USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from its foundation in 1765 > Part 11
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that acumen in perception of proportion, color, harmony of design, and of obscure differences in the objects of the vege- table world, which alone belong to the eye of the painter." That his bias towards Botany took a practical turn, we are assured by the fact that "young as he was at the time, he obtained from the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh an honorary premium for his dissertation on Hyoscyamus Niger, of Linnæus. It was the Harveian prize."
In London, during the summer of 1787, when at the age of twenty-two years, he published a little tract, entitled, " Observations on some parts of Natural History," to which is prefixed an account of remarkable vestiges of an ancient date, which had been discovered in North America.
While residing in the metropolis of England, he was treated with distinguished consideration by Dr. Hunter and Dr. Letsom, having attracted attention by his general scien- tific proclivities. He was at this time elected a member of the American Philosophical Society. The minute of his election reads thus : "Jan. 16, 1789, Benjamin Smith Bar- ton, M. D., at present in Edinburgh, corresponding member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, late of the University of Pa., was elected a member."
When the College resumed its functions in 1789, Dr. Bar- ton, then twenty-four years of age, was chosen the Professor of Natural History and Botany. As has been shown, Botany had been taught by Dr. Kuhn in 1768, and the subject had been considered of sufficient importance to be appended to the Chair of Materia Medica. When, in the new order of things, the two institutions were exercising separately their functions, and Dr. Kuhn had assumed the duties of Practice in the University, the professorship mentioned was created in the College, apparently for the purpose of securing the talents of Dr. Barton. This he retained under the union of the two Faculties, and accordingly we find his name thus appended in the list of Professors of the University in 1792.
The opinion that the natural sciences were important in a scheme of medical instruction may be observed to have con- stantly influenced the actions of the Board of Trustees, whether of the College or of the University; for we find that although
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without practical results, Mr. William Bartram was elected Professor of Botany in 1782. Although Dr. Barton was not the first Professor of Botany, he was the first of Natural His- tory, and, so far as can be discovered, the "first teacher of Natural Science in this Cis-Atlantic World." During Dr. Bar- ton's pupilage, however, it would appear that no instruction in Natural History, not even in Botany, was given. He was essentially self-taught, as he expressly declares in a preface to a "Discourse on some of the Principal Desiderata in Natu- ral History, &c." "I have never attended any lectures, how- ever imperfect, on Natural Science or Botany." It is inferred from this that Dr. Kuhn, at the time of Dr. Barton's pupilage, must have discontinued his lectures on Botany.
Preparation in the natural sciences did not constitute a requisite for graduation, and was therefore voluntary on the part of the student, and yet no complaint has been handed down, or recorded, of want of encouragement; indeed, the zeal and enthusiasm of the incumbent of the chair, with his skill in making attractive his then novel and curious subjects of information, were sufficient to awaken attention and secure satisfactory patronage. He, in fact, created a taste for these pursuits, that has never been lost in this community, and which has ultimately developed itself in permanent establish- ments for the cultivation of the natural sciences.
Dr. Barton was eminently a pioneer in exploring the treasures of the Western Continent. He employed compe- tent persons to collect the botanical productions of various sections of the country, who, while thus engaged in the ser- vice of a patron, laid the foundation of their own reputa- tion. The researches of Pursh were encouraged by him. In the preface to the " Flora Americana Septentrionalis, by Frederick Pursh," who was curator of the garden of William Hamilton, Esq. (Woodlands), he states that at this period, between the years 1802 and 1805, he " had also formed a connection with Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton, Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania, whose industrious researches in all the branches of Natural History are so well known to the literary world. He likewise, for some time previously, had been collecting materials for an American
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Flora. As I was now very anxious to explore the remote parts of the country, particularly in the interesting ranges of the Alleghany Mountains, I was enabled, by the kind assist- ance of this gentleman, to take a more extensive range for my botanical excursions. The collections and observations made in the course of these journeys, all of which I commu- nicated to Dr. Barton, were considerable in respect to the discovery of many new and interesting subjects of Natural History in general."1 Under his auspices, likewise, the late Mr. Thomas Nuttall laid the foundation of that extensive knowledge of our native plants which was embodied in his Genera of North American Plants.172
If the subjects of the Theses enumerated on the Cata- logue of Graduates during the connection of Dr. Barton with the Medical School be examined, one cannot but be forcibly impressed with the number which treat of the Vege- table Materia Medica of the United States. It was a depart- ment which he fostered, writing not only upon it himself, but instigating his pupils to its cultivation.3 Nor are these essays jejune, for under the conducting hand of the master, they took the form of experimental and practical utility, and the pre- sent generation is under obligation for valuable researches, in the field of home productions, to many aspirants for medical
' Pursh's Flora was printed in London in 1814, and dedicated to the eminent botanist Lambert. A journal of Pursh's has recently come to light in the collection of MS. of the Philosophical Society. It contains references to his communications to Dr. Barton.
