American Medical Biographies/Post, Minturn
Post, Minturn (1808–1869)
Minturn Post, sanitarian, was born in New York, June 28, 1808. After graduation at Columbia College in 1827, he studied medicine under Valentine Mott (q. v.), and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1832, offering a thesis on "Tetanus." He travelled and continued his studies in Paris under Louis and Broussais, and returning from Europe began to practise in New York, becoming distinguished as an expert in diseases of the chest.
In 1842 he was appointed medical examiner of the New York Life Insurance Company, and the same year served on a committee with Alexander E. Hosack (q. v.) and J. R. Chilton, appointed by the Board of Aldermen of New York City to examine into and report upon the effects of poisonous smoked beef. An exhaustive report, printed in full by the Committee of Arts, Sciences and Schools, suggested the building of abattoirs like those erected by the French government in 1809; also the appointment by the Common Council of a committee to inspect all animals slaughtered in the city, and the removal of the buildings then used for slaughter-houses as unsanitary and a menace to the community. The suggestions were adopted, although Post died before the plans were fully carried out.
In the latter part of his life he was largely interested in life insurance and inaugurated a system of questions and answers that were widely used.
He translated Rociborski's "Auscultation and Percussion" (New York, 1839), making some valuable additions.
Post died in New York, April 26, 1869.