USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from its foundation in 1765 > Part 2
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barber died, and another, well acquainted with his profession, is very sick."1 The practice of the times was probably con- fined to bleeding, and the administration of salts and simples. These did not always succeed, however, for in some of the references in connection with epidemic disorders, it is stated that this mode of treatment was unsuccessful. A low type of disease may have been prevalent.
There are other allusions made to the Dutch-Swedish Colony on the Delaware. In a letter from Aldricks to the Director-General, Stuyvesant, March, 1659, the "causes" then operating against it are stated; among others, "that prevailing violent sickness which wasted a vast deal of goods and blood from one year to another, and which not only raged here, but everywhere throughout this province, and which consequently retarded, not only our progress in agri- culture, but threw a damp over other undertakings." In 1660, . Beekman, the Collector, speaks of "Peter Tenneman to be employed as a surgeon by the Company," and adds: "We are in want of a good surgeon, as it happened already more than once; thereto we wanted very much Mr. Williams, the barber (surgeon) in this city; but having then some patients there (probably New York) he could not come hither, and when he came he often had not by him such medicaments as the patients required, wherefore the sick are suffering."2
These extracts furnish an interesting view of the posture of affairs, and of the difficulties encountered at the period.
The profession has always been burdened with charlatans, and the early history of it in this country presents no excep- tion. Smith, who wrote in 1758, when speaking of the pro- fession of New York, says: "A few physicians among us are eminent for their skill. Quacks abound like locusts in Egypt, and too many have been recommended to a full practice and profitable subsistence; this is less to be wondered at, as the
' This picture differs from a somewhat spiteful one of affairs by Gabriel Thomas : "Of Lawyers and Physicians I shall say nothing, because this Countrey is very Peaceable and Healty (sic); long may it so continue, and never have occasion for the Tongue of the one, nor the Pen of the other- both equally destructive to Men's Estates and Lives ; besides, forsooth, they, Hangman like, have a License to Murder and make Mischief."-Op. cit., p. 32.
2 Annals of Pennsylvania, p. 308.
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profession is under no kind of regulation. Loud as the call is, to our shame be it remembered, we have no law to protect the lives of the king's subjects from the malpractice of pre- tenders. Any man, at his pleasure, sets up for physician, apothecary, and chirurgeon. No candidates are either exam- ined, licensed, or were sworn to fair practice."1 This condi- tion of things was also exhibited by Dr. Peter Middleton in his introductory lecture in 1768, upon the opening of the Medical School, who stigmatized a class of practitioners as the "needy outcasts of other places in the character of doctors."2
There is an instinctive tendency among scientific men, when transplanted to new and unexplored localities, to inves- tigate the objects of natural interest to which they are intro- duced, and none could have been better calculated to arouse curiosity, or lead to exploration, than the surroundings of the colonial physicians. The natural science with which they were best acquainted was botany. It had necessarily entered into their studies as an element of medical education, and was so closely associated with the therapeutical methods of the time, that the transition was an easy and attractive one from the study of the plants to which they had been accustomed to unknown productions everywhere thrust upon their obser- vation.
The rich and resplendent Flora of North America was a subject for wonder and contemplation to the true votary of nature, well calculated to awaken his enthusiasm, irrespective of the practical application that might be made of its study and investigation to the interests of humanity. When Pro- fessor Kalm, of Obo, a distinguished naturalist, was sent by the Universities of Sweden and the Government to this country in 1748, he landed in Philadelphia, and thus narrates his impres- sions: "I found that I was now come into a new world. Wher- ever I looked to the ground I everywhere found such plants as I had never seen before. When I saw a tree, I was forced to stop and ask those who accompanied me, how it was called. The first plant which struck my eyes was an andropogon, or
' History of New York, by William Smith, A. M., p. 336.
