Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Bv M. J. Bray, M. 1), 1889

Bv M. J. Bray, M. 1)

The Mkdical Profession - Early Practitioners - Hardshii's ok the Practice - Diseases Most Prevalent in Pioneer Times - Medical Societies - Hospitals - Colleges - The Physicians of the Past - Present PRACTiTioNers.

HEREVER frail man has li\ed and ii.««« suffered, in the earliest times as \vell as to-day, the vocation of the physician has ranked among the most important of human pursuits. Who is more eagerly welcomed than he, when the pale messenger casts his shadow oYcr the household r But experience teaches, and the opinion will pre- \'ail that,

" Clod and the doctor we alike adore, Just on the brink of danger, not before. The danger past, both are alike requited. Ciod is forgotten and the doctor slighted."

No professional record is found of the healing art as practiced in this vicinity before 1S20, and all that is known prior to that time is purely traditional. PreYious to 1 81 2 the southwestern part of Indiana, now called the " Pocket," was a dense wilderness, and it was not until about 1815 that there was an opportunity for a jihysician to practice his profession, owing to the country being so sparsely settled. Those who were residents at that time were obliged to rely upon the roots and herbs indigenous to the soil for a means of cure for such diseases as were common. The pioneer physician was generalU' without a medical education, and if he attained success it was the result of experience. Few knew anything of materia mcdica, and in surgcrv their knowledge was confined to a few of the minor operations, such as blood-letting, extracting teeth, and lancing a superficial abcess. Dr. Hornby, an Englishman, was the first to settle within the present limits of \'anderburgh countv- He came in 1818, made his home near McCutchanville, and gave to the people of that vicinity the benefit of such medical knowledge as he possessed. He was not a graduate of any medical school; what knowledge of medicine he had was obtained in an apothecary shop. He entered a tract of wild land and made for himself and family a comfortable home. He was a good citizen and neighbor and died about 1832.

Dr. William Trafton, who came in 1820 from Lewiston, Maine, was the pioneer physician of EYansYille. He had attended medical lectures at Dartmouth medical college and was well qualified for a frontier physician. Bold and decided in his opinions and untiring in the pursuit of his profession, he had but little respect for the opinions of others or the dogmas of medicine, unless based on common sense. He originated new views upon the pathology of disease and inaugurated a new mode of treatment. Discontinuing the practice of treating remittent fevers with emetics, cathartics and calomel, he introduced the present mode of giving quinine.

After a protracted illness his death occurred in 1857. Contemporaneous with Dr. Trafton was Dr. Shaw, whose frail constitution was unable to endure the severe labor and exposure incident to the practice at that time, and he died siiortly after his settlement. In 1822 Dr. Harxey PhilHps came from New York and settled in Evansx'ille. He had a superior mind, and had studied under some of the best medical teachers in New York city. He lif^Mted the brachial artery just above the arm for aneurism, caused by blood-letting, it being the first capital operation in surgery performed in the count}'. He was just in middle life when he came, and died about 1S25.

In 1833, two brothers, A. P. and Isaac Hutchinson, located in E\ans\ ille. They were steam or botanical practitioners, and were graduates of a botanical institute in Cincinnati. They were valuable citizens, and had a reputable practice. Isaac was appointed collector of the port of Evansxille, in 1857. His death occurred in the following year; that of his brother in 1841. Dr. Lane, from Kentucky, and a relati\e of Gen. Joseph Lane, hung out his shingle in 1834. He was self-educated, and an excellent practitioner of medicine. He had the confidence of the community, and was a fine type of the frontier gentleman. He wrote upon politics and medicine, and was a good speaker and a ready debater. He was a regimental surgeon during the war with Mexico, where he contracted a disease of which he died soon after his return.

Dr. Bray came to the county in 1835, and the following year a bright galaxy of medical gentlemen, all well educated, refined and accomplished, gathered in the then flourishing town. Among them were Drs. G. B. Walker, Daniel Morgan, L. L. Laycock, Lindley, and William Trafton.

Hardshifis of the Practice. - The practice of medicine in the pioneer days was attended with difficulties that physicians of the present day can scarcely comprehend. Roads and bridges were almost unknown in certain localities. In hi'di water dug-oiUs were used in crossthe creeks, and when belated or, as fre(|uently happened, the physician got lost in the woods, he made a pillow of his saddle and wrapping his blanket around him, lay down under the spreading branches of a tree and passed the night as best he could. The nearest drug store until 1836 was at Louisville, 200 miles away, and the physician carried his own medicines. People were poor, money was difiicult to obtain, and the pioneers called the physician only in extreme cases, each family supplying itself with barks, roots and herbs which were administered in the simpler forms of disease.

Early Diseases. - In the early days the most common forms of disease were remitting and intermitting fevers, epidemic erysipelas, pneumonia and bowel complaints. The year 1836 was very sickly. Intermittent and remittent fevers prevailed in an epidemic form. In tlie winter of 1837 and 1838 epidemic pneumonia prevailed and more than fifty people died. The disease was caused by cold rain and snow. The snow was more than a foot deep and there was sleighing three or more weeks. In about the year 1842 erj-sipelas visited this localit\-, prevailing in certain districts in an endemic form. The people called it lilack tongue. It was sudden in its attack and ran its course rapidly, generally proving fatal.

