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 ,;iftVEr.SITY OF CALrrORMA 
 LOS Ai^GELfcib
 
 T^>.
 
 H I S T RY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS 
 
 GENERAL HOSPITAL. 
 
 [To August 5, 1851.] 
 
 By N. I. BOWDITCH. 
 
 ' Ortnft . facaru . pilgrim . Ijrinfe . anb . prag . 
 JJ'or . ii)c . kinO . soul . of . S-gbil . (Greg . 
 SUfio . built . ibis . cross . ana . irfll . " 
 
 SCOTT'S MAinilON. 
 
 [Privately Printed in 1851.] 
 
 Second Edition, avith a Continuation to 1872. 
 
 Prepared bi/ Request, in a Vote of the Trustees, chi'efli/ from the Records 
 imd Atiniiol. Reports. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRINTED BY THE TRUSTEES FROM THE BOWDITCH FUND. 
 
 1872. 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, liy 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 cambkiduk: 
 press oi' john wilson anu son.
 
 BbmB 
 
 PKEFATORY NOTE TO THIS EDITION, 
 
 BY THE EDITOR. 
 
 The following is an extract from the will of the late 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch : — 
 
 "In 1851 I published for private distribution, at the cost of 
 eleven hundred dollars, a History of the Massachusetts General 
 Hosi)ital. I now give to that Corporation the copyi'ight of said 
 work and the plates prepared for it in the frontispiece and the 
 likeness of Dr. James Jackson. Also, the sum of two thousand 
 dollars, to be put at interest till another edition shall be deemed 
 desirable by the Trustees, when said sum, with its accumu- 
 lations, or such part thereof as may be needed, shall be appro- 
 priated to that object. A volume of the |)roof-sheets of this 
 work is in my possession, containing various manuscript addi- 
 tions and corrections made by me, which I should wish to have 
 incorporated in any new edition. 
 
 " It would gratify me to have my friend and classmate, 
 Edward Wigglesworth, superintend the printing of any such 
 new edition." 
 
 Mr. Bowditch's History was highly valued by the friends 
 and institutions on whom he bestowed copies, and it had an 
 especial interest for professional men and for those engaged 
 in the care and administration of Hospitals. It had become 
 difficult for many who much desired it to obtain possession of 
 the work. The Trustees were therefore concerned to procure 
 its reproduction. Mr. Edward Wigglesworth declined 
 to undertake its editorship. 
 
 676908
 
 IV PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees of the Hospital, on Nov. 17, 
 1871, the following vote was passed : — 
 
 " Voted, That our associate, Dr. George E, Ellis, be ap- 
 pointed Editor of the proposed new edition of Mr. Bowditch's 
 History of the Hospital, with a continuation by himself to this 
 time ; with full power to make such additions as he deems 
 advisable, while conforming to the terms of Mr. Bowditch's 
 will, and to contract for the printing of the same." 
 
 In executing the trust thus committed to him, the Editor 
 has had in his hands Mr. Bowditch's private copy of his 
 book, with all the changes in text and margin which he 
 desired to be introduced in a new edition. These have been 
 made with an attempt at strict carefulness in the following 
 pages. In all other respects the volume is an exact and 
 literal reproduction of Mr. Bowditch's work. 
 
 Under the proper date in the Continuation of the History, 
 requested by his associates in the government of the Hospital, 
 the Editor has sought to pay an appropriate tribute to the 
 Author, his own much esteemed friend. 
 
 The aim has been to construct that Continuation after 
 the plan of the original work. There are some entries on 
 the Hospital records, which, being of a strictly private or 
 personal nature, are not set forth in print. When next after 
 a like interval of yeai'S a third edition of this History may 
 be produced, it may be considered desirable to arrange its 
 contents in two volumes. The present Editor thought it 
 preferable to include the contents thus far within a single 
 pair of covers, though the book may be a bulky one. 
 
 The Treasurer in his last report credits the Bowdltch His- 
 tory Fund, with its accretions, at $5,561.91. 
 
 G. E. E. 
 
 Boston, July, 1872.
 
 PREFACE, 
 
 [By Mr. Bowditch.] 
 
 The MasSxVchusetts General Hospital — with its two de- 
 partments, the Hospital for the sick in Allen Street and the 
 Asylum for the Insane in Somerville — is one of the largest and 
 most important of the charitable institutions of this Common- 
 wealth. 'Superintended by officers faithful to their trust, it has 
 ever, in a high degree, enjoyed the confidence of the community, 
 and been the object of public and private munificence. A brief 
 history of this Institution, — of its small beginnings, its early 
 difficulties, and its ultimate success, — an account of what has 
 been done for it, and of what it has itself done in return, — 
 will perhaps, to its friends and benefactors at least, prove not 
 wholly devoid of interest. I have been personally connected 
 with it, in the offices of Secretary and Trustee, for twenty-five 
 years; and my father-in-law, Ebenezer Francis, Esq., was 
 one of its earliest and most active Managers. Our joint recol- 
 lection extends back through the whole period of its existence. 
 The materials for such a history were thus, to a considerable 
 extent, either already possessed by me or placed easily within 
 my reach. Their selection and arrangement have been " a labor 
 of love." 
 
 The frontispiece* is an engraving on steel, representing a 
 section of the panorama of Boston and its vicinity, taken by 
 means of a daguerreotype from the top of the State House. In 
 the foreground appears the Hospital ; at the left corner is part 
 
 * [This frontispiece is retained, tliough the erection of new buildings, the 
 filling up of flats, the extension of the Hospital grounds, and many changes 
 in the landscape, give the view an historical interest, rather than present it as 
 a representation of what now is.]
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 of the Medical College, the scene of a late fearful tragedy ; 
 and, in the background beyond the river, the hill is crowned 
 by the Asylum, a peaceful retreat, standing forth from amid the 
 foliage and shrubbery by which it is sheltered and secluded. 
 I have been permitted by the Trustees to use a separate engrav- 
 ing of the Asylum, which has for several years belonged to 
 the Corporation, The likeness of Dr. James Jackson was 
 also executed for this publication from a daguerreotype, of which 
 it is a very accurate copy, though the happiest cxpi'ession has 
 not been secured. The engraving of Dr. Wakrei!^ is from an 
 existing plate, which he kindly placed at my disposal. After the 
 volume was in the press, I learned, for the first time, that my 
 friend and co-trustee, Geokge M. Dexter, Esq., had already 
 prepared, at great labor and expense, large and elegant engrav- 
 ings of the interior and exterior of the Hospital, which, at a 
 future day, he intended to publish, with some description of the 
 estal)lishment, historical as well as architectural. Of all these 
 engravings, he, with great liberality, offered me the free iise. 
 This courtesy, however, I felt that I ought not to accept. His 
 intended publication he will, as is hoped, yet complete. Its 
 design is truly magnificent, and will not be superseded by the 
 present compilation. If, indeed, that shall be regarded as letter- 
 press worthy of accompanying his architectural illustrations, I 
 niay well be satisfied. 
 
 Tlie chapter on the Ether-discovery is very much longer than 
 I desired or expected. It contains nothing new, except pei'haps 
 the award of the French academy, and also a note showing the 
 extent to which ether is used in the Hospital. Readers of 
 tlie present generation will probably omit it entirely ; but the 
 extracts from various pamphlets which it contains, familiar as 
 tliesc now are, may hereafter be of some interest and value, when 
 time shall have rendered the originals difticult of access. The 
 short letter of Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, in page 844, presents, as 
 I conceive, in almost tlie condensed form of an algebraic equa- 
 tion, a clear, striking, and conclusive view of the merits of the 
 whole controversy. The Academy, as will be seen, accords to
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 Dr. Morto:n^ the idea, thought, or purpose (pensee) of making 
 tliis discovery, and to Dr. C. T. Jackson the fact (le fait ob- 
 serve) of the safety of the agent i;sed ; and attributes the final 
 result equally to them both, regarding the mental pre-occu- 
 pation or engrossment (preoccttpation) of the one, and the 
 observations of the other, alike indispensable. This award is 
 obviously an entire triumph of Dr. Morton over the exclusive 
 claims of his opponent, and must be to him the more gratifying, 
 inasmuch as it has been gained from a tribunal, most if not all 
 of whose members, though strangers to himself, are the scientific 
 correspondents or j^ersonal friends of Dr. Jackson. 
 
 It is due to the Institution to say, that this is in no sense 
 an official publication, but merely a private and humble con- 
 tribution in its behalf, — a slight and inadequate expression of 
 the interest felt in its welfare by one who has ever regarded as 
 among his happiest hours those which he has been privileged to 
 pass in its service. 
 
 Boston, October, 1851.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page 
 Urgent Need of Hospital. Bequest of William Phillips, 1804. Cir- 
 cular Letter, 1810. Charter, 1811. Subsequent Acts to 1851. 
 Rights under Life-insurance Charters. Grant of Province House. 
 Lease of Same for One Hundred Years, &c 1 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 1813-1817. 
 
 Organization. Trustees elected, 1813. Liberal Subsci-iptions. Pur- 
 chases of Two Estates. Deed of Asylum Estate, on Condition. 
 Defect of Title in Hospital Estate, but Claim favorably compro- 
 mised. Its greatly increased Value. Choice of Dr. James Jack- 
 son and Dr. John C. Warren as Physician and Surgeon of 
 Hospital. Lieutenant-Governor William Phillips increases his 
 Father's Gift of Five Thousand to Twenty Thousand Dollars. 
 Common Seal 15 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1818-1822. 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins, Chairman. Dr. Rufus Wyman chosen Phy- 
 sician of Asylum. Corner-stone of Hospital laid, July 4, 1818. 
 Addresses on the Occasion. Tax on Licenses asked for. Colonel 
 May, Chairman. Address by Richard Sullivan, 1819. Capuchin 
 Chapel. Death of James Prince, Treasurer. Election and 
 Death of William Cochran. Election of N. P. Russell. Death 
 of James Perkins, Vice-President. Tolls on Canal Bridge. 
 
 h
 
 X CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 Nathaniel Fletcher, Superintendent of Hospital. First Patient, 
 Sept. 8, 1821. Bequests of Thomas Oliver, Samuel Eliot, Beza 
 Tucker, &c. Donations of Horace Gray, &c. Address to 
 Public, 1822. State of Finances, &c 36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 January, 1823, to June, 1827. 
 
 Mummy from Thebes. Fifty Thousand Dollars invested in Massa- 
 chusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company. West Wing of 
 Hospital finished. Debt created. Bequest of John M'Lean, 
 over One Hundred Thousand Dollars. Legacies of Abraham 
 Touro, Eleanor Davis, &c. Death of Mr. Fletcher. Nathan 
 Gurney elected Superintendent. Gift of a Sow. Lafayette. 
 Annual Free Beds. Portraits of Benefactors. Colonel May 
 resigns. Joseph Head, Chairman. Erysipelas at Hospital. 
 Patients removed. Measures in Honor of John M'Lean. Value 
 of liis Bequest as compared with Life Insurance Charters . . . Gl 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 June, 1827, through 1832. "" 
 
 Bequest of William Phillips. Varioloid at Hospital. Domestic 
 Coffee. Donation Book. New Building at Asylum. Fire at 
 Hospital. Auditor of Accounts. Silver Spoons. Ebenezer 
 Francis, Chairman. Mr. Joy's Brick-kiln. Death of Mrs. Gur- 
 ney. Wedding at Hospital. Death of General Cobb. Dr. 
 George Ilayward chosen Junior Surgeon. Colored Patient. 
 Plank Sidewalk. Bequest of Jeremiah Belknap. Donation of 
 Joseph Lee. Lying-in Hospital. Edward Tuckerman, (Chair- 
 man. Donations of John P. Cushing and John C. (iray. Be- 
 (|uest of Isaiah Tliomas. Cholera Patients. Dr. Wyman's 
 Illness and Two Resignations. Dr. Walker's Services. ]\Iunifi- 
 cent Bequest of ISliss Mary Belknap, One Hundred Tliousand 
 Dollars. Services of Joseph Head. Portrait of ]\Ir. Belknap: 
 how ])ainted. Becpiest of Miss IMargaret Tucker. A Painted 
 Letter. Belknap Ward. Prosperous Condition of the Insti- 
 tution 80
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 1833-1837. 
 
 Paoe 
 Death of Gardiner Greene, President. Resignation of Mr. Gurney. 
 Choice of Gamaliel Bradford. Final Resignation of Dr. Wyman, 
 and Choice of Dr. Thomas G. Lee. Columbus Tyler elected 
 Steward of Asylum. Services of Mrs. Tyler. Bequest of 
 Jonathan Moseley. Portrait of Thomas Oliver. Resignation 
 of Joseph Head, President. George Bond, Chairman. Diet at 
 Hospital. Free Beds for Life. Bequest of Miss Susan 
 Richardson. Piano-forte and Billiard Table at Asylum. Trus- 
 tees' Meeting : Nobody Present. Death of Dr. Lee, and Votes 
 of Trustees. Dr. Luther V. Bell elected his Successor. Col- 
 ored Patient. Interesting Report of S. A. Eliot on occasion of 
 Non-observance of Rules and Regulations. Resignation of Dr. 
 James Jackson: his Character and Services. Resignation of 
 Mr. Russell, the Treasurer, and Choice of Henry Andrews. 
 Summary. Great Changes of the Officers. Donations only a 
 Thousand Dollars for the Five Years 113 
 
 CHAPTER Vir. 
 
 1838-1842 
 
 Death of Dr. Bradford. Charles Sumner elected Superintendent. 
 His Resignation. John M. Goodwin chosen his Successor. 
 Index to Medical and Surgical Records. Railroads at the 
 Asylum. Pitiful Land Damages. A Water Bed. Miss Brim- 
 mer's Bequest. John M'Lean's Portrait. Warren Fund. 
 Small Pox at Hospital. Death of George Bond, Chairman of 
 Trustees: his Character and Services. Robert Hooper, jun.. 
 Chairman. Bust of Dr. James Jackson 146 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 1843-1847. 
 
 Donation Book completed by Mr. Rogers. Varioloid again in 
 Hospital. Mr. Appleton's Donation, Ten Thousand Dollars.
 
 Xll COiSTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Israel Munson's Bequest, Twenty Thousand Dollars. Sears 
 Free Beds. Lands in Somerville taxed. Two Wings added to 
 Hospital : Subscription of Sixty-two Thousand Five Hundred 
 and Fifty Dollars. Services of Mr. Rogers. Miss Taylor's Ill- 
 ness. Dr. Bell's Visit to Europe at Request of Butler Hospital, 
 of Rhode Island. Bequest of John Parker, Ten Thousand 
 Dollars. Statue of Apollo. Lying-in Department discussed. 
 Daniel Waldo's Bequest, Forty Thousand Dollars. Death of 
 Mr. Goodwin. Anecdote of him. Richard Girdler elected. 
 Tomb of Thomas Oliver. New Kitchen at Hospital. Enlarged 
 Medical and Surgical Staff. INIedical College. John Redman's 
 Bequest, One Hundred Thousand Dollars. William Oliver's, 
 Fifty Thousand Dollars. Out-door Patients. Hospital Fence. 
 Monument to Jeremiah and jMary Belknap. Addition to 
 Dwelling-house at Asylum. Bequest of Sarah Clough, a Do- 
 mestic. Ether Discovery. Sickness at Asylum. Death of 
 Sevei-al Patients, and of Two Children of Dr. Bell .... 169 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 1847-1849. 
 
 The Ether Discovery, and Controversy between Drs. Morton and 
 Jackson. List of more than two dozen Pamphlets. Extracts 
 from a few of them. Hospital Report. "Vindication of Same. 
 Dr. Smilie'.< Address. Congress Report. The Casket and 
 Ribbon. Award of the French Academy. Extent to which 
 Ether is used at the Hospital 21t 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1848-1851. 
 
 Wedding at Hospital. Gift of Trustees. Cost of the Two New 
 Wings, &c. Death of Dr. Enoch Hale. All further Ether 
 Controversy declined. Gas. Devise of John D. Williams of 
 Store worth Seventeen Thousand Dollars. Free Beds placed at 
 Disposal of his E.xecutors. Bequest of B. R. Nichols, Si.x 
 Thousand Dollars. Bequests of John Bromfield, in all Forty
 
 CONTENTS. XIU 
 
 Page 
 Thousand Dollars. Mr. Hooper resigns as Chairman, and is 
 elected Vice-President. Bequest of Henry Todd, Five Thou- 
 sand Dollars. Death of Dr. John D. Fisher. Addition to 
 Lodge at the Asylum. Post-mortem Examinations. Death of 
 Signor Sarti. New Donation of William Appleton, Twenty 
 Thousand Dollars. Night Watch at Asylum. Resignation of 
 Dr. Hayward : his long and valuable Services. Votes of Trus- 
 tees. Varioloid at Hospital. Votes of Trustees. Legacy of 
 Dr. Charles W. Wilder, Twenty Thousand Dollars. Lee 
 Donations of 1830. Dix Ward at Asylum named in honor of 
 MissDix 349 
 
 CHAPTER Xr. 
 
 Visits of Trustees : their great Regularity. Incidents and Anec- 
 dotes of Life in the Asylum and in the Hospital. Death of a 
 Little Italian Boy and of a Female Attendant 383 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Members of the Corporation. List of Trustees. Remarks 
 and Anecdotes, List of Officers. List of Subscriptions. Sum- 
 mary of the same to 1843. Enlargement of Hospital in 1844. 
 Free-bed Subscription List. Legacies, Donations, and Devises. 
 Receipts from Life Office, &c. Grand Summary of all these 
 Donations. Tables of Admissions and Discharges at the Asy- 
 lum and at the Hospital. Concluding Remarks 410 
 
 CONTINUATION. 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 
 From August 5, 1851, to March 16, 18.50. 
 
 Mr. Bowditch's History : Its Value. Thanks of tiie Committee of 
 Trustees. Claim of the Corporation on a Life Insurance Com- 
 pany. Pipes for the Cochituate Water. Visitors to the Rail-
 
 XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 road Jubilee. Charges for Out-of-town Patients. Dr. 
 Warren's Gift of Surgical Instruments. Indexes to Hospital 
 Records. Contract for Water. Office of Chemist and Micro- 
 scopist. Dr. J. Bacon, jun., elected thereto. Case of Alleged 
 Abuse at Asylum Investigated. Bequest from Mrs. Salis- 
 bury. Report for 1851. Improvements at the Asylum. 
 Organization for 1852. Tribute to Mr. Rogers. A Question 
 of Prerogative. Legacy from J. Ingersoll. Sad Occurrence 
 at the Hospital. Resignation of Dr. J. C. Warren. Annual 
 Meeting. Organization for 1853. Report for 1852. Resig- 
 nation of Mr. Goodhue. New Supervisors at the Asylum. 
 Another Offering from Mr. Bowditch. Tribute to Hon. S. Apple- 
 ton. Hospital Index. Additional Physician at Asylum. Annual 
 Meeting. Organization for 1854. Report for 1853. Bequest 
 of Judah Touro. Death of Dr. Sliattuck. Building of a Foul 
 Ward. Dr. J. Homans elected a Consulting Physician. Dr. 
 M. Ranney, Assistant-Physician at Asylum. Pathological 
 Museum. Gift from S. Appleton's Estate. Gift of J. B. Brad- 
 lee. Dr. C. Ellis, Curator of the Pathological Cabinet. Death 
 of Dr. S. Parkman. Dr. G. H. Gay elected a Visiting Sur- 
 geon. Annual Meeting, 1855. Organization. Report for 1854. 
 Tribute to J. P. Bigelow. JVIicroscopist at the Hospital. 
 Resignation of Dr. J. Bigelow. Additional Rooms at Hospital. 
 Bequest of Miss E. Pratt. New Fence at Hospital. Annual 
 Meeting. Organization for 1856. Report for 1855. Resig- 
 nation of Dr. Bell : his Farewell 459 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 March 16, 1856, to Febuuary 5, 1862. 
 
 Routine Business at the Meetings of the Trustees. New Fence at 
 the Hospital. Dr. C. Booth elected Superintendent of the Asy- 
 lum, and Dr. .1. C. Smith an Assistant Physician. Resignation of 
 Dr. Perry. Notice of the death of Dr. J. C.Warren. Proposal for 
 a Sea- Wall on the Hospital Bounds. Be(|uest of William Read. 
 Important Votes concerning the Asylum. Annual Meeting. 
 Organization for 1857. Report for 1856. Illness of Dr. Booth. 
 Contribution to Dr. Morton. Dr. L. M. Sargent, jun., chosen 
 Artist of the Hospital. Gift from Dr. J. M. Warren. Death of
 
 CO^!TENTS. XV 
 
 Page 
 Dr. Booth. Temporary Service of Dr. Bell. Annual Meeting;. 
 Organization for 1858. Report for 1857. Bequests of M. P. 
 Sawyer and W. Pickman. Dr. J. E. Tyler, Superintendent of 
 the Asylum. Bequest of Dr. J. G. Treadwell. Office of Resi- 
 dent Physician at the Hospital. Resignation of Superintendent 
 Girdler, and of the Secretary. Malignant Fever at the Hos- 
 pital. Donation from Executors of Thomas Dowse. T. B. 
 Hall chosen Secretary. Dr. B. S. Shaw chosen Resident Physi- 
 cian, and Dr. S. L. Abbot, Physician to Out-Patients, at the 
 Hospital. Application of a Female Student. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gallison chosen Steward and Matron of the Hospital. Thanks 
 to Capt. Girdler. Tribute to Dr. Storer. Dr. F. Minot chosen 
 a Visiting Physician. Bequest of Mrs. A. Austin. Establish- 
 ment of the Treadwell Library. Estate of M. P. Sawyer. Fill- 
 ing of Flats. Annual Meeting. Organization for 1859. Report 
 for 1858. Resignation of the Treasurer, and Election of Mr. 
 Stevenson. INIore Land at the Asylum. Bequests of George 
 Hills and of Mrs. S. B. Thompson. Annual Meeting. Organi- 
 zation for 1860. Report for 1859. Dr. Tyler's Report. Im- 
 portant Votes. Bequest of Jonathan Phillips. Reduction of 
 Expenses. Annual Meeting. Organization for 1861. Report 
 for 1860. New Cottage at the Asylum. Death of Mr. Bow- 
 ditch. Sketch of his Life and Character. His Work on Suffolk 
 Surnames. The Civil War. Preparations to receive Diseased 
 and Wounded Soldiers. A New Form of Bond for Patients at 
 the Asylum. Absence of the Chairman. Bounds of the Hospital 
 Grounds. Donation by Mr. W. Appleton 510 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1862, to Feb. 22, 1867. 
 
 Annual Meeting. and Organization for 1862. Report for 1861. 
 Death of the President, Mr. Appleton, and Tribute to him. 
 Invalid Soldiers at the Hospital. Bequest from Miss Townsend. 
 United States Sanitary Commission ask the Services of Dr. 
 Shaw and Dr. Tyler. Resignation of the Steward and Matron 
 of the Asylum. Services of Dr. Morrill Wyman. Legislation 
 on Asylums. Annual Meeting. Organization for 1863. Report
 
 XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 foi" 1862. Resignation of Dr. Townsend. Dr. Tyler's Tribute 
 to Dr. Bell. Sketch of him. New Cottage for Males at the 
 Asylum. Resignation of Dr. Bacon as Chemist. House Pupils 
 to board at the Hospital. Dr. J. C. White elected Chemist. 
 Bequest of John Pickens. Death of Dr. Hay ward. Dr. Town- 
 send elected Consulting Physician. Additional Surgical 
 House Pupils. Litigation conctrning Bequest of Miss Loring. 
 Bequest of Dr. B. D. Greene. Hours for the Visits of Sur- 
 geons and Pliysicians. A Surgeon to Out-Patients. Annual 
 Meeting. Organization for 1864:. Report for 1863. Historical 
 Pamphlets presented by Dr. Shaw. Legacy of William Oliver. 
 Resignation of Secretary Hall. Election of Mr. W. S. Dexter. 
 Resignation of Dr. Bowditch, and choice of Dr. C. Ellis as a 
 Visiting Physician. Other Changes among the Officers. Trib- 
 ute to Dr. J. B. S. Jackson. Bequest of Miss Sever. Annual 
 Meeting. Organization for 1865. Report for 1861. Death of 
 J. Amory Davis. Resignation and Appointments at the Asylum. 
 Other Resignations. Annual Meeting. Organization for 18G6. 
 Report for 1865. Lnportant Report on the Finances and Circu- 
 lar. Changes of Officers at Asylum. Gift of Rev. Dr. Worcester. 
 A New Operating Theatre. Leave of Absence to Dr. Tyler. 
 Gift from Rev. J. Spaulding. Legacy from Miss S. Pratt. An- 
 nual Meeting. Organization for 1867. Report for 1866. 
 Generous Subscription. Debt paid. Dr. Tylers Report . . 574 
 
 CHAPTER XVL ^ 
 
 February 22, 18G7, to 1872. 
 
 Dr. Tyler's Absence in Europe. Gift through Dr. J. M. Warren. 
 New Grounds at Asylum. Female Students at Hospital. Death 
 of Dr. J. M. Warren. Dr. J. H. Denny, Assistant at Asylum. 
 Legacy from Dr. J. I\L Warren. Death of Dr. J. Ja-kson. 
 Be(|uest from him. Religious Services at Asylum. Resignation 
 of Mr. AVhitney. Annual Meeting. Organization for 1868. 
 Report for 1867. New Operating Theatre. Dr. Tyler's For- 
 eign Observations. Death of the President of the Corporation, 
 Mr. Hooper. Further Bequests. Changes in the IMedical Stalf. 
 Annual Meeting. Organization for 1869. Report fur 1868.
 
 CONTENTS. XVll 
 
 Page 
 Dr, Tyler's Review. Lady Visitors at Hospital. New Officers. 
 Gift from John C. Gray. Warren Prize. Appeal from Dr. 
 Morton's Family. Annual Meeting. Organization for 1870. 
 Report for 1869. Department for Skin Diseases. Post Mortem 
 Register. Committee on Autopsies. Donations from Dr. H. J. 
 Bigelow. Female Supervisor at Asylum. Changes of Officers. 
 New Surgical Instruments. Legacy from Rev. Dr. Worcester. 
 Experiment of a Skin Disease Ward. Annual Meeting. Or- 
 ganization for 1871. Report for 1870. Resignation of Dr. 
 Tyler. Resignation of Dr. Whittemore. An Incident con- 
 nected with the Asylum. Award of the Warren Prize. Pro- 
 posals for a New Location for the Asylum. Resignation of Mr. 
 Farnsworth. Donations received. Subject and Advertisement 
 for the next Warren Prize. Dr. Ray in Temporary Charge of 
 the Asylum. Statistics of »Surgical Operations. Dr. Jelly 
 chosen Superintendent of Asylum. Dr. H. P. Quincy, Artist of 
 the Hospital. S. D. Warren, Ti-ustee. Donation of James 
 McGregor. The Nabby Joy Fund. Resignation of Dr. Shaw. 
 Election of Dr. N. Folsom as Resident Physician of Hospital. 
 Remarks on the Hospital and Asylum. Conclusion .... 627 
 
 Statistical Tables at Hospital and Asylum 701 
 
 Subscriptions, Donations, and Bequests, to the M.^ssachu- 
 
 SETTS General Hospital 710 
 
 Officers of the Institution 731
 
 HISTORY 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL.
 
 H J S T R Y 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Urgent Need of Hospital. — Bequest of William Phillips, 1804. — 
 Circular Letter, 1810. — Charter, 1811. — Subsequent Acts to 
 1851. — KiGiiTS UNDER Life-Insurance Charters. — Grant of Prov- 
 ince House. — Lease of Same for One Hundred Years, &c. 
 
 More than a third of a century* has elapsed since the 
 establishment of the Massachusetts General Hospital. 
 Its endowments amount to, and perhaps exceed, one 
 million of dollars. Its building for the sick, erected 
 in a spacious enclosure of four acres, is one of the 
 most imposing edifices of the city of Boston. Its 
 Asylum for the Insane is beautifully situated on a 
 rising ground within the quiet precincts of the adjoin- 
 ing town of Somerville. Nearly fourteen thousand 
 patients have received the benefits of the former 
 department of the institution, and more than thirty- 
 three hundred have been inmates of the latter. The 
 
 [* Written in 1851.] 
 1
 
 ^ NEED OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 greatest discovery of the age — the power of producing 
 insensibility to pain — has gone forth from the one ; 
 while the like humane treatment, and the same high 
 professional skill evinced in the other, have extended 
 its reputation throughout the length and breadth of 
 our land, and gathered within its walls sufferers alike 
 from tlie frozen North and the sunny South. One 
 generation has passed away, and a new one has arisen. 
 The circumstances and instrumentalities connected 
 with those early days have thus, to a considerable 
 extent, already become matters of tradition. Many 
 of the original patrons and officers of the Hospital 
 have gone to their reward. A few, indeed, yet sur- 
 vive, to rejoice in the extensive usefulness of a charity 
 which they contributed, in an eminent degree, to 
 establish and perpetuate. May the services alike of 
 its living; and its deceased founders be ever held in 
 grateful remembrance ! 
 
 At the beginning of the present century, Massa- 
 chusetts had no Hospital or Insane Asylum, though 
 such institutions had been for many years established 
 in the States of New York and Pennsylvania. There 
 were various indications, however, that the want of 
 such establishments was beginning to be felt in our 
 community.* Thomas Boylston, Esq., by will dated 
 
 * Thomas Hancock gave a sum to the Town between 1760-1770. Eev. 
 Frederick T. Gray shewed me a letter stating newspaper reports on the sub- 
 ject.
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER. 3 
 
 Nov. 12, 1798, proved in 1800, made the town of 
 Boston his residuary devisee in trust, among other 
 objects, to erect a small-pox hospital and a lunatic 
 hospital. The testator was, unfortunately, a member 
 of the firm of Lane, Frazier, and Company, of Lon- 
 don, which became insolvent. Hon. William Phillips, 
 by a codicil dated April 18, 1797, proved in 1804, 
 bequeathed the sum of five thousand dollars to the 
 town of Boston for this object.* In August, 1810, 
 a circular letter was prepared by Drs. James Jackson 
 and John C. Warren, addressed to several of our 
 wealthiest and most influential citizens, for the pur- 
 pose of awakening in their minds an interest in the 
 subject. This circular letter may be regarded as the 
 corner-stone of our institution. f On the 25th of Feb- 
 
 * " Fourthly, — I give to the town of Boston five thousand dollars, to- 
 wards the building of a Hospital ; and direct my executors to pay that sum 
 to any person or persons wliom the town shall appoint to receive the same, 
 as soon as the;/ shall determine to bei/tn the ivork." 
 
 t Boston, August 20, 1810. 
 
 Sir, — It has appeared very desirable to a number of respectable gentle- 
 men, that a hospital for the reception of lunatics and other sick persons should 
 be established in this town. By the appointment of a number of these gen- 
 tlemen, we are directed to adopt such methods as shall appear best calculated 
 to promote such an establishment. We therefore beg leave to submit for 
 your consideration proposals for the institution of a hospital, and to state to 
 you some of the reasons in favour of such an establishment. 
 
 It is unnecessary to urge the propriety and even obligation of succouring 
 the poor in sickness. The wealthy inhabitants of the town of Boston have 
 always evinced that they consider themselves as "treasurers of God's 
 bounty ; " and in Christian countries, in countries where Christianity is prac- 
 tised, it must always be considered the first of duties to visit and to heal tlie 
 sick. When in distress, every man becomes our neighbour, not only if he be
 
 4 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 ruary following (1811), the charter was obtained from 
 the Legislature. It incorporates James Bowdoin and 
 fifty-five others of the most distinguished inhabitants 
 
 of the household of faith, but even though his misfortunes have been induced 
 by transgressing the rules both of reason and religion. It is unnecessary to 
 urge the truth and importance of these sentiments to those who are already 
 in the habit of cherishing them, — to those who indulge in the true luxury of 
 wealth, the pleasures of charity. The questions which first suggest them- 
 selves on this subject are, wliether the relief afforded by hospitals is better 
 than can be given in anj- other way ; and whether there are, in tact, so many 
 poor among us as to require an establishment of this sort. 
 
 The relief to be afforded to the poor, in a country so rich as ours, should 
 perhaps be measured only by their necessities. We have, then, to inquire 
 into the situation of the poor in sickness, and to learn what are their wants. 
 In this inquiry, we shall be led to answer both the questions above stated. 
 
 There are some who are able to acquire a competence in health, and to 
 provide so far against any ordinary sickness as that they shall not then be 
 deprived of a comfortable habitation, nor of food for themselves and tiieir 
 families ; while they are not able to defray tlie expenses of medicine and 
 medical assistance. Persons of tins description never suffer among us. The 
 Dispensary gives relief to hundreds every year ; and the individuals who 
 practise medicine gratuitously attend many more of this description. But 
 there are many others among the poor, who have, if we may so express it, 
 the form of the necessaries of life, without the substance. A man may have 
 a lodging ; but it is deficient in all those advantages which are requisite to 
 the sick. It is a garret or a cellar, without light and due ventilation, or open 
 to the storms of an inclement winter. In this miserable habitation, he may 
 obtain liberty to remain during an illness ; but, if honest, he is harassed with 
 the idea of his accumulating rent, which must be paid out of his future 
 labours. In this wretched situation, the sick man is destitute of all those 
 common conveniences, without which most of us would consider it impossible 
 to live, even in health. Wholesome food and sufficient fuel are wanting ; 
 and his own sufferings are aggravated by the cries of hungry children. 
 Above all, he suffers from the want of that first requisite in sickness, a kind 
 and skilful nurse. 
 
 But it may be said, that instances are rare among us, where a man, who 
 labours, with even moderate industry, when in health, endures such priva- 
 tions in sickness as are here described. They are not, however, rare among 
 those who are not industrious ; and who, nevertheless, when labouring under 
 sickness, must be considered as having claims to assistance. In cases of
 
 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. 5 
 
 of the various towns of the Commonwealth, by the 
 name of the Massachusetts General Hospital, with 
 power to hold real and personal estate of the yearly 
 
 long-protracted disecise, instances of such a description do occur amongst 
 those of the most industrious class. Such instances are still less rare 
 among those women who are either widowed, or worse than widowed. It 
 liappens too frequently that modest and worthy women are imited to men 
 who are profligate and intemperate, hy whom they are left to endure disease 
 and poverty under the most aggravated forms. Among the children of sucli 
 families also, instances are not rare of real suffering in sickness. To all 
 such as have been described, a hospital would supply every thing wliicli 
 is needful, if not all they could wish. In a well-regulated hospital, tliey 
 would find a comfortable lodging in a duly attempered atmosphere; would 
 receive the food best suited to their various conditions ; and would be 
 attended by kind and discreet nurses, under the directions of a physician. 
 In such a situation, the poor man's chance for relief would be equal perhaps 
 to that of the most affluent, when affected by the same disease. 
 
 Tliere are otlier persons, also, who are of great importance in society, to 
 whom the relief afforded by a hospital is exceedingly appropriate. Sucli 
 are generally those of good and industrious habits, who are affected with 
 sickness, just as they are entering into active life, and who have not had 
 time to provide for this calamity. Cases of this sort are frequently occur- 
 ring. Disease is often produced by the very anxiety and exertions which 
 belong to this period of life ; and the best are the most liable to suffer. Ot 
 such a description, cases are often seen among journeymen mechanics and 
 among servants. 
 
 Journeymen mechanics commonly live in small boarding-houses, where 
 they have accommodations which are sufficient, but nothing more than 
 sufficient, in health. When sick, they are necessarily placed in small, con- 
 fined apartments, or in rooms crowded with their fellow-workmen. They 
 are sheltered from the weather, and Iiave food of some sort; and these nmst, 
 in many cases, be the extent of their accommodations. Persons of this 
 description would do well to enter a hospital, even if they had to pay the 
 expense of their own maintenance. In most cases, they would suffer less, 
 and recover sooner, by so doing. When, as sometimes happens, they have 
 not the means of payment, they become objects of charity ; and the welfare 
 of such persons should be considered among the strong motives in favour of 
 establishing a hospital. 
 
 Servants generally undergo great inconveniences, at least when afflicted 
 with sickness, and oftentimes much more than inconveniences. With so
 
 6 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 value of thirty thousand dollars. The Governor, 
 Lieutenant-Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker 
 of the House, and the Chaplains of both Houses, are 
 
 much difficulty is the care of them attended in private families, that many 
 gentlemen would pay the board of their servants at a hospital, in preference 
 to liaving them sick in their own houses. In some cases, however, neither 
 the master nor servant can afford the expense of proper care in sickness. 
 Not uncommonly, a young girl is taken sick in a large family, wiiere she is 
 the only servant. Slie lodges in the most remote corner of the house, in a 
 room witiiout a fireplace. The mistress is sufficiently occupied with the 
 unusual labours wiiich are thrown on her at a time perhaps when she is 
 least fitted to perform them. Under such circumstances, how can the ser- 
 vant receive those attentions which are due to the sick ? Of wliat use is it 
 tliat the physician leaves a prescription to be put up at the Dispensary 1 
 He goes the next day, and finds that there has not been time even to 
 procure the remedies which he had ordered; meanwhile, the period in 
 wliicli tiiey would have been useful has passed by, and the incipient disease 
 of yesterday has now become confirmed. 
 
 Persons of these descriptions would not be disposed to resort to a hos- 
 pital on every trivial occasion. But, wlien affiicted with serious indisposition, 
 they would find in sucli an institution an alleviation of their sufferings, 
 whicli it must gladden the heart of the most frigid to contemplate. 
 
 There is one class of sufferers wlio peculiarly claim all that benevolence 
 can bestow, and for whom a hospital is most especially required. The 
 virtuous and industrious are liable to become objects of public cliarity, in 
 consequence of diseases of the mind. Wlien those wlio are unfortunate in 
 tins respect are left without proper care, a calamity, which might have been 
 transient, is prolonged tiirough life. The number of such persons, who are 
 rendered unable to provide for themselves, is probably greater than the pub- 
 lic imagine ; and, of these, a large proportion claim the assistance of the • 
 affluent. The expense wiiich is attaciied to the care of the insane in private 
 families is extremely great ; and sucli as to ruin a whole family that is pos- 
 sessed of a competence under ordinary circumstances, when called upon to 
 support one of its members in this situation. Even those wlio can pay the 
 necessary expenses would perhaps find an institution, such as is proposed, 
 tlie best situation in whicli they could place their unfortunate friends. It 
 is worthy of the opulent men of this town, and consistent with tlieir general 
 character, to provide an asylum for the insane from every part of the Com- 
 'monwealth. But if funds are raised for the purpose proposed, it is probable 
 that the Legislature will grant some assistance, with a view to such an exten- 
 sion of its benefits.
 
 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. i 
 
 constituted a board of Visitors. The institution is 
 placed under the care of twelve Trustees, of whom 
 four are chosen by the board of Visitors. A grant 
 
 Of anotlier class, whose necessities would be removed by the establish- 
 ment of a hospital, are women wlio are unable to provide for their own 
 welfare and safety in one of nature's most trying hours. Houses for lying- 
 in women have been found extremely useful in the large cities of Europe; 
 and, although abuses may have arisen in consequence, these are such as are 
 more easily prevented in a small than in a large town. 
 
 There are man}' others who would find great relief in a hospital, and many 
 times have life preserved when otherwise it would be lost. Such especially 
 are the subjects of accidental wounds and fractures among the poorer classes 
 of our citizens; and the subjects of extraordinary diseases, in any part of the 
 Commonwealth, who may require the long and careful attention of either 
 the physician or surgeon. 
 
 It is possible that we may be asked whether the almshouse docs not answer 
 tlie purposes for which a hospital is proposed. That it does not, is very cer- 
 tain. The town is so much indebted to the liberality of those gentlemen 
 who, without compensation, superintend the care of the poor, that we ought 
 not to make this reply without an explanation. The truth is that the alms- 
 house could not serve tlie purpose oi a hospital, without such an entire change 
 in the arrangements of it as the overseers do not feel themselves authorized 
 to make, and such as the town could not be easily induced to direct or to sup- 
 port. 
 
 The almshouse receives all those who do not take care of themselves, and 
 who are destitute of property, whether they be old and infirm, and unable to 
 provide means of assistance; or are too vicious and debauched to employ 
 themselves in honest labour; or are prevented from so employing themselves 
 by occasional sickness. This institution, then, is made to compreliend what 
 is more properly meant by an almshouse, a bridewell or house of correction, 
 and a hospital. Now, the economy and mode of government cannot possibly 
 be adapted at once to all these various purposes. It must necessarily happen 
 that in many instances the worst members of the community, the debauched 
 and profligate, obtain admission into this house. Hence it has become, in 
 some measure, disreputable to live in it ; and, not unfrequently, those who 
 are the most deserving objects of charity cannot be induced to enter it. To 
 some of them, death appears less terrible than a residence in the almshouse. 
 
 It is true that the sick in that house are allowed some greater privileges 
 and advantages than are extended to those in health ; yet the general ar- 
 rangements and regulations are, necessarily, so different from those required
 
 8 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 was made of the Province-house Estate, so called, 
 ■with authority to sell the same and use the proceeds 
 at pleasure, provided that within five years an addi- 
 
 in a hospital, tliat the sick — far from having the advantages afforded by the 
 medical art — have not the fair chance for recovery which nature alone would 
 give them. Most especially they suffer for the want of good nurses. In 
 these officers must be placed trust and confidence of the higliest nature. 
 Tlieir duties are laborious and painful. In the almshouse, they are selected 
 from among the more healthy inhabitants ; but, unfortunately, those who are 
 best qualified will always prefer more profitable and less laborious occupa- 
 tions elsewhere. It must, then, be obvious that tlie persons employed as 
 nurses cannot be such as will conscientiously perform the duties of this 
 office. 
 
 In addition to what has already been stated, there are a number of col- 
 lateral advantages that would attend the establishment of a hospital in this 
 place. These are the facilities for acquiring knowledge, which it would give 
 to the students in the medical school established in this town. The means of 
 medical education in New England are at present very limited, and totally 
 inadequate to so important a purpose. Students of medicine cannot qualify 
 themselves properly for their profession, without incurring heavy expenses, 
 such as very few of them are able to defray. The only medical school of 
 eminence in this country is that at Philadeliihia, nearly four hundred miles 
 distant from Boston ; and the expense of attending that is so great, that stu- 
 dents from this quarter rarely remain at it longer than one year. Even this 
 advantage is enjoyed by very few, compared with the whole number. Those 
 who are educated in New England have so few opportunities of attending to 
 the practice of physic, that they find it impossible to learn some of the most 
 important elements of the science of medicine, until after they liave under- 
 t<aken for themselves the care of the health and lives of their fellow-citizens. 
 This care they undertake with very little knowledge, except that acquired 
 from books ; — a source whence it is highly useful and indispensable that 
 they should obtain knowledge, but one from which alone they never can 
 obtain all that is necessary to qualify them for their professional duties. 
 With such deficiencies in medical education, it is needless to show to what 
 evils the comnmnity is exposed. 
 
 To remedy evils so important and so extensive, it is necessary to have <a 
 medical school in New England. All the materials necessary to form this 
 school exist among us. Wealth, abundantly sufficient, can be devoted to the 
 purpose, without any individual's feeling the smallest privation of any, even 
 of the luxuries of life. Every one is liable to sufier from the want of such a
 
 CHARTER OF HOSPITAL. 9 
 
 tional sum of one hundred thousand dollars should 
 be obtained by private subscriptions and donations. 
 A further term of five years was allowed by an Act of 
 June 14, 1813. The Charter imposed on the Corpo- 
 ration the obligation of supporting thirty of the sick 
 and lunatic persons chargeable to the Commonwealth. 
 This provision was modified by the additional Act, so 
 as to make the number of patients to be thus sup- 
 ported depend on the actual income derived from the 
 Province House. The tendency of any such provi- 
 sion, however, was considered disadvantageous, as 
 
 school ; every one may derive, directly or indirectly, tiie greatest benefits 
 from its establishment. 
 
 A hospital is an institution absolutely essential to a medical school, and 
 one which would afford relief and comfort to thousands of the sick and mis- 
 erable. On what other objects can the superfluities of the rich be so well 
 bestowed ? 
 
 The amount required for the institution proposed may, at first sight, 
 appear large. But it will cease to appear so, when we consider that it is to 
 afford relief, not only to those who may require assistance during the present 
 year or present age, but that it is to erect a most honourable monument of 
 the munificence of the present times, which will ensure to its founders the 
 blessings of thousands in ages to come ; and when we add that this amount 
 may be raised at once, if a few opulent men will contribute only their super- 
 fluous income for one year. Compared with the benefits which such an 
 establishment would afford, of what value is the pleasure of accumulating 
 riches in those stores which are already groaning under their weight? 
 
 Hospitals and infirmaries are found in all the Christian cities of the Old 
 World ; and our large cities in the Middle States have institutions of this sort, 
 which do great honour to the liberality and benevolence of their founders . 
 We flatter ourselves that in this respect, as in all others, Boston may ere long- 
 assert her claim to equal praise. 
 
 We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants, 
 
 James Jackson. 
 John C. Warren. 
 2
 
 10 ACTS AND RESOLVES. 
 
 making the institution a merely pauper establish- 
 ment ; and it was virtually repealed by a resolve passed 
 Feb. 13, 1816. 
 
 By this resolve of 1816, authority was finally 
 granted for sale of the Province House, on the sole 
 condition of giving bond to pay the proceeds of sale 
 into the State Treasury, unless, within one year from 
 such sale, said additional sum of one hundred thou- 
 sand dollars should be obtained. 
 
 By a resolve passed June 12, 1817, it is provided 
 that the stone for the erection of the Hospital should 
 be hammered and jfitted for use by the convicts in the 
 State Prison. The work thus done is estimated at 
 over thirty thousand dollars. And, by a resolve of 
 Feb. 11, 1824, a bill due from the Hospital for stone 
 work at the State Prison, for the use of the Insane 
 Asylum ($4,176.33), was remitted, as coming within 
 the resolve of 1817. 
 
 An Act passed June 18, 1819, points out the mode 
 of filling vacancies in the Board of Trustees. An 
 Act passed Feb. 15, 1821, exonerates from perform- 
 ance of military duty certain officers of the Hospital ; 
 and a like exemption is provided for by the Revised 
 Statutes, passed in 1836. 
 
 By an Act passed Feb. 24, 1814, the Corporation 
 was authorized to grant annuities on lives. In a 
 charter, subsequently granted to the Massachusetts
 
 LIFE-INSURANCE CHARTERS. 11 
 
 Hospital Life Insurance Company, a proviso was 
 inserted, by which one-third of its whole net profits 
 from insurance on lives is made payable to the Hos- 
 pital. An additional Act, passed Jan. 17, 1824, 
 sanctions a most important agreement between these 
 two Corporations, by which the Hospital, in lieu of 
 all former rights, became entitled to one-third of all 
 the earnings of said Insurance Company, over and 
 above six per cent. Now, this Insurance Company 
 has a capital of five hundred thousand dollars ; and 
 the chief branch of its business is the management 
 of property deposited with it in trust, and for which 
 a charge is made of one half per cent commission. 
 The regular annual dividends for several years have 
 been nine per cent, — say eight per cent to stock- 
 holders, and one per cent, or five thousand dollars a 
 year, to the Hospital ; and three extra dividends have 
 also been received, making a total of $150,687. In 
 all the charters subsequently granted for insurance on 
 lives, similar provisions in favor of the Hospital have 
 been introduced, viz. : the New England Mutual Life 
 Insurance Company, April 1, 1835 ; State Mutual 
 Life Insurance Company, March 16, 1844; the Bow- 
 ditch Mutual Life Insurance Company, March 26, 
 1845. Little has yet been or ever can be realized 
 under these latter charters, as the percentage of the 
 Hospital is reckoned only on the guaranty caintal of
 
 12 LIFE-INSURANCE CHARTERS. 
 
 said companies, which is quite small. The granting 
 of any such charter, without such a provision, would, 
 however, exonerate the Massachusetts Hospital Life 
 Insurance Company from all obligations in favor of 
 the Hospital ; or, in other words, would, as respects 
 its sources of income, be a loss to the Hospital of 
 more than a hundred thousand dollars. To prevent 
 such a contingency, a bill was reported and discussed 
 at the present session of the Legislature, in the 
 words following : — 
 
 " Whenever any persons or corporation shall be empow- 
 ered to make insurance on lives upon land, the right so to 
 do shall be deemed subject to the same obligations for the 
 payment of a certain share of the profit accruing tlierefrom, 
 to the Massachusetts General Hospital, as are imposed on 
 the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, by the 
 laws now in force, unless express provision to the contrary 
 shall be made in the Act or Acts empowering any such 
 persons or corporation to make such insurance on lives as 
 aforesaid." 
 
 The passage of such a law was, of course, imma- 
 terial to the Hospital, if the Legislature, in each 
 particular charter, should continue to insert the same 
 provisions as had always heretofore been done. To 
 show the importance either of such general or special 
 legislation, the Chairman of the Trustees submitted a 
 memorial to the Legislature, May 5, 1851, stating the 
 exact amount which had been received from the Mas-
 
 GRAIN T OF PROVINCE HOUSE. 13 
 
 sachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, but 
 expressing no wish for the passage of any general 
 law. The proposed law was passed. 
 
 The above is a condensed view of all the legislative 
 enactments respecting the Hospital from its founda- 
 tion to the present time. The Province-house Estate, 
 thus liberally given by the Commonwealth, embraced 
 a tract of land measuring eighty-six feet six inches 
 on Washington, formerly Marlborough Street, and 
 extended back two hundred and sixty-seven feet to 
 Governor's Alley or Province Street, where it meas- 
 ured in width seventy-six feet, being about half an 
 acre of land. Stores have now been erected in front 
 on Washington Street ; and a block of brick houses, on 
 the northerly side of Province-house Court, stand 
 on the back part of the estate. The old Province 
 House still remains, surmounted by its figure of an 
 Indian, though the days of its glory have departed. 
 In 1796 it had been sold to John Peck for ^ 16,600, 
 and in 1799 was reconveyed for the same price. At 
 the time of the donation to the Hospital, it was 
 valued at twenty thousand dollars. In the early 
 accounts of the Hospital (1822), it is estimated as 
 worth forty thousand dollars. It would now proba- 
 bly sell for at least one hundred thousand dollars, 
 independently of all improvements. On April 1, 
 1817, the Hospital leased this estate to David Gree-
 
 14 GRANT OF PROVINCE HOUSE. 
 
 nough, Esq., for ninety-nine years, at an annual rent 
 of two thousand dollars, or an outright sum of thirty- 
 three thousand dollars, at his option ; and, on Oct. 1, 
 1824, he elected to pay this latter sum. The rever- 
 sion of the estate (to come into possession in A.D. 
 1916) still remains in the Hospital. Its present value 
 is small. But the Corporation will live for ever ; and 
 it is to be hoped that no future Board of Trustees will 
 alienate this, the first donation made to the institution. 
 Rather let it remain to the latest times an enduring 
 monument of the liberality of the Commonwealth, as 
 in times past it was the representative of its official 
 dignity. And, in acknowledgment of this splendid 
 gift, and of the many subsequent benefits derived 
 from the same source, may our institution always 
 preserve unchanged its corporate name of the Mas- 
 sachusetts General Hospital !
 
 15 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 1813-1817. 
 
 Organization. — Trustees Elected, 1813. — Liberal Subscriptions. — 
 Purchases of Two Estates. — Deed op Asylum Estate, on Condition. 
 
 — Defect of Title in Hospital Estate, but claim favorably com- 
 promised, — Its greatly increased Value. — Choice of Dr. James 
 Jackson and Dr. John C. Warren as Physician and Surgeon op 
 Hospital. — Lieutenant-Governor William Phillips increases his 
 Father's Gift of Five Thousand to Twenty Thousand Dollars. 
 
 — Common Seal. 
 
 A CHARTEK, had now been obtained, containing a 
 liberal grant, made on the condition that one hundred 
 thousand dollars more should he subscribed by indi- 
 viduals. The fifty-six persons named in the Act were 
 the first members of the Corporation. By by-laws, 
 subsequently adopted, all who are specially elected, 
 all who have given one hundred dollars, and all who 
 have served as Trustees, are made members of the 
 Corporation. The first meeting of the Corporation 
 was held on April 23, 1811, — Hon. John Adams, 
 moderator, — at which Richard Sullivan was chosen 
 Secretary, and a Committee appointed to prepare by- 
 laws, which were adopted July 5, as reported by the 
 Committee. They are recorded in extenso, occupying 
 ten large folio pages. They have been since modified
 
 16 ORGANIZATIONS. TRUSTEES. 
 
 as convenience or necessity dictated ; and, as a large 
 edition has been printed of the present rules, &c., 
 no analysis of these earlier regulations is thought 
 necessary. At this last meeting, thanks were pre- 
 sented to Josiah Loring for the gift of an elegant 
 record-book. It is still used, and will last fifty years 
 more. Trustees were not chosen till Feb. 2, 1813. 
 The Corporation was organized by a President and 
 Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary ; the Secre- 
 tary being, ex officio, Secretary of the Board of Trus- 
 tees. At first, the President always attended the 
 meetings of Trustees, and presided ; but, since 1818, 
 the Trustees have acted by a Chairman, who presides 
 at all their meetings ; the duty of the President or 
 Vice-President being merely to preside at the annual 
 meetings of the Corporation. The earliest record- 
 book of the Trustees is a little volume, of about five 
 inches by eight, of the poorest and cheapest paper 
 and covers, containing a hundred and sixty pages. It 
 forms an amusing contrast with its more brilliant 
 successors. It embraces the period from 1813 to 
 1817 inclusive. The first Board of Trustees con- 
 sisted of Messrs. T. H. Perkins, Josiah Quincy, 
 Daniel Sargent, Joseph May, Stephen Iligginson, jun., 
 Gamaliel Bradford, Tristram Barnard, George G. 
 Lee, Francis C. Lowell, Joseph Tilden, John L. Sulli- 
 van, and Richard Sullivan. Messrs. Quincy, Higgin-
 
 SITES FOR THE HOSPITAL. 17 
 
 son, Lowell, and Tilden were chosen by the Board of 
 Visitors ; and, of the remaining eight, six were spe- 
 cially elected members of the Corporation, namely, all 
 except Thomas H. Perkins and E,ichard Sullivan, who 
 were named in the Act of Incorporation. No changes 
 occurred in the Board, until the choice of Jonathan 
 Phillips by the Board of Visitors, in place of Mr. 
 Higginson, in February, 1816 ; and the choice of 
 John Lowell and Joseph Coolidge, jun., by the same 
 Board, in December of the same year, in place of 
 F. C. Lowell and Joseph Tilden ; — the others having 
 resigned. At the first meeting of the Trustees, Feb. 
 23, 1813, held at the house of Colonel T. H. Perkins, 
 the draft of an address to the public was read, 
 adopted, and ordered to be printed, " with a suitable 
 circular letter to every clergyman in the Common- 
 wealth ; " Colonel May and the Secretary being a 
 Committee for that purpose. At the same meeting, 
 Messrs. Barnard and Higginson were appointed a 
 Committee as to selecting a site for the Hospital, 
 either on the Almshouse land (in Leverett Street), or 
 elsewhere. At the next meeting, March 9, the Com- 
 mittee reported unfavorably as to that site, and sug- 
 gested for consideration the Winthrop Estate in 
 Cambridge, or the made land at bottom of the 
 Common, since known as the Public Garden. A 
 plan was subsequently made of this last estate ; and,
 
 18 ADDRESS OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 at a meeting held May 14, several communications 
 from physicians, Drs. Rand, Hayward, Warren, and 
 Dexter (besides a special communication from Drs. 
 Jackson and Warren), recommending it, were re- 
 ceived and read ; and Messrs. Perkins, Barnard, and 
 Higginson were appointed a Committee to see gentle- 
 men residing near the Common, to obviate objections, 
 if any, to that location. On Nov. 22, the expediency 
 of establishing a temporary Hospital in the Province 
 House was discussed. On Jan. 9, 1814, an address 
 to the public, having been approved by the overseers 
 of the poor, was adopted, and Committees appointed 
 to solicit subscriptions. This address is extant in a 
 pamphlet form. It is drawn up with great earnest- 
 ness, and is signed by the whole twelve Trustees. It 
 is published with the following motto : — 
 
 " As, in some solitude, tlie summer rill 
 Refreshes, where it winds, the faded green. 
 And cheers the drooping flowers, unheard, unseen, 
 Such is this charity ! " &c.* 
 
 The address shows the urgent need of such an in- 
 stitution for the relief both of sick and insane ; that 
 the Almshouse is in its nature a mere asylum for 
 poverty ; that indeed " the Almshouse in this metrop- 
 
 * On the publication of the first edition, I received a note from President 
 Quincy, in which lie informs me that his daughter reminds liim of the fact 
 that this address was written by himself, the motto having been selected by 
 his late wife.
 
 ADDRESS OF TRUSTEES. 19 
 
 olis does not pretend to cure ; " and that " all it j^os- 
 sesses are accommodations for eight patients.'' It 
 then proceeds to show the safeguards as to the man- 
 agement of the proposed institution, — that "its 
 conductors are responsible to the executive of the 
 Commonwealth and to the subscribers by an annual 
 election ; " that it is designed to be a State establish- 
 ment, extending its benefits to all ; that, without the 
 aid of all, the condition annexed to the grant of the 
 Commonwealth cannot be complied with. The basis 
 of the subscription is announced to be, that " no sum 
 subscribed shall be demanded, unless, before Jan. 1, 
 1815, the sum subscribed by individuals to the in- 
 stitution shall amount to at least a hundred thou- 
 sand dollars." The Trustees declare, that a liberal 
 endowment at the outset is essential to the reputation, 
 and therefore to the usefulness of the institution ; 
 and they conclude with the following paragraph : — 
 
 " Besides, the undersigned are willing to confess that they 
 are not ambitious of being the guardians of a charity merely 
 nominal. They are satisfied that the sum affixed by the 
 Legislature as the condition of its grant, is so small, when 
 compared with the wealth of individuals and the great- 
 ness of the State, that no plea arising from ' the hardship of 
 the times,' Hhe general embarrassment of affiiirs,' or 'the 
 claims of other charities,' can or ought to avail the com- 
 munity. If such a proposal as this fail, it will be, in the 
 judgment of the undersigned, decisive of the fate of the
 
 20 SECOND ADDRESS OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 establishment. It will then be apparent that the ivill is 
 wanting in the public to patronize such an undertaking ; and 
 that the honor of laying the foundation of a fabric of charity 
 so noble and majestic must be left for times when a higher 
 cast of character predominates, and to a more enlightened 
 and sympathetic race of men." 
 
 On May 18, 1814, a communication from Dr. 
 George Parkman was received as to a Hospital for 
 the Insane, proposed to be erected by him for accom- 
 modation of such patients as shall be able to pay their 
 own expenses. On Jan. 18, 1815, the proposed sub- 
 scriptions were suspended. March 10, 1816, Messrs. 
 Quincy, Tilden, and J. L. Sullivan were appointed a 
 Committee on the subject of granting annuities, who 
 reported at the next meeting. On March 25, a Com- 
 mittee was appointed to see if the estate of Jonathan 
 Merry, near the North Church, can be purchased. 
 Messrs. Quincy and J. L. Sullivan were appointed a 
 Committee to draft a new address to the public. 
 Colonel May was directed to confer with Dr. Bow- 
 ditch, of Salem, respecting annuity tables, and the 
 comparative duration of life in this country and 
 Europe, &c. 
 
 On April 14, the address was ordered to be printed 
 in pamphlet form; and, on April 21, a thousand 
 copies of it were directed to be prepared for distribu- 
 tion. This second address is also extant. It is very 
 short. It refers to the former one two years before,
 
 COMMITTEES FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS. 21 
 
 and states, that, owing to a modification in the terms 
 of the gift of the Province House, the Board is ready 
 to receive subscriptions, independently of any specific 
 amount to be raised within any prescribed period ; 
 also that, to meet the existing diversity of views, sub- 
 scriptions would be received generally or specially for 
 either department of the proposed institution, and the 
 sums subscribed be faithfully applied as requested. 
 Appended to this address are letters directed to 
 members of the Board, detailing circumstances show- 
 ing the urgent need of such an institution. The 
 Board resolved itself, at this last meeting, into Sub- 
 committees for subscriptions : Colonel Perkins and 
 Captain Barnard to call on all whose names begin 
 with A, B, C. The remaining letters of the alpha- 
 bet were distributed as follows : To Messrs. May and 
 Phillips, D, E, F, G; Messrs. Sargent and Lowell, 
 H to L ; Messrs. Quincy and Lee, M to E. ; Messrs. 
 Tilden and J. L. Sullivan, S to Z. 
 
 On April 15, 1816, authority was given to buy the 
 Merry Estate at twelve thousand dollars. This estate 
 was situate at corner of Salem and Charter Streets, 
 and formerly belonged to Sir William Phipps. It 
 was not purchased by the Hospital, but was sub- 
 sequently (in 1820) bought by the Boys' Asylum. 
 On April 28. a Committee was appointed to devise a 
 plan of obtaining contributions from all the towns in
 
 ZZ DR. GEORGE PARKMAN. 
 
 the Commonwealth, who, on May 5, reported an ad- 
 dress to individuals resident in such towns ; of which 
 six hundred copies were ordered. I have not seen 
 any copy of this circular letter. 
 
 On Oct. 4, 1816, a communication from Dr. George 
 Parkman was received, to the effect that the Magee 
 Place and sixteen acres of land in Roxbury can be 
 had for sixteen thousand dollars. " If the institution 
 will pay five thousand dollars, he will procure to he 
 given to this institution the remaining eleven thou- 
 sand.'' This proposal was accepted ; a Committee 
 appointed to complete the purchase ; and Dr. Park- 
 man was appointed Superintending Physician of said 
 institution, " whenever the Magee Place shall be pur- 
 chased, as provided in the preceding vote." At the 
 foot of the page is the following memorandum : 
 " The Board subsequently considered that it was in- 
 expedient to purchase the Magee Place." Dr. Park- 
 man, as I learn, then had a private institution for the 
 insane on this estate, which is the same since oc- 
 cupied by the widow of Governor Eustis. Of the 
 eleven thousand dollars promised by him, ten thou- 
 sand was the amount agreed to be subscribed by 
 friends of the institution, who at his solicitation were 
 willing that their intended donations should be ap- 
 plied to this purchase. It was not, as the Board 
 apparently supposed, a new donation of Dr. Park- 
 man.
 
 THIRD ADDRESS OF TRUSTEES, 2-3 
 
 Dec. 15, 1816, Messrs. Lowell, Qnincy, and Bar- 
 nard were appointed a Committee to contract with 
 B. Joy, Esq., for the purchase of the Barrell Place 
 (or Joy Estate at Charlestown), to be ]>aid for as 
 soon as the state of the funds shall admit of it. A 
 renewed attempt was also made to get the land west 
 of the Almshouse for a Hospital. On Dec. 17, the 
 Humane Society subscribed five thousand dollars for 
 the Insane Hospital, and a suitable vote of thanks 
 was passed. On Dec. 18, the Board decided to pur- 
 chase part of Mr. Joy's land. Dec. 20, the several 
 Ward Committees for collecting subscriptions were 
 appointed, and were requested to commence proceed- 
 ings on the 26th instant.* Mr. Lo\vell was appointed 
 a Committee to prepare an address to the public. 
 This address is drawn up with the characteristic fer- 
 
 * The following gentlemen composed these Ward Committees, viz. : — 
 
 Wards 1, 2, 3. — Dr. Webster, Dr. E. Eliot, N. Webb, Esq., Gedney 
 King, Henry K. May. 
 
 Wards 4 and 5. — Joseph Coolidge, jun., Esq., William Mackay, Edward 
 Tuckerman, jun., R. G. Shaw, Lynde Walter, John Osborn, George [W.] 
 Lyman, Abraham Touro. 
 
 Wards 6 and 7. — Thomas Bartlett, Esq., Daniel Davis, Esq., Edmund 
 Dwight, Gideon Snow, Nathan Appleton, Ebenezer Farley, E. Motley, Geo. 
 Sullivan, James Prince, John Mackay, Thomas W. Sumner. 
 
 Wards 8 and 9. — Joseph Tilden, Esq., Joseph May, John Tappan, Ben- 
 jamin Russell, Josiali Bradlee, Francis Welch, Israel Munson, Samuel Park- 
 man, jun. 
 
 Ward 10. — David S. Greenough, Benjamin Rich, George Trott, Wil- 
 liam Sturgis, William Ropes, Lewis Tappan. 
 
 Wards U and 12. — Samuel May, Benjamin tVest, Joshua Davis, Josepli 
 Richards, John D. Williams, William Brown.
 
 24 
 
 LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 vor of the writer. It is a pamphlet of eight pages. 
 It is signed by eleven Trustees, — all except Mr. Lee, 
 who had recently died. It shows that private charity 
 cannot meet the evils which this public institution is 
 designed to remedy. It announces the purchase of 
 the Joy Estate as completed, of which it remarks : 
 " The situation selected appears to unite every prac- 
 ticable advantage ; we should almost say, the irrec- 
 oncilable ones of propinquity and distance, being 
 scarcely separated from the town by water, while its 
 peninsular situation places it at the most desirable 
 distance." It also adds, that the Trustees have "pro- 
 cured a grant of land west of the Almshouse [on 
 Leverett Street], upon which they have voted to erect 
 the General Hospital, as soon as the moneys, which 
 they flatter themselves will be readily subscribed, 
 shall have been collected." 
 
 On Dec. 29, the Ward Committees met with the 
 Board of Trustees, and reported that in three days 
 the siibscri'ptions were $78,802. Committees for the 
 towns of Salem, Beverly, New Bedford, Plymouth, 
 Charlestown, Mcdford, Cambridge, Roxbury, and 
 Newburyport,* were also appointed. Charles Bul- 
 
 * CoMMiTTKE FOR Salem. — Ilon. Benjamin Pickman, Hon. Joseph Story, 
 N. Silsbce, Joseph Peabody, N. Bowditcli, Natlianicl West, John Pickering, 
 Dudley L. Pickman, Pickering Dodge, and Ezekicl Savage, Esqs. 
 
 For Bkvkuly. — Dr. Fisher, Hon. T. Stevens, Moses Brown, Esq. 
 
 For Nj:\v Bedforo. — Wm. llotch, jun., Samuel Rodman, Jame8 Arnold
 
 PURCHASE OF ASYLUM ESTATE. 25 
 
 finch, Esq., was employed to visit the Hospitals of 
 Xew York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Meetings 
 now began to be held at the Athenreum, having 
 before been held at the houses of the oificers. 
 
 In 1817, Ebenezer Francis and David Sears be- 
 came Trustees, in place of George G. Lee and John 
 L. Sullivan. On Jan. 5, the subscriptions had in- 
 creased to $93,969. Authority was given to pur- 
 chase more of Mr. Joy's land, not exceeding in all 
 fifteen acres, or to cost over fifteen thousand dollars. 
 The Hon. John Phillips was requested to examine 
 the title. On Jan. 12, the Committee reported a 
 purchase from Mr. Joy for $15,650; and the Board 
 approved of their Committee's act, though they had 
 somewhat exceeded their powers ; and Mr. Lowell, 
 with Mr. Phillips, was appointed a Committee to 
 
 Seth Russell, jun., Joseph Ricketson, John A. Parker, And. Robeson, 
 Esqs. 
 
 For Plymouth. — Hon. Joshua Thomas, Wm. Davis, Barnabas Hedge, 
 Henry Warren, Esqs. 
 
 For Charlestown. — Hon. Josiah Bartlett, Joseph Hurd, Nathan Adams, 
 Nathan Bridge, Ebenezer Breed, William Austin, Timothy Walker, Samuel 
 Jaques, Seth Knowles, Nathaniel Austin, Esqs. 
 
 For Medford. — William Ward, Abraham Touro, Dudley Hall, Isaac 
 Brooks, E. Hall, Nathaniel Hall, Esqs. 
 
 For Cambridge. — James Winthrop, L. Baldwin, A. Bigelow, S. Bart- 
 lett, S. P. P. Fay, Tim. Fuller, Esqs., and Messrs. Hayden and Merriam. 
 
 For Roxburt. — General H. A. S. Dearborn, Thos. Williams, W. Bos- 
 son, Charles DaA'is, George Zeigler, D. S. Greenough, Esqs., and Captain 
 Charles Curtis. 
 
 For Neavbdryport. — William Bartlett, Moses Brown, J. B. Bannister, 
 John Pettingil, Abner Wood, William Woart, Esqs. 
 
 4
 
 26 COMMITTEE ON ANNUITIES. 
 
 procure the deed. Jan. 19, a salary was given to 
 the Secretary of a hundred dollars. At the annual 
 meeting of the Corporation, Jan. 21, Richard Sul- 
 livan declined a re-election as Secretary, and was 
 thanked for his services. On Jan. 26, a letter was 
 received from Hon. Benjamin Pickman, recommend- 
 ing a physician of the Asylum. Tliis was a most 
 important communication, as the nominee was Dr. 
 E,ufus Wyman ; and, coming from one of so high 
 standing, and who had had especial opportunities of 
 learning Dr. Wyman's eminent qualifications, it had 
 great weight. A final vote of thanks to the Ward 
 Committees for their services in obtaining subscrip- 
 tions Avas passed at this meeting. 
 
 Feb. 2, 1817, an address .to the public was adopted 
 to obviate an impression that the Insane Hospital 
 was designed exclusively for the wealthy. I have 
 not seen a copy of this document. On Feb. 16, 
 Messrs. Lowell, Quincy, Francis, and Barnard, a 
 Committee of the Board, with Nathaniel Bowditch, 
 Francis C. Lowell, and Peter C. Brooks, not of the 
 Board, were requested to consider the expediency of, 
 and to report a plan for the granting of annuities, 
 Feb. 23, thanks were given to Mr. PhiUips for his ser- 
 vices in examining the title of *the Joy Estate. Public 
 notice was ordered that all subscriptions were payable 
 on March 1. It was also stated that the Province
 
 ALLEN-STREET ESTATE. 27 
 
 House had been leased at public auction for ninety- 
 nine years. March 2, Messrs. Lowell, Barnard, and 
 Quincy were appointed a Committee to select a site 
 for a Hospital on the town's land near Almshouse, or 
 elsewhere. Mr. Bulfinch presented a written report 
 on his visits to other Hospitals. March 9, the Treas- 
 urer was invited to attend all the meetings. Public 
 notice was ordered on selection of superintendent for 
 Asylum. The Committee on the subject of granting 
 annuities reported against the measure. On March 
 16, 1817, the deed of Benjamin Joy was produced, 
 and the Secretary ordered to buy a tin case to keep it 
 in. It is still extant, and used for holding the title- 
 deeds. Mr. Bulfinch presented a ground-plan for an 
 Insane Hospital. The Committee, on March 23, 
 reported that they had examined several sites, and 
 were pleased with one in North Allen Street, and ar- 
 ranged that the Board should visit it. Mr. Lowell 
 reported the rules and regulations for an Insane 
 Asylum. Dr. George Parkman offered himself as 
 candidate for physician of that institution ; whose 
 communication, with a model and several documents, 
 was placed on file. Charles Bulfinch sent in a plan 
 for a General Hospital. March 30, each Trustee 
 approved of the site in Allen Street. The Committee 
 were authorized to buy it at not over twenty thou- 
 sand dollars, provided the title be good, and the street
 
 28 DRS. JACKSON AND WARREN. 
 
 now laid out through the same be discontinued. If 
 it could not be had on these terms, they were to ap- 
 ply for land west of the Almshouse. April 6, Drs. 
 Samuel Danforth, Isaac Rand, John Jeffries, Lemuel 
 Hayward, David Townsend, Thos. Welsh, Aaron 
 Dexter, and Wni. Spooner, were chosen consulting 
 physicians ; Dr. James Jackson, acting physician ; Dr. 
 John C. Warren, acting surgeon. Dr. Jackson, in 
 the office of consulting physician, continues to mani- 
 fest an undiminished interest in the prosperity of the 
 institution. Dr. Warren, after thirty-four years, yet 
 holds his office. He bears lightly the age of more 
 than " three-score and ten," and, like England's " Iron 
 Duke," is still at his post of duty and of honor.* 
 
 April 20, 1817, Messrs. Lowell, Francis, and 
 Quincy were instructed to prepare alterations and 
 additions to the by-laws. A letter from Hon. Wil- 
 liam Phillips announced his readiness to pay his sub- 
 scription of twenty thousand dollars, as soon as the 
 town would discharge him, as executor of his father's 
 will, from the five thousand dollars given thereby. 
 On May 4, the Committee for building an Asylum re- 
 ported in favor of two wings or buildings, seventy-six 
 feet by forty, three stories high instead of one, and of 
 brick instead of stone. Authority was given to buy 
 
 * The year 1852 brought to a close tlie life of tlie Duke of Wellington 
 and the oflScial labors of Dr. Warren.
 
 ^^ 
 
 ws-wm' 
 
 -i ' 
 
 ■s*r,' 
 

 
 HOSPITAL LOT. 29 
 
 the Allen-street Estate at twenty thousand dollars, if 
 the offer should be accepted in six days. On May 7, 
 a Corporation meeting was held, at which rules and 
 regulations were adopted for the Asylum for the 
 Insane, which, as recorded, occupy ten large folio 
 pages. At a Trustees' meeting, June 12, a letter 
 from Mr. Quincy was received, with a written report 
 from Benjamin Gorham, Esq., as to an uncertainty or 
 defect in the title ; and he was authorized to consult 
 Hon. William Prescott. July 14, Messrs. Francis 
 and Sears were added to this Committee with instruc- 
 tions ; and, on Aug. 4, they were requested to apply 
 to the city of Boston to close any streets which may 
 pass through the land. Aug. 25, the Committee 
 reported that they were informed that the street had 
 not been legally laid out, and could be closed at any 
 time ; and they were authorized to buy the estate at 
 a price not exceeding twenty-three thousand dollars. 
 On Oct. 6, after various delays and negotiations, the 
 Committee reported " the Allen-street purchase as 
 substantially complete." Oct. 27, a Committee was 
 appointed to apply to the selectmen to discontinue 
 Bridge Street, laid out through this estate. Nov. 3, 
 the Committee reported the draft of an advertisement, 
 offering a hundred dollars' reward for a plan of a 
 Hospital ; also a circular letter to all the ministers of 
 the gospel in the Commonwealth.
 
 30 COMMON SEAL. LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Nov. '24, a common seal was ordered to be pre- 
 pared ; and, on Nov. 30, Colonel May laid it before 
 the Board, — the device being an Indian with his 
 bow in one hand, and an arrow in the other ; * and 
 on his right a star, being encircled with the inscrip- 
 tion, "Massachusetts General Hospital, 1811;" 
 and it was accepted accordingly. Dec. 7, it was 
 ordered that the Hospital be " of stone, and of that 
 kind called granite^ Jan. 4, 1818, several plans 
 were received by the Board; and, on Jan. 11, 
 referred to Messrs. Lowell, Quincy, and Francis. 
 
 The result of this period, then, was that subscrip- 
 tions were secured to the amount required by the 
 condition of the charter, and the estates were pur- 
 chased where the two departments of the institution 
 are now situated. The subscriptions had been ex- 
 tremely generous. William Phillips, as we have 
 seen, increased his father's legacy of five thousand 
 dollars to the sum of twenty thousand. f The impor- 
 tance of this donation can hardly be over-estimated. 
 It encouraged the friends of the project, and awak- 
 ened a corresponding liberality in others. It is not 
 too much to say, that it was the one circumstance 
 which insured the success of the undertaking. The 
 
 * Tliis is the device of the seal of the Commonwealth. 
 
 t At the annual meeting of 1852, Dr. J. C. Warren mentioned that his 
 father, Dr. John Warren, had written to Mr. Phillips on this subject, and had 
 been consulted by Dr. James Jackson and himself, touching their circular 
 letter of 1810.
 
 CONDITION IN MR. JOY's DEED. 31 
 
 Humane Society gave five thousand dollars ; Messrs. 
 James Perkins, Thomas H. Perkins, and David Sears, 
 each gave the same sum. 
 
 There were in all one thousand and forty-seven 
 subscribers, residing in Boston, Salem, Plymouth, 
 Charlestown, Hingham, and Chelsea (including a few 
 residents elsewhere) ; and 245 of this number, by 
 giving one hundred dollars and upwards, became 
 members of the Corporation. Several subscribed ex- 
 clusively for the Hospital, and several exclusively for 
 the Asylum, and some for both ; and the amount 
 actually expended on each separate branch of the 
 institution subsequently exceeded the sum thus spe- 
 cially appropriated ; so that the wishes of each donor 
 have been complied with. A donation-book, prepared 
 in 1828 by Colonel Joseph May, includes these sub- 
 scriptions, and some subsequent ones, making in all 
 the truly magnificent total of more than a hundred 
 and forty thousand dollars. 
 
 The purchase of the Charlestown Estate was en- 
 cumbered with divers conditions and provisions, a 
 strict compliance with which is. of the utmost impor- 
 tance. It is to be regretted that Mr. Joy should have 
 deemed it necessary, for the adequate protection of his 
 remaining adjoining estate, to impose these restric- 
 tions ; and it is unfortunate that the Committee should 
 have accepted a deed with a condition cajxible of work-
 
 32 BUILDINGS AT THE ASYLUM. 
 
 ing^ in any possible events a forfeiture of the estate. 
 The lot is about five hundred feet wide by sixteen 
 hundred feet in length, extending to the water, with 
 the flats appurtenant. Upon it stood a dwelling- 
 house, built by Joseph Barrell, Esq., a former owner, 
 and which has been since enlarged and altered, and 
 is now used as the residence for the Physicians and 
 the Superintendent and their families. The two brick 
 wings at first erected have since been enlarged by 
 additions of the parts surmounted by domes, and 
 constitute the present buildings used for the male and 
 the female patients. The Building Committee, during 
 this period, devoted much time and attention to the 
 erection of these first edifices ; Mr. Francis visited the 
 Hospitals of New York and Philadelphia, It was 
 thouirht desirable that they should each communicate 
 with the dwelling-house, and also that they should 
 be as distant from each other as possible. They are 
 therefore placed at diverging lines, which rendered 
 the subsequent addition of the parts surmounted by 
 domes extremely awkward ; it being found impossible 
 to continue them in the same direction, without in- 
 terfering with the mansion-house. Mr. Barrell had 
 planted two fine rows of elms, ranging from his 
 mansion-house in the direction of the old wards. All 
 of them were subsequently cut down at the suggestion 
 of Dr. AVvman. It was once remarked in my hear-
 
 DEFECT OF TITLE OF HOSPITAL LOT. 33 
 
 ing, that the buildings were erected to accommodate 
 the trees, and then the trees cut down to accommo- 
 date the buildings. The ground falls off so rapidly 
 that these wards are entered at the second story ; and 
 there are in them so many dark passages, so many 
 ascents and descents, and so many turnings and 
 twistings, that, should the oldest Trustee of the insti- 
 tution be suddenly left alone during a visit, he would 
 probably be puzzled to know exactly where he was, 
 or by what means he could best escape from the 
 labyrinth around him. 
 
 The purchase of the land in Boston had been 
 attended with great difficulties, and was a most for- 
 tunate arrangement for the institution. The five 
 thousand dollars bequeathed by Mr. Phillips re- 
 quired that the Hospital should be within the limits 
 of Boston, and wcflild have been unavailable if the 
 original requirement of the charter in that respect 
 had not been repealed. Negotiations for the purchase 
 of this estate were opened with James S. Colburn, 
 Esq., acting for the Prince heirs, who were supposed 
 to be sole owners ; and he once or twice increased the 
 price which he had originally demanded. It was then 
 ascertained that certain others (heirs of the Wells 
 family) had an interest which must be extinguished. 
 A street which had been laid out for the benefit of the 
 Canal Bridge, in continuation of Bridge Street, and 
 
 5
 
 34 DEFECT OF TITLE OF HOSPITAL LOT. 
 
 respecting the laying out of which some informality 
 had been discovered, was shut up. And still there 
 remained a serious objection, that part of the land 
 had been set off on execution in 1781, on a judgment 
 for £741, against one Hezekiah Blanchard ; the sher- 
 iff making a general return, that the appraisers were 
 appointed according to law^ instead of stating specially 
 which of them was chosen by the creditor, debtor, 
 and sheriff respectively. The land was appraised at 
 only about half of the debt (£430). The debtor was 
 for years afterwards supported by the creditor, and 
 died a pauper, and was buried at his expense. Strong 
 as was the equity of the case, the legal title of this lot 
 (making an important part of the estate) was bad. 
 Mr. Lowell, an excellent lawyer, and a most influen- 
 tial member of the Committee, was opposed to com- 
 pleting the purchase on the ground of this objection. 
 Messrs. Francis, Quincy, and others of the Com- 
 mittee, were willing to take the risk. Mr. Lowell left 
 for Europe, and his colleagues decided to buy. It is 
 an interesting circumstance, that, just before the end 
 of the forty years allowed by law, Charles G. Loring, 
 Esq., was employed to institute a suit for Benjamin 
 Gray and his sister, as the heirs of the old owner ; 
 which was favorably compromised, in part doubt- 
 less through Mr. Loring's good offices; the Hospital 
 paying five hundred dollars, and an intervening war-
 
 ITS INCREASED VALUE. 35 
 
 rantor paying five hundred more. This same demand- 
 ant subsequently recovered an estate in Atkinson 
 Street for breach of condition, under circumstances so 
 inequitable, that the suit, as reported in the books 
 (Gray v. Blanchard), is known as the atrocious case ; 
 and the Court avowed that they intentionally post- 
 poned giving their opinion, in hopes that the delay 
 would have led to a compromise. Mr. Gray knew no 
 higher standard of right or of duty than " the statute 
 in such case made and provided." He at first refused 
 to accept the Hospital's offer of one thousand dollars. 
 The case was opened to the jury ; and Benjamin 
 Gorham, Esq., counsel for the Hospital, began to ex- 
 hibit him in so unenviable a light, that he intimated 
 his readiness to take the sum offered. The case was 
 thereupon withdrawn from the jury. But for this 
 arrangement, the Hospital would have been put to 
 great inconvenience, if not loss. This possible con- 
 sequence certainly goes far to justify Mr. Lowell's 
 objections, while the actual result fully warrants the 
 decision of his associates. 
 
 This estate, independently of improvements, is now 
 probably worth at least about three hundred thousand 
 dollars. It cost less than a twelfth of that sum.
 
 36 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1818-1822. 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins, Chairman. — Dr. Rufds Wtman chosen Physician 
 OF Asylum. — Corner-stone of Hospital laid, July 4, 1818. — Ad- 
 dresses ON the Occasion. — Tax on Licenses asked for. — Colonel 
 May, Chairman. — Address by Richard Sullivan, 1819. — Capu- 
 chin Chapel. — Death of James Prince, Treasurer. — Election 
 and Death of William Cochran. — Election of N. P. Russell. — 
 Death of James Perkins, Vice-President. — Tolls on Canal 
 Bridge. — Nathaniel Fletcher, Superintendent of Hospital. — 
 First Patient, Sept. 3, 1821. — Bequests op Thomas Oliver, 
 Samuel Eliot, Beza Tucker, &c. — Donation of Horace Gray, 
 &c. — Address to Public, 1822. — State of Finances, &c. 
 
 In 1818, the same Board of Trustees were re-elected; 
 and at their first meeting, Jan. 25, Thomas H. Per- 
 kins was chosen Chairman. The Committee reported 
 that the plan of a Hospital by Mr. Bulfinch deserved 
 the premium ; and the President and Vice-President 
 were asked to attend at the next meeting, and give 
 their advice as to the erecting at present a centre 
 building and one wing, Messrs. William Phillips 
 and James Perkins attended accordingly, Jan. 28, and 
 signified their approval of this measure. On Feb. 1, 
 Mr. Bulfinch's plan (with slight modifications sug- 
 gested by the Committee) was adopted, and immediate 
 measures were directed for getting stone hammered 
 at the State Prison. A Committee was appointed to
 
 DR. RUFUS WYMAN. 37 
 
 inquire as to insurance on the Asylum buildings, and 
 also as to the powers of granting annuities. The 
 Committee on this last subject reported on Feb. 15. 
 Messrs. Lowell and Francis were appointed, March 1, 
 to engage a person to superintend the erection of the 
 Hospital. March 3, the Building Committee at the 
 Asylum was ordered to have a foot-bridge constructed 
 over the creek, in place of one recently destroyed by 
 ice. Insurance against tire was ordered to the amount 
 of ten thousand dollars. March 15, the Board decided 
 that it is expedient to unite in one person the offices 
 of Physician and Superintendent of the Asylum. 
 March 22, it appeared that the Physicians and Sur- 
 geons of the Hospital recommended Dr. Rufus Wy- 
 man (Dr. George Parkman having withdrawn his 
 application for that office) ; and he was nominated 
 accordingly. Mr. Francis was appointed a Committee 
 for erecting a wharf at the Hospital grounds. On 
 March 23, Dr. Wyman was unanimously elected, and 
 was authorized to visit New York and Philadelphia. 
 March 29, the heirs of Hezekiah Blanchard made 
 their claim for part of the Hospital land. On June 2, 
 Dr. Wyman, having returned from his tour, made 
 a verbal report. Messrs. Francis and Lowell, and 
 the Treasurer, were appointed the Building Commit- 
 tee of the Hospital. 
 
 On July 1, the Treasurer, and Messrs. May and
 
 38 CORNER-STONE OF HOSPITAL LAID. 
 
 Francis, were appointed a Committee to cause the 
 corner-stone of the Hospital to be laid on July 4 ; and 
 Mr. Quincy was requested to deliver the address on 
 that occasion. 
 
 " On Saturday, the 4th day of July, the corner-stone 
 of the Hospital in North Allen Street, in pursuance of 
 the vote of the Trustees, was laid in Masonic form by 
 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, in presence of his 
 Excellency the Governor, his Honor the Lieutenant- 
 Governor, the Honorable Council, many charitable 
 societies, the Selectmen and Board of Health of the 
 town of Boston, the members of the Corporation of 
 the Massachusetts General Hospital, and a great 
 concourse of citizens, who assembled to witness the 
 ceremony. 
 
 " Under the stone was placed, in addition to a num- 
 ber of coins, a silver plate or tablet, whereon was 
 engraved the following inscription : — 
 
 " 3Cf)c CTorncv^stoiu of t\]is EUtficc, 
 
 DESIGNED AS A GENERAL HOSPITAL, POUNDED BY THE MUNIFICENCE OP THE 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OP MASSACHUSETTS, AND OP MANY OP ITS LIBERAL 
 
 CITIZENS, WAS LAID AT THE REQUEST OP THE TRUSTEES 
 
 OP THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, 
 
 BY THE GRAND LODGE OP 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS, 
 
 FRANCIS J. OLIVER, Esq., Grand Master. 
 Hi« Excellency JOHN BKOOKS, Governor. 
 
 His Honor WILLIAM PHILLIPS, Lieut.-Govcrnor, President of said Corporation, and a most 
 
 munificent donor. 
 
 The Municipal and Military Officers of Boston assisting at the Ceremonies ; 
 
 Tnm FOURTH DAY OP JULY, A.D. MDCCCXVIII. AND OP THE INDEPENDENCR 
 
 OP THE UNITED STATES, XLIII. 
 
 Akno Lucis, .5818."
 
 MR. OLIVERS ADDRESS. 39 
 
 The addresses of Mr. Oliver and Mr. Quincy were 
 in every respect eminently appropriate to the occa- 
 sion. That of the Grand Master, Mr. Oliver, was as 
 follows : — 
 
 " In your hands [the Master-Builder] I now place these 
 tools of your profession, and commit to your care the super- 
 intendence in erecting this edifice, whose foundation is now 
 laid in the land of our fathers, in presence of sages and 
 philanthropists, with their fervent prayers for a blessing on 
 the work. Be cautious in selecting your materials, and use 
 all your skill in putting them together, that your workman- 
 ship may endure like that of faithfulness and truth ; for 
 this building is not to be a temporary pavilion for the dis- 
 play of opulence, splendor, and pride, but a temple dedi- 
 cated to humanity, a lazar-house built by enlightened 
 Compassion, where Charity and Philosophy are to walk 
 a perpetual round to alleviate miseiy, and to combat with 
 and destroy disease and pain. 
 
 " To secure your constant attention and highest exertions 
 in this undertaking, you must keep in mind the noble purposes 
 to which it is to be appropriated. It will be a testimonial of 
 the liberality of this Commonwealth and the munificence 
 of opulent individuals, — a sort of mile-stone on the journey 
 of civilization, to show how far the Christian spirit had 
 advanced in this age, in ameliorating the condition of man. , 
 
 " The golden age, when men were happy and free from 
 crime, lives only in fable ; but a religious and humane age, 
 amidst crime and wretchedness, shall be matter of sober 
 history. 
 
 " If he who gives a cup of cold water to the thirsty, with 
 a charitable disposition, has already the promises of the gos- 
 pel, how great will be the reward of those generous souls
 
 40 master-builder's reply. 
 
 who create a perennial flow of all tlie healing balms and 
 cordials tliat touch the lips or bathe tlie limbs of decrepitude 
 and sickness. 
 
 " As this institution will long exist a proof of the liberality 
 of feeling and purity of sentiment of the people of this day, 
 and an example for future times, go on. Sir, and erect this 
 building with taste, science, and fidelity, that it may be a 
 model for the architects of a distant period ; so that future 
 master-builders may come and admire your work for its 
 strengtli, beauty, and durability. 
 
 " If you commence your work in hope, and perform it with 
 assiduity, prosperity will attend, and self-satisfaction, with the 
 applauses of the wise and good, will crown your toils. Yours 
 is no small or trifling trust ; do your duty in this, and in all 
 your hands find to do, in such a manner that the great 
 Architect of time and eternity will number you among his 
 master workmen who have happily toiled for the bread of 
 life." 
 
 To which the master-builder replied : — 
 
 " Most Wohshipful Sir, 
 
 " I accept these tools of my profession with diffidence but 
 pleasure ; and I promise to use my best endeavors to follow 
 your advice and remember your instructions. The recollection 
 of the importance of tliis institution, and the desire I feel to 
 obtain the approbation of its patrons, will, I trust, stimulate 
 me in the discharge of my duties. Whatever science or skill 
 I possess shall be sedulously devoted to this work. As the 
 corner-stone of the edifice is now laid in the full faith of the 
 great advantages which are to flow from this institution, and 
 with all holy and proper rites, it shall now be my earnest 
 desire and constant exertion, that industry, harmony, and 
 good fellowship shall prevail among the craftsmen, that the
 
 MR. quincy's address. 41 
 
 work shall proceed with despatch, and be finished in good 
 time for the reception of such as it is intended to accommodate. 
 "The belief that the o-ood feelino^s and wishes of the 
 pious and benevolent are with me in this undertakins; will 
 strengthen my hands and encourage my heart, for the prayer 
 of the righteous avaUeth Qunch." 
 
 The address of Mr. Qiiincy was as follows : — 
 
 " May it please your Excellency ; — Gentlemen of the 
 Masonic, Gentlemen of the Mechanic, Associations ; — 
 Fellow-citizens : — I am requested by the Trustees of the 
 Massachusetts General Hospital to express to you, Sir, — 
 to the officers and members of these respectable frater- 
 nities, — and to our fellow-citizens in general, their con- 
 gratulations on this interesting occasion. You and they 
 will be pleased to accept tlie thanks of the Trustees for the 
 countenance and aid you have given this institution, by 
 thus condescending to assist in laying its foundations, 
 according to the rules of art, and with those solemn and 
 mysterious forms and ceremonies which ancient wisdom 
 has prescribed. 
 
 "Indeed, Sir and Gentlemen, the foundations of a noble 
 charity have this day been laid ; — a charity, destined to 
 confer lasting blessings on future times, as it has already 
 conferred immortal honor on the present; — a charity, of 
 Avhich it Avell becomes a citizen of Massachusetts to speak 
 in the language of pride and exultation. For of what can 
 the patriot be more justly proud than of witnessing in a 
 community virtuous principles, emanating in generous ef- 
 forts, and generous efforts crowned with resplendent suc- 
 cess ? When can exultation be more natural or suitable 
 than on beholding the seed, which the common labor of 
 the community has scattered, upspringing from the soil, 
 
 6
 
 42 MR. quinct's address. 
 
 bearing on its trunk and on its branches the pregnant prom- 
 ise of fruit and shade ? 
 
 "In reference to this institution, it has been the happiness 
 of the Trustees to witness among their fellow-citizens a 
 zeal co-operating with its design and patronizing its estab- 
 lishment, as laudable as it has been exemplary, and not 
 less encouraging than it has been honorable. They have 
 seen individuals distinguished at once for wealth and liber- 
 ality, surpassing all former records of benevolence in this 
 country, and subscribing to their funds sums which in 
 point of amount have seldom been equalled by individual 
 subscription in any country, on any occasion. They liave 
 seen all classes of their citizens combining and concentrat- 
 ing their efforts, and the irresistible force of public opinion 
 applied, not, as has happened in other countries, to destroy, 
 but to found and erect institutions destined to be the refuge 
 of the afflicted ; and to provide relief and extend protection 
 to those who labor under the most awful and humiliating 
 misfortunes to which man is subject. 
 
 "These are efforts, of which he who loves his country 
 may justly be proud. These are objects which the eye of 
 the philanthropist delights to contemplate. These are 
 scenes, amid which virtue and piety rejoice to dwell. 
 These are honors which eloquence and history will not 
 cease to celebrate, long after every other memorial of the 
 present generation shall have passed away. 
 
 " But, may it please your Excellency, it ought not to be 
 concealed on the present occasion, that, notwithstanding 
 the donations on which this charity has been founded are 
 great, yet that the necessities of the unfortunate and of this 
 institution are still o-reater. It belonos to the occasion to 
 state, that the funds already placed at the disposal of the 
 Trustees will scarcely more than suffice to enable them to
 
 MR. quincy's address. 43 
 
 complete the Asylum for the Insane, and also two principal 
 parts of the building destined for the General Hospital ; 
 leaving it to the sympathy of the Legislature and of the 
 community to provide for the completion of the remaining 
 third part of the building, and for the annual support of the 
 establishment. 
 
 "Encouraged by the liberality and favor already displayed 
 by their fellow-citizens and by the Legislature of the Com- 
 monwealth, and anxious, on their part, to fulfil the duties 
 imposed on them in the spirit which the munificence of the 
 public seemed to justify and to demand, the Trustees have 
 deemed themselves compelled to commence their institution 
 upon a scale and on a system coinciding less with the 
 immediate state of the funds, than with the anticipated 
 exigencies of society ; assured that the liberality of the 
 State and of individuals will not fail to complete an under- 
 taking commenced under such honorable and happy aus- 
 pices ; relying that every want which shall occur will be 
 supplied as well from the interesting and commanding 
 nature of all the charities concentrated in their institution, 
 as from the just and deep sympathies for its success which 
 prevail in the community. 
 
 "To that sympathy, to the same noble and elevated 
 sentiment, to which we are indebted for its conception, and, 
 thus far, for its establishment, we confidently rely for its 
 future support. 
 
 "To you, Sir, as the head and representative of this great 
 Commonwealth, — to our fellow-citizens at large, — to all 
 the wise, the liberal, the virtuous, and pious men of our 
 country, we cheerfully commit its destinies ; asking only of 
 them, and of the Legislature of the Commonwealth, that 
 the same munificent spirit which founded, may still preside 
 over it, that it may thus be enabled to develop all its use-
 
 44 TREASURER PRINCE's REMARKS. 
 
 fulness, and continue to be, what it now is, a monument 
 of the wisdom, the liberaHty, and humanity of the rulers 
 and citizens of Massachusetts." 
 
 The ceremonies were concluded by the following 
 remarks from James Prince, Esq., the Treasurer of 
 the institution : — 
 
 "Fellow-citizens, — The purposes for which we have 
 assembled being accomplished, the moment of our sepa- 
 ration from this now interesting- spot has arrived. Let us, 
 however, under those impressions which the occasion so 
 forcibly inspires, in retiring, turn our thoughts from earth 
 to heaven, and again implore the God and Father of all 
 graciously to permit the top-stone of this intended edifice 
 to be laid in love, in order, and without accident, as at 
 this beoinnino; ; and to bestow the choicest of his blessinfjs 
 upon all those who have been, or who hereafter may be, 
 donors to this humane establishment, not only in this 
 world, but in that which is to come. Amen." 
 
 His Excellency, the Trustees, and other invited 
 guests, then proceeded to the house of the Treasurer, 
 Mr. Prince, and partook of a collation. The attend- 
 ance was very numerous. Those who could not get 
 into the house were accommodated in the garden. It 
 was a scene of joyous festivity. " It was a great day," 
 said one who was present, " for Marshal Prince," as 
 it certainly was for the institution. Like the Union, 
 with whose birthday its foundation is thus associated, 
 may its benefits be ever more and more widely felt ;
 
 THOMAS OLIVERS BEQUEST. 45 
 
 and may it continue to the latest times to afford its 
 protection, and extend its welcome alike to the citizen 
 and to the stranger who cometh among us ! 
 
 On July 3, IS 18, Joseph Head, Esq., one of the 
 executors of Thomas Oliver, of Boston, merchant, 
 announced that he had made this institution his 
 residuary devisee. This bequest was gratefully ac- 
 cepted by the Trustees ; and Messrs. Lowell and 
 Francis were appointed a Committee on the subject. 
 
 This legacy exceeded twenty-four thousand dollars. 
 A portrait of Mr. Oliver was subsequently given, 
 which was placed in the Trustees' room at the Hos- 
 pital. The institution is especially indebted to Mr. 
 Head for this bequest, as the testator wished to 
 bestow his property on him and his family ; and it 
 was solely in consequence of his truly disinterested 
 advice, that Mr. Oliver made the Hospital the object 
 of his bounty, after his wife's decease. The widow 
 married again, and lived till July, 18-35, enjoying till 
 her death the income or interest of the estate. The 
 Hospital received the property in 1826, and paid her 
 from that time an annuity of thirteen hundred dollars. 
 
 On July 13, thanks were voted to the Grand Lodge 
 of Massachusetts for their assistance at the ceremonies 
 of the laying of the corner-stone. Sept. 1, Mr. Francis 
 was appointed a Committee to advise with the Treas- 
 urer respecting the disposal of the funds. Detailed
 
 46 FIRST PATIENT AT THE ASYLUM. 
 
 rules were adopted for admission of patients at the 
 Asylum, and ordered to be printed. On Sept. 8, fur- 
 ther rules and regulations for the general government 
 of tlie Asylum were adopted. The Committee on Mr. 
 Oliver's bequest reported that his widow is to have 
 all the property, real and personal, for life ; and con- 
 sented to the immediate sale of land in Middle Street 
 and Prince Street devised by him. On Sept. 15, 1818, 
 Visiting Committees were arranged, each to be of 
 three members, and to serve for three months ; 
 Messrs. Sullivan, Sargent, and Francis being the 
 Committee for the next ensuing months of October, 
 November, and December. Sept. 19, the Treasurer 
 was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars. Oct. 
 27, he was ordered, on account of the straitened 
 means of the institution, to call in all debts due for 
 subscriptions or otherwise. Nov. 15, the Visiting 
 Committee were directed to hasten the delivery of 
 the stone from State Prison, " that the roof of the 
 Hospital may be covered in as soon as possible." 
 
 Nov. 23, the Visiting Committee report nine pa- 
 tients received at Asylum. Mr. Francis states that 
 he well remembers the admission of the first patient. 
 A father asked to have his son received as an inmate ; 
 and the Committee spent three hours in conversing 
 with him, in order to learn all the particulars of the 
 
 * 
 
 case. He informed them that he believed his son to
 
 TOLLS ON CANAL BRIDGE. 47 
 
 be one of those spoken of in the Bible as " possessed 
 with a devil ; " and, when asked what remedial meas- 
 ures he had adopted, replied that he was in the habit 
 of whipping him. The young man was entirely cured, 
 and became subsequently a pedler, in which vocation 
 he displayed so much Yankee shrewdness, that he 
 acquired a property of ten or twelve thousand dollars. 
 Three hours' deliberation on the admission of each 
 patient would hardly be found practicable in these 
 later times, when the institution numbers two hun- 
 dred inmates. The Trustees, however, always scrupu- 
 lously require a medical certificate as to the fact of 
 insanity. 
 
 Dec. 20, voted that Messrs. Lowell, Quincy, and 
 Coolidge be a Committee to wait on James Prince, 
 Esq., Treasurer of the Corporation, to express the 
 regret of this Board at learning his intention to 
 resign, '' their unanimous sense of his very able and 
 zealous services," and their wish that he would con- 
 sent to serve at least another year. With this request 
 he complied, and remained in office till his death. 
 The temperance reform had not as yet commenced, 
 and a Committee was appointed to ask for a grant 
 of " a tax on licenses to sell spirituous liquors." The 
 Board of Visitors made a visit to the Asylum, by 
 invitation of the Trustees, and are reported to the 
 Board as having '• expressed much satisfaction at the
 
 48 TAX ON LICENSES. SMALL MEANS. 
 
 promising state of the institution." Messrs. Lowell 
 and Quincy were appointed a Committee to confer 
 with the Lechmere Point Corporation, on the subject 
 of the " officers of the Hospital being permitted to pass 
 their bridge free of toll." Dec. 27, the Treasurer 
 furnished " a very judicious plan for keeping the 
 accounts of the Asylum." Jan. 3, 1819, a Com- 
 mittee of five was appointed to get the signatures 
 of individuals to the petition for a tax on licenses. 
 Jan. 24, 1819, the Treasurer reported that he had 
 borrowed a further sum of eleven hundred dollars, 
 and was authorized to borrow five thousand more. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 19, Peter C. Brooks 
 was elected a Trustee in place of Thomas H. Perkins, 
 Esq., but declined serving. The thanks of the Cor- 
 poration were presented to Colonel Perkins for his 
 long and faithful services as Trustee. At this annual 
 meeting, Mr. Francis, as Chairman of the Committee 
 to examine the Treasurer's accounts, reported the 
 property of the institution, exclusive of the Province 
 House, at $4,188, " which would be far short of the 
 sum necessary to complete the buildings." A Com- 
 mittee of seven was appointed to procure subscrip- 
 tions for an historical picture, to be painted by Mr. 
 Allston, and to be the property of the Hospital. No 
 such picture was ever painted. Jan. 31, Colonel May 
 was elected Chairman of the Trustees. Feb. 21, the
 
 VOTE OF PROPRIETORS OF CANAL BRIDGE. 49 
 
 town of Concord was thanked for its liberal donation. 
 Feb. 28, Dr. Wyman's salary was fixed at fifteen hun- 
 dred dollars. March 21, Mr. Francis was appointed a 
 Committee to ascertain the cost of finishing the Hos- 
 pital ; and Messrs. Lowell, Sullivan, and Francis were 
 appointed a Committee to arrange a plan for laying 
 out the grounds at the Asylum. April 2, reports 
 were presented of a very favorable character as to 
 Dr. Wyman, and stating that his assistants had be- 
 haved " with all due humanity and attention." The 
 whole number of patients was stated to be six 
 females, nine males. April 4, the Acting Physician 
 and Surgeon were re-elected. Of the eight Con- 
 sulting Physicians, the only change was the election 
 of Dr. James Mann, in place of Dr. Danforth, who, 
 it is believed, was dead. April 11, Mr. Francis 
 reported that $4,557.43 would finish the Hospital 
 in a plain, simple style. 
 
 It was voted to apply to the Canal Bridge, " re- 
 questing such an extension of their order, as that 
 the Trustees, Physicians, and all persons actually 
 employed in the Asylum, when passing the bridge on 
 the business of said institution, shall pass the same 
 free of toll." May 2, the Treasurer was authorized 
 to raise a sufficient sum to pay off the debts of the 
 Corporation, by obtaining a loan, &c. May 18, a 
 Committee was appointed to make arrangements for
 
 50 RICHARD Sullivan's address. 
 
 a public address to be delivered during the session of 
 Legislature, on the progress and present state of the 
 institution. A vote of the Directors of the Canal 
 Bridge, relative to payment of toll by officers of the 
 Asylum, was read and placed on file. It granted the 
 privilege asked for, which accordingly has ever since 
 been enjoyed, though of late years called in question. 
 June 1, 1819, the Committee reported that Thurs- 
 day next, at 4 o'clock, was appointed for the delivery 
 of an address by Kichard Sullivan, Esq. ; and that 
 the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Council, Senate, 
 and House of Representatives, had been invited to 
 attend. 
 
 " On Thursday, June 3, the Trustees assembled at State 
 House, where a procession was formed, consisting of the 
 Civil Government of the Commonweahh, the Board of 
 Visitors, Corporation, Trustees, Physicians, and Surgeons 
 of tlie institution, reverend clergy, and citizens; who pro- 
 ceeded to King's Chapel, where, after appropriate prayers 
 by Rev. Dr. James Freeman, and music by a select choir of 
 amateurs, an elegant, feeling, and persuasive address was 
 delivered by Richard Sullivan, Esq., on the utility and prog- 
 ress of the combined institution." 
 
 This address was published by order of the Trus- 
 tees, and forms a pamphlet of twenty-one pages, 
 containing, in an appendix of eleven pages, letters of 
 physicians, &c., some of which had been published 
 with the address of 1816.
 
 SMALL LOANS. 51 
 
 July 1, Tristram Barnard having resigned, and 
 Mr. Brooks declined, Joseph Head and Thomas W. 
 Ward were elected by the Trustees to fill these va- 
 cancies. Thanks were presented to Mr. William H. 
 Lane for the present of a mahogany medicine case, 
 valued at two hundred dollars. July 6, a very cor- 
 dial vote of thanks was passed, and ordered to be sent 
 to Mr. Barnard. Depositions, in perpetuance of Mr. 
 Prince and his sister Mrs. Tucker, were ordered to 
 be taken as to the Allen-street Estate. Aug. 17, an 
 invoice of medicines and shop-furniture ($111.20) 
 was presented by Dr. Wyman, and suitably acknowl- 
 edged. Oct. 7, the Treasurer was authorized to bor- 
 row one thousand dollars from Mr. Head, and five 
 hundred each from Mr. Francis and Mr. Coolidge ; 
 and a Committee was appointed to solicit new sub- 
 scriptions. 
 
 Oct. 19, David Sears resigned ; and, on Nov. 2, 
 Samuel Appleton was elected in his stead. The Com- 
 mittee on Subscriptions reported an address to the 
 public, which was ordered to be printed. I have not 
 seen a copy of this document. A bequest of four 
 hundred dollars from Polly Pussell, of Charlestown, 
 is credited on the Treasurer's books. In November, 
 the Treasurer was authorized to obtain a loan of six 
 thousand dollars. Dec. 19, the Committee for sub- 
 scriptions reported that " their success had been
 
 52 SAMUEL ELIOT S BEQUEST. 
 
 satisfactory.'' Benjamin Wiggin, Esq., offered a 
 celebrated picture, " The Capuchin Chapel," to be ex- 
 hibited for benefit of the Hospital, and was thanked 
 for "his very generous offer." Jan. 6, 1820, Mr. 
 William Hall presented " his patent for sweeping 
 chimneys," to be used in the Hospital. 
 
 Jan. 23, the same Board of Trustees were re- 
 elected on the part of the Corporation. Jan. 30, the 
 munificent bequest of Mr. Samuel Eliot, of ten thou- 
 sand dollars, for the use of the Asylum, was commu- 
 nicated by Mr. Lowell, one of the executors. Feb. 
 6, Messrs. Head and Francis made a detailed report 
 on the accounts kept at the Asylum, recommending 
 the employment of a person to post the books. On 
 Feb. 20, John Belknap was elected a Trustee by the 
 Board of Visitors, in place of Hon. John Lowell, 
 resigned. March 19, a proposition to endeavor to 
 effect a loan for finishing the Hospital was discussed. 
 April 9, the Treasurer and Messrs. Francis and 
 Coolidge were appointed a Committee " to proceed 
 in finishing the Hospital." On April 18, a formal 
 announcement of Mr. Eliot's bequest, and of the 
 executor's readiness to pay the same, was received ; 
 and the donation was gratefully accepted by the 
 Trustees. In amount it was surpassed only by the 
 gifts of Mr. Phillips and Mr. Oliver. At this meet- 
 mg a Committee was also appointed to thank Mr.
 
 LOTTERY. BEZA TUCKEr's DEVISE. 53 
 
 Wigginfor the $1,604, net proceeds of the exhibition 
 of his picture. 
 
 May 2, Mr. Francis reported that the Committee 
 had engaged workmen, procured materials, and em- 
 ployed James M-Allister to superintend the comple- 
 tion of the Hospital. June 6, the Trustees declined 
 applying to the Legislature in aid of a project for a 
 lottery, a portion of the profits of which were to be 
 for the use of the Hospital. June 20, an extract 
 from the will of Beza Tucker was read, giving a brick 
 dwelling-house and land in a court leading from Boyl- 
 ston Street, now Boylston Place ; and the Treasurer 
 was ordered to receive the same, and to make suitable 
 acknowledgments therefor. It was then worth about 
 six thousand dollars, and was sold in 1827 for $5,350. 
 Dr. Wyman was requested to assist the Building Com- 
 mittee of the Hospital. Mr. Francis resigned the 
 office of Trustee, and, on July 19, his resignation was 
 accepted ; but he was requested still to advise and 
 assist the Committee in finishing the Hospital. Oct. 
 5, it appeared that several elopements from the 
 Asylum had occurred, and a Committee was appointed 
 on the subject of measures proper to prevent the 
 same. Oct. 22, the Building Committee were 
 ordered to take measures to erect the western wins: 
 of Hospital in the ensuing spring. They reported 
 that the centre and easterly wing were now nearly
 
 54 DEATH OF TREASURER PRINCE. 
 
 finished, but that it was inexpedient to open the PIos- 
 pital immediately for the reception of patients. Nov. 
 19, blanks were ordered for admission of patients at 
 Hospital, and a supply of necessary furniture. 
 
 Jan. 4, 1821, applications were received for office 
 of Superintendent of Hospital, with recommendations. 
 On Jan. 21, the existing Board of Trustees were 
 re-elected ; Mr. Francis being again chosen a member, 
 notwithstanding his recent resignation. But, Mr. 
 Quincy having declined, the Board of Visitors elected 
 Daniel P. Parker, Esq. On Feb. 11, " the Chairman 
 communicated to the Board, intelligence of the de- 
 cease, yesterday, of James Prince, Esq., late Treasurer 
 of the Massachusetts General Hospital and of the 
 Provident Institution for Savings in the town of Bos- 
 ton, and Marshal of the District of Massachusetts. 
 The exemplary zeal, activity, faithfulness, and punc- 
 tuality, displayed by Mr. Prince in promoting the 
 objects of this institution, were called to mind by the 
 Trustees, and his disinterested exertions considered as 
 entitling him to the grateful remembrance of the char- 
 itable and humane." Mr. Francis says that he was 
 a most able and efficient officer, and that without his 
 assistance the purchase of the Allen-street Estate 
 could not have been effected. 
 
 At this meeting, Feb. 11, it was ordered that 
 Visiting Committees should hereafter consist of two
 
 FIRST PATIENT RECEIVED AT HOSPITAL. 55 
 
 instead of three members, and the term of service 
 of each Committee be two months instead of four. 
 Feb. 25, Wilham Cochran, Esq., the new Treasurer, 
 elected on the 20th instant, was quahfied. March 4, 
 twenty-two applications were received and read for 
 offices of Superintendent and Matron of Hospital. 
 At the annual meeting, March 21, 1821, a new draft 
 of by-laws, as reported by Colonel May and the Secre- 
 tary, was adopted and recorded. March 21, Messrs. 
 May, Sullivan, and the Secretary, were appointed a 
 Committee on the rules and regulations for the Hos- 
 pital. April 1, Capt. Nathaniel Fletcher and his 
 wife were elected Superintendent and Matron of the 
 Hospital. On April 29, it was voted to discontinue 
 meetings on Sunday ; which, however, were resumed 
 in 1822. June 19, thanks were given to the Bos- 
 ton Manufacturing Company for a donation of three 
 bales of sheetings. July 5, twenty-eight patients were 
 reported as inmates of the Asylum ; and rules and 
 regulations were adopted for the Hospital, and re- 
 corded in extenso. 
 
 Aug. 21, notice was ordered to Drs. Jackson and 
 Warren that the Hospital will be ready for patients 
 on Sept. 1. On Sept. 3, one patient was admitted; 
 and, until Sept. 20, not a. single other application was 
 made for admission. Sept. 4, Dr. Warren attended, 
 and was requested to draft an address to the public.
 
 56 A GOUT-CRANE. 
 
 A communication was received from Mr, Greenough, 
 in regard to paying the capital sum as provided for in 
 his lease of Province House. A Committee on the 
 subject (Messrs. Francis, Sargent, and Sullivan) were 
 appointed, who, at the next meeting, reported in favor 
 of receiving the same. At a Corporation meeting, 
 Sept. 21, N. P. Russell, Esq., was elected Treasurer, in 
 place of Mr. Cochran, deceased. Oct. 4, Dr. Jackson 
 nominated, as his assistant, Dr. Walter Channing. 
 The Treasurer was authorized to borrow five thousand 
 dollars. Oct. 11, Dr. Joshua Green was appointed 
 Apothecary. Nov. 6, it appeared that ten patients had 
 been received at the Hospital, three discharged, one 
 cured, and one relieved. Dec. -4, the title of the flats 
 at the foot of Allen Street was ordered to be inves- 
 tigated, in reference to an alleged trespass by Charles 
 Taylor, Esq. This strip of flats seems to have been 
 conveyed to Mr. Taylor by the Hospital in 1822. 
 On Dec. 23, a model of a machine, called a " gout- 
 frame," invented by Mr. Joseph Trumball for the pur- 
 pose of moving helpless people to and from bed, was 
 presented. Messrs. Sullivan, Ward, and Bradford 
 were appointed a Committee to prepare the annual 
 report. Jan. 10, 1822, six free beds w^ere established ; 
 three for medical, three for surgical patients. 
 
 At the Corporation meeting, Jan. 15, 1822, the 
 Board of Trustees were thanked for their zealous
 
 HORACE GRAY. 57 
 
 and faithful services during the past year ; and the 
 same Trustees were re-elected, except that Theodore 
 Lyman, jun., was chosen in place of Daniel Sargent, 
 Esq. Drs. Warren and Jackson, Mr. Fletcher and 
 Dr. Wyman, were severally re-elected to their offices. 
 The Consulting Physicians were Drs. Isaac Rand, 
 David Townsend, Thomas Welch, Aaron Dexter, 
 William Spooner, James Mann ; also, Drs. Joshua 
 Fisher of Beverly, and Amos Holbrook of Milton. 
 On Feb. 24, Mr. Sullivan, Drs. Warren, Jackson, 
 and Wyman, and Mr. Lyman, were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to prepare a description and general account 
 of the two departments of the Hospital ; and it was 
 ordered that one thousand copies be printed for dis- 
 tribution. On March 10, the same, as reported by 
 Mr. Lyman, was, with some trifling amendments, ac- 
 cepted. On March 14, it was voted to be inexpedi- 
 ent at present to publish with said document a list of 
 the subscribers and benefactors. Five strong rooms 
 were ordered to be built " for raging female patients." 
 March 24, the Committee reported that two thousand 
 copies of their address had been printed. 
 
 April 21, a donation of a thousand dollars was 
 received from Mr. Horace Gray, and three hundred 
 from the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society. The 
 Building Committee were ordered to take measures for 
 finishing the portico or pediment of the Hospital.
 
 58 SETH WEBBER. A KOMIKATION REJECTED. 
 
 May 5, an anonymous letter, enclosing ten dollars, 
 was received, and ordered to be published in the 
 newspapers. May 19, notice was given of a bequest 
 of Captain Seth Webber, who lately died in Liverpool, 
 of one thousand dollars to the Marine Hosjntal in 
 Boston, believed to be designed for this institution. 
 Aug. 4, the Chairman stated the decease of James 
 Perkins, Esq., " Vice-President of this institution, and 
 one of its most munificent benefactors ; " and that 
 he, with others of the Board, attended his funeral 
 yesterday. Sept. 1, a nomination of an Apothecary, 
 as successor to Dr. Green, was made by the Physi- 
 cian and Surgeon ; and they were requested " to with- 
 drew) the same, and to nominate some other |9er6t9?i." 
 The Treasurer was authorized to borrow^ five hundred 
 dollars. Sept. 10, James M. Whittemore was nomi- 
 nated and appointed Apothecary. Oct. 10, twelve 
 males, seven females, in Hospital. Dr. Jackson 
 attended, and suggested certain regulations respect- 
 ing nurses and attendants, with a view to the better 
 preservation of order and quiet. The Visiting Com- 
 mittee were directed to inquire as to the expediency 
 of excluding syphilitic patients. Nov. 3, the widow 
 of Thomas Oliver being disposed to buy the furni- 
 ture of her husband, of which she had the use for 
 life, Mr. Head was authorized to do what he should 
 " deem proper and liberal." He sold it to her for five
 
 MR. lyman's address. 59 
 
 hundred dollars. Nov. 10, a bedstead and other 
 articles, made expressly for the late Abraham Touro 
 durmg his illness, were presented by his sister. 
 Dec. 1, the thanks of the Board were presented to 
 the executors and residuary devisees of Captain Seth 
 Webber, for their voluntary payment of his recent 
 legacy of one thousand dollars ; the same having been 
 now received. Additional rules and regulations for 
 the Asylum, &c., were adopted. Messrs. Coolidge and 
 May were appointed a Committee to wait on Hon. 
 William Phillips, to request him to sit for his portrait. 
 This portrait by Stuart is, it is needless to say, a fine 
 painting and an excellent likeness, Dec. 15, Samuel 
 Appleton resigned his office of Trustee. On Jan. 7, 
 1823, Messrs. Sullivan, Phillips, and Coolidge were 
 appointed a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 
 The address to the public in 1822 is a pamphlet of 
 thirty-four j)ages, signed by all the twelve Trustees, 
 and is a very full a»nd interesting summary of all that 
 had been done for the institution, and its position and 
 prospects at that time. It is believed to have been 
 from the pen of Mr. Lyman. Letters from Drs. Jack- 
 son and Warren, and a report from Dr. AVyman, are 
 embodied in it. The property of the institution is 
 stated as follows : —
 
 60 MR. FLETCHER. DR. WYMAN. 
 
 The Province House $40,000.00 
 
 Boylston Place House 6,000.00 
 
 General donations in money .... 28,599.87 
 
 $74,599.87 
 
 Donations specially for Hospital . . . 73,809.29 
 
 „ „ for Asylum . . . 53,997.47 
 
 Making the grand total of ... $202,406.63 
 
 The cost of the Hospital-land and building being . . $94,352.29 
 „ „ Asylum-laud „ „ „ . . 89,821.16 
 
 $184,173.45 
 The debts of the institution being $19,850, and the income of 
 its property not enough to pay the salaries. 
 
 The buildings of both departments had, however, 
 been opened to patients ; and they had been placed 
 under the charge of two gentlemen, Dr. Wyman and 
 Mr. Fletcher, who were admirably fitted for their 
 respective posts. The one, indeed, was soon removed 
 from us by a sudden and lamented death. The other, 
 for many years afterwards, with an ever-increasing 
 reputation and success, won for himself, while living, 
 the most unbounded confidence and respect, and has 
 left to his children an honored name, — the most 
 precious of all legacies.
 
 61 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 January, 1823, to June, 1827. 
 
 Mummy from Thebes. — Fifty Thousand Dollars invested in Mas- 
 sachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company. — West Wing of 
 Hospital finished. — Dert created. — Bequest of John M'Lean, 
 OVER One Hundred Thousand Dollars. — Legacies of Ahraham 
 TouRO, Eleanor Davis, &c. — Death of Mr. Fletcher — Nathan 
 Gurney elected Superintendent. — Gift of a Sow. — Lafayette. 
 — Annual Free Beds. — Portraits of Benefactors. — Col. May 
 resigns. — Joseph Head Chairman. — Erysipelas at Hospital. — 
 Patients removed. — Measures in Honor of John M'Lean. — 
 Value of his Bequest as compared with Life Insurance Char- 
 ters. 
 
 At the annual meeting in January, 1823, the Trustees 
 reported that the funds had been increased $4,238.50 
 by donations ; that the interior of the west wing of the 
 Hospital was finished, and ready for occupation ; and 
 that the colonnade in front would be raised in the en- 
 suing season. Three new Trustees were now elected ; 
 viz. Benjamin Guild and William H. Prescott chosen 
 by the Corporation, and Gardiner Greene by the Board 
 of Visitors, in the place of Richard Sullivan, Samuel 
 Appleton, and John Belknap. Mr. Appleton had 
 contributed two thousand dollars at tlie commence- 
 ment of the establishment, and was thus one of the 
 most liberal of its early benefactors. Mr. Belknap 
 has taken great interest in the institution to the pres-
 
 62 FORTUNATE INVESTMENT. 
 
 ent time. He attends all the annual meetings ; and, 
 indeed, he and two or three others are generally the 
 only representatives of the public on those occasions. 
 Mr. Sullivan, as Secretary and Trustee, had been con- 
 nected with the Hospital from its foundation, and, as 
 we have seen, had in 1819 delivered a public address 
 in its behalf. The Board now consisted of Messrs. 
 Joseph May, Chairman ; Ebenezer Francis, Thomas 
 W. Ward, Benjamin Guild, Gamaliel Bradford, Joseph 
 Head, Theodore Lyman, jun., William H. Prescott, 
 Joseph Coolidge, Daniel P. Parker, Jonathan Phillips, 
 and Gardiner Greene. On Jan. 7, 1823, Messrs. Fran- 
 cis, Parker, and May, with the Treasurer and Secre- 
 tary, were appointed a Committee on the subject of 
 the Hospital's right to grant annuities, and at the 
 next meeting reported the agreement with the Life 
 Insurance Company, which was subsequently sanc- 
 tioned by the Legislature in 1824. Feb. 2, Messrs. 
 Head, Francis, and Greene were appointed a Commit- 
 tee to subscribe for stock in the Massachusetts Hos- 
 pital Life Lisurance Company, not exceeding fifty 
 thousand dollars. The Committee subscribed for the 
 whole sum named. It has proved a most fortunate 
 investment, now yielding nine per cent interest. 
 
 Eight Consulting Physicians were chosen, — Drs. 
 John G. Coffin, John Dixwell, and John Gorham, 
 taking the place of Drs. liand, Fisher, and Holbrook.
 
 MUMMY FROM THEBES. 66 
 
 Feb. 23, the Treasurer was authorized to borrow ten 
 thousand dollars. Messrs. Lyman and Guild were ap- 
 pointed a Committee for collecting a library for each 
 department of the institution. March 9, a donation of 
 three hundred dollars for the use of the Asylum was 
 offered and accepted on condition, that, if the donor 
 were ever subsequently to need it, the same should 
 be repaid to him without interest. March 23, one 
 hundred dollars more was offered and accepted on the 
 same condition. Dr. Whittemore resigning, Mr. Ben- 
 jamin Barrett was elected Apothecary. May 4, a 
 mummy from Thebes was presented by Bryant P. 
 Tilden and Robert B. Edes, in behalf of Jacob Van 
 Lennep and Company, of Smyrna (the Hospital pay- 
 ing two hundred dollars out of the proceeds of its 
 exhibition to the Boston Dispensary), which was grate- 
 fully accepted. This mummy is now an appropriate 
 ornament of the operating room at the Hospital. 
 May 18, Samuel Swett, Esq., was elected Trustee, in 
 place of Gamaliel Bradford, who resigned. June 1. 
 a donation of books, of the value of fifty dollars, 
 transmitted through Dr. AVarren, was presented, with 
 a catalogue. July 8, Messrs. Francis and Guild 
 were appointed a Committee to attend to the suit 
 of Hezekiah Blanchard's heirs. This related to the 
 claim before alluded to. 
 
 On July 23, the Treasurer was authorized to re-
 
 64 ABR4HAM TOURO'S LEGACY. 
 
 ceive the legacy of Abraham Toiiro. It was the 
 extremely liberal sum of ten thousand dollars. On 
 Aug. lU, the donor of the four hundred dollars on 
 condition was declared to be Mr. Lambert, of Rox- 
 bury, then deceased. Aug. 24, Charles W. Chauncey 
 was chosen Apothecary, Mr. Barrett having resigned. 
 A rule was adopted, which has since proved very 
 salutary, to charge board for the whole quarter in all 
 cases of insane patients removed by friends before the 
 expiration of the quarter, and against the advice of 
 the Physician. Sept. 9, a vote passed authorizing the 
 borrowing of thirty thousand dollars, and, on Sept. 21, 
 five thousand more, both on mortgage of the Province 
 House Estate and Boylston Place House. Oct. 7, the 
 Committee reported that they had leased the mummy 
 one year for exhibition in other cities. The Chair- 
 man reported that the portrait of the President was 
 finished ; and, on Oct. 10, it was received. The west 
 wing of the Hospital was now ready for patients. 
 
 Nov. 2, 1823, the gratifying announcement was 
 made of a bequest from John M'Lean, of twenty-five 
 thousand dollars, payable on death of his widow, and 
 with the information that he had also made this insti- 
 tution his residuary legatee, by which " a much larger 
 sum " would be secured. This residue proved to be 
 over ninety thousand dolhxrs. Mr. M'Lean was a 
 truly noble specimen of a Boston merchant. Hav-
 
 JOHN m'lean's legacy. 65 
 
 ing many years before failed in business, he settled 
 with all his creditors, and obtained a full discharge. 
 Soon afterwards, by the safe arrival, as I believe, of 
 a vessel supposed to have been lost, he retrieved his 
 affairs. He forthwith called a meeting of his cred- 
 itors, and paid to each of them the balance due, both 
 principal and interest. 
 
 Nov. 23, Dr. John B. Brown was chosen Assistant 
 Surgeon, on nomination of Dr. Warren. The office 
 of Steward was created at the Asylum, to relieve Dr. 
 Wyman of part of his duties ; and John M. Goodwin 
 was elected. A Committee was appointed to obtain 
 a portrait of ]Mr. M'Lean, and to report on the expe- 
 diency of obtaining portraits of other liberal donors. 
 Dec. 7, Messrs. May, Greene, and Francis, with the 
 Treasurer and Secretary, were appointed a Commit- 
 tee to make a settlement with the executors of Mr. 
 M'Lean. The Secretary was subsequently discharged, 
 and Mr. Guild appointed in his place. The Asylum 
 was represented as being full, and several applications 
 for admittance declined for that reason. The Com- 
 mittee for obtaining Mr. M- Lean's portrait were also 
 charged with procuring a portrait of the late Samuel 
 Eliot. Jan. 6, the Treasurer was authorized to bor- 
 row six thousand dollars. Messrs. May and Francis 
 were appointed a Committee to settle Mr. M'Allister's 
 accounts.
 
 6'6 TIME OF AjSMUAL 3IEETING CHANGED. 
 
 At the meeting of the Corporation in January, 1824, 
 Mr. Lyman presented the report * noticing in suit- 
 able terms the recent muniticent bequest of John 
 M'Lean, Esq. Dr. Jackson and Mr. Francis Avcre 
 appointed a Committee as to an alteration in the time 
 of the annual meeting ; and this Committee reported 
 subsequently in favor of meeting on the second Wed- 
 nesday of June, which report was accepted, so that 
 the Trustees now chosen served a year and a half. 
 Edward Tuckerman was elected Trustee in place of 
 William H. Prescott. Feb. 1, a letter from Dr. 
 Coffin was received, resigning his office of Consulting 
 Physician, and making some observations on the 
 offices of Attending Physician and Surgeon. Feb. 8, 
 Messrs. Francis and Guild were appointed a Commit- 
 tee on the settlement of accounts by the executors of 
 Mr. M'Lean, as to the amount charged for commis- 
 sions, and the investment of the trust-fund. 
 
 In the ninth volume of Pickering's Peports, page 
 447, is a report of the suit brought by Harvard 
 College and the Hospital, v. the surviving Trustee 
 under Mr, M'Lean's will ; in which the Court decided 
 that the Trustees had the right to select any stocks 
 they pleased for the trust-fund. They had appro- 
 priated to this object insurance stock, entitled to 
 
 * No copy of this Ueport was suppused to be extant ; but one has been 
 discovered.
 
 m'lean trust-fund. — A sow. 67 
 
 large foreign claims, and manufacturing stocks, which 
 shortly afterwards made larofe dividends for sale of 
 patent rights and patterns and machinery. Tlie two 
 Corporations had offered to pay six per cent interest 
 to the widow (three thousand dollars a year) in De- 
 cember, 1823 ; but their proposal was declined. The 
 ultimate value of the trust-property received on the 
 decease of Mrs. M'Lean, in the year 1834, was thus 
 reduced to less than twenty thousand dollars for each 
 of the two Corporations, while she herself received 
 an income probably averaging twelve per cent per 
 annum. It is believed that every Trustee of the Hos- 
 pital and every Corporator of the College coincided 
 in opinion, that this investment of the trust-funds, 
 though adjudged to be legal, was not made in the 
 exercise of a sound discretion, and with a due regard 
 to the rights of all parties. 
 
 Feb. 20, a patient was dismissed by the Visiting 
 Committee " for having introduced liquor privately." 
 Feb. 24, Messrs. Francis and Head were appointed 
 a Committee to advise and direct the Treasurer in 
 the investment of sums of money he may receive. 
 April 6, Messrs. Francis and Russell were appointed 
 a Committee on the mode of keeping the accounts 
 with the Superintendent. April 9, thanks were 
 given to Gorham Parsons, Esq., '-for the iiresent of 
 a sow of cm uncommonly fine breed.'' Her weight,
 
 68 PORTRAITS OF BENEFACTORS. 
 
 in the Visiting Committee's records, is stated at 273 
 pounds. As this gift is noticed in both records, 
 it evidently made a great sensation. May 2, notice 
 was given of a settlement of Gray's suit by a judg- 
 ment in favor of Hospital by consent, and a payment 
 of five hundred dollars. June 6, a cold and warm 
 salt-water bathing-house was ordered to be erected at 
 the Hospital. Aug. 15, Dr. Henry Lane was elected 
 Apothecary, in place of Dr. Chauncey, who resigned. 
 The Humane Spciety announced their intention of 
 giving enough annually to support six free beds ; 
 which generous proposal was gratefully acknowledged 
 and accepted. 
 
 Sept. 26. the profits of the exhibition of the 
 mummy are stated to be fifteen hundred dollars. The 
 donation-book, probably deducting certain charges and 
 the payment to the Dispensary, makes the sum but 
 little less than twelve hundred dollars. Dec. 19, 
 Messrs. Francis, Parker, and Lyman were appointed 
 a Committee to consider the expediency of erecting 
 an additional building at the Asylum. Dec. 31, 
 thirty-two males and twelve females in Hospital : 
 total, forty-four. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, Jan. 7, 
 1825, no change waS made in the Board of Trustees 
 for this year. Jan. 7, Committees were appointed 
 to procure portraits of Mr. Oliver and Mr. Touro.
 
 MRS. DAVIS'S GIFT. MR. FLETCHER's DEATH. 69 
 
 The po]'trait of John M'Lean was brought in at 
 this meeting-. It is one of the happiest works of 
 Stuart. The record says of this painting, " The 
 resembhmce is striking, and the expression charac- 
 teristic." Feb. 20, a bequest of the Lite Mrs. Eleanor 
 Davis, of nine hundred dollars, was communicated, 
 with information that the amount had been paid by 
 her executor. Dr. George C. Shattuck ; and the Treas- 
 urer was directed to make suitable acknowledgments 
 for the same. April 5, the subject of incurable pa- 
 tients at the Asylum was referred to Messrs. Francis, 
 Prescott, and May. 
 
 May 1, Mr. Francis, of the Visiting Committee, 
 stated the death of Capt. Nathaniel Fletcher this day, 
 after an illness of less than a week ; and that Dr. 
 Lane, the resident medical officer, had been requested 
 to act^^ro tern. The Chairman and the Visiting Com- 
 mittee were instructed to superintend the arrange- 
 ments for the funeral. Mr. Francis says that Mr. 
 F'letcher had always made a very exemplary officer, 
 having given entire satisfaction to the Trustees. 
 Messrs. Swett and Prescott were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to prepare the report, to be presented at the 
 annual meeting, June 8 next, according to a late 
 change in the by-laws. 
 
 At this annual meeting, Bryant P. Tilclen, Esq., 
 Captain Robert B. Edes, Jacob Van Leunep of
 
 70 MR. GURNEY. VISIT OF LAFAYETTE. 
 
 Smyrna, Rufus Wyman, and Samuel Swett, Esq., 
 Avere elected members. The three first gentlemen 
 had been instrumental in the late donation of the 
 mummy. It was also voted, '• That the Hon. William 
 Prescott, Thomas H. Perkins, Josiah Quincy, John 
 Lowell, Charles Jackson, Peter C. Brooks, and Dr. 
 John C. Warren, be a Committee to devise the most 
 becoming mode of perpetuating the memory of the 
 late John ^I'Lean, Esq., as a munificent benefactor 
 of this institution ; and that said Committee report 
 to the Board of Trustees of this Corporation, whose 
 decision thereon shall be final." May '29, 1825, 
 fifteen applications for the office of Superintendent 
 were considered; and, on June 12, Nathan Gurney, 
 then of Abington, Mass., was unanimously elected. 
 On Monday, June 20, General Lafayette, with his 
 son and several gentlemen, accompanied by his Ex- 
 cellency the Governor and the Lieutenant-Governor, 
 visited the Hospital. They were received by the Pres- 
 ident of the Corporation, the Board of Trustees, and 
 the Physicians and Surgeons, and were conducted 
 through the several wards and other parts of the 
 building. The engagements of the General did not 
 permit him to visit the Asylum for the Insane at 
 Charlestown. July 2, the Board of Visitors made 
 their visit at the Asylum. jSIr. Gurney and his wife 
 arrived, and commenced their duties. •
 
 AJS^iUAL FREE BEDS. 71 
 
 July 24, a grant of one hundred dollars was made 
 to Dr. Lane, for his services as acting Superintendent 
 since the decease of Mr. Fletcher, " in which capacity 
 his discreet and zealous performance of the duties 
 of the office have met with the entire approbation of 
 the Trustees." Sept. 28, plans were considered for an 
 addition to the male wing at the Asylum, which, on 
 Sept. 30, was ordered to be built ; and Messrs. Fran- 
 cis, Parker, and Lyman were appointed a Building 
 Committee to carry said vote into effect. Oct. 7, it 
 was voted that the Visiting Committees should make 
 their visits unattended by the superintendents, apothe- 
 caries, or nurses, probably in order that patients might 
 more freely state any causes of complaint. Oct. 23, 
 Dr. Lane resigned his office of Apothecary, and Mr. 
 Joseph Reynolds was elected. An important vote 
 was passed, placing a free bed for one year at the 
 disposal of any one who should pay one hundred 
 dollars. The result has been that more than sixty 
 thousand dollars have been since received for free 
 beds. Nov. 6, a quarterly analysis of the accounts, 
 showing the cost of stores, &c., was ordered to be laid 
 before the Board. Nov. 20, the last instalment of 
 the fifty thousand dollars stock in the Massachu- 
 setts Hospital Life Insurance Company was paid in. 
 Dec. 18, the subject of the admission of patients with 
 syphilis and infectious disorders was referred to the
 
 72 GIFTS OF MESSRS. HEAD AND MR. CROCKER. 
 
 Visitins: Committee and General Lvman. The fact 
 that certain persons were in the habit of visiting the 
 Hospital on Sundays, and having religious worship in 
 the wards, often producing an unfavorable excitergent 
 in the patients, was communicated to the Board ; and 
 the subject was referred to the Chairman and Mr. 
 Prescott, who, by a written report at the next meet- 
 ing, put an end to the practice alluded to. Dec. 30, 
 twenty-eight males and eighteen females in Hos- 
 pital. 
 
 On Jan. 12, 1826, a Committee (by Mr. Fran- 
 cis, the Chairman) reported in favor of receiving 
 actual possession now of Thomas Oliver's property 
 ($24,138.70), and agreeing to pay his widow thirteen 
 hundred dollars a year during lier life ; which report 
 was accepted. Jan. 22, nineteen annual subscribers 
 for free beds had been obtained. Feb. 5, a letter 
 from Joseph Head, Sen. and Jun., executors of Mr. 
 Oliver's will, ^vas received and read, relinquishing 
 twelve hundred dollars, the amount of their commis- 
 sions ; and the thanks of the Board were presented 
 for this donation. An extra grant Avas made to Dr. 
 Wyman of five hundred dollars for his services and 
 aid in regard to the new building at the Asylum. 
 Feb. 26, 1826, Dr. John B. Brown's resignation Avas 
 accepted. March 19, Allen Crocker's bequest of one 
 hundred dollars was received and acknowledged ; and
 
 ASYLUM NAMED FOR MR. M'LEAN. 73 
 
 Dr. George Hayward was chosen Assistant Surgeon. 
 Dr. Hayward, after serving as a surgeon of the insti- 
 tution for twenty-five years, resigned in 1851 ; and his 
 labors were so highly appreciated, that the Trustees, 
 by a special vote, requested him to withdraw his 
 resignation, and, on his final retirement, passed a 
 highly complimentary vote, to which all the Board 
 felt that he was fully entitled. 
 
 On April 7, a free bed for life was placed at the 
 disposal of Mrs. Ann M'Lean, widow of John M'Lean, 
 Esq. April 11, four incurable patients were removed 
 from the Asylum, to make room for curable cases. 
 May 21, Messrs. Head, Francis, and Prescott were 
 appointed a Committee to prepare the annual report ; 
 and it was ordered that the rate of board, once fixed 
 by the Visiting Committee, should not be altered, 
 except by vote of the Trustees, — a rule still acted on. 
 May 21, the Committee on Mr. Eliot's portrait re- 
 ported that it was painted by Mr. Stuart, and had 
 been placed at the Asylum. June 4, 1826, Mr. 
 Goodwin resigned as Steward of the Asylum. As will 
 be hereafter seen, he subsequently died holding the 
 office of Superintendent of the Hospital. June 12, 
 the Committee appointed at the last meeting of the 
 Corporation, to take into consideration the best mode 
 of perpetuating the memory of John M'Lean, recom- 
 mended that the Asylum be hereafter known as " The 
 
 10
 
 74 D. p. TARKER. THEODORE LYMAN. 
 
 M'Lean Asylum for the Insane ; " which report was 
 accepted and ordered to be laid before the Corpora- 
 tion. The report itself is copied on the records of the 
 Corporation. It closes as follows : " Your Committee 
 have reason to believe, from the information of one 
 of their number, that the proposed arrangement will 
 be entirely satisfactory to the friends of the testator 
 and benefactor." 
 
 At the annual meeting in June, 1826, considerable 
 changes were made in the Board of Trustees. Messrs. 
 William Sturgis and Edward H. Robbins, jun., were 
 elected by the Corporation, and George Ticknor by 
 the Board of Visitors, in the place of Messrs. Lyman, 
 Prescott, and Daniel P. Parker, who had retired, and 
 to whom the thanks of the Corporation were voted 
 for their faithful services. Mr. Parker has lately died. 
 He was one of the early liberal benefactors of the 
 Hospital, having subscribed five hundred dollars to its 
 funds. Mr. Lyman subsequently held the office of 
 Vice-President, and at his death left a name indisso- 
 lubly connected with the public charitable institutions 
 of Massachusetts, one of the most important of which 
 he had founded. His memory, as that of one of the 
 purest and wisest of philanthropists, will be held 
 sacred through all coming generations. 
 
 At a Trustees' meeting, July 23, and five or six 
 subsequent ones, various sums were placed at the
 
 JOSEPH MAY. JOSEPH HEAD. 75 
 
 disposal of Mr. Francis, as Chairman of the Building 
 Committee. Oct. 6, John Welles, Esq., offered trees 
 and shrubs from his place at Dorchester, for the use 
 of the Hospital ; also the loan of his teams, plough, 
 and driver, to put the grounds in order. Oct. 10, Mr. 
 Eliot's portrait was removed from the Asylum to the 
 Hospital. Oct. 26, Mr. Phineas M. Crane was elected 
 Apothecary, in place of Dr. Reynolds, resigned. Nov. 
 5th, Colonel Joseph May having tendered his resigna- 
 tion, " voted that this Board is desirous of expressing 
 its regret that Colonel May, after twelve years of 
 faithful and important services as a Trustee, and after 
 having been many years the presiding officer of this 
 Board, has found it necessary, from circumstances 
 connected with his other duties, to resign his place ; 
 and they pray him on this occasion to accept the 
 assurance of their respectful regard." Nov. 29, 
 thanks were given to Hon. .John Welles and Hon. 
 Jonathan Hunnewell, for a large number of young 
 trees and ornamental shrubs. 
 
