Jones, Hamilton P., M. D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Jones, Hamilton P., M. D., New Orleans, was born in that city Oct. 26, 1872; son of Dr. Joseph and Susan R. (Polk) Jones, the former of whom was born in Georgia and the latter in North Carolina. He received his early education in private and public schools at New Orleans, and after taking an academic course at Tulane university he, in 1894, entered the medical department of that institution, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. Following his graduation, he entered upon general practice in the city of New Orleans, and his profession has claimed his attention since that time. He has been a visiting physician and surgeon to the Charity hospital since the date of his graduation. Previous to securing his medical degree and for 2 years following that event, he was assistant to the professor of chemistry and medical jurisprudence, while after graduating he filled the position of assistant demonstrator in chemistry, and later that of demonstrator of chemistry. At the present time, he is instructor of clinical medicine, medical department of Tulane university. In 1897 Dr. Jones was resident physician at the Isolation hospital, in the old Beauregard school. In 1898 he was acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., during the Spanish-American war, and later consulting surgeon at the only field hospital at Santiago, Cuba. After the outbreak of yellow fever among the troops a yellow fever hospital was established, known as "Jones' Yellow Fever hospital," and Dr. Jones was placed in charge of all yellow fever work among soldiers outside of Santiago until September, 1898. He was made executive officer of the First Division hospital, at Montauk Point, for September and Oct., 1898. He served from the latter part of May until the latter part of Oct., 1898, and was recommended to congress for brevet. Dr. jones was in charge of the yellow fever emergency hospital at New Orleans in 1905 as physician-in-chief. In 1910-11 he filled the office of state analyst and later, for 1 year, that of food commissioner. He has also been employed by the U. S. government as an expert with reference to blood and blood pressure, and as authority on nutrition in an important case involving questions in connection with bleached flour. He has also been retained by private interests, as a chemical and bacteriological expert in important litigation. Among Dr. Jones' published work may be mentioned: "Reports on Yellow Fever Hospitals,'' ''Medical and Surgical Notes on the Spanish-American War," "Reports on Chemical and Microscopical studies of water of Lake Pontchartrain and tributaries with reference to cause of death of large numbers of fish," and similar studies with reference to the waters of Bayou Teche, and "Medical Aspects of Exopthalmie Goitre." Much other work of a professional character, from his pen might be mentioned. Dr. Jones is a member of the Orleans parish, the Louisiana State, the American and Southern Medical associations. He has filled the position of secretary of the Orleans Parish Medical association, and has served on various committees of other associations. The doctor affiliates with the democratic party. June 25, 1901, Dr. Jones was married to Miss Caroline E. Merrick, daughter of David T. and Talulah (Dowdell) Merrick, the former of whom was born in Louisiana and the latter in Alabama. One child--Joseph --has been born to them.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, p. 771. Edited by Alc=E9e Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.