George W. Norris was a Library Company board member from 1840-1874. He was a Philadelphia surgeon and author and editor of books on historical medicine. He served as president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vice-president of the Philadelphia Medical Society, vice-president of the College of Physicians, vice-president of the AMA, and an associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
In Summary of the transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, vol. 3 (1850), plate opposite p. 93., “Ruth Tucker, a large and healthy negro woman, aged twenty-four, was admitted into the Pennsylvania Hospital in January last, on account of tumours developed in the lobe of each ear. She stated that between five and six years before, she had her ears pierced, and that soon afterwards brass rings were inserted into them…. Some swelling had already shown itself around the punctures before they were taken out … and gave origin to the tumours, which had continued since slowly to enlarge.”—P. 93., Waist-length portrait of Ruth Tucker, a patient whom Dr. George W. Norris treated for tumors on her ears.
