Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Synapsis Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY IN THE COLLEGE ANNEX DISSECTION ROOM

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SENIOR HALL IN THE MAIN COLLEGE BUILDING LABORATORY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

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HISTORY OF THE PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHY By dr. JAMES McGUIGAN ALL THINGS worth while have a history. From time immemorial, no ■A great institution has been established, no movement of recognized A V universal importance has been started and nursed from infancy to mature strength without the names oi its founders and others who were factors in its development being closely associated with it. To mention one is to suggest the other. It is fully realized that the facts, as here set forth, surrounding the establishment and early life of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy are largely chronology, and that newer and greater achievements will surely be written — accomplishments of men who will have followed the lead so ably taken by the pioneers of the profession. Like many of the large and great institutions of today, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy came into being in a very humble way. The history ot its conception dates back to early in the year 1898, when, upon a certain memorable evening, two osteopathic physicians, namely. Dr. O. J. Snyder and Dr. Mason W. Pressley, in conjunction with a Mr. Riley, assembled to discuss the necessity and desirability of establishing an Osteopathic College in the city of Philadelphia, and to lay down the plans tor its inception. Many and difficult were the problems with which they were confronted, but, their cause being worthy and just, they were inspired to formulate the necessary plans of organization and personnel for the proposed college. The work of preliminary organization entailed considerable time and labor, which they gave graciously. They wisely decided to secure the services of the best instructors procurable, and likewise, to establish the college at a central location. In due course of time, the formulation of plans having been completed, a stock company was organized and the necessary funds secured to put the proposition under way. Subsequently, the new institution was incorporated, under the laws of the state of New Jersey, as the Philadelphia College and Infirmary of Osteopathy, and was formally opened on January 27, 1899. The infant college occupied two rooms in the Stephen Girard Building, Twelth Street above Chestnut, of this city. There the first classes were held. Out of that group of students comprising the first class, the Class of 1901, have come many prominent osteopathic physicians of today. The names of Lillian Bentley, W. B. Keen, Harry Leonard, Frank B. Kann, Mary Hetzell, are but a few that come to mind. By the end of the first year it became evident that more commodious quarters must be procured. Accordingly, the College was moved to the Witherspoon Building, Juniper and Walnut Streets. Here chemical and his- tological laboratories were installed and equipped to fill the needs of the student body. In addition, more than three thousand dollars ' worth of ana- tomical equipment was purchased, in the form of manikins, charts, skeletons, etc. By means of these, Dr. Snyder hoped to make the course as practicable