USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 71
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(s).
Undoubtedly Dr. Andrew Richardson was one of the most prominent of the early practitioners. He took an interest in politics and was a leading Mason. Dr. Joseph Curry "practiced physic" near Bethel Meeting-house, in St. Clair Township, in 1804. John Nicholas kept for sale a small line of drugs in 1804. Cuming says that in 1807 there were four doctors here-Bedford, Richardson (who died in 1809), Stevenson and Mowry. During the next three years three more commenced practicing. They were of German, French and English parentage and education and the latter was named Pennington. Dr. Brainard began practicing in 1814 and his card may be seen in the Mercury of that year. The physicians of 1815 were mentioned in Riddle's Directory of that year, as follows: Frederick Aigster, William S. Coxe, George Dawson, Joel Lewis, Peter Mowry, Morrell Parker, Edward Pen- nington and George Stevenson. The Navigator of 1817 states that in 1807 Pittsburg was afflicted with an influenza which continued during the summer and fall and caused several deaths. In 1818 Dr. Edward Pennington died. Dr. Goutiere practiced for a short time in 1817 and then moved to Ken- tucky. In 1817 or 1818 Doctors Brunot and Ward were associated in the practice, as is shown by their card in the old Gazette and Mercury. In . 1818 Doctors Agnew and Simpson inserted a card in the Gasette, in which they said that they had "this day formed a copartnership in the practice of medicine and conjointly tendered their services to their friends and all others who may apply for their professional aid." Their "shop" stood at the corner of Wood and Third streets. They opened a drug and medicinal warehouse. At this time Dr. Bedford, judging from his card, was located in Birmingham.
(3) The balance of the chapter was compiled by a member of the historical force.
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The Gazette of July 23, 1802, published a communication from a corre- spondent from which the following extract is taken: "That the increase of dis- eases in this place has of late been greater in proportion than the increase of population, is a truth not to be disputed. From the opinion of a gentleman of the medical profession it is believed that many of the diseases which appear in this once healthy spot are produced from a vitiated state of the air, arising from causes obvious to the senses, narrow streets and alleys (to which too little attention has been paid by the officers of the police), filthy gutters, putrid vegetables and animal matter, the stench from foul slaughter-houses, and exhalations from ponds of stagnant water. Consid- ering the activity, industry, sense of propriety and public spirit which the inhabitants of Pittsburg generally possess, it is matter of astonishment that nuisances so flagrant are suffered to exist. It is to be hoped that those whose duty it is will immediately take measures the most effectual to re- move the evil complained of, and that if proper authority is wanting the same may be promptly obtained by a town meeting assembled for the purpose. Let the ponds be drained or filled up, the slaughter-houses removed to places more remote, the gutters leading from pumps paved, the streets and alleys inspected and cleansed weekly, and fines rigidly exacted for every violation of the ordinances against the accumulation of filth within the limits of the borough. To the reflecting part of the community these observations are addressed. Apprised of the danger that exists and hourly increases, neglect not that which is of the utmost importance-the health of the people. The experience and labor will not be lost if by your exertions the life of but one citizen should be saved from a premature death."
The first medical society in Pittsburg was organized in June, 1821, but unfortunately, owing to the disappearance of the old newspaper files of that date, the details and the names of the first officers cannot be given. The Pittsburg Recorder of June, 1826, says that on June 24, 1826, the fifth annual meeting of the Pittsburg Medical Society was held, upon which occasion the following officers were elected: William Church president, W. H. Denny vice-president, Felix Brunot chairman, John S. Irwin cor- responding secretary, Henry Hannen recording secretary, William F. Irwin treasurer, James R. Speer librarian, and R. Wray, Denny and Speer curators.
