Jefferson Medical College - Clinic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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easy flow and grace of his discourses. In his thirty years of medical teaching this Father of American Physiologyn signed his name to at least five thousand medical diplomas. The chair of institutes. was next occupied 'by J. Aitken Meigs, M.D., a physician and anthropologist of repute. In 1870 the alumni formed an association to promote the interests of the College and medical education. In 1872, Hon. J. R. Burden became President and Dr, I. M. DaCosta received the appointment of Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine, 'made vacant by the demise of Dr. Samuel Henry Dickson. During the fourteen years of Dr. Dickson's connection with the College his courtesy and refinement had made him agreeable to all, while his students reaped the advantage of his wisdom and ripe experience. At this time the hospital and dispensary of the College were treating annually about six thousand free patients, with one thousand surgical operations, in quarters wholly inadequate. At the session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1873, April Qth. an act was passed for the endowment of a new College Hospital, by which the stun of one hundred thousand dollars was appropriated to the Trustees of the Jeiterson Medical College. To the same purpose large private subscriptions were made bythe alumni and others. There was much anxious deliberation on the proposition of removal to a more roomy neighborhood. The present central location was considered most convenient to the patients who were the material for the clinics. A spacious lot near by was purchased for the new hospital. At the same time measures were taken to enlarge and improvethe College buildings, to add a new front and to equip new laboratories. The hos- pital was formally opened September I7tll, 1877, at which time it had cost 'for building and furnishing: For two lots of ground .......... ............... S 53,000 oo For building, heating, plnimlbing, architect, etc... I24.QIQ 83 For outfit, bedding, furniture, etc ........ ....... 8 ,ooo 00 3185.919 83 It was found that mlore money was needed from the State, and after petition, an act appropriating an additional one hundred thousand dol- lars was passed and approved by the Governor, June 17th. 1878. This sum was paid in instalments of ten thousand dollars'each. To en- courage contributions to the endowment fund, the Trustees offered to establish and support one free bed on the donation of five thousand dol- lars, or the annual payment of three hundred dollars. By this authority a perpetual charity became the memorial of various donors, 27

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associates who had given so much lustre to the history of the College. Famous as a scholar, eloquent lecturer and writer on obstetrical sub- jects, he was at home in the arts of painting and modeling, which he used with great dexterity to illustrate his lectures. At his resignation the faculty made a minute which said in part that they parted from him with intense and enduring regret. Never could anyone have more closely applied himself to the execution of the responsible duties that have devolved upon him. In 1864 the chair of chemistry lost its occupant, Dr. Franklin Bache, the great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, best known as one of the authors of VVood and Bache's United States Dispensatoryf' His eulogist, Dr. George B. Wood, considered him an extraordinary man, who worked diligently and thus did much for tl1e public good- -presenting to the young n1en an example of all that is morally excellent, lovely and of good report in mankind. He was succeeded by B. Howard Rand, M.D., a practiced lecturer 011 chemistry in different medical institutions. After eight years of his connection with the College Dr. Thomas D. Mitchell died in 1865. In his endeavors for the well-being and the instruction of the students he acted conscientiously and harmoniously with his colleagues, who held him in high esteem. His successor in the chair of materia medica was John B. Biddle, M.D., an accomplished lecturer who had won popularity as professor of that branch in the Pennsylvania Medical College. In the session of 1866-67 the clinical opportunities were much en- larged by the establishment of a daily clinic, the medical cases being allotted to the skillful consideration' of Dr. J. M. DaiCosta as lecturer on clinical medicine. In tl1e same year more extended facilities for learning the specialties of medicine and surgery were provided in a summer course. The work of the faculty was supplemented by Drs. W. H. Pancoast, S. W. Gross, J. Aitken Meigs, R. J. Levis and F. F. Maury. Ill the following year this list was augmented by the names of Drs. J, H. Brinton and W. VV. Keen. ' After filling for twenty-tive years the chair of institutes of medicine and for fourteen the ollice of Dean, in 1868 Dr. Robley Dunglison was compelled to resign by the ill-health wl1icl1 in the next year caused his death. The Trustees accepted his resignation with expressions of re- gret and elected him 0lllf.'l'il'lls prufe.wn'. In him was a rare combina- tio11 of varied culture and vast erudition, made useful by an industry which produced the best medical dictionary of its day, copious con- tributions to journalism and text-books on physiology, hygiene, materia medica and the 'practice of medicine. The honors awarded him at home and abroad gave him a prestige that lent impressiveness to the 26

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such as I. V. Williamson, Henry C. Lea, Thomas A. Scott, Asa Packer, A. Whitney and A. J. Drexel. On the 27th of November, 1878. provision was made for the crea- tion ofa pathological museum in connection with the hospital. A col- lection of wet preparations, casts and wax models was soon made and arranged under the direction of the curator, Dr. Morris Longstreth. After a service of more than a third of a century, full of years and honors, in 1874. Dr. Joseph Pancoast resigned the chair of anatomy and was made 1n'of1'.-4.wn' 1-nwrilllx. The vacant appointment was given to his son, Dr. NVilliam Pancoast, who as his demonstrator and adjunct had enjoyed his tutelage, acted as his substitute and carried the prestige of his name. Dr. Joseph Pancoast's greatest distinction was won as surgical clinician. Hisi anatomical lectures were made rich in practical information by his faculty of looking at the dry bones and other anatomical details as things highly interesting to the surgeon, from their relation to various surgical maladies. Among the great surgeons who played their parts in the history of the institution he had been a most conspicuous figure. On the death of President J. R. Burden, in 1877, the Board of Trustees elected E. B. Gardette as his successor. The failing health of Dr. Rand Cwho was a iman of marked character though not brilliantj having necessitated his resignation. Dr. Robert E. Rogers, the new appointee, brought to the vacant chair an accession of strength by his twenty-five years of experience and reputa- tion as professor of chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania. In this year the new hospital was completed and in operation. Fronting on Sansom street, it was bounded on three sides by streets and on the fourth side by a wide passageway. It was 107 feet square, five stories in height and could easily accommodate 125 patients. Much valuable material for clinical instruction was obtained from the out-door department. The amphitheatre provided for operations and lectures seated more than 600 spectators. The most approved appli- anees for heating and ventilation were provided. and in fact the con- struction represented the best knowledge of the time. The clinical lectures were delivered daily. in the fall and winter by the faculty, in the sunnner by the hospital staff, which was constituted as follows: Surgeons JOHN H. BRINTON, M.D., S. W. Gnoss, M.D., F. F. ATAURY, M.D., R. J. Levis, M.D. Ophthalmic Surgeon WILLIAM THOMSON, M.D. 28