USA > Indiana > A Medical History of the State of Indiana > Part 7
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Tompkins, and others not now remembered. It adopted as its code of medical morals the Code of Ethics just published by the National Medi- cal Association, and elected for its first president Dr. Howland. This society, we regret to say, was short lived. It attempted to do too much. It wished to make (under the advice of some members who had no axes to grind) physicians and members out of all who practiced, or wished to practice, and who could only do so with the endorsement which such a society could give. Under this arrangement, almost every one was admitted to membership, and a kind of license to practice was given to all who asked. Of course, a society thus organized, having within itself the elements of its own destruction, could not live long. Those really interested in the progress of medicine did not feel honored by the indiscriminate manner of admitting members, and when they withheld their support the society died of its own weight.
"Of our last society-'Rush Medical Society' -organized June, 1856, and running a success- ful career until 1862, when its records were de- stroyed by fire, and reorganized the same year with a more select membership, it does not be- come us to speak. It is proper to say, however, that it is clean in its membership, scrupulously adherent to the Principles of Ethics, and, in its modest way, doing what it can for the advance- ment of its members in knowledge of practical medicine."
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WM. H. MARTIN.
(By John Moffett, M.D., Rushville, Ind.)
"Dr. Wm. H. Martin was a native of Phila- delphia, Pa. When quite young his father came west and found a resting place in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he pursued his original avocation, that of a wholesale merchant. Therefore, young Martin's first impressions as to business pursuits were those of a mercantile character, furnishing to his cast of mind but little attraction. As if still further to estrange him from the objects of his father's chief delight, at the period when it became necessary for the determination of the choice of an occupation, his father died, leaving the son nothing to rely on but his native powers. After an ineffectual essay in business, he was led to adopt the profession of medicine as the call- ing best suited to his tastes and aptitudes. Hav- ing enjoyed the advantages of a fair literary preparation, he placed himself under the direc- tion of Dr. John L. Vattier, of Cincinnati, as his preceptor. For nearly two years he pursued his studies with a zeal and assiduity equaled only to his pressing necessities. Late in the year 1833 he made a visit to Rushville, Ind., where an aunt was residing. He was induced through her encouragement to make an effort to estab- lish himself in the place in the practice of medi- cine. Through the personal influence of his aunt and her husband, Dr. H. G. Sexton gave him the rare advantage of forming a partner- ship, which soon gave him ample opportunity for a very general acquaintance with the people of the county, besides the ripened experience of
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· an association of an extensive practice. In a professional point of view, this proved to be a lifelong advantage. At the close of the second year of this association in business a mutual separation ' was concluded. Now he opened an office and began the successful prosecution of his profession, which he continued with the usual difficulties, reverses and successes until the year 1855, when, in the spring of that year, he re- moved to Jasper County, Indiana, near the county seat. Having located on a farm, enjoy- ing the delights of agriculture and quietude, he spent the remaining number of his days, which were ended June 15, 1871.
"So ended a life filled with hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, that it might be truthfully said the cup of bitter and sweet equiposed each other. As a man he was eminently social, fluent and entertaining in conversation, truly polite, accommodating and obliging as a neigh- bor and friend, indulgent to his children, ever watching for the welfare of his family. He as- pired to distinction as a citizen, and served in the lower house of the legislature as clerk dur- ing the session of 1838. He held places of honor and responsibility in the Fifth Medical District Society, such as president and censor, and, in brief, maintained a respectable standing in the profession by his attainments and uniform cour- tesy of conduct in his intercourse with his medi- cal brethren."
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CHAPTER XI.
EARLY MEDICAL HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY .- REMINISCENCES OF HANCOCK COUNTY .- EARLY MEDICAL HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY. (By G. W. H. Kemper, M.D.)
Dr. Dickinson Burt was the first physician to locate in Delaware County after its organization in 1827 .* The exact date of his location in Muncietown is not known-it was prior to 1829, for the official records show that, in addition to his medical duties, he was our second postmaster -his commission bearing date Aug. 29, 1829. The postoffice was at his home on the west side of Mulberry Street, near Gilbert Street.
