USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 34
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The great epidemic or pandemic of 1918 was characterized by its severity and rapidity of attack, and in its singling out of the young, par- ticularly people from 25 to 40 years of age. Its special force was on the respiratory organs, in the form of broncho-pneumonia, bronchitis, pleur- isy, many cases of pneumonia proving fatal in from two to four days. The disease spread so rapidly and attacked so many that it aroused the general public to combat its ravages. It was soon learned that many of the sick were not receiving sufficient care. This being impossible in their surroundings, and with so many sick to properly care for them, a meet- ing was called of representative and official citizens, and at that meeting was started an emergency hospital in the Y. M. C. A. rooms, with a trained nurse in charge. The general public volunteered to help with food, clothing, bedding, and to do any needed work. It was soon in fair working order, and did much to isolate and control the spread and to save many lives by the care they thus received.
We have had in the past thirty-six years some severe winters and hard storms, which for a time interfered with medical work, especially in the country districts. The winter of 1919-1920, however, was the severest winter known to any of us, a constant test to man and beast. Horses were hard to get. We could not use the automobile, while the electric-cars found it so difficult to run that some divisions were closed. The physicians who passed through that abnormally stormy winter will never forget its severity, nor the obstacles in attending the sick.
The physicians in active practice, in August, 1921, are. in order of length of practice: Mrs. John William Rand, David D. Murphy, Peter J. Mullen, John F. H. Biron, Arthur Lavinac, Otis P. Mudge, Clarence Hines and Charles Warren.
Physicians in Lawrence-When it became known that the great water power of the Merrimac river was to be utilized at a point near the old Andover bridge between Andover and Methuen, this same thought came into the minds of hundreds of recent graduates of medicine, "What a fine place for me to start the practice of medicine." In the days before Lawrence was founded, the young doctors were looking anxiously for locations, while now there is a scarcity of doctors, and many towns are looking anxiously for doctors. The first doctor to take his chance in the new settlement was Dr. Moses L. Atkinson. Dr. Atkinson was born in
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Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1814. He graduated from Dartmouth Col- lege in 1838, and from Harvard Medical School in 1844. He died in 1852. In those days the family physician was obliged to depend upon himself, in deciding what was the matter with his patient, and what treatment he would give, for there were no laboratory experts, or X-ray machines, and very few specialists.
When a few rough houses had been built around the dam then in the process of construction, when the later Lawrence was variously re- ferred to as the New Settlement, Andover Bridge, and Merrimac, Mr. J. F. C. Hayes came here, and on October 10, 1846, began the publication of a weekly newspaper, the Merrimac "Courier." In the first issue of this paper appears this advertisement: "E. W. Morse, M. D., physician and surgeon, office at Mr. Timothy Osgood's on the Turnpike, Merrimac, Mass." One week later there appeared in the "Courier" this item: "The first physician in this place was Dr. M. L. Atkinson, who came into town October, 1845, and opened an office here the first day of January, 1846."
Below is a list of the first eighteen physicians to settle in Lawrence, arranged in the order in which they settled here: M. L. Atkinson, J. Brown, William D. Lamb, David Dana, N. Ayer, J. H. Curtis, C. Marsh, A. D. Blanchard, J. Harris, Aaron Ordway, E. W. Morse, E. B. Allen, J. H. Morse, J. H. Curtis, G. W. Sanborn, C. Gibbs, N. Swift, J. A. Parant.
Following are a few notes, of some of the representative physicians who have lived and died in Lawrence:
Dr. G. W. Garland was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, January 3, 1813, of Dutch and English descent. According to the custom of that age, he studied for two years under preceptors, at first in Laconia, New Hampshire, and afterwards in Boston. He graduated from Bow- doin Medical School in 1837. He practiced for the first seventeen years in New Hampshire, coming to Lawrence in 1865. Dr. Garland, although a very busy man, found time to write many valuable articles for the medi- cal magazines. He died in Lawrence, May 5, 1881.
Dr. J. G. McAllister was born in 1842. He entered the army of the North in the War of '61, immediately after graduating from the medical school, serving about two years as surgeon. When the war closed, he came to Lawrence and began the practice of medicine. Dr. McAllister practiced medicine in Lawrence for forty-two years. He was a trusted and able counselor to his patients, as well as to his fellow practitioners. He died on June 20, 1908, at the age of sixty-six.
Dr. Michael Roberts practiced medicine in Lawrence for more than thirty years. He was a busy and successful practitioner of medicine, and died in February, 1884.
