George Bacon Wood writings

Collection

Identifier: MSS 433

Scope and Contents

The George Bacon Wood writings are a small collection of Wood’s lectures, addresses, and other essays, mostly undated, with the exception of one lecture, given at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, dated 1848. Most of the lectures deal with material medica and pharmacology, including laxatives, syrup of ipecac, and astringents; some discuss the United States Pharmacopoeia and pharmacology in general; others discuss the parts of the body and how medicines work on or affect those parts. Also included in this collection is a valedictory address given at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dates

1848; undated

Creator

Wood, George B. (George Bacon) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

George Bacon Wood was born in Greenwich, New Jersey, on 12 March 1797; he was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Bacon Wood. George B. Wood married Caroline Hahn (d. 1867) on 2 April 1823. Wood died in Philadelphia on 30 March 1879.

In 1815, George B. Wood received his A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania. He then studied medicine under Joseph Parrish and attended courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his A.M. and M.D. from the University in 1818. Wood’s thesis was on dyspepsia. After his graduation, Wood lectured on Materia Medica at Joseph Parrish’s Association for Medical Instruction.

George B. Wood was one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1821. He was Professor of Chemistry at the College (1822-1831), then Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy (1831-1835). Wood resigned from the College in 1835, to become Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1850, he became Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the University and held that position until his retirement in 1860. Wood was Attending Physician at Pennsylvania Hospital (1835-1859) and President of the Board of Managers (1874-1879). From 1850-1860, Wood was also Chairman of the Committee on the Revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia. In 1865, he helped to organize the Auxiliary Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Wood wrote several books, including The Dispensatory of the United States (1833), The History of the University of Pennsylvania (1834), A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine (1847), and A Treatise on Therapeutics and Pharmacology, or, Materia Medica (1856).

George B. Wood became a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1827 and was President from 1848 to 1879. Wood was also President of the American Philosophical Society (1859-1879) and the American Medical Association (1855-1856).

Extent

.4 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

George Bacon Wood was born in New Jersey 1797 and received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1818. He was one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1821, but resigned in 1835 to become Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy at the University of Pennsylvania. Later he became Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, a position he held until he retired in 1860. He died in Philadelphia in 1879.

The George Bacon Wood writings are a small collection of Wood’s lectures, addresses, and other essays, mostly undated, with the exception of one lecture, given at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, dated 1848.

Previously catalogued as 10a 437.