The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-31
DIR. Charles w. Thomas.

'ho@Aeu ny TIC announcement on thursday
morning OF the death of this excellent physi-
clan. Few even had heard of his sickness;
and no one was at all prepared for its sudden
and fatal termination.
DIR. Thomas was born in Portland on the
14thof February, 1916, and was consequently
just fifty years old at the time of his death.
He entered Bowdoin College in 1880, and grad
uated in 1884, among the first in class that
contained many excellent scholars, receiving
The Latin sautatory Grafton as his part at Com
mencement. Cyrus Hamlin, Missionary to
Constantmople, the Rev. Henry b. Smith, of
Brooklyn, and the late John Appleton, OF this
city, were among his classmates. He was
elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa So
ciety, and after graduation was offered the
German tutorship, a well deserved eompli-
ment to his excellence rs a German scholar.
This honor, however, was declined. 'rH
Alter leaving College he commenced the
study OF medicine in this city with DIR. Gil
man, who became from that time his warm
friend, and continued through his whole pro-
Iessional career his constant and faithful ad-.
wiser In every case of difficulty and danger by
day and night. He attended the medical lee
lures at Brunswick and at Pittsfeld, receiving
his degree at the former place in 1887. He
opened an office in this city soon after receiy-
ing his degree, but again left in 1889 for Phia-
delphia, where he attended the medical lee
lures and formed the acquaintance of some of
the eminent physicians Of that city, Since
that time he has continued uninteruptedly in
the practice Of his profession in this city.
In 1853 in connection with DIR. Jewett, of !
New Hampshire, he received the appointment
OF examining surgeon for the recruits of the ,
volunteer regiments; and upon the resigna
sion OF DIR. Jewett, the whole duty deyolyed
ON him. This, in addition to his private prac-
tice, made his labors very arduous, and from
this time his health evidently failed. A short
time since he bad at attack of diphtheria; this
was followed by acute tonsillitis, and an erup-
tion OF carbuncles, all showing how vitality the
blood was deieriorated, and the whole system
depressed. From these attacks he never raj
lied, though no immediate danger was appre-
hended till the very day of his DEATH On
that day he complained of nuasea, vomiting ef
dark grumous fluid came on, and he rapidly
sank. assam.
At intervals examining his own pulse. con
scious of his condition, and with his mind per-
fectly clear to the last, he calmly awaited the
result. At half past seven O'Clock he gently
breathed his last.
Well educated,-a constant student through =
his whole professional life, with quick percep-
tons and excellent judgment, DIR. Thomas
was wise adviser; a safe and good physician;
while his cordial and pleasant manners made
him welcome visitor in the houses of bis pa
tients. Among his medical brethren he was
universally respected for his sterling integrity,
and that high sense of honor that scorned
every mean or unworthy act, and regulated all z
his acts. - D.
But if there be one trait of his character
more than another, for which he will long be
held in grateful remembrance. it is his kind
ness to the destitute bis faithful care of those
who could but poorly or not at all recompense
nun for his services. The poor whom he at
tended in his earlier professional years, chung to
him through all his after career, and he never
shook them of. What nobler tribute to his
memory. "He never negBcted the poor" This
tribute DIR. Thomas duly deserved. No mat
ter what the hour; no matter how poor the,
abode, wherever his assistance was asked for,
it was given; freely, cheAfuliy given; given
in the spirit Of a true Christian charity; and
given in that true professional spirit, without
which no man can be good and true physi-
clan. '''e
WHAT'S this spirit,-what this absorbing
interest-that makes the body" its study and
continual care; its active, willing, earnest
care; that in its weakness and infirmities, in
the dishonors Of its corruption, can still value
it, still stay by it; to mark its hunger and
thirst, its sleeping and waking, its heat and
cold; to hear its complaints, to register its
grosns." Whence comes this interest, greater
than ever painter or sculptor took in the form
and beauties of its health. At first perhaps it
seldom comes naturally. A mere sense of du-
ty must engender it, and still for while a.
mere sense Of duty must keep il alive. Pres.
entity the quick, curious, restless spirit of sci
ence enlivens it; and then it becomes an ex--
element, and then pleasure, and then the de-
liberate choice Of the mind. When the inter-
est OF attending the sick has reached th;a
point, there arises from it, or has already aris-
en-, ready discernment of diseases, and
skill in the use of remedies. And the skill
may exalt the interest, and the interest may
improve the skill, until in process eff time, ex-
perience forms the consummate practitioner.
/ But does the interest of attending the sick
stop here? If it has led to the readiest dis
cernment and the highest skill, and formed
the consummate practitioner, why need it CO.
further? But what if humanity shall warm.
it? Then this interest, this excitement, this.
Intellectual pleasure is created into prinei
pie, and invested with moral motive, and
passes into the heart. What if religion should
animate itP Why, then happy indeed Is that
man whose mind, whose moral nature, and
whose spiritual being are all harlnonioaslyen-
gagged in the daily business OF bis life with q,
whom the same act has become his own hap
piness, dispensation of mercy to his fellow
creatures and worship OF God ,.r.- -,.g,.7
This is the spirit that must actuate every
true physician, and this in large measure, we
believe, lived in the heart of our departed
brother, and brought forth its appropriate
fruits. ttJ.LI.f
And now dear friend Of my early and lAser
years,-upright citizen, beloved physician
farewell. No more Shall we meet yor,-
faithful alike IN sunshine or in storm. in vour
daily rounds. No more shall the: midnight
bell call you from your slumbers, that Others
may have sweeter repose.T Your work Is done
your own rest secure. Dus. we commit to
dust; and the spirit with unfaltcring trust, to
Him who has promised thas not even a cup Of
cold water given in the right spirit shall fail OF
its reward, 16njflia JILL AN.