Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 2.djvu/370

 ROGERS

in 1S22, and was a jjraduate of the Jefferson CoUojie in Philadelphia. ITe became distinguished for his scientific investigations, and his original views of matter and the laws which govern it attracted the attention of scientific men.

His theory was that all physical phe- nomena, without exception, are transfor- mations of electrical energy. His articles on astronomy and physics had a wide circulation both in the United States and Europe and provoked much discussion.

He was a member of the Chataufiua County Historical Society and the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science. For some years before his death, however, he left off his practising in order to devote all his time to literary work. He wrote among other papers: " New and Original Theories of the Great Physical Forces." 1S7S.

"Cholera, Its Nature and Cure," published, 1903.

He died at his home in Dunkirk in 1901 after a short illness.

Med. News, 1901, vol. Ixxix. Brit. Med. Jour., 1901, ii.

Rogers, Joseph Goodwin (1841-1908).

Born in Madison, Indiana, November 23, 1841, he was the son of Dr. Joseph H. D. and Abby Goodwin Lane Rogers. His father was a giant in stature and of great force of character as befitted a pioneer physician in Indiana and Kentucky at an early day. His mother was a gentle- woman of refined and cultivated tastes. From his father he inherited a sturdy, forceful and strong character; from his mother refined tastes, high ideals and an artistic temperament. His education was largely derived from his mother as at the early age of eight he suffered from Pott's disease and for many years was confined to bed. He became a diligent student and an omnivorous reader of good books and was self-taught to a remarkable degree. When eighteen he began to study medicine under his father's dictation, later at the Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Bellevue Hospi- tal Medical College, New York, from the

330 ROGERS

latter receiving his M. D. in 1864. He served as a surgeon in a military hospital until the close of the Civil War, and then went abroad for two years of travel and study. He fitted himself to practice as an ophthalmologist and upon his return, entered upon a successful career at .Madison. Indiana for many years.

In 1879 he was offered the superintend- ency of the Indiana Hospital for the insane at Indianapolis, which, after much hesitation and at great personal sacrifice he accepted as a duty owed to the public. For four years he devoted himself to the reorganization and development of the hospital and freed it from political and partisan interference. He proved to be too much in advance of public opinion and he retired -with honor at last rather than to sacrifice his high ideals of right and duty.

His special fitness for hospital manage- ment, however, had been proved and in 1SS3 he was selected by the Governor of Indiana, and a newly appointed commis- sion, medical engineer for the erection of three hospitals for the insane. He entered upon his duties with great enthu- siasm and energy and at the end of five years had planned and erected the Northern Hospital at Logansport, the Eastern Hospital at Richmond, and the Southern Hospital at Evansville, Indiana three modern hospitals, fully abreast of the most advanced ideas of hospital construction. Singularly enough thej"- were exponents of three distinct hospital types, the pavilion, the cottage and the radiate plans respectively, and stand to- day as monuments of his ability and versatility.

When he had completed his labors as medical engineer he was offered the choice of the superintendency of whichever one of the hospitals he might prefer. He chose the hospital at Logansport, and from May, 1888 until the day of his death continued in medical charge of it. Under his skilled direction the Northern Hospi- ta, in physical economy, humane meth- ods and medical care, reached the highest development. It rarely falls to the lot