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Among the list of distinguished physicians in Thacher's American Medical Biography is the name of James Low. The notice was written by his friend Dr. T. Romeyn Beck, and is as follows :
"James Low, M. D., was born at Albany, December 9th, 1781. His early education was completed at Union College in 1802. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. McClelland, and after three years spent with him, he went to Edinburgh, where he spent four years, attending the lectures of the University. During a part of the time he was a private pupil of Dr. John Murray, late eminent lecturer on chemistry. Dr. Low's standing among his fellow students, may be estimated from the fact that he was elected one of the Presidents of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. Dr. Low traveled in England and Scotland, and returned to his native city in 1808, and commenced practice with Dr. McClelland. He then became a member of this Society.
"His reputation as a learned and skillful physician, an able and expert surgeon, became widely diffused. He was a man of science."
His health during the last three years of his life became greatly impaired, and after much suffering he died in Albany, February 3d, 1822, having just completed the fortieth year of his age.
His published works are:
1. Dissertation Inauguralis de Tetano, 1807.
2. Epidemic Pneumonia.
3. Researches on the Light manifested in the Combustion of Inflammable Substances.
4. Observations on Moth, which prove destructive to bees.
5. Hooper's Yade Mecum (with notes).
6. Notes to Bell on Venereal Diseases.
"His loss to Society was great. He bid fair at one time to become one of the first physicians in the state. He lectured during several years on chemistry, with great acceptance, showing familiarity with that subject. He was well versed in the languages, enthusiastic in poetry, and a man of extensive and varied learning."
He frequently read papers before this Society, among which was one on cancer, one on hydatids, and one on paralysis of the bladder.
Considering the time he spent abroad, at home in practice, and that he died in his early manhood; his industry
and the fertility of his pen are remarkable.
