USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 33
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Physicians of Ipswich-There have been fewer changes among the physicians of Ipswich in the past thirty years than in any other profes- sion. In 1890 there were practicing in Ipswich, in the following order, Dr. Charles Palmer, Dr. William E. Tucker, Dr. William H. Clark, and
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Dr. George E. MacArthur. Drs. Clark and Palmer are now deceased. There are now six physicians in the following order of seniority: Dr. William E. Tucker, Dr. George E. MacArthur, Dr. Charles E. Ames, Dr. George G. Bailey, Dr. Frank L. Collins and Dr. Burleigh B. Mansfield. Following are brief biographies of the physicians who have practiced in Ipswich during the past thirty years:
Dr. Charles E. Ames, born in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1863, graduated at the Brockton high school, and at the Heinemann Medical School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1886. He settled in Ipswich in 1894 and has practiced there since. Dr. Ames married Miss Annie Hayes of Ipswich. They have six children. In addition to general prac- tice, Dr. Ames gives special attention to roentgenology and general ex-ray work. He is a member of the Essex County Homeopathic Medical So- ciety and the American Institute of Homeopathy. His two oldest sons are medical students.
Dr. George G. Bailey, born in Rowley, Massachusetts, graduated at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and the Harvard Medical School; settled in Ipswich and has practiced there since 1897. He has been medi- cal examiner for Ipswich since 1897, and was a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the 22d Massachusetts District during the recent World War. He has also been a member of the staff of the Benjamin Stickney Cable Memorial Hospital since that institution was established in 1917. Dr. Bailey married Miss Grace Damon of Ipswich, and they have three children.
Dr. Michael C. McGinley was born at Adirondack, New York, edu- cated in the public schools, attended the University of Vermont, and the Baltimore Medical College at Baltimore, Maryland. In 1904 he located in Ipswich, where he has since practiced his profession. He has been the town physician for the last ten years, and was a member of the Medi- cal Advisory Board for the 22d Massachusetts District during the World War. In addition to his general practice, Dr. McGinley is much inter- ested in surgery, and conducts a private hospital in connection with his residence on Central street. Dr. McGinley married Miss Mabel Powell, of Orono, Maine; they have one child. Dr. McGinley is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Dr. Frank L. Collins was born in Warren, Maine, educated in the public schools and graduated from the medical school at Bowdoin Col- lege. He settled in Ipswich in 1916, after a year's interneship at the Salem Hospital, and has practiced here and at Rowley, where he now makes his home. Dr. Collins served as a member of the Medical Ad- visory Board during the World War in the 22d Massachusetts District. He is married and had one child. He is engaged in general practice in both towns. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Dr. George E. MacArthur, born in Camden, Maine, was educated at the Waterville Classical Institute, Bowdoin College and the University
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of Vermont, from which institution he graduated. He settled in Ipswich in 1888 and has resided there ever since, excepting one year, which he spent in Europe engaged in travel and post-graduate study in the Lon- don hospitals. Dr. MacArthur has been a member of the Ipswich school committee for more than twenty years ; is chairman of the Ipswich Board of Health, and school physician. He was chairman of the Medical Ad- visory Board of the 22d Massachusetts District during the late World War; was a captain in the Medical Corps of the Massachusetts State Guard, serving in the influenza epidemic of 1918, and in the police strike in Boston in 1919. He has been a member of the attending staff of the Benjamin Stickney Cable Memorial Hospital since the institution was opened in 1917. Dr. MacArthur married Miss Isabel Safford of Camden, Maine; she passed away in January, 1919. He is a member of the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association.
Burleigh B. Mansfield, born in South Hope, Maine, educated in the public schools and at Bowdoin College, from which institution he receiv- ed his degree in medicine; served one year as interne in the Salem Hos- pital, after which he located in Union, New Hampshire, coming to Ips- wich in 1919. He is married and has one child. The doctor is a mem- ber of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Dr. Charles Palmer, a native of New Hampshire, graduated at Dart- mouth Medical College, and served as surgeon in the Civil War. After the close of that war he settled in Ipswich and practiced his profession here until his death. Dr. Palmer is well remembered by the older genera- tion, and was a physician of much skill and a gentleman of the old school. Mrs. Palmer died a few years after the death of her husband, and about two years ago the only child, Prof. Elizabeth Palmer, of Vassar College, also passed away. There are therefore no living descendants of Dr. Palmer. Old friends of the family will always hold them in affection- ate remembrance.
