SELECTIONS FROM GIBSON’S “RAMBLES IN EUROPE” By FRANCIS R. PACKARD, M.D.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

ON better or more vivid descrip- the University of Pennsylvania but did tions of the famous members not graduate. Instead he went to Edinburgh of the medical profession who where he received the degree of m.d . in flourished in France and England 1809. While abroad he and some friends in the first half of the nineteenth century chartered a vessel and sailed to Spain where have been preserved for us than those the Peninsular War was being fought. contained in Dr. Gibson’s account of his They saw the battle of Coruma. In 1815 he trip to Europe in the year 1839. From him was again in Europe and was a spectator we have received most of our impressions of the battle of Waterloo, receiving a slight of their appearance, methods of practice, wound on this occasion from a stray bullet. and professional standing. The book is He was probably the only American to be long out of print and quite scarce. It seems present at both of these famous battles. worthwhile to print some of the most inter- In 1811 he was active in establishing the esting of its pages, especially because some medical department of the University of of the statements contained in them have Maryland, in which he was professor of been much garbled in the course of frequent surgery until 1819, when he succeeded repetitions and are worthy of preservation Physick in that chair at the University of in their original form. Pennsylvania, occupying it until his retire- William Gibson was born in Baltimore, ment in 1855. Gibson was a fine teacher, March 14, 1788. He attended St. John’s and a bold and dexterous operator. In College in Annapolis and Princeton College, 1812 he tied the common iliac artery for and subsequently took a medical course at 8 Wilder, A. Op. cit., p. 762. aneurysm. In addition to his professional following question, in rapid succession, and the accomplishments he was a scholar, and greatest interest evinced in the various answers possessed considerable artistic ability. He returned—all touching points of practice, either died on March 2, 1868. peculiar to America, or in conformity with The following extracts are taken from English or French doctrines, or notions, or, “Rambles in Europe in 1839 with Sketches as sometimes happened, adverse to both. Thus employed, an hour glided quickly away, when of Prominent Surgeons, Physicians, Medical a servant entered and whispered, audibly, that Schools, Hospitals, Literary Personages, the rooms werb full of patients, all anxious to Scenery, etc., by William Gibson, m.d .” obtain his advice. He rose suddenly, apologized The book was published by Lea and Blan- for leaving me, and said “Come and breakfast chard in 1841. with me to-morrow precisely at nine, and any morning, if you please, at the same hour, as Sir Astl ey Coope r long as you remain in London, and I will go It was natural I should wish to see the through with you, day after day, the various Wellington of British surgery, as Sir Astley preparations in my museum, the most valuable Cooper has been emphatically styled. I had and choice of which are contained in my house.’’ attended his lectures, occasionally, and wit- The next morning I was at my post by the nessed his operations, in Guy’s and St. Thomas’s appointed time, breakfast was served precisely hospitals, thirty years before; I was familiar to the minute, and half an hour afterwards I with his writings and high reputation at home, found myself in his museum listening to a abroad, and indeed, throughout the civilized lecture on the structure and functions of the world, and felt no ordinary desire to form the thymus gland, illustrated by some of the most acquaintance of one who, in addition to the beautiful preparations I ever beheld. At half highest professional renown, was allowed, by past ten I took leave, and Sir Astley said at common consent, to be among the most finished parting “Come to me if you can, tomorrow at gentlemen of the day; I repaired therefore, to two o’clock, and I will take you to Guy’s his house, without any introduction whatever, Hospital, show you the establishment and its was ushered into his presence, and received with large and splendid collection of preparations—- a courtesy and urbanity I was totally unpre- many of which occurred in my own practice, pared to expect; for, upon my name being and are very interesting and unique in their announced, by an attendant, he came forward character.’’ Whilst riding, upon that occasion, with ease and alacrity, and expressed, in the for miles along the crowded streets of London, kindest possible way, his pleasure at meeting and moving so slowly as scarcely to reach our one connected with a university he had Jong destination for an hour and a half, I was forcibly known by reputation, and with some of whose struck with the fund of anecdote which he was professors he had been upon the most intimate constantly pouring forth, chiefly illustrative of terms of friendship, whilst fellow-pupils with the scenes of his long and eventful life, and them, under the celebrated Hunter. Imagine relating, in many instances, to ludicrous, or a tall, elegantly formed man, moderately robust, remarkable, circumstances in the history of with a remarkably pleasing and striking coun- some of his professional brethren, all told in such tenance, red, and fresh as a rose, apparently a way, as to convince me that he possessed an about fifty-eight or sixty years of age, but, in innate love for fun, or mischief, so refined, reality, above seventy, very agile and graceful however, by benevolence, as never to wound or in all his movements, simply, but handsomely tarnish, the characters of those whose peculiar- attired, with a spirit and vivacity, and bearing ities, or infirmities he portrayed. I was the more of a youth, with, in short, no marks of advanced persuaded of this ingredient in his composition, age, except a head as white as the driven snow, afterwards, from hearing, through an old friend and a very just conception may be formed of of his in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, where the appearance of Sir Astley Cooper. he was born, the following anecdote—upon the I had scarcely been seated five minutes before truth of which I thought I could rely. “Sir I found myself deeply engaged in discussing Astley,’’ said he, “was the son of a clergy- all the knotty points of surgery, question man of Yarmouth, where, upon an occasion, the church bells began to ring, so vehemently, as occasion, going considerably out of his way, to alarm the inhabitants, who ran in great and up a long flight of stairs, expressly to numbers to the parsonage to inquire of the shake hands with an old woman, who had been minister the cause of such terrific peals from the one of his principal nurses more than forty steeple. ‘Oh!’ said the reverend gentleman, years, and the only surviving individual, he ‘I have no doubt it’s all the work of that mis- said, who had been connected with the hospital chievous wag of mine—Master Astley—and as long as himself. his hopeful playmate, Tom Goodfellow.’ Accord- After showing several interesting cases in ingly, upon ascending the steeple, it was found, the wards—one, an amputation at the shoulder- as predicted, that the boys were busily at work, joint, performed by Mr. Key, and in a fair way full swing, pulling and hauling the rope in fine to recovery, the stump being nearly healed, style, and amazingly delighted at the stir and and beautifully formed—he led the way to the sensation they were creating throughout the surgical cabinet, and pointed out, with his town, and the trouble they were giving to the own hand, each interesting specimen, giving honest citizens.” its history and peculiarity, and waiting, pa- During the ride Sir Astley mentioned to me, tiently until I had secured his remarks in my also, a striking peculiarity—which showed the note-book. There, and afterwards at St. power and extent of his memory—by remarking Thomas’s I had the opportunity of examining he could take up any of the poets, and from two all the preparations referred to in his great work or three readings repeat for years afterward on Hernia, the specimens in which the aorta, whole passages without the slightest omission the iliacs, the subclavian and carotid arteries or mistake, and in proof of it, immediately had been tied by himself, and the causes of recited several pages from Young’s Night failure, or success, amply demonstrated. There, Thoughts. In conversing with him concerning also, I saw a specimen in which the subclavian the destruction of Hunter’s papers, by Sir had been tied successfully, by Mr. Key, in a Everard Home, he remarked it was true, and case where the axillary artery had been torn, an act of great folly on Sir Everard’s part, in an attempt to restore a long-standing disloca- inasmuch as it led to the belief he had never tion of the shoulder, and the result of which produced an original work, but had stolen every proved that I myself had been justified in pur- thing from Hunter; whereas, he had strong suing the same course, under similar circum- reason to believe, Sir Everard had only burnt stances, long before. From the museum (the papers which he conceived to be of little or no extent and beauty of which can only be appreci- importance, and that he was not, justly, charge- ated by those who have examined it closely, as able in a single instance, with plagiarism. He I had frequently, afterwards, opportunity of also spoke of Home, as having been an excellent doing, and of comparing each specimen with surgeon, full of information, devoted to his the printed catalogue, in shape of a large profession but rough in his manners and opera- volume, prepared by the intelligent Dr. Hodg- tions, and so decided in character, and independ- kin), Sir Astley kindly took me to the College ent in views, as to give, upon many occasions, of Surgeons, where we listened to a most great offence to his patients and