IN MEMORIAM 
ihmd CVttvk (TocUa, HI, IN MEMORIAM 
imu\ CV<u-U d'ochs. Bt. II. IN MEMORIAM 
Daniel (Clark (Cocks, 4VI. D., 
BY 
Malcolm McLean. M. D. 
BBROTHERS of the Medical Profession, we are assembled 
? together here to-night to pay an humble and in- 
adequate tribute of respect to the memory of one of our 
number, who was not only a professional brother, but also 
to most of us a dear and faithful friend. One whose friend- 
ship was so lasting and sincere, that it was indeed a golden 
heritage much to be desired—and one of whom I may be 
permitted to say, that his general kindness to all was such 
that he must have, indeed, been unworthy, who could have 
fallen so low as to have suffered his ill will. 
Firm, steady, true to his principles and convictions Dr. 
David C. Cocks was a nmn whose characteristic virtues, 
every true man might well seek to emulate. 
Born of a sturdy stock of those good, old timed people 
who considered it a glory and not a calamity to bring up a 
godly circle of children, assembling like the nourishing 
palm branches round about their table, he was soon launched 
forth in this busy world of jostling humanity to make a 
name for himself. 3 
Having graduated from the College of the City of New 
York at the age of‘21 he entered the Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College in 1872, and graduated in 1874. 
Denying himself the very desirable advantages of a 
hospital experience, he at once settled down to private 
practice in this section of the city, and devoted himself 
with all his splendid faculties to the profession of his 
choice. 
No tenement roof covered a patient so poor and good-for- 
nothing as to be shut out from his gentle ministrations. 
Mo dark and unhappy abode of misery so forbidden as to 
prevent the bright rays of his sun-shiny presence from 
casting their brightening beams within. Prompt, indeed, 
to duty’s call, his services were the more valued, in that 
they were rendered with simplicity, sincerity, and without 
delay. He always acted as though he most fully appreciated 
that “ he gives twice who gives quickly.” 
And to this virtue—for virtue it is—I think that much of 
the success could be attributed, which was attained by our 
departed friend and companion. 
In addition to his generous, whole hearted promptness to 
perform his duties, he possessed, to a rare degree, that 
cardinal virtue which made him an invaluable counsellor, 
and the staunchest of friends when a friend was needed. 
1 refer to his almost unparalled fortitude. No man whom 
I have had the fortune to meet could show more calm, 
unshaken courage when confronted with any emergency or 
difficulty, and it will always stand out in our recollection 
of his noble character, as a strong buttress, making firm 
and reliable the whole fabric of his <;reat natural worth. 4 
As a consequence we would naturally look in such a man 
for perseverance and zeal; and indeed they were conspicuous 
traits which were well known to all who ever saw him. No 
difficulty seemed to him insurmountable, and if in the 
nature of things he was ever doomed to be defeated, it was 
only after he had faithfully tried every reasonable resource 
with which to avert the disastrous end. 
His zealous devotion to his profession would not permit 
him to be careless, indifferent, or in any way negligent of 
the smallest details of his work. Everything to him was 
worth his most earnest application, and hence he never 
sank to mediocrity, but made his mark brighter and higher 
as the years rolled by, all too quickly for his busy lifes’ 
opportunities. While he was an excellent business man in 
the management of his affairs—money, and the getting of 
it, was the last consideration. First, and always first, was 
his high estimation of the responsibilities he felt that he 
owed to his patients. Tender, faithful and true, he devoted 
himself to the work that was set before him—repaying 
himself again and again in the assurance that no sordid 
motive ever stayed his helping hand from ministering to 
the poor, nor led him to the rich. 
Thus through years of patient, self-sacrificing toil in a 
laborious profession, he served the community with untiring 
zeal and devotion, in every branch of our calling doing his 
work well. 
Never shall we meet a man with a more liberal foundation 
in a general knowledge of medicine, with which, or upon 
which to build a special reputation in a distinct branch of 
our art. In the field of general surgery, I)r. Cocks was 
equipped, not only with a good appreciation of the best 5 
rules for guidance, but also with a fund of useful knowledge 
the outgrowth of a fearless and faithful attention to any- 
thing that crossed his path. In obstetrics and gynecology 
he was able to apply his solid good sense, and he could 
ably assist in the most delicate and complicated cases in 
this department. In general medicine he had the sterling 
qualities of an accurate diagnostican combined with a 
progressive and most capable therapeutist. Of such material 
was developed the ripe, well-balanced, and thorough 
specialist, who brought to his specialty such a rich fund 
of general medical and surgical experience, combined 
with the well-trained mind of an earnest student, that 
ophthalmology not only shed its rays of glory on his 
fame ; but was itself the gainer by the enlistment in its 
foremost ranks of such a faithful representative. 