Shortly after the first settlements were made the people were scourged with a disease commonly known as milk sickness. This disease prevailed not only in the country but in the towns, and in fact throughout the state. As soon as the land was placed under cultivation it disappeared Cases were more numerous in the fall of the year than at an\- other time, and were more general and obstinate in a dry season than a wet one. Between the salt well and the village of Evansville, the ground was strewn with the bleached bones of cattle that had died from it. It may have been a species of bacteria, or a vegetable poison. ^ Whatever it was, it made the springs and I surface water unhealth}- and even poisoned the dew which gathered upon the herbage. Milch cows imparted the disease to their cahes, and the people contracted it from drinking the milk or eating the butter or beef of diseased cattle. Dr. Trafton made several post-mortem examinations, and in his opinion it was caused by a specific poison which spent its force upon the '. mucous membrane of the stomach and bowels, the pyloric orifice being particular^ - implicated and frequently closed up. The old treatment was severe purgation. Dr. ; Trafton, however, changed the practice, giving medicines to subdue irritation and inflammation, and afterward mild purgatives. This treatment was so simple and effectual that it disarmed the disease of much of its terror, and the doctor was almost deified by his admiring countrymen. The scalpel in his hands was the key which unlocked the : mystery of the disease.

Cholera. - Evansville and \'anderburgh county were visited with cholera in 1S32, the germs of the disease being brought by passengers from New Orleans. It came in the form of an epidemic, made its attack : suddenlv and ran its course rapidly. Coming in the summer it left late in the fall, and was not as fatal here as in other places, although it caused about twenty-five or thirty deaths in a population of 225 or 250. It yielded in its first stages to simple remedies such as calomel, opium, paregoric or red pepper. There was at the time but one physician in the town and county. In 1 85 1 and 1852 the disease again appeared. The sanitary condition of E\ansville, however, had been much improved by sewerage and ditching. Water street had been cut down ten feet and all stagnant water and ponds had disappeared. The sanitary condition of the city was such that tiie disease was kept under control. There were onlv a few cases above Main street, the greater number being in Lamasco and below. The Germans suffered more than natives, owing it is presumed, to the crowded condition in which they lived. B. F. Dupuy, a very prominent citizen of that day, died of the disease in 1852. The disease prevailed in a sporadic form from 1849 to 1852. In 1866 it again appeared for a short time, the infection coming from New York. There were but few deaths, and the greater number of them were among old people and invalids. The last visitation was in 1873. The most vi"-orous sanitary measures were enforced by the city authorities, and it lasted but a short time. It assumed a malignant tvpe in July of that year, but the deaths were principally among loafers and strangers. It prevailed with fearful violence in the neiirhborinotown of Mount Vernon, whence the inhabitants fled panic-stricken.

Surgery. - Before the coming of Dr. Bray there had been no physician in Evansvillle who made an)- pretensions to a knowledge of surgical science. Blood-letting, toothpulling and lancing were about the onh- operations undertaken by the pioneer doctors. The unfortunate man who met with an accident serious enough to fracture a femur or crush his skull was either a cripple for life because of inferior attention, or died from the results of his injuries. Dr. Bray had pursued his studies in the east and settled in Evansville with the intention of practicing surgery. The town was in a promising growth at the time, 1835, 'i"*^ southwestern ern Indiana, southeastern Illinois,and western Kentucky, localities to which the town was rapidly becoming a recognized supply depot, there was not a skilled surgeon. The doctor's services were early in demand, and his practice through the long period since his settlement here, now more than fift}- years, has extended throughout all the territory adjacent to Evansville, and has embraced almost every form of operation known to the surgical science. In later years man)- well educated and skillful surgeons located in Evansville, and a great variety of delicate and important work has been done successfull}-. It is pleasant to note the fact that ^^^ surgeons of Evansville, as a class, have maintained a very high standing in scientific circles throughout the country. Their experiences and reports of cases are given much weight b}^ practitioners generally. In 1835 Mr. Bray amputated a leg above the knee, in Evansville, which was the first operation of the kind in the county. Dr. Trafton had charge of the patient, a young man traveling west. He had a compound complicated dislocation of the ankle joint caused by an accident with machinery. Such injuries are like gunshot wounds - they seldom heal by the first intention. The tibia was dislocated inwards, the fibula fractured at its lower third, and the sole of the foot turned outwards. The capsular ligament was lacerated, and the synovial fluid of the joint escaped. Dr. Bray advised immediate amputation, but was overruled by Dr. Trafton and his patient, and no other physician was in the place. The inflammation caused bv the injur}- terminated in mortification of the leg. Dr. Bray was then requested b}' Dr. Trafton and his patient to amputate. He declined at first, but finally yielded to their wishes. The patient survived only a short time. While in a state of in artindo mortis he desired the prayers of a minister, but there was none in the town to smooth the pillow of the dying boy among strangers.

The first trepanning operation in the town was performed by Dr. Bray in 1836, upon John Stinson. The whole length of the parietal bone was fractured and one plate depressed under the other, caused by a blow from an axhandle in the hands of John Roos. This depression was removed by the elevator and he recovered consciousness, but in about six weeks he had svmptoms of an abscess between the dura-mater and inner plate of the skull. Dr. Bray opened the abscess by taking out a plug of the bone; a large quantity of pus escaped, and the patient made a good recovery.

