History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 186

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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In 1862 he was elected professor of Dental Path- ology and Therapeutics in the same college from which he graduated, and held the position up to the time of his death, Jan. 10, 1878.

Dr. Barker was one of the original editors of the Dental Times, was author of a work entitled "In- structions in Nitrous Oxide," was a contributor to the various dental journals, and member of a number of dental societies.

Dr. John Hugh McQuillen was born in Philadel- phia, Feb. 12, 1826. His parents were Capt. Hugh McQuillen, who served under Decatur in the war of 1812, and Martha Scattergood McQuillen, whose an- cestors came to the western continent with William Penn, one of them, Thomas Scattergood, being a Quaker preacher of historic fame. In 1847, after having been employed for six years in a clerical capacity, he began the study of medicine and den- tistry, practicing dentistry in 1849, and continuing his terms at the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated as M.D. in 1852. His de- gree of Doctor of Dental Surgery was conferred in recognition of his services to the profession. As has been stated, he was the parent of the American Dental Association. The article in which he advo- cated its organization was published in 1859 in the Dental News-Letter, over the signature of "Junius." The same year he became one of the editors of the Dental Cosmos. Many of his articles attracted special attention, and were copied into the leading magazines of Europe, and were translated into foreign languages. Dr. McQuillen was a member of several associations and scientific societies in this country and in Europe, to which he contributed numerous papers.

In 1857 he was appointed to the chair of Operative Dentistry and Dental Physiology in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, which he occupied till 1862, at which time he, in connection with several other members of the dental profession, made applica-

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tion to the Legislature of Pennsylvania for a charter for a new college, namely, the Philadelphia Dental College. The charter was obtained and the college organized in the fall of 1863. To the success of this new institution, for the more thorough education and better qualification of the dental practitioner, Dr. Mc- Quillen gave his time, talent, energy, and experience. He was made dean of the faculty and was professor of Physiology, both of which positions he held to the date of his death, March 3, 1879. He was for many years a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, where he was accustomed to pass the majority of his leisure hours.

Closely associated with Dr. Stockton was his pupil and nephew, Samuel S. White. He was born in Bucks County, and was indentured to his uncle to learn dental surgery and the art of manufacturing artificial teeth. When twenty-one years of age he began practice as a dentist, and looked after that of his uncle. Subsequently he opened an office on Race Street, above Eighth, where he practiced until 1845, when he formed a partnership with Asahel Jones and John R. McCurdy, and in the next year he gave up his practice to devote himself entirely to the manu- facture of artificial teeth. In 1848 he purchased a property on Arch below Sixth Street, which was fitted up as a factory and salesroom, and soon after- ward bought out the interests of his two partners, paying them one hundred and forty thousand dollars each. In October, 1867, he removed to the present location at the southeast corner of Twelfth and Chestnut Streets, where he erected a five-story marble structure, in which are manufactured artificial teeth and all the various instruments and appliances re- quired by the dental profession. In the adaptation of teeth to the facial expression and the anatomical conformation of his patients, Dr. White was an inno- vator upon the older system of practice. He re- ceived medals and premiums from institutes, associ- ations, and universal expositions. The first which he was awarded was from the American Institute of New York, and the last was the diploma bestowed upon him at the Vienna Exposition of 1873. He died in Paris, Dec. 3, 1879, greatly lamented. Out of the ample fortune which he had earned, he was ex- tremely liberal in his charities.

Marshall H. Webb, D.D.S., who has been identified with the dental practitioners of Philadelphia during the past fifteen years, was born in Chester County, Pa., Oct. 28, 1844, and graduated from the Philadel- phia Dental College in 1867, after which date he divided his professional occupation between Philadel- phia and Lancaster. Ifis operations in gold fillings were in many cases triumphs of genius, and it is said of him that " they gave him a prominence in his pro- fession excelled by none, and, though dying so young, he was fairly entitled to rank as one of the most eminent of American dentists."

