Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 1.djvu/461

 GILMAN

341

GILMAN

speotor, and medical director in 1S79. In 1895 he was promoted to the rank of commodore and retired from active service September 28 of the same year. He died in New York November 17, 1901. Gihon was a pioneer in the field of naval hygiene. His book "Practical Suggestions in Naval Hygiene" (1871), was a standard work at the time of its publication. He wrote numerous ar- ticles on naval hygiene, public health, vital statistics, and medical demography and climatology. Gihon was a charm- ing companion, a man of brilliant tal- ents, simple in manner, and sweet in temper. A. A.

Buffalo Med. Journ., 1901-2. xli.

Joum. Am. Med. Asa., Chicago, 1901,

Gilman, Chandler Robbins (1802-1866).

Chandler Robbins Gilman, obstetri- cian and medico-jurisprudentist, was born September 6, 1802, at Marietta, Ohio. His father and grandfather were among the earliest pioneers of Wash- ington County, and, in his later days, Dr. Gilman was fond of telling stories of Indian life and adventure.

When Chandler Robbins was eleven years old he was taken by his father to Philadelphia to live, and shortly afterwards was sent to Phillips Acad- emy at Andover, Massachusetts, and later to Harvard College. At the lat- ter, however, owing to adverse circum- stances, he had no opportunity to con- tinue his work until he could receive a degree. For a time he studied medi- cine under the famous Dr. Joseph Par- rish, but afterwards attended the med- ical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his M. D. in 1824.

Soon after graduation Dr. Gilman removed to New York City. There he underwent the sorest of trials and struggles while attempting to secure a professional foothold. At tliis time he married Serena Hoffman, daughter of a New York merchant.

In 1835 he became severely afflicted

with rheumatism. To recover his health he visited, in company with a friend, the pictured rocks of Lake Superior. In the territory round about he remained for a long time, fishing, trapping, and hunting. At last his health was completely restored. On his return to civilization, he published the results of his observations on the lake region in a little book entitled "Life on the Lakes." Another volume from his pen soon appeared, entitled "Legends of a Log Cabin." He then for a long time assisted his relative, Charles Fenno Hoffman, in editing the "American Monthly Magazine." Dur- ing these literary labors he was also practising medicine.

In November, 1840, he was offered and accepted the chair of obstetrics and diseases of women and children in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in the city of New York.

In 1841-42 he lost by death his wife and two of his children. The shock was very great, and for a time his friends almost expected to see his reason dethroned.

In September, 1844, he married Miss Hannah Marshall, daughter of Capt. David Marshall, of New York City.

In 1851, on the death of Dr. John B. Beck, the chair of medical juris- prudence in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which had been held by Dr. Beck, was offered to Dr. Gilman and accepted.

Dr. Gilman was not a copious writer on medical or lego-medical subjects. He was frequently urged to write a work on medical jurisprudence, and one on obstetrics; but, at such times, he always shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Oh, that mine enemy would write a book!" His contributions to med- ical magazines and to Appleton's "En- cyclopedia," however, were always highly valued, and so was his admirable memoir of Dr. John B. Beck. He revised and published the manuscript notes of Dr. John B. Beck on "Materia Medica," and also edited two of the