Dr. L. Callahan arrived here early in the decade of the '20s, but after practicing for a short time returned to Europe, where for three years he continued his studies. Upon coming here for the second time he was profoundly learned in his profession, being a "licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons and a member of the Faculty of Medicine of Glasgow." He joined the Pittsburg Medical Society and proved a useful member. In Sep- tember, 1827, he read a paper before the society and contended that those kinds of fever usually denominated contagious had their origin in the places where they broke out instead of being imported. "In the first place, I would ask the medical philosopher whether or not he has ever seen pure typhus fever prevail as an epidemic where the exciting and predisposing causes were not present on the spot, either in the surrounding atmosphere, the habitudes of the people, their regimen, or the privations to which they were exposed? I. confidently expect the answer must be 'No.'" At a subsequent meeting he read an article on "The Use of Hydriodate of Potash in the Treatment of Goitre," "Observations on Inoculation and Vaccination." During the winter of 1829-30 he delivered a course of lectures, by special invitation, on the subject of Anatomy before one of the literary societies. His practice, as announced, was "Physic, Surgery and Midwifery."
Dr. James R. Speer rose to great prominence in the '20s. In 1827 he
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removed a cataract from the eyes of Frederick Albright and restored per- fect sight, and received the plaudits of the local newspapers.
About this time George A. Hetich announced himself as a resident surgeon-dentist.
A negro slave from Canada introduced smallpox into Pittsburg in October, 1828. He was left here by his master and the infection spread. By November 4th four deaths had resulted and many others-twenty to thirty-were infected. A rigid course of vaccination was commenced, but not under compulsion as at the present time. Drs. Speer, Denny, Magoffin and others, acting with the Board of Health, succeeded in checking it by the middle of November, but it again broke out after a few weeks. Dr. Speer, in an article in the Gazette of March 24, 1829, stated that the number of interments from smallpox in the city was 46; at the poorhouse I, in Alle- gheny 2, in Lawrenceville 1; total, 50; and that the total number of deaths from that disease contracted here did not probably exceed 55. It was not fully checked until May, by which time several more had died, probably a total of 65 or 70.
"There can be no doubt that the commercial interests of our city have suffered considerably from such rumors, and that many strangers and men of business have been prevented from visiting us that desired to do so. All such and the public generally may be assured that the disease is rapidly declining; thousands have been vaccinated and are therefore safe; those who did not take this precaution have generally had an attack of smallpox" (a).
Drs. Sellers, Hays, Thistle, Bishop, Dawson, McDowell, Sugg, Irwin, Geddes, Ryan inserted professional cards in the newspapers in 1828-30. Dr. Callahan distinguished himself by his articles on medical subjects published in the American Journal of Medical Science, and by others which appeared in the local newspapers. The Pittsburg Medical Society, in June, 1829, formally resolved to aid by precept and example in suppressing the vice of intemperance.
In 1832 the Asiatic cholera made its appearance in Philadelphia and New York and occasioned great alarm in Pittsburg. In June, 1832, the ministry of Pittsburg assembled and recommended a day for fasting, humilia- tion and prayer, that God would avert the danger threatening the country from Asiatic cholera. The city authorities passed ordinances for a rigid enforcement of sanitary measures. Drs. James Agnew, Adam Hays, James R. Speer, S. R. Holmes and H. D Sellers were appointed consulting physicians to the Sanitary Board, of which Samuel Pettigrew was president and E. J. Roberts secretary .. At this time the Sanitary Board had not been incorporated and was only an appointment of the City Councils. Dr. Jonas R. McClin- tock was appointed health physician. Steps were taken to reorganize the Sanitary Board, to establish a temporary free dispensary and a temporary hospital, and Concert Hall, on Penn Avenue, was engaged for the latter purpose. Appropriations were made to put the city in the best possible condition to fight the infection.
On October 22, 1832, a colored man from Cincinnati died of cholera in Pittsburg, and the infection began to spread in spite of the utmost exertions of the physicians and the city authorities. By the 26th five cases had appeared and three deaths had resulted. During the next two months from twenty-five to thirty persons died, but the scourge was then checked. In May, 1833, it reappeared, although rigid and systematic precautions had been taken for its prevention. From May 26th to June 25th there appeared seventeen cases, of which five were outsiders, and by July Ist eight deaths
. (a) Dr. J. R. Speer in Gazette, March 24. 1829.