He was a member of the Harris Dental Association

of Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania State Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the New York Odontological Society, and the Odontological Society of Pennsylvania. He was lecturer on Opera- tive Dentistry and Dental Histology in the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania. He was honorary member of many dental societies, and was a delegate to the medical congress that assembled in London in 1881. As a clinical teacher he had few equals, and his published notes on operative dentistry will prove a valuable legacy to the younger members of the profession who survive him. After a lingering illness he died Jan. 1, 1882.

Dr. Thomas L. Buckingham was known for several decades as a prominent member of the dental pro- fession in Philadelphia. He was born in the State of Delaware March 9, 1816. He came to Philadel- phia in 1845, and engaged in the practice of dentistry in copartnership with Dr. Lee. In 1846 this connec- tion ceased, and he began practice on his own account. He was elected to the chair of Mechanical Dentistry in the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, at its first session, in 1852. Subsequently he occupied the same chair in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, but in 1857 he was transferred to the chair of Chemistry, which he held to the time of his death, which took place Sept. 4, 1883. He was dean of the faculty for some eight years, the duties of the position including also those of secretary and treasurer. He graduated in medicine from the Philadelphia College of Medicine in 1851, and the degree of D.D.S. was conferred upon him by the Baltimore College of Den- tal Surgery in 1853. He took part in the organization of the Pennsylvania Association of Dental Surgeons, -with one exception, the oldest dental society in America,-was a member of the Odontological Society of Pennsylvania, and other dental societies. He was president of the American Dental Convention in 1860, and of the American Dental Association in 1874. He was a man of superior mechanical abilities, and his talent for invention was shown in various appliances connected with his profession. His talent aud skill were devoted chiefly to mechanical dentistry. As a teacher he occupied a high position among the pro- fessors and great popularity with the students.

The present number of dental practitioners in this city at present (1884), according to the most authen- tic information, is about three hundred and fifty. Among these are many of high rank.

The Pennsylvania Association of Dental Sur- geons was organized in Philadelphia Dec. 15, 1845, and, with the exception of the Mississippi Valley Dental Society, at Cincinnati, Ohio, is the oldest dental society in the United States. Its first officers were G. A. Plantou, D.D.S., president; Eli Parry, D.D.S., vice-president ; Stephen T. Beale, D.D.S., second vice-president; C. C. Williams, D.D.S., re- cording secretary ; R. Arthur, D.D.S., corresponding secretary ; and F. Remstein, D.D.S., treasurer. The

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPIIIA.

society for a long time met at the Pennsylvania Col- lege of Dental Surgeons, but since at the houses of members. Since its organization until 1884 the num- ber of members has been one hundred and sixty-nine. The number in January, 1884, was thirty-five. The officers for 1883-84 were as follows: E. H. Neall, president ; John Hillings, vice-president ; Theodore F. Chupein, recording secretary, corresponding secre- tary, and reporter ; W. H. Truman, treasurer and librarian ; Spencer Roberts, M. L. Long, and Amos West, committee on membership.

Members of the society are active and honorary. There are also life-members, who are exempted from the payment of dues, in consequence of their mem- bership having extended over a period of twenty years or more. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, except in July and August. The annual meeting takes place on the second Tues- day of October. The initiation fee is two dollars, and the annual dues two dollars.

The Odontographic Society of Philadelphia was organized at a meeting held on the 19th of May, 1863, at Concord Hall. The first officers were Jacob Gil- liams, president ; Jobn McCalla and C. A. Kingsbury, vice-presidents; Louis M. Lusson, recording secre- tary; J. H. MeQuillen, corresponding secretary ; Thomas Wardell, treasurer; and William P. Henry, librarian. The successive presidents of the society have been Jacob Gilliams, D.D.S., 1863; C. A. Kings- bury, D.D.S., 1864; James M. Harris, D.D.S., 1865- 66; William C. Head, D.D.S., 1867; John H. Mc- Quillen, D.D.S., 1868-70; Thomas C. Stellwagen, D.D.S., 1871-73; Louis Jack, D.D.S., 1874-75 ; F. M. Dixon, D.D.S., 1876-77; M. Lukens Long, D.D.S., 1878; J. Lehman Eisenbrey, D.D.S., 1879; Alonzo Boice, D.D.S., 1880; Joseph R. C. Ward, D.D.S., 1881; and L. Ashley Faught, 1882-83. The society's place of meeting was at the Philadelphia Dental Col- lege, on Tenth Street, near Arch, until about 1882, after which it was unsettled until the adoption of the College of Physicians as the meeting-place, in Janu- ary, 1884.

