Alfred Lebbeus Loomis
Encyclopedia
Alfred Lebbeus Loomis was an American
physician who served as president of the Association of American Physicians
.
in 1851, studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
, New York
, and graduated in 1852. At this time the science of auscultation
and percussion
was developing very rapidly, and this circumstance led him to adopt diseases of the lungs and heart as his specialty. He was appointed visiting physician to Bellevue Hospital
in 1859, and became lecturer on physical diagnosis at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1862.
Shortly after this Loomis's health broke down completely, and he spent six months in the Adirondacks
. The benefit derived from his residence there led to the establishment, years later, of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau
's Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium
at Saranac
, and also, at Liberty
, Sullivan Co.
, N. Y.
, of a Hospital for Consumptive
s. In 1866 Loomis became professor
of the theory and practice of medicine at the University of the City of New York
, the medical department of which later became University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Professor Loomis was appointed visiting physician to Mount Sinai Hospital
in 1874.
He was president of the New York Academy of Medicine
in 1889-90 and again in 1891-92; and in 1893 served as president of the Association of American Physicians
. He published Lessons in Physical Diagnosis (1868; 11th edition, revised and enlarged, 1899); Lectures on Fevers (1877); A Text-Book of Practical Medicine (1884). He was, in addition, editor of An American System of Medicine (1894).
Loomis died at home in New York City on January 23, 1895.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician who served as president of the Association of American Physicians
Association of American Physicians
The Association of American Physicians is a medical society founded in 1885 by the Canadian physician Sir William Osler and six other distinguished physicians of his era, for "the advancement of scientific and practical medicine." Election to the AAP is an honor extended to individuals with...
.
Life and work
He was born at Bennington, Vermont. He graduated from Union CollegeUnion College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1851, studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, often known as P&S, is a graduate school of Columbia University that is located on the health sciences campus in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and graduated in 1852. At this time the science of auscultation
Auscultation
Auscultation is the term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope...
and percussion
Percussion (medicine)
Percussion is a method of tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure, and is used in clinical examinations to assess the condition of the thorax or abdomen. It is one of the four methods of clinical examination, together with inspection, palpation and auscultation...
was developing very rapidly, and this circumstance led him to adopt diseases of the lungs and heart as his specialty. He was appointed visiting physician to Bellevue Hospital
Bellevue Hospital Center
Bellevue Hospital Center, most often referred to as "Bellevue", was founded on March 31, 1736 and is the oldest public hospital in the United States. Located on First Avenue in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, Bellevue is famous from many literary, film and television...
in 1859, and became lecturer on physical diagnosis at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1862.
Shortly after this Loomis's health broke down completely, and he spent six months in the Adirondacks
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
. The benefit derived from his residence there led to the establishment, years later, of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau
Edward Livingston Trudeau
Edward Livingston Trudeau, M.D., M.S., D. Hon., was an American physician who established the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium at Saranac Lake for treatment of tuberculosis.-Biography:...
's Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium
Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium
The Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium was a tuberculosis sanatorium established in Saranac Lake, New York in 1885 by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau. After Trudeau's death in 1915, the institution's name was changed to the Trudeau Sanatorium, following changes in conventional usage...
at Saranac
Saranac Lake, New York
Saranac Lake is a village located in the state of New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,406. The village is named after Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, which are nearby....
, and also, at Liberty
Liberty (town), New York
Liberty is a town in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 9,632 at the 2000 census.The Town of Liberty contains a village of Liberty. The village is bisected by state route 52 and 55, and is crossed by New York State Route 17....
, Sullivan Co.
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
, N. Y.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, of a Hospital for Consumptive
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
s. In 1866 Loomis became professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of the theory and practice of medicine at the University of the City of New York
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, the medical department of which later became University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Professor Loomis was appointed visiting physician to Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
Mount Sinai Hospital, founded in 1852, is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in the United States. In 2011-2012, Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked as one of America's best hospitals by U.S...
in 1874.
He was president of the New York Academy of Medicine
New York Academy of Medicine
The New York Academy of Medicine was founded in 1847 by a group of leading New York City metropolitan area physicians as a voice for the medical profession in medical practice and public health reform...
in 1889-90 and again in 1891-92; and in 1893 served as president of the Association of American Physicians
Association of American Physicians
The Association of American Physicians is a medical society founded in 1885 by the Canadian physician Sir William Osler and six other distinguished physicians of his era, for "the advancement of scientific and practical medicine." Election to the AAP is an honor extended to individuals with...
. He published Lessons in Physical Diagnosis (1868; 11th edition, revised and enlarged, 1899); Lectures on Fevers (1877); A Text-Book of Practical Medicine (1884). He was, in addition, editor of An American System of Medicine (1894).
Loomis died at home in New York City on January 23, 1895.
Term
- Loomis' mixture — a diarrheaDiarrheaDiarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
mixture containing oil of sassafrasSassafrasSassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.-Overview:...
I, tincture of opiumOpiumOpium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
12, tincture of rhubarbRhubarbRhubarb is a group of plants that belong to the genus Rheum in the family Polygonaceae. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing from short, thick rhizomes. They have large leaves that are somewhat triangular-shaped with long fleshy petioles...
8, tincture of gambirCatechuFor the region in India, see Kutch District.Catechu is an extract of any of several species of Acacia—but especially Acacia catechu—produced by boiling the wood in water and evaporating the resulting brew....
40, compound tincture of lavenderLavenderThe lavenders are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. An Old World genus, distributed from Macaronesia across Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and South-East India...
to make 100. Dose, 30 minims (2cc). The American Illustrated Medical Dictionary (1938)