USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from its foundation in 1765 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
1 Preface to the Discourse, etc.
London Medical and Physical Journal, 1817. New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery, vol. vi. p. 404. Beck's Historical Sketch.
3 The method of making preparations by this process was communicated to the American Philosophical Society. It is published in the second volume of Transactions, and is entitled the " Art of making Anatomical Prepara- tions by Corrosion, by John Morgan, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic in the University of Pennsylvania, Member of the Royal College of Physicians, Ed., F. R. S., London." It must have been com-
· municated some years prior to 1786, when the volume was printed. Dr. Morgan was an active member of the American Society, which he joined in 1766, and became a member of the Philosophical Society on its union with the former in 1768.
46
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
this process, which led to the distinction specified. Besides this honor, he was elected a member of the Royal Society of London, admitted as a Licentiate of the College of Physi- cians of London, and as a member of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He was also admitted to membership of the Society of Belles Lettres of Rome.
When in Italy Dr. Morgan visited Morgagni, at Padua. Dr. Rush says, in his notice of Morgan, that "this venerable physician, who was the light and ornament of two or three successive generations of physicians, was so pleased with the doctor that he claimed kindred with him from the resemblance of their names, and on the blank leaf of a copy of his works, which he presented to him, he inscribed with his own hand the following words: Affini suo, medico præclarissimo Johanni Morgan, donat auctor." These volumes were placed by Dr. Morgan in the library of the College of Physicians of Phila- delphia.
Dr. Morgan, while in Europe, appears to have constantly revolved in his mind the course he would pursue. In writing from London, November 10th, 1764, to Dr. Cullen, he re- marks: "I am now preparing for America, to see whether, after fourteen years' devotion to medicine, I can get my living without turning apothecary or practitioner of surgery. My scheme of instituting lectures you will hereafter know more of. It is not prudent to broach designs prematurely, and mine are not yet fully ripe for execution.771
It has been shown that the practice of medicine in the Colonies embraced every branch of the profession, including pharmacy. This arose from the necessity of the case, and the difficulty of division of labor in a restricted community.
The plan pursued in Europe of a separation of practice into several departments was regarded as inexpedient, and had not been adopted. When Dr. Morgan returned from Europe, he determined to take a different course from that in operation, and was the first physician who restricted himself to simply prescribing for the sick.2 In the Preface to his Discourse he
1 Thompson's Life of Cullen, vol. i.
2 Prior to 1754, the profession of medicine in Edinburgh was not exclu- sive. In that year the College of Physicians passed an act prohibiting
47
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
published his views with respect to the mode of practice which he thought should be pursued by the physician, enforcing them with arguments derived from the advantages which he believed would be secured by such procedure.
Having been appointed professor in the college, there was another reason, having reference to this position, which must be admitted as valid. It is thus given: "As far as I can learn everybody approves of my plan for instituting medical schools, and I have the honor of being appointed a public professor for teaching physic in the college here. Can any man, the least acquainted with the nature of that arduous task, once imagine it possible for me to acquit myself in that station in an honorable or useful manner, and yet be engaged in one continued round of practice in surgery and pharmacy as well as physic?"
"To prepare for a course of lectures every year requires some leisure, and a mind undisturbed with too great variety of pursuits. So that my usefulness as a professor makes it absolutely necessary for me to follow that method of practice which alone appears to be calculated to answer that end."1
Although the opinions of Dr. Morgan were not at the time adopted, nor was his example immediately followed, still, in connection with the history of the profession they are import- ant, from the fact that he was the first practitioner in the city of Philadelphia who placed himself upon the highest ground, by separating himself from the handicraft which requires dis- tinct skill, and so long a training, as to constitute in itself an occupation. He insisted upon the distinction being made
their Fellows and Licentiates from taking upon themselves to use the em- ployment of an apothecary, or to have or keep an apothecary shop. In 1765, in order, as they conceived, "to support that character and esteem which they had all along maintained, and to keep up that distinction which ought to be made between the members of the College and the practitioners of those branches of the healing art which have always been esteemed the least reputable," they resolved "that for the future they would admit no person to be one of their Fellows whose common business it was either to practise Surgery in general, or Midwifery, Lithotomy, Inoculation, or any other branch of it in particular."-Life of Cullen, vol. ii. p. 87, by Dr. Craigie. A continuation of Thompson's Life.