2 Mr. Nuttall came to Philadelphia in the spring of 1808. To solve a doubt in Botany he called upon Prof. Barton, who received him with politeness, and, "struck with the intellectual countenance of the young man, invited him to take a seat, and entered into conversation with him, pointing out the difference between the two genera, Smilax and Passiflora, and giving a dissertation upon the principles of Botany, and the infinite pleasure this science afforded its votaries." Mr. Nuttall was so deeply impressed by what he heard that he determined to pursue the study of Botany as an occupation. For an interesting memoir of Thomas Nuttall, we are indebted to Mr. Elias Durand. It will be found in the Proceed- ings of the Philosophical Society, vol. vi.
3 Among the publications of Dr. Barton may be mentioned his " Collec- tions for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United States," and his " Elements of Botany," both issued at the commencement of the pre- sent century.
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honors. Under his training skilful botanists were formed, whose contributions have been creditable to their native country.
The works of Dr. William P. C. Barton, the nephew of the Professor, are evidences of zeal and ability in the endeavor to render available a knowledge of the medical and general botany of the United States; while of equal merit are the contributions to the same department of Dr. Jacob Bigelow, of Massachusetts.1 To the same source of instruction and encouragement may be traced the long life labors of Dr .· Wil- liam Darlington, who thus most feelingly speaks of his pre- ceptor : "In November, 1802, I repaired to Philadelphia to attend the lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, where I was favored to become familiarly acquainted with Prof. B. S. Barton, who discovered in me a considerable fondness for the study of plants, took me under his special patronage, and, by his kind attention and instruction, gave a decided bias to my future pursuits. A Society was formed, called the American Linnean Society, of which Prof. Barton was President, and it did me the unexpected honor of enrolling me among the members." Dr. Barton was in the habit, in con- nection with his botanical lectures, of taking his pupils to the Bartram Botanic Garden. This was situated on the west bank of the Schuylkill, about four miles below Philadelphia. “ It was established as early as 1720, by that great vegetable naturalist, John Bartram, the elder, at a time when nothing of the kind existed in the Colonies, except Dr. Clayton's, in Virginia. Here were concentrated very many of the indige- nous plants and trees of North America, and in a greater ¿ profusion, perhaps, than can be found elsewhere. Mr. Bar- tram and his descendants were industriously employed in making this garden for one hundred and ten years."2 Dr.
1 Dr. William P. C. Barton is the author of " Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States," published in 1818, in 2 vols. quarto ; " A Flora of North America," illustrated by colored figures, 3 vols. quarto, 1823 ; " A Flora of Philadelphia," and other contributions to this branch of science. Dr. Jacob Bigelow is the author of the " American Medical Botany," pub -* lished in 1817, and " Florula Bostoniensis," in 1824.
