History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

331 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
in charge. Dr. Bell had a taste for the legal aspects
of insanity, and his full learning, his ready and
suggestive memory and self-command, fitted him
for medico-legal duties. For twenty-five years he
was constantly before the courts as an expert in
the vexed questions pertaining to In's calling. No
man liad performed tliese duties oftener, more con-
scientiously, or with a higher degree of success.
As a writer. Dr. Bell excelled ; but he left few
products of his pen behind him. Essays on the
external exploration of disease, on small-pox, and
on a vegetable diet, his asylum reports, a work on
ventilation, a eulogy on President Taylor, and an
exiiaustive and very able opinion on the Parrisli
Will case constitute nearly all of his literary re-
mains. But his life was spent as an observer,
and the results of his experience were imparted
more frequently by speaking than by writing.
Dr. Bell possessed considerable skill and interest
in mechanical arts. Tlie exterior of the Unitarian
Church was modelled after his plans. A machine
for the manufacture of flax has been hi successful
use abroad. He claimed to have been the first to
send communication over the telegraphic wire, and
petitioned Congress for remuneration. Having an
even temperament, he had disciplined himself to
bear witli dignity the petty annoyances of his sta-
tion, and tlie aspersions of the malevolent. His
character and life were pure and simple. 'I'hdULrli
a member of no religious sect, he had decplv pon-
dered the Scriptures, and in life and death was a
consistent Christian man.
Marcli 16, 18.56, Dr. Chauncy Bootli, who had
bci-n assistant ])liysician for tliirteen years, was
ehclrd pliysifiaii and superintendent ; but lie lived
to make hut one ri'port, and to occu|)V the ])ositiou
a bill,, less than fu(, years. He died', in tlie midst
of much pniniisc, .lanuary, LSTiS. jVo important
changes were made in tiiis period. Dr. Bootli was
born in Coventry, Connecticut, in 1816. After a
residence of two years a( Andierst College, he be-
iran ill ls:i7 the study of medicine uilh his uncle,
Dr. W. II. I{(.ckwcll, wlx, ha.l just as>ui,„.,l the
charge of the newly -iManl at
Brattlcb(U-()', and in IMO was cl„,scn K, ihcsimc
liosilion at the new Hospital Inr the Insane at
Angusia, Maine, where he remained iHl liis .lec-
tion to the McLean Asylnni, !».. vears later. Dr.
r„,olh posNcssc.l an nnnsnal facnllv h,r dealm-
will, the insane, and so eh.sch i,lenlilic,l hnnselt
with his charge as universally to gain their con-
fidence and love. His death occurred at the Asy-
lum, January li, 1858.
Dr. John E. Tyler was elected superintendent
February Vl, 1858, and continued in office till iU
health compelled him to resigu, Februai-y 17, 1871.
During this period two model buikiings were
erected for the more violent insane, and the estate
was extended by the purchase of five acres of land.
The library for the use of the patients was largely
increased, greater opportunities for amusement and
for exercise were ofi'ered, and the Asylum, then as
now, frequently enjoyed the performances and
works of artists in the various branches of art and
music.
John E. Tyler was born in Boston, December 9,
1819. After leaving school he entered upon a
business life, which he shortly after abandoned
to fit himself for a profession. Graduating at
Dartmouth in 18i;i, he soon turned to the study
of medicine, and took his degree at the University
of Pennsylvania in 18-16. He established himself
in Salmon Falls, N'ew Hampshire, where he prac-
tised his profession six years. During this period
he represented the town in the legislature two
terms. The position of superintendent of the New
Hampshire Asylum for the Insane being vacant,
he received the a])|)ointment October 15, 1853.
Here he remained five years, radically improving
the condition of the insane in that state. "Wlien
about to return to general practice, lie was elected
physician and superintendent of the McLean Asy-
lum. Resigning, with shattered health, after a
service of thirteen years, he retired to the private
practice of his siiccialtv in the city of his birth.
He held a i)rotVss.,rsliip in the Harvard Medical
School, and continned to be frequently called in
consultation and in courts till his death, April,
1878. Dr. Tyler was a man of uncommon energy
and personal ])ower. lie not only had an unusual
personal magnetism in dealing with ]ialieiits, but.
])ossessed the faculty of gaining (he confidence of
their friends and the public at large more geii-
erallv than is wont to fall to the lot of hospital
directors.
Early in the adniinistrali.m of Dr. Tyh^r the
as\lnni'was deprived of the serviirs of its'steward
aiid malron for thirty years, — Mr. and Mrs. Co-
Inml.ns T\ler. The 'faVt that they are still livin-
in I heir adopted city dc'lers I he u'ritcr from oHcr-
ing that trihnic t.. Ille rcc-ni/eil li.lclily and wisdom
uilh xvhich Ihcv cnuln.led the allairs of the