USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 44
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There are also other names that should be added to the list of those who practiced among the early settlers of the county. Among these were Dr. Edmundson, a one-armed physician, who lived in Blue River township, and who also kept a small store there. Dr. Newby was also located in the eastern part of the that township in its early history. In Brown township were Drs. Logan Wallace, Aaron Gregg. William Reed. C. C. Loder, and Dr. William Trees of a little later date. In Sugar Creek township Drs. Hudson Mc. Anlis- ter. J. H. Hazen, W. H. Dye, 11. B. Wilson. James M. Ely, Jacob Buschel and Kellogg, hung out their shingles before the Civil War. In Jackson town- ship Drs. S. A. Troy and Amos Bundy were established in what was then known as Portland. At Greenfield, Drs. Jared Chapman, Leonard Bardwell and Simon Mters were among the first physicians. Later they were fol- lowed by Drs. Martin, Howard. Barnett and others above mentioned.
Prior to 1874 there was no organization among the physicians of the county. On January 6 of that year. however, a meeting of the doctors was held at the I. O. O. F. hall at Greenfield, at which they effected an organiza- tion, known as the
HANCOCK COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The minutes of this meeting are herein set out in full :
"In pursuance of a Call heretofore issued by Drs. N. P. Howard, S. M. Martin. M. M. Adams and E. I. Judkins to other physicians of the County. the following physicians assembled in the I. O. O. F. Hall, at it o'clock .\. M., viz .: Dr. S. A. Troy. J. G. Stewart, H. Duncan, S. T. Yancey and T. K. Saunders, of Fortville. H. J. Bogart. J. B. Sparks and G. T. Wrennick, of Charlottesville. M. M. Hess, of Cleveland. G. C. Eubank, of Philadelphia. and N. P. Howard. S. M. Martin, M. M. Adams and E. 1. Judkins, of Green- field, Indiana.
"Dr. S. M. Martin briefly stated the object of the meeting to be to form or organize a County Medical Society auxiliary to the State Medical Society. and upon motion and vote of all present. Dr. S. T. Yancy was made tem- porary chairman and E. 1. Judkins, temporary secretary.
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
"Upon taking the Chair, Dr. Vaney made a few appropriate remarks. returning thanks, etc., for the honor conferred, and encouraged the object of the meeting. U'pon motion the following were appointed as a committee to draft and submit a constitution, viz. : Drs. S. M. Martin, M. M. Adams and Hiram Duncan.
"Upon motion of Dr. Judkins, a committee of five were appointed on permanent organization, to-wit : Drs. Judkins, Troy, Sparks. Stewart and Eubank.
"After discussing various points in regard to organization, etc .. the meeting adjourned until one o'clock P. M., to give time for the several com- mittees to confer and adopt reports.
".At I P. M. the meeting was again called to order by the temporary chairman.
"Thereupon the Committee on Constitution reported a Constitution of 17 Articles, which was ordered read by Article and Section, and then umani- mously adopted.
"The committee on permanent organization then reported the following nomination for officers for the ensuing year. viz. : Dr. N. P. Howard, presi- dent : Dr. S. A. Troy, vice-president : Dr. M. M. Adams, treasurer : Dr. E. I. Judkins, secretary; Drs. J. B. Sparks, S. M. Martin, S. T. Yancy, censors : Drs. J. G. Stuart. H. J. Bogart, M. M. Hess, trustees.
"Upon motion and unanimous vote of the meeting the nominations of the committee were confirmed and the officers named declared elected, and Society permanently organized as the Hancock County Medical Society.
"U'pon motion a committee of two were appointed to conduct Dr. How- ard. President-elect. to the Chair.
"Upon taking the Chair the President returned thanks for the honor conferred, called the meeting to order, and asked for further business.
"Upon motion Drs. Martin and Yancy were appointed a committee to procure a suitable seal with appropriate inscription for the Society.
"Upon motion an order of business was adopted.
"And upon further motion and vote of the Society a system of By-Laws was adopted.
"The secretary was ordered to procure a suitable Record Book for the Society, and also a book for the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society and to record the same therein.
".Also the secretary was authorized by unanimous vote to sign the names of all the organizing members of this Society, to the Constitution, when copied in appropriate book.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"The President appointed J. B. Sparks to prepare and read an essay upon Purulent Pneumonia at next meeting, also Drs. S. M. Martin and S. T. Yancy to read an essay upon any subject they might choose to select.