Dr. David Dana graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1847, and in the same year began the practice of medicine in Lawrence. He practiced medicine in Lawrence for forty-one years, and for many years
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he was the leader of the local medical profession. He died in 1888.
Dr. George W. Sargent was the son of Dr. Seneca Sargent, a promi- nent physician of Lawrence. Dr. George W. Sargent was born in Ver- mont in the year 1834, coming to Lawrence when he was twelve years of age. He graduated from the Albany Medical School in 1857 and be- gan the practice of medicine in Lawrence in 1858. During the Civil War Dr. Sargent was assistant surgeon in the famous 6th Massachusetts Regiment. For many years after the Civil War he was a surgeon with the rank of major in the Massachusetts Militia. Dr. Sargent was one of the best known physicians, that Lawrence has produced. As a physi- cian and surgeon, he was a wise and safe counselor. As a medical wit- ness, his reputation was Statewide. He died January 1, 1893.
Dr. Frank B. Flanders was born May 16, 1850, and died September 28, 1911. His academic education was obtained in the public schools of Lawrence and Harvard College. He graduated from Harvard College in 1874, and from Harvard Medical School in 1878. He spent one year as house officer in the Rhode Island Hospital and began the practice of medi- cine in Lawrence in 1879. Dr. Flanders began the practice of medi- cine at about the time that antisepsis became known, and surgery was fast becoming an exact science. He early developed a liking for surgery, and became one of the most skilful surgeons in Northeastern Massa- chusetts. He was a tireless worker, and was always completely happy when caring for the sick.
Dr. Albert W. Hancock, was born in Antigna, one of the British West Indies, in the year 1877, and died by drowning June 18, 1915. A brilliant young man, his death was a distinct loss to Lawrence.
Dr. S. Wedell A. Abbott was born October 24, 1849, and died Sep- tember 1, 1916. Dr. Abbott graduated from the New York University Medical School in 1879. He was for many years the leading physician of Lawrence, in general medicine and obstetrics.
In 1873 the Rev. Charles N. Dunning, the Lawrence City mission- ary, saw the need of a day nursery for children, while their mothers were at work, and also a hospital, where people without homes could be cared for when ill. In a very short time, he so interested fifteen of the good women of Lawrence that they formed a society and adopted the name of "Ladies' Union Charitable Society." The results of the humble be- ginning by Mr. Dunning and these women is the Lawrence General Hos- pital of today where over three thousand patients are cared for every year.
Ooctober 5, 1875, the Ladies' Union Charitable Society was organ- ized and January 4, 1876, a charter of incorporation was given by the State Legislature of Massachusetts. The first officers of this society were: President, Mrs. A. P. Clark; vice president and treasurer, Mrs. William A. Russell; there was a board of twelve directors. At first the society hired a few rooms, and four children were cared for during the
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day. In May, 1877, it was decided to keep the children over night. Dur- ing the same month the invalids' home was established and four patients were admitted. It seems that the Invalids' Home was intended at first only for people who were slightly ill, or needed a rest, for in 1880 it was voted to admit only persons that were really ill. During the first five months of the existence of the Invalids' Home, seventeen patients were admitted. Dr. Susan E. Crocker was the medical supervisor of the home and made one hundred and eighteen visits on these seventeen patients. January 1, 1878, Dr. David Dana was asked to assist Dr. Crocker in the care of patients in the Invalids' Home, and a few months later Dr. O. T. Howe began to assist Drs. Crocker and Dana. In 1880, the name of Dr. W. D. Lamb appears in the records of the Home as a regular attendant. During this year a larger home was hired on Mont- gomery street, to take care of the increasing number of patients. This building was used until the new hospital was finished. In 1881, Dr. C. N. Chamberlain was appointed as a visiting physician. During the first years of the life of the Invalids' Home, there often arose the question of closing the institution for lack of funds, but in every emergency some- thing happened to save the day. Either some patient would pay a board bill, or a friend would give a few dollars to tide over the crisis.
In 1881 the Society bought land on Methuen street, and began to build a brick building, sixty feet long, twenty-four feet wide, and three stories high, and the cost was to be seven thousand dollars. In Feb- ruary, 1882, the new building, still called the Invalids' Home was opened, and the first patient admitted was a women with a compound fracture of the leg.
