Message-ID: <BLU174-W73EB6A7C9518C5AE61A71A15E0@phx.gbl> From: Destinee Udelhoven <destineekae@hotmail.com> Subject: Mackinac's Infamous Dr. Beaumont Focus of 3rd Lecture Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 22:53:56 -0500
"The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont"Author Reading & Discussion F
eatured at August Event
The Historic Indian
Agency House and nearby sister site Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters are
pleased to welcome Jason Karlawish, MD, to Portage as the third feature
d
presenter of the 2013 Summer Speaker Series.
On Tuesday, August
27, Dr. Karlawish— physician, author and University of Pennsylvania
professor—will discuss his recent historical novel, Open Wound: The Tra
gic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont, a novel
based on true events at Fort Mackinac along the early 19th century
American frontier.
Called a
“marvelous” novel by The New York Times,
Mary Roach, author of Gulp and Stiff, said of the Open Wound, “Jaso
n
Karlawish has crafted a carefully reasoned and beautifully written portrait
of Beaumont and St. Martin.
There is more truth—deeper truth—in this fine work of fiction than in m
any
biographical writings on the pair.”
Dr. Karlawish will
discuss the historical and ethical context of Open Wound. In 1822, Mackin
ac Island Fort Army Surgeon William
Beaumont saves the life of an indentured fur trapper, Alexis St. Martin
, but
then slowly transforms his patient into a research subject, at times agai
nst
his will, for decades afterwards. Alexis’ wound, a gastric fistula,
gave Beaumont a window to
study digestion. Although Dr. Beaumont undoubtedly advanced medicine’s
understanding of digestion, his motives and methods are subject to scruti
ny and
critique.
Doctor Karlawish’s
reading and talk will explore the historical contexts that shaped Dr.
Beaumont’s complex and controversial relationship with his patient, and
how,
while the events occurred near two centuries ago, they resonate with
contemporary ethical challenges. When all others refused to support St. Mar
tin’s care, Dr.
Beaumont stepped forward. Did this act of kindness forever link these two m
en?
How did ambition cause him to lose sight of what was right?
To further examine
the history of frontier and military medicine, site director Rob Nurre wi
ll
offer a special medical-themed guided tour of the Fort Winnebago Surgeons
Quarters at 6:00 p.m. that will feature artifacts and anecdotes of the fort
days. This tour will be offered free of charge, and donations supporting
the
site’s continued operations will be happily accepted.
At 7:00 p.m., Dr.
Karlawish will read from and discuss his book at the Visitor’s Center of
the
Historic Indian Agency House. Dr. Karlawish will be available to sign copie
s of
Open Wound. Copies will be available
for purchase at the Historic Indian Agency House.
Dr. Karlawish is a
Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University
of Pennsylvania.
He cares for patients at the Penn Memory Center and directs the
Neurodegenerative Disease Ethics and Policy Program. He is a leader in the
field of bioethics. Besides the well-received Open Wound, his work has be
en published in peer-reviewed journals
and medical and bioethics textbooks. His work examines the ethical challeng
es
of research and care that involve older adults with cognitive impairment fr
om
diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about his research,
visit
his website at www.jasonkarlawish.com.
This is the fourth
annual Summer Speaker Series hosted by the Historic Indian Agency House at
Fort
Winnebago,
with one lecture a month from June to September. The 2013 series,
entitled “New Beginnings and Fresh Perspectives,” explores Wisconsin
events, people or other historical
happenings that have undergone an interpretive change. This theme is in hon
or
of the house’s newly expanded guided tour. The tourtrives to better highl
ight
the many roles and duties of Indian Agent John Kinzie and provide a more
nuanced interpretation of the Indian removal period and its effects on the
indigenous population.
Each installment of
this four-part speaker series will be held on the final Tuesday evening of
each
month. For the fourth year
in a row, this speaker series is free to the public and made possible by
generous grants from the the Great Circle Foundation, Inc. of East Northp
ort
and the City of Portage Tourism
Promotion Committee.
The Historic Indian Agency House hosts a variety of
children’s and adult programming throughout the year, including book-yo
ur-own
scout workshops! Visit www.agencyhouse.org for a full listing of events or
call (608) 742-6362 with any
questions. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
The Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebagohas been continuously ope
rated as a historic site since 1932 by theThe National Society of The Colon
ial Dames of America in the State of Wisconsin.This nonprofit organization
needs YOUR help to continue its mission ofeducation and historic preservati
on.Make a donation today!Call (608) 742 - 6362 for more information._______
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
Destinee K. Udelhoven
Executive Director
Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago
(608) 742 - 6362
“Nonconformity is the highest evolutionary attainment of socia
l animals.”
~
Aldo Leopold