical staff of the General Hospital, and that of the Sisters of Charity Hospital, and withal was an eminent citizen. His death occurred March 27, 1886.

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In 1889 Dr. Herman Mynter was appointed to the chair of surgery, which he continues to hold.

The college opened with a class of ten students. The first lectures were delivered at the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity, and later lecture rooms were secured in the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation building. In 1884 the present college edifice, located on Elli- cott street, between Broadway and Clinton, was constructed and made · ready for occupation about January 1, 1885. In 1891 this building was enlarged to its present proportions to meet the increasing demands for larger laboratories and ampler lecture rooms.

Dr Augustus R. Davidson, who was at first professor of chemistry and to whose chair later the department of dermatology was added, died May 25, 1888, aged forty-three years. His death was a severe blow to the college and the vacancy created thereby was not easily filled. The chair of chemistry has since been divided, William H. Pitt becom- ing professor of general chemistry and physics, and John A. Miller, professor of medical chemistry and toxicology.

The first commencement exercises of the college were held at Asso- ciation Hall on the evening of April 12, 1886, at which time the degree of doctor of medicine was conferred upon the following named candi- dates: E. J. Murphy, Thomas Hill, George W. T. Lewis, and Anthony Hill, Buffalo; R. B. Parks, Jamestown; George Wetherill, Toronto. The method of conferring degrees by this college is termed " hooding." an ancient rite observed in many English universities. Briefly, it is conducted as follows: The candidates wearing their long black gowns are introduced by a graduate to the chancellor of the university in a Latin formula. Each candidate then kneels before the chancellor who holds the candidate's hand in his, and while he is being hooded ' another graduate who acts as beadle pronounces another Latin formula.

The first address to the graduates was delivered by Dr. Simeon T. Clark, of Lockport, professor of medical jurisprudence, who had been appointed to the chair vice Joseph M. Congdon, resigned. Dr. Clark, a gifted and versatile man, was seized with apoplexy while in the per- formance of his professional duties, and died in the midst of a useful life, December 24, 1891.

When this college was organized two years' study in medicine was among the legal requirements, but Niagara University established a

' A hood is placed over the head of the candidate. which is immediately removed and the cer- emony is concluded.

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HOSPITAL OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY-1848-1876.

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three years' curriculum, recommending, however, a four years' course. The law requiring the medical schools of the State of New York to establish three years as the minimum course of medical study took effect September 1, 1891, and by an amendment passed March 21, 1896, a four years' collegiate study was established as the minimum re- quirement in this State to take effect January 1, 1898. In anticipa- tion thereof Niagara University placed itself on the four years basis at the beginning of the session of 1897. The faculty has been enlarged so that it now numbers sixteen professors, with thirteen adjunct profes- sors and lecturers. The classes have an average attendance of about fifty students and the college is regarded as being in a prosperous con- dition.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NIAGARA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL COLLEGE .- An alumni association was organized in 1886 consisting of the faculty and lecturers of the college together with the graduates of that year. The officers were as follows: President, William H. Heath, Buffalo; first vice-president, R. B. Parks, Jamestown; second vice-president, E. J. Murphy, Buffalo; secretary, George W. T. Lewis, Buffalo; treas- urer, Simeon T Clark, Lockport. Executive committee, F. S. Crego S. T. Clark, Anthony Hill, Buffalo.

The first public meeting of the alumni association was held April 12, 1887, at which Dr. William H. Heath presided. Papers were read at this meeting by Drs. Stephen Smith, of New York, B. H. Daggett, H. D. Ingraham and Frank H. Potter of Buffalo. The first banquet was held at the Genesee Hotel in which the faculty, alumni and invited guests participated. The association holds its annual meetings at the college hall on the commencement day of the medical school.

III. HOSPITALS.

BUFFALO HOSPITAL OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY.

Though it had been proposed many times before to establish a hos- pital in Buffalo, plans did not materialize until 1848 when the first hospital in the city was opened for the reception of patients. A build- ing located on what is now known as Pearl Place made up of a group of several contiguous dwelling houses that had been occupied previ- ously as an orphan asylum, now (1898) used as a tenement, was con- verted into a hospital and placed under the management of the Sisters of Charity. It was incorporated under the laws of the State of New

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York, and accommodations were provided for one hundred patients. Later an appropriation of $9,000 was made by the State. It was pro- vided that no questions should be asked of patients when admitted touching matters of religion, and that applications for admission should be made to the medical board, the president of the Good Samaritan Society, and to the society of St. Vincent of Paul; and further that a line from the pastor of any church of whatsoever denomination should also secure admittance.

