"History of Decatur County and Its People" Volume IProf. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising EditorsThe S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago IL, 1915. |
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| Chapter XVI ~
The Medical Profession Pages 189 - 196 |
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| There is no profession, no trade, no enterprise, which did not
have a beginning in darkness; there is no effort to which the forces and
energies of mankind have been directed but that did not first combat the
obscurity of ignorance, pardonable ignorance, it is true. In this enlightened age of medical science one regards the early doctor as a person with little knowledge of the profession, one who applied the home remedies of calomel, castor oil and blue pill with the abandon of a solicitous grandmother and one who wielded the lancet with artistic indiscrimination. However one regards the early physician, there must be taken into account the times in which he worked, in other words the knowledge of medicine and surgery which then existed in the world. Secondly, there are the physical conditions under which the early doctor worked. Thirdly, there was distinct character of disease among the early settlers, and, lastly, the remedies with which the doctor had to work were scarce and many times not the best antidote for the ailment. In the matter of world knowledge of medicine at that time it can safely be said that little or nothing was known in comparison with the present status of the science. In fact, medicine has made more rapid strides in the past decade than in the past century. In the early days of this state and county the doctors had strong faith in the use of the lancet, believing that by letting a copious amount of blood from the patient, the object of which was to destroy the tenement of the disease, a cure could be effected. Then there was the Spanish Fly blister which was applied for all sorts of ills; there were calomel and blue pills as the universal internal remedies. During the convalescent period of the patient, if such a period were ever reached, gamboge, castor oil and senna were administered in generous portions to work out of the system the effects of the first course of treatment. It would be difficult to describe in limited space just how far the step has been taken from those early theories to the present day theories. A glance at the daily newspapers and magazines will invariably prove by concrete instance the wonderful cures being effected today, both in medicine and surgery. Operations upon the heart, upon the brain, upon the other delicate and vital organs of the body are becoming of daily occurrence, whereas a quarter century ago they would have been ridiculed. The day of serums has arrived and the disease is thus throttled in its inception. The present day doctor assists nature to repair the break and is a man of thought and initiative. The physical conditions under which the early doctor worked is another point in his favor. There were no roads, bridges and in many places there was not even a marked place of travel. His trips were made on horseback through intense blizzards, soaking rains, bitter cold and in the face of the high winds which swept across the prairie. Oft times his sleep was snatched while in the saddle. In reward for this torturous service he received a very meager fee and the fact is known today that in the majority of cases he received nothing, for the settlers as a class were too poor to pay for his aid. Then again, he would receive his fee in potatoes, apples, flour or whatever commodity the settler could best give him. These facts have placed the doctor of the early times on the pedestal of fame, for it is upon his sturdiness and vitality that the whole medical profession is built. The diseases common to the early settlers were distinctive. The rough life they led and the exposures they endured did not permit entrance to the many ills and pains attendant upon civilization and large city communities. Fevers and ague, with an occasional stomach ache, were nearly all the ills they bore. Accidents there were which required the use of splints of wood and bandages and also the early doctor needed a good knowledge of obstetrics, although the latter wisdom was not always called into use. The hardy pioneer mother many times endured the birth of her child without assistance. When sickness broke in the family the doctor was called if within distance, but if not, the stock of simple remedies in every cabin was put into use. If it were nothing more than a cold among the children the application of hot lard and bacon rind and the internal use of quinine and onion juice completed the treatment. Doctors In Decatur County One of the first physicians in the county and one of the most respected was Samuel C. THOMPSON. He was a very prominent figure in the early development of the county. The year 1851 brought him here from Davis County, Iowa, although he was a native of Ohio. For twenty years he resided in this county, practicing his profession, and at different times serving as county judge and also county treasurer. Doctor THOMPSON was not a graduate of a medical college, but he possessed enough native ability to offset this disadvantage. He is now deceased. In 1853 J. R. McCLELLAND located at Leon and practiced continuously until his death. W. J. LANEY, a very intelligent physician, came to Leon in the early days and practiced here for two years, then moved to Decatur City. He served one term in the legislature as representative of Decatur County. He has been dead several years. L. H. SALES, one of the best known of Decatur County pioneers, practiced to some extent in the early days, but gave the majority of his attention to other hues of business. For about twenty-five years he was the proprietor of the SALES House and also traded to some extent. At one time he filled the position of county judge. He has long since passed to his death. John P. FINLEY was a native of the State of Ohio, but came to Leon from Galena, I11inois, in the spring of 1854. He was an able physician and won considerable reputation during his long sojourn in Decatur County. He served as examining surgeon at Des Moines during the war. His death occurred in March, 1883. C. P. MULLINNIX practiced for over thirty years in the county. Robert D. GARDNER, known as a botanic physician and now deceased, practiced for several decades in or near Leon. G. W. BAKER located at Decatur City about the year 1858, but later moved to a place a mile north of Leon. Here he largely gave up the practice of medicine and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He