History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 75

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 75

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Dr. W. K. Bowling,* in an address delivered in 1868, sketches the origin of the Medical Department as follows :

" On the 9th day of December, 1843, John M. Bass, Esq., a member of the board, resolved that a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a medical school attached to the university. Messrs. R. C. Foster, Sr., Bass, and Ewing were appointed.

"On the 8th of February, the following year, this com- mittee report 'that the board at once establish said medi- cal school.' The committee had opened a correspondence with, and received suggestions and a memorial from, J. M. Briggs, M.D., of Bowling Green, Ky., a distinguished physician and father of our present professor of obstetrics. " On the 17th of the same month President Philip Linds- ley submitted the following resolutions :

"' 1st. That it is expedient to establish a medical school in connection with the University of Nashville.

"' 2d. That no portion of the funds of the university shall be appropriated to the aid or support of the said medical school, and that this board will assume no pecu- niary responsibilities whatever in its behalf.

. "'3d. That qualification for degrees should be equal to those required by the most respectable medical schools in the United States.

" ' 4th. That no student shall be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medicine under the age of twenty-one.

"' 5th. That no person shall be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medicine except Bachelors of Arts, or such as shall be found, on examination, to be adequately acquainted with classical literature and the liberal sciences. And that the said examination shall be conducted in the manner hereafter to be prescribed by this board.

"' 6th. That the entire supervision and control of the medical school in all respects and for all purposes, together with the power of discontinuing the same, do rest in this board, and shall be exercised agreeably to the charter and for the best interests of the university and of the common- wealth.'

" Two days after this a paper faculty was made, of which the world has heard nothing from that day to this.

" In 1849, Charles Caldwell, M.D., long a distinguished teacher in Transylvania University, and the conceded founder of the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, having had his chair destroyed at Louisville by the trustees, in high dudgeon came down to Nashville to es- tablish a rival of Louisville here. He got an audience, made a speech, a committee was appointed to raise funds, which has not yet reported progress. The professor returned to Louisville, and so little interest did the newspapers of the city take in the matter that the one I took, the Banner, had to be paid for mentioning the matter in its news- columns, as is evidenced by the notice having a star at the end of it.

" In September, 1850, the name of J. Berrien Lindsley was left on my office slate. I had never seen him. The next day he called while I was in. We had a long conver- sation upon medical men and medical schools. He was born and reared in a university, with the lofty ideas of his distinguished father. We were both full of medical schools, and rather anxious that a medical school should be partially full of us. By him I was introduced to kindred spirits. We had frequent meetings at my office. All were enthusiastic. The club consisted of Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley, Drs. A. H. Buchanan, Robert Porter, Charles K. Winston, John M. Wasson, and myself. The various members conceded to me a higher knowledge of medical men and medical mat- ters than I deserved. By their unanimous solicitation I drew up the speech to the trustees, asking for such powers as astonished university men, and which, if conceded, would reverse the president's grand idea of a medical school's utter dependence upon the parent institution,-an indefi- nite babyhood, or such, alas ! as is too often extinguished by the sacred but dark waters of the Ganges. Andrew Ewing read the speech to the board, and the powers were granted. I drew up the articles of confederation and elab- orated a government. Each was acceptable to the club and ratified by the board, and the names mentioned above as those of our medical club-the board of trustees of the University of Nashville-organized into a medical faculty. None of them had any experience save as office-teachers, but all had enthusiasm, energy, and unfaltering determina- tion of purpose. It seems but yesterday, yet one-half of them have passed away like a dream."

It appears that the main features of the plan upon which the medical college was organized were suggested by Dr. Bowling in a letter addressed to Dr. W. A. Cheatham, late superintendent of the Tennessee Hospital for the Insane, written from Logan Co., Ky., where Dr. Bowling then re- sided, under date of March 5, 1848. We are permitted to copy the letter, as follows :

" AT HOME, March 5, 1848.

" DEAR DOCTOR, -I have determined upon a short series of letters to you with a view of unfolding the elements of an enterprise which have long occupied a prominent position in my cogitations. My reflections upon that subject are thoroughly digested, and the conclusions to which they di- rect me I know to be sound.

". . . Thirty years ago a few physicians at Lexington de-

* See special biography.

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termined upon a modified schol. Dany a man possessing uncommon force of a raster, put the bill in motion, and when everybody kar it would fall it succeeded without the >5,htest difficulty. The 6.st & hool in a place. wher- ever instituted, has succeeded. . . .

