The Columbia evening Missourian., 1921-02-15
FOUNDED NJ. i.
DEPARTMENT
iConiinued from page y

a-eAAA RNtN
Star and William 7. Kemper, of Kansas
City, well known 6nancier.
BORN IN ROCHEPoRT
Dr. McAlester was born in Rocheport.
on January I, l84l His father was B.
McAlesier, pioneer from Kentucky, and
his mother was Mary A. Walker. from
Virginia. He came with his parents to
Columbia in 1916. his father engaging in
contracting and lumber business here
and later building the house for the Presi.
dent Of The University on the campus and
the Science Building. now called Switz-
Ter Hall. Dr.. MrAlesler attended the
public schools and the University. In
1860 the University catalogue records
that he WIS enc Of fifteen students 10 re.
c'i.e diplomas in agriculture. DIR. Nc
Alesier received his A. b. degree from
the University in 1864. attended Rush
Medical College in Chicago in 1886
and 81 Louis Medical College in 1865.
20, from which he received his degree
rs doctor Of medicine in the latter wear
lie then returned to Columbia and began
TO practice medicine In 1867. he at.
tended in New York clinical course in
Bellevue and in 1865 received the degree
Of A. NJ. from the University of Missouri
Lr. McAlesier was largely instrumental
IN establishing the medical departments
ol The University in 1872. In 1873 he
went TO Europe. and while there Was an.
pointed professor Of surgery and materia
mcdica by the Board of Curators Of the
University.
Dr. McAlesler wGs appointed Dean Of
The School Of Medicine Of the University
Of Missouri in 1880 10 succeed his old
teacher, DIR. Joseph c. Norwood. who
Vas the nominal dean for seven wears.
bui who, from the beginning. assigned
The greater part of the actual administra. /
tFe duties to DIR. McAlcster. due al 6rst
10 DIR. Aorwood's large duties in other
departments as professor of physics and
other sciences. and laIierly because of .
declining health.
SECOND TRIP To EUROPE
In 1885. DIR. McAlester visited Eurone
a second time and attended clinics in
London and Paris hospitals. He was
also interested in horse-raising. and dur.
lhg ils visit met some of the leading
horse-rsisens of Europe. He knew the
captain who was put in charge of build
ing np the horses for the Kaiser's army
lie watched with interest the beginnings
OF breeding the thoroughbred horses in
France, which later resulted in lbe bIack
morse cavalry that was so impor,ant a
iactor in halting the German army dur.
lns the early days Of the war. This ex.
Pcronce was valuable to DIR. McAles,er
when he began breeding fast horses on
ms farm just north of Columbia. Al
one lime he had his own race track and
owned more than one hundred thorough.
bred horses. lie gave a stallion yalned
at 5000 te the United States govern
'"eni in an etiort TO interest the govern.
meni in breeding blooded horses far the
American army.
In 1900 DIR. McAlester WIS annoin,ed
superintendent of Parker Memorial Hos.
piial' which had just been completed
From 1901 to 1905 he was president Of
The state Board of Health. also serving
On On the board under Governors W. J.
Stone. A. II. Dockery. and F. ID. Gardner
In 1909 he retired from active duties as
Dean OF the School 81 Medicine and pro-
lessor Of surgery. On June of that wear
the Board Of Curaiors conferred on him
Inc title OF emeritus professor of sur.
gery. On June S, they passed resolu-
ton. commanding him for his faitbfuL
ness and ability and referring TO him as
the founder Of the medical department
Ut NcAlesier was appointed a mem.
Der OF the l. ;. Medical Advisory Board
undg Act Of MAY. 1917. and in lq2O
was appointed State Commissioner of
Health for Missouri. which position he
sui holds under the State Board If
Health. "
@A'N'A hs71AbNAL SlANnAkDS
He was fortunate in seceiving
thorough medical training in a day when
,ach training was not common. DR.. Nc.
AlesteT Was early impressed with the in.
adequacy Of the preparation of hundreds
y students who were admitted 10 cIipi.
al courses in the medical colleges Of
has and other states and with the laek ,
4 facilities for teaching the science and
ut Of medicine. During his entire ca.
rer' he has been working for better edu.
ai'd doctors and the requirement Of a Z
lgher standard in the medical profes-
ion.
Unfortunately the legislature program
: two years ago did not provide funds
or his work as State Health Cann;s-
loner; but as the work could not wait.
r. prepared during the last year an IL :
lsiraled lecture on health topics and c
ave 1t IN many rural schools. having
u expenses from his private purse. HE L
ptimism and enthusiasm have inspired
lany others TO similar work. These
winch have never grown
S with his advancing years. have kep,
i'm interested in the work d the deputy I
ealth commissioners in the counties
here sanitation and health topics are ;
sing taught the public school children. ?
Teach the children is the only way "
get results, saws Dr. McAlester.