Dixie Crosby / [James Alfred Spalding].

  • Spalding, James Alfred, 1846-1938.
Date:
[1926]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dixie Crosby / [James Alfred Spalding]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Dixi Crosby practiced in Gilmanton with his father for io years, and finally when called to the chair of surgery in 1838 at the Dartmouth School of Medicine at Hanover, he settled in that village for the rest of his life. His practice in Han¬ over was large, for many patients were attracted by the high reputation of the medical school, while his personal ability spread far around for many miles. He occupied the chair of surgery for many years then gradually retired from that in favor of his son Benning but continued as professor of obstetrics and dis¬ eases of women until 1870 when he was retired as professor emeritus until his death 3 years later. As a lecturer he talked very plainly and to the point and had a gift of descrip¬ tion that held the attention of his scholars. Some of his axioms were: “See with your own eyes, feel with your own fingers, use your own judgment, and do not be the disciple of any one man.” “Operate, not quickly but surely, so that your work shall be for the benefit of your patients.” Among the novelties which Dr. “Dixi” suggested was one for reducing dis¬ location of the thumb by bending the phalanx backward, forcibly, and then by pressure from below the bone was set quickly into place. At one time he was known as “elbow Crosby” from his ingenious method of breaking up adhesions in that joint, while his brother Josiah was known as “sticking plaster Crosby” for his frequent use of that material in every case of fracture. Although Dixi Crosby performed some famous operations for the era in which he lived, he might be called a careful rather than a brilliant operator. He said once upon a time in my hearing, “An operation, gentlemen, is soon enough done, when well enough done.” He learned all the new methods of practice by frequent visits to the metropolitan hospitals; he went to Boston to see just how ether was used, and later on to study chloroform, which he preferred in his sur¬ gical practice when he could have the services of a skilled anaesthetist like his son, Benning. No statistics of his operations have been preserved, but he had the reputation of doing more surgery in his active years than any other man in New Hampshire. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the meetings of the State Medical Society, was honored with every office within its gift, and was twice chosen president. He made a dignified presiding officer. He spoke almost invariably at the meetings, all of which he attended after his election as a member in 1826. Although on each occasion as president he may have delivered an address, no precise record of the items which he discussed has been preserved. Besides this, a careful study of the records of the State Society shows that set papers were rarely read, most of the meetings being occupied with the exhibition and discussion of the proper treatment of cases. Among his papers, we have discovered one “On Tumors of the Pelvis” and another on “Trusses.” He exhibited in 1835 the case which made his name noted