"The question of a Fee Bill came up and was discussed at considerable length, and upon motion a committee of three, viz. : S. . \. Troy, J. B. Sparks and S. M. Martin, were appointed to prepare and submit a Fee Bill at next meeting.
"Upon motion the secretary was ordered to furnish the 'Indiana Medical Journal' and 'Hancock Democrat' with a summary of today's proceedings for publication.
"Upon motion the Society adjourned to meet in Greenfield on the second Tuesday of February at I o'clock P. M.
"E. I. JUDKINS, Secretary."
The purpose of the society is further stated in the constitution :
"To provide an organization through which the regular physicians of the county shall be united in one professional fraternity for the better pro- motion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering ; the improvement of the health and the protection of the lives of the community, and for the mutual improvement : the advancement of medical knowledge: the elevation of professional character; the encouragement of professional intercourse and the protection of professional interests."
Regular meetings for the society were appointed for the first Tuesdays of January. April, July and October annually at Greenfield. The physicians whose names appear above-fourteen of them-became the charter members of the society. In April of 1874, the names of Drs. John L. Marsh, William N. Pierson, C. H. Kirkhoof and J. M. Ely were added to the list.
.Although a complete organization was effected on January 6, 1874, and dues were paid and all other relationships established and maintained with the State Medical Society during the years that followed, a charter was not obtained until April, 1911, when it was issued in the following words :
"INDIANAA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION "Know All Men By These Presents
"That by virtue of authority vested in the House of Delegates of this Association by the Constitution and By-Laws, it hereby issued a Charter to the Hancock County Medical Society of which Joseph L. AAllen, M. D., is President and Earl R. Gibbs, M. D .. is Secretary, and the Charter Members now belonging to such society and to their successors in perpetuity with all
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
of the honor and privileges pertaining' thereto, so long as such Society con- forms to the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association.
"No. 87. "Given Under the Authority of the House of Delegates this tenth day of April, 1911.
"CHARLES N. COMBS. M. D.,
"Secretary. F. C. HENTH, M. D., "President."
That the physicians set about to accomplish the purpose of their new organization and to profit by mutual consultation and discussion, is evi- denced by the following excerpts taken from the minutes of their different meetings :
"February 10, 1874 .- Dr. Martin read a paper on 'Tympanites,' upon which but few remarks were made, from the fact that but few present seemed prepared to discuss its merits, but upon motion of Dr. Troy, Dr. Martin was requested to read his paper again before the society at its regular meeting in April.
"Dr. Troy verbally reported some cases of bronchitis met with, not yielding to the ordinary treatment with tonics, stimulants and expectorants, but yielded to aconite. Dr. Stuart had met some similar cases in which he found gelsemium the best remedy. Dr. Adams had met a few slight cases in which he found quinine and glycerine, aided by copious draughts of cold water at bedtime, to speedily relieve symptoms.
"Dr. Eubank verbally reported a case of periodical spasms of a child resulting in atrophy of right arm and leg, which elicited some remarks."
The committee to report on a fee bill or a schedule of fees to be collected for various services failed to report at this meeting. On the meeting of .April 7. 1874, the committee did report a bill, which was placed on file for further consideration. The report was taken up again at the July meeting in 1874 and was discussed by the physicians assembled. It seemed to be unsatisfactory, however, and when a vote was taken thereon, the motion to adopt the bill was defeated. Dr. Martin then moved, at the meeting of July 7. 1874, that Drs. Yancy, Hess and Adams be appointed a committee on fee bill for next meeting, but for the want of the second the motion was lost.
April 7, 1874 :- "Upon recommendation of the board of censors, Dental Doctors W. R. Wolf and E. B. Howard were unanimously elected honorary members of this society.
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Dr. Sparks read an able paper upon pneumonia, as per special appomt- ment at first regular meeting."
Remarks by sundry members :
"Dr. Martin disbelieves in the term estrictly speaking ) of typhoid pneu- monia: thinks two distinct diseases cannot exist at the same time in one patient. and that there is almost always some bronchial trouble, and the pleura generally affected. Pain usually due to pleuritic complication. The disease usually tends to recovery: he does not use nauseating expectorants. relies upon sustaining treatment.
"Dr. Sparks denounces the term 'lung fever' as old fogy, and insists upon physicians using the terms 'pneumonia' or 'pneumonitis' when naming the disease. Dr. Judkins remarks, physicians ought to speak in terms that would be understood by their patients when diagnosis is clear, or made up, and if asked for a name of the disease. by the patient's friends. if we have to, say 'lung fever' instead of 'pneumonia,' or 'ague' instead of 'intermittent fever.'
