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1894-1896
Circular of 1894
The U.S. economy was poor in the early 1890s.
By November 1894, the price of cotton had decreased to 5 cents a pound, and business
in the South was at a standstill. Due to the depressed economy and school’s adoption of
more stringent requirements, the Medical Department graduated only four doctors in 1895, making it
the smallest graduating class since the first in 1833.
Beginning in 1896, graduates of all medical colleges in Georgia were required to pass
an examination by the state Board of Medical Examiners, according to the provisions of a law
passed by the General Assembly December 12, 1894. The faculty and the Medical Association
of Georgia advocated this requirement to upgrade the standards of medical practices.
On March 22, 1896, the custom of a baccalaureate sermon for the seniors was inaugurated at
First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. J.T. Plunket delivered the sermon.
Dr. Thomas Russell Wright (1855-1923)
Dean, 1894-1896
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 Dr. Thomas Wright received his MD degree from the
Medical Department of the University of Georgia in 1876.
He taught at the Medical Department for 47 years, first as professor of anatomy and later as professor
of surgery. He was known as a skillful surgeon. Dr. Wright became dean during a national depression,
but he improved the college's financial aspects by the time his tenure ended. He was also
actively involved in developing University Hospital. Dr. Wright wanted to increase the Medical
Department’s visibility in the community and was instrumental in the faculty and students wearing caps
and gowns for the first time at the 1899 commencement.
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"New" City Hospital (2nd Renovation)
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Completed in 1894, the second renovation cost $39,000. This project consisted of remodeling the original
building and adding a three-story east and west wing. In addition to the new wings, the hospital constructed
a sun porch to accommodate 100 indigent and 30 paying patients, an operating room and a 350-seat amphitheatre.
Hydraulic elevators, electric bells in all rooms and a telephone system were also included in the construction.
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Contagious and Infectious Diseases Hospital
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The Board of Health assumed responsibility of the Freedman’s Hospital upon construction of the Lamar Hospital
in 1895. Caring for individuals with "afflictions of a contagious or infectious nature,"
the hospital became the Hospital for Contagious and Infectious Diseases. During the smallpox mini-epidemic of
1926, the hospital again served as a "Pest House." The Farmer's Market currently stands on
this site.
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Lamar Hospital
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Dedicated in 1895 and located on Gwinnett Street (Laney-Walker Boulevard), the Lamar Hospital for blacks had a
75-bed capacity. Along with $8,000 from the City Council, the hospital was built with $7,425 from the estate of
Gazaway B. Lamar. The estate was "designated for the erection or maintenance of a colored hospital in Augusta."
This hospital was equipped with every necessary appliance to treat the sick. Although a fire in 1911 destroyed
75 percent of the hospital and its equipment, no patients were injured. The Haines Institute temporarily housed
the patients until the reopening of the Contagious and Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Lamar Wing of University
Hospital was built. Tabernacle Baptist Church currently stands on
this site.
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