 Dec. 3, Joseph Head was elected Chairman; and 
 Amos Lawrence, Esq., was elected a Trustee in place 
 of Colonel May. Dec. 29, forty males and sixteen 
 females in Hospital. Jan, 9, 1827, erysipelatous in- 
 flammation having appeared at Hospital, the expedi- 
 ency of removing all the patients was discussed ; and 
 Messrs. Tuckerman, Sturgis, Phillips, and Guild were
 
 76 ERYSIPELAS AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 appointed a Committee on the subject. Jan. 14, 
 Mr. Francis, Chairman of the Building Committee, 
 reported $28,888.07 as expended at the Asylum 
 to Jan. 10. The Committee reported that they had 
 decided, after conference with the Physician and Sur- 
 geon, to make a temporary removal of all patients 
 from the Hospital (as far as practicable), with a view 
 to a " thorough purification by fumigation or other- 
 Avise ; " and that the E-ev. Dr. James Freeman has 
 very liberally and readily offered his dwelling-house 
 in Vine Street, near the Hospital, for the accommo- 
 dation of the patients. Jan. 21, twelve patients were 
 reported as removed to Dr. Freeman's house, and 
 twenty-one discharged. The Canal Bridge asked for 
 a copy of their letter as to the immunity, granted to 
 the officers of this Corporation in 1819, from paying 
 toll ; and it was sent. Jan. 28, the Hospital was 
 reported to be entirely clear of patients, and " cleans- 
 ing, fumigation, and alteration of fire-places, &c , in 
 progress." Feb. 4, the patients from Dr. Freeman's 
 house were received back into the Hospital. March 
 25, Dr. Robbins was appointed a Committee to return 
 to Dr. Freeman the key of his house, with thanks. 
 April 22, the house devised by Beza Tucker, in Boyl- 
 ston Place, was sold to Matthew M. Hunt, Esq., for 
 $5,350 at auction. May 20, Messrs. Head, Ticknor, 
 and the Secretary, were appointed a Committee to pre-
 
 m'lean donation. 77 
 
 pare the annual report. June 29, males twenty-six, 
 females eighteen : total, forty-two in the Hospital. 
 
 This third period of five years was a very impor- 
 tant one. The great event of the M'Lean donation 
 served to relieve the institution from embarrassments, 
 and insured its success. The contingency had now 
 occurred, which was contemplated in the charter, of a 
 donation greater than that of the Commonwealth. It 
 was the feeling of Mrs. M'Lean, and also, at first, of 
 others of the testator's connections, that the corporate 
 name should be changed. There was an earnest 
 desire to do all that could or ought to be done to 
 express the high sense entertained of this act of munif- 
 icence. The decision finally made was, it is believed, 
 alike expedient for the Hospital, and just to the 
 deceased. His name was given to one of the two 
 great departments of the institution, on which a very 
 large sum was forthwith expended for the erection of 
 additional buildings, and where many expensive im- 
 provements have since been made, so that the actual 
 cost of the establishment which bears his name is 
 more than double the amount realized from his whole 
 bequest. On the other hand, the corporate name 
 remaining unchanged, many sons and daughters of 
 Massachusetts have since contributed to it as a State 
 institution, what perhaps they would have hesitated 
 to bestow, if it had borne the name of a private 
 founder.
 
 78 STATE OF INSTITUTION. 
 
 None of the annual reports of the institution prior 
 to 1826 have been preserved. This report is on one 
 printed sheet. It states that forty-three free beds had 
 been kept at the Hospital during the preceding year ; 
 that thirty-one males and twenty-six females were 
 then in the Asylum luider treatment. It estimates 
 the value of the invested property of the Hospital at 
 $96,694.06 ; and its annual expenses, for Hospital, 
 $9,942.10, and for Asylum, |5,390.62 : total ex- 
 penses, $15,332.72. Total income, deducting Mrs. 
 Oliver's annuity, $6,336. 18. It mentions Mr M'Lean's 
 donation, and alludes to the measures in progress in 
 relation to a suitable testimonial of the gratitude of the 
 institution. It states that the fifty thousand dollars 
 invested in the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance 
 Company had not yet begun to yield any income. 
 No printed copy of the annual report prepared in 
 1827 has been preserved. Within this period of five 
 years, a new west wdng had been erected at the 
 Hospital, completing that building as it stood down 
 to 1844. A large and expensive addition was in 
 progress at the Asylum to complete the buildings 
 for male patients as they now are. The debts of 
 the institution were all paid, and fifty thousand dol- 
 lars had been invested in the Massachusetts Hospital 
 Life Insurance Company ; and the highly important 
 arrangement before alluded tp had been made with
 
 LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. 79 
 
 that Company. Mr. Francis was Chairman of the 
 Committee of the Hospital for effecting this arrange- 
 ment. He was also a member of the Committee of 
 the Life Insurance Company, as well as its largest 
 private stockholder ; a circumstance which, of course, 
 gave additional weight to his opinions and advice. 
 Dr. Bowditch, the Actuary of that Company, had 
 always felt an interest in the Hospital, having been 
 a zealous and efficient member of the Committee 
 for collecting subscriptions in its behalf in the town 
 of Salem. Both these gentlemen believed that the 
 true interests of the Insurance Company rendered a 
 liberal arrangement with the Hospital highly expe- 
 dient, even if viewed merely as a matter of policy. 
 They felt convinced that the good-will universally 
 cherished toward the Hospital would, in coming 
 times, tend to protect the Insurance Company from 
 that jealousy to which large moneyed institutions are 
 naturally exposed. It should ever be remembered, 
 then, that to the sagacity, intelHgence, and liberal 
 views of the Committees of the Hospital and of the 
 Life Insurance Company, on this occasion, our insti- 
 tution is nearly, if not quite, as much indebted as it 
 is to the noble munificence of John M'Lean.
 
 80 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 June, 1827, through 1832. 
 
 Bequest of William Phillips. — Varioloid at Hospital. —Domestic 
 Coffee. — Donation Book. — New Building at Asylum. — Fibe 
 AT Hospital. — Auditou of Accounts. — Silver Spoons. — Eben- 
 EZER Francis, Chairman. — Mr. Joy's Brick-kiln. — Death of 
 Mrs. Gurney. — Wedding at Hospital. — Death of General Cobb. 
 — Dr. George Hay ward chosen Junior Surgeon. — Colored 
 Patient. — Plank Sidewalk. — Bequest of Jeremiah Belknap. — 
 Donation of Joseph Lee. — Lying-in Hospital. — Edward Tucker- 
 man, Chairman. — Donations of John P. Cushing and John C. 
 Gray. — Bequest of Isaiah Thomas. — Cholera Patients. — Dr. 
 Wyman's Illness and Two Kesignations. — Dr. Walker's Ser- 
 vices. — Munificent Bequest of Miss Mary Belknap, One Hun- 
 dred Thousand Dollars. — Services of Joseph Head. — Portrait 
 OF Mr. Belknap: how painted. — Bequest of Miss Margaret 
 Tucker. — A Painted Letter. — Belknap Ward. — Prosperous 
 Condition of the Institution. 
 
 At the annual meeting, June 13, 1827, Hon. Na- 
 thaniel Bowditch and Henry Codman, Esq., were 
 elected members of the Corporation ; and Patrick T. 
 Jackson and Mr. Codman were elected Trustees, in 
 place of Messrs. Swett and Sturgis, who declined elec- 
 tion, and Avere thanked for their services. Amos 
 Lawrence, Esq., who had been chosen by the Trus- 
 tees to supply the vacancy at the resignation of 
 Colonel May, was now elected by the Corporation. 
 The officers at this period were Hon. Thomas H. Per- 
 kins, President; Hon. John Lowell, Vice-President ; 
 flon. Nathaniel P. Kussell, Treasurer ; Nathaniel I.
 
 WILLIAM Phillips's bequest. 81 
 
 Bowditch, Secretary ; Joseph Head, Chairman ; Ebe- 
 nezer Francis, Edward Tuckerman, Benjamin Guild, 
 Edward H. Robbins, jun., Amos Lawrence, Patrick 
 T. Jackson, and Henry Codman, Trustees, chosen by 
 the Corporation ; Gardiner Greene, Joseph Coolidge, 
 Jonathan Phillips, and George Ticknor, Trustees, 
 chosen by the Board of Visitors. The Consulting 
 Physicians, elected at the first meeting of the Trus- 
 tees, July 1, were I)rs. Thomas Welsh, William 
 Spooner, John Gorham, John Dixwell, George C. 
 Shattuck, and Jacob Bigelow, of Boston ; and Drs. 
 Abraham R. Thompson and William J. Walker, of 
 Charlestown. On July 3, the annual visitation was 
 made by the Board of Visitors. Two hundred copies 
 only of the annual report being printed, it is not now 
 extant. Of one later report, four thousand copies 
 were printed : fifteen hundred is now the usual 
 number. Aug. 20, the Massachusetts Humane So- 
 ciety were thanked for a renewal of their annual 
 subscription for free beds during a further term of 
 three years. 
 
 Sept. 2, a letter from Jonathan PhiUips, Esq., was 
 received,, communicating a bequest from his late 
 father, William Phillips, of five thousand dollars, as 
 a fund, the income " to be applied for the relief of 
 the sick poor of the city of Boston ; " and this dona- 
 tion was gratefully accepted " as a new instance of 
 
 11
 
 82 RATES OF BOARD AT ASYLUM. 
 
 the testator's munificence towards this institution." 
 At the next meeting, the amount, having been re- 
 ceived, was ordered to be placed in the Massachusetts 
 Hospital Life Insurance Company during the life of 
 the Secretary. The portrait of Mr. Phillips was at 
 this meeting loaned to the Trustees of Phillips Acad- 
 emy. A vote was also passed, which is still acted 
 upon, that all moneys received from patients by the 
 Superintendent shall be placed at once to their credit 
 on the books of the Hospital. On Sept. 12, the 
 Treasurer was authorized to borrow of the Massachu- 
 setts Hospital Life Insurance Company twenty-five 
 thousand dollars, on pledge of the shares in that 
 Company. Oct. 5, Ur. John B. S. Jackson was 
 elected Apothecary at the Hospital. Oct. 9, Henry 
 Pierce, of Salem, was elected Steward of the Asylum, 
 in place of G. W. Folsom, the late Steward, deceased. 
 Dec. 16, the Board expressed to the late Apothecary, 
 Dr. Crane, their sense of the satisfactory manner in 
 which he had performed his duties. The Visiting 
 Committee, appointed at the last meeting, reported on 
 the subject of rates of board at the Asylum, that they 
 should never be less than three dollars nor more than 
 twelve dollars per week. By special vote, subse- 
 quently, some have paid at rates as low as two 
 dollars, and as high as twenty dollars per week. A 
 circular was directed to be prepared, soliciting free- 
 bed subscriptions at the Hospital.
 
 VARIOLOID. DONATION BOOK. 83 
 
 At a special meeting, Dec. 29, Drs. Jackson and 
 Warren attended, and announced a case of varioloid 
 in the Hospital (Dr. Crane, the late Apothecary), 
 and the measures which they had taken to prevent 
 infection, such as removal of the patient, vaccination, 
 &c. ; and they were requested to publish a newspaper 
 statement, " that no unnecessary degree of alarm may 
 be excited in the public mind." Owing to the judi- 
 cious measures adopted, no other case occurred. 
 Jan. 11, 1828, the Superintendent was directed not to 
 buy any more " domestic coffee." The nature of this 
 " villanous compound " is not stated on the records ; 
 but it was probably a preparation of rye. Mrs. John 
 C. Warren was thanked for " her friendly present 
 of twenty-one volumes " to the Hospital Library. 
 Jan. 27, forty free beds were established. There are 
 now eighty. 
 
 On March 9, Colonel May was requested to pre- 
 pare a list of all donations to the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital, and one hundred dollars was 
 appropriated to that object. This vote is the origin 
 of the " Donation-book," decidedly the most important 
 of all the records of the institution. It was completed 
 down to this date in a beautifully neat style of pen- 
 manship, and has been since continued to the present 
 time in an equally satisfactory manner by Henry B. 
 Rogers, Esq. Thomas B. Wales, Esq., was thanked
 
 84 IMPROVEMENTS AT ASYLUM. 
 
 for his donation of $825 for the purchase of a free 
 bed for life. March 23, Mr. Francis, from the Build- 
 ing Committee, reported that the whole expenses 
 since May, 1826, at Asylum, were $64,166.57; of 
 which fifty-eight thousand dollars had been paid by 
 the Treasurer on orders of the Committee ; — that the 
 lodge (a separate brick building for violent patients) 
 was now finished and occupied ; the large building 
 nearly finished, and in part occupied, &;c. April 11, 
 1828, Dr. Wyman was authorized to procure a car- 
 riage and a pair of horses, to be used at the M'Lean 
 Asylum for the Insane, for the purpose of giving 
 air and exercise to the boarders. A grant of one 
 hundred dollars was made to Mr. and Mrs. Gur- 
 ney, " for their kind, assiduous, and faithful services 
 as Superintendent and Matron of the Hospital." 
 On April 27, Mr. Greenough applying to buy the 
 reversionary interest of the Corporation in the Prov- 
 ince House Estate, Messrs. Francis and Lawrence 
 were appointed a Committee to ascertain its value. 
 The Hospital declined making the proposed sale. 
 
 May 11, Messrs. Guild, Jackson, and Robbins were 
 appointed a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 June 8, the mansion-house at the Asylum was ordered 
 to be repaired, though it must be "at considerable 
 expense." The annual report is signed by Joseph 
 Head, Chairman of the Trustees. It occupies but
 
 AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS. 85 
 
 two and a half octavo pages. It states the whole 
 number of free patients discharged for the year ending 
 April 1, 1828, to be 218. Appended to the report 
 are tables, showing donations during the year: from a 
 black woman, 50 cents ; Samuel T. Armstrong, f 100 ; 
 Thomas B. Wales, $825; thirty-three free beds, 
 13,320; life-free beds of Jeremiah Belknap, $654, 
 and Peter C. Brooks, $810 ; dividend of Massachu- 
 setts Hospital Life Insurance Company, $3,500, &c. ; 
 making in all, $14,473.6-4. The invested property of 
 the Hospital was stated at $38,900. June 6, there 
 were thirty-one males and twenty-eight females in the 
 Hospital. 
 
 At the annual meeting, June 11, 1828, William H. 
 Gardiner was chosen a Trustee in place of P. T. Jack- 
 son, Esq., who declined a re-election, and was thanked 
 for his services. All the medical and surgical officers, 
 &c., of the last year, were re-elected. July 3, the 
 Board of Visitors visited. " His Excellency (Levi 
 Lincoln) was pleased to express great satisfaction at 
 the result of his visit." July 8, the Secretary was 
 directed henceforth to audit the accounts of both 
 branches of the institution, with a salary of one hun- 
 dred dollars additional for that duty. This vote is 
 still acted on, and has relieved the Trustees of a duty 
 which had been gradually becoming very irksome 
 and laborious. July 11, 1828, the cylindrical tin
 
 86 MEDICAL ASSISTANTS. 
 
 case, containing the title-deeds, &c., was deposited in 
 the safe of the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance 
 Company. [In March, 1844, it was again restored 
 to the Treasurer's custody.] July 11, the Acting 
 Physician and Surgeon were requested to nominate 
 assistants ; " the Trustees deeming it desirable that 
 occasional changes should be made in those nomi- 
 nated, when consistent with the welfare of the insti- 
 tution." On Aug. 3, the number of assistants was 
 restricted not to exceed three for each. Dr. Walter 
 Channing was nominated and appointed Assistant 
 Physician ; and Drs. Edward Reynolds and George 
 W. Otis, Assistant Surgeons. The Board declined, 
 " though with sincere regret," loaning the portraits of 
 their donors for an exhibition of " Stuart's Pictures." 
 Sept. 7, the Apothecary was ordered to be styled the 
 House Physician ; and Dr. Augustus A. Gould was 
 appointed for one year from Sept. 1. 
 
 Henry Codman, Esq., the late Secretary, having 
 relinquished his salary for several years, was thanked 
 for this donation ; the Trustees acknowledging " the 
 uniformly zealous and faithful discharge of his official 
 duties, of which the records of this Board throughout 
 afford such ample testimony." Oct. 26, the Treasurer 
 was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars more. 
 Mr. Francis and the Visiting Committee were ap- 
 pointed to revise the rules and regulations for the
 
 FIRE AT HOSPITAL. 87 
 
 Asylum. On Nov. 11, they made a report, abolishing 
 the office of Steward, and substituting a Clerk and 
 Supervisor, with prescribed duties, with salaries of 
 three hundred and four hundred dollars. Nov. 23, 
 Mr. Oliver B. Bond was chosen Supervisor. Dec. 7, 
 Dr. William Spooner resigned as one of the Consult- 
 ing Physicians, and was thanked for his services. 
 
 On Sunday, Dec. 14, a special meeting of the Trus- 
 tees was held ; present, the whole Board, except Dr. 
 Robbins, confined by illness. The record reads : 
 " The present meeting was in consequence of a fire 
 which broke out in the eastern wing of the Hospital, 
 just before the morning service, and which, though at 
 first threatening the destruction of the building, was 
 happily subdued, after causing some injury to the 
 roof and upper apartments." Messrs. Coolidge, Fran- 
 cis, and Ticknor were appointed a Committee to inves- 
 tigate the cause of the fire, and to make all repairs. 
 Votes were passed, thanking the fire-department of 
 this and the neighboring towns, which were ordered 
 to be published, with a notice, " that the damage sus- 
 tained by the building is not so great as to interrupt 
 the reception of patients as usual." Thanks were 
 also presented to individuals who had kindly off"ered 
 the use of their houses, should the removal of the 
 patients have become necessary. The Board expressed 
 their sense of the zeal " manifested by the citizens
 
 88 A SECOND FIRE AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 generally on this occasion, and particularly by those 
 who assisted in restoring the house to order, after 
 the fire was extinguished." Hon. Josiah Quincy, the 
 Mayor, attended at the meeting, " for the purpose of 
 affording, on behalf of the city, any aid which might 
 be required." Nathan Gurney, Esq., the Superin- 
 tendent, was publicly thanked by the Board " for his 
 care and attention to the patients, and generally for 
 his considerate and judicious arrangements adopted 
 on this occasion." It appears that ten convalescent 
 patients were discharged, and all those in the east 
 wards removed to the other part of the house, but 
 without any great " suffering, either from the alarm 
 or the removal." 
 
 A few weeks after this event, a patient, the nature 
 of whose disorder required that he should be sepa- 
 rated as far as possible from others in the house, 
 was placed in the most remote apartment in the 
 range of one-story wooden out-buildings, which then 
 extended from the north side of the Hospital to Allen 
 Street. It was an intensely cold night, and a large fire 
 was made in the stove in his apartment, the funnel 
 from which came out through the north side of the 
 room into the open air. A watchman, going his 
 rounds, had his attention attracted to a blaze, three 
 or four feet in height, just kindled around this aper- 
 ture, and extinguished it without any general alarm ;
 
 A THIRD FIRE AT HOSPITAL. 89 
 
 the slumbers even of the patient not being disturbed. 
 A few days afterwards, as one of the medical officers 
 was making a visit, attended by his students, a smell 
 of smoke became perceptible ; and an attendant 
 came into the ward in an agitated manner, and 
 mentioned something to him in an under tone. He 
 turned round in a smiling manner to the students, 
 and said, " Young gentlemen, nothing unusual is 
 the matter ; I am merely informed that the house is 
 on fire." The beijinninos of a fire from some com- 
 bustibles in the cellar were speedily extinguished 
 with no damage. Since these remarkable coinci- 
 dences, we have enjoyed an entire immunity from 
 any dangerous accidents of this sort. 
 
 D^c. 21, the Treasurer was authorized to borrow 
 seven thousand dollars more. Mr. Francis presented 
 a report as to the cause of the fire. The Committee 
 " found on the north side of the chimney, between 
 the ceiling of the upper story and the floor of the 
 garret, a piece of timber and plank introducq^ into 
 the chimney," which probably caught fire from the 
 chimney having been burnt out that morning ; — 
 " that two years ago an alteration was made, and a 
 flue heretofore used for ventilation was converted 
 into a smoke flue by a person not acquainted with the 
 original plan, and who had no knowledge that any 
 wood was connected with the flue ; " that no blame 
 
 12
 
 90 DEATH OF MRS. GURNEY. 
 
 was attachable to the Superintendent, or those under 
 his direction, for burning out the chimneys ; that the 
 day was favorable, and the hour proper ; that the 
 repairs had been nearly completed, and at much less 
 expense than was expected. It did not exceed six 
 hundred dollars. Dec. 26, there were twenty-three 
 males and fifteen females in the Hospital : total, 
 thirty- eight. 
 
 Jan. 22, 1829, an appeal was ordered to be taken 
 from the probate-decree in the matter of Mr. M'Lean's 
 trust-fund. Feb. 8, James S. Russell, of Dracut, was 
 chosen clerk at the Asylum. Feb. 12, an additional 
 House Physician was ordered to be appointed ; and 
 the Superintendent was ordered to purchase " a suit- 
 able number of silver spoons for use at the Hosjiital, 
 instead of the present pewter ones." Feb. 16, Wil- 
 lard Parker was elected House Physician. 
 
 On March 8, the death of Mrs. Gurney yesterday, 
 after a short illness, was announced ; and a vote was 
 passed, expressing the sense entertained by the Board 
 of her " kind and careful services," and assuring Mr. 
 Gurney of their sympathy " for his personal loss," and 
 granting him leave of absence. March 22, Mr. Gur- 
 ney becoming seriously ill, Dr. (lould was requested 
 to act as Superintendent jjro tern. April 7, Dr. Rey- 
 nolds resigned his office of Assistant Surgeon. April 
 10, Mr. Coolidge was appointed a Committee to cause
 
 EBENEZER FRANCIS, CHAIRMAN. 91 
 
 the grounds to be restored to as good order iis before 
 the late fire. April 26, Messrs. Codman, Francis, 
 and Lawrence were appointed a Committee to pre- 
 pare the annual report. This report is about four 
 pages long. It presents an interesting view of what 
 had been accomplished to that date. Total receipts 
 of the year, 18,213.31. Cost of Hospital, $130,640.31 ; 
 of Asylum, $187,326.70. May 24, the Treasurer 
 was authorized to borrow three thousand dollars 
 more. June 7, Dr. Hayward was requested to sup- 
 ply Dr. Warren's place during a temporary absence; 
 the Board taking occasion '* to express to Dr. Warren 
 their high sense of the value of his services, and 
 their belief that this interval of relaxation will enable 
 him soon to resume his arduous duties with improved 
 health." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, June 10, 
 1829, Colonel Perkins, having declined a re-election, 
 was thanked for " his faithful services in the office of 
 President for five years last past, and for the interest 
 which he has uniformly manifested in the concerns of 
 this institution." Francis C. Gray, Esq., was elected 
 a Trustee in place of Joseph Head, Esq., who also 
 declined a re-election, and was thanked " for his long, 
 zealous, and faithful services." Hon. John Lowell 
 was then elected President ; and Gardiner Greene, 
 Esq., Vice-President. July 7, Ebenezer Francis was
 
 92 MR. joy's brick-kiln. 
 
 elected Chairman of the Trustees. All the medical 
 and surgical appointments, &c.,were the same as last 
 year, except that Dr. John Randall was elected a Con- 
 sulting Physician in the place of Dr. Spooner, who 
 had resigned. 
 
 Joseph Sweetser, a lessee of Benjamin Joy, Esq., 
 having erected a brick-kiln in and over the fifty-foot 
 way adjoining the north side of the land in Charles- 
 town, in violation of the rights of this institution, the 
 Secretary was directed to request Mr. Joy to remove 
 the same. Counsel was employed, and a hearing had 
 before Chief Justice Parker at his chambers, July 20, 
 on an application for a writ of injunction. The result 
 was, that the burning of the kiln was permitted ; Mr. 
 Joy executing a bond in penalty of two thousand dol- 
 lars, that no similar trespass should again be allowed, 
 and conditioned to remove all obstructions, &c., in 
 sixty days. 
 
 On Aug. 9, 1829, the same Clerk and Supervisor 
 were re-elected. Aug. 23, Mr. Francis Dana, jun., 
 was elected a House Physician of the Hospital for the 
 ensuing year. Aug. 28, the Board of Visitors, his 
 Excellency Governor Lincoln, &c., visited. His Ex- 
 cellency again " expressed his sense of the order and 
 neatness, and th'e arrangements for the comfort, conve- 
 nience, and safety of the patients, which were every- 
 where visible." Sept. 27, Drs. Walter Channing and
 
 COLORED PATIENT. 93 
 
 John Ware were appointed Assistant Physicians, on 
 nomination of Dr. James Jackson ; and Mr. Lucius 
 W. Caryl, a House Physician, on nomination of 
 Dr. Warren. Mr. Ticknor and the Secretary were 
 appointed a Committee on the subject of rules and 
 regulations. Messrs. Francis, Gray, Lawrence, Tick- 
 nor, and the Secretary were appointed a Committee 
 on the accounts of repairs and expenditures at the 
 Asylum. The Treasurer was authorized to borrow 
 seven thousand dollars more. 
 
 John Williams, " a colored man," having been ad- 
 mitted into the Hospital, under permit of Dr. George 
 W. Otis, dated Sept. 19, it was voted that Dr. Otis 
 be requested to state in writing to this Board the 
 circumstances which, in his opinion, constituted this 
 a case of emergency within the meaning of second 
 article of second chapter of the rules and regulations. 
 Oct. 6, the Committee on rules and regulations re- 
 ported certain provisions for officers to be known as 
 House Physician, House Surgeon, and xlpothecary, 
 with a detail of the duties to be performed by each. 
 Oct. 9, Dr. Otis's answer was received, stating that 
 he had never before seen a copy of the rules and 
 regulations, and that he did not think the case re- 
 ferred to was one of emergency within the meaning of 
 those rules. 
 
 On Nov. 22, General Cobb being now a patient in
 
 94 GENERAL COBB. 
 
 the Hospital, where he subsequently died, a bill of 
 Dr. Channing for extra services rendered him was re- 
 ferred to the Visiting Committee, who, after consulta- 
 tion with Drs, Jackson and Channing, approved the 
 same. General Cobb was an aid of Washington's in 
 the revolutionary war. At the time of Shays's insur- 
 rection, he was Chief Justice- of the Common Pleas, 
 and Major-General of that division of the militia. 
 The rioters assembled to prevent the opening of the 
 Court. General Cobb addressed them, and closed his 
 remarks as follows : " Please God, I will this day sit 
 as a Judge, or die as a General." 
 
 Dec. 20, five dollars was contributed towards the 
 new plank sidewalk in Blossom Street. There were, 
 on Dec. 22, thirty-six males and fifteen females — 
 total, fifty-one — in the Hospital. Jan. 8, 1830, the 
 Committee report that the whole expenditures at the 
 Asylum from 1826 are, for the wharf, |1, 147.32; 
 well, $215.75 ; and for " general improvements," 
 $96,822.33 r — that this expenditure has been " for 
 the building called the lodge, or strong rooms ; for 
 the large building connected with the former building 
 for maizes ; a new roof to the dwelling-house, with 
 the addition of another story to the centre of it, and 
 great repairs, even to the foundation wall ; the 
 necessary alterations in the old building for males, 
 caused by adding the new one ; also new water-clos-
 
 IMPROVEMENTS AT ASYLUM. 95 
 
 ets, and brick partition-walls, and other improvements 
 in the former building for males ; improvements in 
 the ventilation of the buildings both for males and 
 females ; the addition of a large wash-room, new 
 kitchen, and extensive cooking apparatus ; for remov- 
 ing the earth, forming and laying out the grounds, 
 erecting several buildings in the yard, and a great 
 extent of fences in forming and dividing the yards." 
 The buildings, even now, with this great expendi- 
 ture, were not completed. It would seem probable, 
 that at least sixty-five thousand dollars of the above 
 must be assigned as the cost of the addition to the 
 male building. Much of the work was varied from 
 time to time when in progress, as important objec- 
 tions or improvements were suggested. A plan was 
 ordered of this new building, with all its flues, &c. 
 A precisely similar addition to the female wing was 
 subsequently constructed ; and, by means of the prior 
 experience acquired, it cost but forty-three thousand 
 five hundred dollars. 
 
 Feb. 7, the Treasurer was authorized to consolidate 
 all former loans in a new loan of fifty thousand dol- 
 lars, on pledge of the shares in the Life Insurance 
 Company. Hon. Jonathan Phillips was thanked for 
 a present of books for the library. John Eraser Da- 
 vis, Esq., editor of the " Patriot," was thanked for his 
 paper furnished for the use of the patients. Feb. 21,
 
 96 WEDDING AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 Mr. Giirney's intended marriage was announced, and 
 the subject was referred to Dr. Kobbins and the Visit- 
 ing Committee. Dr. George Hayward was elected 
 to the office of Junior Surgeon. March 21, Mr. Gur- 
 ney announced that his intended wife had consented 
 to reside at the Hospital. The wedding was subse- 
 quently celebrated in fine style ; the House Physi- 
 cians, &c., officiating as groomsmen. Many patients 
 were present at the wedding visit. It was a gay 
 scene, — one seldom witnessed in a Hospital. Messrs. 
 Gray, Ticknor, and the Secretary were appointed a 
 Committee to make an entirely new draft of the 
 rules and regulations ; whose reports were accepted, 
 May 9 and 23, for the Hospital and Asylum respec- 
 tively. They were prepared with great care and 
 labor, each paragraph being discussed and considered, 
 and the whole being finally read by the Trustees, and 
 by the Physicians and Surgeons. These rules 
 and regulations are recorded in extenso, occupying 
 twenty pages. One important change introduced 
 was, that, though each Trustee should serve for two 
 months on the Visiting Committee, one Trustee 
 should go out each month, so that there should al- 
 ways be one member of the Committee informed of 
 the existing state of aff'airs. This arrangement has 
 always since continued. May 9, Messrs. Gray, 
 Greene, and Hobbins were appointed a Committee
 
 JEREMIAH Belknap's bequest. 97 
 
 to prepare the annual report. This report 1 have 
 never met with. June 24, there weve eighteen 
 males and thirteen females — total, thirty-one — in 
 the Hospital. 
 
 At the annual meeting, July 6, 1830, Hon. John 
 Lowell retiring from the Presidency, Gardiner Greene 
 was elected in his stead, and Joseph Head was elect- 
 ed Vice-President in place of Mr. Greene. Josiah 
 Quincy, jun., was elected a Trustee in place of Wil- 
 liam H. Gardiner, Esq. ; and the officers who retired 
 were thanked for their faithful services. Benjamin 
 I). Greene and James Bowdoin were new Trustees, 
 chosen by the Board of Visitors in August. Mr. 
 Bowdoin declining, Hon. Heman Lincoln was elected 
 by that Board in January, 1831 ; and, he also de- 
 clining, Mr. George Bond was elected in February, 
 1831. Aug. 27, the annual visitation was made, and 
 Governor Lincoln again expressed " his entire satis- 
 faction." 
 
 At a special meeting, Aug. 30, a bequest of the late 
 Jeremiah Belknap, of ten thousand dollars, invested 
 in an annuity in trust in the Massachusetts Hospital 
 Life Insurance Company, was communicated by his 
 sister and executrix, Mary Belknap ; which was grate- 
 fully accepted, and a free bed for life was thereupon 
 placed at her disposal. Dr. Henry I. Bowditch was 
 chosen House Physician for the ensuing year, on 
 
 13
 
 98 JOSEPH lee's donation. 
 
 nomination of Dr. James Jackson. Mr. Dana, the 
 late House Physician, presented a written certificate 
 of satisfactory deportment in office from the Acting 
 Physician. A similar certificate from the Superin- 
 tendent was held necessary before the Board felt 
 authorized to vote the annual grant of fifty dollars, 
 pursuant to the rules and regulations. Oct. 5, Mr. 
 Bond resigned as Supervisor ; and, on the 8th, Mr. 
 Columbus Tyler was appointed his successor. After 
 the lapse of twenty years, he is still one of the most 
 valuable officers of the institution. 
 
 On Oct. 21, a letter from Thomas Lee, adminis- 
 trator of Francis Lee, a deceased patient, was received 
 and read, communicating a gift from his father, Jo- 
 seph Lee, Esq., sole heir of said deceased, of twenty 
 thousand dollars for the use of the Asylum ($250 a 
 year for four years to be paid to Dr. Wyman). The 
 writer says : " In frequent visits to the Asylum, dur- 
 ing nearly two years that the deceased was a patient, 
 his friends having become acquainted with the admi- 
 rable provision made for the alleviation and cure of one 
 of the most severe afflictions that befall human nature, 
 and appreciating the rare union of the requisite qual- 
 ities possessed by the present Superintendent (Dr. 
 Wyman), believe that a more appropriate or better 
 use cannot be made of a portion of his estate, than by 
 contributing to the support of this well-administered
 
 JOSEPH lee's donation. 99 
 
 and most humane institution. They feel at the same 
 time that they do but carry into effect what might 
 have been the views of the deceased had the power 
 been restored to him of acting for himself. That this 
 may long escape the abuses to which the best public 
 institutions seem so liable, and never want the means 
 to accomplish its benevolent ends, under the guard- 
 ianship of those whose characters are a pledge for the 
 faithful application of the trusts reposed in them, is 
 the wish of the donor, and, gentlemen, of yours," &c. 
 It was thereupon voted to accept this munificent 
 donation ; and Messrs. Lawrence, Guild, and the Sec- 
 retary were appointed a Committee to communicate 
 to Mr. Lee " the grateful acknowledgments of the 
 Board." 
 
 This donation consisted of twelve shares in the 
 Eliot Manufacturing Company, and of eight shares in 
 the Merrimack Company, under the restriction not 
 to sell the same for ten years, except with the con- 
 sent of Joseph Lee, Esq. On Oct. 23, a written an- 
 swer, prepared by the Committee, was entered on the 
 records, signed by all the Trustees, and sent to Mr. 
 Lee. Messrs. Lawrence and Francis were appointed 
 a Committee as to the investment or expenditure of 
 the income of this donation. Dec. 5, a letter was 
 received from Dr. Wyman, declining the donation of 
 Mr. Lee, on the general and high-minded ground
 
 100 VOTE AS TO MR. LEE's DONATION. 
 
 of the impropriety of receiving presents from any 
 boarder or his friends. The Committee reported that 
 a separate investment should be made of the income 
 of this fund ; and that, when it should be " sufficient 
 to defray the expense of a solid, permanent building, 
 the same shall be erected at the M'Lean Asylum for 
 the Insane in Charlestown, and shall bear the name 
 of the benevolent donor." 
 
 On Dec. 19, the Treasurer was authorized to bor- 
 row ten thousand dollars for four months. Dec. 31, 
 thirty males, eighteen females — total, forty-eight — 
 in the Hospital. Jan. 30, 1831, Messrs. Francis, 
 Codman, and Lawrence were appointed a Committee 
 respecting a Lying-in Hospital, in answer to a com- 
 munication from the Trustees of the Humane Society. 
 Feb. 13, at the request of Mr. Francis, he was dis 
 charged, and Mr. Quincy substituted on said Commit- 
 tee. At this meeting, Messrs. Francis and Lawrence 
 were appointed a Committee to wait on Miss Mary 
 Belknap, sister of Jeremiah Belknap, Esq., and on 
 the relatives of Joseph Lee, Esq., to ask for their 
 portraits ; and said Committee, at the next meeting, 
 reported that " no i)ortraits of Mr. Belknap or Mr. 
 Lee are in possession of their relatives." On Feb. 22, 
 the executory and devisees of the late Joseph Lee 
 presented five additional shares in the Eliot* Manu- 
 facturing Company, to make up a depreciation in the
 
 ITS FINAL AMOUNT. 101 
 
 ascertained value of the twelve shares in said Com- 
 pany originally given ; which additional donation was 
 gratefully received on the same conditions. These 
 shares experienced a still further depreciation, and 
 the amount finally realized from the whole seven- 
 teen thousand dollars of the Eliot shares was only one 
 thousand and eight dollars. The Merrimack shares, 
 however, paid very large dividends ; the whole amount 
 actually received, from both sources, taking the Merri- 
 mack shares at par, being $31,681.33. A separate 
 account of this fund was kept till 1851, when, with 
 allowance of interest on the dividends, it exceeded 
 forty-five thousand dollars. A donation had mean- 
 while been received from Mr. Appleton, for the 
 erection of a new building at the Asylum, so that it 
 became impracticable to carry out literally the .design 
 of the preceding votes ; and the Trustees proposed to 
 give the name of Mr. Lee to the main building for 
 male patients, that in which his son died. The whole 
 subject was finally and satisfactorily arranged at that 
 time. 
 
 On Feb. 27, 1831, the decision of the Supreme 
 Judicial Court in regard to the M'Lean trust-fund 
 was communicated ; and on April 8, in reply to a 
 request that the Board would consent that the fund 
 should be managed by one Trustee, the Board say : 
 " If the will of Mr. M'Lean requires the appointment
 
 102 RESIGNATION OF EBENEZER FRANCIS. 
 
 of two Trustees, they cannot, consistently with their 
 duty, acquiesce in the appointment of one." May 8, 
 Messrs. Greene, Quincy, and PhilHps were appointed 
 to prepare the annual report ; and on May 22, Gray 
 and Lawrence were substituted for Greene and Phil- 
 lips, who were absent. This report is believed not 
 to be extant. 
 
 June 8, 1831, at the annual meeting of the Corpo- 
 ration, George Hallet was elected a Trustee in place 
 of Ebenezer Francis, Esq., who was thanked for "his 
 long, faithful, and peculiarly valuable services as a 
 Trustee of this institution, to which office he has 
 declined a re-election." July 3, the same immediate 
 officers were all re-elected. July 5, Edward Tucker- 
 man was chosen Chairman of the Trustees. July 8, 
 Drs. Jacob Bigelow, John Randall, George C. Shat- 
 tuck, and Abraham R. Thompson, were chosen Con- 
 sulting Physicians ; and Drs. William Ingalls, John 
 B. Brown, John Dixwell, and William J. AValker, 
 Consulting Surgeons. July 24, Thomas Sparhawk 
 was elected House Physician ; and on Aug, 21, Sam- 
 uel Swett, jun.. House Surgeon. Sept. 2, the annual 
 visitation was made, nine Trustees being also present. 
 His Excellency Governor Lincoln alluded to the 
 appropriation for the Asylum at Worcester, as an 
 unequivocal expression of public opinion that the 
 M'Lean Asylum had been completely successful.
 
 JOHN P. CUSHING. JOHN C. GRAY. 103 
 
 Sept. 20, a donation from John P. Gushing, Esq., of 
 five thousand dollars, was received, and gratefully 
 acknowledged. Hejoice Newton, Esq., was appointed 
 agent to make any arrangement with the executors 
 of Isaiah Thomas. 
 
 On Feb. 12, 1832, communications from Dr. Jack- 
 son and Mr. Gurney were received, stating seven 
 cases of erysipelas in the Hospital, one of which had 
 terminated fatally ; and the subject was referred to 
 the Visiting Committee, with full powers. They dis- 
 continued all new admissions till March 5. Feb. 26, 
 a donation of one thousand dollars from John C. 
 Gray was received, and suitably acknowledged. A 
 letter from Amos Lawrence, Esq., resigning his office 
 of Trustee in consequence of illness, was received ; 
 and a vote was passed, expressing the sense which 
 the Board had of the value of his services, and their 
 best wishes for his restoration to health. April 29, 
 Messrs. Codman, Gray, and Hallet were appointed a 
 Committee to prepare the annual report ; but it has 
 not been preserved. 
 
 On May 17, Dr. Wyman tendered his resignation 
 on the ground of ill health. The Chairman, with 
 Messrs. Hallet and Quincy, were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to confer with him, and make any arrange- 
 ment. The Treasurer was ordered to pay five hundred 
 dollars, voted Feb. 5, 1826, to Dr. Wyman, for his
 
 104 RESIGNATION OF AMOS LAWRENCE. 
 
 extra services, with interest ; he having never yet 
 received the same. May 20, a letter from Dr. Wy- 
 man thanked the Trustees for the regard and kind- 
 ness manifested towards him and his family. The 
 Committee reported that Dr. Wyman was to be for a 
 time absent ; and, " believing that the services of Dr. 
 William J. Walker during that time would be highly 
 valuable to the institution," they requested him " to 
 visit it as often as he could, consistently with his other 
 engagements." 
 
 At the annual meeting, June 13, 1832, Abbott 
 Lawrence, Esq., was elected a Trustee in place of his 
 brother, iVmos Lawrence, who was thanked " for his 
 zealous and faithful services during several successive 
 years." The annual meeting was altered to the fourth 
 Wednesday in January ; so that the Trustees now 
 chosen served only about six months. The Board of 
 Visitors elected Thomas W. Ward in place of Jon- 
 athan Phillips ; but, he not accepting, Samuel T. 
 Armstrong was elected in August. The same Board 
 of Physicians and Surgeons and the same officers 
 were re-elected. July 12, Henry Codman, as Chair- 
 man of a Committee to reply to a communication 
 received from Hon. Charles Wells the Mayor, re- 
 ported in favor of receiving cholera patients in the 
 Hospital, in case the City Hospital, specially prepared, 
 should be filled, and not otherwise.
 
 DR. WYMAN. 105 
 
 July 17, it was voted that a Matron be employed 
 at the Asylum during the illness of Dr. Wyman. 
 At a special meeting, Aug. 1, Dr. Wyman again re- 
 quested the Trustees to accept his resignation ; and 
 the Visiting Committee were instructed to make a 
 report on the next day. Mr. Lyman Bartlett was 
 chosen House Physician ; and Mr. James B. Greger- 
 son, House Apothecary. Aug. 2, Dr. Wyman's resig- 
 nation was accepted (with the view, doubtless, of 
 relieving him from his feeling of responsibility) ; he 
 still to reside at the Asylum. Dr. Walker was re 
 quested to continue his services. Aug. 23, the salary 
 of the Physician and Superintendent at Asylum was 
 to be henceforth twelve hundred dollars. Aug. 27, 
 Mr. John Odin, jun., was chosen House Surgeon. 
 Aug. f31, the annual visitation was made by his Ex- 
 cellency Governor Lincoln and the Board of Visitors. 
 Sept. 19, the duties of Physician and Superintend- 
 ent were ordered to be separated. Dr. Wyman was 
 elected Physician, with a salary, fixed at the next 
 meeting, of fifteen hundred dollars. In other words, 
 he was so highly appreciated that the Board thought 
 themselves fortunate in securing his services for one 
 only of the offices, at a price greater than they 
 believed those of any other person could be worth 
 who should fill both situations. 
 
 And now was communicated to the Board the most 
 
 14
 
 106 MISS BELK^\\P'S BEQUEST. JOSEPH HEAD. 
 
 magnificent bequest, "with one single exception, which 
 has ever been bestowed upon it. Messrs. John and 
 Andrew E. Belknap, and Joseph Head, jun., execu- 
 tors of the will of Miss Mary Belknap, then re- 
 cently deceased, presented a copy of her will, making 
 this Corporation her residuary devisee. This residue 
 amounted to $88,602. It was most gratefully ac- 
 cepted by the Trustees. 
 
 The extent to which this Board is indebted to the 
 good will and kind offices of the late Joseph Head, 
 may be inferred from the following facts. There 
 existed between him and the late Jeremiah Bel- 
 knap, Esq., the most intimate friendship. He had 
 unbounded influence over him, and gladly directed 
 his bounty, and eventually that of his sister, towards 
 this institution, as he had formerly done in the case 
 of Thomas Oliver. There is no one, indeed, whose 
 portrait is better entitled to a place at the Hospital, 
 among the ranks of its chief benefactors and most 
 faithful officers, than that of Mr. Head. It is a 
 curious fact that a portrait of Mr. Belknap was 
 painted for the Hospital by the late Henry Sargent, 
 from looking at Mr. Head. Mr. Belknap and Mr. 
 Head, at a certain hour of each day, often walked to- 
 gether ; and Mr. Sargent, to refresh his recollection 
 of how Mr. Belknap used to look, was in the habit 
 of going out and meeting Mr. Head when he was
 
 MR. Belknap's portrait. 107 
 
 walking alone, that his imagination and his pencil 
 might be thus aided in recalling the features of Mr. 
 Head's former companion. The likeness is by no 
 means perfect ; yet, I think, all who knew Mr. Bel- 
 knap would feel sure that it was intended for him. 
 
 On Oct. 3, Captain Luke Bigelow, of Lancaster, 
 was chosen Superintendent, with a salary of seven 
 hundred dollars. Oct 9, Mr. Rufus Wyman, jun., 
 was requested to act until his arrival. Oct. 21, an 
 extra grant was made to Mr. Tyler for his services 
 during Dr. Wyman's illness, and his salary was raised 
 to a thousand dollars. On the nomination of Dr. 
 Wyman, Miss Mary Sawyer, of Stirling, was appointed 
 to the new office of Supervisor of the female depart- 
 ment. She subsequently married Mr. Tyler, and is 
 now the efficient, or I may rather say truly admira- 
 ble matron of the establishment. New rules and 
 regulations at the Asylum, as modified by the late 
 changes of offices, &c., were adopted at this meeting, 
 and recorded. 
 
 On Nov. 4, the executors of Miss Belknap trans- 
 mitted a list of the residuary property, amounting to 
 $72,852 in personal estate. Land and buildings, 
 Nos. 26 and 28, Washington Street, then valued at 
 $12,000; ditto, 73, Broad Street, valued at $3,750; 
 making the total of $88,602. The Broad-street Estate 
 was sold in 1834 to Samuel Sanford for $4,700.
 
 108 AMOUNT OF MISS BELKNAP's BEQUEST. 
 
 The greatly increased value of the Washington-street 
 Estate, which is still owned by the Corporation, makes 
 the total bequest at least one hundred thousand dol- 
 lars. The Board voted that a bond of indemnity 
 should be delivered to the executors on the transfer 
 of this property, and a full receipt and discharge 
 given to Iheir satisfaction. Nov. 18, Dr. Robbins was 
 appointed a Committee of advisement for the Treas- 
 urer, in regard to the sale and disposition of the 
 property thus received. 
 
 On Dec. 14, Dr. Robbins, as Visiting Committee, 
 recommended greater vigilance in admitting as pa- 
 tients those persons who ought to go to South Bos- 
 ton, — a most important suggestion. Dec. 16, Dr. 
 William J. Walker having " visited at the Asylum, 
 during seven months, four or five times each week," 
 the Trustees request his acceptance of six hundred 
 dollars as a small acknowledgment, on the part of this 
 Board, of the zeal and fidelity with which he dis- 
 charged the duties of Physician and Superintendent 
 during the illness of Dr. Wyman. One hundred 
 dollars was also granted to Dr. D. Davis, the resident 
 assistant, for his services at this period. 
 
 Mr. Francis informs me, that one of the young 
 medical men selected to assist Dr. Wyman in keeping 
 his accounts (several years before this period) received 
 the appointment, principally because the Trustees
 
 STATE OF THE INSTITUTION. 109 
 
 Avere delighted with his letter of application, which 
 was the most exquisite specimen of penmanship 
 that they had ever beheld. He entered on his duties, 
 and was found to write a most illegible hand. He 
 was asked whether that letter was his own unaided 
 composition. He replied that it was. " But," added 
 he, " I did not write it, — 1 painted it." It was, in- 
 deed, the elaborate production of an artist^ executed 
 with great delicacy by means of a hair-pencil. 
 
 The Treasurer presented the following exhibit of 
 the property of the institution : — 
 
 Turnpike shares $200.00 
 
 Life-office stock 50,000.00 
 
 Trust-policy under will of William Phillips .... 5,000.00 
 
 „ Jeremiah Belknap .... 10,000.00 
 
 Joseph Lee's donation, estimated at 20,000.00 
 
 Mary Belknap's legacy 88,602.00 
 
 A note 167.91 
 
 $173,969.91 
 Debts due 61,000.00 
 
 Leaving $112,969.91 
 
 The general receipts are stated as follows : — 
 
 Donations and legacies $411,927.73 
 
 Thomas Oliver's legacy (subject to $1,300 annuity) . . 22,938.70 
 
 Donation of Joseph Lee and accumulation of do. . . 22,140.00 
 
 Received on account of Isaiah Thomas's bequest . . 1,307.00 
 
 $458,313.43
 
 no MARGARET TUCKER. DR. WALKER. 
 
 The permanent expenditures, as follows : — 
 
 Land and buildings of Hospital in Boston $144,498.91 
 „ „ „ of M' Lean Asylum . 188,422.22 
 
 332,921.13 
 
 Balance $125,3?>2.30 
 
 Board of free patients from 1822 to 1832, estimated 
 
 at $3 per week $36,590.25 
 
 Donations for free beds, including income of the 
 bequests of Wm. Phillips and Jeremiah Belknap 
 for that object, since 1822 29,405.94 
 
 Balance $7,184.31 
 
 Income for 1833 estimated at $12,547, 
 Expenditures „ „ at 11,040. 
 
 On Dec. 30, Messrs. Greene, Quincy, and Bond 
 were appointed a Committee to prepare the annual 
 report. Jan. 8, 1833, a bequest of Miss Margaret 
 Tucker of $2,600, for perpetual support of a free 
 bed at the Hospital, was announced and gratefully 
 accepted. It was not paid over till 1842. 
 
 Jan. 1 1 , it was ordered that no free beds should be 
 occupied by the same persons over three months, 
 except on special vote of the Trustees, 
 
 Jan. 20, a letter from Dr. William J. Walker was 
 received and read, expressing his gratitude for the 
 favorable opinion entertained by the Board and for 
 the liberal compensation voted him, and requesting 
 their acceptance of a donation of four hundred dollars. 
 The Secretary was directed to assure Dr. Walker of
 
 DR. WYMAIS'S DEVOTEDNESS. Ill 
 
 the high gratification afforded to the Trustees by this 
 new proof of his regard, for the institution. 
 
 The annual report for this year, signed by Mr. 
 Tuckerman the Chairman, also by the Committee, is 
 about six pages long. It states the interesting fact, 
 that Dr. Wyman had for fourteen years passed only 
 five nights away from the Asylum, and the measures 
 taken to lighten his duties, and thus restore his 
 health ; alludes to the numerous recent proofs of 
 public confidence, and the noble donation of Miss 
 Belknap ; and suggests (what has since been exe- 
 cuted) that, whenever an additional wing shall be 
 erected for female patients, " it would be a compli- 
 ment signally appropriate to give the name of this 
 great benefactress to that part of the establishment 
 which is particularly devoted to the benefit of her 
 sex ; " but states that the erection of such a building 
 now would absorb the whole funds of the institution. 
 It speaks of the valuable services and the gratifying 
 donation of Dr. Walker. 
 
 The result of this period is, that during no pre- 
 vious term of five years had the donations been more 
 numerous or munificent. There had been received 
 bequests from the late William Phillips, Jeremiah 
 Belknap, and his sister Miss Mary Belknap, Joseph 
 Lee and his devisees, Miss Margaret Tucker, and 
 Isaiah Thomas ; and donations from John P. Cushing,
 
 112 PROSPERITY OF THE INSTITUTION. 
 
 John C. Gray, Thomas B. Wales, Henry Codman, 
 Dr. William J. Walker, &c., — which, in the aggre- 
 gate, amounted to nearly a hundred and fifty thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 A hundred thousand dollars had been expended in 
 improvements at the Asylum, and a debt of sixty 
 thousand dollars contracted in making these improve- 
 ments. But it was forthwith to be paid off out of 
 the more recent of the donations just received. The 
 pecuniary position of the institution at this time is 
 exactly stated in the summary in the preceding page. 
 The institution still retained, at the head of its two 
 departments, the services of Dr. Wyman and of Mr. 
 Gurney. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler had become officers of 
 the Asylum. The same medical and surgical staff 
 continued to discharge their duties. The narrow 
 escape of the Hospital from destruction by fire was 
 not the least of the fortunate events of this period. 
 
 The number of patients in the Hospital was, at the 
 close of this year, thirty-two males, twenty females, — 
 total, fifty-two ; and, at the Asylum, twenty-seven 
 males, twenty-four females, — total, fifty-one. Thus 
 the usefulness and reputation of the institution had 
 continued steadily to increase ; and it had attained to 
 a degree of prosperity which must have been highly 
 gratifying alike to its original founders and to those 
 who now had its management and control.
 
 113 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 1833-1837. 
 
 Death of Gardiner Greene, President. — Resignation op Mr. Gur- 
 net. — Choice of Gamaliel Bradford. — Final Resignation of Dr. 
 Wyman, and Choice of Dr. Thomas G. Lee, — Columbus Tyler 
 elected Steward of Asylum. — Services of Mrs. Tyler. — 
 Bequest of Jonathan Moseley. — Portrait of Thomas Oliver. — 
 Resignation of Joseph Head, President. — George Bond, Chair- 
 man. — Diet at Hospital. — Free Beds for Life. — Bequest of 
 Miss Susan Richardson. — Piano-forte and Billiard Table at 
 Asylum. — Trustees' Meeting : Nobody Present. — Death of Dr. 
 Lee, and Votes of Trustees. — Dr. Luther V. Bell elected his 
 Successor. — Colored Patient. — Interesting Report of S. A. 
 Eliot on occasion of Non-observance of Rules and Regula- 
 tions. — Resignation of Dr. James Jackson: his Character and 
 Services. — Resignation of Mr. Russell the Treasurer, and 
 Choice of Henry' Andrews. — Summary. — Great Changes of 
 • the Officers. — Donations only a Thousand Dollars for the 
 Five Years. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 23, 1833, it was voted, 
 "■ Tiiat this Corporation entertain a grateful recollec- 
 tion of the zealous and faithful services of the late 
 Gardiner Greene, Esq., in the offices of a Trustee and 
 President of this institution ; " also voted, " That the 
 thanks of this Corporation be presented to Joseph 
 Coolidge, Esq., who, for many successive years, from 
 the first establishment of the institution to the present 
 time, has held the office of a Trustee, discharging his 
 duties with the utmost zeal and fidelity, and to which 
 
 15
 
 114 WINDOWS OVER HOSPITAL GARDEN. 
 
 office he has declined a re-election." Francis J. Oli- 
 ver, Esq., Avas elected by the Board of Visitors a Trus- 
 tee in the place of Mr. Coolidge, and the Board was 
 organized as follows : Joseph Head, President ; Ebe- 
 nezer Francis, Vice-President ; Nathaniel P. Kussell, 
 Treasurer ; Nathaniel I. Bowditch, Secretary. Henry 
 Codman, Francis C. Gray, Benjamin Guild, George 
 Hallet, Abbott Lawrence, Josiah Quincy,jun., Edward 
 H. Robbins, and Edward Tuckerman, Trustees, on the 
 part of the Corporation ; and Samuel T. Armstrong, 
 George Bond, Benjamin D. Greene, and Francis J. 
 Oliver, Trustees, on the part of the Board of Visitors. 
 Feb. 17, all the medical and other officers of the last 
 year were re-elected. 
 
 Richard S. Roberts applied for leave to remove a 
 blind placed against the window of his house in Fruit 
 Court, overlooking the Hospital Garden. March 3, 
 William B. Shaw was appointed Apothecary, and 
 Rufus Wyman, jun., Clerk at the Asylum. July 5, 
 Mr. Roberts was allowed to have a window with a 
 reversed blind. Aug. 11, Dr. F. H. Gray was ap- 
 pointed House Physician ; and, on Sept. 8, Dr. Henry 
 Tuck, House Surgeon ; Mr. Benjamin F. Parker, 
 House Apothecary. 
 
 On Sept. 13, Nathan Gurney, Esq., tendered his 
 resignation as Superintendent of the Hospital, to take 
 effect in November next. This resignation was ac-
 
 MR. gurnet's resignation. 115 
 
 cepted ; and it was voted, " That, in accepting this 
 resignation, the Trustees would express to Mr. Gur- 
 ney their sense of the zeal and ability with which he 
 has discharged the duties of his office, and their regret 
 that his valuable services must cease in so short a 
 time. They have seen his energy, decision, and 
 good judgment ; his kindness and attention to the 
 patients ; his skill and economy in managing the con- 
 cerns of the establishment, and the order, regularity, 
 and neatness which have always been preserved there ; 
 and they have esteemed themselves fortunate in the 
 selection of one who united in so high a degree the 
 various qualifications for the situation, and who, with 
 the power, possessed also the disposition, to promote 
 the best interests of the department of the institution 
 confided to his care. The trustees would therefore 
 assure Mr. Gurney, that they have always been entirely 
 satisfied with his efforts in their cause, and that he 
 will retire from office with their best wishes for his 
 future happiness." Mr. Gurney subsequently became 
 an alderman of the city of Boston, and died, not long 
 since, one of our most highly-respected citizens. 
 
 On Oct. 8, Benjamin D. Greene, Esq., resigned his 
 situation as a Trustee, in view of an intended absence 
 in Europe. He was, however, re-elected the ensuing 
 year. Oct. 11, all the Board were present except Mr. 
 Codman, who was ill. Gamaliel Bradford, M.D.,was
 
 116 GAMALIEL BRADFORD, SUPERINTENDENT. 
 
 unanimously elected Superintendent of the Hospital. 
 The Belknap Estate in Washington Street was leased 
 for ten years at a rent of nine hundred dollars. 
 It was at first rented for seven hundred dollars. It 
 has since been rebuilt, and rents for fifteen hundred 
 dollars. Dec. 1, where a patient remains less than 
 one day, one dollar is to be charged. Dec. 15, the 
 Chairman, Messrs. Oliver, Codman, and the Visiting 
 Committee, were desired to consider the expediency 
 of erecting a new building at the Asylum. Dec. 23, 
 Messrs. Gray, Quincy, and Bond were appointed a 
 Committee to draw up the annual report. 
 
 This report was prepared by Josiah Quincy, jun., 
 as Chairman, and occupied nine pages ; and, with the 
 documents annexed, makes a pamphlet of twenty- 
 three pages. It gives a detailed and very interesting * 
 and satisfactory account of both departments of the 
 Hospital ; states the invested property of the institu- 
 tion to be $113,750, — including, however, the Eliot 
 shares of seventeen thousand dollars, which realized 
 but a thousand and eight, so that the actual amount 
 is a hundred and two or a hundred and three thou- 
 sand dollars ; shows that its annual expenses render 
 it still in need of continued assistance and support ; 
 alludes to the prominent events of the year ; speaks 
 of the " universal satisfaction " given by Mr. Gurney ; 
 and mentions the election of Dr. Bradford, " who has
 
 RESULTS AT ASYLUM. 117 
 
 given pledges of being entitled to the high praise of 
 fully supplying the place of his predecessor." The 
 number of patients in the Hospital at the close of the 
 year were twenty-seven males, twenty-four females, — 
 total, fifty-one ; in the Asylum, forty males, twenty- 
 four females, — total, sixty-four. It contains a table 
 of all the admissions at the Asylum, viz. : In 1818, 
 nine; in 1819, twenty-six ; 1820, twenty-eight ; 1821, 
 thirty-three; 1822, forty-five; 1823, thirty-nine; 
 1824, thirty-three ; 1825, twenty-nine ; 1826, twenty- 
 three ; 1827, thirty-one; 1828, forty-eight; 1829, 
 thirty-seven; 1830, forty-seven; 1831, forty-five; 
 1832, sixty-five; 1833, sixty-six: total, 1,015, with 
 various tables, showing proportions of recoveries, &c. ; 
 the total of those removed in that period being 948, 
 out of which 362 were recovered. 
 
 Jan. 8, 1834, the Board express great satisfaction 
 with the services of Miss Sawyer [Mrs. Tyler], and 
 raised her salary to two hundred dollars. A memorial 
 from the Physicians and Surgeons as to a new build- 
 ing or wing at the Hospital was received and referred. 
 Eleven years afterwards, such a building was erected. 
 Jan. 19, Mr. Hallet resigned his seat as a Trustee. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 29, Charles G. Loring 
 and Samuel A. Eliot, Esqs., were chosen Trustees in 
 place of George Hallet and Benjamin Guild, Esqs., 
 who had resigned, and who were thanked for their
 
 118 JONATHAN MOSELEY's BEQUEST. 
 
 zealous and faithful services. Jan. 23, the Board of 
 Medical and Surgical Officers, and the heads of the two 
 departments, were re-elected ; Henry A. True being 
 Apothecary at the Asylum. On March 9, Mr. Luke 
 Bigelow resigned his office as Superintendent of the 
 Asylum. April 16, Messrs. Tuckerman and Quincy 
 were appointed a Committee on the subject of any 
 new arrangements at that institution, who on May 18 
 made a report, which was accepted. This directs that 
 the head of the institution be known as the Physi- 
 cian and Superintendent ; that an Assistant Physician 
 be chosen, with a salary of seven hundred dollars ; 
 and likewise a Steward, having the salary heretofore 
 paid to the Superintendent. Luke Bigelow was then 
 elected Steward ; and Dr. Thomas G. Lee, of Hart- 
 ford, Assistant Physician. 
 
 On July 8, the Secretary was appointed a Com- 
 mittee to look into the title of the Corporation to land 
 bought of Mr. Joy, and to confer with Mr. Loring 
 respecting measures which may be thought necessary 
 to procure a release of the condition contained in the 
 deed. It was found impracticable to get a release 
 executed at this time. July 11, the application of 
 Eliza Bryant for leave to erect a building on Fruit 
 Street, with windows opening on the Hospital-ground, 
 was declined. A copy of the will of Jonathan Mose- 
 ley, making this Corporation residuary legatee, was
 
 DUTIES OF OFFICERS AT HOSPITAL. 119 
 
 received ; and a legacy, informally given by a codicil, 
 was confirmed. July 11, Lieutenant-Governor Arm- 
 strong resigned his office of Trustee, and was thanked 
 by the Board for his valuable services. 
 
 On July 20, a very elaborate and excellent report 
 from Mr. Eliot was entered on the records, defining 
 the relative duties of the Superintendent and of the 
 Physicians, &c., of the Hospital. It concludes thus: 
 " Much must be left to the discretion of those who 
 hold responsible stations ; and, having expressed their 
 general views of the subject, — having stated, as it 
 were, their theory of the government of the insti- 
 tution, — the Trustees must leave the application of 
 them to the good sense and good feelings of the pres- 
 ent incumbents, with the single intimation, that they 
 consider harmony of action in the officers essential to 
 the prosperity of the Hospital." Copies of this report 
 were ordered to be transmitted to the Superintendent 
 and to the Medical and Surgical Officers. 
 
 On Aug. 17, Mr. Estes Howe was elected House 
 Physician, and Aug. 31, Mr. Stephen Salisbury, 
 House Surgeon for the year ensuing. Oct. 10, Mrs. 
 Lee, the widow of the late John M'Lean, having 
 deceased, the Treasurer was authorized to receive a 
 transfer of the property now belonging to the Corpo- 
 ration, which had been held in trust during her life. 
 Nov. 23, Luke Bigelow resigned the office of Steward
 
 120 DR. wyman's resignation. 
 
 at the Asylum. Dec. 21, Messrs. Greene, Codman, 
 and Olivier were appointed a Committee to prepare 
 the annual report. Of this report I do not possess a 
 copy. Mr. William Wyman was elected Steward of 
 the Asylum. Mr. Wyman was a very intelligent man 
 and efficient officer. He has since been a representa- 
 tive from the town of Cambridge. He has always 
 taken great interest in the institution. The estate in 
 Broad Street, devised by Miss Belknap, was ordered 
 to be sold by the Treasurer. 
 
 On Jan. 9, 1835, — " whereas Dr. Wyman has re- 
 peatedly and earnestly requested to be relieved from 
 his arduous and responsible duties as soon as the 
 interests of the M'Lean Asylum will admit, and tlie 
 Trustees feel it a duty to him to fix a time for his 
 retirement, in order to give liim an opportunity to 
 make suitable arrangements for the future, — voted, 
 that his resignation be respectfully accepted, to take 
 effect on May 1 next. Voted, that, in consideration of 
 his long, zealous, and unwearied exertions during six- 
 teen years, — in the commencement of an institution 
 then novel in this part of the country, and in con- 
 ducting it to its present prosperous state, — the sum 
 of one thousand dollars be granted to him and paid 
 by the Treasurer:" and, on Jan. 16, Dr. Thomas G. 
 Lee, Assistant Physician, was promoted to his post, 
 with the same salary and privileges as had been en-
 
 DR. LEE. HENRY ANDREWS. 121 
 
 joyed by his predecessor ; and he was requested " not 
 to confine himself too strictly to his duties, or debar 
 himself from the enjoyment of social intercourse with 
 his friends, or to neglect that occasional relaxation by 
 which his health may be improved and preserved." 
 Mr. Columbus Tyler was promoted to the office of 
 Steward, which he still so acceptably continues to 
 hold. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 28, Henry Andrews, 
 Esq., was elected Treasurer. It was voted, " That the 
 thanks of this Corporation be presented to Hon. N. P. 
 Russell, who, for fourteen years past, has gratuitously 
 discharged the duties of Treasurer of this institution, 
 with great zeal, ability, and usefulness ; he having 
 declined a re-election to that office." It was also 
 voted, " That the thanks of this Corporation be pre- 
 sented to Henry Codman, Esq., who has declined a 
 re-election as Trustee ; he having, in that office and in 
 the office of Secretary, been connected with the insti- 
 tution for eighteen years past, and having always 
 promoted its interests with the greatest zeal and 
 fidelity." Dr. Wyman was then elected a Trustee in 
 the place of Mr. Codman ; but, he being present at the 
 meeting and declining, Thomas B. Curtis, Esq., was 
 elected. John P. Thorndike, Esq., was elected a 
 Trustee by the Board of Visitors, in the place of Mr. 
 Armstrong. It was also voted, " That the thanks of 
 
 16
 
 122 TOTE RESPECTING DR. WTMAN. 
 
 this Corporation be presented by their Secretary to 
 Dr. Rufus Wyman for the zeal, ability, and faithful- 
 ness with which, from the establishment of the 
 M'Lean Asylum for the Insane, he has filled the 
 office of Physician and Superintendent, with the assur- 
 ance that this Corporation feel bound to declare that 
 these qualities have mainly contributed to raise the 
 reputation of the institution to its present respectable 
 standing, and have equally elevated his own character 
 in his profession and as a philanthropist." 
 
 On Feb. 8, the same officers of the two institutions, 
 and Visiting Physicians and Surgeons, were re-elected ; 
 Drs. George B. Doane and Solomon D. Townsend 
 being elected Consulting Surgeons in place of Drs. In- 
 galls and Dixwell. March 22, certain changes were 
 made in the duties of the Physicians and Surgeons, 
 in accordance with a report of Messrs. Quincy, Eliot, 
 and Robbins, a Committee to whom had been referred 
 a communication from Dr. James Jackson. April 26, 
 the Treasurer was authorized to overdraw one thou- 
 sand dollars at the Suffolk Bank. Renewed discus- 
 sions were had, as to a new building at the Hospital 
 and at the Asylum, at this and the next meetings. 
 May 17, Charles K. Whipple was chosen Apothecary 
 at the Hospital ; and Dr. J. B. S. Jackson, Assistant 
 Physician. 
 
 On July 7, the widow of Mr. Oliver being deceased.
 
 THOMAS Oliver's portrait. 123 
 
 certain final payments of legacies were ordered, and a 
 full discharge directed to be given to his executors. 
 Oct. 4, Mr. Eliot was requested to report plans and 
 estimates of a new building at the Asylum ; and, on 
 the 25th, he was authorized to engage the services of 
 Mr. M'Allister for the erection of the same. Nov. 8, 
 it was voted that the thanks of the Board be presented 
 to the executors of Mrs. Prescott for .the portrait of 
 their late distinguished benefactor, Thomas Oliver, 
 Esq. Mrs. Prescott was his widow ; and the portrait 
 thus given is in the Trustees' room at the Hospital. 
 It is not a fine painting, and is said not to be a very 
 good likeness. It is, however, valuable as being a 
 portrait taken from life, of and for himself, and the 
 only one which has been preserved. 
 
 Nov. 22, Mr. Homer Goodhue was chosen Super- 
 visor, of which post he has always continued to 
 discharge the duties in a most acceptable manner. 
 Messrs. Eliot and Thorndike were appointed the 
 Building Committee for the new building at the Asy- 
 lum, and twenty-eight thousand dollars placed at their 
 disposal. Dec. 6, the salary of the Superintendent 
 of the Hospital was increased from five to six hun- 
 dred dollars ; this arrangement to include the present 
 year. On Jan. 8, 1836, Messrs. Gray, Eliot, and 
 Quincy were appointed a Committee to draw up the 
 annual report.
 
 124 LAST REPORT OF DR. LEE. 
 
 The report, as prepared by Mr. Gray, had in a strik- 
 ing degree the merit of brevity. It was one sentence 
 of six lines, purporting, without any comment, to 
 present certain annexed reports from the two depart- 
 ments of the institution. Among these documents, 
 however, was a very important and vakiable one from 
 Dr. Lee, describing minutely the system of occupation, 
 diversion, and moral management at the Asylum ; the 
 Belknap Sewing Society ; the weekly dancing parties ; 
 the religious service on the Sabbath, &c. Of his assist- 
 ants he says : " We will not continue any male or female 
 attendant whom we cannot invite into our family, seat 
 at our table, and with whom we could not confidently 
 place our own wives, sisters, and brothers. We do 
 not consider their service as servile : they are the 
 companions of the unfortunate, engaged in the same 
 employments as ourselves ; they shall command our 
 friendship and respect." He adds, " I ask not for the 
 institution or myself more devoted fellow-laborers." 
 The whole forms a pamphlet of twenty-seven pages, 
 twenty-three of which relate to the Asylum. It is one 
 of the most important publications ever issued by the 
 Trustees ; and it will be a lasting monument to 
 the memory of Dr. Lee, who, before the close of the 
 coming year, was summoned from the eminently 
 faithful and successful discharge of one of the most 
 responsible of all earthly trusts to the presence of
 
 JOSEPH HEAD. ABBOTT LAWRENCE. 125 
 
 that Heavenly Father, whose word had ever been his 
 delight, and by whose precepts his steps had ever 
 been gnided. 
 
 There had been discharged from the Hospital, dur- 
 ing the year, one hundred and thirty-two males, sixty- 
 one females, — total, one hundred and ninety-three; 
 in the Asylum, May 1, fifty males, thirty-one females, 
 — total, eighty-one. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 27, 1836, " Joseph 
 Head, Esq., having declined a re-election to the office 
 of President, — voted, that the thanks of this Corpora- 
 tion be presented to him for the performance of those 
 personal services, and the exercise of that influence 
 with the community in favor of the institution, to 
 which it is so largely indebted for its present state of 
 prosperity." Abbott Lawrence and Edward H. Rob- 
 bins, Trustees on the part of the Corporation, and Ben- 
 jamin D. Greene and Francis J. Oliver, Trustees 
 chosen by the Board of Visitors, having declined a 
 re-election, w^ere severally thanked for their services. 
 Charles Amory and Samuel Lawrence were then 
 elected by the Corporation, and Henry Edwards and 
 Robert G. Shaw were subsequently chosen by the 
 Board of Visitors to be Trustees ; and the Corpora- 
 tion was now organized by the choice of Ebenezer 
 Francis, President, and Samuel Appleton, Vice-Presi- 
 dent ; and, at the meeting of the Trustees, Feb. 7,
 
 126 WILLIAM GRAY, SECRETARY. 
 
 George Bond, Esq., was made Chairman. Dr. Wins- 
 low Lewis, jun., was appointed a Consulting Surgeon 
 in place of Dr. John B. Brown. No other change 
 was made in any of the appointments. 
 
 Mr. Hallet made application to purchase a free 
 bed for life ; and, on Feb. 21, a Committee was ap- 
 pointed to consider that general subject. On March 6, 
 the Physicians and Surgeons were requested to report 
 a system of diet for the patients ; and, on March 20, 
 their report was presented accordingly. Messrs. Eliot 
 and Thorndike were then appointed a Committee to 
 make an additional purchase of land near the Asylum, 
 for a price not exceeding twenty thousand dollars. 
 April 8, it was " voted that the sum of one hundred 
 and fifty dollars be paid to Dr. Augustus A. Gould, 
 in full for his services as Superintendent of the 
 Hospital in the year 1829 ; and that the Secretary 
 transmit to Dr. Gould a copy of this vote, with the 
 assurance that it has been through inadvertence only 
 that no earlier action has been had on the subject." 
 April 24:, certain new rules were adopted as to the 
 admission of patients at the Hospital. May 8, Mr. 
 Bowditch resigned the office of Secretary, which he 
 had held during nine years ; and. May 22, William 
 Gray, Esq., was elected his successor. 
 
 On June 5, the price of free beds for life was fixed 
 at such a sum as would be required by the annuity
 
 SUSAN Richardson's bequest. 127 
 
 tables to purchase an annuity of one hundred dollars. 
 In July, a bequest of Susan E-ichardson was received, 
 for the support of female free patients, amounting to 
 $250. July 5, Mr. Eliot was appointed a Committee 
 to confer with Dr. Lee, " to hire or purchase a piano- 
 forte for the Asylum, with appropriate music." Mr. 
 Eliot and Mr. Lawrence were chosen a Committee 
 to purchase a billiard table for the Asylum, if they 
 should consider it expedient. Both were purchased. 
 July 8, Dr. John Ware tendered his resignation as a 
 Physician of the Hospital, which was accepted, — 
 the Board taking occasion to express their high sense 
 of the value of his services ; and Dr. Jacob Bigelow 
 was appointed his successor, and has been annually 
 re-elected to the present time. August 7, Morrill 
 "VVyman was chosen House Physician ; and Samuel 
 Parkman, House Surgeon of the Hospital. Aug. 21, 
 six thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated 
 for rebuilding the lodge for female patients at the 
 Asylum ; and the subject of erecting a dome on the 
 new building at the Asylum was referred to Messrs. 
 Gray and Quincy ; and, on Sept. 4, six thousand dol- 
 lars was appropriated for the same. 
 
 At a quarterly meeting, Oct. 7, no member of the 
 Board made his appearance. 
 
 On Oct. 23, a special meeting was called, in con- 
 sequence of the illness of Dr. Lee. Ten members
 
 128 DR. lee's death. VOTES. 
 
 were present. Dr. Jackson was requested to visit Dr. 
 Lee at Worcester, accompanied by the Chairman and 
 Mr. Tuckerman. He died there, Oct. 29, at Ur. 
 Woodward's. On the 3()th, another special meeting 
 was called, announcing Dr. Lee's death, at which a 
 vote was adopted for attending the funeral ; also the 
 following, prepared by Mr. Eliot, viz. : — 
 
 " Voted, that the Board, while submitting in sorrow 
 to the dispensations of Providence, cannot but feel 
 deeply the loss which the institution under their care, 
 and the public, have suffered in the lamented death 
 of Dr. Lee. They had know^n him long enough to 
 appreciate his talents, his attainments in his profes- 
 sion, his remarkable and entire devotion to the pur- 
 suit in which he had engaged, the beautiful purity of 
 his character, the elevation of his views, and the 
 propriety of the means by which he sought to attain 
 the most worthy objects. They have often been 
 struck with the soundness of his judgment and the 
 kindness of his manners, and have perceived, in 
 the institution of which he was the Superintendent, 
 the happy influence of his professional skill, combined 
 with the cheerfulness and gentleness of his deport- 
 ment, and the piety which was the habitual guide of 
 his life. After an association of nearly two years of 
 an intimate character, they can say with truth that 
 they have nothing to regret in their intercourse with
 
 COLORED PATIENT. 129 
 
 him but its premature close. They had hoped to see 
 the M'Lean Asyhim long increasing in usefulness 
 under his care, and to witness the extension of his 
 well-earned reputation for many years ; and they can- 
 not suffer him to pass to the grave, without paying 
 a just tribute to his many admn*able qualities, and 
 his peculiar fitness for the station in which he was 
 placed." 
 
 A vote was also adopted, expressive of their sympa- 
 thy for his widow, and for defraying all expenses of 
 his last illness, and payment of his salary to April 1 ; 
 also a vote inviting the widow to remain at the 
 Asylum as long as she might think proper. And 
 it was voted, " That the thanks of the Board be pre- 
 sented to Dr. Woodward and his family, for their 
 kindness and assiduous attention to Dr. Lee during 
 the illness which terminated in his death." 
 
 This just and beautiful tribute to the memory of 
 Dr. Lee renders any remark of mine unnecessary. 
 He died at the early age of twenty-eight years, after 
 an illness of only a few days. 
 
 Francis C. Gray, Esq., resigned the ofiice of a Trus- 
 tee, and was thanked for his services. Nov. 6, the 
 subject of an additional building at the Hospital was 
 discussed, and deferred for the present. The Super- 
 intendent was directed •' to call on Mr. Tappan, and 
 inform him that it will not be convenient to receive 
 
 17
 
 130 DR. LUTHER V. BELL. 
 
 into the Hospital the colored man proposed to be sent 
 by him." Nov. 13, the rules as to the admission of 
 patients were modified, ^nd a salary of $150 estab- 
 lished for the office of Assistant Physician. 
 
 On Dec. 11, Dr. Lnther V. Bell was unanimously 
 elected Physician and Superintendent of the Asylum, 
 " provided a Committee then appointed, consisting 
 of Messrs. Eliot and Quincy, shall be satisfied that he 
 will pursue the course of moral and religious treat- 
 ment of patients adopted by Dr. Lee, and they shall 
 be so satisfied before communicating the appoint- 
 ment." By requiring this pledge from Dr. Bell, the 
 Trustees paid the highest possible compliment to his 
 lamented predecessor. How fully and admirably that 
 pledge has been redeemed by Dr. Bell it is needless 
 to mention in a community where his character and 
 ability are so well known. It is praise enough to 
 say, that the mantle of Dr. Wyman and Dr. Lee could 
 not have fallen on a more worthy successor. The 
 Treasurer was authorized to borrow fifteen thousand 
 dollars. Dec. 15, his Excellency Edward Everett and 
 the Board of Visitors made the annual visitation. 
 Dec. 16, the Committee reported the acceptance of 
 Dr. Bell. Jan. 1, 1837, Messrs. Loriug, Amory, and 
 Tuckerman were appointed a Committee to prepare 
 the annual report. Jan. 13, the Treasurer was au- 
 thorized to renew a loan of twenty thousand dollars.
 
 THREE NEW TRUSTEES. 131 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 25, Ebenezer Francis, 
 President, and Samuel Appleton, Vice-President, and 
 Edward Tuckerman, Francis C. Gray, and Josiah 
 Quincy, jun.. Trustees, severally declined a re-election 
 and were thanked for their services. Edward Tuck- 
 erman, Esq., was chosen President ; Jonathan Phillips, 
 Esq., Vice-President. Robert Hooper, jun., Martin 
 Brimmer, and Nathaniel I. Bowditch, were elected 
 Trustees in the place of those who had retired. The 
 Corporation fully concurred in the votes of the Trus- 
 tees, expressive of respect for the memory of Dr. Lee, 
 and of sympathy towards his widow, and directed 
 that those votes should be published in the annual 
 report. A highly complimentary vote was passed 
 respecting Mr. Columbus Tyler, the Steward, for the 
 performance of his increased duties since Dr. Lee's 
 death ; and the Trustees were instructed to grant him 
 a suitable compensation. The Corporation also de- 
 clared the high estimation in which they held the 
 services of Mrs. Lee and of Mrs. Tyler in the female 
 department, and ordered that " their interesting report 
 of the organization and proceedings of the Belknap 
 Sewing Society " should also be published. 
 
 On Feb. 5, one thousand copies of the annual 
 report were ordered to be printed. This report is 
 drawn up by Charles G. Loring, Esq., and occupies 
 six pages, with an appendix of twenty pages more.
 
 132 CHARLES G. LORINg's REPORT. 
 
 It states a necessity (to this day still existing) of a 
 further ward at the Hospital for the accommodation 
 of patients affected by fevers, erysipelas, &c. ; — 
 speaks of the erection of the new Belknap Ward as 
 reflecting great credit on the architects, and on Mr. 
 M'Allister, who superintended its construction ; — 
 that its estimated expense will not exceed forty thou- 
 sand dollars ; — mentions a purchase of six acres of 
 land for about six thousand dollars. It pays a truly 
 feeling tribute to the memory of Dr. Lee, and makes 
 most honorable mention of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler's 
 services, under their increased and arduous duties, 
 resulting from his sudden decease. It mentions the 
 fortunate selection of Dr. Bell as his successor. It is 
 throughout one of the most able and beautifully 
 written reports ever submitted to the Board. It 
 closes with the following paragraph : — 
 
 " The Trustees feel that there is cause for great gratitude, 
 that this institution enjoyed so long the talents and services 
 of the honored individual (Dr. Rufus Wyman) whose for- 
 tune it was to lay the broad and deep foundations of its use- 
 fulness and reputation, and whose invaluable services shed 
 so bright a lustre upon its early history ; and that, when he 
 retired, exhausted by the toils and responsibilities of seven- 
 teen years devoted to its arduous duties, a successor was 
 given to follow out his designs, to raise still higher this 
 fabric of benevolence, and institute further inestimable 
 improvements for the accomplishment of its great design.
 
 DR. ABRAHAM R. THOMPSON. 133 
 
 And, commending its destiny to the same Beneficence 
 which raised and has hitherto sustained it, thej rely with 
 confidence upon the ability and devotion of him to whose 
 direction it is now mainly intrusted, that he will prove 
 himself worthy the responsible station to which he is called ; 
 and that, when h^s labors shall be ended, his name shall be 
 numbered with those of his predecessors, among the bene- 
 factors of his race." 
 
 The patients at the Asylum were forty-seven males, 
 thirty females : total, seventy-seven. There had 
 been discharged from the Hospital, during the year, 
 one hundred and fifty-eight males, sixty-six females : 
 total, two hundred and twenty-four. The documents 
 appended to this report are also unusually interesting. 
 Many details and anecdotes are given in Mr. Tyler's 
 report in relation to the Asylum. 
 
 The same Medical and Surgical Staff and heads of 
 departments were re-elected, except that Ur. John Jef- 
 fries was chosen in the place of Dr. Winslow Lewis, 
 jun., as one of the Consulting Surgeons. Dr. John 
 H. Lee was elected Assistant Physician and Apothe- 
 cary at the Asylum. Feb. 19, Dr. Walker declining 
 to act any longer as Consulting Surgeon, Dr. A. L. 
 Peirson, of Salem, was appointed. Mr. Bowditch and 
 the Secretary were appointed a Committee to revise 
 the rules and regulations of both institutions for pub- 
 lication. The thanks of the Board were presented to 
 Dr. Abraham R. Thompson, " for his services as Phy-
 
 134 NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS. 
 
 sician at the Asylum during the illness and since the 
 death of Dr. Lee," with the request that he would 
 accept three hundred dollars. A grant of $250 was 
 also made to Mr. and Mrs. Tyler for their extra ser- 
 vices, as recommended by the Corporation. April 2, 
 the Treasurer was authorized to borrow twelve thou- 
 sand dollars. Messrs. Amory, Brimmer, and Bow 
 ditch were appointed a Committee to inquire into 
 the increased expenditures at the Hospital and at the 
 Asylum. On April 12, the Committee reported a 
 printed pamplilet of rules and regulations, which was 
 adopted, having been carefully read and examined 
 by the Board, and also by the Physicians, &c., while 
 in manuscript. April 19, a correspondence ensued 
 between Dr. Lewis and the Trustees, in respect to the 
 change in the Board of Consulting Physicians. The 
 reply of the Trustees states, that they felt no doubt 
 that his skill and attainments in his profession were 
 such as would qualify him for the place ; and ex- 
 presses the hope that no injurious consequences 
 would follow from the manner in which they had 
 exercised their discretion. 
 
 April 23, the Visiting Committee, Messrs. Lawrence 
 and Eliot, reported the following vote, drawn up by 
 Mr. Eliot, which was adopted : '^ Voted that the Trus- 
 tees have recently seen, with great pain, that a viola- 
 tion of the rules of the institution by one of its officers
 
 NON-OBSERVANCE OF RULES. 135 
 
 has become the subject of newspaper animadversion. 
 In an institution like this, to which it is so difficult to 
 attract, and in which it is so important to command, 
 public confidence, the strictest and most scrupulous 
 adherence to rules, of which the propriety is unques- 
 tioned, is required by a just regard as well to its 
 usefulness to the public, as to the character of those 
 who have any agency in its direction and control. 
 Where many persons are connected in different de- 
 partments, the reputation of all is more or less affected 
 by the conduct of each ; and all are therefore bounds 
 by respect for others as well as themselves, to conduct 
 in such a manner as to give no reasonable ground of 
 complaint. The Trustees have felt unlimited confi- 
 dence that no officer of the institution would expose 
 himself to just censure, and they have on all occasions 
 been but very slightly affected by remarks which they 
 have had reason to believe were founded on jealousy 
 or misconception. But it is with very different feel- 
 ings they regard an accusation of violation of rule, 
 which, on inquiry, proves to be true ; and they think 
 it due to themselves to take serious notice of it, and 
 to put on record their denial of all knowledge of the 
 circumstance at the time of its occurrence, and to 
 express their hope that nothing may ever again re- 
 quire a similar expression of their feelings. Lest, 
 however, the breach of confidence may be imagined to
 
 136 DR. JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 be of a more serious character than it really was, they 
 think proper to state, that the circumstance to which 
 they allude was the employment of Dr. J. Mason 
 Warren, a young man not connected with the Hospi- 
 tal, during the absence of his father, whose turn it 
 was to officiate ; " and a copy of this vote was sent to 
 all the Surgeons of the Hospital. 
 
 When it is remembered, that Dr. John C. Warren 
 had been Surgeon of the Hospital from its founda- 
 tion, — that the Board had not the slightest distrust 
 of the capacity of his son to perform the duties alluded 
 to, it must be admitted, that the preceding vote is an 
 honorable proof of their vigilance and independence. 
 This son was a few years afterwards appointed one of 
 the Surgeons of the Hospital, the duties of which sta- 
 tion he has discharged with signal ability and success. 
 A reply from Dr. Warren, which was of the most 
 candid, manly, and appropriate character, was received 
 at the next meeting. This censure, alike given and 
 received in a proper spirit, did but tend thenceforth to 
 strengthen and confirm between both parties feelings 
 of mutual confidence, regard, and respect. 
 
 May 14, Dr. Warren announcing his intention of 
 going to Europe, the surgical department of the Hos- 
 pital was intrusted to Dr. Hay ward. Aug. 13, Wil- 
 liam Church was chosen House Surgeon, and Joseph 
 Sargent House Physician, for the ensuing year. Sept.
 
 DR. JAMES Jackson's resignation. 137 
 
 10, the wages at the Hospital were ordered to be 
 reduced by the Superintendent. Sept. 24, the Treas- 
 urer was authorized to borrow twelve thousand dol- 
 lars. 
 
 On Oct. 13, a communication from Dr. James Jack- 
 son, by which he resigned his situation as one of the 
 Physicians of the Hospital, having been read, the 
 following votes, submitted by Mr. Bowditch, were 
 unanimously adopted ; viz., " Voted that the Trustees 
 have learned this determination of Dr. Jackson with 
 the utmost regret. Connected as he has been with the 
 institution from its first establishment, they are well 
 aware how much he has always done to raise and 
 maintain its reputation, and to extend its usefulness. 
 Possessing the purest and most exemplary private 
 character, with talents and attainments which have 
 placed him at the head of the profession, and with kind 
 and affable manners which have won the affections of 
 his patients and conciliated the esteem and good-will 
 of his associates, the Trustees cannot but regard his 
 retirement from the Hospital as a most severe and 
 serious loss. While they accept his resignation, there- 
 fore, they avail themselves of the opportunity publicly 
 to acknowledge that he was among the most active 
 and influential of the original founders of the Hos- 
 pital ; that, by an uniform course of disinterested 
 professional and personal service, he has ever been 
 
 18
 
 138 DR. Jackson's resignation. 
 
 one of its ablest officers and best friends ; and that he 
 is thus, in their opinion, entitled to the lasting grati- 
 tude of the institution and of the community. Voted 
 also, that, as a testimonial of the respect of the Trus- 
 tees for Dr. Jackson, a free bed in the Hospital be 
 placed at his disposal during life." Dr. Enoch Hale 
 was then elected to fill the situation thus vacated. 
 
 A successor of Dr. Jackson (Dr. O. W. Holmes) 
 closes a humorous poem on the difference between 
 being a patient and a physician, with a most feeling 
 tribute to his predecessor. He had been describing 
 what a physician ought to be, — one 
 
 " Whose genial visit in itself combines 
 The best of cordials, tonics, anodynes. 
 
 Such is tlie visit that, from day to day, 
 Sheds o'er my chamber its benignant ray. 
 I give his health who never cared to claim 
 Her bab' ling homage from the tongue of fame : 
 Unmoved by praise, he stands by all confessed 
 The truest, noblest, wisest, kindest, best ! " 
 
 On Nov. 5, the Treasurer was authorized to borrow 
 eighteen thousand dollars, in part to pay existing loans, 
 and in part, six thousand dollars, to defray current ex- 
 penses. Messrs. Brimmer, Thorndike, and Loring were 
 appointed a Committee on the subject of the Charles- 
 town Branch Railroad, and also on the subject of 
 removing the hill of gravel at the Asylum. Nov. 
 19, Mr. Bowditch was added to this Railroad Com- 
 mittee.
 
 VOTE RESPECTING DR. JACKSON. 139 
 
 Messrs. Brimmer and Eliot were apDointed a Com- 
 mittee " to consider and report what further marks of 
 respect should be paid to Dr. Jackson." On Dec. 3, 
 this Committee presented the following report : " The 
 Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital, hav- 
 ing received from Dr. Jackson the resignation of the 
 office he has held since the first establishment of the 
 institution, cannot suffer a circumstance of so much 
 interest in the history of the Hospital to occur, with- 
 out special notice of it on their records. It was, in 
 great measure, owing to the active efforts of Dr. Jack- 
 son, and to the general knowledge of the fact that he 
 would interest himself in its success, that this great 
 charity was founded among us. So strong and just 
 was the confidence of the community in his personal 
 and professional character, that all suspicions of pos- 
 sible abuse in an institution of the kind under his 
 care were speedily overcome, and liberally disposed 
 persons were readily found to intrust to his integrity 
 and skill the necessary funds for the foundation of an 
 establishment which should do honor to the city. 
 From its earliest existence to the present time, the 
 Hospital has been watched over by Dr Jackson with 
 a zeal and fidelity which could not be surpassed, and 
 has acquired a reputation, and been conducted with a 
 success, highly honorable to him and to the other dis- 
 tinguished professional gentlemen with whom he has
 
 140 VOTE RESPECTING DR. JACKSON. 
 
 been associated. While his direct influence on the 
 "welfare of the institution has been thus decided and 
 beneficial, the Trustees cannot but consider as equally 
 valuable the indirect influence of the example of dis- 
 interested and faithful labor for the general good 
 which he has given to the profession and the public. 
 Under his constant attention, together with that of 
 the professional friends assembled around him, the 
 system on which the Hospital is conducted has been 
 perfected, till it seems, at length, admirably adapted 
 to the purposes for which the institution was founded, 
 and promises to insure its utility during all its future 
 existence. Long may it continue, by doing good to 
 all classes, to embalm the memory of one who had so 
 large a share in its foundation, and in conducting it 
 to its present high rank ; and long may this com- 
 munity enjoy the benefit of the direct and indirect 
 influence of the pure, benevolent, and elevated char- 
 acter of Dr. Jackson ! The Trustees, in communi- 
 cating this copy of their record, take the occasion to 
 request Dr. Jackson to sit for his portrait to some 
 artist of talent, that it may adorn the walls which 
 have so often been the witnesses of his disinterested 
 labors." And this report was unanimously accepted. 
 A strong protest was, at this meeting, taken against 
 the proposed location of the Charlestown Branch 
 Railroad.
 
 ANNUAL REPORT. * 141 
 
 Dec. 17, a letter from Dr. Jackson was received, 
 and the Chairman and Mr. Eliot were appointed a 
 Committee to procure his portrait or bust as they may 
 see fit. Dec. 21 and 22, his Excellency Mr. Everett 
 and the Board of Visitors made the annual visitation. 
 Messrs. Hooper and Bowditch were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to prepare the annual report. Jan. 12, 1828, 
 the Treasurer was authorized to borrow twenty thou- 
 sand dollars, as a substitute for loans formerly author- 
 ized. Jan. 17, leave of absence was granted to Dr. 
 Bradford to visit Philadelphia. 
 
 The annual report at the close of this period 
 notices the proceedings on the retirement of Dr. Jack- 
 son, and speaks of him as " one who, in the discharge 
 of his official duties, has left a bright example to all 
 who may succeed him, and whose name will never be 
 mentioned by the friends of the Hospital but with 
 aff"ection and gratitude ; " mentions the completion of 
 the Belknap Ward at a cost of $43,500, the estimates 
 being forty thousand dollars, — that the institution is 
 thus enabled to accommodate fifty additional boarders, 
 and can therefore, to a certain extent, hereafter receive 
 such as are known to be incurable. It states the 
 measures adopted to oppose the location, See, of the 
 Charlestown Branch Railroad ; the creation of a debt 
 of forty thousand dollars ; the diminished income of 
 the institution ; and the need of a separate ward for
 
 142 CHANGES IN OFFICERS. 
 
 fever-patients at the Hospital. It closes thus: "We 
 do not think it expedient to make any actual call for 
 subscriptions at the present time ; but we feel the 
 utmost confidence that such a call, when made, will 
 be answered with that liberality which our institution 
 has already experienced upon so many former occa- 
 sions." Six years afterwards, such a call was made, 
 and it was nobly answered. This report occupies five 
 pages, and with its appendix thirty pages. From 
 this pamphlet we learn that at the Hospital there 
 were dischai-ged one hundred and thirty-six males, 
 seventy females, — total, two hundred and six ; and 
 that there were received at the Asylum, during the 
 year, sixty- three males, fifty-seven females. The first 
 report ever presented by Dr. Bell is one of the 
 accompanying documents. It gives a very able, in- 
 teresting, and satisfactory view of his department of 
 the institution. It contains a table of all the patients 
 received and discharged annually, from the very com- 
 mencement of the Asylum, with the results of the cases. 
 
 Summary. — This period of five years was a re- 
 markable one in many respects. It embraced very 
 numerous changes among the officers of the institu- 
 tion. The truly momentous event of the resignation 
 of Dr. Wyman, the fortunate selection and premature 
 decease of his successor. Dr. Lee ; and the appoint-
 
 CHANGES IN OFFICERS. 143 
 
 ment of Dr. Bell, who has so successfully matured and 
 perfected the admirable system of both his predeces- 
 sors ; the resignation of Mr. Bigelow ; the temporary 
 tenure of his successor, Mr. Wyman, ending in the 
 auspicious selection of Mr. Tyler, the present incum- 
 bent, — mark this as a most important era in the His- 
 tory of the M'Lean Asylum. In the Hospital, also, 
 the long-tried and valued services of Mr. Gurney had 
 ended, and his place was filled by Dr. Bradford. 
 The retirement of Dr. Jackson was indeed a loss 
 which the Trustees felt could never be adequately 
 supplied, so entirely had he identified himself with 
 the institution from its very commencement. One 
 President of the Corporation had died ; and two 
 others, Mr. Head and Mr. Francis, who had each 
 been Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and among 
 the ablest and most efficient officers of the institution, 
 had now finally retired. Mr. Russell, after rendering 
 the most valuable gratuitous services during four- 
 teen years as Treasurer, had been succeeded by Mr. 
 Andrews. Mr. Bowditch, in the office of Secretary, 
 had been succeeded by Mr. Gray. Of the entire 
 Board of Trustees at the beginning of this period, 
 none remained except Mr. Bond, the Chairman ; 
 among those who had retired being Mr. Codman, 
 whose services in the capacities of Secretary and 
 Trustee had been of longer duration than those of 
 any of his associates.
 
 144 SMALL DONATIONS. 
 
 The general control of the institution, and the 
 management of both its departments, had thus, as 
 it were, passed into entirely new hands. 
 
 Only two donations, together amounting to but one 
 thousand dollars, seem to have been received during 
 this whole period of five years. A new building had 
 been erected at the Asylum, finishing the female 
 ward, to correspond precisely with that for male 
 patients ; and, pursuant to a previous suggestion 
 of the Board, it had been appropriately named the 
 Belknap Ward, in honor of that munificent benefac- 
 tress of the institution, Miss Mary Belknap. In the 
 erection of this building, a debt of forty thousand 
 dollars had been contracted, for the payment of 
 which, however, ample means existed. The M'Lean 
 Asylum continued to be conducted in such a manner 
 as to deserve and receive the entire approval of the 
 Trustees and of the public. The Hospital in Boston 
 was, during this period also, conducted on the same 
 general system as in former years. It would seem, 
 indeed, from incidental notices in the records, that 
 there had been occasionally some little temporary dif- 
 ferences of opinion between the Medical Officers and 
 the Superintendent ; but the Board were satisfied that 
 both parties were alike actuated by a sincere desire of 
 doing their duty, and of most effectually promoting 
 the welfare of the institution ; and some slight and
 
 DR. GAMALIEL BRADFORD. 145 
 
 temporary inconveniences were, it is believed, the 
 only result of the occasional want of harmony among 
 its officers in this department. And it is due to 
 Dr. Bradford to remark, in this connection, that his 
 health, both of body and mind, was gradually be- 
 coming somewhat impaired by an alarming, and, as 
 it proved, a fatal disorder, whose periodical attacks 
 tended to render him unduly sensitive to the annoy- 
 ances incident to his position. An occasional irrita- 
 bility, the natural result of his disease, from time to 
 time manifested itself, and was a source of sincere 
 regret to- those who never ceased to respect and 
 regard him, and to none more sincerely than to the 
 Board of Trustees. 
 
 19
 
 146 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 1838-1842. 
 
 Death of Dr. Bradford. — Charles Sumner elected Superintend- 
 ent. — His Kesignation. — John M. Goodwin chosen his Suc- 
 cessor. — Index to Medical and Surgical Records. — Railroads 
 at the Asylum. — Pitiful Land Damages. — A Water Bed. — 
 Miss Brimmer's Bequest. — John M'Lean's Portrait. — Warren 
 Fund. — Small Pox at Hospital. — Death of George Bond, Chair- 
 man OF Trustees : his Character and Services. — Robert Hooper, 
 JuN., Chairman. — Bust op Dr. James Jackson. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, Jan. 24, 
 1838, Edward Tuckerman, President ; Jonathan Phil- 
 lips, Vice-President ; Henry Andrews, Treasurer ; and 
 William Gray, Secretary, were severally re-elected. 
 William Appleton was elected by the Corporation a 
 Trustee in place of Charles G. Loring ; and Thomas 
 Lamb was subsequently elected by the Board of 
 Visitors a Trustee in the place of John P. Thorn- 
 dike. Both these gentlemen had declined a re-elec- 
 tion, and were thanked for their services. The Board 
 now consisted of Charles Amory, William Appleton, 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch, Martin Brimmer, Thomas B. 
 Curtis, Samuel A. Eliot, Robert Hooper, jun., and 
 Samuel Lawrence, Trustees on the part of the Corpo- 
 ration ; George Bond, Henry Edwards, Thomas Lamb, 
 and Robert G. Shaw, Trustees on the part of the
 
 MR. GOODHUE. MISS BARBER. 147 
 
 Board of Visitors. It was voted, " That the Corpora 
 tion entirely concur in the sentiments expressed by 
 the Board of Trustees in their votes adopted upon 
 the resignation of Dr. Jackson ; " and the same were 
 ordered to be printed with the annual report. 
 
 Drs. James Jackson, George C. Shattuck, John 
 E-andall, and John Ware, were chosen Consulting- 
 Physicians ; Drs. George B. Doane, John Jeffries, 
 Abel L. Pierson, and Solomon D. Townsend, Con- 
 sulting Surgeons. Drs. Jacob Bigelow, Walter Chan- 
 ning, and Enoch Hale, were re-elected Physicians ; 
 Drs. John C. Warren and George Hayward, Sur- 
 geons ; and J. B. S. Jackson, Assistant or (since 
 called) Admitting Physician. Feb. 18, Mr. Homer 
 Goodhue was chosen Male Supervisor at the Asylum, 
 and Miss Belief B. Barber, Female Supervisor ; of 
 which posts they have always performed the duties 
 in a most exemplary manner. Miss Barber, indeed, 
 is a second Mrs. Tyler. March 18, the Treasurer 
 was authorized to borrow six thousand dollars. April 
 13, the free beds were reduced to twenty-four. April 
 18, a billiard-table was ordered for the female patients 
 at the Asylum. April 22, Dr. J. B. S. Jackson 
 resigning his office, Dr. Henry I. Bowditch was, at 
 the next meeting. May 6, elected his successor. 
 July 3, further loans of four thousand and six 
 thousand dollars were authorized. Aug. 9, Henry
 
 148 BEQUEST OF AMBROSE S. COURTIS. 
 
 J. Bigelow was elected House Physician ; and John 
 B. Johnson, House Surgeon, for the year ensuing. 
 Sept. 16, Mr. Lawrence resigned his office of Trus- 
 tee. Messrs. Lamb and Bowditch were appointed 
 a Committee on the subject of a bequest of the late 
 Ambrose S. Courtis ; to whom was also referred, 
 on Sept. 30, a proposal of the heirs at law for a 
 compromise. Pursuant to a subsequent report of 
 this Committee, one quarter part of the bequest 
 was accepted in full (two thousand five hundred 
 dollars), provided no greater percentage be paid to 
 any other legatee. Dec. 16, Messrs. Edwards and 
 Brimmer were appointed to prepare the annual re- 
 port. 
 
 This report is a pamphlet of seven pages, with 
 documents annexed, making ten pages more. It 
 states the illness of Dr. Bradford, and his temporary 
 absence from that cause ; — " the unexampled diffi- 
 culties of the times ; " — the embarrassed state of the 
 finances; — total receipts (of which $6,740 was 
 capital), $16,081; current expenses, $17,506.24; 
 excess of expenditures, $1,425.24; due to Massa- 
 chusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, $50,000 ; 
 — and the completion of the Belknap Ward. One 
 sentence was destined to be strikingly verified a few 
 years afterwards, viz. : " The Massachusetts General 
 Hospital has always aimed to adopt and introduce
 
 SAMUEL A. ELIOT. 149 
 
 the most recent improvements and discoveries in 
 medicine and surgery." It mentions the increased 
 number of inmates at the Asylum : — the cure of all 
 the recent cases, excluding deaths and patients pre- 
 maturely removed. It contains a very curious table, 
 showing the occupations, &c., of all the male patients 
 at the Asylum for twenty years. Kemaining in the 
 Asylum, Jan. 1, fifty-eight males, thirty-five females: 
 total, ninety-three. 
 
 Dec. 30, thanks were voted to Dr. Warren " for 
 his attention in procuring instruments and medicines." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, Jan. 23, 
 1839, Samuel A. Eliot, Thomas B. Curtis, and Sam- 
 uel Lawrence, having declined a re-election as Trus- 
 tees, were severally thanked for their services ; and 
 George M. Dexter, Francis C. Lowell, and Henry 
 B. Rogers were chosen in their stead ; all three of 
 whom still continue to be members of the Board. 
 Mr. Eliot had been a very efficient officer. Many 
 of the ablest reports of Committees were from his 
 pen. In his relations to this institution, he always 
 displayed his characteristic energy and independence, 
 both of thought and action. At this meeting was 
 passed the vote by which all persons who have served, 
 or shall hereafter serve, as Trustees, are to be con- 
 sidered members of the Corporation. A remonstrance 
 was ordered against the attempt of the Charlestown
 
 150 THREE FOREIGNERS IN HOSPITAL. 
 
 Branch Railroad to connect with the Worcester Rail- 
 road. 
 
 On Feb. 10, one thousand copies of the annual 
 report were ordered to be printed. Drs. Bigelow and 
 Hale were re-elected Physicians ; and Dr. Ware was 
 chosen in place of Dr. Channing, who was thanked 
 for his long and faithful services. To the two sur- 
 geons of last year was now added a third, Dr. Solo- 
 mon D. Townsend. Dr. James Jackson and Drs. 
 Shattuck and Randall were re-elected Consulting 
 Physicians ; and Dr. Homans was substituted for Dr. 
 Ware. On the Board of Consulting Surgeons, Dr. 
 Edward Reynolds was elected in place of Dr. Town- 
 send. Messrs. Bond and Brimmer were appointed a 
 Committee to procure the portrait of Dr. Jackson. 
 March 24, measures were ordered to protect the 
 Hospital-garden against claims of air and light from 
 windows opening thereon. July 12, Dr. Henry J. 
 Bigelow resigned as House Surgeon, and Mr. John F. 
 Eustis was appointed to take his place at present, 
 and was chosen House Physician ; and Dr. Christo- 
 pher C. Holmes was chosen House Surgeon for the 
 year ensuing. At this time, Messrs. Bond and Bow- 
 ditch were on the Visiting Committee ; and there 
 were but three foreigners in the House, one paying 
 and two free. 
 
 On Oct. 11, Messrs. Shaw and Brimmer were in-
 
 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL RECORDS. 151 
 
 structed to report as to the expediency of rejecting 
 syphilitic patients, or of charging them extra board ; 
 and this Committee subsequently reported, that such 
 patients should be received only in urgent cases, and 
 should always be charged double the usual rates of 
 board ; and this rule has ever since been acted on. 
 Messrs. Bond and Bowditch were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to consider the expediency of applying to the 
 Surgeons for the records, or for leave to copy the 
 same, who at a subsequent meeting reported in favor 
 of such an application. The Physicians had always 
 regarded their records as the property of the institu- 
 tion. Dr. Warren, on the contrary, considered the 
 surgical records as his own private memoranda. The 
 appointment of this Committee, however, and their 
 suggestions as to the importance of the institution's 
 possessing either the originals of these records or 
 copies of them, induced him very cheerfully to yield 
 up any private claim. 
 
 On Wednesday, Oct. 2-3, a special meeting was 
 held ; and the following votes, prepared by Mr. 
 Bowditch, were adopted : " It having been announced 
 to the Board, that Gamaliel Bradford, M.D., Superin- 
 tendent of the Massachusetts General Hospital, died 
 on Tuesday forenoon, after an unusually violent at- 
 tack of epilepsy, to which disorder he had been for 
 some time subject, — Voted, that the Trustees would
 
 152 DEATH OF DR. BRADFORD. 
 
 express to Mrs. Bradford their sincere and respectful 
 sympathy upon an event which has thus suddenly 
 taken from her and her young children an affection- 
 ate husband and father, and deprived this institution 
 of the services of a zealous and faithful officer." 
 By another vote, six months' additional salary was 
 granted to Mrs. Bradford ; and she and her family- 
 were invited to remain at the Hospital till the choice 
 of a new Superintendent. And it was further voted, 
 that the Trustees will attend the funeral of the de- 
 ceased " as a tribute of respect for his private 
 character, and a public acknowledgment of his offi- 
 cial fidelity.'' Dr. Parker, of Roxbury, was requested 
 to act as Superintendent pro tern. Mrs. Bradford 
 was, by a special vote, subsequently continued in the 
 office of Matron till the first of April following ; and 
 it may be truly said, that, from the moment when she 
 first entered the Hospital until she left it, the Trus- 
 tees felt the most entire satisfaction with the mode in 
 which she had performed all the arduous and respon- 
 sible duties of her post. And when she at last 
 departed, a widow, with an interesting family, which 
 had been growing up around her, she carried with 
 her the respect and regard of all the members of the 
 Board, and their most sincere good wishes, which 
 have since been happily realized. 
 
 Nov. 3, at this meeting, the Committee upon the
 
 INDEX TO RECORDS. 153 
 
 records of cases made their formal report, which was 
 accepted ; and the House Physician and Surgeon 
 were directed, for the future, to record all cases in 
 volumes to be prepared for that purpose. A perfect 
 index has been since made, both to the medical 
 and surgical records, so that their enthe contents and 
 results are rendered at once accessible. Nov. 17, all 
 moneys received by the Superintendent are ordered 
 to be deposited in some one bank, in his name 
 " as Superintendent." Dec. 15, Messrs. Shaw and 
 Lowell were appointed a Committee to prepare the 
 annual report. This report is very brief, about five 
 pages, but contains at the end a report of Dr. Bell, 
 eighteen pages in length, and other documents, 
 making together a pamphlet of thirty-six pages. It 
 mentions the death of Dr. Bradford, — "a man 
 equally remarkable for strict integrity of purpose, 
 and great independence of judgment ; " states that 
 " Mrs. Bradford continues, for the present, her valua- 
 ble though unostentatious services, which have here- 
 tofore contributed so much to the success of the 
 establishment." It shows that the number of patients 
 treated this year at the Hospital (three hundred and 
 sixty-nine) has been less than usual. Of the M'Lean 
 Asylum it remarks, that " it continues to improve ; " 
 and the Committee add, " It would be difficult to 
 find language^ that would imply greater praise to 
 
 20
 
 154 CHARLES SUMNER, SUPERINTENDENT. 
 
 those who have the care of it." In this department 
 there were remaining, Dec. 31, sixty-two males, 
 forty-six females : total, one hundred and eight. It 
 mentions by name all the free-bed donors of the 
 year. Dr. Bell's report is very able, interesting, and 
 important. I will not do him the injustice of making 
 any analysis of it, or giving any extracts from his 
 statements and views. It ends with the following 
 sentence : "In closing this third year of his labors in 
 a field of duty which to him has been one of un- 
 mingled enjoyment, the Superintendent cannot deny 
 himself the satisfaction of bearing his testimony to 
 the devoted, intelligent, and conscientious co-opera- 
 tion which he has uniformly had from all those 
 associated with him." 
 
 Dec. 17, Mr. Charles Sumner was chosen Superin- 
 tendent. Dec. 27, there were twenty-nine males, 
 sixteen females, in the Hospital: total, forty-five. 
 The number in July previous had on one occasion 
 been reduced to twenty-one. Dec. 29, the Visiting 
 Committee were authorized " to procure a water-bed, 
 if they think proper." Jan. 10, 18-10, the number 
 of free beds was raised to thirty-two. On the 18th, 
 the Visiting Committee were instructed to make ar- 
 rangements for Dr. Bell's absence, and to continue 
 his salary. John C. Gray, Esq., was thanked for 
 a donation of three hundred dollars.
 
 HOUSE PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. 155 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 22, 1840, the same 
 Board of Trustees were re-elected, except that Ebene- 
 zer Chadwick took the place of Mr. Rogers, then 
 absent in Europe, Feb. 9, one thousand copies of 
 the annual report were ordered. Dr. Ware was 
 thanked for his valuable services as Physician during 
 the past year, his extensive private practice prevent- 
 ing him from being able to hold his office any longer ; 
 and Dr. J. B. S. Jackson was chosen in his stead. 
 The Consulting Physicians were all re-elected, as 
 were also the Consulting Surgeons, except that Dr. 
 O. W. Holmes took the place of Dr. Doane, deceased. 
 March 22, Mr. Cogswell's application for a loan of 
 the portrait of Lieutenant-Governor Phillips, for the 
 purpose of taking an engraving, was granted. 
 
 On April 15, the following vote was passed, which 
 is still acted upon : " That any patient sent by a 
 subscriber for a free bed at the Hospital shall be 
 admitted, provided the subscriber's free bed be not 
 |)re-occupied by his order, notwithstanding the vote 
 fixing the number of free beds." May 17, the rules 
 as to the admission of students at the Hospital were 
 modified ; and it was made henceforth the duty of 
 the Physicians and Surgeons to nominate two persons 
 as House Physician and two as House Surgeon, one 
 of these nominees to be subsequently chosen by the 
 Trustees. This rule of a double nomination is also
 
 156 JOHN m'lean's portrait. 
 
 still acted on. June 14, the Treasurer and Messrs. 
 Dexter and Bowditch were appointed a Committee 
 respecting a new lease of the Belknap Estate in 
 Washington Street. June 28, the Treasurer was 
 authorized, with Mr. Lamb's concurrence, to make 
 investments, or to pay oiF part of the existing debt. 
 July 10, Messrs. Brimmer, Lowell, and Bowditch were 
 appointed a Committee to examine reports of French 
 and English Hospitals, sent from Europe by Mr. 
 Brimmer. July 15, the officer called House Apothe- 
 cary at the Asylum was ordered to be known as the 
 Assistant Physician ; and a grant was made to Dr. 
 Fox of five hundred dollars, for the " highly satisfac- 
 tory manner " in which he had performed his duties 
 during the absence of Dr. Bell. 
 
 Aug. 16, 1840, William A. Davis was elected 
 House Physician, and Elijah R,. Mears, House Sur- 
 geon of the Hospital, for the year ensuing. Aug. 30, 
 the Committee reported, as the result of their ex- 
 amination of foreign reports, that a comparison be 
 instituted of the prices paid at the Hospital, at the 
 Asylum, and at the Worcester Institution, for stores, 
 &c. Sept. 13, it was voted that the portrait of Mr. 
 M'Lean be removed to the M'Lean Asylum, and 
 placed in the oval room. It now hangs there. The 
 room thus designated was the dancing-hall in the 
 days of the old owner, Mr. Barrell, and is now the
 
 ANNUAL REPORT. 157 
 
 room occupied by the Trustees, and for the reception 
 of visitors. On Nov. 22, the claim against the 
 Charlestown Branch E.aih'oad was referred. Dec. 20, 
 Messrs. Dexter and Lamb were appointed to prepare 
 the annual report. 
 
 This report is only three pages long ; yet with its 
 accompanying documents it forms a pamphlet of no 
 less than forty-three pages. It mentions the increased 
 subscriptions for free beds, for which it says " the 
 Hospital is greatly indebted to the personal exertions 
 of the Assistant Physician, Dr. Bowditch." The sub- 
 scribers are also especially thanked, and a list of 
 their names is appended to the report. The bequest 
 of Miss Brimmer for this object is gratefully acknowl- 
 edged. The receipt of a dividend of one third of 
 the profits of the Life Insurance Company ($20,000) 
 is announced, and the fact that it was applied in part 
 payment of the debt due that institution ; the divi- 
 dend from the stock in that institution being $7,825. 
 The total receipts of the year were $41,471.24:; total 
 expenditures, $37,185.26. The report of Mr. Sum- 
 ner, the Superintendent of the Hospital, contains vari- 
 ous interesting statistics and analyses. Dr. Bell's 
 report is sixteen pages long, besides eleven pages 
 of republication of extracts from, and documents 
 appended to, his report of two years before. Num- 
 ber of inmates, Dec. 31, seventy-four males, fifty-one
 
 158 MISS brimmer's beqcest. 
 
 females : total, one hundred and twenty-five. Total 
 expenses, $20,919.63. It contains various tabular 
 statements, showing the results for the preceding five 
 years. It contrasts the slight personal restraint found 
 necessary in our institution with that resorted to in 
 similar establishments in Great Britain, &c. ; the 
 abuses of private mad-houses in that country, and 
 the safeguards against like abuses here. This report 
 of Dr. Bell will be found no less interesting and 
 instructive than its predecessors. Dec. 25, twenty- 
 two males, twenty-five females, — total, forty-seven, 
 in the Hospital. 
 
 Jan. 15, 1841, the number of free beds for the 
 quarter was fixed at thirty-five, and for the two next 
 quarters was to be reduced to twenty-five. A letter 
 from William D. Sohier, Esq., was received and read, 
 giving notice of a bequest of five thousand dollars on 
 certain trusts, in the will of Miss Mary Anne Brim- 
 mer, which was referred to Messrs. Bowditch and 
 Lowell ; and at the next meeting, on report of this 
 Committee, it was voted to accept said legacy, " upon 
 the trusts prescribed by her will, and with the Avish 
 to carry into full eff"ect the benevolent intentions of 
 the donor." The purchase of certain lands near the 
 Asylum was referred to the Visiting Committee. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, held 
 Jan. 27, the same eight Trustees were re-elected. The
 
 MR. GOODWIN CHOSEN SUPERINTENDENT. 159 
 
 Board of Visitors elected Ignatius Sargent in place of 
 Robert G. Shaw, who had resigned. Mr. Shaw, not- 
 withstanding his numerous private engagements, had 
 zealously discharged his duty as one of the Board for 
 the preceding five years. Feb. 14, the Committee 
 were authorized to publish what number of copies 
 they saw fit of the annual report. All the Medical 
 and Surgical Officers and heads of departments in 
 office at the close of the year were re-elected. Feb. 
 28, Rejoice Newton, Esq., was requested to take 
 steps for collecting the amount due from Isaiah 
 Thomas's legacy. Mr. Bowditch, Chairman of the 
 Committee on the subject of Miss Brimmer's legacy, 
 made a detailed report, which was accepted, — to the 
 end, first, that a separate investment and account of 
 the fund should be kept by the Treasurer, and the 
 income yearly paid to the Superintendent ; second, 
 that, as there were twenty-four free beds in the Hos- 
 pital when INliss Brimmer died (Oct. 18, 1839), the 
 Board must never establish a less number, as in such 
 case the bequest would be forfeited ; and, third, that 
 on Jan. 1, 18-12, tAVO permanent free beds should be 
 established, to be called the Brimmer Free Beds, to 
 be for ever maintained by the income of said fund. 
 
 March 21, 1841, Captain Sumner having decided to 
 resign his situation as Superintendent, Mr. John M. 
 Goodwin was unanimously elected. Mr. Goodwin,
 
 160 EIGHT ACRES OF LAND BOUGHT. 
 
 it will be remembered, had been, several years before, 
 an officer at the Asylum. April 4, Mr. Dexter was 
 authorized to buy eight acres of land, at four hundred 
 dollars per acre, near the Asylum, or to hire the Joy 
 Farm at five hundred dollars a year for five years. 
 April 16, the Brimmer bequest the Treasurer was 
 authorized to invest in any mode sanctioned by her 
 will. The thanks of the Board were presented to 
 Dr. John C. Warren for " his donation to the Hospi- 
 tal of the records of surgical cases, which have been 
 kept by the Surgeons of the Hospital." April 21, 
 Mr. Dexter reported that he had bought the eight 
 acres of land of the Lowell Railroad, at five hundred 
 dollars per acre. This is the lot at the entrance of 
 our avenue on the right-hand side, and is now prob- 
 ably worth five times as much as it cost. 
 
 May 9, Messrs. Bowditch and Dexter were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to settle the northerly line of 
 the Belknap Estate in Washington Street, with Mr. 
 Gibbs, the adjoining proprietor. June 6, the Visiting 
 Committee, with Dr. Bowditch the Assistant Physi- 
 cian, were directed to take measures for preserving 
 the medical and surgical records, and for bringing to 
 the notice of the Trustees all cases of patients who 
 had been over three months in the Hospital. Aug. 8, 
 Ezra W. Fletcher was elected House Physician, and 
 George Hay ward, jun., House Surgeon, for the year 
 ensuing:.
 
 WARREN FUND. 161 
 
 Oct. 20, 1841, Mr. Bowditch, from the Committee 
 on the Charlestown Branch Raih'oad, reported that 
 the referees, Judge Fay and Messrs. Fletcher and 
 Parker, had awarded six hundred dollars for damages 
 which the Committee thought really amounted to Jive 
 thousand. Nov. 7, Dr. Warren transmitted a letter 
 enclosing one thousand dollars as a fund for the 
 purchase of religious and moral books to be given to 
 patients on leaving the Hospital. This donation was 
 accepted ; and Dr. Warren was thanked " for his 
 early, efficient, and continued interest in this institu- 
 tion ; " his letter being recorded in extenso. 
 
 Dec. 5, Mr. Ignatius Sargent resigned his office of 
 Trustee, and transmitted a donation of four hundred 
 dollars, which was suitably acknowledged by the 
 Board, who expressed their great regret at losing 
 him as an associate. Dec. 19, Messrs. Appleton, 
 Bond, and Edwards were appointed a Committee 
 respecting a fund in aid of poor, insane patients who 
 are deemed curable. Messrs. Amory and Chad wick 
 were chosen to prepare the annual report. This 
 report is only four pages long, but, Avith the ac- 
 companying documents, makes a pamphlet of forty 
 pages. It mentions the resignation of Mr. Sumner ; 
 that Mr. John M. Goodwin " entered upon his duties 
 early in April last, and has since performed the same 
 in a manner so satisfactory as to give every reason to 
 
 21
 
 162 MARCUS MORTON, JUN., SECRETARY. 
 
 believe that the Board made the best choice in their 
 power." It mentions certain statistics, as to free 
 beds for the past three years, furnished by Dr. Bow- 
 ditch, " our most indefatigable Assistant Physician." 
 It commends " Dr. Bell's most able and elaborate 
 report" to " the careful perusal of all." It states the 
 present property of the institution, deducting its debt 
 of twenty thousand dollars to the Life Insurance 
 Company, as about ninety thousand dollars ; total 
 receipts of the year, twenty-four thousand dollars ; 
 expenses, twenty-three thousand six hundred dollars. 
 Dr. Bell's report fully justifies the commendation 
 bestowed on it by the Committee. It is twenty-two 
 pages long, exclusive of an appendix of forms of 
 admission. It states that the patients, Dec. 31, were 
 seventy-nine males, sixty-three females: total, one 
 hundred and forty-two. Messrs. Bond and Bowditch 
 were desired to consider the appointment of an 
 Assistant Surgeon, and, on Jan. 14, were discharged 
 from that duty. On Dec. 31, nineteen males, thirty 
 females, — total, forty -nine, — in Hospital. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, in 
 January, 1842, Marcus Morton, jun., Esq., was 
 elected Secretary in place of Mr. Gray, who had 
 declined a re-election. All the Trustees on the part 
 of the Corporation were re-elected ; and Mr. Henry 
 B. Rogers was again chosen by the Board of Visitors
 
 SMALL-POX AT HOSPITAL. 163 
 
 a Trustee in place of Mr. Sargent. Feb. 20, all the 
 Medical and Surgical Officers, and heads of the two 
 departments, were severally re-elected. April 21, the 
 salary of the Male Supervisor, Mr. Goodhue, was raised 
 to five hundred dollars, and of the Female Super- 
 visor, Miss Barber, to two hundred and fifty dollars, in 
 acknowledgment of their faithful and efficient ser- 
 vices. 
 
 At a special meeting, May 3, it was voted, that the 
 Trustees, under '• their feeling of great anxiety from 
 the introduction of the small-pox and varioloid into 
 the General Hospital, hereby recommend, that, until 
 these diseases are expelled, as few patients as possible 
 be admitted into the Hospital ; and that all patients 
 who are admitted shall be first informed of the con- 
 dition of the house ; and that the Visiting Committee 
 be requested to inform the Physicians and Surgeons 
 of this opinion of the Trustees, and to urge upon 
 them to give such care and directions as shall in 
 their judgment be most effectual to prevent these 
 diseases from spreading among the patients." The 
 Visiting Committee and Mr. Dexter were appointed a 
 Committee to cleanse, whitewash, and paint the Hos- 
 pital. 
 
 On June 5, we find the following record, viz.: 
 " Mr. Bowditch proposed the following votes, which 
 were read and adopted : — George Bond, Esq., Chair-
 
 164 DEATH OF GEORGE BOND. 
 
 man of this Board, having died May 2e3, aged fifty- 
 four years, voted that this event has closed a life of 
 honorable usefulness, depriving the community of one 
 of its most upright, active, and intelligent citizens, 
 who, in his better days, was among the foremost in 
 all acts of private liberality and of public enterprise, 
 and who bore adversity with a manly firmness which 
 won universal sympathy and respect. Voted, that by 
 this bereavement this institution has lost one of its 
 best friends and benefactors, one who has ever mani- 
 fested an untiring zeal in promoting its interests and 
 objects, — devoting himself to his official duties with 
 an assiduity and fidelity worthy of all praise and 
 imitation. Voted, that a copy of these resolutions, 
 expressing the sense which this Board entertain of 
 the exemplary character and important services of 
 their late associate, be transmitted to his widow and 
 children." 
 
 Mr. Bond had been Chairman of the Board for 
 seven years. By recent reverses in business, he had 
 become bankrupt, and had been prevented by illness 
 from attending any meeting since Jan. 29. He was 
 particularly instrumental in the fortunate selection of 
 Dr. Bell, and had always taken an especial interest 
 in the affairs of the Asylum. He often made visits 
 there in company with Mrs. Bond, and ever showed a 
 deep interest in the welfare of its inmates. In the
 
 THREE FOREIGNERS ONLY IN HOSPITAL. 165 
 
 transaction of business, he was uniformly prompt and 
 attentive ; in his intercourse with the Board, courte- 
 ous and affable. All its members cherished towards 
 him a strong feeling of personal regard. I trust that 
 it will not be deemed a violation of confidence, if I 
 mention, in this connection, the interesting fact, that 
 his associates sent him, shortly before his death, a 
 letter expressive of these their sentiments, and en- 
 closing five hundred dollars to defray his expenses 
 during a journey to the South, in the hope that his 
 health might thus be restored. He died among 
 strangers ; but none can doubt that this mark of atten- 
 tion and friendship, slight as it was, must have been be- 
 yond measure grateful to him, as he was leaving those 
 familiar scenes to which he was never to return. 
 
 At this meeting, May 23, renewed admissions 
 into the Hospital were recommended. June 3, two 
 foreigners paying, two free ; two Americans paying, 
 eight free : total, fourteen. 
 
 June 19, Mr. Robert Hooper, jun., was elected 
 Chairman. July 15, the Superintendent was directed 
 to prohibit the use of tobacco hy the 'patients within 
 the house. It has been since much more stringently 
 and generally excluded. Aug. 7, a permanent free 
 bed was established, called the Tucker Free Bed, to 
 be for ever maintained out of the income of the 
 bequest of Miss Margaret Tucker, which had just
 
 166 DR. Jackson's bust. 
 
 been received. William Henry Thayer was elected 
 House Physician, and Edward B. Pierson House 
 Surgeon, for the year ensuing. 
 
 On Aug. 21, 1842, the Treasurer was authorized 
 " to reimburse Mr. Brimmer the cost and expenses 
 incurred by him in procuring the marble bust of Br. 
 Jackson." This bust is now in the Trustees' room. 
 As a work of art, it is truly admirable. It is the 
 most speaking likeness that can be conceived. It 
 will transmit to coming times the calm and benig- 
 nant countenance of the first Physiciail of the Hospital. 
 Sept. 18, " George Washington " was placed on a 
 free bed from his admission, probably on account of 
 his name. Dec. 4, Messrs. Rogers and Andrews were 
 appointed a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 
 This report is about twelve pages in length, and, 
 with the documents appended, forms a pamphlet of 
 exactly the length of its immediate predecessor, — 
 forty pages. It states the cost of the Hospital at 
 $145,069.44, and of the Asylum, |245,845.98 : in all, 
 $390,915.42. It states the various sources of income 
 of the institution, and the expense of each depart- 
 ment ; that the Asylum will henceforth defray its 
 general current expenses [it has done so] ; that, on 
 April 8, a case of small-pox occurred in the Hospital, 
 and two others in the same ward were attacked by it, 
 one of whom died ; that sixteen cases of mild varioloid
 
 NOTICE OF MR. BOND. 167 
 
 occurred to June 1 ; that the number of patients was 
 reduced from sixty-one to thirteen, the Directors hav- 
 ing forbid all admissions during this period. It men- 
 tions, with suitable expressions of gratitude, the 
 generous donation of one thousand dollars by Dr. 
 John C. Warren. In regard to the Asylum, it states 
 that the patients, on Dec. 31, were eighty-one males, 
 fifty-two females : total, one hundred and thirty-three. 
 It concurs with Dr. Bell in the opinion, "that in 
 general health and peace, in freedom from every 
 painful accident, and in its curative results, the 
 year now completed will compare favorably with any 
 former period." It especially commends the views 
 embraced in his report, and refers to the interesting 
 circumstance that it includes the results of a period 
 of exactly twenty-five years. This report of Dr. Bell 
 is sixteen pages long, besides an appendix of five 
 pages. The Committee close with the following 
 beautiful tribute to the memory of the late George 
 Bond, Esq. : " Ever ready to devote his time, talents, 
 property, and influence to all objects of public utility, 
 he was the early friend of this institution, and, by his 
 faithful services and prudent counsels, contributed 
 essentially to its present prosperity and success. A 
 man of lofty principles, sterling integrity, sound judg- 
 ment, and generous impulses, his memory is entitled 
 to the respect of all who honor virtue, or love practi-
 
 168 STATE OF INSTITUTION. 
 
 cal benevolence. May we not hope that his example 
 will be duly appreciated and extensively followed "?" 
 
 Dec. 30, thirty-one males, nineteen females, were 
 in Hospital. Jan. 18, 1843, Mr. Brimmer declined a 
 re-election as Trustee. An engraving was ordered of 
 the Asylum Buildings. Messrs. Lamb and Bowditch 
 were appointed the Free-bed Committee. 
 
 But two donations to the institution were made 
 during this period of five years : Mr. Courtis's be- 
 quest, compromised at two thousand five hundred 
 dollars, and Dr. Warren's donation of one thousand 
 dollars. Miss Tucker's legacy, though now received, 
 had been made many years previously. At the Hos- 
 pital, the death of the Superintendent, Dr. Bradford, 
 and the short term of his immediate successor, Mr. 
 Sumner, had been followed by the appointment of 
 Mr. Goodwin. Tbe lamented decease of Mr. Bond 
 had been followed by the selection of a most worthy 
 and able successor. The small-pox, which had been 
 introduced, fortunately proved fatal, as is believed, 
 in only one instance. The pitiful amount received, 
 under award of referees, for land at the x^sylum taken 
 by the Charlestown Branch Railroad, was more than 
 compensated by the judicious purchase of other 
 additional land in the vicinity. Both departments of 
 the institution were successfully accomplishing the 
 objects for which tliey were founded.
 
 169 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 1843-1847. 
 
 Donation Book completed bt Mr. Rogers. — Varioloid again in 
 Hospital. — Mr. Appleton's Donation, Ten Thousand Dollars. — 
 Israel Munson's Bequest, T^YENTr Thousand Dollars. — Sears 
 Free Beds. — Lands in Somerville taxed. — Two Wings added to 
 Hospital: Subscription of Sixty-two Thousand Five Hundred 
 AND FiFTT Dollars. — Services of Mr. Rogers. — Miss Taylor's 
 Illness. — Dr. Bell's Visit to Europe at Request of Butler 
 Hospital, of Rhode Island. — Bequest of John Parker, Ten 
 Thousand Dollars. — Statue of Apollo. — Ly^ing-in Department 
 discussed. — Daniel Waldo's Bequest, Forty Thousand Dollars. 
 — Death of Mr. Goodwin. — Anecdote of him. — Richard Gird- 
 LER elected. — Tomb of Thomas Oliver. — New Kitchen at 
 Hospital. — Enlarged Medical and Surgical Staff. — Medical 
 College. — John Redman's Bequest, One Hundred Thousand 
 Dollars. — William Oliver's, Fifty Thousand Dollars. — Out- 
 door Patients. — Hospital Fence. — Monument to Jeremiah and 
 Mary'^ Belknap. — Addition to Dwelling-House at Asylum. — 
 Bequest of Sarah Clough, a Domestic — Ether Discovery. — 
 Sickness at Asylum. — Death of Several Patients, and of Two 
 Children of Dr. Bell. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 25, 1843, the following 
 officers were re-elected : Edward Tuckerman, Presi- 
 dent ; Jonathan Phillips, Vice-President ; Henry An- 
 drews, Treasurer ; Marcus Morton, jun.. Secretary. 
 The eight Trustees elected by the Corporation were 
 Charles Amory, William T. Andrews, Nathaniel I. 
 Bowditch, George M. Dexter, Robert Hooper, jun., 
 Francis C. Lowell, Jonathan Chapman, and William 
 F. Otis ; the two last in the place of Messrs. Brim- 
 
 22
 
 170 FREE-BED TABLETS. 
 
 mer and Chadwick, who had resigned, and were 
 thanked for their services. Messrs. Henry Edwards, 
 Thomas Lamb, and Henry B. Rogers were re-elected 
 by the Board of Visitors ; and John A. Lowell, Esq., 
 was chosen in place of Mr. Bond, deceased. All the 
 Medical and Surgical Officers, and the heads of the 
 two departments, were re-elected. Two thousand five 
 hundred copies of the annual report were ordered to 
 be published. 
 
 Messrs. Bowditch and F. C. Lowell were appointed 
 a Committee respecting an application for a new Life 
 Insurance Charter, now before the Legislature. Feb. 
 19, Mr. Bowditch was appointed to advise with the 
 Treasurer as to investment of funds now in his hands. 
 March 5, the Visiting Committee were ordered to 
 confer with Dr. Bell as to procuring a clergyman to 
 officiate at the Asylum. The House Apothecary at 
 Hospital was ordered to be chosen annually, at the 
 time of the choice of Physicians and Surgeons. 
 March 19, the Visiting Committee and Mr. Bowditch 
 were appointed a Committee to have tablets prepared 
 with names of the donors, to be placed over such 
 free beds as are supported from their funds, as in the 
 case of the Brimmer and Tucker free beds. This 
 was subsequently found to be very distasteful to 
 patients, as making an odious discrimination between 
 free and pay patients, and was rescinded.
 
 HOUSE-DIET AT HOSPITAL. 171 
 
 On April 2, Mr. Rogers was appointed a Com- 
 mittee " to complete the list of subscriptions, dona- 
 tions, and legacies, commenced by Col. Joseph May." 
 April 19, Dr. Chauncey Booth was chosen Assistant 
 Physician and Apothecary at the Asylum. Messrs. 
 Dexter and F. C. and J. A. Lowell were appointed a 
 Committee on the subject of ventilation, Avarming, 
 &c., of the Hospital; who subsequently reported 
 plans, with estimates, and were instructed to exe- 
 cute the same. May 7, Messrs. Bowditch, Otis, and 
 Amory were appointed a Committee on the house-diet 
 and general discipline of the Hospital ; and Mr. 
 Bowditch was asked to ascertain the boundary of the 
 Hospital flats, and to take measures to prevent en- 
 croachments. 
 
 On May 12, a special meeting was held, on infor- 
 mation that "one of the patients was believed to be 
 ill of varioloid ; and the Visiting Committee were 
 requested to wait on Dr. Warren, ascertain facts, and 
 act as they shall judge best. May 21, the Committee 
 on diet, &c., made a report, which was accepted, and 
 ordered to be communicated to the Superintendent, 
 and by him to all the other officers ; and it was 
 " voted, that, whenever the Medical and Surgical 
 Officers shall think there is any reason to suppose 
 that a patient is ill of varioloid or small-pox, it shall 
 be their duty forthwith to inform the Superintendent,
 
 172 DONATION-BOOK COMPLETED. 
 
 to the end that he may take immediate measures to 
 remove such patient from the institution, if he can 
 be removed with safety ; " and a copy of this vote was 
 sent to all the officers. July 2, a box was ordered at 
 the Hospital for preservation of valuable papers. It 
 is now kept in the Trustees' room. Aug. 20, John 
 Frasier Head was elected House Physician ; William 
 E. Townsend, House Surgeon ; Charles K. Whipple 
 re-elected Apothecary. Oct. 18, Mr. Dexter was 
 appointed to express to Mr. George Taylor " the 
 unanimous and decided opposition of the Trustees " 
 to his project of laying out a new street through the 
 Hospital-grounds. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, the Committee on the Book of Dona- 
 tions, reported that he had completed the same. 
 His interesting letter, stating the difficulties of the 
 task, and showing how successfully they were over- 
 come, is recorded in full ; and it occupies five pages 
 of the record. He details the various services of 
 Col. May ; and of the early donors he says : " They 
 belonged to every rank and condition of life ; their 
 subscriptions far exceeded in amount and number 
 any thing of the kind which, even to this day, has 
 been known in New England ; and Mr. May seems to 
 have taken a pride in recording their names, as alike 
 honorable to themselves and to the social and politi- 
 cal institutions under which they lived." It closes 
 with the following interesting summary : —
 
 TOTAL DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. 173 
 
 From the record as now made up, it appears that 
 1,191 persons subscribed to the Hospital and 
 Asylum $131,269.21 
 
 There had been received from public exhibitions, 
 concerts, and incorporated bodies, among which 
 are comprised twenty-four religious societies, 
 twelve towns, and five benevolent associations . 15,723.36 
 
 Making a total $146,992.57 
 
 Of which amount, $45,373.34 was specially sub- 
 scribed for the Asylum. 
 There had been bequeathed, devised, or given . . . 388,098.68 
 Received from annual donations to free beds . . . 46,657.00 
 
 Thus raising the gross amount received in various 
 ways from the public, from the commencement to 
 this date, and without including the right of the 
 Corporation to the profits of the Massachusetts 
 Life Insurance Company, to the magnificent sum 
 of $581,748.25 
 
 The task thus completed by Mr, Rogers was most 
 ably and satisfactorily accomplished. No report, in- 
 deed, had ever been made to this Board either more 
 gratifying in itself, or which more entitles the Com- 
 mittee by whom it was submitted, to the sincere 
 thanks of the Trustees and of all friends of the insti- 
 tution. 
 
 At the same meeting, it was voted " that the subject 
 of Mr. Lee's bequest to the Hospital be referred to 
 Mr. Bowditch, with full powers." This, it is believed, 
 related only to certain restrictions originally imposed 
 by Mr. Lee, as to selling the stocks which he gave.
 
 174 WILLIAM APPLETON's DONATION. 
 
 Dec. 3, a communication having been received from 
 William Appleton, enclosing a check for the sum of 
 ten thousand dollars, as a donation for the purpose 
 of affording aid to such patients in the M'Lean Asy- 
 lum as from straitened means might be compelled to 
 leave the institution without a perfect cure, — it was 
 " voted that the Trustees appreciate highly the liber- 
 ality and wisdom of this act of charity, and accept 
 this donation to be held sacred for the special purpose 
 designated by the donor." Mr. Appleton's communi- 
 cation was ordered to be recorded, and the amount 
 deposited in the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insur- 
 ance Company, as " the Appleton Fund for the Relief 
 of the Insane ; " Messrs. Hooper and F. C. Lowell 
 being appointed to carry these votes into effect. On 
 Dec. 17, Messrs. J. A. Lowell and Otis were appointed 
 a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 
 Of this document the unprecedented number of four 
 thousand copies was published, — a compliment to 
 which it was well entitled. It is twelve pages long, 
 and contains an elaborate report of Dr. Bell, of forty- 
 two pages, making in all a pamphlet of sixty-three 
 pages. The report gives a very satisfactory view of 
 the property of the institution. The donations of the 
 year were $10,762.37 ; the payment of ten thousand 
 dollars on the note to the liife Insurance Company 
 leaving only a balance of ten thousand dollars due,
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 175 
 
 probably to be paid before the report shall be read- 
 It extracts from the donation-book the summary of 
 all the donations, $581,748.25. It especially notices 
 the welcome gift by Mr. Appleton of the fund of ten 
 thousand dollars. Dr. Bell's report is one of the most 
 valuable of his satisfactory annual communications. 
 Appended to it is a table, showing all the results of 
 the Asylum from its commencement. Eighty males 
 and fifty-four females remained in that institution at 
 the close of the year. A brief report from Mr. Good- 
 win, the Superintendent of the Hospital, is published, 
 with the usual analyses. Dec. 29, thirty-three males, 
 twenty-two females, in the Hospital. 
 
 Dec. 31, notice of annual meeting was ordered to 
 be sent by the Secretary to all the members of the 
 Corporation, so far as he can ascertain them. Voted 
 " that the present and past Physicians and Surgeons 
 of the institution be requested to suggest to this Board 
 any changes in the management or arrangements of 
 the Hospital, whith in their view would increase its 
 usefulness, and also to express their opinion of the 
 necessity of enlarging the buildings." The result of 
 this vote was the enlargement of the Hospital by 
 the addition of two wings, each fifty feet square. 
 Jan. 12, 1844, the Superintendent was authorized to 
 buy a vapor -bath now at the Hospital ; and grants 
 were made of two hundred dollars to Dr. Bell, and 
 one hundred each to Mr. and Mrs. Tyler.
 
 176 MAINE RAILROAD. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 24, 1844, William 
 Appleton, Esq., was elected President in place of 
 Edward Tuckerman, Esq., deceased; and Charles 
 S. StoiTow and Edward Wiggles worth, Trustees in 
 place of Messrs. Chapman and Otis, who had de- 
 clined a re-election, and were thanked for their ser- 
 vices during the past year. Feb. 4, on the Board 
 of Consulting Physicians, Joseph Poby took the 
 place of Dr. John Randall, deceased. There were 
 no other changes of officers. Two thousand five 
 hundred copies of the report were ordered to be 
 printed. 
 
 On Feb. 18, Mr. Bowditch presented a remon- 
 strance against a new railroad, prayed for near the 
 Asylum, which was adopted, and ordered to be laid 
 before the Legislature ; and Messrs. Bowditch and 
 Edwards were appointed to appear before the Com- 
 mittee of the Legislature in support of the same. 
 This was the Maine Railroad, which the Trustees 
 succeeded in keeping off" at a respectful distance. 
 March 3, fifteen hundred additional copies were or- 
 dered of the report, making in all four thousand. 
 
 On March 17, Messrs. Amory and Rogers were 
 appointed a Committee to inquire into the facts rela- 
 tive to a donation of five thousand dollars made to 
 this institution by David Sears in 1817, and to re- 
 port. Certain alterations proposed in the female
 
 ISRAEL MUNSON. DAVID SEARS. 177 
 
 " lodge " at the Asylum, by Dr. Bell, were agreed 
 to ; and the Steward was authorized to make the 
 same. The Treasurer, and Messrs. Bowditch and 
 Dexter, were appointed a Committee to rebuild the 
 Belknap Estate on Washington Street. A report of 
 the Physicians and Surgeons was received, and a 
 future meeting ordered, at which their attendance 
 was requested ; Messrs. Rogers and Dexter being re- 
 quested to bring the title-deeds, plans, &c. March 
 26, the proposed meeting took place, the Visiting 
 Physicians and Surgeons being present ; and Drs. 
 James Jackson and John Ware, past Physicians. 
 Messrs. Amory and Bowditch were appointed a 
 Committee on the subject of visits at the Hospital. 
 The Chairman, J. A. Lowell, and the Treasurer, 
 were appointed a Committee respecting a legacy 
 of the late Israel Munson. This Committee re- 
 ported at the next meeting, that they had received 
 the same in United States six per cent stock. 
 
