The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 69

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 69

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In the opportunity which your politeness lately af- forded me of seeing the House of Refuge and its in- mates, I observed there individual instances previously known to me in official business, of youthful viciousness arrested in its career, and now subdued to decency, or- der and industry. In every department of the institu- tion, the same improvement in the condition of these rescued children was manifested, and individual ac- quaintance with any one of their previous lives could not fail to mark with satisfaction its present ameliora- tion. No visiter to the House of Refuge can help feel- ing the sincere wish, that its benefits may be as perma- nent as they are immediately striking; and with a well- founded hope that facts similar to the preceding may continue to attest the useful charity of the institution, I am, dear sir, very respectfully yours,

S. RUSH.

JAMES J. BARCLAY, Esq.

Secretary to the House of Refuge.

251

PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL SOCIETY.

1829.]

REPORT OF THE PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL SOCIETY, On removal of the Alms-house Infirmary.

The committee to whom was referred a communica- tion, addressed to the Philadelphia medical society, by Dr. Burden, a representative of the county of Philadel- phia, in the Senate of this state, in which is requested. information on certain points, report the following an- swers to the queries proposed, in the order of their arrangement.

1. Q. What is the number of Medical students, who at- tend lectures in Philadelphia, and what is the number of medical schools, public and private, hospitals, dis- pensaries, infirmaries, &c. &c.

A. The number of students that annually attend the courses of medical instruction, in the city of Philadel- phia, on an average is five hundred. Of this number, about one hundred and fifty remain in the city during the period of their education; the residue on an average, reside in the city five months.

Medical instruction is imparted to the students, by two public or chartered schools; and in addition, from three to five private institutions, are engaged in courses of lectures.

There are two hospitals, the Pennsylvania hospital and the alms house infirmary; and three dispensaries, which provide attendance for the sick at their own dwellings, furnish them with medicines, &c. The two hospitals are alone capable of being useful to the stu- dents, by making them familiar with diseases from di- rect inspection and examination of the sick; and by ena- bling them to acquire in witnessing the practice of ex- perienced physicians, and hearing their remarks at the bed side, the knowledge of the best means of treating their patients. They thus derive experience from the experienced, and not from their own unskilful attempts commenced without the advantages of previous practi- cal instruction.

The alms house infirmary is the most resorted to by the students; the number of the class attending there, rises generally two hundred. From the number of pa- tients it contains, the variety of diseases in its wards, and especially, of chronic diseases, the most difficult to treat, its loss will be most seriously felt.

2. Q. What is the number of medical students, schools, hospitals, &c. &c. in the other cities of the U. States, respectively?

A. It is not possible to give precise information as to the number of medical students, attending on the schools in other cities of the Union. The following is a list, which has been made out on authority, that is consider- ed as entitled to credit.

1828-9. 1. Boston, 83

2. Pittsfield, 100

3. Dartmouth, 91

4. 'Vermont academy of medicine, 95

5. University of Vermont, 40

6. Yale college, 71

1827-8. 7. Bowdoin, 92

1828-9. 8. Fairfield, N. Y. 92

9. New York College, 160

10. Rutger's college, N. Y. 115

11. Baltimore, 145

12. Washington college, Baltimore, 30

13. Columbia, D. C. 23

1827-8. 14. Ohio medical college, 112

1828-9. 15. Transylvania, about 200

16. Charleston, S. C.

In Boston there is one hospital, at which clinical lec- tures are given by Doctors Warren and Jackson.

At New York there is a large hospital, in Baltimore two; in Charleston one, and another is about being built.

3. Q. What is the probable amount of money annual- ly paid in Philadelphia, by the medical students for tickets, books, &c. &c.

A. The committee believe from the inquiries made, that the sum of $500, for each student, is a moderate es-

timate of their average expenses. This gives an ag. gregate expenditure per annum of $225,000. To this sum is to be added the expenses of those who remain permanently in the city, and are not natives, for the re- maining seven months of the year; say 70, at $500 each is $35,000, or a total sum of $260,000 per annum.

