Litchfield enquirer., 1846-05-28

nc nag Few equals IN conversation, as
there were few more profitable or agrea-
BILE companions. AS medical practi-
TONER, DR.. Ticknor had few if. any su.
periors. His mind was eminently of a
practical cast. discriminating and we'll
balanced. He was no mere theorist'
He had no hobbies. He was no slave to
prejudice. Hypothesis had no charms
for him. He wasa disciple of the Hip
pocratic school,-a true and ample OBJ
server of nature; whose laws he first
aimed to discover, and then act in accor-
dance with them. His highest ambition,
accordingly was to be the SERVANT AND
INTERPRETER OF NATURE" He never
boosted of having arrested or cured a
disease; but believing that the Creator
himself had perfected all the arrange
ments for that end, he considered it his
sole business to give them tull play. To
this end, he adapted medicinal agents
and hygienic measures with wonderful
skill and Judgment, and the result was
an eminent degree of success in the treat
ment of disease. But although great as
a physician, he was something more -
in him the friend ana the physician were
combined his affection, good sense, and
sympathy poured into the afflicted the
oil of comfort he soothed the pangs of
woe; he mitigated their distress; he found
out something in the wise dispensations
of Providence that he carried home to
the bosom of affection. Hence it was
that he was looked on as a guardian an
gel; his assiduity made him appear as
sufferer with the family-they viewed
him as one of themselves-sympathy
united him to them; he acquired new
ties, new affections he mourned with
them. and his philosophy pointed out
new sources Of consolation-he was be.
loved--he was everything that heaven in
kindness deputies, to soften and dissipate
human misery. In short, DR.. Ticknor
attained that "highest style of man." he
was christian.
We do not wish to overcharge the pic
ture. 1t is true he was our friend and
brother. But we describe him as we
have known him for more than thirty
years,and as he is known to the profession
throughout Connecticut. There, on the
field Of his usefulness and his fame, and
where he was best known, the tru.hfu!ness
of our sketch will be felt and acknowl-
edged there, where he fell a martyr to
his profession, in the full career of his
success, and the maturity of age and
experience, his memory will ever live in
the hearts of those who love to contem-
plate examples of true heroism,-of dis
interested benevolence,-ofh honorable
usefulness.
DR.. T. was the friend of progress and
improvement in every department of life,
and especially so in matters relating to
the medical profession. When he looked
abroad and saw every other class Of men
rapidly on the advance, and emulously
engaged in extending the boundaries Of
their future usefulness, he could not re-
main an idle spectator of the scene; but
zealously embarking in the same noble
cause, he exerted all his influence in rails
ing the standard of excellence in the pro.
fession which he loved, and which he
pursued with ardent and disinterested
zeal. Accordingly, no sooner had he
learned that National Medical Conyen-
ton had been proposed for the &C
complishment of these very objects, than
he Immediately recommended the plan
in an able letter published in our Journal
for Nov, lS45,-and we believe that by
this letter an additional impulse was
given, which seems destined to crown
the enterprise with success. He never
paused to calculate what the consequen.
ces of particular measure would be to
himself, or how it would affect his own
personal or pecuniary interests; "he
looked to the greatest good OF the great
est number" He did not pause to weigh
the chances of success or failure in such
a Convention. as was contemplated; he
looked only at the objects in view. and
deeming them important, he gave 10 the
project the entire weight of his name,
and his influence. The last official act
of his life was to convene the Medical
Society of the State at Hartford on the
18th of April. for the purpose of electing
delegates 10 the Convention.
The foundation of DR.. Ticknor's death
vas laid in the incessant fatigue and
watching to which he was exposed du-
ring the last two months of his life. For
forty days and nights he scarcely en-
ioyed an hours est undisturbed by calls,
and but few times during that whole pc
riod were his clothes removed for The
purpose of repose and sleep. Jus, one
week previous 10 his death he was at,ck-
Gu Will vtObCuS Chilli WHICH was LuC
precursor of a severe attack Of bilious
pneumonia, Of highly congestive, ty-
phoid type. which ran its course unchcck.
ed by the means employed, and which
terminated his valuable life on the eve-
ming of the 18th of April. 1916.
1t was our melancholy lot TO stand by
the bedside of the deceased during the
last two days Of his lite. and witness the
progress OF disease which had passed
beyond the control of human ART; and
we shall not soon forget the perfect COM
posure. fortitude. and resignation, which
he manifested in the midst of extreme
suffering and distress. and the un6inching
calmness with which, in the full posses.
sion of his reason. he resigned his spirit
into the bosom of his Creator.
1t was also our fortune to b. presen. on
his funeral occasion, and there we wit
messed a scene which will never pass
from our memory, while memory lasts.
The shops and stores of a thriving village
all closed upon weekday, as upon the
Sabbath "a congregation of people. Lar.
ger than was scarcely ever kKowc 20 as
semble in that place on any occasion.
melted to tears !, sobs bursting forth from