 On March 31, Messrs. Rogers and Andrews were 
 appointed a Committee to expend fifty dollars for 
 the formation of a permanent library at the Hospi- 
 tal. •' It appearing, by report of the Committee, 
 that in the year 1817 the sum of five thousand 
 dollars was given to this institution by David Sears, 
 Esq., with the wish and intent on his part that the 
 same should be specially applied to the relief of 
 
 23
 
 178 DR. hale's rain-gauge. 
 
 surgical patients ; and whereas two free beds are 
 established in the Hospital, specially for cases of 
 accident, — voted that the said two free beds be 
 henceforth known as the Sears Free Beds." The 
 Committee on Visits at the Hospital made a detailed 
 report, recommending alterations in the rules and 
 regulations, which were adopted. All title-deeds, 
 &c., were ordered to be deposited with the Treas- 
 urer. All papers and plans as to enlargement of 
 the Hospital were referred to Messrs. Amory, Dex- 
 ter, and Storrow. 
 
 On April 12, a vote was passed, expressing the 
 gratitude of the Trustees for the munificent bequest 
 of Israel Munson, and also presenting their sincere 
 thanks to Charles Barnard, Esq., the executor, for 
 the prompt and satisfactory manner in w4iich he 
 carried into effect the testator's provisions in favor 
 of this institution. Dr. Hale was permitted to erect 
 a pole in the Hospital-grounds for the purpose of 
 a rain-gauge. Messrs. Rogers, Bowditch, and Wig- 
 glesworth were appointed a Committee to consider 
 the subject of procuring tablets of the names of 
 benefactors of this institution, and to report thereon 
 to this Board. This Committee have never yet 
 acted. April 17, jNlr. Benjamin Cushing was 
 elected Apothecary at the Hospital. Messrs. Rog- 
 ers and Amory were appointed a Committee as to
 
 ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. 179 
 
 Physicians charging fees to patients able to pay, 
 who subsequently reported in favor of the same in 
 case of out-door patients. Messrs. Bowditch and J. 
 A. Lowell were appointed a Committee to sue the 
 town of Somerville, to recover back a tax paid 
 under protest. 
 
 Messrs. Rogers, Amory, Edwards, and Andrews 
 were appointed a Committee to solicit subscriptions 
 for enlarging the Hospital. At the next meeting, 
 May 19, this Committee reported an address to the 
 public, which was adopted ; and the President and 
 other officers were requested to aid the Trustees in 
 regard to this proposed appeal ; and the address was 
 ordered to be signed by all the officers and the Trus- 
 tees, and recommitted, with authority to publish and 
 circulate the same. 
 
 This address was accordingly published in a pam- 
 phlet of fourteen pages, and is a beautiful specimen 
 of typography. It commences with the following 
 account of the original subscriptions : — 
 
 "In the year 1816, the Trustees of the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital, who, as early as 1811, had received a 
 charter from the Commonwealth, accompanied by the liberal 
 grant of the ' Old Province House ' Estate valued at forty 
 thousand dollars, upon condition that the sum of one hun- 
 dred thousand dollars should be raised by private subscrip- 
 tions ; and who, in the hope of better things, had struggled 
 patiently on through the long period of non-intercourse, war.
 
 180 ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 and commercial disaster that had intervened, — determined 
 to make an appeal in behalf of the institution over which 
 they nominally presided. They laid their case before the 
 public. They maintained that an establishment for the 
 alleviation and cure of ' the sick and insane ' was needed ; 
 and they appealed to the intelHgence and humanity of a 
 Christian people to supply the want. By able statements 
 and addresses, which were extensively published, and by 
 letters and circulars to clergymen of all denominations, and 
 to private individuals of wealth and character throughout 
 the Commonwealth, they informed and awakened the general 
 mind, and created a strong and widely extended sympathy 
 for their cause. 
 
 "All things having been thus prepared, they divided them- 
 selves into four Committees ; and, abandoning tlieir private 
 affairs for a season, they went through our streets, day after 
 day, soliciting subscriptions from all ; for they deemed it 
 important that every individual in the community should 
 have an opportunity to contribute to a charity in which 
 each was interested. 
 
 " They were greeted everywhere with smiles and kind 
 expressions ; and, in the course of a very few days, their 
 books exhibited subscriptions to the amount of one hundred 
 and ten thousand dollars, which were afterwards increased to 
 over one hundred and forty-six thousand dollars. So great 
 a result was worthy of the intelligence and public spirit of 
 Boston and of Massachusetts. As a voluntary subscription 
 from individuals, it is the largest that the statistics of charity 
 in our country can furnish ; and, taken in connection with the 
 losses and embarrassments which had preceded, it may be 
 reoarded as extraordinarv. 
 
 " As a noble tribute to a work of great utility and benevo- 
 lence, we delight to record it for the praise and honor of the
 
 FOR ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 181 
 
 men who made it, and for the just consideration and imita- 
 tion of their children and descendants. It was made by 
 persons of all conditions of life, and in sums varying from 
 twenty thousand dollars to twenty -five cents, — the gift of 
 a poor black, whose name, as it deserves, is recorded with 
 others on the books of the donors. With the proceeds of 
 this munificent subscription, the Trustees laid the foundation 
 of the Hospital in Allen Street, and of the Asylum at 
 Soinerville. The original contributors to this fund have, 
 most of them, gone to render up their account; a few 
 honored names only remain ; but the fountain which their 
 benevolence caused to gush forth still continues to flow on 
 in an uninterrupted stream of health and comfort to many 
 a suffering being. Since the commencement of the first 
 buildings, many noble bequests and donations have been 
 received from various public-spirited individuals, which have 
 added greatly to the size and utility of the institution." 
 
 The address states ably and conclusively the in- 
 sufficient accommodations of the Hospital, which, by 
 reason of the great increase of the population of 
 Boston, only provides one bed for every 1,666 indi- 
 viduals, while Paris provides one for every 250 per- 
 sons, and London for every 500 ; — that the wealth 
 of Boston has kept pace with its population. It 
 mentions the intention of enlarging the Hospital, 
 by wings fifty feet wide, fifty-seven feet deep, esti- 
 mated to cost fifty thousand dollars ; notices the 
 recent bequest of Mr. Munson of twenty thousand 
 dollars ; and ends with the following fervent and 
 eloquent appeal : —
 
 182 USE OF TOBACCO PROHIBITED. 
 
 "Upon the principles and for the reasons now explained, 
 the Trustees invite subscriptions in behalf of the Hospital. 
 The existing edifice bears honorable testimony to the virtue 
 and philanthropy of our fathers ; and the Trustees will not 
 suffer themselves to doubt that the result of the present 
 effort will prove equally honorable to their sons and suc- 
 cessors. 
 
 " To found and maintain institutions for the relief of the 
 sick and afflicted is not only the mark but the privilege of 
 civilization ; and he who gives evidence of his faithful dis- 
 charge of duty in this regard will leave a memento of him- 
 self, that shall outlive his generation, and be dear to the 
 hearts of his children and of every true man." 
 
 A letter of the six attending Physicians and Sur- 
 geons, addressed to the Trustees, in favor of this 
 project, is appended to the report. 
 
 On June 2, 1844, Mr. Dexter was asked to prepare 
 plans of the proposed, addition to the Hospital with 
 detailed estimates of the expenses. June 16, Messrs. 
 Bowditch and Dexter were appointed with full powers 
 to settle the south boundary of the Belknap Estate. 
 June 23, Mr. Dexter reported plans of two additional 
 wings ; the Subscription Committee reported prog- 
 ress ; and a Building Committee of five was ap- 
 pointed, — viz. Messrs. J. A. Lowell, Amory, Andrews, 
 Rogers, and Storrow. 
 
 On Aug. 18, Henry Sargent was elected House 
 Physician ; George H. Gay, House Surgeon ; Benja- 
 min Gushing re elected Apothecary. Five new rules
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 183' 
 
 and regulations were adopted, one of which was, 
 " The smoking of tobacco is prohibited in the prem- 
 ises of the Hospital." The Committee on enlarging 
 the Hospital presented their report by H. B. Rogers, 
 Chairman ; and the same, with the appeal to the 
 public, was recorded in extenso, occupying twenty 
 pages of the records. It details in an interesting 
 manner the circumstances which led to a conviction 
 of the necessity of additional accommodations ; the 
 first intention to apply for one new wing, to cost 
 twenty-five thousand dollars, and finally for two, to 
 cost fifty thousand dollars ; the publication in several 
 new^spapers, and in a pamphlet-form for distribution, 
 of an appeal to the public ; a meeting held, at which 
 Thomas H. Perkins was Chairman, and J. Ingersoll 
 Bowditch Secretary ; resolutions ofi"ered by Wil- 
 liam Gray, and cordially supported by JJrs. James 
 Jackson, John C. Warren, and Hon. Abbott Law- 
 rence ; resulting at last in the noble contribution of 
 $62,550, a result far exceeding the most sanguine 
 expectations of the Committee, being $12,550 more 
 even than was solicited. And it should always be 
 remembered, that it was in an especial manner to the 
 personal influence and exertions of Mr. Rogers, the 
 Chairman, that the Hospital is indebted for this 
 brilliant result. He was truly indefatigable, and 
 displayed throughout on this occasion most conspicu-
 
 184 MISS Taylor's illness. 
 
 oiisly the same zeal and good judgment which had 
 heretofore so essentially promoted the interests and 
 welfare of the institution. 
 
 On Sept. 15, Messrs. Andrews and Lamb were 
 appointed a Committee, with full powers, to obtain 
 an engraving of the Asylum. It was executed ac- 
 cordingly. Sept. 29, Mortimer B. Tappan was 
 chosen Apothecary in place of Mr. Gushing, who 
 resigned ; and a purchase, for five hundred dol- 
 lars per acre, of land adjoining Wood worth's house 
 by the Asylum, was authorized. Oct. 11, Henry A. 
 Barrett was elected House Physician in place of 
 Henry Sargent, who had resigned. William P. 
 Gibbs's request for leave to open a window upon 
 the yard of the Belknap Estate was refused. Nov. 
 8, certain changes were adopted in the rules and 
 regulations of the Hospital respecting the attendance 
 of students on clinical lectures or surgical operations 
 and the issue of tickets of admission. 
 
 On Dec. 1, a letter from Dr. James Jackson, 
 recommending that Miss Rebecca Taylor be con- 
 tinued at the Hospital during her sickness, on ac- 
 count of her long and valuable services to tlie 
 institution, was read ; and it was thereupon voted, 
 " that the Trustees, entirely concurring with the 
 opinions expressed by Dr. Jackson, expect that 
 Miss Taylor will make the Hospital her home dur-
 
 DR. bell's visit TO EUROPE. 185 
 
 ing her sickness ; and that the Visiting Committee com- 
 municate to her Dr. Jackson's letter, and the action 
 of the Board thereon." Miss Taylor is still with 
 us, having been in the institution twenty-five years.* 
 The highest praise that could be bestowed on an 
 attendant at the Hospital would be, that she was as 
 good a nurse as Miss Taylor. Dec. 1, the Butler Hos- 
 pital, of Rhode Island, asking permission to send Dr. 
 Bell to Europe for some months, Mr. Bowditch was 
 requested to send an answer acceding to their re- 
 quest, and to make the necessary arrangements with 
 Dr. Bell for that purpose. The compliment thus 
 paid to Dr. Bell was truly gratifying, both to him and 
 to this institution. On Dec. 15, he was authorized 
 to engage Dr. Fox to assist Dr. Booth during his 
 absence in Europe. Messrs. J. A. Lowell and Dexter 
 were appointed a Committee, with full powers, for 
 insuring the buildings, both of the Hospital and 
 Asylum. A communication from John D. Wil- 
 liams, as to the construction of a reservoir at the 
 Hospital, was referred to Messrs. Rogers and Dexter, 
 with full powers. The interest thus manifested by 
 Mr. Williams was at a later day displayed in a mu- 
 nificent bequest to the institution. Messrs. Wiggles- 
 
 * On June 30, 1851, I asked Miss Taylor how long she had been 
 connected with tlie Hospital, and she told me that it was just twenty-five 
 years that very day . 
 
 24
 
 186 JOHN Parker's bequest. 
 
 worth and Andrews were appointed to prepare the 
 annual report. 
 
 This report is a brief one of four pages. It men- 
 tions the payment of the only remaining debt of the 
 institution, — viz. the ten thousand doUars due to the 
 Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company ; 
 the number of patients at the Asylum, seventy-five 
 males and seventy-seven females : total, one hundred 
 and fifty-two. The prompt receipt of Mr. Munson's 
 legacy of twenty thousand dollars from Charles Bar- 
 nard, Esq., his executor, was suitably acknowledged. 
 It gratefully announces the entire success which had 
 attended the application for the enlargement of the 
 Hospital, and subjoins an extract from Mr. Hogers's 
 report, showing the particulars of the noble subscrip- 
 tion which had been obtained. Dr. Bell's report of 
 the preceding year having been unusually full and 
 minute, his present one is more concise and general. 
 It occupies ten pages. The whole forms a pamphlet 
 of twenty-five pages. Dec. 27, twenty-five males, 
 twenty-eight females — total, fifty-three — in the Hos- 
 pital. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 22, 1845, no changes 
 were made in the Board of Trustees. At this meet- 
 ing was communicated an extract from the will of 
 John Parker, Esq., by which, after the decease of his 
 widow, a ten thousand dollars' fund is given for the
 
 JOY FARM. 187 
 
 support of free beds, with conditions similar to those 
 in the will of the late Miss Brimmer, viz., that the 
 number of free beds in the House at his decease (i.e. 
 thirty-seven) should never be diminished ; Avhich be- 
 quest was gratefully accepted. Motions were then 
 successively made and rejected, to communicate to 
 the executors of Mr. Parker the number of said beds, 
 and to instruct the Trustees never to diminish that 
 number. On Feb. 2, all the Medical and Surgical 
 Officers, and those of the two departments, were re- 
 elected. Two thousand five hundred copies of the 
 annual report were ordered to be printed. Mr. 
 Amory was appointed to procure an index to the 
 medical and surgical records. An Annual Committee 
 was constituted to purchase books for distribution 
 under the Warren Fund. 
 
 On Feb. 16, the Farm School, having an ultimate 
 interest in the bequest of the late John Parker, on 
 breach of condition by this Corporation, were in- 
 formed of the number of free beds in the Hospital at 
 his decease. Feb. 25, the subject of the expediency 
 of purchasing the Joy Farm was referred to Messrs. 
 Storrow, Dexter, and the Treasurer ; who reported 
 that the price asked, fifty thousand dollars, rendered 
 it inexpedient to purchase. On March 2, the Visiting 
 Committee were directed to inquire into the number 
 and condition of the beds at the Hospital. March 30,
 
 188 WILLIAM RUSSELL. JOHN BROWN. 
 
 Miss Taylor's wages were ordered to be paid in full 
 during the period of her sickness. Hon. Edward 
 Everett offered to the Hospital his statue of Apollo ; 
 and the Trustees presented to him " their grateful 
 acknowledgments for his beautiful gift, valuable as a 
 memorial, that, amidst his arduous public duties in a 
 foreign country, Mr. Everett feels an undiminished 
 interest in the charitable institutions of his native 
 land." On May 4, a bequest of one hundred dollars 
 from the late William E-ussell was transmitted, and 
 gratefully accepted by the Trustees. The money was 
 invested in silver spoons for the Asylum. A commu- 
 nication from Dr. Warren on the means of prevent- 
 ing erysipelas was received, and referred to Messrs. 
 Dexter and Storrow. June 15, Mr. Joseph Burnett 
 was requested to supply the Hospital with medicines 
 for one year, pursuant to a report of Messrs. Rogers 
 and Amory, recommending this arrangement. June 
 29, Messrs. Hooper and J. A. Lowell were appointed 
 a Finance Committee to advise the Treasurer as to 
 investments. 
 
 On July 11, a legacy of one hundred dollars from 
 the late John Brown, Esq., was received and suitably 
 acknowledged. Mr. Brown was one of the unfortu- 
 nate victims lost in the burning of the " Lexington." 
 Aug. 3, a communication from Drs. Warren and Big- 
 elow, as to a Lying-in department, was referred to
 
 MR. Goodwin's resignation. 189 
 
 Messrs. Rogers, Amory, and F. C. Lowell. Aug. 17; 
 John S. Flint was elected House Physician ; Alfred 
 Lambert, House Surgeon ; Francis A. Holman, 
 Apothecary. Mr. Tappan had resigned in May. 
 Sept. 14, the Building Committee and Mr. Dexter 
 were instructed to finish the two new wings. Sept. 
 28, Dr. Bowditch resigned his office of Assistant 
 Physician ; and, on Oct. 10, Dr. Samuel Parkman 
 was elected as his successor ; and the thanks of the 
 Trustees were presented to Dr. Bowditch for "the 
 fidelity, ability, and zeal " with which he had dis- 
 charged his duties. Messrs. Amory, Andrews, 
 Bowditch, Hooper, and Rogers were appointed a 
 Committee to consider what changes are rendered 
 necessary in the discipline and organization of the 
 Hospital, in consequence of its increased size. Mr. 
 Goodwin's illness was announced, and the Visiting 
 Committee were authorized to confer with Mr. Good- 
 win as to procuring the services of a temporary 
 Superintendent. Nov. 2, Mr. Francis A. Holman 
 was engaged accordingly. 
 
 A letter from Mr. Goodwin, resigning his office of 
 Superintendent of the Hospital, and a letter from 
 Mrs. Goodwin, accompanying it, were read ; and it 
 was voted that said resignation be accepted, and that 
 the Chairman and Mr. Andrews be a Committee to 
 express to Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin the feelings of
 
 190 DANIEL Waldo's bequest. 
 
 respect and sympathy with which the Board part with 
 them, and to tender to them, on behalf of the Trus- 
 tees, their heartfelt sympathy in their present trials. 
 Mr. Goodwin's salary was ordered to be paid to the 
 end of six months after the close of the present 
 quarter. 
 
 The Treasurer and Mr. John A. Lowell were 
 appointed a Committee to receive the legacy of the 
 late Daniel Waldo. The Committee on the subject 
 of a Lying-in Hospital reported unfavorably, and their 
 report was unanimously accepted. Nov. 16, the 
 extract from Mr. Waldo's will, which gives the mu- 
 nificent sum of forty thousand dollars as a fund, the 
 income of which is applicable generally to the be- 
 nevolent objects of the institution, was laid before the 
 Board ; and the Chairman and Mr. Edwards were 
 appointed a Committee to make a suitable expression 
 of the thanks of the Trustees. 
 
 This Committee were also requested to obtain, if 
 possible, portraits of Mr. Waldo and Mr. Munson 
 for this institution. The portraits of these two 
 donors were procured accordingly, and are now in the 
 Trustees' room at the Hospital, by the side of the 
 earlier benefactors of the institution, the example of 
 whose liberality they had so nobly imitated. Nov. 16, 
 a grant of three hundred dolhirs was made to Dr. 
 John Fox for his services during Dr. Bell's visit to
 
 MR. Goodwin's death. 191 
 
 Europe. Richard Girdler, of Marblehead, was elected 
 Superintendent in place of Mr. Goodwin, with a 
 salary of one thousand dollars. 
 
 A special meeting was held Nov. 26 ; and the 
 death of Mr. Goodwin, the late Superintendent, being 
 announced, it was " voted that, the Trustees having on 
 a recent occasion expressed to Mr. Goodwin the high 
 sense entertained by them of his official integrity and 
 fidelity, would now respectfully assure Mrs. Goodwin 
 of their sympathy for her and her children, who by 
 this event have lost one so deservedly dear to them. 
 Voted that this Board will be happy to unite in a 
 public tribute of respect for the deceased, by attending 
 the funeral services." And copies of these votes were 
 communicated to the family of the deceased. 
 
 Mr. Goodwin was a person of cultivation and re- 
 finement, of great private worth, and of the most 
 mild and amiable disposition ; somewhat wanting, 
 perhaps, in that energy which had characterized 
 his predecessor, Mr. Gurney. Mrs. Goodwin, like 
 her husband, had always taken a deep interest in 
 the patients, and endeavored by all the means in 
 her power to promote their comfort and welfare. 
 
 About a week before Mr. Goodwin's death, I 
 called to see him. He was seated in an arm-chair, 
 in the Trustees' room. It was one of the most charm- 
 ing days of the " Indian summer." The south-
 
 192 ANECDOTE. 
 
 west wind, cooled by its passage over the water, 
 was admitted freely through the open windows of 
 the apartment. Pleasure carriages and loaded vehi- 
 cles, in a ceaseless procession, were seen moving 
 rapidly or slowly along the street, and across the 
 bridge to which it led. The river was studded 
 with sail-boats and other vessels. The distant hum 
 of voices, as it arose upon the car, was drowned 
 by the merry laugh of children just released from 
 the neighboring school. Around us were all the 
 varied activities of a great city, its full tide of busi- 
 ness and of happiness. In that quiet room sat 
 an old and a dying man, consciously looking, al- 
 most for the last time, and with a pensive interest, 
 upon a scene in which he was never more to be 
 an actor. He reached out his hand, and said, " I 
 was thinking of how little importance man is to 
 his fellow-man ; how slight an interruption to the 
 oreat round of affairs results from the death of 
 even the highest among us. It is wisely ordered, 
 that only a little circle of those nearest to us will 
 be, and that but for a short time, conscious of our 
 departure. Yet," added he, " to the individual 
 himself, how vast and mysterious the change ! 
 How inconceivable that a spectacle like this will 
 with me so soon give place to the darkness and 
 silence of the grave ! "
 
 SALARY TOTED TO THE TREASURER. / 193 
 
 On Nov. 30, a letter from Thomas Oliver Walter, 
 asking the Board to release their right to the family- 
 tomb of the late Thomas Oliver, was referred to 
 Messrs. Bowditch and Edwards. Tlie office of Treas- 
 urer, the duties of which had always hitherto been 
 performed gratuitously, had now become very oner- 
 ous ; and it was voted that there should be attached 
 to it henceforth a salary of five hundred dollars. 
 One hundred dollars was granted to Mr. Holman 
 for his services' as Superintendent during the illness 
 of Mr. Goodwin. A free bed for life was placed 
 at the disposal of John Tappan, Esq., who was 
 one of the executors of the late Daniel Waldo. 
 Dec. 14, the Committee on Mr. Oliver's tomb re- 
 ported by Mr. Bowditch, " that said tomb is held by 
 this Corporation, not as their property, but in trust 
 as the burial-place of Mr. Oliver and his family." 
 Mr. J. A, Lowell was requested to advise the 
 Treasurer as to investment of the Waldo Fund. 
 Messrs. Storrow and Amory w^ere appointed to pre- 
 pare the annual report. This report, like its imme- 
 diate predecessor, is quite brief, occupying but four 
 pages, and forming, with the accompanying docu- 
 ments, a pamphlet of twenty-five pages. It states 
 the present property of the institution, exclusive of 
 grounds and buildings, at $238,369.91 ; mentions 
 " the receipt of $40,000, the munificent bequest of 
 
 25
 
 194 RICHARD GIRDLER, SUPERINTENDENT. 
 
 the late Daniel Waldo ; " also the extra dividend 
 from the Life Insurance Company. It then pro- 
 ceeds : — 
 
 "Colonel John M. Goodwin, who for many years past 
 had filled the office of Superintendent of the Hospital, died 
 in November last, after a short and severe illness. The 
 Trustees take this occasion to bear testimony to the fidelity 
 and devotion to the interests of the Hospital which he 
 manifested throughout the period of his connection with it. 
 During his illness, his place was temporarily supplied by 
 Dr. Holman, the House Apothecary; and it has since been 
 permanently filled by the appointment of Captain Richard 
 Girdler, who entered upon his duties on the first day of 
 December last. By this appointment, the Trustees, to some 
 of whom he has long been known, believe that they have 
 secured the services of a gentleman perfectly qualified by his 
 zeal and ability to promote the welfare of the institution." 
 
 The weekly expense of each patient was five dol- 
 lars and iifty-two cents. At the Asylum, at close of 
 the year, were seventy-eight males, seventy-three 
 females. Dr. Bell's report, which is twelve pages 
 in length, is, as usual, clear, interesting, and satis- 
 factory. Dec. 25, twenty-two males and twenty- 
 seven females were in the Hospital. 
 
 On Dec. 28, a communication that windows had 
 been opened over the Belknap Estate was referred 
 to Mr. Bowditch and the Treasurer. The Com- 
 mittee appointed Oct. 10 reported a new draft of
 
 ENLARGED MEDICAL STAFF. 195 
 
 the rules and regulations, which was ordered to be 
 printed ; and, by a subsequent vote, the number of 
 copies was fixed at two thousand. Jan. 16, 1846, 
 an application of the widow of the late George 
 Hallet, to purchase a free bed for life, was referred 
 to the Standing Committee on Free Beds, with full 
 power. At the annual meeting, Jan. 28, 1846, the 
 proposed alterations in the by-laws, received by the 
 Trustees, were adopted. Theodore Lyman was 
 elected Vice-President in place of Jonathan Phillips, 
 and J. Thomas Stevenson, Esq., a Trustee in place 
 of Mr. Storrow, who severally declined. Mr. William 
 W. Stone was subsequently elected by the Board of 
 Visitors a Trustee in place of Henry Edwards. 
 Votes of thanks were adopted by the Corporation, 
 acknowledging the services of the gentlemen who 
 thus retired. Mr. Phillips was son of our first Presi- 
 dent and earliest benefactor ; and he had served as 
 Trustee for sixteen years. Mr. Edwards had like- 
 wise been an active member of the Board for ten 
 years. Among the changes introduced by the new 
 rules and regulations, and rendered necessary by the 
 enlargement of the Hospital, was the increase of the 
 Medical and Surgical Staff. 
 
 Eeb. 1, there were elected, as a Board of Consulta- 
 tion, Drs, James Jackson, George C. Shattuck, John 
 Jeffries, and Edward Reynolds. Visiting Physicians,
 
 196 ENLARGED MEDICAL STAFF. 
 
 Jacob Bigelow, Enoch Hale, John B. S. Jackson, 
 Henry I. Bowditch, John D. Fisher, and Oliver AV. 
 Holmes ; the three last being new appointments. 
 Visiting Surgeons, Drs. John C. Warren, George 
 Hay ward, Solomon U. Townsend, and Drs. Henry J. 
 Bigelow, Samuel Parkman, and J. Mason Warren ; 
 the three last being also new appointments. Admit- 
 ting Physician, Dr. William Henry Thayer. The 
 officers of the two departments were severally re- 
 elected. The salary of the Steward of the Asylum 
 was raised to one thousand dollars. A Free-bed 
 Standing Committee was appointed, consisting of 
 Messrs. Rogers and J. A. Lowell : Committee on 
 Warren Fund, Messrs. Hogers and Andrews ; on the 
 Book of Donations, Mr. Eogers ; on Finance, Messrs. 
 Hooper and J. A. Lowell. The subject of a pend- 
 ing petition for a railroad from Waltham to the west- 
 erly part of Boston was referred to Mr. Bowditch, 
 with power to employ counsel to oppose the same ; 
 Messrs. Stevenson and J. A. Lowell were appointed 
 to oppose any modification of the charters for life 
 insurance which might jeopardize the interests of 
 this institution ; — both which Committees reported a 
 satisfactory result at the next meeting. Two thou- 
 sand copies of the annual report were ordered to 
 be printed. 
 
 On Feb. 22, in answer to a communication of Dr.
 
 JEREMIAH AND MARY BELKNAP. 197 
 
 John C. Warren, inquiring the views of this Board 
 as to the erection of a Medical College in this vicinity, 
 a vote was passed " that they cannot perceive any 
 advantage to this institution to arise therefrom." 
 March 1, a safe was ordered for the use of the Super- 
 intendent at Hospital. March *29, a letter from Dr. 
 Bell, recommending open fireplaces in parts of the 
 Belknap Ward at the Asylum, was referred to the 
 Visiting Committee. May 3, Messrs. Andrews and 
 Dexter were appointed a Committee " to erect a suita- 
 ble monument to the memory of Jeremiah and Mary 
 Belknap, with full powers." Five hundred dollars 
 was placed at the disposal of Dr. Bell for the relief 
 of poor patients. Mr. Dexter reported that the new 
 wing would be ready for occupancy in the present 
 week ; and the subject of inviting the benefactors to 
 visit the Hospital was referred to the Visiting Com- 
 mittee. Such an invitation ^vas accordingly issued, 
 and large numbers availed themselves of it. May 17, 
 Dr. Bell's expenses to Washington, to attend a late 
 meeting of the Superintendents of Insane Institutions, 
 were ordered to be paid. The subject of building a 
 new kitchen, and of ventilating the (old) east wing of 
 the Hospital, was referred to the Building Committee, 
 who reported in favor of both measures ; the esti- 
 mated expense of the kitchen, as reported by Mr. 
 Dexter, being ten thousand dollars. 
 
 On June 28, a certain gate erected by the Corpora-
 
 198 JOHN Redman's bequest. 
 
 tion was declared to be with the sufferance and per- 
 mission of the devisees of Mr. Joy. John C. Dalton, 
 jiin., was elected House Apothecary in the place of 
 Dr. Holman, who had asked to be released from his 
 duties. From July 1 to July 31, there were seven 
 deaths at the Hospital, though there had been but 
 nine during the whole preceding quarter. On Aug. 
 12, Dr. Charles Bertody was chosen House Physician, 
 and Dr. Charles F. Heywood, House Surgeon, for the 
 year ensuing. Aug. 30, the wings of the dwelling- 
 house at the Asylum were ordered to be raised one 
 story ; Mr. Dexter, Dr. Bell, and Mr. Tyler bemg a 
 Committee, with full powers. Oct. 16, books were 
 ordered to be kept as a record of all out-door patients. 
 Oct. 21, an annual extra grant of five hundred dollars 
 was ordered henceforth to be made to Dr. Bell, in 
 addition to his regular salary ; he having filled his 
 office for " ten years to the high satisfaction of the 
 Trustees, and benefit of the institution." Nov. 22, this 
 act of the Board was acknowledged in a letter from 
 Dr. Bell, so gratifying to the Board that it was 
 ordered to be copied in their records. The Superin- 
 tendent of the Hospital was authorized to purchase a 
 chair on wheels for the use of the patients. Dec. 6, 
 a copy of the will of the late John Redman, making 
 this institution his residuary devisee (after certain 
 trusts which will last during the life-time of a son of 
 a feeble intellect), was laid before the Board ; and
 
 JOHN REDMAN S PROPERTY. 
 
 199 
 
 this munificent bequest of what will prove to be at 
 least one hundred thousand dollars Avas most grate- 
 fully accepted. In view of his son's situation, he had 
 intended to leave all his property to the city on cer- 
 tain trusts. He consulted the late Hon. John R. 
 Adan, who satisfied him that the practical eff"ect of 
 such a devise would merely be a very slight reduc- 
 tion of taxes of the citizens, for which no one would 
 thank him. The whole property thus bequeathed to 
 us results from the increased value of the various 
 parcels of real estate in Boston, judiciously selected 
 by Mr. Redman, and purchased as from time to time 
 he found an opportunity. On the back of his will is 
 an enumeration of these estates, the first cost of each, 
 the amount of mortgage, and their present estimated 
 value. It is a document which gives striking evi- 
 dence of the testator's sagacity and good judgment.* 
 
 * This inemorandum on Mr. Redman's will was as follows : 
 
 Chamber-street Estate 
 
 31, Washington Street 
 
 Milk Street 
 
 Chauncy Place 
 
 Wasiiington and Summer Streets t . 
 Wlieeler Estate, Washington Street 
 
 Melodeon 
 
 Essex and Washington Streets . . 
 Bacon Lot, Washington Street . . 
 
 Utica Street 
 
 Temple Street 
 
 Flats by South Bridge 
 
 South iJoston 
 
 Roxbury 
 
 Cambridgeport 
 
 Snodon Lot, Roxbury 
 
 Cost. 
 
 Value. 
 
 Difference. 
 
 $16,000 
 
 $17,000 
 
 $1,000 
 
 22,0U0 
 
 30,000 
 
 8,000 
 
 50,000 
 
 60,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 19,000 
 
 20,000 
 
 1,000 
 
 60,000 
 
 80,000 
 
 20,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 5,000 
 
 45,000 
 
 78,000 
 
 83,000 
 
 22,0U0 
 
 33,000 
 
 11,000 
 
 36,000 
 
 45,000 
 
 9,000 
 
 25,000 
 
 30,000 
 
 5,000 
 
 4,500 
 
 4,500 
 
 
 9,500 
 
 15,000 
 
 5,500 
 
 2,200 
 
 3,000 
 
 800 
 
 4,400 
 
 4,600 
 
 200 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,500 
 
 500 
 
 2,100 
 
 2,100 
 
 
 1328,700 
 
 $438,700 
 
 $110,000 
 
 t This estate was sold for $91,548.66, making a further gain of a5!l4,548.66.
 
 200 ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 Messrs. Stevenson and Stone were appointed to pre- 
 pare the annual report. 
 
 This report occupies five pfiges, and with the ac- 
 companying documents forms a pamphlet of twenty- 
 five pages. It states the income of the year, at 
 $24,415.52, and the expenses at $24,318.91 ; weekly 
 expenses of each patient at Hospital, $6.43 ; twenty- 
 two out-door patients treated during the year ; the 
 new west wing finished and occupied since July last ; 
 the erection of the new separate kitchen. It tenders 
 the thanks of the Trustees to the annual subscribers 
 for free beds ; mentions that information had been 
 received that Mr. John Redman had made this insti- 
 tution his residuary legatee ; and states that " the con- 
 dition of the M'Lean Asylum justifies its reputation." 
 Its expenses during the year have been $32,892 ; its 
 receipts, about $1,300 more than that sum.. Mr. 
 Girdler's report occupies four pages, containing vari- 
 ous interesting analyses and abstracts, showing the 
 condition of the department under his care. Dr. 
 Bell's report occupies nine pages. It contains a table 
 of admissions and results for the last ten years. It 
 closes as follows : " I cannot deprive myself of the 
 pleasure of again expressing my acknowledgments 
 for the uniformly intelligent and harmonious mode in 
 which I have been supported by all those so many 
 years associated with me in these labors."
 
 MICROSCOPE PURCHASED. 201 
 
 Dec. 20, " a letter from Dr. William T. G. Morton 
 offering to the Hospital the right to use his discovery 
 for the alleviation of pain in surgical operations Avas 
 read ; and it was voted that the offer of Dr. Morton 
 be accepted, and that the Secretary be directed to 
 return the thanks of the institution to Dr. Morton in 
 behalf of this Board." The report of Mr. Rogers 
 on the subject of a Lying-in Hospital was taken from 
 the files, and loaned to Dr. Homans for the use of 
 the Trustees of the Lying-in Hospital. It was an 
 extremely interesting and able document. Dec. 31, 
 in Hospital twenty-four males, forty-three females : 
 total, sixty-seven. Jan. 20, 1847, a communication 
 from the State Mutual Life Insurance Company, as 
 to their liability to pay part of their profits to the 
 Hospital, was referred to Messrs. Stevenson and Bow- 
 ditch. 
 
 xlt the annual meeting of the Corporation, Jan. 2T, 
 1847, the same officers were re-elected; the Board 
 of Visitors subsequently choosing J. Wiley Edmands, 
 Esq., Trustee in place of William W. Stone, who 
 declined a re-election, and was thanked for his ser- 
 vices. Feb. 14, there was not a single change in any 
 of the officers chosen or committees appointed in the 
 preceding year. Two thousand copies were ordered 
 of the annual report. Feb. 28, one of Oberhausser's 
 microscopes was ordered to be purchased for use of 
 
 26
 
 202 HOSPITAL FENCE. 
 
 Admitting Physician, at the cost of fifty dollars. A 
 grant of fifty dollars was made to Dr. Thayer, the 
 Admitting Physician, in addition to his salary for 
 the past year. March 14, the Board suggest that the 
 exception in the rules as to the admission of patients, 
 allowing the Physicians and Surgeons to send them, 
 applies only to cases of emergency, where a delay of 
 a few hours would be attended with serious con- 
 sequences. This vote was subsequently rescinded, 
 June 2. April 26, twenty-five dollars was voted 
 towards buying a wooden leg for Ann Kerr, a patient 
 in the Hospital. April 21, five hundred dollars was 
 appropriated towards aiding the poorer patients at the 
 Asylum. May 9, Messrs. Dexter and Rogers were 
 appointed a Committee respecting a new fence round 
 the Hospital-grounds, with directions to ascertain the 
 probable cost, &c. 
 
 On May 23, a case of a post-mortem examina- 
 tion, alleged to have been made contrary to the 
 wishes of friends, was discussed ; and directions were 
 given to the officer who had performed the same. 
 June 2, a special meeting was held, attended by Drs, 
 Warren and Bigelow ; and the Physicians and Sur- 
 ijeons were authorized to make reo^ulations as to 
 the treatment of out-door patients, and the dispens- 
 ing of medicines to them. June 27, the new east 
 wing being completed, the contributors and the pub-
 
 superintendent's salary increased. 203 
 
 lie were invited to visit it. The Committee on the 
 Monument to Jeremiah and Mary Belknap reported, 
 that, after consultation with the family of the de- 
 ceased, they had erected an appropriate monument. 
 Plans and estimates of a new fence were submitted 
 by the Committee on that subject. Nothing, however, 
 has yet been done : the old and unsightly fence still 
 stands. A neighbor once said to me : " Your institu- 
 tion always reminds me of a fine, likely-looking man 
 disfigured by a rusty coat and a ' shocking bad hat.' " 
 The Visiting Committee's record of July 2, 1847, 
 as made up by Messrs. Stevenson and Bowditch, has 
 the following entry : " One of our patients having 
 been discovered to have the itch. Dr. Holmes was 
 directed to discharge her as soon as it can be done 
 with safety to her, and was instructed never to permit 
 any similar admission." On July 16, the entry is 
 made : " The new east wing is now open for the 
 reception of patients." Aug. 10, Dr. Ralph K. Jones 
 and John G. Sewall were elected House Physicians ; 
 Thomas Andrews, jun., and John C. Dalton, jun., 
 House Surgeons ; John E. Hathaway, Apothecary, 
 whose salary is to be (if he is re-elected) $250 for 
 the first year, |300 for the second year, |350 for the 
 third year. Oct. 3, the salary of the Superintendent, 
 in consequence of his increased duties, and the highly 
 acceptable manner in which they were performed, was
 
 204 WILLIAM Oliver's bequest. 
 
 increased, in July 1, to fifteen hundred dollars. On 
 Oct. 15, the free beds were now fixed at eighty. 
 
 Nov. 7, the Visiting Committee reported against 
 the word " free " being added to the tickets over the 
 beds of the patients, to distinguish free from pay 
 patients. On Nov. 21, a communication from Dr. 
 Henry I. Bowditch, as to the formation of a Medical 
 Library at the Hospital, was referred to Messrs. Rogers 
 and Amory, who subsequently recommended an ap- 
 propriation of two hundred and fifty dollars for that 
 purpose. The devisees of Mr. Joy desiring to sell 
 their farm, and with a view of testing the title, the 
 Hospital agreed to buy, and a case was made for the 
 Supreme Judicial Court. Dec. 5, a communication 
 was received from the executors of the late William 
 Oliver ; and the Board expressed their gratitude for 
 his liberal bequest. Messrs. Bowditch and Edmands 
 were appointed a Committee to prepare the annual 
 report. Dec. 31, in Hospital, thirty-seven males, 
 seventy-seven females : Americans, fifty-one ; foreign- 
 ers, sixty-three. Jan. 14, 1848, Dr. Thayer presented 
 the first volume of his Index to the Medical Records, 
 and was thanked for " the very satisfactory manner in 
 which it was executed." Jan. 19, a writ served on the 
 Corporation in favor of William Sohier was referred 
 to Mr. Bowditch, with full powers. This was the 
 amicable suit to try the title of the Joy Estate. Dr.
 
 LIBERAL DONATIONS. 205 
 
 Thayer to be paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars 
 per volume for these records. 
 
 Summary. — No similar previous period of the his- 
 tory of the Hospital was in all respects more brilliant 
 and successful than that which had now closed. The 
 capacity of the Hospital had been doubled by the 
 erection of two new wings and the new kitchen. 
 The Belknap Estate in Washington Street had been 
 rebuilt. The noble public subscription of $62,550 ; 
 the ten thousand dollars' donation of Mr. Appleton ; 
 the bequests of Messrs. Waldo and Munson of forty 
 thousand and twenty thousand dollars ; and the be- 
 quests of John Parker, William Oliver, and John 
 Redman, which, being subject to life-interests, have 
 not yet been received, but which will eventually be 
 ten thousand, fifty thousand, and one hundred thou- 
 sand dollars respectively ; with several other smaller 
 but gratifying donations, — distinguish this period of 
 five years from all its predecessors. The death of one 
 faithful ofiicer (Mr. Goodwin) had led to the appoint- 
 ment of the present highly acceptable incumbent. A 
 fitting tribute of respect had been paid to the memory 
 of Jeremiah and Mary Belknap. But, above all, the 
 close of this period was signalized by the ether dis- 
 covery. The importance of this discovery induced 
 the Committee for preparing the annual report at
 
 206 MISS SARAH clough's bequest. 
 
 this time to give it their especial consideration, and 
 decides me now to devote a separate chapter to that 
 part of their report. This report is the longest ever 
 published (fifty-four pages), making, with the docu- 
 ments attached, a pamphlet of seventy-two pages. It 
 alludes in the following terms to several of the most 
 recent donations. Of John Redman's bequest it says : 
 " As the legacy of a Boston mechanic, this will ever 
 be a truly memorable instance of munificence ; while 
 its amount entitles the donor to be ranked among the 
 very first benefactors of this institution." After men- 
 tioning the suitable acknowledgment of Mr. Oliver's 
 bounty, the report proceeds : " With no less gratitude 
 have the Trustees acknowledged another legacy of an 
 especially interesting character received within this 
 period. Miss Sarah Clough (for many years a valued 
 and confidential domestic in the family of Joseph W. 
 Revere, Esq., of this city) bequeathed to this institu- 
 tion the residue of her property, the little savings of 
 her own personal labors. The amount which has 
 been paid to the Treasurer, pursuant to this bequest, 
 is $599.84. There never has been a donation, what- 
 ever its magnitude, more honorable either to the donor 
 or to the institution. These new evidences of sympa- 
 thy and approval cannot fail to stimulate us all to 
 continued and renewed exertions in the discharge 
 of the public trusts confided to us." The report
 
 STATE OF THE INSTITUTION. 207 
 
 states the whole invested property of the Hospital 
 at 1168,092.88; cost of Hospital, $249,572.38 ; and 
 of the Asylum, $246,850.98. It gives timely notice 
 that in A.D. 1916 the Province House will revert 
 to the institution. It states that the current expenses 
 of the Hospital required |20,710.25 to be paid from 
 the general funds. It describes the present condition 
 of the Hospital as follows : — 
 
 " The condition of the Hospital in Boston was never, at 
 any former period, more entirely satisfactory. The exten- 
 sive improvements which were projected a few years since, 
 and which the munificence of the public alone rendered 
 practicable, are now entirely completed. Two new wings 
 have been erected, of which the one last finished was 
 opened for the reception of patients during the past sum- 
 mer. In these wings are four wards, each about fifty feet 
 square. Upon entering one of these apartments, the visi- 
 tor sees a floor beautifully polished, walls and ceilings of 
 great simplicity and elegance, and twenty neat iron bed- 
 steads arranged around at regular intervals, with their 
 clean coverings and curtains. The ventilation is excellent, 
 and the air in these wards is generally as pure as could be 
 desired. The old wings have also been entirely remodelled, 
 chiefly for the purpose of introducing the same satistjictory 
 system of ventilation. An entirely distinct brick building, 
 of large size, has been erected, designed for all the domestic 
 operations of cooking, washing, ironing, &c. ; and contain- 
 ing excellent cellars, store-rooms, &c. The most exact and 
 particular housekeeper may well look with admiration upon 
 the various details of the very perfect arrangements of this
 
 208 GEORGE M. DEXTER's SERVICES. 
 
 building-. It is connected with the main edifice by a covered 
 passage-way ; and, by means of dumb-waiters, articles sent 
 from the kitchen are speedily distributed throughout the dif- 
 ferent wards. A new entrance has been made into the Hos- 
 pital-yard, and a new avenue laid out. Nothing is wanting, 
 except a brick wall or iron railing to enclose the grounds. 
 To this object, as being one of mere ornament, the Trustees 
 have not felt justified in applying the funds of the institution. 
 There is, however, reason to believe, that, at no very distant 
 day, the present unsightly fence may give place to one of a 
 more durable material and elegant design. 
 
 " These improvements enable us to accommodate one 
 hundred and forty-one, or, if need be, one hundred and 
 fifty patients, instead of sixty ; or, in other words, have 
 nearly trebled our means of usefulness. They have been 
 executed under the superintendence of George M. Dexter, 
 Esq., one of the Trustees, upon whose taste and skill as 
 an architect they reflect the highest credit. The expense 
 attending these measures has been very great, — much 
 greater than was at first estimated. This, indeed, is partly 
 owing to the fact that so much more has been done than 
 was originally contemplated by the Trustees ; the whole 
 institution having been, as it were, renovated. The total 
 cost has been $103,276, besides $20,000 called for, but 
 not yet paid, — making $123,276, and being double the 
 whole amount of the public subscription of 1844. Fortu- 
 nately it has not been found necessary to sell any of the 
 permanently invested stocks of the institution ; there having 
 been received from the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insur- 
 ance Company, since these improvements Avere undertaken, 
 three annual dividends of $9,000 each, and one extra divi- 
 dend of $24,000, making in all no less a sum than $51,000. 
 The result, however, has been the reduction of those funds.
 
 COST OF ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 209 
 
 the income of which was important to meet tlie increased 
 current expenses of the institution, which will henceforth 
 involve the support of twice our former number of free beds. 
 The receipts during the past year from individual subscrip- 
 tions ($3,100) and from funds, the income of which is 
 specially appropriated to this object (viz. the donation of 
 Hon. David Sears, and the legacies of the Messrs. Phillips 
 and Belknap, and of the late Misses Tucker and Brimmer), 
 were sufficient only for the maintenance of forty-one free 
 beds. To this increase of the number of free beds, the 
 Trustees feel pledged by their circular, issued in 1844, ask- 
 ing for subscriptions. Any annual deficiency which might 
 otherwise occur will, however, we trust, be obviated by the 
 aid of an increased number of annual contributors. We 
 doubt, indeed, if it is possible for any one to do more good 
 in a year Avith the sum of a himdred dollars, than by devot- 
 ing it to the maintenance of a free bed in the Hospital. 
 
 " That this enlargement of our buildings had become 
 necessary, seems proved by the fiict, that, of the eighty free 
 beds, all except three were actually occupied on the first of 
 January, 1848 ; and it should be remembered, that two are, 
 as far as possible, always reserved for cases of sudden acci- 
 dent ; such cases, by a fundamental rule of'the institution, 
 being admissible without any previous permit. 
 
 " A large amount of relief is administered to out-door 
 patients. This class has, however, of course diminished 
 since the opening of the new wings ; many of them being 
 doubtless now admitted as inmates. This increase of our 
 establishment has rendered it necessary to double the for- 
 mer number of physicians and surgeons ; the present 
 number being twelve. The labors and responsibility of 
 Capt. Girdler, the Superintendent, have also been greatly 
 increased. For this reason, and because his duties have 
 
 27
 
 210 MEDICAL RECORDS. 
 
 always been performed in a manner so uniformly acceptable 
 to all connected witli the institution, the Trustees recently 
 voted to enlarge his salary by an annual gi'ant of five hun- 
 dred dollars. The neatness, taste, vigilance, and kindness 
 of Mrs. Girdler have caused the Trustees to entertain an 
 equally high sense of the value of her services as Matron. 
 There has, indeed, been a general disposition manifested 
 on the part of all the resident officers, attendants, and 
 nurses, to treat the jiatients with that attention, tenderness, 
 and consideration which is tlieir due. Any charge of fail- 
 ure or omission in tliis respect would be sure to receive 
 from this Board the most prompt notice and the strictest 
 investigation. 
 
 "To Dr. William H. Tliayer, our Admitting Physician, 
 the Trustees are indebted for a folio volume, just com- 
 pleted, which forms a most valuable index to the hundred 
 and twenty-six volumes of medical reports of cases in the 
 Hospital. It contains, classified under the head of each 
 separate disease (260 in number), all the cases wliich have 
 been treated from 1821 to 1845, with the result of the 
 treatment, and a reference to the book and page where the 
 details of each case may be found. We trust that he will 
 proceed to render equally accessible the records of the 
 surgical department of the Hospital. 
 
 " A small sum has been appropriated for the formation of 
 a Medical Library, to consist of books of reference, for tlie 
 use of the Physicians and Surgeons ; and an annual appro- 
 priation will probably be continued for this object." 
 
 Among the documents annexed is a table, showing 
 the results of the admissions at the Hospital from its 
 establishment in 1821 ; being the first table of the
 
 m'lean asylum. 211 
 
 sort ever prepared for that department, and contain- 
 ing slight errors and discrepancies, which do not 
 aifect its general results. These errors consist in 
 the Superintendent's having omitted from the list of 
 discharges all patients not treated, though they were 
 in the list of patients received. This alone made an 
 error of twenty-seven in one year. The series of 
 numbers remaining at the end of each year was 
 also made erroneous by each number being placed 
 one year out of the way. I was at the time unable 
 to ascertain or correct these mistakes ; and therefore, 
 in preparing this report as Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee, I appended to the table in question a note 
 that it had " a few slight inaccuracies." It is be- 
 lieved, however, that the table prepared at the end of 
 this history is strictly accurate in all particulars, as 
 framed from the official reports of each year ; and 
 that its results may be depended on with entire 
 confidence. Mr. Girdler's and Dr. Bell's reports 
 occupy four and five pages respectively. The report 
 closes with the following notice of this department of 
 the institution : — 
 
 " There have been under treatment, during the year, three 
 hundred and forty-three inmates, of whom eighty-seven have 
 recovered, and thirty -three have died. The number remain- 
 ing, Dec. 31, 1847, Avas one hundred and seventy-three. 
 The whole number received from the opening of the Asylum, 
 Oct. 6, A. D. 1818, to this time, is 2,864.
 
 212 m'lean asylum. 
 
 "The M'Lean Asylum has continued, during the past 
 year, to be conducted upon those salutary principles Avhich 
 the experience of later times, in respect to treatment of 
 the insane, has introduced into this department of medical 
 science. 
 
 " The day of physical restraints and coercion has passed 
 away for ever. Kindness, amusements, opportunities of 
 exercise, and agreeable employments, are now our chief 
 remedial agents. The item of ' diversions ' has its definite 
 place in all our quarterly accounts of expenditures. The 
 natural beauties of our situation, with its extensive pros- 
 pects, — our garden, with its terraces and its pond, — the 
 bowling alleys, tlie billiard room, the dancing hall, the sew- 
 ing circle, — have solaced and done mucli to restore many 
 an inmate of our institution. As a pleasing manifestation 
 of the desire felt by its officers to afford innocent gratifica- 
 tion to those under their charge, we may mention, that (a 
 reservoir having been constructed near the summer-house, 
 and pipes laid from it) the garden has this year received the 
 additional ornament of a marble basin, tenanted with gold 
 and silver fish, and having a small but graceful jet rising 
 from its midst. The Trustees liave also been, as usual, 
 much gratified by promoting the same objects, as they had 
 opportunity, during their weekly visits. Any trifiing atten- 
 tions, which we have been enabled to pay upon such 
 occasions, have always been agreeably received and kindly 
 acknowledged. 
 
 "The Board are aware that three railroads already pass 
 very near to the enclosed grounds of the Asylum. Still 
 another has been applied for at the present session of the 
 Legislature. A Committee has been appointed to prevent, 
 if possible, by a most earnest remonstrance, a measure so 
 prejudicial to the welfare of this dcpartuient of our insti- 
 tution.
 
 SICKNESS AND DEATH OF PATIENTS. 213 
 
 " The past season has been remarkable for the prevalence 
 of dysentery throughout this vichiity, and it will long be 
 remembered with peculiar sadness by those connected with 
 the Asylum. Between July 26 and Sept. 20, no less than 
 seventy decided cases occurred among the patients, whose 
 whole number did not, within that period, exceed one hun- 
 dred and seventy : twelve of these cases terminated fiitally. 
 Of those who died, there were several who had been with 
 us for a long series of years, whose recovery was hopeless. 
 Others, on the contrary, had been with us but a short time, 
 and might, after a brief interval, have carried back joy and 
 happiness to the circles of family and friendship. jNIore 
 than one death we can recall, which must have inspired in 
 those to whom the patients were dear, feelings of the most 
 severe grief and disappointment. There were, besides, ten 
 cases of this disease among the household at the jNI'Lean 
 Asylum during tiie same period. That, of those attacked, 
 so large a proportion recovered, cannot fail to excite surprise 
 and gratitude. We doubt not that the result mav, in no in- 
 considerable degree, be attributed to the unremitting efforts 
 of the officers and attendants, whose zeal, patience, and 
 self-denial are most fully acknowledged in the report of the 
 Physician and Superintendent. Mr. Tyler, our Steward, 
 was prostrated by this disease ; and his recovery was so 
 slow, that, for some time, the Trustees were apprehensive 
 lest he should find his strength insufficient for a continu- 
 ance of those duties which he has so long and so ably 
 performed. He has the best wishes of the Board for his 
 speedy and entire restoration to health and strength. 
 
 " While oppressed by unusual official cares and anxieties. 
 Dr. Bell, our Physician and Superintendent, was called to 
 experience the bitterness of repeated domestic bereave-
 
 214 DEATH OF TWO CHILDREN OF DR. BELL. 
 
 ments. His second child,* a daughter of ten years of ag-e, 
 of a bright and sunny disposition, with rare moral and intel- 
 lectual endowments, — and another, an interesting boy, f of 
 five years of age, — within a few short weeks, fell victims, 
 the one to this epidemic, the other to consumption. To 
 the afflicted parents we present the assurance of the pro- 
 found and respectful sympathy of the Trustees. Now that 
 the loved ones of earth have been taken, may these mourn- 
 ers the better see Heaven's love ! May their grief be 
 soothed by the gentle ministry of time, — by the hallowed 
 memories of the past, the high duties of the present, and 
 the sacred hopes of the future ! " 
 
 * Mary Frances died Aug. 22. t Henry James died Oct. 3.
 
 215 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 1847-1849. 
 
 The Ether Discovert, and Controversy between Drs. Morton and 
 Jackson. — List of more than tavo dozen Pamphlets. — Extracts 
 
 FROM A few op THEM. HoSPITAL RePORT. VINDICATION OF SaME. 
 
 — Dr. Smilie's Address. — Congress Report. — The Casket and 
 Ribbon. — Award of the French Academy. — Extent to which 
 Ether is used at the Hospital. 
 
 The patience of the public has been long since 
 thoroughly wearied out by the ether controversy. 
 More than two dozen pamphlets have appeared on 
 the subject, which, collected together (as they have 
 been in the Boston Library), fill three respectably- 
 sized octavo volumes.* I have no intention to renew 
 
 * The following is a list of these pamphlets in the order of publica- 
 tion : — 
 
 1. Insensibility during Surgical Operations, produced by Inhalation. By 
 H. J. Bigelow, M.D. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Nov. 18, 
 1846. 
 
 2. The Inhalation of an Ethereal Vapor to prevent Sensibility to Pain 
 during Surgical Operations. By J. F. Flagg, M.D. Boston Medical and 
 Surgical Journal, Dec. 2, 1846. 
 
 3. Inhalation of Ethereal Vapor for the Prevention of Pain in Surgical 
 Operations. By John C. Warren, M.D., &c. &c. Boston Medical and Sur- 
 gical Journal, Dec. 9, 1846. 
 
 4. Insensibility during Surgical Operations, produced by Inhalation. By 
 H. J. Bigelow, M.D. (in reply to Dr. J. F. Flagg). Boston Medical and 
 Surgical Journal, Dec. 9, 1846. 
 
 5. Inhalation of Ether. By J. Mason Warren, M.D. Boston Medical 
 and Surgical Journal, March 24, 1847.
 
 216 ETHER PAMPHLETS. 
 
 this controversy. I shall merely make such extracts 
 from five of these pamphlets as I think appropri- 
 
 6. Circular, by W. T. G. Morton, pp. 88. Boston, March, 1847. 
 
 7. History of tlie Discovery of the Application of Nitrous Oxide Gas, 
 Ether, and other Vapors, to Surgical Operations. By Horace Wells, pp. 
 26. Hartford, March, 1847. 
 
 8. Some Account of the First Use of Sulphuric Ether by Inhalation in 
 Surgical Practice. By George Hayward, M.D. pp. 8. Boston, April, 1847. 
 
 9. Discovery by Charles T. Jackson, M.D. of the Applicability of Sul- 
 phuric Ether in Surgical Operations. By Martin Gay, M.D. pp. 48. Bos- 
 ton, June, 1847. 
 
 10. A Review of Dr. M. Gay's Statement of Dr. C. T. Jackson's Claims 
 to the Discovery, &c. &c. By J. B. S. Jackson, M.D. Boston .Medical 
 and Surgical Journal, June 30, 1847. 
 
 11. Some Account of the Letheon ; or. Who is the Discoverer? By Ed- 
 ward Warren, pp. 88. Boston, August, 1847. 
 
 12. Memoire sur la Decouverte du Nouvel Emploi de I'Ether Sulfurique 
 par W. T. G. Morton, de Boston, Etats Unis; suivi des Pieces Justificatives. 
 pp. 60. Paris, 1847. 
 
 13. Report of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts General 
 Hospital, presented to the Corporation at their Annual Meeting, Jan. 26, 
 1848. 
 
 14. Account of a New Anajsthetic Agent as a Substitute for Sulphuric 
 Ether in Surgery and Midwifery. By J. Y. Simpson, M.D., F. R. S. E., &c. 
 pp. 24. Reprinted, New York, January, 1848. 
 
 15. Reprint of the Report of the Trustees of Massachusetts General 
 Hospital, with a History of the Ether Discovery, and Dr. Morton's Memoir 
 to tiie French Academy. Edited by R. H. Dana, jun. pp. 48. Boston, 
 March, 1848. 
 
 16. Rapport des Adniinistrateurs de I'Hopital Ge'ne'ral de Massachusetts, 
 .suivi de I'Histoire de la Decouverte de I'Ether, &c. &c. R. H. Dana, jun., 
 e'diteur. pp. 144. Cambridge, 1848. 
 
 17. A Defence of Dr. Cliarles T. Jackson's Claims to the Discover}' of 
 Etlierization ; containing Testimony disproving the Claims set up in Favor 
 of Mr. W. T. G. Morton in the Report of the Trustees of the Massachusetts 
 Hospital, and in No. 201 of Littell's Living Age. By Joseph L. and Henry 
 C. Lord. pp. 37. Boston, June, 1848. 
 
 18. The Ether Controversy : Vindication of the Hospital Report of 1848. 
 By N. I. Bowditch. pp. 32. Boston, July, 1848. 
 
 19. Reports of the First E.xhibition of the Worcester County Mechanics' 
 Association at Worcester, September, 1848. jip. 74.
 
 ETHER DISCOVERY. 217 
 
 ate to the present publication, viz. " The Hospital 
 Report," and its " Vindication ; " " Dr. Smilie's Ad- 
 dress ;" " The Congressional Report; " and an article 
 in " The American Journal of Dental Surgery," since 
 separately printed under the title of "• The Casket arid 
 the Ribbon," which is the latest of the series, and 
 reviews the Congressional Report and the Minority 
 Report, presented by two members of the same Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 20. Ether and Chloroform ; their Discovery and Physiological Effects, 
 &c. By H. J. Bigelow, M.D. pp. 45. Boston, November, 1848. 
 
 21. Memorial addressed to the Trustees of the Massachusetts General 
 Hospital, in Behalf of C. T. Jackson, M.D., hy his Attorneys, J. L. and H. 
 C. Lord. pp. 27. Boston, December, 1848. 
 
 22. Report of the Select Committee of the Congress of the United States, 
 to whom was referred the Memorial of William T. G. Morton, asking Com- 
 pensation from Congress for the Discovery of the Pain-subduing Property of 
 Sulphuric Ether, pp. 46. Washington, D.C., Feb. 23, 1849. 
 
 23. Minority Report of the same Committee, pp. 'JO. Washington, D.C., 
 Feb. 28, 1849. 
 
 24. Rapport du Comitc du Senat et de la Chambre des Representants 
 des Etats Unis d'Amerique, auquel on refe'ra le Me'moire de William T. G. 
 Morton, demandant une Compensation, &c. &c. pp. 35. Le 23 Fevrier, 
 1849. 
 
 25. The Casket and the Ribbon ; or, the Honors of Ether, pp. 26. Bal- 
 timore, 1849. 
 
 The Volumes of tJie Boston Medical and Surgical Journal from August, 
 1846, to August, 1849, inclusive, contain communications on " Letheon." 
 To these I add — 
 
 26. An Address delivered before the Castleton Medical College, on the 
 History of the Original Application of Anjesthetic Agents, May 17, 1848. 
 By E. R. Smilie, M.D. 
 
 28
 
 218 HOSPITAL REPORT. 
 
 I. THE HOSPITAL EEPORT OF JANUARY, 1848. 
 
 This Report was republished in Hays's " Medical 
 Journal." It also reappears (in connection with an 
 article of R. H. Dana, jun.) in Littell's " Living Age." 
 Dr. Morton caused it to be translated into French, and 
 laid before the Academy of Sciences at Paris. After 
 stating the donations, &c., which had been made to 
 the institution, this Report proceeds as follows : — 
 
 It is hoped, that, Avith these various "means and appli- 
 ances" at command, the institution has hitherto accom- 
 pHshed, and will ever continue to accomplish, the designs of 
 its founders and benefactors. In one striking instance it 
 certainly has not been found wanting. The past year has 
 tested the unspeakable importance of the recent discovery 
 of the properties of sulji/ncric ether ; no less than one hun- 
 dred and thirty-two operations, many of them of much 
 severity, having been already performed with entire success 
 on patients who had been rendered insensible through its 
 benign influence. By overcoming all muscular and nervous 
 resistance, it has extended the domain of surgery ; making 
 Operations possible which could not have been performed, 
 and which would not have been attempted, without its 
 aid; and, by the removal of the fear of pain, it has greatly 
 increased the actual number of operations. It has already 
 become an established remedy throughout all the chief 
 cities of Europe, and its benefits have reached even the 
 distant natives of Singapore and of Canton.
 
 HOSriTAL REPORT. 219 
 
 With just pride, tlierefore, the Trustees would now 
 record the fact, tliat witlihi the walls of this building were 
 witnessed tlie first painless capital operations that were 
 ever performed. The world at large, indeed, is in no small 
 degree indebted to the Medical and Surgical Officers of this 
 institution. But for their immediate appreciation of the 
 importance of this discovery, and their considerate, but, at 
 the same time, zealous and prompt co-operation with Dr. 
 Morton, in availing themselves of its use, its application 
 might have been restricted to the comparatively unimpor- 
 tant operations of the dentist. Who can say what might 
 have been the result, had his overtures been received with 
 excessive caution? An answer may perhaps be found in 
 the fact, that it is only within a few weeks, '^f at all, that 
 the use of sulphuric ether has been introduced into our 
 sister institution in Pennsylvania. This appears by " the 
 Annual Report on Surgery, read before the College of Phy- 
 sicians, Nov. 2, 1847, by Isaac Parish, M. D.," where it is 
 said : '^^ A.t the Pennsyhania Hospital in this citi/, it has not 
 been tried (it all; being considered by the judicious surgeons 
 of that institution as a remedy of doubtful safety, or, at least, 
 as not sufficiently established to warrant them in its employ- 
 ment." And yet, in the same report, we find the following 
 sentence : " But, when we extend our vision to foreign coun- 
 tries, and call to mind that during the past nine months it 
 has been adopted in most of the large hospitals of Great 
 Britain, in the vast hospitals of Paris, and for the last six 
 months in the numerous institutions of like character in 
 Germany, including the immense hospitals at Vienna and 
 Berlin, we can form some idea of the extent to which it has 
 been carried, and of the firm hold which this great American 
 discovery has taken of the mind of the scientific world." 
 
 The first operators who applied it were Drs. John C.
 
 220 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Warren and George Hay ward, Surgeons of this Hospital. 
 The enthusiasm of one of their colleagues, who had been 
 especially earnest in urging the performance of these opera- 
 tions, led him to become the first champion of ether in this 
 country, by a publication of much merit, and also to trans- 
 mit the earliest account of the discovery to England, where 
 it was at once hailed with rapturous exultation. And an- 
 other, a favorite alike of Science and the Muses, has thus 
 vividly described its beneficent effects : " The knife is 
 searching for disease, — the pulleys are dragging back 
 dislocated limbs, — nature herself is working out the pri- 
 mal curse, which doomed the tenderest of her creatures to 
 the sharpest of her trials ; but the fierce extremity of suf- 
 fering has been steeped in the waters of forgetfulness, and 
 the deepest furrow in the knotted brow of agony has been 
 smoothed for ever." Even the grave and dispassionate Dr. 
 Warren himself (in a yet unpublished work, which he kindly 
 communicated to the Committee, and which embodies the 
 matured results of his own experience upon this subject) 
 indulges in equally graphic language : " Who could have 
 imaofined, that drawino- the knife over the delicate skin of 
 the ftice might produce a sensation of unmixed delight ! — 
 that the turnino; and twistin"' of instruments in the most 
 sensitive bladder might be accompanied by a beautiful 
 dream ! " 
 
 Professor Simpson, of Edinburgh, has discovered that a 
 new agent (chloroform) possesses the same powers as sul- 
 phuric ether, and, as lie thinks, many and great advantages 
 over it. The universal law of intellect is progress. But, 
 though others may erect the superstructure, the corner-stone 
 of the building will preserve an imperishable record of its 
 founder. The name of Fulton will never be forgotten. 
 Yet how vast is the difference between the first humble
 
 HOSPITAL RErORT. 221 
 
 steamboat that slowly toiled up the Hudson, and those 
 majestic structures which now defy the storms of the At- 
 lantic ! 
 
 As philanthropists, we may well rejoice that we have had 
 any agency, however slight, in conferring on poor, suffering 
 humanity, so precious a gift. Unrestrained and free as 
 God's own sunshine, it has gone forth to cheer and gladden 
 the earth. It will awaken the gratitude of the present and 
 of all cominiT o-enei'ations. The student who, from distant 
 lands or in distant ages, may visit this spot, will view it 
 with increased interest, as he remembers that here was first 
 demonstrated one of the most glorious truths of science. 
 
 Pursuant to an informal suggestion of the Board, who 
 regard this discovery as the most important event which 
 has occurred in the history of this institution, the Com- 
 mittee proceed to make a more extended investigation, 
 in respect to its origin, than would otherwise have been 
 thought necessary. 
 
 A recent publication by Dr. George Hayward, entitled 
 " Some Account of the First Use of Sulphuric Ether by 
 Inhalation in Surgical Practice," gives a clear and simple 
 history of this discovery, and of all its attending circum- 
 stances, as connected with the Hospital. It is interesting to 
 trace the earlier successive steps by which the grand result 
 was at last obtained. These are, to a considerable extent, 
 recapitulated in the British and Foreign Review of April 
 last. It is tliere stated, that, as early as 1779, " we find 
 many experiments on men and animals on the inspiration 
 of different kinds of airs." — "Dr. Beddoes, in his work on 
 Factitious Airs, published at Bristol in 1795-G," "gives 
 several communications from Dr. Pearson on the inlialation 
 of ether," also " a letter from one of Dr. Thornton's patients, 
 in which the patient himself gives an account of the inha-
 
 222 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 lation of ether, by Dr. Thornton's advice, and Its effects in a 
 case of pectoral catarrh. He says, 'It gave almost imme- 
 diate relief both to the oppression and pain in the chest. 
 On a second trial, he says he inhaled two tea-spoonfuls of 
 ether, which, he adds, ' gave immediate relief as before, and 
 I very soon after fell asleep, and had a good night's rest.'" — 
 "Another curious case is given by Dr. Thornton, in which 
 inhalation was prescribed for the relief of a very 'painfal 
 inflanwiatory afection of the mdmnia, and with very ben- 
 eficial effect." The Reviewer says, " At this time and 
 sul)sequently. Dr. Thornton was in the common habit of 
 administering the vapor of etlier to his patients." — "In all 
 these trials, no one had distinctly in view the removal or 
 abolition of pain, tliough this was attained, indirectly, in 
 Dr. Thornton's case. But Sir Hiniiphrey Davy, who it is 
 well known first began his chemical career by assisting Dr. 
 Beddoes," " seems not only to have contemplated such a 
 result by means of medicamentous inhalation, but to have 
 actually put it to the test of experiment on himself. Tiie 
 medium of his experiment, however, was not ether, but the 
 nitrous oxide. Sir Humphrey tells us, tliat on two occa- 
 sions the inhalation of the nitrous oxide removed headache. 
 He also tried its effect in removing intense ^physical pain, 
 while he was cutting a wisdom-tooth." — "He says: '^ As 
 ii'drous oxide, in its extensive operation, appears capable of 
 destroijijif/ physical pain, it may probably be used with ad- 
 vantage during surgical operations in -which no great effusion 
 of blood takes place.' " — " In the article " Ether,' in the 
 Diet, des Sc. Med., vol. xiii., published in 1815, we find 
 the author, Nysten, speaking of the inhalation of ether as 
 familiarly known, and as employed for the relief of some 
 pulmonary diseases, and also for mitigating the pain of 
 colic.'" To an eminent medical friend the Committee are
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 223 
 
 indebted for the fact, tliat in Pereira's Materia Medica, 
 published in London in 1839, it is expressly stated that 
 " the vapor of ether _ is inhaled in spasmodic asthma, 
 chronic catarrh, and dyspnoea, hooping-cough, and to relieve 
 the effects catised hy the accidental inhalation of cldorine 
 gas." Dr. Charles T. «Tackson, of this city (as we learn 
 from a pamphlet published in 1847, under his own sanction 
 and authority, entitled, "Discovery by Charles T. Jackson, 
 M. D., of the Applicability of Sulphuric Ether in Surgical 
 Operations; by Martin Gay, M.D."), has distinctly ad- 
 mitted that he " was early impressed with the remarks of 
 Davy * concerning the remedial agency of gaseous matters." f 
 As a learned chemist, he was also doubtless familiar with the 
 publication last referred to. Accordingly, two or three years 
 after its appearance, or in the winter of 1841-2, " he inhaled 
 sulphuric ether, to obtain relief from the very unpleasant sen- 
 sations caused by an accidental inhalation of chlorine gas." In 
 other words, having accidentally inhaled chlorine gas, he re- 
 sorted to the prescribed remedy. " He at first breathed the 
 ether without producing unconsciousness, but derived from it 
 some relief. Afterwards, still suffering from the chlorine, 
 he continued the experiment to such an extent as to produce 
 complete general insensibility." Subsequently, under pre- 
 cisely the same circumstances, he also prescribed it to one of 
 his students. He had, as he states, on one previous occasion, 
 also about A.D. 1841, inhaled it with safety to the extent of 
 producing "a peculiar sleep or unconsciousness." — "J3efore 
 his observations, a state of complete insensihilitij from this 
 
 * Dr. Jackson, in a letter published Avith Dr. Gay's pamphlet, saj's : 
 " My interest in the respiration of gases was first excited by Sir H. Davy's 
 experiments ; and, since I became accxuainted with them, tlie subject has 
 always seemed to me to deserve further investigation." 
 
 t Daily Advertiser of March 1, 1847.
 
 224 ETHER DISCOYERY. 
 
 cause loas considered by the best autJiorities as one of 
 greater or less danger; and it had been known to jjivduce 
 fatal 7'esults. Young persons had breathed this vapor to 
 the extent of producing unconsciousness , and in some cases 
 without injury.'' 
 
 Dr. Jackson, then, had not discovered any new power or 
 property of ether. It ivas Jcnoivn that it could produce 
 insensibility ; and that that insensibility , though sometimes 
 fatal, was sometimes tmattended with injury. It was also 
 known as a specific against the noxious effects of chlorine 
 gas. lie had merely tested these known propositions, and 
 found them true in his own person. By so doing he had 
 formed, as he states, a strong opinion, that pure, rectified, 
 sulphuric ether could be inhaled with safety. But its efficacy 
 for the prevention of pain he had, thus far, only verified by 
 actual experiment in the case specified, in the text-books, viz. 
 where chlorine gas had been jDreviously inhaled. This ex- 
 periment is stated in Dr. Gay's pamphlet with great particu- 
 larity, as if it had been one before unhnown. The motives 
 which led to it, and the philosophical inferences deduced by 
 Dr. Jackson, are set forth with much minuteness. It seems, 
 indeed, to be relied on as the very foundation of Dr. Jack- 
 son's claim, as the discoverer of the safety and efficacy of 
 sulphuric ether. It still obviously remained to be proved, 
 that it could be safely and effectually inhaled for the preven- 
 tion of pain under other circumstances.* To establish this 
 point. Dr. Jackson never attempted an experiment on man or 
 animal. It is true that " he communicated to several per- 
 sons (and, among others, to Mr. Bemis, an eminent dentist, 
 in 1842) his observations and conclusions respecting the pre- 
 
 * Y>T. Gay says himself, " It still remained to be ascertained whether this 
 \inconsciousness was so perfect, tliat, durinj^ its continuance, no pain would 
 be produced by wounding instruments." — Pamphlet, p. 10.
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 225 
 
 vention of pain in surgical operations ; " and, in February, 
 1846, he informed a student in his laboratory (Mr. Joseph 
 Peabody), who wished to have two teeth extracted, "that 
 insensibility would be produced by the inhalation of sulphuric 
 ether-vapor. He advised him to breathe it, and to submit 
 to the operation while in the sleep induced thereby." But 
 what effect did his advice have on Mr. Peabody ? " He at 
 last gave up the experiment, because his father, a scientific 
 man, feared irritation of the lungs might ensue, — be- 
 cause the best authorities on the subject were arrayed 
 against the opiriion of Dr. Jackson, — and because he was 
 unwilling to incur any risk for so slight an operation." And 
 such was really the general state of public opinion among 
 men of science down to that time.* The discovery loas yet 
 to be made by one who was willing to try the experiment, 
 notwithstanding the best authorities on the subject were 
 against it. 
 
 Further, it does not appear, that, from 1841-2 to 1846, 
 Dr. Jackson suggested its use, except for the slighter and 
 instantaneous operations of the dentist. Familiar, as he con- 
 fesses himself to have been, with the views of Sir H. Davy, 
 who had so lonsf before sug^ojested the use of the nitrous 
 oxide in operations attended loith little effusion of blood, it 
 was very natural that Dr. Jackson's thoughts should have 
 been exclusively turned to the use of sulphuric ether in the 
 class of minor operations which had been thus specified by so 
 distinguished a philosopher. It would seem, indeed, clear 
 that he had not the remotest conception of its universal 
 applicability and importance. Such, indeed, is the only 
 satisfactory explanation of the fact, that, during an interval 
 of nearly five years, he never once tested his discovery, or 
 
 * See Mr. Metcalf 's letter to the Committee, p. 228. 
 29
 
 226 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 caused it to be tested, by a single experiment. Upon this 
 point, indeed, the advocate of Dr. Jackson says : " It was 
 more than a quarter of a century after Jenner first heard the 
 milkmaid express her belief in the protective influence of 
 cow-pox, that he vaccinated his first patient ; " but, he adds, 
 " during which period he was much engaged in the investiga- 
 tion of the subject.''^ But ether seems to have received only a 
 casual and incidental attention from Dr. Jackson. To make 
 the cases at all parallel, it must be shown, that Jenner, after 
 vaccinating his first patient, waited five years before vacci- 
 nating another, with a like apparent unconsciousness of the 
 importance of his discovery. Indeed, these two discoveries 
 are of so totally opposite a character, that they suggest a 
 striking contrast, instead of a parallel. In the one case, the 
 truth could be ascertained only by repeated experiments and 
 patient investigation. It had to fight its way against the 
 inveterate prejudices of the world. In the other case, it is 
 fully and for ever demonstrated by the first successful capital 
 operation ; and it is at once hailed, as it were, with delight 
 by all mankind. 
 
 Within this period. Dr. Horace Wells, of Hartford, used 
 the nitrous oxide while engaged in extracting: teeth. His 
 claim, as a discoverer in this matter, must yield entirely to 
 that of Sir H. Davy, who, after actual experiments, had, as 
 it were, distinctly suggested the use of this very agent for 
 this object so many years before. There are, doubtless, 
 reasons founded in the nature of this agent, which have pre- 
 vented these suggestions of Davy, in regard to it, from hav- 
 ing been long since realized. And, whatever may have been 
 the result of Dr. Wells's experiments elsewhere, it is certain 
 that his public performance of them in Boston in 1844 was 
 an entire failure. It is also stated by Dr. Wells, that, as 
 early as November, 1844, "a surgical operation was per-
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 227 
 
 formed at Dr. Marcy's office under the influence of sulphuric 
 ether ; " and he adds, " The doctor then advised me by all 
 means to continue the use of the nitrous oxide." And it 
 seems that the result of this one experiment was such, that, 
 pursuant to this advice, he abandoned the idea of the further 
 use of ether. His claim, therefore, to the discovery in ques- 
 tion appears in this view also to be equally unfounded. We 
 cannot but believe, that it has been without due consideration 
 that his claim has received the official sanction of his native 
 State of Connecticut. Indeed, a published letter from Dr. 
 Wells to Dr. Morton seems necessarily to exclude the idea, 
 that he himself claimed to have made any such prior dis- 
 covery.* All must, however, accord to him the honor of 
 having been an earnest and persevering seeker after truth in 
 this very path of inquiry ; and his labors and experiments 
 may, we think, fairly be considered as having had some in- 
 direct influence, though not themselves attended with direct 
 success. 
 
 Dr. William T. G. Morton, of this city, must now be 
 mentioned. He had been a student of Dr. Jackson's, and 
 formerly a partner of Dr. Wells. He, therefore, occasion- 
 ally availed himself of the advice of the former ; and he was 
 aware of, and (upon the public occasion in Boston before 
 referred to) had taken part in, the experiments of the latter 
 
 * The letter referred to is as follows : — 
 
 " Hartford, Conn., Oct. 20, 1846. 
 
 " Dr. Morton, — Dear Sir, Your letter, dated yesterday, is just received ; 
 and I hasten to answer it, for fear you will adopt a method in disposing of 
 your rights which will defeat your object. Before you make any arrange- 
 ments whatever, I wish to see you. I think I will be in Boston the first of 
 next week, probably Monday night. If the operation of administering the gas 
 is not attended with too much trouble, and will produce the effect you state, it 
 will undoubtedly be a fortune to you, provided it is rightly managed, 
 
 " Yours in haste, H. Wells."
 
 228 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 in the use of nitrous oxide. It does not appear that Dr. 
 Wells had ever mentioned in Boston his one experiment 
 with sulphuric ether. There is evidence, entirely satisfactory, 
 that Dr. Morton's attention had been for some time engaged 
 upon the subject ; that he had purchased and experimented 
 upon sulphuric ether ; that, as early as July, 1846, a highly 
 intelligent chemist of this city had a conversation with him 
 upon its medicinal qualities ; * and that, at this very time, he 
 
 * Mr. Theodore Metcalf, in a note to Dr. Morton, dated Dec. 20, 1847, 
 says : " I can only state that I remember to have met you at Mr. Bur- 
 nett's store early in the summer of 1846, and to have had a conversation 
 witli you in regard to the medicinal qualities of sulphuric ether, a quantity of 
 wliich you were then purchasing. I cannot, as you desire, give the precise 
 date, but know it to have been previous to July 6, as I left Boston on that 
 day for a tour, from which I have but a few weeks returned." Mr. Metcalf 
 also, subsequently, sent the following letter, before referred to in p. 225 : — 
 
 " Boston, Jan. 26, 1848. 
 
 " Sir, — In answer to your inquiry respecting the nature of my interview 
 with Mr. Morton, I can only add to my note of Dec. 20, that the conversa- 
 tion was commenced by some inquiry on his part, concerning the nature and 
 effects of sulphuric ether, a vial of which he then held in his hand. 
 
 " In answer to his several questions, I gave him such information as he 
 could have obtained from any intelligent apothecary at that time, and also 
 related to him some personal experience as to its use as a substitute for the 
 nitrous oxide ; adding the then generally received opinion, that its excessive 
 inhalation would produce dangerous, if not fatal consequences. Some refer- 
 ence was made — but whether by Mr. Morton or myself, I cannot remember 
 — to the unsuccessful experiments of his former partner, Mr. Wells, with 
 the nitrous oxide. It was one of those casual conversations which quickly 
 pass from the mind ; and it was for the first time recalled to my memory, 
 upon seeing, months after, in a French journal, an account of the anses- 
 thetic effects of etiier, the discovery of which was ascribed by the writer to 
 a Boston dentist. 
 
 " I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 " N. I. Bowditch, Esq." " Theodore Metcalf. 
 
 Mr. Metcalf is the well-knoAvn predecessor of Mr. Burnett, and, as an 
 apothecary, has long possessed, in the highest degree, the confidence and 
 respect of the medical profession ; and there is no one in the community
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 229 
 
 made an arrangement in business, the express object of which 
 was to relieve himself from the immediate duties of his pro- 
 fession, in order to devote himself to soinething which would 
 make an entire revolution in dentistry. But we do not think 
 it at all material to go into the minute details of this evi- 
 dence. Skilful in his particular department, he makes no 
 pretensions to general science. Seeking for this discovery, 
 — accquainted with this very agent, — he calls upon Dr. 
 
 whose personal character would give higher authority to any statement of 
 facts distinctly and positively made. It is therefore certain, that Dr. Morton, 
 months before his interview with Dr. Jackson, purchased sulphuric ether at the 
 very shop where Dr. Jackson at last advised him to buy some more (pure 
 and rectified), with wliich the successful experiment was made. And it 
 may be remai-ked, tiiat the details of the conversation, given by Mr. Met- 
 calf, seem conclusively to show witli what intent Dr. Morton was then 
 making his purchase. 
 
 The Committee may claim the entire credit of obtaining this most impor- 
 tant testimony. Mr. Metcalf, having been absent in Eui'ope, had never 
 been applied to by Dr. Morton, who called upon him only at the express 
 suggestion of the Committee. Besides its direct bearing in the case, it 
 confirms the statement of Dr. Hayden, who had previously testified to the 
 purchase of a small quantity of sulphuric ether at Mr. Burnett's ; and not 
 only so, but it seems to prove that Dr. Hayden could not have any motive 
 for misrepresenting the contents of the demijohn, since the point at issue 
 was Dr. Morton's entire ignorance of sulphuric etlier, not his greater or less 
 knowledge of that agent. Dr. Gay, from the omission in the published affi- 
 davits of Dr. Morton to state the kind of ether used in his experiments, 
 infers his total ignorance of sulphuric ether, down to Sept. 30, 1846. In- 
 deed, Dr. Jackson stated to one of the Committee, that, when Dr. Mor- 
 ton had his interview with him on Sept. 30, 1846, he (Dr. Morton) had 
 never seen sulphuric ether — did not even know it by sight — was wholly 
 ignorant about its nature and qualities — and got from him, for the first time, 
 the idea of using it. To the suggestion that this ignorance was feigned, he 
 replied that he knew it to be real ; and remarked, " The Committee may 
 consider it as a certain fact in the case. It can be proved beyond all reason- 
 able doubt whatever." The Committee, being aware of Mr. Metcalf 's 
 statement, suggested that an unimpeachable witness had stated, tliat, three 
 montlis before that interview, Dr. Morton had bought sulphuric ether, and 
 conversed with him respecting its medicinal qualities. Dr. Jackson replied
 
 230 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Jackson ; wishing, without betraying his own motives and 
 objects, to obtain all the information which Dr. Jackson's 
 extensive researches and experience might enable him to fur- 
 nish. Dr. Jackson, at this interview, voluntarily gives him 
 the strongest assurances of the expediency and safety of 
 using pure rectified sulphuric ether ; informs him where he 
 can get some of a good quality ; * and advises him, as he 
 had more than once advised others, to try the experiment.! 
 Unlike others. Dr. Morton determines to do so. He does 
 
 that it could not be, — that it must be an entire mistake, &c. The Com- 
 mittee learned, two days afterwards, from Mr. Metcalf, that he had himself 
 previously informed Dr. Jackson of the fact, that, before he went to Europe, 
 he had seen Dr. Morton buying sulphuric ether, and conversed with him 
 about its qualities. He had not, indeed, stated to Dr. Jackson the precise 
 time when this interview took place ; but the Committee think that this 
 circumstance affords evidence that Dr. Jackson's conclusions in this case 
 have been formed without a careful and deliberate consideration of the facts, 
 even when brought directly ivithin his notice. 
 
 * Viz. at Mr. Burnett's shop, where Dr. Morton had himself purchased 
 sulphuric ether three months before. 
 
 t In a memorial dated July 31, 18i7, transmitted by Dr. Morton to the 
 French Academy, and, as he informs the Committee, subsequently pre- 
 sented by Arago to that body, we find, accordingly, the following paragraph : 
 " I am ready to acknowledge my indebtedness to men and to books for all 
 my information upon this subject. I have got here a little, and there a little. 
 I learned from Dr. Jackson, in 18i4, the effect of ether directly applied to a 
 sensitive tooth, and proved by experiment that it would gradually render 
 the nerve insensible. I learned from Dr. Jackson, also in 1844, the effect of 
 etlier when inhaled by students at college, which was corroborated by 
 Spear's account, and by what I read. I knew of Dr. Wells's attempt to 
 apply nitrous oxide gas for destroying pain under surgical operations. I 
 had great motive to destroy or alleviate pain under my operations, and 
 endeavored to produce such a result by means of inhaling ether ; inferring 
 that, if it would render a nerve insensible when directly applied, it miglit, 
 when inhaled, destroy or greatly alleviate sensibility to pain generally. 
 Had the ether that I tried on the 5th of August been pure, I should have 
 made the demonstration then. I further acknowledge, that I was subse- 
 quently indebted to Dr. Jackson for valuable information as to the kinds 
 and preparations of etlier, and for the recommendation of the highly rectified,
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 231 
 
 not yield to any doubt, from the opposite array of au- 
 thorities. He is willing to take the risk. Accordingly, on 
 Sept. 30, 1846, — after having, as he states, first inhaled it 
 himself, — he finds a patient who consents to permit him to 
 use it, and extracts a tooth without pain. It was, of course, 
 at first still uncertain whether the insensibility so satisfac- 
 torily obtained during this brief operation would continue 
 through a more prolonged one. Dr. Morton, on the next 
 day, calls on Dr. Jackson, and informs him of his success ; 
 and the latter states that he advised Dr. Morton to oret the 
 surgeons of the Hospital to permit its use.* He does not 
 himself, however, see any of these officers. He is not him- 
 
 from Burnett's, as the most safe and efficient. But my obligation to him 
 hath this extent, no furtlier." 
 
 In this memorial, we find also the following paragraph : " I went to Dr. 
 Jackson, therefore, to procure a gas bag, also with the intention of ascertain- 
 ing something more accurately as to the diflerent preparations of ether, if I 
 should find I could do so without setting him upon the same track of exper- 
 iment with myself. I am aware, that by this admission 1 may show myself 
 not to have been possessed by the most disinterested spirit of philosophic 
 enthusiasm, clear of all regard for personal rights or benefits ; but it is 
 enough for me to say, that I felt I had made sacrifices and run risks for this 
 object ; that I believed myself to be close upon it, yet where another, with 
 better opportunities for experimenting, availing himself of my hints and 
 labors, might take the prize from my grasp." 
 
 The Committee deem it a very important consideration, in respect to this 
 interview, that the information in question was elicited by the visit of Dr. 
 Morton to Dr. Jackson for a specific purpose, viz. to obtain the means of 
 persuading a patient to submit to an operation, under the idea that it would 
 be unattended with pain ; and that it was not disclosed in an interview 
 sought by Dr. Jackson to make trial of it for his satisfaction, or to accom- 
 plish his purposes. 
 
 * Dr. G. G. Hayden, however, in his affidavit, states that, "on the 
 evening of the 30th of September, after the first experiment had been made 
 with success. Dr. Morton spoke about going to the Hospital, and using the 
 ether there, and thus bringing out the new discovery ; " while a witness of 
 Dr. Jackson's testifies, tliat " Dr. Morton strongly objected at first to going 
 to the Hospital." He certainly showed no such reluctance at last.
 
 232 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 self present at any of the early operations.* He fears that 
 Dr. Morton may recklessly do some great mischief. He 
 refuses to give him a written certificate of the safety of the 
 application of ether. He openly and strongly expresses his 
 regret that he had ever communicated to Dr. Morton any 
 information upon the subject. f Certainly, then, with respect 
 to all these subsequent experiments, Dr. Jackson is free from 
 the least responsibility ; and this alike, whether he doubted 
 the safety of the application of ether, or only, as it would 
 seem, the competency of Dr. Morton to administer it safely. 
 In either case, the risk was wholly confined to Dr. Morton 
 and the surgeons of this Hospital.^ Dr. Morton thus follows 
 up his first success ; and the great truth is at last made 
 manifest, for which so many a prayer had been breathed in 
 vain ever since man had lived and suffered. Il is demon- 
 strated that ether may he applied with safety, so as to 'pro- 
 duce insensibility during all surgical ajjerations. 
 
 * Dr. Jackson was absent from the city when the third operation was per- 
 formed at the Hospital, and remained absent twelve days ; but, besides this 
 expected absence, lie iiad assigned another reason for declining to assist at 
 that operation. 
 
 t More than one witness distinctly remembers, that the expression, " I 
 don't care what he does with it, if he does not drag my name in with it," 
 and others of similar import, were used by Dr. Jackson in relation to Dr. 
 ISIorton's early experiments in confirmation and establisinnent of this dis- 
 covery. And one of Dr. Jackson's own witnesses, George O. Barnes, in an 
 affidavit published in Dr. Gay's pamphlet, says expressly : "In fact, he (Dr. 
 Jackson) was sorry that he had communicated his discovery to Morton, 
 and that he had employed him to make those early experiments with the 
 ether. He spoke strongly upon those points." 
 
 X These were then, as now, Drs. John C. Warren, George Hayward, 
 Solomon D. Townsend, Henry J. Bigelow, Samuel Parkman, and J. Mason 
 Warren. Dr. Gay argues that Dr. Morton did not, and from his ignorance 
 cordd not, run any risk in following the directions originally given by Dr. 
 Jackson. That argument is certainly inapplicable to these subsequent exper- 
 iments.
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 233 
 
 Upon the whole, then, it seems clear that to Dr. Morton 
 the world is indebted for this discovery ; and that, but for 
 Dr. Jackson's scientific knowledge and sound advice, Dr. 
 Morton would not- have made it at that precise time, and 
 might have foiled to do so at any time. The one, having a 
 strong conviction of the safety of the agent, has the credit of 
 giving the best possible advice : the other, by nature deter- 
 mined and feai'less, makes the first actual application. 
 Between the discoverer and his adviser, there will henceforth 
 ever be an indissoluble, however reluctant, copartnership. 
 In accordance with these general views are the published 
 statements of two of our own oflficers. One of them. Dr. 
 Hay ward, says : " It is understood, that Dr. C. T. Jackson, 
 well known by his great attainments in geology and chem- 
 istry, first suggested the use of ether; but to Dr. Morton, I 
 think, must be awarded the credit of being the first who 
 demonstrated, by actual experiment on the human subject, 
 the existence of this wonderful property." The other, Dr. 
 Jacob Bigelow, President of the American Academy of Arts 
 and Sciences, in an article published in the jNIedical and Sur- 
 gical Journal of July 7, 1847, says: "In the case of Dr. 
 Jackson, if he did make the discovery in 1842, as asserted, 
 or even later, he stands accountable for the mass of human 
 misery which he has permitted his fellow-creatures to undergo, 
 from the time when he made his discovery to the time when 
 Dr. Morton made his. In charity, we prefer to believe, 
 that, up to the latter period, he hnd no definite notion of the 
 real power of ether in surgery, having seen no case of its 
 application in that science. The first made partial experi- 
 ments, and recommended, but did not make, decisive ones. 
 The last took the risk and labor necessary to- demonstrate or 
 disprove its efficacy, and, above all, the safety of the pro- 
 cess, which, until his time, had been believed to be elangerous 
 
 80
 
 234 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 to life, on various good authorities, from Dr. Christison to 
 Mr. Peabody. 
 
 In view alike of the simplicity of the agent employed, the 
 magnitude of the results attained, and the near approaches 
 so repeatedly made to this discovery, how applicable are the 
 lines of Milton, to which a friend has called the attention of 
 the Committee ! 
 
 " Tlie invention all admired, and each how he • 
 
 To he the inventor missed, so easy it seemed 
 Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought 
 Impossible." 
 
 It is matter of regret that a noble discovery ii\ science 
 should have been attended with discussions and controversy, 
 involving much bitterness, and, as it seems to us, disingenu- 
 ousness. Dr. Morton distinctly admits, that his original 
 application to Dr. Jackson was made with a studied conceal- 
 ment of his true object, and an assumed ignorance of the 
 whole subject (as it would seem, even to the extent of asking 
 if ether were a gas). The motive of this concealment is 
 explained to have been a fear lest he should otherwise lose 
 the honor of any eventual discovery which he might make. 
 The consequences to Dr. Morton have been, however, that 
 many, relying on the unimpeachable testimony of those pres- 
 ent at that interview, have been induced to withhold from 
 him all credit whatever, except that of " a nurse who adminis- 
 ters a new and bold prescription of a physician," * and to re- 
 
 * This illustration, used by Dr. Gay, seems to the Committee entirely 
 inapplicable. A nurse who refuses to administer even a new and bold pre- 
 scription may be justly denounced by the attending physician ; whereas Dr. 
 Morton was not a student under Dr. Jackson's orders, and obliged to admin- 
 ister his remedies to one of his (Dr. Jackson's) patients. He was a free 
 agent, who, after receiving the prescription, voluntarily went and sought 
 out a patient who was willing to submit to it.
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 235 
 
 gard him, throughout this discovery, in the false light of a 
 mere agent of Dr. Jackson. This culpable step has seemed 
 to increase the merit of Dr. Jackson's advice, by rendering it 
 unsolicited information, instead of a mere answer to a direct 
 inquiry. It has itself furnished the only colorable ground 
 for depriving Dr. Morton of the honor of the discovery. 
 Thus fitly has the majesty of truth vindicated itself ! On the 
 other hand, ... in a communication in the Boston Daily 
 Advertiser of March 1st, Dr. Jackson says he ^^ was desh^ous 
 of testing it (the ether) in a capital operation, and that 
 Dr. J. C. W^an^en politely consented to have the trial 
 made; and its results proved entirely satisfactory, an amputa- 
 tion having been performed under the influence of ethereal 
 vapor, without giving any pain to the patient." Whereas 
 we have two distinct published statements of Dr. Warren, 
 one in reply to a letter of Nov. 30, 1846, in which occurs 
 the following sentence : " Two or three days after these 
 occurrences (i.e. the first tivo operations at the Hospital) , 
 on meeting with Dr. Charles T. Jackson, distinguished for 
 his philosophical spirit of inquiry, as well as for his geologi- 
 cal and chemical science, this gentleman informed me that he 
 first suggested to Dr. Morton the inspiration of ether, as a 
 means of preventing the pain of operations on the teeth. 
 He did not claim the invention of the apparatus, or its 
 practical application. For these we are indebted to Dr. 
 Morton." The other statement is as follows: "Boston, 
 Jan. 6, 1847. I hereby declare and certify, to the best of 
 my knowledge and recollection, that I never heard of the 
 use of sulphuric ether by inhalation, as a means of prevent- 
 ing the pains of surgical operations, until it was suggested 
 by Dr. W. T. G. Morton, in the latter part of October, 
 1846." If it be said that neither of the first two operations 
 was a capital one, we have the authority of Dr. Hayward,
 
 236 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 who performed the second operation,* for saying that it was 
 the removal of a very hirge tumor from the arm, — that it 
 occupied seven minutes, — that, as it involved the painful 
 process of cutting through the skin to a great extent, it was 
 as entirely satisfactory as an amputation would have been, — 
 the patient being free from all sense of pain. One present 
 at the operation exhibited to the Committee a sketch of the 
 arm and the tumor upon it, taken at tlie time, wliich clearly 
 showed how formidable an operation it must have been, 
 though not perhaps what would be professionally called a 
 severe one. Dr. Warren says expressly in his yet unpub- 
 lished work, " The patient exhibited no sign of physical or 
 intellectual suffering." And yet it was not until after this 
 operation, that Dr. Warren or Dr. Hay ward had re- 
 ceived an intimation that Dr. Jackson hud any thing to 
 do with the discovery, either from himself or any one else. 
 The third operation was a capital one, and it was entirely 
 successful. Alice Mohan, a young woman of twenty years of 
 age (who had long been a patient in our institution, and who 
 is doubtless well remembered by all this Board, to whose 
 kind consideration her character and conduct, no less than 
 her misfortunes, so well entitled her), was to submit to am- 
 putation above the knee. But if Dr. Jackson's statement is 
 to be understood as applying only to this case, we still find 
 that every part of the statement is entirely irreconcilable with 
 the fjicts. This operation was performed, not by Dr. War- 
 ren, but by Dr. Hayward. And not only was Dr. Hayvvard 
 still entirely ignorant of Dr. Jackson's participation in this 
 discovery ; but the dialogue which actually had taken place 
 
 * Tlic first operation, tlie removal of a tumor from the neck, was per- 
 formed by Dr. Warren, who says that it was a case of imperfect etherization. 
 It was performed Oct. IG, 1846. The second operation took place Oct. 17, 
 and the third on Nov. 6.
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 237 
 
 between Dr. Warren and Dr. Jackson, in relation to it, was 
 to this eifeet. Dr. Warren, on being informed by Dr. 
 Jackson that he first suggested to Dr. Morton the use of 
 sulphuric ether, requested Dr. Jachson to covie to the Hos- 
 pital, and administer it during this operation, which was 
 to take place the next Saturday. Dr. Jackson, declined 
 doing so, for two reasons : one, that he was going out of 
 town ; the other, that he could not do so consistently with 
 his arrangements with Dr. Morton. Dr. Warren has not 
 given to the Committee any information respecting this con- 
 versation ; but that such was the substance of the dialogue is 
 capable of judicial proof from other evidence which has been 
 laid before the Committee. So that, if Dr. Jackson at any 
 time requested of Dr. Warren to have the ether administered 
 during a capital operation at the Hospital, it must have been 
 after this conversation, in which he declined to administer it, 
 and after it had been successfully applied by another without 
 his assistance. 
 
 This withholding of all credit from Dr. Morton has but 
 caused Dr. Jackson's own claims to be the more strictly 
 scrutinized. Had he been willing to admit that the discov- 
 ery was a joint one, the world would probably have allowed 
 to him, as a truly scientific man, the largest share of the 
 honors resulting from it. The exclusive claims of Dr. 
 Jackson seem to rest wholly upon the hypothesis, that Dr. 
 Morton was, from first to last, his mere agent, — an idea 
 evidently repudiated by Dr. Morton, when he first went to 
 Dr. Warren, without even naming Dr. Jachson; and most 
 openly and unequivocally disavowed by Dr. Jackson himself, 
 during the whole series of Dr. Morton's experiments. The 
 Committee think that Dr. Jackson's own early acts have, 
 indeed, for ever rendered inadmissible these exclusive claims. 
 He at first ao-reed to receive from Dr. Morton the sura of five
 
 238 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 hundred dollars, as a compensation for his services. Is it, 
 for one moment, conceivable that the true discoverer would 
 have thus bartered away his birthright for a mess of pottage ? 
 And when subsequently, at the suggestion of the Solicitor 
 of Patents, a personal intimate friend of Dr. Jackson, Dr. 
 Morton consented to permit Dr. Jackson's name to be asso- 
 ciated with his own in the patent, — he having agreed, 
 instead of the five hundred dollars, to receive one tenth part 
 only of the profits, — we ask again. Is it conceivable that 
 the sole discoverer would have thus associated another with 
 himself, taking even an oath that they were joint discoverers, 
 and, at the same time, have consented to receive only a pit- 
 tance of what was wholly his own ? No ! We consider 
 that Dr. Jackson is estopped for ever from such a claim, 
 and that not upon technical grounds, but by the whole equity 
 of the case. We will not, however, further pursue this un- 
 gracious part of our subject. 
 
 It is further matter of regret that a patent should have 
 been taken out for such a discovery. As well might Dr. 
 Franklin have claimed one for the exclusive use of the 
 electric fluid. A patent in this case, indeed, would seem to 
 be a peculiarly odious monopoly, — a speculation based upon 
 human suffering, — like an exclusive right to sell breadstufFs 
 to a famishing community. It is due, however, to Dr. Mor- 
 ton to state that he tendered the free use of the discovery to 
 this institution, and requested from Dr. John C. Warren a 
 list of all similar institutions in the country, that he might 
 extend its benefits to them.* He, in like manner, tend- 
 ered the free use of it to the army and navy of the 
 United States. His design was, as he alleges, to charge 
 
 * He certainly made the oflfer, without any previous request from this 
 Board ; though a witness of Dr. Jackson's states that it was made at his 
 suggestion, and with a reluctant acquiescence on tiie part of Dr. Morton.
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 239 
 
 to practitioners a moderate annual sum, which, he thought, 
 would be paid cheerfully, and without inconvenience, by 
 their respective patients.* Dr. Jackson's name would not 
 have been associated in the patent, but at the instigation of 
 E. H. Eddy, Esq., the solicitor, who has publicly avowed 
 that lie acted under a mistaken apprehension of facts, and 
 who now awards to Dr. Morton the sole honor of the 
 discovery, which at the time he supposed might fairly be re- 
 garded as a joint one. Mr. Eddy's intelligence and truthful- 
 ness, and his sincere friendship for Dr. Jackson, are well 
 known in this community. But we must state our convic- 
 tion, that it was a sad mistake to have resorted to any exclu- 
 sive legal right in the present instance. This has become 
 the deliberate opinion of the profession and of the public. 
 One of the patentees. Dr. Jackson, after applying to be ad- 
 mitted to a larger share of the profits, ultimately renounced 
 all claims to any benefit from this source ; and the patent has 
 alao become unavailable to Dr. Morton. f We cannot, how- 
 
 * In Ins licenses was inserted a clause, that such payments were to cease, 
 if the United States, or the State where the practitioner lived, should pur- 
 chase the right to use the discovery. 
 
 t The two gentlemen who acted as legal advisers of Dr. Jackson ad- 
 dressed a letter to Messrs. R. H. Eddy and W. T. G. Morton, dated Boston, 
 January 28, 1847, containing the two following sentences: "Under the 
 present circumstances of the c ase, we think the least that, in justice to your- 
 selves and Dr. Jackson, you can offer is 25 per cent of the profits arising 
 from the invention, both at home and abroad, in settlement of his claim 
 upon you." 
 
 "It is our wish to settle the matter amicably, if possible. We hope you 
 will see, by our suggestions, that we wish only to have a fair distribution of 
 the profits of a discovery made among those who cannot, if they disagree, 
 efiectually sustain the patent ; and wliich, if sustained, promises to give to all 
 parties large sums of money for their united co-operation." Dr. Gay, however, 
 says that Dr. Jackson " deemed it a sort of impropriety to procure letters 
 patent for the practical application of scientific discoveries. He himself 
 never would have procured one merely for his own pecuniary benefit, in a 
 case so important to the interests of humanity." 
 
 In the memorial before referred to, as presented by Dr. Morton to the
 
 240 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 ever, but wish that it had been originally taken out rather 
 from the hope of securing to themselves the honor than the 
 profits of the discovery. And yet a national benefit of such 
 magnitude is well entitled to a national reward. It may be 
 true that Dr. Jackson does not need or now wish such re- 
 ward ; but it is a mortifying fact that Dr. Morton's pecuniary 
 affiiirs liave become embarrassed, in consequence of the in- 
 terruption of his regular business, resulting from his efforts 
 and experiments in establishing this great truth, and that his 
 health has also seriously suflPered from the same cause, so 
 that he can devote only a small part of each day to his pro- 
 fessional labors. He has become poor in a cause which has 
 made the world his debtor. The Committee are, in this con- 
 nection, authorized to state, that a memorial was prepared by 
 the physicians and surgeons of this institution, to be forward- 
 ed to Congress at its present session, and had been already 
 signed by eleven of them (all except Dr. J. B. S. Jackson), 
 when further proceedings were stopped by a remonstrance 
 from Dr. C. T. Jackson, This memorial, as embodvins: the 
 views of these officers, is placed at the disposal of your Com- 
 mittee ; and we cannot better close this discussion than by 
 subjoining tlie following C02)y of the document referred to : — 
 
 " To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
 America, in Congress assembled. 
 
 " The undersigned, Physicians and Surgeons of the Massacluisctts 
 General Hospital, beg leave to represent, — 
 
 " That, in the year 1846, a discovery was made in the city of Boston, 
 by which the human body is rendered insensible to pain, during surgical 
 
 French Academy, the closing sentence is as follows: " But, as the use has 
 become general and almost necessary, I have long since abandoned the sale 
 of rigiits (under the patent), and the public use the ether freely; and, I be- 
 lieve, 1 am the only person in the world to whom tiiis discovery has so far 
 been a pecuniary loss."
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 241 
 
 operations, and rlnring other serious and violent affections, by means of 
 the vapor of ether inhaled into the lungs. 
 
 " That a patent for this discovery was taken out by two citizens of 
 Boston, l)y whom the first satisfactory experiments on the prevention 
 of pain by this means had been made ; and the first capital operations, 
 conducted under the influence of this agent, were performed in the 
 INIassachusetts General Hospital by the surgeons of that institution. 
 
 " That the success of this method of preventing pain has been abun- 
 dantly and completely established by a hundred and fifteen operations 
 performed in said Hospital during the last year, and by a still greater 
 number out of it in the city of Boston. 
 
 "And, in all cases within the knowledge of the undersigned, it has 
 greatly mitigated, or wholly prevented, the pain, when skilfully adminis- 
 tered, and in no case has any fatal or disastrous consequence followed 
 its use within their observation ; and although inconveniences and tem- 
 porary disturbances of the nervous system have sometimes followed its 
 application, yet these are exceptions to a general rule, and are not more 
 common than those which result from the employment of other powerful 
 medicinal agents, and are incomparably less distressing than the evils 
 they are employed to obviate. 
 
 " The undersigned have reason to believe, that, since the introduction 
 of this process, some thousands of persons have inhaled ether, in Boston 
 and its vicinity, with impunity and benefit ; that its value is already recog- 
 nized, and its employment introduced into most parts of Europe ; that 
 the use of the process ought to be, and by judicious arrangements prob- 
 ably will be, extended into all parts of the United States; and that no 
 discovery in medical science, during the present century, has relieved as 
 much suffering, and conferred so great a benefit on humanity, as the dis- 
 covery of the power and application of ether. 
 
 " The undersigned are aware, that the power of ether to produce in- 
 sensibility, and even death when improperly used, was known In Europe 
 many years ago. They are also aware that other aeriform bodies have 
 been experimented on, and the vapor of ether itself unsuccessfully tried, 
 by other individuals. In surgical operations ; but they are satisfied, that 
 the safety of the process, and the effectual mode of applying It, were 
 first made known in Boston in 1846. 
 
 "Understanding that the use of this important discovery is now 
 restricted by letters patent granted from the office of the Secretary of 
 State, and believing that it is the policy of wise governments to diffuse 
 among their constituents the blessings of such discoveries as tend to 
 
 31
 
 242 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 alleviate human suffering, and, at the same time, to reward those who 
 have conferred such benefits upon the world, — the undersigned respectfully 
 pray, that such sums as shall be thought adequate may be paid by the 
 government of the United States to those persons who shall be found, 
 on investigation, to merit compensation for the benefit conferred on the 
 public by this discovery, and on condition of the relinquishment by them 
 of any patent right they may hold resti'icting its use. 
 
 (Signed) " John C. Wakren. 
 Jacob Bigelow. 
 Geo. Hayward. 
 Enoch Hale. 
 s. d. townsend. 
 John D. Fisher. 
 
 II. I. BOWDITCH. 
 
 O. W. Holmes. 
 J. Mason Warren. 
 Samuel Parkman. 
 Henry J. Bigelow. 
 
 "Boston, Nov. 20, 1847." 
 
 As a general summary of facts and views, the Committee 
 report, that in their judgment the following propositions are 
 satisfactorily established : — 
 
 Down to Sept. 30, 1846, Dr. Jackson had discovered 
 nothing that had not been known and in print in London 
 for some years. It was known that ether would produce 
 insensibility ; tliat such insensibility, though sometimes fatal, 
 was sometimes safe ; and that one of the ])roperties of ether 
 was its power to obviate the ill effects of an inhalation of 
 chlorine gas. The discovery of the safety and efficacy of the 
 inhalation of ether in surgical operations had not yet been 
 made ; the only experiments which Dr. Jackson had tried, 
 or caused to be tried, being those already prescribed by the 
 text-books. Dr. Jackson had for some time entertained a 
 strong impression that it could be used with safety and effect 
 during the operations of the dentist, — a conjecture which a 
 hundred other persons may have made without discovering 
 the fact; and incidentally, on more than one occasion, he 
 had advised its use for that class of operations, but had been 
 unable to persuade any one to use it, not even persons of
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 243 
 
 science and intelligence, who were most fiimillar with all that 
 Dr. Jackson knew or thought upon this subject. 
 
 Prior to tliis time, Dr. Wells had used the nitrous oxide 
 for this object, as recommended many years before by Sir 
 H. Davy. His experiments performed in Boston were, how- 
 ever, unsuccessful, lie also claims to have performed one 
 experiment with sulphuric ether, which, from the circum- 
 stances, must also necessarily be inferred to have been unsuc- 
 cessful. And there is positive evidence that the most eminent 
 physicians of Boston never heard of the latter experiment till 
 after Dr. Morton's discovery. 
 
 Dr. Morton had for some time been engaged in searching 
 for a safe agent for promoting insensibility during dental 
 operations. He knew of, and had upon one occasion taken 
 part in, the nitrous-oxide experiments of Dr. Wells. 
 
 As early as July, 1846, he purchased sulphuric ether, and 
 proceeded to experiment upon it. On Sept. 30, 184(), 
 he has an interview with Dr. Jackson, and receives his de- 
 cided advice to use pure rectified sulphuric ether during a 
 dental operation, accompanied with the strongest assurances 
 of its safety, and with the information where it could be 
 obtained. Dr. Morton, unlike others who had received this 
 advice, and notwithstanding he knew the prevailing belief of 
 the dangerous and sometimes fatal character of this agent,* 
 forthwith acted upon it. That he proceeded to inhale it him- 
 self, rests, indeed, on his own assertion. The Committee 
 have no doubt of its truth. He certainly administered it to 
 a patient. By so doing, he made this discovery. '\ On 
 
 * See Mr. Metcalf s letter, p. 228., 
 
 t Indeed, it seems to be distinctly admitted by the advocate of Dr. Jack- 
 son, that he had made no discovery in this case prior to Sept. 30, 1846. Dr. 
 Gay says expressly, in commenting upon Dr. Wells's claims : " Although so 
 much time (two and a half years) has elapsed since Mr. Wells's experiments.
 
 244 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 leiirnlng this result, Dr. Jackson very naturally suggested to 
 Dr. Morton that he had better get the ether tried by the 
 surgeons of the Hospital, which a witness of Dr. Morton's, 
 however, alleges that he had previously determined to do. 
 
 he presents no evidence of its adoption into general surgical practice, even 
 in that flourishing city. Tt required little more than the same nitmher of months 
 to diffuse the knowledge and application of Dr. Jackson's discovery throughout the 
 civilized world." 
 
 In fact, the specification accompanying the patent, and signed both by 
 Dr. Jackson and Dr. Morton, and bearing date Oct. 27, 1846, is most distinct 
 in the same admission. We subjoin the following extracts, in proof of this 
 position, and also of the fact that Dr. Jackson did not regard sulphuric ether 
 as the sole agent which might be used to produce insensibility to pain : — 
 
 " It is well known to chemists, that, when alcohol is submitted to distil- 
 lation with certain acids, peculiar compounds, termed ethers, are formed ; 
 each of which is usually distinguislied by the name of the acid employed in 
 its preparation. It has also been known tliat the vapors of some, if not all, 
 of these chemical distillations, particularly those of sulphuric ether, when 
 breathed or introduced into the lungs of an animal, have produced a peculiar 
 eflTect on its nervous system, one which has been supposed to be analogous 
 to what is usually termed intoxication." 
 
 " It lias never (to "our knowledge) been known, until our discovery, that the 
 inhalation of such vapors, particularly those of sulphuric ether, would produce 
 insensibility to pain, or such a state of quiet nervous action as to render a 
 person or animal incapahie, to a great extent, if not entirely, of experiencing 
 pain while under the action of the knife, or other instrument of operation of 
 a surgeon, calculated to produce pain." 
 
 " This is our discovery," &c. 
 
 " From the experiments we have made, ive are led to prefer the vapors of 
 sulphuric ether to those of muriatic or other kinds of ether ; but any such may be 
 employed which will properly produce the stale of insensibility, without any inju- 
 rious consequences to the patient." 
 
 The testimony of Dr. Keep and of Mr. Barnes, as to Dr. Morton's not 
 being aware of the importance of the admission of atmospheric air, having 
 been commented upon by the Committee, it is proper here to add tiie fact, 
 that in this very specification occurs the following sentence in the description 
 of the apparatus to be employed: "Let there be a hole made through the side 
 of the vessel for the admission of atmospheric air," &c. And the original appa- 
 ratus first used at the Hospital by Dr. Morton is, as the Connnittee are 
 informed, expressly constructed so as to admit atmospheric air. Besides,
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 245 
 
 But all the subsequent steps were taken by Dr. Morton him- 
 self, without the slightest sympathy or co-operation on the 
 part of Dr. Jackson, who, from alleged fear of his reckless- 
 ness, withheld from him all countenance and encoui-agement. 
 In view of these facts, the Committee are of opinion, that 
 the exclusive claims advanced by Dr. Jackson,* though now 
 very extensively recognized in foreign countries, are un- 
 founded, being unwarranted alike by his acts and by his 
 omissions ; and that they involve great injustice towards Dr. 
 Morton; — that their names will be for ever jointly, though 
 not equally, associated in this discovery ; Dr. Jackson being- 
 entitled to the credit of having rendered readily avaiUible the 
 existing knowledge upon the subject of ether, which Dr. 
 Morton was really, though not avowedly, seeking to obtain ; 
 and Dr. Morton having first demonstrated its safety and effi- 
 cacy in the prevention of pain during surgical operations ; — 
 and that Dr. Morton, by consenting to permit Dr. Jackson's 
 name to be united with his in the patent, with the right to 
 receive one-tenth part of its profits, has shown himself dis- 
 posed, fairly and honorably, to recognize the amount of his 
 indebtedness to Dr. Jackson's advice. 
 
 had no atmospheric air been admitted, his patients would probably have 
 been killed, discredit thrown upon the process, and the discovery perhaps 
 postponed for ages. 
 
 It may also be remarked, that, in view of this disclaimer, by Dr. Jackson, 
 of any discovery prior to Sept. 30, 1846, it seems difficult to explain an 
 expression which is quoted by Mr. Warren, in his pamphlet, as extracted 
 from Dr Jackson's letter to M. Elie de Beaumont, originally published in 
 " Galignani's Messenger," Jan. 25, 1847 ; namely : " I have latterly turned 
 this discovery to use, by inducing a dentist of this city to administer the 
 vapor of ether to persons whose teeth he was going to extract." 
 
 * That such claims are really advanced by Dr. Jackson is well known. 
 He said indeed to one of the Committee, " I allow of no partnership in this 
 matter. If j'our report takes from me such a proportion of the sole credit of 
 this discovery as amounts even to the paring of a Jinger-nail, I shall entirely 
 object to it."
 
 246 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 The essential conclusions in the case may be thus con- 
 cisely stated : — , 
 
 1st, Dr. Jackson does not appear at any time to have made 
 any discovery, in regard to ether, which was not in print in 
 Great Britain some years before. 
 
 2d, Dr. Morton, in 1846, discovered the facts before un- 
 known, that ether would prevent the pain of surgical operations ; 
 and that it might be given in sufficient quantity to effect this pur- 
 pose, without danger to life. He first established these facts by 
 numerous operations on teeth, and afterwards induced the surgeons 
 of the Hospital to demonstrate its general appUcability and im- 
 portance in capital operations. 
 
 3d, Dr. Jackson appcurs to hnxe had the belief, that a power 
 in ether to prevent pain in dental operations would be discovered. 
 He advised, various persons to attempt the discovery. But 
 neither they nor he took any measures to that end; and the 
 world remained, in entire ignorance of both the power and safety 
 of ether, until Dr. Morton made his experiments. 
 
 4th, The whole agency of Dr. Jackson in the matter appears 
 to consist only in his having made certain suggestions, which led 
 or aided Dr. Mortot, to make the discovery, — a, discovery ichich 
 had for some time been the object of his labors and researches.* 
 
 The Committee are well aware, that any investigation and 
 opinion which shall have the sanction of this Board, — em- 
 
 * The results otlierwise arrived at by the Committee have received the 
 highest confirmation from Professor Simpson, the discoverer of ciiloroform, 
 wlio has transniitteil to Dr. Morton a copy of his pamphlet entitled " Ac- 
 count of a New Anaesthetic Agent, as a Substitute for Sulphuric Ether in 
 Surgery and Midwifery," with the following note written upon one of its 
 blank pages : — 
 
 "My dear Sir, — I liavo much pleasure in offering, for your kind accept- 
 ance, the accompanying pamphlet. Since it was ijublished, we have had
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 247 
 
 anating, as all must admit, from those who ought to know 
 most of the drcumstances of this discovery, — will be 
 entitled to jjreat weio-ht. That investigation has been con- 
 ducted by the Committee under a solemn sense of responsi- 
 bility to the public, to posterity, and to the cause of truth 
 and justice. Personal feelings have been laid aside. AVhen 
 this inquiry was instituted, neither of the Committee had 
 ever seen Dr. Morton ; and both of them, on the other hand, 
 were in friendly relations with Dr. Jackson. There had 
 always existed between them and him feelings of mutual 
 respect and regard. No friend of Dr. Jackson would will- 
 ingly remove a merited laurel from the brows of one whose 
 scientific attainments, upright intentions, and amiable charac- 
 ter, all are happy to acknowledge. The Committee, indeed, 
 believe that he is honestly self-deceived in this matter. 
 
 We submit our Report upon this subject to the Board, in 
 the assurance that it will receive their deliberate examination, 
 
 various otlier operations performed here, equally successful. I have a note 
 from Mr. Liston, telling me also of its perfect success in London. Its 
 rapidity and depth are amazing. 
 
 " In the Mont fill/ Journal of Medical Science for September, I have a long arti- 
 cle on etherization, vindicating your claims over those of Jackson. 
 
 " 0/ course the great thought is that 0/ producing insensibility ; and for that 
 the world is, I think, indebted to you. 
 
 " I read a paper lately to our Society, showing that it was recommended 
 by Pliny, &c. in old times. 
 
 " With very great esteem for you, allow me to subscribe myself, 
 
 " Yours very fiiithfully, "J. Y. Simpson. 
 
 "Edinburgh, 19th November, 1847." 
 
 Accordingly, in a note published with the article referred to, is the follow- 
 ing sentence : " Within the last few days, I have seen a pamphlet, dated 
 Boston, May 30, 1847, in which it is stated, that, for three months previously, 
 all apparatus had been laid aside, and the sponge alone used for etherization, 
 by Dr. Morton, of that city, — the gentleman to whom, I believe, the pro- 
 fession and mankind are really and truly indebted for first reducing into 
 practice the production of insensibility by ether-inhalation, with the object 
 of annihilating pain in surgical operations."
 
 248 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 and that its conclusions will be adopted, if at all, under a 
 like solemn sense of responsibility.* 
 
 * A few remarks upon tlie manner in which this inquiry has heen pur- 
 sued may not perhaps be inappropriate. 
 
 The Committee considered, that, as Dr. Morton alone assisted in tiie 
 early experiments at tlie Hospital, they were not strictly called upon to men- 
 tion Dr. Jackson ; but, inasmuch as Dr. Gay's pamphlet had been for some 
 time before the world, and also Mr. Warren's reply, it seemed tliat the whole 
 subject had been submitted by the parties to the tribunal of the public, and 
 that the public would reasonably expect from this institution such a narra- 
 tive of the facts as might be prepared from these and from olhei- sources more 
 espfcially within our reach. Both these pamphlets were therefore very care- 
 fully examined and compared ; twenty-two individuals, most conversant 
 with the subject, consulted : and the report substantially prepared. The 
 Committee then deemed it advisable to address a note to Dr. Jackson, in- 
 forming him that Dr. Gay's pamphlet had been considered by them as con- 
 taining a full statement of his claims ; that if, however, he had any additional 
 fiicts to communicate, tiie Committee would be happy to receive tiiem. The 
 result was two personal interviews, besides one of three hours' duration 
 (by express appointment) with Dr. Gay in behalf of Dr. Jackson. Dr. Gay 
 offered to prove certain facts, having no connection with or relation to this 
 discovery, which the Committee declined hearing. He also said he had 
 other evidence of a strictly confidential character, which was also declined. 
 He then proceeded to comment upon the testimony contained in Mr. War- 
 ren's pamphlet. All his arguments and objections upon this point have 
 been fairly stated by the Committee from memoranda taken at the time ; 
 and the deliberate views of tlie Committee, in relation to these objections, 
 have been also stated. Tiie Committee, at this interview, wished to know 
 the worst that could be suggested as to tlie credibility of these witnesses. 
 Few remarks were therefore made to Dr. Gay as to the sufficiency of liis 
 objections ; but they were noted as subjects for future investigation. The 
 Committee may have said, " Well, putting this deposition aside for this 
 ground, what is your objection to the next deposition ? " But it was, on the 
 other hand, distinctly suggested to Dr. Gay, that two of these witnesses 
 were very favorably spoken of, and that the testimony of Whitman, whose 
 character even Dr. Gay admitted to have been above suspicion, was obvi- 
 ously confirmatory of matters stated by the two witnesses referred to ; and 
 that even Whitman's testimony alone was sufficient to prove that Dr. Mor- 
 ton was striving to realize the idea of this discovery, and was therefore 
 irreconcilable with Dr. Jackson's exclusive claims. 
 
 The Committee mentioned to Dr. Jackson, that they had obtained some
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 249 
 
 [Appended to this Report was the following letter from 
 Mr. Wightman : — ] 
 
 " N. I. Bowditcli, Esq. " Boston, Feb. 10, 1848. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — In answer to your note of yesterday, desiring- any infor- 
 mation I might be able to communicate with regard to Dr. Morton's 
 application of other, I am happy to render the following statement fo 
 the use of the Ti-u.stees of the Hospital, which, if it will aid their 
 investigations, is entirely at their service, 
 
 new testimony in tavor.of Dr. Morton (meaning the letters of Mr. Metealf 
 and of Dr. Dana) ; but, believing tliat tlie testimony in these letters was of 
 a nature not to be rebutted, the Committee did not feel called upon to state 
 tlie fact that either of tliese two gentlemen had been consulted. The Com- 
 mittee felt themselves perfectly free, like every one else, to form and to 
 express an opinion upon a matter of universal interest and importance, and 
 which indeed seemed to tall naturally within their peculiar province, even 
 t/wiitjh theji had not the previous permission cf Dr. Jackson. Their report had 
 been unanimously accepted by the Trustees, and presented to and miani- 
 mously accepted by the Corporation. While it was in process of publication, 
 a note was received from Dr. Gay, alleging that he supposed his objections 
 to the testimony in Mr. Warren's pamphlet were recognized by the Com- 
 mittee as well founded, and protesting against the course pursued by the 
 Trustees of tlie Massachusetts General Hospital in giving " any countenance 
 to the attempt of Mr. Morton to rob Dr. Jackson of his sacred right to his 
 own discovery." Dr. Gay, in his note, significandy adds, that "Dr. Jack- 
 son has always, excepting in one unguarded moment, declined submitting 
 his claims to any tribunal, either to be agreed upon by the parties, or self- 
 constituted and forced upon lilrn." He alleges that Dr. Jackson has much new 
 evidence, that the investigation of the Committee must necessarily have 
 been partial, &c. This note of Dr. Gay was laid before the Trustees, at a 
 meeting held Feb. 6 ; but they deemed no action necessary thereupon. The 
 Committee claim no judicial powers or functions. Dr. Jackson is perfectly 
 free to continue in his present determination of never submitting his exclu- 
 sive claims to any human tribunal, or he may hereafter submit them to one 
 which he shall regard as more competent or impartial. If, by any new 
 evidence, he can establish these claims, he is still at liberty so to do. The 
 Conmiittee can only state, that they have endeavored to prosecute their 
 inquiries in a fair, cautious, and thorough manner, and that they feel the 
 iitmost confidence in the soundness of the conclusions at which they have 
 arrived ; and, conscious that no proceeding or neglect on their part has justi- 
 fied the remarks of Dr. Gay, they here take leave of this subject/oc ever. 
 
 32
 
 250 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 " My acquaintance with Dr. Morton commenced in the summer of 
 1846, when he applied to me for some information upon Increasing the 
 security of artificial teeth by atmospheric pressure. A short time after- 
 wards (I think within a few weeks), he called again, and, in reply to me, 
 stated that he had abandoned his views on atmospheric pressiire, which 
 he found were erroneous, and ivas then engaged upon something of much 
 greater importance in his p>'''('fcs-'^ion. He then wished me to show him 
 some bags of India-rubber cloth, m,ade for retaining gas, and inquired 
 tohether it tvould do to pud sidphuric ether into them. My answer was, that 
 ether was used to soften rubber, and might dissolve It so as to make the 
 bag leak. He then asked me if an oiled silk bag would retain it. I 
 told Iilm that the silk was covered with a preparation of linseed oil, which I 
 had no doubt would be acted upon by the ether; but, as I coald give him 
 no certain information respecting the effect, I advised him to call upon 
 Dr. (Jharles T. Jackson, who was well versed in these matters, and could 
 give him the necessaiy information. He then observed that Dr. Jackson 
 was a friend of his ; that he had boarded in his family ; had been a stu- 
 dent with him ; and that he did not think of it before, but would call 
 upon him. 
 
 " A few days after this Interview, Dr. Morton came to me for some 
 chemical glasses, and appeared inclined to keep from me the purpose for 
 which he wished them ; but, in the course of the conversation, I had no 
 question in my mind but they were for experiments with ether. The 
 article he then took not answering his purpose, he visited my rooms a 
 number of times during the week ; and, after trying various articles, he 
 informed me that what he wished to have was something which would 
 allow ether to be inhaled from it, to produce insensibility to pain in his 
 dental operations. I inquired of him whether this would not injure the 
 lungs. He rejDlIed that he had tried it himself, and administered it 
 witliout experiencing any ill effects, and that Dr. Jackson said that it was 
 not injurious. 
 
 "After suggesting various forms for an inhaler, Ave decided upon a 
 tubulated globe-receiver, into which he proposed to put a piece of sponge, 
 to be kept saturated with ether, and have the oj)ening through which the 
 retort usually enters placed over the moutli, and the air admitted through 
 the tnbulnre, or hole for the stopper. I advised him to try this, and, if it 
 answered the purpose, to have an appropriate vessel made. He then left 
 me, and I did not see him again, until one afternoon he called upon me 
 in great haste, and begged me to assist him to prepare an apparatus with 
 which he could administer the ether to a patient at the Hospital the next
 
 HOSPITAL REPORT. 251 
 
 (lay, as Dr. Warren had consented to use it in an operation. He ap- 
 peared much excited ; and although, from a pressui'e of other engage- 
 ments, it was very inconvenient for me, yet I consented to arrange a 
 temporary apparatus under these circumstances. This apparatus was 
 composed of a quart tubulated globe-receiver, having a cork fitted into 
 it instead of a glass stopper, through which cork a pipette or dropping 
 tube was inserted to supply the ether as it was evaporated. I then cut 
 several large grooves around the cork to admit the air freely into the globe 
 to mix ivith tJie vapor, and delivered it to Dr. Morton. 
 
 " From this time I have had but one interview with Dr. Morton, and I 
 regret that I am unable to furnish specific dates for these transactions ; 
 but, from the variety of articles tried and retui-ned by Dr. Moiton, and 
 the trifling value of those taken by him at different times, I made no 
 charges to him in my books. I am therefore indebted to other circum- 
 stances for the date of these occurrences, one of which is that I returned 
 to Boston from the country with my family on the 28th Sept. 18iG; a 
 fact which appears from an actual entry in my books. In the cars I met 
 Dr. Morton ; and, from my recollection of the circumstances at that time, 
 1 am satisfied that the conversation about the effect of sulphuric ether 
 upon the gas bags was previous to that time. My attention was called 
 to the date and circumstances of this interview in the winter of 1846-7, 
 and I then satisfied myself upon the matter. 
 
 " On the appearance of the article signed ' E. W.' in the Daily Adver- 
 tiser of March 5, 1847, in Avhich some allusion was made to me, Dr. 
 Jackson and Mr. Peabody called upon me in reference to my knowledge 
 of the dates of Dr. Morton's interviews with me. I explained the mat- 
 ter to them at that time ; and although we differed in opinion as to the 
 date of Dr, Morton's _^rs^ application to me, yet I am happy to state that 
 Dr. Jackson has since admitted to me, that my view of the dates of the 
 transactions was substantially correct, adding that he could substantiate 
 his discovery as far back as 1 842. — Yours respectfully, 
 
 "Joseph M. Wightman." 
 
 The Committee make the following remarks on this 
 letter : — The date of Mr. Wiyhtman's comins: to Boston 
 is fixed beyond all doubt. Tlie circumstances connected 
 with this occasion have been verbally stated to the Com- 
 mittee, and are of a nature, rendering, in their judgment, a 
 mistake impossible. This letter, then, proves that, prior to
 
 252 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Sept. 28, 1846, or more than two darjs before h'ts intervkio 
 with Dr. Jackson, Dr. 3Iorton called on Mr. Wightman, 
 alluded to some intended discovery of great importance, and 
 inquired about bags, statable for holding sulphuric ether. 
 And it would seem probable, that it was Giving only to a 
 caswd suggestion then made, that Dr. Jaclison, rather than 
 some other learned chemist, was subsequently considted by 
 Dr. Morton. 
 
 The letter also proves, that Dr. Jackson had heard from 
 Mr. Wightman (as well as from Mr. Metcalf, see p. 228) 
 facts which it seems difficult to reconcile with his (Dr. 
 Jackson's) conviction, expressed so strongly to the Com- 
 mittee, that Dr. Morton icas wholly ignorant of sulphuric 
 ether, down to the interview with him. Dr. Jackson, and 
 his friend j\Ir. Peabody, seem, indeed, to have been aware 
 of the important bearing of Mr. Wightman's testimony on 
 this point. Therefore in March, 1847, they endeavored 
 strenuously, but in vain, to satisfy him that he was mis- 
 taken as to the date of his first interview with Dr. jSIorton, 
 about the gas bags. It would seem that Dr. Jackson had not 
 yet resorted to the hypothesis, that he had made his discovery 
 in 1842; since that, of course, rendered all these transactions 
 icith Dr. Morton of no consequence. Accordingly, in his 
 later interview with Mr. Wightman, Dr. Jackson said, in 
 effect, " You may be about right in your dates ; but it is 
 immaterial to me, as I can substantiate my discovery as far 
 back as 1842." Unfortunately, Dr. Jackson, in the specifi- 
 cation accompanying the patent, had, under oath, disavowed 
 any discovery prior to that which he made jointly with Dr. 
 Morton; and the Committee have proved, that what Dr. 
 Jackson knew about ether in 1842 had been ptublished by 
 Pereira in 1839.
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 253 
 
 II. VINDICATION OF THE HOSPITAL REPOUT. 
 
 BY N. I. BOWDITCH. 
 
 In the month of Api'il last, a card of Dr. Charles T. Jack- 
 son appeared in various newspapers of the city of Boston, 
 cautioning " the friends of science and humanity " against 
 a combination of interested persons, and proposing to 
 expose the falsehoods in the Report of the Trustees of the 
 Massachusetts General Hospital, presented to the Corpo- 
 ration, Jan. 26, 1848. "A Defence of Dr. Jackson's 
 Claims to the Discovery of Etherization," by his attorneys 
 the Messrs. Lord, was published a few weeks afterwards. 
 Prepared with this deliberation, and heralded with this so- 
 lemnity, it doubtless presents all the important points upon 
 which Dr. Jackson relies. The notice which the writers 
 take of me is somewhat personal. The other Trustees of 
 the Hospital are declared not to be " held responsible for 
 the truth of my statements, the legitimacy of my inferences, 
 or the justness of my conclusions." Without recognizing 
 any such exclusive responsibility, I am perfectly ready to 
 meet its consequences. Having engaged in this investi- 
 gation only from the wish that truth and justice might 
 prevail, I am induced by the same motive to ask the atten- 
 tion of the public to a brief vindication of the Hospital 
 Report. I feel it unnecessary, before this community, to 
 defend either my motives or my conduct from the charges 
 made or insinuated by the Messrs. Lord. 
 
 It will be remembered, that the Hospital Report alleges 
 that Dr. Morton, previous to his interview with Dr. Jackson 
 (Sept. 30, 1846), had bought sulphuric ether, and conversed 
 about its qualities, especially its effects when inhaled, as a
 
 254: ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 substitute for nitrous oxide, for the prevention of pain in 
 dental operations, &c. : in otlier words, that Dr. Morton was 
 seeking for this discovery by means of this agent, and did 
 7iot set the first idea of usino; it from Dr. Jackson. These 
 positions are, it is believed, fully established by the state- 
 ments of Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Wightnian. The Messrs. 
 Lord are obviously aware, that it is absolutely necessary 
 for them to do away with those statements. This they 
 attempt, in the case of Mr. Metcalf, by declaring that they 
 understand that he (Mr. Metcalf) will not be w^illing to 
 swear that it was snlphiiric ether which he saw Dr. Morton 
 buying, — that he merely thinks the vial was so labelled, — 
 that he probably would not swear that Dr. Morton did 
 really purchase said vial of ether, &c. Now, will it be 
 believed, that the Messrs. Lord have never asked a question 
 of Mr. Metcalf upon the subject ; and that, on the contrary, 
 Dr. Jackson himself knew from Mr. Metcalf's own lips, that 
 he was entirely certain it was sulphuric ether? What is 
 this, on the part either of Dr. Jackson or his attorneys, but 
 an absolute perversion of truth? I subjoin a note of Mr. 
 Metcalf upon this subject : — 
 
 " Boston, June 4, 1848. 
 " Dear Sir, — The writers of the reply to the Report of the Trustees 
 of Massachusetts Hospital have never been informed by me, that I was 
 not ready to swear that the vial in Mr. Morton's possession, early in the 
 summer of 1846, contained sulphuric etiier. Neither can I believe, that 
 they have been so informed by Dr. Jackson ; for, on the evening of 
 the day after the date of my letter to you, I called at Dr. Jackson's office, 
 and informed him of its purport. He expressed surprise that 1 was able 
 to fix a purchase of sulphuric ether by Mr. Morton of so early a date, 
 and asked if I was sure that it was sulplturic, and not chloric, ether in the 
 vial. / told him that I Icnew it to be sulphuric ether, because, while con- 
 versing with Mr. Morton, I had uncorked the vial, and smelt it.* 
 
 * Besides the interview liere described, Mr. Metcalf previously spoke to
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 255 
 
 "That the vial contained sulplmric ether, — that I made the above 
 statement to Dr. Jackson, — and that Mr. Morton purchased the ether, 
 as I have stated in my note published in the Hospital Report, / am ready 
 to swear. Yours respectfully, 
 
 " Theodoue Metcalf. 
 " N. I. Bowditch, Esq." 
 
 Now as to Mr. Wio;htman's letter. The " Defence " 
 speaks of its vagueness and uncertainty, and suggests many- 
 ingenious and elaborate theories to prove that Dr. Moi'- 
 ton's intervievv with Mr. Wightnian was after, not before, 
 his interview with Dr. Jackson. Whatever uncertainty, 
 however, there may be as to the exact time when Mr. 
 Wightman first became acquainted with Dr. Morton, the 
 date of the particular interview with him, which is impor- 
 tant in this case, is fixed so securely that it is hardly 
 possible for any thing to be more definitely established by 
 human testimony. Mr. Wightman came to Boston with 
 his family, Sept. 28, 1846, or two days before the interview 
 between Dr. Jackson and Dr. Morton. This date is fixed 
 by an actual entry in his books, and subsequent entries of 
 articles sold Sept. 29, <fec. When coming to Boston in the 
 cars, he met Dr. Morton. I have obtained from Mr. Wight- 
 man a supplementary note, stating the circumstances which 
 then occurred. These are of such a nature as to make it 
 impossible for him to be mistaken in the fact that it was 
 before this time Dr. Morton had consulted him about bags 
 of India-rubber cloth for holding sulphuric ether, and on 
 which previous occasion he had advised Dr. Morton to call 
 on Dr. Charles T. Jackson, for the purpose of obtaining 
 more definite and certain information as to sulphuric ether 
 
 Dr. Jackson of tlie fact, that, before he went, to Europe, he had seen Dr. Mor- 
 ton buying sulphuric ether, &c. — a fact commented upon in the Hospital 
 Report.
 
 256 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 than he himself could "ive him. The followinof is Mr. 
 Wightman's note : — 
 
 " N. I. Bowditch, Esq. " Boston, June lo, 1848. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — In reply to your note asking for a written account of tlie 
 circumstances which I mentioned to you verbally, as alluded to in my 
 letter of Feb. 10, I would state as follows : — 
 
 " It appears by my books of account and entries of cash made on 
 those days, that on Aug. 1, 1846, 1 went to Dover with my family, and that 
 on Sept. 28, 1846, 1 returned with my family to Boston ; there being also 
 in my account-books, for the month of September, separate subsequent 
 entries under dates of Sept. 29 and 80. I distinctly recollect, that, on 
 several different occasions within that period, I met and conversed with 
 Dr. Morton in the cars ; and these must have been separated by intervals 
 of at least one week, as I only went to Dover on Saturdays, returning on 
 Monday mornings. We went up together in the five-o'clock trains, and 
 I always returned in the first train ; and it was only by reason of my tak- 
 ing a later train, when I brought my family back to Boston, that I met 
 Dr. Morton. On this occasion. Sept. 28, 1846, he had a bouquet in his 
 hand. I was sitting by his side. He asked me if the lady near me was Mrs. 
 Wightman : I replied, ' Yes.' He said, * Will she accept these flowers ? ' 
 I assented, and thereupon introduced him to my wife. She asked me in 
 a low voice who Dr. JMorton was. I told her he was a dentist, who was 
 making experiments about extracting teeth without pain. Mrs. Wight- 
 man recollects distinctly, that in conversation I observed to her, ' Dr. 
 Morton thinks that I do not know what he means to use for this purpose ; 
 but I do.' From all the. circumstances in the case, I have not the least 
 doubt in my mind that the agent he intended to use for that purjjose was 
 siilphniic ether. This I infer tVom his inquiries as to the effect of sul- 
 phuric ether in dissolving India-rubber bags, &c., as alluded to in my 
 former letter. From that time I have never met Dr. iSIorton in the cars. 
 
 " There is one other circumstance, affording internal evidence, that 
 makes me entirely certain that Dr. Morton really called upon Dr. Jack- 
 son pursuant to my suggestion. It is this : Dr. Morton and I had talked 
 of mesmerism, and he asked me if I believed in it. I told him no ; that 
 much of its effects was probably nervous, and much the result of imagina- 
 tion. I then proceeded to relate to him myself the very anecdote which 
 it is proved, both by Barnes and M'Intyre, that he (Morton) related to 
 Dr. Jackson, viz. that of a criminal upon whom certain French surgeons
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 2oT 
 
 tried the experiment of merely pricking his arm while he was blind- 
 folded, and letting warm water trickle down from his arm into a bowl ; 
 the result being, as I informed Dr, Morton, that his pulse became more 
 and more feeble ; and when the surgeons thought that the experiment 
 had been carried as far as was safe, the bandage was removed, when, to 
 their great surprise and alarm, they found that they could not revive him, 
 and he actually died from the elFect of imagination. 
 
 " Yours respectfully, 
 
 " JuSKPII ]\I. WlGHTMAX." 
 
