Chapter 38

VALENTINE MOTT.

Birth--Early life--Enters Columbia College--His medical studies--Continues his studies in Europe--Great surgical genius--His early success as an operator--Returns home--Is made Professor of Surgery in Columbia College--His career and success as a teacher--Introduces the system of clinical instruction--Difficulty of procuring "subjects" for dissection--Desperate expedients--midnight adventure--A ready rebuke--Success and skill as a surgeon--Tribute from Sir Astley Cooper--A wonderful operation--Sketch of his original operations--His mode of operating--Careful preparation--Success as a physician--A progressive mind--Professional honors--Visits Europe--Reception abroad--Operates upon the Sultan of Turkey--A cool proposition--Personal--His last illness and death--"President Lincoln murdered."

I.

MERCHANTS.