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The History of Surgery in Vermont

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The History of Surgery in Vermont PAPER The History of Surgery in Vermont James C. Hebert, MD n 1609, while exploring the lake that now bears his name, Samuel de Champlain looked to the east and exclaimed, “Voila les vert monts.” The Green Mountain State was an inhospi- table place at that time; few dared to settle there until after the end of the French and Indian War, in 1763. By 1771, the population of Vermont was 4667 people. They led a dif- ficultI existence, and the earliest surgeons were true pioneers. Most doctors of the time practiced in widespread areas and had to endure difficult conditions to reach their patients. Many anecdotes about these individuals have survived.1-3 Dr Adam Johnson thwarted an attack by wolves by throw- ing his saddlebags at them. Dr Steven Powers of Woodstock was physically adapted to the chal- lenges of the countryside. He wore buckskin trousers for their durability and as a convenient way to sharpen his surgical instruments. Vermont’s surgical history is inextricably Dr Jonas Fay, the son of Stephen Fay (who linked to the political history of New En- owned the famous Catamount Tavern in gland, New York, and southern Canada. Bennington), was a surgeon to the Green Like many Vermont surgeons, Dr Powers Mountain Boys during the battle of Ticon- participated in the American Revolution deroga. As early as 1774, he served as vice and was a surgeon during the Battle of Bun- president of the Council of Safety of Ver- ker Hill.1 Dr Silas Hodges of Clarendon mont and participated in all of the formal served with George Washington’s Conti- conventions leading to Vermont’s inde- nental Army. However, not all Vermont pendence and the state constitution. He surgeons were loyal to the new republic. was an agent of Vermont to the Continen- Dr Frederick Aubrey of Bradford served tal Congress. Dr Reuben Jones of Rock- as a surgeon in the British Army and was ingham signed the Vermont Declaration credited with caring for General Wolfe’s of Independence and was also a delegate wounds at Quebec. Dr Jacob Roebuck of to the Continental Congress. In Paul Re- Grand Isle was a surgeon for the German vere fashion, he rode to Dummerston to contingent of King George III’s army. warn its inhabitants following the West- In 1741, Vermont’s land area was minster massacre in 1775, the first blood- claimed by New Hampshire.4 New York shed during the American Revolution. disputed New Hampshire’s claim, and in Vermont declared itself an indepen- 1764, the English Crown decided that the dent republic in 1777 under the name of land west of the Connecticut River be- New Connecticut. Six months later, after longed to New York. The citizens of Ver- realizing that a district on the Susque- mont were upset over the rules imposed hanna River had the same name, Dr by the New York County courts against lo- Thomas Young, Ethan Allen’s friend and cal government. Ethan Allen, leader of the tutor, suggested “Vermont” as the state New Hampshire settlers in Vermont, or- name. Vermont was accepted as the 14th ganized the Green Mountain Boys to pro- state on March 4, 1791.4 tect their interests, the same group who Following the example of the origi- fought so ardently at the battles of Ben- nal 13 colonies, the founders of Vermont nington, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point. included in its constitution provisions for an institution of higher learning, a From the University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington. university. The University of Vermont (REPRINTED) ARCH SURG/ VOL 136, APR 2001 WWW.ARCHSURG.COM 467 ©2001 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Downloaded From: https://jamanetwork.com/ on 09/24/2021 (UVM) was established in 1800 under its first presi- surgery and received both a bachelor’s and medical de- dent, Daniel C. Sanders. The medical department was in- gree from Yale University. His father joined him in 1822 stituted in 1804. when classes began.3,5 Although he had never attended medical school, Dr It is unclear whether Pomeroy departed the faculty John Pomeroy was appointed as lecturer in surgery and when Smith arrived in deference to Smith’s national repu- anatomy and later became professor of surgery at UVM. tation or for other reasons.3,5 Pomeroy’s resignation was Born in Marlboro, Mass, in 1764, he apprenticed with accepted, and James Kemp Platt, a member of the Royal Dr James Bradish of Covington and in 1787 migrated to College of Surgeons who had graduated from Middle- Cambridge, Mass, where he had a large practice. He sub- bury College, became professor of surgery at UVM. Little sequently moved to Burlington, Vt, in 1792. At that time, is written about Pomeroy after he left the university; how- Burlington had become one of the largest