Keenly alive to all of the rapid advances in his art, our 
departed brother never lost an opportunity to keep abreast 
with his profession—and indeed not infrequently he could 
be seen pressing well to the front with all the vigor of his 
manly character. 
What he may have missed in his student days—if we 
for designation, may confine that term to his earliest 
years—he rapidly gained as his course ran on. 
The influence of his worth was soon felt, and he was 
appointed to honorable stations in the Randall's Island 
Hospitals. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and 
other institutions, which he served with fidelity and un- 
flagging interest. And when the record of his skill became 
an added lustre to the profession of our great city, his 
Alma Mater crowned his noble efforts with an appointment 
to a Lecturer’s Chair in his favorite specialty of Ophthal- 
mology. 6 
Who may ever know with what noble aspirations he 
contemplated this new career, which was now about to 
dawn for him. Alas! it seemed as though his shortlife 
had been so crowded with unselfish deeds of usefulness, 
with so much nobility of purpose, with so ripe and fruitful 
experience, that this last honor was to be but the laurel 
to a returning general who had finished his campaign. 
Death, that last great enemy of man, had at last tinned 
his unrelenting gaze upon him who had so often faced him 
boldly as the champion for another’s life. On Tuesday, 
January 14th, 1890, after a calm and valiant struggle of 
many days, our friend departed from these earthly scenes. 
His death, like his life, was characteristic of the man. 
With every evidence that he felt his end approaching, he 
sought to resist the inevitable to the very last; but when 
all hope had tied, and weeping friends stood helpless at 
his side, he calmly folded his hands upon his breast and 
waited for the loosing of “ the silver cord. ” 
Why should I say more ! Why tell with idle words the 
story of his charming personality—in his home—in all the 
circles of his domestic life 'i It is enough to say that he 
who brightened the homes of the poor and the rich alike, 
whose amiable disposition shone out on every side, whose 
unselfish attention to duty was never failing, must have 
been the very sunshine of his family altar. With those 
who have lost so dear a friend, we too, may weep that he 
has gone—and yet with them we too may rejoice, that we 
have his noble example of manly integrity, to spur us on 
and on to nobler deeds of virtue. 7 
It must not be that such a charming life can be said to 
have ended here. Its influence will be felt through endless 
channels now unknown, and be a blessing to an age unborn. 
These are but the feeble pleadings of a friend who knew 
our late companion heart to heart—a testimony all too weak 
to express a fragment of our brother's worth. 
As I look back upon the past, with all the stages of his 
progress upward, marked with well earned merit; as I 
contemplate him with his wonted modesty preparing to 
take his new gained laurels in his Alma Mater, methinks 
I can almost hear the Great King—in accents of sppremest 
love—saying to him “Friend, come up higher.” , 8 
Resolutions 
of the 
HARLEM MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 
upon the death of 
DAVID CLARK COCKS, M. D. 
Death has taken from among us, in the midst of 
his useful and busy life, our late associate, David 
Clark Cocks. In his removal the Harlem Medical 
Association has lost one of its most active, devoted 
and enthusiastic members, one to whom it owes a 
large measure of its success and utility. 
In him, we feel that we have lost not only a man 
eminent as a physician, but a friend pre-eminent for 
his kindliness, loyalty, purity and integrity. His 
modest, unassuming bearing, marked him as a man 
whose success was based on solid attainment; whose 
strength lay in what he was, not in what he only 
appeared to be. 
Ever ready to help, ever slow to criticise, he won 
the love and respect of all who knew him. 
However greatly his death may be felt by his pro- 
fessional associates, we appreciate most keenly how 
much greater must be the blow to his immediate 
family. To them, in their time of distress, we 
extend our heartfelt sympathy. 
Z. L. Leonard, M. D. 
R. Van Santvoord, M .D. 
A. R. Carman, M. D. 
E. Fridenberg, M. D. 
A. H. Leary, M. D. 
Committee on Resolutions