Sacramento County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

 

 

JAMES H. PARKINSON, M.D.

(1859-1926)

 

 

   Completing his Medical Degree from King and Queens College of Physicians, Dublin, Ireland, in 1879, and the following year having passed examinations in the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, James H. Parkinson then twenty-one years of age began medical practice in London.  But the young man's impulse for venture, plus a desire to see foreign lands of which he had heard and read, impelled him during the ensuing two years to make voyages as a member of the British Merchant Marine Service to South America, Japan, China and the United States.  Through the suggestion of Dr. G. G. Tyrrell he came to Sacramento, May 30, 1882, where he resided and practiced until his death forty-four years later.

   Dr. Parkinson became a member of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, October, 1882, and was made Secretary, March 18, 1884, a position continuously held until March 18, 1890.  He was twice elected President of this society---serving his first term from March 1891, to March, 1892, and the second from March, 1916 to March, 1917.

   'In 1894, Dr. Parkinson joined the American Medical Association, the first member by application.  He also retained his membership in the British Medical Association.  He was a member and at one time (elected November, 1905) president of the Northern District Medical Society of California.  He was for seven years vice-president of the California State Board of Health, and in 1884, was City Physician of Sacramento.  He was a member of the Sutter Club of Sacramento, the Union League Club of San Francisco, and for many years a member of the Sierra Club.  For forty years he was a vestryman of St. Paul's Church, Sacramento.'¹  He joined the California State Medical Society April 18, 1883, and immediately took therein active and efficient participation.  In 1906, at Dr. Thos. Ross' death, Dr. Parkinson succeeded him on the Council of the State Medical Society, and served as President of that Society from April, 1909 to April, 1910.  For four years prior to death he served as Chairman of the Council.

   One of Dr. Parkinson's major accomplishments was founding in Sacramento, the Occidental Medical Times.  'In the more peaceful and constructive middle period of medicine in California the field of medical journalism was occupied by the Occidental Medical Times,' wrote Dr. Emmet Rixford of San Francisco.²  'Founded in 1887 by Dr. J. H. Parkinson as a modest local journal under the title, the Sacramento Medical Times, it soon found that its statewide field required a change of name. This was made in 1889, in its third volume.  Twelve volumes were published when it was removed to San Francisco, uniting with the Pacific Record of Medicine and Surgery under the editorship of Dr. Louis A. Kengla, who had rejuvenated the latter journal.  Ceasing publication at the death of Dr. Kengla, it had furnished for seventeen years a most excellent journal worthy of better support than it received.  Its influence for better medicine in California and its influence on legislation are worthy of more space than can here be given to it.'

   The first edition of the Sacramento Medical Times was March, 1887.  Dr. Parkinson in a maiden editorial announced the reason for his journal:  “The Times neither seeks to supplant its contemporaries, nor comes to supply a demand, but rather to create one; and in proportion as the effort succeeds, its purpose will be accomplished. . .it will be a means of communication in professional matters for the great body of the profession of the interior of the State. . .circulating largely in Nevada, Oregon and Washington Territory it hopes to fulfill the same purposes in those fields where no local publication exists. . .published in the interests of the regular profession, and we desire at the ouset(sic) to express our allegiance to the laws, written and unwritten, which govern that body. . .we desire to make our advertising department conform to our general policy, and while direct endorsement is withheld, there can be no doubt that the appearance of any matter within the covers of a publication, conveys a tacit acquiescence.'

   Dr. Parkinson was given exclusive rights to publish proceedings of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, formerly published by the Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal.  The Occidental Medical Times was not published during 1899 and 1900 but resumed publication in 1901.  For twelve years the Doctor produced his journal---circulated 'at the sacrifice of a great deal of valuable time and also financial loss. . .purely in the interest of the medical profession of Sacramento and California.'³

   Dr. Parkinson remained steadfast in resolves that advertising in the Times should be ethical---forever circumspect, wary of the questionable, and emasculating anything coming within an unethical or nonfactual sphere.  Had he permitted greater freedom in advertisements, as did some contemporaries, his monthly journal would have enjoyed more economic success.  The editorials, solely Parkinson, revealed his greatest pen interest and diction strength.  Good medicine, ethical medicine, medical legislation, sanitation, advancement of medicine in California, interests of the medical profession, medical organization and education---all---were given a personal, untiring and positive advocacy.

