USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 1 > Part 32
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He was born at Exeter, N. H., in 1812; and entered Bow- doin college with the class of '35, but removed to Dartmouth, and finally returned to Bowdoin to graduate in '37. He began prac- tice as an allopath, being first settled in Newburyport, but. adopted the homoeopathic system as early as 1840 and continued in it ever afterward. He removed to Springfield in 1844. He stood high in his school of medicine, and received many honors from his professional associates. He was a member of the Mas- sachusetts Homoeopathic Medical society, and a member and one of the founders of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, and held the office of president and various other positions in both these societies. He was a contributor to the homoeopathic med- ical journals, and quite a number of his public addresses at the meetings of the state and national societies have been published and widely circulated. Among these may be mentioned his ad- dress on the "Scientific Basis of Homoeopathy," delivered before the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical society, and his address before the American Institute of Homoeopathy on "The Nature of Life, the Nature of Disease, and the Law of Cure."
Dr. Swazey was fatally injured by falling from a dry-bridge at Deerfield, Sept. 8, 1877.
Dr. H. A. Collins was born in South Hadley, Aug. 27, 1826. Prepared for college at Williston seminary, entering Yale in 1847, graduating an M. D. in 1850. He practiced at Conway three years, and then removed to Springfield. While at Yale he became impressed by the better results obtained from homoeo- pathic treatment in cholera and during his practice at Conway convinced himself that the theory of Hahnemann was the more scientific ; and upon removing to Springfield he became a homeo- pathic physician. At that time Drs. Swazey and Graves were the practitioners of this school in the city. Dr. Graves subse- quently removed from Springfield, while Dr. Swazey remained until his death in 1877. Dr. Collins was an unusually energetic
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man, always looking on the bright side of life. He was a man of genius, diagnosing diesases quickly by intuition, and held a select clientele to the time of his death in 1884. His recreation was with his horses, in his daily "rounds." He was a member of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical society, and the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
The history of homoeopathy in Monson may be said to have begun in the summer of 1871, when Dr. J. K. Warren, who had recently located in Palmer, left an "Order Slate" at the store of Geo. E. Grout, and began making daily calls to the village.
Previous to that time very few families in the town had any practical knowledge of homoeopathy; a few of the wealthy peo- ple had employed Dr. Geo. W. Swazey of Springfield, but only a few, and those at infrequent intervals.
Dr. Warren's advent to the town was greeted with ridicule, which grew into active and bitter opposition as his practice in- creased ; but Dr. Warren was not a man easily frightened and though for a time the only graduate of the new school between Worcester and Springfield he held his ground and built a large and lucrative business.
In this way Monson was supplied with homoeopathic treat- ment until Feb. 15, 1879, when Dr. N. W. Rand, a student and former associate of Dr. Warren, decided to strike out for himself and open an office. He rented rooms in a central location and had a good practice from the very first.
The history of homoeopathy in Monson is so largely the his- tory of Dr. Rand that a review of the one without a recital of the other would be incomplete. Dr. Rand was the eldest son of Thomas Prentice and Lydia Wheeler Rand and a lineal descend- ant of Robert and Alice Rand, who came to this country from England in 1635. He was born in Francestown, N. H., Sept. 14, 1853, and received his preliminary education in the public schools and academy of his native town. In 1875 he began the study of medicine under the direction of the Drs. Dearborn of Milford, N. H., and in the fall of the same year took his first course of medical lectures at Dartmouth college. In the winter of 1876 he taught in his native town and the following spring
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entered the office of Dr. J. K. Warren, of Palmer, as a student. The next fall he entered the medical department of Boston uni- versity and the following year joined the senior class of the New York Homoeopathic Medical college from which he was gradu- ated with "honorable mention" in the spring of 1878. In 1879 he located in Monson, where he remained until his death. Nov. 5, 1898.
In the summer of 1883 Dr. Rand was married, and, in com- pany of his wife, spent the following nine months in post-gradu- ate study in the hospitals of Europe. His brother, Dr. J. P. Rand, who had graduated the previous March from the New York Homoeopathic Medical college, attended to his practice dur- ing his absence. Upon his return the two brothers were asso- ciated together until August 1, 1888, when Dr. J. P. Rand re- moved to Worcester.