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had occurred. The epidemic seemed to have gained a strong foothold by this time, as it was stated in the newspapers of July 5th that twenty-three residents and five outsiders had died. Dr. J. R. Speer was very active and prominent as the hospital physician at this time. Trouble arose between the practicing physicians and the Sanitary Board. In the autumn of 1832 the latter accused the former of neglecting or refusing to report the cases of cholera which they encountered in their practice, and repeated the accu- sation in 1833. On July 3d J. P. Gazzam, M. D., and E. D. Gazzam, M. D., said: "Since the recent reappearance of the disease in Pittsburg thirty-six cases of fully developed cholera have occurred in our practice. Of these, six cases are now remaining, five of which are convalescing and one doubtful. . So far as our observation and experience extend, the disease as yet is more manageable and more easy of cure than it was last fall."
The Board of Health pursued a course which was condemned by the reputable physicians. In the autumn of 1832 the Gazzams reported a case of cholera and recommended that the patient be placed in the hospital. The Sanitary Board refused to believe in the judgment of the physicians, using unnecessary and unjust harshness in their observations, and sent the health physician to examine the case and report thereon. The latter stated that it was a case of "common cholera" (morbus), whereupon, although five other reputable physicians corroborated the Gazzams, admission to the hospital was refused. This act roused the physicians, and thereafter they refused to report the cases of cholera coming under their practice. They were sharply criticised by the Board of Health, whereupon the Gazzams replied as follows:
"We are not and never have been indisposed to give to the public every information in our power in relation to the epidemic, but we cannot consent to modify, change or pervert our deliberate opinions respecting its true nature to gratify popular prejudice or to suit the crude and varying notions of those who have no knowledge of the subject; nor can we consent again to submit our medical opinions or reports to the judgment and supervision of such tribunals" (b).
In June, 1833, the churches observed a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer," that God would end the plague or pass it by Pittsburg. Hydrants in all parts of the city were permitted to run one hour each day to cleanse the walks, gutters and streets. The building of the temporary hospital this year cost $400. Thomas O'Neil was superintendent of the hospital, Drs. Arm- strong and Bruce were hospital physicians, and Dr. McClintock health physi- cian. "Wheeling, Maysville and Lexington, with a population, we believe, not exceeding 18,000, lost more persons in a single day than Pittsburg and vicinity have lost by the same disease (cholera) in two years and two separate visits of the scourge. The board of consulting physicians express the opinion that the use of stone coal operates as a strong counteracting influence to the spread of the cholera. An experienced physician assures us that he has never seen a single genuine indigenous case of that loathsome disease, the itch, since he came here, and that cholera infantum does not prevail to one-tenth part of the extent in other towns East and West" (c).
"By the report of the Health Physician it appears that forty-four deaths by malignant cholera have occurred in this city and neighboring boroughs and villages since the end of May" (d).
It is impossible to give the exact number of cases of cholera or the exact number of deaths, because the newspapers deliberately suppressed the
(b) Letter of Doctors Gazzam in Gazette, July 5, 1833.
(c) Gazette, July 12, 1833.
(d) Gazette, August 18, 1834.
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extent of the scourge and no other record is known to exist. Business was seriously interfered with; in fact, was almost at a complete standstill while the epidemic lasted. Probably a total of over one hundred cases appeared and seventy-five deaths occurred in 1833.
In February, 1835, James R. Speer, M. D., opened an "Eye Infirmary" in this city, and stated that a careful and laborious course of preparation and the results of sixteen years of practice in that branch of the profession, in observation and experience, were the pledges he offered for faithful and skillful treatment of such cases as might be intrusted to his care. His references were Francis Herron, D. D., L. Halsey, D. D., M. Brown, D. D., Rev. J. W. Nevin, Rev. T. D. Baird, A. Hays, M. D., W. Addison, M. D., W. H. Denny, M. D., and H. D. Sellers, M. D.
