Inoculation in Pennsylvania / by J.M. Toner.

  • Toner, Joseph M. (Joseph Meredith), 1825-1896.
Date:
[1865]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Inoculation in Pennsylvania / by J.M. Toner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The doctor handled his subject with ability, using the most convinc- ing arguments in favor of the practice of inoculation, and refuting the more important objections urged against it by its enemies. He had read most of the old works as well as the modern authors upon variola, and quoted from them when his own views were confirmed by their teachings. His principles seemed to have been derived from Boerhaave, but his practice was founded upon the teachings of the Sydenham school. He made some valuable suggestions for the general manage- ment of the disease, whether in the casual or inoculated form. With much justness he deprecated a practice which seems to have been quite general, of administering a specific course of medicine, regardless of the severity of the case or the constitution of the patient. In a short preface he states that the treatise is designed more for popular reading than for the use of the faculty ; though he adds: Yet have I in some sort attempted to merit even the countenance of my brethren by supporting everything which I have ventured to assert by That he had the genius and ability is shown by the controversy with Governor Hamilton, the letter to a Brigadier-General, and the pamphlet on the Falkland Islands. His position under government, as much as that of any other man, was favorable for obtaining the information which Junius possessed. Maclean's name is mentioned by Almon, in his preface to the Junius letters, as one of the suspected authors, but he does not seriously entertain his claims. He is again alluded to in this connection by Gait, in his life of West. An incident, gays Mr. Gait, of a curious nature has brought him (Mr. West) to be a party, in some degree, in the singular question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of Junius. On the morning when the first of these famous invectives appeared, his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call ; and in- quiring the news, Mr. West informed him of that bold and daring epistle. Ring- ing for his servant at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it upon his knees in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter who was standing at his easel. ' This letter,' said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement feeling, * is by that d—d scoundrel Maclean !' ' What Maclean ?' inquired Mr. West. ' The surgeon of Otway's regiment—the fellow who attacked me violently in the Philadelphia newspapers on account of the part I felt it my duty to take against one of the officers. This letter is by him. I know the very words. I may well remember them ;' and he read over several phrases and sentiments which Maclean employed against him. Prior, in his life of Goldsmith, alludes to this controversy with Governor Hamilton, but it is said that no copy of the paper containing it can be discovered. An astonishing amount of interest has always been felt by literary men to identify the author of these unique letters, but so far without success. In this search not fewer than a hundred persons have been suggested, and plausible reasons assigned for believing each to be the veritable author. I would refer persons desiring to see a collection of evidence in favor of Dr. Maclean to the North British Review of 1849.