 Further, the " Defence " admits, tliat Mr. Wightman and 
 Dr. Morton had an interview, and loithin a very few days, 
 either before or afler the interview with Jackson. Now, 
 throwing out of the case all circumstances by which Mr. 
 Wightnian is enabled to fix the date to be before the inter- 
 view with Jackson, what is the otlier evidence in the case? 
 On the one supposition, all is very natural. Dr. Morton 
 calls on Mr. Wightman, and asks about India-rubber bags 
 for holding sulphuric ether. He tells him to call on Dr. 
 Jachson for more definite information. Dr. Morton calls 
 accordingly. At this interview we find him "having in his 
 hand an Indla-rabber bag belonging to Dr. Jackson ; " and 
 a conversation commences. The subject of nitrous oxide is 
 introduced. At a former interview with Mr. Metcalf, this 
 same subject had led to a conversation about using sulphu- 
 ric ether for inhalation, instead of nitrous oxide; and the 
 same result follows on this occasion. 
 
 On the -hypothesis that the interview with Mr. Wight- 
 man was after that with Jackson, two obvious questions 
 arise. If Dr. Morton had already received such definite 
 and particular instructions from Dr. Jackson as to the use 
 of ether, and how to apply it, and had actually performed 
 his first experiments, why should he call on Mr. Wightman 
 at all, and ask about India-rubber bags, and whether ether
 
 258 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 would dissolve them? AVhy not take Dr. Jackson's opinion 
 on this point; and, when jNIr. Wightman tells him to go 
 to Dr. Jackson for definite information, what possible mo- 
 tive could he have had for not replying, "I have been to see 
 him a very few days ago, and he has told me all about sul- 
 phuric ether"? No, this internal evidence, of itself, would 
 be enough to settle the question of priority as to these inter- 
 views. 
 
 It is, then, a fact for ever established, that Dr. Morton's 
 conversations with Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Wightman were 
 before his visit to Dr. Jackson. Of course it follows, that 
 when, at this interview, he asked if ether were a gas, and 
 said, "What queer-smelling stuftM " * he was designedly 
 concealing what he knew. And what motive could he 
 have had for such concealment, except that subsequently 
 assigned by himself, viz. that he was seeking for this dis- 
 covery, and was fearful that, if he made any direct inquiries 
 of him, Dr. Jackson would claim it as his own?* 
 
 Now, suppose that all four of Dr. Morton's witnesses, 
 Spear, Leavitt, Hay den, and AVhitman, are perjured; that 
 no demijohn of ether was purchased ; that no experiments 
 were tried from the contents of such demijohn ; still these 
 two statements of Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Wightman prove, 
 as I conceive, beyond a possibility of doubt, that Dr. Morton 
 was seeking for this discovery before Sept. 30, 1846; and 
 that he was not indebted to Dr. Jackson for the first idea of 
 using sulphuric ether, as claimed by Dr. Jackson and his 
 friends. JNIr. Wightman, indeed, as he expressly states, 
 feels certain that it was only in consequence of his casual 
 
 * It has been stated in the Hospital Report, that the facts proved by Mr. 
 Metcalf make it certain tliat the degree of ignorance expressed by Dr. Mor- 
 ton, in his interview with Dr. Jackson, was assumed. Yet the " Defience " 
 SJiys upon this point, " We have to depend on Mr. Morton's word alone."
 
 YINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 259 
 
 suggestion that Dr. Jackson was consulted at all in the 
 case. The facts proved by these two statements utterly 
 overthrow Dr. Jackson's exclusive pretensions.* The con- 
 current testimony of the other four witnesses is merely 
 cumulative. It may be wholly rejected, without affecting 
 one of the conclusions arrived at in the Hospital Report. 
 Thi-ee of these witnesses are living, and can take such steps 
 as they consider necessary for the vindication of their clmr- 
 acters ; but the late Francis Whitman, one of these wit- 
 nesses, is spoken of by many who knew him well, in high 
 terms, as a man of truth and honor. Even Dr. Gay, then 
 not pretending to doubt the existence of the demijohn, 
 said to me that Whitman was too honest to allow that it 
 contained sulphuric ether, and therefore in his deposition 
 states it contained chloric ether. That such a man would 
 lend himself to this base conspiracy to injure Dr. Jackson, 
 I, for one, entirely disbelieve ; and yet, if his testimony is to 
 be credited, it establishes a secret purchase of some sort of 
 ether. The " Defence " itself introduces no evidence to 
 impeach this witness, except the allegation, that all the 
 witnesses, after giving their depositions, began to talk of 
 matters respecting which they had been before silent. I 
 designedly abstain from any comments upon the testimony 
 by which Dr. Jackson endeavors to impeach the credibility 
 of these four witnesses, as I think the whole matter compar- 
 atively irrelevant and unimportant. I will, however, make 
 one or two suggestions. Mr. Brewer's affidavit is merely 
 that his firm sold ether of a certain quality, and never 
 such as that in the demijohn. Now, such is the volatile 
 nature of ether, that, if the vial containing it be left open or 
 insecurely closed, its whole spirit will evaporate. A physi- 
 
 * Indeed, Mr. Metcalf s leUei- alone is of itself sufficient to do so.
 
 260 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 cian of high scientific attainments, and a member of the 
 Academy, informs me tliat, hist year, he ordered a vial of 
 ether at an apothecary's, and, on opening it, perceived that 
 it had no smell of ether, and, calling the apothecary's atten- 
 tion to its worthless character, asked an explanation. The 
 reply was, " I don't understand this. It was some of Stevens 
 and Breioer^s best." It was probably at first a good article ; 
 and, like it, the contents of the demijohn had deteriorated, 
 from the same or some other cause. This explanation dis- 
 poses of that one of Dr. jNIorton's alleged "lies" which is 
 founded on this aflfidavit. Indeed, some half-dozen of these 
 " lies " relate to this demijohn and its contents. 
 
 Some most puerile remarks are made upon tlie discrep- 
 ancies in the testimony. Thus Leavitt says, that he was 
 sent to Dr. Gay, but could not find his residence; while 
 another witness sweai's that Leavitt came back and said Dr. 
 Gay was not in. Do not the Messrs. Lord, as " counsellors- 
 at-law," know that these slight discrepancies are really 
 satisfactory as proving a want of concert among the wit- 
 nesses? Similar discrepancies are actually adduced by 
 commentators as evidence of the Genuineness even of the 
 Gospels. 
 
 Again, there has always been a system of concealment 
 and secrecy on the part of Dr. Morton, manifest throughout 
 all the testimony, and expressly recognized in the Report. 
 This very ether is sworn to have been bought in the name 
 of a fictitious purchaser, as if to be sent into the country. 
 Whitman's testimony also seems to imply, that this system 
 extended to the demijohn and its contents. Thus he says, 
 " I told Dr. Morton I knew what it was that William had 
 bought, and said it was chloric of ether." This system of 
 concealment explains the fact, that many of those employed 
 in Dr. Morton's oflfice may never have happened to see the
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 261 
 
 demijohn. But one credible witness, wlio swears positively 
 to its existence, is to be believed, though twenty others 
 equally credible swear that they never saw it. Further, 
 this system of concealment may explain the silence of the 
 four witnesses, prior to the giving of their depositions ; 
 since, of course, all injunctions of secrecy would then be 
 removed. It is obvious, that a controversy may be carried 
 on interminably by ex-parte affidavits made without any 
 cross-examinations ; each set of witnesses impeaching the 
 characters of those on the opposite side, and the public 
 having no means of judging of the degree of credit to be 
 given to either. It may be remarked, that Dr. Morton has 
 always been willing to leave the question to reference, 
 when perjury on either side would be sifted by the cross- 
 examination of intelligent referees. But I repeat, that the 
 vindication of the Hospital Report requires no such pro- 
 longed discussions. No one impugns the inteo-rity or 
 doubts the intelligence of Mr. Metcalf or Mr. Wightman. 
 Both are free from the slightest bias or interest ; and their 
 statements form the all-sufficient basis upon which rest 
 these positions of the Hospital Report. 
 
 The " Defence " contains a mass of testiiiiony to the 
 effect that Dr. jNIorton habitually admitted that it was Dr. 
 Jackson's discovery, and not his. But it is expressly stated 
 in the " Defence," that Dr. Morton sought to obtain a patent 
 without Dr. Jackson's previous knowledge or permission ; 
 thus publicly claiming before all the world, that, in perform- 
 ing the first experiment, he had acted for himself, not as the 
 agent of Dr. Jackson. So, likewise, printed circulars were 
 published in the newspapers, and distributed as handbills, 
 in which Dr. Morton most positively and emphatically 
 claimed this discovery as his own. These are still extant. 
 One of them has been submitted to me. Dr. Morton, of
 
 262 ■ ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 course, always admitted his obligations to Dr. Jackson. I 
 have no doubt, that he did most fully and openly declare, 
 on many occasions, the truth, — namely, that Dr. Jackson 
 told him to try this new agent, and pronounced it to be 
 safe, — that it was by his express advice and sanction that 
 he performed his first experiment of pulling out a tooth. 
 But, whatever may have been his language on these occa- 
 sions, it cannot alter the facts proved by INIr. Metcalf and 
 Mr. Wightman, namely, that, before he saw Dr. Jackson, 
 he was himself seeking to learn the properties of this agent, 
 for the purpose of realizing this discovery. Dr. Morton had 
 an obvious and very powerful pecuniary motive for thus 
 uniformly declaring and setting forth Dr. Jackson's claims 
 as the discoverer, viz. that of getting the discovery more 
 generally introduced than it could be otherwise. Indeed it 
 is stated expressly in Mr. Eddy's testimony, that he advised 
 Dr. Morton to admit Dr. Jackson as a joint patentee, be- 
 cause he thought "that his association with Dr. Morton 
 would give immediate character to the discovery." After 
 the joint patent Avas taken out, and when no dispute could 
 therefore be anticipated, and Dr. Morton's object was 
 merely to sell his rights as extensively as possible, he did 
 doubtless put Dr. Jackson prominently forward, and award 
 to him in the fullest terms the credit of having made the 
 immediate scientific suggestion which led him to try the first 
 expei'iment. It is somewhat amusing to find Dr. Jackson 
 insisting that these verbal declarations of Dr. Morton shall 
 debar him from proving the previous steps which he had 
 taken towards this discovery, and for ever oblige him to 
 admit as true, what certainly is not true, that he got the idea 
 of using sulphuric ether for this purpose, for the first time, 
 from Dr. Jackson ; while, on the other hand, the statements 
 of Dr. Jackson, actually written, signed, and siaorn to (in
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 263 
 
 the specification accompanying the patent) , to the effect that 
 the discovery was a joint one, — that no human being ever 
 discovered this power of ether before this joint discovery, &c. 
 — are quietly set aside by him as the mere formal " wording 
 of an official paper." 
 
 If the claim to this scientific discovery is to be decided by 
 the application of the technical doctrines of estoppel, those 
 rules certainly ought in fairness to be applied to both parties. 
 
 The "Defence" next insists upon Dr. Jackson's having 
 been induced to become a party to the patent " for the single 
 purpose of securing the credit of the discovery." This uni- 
 form disinterestedness is aoain alleged. The "Defence" 
 says, " That he did not wish to make any thing out of the 
 public is sufficiently proved by," &c. The reader, however, 
 will remember that the letter of Dr. Jackson's leiral advisers, 
 published in the Hospital Report, demanding an increased 
 share of the profits, speaks of the [)atent as one " tvhich, if 
 sustained, promises to give to all parties large sums of 
 money for their united co-operation.^'' 
 
 Again, it is most positively stated in the "Defence," that 
 there is no pretence that Dr. Morton ever made a gratuitous 
 offer of any sort to the army and navy of the United States, 
 as declared in the Report ; he having really only offered to 
 sell his discovery to the Government. But, in fact, subse- 
 quently to the offer to sell to Congress, letters loere addressed 
 by his agent to those two departments, offering its use forth- 
 with, on account of the existing war with Mexico. 
 
 Tiie " Defence " claims for Dr. Jackson the honor of 
 introducing this discovery into the Hospital. It is abun- 
 dantly proved by the Report, that the first capital operation, 
 and two others preceding it of a less serious character, were 
 performed by surgeons who knew only Dr. Morton ; Dr. 
 Jackson's name not havins^ been mentioned to them at all.
 
 264 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Dr. Jackson, however, attempts to connect liimself with 
 these first operations by evidence that he told Dr. Morton to 
 call on Dr. Warren. The idea of generalizhig and extend- 
 ing the discovery was, of course, perfectly obvious ; and 
 (even if we disbelieve the testimony of Dr. Hayden, that 
 Dr. Morton had already decided to go to the Hospital) Dr. 
 Jackson can hardly claim much merely from such a sugges- 
 tion. The reluctance testified to, as manifested by Dr. Mor- 
 ton to Dr. Jackson with regard to going to the Plospital, I 
 suppose indeed to have been part of his system of conceal- 
 ment. It was a reluctance to go there as the agent of 
 another. He was unwilling probably to accede to this sug- 
 gestion, lest he should be deprived by Dr. Jackson of all 
 credit which might result from taking this step. But what 
 is Dr. Jackson's actual relation to the Hospital in this mat- 
 ter ? Pie sends to the surgeons of this institution an aoent 
 
 CD O 
 
 whom he avowedly regards as ignorant and reckless. He 
 does not trouble himself to call personally upon any one of 
 these surgeons to give them a word of caution or advice, 
 though all six of them live within five minutes' walk of his 
 house.* For many successive weeks, he does not go once to 
 the Hospital to see these operations, though absent from the 
 city only during a brief period as stated in the Report. 
 And, when at last he concludes to do so, Mr, Burnett sees 
 him at his office, and is informed by iiim that he is going to 
 take a bag of oxygen to the Hospital, as he thinks Morton 
 will probably kill somebody yet with the ether, before he has 
 done. All this, surely, is a singular mode of manifesting his 
 interest in, and pi-^moting the success of, these Hospital 
 Oj)erations. During the same period, Dr. Morton is not the 
 reluctant agent uf anc^ther. He acts for himself. While, on 
 
 * A casual interview with Dr. Warren, ajhr the two first operations, 
 forms no exception to the trutli of this remark.
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 265 
 
 the one hand, it would be difficult to exaggerate the degree of 
 indifference shown by Dr. Jackson during the whole series 
 of these early experiments, it would, on the other, be equally 
 difficult to do more than justice to the earnest and indefati- 
 gable efforts of Dr. Morton. One of the surgeons of the 
 Hospital says that he absolutely haunted them. 
 
 Dr. Jackson, upon this state of facts, and in compliance 
 with alleged applications from numerous quarters, concludes 
 to give to the world a true narrative of this great discovery, 
 and of the circumstances attending its introduction. This he 
 does in the form of a paper addressed to the American 
 Academy, and published in the Boston Daily Advertiser, 
 March 1, 1847. He there thinks it best to suppress all men- 
 tion even of Dr. Morton's name in connection with the Hos- 
 pital. He deliberately claims all himself. " I was desirous 
 of testing it (the ether) in a capital operation," &c. "Dr. 
 Warren politely consented to have the trial made." But 
 mark the result. At the meeting of the Academy on the 
 very next day. Dr. Jackson learns from Dr. Hay ward that 
 he performed the first capital operation at the Hospital. Dr. 
 Jackson forthwith alters his text, so as to make Dr. Hay- 
 ward "politely consent" to perform that very operation. In 
 other words. Dr. Jackson, by his own showing, did not 
 know till March 2, 1847, who it was that had politely con- 
 sented, at his desire, to do this important act four months 
 before. Dr. Hayward states, that, when he performed this 
 operation, he had not the slightest suspicion that Dr. Jack- 
 son had any thing to do with this discovery. Nor, as it 
 appears, had Dr. Jackson the slightest suspicion that Dr. 
 Hayward had any thing to do with performing the operation. 
 In alleging any polite consent of Dr. Hayward, under these 
 circumstances. Dr. Jackson certainly drew largely on his 
 imagination . 
 
 81
 
 266 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 After all, then, Dr. Jackson cannot, it would seem, com- 
 plain of Dr. Morton's conduct in this instance. If Dr. 
 Morton suppressed Dr. Jackson's name, when, pursuant to 
 his advice, he asked Dr. Warren to perform these opera- 
 tions, Dr. Jackson in return suppressed his in his true and 
 perfect history of their performance. The one, it may be, 
 wrongfully appropriated" a suggestion; the other, in return, 
 appropriates its verification. 
 
 The fundamental proposition of the Hospital Report is, 
 that "Dr. Jackson does not appear at any time to have 
 made any discovery, in regard to ether, which w^as not in 
 print in Great Britain some years before." Does the 
 "Defence" adduce any additional evidence on this point? 
 The only new testimony is that of Mr. Blake, who relates a 
 conversation, in the spring of 1842, on the subject of nitrous 
 oxide and sulphuric ether, when Dr. Jackson said, "Are you 
 aware that, when inhaled, it (sulphuric ether) produces 
 complete insensibility?" or words to that effect. Is it 
 gravely pretended, that this question implies any extraordi- 
 nary knowledge of this agent on the part of Dr. Jackson ? 
 Why, twenty-five years before, we find in a London publi- 
 cation (" Journal of Science and Arts," 1818) an article upon 
 the eflfect produced by the inhalation of the vapor of sul- 
 phuric ether ; where it is expressly stated, that its effects 
 resemble very much those of nitrous oxide. The best 
 apparatus or mode of inhaling it is exactly described, and 
 the necessity of an admixture of atmospheric air, &c. 
 shown, as in Dr. Jackson's final advice to Dr. Morton ; and 
 the result, in one case mentioned, is declared to have been 
 the production of a lethargic state, which was regarded as 
 highly dangerous. 
 
 Dr. Jackson and his friends (?) wish the world to believe, 
 that, as early as 1842, he had arrived at the mature and
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 267 
 
 well-considered conclusion, that pure rectified sulphuric 
 ether could be Inhaled with safety and effect for preventing 
 pain in all surgical operations. The utmost of the evi- 
 dence adduced by him to support this proposition is, that 
 he once inhaled this ether to the extent of producing un- 
 consciousness, •j^Ae^z he was not suffering any pain; and 
 once more to the like extent, when suffering from the effects 
 of chlorine gas, for the relief of which it was the prescribed 
 remedy in the text-books. Now, Davy had suggested that 
 the nitrous oxide, by producing insensibility, might be used 
 for the prevention of pain in surgical operations attended 
 with little effusion of blood ; and the writer in 1818 had 
 ascertained, that sulphuric ether produced effects analogous 
 to those of nitrous oxide. These suggestions and facts 
 were before the world. Dr. Jackson, from his own limited 
 experience in the two instances above stated, seems to have 
 formed the opinion, that pure rectified sulphuric ether could 
 be inhaled with safety, to the extent of producing insensi- 
 bility ; — an opinion which he never could persuade any 
 one else to entertain, who knew the opposite authorities on 
 the subject. This opmion he apparently thought of little 
 value. He, in casual conversations, incidentally suggested 
 the use pf sulphuric ether for the prevention of pain in 
 dental operations. The only positive, explicit testimony, 
 however, that he actually mentioned this very agent, even 
 for this object, is a case where one of his students was 
 desirous of being mesmerized, with a view to the extraction 
 of two teeth without pain ; whereupon Dr. Jackson sug- 
 gested the use of sulphuric ether instead. There Is not a 
 tittle of evidence, that in any case, not even in this last. Dr. 
 Jackson expressed the wish to have the experiment tried for 
 his own satisfaction, or to verify his suggestion. And yet 
 we find, from the " Defence " itself, that Dr. Jackson was
 
 268 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 all along conscious, that, until such actual experiment was 
 })erformed, nothing could be published to the world as a 
 fact. Knowing this to be so, he yet takes no voluntary, 
 deliberate step whatever to ascertain lohether it be a fact or 
 not. He does not try, or cause to be tried, a single experi- 
 ment on man or animal ; nor does any one else to whom 
 he makes a susfcestion venture to do so : because ether had 
 been known to jjroduce fatal effects, and the decided weight 
 of authority was against Dr. Jackson's opinion of its safety.* 
 At last comes Dr. Morton. The subject of inhalation to 
 prevent pain had been long in his mind. He had been a 
 partner of Dr. Wells, and knew of his nitrous-oxide experi- 
 ments. These, having been attended with but partial and 
 doubtful success, were abandoned by Dr. Wells. The object 
 aimed at by them was of great importance to Dr. Morton in 
 his profession. He buys sulphuric ether. Mr. Metcalf talks 
 with him about its character and properties, about Dr. 
 Wells's unsuccessful experiments with the nitrous oxide, 
 and about the inhalation of ether as a substitute therefor ; 
 telling him " the generally received opinion, that its exces- 
 sive inhalation would produce dangerous, if not fatal, con- 
 sequences." Dr. Morton then calls on Mr. Wightman, asks 
 
 * A recent jeu-iVesprit, in the ether controversy, describes the case of 
 a man, who, being told by another that tliere was lioney in the hollow of a 
 tree, subsequently verified this suggestion, thus made the discovery himself, 
 and secured the honey. It would have spoiled the joke to have added, that 
 the informant had repeatedly told others of the same honey, all of whom 
 feared that there was a deadly snake concealed in the hollow, and therefore 
 did not like to put their hands into it. This was, indeed, the " generally 
 received opinion " of the whole neighborhood. Truly, under such circum- 
 stances, the verifier of the suggestion deserved the honey. And it will be in 
 vain for the informant to cry out, "I saw it first: I won't leave it to any- 
 body to decide which of us shall have it. I have, indeed, sworn that it 
 belongs to us jointly ; but it really all belongs to me. You sha'n't have a 
 mouthful of it."
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 269 
 
 for India-rubber bags made for retaining gas, and inquires 
 "whether it would do to put sulphuric ether into them." 
 Mr. Wightman refers him to Dr. Jackson for more cer- 
 tain and definite information on the subject than he can 
 give. 
 
 To a mind thus prepared to receive it, the final impulse 
 was now to be ffiven. The same casual sugo-estion v^^hich 
 he had before made to others. Dr. Jackson at last makes to 
 Dr. Morton, — to one whom he had known for years, whose 
 personal and scientific character he distrusted, and of whom 
 he always spoke most disparagingly, — one to whom, after 
 the very first successful experiments, he refused to give a 
 written certificate of the safety of ether, on the grounds, as 
 the "Defence" alleges, of a conviction of his ignorance, 
 and an unwillingness to figure in his advertisements. This 
 information, be it remembered (as stated in the Keport), 
 was elicited by Dr. Morton in an interview sought by him 
 for an alleged specific purpose, viz. to obtain the means of 
 persuading a patient to submit to an operation, under the 
 idea that it would be unattended with pain. It was not 
 disclosed in an interview sought by Dr. Jackson. Dr. 
 Morton was not asked to make trial of it for Dr. Jackson's 
 satisfaction, or to accomplish his purposes. 
 
 Now, is not every act and every omission of Dr. Jackson, 
 from first to last during these five years, utterly inconsistent 
 with a conviction in his own mind that he had made this 
 great discovery? Had his breast been warmed with the 
 faintest consciousness of this great truth, could he have 
 been thus totally and uniformly indifferent? And knowing, 
 as he must have done, the importance of those experiments 
 by which alone it could be verified "as a fact^'' would he at 
 last have suggested their performance, and resigned their 
 exclusive manacjement and control, to one whom he deemed
 
 270 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 thus iijnorant and reckless? Havino; such a o;lorious con- 
 ception, would he thus voluntarily and knowingly have 
 incurred such imminent risk of miscarriage? As well 
 believe that Columbus would have suggested and relin- 
 quished to a common sailor the attempt to discover his new 
 world ! * Contrast for one moment his conduct during 
 these five years with his proceedings afterwards. The dis- 
 covery is no sooner promulgated, and its importance recog- 
 nized, than his ardent, impulsive character, and his thirst 
 for reputation and popular applause, at once display them- 
 selves. The discovery is his own — wholly — exclusively 
 — no partnership in it with Dr. Morton. He is to have no 
 participation in the credit which it brings — " not even to 
 the extent of the jjaring of a finger-nail." Through private 
 and through oflficial channels, in conversation and by the 
 press, Dr. Jackson communicates Jds discovery, and claims 
 for himself the gratitude of mankind. With what face, 
 however, can he now appeal either to the friends of science 
 or of humanity, after the folly and the heartlessness in- 
 volved in this five years' delay ? What are his claims to 
 gratitude who has proved himself so long utterly insensible 
 to the dictates of nature and the suflTerino^s of the world? 
 In alleging that he made this discovery in 1842, Dr. Jackson 
 seeks, as it seems to me, to vindicate his scientific claims 
 
 * Dr. Jackson has compared himself, in this matter, to Columbus ; and 
 his friends have done so likewise in previous publications. I was not sur- 
 prised, therefore, to find that the writers of the " Defence " recognize in Dr. 
 Jackson, Columbus ; and in Dr. Morton merely the sailor who first shouted 
 " land " from the mast-head. I would suggest, as a truer estimate of their 
 relative positions in regard to tliis discovery, that Dr. Morton was the ener- 
 getic commander of a vessel, somewhat deficient, it may be, in nautical sci- 
 ence; and Dr. Jackson, a skilful pilot, summoned when the voyage was just 
 at its close, by whose aid the vessel was brought safely into port ; where it 
 would, in all probability, have arrived, without that aid.
 
 VINDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 271 
 
 at the expense alike of his character and his understanding ; 
 and this although his entire recent conduct demonstrates, 
 that, if he had made this discovery in 1842, the whole world 
 would have known it forthwith. But no ! The supposition 
 is too monstrous. The true explanation is contained in 
 the Hospital Report. Dr. Jackson merely thought that the 
 insensibility produced by sulphuric ether might last while a 
 tooth was extracted, — a conjecture of so little consequence, 
 that he wholly neglected all attempts to verify it, and merely 
 suggested it in a casual manner when his attention was 
 accidentally called to the subject. 
 
 And now I have done with this controversy. Whatever 
 be its issue, it will always be to me a source of satisfaction, 
 that, placed in a situation which as I thought devolved 
 upon me the duty of engaging in it, I have, according to 
 my convictions and to my ability, candidly stated and 
 earnestly enforced the claims of truth. I am no "heated 
 advocate of Dr. Morton." I am not even his apologist. 
 It was of him, of his want of frankness, and of the conse- 
 quences which it had entailed upon him, that the Report 
 says, "Thus fitly has the majesty of truth vindicated itself! " 
 But, whatever may have been his deficiencies or his mis- 
 takes, I feel certain that to him the world owes this discov- 
 ery. Should posterity ever erect a commemorative statue, 
 I believe that it will be inscribed with his name. He has, 
 indeed, already received a slight "testimonial of the grati- 
 tude of his fellow-citizens," in a limited subscription, for 
 the purpose of contributing " towards indemnifying him for 
 his services and losses." On the other hand, I have always 
 recognized the value of the suggestions made by Dr. Jack- 
 son. There is no evidence, that, until the interview with 
 him, Dr. Morton had ever heard that sulphuric ether, when 
 pure and rectified, could be inhaled to the extent of produc- 
 ing insensibility, with more safety than the common ether
 
 272 ETHER DISCOYERY. 
 
 of the shops. For this opinion, strongly expressed, and the 
 soundness of which was proved by Dr. Morton's subsequent 
 experiments, he was, as I believe, indebted to Dr. Jackson. 
 The Report accordingly speaks of this suggestion as one 
 " which led or aided Dr. Morton to make this discovery," 
 without which " Dr. Morton would not have made it at that 
 precise time, and might have failed to do so at any time." 
 But I regard the exclusive pretensions advanced by Dr. 
 Jackson as the most preposterous that any man of science 
 ever laid before an intelligent community ; and such, I sin- 
 cerely believe, will be the final judgment of mankind. 
 
 Testimonial to Dr. Morton, referred to above. 
 
 The following details may not be without interest in 
 relation to the ether-controversy : — 
 
 Letter to Dr. Morton. 
 
 " Boston, May 12, 1848. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Massa- 
 chusetts General Hospital, a few weeks since, it was informally suggested, 
 that a limited subscription of one thousand dollars shall be raised for 
 your benefit, in acknowledgment of your services in the late ether-dis- 
 covery ; no one to be asked to subscribe more than ten dollars. We 
 consented to act as a Committee to receive and apply the proceeds of 
 this subscription. The proposed sum having been, obtained, we have 
 now the pleasure of transmitting it to you. We also enclose the sub- 
 scription-book in a casket which accompanies this note. Among its sig- 
 natures you Avill find the names of not a few of those most distinguished 
 among us for worth and intelligence ; and it may be remarked, that it is 
 signed by every member of the Board of Trustees. 
 
 " You will, we are sure, highly value t\\h first testimonial, slight as it 
 is, of the gratitude of your fellow-citizens. That you may hereafter 
 receive an adequate national reward is the sincere wish of your obedient 
 servants, 
 
 " Samuel Frothixguam. 
 " To Dr. William T. G. Morton/' " Thos. B. Curtis.
 
 yiNDICATION OF HOSPITAL REPORT. 273 
 
 Dr. Morton's Reply. 
 
 "Boston, May 15, 1848. 
 
 "Gentlemen, — I need hardly say, that your communication of the 
 12th inst., and the accompanying casket, subscription-book, and donation, 
 have been received by me with gratification of no ordinary degree. 
 
 " Apart from the positive value of the gifts, the kind feeling which has 
 led to this manifestation on the part of so many of the first citizens of 
 Boston has affected me in a manner that I am not likely soon to forget. 
 The circumstances in which I have been placed for some time past give 
 them an additional value ; and by my children the testimonial will be 
 appreciated hardly less than by myself. 
 
 " In recognizing among the names those of each of the Trustees of the 
 Massachusetts General Hospital, I am bound to acknowledge this renewal 
 of my indebtedness to that institution. It was the first to receive, verify, 
 sustain, and promulgate the ether-discovery; and, from the earliest, I 
 have received from its officers, surgeons, physicians, and trustees, nothing 
 but constant courtesy, liberality, and kind consideration. 
 
 " Allow me to acknowledge your personal kindness in acting as a Com- 
 mittee for the purposes of subscription, and the tasteful manner in which 
 you have given to it an enduring value and significance. 
 
 " You are pleased to speak of my services as deserving a national 
 reward. I am glad to have your concurrence and sympathy in this 
 opinion; and it is not unknown to you, that, if received, it would be to 
 me, not only a reward, but an indemnification and relief. 
 
 " Respectfully, your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 "William T. G. Morton. 
 
 " To Messrs. Samuel Frothingham and Thomas B. Curtis." 
 
 The box accompanying this note had upon it the follow- 
 ing inscriptions: — In front, "Testimonial in honor of the 
 Ether Discovery of Sept. 30, 1846." And on the lid, " This 
 box, containing one thousand dollars, is presented to Wil- 
 liam Thomas Green Morton by the members of the Board 
 of Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and 
 other citizens of Boston, May 8, 1848." — Under vv^hich is a 
 line extracted from the late Hospital Report, viz. "He has 
 become poor in a cause which has made the world his 
 
 debtor." 
 
 35
 
 274 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 The subscription-book has one hundred and fourteen 
 signatures. It is headed as follows, viz. : — 
 
 " In view of the benefit received by the public from the late ether- 
 discovery, and with the desire of aiding towards the remuneration of Dr. 
 W. T. G. Morton, of this city, for his services and losses, — we, the 
 subscribers, agree to pay the sum set against our respective names; the 
 same to be applied by Samuel Frothingham and Thomas B. Curtis, 
 Esqrs., as they shall judge best for the benefit of Dr. Morton and his 
 family. 
 ' "Boston, Aprils, 1848." 
 
 III. DR. SMILIE'S ADDRESS. 
 
 Dr. Smilie is a man of science and ingenuity. He 
 details his own near approaches to this discovery. But 
 he adds, •' ' There was a lion in the way,' which served 
 to restrain me at bay, until Mr. Morton proved him- 
 self fitted for the encounter. And, although it is 
 urged by his opposers that he lacked knowledge 
 which should have stimulated his discretion, it is now 
 proved upon their own grounds, that valor, supported 
 by ignorance, is, in some instances, the better part 
 of discretion, in conferring benefits upon mankind." 
 This pamphlet awards the whole scientific credit to 
 Dr. Wells, but admits that " the pecuHar character 
 of the Massachusetts General Hospital Report has 
 given an almost irresistible strength to the favorable 
 tide of Mr. Morton's claims." It ends with the 
 following paragraph : —
 
 DR. smilie's address. 275 
 
 Having, in the foregoing, given a correct liistory of the 
 rise and progress of l4ie discovery of the powder of ether to 
 produce insensibility to pain in surgical operations, in con- 
 nection with the claims of each person, directly or indirectly 
 interested in bringing it before the public, I will now offer 
 an analysis of their claims, to expose the merit that they 
 are se[)arately entitled to from the character of the aid ren- 
 dered. In the first place, a question is raised or a suggestion 
 made, whether the nitrous oxide might not be used for the 
 production of insensibility to pain during surgical opera- 
 tions? But, notwithstanding the high character of its 
 source, emanating as it did from Sir Humphrey Davy, it 
 remained a recorded suggestion through the many editions 
 of his works, for the lapse of nearly half a century, and 
 had been read and re-read by persons of almost every 
 grade of talent in every department of study, from the 
 student to the professor, — long trained in the preparation 
 of its basis for the purpose of experiment. Still it passed 
 through an ordeal so varied, without ever being subjected 
 to a single test in that direction ; while the mesmerizer 
 was affording daily stimulus for its trial, by the record of his 
 painless operations upon persons under the influence of his 
 reputed science. But it passed the gauntlet of minds 
 engaged in the various combinations of investigation exer- 
 cised in different directions, without meeting an organization 
 adapted for its development, by making it the subject of 
 trial, until it fortunately met the eye of Horace Wells, a 
 person possessing qualities of mind of an order required 
 for its development, although deficient in the stamina de- 
 rived from early education, which led, from the disap- 
 pointment of cherished and just expectations, to his sadly 
 premature death. From that suggestion, and his acquaint- 
 ance with Mr. Morton and Dr. Jackson, and the aid derived
 
 276 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 from them in gaining him an introduction at the Hospital, 
 may be traced the studied, motive influence, which directly 
 aided in making the latter the accidental suggester of ether 
 as a substitute for the agent applied in Mr. Wells's ex- 
 periments. The former was the adventurer, who with 
 negative merit demonstrated its power, and placed it under 
 the guarantee of high authority in the hands of the profes- 
 sion. And if there is to be an award of merit, we cannot 
 consistently bestow it upon Sir Humphrey Dav}'^, who, 
 with the evidence which led him to make the suijgestion, 
 neglected to test it by actual experiment. Neither can we 
 attach merit to the course adopted by W. T. G. Morton, 
 the accidental instrument in developing the resources of 
 ether, as he acted in his application to Dr. Jackson according 
 to the instructions of Mr. Wells, for the express purpose of 
 obtaining the agent employed in his experiments ; and least 
 of all to Dr. Jackson, who, to avoid the trouble attendant 
 upon its prepai-ation, in the press of more urgent duties, 
 gave qualified advice for the use of ether from the known 
 similarity of effect producing exhilaration, — which he directly 
 specified at the time, with the probable danger incurred by 
 its use. But merit is naturally directed to Horace Wells, 
 who tested an untried suggestion of long standing, from 
 his knowledge of the composition of its basis and harmless 
 effect, and proved its applicability, which directly laid the 
 foundation for the discovery of a more ready and certain 
 agent, derived through the fortunate instruments of chance. "
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 277 
 
 IV. CONGRESSIONAL EEPORT. 
 
 THIRTIETH CONGRESS, SECOXD SESSION. REPORT, No. 114. HOUSE OF REP- 
 RESENTATIVES. 
 
 WILLIAM T. G. MORTON. — SULPHURIC ETHER. 
 
 Feb. 23, 1849, laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Dr. Edwards, from the Select Committee, to whom the subject was 
 referred, made the following Report : — 
 
 The Select Committee, to whom was referred the me- 
 morial of William T. G. Morton, asking compensation 
 from Congress for the discovery of the anaesthetic or pain- 
 subduing property of sulphuric ether, report, — That the 
 following memorial was presented to the House on Jan. 
 19, 1849, and was on the next day referred to the Com- 
 mittee : — 
 
 " To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of tlie United 
 States of America in Congress assembled: 
 
 " Your petitioner, William T. G. Morton, respectfully represents, 
 that lie is a dentist in the city of Boston ; that in the year 1846, and for 
 several years previou.sly thereto, he was in the prosperous and lucrative 
 practice of his profession in that city ; his actual annual receipts from his 
 business, as his accounts will show, being between nine and ten thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 " That his occupation obliging him to see frequent instances of physical 
 suffering, he was, as many others had been, induced to consider whether 
 there might not be some means of alleviating such sufferings, and render- 
 ing operations less painful to those obliged to submit to them. 
 
 "That, in pursuance of this object, he examined such known and 
 approved treatises on materia medica as he could obtain, and consulted 
 with the most learned persons to whom he could get access, but found the 
 scientific knowledge on this subject wholly vague and unsatisfactory ; that.
 
 278 
 
 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 nevertheless, he continued the investigation, and, gathering all the infor- 
 mation he could, Avas led, step by step, after many examinations and 
 experiments, to the belief that sulphuric ether, properly adniinistered, 
 might produce pai-tial if not total insensibility ; that, desirous to verify his 
 belief by actual experiment on the human system, and finding the idea 
 prevalent among the scientific that any application which would be pro- 
 ductive of such effects would be injurious to health, if not fatal to life, he 
 made the experiment upon himself, and, after an unconsciousness of sev- 
 eral minutes, awoke with no injury to health ; that, thus confirmed in his 
 views, he proceeded, against much opposition and amidst many obstacles, 
 until at last, in the presence of the most eminent surgeons and physicians 
 of a i^ublic institution, and on a public occasion, he was enabled to mani- 
 fest the truth of his conception, and exhibited a patient submitting to an 
 amputation of a leg, without the slightest sentiment of pain, or the least 
 injury to general health in consequence of the ap^jlication which produced 
 this insensibility. 
 
 " Your petitioner would further state, that, interested in the investi- 
 gations which resulted in this discovery, he devoted himself exclusively to 
 them, to the neglect of his ordinary and regular business, in consequence 
 of which his practice became almost entirely lost to him ; that his experi- 
 ments and the various arrangements and preparations which the calls 
 upon him from all parts of the country, as well as from foreign countries, 
 obliged him to make, and which a belief in the validity of his patent 
 induced him to suppose would not be unrequited, were very expensive, 
 and involved him deeply in debt; that the patents which he obtained, 
 though legally valid, were in fact wholly valueless in a pecuniary sense; 
 and that he finds himself now, after all his outlays, exertions, and endea- 
 vors, with his practice greatly abridged, his reputation injured by the 
 efforts of those who opposed with great wai-mth the introduction of his 
 discovery ; his health impaired by mental anxiety and over-exertion ; him- 
 self redu( ed to poverty, embarrassment, and pecuniary distress ; and 
 probably the only being living Avho has been a sufferer from a discoveiy 
 which enables the world to rejoice in an exemption from many suf- 
 ferings. 
 
 " Your petitioner states only facts which are well and widely known. 
 He therefore respectfully prays your honorable body, that — considering 
 the nature of the discovery ; the benefit which It confers, and must con- 
 tinue to confer so long as nature lasts, upon humanity ; the pi-Ice at 
 which your petitioner effected it, in the serious injury to his business ; the 
 detriment to his health ; the entire absence of any remuneration from
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 279 
 
 the privileges under his patent, and that it is of direct benefit to the gov- 
 ernment, by its use in the army and navy — you should grant him such 
 relief as might seem to you sufficient to restore him at least to that posi- 
 tion in which he was before he made known to the world a discovery 
 which enables man to undergo, without the sense of pain, the severest 
 physical trials to which human nature is subject. 
 
 " And your petitioner will ever pray, &c. 
 
 " Wm. T. G. Morton." 
 
 The day on which the above memorial was presented to 
 the Committee, the Chairman addressed the following letter 
 to Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, knowing that a con- 
 troversy had long existed between him and the memorialist 
 in relation to the discovery claimed : — 
 
 " House of Representatives, Jan. 20, 1<849. 
 " Sir, — I write to inform you that a memorial of Wm. T. G. INIorton 
 was presented to the House of Representatives, and referred to a Com- 
 mittee on the patenting of compound medicines, of which I am Chairman. 
 The memorialist claims the discovery and practical application of sulphuric 
 ether in producing ansesthesia, and asks remuneration from Congress. I 
 have long known of a controversy as to this discovery, and am aware 
 that you claim this as yours. I shall with pleasure receive any commu- 
 nications on this subject. 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 
 " T. O. Edwakds, Chairman, &c. 
 "Dr. Charles T. Jackson." 
 
 The following reply was received : — 
 
 " Boston, Jan. 23, 1849. 
 " Dear Sir, — I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your 
 favor of 20th instant, in relation to the claims set upby Wm. T. G. Mor- 
 ton to the discovery of etherization, and most heartily thank you for this 
 prompt and friendly intelligence, and shall very speedily send a remon- 
 strance from the physicians and citizens generally of Boston. You will 
 very much oblige me by waiting a few days before bringing up the subject ; 
 for we are taken by surprise in this matter, the movements of Morton and 
 his friends having been concealed and unknown to us. The moment I
 
 280 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 heard that Morton had gone to Washington -with some scheme of gaining 
 notice from Government, I wrote yOu a letter, having learned that you 
 were interested in the protection of our profession from quackery, and 
 that as a physician you would be likely to interest yourself in this sub- 
 ject. I was very glad to learn by your letter that you were Chairman of 
 the Committee before whom the question of the discovery of etherization 
 would come. I am satisfied that ample proof will be laid before you, 
 showing that Morton was in no sense the discoverer of etherization. 
 
 " I will visit you in person before long, and then shall be able to 
 explain every thing that may not be perfectly clear. 
 
 "Were it not that my urgent duties as United States geologist re- 
 quired all my time, I should rejoice in being able to lay my case before 
 Congress ; knowing that there is much more facility in arriving at the 
 truth, when both sides are examined, where there is not so much local 
 feeling as exists in the vicinity of our Hospital. 
 
 " I shall deem it necessary, for the cause of truth, science, and for the 
 credit of our profession, to lay my case fairly before you ; and you shall 
 soon have all the documents we can furnish. I now send you Dr. Gay's 
 statement, which please accept. 
 
 " With the highest regard, I have the honor to be, your obedient 
 
 servant, 
 
 " Charles T. Jackson, 31 Somerset Street, Boston. 
 " Hon. Thomas O. Edwards." 
 
 " Professor Silliman, Professor Hare, Professor Gibson, and all ovir 
 men of science who have examined the evidence, decide in my favor. 
 
 " C. T. J." 
 
 The following remonstrance was presented to the House, 
 and referred to the Committee : — 
 
 " To the Senate and House of Eepresentaiives of the United States in 
 Congress assembled : 
 
 "The undersigned begs leave to represent, that, whereas a memorial 
 has been presented to the Congress of the United States by William 
 Thomas Green Morton, of the city of Boston, in the State of Massachu- 
 setts, representing that, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
 hundred and forty-six, he, the said Morton, made, in the city of Boston 
 aforesaid, a discovery by which the human body is rendered insensible to 
 pain during surgical operations, and during other serious and violent aifec-
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 281 
 
 tioas, by means of the vapor of sulphuric ether inhaled into the lungs, — 
 praying also for a national remuneration or reward for making the said dis- 
 covery, and for its practical application ; and whereas the said discovery 
 was made by the undersigned, without the knowledge of the said Morton, 
 and without the co-operation or assistance of any person whomsoever, and 
 was communicated by the undersigned to various persons, from the spring 
 and autumn of eighteen hundred and forty-two to the thirtieth day of Sep- 
 tember, eighteen hundred and forty-six inclusive, and on the said thirtieth 
 day of September was also communicated by the undersigned to the said 
 Morton, — he, the said Morton, being, previous to the said communication 
 of the discovery to him, wholly ignorant of the anaesthetic properties and 
 effects of sulphuric ether aforesaid ; and whereas the undersigned did also, 
 on the thirtieth day of September, eighteen hundred and forty-six, devise 
 and commit to the said Morton the performance of an experiment for the 
 verification of the said discovery, so far as the extracting of teeth is con- 
 cerned ; and whereas the said Morton, acting in sti'ict conformity with the 
 instructions and upon the exclusive and expressly-assumed responsibility 
 of the undersigned, did, to the extent of a painless extraction of a toothy 
 successfully verify the said discovery ; and whereas the undersigned did, 
 shortly afterwards, cause the discovery to be further verified by the sur- 
 geons of the Massachusetts General Hospital, in the first painless capital 
 operation ever performed under the Influence of the ether-vapor ; and 
 whereas the signature of the undersigned to certain letters-patent, taken 
 out In the joint names of the undersigned and of the said Morton, declar- 
 ing the discovery to be their joint invention, was obtained through the 
 representation of Robert H. Eddy, Esq., of said Boston, the solicitor by 
 whom the said letters-patent were procured, and copartner with the said 
 Morton in the profits thereof, that the undersigned ' might lose all his 
 credit as a discoverer,' If he did not consent to become a party to the said 
 letters-patent ; and whereas the undersigned, after being Instructed by 
 eminent legal counsel that the said Morton had not rendered himself in 
 any sense a joint discoverer, by reason of the painless extraction of a 
 tooth as aforesaid, and that he had not thereby acquired any right either 
 to an exclusive patent or to participation with the undersigned In any 
 patent upon the said discovery, did publicly repudiate all connection with 
 the said letters-patent, and did refuse any part of the proceeds arising 
 from the sale of licenses under the same ; and did, as he originally In- 
 tended, give the discovery freely to the woi-ld, to the fuU extent of his 
 interest ; evidence of all which is herewith submitted. The undei'signed 
 does, therefore, earnestly remonstrate against the memorial of the said 
 
 36
 
 282 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Morton, and prays that his petition may not be granted ; and that there 
 may not be, on the part of the Congress of the United States, any 
 recognition whatever of his claims to the said discovery. 
 
 " Charles T. Jackson. 
 " Washington, D.C, Jan. 29, 1849." 
 
 Dr. Jackson and Dr. Morton each appeared before the 
 Committee on several occasions ; and Mr. J. L. Lord, attor- 
 ney for Dr. Jackson, presented the testimony in his favor. 
 Various pampldets and numerous letters, together with nu- 
 merous conflicting and irrelevant affidavits, were referred to 
 us ; and, after an examination of more than a month, and a 
 patient and careful weighing of all the facts as presented, we 
 report that, — 
 
 On the 12th day of November, 1846, a patent was issued 
 by the Department of State to Dr. William T. G. Morton, 
 for a new and useful improvement in surgical operations, 
 which consists in rendering tlie patient insensible to pain, by 
 the inhalation of the vapor of sulphuric ether. 
 
 The interest of Dr. Jackson in the patent was previously 
 assigned to Dr. Morton, who now brings it before Congress 
 with his memorial, and offers to surrender it. He asks from 
 Congress sonae consideration for the valuable boon which he 
 claims to have conferred upon his country and the world, and 
 remuneration for his own personal sacrifices in making the 
 discovery. And he avers that he himself is the sole discov- 
 erer, aided only by the current knowledge of the day, which 
 he derived from books, and from conversation with Dr. Jack- 
 son and other scientific men. Dr. Jackson, on his part, 
 denies that Dr. Morton is the author of the discovery ; but 
 claims the whole merit as his own, and avers that in the 
 experiments made and operations performed by Dr. Morton, 
 testing the truth and value of the discovery, and bringing 
 it before the world, Dr. Morton acted as agent, and that all
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 283 
 
 was (lone by his special directions, and on his personal and 
 pi-ofessional responsibility. Tiie contending parties have pre- 
 sented to the public their respective statements, and have 
 adduced much evidence in their support ; all of which your 
 Committee have felt it their duty carefully to examine and 
 consider. 
 
 The specifications which accompany the patent show what 
 the contending parties admit to have been known on the sub- 
 ject prior to alleged discovery, and also what they claim as 
 exclusively their own contribution to the existing mass of 
 human knowledge. It is sufficient to refer to the following 
 clause in the specification : " It has been known that the 
 vapors of some, if not of all these chemical distillations, par- 
 ticularly those of sulphuric ether, when breathed or intro- 
 duced into the lungs of an animal, have produced a peculiar 
 effect upon its nervous system, one which has been sup- 
 posed to be analogous to what is usually termed intoxication. 
 It has never, to our knowledge, been known until our dis- 
 covery, that the inhalation of such vapors (particularly 
 those of sulphuric ether) would produce insensibility to pain, 
 or such a state of quiet of nervous action as to render a person 
 or animal incapable, to a great extent, if not entirely, of ex- 
 periencing pain, while under the action of the knife or other 
 instrument of operation of a surgeon, calculated to produce 
 pain. This is our discovery." 
 
 In addition to this, the vapor of ether, for the last half- 
 century, has been known as a nepenthe both in Europe and 
 America, and has been inhaled for the relief of inflamma- 
 tions, spasms, and the effect produced by the inhalation of 
 chlorine gas. Sir Humphrey Davy long ago suggested that 
 the inhalation of a gas (the nitrous oxide) might be used to 
 prevent pain in surgical operations ; and the inhalation of it 
 was publicly tried in a dental operation, but without success,
 
 284 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 by Dr. Horace Wells, in Boston, in 1844, in the presence of 
 many persons, and Dr. Morton aided in the ex{)eriment. 
 
 In July, 1847, after the ri<iht to the discovery had become 
 a matter of contest. Dr. Morton drew up a narrative, in the 
 form of a memorial to the Academy of Sciences at Paris, 
 which was, in the autumn of the same year, presented by 
 M. Arago, in which he gives a detailed statement of what 
 he claims as his discovery and the steps by which he arrived 
 at its consummation. In this he states, that, in the summer 
 of 1844, he was a student of Dr. Jackson and a boarder in 
 his family. He details a conversation, in which Dr. Jackson 
 explained the well-known effects of sulphuric ether on the 
 nervous system, when taken by inhalation, and adds that Dr. 
 Jackson, in the same conversation, said that he had some- 
 times used ether as a local application to relieve pain in the 
 teeth, and recommended it to him for that purpose, and 
 afterwards sent him a vial of highly rectified chloric ether, 
 which he subsequently used. 
 
 This conversation with Dr. Jackson ; the effect produced 
 by the use of ether, directly applied to the teeth, in deaden- 
 ing pain ; the experiment of Dr. Horace Wells, in the follow- 
 ing winter, with nitrous oxide, in which he assisted ; and his 
 subsequent reading, which now took a decided turn, directed 
 his mind to the subject, and led to further experiments. He 
 gives the necessities of the profession as the cause which 
 urged him on in the path of discovery. He details several 
 attempts in the summer of 1846, none of which were en- 
 tirely successful, to produce insensibility to pain by the 
 inhalation of ether ; and various efforts to provide some ap- 
 paratus from which it might be conveniently inhaled. At 
 last, on the 30th of September, he again called on Dr. Jack- 
 son for the purpose of obtaining further information as to 
 the preparation and use of the ether, and, at the same time,
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 285 
 
 studious to conceal the object which he had in view, lest Dr. 
 Jackson should turn his thoughts in the same direction, and 
 anticipate him in the discovery. He states a conversation 
 with Dr. Jackson on that day, opened on his part in a man- 
 ner most likely to cover his real purpose, and, at the same 
 time, elicit the information desired. He says his declared 
 purpose was to get a refractory patient in his power, so that 
 he could operate ; and that he said nothing about performing 
 the operation without pain. He first proposed to act on the 
 imagination of the patient, merely by administering atmos- 
 pheric air from a gas bag. This Dr. Jackson condemned ; 
 spoke of Dr. Wells and his nitrous oxide with derision, on 
 which Dr. Morton asked him why he could not use the sul- 
 phuric ether. This Dr. Jackson at once approved ; spoke of 
 the stupefying effects of the sulphuric ether, and of the stu- 
 dents taking it at Cambridge, and said that the patient, would 
 be dull and stupefied, so that the operator could do what he 
 pleased with him and he would not be able to help himself; 
 and, after some conversation about the preparation of ether, 
 and directions as to the shop at which the best could be had, 
 Dr. Jackson gave him a flask, with a glass tube, with which to 
 administer it ; and they parted. Dr. Morton states that he 
 procured the ether, went to his office, locked himself up, and 
 tried its effects on himself; and afterwards, on the same day, 
 extracted a tooth without pain, or even consciousness, from 
 a patient whom he had put under its influence. And that, in 
 order to bring out the discovery, he applied to surgeons of 
 the Hospital to suffer it to be tried in some surgical opera- 
 tions, which they consented to do. 
 
 Dr. Jackson denies the truth of this statement, thus far, 
 in all its material parts. He denies that Dr. Morton, prior 
 to their interview on the 30th of September, 1846, had any 
 knowledge of sulphuric ether, or its effects on the nervous
 
 286 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 system ; — that he was, prior to that time, in pursuit of any 
 discovery to prevent pain in dental operations, or that he had 
 made any experiments whatever tending to that object ; and 
 he avers that the operation of the 30th September was per- 
 formed by Dr. Morton as his agent, by his direction, and on 
 his sole responsibility; — that, in other words, he was the 
 actor and Dr. Morton his instrument ; and that such also was 
 the case in the application to the surgeons of the Hospital, 
 and the successful experiments there tried in sundry opera- 
 tions. On these questions much evidence is adduced, and on 
 their determination rests the whole merit of the discovery. 
 
 To prove, amongst other matters, that Dr. Morton had no 
 knowledge of sulphuric ether prior to September 30th, Dr. 
 Jackson takes the testimony of two persons, — George O. 
 Barnes and James M'Intyre, — who were his students in chem- 
 istry, and present at the interview. Barnes details a conver- 
 sation about the use of atmospheric air to operate upon the 
 imagination of the patient, which Dr. Jackson condemned ; 
 says that nitrous oxide was named, but not sulphuric ether, 
 when Dr. Jackson said, " Now, Morton, I can tell you some- 
 thing that will produce a real effect. Go to Burnett the 
 apothecary, and get some very strong sulphuric ether, — the 
 stronger the better; spatter it on your handkerchief; put it 
 to your patient's mouth ; take care that it be well inhaled ; 
 and, in a minute or two, perfect insensibility will be pro- 
 duced." "Sulphuric ether," said Morton, "what is that? 
 Is it a gas ? " 
 
 It will be remarked, tliat the witness here professes to 
 speak with perfect accuracy, giving this part of the conversa- 
 tion in its order in the form of a dialogue ; but, if he be 
 entirely correct, it involves a singular absurdity. Dr. Jack- 
 son directs that the ether shall be administered by spattering 
 it on a handkerchief; on which Dr. Morton asks him, "Is
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 287 
 
 it gas ? " as if gas could be spattered on a handkerchief, and 
 then administered to a patient. It is possible, however, that 
 the very language put in the mouths of the interlocutors 
 was, in fact, used; but, if so, Dr. Morton could not have 
 asked the question, '^ Is it gas ?" in ignorance, for the fact 
 that it was a liquid was explained to him in the very direc- 
 tions of its use : but it must have been to disguise his 
 knowledge, and with it his purpose. 
 
 The statement of James M'Intyre, the other witness, is 
 less positive, and more consistent with probability. After 
 stating the conversation about the atmospheric air and the 
 nitrous oxide, he says : — 
 
 " As Morton was going away, Dr. Jackson told him that 
 he could tell him something that would make the patient 
 insensible, and then he could do what he had a mind to with 
 liim ; Morton asked what it was ; Dr. Jackson then told 
 him to go to Burnett's, and get some pure sulphuric ether, 
 and pour it on a handkerchief, and let her inhale it. Mor- 
 ton asked what sulphuric ether was ; what kind of looking 
 stuff it was. I stayed in the front room, while Morton and 
 Dr. Jackson went to look at the ether. From Morton's 
 questions about the ether, I am satisfied he kncM' nothing 
 about its properties or nature." 
 
 There is no inherent difficulty in this statement, and that 
 Mr. Barnes is incorrect is rendered the more probable from 
 another consideration. If, after Dr. Jackson had directed 
 Morton to go to a drug-store and get sulphuric ether, and 
 administer it by sprinkling or pouring it on a handkerchief, 
 Morton had asked if it was gas, how could the absurdity 
 have escaped the observation of the students in chemistry? 
 Would the two young men have failed to make it a subject 
 of ridicule, in conversation with each other, so that it would 
 have been impressed on the memory of both? But the
 
 288 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 witnesses concur in this, that, at the time of that conver- 
 sation, Dr. Morton had, or pretended to have, no knowledge 
 of sulphuric ether, or its effects upon the nervous system. 
 
 This does not militate against the general effect of the 
 statement of Dr. Morton. He went, as he says, to Dr. 
 Jackson to obtain from him certain information, but at the 
 same time anxious to conceal from him the object of his pur- 
 suit, being fearful lest Dr. Jackson might anticipate him in 
 bringing the discovery to perfection. We deal with this 
 matter as a question of fact, not of words, and do not decide 
 whether Dr. Morton might consistently, with the obligations 
 which trust imposes, use artificial means to conceal a mental 
 conception which he did not wish to divulge. We believe, 
 however, where a person has a riglit to his secret, and is 
 under no obligations to disclose it, a direct denial of that 
 which was fact for the purpose of such concealment has not 
 been visited with strong moral censure. We would instance 
 the case of Walter Scott, who, at the table of George IV., 
 when toasted by his majesty as the author of Waverley, 
 declared tliat he was not the author. But as to the fiict 
 of Mr. Morton's knowledge : — 
 
 The statement of Theodore Metcalf, a gentleman of un- 
 disputed veracity, shows that, as early as July 6, 1846, Dr. 
 Morton talked and thought of sulphuric ether ; had been 
 informed of what was then currently known in the scientific 
 world as to its effects on the nervous system ; that nitrous 
 oxide was spoken of by him, and the unsuccessful experi- 
 ment made by Dr. Wells. Dr. Morton had in his possession 
 at this time a vial of sulphuric ether, which Mr. Metcalf 
 smelled and examined; so that, after July G, 1846, Dr. 
 Morton could not but have known, until he forgot his knowl- 
 edge, "what kind of stuff" sulphuric ether was, and, gen- 
 erally, something of its application and effects. There is
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 289 
 
 much evidence corroborating that of Mr. Metcalf on this 
 point, which will be considered hereafter. Suffice it to say, 
 that we think Dr. Morton's knowledge to this extent well 
 established ; and we think it equally clear, that, in his con- 
 versation with Dr. Jackson in the presence of his students, 
 he used artifice to conceal his knowledge. But did Dr. 
 Morton, prior to the 30th of September, 1846, engage in 
 the attempted discovery of some agent to prevent pain in 
 dental operations? And did it occur to him to try the vapor 
 of sulphuric ether as such agent? This is also affirmed on 
 the one side, and denied on the other. 
 
 The testimony of Francis Whitman goes to this point. 
 He says : " One day, I think it was previously to July, 1846, 
 Dr. Morton, in speaking of improvements he had made in his 
 profession, and of some one improvement in particular, said if 
 he could only extract them without pain, ' he would make a 
 stir.' I replied I hardly thought it could be done. He said 
 he believed it could, and that he would find out something 
 yet to accomplish his purpose." " Some time in July last, he 
 spoke of having his patients come in at one door, having 
 all their teeth extracted, and without knowing it, and then 
 going into the next room, and having a full set put in." He 
 adds, " that Dr. Morton came into the office one day in great 
 glee, exclaiming that he had found it, and that he could 
 extract teeth without pain." 
 
 There is nothing in the case to cast a shade over the testi- 
 mony of this witness. His statement involves no contradic- 
 tion or improbability ; he speaks of matters which would be 
 likely to make a distinct impression at the time : therefore 
 your Committee could not refuse him credence, even if he 
 were uncorroborated ; but this is by no means the case. Dr. 
 Granville G. Hayden testifies that Dr. Morton applied to 
 him about the last of June, 1846, and desired to make some 
 
 37
 
 290 ETHPLR DISCOVERY. 
 
 arrangement that would relieve him from the cares of his 
 office, as he had an idea in his head connected with dentistry, 
 which he thoujjht would be one of the oreatest thinos ever 
 known, and that he wished to give all his time to its develop- 
 ment. He at first declined to state its nature, but at length 
 told Dr. Hayden it was something he had discovered Avhich 
 would enable him to extract teeth without pain ; said that he 
 had already tried its effects upon a dog, and described its 
 operation. He said it was not nitrous oxide, and requested 
 Dr. Hayden to say nothing about the matter. This contract 
 with Dr. Hayden was reduced to writing on the 30th of 
 June, 184G, as appears by the statement of Richard H. 
 Dana, jun., the counsel who drew the instrument; and, at 
 the time he was preparing it. Dr. Morton told him that he 
 was in progress of a discovery, which, if successful, would 
 revolutionize the. practice of dentistry. 
 
 In the month of August, he told Dr. Hayden that his 
 agent was sulphuric ether, taken by inhalation ; said he had 
 inhaled it himself, and tried to get three young men in his 
 office to inhale it. He afterwards spoke of ill success and 
 discouragement in the use of ether, and Dr. Hayden sug- 
 gested that he should consult a chemist on the subject. 
 
 William P. Leavitt and Thomas R. Spear, jun., who 
 Avere students in the office, testify to the purchase of sulphuric 
 ether for Dr. ^Morton, in July and August ; that he |)revailed 
 on them to inhale the ether ; and that he offered them a 
 reward, if they would find some one who would consent to 
 have a tooth extracted under its influence ; and that, after 
 Dr. Hayden came, Dr. Morton seemed wholly absorbed with 
 his experiments : that he had bottles and India-rubber bags 
 in a small room in his office, in which room he frequently 
 locked himself up. 
 
 Joseph M. Wightman, a gentleman of very high charac-
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 291 
 
 ter, states that, in the summer of 1846, Dr. Morton applied 
 to him for information upon increasing the security of arti- 
 ficial teeth by atmospheric pressure ; a short time after, he 
 stated he had abandoned his views, which he found were 
 erroneous, and was then engaged in something of much 
 greater importance in his profession. "He then wished me 
 to show him bags of India-rubber cloth made for retaining 
 gas, and inquired whether it would do to put sulphuric 
 ether in them." It is very clearly shown that these inter- 
 views occurred prior to the conversation with Dr. Jackson, 
 on the 30th of September, 1846 ; nor is the mass of evidence 
 above referred to weakened in its force, so far as it bears 
 on the points now under consideration, by the opposing 
 testimony. This consists of statements alleged to have been 
 made by Dr. Morton, attributing the discovery to Dr. Jack- 
 son ; statements that he had never inhaled the ether, and 
 statements on the part of Spear and Leavitt that tiiey inhaled 
 the ether for the first time, after the 30th of September, 
 1846. Generally, this is a species of evidence little to be 
 relied upon, less in a heated controversy like this in which 
 the community participate, than in ordinary cases ; but we 
 will refer to this more especially by and by, when we come 
 to consider the several depositions. But in no wise can 
 evidence like this weigh against a chain of facts and circum- 
 stances, proved, as in this case, by the testimony of many 
 disconnected witnesses. There are no contemporaneous facts 
 or declarations stated by the rebutting witnesses on this branch 
 of the case, except by Don P. Wilson, who says he was In 
 and out of Morton's office quite frequently during the sum- 
 mer and the month of September, 1846 ; never saw sulphuric 
 ether there ; never heard Morton speak of it, tiiat he can 
 remember ; never perceived its odor about the clothes of 
 Morton or otherwise, and thinks it could not have been used
 
 292 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 in the office without his having perceived its odor. He says, 
 that, during the summer of 1846, he often heard Morton 
 speak of a new discovery which he was about to publish to 
 the world, and which, to use his own words, "would revo- 
 lutionize the whole practice of dentistry, and secure to him a 
 fortune ; " but he never hesitated to tell me and others, that 
 " it consisted in a new preparation for filling teeth and a new 
 mode of making teeth, and setting them to plate." This 
 was Morton's great hobby during the summer of 1846, and 
 during the month of September, the same year. 
 
 And John E. Hunt, whose statement on those subjects is 
 the same with that of Wilson, except that he says he was 
 " connected with the office in the summer of 1846," — how 
 connected he does not say, but that he " entered the office 
 early in the month of November of that year," — and was 
 assistant-dentist. Now, it is sufficiently apparent, that the 
 discovery of which Dr, Morton did not hesitate to speak pub- 
 licly to these young men "and others," could not be the one 
 which he was at the same time carefully concealing ; and, for 
 the rest, the whole amount of this evidence is, that these per- 
 sons, who occasionally visited the office of Dr. Morton in the 
 summer of 1846, did not discover what he took especial pains 
 to conceal. The affidavit of William A. Brewer, that the 
 house to which he belonged sold nothing but the best sulphuric 
 ether, is no doubt true, according to the o])inion of the wit- 
 ness ; but it is iiardly possible for him to know that none of 
 an inferior quality left the shop, even if the best only were 
 ])urchased or prepared, as it is an article greatly subject to 
 deterioration by time, especially if the vessel containing it 
 be often uncorked or remain open for a length of time, 
 in which case the pure volatile ether flies off in vapor, and 
 the dregs remain. Hence the chemical analysis had of the 
 ether remaining in the demijohn does, in our judgment,
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 293 
 
 fall far short of proving its true quality when purchased at 
 the druggist's. 
 
 But, on the whole, the evidence thus far leaves no doubt on 
 the minds of your Committee, that, prior to his interview with 
 Dr. Jackson, on the 30th of September, 1846, Dr. Morton 
 was possessed of the idea that the inhalation of sulphuric ether 
 would render a patient insensible to pain during a dental 
 operation ; that his time and attention were for several 
 months previously devoted to the bringing about this result ; 
 and that he called on Dr. Jackson that day to obtain infor- 
 mation by which he could obviate certain difficulties which 
 he encountered in his experiments, and that he disguised his 
 knowledge and purpose from Dr. Jackson, lest he should 
 ])enetrate his secret and anticipate his discovery. And as 
 to that interview, of the two witnesses present, one, James 
 M'Intyre, gives an account of the conversation, agreeing in 
 all matters of substance with the account of Dr. Morton, 
 except only that, according to him, Dr. Jackson, and not 
 Dr. Morton, first spoke of the use of ether. 
 
 Georoe O. Barnes said that Dr. Jackson, after directinjj 
 Dr. Morton how to give the ether, said " that the patients, after 
 breathing a dozen breaths, would fall back insensible, and 
 you can do with them as you please without their knoicing 
 any thing about it, or feeling any pain; so that you can 
 take out their teeth at your leisure." This suggestion as to 
 insensibility to pain had become, as was no doubt supposed, 
 the very point in issue. It was a most striking remark, and, 
 if in truth it was made, was most likely to impress both the 
 young men present. Both state the conversation in its im- 
 mediate context ; so that the statement of this impression by 
 one, and its omission by the other, amounts to a discrepancy 
 which greatly weakens the force of the affirmative statements. 
 We have already shown a still more striking discrepancy
 
 294 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 between these witnesses in the question attributed by Barnes 
 to ]\[orton — " Is it a o^as ? " — after Mr. Morton had been told 
 to get it at an apothecary's, and spatter it on a handkerchief; 
 and we are well satisfied, in this particular as in that, it is 
 more safe to rely on the evidence of M'Intyre. 
 
 The evidence, then, amounts to this : Dr. Morton came 
 into Dr. Jackson's office, having in his hand a gas-bag, with 
 wiiich he proposed to operate on the imagination of a re- 
 fractory patient by administering to her atmospheric air. 
 Dr. Jackson ridiculed the idea. Niti'ous oxide was spoken 
 of; Dr. Jackson objected to that, saying to Morton, that, if 
 he attempted to make it, it would become nitric oxide. He 
 then suggested sulphuric ether, and said it would make the 
 patient insensible, and Morton could do what he pleased 
 with her. This conversation, it will be noted, all took place 
 about a refractory patient ; the object considered was the 
 mode of bringing a nervous patient to a condition in which 
 she could be operated upon, not in which she would feel no 
 pain from the operation, — Mr. MTntyre says not one word 
 about pain or its absence in the operation, — but that the 
 operator could do what he pleased with the patient under the 
 influence of sulphuric ether. If this conclusion be correct, 
 the information given by Dr. Jackson to Dr. Morton was no 
 more than the current knowledge of the age, — no more than 
 he would have been told by any scientific man, or than he 
 would have read in books which treat of chemistry and 
 medicine: and, if it differed in any thing from the general 
 opinion of scientific men, it was in a stronger than ordinary 
 assui'ance that the vapor was not injurious to health. At 
 the same time, it is very clear to your Committee that Dr. 
 jNIorton relied more implicitly on information which he 
 obtained from Dr. Jackson than from any other source, 
 and that the information was given with the unhesitating
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 295 
 
 confidence arlsino; from a consciousness of hioh scientific 
 attainments. 
 
 This view of the subject awards to Dr. Jackson the merit 
 of greatly aiding, by his advice and instructions, in the 
 discovery. He did not himself produce the result, which 
 was new; or, by his information, carry knowledge in that 
 direction beyond the point it had already reached. He was 
 a safe and reliable guide to its then utmost limit in that 
 direction, — the Calpe and Abyla of scientific research, — 
 but left the sea beyond to be explored by others. Nor is the 
 result changed as to the merit of the discovery, if we take the 
 testiuiony of Barnes instead of M'Intyre, as to what occurred 
 at this conversation. On that hypothesis Dr. Jackson sug- 
 gested to Dr. Morton, that his patient, under the influence 
 of the vapor of sulphuric ether, would be insensible to pain 
 during his dental operations ; but this was no new idea 
 to Dr. Morton : he had thought and spoken of it long 
 before. He had for months given himself up to its con- 
 sideration, and he had talked of it to a host of witnesses 
 referred to above ; some directly, some in ambiguous phrase ; 
 but so, as now, when the facts and their connection and 
 dependence are known, to leave no doubt of the object of 
 his study and pursuit. Then if, on the 30th of September, 
 1846, Dr. Jackson told him that the vapor of sulphuric ether 
 would render his patients insensible to pain, he gave him no 
 new information ; for he was armed with no fact to show it. 
 He gave a speculation of his own, an inference he had drawn 
 from his scientific knowledge ; but the idea was already in 
 the mind of Dr. Morton : he had speculated on the same 
 subject, and in the same direction. He had drawn the same 
 infei-ence from the same general knowledge, and he had tried 
 an experiment on his own person, with a view of testing its 
 correctness. It is the case of one man in the pursuit of a dis-
 
 296 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 coveiy, who has his mind fixed upon the object, and the mode 
 of effecting it determined on, who consults with another who 
 confirms and support ■ his previously entertained opinions. 
 
 Nor is it, in our opinion, at all material whether Dr. 
 Jackson had or had not been long before impressed with 
 the conviction that this great object could be effected by the 
 same agent, and in the same manner in which it has been 
 brought about. If he made the discovery, he did not give 
 it to the world. The case would have been different if 
 he had communicated the idea to Dr. Morton prior to his 
 researches in the summer of 1846. But this is nowhere 
 claimed by Dr. Jackson or averred by any of his witnesses. 
 
 It is, however, contended by Dr. Jackson, that, in the 
 administration of ether to his patient on the 30th September, 
 and in the subsequent exhibition of it in the Hospital, Dr. 
 Morton acted as his agent merely ; that he was, in fact, the 
 experimenter as well as the discoverer, and the merit of suc- 
 cess or the responsibility of failure rested on him. This 
 position your Committee will now proceed to examine. 
 
 This claim is not supported by the evidence which has 
 been thus far considered : indeed, it bears strongly against 
 it, and your Committee can find no contemporary matter 
 touching this point, except a statement of George O. Barnes, 
 not yet commented upon. The witness, after stating Dr. 
 Jackson's efforts to overcome the scruples of Morton, says : 
 " Indeed, Dr. Jackson urged the matter very earnestly and 
 with perfect confidence, taking on himself the whole re- 
 sponsibility." Now, if this be a deduction, an inference 
 from the conversation stated, it is of no value whatever, 
 except to show a certain earnestness in the witness. If it 
 be but a further declaration, it is unsupported by the testi- 
 mony of M'Intyx'e ; and, in a tiiird important particular, 
 differs from and goes beyond him. But the well-attested
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 297 
 
 conduct of the parties themselves, at the time of the trans- 
 action in which this agency is claimed to have been con- 
 ferred and accepted, what is termed by lawyers the res 
 gentce, shows more clearly than every thing else the true 
 relation which they then bore to each other, and each of 
 them to the subject-matter in controversy. 
 
 Dr. Jackson claims that he had long had in his mind a 
 conviction that the vapor of sulphuric ether could be inhaled 
 without danger or injury to the patient, and that, under its 
 influence, surgical operations could be performed without 
 pain. All admit him to be a man of science, fully aware of 
 the mighty value of such a discovery, and not at all indif- 
 ferent to his own reputation in the scientific world. In this 
 state of things, we cannot conceive it possible that he could 
 have remained inactive for years, waiting till chance should 
 send him some one to bring out his great discovery, instead 
 of proceeding himself by direct experiment. It is not at all 
 disputed, that Dr. Morton went to Dr. Jackson's shop that 
 day uninvited ; that his wants, and not Dr. Jackson's wishes 
 and purposes, led to the conversation ; that there was nothing 
 of an especially confidential nature between them ; and that 
 what Dr. Jackson said to him, he said in the usual manner 
 of public conversation, and not like a man who was engaging 
 another to bring out a most important discovery to the world. 
 
 But, take Dr. Morton to be just what Dr. Jackson and 
 his two witnesses represent him to have been at the time 
 of that conversation, was he the man whom Dr. Jackson 
 would have trusted to represent him in a matter so deeply 
 involving his character and his fame ? Say it is Jackson's 
 discovery, the experiment is his, he is responsible for the 
 consequences. If it succeed, he has made the noblest con- 
 tribution to surgical science which the century has witnessed ; 
 if it fail, the consequences might be most disastrous. Whom 
 
 38
 
 298 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 does he select to carry out this, the most important con- 
 ception of his life or of the age ? Let his two witnesses 
 answer. 
 
 According to them, a man profoundly ignorant of the 
 powerful medicinal agent which he was directed to employ, 
 one who did not know what kind of "stuff" sulphuric ether 
 was, and who wished to see it in order thus to test its 
 qualities, is selected by one of the first scientific men of the 
 age to conduct a delicate and dangerous experiment witli this 
 same sulpliuric ether, on the success of which even more 
 than reputation depended. If Dr. Jackson had dwelt upon 
 the subject, conceived the discovery in his own mind, con- 
 sidered it with a view of making it known to the world and 
 useful to mankind, he knew that much depended on the first 
 public exhibition ; and he also knew that it required science, 
 prudence, and skill to render the experiment successful, and 
 prevent its becoming disastrous. Sulphuric ether would 
 produce insensibility to pain ; too little of it would make 
 the experiment ineffectual, and bring the operator and his 
 nostrum into ridicule ; too much, or the proper quantity 
 unslcil fully administered, would produce asphyxia, probably 
 death. Under these circumstances, how can your Commit- 
 tee believe that Dr. Jackson would have trusted such a man, 
 as his witnesses represent Dr. Morton to be, with his first 
 experiment upon his great discovery? Would it not have 
 been inexcusable in him to have done so? Would it not 
 have shown a recklessness of his own fame and the lives of 
 his fellow-men ? 
 
 Such a conclusion, your Committee are satisfied, cannot 
 be imputed to him with justice. Had Dr. Jackson made the 
 discovery and felt that it was his, could he have failed to be 
 at once aware of its vast ini[)ortance, and the world-wide 
 reputation it would give him? Would he have trusted it
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 299 
 
 for a moment in the hands of a man less skilful and scientific 
 than himself ? — indeed, would he have intrusted it with 
 any one? But would he not have himself seen that it was 
 administered in a proper manner, and under proper condi- 
 tions to make it safe and effectual? Would he not have 
 stood by, and watched the sinking pulse of his first subject, 
 until insensibility was complete, and have been careful to 
 withdraw it when he saw it was likely to endanger life, and 
 thus done all that science and skill could do to avoid a failure 
 or a catastrophe? But there was nothing of this. Having 
 given the information which he did give in the conversation 
 with Dr. Morton, he turned neither to the right nor left, nor 
 troubled himself further on the subject, until he was advised 
 by Dr. Morton thi.t the experiment had been successful. He 
 expresses no surprise, no emotion : it is an incident of the 
 day, — an occurrence. According to the testimony of Barnes, 
 he advises Dr. Morton to try it in some capital operation 
 in the Hospital ; does not say he will try it himself, which 
 he might or ought to have done, if jNIorton had been his 
 agent. He does not propose to get permission for Dr. 
 Morton so to try it ; though he well knew the application 
 by himself, or in his name, would ensure the permission. 
 He advises Dr. Morton to get permission, and try it in the 
 Hospital, and does not propose to be present, and in fact 
 is not present, when the trial is made, though the Hospital 
 was but five minutes' walk from his door. That operation 
 was successfully performed, and another was noticed to take 
 place the next day, about which Dr. Jackson gave himself 
 no concern, and at which he was not present. Tiie Com- 
 mittee feel that his conduct during this time was wholly 
 inconsistent with the fact, that he recognized the discovery 
 as his own, and that these were his experiments. 
 
 It is urged as a reason for his absence at the first opera-
 
 300 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 tion in the Hospital, that Dr. Morton did not inform him at 
 what time it was to take place. As to this, there is no 
 proof that he did or did not inform him : but surely had 
 Dr. Jackson felt the solicitude which the discoverer would 
 naturally feel, he would have informed himself, and his daily 
 associations naturally led him to the knowledge. On the 
 other hand, after the successful operation of the oOth of 
 September, and after Dr. Morton had seen his patient and 
 ascertained that he had suffered no injury from the ether, — 
 elated with his success, he consulted Dr. Hayden as to the 
 mode of bringing out the discovery, and suggested at once 
 that he would introduce it into the Hospital. A few days 
 afterwards, he told Dr. Hayden that Dr. Jackson would not 
 countenance the discovery, and again said he would go to 
 Dr. Warren and endeavor to have it introduced into the 
 Hospital. The fact that Dr. Jackson refused to give Dr. 
 Morton a certificate that ether Avas harmless in its effects, or 
 might be used with safety, is admitted by Dr. Jackson in his 
 defence by the Messrs. Lord ; but they say it proves nothing 
 but Dr. Jackson's " unwillingness to figure in Dr. Morton's 
 advertisements, and his iirudence in refusing to make 
 himself responsible fur any thing and every thing Mor- 
 ton^ in his ignorance, might do, xo'ith an agent liable to 
 the most dangerous abuse." 
 
 This, if it stood alone, might be satisfactory ; but one of 
 the witnesses, Geo. O. Barnes, says, that, on the 30th of Sep- 
 tember, Dr. Jackson employed Dr. Morton to use this very 
 agent. He assured him it would " not do the least injury." 
 He " urged the matter very earnestly, expressly talcing on 
 himself all the responsibility ; " and it was on the 1st of 
 October, the morning after the successful experiment, that 
 Dr. Jackson refused to give a certificate " that ether was 
 harmless in its effects," and yet, on this same day, the wit-
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 301 
 
 ness Barnes says, on being advised by Dr. Morton of the 
 success of the operation, Dr. Jackson said to him: "You 
 must go to Dr. Warren, and get his permission to admin- 
 ister it in the Massachusetts General Hospital, and, if possi- 
 ble, it should be on a capital operation." And he goes on 
 to say that INIorton strongly olyected at first to going to the 
 Hospital ; that everybody would smell the ether, and it would 
 not be kept secret ; but that, after learning something to dis- 
 guise the odor, he agreed to api)ly to the Hospital. 
 
 We have already adverted to the fact, that Dr. Morton, 
 the very evening after the successful operation, suggested 
 to Dr. Hayden that he would go to the Hospital and get 
 permission to try the ether there ; that he went next morn- 
 ing to Dr. Jackson, and returned, saying Dr. Jackson would 
 not give his countenance to the discovery ; and it is admitted 
 that Dr. Jackson refused him the certificate he wislied for, 
 and one of the reasons given is that he did not think him fit 
 to be trusted. Is it, then, probable that he urged him to go 
 to the Hospital, and there bring out his (Dr. Jackson's) great 
 discovery? But James IM'Intyre was also present on the 
 1st of October, when Dr. Morton returned and advised Dr. 
 Jackson of the entire success of the experiment ; and he 
 says not a word of Dr. Jackson's proposing to Dr. Morton 
 to try an experiment in the Hospital. Your Committee has 
 already remarked on several other points of difference in the 
 testimony of these two witnesses ; and in each case, as in 
 this, they felt themselves constrained by the testimony of 
 other witnesses, and by the inherent character of the evi- 
 dence, to rely on the accuracy of M'Intyre rather than of 
 Mr. Barnes, where these discrepancies occur. 
 
 Another difficulty in sustaining the position assumed by 
 Dr. Jackson foi'cibly impresses itself upon your Committee. 
 According to this, on the 30th of September, Dr. Jackson
 
 302 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 entrusted Dr. Morton with his discovery, and not only suf- 
 fered him, but "earnestly urged" him, to use it, assuring 
 him it was perfectly safe ; Dr. Morton tried it on the same 
 evening ; his success was complete ; he brought to Dr. Jack- 
 son the next morning conclusive evidence of all this, and 
 Dr. Jackson refused him a certificate bscause he would not 
 " make himself responsible for any thing and every thing 
 Morton in his ignorance mioht do with an ai^ent liable to 
 the most dangerous abuse." While nothing is shown to 
 shake Dr. Jackson's confidence in Dr. Morton since the pre- 
 vious day, or at all to change his opinion of him except the 
 triumphant success of the operation which he reported and 
 proved. On the 16th of October, the first operation was 
 performed in the Hospital, at which, as we have already 
 shown. Dr. Jackson did not attend, and at which his name 
 was not known. The second operation at the Hospital took 
 place on the 17th, Dr. Jackson taking no part in it by his 
 presence or his counsel. Both operations were entirely suc- 
 cessful, and both conducted on the part of Dr. Morton to 
 the entire satisfaction of the surgeons of the Hospital. But 
 at this time Dr. Jackson's confidence in Dr. Morton, if he 
 ever did confide in him, is wholly gone. He denies, in 
 the conversation with his neighbor and friend, Caleb Eddy, 
 that under the influence of ether the flesh of a patient can be 
 cut without pain ; says Morton " is a reckless man for using 
 it as he has ; the chance is he will kill somebody yet ; " and, 
 in the interval between the 30th of September and about 
 the 23d of October, he declared that he did not care what 
 Morton did with it or how much Morton advertised, if his 
 own name was not drawn in with it. 
 
 It would seem, that, as Dr. Morton acquired eclat by his 
 constant success, as he continually and rapidly rose in the 
 estimation of other scientific men, he as continually and as
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 303 
 
 rapidly sunk in the estimation of Dr. Jackson. The evi- 
 dence of Francis Whitman and Mr. Caleb Eddy shows, that, 
 prior and up to the 23d October, Dr. Jackson spoke doubt- 
 ingly of the effect of ether, and condemned its use ; and 
 there is no proof whatever, that within that time he lent 
 the sljohtest countenance to Dr. Morton to sustain the dis- 
 covery ; and all his remarks, except those stated by Dr. T. E. 
 Hitchcock to have been made to him on the 2d and 3d of 
 October, tend to create distrust and destroy confidence both 
 in the operator and the agent used. His favorable mention 
 of it to Dr. Keep occurred after the 26th of October, the 
 actual date not fixed, and was accompanied with a strong 
 aeneral charge of ignorance and recklessness against Mor- 
 ton, who was then in the full tide of successful experiment. 
 This state of facts is, in the opinion of your Committee, 
 wholly inconsistent with the assumption that Dr. Jackson 
 was the discoverer ; that he had employed Dr. Morton to 
 bring out the discovery, and that the experiments of Morton 
 were tried on the responsibility of Dr. Jackson. 
 
 On the 30th of September, the first successful operation 
 took place. On the first of October, Dr. Morton applied to 
 R. H. Eddy, agent for patents, to aid him in procuring a 
 patent for the discovery. ]Mr. Eddy took the case into con- 
 sideration, and did not see Dr. Morton again until the 21st. 
 In the mean time Dr. Morton's experiments had been attended 
 with the most flattering success. Two operations had been 
 performed in the Hospital to the entire satisfaction of the 
 faculty, and the discovery had acquired a footing in the 
 medical world; and prior to the 21st, but the precise day is 
 not stated, Dr. Jackson had a conversation with Mr. Eddy, 
 was informed of the application of Dr. Morton for a patent, 
 and claimed that he had some connection with Dr. Morton 
 in making the discovery. He called on Dr. Morton on the
 
 304 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 23(1 ; and it was then arranged that Dr. Jackson was to have 
 $500 for the information he had given Dr. Morton, if ten 
 per cent on the proceeds of the patent would produce that 
 amount. 
 
 This arrangement between the parties, settled by and 
 between themselves in a private conference, proved by their 
 subsequent conversation with Mr. Eddy, and not now denied, 
 shows conclusively the view that each had of his respective 
 participation in the discovery. It was between them both 
 distinctly a business-transaction, — an affair of dolhu's and 
 cents, and as clearly Dr. Jackson called and introduced the 
 conversation, — not to assert his rights to the discovery, — 
 not to inquire as to its success, for of this public report had 
 advised him, — not to give any advice or caution as to its 
 further use, but to claim a compensation in money for the 
 advice and information he had given to Morton on the 30th 
 of September ; and $500, if ten per cent on the proceeds 
 of the patent would produce it, was agreed upon as the 
 sum to be paid for that information. This conversation and 
 agreement is entirely consistent with the view we have thus 
 far taken of the case ; but it is wholly inexplicable on the 
 ground assumed by Dr. Jackson. But the representations 
 and advice of Mr. Eddy, the common friend of the parties, 
 modified their arrangement. He represented to Dr. Morton, 
 that Dr. Jackson, from having given him the information 
 and advice spoken of on the 30th of September, was en- 
 titled to participate in the patent as a joint discoverer ; that, 
 if he were not joined in the patent, the fact of his giving 
 that information would be used to impeach the patent ; and 
 that, if Dr. Jackson were joined as a patentee, his name 
 and his advice and assistance would be useful in bringing out 
 the discovery and giving it celebrity. With these arguments, 
 Dr. ISIorton was satisfied, and consented that Dr. Jackson
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 305 
 
 should be named as a joint discoverer in the patent. Mr. 
 Eddy also advised with Dr. Jackson, who informed him, 
 that, " by the laws of the Massachusetts Medical Society, 
 he would be prevented from joining with Dr. Morton in 
 taking out a patent, as he would be expelled from the asso- 
 ciation if he did so. He further stated, that he intended to 
 make a professional charge of $500 for the advice he had 
 given him, and that Dr. Morton had acceded to this ; that 
 he did not wisii his name coupled with Dr. Morton in any 
 manner ; that Dr. Morton might take out a patent if he de- 
 sired to do so, and do what he pleased with it." At a subse- 
 quent interview prior to the 27th of October, Mr. Eddy 
 urged Dr. Jackson to waive his objections to associating with 
 Dr. Morton, as '' I was confident that he was mistaken in 
 his views as to what would be the action of the medical 
 association ; that Dr. Morton could not properly take out 
 a patent without him ; and that, by joining in the patent, he 
 would of a certainty be obtaining credit as a discoverer ; 
 whereas, should he not do so, he might lose all credit, as in 
 the case of the magnetic telegraph, which I understood from 
 Dr. Jackson he had suggested to Professor Morse." The 
 objection as to the Medical Society was removed on consul- 
 tation with Dr. Gould. Dr. Jackson consented to join in 
 the patent, and it was agreed that he should have ten per 
 cent of the proceeds for his interest in it. 
 
 Your Committee do not feel, that on this question of fact 
 the parties ought to be bound by the legal conclusions of 
 their common friend, Mr. Eddy, or by the papers which 
 they executed in pursuance of his legal advice. But they do 
 consider the communications made by them at the time to 
 Mr. Eddy ; the mutual agreement of the parties between 
 themselves, as touching the discovery and the facts admitted 
 by them on the consultation, as matter of the utmost inipor- 
 
 39
 
 306 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 tance and significance. A voluntary agreement took place 
 between the parties on that day, of which both must have 
 understood the full force and effect, and to wiiich neither 
 seems to have been, or probably could have been, impelled 
 by advice or counsel. It was that the whole right to use 
 the discovery under the patent should be and was assigned 
 to Dr. Morton, he paying to Dr. Jackson ten per cent on all 
 sales for licenses. 
 
 Your Committee cannot here fail to remember the un- 
 qualified terms of contempt and reprobation in which Dr. 
 Jackson had during the preceding part of that month, down 
 almost to the very date of this arrangement, spoken of Dr. 
 Morton and his alleged ignorance and recklessness in the use 
 of this agent. They cannot conceive it possible, that, if he 
 felt himself to be the true discoverer, he would, by solemn 
 contract, relinquish all power over his discovery, and place 
 it solely in the hands of a man of whom he thought so 
 illy. Dr. Jackson indignantly repels the idea that it was 
 done for the purpose of gain ; and we think it could not be 
 the case, as the pittance reserved to him, if he conceived 
 himself the discoverer, was despicably small. And how 
 could he hope to acquire fame, by abandoning the most 
 important discovery of the age ; one which, if it were his, 
 and if under the auspices of his reputation, with his skill 
 and science, it were presented to the world, could not fkil 
 to place him on the highest scientific and professional emi- 
 nence? How could he hope to acquire fame, by thus 
 surrendering all control over this discovery, and placing 
 it in the hands of such a man as he had represented, and 
 still represents. Dr. Morton to be? 
 
 A careful examination of the above detailed acts and 
 conversations of the j)arties, down to the 27th of October, 
 about which it would seem to your Committee there could
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 307 
 
 be no doubt, renders it clear almost to a demonstration, that 
 neither Dr. Jackson nor Dr. Morton, nor any of those who 
 had witnessed or aided in the operations, supposed that Dr. 
 Jackson was entitled to the merit of this discovery, or any 
 other merit than that of having communicated important 
 information to Dr. Morton ; and, if we trace the conduct of 
 the parties further, this opinion is but confirmed. 
 
 On the 7th of November, a capital operation was per- 
 formed by Dr. Hayward in the Hospital ; the patient being 
 under the influence of sulphuric ether administered by Dr. 
 Morton. Dr. Warren, being informed by Dr. Jackson that 
 he suggested the use of sulphuric ether to Dr. Morton, 
 invited him to attend, and administer the ether. He declined 
 for two reasons : one was, that he was going out of toivn; 
 the other, that he could not do so consistently with his 
 arrangements with Dr. Morton : so the first capital operation 
 under the influence of ether was successfully performed, 
 Dr. Jackson not yet thinking fit to attend. But, in a com- 
 munication published in the Boston Daily Advertiser of 
 March 1st, 1847, he says: "I was desirous of testing the 
 ether in a capital operation, and Dr. Warren politely con- 
 sented to have the trial made ; and its results proved entirely 
 satisfactory, an amputation having been performed under the 
 influence of the ethereal vapor without giving any pain to the 
 patient." It strikes the mind with some surprise that Dr. 
 Jackson should claim this operation as an experiment, made 
 by him at his request, and to satisfy himself of the efficacy 
 of the " ethereal vapor " in a capital operation ; when the 
 only connection which he had with the operation was to 
 decline attending it when specially invited. Indeed, so 
 entirely did he omit to inform himself on the subject of 
 this experiment — which he declares to be his — that, in the 
 above communication, he names Dr. Warren as the surgeon
 
 308 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 who performed the operation, which was in fact performed 
 bj Dr. Hayward. 
 
 Another surgical operation was performed at the Brom- 
 field House on the 21st of November, the ether again 
 administered by Dr. Morton. Dr. Jackson was then present 
 for the first time on invitation, but merely as a spectator. 
 On the 2d of January, 1847, an operation was performed 
 in the Hospital, when Dr. Jackson attended, and brought 
 with him a bag of oxygen gas to relieve the patient from 
 asphyxia, in case it should supervene. Nothing of the kind 
 occurred, and the g-as was not used. This is the first and 
 only act of Dr. Jackson's made known to your Committee 
 which implied that he had any duty to perform in the 
 administration of the ether, or that he rested under any 
 responsibility as to its effects. 
 
 The testimony of Don P. Wilson and J. E. Hunt, who 
 were assistants in Dr. Morton's shop for a few months, 
 commencing in November, 1846, is adduced to impeach 
 the evidence of Leavitt, Spear, and Hayden, by their al- 
 leged declarations, and the title of Dr. Morton to the 
 discovery, by his. declarations. This is a species of testi- 
 mony against which the books on evidence especially put us 
 on our guard. It is a sweeping kind of evidence which 
 covers every thing; and, if the imputed conversation be 
 private, or if it be general (as he often said, or always 
 said), it is often difficult to subject the evidence to the 
 ordinary tests of surrounding circumstances and inherent 
 probability, so as to fix its value. There is enough, how- 
 ever, in these depositions to show that they are of but little 
 weight. It is to be remembered, in the first place, that 
 they are in direct contradiction to the testimony of Whit- 
 man, Spear, Leavitt, and Hayden; and they contradict by 
 strong implication the testimony of Mr. Metcalf and Mr.
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 309 
 
 Wightman, the character of all and each of whom is most 
 satisfactorily vouched. The testimony of these two witnesses 
 cannot be true, unless the four first above named entered 
 into a conspiracy to carry a point by perjury ; but, as to 
 them, we have examined their evidence — we have tested 
 it by its agreement with surrounding circumstances, and we 
 are satisfied of its truth. 
 
 This, of itself, would be enough to dispose of the testi- 
 mony of Wilson and Hunt ; but it is proper to look at the 
 inherent character of their evidence. 
 
 Wilson, in the commencement of his deposition, swears^ 
 by way of recital, that Dr. Charles T. Jackson was the 
 discoverer of the application of ether to produce insensibility 
 to pain in surgical operations ; and, among other things, he 
 says, " Morton first claimed the discovei'y to he his own " 
 in February, 1847. To say nothing of the looseness and 
 total want of caution with which the fact of the discovery 
 is stated, — a fact of which Mr. Wilson certainly had no 
 knowledge whatever, — he testifies directly against the re- 
 corded fact in the second particular ; for Dr. Morton did 
 claim the discovery as early as September 30, 1846, and his 
 claim was given to the world the next day in the public 
 prints. His claim, and his alone, was known to the sur- 
 geons of the Hospital during the month of October ; and 
 his public circulars, and the numerous answers to them, 
 which he has exhibited to the Committee, show that during 
 all that time, and at all times, he claimed the discovery 
 publicly and to the world as his own. The witness goes on 
 to say : " In the administration of ether, I was guided by 
 and solely relied upon the advice and assurances of Dr. 
 Jackson, received through Morton. We never dared to 
 follow Morton^s own directions" — and adds that, if they 
 had, the consequences would probably have been fatal, and
 
 310 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 etherization a failure. And further, that he never knew 
 Morton " ^o apply it to a patient in the office. This was 
 from a most apparent fear and shunning of responsibility." 
 
 Now, as to the advice and assurances of Dr. Jackson, 
 alleged to have been received from time to time through 
 Dr. Morton, we have no reason to suppose that any such 
 repeated intercourse and communication took place during 
 that time, and we have no evidence of the actual fact of any 
 such meeting and instructions. On the contrary, there is 
 evidence of unkind feelings existing on Dr. Jackson's part 
 towards Dr. Morton ; and, in the opinion of your Commit- 
 tee, the testimony of Dr. Keep indirectly contradicts the 
 testimony of Wilson on that point, and directly upon each 
 of the other points last named. Dr. Keep's object and the 
 tendency of his evidence is to depreciate Dr. Morton, but for 
 faults the very reverse of those with which he Is charged by 
 Wilson, namely, a ^^ rash r'ecklessness," instead of "a most 
 manifest fear of responsibility ,''^ in administering the ether; 
 and he evidently is impressed with the belief, and designs to 
 let it be known, that the success of etherization depended 
 upon his skill and prudence. He says, "It was his (^Mor- 
 ton's) joractice during that time to administer the ether, 
 without any adequate provision for the admission of atmos- 
 pheric air ; and, tvhenever ojjerations were performed by 
 other persons in the office and under his supervision, he 
 directed the application in the same way, in consequence of 
 which many of the operations were unsuccessful, and great 
 distress and suffering were induced." Dr. Keep then states 
 that he made ample provision for the admission of atmos- 
 pheric air, and advised the assistants to do the same thing ; 
 "but they, being influenced by his (Morton's) directions and 
 known wishes, did not at all times follow my advice." Not 
 a word is said by Dr. Keep of any advice or directions coming
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 311 
 
 from Dr. Jackson, which, if it had actually occurred, must 
 have heen known to him, and would have formed an impor- 
 tant item in the current incidents of the time. The evidence 
 of these two witnesses stands thus. They were in the office 
 of Dr. Morton, during the same "thirty days," — Keep, the 
 superior; Wilson, the assistant. Keep says Dr. Morton was 
 in the habit of administering the ether in a particuhir manner, 
 and that he was i^ash and r'eckless. Wilson says he never 
 administered it at all, and that he was timid and shrank 
 from responsibility. But the surgeons of the Hospital agree 
 with neither one nor the other, but show^ that he repeatedly 
 administered it in the Hospital himself, to their entire satis- 
 faction and with entire success. Wilson says the assistants 
 in the office would not follow the directions of Dr. Morton, 
 but relied upon such as were brought from Dr. Jackson. 
 Keep says nothing about instructions from Dr. Jackson, but 
 that the assistants in the office were influenced by the direc- 
 tions and known wishes of Dr. Morton, so that his salutary 
 advice and remonstrances were often of no avail. Wilson 
 says Dr. Morton explained to him, an assistant in his office, 
 very fully all the particulars of the discovery and patent ; but 
 to Dr. Keep, his partner, he extended no such confidence. 
 We leave these two depositions to be viewed in their sti-ong 
 contrast ; and as to the testimony of Don P. Wilson, con- 
 sidering its inherent improbability, the suspicious nature of 
 the species of testimony to which it belongs, the manner 
 in which it is contradicted directly and indirectly by the 
 evidence of Dr. Keep ; and when we further consider that 
 it is directly opposed to the evidence of Whitman, Spear, 
 Leavitt, and Dr. Hayden, and indirectly to that of Metcalf 
 and Wightman ; and that it is also in direct conflict with 
 numerous public pinnted cards and notices of the day, — 
 we feel that we cannot give it the slightest weioht or con- 
 sideration.
 
 312 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 The testimony of John E. Hunt is subject to the same 
 objections with that of Don P. Wilson, and other objections 
 which your Committee will now proceed to notice. In 
 order to bring out a declaration on the part of Spear, that 
 he had never taken the ether, he represents him as taking 
 it one evening, and, in the excitement produced by it, 
 seizing upon a countryman present, and handling him 
 roughl}^ The apology which Spear makes to the country- 
 man is, " this was the first time he had ever taken the 
 ether;" not that it was the first time that ether so affected 
 him, or that the rudeness was committed under the influence 
 of ether, but that it was the first time he had ever taken 
 ether, — a fact which had little to do with the act of rude- 
 ness, and was a most irrelevant apology. But the inquiry 
 thereupon made by Hunt is most remarkably inconsequent : 
 he, having heard Spear say that it was the first time he 
 had ever taken ether, asks iiim if it " ever affected him in 
 the same way before." Now, if he had been pressing- 
 Spear with a cross-examination, in order to entrap him in 
 some important admission, the inquiry might perhaps have 
 been made ; but it was then a matter of no importance 
 whatever whether Spear had breathed the vapor of ether 
 or not, and it becomes in the highest degree improbable 
 that both branches of the conversation, so inconsistent with 
 each other, actually occurred ; and as the statement contra- 
 dicts the testimony of so many respectable witnesses, and 
 is in itself improbable, your Committee do not feel bound 
 to give it credence. Again : in a walk with Spear, Hunt 
 gets from him a full disclosure of the discovery, and a 
 statement that it belonged to Dr. Jackson. According to 
 this. Dr. Morton got the requisite information and instruc- 
 tions from Dr. Jackson ; came home ; tried it on a woman, 
 and it worked first-rate ; and he had since then continued
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 313 
 
 to use it under the directions of Dr. Jackson. The evidence 
 shows that Spear well knew that the expernment was not 
 tried on a woman, but on a Tncoi, whose certificate was 
 read next day by hundreds in the city of Boston. But the 
 witness evidently took this part of his story from the nar- 
 rative of Don P. Wilson (whose deposition was taken on 
 the same day) about the refractory female patient named in 
 the conversation with Dr. Jackson on the 30th of Septem- 
 ber, who was to be cheated with atmospheric air, administered 
 from a fjas-bao-. 
 
 From among the thousands with whom Dr. Morton com- 
 municated, touching this discovery, during the winter of 
 1846 and '47, some six or seven, with whom he had personal 
 controversies, testify to his admissions that he was not the 
 discoverer. They differ as to the degrees of directness and 
 fulness with which he opened the matter to them ; but it 
 will be found, as your Committee believe, to be a rule in 
 this case, having no exception, that the more violent the 
 hostility of the individual, the more fiercely he assailed Dr. 
 Morton's patent, the more free Morton became in his com- 
 munication, and the more fully did he unbosom himself; and 
 his statements always went directly to defeat his own claims, 
 and support the defence of the opponent, to whom he made 
 it. For example, H. S. Payne says "that, in the early part 
 of December, 1846, he commenced applying the vapor of 
 ether to produce insensibility to pain in surgical operations. 
 This was after I had heard of the discovery of the preparation 
 by Charles T. Jackson, of the city of Boston." He then 
 states that Dr. Clarke purchased of Dr. Morton a right, 
 under the patent, for Rensselaer and several adjoining coun- 
 ties, who sold to Dr. Bordell, and Dr. Payne was notified by 
 Dr. Blake, as the agent of Dr. Morton, to abandon the use 
 of ether in his practice. After failing in an attempt at 
 
 40
 
 314 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 negotiation with Dr. Bordell, he went to Boston, and had 
 an interview with Dr. Morton, who not once only, but 
 repeatedly, declared that Dr. Jackson was the sole dis- 
 coverer; "that all the knowledge he possessed in relation 
 to its properties and application came from Dr. Jackson ; 
 and that he never had any idea of applying sulphuric ether, 
 or that sulphuric ether could be applied, for the aforesaid 
 purposes, until Dr. Jackson had suggested it to him, and 
 had given him full instructions." This most frank communi- 
 cation raises at once a difficulty about the patent, which is 
 obviously void if that statement be true ; and Dr. ISIorton 
 attempts to remove it by saying, " that he had been very for- 
 tunnte in effecting an arrangement with Dr. Jackson before 
 any one else had the opportunity, and that he was the first 
 man to whom Dr. Jackson communicated the discovery." 
 And he adds : " Dr. Morton again and again said that he 
 was not in any way the discoverer of the new application of 
 ether, but that the idea had been first communicated to 
 him by Dr. Jachson, who was its discoverer, and that his 
 (^Dr. 3Iorton^s) ijiterest in the patent was merehj a pur- 
 chased one; and, moreover, that he was very lucJcy in 
 anticipating all other persons by first receiving so pre- 
 cious a discovery from the lips of Dr. Jachson." 
 
 After seeing the fulness and unreserved character of this 
 important conversation, and the apparent earnestness with 
 which Dr. Morton attempts to impress the flict that he had 
 no participation whatever in the discovery ; not satisfied with 
 suffering it to escape him inadvertently, or even stating it 
 once, but repeating it "again" and "again," as if he were 
 anxious to impress it, — one could not but be surprised to 
 know that Dr. Payne, before this conversation, had pirated 
 this discovery ; had set up for himself; bade defiance to Dr. 
 Morton and his assignees ; and, on his return home, pub-
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 315 
 
 lislied a card, in which he by no means denies that Dr. 
 Morton discovered the thing which he and his assignees are 
 using, but averring that his (Dr. Payne's) anodyne vajJor, 
 wliich in his affidavit he admits to be sulphuric ether, "is 
 not the invention of the great Dr. Morton, but an entirely 
 superior article, and all persons must beware how they 
 infringe on his rights." And the more especially is it sur- 
 prising when we reflect that this state of facts, which Dr. 
 Morton took such unusual pains to repeat and to impress 
 upon this his most determined opponent, would, if true, 
 render the patent wholly void in his hands, and put his 
 discovery entirely in the power of Dr. Payne, and all others 
 who sliould see fit to avail themselves of it. There can be 
 no absolute proof that Dr. Morton did not make these state- 
 ments ; but it is clear that it was against his interest to make 
 them ; and there is also full proof that they are not true, 
 and that they are in direct opposition to his numerous printed 
 and published statements. They are not true ; for, besides 
 the six witnesses who testify directly or indirectly to the 
 discovery in its inception and progress, it distinctly conflicts 
 with the conversation of the parties, and their mutual under- 
 standing on the 26th and 27th of October, as testified to 
 by R. H. Eddy. It is in direct conflict with the claim 
 promulgated by Dr. Morton, and received and accredited 
 by the scientific gentlemen in the Medical Hospital, who 
 performed the operations testing the efficacy of the dis- 
 covery. 
 
 Dr. Warren says : — 
 
 " Boston, Jan. 6, 1847. 
 
 " I hereby declare and certify, to the best of my knowledge and recol- 
 lection, that I never heard of the use of sulphuric ether by inhalation, as 
 a means of preventing the pains of surgical operations, until it was sug- 
 gested by Br. W. T. G. MoHon, in the latter part of October, 1846."
 
 316 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 And alike opposed to all the numerous jjrinted circulars 
 which Mr. Morton and his agents had distributed and were 
 then distributing in every part of the United States. It 
 appears that, prior to this date, Dr. Morton's attention had 
 been called to an opposing claim to the discovery, and to 
 the experiments at the Hospital, and he had taken a decided 
 public stand against them, as witness his circular, published 
 the 20th day of November, 184G, and the note thereto 
 attached : — 
 
 " DENTAL OPERATIONS WITHOUT PAIN. 
 
 '•^ Dr. Morton has made a great improvement in dental and surgical 
 operations, for which letters-iiatent have been granted by the Government 
 of the United States, and to secure which measures have been taken in 
 foreign nations. 
 
 " Having completed the necessary preparations for the purpose, and 
 greatly enlarged his establishment, Dr. Morton respectfully announces to 
 his friends and the public that he is now ready to afibrd every accommoda- 
 tion to persons requiring dental operations. 
 
 " His assistants and apartments are so numerous, and his entire 
 arrangements on so superior a scale, that immediate and the best 
 attention can be given to every case, and in every branch of liis pro- 
 fession. 
 
 " The success of this improvement has exceeded the most sanguine 
 expectations, not only of himself and patients, but of the very skilful 
 and distinguished surgeons who have performed operations with it at 
 the Massachusetts General Hospital and other places in Boston, or 
 witnessed its use at his office. Rooms, No. 19, Tremont Row. 
 
 " Boston, Nov. 20, 18-i6. 
 
 " *^* Inasmuch as one or two persons have presumed to advertise my 
 improvement as their own, and even issued notices to the effect that the 
 applications of it at the Hospital were made hy them, and that the certifi- 
 cates of its efficacy and value were given to them by the SUKGEONS of 
 THAT INSTITUTION, I fccl it my duty to warn the public against such 
 false and unwarrantable statements ; and at the same time to caution all 
 persons against making, aiding, or abetting in any infringement of my 
 rights, if they would avoid Ihe trouble and cost of prosecutions and 
 damages at law."
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 317 
 
 And your Committee do not tliink it credible that Dr. 
 Morton, resting his chaims to the discovery on the grounds 
 wliich he did, — having a most decided public opinion at 
 home in his favor as the discoverer, — having freshly tasted 
 of the intoxicating draught of fame, and recently, in the 
 public papers and in circulars, asserted his authorship of the 
 discovery and defied his rivals, — they do not think it credible 
 that he should seize the first occasion which offered, in con- 
 versation with a most determined opponent, to declare the 
 falsehood of all that he had written, published, and claimed; 
 to disclaim the honor which the world so generally and 
 freely accorded him ; confess away all his pecuniary rights 
 under the patent ; and even support his surrender, dis- 
 claimer, and sacrifice, by a self-debasing assertion which he 
 well knew was false. The improbability is too strong to 
 allow it credit. 
 
 But Dr. Payne says, that, in the early part of December, 
 1846, he commenced his operations with sulphuric ether; 
 and that this was after he had heard of the discovery of Dr. 
 Charles T. Jackson, of Boston. How he heard of the 
 discovery of Dr. Jackson, he does not say ; surely not by 
 the information of the scientific men of Boston, for they 
 attributed the discovery to Dr. Morton ; not by the public 
 prints, cards, and advertisement, for the name of Dr. Mor- 
 ton alone appeared there ; and he says, in conclusion, that he 
 was very much astonished in learning, some time after his 
 visit to Boston, that Dr. Morton "asserted any claim what- 
 ever " to the discovery ; and this after the publication and 
 circulation of the notices, cards, and circulars of Dr. Morton, 
 and after the witness had long been engaged in an embittered 
 contest with Morton and his assignees, and the publication 
 of his (Dr. Payne's) card. 
 
 Dr. Allen Clarke — who also testifies to admissions by Dr.
 
 318 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Morton, but much less strongly than Dr. Payne, and whose 
 statement may well be the result of a misunderstanding, 
 made the more decided by hostility to Dr. Morton, and a 
 desire to defeat his patent — was the purchaser of a right, 
 for which he gave his note for $3,350. He at length deter- 
 mined not to pay the note, but to join in contesting the 
 patent; and he expresses the opinion, that, by keeping up 
 the controversy for one year, the patent would be broken 
 down. Dr. Blaisdell says: ''Clarke would not pay you; 
 for he could get the use of the letheon for one year, before 
 you could get the license from them, and by that time they 
 could ruin the sale of it there," and he might well have 
 added, and with it the discoverer ; a very common fortune 
 to men who render the most important services to their 
 race. 
 
 Time, and the reasonable limits of a report, will not allow 
 your Committee to dwell upon the few remaining items of 
 kindred testiuiony. The weight and strength of them have 
 been considered ; and the residue, like them, are composed 
 of alleged statements by Dr. Morton to persons with whom 
 he then had or has since had personal controversies touching 
 his discovery, and they are all in contradiction to the claims 
 which Dr. Morton daily promulgated in print to the world. 
 Those printed papei-s are, as your Committee conceive, the 
 best evidence of what Dr. Morton all that time claimed, 
 and what he conceded ; they are of the time and of the 
 transaction ; they do not admit of misstatement, miscon- 
 struction, or falsification ; they are of unvarying and exact 
 memory ; and they speak the language of undoubted truth 
 as to the claims, though not as to the rights, of the author. 
 His claims, contemporaneous with these papers, are what 
 these witnesses attack. His rights we have already con- 
 sidered ; and, as to the evidence of his claims, that which
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 319 
 
 he insisted and said was his, the published papers stand 
 against the testimony of these witnesses, as written or 
 printed evidence against parol. His alleged confessions, 
 made under the most improbable circumstances, are in 
 direct contradiction to his printed circulars, daily and con- 
 temporaneously promulgated to the world. If, then, these 
 alleged parol admissions stood against the printed and pub- 
 lished papers, without any thing beside to add strength to 
 either, we could not, in our conscience, in weighing the 
 conduct of men by rational probabilities, hesitate to give the 
 decided preponderance to the printed over the parol evi- 
 dence. But the parol evidence runs counter to all the leading 
 facts in the case heretofore considered and established, in 
 the opinion of your Committee, by the most indubitable 
 proof; while the printed circulars and notices entirely agree 
 with them, and make with them one uniform and consistent 
 whole. The objects of the parties, their claims, their efforts, 
 their purposes, are the same throughout. The deposition 
 of A. Blaisdell is, however, worthy of especial comment. 
 At the time he professes to have had the conversation in 
 which Dr. Morton accords all the merit of the discovery 
 to Dr. Jackson, he was the agent of Dr. Morton, spreading 
 his circulars throughout the land ; had taken care to send 
 one of them to each and every surgeon-dentist in New 
 York ; and yet now declares that he was especially charged 
 with the information which he takes care to inculcate, that 
 these circulars were all false in the most material point, and 
 that the patent which he is selling is void by reason of that 
 falsehood. He was, at the same time, in habits of almost 
 daily correspondence with Dr. Morton ; and the difficulties 
 which he met with occurred while he was absent, and it 
 would most naturally have suggested itself to him to com- 
 municate them to Dr. Morton by letter, and in that way
 
 320 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 get his assent to obviate them by declaring Dr. Jackson the 
 sole discoverei'. But he does not do so : if he had, his 
 letter and Dr. Morton's answer would have been in writ- 
 ing ; and then, if there were truth in the statement of those 
 alleged admissions, there would have been one item of 
 written evidence to support them. But this is wholly 
 wanting. Blaisdell professes to have waited till his return 
 to Boston, and then to have held a private conversation 
 with Dr. Morton, who at once and eagerly admitted away 
 his whole claim, both to money and reputation. 
 
 It is remarkable that, in more than three months, during 
 all which time these witnesses say Dr. Morton conceded to 
 Dr. Jackson the merit of being the " sole discoverer," and 
 during all which time he was daily writing and almost daily 
 publishing, there is not produced one line written by Dr. 
 Morton, or written to him, countenancing the idea; nor is 
 there one act of his which looks to such admission. A 
 written admission or an ambiguous paragraph in writing, 
 which could be fairly construed into an admission, or a 
 letter written to him during that time, which could be 
 reasonably construed to refer to such admission, would be 
 tenfold the value of all the pai'ol testimony now presented 
 of those admissions. Dr. Morton has shown to the Com- 
 mittee several bound volumes of letters addressed to him 
 upon this subject, all of wiiich recognize him as the dis- 
 coverer. Viewing these statements in this point of light ; 
 comparing them with the printed and published papers, 
 in which Dr. Morton contemporaneously and continually 
 asserted his claims to the discovery ; and finding them op- 
 posed, as they are to the well-settled facts of the case 
 already considered, — they weigh, in our opinion, as dust 
 in the balance, and in nowise affect the well-settled facts 
 of the case.
 
 CONGRESSIONAI; REPORT. 321 
 
 Considering the case presented on its own merits, and 
 independent of any authority whatever, your Committee 
 lias come to the same conclusion that was arrived at by 
 the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hos- 
 pital, at their annual meeting in January, 1848, and sub- 
 sequently confirmed in 1849 ; and they cannot better state 
 the propositions, which they consider established, than by 
 adopting to this extent the language of the report of that 
 institution. It is as follows : " 1st, Dr. Jackson does 
 not appear at any time to have made any discovery, in 
 regard to ether, which was not in print in Great Britain 
 some years before. 2d, Dr. Morton, in 1846, discovered 
 the facts, before unknown, that ether would prevent the 
 pain of surgical operations, and that it might be given in 
 sufficient quantity to effect this purpose without danger to 
 life. He first established these fiicts by numerous operations 
 on teeth, and afterwards induced the surgeons of the Hos- 
 pital to demonstrate its general applicability and importance 
 in capital operations. 3d, Dr. Jackson appears to have had 
 the belief, that a power in ether to prevent pain in dental 
 operations would be discovered. He advised various per- 
 sons to attempt the discovery : but neither they nor he took 
 any measures to that end ; and the world remained in entire 
 ignorance of both the power and safety of ether, until Dr. 
 Morton made his experiments. 4th, The whole agency 
 of Dr. Jackson in the matter appears to consist only in 
 his havinor made certain suggestions, which led or aided 
 Dr. Morton to make the discovery, — a discovery which 
 had for some time been the object of his labors and re- 
 searches." 
 
 And although your Committee have deduced their con- 
 clusion from the evidence, without resting on opinion or 
 authority, they are greatly strengthened by the concurrence 
 
 41
 
 322 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 of that highly intelligent and scientific body of men who 
 examined the subject on the spot, while the transaction was 
 yet recent, and who were acquainted with the conduct of 
 the parties during the progress of the discovery, and with 
 the character of the witnesses. Tliis conclusion being reached 
 as to the exact state of fact, your Committee are satisfied 
 thereon that Dr. Morton is entitled to the merit of the 
 discovery. The great thought loas of producing insensi- 
 bility to pain; and the discovery consisted in that thought, 
 and in verifying it practically by experiment. For this 
 the world is indebted to Dr. Morton ; and even if the same 
 thought in all its distinctness and extent arose also in the 
 mind of Dr. Jackson, at or prior to that time, yet he did 
 not carry it out by experiment, and thus give it to the world ; 
 and on that supposition it was the case of an important 
 thought occupying two minds at the same time, one only of 
 whom brought it out by experiment, and is therefore the dis- 
 coverer. It was clear that the discovery was destined soon 
 to be given to the world. Science had almost reached it ; 
 but a single step, and it was compassed ; and it happened 
 in this case, as in many others, that the necessities of the 
 profession, a want deeply felt in the daily business of life, 
 rather than scientific induction, at last pi'oduced the con- 
 summation. 
 
 That it is a discovery toe cannot doubt; that it is an 
 advance beyond the heretofore known walks of science, 
 we know ; and scientific men of all civilized nations, even 
 to the extremities of the earth, acknowledge and proclaim 
 it. 
 
 As to the question whether a sum of money shall be 
 appropriated by Congress as a reward for this discovery, 
 your Committee beg leave to refer that subject to the con- 
 sideration of this House. Numerous cases, however, have
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 
 
 323 
 
 occiuTed, to which your Committee beg leave to refer, in 
 which compensation in money has been made by Congress 
 as a reward for like discoveries of less importance to the 
 country and mankind. ..... 
 
 This discovery is the long-sought desideratum of sur- 
 geons. His sinking heart, when witnessing the writhings 
 and agonies of his patients, has looked to this as a con- 
 summation devoutly to be desired. Various narcotics have 
 been employed. Mesmerism, and its kindred neurology, 
 were tendered as this great boon ; but they have passed, 
 and with them the expectations of the profession, and the 
 promises of their discoverers. Dr. J. C. Warren, page 3, 
 in his work on Etherization, says, "A new era has opened 
 on the operating surgeon. His visitations on the most 
 delicate parts are performed, not only without the agoniz- 
 ing screams he has been accustomed to hear, but sometimes 
 with a state of perfect insensibility, and occasionally even 
 with the expression of pleasure on the part of the patient. 
 Who could have imagined that drawing a knife over the 
 delicate skin of the face might produce a sensation of un- 
 mixed delio;ht? — that the turnin"^ and twistins; of instru- 
 ments in the most sensitive bladder might be accompanied 
 by a beautiful dream? — that the contorting of anchylosed 
 joints should co-exist with a celestial vision? If Ambrose 
 Pare and Louis and Dessault and Cheshelden and Hunter 
 and Cooper could see what our eyes daily witness, how 
 would they long to come among us, and perform their ex- 
 ploits once more ! And with what fresh vigor does the 
 living surgeon, who is ready to resign the scalpel, grasp 
 it, and wish again to go through his career under the new 
 auspices ! " 
 
 We quote also from the same : " In order to form a 
 proper estimate of the value of the new practice, we should
 
 324 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 endeavor to realize the mental condition which precedes a 
 surgical operation. As soon as a patient is condemned to 
 the knife, what terrors does his imagination inflict ! How 
 many sleepless nights, and horrible dreams, and sinkings 
 of the heart does he experience ! What apprehensions of 
 dangerous bleedings, of wounds of vital parts, and even 
 of sudden death, does he paint to himself! And when to 
 these is added the dread of insupportable pain, what a 
 frightful })icture presents itself to the mind ! No wonder 
 that many persons are unable to bring themselves to sub- 
 mit ; no wonder that some, wrought to desperation, are led 
 to anticipate their sufferings by a voluntary death. Horror 
 of the knife led a gentleman in this city, afflicted with a 
 stone in the bladder, to commit suicide. When the terror 
 of corporeal suffering is taken from this load of appre- 
 hension, the patient may Indulge a hope which leads him 
 cheerfully to uncertain dangers." 
 
 In reply to connnunications addressed to the Surgeon- 
 General of the Army, and Chief of the Medical Department 
 of the Navy, we learn that chloroform and ether are used 
 in both these dej)artments, and that they constitute in part 
 the sup[)lies fur the service, and have been used during the 
 recent war with Mexico. This would, In justice, entitle 
 the memorialist to compensation, as the laws of the United 
 States guaranty to him all benefits in its use by all persons. 
 Had we not already exceeded the usual limits of a report, 
 we would gladly introduce numerous testimonials of the 
 advantageous use of anaesthetic agents In various diseases, 
 besides those subject to surgery. And we deem the sub- 
 joined tables, showing its introduction into the hospitals of 
 the United States, will give a general idea of the usefulness 
 of the discovery, and its general applicability to disease. 
 They are taken from the Transactions of the American
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 325 
 
 Medical Association, assembled in Baltimore in May, 1848. 
 [Tlie tables are here omitted.] 
 
 The effects of chlorofurm and ether are similar ; each 
 has its advocates ; yet your Committee are assured, that, 
 amongst the hundreds of thousands of cases of various 
 diseases in which ether has been used, no case has termi- 
 nated fatally, in which any injurious effect could be traced 
 to ether. We cannot assert the same for chloroform. The 
 effects of ether are more readily controlled, and its strength 
 is supposed to be but one-tenth that of chloroform. 
 
 As citizens of the United States, we feel we have just 
 cause of pride, that this discovery, the most important in 
 science, had its origin on our shores ; and that its general 
 adoption by the European world, numerous admissions of 
 the discovery here and its usefulness, are alike honorable to 
 the recipients of its favors and the discoverer. Professor 
 Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, in transmitting to 
 Dr. Morton a copy of a pamphlet, entitled "Account of 
 a New Anjesthetic Agent, as a Substitute for Sulphuric 
 Ether in Surgery and Midwifery,'" writes the following note. 
 [This note is copied into pp. 246, 247.] 
 
 We close our communication with an extract from the 
 work on Etherization by Dr. J. C. Warren, a name confess- 
 edly among the first in the United States in the department 
 of medicine and surgery : — 
 
 " This discovery certainly merits a notice from the American Legisla- 
 ture, since it may take rank perhaps of all the great improvements which 
 adorn the present age of surgery. The establishment of union by the 
 first intention, the safe ligature of the great arteries, the substitution of 
 lithotrity for lithotomy, the rejection of pernicious ointments and plasters 
 in the management of wounds, the constitutional treatment of local dis- 
 eases, and the free external use of cold water, mark the present as the 
 golden period of surgical science.
 
 326 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 " The introduction of ether, enabling us to perform operations and 
 apply remedies Avithout pain, crowns all these improvements. 
 
 " While we would pay a Avilling and liberal tribute to the individual 
 who has been made the instrument of this discovery, we should look 
 higher for its author, and elevate our fervent attributions of praise and 
 thanksgiving to Him who has been pleased, from the rich treasures of 
 his goodness, to confer so wonderful a gift on our generation." 
 
 The subjoined resolutions were ordered to be appended 
 to the report. 
 
 Dr. Lord offered the following resolutions, which were 
 adopted : — 
 
 '■^Resolved, That, the Committee having refused to recommend any 
 remuneration to be given to the contestants of the ether-discovery, the 
 report of the Committee be made in conformity to the above decision. 
 
 ^' Besolved, That, believing the report of the chairman does fairly 
 express the opinions of the Committee, and the real views as embodied 
 in the resolutions of Dr. Fries, herewith published, it is hereby adopted 
 as the report of the Committee." 
 
 Dr. Fries offered the following resolutions, which were 
 adopted : — 
 
 " Fiesoloed, That, in the opinion of this Committee, to Dr. C. T. Jack- 
 son is due the credit of having suggested to Dr. W. T. G. Morton that 
 pure sulphuric ether might be inhaled with safety, and that the effect of 
 such inhalation is to produce insensibility; but that, in expressing this 
 opinion, the Committee do not Avish to convey the idea that Dr. Morton 
 had not previously experimented with this important agent, but refer to 
 the strong i)roof herewith published, for the evidence that he had thus 
 exj)erimented. 
 
 ''Resolved, That to Dr. W. T. G. Morton is due the credit of having 
 made the first practical application of sulphuric ether as an anaesthetic 
 agent, and demonstrating to the world its power to destroy nervous 
 sensibility to such an extent as to enable surgeons to perform all the 
 various surgical operations upon tlie human body without pain.' 
 
 [And two other resolutions, which relate only to not having 
 kept a journal of proceedings.]
 
 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT. 327 
 
 Note. — During- the preparation of this report, there was 
 forvvardfi lo the Committee tlie affidavit of Henry C. Lord, 
 one of the counsel for Dr. Jackson, and also the affidavit of 
 George H. Palmer, and one by Dr. Jackson himself, from 
 which it appears that Mr. Lord, the counsel, called upon 
 Thomas E.. Spear, — induced Spear to visit him at his 
 chamber, and held a conversation with him ; and that his 
 effi)rt in that conversation was to get some admission from 
 Spear, that his testimony, given under oath in the case, was 
 untrue. Lord and Palmer say that he did so admit. The 
 witness Spear, who was afterwards called upon, testifies 
 that he did not, and states facts which show an effort to 
 entrap him in a mode not usually practised by the legal 
 profession in the United States. Your Committee give no 
 weight to the alleoed statements, considering the manner 
 in which they were procured, even as stated by Mr. Lord 
 himself. There was a like attempt to get a contradictory 
 statement from Leavitt, similar in its character with that 
 made with Spear, but more strongly marked by professional 
 irregularity. These depositions in no respect modified the 
 opinion of your Committee as to the facts given in question, 
 and only present another most striking example of the cau- 
 tion with which testimony of the declarations of parties and 
 witnesses should be received unsupported, and especially 
 when contradicted by written papers. 
 
 There was also forwarded to us the deposition of N. C. 
 Keep, which Is in the following words : — 
 
 " Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk, ss. 
 
 "I, N. C. Keep, M.D., of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, dental surgeon, being called upon 
 by the Hon. Thomas O. Edwards, Chairman of a Committee at Wash- 
 ington, on patenting compound medicines, to give my testimony in
 
 328 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 the matter in hearing concerning the claims of Dr. W. T. G. ^lorton 
 as the discoverer of etherization, depose as follows : — 
 
 " I became associated in the bnsiness and practice of dentistry with 
 Dr. Morton, on the twenty-eighth day of November, in the year 1846. 
 On the next day, we were about to prepare an advertisement for 
 publication, when Dr. Augustus A. Gould called at our rooms. Being 
 pressed with business, I requested him to write the advertisement ; with 
 which request he complied. After he had written it, which he did at 
 his own house, he brought it to me, and we read it together. In it the 
 discovery of etherization, without any suggestion having been made by 
 me to that effect, was ascribed in explicit terms to Dr. Charles T. Jack- 
 son. Dr. Gould, pointing with his finger to the words in which this 
 ascription was expressed, said to me, ' That will please Jackson.' I 
 then showed the advertisement to Dr. Morton, and we read it together. 
 He then exclaimed with emphasis, ' That is good ; I like that. Pll take 
 it to the printer.' Copies of the advertisement were made imder the 
 direction of Dr. Morton, and, as I supposed at the time, without altera- 
 tion, and published by his order in three evening newspapers. On 
 seeing the advertisement in the 'Evening Traveller' on the evening of 
 the same day, I was greatly surprised to find that the words which 
 ascribed the ether-discovery to Dr. Jackson had been struck out. The 
 next morning I called the attention of Dr. Morton to the fact, and asked 
 him why he struck out those words. He hesitated, and seemed not to 
 know what to say, when I said to him, ' Morton, why do you quarrel 
 with Jackson? You injure yourself, and injure the cause.' His reply 
 was, ' I wouldn't if he would behave himself. The credit of the dis- 
 covery belongs to Dr. Jackson ; Jackson shall have the credit of it ; I 
 want to make money out of it.' 
 
 " I stated the foregoing facts to my fiimily on the aforesaid evening, 
 and afterwards to other individuals. I have heretofoi-e declined volun- 
 tarily testifying to them, but consider that I have no right, upon a 
 call of such a nature as is now made upon me, to withhold this testi- 
 mony. 
 
 "N. C. Keep." 
 
 "Boston, Feb. 8, 1849." 
 
 When this deposition was received, the Chairman of your 
 Committee showed it to Dr. Morton, who in a few minutes 
 brought to him a bound book, entitled " Miscelhineous
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 329 
 
 Notes/' On the 91st page was a manuscript in the hand- 
 writing of Dr. A. A. Gould, written evidently on the 
 outside sheet of a letter addressed to Dr. A. A. G., and post- 
 marked " AVashington City, D.C., July 9," from all which 
 it was most manifest that this was the original draft of the 
 advertisement testified to by Dr. Keep. This paper, con- 
 trasted with the evidence of Dr. Keep as the contents of 
 an original draft, fixes in the minds of your Committee 
 the just value of this species of evidence. This paper is 
 as follows : — 
 
 "The subscribers, having associated themselves in the business of 
 dental surgery, would respectfully invite their friends to call on them 
 at their rooms. No. 19, Tremont Row. They confidently believe that 
 the increased facilities which their united experience will afford them 
 of performing operations with elegance and despatch, and the additional 
 advantage of having them performed without pain, by the use of the 
 fluid recently invented by Drs. Jackson and Morton, will not only meet 
 the wishes of their former patients, but secure to them additional 
 patronage." 
 
 V. THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON, OR THE 
 HONORS OF ETHER. 
 
 In this review, the writer, after alluding to the 
 importance of the ether-discovery, and the bitterness 
 of the controversy to which it had given rise, pro- 
 ceeds thus : — 
 
 That controversy is now substantially ended. The mas- 
 terly Report of the Committee of Congress, presented by 
 the Hon. Thos. O. Edwards, M.D., — its clear and simple 
 statements of the question at issue, — its searching analysis 
 
 42
 
 330 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 of the evidence, — its striking illustrations, — its conclusive 
 and logical deductions, have, as we believe, convinced all, 
 except those fev^r partisans of Dr. Jackson who, from per- 
 sonal friendship, professional bias, or the natural reluctance 
 to abandon an early and cherished opinion, still adhere to 
 his cause with unwavering fidelity. Without any parade 
 of learninof or scientific research, this document sets forth 
 certain acts of the parties, and then, by the plainest and 
 most cogent arguments, irresistibly leads the reader to infer 
 the motives and views of the actors. Without any severity 
 of language, it quietly sets aside the false pretences which 
 came under its notice. Thus Dr. Jackson claims that he 
 made his discovery in 1842. If, however, he had the least 
 realizing sense of this great truth (it is argued), then he 
 must have known that immortal honor awaited its disclos- 
 ure. He hears around him the cries of suflPering, — he is 
 admitted to be an eager aspirant for fame, — and no one 
 doubts his kindly disposition. But he remains torpid for 
 four years, deaf alike to the call of ambition, and even to 
 the dictates of common humanity. The unavoidable in- 
 ference is, that he could not have had any strong, clear 
 convictions in the case. We accede, therefore, at once, to 
 the conclusion, that he merely had an-ived at an induction 
 or hypothesis on the subject which he thought of little or 
 no value (probably as tending only to a slight impi'ovement 
 in dental surgery), and thus entirely omitted to take any 
 step to verify it. 
 
 Again, Dr. Jackson claims, that at last Dr. Morton per- 
 formed his experiments as his agent, — being the mere 
 " nurse who administered his prescription." This claim 
 likewise is shown to be surrounded by insuperable diflfi- 
 culties. Dr. Jackson, in an interview, not sought by him- 
 self , makes a mere casual suggestion to Dr. Morton, one
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 331 
 
 whom he represents as grossly ignorant and reckless, to 
 whom he refuses to give a written certificate of the safety 
 of the application, and from whom he thenceforward holds 
 himself wholly aloof. He is not present at the early ex- 
 periments. He publicly denounces Dr. Morton as likely 
 to kill somebody yet before he is done ; expressing, in the 
 strongest manner, his I'egret that he had ever given him any 
 information on the subject, &c. 
 
 Now, the inference of the Committee seems absolutely 
 unavoidable, tliat Dr. Jackson — knowing, as he must have 
 done, the importance of these first, test experiments ; what 
 science, skill, and caution were necessary for their safety and 
 success — could not have selected as his agent such a man 
 as his own witnesses represent Dr. Morton to be ; and that, 
 having selected him, he could not thus have conducted him- 
 self throughout the series of these experiments. 
 
 Indeed, the deliberate claim by Dr. Jackson, that these 
 experiments were his, performed by his agent, and in his 
 behalf, seems to us the act of a man, who, shunning all 
 responsibility during the period of danger and uncertainty, 
 seeks at last to snatch away the prize which had been fairly 
 won by the labors and services of another. 
 
 The legal acumen shown by the Committee is remark- 
 able : it would do high honor to the most eminent practi- 
 tioner. The fact tliat Dr. Morton's ignorance (as manifested 
 at his interviev^r with Dr. Jackson) was assumed, seems 
 certain, from his having previously learned from Mr. Metcalf 
 the general properties of ether. The Committee, however, 
 discover one circumstance, in confirmation of this position, 
 which had before been wholly unnoticed, viz. that Dr. 
 Jackson directed ether to be spattered on a handker- 
 chief; thus really telling that it loas a liquid, — so that 
 when Dr. Morton, in reply, asked if it were a gas, he must 
 have been concealins^ what he knew.
 
 332 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 The comparison of the testimony of Barnes and M'ln- 
 tjre is also most able and satisfactory. Dr. Keep and 
 Don Pedro Wilson are placed in an interesting contrast 
 — without a word, however, charging either with inten- 
 tional falsehood ; and Dr. Keep's affidavit, that a certain 
 paper contained a certain statement in favor of Dr. Jackson, 
 is amusingly nullified by the production of the paper itself, 
 containing nothino- of the sort. 
 
 This report is brief, pertinent, searching, decisive, encum- 
 bered with no array of documents, and no irrelevant opin- 
 ions or certificates. It adopts the four propositions contained 
 in the Repoi't of the Trustees of the Massachusetts General 
 Hospital. It closes with a stricture upon the '^ jji'ofessional 
 irregularity" of which one of the Messrs. Lord, the attor- 
 neys of Dr. Jackson, had been guilty. 
 
 We repeat, that we consider that this document has 
 brought to an untimely end the claim of Dr. Jackson as 
 the discoverer and first applier of etherization. 
 
 A Minority Report was subsequently presented by two 
 members of the Committee of Congress, which is certainly 
 a more plausible statement in Dr. Jackson's behalf than 
 had before appeared. It does not, however, as we conceive, 
 disprove or even weaken the conclusions of the prior Eeport, 
 from which it dissents. It sets forth what no one has ever 
 denied, — that Dr. Jackson communicated to Dr. Morton 
 an induction which he had made, viz. that ether could be 
 used with safety and effect during a dental operation. 
 
 The Committee next proceed with a long array of opin- 
 ions of different individuals as to Dr. Jackson's merit of 
 having made this suggestion. President Everett and other 
 remonstrants (among whom, we regret to learn, are to be 
 found many of the Boston dentists) give all the credit to 
 Jackson.
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 333 
 
 After criticising the letters contained in the Mi- 
 nority Report, from Hon. Franklin Dexter, Drs. 
 Walter Channing, Luther V. Bell, J. B. S. Jack- 
 son, John D. Fisher, and Mr. Bowen, the editor 
 of the " North American Review," which were all 
 in favor of Dr. Jackson, the writer proceeds : — 
 
 A letter from Mr. Prescott, tlie historian, with more 
 discrimination, awards to him the suggestion ; but to Dr. 
 Morton "a share, and no mean one,^^ in the discovery; 
 viz. its verification. A letter from Charles G. Loring, Esq., 
 one of Dr. Jackson's counsel, of course takes the side of 
 his client. It is not an uncommon circumstance for gentle- 
 men of the legal profession to think favorably of their own 
 cases, — to regard tlieir own geese as swans. 
 
 Having duly paraded these letters in behalf of Dr. Jackson, 
 the Committee next proceed to introduce others highly com- 
 plimentary to Dr. Morton ; which, however (as they would 
 make it appear), refer merely to his meritorious services 
 " in demonstrating the practical value of the discovery, and 
 in contributing, perhaps ( ! ) more than any other person, 
 towards its introduction into general use." It is certainly 
 evidence of great ingenuity on the part of the Committee, 
 in this manner, to qualify and fritter away the most absolute 
 and unequivocal recognitions of Dr. Morton's claims. Dr. 
 Jackson can never despair, if his friends can find any ground 
 for his pretensions left in such a letter as the following from 
 Dr. John Jeffries, of Boston, to Mr. Speaker Winthrop : — 
 
 "Boston, January 10, 1849. Dear Sir, — Mr. Morton, 
 who visits Washington to seek some remuneration from 
 Government for the benefit which he has conferred on the 
 country by the introduction of sulphuric ether, requests me
 
 '334 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 to express to you my opinion ; which I do most unreservedly, 
 — that the world is indebted entirely to Mr. Morton for the 
 introduction of this agent to produce insensibility to pain, 
 and that it is a physical blessing not second to any that has 
 been conferred upon suffering humanity," &c. 
 
 The Committee dispose of similar letters from his Excel- 
 lency Gov. Briggs and Ex-Gov. Morton, of Massachusetts, 
 and Hon. John P. Bigelow, jNIayor of Boston, by suggesting, 
 that, as the writers use general terms, they probably rely 
 more upon information from others than upon any investi- 
 gation of their own. The whole of these opinions, pro and 
 con, have nothing to do with the subject. They cliange no 
 fact, and i\\ey prove no fact in the case. 
 
 After some dozen pages of the Report have been thus 
 occupied, the Committee next proceed to comment upon the 
 character and competency of the Boai'd of Trustees of 
 the Hospital. It is announced as a fact, that there are few 
 or no leual or scientific men amonof the members of that 
 Board ; and they courteously suggest that the Trustees have 
 shown partiality towards Dr. Morton, caused, doubtless, by 
 a thirst for distinction, and a wish to identify their institu- 
 tion with the discovery, by ascribing the chief merit to its 
 verification. 
 
 Now three, at least, of that Board are on the list of 
 counsellors at law in Boston ; and the Chairman of the 
 Committee for drafting the Report has for twenty years been 
 extensively engaged in a branch of that profession. Three 
 or more are members of the American Academy of Arts 
 and Sciences; one of them (Mr. J. A. Lowell) being, by 
 his position as sole Trustee of the Lowell Institute in Bos- 
 ton, brought more intimately into contact with scientific 
 men and matters than almost any one in that community. 
 lie is one of the Corporation of Harvard College ; and
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 335 
 
 three-quarters of the Board are graduates of that institution. 
 It is needless to add, that a more fair, intelligent, or com- 
 petent jury was probably never impanelled to try an issue. 
 It is the duty of this Board annually to lay before the Cor- 
 poration a statement of the affairs of the Hospital during the 
 past year. What should have been done on this occasion? 
 The greatest public service ever rendered by the institution 
 has been performed : shall it be passed over umnentioned ? 
 Certainly not. Shall the mere naked fact be stated, that 
 these experiments were performed at the request of Dr. 
 Morton, and all mention even of Dr. Jackson's name be 
 omitted? This would have been the simplest, perhaps the 
 wisest, course. But would it have been any more satis- 
 factory to Dr. Jackson and his friends ? Tiie course actu- 
 ally taken Avas, no doubt, that by which the Committee 
 conscientiously endeavored to do full and equal justice both to 
 " the Dentist Morton," whom tiiey had never seen, and to 
 Dr. Jackson, their old acquaintance and friend. So obvious 
 was this wish on their part, that the chief medical review 
 of the country (Hays's), for that very reason, reprinted the 
 Report verbatim. 
 
 It is certainly difficult to imagine any possible bias or 
 interest, on the part either of the institution or the Trustees, 
 to the prejudice of Dr. Jackson. Personal regard — his 
 position in society — his standing as a man of science — 
 would all seem to give him great advantages over his oppo- 
 nent. Dr. Jackson, indeed, very modestly suggested to the 
 Committee of the Hospital, that a partiality was felt towards 
 Dr. Morton, under the idea, that, if the claims of one so 
 ignorant were eulogized, rather than his own, the institu- 
 tio7i would thereby acquire a larger share of credit as 
 accoucheurs of the discovery. What possible bearing, how- 
 ever, can it have in the case, how Dr. Morton happened to
 
 336 ETHER DISCOVERT. 
 
 be led to think of the subject? The operations were actually 
 performed at his sole request, by surgeons who had never 
 heard of Dr. Jackson's name in connection with the discovery. 
 This is a " fixed fact." How is it altered or affected by the 
 subsequent information, that Dr. Morton acted pursuant to 
 a suggestion of Dr. Jackson? They had performed the 
 operations on their own responsibility, unaided by a word 
 of advice or caution from Dr. Jackson ; and the credit of 
 the "delivery," be it more or less, belongs to them, no mat- 
 ter who proves to be the father of the child. 
 
 To explain the position of the Massachusetts General 
 Hospital, the Committee introduce two letters. The first is 
 from Dr. W. J. Walker, an eminent surgeon, of Boston, or 
 its vicinity, now retired from practice. 
 
 The second letter is from L. M. Sargent, Esq., well 
 known as author of the Temperance Tales. This epistle is 
 the gem of the whole collection. Mr. Sargent is a ready, 
 playful, and caustic writer; and none can fail to be amused 
 with this production, which exhibits, in a strong light, all 
 his peculiarities. ....... 
 
 Letters from Dr. Jacob Bigelow and Dr. George ^^y- 
 \yi\x(}L, fully indorsing the Hospital Report, close this list. 
 These gentlemen are disposed of by the remark, that they 
 are probably the persons alluded to in Dr. Walker's letter. 
 The former is President of the American Academy. The 
 latter is the first surgeon who ever used ether in a capital 
 operation, and has been for many years one of the surgeons 
 of the Hospital in Boston. 
 
