Page:Biographical Memoir of John C Otto MD.djvu/21

 that slow and progressive decline of the vital powers, which is uninfluenced by remedial measures, or by nutritious food, and which presages a dissolution of the frame at no distant period;—a sort of breaking up of the system, or a wearing out of the machine, which it is beyond the power of art to invigorate or repair. Towards the close of life, œdema of the extremities occurred, with great difficulty of respiration, which induced Dr. Hewson and myself, his medical attendants, to suppose that hydrothorax had taken place, and we had little doubt that this condition was preceded by extensive organic disease of the heart, although no post-mortem examination was instituted to test the accuracy of this opinion.

During this long illness, Dr. Otto maintained an unusual serenity and composure, and looked forward to the final result with entire resignation to the Divine will. He died, as he had lived, a humble and devout Christian—beloved and respected by all who knew him, and highly esteemed throughout this community.

I have thus endeavored, gentlemen, to present a faint sketch of the character of our late venerable friend. His presence in this Hall has often inspired us with respect and affection, and his departure from our midst has created a painful blank. It is true, he was not a great man, in the ordinary sense of the term; he had not attracted around him crowds of admiring votaries, who hung upon his accents as though they were oracular; he was not gifted with those splendid abilities which fit men for leaders in the onward march of science; his medical opinions were not, like those of his distinguished master, stamped upon the literature of his age and country. But, notwithstanding he was a plain, unpretending man, he was one of the soundest and most judicious physicians of our country,—well read in the school of nature, and his mind stored with the treasures of knowledge, derived from an intimate acquaintance with the works of ancient and modern