John Collins Warren provided the first public demonstration of anesthesia in surgery
On Oct. 16, 1846, Harvard Medical School’s first dean, Dr. John Collins Warren, provided the first public demonstration…
Ignaz Semmelweis discovered puerperal fever could be reduced with chlorine solution hand washing
In 1846, Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, known as the ‘Savior of Mothers,’ discovered that cases of puerperal fever, also…
Lewis Caleb Beck’s “Adulteration of Various Substances Used in Medicine and the Arts” was published
In 1846, Lewis Caleb Beck’s published “Adulteration of Various Substances Used in Medicine and the Arts,” one of…
The first description of allergies was published
On Mar. 16, 1844, John Bostock, Jr., an English physician, published the first description of allergies in Medico-Chirurgical…
The Hampden-Sydney College medical department moved into its first permanent home, the Egyptian Building
In 1844, The Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College moved into its first permanent home, the Egyptian Building.
Ether used as surgical anesthetic for the first time
On Mar. 30, 1842, Dr. Crawford Long, an American physician and pharmacist in Jefferson, Georgia, used ether for…
Tornado struck Rochester and the Sisters of Saint Francis proposed building a hospital
In 1840, After a devastating tornado ripped through Rochester, Mother Alfred Moes and the Sisters of Saint Francis…
The University of Missouri was founded
In 1839, the University of Missouri was founded after the Missouri legislature passed the Geyer Act, legislation that…
Two medical colleges merged into the Medical College of the State of South Carolina
In 1839, two medical colleges merged into the the Medical College of the State of South Carolina. In…
Dr. James McCune Smith became the first African American to hold a medical degree
In 1837, Dr. James McCune Smith became the first African American to hold a medical degree. Smith, a…
The Library of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army was established
In 1836, The Library of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army (the present U.S. National…
Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute was founded
In 1834, The Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute was founded in Wake Forest. It was rechartered as Wake…
First enzyme was discovered and isolated
In 1833, the first enzyme was discovered and isolated by French chemist Anselme Payen also known for discovering…
Tuscaloosa was chosen as home of the University of the State of Alabama (University of Alabama)
In 1827, Tuscaloosa, then the state’s capital, was chosen as home of the University of the State of…
Dr. James Barry, now known as Margaret Ann Barry, performed the first successful cesarean operation
In 1826, Dr. James Barry, a Royal British Army surgeon, performed the worlds first successful cesarean operation. It…
Thomas Jefferson founded the nation’s 10th medical school
In 1825, Thomas Jefferson founded the nation’s 10th medical school which has grown into a nationally recognized academic…
The Medical Society of South Carolina Granted Charter by State Assembly
On Dec. 20, 1823, the South Carolina General Assembly granted the request of the Medical Society of South…
The Medical College of South Carolina was incorporated
In 1823, The Medical College, a private institution of the Medical Society of South Carolina was incorporated in…
Eleven physicians established the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the first compendium of standard drugs for the US
On Dec. 21, 1820, eleven physicians met in Washington, D.C., to establish the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the first compendium…
The University of Virginia was founded
On Jan. 25, 1819, the University of Virginia was founded after being conceived by Thomas Jefferson in 1800…
First successful transfusion of human blood to a patient was performed
In 1818, the first successful transfusion of human blood to a patient was performed by British obstetrician James…
The federal government authorized Alabama Territory to set aside a township for the establishment of a “seminary of learning”
In 1818, the federal government authorized Alabama Territory to set aside a township for the establishment of a…
James Parkinson published an essay on paralysis agitans known as Shaking Palsy
In 1817, James Parkinson published an essay on six cases of paralysis agitans known as Shaking Palsy. This paper…
The Medical Institution of Yale College opened its doors
In 1813, the Medical Institution of Yale College opened its doors with four professors and 37 students and…
McLean Hospital was founded
On Feb. 25, 1811, McLean Hospital was founded through a charter granted by the Massachusetts Legislature for the…
A permanent home for the Boston Marine Hospital was found in the Charlestown section of Boston
In 1808, A permanent home for the Boston Marine Hospital was found in the Charlestown section of Boston….
The University of Georgia graduated its first class
In 1804, the University of Georgia graduated its first class in 1804. The curriculum of traditional classical studies…
The first permanent Marine hospital was authorized to be built in Boston, Mass
On May 3, 1802, the first permanent Marine hospital was authorized to be built in Boston, Mass. A…
Yale College’s Benjamin Silliman taught the first modern science course (chemistry) in the US
In 1802, Yale College’s Benjamin Silliman taught the first modern science course (chemistry) in the U.S. Silliman was…
US marine hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana was authorized by Congress
In 1802, a U.S. marine hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana was authorized by Congress while the port was…