"Dr. Howard called Vice-President Troy to the chair, and then made some remarks upon Dr. Sparks' paper ; recommends calomel in most cases and sometimes uses it to ptyalism. uses blisters, gives ammonia, quinine, etc .. as symptoms indicate. Remarks were made by several other members upon the pathology, nomenclature, and treatment of pneumonia.
"By request, Dr. Martin read his paper on 'Tympanites,' which he had read at the February meeting.
"Remarks on pathology, treatment, etc., by several members, Dr. Sparks thinks it might have resulted from retained feces. Dr. Ely regards it as prema from absorption from uterus. Dr. Martin defends his diagnosis, quoting from authors, and comparison with peritonitis. Dr. Sparks favors spirits turpentine in treatment. Drs. Sparks and Pierson discussed the path- ology of the disease, at some length.
Drs. Pierson, Kirkhoff and Marsh were appointed to write an essay upon any medical subject they may choose for next regular meeting.
"Dr. Yancy continued for an essay also at next meeting."
July 7. 1874 :- "Essays being again called for. Dr. J. L. Marsh read an able paper on "Ancient and Modern Therapeutics.' Remarks by Yancy. Sparks, Wolf and Ely."
October 6. 1874 :- "Verbal reports being called for. Dr. Stevens reported a case of post mortem, where injury of the cranium had caused death, in which there was almost complete absorption of the bone, and full absorption of the membranes, corresponding to the size of the injury."
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
April 6. 1875 :- "Essays being called for, Dr. Marsh read a lengthy and able paper upon the 'Therapeutics of Acomite.' which elicited quite a dis- cussion from Drs. Martin, Hess, Sparks and Judkins. Dr. Martin never used aconite, hence could not tell of its virtues from experience. Dr. Hess used it but seldom. Dr. Sparks had it used internally in tonsilitis with good results.
"Dr. Martin read a paper on the fallacies of the treatment of pneumonia. The subject was pretty thoroughly discussed by all members present. All discard nauseating expectorants."
July 6, 1875 :- "Dr. Adams reported a case of 'progressive locomotor ataxia' which he was treating with nitrate of silver, but with slight show of improvement. Remarks by Drs. Martin. Pierson and Judkins. None had ever treated a case of the kind. Dr. Pierson had seen one case in the Indiana Medical College, supposed to have been induced by the excessive use of tobacco: treatment, discontinue tobacco and administer nitrate of silver. Lost sight of the case, did not learn result of treatment. Dr. Adams asked the advice and opinion of the society regarding the treatment of his case: all endorsed the use of nitrate of silver with the observance of due caution of its toxical effects, a point the Doctor says he has carefully watched, and as yet no indications for discontinuance were observ- able, but on the contrary when the remedy had been left off for a few days for fear of toxic trouble, the symptoms had increased. Dr. Judkins sug- gested that when the nitrate of silver had been carried to its reasonable limits to substitute nux vomica or strychnia and phosphorous, in fuli doses.
"The discussion here ran into the pathology of such cases and the gen- eral arguments were that the intemperate use of tobacco and excessive venery or undue venereal passion or excitement without proper or due gratification might induce an attack, but that Dr. Adams' case was probably the result of severe injury received on the head many years ago, which had frequently produced severe nervous trouble, and sometimes severe and almost intoler- able pain in the head, for which Dr. Judkins had frequently administered chloroform, by the mouth, ammonia and bromides, giving only temporary relief."
Though the fee bill failed in its adoption at the first meeting of the physicians. further steps were taken at the meetings in the latter part of 1875 for their financial protection, in the adoption of the following resolution :
"Resolved, that after January 1. 1870, no service shall be rendered to persons who are able to pay their bills, but who evade them by changing from one physician to another, unless the fee for such service is paid in advance.
478
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Further resolved, that it shall be the duty of each of us to furnish all others a list of such parties from time to time as they make satisfactory settle- ment.