brethren. eloquent discourse on the comparative anatomy Upon reaching Guy’s Hospital, I had soon of the kidney, in various animals, by the cele- proof of the activity of Sir Astley’s frame, and brated Mr. Owen; afterwards introduced me to the vigour of his constitution; for he walked all the prominent surgeons and physicians with the quickness of a young man, and was so present, and concluded by ushering me into the rapid in his movements, as to render it difficult great Hunterian Museum, giving me free and to keep pace with him. I was particularly unlimited access to every department of it, struck with his demeanor towards the house and there leaving me to revel in the regions of surgeons, the pupils, the patients, the super- anatomical, surgical and scientific research, to annuated nurses, and every living thing about my heart’s content. From that period I the establishment, his manner being as kind became a constant visitor at Sir Astley’s, and, and conciliatory as possible, taking, in several through him, formed the acquaintance of Sir instances, the old men and women aside, and Benjamin Brodie, and most of the other dis- inquiring into their wants, and upon one tinguished surgeons of London. There are many, even in London, who believe ingly benignant and intelligent, as (added to Sir Astley to have retired from the profession, uncommon softness and sweetness of voice, into the walks of private life. This is a great with manners so gentle, unpretending, and free mistake; for although he has ceased, for some from assurance or arrogance) to be calculated, I years, to perform the duties of a lecturer, and to thought, to captivate irresistibly, the most attend at Guy’s Hospital, except as a consulting fastidious. He inquired, eagerly, after our surgeon, he is still engaged in business and the eminent men, most of whom he appeared to examination of numerous cases at his own house. know, perfectly, by reputation; said he had been It is true he purchased, some years ago, a the intimate friend of our late Professor Dorsey, splendid seat near London, and intended to had corresponded with him for years, and retire from the profession. For a time he was formed the highest opinion of his talents delighted with his agricultural occupations, but, and attainments. alas, found himself so pursued into his retreat After sitting some time and conversing freely by his old patients, or so watched and called on all topics, he invited me to accompany him upon, whenever he ventured to show himself to St. George’s Hospital, where he may be said in town, that he was obliged, in spite of himself, to have received his practical education, and to resume his former pursuits, and has ever of which great Hunterian school he has long since attended, regularly, to his profession. been one of the principal surgeons and lecturers. Another circumstance is said to have contribu- Upon approaching the Hospital, a large and ted to drive him from the country. As long, splendid edifice at Hyde Park corner, I was said my informant, as Sir Astley could find a surprised to find it present so different an aspect case of disease in his horses, cows, sheep or from the old building with which I was so pigs, he was delighted and attended them with familiar in former days, and could not conceive all the interest and fidelity he would have shown how it had been metamorphosed, until informed to a human being, often trepanned the head of by Sir Benjamin that the original Hospital some favorite ram, or ewe, in search of the had been entirely demolished, and this new and cause of its disease, but the moment he found splendid fabric reared in its place. his stock in perfect condition, he at once became In walking its rounds, containing upwards of unhappy and sighed for his town-house and four hundred beds, I saw many diseased joints, the wards of Guy’s Hospital. and could not avoid asking Sir Benjamin if he performed as many amputations, for the relief of Sir Ben jami n Brodie such diseases, as formerly. To which he replied Next to Sir Astley the most prominent “Oh no—not the twentieth part.” How then London surgeon, perhaps, is Sir Benjamin do you manage? By rest,, position, splints and Brodie, with whose writings and reputation I diet, was the answer. I told him I was delighted had long been familiar, but with whom, person- to hear so candid an avowal, inasmuch as I had ally, I had no acquaintance during my first long been in the habit in my lectures, of con- visit to Europe. I intended to treat him without demning the numerous operations recommended ceremony, by calling and making myself known, in his work, and of substituting the simple and but Sir Astley had anticipated me, by previously efficient remedies he had just mentioned, for a speaking in my favour, and afterwards present- knowledge of which the profession was chiefly ing me with a letter to him. His appearance indebted to my countryman, the late Dr. was altogether different from what I had sup- Physick. “Then (said he) you have not seen posed; for instead of being full, stout, and the last edition of my book. I will send it to you, ruddy, as most Englishmen are, I found him and with it, that there may be no mistake, in thin, pale, and, seemingly, delicate and dys- future, an explanatory letter.” This letter, full peptic; the result, however as it struck me, of of just views and independent sentiments, I hard professional work, mental as well as cannot refrain from introducing into this place. corporeal, rather than of natural feebleness of 14 Saville Row, May 22nd, 1839 constitution. His countenance was pensive, My dear Sir, and verging towards a melancholy cast, but the I beg your acceptance of a copy of the last edition moment he spoke it was lighted up by a smile, of my Treatise on the Diseases of the Joints. I also so peculiarly winning and attractive, so strik- send you some pamphlets which you may, perhaps, find leisure to peruse on your voyage. I hope that extent and variety of his information, for his my work on the joints has, at all events, contributed intimate acquaintance with, and facility of to diminish the number of amputations performed in speaking, most of the languages of modern this country on account of this class of diseases. physiology, zoology, and natural history of man, Certain it is, that many diseased joints were ampu- for his beautifully written anatomical and tated, in the earlier part of my professional life, surgical articles in Rees’ Cyclopedia and for which the London surgeons would not even dream of amputating at the present time; and that in several his excellent character in private life? of the cases recorded in my treatise as having been Few, I will venture to say, that have formed the subject of amputation formerly (and to which, his acquaintance but will bear testimony to by the way I am indebted for many of my pathologi- his merits. I had not inquired about his cal observations) a cure would now have been personal appearance, and was, therefore, par- obtained by easier means and without the mutilation ticularly struck, upon entering his study, with of the patients. his fine, manly figure; his open, expressive, Altogether, the proportion of severe operations has intelligent countenance; his large and well- of late years become very much diminished in the proportioned head; his lofty and expanded hospitals of our metropolis; and I attribute this, forehead; his clear and brilliant complexion; mainly, to the improvements that have taken place in his mild, but sparkling, grey eye: and then our art. Without underrating the importance and when he spoke in a tone so quiet, modest and value of operative surgery, on many occasions, I must say, I could never bring myself to regard it as unassuming, with a manner so gentle and con- constituting the glory and pride of our profession. ciliatory, and expressed himself so kindly and The mutilation of the human body is, at best, but affectionately towards our country—its institu- a sorry expedient; severe operations are always tions and citizens—I could not but feel I stood attended with more or less of hazard; and I conceive in the presence of a superior being, could that it is a much greater triumph for science, when almost imagine I had known him all my life, she teaches us to cure by other means, than when she and warmed towards him insensibly, as if he leads us to the same result by the most skilful and had been an old, longtried, and intimate friend. masterly operation. And, yet, at that very moment, he was heavily I am, dear sir, with great respect, your faithful pressed by the hand of affliction, having, as he friend and servant, told me, lately lost a promising son, to whom B. C. Brodie. he was uncommonly attached. The next day After going through the whole hospital, I saw him again, having met by appointment, prescribing for numerous patients, performing, and followed him, amidst a crowd of admiring in the wards, several simple operations, and pupils, through large and numerous wards of explaining to the pupils the nature and peculiar- St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where, in former ity of each case, in a very lucid and unaffected days, I had spent many weary, but instructive way, Sir Benjamin took me to the museum, hours, in listening to the discourses, and wit- consisting of a small, but very choice collection nessing the operations of the celebrated Aber- of pathological specimens, beautifully prepared, nethy and his colleagues. Since that period and put up in better style than any similar there have been many additions to the good collection I had yet seen in Europe. old building, many new wards, and others Sir Benjamin Brodie may still be considered fitted up and accommodated to the taste and a young man, being only fifty-five, and in a fashion of modern times. climate where people attain a great longevity Mr. Lawrence made but few clinical remarks, and preserve their good looks, even in extreme in passing through the wards, but questioned old age, is likely to remain, for years to