CHARLES FESSENDEN NICHOLS

Educated in the public and private schools of Salem, he studied in Germany from 1864-1866. Harvard Medical School granted him his M.D. in 1870. The "National Cyclopedia of American Biography" speaks of his studies in the homeopathic school of medicine with the Drs. Wesselhoefts of Boston but does not make it clear just when this occurred. Since he always advertised himself as a homeopathic physician, it can be concluded that his homeopathic training was obtained in the interval between his return from Germany and his entry into Harvard. Dr. Nichols interned at Massachusetts General Hospital and was House Physician at Carney Hospital. Again the timing is vague, but we can presume that his hospital experience took place between his graduation and the time he left for Hawaii to begin his practice.

It was at the invitation of Chief Justice Allen of Hawaii that Dr. Nichols accompanied him to Honolulu, arriving on the "Moses Taylor" on November 25, 1870. He was especially interested in testing the merits of the homeopathic treatment in leprosy and other diseases prevalent here and opened an office in December on the corner of Fort and Merchant streets. Dr. Nichols was successful enough to number among his patients members of the royal family and chiefs as well as foreign residents. On April 16, 1872, he boarded the "Nebraska" to return to Boston where he became associated with his former teacher, Dr. W.P. Wesselhoeft.

On May 7, 1884, Dr. Nichols married Miss Grace Belle Houston of Boston. His second marriage took place on June 9, 1898, to Miss Anna Jenetta Van Arenberg. He was the father of a daughter, Cherry Elizabeth, and a son, Fessenden Arenberg.

Dr. Nichols became the editor of the "New England Medical Gazette" in 1874. Combining literary propensity with an interest in natural science, he contributed articles on tropical climate, ferns and Polynesian life to "Harper's Magazine", "New England Magazine", "Overland Monthly", "Science", "Popular Science Monthly", and "Review of Reviews". His two years in Hawaii furnished him with material for papers which "analyzed the voodoo witchcraft of Polynesia" and studies of the religion, political status and events in Hawaii and Polynesia.

In 1891 and 1892 he was a member of the editorial staff of "Science". His articles on the Koch controversy were widely read. Koch claimed the prediscovery by the homeopathic school of a treatment for tuberculosis. Dr. Nichols also published a number of brochures urging caution in the use of inoculable and vaccinal serums. Following a paper in the "Review of Reviews", March, 1895, written by the doctor upon the effects of the climate in southwestern United States on tuberculosis, the American Invalid Aid Society was organized with Dr. Nichols as one of two vice-presidents. This group sent from 20 to 100 consumptives annually to the southwest with, it is claimed, 90 percent cures.

Before going to Germany the doctor served as curator of coins and catalogues in the Peabody Academy of Science (1860-1864) and had a valuable personal collection of coins. He also had a unique collection of tree shells made during his stay in Hawaii.

Dr. Nichols died at his home in West Roxbury, Boston, on April 5, 1915, at the age of 69.

He was a member of the American Institution of Homeopathy, the Massachusetts, Boston, and International Homeopathic Medical societies, Organon Society, New York Society for Humane Medical Research (vice-president 1908-1909), American AntiVivisection Society, and an adopted member of the Hawaiian Society of Mission Children.

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