USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume II > Part 35
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Years
1829
1830
1831
1833
1834
1835
1836
Totals
Mean strength.
91
90
92
104
91
96
104
668
DISEASES :
Intermittent fever
17
18
19
32
19
31
136
Remittent fever.
15
1
1
2
5
2
26
Synochal fever.
1
1
2
Diseases of respiratory organs
11
8
1
10
22
14
23
89
Diseases of digestive organs .
30
22
9
69
84
53
42
309
Diseases of brain and nervous system.
2
3
3
1
9
Rheumatic affections
10
3
7
3
7
15
51
Venereal affections
1
3
9
8
5
7
57
Wounds and injuries
19
15
10
41
19
10
14
128
Ebriety ...
4
11
2
4
8
29
All other diseases
12
5
2
26
10
20
15
90
Totals
118
119
30
193
185
137
160
933
2
7
Ulcers and abscesses
16
12
. .
The second physician who located here permanently was Dr. Philip Maxwell, who also was educated in Vermont. He was assist- ant post surgeon of the army in 1832. He arrived at Fort Dear- born March 15, 1833. He later removed to Wisconsin. Other physicians who were here during the '30s were: Dr. Edmund S. Kimberly, Dr. John T. Temple, Dr. Henry Clarke, Dr. William B. Egan, Dr. John W. Eldridge and Dr. Josiah C. Goodhue. These men were here prior to 1834. Several of them came during the great increase in population in 1833. It has been stated that sev- eral of these early physicians located here, not with the expectation of practicing their profession, but with the design of engaging in some other occupation, presumably farming. This statement was made by Doctor Goodhue in an address delivered at the Rock River Medical society at a later date.
Dr. John T. Temple arrived in 1833 and was for a time volunteer surgeon of the garrison. He was credited with having made the first autopsy and with having rendered the first medico-legal testi- mony in court. Dr. William B. Egan reached Chicago in the fall of 1833, and thereafter for many years was a successful physician,
368
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
practicing largely among the laborers on the canal. Almost from the start he began dealing in real estate. He took much interest in the construction of the canal and the improvement of the city. Dr. Josiah C. Goodhue was here early in the '30s, secured a lucrative practice and later removed to Rockford. Two other doctors about 1836 were J. J. Stuart and Lord. Philo Carpenter arrived at Chi- cago in July, 1832, and assisted in the care of the cholera patients. A little later he opened a drug and general store near the present Lake street bridge. The second drug store was opened by Dr. Ed- mund S. Kimberly, who likewise practiced medicine. As early as 1834 Dr. Peter Temple began the practice of dentistry at Chicago. About the same date Dr. William H. Kennicott was also engaged in dentistry here. Both of these dentists had professional cards in the first newspaper (The Democrat) of that date. Dr. Daniel Brainard reached Chicago in September, 1835. He began prac- ticing medicine, and throughout his career was probably the most prominent figure among the many able physicians of early years. As early as the winter of 1836-37 he announced the project of establishing Rush Medical college. In 1838, assisted by Doctor Goodhue, he performed a difficult double surgical operation, which attracted the attention of physicians and citizens. This case alone established his reputation as a surgeon. He was master of all the collateral branches of medical science. He communicated important articles on a great variety of subjects to medical journals. His con- nection with Rush Medical college is well known to all Chicago. Dr. Charles V. Dyer, who came here in 1833, was city physician in 1835. At that date the old directory shows the presence here of the following doctors: John Brinkerhoff, H. Clarke, Levi D. Boone, Eldridge, E. S. Kimberly, Merrick, Post, and J. J. Stuart. Doctor Boone was a grand-nephew of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky pioneer. He arrived in Chicago in 1836 and was a prominent prac- titioner. As early as October, 1836, a medical society was organ- ized in this city. At that time it was called the Cook County Med- ical society, and Dr. Levi D. Boone was its secretary.
Dr. Joseph W. Freer, who arrived here in 1836, became one of the leaders in medical affairs. After finishing his professional edu- cation at Rush Medical college he was offered and accepted the position of instructor in the institution. He also formed a part- nership in the practice with Dr. J. A. Kennicott of Wheeling. In after years he became one of the most prominent and useful pro- fessors in the college.
Dr. John H. Foster was a successful physician in early years. Dr. John M. Smith began practicing here in the spring of 1837, but removed to Philadelphia in 1842. He was an elder brother of the distinguished orator S. Lisle Smith. Dr. George W. Wentworth located here during the '40s. He was a brother of John Went- worth.