Dr. William E. Tucker, born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, received his medical training at the Long Island Hospital Medical College at Brooklyn, New York. He settled in Ipswich in 1872. Dr. Tucker is one of the best-known physicians in Essex county, and has always enjoyed a large practice in Ipswich and surrounding towns in Essex county. He was medical examiner of the Ipswich district for many years, and was for more than thirty years physician to the Essex County House of Cor-
rection. He is a member of the consulting staff of the Benjamin Stick- ney Cable Memorial Hospital, and was for many years a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. For the past few years Dr. Tucker has spent his winters in Florida, where he has practiced his profession. He is still actively engaged in practice. Dr. Tucker married Miss Anna Tupper of Vermont. They have two children, a son and daughter, both of whom are now in college.
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Dr. William H. Clark, a native of Connecticut and a graduate of the University of New York, settled in Ipswich in 1888, and practiced there until 1897. He was medical examiner of the district the last few years he resided in Ipswich. He afterwards located in Bellingham, Massa- chusetts, where he met his death in a railway accident about twenty years ago. Dr. Clark was about forty-five years of age at the time of his death. He left a wife and one daughter.
Dr. William H. Russell, born in Ipswich, was educated in the public schools and Tufts Medical School. He began practice of medicine after his graduation and resided in Ipswich until his death, which occurred suddenly, about ten years ago. His age at the time of his death was about forty-eight years. He was married, but had no children. Mrs. Russell passed away a few years ago.
The Benjamin Stickney Cable Memorial Hospital was a gift to the trustees of the Ipswich Hospital Corporation, by Richard T. Crane, Jr., of Chicago and Ipswich, as a memorial to his friend, Benjamin Stickney Cable. This hospital was opened August 1st, 1917, and has served most admirably the hospital needs of Ipswich and surrounding towns. Fully to appreciate this hospital, with all of its modern appliances, it must be seen throughout. Briefly, it may be stated that it is strictly an up-to-
date institution. Their printed report for 1920 says that, besides operat- ing the institution, the trustees have been able to pay off about one-half of the $7,128 debt against the property January 1st, 1920. Voluntary contributions have been during the year $13,000. The value of the land, building and equipment of this concern is placed at $208,399. Number of patients admitted in 1920 was 347; number of babies born in hospital, 76 ; expenses, $26,113; total revenue, $26,719. The present (1921) offi- cers are: President, Herbert W. Mason; treasurer, Howard N. Doughty ; secretary, Mrs. Robert S. Kimball; superintendent, Miss Blanche M. Thayer. The active and visiting staff of doctors: Drs. G. G. Bailey, Frank L. Collins, George E. MacArthur.
Methuen Physicians-1921 .-- The following are practicing medicine in Methuen at this date: Drs. Roy V. Baketel, W. E. Nutt, John Parr, victor Reed, Howard L. Cushman, Ed H. Genley, and Ralph C. Norris.
Medical Profession at Amesbury .- Writing a history of the practice of medicine in Amesbury, which for its purpose must be somewhat limited in its scope, or to fix a time limit, would be to forget the practitioners who carried on the work long before this modern age. It is important to recall, so far as we have any knowledge, a few of the older physicians, that their names may not be lost entirely. They may become, as they are, 'a part of this history.
The first noted physician of which we have knowledge was Josiah Bartlett, born at the Ferry district, although he did not practice here. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of American Independence. He is honored by a monument which stands in Huntington Square.
