Evening star., 1934-05-01

DIR. WILLIAM H. WEIGH.
Spring Of 1878, where he began earn
ing IN income from the practice Of
medicine and from tutoring candi-
dates for internships in hospitals or
appointments to the medical services
of the Army and Navy. His major
bent, however, was to teach pathology.
At this time America was curiously
isolated from the strong movements in
Germany and France along the lines
Of bacteriology, experimental pathol-
ogy and pathological anatomy. WEIGH
was destined to play the principal role
in establishing the new methods and
bringing the new learning to America.
Within a few weeks after his re-
turn from Europe he was invited to
become lecturer on pathology at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons,
but he declined, because the offer
brought him no opportunity to set
up the laboratory which he con-
sidered absolutely essential. Imme-
diately the rival institution of Bellevue
Hospital Medical College prepared a
laboratory for the young pathologist,
and invited him to teach. Soon
students were coming to him from
several different medical schools.
Again he was offered position at
Physicians and Surgeons, this time
with the promise Of a laboratory, but
again he declined.
Attained High Position.
Within the next half dozen years
WEIGH. through his experimental and
inspiring methods of teaching at the
Bellevue College, attained a high posi-
ton in the medical profession Of New
York. Meanwhile events were in the
making in Baltimore which were
destined to give WEIGH leadership in
the revolutionizing Of medical educa-
ton in America.
President Gilman Of Johns Hopkins
University inquired in Europe for a
scientist to guide the new medical
school Of the university, which was
being established. He was advised by
eminent European professors that the
ideal man for the task was an Amer
ican by the name of William H.
WEIGH. As a result WEIGH was called
to the chair Of pathology at the
university and to the position of
pathologist to Johns Hopkins Hos
pital. This was early in 1884. The
new professor Immediately decided to
prepare himself by further study in
Europe. His aim was to study fac
teriology under Koch, in Berlin, but
on the advice Of this master he went
first to Munich to study under one of
Koch's pupils and also to study
hygiene under Won Pettenkofer. In
January, 1885, he went to Goettingen
to work under Fluegge, professor of
hygiene, who was being advised by
Koch. Finally he was ready for the
great Koch himself. He attended a
course under him in which the climax
was the epoch-making study Of the
bacillus inducing Asiatic cholera.
Welch began his work in Baltimore
in the Autumn of 1885. Welch was
the principal adviser in the early
development of the Johns Hopkins
Hospital and in the selection of the
other three original members of the
staff, Osler, Halsted and Kelly. When
the Johns Hopkins Medical School
was opened in 1893 WEIGH was nat
urally made dean, and he held this
post until 1898, while performing
his other duties as professor and as
pathologist to the hospital.
Brought Sanitation.
WEIGH was president of the Mary
land State Board of Health for "a
years, and is credited with being the
chief influence in bringing about
modern sanitary conditions in the
city Of Baltimore His advice has
been sought by several Presidents of
the United States, by Senators and
Representatives, and by many others
in public positions. In this way
he has been a strong factor in
the enactment Of laws necessary for
the success of preventive medicine and
public health. 1t was through his
advice that the Yellow Fever Com
mission of the United States Army
was created which accomplished the
discovery of the role of the mos
quito in the spread of yellow fever.
In July, 1917, WEIGH entered the
Medical Reserve Corps of the United
States Army with the rank of major.
He was colonel when discharged
from active duty on December 81,
1918. He was made brigadier general
in the Officers Reserve Corps on
December %, 1921.
Welch's war service necessarily in
terfered with his duties as director
Of the Johns Hopkins School of
Iuniay1n p,,kGn g. xx,l>s sol%
he had been appointed in 1916. This
school, one of the first Of its kind in
the world, was opened for students
in 1918. It was dedicated. in its own
building, in October, 1926. Shortly
thereafter DR.. WEIGH resigned the
dictatorship, being succeeded by Dr.
William H. Howell, who had been
associated with him many years.
At the age of rs, DR.. WEIGH might
well have taken a rest from his
pioneering. Instead of that he ac-
cepted the position Of professor of
the history Of medicine and under
took to establish the Johns Hopkins
Institute of the History of Medicine.
With characteristic determination he
went abroad, in 1927, for new mate
rial. this time to study similar in
stitute at Leipzig and to buy books
in Germany, France, Italy and Eng
land. On this journey he also served
as a member of committee to
inspect the control Of malaria in
Italy.
When the Medical Library Building
Of Johns Hopkins University was dedi-
Gated on October II and 18, 1929, it
was designated the 'William H. Welch
Medical Library" The dedication ex-
ercises attracted leading medical men
from abroad as well as from all over
the United States, a tremendous
tribute to DR.. Welch's personal influ-
ence and achievements.