Medical Societies. - The first medical society was organized in Evansville in 1845, was named the Evansville Medical Societv, and the following was the preamble:

" Whereas, We, the undersigned physicians of Evansville and its vicinity, convinced of the expediency and importance of establishing a medical societ}' for the purpose of promoting professional harmony and improvement, and to exalt generally the character, usefulness and dignity of the profession, do herebv unite ourselves into an association, for the attainment of these objects, and do appoint Drs. William H. Stockwell, G. B. Walker and S. Thompson a committee to prepare a suitable constitution and by-laws, to be submitted to the society on Saturday evening, January 4, 1845." Signed by William Trafton, T. Muhlhausen, S. Thompson, M. J. Bray, Daniel Morgan, W. Hamilton Stockwell, Percival Egerton Garrick and G. B. Walker. A suitable constitution and b3'-laws for the guidance of the society were adopted. The high ideas which governed the early physicians in their practice and show the loft}' character of the men then constituting the medical fraternity here, are presented in the following Code of Medical Ethics as adopted bv the society:

Medical Societies

Rule I. It is the duty of every medical practitioner to treat his patients with steadiness, tenderness and humanit}', and to make due allowance for that mental weakness which usually accompanies bodily disease. Secrecy and delicacy should be strictly observed in all cases in which they may seem to be peculiarly required.

2. The strictest observance of temperance cannot be too strongly inculcated on the minds of the practitioners of medicine and surgeons, a clear and vigorous intellect and a steady hand being absolutely necessary to the successful practice of these branches of medical science.

3. Unfavorable prognostications should never be made in the presence of patients; yet, should there seem to be immediate danger, it becomes the duty of the medical attendant to apprise the patient's friends of that circumstance.

4. In every instance in which one physician has been called on to visit the patient of another, a consultation with the former medical attendant shall be proposed. Consultations in difficult cases should always be recommended, and the physician called on for that purpose should always pav the greatest degree of respect to the practitioner first employed, and allow him the privilege of delivering all the directions agreed upon.

5. Special consultations are sometimes wished for; in such cases the physicians called on should carefully guard against paying another visit, unless he should be requested to continue his services by the patient or some of his friends.

6. When one physician is called on to visit the patient of another in his absence, or during short indispositions, he should not manifest a wish to continue in attendance any longer than the physician first called on should be able to resume charge of the case, unless a continuance of his services should

7. Physicians should not visit their patients too frequently, lest seeing them oftener than necessary might produce unsteadiness in the treatment.

8. Theoretical discussions should not be too freely indulged in consultations, as they frequentl)^ give rise to much perplexity without any improvement in practice.

9. The junior ph\sician in attendance should always deliver his opinion first, and when there are more than two, the others, according to seniorit}-, and a majority should decide; but in the event of a tie, the physician first in attendance should gi\e the casting vote in regard to the future treatment, and to him should be intrusted the future management of the case, unless the patient or his relatives should object to his being continued.

10. Although the possession of a diploma, honorably acquired, furnishes presumptive evidence of professional ability, and entitles the possessor to pre-eminence in the profession. 3-et the want of it should not exclude practitioners of experience and sound judgment from the fellowship and respect of the regular graduate.

11. In consultations, punctuality in meeting at the same time should be strictly observed, but the physician who first arrives should wait a reasonable length of time for the arrival of others. A minute examination of the patient, however, should not take place until one or more of the medical attendants are present, except in cases of emergency; all subsequent visits should, if practicable, be made by mutual agreement, and no medical discussion should take place in the presence of the patient.

The Medical Profession

obtruded should the circumstances of the medical practitioner indisposed enable him to make a recompense for medical services rendered to himself or family, it is his duty to do so, especially if he reside at a distance.

13. When one practitioner is called on to visit a patient whose recovery has been despaired of b}' the physician first in attendance, and the disease should afterward terminate fatally under his management, he should avoid insinuating to the friends of the deceased that if he had been called on a day or a few hours sooner he could have effected a cure. Such a course of conduct is highly reprehensible and empirical in the extreme. And in the event of the patient's recov'ery, such a person should not assume all the credit, as the cure might have been partly effected by the medicines prescribed before he took charge of the case.

14. The use of nostrums and quack medicines should be discouraged as degrading to the profession, injurious to health, and often destructive of life. Should patients, laboring under chronic complaints, obstinatel}' determine to have recourse to them, a reasonable degree of indulgence should be allov/ed to their credulity by the physician ; but it is his sacred duty to warn them of the fallacy of their expectations and the danger of the experiment, and the necessit)^ of strict attention to the effect produced by them, in order that their bad effects, if an}^ should be timely obviated.

15. No physician should, either by precept or example, contribute to the circulation of a secret nostrum, whether it be his own invention or exclusive property or that of another. For, if it be of real value, its concealment is inconsistent with beneficence and professional liberty, and if mj'sterj' alone give it value and importance, such craft impHes either disgraceful ignorance or fraudulent avarice.

16. In all cases where diversity of opinion and opposition of interest give rise to controversy or contention between two or more members of the profession, the decision should be referred to a sufficient numjber of physicians, as they are frequently the onl}' persons in the community capable of properly estimating the merits of the dispute. But neither the subject litigated nor the decision thereon should be communicated to the public, as individual reputation might suffer and the credit of the profession generallv be injured.

