The next changes that occurred in the School resulted from the resignation of Drs. Jackson and Hodge in 1863. Dr. Jackson had been thirty-six years in connection with the Medical Department of the University, and to the last day of his public career was an eminently distinguished and useful teacher of his branch.[1] Dr. Hodge had occupied his position twenty-seven years, with the reputation of an admirably practical lecturer.[2] The Chair of Institutes was filled by the election of Dr. Francis Gurney Smith, and that of Obstetrics by the election of Dr. R. A. F. Penrose. The dignity of Emeritus Professors of these several branches was bestowed on Drs. Jackson and Hodge on their resignations being accepted by the Trustees.
In the spring of 1864, Dr. Pepper resigned his professorship in consequence of ill health.
He was a native of Philadelphia, having been born in 1810. After his collegiate studies at Princeton College, where he graduated with the first honors of his class in 1828, he entered the office of Dr. Thomas T. Hewson, who, in his capacity of private preceptor, was excelled by none of his contemporaries.[3] Dr. Pepper graduated at the University in 1832, the subject of his thesis being Apoplexy. After receiving his medical education, he spent two years in Europe, more especially engaged in studying disease in the great hospitals of Paris. Upon his return to Philadelphia he ardently devoted himself to the practice of his profession; for three years was one of the physicians of the Dispensary, and in 1841 was chosen one of the physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital. He soon acquired the reputation of a sound medical practitioner.
The strong feature of Dr. Pepper’s medical character was the possession of analytical acumen and decided ideas of diagnosis. This he carried into his office of a teacher. “As a didactic lecturer he was clear, concise, and complete. Thirty years of
- ↑ Dr. Jackson published, in 1832, his “Principles of Medicine.” He was a liberal contributor to the Journals.
- ↑ Dr. Hodge published, in 1860, a work “On Diseases Peculiar to Women, including Displacements of the Uterus,” and in 1864, his treatise, entitled, “The Principles and Practice of Obstetrics.”
- ↑ Dr. Hewson, for a number of years, held the position of Professor of Comparative Anatomy in the University. See ante.
