A history of the Medical department of the University of Pennsylvania : from its foundation in 1765

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Preface

The author of this History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania was appointed to deliver the opening lecture of the course of 1865, on the occasion of the centenary anniversary. That lecture, delivered at the request of the Faculty, consisted of a succinct statement of events preceding, and of the circumstances connected with, the foundation of the Medical School, with an exposition of the character and labors of the individuals who were prominent in the enterprise of transferring medical education from the Old World to the New, and who by their learning, talents, and energy contributed to its success. It was written for public delivery, and was by no means a complete history of the Medical Department of the University.

Although urged to the publication of that lecture, the author conceived that a more extended account should be given of the origin and progress of the School, and that a fuller notice should be presented of the lives of the eminent men who, by establishing its reputation and extending its usefulness, were identified with its history. A considerable amount of materials had been collected to accomplish this object, but the entire field of research had not been exhausted, and many sources of information still remained available. In the intervals of leisure since the period referred to, the author has been steadily employed in collecting

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all tlie materials necessary for the extended history that is now placed before the medical public.

It is proper to state that a brief account of the Medical School has been in print for many years, prepared originally by Professor Wood as a valedictory discourse to the class of 1836. This was subsequently printed in connection with the catalogue of the graduates. Another notice of the Medical Department, by the same author, is contained in a General History of the College and University published in the third volume of the " Transactions of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania;" these have been employed for comparison and verification of impressions derived from original authorities.

The main sources from which the author has derived his materials are the Minutes of the Board of Trustees and those of the Medical Faculty. The former are entire from the foundation of the Academy and College; while the latter date from 1800. He has also consulted the Minutes of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and of the Philosophical Society, and the manuscript documents preserved in the Historical Society, as well as the public papers, more particularly the " Pennsylvania Gazette" and the " Pennsylvania Journal." To these may be added numerous original letters in his own possession. He is largely indebted to biographies — many of them extremely rare — of the Professors who, at different epochs, have been connected with the University, and to the pamphlets and documents contained in the Philadelphia Library, as well as in the libraries of the Philosophical and the Historical Societies, and more especially in that of the Pennsylvania Hospital, which is rich not only in medical science, but in medical history.

Eeference has been made to every source from which information is derived. There are, moreover, several mooted points discussed in the progress of the history which the

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author lias endeavored to place in their correct light; in doing which it seemed just that the authority upon which statements are made should be open for examination.

In the publication of the work, great pleasure is taken in acknowledging the obligation the author is under to his friend, Dr. La Eoche, for assistance with the revision, and for many valuable suggestions that have been adopted.

The work has occupied much time in its preparation, and entailed a large amount of labor, ample recompense for which will be received should it subserve the design for which it has been written — namely, to communicate to his fellowalumni all the information he has been able to gather with respect to the history of their Alma Mater.

Chapter I. Page

Introduction 17

Chapter II

The first physicians of Pennsylvania — Their education abroad — Their professional and public influence — The succeeding generation of medical men, and their education at home and abroad — Their character and labors — The institution of the American Philosophical Society, and of the Pennsylvania Hospital . . . . .26

Chapter III

Commencement of medical teaching in America — Dr. Cadwalader's lectures on anatomy in Philadelphia — Dr. Hunter's lectures at Newport — Dr. Shippen, Jr., opens an anatomical school — Dr. Fothergiirs contributions for teaching anatomy — Dr. John Morgan, his education and early labors — Dr. Shippen' s education and studies — Dr. Morgan submits his plan of a medical school to the trustees of the college 39

Chapter IV

Foundation of the College of Philadelphia — Application of Dr. Morgan — His appointment to the professorship of theory and practice of physic — His public discourse — Dr. Shippen appointed Professor of Anatomy and Surgery — Organization of the medical department — Dr. Bond delivers clinical lectures in the Pennsylvania Hospital — Rules for the government of the medical department of the College — Dr. Wm. Smith's lectures on natural and experimental philosophy . 52

CHAPTER Y.

