Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/43

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The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.

physician of distinguished abilities in his profession, well versed in polite literature, and of unblemished honor and integrity.

William Shippen, Jr., one of the first teachers of Anatomy and Midwifery of which our country can boast, was born in Philadelphia in 1736. He received his primary education at the seminary of Mr. Finley, at Nottingham, and was afterwards placed at the College of New Jersey, where he is said to have been remarked for his knowledge of the Latin language, as well as for his oratorical powers. After graduation he began his medical studies in the office of his father, and at the expiration of three years went to Europe, in order still further to pursue them. His father, writing to a correspondent in England, thus speaks of him: "My son has had his education in the best college in this part of the country, and has been studying physic with me, besides which he has had the opportunity of seeing the practice of every gentleman of note in our city. But for want of that variety of operations, and those frequent dissections which are common in older countries, I must send him to Europe. His scheme is to gain all the knowledge he can in anatomy, physic, and surgery. He will stay in London for the winter, and shall attend Mr. Hunter's anatomical lectures and private dissections, injections,

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