come, each patient closely respecting his symptoms, at the head of his profession, surrounded by and prescribed very carefully and evidently crowds of patients and looked up to as one of took a deep interest in the fate of every sufferer. the brightest ornaments of British surgery. There were several fractured thighs, all treated by the inclined plane; numerous syphilitic Mr . Will ia m Lawr en ce affections, for which mercury, chiefly in form of What medical man from this, or any other blue pill, was administered; and several long- country, would visit London without seeing Mr. standing cases of cancerous mamma, one of William Lawrence—so well known, for the eleven years’ duration, for which no operations had been attempted, but only the most gentle laborious student, and unceasingly employed in palliatives employed—Mr. Lawrence remarking, enlarging and improving the works from which “he had long known there were many cases of he has reaped so abundant a harvest of renown. this description, which, if let alone, would not prove fatal for a great while, but if extirpated, Mr . Brans by Coope r would return speedily and subject the patients Mr. Bransby Cooper, the nephew of Sir to immense suffering and distress.” Astley, holds a most respectable rank in London, as a lecturer on anatomy, as surgeon to Guy’s Mr . Samu el Coop er Hospital, and, as a practitioner, largely engaged Mr. Samuel Cooper had long been known in in business. He is, comparatively, a young man, this country, in Europe, and, indeed, through- but has already published a valuable work on out the world, as a literary, scientific and prac- anatomy, and a volume on the ligaments, which tical surgeon, of the first eminence. Very have added much to his reputation. From early in life he cultivated, successfully, foreign having had the opportunity of knowing him languages, and was enabled, through the knowl- intimately, and of enjoying much of his society, edge of these, to lay up stores of information, I am enabled to speak confidently of his open from which most of his brethern were cut off; and generous disposition, his frank and manly and having such advantages, joined to peculiar deportment and independence of character, taste, for minute surgical investigation, began combined with intelligence and substantial by publishing the opinions and practice of professional acquirement, rarely met with in eminent men of every country, with comments the same individual. Like many other English and illustrations of his own, so peculiarly just surgeons he spent the early part of his life in and appropriate, with remarks and criticisms, the army, and acquired considerable experience so fair, open and liberal, as to gain the confi- in the continental campaigns and in Canada, dence and respect of the whole profession, and during the last American war. secure for himself a reputation for probity, industry, talent, discrimination, learning and Robe rt Listo n practical skill, and for such endearing qualities Mr. Liston, a native and for years a resident of the heart and gentleman-like manners, as of Edinburgh, and a near relative of Sir Robert few men, in any country or in any age, have Liston, formerly ambassador to this country. ever attained. His great work, the “Dictionary For weeks I had resided in London, visited all of Practical Surgery,” and his “First Lines,” the great hospitals, had become more or less the fruits of his unrivalled industry, well known intimate with most of the great surgeons and to every nation on earth, where surgery is physicians, and yet felt no curiosity to see cultivated and esteemed, would alone be suffi- Liston, because I had been told, not by his cient to establish for him an enviable fame. fellow-practioners, but by apparently dis- But he is, also, well known by his valuable interested persons, that he was full of eccentricity, labours as professor of surgery in the University very rough and uncouth in his manners, and of London, by his practical skill as one of the a perfect ursa major, upon whose humor there surgeons to the London Hospital, and by great could be no dependence; that, at best, he was a experience, acquired in military hospitals, and mere operator or carver, without judgment or on the field of battle, during some of the most discretion, and his knowledge of the treatment eventful periods of the Peninsular War. It was of disease, except by the knife, extremely my good fortune to form the acquaintance, and limited. I left London, therefore, without seeing enjoy the society of this gentleman, and to him. Returning, however, some weeks after- glean from him many valuable facts and obser- wards, it suddenly occurred to me whilst passing vations, I could have obtained from few other his door, that it was wrong to be governed in sources. He is now about sixty years of age; rather any case by such prejudice. Under the influence below the middle stature; stout, muscular, and of this feeling I pulled the bell, and at the next of fine constitution, very mild and prepossessing moment stood before him. He had been deeply in manners, and his physiognomy so peculiarly engaged in examining the structure of an inter- agreeable and benignant as to attract the esting pathological specimen, with a very splen- notice of the most careless observer. He is still a did and powerful microscope, but rose as I entered, with an ease and gracefulness I had charpie spread with cerate, he said, “My dear been unprepared to expect. Judge of my surprise, fellow, what possible benefit can you promise then, when I found a tall robust, and elegantly- yourself from that greasy, slouchy plaster. formed man approaching me in whose handsome Pray, if you love me, take it away,”—intending and regular features and penetrating eye, there to remind the pupil of his practice of using was displayed a degree of intelligence, benevo- aqueous instead of unctuous applications. During lence, modesty, and playfulness combined, I the visit he performed several minor operations had seldom before met with; which joined to a with an ease and dexterity I have seldom before manner peculiarly winning, unassuming and witnessed, and in several cases of disease, not courteous, served at once to assure me that all requiring the knife, displayed uncommon skill the idle and gossiping tales I had so readily and judgment, and proved himself equally listened to were mere creations of the fancy. versed in diagnosis. In a private room we found It seemed to me as if he could read my thoughts, a respectable lady, her husband and daughter, and was pleasing himself with my agreeable who, not meeting him at home, followed to disappointment; for immediately after making the hospital to obtain his opinion respecting a myself known, he said, “Come, sit down; you cancerous mamma, and expressed strong desire are the very man I want to see. I know all to have it removed. He examined the breast about you and your countrymen, and I hope very closely, and also the glands of the axilla, you will not find me as bad a fellow as I have and finding the latter enlarged, immediately been represented.” He then called my attention said, “My dear Madam, do not suffer any one to his microscope, and the endless tortuosity of to touch you with the knife; let it alone and you vessels displayed in the morbid structure under may yet live for many years.” The lady and observation, and next took me into an adjoining her friends implored him to remove it, but he room, a sort of sanctum where I saw all sorts remained inflexible, and said, “If I cut it out of recent preparations, some in process of it will return in three months, and you will die; maceration, some undergoing the bleaching if I let you alone you may live for a longtime.” operation, and others dried and ready for the It was just such a case as many a surgeon in case. In another room, the walls of which were Europe, and in this country, would have covered with shelves, he pulled out numerous attacked by the knife without ceremony, and drawers filled with instruments and said, it gave me a better opinion of Liston’s judgment “Here is my ‘clipper’”—meaning his cutting- and abilities than I should have formed, under pliers—“there is my ‘bull-dog,’” putting into other circumstances. I remarked to him, “My my hand at the same moment the prettiest and views correspond exactly with your own, but I most efficient artery-forceps I ever beheld, am surprised at your giving such advice, and so in succession showed me his entire inasmuch as you have the credit of never losing collection, and then said: “Now, if you have an opportunity to use the knife.” He turned time, jump into my carriage at the door, and to his friend, Dr. Anthony Todd Thompson, ride to the North London Hospital, and I will and said, “Do you hear that?” and repeated show you my wards and patients.” Accordingly my words. we entered the magnificent coach drawn by a Though, seemingly, of robust frame and pair of spanking bays, such as I had not seen in great strength of constitution, he is so solicitous the queen’s stables, and in a short time I of preserving his health, and is so confident of found myself cheek by jowl with my new friend the value of active exercise on horseback, as up to his elbows in hospital work, surrounded for a long time to have kept hunters and a by a flock of students, just from a lecture at pack of hounds, which while he lived at Edin- the London University, in the opposite square. burgh, he exercised at day break, and long I saw numerous injured limbs and ulcers all before most of his brethren were out of bed. elevated upon inclined planes; ah, said I, these It is said he has now abandoned the sport, are old acquaintances of mine—you’ve heard, having fractured his pelvis, and nearly broken I perceive, of Physick and his planes. “Yes,” his neck at some inordinate leap, and since he replied, “I told you I knew all about you.” that period has followed the exercise of a boat- Then turning quickly round to one of his man on the Thames, by rowing every morning dressers, who had