4'' ^fe &~>*Kv 4$ \», &^^4 ■at * iSL^niS * at $ <*&* - v ^ v ^xm&* J .-JL «J'' i&iC Y Z //, ■ r- r.'ZZ, .Z'S. vm.*?i. Qy&*?i*^tr?r.W2t' EULOGY ON JOHN WARREN,M.D. AN EULOGY ON THE CHARACTER OF JOHN A\ ARREN, M. D. President of the Massachusetu Medical Society, Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Harvard University, A.A.S. &c. &c. Delivered at the request of THE COUNSEIXORS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY, BY JAMES JACKSON, M. D. Prolixin of the theory and practice of Physick in Harvard University. BOSTON: r i vied by C- Stebbtru. 1815. AT a special meeting of the Counsellors of the Massachusetts Medical Society, April 4, 1815, Voted, That in testimony of respect for the virtues and important services of JOHN WARREN, M. D. late President of the Society, the Fellows, with all Graduates, Licentiates, and Students in Medicine, be requested to assemble at the Society's Hall, in Marlborough street, on the 8th instant, at 3 o'clock, to attend the funeral; and that James Jackson, M. D. Professor of the theory and practice of Physick in Harvard University, be appointed to deliver an Eulogy on the character of the deceased, in the Stone Chapel. JOHN DIXWELL, Recording Sea-etary. AT a meeting of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, 5th April, 1815, Dr. JOHN WARREN, Hersey Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, having departed this life on the 4th instant, and the Counsellors of the Massachusetts Medical Society having taken measures for expressing their sense of the virtues and great services of the deceased ; and their committee having kindly communicated the arrangements made to this Board, inviting the University to concur in such manner as may be desired, Voted, That the members of this Board, sympathizing with the family of the deceased, x\ illi his professional brethren, and with the community, in the loss of one so greatly and justly beloved and honored; and impressed with the recollection of his signal ability, assiduity, and usefulness, in his office in the University, with which for more than thirty years he has been connected, are desirous of uniting in the funeral obsequies to be performed. Voted, That the Corporation entirely concur in the selection of Dr. Jackson to pronounce an Eulogy, and in the rites proposed; and that the same be attended by the Corporation. the Professors, and other Officers of instruction and government, with the resident gradu- ates and members of the senior class; and that a public invitation be given to the Over- seers, and to the Medical Graduates of the University to be present. Voted, That the President and Treasurer be a Committee to join with the Committee '•! -.he Counsellors of the Medical Society in can ying into effect these votes. .TOHV T. K1RKT.AND. rrr.s'dni'. Boston, April 11, 1815. SIR, THE subscribers, a committee of the counsellors of the Massachusetts Medical Society, in compliance with a vote of this day, have the pleasure to present their thanks, for your chaste and appropriate Eulogy on the character of the late President of the Society, and in their behalf, to request a copy for publication. We are, respectfully, Your friends, and humble servants, THOMAS WELSH, JOSIAH BARTLETT, WILLIAM SPOONER. Jama Jackson, M. n. Boston, April 12, 1815'. GENTLEMEN, THE character of Dr. Warren is so interesting to the public that any sketch of it, if founded in truth, must be viewed with partiality. With this assurance, J, iomply with the request of the counsellors of our society, although fully aware how imper- fectly I have executed the melancholy office they did me the honour to assign me. With great respect, I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. JACKSON, Thomas Welsh, M. D. Josiah Bartlett, M. I). '■ViUiam Spooner, M. D AN EULOGY. The feelings which have been mani- fested by the public, at the death of Dr. Warren, are sufficiently lively. I need not, my friends, ask you to mourn; I need not attempt to rouse your sensibility. Engaged, as I am, in active life, and unpractised in oratory, I am induced to appear be- fore you on this melancholy occasion only by vene- ration for the character of my late excellent col- league, whose remains lie before you. The Massachusetts Medical Society call on mo to express their respect for our deceased President; to say how mucli they valued him when living, how much they delighted in doing him honour. In ex- pressing their feelings, and my own, it is needless s to study the language of panegyric; it is wished that I should employ only that of simplicity and truth. It will be praise sufficient if, in detailing the his- tory of the deceased, I can exhibit his conduct in its true colours; if, in briefly analyzing his charac- ter, I can describe to you the elements which com- posed it, as they existed in life. It is esteemed lawful to magnify the merits of the dead: but this is a privilege of which we need not avail ourselves. The unexaggerated description of this eminent phy- sician, must be sufficiently honorable; else why was he beloved and respected during a