During the year 1882 the names of Dr. J. G. McAllister, and Dr. C. G. Carleton were added to the list of visiting physicians. In October, 1882, a training school for nurses was organized. In 1883 Dr. H. M. Chase's name was added to the staff. During this year one trained nurse was employed, and there seemed need of another, but money was lacking. During this year Dr. Chamberlain resigned and Dr. S. W. Abbott was elected to fill his place. Up to this time it seems that only women and girls were admitted to the home, for in 1882 it was voted to admit male as well as female patients, and wards were fitted out for both sexes. In this same year an operating room was fitted out. It was a source of great satisfaction to the members of the society that no surgical case need to be sent to Boston for treatment. With all these additions and improvements the debt grew larger every year, and many people thought bankruptcy was imminent, but the storm was always weathered.
In 1885 a regular consulting medical staff, consisting of Drs. David Dana, C. N. Chamberlain, G. W. Sargent, was appointed. The active staff consisted of Drs. S. W. Abbott, S. E. Crocker, C. G. Carleton, H. M. Chase, O. T. Howe, J. G. McAllister, G. C. Talbot. June 20, 1885, the medical staff organized, with Dr. David Dana president and home secre-
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tary. The number of patients for this year was ninety-seven. From this time on the hospital was run in an orderly manner, and began to be recognized as one of the good hospitals in Massachusetts. In 1886 the new building was finished, and dedicated, and all debts were paid. The name adopted was the Lawrence General Hospital. From this time on, the work of the hospital increased rapidly, and in 1898 it became appar- ent that a larger building was needed. This became possible through the legacy of Mr. William A. Russell, who left in his will a large tract of land and the Russell homestead at the corner of Prospect and Garden streets. The homestead was enlarged and remodeled and dedicated No- vember 20, 1902, and two surgical wards were added. Since the hos- pital was dedicated, there have been added the Parker ward, donated by Mr. W. E. Parker, and used for the treatment of diphtheria and scarlet fever. Mrs. R. M. Cross has given a bungalow for the isolation of doubtful cases. There have also been added a maternity ward, a chil- dren's ward and a new nurses' home.
The Lawrence General Hospital now has many departments excelled by few hospitals in the United States. The training school for nurses is one of the best to be found in Massachusetts, and the graduates of this school stand very high. Since the Lawrence General Hospital training school was started that have been graduated two hundred and fifty-five nurses. In 1918 the University of the State of New York placed the Lawrence General Hospital on the accredited list of hospitals of the United States and Canada. The graduates of such accredited hospitals have a very high standing in every country in the world.
Chief clerk and almoner, Timothy M. Riley, of the Health and Chari- ties department of Lawrence, in 1921 gave out the following: There was a commission appointed December 28, 1908, to erect a Tuberculosis Hos- pital, under Mayor John P. Kane's administration. The cost of the land and buildings was $47,500.06. The hospital has a capacity for caring for one hundred patients at a cost of $475 a bed. The trustees were Alexander L. Siskind, James F. Lanigan, Fred H. Eaton and James Flan- agan, all of whom resigned March 19, 1912, when the new city govern- ment went into effect. The first superintendent appointed was Miss Mary Cahill; second superintendent, Miss Anna Allen, appointed April 20, 1912; third superintendent, Dr. T. J. Joyce, appointed December 1, 1919. Edward C. Callahan is the present director of Health and Charities. The present school physicians are Drs. Bannon, Bartley, Schwartz, McCarthy, Cyr, Levek. The city physician is Dr. P. J. McKallagat and the assistant is Dr. O'Reilly.
The records show that the people looked after the unfortunate and afflicted persons away back before Civil War days. At a meeting held January 9, 1861, David Ambrose was elected superintendent of the Almhouse. The value of the land, stock, produce and fixtures on hand was then $8,622.55. In December, 1860, six and one-half acres more
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land was secured at an expense of $656.19. The various superintendents of the Almshouse and Cottage Hospital from 1892 on were as follows: F. S. Spaulding, J. F. Calhoun, Otis Freeman, James J. Stanley, Dr. T. J. Joyce, Dr. J. A. Bacon. The last named is still serving, having com- menced in December, 1919. The insane patients were turned over to the Danvers State Asylum in September, 1904, and at that time there were turned over to the state authorities sixty-four insane. Total of sixty-three beds: 31 female and 32 male inmates. The number of pa- tients admitted to the Municipal hospital during the year 1920 was 704. Number inmates in Almhouse January 1, 1921-male, 63; female, 39; total, 102. The total cost of almhouse and hospital for the year 1920 was $90,646.47. The present school nurse is Mary T. Murphy; school dentists, Drs. W. O'Brien and W. H. Fingleton.