"That this is no combination to raise our fees-as will doubtless be charged-our patrons will be convinced when they pay their accounts ; neither is it an effort to shirk our share of the charity work. We each pledge our- selved to the maintenance of the noble reputation of our profession in this respect, to the best of our ability. By this movement we expect to be better enabled to do all that public opinion demands of us for the worthy poor and unfortunate. And also to treat the patrons who pay and support us in a more liberal and businesslike manner, hoping thereby not to be forced to the neces- sity of selling every good note we take to the brokers; or of dogging our patrons at their honses by sending importunate collectors after them; or of offending them through the public prints by frequent demands to settle, as has been done by some, who will now be interested in charging that this is a 'ring'. (Signed)': S. M. Marsh, J. A. Hall. George Tague, J. J. Carter, J. G. Stuart, J. Francis, C. C. Loder, H. J. Bogart, L. A. Vawter, E. I. Judkins, H. A. Greenleaf, R. E. Barnett. T. J. Saunders, J O. Espey, William Trees. N. N. Howard, S. S. Boots, John L. Marsh, S. T. Yancy, J. M. Jones, M. M. Hess. W. E. Kearns."
The above resolution was published for a number of issues in the Han- cock Democrat and brought forth a series of protests from the laity. Some of the good people of the county suggested through the columns of the local papers that if the physicians would pay their own accounts as they came due. it might help others to pay them. The physicians offered a reply or two to these protests, which of course failed to silence them. Finally someone became so unkind as even to suggest that if the physicians would pay their whiskey bills it might help the other fellow.
The society, however, did not limit itself to such matters only as might be of personal profit to the physicians. It must appear to anyone that the essays that were read, the general matters as well as specific cases that were brought before the society from the individual practice of the doctors, and the help that the society was able to give in such matters by way of consultation and advice, were of practical benefit to the public.
The society has from time to time given some attention to matters before the General Assembly, which they considered of interest to themselves and to the profession. At the close of the legislature in 1879, the doctors of the county adopted the following resolution in appreciation of the services of Dr. Edwins in that body :
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
"Resolved, that the thanks of this society are hereby unanimously ten- dered to Dr. Stanley M. Edwins, of Madison county, for the very able and zealous manner in which he sought to rid the profession of its parasites, and thereby benefited the public, by securing the passage of his Medical bill, by our State Legislature at its recent session ; and that we express the hope that by the time that body convenes, the 'Mother of Israel of the period with her tanzy tea, and the Good Samaritan of the generation. with his liver-regenera- tor, may have lost something of the potential influence they now seem to exert over our dignified executive department of state government."
On January 27, 1883, the society also considered the advisability of rais- ing the standard of the profession by legal requirement. On this point the doctors of the county placed themselves on record in the adoption of the following resolution :
"Whereas, although the medical profession of Hancock county. as rep- resented by the members thereof here present, is in no sense desirous of any legislation in its behalf, the interest of both the public and the profession of some parts of the state seem to imperatively demand some protection from the army of quacks and charlatans driven into the state by the stringent medi- cal laws of other surrounding states ; it is hereby
"Resolved, that our representatives be respectfully asked to vote for a medical bill requiring that every practitioner of medicine have a diploma from a reputable medical school, or, if he has no such diploma, shall have been in the practice of medicine ten years in the state of Indiana and. attended one full course of lectures in any accredited medical college and that he shall file his credentials with proof in each county in which he proposes to practice.
"Resolved, that in our judgment some simple, uncomplicated law will meet all the necessities of the case better than the proposed complicated and expensive measures involving state boards.
"N. P. Howard, Sr., M. M. Adams, E. 1. Judkins, Lon A. Carter, Jacob A. Hall, F. F. Hervey, S. S. Boots. Joseph Francis. J. F. Trump, W. R. King, Chairman; S. M. Martin, Secretary."
Such a law was passed in 1885, making it unlawful for any person to practice medicine without first obtaining a license so to do. The license was to be issued by the clerks of the courts, and could only be issued to persons with the following qualifications :
I. To graduates of some reputable medical college.
2. To applicants who filed their affidavits and also the affidavits of two reputable freehollers or householders of the county stating that the applicant
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
had been engaged in the practice of medicine for ten years immediately pre- ceding the date of the taking effect of the act.
3. To applicants who filed their affidavits therein of two reputable freeholders or householders of the county stating that the applicant had been engaged in the practice of medicine for three years immediately preceding the date of the taking effect of the act. and had attended one full course of lectures in some reputable medical college.
Under this law the physicians of Hancock county who applied for such licenses during the year 1885 were able to show the following qualifications, the dates of graduation being also shown :
Samuel S. Boots-February 8, 1870. Electic Medical Institute of Cin- cinnati, Ohio.
