USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from its foundation in 1765 > Part 5
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" Therefore, from principles of patriotism and humanity, the Physic School here should meet all the protection and encouragement the friends of their country and well-wishers of mankind can possibly give it. Though it is yet in its infancy, from the judicious treatment of its guardians it is already become a forward child, and has the promising appearance of soon arriving at a vigorous and healthy maturity. The pro- fessors in it at present are few, but their departments include the most essential parts of education. Another teacher whose distinguished abilities will do honor to his country and the Institution, is expected to join them in the spring; and I think he has little faith, who can doubt that so good an undertaking will ever fail of additional strength and provi-
1 See Appendix A.
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dential blessing; and I am certain nothing would give me so much pleasure as to have it in my power to contribute the. least mite towards its perfect establishment.
" The Professor of Anatomy and Physiology is well quali- fied for his task, his dissections are accurate and elegant, and. his lectures learned, judicious and clear.
" The Professor of the Theory and Practice or Physic has had the best opportunities of improvement, joined to genius and application, and cannot fail of giving necessary and in- structive lessons to the pupils."1
In 1766, Dr. Shippen's course was announced publicly on the 18th of September. That of Dr. Morgan was also an- nounced on the 25th of the same month in these terms : " A Course of Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Physic will be delivered for the benefit of medical students, with a preparatory course on Botany, Chemistry, and the Materia Medica, being the substance of a set of lectures delivered to his pupils last winter." This, then, in reality was the first course of lectures on the practice of medicine.
The year 1766 was further memorable in the annals of the College for the award of a gold medal to Dr. Morgan for a prize essay. The following advertisement explains the nature of the transaction :-
" COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA, March 6th, 1866.
" WHEREAS, John Sargent, Esq., Merchant of London and Member of Parliament, hath presented to this College a Gold Medal for the best English Essay on the reciprocal advantages of a perpetual union between Great Britain and her American Colonies, notice is hereby given by order of the Trustees, that the said Medal will be disposed of at the ensuing Com- mencement in May, for the best Essay that shall be produced on the subject proposed, by any one of those who have received any degree or part of their education in this College; and, as the said subject is one of the most important which can at this time employ the pen of the patriot or scholar, and is thus left open to all those who have had any connection with this College, either as students or graduates, it is hoped
' This lecture was published in the "North American Medical and Surgical Journal," Oct. 1827, page 266.
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for the honor of the Seminary, as well as their own, they will nobly exert themselves on a subject so truly animating, which may be treated in a manner alike interesting to good men, both here and in the Mother country."
From nine performances which were presented, the Com- mittee of Trustees selected that of Dr. Morgan, and at the Commencement held May 20th, 1766, immediately after the valedictory oration, "the Hon. John Penn, Esq., Governor of the Province, as President of the Trustees of the College, delivered the medal to the Provost, ordering him to confer it in public agreeably to their previous determination. The Provost accordingly acquainted the audience that the same had been decreed to John Morgan, M. D., F. R. S., &c., Pro- fessor of the Theory and Practice of Physic in the College of Philadelphia, and then requested Dr. Morgan to deliver his dissertation in public, which being finished, the eulogium accompanied the conferring of the medal."1
In 1767, a further movement was made towards a more tho- rough organization of the medical department, and placing it upon a proper footing in connection with collegiate privileges.
The medical gentlemen of the Board of Trustees, with the two Professors and the Provost, William Smith, D. D., united in framing a code of rules for the new department. These were submitted to the Board of Trustees at the meeting of May 12th, 1767, when they were approved and adopted. The announcement given to the public press indicates the action taken as being supposed to promote the interests of the school and of the profession.2
" COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA, July 27th, 1767.
"At a meeting of the Trustees, held the 12th of May last, it being moved to the Board that conferring the usual degrees
' The essay was published, with others, under the title, " Four Disserta- tions on the reciprocal advantages of a perpetual union between Great Britain and her American Colonies, written for Mr. Sargent's Prize Medal, to which by desire is prefixed an Eulogium, spoken on the delivery of the medal at the public Commencement of the College of Philadelphia, May 20th, 1766. Philadelphia : Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, at the London Coffee House, 1766."
