Henry Hodgen Mudd / [John Blasdel Shapleigh].

  • Shapleigh, John Blasdel, 1858-1925.
Date:
[1925]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Henry Hodgen Mudd / [John Blasdel Shapleigh]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    R0y MOODI! COLLECTION. Reprint from SURGERY, GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS, September, 1925, pages 372-374 HENRY HODGEN MUDD By JOHN B. SHAPLEIGH, M.D., F.A.C.S., St. Louis, Missouri HENRY HODGEN MUDD, eldest son of Henry Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth (Hodgen) Mudd, was born in Pittsfield, Illinois, April 27, 1844. The earliest record shows that in the fifteenth century some members of the family were forced by religious or political persecution to leave Poland and seek refuge in Wales. The history of the family in America goes back to 1634 when three brothers emigrated from Wales to this country, coming over in the service of Lord Baltimore, governor general of Maryland. It is from one of these brothers that Dr. Mudd traces his descent. In 1856 Dr. Mudd, then a lad of n, came with the family from Pittsfield to St. Louis, where he spent the remainder of his life. Educated in her public schools and the Washington University, and pre-eminent in her medical circles for many years, St. Louis may justly claim him as one of her distinguished sons. He received his medical degree from the St. Louis Medical College in 1886 and was immediately appointed interne in the St. Louis City Hospital where he remained a year. In 1867-68 he served as acting assistant surgeon with the 13th U. S. Infantry stationed in Montana. Returning to St. Louis he began civil practice with his uncle, Dr. John T. Hodgen, January 1, 1869. It was inevitable from his connection with so distinguished a surgeon as Dr. Hodgen that his practice should become more and more surgical and finally be limited to surgery. Success in this field brought him a large practice and a reputation that acclaimed him the leading surgeon of his city and state and made him nationally known. A skillful operator, careful and conscientious in his work, he possessed un¬ usual surgical judgment, the result of constant study and the knowledge gained by experience. Rationally conservative he was not restrained by timidity or indecision from carrying out whatever measures, however radical, his judgment approved. He could be bold but never reckless and he met every emergency with coolness. In his relations with his patients, honesty and disinterestedness were outstanding characteristics of the man and won for him their confidence and esteem. Able surgeon that he was and exceptional as were his achievements in that line, his most important work undoubtedly was done in the field of medical education. 1 Published by Surgical Pub. Co., Chicago. U.S.A.