History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Physiology 409physiology in his later years, and apparently made little effort to keep thelaboratory equipped in line with modern progress.Physiology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in ChicagoIn and around Chicago in the middle eighties, there were in operationsome twelve institutions called medical colleges. That many of them werecult schools did not alter the fact that they drew patronage from the cityand state and sapped resources in finances and clinical facilities. Out ofthis melee there arose in1882 a strictly proprietary institution known asthe College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago.The first Professor of Physiology in this new college was E. E. Holroyd,a graduate of Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons in1878. Thereis no indication that he was particularly qualified for the position, exceptthat he was a stockholder in the corporation. Apparently unable to qualifyfor the more important clinical positions, he was given the job of teachingph\siology. His name does not appear in any professional directory of theperiod. The first bulletin carried the following statement about physiology:"Lectures, demonstrations, recitations and practical work in the laboratoryduring the first year. Students will have opportunities for pursuing originalinvestigations." The condensed weekly class schedule printed in the bulletingave no indication of a laboratory period, nor was there any descriptionof a physiologic laboratory, although those for anatomy and chemistrywere elaborately described. The bulletin further recommended as textsthose of Foster and Carpenter, both English authors. A little later, however,those of Dalton and Draper were added. In the bulletins for the two yearperiod of Holroyd's service, no course in physiology was even listed.Whether it was not given at all or was not considered of sufficient importanceto merit printing space is not apparent. From 1887 to July 10, 1905,Holroyd's record is blank. On the latter date he committed suicide inMilwood, Illinois, where he had been practicing medicine. To accomplishhis objective, he employed arsenic, carbolic acid and strychnine!John A. Benson was graduated in medicine from Columbia in 1880.Shortly afterward he came to Chicago and soon became Superintendent ofthe Dunning State Hospital. In spite of the fact that his special field wasneurology, he was appointed Professor of Physiology to succeed Holroyd.Later his title included Histology also. The course consisted of five lecturesa week from 5 to 6 P.M. Each year the catalog carried the announcementof a gold medal offered by Benson to the student making the best grade inphysiology. Only once, in 1892, was the name of the winner made public:U. G. Wendell. For a time the lectures were reduced from five to three timeseach week.In 1891 S. B. Buckmaster, a graduate of the University of Virginia in