The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-18
o B I TU A r Y,
Mrs. Sophia Vanderbilt.

Mrs. Sophia Vanderbilt, wife of Commodore
Vanderbilt, died at 1'3O yesterday morning, at
the house of her son-in- law, the Hon. Horace
F. Clark, in New York, where she was visiting
when stricken by apoplexy on the 9th inst. She
rallied after the first attack, and was supposed
to be in fair way 10 recover her usual health,
when second attack, on the night of Sunday
last, speedily put an end to her lie. Her hus-
band, who was at Saratoga when first apprized
by telegraph of her illness, reached home
in less than six hours by special train,
and was with her to the last, as were the
daughter aud son-n-law aforesaid. Mrs.
V. leaves two sons and six daughters, by whom
she was beloved as only the best Of mothers are,
and who are plunged into deep atction by her
su lden decease. She was at Lebanon Springs,
endea7oring to recruit her health, when first
almonished OF its frailty, when she hurried
said. She had lived nearly "a years without
incuTring reproach or provoking an enmtty.
Tue Commodore and his wife celebrated the
fiftieth anniversary of their marriage (If we
ri. htly recollec) on the 18Th OF December, 1868
nearly five Years ago. They were then both
in good health and were surrounded by all their
children, of whom two have since died. The
Commodore, we understand, though deeply
afflicted, still enjoys fair health.
DIR. john Eiiiotson.
The death is announced in the London jour
nails of DR.. John Elliotson, a name which has
for many years past been known in connection
with medical science, and which was rendered
very familiar in times past when mesmerism was
aurac ing large share of public attention. DR..
OF the last century, and was educated for the
medical profession at the University of Edin
burgh and Cambridge. After having suose-
queltly passed through three years course at
St. Thomas and Guy Hospitals in London, he
was elected physician OF the latter, and in that
capacity distinguished himself by the reform of
several administrative abuses in that institution,
as well as by the adoption of some new prescrip-
tions, among them those of prussic acid in
affections of athe stomach, of hydrocianic acid,
and of creosote. These, with his discoveries in
the use of the stethoscope, reused the opposi
tion of his personal brethren, and brought a
great deal of rdicule upon him, without, how
ever, affecting his reputation, which was greatly
increased by course OF clinical lectures which
he delivered IN London about that time. In
1881 he accepted professors chair in the Uni
versity, and the course of lectures he delivered
Immediately after was published in The Lancet
and The Medical Gazette. In 1887 he turned his
attention to the subject of animal magnetism,
and having made variety of experiments
which satisfied him Of its remedial efficacy he
applied this mysterious agent to the treatment
of certain affections which were up to that time
considered incurable. His experiments ex-
cited public curiosity to the
highest pitch; but his new doctrine
as 10 the curative powers OF magnetism, while it
made many converts raised up host Of adyer
sares against him, and be was ultimately COM
PEELED to resign the professors chair which he
held. he was subsequently instrumental IN
establishing hospital for the treatment OF
patients on mesmeric principles, because the
founder of the chronological Society, of which
he was elected President, and started under the
title OF the Z0otst, journal devoted to mesmer-
ism aud phrenologY. Dr. Ellotson's best titles
to fame are remarkable work on Sulphate OF
Qyinine; his employment of creosote in excessive
lrrltaoillty ofthe stomach; his discovery OF the
admirable curative properties and diuretc
qualities OF potash, and his experiments in the
on Surgical Cases in Mesmerism, etc. He died
at the advanced age OF nearly so wears,