Dr. Joseph Trevor practiced in Allegheny in 1833. Dr. Hewitson, a licentiate of the Royal College of Edinburg, commenced the practice of "physic and surgery" in July of this year. Dr. John R. Roseburg died in August, 1834. Dr. W. A. Ward commenced using the "atmospheric pressure prin- ciple" in dentistry in 1835. Dr. E. Hale practiced dental surgery the same time, as did also Benjamin Norris. Dr. William M. Wright was the leading dentist of that period. He was a student of the sciences and later took the first daguerreotype ever produced in Pittsburg. Dr. David Hunt was also an active "surgeon dentist," as dentists were then called. William Biddle practiced dentistry about this time. The Post, in December, 1846, said that a servant girl went to a Pittsburg dentist to have two teeth plugged. The dentist extracted the teeth, plugged them and then drove them in again. The name of the dentist (?) was not given, but it may be safely concluded that he was not one of the men mentioned above.
During the winter of 1845-6 many cases of smallpox appeared here. Part of the old water-works building was fitted up for the reception of poor patients by the Directors of the Poor. The building was originally used as a coal shed and was walled up into one room, in which were placed eight or nine beds, and in one corner stood a stove, table, utensils, etc. The surroundings were poor, but the room was cheerful and comfortable. Aside from the rude temporary hospital of 1833, this was Pittsburg's first structure for the care of indigent sick. It was closed during the summer of 1846, but was opened again in the fall for the reception of patients. The following notice appeared in the Commercial Journal of December 9, 1846:
"To Professor W. Beach :- The undersigned citizens of Pittsburg and vicinity, having heard your introductory lecture on the science of medicine, as taught in the Reformed Medical Academy of the United States, in contrast with the old school system, take great pleasure in saying that we were highly gratified, and they would respectfully ask you to repeat the lecture at the same place, on Tuesday evening, the 8th inst .: Henry Yeagley, E. D. Strong, Marcus Beares, S. B. Cooper, Joseph Kiser, James Gilchrist, J. B. Wright, A. C. Henderson, Jacob Folger, William J. Troth, Hugh Wightman, H. Irwin, A. B. West, James Johnson, Robert Pitcairn, William Chapman, J. P. Shipton, R. Snowden, C. S. Pearson, Charles Wood, Thomas D. McMaster, A. C. Duncan, William Clendinings, Daniel Youngson, J. Hender- son, Joseph Eggert, A. A. Anderson, J. Fullerton, R. Ewey, R. Algeo, J. S. Long, James Coop, John Spencer, James Clarkson, Edward Spencer."
In October, 1846, the newspapers spoke of the establishment here of a medical school and seemed to think one was urgently needed, and would contribute to the growing importance of the city as an educational center. In January, 1848, Dr. William M. Wright announced that he had twice employed chloroform by inhalation from a sponge in the extraction of teeth
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with excellent results, and was prepared thereafter to administer it to all ‹lesiring its wonderful benefits. An important surgical operation was per- formed by Dr. A. W. Walter, assisted by Drs. J. P. Gazzam and A. Black, in August, 1846, and consisted in the successful removal of a large tumor from the face of a lady, together with one-half of the lower jaw.
Pursuant to call several of the physicians of Pittsburg and Allegheny met in Philo Hall on August 17, 1848, to consider the propriety of forming a County Medical Society as a branch of the State Medical Society. Dr. Dil- worth was made chairman and Dr. Pollock secretary. On motion of Dr. Dorsey a committee consisting of Drs. Dilworth, Reed, Gray, Dorsey and Pollock was appointed to arrange for a general meeting of the physicians of the county to organize such a society. Drs. Irwin, Pollock and Bruce were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws.
