Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 1.djvu/232

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ber of the state and county medical societies.

For some years his health had slowly been failing, and grave symptoms appeared, referred to kidney trouble. Finally the sypmtoms of uremic poison- ing became more marked, until he sank into coma, in which state he quietly passed away on March 6, 1877.

As a surgeon, Dr. Buck was remarkable for boldness in operating, and thorough- ness of detail in after-treatment. His patient study of his cases was one of his peculiar traits. To cases of fractures he was particularly attentive, and in the wards of the New York Hospital he not infrequently devoted the greater part of the day to dressing them. As a result of such painstaking he was enabled to revolutionize the prevailing system of treatment. The improvements which he made in the then existing apparatus are matters of surgical history. His method of treating fractures of the thigh by the weight and pulley was at once recognized by surgeons throughout the civilized world as the establishment of an orginial principle of the utmost value.

His investigations with regard to the pelvic fasciae are to be found in the first volume of the "Transactions of the American Medical Association," and his several papers on " Perityphlitic Abscess in the Ilio-cecal Region," " Migration of Purulent Matter," and "Post Fascial Abscesses originating in the Iliac Fossa" were finally collected in a pamphlet (1S76) under the title of " Abscesses in the Lower Abdominal Cavity."

The various capital operations described in the periodical medical literature of the time describe what is known as Buck's operation for edema of the glottis, one which holds deservedly high rank But in no department did he gain more laurels than in autoplastic surgery. His devotion to this branch, during the latter part of his life, amounted to a passion, and his marvellous successes roused in him an enthusiasm which mocked the increasing infirmities of his age and his rapidly declining health. His work on "Con-

6 BUCK

tributions to Reparative Surgery," give3 his remarkable experience, and may be looked upon as the crowning effort of a most notable career.

As a man, Dr. Buck was noted for his sterling integrity of character, his high sense of professional honor, his consistent Christianity, his charity to the poor, and his quiet devotion to his family. He left a widow and five children, three sons and two daughters. Two of the sons became physicians.

The following list comprises nearly all the different papers written by Dr. Buck:

" Researches on Hernia Cerebri, follow- ing Injuries of the Head." ("New York Journal of Medicine and Surgery," vol. ii, 1840.)

"Excision of the Elbow-joint in a Case of Suppuration and Caries of the Bones." "A Case of Anchylosis of the Knee-joint, etc." ("New York Journal of Medicine and Surgery," vol. iv, 1841.)

"The Knee-joint Anchylosed ata Right angle; restored nearly to a straight posi- tion, after the excision of a wedge-shaped portion of bone, consisting of the patella, condyles, and articular surface of the tibia." ("American Journal of the Med- ical Sciences," 1845.)

"Edematous Laryngitis" (with plates showing instruments and operation). " On the Anatomical Structure of the Genito-urinary Organs." ("Transactions of American Medical Association," vol. ii, 1848.)

"Six Additional Cases of Edematous Laryngitis, successfully treated by Scarifi- cation of the Epiglottis." ("Transactions of American Medical Association," vol. iv, 1S51.)

" Surgical Treatment of Morbid Growths within the Larynx." ("Transactions of American Medical Association," vol. vi, 1853.)

"A Case of Deep Wound of the Parotid Region, in which a ligature was simul- taneously applied to the common and internal carotid arteries." ("New York Medical Times," November, 1855.)

"Postfascial Abscess, originating in