GRAND RAPIDS (Central States Medical Monitor and Indiana Medical Journal.) SAMUEL E. EARP, M. S., M. D., Editor-in-Chief. ALEMBERT W. BRAYTON, M. S., M. D., Editor. SIMON P. SCHERER, M. D., SAMUEL C. NORRIS, M. D., Associate Editors. COLLABORATORS Curran Pope, M. D., Louisville, Ky. George L. Champman, M. D. Colo. Springs. F. B. Wynn, M. D., Indianapolis. J. N. Hurty, M. D., Indianapolis. This is an Independent Medical Journal whose columns are open for anything that will interest or instruct the profession. The Editor assumes no responsibility for the views of contributors. Vol. XVII. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 15, 1914. No. 4 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. FORTY YEARS OF PRACTICE IN INDIANAPOLIS-DR. W. N. WISHARD'S CELEBRATION. (Collated by A. W. Brayton, A. M., M. D., Indianapolis, Ind.) Dr. William N. Wishard celebrated the the fortieth anniversary of his graduation in medicine February 28th, 1914, by giving a dinner at the Columbia Club to all those who had been his internes during the seven and a half years that he was superintendent of the Indianapolis City Hospital, and those who had been his office mates since he began the practice of medicine in Indianapolis, as well as to those who had been his assistants in various capacities in his office work in genito-urinary surgery. The total number of these three groups is forty-eight. There were thirty-six who found it possible to be present, while every one of the remainder living sent his regrets. The company first assembled in Dr. Wishard's office, in the Hume Mansur at six o'clock, where they met Mrs. Wishard, Dr. Wishard's sister, Miss Elizabeth Wishard, Mrs. John G. Wishard, Mrs. Peter F. Bryce and several other friends of the family. After an hour of chit chat and renewing of old acquaintance, physicians adjourned to the dining room at the Columbia Club and were seated at seven-thirty. The tables were set in the form of an open square and were beautifully adorned with roses, carnations and ferns. When all were seated a flashlight picture of the assembly was taken. Dr. Wishard sat at the head of the table; to his left Dr. John H. Oliver, who acted as "best man," he having followed Dr. Wishard as superintendent the succeeding four years. Seated near was Dr. George Edenharter, who succeeded Dr. Oliver as superintendent of the City Hospital until appointed superintendent of the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, a position which he has occu pied with credit and honor for a period of twenty-one years. This schooling in superintendency and his notable executive ability paved the way to his present position. He is recognized as one of the eminent hospital superintendents and builders of the United States. All who were present were graduates of the old Indiana Medical College, except Drs. Theodore Potter and Terry M. Townsend of New York City, and Dr. Carl Lewis Wheeler, of Lexington, Ky., and Drs. Startzman and Davis, undergraduates. Dr. Potter was the first demonstrator of bacteriology in the college, and in his work at the City Hospital used the microscope which was presented to Dr. Wishard by his physician friends at a banquet given in his honor at the Denison House upon his retirement from the City Hospital on January 1, 1887. Dr. Townsend was associated for several years with the eminent Dr. Ferd Valentine of New York City, and studied genito-urinary surgery under Dr. Wishard in Indianapolis. Dr. Wheeler also has taken special work in genito-urinary surgery under Dr. Wishard. At the close of the banquet Dr. Wishard made a brief address, thanking those who had come from near and far for their presence. Dr. John Oliver then read the various letters of regrets from those not able to be present, brief abstracts of which are included in this report. Various members present responded upon call of Dr. Oliver and gave personal histories and reminiscences of their hospital days and the dealings of time with them to the present. Among these were Drs. Brayton, Potter, Steelsmith, Noble and Kimberlin. Dr. John Oliver introduced the various speakers with remarks and memories felicitously presented. The evening was one of unalloyed pleasure and enjoyment. No similar convocation has occurred in the history of Indianapolis physicians. Dr. Wishard's work was unique. During his superintendency and that of Dr. Oliver antiseptic surgery was first taught and applied in the City Hospital. The great practical leaders in this work were Drs. Wishard, Oliver, Marsee, Joseph Eastman, Chambers and Potter. To Dr. Wishard also belongs the credit of establishing the first training school for nurses in Indiana, and the second in the Mississippi Valley. Graduates of this nursing school assisted in organizing associate schools in several sister cities in the middle west. Dr. Wishard se cured additions to the City Hospital costing over $65,000, so that what was once known as "Dunlap's Folly"-the old City Hospital, finished in 1859 and lying idle until 1861 when it was used through the Civil War as a Government Hospital and on July 1, 1861, opened with Dr. Green V. Woollen as superintendent of the first Civil Hospital in Indianapolis-was fittingly characterized when he turned it over to Dr. John Oliver as "Wishard's Wisdom." Letters of Regret. The following extracts are from letters of regret received from the few who could not possibly be present. Dr. William Jennings, now Presbyterian minister at Blue Earth, Minn., wrote: How it would rejoice my soul to respond in person to your kind invitation. Accept my hearty congratulations on your two score years of curing and perfecting the physical organism. Forty years is quite a spell A "strivin'" to make people well. but may you have many more of them is my sincere wish. Dr. G. C. Given, of Harriman, Tenn.: Nothing would give me more pleasure than to be present at Dr. Wishard's fortieth anniversary of practice. The date happens to mark the twenty-fourth anniversary of my own graduation. Dr. John M. Blair, Houston, Texas: I would be delighted to attend and exchange experiences with you and the rest of your boys. I take great pride in being one of them. My life has been a busy one; rich in experience and hard work. I hope I may be present in ten years, on your fiftieth anniversary of medical practice. Dr. John Q. Allen, Montrose, Col.: Thanks for your kind invitation. By |