Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/70

 doctor came rapidly into esteem, he still further popularized the course which had been begun by Morgan; and the other physicians, by this time seeing the manifest advantages enjoyed by these gentlemen, soon fell into the same practice.

"Had Dr. Morgan succeeded in his design of introducing with the present usages of practice his plan of receiving fees in hand, thereby obviating the necessity of book charges, which, he observes, is never done in any liberal profession, he would have left, says the reviewer previously quoted, an heirship of the highest value to his successors; valuable, not merely in regard to its pecuniary features, but as abolishing the means, and the incitement to a great many acts, which always, and inevitably tend to depress the profession far below its intrinsic dignity, and relative importance to other professions and callings."

Morgan's zeal was not confined to medicine alone. In other pursuits he was equally persevering and indefatigable, and much of his time was devoted to the improvement of the liberal arts and sciences. He took an active part in the foundation of the American Philosophical Society, and in 1772,