History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 50

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pose. Additions have been made from time to time to the original building. This contains on the first floor a reception-room, a nurses' parlor, consulting- rooms and waiting-rooms for the out-patient depart- ment, and private dining-rooms. On the second story are the sleeping apartments of the hospital officers and nurses. This floor also contains private isolated rooms for abdominal operations and for convalescence therefrom.

Iu rear of the administration building is an ell containing the kitchen and laundry. At the side of the administration building is the hospital proper, with a male ward down-stairs and a female ward up-stairs. Besides the large rooms, containing several beds, there are a few private rooms in each ward. Beyond this building is the contagious ward, erected in 1887. In the rear of the hospital wards are the dispensary, waiting-rooms and operating-room.

The hospital contains forty-six beds for patients. The largest number of patients at any one time was thirty-nine, and the largest number of patients treated in any one year was three hundred and ten, in 1889. The total number of patients occupying beds in the hospital since its foundation is four thou- sand, eight hundred and sixty-eight.

The management is in the hands of a Board of Trustees, the members of which are the local agents of the several corporations, together with (since 1882) two citizens at large, one of these being the mayor of the city for the time being.

In the early history of the hospital the patients were in charge of a resident physician, whose wife generally received the appointment of matron.

The following physicians have served as resident physicians : Gilman Kimball, M.D., appointed Dec. 27, 1839, served twenty-six years ; G. H. Whitmore, M.D., appointed May 1, 1866, died May 18, 1869 ; J. W. Graves, M.D., appointed July 19, 1869, died Nov. 28, 1873; H. J. Smith, M.D., appointed Feb., 1874, resigned June, 1881.

Upon the establishment of the visiting staff, the office of resident physician was abolished until July, 1886, when the following appointment was made : C. E. Simpson, M.D., superintendent, July, 1886.

As stated above, the wives of various resident physicians held the position of matron in the earlier days of the hospital. Since the reorganization the following ladies have held that position :

Miss E. M. Duren, matron, Aug., 1882, to March, 1887 ; Miss C. B. Whitford, matron and superintend- ent of Training-School, May, 1887.

In 1881 the hospital was placed in charge of a staff of visiting physicians and surgeons who gave their services gratuitously. The staff at first consisted of four members and later of six members. The first staff organized November 18, 1881. The following is a list of physicians who have served on the staff, with the approximate dates of their appointments and res- ignations :

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Visiting Staff .- Lorenzo S. Fox, M.D., appointed November, 1881 ; George E. Pinkham, M.D., appointed November, 1881 ; resigned June, 1886, Hermon J. Smith, M.D., appointed November 1881 ; resigned June, 1886. Francis W. Chadbourne, M.D., appointed November, 1881 ; resigned Jannary, 1887. William Bass, M.D., appointed February, 1883 ; resigned Jnne, 1886. William T. Carolin, M.D., appointed Feb- ruary, 1883. Herbert P. Jefferson, M. D., appointed June, 1886 ; resigned December, 1887. James B. Field, M.D., appointed February, 1887. Herbert S. Johnson, M.D., appointed April, 1887 ; resigned September, 1889. F. W. Chadbourne, M.D. (rcappointment), appointed August, 1887. William B. Jackson, M.D., appointed February, 1888. Oliver A. Willard, M.D., appointed September, 1889.

Ophthalmic Surgeons .- Henry W. Kilburn, M.D., of Boston, ap- pointed April, 1887 ; resigned May, 1889. Edwin E. Jack, M.D., of Bos- ton, appointed May, 1889 ; resigned September, 1889. John C. Bowker, Jr., M.D., of Lawrence, appointed October, 1889.

Aural Surgeons .- Frederick L, Jack, M.D., of Boston, appointed May, 1887 ; resigned September, 1889. John C. Bowker, Jr., M.D., of Law- rence, appointed October, 1889.

Out-Patient Department .- In June, 1877, the trus- tees established an Out-Patient Department, not only for the employés of the Corporations, but also for the poor of the eity. Suitable consulting-rooms, waiting- rooms and a dispensary were provided, and medieine was furnished at cost. The consulting-room was equipped with the various applianees essential for diagnosis and treatment in special branches of medi- eal seience. The departments for diseases of the eye and ear werc from the first in charge of specialists from out of town. The surgeons treating these dis- eases also attend suitable operative cases within the hospital.