The number of physicians multiplied as the population increased, so that the medical and surgical wants of the early pioneers were not neglected. These men were subjected to numer- ous hardships-riding on horseback, over mud roads, or along by-paths long distances by day and by night. These rides were made in all kinds of weather-beneath the piercing rays of a summer sun, in zero weather, or through drenching rains.
* Four hundred and thirty-six physicians have located in Delaware County during the first eighty years of its existence.
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"This undecorated soldier, of a hard, unequal strife, Fought in many stubborn battles with the foes that sought his life.
In the night-time or the day-time, he would rally brave and well,
Though the summer. lark was fifing, or the frozen lances fell ;
Knowing if he won the battle they would praise their Maker's name,
Knowing if he lost the battle then the doctor was to blame.
'Twas the brave old virtuous doctor,
'Twas the good old faulty doctor,
'Twas the faithful country doctor-fighting stoutly all the same." -Carleton.
The author of this paper located in Muncie Aug. 18, 1865, and I esteem it an honor to have known personally a large number of the physi- cians of this county. The physicians whom I met at the time above indicated were men of good attainments and ripe experience a major- ity of them were elderly men, not only those lo- cated in Muncie, but those residing at other points in the county.
All physicians at that time were making coun- try calls on horseback-a few only were using buggies or carts in the summer season while the roads were in better condition. I made my country calls invariably on horseback during the first three years of my practice, and also a part of the time for several years later. As the roads were improved, vehicles became more common, until gradually the doctor with saddle-bags merged into the physician riding in a phaeton, and still later, as at the present day, in an auto- mobile-a veritable evolution as I have witnessed from equestrianism to electricity and gasoline !
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The physicians who practice in Delaware County to-day and ride along its roads and streets in buggies can little appreciate the hard- ships that these early practitioners endured be- fore our gravel roads were made. Visits made on errands of mercy were often accompanied with peril, as it was no uncommon thing for the horse to mire in creeks and swamps. A thrilling ex- perience in this line lingers in the memory of the writer. The hardships these men endured told upon their physical strength.
The various preparations of medicines have markedly improved during the past half-century, or even a quarter of a century. Concentrated medicines as fluid extracts, specific tinctures, tablets, etc., enable us to carry a large list of remedies in a small space, which is a great im- provement over the cumbersome saddle-bags re- quired in former days to carry roots and leaves for the preparation of infusions and decoctions.
Many of our valuable instruments in common use at the present day were but little known or unused fifty years ago. About the year 1866 I bought a hypodermic syringe, which I believe was the first one to be used in Delaware County. I think Dr. Robert Winton owned the first fever thermometer in this county. Two were then thought to be necessary-one for the mouth and a curved one for the axilla. Neither of these were self-registering, and it was necessary to read them while in situ. These useful but crude instruments soon gave way to the neater ther- mometer, so accurate and essential at the present day.
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COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The first practical steps toward organizing a medical society in Delaware County were taken on April 18, 1865, when some of the physicians of the county met in Walling's Hall (west side of public square), in the city of Muncie, to take preliminary steps for the formation of a perma- nent society. At that meeting Dr. S. V. Jump occupied the chair, and Dr. N. W. Black was chosen secretary. A committee was then ap- pointed, composed of Drs. Morgan, Winton and Craig, on permanent organization. The adjourn- ment was until Monday, the first day of May, following, when the meeting convened in Dr. Winton's office, 112 West Adams Street. The physicians present were Drs. Armitage, Black, Craig, Hoover, Lewellen, Morgan, Skiff, Wheeler, Willard, Winton, W. H. Williams, and J. A. Williams. At this meeting the committee on permanent organization made a report and the plan of organization was read by sections, discussed, and adopted. The committee was con- tinued, and empowered to revise the constitution and by-laws, and have the same published. Un- der this organization the following-named officers were chosen: President, Dr. S. V. Jump; vice- president, Dr. W. J. Morgan ; secretary, Dr. N. W. Black; treasurer, Dr. William Craig; cen- sors, Drs. Robert 'Winton, W. C. Willard and J. H. Powers.
At a meeting held June 5, 1865, Drs. L. J. Bonnels, J. C. Helm, S. E. Mitchell and H. C. Winans were admitted to membership. At a meeting held July 3, 1865, Dr. Henry Kirby
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was admitted, and at a meeting held in Septem- ber, 1865, Drs. W. J. Andrews and G. W. H. Kemper were admitted to membership.
