Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/183

 After his return home in 1810, after three years’ absence, Dr. Gibson entered upon the practice of his profession in Baltimore, and two years afterwards was appointed to the Chair of Surgery in the University of Maryland. This Institution had recently been established, and in it he was associated with Drs. Davidge, Potter, Baker, De Butts, and Hall. In 1814 he served as a medical officer in the militia of Maryland, at the time of the attack of the British on Baltimore. Upon the death of Dr. Dorsey, when Dr. Physick was transferred to the Chair of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Gibson was elected to fill the vacant Chair of Surgery. The election took place in September, 1819.

It would be no small praise to state that Dr. Gibson fully sustained the reputation he brought with him from the University of Maryland, in the new position to which he had been called as the successor of Dr. Physick, the founder and illustrator of the Chair of Surgery in the University of Pennsylvania. As a lecturer he was clear and emphatic; his voice was distinct and melodious; his language was well chosen, and his style of enunciation was attractive. His demonstrations of surgical anatomy were readily comprehended by the student; some of them especially, as those in connection with the neck, with hernia, and with lithotomy, could not be surpassed in lucid exposition. For purposes of demonstration, Dr. Gibson had himself prepared, and procured by purchase, an ample collection of morbid structures, diseased and fractured bones, models and casts, as well as pictures of large size, illustrative of disease, or of the anatomical parts of the body involved in operations. To these were added the approved mechanical appliances of the day. In thus teaching he set the example that has been followed extensively by other surgeons.

As an operator Dr. Gibson was undoubtedly dexterous; of his operations and cases, a number were from time to time communicated to the Journals. In the treatment of fracture of the thigh, he placed before the notice of practitioners of this country a modification of the apparatus known as