17. A wealthy physician, or one retired from practice, should refuse to give gratuitous advice, unless the danger of the case, the absence of the practicing phvsician, or jthe poverty of the patient should warrant him in so doing. In all cases where he may |be preferred, he should recommend a consultation with some one engaged in active practice. This rule should be strictly ob- ;served, as a contrary course is gratuitouslv depriving active industry of its proper to visit the patient of another, in consequence of some unexpected or alarming change in the 'sN'mptoms, he should adopt a temporar}- jplan of treatment suited to present circumstances. He is not warranted in interfering afterwards, unless requested to take charge of the case, when he should propose an immediate consultation with the physician previously employed.

19. Phvsicians should never neglect an opportunity of fortif3'ing and promoting the good resolutions of patients suffering under the bad effects of intemperate lives and vicious conduct, and in order that their counsels and remonstrances ma}- have due weight, it will readily be seen that they should have full claim to the blameless life and high moral character which has been

Medcial Colleges

20. Medical men should " remember the Sabbath day to keep it hoh'," and visits should, as far as consistent with professional engaiiements, be made either before or after public worship, or during its intervals.

The following is a list of the signers to the constitution and by-laws of the earh' society, and exhibits the names of the leading p|i\'sicians in Vanderburgh countv from 1845 to 1S73: William Trafton, D. S. Lane,

The Evansville medical society, terminating in 1873, was superseded bv the Drake medical society, which continued in existence until 1878, when the Vanderburg county medical society was organized.

ville, on the evening of March i, 1846, by the calling of Dr. G. B. Walker to the chair and the selection of Dr. L. L. Laycock as secretary. Articles of organization and by-laws were adopted. L. L. Laycock was elected dean of the college, and the following faculty chosen: L. L. Laycock, professor of theory and practice ; S. R. Wilcox, professor of materia medica and therapeutics; G. B. Walker, professor of obstetrics; C. S. Weever, professor of anatoni}'; M.J. Bra)^ professor of surgery, and C. A. Foster, professor of chemistry. The first course of lectures in the college commenced Monday, November 5, 1849. The class was composed of forty-one matriculates, nine of whom were candidates for graduation. The course was composed of five lectures per day, with the exception of Saturday, when there were but two lectures given. The first commencement was held in the Methodist church, on the evening of Saturday, February' 23, 1850, when, with appropriate ceremonies, including an address b\- Judge C. I. Battell, president of the board of directors, the degree of M. D. was conferred on William Gillespie, J. M. Graham, A. C. Halleck, J. C. Patton, C. R. Smith, F. Williams, E. P. Banning, A. A. McReynolds and W. Asselinian, after which the graduates were addressed b}- James E. Blythe, one of the most prominent law\ers in this part of the state.

In 1850, W. Walling, M. D., of Princeton, Ind., was appointed professor of the institutes of medicine and medical jurisprudence. The same year Prof. C. S. Weever resigned the chair of anatomy, and H. H. Byford, ^L D., of Mt. Vernon, Ind., was elected to the vacancy. The same ^-ear the honorary degree of M. D. was conferred upon Prof. C. A. Foster.

In 1851, L. L. La3-cock, professor of theory and practice of medicine, resigned and was suceeded by Prof. W. H. Byford. Dr. Hugh Reynolds was appointed to the chair of anatomy, vacated b_\- Dr. B3'ford on his election to that of practice. Dr. William A. McDowell was appointed during his j'ear to the chair of institutes, which was made vacant by the resignation of W. Wallinrr, M. D. The chair was made vacant by the death of Dr. McDowelHn 1853, and was filled by the appointment of Dr. John T. Walker.

The College Dispensary, under the immediate control of the facultv and supported by the city, was an invaluable adjunct of the college and one of great practical value to the student. It furnished a large field of observation, enabling the student to acquire proficienc}' in the art of examining, diagnosing and prescribing, and familiarized him with the manipulations belonging to minor surgery. Advanced students had cases of obstetrics and other patients intrusted to their attendance. A large number of patients were annually treated, clinics being held at the dispensary ever}- day. The college museum contained the usual specimens found in such a collection, as well as valuable anatomical preparations and pathological specimens.

The following was the faculty in 1876-7: Daniel Morgan, M. D., professor of diseases of women and children: John II. Compton. M. D., professor of materia medica and therapeutics; J. E. Lilly, M. D., professor of chemistry, pharmacy and toxicology;

E. Linthicum, M. D., professor of genitourinary and venereal diseases and clinical surgery; A. M. Owen, M. D., professor of surgery; G. B. Walker, M. D., professor of principles and practice of obstetrics; George

F. Center, M. D., professor of ophthalmology, otology and orthopoedic surgery: Edwin Walker, M. D., professor of anatomy; A. H. Bryan, M. D., professor of general pathology; N. G. Jones, M. D., professor of principles- and practice of medicine and clinical medicine; W. R. Davidson, M. D., professor of physiology and histology; N. W. Austin, M. D., lecturer on surgerj- relating to venereal diseases; J. E. Harper, M. D., lecturer on medical jurisprudence and demonstrator of anatomy.

