Medicine. Slf 



gave the outlines of the spasmodic theory, which 

 had been before taught by Hoffman, and was 

 afterwards more fully illustrated by Cullen. In 

 1764 Dr. Garden, a scientific physician of South- 

 Carolina, before mentioned, presented to the pub- 

 lic an account of the medical properties of Pink- 

 Root, and gave, at the same time, a botanical de- 

 scription of the plant. About the same time. Dr. 

 CoLDEN, and Dr. Jacob Ogden, both of New- 

 York, published some valuable observations on a 

 species of Sore Throaty which was then prevalent 

 and mortal. The former of these gentlemen also 

 made medical communications on other subjects, 

 which were esteemed."" To this list may be added 

 Dr. John Jones, also of New- York, who was 

 greatly distinguished as a surgeon, and who pub- 

 lished a work on Wounds and Fractures^ which is 

 an honourable monument of his learning and pro- 

 fessional skill. 



Though these physicians were not all of them 

 natives of America; and though their publications 

 were generally small, and cannot be said to be 

 of much value at the present day; yet, considered 

 as indications of a growing taste for medical in- 

 quiries, and as among the means of exciting, in 

 a young country, a thirst for knowledge, and an 

 ambition for the attainment of medical fame (as 

 examples of which alone they are mentioned), 

 they doubtless deserve respectful notice in this 

 sketch. They contributed to bring the American 

 practitioners of the healing art, scattered over an 

 immense territory, better acquainted with each 

 other, and, doubtless, concurred with other cir- 

 cumstances, to forward the plans of association and, 

 instruction which soon began to take place. 



IV Dr. CoLDEN Is the gentleman before mentioned as Lleucenant-Go- 

 ^ernor of New-York, and as having distinguinhed himself by bis know- 

 ledge of Aftmmiy and j^ at any. 



