Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 1.djvu/486

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GREEN 3

he removed to Vermont, where Horace was born December 24, 1802. The lad studied medicine in Rutland, Vermont, with his brother, Dr. Joel Green, and after five years' practice there went to Phila- delphia where he attended two full courses and graduated at the University of Penn- sylvania. Returning to Rutland, he practised five years more and in 1834 re- ceived his M. D. from Middlebury College. In 1836 he removed to New York City where he practised till 1866 as a lung and throat specialist. In 1S37 he went to Paris, attending lectures and visiting the hospitals.

He was the first to bring before the medical profession, in a paper read to the New York Surgical Society, the method and value of topical medication for dis- eases of the air passages, a practice of which there is now no doubt that he was the originator.

In 1854 he with his colleagues started the "American Medical Monthly" with which he was editorially connected for many years.

From 1840 to 1843 Dr. Green was pro- fessor and president of the faculty at the Medical College at Castleton, Vermont, and in 1851 with others founded the New York Medical College where he lec- tured until 1860, when he was made em- eritus professor and retired from active teaching. He held the M. A. degree from Union College, Schenectady, and in 1853 received that of LL. D. from the University of Vermont at Bur- lington.

A little note from the doctor's auto- biography, written for private circulation, is interesting. "After my return from my second trip to Europe in 1851, I en- tered with more spirit than ever into the practice of my 'specialty' the employ- ment of local treatment of the airpassages. My practice had greatly increased. My patients came from all parts of the world, but with this came also an increase of opposition from my professional breth- ren. Those who were unfortunate in business or from some other cause were envious of my success. They evinced a


3 GREEN

very unkind spirit and denied the possi- bility of my doing what I was doing in my office every day. But I would not quarrel with them, trusting that the truth would ultimately be known, and my word vindicated. For several years now I have heard nothing of this oppo- sition." This prophecy was fulfilled. A committee was appointed to visit the doctor's office and a majority reported favorably. One physician exclaimed, " Well, gentlemen, if Dr. Green says after this that he can put his sponge probang down into a man's boots, I shall believe him!"

Dr. Green was a member of many learned societies both at home and abroad, for which he contributed many valuable articles. His published works were:

1846. " A Treatise on Diseases of the Air Passages," which reached a third edition.

1849. "Pathology and Treatment of Croup."

1S52. " On the Surgical Treatment of Polypi of the Larynx and Edema of the Glottis."

1S58. "Selections from the Favorite Prescriptions of Living American Practi- tioners," which received a French trans- lation.

1864. "A Practical Treatise on Pul- monary Tuberculosis."

He was twice married: in October 20, 1829 to Mary Sigourney Butler of Rut- land, Vermont, by whom he had one daughter who died in 1833. In 1S42 he married Miss Harriet Sheldon Douglas, and had twelve children. Of his thir- teen boys and girls, seven lived to maturity.

He died at his country home at Sing Sing, now Ossining, November 29, 1S65 of tuberculosis.

A marble bust of Dr. Green, carved in Italy, was presented to the New York Academy of Medicine by his widow and son. A. G. L.


Distinguished Living New York Physicians. Dr. S. W. Francis, 18S6.