Part 8 (1/2)

SAMUEL ANNAN, M. D.,

Was born at Philadelphia, Pa., in the year 1800--a descendant of Scotch ancestors. He graduated as M. D. at the Edinburgh University in 1820. His thesis, ent.i.tled _De Appoplexia Sanguinia_, is in the library of the Medical and Surgical Faculty of Maryland. He was licentiate of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland in 1822, being then ex-President of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.

From 1827 to 1834, he ably occupied the chair of Anatomy and Physiology in the Medical Department of Was.h.i.+ngton University at Baltimore, Maryland. From 1838 to 1845, he was physician to the Baltimore Alms-house. In 1846, he was called to the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the Medical Department of Transylvania University, a position which he occupied with great ability until, in 1849, he was transferred to the chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the same inst.i.tution, in which he gave general satisfaction until 1854, when he resigned that position.

During the years 1853-57, he was Superintendent to the Insane Asylum at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He became surgeon to the Confederate States Army at the outbreak of our Civil War in 1861, maintaining that position until 1864. In 1866, he was surgeon to the steams.h.i.+p ”Carroll” of the Liverpool line, from April to November. He died at Baltimore, January 19, 1868.

Doctor Annan was a person of great activity of mind and body, of high intelligence and probity of character. In the course of his active life and practice in his profession he found time to contribute many valuable articles to the medical journals, of which we quote the following, viz:

”Cases of Bronchotomy.” Maryland Medical Recorder, Vol. VII, p. 42. 1823.

”On the Surgical Anatomy of Hernia.” Ibid., Vol. III, p. 529. 1829.

”On Polypus Nasi.” Ibid., No. 3, p. 655. 1830.

”On the Use of Wine in Fevers.” Ibid., p. 279. 1831.

”Address to the Graduates of Was.h.i.+ngton University.” 1834.

”New Views of Certain Dislocations.” American Journal of Medical Science, Vol. XVIII, p. 376. 1836.

”On the Treatment of Prolapsus Ani.” Ibid., p. 334. 1836.

”On Spinal Irritation and Inflammation.” Ibid., Vol. XX, p. 85. 1837.

”On Cases in the Baltimore Alms-house.” Ibid., Vol. XXII, p. 378. 1838.

”On Wind Contusions.” American Medical Journal, Vol. II, pp. 3, 133, and 213. 1838.

”On Cases in the Baltimore Alms-house.” Journal of Medical Science, Vol.

XXIV, p. 316; and Journal of Medical Science, Vol. XXV, p. 32. 1839.

”On Cases in the Baltimore Alms-house.” Medical and Surgical Journal, pp. 322 and 338. 1840.

”Lecture at Opening of Kentucky School of Medicine.” 1850.

”On Fracture of the Skull.” American Medical Record, No. 3, Vol. II, p. 449.

”Case of Laceration of the Ileum from External Injury.” American Journal of Medical Science, p. 287. 1838.

For most of the facts contained in this brief sketch of the active life of Doctor Annan we are indebted to the kindness of Doctor Oscar J. Coskery, of Baltimore.

NOTE.--In 1850, Doctor Annan accepted the chair of Pathology and Practice of Medicine in the new Kentucky School of Medicine in Louisville, which position he occupied for two years with great ability, when he resigned to return to his native city.

In 1849, when Doctor Annan was transferred to the chair of Theory and Practice, the chair of Obstetrics was filled by Doctor William M.

Boling, of Montgomery, Alabama, for one session. Doctor Boling had taught in the Memphis Medical School of Tennessee, and was ”favorably known in the South as a good pract.i.tioner, an able medical writer, and an excellent teacher.”

PROFESSOR HENRY M. BULLITT