The building was made ready in 1848, and during the first six months 121 patients were received. The first medical board was constituted as follows: Frank Hastings Hamilton, attending surgeon; Austin Flint, attending physician; and Josiah Trowbridge, consulting physician. Appreciating the importance of clinical instruction, the late Bishop Timon, a learned prelate of the Roman Catholic church, threw open the doors of the hospital for that purpose, and for a small fee the stu- dents of the medical college, then lately established, received bedside training under the supervision of an attending physician or surgeon.

During the cholera epidemic of 1849 there were admitted into the in- stitution previous to September first, 136 patients suffering from this disease, fifty-two of whom died. The report of the hospital for the year 1849, issued November 27, shows that 1,513 patients in all were admitted, of whom more than one-half were charity cases.

From time to time the capacity of the hospital was increased so that finally it aggregated accommodations for 200 patients. At the end of twenty-five years, however, it had outgrown the limits of its first loca- tion, and in 1872 a site was purchased on North Main street corner of Delavan avenue, on which it was proposed to build a new and larger hospital. In June, 1875, ground was broken, in August the corner stone was laid, and on November 5, 1876, the hospital was dedicated. The cost of the building and ground was $168,368. The building is a large, substantial, four story brick structure with basement, situated upon high ground and surrounded by broad lawns. A new wing has lately been constructed, and the hospital as it now stands is a comely modern building with all the conveniences necessary for its numer- ous patients. It has its own electric plant for lighting, and is heated and ventilated according to the latest and best methods. It has large and well appointed surgical and gynecological operating rooms, both of which are specially complete in modern equipments. The total cost of the building as it now stands has been about $250,000, and it has a

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capacity of 334 beds. A contagion pavilion has also been erected con- taining twenty-five or thirty beds.

This was one of the first hospitals in the United States under the management of the Sisters of Charity to establish the custom of resi- dent physicians, and it was likewise the first under the Sisters' manage- ment to establish a training school for nurses. The present medical staff is composed of the several professors and teachers in Niagara University Medical College who have charge of patients according to their respective branches.

BUFFALO GENERAL. HOSPITAL.

Meetings of several prominent citizens were held at the office of Henry W. Rogers, collector of the port of Buffalo, on the 23d and 26th days of October, 1846, at which an association was formed for the establishment of a public hospital. Thirty-five directors were appoint- ed and officers were elected as follows: -

President. Josiah Trowbridge: first vice-president, Gen. H. B. Potter; second vice-president, George W. Clinton; secretary, E. S. Baldwin; treasurer, S. N. Cal- ender. Executive committee: R. H. Haywood, Bryant Burwell and George Jones. Dr. Frank Hastings Hamilton was appointed attending surgeon; Dr. Austin Flint, attending physician; and Drs. Trowbridge and Burwell respectively consulting physician and consulting surgeon.

It was soon announced that the building known as the Seamen's Home had been obtained for temporary use as a city hospital, but be- fore the plan fully developed the organization seems to have collapsed. Opposition was met with, and an appropriation which had been nearly obtained from the State was lost. Though the necessity for a hospital was great the next year the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity went into operation and this met the existing emergency.

The rapid growth of the city, however, soon created the necessity for another hospital; hence in 1854 a second attempt to establish one was made. A board of fifty trustees was created with Millard Fill- more at its head. It was thought inadvisable to commence operations without a capital of $100,000, and as the money could not be raised, this project, too, was abandoned. A little later, however, a board of nine trustees was appointed consisting of Charles Clark, president; Andrew J. Rich, vice-president ; William T. Wardwell, secretary and treasurer; George S. Hazard, Bronson C. Rumsey, Roswell L. Bur- rows, Stephen C. Howell and Henry Martin. On the 21st of Novem-

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ber the association was formed, and the certificate of incorporation was filed in the county clerk's office, December 13, 1855. The sum of $20,000 was subscribed by citizens and in 1857 the hospital received an appropriation from the State of $10,000 more, which sum was con- sidered sufficient to enable the association to begin operations.

