An illustration from "Darkness & Daylight" of Stephen Smith, MD (1823-1922) leading rounds at old Bellevue Hospital.
Dr. Smith served as Professor of Anatomy (1867-1872) and Professor of Principles and Practice of Surgery (1861-1866) at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He also served as Professor of Clinical Surgery (1874-1894), Professor of Orthopedic Surgery (1874-1882), and Emeritus Professor (1894-1896) at University Medical College. A well-known surgeon and public health officer, he undertook a survey of New York City Health conditions in 1865 on behalf of the Council on Hygiene and Public Health. The Report of the Council, referred to as the Magna Carta of municipal sanitation in the United States, resulted in a law passed in 1866 which established the Health Department. Dr. Smith was a founder of and the first president of the American Public Health Association.