larged sufficiently to ascertain the whole extent of the injuries inflicted.
2. These should be remedied by suturing the wounded intestine and ligating bleeding vessels.
3. Diligent search should be made for extravasated matter, and the peritoneal cavity should be thoroughly cleansed of all foreign matter before closing the external wound.
4. The surgeon must judge whether the case requires drainage or not.
In 1853 he established himself in New York City, and in February, 1855, organized the "Woman's Hospital in the State of New York," with this becoming the founder of the great science of gynecology. From the temporary structure at 83 Madison Avenue, the hospital was removed to the block of ground donated to it by the city on 50th Street and Lexington Avenue, whence after nearly a half century it was removed to the magnificent new building at 110th Street and Morningside Heights.
In 1861 Dr. Sims for the first time visited Europe, and on the eighteenth of October of that year, at the Hotel Voltaire, successfully demonstrated his operation for vesico-vaginal fistula. Among those who witnessed this operation were some of the greatest surgeons of that age, Nélaton, Velpeau, Civiale, Baron Larrey, Sir Joseph Olliffe, Huguier and others. By this and other cases his presence in Paris created a furore in medical circles. So great was the reputation achieved that he was called to all parts of Europe, not only to operate, but in consultation, and to treat various maladies in the department of gynecology; in fact, a short time saw him enjoying a most lucrative practice among the best people in European capitals. Upon one occasion, in attendance upon an important case, he became for several weeks the guest of the Emperor Napoleon at St. Cloud.
After the close of the Civil War in America Dr. Sims returned to New York, but upon the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he sailed for Europe, and there organized and became surgeon-in-chief of the Anglo-American Ambulance Corps. He rendered such distinguished professional services, especially at and after the battle of Sedan, that the French Republic conferred upon him the order of Commander of the Legion of Honor. From this time until his death, November 13, 1883, he lived alternately in Europe and America, busily engaged in practice of his profession wherever he found himself.
Dr. Sims contributed extensively to professional literature, not only as it related to obstetrics and gynecology, but to medical and surgical science in general. His most important professional work was entitled "Clinical Notes on Uterine Surgery."
Among the many official positions which he occupied was that of the president of the American Medical Association, in 1876.
Near the close of his long and eminent career as a practitioner and teacher of gynecology, Prof. T. Gaillard Thomas (q. v.), in an address to the graduating class of the medical department of Cornell University, delivered at Carnegie Hall, said:
"If I were called upon to name the three men who in the history of all times had done most for their fellow men, I would say George Washington, William Jenner and Marion Sims."
Immediately after his death a movement for the erection of a statue in his memory was inaugurated in Europe and in his native country, and in 1894 there was unveiled in Bryant Park, New York City, a statue in bronze, a life-like image of the great teacher, the spontaneous gift from his brothers in the profession throughout the civilized world, and from many of the unfortunate beings his genius and skill had benefited. In brief yet comprehensive phraseology, the inscription tells the story of his career:
J. MARION SIMS. M. D., LL. D.
BORN IN SOUTH CAROLINA, 1813. DIED IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1883.
SURGEON AND PHILANTHROPIST.
FOUNDER OF THE WOMAN'S HOSPITAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
HIS BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENTS CARRIED THE FAME OF AMERICAN SURGERY THROUGHOUT THE CIVILIZED WORLD.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES IN THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE AND MANKIND
HE RECEIVED THE HIGHEST HONORS IN THE GIFT OF HIS COUNTRYMEN
AND DECORATIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE, PORTUGAL. SPAIN, BELGIUM, AND ITALY.
On the reverse:
PRESENTED
TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK
BY
HIS PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS,
LOVING PATIENTS,
AND
MANY ADMIRERS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
Marion Sims possessed a striking personality. With all his long and bitter struggle with poverty and for professional recognition, and in his early days for health and life itself, time had dealt gently with his form and face, whereon nature had set in unmistakable lines the stamp of greatness. Although he had rounded well the years allotted by the psalmist, his step was still quick and firm, his carriage erect, dignified and graceful. The frosts of age had not tinged the rich abundance of his dark-brown hair, which