   Dr. Parkinson was a student of local and State medical Constitutions.  He it was who passed upon, and more usually drew up, constitutional changes.  A parliamentarian of unusual ability, with a fine memory for minutiae, he over many years was a most outstanding force in the body politic of western medicine. 'He devoted a great deal of his time and study to the protection of the members of the Society against mal-practice suits and his urgency and persistency in impressing upon our membership the necessity of carrying suitable and sufficient protection against such acts will remain in our memories for a lifetime, and those who have heeded his advice have I am sure spent more restful life in consequence and owe this indebtedness to his good council.'4  His intentions and endeavors were factually directed, and attuned in equity.  He moved in a sphere of confidence and positiveness, and courageously defended his every resolve, but just as dauntlessly repulsed opposition. 'And yet he never sought personal aggrandizement, but stood for the highest interests of his profession regardless of consequences to himself.'5

   'His genius for public service still found time for civic duty, for he was a member of the Board of Freeholders which framed the present charter of the city of Sacramento, and at the time of his death was vice-president of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.'6  Ignorance and indifference to civic obligations called for his censure and he did not hesitate to deliver 'a few caustic remarks relative to the general apathy of the individuals of the (Medical) Society in reference to their duty on matters of general and civic welfare.'

   'His donations to the library of the Cooper Medical College of journals received in exchange, together with many books, gave much encouragement to those who were struggling to build up a medical library in San Francisco.  His interest in the library never flagged, and the Lane Medical Library into which the little college library grew is even now indebted to Dr. Parkinson for the remainder of his collection of medical books and pamphlets which he donated just before his death.'7  Too, he donated to the library of the California Academy of Medicine, in San Francisco, as revealed by J. Marion Read, M.D.  'Nor was it composed of out-dated medical texts, for Dr. James H. Parkinson, Editor of the “Occidental Medical Times,” sent all the exchanges and books received by his journal to the Academy's library.'8

   The California State Medical Society was in session in San Francisco, April, 1906, at the time of an earthquake and fire.  The first meeting day was held Tuesday, April 17th, in the Y.M.C.A. building, located then at Mason and Ellis streets.  Ere the morning session of the 18th convened the building was demolished and the city burning.  At 9:30 A.M. the President of the Society, Dr. R. F. Rooney, the Secretary, Dr. Philip Mills Jones, and Drs. James H. Parkinson and H. Bert Ellis 'gathered on the steps of the wrecked Y.M.C.A. building and declared the Society adjourned sine die.'9  'Mention may also be made of the fact that, on Tuesday afternoon, April 17, many members of the State Medical Association---of whom the writer was one---were seated in the auditorium of the old Y.M.C.A. on Mason street,' stated Dr. Philip Mills Jones, and 'in the room where those meetings were being held, on the fateful morning of the 18th, the roof fell in.  Had the earth's tremors occurred on Tuesday afternoon, when the auditorium was crowded with physicians, instead of at five o'clock the next morning, a large number of physicians would undoubtedly have been killed, and the pages of the history of medicine in California during the next two or three decades would have presented other names than now appear on the rolls.'

   Three years after Dr. Parkinson arrived in Sacramento he married Mary W. Bonte, daughter of Rev.   J. H. C. Bonte, Episcopal clergyman, who was for many years secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of California.  Two children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Parkinson:  a son Jack, and an older son, Fenton, who died of appendicitis May 3, 1899, at twelve years of age.  Mrs. Parkinson died in 1903.   The son Jack and three grandchildren survived the Doctor.

