Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1919- 
Dr.  Lyman  Spalding. 
371 
A  SKETCH  OF  DR.  LYMAN  SPALDING.1 
By  Henry  M.  Hurd,  M.D. 
Dr.  Lyman  Spalding  was  born  at  Cornish,  N.  H.,  in  1775.  His 
early  education  was  obtained  at  the  Charlestown  Academy,  and  later 
he  was  a  student  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Nathan  Smith,  the  eminent 
founder  of  medical  schools,  and  the  first  of  the  name  of  the  Smiths 
who  later  became  distinguished  in  New  England  and  Maryland. 
He  afterwards  visited  the  Harvard  Medical  School  in  1794  and 
attended  two  courses  of  lectures  there,  but  did  not  receive  his  degree 
of  M.D.  until  1797.  He  returned  to  Cornish,  N.  H.,  the  residence 
of  Dr.  Smith,  and  took  charge  of  his  practice  during  the  latter's 
absence  in  Europe.  He  subsequently  taught  chemistry  and  materia 
medica  with  Dr.  Smith  at  the  newly  established  medical  school  at 
Dartmouth  College,  N.  H.  He  also  became  demonstrator  of 
anatomy. 
He  soon  removed  to  Walpole,  N.  H.,  where  he  practised  for  a 
few  months  also.  His  residence  there  is  mainly  interesting  because 
of  the  fact  that  he  purchased  a  set  of  Perkins  Tractors,  then  much 
used  and  highly  praised  for  the  treatment  of  diseases.  These 
tractors  were  sold  for  $20,  with  the  exclusive  right  to  use  them  in 
practice  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  It  was  one  of  the 
common  medical  frauds  which  are  perpetrated  on  all  nations  about 
once  in  so  often. 
Dr.  Spalding  removed  to  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  in  1797,  and  there 
had  a  successful  career.  He  became  a  contract  army  surgeon,  and 
had  so  much  to  do  that  he  relinquished  his  connection  with  Dart- 
mouth College.    He  was  a  diligent  student,  and  active  in  all  matters 
1Read  before  The  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  Historical  Club,  February 
10,  1919.    Reprinted  from  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  Bulletin,  May,  1919. 
Editorial  Comment. — In  the  past,  as  from  time  to  time  we  read  the 
"  Historical  Introduction "  to  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  the  United  States,  the 
desire  to  know  more  about  the  history  of  Dr.  Lyman  Spalding,  who  in  the 
initial  paragraphs,  is  given  credit  for  originating  the  project  for  the  forma- 
tion of  a  National  Pharmacopoeia,,  became  stronger  with  each  reading.  This 
desire  has  been  gratified  by  the  publication  recently  of  the  "Life  of  Dr. 
Spalding"  prepared  by  his  grandson,  Dr.  J.  Alfred  Spalden.  The  facts 
presented  in  this  sketch  are  taken  from  this  memoir  and  are  presented  in 
such  an  interesting  way  that  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  reprinting  thereof 
will  be  appreciated  by  many  pharmacists. 
