History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

156 History of Medical Practice in Illinoisaccount of the early history of the first medical school in Illinois, namelyRush Medical College. There is a brief summary with special reference tosurgery. The first idea of the establishment of this college in Chicago datesback to 1836. In the autumn of that year, Dr. Daniel Brainard and Dr.Josiah C. Goodhue drew the act of incorporation which, at the ensuingsession of the Illinois Legislature at Vandalia, was passed, and was approvedby the Governor on March 2,1837. At that time a financial depression fellwith a blighting force upon public and private enterprise.In the year1839, while waiting to launch the school in Chicago, Dr. Brainard visitedParis where he remained for about two years, engaged in perfecting himselfin the details of professional service. Upon his return, he soon completedhis plans for the establishment and permanent foundation of Rush MedicalCollege. No action, however, took place under the charter before the summerof 1843. Early in the autumn of that year the faculty of the Collegewas organized by the appointment of four professors: Drs. Daniel Brainard,V. Z. Blaney,J.John McLean and Moses L. Knapp. Dr. Brainard becamethe first Professor of Surgery.During the summer of 1844, a college building was erected upon thesouthwest corner of Dearborn Avenue and Indiana Street (Grand Avenue)a lot donated for the purpose by several public spirited citizens of the NorthSide. Its cost, which did not exceed $3,500 (one figure given is $2,300)was defrayed by loan, subscription and contributions from the faculty.Drs. Blaney and Brainard each contributed $200.In 1855, this building was entirely remodeled and enlarged at a cost of$15,000 to accommodate about 250 students. This expense was whollysustained by the faculty, and at this time Dr. Brainard was listed as Professorof Surgery. He continued in this capacity until soon after the opening ofthe session of 1866, when he died of Asiatic cholera.In the year 1859, certain members of the faculty resigned and organizedanother school,the Chicago Medical College.In 1867, Dr. Moses Gunn was called to the vacant chair of surgery andclinical surgery from a similar position at the University of Michigan, andDr. Edwin Powell was appointed Professor of Military Surgery and SurgicalAnatomy. Later the chair of clinical medicine and diseases of thechest was held by Dr. J.P. Ross, and the chair of diseases of the eye andear by Dr. Edward L. Holmes. Later (1888 to 1895) Dr. Albert J.Ochsnerwas an Instructor of Surgery, and still later he became Professor of Surgeryof the University of Illinois.In 1867, an entirely new edifice was erected upon the vacant portion ofthe lot upon which Rush Medical College was situated, and the old structurewas remodeled so as to be merely an appendage to the new building.The new structure was especially designed for surgical teaching. It had