Biographical Sketch 
OF 
WASHINGTON LATLEE.M.D. 
OF PHILADELPHIA 
J. M, TONER, M, D. 
BY 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
REPRINT FROM THE MEMORIAL VOLUME OF THE ROCKY 
MOUNTAIN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 
LANCASTER, FA.: 
PRESS OF INQUIRER P. & P. CO. 
1878. Biographical Sketch 
OF 
WASHINGTON L ATLEE, M. D 
OF PHILADELPHIA 
BY 
J. M. TONER, M. D. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
REPRINT FROM THE MEMORIAL VOLUME OF THE ROCKY 
MOUNTAIN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 
PRESS OF INQUIRER P. & P. CO. 
LANCASTER, PA.: 
1878. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
OF 
WASHINGTON L. ATLEE, M. D. 
ATLEE, WASHINGTON L, M. D„ of Philadel- 
phia, Pa., was born at Lancaster, Pa., February 22, 
1808. He was the youngest of six children of 
William Pitt Atlee, Esq., of Lancaster. His paternal 
grandfather, Hon. William Augustus Atlee, was an 
active Whig during the Revolutionary war, and one 
of the judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 
from 1777 until his death in 1793. His maternal 
grandfather, Maj. John Light, was an officer in the 
Revolutionary Army. At the age of seven his 
father died, after which he was under the care of 
his grandparents. At fourteen years of age, after 
completing the ordinary routine of English studies 
afforded by the schools of Lancaster, he was placed 
in a dry goods and grocery store. Becoming 
dissatisfied at the end of fifteen months, he left that 
and immediately engaged as a medical student under 
the preceptorship and in the family of his oldest 
brother Dr. John Light Atlee, of Lancaster, who is 
still (January, 1878,) living and in active practice. 
Feeling the great need of a classical education, he 
devoted a large portion of his time during the first 4 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
two years to the study of languages under private 
tutors, and also engaged in the study of the natural 
sciences, and philosophy. During the last three 
years of his medical pupilage, he spent much of his 
time in the Lancaster County Hospital, and in prac- 
tice among the poor of the city, and as an evidence 
of the extent of his clinical advantages it may be 
stated that before he had finished his medical edu- 
cation he had attended forty cases of obstetrics. He 
was very fond of practical anatomy, and gave much 
attention to the dissection of animal and human bodies, 
the latter being always procurable at this hospital. He 
attended two full courses of lectures at the Jefferson 
Medical College, in the winter of 1826-27, and 1828- 
29, and graduated in the spring of 1829. His thesis 
was on “Parotitis Gangrenosa,” a title of his own, and 
a subject furnished in his own experience. While in 
Philadelphia attending the sessions of the college he 
was by invitation a private pupil of George McClellan, 
M. D., Professor of Surgery. During the summer of 
1827-28 he actively pursued the practical study of 
botany, and was a correspondent of Dr. William P. C. 
Barton, then Professor of Materia Medica and Botany 
in Jefferson Medical College. He collected about four 
hundred specimens of Lancaster county plants into 
the form of an herbarium, accompanied with a 
written description of each plant. His collection 
was subsequently presented to the Linnean Society 
of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Pa. Soon 
after graduation he located in Mount Joy, a small 
village in his native county, twelve miles from 
Lancaster. While here he originated a temperance WASHINGTON L. ATLEE, M. D. 
5 
society, and a lyceum ; delivered a lecture on tem- 
perance, which was published; also lectures on the 
great display of falling stars, November, 1833; a 
course of lectures on botany, and read several miscel- 
laneous papers before the lyceum. April 15, 1830, 
he was married to Miss Ann Eliza Hoff, daughter of 
John Hoff, Esq., of Lancaster. The issue of this mar- 
riage was ten children, the youngest having been bora 
in the fall of 1844. Six of them survive—Kate, wife 
of David Burpee, M. D.; Mary, wife of Thomas M. 
