USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, Ohio, from the founding of Franklinton in 1797, through the World War period to the year 1920 > Part 46
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In 1918, the Y. W. C. A. bought for $100,000 the Vendome hotel property on Third street opposite the State House, to which all the work of the organization, except that of the original building (now Residence Hall) was transferred, with a staff in immediate charge of the religious, industrial, dormitory, cafeteria, girls' organization and other work.
The Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society.
The original of The Archeological Society was formed in the year 1875, at the home of General Brinkerhoff, in Mansfield, Ohio. This Society received soon after an appropria- tion of $2500 from the legislature, to make an exhibition at the Centennial Exposition, in Philadelphia. Prof. John T. Short, of the Ohio State University, was secretary of the society, and continued as such until his death, (Nov. 11. 1883), after which the original society became practically inoperative.
Governor Hoadly suggested the revival of the Society, and a meeting was called for the purpose, at the office of the Secretary of State, (Feb. 12, 1885). A number of prominent men, including leading citizens, scholars, and professional men responded to the call, from various parts of the State.
At a subsequent meeting, (March 12, 1885), at Columbus, sixty men were present, and the convention continued in session for two days, perfecting the present organization, which was incorporated (March 13, 1885), by the following men: Allen G. Thurman, Douglas Putnam, John W. Anderson, S. S. Rickly. H. Sabine, C. J. Wetmore, E. B. Finley, Wiu. E. Moore, W. P. Cutler, A. W. Jones, Israel W. Andrews, J. J. Janney, John R. Peasley, Norton S. Townshend, D. H. Gard, Samuel C. Derby, Charles W. Bryant, A. A. Graham, E. M. P. Brister, Beman Gates, W. A. Schultz, Alexis Cope, R. P. Brinkerhoff, T. Ewing Miller, Henry T. Chittenden, and J. S. Robinson (only two of whom, Mr. D. H. Gard and Prof. Derby are now living).
Hon. A. G. Thurman was chosen president, and Mr. A. A. Graham, secretary, which post he occupied until 1893, when ill health compelled his removal to the west, and he died at Albuquerque, New Mexico, February, 1896. Mr. E. O. Randall was elected assistant secretary in December, 1893, to act in the absence of Mr. Graham, and at the annual meet- ing of the trustces, (Feb. 20, 1894), Mr. Randall was elected associate secretary; and sec- retary after the resignation of Mr. Graham, (Nov. 10, 1894), continuing as such till his death in 1919. Charles B. Galbreath is the present secretary.
Judge Thurman was succeeded, in turn, as president, by Francis C. Sessions, President Rutherford B. Hayes, Roeliff P. Brinkerhoff, (who died June 1, 1811), G. Frederick Wright (now emeritus), and (1918) ex-Governor James E. Campbell.
For over thirty-three years the society has held annual meetings in Columbus, and in that time has accumulated a very valuable collection of relics and antiquities, and many histor- ical papers, books, magazines and articles of great value, including hundreds of thousands of archaeological specimens relating to the history of the ancient inhabitants of Ohio, also histor- ical relies of the early white settlers of the state. It has also a library of 14,000 volumes.
There is no state in the Union which has richer resources for archacological research, and no collection as large as that of the Society. It is the custodian of Ft. Ancient, in Warren county, models of which are in many European and American museums; the Serpent Mound, in Adams county; and the site of the "Big Bottom Massaere," (1790), in Morgan county, on the banks of the Muskingum river. Its curator, Dr. William C. Mills, and an able corps of explorers, annually make extensive rescarches and diggings for relics in some of the most famous mounds in the State. They are doing splendid work in exhuming, exam- ining, and making permanent records of many points of interest. Dr. Mills, Archaeological Atlas of Ohio (published 1911), designates the locations of all mounds in the State, not less than 5,000 in number.
CHAPTER XXXIV. MEDICAL PROFESSION AND HOSPITALS.
First Physicians of Franklinton-Epidemics o" Fever and Cholera-Educational Equipment -First Specialist in Surgery-Physicians Who Were Leaders in Public Service- Starling Medical College, Columbus Medical College, Ohio Medical University and the Present College of Medicine-Organizations of Physicians-Board of Health-Influ- enza Epidemic of 1918-l'arious Hospitals.
