ISSO.J ' X^i [Htirtsliorne. 



portion of Dr. Wood's professional life, one not with- 

 out importance was, his taking prominent part in the 

 editorship of the North American Medical and Surgi- 

 cal Journal. This quarterly periodical attained the 

 highest standing, being conducted by a number of 

 gentlemen of ability and learning; although it gave 

 way, after a few years, to a successor in the same field, 

 under circumstances more favorable to a permanent 

 existence. 



In 1835, Professor Wood was appointed one of the 

 attending physicians to the Pennsylvania Hospital. 

 The duties of this responsible post he performed, 

 with unremitting faithfulness, until the year 1859. 

 His clinical lectures in that institution, to numerous 

 classes of medical students, were admirable. Great 

 improvements in the methods of ascertaining condi- 

 tions of internal disease, and especially in the physical 

 diagnosis of affections of the lungs and heart, were 

 brought hither from Europe after Dr. Wood had be- 

 gun his career as a medical teacher. Having no ultra- 

 conservatism in regard to novelties, he applied himself 

 to the practical study of auscultation and percussion; 

 so as to become proficient in their bedside use. Not 

 content, however, with his own skill in these newer 

 methods, he availed himself, not unfrequently, of the 

 assistance of the late Dr. W. W. Gerhard, with whom 

 they were a specialty, in the diagnosis of cases under 

 his care in the Hospital. It was one of Dr. Wood's 

 characteristics, that, in his earnest and conscientious so- 