From 1882 to 1884, when the college closed, the following physicians composed the faculty : Dr. P. Y. McCoy, professor of surgery; Dr. Edwin Walker, professor of clinical gyne-

Colleges, Hospitals And Journals

Hospital Medical College. - The organization of this institution was due to the efforts of Dr. A. M. Owen. It was chartered in 1872. Its first faculty was composed as follows: Dr. Geo. B. Walker, dean and professor of obstetrics; Dr. A. M. Owen, professor of surgery; Dr. Charles Knapp, professor of theory and practice of medicine; Dr. C. M. Dudenhausen, professor of materia medica and therapeutics; Dr. John E. Owen, professor of anatomy; Dr. A. M. Scott, professor of physiology; Dr. Edward Murphy, professor of chemistry; Dr. W. D. Neal, professor of diseases of women; Dr. J. S. Gardner, dean of anatomy. The college was so ably managed and its instructors were of such high standing in the profession that its success was remarkable. Degrees were conferred on nine graduates at the close of the first year, and in all about tift)- physicians recei\ed its diplomas. The death of Dr. Walker, in 1887, was a serious blowto the institution. The engrossing demands of Dr. Owen's practice forced his resignation, and principally because of these losses in the faculty it was deemed best to suspend operations under the charter. The enterprise was highly successful and it is now the purpose of the friends of the old institution to revive it and again make Evansville the

/lospitdh. - The U. S. hospital was fitted to receive patients in 1857. M. J. Bray, M. D., was appointed post-surgeon. His successors were J. P. DeBruler, M. D., and J. B. Johnson, M. D., appointed respectively in 1861 and 1862. The medical staff, composed of the college faculty, held clinics semi-weekly. After the late war the U. S. hospital was sold to the Sisters of Charity, who changed its name to St. Marv's hospital.

The City hospital is a private enterprise, being instituted by some of Evansville's most respectable and 'skillful ph3-.sicians, among them Drs. W. S. Pollard, R. Hartloff, E. Walker, G. Hodson, J. Kerth, J. C. McClurkin, arid E. Linthicum and others. It received its first patients in 1883, and has since done much good.

Alcdical yotirnah. - The Water n Retrospect of Medicine and Surgery, edited and pubhshed by H. M. Harvey, M. D.; N. A. Lewis, M. b., and H. M." Newell, M. D., was established in 1872; was quite popular, though with a limited circulation, and continued publication but a short time. The Indiana Medical Reporter, a montlil}- journal of medicine and surgery, edited by Doctors A. M. Owen, J. W. Compton J. E. Harper, Arch. Dixon, and J. Gardner, was first issued in 1S80. It was a popular journal and ably conducted for about two jears before its publication ceased.

Physicians of ?\'otc not Elscivhere Mentioned. - From the earliest times the medical profession has been ably represented at Evansville. Many, no longer connected with the practice, deserve some notice in this connection. The brief mention made in each case may fail to do ample justice to the man whose memor}- it ma}- perpetuate, but it will serve at least to give his name an honorable place in the annals of the county.

Elias T. Runcie, M. D., a native of Ireland, was the descendant of a talented family. Coming from his native country he made his way to the west and established himself in the practice of medicine and surgery at Millersburgh, Warrick county, Ind. He remained there for manv years in the successful discharge of his professional duties, and came to Evans ville in 1865. Here he soon attained a prominent place among physicians, which he held throughout his entire career. He graduated from the Evans ville Medical College in 1854 and afterward graduated from other medical colleges in the east. He served as a volunteer surgeon at various places during the civil war. He was a member of the Evansville Medical Society, and his opinions were always accorded the greatest respect. He was a kind neighbor, a good citizen, and, beloved by all who knew him. His death occurred in 1877, after a practice of twentyfour years.

D. T. Muhlhausen, M. D., came to Evans- \ille in 1839 and died in 1862. He was a graduate of the medical school of Heidelberg, Germany. He had man}- social qualities , was a kind neighbor and a warm friend. He had a large German practice, and left a fair estate.

John R. Wilcox, M. D., a native of Ohio, came here from the south about 1839 and died about 1858. He kept a drug store a short time before he engaged in the practice of medicine, was a professor in the medical college of Evansville, where he displayed considerable talent and a broad knowledge of his profession. He was kind to the poor and served them with a willing heart, and always pleasant and agreeable, he had a large but not a lucrative practice. He was a member of the Presb^'terian church and had many Christian virtues. He left a small estate for his familv.

William A. McDowel, M. D., came here about 1848 and died about 1853. He was a native of Kentucky and related to Dr. Ephraim McDowel, who first performed the operation of ovariotomy. He had acquired a good classical and medical education in the east and practiced medicine successfully in Louisville, Ky., before he settled here. He wrote a medical work on consumption, which gave him notoriet\^ He was professor in the medical college of Evansville and made a good reputation as a lecturer. He was aggressive in his profession and original in his conceptions. He was tall and dignified in his person, had many social qualities and was intelligent.

Adolphus F. Wulkop, M. D., settled in Evansville in 1854 and died thirty years later. He was a graduate of the medical university of Berlin, Prussia, president of the board of health in Evansville, and a member of the Evansville medical societ}-. He had a large German practice, was a kind neighbor, a warm friend, and was respected by all who knew him.

John Walker, M. D., was a graduate of the Ohio medical college. He pursued his professional studies with his distinguished brother, Dr. G. B. Walker, as his preceptor. He began the practice of medicine and surgery' about the year 1839. He served as assistant surgeon m Col. Joseph Lane's regiment of Indiana infantr}-, in the war with Mexico. At the end of the war he resumed his practice in Evansville, became a member of the Evansville medical society, and professor of anatomy in the Evansville medical college. When the civil war broke out he was appointed surgeon of the Tweiity-Hfth Indiana Volunteers and while with the army contracted a disease from which he did not recover. His death occurred soon after he returned home. He had a paying practice and left a fair estate.

