Lynch, Kenneth Merrill, Sr.

The early nineteenth century gave rise to systematic attempts to improve medicine in South Carolina. In 1817 the General Assembly created two examining boards for physicians, apothecaries, and midwives, one of which was to be in Charleston and the other in Columbia.

From 1824 until 1913 the school received no state funding. Students purchased tickets to lectures and paid laboratory fees. The faculty maintained private practices in addition to their teaching duties. From 1823 to 1861 the school rose to national prominence.

The society quickly acquired a leading role in medical and public health issues. In 1790 the organization planned a dispensary for the relief of the sick and indigent, which evolved into the Shirras Dispensary and served the Charleston community until merging with Roper Hospital in 1921.