long life by all classes of his fellow-citizens? why regarded by our University as peculiarly qualified to give most impor- tant instruction to her sons ? why elevated by our medical society to its highest office, and solicited to remain there, as conferring dignity, not as receiving it ? The truth must be sufficiently honorable, for after passing nearly forty years among you his cha- racter cannot have been mistaken; and how that character has been estimated is very fully demon- strated by this assembly,—has been most unequivo- cally declared by the general lamentations duriug the past week. 9 Dr. John Warren was the son of a respectable farmer in the town of Roxbury. The father died while he was almost in infancy. He entered Har- vard College in 1767? then just fourteen years of age ; and while there he ranked among the first scholars of his class. It is probable that he had al- ready made choice of his profession; for some of his contemporaries recollect with great pleasure that he took the lead in a College-club established for the study of anatomy. He was graduated Batche- lor of Arts in 1771? and passed two years, at that time the customary period, in the study of medicine under his brother Dr. Joseph Warren. That brother was then engaged in extensive practice in this town, and was of very high standing in the profession. Some of our older citizens still re- member with gratitude the services he rendered them. But in the present day, and to the world in general lie is known as the patriot and the sol- dier ; as one of the first among those who pledged every thing in the cause of his country at the com- mencement of our revolution ; and as having been the first of its distinguished citizens, who was called to redeem that pledge with his life. His memory will live until the history of our nation is forgotten 2 10 among men. Within these same walls, and pre- cisely thirty-nine years from this day, was his eulogium pronounced, amidst the tears of his fel- low citizens, on the re-interment of his remains. In 1773 Dr. John Warren established himself in professional business in the town of Salem. There, among a people accustomed to discrimina- tion, characterized by habits of exact attention and cautious inquiry, the merit of this young candidate for their favour was duly appreciated. There he was associated with the venerable Dr. Holyoke, who now remains the aged father of our profession in that ancient town; and who even then, more than forty years ago, seemed to be growing old by the measure of his services. That gentleman had already shown ail the benefits which may be deriv- ed from a physician, who is humane and learned, ingenious and faithful. It is extremely honorable to Dr. Warren, that he was so highly estimated in a place, where the standard of medical excel- lence was so much elevated. An ungracious temper, a want of tenderness, or want of courtesy may defeat the prospects of a physician, otherwise the most fully instructed in what belongs to his profession. But we all know I 11 how opposite to this was the character of our friend. The inhabitants of Salem did honour to themselves in the reception they gave him. So successful was his career that at the end of eighteen months he found himself in very extensive and honorable employment; and probably he would have passed his life in this place, but for the pecu- liar circumstances of the times. It was the mo- ment in which our revolutionary struggle was com- mencing, and when the best men of our country, regardless of the great evils which it was easy to foresee, and ignorant of many others, which expe- rience has since developed, were thinking only of the maintenance of their liberty ;—of their birth- right as Englishmen. The ardent spirit of Dr. Warren would not permit him to be idle. Consid- erations of prudence and of interest, which might have urged on him the hazard of relinquishing a business so prosperous and so promising, these considerations could not retain him at this interest- esting crisis in private life. He thought only how he could be useful to the commonwealth. He was not forward in making a proffer of his services in a time of inaction ;* but when assured that the contest had become serious, on the 17th of «June; * Note A. 12 L77&, he no longer hesitated as to the course to be pursued. That day is well known to you all; it is yet fresh in the memories of many who witness- ed, as he did, the great events which were then transacting. But he had a personal excitement at that moment, which others did not experience. Youthful, ardent, and generous, loving true glory, yet alive to every tender affection of domestic life, we wonder not that his mind was deeply agitated at the greatest sacrifice made by his country in the sanguinary conflict on the heights of Charlestown. The death of General Warren was felt as a great national calamity ; yet it was a glorious earnest of the steadfastness of the people, and of their resolu- tion to spill their best blood in the defence of their cause. In the breast of our departed friend, then in the spring-time