Kappa Lambda (ΚΛ) form to be observed at the initiation of a member elect and address to be delivered
Collection
Identifier: MSS 458
Scope and Contents
This document records the form to be observed at the initiation of a new member of the Kappa Lambda (ΚΛ) Society and an address to be delivered at that time. An additional document explains that the name ΚΛ — Κ for κρυσταλλοζ, meaning “crystal” and Λ “the more effectually to conceal the objects of the society and to lead astray the uninitiated in their conjectures.” Also included in this file is a dealer’s description for this document, which attributes it to Dr. Edward Cutbush, Surgeon General of Pennsylvania and Surgeon on board U.S.S. Constellation and United States.
Dates
- circa 1821
Creator
- Cutbush, Edward, 1772-1843 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
The Kappa Lambda (ΚΛ) Society of Hippocrates was a secret fraternal organization of doctors founded by Dr. Samuel Brown in Lexington, Kentucky around 1819. Brown was the first Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine at Transylvania University’s Department of Medicine. Though the society started in Lexington, it grew to have chapters in other eastern cities including Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore.
The society had four goals: 1) to promote medical science, 2) to communicate reports of interesting cases of diseases and important discoveries in the science of medicine, 3) to cultivate “friendly and brotherly feelings between practitioners,” and 4) to establish branches of the ΚΛ Society in all states of the Union.
The Philadelphia branch was founded in 1822 and dissolved in 1835. Members of the defunct branch attended the founding meeting of the American Medical Association in 1847 and co-authored its Principles of Medical Ethics.
The society had four goals: 1) to promote medical science, 2) to communicate reports of interesting cases of diseases and important discoveries in the science of medicine, 3) to cultivate “friendly and brotherly feelings between practitioners,” and 4) to establish branches of the ΚΛ Society in all states of the Union.
The Philadelphia branch was founded in 1822 and dissolved in 1835. Members of the defunct branch attended the founding meeting of the American Medical Association in 1847 and co-authored its Principles of Medical Ethics.
Extent
1 folder (Small Collections)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Location
Located in Small Collections.
Bibliography
Ambrose, Charles T. “The Secret Kappa Lambda Society of Hippocrates (and the Origin of the American Medical Association’s Principles of Medical Ethics).” YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, no. 78 (2005): 45–56.
Baker, Robert. “Philadelphia Reflections.” Philadelphia Reflections: The Kappa Lambda Society of Hippocrates, 2019. https://philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1664.htm.
Baker, Robert. “Philadelphia Reflections.” Philadelphia Reflections: The Kappa Lambda Society of Hippocrates, 2019. https://philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1664.htm.
Creator
- Cutbush, Edward, 1772-1843 (Person)
- Title
- Kappa Lambda (ΚΛ) form to be observed at the initiation of a member elect and address to be delivered
- Author
- Finding aid by Rayna Andrews
- Date
- 2025 January 30
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
