The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

Keys. Owing to the failure OF his
health, he took UP the study Of medi-
cine under the late DR.. W. q. Micks at
Clinton. and progressed nicely. Suisse
qnently he attended lectures nc the Uni-
yersity Of New York during the sessions
az 1s5s-lSJ9.
In order 10 further perfect his studies
during the sessions Of 1899 and 1850 he
attended lectures at the Long Island
Hospital College at Brooklyn, New
York, and WAS graduated from there i'll
1850 with the degree Of NJ. ID. The
Doctor then went to Europe. who're
he remained d period and then returned
to his native shore, landing in america
at New York the day that inc city OF
Charleston was fired upon. Being Il true
Sautherner, and as | have said above,
having absorbed some OF the principles
Of independence, he immediately tender
ed his services to the Confederaey. and
entered the service of the Confederacy
as an assistant surgeon Of the Second
North Carolina State troops and was
soon afterwards made surgeon, and con-
timed with that regiment in active
field operations until January, 1865.
when he was placed in charge of the
Hospital at Wytheville, Virginia. After
the stars and bars went down in im-
mortal glory he began the practice OF
his chosen profession at Goldsboro lie
practieed in cooperation with DIR. John
Davis, prominent physician of that
section. After that gentleman's death
he formed co-partnership with DIR. j.
T. Miller, which continued for period
Of seven years, or until about 1880. At
that time DR.. Kirby's health being bad
he gave up the practice of medicine for
awhile, and sought health upon the
plains Of western Kansas.
That high and exhilirating climate
soon restored him to health and yigor,
and he returned to Goldsboro and re-
sunled the practice Of medicine. He
continued in the active practice of medi-
cine until March, 1891.
1t was at that period that he was
elected Superintendent Of the North
Carolina Insane Asylum, and the choice
was indeed a wise one, as has since been
demonstrated. Previous to MS appoint
ment to the position, he had been tor Il
period Of six years Il Director of that
institution. Owing to the fact OF hold
ing this position and becoming thorough
: ~ interested in that special branch Of
practice lie Interested himself thoroughly
and made an exhaustive research on the
treatment OF insane people. Thus upon
taking charge Of the institution, ne went
there thoroughly prepared and equipped.
The result has been apparent to all OBJ
servers and | can conscientiously say
that North Carolina is greatly indebted
TO this gentleman for the excellent man
ner in which the institution has been
conducted and managed.
1t may be said that his interest and
views on insanity were the motives Of
his acceptance Of the position as Super
mrendemt, this position giving him the
necessary opportunity by which his
theories could be demonstrated.
The results obtained have more than
fully confirmed the truthfuiness Of the
views he had adopted at that tins. He
is Il man Of earnest ways, and never
does things by halves. He set about
carrying ont his theory. and | have as
certained from a glance at Dr. Kirby
report that the number Of eases dis
charged as cured at the State Hospital
Asylum run from fifty-fiye to sixty-seyen