Drysdale, M. D.; Eliza, wife of John Sheaff, Esq.; 
Margaret H. Atlee; Washington L. Atlee, M. D.; and 
Charles L. Atlee, Esq. 
In the autumn of 1834 he removed to Lancaster, his 
native place. He was soon elected to the staff of Lan- 
caster County Hospital, and in 1837 was appointed 
Treasurer to the Commissioners of Lancaster County. 
For several successive years he delivered regular 
courses of lectures on chemistry to private classes, 
and one public course to the Mechanics’ Institute of 
Lancaster. He was also active in originating an asso- 
ciation called “The Lancaster Conservatory of Arts 
and Sciences,” before which he gave a course of lec- 
tures on hygiene, besides other scientific and miscel- 
laneous lectures. At the time of the execution of the 
murderer Moselman, he made out a programme of 
experiments to be performed upon his body, which 
was carried out with eminent success. He also 
aided actively in establishing the Lancaster County 
Medical Society. Having received an invitation 
in 1844 to fill the chair of Medical Chemistry in 
the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College 6 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
at Philadelphia, he made a temporary arrange- 
ment to lecture during the ensuing session. Af- 
terwards accepting the position permanently, he 
removed his family to Philadelphia in the fall of 
1845, and continued his connection with the Col- 
lege until the spring of 1852. During this period 
the practice of his profession grew so much upon 
him that he found the joint labors too great. He 
therefore resigned his professorship, and has ever 
since devoted himself actively and solely to the 
practice of medicine and surgery. In 1853, at a 
meeting of the American Medical Associaion, held 
in the city of New York, he competed for one of the 
prizes. Twelve essays were presented to the Com- 
mittee on Volunteer Communications contesting for 
this honor, and his paper was one of two to which it 
was awarded. He assisted in the organization of the 
Philadelphia County Medical Society, of the Medical 
Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and of the 
American Medical Association, and still retains his 
membership in each. He has always been a general 
practitioner, but latterly has been forced to relinquish 
obstetrics, and is fully occupied in the treatment of 
the diseases of females. He is perhaps best known 
to the profession for his operations of ovariotomy. 
At this time (January, 1878) it is believed that the 
number of his operations exceeds that of any other 
surgeon in this country, and with one exception in 
the world. They amount to three hundred and sev- 
enty-eight. The following schedule embraces a list 
of most of his papers and lectures: WASHINGTON L. ATLEE, M. D. 
7 
“ On the Ergot of Wheat,” published in Columbia Spy, 1830. 
“On certain Cavities in Quartz,” American Journal of Science and 
Arts, 1837. 
“Case of Hydrophobia,” American Medical Intelligencer, 1839; 
also in the Transactions of American Medical Association, 1856; 
also in pamphlet form, with comments on Stoy’s Cure. See pam- 
phlet. 
“ Case of Small-pox, contagion apparently conveyed by letter.” 
American Journal Medical Science, 1840. 
“ Report on a series of experiments (instituted by Washington L. 
Atlee, M. D.), made by the Medical Faculty of Lancaster, Pa., on 
the body of Henry Cobler Moselman, executed in the jail yard of 
Lancaster county, Pa., on the 20th of December, 1839.” 
“Meteorological Report” for 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843. 
“ A review of Sherwood’s Theory of Terrestial Magnetism.” Pub- 
lic Ledger, of Philadelphia, 1841. 
“ A case of Congenital Tumor composed of many cysts.” American 
Journal of Medical Science, 1843. 
“ A case of Molluscum associated with Fibro-cellular encysted 
Tumor and encephaloid disease.” American Journal Medical 
Science, 1843. 
“ A case of Ovariotomy.” American Journal of Medical Science, 
1844. 
“Two cases of Perineal operation on the Urethra; in one case, 
to relieve traumatic stricture; and in the other to restore the cystic, 
portion of the canal, which had been completely obliterated.” Ibid., 
1844. 