369
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The practice of medicine in Chicago is closely identified in early days with the medical staff of Rush Medical college. That insti- tution was first suggested in 1836. Its first building was erected in 1844. The first four professors connected with it were Brainard, Blaney, McLean, and Knapp. These men practiced much outside of their duties at the college. In 1855 the following eminent medical men were connected with the college: Daniel Brainard, Austin Flint, George N. Flint, J. V. Z. Blaney, John McLean and William B. Herrick. It was in 1859 that a division occurred in the staff of Rush Medical college, resulting in the organization of a separate institution, later called the Chicago Medical college. To supply the vacancies caused by this division, the following physicians be- came connected with Rush Medical college at that date: J. Adams Allen, De Laskie Miller, Ephraim Ingals, R. L. Rea, A. S. Hud- son and Joseph W. Freer.
In 1850 the Chicago Medical society was inaugurated, the first meeting being held at Randolph and Clark streets. Among those present were: Doctors Daniel Brainard, Levi D. Boone, Brockholst McVickar, W. B. Herrick, John Evans, Edwin G. Meek, J. Herman Bird, S. W. Ritchell, J. V. Z. Blaney, Nathan S. Davis and Philip Maxwell. These well known practitioners formally established the Chicago Medical society. In September, 1857, the German Medical society of Chicago was organized, the first officers being : William Wagner, president ; E. Schmidt, vice-president ; George D. Schlotzer, secretary.
As early as 1844 the first issue of the Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal appeared here under the management of Dr. J. V. Z. Blaney.
The business and general directory of Chicago in 1845 enrolled twenty-eight names of physicians. In addition to those mentioned above the following appeared : S. D. Cornell, A. W. Davidson, H. H. Beardsley, William Allen, Charles H. Duck, Philip Maxwell, Aaron Pitney and D. S. Smith.
In 1847 the first general hospital was established on the North side near Kinzie and Wolcott streets, chiefly through the influence of Doctor Brainard and his associates. The medical staff there at the commencement were Doctors Blaney, Brainard, Herrick, etc.
Among those connected with the Chicago Medical college in 1859, the date of its commencement, were Doctors David Rutter, Ralph N. Isham, Hosmer A. Johnston and Edmund Andrews. Later the following were connected with it: N. S. Davis, W. H. Byford, J. H. Hollister, Doctor Mahla, M. K. Taylor, Titus De Ville and H. G. Spafford. Lectures were first delivered in the Lind block at Market and Randolph streets to a class of thirty-three members, of whom nine were finally graduated. The first building owned by this institution was at State and Twenty-second streets, and in 1870 was removed to Prairie and Twenty-sixth streets. At that
370
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
that time Mercy hospital became connected with it. Thereafter the medical board of that hospital was made up of professors from the college. The Mercy hospital was chartered in the '40s, but a com- mencement was not made until about 1850. Among the trustees mentioned were Doctor Evans and Judges Dickey and Skinner. In 1850 Dr. N. S. Davis delivered a course of six lectures on the sanitary condition of Chicago, and the proceeds realized from the admission fee secured for the hospital some of its first funds.
Twelve beds were purchased and placed in the old Lake house at Rush and North Water streets. Its success was largely due to the unremitting and able efforts of Doctor Davis and Doctor Brain- ard. The Sisters of Mercy took charge in 1857 and proceeded to enlarge the accommodations. In after years the institution became a Godsend to the sick and helpless.
In the '50s the Woman's Medical college of Chicago was pro- jected. At that date there was intense prejudice against the ad- mission of women to the profession of medicine, but Emily Black- well had attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical college, and being denied a continuance there, mainly through the prejudice of the Illinois State Medical society, she went to Cleveland and there graduated in medicine. Soon after this Dr. Mary H. Thomp- son began practicing medicine in Chicago, notwithstanding the prejudice against her sex. These were the first women to brave the displeasure of the male practitioners at Chicago. Others afterward assumed the responsibility and in time it became common to see women acting as disciples of Esculapius. In 1869 four women entered the Chicago Medical college and took the full course. The great fire of 1871 destroyed the Women's hospital.