of life, it may well be supposed to have excited all the same mingled feelings of grief and of pride, of lamentation and of exultation. General Warren was not merely his brother; he was to him a father, a preceptor and a friend. On the day following the battle on Bunker hill, nay on the very night, he resolved to devote him- self to the public cause; and guided on his way by the blaze of Charlestown, with his arms and 13 his knapsack, he repaired to Cambridge and pre- sented himself at head-quarters. It was on the road from Cambridge he met the sad tidings of his brother's death; and it is remarkable that such was the confusion of things, he could not ascertain for several days whether the report was well found- ed. The state of torture he endured at this period was in the words of his diary, " such as none who have not felt can form any conception of." In this state of mind he offered himself for the service of his country. He solicited only to be made useful. In the warmth of his feelings he had determined to enter the ranks as a common soldier; but he came under the eye of one who probably saw that he was made for higher purposes, and he was at once employed in administering to those, who had suf- fered in the recent battle. His merit and his skill could not pass unobserved, and immediately he was appointed to the honorable and important of- fice of Hospital Surgeon; an office truly honor- able and important, since our young army consisted at that time of the best blood of the nation, of the real strengtli and flower of our country. For two years he followed the fortunes of our little army, during which he was in the campaign on Long 11 Island, and in the battles of Trenton and Prince- ton. In 1777 he was appointed superintending Surgeon of the military Hospitals in this town, and in this station he continued until the peace in 1783. At this period of his life we find him already distinguished as a Surgeon and an Anatomist. Made acquainted by his industry and application, more fully than those about him, with the structure and functions of the various parts of the human body, he had begun in the year 1780 to give in- struction to others. He was the first who save lectures on anatomy in this town and probably in New England. These lectures were heard with great delight, and in the following year the stu- dents of the University were permitted to attend them. Some bequests had been previously made to that seminary, the most valuable Institution of which our country can boast, for the establishment of medical professorships. President Willard then watched over its interests with a zeal and fidelity which can never be surpassed. That ven- erable man perceived how much those interests might be promoted by the talents of Dr. Warren, and the result has done the greatest honour to his 15 sagacity. The President proposed to Dr. War- ren to accept the office of Professor of anatomy ; this office was created at that time with a view to him; and he furnished at the request of the Presi- dent the plan for a medical school, which was adopted by the Corporation. Dr. Warren was probably more self-taught than any man, who has undertaken a similar office, within the last two centuries. He had indeed the books of anatomists before him; but he had not like other great teachers of our day, in this coun- try as well as in Europe, had the benefit of person- al instruction from any of the great masters in the science. He gave to others the advantages which he had not enjoyed. Every difficulty vanished, which could be overcome by zeal, by industry, and by talents. His lectures were delivered for twenty- six years at Cambridge without any assistance,* notwithstanding the extensive practice in which he was constantly engaged. Before the passage to Cambridge was facilitated by bridges, and while he had not yet become perfectly accustomed to his annual task, his health at the same time being very feeble, he sometimes faltered—not in performing wall the duties assigned him—but in his resolu * Note B. 16 tion to retain an office to which was attached so much fatigue of mind and of body, and which oc- casioned him so much interruption in his profession- al affairs. Twice he proffered his resignation ;— but happily for the community he was dissuaded from his purpose. President Willard knew his worth, and justly deprecated a loss which he could not repair. By the medical lectures delivered at Cambridge the stock of medical science in this portion of our country was very much increased. The public became sensible of the necessity of elementary in- struction in this mode. But insuperable obstacles rendered this instruction very defective, while it was given within the walls of the University. A medical sehool can never flourish except in a large town. Dr. Warren was always sensible of these truths. In 1810 he, with his colleagues, effected the extension of the medical lectures to this town ; and since that time the correctness of his judger ment has been abundantly demonstrated by the in- creased usefulness and increased prosperity of the Institution. From the year 1777 when Dr. Warren took charge of the army-hospitals in this place, he be 17 eame engaged in private practice. How extensive that has been, almost from the first moment, scarce- ly need to be stated in an assembly of his towns men. Probably no man in America has gone through so much business, I will not say in the same number of years, but even in the longest life.