2 Pennsylvania Gazette.
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in Physic on deserving students will tend to put the Practice of Physic on a more respectable footing in America ; the mo- tion was unanimously agreed to; and the following Course of Studies and Qualifications, after mature deliberation, was fixed on and enacted as requisite to entitle physical students to their different degrees.
" FOR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PHYSIC :-
"1. It is required that such students as have not taken a Degree in any College shall, before admission to a degree in Physic, satisfy the Trustees and Professors of the College concerning their knowledge in the Latin tongue, and in such branches of Mathematics, Natural and Experimental Philoso- phy as shall be judged requisite to a medical education.
"2. Each student shall attend at least one course of lectures in Anatomy, Materia Medica, Chemistry, the Theory and Practice of Physic, and one course of Clynical (sic) Lectures, and shall attend the Practice of the Pennsylvania Hospital for one year, and may then be admitted to a Public Examination for a Bachelor's Degree, provided that on previous examina- tion by the Medical Trustees and Professors, and such other Trustees and Professors as choose to attend, such Students shall be judged fit to undergo a public examination without attending any more courses in the Medical School.
"3. It is further required that each student, previous to the Bachelor's Degree, shall have served a sufficient apprentice- ship to some reputable Practitioner in Physic, and be able to make it appear that he has a general knowledge in Phar- macy.
" QUALIFICATIONS FOR A DOCTOR'S DEGREE IN Physic :-
" It is required for this Degree that at least three years have intervened from the time of taking the Bachelor's Degree, and that the Candidate be full 24 years of age, and that he shall write and defend a Thesis publicly in the College, unless he should be beyond seas, or so remote on the continent of America as not to be able to attend without manifest incon- venience; in which case, on sending a written thesis, such as shall be approved of by the College, the candidate may re- ceive the Doctor's Degree, but his thesis shall be printed and published at his own expense.
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" This scheme of a medical education is proposed to be on as extensive and liberal a plan as in the most respectable European Seminaries, and the utmost provision is made for rendering a Degree a real mark of Honor, the reward only of distinguished learning and abilities. As it is calculated to promote the Benefit of Mankind by the improvement of the beneficent Art of Healing and to afford an opportunity to students of acquiring a regular medical education in America, it is hoped it will meet with public encouragement, more especially as the central situation of this city, the established character of the Medical Professors, the advantages of the College and of the public Hospital, all conspire to promise success to the Design.
"For the further advantage of medical students, a course of Lectures will be given by the Professor of Natural and Ex- perimental Philosophy each winter in the College, where there is an elegant and compleat (sic) apparatus provided for that purpose, and where medical students may have an opportunity of completing themselves in the Languages and any parts of the Mathematics at their leisure hours."
The lectures were further advertised to commence on the first Monday of November, and "to consist of a complete course of lectures on ANATOMY, to which will be added all the operations in SURGERY, and the mode of applying all the necessary bandages, &c."
"A course of Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Medi- cine, which will be preceded by a general explanation of the Theory of Chemistry, accompanied with some necessary ope- rations to render a knowledge of this science easy and familiar to the inquisitive student."
"A course of Clynical Lectures, to be delivered in the Penn- sylvania Hospital wherein the Treatment of both ACUTE and CHRONIC DISEASES will be exemplified in the cases of a great number of Patients.
" Each course of Lectures will be finished by the beginning of May, in time for those who intend to offer as candidates for a Degree in Physic to prepare themselves for the Exami- nation before the Commencement of the ensuing year."
Appended to this general advertisement were those of each
*
.
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professor with his own signature, and additionally that of Dr. Bond, in the following terms : "Dr. Bond's Course of Clynical Lectures, exemplifying the Theory and Practice of Physic, in the variety of Cases which present in the Pennsylvania Hos- pital, will be opened early in November, by a Introductory Lecture on the usefulness of a Medical School in America, and the necessity of a general Scientific Education to the students of Physic. To which will be added a Plan of the Course."
