Nathan Smith Davis
Encyclopedia
Nathan Smith Davis Sr., M.D.
, LLD
(January 9, 1817 – June 16, 1904) was a physician who was instrumental in the establishment of the American Medical Association
and was twice elected its president. He became the first editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association
.
. He lived and worked on the farm until 16 years of age, attending district school in the winter, and studying for six months in Cazenovia Seminary
. At the age of 17 he began mastering medicine under Dr. Daniel Clark, attended three courses of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York, Fairfield, and was graduated from that institution, on January 31, 1837, with a thesis on "Animal Temperature". He first practiced in Vienna, New York
, but after a few months moved to Binghamton, New York
and soon after settled in New York City.
In 1841, he was awarded the prize from the Medical Society of the State of New York for the best "Analysis of the Discoveries Concerning the Physiology of the Nervous System." About seven years later the State Agricultural Society of New York awarded him a prize for a "Text-Book on Agricultural Chemistry." He became a member of the Broome County Medical Society, and was one of its censors in 1838. In 1841, 1842 and 1843 he was secretary and librarian of the society, and in 1843 delegate from Broome County to the Medical Society of the State of New York. In 1845 his report as chairman of the Committee on Correspondence relative to Medical Education and Examination led to the organization of the American Medical Association.
Almost from the beginning of his career, Davis was identified with medical education. While in Binghamton, he obtained a cadaver
and demonstrated anatomy to medical students. His first work as a teacher was lecturer and demonstrator of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York in 1848. A year later he moved to Chicago
and accepted the chair of physiology and pathology in Rush Medical College
. A year later, in addition, he assumed the duties of the chair of practice of medicine, and remained connected with the institution for ten years. Soon after he became connected with this college, he appreciated the necessity of a better system of medical education, as at that time there was no classification of students and no adjustable curriculum. He began to agitate for reform, but was opposed. He withdrew, and with a few colleagues founded the Chicago Medical College, of which he was for more than forty years the dean and professor of principles and practice of medicine. When Davis arrived in Chicago, there was no organization of physicians, and he was one of the prime movers in the Chicago Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society. For twelve years he was secretary of
the Chicago Medical Society, and in 1855 served as its president.
Soon after his arrival in Chicago, there was an epidemic of malaria
, and he found on analyzing the drinking water that it was polluted by sewage. He straightway began agitation for a system of drainage, and to this end delivered a number of lectures resulting in sewerage reconstruction and foundation of Mercy Hospital
. His editorial work began while he was residing in New York City, where he was editor of the Annalist. In 1855 became editor of the Chicago Medical Journal, and five years later the Chicago Medical Examiner, remaining with these journals for twenty years. It was chiefly through his efforts that the Journal of the American Medical Association
was established in 1883, and he was its first editor, continuing in that position for six years. He was a member of the International Medical Congress in 1876, and at that time read a notable paper on "American Medical Institutions." In 1887 he was secretary-general and later president of the Ninth International Medical Congress in Washington. While organizing this congress, he was stricken with cerebral hemorrhage, but recovered within three weeks. He was one of the founders and trustees of Northwestern University
of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago Historical Society, Illinois State Microscopical Society and Union College of Law, of which he was professor of medical jurisprudence. He was also an honorary member of the British Medical Association
, and many other scientific societies in the US and abroad, a charter member of the American Medical Association
, American Medical Temperance Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and the Chicago Medical Society.
He was vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1854, president, in 1804 and 1865, trustee from 1882 to 1884 and editor from 1883 to 1888.
Davis was a voluminous writer. Among his chief contributions to the medical literature are his "Principles and Practice of Medicine", "Medical Education and Reform", "Verdict of Science Concerning the Effects of Alcohol on Man", and "Clinical Lectures". In 1876 he was first attacked by a prostatic disease, from which he suffered until his death. On June 5, 1904, he was taken ill, showing signs of uremic poisoning. Up to within one hour of his death
he talked clearly and well. He died on June 16, quietly and without pain. Davis's son and grandson of the same name themselves became physicians.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, LLD
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
(January 9, 1817 – June 16, 1904) was a physician who was instrumental in the establishment of the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
and was twice elected its president. He became the first editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association is a weekly, peer-reviewed, medical journal, published by the American Medical Association. Beginning in July 2011, the editor in chief will be Howard C. Bauchner, vice chairman of pediatrics at Boston University’s School of Medicine, replacing ...
.
Biography
Davis was born near Greene, Chenango County, New YorkChenango County, New York
Chenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,477. The county's name originates from an Oneida word meaning "large bull-thistle." Its county seat is Norwich.-History:...
. He lived and worked on the farm until 16 years of age, attending district school in the winter, and studying for six months in Cazenovia Seminary
Cazenovia Seminary
Cazenovia Seminary was an academic seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was located in Cazenovia, New York, U.S.A.. It was founded in 1825, at the instigation of George Peck and several other prominent clergymen in the area...
