Page:Samuel F. Batchelder - Bits of Harvard History (1924).pdf/233

 James Thacher was mate to Dr. Warren—a youngster from a good old Barnstable family, who had just finished his studies with Dr. Hersey there. Though not among the group of undergraduates, he may be described as a near-Harvard man, who in his prime was closely associated with the College, and in 1808 received the honorary A.M., followed in 1810 by the honorary M.D. (which was simultaneously bestowed on him by Dartmouth). Throughout the war he fluctuated between hospital mate and regimental surgeon, was present at West Point at the time of Arnold’s treason, and saw Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown. He then settled into country practice at Plymouth, where he died, universally esteemed, at the ripe old age of ninety-one. He is described as small in stature, light and agile in his movements, urbane, kindly, and fond of society. He is, perhaps, the most famous literary man on our list; his “Medical Biographies” and his “Military Diary” have been standard works for more than a century. In the latter, among other good things, he tells the famous story of the young candidate for surgeon—probably himself—who, agitated almost to the point of collapse by his examination before the hospital board, was asked, “In a case of rheumatism, how would you induce a profuse perspiration in the patient?” and who