University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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If!!- 1916 QIDtk5 anti Qlutls 7 If?! of his medical studies he displayed the utmost brilliancy, and his success was never in doubt. After a year in medicine at the University, he entered the University of the City of New York, whence he was graduated with honors in 1876 with the degree of M. D. Thereafter he settled in Richmond, where he has ever since made his home. His rise was extremely rapid. From the first he showed a natural aptitude for surgery, and in 1879 he performed the first operation in Virginia under listerism, the beginning of antiseptic surgery in the South. His great success in operations for appendicitis, then a difhcult and very dangerous operation, soon spread his reputation beyond the bounds of the State. Later he invented the operation for iiHoating kidneys, and at the age of thirtyvhve he was already known as one of the first surgeons in the South. But it is for his work of a constructive and permanent character that Dr. Johnston is now principally known, and in this direction he has accomplished much of high value to the advancement of medical science in the South. As professor in the Medical College of Virginia, 1893-1914, and as principal director of its councils, he has been the prime factor in the notable development of that institution. From a small, struggling, poorly equipped school, he has transformed it into a powerful institution with adequate equipment, and a secure reputation. By his personal efforts the magnificent Memorial Hospital was constructed, so as to provide clinical facilities which should be under the cong trol of the college, he himself having promoted the scheme and procured the bulk of the subscriptions. Finally, in 1913, he brought about the merger of the University College of Medicine with the Medical College of Virginia, the grand result being an institution in which the State may well take pride. There is no ground for the existence of jealousy between this institution and the med- ical department of the University of Virginia. There is room in the State and to spare for both. Each has its appointed task to perform, and each is perform- ing it well, and with mutual respect. Dr. Johnston,s work has received wide recognition. In addition to the degree of LL. D., and membership in a multitude of societies, he was chosen president of the American Surgical Association in 1904 and 1905, the highest honor which a surgeon can receive in the United States. He is one of the founders of the American College of Surgeons, and is also a Fellow of the International Surgical Association, having represented America in Europe on two occasions at the International Medical Congress.

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IX!- 6 antks antl Qtutls 1916 befzfgd ment in the work done in the field of practice by men like the subject of this sketch. The one is the type of the great discoverer, the worker in laboratories with microscopes and test-tubes and retorts for his companions-the theorist; the other is the type of the great healer, the active mover about in a world of suffering humanity, the applyer of the general principles of the theorist, chang ing them to suit the infinite varieties of individual paine-the man of action. Dr. George Ben Johnston was born in Tazewell County, in Southwest a Virginia, a fertile region of bluegrass and stalwart men. His family has fure nished many distinguished Virginians, his father being John Warheld Johnston, Senator from Virginia and one of the first lawyers of the State, while his mother was Miss Nicketti Buchanan Floyd, a daughter of John B. Floyd, Senator Johnston was strongly desirous of associating his son with him in his legal practice, and consequently the young man, after a preparatory educa- tion at the Abingdon Male Academy and at St. Vincent,s College, Wheeling, West Virginia, entered the University of Virginia for the session of 187273, where he was a student in the academic department for two years. During this time young Johnston became a conspicuous and very popular figure in the d for his sunny disposition, his feats of personal He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and of the Washington Literary Society. History fails to record, however, that the future surgeon,s reputation for profound or brilliant scholar- ship received any notable enhancement during this period. . The truth is that the nearer came the time for him to enter upon his legal studies, the stronger became his distaste for the prospect. All his desires lay in the direction of a medical career, but his father, the Senator, remained ine Hexible. Accordingly, after the end of his second year at the University, found settled in the office of Daniel Trigg, Esq., at Abinge Had his legal aptitude been slightly greater, these words ten, but so little was his heart in the work that he of toil his reading had covered a grand total It is not surprising that in' the face of this and agreed to his sons return to the University young Johnston is don, reading law. would never have been writ has admitted that after some weeks of eleven pages of Blackstone. result the Senator finally gave in, to study medicine. a 'n Dr. Johnston,s career. From the beginning This was the turning point 1

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QIDtk5 anti Glut'IS 1916 As prefaced at the beginning of this sketch, Dr. Johnston is the typical man of action, quick to decide upon a course of action, and uncompromising in his efforts to carry it through when he is once assured of its correctness. At the same time, he is a man of the greatest modesty and generosity, and his private hospitals have been the means of distribution of an incalculable amount of unostentatious charity. Finally, he is a man of many warm friends and tas is fitting of a few respectful antagonists. He is a son of the University of Virginia who devotedly loves his Alma Mater, and in whom his Alma Mater may proudly recognize the fruition of her nurture and care.