The objects of the society are the promotion of pro- fessional and social intercourse among dental prac- titioners, and the encouragement of a disposition for investigation in every direction which relates to the principles and practice of the profession or collateral sciences. Members are active, corresponding, and honorary. The whole number of active members since the institution of the society has been one hun- dred and twenty-four, and the number in January, 1884, was twenty-seven. The active members must be practitioners of dentistry residing in the State of Pennsylvania. The initiation fee for active member- -hip is three dollars; the annual contribution two dollar -. The stated meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month of the year, except July, August, and September. The annual meeting is held in May.

The Odontological Society of Pennsylvania was organized on the 1st of February, 1879, its first presi- dent being Daniel Neall, D.D.S., and its first seere- tary, Ambler Tees, D.D.S. Its successive presidents have been F. M. Dixon, D.D.S., C. J. Essig, D.D.S., and James Truman, D.D.S. The meetings are held in the offices of members, and are appointed for the first Saturday evening of each month. The number of members in January, 1884, was forty-two. The object of the society is the diffusion of the principles, and the development of the best modes of practice in the art and science of dentistry. Members are active, associate, or honorary. Active members must be practitioners of medicine in the State of Pennsylvania, and graduates in dentistry or in medicine, and must have contributed at least one paper to the published literature of the profession, or have made some other addition to its science or art. The admission fee for active members is three dollars, and the annual dues three dollars. For associate members the admission fee is three dollars, and the annual dues two dollars.

In addition to the medical and dental societies mentioned in this chapter there are numerous clubs, or coteries of medical gentlemen, averaging probably about a dozen members each in the city, having for their object the promotion of social intercourse among their members, but exercising little influence directly in medical matters.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGES.

The College of Physicians .- The first medical society organized in Philadelphia, so far as is known, was the Philadelphia Medical Society, which is men- tioned as having been in existence in 1768, but which was dissolved during the war of the Revolution. The American Medical Society was organized some time about 1783, but did not exist very long. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia-the subject of this sketch-was the next in succession. It claims to be the oldest existing medical society not only in Phila- delphia but in the United States.

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia was or- ganized in the latter part of the year 1786, and held its first stated meeting at the old University building, which was then located on Fourth Street, below Arch, on the second day of Jannary, 1787. At this meet- ing fourteen physicians appended their signatures to the constitution and two committees were appointed, one of which was to devise a seal for the college, and a diploma or certificate of membership, and the other to prepare by-laws. A charter was not obtained until the 26th of March, 1789, at which time the number of members was twenty-seven. The whole number of physicians in the city in 1783 was only forty-two, and at the time of incorporation was probably not much in excess of fifty, so that about one-half of the practitioners of the city were members of the new or- ganization. The first president of the college was Dr. John Redman, an eminent retired physician.

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The other officers mentioned in the charter, who were in all likelihood the first officers of the college, were John Jones, vice-president ; William Shippen, Jr., Adam Kuhn, Benjamin Rush, and Samuel Duffield, censors ; Samuel Powel Griffitts, secretary ; and Ge- rardus Clarkson, treasurer.

The society held its first meetings in the University building, but in December, 1791, removed to a room in the building of the American Philosophical So- ciety, which had been fitted up for their reception at an expense to the college of €27 68. 8d., and was rented for forty dollars a year. In 1845, the college changed its headquarters to a room in the Mercan- tile Library building, and in 1854 to the "picture- house" of the Pennsylvania Hospital, afterward oc- cupied by the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Its

The college rendered efficient aid by its advice to the authorities during the several periods of preva- last transfer was to its present handsome building, | lence of the yellow fever in the city between 1790 and 1800, and has since many times been called on by the Board of Health or the State authorities for suggestions during the prevalence of an epidemic, or for advice in matters relating to the promotion of the public health. In the compilation of a national pharmacopœia the college was active in lending its assistance, and at the first convention for that pur- pose, at Washington, in January, 1820, Dr. Thomas F. Hewson, afterward president of the college, was appointed secretary of the meeting.