1 Preface to his Discourse.
48
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
between medicine proper and pharmacy, which ultimately became a recognized necessity, affording relief to the physi- cian, while, by improving pharmacy, he was provided with greater resources for the application of his skill. The course pursued by Dr. Morgan may be said to have given the origi- nal impulse to the cultivation of the profession of pharmacy, and sanctioned its independent existence.1
Dr. William Shippen, Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1736, and received his elementary training from the Rev. Dr. Fin- lay, of Nottingham, in Maryland. He entered the College of New Jersey, then established at Newark under the direction of President Burr. He graduated in 1754, and, being dis- tinguished for oratorical talent, was advised by Whitfield to devote himself to the clerical profession. He entered the office of his father, Dr. William Shippen, Sen., a respectable practitioner of Philadelphia, and a public-spirited citizen, by whom he is said to have been trained with reference to his future course as a lecturer. "The old gentleman must have been made sensible by his own personal experience of the value of an European medical education," and his son was sent to Europe in the year 1757, soon after he was twenty-one years of age.2
In London he studied Anatomy with and resided in the family of Mr. John Hunter, but was also associated with Dr. William Hunter and Mr. Hewson.3 While in the British Metropolis, in addition to Anatomy and Surgery, he devoted a share of attention to the rising department of Obstetrics,
1 There was an independence of thought and action in the character of Dr. Morgan. In further illustration, it is worthy of record that he was one of the first to use a silk umbrella, to the wonderment of the citizens. 2 Wistar's Eulogium.
3 From the Life of Mr. Hewson it will be seen that in the autumn of 1759 that gentleman came to London, lived with Mr. John Hunter, and attended Dr. William Hunter's Anatomical Lectures at a house in Covent Garden. Hewson's diligence and skill soon recommended him to the favorable notice of the brothers, and when Mr. John Hunter went abroad with the army in 1761, he left to Mr. Hewson the charge of instructing the other pupils in the dissecting-room .- " Works of William Hewson, F. R. S., edited by George Gulliver, F. R. S." It was through this Association that Dr. Shippen became intimately acquainted with Mr. Hewson. In 1762 Mr. Hewson was in attendance upon the Lectures at Edinburgh.
49
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
attending in the summer season the lectures of a celebrated accoucheur, Dr. Mckenzie, which were delivered near St. Thomas's Hospital. As he removed to this neighborhood, we may suppose it was in consequence of the practical advantages afforded by proximity to the poor, as Dr. William Hunter was then at the height of his reputation as a teacher and prac- titioner of Midwifery.1 He next proceeded to Edinburgh, where he graduated in the spring of 1761. His thesis was entitled "De Placenta cum utero nexu." This production evinces a continued interest in obstetrical studies. He after- wards travelled in France, where he formed an intimate ac- quaintance with Senac and other physicians of Paris.
Dr. Shippen, as has been stated, went to Europe in 1757, where he remained until 1762, while Dr. Morgan arrived there in 1760, and returned to this country in 1765. They were therefore together between one and two years in Europe. As these two zealous and enthusiastic young men, natives of the same city and imbued with the same aspirations, were treading abroad the same ground of preparation for their calling, it is natural to conceive that they should have pos- sessed similar sentiments with respect to the urgent wants of their common country-that they should have conferred with those interested in the subject, and that the scheme of establishing, on this side of the Atlantic, systematic medical education, which was subsequently put into operation, was there entertained by both of them. In support of this opinion, Dr. Rush may be quoted, who, in his account of Dr. John Morgan, states "that it was during his absence from home that he concerted with Dr. Shippen the plan of establishing a Medical School in this city," meaning Philadelphia.2 From the testimony hereafter presented it is clear that Dr. Rush was perfectly conversant with all the transactions connected with the origin of the medical school. Dr. Shippen paved the
1 In August, 1762, Dr. Hunter was the professional attendant upon the Queen of England in her confinement.
? An Account of the late Dr. John Morgan. Delivered before the Trustees and Students of Medicine in the College of Philadelphia on the 28th of November, 1789, by Benjamin Rush, M. D.