The lecture of Dr. Bond, of which no further record has been left, was apparently supplemental to the one already referred to, and shows how deeply interested he was in the success of the great experiment then in operation. A just- appreciation of the efforts of Dr. Bond to aid the collegiate instruction, was entertained by the Board of Trustees. On their minutes of May, 1768, we find this entry : "Dr. Bond is requested by the Trustees and Professors to continue his Clynical Lectures at the Hospital, as a Branch of Medical Education judged to be of great importance and benefit to the students." We cannot find, however, that he was formally appointed professor. He continued to execute the duty of clinical instructor until his death in 1784, when clinical medi- cine had no especial representative until it was united with the Institutes in 1792.
The lectures upon Natural and Experimental Philosophy, were delivered by the Rev. Dr. William Smith, D. D., LL. D., the Provost of the College.1 The announcement issued at the time explains their nature.
" COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA, December 17th, 1767.
" At the request of the Medical Trustees and Professors, the subscriber having last winter opened a course of Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, for the benefit of the Medical Students, which he hath engaged to continue this winter on an extensive plan, notice is hereby given that on Monday, the 28th inst., at 12 oc., it is proposed to deliver the Introductory Lecture at the College. As these lectures are
1 The Rev. William Smith, D. D., LL. D., was Provost of the College from 1753 to 1779, when the charter was abrogated and the University instituted.
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instituted and given gratis, with the view to encourage the medical schools lately opened, and to extend the usefulness and reputation of the College, any gentlemen who have formerly been educated in this Seminary, and are desirous of renewing their acquaintance with the above mentioned branches of knowledge, will be welcome to attend the course.
"To the standing use of the large apparatus belonging to the College, Mr. Kinnersley' has engaged to add the use of his electrical apparatus which is fixed there, and to deliver the lectures on electricity himself, as well as to give his occasional assistance in other branches; so that with these advantages, and the many years' experience of the subscriber in conducting lectures of this kind, it is hoped the present course will answer the design of its institution and do credit to the Seminary.
W. SMITH.
"N. B .- An evening lecture in some branches of Mathe- matics, preparatory to the philosophical course, is opened at the College."
1 Ebenezer Kinnersley, A. M., was Professor of Oratory and English Literature in the College from 1753 to 1773. He was interested in elec- tricity, and aided Dr. Franklin in his experiments. See Life of Franklin by Dr. Stuber, and Lectures on Natural Philosophy by Rev. Dr. Ewing.
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CHAPTER V.
Dr. Adam Kuhn; education and appointment to the professorship of botany and materia medica-Fees of the college-Degree of Bachelor of Medicine conferred in 1768-Degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred in New York in 1769-Commencement exercises of the college on the occa- sion of conferring the degree of M. B .- Dr. Benjamin Rush ; his educa- tion and correspondence while in Europe ; appointment to the professor- ship of chemistry-First faculty of medicine organized-Commencement of 1771.
THE next addition to the faculty was in the person of Dr. Adam Kuhn. He was born at Germantown, Philadelphia County, in 1741. His father was a native of Swabia, a physi- cian by profession, and a man of bright parts and liberal edu- cation. Having removed to Lancaster in Pennsylvania, where he became a magistrate, " he was deeply interested in the pro- motion of classical learning amongst the youth of that place, and for this end procured the erection of a school-house, in which the Greek and Latin languages were taught by the best qualified masters." Under such auspices Dr. Kuhn received his elementary education, and commenced his medical studies with the advantage of parental direction.
In 1761, Dr. Kuhn went to Europe, and, deviating thus far from the course pursued by his colleagues, resorted to Sweden for instruction in botany and materia medica, at the hands of Linnæus, then at the height of his renown. He subsequently went to Edinburgh, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that University in 1767. The thesis, published by him on that occasion, "De Lavatione Frigida," was dedi- cated to his friend and instructor Linnæus. The letters of that eminent naturalist to the father of Dr. Kuhn evince the deep interest he took in the son, and the particular estimation he had conceived of his abilities.1
I A sketch of the life of Dr. Kuhn was communicated anonymously to the 8th vol. Eclectic Repository. It was written by Dr. S. Powell Griffiths.