“ A case of successful extirpation of a fibroid Tumor of the Uterus 
by the large peritoneal section.” Ibid., 1845. 
“ A tabular synopsis of one hundred and one operations of ovari- 
otomy.” Ibid., 1845. 
On the cause of Malaria.” The Medical Examiner and Record 
of Medical Science, 1846. 
“ Two cases of protracted Gestation.” American Journal of Medical 
Medical Science, 1846. 
“ Dr, W. L. Atlee vs. Lancaster County.” (A suit brought to 
test the right to compensation for making a post-mortem examina- 
tion at the request of the coroner.) Ibid., 1846. 
“On the Philosophy of Storms.” 15 Nos. Literary Recorder 8 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
and Journal of the Linnamn Association of Pennsylvania College, 
1846-47. 
“ Excision of the Cervix Uteri for Carcinomatous Disease.” 
American Journal Medical Science, 1848. 
“ Ovarian Dropsy cured by the long abdominal incision in 1701.” 
Ibid., 1849. 
“ Three cases of Ovariotomy.” Ibid., 1849, 1850. 
“ Analysis of one hundred and seventy-nine cases of Ovariotomy.” 
Ibid., 1850. 
“ Cases of Erysipelas following vaccination.” Transactions of 
the College of Physicians, Philadelphia, 1850. 
“ Improvement in the operation for excision of the upper jaw- 
bone.” Transactions American Medical Association, 1850. 
“On Ansesthetic Agents.” Ibid., 1850. 
“ A table of all the known operations of Ovariotomy from 1701 to 
1851.” Comprising two hundred and twenty-two cases, and giving 
a synoptical history of each case. 
“ A Memoir of William R. Grant, M. D., Prof, of Anatomy in 
the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College, with a notice 
of his theory of Foetal Circulation.” Transactions of College of 
Physicians, Philadelphia, 1853. Also pamphlet. 
“On the Treatment of certain Fibroid Tumors of the Uterus, 
heretofore considered beyond the resources of art.” (Being the 
treatise for which the prize for the year 1853 was awarded by the 
American Medical Association.) Transactions American Medical 
Association, 1853. Also in pamphlet. 
“ Cases of irritation of the Bladder, arising from various causes, 
in which Hydrangea Arborescens was employed as a remedy” (and 
supplement). New Jersey Medical Reporter, Vol. vii. 
“ Case of large pleuritic effusion cured by Paracentesis Thoracis 
and subsequent injections of lodine into the cavity of the Pleura.” 
American Journal of Medical Science, 1858. 
“On Placenta Praevia.” The Medical and Surgical Reporter, 
Philadelphia, 1858. 
“ A case of Vesico Vaginal Fistula.” American Journal of Medi- 
cal Science, iB6O. Also pamphlet. 
“On Hernia.” The Medical and Surgical Reporter. Philadel- 
phia, iB6O. 
“ A case of Acute puerperal Tetanus.” Ibid., iB6O. WASHINGTON L. ATLEE, M. D. 
9 
“ A new cause of Vesico Vaginal Fistula.” Reply to Prof. 
Bricked. Maryland and Virginia Medical Journal, 1861. 
“ A case of Quadruple Birth.” Medical and Surgical Reporter, 
Philadelphia, iB6O. 
‘‘Arsenic in Cancer.” Transactions American Medical Associa- 
tion, 1868. 
“ Correspondence with Prof. White in relation to a Uterine Fi- 
broid.” Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal, 1869. 
‘‘ Numei'ous cases of Ovariotomy,” published in the American 
Journal of Medical Science, and in the Medical Times of Philadel- 
phia. 
‘‘ A new clamp in Ovariotomy.” American Journal of Medical 
Science, 1871. 
“ The Uterine Dilator.” Ibid., 1871. 
