Although Dr. Lane was a tireless worker and exceedingly productive, his health was not robust. Dr. Rixford, his surgical associate, noticed that he would from time to time leave the operating room in the midst of an operation and be gone for ten or fifteen minutes. Meanwhile the operating team would ligate small blood vessels and carry on minor parts of the procedure until Dr. Lane would return to complete the work. Dr. Rixford assumed that he had a chronic digestive disorder of some kind. Dr. Lane also suffered greatly from sciatica although few were aware of it. There is nothing more specific than the above in Dr. Lane's past medical history.[1]
In the winter of 1901-1902, Dr. Lane's strength began noticeably to fail. Long procedures left him exhausted. It was at this time that Rixford assisted him on his last operation - the removal of a cancerous breast. Dr. Lane grew so weak during the operation that he was finding it difficult to complete the dissection. At one stage he said, "Give me more light, I can't see in the depth." Among the surgical instruments on the tray there was an old pair of scissors he had used for many years. Rixford handed them to him saying, "Use these, Doctor Lane; they have been there so often they would scarcely need light." He smiled, and after the operation held up the scissors and said, "Never cut adhesive plaster with these scissors. That's what Doctor Cooper said to me when he gave them to me forty years ago." With this casual gesture Dr. Lane passed the baton of surgery to the capable Emmet Rixford who more than anyone else has by his reminiscences preserved the memory of Cooper, Lane and their school. [2]
The Pledge Revoked. We recall that when Dr. Lane established Cooper Medical College in 1882 he deeded all its land and buildings to the Corporation of Cooper Medical College. In 1893, fearing extinction of his school through annexation by another institution (he certainly had the University of California in mind as the predator), he exacted a pledge from the Board of Cooper Medical College and the Faculty that:
| This College shall never be affiliated with, or become the department of any other educational institution, but shall remain an independent school in which Medicine and its Kindred Sciences shall be taught. |
In January 1902, during the last weeks of a terminal illness characterized chiefly by progressive exhaustion and anxiety, Dr. Lane decided to revoke the pledge. By this time he had accepted the view that medical schools in the United States were destined, as in Europe, to be integral parts of universities. He saw that the expenses of his College would increase enormously with the appointment of more salaried professors, and it was clear that the tuition of students could not cover the cost of medical education in a modern school. Faced with these realities, Dr. Lane reasoned that Cooper Medical College, in uniting with Stanford, would be making an orderly and inevitable transition to university status, and would henceforth be remembered and respected as the firm foundation upon which the University's medical school was established. He would be immensely gratified by the extent to which his expectations were fulfilled. [3] [4]
On at least one occasion, and possibly more, Dr. Lane discussed with President Jordan the feasibility of a merger with Stanford, but no agreement on the subject was reached. Although Stanford's financial condition had begun to improve, President Jordan was cautious in his assessment of the University's ability to fund a medical school. On 30 October 1901 he wrote:
| As to the possibilities of organic union, should this be considered desirable by the Cooper Medical College, I may say that we would strongly favor it if it were practicable… Our main difficulty is this: We are not now ready to incur the expense of a salaried faculty; we do not think it wise to begin without one. [5] [6] |
In view of the manifest advantages to Cooper College in a union with Stanford University, as now foreseen by Dr. Lane, he decided to rescind the prohibition of such a merger which he had placed in 1893 on the deed to the College property. In order to remove the restriction. it was necessary for him to regain possession of the property and then reconvey it to the Corporation devoid of the encumbrance. To this end Dr. Lane, who was seriously ill and failing at the time, called a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the College at his home on the evening of Wednesday, 15 January 1902.
All of the Directors were present: Dr. Lane, President, Mrs. L. C. Lane, Drs. C. N. Ellinwood, Edward R. Taylor (Vice President), Henry Gibbons, Jr. (Treasurer), and Emmet Rixford (Secretary). At the request of Dr. Lane, Dr. Taylor chaired the meeting. Dr. Ellinwood then proposed a resolution to the effect that the Corporation transfer all the property of the School and Hospital back to Dr. and Mrs. Lane. The resolution was unanimously adopted. Pursuant to it, Drs. Taylor and Rixford delivered to Dr. and Mrs. Lane on 16 January 1902 a duly executed deed of conveyance back to them of all the property belonging to the Corporation.
On the following day, 17 January 1902, Dr. and Mrs. Lane made in the presence of Dr. Taylor a deed of conveyance to the Corporation of the aforesaid property, free and clear of all conditions, and delivered it to Dr. Henry Gibbons, Jr., who accepted it on behalf of the Corporation. In consequence, from this date forward, the Directors of the Corporation were at liberty to negotiate with Stanford (or any other entity) regarding a relationship that might even include organic union. Dr. Lane's crucial decision, at the eleventh hour of his life, to remove all barriers to such negotiation, is further evidence of his vision and stature as the preeminent benefactor of medical education in the West. [7]
Building Named for Dr. Lane. Mindful of the possibility that future generations of faculty and students might be unaware of the unprecedented generosity of Dr. Lane in constructing the buildings of Cooper Medical College, Vice President Taylor called a meeting of the Directors of the College for the purpose of honoring Dr. Lane by naming a building for him. The meeting was convened on the evening of 29 January 1902. Those present were Drs. Taylor, Ellinwood, Gibbons and Rixford. [8]
It was unanimously decided that the words "Lane Hall of Cooper Medical College" be suitably inscribed upon a bronze or granite tablet and that the tablet when so inscribed be permanently affixed to the front on the wall of the second of the two College buildings erected by "that noble man whose love for medicine prompted and whose moneys alone were devoted to their construction."
It was further decided that an engrossed copy of the preamble and resolution authorizing this action be framed and given a permanent place upon one of the walls of the Faculty Room of the Corporation.
The Lane residence was the site of the meeting. Upon its adjournment we can be sure that the purpose and results of the meeting were imparted with grace and feeling to Dr. and Mrs. Lane to the great satisfaction of all.
This was the last meeting of the Board of Directors of Cooper Medical College during the lifetime of Dr. Lane. The press took the following notice of his worsening condition: [9]
San
Francisco Examiner Dr. Levi Cooper Lane, the eminent surgeon and physician, is critically ill at his residence at Clay and Buchanan streets. Owing to his aged and feeble condition it is not thought he will ever arise from his sickbed. Last night at 10 o'clock he showed some improvement. But the physicians in attendance have no hope this improved condition will continue. They are of the opinion that he may pass quietly away at any hour. Dr. Lane realizes his own condition and while making a fight for his life is ready for the end when it comes. Drs. Ellinwood, Hirschfelder, Stillman, Rixford and Gibbons are giving the distinguished patient every attention by day and by night. At 8 o'clock last night Dr. Ellinwood in speaking of Dr. Lane's condition said: "While Dr. Lane is not in imminent danger of death he is a very feeble and very sick man." The annual course of lectures at the Cooper Medical College by leading medical men from all parts of the world have become a matter of favorable comment in the older seats of scientific learning both at home and abroad. As a means of keeping professional men on this Coast in touch with the most advanced thought and practice of their profession, they have been of incalculable benefit. Many of the practicing physicians and surgeons on this Coast and in other parts of the country have had the benefits of an education and training at the Cooper College and the Lane Hospital. Hundreds of them have also received from the lips of the founder memorable advice and precious encouragement. These men will grieve to hear of Dr. Lane's condition. And the public in general, which has long delighted to honor him, will also hear with sorrow of the serious illness of the old white-haired physician. |