"I
AM MUCH GRATIFIED IN FINDING THAT YOU COMPREHEND MY PRINCIPLES,
AND THAT YOU HAVE DARED TO ADOPT THEM IN YOUR PRACTICE"
BENJAMIN RUSH. Autograph Letter Signed to Dr. Josephus
Bradner Stuart, Philadelphia [PA], 22 June 1809. 1½ pages, 9¾"
x 8", plus integral address leaf.
A letter with fine medical content from Benjamin Rush, a Pennsylvania
Signer of the Declaration of Independence who became the leading American
physician of his day, an influential teacher and author, and an important
social reformer. Writing to a doctor in Albany, New York, Rush discusses
the treatment of a patient, alludes to the controversy over his medical
views, mentions a forthcoming publication, and passes on news about
changes at the University of Pennsylvania.
"An unusual hurry of business has...prevented my answering
your interesting, and sensible letter on an earlier day,"
Rush explains. "Your treatment of Dr. Willard’s case
was judicious. The remains of his disease will I hope yield to moderately
depleting, and tonic remedies according to the State
of his pulse. Plasters of Shoemakers wax to the feet
often do great Service in diseases of the head. Garlic is a powerful
medicine in vertigo after the reduction of the pulse.
Coffee should not be tasted by him. An issue in his arm may be useful.
"The case of Hydrocephalus described in your letter is a curious
One. I fear medicine can do nothing for it," Rush continues.
"I thank you for the fact respecting the extension of the Sense
of touch.
"I am much gratified in finding that you comprehend my principles,
and that you have dared to adopt them in your practice," he
adds. "An edition of Dr. Sydenham with notes will be sent to
the press in a few days by D[ea]r. Sir your sincere friend Benjn. Rush.
"PS: Dr. Woodhouse died of apoplexy. It came on with Hemiplegia.
He was ill but five days. A successor to him will be appointed on the
3rd of July. The candidates are Dr. Sybert, Dr. Cox, and Mr. Robert
Hare."
Rush propounded a unitary theory of disease which "held that the
‘excited’ nervous state characterizing all life had only
two forms: healthy and morbid. For Rush, morbid excitement from convulsive
action in the blood vessels...required immediate depletion to restore
the body’s balance" (American National Biography).
The heavy use of bloodletting and purgatives he advocated was criticized
by both some other doctors and some lay persons.
Thomas Sydenham was a leading English physician of the seventeenth century,
recognized today as a founder of clinical medicine and epidemiology.
Rush did publish an edition of Sydenham’s Works...on Acute
and Chronic Diseases with his own added notes in 1809.
Rush had been teaching at the College of Philadelphia and at its successor
institution, the University of Pennsylvania, since 1769, first as professor
of chemistry and then as professor of medicine. Dr. James Woodhouse,
mentioned in the postscript, was the professor of chemistry at the university
from 1795 until his death in 1809. His post was then given to Dr. John
Redman Coxe who in 1818 moved on to another position. At that date,
another of the candidates mentioned in the postscript, Robert Hare,
was appointed professor of chemistry.
There are old paper tape repairs to some small marginal tears and fold
breaks, but the letter is in very good condition overall, clean and
darkly penned. The address leaf is inlaid. $4500.00
This
image omits some of the blank lower margin of the second page.
Return
