Manuscripts yield tales of hissing and bloodletting

Commentary. By Charles Greifenstein, AMNews contributor. July 30, 2001.

The holdings of the library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia include about 2,000 linear feet of archives and manuscripts.

One fascinating document in the records of the college itself is Dr. Benjamin Rush's resignation from the college in November 1793, brought about by disagreements with other physicians over the treatment of patients during the great yellow fever epidemic. Dr. Rush favored massive bloodletting and large doses of calomel.

Within the manuscript collection are papers of such physicians as W. W. Keen, MD, S. Weir Mitchell, MD, Robley Dunglison, MD, George Bacon Wood, MD, Joseph Leidy, MD, Edward Bell Krumbhaar, MD and Francis Clark Wood, MD, all fellows of the college.

The college also holds records of other medical institutions and organizations, including the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases, the United States Marine Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia.

Two of the treasures in the manuscript collection are the American Medical Association's first registration book and constitution.

After a preliminary gathering in New York City the year before, a group of physicians -- mainly from the east coast but also from many other regions -- met in Philadelphia in 1847 to formally establish a national medical society.

Nathaniel Chapman, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, was chosen first president of the AMA. His is the first name in the registration book, which was signed by 235 delegates. The book remained in the possession of Isaac Hays, MD, editor of American Journal of the Medical Sciences, a Philadelphian who was elected first AMA treasurer and who was chairman of the Committee of Reception and Arrangement. Dr. Hays' son donated the book to the College of Physicians in 1903. [...]