corner of Locust and Thirteenth Streets. The society had long desired a building of its own, and as early as December, 1849, had started a building fund, to which were transferred some securities held by the society, and which were increased by degrees by dona- tions from Fellows, by appropriations from the sur- plus fund, and by the interest from judicious invest- nients. In 1859 the building fund amounted to over $22,000. In 1856, Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter had com- municated to the college his willingness to convey to it on certain conditions his extensive collection of pathological specimens, together with a certain sum of money which was to be devoted to their preserva- tion and increase. Negotiations were entered into between Dr. Mütter and the college, which, though interrupted for two years by the illness of Dr. Mütter, resulted in an agreement being reached, which was signed by the president and secretary of the college on the 5th of January, 1859. One of the articles of agreement required that the college should erect within the ensuing five years a fireproof building to contain the specimens. On the 4th of May, 1859, a lot was purchased hy a committee of the college at the corner of Thirteenth and Locust Streets for $10,000, having a front on Locust Street of forty-two feet, and a depth of one hundred and ten feet, and subsequently the adjoining lot on the east, having a front of eighteen feet, was purchased for $3500. The college thus became possessed of an advantageous lo- cation, having an area of sixty by one hundred and ten feet, for $13,500, which was increased by inci- dental expenses to $14,408. The plan for a building drawn up by James H. Windrim was accepted, and the contract for its erection was given to M. Errick- son. The total cost of the structure when completed was $25,250, and the cost of furniture, such as book- cases, gas-fixtures, and the like, $1100, making a total expenditure on lot and building of $40,858. All the obligations thus incurred by the society were met out of the building fund except $5000, which was raised by mortgage. The building committee in its final report, in 1864, estimating the value of the college

library at $15,000, and of the Mutter Museum and endowment at $30,000, felt able to congratulate the society on the possession of property worth nearly one hundred thousand dollars. The building was completed and occupied in 1863, and has been the headquarters of the society ever since. It is a two- story structure of fine pressed brick. The lower story is occupied by the museum, the directory for nurses, which is noder the charge of the college, and a num- ber of dwelling-rooms. The second story contains the library and the lecture-room. A number of medical societies meet in the lecture-room, among which may be mentioned the County Medical Society, the Obstet- rical Society, and the Pathological Society.

The establishment of a good medical library was a matter of great concern with the founders of the as- sociation, and a committee on library, appointed in June, 1788, requested members wishing to donate books to the society to send them in at once. Dr. John Morgan, who has a claim to distinction not only from the fact of his having been a skillful phy- sician. but also because, according to his biographer, he was the first man in the State, and probably in the country, to carry an umbrella, and inaugurated the practice of sending to an apothecary for medicine for his patients, was the first donor to the library. It increased slowly from donations for years afterward, and was open for only a few hours in a month. In 1845, upon removal to the Mercantile Library build- ing, the number of volumes belonging to the society was six hundred, most of them the works of ancient physicians, and in 1855 the number was seventeen hundred. After this time bequests and donations were more numerous. In 1864 and 1865 four thou- sand five hundred volumes were added to the library, the gift of Dr. Samuel Lewis, and in acknowledg- ment the college determined to constitute them a dis- tinet portion of the library, to be known as the Lewis Library. At the time of the last report of the libra- rian, on the 1st of November, 1883, the library con- tained twenty-six thousand three hundred and fifty- nine volumes, of which six thousand two hundred and eight belonged to the Lewis Library.

The presiding officers of the society since its origin, with dates of election, have been as follows: 1787, Dr. John Redman; 1805, Dr. William Shippen ;

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

1809, Dr. Adam Kuhn; 1818, Dr. Thomas Parke; 1835, Thomas C. James, Dr. Thomas T. Ilewson ; 1848, Dr. George B. Wood; 1879, Dr. W. S. W. Ruschenberger ; 1883, Dr. Alfred Stille; 1884, Dr. Samuel Lewis. Dr. Thomas C. James, elected presi- dent in 1835, died four months after that event. The number of Fellows at the beginning of 1884 was about one hundred and eighty-five.