In the early years of the nineteenth century, as has already appeared in this narrative, there was much sickness in Franklinton and Columbus. Fortunately, there came to Franklin- ton, before Columbus was laid out, two physicians who were all that anybody could have wished them to be as citizens and all it was possible for them to be then professionally. They were Dr. Lincoln Goodale and Dr. Samuel Parsons. Dr. Goodale came in 1805 from Belpre, where he had studied in the office of Dr. Leonard Jewett. Coming with his widowed mother, he engaged in the practice of medicine. Trade tempted him and he opened a store, part of his stock being drugs and medieines, for which there was great demand. He invested in land and made money, sharing his prosperity with the poor by giving them free medical treatment. He volunteered for service in the war of 1812 and became an assistant surgeon. He was thus the first of the many who have gone from this community into army medical service. Dr. Goodale lived many years in Columbus and was the donor of the beautiful park that bears his name.
Dr. Samuel Parsons came to Franklinton in 1811 from Connectieut, where he had ac- quired his medical knowledge. He practiced in Franklinton till 1816, when he moved across the river to Columbus where he continued to practice till late in the 1840's. As a physician he had a high reputation and as a citizen was greatly respected. Without solicitation on his part, he was elected a representative in the General Assembly and was for several years president of the Franklin branch of the State Bank of Ohio.
Dr. John Ball was another of these pioneer physicians. Of him, Mrs. Emily Merion Stewart some years ago, wrote: "Dr. Ball utterly saerifieed his life for the publie good and died, March 10, 1818, aged but 43 years. His tombstone braved the winds and storms of years in the old Franklinton cemetery." Dr. John M. Edmiston and Dr. Peleg Sisson, who was also a school teacher in early Columbus, were other pioneers in their profession.
There was much sickness in the community in the summer and fall of 1823. Whole families were prostrated with bilions and intermittent fevers. Among the prominent men who died that year were Lucas Sullivant, founder and first citizen of Franklinton; John Kerr, one of the original Columbus land syndicate; John A. McDowell, head of the famous house of that name; David S. Broderick and Barzillai Wright, keeper of the Penitentiary. In 1824, the same disease carried off Captain Joseph Vance and Joseph Culbertson.
The practice of all the physicians of that day included internal medicine, surgery, ob- stetries and dentistry. Every practitioner announeed himself as "physician and surgeon" and was expected to serve equally well in all ailments. "These men," wrote Dr. Starling Loving in 1910. "were reasonably well qualified and their practice compared favorably with that of their compeers in other parts of the country, but their knowledge was far inferior to what is now considered the minimum. Special anatomy was well understood and was as thoroughly taught then as now, but physiology was only in the rudimentary stage. The microscope was used by a few European scientists in the study of botany and the lower animal life, but no one had imagined the important influence it has had since in the advanee of physiology and pathology. Chemistry had made little advance in centuries, and no one had thought of what has since been accomplished in pathology, and more especially in phar- maey and therapeutics, through its aid. The materia medica consisted of a vast collection of crude drugs and formula, of which, while many were and still are valuable, the greater part were inert and useless." Dr. Loving mentions Peruvian bark, decoctions of boneset and dogwood bark, arsenic, pills of spider web, calomel, Epsom salts, and other then known drugs, and refers to the processes of salivation, sweating and bleeding. "Surgery," he con- tinnes, "as compared with today was almost rudimentary. The operations of that day were
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comparatively few and simple. Anesthesia and antisepsis were unknown, and the many deli- cate operations involving internal and vital organs had not been thought of."
In 1833, ten years after the epidemic of fevers, came a worse scourge, the cholera. It raged in the late summer of several years, as narrated elsewhere, and caused many deaths, some of which were startlingly sudden, the patient being apparently in perfect health in the morning and dead at night. The disease was not understood as it now is and, despite the heroic efforts of the physicians-three of whom became its victims, Drs. B. F. Gard, Horace Lathrop and Isaac F. Taylor - the people were practically helpless. After the first season, at the first warning of the approach of cholera, one-third or one-fourth of the population fled and did not return till the danger had passed.