October 27, 1875, fifteen doctors of Lawrence met at the house of Dr. C. N. Chamberlain, for the purpose of forming a medical club. The reasons why these doctors wished to form a club were, that they wished to know one another better, and they believed that a meeting once a month of the medical men of Lawrence would result in mutual improve- ment and social enjoyment. Each of these fifteen men knew the need of such a club, and so without much discussion a club was formed and the by-laws were drafted and accepted. The name adopted was the Law- rence Medical Club. The object of the club as stated in the by-laws was mutual improvement in the art and science of medicine. The charter members were Doctors, William D. Lamb, David Dana, Michael Roberts, C. C. Talbot, Eugene S. Yates, Charles P. Morrill, J. G. McAllister, H. M. Chase, George W. Sargent, George W. Garland, C. N. Chamberlain, Timothy Sullivan, Thomas Manley, James Pierce, O. T. Howe, F. B. Flan- ders, C. G. Carleton, John H. Crawford. Of these eighteen original mem- bers, only one is alive today, Dr. O. T. Howe, who lives in Boston and is in good health. The club has increased in size every year since its formation, and now has thirty-six members. The Lawrence Medical Club has always served a good purpose in Lawrence. The meetings have relieved the monotony of medical practice. The papers read at the monthly meetings, the exchange of views, and the experiences of the members have been of help. This club has done good work in opposing pernicious legislation and in promoting legislation beneficial to the health of the community.
The following doctors of Lawrence were officers in the Great War. The first to enlist was Dr. J. Forrest Burnham. He was in the service nineteen months, nearly all of that time in command of the medical de- partment of the Remount Station at Camp Devens.
Dr. H. H. Nevers was a member of the National Guard when the war began, and was transferred to the regular army. He was later dis- charged because of physical disability. Dr. George P. Howe, the only physician from Lawrence to be killed in battle, enlisted in the English
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Army in 1917. He was killed in the Polygon woods September 28, 1917. Dr. Walter M. Crandall, Dr. Harold M. Allen, Dr. Richard B. Leith, Dr. Rolf C. Norris, and Dr. Joseph M. Scanlon, served with the American Army in France.
The doctors who enlisted and received military training were Drs. G. S. Allen, L. M. Ashton, Joseph A. Bacon, Alfred W. Burr, John F. Curtin, Henry F. Dearborn, Timothy S. Donovan, John J. Hilton, Hugh F. Lena, Joseph A. Levek, Justin A. McCarthy, Wm. H. Merrill, Thomas W. Murphy, Francis A. O'Reilley, Arthur A. Rattey, Andrew F. Shea, Millard Clark, V. A. Reed.
The following men died in the service: Alfred W. Burr, Justin A. McCarthy, Millard Clark.
The only doctor from Lawrence to enlist in the Spanish War was Dr. George E. Chamberlain. He was also in the World War.
In the Civil War were Drs. C. G. Carleton, J. G. McAllister, George W. Sargent, David Dana, C. N. Chamberlain, H. M. Chase, George C. Howard.
Although few of the doctors of Lawrence were fortunate enough to cross the Atlantic, it seemed that they have enough in common, to form a society, so that in September, 1920, such a society was formed, and had its first meeting September 3, 1921. The club has seventeen members, and the meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of Feb- ruary, May, September and December. Dr. William H. Merrill is presi- dent of the club, and Dr. Joseph M. Scanlon secretary and treasurer. 'The charter members are G. S. Allen, J. A. Bacon, E. H. Ganley, J. A. Levek, W. H. Merrill, H. H. Nevers, F. A. O'Reilley, J. M. Scanlon, Har- old M. Allen, J. F. Burnham, H. F. Dearborn, J. J. Hilton, R. B. Leith, T. W. Murphy, R. C. Norris, V. A. Reed.
Physicians of Peabody Since 1867-The period of time in the history of Essex county from the year 1865 to 1900 was, generally speaking, the generation after the close of the Civil War. During those years medical practice in the town was for the most part in the hands of four well-known practitioners.