From this date until the time of his death Dr. N. W. Rand was the only homoeopathic practitioner in Monson. He made many friends. He had a large business and was greatly be- loved by his patients. For twelve years he served on the school committee and for eight of those years was its chairman. He was always an active worker in and out of the profession. He wrote many papers both medical and social and, together with his brother, in 1897 published a little volume of original verse.
His professional ability and sterling integrity were quickly recognized by his associates in practice. He was made presi- dent of the Homoeopathic Medical societies of Worcester county and Western Massachusetts; vice-president and orator of the State Homoeopathic society, and at the time of his decease was lecturer on fevers at the Boston university school of medicine.
Upon the death of Dr. N. W. Rand, Dr. J. P. Rand returned to Monson. Like his brother he has received various honors from the medical profession, serving as president of the Homoeo- pathic Medical societies of Worcester county and Western Massa- chusetts. In 1898 he was elected president of the Massachusetts Surgical and Gynaecological society, for two years he served as 1st vice-president of the state society and in 1897 delivered the annual oration.
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The pioneer of homoeopathy in Palmer was Dr. Samuel Shaw, who settled there in 1857, although Dr. King, a physician of the old school who practiced here from 1824 to 1861, had given some time to the study of a few homoeopathic remedies and used them successfully.
Dr. Shaw had been a physician in Wareham, Mass., and Al- bany, N. Y., previous to locating in Palmer. Becoming dis- satisfied with the treatment as practiced by the old school, he made a thorough study of homoeopathy and adopted it. He en- joyed a large practice and the confidence of the community for many years, till failing health obliged him to relinquish profes- sional work.
Dr. George F. Forbes located in Palmer soon after Dr. Shaw and remained a short time, removing to West Brookfield where he established a large practice.
In 1870, Dr. Shaw, becoming too feeble to continue the work, introduced Dr. J. K. Warren as his successor. The latter had just graduated from the New York Homoeopathic medical col- lege and hospital. He practiced in the town until 1883, and then removed to Worcester.
Dr. G. H. Wilkins graduated from the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1883, and soon afterward succeeded to the practice of Dr. Warren.
In Holyoke Dr. E. C. Newport was the first resident homoeo- pathic practitioner, having located there in 1868 fresh from his course in the New York Homoeopathic Medical college. With brief intervals he practiced in the city until his death a few years ago.
In 1868 Drs. J. U. Woods and G. H. Smith settled and be- gan practice in Holyoke. A few years ago Dr. Woods removed to New Haven, but Dr. Smith remained and has since engaged in active and successful practice. He was graduated at Belle- vue Hospital Medical college in 1865, located first at Tariffville, Conn., removed thence to Illinois in 1866, and came to Holyoke in 1868. He is an ex-mayor of the city, also an ex-member of the school committee, and now is a member of the board of exam- iners for pensions.
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Dr. H. R. Sackett, a graduate of the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1893, settled in Holyoke in 1894 and now is in active practice there. He is president of the W. M. H. Medical society and a member of the Holyoke Med- ical association.
Dr. F. A. Woods was graduated at the Hahnemann Medical college of Philadelphia in 1893, and immediately began practice in Holyoke, where now he is secretary of the board of health and a member of the surgical staff of the city hospital.
In Westfield the oldest homoeopathic physician is Dr. Wil- bur F. Harding, a graduate of Hahnemann Medical college in 1857. He practiced several years in Greenfield and removed thence to Westfield. He is a member of the state and local homoeopathic medical societies.
Dr. A. D. Schoonmaker, also a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical college in 1894, located in Westfield and now is in prac- tice in that town.
Dr. Samuel Alvord, whose professional life was spent wholly in Chicopee Falls as a seat of practice, was born in West Spring- field and was specially educated for work as a school teacher; but when later on he entered the ranks of the medical profession he became one of the best exemplars of homoeopathy in the region.
Dr. J. F. Hadley, formerly of Chicopee, and later of Walt- ham, graduated at Boston university in 1882 and practiced in Chicopee two years.