“ The use of the speculum in the diagnosis and treatment of 
diseases of the Uterus,” being the address in obstetrics before the 
Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. Transactions of 
Medical Association of Pennsylvania for 1872. 
“General and differential diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors with spe- 
cial reference to the operation of Ovariotomy.” 1 Vol. Published 
by J. B. Lippincott &Co. Philadelphia, 1873. 
“A Retrospect of the struggles and triumphs of Ovariotomy in 
Philadelphia,” being the annual address before the Philadelphia 
County Medical Society, by the retiring President, in 1875. Also 
pamphlet. 
“ Old Physic and Young Physic.” Being the annual address be- 
fore the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, by the Presi- 
dent in 1875. Transactions Medical Society of the State of Penn- 
sylvania, 1875. Also pamphlet. 
“A female with double organs of generation.” Transactions of 
Medical Society of Pennsylvania, 1873. Also pamphlet. 
“ Reminiscences of the earliest days of Jefferson Medical College.” 
An address delivered before the Alumni Association of the Jeffer- 
son Medical College, of Philadelphia, at its third anniversary, March 
nth, 1873. Also pamphlet. 
LECTURES, ETC. 
A paper on “ The Treatment of Fibroids of the Uterus.” Read before 
the “ International Medical Congress,” September, 1876. Trans- 
actions of International Medical Congress, Philadelphia. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
10 
A paper on “Sarcoma of the Ovaries.” Read before “ The Ameri- 
can Gynaecological Society,” Boston, 1877. Transactions of Ameri- 
can Gynaecological Society. 
“An address on Temperance, before the Mount Joy Temperance 
Society,” 1831, published by the society. 
“An address on Temperance before the Lancaster City Temper- 
ance Society,” 1841. Published by the society. 
“On the relation of Chemistry to Medicine.” Introductory ad- 
dress before the Medical Class of Pennsylvania Medical College, 
Philadelphia, 1844. Pamphlet. 
“ On the chemical relations of the human body with surrounding 
objects.” Introductory Address before class of 1845. Published 
by the class. Pamphlet. 
“Rules for the formation of a good physician.” Valedictory be- 
fore the graduates of Jefferson Medical College, 1847. Pamphlet. 
“Hints for the guidance and benefit of the Medical Student.” 
Introductory address before the class of 1850. Pamphlet. 
“ Physical Education the only solid foundation of moral and in- 
tellectual culture and development.” An address before the Lin- 
naean Association of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., 1851. 
Pamphlet. 
‘‘Correction of the erroneous statements of Henry H. Smith, M. D., 
published in the Medical Examiner, January, 1855, in relation 
to a base of Gastrotomy, which occurred in the practice of W. L. 
Atlee, M. D.” Pamphlet. 
“A course of Lectures on Botany,” at Mount Joy, 1831. 
“ Two Lectures on Falling Stars of 1833,” at Mount Joy. 
“ Three courses of Lectures on Chemistry,” to private classes at 
Lancaster, 1835, 1836, 1837. 
“ A course of Lectures on Chemistry,” before the Mechanics’ In- 
stitute of Lancaster, 1837. 
“ A Lecture on Aerolites,” before the Lyceum of the State of 
Pennsylvania in the session at Lancaster. 
“ A course of Lectures on Hygiene,” before the Lancaster Con- 
servatory of Arts and Sciences, Lancaster, 1840. 
“An experimental course of Lectures on the materials used for 
Illumination,” before the citizens of Lancaster about forming the 
Lancaster City Gas Company, 1840. 
“ Eight courses of Lectures on Medical Chemistry,” in Medical WASHINGTON L. ATLEE, M. D. 
Department of Pennsylvania College, Philadelphia, from 1 to 
1851-52 inclusive. 
“ A Lecture on Placenta Praevia,” before Philadelphia county 
Medical Society, 1858. 
“ Three Lectures on the Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors,” before 
the Philadelphia county Medical Society, 1859, iB6O, 1861.