4
50
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
way for the enterprise, by the course which has been detailed, on his arrival in Philadelphia.
Dr. Morgan, at the time of his return from Europe, was freighted with great intents and exalted purposes. His views had been kept no secret, he had enlisted in behalf of his projects the Hon. Thomas Penn, a patron of the College of Philadelphia, and laying before the Board of Trustees of the College "a plan for establishing a medical school under their auspices," he presented to them a letter from that gentleman recommending it to their patronage. This letter was read at a meeting of the Board of Trustees, May 3d, 1765, as follows :-
"GENTLEMEN : Dr. Morgan has laid before me a proposal for introducing new professorships into the Academy for the in- struction of all such as shall incline to go into the study and practice of Physic and Surgery, as well as the several occu- pations attending upon these useful and necessary arts. He thinks his scheme, if patronized by the Trustees, will at present give reputation and strength to the Institution, and though it may for some time occasion a small expense, yet after a little while it will gradually support itself, and even make considerable additions to the Academy's funds.
"Dr. Morgan has employed his time in an assiduous search after knowledge in all the branches necessary for the practice of his profession, and has gained such an esteem and love from persons of the first rank in it, that as they very much approve his system, they will from time to time, as he assures us, give him their countenance and assistance in the execu- tion of it.
"We are made acquainted with what is proposed to be taught, and how the lectures may be adopted by you, and since the like systems have brought much advantage to every place where they have been received ; and such learned and eminent men speak favorably of the doctor's plan, I could not but in the most kind manner recommend Dr. Morgan to you, and desire that he may be well received, and what he has to offer be taken with all becoming respect and expedition into your most serious consideration, and if it shall be thought neces-
~
51
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
sary to go into it, and thereupon to open Professorships, that he may be taken into your service.
"When you have heard him, and duly considered what he has to lay before you, you will be best able to judge in what manner you can serve the public, the Institution, and the particular design now recommended to you.
"I am, Gentlemen, your very affectionate friend,
THOMAS PENN.
" London, February 15th, 1765."
In addition to this letter Dr. Morgan presented others he had received from Mr. Hamilton and Richard Peters, former members of the Board, but then residing in England. His scheme was also approved by Dr. Fothergill, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Watson, and Dr. Cullen, " men distinguished for their supe- rior knowledge in literature, and particularly eminent in everything which relates to medical science."1
1 Morgan's Discourse.
52
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
CHAPTER IV.
Foundation of the College of Philadelphia-Application of Dr. Morgan- His appointment to the professorship of theory and practice of physic -His public discourse-Dr. Shippen appointed Professor of Anatomy and Surgery-Organization of the medical department-Dr. Bond de- livers clinical lectures in the Pennsylvania Hospital-Rules for the government of the medical department of the College-Dr. Wm. Smith's lectures on natural and experimental philosophy.
THE College of Philadelphia was founded in 1749, sixteen years before the medical school was engrafted upon it. This institution was intended to meet the demands of the popula- tion for education of a more extended nature than was afforded by the private schools in existence. As liberal pursuits en- gaged the attention of a greater number of individuals in the Province, and as preparation for the professions, as well as a diffusion of knowledge in arts and letters, became necessary, the importance of employing all the facilities at command was made apparent. "Franklin drew up the plan' of an Academy to be erected in the city of Philadelphia, suited to the state of an infant country; but in this, as in all his plans, he confined not his views to the present time only. He looked forward to the period when an institution on an enlarged plan would become necessary. With this view he considered his academy as a foundation for posterity to erect a seminary of learning more extensive and suitable for future circumstances."1 Dr. Franklin, himself, was no classically educated scholar, but one of nature's own perfecting, who probably derived his inspiration from his native Province, Massachusetts.
