Contributions
This Founding Father signed the Declaration of Independence, served as Surgeon General in the Continental Army, and promoted public education and prison reform.
Benjamin Rush
Rush trained in Europe and earned his medical degree at this Scottish university.
University of Edinburgh.
At what unusually young age did Benjamin Rush graduate from the College of New Jersey (Princeton)?
Age 14.
Yellow fever is spread by this kind of organism.
Mosquito (an infected mosquito).
The historical practice of removing blood to treat illnesses is called what?
Bloodletting.
He served as Treasurer of this U.S. institution from 1787–1813. Name it.
The US Mint
He was an early U.S. professor of which scientific subject at the College of Philadelphia?
Chemistry.
Rush apprenticed under this Philadelphia physician from 1761–1766 (name given in the text).
Dr. John Redman.
Name two common symptoms of yellow fever listed in the text.
Fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, slow pulse, organ failure, conjunctivitis, fatigue (any two).
According to the slideshow, Rush believed the body held about how many pounds of blood, and that he could safely remove how many pounds? (give the two numbers)
He believed the body held about 25 pounds of blood and that 20 pounds could be safely removed.
Name two social reforms Benjamin Rush advocated for (choose any two).
Pick 2: Public education, education for women, abolition, prison reform.
Rush viewed mental illness as a physical disease rather than a moral failing. What title is he commonly given for his influence in this field?
“Father of Psychiatry.”
Although Rush advocated against slavery, the slideshow notes a contradiction in his personal life. What was it?
He advocated for abolition yet owned a slave.
During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic Rush used an aggressive treatment that involved removing large amounts of this from patients. What is the treatment called?
Bloodletting.
Bloodletting was used historically to treat many conditions. Name two conditions listed in the text that were treated by bloodletting.
Examples: fevers, inflammation, epilepsy, “heartbreak.”
Rush supported a stronger national government and backed this key 1787–1788 document.
The constitution
Name one therapeutic device attributed to Rush for treating mental illness.
The "tranquilizing chair" or the "gyrator."
Rush studied under William Cullen at Edinburgh. Why was this important to his medical approach? (short answer)
William Cullen and Edinburgh's rigorous scientific approach influenced Rush’s focus on scientific, systematic medicine.
The slideshow says a cure (vaccine) is available and gives lifelong protection. In which types of climates is yellow fever most common?
Subtropical and tropical regions (mainly Africa and South America).
The slideshow shows an image of a "tranquilizing chair." What was one purpose Rush intended for this device in psychiatric care?
To reduce pulse rate and calm patients (part of humane psychiatric treatment as he saw it).
Describe one way Rush contributed to medical or public health institutions in Philadelphia after returning from Europe.
Founded the Philadelphia Dispensary (first free walk-in clinic), served as professor of chemistry and medicine, improved hospital hygiene as Surgeon General.
Rush believed illness had universal causes and focused on systemic imbalances. Give one example of a treatment he used based on that belief.
Examples: bleeding (bloodletting), purging, baths (hot/cold), occupational therapies like gardening.
List two places in Europe where Rush studied or spent time, according to the text.
London and Paris (and University of Edinburgh is also a place of study).
Explain why Rush believed bloodletting could help during yellow fever outbreaks (based on his medical beliefs).
Rush believed illnesses stemmed from the same systemic issues and thought removing blood would correct imbalances and reduce dangerous symptoms (per his theory that reducing blood could relieve the body’s diseased state).
Discuss one major ethical or medical problem with Rush’s use of aggressive bloodletting during epidemics, using evidence from the text.
Major problems: It likely increased mortality (removing too much blood weakens patients), was based on incorrect physiological theories, and sometimes removed life‑saving blood during severe illness; text notes he sometimes removed over 80% of a patient's blood and persisted in the practice despite high death rates.