" When medical schools have failed they have invariably I. n nec schools, reared up in open opposition to an existing one in the same place. . . . In the whole history of nault- cuer in the South and West there never was an favorable a period to insure the success of one as now at the proper point. . . . Louisville ruined Lexington because it became, in a profession! sebe, a ligature non her arters of nutri- tim. The students of the South touched Loustille first and see ho thed. A school south of Louisville will cut off her supplies in The 'aun .r."

In other letters of this series, sull in un parcosion of Dr. "warham, the plan of a medical sela His father Ab- orsted. In the pan two bading ideas are i .s prominent. ". Ist. The faculty must be chiefly of .. .. de phoi- ciuns. Home influence of every importan . 5 1 genius, and learning in medicine cannot take o ed against joeal and partisan opposition

"2d The school must be an attache of the university, to secure the influence of its mane at home, and that of its trees abrad."

It appears from a diary kopat by Dr. J. Berrien Lindsky that he began to move in the matter Oct. 22. 1849. on which d'y he called ou Dr. Caldwell, who was h. Kactivine, at- + rating to organize a medical faculty ar ! establi h a school. In His scheme Drs. Winston and Buchanan took an active part. They applied to Dr. J. Bention Lindel. y to take the chair of chemistry. Nothing Resulted from this .fort. Dr. Lind ley spent the en-ai_ winter in visiting the medical schools of Louisville, Now \ Ik, and others On his return in the spring he had free consultations bi , Por Charles K. Winston concerning a plan of a me !:... >chest as an integral part of the tardive ty Pr. Winston tady seconded the plan. The diary says: " Ar : 39, 1850. -Opened my medical project to R. J. Meigs. . . f the trustees of the University of Nashville). Potty they at it after this." From the 2d to the 28th of September, Dr. Jind-ley was constantly engaged in working up an interest :u.d in forming the medical club, which was soon after by the power vested in the trustees of the university, converted into the medical faculty.

The following is the speech of Dr. Bowling, real to the titistees by the Hon. E. H. Ewing:

". TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NASHVILLE UNIVERSITY : " We have no hesitation in both ving that the popular voice here is in favor of a medical school. Many attempts have heretofore been made in vain to meet the expectations of the public upon the subject. The great dificulty in the way of this enterprise, as is shown by its history ronning there's a period of fifteen years, has been motors to put it in successful operation. We propose to supply this desider- *um from our privat . .... and to ob ane: the result for reimbursement. W. ack of you, goat's ny a, only a recogni- tion and the look of your college buildings for the p. hol of

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twenty years. We wish to have the sale management of the de aves at outserves :

". First -- because experience and the lastory of similar invitations show that this power is -det with those most deeply interested : and

"Neally -Become this will be an enterprise in which we will have invested no meonsiderable amount of n wy, and would, on that account, desire to be untrammebd in the management of it.

" We herewith caldet the em itation which, in the event of our preognition, is to regulate the inten datfaire of the Apartment, and which will more clearly illu-true our plan of a medical . ....

" We ask if our pay wave be favor Nig no ived with a vier on your part i will iseare a- sommet molestation ly your successors in the passion of the tradings and the podeser dog which you will peter apon us.

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termined upon a medical school. Dudley, a man possessing uncommon force of character, put the ball in motion, and when everybody knew it would fail it succeeded without the slightest difficulty. The first school in a place, wher- ever instituted, has succeeded. . . .

" When medical schools have failed they have invariably been new schools, reared up in open opposition to an existing one in the same place. . . . In the whole history of medi- cine in the South and West there never was so favorable a period to insure the success of one as now at the proper point. . . . Louisville ruined Lexington because it became, in a professional sense, a ligature upon her artery of nutri- tion. The students of the South touched Louisville first and were booked. A school south of Louisville will cut off her supplies in like manner."

In other letters of this series, still in the possession of Dr. Cheatham, the plan of a medical school is further elab- orated. In the plan two leading ideas are kept prominent.

" 1st. The faculty must be chiefly of Nashville physi- cians. Home influence of every importance, for even talent, genius, and learning in medicine cannot make head against local and partisan opposition.

" 2d. The school must be an attache of the university, to secure the influence of its name at home and that of its éleves abroad."

