JAMES DERHAM. M.D.

"This intelligent descendant of Africa, originally a Slave in Philadelphia, was sold to a medical man, who employed him as an assistant in the preparation of drugs. During the American was, he was sold to a surgeon, and by him to Dr. Dove of New Orleans. He learned the English, French, and Spanish languages so as to speak them with ease. "He was received a member of the English church; and in 1788, when about 21 years of age, he became one of the most distinguished physicians of New Orleans.'I conversed with him on medicine.' says Dr. Rush, 'and found him very learned. I thought I could give him information concerning the treatment of diseases; but I learned more from him than he could expect from me.' "The Pennsylvania Society, established in favor of the people of Colour, thought it their duty, in 1789 to publish these facts; which are also related by Dickson. In the Domestic Medicine of Buchan, and in a work of Duplaint, we find an account of a cure for a rattlesnake bite. It is not clear whether Derham is the discoverer; but it is a well-known fact, that, for this important discovery, we are indebted to one of his Colour, who recived his freedom from the general assembly of Carolina, and also an annuity of 100 lbs." p.231, A TRIBUTE TO THE NEGRO, BY Wilson Armistead (1848)