Call no.
10a/136
Acc. 51541-2
(Hirsch
908)
03/25/1910
Archer, Benjamin, 1775-1845.
Notes on Dr. Rush’s lectures, 1804-1805 / by Benjamin Archer.
2 v.
Biography
Benjamin Archer was a matriculant in the Medical Department of the University of
Pennsylvania in 1804, but is not listed as a graduate in the alumni directory.
He practiced as a physician in Salem County, New Jersey. No other information
about Dr. Archer could be located.
Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia physician, was born on 24 Dec. 1745 o.s. in Byberry
Township. He married Julia Stockton in 1776; they had thirteen children. Rush
died on 19 Apr. 1813. Rush received his B.A. from Princeton College in 1760,
then served a six-year apprenticeship with John Redman. He was one of the first
to attend William Shippen’s anatomy lectures. In 1768, he received his M.D.
from the University of Edinburgh. In 1769, Rush became Professor of Chemistry at
the College of Philadelphia; in 1789 he became Professor of Theory and Practice
of Medicine. When the College formed the University of Pennsylvania in 1791,
Rush became Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Medicine. He
also taught students privately. In 1786, he helped to establish the Philadelphia
Dispensary and was a physician there until his death. Rush also was a member of
the Provincial Congress in 1776, a signer of the Declaration of Independence,
and in 1777, became Surgeon-General of the Continental Army. In 1799, he became
Treasurer of the U.S. Mint. Rush was known for advocating bleeding and purging
to treat yellow fever. From 1787 to 1793 he was a Fellow of the College of
Physicians of Philadelphia.
Scope and Contents
Two volumes of an incomplete set of notes on lectures delivered by Benjamin Rush
at the University of Pennsylvania from 1804 to 1805. Vol. 1 (p. 1-43) contains
brief notes on his section on physiology including the pulse and the mind. Vol.
2 (p. 132-260) contains notes on his sections on therapeutics and the practice
of medicine.
Provenance
Given to the College of Physicians on 7 April 1897 by Mrs. Anna R. Craven, who
found the journals among Archer’s effects.
1804-1805.
2 v.
09/15/2000
lg
Call no.
10a/136
Acc. 51541-2
(Hirsch
908)
03/25/1910
Archer, Benjamin, 1775-1845.
Notes on Dr. Rush’s lectures, 1804-1805 / by Benjamin Archer.
2 v.
Vol.
1
(43 pages) Contains notes on lectures from the physiology section of Rush’s
course. Beginning lectures are
dated 12-21 Nov. 1804, later lectures are undated. Section is incomplete. Topics
covered include the
pulse, stimulants and sedatives, the blood, lymphatics, the nervous system, the
senses, and the mind.
2
(pages 132-260) Contains notes on lectures from the therapeutics and practice of
medicine sections of Rush’s
course. Therapeutics lectures are undated and cover the topics of sedatives,
cathartics, emetics,
diuretics, sialagogues, expectorants, blisters, stimulants, tonics, diet, baths,
exercise, bloodletting, and pain relief.
The practice of medicine lectures are mainly undated, except for the
introductory lecture which has a date of 5
Jan. 1805 and the lecture on asiatic fever which is dated 25 Jan. The practice
of medicine section is
incomplete. Topics covered include nosology, fevers, bloodletting and other
treatments, and diseases of the
respiratory system (catarrh, influenza and consumption).
1804-1805.
2 v.
09/15/2000
lg