Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1910

STEPHEN SMITH (1823-1922) Hand-book of surgical operations. Baillière Brothers 1862 2nd ed. viii [9]-274 pp., 257 illus. 16.8 cm.

Smith, a pioneer in the United States public health movement, received his medical degree from New York's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1851. He taught at Bellevue Hospital from 1854 to 1891, was professor of surgery at the hospital's medical school during the Civil War, and professor of anatomy from 1865 to 1874. Smith was also editor of the New York journal of medicine and the American medical times, contributing many articles to their pages. He became a member of the Council of Hygiene of New York City whose investigations led to the formation of the Metropolitan Board of Health and new laws to help improve the health of the city's residents. Smith was Commissioner of Lunacy for New York State from 1882 to 1888, during which time he instituted new and more humane methods for the care of the mentally ill. He was also the first president and a founding member of the American Public Health Association which was formed in 1871. The present work was also published at London, Paris, Melbourne, and Madrid in addition to New York. It became so popular that it was already in its fifth edition only a year later. Its convenient pocket size, concentration on operations of most importance to the military surgeon, excellent illustrations, and clear, concise instructions saw it widely used among surgeons of the Federal army during the Civil War.