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Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse and the Boston Marine Hospital

1972; American College of Physicians; Volume: 76; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.7326/0003-4819-76-5-801

1539-3704

Richard H. Thurm,

Medical History and Innovations

On 27 November 1807 Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse of Cambridge, Massachusetts, first Hersey Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic at the Medical Institution of Harvard University, was appointed third Physician in Charge of the Marine Hospital at Boston by President Thomas Jefferson. Two years later, on 25 July 1809, he was removed from that office by President James Madison. During this short period Dr. Waterhouse reorganized the hospital's rules and orders, introduced the clinical instruction of medical students in New England, and developed an outpatient service. He was dismissed for alleged petty thievery and graft. Recently catalogued letters cast additional light on the validity of these allegations. Dr. Waterhouse's antagonistic personality and the change of administration in Washington may have significantly contributed to his removal.