 Leaving all this prolonged and useless discussion, the 
 Committee next proceed, in great detail, to show that Dr. 
 Jackson, after having made this induction for four years, 
 spoke of it to various persons in the most public and decided 
 manner. They then declare, that, " whether Morton had
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 337 
 
 been before hi pitrsuit of this object or not, as he failed to 
 find it till guided in the right way by a learned chemist, the 
 judgment of mankind as to the chief merits of the discovery 
 will be the same in either case." Why, then, it may be 
 asked, did the Committee think it important to make an 
 • elaborate effort to prove that Dr. Morton had in fact made 
 no prior experiment? And here it is wortiiy of notice, 
 that there is not the slightest attempt made to reconcile 
 those fatal discrepancies, or to obviate those stringent ob- 
 jections which had been set forth in the Majority Report, 
 in its comments upon the witnesses in the case. Don Pedro 
 Wilson and Dr. Keep here jog along together most harmo- 
 niously. The half-dozen personal enemies of Dr. Morton 
 prove most satisfactorily, that he unbosomed himself to 
 them by admissions fatal to his own claims, and entirely 
 at variance with his course publicly pursued with everybody 
 else, and on all other occasions ; and no attempt is made 
 to explain this remarhable selection of confidants.* Mr. 
 Metcalf, whose testimony (from ins known intelligence and 
 high standing) is of the greatest importance to Dr. Morton, 
 and who is able to fix dates by the decisive circumstance 
 of a voyage to Europe, is dismissed with the remark, that 
 
 * Our readers are already familiar with the provoking discrepancy be- 
 tween the actions of Dr. Jackson and his claim. He has set about with 
 remarkable zeal to correct the great oversight; but we can only condole 
 with him, while we point to the lateness of the hour. It is in vain tliat he 
 appeals to the buried years of the past to rise, that he may stealthily write 
 modern truths on their records ere they sink again: unheeding, they slum- 
 ber on. It is in vain that he refers to the utterance of familiar facts in 
 science : they were printed long ago. It is in vain that his friends point to 
 his reputation and ability : we will admit it all, but it does not help his case ; 
 for his actions are in advance of every thing, and ti)ey condemn him. " His 
 case is hopeless, who, having nothing to say for his conduct, at length appeals 
 to his character: the mercy of the court alone can save him." — Casket and 
 Ribbon. 
 
 43
 
 338 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 " his statement seems too vague to possess much weight, in 
 view of so great a mass of conflicting testimony," and with 
 some comments on the small size of the vial of ether which 
 he saw in Dr. Morton's hands. Mr. Wightman's testimony 
 (equally important and conclusive) the Committee endea- 
 vor to disparage, by intimating "that there is some extraor- 
 dinary confusion in his dates ; " carefully avoiding all allusion 
 to those circumstances which render the exact time of his 
 interview with Dr. Morton absolutely and demonstratively 
 certain, by written as well as internal evidence of the most 
 satisfactory character. 
 
 The Committee, in a former part of the Eeport, had 
 introduced in italics, and quoted with great emphasis, the 
 statement of a new deponent (Mr. Fowle), who goes all 
 lengths, and swears that Dr. Jackson told him in 1842, that 
 by the use of ether you can have a tooth extracted or a limb 
 cut off without paiii." But it appears that ^Ir. Eddy, in 
 1846, had asked Dr. Jackson " whether he knew that the 
 flesh of a person asleep from ether could be cut without 
 pain ; " to which the reply was, " No ; nor Morton either ; 
 he is a reckless man,"&c. ; " the chance is he will kill some- 
 body yet." 
 
 These two deponents (if their testimony had been brought 
 together) would certainly seem to be somewhat at variance. 
 The Committee resort to the adroit hypothesis, that Dr. 
 Jackson merely meant, on the last occasion, to say that 
 he did not Jcnoio the fact, — not to intimate that he did not 
 fully believe it. The words actually used, it must be con- 
 fessed, were oddly selected, even for the purpose of ex- 
 pressing belief. 
 
 In general, it may be remarked that the tone of the whole 
 document is unworthy of the Committee. It has not, in the 
 least, a judicial character. It is an argument for Dr.
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 339 
 
 Jackson, exactly such as his attorneys would be likely 
 to have submitted, and which we really think must have 
 emanated from that source, and have been adopted by 
 the Committee, without any revision or modification. It 
 throughout exaggerates the merit of the one, and depre- 
 ciates that of the other party. Thus, it is not intimated 
 that Sir Humphrey Davy, half a century ago, suggested 
 the same general idea of prevention of pain, in surgical 
 operations, — using, however, another agent (nitrous ox- 
 ide) ; that, more than thirty years ago, a case was published 
 to the medical world, of a man having been rendered 
 lethargic by the use of ether mixed with atmospheric air ; 
 the effects produced being declared to be strikingly similar 
 to those of nitrous oxide, and also highly dangerous. Not 
 one word is said of Dr. Wells ; of his experiments, con- 
 ducted by means of the agent recommended by Davy ; of 
 Morton's knowledge of and participation in those experi- 
 ments (prior to his purchase of sulphuric ether, sworn to 
 by Metcalf) , — not one word of all this. The reader is left, 
 instead, to infer that, to Dr. Jackson, Morton was indebted 
 for the whole idea or conception. To him is given the 
 concentrated credit due to the united genius and labors of 
 all who preceded him. "A great truth was hidden," say 
 the Committee, "and by him was first revealed." 
 
 It is not intimated, that, during all those four years. Dr. 
 Jackson had never tried a single experiment for the purpose 
 of demonstrating the safety of the agent employed, although 
 it was, as he well knew, supposed by the profession to be 
 extremely dangerous. There is not the slightest mention of 
 " the earnest or indefatigable labors of Dr. Morton " in 
 bringing out this discovery, although we are told by one of 
 the surgeons of the Hos^^ital, "that he absolutely haunted 
 them." On the other hand, not a word of comment is
 
 340 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 made on the preposterous claim of Dr. Jackson, that the 
 verification of the discovery, no less than its suggestion, 
 was wholly his. 
 
 There is not the slightest attempt to refute Dr. Edwards's 
 demonstration upon this point. The minority, being unable 
 to say any thing in favor of, and unwilling to say any thing 
 against, Dr. Jackson, preserve, upon this branch of their 
 inquiry, a discreet silence. In other words, the whole Com- 
 mittee concur in according to Dr. Mortoji the first actual 
 application of ether. We believe, indeed, that the only 
 rebuke administered to Dr. Jackson by the Committee is 
 the very gentle one of not being quite justified in becoming 
 a party to the patent, " in violation of the recognized obliga- 
 tion of medical brotherhood." 
 
 Upon this subject of the patent, the same disingenuous 
 course seems to have been adopted by the Committee. No 
 attempt is made to reconcile with the " present exclusive 
 claims of Dr. Jackson the fact that he consented to become 
 a joint patentee with Dr. Morton, and to receive only one- 
 tenth part of its profits, and thereupon even took an oath 
 that they were joint discoverers." * Commenting severely 
 on Dr. Morton's attempt to secure the patent for his own 
 pecuniary benefit, no intimation is given of the formal 
 
 * What would have been Dr. Jackson's position, if he had merely per- 
 mitted this discovery to go forth to the world as — in the specification 
 accompanying tlie patent, he made oath that it really was — made jointly by 
 himself and Dr. Morton ? He lias only, therefore, to remain silent, and he 
 is sure of the chief honors of the discovery. Tiie ribbon of France and the 
 medal of Sweden will be his, and none may challenge his right to wear 
 them. But, alas ! he sees fit to claim all, though all was virtually his 
 before ; and he realizes the fate of the dog in the fable, who " grasped the 
 shadow, and tiie substance missed." He too, opens his month ; and what for- 
 tune gave, folly lost. Dr. Jackson must, indeed, as it seems to us, be classed 
 among those who have been "ruined at their own request." — Casket and 
 Ribbon.
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 341 
 
 attempt of Dr. Jackson, through liis legal advisers, to 
 obtain for himself an increased share of its profits. While 
 the Report heralds forth Dr. Morton's offer to sell his dis- 
 covery to the Government, for the use of the army and 
 navy, and speaks of his attempt to " extort money from the 
 nation's sufferings," it conceals his grattiilous offer of its 
 use for both those departments, on account of the existing 
 Mexican war, and his like gratuitous ofTer for the benefit of 
 every public charitable institution in the United States. . . . 
 
 The document closes with the following intelligence : 
 " Note. — Before the ink with which we penned our con- 
 cluding sentence was dry, a telegraphic despatch was laid 
 before us by Joseph L. Lord, Esq., of Boston, announcing 
 that, on the 31st of January last, the Institute of France 
 awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor to Dr. Jackson, 
 as the discoverer of etherization. It is extremely gratifying 
 to find, that our own views concur with the decision which 
 has been pronounced in favor of Dr. Jackson by the most 
 enlightened body of scientific 7nen in the world." 
 
 The Committee, unfortunately, wei'e soon to be deprived 
 of this gratification. Like other statements which they had 
 made on Mr. Lord's authority, this last — most flattering 
 one — proves to have been very highly colored. Dr. Jack- 
 son had indeed received a ribbon: but the gift was in 
 nowise connected with the French Institute; and he was 
 himself at last obliged (when pressed by various newspaper 
 inquiries) publicly to declare in print, that he had never 
 stated that there had been any formal decision of that 
 body in his favor; and that the above announcement in the 
 Minority Keport was the result of a telegro'phic mistake. 
 We believe, however, that he has never attempted to explain 
 how it happened, that his attorneys, in his name, and by 
 his sanction, gave direct currency to the same "mistake"
 
 342 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 on various other public occasions, and when no telegraph 
 toas used as the medium of communication. We hardly 
 think that Dr. Jackson will ever get a verdict in his favor 
 from the French Academy. It seems certain, at any rate, 
 that his claims are entirely overlooked by the American 
 Academy ; since that learned body has not even pub- 
 lished, in its new volume. Dr. Jackson's communication, 
 setting forth his pretensions as the discoverer of etheriza- 
 tion. 
 
 A voluminous Api)endix accompanies this Minority Re- 
 port. The reader will find there all the affidavits in the 
 case, which he has seen so often in former publications, 
 and which must by this time have assumed a very familiar 
 aspect. An unexpected discovery will, however, reward 
 his patient investigations, as he draws near the close of 
 the })am[)hlet. He will there find various documents upon 
 Dr. Morton's side, which (as it would seem) must have got 
 into their present company by accident or inadvertence on 
 the part of the Committee. There are the depositions of 
 Spear and Leavitt,* upon which the Majority Report had 
 been led to speak of the " professional irregularity of one of 
 Dr. Jackson's attorneys." A most important letter from 
 Dr. Augustus A. Gould, of Boston, also is there, charging 
 those gentlemen with " a breach of courtesy and confi- 
 dence ; " exposing various inaccuracies in their statements ; 
 and expressly averring, that Dr. Morton, on an occasion 
 alluded to, did mention to him his early experiments, made 
 
 * With an entire unconsciousness of demerit, Mr. Lord, accompanied by 
 a professional brother, waits on Mr. Leavitt, and says, " Now, Mr. Leavitt, 
 what did you mean by swearing tliat I sought to bribe you 1 " He replied, 
 " You or Mr. Lord told me that / should lose nothing by signing such a 
 statement; and / supposed you meant to give me something, if I would." Mr. 
 Lord tlicn asked Mr. Leavitt, if that was ah tlie ground for saying lie had 
 bribed him. Mr. Leavitt replied in the affirmative. — Casket and Ribbon.
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 343 
 
 before the interview with Jackson ; adding, ^^ Indeed I had 
 many reasons for helieviyig that experiments of the nature 
 specified by him, had heen •performed.''^ There is another 
 most severe letter from Mr. Metcalf, charging Dr. Jackson's 
 attorneys with " positive falsehood," . . . These latter docu- 
 ments throw great light upon the mode in which this contro- 
 versy has been conducted on the part of Dr. Jackson and 
 his friends. None of them had before appeared in print; 
 and verily we are astonished that Dr. Jackson and his 
 friends should now wish to circulate them. . . . An 
 excellent letter also appears, addressed by Dr. Oliver W. 
 Holmes (the poet-physician) to Hon. Isaac C. Morse, in 
 which he says, "It is well known that Dr. Morton, instead 
 of profiting by his discovery, has suffered in mind, body, 
 and estate, in consequence of the time and toil he has 
 consecrated to it. 
 
 "I have no particular relations with Dr. Morton, and no 
 interest in common with him, to bias me in my opinion and 
 feelini^s. But, rememberino- what other countries have done 
 for their public benefactors, and unwilling to believe that a 
 rich and prosperous republic cannot afford, and will not 
 incline, to indulge its gratitude whenever a proper occasion 
 presents itself, I have addressed you this line to tell you, 
 that I think noio is the time, and this is the man.^^ 
 
 Finally, a communication is published by which the high 
 authority of Dr. James Jackson, of Boston, is claimed for 
 Dr. Morton, whom he considers entitled to a grant from 
 Congress for the " ether discovery, more than any and all 
 other persons in the zoorld." And we find also a letter 
 from Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, of Boston, one of the surgeons 
 of the Hospital, to Mr. Winthrop, which so ably, clearly, 
 and concisely states the whole argument in favor of
 
 344 
 
 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 Morton, that we cannot refrain from quoting it entire.* 
 Dr. B. is of the opinion of Paley, who says, " He alone 
 discovers who jjj-oves." . . . 
 
 * " Boston, Jan. 26, 1848. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — Learning that Dr. Morton is in Washington, and being much 
 interested in the ether-controversy, I take the liberty to write to you. 
 
 " I believe most fully, that Dr. Morton deserves any reward Congress may 
 grant to the discoverer; because, although many people have tliougld that a 
 man could be intoxicated beyond the reach of pain, Dr. Morton alone ;>roi,-erf 
 this previous possibility to be a certainty, and safe. A diagram will make the 
 matter plainer than words : — 
 
 Before October, 1846. 
 Wlio made the suggestion ? 
 Here is tlie ouly ground of 
 dispute. 
 
 Discovery in October, 1846. 
 Consecutive experiments 
 by Morton. 
 
 After October, 1846. 
 Morton alone took tlie re- 
 sponsibility of danger, and 
 proved that ether was, 1st, 
 certain, 2d, safe. 
 
 " The two last points, viz. the consecutive experiments and their confirma- 
 tion, which nohody disputes to ilorton, make him, in my eyes, the discoverer. 
 Tlie only doubt is, Wlio made tiie sufifpstion ? To me this is of no importance. 
 Dr. Jackson says, ' I did. I told Mr. Morton to try the experiment; and 
 unless I had so told him, he would never have tried it.' Dr. Jackson adds, 
 ' I first tried ether when I was suflfering from chlorine in 1842. I afterwards 
 recommended it to Mr. Peabodj-.' But Dr. Morton confutes even these 
 positions. He says to Dr. Jackson, — 1st, I show by the evidence of Dr. 
 Gould, JNIr. Wightman, and Mr. Metcalf that I was experimenting with 
 etlier before the interview in which you claim to have brought it to my 
 notice. 2d, in 1842, you only rediscovered what was before clearly in print 
 in Pereira's Materia Medica. 3d, You claim to have told Mr. Peabody what 
 you knew of ether. Kow, you could not Icnow it. You have stated all your 
 grounds of deduction, and tlie widest inference you could draw from them 
 is a suspicion of the properties of ether ; and a suspicion in science, an uncon- 
 firmed theory, amounts to nothing. Finally, what j'ou claim to have dis- 
 covered in 1842 you kept to yourself during four years. Do you expect 
 the world to believe you knew its value ? Do you expect it to reward you 
 for letting people suffer during that length of time 1 Besides, the suggestion 
 of ansesthetic agencies occurred to Davy : especially was it followed out, 
 though unsuccessfuU}', by Horace Wells, who, disgusted with failure, aban- 
 doned his attempts. — These and others had hypotheses, as well as Dr. 
 Jackson. Morton alone* proved the hypothesis. Without Morton, there is '
 
 THE CASKET AND THE RIBBON. 345 
 
 Finally, then, we would express our conviction, that the 
 positions taken by Dr. Edwards are not in the slightest 
 degree weakened by any of the arguments in the Minority 
 Report ; but that, on the contrary, they ai'e confirmed by 
 various new documents, which, had they not been so unac- 
 countably appended to that Report, would probably never 
 have seen the light. The two Reports, indeed, as it seems 
 to us, should be examined in the reversed order. 
 
 We believe, that, if any candid or unprejudiced person, 
 after reading the Minority Report, will take up that of Dr. 
 Edwards, he will find it to be a complete a priori refuta- 
 tion of all that has since been so plausibly advanced in Dr. 
 Jackson's behalf. 
 
 AVe sincerely congratulate Dr. Morton upon the fact that 
 the opinion is constantly becoming more and more strong 
 and general, that to his eflforts and labors the world owes 
 one of its choicest blessings. Though the honors already 
 received by him have, through Dr. Jackson's instrumentality, 
 been turned into insults, and the compensation fairly his 
 due from Government has, through the same instrumental- 
 no evidence that the world would have known ether till the present day. I 
 believe this covers the ground of important argument and difference in the 
 pamphlets. 
 
 " I beg you to allow for any inelegancies, resulting from my attempt at 
 brevity, and to believe me, very truly and respectfully, your obedient friend 
 and servant, 
 
 " Mr. Winthrop." " Henry J. Bigelow. 
 
 There is not probably a more skilful surgeon in the United States than 
 Dr. Bigelow. He has just been appointed Professor of Surgery in the Mas- 
 sachusetts Medical College, on the resignation of Dr. George Hayward. To 
 a great power of imparting information orally, he unites a condensed style of 
 writing. He apparently entertains the opinion, well expressed by a contem- 
 porary reviewer, respecting productions moderate in bulk and portable, viz. 
 that " the light skiff will shoot the cataracts of time, when a heavier vessel 
 will infallibly go down." — Casket and Ribbon. 
 
 44
 
 346 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 ity, been as yet withheld, we cannot doubt that his services 
 will eventually obtain a fitting reward, and that they will 
 command the lasting gratitude of the country and of man- 
 kind. 
 
 It seems to us that these efforts of Dr. Jackson and his 
 friends have signally failed. On the one hand, the casket 
 is, in our opinion, something MORE than " a snuff-box by 
 way of charity ; " and, on the other hand, the ribbon is 
 something LESS than " a unanimous decision of the French 
 Institute, after a full sifting of all the evidence." 
 
 VI. AWARD OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE. 
 
 In March, 1850, the French Institute pronounced 
 an award in the matter of the ether-discovery. The 
 first prize of medicine and surgery, for the years 1847 
 and 1848, was decreed to Messrs. Jackson and Mor- 
 ton jointly. The Committee of Medical and Surgical 
 Prizes consisted of Messrs. Velpeau, Royer, Serres, 
 Magendie, Dumeril, Andral, Flourens, Lallemand, 
 and Rouse. Various learned labors were considered 
 and discussed by the Committee ; but the discovery 
 of the anaesthetic properties of ether was regarded 
 as the most important of them all. The language of 
 the award is as follows : " Mr. Jackson and Mr. 
 Morton were necessary to each other. Without the 
 earnestness, the preconceived idea, the courage, not to
 
 AWARD OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE. 347 
 
 say the audacity, of the latter, the fact observed by 
 Mr. Jackson might have long remained unapplied ; 
 and, but for the fact observed by Mr. Jackson, the 
 idea of Mr. Morton would perhaps have been barren 
 and ineffectual." * Two thousand five hundred francs 
 are therefore awarded to Mr. Jackson " for his ob- 
 servations and experiments on the antesthetic effects 
 of the inhalation of ether ;"t and the same sum to 
 Mr. Morton " for having introduced this method into 
 surgical practice, pursuant to the suggestions of Mr. 
 Jackson." "^ 
 
 It is a gratifying circumstance, that, though ether 
 has been used at the Hospital since its first introduc- 
 tion in more than six hundred cases, it has never 
 been attended with any injurious results. Dr. Hay- 
 ward has always used sulphuric ether. The Drs. 
 Warren have preferred a preparation of chloric ether, 
 which differs, as I understand, from chloroform only 
 in the proportion in which it is combined with 
 
 * "M. Jackson et M. Morton ont ete necessaires I'un a I'autre. Sans 
 les instances, la preoccupation, et le courage, pour ne pas dire I'audace, de 
 celui-ci, I'observation faite par M. Jackson aurait pu rester longtemps inap- 
 plique'e ; et sans le fait observe par M. Jackson, la pense'e de M. Morton 
 aurait peut-etre sterile et sans effets." 
 
 t " Pour ses observations "et ses experiences sur les effets anesthetiques 
 produits par I'inhalation de Tether." 
 
 t " Pour avoir introduit cette methode dans la pratique chirurgicale, 
 d'apres les indications de M. Jackson."
 
 348 ETHER DISCOVERY. 
 
 alcohol. I close this chapter with the following 
 statement, kindly furnished by Dr. Borland, one of 
 the House Physicians : — 
 
 Massachusetts General Hospital, 
 May 12, 1851. 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch, Esq. 
 
 Sir, — In accordance with your desire, I have examined the 
 Surgical Records of the Hospital, and find, that, since Jan. 1, 1848, 
 there have been performed — 
 
 Under sulphuric ether 186 
 
 „ chloric ether 138 
 
 „ chloroform 25 
 
 „ nitrous oxide gas 1 
 
 35o^r„r 
 
 During this time, in cases of out-patients, 
 medical patients, setting of fractured limbs, 
 dressings, &c. ether has been employed in 
 at least 1505"*""* 
 
 '^"'-' ^ more. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. Nelson Borland, 
 
 House Physician to Massachusetts General Hoqntal. 
 
 * Prior to Januar}', 1848, ether had been used at the Hospital in a 
 hundred and thirty-two cases (see p. 218) ; making a grand total of six iiun- 
 dred and thirty-two cases. It is, indeed, there resorted to m every serious 
 operation.
 
 349 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1848—1851. 
 
 Wedding at Hospital. — Gift of Trustees. — Cost of the Two New 
 Wings, &c. — Death of Dr. Enoch Hale. — Ali> further Ether Con- 
 troversy declined. — Gas. — Devise of John D. Williams of Store 
 WORTH Seventeen Thousand Dollars. — Free Beds placed at dis- 
 posal of his Executors. — Bequest of B. E. Nichols, Six Thousand 
 Dollars. — Bequests of John Bromfield, in all Forty Thousand 
 Dollars. — Mr. Hooper resigns as Chairman, and is elected Vice- 
 President. — Bequest of Henry Todd, Five Thousand Dollars. — 
 Death of Dr. John D. Fisher. — Addition to Lodge at the Asylum. 
 
 — Post-mortem Examinations. — Death of Signor Sarti. — New 
 Donation of William Appleton, Twenty Thousand Dollars. — 
 Night Watch at Asylum. — Eesignation of Dr. Hayward : his 
 
 long and valuable services. votes of trustees. varioloid 
 
 AT Hospital. — Votes op Trustees. — Legacy of Dr. Charles W. 
 Wilder, Twenty* Thousand Dollars. — Lee Donations of 1830. 
 
 — Dix Ward at Asylum named in honor of Miss Dix. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 26, 1848, Messrs. Amos 
 A. Lawrence and Charles H. Mills were elected Trus- 
 tees, in place of Charles Amory and William T. 
 Andrews, who, having declined a re-election, were 
 thanked for their " very faithful and acceptable ser- 
 vices." Feb. 6, all the Medical and Surgical Officers, 
 heads of both departments, and Standing Committees, 
 were re-elected. The following was the organization 
 of the Hospital at this period : William Appleton, 
 President; Theodore Lyman, Vice-President ; Henry 
 Andrews, Treasurer; Marcus Morton, jun. Secretary;
 
 •350 ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch, George M. Dexter, Kobert 
 Hooper, Amos A. Lawrence, Francis C. Lowell, 
 Charles H. Mills, J. Thomas Stevenson, Edward 
 Wigglesworth, Trustees on part of the Corporation ; 
 Thomas Lamb, J. AViley Edmands, John A. Lowell, 
 and Henry B. Rogers, Trustees on part of the Com- 
 monwealth ; Drs. James Jackson, George C. Shat- 
 tuck, John Jeffries, Edward Reynolds, Board of 
 Consultation ; Drs. Jacob Bio^elow, Henrv I. Bow- 
 ditch, John D. Fisher, John B. S. Jackson, Enoch 
 Hale, O. AY. Holmes, Visiting Physicians ; Drs. John 
 C. "Warren, George Hay ward, Solomon D. Townsend, 
 Henry J. Bigelow, Samuel Parkman, J. Mason War- 
 ren, Visiting Surgeons ; Dr. Win. Henry Thayer, 
 Admitting Physician; Richard Girdler, Superin- 
 tendent of Hospital; Dr. Bell, Physician and Super- 
 intendent of Asylum; and Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, 
 Steward and Matron. Two thousand copies of the 
 annual report ordered. March 19, salary of the 
 Admitting Physician was fixed at two hundred dol- 
 lars. The subject of arranging a system of keeping 
 the books of the Institution, so that the Treasurer's 
 accounts may show the exact amount of receipts and 
 expenditures of both departments, was discussed, and 
 referred to Mr. Stevenson, who subsequently made a 
 report; and the following vote was adopted, viz. 
 •' That the auditor's certificate of the correctness of
 
 COST OF IMPROVEMENTS. 851 
 
 the quarterly accounts of the Steward of the Asylum 
 and of the Superintendent of the Hospital may be 
 taken by the Treasurer as sufficient authority for 
 entries in his books, in accordance with said accounts." 
 May 7, Mrs. Girdler was requested to purchase a suit- 
 able wedding-gift to be presented to Thomas W. 
 Hickford and Elizabeth MTntire, as a token of the 
 appreciation by the Trustees of their long and faith- 
 ful services at the Hospital. May 21, the subject of 
 autopsies was referred to Mr. Bowditch, who, on 
 June 4, made a report, which was accepted, and 
 ordered to be placed on file. The Building Com- 
 mittee reported, that the new west wing cost $29,500 ; 
 east wing, $28,000 ; furnishing, $19,000 ; repairing 
 centre, rebuilding old east wing cellar throughout, 
 three reservoirs, copper gutters, old kitchen, outside 
 painting, $24,000 ; new kitchen, $16,500 ; autopsy- 
 room, sheds, chains, roads, sodding, fences, $3,000 : 
 total, $120,000. On July 2, a new ventilation of the 
 north wing of the Asylum was ordered. Aug. 16, 
 Drs. W. O. Johnson and R. W. Oliphant were chosen 
 Hor;.se Physicians, Dr. D. D. Slade and W. H. 
 Thorndike House Surgeons ; John E. Hathaway 
 being re-elected Apothecary, ^ov. 5, House Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons were ordered to carry forward 
 the Indexes of the Medical and Surgical Records, as 
 recommended by Dr. Thayer. Nov. 19, " Voted,
 
 352 DEATH OF DR. HALE. 
 
 that the members of this Board have heard with pro- 
 found emotion of the decease of Dr. Enoch Hale, 
 late one of the Visiting Physicians of the Hospital." 
 " Voted that the Trustees, while they mourn his loss, 
 in common with their fellow-citizens, as one of the 
 most distinguished and useful members of the pro- 
 fession which he adorned, have especial cause for 
 regret in the fact, that by his loss the institution com- 
 mitted to their charge is deprived of one of its oldest, 
 most useful, and most successful medical officers." 
 
 Dec. 3, 1848, the Trustees request the Admit- 
 ting Physician to aim at an equality in number of 
 male and female patients at Hospital. Dec. 17, 
 Messrs. Lawrence and Mills were appointed to pre- 
 pare the annual report. This report occupies five 
 pages, and, with the documents annexed, forms a 
 pamphlet of thirty-two pages. It mentions the in- 
 come of the year as $17,225; the property as being 
 1154,133.82 ; being a reduction of $13,959.06, caused 
 by extensive alterations and repairs at Asylum, and 
 the final payments for the enlargement of the Hos- 
 pital. It states that the bequests of Messrs. John 
 Redman and William Oliver have not yet been re- 
 ceived. They probably will not be for several years 
 to come. It mentions the donation of John D. Wil- 
 liams, of a store valued at $15,000; now worth 
 $17,000, and rented for $1,050; and says," Since the
 
 NOTICE OF DR. HALe's DEATH. 353 
 
 closing of the Treasurer's account, this legacy has 
 been gratefully accepted by the Trustees, who have 
 tendered to the representatives of the deceased 
 their acknowledgments for this last evidence of his 
 bounty." The report thus notices the death of 
 Dr. Hale : — 
 
 " The institution has, within the past year, been called 
 upon to lament the loss of one of their oldest and most 
 valued officers. Dr. Enoch Hale, one of the Visiting Phy- 
 sicians of the Hospital since 1838, died on the 12th of 
 November last, in the 58th year of his age. Dr. Hale was 
 widely known, as well from his devotion to his own profes- 
 sion, in which he held a distinguished position from an 
 early period of his life, as from his ardent zeal in the 
 pursuit of other branches of science. In the performance 
 of his duties at the Hospital, he evinced in a remarkable 
 degree that fidelity and tenderness of feeling which in his 
 private practice gained for him many friends, who regarded 
 him with affection and respect. His whole life was graced 
 by a purity of heart which won the confidence of all who 
 were in any way associated with him here, and which, we 
 may humbly trust, has won for him its high reward in 
 heaven." 
 
 Weekly expense of each patient at Hospital, $4.73 ; 
 being ninety-one cents less than preceding year. The 
 expenses at the Asylum were $33,130.09; the re- 
 ceipts, $36,506.52. Its inmates at end of the year, 
 seventy-seven males, eighty-four females : total, a 
 hundred and sixty-one. It appears that " during 
 
 45
 
 354 DEVISE OF JOHN D. WILLIAMS. 
 
 the year extensive alterations have been made in 
 the north wing of the Asylum, amounting nearly 
 to the entire remodelling of the interior of that 
 portion of the building," at a cost of somewhat 
 more than six thousand dollars. Dr. Bell's report 
 contains a detailed statement of these alterations, 
 and some important remarks on modes of ventila- 
 tion generally, and a statement of means here re- 
 sorted to. In interest and importance it does not 
 fall behind his reports of former years. Dec. 29, 
 in Hospital, sixty-four males, thirty-nine females : 
 Americans, thirty-nine ; foreigners, sixty-four : total, 
 a hundred and three. 
 
 Jan. 12, 1849, a letter from Dr. Charles T. Jack- 
 son, with many accompanying documents, was pre- 
 sented by the Chairman, and laid on the table. " A 
 communication from Moses Williams, Esq., was re- 
 ceived and read, informing this Board that his late 
 brother, John D. Williams, devised to this institution 
 the store No. 17 and 18, Blackstone Street, in Boston, 
 upon certain conditions and for certain purposes 
 expressed in his will, an extract from which was 
 also sent. Whereupon voted that the Trustees 
 gratefully accept this devise, acknowledging in it 
 a renewed instance of that bounty to which upon 
 other occasions the institution has been so largely 
 indebted ; the said real estate to be always retained
 
 FURTHER ETHER-CONTROVERSY DECLINED. 355 
 
 unsold, and the income thereof applied to the sup- 
 port of free beds in the Hospital, as directed by 
 said testator." Jan. 17, a printed "memorial" of 
 the Messrs. Lord, in behalf of Dr. C. T. Jackson, 
 was several days since transmitted to each Trustee 
 of this institution, asking a revision of the views 
 expressed in the last annual report respecting the 
 ether-discovery ; and a letter from Dr. Jackson, with 
 various accompanying documents, was at the last 
 meeting laid before the Board. And letters upon 
 the same subject from Theodore Metcalf, Esq., and 
 Dr. A. A. Gould, having also been received, it was 
 " voted that any further action of the Board in 
 relation to the ether-controversy is wholly unneces- 
 sary." " Voted also that copies of the above vote 
 be transmitted to Dr. Jackson and to Dr. Morton 
 respectively." 
 
 Jan. 24, Dr. Thayer presented his second volume 
 of the Medical Index. The Steward was authorized 
 to hire the Joy Farm for one year at five hundred 
 dollars. Copies of the letters of Mr. Metcalf and 
 Dr. Gould, asked for by the attorneys of Dr. Jack- 
 son, were refused ; a similar request from Dr. Morton 
 having been previously declined. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation in 
 January, 1849, the same Trustees were re-elected ; 
 William S. Bullard, Esq., being chosen by the Visit-
 
 356 BEQUEST OF B. R. NICHOLS. 
 
 ors in place of Mr. Edmands, who had declined a 
 re-election, and was thanked for his services. Feb. 
 18, all the Medical and Surgical Officers, Sec, were 
 re-elected ; and Dr. D. Humphreys Storer was chosen 
 a Visiting Physician, in place of Dr. Hale, deceased ; 
 and Dr. Samuel L. Abbot, the Admitting Physician, 
 in place of Dr. Thayer. Fifteen hundred copies of 
 the annual report were ordered. March 4, Messrs. 
 Rogers and AVigglesworth were chosen a Standing 
 Committee on the library ; and fifty dollars was 
 appropriated towards the medical library. It was 
 also " voted that, in all cases, letters of guardianship 
 shall be required to be taken out, or the removal 
 of the patient from the Asylum insisted on, in all 
 cases whenever, in the opinion of the Superintend- 
 ent and the Visiting Committee, it shall be thought 
 expedient." 
 
 May 20, the executors of the late Benjamin R. 
 Nichols transmitted six thousand dollars, being the 
 amount bequeathed by him to the institution. " The 
 Trustees accept with gratitude this munificent be- 
 quest, and tender to the executors their thanks for 
 the prompt and liberal manner in which they have 
 carried into effect the intentions of the testator." 
 June 8, the Visiting Committee's record states, " Told 
 Jolin Ferris, that, if he was again found smoking 
 in the ward, he would be discharged immediately."
 
 ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 357 
 
 Sunday, Aug. 12, 1849, the record reads, "An ad- 
 journed meeting of the Board was held at the 
 Hospital, after evening service. The Secretary, 
 having recently met with a severe railroad accident, 
 was unable to attend, and desired me to act in his 
 behalf. At the hour appointed for the meeting, 
 there was a violent storm ; and most of the Board 
 pass their summer months in the country. The 
 result was, that not a single member of the Board 
 attended, a circumstance which probably never hap- 
 pened before.* Many years ago, on one occasion, 
 I was the only member present. N. I. Bowditch." 
 Aug. 20, Drs. Charles I). Homans and Charles 
 G. Adams were elected House Surgeons ; and, on 
 Aug. 24, Drs. Calvin Ellis and Waldo J. Burnett, 
 House Physicians ; John E. Hathaway being re- 
 elected House Apothecary. Sept. 16, Ur. Holmes 
 declined a re-election as Visiting Physician. Nov. 
 4, a communication from the Medical Officers, as to 
 a change in the names and qualifications of the 
 House Officers, and as to special rooms for patients 
 whose presence in the wards is injurious to other 
 patients, was referred to Messrs. Bowditch and Law- 
 rence, who, on the first subject submitted to them, 
 
 * It had happened once before, and has happened once since. And there 
 liave been various occasions when only one Trustee was present ; viz. June 
 14, 1835, Mr. Bond ; Jan. 5, 1836, Mr. Tuckerman ; Aug. 6, 1843, Mr. An- 
 drews ; Aug. 8, 1847, Mr, Hooper, &c. &c.
 
 358 THEODORE LYMAN. 
 
 reported in favor of the proposed change. Nov. 18, 
 gas was ordered to be introduced into the Hospital, 
 under the superintendence of Mr. Dexter. Dec. 16, 
 Messrs. Bullard and Wigglesworth were appointed 
 to prepare the annual report. This report occupies 
 six pages, and, with the accompanying documents, 
 forms a pamphlet of twenty-three pages. It states the 
 income of the year at $22,620.51, — the property, 
 exclusive of reversionary interests and the edifices, 
 &c. at the two departments, at $169,466.51 ; the 
 part invested and yielding income being $156,898.93. 
 The present income is shown to be insufficient for 
 the wants of the Hospital, without annual aid from 
 the benevolent. It contains the following appro- 
 priate notice of two deceased benefactors : — 
 
 " During the past year, we have been called to mourn the 
 death of the Vice-President of this Corporation, the Hon. 
 Theodore Lyman, a gentleman whose polished manners 
 and cultivated mind made him an ornament of the social 
 circle; whose ability, moral worth, and public spirit, gained 
 him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and 
 raised him to the head of our municipal government ; whose 
 words of kindness and acts of charity are held in grateful 
 remembrance by many hearts ; and whose munificent dona- 
 tions and bequests, particularly those to the State Reform 
 School, place him in the front rank of the founders and 
 benefactors of benevolent institutions in this common- 
 wealth. 
 
 " The past year has also witnessed the decease of another
 
 JOHN BROMFIELD's BEQUESTS. 359 
 
 public benefactor, John Bromfield, Esq., whose will con- 
 tained, among many other munificent bequests to public 
 objects, one of forty thousand dollars to this institution. 
 One half of this sum is bequeathed to the Hospital in Bos- 
 ton, the other half to the M'Lean Asylum. This bequest, 
 however, like some others above alluded to, is reversionary, 
 and does not add to the present means of the institution. 
 Mr. Bromfield's generosity and public spirit had been already 
 evinced in a conspicuous manner by the donation which he 
 made, a few years since, of twenty-five thousand dollars, 
 to the Boston Athenaeum. Notwithstanding these acts of 
 liberality, Mr. Bromfield was not a seeker of notice or of 
 praise. His habits were retired, and his manner unpretend- 
 ing. He was remarkable for integrity, for sound judgment, 
 and for quiet resolution. Whatever he believed to be his 
 duty, he did. He is remembered for his public bounty ; 
 but he deserves as much respect for his private virtues. 
 Those who knew him best esteemed him most." 
 
 Mr. Girdler's report contains the usual statistics, 
 and shows the weekly expense of each patient to 
 have been $4.55. The expenses of the Asylum were 
 $37,601 57; the net receipts, $38,988.31; and this 
 department has been crowded through the year. 
 The report states that but little has been expended 
 on the buildings. It mentions the introduction of 
 gas into the Hospital. Dr. Bell's report is quite 
 brief, occupying six pages. It continues the table 
 of admissions and results from former reports. It 
 mentions the death of no less than three heads of 
 similar institutions, and closes as follows : —
 
 1360 DR. bell's report. 
 
 " Left almost at the head of the list of seniority in this 
 vocation, I realize in their premature removal not only the 
 uncertainties of life, but the heavy weight and wearing 
 responsibilities upon the human constitution, inseparable 
 from the care of the insane, however fully one may be 
 sustained by every aid of sufficient and most competent 
 fellow-laborers ; and I cannot but look forward to a period, 
 not far removed, when, with a consciousness of a full day's 
 work completed (a day which thus far, in all my relations 
 to your Board, to the medical profession, and the com- 
 munity, has been all sunshine) , I may ask a discharge from 
 your generous and grateful service." 
 
 Dec. 28, males sixty-five, females forty-five, — total, 
 one hundred and ten, — in Hospital. Americans, 
 paying thirteen, free thirty ; foreigners, paying ten, 
 free fifty-seven. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, in 
 January, 1850, Robert Hooper, Esq., w^as elected 
 Vice-President, hi place of the lamented Theodore 
 Lyman, deceased ; and G. Howland Shaw, Esq., was 
 elected a Trustee, in place of Mr. Hoopei', who was 
 thanked for his long and valuable services. He had 
 been a Trustee thirteen years, and Chairman of the 
 Board for nearly eight years ; displaying a zeal, 
 fidelity, and ability in which he has not been sur- 
 passed by any of his predecessors. Feb. 3, Mr. 
 Bowditch was elected Chairman. All the Medical 
 and Surgical Officers were re-elected ; except that 
 Dr. George C. Shattuck, jun., was chosen as one of
 
 DR. fisher's death. 361 
 
 the Visiting Physicians, in place of Dr. Holmes, 
 resigned. The same Standing Committees were re- 
 appointed. Fifteen hundred copies of the annual 
 report were ordered to be printed. 
 
 Feb. 17, a communication from Thomas P. Gush- 
 ing, Executor of Henry Todd, was received, with an 
 extract from his will ; and it was voted, ■•' that the 
 Trustees gratefully accept the legacy of five thousand 
 dollars bequeathed to this institution by the late 
 Henry Todd, upon the conditions contained in his 
 will." The number of free beds in the institution at 
 his death, exclusive of those supported by annual 
 subscribers, is stated as being forty-three. The sub- 
 ject of the will of John D. Williams was referred to 
 the Chairman and the Visiting Committee, to decide 
 on the number of free beds at the disposal of the 
 executors of his will. On March 3, the Committee 
 made a written report, which is recorded, recommend- 
 ing that one free bed be placed at the disposal of 
 each of the four executors named in the will. The 
 extract from the will is recorded with this report. 
 
 March 17, 1850, it was "voted that in the recent 
 decease of Dr. John D. Fisher, late a physician of 
 the Hospital, this Board deeply regrets the loss of an 
 officer, who, to high scientific attainments, united 
 amiable and unassuming manners and the greatest 
 kindness of heart ; one who has uniformly discharged 
 
 •46
 
 362 ADDITION TO MALE LODGE. 
 
 in a most zealous, faithful, and acceptable manner 
 his duties toward this institution." Dr. Marshall S. 
 Perry was elected to fill this vacancy. April 17, Dr. 
 Bell was authorized to add a second story to the male 
 lodge. May 5, a recent official report of the Directors 
 of the House of Industry was discussed ; and it was 
 thought not to require any notice of this Board. May 
 
 17, an invitation to attend the next meeting of the 
 Association of Medical Superintendents of American 
 Institutions for the Insane, to be held in Boston, June 
 
 18, was received and read. The Association met 
 one evening at the Asylum in Somerville. The Vice- 
 President and several of the Trustees attended. It 
 was a very interesting and agreeable occasion. June 
 22, Dr. iVbbot had leave to visit Europe for a few 
 months ; Dr. J. C. Dalton, jun., being appointed to 
 act till his return. The subject of post-mortem opera- 
 tions was discussed, and referred to the Visiting Com- 
 mittee ; and, on July 22, Mr. Bowditch, in behalf of 
 this Committee, made a report, which was accepted 
 and recorded, suggesting precautions to be used to 
 prevent their being performed when prohibited by 
 the friends and family of the deceased. Aug. 13, J. 
 Nelson Borland and Albert H. Blanchard were chosen 
 House Pupils in the Medical department ; and Free- 
 man J. Bumstead and Charles H. Hildreth, House 
 Pupils in the Surgical department ; Mr. Hathaway 
 being re-elected Apothecary.
 
 DEATH OF SIGNOR SARTI. f363 
 
 Sept. 3, the Chairman and Mr. Rogers were ap- 
 pohited a Committee on the subject of a late post- 
 mortem examination, which had given dissatisfaction 
 to the friends of the deceased. Sept. 10, the Com- 
 mittee reported ; and a special meeting was called 
 upon the subject for Sept. 13 ; at which Dr. Jacob 
 Bigelow, Dr. Dalton, the Superintendent, and Mr. 
 Bumstead the House Surgical Pupil, were present, 
 and stated the facts of the case alluded to ; and Dr. 
 Bigelow presented his views on the subject of autop- 
 sies in general. Five votes were then adopted, pre- 
 scribing very definitely certain rules for the future. 
 Oct. 11, a statement of the facts and opinions ascer- 
 tained and expressed on this occasion, prepared by 
 the Chairman, was read, and ordered to be placed 
 on file. 
 
 Signer Antonio Sarti, a distinguished anatomist, 
 and the proprietor of some very beautiful and expen- 
 sive wax-preparations, who had recently been deliver- 
 ing public lectures, died at the Hospital, Sept. 21. 
 The Trustees, considering his services and labors in 
 the cause of science, preferred to make no charge for 
 his board while in the institution. The Chairman, 
 accordingly, waited on Madame Sarti, and communi- 
 cated to her this vote. 
 
 Oct. 16, the subject of putting an appropriate 
 inscription on the statue of Apollo, presented by Mr.
 
 364 DONATION OF WILLIAM APPLETON. 
 
 Everett, was referred to the Visiting Committee, with 
 full powers. The claim for damages against the 
 Grand Junction Railroad, and the right of passing 
 Craigie's Bridge free of toll, were referred to the 
 Chairman and the Visiting Committee. 
 
 At a special meeting held Nov. 9, the following 
 preamble and vote, as prepared by the Chairman, were 
 adopted and recorded : " A communication having 
 been received from William Appleton, Esq., President 
 of this Corporation, announcing his donation of twenty 
 thousand dollars for the erection of buildings at the 
 M'Lean Asylum for the Insane, designed especially 
 for such patients as shall have previously dwelt in 
 residences of a spacious and cheerful character, and 
 with the view of affording, as far as possible, to this 
 the wealthiest class of our inmates the accustomed 
 comforts and conveniences of home, — voted that the 
 Trustees gratefully accept this munificent gift. They 
 recognize in it the same practical wisdom and the 
 same true benevolence that have heretofore furnished 
 to this institution a fund of ten thousand dollars, the 
 income of which is to be for ever applied in aid of our 
 poorer patients. The enlarged philanthropy which 
 has thus provided for the equal relief of rich and 
 poor, when suffering under the greatest of human 
 deprivations, will ever entitle Mr. Appleton to a high 
 rank among the benefactors of this community."
 
 TRIBUTE TO DR. FISHER. 365 
 
 Dec. 15, Messrs. Shaw and Rogers were appointed 
 a Committee to prepare the annual report. This re- 
 port is nine pages in length, and, with its accompany- 
 ing documents, makes a pamphlet of thirty-one pages. 
 It states the income of the year from property, 
 $16,917.99; extra dividend from Hospital Life In- 
 surance Company, $18,000 ; free-bed subscriptions, 
 $2,100; surplus at Asylum, $1,500 : total, $38,517.99. 
 The property invested yielding income is stated at 
 $171,119.98. It mentions the investment of fifteen 
 tliousand dollars of the income. It gratefully ac- 
 knowledges the receipt of five thousand dollars from 
 T. P. Cushing, Esq., Executor of Mr. Henry Todd, 
 and thanks the annual subscribers for free beds. It 
 pays the following just tribute to one recently de- 
 ceased : — 
 
 " Within the past year, the institution has been called to 
 lament the death of one of its valued officers, — the late 
 Dr. John D. Fisher, one of the pliysicians of the Hospital. 
 To high attainments in other brandies of science than the 
 one to which he especially devoted himself, he united the 
 most amiable and unassuming manners, and the greatest 
 kindness oi' heart. To this institution he uniformly dis- 
 charged his duties in a most zealous, faithful, and acceptable 
 manner." 
 
 It mentions the expenses of the Hospital department, 
 $29,024; and, deducting $4,226.27 received from 
 paying patients, shows that nearly $25,000 a year
 
 366 THE ASYLUM SUFFICIENTLY LARGE. 
 
 must be drawn frdm the general funds ; being nearly 
 ten thousand dollars more than our average income. 
 The weekly expense of each patient was $4.90. One 
 startling fact is thus recorded : " Of the wJiole number 
 of 2^(^tients in the Ilosjriial during the year, nearly 
 two-thirds have heen foreigners.'" 
 
 At the Asylum, on Jan. 1, there remained a hun- 
 dred males, a hundred females ; the amount charged 
 for board being $44,183.37, and the net expenses 
 $40,623.38 ; sums greater than ever before. Special 
 notice is invited to Dr. Bell's report, as containing 
 much of interest to the Corporation and to the public. 
 The Committee fully concur with Dr. Bell, that this 
 department has reached what should be deemed its 
 full capacity ; the average number of inmates for the 
 year being two hundred and one. 
 
 The Committee say : " At the Hospital in Boston, 
 no change of importance has been made, or is be- 
 lieved to be required." An extended notice of the 
 two gifts of Mr. Appleton, ten and twenty thousand 
 dollars, closes thus : — 
 
 " The Trustees have gratefully accepted this donation. It 
 is unnecessary to comment upon its value, or upon the liberal 
 philanthropy which has prompted and guided the hand of 
 the giver. While it increases so largely the debt of grati- 
 tude which the Asylum already owed to him who has been 
 its continued benefactor, it leaves nothing apparently wanting
 
 NIGHT-WATCH AT ASYLUM. 367 
 
 for the perfection of that plan for complete relief to all 
 classes of persons, which has ever been the design of the 
 institution." 
 
 Capt. Girdler's report occupies four pages, and 
 contains the annual analyses. Dr. Bell's report 
 occupies nine pages, and will be found to merit the 
 commendation of the Committee. Dec. 27, at the 
 Hospital, Americans, eighteen paying, twenty-six 
 free ; foreigners, thirteen paying, jifty-six free : 
 total, a hundred and thirteen. 
 
 Dec. 29, the subject of the expediency of employ- 
 ing a night-watch at the Asylum, as a protection 
 against fire, was referred to the Visiting Committee, 
 to report at the next meeting. Mr. Hathaway's 
 salary was fixed at four hundred dollars ; he agree- 
 ing to remain two years on those terms, if re-elected. 
 Jan. 15, 1851, the Committee on the subject reported 
 in favor of the establishment of a night-watch. Dr. 
 Bell and the Committee were of opinion, that, to a 
 great extent, the security of a night-watch was al- 
 ready incidentally enjoyed ; but, in view of the late 
 melancholy destruction by fire and loss of life at the 
 institution in Augusta, it was thought altogether 
 advisable to have a special attendant charged with 
 this particular duty. If not actually needed for the 
 safety of the institution, it would serve " to ward off 
 public opinion." Jan. 22, a letter claiming compen-
 
 368 DR. hayward's resignation. 
 
 sation for a cow killed while boarded at the Asylum 
 was referred to the Visitmg Committee, with full 
 powers. Dr. Thayer presented another volume of 
 his Index of the Medical Records, and was thanked 
 for the satisfactory manner in which the same was 
 executed. 
 
 At the annual meeting, Jan. 22, 1851, John A. 
 Lowell, Esq., having been for several months absent 
 in Europe, and intending to remain absent all this 
 year,* the Board of Visitors elected in his stead Dr. 
 William J. Dale to be a Trustee of the institution. 
 It is believed that Dr. Dale is the first practising 
 physician who has ever held a seat as Trustee ; 
 though Dr. Robbins had practised for several years, 
 and B. D. Greene and Charles Amory, Esqs., had 
 studied that profession. Feb. 2, all the Medical 
 and Surgical Officers were re-elected, and those of 
 the two departments and the Standing Committees 
 re-appointed. 
 
 A letter from Dr. George Hayward, declining 
 re-election as one of the Visiting Surgeons of the 
 Hospital, was read ; and it was voted, that the Chair- 
 man be requested to call upon Dr. Hayward, and 
 express to him the unanimous wishes of the Trustees 
 
 * When ISIr. Lowell shall have returned from his present tour, lie will, 
 on the occurrence of a vacancy, receive a cordial welcome from his old asso- 
 ciates, slioukl he be willing at a future day to resume his duties as a Trustee.
 
 VARIOLOID AT HOSPITAL. 369 
 
 that he should continue his connection with the Hos- 
 pital. With this request, so highly complimentary 
 to Dr. Hayward, he decided to comply. Fifteen 
 hundred copies of the annual report were ordered to 
 be printed. It was also voted, " that the subject of 
 the admission of patients, and of the existence of 
 varioloid in the Hospital, be referred to the Visiting 
 Committee, to inquire whether there has been any 
 neglect on the part of the Admitting Physician, or 
 other Medical Officers of the Hospital." The subject 
 of instructing the Treasurer to open accounts in his 
 books, shoAving all the reversionary interests of this 
 Corporation in any property, was referred to the 
 Committee of Finance. In consequence of " the 
 long and faithful services" of Mrs. Mary E. Tyler 
 as Matron of the M'Lean Asylum for the Insane, 
 her salary was raised to four hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars.* Feb. 16, the Visiting Committee were not 
 prepared to make a full report on the subject of 
 varioloid, &c. Mr. Stevenson was appointed to con- 
 sult with the Treasurer as to keeping one account 
 in his books which should show all the receipts and 
 expenditures of both departments of the institution, 
 according to the report and vote of April 2, 1848. 
 At a special meeting, called by request of the 
 
 * The salary of Miss Barber, the Female Supervisor, was also lately- 
 raised to four hundred dollars. 
 
 47
 
 370 DR. wilder's bequest. 
 
 Chairman, Feb. 24, a letter from Dr. James Jackson, 
 on the existing small-pox and varioloid, was read 
 and referred to the Committee on that subject. All 
 new admissions at Hospital were stopped till further 
 order of the Board. It appeared that there had 
 been nineteen cases ; that two had died ; * and that 
 one patient (a little girl) was severely ill. The 
 Committee, however, had not fully completed their 
 labors. 
 
 March 2, the following preamble and vote, as 
 proposed by the Chairman, were adopted : — "A 
 communication from the executors of the will of Dr. 
 Charles W. Wilder, of Leominster, announcing a 
 legacy of twenty thousand dollars for the support 
 of free beds at the Hospital, was read ; and it was 
 thereupon voted that the Trustees gratefully accept 
 this truly munificent bequest ; and, in so doing, 
 they would notice two circumstances by which its 
 value is especially enhanced. Large as it is in 
 itself, the gift comes not, as might have been sup- 
 posed, from one of the wealthiest of our own citizens, 
 but has been contributed from the more moderate 
 fortunes of one of our country-towns. It is believed 
 
 * One was David Cummings, who died Jan. 23. His occupation was 
 that of tender of the furnace. He was a most industrious and worthy man, 
 and had been in tlie employ of tlie institution several years. His sphere, 
 indeed, was luimble ; but he performed avcII all the duties of life. And wlio 
 of us can hope to be entitled to a higiier eulogy ?
 
 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 371 
 
 to be the first and only bequest ever received by 
 this institution from a member of that profession 
 w^hich, more than any other, is competent fully to 
 appreciate the importance of this public charity, and 
 to form an accurate opinion as to the judgment and 
 fidelity with which its concerns have been admin- 
 istered. It is a gift, noble in itself ; a gift from the 
 country to the poor of the city, from a physician in 
 aid of the sick and the suffering. Voted that the 
 amount thus bequeathed be known as the Wilder 
 Fund for Free Beds ; the income thereof to be for 
 ever applied as directed by the benevolent testator." 
 Copies of these votes were ordered to be transmitted 
 to the executors. An extract from the will is re- 
 corded. It makes the legacy payable, half in mort- 
 gages, half in railroad stocks, — the latter, at present, 
 are depressed in value, — the cash-amount, perhaps, 
 not over six thousand dollars. Dr. Wilder left four 
 children, and about ninety thousand dollars in all ; 
 thus devoting to public uses a very large share of 
 all he was worth. 
 
 Twenty-five dollars was voted in aid of a patient 
 who has become blind. " A communication from the 
 Physicians and Surgeons, suggesting that the wards 
 be distinguished by placing on their entrances names 
 of individuals who have been celebrated in the his- 
 tory of medicine and surgery, was read ; and the sub-
 
 372 YOTES OF TRUSTEES 
 
 ject was referred to a Special Committee, consisting 
 of Messrs. Bowditch and Stevenson." 
 
 The Committee upon the subject of varioloid made 
 their final report, — stating that one patient who prob- 
 ably had the disease was admitted, Dec. 16 ; one who 
 certainly had it, on Jan. 8 ; that there was no thor- 
 ough general vaccination of the patients in the whole 
 house till Jan. 28 ; that the total number of cases was 
 twenty, and of deaths two ; and the following votes 
 were adopted : " Voted that there was a positive 
 violation of the rules of the institution on the part 
 of Dr. Abbot, in admitting Miss Eunice B. Bridge 
 as a patient, without having first seen her ; * and the 
 fact that the patient so admitted had the varioloid is 
 evidence of the importance of a strict observance of 
 said rules ; and the Trustees take this occasion to 
 urge on Dr. Abbot the necessity of the greatest 
 caution in all cases of admission of patients, where 
 there is the slightest reason to suppose them affected 
 by this or any other contagious disease. Voted that 
 Dr. Bowditch took seasonable steps to have all his 
 patients vaccinated, and saw that his orders were 
 executed. Voted that the other Visiting Physicians 
 and Surgeons then on duty were the two Drs. Bige- 
 
 * Dr. Abbot is a vigilant and careful officer ; but, in tbis instance, bad 
 been induced by motives of courtesy towards a brother-physician to rely on 
 his certificate as to the fitness of a patient who was an inmate of his own 
 family.
 
 AS TO VARIOLOID IN HOSPITAL. 373 
 
 low and Dr. Hayward. It appears that these gentle- 
 men gave orders for the vaccination of the patients in 
 their wards ; but the Trustees have to regret that 
 they did not take the necessary steps to have their 
 orders executed with the least possible delay. Voted 
 that there was a want of due care on the part of the 
 House Pupils, and perhaps of some of the attendants, 
 in passing from the patients ill with the varioloid to 
 visit patients in other parts of the house. Voted that, 
 in the opinion of the Trustees, no pains should be 
 spared to effect a complete separation of varioloid 
 patients from all other patients in the house." These 
 votes were printed, and a copy sent to each of the 
 Medical and Surgical Officers. 
 
 The subject of erecting a separate building for con- 
 tagious or offensive cases, not to exceed two thou- 
 sand dollars in cost, was referred to the Visiting- 
 Committee, with full powers. March 16, fifty dollars 
 was voted for the Medical Library. The Committee 
 on naming the wards made a report, which was read 
 and laid on the table for future consideration. It 
 has not yet been accepted. It recommends the giving 
 to the wards the names of those who have been the 
 chief benefactors of the institution, either by donations 
 or by professional services. 
 
 Voted that the Chairman be a Committee on the 
 subject of the Lee donations, to consult with the Lee
 
 374 VOTE ON DR. HAYWARD's LETTER. 
 
 family, and report to the Board. The Secretary was 
 instructed to procure a record-book, in which to enter 
 all past and future devises and bequests made to the 
 institution, extracts from wills, &c. 
 
 A letter from Dr. George Hayward, respecting a 
 recent vote of the Trustees, having been received, was 
 read, and ordered to be placed on file ; and the fol- 
 lowing votes were passed : — " Voted that, whenever 
 a case of varioloid or small-pox shall occur in the 
 Hospital, it shall be the duty of all the attending 
 Physicians and Surgeons to see that all the patients 
 in the Hospital, whose cases will allow it, shall be 
 vaccinated. Voted that the Secretary be directed to 
 send a copy of the above vote to Dr. Hayward, and 
 to inform him that the vote referred to in his letter 
 was passed on the ground that the course now di- 
 rected to be pursued in future should, in the opinion 
 of the Trustees, have been pursued on the first ap- 
 pearance of varioloid in the Hospital, in January 
 last." Dr. Hay ward's letter had stated the fact, that 
 no case of the disease had occurred in his wards ; * 
 and that, when he was informed of the disease being 
 in the House, under such circumstances as to make 
 him apprehensive for the safety of his own patients, 
 
 * No case of varioloid liail occurred in the ward of Dr. Howditcli ; but 
 tliere was subsequently a very mild one. If the vaccination was in that 
 instance ineffectual, it was jirobabiy owing to the constitutional temperament 
 of the patient.
 
 VOTE IN HONOR OF DR. HAYWARD. 375 
 
 viz. on Jan. 26, he took measures for their immediate 
 vaccination. 
 
 March 30, it was ordered that patients be ad- 
 mitted from and after this day. The following pre- 
 amble and vote, as prepared by the Chairman, were 
 unanimously adopted : — "A communication from Dr. 
 George Hayward, by which he declines any longer 
 to serve as one of the Visiting Surgeons of the Hospi- 
 tal, having been received and read, it was voted that 
 the Board sincerely regret the retirement of Dr. Hay- 
 ward from a situation which for twenty-five years he 
 has filled with so much honor to himself, and useful- 
 ness to the community. It was his privilege to per- 
 form the first capital operation rendered painless by 
 the influence of ether, thus connecting this institution 
 with the establishment of the greatest discovery of 
 the age. His professional skill, his good judgment, 
 and his kindness towards the patients, manifested 
 throughout this long period of official duty, and which 
 so recently induced the Trustees to request a con- 
 tinuance of his services, justly entitle him to grate- 
 ful remembrance, as having been one of the most 
 able and faithful officers of our institution." 
 
 Messrs. Lowell, Bowditch, and the Treasurer, were 
 appointed a Committee to receive Dr. Wilder's legacy ; 
 which duty they have performed. Messrs. liogers 
 and Stevenson, with ^Ir. Tyler, were appointed •• a
 
 376 REPORT ON LEE DONATIONS. 
 
 Building Committee for the erection of new buildings 
 at the Asylum, according to the terms of Hon. 
 William Appleton's donation." Dr. Henry G. Clark 
 was elected successor to Dr. Hay ward. April 11, 
 Mr. Hogers declined acting on the Building Com- 
 mittee, on account of other pressing engagements. 
 
 April 16, "owing to a storm so severe as to render 
 it unsafe to cross the bridges, the usual quarterly 
 meeting was not lield to-day."* April 18, at a spe- 
 cial meeting called at the Asylum by direction of the 
 Chairman, Mr. Lamb was appointed a member of the 
 Building Committee, and the subject of the erection 
 of the proposed buildings was discussed. 
 
 The Chairman presented a report on the Lee dona- 
 tions. It states the original gift in 1830 ; the separate 
 account, hitherto kept, of the income of it ; the vote 
 of the Trustees in December, 1830 ; the present 
 amount of the fund, $31,681.33; that the recent 
 donation of Mr. Appleton had rendered it inexpedient 
 to erect any other new buildings at the Asylum ; that 
 the Trustees were therefore desirous of conferring the 
 name of Mr. Lee on the present building for male 
 patients ; and that the family of Mr. Lee state their 
 disinclination to have his name given to any building, 
 old or new, and release the institution from all obli- 
 
 * It was in this storm that the light-liouse at Minot's Ledge was de- 
 stroyed, and a steeple blown down iu Charlestown.
 
 THE LEE DONATIONS. 377 
 
 gation, legal or otherwise, by reason of the vote be- 
 fore referred to. They say, " While we justly appre- 
 ciate this proposed tribute, we beg leave to suggest 
 the more appropriate name of Dix ; and we shall be 
 much gratified to be so far instrumental in commemo- 
 rating the services of a lady in the cause the donor 
 meant to aid, and which are admitted to be without 
 parallel." The report closes with recommending the 
 adoption of the following preamble and vote : 
 " Whereas this Board hold in the same grateful 
 remembrance as did their predecessors the munifi- 
 cence of the late Mr. Joseph Lee and his family, and 
 are desirous that it shonld never be forgotten by those 
 who may come after them ; and whereas the heirs of 
 Mr. Lee have requested that the Trustees, instead of 
 giving his name to the building' for male patients, as 
 had been proposed, would give to said building ' the 
 more appropriate name of Dix ; ' and as this Board 
 entertain a very high sense of the services rendered 
 by Miss Dix in the cause of the insane, — voted that 
 they willingly accede to this suggestion ; and that the 
 building for male patients at the Asylum be hence- 
 forth known as the Dix Ward." This preamble and 
 vote were unanimously adopted. 
 
 April 22, the Treasurer was instructed to close the 
 separate account hitherto kept of the income of the 
 Lee donations. The subject of the new buildings 
 
 48
 
 378 APPLETON BUILDINGS. 
 
 proposed at the Asylum was further discussed. April 
 '29, Dr. Bell submitted plans and estimates for the 
 erection of two buildings, according to the terms 
 of Mr. Appleton's donation ; and it was thereupon 
 " voted that said plans be referred to the Building 
 Committee, with authority to make such modifications 
 thereof as they think proper, and to proceed at once 
 in the erection of buildings according to said plans." 
 These plans were drawn up with much taste and 
 judgment. They are for two-story buildings, about 
 fifty feet square ; in their exterior resembling houses 
 recently erected in Brookline by Messrs. J. D. Rus- 
 sell and F. Standish. These plans seemed to meet 
 with the general approval of the Trustees. 
 
 May 8, this afternoon, his Excellency Governor 
 Boutwell, with the Honorable the Board of Visitors, 
 made the annual visitation. They were received by 
 the President of the Corporation and the Chairman 
 of the Trustees. It was a visit made in a simple, 
 informal manner, and seemed highly gratifying to all 
 present. Nothing was the subject of unfavorable 
 comment, except the Hospital fence. 
 
 On May 18, the Secretary laid before the Board 
 the volume prepared by him, containing a record of 
 all bequests to this institution. It is executed with 
 great accuracy and elegance. June 2, the subject of 
 the Hospital fence was referred to the Visiting Com-
 
 LETTER OF MISS DIX. 379 
 
 mittee. June 17, fifteen hundred dollars was awarded 
 as damages for land in Somerville taken by the Grand 
 Junction Railroad and Depot Company. 
 
 At this meeting, the following letter from Mi^s D. 
 L. Dix was read, and ordered to be entered on the 
 records : — 
 
 " St. John's River, Florida East, 
 " May 22. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — At this remote point and late date, your 
 communication of April 18, addressed to Thomas Lee, Esq., 
 has reached me. This will at once explain and apologize for 
 a seemingly uncourteous delay in acknowledging the receipt of 
 a copy of the preamble and vote which, by request of the 
 Messrs. Lee, and unanimous assent of the Trustees of the 
 General Hospital, gives my name to a department of that 
 institution. Profoundly moved by a distinction so unex- 
 pected, I own, that, while I would ever avoid notoriety and 
 popular applause, — while I would make the cause I labor 
 to advance, and not myself, the centre of attention, I cannot 
 but be as much gratified as I am honored by this evidence of 
 esteem from those whose good opinion is so kindly illustrated. 
 The name which they have united to distinguish it must be 
 my care to make more and more worthy the place assigned 
 to it on the walls of that noble and Christian institution, 
 which unfolds its portals to admit the sick and heavy-laden, 
 which gives healing influences to many, and blessed protec- 
 tion to all who seek its shelter. 
 
 " Very respectfully, 
 
 " D. L. Dix. 
 
 " To Marcus Morton, jun., 'Esq. 
 " Secretary of the Massacliusetts General Hospital."
 
 380 COCHITUATE WATER 
 
 July 5, John P. Reynolds and Joshua J. Ellis were 
 elected Medical House Pupils, and Thomas H. Gage 
 and Albert F. Sawyer Surgical House Pupils, for the 
 year ensuing. July 11, the Superintendent was " au- 
 thorized to buy two dozen silver forks for use of 
 the Hospital ; " also to cause the wooden sidewalk 
 to be relaid. On July 15, the Chairman, Dr. Bell, 
 and Mr. Tyler were appointed " a Committee to 
 carry the Cochituate water to the Asylum, with full 
 powers." This measure, when consummated, will 
 be found highly important to the health and comfort 
 of our patients. The thanks of the Corporation are 
 due to the Cochituate Water Board, and to the city 
 of Boston, for the promptness with which this appli- 
 cation was complied with. The stipulations required 
 by the city of Charlestown for leave to lay the pipes 
 through their streets (such as constructing six hy- 
 drants, &c.) were of so onerous a character, and the 
 necessity of crossing tlats owned by individuals whose 
 consent could not probably be in all instances ob- 
 tained, seemed so objectionable, that the Committee 
 were led to ask permission to introduce the water 
 along the line of the Lowell Railroad. The liberality 
 and courtesy with which this Corporation at once 
 acceded to their request, while they lightened the 
 immediate labors of the Committee, have placed our 
 institution under great and lasting obligations. It
 
 AT THE ASYLUM. 381 
 
 is, indeed, quite doubtful whether this beneficial ar- 
 rangement could otherwise have been carried into 
 effect. — Mr. Tyler was authorized to employ a clerk 
 at the Asylum, at a salary not exceeding three hun- 
 dred dollars. 
 
 Among the most important changes of this final 
 period of the Hospital-history, were the deaths of 
 Dr. Hale and Dr. Fisher, and the retirement of Dr. 
 Hayward. The stream of public liberaUty has still 
 continued to flow towards the institution in an undi- 
 minished current. The munificent bequests of John 
 Bromfield, John D. Williams, Benjamin R,. Nichols, 
 Henry Todd, and Dr. Charles W. Wilder, and 
 the additional donation of Hon. William Appleton, 
 amounting in all to one hundred and eight thousand 
 dollars, have all occurred within the last four years. 
 The precautions respecting varioloid, recommended 
 for the future, will, it is hoped, prevent that disease 
 from again spreading as extensively through the 
 Hospital as it did a few months ago. 
 
 This compilation, itself designed as a slight com- 
 memoration of the benefactors of the institution, 
 finds its appropriate close in the vote passed in 
 honor of Miss Dix, and by her so gracefully and 
 feelingly acknowledged. In all the annals of phi- 
 lanthropy, there is not to be found the record of a 
 life of more active efl"ort, unwearied self-denial, and
 
 382 THE DIX WARD. 
 
 entire devotedness, than hers. It is a gratifying 
 reflection, that the first building erected in New 
 England as an Asylum will henceforth bear the 
 name of one who has so nobly earned for herself 
 the title of the Friend of the Insane.
 
 383 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 "Visits of Trustees : their Great Regularitt. — Incidents and Anec- 
 dotes OF Life in the Asylum and in the Hospital. — Death of a 
 Little Italian Boy and of a Female Attendant. 
 
 A WEEKLY visit of a Committee of the Trustees has 
 always been made with great regularity to both de- 
 partments of the institution ; only a dozen omissions 
 having occurred in respect to each of them during 
 this long period of years. 
 
 The following is believed to be a correct list of all 
 these instances : — 
 
 
 AT the asylum. 
 
 AT THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 1, 
 
 April 2, 
 
 1821. 
 
 1. 
 
 Sept. 9, 
 
 1831. 
 
 2. 
 
 Dec. 31, 
 
 1828. 
 
 2. 
 
 April 12, 
 
 1833. 
 
 o 
 O. 
 
 March 15, 
 
 1831. 
 
 3. 
 
 Nov. 1, 
 
 55 
 
 4. 
 
 „ 22, 
 
 J5 
 
 4. 
 
 Sept. 4, 
 
 1835. 
 
 5. 
 
 June 7, 
 
 »» 
 
 5. 
 
 Sept. 1, 
 
 1836. 
 
 6. 
 
 Feb. 5, 
 
 1833. 
 
 6. 
 
 Aug. 15, 
 
 1837. 
 
 7. 
 
 Nov. 12, 
 
 » 
 
 7. 
 
 22 
 
 55 
 
 8. 
 
 January, 
 
 1834. 
 
 8. 
 
 March 19, 
 
 1840. 
 
 9. 
 
 July 14, 
 
 1835. 
 
 9. 
 
 April 23, 
 
 1841. 
 
 10. 
 
 Sept. 1, 
 
 5> 
 
 10. 
 
 March 13, 
 
 1846. 
 
 11. 
 
 Aug. 3, 
 
 1837. 
 
 11. 
 
 Feb. 3, 
 
 1848. 
 
 12. 
 
 „ 10, 
 
 55 
 
 12. 
 
 Jan. 19, 
 
 1849. 
 
 13. 
 
 „ 24, 
 
 ») 
 
 

 
 384 VISITS OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 It may be remarked, that, during the three or four 
 first years, at the Asyhim, two visits were made every 
 week, and sometimes even more ; and that one or 
 more of the Trustees have always been in the habit 
 of visiting at the Hospital on other occasions, when- 
 ever inclined so to do. The supernumerary visits thus 
 made at each institution have doubtless been much 
 more numerous than the total of the above instances 
 of omission. Indeed, it has happened, on no less 
 than six occasions,* that the casual presence of an- 
 other Trustee at the Hospital has saved the credit of 
 the Visiting Committee. On examination of the fore- 
 going list, it will be seen, that, while only two omis- 
 sions occurred prior to 1831 (say during ten years for 
 the Hospital, and fourteen for the Asylum), no less 
 than five omissions occurred during one single month 
 of the year 1837 ; and that, for the last thirteen 
 years, not one omission of the weekly visit at the 
 Asylum has occurred ; a proof that the present Board 
 of Trustees have at least discharged this part of their 
 duties with great fidelity. 
 
 No Trustee of the Hospital can fail duly to appre- 
 ciate the two choicest of life's blessings, a sound mind 
 and a sound body. To more than one of those who 
 have held that office, the sight of physical suffering 
 
 * March 2:^, 1844 ; March 28, 1846 ; Feb. 3 and March 31, 1849 ; March 
 23, 1850 (durmg a severe snow-storm) ; and in A^jril, 1851.
 
 INMATES OF M'LEAN ASYLUM. 385 
 
 and of mental alienation has rendered it so distaste- 
 ful and painful as to lead to its speedy resignation ; 
 while others, in view of so much done to alleviate 
 and remove those evils, find a visit to each of our 
 institutions always agreeable, — sometimes even de- 
 lightful. 
 
 At the M'Lean Asylum, for instance, one may see 
 in summer five or six of our patients, with their 
 scythes, mowing in as dexterous and orderly a manner 
 as those employed in any farmer's field. We mingle 
 without apprehension among five or six more, who, 
 with axes, beetles, and wedges, are engaged in split- 
 ting wood. The billiard-table has its party of scien- 
 tific and expert players. Many a spare ball is gained 
 in the ninepin-alley. Lovers of whist are seen strictly 
 observant of the rules of Hoyle ; while others are 
 entirely absorbed in the game of draughts, or in the 
 deeper mysteries of chess. A circle of ladies are per- 
 haps seated around their centre-table, with its vase of 
 flowers, engaged in their favorite occupations of read- 
 ing or needlework. Manly strength and female grace 
 and beauty have alike, from time to time, made a tem- 
 porary sojourn among us. Intellect of a very high 
 order has here been restored to a healthy tone. The 
 brilliant and varied plumage of the humming-bird has 
 been traced by one of our inmates with a life-like 
 truthfulness and delicacy not surpassed by the pencil 
 
 49
 
 386 INMATES OF M'LEAN ASYLUM. 
 
 of Audubon. Flowers in wax have been executed by 
 another wdth such a minute and exact imitation of 
 nature as almost to deceive the senses, and lead the 
 beholder to expect the perfume of the lily, the pink, 
 or the rose. " The last interview of Charles I. and 
 his children," in worsteds, the handiwork and the 
 gift of one of our patients, hangs beside the picture 
 of John M'Lean. The exquisite voice of the singer, 
 and the skilful touch of the musician, have been heard 
 within our halls. Poetry has here had its votaries.* 
 There is much of serenity and cheerftdness among the 
 convalescent ; and, amid the occasional displays of 
 melancholy and despair, or the vacant look of idiocy, 
 which it is distressing to witness, the visitor's atten- 
 tion is agreeably attracted to an infinite variety of 
 amusing and interesting eccentricities, which are 
 either voluntarily displayed or easily drawn forth. 
 
 * In tie " Christian Examiner " for January, 1855, were published some 
 lines by the Rev. N. L. Frothingham, D.D., on the M'Lean Asylum. One 
 of these verses thus speaks of the institution : — 
 
 " House of Sorrows ! sorer shocks 
 Than can our frame or lot befall, 
 Are hid behind thy jealous locks ; — 
 Man's Thought an infant, and his Will a thrall." 
 
 In the " Boston Transcript " of Jan. 6 appeared a beautiful reply " by 
 one of its inhabitants," in five stanzas, the first being as follows : — 
 
 " Oh ! call me not a house of woe and sorrow, 
 For human souls a final, fatal tomb ! 
 Slowly perchance may dawn the blessed morrow, 
 
 That wakes the drooping flowers to brighter bloom." 
 
 The closing stanza begins : — 
 
 " Oh ! House of Miracles, 7iot house of Sorrow."
 
 ANECDOTES. 887 
 
 Sallies of wit are uttered more keen and lively than 
 are heard under the restraining influences of social 
 life. Epithets are bestowed which, though sometimes 
 discourteous, are often signally appropriate. A pre- 
 ternatural degree of shrewdness and cunning is some- 
 times manifested. We notice everywhere an almost 
 entire personal freedom, and a pervading air of com- 
 fort and enjoyment, which make it difficult for one to 
 imagine that he is in a mad-house. 
 
 The last quarter of a century has done much, very 
 much, for the insane. It seems to me, that between 
 the restraints which were at first thought indispensa- 
 ble, and the present improved system of management, 
 there is almost as wide a difference as our first patient 
 must have felt when he found himself suddenly trans- 
 ferred from the cruel " flagellations " of home to the 
 cautious and considerate, but kindly, care and treat- 
 ment of Dr. AVyman. 
 
 A few anecdotes may serve to illustrate my own 
 experience as a visitor at this department of our 
 institution. A Trustee once asked a patient if she 
 did not remember him, and said, " Does not my face 
 look natural ] " She replied, " Your face, sir, looks 
 as natural as a natural fooVs." — " Don't tell me about 
 your not having time to hear my story. If you 
 haven't, you ought to have. It is the very thing 
 you were sent here for," — was the equally unan-
 
 388 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 swerable rejoinder of another patient to a Trustee 
 who had attempted to escape from the repetition of 
 his already twice-told tale. We once had a " glass " 
 patient, who was afraid of being broken, and took 
 curious precautions on account of his imaginary brit- 
 tleness. Another thinks the air full of spirits, which 
 get in at his ears, and, after making a great disturb- 
 ance in his brain, come out at the roots of his hair. 
 He kept his ears closed with his hand so long, that 
 they remained, for a considerable period, bent forward, 
 having lost their natural elasticity. Some personal 
 comments on his Excellency once disturbed the equa- 
 nimity of the Honorable the Board of Visitors, at an 
 annual visitation. — One of our oldest patients never 
 utters two sentences together, no matter on what sub- 
 ject, without introducing at its close an ejaculation of 
 great emphasis, followed by the words " Look out." 
 His speech is slow and distinct, but generally wholly 
 incoherent. The right words do not come at his bid- 
 ding. The following is a specimen : " I have a com- 
 mission as justice of the peace, and an asparagus-bed. 
 I like lightning best at a distance. Whoever puts his 
 name on paper in the Wiscasset Bank has a mark on 
 his forehead, and is worse off than if he was dining 
 with one of the selectmen : — Look out." * 
 
 * A patient escaped, and succeeded in getting to San Francisco, from 
 which place he sent to one of the Trustees a bill charging the institution
 
 INMATES OF THE M'LEAN ASYLUM. 389 
 
 A young man who had been in a government-office 
 in Canada came among us. For years and years he 
 read a Latin dictionary, making critical comments in 
 the margin of its leaves, and putting paper-marks 
 in the book, almost as numerous as its pages. At last, 
 back and covers became detached. Each leaf was 
 separate. The whole, however, was always placed 
 in an orderly pile. I asked him if he should not like 
 a new dictionary. He said, " Yes." I told him I 
 would procure one. He insisted on paying for it. I 
 gravely accepted his draft on his former employer, 
 whose service he had left some dozen years before. 
 At my next visit, I brought a copy of Leverett's Lexi- 
 con. He was highly pleased, but hesitated about 
 using it till he was sure that his draft was accepted 
 and paid. I told him, however, that this was a need- 
 less hesitation, as that would undoubtedly be " all 
 right." He has read and re-read this volume, like its 
 predecessor. Like that, it has its three or four hun- 
 dred marks in it ; but it has been preserved with most 
 scrupulous nicety, though somewhat embellished by 
 
 " for four months' wrongful detention, $50,000, and for a pair of pantaloons 
 destroyed, $10, — total, $50,010," — and asking an immediate remittance 
 of the amount by the bankers. Wells & Co. The same patient subse- 
 quently sent to the physician of the Asylum a large halter by mail, though, 
 fortunately, it was transmitted from a less distant locality. 
 
 A patient who had been once remanded on a hearing before Chief Justice 
 Shaw, was, on a second hearing, discharged. He sued the institution " for 
 1,450 days' wrongful detention, $525,000," and directed an attachment for 
 $650,000, estimating the probable costs of Court at $125,000.
 
 390 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 marginal annotations. He will always reply in Latin 
 to any question asked him, though his language is 
 not Ciceronian. Thus, to a question as to his health, 
 he said, " Mens salus, Domine, est tolerahilis." 
 
 Another of our patients, an inveterate walker, 
 actually trod down the grass into a pathway of the 
 shape of a pair of mammoth suspenders ; the button- 
 holes at the ends being elaborated with great skill 
 and care. 
 
 An inmate once said to Dr. Wyman, " I have you 
 in my power. If you kill me, you'll be hung. But 
 I can kill you with safety ; for I am crazy, and there- 
 fore not responsible." — One patient fancied himself 
 to be General Jackson, and received us with appro- 
 priate dignity and courtesy. He had also the whim 
 of pronouncing all his vowels ; thus, of course, often 
 dividing words of one syllable into two. On being 
 asked how he did, he replied, " I hav-e a-ches from 
 the top of my he-ad to the ends of my to-es " 
 
 A Russian sailor, whose name alike defied chirog- 
 raphy and pronunciation, was styled on the books 
 John Williams. Accustomed to a life of toil and 
 active exertion, ennui and listlessness seemed to 
 oppress his spirits. Pie was a perfect Hercules, and 
 yet naturally gentle and amiable. When addressed 
 by his fictitious name, however, his fury was at once 
 aroused. He imagined that he was detained by mis-
 
 INMATES OF THE M'LEAN ASYLUM. 391 
 
 take, instead of the veritable John Williams. I once 
 inadvertently addressed him by that name. He in- 
 stantly struck his fists together with tremendous 
 force, and sprang to the door-way, effectually barring 
 my egress from the room. My courage immediately 
 sank to zero. A summary close of my official duties 
 seemed to be at hand. But, fortunately, the Physi- 
 cian, with one glance of his eye and a few quiet 
 words, readily soothed him. We were generally on 
 quite a friendly footing. He had much skill and 
 ingenuity, especially in plaiting straw. He once 
 worked for me a little gift. It was a sad embodiment 
 of his prevailing idea of a wrongful detention, — a 
 small straw chain, with fetters at each end. 
 
 Another patient thought himself so large that he 
 could not get out of the doors, and invariably kicked 
 and struggled and bruised himself at each attempt of 
 the attendants to get him through. The bruises thus 
 received he always exhibited as a complete demon- 
 stration of his theory. — One inmate was overwhelmed 
 by the dreadful delusion that he was a convict under 
 sentence of death, awaiting execution. He was so 
 much distressed, that Dr. Wyman thought a full 
 and free pardon from the executive might be a pre- 
 scription worth administering. A document of that 
 purport, with a large seal attached, was accordingly 
 prepared, and delivered to him. It at first worked to
 
 392 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 a charm. But in a few days he became, if possible, 
 more desponding than ever. " For," said he, " I have 
 repeated the same offence, and nobody ever heard of 
 a person being twice pardoned. I shall now certainly 
 be hung." 
 
 An educated patient asked a Trustee to listen to 
 some oratorical rehearsals. He immediately com- 
 menced his recitation. The assistant approached to 
 listen. When the speaker came to the phrase, " and 
 smote him thus," he suited the action to the words, 
 and served the unsuspecting attendant exactly like 
 his prototype of old, " the circumcised dog." I have 
 had my book * and pencil snatched from my hand by 
 one of our inmates, who, before it could be recovered, 
 broke the one, and tore the other to pieces. A patient, 
 who, after the lapse of thirty years, is still with us, 
 once aimed a blow, with a carpenter's hammer which 
 he happened to pick up, at the head of Dr. Wyman, 
 who was standing with his back towards him, and 
 a step or two below him. It crashed through the 
 crown of his hat, and wounded his forehead, so that 
 the blood flowed copiously. This patient, though 
 generally harmless, I have heard express, with truly 
 diabolical earnestness, the wish that he could have 
 cut off the Superintendent's head, before he had 
 
 * By which the Visiting Committee check the name of each patient when 
 seen.
 
 INMATES OF THE M'LEAN ASYLUM. 393 
 
 drawn the first breath of Ufe. A few years ago, 
 a large jack-knife was found snugly concealed about 
 his person, which he had probably also abstracted 
 from a carpenter who had receMly been at work. 
 
 A female, who had only been with us one day, 
 broke a window, and, taking a triangular piece of the 
 glass, concealed it in her hand, and came out and 
 joined the Trustees and Dr. Bell. She watched her 
 chance, and struck at the doctor's eye, but fortunately 
 only slightly cut his cheek, just beneath it. — A 
 patient, mad with delirium tremens, was brought to 
 the institution. He was placed for a moment or two 
 in a room where there was a bed ripped open, and 
 in a process of being filled. He thrust into this bed 
 a large horse-pistol, loaded with ball and primed. 
 He was then forthwith removed to another apartment, 
 nothing dangerous being found about him. The bed 
 was finally filled up, and did service for a year or so ; 
 when one day this truly mysterious inmate was dis- 
 covered. In view of these and similar incidents, a 
 visitor cannot but feel a profound sentiment of won- 
 der and admiration, alike at the entire fearlessness 
 and self-possession of the officers, and at the quiet 
 harmlessness of those who might, as it would seem, 
 destroy life in an instant. 
 
 We turn now to the Hospital for the sick. Its 
 advantages have been enjoyed by all, — the highest 
 
 50
 
 •394 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 and the humblest. Every class in the community, 
 alluded to in the circular letter of 1810 as likely to 
 need its aid, has received it. Every profession and 
 occupation in life has, from time to time, here had 
 its representative. It is seldom that there are not in 
 this institution several interesting patients, particu- 
 larly among the children and females. I have often 
 known six or eight little girls made for the moment 
 forgetful of all their ailments, and perfectly happy, 
 by a few cheap toys, or playthings, which altogether 
 cost but the merest trifle.* Many a lesson of patient 
 endurance may be learned at our visits. Many a 
 bright vision recurs to my imagination, of sufl'erers 
 "vvho, by their truly Christian resignation and forti- 
 tude, through long, tedious months, warmly enlisted 
 the sympathy and regard of all who saw them. By 
 a general rule, incurable free-patients are, after a 
 trial of three months, discharged to make room for 
 cases of acute disease or recent accident. One free 
 patient I recollect, a young girl who had been with 
 us a year, hopelessly ill, and whom the Visiting Com- 
 mittee reluctantly discharged on this ground. She 
 had no home, and was much distressed at the thought 
 
 * A little boy of five years old, who had been gratified by an occasional 
 picture-book, asked his nurse whij she did not let Mr. Bowditch come every day ? 
 And a young girl, who was a great sufferer from a disease of the heart, once 
 stopped me as I was passing her bedside, and, with much concern, informed 
 me that she had broken her ylass dog.
 
 PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL. 395 
 
 of her desolate situation. One of our number told 
 her that she might remain, as long as she pleased, 
 a jt9a?/-patient, at his expense. She gladly availed 
 herself of this offer, and died among us more than 
 a year afterwards ; having been uniformly cheerful, 
 and always grateful beyond expression for the benefits 
 which the institution had conferred upon her. 
 
 A young girl with an incurable disease (an internal 
 tumor) remained with us five years and nine months ; 
 and when, in January, 1855, the Trustees felt that 
 they could no longer make her case an exception to 
 the general rule, they individually subscribed $100 a 
 year, for five years, to defray her board in the house 
 of a relative. She felt deep regret at leaving what 
 had become to her a home, where her periodical 
 sufferings were skilfully alleviated ; and where, in her 
 intervals of ease, she enjoyed as much as an invalid 
 like her could do anywhere, devoting herself to 
 reading and needlework, and receiving constant proofs 
 of sympathy and regard.* >. 
 
 A young and delicate woman, a mother, the wife 
 of a mechanic in this city, seeing her child, of a few 
 years old, in danger of being run over by a heavily 
 loaded truck, threw herself on the ground before the 
 
 [* It will be observed from the date in this paragraph that it is one of 
 the marginal additions made by Mr. Bowditch in his private copy of his 
 History.]
 
 396 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 approaching wheel, and succeeded in snatching her 
 infant from certain death ; but had her own arm 
 terribly crushed in this heroic act, performed under 
 the divine impulse of maternal affection. Her case 
 excited universal interest. Every thing was done to 
 relieve her anxiety about her little ones at home, as 
 well as to alleviate her own sufferings. She was at 
 last discharged without any danger of permanent 
 injury resulting from her accident. May filial grati- 
 tude and obedience in coming years be her fitting, 
 her all-sufficient reward ! The spirit of self-sacrifice, 
 thus shown in a humble station, would have adorned 
 the highest. Our institution may well rejoice that 
 it had the opportunity of giving aid and relief to so 
 deserving an inmate. In 1851, several years after 
 our heroine's discharge, a young daughter of hers 
 was run over and was brought to the Hospital, with a 
 broken limb which was successfully treated. She 
 had much of her mother's beauty. All of us 
 who remembered her, became attached to her pretty 
 child. 
 
 One face of surpassing loveliness comes back to 
 my remembrance. A patient young in years, but 
 who had borne a large share of the ills of life, was 
 received among us. She had buried husband and 
 child, and was herself soon to follow them, a victim 
 to consumption. With features whose regularity and
 
 PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL. 397 
 
 beauty I have seldom seen equalled, and a brunette- 
 complexion through whose delicate tinge the hectic 
 flush of disease was painfully visible, hers was always 
 an expression of mingled vivacity and sweetness. 
 No visitor could behold without emotion a being so 
 bright and so graceful, standing all unconsciously 
 on the very verge of the grave. She was poor ; yet 
 she did not remain many weeks in the Hospital. 
 In a large ward there is unavoidably much to annoy 
 and disturb an invalid. She longed for the loving 
 presence of her who had cared for her childhood, 
 for the quiet of her own home, " be it never so 
 homely." And so she left us. But till her death 
 she was attended, without charge, by a physician of 
 the institution ; and the delicacies of the passing 
 summer were daily procured for the gratification 
 of one who was never to taste the fruits of another 
 season. She was to the last a great sufferer. 
 
 " Beating heart and burning brow, ye are very patient now ! " 
 
 One of the most distressing cases ever received 
 within our walls was that of a lad from the Farm 
 School. He had playfully attempted to swing, by 
 means of an iron hook suspended from the ceiling, 
 over a large open vessel of boiling water set in 
 brick-work. His hands were burned by the hook ;. 
 he involuntarily let go his hold, and fell into the
 
 398 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 water beneath ; and the whole lower part of his body 
 was frightfully scalded. His mother, one of the most 
 experienced of nurses, was constantly with him in an 
 apartment where he was separated from all the other 
 patients. He lingered for some time, amid much 
 pain and restlessness, till he was finally released. 
 How vividly does that scene come again before me, 
 — that remote room ; that unfortunate boy, thus 
 dying, as it were, by inches ; and that devoted 
 parent, who, through the wearisome days and the 
 long nights, still hoped against hope, to be so griev- 
 ously disappointed at last ! As I look back through 
 the long period of my connection with the Hospital, 
 I can recall nothing more harrowing at the time, 
 or more sad in the remembrance. And yet there 
 is a melancholy satisfaction in the thought, that I 
 have seen even that poor boy's eyes lighted up by 
 a momentary gleam of pleasure at some slight act 
 done to afford him consolation or relief. 
 
 A sweet little girl of seven years old, picking up 
 chips in a basket in the Maine Railroad enclosure, 
 was run over by a train of cars, and had her foot cut 
 off. It was after the ether-discovery. While the sur- 
 geons were amputating her limb, visions of beauty 
 and splendor seemed to pass before her mind's eye. 
 She exclaimed, " What superb dresses ! what elegant 
 ear-rings ! " As soon as she became well enough, I
 
 PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL. 399 
 
 ascertained the time of a directors' meeting of the 
 Maine Raih'oad, and took the child there to argue 
 her own cause. In this instance at least, the maxim 
 proved false, that " Corporations have no souls." 
 They gave her case a merciful consideration, grant- 
 ing three hundred dollars to be held in trust for her 
 sole, personal use, at the discretion of the Superin- 
 tendent and myself. Through the kindness of the 
 Matron (Mrs. Girdler), it was also arranged that she 
 should be allowed to live at the Hospital, to attend 
 school in its vicinity, and finally become a seamstress 
 in the establishment. A future of usefulness and 
 happiness seemed secured for her. Her parents, 
 however, were Irish. They over-persuaded her to 
 return to them ; at the same time, indeed, informing 
 her that within twenty-four hours she would be hun- 
 gry, cold, and dirty. That she left her adopted home 
 was a source of deep regret to her protectors ; but 
 the trust specially assumed in her behalf will still 
 be sacredly fulfilled. 
 
 In the spring of 1854, a beautiful orphan girl, of 
 eleven years of age, was found by a benevolent lady, 
 evidently in the last stages of consumption, in a cellar 
 in Boston, where she had passed the long months 
 of a most severe winter, suffering from insufficient 
 food and clothing. She was admitted into the Hos- 
 pital, where, during the remaining fortnight of her
 
 400 ANECDOTES OF 
 
 life, some slight atonement was made for the previous 
 social neglect to which she had been so fatally ex- 
 posed. That thin, pale face ; those soft blue eyes ; 
 that voice never heard above a whisper ; and that sad 
 smile, — had about them a strange fascination. They 
 have lived in my memory, and the joyous scenes of 
 happy childhood have to me more than once been 
 darkened by the painful vision. 
 
 One case is remembered which is probably unique 
 in the history of the Hospital. An entire family, 
 natives of Boston, husband and wife and three very 
 pleasing young daughters, were admitted into the 
 institution. The father died there. The others all 
 recovered from the fever by which they had been 
 simultaneously attacked and prostrated. The con- 
 valescent daughters visiting their mother, still very 
 ill, in a distant ward, and she in her turn carried 
 down to the ward beneath her own to see and con- 
 verse for a few moments with a dying husband, were 
 circumstances alike novel and interesting. 
 
 Two cousins* from Maine, — bright, blooming girls, 
 — domestics in the same family in this city, and dear to 
 each other as sisters, were admitted as fever-patients, 
 and placed in adjoining beds. One, becoming quite 
 seriously ill, was removed to a different ward, lest 
 the other should suffer from anxiety on her account. 
 
 * At the Hospital, they were supposed to have been sisters.
 
 PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL. 401 
 
 The latter became convalescent. The attending phy- 
 sician, on making his visit, expressed his pleasure at 
 seeing her so much better, and, alluding to her diet, 
 said, " Now, what is there to-day that you would most 
 wish to have?" She looked up at him with great 
 earnestness, and replied, " What I most wish is, that 
 I could see my mother." A day or two afterwards, in 
 answer to her earnest inquiries respecting her friend 
 and relative, she was inconsiderately informed of her 
 death. The shock of this intelligence overwhelmed 
 her. A fatal relapse shortly afterwards ensued ; not, 
 however, — it is to be hoped, — the result of this 
 indiscretion. 
 
 A young and beautiful girl from Salem, that city of 
 fair faces, was admitted, suffering intense pain in the 
 ball of her foot. A local disease of the bone was 
 finally developed ; and amputation was resorted to. 
 Her firmness and uncomplaining gentleness were 
 beyond all praise. She possessed a native refine- 
 ment that rendered her highly attractive. The dis- 
 ease re-appeared on her return home ; and she died 
 there, some months afterwards, exhausted by pro- 
 tracted suff"erings. A message of grateful remem- 
 brance was sent by the dying one to her friends in 
 our institution ; who, on their part, will assuredly 
 never forget her lovely person, her interesting man- 
 ners, or her sad fate. 
 
 51
 
 402 ANECDOTES OF PATIENTS. 
 
 A young girl, the daughter of a German clergyman 
 of this city, and a teacher in his Sunday-school, died 
 among us, after a severe illness of but a few days. 
 She was an edifying example of that equanimity and 
 resignation with which the young and the happy are 
 sometimes enabled to meet their approaching end. 
 The funeral services were performed at the Hospi- 
 tal. There was quite a numerous attendance of her 
 friends and fellow-worshippers. None could fail to 
 be solemnly impressed by the touching and plaintive 
 melody of their united voices, as they poured forth 
 a hymn of sorrow and of triumph in their native 
 tongue. 
 
 A young man of limited means, but of studious 
 habits, who had hoped to obtain an education, and 
 eventually to devote himself to the ministry, was, by 
 the tornado at Medford, in August, 1851, crushed be- 
 neath his father's house, so that it was half an hour 
 or more before he could be extricated. He was 
 brought to the Hospital, where it was found neces- 
 sary to amputate both his limbs, — one above, the » 
 other below, the knee. As I witnessed there his uni- 
 form patience and calmness, his unfaltering trust and 
 confidence, I felt that he was already a most elo- 
 quent preacher of God's word, consecrated to his high 
 office by this dreadful calamity. 
 
 But a visit to the Hospital has also a cheerful side.
 
 USE OF ETHER. 403 
 
 How delightful is it to see the pale cheek gradually 
 regaining its color, and the feeble frame its strength ; 
 to witness the exhilaration of spirit resulting from 
 returning health, the instantaneous relief from agony, 
 the rescue from the very grasp of death ! And joy- 
 ful indeed to all beholders are the daily miracles of 
 ether, that " sweet, oblivious antidote " to pain. 
 
 But a few years ago, and on one occasion of almost 
 every week at the Hospital, deep groans of distress 
 or sharp cries of agony penetrated into the innermost 
 recesses of the building, and were often distinctly 
 audible through the neighborhood. Now, the per- 
 formance of the severest and gravest duties of the 
 surgeon awakens only the faint murmur of a dreamy 
 unconsciousness. 
 
 I will mention but one instance, perhaps as striking 
 as the lapse of coming years can ever produce. A 
 young lady was admitted with a tumor extending 
 from the upper to the under surface of the tongue, 
 which it had become necessary to extirpate. Dr. 
 Hayward administered ether. A steel hook was then 
 inserted into the tongue, to prevent its being with- 
 drawn by any involuntary muscular movement. Next 
 the tumor was cut out. To stop the effusion of blood, 
 a red-hot iron was then passed three successive times 
 into the cavity, which was finally filled with a piece 
 of sponge. The patient was then asked how she
 
 404 WEDDING OF A PATIENT. 
 
 felt ; and her reply was, " Very comfortable." She 
 had known nothing of all that had been done. What 
 would otherwise have been torture indescribable had 
 been by her unfelt. In a few days, she was well 
 enough to leave us. 
 
 One young girl, of about seventeen, was long con- 
 fined by a tedious and discouraging complaint. She 
 was a universal favorite, and was at last discharged, 
 well. A year or two afterwards, I saw her standing 
 at the altar, in a church brilliantly lighted, a bride in 
 all the bloom of youth and of renovated health and 
 beauty. A former House Physician was there with 
 me. Her recollections of the Hospital were so agreea- 
 ble that she wished to have it represented on this, the 
 most joyous occasion of her life. She was certainly 
 one of the most interesting of all the " graduates " of 
 our institution. 
 
 A young Hungarian lady had shared her husband's 
 fatigues and privations, and, after a temporary sojourn 
 in the dominions of the Sultan, had been obliged to 
 seek here a new home. Her health having become 
 impaired, she was for several months the occupant of 
 one of our private rooms. Of a noble and command- 
 ing stature, remarkable alike for dignity and grace, 
 her beauty and her misfortunes gathered around her 
 friends from among the young and the fair of our 
 city, who were unwearied in the kindest and most
 
 A PROVIDENTIAL PATIENT. 405 
 
 delicate attentions. Thus it was determined that, as 
 far as possible, this interesting invalid should have a 
 merry Christmas. And a Christmas tree was pre- 
 pared according to the customs of her native land, 
 and with its tapers lighted was borne into her room, 
 with various gifts for use or ornament, of the value 
 of several hundred dollars. This incident, as may 
 readily be believed, afforded her great delight, as it 
 did likewise to such of the other female patients as 
 were well enough to be present on the occasion. 
 
 Several years since, I passed my summer-months in 
 the country, being dependent on an omnibus for my 
 daily ride into the city. I was the first passenger 
 called for. On one occasion, we stopped at a neigh- 
 boring house. A young Irish girl was assisted by two 
 of her countrymen into the vehicle. She was suffer- 
 ing from acute rheumatism. I asked her where she 
 was going. She said, " To the Hospital." To my 
 several questions, whether she had seen the Physician, 
 or got any permit, and whether she had any means of 
 paying her board, she replied in the negative. " How, 
 then," said I, " do you expect to get into the Hos- 
 pital ] " She answered, " I trust in Providence." Now, 
 by a singular coincidence, it happened that no one 
 in the whole county except myself had power to give 
 her the desired admission. I at once determined to 
 do so, and thus to justify the trust which she had so
 
 406 DEATH OF AN ITALIAN BOY. 
 
 confidently expressed. When, therefore, I left the 
 vehicle, I told the driver to take her directly to the 
 Hospital, giving him a note to the Admitting Physi- 
 cian, which secured her reception on a free bed. She 
 was cured in a few weeks, and was always known as 
 the " Providential Patient." 
 
 Such, and so varied, is he experience of a Trustee 
 in the discharge of his official duties. I will close 
 this review by the mention of three incidents, the first 
 two of which occurred in 1846, and were brought pe- 
 culiarly within my notice as a member of the Visit- 
 ing Committee. Of one of them I inserted the fol- 
 lowing account in a newspaper of the day: — ''Died, 
 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, July 25, 
 after a painful illness of ten months, Angelo Lathwer, 
 aged fifteen years. He was a small, interesting 
 Italian lad, who had exhibited a white mouse in 
 London, and afterwards in this city. Separated from 
 home and kindred, his patience and gentleness won 
 the regard of strangers. The sympathy of the officers 
 and of the inmates of the institution showed itself in 
 various little attentions and acts of kindness. One 
 of the Trustees gave him a number of a recent Eng- 
 lish publication, which contained a representation of 
 himself exhibiting a white mouse. He contemplated 
 it with as much gratified ambition as Napoleon would 
 have felt on viewing an engraving of the battle of
 
 DEATH OF A FEMALE ATTENDANT. 407 
 
 Austerlitz. The day before he died, a beautiful, 
 young white mouse was found in the garden of the 
 Hospital, and brought to Angelo. He was delighted. 
 The bitterness of death was for the moment forgotten. 
 The night which followed was solemn and melancholy 
 to all his fellow-sufferers, as they listened to his touch- 
 ing ejaculations : ' I cannot die ! I am afraid to die ! 
 I want my mother ! ' But the weary one was soon to 
 be at rest ; — 
 
 ' For when the morn came, dim and sad, 
 
 And cliill with early showers, 
 His quiet eyelids closed : he had 
 Another morn than ours.' " 
 
 One of the attendants at the Hospital, a young girl 
 with a sunny face, a kind heart, and agreeable man- 
 ners, the very picture of health and beauty, was, in 
 the spring of the same year, attacked by a cough, 
 which, in a few weeks, was ascertained to be attended 
 with disease of the lungs. She did not wish to go to 
 her distant home. She declined the opportunity of 
 breathing the purer air of a neighboring country-town. 
 She preferred to die among those who, for the several 
 last years, had been her companions, and amid the 
 scenes of her recent labors. The Trustees, at the 
 close of the quarter, directed that she should be paid 
 in full ; though, for the last half of the time, she had 
 been wholly unable to perform her duties. I wit- 
 nessed her gratitude at this expression of interest on
 
 408 DEATH OF A FEMALE ATTENDANT. 
 
 the part of the Board. On the morning of the fourth 
 of July, I left a gay and happy scene, — the Floral 
 Festival at the Warren-street Chapel, — and walked 
 to the Hospital to see her. She had just died.* 
 The companions who, throughout her illness, had 
 watched over her with the utmost tenderness and 
 assiduity, had now completed their sad offices. She 
 was clad in the white robes of death. Grapes, which 
 were to be tasted by other lips than hers, lay upon 
 the table. On her shrouded breast were flowers, to 
 whose fragrance she was insensible. All traces of 
 sufl"ering and illness had passed away from her coun- 
 tenance, which had resumed its habitual serenity. 
 The struggles of worn and exhausted nature were at 
 last over. She rested — 
 
 " as sweetly as a child, 
 
 Whom neither thought disturbs nor care encumbers, 
 Tired with long play, at close of summer-day 
 Lies down, and slumbers." 
 
 We gathered around her bedside in silence. The 
 scene formed a truly striking contrast with that 
 which I had just left. But it was not a painful 
 one. " For," thought I, " what more could have 
 been done for that poor girl, even by the hands of 
 
 * The close of her brief and blameless career was thus chronicled in the 
 records of the Visiting Committee : — " Emeline Wright died of consump- 
 tion on the 4th instant, aged twenty-four, after an illness of about three 
 months. She had been for several years an attentive and faithful nurse in 
 the institution."
 
 A REPENTANT DEATH-BED. 409 
 
 sisters beneath the domestic roof ^ Surely, on this 
 occasion, at least, the Hospital has well performed 
 its mission of kindness and love." 
 
 In 1851, there died a young woman, twenty-one 
 years of age, who a few months before had been 
 brought to the Hospital, burnt by the breaking of 
 a camphene lamp, in an assault committed upon her 
 in a house of ill repute where she was an inmate. 
 On her bed of pain, she had leisure to reflect on 
 her former life. The retrospect filled her with 
 horror. The severest physical sufferings were as 
 nothing to the agonies of an awakened conscience. 
 The past had become hateful ; the present was full 
 of anguish and distress ; and the future held out no 
 promise. Young as she was, life and all its op- 
 portunities had passed irrevocably away. She died 
 in the Hospital ; and yet the last moments of that 
 poor, degraded Magdalen were soothed and cheered 
 by words and acts of encouragement and compassion, 
 such as the world seldom accords to its fallen chil- 
 dren. To her contrite spirit may they have proved 
 a foretaste of that Father's mercy which she so deeply 
 needed and so earnestly sought ! 
 
 " Were not the sinful Mary's tears 
 An offering worthy Heaven, 
 When o'er the faults of former years 
 She wept, and was forgiven 1 " 
 52
 
 410 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Members of the Corporation. — List of Trustf.es. — Remarks 
 AND Anecdotes. — List of Officers. — List of Subscriptions. — Sum- 
 mart OF the same to 1843. — Enlargement of Hospital in 1844. — 
 Free-bed Subscription List. — Legacies, Donations, and Devises. 
 — Receipts from Life Office, &c. — Grand Summary of all these 
 Donations. — Tables of Admissions and Discharges at the Asylum 
 AND AT the Hospital. — Concluding Remarks. 
 
 The Act of Incorporation names as members the 
 following fifty-six gentlemen : — 
 
 Adams, John 
 Adams, John Q. 
 Amory, Jonathan 
 Amory, Thomas C 
 Bowdoin, Jame.s 
 Bridge, Matthew 
 Brown, Samuel 
 Bussey, Benjamin 
 Cabot, George 
 Childs, Timothy 
 Coohdge, Joseph 
 Craigie, Andrew 
 Crowninshield, Benj. W. 
 Cutts, Thomas 
 Dana, Samuel 
 Davis, Jonathan 
 Dawes, Thomas 
 Dearborn, Henry 
 Derby, Elias Hasket 
 Eustis, William 
 
 Fowler, Samuel 
 Gerry, Klbridge 
 Gore, Christopher 
 Gray, William 
 Greene, Benjamin 
 Hallowell, Robert 
 Harris, Jonathan 
 Hazard, Thomas, jun. 
 Heath, William 
 Plill, Aaron 
 Jones, John Coffin 
 Kilham, Daniel 
 King, William 
 Kirkland, John Thornton 
 Kittredge, Thomas 
 Lincoln, Levi 
 Lowell, Jolni 
 Mann, James 
 IMelville, Thomas 
 Morton, Perez
 
 MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION. 
 
 411 
 
 Otis, Harrison Gray 
 Parker, Isaac 
 Parsons, Theophilus 
 Payne, William 
 Perkins, James 
 Perkins, Thomas II. 
 Phillips, William 
 Prince, James 
 
 Spring, Marshall 
 Story, Joseph 
 Sullivan, Richard 
 Thorndike, Israel 
 Tilden, David 
 Varnum, Joseph B. 
 Warren, John 
 Welles, Arnold. 
 
 The right to elect members has been but very 
 rarely exercised. Six of the gentlemen constituting 
 the first Board of Trustees were chosen members, to 
 make them eligible to that office (1813): — 
 
 Barnard, Tristram 
 Bradford, Gamaliel 
 Lee, George G. 
 
 May, Joseph 
 Sargent, Daniel 
 Sullivan, John L. 
 
 In June, 1825. were chosen — 
 
 through whom the donation of a mummy 
 had been made ; 
 
 Edes, Robert B. . . . 
 Tilden, Bryant P. . . 
 Van Lennep, Jacob, 
 
 Swett, Samuel, to render him eligible as a Trustee ; and 
 
 Wurman, Rufus, Dr., Superintendent of the M'Lean Asylum, who 
 
 was already a member by a donation of over a hundred 
 
 dollars. 
 
 In June, 1827, tAvo members were elected, — 
 
 Bowditch, Nathaniel, who was Actuary of the Massachusetts 
 
 Hospital Life Insurance Company ; 
 Codman, Henry, to render him eligible as a Trustee. 
 
 It is believed that not a single member has been 
 since elected, say for a period of twenty-five years. 
 All, however, who have served as Trustees of the
 
 412 
 
 LIST OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 institution are, by a subsequent vote, made members ; 
 also all donors to the amount of a hundred dollars 
 and upwards. Those who have become members in 
 this latter mode will be found in the alphabetical list 
 of donors. The following is an alphabetical list of 
 the Trustees of the Institution : — 
 
 Amory, Charles 
 Andrews, William T. 
 Appleton, Samuel 
 Appleton, William 
 Armstrong, Samuel T. 
 Barnard, Tristram 
 Belknap, John 
 Bond, Georjie 
 Bowditch, N. I. 
 Bradford, Gamaliel 
 Brimmer, Martin 
 Bullard, W^illiam S. 
 Chadwick, P^benezer 
 Chapman, Jonathan 
 Codmau, Henry 
 Coolidge, Joseph 
 Curtis, Thomas B. 
 Dale, William J. 
 Dexter, George M. 
 Edmands, J. Wiley 
 Edwards, Henry 
 Eliot, Samuel A. 
 Francis, Ebenezer 
 Gardiner, William H. 
 Gray, F'rancis C. 
 Greene, Benjamin D. 
 Greene, Gardiner 
 
 Guild, Benjamin 
 Hallet, George 
 Head, Joseph 
 Higginson, Stephen, jun. 
 Hooper, Robert, jun. 
 Jackson, Patrick T. 
 Lamb, Thomas 
 Lawrence, Abbott 
 Lawrence, Amos 
 Lawrence, Amos A. 
 Lawrence, Samuel 
 Lee, George G. 
 Loring, Charles G. 
 Lowell, Francis C. 
 Lowell, Francis C. 
 Lowell, John 
 Lowell, John A. 
 Lyman, Theodore, jun. 
 May, Joseph 
 Mills, Charles H. 
 Oliver, Francis J. 
 Otis, William F. 
 Parker, Daniel P. 
 Perkins, Thomas H. 
 Phillips, Jonathan^ 
 Prescott, William H. 
 Quincy, Josiah
 
 LIST OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 413 
 
 Quincy, Josiah, jun. 
 Robbins, Dr. Edward H. 
 Rogers, Henry B. 
 Sargent, Daniel 
 Sargent, Ignatius 
 Sears, David 
 Shaw, J. Howland 
 Shaw, Robert G. 
 Stevenson, J. Thomas 
 Stone, William W. 
 Storrow, Chas. S. 
 
 Sturgis, William 
 Sullivan, John L. 
 Sullivan, Richard 
 Swett, Samuel 
 Thorndike, John P. 
 Ticknor, George 
 Tilden, Joseph 
 Tuckerman, Edward 
 Ward, Thomas W. 
 Wigglesworth, Edward. 
 
 On this list of Trustees will be found the names 
 of two individuals who, as authors, have acquired a 
 European reputation in the respective departments 
 of history and of Spanish literature ; one President, 
 three Treasurers, and four other Fellows, of Harvard 
 College ; one minister to the Court of St. James ; 
 two members of Congress ; one Lieutenant-Governor 
 of Massachusetts, and no less than six mayors of 
 Boston ; the two fathers of American manufactures, 
 — the late noble-spirited Patrick T. Jackson, and the 
 late Francis C. Lowell, whose name has been con- 
 ferred upon our manufacturing emporium ; and also 
 one who in his day was the head of the Suffolk 
 Bar, and afterwards the most scientific agriculturist 
 of the Commonwealth. Associated with these are 
 found many of our wealthiest and most liberal mer- 
 chants, — Mr. Sears, Col. Perkins, and others. It 
 will not, I am sure, be thought invidious if mention
 
 414 SAMUEL APPLETON. A. & A. LAAVRENCE. 
 
 is made of two of these as our " Brothers Cheeryble," 
 — Samuel Appleton and Amos Lawrence,* so gene- 
 rally known and so universally respected as among 
 the most amiable and benevolent of our citizens. 
 Both have been the architects of their own fortunes. 
 Mr. Appleton tells a humorous story, that, when a 
 young man, he kept a school, during the winter- 
 months, in a country-town, where he was put up at 
 auction, to be boarded out in the family that would 
 consent to take him at the lowest rate. Mr. Law- 
 rence tells an equally good story of the small shop 
 first opened by himself and his brother, and of a 
 purchase of some trifling article once made by a 
 sailor, who was so pleased with his bargain that he 
 returned in a iew days with several of his messmates, 
 and began spelling out the sign-boards in the street, 
 at last exclaiming with a loud voice, as the modest 
 sign of which he was in search met his eye, " That's 
 it, A. and A. Lawrence; that's the place;" an 
 instance of humble patronage which at the time was 
 more gratifying than the most brilliant success that 
 has ever crowned the enterprise and industry of a 
 firm now known throughout the commercial world. 
 
 * Mr. Lawrence died Dec. 31, 1852, in the 67th year of his age. Mr. 
 Appleton died July 12, 1853, having just entered on his 88th year. He 
 placed $200,000 at tlie disposal of his three executors, for public uses. To 
 have been tlius selected as one of the almoners of his bounty I regard as the 
 most gratifying incident of my professional life. — [Man/inul Note bij Mr. B.]
 
 SAMUEL APPLETON. A. & A. LAWRENCE. 415 
 
 The former, in advanced age, and unable to walk 
 from his house, continues, in the highest and best 
 sense, to enjoy life. He has, indeed, no children ; 
 but a numerous band of nephews and nieces look up 
 to him with truly filial regard. Indeed, the commu- 
 nity itself ventures to apply to him their familiar and 
 affectionate appellation of " Uncle Sam." This name, 
 in the abstract so dear to every patriot, could not be 
 more worthily bestowed. The latter, also for some 
 years past an invalid, and unable to attend at all to 
 business, is yet at heart as young as ever, finding 
 leisure and strength for innumerable good works and 
 kind offices. He, too, has thus won from the public 
 a corresponding title of respect and regard. Every- 
 body loves " Uncle Amos," and he loves everybody. 
 He is particularly fond of the young. For a con- 
 siderable time, and at a cost, doubtless, of several 
 thousand dollars, he defrayed the entire expenses of 
 a private Hospital for children, under the charge of 
 his son. Dr. W. R. Lawrence. On a bright winter's 
 day, he was passing a primary school just as recess 
 began. One of the little girls cried out, " How I 
 should like a sleigh-ride I " He at once filled his 
 vehicle with as many of them as could get into it. 
 In my visits at the Asylum, I occasionally find that, 
 as an amateur, he has preceded me. Mr. Lawrence
 
 416 SAMUEL APPLETON. A, & A. LAWRENCE. 
 
 is the elder brother of Hon. Abbott Lawrence, who, 
 high as is his present official station, has gained a yet 
 prouder distinction as founder of the scientific school 
 of Harvard College. 
 
 [The Lists of Oilicers, of Subscribers, &c., which follow, are 
 reprinted as prepared by Mr. Bowditch, — terminating with the 
 date of the publication of his History. The additions to them 
 appear in their proper place, as a part of tluj Continuation.]
 
 41 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL 
 
 FROM ITS FOUNDATION. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 William riiillips .... from 1814 . . through 182G . . 13 years. 
 
 Thomas II. Perkins . . from 182(5 , . through 1827 . . 2 „ 
 
 John Lowell from 1828 . . to Jan. 1830 . . 2 „ 
 
 Gardiner Greene . from June, 1830 . . through 1832 . . Sh „ 
 
 Joseph Head from 1833 . . through 1835 . . 3 „ 
 
 Ebenezer Francis 1836 1 „ 
 
 Edward Tuckermau . . from 1837 . . through 1843 . . 7 „ 
 
 William Appleton . . . from 1844 . . through 1851 . . 8 „ 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
 
 Samuel Pnrkman . . elected 1814 and declined serving. 
 
 James Perkins 1815 . died Aug. 1822 . . . 7.i yrs. 
 
 Thomas II. Perkins . . from 1823 . . to June, 1826 .. . 31 „ 
 John LowqU . . . from June, 1826 . . to June, 1829 ... 3 „ 
 Gardiner Greene from „ 1829 . . to June, 1830 ... 1 „ 
 Joseph Head . . from „ 1830 . . through 1832 ... 2^ „ 
 Ebenezer Francis . . . from 1833 . . through 1835 ... 3 „ 
 
 Samuel Appleton 1836 1 ,, 
 
 Jonathan Phillips . . . from 1837 . . through 1845 ... 9 „ 
 
 Theodore Lyman 1846 . . died in 1849 ... 4 „ 
 
 Robert Hooper from 1850 . . through 1851 ... 2 „ 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 James Prince 1813 . died Feb. 1821 . . . 8J yrs. 
 
 William Cochran . Feb. 28, 1821 . died in 6 months . . h „ 
 N. P. Russell. . . .Sept. 14, 1821 . . through 1834 . . 13| „ 
 Henry Andrews .... from 1835 . . through 1851 . . 17 „ 
 
 03
 
 418 OFFICERS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 SECRETARIES. 
 
 Richard Sullivan . . . from 1811 . . through 1816 . . 6 years. 
 
 Henry Codman from 1817 . . through 182G . . 10 „ 
 
 N. I. Bowditch from 1827 . . to June, 1836 . . 9^ „ 
 
 William Gray , . from June, 1836 . . tlu-ough 1841 . . 51 „ 
 
 Marcus Morton, jun. . . from 1842 . . through 1851 . . 10 ,, 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins . . from 1813 . . through 1818 . . 6 years. 
 
 Josiah Quincy from 1813 . . through 1820 .. 8 „ 
 
 Daniel Sargent from 1813 . . through 1821 . . 9 „ 
 
 Joseph INI ay from 1813 .to Nov. 5, 1826, 
 
 nearly 14 „ 
 
 Stephen Higginson, jun. from 1813 . . through 1815 . . 3 ,, 
 
 Gamaliel Bradford . . . from 1813 . . through 1823 . . 11 „ 
 
 Tristram Barnard . . . from 1813 . . through 1818 . . 6 „ 
 
 George G. Lee from 1813 . . through 1816 . . 4 „ 
 
 Francis C. Lowell . . . from 1813 . . through 1815 . . 3 „ 
 
 Joseph Tiklen from 1813 . . through 1815 . . 3 „ 
 
 John L. Sullivan .... from 1813 . . through 1816 . . 4 „ 
 
 Richard Sullivan .... from 1813 . . through 1822 . •. 10 „ 
 
 Jonathan Phillips. . . . from 1816 . . to July, 1832 . . 161 „ 
 
 John Lowell from 1816 . . through 1819 . . 4 „ 
 
 Joseph Coolidge .... from 1816 . . through 1831 .. 16 „ 
 
 David Sears from 1817 . . through 181S . . 3 „ 
 
 Eben Francis, part of 1817 ; 
 chosen by Corporation, 1818 
 
 (resigned for part of 1820) through 1831 say 14 „ 
 
 Peter C. Brooks. . . elected 1819 but declined serving. 
 
 Joseph Head, elected by Trus- 
 tees in 1819 ; by Corporation, 1820 to June, 1829 . . . 8i yrs. 
 Thomas W. Ward, elected by 
 Trustees in 1819 ; by Corpo- 
 ration, 1820 through 1823 ... 4 „
 
 OFFICERS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 419 
 
 Samuel Appleton, elected by 
 Trustees in October, 1819 ; 
 by Corporation, 1820 . . . , 
 
 John Belknap from 
 
 Daniel P. Parker . . . from 
 Tlieodore Lyman, jun. . from 
 Benjamin Guild .... from 
 William H. Prescott . . from 
 Gardiner Greene . . . fiom 
 Samuel Swett . . from May, 
 Edward Tuckerman . . from 
 George Ticknor . from July, 
 Edward H. Robbins from „ 
 William Sturgis . from „ 
 Amos LawM-euce from Dec. 5, 
 P. T. Jackson . . from July, 
 Henry Codman . from ,, 
 Wm. H. Gardiner from „ 
 Francis C. Gray . from „ 
 Josiab Quincy, jun. from ,, 
 Benj. D. Greene from Aug. 26, 
 James Bowdoin, elected Aug. 
 Heman Lincoln, elected . Jan. 
 George Bond, elected . Feb. 
 George Hallet, elected . July, 
 Tiiomas W. Ward, re-elected 
 Abbott Lawrence from July, 
 
 Francis J. Oliver . . 
 
 . from 
 
 Samuel A. Eliot . . 
 
 . from 
 
 Charles G. Loring . 
 
 . from 
 
 Rufus AVvman . . . 
 
 
 Thomas B. Curtis . 
 
 . from 
 
 Charles Amory . . . 
 
 . from 
 
 Henry Edwards . . 
 
 . from 
 
 Samuel Lawrence . 
 
 . from 
 
 Robert G. Shaw . . 
 
 . from 
 
 to Dec. 1822 . . 3 years. 
 
 1820 . . through 1822 .. 3 „ 
 
 1821 . toJuly2G, 1825 . . 4^ „ 
 
 1822 . to July 26, 1825 . . 3^ „ 
 
 1823 . . to Jan. 1834 . . 11 „ 
 1823 .to July 26, 1825 . . 2 J- „ 
 1823 . . to July, 1830 . . 7i „ 
 
 1823 . . to July, 1826 . . 3^ „ 
 
 1824 . . through 1836 . . 13 „ 
 1826 . . to July, 1830 . . 4 „ 
 1826 . . througli 1834 . . 9| „ 
 1826 . . to July, 1827 . . 1 „ 
 
 1826 . to Feb. 26, 1831 . . 5i „ 
 
 1827 . . to July, 1828 . . 1 „ 
 1827 . . .to Jan. 1835 . . 7i „ 
 1828 1- „ 
 
 1829 . toOct. 30, 1836 . . 7i „ 
 
 1830 . . through 1836 . . 6^ „ 
 
 1830 . . to Oct. 8, 1833 . . 3 „ 
 
 1830 declined serving. 
 
 1831 declined serving. 
 
 1831 . died May 23, 1842 111 yrs. 
 
 1831 . . through 1833 . . 2^ „ 
 1832 and declined serving. 
 
 1832 . . through 1835 . . 3i yrs. 
 
 1833 . . through 1835 . . 3 „ 
 
 1834 . . through 1838 . . 5 „ 
 
 1834 . . through 1837 . . 4 
 
 1835 . elected and declined serving. 
 
 1835 . . through 1838 . . 4 years. 
 
 1836 . . through 1847 . . 12 „ 
 1836 . . through 1845 . . 10 „ 
 1836 . . through 1838 . . 3 „ 
 1836 . . through 1838 .. 3 „
 
 420 
 
 OFFICERS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 John P. Thorndikg 
 Martin Brimmer . 
 Robert Hooper, jun 
 N. I. Bo wd itch . . 
 AVilliam Appleton 
 Thomas Lamb . . 
 George M. Dexter 
 Francis C. Lowell 
 Henry B. Rogers 
 
 Ebenezer Chadwick 
 Ignatius Sargent . . 
 William T. Andrews 
 Jonathan Chapman 
 William F. Otis . . 
 John A. Lowell . . 
 Charles S. Storrow 
 Edward AVigglesworth 
 William W. Stone . 
 J. Wiley Edmands . 
 J. Thomas Stevenson 
 Charles H. Mills . 
 Amos A. Lawrence 
 William S. Bullard 
 G. Howland Shaw 
 William J. Dale . 
 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 
 from 
 
 from 
 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 from 
 
 1836 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1837 . . 
 
 2 years 
 
 1837 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1842 . . 
 
 6 
 
 J? 
 
 1837 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1849 . . 
 
 13 
 
 5? 
 
 1837 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . . 
 
 15 
 
 i5 
 
 1838 . 
 
 • through 
 
 1841 . . 
 
 4 
 
 59 
 
 1838 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 14 
 
 ,, 
 
 1839 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . . 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 1839 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 13 
 
 55 
 
 1839 . 
 
 . (omittin, 
 
 y 1840) 
 
 
 
 
 through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 12 
 
 11 
 
 1840 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1842 . 
 
 3 
 
 „ 
 
 1841 . 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 1842 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1847 . 
 
 . 6 
 
 11 
 
 1843 . 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 1 
 
 
 1843 . 
 
 
 
 
 1843 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1850 . 
 
 . 8 
 
 ,, 
 
 1844 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1845 . 
 
 . 2 
 
 55 
 
 1844 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 . 8 
 
 55 
 
 1846 . 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 1847 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1848 . 
 
 2 
 
 55 
 
 1846 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 . 6 
 
 55 
 
 1848 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 . 4 
 
 55 
 
 1848 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 . 4 
 
 55 
 
 1849 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 3 
 
 55 
 
 1850 . 
 
 . through 
 
 1851 . 
 
 2 
 
 ,, 
 
 1851 . 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 CHAIRMEN OF THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins 1818 
 
 Joseph May 1819 
 
 Joseph Head Dec. 5, 1826 
 
 Ebenezer Francis . . . July, 1829 
 Edward Tuckerman . . July, 1831 
 George Bond . . . from Feb. 1835 
 Robert Hooper, jun. June 19, 1842 
 N. I. Bowditch 1850 
 
 . . to Nov. 
 
 1826 . . 
 
 . . to July, 
 
 1829 . . 
 
 . . to Jidy, 
 
 1831 . . 
 
 . . to Feb. 
 
 1835 . . 
 
 . . to IMay, 
 
 1842 . . 
 
 . . to Jan. 
 
 1850 . . 
 
 . . through 
 
 1851 . . 
 
 1 year. 
 
 8 „ 
 
 n 55 
 
 2 „ 
 3^ „ 
 
 7^ 55 
 
 7i 5,
 
 OFFICERS OF HOSPITAL. 421 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 Capt. Nathl. Fletcher, ApvW 21, 1821 . died May 1, 1825 . 4 years. 
 
 Nathan Gurney . . . June 12, 1825 ... to Nov. 1833 . 8 „ 
 
 Gamaliel Bradford .Oct. 11, 1833 . died Oct. 23, 1839 . 6 „ 
 
 Charles Surnner . . . Dec. 17, 1839 . to Mar. 21, 1841 . 2^ „ 
 
 John M. Goodwin . March 21, 1841 . . to Nov. 2, 1845 . 4^ „ 
 
 Richard Girdler . . . Nov. 16, 1845 to 1852 . 6 „ 
 
 PHYSICIANS OF ASYLUM. ' 
 
 Dr. George Parkraan condi- 
 tionally elected Oct. 4, 1816 never served. 
 
 Dr. Rufus Wyman, March 23, 1818 . .to May 31, 1835 . 17 years. 
 
 Dr. Thomas G. Lee, chosen 
 
 Jan. 16, 1835 . . died Oct. 1836 . 2 „ 
 
 Dr. Luther V. Bell . Dec. 11, 1836 to 1852 . 15 „ 
 
 STEWARDS, &c., OF ASYLUM. 
 
 John M. Goodwin . . Nov. 23, 1823 . . to June 4, 1826 . 21 yrs. 
 
 G. W. Folsom died in Oct. 1827 . 1 „ 
 
 Henry Pierce .... Oct. 9, 1827 . office aholished, 
 
 Nov. 11, 1828 . 1 „ 
 Oliver V. Bond (as supervisor), 
 
 Nov. 23, 1828 . . to Oct. 5, 1830 . 2 „ 
 
 Columbus Tyler (as supervi- 
 
 sor) Oct. 8, 1830 
 
 Luke Bigelow, chosen Oct. 3, 1832 . to March 9, 1834 > 
 
 „ May 18, 1834 . to Nov. 23, 1836 i " 
 
 William Wyman . . . Dec. 2, 1834 2 mos. 
 
 Columbus Tyler . . Jan. 16, 1835 , . to 1852 . 16 years.
 
 422 
 
 OFFICERS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 ATTENDING PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 Dr. Jiimes Jackson . . April 6, 1817 
 „ John C. \Yarren . „ 6, 1817 
 „ Walter Channing . Oct. 4, 1821 
 „ John B. Brown . Nov. 23, 1823 
 ,, George Ilayvvai-d, March 
 19, 1826 (first chosen 
 assistant - surgeon ; then 
 , junior, Feb. 21, 1830; 
 then chief, Jan. 1838) . . . 
 " „ Edward Reynolds, Aug. 3, 1828 
 ., George W. Otis . „ 3, 1828 
 
 „ John "Ware, assistant, Sept. 
 27, 1829; and resigned 
 July 8, 1836; chosen 
 
 Feb. 10, 1839 
 
 Jacob Bigelow . July 8, 1836 
 „ Enoch Hale . . . Oct. 13, 1837 
 „ Solomon D. Townseud, 
 
 February, 1839 
 
 „ J. B. S. Jackson . Jan. 22, 1840 
 „ H. I. Bowditch . „ 28, 1846 
 „ John D. Fisher . „ 28, 1846 
 „ O. W. Holmes . . „ 28, 1846 
 „ H. J. Bigelow . . „ 28, 1846 . 
 „ Samuel Parkman „ 28, 1846 
 „ J. Mason Warren „ 28, 1846 
 „ D. H. Storer .... Jan. 1849 
 „ G. C. Shattuck, jun. „ 1850 
 „ M. S. Perry . . . March, 1850 
 „ Henry G. Clark.. „ 1851 
 
 .to Oct. 13, 1837 . 20i yrs. 
 
 to 1852 . 34 
 
 ... to Jan. 1839 . 17^ „ 
 to Feb. 26, 1826 . 2} „ 
 
 . . to April, 1851 . 25 years. 
 . to Ai)ril 7, 1829 . 8 mos. 
 to new organiza- 
 tion in P'el). 1830 . l|year. 
 
 and served 1 year . 8 
 
 to 1852 . 15 
 
 . . died Nov. 1848 . 11 
 
 to 1852 . 18 
 
 to 1852 . 12 
 
 to 1852 . G 
 
 . died March, 1850 . 5 
 . . .to end of 1849 . 4 
 
 to 1852 . 6 
 
 to 1852 . 6 
 
 to 1852 . 6 
 
 (in place of Dr. Hale) 3 
 ( „ „ Dr. Holmes) 2 
 ( „ „ Dr. Fisher) 2 
 ( „ „ Dr. Hay- 
 ward) 1
 
 423 
 
 LIST OF ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS 
 
 OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND UPWARDS. 
 
 Prepared by Joseph May, Esq., in 1828;- continued by Henry B. Rogers, Esq.. to July 10, 1843; those 
 marked (*) having been added by Mr. Rogers. 
 
 Adams, Benjamin and Caleb $100.00 
 
 Allen, Joseph 100.00 
 
 Amoiy, Hannah R 100.00 
 
 Amory, John 200.00 
 
 Amory, Jonathan 200.00 
 
 Andrews, Ebenezer T 300.00 
 
 Appleton, Nathan 500.00 
 
 Api)leton, Samuel 2000.00 
 
 *Appleton, William, for himself 100.00 
 
 Appleton, William, for an unknown 200.00 
 
 ^Armstrong, Samuel T 100.00 
 
 Austin, Nathaniel 100.00 
 
 Babcock, Adam 300.00 
 
 Baker, Brown, and Co 100.00 
 
 Baldwin, Aaron 110.00 
 
 Barnard, Charles 100.00 
 
 Bartlett, John 100.00 
 
 Bartlett, Thomas 300.00 
 
 Bean, Stephen 100.00 
 
 Belknap, Jeremiah 100.00 
 
 Belknap, John . , 100.00 
 
 Bellows, John 100.00 
 
 Binney, Amos 300.00 
 
 Bishop, John 100.00 
 
 Blake, George 100.00 
 
 Bond, George 180.00 
 
 Boott, Kirk, and Sons 300.00 
 
 Boott, Mary '. . 300.00
 
 424 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Bradbury, Charles $100.00 
 
 Bradford, Gamaliel 100.00 
 
 Bradlee, Josiali 200.00 
 
 Bradlee, Thomas D 100.00 
 
 Bridge, Nathan 100.00 
 
 Brimmer, Andrew 1 00.00 
 
 Brooks, Peter C 2000.00 
 
 •*Brown, Moses 100.00 
 
 Brown, Samuel 100.00 
 
 Bryant, John 100.00 
 
 Bumstead, Thomas 125.00 
 
 Bussey, Benjamin 1000.00 
 
 Cabot, George 100.00 
 
 Cabot, John 150.00 
 
 Cabot, Sarah and Susan 100.00 
 
 Cabot, William 100.00 
 
 Carnes, Francis 200.00 
 
 Chamberlain, Richard 100.00 
 
 Channing Walter 100.00 
 
 Channing, William E 100.00 
 
 Chapman, Henry 100.00 
 
 Chelsea, town of 145.42 
 
 Child, David W 100.00 
 
 Cobb, Samuel , 200.Q0 
 
 Cochran, William 100.00 
 
 Codman, Charles R 100.00 
 
 Coffin, Margaret (and Ann Smitli) 100.00 
 
 Collections in Ward 4 340.00 
 
 Collections in Ward 10 373.00 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph 2000.00 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph, jun 1000.00 
 
 Cordis, Thomas 100.00 
 
 Getting, Uriah 100.00 
 
 Crocker, Allen ' 100.00 
 
 *Crowniiishield, Benjamin W 200.00 
 
 ■ Crowuinshield, George 500.00
 
 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 425 
 
 Curtis, Thomas $100.00 
 
 *Cushing, John P 5000.00 
 
 Gushing, Thomas, a share in Exchange Coffee House, 
 
 worth 300.00 
 
 Ball, William 100.00 
 
 Dana, Benjamin 100.00 
 
 *Dane, Nathan 200.00 
 
 Davis, Amasa 100.00 
 
 *Davis, A. and C 150.00 
 
 Davis, Charles 100.00 
 
 Davis, Daniel 100.00 
 
 Davis, Eleanor 200.00 
 
 Davis, Joshua 100.00 
 
 Davis, Thomas '. . . . 100.00 
 
 Davis, William • • • 150.00 
 
 *Dearborn, H. A. S 150.00 
 
 Degrand, P. P. F 175.00 
 
 Dennie, Thomas 100.00 
 
 Derby, John 300.00 
 
 Derby, Richard ; . 100.00 
 
 Derby, Richard C 300.00 
 
 Devereux, Humphrey 100.00 
 
 Dexter, Aaron ' 100.00 
 
 Dexter, Katharine 100.00 
 
 Dodge, Pickering 300.00 
 
 Dorr, John 110.00 
 
 Dorr, Samuel 100.00 
 
 Eliot, Catherine 200.00 
 
 Ellery, John S 100.00 
 
 Ellis, David 100.00 
 
 Endicott, Samuel 100.00 
 
 ^Exhibition of Mummy 1257.87 
 
 Fales, Samuel 100.00 
 
 Farley, P^benezer 125.00 
 
 Female Association 753.08 
 
 Field, Joseph 100.00 
 
 54
 
 426 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Fisher, Joshua $100.00 
 
 Forrester, Simon 2000.00 
 
 Francis, Ebenezer 200.00 
 
 French, John 100.00 
 
 French and Weld 120.00 
 
 Gardiner, Robert H 200.00 
 
 Gardiner, Samuel P 100.00 
 
 Gibson, Abraham 100.00 
 
 Goddard, Nathaniel 200.00 
 
 Gore, John 200.00 
 
 Gray, Francis C 100.00 
 
 Gray, Henry 1000.00 
 
 *Gray, Horace 1000.00 
 
 Gray, John C 100.00 
 
 *Gray,JolmC 1300.00 
 
 Gray, William 500.00 
 
 Greene, Gardiner, $1000 in three per cents 650.00 
 
 Greenough, David 200.00 
 
 Greenough, David S 200.00 
 
 *Hall, Dudley 200.00 
 
 Hammond, Samuel 200.00 
 
 Hancock, John 200.00 
 
 *Harvard College ' 213.32 
 
 Hay ward, Lemuel 100.00 
 
 Head, Joseph 1000.00 
 
 Head, Joseph, jun 100.00 
 
 Heard, Augustine 100.00 
 
 Hedge, Barnabas 150.00 
 
 Hinckley, David 1000.00 
 
 Hingham, Third Parish 504.44 
 
 Holland, John 200.00 
 
 Homer, Benjamin P 100.00 
 
 Homes, Henry 100.00 
 
 Howe, John 100.00 
 
 Hubbard, Henry 100.00 
 
 Hubbard, John 200.00
 
 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 427 
 
 Humane Society of Massachusetts $5140.56 
 
 Humane Society (Merrimack) 2000.00 
 
 Hunnewell, Jonathan 100.00 
 
 Hurd, John 100.00 
 
 Ilurd, Joseph 200.00 
 
 Jackson, Charles 400.00 
 
 Jackson, James 420.00 
 
 Jackson, Patrick T 220.00 
 
 Jaques, Samuel, jun 100.00 
 
 Jones, John Coffin 500.00 
 
 Jones, Thomas Kilby 200.00 
 
 Joy, Abigail and family 300.00 
 
 Joy, Benjamin 250.00 
 
 Kidder, John, jun 100.00 
 
 Knapp, Josiah 100.00 
 
 Knowles, Seth 100.00 
 
 Lambert, William 100.00 
 
 Lawrence, Amos and Abbott 200.00 
 
 Lawrence, William 100.00 
 
 Lee, Francis 100.00 
 
 Lee, George . 150.00 
 
 Lee, Joseph 300.00 
 
 Lee, Tbomas, jun 100.00 
 
 Lewis, Winslow 100.00 
 
 Lincoln and Wheelwright . 100.00 
 
 Lloyd, James 1000.00 
 
 Loring, Caleb 100.00 
 
 Lowell, Francis C 300.00 
 
 *Lowell, Francis C 100.00 
 
 Lowell, John ■ 450.00 
 
 Lyman, George W 150.00 
 
 Lyman, Theodore 2000.00 
 
 Lyman, Theodore, jun 150.00 
 
 Marshall, Josiah 100.00 
 
 Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society 900,00 
 
 May, Perrin 100.00
 
 428 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 May, Samuel Si 00.00 
 
 Miller, Samuel R 100.00 
 
 Miuot, William 100.00 
 
 Morse, John 100.00 
 
 Motley, Thomas 100.00 
 
 Munson, Israel 1000.00 
 
 *Oakes, Caleb 100.00 
 
 Odin, John 200.00 
 
 Odiorue, George 100^00 
 
 Orne, Joseph 200.00 
 
 Orne, Samuel 200.00 
 
 Osborn, John 200.00 
 
 Otis, H. G 500.00 
 
 Parker, Daniel P 500.00 
 
 Parker, John 500.00 
 
 Parkman, Samuel 2000.00 
 
 Parkman, Samuel, jun 200.00 
 
 Parsons, Nehemiah 200.00 
 
 Parsons, William 1500.00 
 
 Payne, M 100.00 
 
 Payne, William 100.00 
 
 Peabody, Joseph 2000.00 
 
 Perkins, James 5000.00 
 
 Perkins, Samuel G 100.00 
 
 Perkins, Thomas H 5000.00 
 
 Perry, John 100.00 
 
 Phillips, John 100.00 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan 100.00 
 
 Phillips, Stephen 200.00 
 
 Phillips, Wm., including 15000 legacy of his father . 20,000.00 
 
 Pickering, Henry 100.00 
 
 Pickman, Benjamin, jun 1000.00 
 
 Pickraan, Dudley L 150.00 
 
 Pickman, William 300.00 
 
 Pope, Paschal P 100.00 
 
 Pratt, John 135.00
 
 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 429 
 
 Pratt, William $400.00 
 
 Prescott, Williiim 150.00 
 
 Prince, James 250.00 
 
 Prince, John 200.00 
 
 Quincy, Josiah 200.00 
 
 Pvand, Isaac 100.00 
 
 Randall, John 100.00 
 
 Reed, John T 100.00 
 
 Revere, Paul 100.00 
 
 Revere, Joseph W 100.00 
 
 Rice, Henry G 100.00 
 
 Rich, Benjamin 300.00 
 
 Richards, Jolin 100.00 
 
 Ritchie, Andrew 500.00 
 
 Robinson, Nathan 200.00 
 
 Rogers, Daniel D 1000.00 
 
 *Ropes, William 150.00 
 
 Russell, Nathaniel P 500.00 
 
 Salisbury, Samuel 500.00 
 
 Salisbury, Samuel, jun 100.00 
 
 Sanford, Samuel 300.00 
 
 Sargent, Daniel 200.00 
 
 *Sargent, Ignatius 400.00 
 
 Sawyer, William 100.00 
 
 Sears, David 5000.00 
 
 Sewall, Joseph 500.00 
 
 Shaw, Robert G 500.00 
 
 Shepherd, Michael 100.00 
 
 Shimmin, William 100.00 
 
 • Silsbee, Nathaniel 100.00 
 
 Skinner, John 100.00 
 
 Smith, Barney 400.00 
 
 Snelling, Samuel 100.00 
 
 ^Society, Washington Benevolent, Charle&town Branch . 200.00 
 
 * „ Hollis-street 148.05 
 
 * „ First Church 100.C7
 
 430 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 *Society, King's Chapel $114.44 
 
 * „ West Church 190.06 
 
 * „ Roman Catholic 100.40 
 
 ^ „ First Parish, Dorchester 1G8.48 
 
 * „ Dr. Bancroft's, Worcester 140.60 
 
 * „ Dr. Pierce's, Brookline 173.38 
 
 Soley, John 100.00 
 
 Spear, Samuel 100.00 
 
 Spelman, Phineas 100.00 
 
 Spooner, William 100.00 
 
 Stanton, Francis 100.00 
 
 Sturgis, Russell 200.00 
 
 Sturgis, William 100.00 
 
 Sullivan, George 200.00 
 
 Sullivan, Richard 400.00 
 
 Sullivan, William 200.00 
 
 Tappan, John 350.00 
 
 Tappan, Lewis 100.00 
 
 Taylor, Charles 300.00 
 
 Theatre, Boston 1190.00 
 
 Thompson, Ahraham 100,00 
 
 Thorndike, Israel 2000.00 
 
 Thorndike, Israel, jun 100.00 
 
 Tilden, Joseph 100.00 
 
 Torrey, Catherine 200.00 
 
 Torrey, John G 100.00 
 
 Torrey, Samuel 100.00 
 
 Touro, Abraham 300.00 
 
 Trot t, George 100.00 
 
 Tucker, Gideon 200.00 
 
 Tucker, Richard D 100.00 
 
 Tuckerman, Edward 100.00 
 
 Tuckerman, Edward, jun 500.00 
 
 Tuckerman, William and Gustavus 100.00 
 
 *Town of Concord 200.00 
 
 *Town of Maiden 193.80
 
 ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. 431 
 
 *Tufts, Cotton $135.00 
 
 Tufts, Nathan 100.00 
 
 Ui)liam, Phineas 100.00 
 
 Vosc, Coates, and Co 100.00 
 
 Waldo, Daniel 200.00 
 
 Wales, Thomas B 100.00 
 
 Walker, Timothy 150.00 
 
 *Walker, William J 400.00 
 
 Ward, Artemas 100.00 
 
 *Ward, Nahum 100.00 
 
 Ward, Thomas W 150.00 
 
 Ward, William 100.00 
 
 Warren, John C 400.00 
 
 Webster, Redford 153.00 
 
 Welch, Francis 200.00 
 
 Weld, Benjamin 500.00 
 
 Welles, John 300.00 
 
 West, Nathaniel . . .1000.00 
 
 Wetmore, Eliza 200.00 
 
 Wheeler, Elisha 100.00 
 
 Wheeler, Moses 100.00 
 
 White, James 300.00 
 
 Whitney, Asa 100.00 
 
 *Wiggin, Benjamin (Exhibition of Picture) 1604.07 
 
 Wigglesworth, Thomas 200.00 
 
 Williams, John D 1000.00 
 
 Williams, Moses 100.00 
 
 Williams, Samuel G 100.00 
 
 Williams, Thomas 100.00 
 
 Williams, Timothy 100.00 
 
 Winchester, Amasa 100.00 
 
 Winthrop, Thomas L 100.00 
 
 Wood, John 100.00 
 
 Note. — Some of these subscriptions INIr. Rogers ascertained to be the same which were 
 made to free beds j say in all, $3,712.
 
