A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America Delivered at a Public Anniversary Commencement, held in the College of Philadelphia May 30 and 31, 1765. With ... the Author's Apology for Attempting to Introduce the Regular Mode of Practicing Physic in Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by William Bradford, 1765



8vo (7 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.; 185 x 115 mm). Title-page remargined at top, repair to lower right corner of F2, light browning, foxing, and spotting. Modern brown morocco panelled gilt, gilt cornerpieces, elaborate gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, spine lettered gilt; joints rubbed and tender.  

Medical Society of the County of Kings (gift plate and stamp)

Cushing M510; Evans 10082; Garrison & Morton 1766.500; Heirs of Hippocrates 1019; Hildeburn, Pennsylvania;  214; Norman 1549; Osler 3454; Sabin 50650

8vo (7 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.; 185 x 115 mm). Title-page remargined at top, repair to lower right corner of F2, light browning, foxing, and spotting. Modern brown morocco panelled gilt, gilt cornerpieces, elaborate gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, spine lettered gilt; joints rubbed and tender.
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First edition of the first American publication on medical education. After studying medicine in Europe, Morgan returned to America and proposed the establishment of a medical school in conjunction with the College of Philadelphia (now t♛he University of Pennsylvania). His plan was adopted in 1765 and Morgan effectively became the founder of the first medical school in America. Morgan delivered his inaugural address at the College's commencement exercises in May 1765. His discourse examined existing obstacles to medical study and the need for establishing additional medical schools in America. He also advanced the notion of separating the roles of physician, apothecary, and surgeon, which was at first met with skepticsim.

In 1775 Congress appointed Morgan director-general of the army's hospital, then in Boston, but he was removed from the post in 1777 because of internal dissention. He obtained full vindication from✃ Congress in 1779. In the meanwhile he had returned to private practice, but exhausted by his efforts to exonerate himself, he died in 1781 at the a🦂ge of 53.