In the year 1849 the cholera again visited Pittsburg. As before, the newspapers suppressed the extent of the scourge. Business was wholly sus- pended and not a countryman could be seen on the streets. The Commercial Journal declared that little attempt had been made to clean the gutters and alleys. Dr. W. McK. Morgan was appointed physician to the Sanitary Board. After from thirty to fifty people had died in Pittsburg the scourge sud- denly broke out in Birmingham with such virulence that from August IIth to August 13th inclusive eighteen deaths resulted and the people became terror stricken. Many temporarily retired to the rural districts. Later Allegheny was visited, and in one day ending at 6 o'clock on the evening of August 27th ten persons died. In a short time the deaths in Allegheny numbered from forty to fifty. It first appeared in Pittsburg, then in Birmingham, then in Allegheny, then on the hills in Hayti, and then in Temperanceville, Tinkersville, South Pittsburg and other portions of this community. It is probable that from one hundred and fifty to two hundred persons died of the epidemic in 1849. In 1851 it again appeared, but was confined, and not so many deaths resulted. Dr. T. W. Shaw succeeded Dr. McKennan as port physician in 1851. About this time Dr. J. J. Myers was appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury hospital physician of the Marine Hospital. In 1854 this community was again visited by cholera and the dreadful scenes of former visitations were reenacted with much greater mor- tality. Again the newspapers, through business motives, suppressed the extent and the details of that memorable summer and fall. How many died cannot be learned, but the number approximated 1,000.
"The Allegheny Medical Society held its regular quarterly meeting in Arthur's Hall on Tuesday last, January 3, 1854, where the annual election of officers took place, when the following gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing year: President, Dr. C. L. Armstrong; vice-presidents, Drs. J. P. Gazzam and John McCracken; corresponding secretary, Dr. A. M. Pollock; recording secretaries, Drs. Thomas J. Gallaher and E. G. Edrington; treas- urer, Dr. A. M. Pollock; censors, Drs. R. B. Mowry, E. G. Edrington, G. D. Bruce; examiners, Drs. J. P. Gazzam, A. M. Pollock, D. McMeal; delegates to the National Medical Convention, Drs. J. P. Gazzam, Thomas J. Gallaher, George D. Bruce, A. M. Pollock, George McCook; delegates to the State Medical Convention, Drs. D. McMeal, W. Draine, J. Carothers, J. McCracken, E. F. Williams, J. H. Wilson, T. W. Shaw, N. McDonald, J. H. O'Brien. The following is a list of members of the society: C. L. Armstrong, William Addison, G. D. Bruce, H. R. Bell, Alexander Black, H. H. Brackenridge, James Carothers, John Dickson, Thomas Dickson, W. Draine, Samuel Dil- worth, E. G. Edrington, William M. Gray, Joseph P. Gazzam, J. W. Gustine, Thomas J. Gallaher, James B. Herron, William M. Herron, John S. Irwin,
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R. B. Mowry, John Martin, William McK. Morgan, J. J. Myers, N. McDonald, G. McCook, F. McGrath, A. G. McCandless, D. McMeal, John McCracken, J. H. O'Brien, John Pollock, A. M. Pollock, B. R. Palmer, T. W. Shaw, James D. Shields, John Wilson, J. H. Wilson, C. F. Williams, Thomas Perkins."
CHAPTER XXIV.
PITTSBURG-DATE OF THE FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT-CHANGE FROM FRENCH TO ENGLISH OCCUPANCY-DEFEAT OF MAJOR GRANT-THE SECOND FORT PITT- EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF JAMES KENNEY-TREATY WITH THE INDIANS IN 1759-THE BOATBUILDERS OF 1760-NUMBER OF CABINS-LISTS OF RESIDENTS 1N 1760 AND 1761-CHANGE OF COMMANDERS AT FORT PITT-PONTIAC'S WAR-GALLANTRY AND HARDSHIPS OF THE INHABITANTS-CAMPBELL'S SURVEY OF 1764-MANOR OF PITTSBURG-DUNMORE'S WAR-PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS FOR RELIEF-INCIDENTS DURING THE REVOLU- TION-PUBLIC REGULATION OF PRICES-RESOLUTIONS PASSED TO SUSTAIN THE COLONIAL CAUSE-IMPETUS TO THE GROWTH IN 1783-MANY INCIDENTS OF INTEREST - IMPORTANCE OF THE TRAFFIC IN LANDS - NAMES OF THE COMPANIES - AN IMPARTIAL VIEW OF THE WHISKY INSURRECTION.
