New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital - Main Operating Room

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Photographic (letterpress halftone) re-print of the main operating room (The Operating Amphitheatre) in operation. Surgeons, assistants and nurses can be seen along with some spectators in the seats to the upper left, rear. This photograph appears in the Annual Report for the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital(1903)

Stephen Smith

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An illustration from "Darkness & Daylight" of Stephen Smith, (1823-1922) Professor of Principles and Practice of Surgery, leading rounds at old Bellevue Hospital.

Dr. Smith was a well known surgeon and pioneer 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 and first president of the American Public Health Association.