Description:

Hamilton Alexander

4pp ALS inscribed overall and signed by physician David Hosack (1769-1835) as "D. Hosack" on the bottom of the fourth page. Plain cream bifold stationery in very good to near fine condition. Expected paper folds including some brittle. The last page is reinforced in three places. Isolated areas of ink bleed through. Each page measures 8.125" x 10". Accompanied by an envelope also written in Hosack's hand addressed to letter recipient "Doctor Samuel Bard, Hyde Park, Dutchess County", bearing handwritten and stamped philatelic markings.

 

While Hosack is most known for treating his friend Alexander Hamilton's injuries after a fatal duel in 1804 (and also those of Hamilton's son Phillip under similar circumstances in 1801), he was also a pioneering doctor in his own right. He took an especial interest in infectious diseases, studying and publishing works on cholera, yellow fever, and smallpox. Hosack was also dedicated to teaching. He was a "Senior Professor and Trustee" at Columbia University, and later helped organize the medical department at Rutgers College.

 

Hosack wrote this remarkable letter from New York on November 26, 1820 to fellow Edinburgh University alum, doctor, and Columbia University trustee Samuel Bard (1742-1821). Apparently, Bard was contemplating resigning from his position on the medical school board. "I am persuaded the Regents have but one wish on that head and certainly it would also be the desire of the majority of the Trustees of the college that you should continue to hold it -- The duties to be performed it is expected under the circumstances of your absence or ill health will be rendered by those next in office and/or which purpose those offices have been created. Conversing with the Governor he earnestly expressed the wish that you may not withdraw", Hosack wrote. Later, Hosack discussed some of the interpersonal tensions on the Board of Trustees, including his recent estrangement from Bard and the "hostile feelings" of some trustees towards himself.

 

In this letter, Hosack also proudly announced the imminent publication of his work on yellow fever. His findings on its origins and contagiousness, as well as his recommendations about improving public health policy, had already influenced "the medicine police of the city".

 

Hosack mentioned several ailments in his letter, among them Bard's rheumatism, his wife's influenza-induced chest congestion, and a disease suffered by his brother Alexander that he believed could be treated in part with mercury. Hosack's treatment of phthisis was to prescribe prussic acid, or hydrogen cyanide: "I have just begun the use of it [prussic acid] in the Hospital and in private practice -- it lessens cough -- difficult breathing and prurient expectorations at the same time that it diminishes arterial action in general operating as a powerful sedative in allaying the excitement of the whole system. -- The testimony from Europe in its fervor appears very decisive -- I usually begin with the following formula -- 8 drops in 6 ounces of water -- a tablespoon full every 3 hours … "

 

Samuel Bard was one of the founders of Columbia University's medical school and served as its dean for many years. He was also George Washington's family physician.

 

An outstanding letter discussing both early Columbia University medical school administration, and early nineteenth-century medicine!



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