MITCHELL, Silas Weir, American physi cian, inventor of the "rest cure,' poet and novelist : b. Philadelphia, 15 Feb. 1829; d. 4 Jan. 1914. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1850, entered practice in Philadelphia, during the Civil War was in charge of the Turner's Lane United States hospital (Philadelphia) for diseases and in juries of the nervous system, and subsequently was president of the Philadelphia College of Physicians. In his professional capacity he became known for his researches in connection with nervous diseases, and in physiology and toxicology. A bibliography of his publications would supply the titles of some 150 medical papers, recounting investigations of high scien tific importance. To a wider degree, how ever, he is known through his literary work, composed principally of poetry and fiction. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, and was also made associate corre sponding or honorary member of foreign scien tific societies. His works in medical science in clude 'Researches on the Venom of the Rattle snake' (1860) ; Wounds and other Injuries of Nerves' ; 'Reflex Paralysis) (1864); 'On Injuries of the Nerves and their Conse quences) (1872) ; and 'Fat and Blood, and How to Make Them' (1877). Among his other writ
ings are, in verse, 'The Hill of Stones' (1882) 'The Masque' (1887); The Psalm of Death' (1890), and 'The Wager' (1900) ; in fiction, 'Roland Blake' (1884) ; 'Far in the Forest' (1888) ; 'A Madeira Party' (1895) ; Hugh Wynne' (1897) ; 'The Adventures of Francois' (1899) ; 'The Autobiography of a Quack' ( 1900) ; 'Circumstance' (1901 ) ; 'Collected Poems' (1896) ; 'Memoir of Owen Jones' (1896) ; 'Constance Trescot> (1905) ; 'Doctor and Patient.' Consult Oberholtzer, E. P., 'Personal Memories of Weir Mitchell' (in the Bookman, Vol. XXXIX, New York 1914); the Book News Monthly (Vol. XXVI, Philadelphia 1907) ; Tucker, B. R., 'S. Weir Mitchell' (Bos ton 1914) ; Williams, Talcott, 'Dr. S. Weir Mitchell' (in the Century Magazine, Vol. LVII, New York 1898). Consult also 'A Catalogue of the Scientific and Literary Work of S. Weir Mitchell) (Philadelphia 1894).