Dr. J. T. Conn came to Evansvilie in 1S59. He was a well-informed physician, had a moderate practice, was a kind neighbor and a good citizen. He left a small estate for his wife and children. He and his family were always ver\' much resjiected.

Hugh Ronalds, M. I)., was reared and educated in the state of Illinois. He came to Evansvilie about 1850 and died in 1S63. He was a graduate of the Louisville medical college, Kentuck}-, and a partner with Dr. M. J. Bray for three 3ears. He was a member of the Evansvilie medical society, served as secretary and afterwards as president. He was appointed professor of anatomy in the Evans\'ille medical college and filled the place with distinction. He had a quick, acti\ e mind, improxed b\" books and study; had a large practice and left a fair estate. His man\- excellent qualities as a man, a citizen, and a physician made him many friends who deeph' mourned his loss when his death occurred.

Washington A. Thompson, M. D., was a decendant of a talented and wealthy English family. His father was a physician of notoriety, and at one time a professor in a medical college in St. Louis, Mo. He was a member of the Evansvilie medical society and was elected secretary. He had a bright mind improved by early training and had a fair practice. He added to his inherited estate and left his family- in comfortable circumstances. He settled in Evansxille in 1862 and died in 1870.

Dr. Thomas Runcie began the practice of medicine in Ingletield, Vanderburgh count}-, in 1849, and died in 1867. He was a graduate of a medical college in Ireland; and achieved a pleasing degree of success in his professional work.

Dr. John F. Milliard came to Evansvilie about 1S67 and died in 1878. He was a volunteer surgeon during a part of the late war. He had a good practice, was a fine physician, and stood high in professional circles. He was a delegate to the medical convention at San Francisco, Cal.

Dr. J. Maginnis began the practice of medicine in Evansvilie about 1855, and died in 1873. He was a surgeon in the army during the late war and a member of the Evansvilie Medical Societ}-; was a good physician, and successful in practice.

Dr. J. B. Johnston came to Evansvilie in 1S62, and died in 1870. He was appointed surgeon of the Marine Hospital in 1862, and was a good physician.

Dr. Winings, who came from Mt. Vernon, practiced medicine in Evansvilie for a short time. He wa; ver\- eccentric, one of his most prominent peculiarities being that he usually expressed a medical opinion in biblical language. On one occasion a lady called on him and during the conversation he learned that she had been under treatment by a homeopathist. He asked whether she thouirht she had been benefited. Receivinsr an aflirmative answer, he said: "Well, whosoever employeth a homeopathic

Roster of Physicians. - The following is a complete list of the ph3-sicians who have been licensed to practice in Vanderburgh county under the acts of 1885, relating to the practice of medicine, surgery and obstetrics: Richard A. Armistead, Henry S. Ashford, L. R. Allen, F. W. Achilles, Paul Artell, Thomas E. Allen, Nicholas R. Alve\-, James Allison, Alfred T. Bennett, Louis D. Brose, A. H. Bryan, William D. Babcock, Baxter W. Begley, Joseph F. Blount, John T. Binkley, O. A. Bartenwerffer, Madison J. Bray, sr., A. B. Barker, Jerome S. Belter, S. L. Bryan, C. P. Bacon, S. D. Brooks, G. B. Beresford, T. J. Baldwin, Matilda Caldwell, John W. Compton, W. C. Couden, R. M. Corlew, Fred S. Compton, E. L. Carter, John L. Clark, William Cross, George P. Crosby, D. A. Crawford, Wilbur F. Clippinger, Joseph B. Crisler, John L. Dow, B. J. Day, William R. Davidson, F. L. Davis, H. T. Dixon, William W. Dailey, G. H. Eiskamp, William A. Fritsch, Walter Failing, Louis Fritsch, William Falsettor, Frederick F. Fullec, Carl Flucks, William E. Fitzgibbons, Simon Gumberts, J. S. Gardner, George Gilbert, Willis S. Green, Wilham Gramm, C. H. Gumaer, John F. Glover, A. M. Hayden, L. S. Herr, A. S. Hayhurst, A. S. Haynes, Alonzo S. Hazon,

Of Dr. William IIorxby. jk., liitlc can be added, from the brief records of liis day, to the mention of him in the preceding cluipter. The family liistory, however, gives him credit for possessing a medical education, lie studied medicine in Toville, in the count\' of Somerset, ami stud\ing further at St. George's hospital, in London, received the decree of M. D. Such is the record of the family, which is yet prominent and influential in the county. This jiioneer doctor was born at Cerne-Abhas, in Dorsetshire, England, and was the son of an elder William Hornb\-, who was a rugged sea captain ofthe north of England. William, jr., married one Sarah K. Rideout, and they had three children: William, Charles and Henrv. About the beginning of the present centur_y Dr. Hornby abandoned the practice of the healing art and took up agriculture in his native shire. Nineteen years later he yielded to the temptations that the new world held forth to every enterprising man and started with his family for America. They landed at Philadelphia in April or May, 1819, traveled by wagon to Pittsburg, and there being no better passage, they secured a flatboat and made their way down the Ohio to Evansville. Thev selected their home in the woods of what is now Scott township, where Dr. Hornby resided until 1832, the year of his death. There he passed his days, answering the calls of the afflicted, raising his family honorabh- and comfortably, and clearing a farm for their future inheritance, thereby building to himself an imperishable monument in the county.

