American Medical Biographies/Wasdin, Eugene
Wasdin, Eugene (1859–1911)
Eugene Wasdin, surgeon in the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, September 28, 1859, son of Thomas W. Wasdin and Mary Eliza Tarbox. His ancestry was of old English stock; his early education was had in the public schools of Georgetown, after which he started a business career; but he soon decided to study medicine, and entered the South Carolina Medical College and graduated first honor man in 1882. In 1883 he entered the United States Marine Hospital Service as assistant surgeon; in 1886 he was made passed assistant surgeon, and surgeon in 1898.
Wasdin held the chair of pathology and bacteriology in the South Carolina Medical College, 1891–1893, and during that time established a well-equipped bacteriological laboratory in the college.
He did notable work in yellow fever epidemics and in 1897 was sent by the Government to Havana at the head of a commission to study yellow fever, especially with reference to the Sanarelli bacillus; he continued this work in 1899 at the Pasteur Institute at Paris, and in recognition of his services was decorated by King Humbert, of Italy; the same year he represented the United States at the International Medical Congress, held at Brussells.
Stationed at Buffalo when President McKinley was assassinated, he was one of the attending surgeons; the first to reach his side and continuing in attendance until the President's death.
In 1884 he married Agnes Morgan of Georgetown, South Carolina; there were no children.
A nervous breakdown of long standing terminated in death at Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1911.