' Life of Benjamin Franklin, by himself, and continued by Dr. Henry Stuber, New York, 1825, p. 99. The college obtained a charter from the proprietaries, Thomas and Richard Penn, in 1753. This was amended and enlarged in 1755. In organizing the college, credit is awarded to Dr. Phineas Bond, Thomas Hopkinson, Tench Francis, and Rev. Richard Peters.
53
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The gentlemen who were called upon to give their aid and counsel to this enterprise were among the most respectable in the community.1 Five prominent physicians were mem- bers of the Board of Trustees in 1765, viz : Thomas Bond, Phineas Bond, Thomas Cadwalader, William Shippen, Sen., and John Redman. To such an organization was the pro- posal of Dr. Morgan submitted.2
Upon examining the records of the College and of the Uni- versity, it will be found that for more than half a century medical men were admitted to participate in their government. No jealousy or suspicion appears to have been entertained towards them, and certainly it may be affirmed that medical men have as deep a stake in the prosperity of the schools as the representatives of other professions or occupations. Although the custom of electing members of the medical profession was for a time suspended, the return to it may be regarded as a happy omen, and the present honorable body may be congratulated upon the accession to its deliberations of such discreet and proper members as the medical gentle- men who now constitute a portion of its number.3
The impression which the arguments in his communication and his earnestness made upon the Board of Trustees, sus- tained by the letters from abroad which were submitted, pre- vailed with them to accede to Dr. Morgan's propositions. The Trustees approved the scheme, and, as the minutes ex- press it, "entertaining a high sense of Dr. Morgan's abilities and the high honors paid to him by different learned bodies and societies in Europe, they unanimously elected him Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic." The first medical professorship in America was thus created. The date of this event is May 3d, 1765.
' The Board has consisted since its commencement of twenty-four mem -. bers.
2 The history of the College of Philadelphia and of the University of Pennsylvania has been written by Dr. George B. Wood. It was published in vol. iii. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In addition to the trustees mentioned, Dr. Lloyd Zachary had been in the Board in 1749 ..
3 The present (1868) medical gentlemen in the Board of Trustees are. Drs. Rene La Roche, George W. Norris, and George B. Wood.
5-1
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
At the public Commencement of the College, which took place on the 30th and 31st of May following, Dr. Morgan delivered his famous Inaugural Address, entitled “A DIS- COURSE UPON THE INSTITUTION OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN AMERICA." It had been prepared in Paris. This discourse constituted a part of the Commencement exercises on both days of their continuance.
In noticing this performance, the "Pennsylvania Gazette" thus comments upon it : "We would not wish to anticipate the judgment of the public, and shall only say that the per- spicuity with which it was written and spoke drew the close attention of the audience, particularly of the gentlemen of the Faculty of Physic."
In this address will be found an exposition of the nature and scope of medical science; a sketch of the departments of which it is composed, with the reasons for their special culti- vation ; an advocacy of classical, literary, and general scien- tific attainments on the part of the student of medicine, and, what is pertinent to the purpose, the demonstration that to be effectively taught "a coalition is required of able men, who would undertake to give complete and regular courses of lectures on the different branches of medicine." In connec- tion with his statements, the author insists especially upon the advantages presented by the city of Philadelphia, to which even then students resorted, attracted as well by the reputation of its practitioners, as by the facilities for clinical instruction afforded them in the hospital.
In this literary and scientific performance, a prognostica- tion was uttered which has been fully realized, viz : "Per- haps this Medical Institution, the first of its kind in America, though small in its beginning, may receive a constant increase of strength and annually exert new vigor. It may collect a number of young persons of more than ordinary abilities, and so improve their knowledge as to spread its reputation to dis- tant parts. By sending these abroad duly qualified, or by exciting an emulation amongst men of parts and literature, it may give birth to other useful institutions of a similar na- ture, or occasional rise, by its example, to numerous societies
55
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of different kinds calculated to spread the light of know- ledge through the whole American continent wherever inha- bited."ı
It is worthy of note that at the time this was uttered the population of the city of Philadelphia was about twenty-five thousand, and of the colonies in the aggregate less than three millions.2
In September following the appointment of Dr. Morgan, Dr. Shippen was, on application to the Board, unanimously elected the Professor of Anatomy and Surgery.3 The application for this position was thus expressed :-
"To the Trustees of the College, etc .:
" The institution of Medical Schools in this country has been a favorite object of my attention for seven years past, and it is three years since I proposed the expediency and practica- bility of teaching medicine in all its branches in this city in a public oration read at the State House, introductory to my first course of Anatomy.
