George Humphrey Tichenor (April 12, 1837 – January 14, 1923) was a Kentucky-born physician who introduced antiseptic surgery while in the service of the Confederate States of America. Thereafter, in private practice in Canton (Madison County), Mississippi, he developed the formula that became "Dr. Tichenor's Antiseptic."
George Humphrey Tichenor
George H. Tichenor, as U.C.V. Louisiana Division Commander, 1916–1918
In 1863, he became an enrolling Confederate officer, and thereafter an assistant surgeon, during which time he is believed to have been the first in the Confederacy to have used antiseptic surgery. Tichenor experimented with the use of alcohol as an antiseptic on wounds. He was badly wounded in the leg in 1863, and amputation was recommended. He insisted on treating his wounds with an alcohol-based solution of his own devising. His wound healed, and he regained the use of his leg.
His potential reputation as a humanitarian was clouded by his fierce regional loyalty; Tichenor insisted that his techniques be used only on injured Confederates, never on Union prisoners.
An unconfirmed story was later circulated that Dr. Tichenor's antiseptic was granted the first patent issued by the Confederate government.[1] An image of the Confederate Battle Flag remained on the product label well into the 20th century.[2]
1895 advertisement for Dr. Tichenor's Antiseptic
Tichenor developed his antiseptic formula in Canton, Mississippi, and thereafter practiced medicine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 1869 to 1887. He started bottling Dr. Tichenor's Patent Medicine in New Orleans; the formula, consisting of alcohol, oil of peppermint, and arnica, was originally marketed as useful for a wide variety of complaints for both internal and external use for man and animal. A patent was registered in 1882.[3] The company producing this liquid was incorporated in 1905 and is still in existence, though the recommended uses are now more modest: principally as a mouthwash and topical antiseptic.
Personal life
Tichenor married the former Margaret A. Drane of Kentucky while they were in Canton. They had three sons: Rolla A. Tichenor, George H. Tichenor Jr., and Elmore Drane Tichenor. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Baptist Church. He was adjutant general and commander of the Louisiana division of the United Confederate Veterans.
He is interred in Roselawn Memorial Park in Baton Rouge, La.
References
^Burger, Nash K., "The Road to West 43rd Street", University Press of Mississippi, 2009, p. 10
^Burger, Nash K., "The Road to West 43rd Street", University Press of Mississippi, 2009, p. 10
^. Archived from the original on 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
"George Humphrey Tichenor", A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography, Vol. 2 (1988), p. 791
External links
Homepage for Dr. Tichenor's Antiseptic Mouthwash
"And speaking of which... Dr. Tichenor's Antiseptic"
"Swingin' With Dr. Tichenor" - NOLAvie a look at Dr. Tichenor's in New Orleans area culture
February 21, 2023
george, tichenor, george, humphrey, tichenor, april, 1837, january, 1923, kentucky, born, physician, introduced, antiseptic, surgery, while, service, confederate, states, america, thereafter, private, practice, canton, madison, county, mississippi, developed, . George Humphrey Tichenor April 12 1837 January 14 1923 was a Kentucky born physician who introduced antiseptic surgery while in the service of the Confederate States of America Thereafter in private practice in Canton Madison County Mississippi he developed the formula that became Dr Tichenor s Antiseptic George Humphrey TichenorGeorge H Tichenor as U C V Louisiana Division Commander 1916 1918Born 1837 04 17 April 17 1837Ohio County KentuckyDiedJanuary 14 1923 1923 01 14 aged 86 Known forAntiseptic surgeryMedical careerProfessionPhysician Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 References 5 External linksEarly life and education EditTichenor was born in Ohio County in western Kentucky to Rolla Tichenor and the former Elizabeth Hymphrey He was educated in private schools Career EditInitially Tichenor was a businessman in Franklin Williamson County Tennessee when the American Civil War began After the American Civil War had begun in 1861 he entered military service with the 22nd Tennessee Cavalry Regiment In 1863 he became an enrolling Confederate officer and thereafter an assistant surgeon during which time he is believed to have been the first in the Confederacy to have used antiseptic surgery Tichenor experimented with the use of alcohol as an antiseptic on wounds He was badly wounded in the leg in 1863 and amputation was recommended He insisted on treating his wounds with an alcohol based solution of his own devising His wound healed and he regained the use of his leg His potential reputation as a humanitarian was clouded by his fierce regional loyalty Tichenor insisted that his techniques be used only on injured Confederates never on Union prisoners An unconfirmed story was later circulated that Dr Tichenor s antiseptic was granted the first patent issued by the Confederate government 1 An image of the Confederate Battle Flag remained on the product label well into the 20th century 2 1895 advertisement for Dr Tichenor s Antiseptic Tichenor developed his antiseptic formula in Canton Mississippi and thereafter practiced medicine in Baton Rouge Louisiana from 1869 to 1887 He started bottling Dr Tichenor s Patent Medicine in New Orleans the formula consisting of alcohol oil of peppermint and arnica was originally marketed as useful for a wide variety of complaints for both internal and external use for man and animal A patent was registered in 1882 3 The company producing this liquid was incorporated in 1905 and is still in existence though the recommended uses are now more modest principally as a mouthwash and topical antiseptic Personal life EditTichenor married the former Margaret A Drane of Kentucky while they were in Canton They had three sons Rolla A Tichenor George H Tichenor Jr and Elmore Drane Tichenor He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Baptist Church He was adjutant general and commander of the Louisiana division of the United Confederate Veterans He is interred in Roselawn Memorial Park in Baton Rouge La References Edit Burger Nash K The Road to West 43rd Street University Press of Mississippi 2009 p 10 Burger Nash K The Road to West 43rd Street University Press of Mississippi 2009 p 10 Genealogical Notes and Anecdotes Archived from the original on 2009 04 22 Retrieved 2009 05 02 George Humphrey Tichenor A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography Vol 2 1988 p 791External links EditHomepage for Dr Tichenor s Antiseptic Mouthwash And speaking of which Dr Tichenor s Antiseptic Swingin With Dr Tichenor NOLAvie a look at Dr Tichenor s in New Orleans area culture Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George H Tichenor amp oldid 1106116281, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