 432 SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS. 
 
 SUMMARY OF SUBSCRIPTIONS TO JULY, 1843, 
 
 Total for Hospital $101,619.21 
 
 Total for Asylum 45,373.34 
 
 $146,992.57 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS ANALYZED. 
 
 1 of $20000 is $20000.00 
 
 4 of 5000 are 20000.00 
 
 8 of 2000 16000.00 
 
 1 of 1604.07 
 
 1 of 1500.00 
 
 12 of 1000 12000.00 
 
 1 of 650.00 
 
 14 of 500 7000.00 
 
 1 of 450.00 
 
 1 of . 420.00 
 
 7 of 400 2800.00 
 
 1 of 350.00 
 
 21 of 300 6300.00 
 
 2 of 250 500.00 
 
 1 of 220.00 
 
 44 of 200 8800.00 
 
 1 of 180.00 
 
 1 of 175.00 
 
 1 of 153.00 
 
 13 of 150 1950.00 
 
 2 of 135 270.00 
 
 2 of 125 250.00 
 
 1 of 120.00 
 
 2 of 110 220.00 
 
 151 of 100 15100.00 
 
 1 of 94.89 
 
 1 of 60.00 
 
 6 of 75 450.00
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS ANALYZED. 433 
 
 101 of 50 SoO'jO.OO 
 
 1 of 45.00 
 
 1 of 44.50 
 
 10 of 40 400.00 
 
 1 of 37.50 
 
 31 of 30 930.00 
 
 43 of 25 . 1075.00 
 
 114 of 20 2280.00 
 
 1 of 18.00 
 
 25 of 15 375.00 
 
 1 of 13.00 
 
 1 of 12.00 
 
 1 of 11.00 
 
 178 of 10 1780.00 
 
 2 of 7 14.00 
 
 257 of 5 1285.00 
 
 16 of 4 G4.00 
 
 36 of 3 108.00 
 
 1 of 2.50 
 
 42 of 2 84.00 
 
 21ofl 21.00 
 
 3 of §0.50, and 1 of $0.25 1.75 
 
 131269.21 
 
 Ward Collections $847.50 
 
 Exhibitions, Concerts, &c 2782.69 
 
 Five Benevolent Societies 8993.64 
 
 Twenty-four Religious Societies .... 2349.97 
 
 Twelve Towns 749.56 
 
 15723.36 
 
 $146992.57
 
 434 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ENLARGEMENT OF 
 HOSPITAL, 1844. 
 
 Amory, Charles S500 
 
 Amory, James S 250 
 
 Amory, William 500 
 
 Andrews, Ebenezer T 1000 
 
 Appleton, Nathan 1000 
 
 Appletou, Samuel 2000 
 
 Appleton, Samuel A 100 
 
 Appleton, William 2000 
 
 Armstrong, Samuel T 100 
 
 Austin, Edward 100 
 
 Aylwin, Richard 100 
 
 Bacon, Daniel C 100 
 
 Bangs, Benjamin 200 
 
 Barnard, Charles 500 
 
 Bassett, Francis 100 
 
 Bates, John D 250 
 
 Binney, Amos 200 
 
 Blake, Mrs. Joshua 200 
 
 Blanchard, Edward 500 
 
 Boardman, William II 100 
 
 Bowditch, J. IngersoU 100 
 
 Bowditch, N. 1 500 
 
 Boyden, Dwight .' . 100 
 
 Bradlee, Josiah 1000 
 
 Bradlee, James B 200 
 
 Brimmer, Martin 500 
 
 Brooks, P. C 2000 
 
 Brooks, P. C.,jun 500 
 
 Bromfield, John 100
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 435 
 
 Bryant, John, jun $250 
 
 Cabot, Henry 200 
 
 Gary, Thomas G 100 
 
 Carney and Sleeper 100 
 
 Chace, Caleb 200 
 
 Chadwick, Eben 500 
 
 Chandler, Abiel 100 
 
 Chickering, Jonas 500 
 
 Codraan, Charles R 100 
 
 Codman, Henry 100 
 
 Colby, Gardner 100 
 
 Crowninshield, B. W 300 
 
 Cunningham, A. and C 100 
 
 Curtis, Charles P 100 
 
 Curtis, Thomas B 100 
 
 Dalton, Peter R 100 
 
 Dana, Samuel 100 
 
 Dixwell, John James 100 
 
 Edmands, J. W 200 
 
 Eliot, Samuel A 500 
 
 Everett, Moses 100 
 
 Fales, Samuel 200 
 
 Fletcher, Richard 100 
 
 Forbes, John M 100 
 
 Francis, Ebenezer 1000 
 
 Gardner, George 100 
 
 Gardner, John L 1000 
 
 Goodenough, John 100 
 
 Goddard, Benjamin 500 
 
 Goodwin, Ozias 500 
 
 Gray, Francis C " . . 500 
 
 Gray, Horace 300 
 
 Gray, John C 1000 
 
 Gray, Samuel C 100 
 
 Gray, William 100 
 
 Greene, Elizabeth C 500
 
 436 SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 
 
 Greene, Sarah 81000 
 
 Greenougb, David S 100 
 
 Hall, Henry 100 
 
 Hallet, George 200 
 
 Hayward, George 100 
 
 Hooper, Nathaniel 100 
 
 Hooper, Robert 250 
 
 Hooper, Robert C 100 
 
 Hooper, Samuel 250 
 
 Howe, George 500 
 
 Howe, Jabez C 200 
 
 lasisi and Goddard 100 
 
 Jackson, P. T 100 
 
 Johnson, James 100 
 
 Johnson, Samuel 100 
 
 Joy, Abigail 100 
 
 Kendall, Abel, jun 100 
 
 Kuhn, George H 100 
 
 Lane and Reed 100 
 
 LaAvrence, Abbott 2000 
 
 Lawrence, Amos 1000 
 
 Lawrence, Amos A 100 
 
 Lawrence, William 1000 
 
 Lawrence and Stone 500 
 
 Lee, George 1000 
 
 Lee, Thomas 500 
 
 Livermore, Isaac 100 
 
 Loring, Elijah 100 
 
 Loriug, Francis C 100 
 
 Low, John J. and Francis 100 
 
 Lowell, Francis C 500 
 
 Lowell, John A 1000 
 
 Lyman, Charles 500 
 
 Lyman, George W 500 
 
 Lyman, Theodore 1000 
 
 Marland, John 100
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 437 
 
 Mason, Robert M $100 
 
 Mason, William P 500 
 
 Mills, Charles H 100 
 
 Milton and Slocumb 100 
 
 Nichols, Benjamin R 100 
 
 Oliver, William 100 
 
 Otis, William F 100 
 
 Parker, Daniel P 500 
 
 Parker, James 500 
 
 Parker, John 1000 
 
 Parkman, George 150 
 
 Parsons, William 100 
 
 Perkins, William P 100 
 
 Peters, Edward D 100 
 
 Phipps, William 100 
 
 Pickman, C. Gayton 100 
 
 Pope, Paschal P 500 
 
 Pratt, Mary 500 
 
 Prescott, William 500 
 
 Prescott, William H 100 
 
 Putnam, Samuel R 100 
 
 Quiucy, Josiah, jun 1000 
 
 Revere, Joseph W 100 
 
 Rice and Thaxter 100 
 
 Richardson, Jeffry, and Brother 100 
 
 Robbius, Edward H 100 
 
 Rogers, Henry B 500 
 
 Russell, James D 100 
 
 Richardson, Burrage, and Co 100 
 
 Salisbury, Stephen 500 
 
 Sargent, Ignatius 1000 
 
 Sargent, Lucius M 100 
 
 Savage, James 100 
 
 Sayles, Willard 500 
 
 Sears, David 2000 
 
 Shaw, R. G 1000
 
 438 ENLARGEMENT OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 Skinner, Francis $250 
 
 Stickney, Josiah 100 
 
 Stoddard, Charles 100 
 
 Sturgis, William 1000 
 
 Thayer, John E 500 
 
 Thayer, Nathaniel 100 
 
 Tilden, Joseph 100 
 
 Timmins, Henry 500 
 
 Uphani, Phineas 1000 
 
 Waldo, Daniel, and sister 200 
 
 Wales, Thomas B 1000 
 
 Walker, William J 200 
 
 Waterston, Pray, and Co 100 
 
 Warren, John C 500 
 
 Welles, John 500 
 
 Wetmore, Thomas 100 
 
 Whitney, William F 100 
 
 AViggles worth, Edward 100 
 
 Wigglesworth, Thomas 300 
 
 Williams, John D " 2000 
 
 Williams, Moses 100 
 
 Total $62550 
 
 ANALYSIS OF THESE SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 6 of $2000 . . • $12000 
 
 19 of 1000 19000 
 
 33 of 500 IGoOO 
 
 3 of 300 900 
 
 G of 250 1500 
 
 14 of 200 2800 
 
 78 of 100 7800 
 
 2 of 75 150 
 
 37 of 50 1850 
 
 2 of 25 50 
 
 $62550
 
 439 
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Adams, Horatio, 1848-49 $258.00 
 
 Amory, Charles, 1845-46 200.00 
 
 Amory, James S., 1845-48 400.00 
 
 Amory, William, 1844 '. . . . 100.00 
 
 Appleton, Nathan, 182G and 1840 200.00 
 
 Appleton, Samuel, 1850 100.00 
 
 Appleton, William, 1837-40, 1847-49 800.00 
 
 Belknap, Jeremiah, Life-bed, 1827 G54.00 
 
 Boston and Lowell Railroad, 1848-49 150.00 
 
 Boston and Maine Railroad, 1849 ' 100.00 
 
 Boston and Providence Railroad, 1848-49 150.00 
 
 Bowditch, H. L, 1847 100.00 
 
 Bowditch, N. I., 1841-51 1000.00 
 
 Bradlee, Josiah, 1843-50 . 800.00 
 
 Bradlee, Thomas D., 1828 100.00 
 
 Brimmer, IMartin, 1837-39 300.00 
 
 Brooks, Peter C, 1826, $100 ; 1828, Life-bed, $810 . 910.00 
 
 Bryant, John, 1849 100.00 
 
 Bullard, William S., 1850 100.00 
 
 Bnmstead, John, 1828 100.00 
 
 Codman, Henry, 1833-36 400.00 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph, 1827-31 500.00 
 
 Gushing, John P., 1829-43, 1845-47 2900.00 
 
 Cutler, Pliny, 1836 100.00 
 
 Cutler, William C, 1837-38 200.00 
 
 Dixwell, John James, 1841 100.00 
 
 Dwight, Edmund, 1828-33, 1845-49 1100.00 
 
 Eliot, Catherine, 1826 100.00 
 
 Eliot, Samuel A., 1826, 1828, 1840, 1845-47 . . . . 600.00 
 
 Tales, Samuel, 1828 100.00 
 
 Ferriera, L. G., 1839 100.00
 
 440 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Francis, Ebenezer, 1826-32 $700.00 
 
 Gray, Francis C, 1828-31, 1840-41 600.00 
 
 Gray, John C, 1828-32 500.00 
 
 Greene, Gardiner, 1828-32 500.00 
 
 Greene, J. S. C., 1843-48 600.00 
 
 Hallet, George, Life-bed, 1836 600.00 
 
 Hallet, Mrs. George, Life-bed, 1846 600.00 
 
 Head, Joseph, sen. and jun.. Executors, 1826 .... 1200.00 
 
 Head, Joseph, 1827-28 200.00 
 
 Howard Benevolent Society, 1828 100.00 
 
 Howe, George, 1840, 1841 200.00 
 
 Hubbard, Samuel, 1837 100.00 
 
 Humane Society, 1825-50 9700.00 
 
 Ives, R. H., 1 847 100.00 
 
 .Jackson, Charles, 1826-43 . .* 1800.00 
 
 Jackson, Patrick T., 1822 and 1827-40 1460.00 
 
 Jeffries, John, 1835 and 1844-47, 1849-50 800.00 
 
 Joy, Elizabeth, 1847-48 166.67 
 
 Joy, Hannah, 1833-34, 1836-42 900.00 
 
 Lambert, William, 1823 400.00 
 
 Lawrence, Abbott, 1828 100.00 
 
 Lawrence, Amos, 1826-32 and 1841 800.00 
 
 Lawrence, AVilliam, 1828 100.00 
 
 Loring, Abby M., 1847-50 400.00 
 
 Lowell, Francis C., 1845-50 500.00 
 
 Lowell, John A., 1843 and 1846-49 500.00 
 
 Lyman, Theodore, 1839, 1840-42 900.00 
 
 Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, 1832, 1845-50 . 2325.00 
 
 Munson, Israel, 1826-28, 1831-38, 1843 1200.00 
 
 Oxnard, Henry, 1843 100.00 
 
 Parker, Daniel P., 1828 100.00 
 
 Parker, John, 1826-40 1500.00 
 
 Parker, J. B., 1845-47 237.50 
 
 Parsons, William, 1826 100.00 
 
 Perkins, James, 1826 200.00 
 
 Perkins, Thomas II., 1825-33 820.00
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 441 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan, 1828-32, 1843-50 $1200.00 
 
 Phillips, William, 1826-27 300.00 
 
 Pratt, Elizabeth, 1849-50 200.00 
 
 Pratt, Sarah P., 1848-50 300.00 
 
 Pratt, William, 1828, 1840-42 400.00 
 
 Prescott, William, 1828 100.00 
 
 Raymond, E. A., 1848 100.00 
 
 Redman, John, 1844-46 300.00 
 
 Reed, Hannah, 1844-50 700.00 
 
 Robbins, Edward H., 1827-29 270.00 
 
 Rogers, Henry B., 1844-46, 1849-50 500.00 
 
 Salisbury, Elizabeth, 1833-43, 1846-50 1600.00 
 
 Sears, David, 1825 and 1840 200.00 
 
 Shattuck, George C, 1829 100.00 
 
 Shaw, Robert G., 1828, 1840, 1842-43, 1845-50 . . . 1000.00 
 
 Stanton, Francis, 1835 100.00 
 
 Stone, William W., 1847 100.00 
 
 Sturgis William, 1827-32, 1840-43, 1845-48 .... 1300.00 
 
 Tappan, John, 1826 100.00 
 
 Thorndike, Israel, 1826 100.00 
 
 Ticknor, George, 1826-30 500.00 
 
 Tuckerman, Edward, 1828-32 500.00 
 
 Waldo, Daniel, 1839 100.00 
 
 Waldo, E. and S., 1827, 1829-50 2300.00 
 
 Wales, Thomas B., Life-bed, 1828 825.00 
 
 Williams, John D., 1826-48 2300.00 
 
 Williams, Moses, 1847-50 400.00 
 
 Total to 1851 $65,069.17 
 
 56
 
 442 
 
 LEGACIES, DONATIONS, DEVISES. 
 
 Dec. 1843. Appleton, William, for relief of indi- 
 gent patients at Asylum .... $10000.00 
 Aug. 1830. Belknap, Jeremiah, for free beds . . 10000.00 
 
 Nov. 1832,|-g^jj^ j^ 89882.60 
 
 to Jan. 1833.) ^ ^ 
 
 Jan. 1841. Brimmer, Mary Anne, for free beds . 5000.00 
 
 July, 1845. Brown, John (lost in the " Lexington ") 100.00 
 
 March, 1847. Clough, Sarah, a domestic 599.84 
 
 Commonwealth of Massachu- 
 setts : Old Province House $40000.00 
 V K 1811 1 '^"'^ ^^^ labor of convicts at 
 ^^" ' / Hospital . . $30893.84 
 
 ^^' At Asylum. . . 417G.43 
 
 35070.27 
 
 ■ 75070.27 
 
 Dec. 1838. Courtis, Ambrose S., $10,000, compro- 
 mised with heirs for 2500.00 
 
 March, 1826. Crocker, Allen 100.00 
 
 Feb. 1825, Davis, Eleanor, for free beds .... 900.00 
 
 April, 1820. Eliot, Samuel, for the Asylum . . . 10000.00 
 July, 1844. P^verett, Moses, donation of .... 116.00 
 
 Oct. 1830. Lee, Joseph, heir of Francis Lee, a de- 
 ceased patient, stocks, valued at . . 20000.00 
 June, 1813. Lucas, John, six shares in Worcester 
 
 Turnpike, worth 900.00 
 
 Feb 1 18^4 > 
 
 Tt ! .!' r M'Lean, John .... $94858.20 
 to Nov. 1827. ) 
 
 Oct. 1834. And after his widow's death 25000.00 
 
 119858.20 
 
 Aug. 1834. Moseley, Jonathan .^ 753.46 
 
 March, 1844. Munson, Israel .* 20000.00 
 
 May, 1849. Nichols, Benjamin K 6000.00 
 
 Jan. 1826. Oliver, Thomas 22438.70
 
 LEGACIES, DONATIONS, DEVISES, 443 
 
 Sept. 1827. Phillips, William, for free beds . . . foOOO.OO 
 
 July, 1836. Richardson, Susan, fur female free beds 250.00 
 
 Nov. 1819. Russell, Polly 400.00 
 
 May, 1815. Russell, W. 100.00 
 
 Jan. 1829. Savage, James 100.00 
 
 Aug. 1831, to J rpjj^^jj^g^ Isaiah, bequest . $4599.81 
 July, 1843. ) 
 
 May,' 1845. „ „ 182.02 
 
 Aug. 1846. „ „ 235.00 
 
 Oct. 1847, to) 240.00 
 
 Dec. 1850. ) 
 
 5256.83 
 
 Feb. 1850. Todd, Henry 5000.00 
 
 July, 1823. Touro, Abraham 10000.00 
 
 Sept. 1820. Tucker, Beza, House in Boylston Place, 
 
 sold for 5350.00 
 
 Aug. 1842. Tucker, Margaret, his daughter, for free 
 
 beds 2929.97 
 
 Dec. 1845. Waldo, Daniel 40000.00 
 
 Nov. 1841. Warren, John C, fund for books to be 
 
 given to Hospital patients .... 1000.00 
 
 Nov. 1822. Webber, Seth 1000.00 
 
 March, 1841. Westerfield, Peter, for poor patients . 165.67 
 
 April, 1851. Wilder, Dr. Charles W., of Leominster, 
 
 for free beds 20000.00 
 
 March, 1819. Williams, John D., store, which now 
 
 rents for the interest of $17,000 . . 13000.00 
 
 Making in all . . $503,922.86 
 
 The valuations in this list are those on the books 
 of the Hospital. The Province House, appraised at 
 $40,000, brought only $33,000. On the Lee dona- 
 tion there was perhaps a loss of $7,000 more. From 
 the Wilder donation there should be a deduction of 
 $4,000 more ; the M'Lean $25,000 was also deficient. 
 These deductions (about $20,000) are probably bal-
 
 LEGACIES, DONATIONS, DEVISES.; - 
 
 anced by the increased value of other items ; say, 
 at least, |12,000 or $15,000 on Mary Belknap's 
 bequest, and $4,000 on Mr. Williams's devise. 
 
 To the amount in page 443 $503,922.86 
 
 should be added the receipts from the Massachusetts 
 Hospital Life Insurance Company, under the agree- 
 ment referred to in page 79 : — 
 
 Jan. 1829 8687.50 
 
 1830 2500.00 
 
 1831 2500.00 
 
 „ 1832 2500.00 
 
 1833 2500.00 
 
 1834 ,5000.00 
 
 1835 5000.00 
 
 1836 5000.00 
 
 1837 5000.00 
 
 1838 5000.00 
 
 1839. 5000.00 
 
 1840 5000.00 
 
 June, 1840. Extra 15000.00 
 
 Jan. 1841 5000.00 
 
 1842 5000.00 
 
 „ 1843 5000.00 
 
 „ 1844 5000.00 
 
 „ 1845 5000.00 
 
 June, 1845. Extra 20000.00 
 
 Jan. 1846 5000.00 
 
 „ 1847 5000.00 
 
 „ 1848 5000.00 
 
 „ 1849 5000.00 
 
 „ 1850 5000.00 
 
 June, 1850. Extra 15000.00 
 
 Jan. ]851 5000.00 
 
 150,687.50 
 
 Total $654,610.36
 
 445 
 
 GRAND SUMMARY OF SUBSCRIPTIONS, &c. 
 
 Total donations, &c $654,G10.3G 
 
 Original subscriptions for Asylum . . -. $45,373.34 
 Original subscriptions for Hos- 
 pital $101,619.21 
 
 Subscriptions for enlargement 
 
 of Hospital 62,550.00 
 
 164,169.21 
 
 — 209,542.55 
 
 864,052.91 
 P'ree-bed subscriptions 65,069.17 
 
 929,022.08 
 Deduct the error noticed by Mr. Rogers, p. 431 . . 3,712.00 
 
 925,510.08 
 William Appleton's new donation 20,000.00 
 
 945,510.08 
 
 Reversionary interests, say — 
 
 Present value of Province House, leased 
 
 till 1916 110,000.00 . 
 
 John Redman's bequest, at least . . 100,000.00 
 
 Thomas Oliver's bequest 50,000.00 
 
 John Bromfield's bequest 40,000.00 
 
 John Parker's bequest 10,000.00 
 
 210,000.00 
 
 1,155,510.08 
 Estimated value of the rights under the charter of 
 the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Com- 
 pany, at least 100,000.00 
 
 Grand Total $1,255,510.08 
 
 Sat, a Million and a Quarter of Dollars.
 
 446 
 
 RESULTS OF ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES AT THE 
 M'LEAN ASYLUM FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 Year. 
 
 a 
 
 •a 
 
 M 
 
 .a 
 
 a 
 
 13 
 
 0) 
 
 o 
 
 s 
 
 D3 
 
 Dead. 
 
 II 
 
 < 
 
 5 ^ 
 
 11 
 
 (S3 
 
 ? 
 ^ 
 k 
 
 <! 
 
 1818) 
 1819 J 
 1820 
 
 
 
 
 58 
 44 
 
 35 
 40 
 
 11 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 19 
 
 28 
 
 23 
 
 27 
 
 
 1821 
 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 46 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 33 
 
 28 
 
 
 1822 
 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 50 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 31 
 
 42 
 
 
 1823 
 
 
 
 
 73 
 
 61 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 39 
 
 54 
 
 
 1824 
 
 
 
 
 53 
 
 56 
 
 23 
 
 5 
 
 28 
 
 51 
 
 
 1825 
 
 
 
 
 59 
 
 56 
 
 '21 
 
 8 
 
 27 
 
 64 
 
 
 1826 
 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 46 
 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 21 
 
 55 
 
 
 1827 
 
 
 
 
 58 
 
 56 
 
 34 
 
 5 
 
 17 
 
 57 
 
 
 1828 
 
 
 
 
 77 
 
 65 
 
 23 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 69 
 
 
 1829 
 
 
 
 
 73 
 
 77 
 
 26 
 
 9 
 
 42 
 
 65 
 
 
 1830 
 
 
 
 
 82 
 
 78 
 
 34 
 
 10 
 
 34 
 
 69 
 
 
 1831 
 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 
 30 
 
 8 
 
 46 
 
 68 
 
 
 1832 
 
 
 
 
 94 
 
 98 
 
 43 
 
 10 
 
 45 
 
 64 
 
 
 1833 
 
 
 
 
 103 
 
 100 
 
 42 
 
 8 
 
 60 
 
 67 
 
 
 1834 
 
 
 
 
 107 
 
 95 
 
 41 
 
 7 
 
 47 
 
 80 
 
 
 1835 
 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 
 45 
 
 11 
 
 28 
 
 77 
 
 
 1836 
 
 
 
 
 106 
 
 112 
 
 64 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 71 
 
 
 1837 
 
 
 
 
 120 
 
 105 
 
 72 
 
 8 
 
 25 
 
 86 
 
 80 
 
 1838 
 
 
 
 
 138 
 
 131 
 
 74 
 
 12 
 
 45 
 
 93 
 
 95 
 
 1839 
 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 117 
 
 69 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 1840 
 
 
 
 
 155 
 
 138 
 
 75 
 
 13 
 
 50 
 
 125 
 
 128 
 
 1841 
 
 
 
 
 157 
 
 141 
 
 75 
 
 11 
 
 55 
 
 142 
 
 135 
 
 1842 
 
 
 
 
 129 
 
 138 
 
 80 
 
 15 
 
 43 
 
 133 
 
 143 
 
 1843 
 
 
 
 
 127 
 
 126 
 
 63 
 
 18 
 
 45 
 
 134 
 
 131 
 
 1844 
 
 
 
 
 158 
 
 140 
 
 68 
 
 19 
 
 53 
 
 152 
 
 146 
 
 1845 
 
 
 
 
 119 
 
 120 
 
 74 
 
 13 
 
 33 
 
 151 
 
 149 
 
 1846 
 
 
 
 
 148 
 
 126 
 
 65 
 
 9 
 
 52 
 
 173 
 
 164 
 
 1847 
 
 
 
 
 170 
 
 170 
 
 87 
 
 33 
 
 60 
 
 173 
 
 172 
 
 1848 
 
 
 
 
 143 
 
 155 
 
 82 
 
 23 
 
 50 
 
 155 
 
 171 
 
 1849 
 
 
 
 
 161 
 
 137 
 
 64 
 
 15 
 
 58 
 
 184 
 
 177 
 
 1850 
 
 
 
 
 173 
 
 157 
 
 78 
 
 28 
 
 61 
 
 200 
 
 201 
 
 Total . . . 
 
 8341 
 
 3140 
 
 1538 
 
 344 
 
 1258 
 
 
 
 Since Dr. Bell 
 
 2030 
 
 1901 
 
 1026 
 
 227 
 
 648 
 
 Before „ 
 
 1311 
 
 1239 
 
 612 
 
 117 
 
 010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3341 
 
 3140 
 
 1538 
 
 344 
 
 1258
 
 447 
 
 UESULTS OF ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES AT THE HOS- 
 PITAL FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 1821 . 
 
 1822 . 
 
 1823 . 
 
 1824 . 
 
 1825 . 
 
 1826 . 
 
 1827 . 
 
 1828 . 
 182y . 
 
 1830 . 
 
 1831 . 
 1882 . 
 
 1833 . 
 
 1834 . 
 
 1835 . 
 
 1836 . 
 
 1837 . 
 
 1838 . 
 
 1839 . 
 
 1840 . 
 
 1841 . 
 
 1842 . 
 
 1843 . 
 
 1844 . 
 
 1845 . 
 
 1846 . 
 
 1847 . 
 
 1848 . 
 
 1849 . 
 
 1850 . 
 
 In house 
 
 18 
 115 
 
 188 
 349 
 407 
 553 
 428 
 544 
 535 
 423 
 448 
 447 
 515 
 481 
 505 
 485 
 440 
 380 
 369 
 362 
 404 
 347 
 365 
 435 
 453 
 459 
 674 
 804 
 870 
 746 
 
 13549 
 
 13549 
 13431 
 
 12 
 103 
 174 
 
 838 
 404 
 550 
 428 
 548 
 527 
 429 
 444 
 448 
 522 
 486 
 492 
 482 
 453 
 384 
 360 
 355 
 403 
 344 
 364 
 431 
 454 
 447 
 626 
 813 
 866 
 744 
 
 Well. 
 
 13431 
 
 118 
 
 7 
 60 
 81 
 152 
 158 
 228 
 189 
 269 
 299 
 221 
 213 
 259 
 272 
 242 
 193 
 224 
 206 
 174 
 128 
 144 
 151 
 121 
 136 
 183 
 205 
 211 
 340 
 400 
 436 
 363 
 
 6265 
 
 4 
 
 28 
 69 
 103 
 166 
 221 
 148 
 172 
 135 
 124 
 153 
 100 
 152 
 137 
 175 
 155 
 152 
 121 
 161 
 137 
 152 
 137 
 115 
 137 
 130 
 137 
 145 
 219 
 218 
 200 
 
 4203 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 7 
 4 
 16 
 68 
 67 
 59 
 51 
 46 
 38 
 38 
 53 
 57 
 67 
 55 
 54 
 48 
 40 
 43 
 53 
 45 
 55 
 41 
 37 
 30 
 54 
 52 
 75 
 56 
 
 1313 
 
 12 
 12 
 29 
 34 
 30 
 18 
 29 
 32 
 33 
 28 
 44 
 31 
 45 
 44 
 44 
 32 
 35 
 19 
 22 
 26 
 25 
 41 
 47 
 54 
 36 
 57 
 103 
 84 
 76 
 
 1122 
 
 347 
 
 71 
 
 110 
 
 Total admissions on the books to 
 Dec. 31. 1850 13.533 
 
 Total discharges on books to 
 Dec. 31, 1850 13420 
 
 Remaining Dec. 31, 1850 
 
 Do. to Sept. 1, 1851 
 
 113 
 
 14091 
 1.3984 
 
 This Table is formed from the official Quarterly Keports. There are books of admission 
 and books of discharge, in whicli the numbers opposite to each name have been continued from 
 the beginning So that the difference between the numbers opposite the names of the patient 
 last admitted, and of the patient last discharged, ought to show the total remaining in the 
 Hospital. Accidental mistakes have, however, occurred from time to time, so that these num 
 bers are not precisely accurate, either positively or relatively.
 
 448 NEED OF FURTHER AID. 
 
 How much of joy and of sorrow, of life and of 
 death, is compressed within this little table of admis- 
 sions and discharges ! An army of more than thir- 
 teen thousand sufferers received, comforted, and cared 
 for in our institution ; six thousand of these at last 
 discharged well, and four thousand more, to a greater 
 or less extent, relieved : on the other hand, more 
 than eleven hundred of them borne from within our 
 walls to their long home ! * What can surpass the 
 eloquence of statistics ! 
 
 In view of the facts now presented, one or two con- 
 cluding remarks may, with propriety, be made ; and, 
 first, the question may perhaps fairly be asked, 
 whether an institution which has been already thus 
 liberally endowed needs, or can ever need, any further 
 aid. To this I answer, that our two estates for the 
 sick and the insane have cost over $500,000 ; that 
 our present invested funds, as stated in the last annual 
 report for 1851, were |1 71,1 19.98, to which add Mr. 
 Wilder's legacy, since received, and the amount is 
 about 1200,000, yielding an interest of $12,000,— 
 making, with the annual payment of $5,000 from the 
 
 * Tliis excessive mortality is explained by the fact tliat many are brought 
 to the Hospital in a dying condition from recent accidents.
 
 NEED OF FURTHER AID. 449 
 
 Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, a 
 total income of $17,000. The reversionary property 
 to which the Hospital is eventually entitled, on the 
 decease of certain tenants for life, &c., will not proba- 
 bly be received for many years, nor until the increas- 
 ing wants of the institution will exhaust all the 
 additional income thus derived.* The number of 
 patients at the Asylum is now two hundred, — as 
 many, it is believed by the Trustees, as should ever 
 be under the care of one physician. This department, 
 
 * If from the total donations, &c $1,257,610.08 
 
 We deduct the amounts hitherto received from 
 
 the Life Insurance Company $150,687.50 
 
 Also the free-bed subscriptions 65,069.17 
 
 The same having been received and expended 
 
 as income $215,756.67 
 
 Also the estimated value of the life-office char- 
 ters, which may be at any time annulled by 
 the Legislature 100,000.00 
 
 Also the reversionary interests not receivable for 
 
 many years 210,000.00 
 
 525,756.67 
 
 There will remain for the cost of Hospital and Asylum, and 
 
 the invested funds yielding income $731,753.41 
 
 The actual balance on the Treasurer's books, January, 1851, is 
 $700,029.38, which, of course, does not include Dr. Wild- 
 er's legacy of $20,000, &c. 
 
 By the Treasurer's books, it appears that the — 
 
 Cost of Hospital to January, 1851, was . . $269,463.92 
 
 Cost of Asylum to January, 1851, was . . 246,345.98 
 
 Cost of Mr. Appleton's new buildings will be 20,000.00 
 
 535,809.90 
 
 The balance is the value of the whole invested property . . . $195,943.51 
 Or say about $200,000. 
 57
 
 450 NEED OF FURTHER AID. 
 
 therefore, will never be materially enlarged. The 
 amount charged for board of its inmates was, during 
 the last year, $4:4,183.87. It fully supports itself, or 
 defrays its own current annual expenses.* But there 
 are no free beds in that department, and no means 
 available for reducing the expenses of its patients, 
 except the six hundred dollars a year derived from 
 Mr. Appleton's ten thousand dollar fund. Now, it is 
 obvious that the sum of six or even twelve thousand 
 dollars a year could be advantageously applied for 
 that object. This alone would absorb the income of 
 an additional hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
 Further, the grounds of the Asylum are by no means 
 sufficiently extensive. There should be a small farm 
 for cultivation, besides more spacious enclosures for 
 gardens, &c. One hundred thousand dollars more 
 would perhaps be judiciously expended for these ob- 
 jects. Though this department, therefore, is at 
 present carried on without being a burden to the 
 general funds of the Corporation, an additional dona- 
 tion of two or three hundred thousand dollars could 
 be most usefully applied in reducing the expenses 
 and increasing the comforts of its large band of un- 
 fortunate inmates. 
 
 * Any apparent annual surplus of receipts from the Asylum is believed 
 to be less than the salaries of the ofHcers, which, being paid by the Treasurer 
 from the general funds, increase to that extent the expenses of this depart- 
 ment.
 
 NEED OF FURTHER AID. 451 
 
 At the Hospital in Boston, there are eighty free 
 beds ; and, of the remaining patients, few pay over 
 three dollars, — about half the actual cost. The 
 result is, as stated in the last report, that its annual 
 expenses exceed its annual receipts by the large sum 
 of twenty-five thousand dollars ; while, as we have 
 just seen, our whole yearly income is but seventeen 
 thousand dollars.* This deficiency has hitherto been 
 made good by private subscriptions for free beds, and 
 by those occasional bequests, &c., from year to year, 
 by which the diminished property of the institution 
 has been replaced. The permanent supply of this 
 deficiency would require an additional donation of a 
 hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A separate build- 
 ing for the accommodation of contagious, offensive, or 
 delirious patients, is at this very time urgently pressed 
 upon the notice of the Trustees. The mere cost 
 
 * The salaries of the institution are as follows : — 
 
 Treasurer $500 
 
 Secretary and Auditor ' 200 
 
 Physician of Asylum, including annual grant of $500 2000 
 
 Steward and Matron of Asylum 1450 
 
 Assistant Physician of Asylum 700 
 
 Male Supervisor of Asylum 600 
 
 Female Supervisor of Asylum 400 
 
 Superintendent of Hospital 1500 
 
 Admitting Physician of Hospital 200 
 
 Apothecary of Hospital, say (average) 300 
 
 Four Medical and Surgical House-pupils at Hospital, $50 each . . 200 
 
 $7950
 
 452 NEED OF FURTHER AID. 
 
 of a suitable fence is estimated at ten or fifteen thou- 
 sand dollars ; and the Board have not hitherto felt 
 themselves justified in ordering one, though well 
 aware that the present unsightly structure disfigures 
 and disgraces the institution. Besides, the Hospital 
 at present accommodates only about a hundred and 
 twenty patients, — a number extremely small, when 
 compared with that in any similar establishment of 
 the Old World. The necessity of another separate 
 Hospital has been, for this reason, already strenuously 
 and ably urged upon the consideration of the City 
 Government. There can be no doubt, indeed, that, 
 with the growing necessities of an advancing popu- 
 lation, additional buildings must and will be eventu- 
 ally erected within our enclosure, — greatly increasing 
 the cost of this portion of our fixed property, and also 
 its future annual expenses. An additional donation 
 of two or three hundred thousand dollars for the 
 ultimate extension of this department would proba- 
 bly be a most judicious and useful charity. 
 
 One other question also perhaps remains to be 
 asked, viz., Have the large sums already given by 
 the community been faithfully managed and applied'? 
 and have the results of our two departments been 
 commensurate with the magnitude of the means 
 placed at our disposal] To this inquiry, 1 trust that 
 the present publication will afford a satisfactory
 
 NEED OF FURTHER ATD. 453 
 
 reply. It has certainly been the constant endeavor 
 of the Trustees to check, and, if possible, prevent, 
 all abuses. In their appointments to office, they 
 have always aimed at selecting, without fear or favor, 
 those individuals whom they conscientiously believed 
 to be best qualified. The general fitness and wisdom 
 of these appointments they fearlessly leave to the 
 judgment of an intelligent public. Where, indeed, 
 can be found physicians more wise or more kind than 
 those who, from year to year, have stood by the bed- 
 side of our patients 1 or surgeons more skilful than 
 those to whose firm and cautious hands, we have, 
 from year to year, entrusted their lives and limbs 
 as, if need were, we would have unhesitatingly 
 submitted our own ? Where are nurses more faithful 
 and devoted than our own " sisters of charity " 1 
 Who could have better " ministered to the mind dis- 
 eased " than those who have successively been called 
 by us to that highest of human trusts, — the cure of 
 insanity? How ably have the complicated details 
 of our two establishments been managed by those 
 to whom, from time to time, we have confided that 
 difficult and delicate task ! That deficiencies exist, 
 indeed, in each department of the institution, its Trus- 
 tees are well aware. For instance, inadequate oppor- 
 tunities for air and exercise afi"orded to the female
 
 454 THE GOOD ACCOMPLISHED 
 
 patients at the Asylum,* and a tendency to an excess 
 of foreigners among the patients at the Hospital, 
 they feel to be evils ; and the latter especially one of 
 the greatest magnitude, tending to the entire violation 
 of the intent of its original founders. The Admitting 
 Physician has been requested to use the utmost vigi- 
 lance on this point, that none may be received who 
 should properly be sent to the city institutions at 
 South Boston. The admission of such patients creates 
 in the minds of our own citizens a prejudice against 
 the Hospital, making them unwilling to enter it, — and 
 thus tends directly to lower the general standing and 
 character of its inmates. Some such admissions 
 must unavoidably take place. Thus there has always 
 existed a most excellent rule, that every case of 
 sudden accident may at once be brought to the 
 Hospital. A broken arm or leg is a plenary cer- 
 tificate, entitling the hearer to all its benefits. Of 
 these sufferers by accidents, — laborers on railroads, 
 canals, buildings, &c., — a very large jjroportion are 
 Irish. Some of them are, in all respects, most de- 
 serving and suitable persons ; while others are so 
 repulsive in their personal habits and appearance 
 
 [* It would have afforded Mr. Bowditch the highest satisfaction to have 
 known how this deficiency has been met since his death by extensive pur- 
 chases of additional land.)
 
 BY PAST DONATIONS. 455 
 
 as to be disgusting and offensive to those near them, 
 and most unwelcome and unfit guests for our neat 
 and orderly establishment.* 
 
 On the whole, however, it is believed that both 
 institutions have been uniformly managed with great 
 fidelity and success. Massachusetts has, indeed, 
 within her borders no nobler monuments than her 
 General Hospital for the sick, and her M'Lean Asy- 
 lum for the insane. Glorious memorials of Christian 
 charity, teachers of the great lesson of man's brother- 
 hood to man ! long may ye stand, an honor to the 
 ages past, a blessing throughout the ages to come ! 
 
 * In such cases, the primary medical prescription is a warm bath ; and, 
 in many instances, a bath of any kind is obviously an entire novelty. An 
 Irisliman of this class was received into a sister institution, and made per- 
 fectly clean. As he emerged from the unwonted process, the physician said 
 to him, " Well, Patrick, how do you feel 1 " His reply was, " Ocli faith ! yer 
 honor, and sure I can't tell ye till to-morrow ; for 'tis the first time in me life 
 I ever tried it."
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY 
 
 Ekom 1851 TO 1872. 
 
 PREPARED BY REQUEST IN A VOTE OF THE TRUSTEES, CHIEFLY FROM 
 THE RECORDS AND ANNUAL REPORTS. 
 
 58
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 From August 5, 1851, to March 16, 1856. 
 
 Mr. Bowditch's History: Its Value. — Thanks of the Committee 
 OF Trustees. — Claim of the Corporation on a Life Insurance 
 Company. — Pipes for the Cochituate Water. — Visitors to the 
 Kailroad Jubilee. — Charges for Out-of-Town Patients. — Dr. 
 Warren's Gift of Surgical Instruments. — Indexes to Hospital 
 Records. — Contract for Water. — Office of Chemist and Micro- 
 scopiST. — Dr. J. Bacon, jun., elected thereto. — Case of Alleged 
 Abuse at Asylum Investigated. — Bequest from Mrs. Salisbury. 
 
 — Report for 1851. — Improvements at the Asylum. — Organiza- 
 tion for 1852. — Tribute to Mr. Rogers. — A Question of Pre- 
 rogative. — Legacy from J. Ingersoll. — Sad Occurrence at the 
 Hospital. — Resignation of Dr. J. C. Warren. — Annual Meeting. 
 
 — Organization for 1853. — Report for 1852. — Resignation of 
 Mr. Goodhue. — New Supervisors at the Asylum. — Another 
 Offering from Mr. Bowditch. — Tribute to Hon. S. Appleton. — 
 Hospital Index. — Additional Physician at Asylum. — Annual 
 Meeting. — Organization for 1854. — Report for 1853. — Bequest 
 of Judah Touro. — Death of Dr. Shattuck. — Building of a 
 Foul Ward. — Dr. J. Homans elected a Consulting Physician. — 
 Dr. M. Ranney, Assistant-Physician at Asylum. — Pathological 
 Museum. — Gift from S. Appleton's Estate. — Gift of J. B. 
 Bradlee. — Dr. C. Ellis, Curator of the Pathological Cabinet. 
 
 — Death of Dr. S. Parkman. — Dr. G. H. Gay elected a Visiting 
 Surgeon. — Annual Meeting, 1855. — Organization. — Report for 
 1854. — Tribute to J. P. Bigelow. — Microscopist at the Hos- 
 pital. — Resignation of Dr. J. Bigelow. — Additional Rooms at 
 Hospital. — Bequest of Miss E. Pratt. — New Pence at Hospital. 
 
 — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 1856. — Report for 1855. 
 
 — Resignation of Dr. Bell : his Farewell. 
 
 The report to the Trustees of the Hospital, made by 
 the Committee for the year 1851, closes with the fol- 
 lowing acknowledgment of the labor of love and zeal
 
 460 MR. bowditch's history. 
 
 done by Mr. Bowditch in behalf of the Institution, 
 which he had served with such fidehty in very many 
 ways : — 
 
 "Your Committee would also, among the important events 
 of last year, notice the publication of a most valuable and 
 interesting History of the Hospital, by the private liberality 
 of the Chairman of this Board, who has for so many years 
 aided the government of the Institution by his counsel and 
 experience, and cheered its inmates by his kindness and 
 encouraging sympathy." 
 
 Mr. Bowditch was at that time Chairman of the 
 Board of Trustees, which office he held till 1856, 
 when, at the annual meeting of the Corporation, he 
 was elected Vice-President, being annually re-elected 
 as such till his death in April, 1861. 
 
 It will be most fitting to defer to the summary of 
 the History of the Institution for the year last men- 
 tioned an appropriate tribute to that honored man, 
 whose large and beautiful culture, added to fine 
 natural endowments, whose sensibility of feeling, 
 whose wise practical judgment and varied labors of 
 love and ingenuity were devoted to its welfare. 
 
 The last abstract in Mr. Bowditch's History is of 
 the business of the Board of Trustees at its meeting 
 on July 15, 1851. Several matters of interest and 
 importance engaged the action of the Board before 
 the close of that year. At the meeting on Aug. 5,
 
 GIFT FROM DR. J. C. WARREN. 461 
 
 Rejoice Newton, Esq., was authorized to take proper 
 legal steps for collecting of the State Mutual Life 
 Insurance Company the proportion of profits to which 
 this Corporation is entitled. An instrument, exe- 
 cuted by the President, William Appleton, Esq., 
 with the Boston and Lowell Railroad Corporation 
 respecting the laying of the Cochituate water-pipes 
 along a portion of the line of that road, was adopted 
 and ratified. At the meeting of the Board on Sept. 
 16, an invitation was extended to the expected guests 
 of the city, from Canada and elsewhere, for the ap- 
 proaching Railroad Jubilee, to visit both depart- 
 ments of this institution, in Boston and Somerville, at 
 their convenience. Messrs. Appleton, Hooper, and 
 Bowditch were chosen a Committee to receive such 
 visitors. 
 
 At the meeting on Oct. 10, it was voted that 
 when the Admitting Physician is called to visit pa- 
 tients, applicants for admission to the Hospital, who 
 reside outside of the limits of the city proper, he is 
 authorized to charge such patients the usual fee for 
 his services ; and if they are unable to pay, he is 
 to charge the same to the Hospital. A letter was 
 received by the Board at its meeting, Nov. 2, 
 from Dr. John C. Warren, accompanying the gift 
 from him of a valuable case of surgical instruments, 
 when it was voted, " That the Trustees gratefully
 
 462 CHEMIST AND MICROSCOPIST AT THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 accept the same ; and that they would present to Dr. 
 Warren their sincere thanks for this new instance of 
 his continued interest in this institution." The Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons made a communication to the 
 Board, which was referred for report to Messrs. Dale 
 and Stevenson, relative to the appointment of a 
 Chemist and Microscopist for the Hospital. 
 
 At the meeting on Nov. 16, the Board, continuing 
 its care for securing proper Indexes to its Medical 
 and Surgical Records, acknowledged the receipt of a 
 fifth volume of the Index prepared by Dr. Thayer; 
 and the Treasurer was authorized to pay him one 
 hundred and twenty-five dollars therefor. The Chair- 
 man, Mr. Bowditch, was authorized to execute, on the 
 part of this Corporation, with the Cochituate Water 
 Board of Boston, an instrument concerning the privi- 
 lege allowed of connecting with the water-pipes, and 
 drawing therefrom for the use of the Asylum, and 
 also regulating the rates of payment. The Com- 
 mittee on the appointment of a Chemist and Micro- 
 scopist made a report, which was accepted ; and the 
 votes recommended by them were passed, — that 
 such an officer should be elected annually by the 
 Trustees, at the first meeting succeeding the annual 
 meeting of the Corporation, with a statement of the 
 scientific qualifications which should be required, and 
 a defining of the duties to be exacted of him, in
 
 COMPLAINT AT THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATED. 463 
 
 the Medical and Surgical Departments, in attendance 
 on autopsies within the walls of the Hospital, and 
 in the preparation of records of his observations, with 
 the privilege, when matters of sufficient importance 
 have accumulated as results, of publishing them to 
 the world, under the patronage of the Hospital, 
 and at the discretion of the Surgeons and Physi- 
 cians. At the next meeting of the Board, on Nov. 
 30, Dr. John Bacon, jun., was chosen Chemist and 
 Microscopist for the remainder of the year. 
 
 Dr. Bell reported another of the cases occasionally 
 arising at the Asylum, of a complaint on the part of 
 a patient of alleged maltreatment, and requested the 
 appointment of a committee to investigate the case. 
 Messrs. Bowditch, Rogers, Lawrence, and Stevenson 
 were accordingly appointed as such a committee. 
 The matter is regarded as worthy of mention here 
 only as it illustrates the care and patience and fidelity 
 which have uniformly been engaged on the part of 
 the Trustees in the thorough examination of every 
 similar complaint brought against the officials in 
 charge of either branch of this institution, or against 
 any subordinate or attendant. As might be expected, 
 the report of the Committee, made at the next 
 meeting, Dec. 14, asserted that, after the most minute 
 and impartial investigation of the case, the charge 
 alleged was wholly groundless. The Secretary was
 
 464 BEQUEST FROM MRS. SALISBURY. 
 
 instructed to read this report to the attorneys of the 
 complainant if they should be desirous of hearing it. 
 
 Messrs. Dale and Dexter were appointed to examine 
 the Treasurer's accounts and to prepare the annual 
 report. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board Dec. 28, a letter was 
 read which was received by the Treasurer from 
 Stephen Salisbury, Esq., of Worcester. The writer 
 informed the Board that his mother, recently de- 
 ceased, left no will, but that he found among her 
 papers a memorandum expressing her wish that $4,000 
 of her property should be given to the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital. In conformity with this wish, Mr. 
 Salisbury enclosed a check for that sum. In accept- 
 ing and acknowledging this gift, the Board recognized 
 the interest which the late Mrs. Salisbury had for 
 many years manifested in this institution by the 
 maintenance of a free bed at the Hospital, and 
 lamented in her death the loss of a benefactress. The 
 Board also recognized " in the prompt and cordial 
 fulfilment of her benevolent intentions a graceful and 
 an honorable act of filial piety." A vote was passed 
 making it the duty of the House Pupils, in the 
 Medical and Surgical Departments respectively, to 
 make up and present at the quarterly meetings of the 
 Board the Indexes to the Medical and Surgical 
 Records. The Superintendent was directed, under
 
 REPORT FOR 1851. 465 
 
 the advice of the Chairman, to procure tablets to be 
 placed on or under each of the portraits in the 
 Hospital, each tablet to contain the name and date of 
 the death of the original of the portrait. This direc- 
 tion was carried into effect in November of the next 
 year. At the quarterly meeting of the Board, held 
 at the Asylum, Jan. 21, 1852, the salary of Homer 
 Goodhue, the male Supervisor, was raised to $600 a 
 year. 
 
 The report of the Trustees for 1851 — of which 
 it was ordered that fifteen hundred copies should be 
 printed — was presented to the Corporation at the 
 annual meeting, Jan. 28, 1852. It appeared from the 
 Treasurer's accounts that the whole income of the 
 year had been $21,391.32, and that the expenses had 
 been |45,619.13. The report makes grateful men- 
 tion of the munificent bequest of Dr. C. W. Wilder, 
 and of the gift, through the son, of Mrs. Salisbury ; it 
 refers to the loss of the valuable services of Dr. George 
 Hayward, through his resignation, and to the appoint- 
 ment of Dr. PI. G. Clark, as his successor ; — these, 
 with the election of new House Pupils and of Dr. J. 
 Bacon, jun., as Chemist and Microscopist, being the 
 only changes in the Medical Staff for the year. From 
 the report of Mr. Girdler, the Superintendent of the 
 Hospital, it appeared that the whole number of 
 patients for the year was 839, at an average weekly 
 
 59
 
 466 COCHITUATE WATER AT THE ASYLUM. 
 
 expense for board of $4.84. Attention was again 
 urged to the necessity of a new building for the 
 reception of contagious, foul, and other disorders ; 
 and notice was taken of an accompanying commu- 
 nication from Dr. Samuel Parkman, one of the Sur- 
 geons, on the advantages of an additional wing with 
 separate rooms for single patients. 
 
 Dr. Bell reported the whole number of patients 
 that had been under treatment at the Asylum during 
 the year as 364, and as remaining at the close of the 
 year, 191. Dr. Bell renews his reference to the fact 
 that the Asylum is generally filled to its utmost 
 capacity, and that, though he is constantly obliged to 
 refuse applications for admission, he never does so 
 except the number of patients would exceed two 
 hundred. He regards it as never permissible or jus- 
 tifiable to put two patients in one room. 
 
 After a reference to the commencement and prog- 
 ress of the new Appleton wards. Dr. Bell gives an 
 elaborate account of the introduction of the Cochituate 
 water. The Asylum had sufi"ered from its commence- 
 ment from the want of an adequate supply of water 
 for bathing and laundry purposes : the deep wells 
 through the diluvial gravel of the hill, while affording 
 what was exceedingly fine for drinking, were so highly 
 impregnated with sulphate of lime as to interfere with 
 their uses for cleansing. Though by conduits from
 
 COCHITUATE WATER AT THE ASYLUM. 467 
 
 the roofs and capacious cisterns, the rain-water which 
 fell upon an acre and a half of surface was availed of, 
 it proved insufficient ; and this had to be raised to the 
 tops of the buildings, and distributed by expensive 
 methods. On the introduction of the Cochituate water 
 into Boston, and the subsequent provision for the 
 supply of East Boston by crossing Charles River into 
 Charlestown through pipes and an inverted syphon 
 under the channel, a successful application was made 
 by the Board to the Water Commissioners for per- 
 mission to convey the water from Charlestown Square, 
 through its territory, for about two thousand feet, to 
 the flats at the State Prison, whence, by about the 
 same additional distance, it might be carried to the 
 Asylum. Permission was then asked of the Charles- 
 town authorities to lay the necessary pipes, — all costs 
 and risks, of course, being assumed by the Hospital 
 Corporation. " With a degree of surprise beyond the 
 power of language to express," says Dr. Bell, the 
 authorities of Charlestown made the granting of 
 the privilege conditional upon the provision by the 
 Hospital of a series of hydrants for the use of the 
 city. The Trustees, not being inclined to make from 
 their funds this contribution to the fire apparatus of 
 Charlestown, turned, as an alternative, to a route by 
 the Lowell Railroad and its bridge. Full and uncon- 
 ditioned permission was granted on application for
 
 468 IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ASYLUM. 
 
 this privilege, though the necessary works had to be 
 carried for more than a mile on the crowded track 
 of that road. The full, pure stream poured into the 
 Asylum in December, rising in the domes to a level 
 about twelve feet below its surface in the Beacon-hill 
 Heservoir. Dr. Bell describes very minutely the 
 processes and the materials used in this enterprise. 
 Block-tin pipes were preferred, from 2 to 2 J inches in 
 diameter, in lengths of about 15 feet, united at the 
 joints by melting the metal, instead of by soldering. 
 The pipes cross a main bridge and three minor 
 bridges, and are led under water in strongly ironed 
 oak logs, the interstices being filled with plaster of 
 Paris, and, where there was danger of freezing, en- 
 closed in wooden boxings filled with melted resin. 
 Though the cost of the undertaking was near $6,000, 
 it was still found to be a saving one. 
 
 Dr. Bell again refers to that steady adaptation by 
 which the furnishings, the arrangements, and the 
 management of the Asylum have fitted it to afford the 
 fullest means of comfort, and even of luxury, to a 
 class of patients who had been used to a generous 
 mode of life, and who with their friends were able 
 and willing to pay more than remunerating charges 
 therefor. In this way the Asylum is enabled to 
 receive many patients in very restricted circumstances, 
 either gratuitously or at rates much below the actual
 
 ANNUAL MEETING. 469 
 
 expense. In fact the major portion of its inmates, 
 being charged much less than the actual outlay for 
 their support and oversight, are receivers not only 
 from the general fund of benevolence contributed to 
 the institution, but also from the annual contributions 
 in their behalf made by the friends of a few of the 
 patients. 
 
 Dr. Bell closes his report by adverting briefly to 
 those results of his experience so faithfully and 
 intelligently acquked by him, which he sustains by 
 a quotation from an eminent author and director 
 of a similar institution, relating to the occasional 
 complaints of discharged patients, or their unwise 
 or uninformed or credulous friends. He had learned 
 to bear patiently all the annoyances visited upon him 
 from these sources, trusting, as he might, to the 
 confidence reposed in him by the Trustees in their 
 constant routine of inspection, and to the thorough 
 investigation of each and every case, however mis- 
 taken or groundless the allegations of complaint or 
 rumor. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 on Jan. 28, 1852, and the first meeting of the 
 Board of Trustees after it was held on Feb. 22. 
 It appeared that the following officers had. been 
 elected for the ensuing year: viz., William Appleton, 
 President; Robert Hooper, Vice-President; Henry
 
 470 ORGANIZATION FOR 1852. 
 
 Andrews, Treasurer; Marcus Morton, jun.. Secre- 
 tary ; Messrs. N. I. Bowditch, G. M. Dexter, A. A. 
 Lawrence, F. C. Lowell, C. H. Mills, G. H. Shaw, 
 J. T. Stevenson, and E. Wiggles worth, Trustees 
 on the part of the Corporation ; and Messrs. J. P. 
 Bigelow, W. S. Bullard, W. J. Dale, and T. Lamb, 
 Trustees on the part of the Commonwealth. N. I. 
 Bowditch was elected, by ballot. Chairman of the 
 Board for the ensuing year. The officers of the 
 Hospital and Asylum for the year were chosen as 
 follows : Drs. J. Jackson, J. Jeffries, G. C. Shattuck, 
 and E. Reynolds, as a Board of Consultation ; Drs. 
 J. Bigelow, J. B. S. Jackson, G. C. Shattuck, jun., 
 H. I. Bowditch, M. S. Perry, and D. H. Storer, Visit- 
 ing Physicians ; Drs. J. C. Warren, S. D. Townsend, 
 J. Mason Warren, S. Parkman, H. J. Bigelow, and 
 H. G. Clark, Visiting Surgeons ; Dr. J. Bacon, jun.. 
 Chemist and Microscopist ; Dr. S. L. Abbot, Admitting 
 Physician ; P. Girdler, Superintendent of the Hos- 
 pital ; Dr. L. V. Bell, Physician and Superintendent 
 of the M'Lean Asylum ; Columbus Tyler, Steward ; 
 and Mrs. M. E. Tyler, Matron. The Standing Com- 
 mittees of the Board were appointed, and the Visiting 
 Committees were arranged for the year. Henry B. 
 Pogers not having been re-appointed a Trustee on the 
 part of the State, the Board, by a preamble and vote,
 
 SERVICES OF HENRY B. ROGERS. 471 
 
 unanimously passed, presented to liira its thanks for 
 his twelve years of devoted service. 
 
 " In the annals of this charity," reads the vote, " there 
 will hardly be found an instance of more devoted official 
 fidelity. To his personal influence and exertions, more than 
 to any other cause, we are indebted for that noble public 
 subscription, which, by the enlargement of the Hospital, has 
 doubled its means of usefulness. He was vigilant in enforc- 
 ing a prudent economy in the expenditures of the institution. 
 Our records bear witness to his clear and able reports on the 
 various important subjects which, from time to time, were 
 submitted to his consideration. The donation book has been 
 under his exclusive control. His votes have always been 
 given in accordance with his convictions of duty, even when 
 they involved the sacrifice of personal feelings." 
 
 Happily the Board was not to be long deprived 
 of the services of this faithful member of it. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Trustees, on May 7, 
 a letter of reply from Mr. Rogers was received and 
 read. On the nomination of Dr. Bell, Dr. C. Booth 
 was elected Assistant Physician; Homer Goodhue, 
 male Supervisor ; and Miss R. R. Barber, female 
 Supervisor of the Asylum. 
 
 A communication from the Physicians and Sur- 
 geons was laid before the Board, asking whether they 
 should not return a negative answer to an inquiry 
 made of them by the House Pupils, — " If they are
 
 472 A QUESTION OF PREROGATIVE. 
 
 to consider themselves amenable in matters purely 
 medical and surgical to any officer of the Cor- 
 poration, other than the attending Physicians and 
 Surgeons'?" The action of the Trustees, when this 
 " inquiry" came before them, might well be inferred 
 from their own sense of their duties, rights, and 
 responsibilities, from their ready and courteous recog- 
 nition of the professional and official claims of those 
 to whom they delegated authority within the walls of 
 the Hospital, and from their intention to retain their 
 own reserved authority, even if the assertion of it 
 involved a rebuke to any who might bring it under 
 question. It was — 
 
 Voted, "That every officer of the Hospital, in the dis- 
 charge of his duties, is responsible to the Board of Trustees. 
 In matters purely medical or surgical, indeed, the Board 
 confide in the ability and discretion of gentlemen selected by 
 themselves, and would not think of interfering with their 
 prescriptions or practice. But should a specific charge be 
 made against any Physician or Surgeon, either of a want of 
 competency and skill, or of humanity or delicacy in the 
 treatment of a patient, the Trustees would feel it to be not 
 only their right, but their duty, to investigate the circum- 
 stances of the case, and to act as in their opinion should be 
 required by a due regard to the interests of the Institution 
 and of the community. So likewise the Trustees will not 
 interfere with the professional duties jjrescribed to medical 
 and surgical pupils by their immediate superiors, but will, 
 nevertheless, at all times, hold them accountable for the
 
 CHANGE IN TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING. 473 
 
 performance of those duties in an exact, kind, and proper 
 manner." 
 
 Voted, " That the Trustees cannot refrain from expressino- 
 their surprise at the inquiry thus submitted by the medical 
 and surgical pupils, — an inquiry which would seem to be 
 founded on an entire misapprehension of their own true posi- 
 tion, and an unwillingness to recognize the paramount au- 
 thority of tliis Board, or of its duly constituted committees." 
 
 A copy of the foregoing votes was ordered to be 
 sent to each of the Physicians and Surgeons, and 
 a Committee of the Trustees was instructed " to 
 inquire whether there has been any want of due 
 subordination and propriety on the part of any of 
 the House Pupils," and especially to investigate the 
 circumstances of a case which had been brought to 
 the notice of the Visiting Committee. The same 
 Committee was to consider and report whether it 
 was expedient to make any change in the rules and 
 regulations in regard to House Pupils. As was to 
 be expected, frankness and a mutual understanding 
 disposed of this question. Up to this time, the 
 semi-monthly meetings of the Trustees had been 
 held at the Hospital, after the close of the second 
 service on Sunday. The meeting on Monday, June 
 7, 1852, was held at the American Insurance Office, 
 in State Street, as were also several subsequent 
 meetings. AX the meeting on June 21, a com- 
 munication was received from Jacob A. Dresser, 
 
 60
 
 474 SAD OCCURRENCE AT THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 announcing a legacy of $2,000 to the Hospital, 
 by the will of James Ingersoll, deceased. Grate- 
 ful acknowledgments were passed for this bequest. 
 The Board, at its meeting on Aug. 17, elected 
 George G. Tucker Hospital Apothecary. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on Nov. 21, 
 action was taken on an occasion the occurrence of 
 which was the cause of painful interest within the 
 walls of the Hospital and to the community outside 
 of it. At the meeting of the Board on Nov. 7, the 
 case of James Clancey, who had died on that day 
 in the Hospital, had been referred for full investi- 
 gation and report to a special Committee. The 
 report, which was submitted at a meeting on Nov. 
 10, and then laid upon the table for future con- 
 sideration, was acted upon at a meeting on Nov. 15, 
 and, after being amended, was unanimously accepted, 
 and ordered to be recorded at this meeting, on the 
 21st. It appeared from the report, after a most 
 thorough investigation, that by a mistake which had 
 occurred, without, however, involving any culpable 
 neglect on the part of the Hospital Apothecary, the 
 Surgeons accidentally administered chloroform for 
 the usual preparation of chloric ether, to three sub- 
 jects of operations. The third of these patients, 
 James Clancey, whose arm had been amputated, 
 after the use of the anaesthetic, sunk into a state of
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. J. C. WARREN. 475 
 
 insensibility, from which he was recovered only to 
 die in a few hours afterwards ; and also, that when 
 he was apparently in a dying condition, one of the 
 Surgeons " accidentally poured into his mouth a 
 quantity of undiluted caustic ammonia." 
 
 The Committee considered the circumstances as 
 disclosed to be of a very serious character. After a 
 very full discussion, the Board, " having good reason 
 to believe that every precaution will be taken to pre- 
 vent such deplorable accidents in future," voted, " That 
 no further action be had in the premises." Also 
 voted, " That this event is a solemn warning to all 
 persons connected with the Hospital to exercise the 
 greatest care in the performance of the delicate and 
 difficult duties which devolve upon them." 
 
 At the meeting on Dec. 5, Messrs. Bigelow and 
 Lawrence were appointed a Committee to examine 
 the Treasurer's accounts, and to prepare the annual 
 report. 
 
 At the meeting on Jan. 2, 1853, Messrs. Dexter 
 and Lowell gave notice that they should decline a 
 re-election as Trustees. 
 
 The Trustees received at their meeting on Jan. 19, 
 1853, the following letter of that date from Dr. John 
 C. Warren : — 
 
 " Gentlemen, — For some years I have contemplated 
 resioninor the office of Surgeon in the Massachusetts General
 
 476 TRIBUTE TO DR. J. C. WARREN. 
 
 Hospital. The desire of transmitting to others the results of 
 my experience has hitherto prevented the execution of this 
 design. Having accomplished the proposed object as well 
 as I could, I would now request that my name be not in- 
 cluded among the candidates at your next election ; desiring 
 you at the same time to accept my thanks for the confidence 
 which you have so long extended to me. And I would 
 further ask leave to add that, in the performance of my 
 professional duties, that to the Hospital has ever stood para- 
 mount in my mind to 'all others." 
 
 The preamble and vote which were thereupon 
 passed by the Trustees must be copied here, alike 
 on the score of their historical as of their personal 
 character : — 
 
 "More than forty years ago Dr. Warren, and his associ- 
 ate. Dr. James Jackson, by an admirable circular letter, first 
 called the attention of the public to the necessity of a Hospi- 
 tal. Becoming? thus one of our orio-inal founders, he was 
 appointed our first Surgeon, and has been annually re- 
 elected to that office ever since. 
 
 " His name has become illustrious in the annals of Ameri- 
 can Surgery, and reflects honor on the Institution which is 
 so deeply indebted to him for its establishment and success. 
 Finding here those opportunities of professional practice by 
 which his own skill and experience were from year to year 
 increased, he has, in return, devoted to the gratuitous per- 
 formance of his official duties among us much time and 
 thought during a long life. By pecuniary donations and 
 otherwise, he has manifested a continued interest in the wel- 
 fare of the Hospital. And now that, having completed his 
 labors, he is about to retire from this honorable and respon-
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1853. 477 
 
 sible situation, the Trustees would assure liim of their best 
 wishes for his future health and happiness. And they would 
 congratulate the Institution and himself on the circumstance 
 that he leaves behind him in our service, and, as we hope, 
 for many years to come, a son whose high professional skill 
 and attainments are universally recognized as worthy of his 
 parentage. 
 
 " Voted, That Dr. "Warren be requested to sit for his 
 bust or portrait, to be preserved at the Hospital, and that 
 Messrs. Lowell and Dexter be a Committee to communicate 
 to him this wish of the Trustees." 
 
 The report and documents for the year being 
 received were ordered to be laid before the Corpo- 
 ration at the coming annual meeting. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Feb. 6, 1853, after 
 the annual meeting of the Corporation held on that 
 day, it appeared that the same officers of the Hospital 
 had been elected as in the last year on the part of the 
 Corporation and of the Board of Visitors ; except that, 
 on the part of the former, Messrs. Dexter and Lowell 
 having declined further service, Messrs. Henry B. 
 Rogers and Charles H. Warren were chosen in their 
 places. All the members of the Board were present, 
 and Mr. N. I. Bowditch was re-elected Chairman. 
 It was voted so to amend a rule both of the Hospital 
 and the Asylum that the Board of Consultation should 
 henceforward consist of three, instead of two, Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons.
 
 478 REPORT FOR 1852. 
 
 Drs. J. Jackson, Jeffries, Shattuck, Reynolds, Hay- 
 ward, and J. C. Warren, were by ballot elected a 
 Board of Consultation ; Drs. Bigelow, Storer, J. B. 
 S. Jackson, Bowditch, Shattuck, jun., and Perry, 
 Visiting Physicians ; Drs. Townsend, J. Mason War- 
 ren, Parkman, H. J. Bigelow, Clarke, and Cabot, Visit- 
 ing Sugeons ; Dr. John Bacon, jun.. Chemist and 
 Microscopist ; Dr. S. L. Abbot, Admitting Physician ; 
 E,. Girdler, Superintendent of the Hospital ; Dr. Bell 
 Physician and Superintendent, and Columbus Tyler 
 Steward, and ]\Irs. Mary E. Tyler Matron, of the 
 Asylum. The Standing Committees were appointed, 
 and the Visiting Committees were arranged for the 
 year. 
 
 It was ordered that two thousand copies of the 
 report be printed. The portion of it coming from 
 the Committee covers seven pages. The property of 
 the Institution, exclusive of reversions, grounds, and 
 buildings, is set at $197,257, and the income at 
 $23,727. Acknowledgment is made of the bequest 
 of the late James Ingersoll, of Boston, of |2,000. 
 The number of patients admitted to the Hospital 
 had been 826. The expenses had been $30,173, 
 of which $5,359 had been repaid by paying patients. 
 The weekly expense of each patient had been 
 $4.54. The necessity of a foul ward is again men- 
 tioned. Reference of a very earnest character is
 
 DR. bell's report FOR 1852. 479 
 
 made to the sad case already related, of the death 
 of a patient, caused apparently by mistake in the 
 administration of appliances, which was " the subject 
 of public comment and inquiry." The retirement 
 of Dr. J. C. Warren is noticed. 
 
 Dr. Bell reports the number of patients in the 
 Asylum, in the course of the year, as 336 ; remain- 
 ing, 201. He is again obliged to speak of the over- 
 demand upon the accommodations of the Asylum, 
 involving the rejection of as many patients as had 
 been received, with the pain of constantly turning 
 back from the doors anxious, exhausted, and hopeful 
 friends, who had brought their charges trusting for 
 relief. The other New England Asylums, pubhc 
 and private, he says, are filled, while insanity is 
 probably an augmenting form of disease. The pro- 
 portion of incurable cases under his charge naturally 
 increases from tlie kind care they receive, when, 
 from year to year, they are the residuum of the 
 whole number. Dr. Bell reiterates his protest against 
 any refuges for the insane, save those over which 
 the community legally, or by a Board of Visitors, 
 exercises control. Philanthropy, by generous gifts 
 and bequests, must henceforward, as heretofore, pro- 
 vide what the public cannot be expected to furnish 
 for those having means of their own. Even after 
 the Appleton wards, which are in progress, shall
 
 480 DR. bell's report for 1852. 
 
 be completed, the fair extent of accommodations, 
 looking at the highest order of arrangements, will 
 not admit of more than 160 patients, though, by the 
 use of attics and corners, 210 have been within the 
 walls. Dr. Bell found seventy patients when he came 
 to his charge, so that the number had trebled. 
 Considering it a settled point that this is as large 
 a number as ought to be under one supervision 
 and in one institution, he proceeds, at some length, 
 to suggest a plan of expansion and relief. He recom- 
 mends the establishment, in another place, near to 
 Boston, of a duplicate institution for the insane, 
 under the patronage and management of the same 
 Corporation, either for patients of both sexes, or, as 
 he should advise, for female patients exclusively, 
 — that at Somerville being retained for male patients. 
 He argues that, depending upon the generosity, 
 munificence, and philanthropy, which had hereto- 
 fore so lavishly sustained the objects of the Corpora- 
 tion, they might expect the means to be furnished 
 them for the first establishment of such a duplicate 
 institution. Afterwards, he thinks, it would be self- 
 supporting ; the richer class of patients covering 
 much of the expense of maintenance beyond the 
 actual cost for them, and the experience of the 
 past being availed of to make all the outlays for 
 the new constructions much less than had been
 
 RESIGNATION OF MR. GOODHUE. 481 
 
 spent upon the alterations, adaptations, extensions, 
 and patchings up of the buildings at Somerville. 
 Of course, Dr. Bell offered these suggestions with 
 the allowance that they were of such a nature, and 
 involved so many serious conditions, that the Trus- 
 tees could not be expected at present to do more 
 than give them a hearing. 
 
 At the same meeting of the Board, the Chairman 
 was " requested to collect, if possible, a complete set 
 of the reports and other documents of the Hospital, 
 and to have them bound and placed in the library." 
 Mr. Bowditch had already earnestly devoted his 
 researches to that object; and the Trustees com- 
 mitted the matter to one most willing and competent 
 to effect it. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board, Feb. 20, a letter 
 was received from Homer Goodhue, resigning the 
 office of male Supervisor at the Asylum. In ac- 
 cepting his resignation, the Trustees instructed the 
 Visiting Committee to express " their regret at 
 parting with one who had so long and faithfully 
 performed the responsible duties of his office, and 
 to request his acceptance of a gold watch, with 
 a suitable inscription upon its case, as a testimonial 
 of their appreciation of his services." 
 
 THe Trustees, at their meeting on March 6, sanc- 
 tioned an arrangement made by Dr. Perry with 
 
 61
 
 482 REGULATION FOR HOUSE PUPILS. 
 
 his associates, for the performance of his duties 
 during his proposed visit to Europe. A change was 
 made in the term of service of the House Officers, 
 so that henceforward they should enter upon their 
 duties on the first day of May of each year. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board, on March 20, at 
 the nomination of Dr. Bell, George C. Lincoln was 
 elected male Supervisor, and Miss Relief E,. Barber 
 female Supervisor, of the Asylum, — the salary of 
 the former being fixed at $500. The Visiting Com- 
 mittee were authorized to procure a new operating 
 chair for the Hospital. The Chairman, Mr. Bow- 
 ditch, received the thanks of the Board for the 
 bound volumes of reports and other Hospital docu- 
 ments, which he presented at this meeting. 
 
 On May 22, the Trustees, at their meeting, acted 
 on the report of a Committee, to whom had been 
 referred the consideration of a proposed change in 
 the regulation concerning House Pupils. It was 
 then voted that but one of them each, in the Medical 
 and Surgical Departments of the Hospital, should 
 reside within the walls, and live in the family of 
 the Superintendent, — neither of them more than 
 six months in . any one year, nor less than three 
 months consecutively. One of the House Pupils 
 Avas to be within the walls at all times. 
 
 After the business of the Board, at its meeting
 
 INDEXES TO HOSPITAL RECORDS. 483 
 
 on July 15, had been done, the Chairman proposed 
 the following preamble and vote, which were unani- 
 mously adopted : — 
 
 " The funeral of the late Hon. Samuel Appleton takes 
 place this afternoon, and the bells of the city are now tolling 
 as a public expression of respect for one of its worthiest sons 
 and its noblest benefactors, who, at the advanced age of 
 eighty-seven years, has died universally beloved and regretted. 
 Formerly a Trustee of this institution, and always cherishing 
 a lively interest in its welfare, we are happy to acknowledge 
 our indebtedness to him, alike for his valuable personal ser- 
 vices, and for a large share of that bounty which he has 
 always so wisely and so liberally bestowed. 
 
 " This Board would present to the widow of the deceased, 
 by whose affectionate attentions and devoted care his life 
 has been for so many years prolonged and rendered happy, 
 the assurances of their profound sympathy, now that she has 
 lost a companion and friend by whom she was ever most 
 tenderly beloved. Voted, That this Boai'd do now adjourn 
 to attend the funeral of the deceased." 
 
 An Analytical Index of the Surgical Records of the 
 Hospital, made by Dr. Samuel Kneeland, jun., had 
 been laid before this meeting, for which thanks 
 and compensation were voted, with a request to 
 Dr. Kneeland to continue the Index. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board, Nov. 20, 1853, a 
 letter was received from Dr. S. L. Abbot, accompany- 
 ing the Index of the Medical Records, made up by 
 him to vol. 186, inclusive, for which compensation 
 was voted.
 
 484 ORGANIZATION FOR 1854. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on Dec. 4, Messrs. 
 Warren and Dale were appointed a Committee to 
 examine the Treasurer's accounts, and to prepare 
 the annual report. At their meeting on Dec. 18, 
 the Trustees authorized Dr. Bell to employ an ad- 
 ditional Assistant Physician at the Asylum, at a 
 salary not exceeding that paid to Dr. Booth. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital on Jan. 25, 1854. The first sub- 
 sequent meeting of the Trustees was held on Feb. 5. 
 It then appeared that the officers of the last year 
 had been re-elected, except that, in place of Mr. 
 A. A. Lawrence, Mr. Robert M. Mason had been 
 chosen a Trustee on the part of the Corporation. 
 Mr. Bowditch was re-elected Chairman for the 
 ensuing year. The same members of the Board of 
 Consultation, the same Visiting Physicians and 
 Surgeons, Chemist and Microscopist, Admitting 
 Physician, Superintendent of the Hospital, Physi- 
 cian and Superintendent, and Steward and Matron 
 of the Asylum, were re-elected, as had already 
 proved their ability and fidelity in previous service. 
 The Standing Committees were appointed, and the 
 Visiting Committees were arranged for the year. It 
 was voted that two thousand copies of the annual 
 report be printed. From this report it appeared 
 that the income of the Corporation for the last
 
 REPORT FOR 1853. 485 
 
 year had been $21,672.48 ; the pecuniary property 
 of the institution being $182,212.88. There had 
 been admitted into the Hospital 925 patients. The 
 average weekly expense of each patient was $4.87. 
 The expenses of the Hospital were $32,615.30, 
 of which sum only $5,562.27 were paid by patients. 
 Dr. Samuel Cabot, jun., had been elected a Visit- 
 ing- Surgeon on the resignation of Dr. John C. 
 Warren. The Hospital is pronounced to be in good 
 condition, as regards economy and discipline ; and 
 the officers are spoken of with high approval. 
 
 Dr. Bell reported that 114 new patients had been 
 received into the Asylum, 195 remaining at the end 
 of the year. This was also the average number of 
 patients within the walls, being more than was con- 
 sistent with the best care and comfort of the inmates. 
 The pressure on the Asylum had been such that it 
 was probable that three times as many applicants had 
 been refused as had been accepted. Dr. Bell is 
 obliged to remonstrate with his professional brethren 
 for not ascertaining in each case, before sending a 
 patient thither, whether there is a chance of accom- 
 modation. The responsibility thrown upon him has 
 been very painful, either of incommoding and injuring 
 all those wdthin the walls, or of sending away an 
 applicant in a state of prostration and danger. He 
 reports most of the rooms in the new Appleton ward
 
 486 THE BIGELOW OPERATING CHAIR. 
 
 for males as occupied, and congratulates the Trustees 
 on this provision of luxurious apartments for such as 
 have been used to like privileges, — by a method, too, 
 which so directly reduces the charges for support and 
 oversight to the less favored in pecuniary resources. 
 He renews his suggestion, founded on present and 
 prospective needs, for the provision of another Asy- 
 lum to be devoted to female patients. The Committee 
 in the annual report look favorably on this sugges- 
 tion, but do not feel able to promote it. 
 
 The Chairman in a letter to the Board communi- 
 cated memoranda, which he had made and gathered 
 in preparing matter for the tablets under the portraits, 
 — of the dates of the birth and death of the bene- 
 factors of the Hospital. These memoranda are en- 
 tered upon the records. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Feb. 19, the Visit- 
 ing Committee presented a surgical operating chair 
 invented by Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, and constructed 
 under his supervision ; and it was voted, " That in 
 consideration of the excellence of the chair, and the 
 ingenuity displayed by Dr. Bigelow in its construc- 
 tion, it be called ' The Bigelow Operating Chair,' in 
 honor of the inventor." 
 
 The Trustees, at their meeting on March 19, re- 
 ceived a communication from the executors of the 
 late Judah Touro, of New Orleans, announcing a
 
 DEATH OF DR. SHATTUCK. 487 
 
 legacy in his will of $10,000 to the Hospital ; where- 
 upon the following preamble and votes were unani- 
 mously adopted : — 
 
 " Moi'e than thirty years ago tliere died in this city one, 
 of Jewish faith and parentage, who bequeathed to this 
 institution the sum of $10,000. The name of Touro has 
 thenceforth been famiHar to us as that of one of our chief 
 benefactors. And now another of the same name and Hne- 
 age, an eminent merchant, who for fifty years has resided 
 in the distant city of New Orleans, has, by like liberal be- 
 quests, remembered the home of his own youth and its 
 various charitable institutions which were the objects of his 
 brother's bounty : therefore — 
 
 " Voted, That the Trustees, in accepting the legacy of 
 the late Judah Touro, recognize in it an act prompted by 
 fraternal love and a philanthropy not confined within the 
 nai'row bounds of time, place, or sect." 
 
 Another vote authorized the Treasurer to receive 
 and make discharge for this generous legacy. 
 
 The death of Dr. George C. Shattuck, for many 
 years one of the Consulting Physicians of the insti- 
 tution, having been announced by Dr. Dale, it was — 
 
 " Voted, That the Board have received the intelligence of 
 the decease of Dr. Shattuck with deep regret. Tliut they 
 remember with grateful satisfaction his lonsr and useful con- 
 nection with the institution as one of the Board of Consul- 
 tation. That in common Avith the citizens of Boston they 
 deplore his loss as one who through a long and eminent 
 career In his profession was distinguished for acts of dis-
 
 488 CHANGES OF OFFICERS. 
 
 interested benevolence to the poor, making liis memory dear 
 to this community. That his munificent donations to the 
 cause of learning and science entitle him to the distinction of 
 a public benefactor ; and that in honor of his memory a record 
 of these proceedings be made and transmitted to the family 
 of the deceased." 
 
 x\fter the subject had frequently been before the 
 Board at its meetings, a Committee to whom it had 
 been referred reported at this meeting in favor of 
 erecting a building for patients suffering under offen- 
 sive diseases, near the north-west corner of the 
 Hospital grounds, at a cost of about $10,000. A 
 remonstrance against said location from those residing 
 near the Hospital was read ; and it was voted that 
 Messrs. Bullard, Rogers, and Wigglesworth be a 
 Building Committee to erect a building according to 
 the report of the said Committee. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on April 22, Dr. 
 John Homans was elected a Consulting Physician, in 
 place of Dr. George C. Shattuck, deceased. Dr. Bell 
 reported, at a meeting of the Board on July 18, that he 
 had engaged Dr. Mark Ranney of the Butler Asylum 
 as additional Assistant Physician. The salary for this 
 new officer was fixed, at the meeting of the Trustees 
 on Oct. 18, at |600. 
 
 The Physicians and Surgeons offered a communi- 
 cation to the Board at their meeting on Nov. 5,
 
 PATHOLOGICAL MUSEUM. 489 
 
 recommending the establishment of a Pathological 
 Museum at the Hospital, and the Visiting Committee 
 were instructed to report upon the subject. The 
 Treasurer was authorized to execute, acknowledge, 
 and deliver a legal instrument covenanting with the 
 Boston and Lowell Railroad Corporation to establish 
 no claim on the score of the privilege — which, by 
 courtesy, had been granted the Hospital — of laying 
 a gas-pipe from Boston across the track of said 
 railroad to the Asylum ; and agreeing at any time, 
 when so requested, to remove the pipe at the charge 
 of the Hospital. The Visiting Committee reported 
 at the meeting, Nov. 19, that it was expedient to 
 establish a Pathological Museum at the Hospital. 
 Whereupon it was "voted that, the report be ac- 
 cepted, and that the subject be referred back to the 
 Committee to report a system of rules for the man- 
 agement of the Museum, and to nominate a suitable 
 person as Curator." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Dec. 3, the follow- 
 ing communication, from the trustees under the will 
 of the late Samuel Appleton, was read, dated Boston, 
 Nov. 18, 1854: — 
 
 " As trustees under the will of the late Samuel Appleton, 
 and in accordance with what we believe would have been 
 his wish, we have transferred to the Massachusetts Genei'al 
 Hospital the following stocks, appraised according to the 
 
 62
 
 490 RULE FOR FREE BEDS. 
 
 inventory of his estate, as nearly as may be, at the sum 
 of ten thousand doHars ; viz., five shares in the Amoskeag 
 Manufacturing Company, one share in the Stark Mills, two 
 shares In the Merrimack Manufacturing Company, and one 
 share in the Appleton Manufacturing Company. This dona- 
 tion is made in trust to constitute a fund the income of v^hich 
 shall be applied to the relief of poor, curable patients at the 
 M'Lean Asylum for the Insane. In other words, it is to 
 be added to the existing ' Appleton Fund ' of that depart- 
 ment of the Institution." 
 
 Signed by N. Appleton, Wm. Appleton, and N. I. 
 Bowditch. It was then — 
 
 " Voted, That the donation be accepted upon the terms 
 mentioned in the said communication, and that the Secre- 
 tary be directed to return the thanks of this Board to the 
 trustees under the will of the late Samuel Appleton." 
 
 Mr. J. B. Bradlee having sent to the Treasurer 
 $1,000, for the purpose of procuring a life free bed, 
 it was — 
 
 *^ Voted, That art. 1, chap. 8, of the Rules and Regu- 
 lations of the Hospital be so amended as to read as follows : 
 'All subscriptions for free beds shall date from Jan. 1, 
 in each year, and any individual subscribing $100 shall be 
 entitled to a free bed at the Hospital during that year ; and 
 on payment of $1,000, or of such a sum as the applicant 
 would be required to pay for an annuity of $100 on the prin- 
 ciples of life insurance, he shall be entitled to a free bed for 
 life.'"
 
 DEATH OF DR. S. TARKMAN. 491 
 
 Messrs. Mason and Rogers were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to examine the Treasurer's accounts and pre- 
 pare the annual report. A report from the Visiting 
 Committee on a Pathological Cabinet was accepted, 
 with its recommendations, which were as follows : 
 that $100 be appropriated for commencing such a 
 Cabinet ; that a Curator for it should be chosen 
 annually by the Trustees ; that it should be his duty 
 to preserve morbid specimens and arrange them in 
 the way best fitted to make them useful ; and that he 
 should make all the autopsies excepting such as shall 
 be made by the attending Physicians and Surgeons, 
 and shall observe all the regulations now in force or 
 that may be made respecting them. Upon the nomi- 
 nation of the same Committee, the Board then elected 
 Dr. Calvin Ellis Curator of the Pathological Cabinet. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Dec. 31, the death 
 of Dr. Samuel Parkman having been announced, it 
 was — 
 
 " Voted, That this Board have heard with deep regret of 
 the decease of Dr. Samuel Parkman, one of the Surgeons 
 of the Hospital. Appointed to this high trust at the time of 
 the enlargement of our building in 1846, he has, by pro- 
 fessional skill and ability of the very highest order, reflected 
 honor on the institution, while by his agreeable manners and 
 amiable disposition he has won the sincere and universal 
 re":ard of the officers and inmates. And now that his life 
 of usefulness and virtue has been suddenly closed by severe
 
 492 INTERNAL DISCIPLINE OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 disease while he was in the strength of manhood and in the 
 full maturity of his powers, the Trustees deem it proper to 
 place upon record an expression of their profound sense of 
 the loss which they and our whole community have sustained 
 by this bereavement." 
 
 The following votes of the Trustees, passed at this 
 meeting, may be inserted here, as manifesting the 
 pains taken to perfect the internal discipline of the 
 Hospital : — 
 
 " Voted, That the Superintendent and House Officers be 
 directed to see that the nurses of the Hospital are in their 
 several wards each morning, ready for duty, before the night- 
 watchers leave the ward-rooms for the day, in order that there 
 may be no period of time when the patients shall be without 
 attendants, and to report all cases of remissness to the Visit- 
 in 2; Committee." 
 
 " Voted, That the Physicians, Surgeons, and otlier offi- 
 cers of the Hospital, be particularly requested to take notice 
 of every thing which occurs within the building that, in 
 their judgment, is detrimental to the health or comfort of 
 the patients, inconsistent with the rules and regulations, or 
 adverse in any way to the best interests of the establish- 
 ment, and report the same to the Visiting Committee." 
 
 The Secretary was instructed to communicate these 
 votes to all the officers, and the Superintendent was 
 directed to impart them to the nurses and other at- 
 tendants of the Hospital. Dr. George H. Gay was 
 elected a Visiting Surgeon, in the place of Ur. Samuel 
 Parkman.
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1855. 493 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, Feb. 4, 
 1855, all the officers of the preceding year were re- 
 elected, except that on the part of the Common- 
 wealth Mr. Henry M. Holbrook was chosen a Trustee, 
 in place of Mr. John P. Bigelow. At the subsequent 
 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Mr. N. I. Bow- 
 ditch Avas chosen Chairman. With the exception of 
 Dr. John Homans, in place of Dr. G. C. Shattuck, 
 deceased, on the Board of Consultation, and of Dr. 
 G. H. Gay, in the place of Dr. Samuel Parkman, 
 deceased, as one of the Visiting Surgeons, those 
 Boards, and also that of the Visiting Physicians, 
 remained as in the last year. Dr. J. Bacon, jun., was 
 elected Chemist and Microscopist ; Dr. Calvin Ellis, 
 Curator of the Pathological Cabinet ; Dr. Samuel L. 
 Abbot Admitting Physician, Richard Girdler Super- 
 intendent, of the Hospital ; and Dr. Luther V. Bell, 
 Physician and Superintendent of the Asylum ; Colum- 
 bus Tyler Steward, and Mrs. Mary E. Tyler Matron, 
 of the same. The Standing Committees were chosen, 
 and the Visiting Committees were arranged for the 
 ensuing year. 
 
 The Committee were authorized to print two thou- 
 sand copies of the annual report. In this report the 
 property of the Corporation from which income is 
 derived is set at $206,042.02. The whole income of 
 it for the year had been $25,291.40. There had been
 
 494 REPORT FOR 1854. 
 
 admitted to the Hospital 922 patients : the whole 
 number under medical advice or treatment had been 
 1,041. The expenses of the Hospital had been 
 $40,654.78, of which patients had paid $6,128.49. 
 The average weekly expense of each had been 
 $5.46. The internal condition of the Hospital was 
 highly satisfactory, the Superintendent and all the 
 officers having faithfully performed their duties. The 
 successful establishment of a Pathological Cabinet is 
 remarked upon. In view of preventing any serious 
 encroachment on the funds, the Committee think that 
 an effort should be made to reduce the number of 
 patients supported wholly at the expense of the 
 Hospital. The urgent need that had long been felt 
 of a separate ward for cases of a foul and dangerous 
 nature, to relieve and secure other patients from dis- 
 comfort and risk, had during the year been supplied. 
 At the cost of $12,000, including that for a neces- 
 sary sea-wall, a commodious building of two stories, 
 west of the main edifice, had been erected, contain- 
 ing sixteen rooms, with every needful convenience. 
 Mr. Judah Touro's generous bequest recalls the 
 remembrance of the like munificence of his brother, 
 Abraham. Renewed gratitude is expressed to the 
 trustees of the late Samuel Appleton, a former Trus- 
 tee and Vice-President, for directing, in the exercise 
 of the discretion left to them, so generous an appor-
 
 THANKS TO J. P. BIGELOW. 495 
 
 tionment of his estate to this institution. Attention 
 is called to the dilapidated state of the fence, and the 
 opportunity for embellishing and improving by walks, 
 shrubbery, flowers, and culture, the extensive grounds 
 of the Hospital, reaching as they do to low-water 
 mark. Heartfelt tributes are rendered to the memory 
 and devoted services of Drs. Parkman and Shattuck. 
 From some statistical facts embodied in a table, it 
 appeared that during the last seventeen years 
 $295,074 had been gratuitously expended by the 
 Hospital, and that there had been received into it 
 in twenty years nearly twelve thousand patients. 
 
 The expenses of the Asylum for the year had been 
 $46,724.31 ; the receipts for the board of patients 
 being $53,821.43. Dr. Bell makes a very brief 
 report, having so fully in previous years treated the 
 general subjects of his experience. He had received 
 during the year 120 patients ; had had under his care 
 315, of whom 195 remained. He again bears testi- 
 mony to the fidelity and earnest co-operation of all 
 the subordinates of the Asylum. 
 
 The Board at its meeting on Feb. 18, taking 
 notice of the fact that Mr. J. P. Bigelow had not 
 been re-elected as a Trustee on the part of the 
 Commonwealth, voted to him their thanks — 
 
 " For die faithful performance of those duties for which he 
 was so well qualified by his general intelligence and by his
 
 496 RESIGNATION OF DR. J. BIGELOW. 
 
 experience acquired in other high public trusts ; and that 
 while he has gained the good-will of the patients by the 
 interest he uniformly manifested in their behalf, his amiable 
 disposition and pleasant manners have always been highly 
 appreciated by his late colleagues, the members of this Board." 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on March 18, the 
 Visiting Committee reported on a communication 
 received from Dr. Bacon, and referred to them, that 
 the duties of a Microscopist more appropriately 
 belong to the office of Curator of the Pathological 
 Cabinet, and advised that hereafter the said duties 
 should be performed by that officer instead of by Dr. 
 Bacon, who shall remain Chemist. The report was 
 accepted. The Visiting Committee also received full 
 power to engage the services of Mr. Hermogen S. 
 Balcom, as x\pothecary, in place of Mr. Tucker, 
 resigned. 
 
 The salary of the male Supervisor of the Asylum 
 was raised to six hundred dollars by the Board 
 of Trustees, at their meeting on April 18. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Aug. 7, a com- 
 munication was received from Dr. Jacob Bigelow, 
 resigning his office of Visiting Physician, on which 
 it was — 
 
 ''Voted, That the resignation be accepted, and that a 
 Committee be appointed lo report resolutions expressive of 
 the sense this Board entertains of the valuable services of 
 Dr. Biijelow."
 
 TRIBUTE TO DR. BIGELOW. 497 
 
 Messrs. Dale, E-ogers, and Stevenson were ap- 
 pointed such Committee. Dr. Augustus A. Gould 
 was, by ballot, chosen to fill the vacancy as a 
 Visiting Physician. 
 
 The report of the Committee on the resignation 
 of Dr. Bigelow, made at the meeting on Aug. 15, 
 was as follows : — 
 
 " That Dr. Bigelow was elected as one of the Consulting 
 Physicians of this Hospital in 1827 ; that he has been 
 immediately connected with the institution since that date ; 
 that he has brought to its service great skill, a large experi- 
 ence, deep knowledge, and an unusual degree of good judg- 
 ment ; that his services, invaluable as they are known to have 
 been, and occupying much of his time, as they are known to 
 have done, have been requited only by the consciousness on 
 his part of devotion to humane duties, and by the respect 
 and affection of those who have known how faithfully those 
 duties have been performed. And the Committee recom- 
 mend that he be requested by the Trustees to permit his bust 
 or portrait to be taken by a competent artist, to be preserved 
 in the Hospital." 
 
 In accepting this report, the Board authorized 
 and instructed the same Committee to take the 
 necessary steps for carrying their recommendation 
 into effect. 
 
 On Sept. 15, a Committee, to Avhom had been 
 referred the converting of the Lecture and Recep- 
 tion Room in the Hospital into rooms for patients, 
 reported to the Board that they had attended to 
 
 63
 
 498 RESIGNATION OF DR. BELL. 
 
 that duty, and that, through the changes they had 
 made, the number of beds for patients had been 
 increased by twenty-three, at an expense, including 
 the furniture, of $3,009.45. The new wards thus 
 formed were appropriated to male patients. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Oct. 12, Mr. 
 George T. Lyman, as executor of the will of the 
 late Miss Elizabeth Pratt, communicated to the 
 Trustees that she had left ten thousand dollars 
 for the use and benefit of the Hospital in Bos- 
 ton, and the same sum for the use and benefit of 
 the Asylum at Somerville. The Treasurer was au- 
 thorized to receive and receipt for these legacies, 
 and was instructed to enter them in his books to 
 the credit of each department. A special Com- 
 mittee was empowered to contract for a new fence 
 around the grounds of the Hospital, at an expense 
 not exceeding $5,500. 
 
 At the regular quarterly meeting of the Board, 
 held at the Asylum on Oct. 17, a communication 
 having been received from Dr. Bell resigning his 
 office at the close of the year, it was — 
 
 " Voted, That it be referred to a Committee consisting of 
 Messrs. Stevenson, Lamb, Warren, and Bullard, to express 
 to Dr. Bell the deep regret which the Board feels, and to 
 confer with him upon the general state of the institution." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Dec. 16, Messrs.
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1856. 499 
 
 Wiggleswortli and Shaw were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to examine the Treasurer's accounts, and to 
 prepare the annual report. Satisfactory arrange- 
 ments had been made during the year with the 
 Eitchburg Raih'oad Company, for land of the Cor- 
 poration taken by them to widen their track. At 
 the meeting on Jan. 11, Mr. N. I. Bowditch declined, 
 by letter, a re-election as Trustee, as did also Mr. 
 G. H. Shaw, at the meeting of the Board on 
 Jan. 23. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, on 
 Jan. 23, 1856, but few changes were made in the 
 Board. Messrs. William Appleton, Henry Andrews, 
 and Marcus Morton, jun., were respectively re-elected 
 as President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Mr. N. I. 
 Bowditch was chosen Vice-President, in place of Mr. 
 Robert Hooper. The Trustees on the part of the 
 Commonwealth were the same as last year ; and 
 on the part of the Corporation they were Messrs. 
 James B. Bradlee, W. W. Greenough, Robert 
 M. Mason, Charles H. Mills, H. B. Rogers, J. T. 
 Stevenson, Charles H. Warren, and Edward Wig- 
 gles worth. 
 
 At the first meeting of the Trustees, on Eeb. 3, 
 after this organization, Mr. Henry B. Rogers was 
 elected Chairman. The same six Physicians and 
 Surgeons as last year were re-chosen as the Board
 
 500 REPORT FOR 1855. 
 
 of Consultation. On the Board of Visiting Physi- 
 cians, Dr. A. A. Gould took the place of Dr. Jacob 
 Bigelovv ; that of Visiting Surgeons was the same. 
 Dr. John Bacon, jun., was re-elected Chemist; Dr. 
 Calvin Ellis, Curator of the Pathological Cabinet ; 
 Dr. S. L. Abbot Admitting Physician, and E,. Gird- 
 ler Superintendent, of the Hospital. The choice 
 of Physician and Superintendent of the Asylum was 
 postponed ; Mr. and Mrs. Tyler being re-appointed 
 Steward and Matron. The Standing Committees 
 were designated, and the Visiting Committees ar- 
 ranged for the year. It was provided that two 
 thousand copies of the annual report be printed. 
 This report estimates the amount of the property of 
 the Corporation yielding income to be $173,179.27, 
 that income having been for the last year $45,525, 
 of which $18,000 had been an extra dividend from 
 the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Com- 
 pany. There had been admitted into the Hospital 
 915 patients, of which 414 were wholly free, and 147 
 more paid for board only a part of the time. The 
 average length of time of the stay of free patients, 
 which in 1853 had been seven weeks, had grown, 
 in 1855, to eleven weeks and four days. The Com- 
 mittee think the causes of this increase should be 
 investigated. The whole expense of conducting the 
 Hospital for the year was $43,252.51, of which
 
 REPORT FOR 1855. 501 
 
 $8,889.17 was repaid by the patients. The average 
 weekly expense of each was $5.64. The rate of 
 board had been slightly raised, and there had been an 
 mcrease in the number of paying patients. The new 
 wards, constructed during the year, had proved very 
 satisfactory ; and thanks are regarded as due to Mr. 
 H. B. Rogers for his superintendence of the changes. 
 During the year, 280 out-door medical and 356 
 out-door surgical patients had been prescribed and 
 cared for. The munificent bequest of Miss Pratt 
 is noticed. The resignation of Dr. Jacob Bigelow 
 calls forth a renewed tribute to his abilities, services, 
 and virtues; while the Committee say, "No panegyric 
 of ours could add to the esteem which he has 
 won by a long course of honorable labor." Ex- 
 traordinary outlays at the Asylum for gas-fixtures, 
 bowling-alleys, billiard-tables, and piano-fortes, had 
 increased the expenses, there to $60,867.26, while 
 the receipts had been |57, 115.38. The cost of each 
 patient a week was |5.50. There had been ad- 
 mitted 318 patients : of these, 192 remained. 
 
 Dr. Bell, having tendered his resignation, as be- 
 fore noticed, to take effect at this time, offers in his 
 report some general and some personal suggestions. 
 He refers to the accessories gathered at the institu- 
 tion by the liberality of friends and the co-operation 
 of the Trustees, to secure there a well-ordered and a
 
 502 DR. bell's administration. 
 
 well-furnished home, in order to keep up the char- 
 acter of the establishment in its provisions for the 
 comfort, interest, and restoration of the inmates. 
 The erection of a beautiful, well-warmed bowling- 
 alley, the fitting up of two new billiard-tables, and 
 the purchase of three new pianos for the female 
 side, and the provision of a third billiard-table for 
 the male side, have added to the means of health- 
 ful amusement. The introduction of gas, and of 
 Cochituate water, and the improved ventilating ap- 
 paratus, have added largely to the comfort of the 
 inmates. The first attempt in this country to warm 
 institutions for the insane, by the medium of steam 
 or hot water, had been successfully made here. It 
 has secured an almost fixity of heat, and at a 
 moderate outlay. The partitions under the dome 
 of the male wing having been removed, a spacious 
 and beautiful apartment had been secured as a dor- 
 mitory for ten or twelve persons. The farm- buildings 
 had been largely added to. The two noble edifices 
 for the Appleton wards had been occupied, and had 
 proved of eminent advantage. 
 
 Dr. Bell then refers to his own withdrawal as a 
 candidate for re-election. With a clinging of heart 
 to the place and scenes of such devoted service as he 
 has rendered, he says that he has made his — 
 
 " Arrangements to retii-e to a spot not far distant where
 
 DR. bell's valedictory. 503 
 
 I shall have the happiness of opening my eyes each morning 
 on this blessed institution, and feeling that my own happi- 
 ness will be intimately connected with witnessing its con- 
 tinued prosperity. I hope hereafter to be no stranger within 
 its walls ; hence I feel that no melancholy valedictory is re- 
 quired or would be in keeping with the occasion of my hand- 
 ing over this charge to another. I will only say that, as far 
 as I know, I leave this asylum prosperous in its own affairs, 
 and amply possessed of the confidence of the community. I 
 leave it with a heart grateful to that Superintending Prov- 
 idence which shielded me for so many years from those 
 bereavements and that ill-health which have of late over- 
 whelmed me, so that I have been enabled to do something 
 for those placed under my care, as well as for the general 
 cause of the insane over our country. Grateful for the uni- 
 form support, the indulgent forbearance, the kind sympathy 
 in my many trials, of the members of your Board, present and 
 past; grateful to the medical profession, whose cheerful and 
 ready confidence and uniform courtesy are and ever will be 
 very dear to my memory ; grateful to a community which has, 
 in the various attacks to which this and all such institutions 
 are ever liable from the mistaken, the ungratified, and the 
 malignant, sprung promptly to our relief, rendering expla- 
 nations and defences superfluous ; grateful to a long line of 
 recovered patients, of both sexes, whose kindly recognition 
 of our efforts has inspired new activity and made labors 
 pleasant, however in themselves anxious and exhausting ; 
 and, lastly, grateful to those associated with me in various 
 capacities — most of them for many years, and some during 
 my entire service — in the discharge of our holy functions ; — 
 I can mark the day of my leaving these walls, with a 'white 
 stone,' and enter again the world without one feeling other 
 than that of kindness and irood-will to all mankind."
 
 504 REVIEW OF TWENTY YEARS. 
 
 Dr. Bell was elected Superintendent of the Asylum 
 in December, 1836. Having thus given nineteen years 
 to its service, he refers to the fact that he had made 
 no application for the office, and had not known even 
 that he was thought of for it, being a stranger to 
 every member of the Board and almost to the Com- 
 monwealth. Yet he trusts that the years have not 
 passed for him without adding something to the com- 
 mon stock of knowledge of the treatment, moral and 
 medical, of insanity. The Institution, almost the 
 earliest of the curative hospitals of the land, had 
 freely shared its experience with the successive insti- 
 tutions which had since been established from Maine 
 to California. " Christianity," he says, " can hardly 
 show a mightier triumph than the fact that the num- 
 ber of hospitals for the insane in the United States 
 has increased from half-a-dozen to between forty and 
 fifty." Each of the four larger British Provinces ad- 
 joining us has provided its large and well-furnished 
 Institution, substantially on this model. Experience 
 has led to a discriminating as well as an improved use 
 of means of moral treatment trusted in for the care of 
 the insane. Some fancied schemes have been aban- 
 doned, as has much reliance upon mechanical and 
 agricultural labor, because of a change in the class 
 of patients. For several years there was a disuse of 
 all the forms of muscular restraint, but the experi-
 
 EXPERIMENTS IF THE ASYLUM. 505 
 
 ment, very much vaunted, proved that no such exclu- 
 sive system was, here at least, compatible with the 
 true interests of all patients. A trial also was made 
 of allowing very many patients to go abroad on 
 parole. No accident occurred, and the pledge vas 
 rarely broken. But the patients were invariably 
 found to be made by it less contented, and the con- 
 clusion was forced upon the officers " that almost 
 every patient who was so far disordered in mind as 
 to justify detention at all, was too much disordered 
 for even a qualified liberty." The experiment of per- 
 mitting the intermingling of the sexes in daily relig- 
 ious exercises and in occasions of festivity, though 
 under the close supervision of officers and attend- 
 ants, was thoroughly tested for several years, but its 
 inconveniences long ago led to its abandonment. 
 The interdiction of the visits and correspondence of 
 friends, in so many cases, has always proved to be 
 one of the severest trials of those in charge of such 
 institutions, as well as one of the grounds of the dis- 
 trust, impatience, and censorious criticism of outside 
 observers. But the indispensable necessity of this 
 restriction, as it was one of the earliest of the recorded 
 facts of medical observation, so has it been confirmed 
 in every day's experience of every asylum. On no 
 point is the head of such an institution more tempted 
 to yield or evade his convictions of duty than on this, 
 
 64
 
 506 DR. bell's experience. 
 
 pressed as he is by the solicitations, the importunities, 
 and the teasings of those most interested in his 
 patients, and subjected to the false reasonings, the 
 caprices, and the murmurs of those influenced by only 
 one set of their feelings, while jeopardizing the 
 recovery of the sufi'erers who engage them. Dr. 
 Bell expresses himself with earnestness and decision 
 on this point ; for he had had sore trials of his fidel- 
 ity to a course on which his full experience and his 
 intelligent and conscientious observation had given 
 him fixed convictions. He was glad to have the love 
 of those under his charge and of their friends, but he 
 would not win that love by acting, as does a so-called 
 indulgent physician, who allows his patient to have 
 his own way as to diet and regimen. The friends of 
 patients, however nature may sway them, should 
 respect such convictions as these, and of such a man. 
 Having devoted so much of his life to this specialty, 
 he leaves it as his one full counsel to any one who 
 may be called to like trust " to stand firm to his con- 
 victions on this greatest item of moral treatment." 
 It is to be remembered, too, that this system of restric- 
 tion of correspondence and visits is not a general rule 
 applied to all patients, but only to those who are 
 probably recoverable. 
 
 The whole number of patients admitted into the 
 Asylum up to this time had been 4,006 ; Dr. Bell
 
 DR. bell's administration. 507 
 
 having had the care of 2,696 of them. The Com- 
 mittee in their report refer with much feeling to the 
 services of Dr. Bell, and pay a most deserved tribute 
 to his abilities and virtues. The number of patients 
 had nearly trebled under his administration, and the 
 Institution had gained a high and wide-spread repu- 
 tation. The Committee declare, — 
 
 " It is unnecessary for us to say how much the Trustees 
 regret to lose his services. His skill and kindness and care, 
 his activity, decision, and fertility of resources, have been 
 conspicuous in his management of the patients ; his quick per- 
 ception and uniform courtesy have given him that influence 
 over their friends which is one of the first requisites for the 
 successful treatment of the insane ; while his weight of charac- 
 ter has won the confidence of the community, and preserved 
 the Asylum in a great measure from that suspicion and 
 obloquy to which such institutions are pecuharly exposed." 
 
 It will be remembered that Mr. Bowditch has 
 quoted, on a previous page, the explicit condition on 
 which Dr. Bell, then a stranger to the Board, was 
 put in charge of his responsible trust. It was that he 
 should pledge himself to " pursue the course of moral 
 and religious treatment of patients adopted by Dr. 
 Lee." The occasion of his death, six years after this 
 date, while giving his professional services to his 
 country in her patriotic army, will call for a subse- 
 quent reference to him in these pages. But, in con- 
 nection with the close of his devoted labors at the
 
 508 VOTE OF THE CORPORATION. 
 
 Asylum, it is but proper to recognize here how he had 
 so faithfully fulfilled his first pledge, not only in its 
 terms, but in self-consecration to a most arduous 
 work. In the touching farewell words which have 
 just been copied from his report, it will be observed 
 that he described the offices which he shared with 
 his subordinates at the Asylum as " holy functions." 
 No simpler, no more fitting terms could be chosen 
 for defining his own devout, reverential, and lofty 
 estimate of the nature of his duties, and of the charac- 
 ter and spirit required in himself for their discharge. 
 His tenderness, sympathy, refinement, and spirituality, 
 his perfect self-command, his patience and earnest- 
 ness, were combined with a vast intellectual power and 
 with talents of philosophical and scientific breadth 
 and vigor which are rarely bestowed on one man, 
 and if possessed would be more rarely given and 
 concentrated as they were by him on such an unin- 
 viting and limited sphere of service. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Corporation, held 
 Jan. 23, 1856, it was, — 
 
 " Voted, That the Corporation have heard with deep regret 
 of the resignation of Dr. Luther V. Bell, the Physician and 
 Superintendent of the M'Lean Asykim for the Insane ; and, 
 in parting with him, they desire to record their grateful 
 recognition of the profound knowledge, devoted zeal, and 
 remarkable sagacity with which he has performed the delicate 
 and responsible duties of the office he has so long honored."
 
 509 
 
 CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 March 16, 1856, to Feb. 5, 1862. 
 
 Routine Business at the Meetings of the Trustees. — New Fence 
 AT THE Hospital. — Dr. C. Booth elected Superintendent of the 
 Asylum, and Dr. J. C. Smith an Assistant Physician. — Resignation 
 OF Dr. Perry. — Notice of the Death of Dr. J. C. Warren. — Pro- 
 posal for a Sea- Wall on the Hospital Bounds. — Bequest of Wil- 
 liam Read. — Important Votes concerning the Asylum. — Annual 
 Meeting. — Organization for 1857. — Report for 1856. — Illness 
 of Dr. Booth. — Contribution to Dr. Morton. — Dr L. M. Sar- 
 gent, JUN., chosen Artist of the Hospital. — Gift from Dr. J. M. 
 Warren. — Death of Dr. Booth. — Temporary Service of Dr. 
 Bell. — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 1858. — Report for 
 1857. — Bequests of M. P. Sawyer and W. Pickman. — Dr. J. E. 
 Tyler, Superintendent of the Asylum. — Bequest of Dr. J. G. 
 Treadwell. — Office of Resident Physician at the Hospital. — 
 Resignation of Superintendent Girdler, and of the Secretary. 
 
 — Malignant Fever at the Hospital. — Donation from Executors 
 of Thomas Dowse. — T. B. Hall chosen Secretary. — Dr. B. S. 
 Shaw chosen Resident Physician, and Dr. S. L. Abbot, Physician 
 to Out-Patients, at the Hospital. — Application of a Female 
 Student. — Mr. and Mrs. Gallison chosen Steward and Matron 
 of the Hospital. — Thanks to Capt. Girdler. — Tribute to Dr. 
 Stoker. — Dr. F. Minot chosen a Visiting Physician. — Bequest 
 OP Mrs. a. Austin. — Establishment of the Treadwell Library. 
 
 — Estate of M. P. Sawyer. — Filling of Flats. — Annual Meet- 
 ing. — Organization for 1859. — Report for 1858. — Resignation 
 of the Treasurer, and Election of Mr. Stevenson. — More Land 
 AT THE Asylum. — Bequests of George Hills and of Mrs. S. B. 
 Thompson. — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 1860. — Report 
 FOR 1859. — Dr. Tyler's Report. — Important Votes. — Bequest of 
 Jonathan Phillips. — Reduction of Expenses. — Annual Meeting. 
 
 — Organization for 1861. — Report for 1860. — New Cottage at 
 the Asylum. — Death of Mr. Bowditch. — Sketch of his Life and 
 Character. — His Work on Suffolk Surnames. — The Civil War. 
 
 — Preparations to receive Diseased and Wounded Soldiers. —
 
 510 
 
 ROUTINE BUSINESS. 
 
 A New Form of Bond for Patients at the Asylum. — Absence of 
 THE Chairman. — Bounds of the Hospital Grounds. — Donation 
 BY Mr. W. Appleton. 
 
 In deriving the substance of the matter for the pages 
 of this History from the records of the Trustees 
 and from the annual reports made to the Corpora- 
 tion, many details of business and of discipline are 
 necessarily omitted, as either trivial in the retrospect, 
 or of mere routine, or such as are naturally to be 
 inferred in the management and oversight of such a 
 trust. The Trustees at their very frequent and never 
 intermitted meetings, held once in a fortnight, inform 
 themselves upon all the facts connected with the 
 internal working and discipline of both the institu- 
 tions under their charge ; they direct the repairs and 
 alterations of the buildings, and their furnishings ; 
 they give attention to all proposals for change, where 
 change promises improvement ; they listen to reports 
 from the Visiting Committees as to the number, con- 
 dition, and circumstances of the patients ; they are 
 informed as to the investments of their funds ; they, 
 fix the number of free beds, the rates of board and 
 the time, extended when necessary in special cases, 
 during which invalids or convalescents may remain 
 under care, and they elect from year to year the six 
 House Pupils, with the aid of testimonials offered by 
 applicants and of recommendations from the Surgical
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. PERRY. 511 
 
 and Medical Boards. At regular quarterly meetings 
 at the Hospital and Asylum,' the Finance Committee 
 examines the accounts of either institution. In these 
 pages only matters apart from this routine are brought 
 to notice. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on March 16, 1856, 
 Mr. G. H. Shaw, for the Committee on a new fence 
 around the Hospital grounds, reported that he had 
 procured subscriptions to the amount of f3,250 for 
 that object, made on the condition that enough to 
 cover the expense should yet be obtained. It was 
 then " voted that the Chairman of the Board be 
 authorized to subscribe, in behalf of the Trustees," 
 the needful balance. 
 
 Dr. Chauncey Booth was, by ballot, elected Physi- 
 cian and Superintendent of the M'Lean Asylum. A 
 Committee appointed upon the subject of the resig- 
 nation of Dr. Bell were authorized to procure a bust 
 or portrait of him to be placed in the Asylum. At 
 the meeting on April 16, on the nomination of Dr. 
 Booth, Dr. Jerome C. Smith was elected additional 
 Assistant Physician at the Asylum, at a salary of 
 $600. The salary of Dr. Ranney, the Assistant 
 Physician, was fixed at $700. 
 
 At the meeting on May 4, a letter was received 
 from Dr. M. S. Perry, resigning his office as one of 
 the Visiting Physicians. Whereupon it was —
 
 512 DEATH OF DR. JOHN C. WARREN. 
 
 " Voted, That the Trustees accept with regret the resigna- 
 tion of Dr. M. S. Perry. His professional ability, his uni- 
 form courtesy to his colleagues, his kindness to the patients, 
 and his faithfulness manifested in the discharge of the duties 
 of his office, entitle him to the grateful remembrance of the 
 Board." 
 
 The Secretary was instructed to communicate this 
 vote to Dr. Perry. 
 
 The Chairman announced the death of Dr. John C. 
 Warren, when it was voted that the Chairman and 
 Mr. Wigglesworth be a Committee to prepare suit- 
 able resolutions expressive of the sense the Trustees 
 entertain of this loss, to be reported at the next 
 meeting, which was held on May 5. The following 
 votes proposed by the Committee were then unani- 
 mously adopted : ^- 
 
 ^'Votedf That the death of John Collins Warren, though 
 deferred by a kind Providence until the labors of a long life 
 had come to a natural close, is an event that cannot be 
 passed over by the Trustees of the Massachusetts General 
 Hospital without a tribute of respect for his character, and 
 of gratitude for the services which he has rendered to this 
 Institution and the community at large. 
 
 " Voted, That Dr. Warren, in conjunction with his friend 
 and contemporary. Dr. James Jackson, who still lives among 
 us honored and beloved, was mainly instrumental in originat- 
 ing the General Hospital and M'Lean Asylum by issuing in 
 August, 1810, a circular letter to the public on the need of 
 such an institution, and afterwards rendered valuable service 
 in arranging and perfecting its organization. That for nearly 
 tliirty-six years, viz., from April fi, 1817, to Feb. 1853, he
 
 ENOmmn BY ■m.Wr.LCH. PHtL<' mOMAmGnERREOnTESTJOJlNA. imiPPLE. BOSTON. 
 
 . / iiijij uMIV^ESITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
 
 DR. C. E. WARE CHOSEN VISITING PHYSICIAN. 513 
 
 was at first the sole and subsequently the principal acting 
 Surgeon, in daily attendance upon its wards, and by his 
 eminent talents, knowledge, and practical skill, as well as by 
 his fidelity, energy, and untiring devotion, in behalf of all 
 the interests of the Institution, largely contributed to make 
 it what it now is, an honor to the city and to the Common- 
 wealth. 
 
 ''Voted, That during his long life Dr. Warren spared 
 neither labor nor expense in the pursuit of professional 
 eminence and usefulness ; maintained his position in the 
 front rank of the surgeons of his time ; did much by personal 
 effort and liberal donations to promote the cause of natural 
 science, and added to the lustre of the name which he 
 inherited from a distinguished father, and transmits to a 
 distinguished son. 
 
 " Notwithstandinor a delicate and enfeebled constitution, 
 his resolute spirit sustained his professional activity and 
 interest to the last,' and he found his reward in his own con- 
 sciousness as well as in fortune and fame. The community 
 in which he lias been for so many years conspicuous will 
 long hold his memory in honor. 
 
 " Voted, That the Trustees sympathize with the family of 
 the late Dr. Warren in their bereavement, and in token 
 of their respect for his memory will attend the funeral, if 
 agreeable to them. 
 
 " Voted, That the Secretary be directed to enclose a copy 
 of these votes to the family of the deceased." 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on May 18, Mr. 
 Charles H. Warren communicated to the Board his 
 resignation as a member of it. 
 
 Dr. Charles E. Ware, at the meeting of the Board 
 on June 1 , was chosen Visiting Physician, in the place 
 
 65
 
 514 J. p. BIGELOW, TRUSTEE. 
 
 of Dr. Perry, resigned. Mr. John Lowell was, on 
 June 24, elected a Trustee, in the place of Mr. C. H. 
 Warren, resigned. Proposed changes in the Pules 
 and Regulations, reported by a Committee, were 
 adopted by the Board. 
 
 The proposed extension of Charles Street, by the 
 city authorities, over the flats belonging to this Cor- 
 poration, was brought to a renewed notice by the 
 Board, on Aug. 12, through a letter addressed to the 
 Chairman, from the Chairman of the Committee on 
 Streets, notifying the Board that that Committee 
 " will report in favor of building a substantial sea- 
 wall on the Commissioners' Line, in consideration 
 of the Hospital's accepting the same, in liquidation 
 of any and all damages in consequence of the lay- 
 ing out by the city of Boston a street over the flats 
 belonging to the Corporation, provided said Corpora- 
 tion will give permission for and to the city to enter 
 upon their flats for the purpose of building said 
 wall." An early answer was desired, as the Commit- 
 tee added that, in case the off'er was declined, they 
 should forthwith make a contract for a pile bridge. 
 The Board voted that it was not expedient to accept 
 the proposition. 
 
 On Sept. 23, by election of the Board of Visit- 
 ors, the Hon. John P. Bigelow again became a 
 Trustee, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation 
 of Mr. Henry M. Holbrook.
 
 NIGHT-WATCH AT ASYLUM. 515 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Oct. 10, a legacy 
 of 12,000, left to the institution by the will of 
 William Read of Marblehead, was accepted by the 
 Trustees, on the conditions set forth by the testator. 
 Messrs. Lowell and Bradlee were appointed, on Dec. 
 14, a Committee to examine the Treasurer's accounts, 
 and to prepare the annual report. 
 
 The following very important votes were passed 
 by the Trustees, at their meeting on Jan. 21, 
 1857: — 
 
 '^ Voted, That the Physician and Superintendent of the 
 M'Lean Asylum be requested to communicate by letter to 
 the Chairman of the Trustees the death of any patient under 
 his charge, as soon as may be after the happening of the 
 same, together with all the important facts and circumstances 
 relating thereto. Also, that he cause all occurrences of any 
 importance, which transpire within the Asylum, to be re- 
 ported to him by all persons under his authority, as soon as 
 practicable after they take place." 
 
 " Voted, That he cause a night-watch to be organized in 
 both the male and female wards, which shall pass thi'ough 
 each grallerv as often as once in each half hour durinoj each 
 night, from ten to six o'clock. Also, that in case of any violent 
 death, he cause a coroner to be summoned. Also, that at no 
 time, excepting during the night-watch, shall any gallery, in 
 either ward, be without a person actually present there as an 
 attendant ; and that such arrangements be made as shall 
 effectually carry this object into operation." 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 on Jan. 28, 1857, when the annual report of the
 
 516 ORGANIZATION FOR 1857. 
 
 Committee, with accompanying documents, which 
 had been accepted by the Trustees, were laid before 
 it. At the next meeting of the Trustees on Feb. 8, 
 it appeared that the Corporation had elected the 
 following officers for the ensuing year : William 
 Appleton, President; N. I. Bovvditch, Vice-President ; 
 Henry Andrews, Treasurer ; Marcus Morton, jun., 
 Secretary ; with Messrs. J. B. Bradlee, W. W. Green- 
 ough, John Lowell, R. M. Mason, C. H. Mills, H. B. 
 Rogers, J. T. Stevenson, and Edward Wigglesworth, 
 Trustees on the part of the Corporation ; and Messrs. 
 J. P. Bigelow, W. S. Bullard, W. J. Dale, and 
 Thomas Lamb, Trustees on the part of the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 The Board elected Mr. Rogers as its Chairman for 
 the ensuing year. Drs. James Jackson, John Jeffries, 
 Edward Reynolds, George Hayward, John Homans, 
 and Winslow Lewis, were chosen as the Board of 
 Consultation; Drs. D. H. Storer, J. B. S. Jackson, 
 H. L Bowditch, G. C. Shattuck, A. A. Gould, and C. 
 E. Ware, the Board of Visiting Physicians ; Drs. S. 
 D. Townsend, J. M. Warren, H. J. Bigelow, H. G. 
 Clark, Samuel Cabot, jun., and G. H. Gay, the Board 
 of Visiting Surgeons. Dr. John Bacon, jun., was 
 chosen Chemist; Dr. Calvin Ellis, Microscopist and 
 Curator of the Pathological Cabinet ; Dr. Samuel L. 
 Abbot, Admitting Physician; and Richard Girdler,
 
 REPORT FOR 1856. 517 
 
 Superintendent of the Hospital ; Dr. Chauncey Booth, 
 Physician and Superintendent of the M'Lean Asylum ; 
 and Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, as Steward and Matron. 
 The Standing Committees were appointed, and the 
 Visiting Committees were arranged for the year. 
 
 It was voted that two thousand copies of the annual 
 report be printed. This report states that the ex- 
 penses of the institution have considerably exceeded 
 its receipts from all sources, — a state of things which 
 calls for the serious consideration of its Trustees 
 and friends. The income has been $24,719.53 ; the 
 expenses have been $40,986.77, — the excess being 
 largely accounted for by repairs and permanent 
 improvements, especially the brick and iron fence 
 around the grounds of the Hospital. But a defi- 
 ciency has existed for many years. There had been 
 976 patients in the Hospital, at an average weekly 
 expense for each of $5,492. The resignation of Dr. 
 Perry and the death of Dr. Warren are noticed. 
 The receipt of legacies, of $2,000 from the Hon. 
 William Read of Marblehead, and of $40,000 from 
 the late John Bromfield, Esq., is acknowledged. At 
 the Asylum, 149 patients had been admitted, and 
 196 remained at the end of the year. The average 
 weekly cost for each patient had been $6.11. Dr. 
 Chauncey Booth, having for thirteen years filled with 
 great acceptance the post of Assistant Physician,
 
 518 REPORT OF DR. BOOTH. 
 
 had entered upon the higher position left vacant by 
 the resignation of Dr. Bell. The hope and confi- 
 dence of the Trustees in this appointment were 
 saddened and thwarted by the early death of this 
 excellent and accomplished gentleman, in the very 
 vigor of his years. The report which he made — 
 and Providence disposed that it should be his only 
 official return — is long, elaborate, and full of in- 
 terest. It proves with what devotion of heart and 
 mind, and with what pains-taking inquiries of ob- 
 servation and research, he had given himself to the 
 specialty of his profession. He reviews the working 
 of the system known as Moral Treatment^ introduced 
 into the institution by its first medical director, Dr. 
 Wyman, and now accepted " throughout the civilized 
 world," — " not an arbitrary, but a progressive sys- 
 tem." He discusses the question of the increase 
 of insanity, with a cursory examination of its causes, 
 in the manners and habits of the people, the mode 
 of educating the young, the neglect of physical train- 
 ing, and hereditary transmission. He calls attention 
 to the jurisprudence of his subject and the need of 
 a more thorough investigation of the relations between 
 insanity and crime. The earnest and intelligent 
 spirit which Dr. Booth thus manifested in magni- 
 . fying the high and responsible office to which he had 
 given his youth and early manhood is a token of the
 
 GIFT TO DR. W. T. G. MORTON. 519 
 
 work which he would have effected had his life been 
 prolonged.' Before the close of the year he was 
 prostrated in a decline, from which he was not to 
 find restoration. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Feb. 22, on the 
 nomination of Dr. Booth, the Trustees chose Drs. 
 Mark Ranney and Jerome C. Smith Assistant Phy- 
 sicians, and George C. Lincoln and Miss Relief 
 R. Barber male and female Supervisors, of the 
 Asylum. 
 
 At this meeting action was taken on the report 
 of a Committee, Messrs. Stevenson and Lowell, to 
 whom, at a previous meeting, had been referred 
 a proposition that the Trustees, in behalf of the 
 Hospital, should subscribe $1,000 to the fund then 
 solicited from the public at large in behalf of Dr. 
 W. T. G. Morton, for his discovery and use of an 
 anaesthetic. The Committee remark that no ordinary 
 circumstance would justify the Trustees, should they 
 apply any portion of the funds under their control to 
 any object other than the direct relief of the sick 
 under their care. But the relations between Dr. 
 Morton and the Hospital, in regard to the great dis- 
 covery which prompts the proposed memorial, are 
 peculiar. " He is known to have been chieiiy instru- 
 mental in conferring a great good upon his race." 
 He has received no pecuniary compensation for his
 
 520 GIFT TO DR. W. T. G. MORTON. 
 
 agency in a discovery of so beneficent a character, but, 
 on the contrary, has borne many sacrifices. While by 
 justice he is entitled to a remuneration, the govern- 
 ment of the country having omitted to provide a 
 proper reward, the only mode in which it seems 
 probable that it can be furnished is by a voluntary 
 contribution. As to the question whether the Trus- 
 tees may properly give any thing to it from the 
 funds of the institution, the Committee decide in 
 the affirmative on the following grounds : " The first 
 important surgical operation to which that discovery 
 was applied was performed within its walls, at his 
 instance ; " he gave the Hospital the privilege of a 
 free use of his discovery at a time when he expected 
 pecuniary advantage from it from other quarters ; the 
 Hospital has continued to receive benefit from it, 
 which no reasonable amount of money could compen- 
 sate ; the refusal of a subscription by the Hospital 
 might with reason prevent the foundation of the 
 fund ; and such a subscription finds precedents in 
 the appropriations which the Trustees have made 
 in procuring memorials of their benefactors. 
 
 The Committee therefore recommended the follow- 
 ing vote, which, with the report, was unanimously 
 approved by the Trustees : — 
 
 " Voted, That the Chairman of tiiis Board be requested to 
 subscribe, on behalf of the Massachusetts General Hospital,
 
 ARTIST OF THE HOSPITAL. 521 
 
 one thousand dollars towards the fund which it is proposed 
 to establish for the benefit of Dr. W. T. G. Morton, as a 
 memorial of the great service which that gentleman has 
 rendered to science and humanity, in connection with the 
 discovery of the uses of ether." 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on March 8, 
 Messrs. Eogers and Stevenson were appointed a 
 Committee to procure a bust or portrait, of Dr. 
 George Hayward for the Hospital. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on April 10, the 
 Trustees, on the report of a Committee to whom 
 the subject had been referred, — 
 
 " Voted, That the Rules and Regulations be amended so 
 that the title of the Admitting Physician shall hereafter be 
 'Admitting Physician and Physician to Out-Patients.'" 
 
 The same Committee recommended the establish- 
 ment of the office of Artist of the Hospital. The 
 Board approving, it was — 
 
 " Voted, That the said office be hereby established, and the 
 following rules and regulations be adopted : — 
 
 "'Artist of the Hospital. 
 
 " '■ Art. 1. He shall, under the direction and at the discretion of 
 the Physicians and Surgeons, make accurate drawings of such 
 anomalous and rare cases of disease as shall be useful for future 
 reference and examination. 
 
 " ' Art. 2. He shall be present and assist the Physicians and 
 Surgeons whenever his services may be desirable. 
 
 66
 
 522 APPLICATION OF A FEMALE PHYSICIAN. 
 
 "'Art. 3. All copies aud drawings shall be carefully preserved 
 in a portfolio provided for the purpose, and shall be placed in the 
 Pathological Cabinet, under the care of the Curator ; and they shall 
 not be taken from the Hospital without the consent of the Visit- 
 ing Committee.' " 
 
 Upon the recommendation of the same Committee, 
 Dr. L. M. Sargent, jun., was then elected Artist of 
 the Hospital. 
 
 On the nomination of Dr. Booth, at the meeting 
 Oct. 16, the Trustees appointed Mr. Henry H. Ben- 
 son male Supervisor of the Asylum for the remainder 
 of the year. 
 
 xit the meeting of the Board on Nov. 22, a dona- 
 tion was announced from Dr. J. Mason Warren of 
 a case of surgical knives, a large chair to be used 
 in cases of lameness, and eighteen volumes of the 
 Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal. The 
 Secretary was instructed to return the thanks of 
 the Board to Dr. Warren for this acceptable and 
 valuable gift. 
 
 An application having been received at the meet- 
 ing on Nov. 8, and then laid on the table, from 
 Sarah W. Salisbury, " a graduate of the Female 
 Medical College, to be admitted to the Hospital 
 for the purpose of obtaining practical knowledge 
 in some of the branches of Medical Science," — 
 it was at this meeting taken from the table, when 
 it was —
 
 DEATH OF DR. BOOTH. 523 
 
 " Voted, That the Secretary communicate to Miss Salis- 
 bury a copy of the rules and regulations of the Hospital, 
 and inform her that the Trustees deem any departure from 
 the rules and regulations to be inexpedient." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Dec. 20, Messrs. 
 Greenoiigh and Mason were appointed a Committee 
 to examine the Treasurer's accounts, and to prepare 
 the annual report. The illness of Dr. Booth having 
 disabled him from the performance of his duties, the 
 Visiting Committee reported that they had engaged 
 Dr. Bell, then residing in Charlestown, to take tem- 
 porary charge of the Asylum. The Board approved 
 of this action. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on Jan. 15, the 
 death of Dr. Chauncey Booth was announced, where- 
 upon it was — 
 
 " Voted, That this Board have heard with much sorrow of 
 the death of Dr. Chauncey Booth, late Superintendent of the 
 M'Lean Asylum, a man of sterling worth, and most esteemed 
 by those who knew him best. His connection with the 
 Asylum has been long and useful and honorable. He was 
 quiet and modest, but resolute and self-possessed. He sus- 
 tained himself well amid the arduous duties of his office, the 
 "weakness of disease, and the certainty of approaching dissolu- 
 tion. His services, both as Assistant and Principal Physician 
 of the Asylum, have been highly appreciated by the Trus- 
 tees, and are held in grateful remembrance by hundreds who 
 have experienced his skill and kindness and care. He lived
 
 524 ORGANIZATION FOR 1858. 
 
 ■without reproach, and died with the cahnness which comes 
 from the consciousness of duty done. 
 
 " Voted, That in token of our respect for the memory of 
 the deceased we will attend his funeral at the Asylum to- 
 morrow. 
 
 " Voted, That a copy of the above votes be sent to the 
 family of Dr. Booth." 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital, on Jan. 27, 1858, when the annual 
 reports were presented and acted upon. No change 
 was made in the officers of the Corporation from last 
 year, except that Mr. Abbott Lawrence was elected 
 a Trustee on the part of the Commonwealth, in the 
 place of Hon. John P. Bigelow, who had declined a 
 re-election. The Board subsequently voted its thanks 
 to Mr. Bigelow for his long and valuable services. 
 
 At the next following meeting of the Trustees, on 
 Feb. 7, 1858, Mr. Rogers was again elected Chairman. 
 The Boards of Consultation and of Visiting Physicians 
 and Surgeons remained unchanged ; and the same 
 gentlemen that were in the other offices of the Hos- 
 pital during the last year were re-elected thereto 
 respectively. The election of a Physician and Super- 
 intendent of the Asylum was postponed, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Tyler being re-appointed Steward and Matron. 
 The Standing Committees were chosen, and Visiting 
 Committees were arranged for the year. It was 
 directed that two thousand copies of the annual 
 report be printed.
 
 REPORT FOR 1857. 525 
 
 In tliis report the Committee state that the prop- 
 erty yielding an income applicable to the general 
 purposes of the Corporation is $171,603.55. The 
 expenses of the Hospital and the Asylum for the 
 past year have been $105,663.23 ; the receipts, 
 $95,731.95. This excess of expenditure, steadily 
 diminishing the property of the Institution which 
 is exempted from special trusts, demands earnest 
 attention. There had been admitted into the Hos- 
 pital 920 patients, at an average weekly expense 
 for each patient of $5.90, or, including repairs, of 
 $6.45. There had been treated during the year 
 1,574 out-patients. There had been admitted into 
 the Asylum 141 patients, and there remained at the 
 close of the year 178. A very brief report comes 
 from Dr. Bell, who, as has been noticed, a few weeks 
 before the close of the year was put in charge of 
 the Asylum temporarily, on account of the illness 
 of Dr. Booth. The Committee refer with sadness 
 to the death of this useful, beloved, and excellent 
 man, and pay another warm tribute to his virtues, 
 his amiability, and fidelity, and to the qualities, ex- 
 perience, and acquisitions which so eminently fitted 
 him for his exacting and responsible trust. 
 
 A new brick stable and a mechanics' shop had been 
 built at the Asylum, and new fences had been put 
 up. Early in the spring the Board had received
 
 526 ELECTION OF DR. JOHN E. TYLER. 
 
 notice from Charles W. Storey, Esq., executor, that 
 the Hospital had received a bequest by the will of 
 the late Matthew P. Sawyer, Esq., of $7,000, and 
 that it was also the residuary leo:atee of the estate. 
 This donation — the amount not being as yet known 
 
 — promised to be large. There had been paid to 
 the Corporation during the year the bequest of Wil- 
 liam Pickman, Esq., of $4,000, to be apportioned 
 equally to the Hospital and the Asylum. 
 
 A special meeting of the Board was held on Feb. 
 12, at which Dr. John E. Tyler was unanimously 
 elected Physician and Superintendent of the Asylum, 
 
 — Messrs. Rogers, Stevenson, and Mason being ap- 
 pointed a Committee to notify him of his election, 
 and to make arrangements for his entrance upon his 
 duties at as early a day as practicable. Thauks and 
 compensation were voted to Dr. Bell for his valuable 
 services during the illness and since the death of Dr. 
 Booth. Oliver W. AVebber was chosen Apothecary 
 of the Hospital. 
 
 The Board voted, on Feb. 21, " that the Admit- 
 ting Physician be instructed to receive patients with 
 acute diseases into the Hospital to the full capacity 
 of the wards, if applications of a suitable kind are 
 made, until otherwise ordered by the Board." 
 
 A communication had been made to the Trustees 
 at their meeting on March 7, relative to the interest
 
 BEQUESTS OF DR. J. G. TREADWELL. 527 
 
 of the Corporation in the will of the late Dr. John 
 G. Treadwell, of Salem. The Committee to whom 
 the matter had been referred reported at the meeting 
 on March 21 as follows, the Board concurring in the 
 report and votes : — 
 
 " Whereas the President and Fellows of Harvard Col- 
 lege, by a vote passed at a stated meeting, on Feb. 27 last, 
 have declined to receive or accept the bequest made to them 
 in the will of the late John G. Treadwell, and renounced 
 all benefit and interest under said will, as by an attested 
 copy thereof hereby ordered to be placed on our records 
 will more fully appear : therefore it is — 
 
 " Voted, That this Corporation doth hereby receive and 
 accept the devises and bequests made to them in trust in the 
 will of the late John G. Treadwell, subject to the conditions 
 and limitations therein contained respecting the same ; and 
 that Messrs. Rogers, Lamb, and Mason be, and they are 
 hereby directed and empowered, in behalf of this Corporation, 
 to take possession of the real estate, and receive and obtain 
 from the executors proper transfers of the personal property, 
 with full power to make such arrangements and settlements, 
 execute such instruments, receipts, and discharges, and do 
 and perform such acts and things as may be necessary and 
 proper in the premises." 
 
 Another vote instructed the Treasurer to keep two 
 accounts of the property thus received : one account 
 to be credited with the sum of five thousand dol- 
 lars, to be designated " The Treadwell Library Fund, 
 in trust ; " and the other account, credited with the 
 balance, to be designated " The Treadwell Fund, in
 
 528 NEW OFFICER AT THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 trust." It was also voted that Messrs. Rogers, Lamb, 
 and Mason " be a Committee to take charge of the 
 Medical Library bequeathed to the Corporation by 
 the late .John G. Treadwell, and make such arrange- 
 ments for its safe keeping, conveyance to Boston, and 
 temporary reception in the Hospital, as may to them 
 seem proper and advisable ; and that said Committee 
 consider and report what ultimate and permanent 
 provision will be necessary and appropriate for the 
 accommodation of the same." 
 
 The College had declined the bequest proffered to 
 them in the will of Dr. Treadwell, because of " un- 
 usual and embarrassing conditions attached to it." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on March 31, on 
 the report and recommendation of a Committee 
 appointed on Dec. 20, 1857, to examine into the 
 internal affairs of the Hospital, it was " voted that 
 in the opinion of this Board it is expedient to estab- 
 lish the office of Resident Physician at the Hospital, 
 with powers and duties hereafter to be prescribed." 
 The same Committee were requested to report to the 
 Board such new Rules and Regulations, and such 
 changes in those now in force, as would be necessary 
 to define the powers and duties of the new officer 
 and applicable to the change in the existing system ; 
 and also to report a suitable candidate for the said 
 office. Dr. Dale was added to this Committee, which
 
 GIFT FROM ESTATE OF THOMAS DOWSE. 529 
 
 consisted of Messrs. Kogers, BuUard, Greenougli, 
 Lowell, and Mason. 
 
 Capt. Girdler on April 21 offered his resignation 
 as Superintendent of the Hospital, and Mr, Morton 
 his as Secretary of the Corporation. At the meeting 
 on April 27, the Board directed the Committee on 
 the Treadwell bequest to adapt the room then occu- 
 pied by the Physicians and Surgeons to the reception 
 of the Treadwell Library. Great anxiety was felt at 
 this meeting on account of the existence ^f fever 
 of a very malignant character in the Hospital. The 
 Physicians and Surgeons were authorized to employ 
 such additional assistance as the emergency required. 
 The Committee, to whom had been referred the 
 resignation of the Secretary, reported resolutions, 
 which were unanimously adopted, expressing their 
 regret therefor, and tendering their thanks for the 
 fidelity, accuracy, punctuality, and promptitude with 
 which he had discharged his arduous and responsible 
 duties for sixteen years, courteously affording the 
 Board the aid of his experience, knowledge, and 
 ability. The salary of his successor, to be chosen, 
 was fixed at $300. 
 