The Chicago Relief and Aid society was organized in the '50s and during the war was particularly active, and its services were wide and invaluable. Another early institution was the hospital for Women and Children, which at a later date was located at West Adams and Paulina streets. The Illinois charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary was another important institution about this date. Their first building was on East Pierson street. In 1854-55, during the cholera epidemic, the city established a hospital at Eighteenth and Arnold streets, where afterward was located the County hospital. Frame buildings were first used, and at that time Dr. Brock Mc- Vickar was city physician. The Board of Health of the city was active and prominent during the '50s and later. The County hos- pital recognized the two distinct medical schools-the Allopathic and the Homeopathic boards. Still later the Eclectics were also rec- ognized.
As early as 1858 clinical instruction was given by the faculty of the medical colleges and by Doctors George K. Amerman and J. P. Ross, who devoted considerable attention to that branch of the prac- tice. During the war the clinical school was conducted with much
371
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
success and satisfaction. Dr. B. McVickar was connected with it. It was through the efforts mainly of Doctors Ross and Amerman that the Cook County hospital service was reorganized and expanded about 1866. They afterward were prominently connected with the institution.
In 1835 the trustees of Chicago established a permanent Board of Health. Only one physician, Dr. John T. Temple, was a mem- ber of same. In 1837 among the members of the board were Doc- tors J. W. Eldridge and Daniel Brainard. The next year Dr. E. S. Kimberly succeeded Dr. Brainard, and in 1841 Dr. J. W. Eldridge occupied the position. In 1842 Dr. W. B. Egan became city physi- cian, and Austin Smith, who was city marshal, was appointed his assistant. The position of city physician was afterward filled by the following physicians: Philip Maxwell, Henry S. Huber, A. B. Boone, A. B. Palmer, Brock McVickar, I. Lynn, Gerhard Paoli, William Wagner and Lucien P. Cheney. The latter held the posi- tion for thirteen years, until 1874. In 1867 the Health department was severed from the Police department and placed under the man- agement of the Board of Health. At this date a sanitary superin- tendent was the executive officer. The Board of Health at this time was composed of the following doctors: H. A. Johnson, J. H. Rauch and William Wagner, besides several citizens. Doctor Rauch was sanitary superintendent and Dr. H. S. Hahn city physician. The sanitary condition since that date has invariably been taken into consideration.
The transfer of the Health department to the control and man- agement of the mayor and police in 1860 encountered the emphatic protest of every leading medical man in the city. The Chicago Medical society likewise protested against the procedure. In 1876 the City Council abolished the Board of Health and created a com- missioner of health and made provision for a corps of sanitary in- spectors as well as a registrar of civil statistics. The act of 1881 placed under the supervision of the health commissioner the sani- tary condition of the factories, shops, etc. A little later it was given control and supervision of the milk supply, the control of epidemics, management of free baths and the school of inspection, etc. Late in the '80s the Board of Health was gradually expanded and syste- matized. New departments were added by the city and new dis- eases were carefully studied with a view to prevention. Probably at the present time no city in the country has a more efficient inspec- tion with a view to public health than has Chicago.
Upon the organization of the City Medical society in 1850 Doc- tor Herrick was elected its first president and Dr. Edwin G. Meek one of the first secretaries.
Homeopathy was represented in Chicago as early as 1836 by Dr. Daniel S. Smith, who later was called the "Father of Homeopathy." In 1842 Dr. E. E. W. Adams, of the same medical school, arrived
4
372
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
here. The following year Dr. Aaron Pitney, also a practitioner of Homeopathy, located here. These three were the first of that school to practice in Cook county. Later Doctors George E. Shipman, Henry W. Boardman, D. A. Colton, G. D. Beebe, Nicholas F. Cooke, Reuben Ludlam and Alvin E. Small were practitioners of the same school here. In 1851 at the office of Skinner & Hoyne, Lake and Dearborn streets, the Western Homeopathy association was inaugurated. This preliminary meeting was attended by Pro- fessor L. Dodge of Cleveland, chairman, and Dr. T. G. Comstock, St. Louis, secretary. The committee on credentials consisted of Doctors D. S. Smith and George E. Shipman of Chicago, and Dr. L. M. Tracy of Milwaukee. Later a convention held at Warner's hall and largely attended by Western Homeopathists duly created the Western Institute of Homeopathy. At first there was much divergence between the Allopaths and the Homeopaths, but by 1857, as before stated, the differences were largely healed by the appoint- ment of the Board of Health to the city hospital of joint practition- ers of the two schools.