covered a wound with several miles before breakfast. He has a passion for domestic animals—horses, dogs, and cats. through fierce and protracted hostilities, they His enormous black cat, Tom, is almost as well had long been cut off. Soon after his return from known in London as Liston himself, being, not the continent, he settled in Edinburgh, became unfrequently, mounted alongside his master a hospital surgeon, speedily acquired private in the splendid chariot, and a constant guest at practice, devoted himself to Anatomy, com- his hospitable board, where I had the honour of menced the formation of a surgical cabinet, and forming his acquaintance, by finding his foot was so full of zeal and enthusiasm in all his in my soup before being aware of its proximity pursuits as to bid fair, in a short time to rival to my plate. the most celebrated surgeons of the place. His Mr. Liston is about forty-seven years of age, ardent temperament, however, and unbounded and though only a recent resident of London, ambition did not suffer him to remain contented has already much business, and will, no doubt, with the comparatively small sphere in which he ere long, rise to the top of the profession. He moved; animated therefore, with the thought is professor of clinical surgery in the London of measuring his strength with London surgeons University (an institution now nearly equal of the first eminence, he sought that metropolis to that of Edinburgh in the number of its and at once entered, with characteristic enthu- pupils), and has a large and valuable patho- siasm, upon professional duty, struck out a logical cabinet, I took great pleasure in examin- new line of hospital practice, by establishing a ing. He is the author, moreover, of an excellent charitable institution, whose wards were open, work on surgery, rendered familiar to Americans gratuitously, to every member of the profession, through the edition, with valuable notes, by to whom the right was awarded of bringing his Dr. Norris, of this city. patients and operating upon them one day in each week, before numerous professional visitors Mr . James Ward rop and distinguished foreign surgeons, whose coun- With Mr. James Wardrop, who, for the last sel and assistance could be commanded to any thirty years, has resided in London and enjoyed extent. This institution was continued for eight high reputation as a surgeon, I was well years, and was only abandoned on account of acquainted in Edinburgh. He is a native, indeed, the great fatigue necessary to carry out the mag- of Scotland, having been born near Linthigow nitude and importance of the scheme. The result, in 1782: but at an early age removed to Edin- however, proved so far beneficial by causing burgh, and commenced the study of his pro- the publication, in the Lancet, of a great num- fession under his uncle, Dr. Andrew Wardrop, ber of extraordinary cases, equally curious and for many years an eminent surgeon of that city. interesting, under the title of “Reports of Having enjoyed all the advantage attendant the Hospital Surgery.” But before Mr. Wardrop upon British schools he repaired to France, left Edinburgh he had distinguished himself as a during the height of hostilities between that writer, by the publication of an interesting and country and England, and contrived, by con- valuable work, the “Morbid Anatomy of the cealing himself in obscure lodgings near the Human Eye,” illustrated by very accurate £cole de Medicine, to pursue his studies with and most beautiful colored representations of great success, though in perpetual danger of the diseases of the different textures of that being discovered by the police, by whom some organ, by an excellent volume on “Fungus of his fellow-students and countrymen had Haematodes,” and by numerous essays in the been seized and thrown into prison. From Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal. Since France he escaped to Germany, where under his residence in London, he has continued to the most eminent teachers, especially Beer of employ his pen on the most important subjects Vienna, he reaped additional advantages, and —on aneurism, on the diseases of the heart, finally, after great privations, was fortunate on the diseases of the eye of the horse and their enough through a passport, obtained for him treatment, which gained a premium from the by his Edinburgh friends, from an American Agricultural Society: has furnished an interest- student, since one of the most eminent pro- ing life of the late Dr. Baillie; and contributed, fessors in the United States, to reach his country largely, to numerous journals, essays and cases again and able to impart to his brethren much of the most interesting description. With his valuable continental information from which, late Majesty George the Fourth Mr. Wardrop was a great favourite, accompanied him, at the “Do you see,” said he, “that fine-looking old King’s request, on his visit to Scotland, attended gentleman on that ambling dun-colored cob? him, professionally, upon various occasions That is Young the tragedian, whom you must and in his last illness, and received from him have seen, formerly, on the stage, or, perhaps, the offer of a baronetcy—which, however, he known when he was a surgeon. Is it not strange declined from prudential motives. he would condescend to ride such an animal?” I called upon Mr. Wardrop at his residence in At the same moment a good-looking young man Charles Street, and introduced myself as an stopped at the Duke of Wellington’s door and old acquaintance, and was gratified to find he dismounted from a splendid dark-brown filly. could have recollected me, after the lapse of so “Ah,” he said, “There’s something worth look- long a time, as one of the companions of his ing at. That is the Marquis of Douro—there’s favourite pupil De Souza—a young Portuguese blood for you—look at her legs—examine her of great talent and promise, who perished pre- withers—observe her red-hot eye! zounds! what maturely, much regretted by all his friends, and a pair of ears, like the fingers of a glove;—did by none more sincerely than by his affectionate you ever see such a back! but come along, I preceptor. His appearance was much changed, know her stock;—come into the Park, I’ll show since I had last seen him, the result, no doubt, of you a hundred of the same breed. There comes hard work of mind and body in a profession, the Queen and that awkward Russian Prince. which of all others requires the most incessant Look at his long legs, like a pair of tongs. She toil and labour, and which is sure to be accom- rides beautifully. See how easy she sits in her panied with unmitigated suffering and anxiety saddle and how she plays him off. That’s not of mind, even if rewarded with the comforts, her best nag either. Her little gray mare has such as they are, of extensive practice and pro- more action; but she has had nothing very fessional fame. There was something still fine since she lost her black Arabian—Beauty.” striking, however, about his tall, thin, but And in this strain he continued until it was well-formed figure, his quick, restless, inquisitive time for me to call a cab, ride home and dress eye, and animated, but thoughtful countenance, for a dinner at my friend Guthrie’s. With some which interested me exceedingly. I sat an hour of the eminent London surgeons Wardrop is with him and listened to his rapid and spirited not very popular, owing to the belief that he elocution while he gave a sketch of some of has handled them roughly in the “Lancet.” the events of his chequered life, his difficulties Most of them admit, however, his talents, and and anxieties, his persecutions, as he considered there are those who place many of his actions them, his writings, lectures, operations, his to eccentricity and enthusiasm, and make amusements, his love for domestic animals, the necessary allowance. There are others, his passionate fondness for horses, their turf again, exceedingly fond of him, and I confess performances, their form, action and pedi- I saw much to admire and very little to find grees, coupled with inquiries concerning Ameri- fault with—after making due allowance for can nags, their trotting feats and peculiarities; a manner the result of quick perception and in all which he seemed equally interested, often natural excitability. getting out of breath during the details flying Among other surgeons and physicians from one part of the room to another, and whom Dr. Gibson met in England were answering questions himself when the response Dr. John Bostock and Sir Henry Holland. seemed to be coming tardily. Two or three His description of the personal appearance other visits I paid him and invariably found him in the same mood. Upon one occasion, also of the latter is rather amusing: I met him walking in Piccadilly, near Hyde In personal appearance there is nothing Park Corner, on a delightful afternoon, when striking or commanding about him; on the there was an unusual turn-out of splendid contrary he is rather diminutive in stature, equipages and of well mounted equestrians, slender and delicate in frame, and from his all of which he appeared to know, intuitively, pallid complexion and plain dress might pass, and of which he gave me more information in readily, for any thing but an Englishman. His half an hour than I could have got, probably, head too, as a specimen, is little calculated to from any other man in London in a week. sustain phrenological doctrines—making due allowance for the fact, however, that very few eminence, were paid for by government, and who venture to pronounce decisively, in such gratuitous, as respected the pupil; that the matters, merely from a glance, or without reputation of these men was dependent, mainly, actual examination and measurement, possess upon the exertions they made in their several sufficient knowledge to enable them to express departments or lectureships, and that in turn, an opinion at all; in which number candour their chances of obtaining high standing in