It appears from a diary kept by Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley* that he began to move in the matter Oct. 22, 1849, on which day he called on Dr. Caldwell, who was in Nashville, at- tempting to organize a medical faculty and establish a school. In this scheme Drs. Winston and Buchanan took an active part. They applied to Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley to take the chair of chemistry. Nothing resulted from this effort. Dr. Lindsley spent the ensuing winter in visiting the medical schools of Louisville, New York, and others. On his return in the spring he had free consultations with Dr. Charles K. Winston concerning a plan of a medical school as an integral part of the university. Dr. Winston fully seconded the plan. The diary says : " Aug. 30, 1850. -Opened my medical project to R. J. Meigs (one of the trustees of the University of Nashville). Pretty busy at it after this." From the 2d to the 28th of September, Dr. Lindsley was constantly engaged in working up an interest and in forming the medical club, which was soon after, by the power vested in the trustees of the university, converted into the medical faculty.

The following is the speech of Dr. Bowling, read to the trustees by the Hon. E. H. Ewing:

"TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NASHVILLE UNIVERSITY : " We have no hesitation in believing that the popular voice here is in favor of a medical school. Many attempts have heretofore been made in vain to meet the expectations of the public upon the subject. The great difficulty in the way of this enterprise, as is shown by its history running through a period of fifteen years, has been means to put it in successful operation. We propose to supply this desider- atum from our private resources, and to chance the result for reimbursement. We ask of you, gentlemen, only a recogni- tion and the loan of your college buildings for the period of

twenty years. We wish to have the sole management of the department ourselves :

"First .- Because experience and the history of similar institutions show that this power is safest with those most deeply interested ; and

"Secondly .- Because this will be an enterprise in which we will have invested no inconsiderable amount of money, and would, on that account, desire to be untrammeled in the management of it.

" We herewith exhibit the constitution which, in the event of our recognition, is to regulate the internal affairs of the department, and which will more clearly illustrate our plan of a medical college.

" We ask, if our proposition be favorably received, such action on your part as will insure us against molestation by your successors in the possession of the buildings and the professorships which you will confer upon us.

" The history of the medical colleges in America is but the history of broils and difficulties. Most of these we are firmly persuaded are legitimately referable to the fact that in nearly all of them the tenure of the professorship is ex- clusively dependent on the caprice of the trustees in the first place, and in the second to the fact that the professor has no pecuniary interest separate and apart from his fees in the institution. In this organization the professors are stimulated to exertion by the length of their lease, and by the great sweetener of labor,-the hope of reward. They will feel that the fruition for which they so zealously toil will not be stricken untasted from the lips and conferred by capricious taskmasters on new favorites, and that the adage 'One shall sow and another reap' shall not be the bit- ter end of their labors. They will have money invested in the enterprise, and that prudence incident to the ordinary affairs of man will suggest the energy necessary to make the investment profitable. Some of them have grown gray in the toils of the profession which they now propose to teach, and whatever of reputation has accrued to them from a life of labor and self-denial they also invest in this enter- prise. Others, younger, bind the bright hopes of a sunny future firmly to the destinies of this effort.

" We prefer no claims superior to those of our co-laborers in an arduous and responsible profession. We propose to do what we believe ought to be done, and what public senti- ment demands, to establish a medical college in Nashville. We contend that it is the sublimity of human folly for medical men to sit idly prating about the necessity of ele- vating the standard of medical literature, and that the mul- tiplication of medical colleges tends to depress it, when daily observation demonstrates that precisely in proportion as regularly educated medical gentlemen decline the labor of teaching, and of thus multiplying regular physicians, audacious empiricism organizes hot-beds for generating its swaggering offspring.

" Nashville, the great political and mercantile emporium of the State, has contented itself with a medical college on paper for fifteen years, during which long period it has not added a single member to the regular profession, and the result of this medical paralysis is that two empirical colleges in the State are now in successful operation.t This is ele-

* Sce special biography.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

vating the standard of medicine with a vengeance. It is infinitely more sensible for qualified medical men to struggle energetically to supply the demands of the public for phy- sicians than by ' masterly inactivity' to permit empiricism to do it for them. The people everywhere manifest a de- cided preference for regular physicians, if they can procure them, and whenever, and not before, the supply equals the demand, empiricism perishes. The number of medical col- leges cannot be limited by the power of trustees of univer- sities in a republic. There is a higher resort which has always been found available, the State Legislature, and medical colleges will be multiplied by statutory provision, irrespective of the wishes or the peculiar views of trustees of universities, and a large majority of medical colleges in the United States at this hour exist on that basis. The argument, therefore, that universities ought not to mul- tiply medical departments because there are already enough for a healthy condition of medical science utterly fails, inasmuch as a constant successful demand upon Leg- islatures for additional charters demonstrates that in the estimation of the people there are not enough ; and when the people and the doctors are at issue, it does not require the wisdom of a Solomon to foresee which party will triumph.

