Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-01
DEATH OF DIR. II. b. re wNsEND.

HOtels ne" IOfA-HmIncng ms n 4
Sureeon-His Distin9uished Success |
In Performing the Cesarian OPERA |
uon-A Sketch OF His Career
Tributes by New Haven Medical
sociates.
DR.. T. Beers Townsend of this city, who
was for years eminent as q physician and
surgeon, died yesterday morning at the
Buckingham hotel In Now York, where he
had been staying for several weeks past.
About ten years ago he retired from active
practice in his profession, owing to i'll
health, and most of that time he had been
an invalid and had resided at the old
Townsend homestead In the annex,
When his health first seriously failed he
sought its restoration by travel in this
country and In Europe, chiefly in the old
world, much of the time being spent in
England and France. His health had,
however, become too seriously impaired to
admit of it's restoration and he returned
to his old home, where he had fingered
among the old familiar scenes and associa-
tions enjoying the society of few init
mate friends and the company of favorite
books which beguiled his hours of COM
parative freedom from pain or indisposi-
ton.
The news of DIR. Townsend's death brings
sorrow to many hearts, including the old
er members of the medical profession with
whom years ago when in the full tide of
his professional activity he was associated,
and who remember him personally as
most genial high-minded associate and dis
tinguished surgeon. DR.. Townsend some
twenty Eve years ago successfully per-
formed the difficult and dangerous surgi-
cal operation known as the C8satian oper-
alton. It attracted national attention and
accounts we're printed in the medical jour
nails, both in this country and in Europe.
The operation was much more danger
GUS then than now, as then the use of
antiseptics, 30 important and indispensa-
BILE in surgical operations, was unknown,
and success in an operation of the kind all
the more conspicuous. The case was that
of young oolored woman of this city
The operation was q brilliant success and
the child grew up and Is living to-day. The
fame of the operation spread far and wide
OF the operation DR.. G. A. Lindsey re-
calls that the case was one of Dr. +. L.
Dibbles. In which he had been called in
consultation. DR.. Lindsey advised the
operation.
The case excited interest and extensive
attention among the medical fraternity,
and the distinguished surgeons, Drs.
Knight, Charles Hooker, deceased, and our
esteemed townsman, DR.. Stephen G. Hub
bard, also gave counsel in the case. The
operation being fully decided upon, DR..
Townsend, then rising young surgeon,
was called upon to perform the operation,
DR.. Knight being then in advancing years.
As stated, the result was eminently sue
naasfn1 and at or kho
surgeon with Ienown.
DR.. Lindsey, speaking further of the
case, says that Dr. Townsend was a very
rapid as we'll as exact ope. ator, a fact
which contributed, no doubt, to the sue
cess of the operation, especially in those
days when the use and efficacy of antisep
tics were unknown, not having then bsen
discovered, aud rapidity of operation being
an important factor. Dr.. Lindsey recalls
also the fact illustrative Of the large surRi-
cal practice Of DR.. Townsend, that during
one whole year there had not been a case
of amputation in this entire county New
Haven't that had not been performed by
DR.. Townsend. DR.. Townsend's large
| medical and surgical practice tended,
NO doubt, to undermine his health
| and predisposs him to the life of the in
valid, which in late years, though atill
| comparatively young man, he led He
was always sympathetic, ready to respond
to calls upon his time and attention, and
| drove many miles almost daily into the
country to attend to calls, besides attend
Ing to his city practice, which was very
| large. he wac, moreover, very genial
| man, sociable, entertaining and fsvorite
| with the profession and with all. Dr..
Townsend was for years an inst, uctor at
Yale medical college and WAS eminent "a
| an instructor.
DR.. Daggett recalls that Dr. Townsend
| was eminent as q surgeon aud q very gen
| ial companion and associate, and that he
was for many months busy a part of his
time daily in surgical and medic al work at
the knight general hospital Jour state hos
pitaD, when it was filed with invalid and
wounded soldiers, and many surgical op-
erations were required. The late DrT B.
| Jewett was then in charge of the Knight
| hospital for the government. DR.. Town
send had years previous, when learning
his profession, been DR.. Jewett's associate
| in his Office and assisted DR.. Jswett in
| much surgical work.
DR.. Townsend was a native of what was
| then East Haven, now New Haven, born
| at the Townsend homestead at Raynhsm,
| in the annex. The foundation of his edu-
| cation was acquired at the General Russell
Collegiate and Commercial institute, when
it was conducted by Mr. Stiles and General
Russell. DR.. Townsend was graduate Of
| Yale medical school. He after ward added
to his professional knowledge at college in
London and Edinburg aud at the Dublin
medical school, and later was for
months perfecttng his requirements at the
great French hospitals at the time of the
Crimean war, when the hospitals were
filled with wounded French soldiers sent
home from the scene of conflict. Thus
he secured an exceptionally fine q uipment
for his profession, in addition to his native
skill and adaptation to the same
Deceased was for several years chief con-
sulting surgeon of the Conson lated road.
While attending case at an accident on
the Canal road he was overcome by sun
stroke, from the effect of which he never
permanently recovered.
He died at the Buckingham hotel sur
rounded by his brothers and nephews and
others of those nearest and dearest, His
health had been considerably improved in
the last few months, SO much 80 that he
was unusually encouraged, and feeling
stronger, removed to New York for change
of scene and air, but an attack of the grip
seized him, which, in his weakened condi-
ton, proved fatal. He leaves a memory
which will be warmly cherished in
many hearts and hundreds in this
city and vicinity will recall
his genial nature. his sffability and kind
ness, his charitable and lovable nature.
He was favorite with all, rich and poor,
high and low. He leaves five brothers,
Hon: James NJ, William, Captain Charles
H., George H., and Frederick Townsend.
He was an uncle of United States
Judge W. K. Townsend of this city. De-
ceased was member of the Union Leaaue
club, New York.
The funeral will probably take place on
Monday and it Is probable that Rev. Dr..
Smyth, pastor of Center church, where
deceased attended worship, and Rev. DR..
Burdett Hart of Fair Haven, will ofioiste.
The Jewish Passover.
The feast of the jewish passover COM
menoed last evening at o'clock. Services