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Alexander Rush papers

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Held at: Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia [Contact Us]19 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
MSS 2/243
Repository:
Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Extent:
1 linear feet (3 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English
Date:
1812-1984 (inclusive) and 1931-1984 (bulk)
Creator:
Rush, Alexander
Form:
Awards, Biography files, Certificates, Clippings, Diplomas, Genealogies (histories), Lectures, Photographs, and Speeches (documents)
Abstract:

Alexander Rush, Philadelphia gastroenterologist was born on 29 October 1910. He was a great great grandson of physician Benjamin Rush. Alexander Rush married Carol Smith in 1945; they had two daughters, Mary Wheeler Rush Purdy and Alexandra H. Rush Domingues. Rush died of leukemia on 24 October 1983.

Rush received a B.A. from Princeton University, 1932, and an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, 1936. After an internship at Pennsylvania Hospital and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Chicago, Rush, in 1941, joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and held several posts in the School of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, becoming Assistant Professor in Medicine, Associate in Gastroenterology, and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine. He became an Emeritus Professor in 1978.

In 1939, Rush joined the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital and was chief of its Department of Gastroenterology, 19551974. He was also president of the medical staff, 19721976, and gastroenterologist and medical director of the hospital's Benjamin Franklin Clinic.

Alexander Rush was elected to fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1947. He was also a member of the American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and Philadelphia County Medical Society.

This small collection of Alexander Rush's papers, 1931-1984, with some earlier material, documents his personal life, professional career, and interest in his ancestor, Benjamin Rush, and includes lectures and addresses, writings, awards, certificates, diplomas, and photographs.

Series 1 contains letters, a passport, curricula vitae, bibliographies, and printed material concerning Rush's life and career, 1922-1984. Material, 1812-1981, concerning Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) is in Series 2. Included is a photocopy of Rush's will, 1812; correspondence concerning Rush and genealogical inquiries; photographs of the dedication of the Rush gravesite; and printed material.

The bulk of the collection, Series 3, is a chronological sequence of Alexander Rush's public addresses, medical lectures, and radio broadcasts, 1947-1977. Many of the lectures concern gastrointestinal diseases and were part of the curriculum of postgraduate courses sponsored by the American College of Physicians. Other subjects include the Benjamin Franklin Clinic of Pennsylvania Hospital and Benjamin Rush.

Typescripts with related material for several of Alexander Rush's published articles, 1945-1982, are in Series 4. Several of these articles concern gastrointestinal diseases.

Awards, certificates, and diplomas, 1936-1984, from Rush's professional career are in Series 5. Series 6 contains four photographs, 1931-1970.

Flat file no. 1, drawer 2

Contents: 3 certificates/diplomas

People
Organization
Subject

Publisher
Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Use Restrictions

This collection of Alexander Rush's papers were donated to the Historical Collections of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Carol Rush on 13 December 1991.

The collection was processed and catalogued in 1992.

Collection Inventory

1. Biographical and personal 2 folders, 1931-1983.
Box 1 1 folder
2. Obituaries, 1983-1984.
Box 1 2 folder
3. Genealogy, circa 1979.
Box 1 3 folder
4. Newsclippings, 1922-1976.
Box 1 4 folder

1. Last will and testament of Benjamin Rush, M.D [negative photocopy], 18 January 1812.
Box 1 5 folder
2. Correspondence, 1963-1981.
Box 1 6 folders
3. Photographs of Benjamin Rush grave dedication, circa 1965.
Box 1 7 folder
4. Printed material, 1959-1977.
Box 1 8 folder