The other out-patient clinies were at first eared for by the members of the visiting staff. Finally, how- ever, the number of out-patients became so great that an out-patient staff was appointed in May, 1888. The whole number of patients treated in the out-patient department from June, 1887, to January 1, 1890, is as follows :

No. of visits.

Eye patients .

4018

Ear patients .

1636

Medical and surgical patients 4303

Total out-patients . 9957

Out-Patient Staff, 1890 .- G. E. Livermore, M.D .; T. G. McGannon, M.D .; C. W. Taylor, M.D. ; A. E. Z. Vincelette, M.D. ; C. E. Simpson> M.D.

Training-School for Nurses .- In September, 1887, a training-school for nurses was established, with a course of instruction similar to that found in the best hospitals of our larger eities. With this idea in view, the trustees appointed in May, 1887, as matron, Miss C. B. Whitford, a graduate of the Rhode Island Hos- pital Training-Sehool. The pupil nurses receive daily clinical instruetion in their duties from the matron and superintendent.

The medical staff and superintendent deliver lec- tures once a week (except in summer) upon the various subjects upon which a nurse should be in- formed. The matron holds frequent recitations upon these lectures and upon the text-book lessons. At the end of two years, after final examinations, the nurses thus trained receive certificates, showing the knowledge of nursing, their ability and good charac-

ter. This systematic education of nurses has added largely to the efficiency of the hospital, and will grad- ually furnish to the community a corps of skillful nurses. Four nurses have already been graduated from the training-school, and there are ten members of this school connected with the hospital.

ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL .- In 1866 Sister Emerenti- ana Bowden, daughter of St. Vincent, on her way to Lowell, was advised by the Bishop of the diocese to build a hospital for the care of the siek poor. She at once purchased of Mr. John Nesmith, for $13,000, the Livermore estate, where the hospital now stands. The Sisters, with the assistance of a few gentlemen, prominent among whom was the late John F. McEvoy, Esq., set about devising means to fit up the old yel- low building for temporary use. Father John O'- Brien had a little hospital of his own on Lowell Street, and the patients there, seven in number, were taken by Sister Rose, and thus the work of the hos- pital, ealled St. John's, in honor of the Bishop, com- meneed in May, 1866.

The following winter a special act of incorporation was granted by the Commonwealth, giving the Sis- ters the power of incorporated bodies. A loan of $20,000 was perfected, and a new building, the pres- ent hospital, was built, and opened in the fall of 1867.

The hospital proved to be of insufficient size, and in 1882 the annex was ereeted. Before the building of the annex the Sisters occupied the original tempo- rary hospital, the old wooden building which stands in the grounds to the northeast of the hospital, and is now utilized as an asylum for old ladies. By the building of the annex, accommodations for twenty- five additional patients were secured, as well as a spacious ehapel and dormitory room for the Sisters.

In the spring of 1887 the Farley place was pur- ehased. This is the house (now called St. Anne's) next to the main hospital, on Bartlett Street, now used for the out-patient department and for female surgical eases.

The hospital has a eapaeity for one hundred house- patients, in round numbers, and during the epidemic of la Grippe, in January of the present year (1890), there were aeeommodated 103 patients. In the main hospital there are 54 beds ; in the Old Ladies' Re- treat, the original Livermore house, 21; in St. An- ne's, 9; and in the cottage for contagious diseases, 9. There are seventeen beds in the annex which would be opened for the benefit of the publie should exigen- cy require.

Sister Mary Rose, the original Sister Superior, re- mained until May, 1870. She was sueeeeded by Sis- ter Mariana, who was in charge until May, 1874, when she was suceeeded by the present efficient Su- perior, Sister Beatrice. The peculiar fitness of Sisters of Charity for the office of nurse needs no proving here. A few years ago the French Government re- moved the Sisters from most of the hospitals of Paris,

215

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appointing secular nurses in their stead. This was by no means an improvement, and the most promi- nent physicians of that city have, in the case of seve- ral hospitals, petitioned for a return to the old ré- gime. Suffice it to say that St. John's Hospital to-day has a corps of nurses who reflect honor upon the un- selfish Order to which they belong.

From March 23, 1867, to October 1, 1889, 5798 regular house-patients were cared for.

