THEOBALD,SAMUEL MD - OPHTHALMOLOGY AT THE JOHNS-HOPKINS-HOSPITAL BEFORE THE WILMER-INSTITUTE 1889-1925

Although ophthalmology today at the Johns Hopkins Hospital is synonymo us with the name of Wilmer, it should be remembered that the Wilmer Op hthalmological Institute was not founded until 1925. Thus, to apprecia te fully the ophthalmic heritage of Johns Hopkins we must look back to the beginnings of the medical institutions. When the Johns Hopkins Ho spital opened in 1889 and the medical school followed in 1893, Samuel Theobald, M.D., was appointed ophthalmic and aural surgeon, and later clinical professor of ophthalmology and otology. Dr. Theobald, a nativ e Baltimorean, was a member of the prestigious Smith family, which dis tinguished itself in early American medicine. He was raised in the hom e of his grandfather, Dr. Nathan Ryno Smith who directed his education . Dr. Theobald studied ophthalmology and otology abroad before opening a practice in Baltimore in 1871. Before his appointment at Johns Hopk ins he was one of the founders of the Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat Ch arity Hospital in 1882. In addition to his teaching at the medical sch ool and his work in the dispensary, he contributed many articles in jo urnals, and presentations to society meetings. He is especially rememb ered for his development of 'Theobald lacrimal probes', the introducti on of boric acid as a collyrium, and his text book Prevalent Diseases of the Eye. He was a member of the American Ophthalmological Society f or 50 years and its 14th President. In 1925 at the age of 79 years, he retired and became emeritus.