Jonathan Archer notes on the lectures of Benjamin Rush

Collection

Identifier: 10a 453

Scope and Contents

Volume 4 and 5 of a set of notes taken by John Archer on the lectures of Benjamin Rush, delivered at the University of Pennsylvania from 1796-1797. Topics covered include pathology, the causes of disease, therapeutics, and the practice of medicine, particularly in the case of fevers.

Dates

1796 - 1797

Creator

Archer, John (Person)

Biographical / Historical

John Archer was born on 9 October 1777 in Harford Co., Md. to the prominent Maryland physician, John Archer and his wife, Catherine (Harris). Archer studied medicine under his father at his home, the “Medical Hall,” and received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1798. He returned to Maryland to set up private practice. During the War of 1812 he served as a surgeon in the Maryland militia. He died in Baltimore, Md. on 21 May 1830.

Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia physician, was born on 24 Dec. 1745 o.s. in Byberry Township. He married Julia Stockton in 1776; they had thirteen children. Rush died on 19 Apr. 1813. Rush received his B.A. from Princeton College in 1760, then served a six-year apprenticeship with John Redman. He was one of the first to attend William Shippen’s anatomy lectures. In 1768, he received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh. In 1769, Rush became Professor of Chemistry at the College of Philadelphia; in 1789 he became Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine. When the College formed the University of Pennsylvania in 1791, Rush became Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Medicine. He also taught students privately. In 1786, he helped to establish the Philadelphia Dispensary and was a physician there until his death. Rush also was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1776, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1777, became Surgeon-General of the Continental Army. In 1799, he became Treasurer of the U.S. Mint. Rush was known for advocating bleeding and purging to treat yellow fever. From 1787 to 1793 he was a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.