1. Bacillary and salmonella infections: A.C.P. Postgraduate Course 10, Philadelphia, Pa., 24 November 1947.
Box 1 9 folder
2. Cancer of the stomach: medical aspects: Clearfield County Medical Society, Clearfield, Pa.; includes draft, 15 April 1948.
Box 1 10 folder
3. Massive bleeding from peptic ulcer: clinical appraisal and medical management: A.C.P. Postgraduate Course, Philadelphia, Pa., 1950 Dec.
Box 1 11 folder
4. Functional disorders of the digestive tract: Burlington County Medical Society, Burlington, N.J., 11 October 1951.
Box 1 12 folder
5. Medical emergencies of the gastrointestinal tract: massive hemorrhage: A.C.P. Postgraduate Course 6, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes draft, 11 May 1953.
Box 1 13 folder
6. Viral hepatitis: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa, 03 April 1954.
Box 1 14 folder
7. Acute pancreatitis: University of Pennsylvania. Graduate School of Medicine. Symposium on the Acute Abdomen, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes notes, 23 September 1954.
Box 1 15 folder
8. Disease of the stomach: neoplasm, differentiation of benign and malignant ulcer: Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. Commission on Graduate Education. Graduate Course in Gastroenterology; includes draft, 14 April 1955.
Box 1 16 folder
9. Problems in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastric ulcer: A.C.P. Clinics, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes draft, 26 April 1955.
Box 1 17 folder
10. Discussion: A.C.P. Clinics, Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., 28 April 1955.
Box 1 18 folder
11. Gastro intestinal disease in clinic practice: Philadelphia County Medical Society. Postgraduate Institute, Philadelphia, Pa., 11 April 1956.
Box 1 19 folder
12. Differential diagnosis of jaundice: American Academy of General Practice. Postgraduate Course, Philadelphia, Pa., and Allentown, Pa., Nov. 1956.
Box 1 20 folder
13. Pancreatitis acute and recurrent: A.C.P. Course 6, Philadelphia, Pa., 05 December 1956.
Box 1 20 folder
14. A glimpse into the Benjamin Franklin Clinic, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes printed material, 1948-1963.
Box 1 21 folder
15. Dr. Benjamin Rush: Dickinson College. Founders' Day, Carlisle, Pa., 02 May 1957.
Box 1 22 folder
16. Medical emergencies of the gastro intestinal tract: massive hemorrhage, 26 June 1957.
Box 1 23 folder
17. Management of bleeding peptic ulcer, 1962 Oct.
Box 1 24 folder
18. Acute pancreatitis and Diverticulosis, diverticulitis and malignancy: Wyoming Valley Hospital. Postgraduate Program, Wilkes Barre, Pa.; includes notes, 16 October 1963.
Box 1 25 folder
19. Diverticulosis, diverticulitis and malignancy and The irritable colon: Delaware Academy of General Practice, Wilmington, Del., 16 September 1964.
Box 1 26 folder
20. Pain in the back from abdominal visceral disease: American Medical Association. Clinical Convention, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes draft, 01 December 1965.
Box 2 1 folder
21. Complications of gastric surgery: Pennsylvania Hospital Radio Seminar, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes draft, 28 March 1967.
Box 2 2 folder
22. Brief remarks concerning Dr. Benjamin Rush: University of Pennsylvania. Commencement Bicentennial, Philadelphia, Pa.; includes draft and printed material, 18 May 1975.
Box 2 3 folder
23. Some reflections on medical education in America today: Rush University, Chicago, Ill.; includes draft, correspondence, newsclippings, and printed material, 14 September 1976.
Box 2 4 folder
24. Gastric ulcer: benign and malignant, undated.
Box 2 5 folder

1. Denhoff, Eric, and Rush, Alexander. Helminth disease in American soldiers: typescript, 23 p.; includes letter, circa 1945.
Box 2 6 folder
2. Schreiter, William F., and Rush, Alexander. Residential treatment of emotionally disturbed children: typescript, 16 p., 1956.
Box 2 7 folder
3. Rush, Alexander. Amoebiasis: an analysis of the cases of intestinal infestation with e. histolytica uncovered among 6000 patients examined at the Benjamin Franklin Clinic of the Pennsylvania Hospital: typescript, 7 p., 1960.
Box 2 8 folder
4. Rush, Alexander. Irritable colon syndrome: holograph notes, 8 p.; includes reprint, circa 1963.
Box 2 9 folder
5. Rush, Alexander. Pain in the back as a symptom of abdominal visceral disease: typescript, 10 p.; includes letters, drafts, and notes, 1965-1966.
Box 2 10 folder
6. Rush, Alexander. The Medical Club or Club of 19: in continuous existence since 1867: typescript, 29 p., 1967.
Box 2 11 folder
7. Rush, Alexander. Peptic ulcer and Zollinger Ellison Syndrome: typescripts, 4 p. and 4 p.; includes drafts and letters, circa 1972.
Box 2 12 folder
8. Rush, Alexander. The saga of the Pennsylvania Hospital aquatint: typescript, 10 p.; includes draft, correspondence, and photographs, 1975-1982.
Box 2 13 folder
9. Rush, Alexander. Benjamin Rush: he aimed well: typescript, 4 p.; includes drafts, undated.
Box 2 14 folder
10. Rush, Alexander. The Pennsylvania Hospital in action: or what happens when an acute emergency in admitted to the hospital: typescript, 9 p., undated.
Box 2 15 folder

1. University of Pennsylvania. M.D. diploma, 10 June 1936.
Box 3 1 folder
2. Pennsylvania. Department of Public Instruction. License to practice medicine and surgery, 02 March 1939.
Box 3 2 folder
3. College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Fellowship certificate, 02 April 1947.
Box 3 3 folder
4. American Board of Internal Medicine. Certificate, 28 October 1950.
Box 3 4 folder
5. American Gastroenterological Association. Membership certificate, 26 April 1956.
Box 3 5 folder
6. American College of Physicians. Fellowship certificate, 10 April 1957.
Box 3 6 folder
7. Dickinson College. Life Trustee certificate, 15 May 1981.
Box 3 7 folder
8. Pennsylvania Hospital. Ex Residents Association. Jacob Ehrenzeller Award, 18 May 1984.
Box 3 8 folder
9. University of Pennsylvania. Graduate School of Medicine. Bockus Alumni International Society of Gastroenterology. Faculty member certificate,, undated.
Box 3 9 folder
10. Collegium Chirurgicum Caninum Americanum. Certificate,, undated.
Box 3 10 folder

1. Alexander Rush, head and shoulders, Kimball, n.p.: sepia print mounted, 4.5" x 3", circa 1931.
Box 3 11 folder
2. Pennsylvania Hospital resident staff, Philadelphia, Pa.: bw print, 8" x 10", 1937.
Box 3 12 folder
3. Alexander Rush at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.: bw print, 7" x 9", 1970 Dec.
Box 3 13 folder

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