1
The first Homeopathic pharmacy was opened in Chicago in 1844 by Dr. David B. Smith. In 1854 the Homeopaths established a hos- pital at 20 Kinzie street. In 1853 steps were taken to secure a char- ter for a Homeopathic college by Dr. David S. Smith. It is said that Abraham Lincoln prepared the draft of the first charter in 1855.
No records are accessible showing the diseases of the country during the French occupation so far as it has been possible to ascertain. The natural topography of Chicago. is that of a flat, sandy plain along the lake front, which rises to about eight feet, and again descends to the north and south branches of the river. Westward a vast prairie stretched to and beyond the Des Plaines river. A natural forest of oaks extends to within a mile of the river on the north, along the banks of the North branch.
The fort consisted of two block houses with a parade ground and sally port, or subterranean passage to the river, the whole sur- rounded by a stockade. It was garrisoned with fifty men and three pieces of artillery.
Surgeon Forry, who, under the direction of Surgeon General Lawson, compiled the first official volume of medical statistics of the army, says: "As the bank of the lake is several feet higher than the ground in the rear, the latter is sometimes covered with water."
"This position," says the writer, "is one of our most salubrious military stations. According to the Adjutant General's returns, the deaths from all causes amount to eight, being 1 3-10 per cent per annum. Of these deaths, five are reported in the military returns, viz. : one phthisis pulmonalis, two bilious remittent fever, and two spasmodic cholera. Excluding the last two cases, which occurred in 1834, the annual ratio of mortality is no higher than 5-10 per cent." '
The settlers were without doubt subject to the prevalent diseases
1
C J TON
ER SOLLI
SMEJKAL
WALTER AVANTZ
DE
SHANAHAN
. JEME LAUGHLIN
MATTHEW MILY
V. T .. AP MADOC
W. H TROYER
J. J. POULTON
H. D. FULTON
JOHN O. HRUBY, JO-
GROUP OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
KLEEMY
375
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
of the northwestern frontier, such as bilious or remittent fever, ague and occasionally epidemic dysentery. This assertion does not rest on recorded observations, so far as this particular locality is con- cerned, but on the fact that nearly all the northwestern country, and also western New York, suffered from epidemic dysentery. One hundred and ten cases of diarrhea and dysentery were reported among the troops at Fort Dearborn up to 1829, when the post was abandoned. Dr. Lovell of the army states :
"Dysentery and diarrhea were the most general diseases through the summer months and they continued into the autumn. These diseases (intermittents), though severe, bore but a small propor- tion to the usual pestilences of our army, diarrhea and dysentery. All of the army posts on the Great Lakes during the period named seemed to have suffered from it. Incidentally it may be mentioned that ipecacuanha was regarded almost as a specific."
According to Daniel Drake, in 1848, "the town of Chicago has been more infested with autumnal fever than Fort Dearborn." This he attributed to the upturning of the soil by the plow and the spade. In 1829 exclusive of the garrison, there were between six and ten families in Chicago (squatters). The extreme salubrity of the place is mentioned by all the early writers, and Governor Reynolds attributes it to the lake breezes. Work on the canal caused a great deal of sickness, and after the disappearance of cholera of 1832, the town was still unhealthy. Nearly all the workmen who lived along the line of the canal were attacked by "autumnal" fevers and many died with visceral congestions.
The first epidemic of any great extent in the northwestern coun- try was the epidemic of Asiatic cholera which prevailed in 1832. This disease was brought to Chicago by the troops who had been ordered from Fortress Monroe, Va., to Fort Dearborn to take part in the Black Hawk war.
"Cholera had prevailed," says Doctor Peters, "in Russia in 1829 and 1830. It reached England, Scotland and Ireland in 1831 and was first landed at Grosse Isle, the quarantine station for Quebec, on April 28, 1832, by the ship 'Constantia' from Limerick, Ireland, with 170 emigrants, of whom twenty-nine had died of cholera on the voyage. On May 14, the ship 'Robert,' from Cork, arrived, having ten deaths from cholera; May 28, the ship 'Elizabeth,' from Dublin, came in with 200 passengers and twenty deaths from cholera. June 3 the brig 'Carrick,' from Dublin, followed with 145 emigrants and forty-two deaths from cholera. Total, 375 emigrants and 159 deaths. There was no proper quarantine and all who seemed well were forwarded at once from Grosse Isle. The soiled clothing was not washed, and disinfection was unknown."
These immigrants were allowed to proceed to Quebec and Mont- real, and although many died on the way, it seems that the exist- ence of the cholera was not known or recognized by the authorities
Vol. II-22.
