Did you know that TUH-Episcopal Campus was the birthplace of a neurosurgical dynasty with connections to a U.S. President? Or that one of the most important breakthroughs in cloning took place at Fox Chase Cancer Center? If you didn’t, then you need to read on, because this latest installment of our Temple Health’s History-Making Hospitals series features all of that, and more! Find out some very fun facts about our Health System, and remember to share what you learned with your coworkers!
The Other Chestnut Hill Hospital
Today, when someone says, “Chestnut Hill Hospital,” everyone knows they mean our campus. But during the Civil War, that name was also used to refer to Mower General Hospital, one of the largest military hospitals established during the conflict, which was also located in Chestnut Hill, PA.
Built in 1862, Mower General Hospital was strategically located near the Reading Railroad Line to facilitate the transport of wounded Union soldiers from up and down the east coast.
Mower was huge. It had 3,600 beds, a central compound surrounded by 47 radiating wards, and plumbing for hot water, flush toilets, and specialized medical wards (which were all modern amenities at the time). It was designed by John McArthur, the architect of Philadelphia’s City Hall.
Although it was only in operation for a short time (January 1863-May 1865), approximately 20,000 soldiers were treated at Mower. Of those, 9,799 were returned to duty, 878 were transferred to the Reserves, and 1,363 were discharged due to disability. Remarkably, despite the severity of these cases, the hospital recorded only 257 deaths.
The hospital was demolished following the Civil War, and a Pennsylvania state historical marker is all that remains to mark the site today. But its chapel bell hangs in the belfry of Christ-Ascension Church at the northwest corner of Germantown and Southampton Avenues.
Cloning Breakthroughs at Fox Chase Cancer Center
In 1952, Drs. Robert Briggs and Thomas King, scientists at the research institute of Fox Chase Cancer Center, made a major scientific breakthrough by achieving the world’s first successful cloning through nuclear transplantation.
Dr. Briggs (1911-1983), an embryologist, studied the role of the nucleus in embryonic development. Dr. King (1921-2000), a developmental biologist, collaborated with Dr. Briggs on nuclear transplantation experiments. Together, they developed successful methods for transferring undifferentiated embryonic nuclei into enucleated frog eggs, which then developed into viable tadpoles.
This achievement not only significantly advanced the field of developmental biology (and the understanding of cellular differentiation), but also had a profound impact on the advancement of cloning.
Dr. Briggs and King received numerous honors for their work, including the 1972 Charles-Leopold Mayer Prize from the French Academy of Sciences, which recognizes significant contributions to the biological sciences. The pair were the first Americans to earn the prize.
A Landmark Year for TUH—and Many More
You might know that Temple University Hospital was first established in 1892, but did you ever wonder what else happened that year? Here are a few of the other events that made a major impact:
- Reading Terminal Market opened—and remains one of the oldest continuously-operating markets of its kind in the US today!
- Philadelphia’s first public transit system was established—and became SEPTA in 1968.
- The Diesel engine, the two-way telegraph, and reinforced concrete were invented.
- Ellis Island began processing immigrants, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited for the first time.
- The Coca-Cola Company was incorporated, and General Electric was formed.
- Sir Frederick Stanley, Governor General of California, debuted the Stanley Cup tradition for ice hockey champions.
- The first collection of Sherlock Holmes stories was published.
- The Nutcracker ballet debuted.
- John Muir founded the Sierra Club to champion environmental conservation and protection.
A Neurosurgery Dynasty Begins at Episcopal
1892 was also an important year in the career of a physician who would make a significant impact on the field of neurosurgery: Charles H. Frazier, MD (1870-1936).
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school in 1892, Dr. Frasier joined the staff of Episcopal Hospital to train in neurosurgery (along with another surgical luminary, William W. Keen, MD).
A founder of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Frazier did much to advance neurosurgery in the US. In addition to devising numerous operations and techniques, he also established the “Philadelphia School of Neurosurgery,” training a dynasty of neurosurgeons.
One of those neurosurgeons was Dr. Temple Fay, who joined Temple University Hospital in 1929 and established its Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Two other Frazier proteges were Drs. R. Michael Scott and Frederick Murtaugh. Dr. Scott became Temple’s Chair of Neurosurgery in 1943, and Dr. Murtagh followed, serving in the role until 1976.
Although Dr. Frazier would devote most of his career to the University of Pennsylvania, he maintained his affiliation with Episcopal—and even joined its Board in 1927, on the hospital’s 75th anniversary.
Dr. Frazier’s mentor in his early days at Episcopal, Dr. Keen (1837-1932) is credited with performing the first successful removal of a brain tumor in the US in 1887. Dr. Keen was also part of the secret operation to remove a cancerous tumor from President Grover Cleveland in 1893.
The Other Jeanes Sibling
It’s common knowledge that Jeanes Hospital was founded thanks to Anna T. Jeanes’ bequest. But her brother Jacob’s role in expanding Philadelphia’s healthcare and medical education isn’t as widely known.
In 1848, Dr. Jacob Jeanes and two of his colleagues founded the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania (it would become Hahnemann Medical College, which is part of Drexel today). Hahnemann was the first medical school in the US to offer an MD in homeopathy, which was developed by 18th century German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Dr. Jeanes even learned German so he could better understand the homeopathic approach.
Dr. Jeanes also served as Professor of the Principles and Practices of Medicine at the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. He was one of the original members of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and became its President in 1845.