University of Maryland School of Pharmacy - Terra Mariae Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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A Glinipse of O r History By Ferdinand J. S. Gorgas, A.M., M.D., D.D.S. THE HISTORY of a University becomes not only interesting but instructive, when, after an existence of almost a century, its records become a chronic le of important events and its list of Alumni contains the names of men who have occupied some of the most prominent positions in their respective professions, and who have also been honored at home and abroad for scientific achieve- ments and valuable discoveries. The history of higher education in this country extends through four periods : the first beginning with the earliest settlement and extending to the Revolution, during which time the English system of that period prevailed. The second, following that great struggle for liberty, was distinguished by the organization of professional schools in medicine, law and theology. The third, beginning about the middle of this century, was characterized by the formation of scientific schools. The fourth, embracing the present period, has for its ideal, the system upon which the English Universities are now conducted, which includes continuous effort for the maintenance of the highest standard of professional learning, and the development of the highest talent. -It was during the second of these periods that the Univer- sitv of Maryland was organized, the idea of establishing such an institution originating with Dr. John Beale Davidge as early as the year 1796, and who was instrumental in interesting in such an enter- prise Dr. Nathaniel Potter. Failing, however, to influence others in the same direction, Dr. Davidge began, about the year 1799, a private course of medical lectures, which were continued annually thereafter, and formed the nucleus of the present School of Medicine of the University of Mary- land In 1807, Drs. Davidge and Potter having associated with them Drs. James Cocke and John Shaw, delivered a more extended course of medical instruction during the Winter months, which course was interrupted for a time by the prejudice of the community against dissection, a mob demolishing a small anatomical building which b 21

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Dr. Davidge had erected near the southeast corner of Liberty and Saratoga streets, the site now occupied by the Rennert Hotel. This violent demonstration, however, had the effect of uniting the medical profession of the city in the effort to establish a Medical School, and on December i8, 1807, an act founding a Medical College in the city or precincts of Baltimore, for the instruction of students in the different branches of medicine, was passed by the Legislature of the State of Maryland. This original charter is still in force, and when it was granted Baltimore was the third city in size in the United States, having a population of 33,000, and its growth from 1790 to 18 10 far exceeded that of New York and Philadelphia. The Board of Regents at a meeting held December 28, 1807, pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, at the horse of Dr. Davidge, elected the first medical faculty as follows: George Brown, M.D., Professor of the Practice and Theory of Medicine ; John B. Davidge, M.D., and James Cocke, M.D., joint Professors of Anatomy, Physiology and Surgery ; John Shaw, M.D., Professor of Chemistry; Thomas E. Bond, M.D., Professor of Materia Medica, and William Donaldson, M.D., Professor of the Institutes of Medicine. Dr. Brown having resigned, Nathaniel Potter, M.D., was elected Professor of the Practice and Theory of Medicine. Dr. John B. Davidge was the first Dean. The lectures of the first session of the chartered institution were delivered at the houses of Professors Davidge, Cocke and Shaw, to seven students, there being no graduates at this session. Dr. Potter began his lectures in 180S. Dr. Donaldson declined to accept his appointment, but Dr. Brown continued to act as the President of the Board of Regents until the year 181 2. The second session was held in a building on the southwest corner of Fayette street and McClellan ' s Alley, and the class consisted of ten members. In 1809 the vacancies in the Chairs of Chemistry and Materia Medica were filled by the election of Elisha DeButts, M.D., and Samuel Baker, M.D., and the matriculates had increased to eighteen. During the session of 1824-5 the matriculates num- bered 320. In 1 8 10 the first public Commencement was held, and the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon five graduates. In 1812 Dr. William Gibson was elected Professor of Surgery, and Dr. Richard Wilmot Hall, Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. 23