 A communication from Mr. George Liver more, in 
 behalf of the executors of the late Mr. Thomas 
 Dowse, of Cambridge, was received by the Board on 
 May 9, enclosing a check of five thousand dollars, 
 
 67
 
 530 THE DOWSE FREE-BED FUND. 
 
 as a donation to the Hospital, The matter was 
 referred to the Chiirman, to consider and report. 
 
 Mr. Thomas B. Hall was by ballot elected Secre- 
 tary, and was duly qualified. The Committee on the 
 Treadwell estate were authorized to negotiate with 
 the executors for a final settlement. The " Com- 
 mittee on the Internal Administration of the Hos- 
 pital " reported on May 19 some Kules and 
 llegulations defining the duties of the new office 
 of Resident Physician, with certain changes in the 
 duties of other offices. After certain amendments 
 had been made in the draft, the report was accepted, 
 and the changes were adopted, to take eff"ect when 
 either of the offices named therein shall be filled. It 
 was voted that the salary of the Resident Physician 
 be fixed at fifteen hundred dollars. The same Com- 
 mittee were empowered and requested to present 
 candidates for the offices of Steward and Matron. 
 
 The Committee on the donation through the trus- 
 tees under the will of Thomas Dowse reported on 
 May 23, recommending that the Board accept it on 
 the condition accompanying it; viz., that the income 
 of it be appropriated to the support of free beds in 
 the Hospital. The report was accepted, and it 
 was — 
 
 " Voted, That tliis Board accept the donation on the above 
 condition ; and that in acknowledijmentof the services rendered
 
 INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOSPITAL. 531 
 
 by the trustees of Mr. Dowse in this behalf, and of the favor- 
 able sentiments towards the Institution entertained by him, 
 a free bed be, and the same hereby is, appropriated to the 
 use of George Livermore and Eben Dale, Esquires, during 
 the joint lives and the life of the survivor of them, subject to 
 the rules and regulations from time to time made in relation 
 to free beds." 
 
 It was also voted that this donation and all re- 
 investments of its proceeds be kept distinct, as " the 
 Dowse Fund in trust," the income to be for the sup- 
 port of free beds ; and that the Secretary send a 
 certified copy of these votes to the trustees above- 
 named. 
 
 At this meeting Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff Shaw was 
 by ballot elected Resident Physician, and Dr. Samuel 
 L. Abbot Physician to out-door patients at the Hos- 
 pital, in conformity with the new arrangement of 
 offices and distribution of duties which had been 
 approved by recommendation of the Committee on 
 the Internal Administration of the Hospital. In 
 communicating his election to Dr Abbot, the Secre- 
 tary was directed to assure him — 
 
 " That the Trustees desire to avail ot' this opportunity to 
 express to him their satisfaction with the manner in which 
 he has performed the responsible duties of Admitting Phy- 
 sician for the past nine years, and to bear testimony to the 
 faithfulness and zeal which have characterized all his rela- 
 tions with this Institution."
 
 532 THANKS TO CAPT. GIRDLER. 
 
 The Board, at its meeting on June 6, granted the 
 request of Dr. John E. Tyler, to attend the annual 
 gathering of the " Medical Superintendents of Insti- 
 tutions for the Insane," to be holden this year at 
 Quebec ; and, in consideration of the advantage 
 resulting from such conventions, voted to pay his 
 expenses on the errand. At the meeting of June 
 16, Miss Sarah W. Salisbury, by letter, renewed her 
 urgent application for admission to the Hospital for 
 the purpose before stated. The Trustees directed 
 the Secretary to inform her that there had been no 
 change in the views of the Trustees since the reply 
 to her former application. Several candidates having 
 been presented for the offices of Steward and Matron 
 at the Hospital, on the ballots being taken, William 
 B. Gallison was unanimously elected Steward. On 
 the nomination of Dr. Shaw, in accordance with the 
 rules, Mrs. Gallison was proposed as Matron, and 
 was unanimously elected. The united salary of 
 the Steward and Matron was fixed at $1,000. The 
 previous resignation of Capt. Girdler was then acted 
 upon and accepted, and it was " voted that the 
 thanks of the Board be tendered to Capt. Girdler for 
 his long and faithful services as Superintendent of 
 the Hospital, and that in consideration thereof the 
 Treasurer be directed to pay him his regular salary 
 to October next."
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. STORER. 533 
 
 The Trustees, at their meeting on June 22, voted 
 that the Committee on Accounts, by the new rule 
 that had been adopted, should consist of two mem- 
 bers of the Board, and that Messrs. Stevenson and 
 Mason constitute that Committee. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, as Chairman of the Committee on the 
 Treadwell property, read a report, which was accepted 
 and placed on file. He also, as chairman of a Com- 
 mittee to whom had been referred the resignation of 
 Dr. D. H. Storer as Visiting Physician, which had 
 been offered at the meeting on July 6, recommended 
 that the same be accepted, with the following vote, in 
 which the Board concurred : — 
 
 ^' Voted, That although the term of service of Dr. D. 
 Humphreys Storer has not been of so long duration as that 
 of some of his predecessors in office, it has been, like theirs, 
 distinguished for high professional knowledge and skill, and 
 for promptness and exactitude in the discharge of duty. And 
 this Board, in token of their appreciation of his valuable 
 labors, self-sacrificing spirit, and independent and manly 
 bearing, tender to him their sincere thanks, accompanied by 
 their best wishes for his future happiness and success." 
 
 Dr. Francis Minot was, on July 20, elected a Visit- 
 ing Physician to the Hospital, in the vacancy caused 
 by the resignation of Dr. Storer. 
 
 The Board, at its meeting on Sept. 14, authorized 
 the Superintendent of the Asylum to expend one
 
 534 THE TREADWELL LIBRARY. 
 
 hundred dollars for books for the use of patients, and 
 to make such arrangements for amusements for them 
 as he may deem expedient, all under the supervision 
 of the Chairman of the Board. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Sept. 28, Dr. Shaw 
 found it necessary to announce the resignation of Mr. 
 Gallison, so recently elected Steward of the Hospital, 
 on account of ill health. The Board accepted the 
 resignation, and appointed Messrs. Stevenson and 
 Lowell, with the Chairman, a Committee to nominate 
 a candidate for the office, with authority to make all 
 needful temporary arrangements. A communication 
 was read from E,. H. Eddy, Esq., executor of the will 
 of the late Mrs. Agnes Austin, stating a bequest to 
 this Corporation of two estates in Salem, and five 
 thousand dollars to the Asylum. The same was 
 referred to the Finance Committee. The salary of 
 the Physician to out-door patients was fixed, on Nov. 
 7, at $300. The interest of the Corporation in the 
 estate of the late M. P. Sawyer engaged the attention 
 of the Board at its meeting on Nov. 21, and the 
 matter was put in charge of two committees, and was 
 in part disposed of at the meeting of the Board on 
 Dec. 5. At this meeting, Mr. Rogers, in behalf of a 
 Committee to whom had been referred the subject of 
 the Treadwell Library, presented a report, with ac- 
 companying votes, and proposed rules and regulations
 
 ESTATE OF M. P. SAWYER. 535 
 
 for its use. These were accepted, providing for the 
 preservation, the careful oversight, and the annual 
 examination of the books, and for the faithful per- 
 formance of the requisitions contained in the will of 
 the late Ur. Treadwell, respecting the care and use 
 of said library, and providing also for additions to 
 the same. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Dec. 19, commu- 
 nications were received from Messrs. J. B. Bradlee 
 and C. H. ^lills, resigning their places as Trustees. 
 A claim had been advanced by Mrs. Lydia N. Ray- 
 mond to an interest in the house No. 26 Beacon 
 Street, then in possession of the Hospital, under the 
 will of the late M. P. Sawyer. Mr. Rogers, in behalf 
 of a Committee to which the matter had been referred, 
 submitted a report upon it, with votes, which were 
 accepted by the Board, as follows : — 
 
 "Voted, That in consideration of the doubt whicli exists 
 as to the testamentary intentions of Matthias P. Sawyer, 
 deceased, respecting the estate numbered 26 Beacon Street, 
 now in the lawful possession of this Corporation, by virtue of 
 the residuary clause of his will, and of the handsome sums 
 of money which they have received, and still expect to receive 
 from his benevolent disposition towards them, this Corporation 
 hereby surrenders their legal rights in this estate, and relin- 
 quishes the same to Mrs. Raymond." 
 
 The Secretary and Treasurer were authorized and 
 directed to prepare and execute a proper quitclaim
 
 536 ORGANIZATION FOR 1859. 
 
 deed of this estate, in conformity with the terms of 
 this vote. 
 
 Messrs. Lawrence and Wigglesworth were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 
 At its meeting on Jan. 14, 1859, the Board fixed 
 the salary of the office of Steward at the Hospital at 
 $1,000, and that of the Matron at $250 ; the present 
 incumbents of those offices to be remunerated at 
 those rates for their services since the resignation of 
 Mr. Gallison. At the meeting on Jan. 19, authority 
 was given to the Chairman of the Board to execute 
 an indenture in behalf of the Corporation with 
 the City of Boston, providing for the filling up of 
 the flats lying between the Hospital grounds and the 
 Harbor Commissioners' line. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital on Jan. 26, 1859, when the annual 
 report, including those of the Treasurer and of the 
 officers of the Hospital and Asylum, was presented. 
 ^ At the first subsequent meeting of the Trustees on 
 Feb. 13, it appeared that the election of officers for 
 the year had been as follows : William Appleton, 
 President; N. I. Bowditch, \lce-President ; Henry 
 Andrews, Treasurer, and T. B. Hall, Secretary ; 
 Messrs. N. H. Emmons, W. W. Greenough, George 
 Higginson, John Lowell, R. M. Mason, H. B. Rogers, 
 J. T. Stevenson, and Edward Wiggles worth, Trustees
 
 REPORT FOR 1858. 537 
 
 on the part of the Corporation ; and Messrs. W. S. 
 Billiard, W. J. Dale, Thomas Lamb, and Abbott Law- 
 rence, Trustees on the part of the Commonwealth. 
 Mr. Roo-ers was re-elected Chairman of the Board. 
 The same gentlemen were chosen on the Board of 
 Consultation as had served last year. The only 
 change on the Board of Visiting Physicians was that 
 Dr. Francis Minot took the place of Dr. D. H. Storer. 
 The Board of Visiting Surgeons remained unchanged. 
 Dr. J. Bacon, jun., was also re-elected Chemist ; Dr. C. 
 Ellis, Microscopist and Curator of the Pathological 
 Cabinet ; Dr. B. S. Shaw, Resident Physician ; Dr. S. 
 L. Abbot, Physician to out-door patients. Lucius M. 
 Sargent, jun., was elected Artist ; Mr. Harvey Howard, 
 Steward ; and Mrs. Sarah L. Gallison, Matron of the 
 Hospital. Dr. John E. Tyler was re-elected Physician 
 and Superintendent of the Asylum ; Columbus Tyler, 
 Steward ; and Mrs. M. E. Tyler, Matron. The Stand- 
 ing Committees were appointed, and the Visiting 
 Committees were arranged. It was ordered that two 
 thousand copies of the annual report be printed. 
 
 This report states the amount of the property of 
 the Corporation yielding income to be $168,489.75. 
 The income had been |97,422.25 ; the expenses, 
 $110,477.96. There had been admitted to the Hos- 
 pital 1,015 patients, at an average weekly expense 
 for each of $6.53, including, and of $5,671 excluding, 
 
 68
 
 538 REPORT FOR 1858. 
 
 repairs. There had been treated during the' year 
 2,223 out-door patients. The Trustees had made 
 material changes in the Kules and Regulations for the 
 Hospital, the most important of which was the estab- 
 lishment of the offices of Resident Physician and 
 Steward, in place of a Superintendent. There had 
 been admitted to the Asylum 155 patients, and there 
 remained at the end of the year 186. Dr. John E. 
 Tyler had succeeded Dr. Booth in charge. The respect 
 and distinction which he had won while he had under 
 his care the New Hampshire State Asylum, and his 
 own eminent qualifications, were assurances that he 
 would maintain and increase the high reputation of 
 this institution. The sum of $7,000 had been re- 
 ceived from the estate of the late M. P. Sawyer, for 
 free beds at the Hospital, besides property in real 
 estate estimated at $18,000, to accrue at some distant 
 period. The reversionary bequest from D. J. G. 
 Treadwell amounted to about $-10,000, besides his 
 valuable library, which had been suitably disposed in 
 the Hospital. The donation of $5,000 through the 
 trustees of Mr. Dowse, and the legacy of $15,000, 
 received under the will of the late Mrs. Agnes Aus- 
 tin of Cambridge, consisting of real estate valued at 
 $10,000 to the Hospital, and $5,000 to the Asylum, 
 had been gratefully acknowledged. Both institutions 
 were in a satisfactory condition, and were faithfully 
 directed.
 
 DR. Tyler's report. 539 
 
 Dr. Shaw, in making his first report as Resident 
 Physician of the Hospital, says that the ability to 
 receive and treat an increased number of proper and 
 curable patients has been secured by refusing, as a 
 general rule, to receive such as did not admit of cure 
 or of very decided relief, and by limiting the stay of 
 patients to the period in which they actually needed 
 medical or hygienic treatment. Tliere had been in 
 the Hospital at one time during the year 120 free 
 patients. As the principal article of house diet, a 
 nutritious soup had been introduced. 
 
 Dr. Tyler, in making his first report, states the fact 
 that, while during the year the male wards of the 
 Asylum had been seldom crowded, nearly as many 
 female patients had been declined as had been 
 received, which were seventy-nine ; from which he 
 infers that "it will hold true of this vicinity for the 
 year past, that more females than males have been 
 reached by mental disease." The year had been one 
 remarkable for extraordinary religious excitement 
 and interest, and for commercial disturbance and dis- 
 aster, affecting deeply both sexes and all classes of 
 society, and acting severely upon their intellectual and 
 emotional faculties. Dr. Tyler discusses this subject 
 in a very instructive and judicious way. He mentions 
 the benefit found in the Asylum in the use of sul- 
 phuric ether, in a careful and discriminating way, for
 
 540 MR. STEVENSON, TREASURER. 
 
 the tranquillization of the nervous system. He asks 
 for an addition to the library at the Asylum. By 
 request of the Trustees, he offers some suggestions as 
 to improvement in heating and ventilating appara- 
 tus, and the reconstructing of apartments for excited 
 patients. He promises an entire self-devotion to 
 his sacred trust. 
 
 Dr. Tyler's request for an increase of the library 
 at the Asylum was referred to the Visiting Committee 
 for consideration and report. A communication was 
 read from Henry Andrews, resigning the office of 
 Treasurer of the Corporation, when it was " voted 
 that the resignation be accepted." Also, on motion 
 of Mr. Wigglesworth, it was " voted that the thanks 
 of the Board be presented to our late Treasurer for 
 his valuable services to this Corporation during the 
 long period of twenty-four years, in which his uni- 
 form fidelity has gained for him the respect of all the 
 Boards of Trustees with which he has been con- 
 nected." At a special meeting of the Board, held on 
 Feb. 18, Mr. T. J. Stevenson sent a communication 
 resigning his office as a Trustee, and a vote of thanks 
 was passed to him " for his long and faithful ser- 
 vices." Mr. Stevenson was then elected, by ballot, 
 Treasurer of the Corporation for the ensuing year. 
 Thus began the term of service, which at this pres- 
 ent writing still continues, of an officer of this Cor-
 
 TREADWELL LIBRARY. 541 
 
 poration, who has given to a most exacting and re- 
 sponsible tnist signal abilities, the highest financial 
 skill and judgment, with a warm interest in the cause 
 of humanity which the institution represents. The 
 complicated accounts which he administers form a 
 lucid record even for those, not experts, who annually 
 audit them. 
 
 Marcus Morton, jun., was elected a Trustee for the 
 ensuing year, in the vacancy caused by the resig- 
 nation of Mr. Stevenson. 
 
 On Feb. 27, the Board voted, after a report from 
 the Committee on the library of the Asylum, to 
 whom the request of Dr. Tyler had been referred, 
 " that three hundred dollars per annum be placed at 
 the disposal of the Superintendent and Physician of 
 the Asylum to be used in the purchase of books 
 for the permanent increase of the library." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on March 27, meas- 
 ures were adopted for the settlement of the interest 
 of the Corporation in the estate of the late M. P. 
 Sawyer. At the meeting on April 20, similar steps 
 were taken in reference to the bequests from the Tread- 
 well property. A final report upon the latter subject 
 was made and accepted at a meeting of the Board on 
 May 8, and the selection was then approved of Dr. 
 Shaw, as Guardian and Librarian of the Tread well 
 Library, at a salary of one hundred dollars. Mr. Mor-
 
 542 YOTES OF THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 ton resigned his seat on the Board, as a Trustee, on 
 June 5, and the resignation was accepted. A Com- 
 mittee, of which Mr. Rogers was Chairman, reported 
 on July 14 on the proposed purchase of " the Wood- 
 ward Lot and Joy Farm," near the Asylum ; and it 
 was " voted that the Treasurer be authorized to 
 purchase the ' Woodward Lot,' so called, next the 
 Asylum, at Somerville, at a rate not exceeding 
 twenty-five cents per square foot." The Treasurer 
 reported on Aug. 9 that he had effected the pur- 
 chase. G. Rowland Shaw was, on Sept. 20, elected 
 a Trustee in the vacancy caused by the resignation 
 of Mr. Morton ; but, in a communication received by 
 the Board on Oct. 14, he declined the office. 
 
 The Board voted, at its meeting on Nov. 6, an 
 amendment of a rule of the Hospital, so that it 
 should read, " Any individual on the payment of one 
 hundred dollars shall be entitled to a free bed at the 
 Hospital for one year." Mr. Rogers, in behalf of a 
 Committee to whom had been referred the question of 
 the expediency of receiving inebriates as patients at 
 the Asylum, raised by Dr. Tyler's last quarterly report, 
 made a brief report, which was accepted : whereupon 
 it was " voted that this Board deem the practice of 
 admitting inebriates into the Asylum to be highly 
 prejudicial to its best interests, and that hereafter no 
 such persons be admitted as patients without the
 
 EXTENSION OF ASYLUM GROUNDS. .543 
 
 express order of the Board in each case." At the 
 meeting of the Trustees on Nov. 20, Mr, N. I. Bow- 
 ditch received the thanks of the Board for a newly 
 bound copy of his " History of the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital." The Board referred to Mr. 
 Lowell, with full powers, the matter of building a* 
 sea-wall on the boundary of the Hospital grounds. 
 Mr. Eogers, for the Committee on improvements at 
 the Asylum, reported a proposition in writing from 
 M. C. U. Getting, agent for Miss Joy, for the sale of 
 a strip of land one hundred and fifty feet wide, on 
 the north-east side of the Asylum grounds, and the 
 surrender of certain rights ^f way and restrictions on 
 the south-east and south-west. This proposition com- 
 ing before the Board on the next day, Nov. 21, at an 
 adjournment, the following resolutions and vote were 
 unanimously passed : — 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That the extinguishment of all rights now held 
 by any persons whatever other than this Corporation, in Asy- 
 lum and Essex Streets, and of the restrictions upon building 
 easterly of Essex Street, is desirable." 
 
 ^^ Resolved.) That the purchase of a strip of land one hun- 
 dred and fifty feet wide, on tlie north-east side of the Asylum 
 premises, is also desirable. Therefore, Voted, That the 
 Committee on improvements at the Asylum be authorized, 
 at their discretion, to effect these objects, at an expense not 
 exceeding $33,000."
 
 544 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 
 
 At the next meeting, held Dec. 4, the same Com- 
 mittee reported progress in negotiations to effect this 
 object, and received further authority from the Board. 
 
 Grateful acknowledgments were made by the 
 Board, on Dec. 18, to Mr. O. W. Bird, executor, for 
 the receipt, through him, of a legacy of $1,000, 
 bequeathed to the institution by his grandfather, the 
 late George Hills ; and thanks were voted to Dr. J. 
 Mason Warren for the gift of a copy of the " Life " 
 of his late father, Dr. J. C. Warren. A communica- 
 tion from Dr. H. J. Bigelow announced the bequest 
 to him, by the late Mrs. S. Benton Thompson, of 
 1492.40, for the benefit (5f the patients of the Hos- 
 pital, with the request — 
 
 "That the income accruing shall be added to the principal, 
 until the latter shall reach the sum of $500 ; after which the 
 income shall be made payable annually to Henry J. Bigelow 
 during his life, to be distributed at his pleasure, for the ben- 
 efit of the patients in the Hospital, and after his death the 
 income to be devoted to the support of free beds." 
 
 " Voted, That the Trustees accept the donation from Dr. 
 Bigelow, on the conditions named, and that the same be 
 called the ' Thompson Fund ; ' and that the grateful acknowl- 
 edgments of the Board be presented through Dr. Bigelow to 
 the executors of the will of the late Mrs. Thompson." 
 
 Messrs. Emmons and Higginson were appointed 
 by the Board, on Jan. 1, 1860, to prepare the annual 
 report for the last year. Henry H. Benson commu-
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1860. 545 
 
 nicated to the Board, on Jan. 13, his resignation of 
 the office of male Supervisor at the Asylum. The 
 resignation was accepted ; and the Board confirmed 
 the nomination, by Dr. Tyler, of George A. Goodell, 
 as his successor. The usual reports of the Treasurer 
 and the other officers of the institution were pre- 
 sented at this and the next meeting, on Jan. 18, and 
 referred to the Committee on the annual report. 
 Appropriations were made for repairs at the Asylum, 
 and for furniture for a Lecture-room there. The 
 thanks of the Board were voted, on Jan. 25, to 
 Messrs. Maynard & Noyes, of Boston, for their long- 
 continued kindness in allowing the accommodation 
 of their premises as a place for receiving packages 
 for the Asylum ; also, to the family of the late Dr. 
 Perry for a photograph likeness of him, received 
 from the hands of Dr. Bowditch. 
 
 The Committee on the annual report presented 
 their report for the year 1859, which was read, 
 accepted, and with the accompanying papers ordered 
 to be laid before the Corporation at its annual meet- 
 ing on this day. 
 
 At the first meeting of the Trustees, on Feb. 5, 
 1860, after the annual meeting of the Corporation, it 
 appeared that the following gentlemen had been 
 elected officers for the ensuing year : William Apple- 
 ton, President ; N. I. Bowditch, Vice-President ; J. T. 
 
 69
 
 546 REPORT FOR 1859. 
 
 Stevenson, Treasurer ; T. B. Hall, Secretary ; Messrs. 
 J. M. Beebe, N. H. Emmons, W. W. Greenough, 
 George Higginson, John Lowell, E.. M. Mason, H. B. 
 Kogers, and Edward Wigglesworth, Trustees on the 
 part of the Corporation ; and Messrs. Martin Brimmer, 
 W. S. Bullard, W. J. Dale, and Thomas Lamb, Trus- 
 tees on the part of the Commonwealth. On the 
 organization of the Board of Trustees, Mr. H. B. 
 Rogers was re-elected Chairman. No change was 
 made in the last year's Boards of Consultation of 
 Visiting Physicians and Surgeons, nor among the 
 officers of the Hospital, except that Oliver H. Web- 
 ber was chosen Apothecary, and there was no choice 
 of an Artist, Dr. Sargent having declined a re- 
 election. Dr. J. E. Tyler was re-appointed Physician 
 and Superintendent of the Asylum, and Mr. and Mrs. 
 Columbus Tyler Steward and Matron. The Standing 
 Committees on Finance, on Accounts, on Free Beds, 
 on the Warren Fund and Library, and on the Book 
 of Donations, were appointed, and the Visiting Com- 
 mittees were arranged for the year. It was directed 
 that two thousand copies of the annual report be 
 printed. 
 
 The Committee, in this report, estimate the amount 
 of the property of the institution, from nearly all of 
 which income is derived, at |2o8,558.67. The ex- 
 penses of the Hospital and the Asylum for the year
 
 LEGACIES RECEIVED. 547 
 
 had been $98,789.64, and the receipts $94,076.47. 
 The cost to the Corporation for the maintenance of 
 934 free patients had been $31,910.47 ; the income 
 of funds specially appropriated to that purpose hav- 
 ing been $14,816.06, leaving $17,094.41 chargeable 
 to the general funds. There had been admitted to 
 the Hospital 1,240 patients, at an average weekly 
 expense for each of $5,751, including, and of $5.33, 
 excluding, repairs. Though there had been such an 
 increase in the number of patients, yet at no time 
 were all the beds occupied, nor was any proper 
 applicant refused admission. Thus the new system 
 adopted by the Trustees as to the discharge of con- 
 valescents had worked satisfactorily. The Committee 
 commend the order and efficiency of the adminis- 
 tration of Dr. Shaw. The Physician to out-door 
 patients had treated 3,165 cases. There had been 
 admitted to the Asylum 131 patients, and 175 re- 
 mained at the end of the year, 317 patients having 
 received its benefits during the year, at an average 
 weekly cost for each of $6.16|-. Several of the 
 wards had been greatly improved and refurnished. 
 The Committee express a high appreciation of the 
 services of Dr. Tyler. Recognition is made of the 
 legacy of $1,000 from the late Mr. George Hills, of 
 Boston ; of the donation of $3,857.22 from Dr. 
 E,ufus Kittredge, the income of which is to be
 
 548 DR. SHAW's REPORT. 
 
 applied to " Asylum " purposes ; and of the donation 
 of f 492.40 from Mrs. Thompson, for the " Hospital." 
 Both Hospital and Asylum are reported to be in a 
 satisfactory condition under the efficient and devoted 
 management of their officers and attendants. Dr. 
 Shaw reports that, besides the out-door patients, about 
 five hundred persons had had the aid of dentistry in 
 the extraction of teeth. The object of the Hospital 
 being to afford substantial relief to the largest pos- 
 sible number of persons, it is not consistent with it 
 to use even beds temporarily unoccupied for patients 
 with incurable diseases. It is more in conformity 
 with the design of the institution that eight or ten 
 sufferers by acute disease should be successively 
 relieved, than that the bed which they might occupy 
 should be used, it may be for a year, by a chronic 
 incurable. One half of those who during the year 
 had been refused admission, being of foreign birth, 
 had been referred to the State institutions provided 
 for them. Beds must be reserved for urgent cases. 
 Much relief is afforded to out-patients by the loan of 
 Hospital furniture, surgical apparatus, fracture -beds, 
 &c. A very complete catalogue had been made of 
 the Treadwell Medical Library, which may be con- 
 sulted by any proper applicant in the profession. By 
 a new plan of administration there had been a reduc- 
 tion of the internal expenses of the Hospital, with-
 
 DR. Tyler's report. 549 
 
 out any loss in good diet, or nursing and medical 
 care. 
 
 Dr. Tyler, in his report, gives a condensed but 
 most striking and classified statement of the indi- 
 vidual and the classes of cases which in the course of 
 the year come under his care, with the various forms 
 of mental disease, — wild and destructive mania, 
 frenzy, deep depression, suicidal tendency, delusion, 
 and exhaustion, — all needing, and through their 
 friends finding, the merciful refuge of the Asylum. 
 The relief to those friends from manifold and painful 
 anxieties, and the increase of comfort and safe liberty 
 to the patients, are blessings hardly measurable. Th3 
 number of perfect recoveries, and the restoring of 
 useful and valued persons to their homes, families, 
 and duties, call for gratitude. Recent improvements 
 have added much to the convenience and elegance of 
 the house arrangements. A great variety of amuse- 
 ments and means of recreation — billiard-tables, bowl- 
 ing-alleys, saddle-ponies, carriages, sleigh-rides, chess, 
 cards, backgammon, bagatelle, the library, sewing- 
 circles, and music — offer their resources. Many 
 patients have attended concerts and lectures in 
 Boston, and public worship on Sunday in various 
 churches. Every Sunday evening a sermon is read, 
 with singing, in one of the wings. Holiday parties, 
 with dancing, and stereopticon, ventriloquism, &c.,
 
 550 DR. TYLER ON INSANITY. 
 
 were held on Christmas, New Year's, February 22, 
 July 4, and other occasions. The unremitting vigi- 
 lance of attendants has prevented accidents and 
 secured safety. 
 
 Dr. Tyler proceeds, at some length, to make one 
 of those admirable contributions to the science and 
 practical wisdom of his specialty, which give such 
 high character and value to the series of reports 
 offered by the heads of the Asylum. He pronounces 
 insanity a disease, curable under conditions, like 
 other diseases, and more hopeful of cure the earlier 
 it is brought under specific treatment. He sets aside 
 the absurdity of its being a disgrace. He opposes 
 the fancy or theory that it can ever exist, without a 
 derangement of the brain as an organ, or in its func- 
 tions ; yet he distinctly recognizes it as a secondary 
 effect of diseases, like dyspepsia, not originating in 
 the brain. Even hereditary victims of insanity are 
 not to be considered incurable any more than if the 
 disease were fever or rheumatism. Dr. Tyler then 
 points at some of the causes which are influential in 
 producing insanity, as warnings for those who would 
 avert it for themselves or for others. An enlightened 
 supervision of the training of childhood and youth, 
 proper exercise and furnishing of the intellect, the 
 recognition of moral laws and facts, self-control ; the 
 restraining of personal caprices, and of all appetites ;
 
 BENEFICIARIES AT THE ASYLUM. 551 
 
 a regard for the intellectual, moral, and physical 
 powers in their due relations and proportions ; relax- 
 ation from too assiduous devotion to a special work 
 or calling ; the rational treatment of bodily ailments ; 
 and, above all, strict temperance, — are the safeguards 
 which science and experience commend to all. 
 
 The Trustees instructed the Secretary to inform 
 the Treasurer that it would be agreeable to them to 
 have him participate freely in their discussions when- 
 ever he should attend the meetings. At the next 
 meeting, Feb. 19, it was — 
 
 "Voted, That the Treasurer keep a separate and distinct 
 account of all income received from, and all expenditures 
 incurred on account of, each of the funds which have been 
 or may be hereafter received for account of the Asylum, in 
 respect to the use and application of which there are any 
 special provisions ; and that all unexpended balances of said 
 accounts remaining at the close of the year be carried to the 
 debit of the new account for the succeeding year." 
 
 It was also voted that the Superintendent of the 
 Asylum, at each quarterly meeting of the Board, 
 should present separate lists of such beneficiary 
 patients as in his judgment should receive aid from 
 the special trusts and funds for the ensuing quarter, 
 that the Board might act on each case by a distinct 
 vote. The Chairman from a Committee reported, 
 recommending the appointing a " Standing Commit-
 
 552 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 tee on Alterations and Repairs " at the Hospital and 
 Asylum, with full powers in all cases in which the 
 expense would not exceed one hundred dollars, the 
 consent of the Board being requisite for any proposed 
 outlay beyond that amount. The report and its 
 recommendations were approved. The rules and 
 regulations were amended according to these new 
 provisions, and the new Committee was appointed 
 for the current year. 
 
 An ice-closet was provided for the Hospital, by 
 vote, April 1. A nuisance, caused by the city in 
 filling the flats west of the Hospital, called for the 
 action and protest of the Board, on May 6. Pro- 
 vision was made for proper diplomas for House Pupils 
 at the Hospital. Mrs. George G. Lee subscribed 
 $1,000 for a life free bed at the Hospital. Dr. Tyler 
 received permission, on May 20, to be absent from 
 the Asylum for attendance on the Convention to be 
 held at Philadelphia, of Superintendents of Institu- 
 tions for the Insane. The Treasurer was afterwards 
 authorized to pay the travelling expenses of this visit, 
 as for the benefit of the Asylum. On June 19, per- 
 mission was granted to the House Pupils to sleep 
 and take their breakfasts at the Hospital until other- 
 wise ordered. During a contemplated absence of 
 Mr. Rogers, Mr. Wiggles worth was, on July 3, 
 chosen temporary Chairman of the Board. A com-
 
 ECONOMY OF THE HOSPITAL. 553 
 
 mumcation to the Trustees, from Dr. Tyler, on Sept. 
 12, announced the resignation of Dr. Jerome C. 
 Smith as Second Assistant Physician at the Asylum, 
 and the nomination of Dr. J. Blackmer as his suc- 
 cessor. The resignation was accepted, and the 
 nominee was elected. The Board voted, on Oct. 12, 
 " that in consideration of the advanced age of Miss 
 Taylor, and her long and faithful services as nurse, 
 which are held in grateful remembrance by the Trus- 
 tees, she be relieved from all duties to the Hospital, 
 and that her wag-es be continued till further order of 
 the Board." A bequest made to the Corporation by 
 the late Jonathan Phillips, Esq., to be appropriated 
 to purposes designated by him, was gratefully ac- 
 knowledged by the Trustees. The Committee on 
 Accounts proposed on Oct. 23 the following vote , 
 with its preamble, which were passed by the Board : 
 " Whereas the expenses of the Hospital have in- 
 creased largely during the past two years, voted 
 that the Physicians and Surgeons of the Institution 
 be requested to consider and to report to this Board, 
 whether patients cannot be treated under its present 
 system of administration at a less expense, and with 
 equally satisfactory results." Prompted by this vote, 
 Dr. Shaw communicated to the Trustees, on Dec. 9, 
 a report of a sub-committee of the Medical Board as 
 an answer to certain inquiries concerning the econ- 
 
 70
 
 554 ORGANIZATION FOR 1861. 
 
 omy of the institution. This report was referred to 
 the Committee on Accounts. Messrs. Eogers and 
 Greenough, as a Committee, were instructed to con- 
 sider and report whether any and what changes are 
 desirable in the rules and regulations of the Hospital 
 and Asylum. Messrs. Bullard and Beebe were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to prepare the annual report 
 of the Board ; the several reports of the respective 
 physicians and officers of the institution, which were 
 presented on Jan. 11 and Jan. 16, 1861, being re- 
 ferred to them. A report was made by the Com- 
 mittee and accepted by the Board, that, under existing 
 circumstances, no change should at present be made 
 in the terms of admission to the Hospital. The Com- 
 mittee on the rules and regulations asked for and 
 received further time. 
 
 The annual report of the Board for 1860, with the 
 accompanying documents, was laid before the Cor- 
 poration at its annual meeting, on Jan. 23, 1861. 
 All the officers of the Corporation during the last 
 year were re-elected for the year ensuing, except that 
 Dr. Samuel G. Howe was appointed, in place of Mr. 
 Thomas Lamb, as one of the Trustees on the part 
 of the Commonwealth. In the organization of the 
 Board of Trustees, at its first meeting, on Feb. 10, 
 Mr. Rogers was re-elected Chairman, Mr. Greenough, 
 for the Committee of the old Board, on the revisal of
 
 REPORT FOR 1860. 555 
 
 the rules and regulations for the Hospital and the 
 Asylum, reported, recommending certain changes 
 and additions. The Board accepted the report, and 
 adopted its recommendations. Mr. N. H. Emmons 
 communicated to the Board his resignation as a Trus- 
 tee. The same was accepted, and thanks were 
 returned to him for his valuable services in that 
 capacity. Mr. J. Amory Davis was then elected, by 
 ballot, to fill the vacancy in the Board. The Boards 
 of Consultation, of Visiting Physicians and Surgeons, 
 and all the officers of the Asylum and Hospital, were 
 unchanged, save that Mrs. Sarah L. Gallison having 
 resigned the office of Matron of the Hospital, her 
 resignation was accepted, with a continuance of her 
 salary through the current quarter. Dr. Shaw was 
 requested to consult with the Chairman relative to a 
 proper person for Matron. The Standing Committees 
 were appointed, and the Visiting Committees were 
 arranged for the year. 
 
 The report for the previous year, 1860, is very 
 elaborate, and contains matter of much interest. The 
 expenses of both departments for the year had been 
 $110,329.16 ; while the receipts had been |91,550.66, 
 accruing from the ordinary sources. In addition to 
 other general funds, there had been an extra dividend 
 of 115,000 from the Hospital Life Insurance Com- 
 pany, without which there would have been a great
 
 556 FINANCES OF THE INSTITU'iION. 
 
 deficiency of means. The Corporation had, up to 
 this time, received from that insurance company since 
 its establishment, according to the provisions of its 
 charter, $231,687.50, being "the most munificent of 
 all its munificent benefactors." The cost of the main- 
 tenance of 1,137 free patients at the Hospital, for an 
 aggregate of 5,685 weeks, had been $36,148.06 ; of 
 which amount, after deducting the income from 
 endowments and subscriptions for free beds, there 
 remained $18,955.69 to be charged to the general 
 funds of the Corporation. The average cost per week 
 of a patient at the Asylum, $6.58 ; at the Hospital, 
 $6.42. The unproductive property of the institution 
 in land and buildings is estimated at $607,209.99, 
 the productive property being $258,330.36. A leg- 
 acy had been received during the year of $10,000, 
 for the support of free beds at the Hospital, by the 
 will of the late Hon. Jonathan Phillips, who had 
 been connected with the institution as a Trustee and 
 Vice-President for more than a quarter of a century. 
 
 Mr. William I. Bowditch had made a donation of 
 $274.25, being the amount of his bill for valuable 
 professional services. The purchase of five acres of 
 land adjoining the Asylum estate secures the premises 
 from intrusion and extends the facilities for the out- 
 door exercise of patients. Plans were in preparation 
 for a Cottage, a suitable building, felt to be now very
 
 DR. SHAw's REPORT. 557 
 
 necessary, for imbecile female patients. The Com- 
 mittee express in high terms their sense of the fidel- 
 ity and value of the services of the heads and of the 
 subordinate officers of the Asylum and the Hospital, 
 and acknowledge thankfully the labors of Dr. S. L. 
 Abbot, who, as Physician to out-patients, had adminis- 
 tered to 4,271 persons during the year. The resig- 
 nation of Miss Eebecca Taylor, " who has efficiently 
 and faithfully performed the duties of nurse in the 
 Hospital for thirty-four years, and to more than four 
 thousand persons," is noticed, with the remark that 
 " she has won the gratitude and afi'ection of the 
 patients, and the cordial regard of all who know her, 
 by her gentle manners and truly Christian life." The 
 provision made for this excellent woman has been 
 already noticed. The Treadwell Library, for con- 
 sultation, contained 2,534 volumes. There had been 
 in the Hospital since it was opened 23,351 patients, 
 and in the Asylum 4,702. Nearly half of these in 
 each department had been discharged well. 
 
 By Dr. Shaw's report it appeared that the whole 
 number of patients in the Hospital for the year 
 had been 1,394, of whom 1,240 had been admitted 
 during that time: 1,137 had been wholly free. Of 
 the patients, 555 were from Ireland. No applicant 
 whose case was suitable for treatment had been 
 rejected, and no one had been refused admission 
 on account of inability to pay board.
 
 558 DR. Tyler's report. 
 
 Dr. Tyler reports that 121 new patients had been 
 received into the Asylum during the year, and that 
 187 remained at its close. Holding in the reserve of 
 a sacred confidence many of the experiences and inci- 
 dents of his professional duties, he gives expression 
 to some general and useful suggestions. Recognizing 
 the fact that insanity, in any given case, is a sad 
 experience, and brings a crushing sorrow upon the 
 family of the afilicted one, he says it by no means 
 follows that all the experience of an Asylum is of 
 a gloomy character. The necessity and expediency 
 of a separation from home and friends having been 
 deliberately admitted, in spite of all the yearnings, 
 reproaches, misgivings, and imaginary apprehensions 
 that come with the effecting it, there is still another 
 side to the experience. A glimmer of something like 
 light comes where all has been darkness. Removal 
 from the scenes and associations of the origin of the 
 disease, the regularity and method of Asylum life, 
 diversion of thought, the sense of being cared for 
 wisely and kindly, gradually work their blessed in- 
 fluence. When restoration in its processes and its 
 results is realized, it brings with it a clear comfort 
 and an intensity of happiness. There are resources 
 of peace, relief, and enjoyment also, for those for 
 whom there is no reasonable hope of recovery. They 
 appreciate the method, the comfort, the amenities of
 
 ASYLUM EXPERIENCES. 559 
 
 the house, its system and routine ; they are observant 
 of their dress and appearance, and the furnishings 
 of their rooms ; they enjoy their walks, drives, and 
 amusements, and the interchange from solitude to 
 companionship. Many of these regard the Asylum 
 almost with reverence, and are alway on the side of 
 order in a time of murmuring. Such patients are 
 more than an offset to their antipodes in faith and 
 feeling, and so are sources of benefit to others. Those 
 who are under strong and grotesque delusions, in 
 their own fixed belief, — kings, prophets, the world's 
 benefactors, inventors, deities even, — if not seriously 
 disputed, enjoy themselves and amuse their fellows, 
 in the complacency of their fancies and plans. If 
 imagination can invest with wealth and power, the 
 Asylum has nabobs whose wealth and possessions are 
 unmatched by any of the princes or potentates of the 
 earth. All the passing trains of cars are carrying 
 their goods, and the ships on all oceans are doing 
 their traffic. The pitiable victims of hallucination 
 who torture themselves into despair, of course, must 
 not be forgotten ; nor is it wise to dwell upon their 
 miseries. The querulous and the perverse are to be 
 borne with, neither encouraged nor roughly with- 
 stood. What the officers and attendants of an 
 Asylum must be to meet the demands of a charge 
 covering all these and many other workings of dis-
 
 560 ASYLUM EXPERIENCES. 
 
 ease, it needs no full rehearsal of qualities to be set 
 before an intelligent mind. Fidelity and kindness 
 are the laws of the house. Patients taken away un- 
 cured^ and employes discharged for unfitness, are 
 the sources of all the malign reports about a well- 
 ordered Asylum. Those who are thoroughly re- 
 covered are always enthusiasts in their praise and 
 gratitude. An early resort to the Asylum in every 
 case of insanity, and a patient delay till the cure is 
 thorough and confirmed, before removal, are the 
 prime conditions of benefit. 
 
 Dr. Dio Lewis had spent much time during the 
 year in introducing his new system of gymnastics 
 for classes in both sides of the Asylum, with great 
 delight for the practitioners and the by-standers. 
 Among the ladies there is an enthusiastic interest 
 in " fancy-work." They contribute many valuable 
 articles to charity-fairs. A generous friend had sent 
 them two hundred dollars for the purchase of .ma- 
 terials. Dr. Tyler, after stating that the political and 
 social excitements of a most disturbed and startling 
 year of time had all received attention in the Asylum, 
 slyly adds^ that they " had been commented upon 
 with as much interest and perhaps as wisely as in 
 the great world outside of us." Many of the patients 
 had attended entertainments in the city, and more 
 still had been gratified by concerts, games, and
 
 DEATH OF MR. BOWDITCH. 561 
 
 lectures within the walls. Regattas and sleigh-rides 
 yielded their delights. 
 
 Provision was made by the Trustees, at their meet- 
 ing on Feb. 20, for the printing of five hundred copies 
 of the Rules and Regulations in their amended form. 
 At the meeting on March 31, the Board received a 
 donation of $500 for the purchase of books for the 
 patients in both branches of the institution. Grateful 
 thanks were returned for the gift, and its proper use 
 was referred to the consideration of a Committee. 
 Plans, specifications, and an estimate of cost for a 
 new cottage for female patients at the Asylum, were 
 laid before this meeting by a Committee. The 
 Board approved and adopted the same, and appointed 
 Messrs. Rogers, Bullard, and Greenough a Building 
 Committee, with full powers, up to the limit of an 
 outlay of 132,000. 
 
 At the quarterly meeting of the whole Board, held 
 at the Asylum on April 17, the death of Mr. Na- 
 thaniel I. Bowditch, Vice-President of the Corpo- 
 ration, was announced. The following resolutions 
 offered by Mr. Rogers were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 ''Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the Massa- 
 chusetts General Hospital have heard with unfeigned sorrow 
 of the decease, on yesterday evening, of Nathaniel Ingersoll 
 Bowditch, Esquire, its respected Vice-President. 
 
 ''Resolved, That his long connection with this institution, 
 
 71
 
 562 DEATH OF MR. BOWDITCH. 
 
 as Secretary, Trustee, Chairman of the Board, and Vice- 
 President, extending through a period of thirty -five years ; 
 the untiring devotion of all the faculties of his mind and 
 heart to the promotion of its interests ; his fidelity, intelli- 
 gence, ability, patience, and firmness in the discharge of 
 duty ; his gentle, joyous, and modest demeanor, at all times 
 and under all circumstances, so peculiarly remarkable in him ; 
 his sympathy with suffering and his many noble and gener- 
 ous acts for its alleviation, so characteristically performed, 
 and so beneficial and grateful to those who were the subjects 
 of them, — in short, his whole character, moral and in- 
 tellectual, constantly developing and maturing, and his 
 whole life always growing wiser and better and more useful 
 to the last, have won for him the respect, admiration, and 
 love of all the members of the successive Boards of Trus- 
 tees of this Corporation, and of the Physicians and Surgeons 
 and other ofiicers who, from time to time, have been con- 
 nected with it, and demand from us this tribute of regard 
 for his memory. 
 
 '^ Jiesolved, That this Board, as a mark of respect for the 
 character and services of its late Vice-President, will attend 
 his funeral in a body, provided the same be in accordance 
 with the feelings of the family. 
 
 ^^ liesolved, That we sympathize deeply with the family 
 of our deceased friend in the severe dispensation of Provi- 
 dence which has fallen upon them, and respectfully tender 
 to them this token of our sorrow and regard. 
 
 " These resolutions to be entered on the records, and a 
 certified copy of them to be transmitted to the family of the 
 deceased." 
 
 In a volume of which this truly excellent and much 
 loved man was the author, and the present repro-
 
 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 563 
 
 duction of which was provided for by a liberal be- 
 quest in his last will, it is bat right that he himself 
 should find a special commemoration. The preced- 
 ing pages from his pen will be evidence enough to 
 a thoughtful reader of the love which he bore this 
 institution ; of his painstaking in dealing with its 
 history ; of his grateful estimate of every service 
 which it received, from its origin to its maturity, from 
 the professional skill and fidelity of its officers, and 
 from the generosity and munificence of its bene- 
 factors. He labored to trace out and authenticate 
 every fact which formed its annals. He acquainted 
 himself with all the incidental matters which marked 
 its development. He was jealously watchful for its 
 good repute, and resolved that it should have no 
 other repute. He kept its claims for the supply and 
 enlargement of its resources before a community 
 whose respect for him was an additional motive for 
 listening to the cause which he pleaded. He directly 
 solicited the gifts of others, and tried to conceal his 
 own. And this, it might almost be said, was but the 
 lesser part of what Mr. Bowditch did for the Massa- 
 chusetts General Hospital ; for he might have done 
 it all outside of the walls of its spacious edifices. It 
 may be added, without risking any extravagance in 
 the statement, that during most of the thirty-five 
 years of his official connection with the institution no
 
 564 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 
 
 officer within or without its walls was more heartily, 
 laboriously, and effectively engaged than he was in 
 promoting its objects, or was more thoroughly and 
 minutely acquainted with all that occurred in it. 
 The nurses and the patients came to know him best 
 through his sympathies and his tender solicitude, 
 and through a thousand kindly offices of thoughtful 
 ministration, by gentle words, by the toy put into the 
 hand of the little wondering child, crippled or lan- 
 guishing on its bed ; by the rosebud, the nosegay, 
 or the luscious garden fruit offered to a sufferer, in 
 whom gratitude created the appreciation of the un- 
 wonted luxury. 
 
 Mr. Bowditch was born in Salem, June 17, 1805, 
 a son of the eminent Nathaniel Bowditch, LL.D., 
 whose genius in mathematical and nautical science, 
 while it gave him a world-wide fame, places him 
 among the greatest men of our Continent. The son 
 graduated with high rank at Harvard College in 1822, 
 and at once entered upon the study of the law in the 
 office of the late Benjamin E. Nichols, Esq., — then 
 residing in Salem, and himself a generous benefactor 
 of this institution. The family having removed to 
 Boston, Mr. Bowditch entered the law-office of the 
 late Hon. William Prescott and Franklin Dexter, 
 Esq., with the latter of whom Mr. Bowditch was for 
 a short time a partner in business. He was very
 
 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 565 
 
 soon drawn into that specialty of his profession, 
 " conveyancing," for which he had a pecuUar taste 
 and aptitude, and in the pursuit and practice of 
 which he obtained a distinction in Boston which 
 made him the supreme authority in tracing, verifying, 
 and transferring the titles of parcels of real estate. 
 No careful man who proposed to buy or to take a 
 mortgage on such property thought he had done his 
 full duty to himself unless he had the warrant of Mr. 
 Bowditch. He was thoroughly acquainted with the 
 voluminous contents of the Registry of Deeds for the 
 county, and his own iron safe was crowded with fifty- 
 five autograph folios, of five hundred pages each, of 
 abstracts of titles, of copied instruments and carefully 
 drawn plans of original and subdivided estates under 
 their successive owners. As parcels of land became 
 of enhanced value in the city, inches became of impor- 
 tance in the measurement ; and the owner of an estate 
 was inclined to great precision or over-precision in 
 his claims in fractions. The writer of these lines 
 heard Mr. Bowditch once pleasantly remark, in refer- 
 ence to some of these elastic measurements, that he 
 should be satisfied with the fortune which would accrue 
 from the actual sale of the supposititious inches of 
 territory specified in deeds, beyond the actual surface 
 of the soil in the city. His fame as an accurate inves- 
 tigator and conveyancer came to the knowledge of
 
 566 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 
 
 Lord Chancellor Lyndhurst, and drew from him a 
 high certification. His special acquisitions in con- 
 nection with his legal training were drawn upon in 
 very important cases, in which he was summoned for 
 testimony or an opinion by the Legislature and the 
 City Council. 
 
 A volume which bears the name of Mr. Bowditch 
 as its compiler, and which appeared in three editions, 
 successively increasing in size, — so that the third 
 edition contains seven times as many pages as the 
 first, — is unique in our literature. It involved in- 
 credible labor and research, and is a marvellous wit- 
 ness to the thoroughness and fidelity of his devotion 
 to his special profession. The volume was not put 
 on sale, the copies of it being given by the author 
 privately to his friends as a pleasant token of his 
 personal regard, and to public libraries and institu- 
 tions. I copy from the third edition, now before me, 
 
 . . . * 
 
 containing nearly eight hundred octavo pages, and 
 
 printed in 1861 : the title and motto are as follows : — 
 " Suffolk Surnames. By N. I. Bowditch. 
 
 "A Name ! If the party had a voice, 
 What mortal would be a Bugg by choice ? " — Hood. 
 
 The dedication is " To the Memory of A. Shurt, 
 ' The Father of American Conveyancing,' whose 
 name is associated alike with my daily toilet and my 
 daily occupation."
 
 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 567 
 
 The work is a direct result of his investigations 
 in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds. The first edition 
 appeared in 1857 ; the second, enlarged, in 1858. 
 The prefaces contain much interesting historical mat- 
 ter relating to the Records of Suffolk County, and 
 much curious information on the general subject of 
 names, and the bibliographical sources on which the 
 author drew, in the expansion of his work far beyond 
 its original design. There is a vast deal of instruc- 
 tion and humor to be found in the volume, more 
 than any one would imagine could come from an 
 arrangement of the classification and derivation of 
 names. It needed, however, the compiler's own 
 charming fancy and subtile wit to make so much of 
 his theme and materials. 
 
 The reader will peruse, with full appreciation and 
 sympathy, this closing portion of Mr. Bowditch's 
 preface : — 
 
 "I will conclude with a few words of 'personal expla- 
 nation.' I was born in 1805. Of a vigorous frame and 
 active habits, I enjoyed for fifty years almost uninterrupted 
 health. During the summer months, I seldom omitted a 
 daily swim in Charles Eiver ; and the coldest weather of 
 winter rarely induced me to resort to an outside garment. 
 In 1835, on a bridal tour, I visited Niagara, and swam 
 across that river, below the Falls, on two successive days ; 
 and once, when the thermometer was at zero, the gentlemen 
 who had gathered around the fire in an insurance office in
 
 568 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 
 
 Boston proposed, as I entered the room, to subscribe to buy 
 me an overcoat, because, as they said, it made them cold to 
 look at me. At fifty, however, I ceased to be a young man ; 
 and my dress was no longer such as to exert a chilling in- 
 fluence over my friends. In February, 1859, I slipped upon 
 the ice, but did not fall ; and I supposed that I had escaped 
 with merely a slight sprain, and the laugh of the bystanders. 
 I had, however, injured the head of the thigh bone ; and the 
 result was a gradually increasing lameness. In June I re- 
 moved to my summer residence in Brookline. Here, in an 
 apartment curtained by forest trees, I sat, day after day, 
 week after week, a prisoner ; my sole occupation being the 
 collection and arrangement of the- materials for the present 
 edition, and the laborious preparation of the Index. On 
 Aug. 2, a visit was made by my attending surgeons. I 
 arose to receive them ; and in the effort to open the drawer 
 of a small writing-table, which was partly behind me, I 
 pulled it out so that it fell upon the floor. From this slight 
 cause, a severe fracture of the thigh occurred while I was 
 standing up. I have been thenceforth condemned to a state 
 of horizontal meditation, which must last as long as I live. 
 Twice already have I here seen the foliage of summer give 
 place to the snows of winter. My misfortune has received 
 every alleviation which science could suggest, or the kind- 
 ness of family and friends bestow ; but my bodily pain and 
 weariness soon made some fixed employment almost indis- 
 pensable. I accordingly commenced the printing of this 
 work in the autumn of 1859 ; and it has enabled me to 
 attain a state of cheerful discomfort. 
 
 Until my confinement, I had never permitted my mus- 
 tache and beard to grow : they are now of a truly patriarchal 
 length and whiteness. Had my book been a grave, philo- 
 sophical treatise, my head, with these hairy appendages of
 
 TRIBUTE TO MR. BOWDITCH. 569 
 
 wisdom, would have made for it a most appropriate frontis- 
 piece. But, considering its light and lively character, 1 have 
 preferred a retrospective view of my face. The engraving 
 is from a miniature painted by a British artist, while on a 
 professional visit to this country, about twenty years ago. 
 Truth compels me to admit that no one recognizes me 
 through this disguise of youth.* 
 
 "If my volume shall sometimes dispel the cloud of care or 
 thought from the brow of manhood, or call forth a smile 
 upon the face of youth and beauty, I may perhaps hope, if 
 not for the sympathy, at least for the indulgence, of my 
 readers." 
 
 This preface bears date, " Brookline, Mass., Febru- 
 ary, 1861." The writer, who had borne his severe 
 and protracted sufferings with Christian patience, sus- 
 tained by Christian hope, was released on the 16th 
 of April following. Those who were privileged to 
 visit him in his cheerful chamber will ahvays remem- 
 ber his sweet smile of welcome, the resignation of his 
 spirit, and his lively interest in the nobler concerns of 
 the world without. There was a curious satisfaction 
 — associated with his long series of visits to other 
 sufferers in the Hospital — with vs^hich he drew the 
 attention of his visitors to the ingenious devices and 
 
 * There is an excellent likeness, in photograph, of Mr. Bowditch, in the 
 Trustees' room at tlie Hospital, the gift of Mrs. Bowditch. This, as having 
 " the appendages of wisdom," would have been given by preference in this 
 volume, had not the subject of it made his own choice. 
 
 72
 
 570 EFFECT OF THE CIVIL WAR. 
 
 mechanism of the couch on which he lay, for raising 
 him and affording slight changes of position. He 
 had another resource on that bed of pain besides the 
 revising of his book of Names. He bore in remem- 
 brance very many who were poor, in sorrow, or 
 under trial ; loving to be told of any new ones on 
 the Bethesda list who were strangers to him, that 
 he might send to them regularly the tokens of his 
 sympathy and bounty. His philanthropy was of 
 the widest, his humanity was of the purest and 
 the fullest. 
 
 In accordance of purpose with his wife, Mr. Bow- 
 ditch, in 1860, gave to Harvard College the sum of 
 seventy thousand dollars, for the establishment of 
 sixteen scholarships, four for each class, of an annual 
 value of two hundred and fifty dollars each. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on April 17, the 
 Committee on Repairs were instructed to procure 
 plans for laying out and improving the grounds, and 
 for the better drainage of the Asylum. It is interest- 
 ing now to note how the alarming condition and 
 prospects of the country at the opening of the civil 
 war are recognized by an entry on the records at 
 the meeting of the Trustees on April 24. The Com- 
 mittee appointed to contract for the new "Cottage"
 
 SOLDIERS AT THE HOSPITAL. 571 
 
 at the Asylum reported that the proposals in their 
 hands for the work were within the estimates. But 
 they hesitated, without further conference with the 
 Board, to proceed with the work " under the circum- 
 stances now existing in the country." " After a full 
 discussion of the subject," the Board, in strong faith, 
 gave the Committee authority to go on with the 
 work. 
 
 The Board, at its meeting on May 5, were informed 
 by the Treasurer that the late Mr. Bowditch had in 
 his will bequeathed to the Hospital $5,000 to con- 
 stitute a " Wooden-leg Fund," and $2,000 as a fund 
 for the republication of the History of the Hospital. 
 The Treasurer was directed to establish the two 
 funds accordingly. At the same meeting, the Secre- 
 tary was directed to communicate to His Excellency 
 Governor Andrew the following vote, passed in view 
 of the pending civil war : — 
 
 " That the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital 
 assure the Executive of the Commonwealth that, in the 
 event of any diseased or wounded soldiers being returned to 
 this city, they shall consider it their duty and privilege to 
 extend to them all the succor and relief that may be within 
 their power." 
 
 A communication from Governor Andrew acknowl- 
 edging this vote was received by the Board on May 
 19 ; and by a second, subsequent letter to Dr. Shaw,
 
 572 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 on Aug. 27, he expressed his high appreciation of 
 the attentions rendered by the Hospital to returned 
 soldiers. 
 
 The House Pupils having petitioned for leave to 
 board in the Hospital, the Trustees, by vote on Aug. 
 27, granted permission until further order. A new 
 form of bond, with reference to sureties, for the 
 admission of patients to the Asylum, having been 
 found desirable, Mr. Lowell, to whom the subject had 
 been committed, reported a form at this meeting, 
 which was adopted. Mr. E.. M. Mason, on Sept. 
 10, resigned his place on the Board, on account 
 of intended absence abroad. The Secretary was 
 directed to communicate to him the thanks of his 
 associates for his long and valuable services. The 
 Treasurer was authorized to borrow the money 
 needed for the construction of the new " Cottage " at 
 the Asylum. On Nov. 17, the Chairman, Mr. Rogers, 
 having previously announced to the Board that he 
 would be unavoidably absent from Boston during 
 much of the coming season, in attendance at Wash- 
 ington as a member of the National Sanitary Com- 
 mission, the Board elected Mr. Bullard as Chairman 
 pro tern, while Mr. Rogers should be absent. Meas- 
 ures were instituted by the Board, on Dec. 15, for 
 disposing the boundary line between the flats belong- 
 ing to the Corporation and those belonging to the
 
 DONATION FROM MR. APPLETON. 573 
 
 heirs of the late Dr. Parkman. Messrs. Wiggles- 
 worth and Davis were appointed the Committee, on 
 Dec. 29, to prepare the annual report of the Board ; 
 and the annual reports of the Treasurer and other 
 officers, as presented on Jan. 10, and Jan. 15, 1862, 
 were referred to them. At the meeting on Jan. 10, 
 the Treasurer read a communication from the Hon. 
 William Appleton announcing his donation of $10,000 
 to be added to the "Appleton Fund," for the as- 
 sistance and support of needy curable patients at the 
 Asylum. A suitable acknowledgment was made of 
 this munificent gift.
 
 574 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Feb, 5, 1862, to Feb. 22, 1867. 
 
 Annual Meeting and Organization for 1862. — Report for 1861. — 
 Death of the President, Mr. Appleton, and Tribute to him. — 
 Invalid Soldiers at the Hospital. — Bequest from Miss Town- 
 send. — United States Sanitary Commission ask the Servi'ces of 
 Dr. Shaw and Dr. Tyler. — Resignation of the Steward and 
 Matron of the Asylum. — Services of Dr. Morrill Wyman. — 
 Legislation on Asylums. — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 
 1863. — Report for 1862. — Resignation of Dr. Townsend. — Dr. 
 Tyler's Tribute to Dr. Bell. — Sketch of him. — New Cottage for 
 Males at the Asylum. — Resignation of Dr. Bacon as Chemist. — 
 House Pupils to board at the Hospital. — Dr. J. C. White elected 
 Chemist. — Bequest of John Pickens. — Death of Dr. Hayward. 
 
 — Dr. Townsend elected Consulting Physician. — Additional 
 Surgical House Pupils. — Litigation concerning Bequest of 
 Miss Loring. — Bequest of Dr. B. D. Greene. — Hours for the 
 Visits of Surgeons and Physicians. — A Surgeon to Out-Patients. 
 
 — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 1864. — Report for 1863. 
 
 — Historical Pamphlets presented by Dr. Shaw. — Legacy of 
 William Oliver. — Resignation of Secretary Hall. — Election 
 of Mr. W. S. Dexter. — Resignation of Dr. Bowditch and Choice 
 OF Dr. C. Ellis as a Visiting Physician. — Other Changes among 
 THE Officers. — Tribute to Dr. J. B. S. Jackson. — Bequest of Miss 
 Sever. — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 1865. — Report 
 FOR 1864. — Death of J. Amory Davis. — Resignation and Appoint- 
 ments AT THE Asylum. — Other Resignations. — Annual Meeting. 
 
 — Organization for 1866. — Report for 1865. — Important Report 
 ON THE Finances AND Circular. — Changes of Officers at Asy- 
 lum. — Bequest of Dr. Worcester. — A New Operating Theatre. 
 
 — Leave of Absence to Dr. Tyler. — Gift from Rev. J. Spaulding. 
 
 — Legacy from Miss S. Pratt. — Annual Meeting. — Organization 
 FOR 1867. — Report for 1866. — Generous Subscription. — Debt 
 PAID. — Dr. Tyler's Report. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital on Feb. 5, 1862. The following
 
 REPORT FOR 1861. 575 
 
 gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year, 
 William Appleton, President ; Robert Hooper, Vice- 
 President; J. T. Stevenson, Treasurer ; T. B. Hall, 
 Secretary ; Messrs. J. M. Beebe, J. Amory Davis, 
 W. W. Greenough, George Higginson, John Lowell, 
 H. B. Eogers, J. C. Wild, and Edward Wiggles- 
 worth, Trustees on the part of the Corporation ; and 
 Messrs. W. S. BuUard, W. J. Dale, Martin Brimmer, 
 and S. G. Howe, Trustees on the part of the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 The annual report for 1861 estimates the pro- 
 ductive property of the Corporation at $307,166.05. 
 The value of the property at Somerville is fixed at 
 $332,712.27; that of the Hospital estate in Boston 
 at $289,347.64. The expenses of the Hospital have 
 been $38,954.30 ; and of the Asylum $63,311.87, the 
 income of the Corporation having been $95,996.44 ; 
 showing an excess of expenses of $6,269.73. An 
 appeal to our citizens is recommended for the pur- 
 pose of increasing the fund for free beds at the Hos- 
 pital. There had been admitted to the Hospital 1,416 
 patients; whole number under treatment 1,552; the 
 average cost of each, per week, being $5.35. Testi- 
 mony is borne to the efficiency of the Resident Phy- 
 sician and other officers. No case suitable for treat- 
 ment had been rejected. The Hospital had ministered 
 to the comfort of many of our volunteer soldiers who
 
 576 DR. Tyler's report. 
 
 had become disabled. The Physician to out-patients 
 had treated 4,775 during the year. The Treadwell 
 Library contained 2,577 volumes. The Superintend- 
 ent of the Asylum reports 298 patients under treat- 
 ment during the year, 188 remaining at its close ; the 
 average weekly cost of each being $6.07. The 
 Asylum has maintained its high reputation for the 
 fidelity of its officers, and the merciful efiiciency of 
 their work. The new building for highly excited 
 female patients is in a state of forwardness. The 
 gifts of J. Bowdoin Bradlee and of William Apple- 
 ton, and the bequests of N. I. Bowditch, are grate- 
 fully mentioned ; and the tribute of warm regard to 
 the last-named gentleman is renewed. 
 
 Dr. Shaw repeats his suggestions as to the intent 
 of the Hospital for the treatment of curable patients, 
 rather than for an Infirmary, and refers to the pro- 
 posed City Hospital as designed to receive contagious 
 and incurable cases. 
 
 Dr. Tyler, in his report, congratulating himself on 
 the progress of the new building on the Asylum 
 grounds, and giving a general summary of the year's 
 duties, and gratefully referring to all the means of 
 amusement and relaxation enjoyed by his large 
 household, devotes the rest of his pages to a most 
 admirably condensed and eloquent statement of the 
 experiences of the country under the terrible disci-
 
 TRIBUTE TO MR. APPLETON. 577 
 
 pline of war, with especial reference to the effect 
 of its exciting events upon his patients. We can 
 recall no more adequate or striking picture and sum- 
 ming up, than that which he has here drawn of those 
 days and scenes of woe. His devoted predecessor, 
 Dr. Bell, was at the time in the field as a minister of 
 mercy to the patriot army. 
 
 The President of the Corporation and the gener- 
 ous benefactor of the institution, Hon. William Ap- 
 pleton, having died on Feb. 15, at Longwood, a 
 special meeting of the Corporation of the Massa- 
 chusetts General Hospital, which had been duly 
 notified, was held at the Hospital in Boston, on Mon- 
 day Feb. 24, 1862, at 3* o'clock p.m. 
 
 Robert Hooper, Esq., the Vice-President, called 
 the meeting to order, and took the chair. 
 
 The death of the Hon. William Appleton, late 
 President of the Corporation, being announced, the 
 following resolutions offered by the Treasurer, J. 
 Thomas Stevenson, were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That in the death of the Hon. William Apple- 
 ton this Corporation has met with a great loss. He was 
 connected with the management of its affairs for twenty-five 
 years, always with a lively interest in the promotion of its 
 charitable purposes. The institution is greatly indebted to 
 his prudent counsels, as well as to his well-directed benevo- 
 lence. His munificent donations have enabled the Trustees 
 
 73
 
 578 • ORGANIZATION FOR 1862. 
 
 to do much for the comfort, as well as for the cure of those 
 insane, whose limited means might otherwise have deprived 
 them of the full advantages of a residence at the Asylum. 
 The fund which he established for the assistance of the 
 curable insane has abounded in rich fruits. The buildings 
 bearing his name at Somerville, which were erected at his 
 suggestion and chiefly by his bounty, are honorable monu- 
 ments both of his sagacity and of his benevolence. 
 
 "^Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be communi- 
 cated to the family of Mr. Appleton, with assurances of the 
 sympathy of the members of this Corporation with them in 
 their bereavement, and of their appreciation of the honorable 
 and Christian character of the deceased." 
 
 A communication from Edward Wiggleswortli, 
 Esq., was read, declining to accept his re-election to 
 the office of Trustee, and it was voted that the same 
 be referred to the Board of Trustees. 
 
 The meeting was then dissolved. 
 
 Attest : T. B. Hall, Secretary. 
 
 At the first subsequent meeting of the Board of 
 Trustees, on Feb. 24, 1862, Mr. H. B. Rogers, then 
 absent at Washington, was re-elected Chairman, Mr. 
 Bullard being chosen to fill the place temporarily. 
 A communication from Mr. Wiggleswortli, resigning 
 his place as Trustee, having been referred to the 
 Board by the Corporation, the Trustees voted to him 
 their thanks " for his long, faithful, and efficient 
 services." The following professional gentlemen
 
 UNITED STATES SOLDIERS. 579 
 
 were then elected by ballot for the ensuing year : 
 as the Board of Consultation at the Hospital, Drs. 
 J. Jackson, J, Jeffries, E. Reynolds, G. Hayward, J. 
 Homans, and W. Lewis ; as Visiting Physicians, 
 Drs. J. B. S. Jackson, H. I. Bowditch, G. C. Shat- 
 tuck, A. A. Gould, C. E. Ware, and F. Minot ; as 
 Visiting Surgeons, Drs. S. D. Townsend, J. Mason 
 Warren, H. J. Bigelow, H. G. Clark, S. Cabot, jun., 
 and G. H. Gay ; Dr. B. S. Shaw, Resident Physician ; 
 Dr. S. L. Abbot, Physician to Out-patients ; Dr. J. 
 Bacon, Chemist ; Dr. C. Ellis, Microscoj)ist and Cu- 
 rator of the Pathological Cabinet ; O. H. Webber, 
 Apothecary ; Harvey Howard, Steward ; Mrs. Mary 
 Wiggin, Matron. Dr. J. E. Tyler was chosen Phy- 
 sician and Superintendent of the Asylum, and Mr. 
 and Mrs. C. Tyler Steward and Matron. The Stand- 
 ing Committees of the Board were appointed, and the 
 Visiting Committees were arranged for the year. The 
 thanks of the Board were voted to Mrs. N. I. Bow- 
 ditch for the gift of a photograph likeness of her late 
 husband, " whose services and benefactions are grate- 
 fully remembered by this Corporation." It was — . 
 
 " Voted, That the subject of proper accommodations in this 
 Hospital for the sick and wounded of the United States army 
 be referred to Drs. Dale and Howe, to consider and report to 
 this Board at an early meeting ; and in the mean time that 
 Dr. Dale shall have authority to place for treatment in the
 
 580 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 Hospital any invalid soldier for whom there is suitable room, 
 the rate of their board being $4.50 per week." 
 
 Dr. Dale reported at the next meeting, March 
 23,— 
 
 "That, unless some extraordinary exigency should occur, 
 the accommodations now afforded by this Institution are 
 ample for the present." 
 
 A communication from the Custom-house Collector 
 of Boston was received, enclosing a copy of an in- 
 quiry from the Treasury Department at Washington, 
 relative to obtaining contract proposals from public 
 and private hospitals, for the accommodation of sick 
 seamen. Whereupon it was — 
 
 " Voted, That the Resident Physician be directed to reply 
 to the Collector, that, whilst the Trustees would be glad to 
 receive all patients for whom there is room in the Hospital, 
 the organization and rules of the Institution and its relation 
 to the City and State are such as to prevent any contract- 
 undertaking of the kind desired." 
 
 On May 4, Miss Susan L. Kilborn made a commu- 
 nication to the Trustees, asking leave to visit the 
 Hospital. The communication was laid on the table. 
 Mr. Henry A. Whitney was elected a Trustee, on 
 May 18, to fill the vacancy in the Board caused by the 
 resignation of Mr. Wiggles worth. Mr. Lowell, at 
 the meeting of the Board, on June 3, offered a new
 
 BEQUEST OF MISS TOWNSEND. 581 
 
 Form of Admission of patients to the Asylum, made 
 in accordance with recent legislation. It was adopted 
 by the Board, He also submitted a document rela- 
 tive to the use of land of the Parkman heirs adjoin- 
 ing the Hospital grounds. This document disclaimed 
 all rights and easements being acquired to the Hos- 
 pital by the enclosure of land of the Parkman heirs, 
 and the opening of a gate upon the same. The docu- 
 ment was approved, and the Treasurer was authorized 
 to execute it in behalf of the Corporation. The Com- 
 mittee on improvements of the Asylum grounds were 
 authorized, on June 3, to remove the old cottage as 
 soon as the excited patients were transferred to the 
 new building. Dr. Tyler received permission to 
 attend the approaching annual convention of " the 
 Association of Superintendents of Institutions for 
 the Insane," at Providence, — his expenses to be 
 met by the Board. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on July 15, the Chair- 
 man, Mr. Rogers, took his seat, having returned from 
 service at Washington, on the Sanitary Commission. 
 
 The Trustees, at their meeting on Aug. 26, re- 
 ceived the following letter, of that date, addressed to 
 them : — 
 
 "The late Miss Mary P. Townsend, by her last will, 
 authorized us, as her executors, to dispose of the residue and 
 remainder of her estate to such charitable and public institu- 
 tions as her executors may think meritorious.
 
 582 DR. WHITTEMORE AT ASYLUM. 
 
 " In such residue and remainder is a parcel of real estate 
 in Hanover Street, in this city, which was appraised at 
 $7,500, after her decease, and is now under lease to a good 
 tenant, for three years from the first day of July last, at a 
 rent of $450 for the first year, and $500 a year for the last 
 two years. The tenant pays the taxes and keeps the estate 
 in repair at his own cost. 
 
 " We think we cannot more exactly fulfil the benevolent 
 intentions of Miss Townsend in giving us the power to dis- 
 pose of the residue of her estate, than by presenting the 
 house in Hanover Street to the Massachusetts General Hos- 
 pital, as her gift. Accordingly, we send you a deed of it, 
 and an assignment of the lease. 
 
 " We have thought it best that the deed should be abso- 
 lute and without limitation ; but we wish and earnestly hope 
 that the income of the estate may hereafter and always be 
 appropriated for the support of free beds in the Hospital." 
 Signed by the executors, William Minot, and William Minot, 
 jun. 
 
 This benevolent donation was accepted ; the Sec- 
 retary being directed to communicate to the execu- 
 tors the sincere thanks of the Board, and the Treas- 
 urer to establish the " Townsend Free Bed Fund," 
 from the estate and its income. A communication 
 was received from the Surgeon-general of the United 
 States army relative to the termination of any con- 
 tract for board of United States soldiers at the Hos- 
 pital, and their future removal. Dr. Tyler, on Sept. 
 9, communicated to the Board his appointment of 
 Dr. James H. Whittemore as Assistant Phvsician at
 
 BUST OF WILLIAM APPLETON. 583 
 
 the Asylum, in place of Dr. John Blackmer, who, 
 after two years of faithful service, had left, on his 
 appointment as surgeon of the 47th Massachusetts 
 Regiment. The nomination was confirmed. 
 
 A communication from Dr. Shaw was laid before 
 the Trustees, on Oct. 10, relative to a request of the 
 United States Sanitary Commission that he would act 
 on a Board of Special Inspection of General Hos- 
 pitals of the army, requiring a service for two terms, 
 of two weeks each, during the next six months. It 
 was then " voted that leave of absence be granted to 
 Dr. Shaw for the time and purpose named, provided 
 he makes such arrangement for supplying his place 
 during his absence as shall be satisfactory to the 
 Chairman of this Board." 
 
 The same leave was granted by the Board to Dr. 
 Tyler, on Oct. 15, for the same purpose and on the 
 same conditions. 
 
 Dr. Bacon, Chemist at the Hospital, was author- 
 ized to employ an assistant in the performance of his 
 duties, in such way and at such time as he cannot 
 attend to them himself, at an expense not exceeding 
 1250 annually. 
 
 Mr. Bullard, for a Committee, reported on Nov. 2 
 that a marble bust of the late William Appleton had 
 been procured and placed in the Trustees' Room at 
 the Asylum.
 
 58-4 ANMUAL MEETING, 1863. 
 
 The resignations of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, as Steward 
 and Matron of the Asylnm, were received by the 
 Board on Nov. 16, and were accepted, with the 
 understanding that the incumbents would remain in 
 office until suitable successors could be found. 
 
 Messrs. Howe and Wild were appointed on Dec. 
 28 to prepare the annual report of the Board to the 
 Corporation. Mr. Higginson was afterwards added 
 to this Committee, to whom the reports of the Treas- 
 urer and of the officers of the Hospital and Asylum, 
 as they were regularly submitted, were referred. At 
 the meeting on Jan. 21, 1863, the Trustees passed a 
 vote of thanks to Dr. Morrill Wyman, of Cambridge, 
 " for his careful examination of the plans of venti- 
 lation for the new Cottage for females at the Asylum ; 
 for his valuable suggestions thereon ; and for the 
 cordial interest manifested by him in the welfare of 
 the institution." 
 
 Dr Howe and Mr. Lowell were appointed a Com- 
 mittee, on Feb. 4, " to look after the interests of this 
 institution in the proposed legislation on the subject 
 of Asylums for the Insane, now pending before the 
 Legislature of this State." 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital on Feb. 4, 1863, at which the report 
 of the Trustees was presented. Mr. Robert Hooper, 
 who had been Vice-President, was chosen President,
 
 SERVICES OF DR. TOWNSEND. 585 
 
 in place of the late William Appleton ; Edward 
 Wigglesworth was chosen Vice-President ; J. T. 
 Stevenson, Treasurer; and T. B. Hall, Secretary. 
 Only two changes were made in the Board of Trus- 
 tees, Mr. Henry A. Whitney taking the place of Mr. 
 Wigglesworth, on the part of the Corporation ; and 
 Mr. Harrison Ritchie taking that of W. J. Dale, on 
 the part of the Commonwealth. 
 
 At the first meeting of the Board, on Feb. 15, it 
 was organized by the choice of Mr. H. B. Rogers 
 as Chairman. A communication was read from Dr. 
 Solomon D. Townsend, declining to be re-elected 
 one of the Visiting Surgeons of the Hospital. The 
 following resolves were thereupon unanimously 
 adopted : — 
 
 " Resolved, That in accepting the resignation now tendered 
 to them, by Dr. Solomon D. Townsend, the Trustees, in 
 justice to him and to themselves, feel bound to express their 
 high appreciation of his long, faithful, and valuable services 
 in behalf of this Institution. 'Consulting Surgeon ' of the 
 Hospital from the year 1835 to 1839, and 'Acting Surgeon' 
 from that time to this, a period of nearly a quarter of a 
 century, he has daily, without fee or pecuniary reward, 
 given a full share of his time and professional skill to the 
 patients committed to his charge ; and by his ability, sound 
 judgment, assiduity, kindness, and consistent and gentle- 
 manly conduct, has, at all times during this long term of 
 years, won the respect and esteem of his professional asso- 
 ciates and of all the various Boards of Trustees. In parting 
 
 74
 
 586 ORGANIZATION FOR 1863. 
 
 from liim, the Trustees therefore would offer to Dr. Town- 
 send their hearty thanks for all the good he has done to them 
 and the public in the past, and their most sincere wishes for 
 his welfare and happiness in the future. 
 
 " Resolved, That Dr. Townsend be requested to sit for his 
 portrait or bust, and that Messrs. Kogers, Bullard, and 
 Stevenson be a Committee to carry this resolve into effect." 
 
 A communication having been received from Dr. 
 W. J. Dale, announcing that he had dechned re- 
 election as one of the " State Trustees," it was there- 
 upon — 
 
 " Voted, That the thanks of the Board be presented to Dr. 
 Dale for his long, fiithful, and efficient services as a mem- 
 ber of the Board from which he has now retired." 
 
 The elections for Boards of Consultation, of Visit- 
 ing Physicians, and Visiting Surgeons resulted in the 
 choice of all the members of those Boards during the 
 previous year, save that upon the last named Dr. 
 Richard ,M. Hodges was chosen to supply the place 
 of Dr. Townsend. Dr. Shaw was chosen Resident 
 Physician of the Hospital ; Dr. Abbot, Physician 
 to out-patients ; Dr. Bacon, Chemist ; Dr. C. Ellis, 
 Microscopist and Curator of the Pathological Cabi- 
 net ; George T. Sears, Apothecary; and Mrs. Mary 
 Wiggin, Matron. Dr. Tyler was chosen Superin- 
 tendent of the Asylum. The Chairman then ap-
 
 REPORT FOR 1862. 587 
 
 pointed the Standing Committees, and the Visiting 
 Committees were arranged for the year. The Chair- 
 man and Mr. Lowell were made a Committee to 
 consider and report upon the duties of the Steward 
 of the Hospital, with power to make such temporary 
 arrangements relative to that office as may be neces- 
 sary. 
 
 The annual report of the Trustees, of which two 
 thousand copies were printed, contains references to 
 many matters of interest. The pressure of the times 
 had not caused any anxiety in diminishing the in- 
 come, in increasing the number of patients, or abating 
 the earnestness of the friends and officers of the 
 institution. There had been received and treated 
 within the Hospital during the year 1,611 patients, in 
 addition to the 140 who were there at its beffinnins:. 
 There remained at its close 145. There had been 
 treated 4,800 out-patients. There had been received 
 and treated at the Asylum 270 patients, of whom 
 there remained at the close of the year 176. This 
 whole summing up presents to us a ministration of 
 mercy in an impressive form, especially when we 
 contemplate the accumulative results gathering in 
 the lengthening course of years. The gift through 
 the executors of the late Miss Townsend is a recog- 
 nition of a continued liberality which is expected to 
 constitute an item in every report. The expenses
 
 588 DR. SHAW's REPORT. 
 
 of the Hospital were $42,114.81 ; the average week- 
 ly cost of each patient, $6.04. The expenses of the 
 Asylum were $71,823.46, the average for each 
 patient being $7.27, though this covers some extraor- 
 dinary outlays on fne grounds, &c. The value of the 
 productive property is set at $318,397.96 ; that of 
 the real estate, — the Asylum, $348,441.93, the 
 Hospital, $280,347.64. The outstanding debt is 
 $78,164.81, incurred by the purchase of the Joy and 
 Woodworth estates, and by the building of the new 
 cottage for female patients. An appeal is suggested 
 for aid in removing this debt, without diminishing 
 the beneficent work of the Institution. 
 
 Dr. Shaw reports that, though 277 applicants had 
 been refused as unfit at the Hospital, no case suit- 
 able for treatment had been rejected for inability to 
 pay board. The capacity of the Hospital is 180 
 beds. It had sent home well, during the year, 843 
 patients. There had been received and treated 212 
 United States soldiers, besides a large number as out- 
 patients. Before the establishment of a government 
 mihtary hospital in Boston, such patients had been 
 paid for at the rate of $4.50 a week. Since that 
 time they had been free. 
 
 Dr. Tyler's report is written in a grateful spirit 
 for the large additions which have been made to the 
 comforts and curative agencies of the Asylum. The
 
 DR. Tyler's report. 589 
 
 new edifice for patients under the most demonstrative 
 forms of mental disorder, with its spacious and cheer- 
 ful apartments, and the enlarged and beautiful 
 grounds improved by Mr. Cleveland, are realized as 
 blessings already. The war, the distractions and 
 miseries of which are more and more daily felt, has 
 not yet caused any appreciable increase of insanity. 
 Seventeen of the attendants of the Asylum had en- 
 listed in the army, and Dr. Blackmer had gone into 
 service as surgeon. Dr. Tyler repeats, as with the 
 force of his increased experience, that insanity in 
 almost all its forms is curable, and generally is so 
 according to the promptness with which it is put 
 under treatment ; in its incipient stages its subtle 
 approaches and vague manifestations being too often 
 slighted till the mischief is confirmed. The decease 
 during the year of the Hon. William Appleton and 
 Dr. Luther V. Bell is regarded by Dr. Tyler as 
 properly calling forth from him a tender reference to 
 their services and virtues. They had been so long 
 and harmoniously associated as officers in this 
 Institution, — the one, by his sympathy and large 
 pecuniary gifts and administrative skill, contributing 
 so munificently and wisely to its means and its 
 government; the other, by his humane and gentle 
 spirit, his profound knowledge, and his enriched 
 experience, presiding within its walls over the de-
 
 590 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 
 
 pendent subjects of bis skill, — tbat deatb, coming to 
 tbem after protracted feebleness, seemed to make 
 one more bond of union between them. The '■'• Apple- 
 ton Wards," with their elegant and convenient apart- 
 ments, are to some extent a compensation to a socially 
 favored class of patients for their removal from lux- 
 urious homes. The " Appleton Fund," for the 
 assistance and support of needy curable patients, is 
 a form of benevplence already blessed by many of the 
 recovered among its grateful receivers. Thus the 
 rich and the poor were alike embraced in Mr. Apple- 
 ton's considerate kindness. It is but right that Dr. 
 Tyler's just and beautiful tribute to his predecessor 
 and associate should be transferred to these pages : — 
 
 "For nearly twenty years Dr. Bell lield the position of 
 Superintendent of the Asylum, identifying himself with all 
 its interests, and directing its daily management, with a 
 comprehensive skill, sagacity, and forecast, a purity and 
 elevation of purpose, and a scrupulous faithfulness to every 
 relation involved, which secured for him, for those intrusted 
 to his care, and for the Institution, the happiest and the 
 most abundant results. The accuracy and variety of his 
 knowle(l2;e, the soundness of his judgment, and his remark- 
 able faculty of adapting means to ends, meet one here at 
 every step ; while the recognized method of treatment, the 
 traditionary usages and rules of the house, bear the indelible 
 stamp of his thorough and exact comprehension of the needs 
 of the insane, and his wonderful tact in providing for them. 
 His active and commanding intellect, his extraordinary attain-
 
 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 591 
 
 ments as a scholar, philosopher, and psychologist ; his exten- 
 sive knowledge of every thing pertaining to the phenomena, 
 management, and history of insanity ; his able and long- 
 continued efforts and success in diffusing and establishing 
 correct views of the nature and treatment of the disease, — 
 have justly caused him to be regarded as one of the most 
 distinguished of the many great men who have ever adorned 
 the medical profession. His inbred sense of honor, his 
 entire removal from all meanness and duplicity, his sterling- 
 integrity and inflexible moral courage, his keen sense and 
 ardent love of right, leading him to its defence, in utter dis- 
 regard of any personal consideration, and in the face of any 
 obstacle, and qualifying and inspiring all his every-day life, 
 and yet with no touch of pharisaical exactness or pretension, 
 commanded the admiration and respect of all who knew him, 
 and gave him an uncommon power of personal influence, 
 while it made him of inestimable worth as a friend. His 
 courteous and dignified bearing, his gentle manner and 
 quiet humor, his inexhaustible store of anecdote and useful 
 information, gave him a wonderful charm as a companion. 
 Strong, though not demonstrative in his feelings, warm in 
 his attachments, he loved his home, his friends, and his 
 daily associations, and devoted himself to their welfare. He 
 loved his country, and felt the severity of her fiery trial; 
 and, faithful as always to his convictions of right and per- 
 sonal obligation, he gave her as his last offering the rich 
 accumulation of his experience, and his life, — a brilliant 
 example of lofty Christian patriotism." 
 
 The reference made in the last sentence of Dr. 
 Tyler's affectionate tribute to his predecessor may 
 justify a few words of explanation. It was the privi-
 
 592 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 
 
 lege of the writer, in another associate relation, to be 
 charged with the office of a biographer of Dr. Bell.* 
 Dr. Bell came of an honored ancestry of the Scotch- 
 Irish settlers in New Hampshire. His father was 
 governor, one of his brothers senator in Congress, 
 and another the chief-justice of that State. He had 
 predilections for and would have won eminent dis- 
 tinction in political life, had not his chosen pro- 
 fession first drawn and then engrossed the faculties 
 of his mind. The last years of his connection with 
 the Asylum were saddened by repeated and severe 
 afflictions. He was there bereaved of three children 
 and of his wife. On the resignation of his office, he 
 retired to a dwelling which he had built for himself 
 in Charlestown, that he might be near to the scene 
 of his long-continued service, which he hoped fre- 
 quently to visit. Here he suffered much from the 
 symptoms of pulmonary disease. On the opening of 
 the civil war, by letter dated April 19, 1861, and 
 addressed to the adjutant-general of the State, 
 beginning with the words, '' We are at that point 
 where every man who can devote himself to his coun- 
 try's service should come forward," he asks to have 
 put on file his application for any position in the 
 
 * Memoir of Luther V. Bell, M.D., LL.D. Prepared by vote of the 
 Massachusetts Historical Society, rrinted in the " Proceedings," &c., for 
 1863.
 
 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 593 
 
 medical service of the Commonwealth in which he 
 could be useful. He says that he had been originally 
 educated for a surgeon in the New York hospitals. 
 Governor Andrew at once gladly commissioned him, 
 June 10, 1861, as Surgeon of the 11th Regiment of 
 Massachusetts Volunteers. This office he resigned 
 on being appointed by General Hooker, the com- 
 mander of his division, " Acting Brigade Surgeon." 
 He was soon after promoted to be " Medical Director " 
 of the division, having under him twenty-two medical 
 officers, in charge of fifteen thousand men. He per- 
 formed devoted service in the camp, on the field, and 
 in the hospital, and was a witness of some of the 
 most direful horrors of the war. In January, 1862, 
 Congress proposed the appointment of a corps of 
 " Inspectors of Hospitals." To all persons to whom 
 his character and qualifications were known, it would 
 be obvious that he would be considered as among the 
 first of those to whom such a responsible trust should 
 be offered. As there was something characteristic of 
 the nobleness and dignity of the man in the course 
 which he pursued in reference to the matter, and as 
 he made the writer the medium for the accomplish- 
 ment of his wishes, I will venture to transcribe a 
 portion of one of his letters to me which relates to 
 the subject. 
 
 75
 
 594 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 
 
 "Headquarters, Hooker's Division, 
 Lower Potomac, Jan. 13, 1862. 
 
 ''A bill now on its way through Congress reorganizes the 
 Medical Department of the army. The Brigade Surgeons, 
 in which class I stand as No. 10, are merged with the sur- 
 geons of the regular army, and certain ' Inspectors ' are pi'O- 
 vided for, with rank and emoluments a little higher than we 
 now enjoy. Their duties are to exercise a supervision over 
 the hospitals, the hygienic regulations, &c. 
 
 "I propose applying for one of these places, feeling con- 
 fident that my pursuits and studies hitherto will make me 
 more useful in such a position than in the ordinary line of 
 duty. Of course one's expectations of success depend entire- 
 ly on the influence which friends can bring to bear on the 
 appointing power." 
 
 He then refers to the exhaustive professional testi- 
 monials which were already on file in his favor, and 
 to the friendly relations existing between him and the 
 incumbents of national and State offices ; and yet, 
 looking outside of the usual means employed for 
 political patronage, he adds : — 
 
 " It seems to me that for an office requiring capacity for 
 such duties and trusts as those suo-gested, if offices are ever 
 bestowed because of fitness, the appointing power should 
 have the testimonials of some other than political names. I 
 should be glad at least to offer something different, and my 
 thoughts have turned towards our associates in the distin- 
 guished societies," &c. 
 
 His wish was to have gathered to a petition in
 
 TRIBUTE TO DR. BELL. 595 
 
 his favor the names of some prominent gentlemen, 
 Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and 
 Sciences, and Members of the Massachusetts His- 
 torical Society. The paper which I obtained and 
 transmitted to him in answer bears the following 
 signatures : Eobert C. Winthrop, William Appleton, 
 Governors Everett and Washburn, Presidents Sparks 
 and Walker, Professors Parsons, Parker, and Pierce, 
 J. G. Palfrey, David Sears, and Josiah Quincy. To 
 his own signature Mr. Appleton added these 
 words : — 
 
 " I am not satisfied with simply signing the annexed ; but 
 will add that I for many years was intimately acquainted 
 with Dr. Bell while I was acting as President and Trustee 
 of the M'Lean Asylum. I do not nor did I ever know the 
 man I could so highly recommend for the office asked for." 
 
 A special testimonial in his behalf, addressed to the 
 President of the United States and to the Secretary 
 of War, went from members of the Massachusetts 
 Medical Society and from the Medical Faculty of 
 Harvard University. Dr. Bell was informed that 
 his friends with cheerful alacrity were preparing 
 these papers, and warmly expressed his thanks in 
 a letter. But the papers did not reach his tent till 
 the day before his final illness. They are now be- 
 fore me bearing his indorsement. It is soothing to 
 think of him as in his last hours enjoying in this
 
 596 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 form the sympathetic pleasure of communion with 
 distant friends. After a severe attack on Feb. 5, he 
 died under his canvas shelter at Camp Baker, near 
 Budd's Ferry, on Feb. 11, of metastasis. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on March 1, Messrs. 
 Bullard, Beebe, and Brimmer were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to raise by subscription a sum of money suffi- 
 cient to pay the cost of building and furnishing a new 
 cottage for male patients at the Asylum ; and they were 
 instructed, after securing the amount, to consult with 
 Dr. Tyler, and to cause to be built on the grounds 
 an edifice conformed in general arrangements and for 
 a corresponding class of male patients to that built 
 last year for females. On March 15 the Committee 
 on the subject reported to the Board that temporary 
 experimental arrangements had been made relative to 
 the office of Steward at the Hospital. The report 
 was accompanied by a communication from Harvey 
 Howard, resigning that office : his resignation was 
 accepted. Leave was granted to Dr. Shaw to accept 
 the appointment of Commissioner, or Examining Sur- 
 geon, under the authority of the United States 
 Pension Office, — his services to be rendered at the 
 Hospital. This office was to be held by him in
 
 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 597 
 
 accordance with documents communicated to the 
 Board relative thereto. The Committee on the War- 
 ren Fund and Library were authorized to expend a 
 sum not exceeding fifty dollars for the supply of illus- 
 trated papers at the Hospital. On March 29, by 
 request of the Visiting Physicians, the Board made 
 a change in the regulations, which allowed Dr. Ellis, 
 the Microscopist and Curator of the Pathological 
 Cabinet, to perform their duties in case of their neces- 
 sary absence. On April 10, the Committee on that 
 subject reported that a sum sufficient for building 
 and furnishing a new cottage for excited male pa- 
 tients at the Asylum had been subscribed. Thanks 
 were voted to each of the subscribers. On April 15, 
 Dr. Tyler received permission, at the expense of 
 the Corporation, to attend the annual meeting of the 
 Association of Superintendents of Institutions for the 
 Insane, to be held in New York on May 19. Dr. 
 Tyler having recommended Mr. and Mrs. George W. 
 Whittle as persons suitable to fill the positions of 
 Steward and Matron at the Asylum, and a Committee 
 having reported in approval of the nomination, they 
 were elected by ballot to those offices. Permission 
 was granted by the Board, on May 3, to Messrs. C. 
 Tyler and J. M. Pinkerton, executors of the late Dr. 
 Bell, to take his portrait from the Asylum that an 
 engraving might be made from it. In terminatini^
 
 598 CHEMIST OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 the connection which Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Tyler 
 had so long held, as Steward and Matron at the 
 M'Lean Asylum, the Trustees " desire to express their 
 entire satisfaction with the manner in which they 
 have discharged their respective duties, their regret 
 at their departure, and their sincere wishes for their 
 future welfare and happiness." It was voted that 
 their salaries should be paid to the 1st of July 
 ensuing, and that a copy of these votes be transmitted 
 to them by the Secretary. Mr. Tyler had entered 
 the Asylum as attendant, on July 29, 1827 ; was 
 made Supervisor in 1830, and Steward, Feb. 1, 1835, 
 making thirty-six years of service. He had found 
 his future wife a patient in the Asylum, of which, on 
 her recovery, she was made Supervisor in the autumn 
 of 1830, and Matron in 1835, making twenty-eight 
 years of service. 
 
 A nuisance existing on the water border of the 
 Hospital grounds, Messrs. Lowell and Beebe, with 
 the Treasurer, were appointed a Committee to wait 
 upon the mayor of the city to urge the immediate 
 filling of the flats. 
 
 On May 17 Dr. John Bacon resigned his office as 
 Chemist at the Hospital. His resignation was ac- 
 cepted, the thanks of the Board were voted to him 
 " for his long and valuable services," and the Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons were requested to nominate a
 
 BEQUEST OF MR. PICKENS. 599 
 
 suitable candidate to fill the vacancy. Mr. Rogers, for 
 a Committee that had been appointed to endeavor to 
 obtain a reduction of the charge for water, reported 
 that they had had a full hearing before the Board 
 of Aldermen, who had rejected the petition for a 
 reduction of the rates, upon legal grounds, stated in 
 City Document No. 47. for 1863. 
 
 By recommendation of Dr. Shaw, it was voted, on 
 May 31, that the present House Pupils be permitted 
 to boai'd in the Hospital until further order of the 
 Trustees. 
 
 A communication having been received from the 
 Medical Board recommending Dr. James C. White 
 as a candidate for the office of Chemist of the Hos- 
 pital, he was, by ballot thereupon taken, declared 
 elected. The rules regarding the House Pupils of 
 the Hospital were amended. Mr. Lowell, on June 
 16, made a report on the use of the John Redmond 
 bequest, which was accepted and placed on file. Dr. 
 Tyler was authorized, on July 14, to engage the 
 services of a landscape gardener, for the proper 
 ornamenting of the Asylum grounds. On Aug. 25, 
 a bequest of $950.00 to the Corporation from the 
 late John Pickens was announced to the Board by 
 the Treasurer, which was gratefully acknowledged. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Oct. 21, Mr. Wild, 
 for a Committee, reported the following resolution, 
 which was unanimously adopted : —
 
 600 DEATH OF DR. HAYWARD. 
 
 "In view of the recent deatli of Dr. George Hayward, 
 which occurred suddenly on the 7th instant, at the advanced 
 age of seventy-two, the Trustees of the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital would express their sympathetic interest 
 in this sad event, and their regret for the departure of one 
 so long and intimately connected with this Institution. Dr. 
 Hayward was first chosen Assistant Surgeon in 1826, then 
 junior Surgeon in 1830, and chief in 1838, which post 
 he resigned in 1851, after twenty-five years of active ser- 
 vice ; still, however, continuing to the day of his death as 
 an eflficient member of its Board of Consultation. The his- 
 tory and records of the Hospital bear enduring testimony to 
 his faithful and devoted labors in all these relations, and of 
 the high appreciation in which they were held by our pre- 
 decessors in office ; and now that his life of varied useful- 
 ness on earth is closed the present Board of Trustees desire 
 to offer this last and grateful tribute of respect to his 
 memory. 
 
 "^Voted, That the foregoing resolution be entered upon 
 the records, and a copy of the same be communicated to 
 the family of the deceased." 
 
 Dr. Solomon D. Townsend was then elected by 
 ballot to fill the vacancy in the Board of Consultation 
 caused by the death of Dr. Hayward. 
 
 On Nov. 22, in consideration of additional services 
 rendered by the Resident Physician and the Matron 
 of the Hospital, the salary of the former was in- 
 creased to 12,000, and of the latter to $650. On 
 Dec. 20, Messrs. Whitney and Lowell were appointed 
 a Committee to prepare the annual report of the
 
 BEQUEST OF MRS. LORING. 601 
 
 Trustees to the Corporation. At this meeting a 
 recommendation, made at a previous meeting by Dr. 
 Shaw, of the election of two additional Surgical 
 House Pupils, was adopted ; and the Secretary was 
 instructed to report the changes necessary to be made 
 in the rules and regulations conformably thereto, 
 which he did at the meeting on Jan. 3, 186 J:, his 
 report being approved by the Board. A question 
 having arisen as to the use of the surplus income 
 of Mr. Bowditch's Wooden-leg Fund, a Committee 
 appointed for that purpose reported, on Jan. 20, that 
 the representatives of the family of the donor objected 
 to any diversion of the income from the object speci- 
 fied by him. On Feb. 3, an appropriation of $200 
 was made for enlarging and improving the green- 
 house at the Asylum. An increase was voted to the 
 salaries of the Superintendent, the Assistants, the 
 male Supervisor, and the Clerk, at the x\sylum. The 
 annual report of the Board was read to the Trustees, 
 and accepted, and ordered with the accompanying 
 documents to be laid before the annual meeting of 
 the Corporation to be held this day. 
 
 A special meeting of the Board was held on Feb. 
 28, at which information was given and action taken 
 upon a matter of great interest. It appeared that 
 the late Mrs. Abigail Loring, of Boston, had ordered 
 that the residue of her estate, amounting to more 
 
 76
 
 602 FURTHER BEQUESTS. 
 
 than $71,000, should be distributed among incorpo- 
 rated Charitable Institutions of this city, according 
 to the decision and direction of three persons to be 
 appointed for that purpose by her executor. Such 
 distribution having been made, the sum of $30,000 
 was assigned to this Institution for the support of 
 
 free beds. It also appeared that the provision of the 
 
 * 
 
 will under which such distribution had been made was 
 claimed by the heirs-at-law to be illegal and void ; 
 and that one or more suits at law had been com- 
 menced to test its validity. The Board thereupon 
 resolved that it gratefully received the assignment to 
 it in the order of distribution, and that the Treasurer 
 and Mr. Lowell be a Committee with full power, in 
 behalf of this Corporation, to employ counsel, sign 
 and execute instruments and papers, and do every 
 thing in their judgment proper and desirable for 
 facilitating and securing to this Corporation the pay- 
 ment of the above amount. Further reference to this 
 subject will be found under the year 1868. The 
 Treasurer, for the Committee on the bequest of the 
 late Dr. B. D. Greene, reported that the executors 
 of his will were prepared to pay over the sum of 
 |5,000, for the purpose of establishing a free bed at 
 the Hospital. It was voted that the bequest be 
 gratefully accepted for the purpose indicated, and 
 that the Treasurer invest the sum as the " Greene
 
 SURGEON TO OUT-PATIENTS. 603 
 
 Fund," the income to be for the support of free 
 beds in the Hospital. 
 
 A Committee, to whom had been referred the 
 subject of the hours of visiting of the Surgeons and 
 Physicians, reported that they had called a meeting 
 of those officers, and, having fully impressed them 
 with the desirability of the greatest possible regularity 
 in their visits, had presented the subject in all its 
 relations. The Committee after deliberation had 
 adopted the following resolution : — 
 
 " That the hour for the daily visits to the patients shall be 
 ten o'clock, a.m., or as near that time, between the hours 
 of ten and one, as possible. .The fxithful performance of 
 the letter and spirit of this rule is, in the opinion of the 
 Committee, compatible with the best care of the patients 
 and the good internal management of the Hospital." 
 
 Upon the report and recommendation of the same 
 Committee, the following preamble and vote were 
 adopted : — 
 
 " Whereas the interests of the out-surgical patients will 
 be promoted, the convenience of the Visiting Surgeons be 
 subserved, and the benefits of the Institution increased, by 
 the appointment of a Surgeon to this class of patients, — 
 
 " Voted, That a Surgeon to out-patients be and hereby 
 is established, whose duties shall correspond genei'ally with 
 those of the Physician to the same department," 
 
 The Rules and Regulations were altered in adjust-
 
 604 ' REPORT FOR 1863. 
 
 ment to the provision in this vote. Dr. Algernon 
 Coolidge was then by ballot elected Surgeon to out- 
 patients. 
 
 The first regular meeting of the new Board of 
 Trustees for the current year was held on March 13. 
 The officers of the Corporation were the same as in 
 the previous year, save that Dr. William J. Dale 
 took the place of Martin Brimmer among the four 
 Trustees on the part of the Commonwealth. 
 
 At the organization of the Board, Mr. H. B. 
 Rogers was re-elected as its Chairman for the en- 
 suing year. In the election of the members of the 
 various Boards, and of the officers both of the 
 Asylum and the Hospital, all who had filled those 
 places during the previous year were again chosen to 
 them respectively. The Chairman appointed the 
 Standing Committees, and arranged the Visiting 
 Committees for the year. 
 
 The annual report for 1863 takes notice that a 
 variety of causes had made the year one of marked 
 interest for the institution. The great rise in the 
 prices of the commodities of life, with no correspond- 
 ing increase of receipts, had caused anxiety. There 
 had been a generous response to the appeal for funds 
 for erecting the new building at Somerville, and 
 several valuable bequests had been received, still the 
 Treasurer has to report an increasing debt. The
 
 REPORT FOR 1863. 605 
 
 new City Hospital, now about ready to be occupied, — 
 in the construction, arrangement, and preparation of 
 which the experience of our own institution has 
 furnished valuable aid, — will hardly diminish, to any 
 practical extent, the draft upon our resources. The 
 increasing population, and the accommodation of 
 classes of patients, lying-in women and sufferers by 
 cutaneous diseases, for which we have no provision, 
 will probably require all its added space and means. 
 The report notices the resignations, the changes, and 
 the elections in the official staff of the institution, 
 which have been already referred to as they severally 
 occurred. During the year, l,79f3 patients had been 
 treated in the Hospital. The assumption of the 
 general superintendence of the Hospital by the 
 Resident Physician, Dr. Shaw, has been found to be 
 an improvement on the old system. The applicants 
 for treatment as out-patients have numbered 5,214:, 
 all but 227 of Avhom were cared for: 1,590 prescrip- 
 tions had been furnished without charge. 
 
 The Committee congratulate the Trustees on the 
 appointment by the Governor of an able Board of 
 Commissioners, — Hon. Josiah Quincy, jun., and Drs. 
 Alfred Hitchcock, and Horatio Storer, — to examine 
 into and report upon the subject of Insane Asylums 
 in this State. The sum of $44,450.00 had been 
 munificently subscribed for the erection of a cottage
 
 606 DR. Tyler's report. 
 
 for excited male patients, corresponding to that 
 wliich was built two years ago for female patients, 
 and which has proved so beneficent in its advantages. 
 The legacies made to the institution for the year 
 are, — from the estate of John Redman, to be added 
 to the Redman Fund, $7,500 ; from the late Cap- 
 tain Percival, $1,000 ; from the late John Pickens, 
 $1,000; and from the late Miss Elizabeth Hill, 
 $250 ; the last three sums being subject to the 
 legal United States tax. The productive property 
 of the institution is estimated at $287,528.95 ; the 
 income was $102,877.05 ; the value of the estates 
 at the Hospital and Asylum is $651,189.57. The 
 debt of the Corporation amounts to $73,559.50. 
 The expenses of the Asylum were $69,300.63 ; of 
 the Hospital, $47,421.71. The weekly cost of each 
 patient was, at the Asylum, $6.98 ; at the Hospital, 
 $6.66. There had been admitted to the Asylum, as 
 Dr. Tyler reports, during the year 94 new patients ; 
 and there remained at its close 201. There had 
 been perfect recovery in many severe cases, and in 
 several of verv Ion"; standin";. The new cottao^e of 
 the ladies' wing, with the fine gardens, have proved 
 of incalculable benefit. It had been a busy, and, so 
 to speak, a cheerful year, among the inmates, work- 
 ing for the great " Sanitary Fair." The amusements 
 and festivities of the year have been varied and much
 
 GIFT FROM DR. SHAW. 607 
 
 enjoyed. The subscription of $45,000, raised in 
 four weeks, for the designed new building, and the 
 kind payment by a friend, Mr. W. S. Bulhird, of a 
 sum of $800 to purchase an enlargement of the 
 grounds, are warmly recognized. The whole house- 
 hold parted with Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Tyler with 
 deep regret, and follow them with gratitude and good 
 wishes. 
 
 Dr. Tyler then, at considerable length, with a view 
 to inform and to meet the prejudices and misstate- 
 ments which prevail among some classes of the com- 
 munity, defines the conditions and safeguards which 
 regulate the admission and detention of the patients 
 at the Asylum. These are presented by him with 
 specific and minute detail, and to an intelligent and 
 candid mind will prove in every respect satisfactory. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on April 15, Dr. 
 Shaw presented to the Trustees six volumes of 
 pamphlets relating to the institution, which he had 
 collected and had caused to be bound. This gift 
 was highly appreciated and gratefully recognized by 
 the Board, and the volumes were ordered to be placed 
 under the special charge of the Resident Physician. 
 The collection has proved very serviceable in the 
 preparation of these pages. At this meeting, Mr. S. 
 P. Loud, executor of the will of the late William 
 Oliver, informed the Board that a legacy of
 
 608 RESIGNATION OF THE SECRETARY. 
 
 137,580.00, under said will, had fallen in to this 
 Corporation, by the recent death of Miss Nancy 
 Oliver. The matter was referred, for proper action, 
 to the Treasurer. On account of the enhanced cost 
 of the necessaries of life, it was found requisite to 
 raise the rates of board for patients at the Asylum. 
 Their sureties were to be informed of this, |;he Visit- 
 ing Committee for the time being receiving full 
 power to dispose of all questions which might arise 
 in any case from this needful measure. On April 
 20, the Committee on repairs received full powers 
 to make all necessary arrangements for taking the 
 supply of water for the Asylum from the Charlestown 
 Water-works, instead of from the Cochituate. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on May 8, Mr. Wild 
 was appointed Secretary ^ro tem.^ in the absence of 
 Mr. Hall, from whom a communication was received, 
 resigning that office held by him. His resignation 
 was accepted, and the thanks of the Board were 
 voted to him for his faithful and valuable services. 
 Messrs. Davis and Lowell were made a Committee to 
 nominate at the next meeting a candidate or candi- 
 dates for the office of Secretary, and the latter was 
 requested and authorized to act as such till the 
 vacancy should be filled. l)r. Tyler received per- 
 mission to attend, at the expense of the institution, 
 the annual meeting at Washington, of Medical
 
 DAY OF trustees' MEETINGS CHANGED. 609 
 
 Superintendents of the Insane. On the nomination 
 of the Committee, at the meeting of the Board on 
 May 24, Mr. Wilham S. Dexter was unanimously 
 elected Secretary, and was duly qualified as such on 
 June 7. On May 24, Dr. H. I. Bowditch resigned 
 his office as one of the Visiting Physicians. The 
 Board accepted his resignation with great regret, and 
 expressed to him " their gratitude for his long, faith- 
 ful, and laborious services, and for his constant and 
 deep interest in the welfare of the Hospital." Dr. 
 Calvin Ellis was, on June 7, unanimously chosen to 
 fill this vacancy. A change in the Rules was made 
 by which the Board of Consultation was increased 
 to eight members. Drs. H. I. Bowditch and C. E. 
 Brown-Sequard were then elected members of that 
 Board. An increase of salaries and wages was voted 
 to employes at the Asylum on July 15, and on July 
 19 the salary of the Steward and Matron was in- 
 creased $300 per annum. The thanks of the Trus- 
 tees were voted, on Aug. 16, to the Directors of the 
 Public Institutions of Boston, for their kindness in 
 giving the use of the city boat to the Asylum patients 
 on three occasions during the present summer. It 
 was voted, on Oct. 19, to hold the regular meetings 
 of the Board henceforward on Friday, instead of, as 
 heretofore, on Sunday. Dr. Algernon Coolidge, on 
 Nov. 4, resigned his position as Surgeon to out- 
 
 77
 
 610 BEQUEST OF MISS SEVER. 
 
 patients. His resignation was accepted, and a Com- 
 mittee charged with the selection of a gentleman to 
 be proposed for that office. The thanks of the Board 
 were voted to Dr. Coolidge for his faithful and valu- 
 able services. Messrs. Greenough and Higginson 
 were appointed, on Dec. 16, a Committee to examine 
 the Treasurer's accounts, and to prepare the annual 
 report of the Board to the Corporation. On Dec. 
 30, Dr. J. B. S. Jackson communicated his resig- 
 nation as a Visiting Physician. The Board, on 
 accepting it, resolved, — 
 
 "That the official services of Dr. Jackson, as House 
 Apothecaiy, Assistant and Admitting Physician, and Visit- 
 ing Physician in this Hospital, extending as they do through 
 a period of thirty-one years, twenty-five of which have been 
 devoted to the important duties of the last office, deserve, 
 and should receive the grateful acknowledgments of the 
 Board and of this community ; and, in accepting the resig- 
 nation of his present official position, the Trustees desire to 
 bear their testimony to the punctuality, precision, skill, and 
 thorough fidelity with which all its requirements have been 
 discharged, and to extend to him their best wishes for his 
 future health and welfare." 
 
 The Treasurer reported on Jan. 18, 1865, a bequest 
 from Miss Martha Sever, of Kingston, of five shares 
 in the Western Railroad Company for the support 
 of free beds. The annual report of the Trustees, 
 having been presented and accepted by the Board,
 
 REPORT FOR 1864. 611 
 
 was, with the accompanying documents, laid before 
 the Corporation at its annual meeting on Feb. 1. 
 The Committee necessarily have much to say about 
 the pecuniary affairs of the Corporation. This is the 
 fifty-first annual report. The expenses are still 
 steadily exceeding the income. The numerous per- 
 sonal changes in the administration and conduct of 
 the institution, already noticed in the order of their 
 occurrence, are referred to. Leading practitioners 
 have within a few years devoted themselves to the 
 special investigation of a certain obscure class of 
 diseases, and the Board of Consultation has been 
 enlarged by the addition of the two ' distinguished 
 practitioners, Drs. Bowditch and Brown-Sequard. 
 There had been admitted to the Hospital 1,599 
 patients, of whom 55^ per cent were discharged 
 cured. The Physician to out-patients had treated 
 3,761 medical cases ; and 1,858 surgical out-patients 
 had been cared for. There had been 302 patients 
 at the Asylum, 195 remaining there. The property 
 of the Corporation, other than the real estate in 
 use by it, is |337,395.02. The debt amounts to 
 $83,414.50 ; and the excess of expenses over income 
 for the year had been $26,704.12. The Treasurer's 
 accounts go into full details on all these matters, 
 and prepared the way for the measures of relief 
 which were soon to be munificently afforded. Dr.
 
 612 ORGANIZATION FOR 1865. 
 
 Tyler, in his report from the Asylum, also refers to 
 these financial perplexities, and to the slight increase 
 in the charge of board for patients, — though, he 
 adds, these have known no abridgment of care, 
 convenience, comfort, or recreation, however the 
 managers have been embarrassed. The entertain- 
 ments have been numerous and much enjoyed. The 
 improvements in the grounds and buildings are 
 highly appreciated. Dr. Tyler then devotes eight 
 pages of his report to a very instructive statement of 
 one of those lessons of a full and enriched experience 
 as to the uses of an Asylum, and its benefits and its 
 modes of soothing patients, for which this series of 
 reports is so valuable. 
 
 The first meeting of the Trustees for the current 
 year was held at the Hospital on Feb. 24. The 
 officers of the previous year had all been re-elected, 
 save that in the place of Mr. J. C. Wild, Mr. George 
 B. Emerson had been chosen a Trustee on the part 
 of the Corporation. He, however, declined to serve. 
 Mr. Rogers was re-elected Chairman of the Board. 
 Drs. H. I. Bowditch and D. H. Storer ^veve joined 
 to the previous Board of Consultation; Drs. G. C. 
 Shattuck, A. A. Gould, C. E. Ware, F. Minot, C. 
 Ellis, and S. L. Abbot, were chosen Visiting Phy- 
 sicians ; the Visiting Surgeons were the same as be- 
 fore, as were the other officers and employes of the
 
 DEATH OF J. AMORY DAVIS. 613 
 
 Hospital and Asylum. The Chairman appointed 
 the Standing Committees, and arranged the Visiting 
 Committees for the year. The Board at several 
 successive meetings gave much attention to measures 
 for increasing the funds of the institution. A Com- 
 mittee had been appointed ; and a circular prepared 
 by its Chairman, Mr. Rogers, was considered at the 
 meeting on April 20, and approved, with a vote that 
 three thousand copies of it be printed. To this 
 circular and its results subsequent reference will be 
 made. Dr. Tyler made a short visit to Charleston, 
 S.C., this spring, for the benefit of his health. 
 
 The death of Mr. J. Amory Davis, one of the 
 Trustees, was communicated to the Board at its 
 meeting on May 5 ; and the Trustees gave expression 
 to the great sorrow with which they heard of the 
 removal of their late associate, and resolved, — 
 
 "That this institution, in common widi the whole com- 
 munity, has sustained great loss in the death of Mr. Davis, 
 whose comprehensive spirit of humanity, perfect fidelity, and 
 sound judgment, united with most conscientious devotion to 
 the duties of his office, had rendered his services of great 
 value to this institution and to all connected with it." 
 
 This tribute was communicated to the widow of 
 Mr. Davis, and the Board attended his funeral. 
 
 Dr. Alexander D. Sinclair was, on May 19, chosen 
 to serve for the remainder of the year as associate to
 
 614 . VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 the Physician to out-patients. On June 2, leave of 
 absence was given to Dr. Tyler to attend at Pitts- 
 burg the Convention of Medical Superintendents of 
 American Institutions for the Insane. On July 20, 
 it was voted " that the Physicians and Surgeons to 
 out-patients be authorized to charge such fees for 
 their first visits as they may think proper, whenever 
 they are satisfied of the ability of patients to pay the 
 same." Donations of large amounts were received 
 by the Board at this, and on subsequent meetings, 
 which will be mentioned at the close of the year. 
 A communication was received from Dr. Tyler on 
 Sept. 5, announcing the resignation of Dr. Ranney, 
 and relating to the appointment of a successor. This 
 was acted upon at the meeting of the Trustees on 
 Oct. 2. Dr. Ranney's resignation was accepted, and 
 the thanks and good wishes of the Board were voted 
 to him. Dr. Whittemore was then appointed Assist- 
 ant Physician at the Asylum, and Dr. Isaac H. 
 Hazelton was appointed in Dr. Whittemore's former 
 place. It was voted that the quarterly meetings 
 of the Board at the Asylum be henceforth held on 
 the Fridays after the third Wednesdays of January, 
 April, July, and October. Mr. Greenough, on Nov. 
 3, resigned his place as a Trustee. Messrs. Storrow 
 and Rogers were appointed, on Dec. 15, to prepare 
 the annual report of the Board. To this Committee
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1866. 615 
 
 were referred in order the various reports of the 
 officers and of the Treasurer as they were presented. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Jan. 19, 1866, 
 Mr. Bullard communicated the offer of Mr. Nathaniel 
 Thayer of a donation of the sum of twenty-five 
 thousand dollars to the Corporation, provided that 
 seventy-five thousand more were raised. Messrs. 
 Bullard, Beebe, Higginson, and Rogers were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to obtain subscriptions for the 
 same. The Secretary, Mr. W. S. Dexter, resigned that 
 office on Feb. 7 ; his resignation was accepted, with 
 thanks for his faithful and efficient services. Mr. 
 Thomas B. Hall was then elected Secretary pro tern. 
 Dr. Tyler's salary was fixed at $3,000, commencing 
 from January first. The annual report, which had 
 been offered to the Board and accepted, was, with the 
 accompanying documents, laid before the annual 
 meeting of the Corporation held on Feb. 7, 1866. 
 
 The Corporation re-elected Messrs. Hooper, Wig- 
 gles worth, and Stevenson, respectively, as their Presi- 
 dent, Vice-President, and Treasurer, and chose Mr. 
 Thomas B. Hall Secretary ; with Messrs. Beebe, C. 
 H. Dalton, S. Eliot, G. Higginson, J. Lowell, H. B. 
 Eogers, C. S. Storrow, and H. A. Whitney, Trustees. 
 Messrs. W. S. Bullard, S. G. Howe, James L. Little, 
 and Harrison Eitchie had been appointed Trustees on 
 the part of the Commonwealth. The Trustees, on
 
 616 REPORT FOR 1865. 
 
 their organization, Feb. 23, unanimously chose Mr. 
 Rogers as their Chairman, notwithstanding he had 
 declined to be a candidate for re-election. No change 
 was made in the old Boards of Consultation, of Visit- 
 ing Physicians and Surgeons, or in the officers of the 
 Hospital or Asylum. Dr. J. Theodore Heard was 
 chosen Surgeon to out-patients. The Chairman ap- 
 pointed the Standing Committees and designated the 
 terms of the Visiting Committees for the year. The 
 Special Committees of the last year, who had not re- 
 ported, were re-appointed on their respective subjects. 
 The report of the Trustees for 1865, with the 
 documents accompanying it, are of especial interest. 
 An anxious solicitude had steadily increased with 
 the successive statements of the Treasurer as to the 
 excess of expenditures over income, and the accumu- 
 lating debt. The Asylum might be regarded as self- 
 supporting, from the board of patients and the income 
 of special funds. The Hospital was the great ab- 
 sorbent and the occasion of the debt. The special 
 report and the circular, soon to be referred to, 
 indicate the measures taken to relieve the embar- 
 rassment. The donations and legacies for the year 
 amount to $22,920; viz., a bequest of $500 from 
 Miss Martha Sever ; from the estate of M. P. Sawyer, 
 $1,000; from the Redman estate, $6,500; donations 
 from William Minot, $100 ; from Mrs. H. F. Lee,
 
 DR. Tyler's report. 617 
 
 $1,000 ; from Stephen Salisbury, $5,000 ; from Ed- 
 ward Whitney, $5,000 ; from Edward Wigglesworth, 
 $1,000 ; bequest by E. A. Raymond, $2,820. 
 
 The death of their associate, J. Amory Davis, is 
 appropriately noticed by the Committee. Dr. Shaw 
 reports that there had been admitted to the Hospital 
 1,199 patients, 140 of whom were on account of 
 accidents. The average number had been 113. 
 There had been treated as out-patients 5,356 persons. 
 Tlie weekly cost of a patient in the Hospital had 
 been $9.86 ; in the Asylum, $12.50. There were 
 remaining in the Asylum 192 patients ; 277 having 
 been under treatment during the year. The list of 
 resources for the diversion, amusement, instruction, 
 and excursions of the patients, as presented by Dr. 
 Tyler, exhibits an amount of kindness and sympathy 
 exercised towards them which makes by itself an 
 impressive lesson. In May, the new building for 
 gentlemen, called the '* Bowditch Ward," was occu- 
 pied ; and its excellent adaptations have afforded the 
 most solid satisfaction. Another of those instructive 
 contributions to the science of his theme, with preg- 
 nant suggestions as to the causes, the workings, and 
 the " moral treatment " of mental disease, will be 
 found in this report of Dr. Tyler's. Where but to 
 the keen and intelligent observation, the discriminat- 
 ing judgment, and the carefully matured experience
 
 618 FINANCES OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 of such well-tried officials as himself, are we to look 
 for wise counsel ] Dr. Mark Ranney, his senior 
 assistant, having assumed the superintendence of the 
 Iowa Asylum, Dr. Whittemore fills his place, Dr. I. 
 H. Hazelton being Dr. Whittemore's successor. 
 
 To this annual report is attached the " Report of a 
 Committee on the Financial Condition of the Hos- 
 pital," and a Circular. The Committee, after a most 
 thorough and protracted investigation into the man- 
 agement, oversight, internal economy, and daily 
 administration of the Hospital, had entirely satisfied 
 themselves that there was no waste, no extravagance, 
 no needless or unwarranted outlay. Relief from 
 embarrassment was not to be sought in reducing the 
 expenses, but was offered only by the alternative of 
 an appeal to the public for generous gifts, or of 
 increasing the number of paying patients. Consider- 
 ing the circumstances of the community, under the 
 pressure of many burdens and the exaction of many 
 claims, at the close of an exhausting war, a direct 
 appeal for new gifts is to be made only from absolute 
 necessity. The publication of a circular which shall 
 set the wants and appeals of the institution before 
 affluent and benevolent persons, so that they may be 
 induced to remember it in the disposal of their 
 estates, is strongly recommended. The Committee 
 then give reasons to justify the effort for increasing
 
 FINANCES OF THE HOSPITAL. 619 
 
 the number of paying patients. The institution in 
 its early years, received its patients chiefly from that 
 industrious class of our native population, who, by 
 paying a reasonable board, enabled it, with the help 
 of its income from invested funds and donations, to 
 meet its expenses. Immigrations from abroad, with 
 a consequent change in the social and pecuniary con- 
 dition of the laboring classes, have led to an extra- 
 ordinary increase in the number of free patients 
 humanely cared for in the Hospital. During the last 
 five years, of 7,668 patients, only 1,601 have paid 
 any thing ; and of those who paid any thing very 
 few met the actual cost of their board. Nearly 25,000 
 other patients had freely received medical or surgical 
 advice or treatment. The excess of expenditures 
 beyond income has thus, in five years, swelled to 
 160,827.04. The debt of the institution, after all 
 the splendid endowments it has received, is now 
 $86,698.47. The city, within the last year having 
 provided a commodious hospital for the poorer classes, 
 will justify this institution in diminishing the number 
 of its free patients. The Committee therefore rec- 
 ommend measures to that end. 
 
 The Circular, of which three thousand copies were 
 printed, under date of April 1, 1865, earnestly pre- 
 sents the claims of the institution. With the excep- 
 tion of a similar one at Philadelphia, it is the oldest
 
 620 APPEAL FOR AID. 
 
 in the country. Having received substantial aid from 
 the State in its first year, it has ever since depended 
 wholly on subscriptions, donations, bequests, and 
 devises, in which it has had a truly munificent share. 
 It has prompted the formation and endowment, and 
 been the model for the management of many other 
 hospitals. It has been an effective agent in the 
 development and improvement of the medical and 
 surgical professions. It has nobly ministered to 
 suffering humanity. Apart from its property in the 
 lands and buildings which it occupies, its invested 
 funds, most of them restricted in their use, amount 
 to $230,380.03, with a debt, arising from the sum of 
 yearly deficits, of $86,698.47. Unless the institution 
 receives further aid, its necessary course will be to 
 reduce the average number of its free patients, which 
 is now 114, to 50. Waiving for the present, for 
 reasons assigned, a direct appeal for donations, the 
 Circular asks that the claims of the Hospital may be 
 remembered in testamentary bequests. The fruitful 
 results effected by this Report and Circular will come 
 under grateful recognition in the review of the cur- 
 rent year. The thanks of the Trustees were voted, 
 on March 23, to the contributors who had responded 
 so generously to this appeal. 
 
 Dr. Tyler received leave of absence, on April 20, 
 to attend the meeting of Superintendents of Asylums
 
 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 621 
 
 at Washington. On May 4, Miss Wiggin resigned 
 her office as Matron of the Asylum. Her resignation 
 was accepted. On May 18, Dr. Tyler communicated 
 to the Board the resignation of Mr. G. A. Goodell, 
 as Supervisor at the Asylum, and the nomination to 
 the Board of Mr. Dexter Gray as his successor. The 
 resignation was accepted, and the nomination was con- 
 firmed. Measures were adopted to provide for reno- 
 vations in the surgical department of the Hospital, 
 as desired by the Surgeons. A report and plans were 
 submitted on June 29, for alterations and improve- 
 ments in the surgical operating theatre ; and Dr. H. J. 
 Bigelow appeared to urge their adoption. The sub- 
 ject was recommitted for further details on July 13. 
 On Aug. 31, an anonymous bequest of $1,500 from 
 a friend of the institution was announced to the 
 Board. This gift proved to be an offering of grati- 
 tude from the Kev. Dr. S. M. Worcester, whose wife 
 had been a patient at the Asylum. On Oct. 19, Dr. 
 Tyler having communicated to the Board the resig- 
 nation of Miss Relief R. Barber, after a service of 
 thirty years as female Supervisor at the Asylum, it 
 was " voted that the Chairman be requested to 
 communicate in writing to Miss Barber the high 
 appreciation of her services held by the Board." Dr. 
 Tyler having proposed as her successor Miss Geor- 
 giana W. Mills, the Board voted approval. Progress
 
 622 ANNUAL MEETING, 1867. 
 
 was announced, on Nov. 2, in the plans for a new 
 surgical theatre. Messrs. Eliot and Little were ap- 
 pointed, on Dec. 28, the Committee to prepare the 
 annual report. On Jan. 11, 1867, Dr. Tyler wrote 
 to the Board stating his need of relaxation from his 
 cares, and his desire for leave of absence for six 
 months. The Board voted an expression of sympathy 
 for him, and in consideration of the value of his 
 services gave him leave of absence for a year, with a 
 continuation of his salary. Thanks were voted to 
 the Rev. J. Spaulding, of New York, for the donation 
 of $500, made by him to the institution at the request 
 of his wife. Mr. Ritchie, on Feb. 6, announced his 
 intention to decline a re-appointment as a Trustee on 
 the part of the Commonwealth. The Treasurer 
 announced his reception of a legacy of $20,000 from 
 the executor of the will of the late Miss Sarah Pratt, 
 one half for the Hospital and one half for the 
 Asylum. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 on Feb. 6, 1867, at which the reports were submitted ; 
 and these were referred to the Trustees, by whose 
 Committee they were to be prepared for print. The 
 only change made in the Corporation was in the ap- 
 pointment, on the part of the Commonwealth, of Ezra 
 Farnsworth as Trustee, in place of Harrison Ritchie, 
 who had declined longer service. Mr. Rogers was
 
 REPORT FOR 1866. 623 
 
 again chosen Chairman of the Board ; Dr. C. E. 
 Brown-Sequard was added to the Board of Consul- 
 tation of the previous year ; Dr. James C. White 
 took the place of Dr. A. A. Gould, as Visiting Phy- 
 sician ; the Board of Visiting Surgeons was un- 
 changed. Dr. Shaw was re-appointed Resident 
 Physician of the Hospital ; Drs. Sinclair and H. J. 
 Oliver, jun.. Physicians to out-patients ; Dr. J. T 
 Heard, Surgeon to out-patients ; Dr. C. Ellis, Micro- 
 scopist and Curator of the Pathological Cabinet ; Dr. 
 J. C. White, Chemist ; D. G. Wilkins, Apothecary ; 
 Mrs. M. A. Colesworthy, Matron. Dr. J. E. Tyler 
 was re-chosen Superintendent of the Asylum, and 
 Mr. and Mrs. Whittle Steward and Matron. The 
 Chairman, with the approval of the Board, appointed 
 the Standing Committees, and arranged the Visiting 
 Committees for the year. 
 
 The report for 1866 is in every particular a cheer- 
 ful and a hopeful document. The income of the year 
 had been $190,935.60 ; the expenses, |194,802.63 ; 
 the excess of the latter being chargeable to the Hos- 
 pital ; while the Asylum, owing to the difference in 
 the class of its patients, more than supports itself. 
 The debt, which, after a previous reduction, had 
 amounted to $68,369.97, has been paid during the 
 year ; the productive general fund has increased from 
 $53,002.27 to $95,213.82, and the productive special
 
 624 DR. Tyler's report. 
 
 funds from |308,056.01 to $331,782.51. These 
 gratifying results are due chiefly to the liberal sub- 
 scriptions in answer to the appeal in the Circular. 
 Mr. Nathaniel Thayer had ofl'ered to give $25,000, 
 on condition that $75,000 more were subscribed in 
 the community. The sum was soon raised, with a 
 surplus of eight hundred dollars, contributed by 
 ninety-eight persons. The list of subscribers will 
 be found near the close of this volume. Other dona- 
 tions and legacies received during the year amounted 
 to $10,072.03, and new subscriptions for free beds 
 to $4,100.00. Dr. Shaw reports that 1,224 patients 
 had been under treatment during the year ; 95 
 remaining. Of medical and surgical out-patients 
 treated, there had been 5,608. The relief provided 
 by the City Hospital is appreciated here. Very ex- 
 tensive renovations had been made in the Hospital 
 during the year. A new operating theatre is now 
 the greatest necessity. The death of Dr. A. A. 
 Gould, " one of the most faithful and amiable of the 
 medical staff," is tenderly referred to. The assets 
 of the Corporation, exclusive of the Hospital and 
 Asylum estates, amount to $426,996.33. 
 
 Dr. Tyler reports that there had been 103 new 
 patients received at the Asylum during the year, and 
 that 197 remained at its close. While great im- 
 provements have been made in the grounds, " several
 
 ijsebriates inadmissible to the asylum. 625 
 
 new and valuable items of purely medical treatment 
 have been successfully tried ; " the general manage- 
 ment, or moral treatment^ tested by long and varied 
 trial, having remained the same. Holidays, amuse- 
 ments, excursions, lectures, games, &c., organ con- 
 certs at the Music Hall, and free access to the 
 Museum given by Mr. Kimball, have continued to 
 contribute their pleasures to the patients. The resig- 
 nation of the Supervisor, Mr. Goodell, after twelve 
 years of varied service, deprived the Asylum of a 
 most faithful officer and a most trustworthy man. 
 Miss Barber's retirement, after thirty years of the 
 most devoted toil and sympathy given to the hundreds 
 who had been under her charge, sets the seal of a 
 cherished and affectionate remembrance upon her 
 peculiar usefulness and her wonderful adaptation for 
 her life's work. 
 
 Dr. Tyler devotes several pages of his report to a 
 discussion of that form of insanity which is produced 
 by inebriety. There is, he says, a large increase in 
 the habits of intemperance, and in the class of 
 sufferers from that vice who become thereby mentally 
 diseased. His advice is sought constantly by the 
 victims and by their friends. The latter, in very 
 many cases, naturally seek to avail themselves of the 
 retirement, discipline, and remedial processes of the 
 Asylum. But it is not expedient — on the contrary, 
 
 79
 
 626 AN INEBRIATE ASYLUM. 
 
 it is highly objectionable — to receive such a class of 
 patients. It is not fitting that they should be domi- 
 ciliated with the general insane. Very many and 
 very serious practical embarrassments would arise 
 from receiving them. This report may be profitably 
 consulted by those interested in this special subject, 
 either from their relation to any victim of inebriety, 
 or from their concern for the establishment of an 
 institution devoted to the care of inebriates.
 
 627 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 February 22, 1867, to 1872. 
 
 Dr. Tyler's Absence in Europe. — Gift through Dr. J. M. Warren. 
 
 — New Grounds at Asylum. — Female Students at Hospital. — 
 Death of Dr. J. M. Warren. — Dr, J. H. Denny, Assistant at 
 Asylum. — Legacy from Dr. J. M. Warren. — Death of Dr. J. 
 Jackson. — Bequest from him. — Religious Services at Asylum. 
 
 — Resignation of Mr. Whitney. — Annual Meeting. — Organi- 
 zation FOR 1868. — Report for 1867. — New Operating Theatre. 
 
 — Dr. Tyler's Foreign Observations. — Death of the President 
 of THE Corporation, Mr. Hooper. — Further Bequests. — Changes 
 in the Medical Staff. — Annual Meeting. — Organization for 
 1869. — Report for 1868. — Dr. Tyler's Review. — Lady Visitors 
 at Hospital. — New Officers. — Gift from John C. Gray. — 
 Warren Prize. — Appeal from Dr. Morton's Family. — Annual 
 Meeting. — Organization for 1870. — Report for 1869. — Depart- 
 ment for Skin Diseases. — Post Mortem Register. — Committee 
 ON Autopsies. — Donations from Dr. H. J. Bigelow. — Female 
 Supervisor at Asylum. — Changes of Officers. — New Surgical 
 Instruments. — Legacy from Rev. Dr. Worcester. — Experiment 
 OF A Skin Disease Ward. — Annual Meeting. — Organization 
 FOR 1871. — Report for 1870. — Resignation of Dr. Tyler. — 
 Resignation of Dr. Whittemore. — An Incident connected with 
 the Asylum. — Award of the Warren Prize. — Proposals for a 
 New Location for the Asylum. — Resignation of Mr. Farns- 
 worth. — Donations received. — Subject and Advertisement 
 FOR the next Warren Prize. — Dr. Ray in Temporary Charge of 
 THE Asylum. — Statistics of Surgical Operations. — Dr. Jelly 
 chosen Superintendent of Asylum. — Dr. H. P. Quincy, Artist of 
 THE Hospital. — S.D.Warren, Trustee. — Donation of James Mc- 
 Gregor. — The Nabby Joy Fund. — Resignation of Dr. Shaw. — 
 Election of Dr. N. Folsom as Resident Physician of Hospital. 
 
 — Remarks on the Hospital and Asyluji. — Conclusion. 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees on Feb. 22, 1867, 
 Mr. Kogers, in behalf of a Committee appointed to
 
 628 NEW SURGICAL THEATRE. 
 
 consider what arrangements should be made at the 
 Asylum during Dr. Tyler's proposed absence, re- 
 'poried " that they had instructed Dr. Whittemore, 
 acting Superintendent, to consult Dr. Morrill Wyman, 
 of Cambridge, and Dr. Bancroft, of Concord, N.H., 
 and that those physicians had consented to serve the 
 institution, as Visiting and Consulting Physicians, 
 during Dr. Tyler's absence. The Committee also 
 recommended the appointment of Dr. James H. 
 Denny, as Assistant Physician at the Asylum, for 
 the same period." The action of the Committee was 
 confirmed, and Dr. Denny was elected. 
 
 On March 8, a Committee of the Trustees was 
 appointed to inquire and report " whether the con- 
 duct of the oflB.cers, and the treatment of the patients, 
 at the Asylum, are, in all respects, humane, con- 
 siderate, and faithful." Mr. Rogers, for the Com- 
 mittee, on March 22, reported a plan, with estimates 
 of cost, for the proposed new surgical theatre ; and 
 a special meeting was ordered for considering and 
 acting thereon. At such a meeting, on March 27, 
 the Board voted " that it is expedient to erect, on 
 the Hospital grounds, a building for surgical opera- 
 tions, and for the accommodation of out-door patients ; 
 and that the plans and estimates for such a building, 
 presented to the Board, be adopted." Messrs. Rogers, 
 Bullard, and Storrow were appointed a Building
 
 PURCHASE OF THE BARRELL FARM. 629 
 
 Committee, with full power in the case, the expense 
 not to exceed fifty thousand dollars. The Rules and 
 Regulations for the Hospital were amended so as to 
 provide for the annual election of six House Pupils, 
 two for the medical, and four for the surgical depart- 
 ment. On April 12, Dr. J. Mason Warren addressed 
 a note to the Board enclosing $2,000 towards the 
 cost of the new surgical theatre. Thanks were re- 
 turned to him, and, through him, to the contributors 
 of that gift. On April 19, Dr. Warren presented 
 to the Board a copy of his new work, entitled 
 " Surgical Observations, with Cases and Operations," 
 dedicated to the officers of the Hospital Corporation. 
 Thanks were voted for the gift, — the book to be 
 deposited in the Treadwell Library. A proposition 
 had been suggested to charge medical students a 
 fee for admission to the lectures and operations at 
 the Hospital. A report of a Committee, which 
 thought it inexpedient to do this, was approved by 
 the Board. The Committee " on the conduct of 
 officers, and the treatment of patients at the Asy- 
 lum," made a full report, which was accepted and 
 placed on file, on May 3. On that date, Mr. Bullard, 
 for a Committee, reported the purchase of the 
 " Barrell Farm," adjoining the Asylum grounds, for 
 $40,000. The purchase was approved and con- 
 firmed. Mr. Beebe was, on May 17, elected tempo-
 
 680 FEMALE STUDENTS AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 rary Chairman of the Board during Mr. Rogers's 
 proposed absence abroad. Mr Rogers had sought 
 to resign that place, but, by request of the Board, 
 had consented to withdraw his resignation. Mr. 
 Beebe was added to the Building Committee of the 
 Surgical Theatre. Messrs. Beebe, Bullard, and Eliot 
 were instructed to consider and report upon the sub- 
 ject of religious services at the Asylum. At the 
 meeting of the Board on May 17, a letter from Hon. 
 Charles G. Loring had been read, recommending the 
 admission of Miss Sophia Blake to " the medical 
 visitations at the Hospital ; " also a note from Miss 
 Blake and Susan Dimmock, asking leave to share the 
 educational advantages of the Hospital, especially in 
 the female wards. The subject had been referred to 
 the Visiting Committee, with the addition of Mr. 
 Eliot, whose report, recommending the passage of 
 the three following resolutions, was adopted by the 
 Board, on June 28 : — 
 
 1. " That Chap. III., Art. 3, of the Rules and Regulations 
 for the Hospital, may be so interpreted as to include female, 
 as well as male students. 2. That the admission of female 
 students be left to the discretion of the Visiting Physicians 
 and Surgeons, individually. 3. That female students, when- 
 ever admitted, shall be placed in classes separate from male 
 students, and shall attend the clinical practice of the female 
 wards exclusively." 
 
 At the meeting of the Board on Aug. 30, the
 
 DEATH OF DR. J. MASON WARREN. 631 
 
 following preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr. 
 Eliot, were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 " The Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital, at 
 this their first meeting after the death of Dr. J. Mason 
 Warren, in noticing an event so generally lamented by the 
 community, and so particularly afflicting to the Hospital, 
 resolve as follows : — 
 
 "1. That they bear their united testimony to the variety 
 and excellence of the services which Dr. Warren has rendered 
 to the Hospital for nearly twenty-one years as a member, 
 and nearly five years as the head, of its professional staff. 
 Fitted no less by nature, than by descent, for a high position 
 in his profession, uniting great gifts with great acquirements, 
 and using his scientific abilities with a vigor that commanded 
 respect, and a kindliness that inspired attachment, he was 
 remarkable even among the remarkable Physicians and Sur- 
 geons who have been connected with the Hospital. 
 
 " 2. That they dwell with peculiar feeling upon the last 
 proofs of his interest in the institution : upon the dedication 
 of his recent volume, describing the most eminent among his 
 life-long labors, to the government of the Hospital ; upon 
 the subscription of $2,000, which he secured in aid of the 
 operating theatre now building ; yet more upon the fidelity 
 with which he went through his last term of service, though 
 suffering acutely from the development of the disease under 
 which he died ; all of these acts being not only consistent 
 with his unbroken devotion to the Hospital, but likewise 
 characteristic of the science, the liberality, and the consci- 
 entiousness which distinguished his whole career. 
 
 "3. That, speaking for other interests as well as for those 
 of the Hospital, they lament the early close of a life from 
 which, though it had already done its full share, even more
 
 632 THE HOSPITAL NOT A STATE CHARITY. 
 
 might have been expected, had it continued but a few years 
 longer in ministrations to the sick and the poor, in the reHef 
 of suffering, in the promotion of medical science, and in the 
 furtherance of public and private designs for the improve- 
 ment of society. Yet, while lamenting that the life on earth 
 has closed, they rejoice that the memory of their departed 
 associate will not fail to live among those who knew him, 
 and those who are to come after him. 
 
 " Voted f That the Secretary be requested to communicate 
 the resolutions to the family of the deceased, and to furnish 
 a copy to the public press. 
 
 " Voted, That Messrs. Lowell and Eliot be a Committee 
 to prepare, and report at the next quarterly meethig, such 
 resolutions as they may think proper to express the feelings 
 of the Board upon the decease of the last survivor of the 
 earliest founders and officers of this institution, the vener- 
 able Dr. James Jackson." 
 