Dr. Samuel E. Fletcher, of Chicopee, graduated from the Boston School of Medicine in 1891, and succeeded to the prac- tice of Dr. Bennitt who had removed to Springfield. Dr. Fletcher is now city physician of Chicopee.
Dr. George B. Maxfield, of Chicopee Falls, is a graduate of the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical college, class of '94. He located in this city in 1896.
In the city of Springfield, the homoeopathic medical school has been well represented since Dr. Swazey's time; and among those representatives in later years there have been many men of high personal and professional attainments, who have won
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for themselves positions of commanding prominence and influ- ence in the community. A sketch of the professional career of each of these worthy disciples of Hahnemann would give added interest to this chapter but the policy of our work forbids. How- ever, we may mention the names of these practitioners without fear of transgressing any rule of propriety.
Dr. A. M. Cushing, after a splendid elementary and profes- sional education, began his career as a physician in Bradford, Vt., in 1856, and in subsequent years, after various removals, finally settled in Springfield, where now he is the senior homoeo- pathic physician.
Dr. Luke Corcoran was graduated at the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1868, and began his pro- fessional career in this city during that year.
Dr. John H. Carmichael began his professional career in 1873, and for three years practiced in Worcester, and upon the death of Dr. Collins he succeeded to his practice in this city. Dr. Carmichael is one of the most thoroughly educated and widely known homoeopathic physicians and surgeons in Western Massa- chusetts.
Dr. Frank D. Maine graduated at the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1872 and came to Spring- field in 1894.
Dr. Lorenzo W. Cole, a graduate of the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1873, has spent his entire professional life in this city.
Dr. Oscar Waldo Roberts graduated from the Boston Uni- versity school of medicine in 1879, and practiced in Palmer and Ware previous to his coming to Springfield in 1890.
Dr. H. E. Rice practiced in Springfield from 1883 to 1901.
Dr. Francis M. Bennitt, a graduate of Cornell university and also of the N. Y. H. Medical college and hospital (1883) came to Springfield in the summer of 1884.
Dr. George Rhoads, graduate of the University of Vermont in 1884, and of Hahnemann Medical college in 1889, located in Springfield in 1894.
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Dr. Plumb Brown was graduated at the Hahnemann Med- ical college in Chicago in 1892, and settled in Springfield in 1895.
Dr. Alice E. Rowe, a graduate of the Boston University school of medicine, began practice in Springfield in 1896.
Dr. Clara M. Sweet, a graduate of the Boston University school of medicine, began practice in Springfield in 1894.
Dr. Clarice J. Parsons, of Springfield, is a graduate of the New York Medical college and hospital for women, class of '94.
Dr. Robert F. Hovey, a graduate of the New York Homoeo- pathic Medical college and hospital in 1897, came to Springfield in 1900, and associated in practice with Dr. Carmichael.
CHAPTER XX
THE DENTAL PROFESSION
BY ANDREW J. FLANAGAN, D. D. S.
The history of dentistry in Western Massachusetts in gen- eral, and particularly in what is now Hampden county, dates back in authentic record to about 1825. It may be well to state in the beginning that the honest records of early practitioners of dentistry in the United States cannot be traced back earlier than 1774. About 1800 the larger cities had a few practitioners per- forming the then limited operations of dentistry, and as they took apprentices and graduated the same, the smaller places in the various communities began to have visits from the itinerant or travelling practitioners. Dentistry in those early days con- sisted mainly in the extraction of teeth and the insertion of arti- ficial ones, made of the tusks of the elephant or hippopotamus on a silver or gold base. The preservation of the natural teeth had little attention, and the limited operations in filling, consisted of either tin or soft gold foils. Extracting was by the use of the so-called turnkey, the forceps not being brought forth until the
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earlier thirties. The teeth were all hand carved and naturally limited as to color and durability. The practice was decidedly on the line of a trade and not of a profession. In the forties the first college was launched in the city of Baltimore and to-day we have in the United States alone nearly sixty acceptable and reputable colleges teaching dentistry on the broad and advanced lines of a learned profession. The earlier days found the men taking students with a guarantee not to divulge to others any of the secrets taught them; the present finds secrecy past, and the ideas, inventions and operations of true worth are free to all for use in the amelioration of human ills. Then truly we may say, that the higher and nobler history dates from the birth of the first college. Dentistry was quite on a line with medicine as re- gards student pupilage and trade secrets, for the practitioner of medicine generally parted with his knowledge for considerations of a money nature-and the guarantee of secrecy ; however, these methods were the custom of the times-and custom is the un- written law, and from the standpoint of the dominating spirit of the times quite in keeping with the general world. What is to-day may not be to-morrow, and the accepted of the past is not that of the present. The present finds dentistry keeping apace with the world's advancement. We owe much to those earlier pioneers, who "builded better than they knew," and especially to those advanced practitioners and thinkers who started the early dental colleges after being denied admission to the medical schools. The very adversity encountered was the means of building the superstructure existing to-day; the school wherein was brought forth the standard of the world-American dent- istry. It is well for the public to recognize that he of the pres- ent who keeps methods to himself, who claims superiority over his fellows, and labors not for humanity and the profession, has no part in what is accepted as the standard of the present. Mod- ern dentistry emanated from ethical men, down through the gamut of acceptable colleges, true dental societies and advanced dental journalism. The unethical, the charlatan, and the un- charitable make a trade of what should be a profession. All honor to those practitioners who labor diligently in whatever
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capacity for the advancement along true lines of our "esprit de corps."