'That this sum is within the actual expenditure, the committee feel well assured; and that an error would not be committed in making the estimate at $300,00 per annum,

The pecuniary advantage to the city is not limited to the sum expended by the students actually in the city. Most of them open a correspondence with some of the tradesmen, booksellers and apothecaries, and contrive to receive from them their various articles of clothing, their medical journals, books, medicines, instruments, &c. &c.

To give an idea of the value attached by persons in those branches, the following estimate obtained from some of the most respectable in them, is subjoined.

Messrs. Robb & Winebrenner, merchant tai --

lors in Chesnut street, estimate that the medical schools bring directly and indirect- ly to their branch, and which is distribu- ted amongst those engaged in it, annually the sum of $25,000

H. Schively, surgeon's instrumentmaker, es- timates the advantages to his branch at 6,000

Johnson, bootmaker, in 6th st. estimates his branch of business, to derive from 8 to 10,000 Shelmerdine makes the estimate for the hat- ting business, at 3,500

H. Troth and Charles Marshall, estimate the value to the apothecaries, 40,000

The booksellers estimate from 30 to 50,000

$134,500

There are 4,000 numbers of medical journals, pub- lished at $5 each, per annum, which for that item alone is $20,000.

It would be useless to point out the numbers of wi- dows, who are enabled, by keeping boarding houses for the students, to derive a reputable support for them- selves and families.

4. Q. What would be the effect of locating the alms house hospital, west of the Schuylkill river, on South street? What inconvenience to the students, attending physicians, and what detriment to the interests of the profession? on this point, detail and minuteness are re- quested.

A. The removal of the infirmary to the west side of the Schuylkill, must of necessity put an end to the at- tendance of the students, on the practice of the institu- tion. The course of medical instruction are so copious, that at this period, for want of sufficient time, several ve- ry important branches are necessarily omitted; and it is with difficulty the lectures on clinical or bedside prac- tice, can he admitted into the course.

To expect that students, hurried as they are for time, would walk a distance of nearly two miles, and that they would do so, in the inclement season of winter, exposed to rain, to snow, and often intense cold, is truly absurd. Even now when the weather is very unfavourable, the number who attend at the alms house and hospital is al- ways small; how much less then, could it be expected, they would brave the weather when this infirmary is lo- eated beyond the Schuylkill. The removal of the in- firmary out of the city, must destroy the clinical class, & this source of revenue to the institution itselfbe dimin- ished. The students who enter the house as resident students and pay their board, are tempted to do so in a great measure,by the eclat derived from the reputation of the alms-house, asa clinical school; but, if this be destroy- ed, it will soon be found that it will be necessary to pay students, to induce them to enter the house & execute the duties for which they are required. This has been the case with the Baltimore infirmary, since its removal from the city.

252

THE FINE ARTS.

LÅPRIE

The removal of the Infirmary beyond the Schuylkill, will subject the prescribing surgeons and physicians to serious inconvenience. Few, who are engaged in bu- siness, can devote the time that will be requisite, when so remote from the scene of their pursuits. The Phila- delphia alms house is the only institution of the kind in the country, it is believed, that receives the services of its medical attendants gratuitously. It is not improba- ble, that no long period would ensue after a change in its location, before it would be necessary to command those services by a salary, now offered without a fee.

The location was fixed upon without consulting any medical gentlemen, who might, in such case, be presu- med competent from their experience to communicate information in respect to its general healthiness. The banks of the river, throughout all the alluvion extend- ing from its mouth, and the country immediately adja- cent, have been long noted for their insalubrity. This has increased within a few years, and by placing the subjects of disease in this situation, which will be done by settling on it a dense population, it is not to be doubt- ed, that fevers will prevail among them. The effect of locating an infirmary in a situation of that kind, will be to increase the number of patients; for those who are taken to it for light affections, will be attacked by those that are more formidable; the diseases of the pa- tients will be aggravated, frequent relapses will occur; the patients instead of being discharged as rapidly as at present, will accumulate in the wards, and the mortali- ty be increased. The most expensive paupers are those that are diseased, and the increased number of patients will enhance the cost of maintaining the poor.