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A long gap intervenes, in which we find no record of physicians until about the year 1800. Somewhere about that time, Dr. Jonathan French and Dr. Brown, the latter combining preaching with the practice of med- icine, were practicing here. Dr. Nehemiah Ordway practiced in town somewhat later. He lived on Main street. His memory is preserved in the name of Ordway School, on School street. Dr. Israel Balch, who studied with Dr. French, resided at the Ferry district. He died in 1858. Dr. Henry Dearborn lived on Main street, and Dr. Gale on' High street. Dr. Carswell, who lived on Elm street, was a large, full-bearded man, and was minus one leg. Dr. Thomas Sparhawk, who lived on School street, at the head of Main street, was bluff and hearty, as well as free- hearted and generous, with an unusually heavy voice. We seem to hear that impressive voice asking: "How's your bowels?" His memory is preserved by the name of Sparhawk street. These names bring us up to 1860 and 1865 and some time after the Civil War. Then we find the name of Dr. Hurd, who practiced in Amesbury until he accepted an offi- cial position in Ipswich, Mass., soon after 1865. Dr. John A. Douglass settled on Main street, afterwards removing to Upper Main street, where he resided until his death, in 1916. He was a good physician and a highly respected resident. Dr. Horace G. Leslie, who settled in the Ferry district and died in 1907, was also a good physician, a kind man, a fluent, ready orator, and a writer of some ability. There was a Dr. Mer- ritt and a Dr. Jones here for a short time. A Dr. McAllister, a Dr. Nor- ton, and Dr. Graelie are also to be recalled. During these years, that re- markable woman, Mary Baker Eddy, lived here or was visiting at the Ferry district, and for a time with Mrs. Sarah Bagley, who posed as some kind of a healer.
This brings us to 1885, when the physicians were as follows: Drs. John A. Douglass, Horace G. Leslie, John Carswell, John Q. Adams, John A. FitzHugh, Benjamin Young, Charles Stanley, John W. Rand and A. Toole. These physicians, with new practitioners, Drs. David D. Mur- phy, Trudell, John F. H. Biron and Herman Cooper, complete the list to 1900. Later came Drs. Peter Mullen, Herbert C. Leslie, Arthur Lavinac, Otis P. Mudge, Clarence Hines, Fred S. Evelett, H. P. Robinson, C. W. Warren. Some practitioners and their personalities have been with us during the past thirty-six years. Dr. John Q. Adams, who lived on Main street, was a stern man, a good physician, a reader, and student particular- ly of social problems. Dr. David D. Murphy, short and thick set, with a hearty mien, is one of our most successful practitioners. He lives on Main street and is still active, spending the winter months in Florida. He always had and likes a fast horse. Dr. O'Toole was a politician of force on Amesbury. Dr. Charles Stanley, who resided on Market street, a homœopathic physician, left a fund for children's outings ; he had a large practice. Dr. Trudell, recalled as a fine-looking French physician, soon left for other fields. Dr. Benjamin H. Young lived on Cushing street.
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A quiet pleasing man ; he never hurried, and enjoyed the confidence of his clientele. Dr. Herman Cooper, who lived on Market street, was de- voted to surgery and became a fairly good operator, with plenty of cour- age. He died in 1908. Dr. John A. FitzHugh lived on Main street. He went to London to study and specialize in skin diseases. He finally settled here, and built up a large practice. Subsequently he was struck by a locomotive and seriously injured, but lived to be an active worker in the local medical society. He died in 1914.
The disease most common in 1886 was typhoid fever. We always had this infection in the spring and fall. Consumption was common. Diphtheria was a dreaded disease and common, together with summer catarrhal diseases in children. In 1889 first appeared the epidemic of influenza, which was characterized by fever, chills, muscular pains and general prostration ; while severe, it yet differed from the later epidemic in expending its action, not on the respiratory organs, but more on the heart and nervous system. The years from 1885 to 1921 were a period of great advance in the knowledge and the application of medicine and remedies to relieve sickness. Our principal reliance up to 1896 was upon vegetable and mineral products, of which many are still in use. The coal-tar derivitives were used extensively in the 90's. Aside from vaccination, we knew little of vaccine and serum treatment. The study of the causes and the history of nearly all infective and contagious dis- eases have been so active and successful that it has revolutionized the practice of medicine. The tuberculosis bacteria was discovered in 1883. Antitoxin was used in 1895. Typhoid vaccine has been perfected, both as a preventive and cure, so that the disease is under control, and we seldom see a case. With regard to yellow-fever and malaria, their causes have been thoroughly discovered and their methods of cure duly per- fected. It is hoped that cures for cancer, tuberculosis and all infective and contagious diseases will yield to serum and vaccine treatments. The study of the glandular system promises to help. We use them in our practice. The endeavor is to stimulate the natural resistant forces of the body, to stimulate antigeus and to form antibodies, which are de- structive to germs. The great advance in knowledge of sepsis and anti- septics has opened the way to more progressive operative work. Sterili- zation and cleanliness, with plenty of pure fresh air, are recognized as the principles. This holds good of all kinds of wounds; even simple in- cised wounds are now carefully sterilized. The attendant at confine- ments, so far as is possible, is careful to sterilize himself and his sur- roundings. The physicians of Amesbury have kept step with the march of medical science so far as our field will allow. The treatment of syphilis and gonorrhea has advanced, but in these diseases prevention is the thing. local anaesthesia by cocaine and its salts, grows in volume, while freezing with ethyl-chloride is extensively used. The discovery and perfecting of the X-Ray and its application is of the greatest benefit to the profession,
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especially in the case of fractures and dislocations, and in locating foreign bodies in the anatomy. Dr. David D. Murphy bought the first X-Ray static machine and used it extensively and successfully. There are now three of them in town. Dr. Clarence Hines, Dr. Peter J. Mullin and Dr. David D. Murphy now use the blood-pressure apparatus, which is of use in all obscure cases and in insurance work.
