American Medical Biographies/Green, John (1835–1913)
Green, John (1835–1913)
John Green, ophthalmologist, of St. Louis, was born at Worcester, Massachusetts, April 2, 1835; son of James and Elizabeth Sweet Green. He was third in descent from Dr. John Green (q. v.), who was a member of the Massachusetts General Court in 1777; eighth in descent from Thomas Dudley, second Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony; seventh in descent from Jonathan Sprague, who served in King Philip's War and fourth in descent from Judge Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles, President of the Stamp Congress. "He was a nephew, grandson and great-grandson of Dr. John Green, and represented the fifth generation of physicians bearing the name of Green, completing, with the other members of his family an unbroken medical service of 135 years in the County of Worcester, in which he was born."
Educated in the public schools of Worcester, he was A. B. Harvard 1855; S. B. 1856; A. M. 1859 and M. D. 1866 from the same University, also LL. D. Washington University and University of Missouri. A Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society by examination 1858, the years 1859 and 1860 were spent in professional studies in London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna. He began the practice of medicine in Boston in 1861, where he filled the position of physician and attending surgeon to the Boston Dispensary and of secretary to the Suffolk District Medical Society. He was a member of the Boston Society of Natural History and of its Council and a member of the Boston Society for Medical Observation (later merged with the Boston Society for Medical Improvement). During the Civil War he served as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., at Frederick City, Maryland, after the Battle of Antietam and in the armies of the Tennessee after the Battle of Pittsburg Landing. In 1865 he again visited Europe for special study in ophthalmology in London, Paris and Utrecht and in 1866 he established himself in the practice of ophthalmology and otology in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1868 he married Harriet Louisa Jones, eldest daughter of George Washington and Caroline Partridge Jones of Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and they had two children, John and Elizabeth, the home life being noted for its genuine cordiality and hospitality.
He was professor of ophthalmology and otology in the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1866–1871; lecturer on ophthalmology in St. Louis Medical College in 1871; surgeon to the St. Louis Eye and Ear Infirmary 1872; consulting ophthalmic surgeon to St. Louis City Hospital 1872; ophthalmic surgeon to St. Luke's Hospital 1874, professor of ophthalmology in St. Louis Medical College (Washington University) from 1886 to 1891 and emeritus professor until his death. In 1894 he became consulting surgeon to the Barnard Free Skin and Cancer Hospital.
He held membership in the following:
American Ophthalmological Society 1866; International Ophthalmological Congress 1872; delegate to the International Medical Congress 1876, and secretary in that Congress to the section on ophthalmology; member St. Louis Academy of Science; University Club; St. Louis Club; Harvard Club, for several years president of the Harvard Club and of the Academy of Science; leading charter member and chairman of the St. Louis Ophthalmological Society until his death; charter member of the American Otological Society; member and founder of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of Missouri; member and founder of, and deputy governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Missouri. For many years he was charter member of the St. Louis Archeological Society and director of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Dr. Green was the originator of one of the best entropion operations, of the second set of test type published in the United States; of especially flexible leaden styles for lachrymal duct treatment; of a set of stereoscopic charts; of charts for the correction of astigmatism; of an operation for exenteration of the orbit; of thin flanged mountings for trial lenses by which cylinders and sphericals could be closely approximated; of a stable method of dissolving atropia in castor oil; of the two best geometrical ratios for the intervals in the construction of test type; and the first to grade test type singly in series.
He died at his residence in St. Louis, December 7, 1913, of pneumonia, following one week's illness.
By nature gentle, refined and retiring, possessing a clear logical mind, great learning and ability, an exceptionally cultured diction, and an absolute honesty of purpose, Dr. Green's presence commanded the respect of those who opposed him. Those who knew him best held him in the highest esteem. Endowed with a keen vein of humor, he was a genial companion and his wit was often employed to the discomfiture of those who through wealth or influential standing imagined they had some special claim on his time and his ability. Professionally always kind and considerate, he manifested little patience with those who in any way showed neglect in caring for themselves. As an operator he was exceptionally skilful, possessing a steady hand and a clear anatomical knowledge of the tissues with which he dealt. It was a maxim with him to accomplish the result with as little injury as possible. As a practitioner he was wise and careful in the management of those who trusted themselves to him, his care being the same regardless of financial considerations. The result was that his waiting rooms were always crowded with the afflicted. He was broad minded, liberal and honest in opinion to which he adhered with unwavering fidelity.