Walter Channing (physician)
Encyclopedia
Walter Channing was an American
physician
and professor
of medicine
.
Born in Newport, Rhode Island
, Channing entered Harvard in 1804, but left in 1807 on account of the “rebellion” of that year, and afterward received his degree out of course. After studying medicine in Boston
and Philadelphia, he received his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania
, and then studied in the University of Edinburgh
, receiving a degree there as well. He also studied at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals in London
. He began to practise in Boston in 1812, and in the same year became lecturer on obstetrics at Harvard. He was the first Professor of Obstetrics
and Medical Jurisprudence at Harvard University
(then called Harvard College), a position he held from 1815 to 1854. He became, in 1821, Dr. James Jackson's assistant as physician of the newly established Massachusetts General Hospital
, and continued there for nearly twenty years. He was one of the first American physicians to employ anesthesia
during childbirth, and wrote a treatise in its favor, serving as the main American advocate of the practice at the time. Channing died in Brookline, Massachusetts
.
He was the brother of preacher William Ellery Channing
and of fellow Harvard professor (of Rhetoric), Edward Tyrrel Channing
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
.
Born in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Channing entered Harvard in 1804, but left in 1807 on account of the “rebellion” of that year, and afterward received his degree out of course. After studying medicine in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Philadelphia, he received his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and then studied in the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, receiving a degree there as well. He also studied at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He began to practise in Boston in 1812, and in the same year became lecturer on obstetrics at Harvard. He was the first Professor of Obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and Medical Jurisprudence at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(then called Harvard College), a position he held from 1815 to 1854. He became, in 1821, Dr. James Jackson's assistant as physician of the newly established Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
, and continued there for nearly twenty years. He was one of the first American physicians to employ anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
during childbirth, and wrote a treatise in its favor, serving as the main American advocate of the practice at the time. Channing died in Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
.
He was the brother of preacher William Ellery Channing
William Ellery Channing
Dr. William Ellery Channing was the foremost Unitarian preacher in the United States in the early nineteenth century and, along with Andrews Norton, one of Unitarianism's leading theologians. He was known for his articulate and impassioned sermons and public speeches, and as a prominent thinker...
and of fellow Harvard professor (of Rhetoric), Edward Tyrrel Channing
Edward Tyrrel Channing
Edward Tyrrel Channing was a professor at Harvard College, brother to the noted Unitarian preacher William Ellery Channing and physician Walter Channing, and cousin of author Richard Henry Dana, Sr.-Biography:...
.
Works
- Address on the Prevention of Pauperism (1843)
- Treatise on Etherization in Child-birth, illustrated by 581 cases (1849)
- Professional Reminiscences of Foreign Travel (1851)
- New and Old (1851)
- Miscellaneous Poems (1851)
- A Physician's Vacation, or a Summer in Europe (1856)
- Reformation of Medical Science (1857)