The Amesbury Medical Society was organized in 1896, with the fol- lowing-signed members: Drs. John Q. Adams, John A. Douglass, Her- man Cooper, John A. FitzHugh, Daniel D. Murphy, Horace G. Leslie, Benjamin H. Young and John W. Rand. Meetings are held every two weeks at the home of the members in alphabetic order, with the host as president of the evening. Dr. John W. Rand was the first secretary and Dr. John A. Douglass the first treasurer. The only original members are Dr. John W. Rand and Dr. Daniel D. Murphy. Papers were read and discussed and a repast was served. In 1899 a fire destroyed the house and office, with contents, of Dr. John W. Rand, wiping out the books of records of, the meetings. Later, a book was lost, so that we have no record until 1907, when with increased membership the affiliated physi- cians were the following: Drs. John Q. Adams, J. Edgar Blake, Herman Cooper, John A. Douglass, John A. FitzHugh, Herbert G. Leslie, Peter J. Mullen, Daniel D. Murphy, John W. Rand, H. P. Robinson, Ar- thur Lavinac, Benjamin H. Young, J. F. H. Biron. Fred. S. Evelett and Olis P. Mudge in 1909. These meetings came every two weeks until 1914, except during the summer months, when owing to death, resigna- tions and loss of interest, meetings were only called when important business demanded attention. The membership in 1921 comprises Drs. J. Edgar Blake, D.D.S., Clarence Hines, Daniel D. Murphy, Peter J. Mul- len, Otis P. Mudge, John W. Rand, Charles Warren, Arthur Lavinac and John F. H. Biron.
Many years ago an effort was made to establish a small hospital here. At a duly-called meeting, an association was formed; it after- wards received state authority. The late Cyrus W. Rowell was the first president ; Dr. Herman Cooper was clerk and Harvey Loocke, treasurer. There is need of a hospital in town to care for maternity and operative cases ; and, as we have an industrial business, such an institution is needed to care for accident cases. Some progress has recently been made in securing a site. In 1899 Dr. David D. Murphy was appointed assistant medical examiner, and has held that office since.
The selectmen have appointed a town physician to take medical care of indigent poor cases. This position has been filled by different physi- cians. Dr. Arthur Lavinac is at present town physician. The exami- nation of the dead body by autopsy was quite common up to 1900. With the advance in surgery there is less need of such work. It is seldom we have a post mortem.
We have a pest house in Amesbury, located back of the town farm. It is in decay and has not been used for years.
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The Old Ladies' Home is located in the Ferry district, Main street, and is a comfortable, substantial building. The physicians give their time and care freely, each in rotation serving two months. We are glad to do this work.
Five years ago the town purchased a police ambulance. This has been of great benefit to the people, as well as to the police. There are quick responses to accident and insane cases, and also cases requiring hospital attention. Its great value was shown in the influenza epidemic of 1918.
Two of the pulmonic apparatus were purchased, one to be left at the police station, the other on the fire apparatus. They are of doubtful utility, although it is well to have them in cases of drowning or asphyxic from any cause.
All physicians in Amesbury have their office in their homes. The equipment varies from special apparatus for the nose and throat to the X-Ray vibrators and fluroscope machines. All physicians have a blood pressure gage, and carry an office supply of medicines, mostly in tablet form. A charge is made to cover the cost of the tablets. All our physicians prescribe freely as needed.