* Certainly for thirty years one would think he scarcely retained time enough at his own command for the common purposes of sleep and refreshment. Yet we find that during this period he always had time to do good in his fullest proportion, as to those concerns which are common to all men. The in- terests of humanity were always his, and from her call he could never turn away his ear. We learn from the respectable fraternity of Masons, that he was among their greatest favourites, and following his brother he attained, at the age of thirty, to the highest distinction which they could confer on him. In the Humane Society he was one of the earliest and most valuable members, and for many years was justly placed at its head. What, in short, is the institution designed for the promotion of human happiness among us, in which he has not taken an active part ? When an useful object was proposed, • Note C. 3 18 Who has not felt assured that Dr. Warren might be counted among those who would give to it efficient support ? It is well known to our Medical Society, that the services of our late President have been of every description, which could be useful to them, or to the public Justice to his memory prompts me to recount those which were most important, and to state how freely they were given; but the time would fail me in the recital. Our older members have seen him performing most faithfully the duties of subordinate offices. The younger have known him only as the President, the Magnus Apollo, the soul of the Society. In thus hastily tracing the path of our departed friend, so far as his life was public, you have seen some of the most prominent features of his charac- ter. But how much more was displayed to those who knew him well ? Allow me for a moment to approach him more nearly, and to sketch briefly his more distinguished traits. If I can present a picture at all resembling the original, I cannot be tedious. Even the depraved find pleasure in con- templating the excellencies of the virtuous dead. It is not easy to decide whether Dr. Warren 19 was most indebted to nature, or to the diligent use of the rich faculties, with which he was endowed. His perception was quick and acute, his im- agination lively and strong, his memory tenacious, his judgment rapid, his actions prompt and de- cided. One less accurate in observation, less stor- ed with various knowledge, less instructed by ex- perience, would commit great errours in transacting business as he did. The motions both of his body and mind were the constant subjects of astonish- ment to those who saw him ; and it is not strange that men of slow intellect sometimes hesitated for a moment to place confidence in results so suddenly pronounced.* But he seemed to move most safely and to attain his objects most certainly by pursuing the method which his own constitution required; while the more tardy were surprised, after a full in- vestigation and by a rout more circuitous, to find at length how precisely his judgment had been cor- rect. This rapidity in all his intellectual operations, and in the affections and motions consequent upon them, constituted a very striking trait in his charac- ter. To his ability to perform more than others in the same time he owed in part the greatness of his * Note D. 20 acquirements. But he owed them in part also to his great industry and diligence. Thus endowed, and thus cultivated, he could scarcely fail to arrive at a very high rank in his profession. Accordingly we find him constantly receiving marks of honourable distinction through life, and always enjoying the highest confidence of those around him. In all branches of his profes- sion he gave evidence that he was well entitled to this confidence ; but it was in the practice of sur- gery he attained to the most extensive reputation. In this department of practice he has for many years been unrivalled; and the lame and the blind, from all parts of New England, have resorted to him for relief. With what care and with what tenderness he investigated the nature of their com- plaints, with what skill and success he performed the most difficult operations, many grateful patients are ready to testify ; and to the honour of his heart it should be remembered, that the stranger, who was led to him by his professional reputation, never left him without a love for the man. His temper was ardent, most affectionate, most generous. Fair and open himself, he learnt to dis- trust others only from experience. His sympathy, 31 physical and moral, was peculiarly strong. He was liable, sometimes from ill health and always from the afflictions common to our race, to have his spi- rits greatly depressed. It was not gloom—it was, especially when from moral causes, an affection which had more of passion and more of tenderness. But this affection was never of long continuance. though sometimes violent; for there was a peculiar elasticity in both his moral and physical constitu- tion ; and he was quickly restored to that cheer- fulness and vivacity of temper, which spread sun- shine on all about him. How estimable was he in the common relations of life; how exemplary as a christian, how valuable as a citizen, how pure as a patriot, how ready, how dignified and how brilliant on all occasions when political difficulties demanded his services and his eloquence !