The Delaware County Medical Society has been reorganized several times since its first or- ganization, in order to conform to the require- ments of the State Medical Association, but the society has never failed to exist, and the present one is virtually a continuation of the original society. So far as the author can ascertain, Dr. W. J. Andrews, of Newark, N. J., and Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, of Muncie, are the only persons liv- ing who became members in 1865.
The record of the physicians of Delaware County has been a creditable one; few moral delinquencies have existed. They have been in- dustrious, as shown by the numerous contribu- tions to medical literature contributed by our citizen physicians. Our death rate has not been excessive; our health officers have been compe- tent, and our surgeons have successfully per- formed nearly all the operations known to sur- gery.
Dr. Dickinson Burt (1829) was the first phy- sician to locate in Muncietown or Delaware County. I have no information concerning his individual history or the exact date of location. Dr. Burt was the second postmaster at Muncie- town and filled that office from Aug. 29, 1829, to May 6, 1835. It is supposed that he left soon after the expiration of the term of his office. Nothing further is known of his history.
Dr. Levi Minshall (1829) was the second phy- sician to locate in Muncietown. He was born in
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Virginia, March 4, 1804. He was licensed to . practice at Dayton, Ohio, in 1829, and came to Muncietown in the same year and at once began the practice of medicine. An old citizen who re- members Dr. Minshall's first appearance in Mun- cietown says that he came here from Dayton, Ohio, riding a very large iron-gray horse, and wore a suit of broadcloth, a circumstance that created almost a sensation among the primitive people living here at that time, as homespun jeans was the regulation apparel and broadcloth was reserved for the rich and nobility. He was a man of scholarly attainments and soon gained a prominent place in the community as a physi- cian and a citizen. One of the interesting inci- dents of his early practice in the country when visiting the sick was that he would ride up and down White River in the water to avoid bears and wolves that roamed about in their native freedom in the woods in the territory which now comprises Delaware County. He died at Mun- cietown March 6, 1836, aged 32 years. His re- mains repose in Beech Grove Cemetery.
If the physicians whom I met in Delaware County forty-two years ago were to rise from the dead and appear in our midst to-day, they would be startled at our speeding automobiles, but no less surprised at our new advances in medicine and surgery, as well as our strange medical terms, for, if they were to hear medical men conversing about antiseptics, Listerism, anti- toxins, serums and germs, they would not com- prehend their meaning: Should they attempt a
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surgical operation according to the rules of their day, they would be liable to answer to the charge of malpractice.
REMINISCENCES OF WESTERN HANCOCK COUNTY.
Reminiscences of western Hancock County (Transactions, 1874, p. 74) by Dr. J. W. Her- vey, of Indianapolis, is worth reprinting because of its historical value.
"In 1846 the congestive fever, as then called, made its appearance. Many died; in fact, all the patients of some physicians. Dr. Moore, of Cumberland, contended that bleeding was the only remedy; after that, calomel to ptyalism. He lost nearly every case. A consultation was called at Cumberland, to which all physicians con- nected with that investigation were invited, and a treatment was agreed upon, embracing the tonic feature, but not sufficiently heroic; but each member grew into the habit of saving his patients by full and frequent doses of quinin. The great hindrance to the use of quinin was its cost and the scarcity of money. Quinin cost $6.00 (I think at one time $8.00) an ounce, and scarce at that. Dr. Hervey bought up a number of fat cattle, drove them to Indianapolis, sold them for $7.50 a head, and bought quinin with it.
"In 1847 a singular epidemic of the smallpox appeared in this locality. Erysipelas had been prevailing, and what was called black tongue. A healthy man by the name of Snyder took the confluent variola. The whole surface swelled en.