The first dentist who practiced the art in Hampden county was probably an itinerant named Dr. Appleton who advertised in January, 1825, "as attending to the cleaning and preserving of the teeth," and as having tooth powder for sale. At that time he was stopping in Springfield. A thorough perusal of the early newspapers fails to state where he came from, whether he had medical knowledge also, or from whom he obtained his dental instruction. In August, 1826, a Dr. Darrah was in Springfield and advertised as operating in the cleaning, filling and extract- ing of teeth; also inserting artificial teeth, claiming an ex- perience of sixteen years, and was recommended by Dr. J. V. C. Smith of Boston. Search has revealed the fact that Dr. Smith was a practitioner of dentistry in connection with the practice of medicine. When Ambrose Lawrence, M. D., began the prac- tice of dentistry in the then young city of Lowell, October 1, 1839, he found a Robert Darrah practicing dentistry there. Un- doubtedly this Dr. Darrah was the same one who formerly vis- ited Springfield.
Before 1830 Dr. Charles Stratton had a circuit of towns northeast of Springfield and finally located permanently at Am'- herst about 1830. He was uncle to Dr. Chester Stratton, one of the founders of the Connecticut Valley Dental society.
Dr. C. T. Stockwell of this city has heard from old residents of a Dr. Liscomb of Ware who had a circuit in the twenties in and near Springfield. The newspapers of that time fail to au- thenticate this.
According to a Dr. Booth who wrote a series of historical sketches for the New England Homestead in 1868, Jacob Per- kins, jr., commenced the practice of dentistry in Springfield about 1830. The New England Homestead was printed by Henry Burt in Springfield and was the predecessor of our pres- ent Springfield Homestead. The following is from an article by Dr. Booth : Jacob Perkins, jr., got some insight into the business from a Dr. Partridge and afterward opened an office in his father's house, then standing on the present site of Olivet
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church, about 1830 or soon afterward. He was an excellent mechanic, making all his tools and the only practitioner of the art at the time between Hartford and Northampton. He ever remained one of the best operative dentists during his residence here. His brother, Cyrus Perkins, opened an office in 1835. In those early days pivot teeth were much used in making plates, such work being only prosecuted under the greatest disadvan- tages. Plates were beat or bent up by a tedious process, the now common way of swedging-both quick and easy-being a later invention. Artificial teeth were then carved from the tooth of the hippopotamus on account of its hardness, and even a set of ten teeth in one block was carved from the single specimen. But they decayed worse than the natural human teeth. The earliest advertisement of Dr. Perkins I have been able to find, is taken from the Springfield Gazette of February 6, 1833. "Dr. Perkins, Surgeon Dentist, respectfully informs the ladies and gentlemen of Springfield and vicinity, that he remains in readi- ness at his office in State Street opposite United States Armory, to attend to those in want of his professional services. He in- serts teeth with ease and with as little pain as the circumstances of case may permit. Siliceous, metallic or incorruptible teeth set, and other artificial teeth set in a manner not inferior to any in the United States. Gangrene of the teeth removed, and the decayed teeth rendered artificially sound by stopping them with gold, which will prevent further decay. Teeth cleaned in the best manner of salivary calculus (tartar) hence removing a bad breath. Particular attention paid to changing of children's teeth and irregularities prevented. Teeth extracted with perfect safety and. as little pain as the nature of the case will allow."
