Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 1.djvu/221

 BROWN 1

on the "Pathology and Physiological Effects of Ethereal Inhalation." His best work was in club-foot, where his per- sistency with the clumsy methods of the day enabled him to obtain success which less painstaking surgeons did not gain.

Dr. Brown married, in May, 1S64, Sarah Alma Newcomb, daughter of Joseph Warren Newcomb, and great granddaugh- ter of Gen. Joseph Warren.

He died at Auburndale, Massachusetts, December 26, 1S91 leaving in his will his collection of specimens to the Warren Museum in the Harvard Medical School, and a large sum of money to found the first professorship of orthopedic surgery in Harvard University. He was an ac- tive member of the American Orthopedic Association and the Boston Society for Medical Improvement.

W. L. B.

N. Y. Medical Journal, 1892, vol. Iv, p. 272.

J. Ridlon, M. D.

Trans.Amer. Orthop. Asso., 1892, Phil., 1893.

C. C. Foster, M. D.

Eminent Amer. Physicians and Surgeons.

R. French Stone, 1S94.

Personal Communications, E. H. Bradford,

M. D.

Bos. .Med. and Surg. Jour., vol. cxxvi.

Biograph. Encyclopedia of Mass.

Brown, Gustavus (16S9-1765).

He was the first of his family to ar- rive in Maryland, and was born at Dal- keith, near Edinburgh, Scotland, on April 10. 1689, His parents were Gustavus and Jane Mitchelson Brown, and his paternal grandfather was the Rev. Richard Brown, of the established Churcli of England, a graduate of the University of St. Andrews and minister to Salton in Scotland in the reign of Charles I. The name was formerly spelled Broun.

Nothing is known of Dr. Brown's education. He came to Maryland in May, 1708, and is said to have been a i-i mate on board an English While his ship lay at anchor, he went ashore, but before he could return a storm arose which made it necessary for the ship to weigh anchor.

5 BROWN

Thus left, with nothing but the clothes on his back, he made himself known, and informed the planters of his willing- ness to serve them. He soon gained their respect, married in 1710 a lady of wealth, and acquired a large practice. Many years later he w 7 ent to Scotland to live, but his wife not liking the coun- try, he returned to Maryland in 1734.

Dr. Brown's place, called "Rich Hill" was four miles from Port Tobacco, in Charles County. He was prominent in the affairs of the state. He was one of seven trustees appointed by the General Assembly to select teachers for the Province.

He had a number of medical students, two of whom, Dr. Michael Wallace, of King George County, Virginia, and Dr. John Key, of St. Mary's County, Mary- land, became his sons-in-law. His nine daughters, known as "the nine graces," married men of prominence. Dr. Brown showed remarkable shrewd- ness by requiring all their husbands to secure upon them, at marriage, the property which he gave as dower.

Dr. Michael Wallace told that on one occasion Dr. Brown was sent for in haste to pay a professional visit in the family of a Mr. H., a wealthy citizen of King George County, Virginia, who was very slow in paying his physician but very ostentatious in displaying his wealth. In leaving the patient's room it was necessary for Dr. Brown to pass through the dining-room where Mr. H. was entertaining some guests at dinner. As Dr. Brown entered the room, a servant bearing a silver salver on which stood two silver goblets filled with gold pieces, step- ped up to him and said: "Dr. Brown, master wishes you to take out your fee." It was winter and Dr. Brown wore his overcoat. Taking one of the goblets, he quietly emptied it into one pocket, and the second goblet into another, and saying to the servant: "Tell your master I highly appreciate hi ; liberality;" he mounted his horse and returned home.

Dr. Brown died at Rich Hill, sud- denly, of apoplexy, in April, 1765. In