The first medical staff of the hospital consisted of Drs. John O. Green, Charles A. Savory, Walter Burnham, Joel Spalding, Nathan Allen, Daniel P. Gage, David Wells and Francis C. Plunkett. Of these, Drs. Savory and Plunkett alone survive, and Dr. Plunkett is the only present member of the staff. The changes have been as follows :

In January, 1873, Dr. Gage resigned, from ill health, and Dr. A. W. Buttrick was chosen in his place. In October, 1873, Dr. Burnham retired and Dr. George H. Pillsbury was elected. In August, 1874, Dr. John H. Gilman succeeded Dr. Wells. In January, 1880, Dr. Cyrus W. Fisk succeeded Dr. But- trick. In January, 1884, Dr. Green resigned and Dr. Charles P. Spalding was chosen in his place. In January, 1885, Dr. Walter H. Leighton succeeded Dr. Joel Spalding. In April, 1887, Dr. John C. Irish was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by Dr. Leigh- ton's removal from Lowell. In January, 1889, Drs. Moses G. Parker and Leonard Huntress succeeded Drs. Allen and Savory. In April, 1889, the staff was enlarged by the addition of four new members, and Drs. William Bass, George E. Pinkham, Franklin Nickerson and J. Arthur Gage were appointed, six members serving as physicians and six as surgeous. Dr. Plunkett is chairman of the board, and Dr. Spalding secretary.

The number of house-patients cared for in 1890 was 556. This is larger than in any previous year, there being eighty-one more than in 1890. The whole number of cases treated in the hospital since its commencement is 6055.

Out-Patient Department .- In September, 1888, an Ont-Patient Department was established. The Farley house (St. Anne's) which is utilized for the treatment of out-door patients, contains on the lower floor waiting- rooms, consulting and operating rooms and a well- stocked pharmacy, while on tbe upper floor are found an ovariotomy room, a gynæcological room, a room for the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear and throat, and chambers for convalescents from operations. Clinics are held in the following specialties : diseases of the eye, diseases of the ear and throat, diseases of women, diseases of the nervous system, medicine, sur- gery and dentistry.

The staff is as follows: Dr. M. G. Parker, Dr. R. E. Bell, Dr. H. P. Jefferson, Dr. W. A. Johnson, Dr. B. R. Benner, Dr. F. R. Rix, Dr. C. A. Viles, Dr. W. P. Lawler, Dr. H. Walker, Dr. F. W. Barnes.

In 1889, 1403 patients were treated here and more

than 2200 prescriptions compounded, beside numer- ous renewals. If we add to the number of patients treated in the Out-Patient Department, the 556 who were cared for inside the hospital, it will be seen that nearly 2000 patients have been treated in the in- stitution the past year, aud the number has of late been increasing every year. 1 *

THE LOWELL DISPENSARY .- A preliminary meet- ing of citizens interested in the project of establishing a dispensary, was held January 21, 1836, Luther Law- rence being moderator and James G. Carney, secretary. January 29th, (same year) a meeting for organization was held and a Board of Managers (twelve) was chosen, James G. Carney being chairmau. An act of incorporation was passed by the State Legislature, April 14, 1836, which was accepted by the dispensary June 10, 1836. There was no fund to draw from, and money necessary for the maintenance of this institu- tion was raised by payments of membership-life members contributing twenty dollars and temporary members one and two dollars annually. In this way a large sum was raised, and each year the whole or part of the earnings of this money is expended for medicines for the relief of the worthy sick poor. Dr. Charles P. Spalding is the present dispensary physi- cian.

CITY DISPENSARY .- The city of Lowell passed an ordinance June 10, 1879, appropriating one thou- sand dollars annually for the maintenance of a free dispensary. This is situated in pleasant quarters in the Police Conrt Building on Market Street, and is carried on under the supervision of the overseers of the poor. Twelve physicians are chosen annually who serve without pay, and the medicines are dis- pensed by a competent drug clerk. The physicians in attendance the present year are Drs. J. J. Colton (chairman), Wyllis G. Eaton, Clarence A. Viles, C. P. Spalding, W. A. Johnson, Charles H. Ricker, David N. Patterson, Timothy E. McOwen and Arthur E. Gillard. Dr. Ricker is the secretary. Special clinics are held daily in the following classes of diseases : Surgery, Diseases of the Eye and Ear, Diseases of the Chest, Diseases of Women, Diseases of Children and Medicine. William T. Loftns is drug clerk. Last year (1889), 7837 prescriptions were compounded. For the establishment of this institution the public are indebted in a great measure to the late Dr. Nathan Allen, who called attention to its need in a paper read before the Middlesex North District Medical Society in 1877, entitled "Claims of the Sick Poor."

