KIRKBRIDE, Thomas Story, American physician: b. near Morrisville, Bucks County, Pa., 31 July 1809; d. Philadelphia, 16 Dec. 1883. His ancestors, who had come to this country with William Penn, were, like himself, mem bers of the Society of Friends. He received the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1832, and was appointed resi dent physician of the Friends' insane asylum at Frankfort, Pa. A year later he was elected resident physician of the Pennsylvania hospital, in which he continued two years, when he be gan general practice in Philadelphia. In Janu ary 1841 he became superintendent and physi cian-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, then first opened, and continued in that office till his death. He was one of the most active members, and successively secre tary, vice-president and president of the Asso ciation of Medical Superintendents of Ameri can Institutions for the Insane. He published 'Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane' (1850), which has been a textbook and guide in the regulations of new hospitals, and a work 'On the Con struction, Organization and General Arrange ments of Hospitals for the Insane' (Philadel phia 1854, enlarged IMO). In 1853 he pro
posed the erection of, a new hospital, and the separation of the sexes in two distinct build ings, and was the first superintendent in the United States to carry such an arrangement into effect. In many other respects he was in the fore-rank of American ahenists, holding advanced views in regard to the medical and hygienic treatment of insane persons. He was one of the most ardent and successful fighters for more humane and rational treatment of such sufferers and much of the admirable con ditions now existing in public institutions for the insane is due to his efforts and initiative. Consult Anon., 'A Memorial of T. S. Kirk bride, M. D) (in Pennsylvania Hospital of the Insane, Report for the Year 1883, p. 26, Phila delphia 1884) ; Curwen, J., S. Kirk bride' (in Proceedings, American Philosophical Society, Vol. XXII, p. 217, Philadelphia 1885).