With every recurrence a Board of Health was appointed, the chief functions of which were to procure medical attendance for the sick and make daily reports of the progress of the dis- ease, with a summary when the scourge had passed. As far as anybody knew there was noth- ing else to be done. Those who served on this board, some of them several years, were Isaac Dalton, N. W. Smith, George B. Harvey, W. W. Pollard, James Cherry and T. J. McCamish. In 1850 when the population was less than 18,000 and one-fourth had fled, the mortality from cholera and other diseases was 325, or about 23 for every 1000 of the popu- lation remaining. In 1849, 200 had died in the town and 116 in the Penitentiary.
Among the other physicians of whom we read in the first 25 years of city life were Dr. Wm. M. Awl, who in 1832 was appointed physician at the first Poor House, located three miles north in the fork of the Scioto and Olentangy ; Drs. Robert and John B. Thompson, Dr. I. G. Jones, Dr. Wm. Trevitt, Dr. S. M. Smitth, Dr. Francis Carter, Dr. R. L. Howard, Dr. Norman Gay, Dr. G. W. Maris and Dr. J. W. Butterfield. Dr. Leuthstrom, according to Dr. Loving, was the first homeopathist. Dr. Awl, says the same authority, "was the first surgeon west of the Alleghenies to ligate the carotid artery, and the first in Ohio, almost in the United States, to devote talent, time and money to the blind as a class. Through his in- strumentality alone, the State School for the Blind was established, and a little later, through his influence, the first hospital in Ohio for the insane was built in Columbus. He was for many years superintendent of the Central Hospital for the Insane and greatly distinguished himself as an alienist. The resolution establishing the school for the blind, in his own hand- writing, handed by him to the speaker of the House of Representatives, of which he was at the time a member, is now preserved in the present school in Columbus." Of other carly physicians, Dr. Loving wrote:
Dr. R. L. Howard was the first to practice surgery as a specialty. While he gave his attention in the main to surgery, like most surgeons of the present day, he never refused a case of internal disease when it was offered. Ile performed many successful operations, was connected with the focal medical schools as teacher of surgery, and died in 1853, much regretted.
Drs. Smith, Carter and Butterfield attained eminence as general practioners, and each had a large following. Dr. Jones praetieed efecticism. He was popular and successful, but distinguished himself more by his work in naturat science. He was an accomplished and enthusiastie botanist and made the first, if not the only complete collection of plants, including mosses and grasses in central Ohio.
Between 1850 and 1865, Dr. John W. Hamilton, Dr. Robert Barr, Dr. John A. Little and Dr. Robert Morrison settled here. Dr. ftamitton was connected with Starting Medical College, first as teacher of materia medica and later as teacher of surgery. He was very successful and attained much eminence.
In 1816 Willoughby Medical College (Willoughby, (.) moved to Columbus. One course of lectures was given here and then the enterprise was abandoned. During this term, Lyne Starling gave $30,000, to be paid in installments, for the purchase of a lot and the erection of a building for a medical college and a hospital in connection therewith. lle named as trustees William S. Sullivant, John W. Andrews, Robert W. McCoy. Joseph R. Swan, Francis Carter, Samuel M. Smith, and John W. Butterfield. These trustees met January 2, 1848, and received from Mr. Starling an additional $5000. Starling Medical College was incorpor- ated January 28, the trustees organized by electing Wm. S. Sullivant president, R. W. McCoy treasurer, and Francis Carter secretary, and the following members of the faculty were chosen: Dr. Henry H. Childs, Dr. John W. Butterfield, Dr. Richard L. Howard, Dr. Jesse P. Judkins, Dr. Samuel M. Smith, Dr. Francis Carter and Frederick Merrick, A. M.