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ormously. Dr. William R. Smith had come to Cumberland some time before that, and Dr. Bobbs, who came to the same place about the same time, were called to see him, but failed to diagnose the case. The next day Dr. Hervey was called in consultation and pronounced it smallpox modified by erysipelas. Failing to agree with the other doctors, he left. They bled the man profusely and he died in twenty-four hours after. The people flocked from all about the country to see him. The consequence was the disease spread through the country. Dr. Hervey treated 84 cases, and did not bleed or de- plete one of them, with a mortality of but two children and three grown persons. All who were depleted, without one exception, died. Dr. John S. Bobbs and Dr. Bullard, of Indianapolis, and Dr. Brown, of Bethel, were called together at Isaac Snyder's to see a case, and agreed with Dr. Hervey that it was smallpox modified by the pre- vailing diatheses of the country. The fact of its making its appearance without any one knowing how, agitated the public mind to the highest pitch, and, as Dr. Hervey had seemed to become prominent in the treatment of the disease, it was finally widespread that he started the disease for the purpose of getting into business. He had seen it in Cincinnati the winter before, and it was claimed that he brought a scab with him, and by that means, or some other way, originated the disease. He had used nitrate of silver and tincture of iodin to prevent pitting. One Miss Burris lost one eye and was otherwise disfigured by scars, she having had a bad case of confluent
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smallpox, some of which formed in the eye. Pop- ular prejudice pointed to this case as one of malpractice, and suited to punish him for hav- ing started the disease. The prejudice and bad feeling against the doctor was so popular that his counsel advised him to take a change of venue to Shelby County. The depositions of Dr. Jack- son of New York, Prof. Robley Dunglison of Philadelphia, and the evidence of Dr. John S. Bobbs, before the time of trial, caused the case to be withdrawn. The doctor's character was vindicated, and he rose in time above it, but it cost him about three years of his life's best efforts. This case is a valuable one in the his- tory of our profession, and shows how dangerous is the ignorance of the masses when brought to bear upon a member of our profession."
EARLY MEDICAL HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.
Dr. J. L. Gilbert, of Kendallville, in the Transactions for 1874, p. 73, gives an interesting account of early medical matters in Noble County. It is here reproduced.
"On the 12th of July, 1858, a number of the physicians of the county met at Ligonier and organized a county society, with D. W. C. Denny, M.D., president, and S. H. Estabrook, M.D., secretary. The organization was kept up but a short time. I think there were only two meetings held. There seemed to be much in- difference with reference to medical societies among the physicians of the county, which ac- counts for its short life. This was the first
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effort in Noble County to organize a medical society.
"On the 15th of June, 1870, the Northeastern Indiana Medical Society was organized. This society embraces the counties of Noble, Lagrange, Steuben and DeKalb. The movement which cul- minated in this organization originated in Noble County, being first suggested by myself.
"The following named gentlemen were pres- ent at the first meeting: From Noble County- D. W. C. Denny, C. Palmiter, W. D. Randall, U. J. Ward, T. E. Adair, D. N. Fansler, L. F. Abell, J. L. Gilbert, G. W. Carr, H. Landon, P. W. Crum, W. H. Franks, R. Wright, O. J. Vin- cent, and S. T. Williams. From Lagrange County-John Dancer and J. N. Denny. From Steuben County-H. D. Wood.
"DeKalb County was not represented at the first meeting, but was included in the organiza- tion, and S. Stough, from that county, was elected a member on recommendation of H. D. Wood.
"O. J. Vincent was elected president, and one vice-president from each county, viz .: H. D. Wood, John Dancer, C. Palmiter and S. Stough; secretary, J. L. Gilbert; treasurer, L. F. Abell ; board of censors, D. W. C. Denny, S. T. Williams, W. H. Franks, H. Landon and G. W. Carr.
"The officers were elected annually. The pres- idents thus far have been O. J. Vincent, H. D. Wood, J. Dancer and G. W. Carr. The society numbers seventy bona fide members. These are divided among the counties as follows: Noble, 31; LaGrange, 13; Steuben, 13; DeKalb, 13.
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"The following named gentlemen are honorary members, most of whom meet with us at least once a year and take an active part in the pro- ceedings : N. S. Davis, J. Adams Allen, M. M. Latta, Theophilus Parvin, B. S. Woodworth, T. A. McGraw, Edward Jenks, Leartus Connor, R C. S. Reed and C. S. Frink.
"The meetings are held quarterly and are well attended. I do not know of a single successful irregular practitioner within the bounds of the society. Two or three 'eclectics' of some pro- fessional standing in the community have aban- doned the distinctive name and have been ad- mitted to the society and are good members. It has promoted general good feeling among physi- cians, which is always the result of intimate ac- quaintance among ethical men.