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In January, 1768, Dr. Kuhn returned from Europe, when he was at once appointed the Professor of Materia Medica and Botany in the College. These subjects had been taught by Dr. Morgan in connection with his course on the Theory and Practice of Physic; but the necessity of creating a distinct Professorship, appropriated to their consideration, was im- pressed upon the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Kuhn, from his training in the natural sciences, was regarded as its most fitting incumbent. The record thus refers to his election :-
" Dr. Kuhn having made application to be appointed Pro- fessor of Botany and Materia Medica in this College, declar- ing that he would do the utmost in his power to merit the honor, and the Trustees having ample assurance of his abili- ties to fill that Professorship, for which he is likewise parti- cularly recommended by the Medical Trustees and Professors belonging to the College itself, did therefore unanimously appoint him, the said Dr. Kuhn, Professor of Botany and Materia Medica in this College, agreeably to his request."
His first course was on Botany, in May, 1768, three months after his arrival from Europe. In the following year, on May 1st, we find that Dr. Kuhn's course on the same branch was announced, but it appears in subsequent years to have been dropped.
Dr. Kuhn held the Chair of Materia Medica during twenty- one years, under the auspices of the College and University, until he assumed the Chair of Practice, as will be seen by the account hereafter given of the changes in the Medical Faculty.
The subject of fees in the College is one of some interest. With respect to the particular compensation for instruction we cannot find that there was any legislative action when the lectures were first inaugurated, and can only judge of the amount from the advertisements of the professors. The first regulation with respect to fees, more especially having reference to graduation, is found on the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of May 17, 1768, to wit :-
" The following Rules brought forward by the Medical Committee of Trustees and Professors were agreed to, viz :- "1. Such Medical Students as propose to be Candidates for Degrees, and likewise such other Medical Students as shall 5
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attend the Natural Philosophy Lectures now given by the Provost, and whose names have never been entered in the College, shall enter the same, and pay the usual sum of Twenty Shillings Matriculation Money.
"2. Every student on taking the Degree of Bachelor of Physic shall pay not less than one Guinea to each Professor he has studied under in the College, from the time of his en- tering the Medical Classes; and likewise the usual Fees for the seal to his Diploma, and for the increase of the Library.
"3. Each Medical Student who shall pay one Dollar for the use of the Library (exclusive of the Fee of Commencements) shall have his name entered, and have the free use of the Books belonging to the Medical Library of the College during his continuance of the same and attendance of lectures under the Medical Professors."
The price of tickets for a single course, i. e., to each professor, was determined not to exceed six pistoles ($20), and after two courses the students had the privilege of attending gratis.
The next event in the order of time is an important one in the history of the medical school. The bestowal of the first medical honors by the institution, and the first in America, in itself constitutes an epoch. Under the regulations that had been adopted this event took place on June 21st, 1768.
The question as to which medical school, that of Philadel- phia or that of New York, the honor of priority is to be awarded in the bestowal of degrees has been a mooted one. Dr. Hosack claims the distinction for New York, and comments in the following language with reference to it: "Dr. Sewall, in his excellent Introductory Lecture, delivered at the open- ing of the Medical School of Columbian College, District of Columbia, also1 is in error in his statement relative to the first medical degrees conferred in the colonies, now the United States. In the discourse referred to he dates the first medical degrees as conferred at the Commencement held in Philadel- phia on June, 1771, whereas the doctorate had been previously conferred in the month of May of the preceding year in the
' The word "also" has reference to a mistake of Dr. Miller in his Retro- spect of the Eighteenth Century, who stated that no degrees in medicine were conferred by King's College, New York, previously to the Revolution.