 The Massachusetts Board of State Charities, hav- 
 ing required a report from this Corporation, under 
 chapter 243 of the Acts of 1867, the Secretary, on 
 Sept. 27, stated " that he had in reply informed the 
 Board of State Charities that this Corporation would 
 make no report unless further called upon, on the 
 ground that this Corporation is not a State Charity 
 within the meaning of the statute." On Oct. 18, the 
 nomination by Dr. Tyler of Dr. James H. Denny, as 
 second Assistant Physician and Apothecary at the 
 Asylum, in place of Dr. Hazelton resigned, was con- 
 firmed. Dr. J. Collins Warren, in a letter acknowl-
 
 ^/^^^rm/ //S^'^^^^i^^^^^^'
 
 DEATH OF DR. JAMES JACKSON. 633 
 
 edging the receipt of the resolutions passed by the 
 Board on the death of his late father, informed the 
 Board of a legacy under his father's will, to the Trus- 
 tees, of 12,000, to be called the "Warren Prize 
 Fund." The communication was referred for future 
 consideration. On Oct. 18, Mr. EUot, for a Com- 
 mittee, offered the following preamble and reso- 
 lutions : — 
 
 "The death of Dr. James Jackson, one of the founders 
 of the Massachusetts General Hospital and its first Phy- 
 sician, whose active service extended from April 6, 1817, to 
 Oct. 13, 1837, and who, as Consulting Physician, was con- 
 nected with the Institution to the close of his earthly life, 
 Aug. 27, 1867, is an event of so singular and so affecting an 
 interest to the Hospital, that the Trustees have delayed 
 noticing it officially until a quarterly meeting should draw 
 them together in full numbers. They can add nothing to his 
 well-deserved i-eputation, but they perform an act of simple 
 duty in offering a sincere and grateful tribute to his honored 
 memory. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Trustees of the Massachusetts 
 General Hospital recall, with deep sensibility, Dr. Jackson's 
 long connection with the Institution, which he was prominent 
 in founding and extending, and to which, while he retained 
 his powers, he gave the great benefit of his name, his 
 science, his advice, and his influence. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That his remarkable traits as a Physician, 
 well-known and appreciated before the Hospital was founded, 
 and fully acknowledged during the half-century of its exist- 
 ence, have been of inestimable value to its administration 
 
 not only during the term of his attendance in our wards, but 
 
 80
 
 634 TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES JACKSON. 
 
 in the subsequent period, during which his counsel and sup- 
 port, while he could give them, have never failed our prede- 
 cessors or ourselves. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That his personal as well as his professional 
 qualities, his activity without imprudence, his decision with- 
 out dogmatism, his dignity that never wounded, his consci- 
 entiousness that never provoked, his exhaustless sympathies, 
 which made him the brother or the father, as well as the 
 physician of those to whom he ministered, bearing their 
 troubles as his own, and alleviating by the charm of his 
 presence the pains which he could not remove by his skill, 
 his unwearied study, his fruitful knowledge, his contributions 
 to the science and literature of medicine, and his relations to 
 the elder and younger members of the profession, gave him a 
 position at the Hospital as exclusively his own as that which 
 he held in the community. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That his labors, as efficient as they were 
 devoted, and his counsels, as wise as they were earnest, 
 renderino: him both the ornament and the safesjuard of the 
 Hospital, are among its most precious traditions, and that 
 they are to be cherished for the sake not merely of its past 
 history, which they had so large a share in forming, but of 
 its future course, to which, if they are faithfully preserved, 
 they will be the helpful guides. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Trustees remove his name from the 
 list of their living associates, only to place it, where it be- 
 longs, at the head of the departed benefactors of the Hos- 
 pital. And to the end that his memory may continue among 
 us, as we think he would have best preferred it to continue, 
 the free bed which was placed in 1^37 at his disposal for 
 life shall remain the Jackson Free Bed, perpetuating his 
 attachment to the Hospital, and his benevolence to hu- 
 manity."
 
 RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT ASYLUM. 635 
 
 These resolutions having been unanimously 
 adopted, the Secretary was directed to communicate 
 them to the family, and to furnish a copy to the public 
 press. 
 
 Mr. F. H. Jackson, son of Dr. Jackson, communi- 
 cated to the Board a bequest from his late father to 
 the Hospital, of a portrait of M. Louis, of Paris. 
 The same was gratefully accepted, and placed upon 
 the walls of the Hospital. It was voted that the 
 nomination to the Jackson Free Bed be vested in the 
 oldest daughter of the deceased. 
 
 On Nov. 15, Mr. Beebe, for a Committee that had 
 been appointed in May, upon the subject of religious 
 services at the Asylum, made a report, on which the 
 Board resolved that it is expedient to establish such 
 services ; that they should be wholly free from a sec- 
 tarian character ; that the Committee procure plans 
 and estimates for a chapel at the Asylum, the present 
 hall to be in the mean while used for the purpose ; 
 and that the Committee consult with the Superin- 
 tendent with regard to a chaplain ^ro tem.^ and for a 
 suitable incumbent of the office. Mr. Whitney hav- 
 ing resigned his place on the Board, and being 
 unwilling when solicited to remain, his resignation 
 was accepted with much regret on Nov. 29, and with 
 thanks for his long and useful services. 
 
 Messrs. Beebe and Dalton were appointed on Dec.
 
 636 REPORT FOR 1867. 
 
 27, a Committee to prepare the amiual report. The 
 nomination by the Committee of Rev. David G. Has- 
 kins'to the office of Chaplain, pro tern., at the Asylum, 
 was confirmed on Jan. 17, 1868. Dr. Charles E. 
 Ware declined to be a candidate for re-election as 
 a Visiting Physician, and could not be induced, by a 
 Committee appointed for the purpose, to withdraw 
 his letter of resignation. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 on Feb. 5, 1868, and the first subsequent meeting of 
 the Trustees was on Feb. 21. The only change in 
 the officers of the Corporation was in the election of 
 Mr. Edmund Dwight in place of Mr. H. A. Whitney 
 as a Trustee. 
 
 The annual report of the Trustees for 1867, it 
 being the fifty-fourth of the series, is a document of 
 much interest in its contents. The death of Dr. J. 
 Mason Warren, and that of the venerated Dr. James 
 Jackson, are properly the first subjects of respectful 
 notice. The former, besides his active efforts in aid 
 of the new operating theatre, now in progress, left a 
 bequest of $2,000 as a fund for a prize to be called 
 the Warren prize, in memory of his father, the 
 interest of which, every three years, is to be awarded 
 for the best dissertation considered worthy of a pre- 
 mium, on some subject' in physiology, surgery, or 
 pathological anatomy. The bequest by Dr. Jackson
 
 REPORT FOR 18G7. 637 
 
 of the portrait of M. Louis has been already men- 
 tioned. The portrait was a gift from M. Louis, in 
 1833, to a son of Dr. Jackson, who had died in early 
 manhood. Dr. Jackson " valued this picture more 
 highly than any thing that he owned." When M. 
 Louis heard what disposition had been made of it 
 " he expressed himself as highly pleased." The new 
 operating theatre is said to be nearly completed. A 
 safe and commodious elevator has been constructed 
 by which patients can be taken from any story of the 
 building and along covered galleries to the new room. 
 The structure contains in addition convenient apart- 
 ments for receiving patients before and after opera- 
 tions, rooms for etherization, for sulphur and other 
 baths, rooms for out-patients, a private operating 
 room, and offices for the surgeons and physicians. 
 Science and humanity will find the most efficient aids 
 in the new arrangements, beyond what had been 
 afforded in the old operating room under the dome 
 of the Hospital. The income for the year had been 
 $204,059.56; the expenditures, $194,843.36. The 
 property, real and productive, is valued at $1,154,- 
 836.14. Still the expenses of the Hospital depart- 
 ment had exceeded its income by $15,664.97. The 
 additional subscriptions for the year to the Free-bed 
 Fund were $3,900; but the cost of them had exceeded 
 all the income for them by nearly twenty per cent.
 
 fi38 DR. Tyler's foreign tour. 
 
 The donations and legacies during the year had 
 amounted to |43,312.75. There had been 1,301 
 patients in the Hospital. Of surgical out-patients 
 there had been 2,569; of medical, 2,957. More than 
 one half of all the cases received at the Hospital had 
 been cured. At the Asylum, 89 new patients had 
 been admitted ; 178 remained. Dr. Tyler had been 
 abroad from February to October, and expresses his 
 gratitude to the Trustees for affording him the privi- 
 lege, and for making such admirable and efficient 
 arrangements for the oversight of his charge during 
 his absence. Though the great object of his vacation 
 was to lose sight for a season of hospital life, yet his 
 inclination and his opportunity led him to make many 
 visits with extended investigations in the Asylums 
 of Great Britain and the continent. He had been 
 received everywhere courteously and fraternally. As 
 the result of his wide and inquisitive investigations, 
 so fully and intelligently directed by his own private 
 experience and official professional authority, we 
 have in his report a document of permanent value as 
 a contribution to the highest department of the lit- 
 erature of his theme. Any one who shall for years 
 to come assume to discuss, as from a point of advan- 
 tage or influence, the comparative views of insanity, 
 and of the methods of treating it, cannot wisely neg- 
 lect to read this report. With a generous catholicity
 
 ORGANIZATION FOR 1868. 639 
 
 of spirit, an admirable candor of judgment, and a 
 most discriminating allowance for differences of opin- 
 ion in details, where there is a general harmony on 
 the part of qualified judges in the case. Dr. Tyler 
 presents his observations and conclusions with an 
 emphasis of personal assurance, and a freedom from 
 dogmatism, that alike give a charm and a warrant to 
 his expressed convictions. 
 
 Mr. Rogers was re-elected Chairman of the Board 
 of Trustees. On the Board of Consultation, Dr. J. B. 
 S. Jackson was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by 
 the death of Dr. James Jackson ; the Visiting Phy- 
 sicians of last year were continued in oflace, with the 
 exception of Dr. C. E. Ware, who had declined ; and 
 the only change among the Visiting Surgeons was in 
 the election of Dr. Algernon Coolidge in place of the 
 late Dr. J. Mason Warren. Dr. Charles B. Porter 
 was chosen an additional Surgeon to Out-patients ; 
 all the other officers of the Hospital and Asylum 
 being again elected. The Chairman, with the appro- 
 bation of the Board, designated the Standing Com- 
 mittees and the Visiting Committees for the year. 
 Thanks were voted to Dr. Charles E. Ware " for his 
 faithful, efficient, and sympathetic service of ten years, 
 as Visiting Physician, and for the unfailing interest 
 he has always shown in all matters affecting the 
 usefulness of the Hospital." The Treasurer was
 
 640 TRIBUTE TO THE DECEASED PRESIDENT. 
 
 instructed to establish a permanent fund for the 
 Warren prize, conformed to the conditions in the 
 bequest. The salary of the Treasurer was increased 
 to $1,000. The death of Mr. Robert Hooper, Presi- 
 dent of the Corporation, was announced to the Board 
 on March 6 ; and at the meeting on March 20, Mr. 
 Bullard, for a Committee appointed for the purpose, 
 reported the following resolution, which was unani- 
 mously adopted : — 
 
 " That while we acknowledge the mercy of God in the 
 tender manner in which He released from the weariness and 
 infirmities of his earthly life Robert Hooper, the President 
 of this institution, the event cannot fail to affect our sensi- 
 bilities and recall his long and useful services. Of uncom- 
 mon individuality of character and manner, of singular 
 probity of mind and independence of thought, of large and 
 cultivated capacities, he was faithful and sagacious in all 
 his trusts, most honorable in the conduct of affairs, affection- 
 ate and tender in all his social relations. 
 
 "Mr. Hooper was elected a Trustee in 1837, Chairman of 
 the Board in 1842, Vice-President in 1850, and President 
 in 1863, serving in these several offices over thirty years. 
 And we desire to record our grateful sense of the fidelity, 
 ability, and sympathetic interest with which he performed 
 these services, and to bear witness to the deep concern he 
 felt in all that affected the welfare and usefulness of this 
 institution. 
 
 " Voted, That a copy of the foregoing resolve be sent by 
 tlie Secretary to the family of the deceased." 
 
 Official notice w^as received, on April 3, from the
 
 VISIT OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF ASYLUMS. 641 
 
 Trustees under the will of Mrs. Abigail Loring, 
 of their readiness to pay the amount, $35,000', 
 awarded to this Corporation. The award was 
 received with gratitude, and the Treasurer was 
 authorized to receipt for it. Messrs. C. H. Parker 
 and W. P. Mason, executors of the will of the late 
 W. P. Mason, having paid over to the Corporation 
 $10,000, being the amount of a bequest provided 
 for in said will, less United States revenue tax, it 
 was — 
 
 " Voted, That this Corporation gratefully accepts the same 
 upon the conditions of said will ; and that the Treasurer 
 be directed to establish a special fund, to be called the 
 ' Mason Free-bed Fund,' the income of which shall be 
 annually appropriated to the support of free beds in this 
 Institution ; and that he be further directed, in conformity 
 with said conditions, to confer upon Mr. W. P. Mason and 
 Mrs. Walter C. Cabot each the rights of life free-bed 
 subscribers." 
 
 On April 17, permission was granted, on request, 
 to the Massachusetts Medical Society to hold their 
 annual meeting in June in the operating theatre 
 of the Hospital. Measures were adopted by the 
 Trustees, on April 24, to co-operate with Dr. Tyler 
 in extending proper civilities to the Association of 
 Superintendents of American Institutions for the 
 Insane at their coming meeting in Boston, in June. 
 The salary of the Chaplain at the Asylum was fixed 
 
 81
 
 642 GIFT FROM MISS M. L. SHAW. 
 
 at 11,000. On May 8, Dr. A. D. Sinclair resigned 
 his office of Physician to out-patients. His resig- 
 nation was accepted, and thanks were voted for his 
 faithful services. Two free beds at the Hospital 
 were placed at the disposal of St. Stephen's Chapel, 
 Boston, on the payment of |2,000. Dr. Charles E. 
 Ware was elected on the Board of Consultation in 
 the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Homans. 
 On May 22, Dr. Henry K. Oliver, jun., was elected 
 a Visiting Physician for the remainder of the year ; 
 and Drs. Hall Curtis and George G. Tarbell were 
 elected Physicians to out-patients. Miss Sturtevant 
 was appointed, on July 31, as Matron of the Plospital, 
 in the vacancy caused by the recent decease of Mary 
 A. Colesworthy. The Trustees had voted the sum 
 of two hundred dollars to Dr. Morrill Wyman, for 
 his kind services at the Asylum during the absence 
 of Dr. Tyler ; and, in grateful recognition of the 
 bounty. Dr. Wyman sent a gift of the same amount 
 for the aid of needy patients there. A faithful 
 attendant on the kitchen of the Asylum, on leaving 
 after twenty-five years of service, received a present 
 of one hundred dollars, with an appreciative letter 
 of thanks. On Dec. 18, acknowledgments were 
 returned to Miss M. Louisa Shaw for the donation 
 of $500, " for the Free Bed and Ward for Incura- 
 bles." Messrs. Dwight and Bullard were, on Jan. 6,
 
 REPORT FOR 1868. 643 
 
 1869, appointed a Committee to prepare the annual 
 report, and to them were referred the Treasurer's 
 and the other reports as successively presented. On 
 the report and advice of a Committee, on Feb. 3, 
 authority was given to sell all the land lying east of 
 the Eastern Railroad at the Asylum. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 on Feb. 3, 1869, and the first subsequent meeting of 
 the Trustees on Feb. 19. Mr. Edward Wiggles- 
 worth, who had been Vice-President, was chosen 
 President ; Mr. Nathaniel Thayer, Vice-President ; 
 and Messrs. Stevenson and Hall were respectively 
 re-elected Treasurer and Secretary, and the Board of 
 Trustees remained unchanged. The Board, on its 
 organization, re-elected Mr. Rogers as Chairman. 
 The Board of Consultation bears the name of Dr. C. 
 E. Ware in place of that of the late Dr. Romans. 
 The only changes made in the staff of officers at the 
 Hospital and Asylum were such as have been noted 
 during the last year, except in the choice of Mr. 
 David J. Dearborn as male Supervisor at the Asy- 
 lum, in place of Mr. Dexter Gray, deceased. 
 
 The report for 1868 states the expenses of the 
 Hospital to have been $67,564.47, of which only 
 $14,671.45 had been received from patients. The 
 expenses of the Asylum had been $142,535.36 ; the 
 net deficit of income below expenses had been
 
 644 DR. SHAW's REPORT. 
 
 $17,124.50. There had been 1,265 patients in the 
 Hospital, of which 771 were wholly free. The aver- 
 age weekly cost of each w^as $12.74. As out-patients, 
 5,264 persons had been treated. A Dental Service 
 had been added during the year, in connection with 
 the Dental School of Harvard College, 1,078 persons 
 having received its services. The Treadwell Library 
 has a constant increase by the addition of costly 
 works not to be found in private medical libraries. 
 The Trustees are increasingly solicitous for the pros- 
 perity and advancement of their institution. They 
 stand between the bounty of a rich and liberal com- 
 munity and a body of professional men of great skill 
 and self-devotion, and they desire to be the medium 
 of a great benevolence for the good of their fellovv- 
 men. They are now considering whether they may 
 be able to afford accommodations for the treatment 
 of special diseases. The death of the President, and 
 of the Matron of the Hospital, is properly noticed. 
 
 The legacies and donations received during the 
 year amount to $77,939.79. The receipts for annual 
 subscriptions for free beds had been $4,300. The 
 Treasurer's statement gives a full and lucid account 
 of all the classified and restricted and general funds, 
 with an exhaustive exhibition of the economy of the 
 institution. Dr. Shaw, the Resident Physician, pre- 
 sents the statistics of the patients with the usual
 
 DR. TYLERS REPORT. 645 
 
 details and specifications. He refers to religious 
 services held for convalescents, and to the visits of 
 kindly friends to the patients with books and other 
 offerings. Dr. Tyler reports that 270 persons had 
 been under treatment at the Asylum, and 176 re- 
 mained. About a third of the patients have attended 
 religious services in the hall on Sunday afternoons, 
 receiving thus an influence evidently soothing and 
 beneficial. The late Supervisor, Mr. Dexter Gray, is 
 spoken of with warm respect and aff'ection for his vir- 
 tues and his services. He had intermitted his relation 
 to the Asylum to serve his country iii the war, and re- 
 turned with a wound which was one of the causes of 
 his lamented decease. The Asylum had a history now 
 of fifty completed years. Its first patient — whose 
 case the Trustees spent three hours in examining — 
 was a young man whom his father believed to be 
 one of those spoken of in the Bible as possessed with 
 a devil. The father said the remedial measure which 
 he had employed was whi2Jj)ing. This patient com- 
 pletely recovered. There are now about seventy like 
 institutions in the American States and the Provinces. 
 Dr. Tyler makes his report chiefly a condensed and 
 concise, but still a very adequate, sketch of the his- 
 tory of the Asylum ; which, as a whole, is a pro- 
 foundly instructive illustration of the application of 
 the resources of Christian benevolence, munificence,
 
 64:6 LADY VISITORS AT HOSPITAL. 
 
 and science to one of the most grievous of all human 
 woes. The Association of Medical Superintendents 
 of American Institutions for the Insane, having met 
 this year at Somerville, had made a thorough exami- 
 nation of the Asylum, and of its methods and conduct. 
 After a prolonged discussion of the " legal relations 
 of the insane," they unanimously agreed upon a 
 " project of a law " which would aid to assure the 
 prompt care of a patient, the protection of his per- 
 sonal liberty, and the safety of the public. This 
 document appears with Dr. Tyler's report. 
 
 The Trustees, on March 19, voted that the Resident 
 Physician be requested to prepare for publication a 
 simple statement, that children have long been, and 
 will continue to be, received and properly cared for 
 at the Hospital. After the Board had for some time 
 had under consideration the appointment of two or 
 more ladies to serve as visitors to the female wards of 
 the Hospital, on June 4 the measure was approved. 
 Four ladies were elected by ballot to that service, and 
 a Committee was appointed to confer with them on 
 their proposed duties. It was voted that all Hospital 
 out-patients affected Avith diseases of the skin be 
 placed under the special care and treatment of Dr. 
 J. C. White. In answer to a suggestion in a letter 
 from Dr. Calvin Ellis, then in Paris, relative to the 
 purchase of improved electrical apparatus for the
 
 ADVERTISEMENT OF WARREN PRIZE. 647 
 
 Hospital, the Visiting Physicians, who had been con- 
 sulted on the subject, reported in favor of the propo- 
 sition ; and the Board, on June 18, appropriated two 
 hundred dollars in gold for that object. The sum of 
 £300 was put at the disposal of Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, 
 for the purchase in Paris of surgical instruments for 
 the Hospital. On Aug. 20, Dr. Tyler communicated 
 to the Board the resignation by Dr. James H. Denny 
 of the office of Second Assistant Physician and 
 Apothecary at the Asylum, and the nomination of 
 Dr. George F. Jelly as his successor. The resigna- 
 tion was accepted, and the nomination confirmed. On 
 Oct, 1, the Board found it necessary to increase the 
 number of physicians to out-patients, and chose Drs. 
 John Collins Warren and Robert Willard as addi- 
 tional officers. On Oct. 22, Mr. John C. Gray re- 
 ceived the thanks of the Board for the donation of 
 $1,000 for the support of free beds. Messrs. Farns- 
 worth and Lowell were designated, on Dec. 17, a 
 Committee to prepare the annual report. On Jan. l-i, 
 1870, Mr. Billiard, for a Committee on the " Warren 
 Prize," reported a form of advertisement, which was 
 accepted, as follows : — 
 
 " Massachusetts General Hospital. — The Warren 
 Prize, founded by the Lite J. Mason Wai-ren, in memory of 
 his father, Jt)hn C. Warren, being the income of $2,000 for 
 three years, will be awarded, after Feb. 1871, to the author
 
 648 APPEAL FROM FAMILY OF DR. MORTON. 
 
 of the best original dissertation, considered worthy of a 
 prize, on some subject in physiology, surgery, or pathological 
 anatomy. The arbitrators to be the medical board of the 
 Hospital. 
 
 "Dissertations, accompanied with a sealed envelope con- 
 taining the name and address of the writer, must be sent on 
 or before the 1st Feb. 1871, to the Superintendent of the 
 Massachusetts General Hospital." 
 
 On Jan. 21, a Committee, to whom had been re- 
 ferred a circular addressed to the Trustees asking a 
 contribution to a fnnd to be raised for the benefit of 
 the family of the late Dr. Morton, and to pay for a 
 monument to be erected over his remains, reported 
 a form of reply to be sent by the Secretary, which 
 was adopted, as follows : — 
 
 " The Trustees beg to say, that, while they are deeply sen- 
 sible of the ijreat blessinof Dr. Morton conferred on mankind 
 by proving that sulphuric ether can safely be used to produce 
 insensibility to pain, even under the most serious surgical 
 operations, they nevertheless feel that the appropriation of 
 any portion of the funds of the Hospital for the purposes 
 named in the circular would not be consistent with the uses 
 for which they have been bestowed." 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital on Feb. 2, 1870. The only change 
 among its officers of last year was in the election of 
 Messrs. George S. Hale and Samuel W. Swett, as 
 Trustees in place of Messrs. Lowell and Storrow,
 
 REPORT FOR 1869. 649 
 
 who resigned after they had been chosen. The report 
 for 1869 shows that there had been nothing of 
 special or marked importance in the recent experience 
 of the institution, its appropriate work having gone 
 successfully forward under able and faithful officers, 
 Drs. Shaw and Tyler, with their valued assistants. 
 The large number of nurses, whose assiduous and 
 patient duties are so essential, so trying and exhaust- 
 ing too, are not forgotten, though their names are of 
 silent fame. The expenditure at the Hospital has 
 been $62,238.60 ; at the Asylum, |138, 132.02. The 
 weekly cost of a patient has been, at the Hospital, 
 $10.14 ; at the Asylum, $14.20. The receipts have 
 exceeded the expenditures by $3,445.21. Besides 
 the donation from John C. Gray, the further sums of 
 $49,500 had accrued under the will of the late John 
 Eedman, and of $18,690.10, under the will of the 
 late M. P. Sawyer. There had been admitted to the 
 Hospital 1,390 patients, of whom 834 were free ; of 
 the greatest total at any one time, of 139, there were 
 98 free. The out-patients treated had numbered 
 6,953. The new surgical instruments and electrical 
 apparatus, selected abroad by Drs. Bigelow arid Ellis, 
 had been received with much satisfaction. The death 
 of Dr. S. D. Townsend on Sept. 17, and his long 
 and devoted services, are appropriately noticed. The 
 Resident Physician writes : " What cannot always be 
 
 82
 
 650 DR. Tyler's report. 
 
 said may be said of him. — that, as Consulting Surgeon, 
 he always punctually and conscientiously attended 
 the consultations, and gave his advice and assistance 
 in the most important operations." 
 
 Dr. Tyler reports that there had been under treat- 
 ment during the year, at the Asylum, 284 patients, 
 of whom 184 remained. He regards the cases of 
 insanity most proper for his Institution to be the 
 violent and dangerous, and also the recent and 
 curable. The soundness of the general principles of 
 treatment adopted there is year by year verified. The 
 study of French has been introduced with marked 
 success into the Asylum, Madame Harney attending 
 weekly upon separate classes of either sex. Mrs. 
 Bunker, on another day, has classes in drawing. 
 Mr. Moorhouse presides over an orchestra of twelve 
 or fifteen male patients, one of the Trustees having 
 generously given instruments for the purpose. A 
 " singing-school " under Mr. Hadley has united both 
 sexes. These exercises have varied the inevitable 
 monotony and cheered the weariness of life within 
 the walls. Flower-beds, garden grounds, chickens 
 and ducks, "embroidery, needle-work for the poor, the 
 carpenter's shop, concerts, readings, dancing parties, 
 excursions in the harbor, festivals, waxworks, and 
 observance of holidays, have furnished their resources. 
 More rooms like those in the Appleton wards are
 
 ASSISTANT LADY VISITORS. 651 
 
 very much needed, as also an amusement hall, and 
 a chapel. The religious services, under E,ev. D. G. 
 Haskins, are greatly prized ; their omission for a 
 single Sunday having been much mourned. 
 
 Mr. E-osrers was chosen Chairman of the Board of 
 Trustees for 1^70. The Board of Consultation was 
 changed only by the loss of the name of Dr. Town- 
 send. The Medical and Surgical Staff and the officers 
 of the Hospital and Asylum were the same as last 
 year. The Standing and Visiting Committees were 
 designated and arranged. The resignation of Messrs. 
 Lowell and Storrow was received with regret, and 
 thanks were voted to them for their long and efficient 
 services. On March 18, the resignation of Mr. 
 James L. Little, as Trustee, was announced to the 
 Board, with the appointment by the Governor of Dr. 
 George E. Ellis, to fill the vacancy. Thanks were 
 voted to Mr. Little for his valuable services during 
 the past four years. Six young ladies were appointed 
 as assistant visitors to the female wards of the Hos- 
 pital ; viz.. Miss Mary I. Bowditch, Miss Henrietta 
 Townsend, Miss Helen A. Perkins, Mrs. Otto Cuntz, 
 Miss Annie Putnam, and Miss Caroline Young. A 
 communication was received, on April 1, from Dr. J. 
 C. White, resigning the office of Visiting Physician 
 of the Hospital, and asking to be appointed Physician 
 to a department for skin diseases, which he recora-
 
 652 VOTES OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 mends to Jpe established at the Hospital. The com- 
 munication was referred to Messrs. Rogers and 
 Bullard for consideration and report. The sum of 
 two hundred dollars was, on April 15, placed at the 
 disposal of the lady visitors of the Hospital for procur- 
 ing pictures to be hung upon the walls of the wards. 
 On May 6, a conference was asked for with the Vis- 
 iting Physicians and Surgeons, by the Trustees, or 
 a communication in any other form, on the subject 
 of the proposed department for skin diseases. The 
 illness of Dr. Tyler made it necessary to procure 
 assistance for Dr. Whittemore at the Asylum. On 
 June 3, the lady visitors of the Hospital were 
 authorized to visit the male wards also, at their dis- 
 cretion, A case of interest, Avhich had occurred at 
 the Hospital in connection with an autopsy, led to the 
 appointment of a Committee, whose report was ac- 
 cepted by the Board on July 15, with a vote, by 
 which the attention of the officers of the Hospital was 
 called to the rules relating to autopsies, and another 
 that a " Post-mortem Register " be kept to meet the 
 requirements of those rules, — each entry in which 
 shall be examined and signed by the Visiting Com- 
 mittee, — the book to be laid before the Trustees at 
 their regular meetings. The Resident Physician was 
 requested to keep a press copy of his official corre- 
 spondence, including notices to relatives and friends 
 of deceased patients.
 
 COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. 653 
 
 Mr. Dalton made a communication from Dr. Henry 
 J. Bigelovv, presenting to the Hospital " a collection 
 of instruments lately procured by him abroad, which 
 are now placed in new cases in the operating theatre, 
 at an aggregate cost of about three thousand two hun- 
 dred and fifty dollars ; " also giving " the further 
 sums of one thousand dollars, and of five hundred 
 dollars, the income of the former to be used exclu- 
 sively for the purchase of surgical instruments 
 required by the attending surgeons, not including 
 •• apparatus,' splints, nor general appliances, — and 
 the latter sum to be devoted to the maintenance of 
 a free bed for five years." It was voted that these 
 very valuable gifts be accepted with gratitude, and 
 that Mr. Dalton, with the Chairman, be requested to 
 communicate the fact of their grateful acceptance 
 to Dr. Bigelow. On July 22, the resignation by 
 Miss G. W. Mills of the office of female Supervisor 
 of the Asylum was accepted ; and the noniination of 
 Miss Lucia Woodward, as her successor, was con- 
 firmed. An expression of high appreciation of her 
 services, and a testimonial of approbation, were voted 
 to Miss Mills. The Committees on Free Beds and 
 on Repairs were requested to consider and report, 
 respectively, " on the advisability of preparing a 
 general review of the financial wants of the Hospital, 
 with a view of appealing to the public for contribu-
 
 654 GIFT FROM DR. H. J. BIGELOW. 
 
 tions to the Free-bed Fund," and " what new build- 
 ings and improvements, if any, are desirable at the 
 Asylum." The Vice-president, Mr. Thayer, was 
 added to the latter Committee. 
 
 On Aug. 5, Dr. Robert Willard resigned his office 
 of Physician to out-patients ; and his resignation was 
 accepted. On Sept. 2, the Treasurer announced that 
 he had received from Dr. Henry J. Bigelow an 
 additional sum of seventeen hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars, making the whole amount of his donation six 
 thousand dollars. It was thereupon voted, — 
 
 " That the Treasurer be directed to establish the Henry J. 
 Bigelow Fund in the sum of $1,750, of the principal of 
 which one hundred dohars -jaer annum, for five years, shall 
 be appropriated for Dr. Bigelow's free bed, and the income of 
 whicli shall be applied annually to the purchase of surgical 
 instruments, as may be agreed upon by the Surgeons and 
 Trustees." 
 
 Dr. Bigelow having suggested the appointment 
 of a Committee of the Surgeons to have the care of 
 the surgical instruments, &c., it was — 
 
 " Voied^ That a Committee of two Surgeons be appohited 
 to take charge of the surgical instruments recently presented 
 by Dr. Bigelow, to make future purchases of instruments 
 from the income of funds provided for such purpose by Dr. 
 Bigelow, and to make such rules for the use and keeping of 
 the instruments as may seem to said Committee to be best."
 
 AVARD FOR SKIN-DISEASES. 655 
 
 t 
 
 l)rs. Bigelow and Hodges were made such a Com- 
 mittee. The instruments here referred to make a 
 collection in itself of a curious and strangely fasci- 
 nating interest. They are of an amazing ingenuity, 
 variety, and adaptation ; keen of temper, brilliant in 
 polish, mysterious in their uses to any but experts, 
 and exhibiting with great impressiveness the triumphs 
 of scientific and mechanical skill. Of course this 
 impression, with the accompanying associations and 
 feelings, are very unlike for those who gaze upon 
 them in safe security and those on whom their use 
 is to be tested. 
 
 A legacy from the late E,ev. Dr. S. M. Worcester 
 was announced to the Board on Oct. 14, making, with 
 the amount given by him during his life, the sum of 
 nineteen hundred dollars. There was a special sig- 
 nificance in the gift of Dr. Worcester from his 
 slender means, as a token of his gratitude for the 
 kind care which his wife had received at the Asylum. 
 Thanks were voted to Mr. Walter K. Bigelow for 
 the manner in which he had carried out the wishes 
 of Dr. Worcester. Dr. Daniel Hyslop Hayden was 
 elected a Physician to out-patients, in place of Dr. 
 Willard, resigned. 
 
 After the Board had given a full and deliberate 
 consideration to the subject, with the help of a Com- 
 mittee and a knowledge of the views of Dr. Shaw
 
 656 GIFT FROM JOHN L. GARDNER. 
 
 and of the Medical and Surgical officers, it was voted, 
 on Oct. 21, to establish a separate ward for the treat- 
 ment of patients with skin diseases, and to appoint 
 Dr. White as Physician to that department ; it being 
 understood that the measure was but an experiment, 
 and the appointment but temporary. Rules were 
 adopted for carrying out the provisions of the vote, 
 in the arrangements of the room designated, and the 
 disposal of patients of either sex. The resignation 
 of Dr. White as a Visiting Physician was accepted, 
 and Dr. Edward B. Dal ton was chosen in his place. 
 
 On Dec. 16, Messrs. Ellis and Swett were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to prepare the annual report. 
 Dr. Calvin Ellis sent in his resignation of the ^^ffice 
 of " Microscopist and Curator of the Pathological 
 Cabinet," and the Board accepted it. On Jan. 13, 
 1871, the Treasurer announced the gift of ii^"i(),000 
 to the Hospital Free-bed Fund from Mr. John L. 
 Gardner, whereupon it was — 
 
 " Voted, That the Secretary be directed to communicate 
 to Mr. Gardner the thanks of the Board for his very liberal 
 and timely gift ; and that the Treasurer be directed to invest 
 and hold the same as the ' John L. Gardner Free-bed 
 Fund.' " 
 
 The annual meeting of the Corporation was held 
 at the Hospital Feb. 1, 1871 ; and the first subse- 
 quent meeting of the Trustees for organization was
 
 REPORT FOR 1870. 657 
 
 held on Feb. 17. It appeared that the only change 
 in the officers of the Corporation froi^i the previous 
 year was that already noticed in the resignation of 
 Mr. Little, and the appointment of G. E. Ellis as a 
 Trustee. The Trustees re-elected the same Boards 
 of Consultation, and of Visiting Surgeons and Phy- 
 sicians, save that, on the last Board, Dr. E. B. Dalton 
 took the place of Dr. J. C. White, resigned. Dr. D. 
 H. Hayden takes the place of Dr. R. AVillard, as a 
 Physician to out-patients ; Dr. Reginald H. Fitz takes 
 the place of Dr. Calvin Ellis, as Microscopist and 
 Curator of the Pathological Cabinet ; the other 
 officers of the Hospital being re-elected. 
 
 The report for 1870, being the fifty-seventh, notices 
 the changes in the Board of Trustees already specified. 
 The Treasurer congratulates himself and the Corpo- 
 ration that he is able this year to make the most favor- 
 able statement of the financial affairs of the institution 
 which it has been in his power to present since he 
 had filled the office, — he was elected Feb. 18, 1859. 
 The income of the property had exceeded the ex- 
 penses of the two departments by $9,126.19. The 
 average number of patients at the Hospital had been 
 120^; weekly cost of each patient, f 10.0 J:. Average 
 number at the Asylum, 187 ; weekly cost of each, 
 f 1'3.81. The dividends, interest, and rent amounted 
 to |38,334:.18, being 1.10 per cent on the investments. 
 
 83
 
 658 REPORT FOR 1870. 
 
 The donations and legacies received during the year 
 amounted to $49,074.85 ; and, after the Treasurer 
 had closed his accounts and before he had made his 
 report, accrued the gift already mentioned of $20,000 
 from Mr. J. L. Gardner, and another of $1,000 from 
 Mr. B. T. Reed. The lady visitors at the Hospital 
 had added much to the comfort and enjoyment of the 
 patients. The Young Mens Christian Union had 
 also provided for them dramatic representations and 
 other entertainments. The Committee charged with 
 the subject had reported an appeal to the community 
 for increased subscriptions to the free-bed fund, 
 which was adopted. The Trustees had acted upon 
 the subject of a communication, dated Nov. 17, from 
 the Surgeons, expressing their views on the manage- 
 ment of the Hospital, warming, ventilation, diet, &c., 
 and asking for more beds for the Surgical Depart- 
 ment. The temporary and experimental measure for 
 the treatment of skin diseases in a separate ward is 
 referred to. Dr. White had visited during the year 
 patients by such diseases 2,045 times ; the new 
 patients had been 638 ; tlie specifications of the 
 diseases treated were 656. There had been treated 
 during the year 7,370 medical, and 2,192 surgical 
 out-patients. There had been 1,427 patients in the 
 Hospital, of whom 958 were free. There had been 
 under treatment at the Asylum 263 patients; 178
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. TYLER. 659 
 
 remained at the close of the year. Since April, Dr. 
 Tyler had been taken from his duties by illness ; and 
 Dr. Whittemore, with his assistants, had borne the 
 pressure of responsibility. Some improvements in 
 the treatment of mental disorder had been verified 
 during the year, and the well-established principles 
 and methods of moral treatment had received new 
 confirmation. A fund had been contributed by some 
 friends of the Asylum for the supply of amusements 
 by music and concerts. Mrs. S. Cabot, of Brookline, 
 had sent weekly gifts of rare flowers during the 
 winter. Other ladies had participated in extending 
 these favors. Rev. Mr. Worcester had officiated 
 most acceptably as chaplain. Dr. A. A. Porter, 
 appointed Assistant Physician in June, had accepta- 
 bly performed his duties till ill-health had compelled 
 him to resign in November, when Dr. F. A. Stillings 
 succeeded him. 
 
 It was with profound sympathy and deep regret 
 that the Trustees learned that Dr. Tyler's health and 
 strength were not fully restored by the leave of ab- 
 sence that had been granted him. They received 
 a note from him on Feb. 17, resigning his office as 
 Superintendent of the Asylum. The subject was 
 referred to Messrs. Rogers, Eliot, and Bullard, for 
 consideration and report. The election of officers 
 for the Asylum was postponed. Mr. Rogers was
 
 660 TRIBUTE TO DR. TYLER. 
 
 re-elected Chairman of the Board, and, with the 
 approbation of the Trustees, designated the usual 
 Committees. The " Benjamin T. Reed Free-bed 
 Fund" was established. Three dissertations were 
 presented for competition for the Warren Prize, and 
 they were referred to the Medical Board for exami- 
 nation and adjudication. At the meeting of the 
 Board on March 3, the first business being the elec- 
 tion of officers for the Asylum, the ballots were all 
 cast for Dr. Tyler as Superintendent ; Mr. and Mrs. 
 Whittle being re-chosen Steward and Matron. But 
 the hope of continuing Dr. Tyler in their service was 
 at once precluded by the following report of resolu- 
 tions proposed by Mr. Rogers for the Committee : — 
 
 " Resolved, Tliat this Board, after due consideration of all 
 the facts and circumstances in the case, accept, with great 
 reluctance, the resignation tendered them by Dr. John E. 
 Tyler. 
 
 " Resolved, That Dr. Tyler, during the thirteen years of 
 his administration of the Asylum, has, by his professional 
 skill, sound judgment, self-sacrificing spirit, and conscientious 
 discharge of the duties of his arduous and responsible office, 
 not only maintained the very high standard of excellence 
 which this Institution had previously attained among similar 
 institutions of the country ; but, by his courteous manners, 
 well-balanced temperament, and loving heart, has, to a singu- 
 lar degree, won the esteem and affection of the large number 
 of patients who, from time to time, have been under his 
 charge ; the confidence of their relatives and friends, and
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. WHITTEMORE. 661 
 
 the respect of the public at large. And therefore this Board 
 deem it their duty to tender to him, in behalf of the Insti- 
 tution, their warmest thanks for the services he has ren- 
 dered ; their deep regret at the circumstances which make him 
 unable, at present, to perform the duties they would have 
 so gladly continued to him ; and their sincere wishes and 
 prayers for his speedy and complete restoration to health 
 and usefulness." 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That the Board is unwilling to conclude its 
 action in this regard without noticing the valuable voluntary 
 services rendered to the Institution by Mrs. Tyler. In their 
 belief, by her good judgment, her quick sympathy and con- 
 stant kind attentions and care, she has done a great deal to 
 soothe and mitigate the sorrows of the patients, and promote 
 the happiness and welfare of the household ; and they beg 
 leave respectfully to tender to her, with their hearty acknowl- 
 edgments, their personal esteem and their best wishes." 
 
 The report was accepted, the resohitions were 
 adopted, and the Secretary was directed to send a 
 copy of them to Dr. Tyler. Nor was this the only 
 loss the Asylum was to meet with in this emergency 
 in its history. Dr. Whittemore had found his respon- 
 sibilities so arduous as to impair his health, and he 
 desired also to go abroad for professional study. A 
 note was received from him at the same meeting 
 resigning his office of Assistant Physician. The same 
 Committee was asked to consider and report upon 
 this subject. Mr. Beebe was added to the Committee 
 to consider and report upon filling the office of Super-
 
 662 TRIBUTE TO DR. WHITTEMORE. 
 
 intendent at the Asylum. Mr. Dalton was requested 
 to consider and report upon the subject of a yearly 
 publication of important medical and surgical cases at 
 the Hospital. 
 
 A letter was received from Dr. Tyler, on March 17, 
 in grateful response to the action of the Board at its 
 last meeting. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, for the Committee on the resignation 
 of Dr. Whittemore, presented a report, recommending 
 the adoption of votes, the first of which follows. 
 The report was accepted, the votes were adopted, 
 and the Secretary was directed to send a copy to Dr. 
 Whittemore. 
 
 " Voted, That in accepting the resignation tendered to 
 them by Dr. J. H. Whittemore, Assistant Physician and 
 Apothecary at the Asylum, in order that he may be at lib- 
 erty to pursue the general practice of medicine, and to take 
 place on the first of July next, the Board desire to express 
 their entire satisfaction with the manner in which he has per- 
 formed the duties of his office ; and especially would they 
 recognize and commend the ease and readiness with which he 
 assumed, in addition to his own, the duties and responsibili- 
 ties thrown upon him by the illness of the Superintendent, 
 and his very able, wise, and faithful conduct of them since 
 the first of April last. With a deep sense of obligation to 
 Dr. Whittemore for these voluntarily rendered services, and 
 a high appreciation of his capacity and character, the Board 
 beg him to accept their best wishes for his future happiness 
 and success."
 
 PROPOSED RELIEF OF THE ASYLUM. 663 
 
 On March 31, Dr. Whittemore gratefully acknowl- 
 edged the action of the Board. 
 
 An effort was made by the Trustees on April 14, 
 by the appointment of a Committee, to secure the 
 removal of at least ten incurable female patients at 
 the Asylum, who could be removed without injury to 
 them. It was known and well understood by the 
 Trustees, in their constant visits, that there were 
 such patients within the walls whose condition was 
 hopeless, who would be as»well provided for in some 
 other institutions, who would not suffer from a 
 change of place and surroundings, while, as coming 
 perhaps from outside the State, or from other cir- 
 cumstances, they had not as strong a claim to be 
 retained here as some other applicants had for admis- 
 sion who were necessarily excluded from lack of 
 room. The Committee engaged the most earnest 
 attention and effort in the matter, and put themselves 
 in correspondence with the friends of the patients 
 under consideration. But very slender results fol- 
 lowed of the nature desired. It was found very 
 difficult in any case, and impossible in most cases, 
 to induce the friends of such patients to consent to 
 their removal. In one point of view the incidental 
 measures brought into action called out gratifying 
 evidence of the high consideration in which the Asy- 
 lum was held by the parties concerned, and of their
 
 664 AWARD OF THE WARREN PRIZE. 
 
 full confidence in and grateful appreciation of the 
 kind and faithful care bestowed upon the afflicted 
 objects of their solicitude. The fact is a striking 
 comment on one of the inconsiderate imputations 
 upon institutions like this, as forcibly or unnecessarily 
 detaining patients who might as well be discharged. 
 The Asylum would best reward the hopes and labors 
 of its friends by receiving almost exclusively curable 
 patients, and by discharging them on the earliest day 
 on which their restoration is assured. But it must 
 meet the wishes and needs of the community as a 
 merciful refuge for many incurables. 
 
 A communication was received by the Trustees, on 
 April 21, from Dr. Hodges, announcing the award of 
 the Warren Prize, by the medical board of the Hos- 
 pital, to the dissertation on " The Physiological 
 Effects of the Nitrate of Amyl," by Dr. Horatio C. 
 Wood, jun., of ■ Philadelphia. The Treasurer was 
 instructed to pay the writer of the dissertation the 
 amount of the prize, $388. Dr. Wood was per- 
 mitted to take a copy for publication, on condition of 
 returning the original manuscript to the Hospital, 
 and indicatiu"' anv additions he mii^ht make as not 
 having passed under the eye of the Prize Committee. 
 
 The continued encroachments by railroads upon 
 the grounds of the Asylum had now resulted in com- 
 pletely encircling them with the iron tracks, and
 
 RESIGNATION OF MR. FARNSWORTH. 665 
 
 dividing tliem so as to make them unavailable and 
 dangerous for the uses for which large portions of 
 them had been purchased. The Trustees were com- 
 pelled to admit the almost proximate necessity of a 
 removal of the institution to another site. The pros- 
 pect of this necessity also prevented the Trustees 
 from making any plans or large outlays for improve- 
 ments, for new buildings, or even for repairs. On 
 April 21, the Trustees voted that Messrs. Eliot, Dal- 
 ton, and Ellis be a Committee to make such inquiries 
 as they deem expedient for a new site for the Asy- 
 lum, and report to the Board. A Committee " on 
 Improvements at the Asylum," which had been 
 appointed nearly a year before, was discharged. It 
 was voted, on May 5, " That the Secretary request 
 the Medical Board to select ' some subject in phys- 
 iology, surgery, or pathological anatomy,' which may 
 be advertised as the subject for the next Warren 
 Prize, if approved by this Board." At this meeting a 
 note was received from Mr. Farnsworth, announcing 
 his resignation of the office of Trustee ; and it was 
 voted that the Chairman communicate to Mr. Farns- 
 worth the appreciation of his services by this Board. 
 The Secretary was directed to communicate this 
 resignation to the governor, with the request that an 
 appointment be made to fill the vacancy. The thanks 
 of the Board were voted to Edward Jackson, Esq., 
 
 84
 
 666 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 
 
 Treasurer, for a donation of $450 from the Amateur 
 Dramatic Association, of Boston ; and to Miss Homer 
 and others, trustees, for the manner in which they 
 have conveyed to this institution the sum of $1,000, 
 being a bequest from the late Sydney Homer, Esq. ; 
 also to George Gardner, Esq., executor, for the man- 
 ner in which he has conveyed to this institution the 
 sum of $2,000, being a bequest from the late James 
 Read, Esq. The Treasurer was directed to establish 
 the James Read Fund, in the amount of $2,000, the 
 income of which shall be annually appropriated, one 
 half to the support of free beds, and one half to the 
 Asylum. On May 29, temporary arrangements were 
 made for the superintendence of the Asylum till the 
 existing vacancy should be filled. Dr. Hall Curtis, 
 on June 2, resigned his office of Physician to out- 
 patients. His resignation was accepted, and Dr. 
 William L. Richardson was elected to fill the vacancy. 
 A communication was received from Dr. Hodges, for 
 the Medical Board, informing the Trustees that that 
 Board had passed the following votes : — 
 
 " 1st. To recommend the following as a subject for the 
 Warren Prize for 1874; viz., 'Experimental Researches on 
 the Elimination of Drugs by the Mammary Gland.' 
 
 " 2d. That the Trustees, in advertising the above, or any 
 other subject, be requested to announce that no person con- 
 nected with the Medical Board of the Hospital is to be 
 regarded as a competitor for the Warren Prize.
 
 SUBJECT FOR WARREN PRIZE. 667 
 
 " 3d. That, in the advertisement of a subject for the year 
 1874, the Trustees be requested to give notice of the award 
 of this year's prize, for the information of unsuccessful com- 
 petitors, as well as of the public in general. 
 
 "4th. That the Trustees be asked to confer with the 
 Prize Committee, Drs. Minot, Hodges, Ellis, Cabot, and 
 Warren, in regard to the choice of medical journals, in 
 which the subject for 1874 should be advertised." 
 
 This communication was referred to the Visiting 
 Committee with full powers. On June 10, the 
 Board were informed that Dr. Ray, of Philadelphia, 
 had consented to act as temporary Superintendent of 
 the Asylum, until that office could be permanently 
 filled. On June 30, Mr. Sweet, for the Committee, 
 reported the following form for an advertisement, 
 which was approved : — 
 
 "Warren Triennial Prize. 
 
 " The Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital 
 give notice that the first Triennial Prize (amounting to $388) , 
 from the fund bequeathed to the Hospital by the late Dr. J. 
 Mason AVarren, has been awarded to Horatio C. Wood, jun., 
 M.D., of Philadelphia, for an essay on 'The Physiological 
 Action of Nitrate of Amyl.' The next Warren Prize will be 
 awarded to the author of the best essay considered worthy of 
 a prize on the subject of ' Experimental Researches on the 
 Elimination of Drugs by the Mammary Glands.' Each 
 essay should be accompanied with a sealed envelope contain- 
 ing the author's name and address, and be transmitted to the 
 Resident Physician of the Hospital on or before Feb. 1, 
 1874."
 
 668 ELECTION OF DR. JELLY. 
 
 The Treasurer was requested to have the adver- 
 tisement inserted in the " Boston Medical and Sur- 
 gical Journal," the " New York Medical Record," 
 and the " Philadelphia American Journal for Medical 
 Sciences." 
 
 On the recommendation of Dr. Shaw, it was 
 voted, — 
 
 "That the article and tables of statistics of surgical 
 operations at the Hospital, recently prepared by Dr. Chad- 
 wick, be published in the ' Boston Medical and Surgical 
 Journal,' with an edition of five hundred copies for distri- 
 bution, at an expense not exceeding one hundred dollars." 
 
 On Oct. 13, Mr. Rogers, for the Committee, 
 recommended Dr. George F. Jelly as a candidate for 
 the office of Superintendent of the Asylum. The 
 ballot being taken, Dr. Jelly was elected. The Chair- 
 man was requested to inform him of his appointment, 
 and his salary was fixed at $3,000 per annum. The 
 thanks of the Board were tendered to Dr. Isaac Ray 
 " for his very acceptable services during the last 
 three months, as temporary Superintendent of the 
 Asylum ; " and the Treasurer was directed to send 
 to him the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. On Oct. 
 20, Dr. Henry P. Quincy was elected Artist of the 
 Hospital. The Chairman was requested to confer 
 with the Superintendent relative to the nomination 
 of two Assistant Physicians of the Asylum, and to
 
 SKIN-DISEASE WARD CLOSED. 66i) 
 
 consider the appointment of a medical student to 
 act as Assistant Apothecary without salary. Mr. 
 Samuel D. Warren took his place at the Board on 
 Dec. 1, as a Trustee, by appointment of the governor, 
 in place of Mr. Farnsworth, resigned. Dr. John E. 
 Tyler was elected a member of the Board of Con- 
 sultation. 
 
 The date has now been reached at which it was 
 proposed that this summary sketch of the more im- 
 portant incidents in the history of the Hospital for 
 the last score of years should close. As, however, 
 between the writing of these pages and their passage 
 through the press several incidents of interest have 
 transpired, a brief record of them may properly 
 follow here. 
 
 The experiment of a separate ward for the treat- 
 ment of patients afflicted with skin diseases, though 
 by no means unsuccessful in its especial results, was 
 regarded by the Trustees as open to some general 
 objections, and was discontinued at the close of the 
 year. Dr. James C. White had on his own part 
 made a most faithful trial of the experiment, and 
 had devoted to it his skill and experience in his 
 specialty. He continues to serve the institution as 
 Chemist and Physician to patients with diseases of 
 the skin. 
 
 Munificent additions were made to the funds of
 
 670 BEQUEST OF MISS JOY. 
 
 the institution near the close of the year. Mr. James 
 McGregor, of Boston, sent to the Treasurer the sum 
 of $10,000, which now constitutes the " McGregor 
 Fund," half of its annual proceeds to be devoted to 
 the Hospital and half to the Asylum, according to 
 the wishes of the donor. The executors of the will 
 of Miss Nabby Joy, of Boston, in the exercise of the 
 discretion according to which she had directed that 
 they should appropriate and distribute a very large 
 sum of money from her estate among various objects 
 of benevolence, put themselves in communication 
 with the Trustees of the Hospital in reference to a 
 proposed donation to them. At the meeting of the 
 Board on Dec. 15, 1871, the following proposition 
 was read : — 
 
 " The executors of the will of Nabby Joy propose to make 
 to the Massachusetts General Hospital a donation of $20,- 
 000, to be appropriated to the maintenance of free beds, 
 subject to the payment of an annuity of $500 for the benefit 
 
 of during his life, and of a further annuity of $200 to 
 
 during her life : the right of appointment (subject to 
 
 the rules of the Hospital) to two free beds to be in the exe- 
 cutors during their joint lives, and the life of the survivor." 
 
 The communication was, by vote, referred to the 
 Chairman, with Mr. Hale and the Treasurer, with 
 authority to accept the offer and to execute the 
 necessary papers. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the staff of the Hos-
 
 RESIGNATION OF DR. SHAW. 671 
 
 pital for 1872, the Trustees were compelled with 
 much regret to contemplate a change in its leading 
 office caused by the resignation of its incumbent. 
 Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff Shaw had been elected Resi- 
 dent Physician at the Hospital on May 23, 1858. 
 For most of the time since that date he had been also 
 Acting Steward, the Trustees finding practical advan- 
 tages in the union of the two offices under one head. 
 A severe domestic affliction, with the natural weari- 
 ness incident to the continuous discharge for so many 
 years of such confining duties, led Dr. Shaw, in the 
 beginning of April, 1872, to tender his resignation to 
 the Trustees. He asked to be relieved as early as 
 convenient in the coming autumn, and that a suc- 
 cessor might be ajDpointed ready to take his place. 
 The Trustees, at their meeting on May 3, accepted 
 his resignation, and instructed the Secretary to 
 express to Dr. Shaw " their grateful appreciation of 
 his long, assiduous, and valuable services ; their 
 regret at the loss this institution sustains in his retire- 
 ment, and their sympathy with him and Mrs. Shaw 
 in their recent domestic affliction." 
 
 Dr. Norton Folsom was unanimously elected by 
 the Trustees as successor of Dr. Shaw as Resident 
 Physician of the Hospital, and will enter upon the 
 responsible offlce though young in years, yet with 
 much experience hard won in peace and war, and 
 with many favoring auspices.
 
 672 
 
 ASYLUM BUILDINGS. 
 
 These pages close at a critical point in the history 
 and future prospects of the Asylum at Somerville. 
 The spacious edifices which have gathered by 
 enlargements, and the erection of new structures 
 around the original dwelling purchased by the Trus- 
 tees, even with all the ingenuity and skill, and all 
 the large outlays of money spent upon them, have 
 never been regarded as wholly satisfactory in their 
 arrangements. Successive changes have had to con- 
 form their qualified improvements to defects and 
 to previous conditions in the forms and positions 
 and internal structure of the buildings which could 
 not be altered. Mr. Bowditch has well said of some 
 of the labyrinthian passages, above and below, that, 
 if the oldest Trustee were left in them without a 
 guide, he could not well find his way out. Still, the 
 edifice bears, from its foundations to its domes, a sort 
 of history of the course of the wiser science and the 
 tenderer humanity which have gradually been brought 
 to the treatment of insanity. Some of the old strong- 
 rooms, now disused except for the autumn stowage 
 of fruits and farm vegetables, present us one page in 
 that history which we are all glad to forget, as we 
 mount from them towards the domes, through the 
 sunny and cheerful apartments lighted by their bay- 
 windows, with their fountains, flower-stands, and 
 aquaria. It is safe to say that, rating money at its
 
 A NEW SITE FOR THE ASYLUM. 673 
 
 valuation a half-century ago, structures of the same 
 capacity, and with far ampler conveniences, might 
 be erected for less than half the outlay that has gone 
 to those edifices. In the mean while, steadily, with 
 the successive purchases by the Trustees of new acres 
 of ground around the Asylum, their intended uses as 
 quiet and secluded spaces for the exercise and refresh- 
 ment of the inmates have been impaired and well-nigh 
 prevented by the encroachments of traffic, with its noise 
 and its risks. Those spacious and beautiful grounds, 
 with their fertile soil and pleasant undulations of 
 surface, are not only completely encircled by rail- 
 roads, but their breadth is twice cut through by them. 
 When the first of these railroads was opened. Dr. 
 Bell, then in charge of the Asylum, had the gravest 
 apprehensions that the clatter of the iron wheels and 
 the shrieks of the steam-whistle, combining them- 
 selves with the delusions of some of the patients, 
 might have a very deplorable influence upon them. 
 But, contrary to what might have reasonably been 
 feared, very limited, if any, mischief of this sort has 
 been realized. Yet the Trustees, under the present 
 condition of things, have been brought to the con- 
 viction that it is highly desirable for them to find a 
 new site for the Asylum. It has been slowly and 
 with reluctance that they have come to this con- 
 clusion. They have realized many advantages in the 
 
 85
 
 674 TREATMENT OF INSANITY. 
 
 present location. The proximity to the city has 
 made access to the Asyhim very convenient to the 
 friends of patients, so large a portion of whom are 
 from the immediate neighborhood. The references 
 made in the preceding pages to the abundant re- 
 sources of relaxation and amusement furnished to 
 the patients show a large dependence upon the city 
 for making them convenient and varied. But, in 
 deciding upon a change of site, the Trustees have 
 hoped that it may, and will do all in their power to 
 insure that it shall, result in gain, with no loss, 
 to the best interests of the institution. Our architects, 
 mechanics, and builders will find themselves engaged 
 in perhaps the most exacting demand that has ever 
 been made upon their skill, ingenuity, and executive 
 abilities, in meeting the wishes and purposes of the 
 Trustees, in the planning, disposing, and completing 
 such structures as will be desired under conditions 
 that must be combined and harmonized. 
 
 As to the questions still kept under discussion, — 
 not always judicious or discreet, — in our community 
 and elsewhere, relating to the internal discipline 
 of an asylum, and the mode of treatment which 
 humanity and science commend as best for the 
 patients and most satisfactory to theii* friends, all 
 parties to these questions are concerned only to reach 
 the fair, full truth. Putting out of view, as a matter
 
 TREATMENT OF INSANITY. 675 
 
 of course, the differences of opinion, — not to say 
 the prejudices, — which are found to influence those 
 whose feelings and fancies serve them in place of 
 reflection, experience, and candid, intelligent inquiry, 
 there may yet be allowed a limited range still left 
 open for theoretical and practical divergence of judg- 
 ment on some of the subjects involved in this specialty. 
 The preceding pages furnish abundant evidence of 
 the efforts of the successive Boards of Trustees to se- 
 cure to the Asylum the services of the ablest, the most 
 accomplished, and the most devoted men. And the 
 series of Reports of the Superintendents, from which 
 summaries have been sketched, certify to the quali- 
 fications, the fidelity, and the self-consecrating earnest- 
 ness of zeal and effort which they have given to their 
 work. Men, in whom a self-respecting regard for 
 theu' own reputation, and a conscientious sense of 
 responsibility, have been traits so evidently prominent 
 in character and in work as in the writers of those 
 Reports, are not likely to need any incentive from 
 the community to quicken them in the search for 
 and in the appreciation of any new methods or 
 appliances for the advancement of their science. 
 Those who, either as partially recovered patients, 
 or as the friends of patients, criticise the management 
 of this Asylum in a querulous or distrustful spirit, 
 will naturally urge the objections, which unpro-
 
 676 PROFESSIONALS AND IDEALISTS. 
 
 fessional jjersons encourage each other in repeating, 
 against experts and functionaries who in the exercise 
 of their trusts have common principles for their 
 guidance. Such officials are said to carry their pro- 
 fessional rules and methods into a rigid and un- 
 yielding application ; - to become formalists, stiff in 
 their prepossessions, mechanical in their theories, 
 averse to changes, and mischievously restrained by 
 an esprit du corps, which makes them stoutly con- 
 servative, as they follow routine, and shut their eyes 
 to new light. On the other hand, those who are 
 thus criticised and censured turn towards their ques- 
 tioners with a silent or an avowed remonstrance 
 at the presumption which so positively condemns or 
 distrusts, without due qualifications of knowledge 
 or experience. These outside critics may be idealists 
 or theorists, with visionary fancies which they them- 
 selves would have to abandon as impracticable if 
 they should have an opportunity of testing them in 
 trial. These theorists and idealists, however, are 
 found to have a legitimate and sometimes a most 
 effective influence for good in very many of the 
 interests of society, compelling conservatism and pro- 
 fessional and official routine to flow with the stream 
 of progress. Only our progressionists sometimes seem 
 to forget that we can, from almost any outlook, see 
 into spaces where there is no foothold.
 
 DIFFERENCE OF METHODS. 677 
 
 It is claimed that those who as professional experts 
 have had the oversight of the insane have become, in 
 some few very important practical principles of their 
 science, advocates of different methods, and so are 
 now divided among themselves. Thus we are told of 
 some who are of the highest repute in this specialty 
 who disapprove of the aggregation of patients in an 
 asylum, and prefer the distribution of them over a 
 rural village, and in cottages where more personal 
 freedom is enjoyed, while still the necessary over- 
 sight, with more hopeful curative results, may be 
 obtained. Also a few asylums are adduced in which 
 " the moral treatment " is very different in some im- 
 portant respects, and in which likewise no forms or 
 modes of physical restraint whatever are employed ; 
 and much less, if any, of the restrictions heretofore 
 considered necessary, are put upon interviews and 
 correspondence of patients with their friends. The 
 alleged differences of opinion and practice on these 
 points, between men of repute and experience in the 
 guardianship of the insane, may be made to appear 
 really serious when stated in unqualified terms and 
 brought into strong contrast. If, however, a search- 
 ing, discriminating, and candid inquiry is brought to 
 bear upon the facts, we discover that misunderstand- 
 ing, misrepresentation, and a wrong statement or 
 coloring of the truth greatly perplex the issue. In-
 
 678 USE OR DISUSE OF RESTRAINTS. 
 
 deed, considering how largely our age is characterized 
 by individuality, eccentricity, and the love of novelty 
 in theory and practice, and by the spirit of rivalry in 
 adapting and commending institutions to the caprices 
 and whims of patrons, it is somewhat remarkable that 
 there is so general an accord of opinion and method 
 among the guardians of the insane. The local pecu- 
 liarities of some communities, and the former condition 
 and habits of life of those who require treatment, must 
 be taken into account in deciding between an asylum 
 like our own and the village system, like that of 
 Gheel, for instance. Again, there are two asylums in 
 England, in which it is professed that recourse is in 
 no case had to physical restraint in any form of it 
 which confines the body or the hands or arms of a 
 patient, in the bed or out of it, so as to interfere in 
 the least degree with the free exercise of the limbs 
 within the walls or the grounds of the refuge ; and 
 thus it is said all the fretfulness and exasperation 
 which excited patients feel when under such fetter- 
 ings is saved them. But there is no satisfactory 
 statement of the substitutes for physical restraint 
 which are relied on. Such substitutes there must be ; 
 for there are patients who would exhaust themselves 
 by intensely excited muscular activity, and who would 
 never occupy a bed if allowed their perfect bodily 
 freedom. The substitutes which suggest themselves
 
 RESTRAINT IN THE M'LEAN ASYLUM. 679 
 
 are the use of anaesthetics and drugs, or a recourse 
 to the restraining power of the presence, the voice, 
 and the muscles of an attendant, — perhaps of more 
 than one attendant. It is not for the writer to plead 
 or to arbitrate in this issue. So far as the method 
 and practice of this asylum are concerned, it may be 
 said, that all of its successive superintendents, disap- 
 proving the use of drugs for subduing excited patients, 
 and believing that a sole reliance upon the muscular 
 force of an attendant would be either impracticable 
 or otherwise objectionable, especially as being most 
 irritating and offensive to the patients, have reduced 
 the use of physical restraining appliances to the 
 minimum. 
 
 A portion of a report made to a Committee of the 
 Trustees by Dr. Jelly, on several subjects relating to 
 the conduct of the Asylum, may fitly be introduced 
 here : — 
 
 The '^ Bestrainf'' usedinM'Lean Asylum during the year ending Dec. 
 
 31, 1871. 
 
 "The varieties of restraint used are the 'Camisole,' or 
 ' Sleeves,' which restrains the hands, prevents violence, and 
 self-injury, and the destruction and removal of clothing. 
 
 "The ' Mittens,' used for the same purpose as the ' Cami- 
 sole,' which simply cover the hands and are fastened to a 
 belt which passes round the waist. 
 
 " The ' Wristers,' which surround the wrists only, allowing 
 free use to the hands, but being also fastened to the waist by
 
 680 FORMS OF RESTRAINT. 
 
 a belt, prevent the wearer from striking. This form of 
 restraint is used generally on men who are watching every 
 opportunity to strike those about them. 
 
 " The ' Bed Straps,' by which a person is confined to the 
 bed, but can turn on his or her side and move up and down. 
 These are used in the most violent cases of mania, where 
 there is danger of exhaustion, or where a patient will not 
 remain in bed at night; and in desperately suicidal cases, 
 where the presence of an attendant in the room, or the wear- 
 ing of a camisole, are not sufficient precautions. 
 
 "In suicidal patients, our practice differs according to the 
 severity of the paroxysms of suicide. In mild cases, the 
 presence of an attendant in the room, sleeping in the bed, or 
 in a cot, or on a lounge, close by, is considered enough. In 
 more severe cases, the addition of a camisole is necessary ; 
 while the very severest forms of suicidal melancholia are not 
 safe without the bed straps. 
 
 " Where persons can be made safe without restraint, they 
 are always made so by the presence of attendants in the 
 room, or near by, except in those cases where the patient is 
 too filthy or violent to make it proper for an attendant to 
 sleep in the room. 
 
 "In addition to the forms of restraint already mentioned, 
 we sometimes use a chair, for violent patients, who can be 
 allowed to sit up, but who, if unrestrained, throw themselves 
 on the floor, beat their heads against the wall, or otherwise 
 injure themselves. 
 
 " The constant effort on the part of the officers is to reduce 
 the use of all restraint to a minimum, to use it only for the 
 good of a patient, and never to use any form of it when the 
 presence and efforts of attendants would do as well. 
 
 " No attendant is allowed to put any restraint upon a 
 patient, either day or night, unless by the order of one of
 
 FORMS AND MEANS OF RESTRAINT. 681 
 
 the officers, with the exception of the extremely rare cases, 
 where a patient is suddenly seized with a severe paroxysm of 
 violence, rendering him or her dangerous to all around, as 
 well as to himself or herself. In such cases, if an attendant 
 cannot safely leave his or her gallery to find one of the 
 officers, he or she is allowed to put on a camisole, or a pair 
 of mittens, never any thing more, which must be reported to 
 one of the officers, for his approval or disapproval, at the 
 very earliest moment when the gallery can be left. The 
 whole matter of the use of restraint is carefully watched by 
 each one of the officers of the Asylum. 
 
 " The Night Watchers are required to make the rounds of 
 the house, and be on every gallery once every hour, that they 
 may be ready to help any one who may need it. They are 
 required to look into the rooms of suicidal patients, and of 
 those who are weak and feeble, or who frequently are up in 
 the night. They are required to move about quietly, and to 
 throw the light of their lanterns into the rooms, but not upon 
 the face of the patient. They look into only about one- 
 fourth of the rooms. They can make use of no restraint, 
 without the order of one of the officers. The house would be 
 very unsafe without Night Watchers. 
 
 "During the year ending Dec. 31, 1871, there were in 
 the Asylum 253 persons. The following were the uses 
 made, respectively, of 
 
 THE CAMISOLE. 
 
 For violence 2 
 
 To prevent suicide 7 (at night). 
 
 To prevent removiog clothing 4 
 
 To prevent self-abuse 3 (at night). 
 
 16 
 
 80
 
 682 SPECIFICATIONS OF RESTRAINTS. 
 
 MITTENS. 
 
 To prevent removiug clothing 2 
 
 To prevent suicide 3 (at night). 
 
 5 
 
 "WRISTERS. 
 
 To prevent striking 5 
 
 THE CHAIR. 
 
 To prevent injury to self and exhaustion .... 3 
 
 BED STRAPS. 
 
 To keep in bed and prevent exhaustion (at night 
 only) 11 
 
 To prevent violence and exhaustion (during day and 
 
 night) 15 
 
 To prevent suicide 6 
 
 " Making a total of 61, out of 253 persons, who were under 
 restraint, either twenty-four hours or one night at least, 
 during 1871. 
 
 " This includes all the habitual restraint. Occasionally a 
 patient wears the camisole or mittens, for an hour or two 
 only, on account of some special outburst of violence, which 
 is not mentioned in the records. 
 
 " George F. Jelly." 
 
 As to the restriction upon interviews with friends 
 of patients from outside the Asylum, who might wish 
 to see their condition and their apartments, popular
 
 INTERVIEWS OF FRIENDS. 683 
 
 prejudices have often gone the length of assuming 
 that our gentle and wise Superintendents exercise the 
 functions of those who have prisoners of State or 
 convicts under their charge, with whom they can 
 positively prohibit all intercourse. It is enough to 
 say that no such prerogative is granted or exercised at 
 the Asylum to or by those who have the oversight of 
 it. Recently, of the whole number of patients in the 
 Asylum, — being 167, — the friends of 142 of them 
 could and did visit them at their pleasure. Of course, 
 the friends of the chronic demented very rarely wish 
 to see them. Only 25 of the whole number of the 
 patients were pronounced by the Superintendent as in 
 a condition to render visits from friends, for the time, 
 unadvisable. In no single case, and under no cir- 
 cumstances, is the nearest friend or guardian, having 
 personal rights, precluded from an interview with a 
 patient, or prevented from removing him or her at 
 pleasure. Of course there are cases in which in the 
 exercise of his judgment, and as a prime condition of 
 his qualification for his high trust, the Superintendent 
 will strongly advise, perhaps remonstrate, against 
 allowing an interview between a patient and one who 
 has a right to ask for it. The Superintendent will 
 freely, perhaps earnestly, give reasons for objecting 
 to it. He will speak from his intimate knowledge of 
 each case, and his experience of many cases. He
 
 684 RESTRICTION UPOISI CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 will say that interviews with friends, under this or 
 like circumstances, are purely harmful ; renewing and 
 intensifying the force of delusions, reconnecting the 
 chain of morbid associations which it is his object 
 permanently to break, arousing discontent, ensuring 
 a period of excitement with sleepless and wretched 
 nights, and perhaps stirring a suicidal impulse. If 
 the friend, after listening to this kind and wise sug- 
 gestion, is not convinced by it so as to comply with 
 it, the way is freely opened to an interview with the 
 patient, the friend assuming the responsibility for the 
 consequences. After like advice and remonstrances 
 on the part of the Superintendent, and similar per- 
 sistency of friends, patients partially recovered, or 
 with a prospect of restoration, may be removed, 
 though to their sure injury. There are always more 
 applicants than can be received ; and the gratification 
 of all the officers of the Asylum is the highest only 
 when a new patient can be admitted to fill the place 
 of one discharged perfectly well. 
 
 As to the restriction upon the correspondence be- 
 tween patients and friends outside, there is misap- 
 prehension here, also, which is made to exaggerate 
 popular prejudice. The figures on this point will be 
 most satisfactory. On the 28th of May, 1872, there 
 were in the McLean Asylum as patients 77 males and 
 101 females, in all 178; of these, 53 males and 60
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF PATIENTS. 685 
 
 females, in all 113, never wish to write ; 21 males 
 and 34 females, in all 55, write when they wish, and 
 receive letters, — more than half of these not having 
 their correspondence subject to any prudential over- 
 sight whatever. Of those from whom the means of 
 correspondence are withheld, there are but 3 males 
 and 7 females, in all 10. The restriction in these 
 very few cases is imposed for one or both of the two 
 sufficient reasons, either that it would harm the 
 patient for whom there is hope of cure to yield to 
 the excitement of putting delusions and fancies upon 
 paper, or that the morbid communications which they 
 might write would be misleading and harrowing to 
 friends. Reasons there are also, in some of these 
 cases, for leading the friends of patients to enjoin 
 extreme caution on the officers of the Asylum as to 
 the exchange of letters with objectionable corre- 
 spondents, while they are also earnestly desirous that 
 no letters from the patients be written to themselves. 
 
 If, as has been above intimated, there is a limited 
 range for difference of judgment among professional 
 experts still left open, as to principles and methods 
 of general or special application, there are abundant 
 and well-adapted means now in use, through conven- 
 tions and journals, by which the Superintendents of 
 Asylums can instruct each other. 
 
 The preceding pages, devoted to the supplemental
 
 686 INTERIOR EXPERIENCES. 
 
 history of the Hospital, have been composed accord- 
 ing to the terms of the wish expressed by the Trus- 
 tees in their vote. The interest of them, limited by 
 the object had in view, will of course be very small, 
 and of no account whatever to a general reader. Far 
 different in tone and contents, in tenor and in impres- 
 siveness, would be a work that might be written, con- 
 cerning either the Hospital or the Asylum, which 
 should be engaged with the aspects and experiences 
 of human life, the incidents of personal history, the 
 secrets and the revelations of character, discipline, 
 sorrow, stern suffering, and the precious resources 
 of patience, fortitude, and submission, — the inner 
 wealth of human spirits, — that have been known 
 within those walls. It has not been a pleasant task 
 to the writer to recognize only as matters of routine 
 business for committees and votes, the oversight of 
 interests which come so tenderly, often so harrow- 
 ingly, within the sacred privacy of the wards and 
 galleries of these refuges of human suffering and 
 woe. Neither, on the other hand, would it have 
 been an engaging task for the writer to prepare, nor 
 would readers be profited by the perusal of, pages 
 which should furnish details of these inner expe- 
 riences. Only holy sympathy and a power to min- 
 ister to and relieve the maladies of humanity in soul 
 or body — sympathy and power like those of the
 
 INTERIOR EXPERIENCES. 687 
 
 Great Physician — can wisely or healthfully be 
 brought into contact with, or even into the contem- 
 plation of, those varied human woes. As I write 
 these pages, I have before me on the wall a most 
 instructive picture, the groupings of which are sug- 
 gestive of the partition between the different classes 
 of sufferers engaging my thought as I make my 
 regular visits, as a Trustee, to the Hospital or the 
 Asylum. It is a copy of Ary Scheffer's picture of 
 " Christus Consolator," Christ the Consoler. The 
 Scripture sentence which it illustrates is this : " He 
 hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach 
 deliverance to the captives." The artist has grouped 
 into two classes the forms of all the varied sufferers 
 by disease and wrong and sorrow, through all the 
 maladies of mind and body ; while the Saviour, the 
 central figure to whom they all turn, ministers to 
 them all. The retinue which He drew around him 
 — a following such as no other King or Prince ever 
 coveted or won — is described as composed of " all 
 sick people that were taken with divers diseases and 
 torments, and those which were possessed with devils, 
 and those which were lunatick." They who can 
 help or comfort, with the hand or the heart, any such 
 sufferers, have the right of access to them. But any 
 details or particular relations drawn out on the printed 
 page would be simply distressing to all to whom they 
 would not be hardening.
 
 688 OFFICES OF MERCY. 
 
 It is enough for us to have the assurance that, in 
 both Hospital and Asylum, the highest appliances of 
 science and the gentlest ministrations of a refined 
 humanity are engaged for each human malady as if it 
 were a case by itself. When we read in our daily 
 papers of some accident or shocking disaster on the 
 highways, or the wharves, or in a dwelling, and are 
 informed that the victim " was taken to the Massa- 
 chusetts General Hospital," we need not send our 
 imagination there to fashion the scene that follows. 
 It is a satisfaction for us to know that, by day and 
 night, there are always ready there the services of 
 physician and surgeon, watchman, nurse, and attend- 
 ant, with all appliances of science and curious skill 
 to restore or relieve. When we are reminded of the 
 many cases of complicated disease, congenital mal- 
 formations, disabling or malignant in their character, 
 which, after having baffled for a long time the re- 
 sources of country practitioners, are at last brought 
 from far distances to the Hospital, that the expert, 
 whose skill is divided between his brain and his 
 almost intelligent instruments, may engage it in their 
 behalf, we need intrude no farther. Yet the reserve 
 which then becomes wise for us cannot but enhance 
 the grateful feeling, ever to be associated with the 
 walls of that Hospital so long as they shall stand, 
 that within them was first tried and verified the harm-
 
 PRIVILEGES AT THE HOSPITAL. 689 
 
 lessness and the potency of the ansesthetic agent in 
 ensuring the painlessness of the most fearful pro- 
 cesses of the surgeon's knife. The shrinkings and 
 the quivers which were almost equally distressing in 
 their stages of apprehension and reality have yielded 
 to perfect obliviousness or to sweet dreams and vis- 
 ions. The mechanical devices, in bed and chair, 
 the regulations of diet, the skilled nursings, the dis- 
 cretion exercised in the employment of drugs and 
 medicines, the perfection reached in the construction 
 and use of surgical instruments, the exacting disci- 
 pline secured by minute rules and by the requisitions 
 of a record, and above all the absolute immunity 
 from all the risks of quackery and irresponsible prac- 
 tice, — these are but a few of the more obvious privi- 
 leges in which the patients of the Hospital have 
 their equal and impartial shares. What those privi- 
 leges are to the poor, to those whose only home is 
 the garret or the tenement house, whose only attend- 
 ants there would be those as poor and almost as 
 inefficient as themselves, it needs no display of con- 
 trasts for making the estimate. But the cases are 
 numerous — indeed the list of them begins with the 
 opening of the Hospital and continues to this day — in 
 which the rich and well-befriended have been brought 
 from luxurious homes, to have their full share in the 
 privileges of the institution, — its quiet, its internal dis- 
 
 87
 
 690 PRIVILEGES AT THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 cipline, its appliances and resources, its ever-present 
 ministrations of skill and experience. Among those 
 informed on the subject it is very well understood 
 that, if a stranger in the city from any part of this 
 country, or from abroad, however wealthy, refined, or 
 delicate, should be disabled by accident or serious 
 disease, he would do well to exchange his apartments 
 in one of our best appointed hotels for a private room 
 in the Hospital. There have been instances enough, 
 so satisfactory too in their results, in which this ex- 
 change has been made, to warrant the above asser- 
 tion, without a qualification. Indeed, the records of 
 the Trustees and of the Treasurer bear witness to the 
 munificent gifts which have accrued to the Hospital 
 from the grateful returns of such patients. 
 
 Among the crude and popular, perhaps natural, 
 expressions of distrust and opposition to the first 
 planning and the supposed subsequent administration 
 of the Hospital, this was prominent, — namely, that 
 poor patients were to be enticed within its walls that 
 they might be made the subjects of experiments in 
 surgical processes or in the trial of drugs, chemicals, 
 and medicines ; so that this gratuitous practice might 
 fit a few young doctors and surgeons for safer and 
 well-remunerated professional work for the rich in 
 their luxurious chambers. Now, it may be most 
 emphatically affirmed, that one of the paramount
 
 SERVICE TO SCIENCE. 691 
 
 objects had in view, as prompting the establishment 
 of the Hospital, was that by its agency the poor and 
 unfriended might be secured from those very outrages, 
 — to which they were exposed outside of it to an ex- 
 tent and at a cost to them far beyond what any of 
 them realized. It needs only that one should cast 
 his eyes over the newspapers which circulate most 
 among the poor, the ignorant, and unfriended, to 
 learn from their advertisements what appliances are 
 offered them for self-treatment, and what sort of pro- 
 fessional aid is commended to them. Indeed, the 
 Hospital, if it had no other claim for regard and con- 
 sideration, might advance a most substantial one on 
 the score of its quiet and most effective discounte- 
 nance of quackery and empiricism, and those enor- 
 mous and villanous outrages which are practised by 
 charlatans on the ignorant and the credulous. 
 
 Nor is there a shadow of reason in the allegation that, 
 when it is affirmed that science and humanity preside 
 over the administration of the Hospital, the service 
 of science consists in putting disease and the opera- 
 tions which it requires into subserviency to a Medical 
 School, for the training of classes of young pupils in 
 medicine and surgery. Those who preside over the 
 operating theatre, and make its necessary processes 
 the means of education for their successors, do not 
 need the indorsement of any outside testimony to the
 
 692 BENEVOLENCE OF THIS COMMUNITY. 
 
 spirit and method of their exercises. Delicacy, ten- 
 derness, prudential reserve, and all the refinements of 
 professional propriety and courtesy may be taken for 
 granted there. Meanwhile, if it were possible to 
 look at surgical operations abstractly, as performed 
 on insensate materials, — as indeed the anaesthetic 
 agent ensures that they are substantially, — it would 
 be difficult to define a more eifective condition for 
 their delicate and perfect performance than is found 
 in the presence of a group of keenly inquisitive pu- 
 pils. It may be believed that, if a comparison were 
 instituted between the clinical and surgical practices 
 of the best appointed hospitals and those in the 
 chambers of private homes for any class of people, 
 the comparison would at no point be unfavorable to 
 the former as to all the most desirable conditions of 
 skill, tenderness, consideration, and the prospect of 
 benefit in relief or cure. 
 
 In closing the work required of him, the writer will 
 indulge himself in expressing, in brief and simple 
 terms, three most pleasing impressions which the study 
 of the records in his hands has wrought in his mind. 
 First comes that grateful sense of the wisely guided 
 and instructed spirit of sympathetic benevolence, con- 
 siderate generosity, and munificent liberality in our 
 immediate community, by which, from the first pro- 
 posal of its objects to the present day, persons of all
 
 EMINENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. 693 
 
 classes among us as regards means, position, and cul- 
 ture, have founded and endowed this institution. Its 
 affluence comes from the transfer to its treasury of 
 the wealth of many kind and Christian hearts. Never 
 has an appeal been made in vain in its behalf. The 
 footings-up of the specific contributions received have 
 always exceeded the amounts asked for. " Father 
 Taylor," the eminent sailor-preacher, — himself for 
 his own sake and for his cause a large sharer in the 
 benevolence which he extolled, — while once thrilling 
 a large audience on a charitable occasion with his 
 fervid, glowing, and unartistic eloquence, not only 
 " lost his nominative case," but became hopelessly 
 involved in his figures of speech and flight of 
 rhetoric. Knowing that he ought to close, and 
 seeing no other way out of his evident embarrass- 
 ment, he brought his hand down with a heavy blow, 
 and abruptly turning to the chairman, Justice Story, 
 said, " The truth is, Mr. President, the Lord has only 
 one Boston, and we live in it." 
 
 A second impression, of an equally grateful char- 
 acter, realized from the review of our records, is that 
 of the free, unpaid daily service, continued on for 
 long years, which the institution has received from 
 the most accomplished, the most eminent, and the 
 most honored and beloved professional men, physi- 
 cians and surgeons, in this community. Practitioners,
 
 694 HARMONY BETWEEN TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. 
 
 whose ability and repute made their labors most en- 
 grossing and their time most valuable to them, have 
 put the claims of this institution foremost in their 
 regard. They gave to it themselves while they lived, 
 and left to it their blessing, the memory and influence 
 of their devotion, and their pecuniary aid. 
 
 And, last of all, the writer must add, that, as he has 
 read the records before him, with the filed reports and 
 documents to which they refer, he has been profoundly 
 impressed by the dignity, the respectful consideration, 
 and the perfect courtesy of feeling, intercourse, and 
 business which have characterized the relations be- 
 tween the Trustees and the Officers of the Institution. 
 Delicate questions have arisen ; some matters of pre- 
 rogative, precedency, and authority, have required 
 attention. But there never has been a personal 
 issue. Frankness, kindness, and mutual regard., 
 which are themselves forms and qualities of justice, 
 have uniformly prevailed here. 
 
 To the residents in this immediate community, the 
 names of those who for so long a series of years have 
 successively served as Trustees of this institution will 
 make it unnecessary to add any thing as to their claims 
 to confidence and respect, for the services they have 
 rendered. It will have been noticed very rarely in 
 the preceding pages that the election as a Trustee 
 has been followed by the declination of one so chosen
 
 SERVICES OF THE TRUSTEES. 695 
 
 to serve. Considering what sort of men have been 
 elected, and from what ranges of life they come, the 
 wonder is that the Hospital bears on its records, often 
 for a considerable series of years, the names which 
 are found upon them. Occasionally those names are 
 of professional men of the highest standing. For the 
 most part, however, they are the names of men in 
 the full vigor of life, pursuing actively the higher and 
 most engrossing tasks of business, managin* large 
 trusts, and guiding the enterprise of the community. 
 The regular meetings of the Trustees are held at the 
 Hospital on alternate weeks. Quarterly meetings, 
 for the examination of accounts and for receiving the 
 reports of officers, are held at the Asylum. Two of 
 the Trustees, each of them changing his colleague 
 from month to month, so that each serves for two 
 successive months, visit the Asylum every Tuesday, 
 and the Hospital every Friday ; seeing every patient 
 and every apartment, examining the entries on the 
 records of each admission, fixing the price of board 
 according to circumstances, disposing temporarily of 
 any question of interest that presents itself, and then 
 making and signing their report upon the ledgers. 
 The Trustees are likewise distributed into Standing 
 Committees on Finance, on Accounts, on Free Beds, 
 on the Book of Donations, on the Warren Fund and 
 Library, and on Repairs. That gentlemen, most of
 
 696 SERVICES OF THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 whom might plead the engrossment of their own 
 private affairs or business agencies, have been found 
 from year to year to give their time and the indorse- 
 ment of their reputation to these exacting tasks, is to 
 be regarded simply as a tribute paid by them to the 
 cause of humanity as represented by the Hospital.
 
 697 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE LIST 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 William Appleton ..... from 1844 .... to 1862. 
 
 Robert Hooper from 1862 . . . . to 1869. 
 
 Edward "Wigglesworth . . . from 1869 .... to 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
 
 Robert Hooper from 1850 . . . . to 1856. 
 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditch . . . from 1856 .... to 1862. 
 
 Edward Wigglesworth . . . from 1862 .... to 1869. 
 
 Nathaniel Thayer from 1869 .... to 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 Henry Andrews from 1835 .... to 1859. 
 
 J. Thomas Stevenson .... from 1859 .... to 
 
 SECRETARIES. 
 
 Marcus Morton, jun from 1842 .... to 1859. 
 
 Thomas B. Hall from 1859 . . . . to 1865. 
 
 William S. Dexter for 1865. 
 
 Thomas B. Hall from 1866 . . to 
 
 88
 
 698 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 
 
 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditcli . . . from 1837 .... to 1856 
 
 Thomas Lamb . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1839 . 
 
 
 
 to 1861 
 
 George M. Dexter . . 
 
 
 
 from 1839 . 
 
 
 
 to 1853 
 
 Francis C. Lowell . . 
 
 
 
 from 1839 . 
 
 
 
 to 1853 
 
 Henry B, Rogers . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1839 . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 Edward Wigglesworth 
 
 
 
 from 1844 . 
 
 
 
 to 1862 
 
 J. Thomas Stevenson . 
 
 
 
 from 1846 . 
 
 
 
 to 1859 
 
 Charles H. Mills . . 
 
 
 
 . from 1848 . 
 
 
 
 . to 1859 
 
 Amos A. Lawrence . . 
 
 
 
 from 1848 . 
 
 
 
 to 1854. 
 
 William S. Bullard . 
 
 
 
 from 1849 . 
 
 
 
 to 1872 
 
 G. Rowland Shaw . . 
 
 
 
 . from 1850 . 
 
 
 
 to 1856 
 
 William J. Dale . . 
 
 
 
 from 1851 to 1862, and for 1864 
 
 John P. Bigelow . . 
 
 
 
 from 1852 to 1855, and for 1857 
 
 Charles H. Warren 
 
 
 
 from 1853 .... to 1857 
 
 Robert M. Mason . . 
 
 
 
 from 1854 . 
 
 
 
 . to 1862 
 
 Henry M. Holbrook . 
 
 
 
 from 1855 . 
 
 
 
 to 1857 
 
 .Tames B. Bradlee . . 
 
 
 
 from 1856 . 
 
 
 
 to 1859 
 
 William D. Greenough 
 
 
 
 from 1856 . 
 
 
 
 to 1866 
 
 .John Lowell .... 
 
 
 
 from 1857 . 
 
 
 
 to 1870 
 
 Abbott Lawrence . . 
 
 
 
 from 1858 . 
 
 
 
 to 1859 
 
 Nathaniel H. Emmons 
 
 
 
 from 1859 . 
 
 
 
 to 1861 
 
 George Higginson . . 
 
 
 
 from 1859 . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 JMarcus Morton, jun; . 
 
 
 
 . from 1859 . 
 
 
 
 to 1860 
 
 Martin Brimmer . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1860 . . 
 
 
 
 to 1864 
 
 James M. Beebe . . 
 
 
 
 from 1860 . . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 J. Amory Davis . . 
 
 
 
 from 1861 . . 
 
 
 
 to 1866 
 
 Samuel G. Howe . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1861 . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 James C. Wild . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1862 . 
 
 
 
 to 1865 
 
 Harrison Ritchie . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1863 
 
 
 
 to 1867 
 
 Henry A. Whitney . . 
 
 
 
 from 1863 
 
 
 
 . to 1868 
 
 Charles S. Storrow 
 
 
 
 from 1865 . 
 
 
 
 to 1870 
 
 Charles H. Dalton . . 
 
 
 
 from 1866 . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 Samuel Eliot . . . 
 
 
 
 from 1866 . 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 James L. Little . . . 
 
 
 
 . from 1866 . 
 
 
 
 to 1871
 
 OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 699 
 
 Ezra Farnsworth from 1867 
 
 Edmund Dwiglit from 1868 
 
 George S. Hale from 1870 
 
 Samuel W. Swett from 1870 
 
 George E. Ellis from 1871 
 
 Samuel D. Warren .... from 187* 
 
 Henry P. Kidder from 1872 
 
 to 1872. 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 CHAIRMEN OF THE TRUSTEES. 
 
 Nathaniel I. Bowditcli . . . from 1850 .... to 1856. 
 Henry B. Rogers from 1856 . . . . to 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF HOSPITAL. 
 
 Richard Girdler from 1845 . . . 
 
 Benjamin S. Shaw from 1858 . 
 
 Norton Folsom elected May 3, 1872. 
 
 to 1858. 
 to 1872. 
 
 PHYSICIANS OF ASYLUM. 
 
 Luther V. Bell from 1836 to 1856, and temjiorarily for 1857. 
 Chauncey Booth from 1856, died January 13, 1858. 
 John E. Tyler from 1858 to 1871. 
 George F. Jelly elected October 13, 1871.
 
 701 
 
 Table of Admissions, Discharrjen, and Results, at the M'Lean Asyhnn, 
 from its opening, October C, 1818, to December SI, 1871, inclusive. 
 
 
 
 
 Wholp No. 
 
 
 Much Im- 
 
 
 Remaining 
 
 Averagre 
 
 Years. 
 
 Admitted. 
 
 Discharg'd 
 
 under 
 
 Died. 
 
 proved, 
 
 Recovered. 
 
 at end of 
 
 No. of 
 
 
 
 
 care. 
 
 
 &c. 
 
 11 
 
 year. 
 23 
 
 Patients. 
 
 1818-19 
 
 58 
 
 35 
 
 58 
 
 5 
 
 19 
 
 1820 
 
 44 
 
 40 
 
 67 
 
 1 1 
 
 28 
 
 11 
 
 27 
 
 - 
 
 1821 
 
 47 
 
 46 
 
 74 
 
 3 
 
 33 
 
 10 
 
 28 
 
 _ 
 
 1822 
 
 64 
 
 50 
 
 92 
 
 5 
 
 31 
 
 14 
 
 42 
 
 _ 
 
 1823 
 
 73 
 
 61 
 
 115 
 
 2 
 
 39 
 
 20 
 
 54 
 
 _ 
 
 1824 
 
 53 
 
 56 
 
 107 
 
 5 
 
 28 
 
 23 
 
 51 
 
 _ 
 
 1825 
 
 59 
 
 56 
 
 110 
 
 8 
 
 27 
 
 21 
 
 54 
 
 - 
 
 1826 
 
 47 
 
 46 
 
 101 
 
 5 
 
 21 
 
 20 
 
 55 
 
 - 
 
 1827 
 
 58 
 
 56 
 
 113 
 
 5 
 
 17 
 
 34 
 
 57 
 
 - 
 
 1828 
 
 77 
 
 G5 
 
 134 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 23 
 
 69 
 
 _ 
 
 1829 
 
 73 
 
 77 
 
 142 
 
 9 
 
 42 
 
 26 
 
 65 
 
 - 
 
 1830 
 
 82 
 
 78 
 
 147 
 
 10 
 
 34 
 
 34 
 
 69 
 
 - 
 
 1831 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 
 152 
 
 8 
 
 46 
 
 30 
 
 68 
 
 - 
 
 1832 
 
 94 
 
 98 
 
 162 
 
 10 
 
 45 
 
 43 
 
 64 
 
 - 
 
 1833 
 
 103 
 
 100 
 
 167 
 
 8 
 
 50 
 
 42 
 
 67 
 
 - 
 
 1834 
 
 108 
 
 95 
 
 174 
 
 7 
 
 47 
 
 41 
 
 80 
 
 - 
 
 1835 
 
 83 
 
 84 
 
 163 
 
 11 
 
 28 
 
 45 
 
 77 
 
 - 
 
 1836 
 
 106 
 
 112 
 
 183 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 64 
 
 71 
 
 - 
 
 1837 
 
 120 
 
 105 
 
 191 
 
 8 
 
 25 
 
 72 
 
 86 
 
 80 
 
 1838 
 
 138 
 
 131 
 
 224 
 
 12 
 
 45 
 
 74 
 
 93 
 
 95 
 
 1839 
 
 132 
 
 117 
 
 225 
 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 69 
 
 108 
 
 112 
 
 1840 
 
 155 
 
 138 
 
 263 
 
 13 
 
 50 
 
 75 
 
 125 
 
 128 
 
 1841 
 
 157 
 
 141 
 
 283 
 
 11 
 
 55 
 
 75 
 
 142 
 
 135 
 
 1842 
 
 129 
 
 138 
 
 271 
 
 15 
 
 43 
 
 80 
 
 133 
 
 143 
 
 1843 
 
 126 
 
 126 
 
 260 
 
 18 
 
 45 
 
 63 
 
 134 
 
 131 
 
 1844 
 
 158 
 
 140 
 
 292 
 
 20 
 
 52 
 
 68 
 
 152 
 
 146 
 
 1845 
 
 119 
 
 120 
 
 271 
 
 13 
 
 33 
 
 74 
 
 151 
 
 149 
 
 1846 
 
 148 
 
 126 
 
 299 
 
 9 
 
 52 
 
 65 
 
 173 
 
 164 
 
 1847 
 
 170 
 
 170 
 
 343 
 
 33 
 
 50 
 
 87 
 
 173 
 
 172 
 
 1848 
 
 143 
 
 155 
 
 316 
 
 23 
 
 50 
 
 82 
 
 155 
 
 171 
 
 1840 
 
 160 
 
 137 
 
 321 
 
 15 
 
 58 
 
 64 
 
 184 
 
 177 
 
 1850 
 
 173 
 
 157 
 
 357 
 
 28 
 
 51 
 
 78 
 
 200 
 
 201 
 
 1851 
 
 164 
 
 173 
 
 364 
 
 29 
 
 69 
 
 75 
 
 191 
 
 195 
 
 1852 
 
 145 
 
 135 
 
 336 
 
 15 
 
 48 
 
 72 
 
 201 
 
 200 
 
 1853 
 
 114 
 
 120 
 
 315 
 
 17 
 
 45 
 
 58 
 
 195 
 
 194 
 
 1854 
 
 120 
 
 120 
 
 315 
 
 16 
 
 45 
 
 59 
 
 195 
 
 195 
 
 1855 
 
 123 
 
 126 
 
 318 
 
 24 
 
 46 
 
 56 
 
 192 
 
 192 
 
 1856 
 
 149 
 
 145 
 
 341 
 
 19 
 
 68 
 
 68 
 
 196 
 
 195 
 
 1857 
 
 141 
 
 159 
 
 337 
 
 28 
 
 60 
 
 71 
 
 178 
 
 191 
 
 1858 
 
 155 
 
 147 
 
 333 
 
 25 
 
 50 
 
 72 
 
 186 
 
 187 
 
 1859 
 
 131 
 
 142 
 
 317 
 
 28 
 
 53 
 
 61 
 
 175 
 
 185 
 
 1860 
 
 121 
 
 109 
 
 296 
 
 24 
 
 46 
 
 39 
 
 187 
 
 185 
 
 1861 
 
 111 
 
 110 
 
 298 
 
 23 
 
 33 
 
 54 
 
 188 
 
 193 
 
 1862 
 
 82 
 
 94 
 
 270 
 
 18 
 
 37 
 
 39 
 
 176 
 
 190 
 
 1863 
 
 94 
 
 69 
 
 270 
 
 13 
 
 20 
 
 36 
 
 201 
 
 191 
 
 1864 
 
 101 
 
 107 
 
 302 
 
 27 
 
 38 
 
 42 
 
 195 
 
 200 
 
 1865 
 
 82 
 
 85 
 
 277 
 
 17 
 
 33 
 
 35 
 
 192 
 
 186 
 
 1866 
 
 103 
 
 98 
 
 295 
 
 29 
 
 23 
 
 46 
 
 197 
 
 197 
 
 1867 
 
 89 
 
 108 
 
 286 
 
 27 
 
 36 
 
 45 
 
 178 
 
 186 
 
 1868 
 
 92 
 
 94 
 
 270 
 
 23 
 
 37 
 
 34 
 
 176 
 
 166 
 
 1869 
 
 108 
 
 100 
 
 284 
 
 18 
 
 31 
 
 51 
 
 184 
 
 187 
 
 1870 
 
 79 
 
 85 
 
 263 
 
 12 
 
 40 
 
 33 
 
 178 
 
 187 
 
 1871 
 
 75 
 
 81 
 
 253 
 
 13 
 
 790 
 
 22 
 
 21 
 
 172 
 
 178 
 
 - 
 
 5719 
 
 5547 
 
 - 
 
 2127 
 
 2605 
 
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 704 
 
 Table of the Income and Expenses of the Hospital 
 
 Income. 
 
 
 
 
 Free-bed 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 Board of Patients at 
 
 Funds and 
 
 Funds for other Char- 
 
 Total Income of 
 
 
 
 
 Subscriptions. 
 
 ities at 
 
 
 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 18G2 
 
 §5,853.89 
 
 $65,182.65 
 
 817,175.62 
 
 §414.15 
 
 $4,106.69 
 
 823,443.66 
 
 $69,289.34 
 
 lH(i:j 
 
 (5.312.25 
 
 67,130.07 
 
 17,311.70 
 
 695.30 
 
 4,514.46 
 
 24,319.25 
 
 71,644.53 
 
 ISlJi 
 
 7,714.54 
 
 96,960.53 
 
 18,832.22 
 
 648.21 
 
 4,118.29 
 
 27,194.97 
 
 101,078.82 
 
 1SC,;3 
 
 14,8-17.27 
 
 111,377.98 
 
 32,329.06 
 
 717.35 
 
 4,883.90 
 
 47,893.("S 
 
 116,261.88 
 
 lMi(3 
 
 14,977.44 
 
 125,457.64 
 
 23,843.74 
 
 1,082.64 
 
 7,035.18 
 
 39,903.82 
 
 132,492.82 
 
 lb07 
 
 1(3,717.68 
 
 134,416.01 
 
 27,480.37 
 
 1,146.20 
 
 5,579.02 
 
 45,344.25 
 
 139,995.03 
 
 1868 
 
 14,671.45 
 
 127,893.29 
 
 27,913.05 
 
 1,320.00 
 
 5,144.00 
 
 43,904.-50 
 
 133,037.29 
 
 1869 
 
 13,426.70 
 
 140,292.63 
 
 30,420.08 
 
 1,165.00 
 
 4,992.07 
 
 45,011.78 
 
 145,284.70 
 
 1870 
 
 12,003.83 
 
 141,793.86 
 
 31,944.08 
 
 807.00 
 
 4,659.27 
 
 44,754.91 
 
 146,453.13 
 
 1871 
 
 11,078.69 
 
 136,194.35 
 
 40,311.06 
 
 1,042.32 
 
 5,031.17 
 
 52,432.07 
 
 141,225.52 
 
 10 yrs. 
 
 3117,603.74 
 
 $1,146,^99.01 
 
 $267,560.98 
 
 $9,038.17 
 
 $50,064.05 
 
 $394,202.89 
 
 $1,196,768.06 
 
 Excess of ExrENSKS 
 
 1 
 
 Excess of 
 
 Average cost per week 
 
 Cost of Pay 
 
 Free Patients over 
 
 Cost of all 
 
 
 Expenses over 
 
 Patients over 
 
 Funds .and 
 
 Patients over 
 
 
 Total Receipts. 
 
 
 
 Board. 
 
 Subscriptious. 
 Hospital. 
 
 Board. 
 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 Hospitiil. 
 
 Ilcspit.il. 
 
 1862 
 
 318,671.15 
 
 6.04 
 
 7.27 
 
 $774.76 
 
 $17,896.39 
 
 $36,260.92 
 
 1863 
 
 23,102.46 
 
 6.66 
 
 6.98 
 
 -160.98* 
 
 23,263.44 
 
 41,108.46 
 
 1864 
 
 32,964.58 
 
 8.38 
 
 9.76 
 
 2,510.27 
 
 30,454.31 
 
 52,445.01 
 
 1865 
 
 10,075.12 
 
 9.86 
 
 12.49 
 
 8,272.35 
 
 1,802.77 
 
 43,121.53 
 
 1866 
 
 28,882.98 
 
 13.88 
 
 12.30 
 
 15,108.64 
 
 13,694.38 
 
 53,809.36 
 
 1867 
 
 15,664.97 
 
 11.28 
 
 13 84 
 
 9,368.99 
 
 6,277.65 
 
 44,291.54 
 
 1868 
 
 23,659.97 
 
 12.74 
 
 16.51 
 
 8,992.05 
 
 14,568.66 
 
 52,893.02 
 
 1869 
 
 17,226.82 
 
 10.14 
 
 14.21 
 
 6,702.16 
 
 10,316.36 
 
 48,812.90 
 
 1870 
 
 18,059.91 
 
 10.05 
 
 13.83 
 
 3,840.52 
 
 14,143.34 
 
 50,810.99 
 
 1871 
 
 11,094.30 
 
 9.96 
 
 15.80 
 
 4,187.82 
 
 6,815.06 
 
 52,447.68 
 
 10 yrs. 
 
 $199,402.26 
 
 
 
 $59,596.58 
 
 $139,232.36 
 
 $476,001.41 
 
 * Excess tlii.s year of Ucceipt.s for Board over cost of Paying Patients
 
 705 
 
 and Asylum, for ten years, — 1862 to 1871. 
 
 Ordinary Expenses. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Cost of Paying 
 Patients. 
 
 Cost of Free 
 Patients. 
 
 Other Charities. 
 
 Total Expenses of 
 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 1862 
 
 86,628.65 
 
 835,072.01 
 
 $414.15 
 
 842,114.81 
 
 §71,823.46 
 
 1863 
 
 6,151.27 
 
 40,575.14 
 
 695.30 
 
 47,421.71 
 
 69,300.63 
 
 1864 
 
 10,224.81 
 
 49,286.53 
 
 648.21 
 
 60,159.55 
 
 101,484.38 
 
 1865 
 
 23,119.62 
 
 34,131.83 
 
 717.35 
 
 57,968.80 
 
 120,885.84 
 
 1866 
 
 30,086.08 
 
 37,538.12 
 
 1,162.60 
 
 68,786.80 
 
 126,015.83 
 
 1867 
 
 26,086.67 
 
 33,758.02 
 
 1,164.53 
 
 61,009.22 
 
 133,844.14 
 
 1868 
 
 28,663.50 
 
 42,481.71 
 
 1,419.26 
 
 67,564.47 
 
 142,535.36 
 
 1869 
 
 20,128.86 
 
 40,736.44 
 
 1,373.30 
 
 62,238.60 
 
 138,132.02 
 
 1870 
 
 15,844.35 
 
 46,087.42 
 
 883.05 
 
 62,814.82 
 
 134,339.6a 
 
 1871 
 
 15,266.51 
 
 47,126.12 
 
 1,188.74 
 
 63,526.37 
 
 146,191.23 
 
 10 yrs. 
 
 8177,200.32 
 
 §406,798.34 
 
 $9,611.49 
 
 §598,605.15 
 
 §1,184,552.52 
 
 OVER Board, etc. 
 
 Outlay for Lands and Buildings. 
 
 Charges opon the General Funds. 
 
 Hospital. 
 
 Asylum. 
 
 Hospital . 
 
 Asylum . 
 
 
 
 
 
 823,451.42 
 
 $18,869.30 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 5 
 
 27,882.72 
 
 13,991.34 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 s 
 
 37,744.85 
 
 16,740.79 
 
 For 
 
 Sg 
 
 For 
 
 ^ 5^ 
 
 14,855.38 
 
 20,959.20 
 
 Nine Years. 
 
 a>9 
 
 Nine Years. 
 
 '" U3 
 
 33,663.25 
 
 9,858.25 
 
 843,022.39 
 
 ^ti 
 
 8147,017,13 
 
 aio 
 
 20,445.23 
 
 10,184.34 
 
 
 it 2= 
 
 
 
 28,440.24 
 
 25,833.31 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 t^ 
 
 22,007.08 
 
 9,182.56 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 OJ 
 
 22,840.18 
 
 4,221.73 
 
 28,740.85 
 
 <^ 
 
 
 < 
 
 39,885.15 
 
 4,965.71 
 
 871,763.24 
 
 8147,017.13 
 
 
 S271,165.50 
 
 8134,806.59 
 
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 710 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, AND BEQUESTS TO THE 
 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. 
 
 It was the wish and purpose of the writer of these 
 supplementary pages of the Hospital History to close 
 them with a statement, as complete as possible, of all 
 the gifts and bequests which have increased its funds 
 subsequently to the date at which the similar state- 
 ment by Mr. Bowditch terminates. Had the writer 
 been compelled to prepare such a financial report, it 
 would have required of him a very laborious study 
 of the account-books of the Hospital, which would 
 probably have caused him, as one not an expert, all 
 the more perplexity because of the thoroughness of 
 the system and the minuteness of the details by which 
 they are kept. 
 
 He desires, therefore, to express his great obli- 
 gations to the kindness of the Treasurer, Mr. Steven- 
 son, who has so faithfully done this exacting Avork for 
 him. And even to the Treasurer himself, who has 
 instituted and carried out the method by which the 
 books in his charge are kept, this was a task by no 
 means light. TJie funds of the Institution are dis-
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, ETC. 711 
 
 posed under the diiFerent specifications indicating the 
 uses to which they have been appropriated by the 
 donors. 
 
 The whole sum of the donations made to the Hos- 
 pital from the date of its foundation makes in its 
 aggregate a most striking exhibition of the benevolent 
 feelings which have sway in this community. Is 
 there any other benevolent institution in this city, 
 State, or country, whose treasury has been more 
 enriched 1
 
 712 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS IN 1856 FOR A BRICK FENCE AT 
 THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 Appleton, Nathan $500.00 
 
 Appleton, William 500.00 
 
 Bradlee, Josiah 500.00 
 
 Brooks, P. C 250.00 
 
 dishing, John P 250.00 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan 500.00 
 
 Sears, David 500.00 
 
 Sturgis, William 250.00 
 
 $3,250.00
 
 713 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS IN 1863, FOR NEW COTTAGE 
 AT ASYLUM FOR MALES. 
 
 Amory, William 
 
 Bacou, Francis oOO 
 
 Bacou, William B 250 
 
 Bates, Benjamin E 1000 
 
 Ballard, John 300 
 
 Beebe, James M 2000 
 
 Bowditch, Mrs. Nath. 1 5000 
 
 Bradlee, J. Bowdoiu 500 
 
 Brewer, Gardn-r 2000 
 
 Brimmer, Martin 1000 
 
 Brooks, Peter C 1000 
 
 Bollard, William S 2000 
 
 Davis, J. Amory 500 
 
 Edgerton, J 1000 
 
 p:dmands, J. Wiley 500 
 
 Fay, Joseph S 500 
 
 Gray, John C 1000 
 
 Grew, Mrs. Henry 300 
 
 Higginson, George 500 
 
 Hooper, Robert 250 
 
 Howe, George 1000 
 
 Howe, Jabez C 1000 
 
 Hubbell, Peter 500 
 
 Himuewell, H. H 1000 
 
 Jones, Miss Anna P 400 
 
 Lawrence, James 1000 
 
 Lawrence, Abbott 1000 
 
 Lyman, Charles 300 
 
 90
 
 714 SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR NEW COTTAGE. 
 
 Lyman, George W $500 
 
 Mason, Robert M 500 
 
 Oxnard, Henry P., Ex'rs of 500 
 
 Paige, J. W 500 
 
 Reed, Benjamin T 250 
 
 Richardson, George C 1000 
 
 Rogers, Henry B 1000 
 
 Sears, David 1000 
 
 Shaw, G. Howland 1000 
 
 Skinner, Francis 1000 
 
 Sturgis, Henry P 500 
 
 Sturgis, William 1000 
 
 Thayer, Nathaniel 3000 
 
 Wales, George W 500 
 
 Wales, Miss Mary Ann 500 
 
 Weld, William F 1000 
 
 White, B. C 300 
 
 Whitney, Joseph 500 
 
 Wigglesworth, Misses 1000 
 
 Wiggles worth, Edward 500 
 
 Wigglesworth, Thomas 300 
 
 Williams, Moses 1000 
 
 Wolcott, J. Huntington 300 
 
 $44,450
 
 715 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS IN 1866, TO PAY OFF DEBT AND 
 IN AID OF FUNDS. 
 
 % • 
 
 In 1866, at the suggestion of Nathaniel Thayer, Esq., subscriptions were 
 
 solicited to pay off the debt and in aid of the funds of the Hospital. Mr. 
 Thayer proposed to contribute twenty-five thousand dollars to those pur- 
 poses if tlie sum could be made up to one hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 The appeal tlien made by a committee of the Trustees was promptly 
 responded to, and the following is a list of subscribers for one hundred 
 thousand and eight hundred dollars. 
 
 Andrews, William T $500 
 
 Amory, William 250 
 
 Appleton, Charles H 500 
 
 AppletOD, Nathan, jun 250 
 
 Appleton, Thomas G 1000 
 
 Appleton, William, jun 500 
 
 Appleton, William S ; . . . 500 
 
 Anonymous, by W. S. B 500 
 
 Bacon, Francis 500 
 
 Beebe, James M 5000 
 
 Blake, George B 100 
 
 Borland, John 300 
 
 Boston Stock Exchange Board 1000 
 
 Bowditch, Mrs. N. I. . . 5000 
 
 Bradlee, F. H. and J. B. . . 500 
 
 Brimmer, Martin 1000 
 
 Brooks, Edward 500 
 
 Brooks, Peter C 1000 
 
 Brooks, Peter Cjuu 1000 
 
 Brooks, Shepherd 1000 
 
 Billiard, William S 5000 
 
 Codman, Edward A 500 
 
 Curtis, Greely S 500 
 
 Curtis, Caleb A 100 
 
 Cushing, Thomas F 500 
 
 Cushing, John G 500 
 
 '♦
 
 716 SUBSCRIPTIONS TO PAY OFF DEBT. 
 
 Gushing, Robert M 
 
 Daniels, Otis 500 
 
 Dexter, F, Gordon 500 
 
 Damorth, Isaac AVarreu 500 
 
 Fearing, Albert 500 
 
 Flagg, Augustus 100 
 
 Gardner, George .'500 
 
 Gardner, Henry J 500 
 
 Gardner, John L 5000 
 
 Gardiner, William li 250 
 
 Glover, Joseph B 300 
 
 Goodwin, the Misses Eliza and Lucy 500 
 
 Grew, Mrs. Henry 500 
 
 Higgin.sou, George 250 
 
 Hall, Andrew T 100 
 
 Heard, Augustine 250 
 
 lleiueuway, Mrs. Augustus 1000 
 
 Hooper, Robert 200 
 
 Hovey, C. F. & Co 1000 
 
 Howe, George 1000 
 
 Howe, Jabez C 2000 
 
 Howe, Thomas 250 
 
 Huunewell, Horatio H . 2000 
 
 lasigi, Goddard, & Co 500 
 
 Inches, Herman B , 250 
 
 Lawrence, Abbott 500 
 
 Lawrence, Amos A 500 
 
 Lawrence James 1000 
 
 Little, James L 1000 
 
 Lodge, Mrs. John E 300 
 
 Lowell, Francis C 250 
 
 Lowell, Jolm Amory loOO 
 
 Lyman, George AV 1000 
 
 Lyman, Theodore 200 
 
 Mason, Robert M 1000 
 
 Mason, William P 500 
 
 Matchett, Thcuilore 200
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS TO PAY OFF DEBT. 717 
 
 Matthews, Nathau S200 
 
 McGregor, James 250 
 
 Minot, Charles H 100 
 
 Minot, George R 200 
 
 Mudge, Enoch R 1000 
 
 Merriam, Charles 250 
 
 Parker, E. Francis 100 
 
 Parker, John Brooks 500 
 
 Payson, Samuel R 1000 
 
 Perkins, William 500 
 
 Pierce, Andrew J 100 
 
 Pratt, Miss Sarah P .' 1000 
 
 Pratt, Miss Mary 1000 
 
 Richardson, Jeffrey lOOO 
 
 Rogers, Henry B 1000 
 
 Shattuck, George C 500 
 
 Skinner, Francis, & Co 2000 
 
 Sturgib, Henry P 500 
 
 Swett, Samuel W 250 
 
 Thayer, Nathaniel 25000 
 
 Thomas, William 100 
 
 Tliomas, Mrs. William 100 
 
 Wads worth, Mrs. William W 500 
 
 Wales, Miss M. A 300 
 
 Weld, William G 250 
 
 Welles, George D 100 
 
 Welles, Miss Susan J 500 
 
 Welles, Miss Jane 500 
 
 White, Benjamin C 200 
 
 Wliitney, Joseph 500 
 
 Wiggleswortli, Miss Anne 1000 
 
 Wigglesworth, Miss Mary 1000 
 
 Wigglesworth, Edward 1000 
 
 Wigglesworth, Thomas . lOOD 
 
 Williams, Moses 3()0() 
 
 Winthrop, Robert C 100 
 
 $100,800
 
 718 
 
 FREE-BED SU B S C RIPT I ON.S. 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Adams, Horatio $183 
 
 Appleton, Nathan 200 
 
 Appleton, William 800 
 
 Appleton, Samuel . . > 100 
 
 Appleton, William, jun §^1100 
 
 Appleton, Charles H GOO 
 
 Appleton, William S 200 
 
 Amory, AVilliam 100 700 
 
 Araory, Ciiarles 200 200 
 
 Amory, James S 400 
 
 Austin, Edward 100 
 
 Baxter, Daniel 13 
 
 Brooks, Peter C. Life 910 
 
 Brooks, P. C, jun 1700 
 
 Brooks, P. C, 3d 200 
 
 Brooks, Mrs. Gorham 100 
 
 Brooks, Shepherd 200 
 
 Belknap, Jeremiah. Life 654 
 
 Bradlee, Thomas D 100 
 
 Bradlee, Josiah 800 1000 
 
 Bradlee, F. H 300 
 
 Bradlee, J. Bovvdoin. Life 1000 
 
 Bowditch, Nathaniel 1 1000 1200 
 
 Bowditch, Henry 1 100 
 
 Bowditch, Mrs. N. 1 1100 
 
 Bowditch, J. IngersoU 200 
 
 Bumstead, John 100 
 
 Bryant, John 100 200
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 719 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Bryant, Miss Mary C $200 
 
 Bullard, William S $100 1034 
 
 Brimmer, Martin 300 
 
 Brimmer, Martin, jun 900 
 
 Babcock, Mrs. Mary 100 
 
 Brewer, Gardner 1333.33 
 
 Bradford, M. L 100 
 
 Burnham, John A 300 
 
 Boston Gas L. Co. . . 200 
 
 Baker, Richard, jun 200 
 
 Bigelow, George Tyler 200 
 
 Bigelow, Erastus B 100 
 
 Cabot, George 40 
 
 Cabot, Mrs. Samuel 400 
 
 Cabot, Frederick 300 
 
 Coolidge, Joseph 500 
 
 Coolidge, T. Jefferson 200 
 
 Gushing, John P 2900 
 
 Gushing, .John G 200 
 
 Codman, Henry 400 
 
 Codman, Edward 100 
 
 Gary, Thomas G 100 
 
 Cutler, Pliny 100 
 
 Cutler, William C 200 
 
 Curtis, D. Sargent 100 
 
 Curtis, Greely S 200 
 
 Curtis, Benjamin R 200 
 
 Chase, Mrs. Theodore 200 
 
 Dwight, Edmund 1100 
 
 Dixwell, John James 100 
 
 Dowley, Levi A 100 
 
 Davis, James 700 
 
 Davis, J. Amory 300 
 
 Davis, Miss Annie W 200 
 
 Dalton, Charles H 100
 
 720 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Dale, Theron J $100 
 
 Dexter, F. Gordon 200 
 
 Ellis, Jabez $5 
 
 Everett, Otis 50 
 
 Eliot, Samuel A 600 
 
 Eliot, Catherine 100 
 
 Eastburn, John H 800 
 
 Edmands, J. Wiley 600 
 
 Emmons, Nathaniel H 200 
 
 Endicott, William, jun 200 
 
 Friend, Anonymou.s 10 300 
 
 Fay, Winsor 5 
 
 Fay, Mrs. S. S 100 
 
 Francis, Ebenezer 700 
 
 Fales, Samuel 100 
 
 Ferriera, L. C 100 
 
 Fearing, Mrs. Albert 200 
 
 Farnsworth, Ezra 200 
 
 Freeland, Charles W 200 
 
 Gassett, Henry 50 
 
 Guild, Charles 5 
 
 Gray, John C 500 1400 
 
 Gray, Francis C 600 
 
 Gray, William 600 
 
 Glover, Joseph B 800 
 
 Greene, Gardiner 500 
 
 Gi-eene, J. S. Copley 600 
 
 Grew, Mrs. Henry 700 
 
 Goodwin, Miss Eliza 600 
 
 Goodwin, Miss Eliza, jun 200 
 
 Goodwin, Miss Lucy 200 
 
 Goodwin, Ozias 200 
 
 Gardner, John L 1100 
 
 Gardner, J. P., G. A., and J. L., jun. . . . 1100 
 
 Gardner, George A 600
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 721 
 
 ' Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Gardner, John . $100 
 
 Gardiner, William H 200 
 
 Greenleaf, R. C 200 
 
 Humane Society of Mass. . . • $9700 4400 
 
 Head, Joseph and Joseph, jun 1200 
 
 Head, Joseph 200 
 
 Howard Benevolent Society 100 
 
 Hallett, George. Life, 600 
 
 Hallett, Mrs. E. Life 608 
 
 Hallett, George W 100 
 
 Hallett, Henry S 100 
 
 Howe, George 200 1300 
 
 Hubbard, Samuel 100 
 
 Hemenway, Augustus 900 
 
 Heraenway, Mrs, Augustus . 400 
 
 Hooper, Mrs. Eunice 300 
 
 Hooper, Robert William . 800 
 
 Hooper, Misses Eunice and Mary 1 200 
 
 Higginson, George 800 
 
 Hovey, George 200 
 
 Ives, Robert H 100 
 
 Jackson, Patrick T 1460 
 
 Jackson, Charles 1800 
 
 Jeffries, John 800 800 
 
 Joy, Miss Elizabeth 166.67 
 
 Joy, Miss Hannah 900 
 
 Jackson, James 40 
 
 Johnson, Samuel, jun 200 
 
 Kidder, Henry P 300 
 
 Lambert, William 400 
 
 Lowell, John, jun 50 
 
 Lowell, Francis C 500 
 
 Lowell, J. Amury 500 500 
 
 Lawrence, Abbott 300 
 
 Lawrence, Amos 800 
 
 91
 
 722 
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Before 1851. 
 
 Lawrence, William $100 
 
 Lawrence, William R 
 
 Lyman, Theodore 900 
 
 Lyman, Theodore, jun 
 
 Loring, Miss Abby M 400 
 
 Loring, Caleb William 
 
 Lawrence, James 
 
 Lee, Mrs. Hannah F. Life 
 
 Lee, William P 
 
 Lee, Francis L 
 
 Lodge, John E 
 
 Lodge, Mrs. John E 
 
 Little, James L 
 
 Longstreth, M 
 
 Munson, Israel 1200 
 
 Mass. Charitable Fire Society 2025 
 
 Mills, Charles H 
 
 Mixter, Charles . , . 
 
 Minot, William 
 
 Minot, George R 
 
 Mechanics M. F. Ins, Co 
 
 Matthews, Nathan 
 
 Mason, Robert M 
 
 Mackay, Robert C 
 
 Monroe, William 
 
 McGregor, James 
 
 May, J\Iiss Josephine 
 
 May, Miss Ernestine 
 
 Oliver, Miss Betsey 
 
 Oxnard, Henry . . 100 
 
 Perkins, Thomas H 820 
 
 Perkins, James 200 
 
 Perkins, William 
 
 Pratt, William 400 
 
 Pratt, Miss P]lizabeth 200 
 
 1851-1872. 
 
 $200 
 
 1900 
 1100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 1000 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 500 
 
 100 
 
 3900 
 
 100 
 1600 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 GOO 
 
 300 
 
 000
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 723 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Pratt, Miss Sarah P $300 $2100 
 
 Parker, John 1500 
 
 Parker, Daniel P 100 
 
 Phillips, William 300 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan 1200 1000 
 
 Parsons, William 100 
 
 Prescott, William 100 
 
 Parker, John Brooks . 237.50 
 
 Parker, James 1200 
 
 Parker, Harvey D., & Co 100 
 
 Page, Edward 200 
 
 Pickman, William D 900 
 
 Peabody, Francis H 300 
 
 Payson, Samuel R 200 
 
 Parkman, George F 200 
 
 Richards, Paul 5 
 
 Robbins, Edward H.,jun 270 
 
 Reed, Mrs. William 700 600 
 
 Rogers, Henry B 500 1900 
 
 Railroad Co., Boston and Lowell 150 2000 
 
 „ Boston and Maine 100 2400 
 
 „ „ Boston and Providence . . . 150 1832.50 
 
 ,, Eastern 500 
 
 ,, „ Metropolitan H 500 
 
 „ Union H 1000 
 
 „ „ Boston and Lynn H 100 
 
 „ Old Colony 100 
 
 „ „ Boston and Worcester .... 600 
 
 Robesoq, William R 200 
 
 Redman, John 300 
 
 Raymond, Edward A 100 
 
 Read, James 100 
 
 Saflford, Daniel 20 
 
 Shaw, Lemuel 20 
 
 Shaw, Robert G 1000 200
 
 724 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Shaw, G. Howland $500 
 
 Shattuck, George C $100 
 
 Sears, David 200 
 
 Sturgis, William 1300 200 
 
 Salisbury, Mrs. Elizabeth 1600 200 
 
 Salisbury, Stephen 2000 
 
 Stone, William W 100 
 
 Stanton, Francis 100 
 
 Sargent, Ignatius 100 
 
 Sargent, Horace Binney 100 
 
 Sargent, Turner 100 
 
 Skinner, P^ancis 100 
 
 Schlesinger, Sebastian B 200 
 
 Snelling, Samuel G 200 
 
 Sawyer, Joseph . 100 
 
 Saltonstall, Henry 200 
 
 Thompson, John 5 
 
 Tappan, John . 100 
 
 Thorndike, Israel 100 
 
 Ticknor, George 500 
 
 Tuckerman, Edward oOO 
 
 Thayer, Nathaniel 6100 
 
 Thayer, John E 300 
 
 Thayer, E. Francis 100 
 
 Tucker, William W 200 
 
 Upham, Henry 100 
 
 Williams, John D 2300 
 
 Williams, Moses 400 2200 
 
 Williams, Mrs. Elijah 200 
 
 Wales, Thomas B. Life 825 100 
 
 Waldo, E. S. and K 2300 100 
 
 Waldo, Daniel .' 100 
 
 Wiggles worth, Edward 2100 
 
 Wigglesworth, Miss Ann 2400 
 
 Wiggles worth. Miss Mary 1600
 
 FREE-BED SUBSCRIPTIONS. 725 
 
 Before 1851. 1851-1872. 
 
 Wyman, Rufus 
 
 Whitney, Joseph 100 
 
 Wolcott, J. Huntington 200 
 
 Webster and Co 100 
 
 Wharton, William C 100 
 
 Welles, Miss Jane 250 
 
 Welles, Miss Susan J 250 
 
 Warren, Samnel D 200 
 
 Young, Charles L 200 
 
 $59969.17 $94399.83 
 
 From 1822 to Dec. 31, 1850 . . . $59969.17 
 From 1851 to June 1, 1872 .... 94399.83 
 
 Total subscriptions from the foundation 
 of the Hospital to June 1, 1872 . . . $154369.00
 
 726 
 
 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 
 
 Prior to 1851. Since 1851. 
 
 Appleton, Samuel. Bequest. Income for pa- 
 tients $10,020.00 
 
 Appleton, William. Donation. $20,000 for 
 
 buildings. $20,000 inc. for patients . $10,000.00 30,000.00 
 ^Austin, Mrs. Agnes. Bequest. Inc. of $5000, 
 
 patients, Asy. ; $7,500 unrestricted . . 12,500.00 
 
 Amateur Dramatic Association. Donation . 450.00 
 
 Bowditch, William I. Donation, bill for pro- 
 fessional sei'vice 274.25 
 
 Bowditch, Nathaniel I. Bequest. $5000 for 
 Wooden Leg Fund, $2000 for republica- 
 tion of History 7,000.00 
 
 Belknap, Jeremiah. Bequest. Income for free 
 
 beds 10,000.00 
 
 Belknap, Miss Mary. Bequest 89,882.60 
 
 Brimmer, Miss Mary Ann. Bequest. Income 
 
 for free beds 5000.00 
 
 Brown, John. Donation 100.00 
 
 Bromfield, John. Bequest. Income of $20,000, 
 patients at Asylum ; income of $20,000, 
 free beds 40,000.00 
 
 Bullard, William S. Donation of land. Asylum 800.00 
 
 Commonwealth of Mass. Province House ; ham- 
 mering stone 75,070.27 
 
 Crocker, Allan. Donation 100.00 
 
 Curtis, Ambrose S. Bequest, settled for . . 2,500.00 
 
 Clougb, Sarah. Bequest 601.10 
 
 Bradlee, J. Bowdoin. Donation for purchase 
 
 of books 500.00 
 
 Dowse, Thomas. Bequest. Income for free 
 
 beds 5,000.00 
 
 Davis, Miss Elinor. Bequest. Income for free 
 
 beds 900,00
 
 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 
 
 727 
 
 Bigelovv, Henry J. Donation in addition to sur- 
 gical instruments valued at $3,250 
 
 Eliot, Samuel. Donation for Asylum 
 
 Everett, Moses. Donation 
 
 Everett, Miss E. G. Sundry donations . . 
 
 Friend desiring to be unknown. Bequest 
 
 Greene, Benjamin D. Bi^'quest. Income for 
 free beds 
 
 Gray, John C. Donation. Income for free beds 
 
 Gardner, John L. Donation. Income for free 
 beds 
 
 Hill, George. Bequest 
 
 Hill, Elizabeth. Bequest , 
 
 Harris, Charles. Bequest. Income $1,000 for 
 free beds, $1,000 unrestricted . . . . , 
 
 Homer, Sidney. Bequest 
 
 IngersoU, James. Bequest 
 
 Joy, Miss Nabby. To establish Joy Fund, &c. 
 
 Kittredge, Rufus. Bequest 
 
 Lee, Joseph. Bequest for use of Asylum 
 
 Lucas, John. Donation 
 
 Lee, Mrs. Hannah F. Donation 
 
 Lassell, f^llison. Bec][uest 
 
 Loring, Mrs. Abigail. $5,000 for Loring Fund, 
 balance unrestricted 
 
 McLean, John. Bequest 
 
 Moseley, Jonathan 
 
 Munson, Israel. Bequest 
 
 Minot, William. Donation 
 
 Mitchell, F. N. Bequest 
 
 Mason, William P. Bequest. Income for free 
 beds 
 
 McGregor, James. Donation. Income for free 
 beds 
 
 Nichols, Benjamin R. Bequest. Income for 
 free beds 
 
 Oliver, Thomas. Bequest 
 
 Oliver, William. Bequest 
 
 Phillips, William. Donation for free beds . . 
 
 PIckman, William. Bequest 
 
 Pratt, Miss Elizabeth. Bequest. One-half 
 Asylum, one-half Hospital 
 
 Pratt, Miss Sarah. Bequest. One-half Asy- 
 lum, one-half Hospital 
 
 Prior to 1851. 
 
 10,000.00 
 116.00 
 150.00 
 
 20,000.00 
 900.00 
 
 119,858.20 
 
 753,40 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 0,000.00 
 22,438.70 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 Since 1851. 
 1,750.00 
 
 325.00 
 1,900.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 1,000.00 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 1,000.00 
 
 237.50 
 
 2,000.00 
 1,000.00 
 2,000.00 
 20,000 00 
 3,857.22 
 
 1,000.00 
 
 0,888.00 
 
 43,901.67 
 
 100.00 
 67.50 
 
 9,400.00 
 
 10,000.00 
 
 57,760.04 
 
 4,000.00 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 18,800.00
 
 728 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 
 
 Prior to 1851. Since 1851. 
 Phillips, Jonathan. Bequest. Income for free 
 
 beds 10,000.00 
 
 Poland, J. Donation 15.00 
 
 Percival, John. Bequest. Income for free beds 950.00 
 
 Pickens, John. Bequest. Income for free beds 1,676,75 
 
 Russell, Polly. Donation 400.00 
 
 Russell, William. Donation 100.00 
 
 Richardson, Susan. Donation for free beds . 250.00 
 
 Raymond, Edward A. Bequest. Income for 
 
 free beds 2,820.t)0 
 
 Reed, William. Bequest to accrue to $5000, 
 
 then income to free beds 2,000.00 
 
 Redman, John. Bequest. Income to free beds 137,614.50 
 
 Reed, Benjamin T. Donations. Income to free 
 
 beds 1,000.00 
 
 Read, James. Bequest. Income, one-half, to 
 
 patients asylum, one-half to free beds . . 2,000.00 
 
 Savage, James. Donation 100.00 
 
 Salisbury, Mrs. Elizabeth. Donation . . . 4,000.00 
 
 Salisbuiy, Stephen. Donation 5,000.00 
 
 Sawyer, Matthias P. Bequest. Income of $7,000 
 
 to free beds, balance unrestricted . . . 99,003.63 
 
 Sever, Miss. Bequest. Income to free beds 500.00 
 
 Spaulding, Rev. Mr. Donation 500.00 
 
 St. Stephen's Chapel. For two free beds for 
 
 ten years 2,000.00 
 
 Shaw, Miss M. Louisa. Donation for free beds 500.00 
 
 Shaw, Mrs. Q. A., and other ladies. Donation. 
 
 Income for amusements for asylum . . . 5,000.00 
 
 Thomas, Isaiah. Bequest 5,256.83 1,113.50 
 
 Tucker, Beza. House in Boylston Place . . 5,350.00 
 
 Tucker, Margaret. For free beds .... 2,929.97 
 
 Touro, Abraham. Bequest 10,000.00 
 
 Touro, Judah. Bequest 10,000.00 
 
 Todd, Henry. Bequest. Income to free beds 5,000.00 
 
 Treadwell, J. G. Bequest. Income of $5,000 
 
 to care of library, and balance to free beds 
 
 together with library 43,703.91 
 
 Thompson, Miss S. B. Bequest. Income to 
 
 free beds 492.40 
 
 Townsend, Miss Mary P. Bequest. Income 
 
 for free beds 7,500,00 
 
 Weblier, Seth. Donation 1,000.00 
 
 Westerfiehl, Peter. For poor patients . . . 165.67
 
 DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. 7 '2 9 
 
 Prior to 1851. Since 1851. 
 Warren, John C. Donation. Income to pur- 
 chase books 1,000.00 
 
 Waldo, Daniel. Bequest 40,000.00 
 
 Williams, John D. Bequest. Income to free 
 
 beds 13,000.00 
 
 Wilder, Charles W. Bequest 20,000.00 
 
 Whitney, Edward. Donation 5,000.00 
 
 Wigglesworth, Edward. Donation .... 1,000.00 
 
 Warren, J. Mason. $2,000 for new operating- 
 room, $1,880 for Warren Prizes . ... * 3,880.00 
 ^Vyman, Morrill. Donation 200.00 
 
 $483,922.89 $706,001.47 
 
 Amount from 1811 to Dec. 31, 1850 . . . $483,922.86 
 Amount from Jan. 1851, to June 1, 1872 . . 706,001.47 
 
 Total . . . $1,189,924.33 
 
 N.B. Upon the final settlement of the estate of the late John Red- 
 man, the corporation will come into possession of real estate in the City 
 of Boston, the present valuation of which is about three hundred thou- 
 sand dollars, to be added to the "Redman Fund for Free beds," which 
 will make the whole amount of that fund not less than four hundred and 
 forty thousand dollars. 
 
 92
 
 730 
 
 SUMMARY OF DONATIONS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, &c. 
 
 Original subscripttons $140,992.55 
 
 As per Bowditch, viz., for Hospital $101,019.21 
 „ „ „ „ Asylum . 45,373.34 
 
 $140,992.55 
 Subscriptions for enlargement of the 
 Hospital in 1844, as per Mr. Bow- 
 ditch's list , 02,550.00 
 
 Subscriptions for a brick fence at the 
 
 Hospital in the year 1850 3,250.00 
 
 Subscriptions for new cottage for males 
 
 at Asylum, in the year 1803 44,450.00 
 
 Subscriptions to pay off debt of the 
 
 Hospital, and in aid of its funds, 1800 .... 100,800.00 
 
 Annual subscriptions for free beds 154,309.00 
 
 Before 1851 ....... $59,909.17 
 
 From Jan. 1851 to June, 1872 . 94,399.83 
 
 $154,309.00 
 
 Legacies and donations 1,189,924.33 
 
 Before 1851 $483,922.80 
 
 From Jan. 1851 to June, 1872 . 700,001.47 
 
 $1,189,924.33 
 
 $1,702,335. 
 
 Before 1851 $753,434.58 
 
 Since 1850 948,901.30 
 
 $1,702,335.88
 
 OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUT10:N'. 
 
 4 
 
 1872. 
 
 EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH President. 
 
 NATHANIEL THAYER Vice-President. 
 
 J. THOMAS STEVENSON Treasttrer. 
 
 THOMAS B. HALL Sccrctarij. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 HENRY B. ROGERS . 
 JAMES M. BEEBE . 
 CHARLES H. DALTON 
 EDMUND D WIGHT . 
 *GEORGE E. ELLIS . 
 SAMUEL ELIOT . . 
 GEORGE S. HALE . 
 GEORGE HIGGINSON 
 *SAMUEL G. HOWE . 
 *HENRY P. KIDDER 
 SAMUEL W. SWETT 
 *SAMUEL D. WARREN 
 
 Chairvian, — 5 Joy Slreet. 
 30 Beacon Street. 
 Sears Building. 
 60 State Street. 
 110 Marlboro Street. 
 44 Brimmer Street. 
 
 39 Court Street. 
 
 40 State Street. 
 
 20 Bromfield Street. 
 40 State Street. 
 60 State Street. 
 67 Mt. Vernon Street. 
 
 BOARD OF CONSULTATION. 
 
 JOHN JEFFRIES, M.D. 
 EDAVARD REYNOLDS, M.D. 
 JOHN B. S. JACKSON, M.D. 
 WINSLOW LEWIS, M.D. 
 
 II. I. BOWDITCH, M.D. 
 D. H. STORER, M.D. 
 CHARLES E. WARE, M.D. 
 C. E. BROWX-SEQUARl), M.D. 
 
 JOHN E. TYLER, M.D. 
 
 * Appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth.
 
 732 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 Resident Physician. 
 
 NORTON FOLSOM, M.D. . . 
 GEORGE C. SHATTUCK, M.D 
 FRANCIS MINOT, M.D. . . 
 CALVIN ELLIS, M.D. . . . 
 SAMUEL L. ABBOT, M.D. . 
 H. K. OLIVER, JuN., M.D. . 
 EDWARD B. DALTON, M.D. 
 HENRY J. BIGELOW, M.D. 
 HENRY G. CLARK, M.D. . 
 SAMUEL CABOT, M.D. . . 
 GEORGE H. GAY, M.D. . . 
 RICHARD M. HODGES, M.D. 
 ALGERNON COOLIDGE, M.D. 
 GEORGE G. TARBELL, M.D 
 JOHX COLLINS WARREN, M.D 
 DAVID H. FIAYDEN, M.D. 
 WILLIAM L. RICHARDSON, M 
 J. THEODORE HEARD, M.D 
 CHARLES B. PORTER, M.D. 
 
 JAMES C. WHITE, M.D. 
 
 D 
 
 Visiting Physicians. 
 
 Visitiny Surgeons. 
 
 )- Physicians to Out-patients. 
 
 Surgeons to Out-jjaticnts. 
 
 i Chemist and Physician 
 . \ to Patients ivith Dis- 
 ' eases of the Skin. 
 
 ( Microscopist aiid Curator 
 REGINALD H. FITZ, M.D. • • •< of the Pathological Gab- 
 
 l inet. 
 
 HENRY P. QUINCY, M.I). . . . Artist. 
 
 CHARLES WILSON, D. M.D. . . Bentist. 
 
 A. L. MASON } 
 
 K. G. Cutler ) 
 
 WM. J. MORTON 
 
 F. A. HARRIS 
 
 JAMES E. TOBEY .... 
 
 WALTER CHANNING, Jun. . 
 
 MISS G. L. STURTEVANT . . . 3Iatron. 
 
 DANIEL G. WILKINS .... Apothecary. 
 
 r Medical House-Papils. 
 
 1 
 
 Surgical House-Pupils.
 
 733 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE M'LEAN ASYLUM. 
 
 GEORGE F. JELLY, M.D Superintendent. 
 
 CHARLES F. FOLSOM, M.D. . . i Assistant Physicians 
 FERDINAND A. STILLINGS, M.D. \ and Ajwthecaries. 
 WALTER J. NORFOLK . Iledical Student and Apothecary. 
 
 GEORGE W. WHFrXLE Steivard. 
 
 MRS. ABBY M. WHITTLE 3Mron. 
 
 ELBRIDGE S. UPHAM, 
 MISS LUCIA E. WOODWARD 
 
 > . . • . . Supervisors.
 
 734 
 
 COMMITTEES. 
 
 Committee on Finance. 
 
 MESSRS. BEEBE AND HIGGINSON. 
 
 Committee on Accounts. 
 MESSRS. SWETT AND WARREN. 
 
 Free-hed Standing Committee. 
 MESSRS. HIGGINSON AND KIDDER. 
 
 Committee on the Booh of Donations. 
 MR. ROGERS. 
 
 Committee on the Warren Fund and Lihrarij. 
 MESSRS. ELIOT AND DWIGHT. 
 
 Committee on Repairs. 
 MESSRS. ROGERS, BEEBE, AND D ALTON. 
 
 February 
 MarL-h . 
 April . 
 May . . 
 fjune 
 July 
 August . 
 September 
 October 
 November 
 December 
 January 
 
 VISITING COMMITTEE. 
 
 Mkssi:s. ROGERS AND KIDDER. 
 KIDDEll AND DWIGHT. 
 DWIGHT AND ELIOT. 
 ELIOT AND BEEBE. 
 BEEBE AND HIGGINSON. 
 HIGGINSON AND SWETT 
 SWETT AND HOWE. 
 HOWE AND HALE. 
 HALE AND AVARREN. 
 WARREN AND ELLIS. 
 ELLIS AND D ALTON. 
 DALTON AND ROGERS. 
 
 January .... 
 
 Mks. 
 
 February 
 
 Ml!S. 
 
 March .... 
 
 jMiss 
 
 April 
 
 Miss 
 
 ]\Ia}' 
 
 Miss 
 
 June 
 
 Miss 
 
 September . 
 
 Mhs. 
 
 October .... 
 
 Miss 
 
 November . 
 
 Mus. 
 
 December . . . 
 
 Miss 
 
 LADIES' VISITING COMMITTEE. 
 
 ELIOT AND Mrs. STEVENSON. 
 STEVENSON AND Miss GOODWIN. 
 GOODWIN AND Miss LORING. 
 LORING AxVD Miss TORREY. 
 TORREY AND Miss YOUNG. 
 YOUNG AND Mrs. ROGERS. 
 
 ro(;ers and :\lss revere. 
 
 REVERE AND Mrs. BEEBE. 
 BEEBE AND Miss HEMENWAY. 
 HEMENWAY AND Mus. ELIOT. 
 
 /V
 
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