Many Accomplishments of Physicians Listed by Dr. Vinsonhaler.

In the early history of Arkansas as told by Dallas Herndon, the first physicians to locate in the city of Little Rock were Dr. Matthew Cunningham and Dr. Robert A. Watkins.  Both men were members of prominent families.

Dr. Matthew Cunningham

Dr. Cunningham was Little Rock’s first mayor, his picture now hanging in the city hall.  His diploma is in the possession of his great grandson, Chet Cunningham of Blytheville and is signed by Dr. Rush and Dr Wistar. 

Dr. James N. Menefee, generally known as “Nimrod’ Menefee, became famous as having the reputation of being a dueling surgeon, serving as surgeon in several famous duels.

 Most of these physicians were graduates of the University of Pennsylvania, one of three medical schools which furnished doctors for the South at that time. 

In 1830, so our historian states, Little Rock contained six physicians, Drs. Cunningham, Wakins, John H. Cocke, Bushrod W. Lee, John T. Fulton, and John R. Conway, some of whom were prominent not only in medical affairs but also in politics. 

Dr. Alden Sprague came to Little Rock in 1831 from New Hampshire, having been graduated from Dartmouth college.  He seems to have been given to writing for the public.  His articles concerning diseases in Arkansas appeared in the papers at that time.  He was also grand master of  the grand lodge of Masons of the State of Arkansas. 

One of the most interesting characters in early Arkansas medical history was Dr. Lorenzo Gibson, coming from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1833, locating first in Hot Spring county and soon afterwards in Little Rock.  Not only was he a poplar physician but occasionally represented Pulaski County in the State Legislature.  One of the most dramatic incidents occurring in the Legislature was a controversy between Wilson, speaker of the House, who had previously engaged in a fatal quarrel with Anthony, and Dr. Gibson.  Members of the House, however, crowded around both men and prevented a possible fatal termination.  His son, Lorenzo P. Gibson, who died in 1919, was one of Arkansas’s most prominent and beloved physicians.

 Wrote Volume on Medicine

An interesting figure in medical history in Arkansas was Dr. A.W. Webb, who located first in Chicot county about 1834, practicing there for 10 years.  He wrote an interesting volume in long hand on the practice of medicine, entitled “Medical Notes and Reflections.”  This is now in the library of the School of Medicine of the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.  Dr. Webb afterwards moved to Little Rock and in 1866 he and his son were murdered by someone intent upon robbery. 

Perhaps the most conspicuous name in the annals of medical history in Arkansas for about 100 years is the family of Dibrell.  Dr. James A. Dibrell in 1840 located in Van Buren.  He was a native of Tennessee and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.  He was a confederate surgeon to Gen. Albert Pike in his duel with Selden P. Roane.  His son, Dr. James A. Dibrell Jr. born in Van Buren in 1846, like his father was graduated from the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania in 1870.  From the time of his location in Little Rock, he was prominent in the practice of surgery and as a teacher and dean of the school of medicine of the University of Arkansas, being one of the founders of the school in 1879.  Dr. Dibrell served as dean from 1886 until his death in 1904.  His sons, Dr John R. and James L., survive him, and are practicing at present in Little Rock.  A brother of Dr. James A. Dibrell, Dr. Edwin Dibrell, was for years a member of the faculty of the school of medicine.  Another brother, Matt S. Dibrell, is now living and practicing medicine in Van Buren.  Dr. C. Peyton, who married a Miss Crease, was one of the well known Little Rock physicians in the fifties. 

Another name in Arkansas medicine is that of Dr. Roderick L. Dodge, a graduate of Dartmouth College, who located in Little Rock in 1842. Dr. Dodge was prominent  also in Masonic circles, being one of the original 33^rd degree Masons in Arkansas.  His patent in the French language is preserved in the archives of the Masonic Temple in Little Rock.

