The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1884-01-12

This distinguished medical man, whose
principal works are known throughout the
civilized world, and who commands more
extensive practice by the aid OF the mails
than any other physician in the United
States, belongs to that stock the American
branch of which originated by Nathaniel
Foote, who took the freeman oath in the
colony Of Massachusetts, Bay, in the year
1888. The Foote's have added numerously
to the list Of eminent professional men,
statesmen, military and naval officers and
social reformers of both sexes, whose SER
vices to the commonwealth have contribu-
ted very largely to American progress.
That representative Of the family the best
known to-day, Edward Bliss Foote, por-
trait Of whom accompanies this sketch, is
the son Of the late Herschel Foo,e, pion-
Ger settler Of the Connecticut Western Re.
serve in Ohio, on which he was born in
1929. His health was exceedingly delicate
during his infancy and boyhood, which in
terferred with his attendance at school; but
as he was lad eager for formation and
quick Of perception. he had acquired a
large amount of miscellaneous information
before entering, at sixteen years of age,
that griny paradise Of boys like him, the
printing Office. He was at home there d.
rectly, and his health improved during the
two years Of his first occupation wherein
he became not less apt in the easy express
sion Of his thoughts than at setting type.
This facility Of composition led to his re-
moval in his nineteenth year, from Ohio to
Connecticut. where he assumed the edito-
rial control of weekly newspaper, which
soon became the largest published in the
State. Three years afterwards he removed
to New York for the purpose Of charging
the influence of his pen; and while pursu-
ing his duties as associate editor on a prom
inent weekly journal, became acquainted
with a medical botanist with whom he
formed an acquaintance which resulted in
his being enabled to combine literary work
with the study and practice of medicine,
and eventually to become physician, the
leading ambition of his life. AS assistant
to an irregular" practitioner he found
abundant opportunity of employing his pen
controversially, and acquired singular dex.
terity in this way. Having given up his
editorial position in New York and pur-
chased an interest in the Morning Journal,
the first morning newspaper published in
Brooklyn, he devoted much of his time and
energy to writing for that journal. Two
years application to medical study and dali
Nv newspaper toll as we'll was as much as
his constitution could bear, and the time
had come when one or the other of these
occupations must be given up. The deci-
sion was soon made and Mr.. Foote became
co-partner with his friend of the botanic
school of medicine. His practice was re.
markably successful for two reasons, be.
cause founded on an accurate acquain.
lance with physiology, hygiene and medi-
cine, and because Of his extraordinary nat
ural adaptation to his work. He remained
in partnership until 1857. and, having cured
professor OF the Penn Medical Universe
ty, OF Philadelphia, of pulmonary disease
was induced by him to become student
Of that institution. He was graduated an
NJ. d in the year 1860.
The young physician began his career as
the author Of books in 1858, when twenty
nine years Of age. His first work was
Medical Common Sense" radical and
daring production, which was hailed by
many advanced thinkers and philanthro-
pists as decided advance in the direction
OF emancipating the people from the DOM
ination Of narr ow-minded men, who regard
simple treatment Of anatomy, physiology,
hygiene and the art Of healing rs an inva.
sion Of their close rights. This intolerable
pretension DR.. Foote knocked In the head,
and dealt not less vigorously with that
mischievous, miscalled delicacy which for
bids the discussion Of reproduction and
other natural functions. N. p. Willis
wrote Of the new book in these words:
Wisdom cut and dried" and testimonials
equally dattering, written ~ competent
Judges, were numerous. A quarter Of Z
million copies were sold within the year,
remarkable fact, especially ~ the book
was Of considerable size. containing three
hundred pages. In 1866 DR.. Foote began
the revision Of his work, and BY the winter :
OF 1S6o-7o had produced the manuscript Of
"Plasr Home Talk" embracing .Medical ,
Common Sense" OF this work Of nine
hundred and twelve pages, more than a