lumber mar- ever, he was regarded as an excellent and resourceful sur- kets in the country, and the town’s population was 322 geon. One account describes him performing an emer- and growing rapidly. By 1800, he was taking pupils into gency tracheotomy aboard a canal boat in Lake Champlain his home to give them a sample of “physic.” Despite his using a goose quill for a cannula.3 position as lecturer, Dr Pomeroy received no work space Dr Platt, Pomeroy’s successor, died in 1824 and was or financial support from the university; his home on Bat- succeeded by Henry S. Waterhouse. Waterhouse had only tery Street in Burlington remained his classroom and of- an honorary medical degree, which he received from the fice. Dr Pomeroy was awarded an honorary medical de- university in 1823.5 Nathan Smith, perhaps the leading gree in 1809. Only 1 of his students, Truman Powell, was medical educator at that time, gave 4 courses of lectures awarded a bachelor of medicine degree.3,5 in medicine and surgery while simultaneously teaching John Pomeroy continually worked for the advance- at Yale University and Bowdoin College.6 ment of his profession. In 1797, he organized the first Nathan Smith founded 3 medical colleges: Dart- meeting in Chittenden County to develop the Third Medi- mouth, Yale, and Bowdoin. Born in Massachusetts in 1762, cal Society of Vermont for all physicians. This organiza- he moved with his family to Chester, Vt. At 21 years of tion was finally established on December 29, 1803. age, Smith volunteered to assist Dr Joshua Goodhue of Pomeroy was elected president and held the office until Putney, who had come to Chester to perform an ampu- 1813. The First Medical Society of Vermont was estab- tation. Dr Goodhue was a well-known surgeon and presi- lished in Rutland and Bennington counties in 1784, and dent of the trustees of Berkshire Medical College. Fol- the Second Medical Society was incorporated in Wind- lowing a year of study, Smith returned to apprentice with ham in 1794. These societies admitted physicians who Goodhue for 3 years. He then started practicing in Cor- passed an examination and thus attempted to regulate nish, NH. A few years later, he graduated from Harvard medical practice. At that time, only a handful of indi- University and, shortly thereafter, started the medical col- viduals had received medical degrees. Surgery was lim- lege at Dartmouth. He then traveled to Europe, where ited to minor operations and amputations, all per- he broadened his medical education before returning to formed without anesthesia.2 The societies were an attempt the United States to continue his career. A resourceful to legitimize trained individuals both for the public good surgeon, Smith performed an original operation for ovari- and to decrease competition.3 otomy in 1821 with no knowledge of Ephraim McDow- Dr William Beaumont, who became famous for his ell’s operation. studies of digestion, was licensed to practice medicine Nathan Ryno Smith left Burlington for Philadel- in 1812 by the Third Medical Society.5 His diploma was phia, Pa, where he helped to establish Jefferson Medical signed by Dr John Pomeroy and his son Cassius Pomeroy. College. Later he became professor of surgery at the Uni- Dr Pomeroy had assisted Beaumont in 1806 by loaning versity of Maryland.5 In 1993, David Longcope, a seventh- him books. At the time, Beaumont was studying with Drs generation descendant of Nathan Smith, received his Benjamin Chandler and Truman Powell in St Albans. Ten medical degree from the University of Vermont.6 years later, Beaumont first treated Alexis St Martin and In the early 19th century, medical colleges were subsequently began his studies on digestion. springing up everywhere, and Vermont had 3 such insti- Following the War of 1812, Pomeroy invited John tutions.3 Selah Gridley, Pomeroy’s friend and associate with LeCompte Cazier of Castleton to assist him as professor whom he started the Vermont State Medical Society, was of physiology and anatomy. This position was not pro- holding classes in Castleton with Dr Theodore Wood- vided with a stipend by the university. Pomeroy’s son John ward and others as early as 1810. The Vermont General N. Pomeroy, who was serving as professor of chemistry, Assembly granted the Castleton Medical Academy a char- was allowed a salary of $500, $300 of which was to be ter on October 29, 1818. Middlebury College, in 1810, had received from students. His father paid the remaining sum. tried to lure Dr Nathan Smith away from Dartmouth to (This may be one of the earliest examples of clinical dol- establish its medical department. Apparently, Middle- lars subsidizing basic science in a medical school.) The bury offered Dr Smith a lecture room and $200, as well as 3 were permitted to hold their classes in the newly re- the offer to hire a professor of chemistry.
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