There is one point the committee beg leave to no- tice; it is the necessarily increased suffering and mise- ry, that must be endured by the poor, in the event of removing the infirmary beyond the precincts of the city. Patients suffering under every form and variety of disease, and most generally of diseases advanced to a critical condition, are transported to the Infirmary in carts and carriages. The distance that many are now brought is from one to three miles, and it is not uncom- mon, in sickly periods, to find patients dying on the road. To increase the distance to which the sick pau- pers are to be transported, is to add to the pain and dis- tress of all, to augment the danger and retard the re- covery of numbers, and to prove certainly fatal to some.

The committee will terminate their report by the fol- lowing conclusions, of the correctness of which they have a deliberate conviction.

First. That the location of the Alms House Infirma- ry beyond the Schuylkill will put an end to the clinical or bed-side instruction now successfully carried on in that institution.

Second. That the income to that institution derived from that source, say 3000 dollars per annum, will be cut off.

Third. That the loss of the clinical instruction of that extensive establishment will materially detract from the advantages Philadelphia possesses as a seat of medical instruction, and deprive her of one of the causes to which she is indebted for her present superiority.

Fourth. That the deprivation of clinical instruction to the students, Is a serious evil to the community, as they will be compelled to enter on their profession de- void of the valuable information derived from this spe- cies of instruction, and which will be obtained in too ma- ny instances, at the risk of their patients.

Fifth. That the interests of numerous classes of in- dustrious citizens, may be seriously affected, by dimin- ishing the high character Philadelphia sustains a sa school of medical instruction, through her medical institutions, amongst which the Alms House Infirmary occupies a conspicuous and esteemed rank.

Sixth. That the location of an Infirmary in a situa- tion which, if not known positively to be insalubrious, is almost generally looked on as very questionable, is an injudicious measure, for should it proye unhealthy,

while it will aggravate the sufferings and distress it is in- tended to alleviate, the expense in money, which ap- pears to be the grand and single principle by which this question has been decided will undoubtedly be en- hanced.

In concluding their report the committee take the liberty to express as their opinion, that the pecuniary interests of the city regarded on an enlarged scale; its interests and its reputation as a seat of science and learn- ing, considered in an enlightened view, and cherished with a just and becoming pride; the welfare of the com- munity consulted in a liberal spirit; the alleviation of human misery, whether regarded as a social, moral or re- ligious obligation, all combine to condemn the contem- plated removal of the Infirmary attached to the Alms House without the limits of the city, and indicate the scite within its bounds, as the only proper location of that institution.

SAMUEL JACKSON, M. D. WM. E. HORNER, M. D. CHAS. D. MEIGS, M. D. JOHN BELL, M. D. D. FRANCIS CONDIE, M. D.

Medical Hall, Feb. 9, 1829.

At a meeting of the Philadelphia Medical Society, held this evening, the above report was on motion ac- cepted by the society.

PHILIP S. PHYSICK, M. D. President. GEO. HALBERSTADT, Rec. Sec'ry.

THE FINE ARTS.

BUST OF DR. JOHNSON.

(Communicated for the "Register of Pennsylvania.")

The Philadelphia Athenaeum is in possession of a fine and very rare bust of the great Lexicographer, and lite- rary Colossus, SAMUEL JOHNSON-which was pre- sented to the insitution by the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie .- Having heard him detail the particulars respecting it, I thought them worthy of record, and requested him to fa- vor me with them in writing. He did so. And I now send his communication to you, not doubting that many of your readers will be entertained with it.

I am, respectfully, JAMES MEASE.

Philadelphia, April 6, 1829.

DEAR SIR-In compliance with your request, that I would give a particular account of the Bust of Dr. Sam- uel Johnson, which I lately presented to the Philadel- phia Atheneum, I have now the pleasure to inform you, that it was sent to me from England by a friend. "Tis a real Nolikens, obtained by him from Mr.Nolikens himself, though with much reluctance; as will appear from the following anecdote:

My friend having promised to send me a Bust of my Magnus Apollo, on his arrival in England, applied to Mr. Nolikens for one, who replied, that he had not one cast left for himself; but, for one of which he would give ten guineas; that the original marble Bust was some where on the continent, he could not tell where; and, that not a single cast of it which he had made, was to be found in his warehouse .- The next day my friend di- ning in company, and the conversation turning upon Dr. Johnson, he expressed his regret that a friend in America would experience great disappointment through his inability to comply with his promise, as Mr. Nolikens had assured him he had not one cast left .- "Well," said a gentleman who was present, "if you will previously obtain Mr. Noliken's promise to let you have it, if you can find one in his warehouse, I can tell you where, in an obscure corner of it, I saw one a few days ago, while looking for a Bust of one of the poets. I brushed off the dust of many years from its covering, and read-"The Bust of Dr. Samuel Johnson." My friend acted accordingly; and, having obtained Mr. Nol-

1829.]

