William Thompson Lusk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Thompson Lusk
|
|
|---|---|
_(14782437135).jpg) |
|
| Born | May 23, 1838 Norwich, Connecticut, U.S.
|
| Died | June 12, 1897 (aged 59) New York City, New York, U.S.
|
| Education | Russell's Military School Yale University University of Edinburgh Heidelberg University Humboldt University of Berlin |
| Alma mater | Bellevue Hospital Medical College |
| Children | Anna Hartwell Lusk Graham Lusk |
| Parent(s) | Sylvester Graham Lusk Elizabeth Freeman Adams Lusk |
William Thompson Lusk (born May 23, 1838 – died June 12, 1897) was an important American doctor. He specialized in obstetrics, which is the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Before becoming a doctor, he was a soldier in the American Civil War. He even became an Assistant Adjutant-General in the United States Volunteers.
After the war, he finished his medical studies. He became a professor and later the president of Bellevue Hospital Medical College. His book, The Science and Art of Midwifery, published in 1882, was very famous. It became a key book for many doctors.
Contents
William Lusk's Early Life and Education
William Thompson Lusk was born and grew up in Norwich, Connecticut. He was the son of Sylvester Graham Lusk and Elizabeth Freeman Lusk.
As a young boy, Lusk went to a school to get ready for Yale University. Later, he attended Russell's Military School in New Haven, Connecticut. This school helped him become physically strong through gymnastics.
In 1855, he started at Yale University. However, he left after his first year. From 1858 to 1861, he traveled to Europe. There, he studied medicine in cities like Berlin and Heidelberg.
William Lusk's Military Career
When the American Civil War began, William Lusk joined the Second New York Volunteers regiment. He started as a Private. By 1863, he had moved up the ranks to Assistant Adjutant General.
Lusk fought in many battles during the war. These included Blackburn's Ford, First Bull Run, Second Bull Run, and Antietam. He also helped command troops during the Draft Riots of 1863 in New York City. He left the army in 1863.
William Lusk's Medical Career
After leaving the war, Lusk went back to school. He finished his medical studies at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. In 1864, he earned his M.D. degree. He was the top student in his graduating class.
After medical school, Lusk spent a year studying in Europe. He learned from famous doctors in cities like Edinburgh, Vienna, and Prague. He returned to New York in 1868 to start his own medical practice.
Becoming a Professor and Hospital President
When Lusk came back from Europe, he became a professor. He taught about how the body works at Long Island College Hospital. In 1871, he moved to Boston to teach at Harvard Medical School.
Later, Lusk became a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He also became a co-editor for The Medical Journal. In 1890, Bellevue Hospital Medical College joined with New York University Medical College. Lusk then became the President of Bellevue Hospital Medical College.
Important Medical Work
William Lusk wrote many important medical papers. In 1876, he wrote about Puerperal Fever. This paper was one of the first to support the germ theory. This theory explains that tiny germs cause diseases.
In 1882, he published his most famous book, The Science and Art of Midwifery. This book sold very well in America and England. It was translated into many languages, including French, Italian, and Spanish. The book was updated four times, and Lusk was working on a fifth edition when he passed away.
Lusk was also one of the first doctors to successfully perform a Caesarean section. This is a surgery to deliver a baby. In March 1887, he performed a Caesarean section where both the mother and baby survived. This was only the second time this had happened in the United States. By 1888, he had successfully performed three such surgeries. Lusk was also known as an expert in gynecology, which is the study of women's health.
William Lusk's Personal Life
In 1864, William Lusk married Mary Hartwell Chittenden. She was the daughter of U.S. Representative Simeon B. Chittenden. They had two sons and two daughters. Sadly, Mary died in 1871. The Chittenden Memorial Library at Yale University was built in her honor.
Five years later, Lusk married Matilda Thore. They had one daughter together. Matilda also passed away before him, in 1892.
William Lusk died suddenly on June 12, 1897, in New York City. He was survived by his five children. At the time of his death, his oldest son was a professor at Yale. His younger son had also graduated from Yale.
Awards and Honors for William Lusk
William Lusk received many awards and honors for his work in medicine. Some of these include:
- He helped start the State's and County's Medical Associations in 1884.
- He was a key president of the State's Medical Association in 1889.
- He was an honorary member of the Obstetrical Society of London.
- He was the President of Faculty and Professor of Obstetrics at Bellevue Medical College.
- He was a consulting doctor at Bellevue Maternity Hospital and other hospitals.
- He was an honorary member of the Edinburgh and London Obstetrical Societies.
- He was the President of the American Gynecological Society.
- He was the President of the New York State Medical Association.
- He served as Vice-President (1873) and President (1879) of the New York Obstetrical Society.
- Yale University gave him an honorary degree (LL.D.) in 1884.
