Joseph McDowell's Eccentric Behavior and Medical Career

Joseph McDowell, a renowned doctor and teacher, exhibited eccentric behavior throughout his life. He had a reputation for being a crass and raunchy figure, often speaking loudly and using profanity. Despite this, he was adored by his students and considered one of the smartest men in the room. McDowell founded the medical departments of various institutions, including the Medical College of Ohio. However, he also faced controversies, such as his involvement in a bitter rivalry with Dr. William Beaumont. McDowell's unconventional behavior extended to his personal life as well, as he preserved the bodies of deceased family members by suspending them in the mark twain caves or placing them in see-through coffins filled with alcohol.