BEAUMONT 31 



body was interred eight feet below the surface of the ground, after 

 being detained at home much longer than the usual period, so that 

 decomposition setting in, might baffle the doctors, and prevent any 

 attempts at resurrection. 



Beaumont Resigned From Army: William Beaumont resigned 

 his position as army surgeon in 1839. He continued, however, to 

 attend the families of the officers at St. Louis, where he made his 

 home. Owing to the distance from St. Louis of his successor, who 

 was stationed ten miles away, he presented an account to the War 

 Department for professional services covering a period of a few 

 months, which services he conceded "irregular and informal," but 

 "correct and just." On receipt of his account the surgeon-general 

 threatened either to ignore the bill or to deduct the amount from 

 the salary of Beaumont's successor. The manner in which Beau- 

 mont received the threat showed the independent nature of the man. 

 He declared the surgeon-general's view at "absurd opinion, con- 

 tracted view, narrow-minded vindictive spirit and petty tyrannical 

 disposition," of the "weak, waspish and wilful head of a medical de- 

 partment," and congratulated himself over having the "privilege of 

 detesting a man, the motives and the mind from which such egregius 

 folly, parsimony and injustice could emanate and be promulgated." 

 The Surgeon-General was, however, unyielding, and Beaumont's claims 

 were unrecognized. 



Though severed from the War Department, he still had a very 

 lucrative practice, and what is above any monetary consideration, de- 

 voted friends, and was very happy in his domestic relations. The 

 following paragraph quoted in Dr. Myer's Life and Letters of Beaa- 

 mont gives a splendid estimate of his character: 



"Dr. Beaumont possessed great firmness and determination of purpose. 

 Difficulties which would have discouraged most men, he never allowed to turn 

 him from his course. These he did not attempt to evade but to meet and overcome. 

 He posseTssed more than any man I ever knew, a knowledge almost intuitive of hu- 

 man character. You might have introduced him to 20 different persons in a 

 day, all strangers to him, and he would have given you an accurate estimate of 

 the character of each, his peculiar traits, disposition, etc. He was gifted with 

 strong natural powers which, working upon an extensive experience in life, re- 

 sulted in a species of natural sagacity, which I suppose was something peculiar 

 to him not to be attained by any course of study. His temperament was ardent 

 but never got the better of his instructed and disciplined judgment, and when- 

 ever or however employed, he always adopted the most judicious means of ob- 

 taining ends that were always honored. In the sick room he was a model 

 of patience and kindness; his intuitive perceptions guiding a pure benevolence 

 never failed to inspire confidence. Thus, he belonged to that class of physicians 

 whose very presence affords nature a sensible relief." 



He died on April 25th, 1853. His death was considered the re- 

 sult of injuries he received by slipping on icy steps while making a 

 professional visit. What a satisfaction such a life must be, and the 

 resignation with which one might approach the infirmities of old age 

 and one's final destiny. And indeed a few months before the end he 

 breathed forth this beautifuly symphony: 