Dr. George Sterne Osborn was born in Peabody in the year 1839. He was the youngest son of Dr. George and Sarah (Whitridge) Osborn, his mother being the daughter of Captain Whitridge. He was educated in the public schools of Salem and entered Harvard College in 1856. In 1859 he began his studies in the Harvard Medical School and was gradu- ated from this school in 1862. Immediately after graduation he enlisted in the First Massachusetts Cavalry, and on March 17, 1863, became assistant surgeon, with the rank of lieutenant. In December of the same year he was promoted to the rank of major, and made surgeon of the Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry, which position he held until the following year, when he resigned on account of illness. On recovering his health he returned to the service and was made surgeon in charge of the Hos-
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pital Transport "George Leary", remaining in that position until Sep- tember, 1865, when he was discharged. He spent the next two years abroad, completing his medical education by studies in Vienna and Paris. Upon his return he was married to Sarah Pollard Vanbrunt, in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1868, and immediately commenced the practice of medi- cine in Peabody, in which work he continued constantly until the death of his wife in 1894. He then retired from practice and devoted his time to travel and study. Dr. Osborn was a close student of French and Ger- man, and could read these languages as fluently as English. During the years of his active practice in Peabody, he served for several years on the school board, and was for many years a director of the Warren National Bank. He was an active member of the Second Corps of Cadets, serving as surgeon of both the active and Veteran Corps, and was also medical examiner of the Eighth District of Essex County for sev- eral years. He was greatly interested in yachting, and was familiar with the waters all along the eastern coast of the United States. The last few years of his life were spent in Salem, where he died June 1, 1901. One son and two daughters survived him.
Dr. Charles Colby Pike was born in New London, New Hampshire, May 5th, 1844. He attended the New London Academy and then served in the 11th New Hampshire Volunteers during the Civil War. In 1869 he graduated from Dartmouth Medical College and after two years of practice in New Hampshire he came to Peabody and was engaged con- stantly in the very active practice of his profession from 1871 until his sudden death in January, 1894. The local paper of January 31st, 1894, had this headline, "Peabody Mourns the Loss of a Good Physician and Friend" and added "No man has died in Peabody for a generation whose loss has called forth such a universal feeling of sympathy and general expression of regard. There has not been so large a public funeral in Peabody since the funeral of George Peabody." Dr. Pike filled a very large and conspicuous place in the community during all the years of his busy life here. He was active in all the affairs of the town, but conspicu- ously so in the organization and carrying on of the Law and Order League. He had the rare faculty of hating the evil without hating the evil-doer. He devoted his life and strength to the things which seemed to him to be of the greatest importance, and was not a seeker of public office, although he was for several years a member of the Pension Board, a member of the Board of Health and a very active and helpful member of the South Church and the Grand Army of the Republican. In his professional work, he was enthusiastic, energetic and efficient and gave his strength and skill alike to those who could compensate him and those who could not. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of the Masonic Order, Odd Fellows and other fraternal bodies. He was generally conceded to be an all-round, strong man, a good citizen, an efficient physician and the friend of everyone. His years of medical
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service stand out prominently in the history of Peabody during the gen- eration in which he lived. Dr. Pike was twice married; his second wife, who survived him, but who has since died, was Miss Susan Baker, daugh- ter of Francis Baker of Peabody. He left no children.
Dr. George Melville Frost was another active practitioner of medi- cine in Peabody during the same term of years, following the Civil War. He was the son of Joshua and Catherine (Paul) Frost and was born at Eliot, Maine, April 27, 1843. He was graduated from Berwick Academy and began the study of medicine with Dr. C. H. Guptill, later entering the Medical School of Maine and receiving his M. D. degree from that institu- tion in 1869. Immediately after graduation he began the practice of medicine in Peabody, where he remained until his death, on June 20, 1898. He built up a large and lucrative practice, and was prominent as a member of the Board of Health, being chairman of the board for nearly twenty years. He also held other official positions in the town. He traveled and studied abroad and was, during his whole life, a close student of medical literature and of definite and fixed opinions. He was married in 1873 to Miss Asenath Ober, who survives him. He had no children. His valuable term of service to the community covered a period of twenty-nine years, from 1869 to 1898.
Dr. Fitzwilliam Sargent Worcester was born in South Framing- ham, April 1, 1857, and was the son of Dr. Samuel H. Worcester, for- merly of Salem. He graduated from the Harvard Medical School in the class of 1873. Later he took up the study of Homeopathic practice, taking a course of instruction in Paris and Vienna. He then began the practice of medicine in Peabody, and remained there continuously for a period of forty years, his death occuring in December, 1913. Dr. Wor- cester was a type of the "old school" family doctors, being very kind- hearted and friendly towards all classes and conditions of society and most faithful and painstaking in his efforts to relieve those who came under his care. He made a special study of the diseases of children and diseases of the lungs, being especially successful in treating pneumonia. He was much interested in the formation of a Medical Club which should include all the physicians of the town. Such a club was formed, largely through his efforts, and he was elected its first president. A widow, one son, Dr. George F. Worcester, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and a daugh- ter survive him. Dr. Worcester was the only homeopathic practitioner during the forty years of his residence here.
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