A building was erected on High street on a site that was considered one of the finest in the city, having 361 feet frontage on High, 450 on Goodrich and a depth of 282 feet. The west wing of the building was rapidly pushed to completion and was dedicated June 26, 1858, with appropriate ceremonies amidst an enthusiastic gathering of citizens, on which occasion an address was delivered by the Hon. James O. Putman that was full of patriotism, charity and lofty eloquence.

The following.named physicians were appointed medical officers for one year dating from July 1, 1858: Attending physicians, James M. Newman, Thomas F. Rochester and C. C. Wyckoff; consulting phy- sicians, James P. White, George N. Burwell and P. H. Strong; attend- ing surgeons, Charles H. Wilcox, Sandford Eastman and Austin Flint, jr .; consulting surgeons, Frank Hastings Hamilton, C. C. F. Gay and John Root. Dr. Walter B. Coventry was the first resident physician. A new wing was afterward erected that was dedicated October 1, 1880, bringing the capacity of the hospital to 150 beds; and soon afterward a training school for nurses was instituted that has been in successful operation ever since it was established. A nurses' home has been built upon the hospital grounds.

The demands made by the large increase in growth of the city were such as to overflow the capacity of the hospital and a further enlarge- ment was therefore determined upon, which is now in process of build- ing. Through the munificent gift of $55,000 made by Mrs. George B. Gates and her three daughters, Mrs. William Hamlin, Mrs. Charles W. Pardee and Miss Elizabeth Gates, it was rendered possible to begin this work during the year 1896 and it is now nearly ready for occupancy. When completed it will be one of the most substantial and beautiful hospital structures in the country. The hospital staff is largely made up of the faculty of Buffalo University Medical College, though Dr. C. C. Wyckoff and Dr. Conrad Diehl are still consulting physicians.

BUFFALO STATE HOSPITAL.

Commissioners were appointed Gov. John T. Hoffman in 1869 to lo- cate a hospital in Western New York to be devoted to the care and

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treatment of the insane. The names of these commissioners were as follows: Dr. John P. Gray, Utica; Dr. James P. White, Buffalo; Dr. Thomas D. Strong, Westfield; Dr. William B. Gould, Lockport, and Dr. Milan Baker, Warsaw. After a number of meetings and the examination of several proposed localities it was finally determined to establish the hos- pital at Buffalo, and it is appropriate to state in this connection that it was chiefly due to the efforts of Dr. James P. White and Mr. Joseph Warren that the hospital was located here.

The corner stone of the institution was laid September 18, 1872, with Masonic rites in the presence of a large number of citizens. Governor Hoffman was present and took part in the ceremonies in an appropriate speech. Dr. James P. White, president of the Board of Managers, made some introductory remarks, and the Hon. James O. Putnam de- livered a formal address. The first Board of Managers was made up as follows: Dr. John P. Gray, Utica; Asher P. Nichols, Dr. James P. White, William G. Fargo, Joseph Warren and George R. Yaw, Buf- falo; Dr. William B. Gould, Lockport; Lorenzo Morris, Fredonia, and Augustus Frank, Warsaw.

The erection of the administration building and the east wing was proceeded with at once, but it was not until 1880 that the hospital was made ready for the reception of patients. Dr. Judson B. Andrews, first assistant physician at the State Hospital at Utica, was appointed superintendent, and under his able management the hospital soon as- sumed a leading position among institutions for the care of the insane in this country. Work on the west wing began in 1889, and the first building was completed in 1891; the second building in 1895, and the three remaining buildings are now ready for occupancy. It is one of the most ornamental, extensive, and substantial structures of the kind perhaps in the world. A training school for nurses was established in 1886, this being the first public institution for the insane to establish such a school in this country. Over one hundred graduates have been sent out, many of whom are doing private nursing throughout the United States. The hospital also has a nurses' home erected upon the grounds.

The medical staff is at present made up as follows: A. W. Hurd, superintendent; Henry P. Frost, first assistant; George G. Armstrong, second assistant; Walter H. Conley, assistant physician; Helene Kuhlman, woman physician; Joseph P. Betts, junior physician; Edwin A. Bowerman, junior physician.