" Is it contended that there is not medical talent enough in this, the metropolis of a great State, to teach the healing art ? We reply, it is to just such talent that the health and lives of the chivalrous people of Tennessee are entrusted.

" Is it contended that greater advantages can be secured to the medical student in the great transmontane institu- tions ? We reply that they will remain open to such as have means or inclination to patronize them.

" All we ask is the privilege of teaching such as are willing to be taught at home, and by us, and we have no fears of the result.

" We ask of the university extraordinary powers,-the entire control of our own department for a term of years. We render to the university in return extraordinary ad- vantages,-making ourselves liable to heavy expenses for the sake of starting this department, when it is quite un- certain whether our success will pay for our venture. For the time being we serve as active interested agents of the university in procuring funds to erect additional buildings needed by the department, and in getting up a medical library and museum, all of which will be the absolute prop- erty of the university when this agreement ceascs.

" We respectfully solicit your early action in this matter, with the assurance that, whatever that action may be, we shall continue to maintain the conviction of your wise, pru- dent, and patriotic intentions.

" JOHN M. WATSON, M.D. " W. K. BOWLING, M.D.

" ROBERT M. PORTER, M.D. " A. H. BUCHANAN, M.D. " CHARLES K. WINSTON, M.D.

" J. BERRIEN LINDSLEY, M.D.

" NASHVILLE, Sept. 28, 1850."

Immediately after the reading a committee composed of Dr. Felix Robertson, Messrs. Washington, Williams, Bass,

and Meigs, was appointed to confer with the above medical gentlemen freely and fully and report at the next meeting of the board. Accordingly, at the next meeting, the com- mittee report that " the committee to whom was referred the proposition for the establishment of a medical depart- ment of the University of Nashville, as contained in the plan and memorial submitted to this board by Messrs. W. K. Bowling, Robert M. Porter, Charles K. Winston, John M. Watson, John B. Lindsley and A. H. Buchanan, beg leave to report that the plan on which said department is proposed to be organized and conducted, and the known character and ability of those who propose to embark in the enterprise, give to the public and this board the strongest hope of success, and that it is the duty of the board to give to said department the use of what is called the new college building, etc., . . . . for the term of twenty-two years, as proposed in said memorial, and that a committee be ap- pointed on the part of this board to prepare articles of agree- ment, to be executed by the proper officers of this board on our part, setting forth the terms on which the grant or lease is proposed to be made and said department estab- lished.

" Signed, " FELIX ROBERTSON,

" THOMAS WASHINGTON,

" WILL. WILLIAMS, " R. J. MEIGS, " JOHN M. BASS.

" OCT. 11, 1850."

Agreeably to this report, it was on motion of John M. Bass,

Resolved, That a medical department be established in connection with the university, . . . and that a com- mittee be appointed to draw the articles of agreement be- tween the university and the professsors in the medical de- partment thus created, etc." Messrs. Ewing, Meigs, and Bass were appointed on said committee.

The board then procceded to an election of professors in the Medical Department in the University of Nashville, when the following gentlemen were unanimously clected to fill the chairs, viz. : John M. Watson, M.D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children ; A. II. Buchanan, M.D., Surgery ; W. K. Bowling, M.D., Institutes and Practice of Medicine; C. K. Winston, M.D., Materia Medica and Pharmacy ; Robert M. Porter, M D., Anatomy and Physi- ology ; J. Berrien Lindsley, M.D., Chemistry and Pharmacy.

At the next meeting, Friday, Oct. 18, 1850, on motion, it was

"Resolved, That the committee appointed at the last meet- ing-viz., Messrs. Ewing, Meigs, and Bass-be authorized to conclude a contract with the professors of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, and that any agreement which they in their discretion might enter into with said professors should be binding on this board."

The indenture between the university and the professors in the newly-created medical department, signed by the com- mittee of the board of trustees, Ewing, Meigs, and Bass, on the part of the university, and by the newly-created professors on the part of the medical department, says that the latter "shall peaceably and quietly have, hold, and

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occupy, possess and enjoy the said piece or parcel of ground and premises hereby devised, with all its appurtenances, for and during the said term of twenty-two years, hereby granted without any lawful let, trouble, denial, or inter- ruption of or by the said University of Nashville, or any person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim by, from, or under the same." To the aforesaid professors is further- more granted the power " in case of vacancies in any of said professorships to nominate successors, and the right and power of changing, abolishing, or vacating professorships and right and power of conducting all the affairs of the de- partment as fully as the trustees themselves, free from inter- ference of said trustees during the term aforesaid."

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 75

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013