All who are interested in the development of medicine in America before the Civil War will enjoy the rich sketches of the life and deeds of Mr. Flexner's heroes: John Morgan and the beginnings of medical education in Philadelphia; Benjamin Rush and the practice of medicine around 1800; Ephraim McDowell and frontier surgery; Daniel Drake and the life and times along the Ohio River; William Beaumont and physiological experimentation; and Crawford Long and William Morton in the discovery of anesthesia.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Seer and Continental soldier : John Morgan - - Saint or scourge : Benjamin Ru - - A backwoods Galahad : Ephraim McDowell - - Genius on the Ohio : Daniel Drake - - Two men and destiny : William Beaumont - - The death of pain : Crawford Long, William T.G. Morton.