thirteen miles from a railroad, have been his means of exercise and relaxation."
He was educated for the law, and "against the wishes of my parents," he says, " I studied medicine. Why, I cannot tell." But it is quite evident that his peculiar talents fitted him in an eminent degree for the profession of his choice. His first strong impulse "was an early desire to succeed in life." Among the sources of his success he numbers " the pride instilled in me at home, the difficulties encountered in college, and the failure in life of many of my early companions—these all contributed to make me seek a position among the leaders in my profession."
He is affiliated with the Episcopal church; and his personal word in regard to his life-course is: "God has been good to me. I aimed high and strove to attain success by a willingness to work and to wait for the reward." He names as elements by which young people should seek to attain success, "honesty of purpose, integrity and jealous guarding of one's own reputation by having regard for the opinions of his fellow-men."
He has been president of the American Pediatric Society; of the Medical Association of Washington; of the Medical Society, District of Columbia; of the Washington Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. He was chairman of the committee of Arrangements First Pan-American Medical Congress, 1893. He has made addresses upon the topics particularly within his sphere; and his published contributions to prominent medical journals and magazines are of strictly scientific accuracy, of a highly technical character, and numerous. He has also collaborated in the preparation of a textbook of the diseases of children.
Dr. Adams' own words throw light on his career and give the key to his personal character and his success: "I did not marry until I could support a wife. We never bought anything for house or personal adornment until the money was earned to pay for it. My wife's good judgment has been very valuable to me in attaining success. Her intellectual qualities have been helpful in shaping mine. Our domestic happiness has been continuous. The parents being physically sound, our children are without the slightest physical blemish, and are mentally above the average for their ages. We have instilled into them from their infancy the value of truth; of correct modes of living; of independence of thought; of due regard for their