PATENTING OF LANDS.

253

iken's promise upon the honour of a gentleman, that if he found one he should have it, led him to the dark eor- ner, and there found it. Mr. Nolikens wanted to retract, declaring his wish to possess it himself; but an appeal was made to his promise upon honour, and he let it go. When it arrived here, knowing its fragility, I procured two stout porters to bring it on their shoulders to my house. Upon opening the box which contained it, I found the head dissevered from the body, and that bro- ken into small pieces. The face, however, was not in any degree injured. After mourning for some time over the "disjecta membra poetœ," I determined to throw it all into the street: but, meeting with my friend Mr. John Dorsey, and stating to him my grievous disap- pointment, he told me, that, as the features were not in- jured, he could restore it to its proper form; which he did, after devoting two whole days to its restoration.

Such is the history of this truly valuable Bust of the illustrious Dr. Samuel Johnson; and, knowing the in- trinsic value, and great scarcity of it, I thought it my duty to deposit it in some public Institution, where it would be properly appreciated and preserved. With this view I presented it to the Philadelphia Athenaum, in testimony of my respect for that Institution, and of gratitude for the indulgence extended to me, as a Cler- gyman, of visiting it gratuitously.

I am, with great respect, dear sir, Your most obed't servant, JAS. ABERCROMBIE.

Dr. JAMES MEASE.

THE GRACES.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, have just received from Rome Canova's celebrated group of the Graces. This beautiful and costly specimen of the ge- nius and skill of the great statuary, was procured at Rome by our fellow citizen Dr. J. Y. Clark, during his late visit to that city, and has been presented by him to the Academy, with all the expenses of transportation, which alone exceeded two hundred dollars.

Such acts of liberality cannot be too highly appre- ciated; they afford an elegant and useful means of im- provement to our own artists, and a refined and rational pleasure to our citizens. If American gentlemen who travel would follow the example of Dr. Clark, we should soon accumulate a rich collection of works of art, hon- ourable and useful to our city.

The uses of this Academy are too much overlooked by the wealth of Philadelphia. It is not only a constant school of improvement to the skill of our artists and the taste of the community, but it brings here students from every part of the Union, who are admitted to the establishment and the use of all that is within, without any charge .- Nat. gaz.

EXPERIMENTS ON WATER POWER. To CORRESPONDENTS.

At a Meeting of the board of managers of the Frank- lin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the promo- tion of the mechanic arts, held March 12, 1829, the following resolutions were proposed and adopted, viz.

Whereas, the value of water, as a moving power, and the relative effects produced by it upon wheels of dif- ferent constructions; have never been fixed by actual experiments, on a scale of sufficient magnitude to set- tle the principles upon which it is to be calculated; and whereas, a course of experiments of sufficient magni- tude, to fix the data from which such calculations may be made with accuracy, would be of great value to eve- ry one interested in mill work, therefore,

Resolved, that it is expedient for the Franklin Insti- tute to undertake a series of experiments, for the pur- poses set forth in the above preamble, provided suffi- cient funds can be obtained for the purpose.

Resolved, that a committee of inquiry be appointed, with instructions to apply to the select and common councils of Philadelphia, for the use of part of the city

water works, and water from the dam at Fair Mount, for the purpose of prosecuting such experiments.

Resolved, that said committee be authorized to soli- cit funds from such as may be interested in these exper- iments, to aid in carrying them into effect :- Whereupon, Messrs. S. V. Merrick, Benj. Reeves, Isaiah Lukens, Rufus Tyler, and Andrew Young, were appointed on said committee. Extract from the minutes .-

WILLIAM HAMILTON, Actuary.

