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JOHN MORGAN, FATHER of MEDICAL EDUCATION in NORTH AMERICA* by W ILLIAM SHAINLINE MIDDLETON, M.D

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JOHN MORGAN, FATHER of MEDICAL EDUCATION in NORTH AMERICA* by W ILLIAM SHAINLINE MIDDLETON, M.D JOHN MORGAN, FATHER OF MEDICAL EDUCATION IN NORTH AMERICA* By W ILLIAM SHAINLINE MIDDLETON, M.D. MADISON, WISCONSIN The historian who shall hereafter relate the progress of medical science in America will be deficient in candour and justice if he does not connect the name of Dr. Morgan with that auspicious era in which medicine was first taught, and studied as a science, in this country. (Benjamin Rush.) ■"I ARLY American medical history delphia. The older Morgan, in addition to affords few more striking or illus­ his commercial activities, was a man of Htrious characters than John Mor- affairs, being a member of the Board of gan. Of brilliant intellect and Managers of Pennsylvania Hospital for charming personality, he shines forth two separate terms, a warden of Christ among a most learned group of Philadelphia Church for many years and a member of physicians of the ante-RevoIutionary days. the Pennsylvania Legislature for several Honored by virtue of his eminent qualifica­ years. Evan Morgan was a personal friend tions by his Alma Mater and later by the and neighbor of Benjamin Franklin, a Continental Congress, we find the unfor­ heritage which later served John Morgan tunate conniving hand of conspiracy raised to well. We find the elder Morgan charac­ snatch his merited high offices. Then come terized as “virtuous, sober, sensible, good.” years of vain efforts for vindication, which, Joanna Biles Morgan was descended from finally won, fails to bring the anticipated the most prominent Quaker families of comfort to the prematurely aged master­ Pennsylvania. Her father, William Biles, idealist. settled in Bucks County in 1679, before John Morgan was born in Philadelphia Penn’s arrival, and there surrounded him­ in 1735 of Evan and Joanna, or Joan, Biles self with rich estates and considerable Morgan. Of his paternal connections, power. He was a Quaker leader, the first George Morgan, a younger brother of recorded meeting of Friends in this country John, wrote in a family Bible. “George being held in his home near Falls of Nes- Morgan, the son of Evan and grandson of haminy on May 2, 1683. Mrs. Morgan’s David Morgan, gentlemen of Wales, whose mother was a Blackshaw, a family likewise ancestors retired to the mountains rather prominent in Quaker affairs. Her grand­ than be enslaved by William of Normandy, father, Randall Blackshaw, came to America called William the Conquerer.” Indeed with William Penn and was present on their Quaker ancestry is said to date “back the occasion of the consummation of to the days of Alfred” on the father’s side. Penn’s Treaty with the Indians at historic Morgan’s parental grandfather came to Shackamaxon. , America about 1700. Evan Morgan, his Of the early home life in Philadelphia, we father, was a resident of Chester, Pennsyl­ have but little record. The Morgans were vania, for a time. However his wealth and a large family and the quiet Quaker charm position were largely attained in Phila- of the Colonial days seems to have pervaded their lives. The Morgan residence at Second *Read before the Medical History Seminar, and Market Streets was located in the best University of Wisconsin. residential section of that day. Their social Note. Grateful acknowledgement is herewith made for material assistance from Dr. William position was assured by their alHuence, Pepper and Dr. William Snow Miller in the prepara­ church and family connections. John was tion of this sketch. the eldest of this large Morgan family, of whom only two have left descendants. his detachment. Morgan’s signal services At an early age young Morgan was sent at this time attracted the attention and to the renowned Nottingham School, Ches­ commendation of his commanding officer. ter County, Pennsylvania, under the Rever­ General Forbes. Contemporary opinion is end Mr. Finley, a scholar in Greek and preponderantly biased and does not neces­ Latin. John Morgan early distinguished sarily imply later approval. However, the himself by his application and unusual written sentiment of the great Benjamin ability, so that he was able to enter the Rush seems to have been the prevailing Academy and College of Philadelphia in judgment of that period: “So great was his advanced standing. The degree of Bachelor diligence and humanity in attending the of Arts was conferred on him by that sick and wounded who were the subjects institution with the first graduating class of his care, that I well remember to have of 1757. heard it said that if it were possible for Morgan’s medical training dovetailed any man to merit Heaven by his good with his liberal education for several years. works. Dr. Morgan would deserve it for his From 1750 to 1756 he served as apprentice faithful attendance upon his patients.” The experience gained by his military service in these