* In his deportment there was nothing imposing; yet his manners were exceedingly graceful; they had the affability and dignity of true politeness. To the young and the humble he was always accessi- ble and singularly agreeable. From this cause the junior members of our profession were extremelv • Note E. 2% fond of consulting with him; for while they were sure of benefit from his advice, they had never to apprehend that they should be borne down by the display of his superiority. His love of social intercourse was indulged as much, as his more serious engagements would per- mit; and always with great delight to those with whom it was maintained. But to advance the great interests of society, to promote the great cause of humanity, were the more constant objects of his regard. In his sudden departure from Salem in 177^? and in the personal sacrifices which he so readily made at that time, we see his love of coun- try breaking forth with an enthusiasm, which par- takes of something romantic and chivalrous. Highly worthy of admiration as this conduct was, yet it is of so rare a character, it might have led one to antic- ipate for him a life of adventure. But the causes which operated on him, could scarcely be combined again with the same force during a single life; and if there was in his youth any tendency to be precip- itate, this was shortly corrected by his judgment, which gained strength with his years. The gene- ral tenor of his life was regulated by a just philos- ophy. If any thing of enthusiasm lurked within 23 him, it operated only to give animation and energy to his conduct. With all his numerous avocations, Dr. Warren found time for literary labour. He was not osten- tatious in his publications ; but his discourse, deli- vered before our society, on the Mercurial Prac- tice, will long remain in high estimation among phi- losophical »and practical physicians. Amidst the various incidents and characteristics of his life, which crowd upon my mind, I have not yet noticed his rare eloquence as a lecturer; nor do I know how to do so in adequate terms. To those who have been accustomed to its charms, I cannot appear to do it justice. His voice was most har- moniously sonorous, his utterance distinct and full, his language perspicuous and well chosen. But its more peculiar charms were derived from the anima- . tion of delivery, from the interest he displayed in the subject of his discourse, and from his solicitude that every auditor should be satisfied, both by his demonstrations and by his explanations. Could we be permitted to follow him into the sa- cred retreats of domestic life, and to view him in the delicate and endearing relations which he there sustained, his character would swell upon the eye 24 in colours still more rich, still more grateful. It was there his happiness centred. In that connec- tion, which decides every thing in respect to domes- tic enjoyment, he found his greatest felicity. He was truly blessed in a large family, and the inter- course between parent and children was marked with all the tenderness of affection on his side, as it was reciprocated by the confidence and respect of sincere filial love.* Let not the stranger imagine that the praise we bestow is given with the liberality so common in respect to those who have recently deceased. Now, alas ! that his ear is deafened forever, we may pro- claim the praise of our respected and beloved friend publickly and aloud. His modesty with his other virtues, will now live only in our memories. But were not indeed the strains of commendation uttered during his life in language which could not be sus- pected of flattery even by the most skeptical, or the most jealous ? Even now his eulogy is in every mouth, and multitudes will repeat it to their chil- dren with greater eloquence, though it cannot be with greater sincerity, than that with which I have now attempted to utter it. The sighs of those who * Note F. 25 have lost a beloved friend and the physician to whom they looked almost for life itself, are ascending to Heaven, in numerous attestations of his virtues. His death has occasioned a real chasm in society. Sci- ence and humanity will delight in dwelling on his name ; and they will unite with affections too ten- der for publick exposure, in deploring his loss. But though cut off without attaining the full years of man, let us give thanks to Providence that he was spared so long;* and let us remember that