. At the age of 17 he began mastering medicine under Dr. Daniel Clark, attended three courses of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York, Fairfield, and was graduated from that institution, on January 31, 1837, with a thesis on "Animal Temperature". He first practiced in Vienna, New York
Vienna, New York
Vienna is a town in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 5,819 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the capital of Austria.The Town of Vienna is in the western part of the county.- History :...
, but after a few months moved to Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
and soon after settled in New York City.
In 1841, he was awarded the prize from the Medical Society of the State of New York for the best "Analysis of the Discoveries Concerning the Physiology of the Nervous System." About seven years later the State Agricultural Society of New York awarded him a prize for a "Text-Book on Agricultural Chemistry." He became a member of the Broome County Medical Society, and was one of its censors in 1838. In 1841, 1842 and 1843 he was secretary and librarian of the society, and in 1843 delegate from Broome County to the Medical Society of the State of New York. In 1845 his report as chairman of the Committee on Correspondence relative to Medical Education and Examination led to the organization of the American Medical Association.
Almost from the beginning of his career, Davis was identified with medical education. While in Binghamton, he obtained a cadaver
Cadaver
A cadaver is a dead human body.Cadaver may also refer to:* Cadaver tomb, tomb featuring an effigy in the form of a decomposing body* Cadaver , a video game* cadaver A command-line WebDAV client for Unix....
and demonstrated anatomy to medical students. His first work as a teacher was lecturer and demonstrator of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York in 1848. A year later he moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and accepted the chair of physiology and pathology in Rush Medical College
Rush Medical College
Rush Medical College is the medical school of Rush University, a private university in Chicago, Illinois. Rush Medical College was one of the first medical colleges in the state of Illinois and was chartered in 1837, two days before the city of Chicago was chartered, and opened with 22 students on...
. A year later, in addition, he assumed the duties of the chair of practice of medicine, and remained connected with the institution for ten years. Soon after he became connected with this college, he appreciated the necessity of a better system of medical education, as at that time there was no classification of students and no adjustable curriculum. He began to agitate for reform, but was opposed. He withdrew, and with a few colleagues founded the Chicago Medical College, of which he was for more than forty years the dean and professor of principles and practice of medicine. When Davis arrived in Chicago, there was no organization of physicians, and he was one of the prime movers in the Chicago Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society. For twelve years he was secretary of
the Chicago Medical Society, and in 1855 served as its president.
Soon after his arrival in Chicago, there was an epidemic of malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, and he found on analyzing the drinking water that it was polluted by sewage. He straightway began agitation for a system of drainage, and to this end delivered a number of lectures resulting in sewerage reconstruction and foundation of Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital and Medical Center
Mercy Hospital and Medical Center is a Catholic teaching hospital in Chicago. Established in 1852, The hospital was the first chartered hospital in Chicago. In 1859, Mercy Hospital became the first Catholic hospital to affiliate with a medical school — Lind Medical School — and the...
. His editorial work began while he was residing in New York City, where he was editor of the Annalist. In 1855 became editor of the Chicago Medical Journal, and five years later the Chicago Medical Examiner, remaining with these journals for twenty years. It was chiefly through his efforts that the Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association is a weekly, peer-reviewed, medical journal, published by the American Medical Association. Beginning in July 2011, the editor in chief will be Howard C. Bauchner, vice chairman of pediatrics at Boston University’s School of Medicine, replacing ...
was established in 1883, and he was its first editor, continuing in that position for six years. He was a member of the International Medical Congress in 1876, and at that time read a notable paper on "American Medical Institutions." In 1887 he was secretary-general and later president of the Ninth International Medical Congress in Washington. While organizing this congress, he was stricken with cerebral hemorrhage, but recovered within three weeks. He was one of the founders and trustees of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago Historical Society, Illinois State Microscopical Society and Union College of Law, of which he was professor of medical jurisprudence. He was also an honorary member of the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
, and many other scientific societies in the US and abroad, a charter member of the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
, American Medical Temperance Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and the Chicago Medical Society.
He was vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1854, president, in 1804 and 1865, trustee from 1882 to 1884 and editor from 1883 to 1888.
Davis was a voluminous writer. Among his chief contributions to the medical literature are his "Principles and Practice of Medicine", "Medical Education and Reform", "Verdict of Science Concerning the Effects of Alcohol on Man", and "Clinical Lectures". In 1876 he was first attacked by a prostatic disease, from which he suffered until his death. On June 5, 1904, he was taken ill, showing signs of uremic poisoning. Up to within one hour of his death
he talked clearly and well. He died on June 16, quietly and without pain. Davis's son and grandson of the same name themselves became physicians.