might, possibly, compel me to include myself. practice and lucrative employment, was in After his delightful sojourn in England, proportion to their success and celebrity as Gibson crossed the Channel and passed professors, teachers, and hospital physicians some time in Paris. As is well known, and surgeons; the natural consequence of all Paris at that time was a great medical which was, that pupils would remain in Paris, where they had little or nothing to pay, and center for American and Gibson students, where the advantages were at least equal to writes as follows concerning its advantages: those for which in other countries they would Of the advantages of a residence in Paris be obliged to pay, and their teachers, from for medical purposes, beyond most other cities, having the strongest possible motives for I was well apprised, but the real amount and improving themselves and their classes, must value of such advantages I certainly had no necessarily acquire a skill and reputation, at adequate conception of until they were pre- least equal to that of teachers in other parts of sented to my view, nor could I fully understand the world. why pupils, after having completed their Gibson gives an interesting description of studies in this country, and sailed for Europe in quest of additional information, should, almost the Latin quarter, which then, as always, to a man, take up their quarters, exclusively, was the center of medical activities. in the French metropolis, and never think, My first visit upon reaching Paris, was to afterwards of attending the lectures and walk- that quarter of the town called the Pays-Latin, ing the rounds of the English, Scotch, and in which the greater number of the hospitals, Irish colleges and hospitals. But I had not been the Lcole de Medecine and its Museum, a week in Paris before I understood, perfectly, the Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine, the nature of the case, by finding that there the Museum of Dupuytren, are situated, where were hundreds, nay thousands of individuals, all the medical students and many of the employed in demonstrating, teaching, and professors, private lecturers, demonstrators, unravelling, in every possible way, the most medical booksellers, instrument makers, medical intricate subjects, in every branch of our artistes, anatomical workers in wax and papier science and art, and for a compensation so mache, preparers of natural and artificial exceedingly small, and, oftentimes, without skeletons and other varieties of surgical and any compensation at all, as to be within the anatomical specimens, reside; where the streets limits of the poorest and most destitute student are so narrow and filthy, and without pave- —that the demonstrations and lectures were ments or side walks, as to endanger life at carried on throughout every season of the year, every corner; where the houses are so high, and with an energy and enthusiasm, altogether old-fashioned and gloomy as to resemble jails, surprising and unheard of in most other Euro- or penitentiaries, and nearly shut out the light pean countries—that subjects, owing to peculiar of heaven; where the Catacombs, those vast regulations of government, an overgrown popu- depositories of human bones, the accumulated lation and accidents, and diseases resulting collection of ages, lie beneath the feet, extend therefrom, were more abundant and cheaper to unknown distances, and seem to respond by than elsewhere, and that living, where the hollow groans to the tread of the foot-passenger, student was really desirous of economising and and rumble beneath the jar of cumbrous vehicles of employing his time to the utmost advantage, and the tramp of clumsy animals, that are inces- was so cheap as not to amount necessarily santly threading the narrow defiles above their beyond a few francs a day. Above all, I found desolate but populous domains; where noisome that the regular lectures in the different hos- smells of concentrated vigour and activity and pitals and institutions, by men of the first varied odour, assail the olfactories from every quarter; where loud and discordant cries of he is surrounded, and to become so attached wandering tribes of vagabonds vending their to the filth and inquinated atmosphere he has peculiar animal and vegetable productions, been digesting and respiring for so long a time, fall upon the sensitive and startled tympanum as to feel almost broken-hearted at the prospect of the stranger like strokes of the sledge-ham- of leaving them. mer or harsh gratings of the sawpit; where the One morning while Gibson was talk- barking of dogs, the screams of parrots and the ing with his distinguished fellow country- chattering of monkeys, mixed with the gabble of old women and men; where the bowing and man, Eve of Georgia, he received a visit nodding, and scraping and salutations and from Velpeau, of whom he writes most recognitions of street passengers, bobbing interestingly: against and shouldering each other—followed I had often heard of Velpeau as a homely, by the incessant and everlasting apology ungainly, personage, with grizzly hair standing “Pardon Monsieur,” and, in return, by the up like a shoe-brush, rough in his manners and complacent shrug and grin of the sufferer, careless in dress. I found him, however, polite, and the exclamation “pas du tout,” afford the agreeable, lively, easy and genteel, dressed most amusing and melancholy mixture of plainly, but with as much neatness as most pleasurable and disagreeable sensation that other gentlemen. He sat for half an hour con- can possibly be conceived, and have afforded, versing with great intelligence and good humour no doubt, many a scene for the dramatist and on various subjects; asked numerous questions painter. respecting our medical men, and his former Yet in this very quarter, so different from the American pupils, whom he named and spoke fine squares and buildings, and gardens, and of with pleasure. In referring to his numerous broad avenues of other parts of Paris, and works, and expressing my surprise that he separated from them by the intervention of the should find time, engaged as he was in hospital river, are to be found the dwellings of men and private practice, to read and quote so whose fame and reputation have extended to many English, American and other foreign every comer of the earth; where the science of books, he replied with an honesty and candor medicine in all its branches is taught with an I did not expect, “Oh, my dear sir, you see assiduity and accuracy, enthusiasm and fidelity, how little I know of your language, it would unknown in most other parts of the world; be impossible for me to read all these books where the student revels from dawn to sunset, myself, but I have excellent young friends and, if he please, throughout the night, among among your countrymen, and students from lectures, dissections, demonstrations and prepa- all parts of the world, and get them to read for rations, until he is stuffed and crammed, me and furnish translations and extracts, and and saturated with knowledge to such extent, in this way appear as learned as you have as to leave no room for additional supply; been pleased to consider me.” I was delighted where he may go at almost any moment and with this amiable frankness, and afterwards witness important operations on the living took every opportunity of seeing him at his body, listen to a lecture on the case and the house and at La Charite, where he is principal reasons for performing it, and, if with an un- surgeon. His history is an extraordinary one, favourable result, have an opportunity of seeing and calculated to make a strong impression the injection and dissection of the parts, and upon a student who has experienced the hard their mode of preservation; where he may per- usage and buffetings of this world, as it will form with his own hand operation after opera- convince him there is no situation in life, how- tion, guided by some able assistant, until he ever humble, no circumstances however difficult, acquires a perfect knowledge of the principles no misfortunes and entanglements, however which govern him, the instruments he employs, complicated, he may not extricate himself and the nature of the case in which he resorts from and rise to the highest eminence, provided to such measures; where, in short, he may be he is endowed with talent, energy, enterprise engaged for months, or years, in such varied and good conduct. and useful professional avocations as to be I was walking with my old Philadelphia insensible to the disagreeable scenes by which friend in the Palais Royal, in quest of a watch, and struck with the open and honest physiog- should both meet with occupations worthy of nomy of a middle-aged man, whom we observed our toil. through the window so busily engaged at his “With scanty means and slender wardrobes work as not to perceive us, determined to fastened to our backs, we commenced our enter and examine his commodities. After journey on foot, and after a time reached Tours, selecting an article of beautiful workmanship, where the money of my friend giving out, such as we had not seen in any other establish- he was obliged to remain and work at his trade, ment, demanding the price, and then, according while I pursued my solitary way to the Capital, to usage, endeavouring to get at the lowest and meeting with no better employment took sum, the man, with a deep sigh and most dis- up with the villanous business of watchmaking. consolate look, said that his profession was a Several weeks afterwards my friend arrived, most unfortunate one—that for years he had and hiring for three francs a black coat, which toiled from morning till night poring over the did not fit, and contrasted strangely with his wheels and springs of watches with magnifying country garments, waited upon the celebrated glasses, until he had nearly put out a pair of Dubois—offering to become his pupil—who, the finest and sharpest eyes God ever made, impressed favourably, notwithstanding