376
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
until the arrival of the "Carrick" in June; and it seems that for some time that date was fixed as the landing of the first case of cholera, although it actually occurred in April, and, so far as is now known, that was the first importation of Asiatic cholera on the North American continent. There were cases at Albany on July 3, and at Schenectady on the 12th, and one at Rochester. A case from New York was reported on the same date. On July 15 there were cases among the canal boatmen, and early in July there were numerous cases among the immigrants at that port, where they were congregated in great numbers awaiting transportation to Detroit and the northwest. It was at this point, without doubt, the troops became infected. The steamboat "Henry Clay," a boat previously engaged in transportation of immigrants, was chartered to transfer troops from Buffalo, and seven companies of infantry were em- barked July 1. She was detained two days at Buffalo on account of adverse winds, and only sailed July 3. The next day cholera made its appearance among the troops and two died. The steamer "Sheldon Thompson" had only a short time preceded her, having on board General Scott and staff, six companies of artillery and two of infantry. The garrison at Fort Niagara had also been sent to Detroit, had arrived June 30, and were quartered in the worst part of the town in an old brick building on the bank of the river. The disease rapidly spread on the "Henry Clay" and on July 7 the troops were landed one mile below Fort Gratiot on the St. Clair river. "Two days later," says McClellan, "owing to the virulence of the epidemic by deaths, and desertions among the panic stricken, the seven companies which left Buffalo but five days before were reduced to a total of but sixty-eight men. A large number of de- serters from the camp are reported to have died from cholera in the surrounding country, many on the roadside." On July 8 the troops from Fort Niagara had the disease, and the city authorities demanded their removal. The steamboat "Sheldon Thompson" be- ing free of the disease, sailed on the 6th and arrived at Fort Mack- inaw, but cholera having developed, four cases were sent to the post hospital, where they died. On the 8th, all well on board, the "Thompson" proceeded; she had twenty-nine cases that day and reached Chicago July 10 with a total of seventy-six cases and nine- teen deaths.
Major General Macomb, in his annual report, speaking of this event, says: "The cholera was just at this time making its way into the United States from Canada, and infected our troops while on board the steamboats in their passage up the lakes; and such was the rapidity with which this disease spread among them, that in a few days the whole of the force sent by the lakes was incapable of taking the field. Some were landed at Fort Gratiot, others were stopped at Detroit, while the principal part reached- Chicago in a most deplorable condition. Of the six companies of artillery which
377
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
left Fort Monroe, five companies arrived at Chicago, a distance of 1,800 miles, in the short space of eighteen days-a rapidity which is believed to be unprecedented in military movements. The loss by cholera in that detachment alone was equal to one out of every three men."
The Black Hawk excitement had swelled the population of the little town of Chicago, and there being no houses, the fugitives flocked into the abandoned fort; but military necessity compelled its reoccupation and the refugees were turned out into the prairie. With the arrival of the troops under the command of General Scott the aggregate strength of the garrison at Fort Dearborn reached 1,000 men. Assistant Surgeon De Camp, the medical officer at the fort, reported : "Several of the men belonging to Major Whistler's command took the disease and two died. Several citizens of the village also died of cholera, although previous to the arrival of the steamboat which brought the disease to Fort Dearborn there was not a case of disease of any kind at the fort or in the village. When the troops marched for the Mississippi, they appeared in perfect health, yet on the way it broke out again and three died. It made its appearance when the command reached the Mississippi and be- came as fatal, I believe, as it had at Fort Dearborn.
As the troops were very much crowded in the fort, and as the dis- ease was making frightful havoc, I advised the commanding officer to have the well men quartered in a barn outside the pickets, from which time the number of new cases declined."-(Lawson, statis- tical report, etc., 1840). According to this report 200 cases were admitted into the hospital in the course of six or seven days, fifty- eight of which died. Those who died were buried quickly.
Brown's History of Illinois says: "The burial of the dead was entrusted to a sergeant, who executed his duty with military pre- cision as soon as life was extinct. On one occasion several were removed from the hospital to be buried at once. The grave had already been dug and the bodies, wrapped in blankets, were laid by its side, and nothing more remained to complete the service but to turn them one after another in, when one corpse appeared to move. A brother soldier resorting thither, his old messmate opened his eyes and asked for water. The sergeant said the man might be taken back, as he was not quite ready for burial. The old soldier lived many years afterward."
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