though he did not economize his strength in the service of his friends, yet he lengthened his days by the full use he made of them. It is only left us at present to pay the last re- spects to his sacred remains; but he has left a name not mortal like his body. That we may do justice to his fame, let us make it useful as was his life, Let us all, and particularly let his professional breth- ren, strive to imitate his virtues. Then may we hope, that when we leave these bodies cold and in- animate, as his lies before you, our spirits may renew with him a delightful intercourse in that world. where there is no more death, nor mourning. * Note G. 4 i NOTES. THE following Notes contain some facts which it was impossible to collect during the hasty preparation of the foregoiug pages. They contain also some illustrations which may not be deemed superfluous. Note A." He had previously accompanied Colonel Pickering'6 regi- ment as surgeon to Lexington at the time of the battle there, but had returned as soon as the service ended. Note B. In 1809 his son, John C. Warren M. D. was associat- ed with him in office. During the last two years the father has been anxious to resign his professorship, and has been hindered only by considerations, which regarded the welfare of the medical institution. He was particularly fearful of continuing in office till that period of life, when men cease to be aware of the propriety of retiring from re- sponsible stations. Note C. It was not an eagerness for profit, which engaged Dr. Warren in so much business. The only reproach I have ever known made against him, by his patients, was, that he did not give them enough of his time, and that they did not always feel assured that he possessed liimself of their cases. They were not enough aware how much he could do in a little time. But let it be admitted that the reproach was sometimes well founded; yet it was made without fully ap- preciating the difficulties under which he laboured. It was not his fault that his calls were more nnmerous than he could fully answer. Such a situation, not perhaps a very 28 common one, is extremely embarrassing to a humane phy- sician. It is not realized by men in any other profession. His business must be diminished either by a selection of pa- tients, on his part, or by what in our language we may call a natural cure. Shall he decide whose requests he will refuse and with whose he shall comply ? Shall he at- tend the poor and neglect the rich ? Then his family do not derive the benefits from his labours, to which they cer- tainly are entitled. Shall he visit the rich and refuse to visit the poor ? This must be done at the sacrifice of feel- ings the most praise-worthy. It does indeed seem correct that a physician should limit his own business, by refusing to visit more than he can attend properly; and that, in this arrangement, he should select those who will compensate him for his services, except in instances, where there are special claims on him. Such an arrangement seems proper, at least, in a community where medical aid can always be had from some source. Physicians surely have a right to proportion their charities to their ability as much as other men. But however true this is, men of feeling find it difficult to govern themselves accordingly; and the subject of this discourse par- ticularly never knew how to deny a favour to those who asked it, on occasions much less calculated to interest his benevo- lence, than that of the sick soliciting his aid. Note D. The reliance which in certain cases we are authorized to place on conclusions so rapidly formed, is much insisted upon by Mr. Dugald Stewart; and I know not a greater name to which I could refer, on a subject relating to the philosophy of the human mind. See his " Elements, &c." vol. £d, chap. II, sect. 2, p. 80. The following extracts give a view of his opinions ; they are not however entirely applicable to the subject of this discourse. He was able «to state to oth- ers the grounds on which he proceeded;" at least on all im- portant occasions. S9 " It has been frequently remarked,that the justcst and most efficient understandings are often possessed by men who are incapable of stating to others, or even to themselves, the "•rounds on which they proceed in forming their decisions. In some instances, I have been disposed to ascribe this to the faults of early education; but, in other cases, I am persuaded, that it was the effect of active and imperious habits in quick- ening the evanescent processes of thought, so as to render them untraceable by the memory; and to give the appear- ance of intuition to what was in fact the result of a train of reasoning so rapid as to escape notice. This I conceive to be the true theory of what is generally called common sense, in opposition to book-learning; and it serves to account for the use which has been made of this phrase, by various wri- ters, as synonymous with intuition. " These seemingly instantaneous judgments have always appeared to me as entitled to a greater share of our confidence than many of our more