the ludi- and by long sitting had injured his limbs and crous figure he cut in his long-tailed coat and impaired his constitution. “Oh.” said he, sky-blue pantaloons, told him he might live “that I had been a surgeon, how different among his servants and have the run of his might have been my situation!” Then turning, kitchen for some weeks, until he could ascertain and looking us full in the face, he continued, the nature and extent of his qualifications. “Gentlemen, I am a poor individual, without The proposal was joyfully accepted, but before fame or consequence, but my history, inasmuch the expiration of the allotted time, my friend as it is connected with that of a dear friend, whose gave so many proofs of genius and talent, and reputation is well known all over the world, worked with such assiduity and success as to is nevertheless a singular and interesting one, astonish Dubois, and cause him henceforward and for his sake, if you can spare time, I will to consider him as a companion and friend. relate it to you.” Struck with the manner and From that moment the fortune of my village earnestness of the man, and favourably im- crony was made; for, under the excellent Dubois, pressed towards him, we took seats in his small he not only made astonishing progress in his shop and listened to his narrative. “I was the medical studies, but was so diligent and untiring son,” said he, “of a poor miller, and the father of as to acquire in a short time such knowledge of my friend followed the occupation of blacksmith the classics, and most of the languages of in the village of Breches and province of Loire, modern Europe, as read them with facility. and at an early age we were both initiated in So much time, indeed, was devoted to all his the mysteries of our paternal vocations, he pursuits as to render him very careless of shoeing horses, and I grinding grain from morn- his appearance and costume, and I remember ing till night. In spite however, of the severe how much mortification I experienced from labour to which my friend was exposed, he perceiving that my master did not relish the devoted many hours of the night to improving occasional visits of my friend, and especially his mind, and twice a week attended a country when he told me upon one occasion I ought to school three miles off. His father’s library keep better company, for he was seriously consisted of two books—the complete drover afraid that ill-looking fellow would rob his and a volume of medical receipts—which the shop. I endeavoured after this to prevail upon young blacksmith was so enamoured of as to my old friend to attend better to his toilet, commit to memory, and from that period but he said such matters were beneath a man turned his attention to medicine. He continued, of science and proofs of a weak mind, and for however, to shoe horses, and prescribe for their his part, thought when a coat required brushing diseases until his twenty-third year, when it was time to get a new one. growing tired of such labour and burning to “Since that period only a few years have distinguish himself in higher pursuits, proposed elapsed, and my country friend, farrier, and to me to leave our native village and repair to blacksmith, is now at the head of the profession the Capital, where he was sure, he said, we in Paris, a distinguished professor and hospital surgeon, the author of large and valuable swollen, each orifice of the wound blocked up volumes in every department of the profession, by a fungus, through the crevices of which and, withal, a man of fortune. And where,” offensive matter streamed copiously. Velpeau he continued, “am I? Still a poor miserable was evidently alarmed, and turning to me watchmaker in the Palais Royal and the tenant said, “What do you think of that case, and of this pill-box of a shop, in which you are sit- what would you have done with it in your hos- ting.” And pray, Mr. Jarossay, said I, may pital?’’ I should have cut it off, I replied, as I ask who that friend of yours may be? “That soon as possible after reaction. “Ah,” said he, friend, sir,” said he, slowly rising from his “that would have given his limb no chance. bench, putting forth his right arm, and stamp- I have been trying to save it; besides, he was ing firmly with his foot upon the floor, “that unwilling to part with it; saying, he would friend, sir, is not less than the celebrated rather die than wear a wooden leg. But I believe Velpeau.” I must now operate, though it is rather late.” The next day I called upon Velpeau, and Soon after he repaired to his lecture-room and found him in his study behind a pile of books, poured forth, extemporaneously, one of the which he was pitching with great vivacity from most learned and interesting discourses on right to left, in search of authorities and quota- spontaneous gangrene, I ever listened to, quot- tions for a large work on surgery then in press. ing immense number of authorities with the He showed me the translation of a letter I utmost ease and accuracy, but, in the midst of had sent him, at his request, detailing the his fluency suddenly stammered, and, under results of certain operations in my own practice, great embarrassment, said, “Gentlemen, this and said he had obtained similar documents is the first time I ever forgot a name,”—which from other American surgeons. Before leaving was confirmed by the pupils around, some of I took the opportunity to ask if Jarossay’s whom had attended him for years. After story was correct. “Perfectly so,” said he, lecture, the poor patient with broken thigh was “as far as it goes, he is still my friend, an honest brought in and placed upon the table, and man, and one of the best watchmakers in Paris, Velpeau, with the long, narrow, double-edged of whom you may purchase without hesitation.” knife, resembling a cut-and-thrust sword, and I returned to the Palais Royal and secured the used by most French surgeons, amputated the watch, and commend all in quest of such articles limb by forming a double flap, and sawing off “to go and do likewise.” the bone two inches above its shattered extrem- I arrived in Paris shortly after the revolution ity. The poor fellow gave one loud and agoniz- of May, 1839, when the hospitals were crowded ing scream and fell back. Velpeau, however, with gun-shot wounds of every description, proceeded very deliberately and humanely, in men, women and children, many of them and, if not with the despatch of a Roux or received, accidently, in their houses whilst Liston, with accuracy and neatness sufficient to engaged in domestic concerns, from stray bul- prove himself not only a learned lecturer, but lets, which found their way into the most a very clever operator. The man through retired places. One poor fellow, among the strength of constitution recovered; but nine rest, lost his life from a ball which struck him patients out of ten, in a crowded hospital in the neck whilst shaving in a garret of one of like La Charite, would have died, and their the lofty houses on the Quai Voltaire, and lungs, and other internal organs, been found which had been fired from the opposite side of filled with metastatic abscesses. the river. Another, a noble-looking man, while The appearance of Roux is rather singular. shutting the windows of his shop, received a He is a dapper, little gentleman of great stir shot in the middle of the thigh, which fractured and activity, straight as an arrow, stands bolt the bone in a shocking manner. I saw him, upright, and has a peculiar obliquity and twink- among others, on the nth of June, whilst ling of the eye, which indicate sly humour and accompanying Velpeau through his wards. self-satisfaction. His complexion is rosy and He seemed in a deplorable condition, his skin healthful, his nose thick, turned slightly to like wax, and covered by clammy perspiration, one side, and its extremity snub and somewhat his tongue foul, his eyes glassy, his system bulbous. In person he is remarkably neat and irritable in the extreme, his thigh prodigiously particular, and seems not a little vain of his gentleman-like figure and manners. He is very from nature, with his pathological and ana- kind, seemingly, to his patients, and I observed tomical researches on hernia, numerous memoirs a peculiar smile of satisfaction playing over on various other surgical diseases, and interest- their features as he approached, and in a ing “Souvenirs de la vie privee du General good-humoured, chirping, way said something Lafayette,” of whom he was the confidential to each, by way of pleasantry and consolation friend, I felt peculiarly desirous of forming his ...... Roux has long been considered the acquaintance. Through the kindness of Dr. neatest, quickest, and best operator in France, Bertin, one of the most eminent physicians of and although now seventy-one, appears to Paris, I had the happiness to hear him lecture have lost none of his energy and activity of and see him operate at the Hospital of the body or mind. His private practice is very Faculty of Medicine, where he is clinical large, and the labour he goes through in the professor, but (owing to domestic afflictions, Hotel Dieu, from seven until ten in the morning, by which he was overwhelmed, at the time of is immense. I saw in his wards several ampu- my sojourn at Paris) had no opportunity to tated stumps, beautifully formed and nearly enjoy his society; which I regretted the more closed, through adhesion—also compound frac- as I was exceedingly interested by his whole tures of the leg, admirably adjusted, and put up appearance and demeanour. It would be with long narrow splints, and the bandage of difficult, indeed, to find an individual in any Scultetus. country better calculated to produce a favour- Gibson gives a curious picture of the able impression upon most minds; for, inde- pendently of his eminently genteel figure and surgeon Lisfranc: air, and his handsome, expressive features, Of Lisfranc I saw enough to convince me that there is something so gentle, quiet, and unpre- many of the reports