2 Report of the Committee of the Horticultural Society, 1833.
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Darlington states that "William Bartram and John Bar- tram, Jr., were then living there in 1804; and distinctly do I recollect the venerable men, though I little dreamt I should one day have to do with the history of the family."1
Dr. Barton himself erected the first Green-House in the city. It was in the rear of his residence on Chestnut Street, below Eighth.2
Dr. William Baldwin was indebted for his early introduc- tion to the study of the science of Botany to the instruction - received at the University. This, in after years, bore fruit in the exploration of the Flora of the Southern States, and that of South America.3
Another distinguished botanist, Dr. Thomas Horsfield, was a pupil of Dr. Barton. Before adventure led him abroad, he graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1798. His thesis was " An Experimental Dissertation on the Rhus vernix, Rhus radicans, and Rhus glabrum." He was a native of Bethlehem, Pa., and went upon a trading voyage to the East Indies, where he was induced to settle, his talents and accomplishments finding occupation as naturalist and civil agent at the hands of the enlightened British statesman at the head of the Government of Java, Sir Stamford Raffles.4 Dr. Horsfield, among his other communications with respect
1 Dr. Darlington wrote interesting Biographical Notices of John Bar- tram and Humphrey Marshall, and edited their correspondence. A por- tion of Dr. Darlington's journal, from which the above references have been taken, is given in the life of that learned botanist by Thomas P. James, Esq., read before the American Philosophical Society, 1864. Dr. Darlington is the author of the "Flora of Chester County," an admirable work, and a model of the kind.
2 This Green-House afterwards became celebrated in the hands of Mr. George Pepper, the father of Prof. William Pepper, of the University of Pennsylvania.
3 Reliquia Baldwinianæ, by Dr. William Darlington.
4 The "New American Encyclopædia" notices Dr. Horsfield as an Eng- lish traveller and naturalist. From what source this error came we are not informed. In the Philadelphia Medical Museum, edited by Dr. J. Redman Coxe, vol. i., is an account of a voyage to Batavia in the year 1800, by Dr. Horsfield. In 1802 Dr. Horsfield fixed his residence in Java, where he was found by the English when the island was taken possession of by them in 1811.
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to the botany of Java, wrote upon the Upas Tree, and dis pelled the fabulous traditions with reference to that plant, thus placing it in its right position among vegetable produc- tions.1
As has been stated previously, upon the Chair of Ma- teria Medica becoming vacant by the resignation of Dr. Griffitts in 1796, Dr. Barton was placed in it; and, for the first time, enjoyed the full privileges and distinction of a Professor. He was then thirty years of age. With this promotion " begins and rests the high professional reputation of Dr. Barton in Medicine." During the twenty-six years that he was connected with the Medical School, he occupied- a position of prominence, and was greatly instrumental in promoting its rising reputation. Twenty-four courses of lec- tures on Botany were delivered by him.2 We are informed that, as a medical teacher, he was eloquent, instructive, and, when occasion required, quite pathetic. In temperament he was irritable, and even choleric, though in his gentle moods he was kind, tender, and indulgent.
In 1804 Dr. Barton commenced a semi-annual periodical, entitled "The Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal." This work was announced to be devoted to original com- munications relative to all the branches of medicine, natural history, and physical geography, biographical sketches, re- views, extracts, and miscellaneous tracts. It was carried on irregularly until 1809, and, as might be supposed from the Natural History tastes of Professor Barton, was mostly devoted to that branch of science. Indeed, to be a punctual recorder of the progress of medicine and the sciences, and to endure the uniform periodical labor of an editor, were not in
! See Magendie's "Journal de Physiologie," vol. vii., from the Annals of the Batavian Society, vol. vii. Dr. Horsfield published, in 1821-24, his " Zoological Researches in Java and the Neighboring Islands." His col- lection of plants afforded the materials of Robert Brown's "Plantæ Ja- vanicæ."
2 The Botanical Lectures were supplemental, and delivered in the sum- mer season. From an advertisement of the University lectures in Dr. Barton's publication, the " Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal," we learn that the lectures on Natural History were delivered in Peale's Museum.
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Physician to Hospital, 1828-90
BENJAMIN H. COATES, M.D. Physician to the Hospital 1828-1841
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accordance with the diffusiveness of his genius; and we are not surprised, therefore, to find that his efforts in this line were fitful. The work, however, is interesting, as being one of the pioneers of periodical scientific literature in this city.
The tributes to Dr. Barton's scientific zeal and information were not withheld from him by the community in which he lived. In 1802 he was chosen one of the Vice-Presidents of the Philosophical Society. In 1809 he was chosen President of the Philadelphia Medical Society.1 Numerous foreign honors were conferred upon him.
Dr. Nathaniel Chapman succeeded Dr. Barton in the Chair of Practice, March 5, 1816, and Dr. John Syng Dorsey was placed in the Chair of Materia Medica, April 5, of the same year.
