Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-20
THE LATE DOCTOR DANIEL DRAKE.

Dr. DANIEL DRAKE of Cincinnati, who died in that city
on Saturday morning last sxyseven years old, and
has left few physicians behind him whose practice of
their profession in the West far back his does
He began the practice of medicine learn from
address he delivered last winter in Cincinnati at the
beginning of the present century, at which time that city,
now SO large and SO important village, with
brick house, shining in solitary spendor in contrast
those of logs and boards in its vicinity
Dr. brakes is the most eminent name in the annals of
Western medicine His great work on the Diseases of
the Valley of North America is full Of ability and the
suits of wedirected industry and the most ndefagable
research The first volume only has yet been published
We sincerely hope that the second volume is ready
for the press for if death has before the concu
sion of his labors, then his death will indeed be great
calamity to the public and to the profession This work
has been pronounced by competent medical critics to be
the most original work that has been produced by any
American physician Its foreign reputation is not less
distinguished than that which it enjoys at home 1t is
book that viii have permanent and leading place as
signed il in the medical literature Of the United States
Apart from his labors in his profession Dr. Drake on
various occasions delivered lectures and oratons sub
ects of public interest many Of which have been pub
ished They marked by vigorous and original think
ing and by the practical value of their suggestions
volume might be made up from such which would
have great interest for all thinkers.
He was extremely fond Of recalling the past Phe
Of his youth lived most wildly in his memory and
would fervid descriptions before the minds
those who listened him in all their original beauty and
freshness. His early struggles and successes were
often dwell on not much in the spirit of vanity be-
he had profoundly afectonae regard for them
What he did well for his and trials he
also accomplished for the and trials Of others
He always ready to do justice to those whose paths
in life had been at any period parallel with his own
Hence, in speaking of his early and somewhat rough
professional experience he would also relate anecdotes
credabe to those who his competitors for the pub
lie favor. His memory a storehouse filed with an
infinite variety Of things both large and small from the
pill he administered to hypochondriac patient fifty
ago. up to what had been written and said in rea
ton to those great problems of humanity which have
taxed the ofest powers Of the greatest Of human minds
In all ages.
In the decease Of Doctor Drake Cincinnati has lost one
of her pioneer citizens her greatest man. and the writer
to whom she is indebted for her prosperity He
dearly loved his city, which had sprung up so conspicu
ously Immediately under his own eye in the wilderness
He had lived there when II pary village and he
lived TO see il superb city, Of world wned impor
ance the Queen Of the West 1t is not strange then
that he loved the city whose growth he had eagerly
watched from its infancy to its greatness the city
Grated to his heart by affection by adYersites and by
prosperity the city in which he had with both sue
cess and suffering; where his friendships had rpened
hourshed, and decayed; where the past full Of
mniscences Of gadness and Of gloom where his home
had been for half century, period marked by events Of
the most transcendant Importance, prominent and
dern among which events the birth and growth Of
such city that he loved with q lovers constancy
As lecturer subjects connected with his profession
his reputation unsurpassed by Of his CONDUCTORS
We heard him lecture professional subjects and
therefore only report what others have said infer
his superiority from what knew Of him in other re-
spects But we know shall be sustained by thousands
in saying that medical lecturer few have been en-
gagged so long and dovotedy while have excited
general attention attracted greater number Of
students anxious to listen 10 the wisdom which fell from
his lips He was Mt the time Of his decease member of
the faculty of Ohio Medical College.
From what we know of his habits we have no doubt
that he has left behind him ample materials for the con-
sruction Of biography. well-written volume is due
his memory and the conspicuous place he filed in the pro-
fession be adorned The incidents and the associations
OF his life will afford to person properly qualified for
the biographical Office ample materials for Life which
will be full Of interest and instruction We hope they
may be committed to the hands Of thoroughly competent
person. for that much is due the distinguished dead as
wen as 70 the living There those still living who
have been on terms Of intimacy with the subject Of this
arucie during that long period embraced by his profess
s'onai e and from them much may be gathered Of in
terest IN relation to departed friend He always felt
ueep interest in the success Of young Of talent and
genuine merit and many the stage Of life who
look back to the sympathy and many kndnesses
ne showed them in their days of trial with feelings OF pro-
round gratitude lie not only man of high talent,
but no was also Of the most pansakng and aborious
students that have known. His is mainly
70 be attributed 10 his answering diligence He was
never satisfied long he knew that he ignorant
of any Of the phases of subject His example in this
respect valuable and ought to be followed by all those
who aspire 10 fortune TO fame in their profession
Louisville Journal