Page:Biographical Memoir of John C Otto MD.djvu/7

 army to the encampment at Valley Forge, and had charge of the Hospital there, during the memorable winter of 1778.

He declined all compensation for these valuable services, although, at that time, quite advanced in years.

By the early demise of his father, Dr. Otto was deprived of the fostering care which so worthy a parent would have bestowed upon his education; this important duty was not, however, neglected by those left in charge of him, as he passed through a collegiate course at Princeton, where he took his degree in the year 1792. After leaving college, he was sent to Philadelphia, and entered the office of Dr. Rush in the spring of the year 1793. He was scarcely initiated in his new duties before the yellow fever made its appearance in Philadelphia; but being a novice in medicine, and of no assistance to his preceptor, his friends removed him to the country; and he resumed his studies in the autumn. During his pupilage, he was most attentive and assiduous, and, by his amiable deportment and promising talents, became a favorite pupil, and afterwards a warm friend of his distinguished preceptor, from whom he received many tokens of esteem and affection.

He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1796, and the same year settled as a practitioner in Philadelphia.

In the epidemic yellow fever of 1798, he had ample professional occupation, but was soon attacked with the disease himself, while on his way to see a sick friend near Woodbury, New Jersey. He remained during his illness at the house of a medical friend there, and recovered with difficulty.

The prospects of Dr. Otto, at his entrance into medical life, were in every way flattering. He had been the pupil, and was now the friend, of Dr. Rush; his capacities for the profession of his choice were undoubted; his manners were mild and amiable; and his moral principles were above reproach. He soon