1 Dr. Barton succeeded Dr. Rush in the Presidency of this Society, who had resigned in consequence of the idea that a Professor should not occupy the position. An address from the Society led to a change of views in the Faculty, and Dr. Barton consented to serve. See Appendix H.
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CHAPTER XI.
A Faculty of Natural Sciences organized by the Board of Trustees-Death of Dr. Wistar-Sketch of his life and services to the University-Ana- tomical Museum-Dr. Dorsey succeeds Dr. Wistar-Death of Dr. Dor- sey-Sketch of his life-Transfer of Dr. Physick to the Chair of Anatomy -Election of Dr. Gibson to the Chair of Surgery-Dr. Horner ap- pointed Adjunct Professor of Anatomy.
WHEN Dr. Barton left the Chair of Materia Medica in 1813, the associated branches of Botany and Natural History were without an exponent. This was not without attention on the part of the Board of Trustees, and on October 4, 1816, we are informed by the Minutes that the Board proceeded to the consideration of the plan for establishing a Faculty of Natural Sciences, and passed the following resolutions :---
" That a Faculty, denominated the Faculty of Natural Science, be instituted in this University. The said Faculty shall at present consist of the following Professorships, reserv- ing to the Trustees the power to combine or subdivide the Professorships as may hereafter be found expedient, provided no such alteration take place during a course of lectures :-
"1. A Professorship of Botany.
"2. A Professorship of Natural History, including Geology and Zoology.
"3. A Professorship of Mineralogy and Chemistry, applied to Agriculture and the Arts.
" That the Professorship of Natural Philosophy be detached from the Medical Department, and be connected with, and form a part of, the Faculty of Natural Science.
"That the Professorship of Botany and Natural History, as part of the Medical Faculty, shall be and is hereby abolished."
At a subsequent meeting it was resolved that a Professor- ship of Comparative Anatomy be added to those already established in the Faculty of Natural Science.
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On Dec. 29th the following elections took place :-
DR. WILLIAM P. C. BARTON was appointed Professor of Botany ; DR. CHARLES CALDWELL, Professor of Natural His. tory ; DR. THOMAS COOPER, Professor of Mineralogy and Chemistry ; and DR. THOMAS T. HEWSON, Professor of Com- parative Anatomy.
At the same time that this movement was made in behalf of the Natural Sciences, the subject of a Botanical Garden was taken up by the University. In 1815 it was brought before the Trustees in connection with a successful effort to interest the Legislature. The following action was taken Nov. 17 :-
" On Motion, the Board agreed to the following : Whereas, the Legislature of Pennsylvania, by their act passed the 19th of March, 1807, granted the Trustees of the Institution, out of the monies due to the State, the sum of Three Thousand Dol- lars for the purpose of enabling them to establish a Garden for the improvement of the Science of Botany ; Resolved, that a Committee be appointed to consider and report the best method of carrying the said intention of the Legislature into effect."
In 1816 this Committee reported, that in aid of the fund in possession of the University, " they have prepared subscription papers for circulation under direction of the Board." To this the Medical Faculty liberally responded.1 The enterprise ap- pears to have so far succeeded as to induce the Trustees, in 1817, to purchase forty-two acres of ground in Penn Township, near the canal road, for the sum of eight thousand dollars.
In the spring of 1818, the Professor of Botany, Dr. W. P. C. Barton, was permitted to use the yard attached to the Univer- sity building in Ninth Street, for the purposes of a Botanic Garden. Upon the resignation of Dr. Barton no further idea was entertained of maintaining a Botanic Garden, and the land near the city was soon after sold by the University.
The year 1818 was marked by the death of Dr. Wistar. Dr. Caspar Wistar was of German origin. His paternal grandfather came from Hilsbach, near Heidelberg, in the Lower Palatinate, and at an early period settled in Pennsylvania. His parents
1 From a subscription paper which has turned up in the Philosophical Society, it appears the Medical Faculty subscribed six hundred dollars.
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belonged to the Society of Friends. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Sept. 13, 1761, and received a classical educa- tion-indeed, he acquired so much familiarity with the Latin language as to be able readily to express himself in it. We are told by his biographer, Chief Justice Tilghman, that his determination to study medicine was settled by an event which aroused his benevolent impulses. "This event was the battle of Germantown, in 1777. His religious principles kept him out of the battle, but his humanity led him to seek the wounded soldier, and he was active in assisting those who were adminis- tering relief. His benevolent heart was affected by their suf- ferings, and so deeply was he struck with the happy effects of the medical art, that he determined to devote his life to a pro- fession formed to alleviate the miseries of mankind."
