EBERLE 352 EBERLE papers found in its pages, but he had consider- able difficulty in securing a publisher. Finally John Webster agreed to embark in the enter- prise, and his pluck and energy were a large element in the success of the magazine. Soon after this, in 1822, Eberle's "Therapeutics" ap- peared from the same press. It was decidedly his best production, was cordially received, and became a text-book. Eberle was a member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, taking an active part in its discussions and in its business affairs. It met every Saturday evening and the proceedings were so interesting that they attracted not only many of the professors but large numbers of the medical students. The society was no doubt a potent factor leading to the establish- ment of a second school which was called the "Jefferson Medical College." From the time of its organization Eberle taught materia medica, and also the theory and practice of medicine with marked ability, adding much to the success and popularity of the school, in connection with which he pub- lished a work "On the Theory and Practice of Medicine," for which he received liberal com- pensation. It was comprehensive and original, not a mere compilation of previous or foreign works. That it was well received is manifest from the fact that it passed through five edi- tions and was adopted as a text-book by vari- ous colleges. In connection with the larger work he also published a more concise one de- signed specially for students, being a synopsis of his lectures and known as "Eberle's Notes." The revenues from Jefferson College poorly supported his growing family, for he desired ' to give his sons better educational advantages than he himself had enjoyed. Hence, disap- pointed in his favorite enterprise, he was easily interested in a scheme for establishing a new medical school in Cincinnati as a rival of the Medical College of Ohio, to be known as the Medical Department of Miami University. This project was consummated in 1830, Eberle, Drake and T. D. Mitchell (q. v.) being drawn from Philadelphia to take part in the university plan, but before the arrangements were fully matured the rival schools were amalgamated and the Philadelphia professors found themselves in the Medical College of Ohio. During this year the Western Medical Ga- zette was issued, with Eberle, Staughton (q. v.) and Mitchell as its editorial staff, and fully maintaining the reputation of Eberle as a medi- cal editor. Again disappointed, however, in the attend- ance and revenue of the new medical college, Eberle accepted the chair of theory and prac- tice of medicine in the Transylvania Univer- sity, which was being reorganized at Lexing- ton, Kentucky. The invitation was accompanied by the promise of a fine salary, and, knowing his fondness for editorial work, he was also in- duced to become one of the editors of the Transylvania Medical Journal, positions he filled ably but only for a short time before he was obliged to resign because of shattered health. His reputation as a lecturer and teacher had preceded him, and the announcement that he would deliver the introductory address of the reorganized Transylvania University, filled the large hall to overflowing. But his health, broken by the disappointments and trials through which he had passed, made him scarce- ly able to fill his appointment at all, and during the session many of his lecture hours had to be filled by his colleagues. While in bad health he unfortunately be- came addicted to the use of opiates, and the pernicious habit possibly hastened the end of a career whose beginning had given promise of such a brilliant future. On the second of February, 1838, he died, having lectured for only a portion of one school term, and was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery in Cincinnati. As a writer he was clear and impressive ; as a lecturer sure of attention, being forceful and vigorous, throwing his whole soul into his subject; as a debater he was ready and versa- tile, his editorial work having stored his mind with choice literature both past and present. His writings included: "A Treatise of the Materia Medica and Therapeutics," four editions, Philadelphia, 1834; "A Treatise on the Diseases and Phy- sical Education of Children," Cincinnati, 1883; "Notes of Lectures on the Theory and Prac- tice of Medicine," delivered in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Cincinnati, 1834; "Botanical Terminology; or a Pocket Companion for Students of Botany," being a concise explanation of the terms employed in the classification and description of the vege- table kingdom," Philadelphia, 1818; "A Treat- ise on the Practice of Medicine," one volume, four editions, revised and enlarged, Phila- delphia, 1838. Frank C. Wilson. Lives of Eminent American Physicians, S. D. Gross, 1861. T. D. Mitchell.