Orlando S. Coffin-February 16. 1883. Indiana Electic Medical College.
Marcellus M. Adams-February 26, 1885. Medical College of Indiana. Noble P. Howard, Sr .- February 8, 1879. Medical College of Indiana. Noble P. Howard, Sr .- February 28, 1879. Medical College of Indiana. Orlando M. Edwards-One full course lectures.
Flam 1. Judkins-February 22, 18;8. College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Indiana.
Warren R. King-Two full course lectures.
Nathan L. Hammer-March 26, 1885. Physic Medical College of Indiana.
Samuel M. Martin-June 19, 1885. Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery.
Jacob F. Trump-June 22. 1881. Medical Department of University of Vermont.
William B. Ryan-One full course lectures.
Frank F. Herney-February 28, 1870. Medical College of Indiana. Almond .A. Stuart-One full course lectures.
John G. Stuart-March 2, 1885. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indiana.
Simeon T. Yancy-Two full course lectures.
James M. Larimore-February 10, 1867. Medical Department of Iowa University.
Robert D. Hanna -- February 27, 1880. Medical College of Indiana. Department of Butler University, of Indiana.
William Trees-Practiced Medicine ten years.
48 [
THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
Lon .A. Carter-March 1, 1882. Indiana Medical College.
Ira W. Ellis-March 1, 1882. Medical College of Indiana.
Samuel A. Troy-Practiced medicine ten years.
Charles C. Pratt-One full course lectures.
James P. Julian-February 21, 1881. Physic Medical College of Indiana.
Jacob Buchel-Practiced medicine ten years.
James M. Ely-February 28, 1872. Medical College of Indiana.
Murray M. Hess-Practiced medicine ten years.
William .A. Justice-1878. Kentucky School of Medicine.
Samuel A. Troy-March 1, 1882. Medical College of Indiana.
Benjamin F. True-Practiced medicine ten years.
John W. Selman-February 28, 1873. Indiana Medical College of Indiana.
Thomas P. Hervey-Practiced medicine ten years.
John D. Cory-Practiced medicine three years and one full course lectures.
George M. Darrach-March 8, 1850. Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Gettysburg at Philadelphia, Pa.
William B. Cox-Practiced medicine three years and one full course lectures.
William M. Pierson-February 28, 1874. Indiana Medical College of Indiana.
John Biebinger-March 1. 1883-Central College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis, Ind.
Franklin J. C. Rawlins-March 1, 1850. Transylvania Medical College of Lexington, Ky.
Benamin L. Russell-March 17, 1860. Jefferson Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Andrew F. Cory-February 8. 1860. Eclectic Medical College of Cin- cinnati, Ohio.
Elridge Field-March 1, 1885. Medical College of Indiana.
Jacob G. Wolf-March 8, 1885. Jefferson Medical College of Phila- delphia, Pa.
But the meetings of the physicians have not all been serious occasions, nor has all of the time been devoted to professional matters. On January 1, 1884, the physicians brought their wives with them who spent a part of the day at the residence of Dr. Noble P. Howard. At the noon hour, as we
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
learn from the Hancock Democrat, the physicians "adjourned to the resi- dence of Dr. Howard to accompany their wives and lady friends to the Guy- mon House, where there was in waiting a dinner prepared by Jackson Wills and his most estimalle wife. The dinner was indeed a banquet and would be worthy a Delmonico not only in variety but in the manner in which it was prepared and served. After dinner E. I. Judkins offered the following toast : 'The Medical Profession, the Past and Present Status,' which was responded to by Dr. J. W. Hervey, of Indianapolis. He excited much mirth with his description of the early mode of practice with the lancet, calomel and blisters."
Other toasts offered were the "Growth of the Hancock County Medical Society," and the "Home of the Physician." There were present on that occasion, W. R. King, W. B. Riley, S. A. Troy. L. A. Carter. J. B. Richard- son. E. 1. Judkins and Drs. N. P. Howard, Jr. and Sr.
Other features of the doctors' work are also shown on the records of their minutes. For instance :
October, 1884: "Communication from Wayne County Society relative to the precarious condition of Dr. Pennington, of Milton, Wayne county, owing to the total destruction of his home by fire. Dr. Howard, Sr., was appointed to solicit and transmit such aid as could be obtained."
Later, a personal donation was made by each member of the society present, which was sent to the treasurer of the Wayne County Medical Society for the benefit of the brother in trouble.
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