 One of the best known and popular physicians in Arkansas was Dr. James M. Keller of Hot Springs.  He served in the Confederate army as a surgeon with distinction, being made medical director of the Trans-Mississippi department.  His ancestors were most distinguished, being descended from Governor Spottswoode, one of the Colonial Governors of Virginia.  His niece, one of the best known figures in the United States is Helen Keller, whose accomplishments have become one of the wonders of modern education. 

Dr. Horner of Helena, Dr. Welch of Fayetteville, Dr. Isaac Folsom of Lonoke, Dr. Hypolite of Devalls Bluff, Dr. Carrigan of Washington, Dr. Church of Ouachita county, Dr. Brunson of Pine Bluff, Dr. Duvall of Fort Smith, Dr. Hooper of Little Rock were all prominent before and during the Civil War, most of whom served as Confederate surgeons.

Doctor Was Biographer 

A physician occasionally in former days assumed a literary role.  This can be said of Dr. Charles E. Nash, who died some 30 years ago in Little Rock.  Dr Nash practiced in Helena previous to the Civil War and was well acquainted with Generals Clebourne and Hindman.  He wrote biographies of both of the distinguished officers.  He also gave several humorous contributions to literature, namely: “Donkey, Horse, and Bicycle” and “The Bottom Rail on Top.”

One of Arkansas’s outstanding physicians was Dr. H.C. Dunavant of Osceola, who practiced for some time in Little Rock and who represented Mississippi county in the legislature on different occasions.  Mr. Dunavant was the author of the first medical practice act passed by the legislature, which served its purpose for only two years and was repealed by the following legislature.  Dr. Dunavant was a gentleman of the old school, distinguished in appearance, being about six feet, four inches in height.  In his boyhood home he was a member of Forrest’s famous cavalry organization, and in his subsequent life he always bore the marks of his military training.

 After the Civil War there came into Little Rock several members of the homeopathic and eclectic fraternity  Most prominent among these was Dr. W.E. Greene, a graduate of Pulte College, Cincinatti.  Dr. Greene during his lifetime was the most prominent of the homeopathic school, being a surgeon of much more than average ability and carrying on his extensive surgical practice.  His large and valuable library was bequeathed to the medical profession of Little Rock upon his death and was housed in the city library, afterwards becoming the property of the medical school, where it now is.

 Another member of the homeopathic school was Dr. W.B. Hughes, a son of Gov. Simon Pl Hughes and much beloved in Little Rock.  He inherited many of his father’s characteristics.  He was for many years associated with Dr. Greene in homeopathic practice. 

Among the eclectic school members was Dr. Stevenson of Fort Smith and Dr. Park, who practiced medicine in Hot Springs and Little Rock.

 School Formed in 1879

The School of Medicine of the University of Arkansas was organized in 1879.  Its first dean was Dr. P.O. Hooper, afterwards superintendent of the State Hospital for Nervous Diseases for many years.  Dr. Hooper was not only dean but also professor of practice of medicine. 

Dr. James A. Dibrell Jr. was professor of general and surgical anatomy and afterwards dean of the school from 1886, when Dr Hooper resigned, until his death in 1904.  Dr. Dibrell’s connection with the school, both in length of time and in quality of service he rendered, was one of the great influences that helped to build the school of medicine.  He was a man of strong personality, a wonderful executive, and an excellent teacher.

 Other members of the first faculty were: Dr. Edwin Bentley, professor of surgery, a character unique in the annals of Arkansas medicine.  He was born in Vermont, graduated from Columbia University, and entered the United States Army in 1861 as surgeon of a Connecticut regiment.  He was rapidly promoted to brigade surgeon and at the close of the war, was retained in the army, passing through all the grades to that of brigadier-general, medical corps.  The latter part of his life was spent in Little Rock, where he was retired and continued his practice in civil life and his teaching in the school of medicine.  Previous to being ordered to Little Rock he served in San Francisco, being one of the founders of Cooper Medical College, and a teacher in that institute.