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city of New York. The same error has been committed by Dr. Thatcher, in the new edition of his Modern Practice re- cently published."1
Dr. Beck reiterates this statement when referring to the schools. He informs his readers that the schools thus started in New York and Philadelphia were the only ones attempted before the Revolution. " The first medical degrees were given by the College of New York. In 1769, the degree of Bache- lor in Medicine was conferred upon Samuel Kissam and Robert Tucker. In 1770 the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on the last of these gentlemen, and in May of the following year upon the former. In June, 1771, the degree of Doctor in Medicine was conferred on four students of the Philadelphia College, being the first given in the insti- tution."72
The truth is that Dr. Sewall, in his lecture, correctly pre- sented the fact, overlooked by Dr. Hosack, that in June, 1768, the first Commencement of the College of Philadelphia was held, at which the degree of Bachelor of Medicine was conferred, and further stated that "at the Commencement in 1771, the degree of M. B. was conferred on seven, and the degree of M. D. on four students."3 This latter statement is made by Dr. Thatcher in his History of American Medi- cine, prefixed to his Medical Biography, without reference to any previous Commencement. With respect to the pros- pective conferring of degrees Dr. Morgan, in writing to Mr. William Hewson, of London, November 20th, 1767, thus expresses himself :-
"I have twenty pupils this year at about five guineas each. Next year we shall confer the degree of Bachelor in Physic
' An Inaugural Discourse delivered at the opening of Rutgers Medical College in the City of New York, on Monday the 6th day of November, 1826, by David Hosack, M. D., F. R. S.
2 An Historical Sketch of the State of Medicine in the American Colonies, etc., ante citat.
3 A Lecture delivered at the opening of the Medical Department of the Columbian College, in the District of Columbia, March 30th, 1825, by Thomas Sewall, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, Washing- ton City, 1825. Note to page 26 at p. 67. This note was furnished by Prof. J. R. Coxe, M. D., in a letter to Dr. Sewall, and is correct in all particulars.
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on several of them, and that of Doctor in three years after. New York has copied us, and has six Professors, three of whom you know, to wit, Bard, Professor of Physic; Tennant, of Midwifery; and Smith, in Chemistry; besides whom are Dr. Jones, Professor of Surgery; Middleton, of Physiology ; and Clossy, of Anatomy. Time will show in what light we are to consider the rivalship; for my part, I do not seem to be under great apprehensions."
The degree of Bachelor of Medicine was conferred, in 1769, by King's College, New York, and the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1770. From this it appears that the claim of priority in conferring degrees in medicine must be awarded to the Philadelphia School, while the precedence in conferring the Doctorate must be given to New York.
As all the points connected with the mode of proceeding in the infancy of the school are worthy of notice, the resolutions with regard to the examination of applicants have been transcribed from the Minutes of the College of May 17, 1768.
' In July, 1767, the first measures were taken in New York; and in 1768, a Medical School was organized under the direction and government of the College, which was then called King's College. A Board of Pro- fessors was then appointed to teach the several branches of Medical Science. The instructors in this early school were Samuel Clossy, M. D., Professor of Anatomy ; John Jones, M. D., Professor of Surgery ; Peter Middleton, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Pathology ; James Smith, M. D., Pro- fessor of Chemistry and Materia Medica; John V. B. Tennant, M. D., Professor of Midwifery ; and Samuel Bard, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic.
The occupation of the city of New York by the British army for so long a period of the war prevented the continuance of the operations of this school. After the peace of 1783, the former medical professors, being separated by death or accident, never as a body were reinstated in their former situation in the College. An effort was made to resuscitate the Medi- cal School, but was unsuccessful. In 1792, Columbia College, which had superseded King's College, instituted a Medical Faculty at the head of which was Dr. Samuel Bard. But the effort had not much success, as "it appears from the records of Columbia College since 1792, the time when the Medical Faculty of that School was organized, to the year 1811, thirty- four students have completed their courses of study, and received the medi- cal honors of that institution." The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York was established in 1807 .- Hosack's Introductory. Beck's Sketch ; also Historical Sketch of the Origin, Progress, and Present State of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of New York. American Medical and Philosophical Register, vol. iv. 1814.
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