Jefferson Medical College - Clinic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Else Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia A Brief History BJ' J. W. Holland, Dean In the first quarter of this century certain physicians Camong whom may be mentioned Dr. W. P. C. Bartonj, ambitious to teach medicine. had made unsuccessful attempts to secure from the Legislature a charter for a second medical school in Philadelphia. It was such a reproach to any graduate of the existing school that he should endeavor to set up a rival to his flflllll Hlllfltl' that few had the audacity to try it. Social influence proved strong enough either to nip such enter- prises in the bud or to blight them before the Legislature. Seven years after Barton's abortive attempt, Dr. George McClellan, a man of restless energy, fertile in expedients, determined if possible to organize a medical school under the authority of some literary college already chartered by the State. On June zd, I824, in company with Drs. John Eherle, Joseph Klapp and Jacob Green, he sent a communication to the Trustees of Jefferson College, then situated at Canonsburg, VVashington County, Pa., pro- posing a plan for a medical department at Philadelphia. in which these four should be part of the faculty. The Trustees adopted the suggestion, and established a medical facility of six chairs in the city of Philadelphia as a constituent part of Jefferson College, under the name of the ,leFfcrson Medical College. In the winter of 1825-26 an enlargement of their charter was obtained. which authorized them to appoint ten additional Trustees in the city of Philadelphia. Rev. Ashbel Green, D.D., who was possessed both of influence and learning, wise in council, and of great decision of character. at one time President of Princeton College, was appointed chairman of the additional trustees, and held office until his death, in May. 1848. In 20

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1826 an act of the Legislature enlarged the charter, giving the right to grant the medical degree. Two years after, the Philadelphia Board was authorized to have almost entire management of the affairs of the medical college, the parent Board retaining the right to reverse the proceedings when, in their judgment, the interest of the college required this action. This relationship survived until the winter of 1837-38, when it terminated hy the medical college obtaining a separate charter. In organizing the first faculty, Dr. Joseph Klapp resigned, and in 1825 the chairs were filled as follows: John Eberle, M.D.,iTheory and Practice of Medicineg B. Rush Rhees, M.D., Materia Medica and In- stitutes, Jacob Green, Chemistry, Nathan R. Smith, M.D., Anatomyg Francis S. Beattie, M.D., Midwifery, George McClellan, M.D., Surgery. Having no endowment wherewith to build, they rented the old Tivoli Theatre, now 518 Locust street, altered its interior to suit their pur- pose, and announced a course of lectures for the winter of 1825-26. The first class numbered one hundred and seven, and the degree was con- ferred upon twenty in May by a writ of mandamus obtained from court, as the charter of the college at Canonsburg had not yet been amended so as to enable it to confer the medical degree. In the summer of 1826 Dr. NV. P. C. Barton was appointed to a new chair of materia medica. Litigation and discord between two of the professors affected unfavorably the class of 1826-27. The old theatre building proving entirely inadequate, a member of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Ezra Styles Ely, D.D.. offered to advance the money to erect a suitable building, the College to take a lease upon it for five years. This building was constructed upon a lot situated on Tenth street, between what are now called Sansom and Moravian streets. By August, 1828, it was ready for the tenant, which has been in continuous possession ever since. The chair of midwifery having been declared vacant, Dr. John Barnes was appointed lecturer IW flvlllmrc for one session, and in April, 1827, he was elected professor. At the opening of the session of 1827- 28, Dr. N. R. Smith resigned tl1e chair of anatomy. The juncture was critical, but Dr. George McClellan undertook the course on anatomy as well as his own on surgery. The Trustees being dissatisfied with the teaching in midwifery, on June 19th, 1828, all the chairs were vacated and on the 26th of the same month the faculty was reconstructed as fol- lows: Surgery, George McClellan, M.D.: Medicine, John Eberle, M.D.g Materia Medica, W. P. C. Barton, M.D., Institutes,'B. Rush Rhees, M.D.g Chemistry, Jacob Green, M.D. As the chairs of -midwifery and anatomy were vacant, Dr. Eberle took the extra work in midwifery, and anatomy was taught by Dr. George McClellan, assisted by the demonstrator, Dr. Samuel McClellan. 2I I