Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 2.djvu/265

 PAGE

237

FALLEN

and although not ambitious enjoyed with complacency his unrivalled success. His access to the best medical Ubrary in New England, that of Dr. Benjamin Vaughan in Hallowell, helped him largely. He made no display of his talent, he did not pretend to be learned, but always filled the exigency. A leader in medicine, he was cautious rather than adventurous and his long experience enabled him to compete successfully with younger men. He was excellent in the management of fevers and injuries, and his success in fractures was noted. He avoided calo- mel and bleeding when they were every- where carried to excess. Better not used than abused, was his opinion. He was a remarkable obstetrician and is said to have brought into the world three thousand children without losing a mother or a child. In this branch of medicine he displayed wonderful tact and skill. He rarely used the forceps. Ow- ing to his great diagnostic skill he was an unrivalled physician for children. An epidemic of spotted fever raged in Maine in 1812-14, during which he saved a large proportion of lives. Thacher says that almost all of the cases were attended personally by Dr. Page, and that he is entitled to the greatest honor for liis indefatigable industry at this time.

He was well versed in Latin and French, and after attending Talleyrand and other distinguished Frenchmen who were journeying through Maine, Dr. Page was able to discuss their symptoms in their native language. It is averred that Talleyrand was so much pleased with his physician's treatment that he thanked him in French in a letter and enclosed five times the fee suggested. For many years this remarkable physi- cian was at his best, had a very large practice in Central Maine and travelled extensively round about Hallowell. He sometimes went as far as Canada on con- sultations. His standing with his pro- fessional brothers was of the highest, as is proved by the numerous letters received by him asking his advice in emergencies.

He was very communicative to his

pupils, many of whom rode with him dur- ing his practice. He received from Bowdoin the honorary degree of M. D. in 1843. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and Maine Medical Society, and had an excellent medical library. He was a philosopher as he advanced in age, lived economically yet was generous to the poor. A man without rebuke in his own town, he never discussed politics or religion. Dr. Benjamin Page was large in stature, well formed, mild and benignant in countenance, lovely in intelligence and very cheerful. His head was small, his eyes sparkling and his face extremely vivacious. He was very suave, much given in later years to society, and a man very fond of company.

Dr. Page died indirectly from small- pox, January 25, 1844, during an epi- demic of this disease, after he had saved all the patients who went to the hospital.

He left a son. Dr. Frederick Benjamin

Page, who distinguished himself as a

physician in the South. J. A. S.

From Documents furnished by G. S. Rowell. Boston M. and Surg. Jour., 1845, xxxiii.

Fallen, Montrose Anderson (1836-1890).

This gynecologist was born in Vicks- burg on January 2, 1836, and had for father a professor of obstetrics in the St. Louis Medical College. Briefly summed up the appointments and writings of the son included: professor of gynecology in the University of the City of New York; the same in the Humboldt Med- ical College, 1866; the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1869; in 1873, surgeon-general of Missouri, and during the Civil War medical director.

He took prize essays in 1858 and 1867 for "The Ophthalmoscope" and "Uter- ine Abnormities," read before the American Medical Association, and wrote also on "Faulty Implantation of the Vagina," "Ovarian Cysts," "Atresia of the Vagina," etc., etc.

Anne Ehze, daughter of Louis A. Benoist, was his wife and he had two children.

iMed. Rec, N. Y., 1890, vol. xxxviii.