BOARD OF HEALTH .- A medical history of Lowell would not be complete without mention of the Board of Health, for at all times there is one physician on the board and usually there are two.

In 1878 the city accepted the legislative act estab- lishing a Board of Health, which since that date has

1 Vide Secretary's Report for 1889.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

been composed of the following persons, the first name being that of the chairman, and the last that of the city physician ex officio :

1878 .- J. W. B. Shaw, Michael Hoar, Leonard Huntress, Jr., M.D. 1879 .- J. W. B. Shaw, Michael Hoar, E. W. Trneworthy, M.D.

1880 .- J. W. B. Shaw, Michael Hoar, E. W. Trueworthy, M D.

1881 .- J. W. B. Shaw, Nathan Allen, M.D., E. W. Trueworthy, M.D. 1882 .- J. W. B. Shaw, Nathan Allen, M.D., W. G. Eaton, Jr., M. D.

1883,-J. W. B. Shaw, William M. Hoar, M.D., W. G. Eaton, Jr., M.D.

1884 .- William M. Hoar, M.D., James J. McCarty, M. D., W. G. Eaton, Jr., M.D.

1885 .- J. W. B. Shaw, James J. McCarty, M.D., John J. Colton, M.D. 1886,-J. W. B. Shaw, Nathan Allen, M. D., John J. Colton, M. D.

1887 .- Nathan Allen, M.D., Charles R. Costello, John J. Colton, M.D.

1888 .- James B. Field, M.D., Charles R. Costello, J. Arthur Gage, M.D.

1889 .- James B. Field, M. D., Charles R. Costello, J. Arthur Gage, M.D.

1890 .- James B. Field, M.D., Charles R. Costello, J. Arthur Gage, M. D.

In addition to the routine work of attending to contagious diseases, as required by the Public Statutes, the Health Department collects the ashes and swill of the city, inspects milk, vinegar and provisions, pro- vides public baths, inspects and tests plumbing, etc.

The Board of Health, beginning in the crowded portions of the city, is compelling property-owners to remove privy vaults on all streets where there are sewers.

All plans for plumbing work are submitted to the board for approval, and on completion of the work all plumbing must pass the tests of the inspector before it is connected with the sewer.

When the Board of Health assumed supervision of the inspection of milk and provisions more than one- half of the milk was below standard, and tainted mear was frequently found in the butcher-shops. A rigid series of prosecutions changed all this. Now the markets are in excellent condition, and the quality of the milk has steadily improved.

The use of swill as a food for cows has been almost entirely abolished by the Board of Health within a few years. It is hoped before long to have a suitable furnace for the cremation of the city's garbage.

The Board of Health gives especial attention to contagious diseases, requiring prompt notification, isolation and disinfection in every instance. Disin- fection of each house at the termination of a case is a routine part of the department work. The hospital accommodations for diphtheria and scarlet fever are somewhat limited. The fact that there is no hospital under control of the city, to which such cases can be sent, handicaps the Board of Health, What can be done when a suitable hospital for isolation of a con- tagious disease is furnished, is shown in the case of small-pox. The city is frequently menaced with this disease through additions to its French Canadian population from Montreal. In recent years each epi- demic has been nipped in the bud by prompt depor- tation to the hospital, quarantine of exposed persons, and thorough vaccination throughout the community.

The Health Department of Lowell is, with the ex- ception of that of Boston, second in efficiency to none in the State. Connected with the department are forty inen.

In addition to the members of the board there are the following officers: a superintendent, an assistant superintendent, two inspectors of plumbing, two in- spcetors of vaults and nuisances, an inspector of milk and provisions, and an office clerk. In addition the services of a medical inspector and of a chemist are called into frequent requisition. Until completion of the new City Hall, the Board of Health has its offices at 76 Merrimack Street, requiring four commodious rooms for its purposes.

In preparing this history the writer has of necessity been obliged to solicit the co-operation of his brother practitioners, and he wishes to state that, but for their uniform kindness and courtesy, he could not have. arrived at the small measure of success which he has attained. . He desires to acknowledge especial favors from Drs. James B. Field, David N. Patterson and Franklin Nickerson.

HOMOEOPATHY.

BY EDMUND H. PACKER, M.D.1

WITHIN the present century homeopathy has form- ed a new school of medicine differing radically, and in many respects entirely changing the former methods of treating the sick. Although something had been known previously of the principles on which homeopathy is foundcd, yet it remained for Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, to clearly, define the principle and develop a system of medicine.