is now dead. B. F. RAIFF, an eclectic, came to Leon before the beginning of the Civil war. During the latter struggle he served in the Union ranks as assistant surgeon. About 1869 he moved his business to Osceola, where he practiced until his death. Harry R. LAYTON, a native of Lee County, Iowa., came here in 1874 and entered the practice of his profession, which he still continues in Leon with a high mark of success. He is well known not only as a doctor, but as a surgeon of ability and courage. H. C. Van WERDEN, of Dutch parentage, and a native of Keokuk County, la., located at High Point in 1878 where he practiced for two years, then moved to Garden Grove, staying there two years also. Then he located at Leon and formed a partnership with J. P. FEENLY, which continued a year, then practiced alone until entering partnership with his brother William. H. C. Van WERDEN is now deceased, but his brother William is yet living and engaged in practice. A Doctor MACEY [MACY in some accounts] practiced medicine for a number of years in the early times. After the Civil war he removed to Missouri and there died. He had a son to practice in Pleasanton later. Another early physician of Pleasanton was Doctor BURNS, who died there after a few^ years. Elijah GLENDENNING, a prominent physician of Pleasanton and afterwards of Wayne County, studied with Burns. He is now dead. Doctor MULLINNIX, a brother of C. P. MULLINNIX of Leon, was killed at Pleasanton during the war by shooting. The first physician at Garden Grove was a Doctor SMITH. He settled there in the early day, but did not remain long. In saying that he was the first physician on the spot where is now located Garden Grove may give rise to some doubt. When the Mormon invasion came there were in all probability several doctors accompanying them. The names of these men have been lost. Doctor JOHNSON came to Garden Grove about 1857 and after several years work here went to Corning where he died. He had one son, Richard, who continued the practice at Pleasanton until his death. John SIGLER came to the Grove shortly before the outbreak of hostilities in 1861. He practiced a few years and then retired. His death occurred in 1883. W. A. TODD came to Garden Grove in 1866, after completing a very excellent course in medicine at the University of Michigan and the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. He practiced in this vicinity for fifteen years, then moved to Chariton. He is now deceased. John CARDER practiced in partnership with TODD for some time, and then practiced alone. He then removed to Central Iowa, where he died. V. L. CHESTER began the practice of medicine at Garden Grove in 1870, but later moved away. E. W. DOOLITTLE graduated at the University of Iowa and came to Decatur County in 1879 and was in partnership with Doctor TODD until the latter removed to Chariton. He remained in the practice alone until his death at Cainesville, Missouri. W. D. DUFF came to Garden Grove in the spring of the year 1866. He has been dead for several years. At Decatur City W. J. LANEY is credited as having been the first physician. O. A. DAY practiced there for several years, or from 1856 to 1865. He then moved to Kansas, where he died. Samuel DAY, a brother of the above, was here from 1860 to 1868 and then moved to Tennessee. Doctor STRINGER was in Decatur City from 1868 to 1870. H. C. BONE came here in 1875 and practiced here one year and is now still in the practice at Grand River. E. MEACHAM was here from 1868 to 1882, and then moved to Kansas, where he died in 1885. Joseph PUCKETT practiced from 1856 to 1879, when he died. J. R. TELLER was here in 1876-77 and then moved away. H. PARRISH came to the town in 1877 and practiced continually until his death. David R. SPRINGSTEEN began medical work here in 1883 and continued all of his life. At Van Wert there was a Doctor DARMEILLE in 1855 and 1856 and a Doctor POWELL after him for a short time. Both of these early doctors are, of course, deceased. B. R. WALKER practiced at this point for over thirty-five years. Doctor PUGH came here from Green Bay Township, Clarke County, remained a short time and left in the autumn of 1882. N. J. HYATT came in 1882, also W. H. TODD. At Weldon T. I. WALL was among the first. He did not stay long, nor did he stay long in any place. David R. SPRINGSTEEN was at Weldon during 1884 and then went to Decatur City. George A. STUART was here from 1880 to 1883 and then went to Greene County, Iowa, where he practiced until his death. O. W. FOXWORTHY came in 1884. Enos MITCHELL came to Weldon in 1880, but has now departed from the county. L. P. GREENLEE, from Promise City, Wayne County, located here in 1882 and practiced, also sold drugs. The first physician at Davis City was I. O. DAY, and he remained for about two years. His son-in-law, MURPHY, practiced here one year. N. M. SMITH was here for two or three years, then went to Kansas. J. B. PLORNER came here in 1873 and is now practicing at Lamoni. J. H. BARBER was also here many years ago, then went to Kansas. In the fall of 1885 he returned to Davis City and resumed his practice, which he continued until his death several years ago. W. C. WHEELER, from Pleasanton, practiced in Davis City for several years. At Lamoni the first physician was Doctor BISSELL. J. W. DeNOON came there in 1880; J. J. STAFFORD in 1882; J. H. HANSEN in 1884 and D. D. STEINER in 1886. All of these men are either dead or removed to some other locality. Decatur County Medical Society This society was organized June 8, 1875, for the first time. Those present at that time who became members were: Doctors CHESTER, STUART and TODD of Garden Grove; SANFORD, FINLEY, McCLELLAND, and LAYTON of Leon. Doctor TODD was chosen temporary president and Doctor FINLEY the first permanent president. Doctor McCLELLAND was vice president and Doctor LAYTON secretary. Doctors LANEY and BONE of Decatur City became members at the second meeting, when a constitution and by-laws were adopted and a fee bill selected. Regular meetings of this society have been held ever since the day of organization and a great amount of interest has been taken in the work of the society. The society is automatically affiliated with the Iowa State Medical Association and occupies a high rank among the societies of the different counties in the state. THE PHYSICIANS' REGISTER In the physicians' register at the county courthouse there are the following doctors registered, which undoubtedly comprise about all who ever practiced in this county. |
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| 1915 History Index *** History Index *** Decatur County IAGenWeb |