   Dr. Parkinson was a vigilant and meticulous worker.  However each year he spent a month in the Sierra Nevada mountains where:

 

                        “To him who in the love of nature holds

                                 Communion with her visible forms, she speaks

                                 A various language.”

 

   He took two horses, one to ride and one for packing, and usually went alone, even when his boy was older.  He would ofttimes, en route, stay a short time at the Cedars, in Nevada county.10  At a later period he had a summer home in the American River Canyon to which he repaired for rest and solitude.

   'The indomitable courage and pertinacity, which were characteristic of the Doctor were exhibited in a high degree when he almost forced himself into the service of the government (World War I), which he had to do on account of his age at the beginning of the war.  He entered training camp before war was declared and returned to his practice after hostilities were ended.  The financial loss, the hardships of camp life, the loss of practice apparently caused no regrets.  His only regret was that he had not been alowed (sic) to reach battlefields of France.'11

   Dr. Parkinson did not attend the meeting of the California Medical Association in April, 1926 but his 'excellent and complete report as chairman of the Council made a favorable impression, and had a strong influence in directing the affairs of organized medicine, as has his conduct throughout his long years of service.'12  Nothing but ill health could have restrained the Doctor from attending a State meeting.  For many months previously he had quietly worked on with a full knowledge death lay in wait.  'It is natural that with the imagination which made such a life possible there should be a sentimental side, though he concealed his affections.  In Dr. Parkinson it was perhaps most evident in his love for the high Sierras.  It was fitting when he found he had lost the fight against an incurable disease that he should go to the mountains calmly to await the end.'13

    King Death claimed James H. Parkinson, Thursday, July 22, 1926, at noon.  Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Saturday, July 24th.

   'As the great majority of us stroll along the Road of Life we see the monumental milestones erected by a great man.  And as we sit by the roadside resting and watching the race of the multitude we see this same man forging far ahead and passing all others---looking forward to that goal of Helpfulness to Humanity.  And sometimes as we tire at the foot of the mountain, weary of carrying our burdens, we see this same untiring worker picking up the burdens of others and trudging on to place them properly at the destination and returning again to assist another group to carry on.'14

 

 

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   1  California and Western Medicine, V. XXV, Sept. 1926, p. 381.

    2  Early California Medical Journals, by Emmet Rixford, M.D., California and Western Medicine, V. XXIII,

        May, 1925, p. 607.

    3  Memorial, Drs. W. E. Briggs and  G. J. Hall, Society Minutes.  

   4  Annual Address, E. C. Schoff, M.D., President Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, December, 1926.

    5  In appreciation of Dr. James H. Parkinson, Drs. H. D. Lawhead, W. E. Bates and J. B. Harris, California

        and Western Medicine, V. XXV, Sept., 1926, p. 781.

    6  California and Western Medicine, V. XXV, Sept., 1926, p. 381.

    7  James H. Parkinson, M.D., by Emmet Rixford, California and Western Medicine, V. XXV, Sept., 1926, p. 381.

    8  The California Academy of Medicine, J. Marion Read, 1930, p. 82

    9  California and Western Medicine, by the then Editor Philip Mills Jones, v. LIII, No. 5, p. 215-217.

   10  Dr. A. M. Henderson.

   11  Memorial, Drs. Wm. Ellery Briggs and G.J. Hall, Minutes of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement.

   12  California and Western Medicine, V. XXIV, No. 6, June, 1926, p. 788.

    13  Emmet Rixford, M.D., California and Western Medicine, V. XXV, September, 1926, p. 381.

    14  Memorial, Drs. Wm. Ellery Briggs and G. J. Hall, Minutes of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transcribed 4-17-18  Marilyn R. Pankey.

­­­­Source: “Memories, Men and Medicine A History of Medicine In Sacramento, California by J. Roy Jones, M.D., Pages 406-430. Publ. Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, 1950.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sacramento County Biographies

Golden Nugget Library's Sacramento County

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