 Dr. Bentley in addition to being a learned and capable physician and surgeon was a collector of rare books.  Through him the library of the school of medicine has come into possession of some priceless medical works, among which are to be found a medical book published by Vidus Vidius in 1544, being a translation of the surgical work of Hippocrates; also an anatomy book by Bell of Edinburgh, and many other medical curiosities.  At Dr. Bentley’s death he was buried in Arlington Cemetery with military honors.

The other members of the first faculty were: Dr. Roscoe G. Jennings, professor of clinical surgery; Dr. E.L. Breysacher, professor of obstetrics, diseases of women and children; Dr. Lorenzo P. Gibson, demonstrator of anatomy; Dr. Clayborn Watkins, professor of physical diagnosis and clinical medicine; Dr. James H Lenow, professor of urology; Dr. James H. Southall, professor of physiology; Dr. T.E. Murrell, professor of ophthalmology and otology; Dr. W.G. Miller, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Louis R. Stark, professor of gynecology.

 Dr. Thomas M. Pinson of Union county was the first graduate, receiving his degree on March 12, 1880.

 Dr. Bentley served as dean after Dr. Dibrell’s death.  Dr. Bentley was succeeded by Dr. J.H. Lenow, and Dr. Lenow by Dr. Morgan Smith, who served for 13 years and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Dr. Frank Vinsonhaler.

 The school of medicine has recently dedicated its new building at a cost of one half-million dollars.  It faces the City Park and adjoins the Little Rock City Hospital.  The medical and surgical staff of the City Hospital are furnished by the faculty of the school of medicine.  The teachers and instructors now number 93.  The matriculates for the session 1935-1936 numbered 292.  During the year 1935 there were 52,000 registrations at the free clinic, which would indicate that the medical school is not only educating young men but is also caring for a large number of indigent sick.

 In 1903 the medical practice act was passed by the legislature, creating three boards of examiners, known as the state board of medical examiners of the State Medical Society, Homeopathic State Medical Board and Eclectic State Medical Board.  This practice act was modeled after the law then existing in the State of Louisiana and provided that each examining board should be made up of physicians recommended by their respective medical societies, seven in number, one from each congressional district.  This law is still on our statue books..  The committee on medical legislation responsible for the success of the law were Dr. J.P Runyan, Dr. C.R. Chenault, and Dr. L.J. Newton.

 In 1929 the basic science law was passed, which provided that all applicants expecting to practice medicine in Arkansas shall be examined in the laboratory years of medicine.  The boards examines applicants of each school.  There are five members constituting this board, appointed by the governor.

 The Arkansas Medical Society was organized November 21, 1870 and has had a most prosperous existence ever since.  It embraces the majority of the physicians in Arkansas.

 The medical profession of Arkansas has, like her sister states, been progressive and enterprising, contributing to medical literature, research, and progress.  Dr Lloyd Thompson, formerly of Hot Springs, is the author of a textbook on Luetic diseases.  Dr. Wallace Rose, now deceased, was the author of a textbook on physical diagnosis, which in recent years has been revised and is still being used in medical schools.  Dr D.A. Rhinehart is the author of a book on Roentgenlogy, which is used in schools as a textbook.  Some very original research work has been accomplished by Dr. P.L. Day and Dr. W.C. Langston concerning Vitamin G deficiency.  Dr. A.F. DeGroat and Dr. E.I. Thompson have contributed original research investigations upon the subject of leprosy.  Dr. H.F. DeWolf upon lympho-granuloma-inguinale, Dr. C.H. McDonald and Dr. M.F. Green upon the physiology of the nerves of the neck.  Dr. N.T. Clegg, son of Dr. J.T. Clegg, formerly of Pine Bluff, contributed to medical science in his studies leading to the cultivation of the bacillus of leprosy.  Much of the spirit that led to the development by Simms and Wyath of Alabama, Crawford Long of Georgia, and McDowell of Kentucky still prevails.  We feel that the future of medicine in Arkansas is full of promise.

* 1936 Centennial Edition of the Arkansas Democrat