2 See Beck's Historical Sketch, before quoted.
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kind of grass-and grass is a part of botany I always de- lighted in. I was seized with terror at the thought of ranging through so many new and unknown parts of natural history."1 This was an instinctive expression of feeling on the part of one of the most accomplished naturalists of the age. The colonial physicians were not neglectful of resources that lay within their reach. Stimulated by a desire to render themselves independent in the supply of their remedial agents, they made important discoveries in regard to the value of indigenous plants, which have stood the test of expe- rience. By them standard additions were made to the Mate- ria Medica list, not only of this country, but of Europe. Some of the medicinal productions of the continent of America were known to the aborigines.2 The names of Clayton, Tennant, Lining, Chalmers, Garden, Shoeff, Colden, and Mitchell, may be honorably mentioned in association with the botanical productions of North America; and in compliment to several of them Linnæus named such genera as emanated from their researches. It is stated that Dr. Ten- nant received one hundred pounds from the Virginia legis- lature, in 1739, in consequence of the discovery of the efficacy of senega in pleurisy. Dr. Garden's name is closely con- nected with the recognition of the anthelmintic properties of Spigelia Marilandica.3
1 Kalm's Travels in North America, vol. i. p. 31.
? The way in which the resources of the country were viewed by certain persons who wrote upon the subject at an early date, may be judged of from the following extract of Gabriel Thomas's account of Pennsylvania, published in 1698 : "There are also many curious and excellent physical wild herbs, roots, and drugs, of great virtue and very sanative, as the sassafras and sarsaparilla, so much used in diet drinks, for the cure of the venereal disease, which makes the Indians, by a right application of them, as able doctors and surgeons as any in Europe, performing celebrated cures therewith, and by the use of some particular plants only, find remedy in all swellings, burnings, cuts, etc. There grows also in great plenty the black snakeroot (famed for its sometimes preserving from, but often curing the plague, being infused only in whine, brandy, or rumm), rattle- snake root, pokeroot-called, in England, jallop-with several other bene- ficial herbs, plants, roots, which physicians have approved of, far exceed- ing in nature and virtue those of other countries."-Op. cit., p. 18.
3 An interesting lecture upon this subject was published by Professor Wood, introductory to his course of 1840, University of Pennsylvania. See, also, Thatcher's Medical Biography.
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CHAPTER II.
The first physicians of Pennsylvania- Their education abroad-Their professional and public influence-The succeeding generation of medical men, and their education at home and abroad-Their character and labors-The institution of the American Philosophical Society, and of the Pennsylvania Hospital.
WHEN Penn made up his company of emigrants, which, under his own guidance, landed on the shores of the Dela- ware in 1682, he was not unmindful of the medical wants of his incipient colony. Several well-educated members of the profession united their destiny with that of the party who arrived that year. It is known that one at least of these physicians was on board the Proprietary's own vessel, the Welcome, where his services were called into requisition on the voyage from England, as smallpox broke out among the crew and passengers shortly after their embarkation. The attention of a practitioner of the healing art must have been beneficial to those who were attacked by the disease, and, under such ap- palling circumstances, his presence must have been a source of encouragement and comfort to all who constituted the adven- turous company. The individual referred to as having been on board the Welcome was Thomas Wynne.1 Another skilful
1 Mr. Edward Armstrong, the editor of the reprinted vol. i. of the Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, has taken pains to ascertain who were the individuals accompanying William Penn in the Welcome. The name of Thomas Wynne has been determined to be upon the list. We have reason to suppose that there were many, not enume- rated, with respect to whom the direct proof is lost that they were in the same vessel as the Proprietary. With the scanty data that are now acces- sible, it is impossible to specify with accuracy of whom the entire company was composed. Several vessels arrived during the autumn and winter of the same year, and other individuals of the medical profession may have been passengers in them .- Appendix to vol. i. Mem. of Hist. Soc. of Pa., p. 32, and note.
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physician who arrived at this period was Dr. Griffith Owen. It appears from the records that the sphere of operation in the immediate line of medical practice was too limited for all of the gentlemen who had arrived, and as they were men of the highest order of intelligence and acquirement, their talents were turned to account in organizing the settlement. Dr. Wynne was a Welsh gentleman, and is said to have practised previously with reputation in London. After serving as Speaker of the first Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania, and being much employed in political business, he died in ten years from his arrival. From his public position he
appears to have paid but little attention to medicine. Dr. Wynne left a son-in-law, Dr. Edward Jones, also one of the emigrants of 1682.1 He settled in Merion Township, near Philadelphia, and enjoyed considerable repute as a physician.