He first began his work in 1796, and continued it till his death in Paris in 1844, at the age of eighty- nine. His trials and persecutions at the hands of the medical profession are matters of history ; but he lived long enough to see his system firmly established.

In 1825, Hans Christian Gram, a Danish physician introduced the system into New York, where at first it spread but slowly, though in later years, it has become firmly established there.

In 1838 it was introduced into New England by Dr. Samuel Gregg, of Medford, in the County of Middlesex. At the time he was an active practitioner of medicine, but becoming convinced that homœopathy was a very much better method of treatment, he aban- doncd his former practice, and received a cold shoulder from his brother practitioners as well as from many of his former patients. His greater success, however, brought increased patronage until his death in Boston

1 The work of preparing this history was first assigned to Dr. Bailey, but on his removal to the State of Washington, it unexpectedly fell upon the above to do it, and he trusts that the limited time (eight days) at his disposal, may be a sufficient apology for any shortcomings. Acknowl" edgements are due to Dr. Leland for his aid.

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LOWELL.

in 1873. Thus Middlesex County was the birthplace of homeopathy' in New England ; and from the small beginning, it now forms a very important part of the medical profession.

In 1840 the first homeopathic medical society was organized in Boston under the name of The Homoeo- pathic Fraternity. This gradually increased in num- bers, and in 1856 was incorporated by the State Legislature as The Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society. This society has held its meetings continuously for a half-century, and it now numhers about three hundred practitioners in the State, while there are in the New England States alone something like twelve hundred helonging to this school. Each State has its incorporated medical society, and there is a large number of local societies and clubs belong- ing to this school.

Among the incorporated institutions under homo- opathic management the first was the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital. At the time of its incor- poration, in 1855, it failed by only a single vote in the Senate of securing State aid to the amount of $20,000, and it was not opened for patients until 1871. A public fair in 1873 secured for it a fund of $80,000, since which it has been very successful.

In 1876 a building was erected at a cost, including land, of $76,716. In 1884 additions were made at an expense of $93,500; and the State Legislaturein the past year has granted aid for the erection of buildings to the amount of $120,000.

The present capacity of the hospital is ahout eighty beds; and at the beginning of the present year it had taken care of 4311 patients, with a death-rate of less than four and one-half per cent. The buildings which are now in progress of erection will increase the capacity of this hospital to some- thing like two hundred beds. Several donations and legacies of considerable size attest the interest of the public in the work of this hospital.

The second institution was the Homeopathic Medical Dispensary, incorporated in 1856, and which since that time has provided for over two hundred thousand sick and indigent persons. It is now erect- ing a large and commodious building for its purposes.

Another institution of great importance is the Westboro' Insane Hospital. It was established by the State in 1884, and provides for about five hundred patients. The results of homeopathic treatment in this institution have been of the most satisfactory kind.

The Consumptives' Home, under homoeopathic treatment, has cared for many thousands in this fatal disease.

There are many other institutions in the State which are partially or wholly under homeopathic care. Hospitals have been established at Newton, Taunton, Quincy and Malden, in which homeopathic and allopathic treatment are equally practiced ; and these institutions have proved remarkably successful.

The institution which has proved of the greatest service, not only to homœopathy, but to the profes- sion, and the community, has heen the Boston Uni- versity School of Medicine. This was established in 1873, after the attempt on the part of the allopaths to expel homœopaths from the medical societies, and, if possible, to ostracize them from the profession. With the great interest exhibited in homeopathy by the public, as shown in the extensive and success- ful fair, which realized over $80,000 for the hospital, there arose a demand for a medical school in which this science should be taught. Accordingly, the trustees of Boston University, in conjunction with the friends of homoeopathy, established a Medical Department. At that time the standard of medical education in this country was at a very low point. Students were admitted without previous preparation, attended two courses of lectures, often not more than four months each, and sometimes both courses in the same year; then, after a slight examination, were granted the diploma of Doctor of Medicine. Even diplomas were shamelessly sold to persons utterly ignorant of any branch of medical science, and such persons afterwards advertised themselves as Doctors of Medicine. Even some of the hest schools felt themselves compelled, owing to their small pecuniary resources, to enter into competition with the lower grade of schools in order to secure students. The trustees and faculty of Boston University School of Medicine, from the very first, set themselves rigidly against this dehased form of medical instruction, and it was the first school in America to present in com- hination the following essential elements of a thorough reform in medical education :

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226