An infirmary building began last year is well under way. It consists of a center building for acute cases, with two wings for the helpless

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and aged class. The central building is to be completely fitted up with a chemical and a physiological laboratory and a large amphitheater for holding clinics in mental disease, which are a regular feature of med- ical instruction in our colleges. So far as known this is the first clinical amphitheater connected with a hospital for the insane. The infirmary building is finely located, facing the park, on Elmwood avenue, is to accommodate about 400 patients it is expected, and will cost in the neighborhood of $200,000. The hospital has a total capacity of about 1,200, and the aggregate cost of the entire structure is about $2, 000, 000.

The following named persons compose the present board of managers: Daniel H. McMillan, Jessie Holland Jewett, Thomas Lothrop, Joseph P. Dudley, Esther K. McWilliams, Buffalo; John E. Pound, Lockport; Frederick P. Hall, Jamestown.

PROVIDENCE RETREAT.

The Providence Retreat is a private institution for the care and treatment of the insane conducted by the Sisters of Charity. It was opened July 15, 1861, on North Main street near Humboldt Parkway, and now has a capacity of 175 patients. Its grounds are ample and its lawns beautiful and well kept. Dr. William Ring was the first attend- ing physician, and the physicians now in charge are Drs. Floyd S. Crego and Harry A. Wood; consulting physicians, Drs. John Cronyn, Conrad Diehl, Thomas Lothrop, E. C. W. O'Brien, James W. Putnam and Ernest Wende; consulting surgeon, Herman Mynter; consulting gynecologist, H. D. Ingraham: consulting oculist, A. A. Hubbell.

ERIE COUNTY HOSPITAL.

. The law regarding the State care of the insane that took effect in 1893 left vacant the commodious and substantial structure that had been used by the county as an insane hospital. Recognizing the de- sirability as well as the economy of using this building as a hospital for the county sick, a number of physicians under the leadership of Dr. John H. Pryor, of Buffalo, brought this subject to the notice of the Board of Supervisors. After considerable debate and delay the Erie County Hospital was finally established and a visiting and consulting staff appointed. It was organized January 1, 1894, and is situated on North Main street near the city line. The capacity of the hospital is about 400 beds and its average population is 325 patients. A consump- tion hospital annex has been constructed with a capacity for eighty patients. This building is separated from the main structure, and the

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theory that consumption is an infectious disease pervades the entire principles of its conduct.

The Erie County Hospital has a training school for nurses, of which Miss Sarah Bond Lowe was the first superintendent. She was assisted by five graduate nurses, each ward being placed under the supervision of one of these. The hospital staff is made up as follows:

Consulting surgeons, Roswell Park, H. C. Frost, Marcel Hartwig, D. W. Harring- ton, William C. Phelps; consulting physicians, Charles G. Stockton, John Cronyn, A. T. Bull; consulting gynecologists, M. D. Mann, George T. Moseley; attending surgeons, Herbert Mickle, Eugene A. Smith, E. J. Myer, John Parmenter; attending physicians, H. C. Buswell, Delancey Rochester, G. A. Himmelsbach, Harry A. Wood, G. W. Lewis, jr., C. S. Jewett; attending gynecologists, H. D. Ingraham, M. A. Crockett, Dewitt G. Wilcox . obstetricians, Lawrence G. Hanley, E. L. Frost; ophthal- mologists, A. A. Hubbell, Elmer Starr, A. G. Bennett, F. Park Lewis; laryngol- ogists, W. S. Renner, H. J. Mulford; dermatologist, G. W. Wende, Alfred E. Diehl; neurologists, Floyd S. Crego, James W. Putnam, William C. Krauss; genito-urinary surgeons, B. H. Daggett, Walter D. Greene, W. H. Heath ; orthopedic surgeon, Bern- ard Bartow; pediatrics, Maud J. Frye, W. E. Robbins, of Hamburg; pathologists. Earl P. Lothrop and H. U. Williams.

BUFFALO WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.

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Our County and Its People: A Descriptive Work on Erie County, New York (Volume 1), Part 87

Author: Truman C. White Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Truman C. White
Publication date: 1898
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017