Page:American Medical Biographies - Kelly, Burrage.djvu/25

ADAMS was of but little use for an attorney, no matter how astute, to cross-examine him in expectation of changing or controverting his proposition.

Dr. Ackley was neither an extensive reader nor a profound pathologist, and his lectures, while clear and accurate, lacked system and connection. As a clinical lecturer he was at his best. He was an enthusiastic sportsman, and whatever time he could snatch from the demands of an engrossing surgical practice was devoted to amusement with his rod and gun. It was upon his farm and largely at his expense that the first experiments in the artificial propagation of fish were made by his partner, Dr. Garlick, in 1853.

As an operator Ackley was bold, skilful and determined. Two ovariotomies performed by him in 1855 and 1857 are recorded by Dr. J. W. Hamilton of Columbus in the Transactions of the Ohio State Medical Society for 1859, where we find, also, two letters from the eminent physician and surgeon, Dr. John Delamater, of Cleveland, discussing the merits and demerits of the operation. In one of these letters he says: "Usually Professor Ackley was accustomed to dissuade patients from submitting to any operative procedures in these cases, beyond that of mere tapping as a palliative in the later stages of the affection." The position of both Delamater and Ackley on the question of ovariotomy seems to have been practically the same.

De mortuis nil nisi bonum—yet the truth of history demands further the brief and sad statement that Dr. Ackley in his later years fell into habits of intemperance, which not only obscured the honorable records of a strenuous life, but contributed in no slight degree to his premature death, April 24, 1859.



Adams, Frederick Whiting (1786–1858)

Frederick W. Adams, physician, writer on theology and violin-maker, was born at Pawlet, Vermont, in 1786. His literary remains show him to have been well educated. He studied medicine with Dr. Oliver Harmon of Pawlet; attended medical lectures at Dartmouth Medical School and began practice in Fairfield, Vt., before graduation.

After some time he removed to Cambridge, Vt., and thence to Barton in the same state in 1814, and in 1822 returned to Dartmouth and received his medical diploma. He continued to practise in Barton and vicinity until 1836, acquiring a great reputation as a physician and surgeon and being called at times to a distance of fifty miles to perform capital operations. He was one of the first to call attention to the advantages of hellebore (veratrum viride) in practice. In the winter of 1835–36 he attended medical lectures in Philadelphia and in the latter year settled in Montpelier. Here at first he was shunned by many on account of his reputed skepticism but through his skill and kindly manners soon became a leading practitioner in the town and surrounding country.

Dr. Adams was a man of literary taste, and long having been assumed to be an infidel or atheist, at the request of friends, he published a book entitled "Theological Criticism or Hints of the Philosophy of Man and Nature" (1843), with an appendix on "Dogmas of Infidelity," a book which entitles him to rank with Paine in his estimate of the Bible, the church and the clergy. He was, however, noted for his practical philanthropy, frequently treating the poor free of charge and even adding gifts of money or clothing where need appeared. It was well said that he "lived more practical Christianity than any other man in town." He was also a poet of no mean ability and frequently wrote verses which revealed strong Christian sentiments. When asked on his deathbed if he would die as he had lived, he replied, "If there is a Christian's God, I am not afraid to trust myself in His hands."

As a boy he learned to play on the violin and other instruments. His love for music never forsook him and during a long period of time, partly to amuse himself and partly as an occupation, he experimented in making violins, violas and violoncellos. He carefully studied all models of old Italian and German makers and endeavored to rival their quality of tone by using well-seasoned woods taken from our native forests. He is said to have made one hundred and forty instruments, some of his making still being in use among the people of New England. His skill in this direction attracted the attention of Ole Bull, with whom he enjoyed a close friendship.

Dr. Adams was twice married and his family consisted of at least one daughter. He died in Montpelier, Vt., December 17, 1858.

