Dr. Benjamin Rush free essay sample

Despite being a strong believer in the barbaric practices of bloodletting and purging as a cure for yellow fever, Benjamin Rush was ahead of his time in the tremendous contributions he made to the field of medicine and in the area of social reform. . Benjamin Rush had a lifelong medical career and made enormous contributions to the field of medicine in the united States. As a boy, he entered when he was thirteen and he graduated the next year, at the age of fourteen. To further his study of medicine, he attended Edinburgh in England. Porn returning to the united States, he started to treat the poor, often for free. With a sincere desire to assist the underprivileged, he founded the first Dispensary for the Poor in America. He promoted preventive medicine like vaccination against smallpox and he knew poor dental health could cause illness. He Joined the staff of the Pennsylvania Hospital In 1783 and he reformed the care of mental patients, all people should be treated with respect and dignity. We will write a custom essay sample on Dr. Benjamin Rush or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He published the first psychiatry textbook in America and is known as the Father of American Psychiatry.In 1789, he became a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught over 3,000 students. He worked during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 In Philadelphia, seeing up to 120 patients a day. Although he treated patients using methods questioned by other physicians, which included bleeding and administering mercury, calmed, and clap to purge the body of the pestilence, he was considered by others to have developed a cure. Finally, in addition to treating people, he was Instrumental In establishing veterinary medicine. .Rush strongly believed in his medical practices and continued his work in the field of medicine until his death. In addition to being a renowned American physician, . Rush was also an enthusiastic patriot and leader of social reform. He helped found the first anti slavery society In America at the same time he was starting his medical career. He continued his efforts as a social activist with a long political involvement which included being an active member of the Sons of Liberty, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. After the Revolutionary War, he supported the of the constitution and he was a delegate to the Pennsylvania state convention. At the same time, he also supported the abolition of capital punishment and advocated for public education for everyone, including women. As a strong supporter of education at all levels, he founded two colleges, College and Franklin and Marshall College. In 1797, he was appointed treasurer of the U. S. Mint by John Adams as a recompense for his lifelong patriotism and he served in that position until he died.Rush was involved in a wide variety of pursuits and held many titles: statesman, ION 3 Born to a common family, Benjamin Rush had a difficult childhood but went on to have a strong married life, living in good health until his unexpected death. He was born on December 24, 1745, the fourth oldest of seven children. He lived on a plantation in Barberry, Pennsylvania. His father died when he was six and his mother ran a grocery store to support the growing family. At age eight, he was sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle in Maryland to receive a formal education.He eventually married Julia in 1776 and had thirteen children, living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died at the age of 67 on April 19, 1813, thirty-eight years after the first battle of the American Revolution. Benjamin Rush had an extraordinary life for which mankind must remain forever in his debt. He made amazing contributions to society that greatly helped our country. Living an extremely productive life, he tirelessly worked in both the field of medicine and in the area of promoting social reform.