deliberate conclusions ; inasmuch as they have been forced, as it were, on the mind by the lessons of long experience ; and are as little liable to be biassed by temper or passion, as the estimates we form of the distances of visible objects. They constitute, indeed, to those who are habitually engaged in the busy scenes of life, a sort of pecu- liar faculty, analogous, both in its origin and in Its use, to the coup d'oeil of the military engineer, or to the quick and sure tact of the medical practitioner, in marking the diagnos- tics of disease." Note F- Dr. Warren's constant occupation might account for his never engaging in political life. But he was restrained also in this respect by the laws relating to his professor- ship, which forbade him to accept any civil office. Yet he was not a silent spectator of publick events, nor did he fail to investigate the fundamental principles of government. In 30 proof of this it is sufficient to advert to his oration on thft 4th of July, the first delivered in this town on that anniver- sary. In respect to his political opinions he had nothing like indifference, and he always accorded with those, who as they leave the stage, are acknowledged by all to have been the purest patriots; he sided with Washington, and Hamilton, and Ames. On many publick occasions his elo- quence has been witnessed in the assemblies of our citizens. The following extracts from his oration abovementioned, will be read with interest, and contain truths as important to be regarded now, as they were thirty years ago. Many pas- sages might be cited also for their eloquence and for the fervor of their patriotick senti- ments. u The object of publick virtue is to secure the liberties of the community. A security of liberty admits of every man's pursuing, without molestation, the measures most likely to in- crease his ease, and to place him in a state of independent affluence. Nothing is more conducive to these ends than a free and unlimited commerce, the encouragement of which is un- doubtedly the duty of the commonwealth ; and the feelings of humanity are, in a general sense, highly interested in the pro- secution of it. " Commercial intercourse and connection have perhaps contributed more towards checking the effusion of blood, than all the obligations of morality and religion, in their usual state of debility, could ever have effected. The ideas of conquest and destruction, amongst the ancients, were commonly com- prehended under the same term, and torrents of human blood have been shed to gratify a spirit of revenge. In latter times the views of almost every powerful nation, with whom civili- zation has been the effect of trade, have been directed to the support of that political balance, upon which this intercourse depends, p. 10. « Long may they (the United States) retain that spirit of , union which has enabled them to withstand the mighty force 31 of Britain, and never be persuaded, through the artifice of their enemies, to violate the articles of that confederation to which they owe their liberty. Should ever the constitutional authority of the legal representative body of the nation be annihilated, the bond of union will be dissolved, and we shall be reduced to the greatest hazard of misery and sub- jection." p. 23. Note F. Dr. Warren was born on the 27th of July, 1753. When about twenty-four years of age he married the daughter of his excellency John Collins, Esq. of Newport, Rhode Island, formerly Governor of that state. He has left five sons and four daughters. Two of his daughters are married; one to John Gorham, M. D. Adjunct Professor of Chemistry in our University; the other to John Brown, M. D. of this town. Note G- Dr. Warren was, from the age of 30, occasionally affect- ed with an uneasiness in the breast, which he sometimes thought would prove fatal at an early period of life. He was also subject to paroxysms of sick head-ach, occurring about once in a month, which continued till the beginning of the year 1804; at this time he had a severe spasmodic affection of the bowels, which recurred at different times during the space of three months. In the year 1811 a slight paralytic affection of the right side came on, and never completely dis- appeared. After this last attack the symptoms of uneasi- ness in the breast increased in the frequency of their appear- ance, and in their severity. During the last winter they ap- peared with a frequency and severity, which was very alarm- ing. These attacks seemed to be caused by colds. They gen- erally took place at one or two o'clock in the morning, and lasted two or three hours, unless previously relieved by opi- um. The principal symptom which attended them was the 32 sensation of a cord across the breast, and a consequent dread of suffocation, which produced great agitation and distress. In February and the beginning of March, 1815, he under- went great fatigue and exposure, and subsequently became fee- ble and dispirited, and had frequent attacks of his complaint. On the 22d of March he was out as usual in the morning: but in the evening was