Dr. Adam Kuhn ; education and appointment to the professorship of botany and materia medica — Fees of the college — Degree of Br.chelor of Medicine conferred in 1768 — Degree of Doctor of Medicine

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conferred in New York in 1769 — Commencement exercises of tlie college on the occasion of conferring the degree of M. B. — Dr. Benjamin Rush ; his education and correspondence while in Europe ; appointment to the professorship of chemistry — First faculty of medicine organized — Commencement of 1771 64

Chapter VI

Connection between the medical department of the College of Philadelphia and that of the University of Edinburgh — Sketch of the origin of the Edinburgh school and of its position in 1768 — Dr. Cullen 77

Chapter VII

Effect of the American Revolution upon the College of Philadelphia — Abrogation of its charter and the establishment of the University of the State of Pennsylvania — Restoration of the charter and privileges to the college — Union of the two institutions under the name of University of Pennsylvania 86

Chapter VIII

Death of Dr. Hutchinson — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Woodhouse to the professorship of chemistry — Resignation of Dr. Griffitts — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Barton to the chair of materia medica — Resignation of Dr. Kuhn and election of Dr. Rush to the chair of practice — Creation of the chair of surgery and election of Dr. Physick, professor — First recognition of the ad eundem footing. Petition to the legislature with respect to irregular practitioners — Death of Dr. Shippen and election of Dr. Wistar — Death of Dr. Woodhouse and sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Coxe to the chair of chemistry — Opinion of the faculty with respect to chemistry

Chapter IX

Separation of Obstetrics from the Chair of Anatomy — Estimation of this branch in Europe, and its elevation to an equal position with other branches of the Medical Schools— Dr. Shippen's endeavors to improve its condition in America — Election of Dr. James to the Chair of Obstetrics in the University of Pennsylvania — The tardy admission of the subject to an equality with others — Mode of examining for degrees — New By-Laws for the regulation of the Medical Department — Rules for graduation 110

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Chapter X. Page

Death of Dr. Rush — His services to the Medical School and his doctrines — Election of Dr. Barton to the Chair of Practice, and of Dr. Chapman to that of Materia Medica — Death of Dr. Barton — Sketch of his life and labors as a teacher and naturalist — Election of Dr. Chapman to the Professorship of Practice, and of Dr. Dorsey to that of Materia Medica 120

Chapter XI

A Faculty of Natural Sciences organized by the Board of Trustees. Death of Dr. Wistar — Sketch of his life and services to the University — Anatomical Museum — Dr. Dorsey succeeds Dr. Wistar — Death of Dr. Dorsey — Sketch of his life — Transfer of Dr. Physick to the Chair of Anatomy — Election of Dr. Gibson to the Chair of Surgery — Dr. Horner appointed Adjunct Professor of Anatomy . . . 134

Chapter XII

Degrees in Pharmacy — Foundation of six studentships in the Medical Department — Appointment of Dr. Dewees Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Women and Children — Settlement of the ad eundem footing of other Schools of Medicine — Application for the transfer of the Botanical Professorship to the Medical Faculty — Appointment of Dr. Samuel Jackson as an Assistant to the Professor of Practice, &c., to teach the Institutes of Medicine — Resignation of Dr. Physick ; sketch of his life and services — Election of Dr. Horner to the Chair of Anatomy 145

Chapter XIII

Resignation of Dr. James — Sketch of his life — Dr. Dewees elected Professor of Obstetrics — Retirement of Dr. Coxe from the Chair of Materia Medica — Sketch of his life — Restitution of the Chair of Institutes — Election of Dr. .Jackson to it — Election of Dr. Wood to the Professorship of Materia Medica and Pharmacy — Resignation of Dr. Dewees and election of Dr. Hodge — Sketch of the life of Dr. Dewees — Faculty as organized in 1835 ' 154

Chapter XIV

Resignation of Dr. Hare — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. James B. Rogers to the Chair of Chemistry — Change in the lecture term — Resignation of Dr. Chapman — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Wood to the Chair of Practice, and of Dr. Carson to that of Materia Medica and Pharmacy 165

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CHAPTEE XV.

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Death of Dr. James B. Kogers — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Eobert E. Rogers to the Chair of Chemistry — Death of Dr. Horner — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. Leidy to the Chair of Anatomy — • Resignation of Dr. Gibson, Sketch of his Life — Election of Dr. Henry H. Smith to the Professorship of Surgery — Resignation of Dr. Wood — Election of Dr. Pepper to the Chair of Practice — Resignation of Dr. Jackson and of Dr. Hodge — Election of Dr. F. Q. Smith to the Chair of Institutes, and of Dr. Penrose to that of Obstetrics — Resignation of Dr. Pepper and his decease — Sketch of his life — Election of Dr. A. Stille to the Chair of Practice — Supplementary Course of Lectures 180

CHAPTER XVI. Clinical instruction 192

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