Alongside his work as a clergyman, Baker studied at the Jefferson Medical College and graduated as a medical doctor in 1887 specialising in pediatrics[3] and practicing both standard and homeopathic medicine.[4] He soon retired abruptly from the ministry to practice medicine, serving in the Pennsylvania Naval Reserves and as a physician at the Chinese Medical Dispensary of Philadelphia where he would become the chief physician.[5] Baker became well known for his translation of The Phonendoscope and its Practical Application (1898) by which the use of the modern stethoscope of the time became more widely acknowledged.[6] His interest in history, languages and eastern religions led him to study various European languages as well as Arabic and Chinese, the cultures and religions of whose native speakers Baker published and presented historical papers on.[4] He also presented papers before the Cooper Literary Institute in Philadelphia and had served for some time as its President.[7][6]