AMOS BANCROFT. II9 



make the pills. In short they were to be useful to their em- 

 ployers, as best they might in any way, whether in bleeding 

 patients, pulling teeth, or attending to other cases of minor 

 surgery. Sometimes they formed alliances and attachments 

 which lasted beyond the period of their studies. Instances 

 might be given where the instructor watched the develop- 

 ment of a fledgling doctor with all the interest of a father-in- 

 law. It was customary for physicians in their daily rounds 

 of practice to be accompanied by their scholars, in order to 

 show them the different forms of disease, and to teach them 

 the rules of diagnosis. On their return home the young men 

 would sometimes undergo a form of questioning, which was 

 considered an examination. In this way, with a certain 

 amount of medical reading, the main supply of doctors was 

 kept up. The few exceptions were persons who went abroad 

 to study, where of course they had the best opportunities 

 that science then could give. On coming back to their na- 

 tive land, such students brought with them the freshest ideas 

 and the latest expressions of medicine, which they were not 

 slow to impart to others. Aside from these advantages they 

 returned with a diploma and had the right to affix M. D. to 

 their names, an honor beyond the reach of those who had 

 remained at home. 



The following sketches of medical men connected with the 

 town in one way or another were written some time ago. 

 They are now printed for the benefit of local antiquaries 

 who may wish to know something about them. 



AMOS BANCROFT. 



The following letter will explain itself: 



Boston, May 28, 1913- 

 Dear Doctor, — 



Here is a copy of the memoir of Dr. Bancroft, the original of 

 which is in my grandfather's handwriting. I sent General Bancroft a 

 copy of it, and he writes me in part as follows : 



