Page:A Memoir of Thomas C. James, M. D. - Hodge.djvu/17

 had but a slight attack, for in a letter dated Philadelphia, Sept. 20th, 1793, to his mother, he makes no mention of his own health, while he alludes to the dismal scenes which his family and professional duties had made too familiar. In the violent disputes which unfortunately existed among the leading physicians of the day, respecting the source and nature of the epidemic, Dr. James, as might be supposed from his character, took little part. He however decidedly avowed himself as agreeing with Kuhn and Wistar, to whom his predilections and attachments had formerly been fully accorded. Still so slightly was he tinctured with prejudice, that when Kuhn and Wistar were absent from the city, he solicited the assistance of Dr. Rush for a sick relative, as we learn from the above-mentioned letter to his mother.

The winter dissipated the epidemic, and of course the fears, although not the sorrows of the inhabitants of Philadelphia. Dr. James undertook the more regular business of his profession, but did not yet feel himself settled; for the ensuing year we find him acting surgeon to the "M'Pherson Blues, on the Western Expedition," as already mentioned.

On his return from this military expedition, he opened his office and became a candidate for professional business and reputation in this city, under the most favourable prospects of success. The yellow fever had greatly thinned the ranks of the profession. Dr. Way and Dr. Carson had lately died. Dr. Dunlap, who was extensively and almost exclusively devoted to obstetrics, was advancing in years, and depended much, says Dr. Ruan, on Dr. James, whilst his competitors, although numerous, were about his own age, and perhaps none of them possessed the advantages which Dr. James enjoyed. With the talents, attainments, extensive and complete medical education at home and abroad, now extending to at least eight years of preparation, was conjoined great personal attractions. His figure, I am informed by one who, although his junior, became acquainted with him about this time, was nearly perfect; his features handsome, his expression open, candid, cheerful; his manners pleasant, and his conversation, when he felt unrestrained, was of the most elevated character, abounding, as a friend and relative informs me, with information, cheerful, occasionally eloquent, and always replete with anecdotes well selected, and garnished by the corruscations of a poetic imagination. His family connections were of the most influential character; while his medical friends, Kuhn and Wistar, were the ornaments of the profession, and exerted an influence not