The objects of the college, as set forth in its charter, are " to advance the science of medicine, and thereby to lessen human misery, by investigating the diseases and remedies which are peculiar to this country, by observing the effects of different seasons, climates, and situations upon the human body, by recording the changes which are produced in disease by the progress of agriculture, arts, population, and man- ners, by searching for medicines in American woods, waters, and in the bowels of the earth, by enlarging the avenues to knowledge from the discoveries and publications of foreign countries, and by cultivating order and uniformity in the practice of physic."

The college consists of Fellows, Associate Fellows, and corresponding members. The Fellows are phy- sicians of good character and standing, residing in the city of Philadelphia, and over twenty-four years of age. Associate Fellows are distinguished Amer- icans, or foreign physicians, residing beyond the limits of Philadelphia. They must not exceed fifty in number, twenty of whom may be foreigners. The corresponding members are distinguished foreign or American physicians, chosen because of their devo- tion to medical science. The entrance fee is twenty- five dollars, and the annual contribution fifteen dol- lars, payable in advance. The officers designated in the charter are a president, a vice-president, four censors, a secretary, and a treasurer ; and in addi- tion there are elected annually an honorary librarian, a curator, a recorder, and two councilors, the last named serving for three years. The stated meetings of the society take place on the first Wednesday in each month.

In compliance with one of the articles of agreement between Dr. Mütter and the college, a person is nomi- nated by a committee on lectures to deliver a course of at least ten lectures on some subject connected with surgical pathology. The lectures are delivered in the college building, and the lecturer has the right to charge a fee of five or ten dollars, as he may choose, to persons, other than Fellows, attending the course. The lecturer, however, is required to distribute " ten gratuitous tickets to poor, but well-educated and moral, students of regular medicine, whom he may select at will." For his services the lecturer is paid two hundred dollars.

The library is open daily. Visitors introduced by Fellows are allowed to consult books free of charge. The transactions of the society are published annu- ally in book forni.

The Medical Institute .- In 1819, Dr. Nathaniel

Chapman, professor of Theory and Practice of Medi- cine in the University of Pennsylvania, founded the Medical Institute of Philadelphia, for the purpose of giving instruction to students during the summer months. It was not proposed to confer degrees, but merely to grant certificates of attendance. At differ- ent periods Drs. Horner, Gibson, Mitchell, Dewees, Jackson, Hodge, and Bell were associated with Pro- fessor Chapman as preceptors. Between 1819 and 1847 over seventeen hundred students attended the lectures, and in the latter year the faculty were John Neill, John J. Reese, William Byrd Page, J. F. Fra- zer, William Pepper, W. Gerhard, G. W. Norris, and Edward Norris. In 1856 the lectures were abandoned, and the institute permanently closed its doors.

Jefferson Medical College .- The Jefferson Medi- enl College stands in the front rank of medical insti- tutions in the country in the number of its students, the completeness of its equipment, and the learning, ability, and reputation of its faculty. Its fame is world-wide, and its alumni are to be found in almost all quarters of the globe. Its history is naturally divided into two periods, the first being one of con- siderable trouble and frequent changes, owing chiefly to opposition from without and dissensions within, which lasted from the time of its institution until its reorganization in 1841, and the second one of peace and progress, which has continued from the close of the first period up to the present time.

To Dr. George MeClellan, more than to any other person, is due the credit of having founded the insti- tution. Ile it was who obtained the charter for the college, organized the first faculty, and in no small measure, by his personal exertions, brought together the first class. An effort liad been made to establish a medical college a number of years previously by Dr. William P. C. Barton and several of his friends, but it resulted in a failure. Dr. MeClellan, however, was a man of indomitable energy and enthusiasm, and in his hands the project met with a different result. At- tracted by the fame of the University of Pennsyl- vania, the mother of American medical schools, he came to Philadelphia. Marrying an estimable lady in 1821, he made his residence at the corner of Wal- nut and Swanwick Streets, opposite Washington Square, and delivered lectures on anatomy and sur- gery with such success that he was soon obliged to enlarge his quarters. He also associated with him- self Dr. John Eberle, the latter taking as his subjects materia medica and the practice of medicine.

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 186

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992