Dr. Perkins before taking up dentistry worked as a machin- ist in the United States armory in Springfield. He began his dental experience by extracting teeth for his fellow workmen, and becoming quite expert at this part of the profession, he left the armory and branched out as a dentist. In a short time he was able to do very creditable work in making plates and filling teeth and was largely patronized by the best people of the town and vicinity. He continued practice here for many years, but
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was finally obliged to leave the city to escape arrest. He after- ward returned and died not many years ago. After leaving Armory hill the doctor's next office was for many years over what is now Clough's restaurant on Main street and from there he moved to a small building which stood on the front lawn of a house located at what is now the southeast corner of Chestnut and Linden streets. Cyrus Perkins, a brother, studied dent- istry with Jacob and for a few years was associated with him in practice. We find many of his advertisements in the papers
from 1844 to 1855. His method of announcing his services was decidedly unusual and now would not be in harmony with the dignity of the profession. One of his "ads." reads as follows : "Teeth! Teeth! May 10, 1844. The subscriber has just re- ceived, direct from the manufacturer, some of the most beautiful incorruptible mineral teeth, which will be inserted in all the vari- ous modes at the lowest rates, viz .: Best pivot teeth inserted on roots of the natural teeth in the best manner and warranted to give good satisfaction at $2.00 and $3.50. Best plate teeth in- serted on gold plate, in the best manner and with or without col- ored gums, $3.00, $3.50. Sets of upper teeth on atmospheric principle with or without imitation gums, warranted to answer most of the purposes of articulation and mastication, from $35.00 to $40.00. References from people who have used the atmos- pheric teeth of the subscriber's make from one to five years, with good satisfaction, can be seen at his office. All operations done at lowest rates and in the best manner. C. Perkins, office over J. Kendall's boot and shoe store, opposite Exchange Temperance Hotel, Main Street."
His office was later moved to corner of Sanford and Main streets, over what is now Brewer's drug store, where he remained in practice until about 1882.
Silas Bliss, who formerly was associated with Dr. Westcott of Syracuse, N. Y.,-a dentist of great repute-came to Spring- field in 1840. Before coming he had an itinerant practice in New York state and travelled principally by canal. Dr. Bliss also had an office at Wilbraham and alternated between the two places. He rarely used gold in filling teeth, it is said, preferring
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tin. His office in Springfield was at the corner of Fort and Main Streets. Dr. J. M. Riggs, of "Riggs disease" fame, be- gan practice at Chicopee Falls-then a part of Springfield-in 1840. He then went or rather returned to Hartford, Ct., where he died Nov. 11, 1855. He was at one time high school master at Hartford. Dr. George H. White, who studied with Dr. Gun- ning of New York city, came to Springfield in 1842. He had practiced in New York before coming to this city, having an office on Chambers street. After remaining here for thirteen years he returned to New York (1855) and died in Florida, August 12, 1879. Dr. White had his office and residence on Fountain Row directly opposite our present court square and about where the Flint & Brickett building now stands. He was an expert porcelain worker and while here taught many practitioners of New England the dental art. In fact, he had what might be termed a school of porcelain art. According to an advertise- ment in the local papers of 1848 we find him using chloroform for the painless extraction of teeth. We also find Dr. White giving references from prominent people as to his ability as a dentist. This was a practice common among our physicians of that time. Dr. N. E. Ames came to Springfield to live in 1839, and died only a few years ago while located on upper State street opposite Benton park. He studied with James Weed, M. D., of Hartford, who also practiced dentistry. Before he opened an office in Springfield, he for twenty years regularly visited a circuit of towns to the east of the city, beginning at Ware. In 1859 he established a permanent office in Springfield. He was born at Barre, Mass., Oct. 23, 1814; was at one time a printer with G. & C. Merriam, the famous publishers at Spring- field.
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