William Tr.m-ton, M. D., an eminent pioneer physician, settled at Evansville in the first months of its existence, and died here after achieving a reputation growing out of his medical discoveries honorable to himself and highly valuable to the profession. He was born near the village of Lewiston,

Maine, in 1792. His father was a New England farmer unable to give his son a collegiate education. He was disciplined in the school of self-reliance, and beginning the battle of life with a sound mind and a sound body as his richest inheritance, achieved success, for which he was indebted to no one but himself. He was not a profound scholar but, self-taught, was well informed and possessed a strong mind. He passed his youth in his native place and received his primary education in the free schools of the state. Later he pursued his studies, to fit himself for the practice of his profession, at Hebron academy, Maine, and received the title of M. D. from Dartmouth medical college. New Hampshire. In 1819 he came to Evansville, and began the practice of medicine, being the first physician in the town; and though settlements were then few and widely separated, he was soon kept busy with the duties of his profession, for sickness prevailed to an alarming extent and even checked immigration, l^he first widespread disease with which he had to contend, excepting the ever present effects of malarial poisoning, was milk-sickness. He studied the disease carefully and with the use of the scalpel discovered its pathology. His discoveries led to new forms of treatment which were simple and effective. The}- robbed the disease of its terrors and won for Dr. Trafton the lasting gratitude of his neighbors. He prospected in other fields of medical science with fine results. Not satisfied with the approved treatment of diseases caused by the specific poison of malaria, he began a series of experiments which led to the use of quinine as a febrifuge, which has become the panacea for all miasmatic and periodic diseases. He also made many minor discoveries in the practice of medicine. The hardships of his practice were very great, and his inconveniences can hardly be con- ceived by the practitioner of to-daj-. For seventeen years liis nearest drug store was at Louisville, Ky., and d uring his entire practice the greater portion of this section was a wilderness, through which he travelled, often at the cost of much bodily suffering, and at times in the presence of great peril. On several occasions he crossed the angry waterS of the Ohio river i on floating cakes of ice in order to minister j to the wants of the sick and afflicted. His attainments and professional labors caused him to be ranked among physicians who had done work that would survive for ages. He had great force and positiveness of character as a man, and his professional convictions were absolute. He was president of the first medical society organized in this county, and his opinions upon ([uestions of medicine were respected by all. He was one of the foremost in establishing the Evansville Medical College, and was one of its trustees at the time of his death. He was progressi\e, and took an active part aside from his professional work in the advancement of the city in early times. He attained an enviable prominence as a citizen. In 1827 he was a candidate for the state legislature, running against Charles Mcjohnston and Thomas Fitzgerald. Dr. Trafton beat them both in his own county, but falling behind in Posey and Warrick, was defeated. In 1828 he ran again for the same office and succeeded, his competitor being John Davis. He was not an orator, but brought sound business abilitv to aid him in the discharge of his official duties. His religious belief underwent a great change during his life. In his youth he made a public profession of religion and joined the Calvinist Baptist church. Later he renounced the doctrines of foreordination and predestination and the orthodox ideas of the future life. But to the last he believed in the eternal justness of God, and the souFs immortahty. However, he was not a Christian. He was philanthropic, dealt fairly with his fellow men, was unselfish in his friendships and an excellent neighbor. At times he appeared rough and unpolished which, no doubt, was a result of pioneer manners and associations. He was to some extent intemperate in the use of intoxicants, though he seldom indulged beyond the bounds of propriet}- and sobriety, or compromised his dignity or manly bearing. He was not without faults, but on the whole was a good man and a useful citizen. Many years after his death such distinsfuished citizens of Evansville as Dr. M. J. Bray, Hon. John S. Hopkins, Samuel Orr, Jacob B. Fickas, John Greek, Rev. J. V. Dodge, Dr. George B. Walker, and others, united in praising the excellent traits of his character and his great usefulness as a pioneer citizen and physician.

He was twice married. His first wife was but thirteen 3'ears of age when she became a bride, and the marriage was terminated by a legal separation. The fruit of this union was one child - a daughter. A few vears afterward, the death of his divorced wife having occurred in the meantime, he was again united in marriage to Miss America Butler, an estimable Christian lady, who was connected with one of the best and most respectable families in Kentucky. She was an Episcopalian and her Christian virtues commanded the respect of all who knew her. She was the mother of one child - a son who became a respected lawyer in Henderson, Ky. This second marriage occurred in 1832, and the doctor crossed the river on the ice to secure his bride. Dr. Trafton died in 1847, "like a philosopher," meeting death fearlessly, believing it to be but the release of the soul into a new fife. His remains were buried in Oak Hill cemetery.

Dr. M. J. Bra Y.