Dr. Griffith Owen, whose merit and ability raised him to several offices of trust, continued his vocation as physician, "in which he was very knowing and eminent," as we are informed by Proud.2 This gentleman, indeed, appears to have been the chief medical practitioner of Philadelphia, and was highly respected for his professional talents, integrity, and spirit. He left no record of a medical sort, and dying in 1717, at about the age of seventy, was succeeded by a son, who practised some time after his father's death.3 Dr. Owen, besides his medical employment, was a preacher among Friends. The individuals of whom mention has been made were in the prime of life when they identified themselves with the success of the newly-created Province.
A narrative has been given by Thomas Story, of the first recorded surgical operation in Pennsylvania, as follows: " The next day, being the 1st of the 10th month (December, 1699, old style), we went over Chester Creek on a boat to the town, and as the Governor landed (William Penn's second
1 Prior to 1700, Dr. John Goodson is spoken of as a surgeon of the city, as also Dr. Hodgson ; of these gentlemen nothing has been transmitted to us.
2 Proud's History of Pennsylvania.
$ Eulogium upon Dr. William Shippen, Jr., by Dr. Caspar Wistar. Reference is made to these early physicians by Dr. Caspar Morris, in "Contributions to the Medical History of Pennsylvania."-Trans. Hist. Soc. of Pa., vol. i.
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visit), some young men, officiously, and contrary to express command of some of the magistrates, fired two small sea pieces of cannon, and being ambitious of making three out of two, by firing one twice, one of the young men, darting in a cartridge of powder before the piece was sponged, had his left hand and arm shot to pieces; upon which a surgeon being sent for from on board a ship then riding, an amputation of the member was quickly resolved on by Dr. Griffith Owen (a Friend), the surgeon, and some other skilful persons pre- sent. But as the arm was cut off, some spirits in a basin happened to take fire, and being spilt on the surgeon's apron, set his clothes on fire, and there being a great crowd of spec- tators, some of them were in the way, and in danger of being scalded, as the surgeon himself was upon his hands and face, but running into the street, the fire was quenched, and so quick was he that the patient lost not very much blood, though left in that open, bleeding condition."1
In the progress of time, the inhabitants of the thriving and extended colony of Pennsylvania became so numerous as to require a greater number of medical attendants. In the year 1711, Dr. John Kearsley arrived; and in 1717, Dr. Thomas Graeme. Both of these medical men were well educated, and became distinguished citizens. Dr. Kearsley, although throughout his career extensively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, was not inattentive to the public inte- rests of the province. He was a favorite of the people, and as a member of the House of Assembly, after advocating their interests in debate, was carried to his home upon their shoulders. From the Rev. Dr. Dorr we learn that "he was for fifty-three years a member of the vestry of Christ Church, and always took an active interest in all its concerns. To him, more than to any other individual, we are indebted for the present beautiful edifice, he having superintended the building from the commencement to its completion, and often was in advance large sums of money to defray the expense
1 Journal of the Life of Thomas Story : printed at New Castle-upon- Tyne; fol., 1747, p. 245. Dr. Owen could not have been the surgeon of the vessel ; he probably had gone to Chester to pay his respects to the Proprietary, William Penn, on his arrival.
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of materials and the bills of workmen." When the church was completed, "on May 11, 1747, the vestry passed a vote of thanks, and ordered a piece of plate of the value of forty pounds, to be given to Dr. John Kearsley, for his care and trouble in rebuilding nad ornamenting the church, and as a lasting testimonial and acknowledgment of his services done for this church and congregation."1
Dr. Kearsley died in January, 1772, at the advanced age of eighty years, and " left by his will a large part of his estate both real and personal, in trust to the corporation of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, to found the institution which he named 'Christ Church Hospital,' the design of which is to afford a comfortable home for respecta- ble, aged, indigent females."2 By judicious management this benefaction has proved a munificent one.