"I should long since have sought the patronage of the Trustees of the College, but waited to be joined by Dr. Mor- gan, to whom I first communicated my plan in England, and who promised to unite with me in every scheme we might think necessary for the execution of so important a point. I
1 A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America, delivered at a Public Anniversary Commencement, held in the College of Philadelphia, May 30 and 31, 1765, with a Preface, containing, amongst other things, the Author's Apology for Introducing the Regular Mode of Practising Physic in Philadelphia. By JOHN MORGAN, M. D., &c., and Pro- fessor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in the College of Philadel- phia. Printed and sold by William Bradford : 1765. A review of this Discourse will be found in the North American Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. iv. p. 362, written by Prof. Charles D. Meigs, M. D.
2 In his work upon Yellow Fever, Dr. La Roche has given the data from which this conclusion is drawn. Mr. Thomas Smedley makes the same statement. The population of the city of Philadelphia, in 1760, was 18,756 ; and in 1769 it was 28,042. The rate of increase was then about one thou- sand annually .- A Complete Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 1862.
3 At a meeting (special) of the Board of Trustees, held September 23d, 1765, the following minute was made : "Dr. William Shippen, Jr., applied by letter as follows," &c.
56
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
am pleased, however, to hear that you, gentlemen, on being applied to by Dr. Morgan, have appointed that gentleman Professor of Medicine. A Professorship of Anatomy and Surgery will be accepted by, gent.,
"Your most obedient and very humble servant,
WILLIAM SHIPPEN, JR.
" Philadelphia, 17th September, 1765."
The reputation of Dr. Shippen as a private teacher had directed attention to him, and secured his election as particu- larly qualified for the post. During his active career of over thirty years he well sustained the prestige he had previously acquired.
The Medical School of the College of Philadelphia having been founded by the action of the Board of Trustees that has been detailed, the announcement was given to the public in the "Pennsylvania Gazette," September 26, 1765, as follows :-
"As the necessity of cultivating medical knowledge in America is allowed by all, it is with pleasure we inform the public that a Course of Lectures on two of the most import- ant branches of that useful science, viz., Anatomy and Materia Medica, will be delivered this winter in Philadelphia. We have great reason, therefore, to hope that gentlemen of the Faculty will encourage the design by recommending it to their pupils, that pupils themselves will be glad of such an opportunity of improvement, and that the public will think it an object worthy their attention and patronage.
"In order to render these courses the more extensively useful, we intend to introduce into them as much of the Theory and Practice of Physic, of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Surgery as can be conveniently admitted.
" From all this, together with an attendance on the practice of the physicians and surgeons of the Pennsylvania Hospital, the students will be able to prosecute their studies with such advantage as will qualify them to practise hereafter with more satisfaction to themselves and benefit to the community.
" The particular advertisements inserted below specify the time when these lectures are to commence, and contain the
57.
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
various subjects to be treated of in each course, and the terms on which pupils are to be admitted.
WILLIAM SHIPPEN, JR., M. D.,
" Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the College of Philadelphia.
JOHN MORGAN, M. D., F. R. S., ETC.,
" Professor of Medicine in the College of Philadelphia."
In addition to this general announcement, each professor advertised his lectures.1
For two years lectures were delivered by these two profes- sors under the sanction of the College.
In connection with their labors, Dr. Thomas Bond, one of the physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital, commenced a course of Clinical Lectures in that institution. He submitted a lecture that he had prepared, introductory to his course, to the Board of Managers and his medical colleagues, which was directed to be inserted on the minutes of the Board. This lecture was publicly delivered on the third of December, 1766. It is a clear exposition of the advantages of clinical instruction in connection with medical education, at the same time evincing a deep interest in the medical school recently established, to which, as a trustee of the College, Dr. Bond had most zealously given his influence. In proof of this, the following passages may be quoted :-
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.