"On the 15th of November, 1873, the Noble County Medical Society was organized under a call made in pursuance to the request of the State Medical Society to organize county socie- ties throughout the state. G. Erickson was made president, and N. Teal secretary. Two meetings have been held. Most of the physicians have joined it, and I doubt not this society will suc- ceed."
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CHAPTER XII.
PIONEER PHYSICIANS OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
BY GEO. T. MAC COY, M.D., COLUMBUS, IND.
During the session of the Indiana Legislature at Corydon (the then capital of the state), in 1819-20, a number of counties were mapped out and a law passed providing for their organiza- tion. Among the number, Bartholomew County was named for Gen. Joseph Bartholomew, a member from Clark County. The name was given at the instance of Gen. John Tipton. At this time the city of Columbus (then called Tip- tonia, for General Tipton) consisted of only five families. The county became a "separate juris- diction" on Feb. 12, 1821, with two hundred voters, two of whom were preachers, but none were doctors.
All traditions concur in giving to Hiram Smith the post of honor of having been the first doctor to locate in Columbus, his arrival occur- ring in April, 1821. At least he was here as early as May 1, 1821, for on the return made by the assessor for that year (May 14, 1821) Dr. Smith is charged with a "poll tax and no other property." Dr. Smitn came from Mercer Coun- ty, Kentucky. What his medical education was,
* I am under obligations to my friend. Dr. George T. MacCoy, for this very interesting paper .- G. W. H. K.
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or where and how it was obtained, I am unable to learn; but this much I have learned by the perusal of some old records-that he was well read in his profession, better than the average of those times, and that his fine address made him a favorite at once in the primitive settle- ment. That Dr. Smith was a man above the average may be readily believed from the rec- ords of St. John's Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M., of Columbus. At a meeting to organize a so- ciety it was found that Dr. Hiram Smith was the unanimous choice for master, and when the Grand Lodge met in session at Corydon, Octo- ber, 1822, a charter was granted to St. John's Lodge, and Dr. Hiram Smith, although he was not present at the session, was named as the first worshipful master. This office he held for several years. Dr. Smith had the honor to open and change the first mail ever delivered in Co- lumbus, and was probably the first postmaster .*
As to Dr. Smith's methods in practice, I can say very little. He was a firm believer in the lancet and heroic doses of calomel and Peruvian bark. Tablespoonful doses of the powdered bark, in molasses, given every two hours during a re- mission or intermission of fever, were one of his stand-bys in the treatment of malarial fevers. Dr. Smith continued in active practice here for many years, until the death of his wife, which occurred during confinement. To suppress a
* Possibly this is an error .- Mr. C. P. Granfield, First Assistant Postmaster General, writes me, under date of April 14th, 1909, as follows : "You are advised that ac- cording to the records of this office the first postmaster at Columbus, Ind. was William Duerson, appointed August 22, 1821, and the name of Dr. Smith does not appear as ever having been postmaster at this office."-G. W. H. K.
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uterine hemorrhage the Doctor used large quan- tities of cold water. She died. His enemies claimed that the cold water killed her. This so worried and embittered him that he left Colum- bus and located in Mooresville, but shortly after moved to Edinburg, Johnson County, where his death occurred Oct. 1, 1869, from gastric ulcer. The date of his birth can not be determined, but it is known that he was 79 years old when he died.
The next physician to locate in Columbus was Dr. Joseph L. Washburn, who came here in the autumn of 1821 and began to practice at once. He was born and educated in Vermont. Before studying medicine he was engaged in teaching school at Middleburg, that state. The acciden- tal introduction of smallpox broke up his school, and he was vaccinated, thus protecting himself from the disease. This so pleased him that he vaccinated many others, being so successful that he was dubbed "Kine Pox Doctor." He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Tan- sher, of Middleburg, Vt., and finished in the office of Dr. Needham, of Crown Point, N. Y. In March, 1822, he was senior deacon of St. John's Lodge, Columbus, Ind.
Dr. 'Washburn had a good English education, and a better medical education than many who have practiced here since his day; he continued to grow in popularity, not only on account of his professional ability, but his social qualities also endeared him to all. In January, 1828, he was elected county agent, and shortly after- ward he was elected and commissioned magis-
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