Madison J. Bray, M. D., the eldest physician and surgeon, and the Nestor of the medical profession of Vanderburgh county, was born in Turner village, Androscoggin county, Maine, January i, iSii. He is of Enelish descent, and one of a familv of ten children - five girls and five boys. Mis father, Capt. William Bray, was a successful village merchant, and a prosperous man of business. During the war of 1812 he commanded a company of cavalry and was summoned to the defense of Portland, then the capital of the state. He died at the early age of forty-two years, having gained in that brief time an enviable reputation and a comfortable competency. The mother of Dr. Bray, iicc Miss Ruth Cushman, was descended from Puritan ancestry, and a lady of much force of character and ability; she survived her husband four jears. After her death the doctor was in a measure thrown upon his own resources. Up to the age of sixteen he worked in a cardinji mill durincf the summer, and attended the village school during the winter. In this way he acquired the rudiments of a good education, and when sixteen j-ears old commenced teaching, which vocation he followed at intervals for eight years. The ambitious desire of his youth was to become a physician, and he earl)' de\eloped an aptitude for surgical science. He began his preparatory course under very favorable circumstances, having free access to a good anatomical museum, owned by his preceptors, Drs. Tewksbery and Millett; and, as he saj-s, "saw a very respectable practice of surgery." He attended three courses of medical lectures, one at Dartmouth, N. H., and two at Bowdoin, Me., from which latter institution he graduated with honor in the j-ear 1835. In November of the same year he left his home to establish himself in the practice, his objective point being the state of Louisiana, his idea being that the patronage of several large plantations would be more lucrative and pleasant than a general practice in tiie north. Arriving at Louisville, he found his funds exhausted, and to obtain money to continue his journey he made an application for a school. Before his proposition was accepted, he accidentally overheard some gentlemen talking of E^-ansville, then a little hamlet of about four hundred inhabitants, of the great advantages it possessed, and of the probability that it would soon become a large and prosperous city. He at once changed his plans, engaged passage on a boat, and on the 25th day of November, 1835, arrived in Evansville, penniless and without a single friend or acquaintance in the place. Dr. William Trafton was at that time the only doctor in all this region of countr)-, and, learning that a young ph3fsician had arrived in the village, sent for him, and being favorably impressed, proposed a partnership, which was gladly accepted, and which continued for two years. Dr. Bray soon learned that the field was an inviting one for a surgeon, there being no physician in the southern portions of Illinois, Indiana or western Kentucky who desired surgical practice, or who professed any knowledge of surgical science. Evansville was a central point to this territor}-. Recognizing this, the doctor decided to abandon his cherished plan of settling in Louisiana, and began wliat has since proved to be the most successful and lucrative practice ever confided to anv physician in Evansville. At that time the practice of medicine and surgery was attended with difficulties that the physicians of the present day can scarcely comprehend. The ph^-sician furnished his own medicines, and the nearest drug store was at Louisville, 200 miles away. The doctor entered very earnestly (ind enthusiastically upon the performance of his professional duties, in which he exceeded tlie hmits of prudent labor, but possessing a magnificent physique and a robust constitution, he was able to endure a great amount of arduous toil. His practice for many years was devoted largely to surgery, in which he soon acipired an extended and enviable reputation. Patients came to him from long distances, and many difficult and dangerous cases were successfully treated. In 1846 he spent several months in New York cit}-, where he availed himself of the instruction of those eminent surgeons, Drs. Parker and Mott. He paid especial attention to orthopedic and ocular surgery, and afterwards performed many difficult operations of this character. A detailed mention of the many difficult cases which he has successfully treated is unnecessary, for nothingcan be added to the excellent reputation as a physician and surgeon which he has firmly established. He has been in practice for over a half century, and during this time none have been more successful, or have enjoyed to a greater degree the confidence and esteem of the people. In all things in an}' way connected with the medical profession his name stands pre-eminent. He became a prominent member of the State Medical Society soon after its organization, and in 1856 was elected its president. He was a member of the Tri-State Medical Society, and wrote for it a history of surgery in Vanderburgh and adjacent counties. He is about the onl}- survivor of the charter members of the Vanderburg Medical Society, of which he was president several terms, and to which he reported many of his surgical cases. For many years he was one of the prominent members of the Evansville Board of Health, and has done much to place the city in a healthy hygienic condition. The doctor has interested himself in everything pertaining to the city's interest and advancement. He was one of the incorporators of the old Canal bank, now the First National, and for many jears has been a member of its board of directors. In 1847, with others, he procured the charter for the Evansville Medical College, and filled the chair of surgery from the founding of the school until the commencement of the war of the rebellion. After the war he was acrain called to the same position and occupied it until ill health forced his resignation. The doctor alwavs evinced a penchant for military surgery, and in 18.^5 '^^'is appointed surgeon of the Maine militia, a position he never filled, however, bj- reason of his emigration to the west. In 1847 he was appointed by President Van Buren surgeon of the marine hospital at Evansville, which position he filled creditably until the breaking out of the civil war. As soon as the news was received, in 1S61, that Fort Sumter had been fired upon. Dr. Bray immediately rented a room and formed a little class of students in military tactics, which he himself instructed. He bought for them a bass drum at his own expense, which was the first money expended in Vanderburg county for militaiy purposes, and was the initial event in the war history of the county. These young men afterwards entered the service and were the leaders of the great number afterwards sent by Vanderburg county for the suppression of the rebellion. In 1862, although exempted bj' age from military service, he resigned a large and lucrative practice in order to aid in the organization of the Sixtieth Regiment of Indiana Infantry. He was commissioned surgeon of the regiment, and followed its fortunes for two years, when he was obliged to resign by reason of ill health, caused by exposure. At the battle of Mumfordsville he was taken prisoner; he was treated with the