attacked with febrile symptoms, and in the night had a paroxysm of dyspnoea. The febrile symp- toms continuing the next day, he took an emetic, and appear- ed better on Friday and Saturday; and on the last of these days, having a particular anxiety to go out, he visited some patients, and passed the afternoon in business at home. In the night his complaint returned, and on the next day ap- peared alarming; the pulse being quick and very hard, tongue foul, with a fixed pain on the right side, laborious respiration, and an occasional cough. He had an emetic, got a blister on the side, and commenced a course of calomel and opium ; but notwithstanding these remedies, the nightly paroxysm was more distressing than any he had ever experienced; nor did he get relieved till after a copious bleeding and repeated doses of opium. The bleeding reduced the hardness of the pulse, and appeared to prevent the recurrence of severe paroxysm-, of dyspnoea; but the debility, which began to appear, prevent- ed its repetition. In the two or three following days the most distressing and urgent symptoms gradually lessened; but the functions of all the organs appeared to be irrecover- ably deranged. The pulsations of the heart became irregu- lar, and occasionally intermittent; the circulation in the left arm was peculiarly disordered; the stomach loathed all kind of nourishment; the intestines were affected with a diarrhoea, which could not be checked without being followed by great uneasiness in the breast. The lungs appeared to be in a con- stant state of oppression, and were filled with mucus, except when the cough and expectoration produced a temporary re- OJ lief. The functions of the brain were not less impaired. A kind of stupor existed, except when it was interrupted by a fit of distress, and then an unnatural sensibility and irrita- bility appeared. In the evening of April 3d a very distress- ing fit of pain and difficult breathing came on, and at last be- came so excessive, that he requested an opening might be made in the right side, probably with the idea that pus, or water might be discharged. This pain was relieved by the application of hot tincture of cantharides and a moderate dose of laudanum, after which the night was passed with tolerable tranquillity. At seven in the morning of the fourth he en- quired the hour, then remained quiet, in a few minutes began to breathe more slowly, and almost imperceptibly expired without any struggle, or groan. On examination after death it appeared that the aorta was greatly diseased. The affection of this vessel was of that sort which terminates in ossification. The extent of the morbid change was from the orifice of the vessel, including the valves, to as far down in the thorax as the sixth dorsal ver- tebra, and probably much further. On the right side of the thorax the lungs adhered in all their upper part. Thi9 adhe- sion was evidently of long standing. The lower part of the lungs on both sides, but mostly on the right side, was greatly inflamed. The pleura on this part was high coloured, and was covered by a recent effusion of coagulable lymph. The lungs were heavy and very firm, not crepitating. When the inflamed parts were divided very few air bubbles issued ; but from some portions there was discharged much thin purulent fluid. In nearly one-third part of the whole lungs the air- cells were compressed by the effusion of coagulable lymph into the cellular membrane. 5 34 AN ACCOUNT Or THE FUNERAL SOLEMNITIES, AT THE INTERMENT OF JOHN WARREN, M. D* ON Saturday, April 8, 1815, at 4 o'clock, p. m. the corpse was conveyed from the mansion house of the deceased, to the Stone Chapel, where, after a Dirge on the organ, prayers were offered by the Rev. J. T. Kirkland, D. D. President of Harvard University. An anthem was then performed by the choir of singers of Brattle-street society, and an Eulogy delivered by James Jackson, M. D. Professor of the theory and practice of Physick. A hymn closed the services at the church ; a procession was then formed, and proceeded to the family vault. The corpse was preceded by The Members of the Senior Class in Harvard University, The Students in Medicine, The resident Graduates at the University, The Graduates and Licentiates in Medicine, The Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society, The immediate Government of Harvard University, and The Officers of the Medical Society. The Pall was supported by Josiah Bartlett, m. d. Thomas Welsh, m. d. Lem. Haywood, m. d. John Jeffries, m. d. Rev. J.T. Kirkland, d.d. HisHonorWM. Phillips. And the Hearse was followed by The Family, The Corporation and Overseers of Harvard Universitv, The Members of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts, The Members of the Humane Societv, The Reverend Clergy, and Numerous Citizens. * Furnished by the committee of arrangements. % • WZ \ S I G cl S1V. £fr4§9 ■ M&i^j^mif'wj* )&.$ ygj& >x# )kl* * ZZ y /ffy^ /ZY\ ^£ s/sZ** "YfZt "**r *•>; *^- ■•^7' <% «■•-* ,#,■* *% rwi^rer.-" v«* *** ♦ ♦*-■ 4?;. M **H( «T5t«? ^|H5fjS~s.v wlKjjniC &l&(j^.(. *¥*MO.f XfXfXfwi