wars stood him in invaluable stead in the War of the Revolution some sixteen years later. Succeeding his resignation from the Army five years of fruitful study were spent under the greatest masters of Europe. The friend­ ship of Benjamin Franklin opened the doors of many exclusive English houses to him and his first year spent in London proved most profitable, medically and socially. From the Hunters he learned the art of making anatomical preparations by corro­ sion, an achievement which in turn paved the way for high honors on the Continent. to Dr. John Redman, a preceptor whose Armed with letters from Franklin to Lord influence was felt for three generations of Kames and Dr. Cullen, John Morgan left Colonial medicine. Redman was a com­ London for Edinburgh in 1761. The great manding figure in the medical world of that number of Americans who completed their day and of a type to mold the brilliant medical training at this institution of apprentice to a lofty conception of the learning during this period is explained by opportunities of his profession. The last the strength of her faculty. That Edinburgh year of this apprenticeship was served as should have attracted Morgan and have so apothecary to the Pennsylvania Hospital. impressed him as to have been his model Morgan was the second to hold this position for a medical school in America gave an and he resigned May i, 1756, “having a impetus to the infant seat of learning, prospect of business more advantageous Pennsylvania, that was felt for a hundred than his present employment.” years. Morgan was graduated in 1763 with His medical education was enlarged by the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His four years’ service in the French and Indian thesis, “De Puopoiesi,” was a masterly Wars. Although commissioned lieutenant contribution and the theory he advanced April I, 1758, in the expedition against therein of the true secretion of pus from the Fort Duquesne, he acted as surgeon to blood vessels in certain inflammatory condi­ tions was revolutionary in thought. As period. He has recorded his impressions expressed in the thesis, his belief was: of the wonderful art of the countries visited “Hoc mea speciale habet, pus nempe in a manner indicative of a working knowl­ neque in sanguine neque extra vasi generari, edge of painting and architecture. Several sed in ipsis vasis inflammatis, ct vasorum amusing incidents related show his human mutationcs ab inflammatione inductas, esse interest. In the Casa Sancta at Loretto, causas efficientes quae virtute quadam his inquisitive nature questioned the validity secretoria, pus a sanguine eliciunt.” Priority of the miraculous butt, from which three over Hunter for this theory was given to wines were produced. The priest refused to John Morgan in 1817 by Curry, a teacher allow him to examine the container. Where­ of anatomy in Guy’s Hospital who had at, commenting on the difference, Morgan made a special study of the question. A records: “In the Col’r they were so, but all century later Cohnheim demonstrated agreed in one Quality, i.e., of being sower; beyond equivocation the truth of Morgan’s w’ch made me think the Madonna not so theory. much anxious of commending the goodness Of Morgan’s graduation, we learn that it of the Wine as the Nature of the Miracle.” was the occasion of “an eclat almost He found the conditions of medical educa­ unknown before.” Surrounded by a circle tion in Italy most deplorable. He inspected of admiring friends, he was clearly the lion hospitals at every opportunity with a view of the hour, and his promise for a brilliant to applying this knowledge in America. future received an incredibly wide circula­ The Alps and the wonderful Italian scenery tion. A valuable and life-long friend in the appealed to his artistic taste. His practical person of Dr. Cullen wielded a powerful bent found much to absorb his attention influence on him both as a student and as in such details as pavements, streets and a practitioner. Morgan’s correspondence the fortifications at various points. Morgan with Cullen bears a note of filial devotion obtained audience with the King of Sardinia, and apparent intimate understanding. Recip­ the Pope, Voltaire and many other celeb­ rocally, we find in a biography of Cullen rities. A diplomatic bout with the Italian (1832) that “Mr. Morgan appears to have customs officer at Buffalora gave rise to fully realized the expectations of his friend the following interesting remark: “A Physi­ Dr. Franklin.” cian who appears before his Patient in a plain Morgan left Edinburgh for Paris late Manner with a common Apparel, in the in 1763. His demonstration of the corrosion eyes of the World must be ignorant of his method of the preparation of tissues before Profession, whilst one with a monstrous the Academic Royale de Chirurgie de Paraphernalia of dress, enormous wig & Paris created a profound impression and grimace, is esteem’d a second Hippocrates.” the comments on his work were very favor­ Two acquaintanceships on this jour­ able.
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