He studied medicine with Dr. Redman, and, while a student, was further benefited by the instruction of Dr. John Jones, then practising surgery in Philadelphia.' He graduated as Bachelor of Medicine in 1782, at the University. As it is stated that he commenced his studies in 1777, he must have been one of the last pupils of the College, and among the first of the University; and it is not to be wondered at, therefore, that he should so ardently desire, and so actively exert himself to bring about their union in after times.
The statement has been made by Judge Tilghman, and re- peated by other biographers, that the Faculty of Medicine, as then constituted, " were not all of one theory, and each Profes- sor examined with an eye to his own system ; of this Wistar was aware, and had the address to answer each to his entire satis-
1 Dr. John Jones was the grandson of Dr. Edward Jones, and great grandson of Dr. Wynne. To both of these physicians allusion has been made when speaking of those who emigrated to Pennsylvania with William Penn in 1682. Dr. John Jones was by birth a citizen of New York, and there attained to such eminence as to be appointed to the Professorship of Surgery in King's College in 1768. About the year 1780 he removed to Philadelphia, and became one of the Physicians of the Pennsylvania Hos- pital. His regard for Dr. Wistar induced him to exert his influence in bringing the Doctor prominently before the public when yet a young man, and it is reported that when prepared to perform an operation, he insisted on Dr. Wistar taking the knife from him and executing it. Dr. Jones performed the first operation of lithotomy in New York. The Life of Dr. Jones was written by Dr. James Mease, and appended to an edition of the surgical works of that author printed in 1795.
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faction, in his own way." The inference from this is that he had especially comprehended the teaching of the several pro- fessors, and had mastered their modes of thought and expres- sion. At the time referred to, the doctrines of Boerhaave and of Cullen had each their advocates in the Faculty.
In 1783 Dr. Wistar went to Europe, and in June, 1786, was graduated Doctor of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh ; his inaugural essay, "De Animo Demisso," being dedicated to Franklin and Dr. Cullen. While pursuing his studies in Edin- burgh, he was elected President of the Royal Medical Society, a tribute justly to be appreciated, if it be recollected that the honor was conferred on an American student when the feelings incident to the Revolutionary struggle had hardly had time to be obliterated. Of the origin of this Society we have the account by Dr. Fothergill. "Several students at that time (1734), the foremost in application and knowledge, fired by the example of their masters, who had nothing more at heart than the improvement of those who committed themselves to their tuition, formed a Society, for their mutual instruction and advancement in their studies. Every student of a certain standing, who distinguished himself by his diligence, capacity, and conduct was initiated in this little assembly. Here the opinions of the ancients, of their contemporaries-nay, the doc- trines of their masters-were frequently discussed, and two of the members were always charged with the task of providing instruction and entertainment for the next meeting of the So- ciety."1 When Dr. Wistar was an active member he had, as associates, men who afterwards became prominent. In speak- ing of the elevation of Dr. Wistar to the dignity of President, Dr. Chapman informs us that "it was in this Society that he acquired great reputation as a public speaker, so much so that even in my time, nearly twenty years afterwards, the debates conducted by Wistar, Sir James McIntosh, Beddoes, and Emmet, of New York, were frequently spoken of by older members as very uncommon specimens of eloquence and ability.772
1 Essay on the character of the late Alexander Russell, M.D., Fother- gill's Works.
2 MS. letter to Judge Tilghman, among the papers collected by him for the Life of Wistar, in possession of the author.
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The year following his graduation Dr. Wistar returned to Philadelphia, a candidate for public confidence. In 1789, he became a trustee of the College of Philadelphia, which had just been resuscitated by the Legislature, and very soon ac- cepted the chair of Chemistry, as is stated by his biographer, Judge Tilghman, in "order to preserve an influence, to be ex- erted at the proper season, in effecting that arrangement. which concentrated the talents of the city upon a single object, and gave just eclat to the labors of the distinguished men who con- stituted the Medical Faculty of the University."
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