concerning him are without tending about him, as to win, instinctively, foundation. He is a big, burly, narrow-shoul- every heart, and sufficient to account for the dered man, more than six feet high, negligent universal estimation in which he is held, even in dress, awkward in gait, uncouth in manners, by his brethren, who, in Paris especially, are and loud and boisterous in discourse. In his the last to see and acknowledge merit in con- lectures he is said to be so unsparing of his temporaries and rivals. brethren, and, in hospital practice, so harsh Ricord, notwithstanding his youth, from the towards his patients, as to be unpopular with high position he holds as a lecturer and hospital both. I cannot say whether those charges are surgeon, may be looked upon as one of the most well founded, but am inclined to believe them eminent men in France. He is attached to the exaggerated, inasmuch as I saw nothing, beyond Hopital du Midi, in the Rue des Capucins, the natural want of polish in the man (increased, faubourg St. Jacques, where he delivers clinical I thought, by affectation of wishing to appear lectures several times a week, to crowds of worse than he really was), from which I should pupils, on the various forms of syphilitic disease have drawn such a conclusion. —this hospital being devoted exclusively to With Cloquet and Ricord, Gibson was such complaints, under the management of himself, Manec and CuIIierer; the latter of much impressed. whom has, also, considerable reputation. Than Than Jules Cloquet there are few medical Ricord, however, I have seldom listened to a men in France better known as an accomplished more eloquent and successful lecturer—being writer, lecturer, anatomist, and practical sur- remarkable for the simplicity and clearness of geon. Possessed of genius of high order, com- his language, which flows in a copious, uninter- bined with exquisite taste and skill as an artist, rupted stream, with an enunciation so distinct the most finished education, and manners and emphatic as to be understood, with perfect peculiarly bland and attractive, it may be ease, by every pupil and stranger. On this readily imagined such a man could scarcely account, as well as his profound knowledge of fail to become eminent. From thorough the subject, his lectures are crowded with acquaintance with his splendid folio volumes Englishmen and Americans, to the latter of on anatomy, illustrated by twelve or thirteen whom he is particularly attentive—being, in hundred lithographic figures, mostly drawn fact, himself an American, born of French parents, in Baltimore, where he received his cependant, quoique si jeune, it possedait tout education, and resided, as he told me, until his le jugement, la sagesse et la connaissance sixteenth year. This is sufficient to account for d’un age mur;” referred again and again to his speaking English as fluently as French. the beautiful tribute paid by his father1 to his Ricord is now about thirty-five, a tall, fine- memory; in publishing his letters whilst a looking man, prepossessing and gentleman- student'in Paris—letters, he said, not filled, as like, and extensively engaged in private practice. too common, with the frivolities, and fashions, Gibson did not see Baron Larrey. and amusements of our capital, but written from the hospitals, at the bed-side of patients, Baron Larrey, Napoleon’s celebrated surgeon containing concise and accurate views of their and friend, I did not see. He was much indis- cases, and this, too, at a time, when surrounded posed, at the time of my visit, and although by the dead and the dying, in the midst of possessed of credentials from the Count Sur- cholera, typhus, and other malignant diseases, villers which would have secured me a welcome when most students would not only have fled reception, I felt unwilling to trespass upon the the hospitals, but even the city. He also inquired old gentleman’s privacy at that moment. He affectionately, after Dr. (W. S. Gerhard), of is now seventy-five, and lives in great retire- this city, of whom he spoke in terms of high ment, having never recovered entirely, it is commendation, said he had been one of his said, his spirits after the emperor’s disastrous best and most attentive pupils, rejoiced to reverses of fortune—though he still continues, hear of the reputation he had already acquired occasionally, to give the profession the result for knowledge of diseases of the chest and their of his vast experience, through the medium of treatment, and pronounced him, on all pro- memoirs and other contributions. His son, a fessional subjects, “un medicin habile.” young man of reputed talents, is rising into The personality and work of the great notice, and has already acquired some reputa- French orthopedist, Jules Guerin, made a tion by his surgical writings, and especially by great impression on Gibson: his account of the seige of Antwerp. One of the most interesting surgeons I saw Louis made a great impression on'Gibson: in Paris was Dr. Jules Guerin, editor of the Of all the physicians of Paris, there is no Gazette Medicale, and Superintendant of the one, perhaps, at this moment, who occupies Orthopedic Institution of Muette—situated at more elevated ground than Louis. I saw him Passy, near the Bois de Boulogne. Accompanied for the first time, at the Hotel Dieu, going the by my friend, Dr. Mott, by whom I was intro- rounds among his patients, before breakfast, duced to Dr. Guerin, I spent the greater part and was particularly struck with his tall slender, of a fine day in ranging over the numerous erect, and commanding figure; and not less buildings and apartments of the fine old chateau, pleased with his open, expressive, and eminently now converted to other purposes, and its beauti- handsome physiognomy—altogether bearing a ful grounds of forty acres, ornamented with close resemblance, except in being much taller, every variety of tree and shrub, and tastefully to one of our most promising young physicians laid out with gravelled walks, gardens, lawns, Dr. B...e. Being, then, too much occupied all furnished with every species of rural luxury with his patients to engage in free conversation, calculated to please the fancy or benefit the he invited me, kindly, to visit him as often as health of those who, from choice or necessity, I found convenient; and next day called at may seek such an asylum. Here boys and girls Meurice’s and sat an hour; asked numerous of almost every age, but in separate depart- questions concerning his American pupils; ments, were skipping about full of frolic and spoke, with tears in his eyes, of the ioss our glee, some performing complicated evolutions country, and, indeed, the world, had sustained on the tightrope; others ascending inclined by the death of young Jackson of Boston; planes by the power of their fingers and toes; repeatedly exclaiming, “Ah! pauvre jeune and all engaged in various gymnastic or callis- homme, pauvre jeune homme! il fut un hon- thenic exercises, admirably calculated to brace neure du genre humain, si modest, si bon, si and develop the muscles, expand the chest, or prudent, si affectionne et si obeissant; et 1 The distinguished Dr. Jackson of Boston. strengthen the joints. In other places we saw of the institution under his direction; without, limbs carefully put up in various forms of too, exhibiting the least jealousy or fear lest ingenious machinery, some calculated to keep we should carry off one or more of his plans ligaments and tendons upon the stretch, others and afterwards report or publish them as our to sustain the entire trunk or limbs and take own. Nor was there any invidious comparison off the pressure of superincumbent parts; between his own institution and others of and others, again, to retain, in proper position, similar character; nor the slightest attempt to parts previously separated by the knife, until extol or blazon forth the merits of himself and the process of adhesion should be established coadjutors; many of whom we saw engaged in in new situations. Many of the cases, indeed, their various duties of conducting the educa- furnished interesting specimens of spinal dis- tion of the patients, while he himself took the ease in all its varieties and modifications—from sole charge of their diseases, so that they did the simple lateral distortion, to the perfect not lose the benefits of the former, as too often posterior angular deformity—to correct the happens, while subjected to misfortune of the former of which division of the tendons or latter. Upon the whole, we returned to Paris, muscles of the back in a few instances had been after our long visit, highly gratified with all resorted to. Here, too, we saw Pied-Bot, or we had seen; and not less pleased with, the club-foot, (displayed in endless tortuosities, urbanity, modesty, and gentleman-like address or characterized by the most singular and of Dr. Guerin, than with his fine talents, pro- uncommon angularities), either made straight fessional learning and skill. He is quite a young by the division of tendons, or, when the peculi- man in appearance, not exceeding, I should arity of the case did not admit such operation, think, thirty-five, is rather tall and thin, with under the influence of pressure and tension, fine sparkling eyes, and black hair, and most from machinery or apparatus adapted expressly animated joyous expression, very active and to the purpose. In more than two hundred quick in his movements, and altogether such instances had Dr. Guerin, as he told us, already a man as would force another, if he had any performed, with more or less success, the com- thing in him, to bring it out, or, in other words, mon operation for that disease, the peculiarities to inspire vivacity—by his own vivaciousness. and results of which, not resting merely upon From all quarters I, afterwards, heard of the his own ipse dixit, but confirmed by the testi- superiority of his institution over every other mony of numerous respectable surgeons, who, in France; and of his own merit