Chapter XXXVII: Benjamin Rush

Birth and early life--Adopts medicine as a profession--Studies in Europe--Returns home, and is made a professor in the Philadelphia Medical College--Political career--Elected to the Provincial Conference of Pennsylvania--Action with respect to the independence of the colonies--Elected to the Continental Congress--Signs the Declaration of Independence--Marriage--Is made Surgeon-General of the army--Becomes Physician-General--Troubles--Resigns his commission--Letters to the people of Pennsylvania--Services in the State conventions--Resumes his practice in Philadelphia--Plans the Philadelphia Dispensary--Resumes his professor's chair--The yellow fever in Philadelphia--A scene of terror--"The Hundred Days"--Dr. Rush's treatment of the disease--Opposition of the Faculty--Success of Rush's treatment--Testimony of Dr. Ramsay--Suit for damages--Dr. Rush's services during the fever--Reminiscences--Honors from European sovereigns--Is made Treasurer of the United States Mint--Literary labors--Zeal in behalf of Christianity--His connection with the Bible Society--Death.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

VALENTINE MOTT.

Birth--Early life--Enters Columbia College--His medical studies--Continues his studies in Europe--Great surgical genius--His early success as an operator--Returns home--Is made Professor of Surgery in Columbia College--His career and success as a teacher--Introduces the system of clinical instruction--Difficulty of procuring "subjects" for dissection--Desperate expedients--midnight adventure--A ready rebuke--Success and skill as a surgeon--Tribute from Sir Astley Cooper--A wonderful operation--Sketch of his original operations--His mode of operating--Careful preparation--Success as a physician--A progressive mind--Professional honors--Visits Europe--Reception abroad--Operates upon the Sultan of Turkey--A cool proposition--Personal--His last illness and death--"President Lincoln murdered."

I.

MERCHANTS.