to it his undivided attention and the exercise of his cultivated intellect. Preparatory to the position he assumed in the University, as has been detailed, he commenced, in 1802, a regular course of lectures upon Obstetrics, in conjunction with Dr. Church.[1] With respect to these lectures, we are told that, “to render his teaching useful, Dr. James, assisted by Dr. Church, not only employed the usual modes of illustration, but zealously endeavored to instruct practically, as well as theoretically. For this purpose his influence and exertions prevailed in having a Lying-in Ward, the first in the city, established at the Almshouse, over which he presided as attending Accoucheur.”[2] This was not, however, the first movement made to open a ward in that institution; he had been anticipated in that respect by Drs. Bond and Evans as early as 1770. To Drs. James and Church is due the credit of reviving the enterprise, and of having founded the present Obstetrical department of the Almshouse.[3] The association with Dr. Church did not long continue, terminating by the death of that gentleman, soon after which a new alliance was entered into between Dr. James and Dr. Chapman, which, as an ultimate result, led to the introduction of both of them to the halls of the University.
In 1807 the Obstetrical department of the Pennsylvania Hospital went into operation, intended for the accommodation
- ↑ These gentlemen, in 1803, requested permission to give a course of lectures on Midwifery, in one of the rooms of the University, which was granted. In 1804 a similar request was made by Drs. Dewees and Chapman. It was, however, deemed inexpedient to introduce private lectures, and this request was declined, with that of Drs. James and Church, to repeat their course.
- ↑ A Memoir of Thomas C. James, M. D., read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, by Hugh L. Hodge, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics in the University of Pennsylvania, 1843.
- ↑ A similar origin of Hospitals for Lying-in Women may be referred to in England. Dr. Richard Manningham, in the year 1737, established a ward, or small hospital, in the Parochial Infirmary of St. James, Westminster, for the reception of parturient women only, which was the first thing of the kind effected in the British dominions. In this ward, which was supported by public subscription, he gave lectures, and the students had opportunities of being qualified for practice. He published a “Compendium Artis Obstetricæ,” and other works. (See Denman’s Historical Introduction to his “Treatise on Midwifery.”)