There are six drug stores in town, all in fine condition. The older druggists have died or been supplanted by new men. It is interesting to note the change in the arrangement of the tinctures, fluid extracts and spirits; these have been relegated to back shelves or back room, by the prescription counter.
The Board of Health is an elective office, and consists of three mem- bers. Its activities in 1885 were to receive reports of infective and con- tagious diseases and to placard houses for small-pox, diphtheria .and scarlet fever, keep a record of deaths, and fumigate where it was thought necessary. This fumigation was later done away with, as it was of no utility against germs. We depend on cleanliness, sunlight, fresh air and isolation. For twenty years board of health have been more active in looking more carefully after the public health. The list of reportable diseases is quite lengthy, and includes all contagious diseases. Cultures are required in all diphtheria cases. All sputum examinations are made free by the State Board of Health. Dr. Peter J. Mullen was at one time the town bacteriologist. After investigation and objection, the office was discontinued. All specimens are sent to Boston for examina- tion. Vaccination is compulsory among all school children.
Prior to July 1, 1912, when the Workmen's Compensation Act be- came a law, the workman injured in industry found himself without any legal claim for the loss of his wages, doctors' bills and his sufferings. He bore the whole burden himself. The law recognizes that he should not bear the whole burden, but that a part of it should be charged up to industry. This has been of great benefit to all concerned. We make full use of the act in our industries. A workman, even with very slight
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injury, now feels free to have surgical care, and in many cases this pre- vents more serious trouble. Some of our factories have first-aid rooms, with a nurse in attendance.
The invention and development of the automobile is one of great benefit to the medical profession, also to the sick public. The physician is enabled to respond quickly to emergency calls and can do his work without the weariness of the long rides with a tired horse. All physi- cians in active practice in Amesbury use the automobile. The first one bought and used here for his practice belonged to Dr. Herman Cooper. It was a small affair, a gasoline driven buck-board. Machines were pur- chased from time to time, and local doctors all use them today.
Most physicians secure a change either by a summer or a winter vacation. This is a matter which each physician must determine for himself. Some prefer to give constant service and probably are as well off, as most vacationists return tired, tanned and lazy.
Following the discovery of the bacillus tuberculosis and better knowl- edge in combating its spread, an active movement, national and State, was started, with local societies in nearly every town, to spread its his- tory and to enlighten and instruct the general public as to cause and rem- edy. While the enthusiastic hopes have not been wholly realized, a great amount of good has come. The disease in Amesbury prior to 1908 was very common, now we do not have many cases. The extreme treat- ment has given way to more rational methods. In 1908 a local Red Cross Society was formed here, and has been active in helping the sick with money and other ways. It has assisted tubercular cases to the hos- pital, while a nurse responds to calls by the hour.
The science and art of nursing has been developed greatly within thirty-six years. Time was when nurses in Amesbury were supposed to be on the work 24 hours a day. Their duties were to attend the sick patients, do the cooking and general housework for the family, wash and dress and attend to the children, and with it all keep a good countenance and cheerful manner. The experienced one did surprisingly well. Most of the old nurses are dead. I know of only one nurse living who was with us thirty-six years ago. She is 87 now, a cheerful, happy lady, with many friends. We now have young, well-trained women nurses, who are of the greatest help to the physicians, easing him of many worries and cares. In all important cases we place a trained nurse in attendance, a long remove from the "Sara Gamp type." A registry of nurses was kept for years at the store of Frederick Merrill. After his death, the practice fell away. A school nurse is now required to look after public school childen, acting in concert with the school physician. Miss McBurnie was the first school nurse, and Dr. Herman Cooper the first school physician.
The World War finally involved this nation in its terrible tragedy. A national draft law was passed, calling for 1,000,000 young men to help preserve to the world that freedom for which our ancestors fought for
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and died. There served on the draft board from this town, Drs. Otis P. Mudge, Herbert G. Leslie and Charles Warren, the last-named seeing service.
The first epidemic of influenza appeared in 1889 and sporadically up to 1893. The features of the disease were different from the epidemic of 1918. The initial stages were much the same as with chills, prostra- tions, fever, cough, muscular pains and weakness, and the effects were more keenly felt by persons of middle and old age. The disease left its mark on the heart and nervous system.
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