Probably it will always be a matter of controversy when the first perma- nent settlement of Pittsburg was made. English troops, under Captain Trent, took possession of the "forks" in February, 1754. Their object in coming was to build a fort, and thus establish English occupation and therefore English owner- ship of the soil on the Ohio River. Captain Trent set rapidly to work, and by April, 1754, had erected and occupied a rude stockade. There is nothing to show that any persons came with him except the troops and the necessary mechanics to be employed in building the fort. The English had no sooner taken pos- session of the stockade than a large force of French appeared, under Captain Contrecœur, and demanded their surrender. Captain Trent being absent, and his small force being under the command of Ensign Ward, there was no course for the latter to pursue, under the demand by the French commander for the immediate surrender of the fort, but compliance. The result was the French took possession on the 16th of April and named the fort Duquesne, after the Governor of Canada. Contrecœur brought with him a large force, and perhaps women as well as children accompanied his expedition. Whether the settlement of Pittsburg can properly date from the time of the French occupancy is a question upon which authorities will differ, and which only a rigid examination of the French archives in Canada will determine. If, with the army of Contrecœur, men and women, in other words families, came here for permanent settlement, intending to remain as long as it was advantageous for them to do so, it must be admitted that the first permanent settlement should date from the French occupancy. The fact that the fami- lies, if there were any, were driven away and dispersed by the armies of the English, may not be construed as an abandonment of the settlement and therefore as a termination of its perpetual character; nor can the change from French to English occupancy be said to have terminated the perma- nency of settlement. Therefore, the question of French settlement must be left open until future explorers in the field of history have examined the archives in Canada. It must be borne in mind that the first question under controversy is the date of the first permanent settlement; and second, the extent and character of such settlement. There is no doubt that French ' traders, perhaps with their wives and children, resided here and transacted
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business from the date of the English surrender until the reoccupancy of the "Point" by the English in 1758. Whether an Indian trader can be counted as a permanent settler may be considered an unsolved question. He surely was as permanent as any of the settlers of the border at that time. Suppose that the French had retained possession of the forks, and had repulsed the English under Forbes, the question arises, would not the per- manent settlement date from the French occupancy, and not have been post- poned until the capture of the place by the English? It is well known that in the settlement of any country the permanency is made to date from the military occupation, providing there is a continuous and unbroken occupation. The fact that the site of Pittsburg passed from the French to the English, or from the English to the French, cuts no figure in the controversy. The question of interest is the permanency and the character of the settlement. It is well known that the French constructed outside of Fort Duquesne inany cabins (about thirty) during the period from 1754 to 1758, and that stores were in existence here, kept by Indian traders and their families, and no doubt primitive industries, such as blacksmithing, gun-making or tink- ering and similar trades were carried on. Unquestionably men, women and children came here for permanent settlement with Contrecœur, and no doubt others came from 1754 to 1758, just as the English settlers came during the half dozen years succeeding the occupation of the place by General Forbes. The question then involuntarily arises, Why should not the permanent set- tlement date from 1754 instead of from 1760 or 1764? No doubt an exam- ination of the French archives will show a permanent settlement of families, if not in 1754, surely within the next year or two. Why, the traffic on the Allegheny between Fort Duquesne and the French settlements higher up the river was so large that the recollection of it was recalled with pride by the Indians and the French traders even after the English had recaptured the place. The first permanent settlement should date from 1754 and not from a period ten years later. But the first English settlement! That's another question.
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