Dr. Thomas Graeme, after a long career in medicine, in which pursuit he from time to time performed the duty of health officer, became an officer of the customs, and a justice of the Supreme Court.3 He finally retired to his country seat in Bucks County, where he spent the remainder of his life. This country seat has been known by the name of Graeme Park.
The influence of the intelligent and educated men whose names have been mentioned, was of incalculable advantage in all the ways where science and learning could be brought into requisition, but especially were their services important as teachers of their art and preceptors of the rising genera- tion. The physicians who succeeded them were natives of the country. Of their number may be named Lloyd Zachary, Thomas Cadwalader, William Shippen, Sr., Thomas Bond, Phineas Bond, Cadwalader Evans, John Redman, John Bard, and John Kearsley, Jr. Several of these, as Zachary, Redman, and Kearsley, Jr., were the pupils-or, in the lan- guage then in vogue, the apprentices of the elder Kearsley, who, if the account speaks truly, was no lenient master.
1 Historical Account of Christ Church, of Philadelphia, etc., by the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, D. D., 1841, p. 335.
2 Ibid.
' Pa. Archives, 1728 to 1759.
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"He treated his pupils with great rigor, and subjected them to the most menial employments." An apprenticeship at that time was no sinecure; it was a period of probation attended with toil and exactions. The pupil lived, for the most part, with his master- was constantly subject to his orders, whether in the task of preparing medicines to be used in his daily rounds, in carrying them to the patients, or in making fires, keeping the office clean, and other household duties now devolving upon domestics. "To these, Dr. Bard has been often heard to say, he would never have submitted but from apprehension of giving pain to his excellent mother, and the encouragement he received from the kindness of her particular friend, Mrs. Kearsley, of whom he always spoke in terms of the warmest gratitude, affection, and respect. Under such circumstances he persevered to the end of seven tedious years, stealing his hours of study from sleep, after the family had retired to rest, and before they arose from their beds.21
The desire for medical knowledge was not satisfied, on the part of these American pupils, with the limited means of education at the command of their preceptors, who, as far as they were able, bestowed a training in the handicraft of the profession; and it was regarded as important that a visit should be made to Europe to complete the course of acquire- ment. We therefore find that most of the individuals alluded to pursued this plan, and returned to the field of their duty with all the accomplishments that a residence at the schools of the old world could afford to zealous aspirants for useful- ness and distinction. The facilities for improvement which were presented in Edinburgh, in London, or in Paris, attracted thither these neophytes in the healing art; and to good account, as was shown in their subsequent career, did they apply the fund of information there acquired. Another seat of medical improvement was Leyden, which possessed attrac- tions from the distinguished reputation of Boerhaave, of
Memoir of the late Dr. John Bard (American Medical Register, New York, vol. i. p. 61). Dr. Bard subsequently settled in New York, and both he and his son, Dr. Samuel Bard, one of the founders of the New York Medical School, were distinguished practitioners of that city.
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Albinus, and of Gaubius. Not a few of the earlier phy- sicians of our country graduated at that famous University.
The fruits of the assiduity of these earnest inquirers into the nature and cure of disease are manifest in the valuable contributions made by them to the literature and practice of the profession. Their observations in so novel and unde. scribed a field as the maladies of a recently-settled country, whose geographical position was so remote from the ancient haunts of men, could hardly fail to elicit materials for publi- cation which would be received with interest and thankful- ness by contemporaries and colaborers, as well as be calculated to excite attention in foreign lands.1 The endeavors of the early physicians to contribute a share to the advancement of medical science are proofs of a thoughtful cultivation of it, and of a laudable desire to render the experience acquired available to others. They may be referred to with interest as the only means at our command of ascertaining the spirit which actuated and the principles which guided the pioneer fathers of the profession.2
But not solely from the achievements of medical men within the limited circle of their professional occupations must we judge of their character and worth. As liberally instructed individuals and as citizens, from the very nature of their
1 Dr. Cadwalader published an "Essay on the West India Dry Gripes, with the Method of Curing that Cruel Distemper. To which is added an Extraordinary Case in Physic. Printed and sold by B. Franklin, 1745." In the "Gentleman's Magazine" of 1769 appeared an account of Angina maligna, which prevailed in Philadelphia in 1746 and 1760, by John Kearsley, Jr.
