The early history of American dermatology / Paul E. Bechet.

  • Bechet, Paul E. (Paul Esnard), 1881-
Date:
[1942]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The early history of American dermatology / Paul E. Bechet. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/28 page 10
    books and chapters. In June 1889 an article entitled “A Case of Keratosis (Ichthyosis) Follicularis” 15 appeared. White instead of Darier should have had the disease named after him, because Darier’s article did not appear until a few months later. On May 14, 1887 White published a 210 page book11 on dermatitis venenata, which was the first presentation of this important subject in dermatologic literature. He served as chairman of the Section of Dermatology and Syphilology of the International Medical Congress held in Philadelphia on Sept. 4 to 9, 1876. He became the first president of the American Dermatological Association, in 1877. Twenty-one years later he was again elected president of that distinguished body. In 1907 he was made president of the Sixth International Dermatological Congress, which was held in New York. White became a corresponding member of the French and Argentine dermatologic societies and an honorary member of the Italian, London, Vienna, Berlin and New York dermatologic societies. White was dignified in appearance and somewhat austere in manner, especially when conducting scientific sessions. Away from the rostrum he was courteous and pleasant. He had a full and busy life. He knew how to work and how to play. With abundant health, fame, a splendid family, ample means, a devoted wife and such hobbies as botany, natural history, porcelains and colonial furniture, he was indeed a happy man. He even lived long enough to witness the enormous progress of his beloved specialty. HENRY GRANGER PIFFARD (1842-1910) Henry G. Piffard played an important role in the development of American dermatology. Through his brilliant, many-faceted mind, bordering on genius, he focused the attention of America, if not of Europe, on his specialty, which during his early years was still in its infancy; its growth to lusty manhood was due in part to his devoted ministrations. Piffard was born in Piffard, N. Y., on Sept. 10, 1842. He graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1862 and received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1864. His interest in dermatology manifested itself soon after graduation. He left for Europe to perfect himself in the specialty and visited various medical centers but spent most of his time with Tilbury Fox, at the latter’s dermatologic clinic at the University College Hospital in London. It was there that his lifelong friend, George Henry Fox, first met him. The close friendship uniting them lasted until Piffard’s death, nearly forty years later. The friendly association of these two men for nearly half a century can readily be understood by 15. White, J. C.: A Case of Keratosis (Ichthyosis) Follicularis, J. Cutan. & Genito-Urin. Dis. 7:201, 1889.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3