there cannot from time to time examined the patients, or be stronger proof than the circumstance of his saw, from beginning to end, the treatment. having received from the Academy of Sciences It would be difficult, indeed, to enumerate the their great surgical prize of ten thousand francs, various cases of wry neck, muscular contraction, for the excellence of the principles by which he anchylosis, dislocation, and other deformities is governed, and for the superiority of his offered to our inspection, all which were sub- modes of treating the peculiar diseases, and jected to the influence of mechanical contriv- injuries, and malformations to which he has ances either invented for each peculiar case, or devoted so much attention. adapted to it with mathematical precision or Gibson had the opportunity of seeing the nicety, and their action, watched with scru- bladder surgery of the two most noted tinizing care and untiring assiduity. From the lithotritists of the time, Civiale and Leroy patients’ room we walked to a separate building, a short distance from the chief establishment, D’EtioIIes. containing the museum or collection of morbid As Dr. Civiale is not less remarkable for his specimens of every possible variety of deformity, kindness and hospitality than for skill and as well as plaster casts, almost without number, success as a lithotritist, it will create no sur- of some of the most uncommon and extraor- prise when I say that we were received with the dinary muscular or osseous derangements or utmost cordiality, and invited to accompany irregularities. Nothing could exceed the polite- him through the hospital, after which we were ness with which we were greeted by Dr. Guerin, taken to the lecture-room, and there found two or the zeal and enthusiasm displayed by him or three calculous patients waiting for him. in explaining the peculiarities and advantages He commenced by examining one, upon whom he had previously operated several times, to you my whole collection of calculi, such as I ascertain if any fragment could be found. After have removed by the knife or reduced to frag- repeated injections of the bladder, however, ments, and all the instruments I have ever (with which he never dispenses), and very found it necessary to employ.’’ careful search with a straight canula and Although prepared, from report, to meet litholabe, not the smallest particle could be with great dexterity on the part of Civiale, I discovered, and the patient was discharged had no just conception of the extraordinary cured. A second patient then presented himself, facility with which he manoeuvred his instru- and, like the first, without assistance got upon ments, until I witnessed the operations referred the table, when Civiale, after injecting the to. There could not, indeed, have been exhibited bladder, very cautiously and slowly introduced more perfect skill in any branch of operative a percuteur, of construction peculiar to him- mechanics, than displayed by him upon the self, caught the stone instantly, and as quickly occasion, and yet not such as an inexperienced crushed it, again and again, by opening and person would have estimated, for there was not shutting the instrument repeatedly, and taking the slightest attempt at effect, by twisting or fresh hold—without giving the slightest pain, turning of instruments, or any aim at feats of for as soon as the instruments were withdrawn dexterity, but, on the contrary, the most delib- the man jumped off the table with the utmost erate, delicate, graceful movements imaginable, alacrity, and, with a smile upon his counte- as if the instrument were performing its own nance, walked to his room. After this, Civiale evolutions, for it seemed to be gliding along commenced a lecture on lithotrity, which con- under its own weight and power, rather than tinued an hour, during which he explained, in from any effort of the operator. This, indeed, is the most minute and circumstantial way, the the great peculiarity of Civiale, and the founda- whole process, and particularly inculcated the tion of his success; for most operators I had importance of injecting the bladder, and using previously seen, hurried as much as possible, the instrument with the utmost care and gentle- without proper regard to the patient’s suffering, ness, saying, that all the accidents inexperienced whereas Civiale watched closely the counte- operators had met with, were to be traced to nance, and when he saw any evidence of pain harshness and violence. After lecture, we again kept his instruments still, waited for some walked with him through the wards, and saw time, or removed them, if necessary. The last numerous cases of stricture, enlarged prostate observation, indeed, he made to me, upon and other similar affections, all under treat- taking leave of him, in Paris, was, “Be as ment. Upon reaching the hospital gate, he gentle as possible, and do not keep the patient insisted upon my friend and myself getting long on the table, and you will seldom experience into his barouche, and allowing him to escort any difficulty or disaster.” us home. During the ride he talked chiefly of At the appointed time, accompanied by my the frequency of stone in all parts of the world; friend, I waited upon Civiale, but found myself said it was much more common than was so engaged, in conversing with him and his imagined; that many persons died from it who guests, assembled to meet us, and in enjoying were never suspected, during life, to have had his elegant hospitality—for he lives like a any complaint of the kind; that he had no prince, in one of the most splendid and costly doubt there were stone cases enough in many houses in Paris^-as to have no opportunity of the large American cities to employ two or of examining his instruments and calculi. three surgeons; that a young surgeon of Paris After dinner we all retired to the drawing-room, had found in Vienna more than three hundred in the middle of which stood a magnificent cases of the disease in less than a year, when billiard-table—to which the French gentlemen, few or none were supposed to exist in that city; speedily, made their way, Civiale among the and concluded, by remarking, that he himself rest, all anxious to display their skill. I felt had met with stone in a new-born infant, which, curious to know how the great lithotritist would upon analysis, was found to consist of three acquit himself in this kind of occupation, and layers, each of peculiar composition. At parting, therefore watched his manoeuvres closely, but we received an invitation to dine with him a was disappointed; for he proved himself unequal few days afterwards, saying, “ I will then show to his opponent, but bore his defeat with very good grace, while some of his friends, equally half the stone in Europe. To see and know him unsuccessful, seemed on wires and under the and witness his performances, is alone well highest excitement. Upon one occasion, when worth a trip across the Atlantic. Civiale had been making most strenuous efforts With Leroy D’EtioIIes, the celebrated lithot- to pocket the balls, I whispered to him, I was ritist, my acquaintance was not less intimate, sure he could get them out of the bag much easier perhaps, than with Civiale. Through his un- than he could put them in; at which, understand- wonted assiduity in calling for me—frequently ing at once the professional allusion, he laughed before six in the morning—I witnessed a number immoderately. The next day I spent a long time of his operations on private patients, and in with him examining his superb collection of hospital practice, all which were performed with calculi and instruments, some of which last he the utmost dexterity, and a success that almost insisted on presenting to me—saying, he wished invariably crowns his efforts. The first opera- them to be known to my class. From this period tions I saw him perform were on the 21st of I saw Civiale daily, and witnessed numerous June, at the clinical hospital of the School of operations on his private patients, which were Medicine. His instruments differ, in many performed in a style and with a result impossible respects, from Civiale’s but are all intended to exceed. to answer the same ends. Leroy D’EtioIIes, Some may, after all this, wish to know what indeed, is the inventor of a greater number of sort of a looking man Dr. Civiale is. I answer, ingenious instruments for many surgical pur- in few words, that he is one of the most polished, poses, besides lithotrity, than any other man, gentleman-like, and agreeable men I ever met, perhaps, in France. as simple and unaffected as a child, always In person he is rather spare, below the middle good-humoured, and when he speaks has a height, well-formed, muscular, remarkably gracious smile playing over his features irresist- quick in his movements, and able apparently ibly attractive. He is about five feet eight to encounter great professional labour. His inches in height, stout and muscular, very features are large, prominent, full of animation active, and handsomely proportioned. His fea- and gaiety, and indicate great quickness of tures are regular, and expressive of great energy thought and talent. He is a fine scholar and and decision, his eyes very penetrating, and his writer, speaks English fluently, as well as other hair black as jet. He was a poor boy, without languages, is engaged in extensive practice, and any resources but his genius. He is now one of enjoys the highest reputation, not only in Paris, the richest professional men in Paris—having but throughout Europe, for his share in advanc- received immense fees for his operations—is as ing lithotrity. He is, moreover, an accomplished liberal as he is rich, and in every way deserving gentleman, admired and respected by all that of the reputation and wealth he has acquired. form his acquaintance, and would hold high He is now forty-nine years of age, and if he rank in the profession and in society, in any lives twenty years longer will have quarried part of the world.