By the annexed preamble and resolutions, it will be scen, that the Franklin Institute have it in contempla- tion to conduct a course of experiments on the value of water power, and a comparison between the different constructions of the water wheel, with a view of estab- lishing principles sufficiently accurate for the basis of the mill-wright's calculations. So soon as the necessa- ry preliminary steps are taken, and the funds are ob- tained (the estimated expense to be obtained by sub- scription is $2000) a commission will be appointed of gentlemen conversant with the subject.

The want of such a course of experiments has long been felt, and the great expense attending them, has debarred individuals from making the attempt. The funds of the Institute are not adequate to it from their usual resources, and they are reluctantly compelled to call upon those interested for assistance, which they are confident will not be withheld. Through the liber- ality of the city councils, they are enabled to conduct them in a situation highly favourable, the Fair Mount water works, under an 8 feet head and fall, where the water expended and effect produced, can be accurately estimated.

To enable the committee to enter upon the discharge of their duties under every advantage, correspondents are requested to furnish the editor of this journal with such information as their ingenuity or practice may suggest, and which may aid them in deciding on the best manner of conducting the experiments.

The experience of practical men on the best modes of applying water to a wheel, form of buckets, manner of ascertaining its effects, with proper diagrams, will be particularly acceptable.

A report of all the experiments made by the commit- tee, with their results, will be published in this Journal, when completed, and the Institute is desirous that the grounds of their proceeding may be as public as their report, to enable practical men to detect any defects in operation. Communications may be sent by mail to the editor; donations of those who feel disposed to aid the Institution in their exertions, to the actuary, or either of the undersigned.

Samuel V. Merrick, ₾ Committee. of Inquiry.

Benjamin Reeves, Isaiah Lukens, Rufus Tyler, Andrew Young,

Journ. Frank. Inst.

PATENTING OF LANDS.

An Act relative to the Patenting of Lands, which has passed both Houses of the Legislature of Pennsylvania.

Sect. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that from and after the pas- sage of this act, when any person or persons, shall apply for a patent or patents, for any unpatented lands in this commonwealth, and it shall appear that by the provis- ions of the fourth section of the act, approved the twenty-fifth day of January, A. D). one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, entitled an Act concerning the pa- tenting of lands, the interest of the purchase money due the commonwealth for such lands, is to be added to the principal, and the interest from that time, calculated on the aggregate sum in the manner therein directed, it shall be the duty of the secretary of the land office, after having settled and ascertained the amount due the com-

254

TRADE OF LANCASTER.

[APRIL

monwealth in the manner aforesaid, to deduct from such amount, one-half of the amount of the interest which may have accrued upon the interest added as aforesaid: Provided, That in no case, either of warrant improve- ment, or any other right, shall any interest be charged on the purchase money of any of the aforesaid lands, · for the time which elapsed between the second day of December, A. D. one thousand seven hundred and se- venty-six, and the second day of December, one thou- sand seven hundred and eighty-three: And provided also, That nothing in this act contained, shall be taken and construed to affect or interfere with any suit or suits which may, or have been brought under the provisions of the several acts "directing the recovery of the prin- cipal and interest due to the commonwealth, from per- sons holding lands by virtue of locations, other office ti- tles issued from, or under the proprietary government, and for other purposes," so far as regards the collec- tion for the principal and interest due upon the same, ascertained as is herein before directed, the deduction aforesaid being made.

Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That where the amount found due as afore- said, shall not be paid and discharged, the person or persons, applying for the patent, shall, before the issu- ing of the same, execute a mortgage to the Governor of the commonwealth, to secure the payment of the aggre- gute of the arrears of purchase money, and interest due, in six equal annual instalments, which said aggregate sum and payments shall be distinctly endorsed, or cer- tified, upon the back of the patent; and the said pay- ments shall be recoverable at the suit of the common- wealth, by scire facias, as the same become due: Provi- ded, That the provisions of this section, and of the first section, and all the other provisions of this act, shall ex- tend as fully to the seventeen townships in the county of Luzerne, now in the counties of Luzerne and Brad- ford, as to any other part or portion of the state.

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 69

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440