Biographical memoirs of physicians of Albany County : an address delivered before the Medical Society of the County of Albany at its semi-annual meeting, June 9, 1857 / by Sylvester D. Willard.

  • Willard, Sylvester David, 1825-1865.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Biographical memoirs of physicians of Albany County : an address delivered before the Medical Society of the County of Albany at its semi-annual meeting, June 9, 1857 / by Sylvester D. Willard. 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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    a tax upon his hours of study, lie received the highest honors of his class. The same year he went to New Brunswick, and com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. Moses Scott, an eminent practitioner of that city. He afterwards became a pupil of Dr. Benjamin Rush, and spent two winters in his office, and like all the students of that distinguished teacher, acquired for him a love and vene- ration lasting as life. He received his diploma in medi- cine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1804, sub- mitting on that occasion a thesis on insanity. Dr. Rush reciprocated the attachment of young Tay- lor, and presented him with a pocket case containing six lancets, with pearl handles. This useful gift Dr. Taylor carried with him throughhis whole life, and they are now held by his son, and highly prized, in evidence of so honored a friendship. Dr. Taylor returned to New Brunswick and com- menced practice, but a large circle of influential friends prevailed upon him to locate in Schenectady, and it was at the second meeting of this Society, in 1806, that he became one of his members. In 1810, he was induced to return to his native city, where he acquired an extensive practice both in Medi- cine and Surgery ; but it was in Midwifery, however, that he seems to have gained his greatest popularity. His cases for several years amounted to two hundred and fifty per annum, and in 1818 to three hundred ; a remarkable number for one engaged in private practice only. It may be inferred that however strong his in- clinations, he must have had very little leisure to devote to literary pursuits. He managed to keep a case-book, but it was only for private reference and an aid to his memory. He was several times President of the Medical Society of the County of Somerset, and in 1824, was elected