John B. Deaver speeches

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/036-01

Scope and Contents

This collection contains John B. Deaver’s manuscripts of over two hundred public addresses, 1904-1931, on many topics, particularly surgery and his surgical experiences; eight typescript articles, 1907-1930; notes of various subjects, 1905-1926; and miscellaneous material, generally biographical or bibliographical in nature, 1909-1932. Series 1 contains addresses to medical organizations and societies, including College of Physicians of Philadelphia, John B. Deaver Surgical Society, Clinical Society of the New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital, Medical Society of the State of New York, Philadelphia County Medical Society, Northern Medical Association of Philadelphia, American College of Surgeons, American Surgical Association, Tri-State Medical Association, Inter-State Post-Graduate Medical Association of North America, Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, and Undergraduate Medical Association and Alpha Mu Pi Omega Fraternity of the University of Pennsylvania. Major topics include: pancreatitis, surgery of prostate gland and gall bladder, peptic ulcer, appendicitis, coancer of breast and uterus, cholecystitis, and peritonitis. Includes accounts of Deaver’s life and experiences as a surgeon, patriotic exhortations during World War I, his defense of vivisection, and cautionary words about treating cancer with radiotherapy.

Some addresses made jointly by Deaver and Stanley P. Reimann, James A. H. Magoun, or V. G. Burden. Typescripts of some of Deaver’s articles, published and unpublished, in Series 2, concern peritonitis, appendicitis, pancreatitis, and surgery. Also includes biographical memoirs of George Gorgas Ross and Allen J. Smith and unpublished report on cervical and uterine cancer patients at Lankenau Hospital during 1920s. Series 3 contains notes assembled by Deaver on surgical procedures and techniques or medical ailments such as peritonitis or uterine hemorrhage. Miscellaneous material, including typescript address by Stanley P. Reimann, included in Series 4, but bulk of series comprised of bibliographical information on Deaver’s published and unpublished works and biographical information compiled at his death. Includes small folder of miscellaneous correspondence.

Dates

1904 - 1931

Creator

Deaver, John B. (John Blair) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

John Blair Deaver, Philadelphia surgeon, was born on 25 July 1855 near Buck, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joshua Montgomery and Elizabeth Moore Deaver. In 1889, Deaver married Caroline Randall; they had four children, John, Joshua, Elizabeth, and Harriet. John B. Deaver died of a progressive anemia at his home in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, on 25 September 1931.

Deaver received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1878. He then served internships at Germantown Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In 1880, he opened his private practice and became Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania. At the University, he was Demonstrator of Osteology and Syndesmology (1883-1884), Demonstrator of Anatomy (18841887), Lecturer on Topographical Anatomy (1889-1891) and Assistant Professor of Applied Anatomy (1891-1899). He resigned from the University in 1899.

In 1886, Deaver also became Surgeon to Lankenau (then German) Hospital. He became Chief of the Surgical Department in 1896 and was noted for his skill and physical endurance as well as his abdominal surgery, particularly his appendectomies.

Deaver returned to the University of Pennsylvania in 1911 as Professor of the Practice of Surgery. In 1918, he became the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery and held this post until his retirement in 1922.

John B. Deaver was the author of 248 articles and several books including, Surgical anatomy (1899-1903 and 1926-1927); A treatise on appendicitis (1896); Surgery of the upper abdomen with A. P. C. Ashhurst (1909-1913); and Excursions into surgical subjects (1923).

Deaver became a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1887, was a member and president of the American College of Surgeons and the Post Graduate Medical Association of North America, and a member of the American Surgical Association.