2 The subject of inoculation as a protection from smallpox was a promi- nent one among the physicians of Philadelphia. It was discussed pub- licly, and had its advocates and opponents. In 1736 the success of the practice was published. Drs. Kearsley, Zachary, Hooper, Cadwalader, Shippen, Bond, and Somers, advocated and practised it. (Watson, vol. ii. p. 373.) See also a valuable exposition of inoculation in the Transactions of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, 1865, by J. M. Ton- ner, M. D. A number of papers by American physicians may be found in the "Medical Observations and Inquiries by a Society of Physicians of London." Among them is a relation of a cure performed by electricity, by Dr. Cadwalader Evans, at Philadelphia, dated October 21, 1754. This cure was effected by the apparatus of Dr. Franklin, applied by himself in September, 1752.
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position, there are duties and obligations imposed upon them which must be responded to in the readiest spirit. To act up to the demand of their noble avocation, they must either be leaders or associates in enterprises that are calculated to expand the domain of true learning and information, or that, originating in benevolence, will conduce to an amelioration of the social, moral, or physical condition of the community. It can, without fear of contradiction, be asserted that such a course has been pursued by the medical profession from the very foundation of the Colonies to the present time of their development into wealthy and prosperous commonwealths. It does not enter into the design of this history to trace out all the manifold channels of exertion into which intelligence and philanthropy were directed in connection with the medi- cal profession; yet, when adverting to occurrences which preceded the establishment of the School of Medicine, it would be an omission if we were to take no notice of some of them which have had an influence upon its rise and pro- gress. We may, then, pertinently refer to the origin of two institutions in which medical men took part, and to whose success they have largely contributed their share of labor. The first of these was founded with the design of reciprocal culture and the advancement of science and philo- sophy ; the second was a benevolent and philanthropic under- taking.
The history of the American Philosophical Society has been particularly detailed in an interesting and elaborately prepared discourse by the Vice- President, Dr. Robert M. Patterson, delivered on the occasion of celebrating the Hun- dredth Anniversary, May 25, 1843. It is our purpose now to exhibit the part taken in its concerns by the members of the medical profession.
The originator of this Society was Franklin, who, finding that the time had come for a more extensive combination than that which for many years had borne the name of the Junto, on May 14, 1743, corresponding in the Gregorian Calendar to May 25, issued a "Proposal for promoting useful knowledge among the British Plantations in America." The enumeration of the subjects on which it was designed that the
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society should be occupied, included botany, medicine, mine- ralogy and mining, chemistry, mechanics, the arts, trades and manufactures, geography, topography, agriculture, "and all philosophical experiments that let light into the nature of things, tend to increase the power of man over matter, and multiply the conveniences and pleasures of life." Upon its going into operation Dr. Franklin himself acted as secretary.
In the life of Dr. Cadwallader Colden, given in Rees' Ency- clopædia, it is stated, in a letter to a friend, that Dr. Franklin acknowledges that the idea of founding a Philosophical So- ciety was suggested to him by Dr. Colden, and this has been repeated in every account of the life and of the labors of that distinguished physician in the cause of science and general knowledge. The name of the individual to whom this com- munication was made is not mentioned. From the following letter it is very clear that Dr. Colden must have been deeply interested in the success of the Society, or Franklin would not have been so explicit in his exposition of its prospects.
NEW YORK, April 5th, 1744.
SIR: Happening to be in this city about some particular Affairs, I have the pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here. And can now acquaint you that the Society, as far as relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had several Meetings to mutual Satisfaction. As soon as I get home I shall send you a short account of what has been done and proposed at those Meetings. The members are-
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