SAMUEL CLAGETT BUSEY 377 



for the treatment of scarlet fever, diphtheria and the milder con- 

 tagious diseases. From the lack of these facilities lives were 

 being sacrificed and contagion spread while seeking relief, 

 denied by existing hospitals, because of the ignorant fear that 

 such isolation pavilions might prove centers of infection. 

 Thanks to his persistent efforts, these pavilions have been es- 

 tablished in connection with two hospitals and their effect in 

 diminishing the foci of infection is already apparent by a de- 

 crease in the prevalence of these diseases. 



In 1875 he was elected President of the Medical Association 

 and in 1876, Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine in 

 the Medical School of Georgetown University, which position 

 he filled until compelled by declining strength to give up 

 active teaching. By his death this school lost a most distin- 

 guished teacher, one who in the past was instrumental in pro- 

 moting its usefulness, advancement and reputation, and one 

 who richly merited and received in 1899 ^^^^ degree of Doctor 

 of Laws, the highest honor the University had to bestow. 



In 1877 he was elected President of the Medical Society and 

 reelected from 1894 to 1899, a distinction which he esteemed 

 more highly than any other honor that came to him during his 

 professional career, not even the Presidency of the Association 

 of American Physicians, to which exalted position he had been 

 chosen in 1890. Perhaps, he cared only for this distinction, 

 that it might be used as an instrument to promote the scientific 

 progress of the Society and to encourage the profession to assert 

 itself in all matters pertaining to sanitation. 



He was also editor of a local medical journal, one of the 

 founders of the Garfield Memorial Hospital, of the Washington 

 Obstetrical Society, Columbia Historical Society and a mem- 

 ber of other scientific bodies. In 1898 he was chosen one of 

 the Founders of the Washington Academy of Sciences, and 

 became an active member of its Board of Managers represent- 

 ing the Medical Society as Vice-President until his death. 



On the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation in medicine, 

 April 8, 1898, Dr. Busey was tendered a banquet by the local 

 profession. The congratulations extended to him came from 

 many of those who were associated with him in his career in 



