History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

204 History of Medical Practice in Illinoishistory of Cook County Hospital dates back to 1854-1855 when thecity established a cholera hospital at 18th and Arnold Streets (WentworthAvenue). This later became the site of the County Hospital. In1850 Dr. Amerman and Dr. J.P. Ross leased it for use as a public hospitaland secured a contract for the care of the sick poor of the county.The Board members included Drs. Daniel Brainard, DeLaskie Miller, S.C. Blake and George Schloetger. Clinical instruction was given eightmonths of the year, mostly to students from Rush Medical College. Thehospital was taken over by the government as a military hospital duringthe Civil War and became a center for eye and ear patients. Drs. Amermanand Ross again became interested in the reestablishment of the hospital.After the Civil War, Dr. Amerman got himself elected supervisor in 1866and then reorganized the hospital for the care of the indigent poor and forclinical instruction of students. He was later succeeded by Dr. Ross.In 1876 there were two central pavilions, a boiler house, a mortuary anda kitchen unit on the present site,In 1876 there were six interns and innamely West Polk and Wood Streets.1882, twelve.Among the list of interns were many men who became internationallyfamous then or later from Illinois:Nicholas Senn Joseph B. DeLee Edwin R. LeCountWilliam Fox James B. Herrick Henry T. RickettsWilliam E. Quine Ludvig Hektoen Thomas A. DavisJohn B. Murphy Bertram W. Sippy Charles DavisonLewis L. McArthur George H. Weaver H. Gideon WellsByron C. Meacher Arthur Edwards N. W. JonesA. E. Halstead Robert PrebleBiographiesDr. Daniel Brainard was a remarkable man who, perhaps to a greaterextent than any of his contemporaries in Chicago, achieved a national reputation.He was born May 15, 1812, in the town of Western, OneidaCounty, New York. Having chosen the profession of medicine, he enteredthe office of Dr. Harold H. Pope, a distinguished physician and surgeonof Rome, New York. He pursued his studies later in Whitesboro and NewYork City and obtained his degree from Jefferson College, Philadelphia,in 1834. He spent two years at Whitesboro, New York, teaching anatomyand studying Latin and French. His advent in Chicago is described by hisfriend, Mr. J.D. Caton, as follows:"About the first of September, 1835, Dr. Brainard rode up to my office,wearing pretty seedy clothes and mounted on a little Indian pony. Hereported that he was nearly out of funds, and asked my advice as to thepropriety of commencing practice here. We had been professional studentstogether in Rome, N.Y., when he was there in the office of Dr. Pope. I