The lot at the southeast corner of State and Sixth streets was bought in the winter of
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1848, and in the following year the erection of the building was begun, R. A. Sheldon archi- tect. The address, at the laying of the corner-stone, was delivered by Rev. James Hoge. In the fall of 1850 the building had so far progressed that the first course of lectures was given. From the first, the building attracted attention by the beauty of its architecture, and it stands today, unique. dignified and impressive. It has been somewhat enlarged to meet modern needs, but in the main it is as it was first built. In front of it stands the statue of Dr. S. M. Smith, a member of the original faculty, first erected at High and Broad streets.
The college prospered from the first, and the first graduating class consisted of 32. A chemical laboratory, a well-stored museum and all the means for instruction in anatomy and medicine were early installed. About 1864, the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis, who had come to the city empty-handed two years before and started their work of charity on East Rich street, opposite Holy Cross Church, helped to carry out the wishes of Mr. Starling by establishing a hospital in the building. They had intended to build on Main street, but
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BYƯƠNG
Starling Medical College Building and St. Francis Hospital
through the influence of Dr. Starling Loving were led to make the connection of their work with Starling Medical College, occupying the rooms in the building set apart for that purpose. Their first patients were soldiers returning from the Civil War. Under a 99-year lease made at the time, the Sisters began their work and have since continued to minister freely to the Their first patients were soldiers returning disabled from the Civil War. Under a 99-year lease made at the time, the Sisters began their work and have since continued to minister freely to the sick and injured without regard to race, creed or color. The hospital, with the later addi- tions, offers accommodations for about 200 patients. Twenty-one Sisters are in charge, and the chaplain is Rev. Edward Leinhauser.
In 1873, the faculty of Starling included Drs. S. M. Smith, Francis Carter, J. M. Wheaton, J. W. Hamilton, Starling Loving, Theodore G. Wormley, H. C. Pearce, W. L. Peek. D. N. Kinsman, D. Halderman and Otto Frankenberg: also Judge J. W. Baldwin and H. A. Weber. Later, Dr. J. H. Pooley, Dr. T. C. Hoover, Dr. John M. Dunham, Dr. E. B.
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Fullerton and many other able physicians and surgeons were members of its faculty, while Prof. Curtis C. Howard was long at the head of its chemistry department.
In 1875, Dr. J. W. Hamilton and others organized the Columbus Medical College, con- ducting it for a time in the Sessions block at the corner of High and Long streets. Later the college moved into a building erected for the purpose on Long street between Third and Fourth streets. In 1891 there was dissension in the faculty over policy and control, and Drs. J. U. Barnhill, D. N. Kinsman, Josiah Medbury, J. M. Dunham, and G. M. Waters withdrew. In 1892, this college was combined with Starling, of which it had been a keen rival.
The Ohio Medical University was incorporated December 31, 1890, by George M. Peters, Wm. M. Mutchmore, J. F. Baldwin, John W. Wright, R. Harvey Reed, A. E. Evans, A. F. Emminger, and S. L. McCurdy for the purpose of teaching medicine, surgery, dentistry, pharmacy, obstetrics and nursing; also to conduct dispensaries and a hospital. It was an- nounced that it would offer a three-year course, with nine months work each year. It opened in September, 1892, in a residence, 775 Park street, with John W. Wright as dean. Dr. J. F. Baldwin was the first chancellor and Dr. W. J. Means its first registrar. Among its active trustees were Dr. John M. Dunham, Fred J. Heer and Wm. M. Mutchmore, who in 1897 succeeded Dr. Means as registrar. Of its large faculty, Dr. John Edwin Brown and Dr. George M. Waters were notable for long-continued service. Besides being registrar, Mr. Mutchmore was manager of the famous O. M. U. football team which, next to the good work in education, served to advertise the institution. The university soon ontgrew its origi- nal quarters and erected a building of its own on the east side of Park street half a square south of the original site. In 1898 negotiations for a union of Starling Medical College and Ohio Medical University as a college of medicine in Ohio State University failed. But in 1907, the first step of the original plan was taken, and the two institutions on State street and Park street were conducted as Starling-Ohio Medical College until 1914, when the second step was taken and the last named became the College of Medicine of Ohio State University, with Dr. W. J. Means as dean. In 1916, Dr. E. F. MeCampbell became dean and is still serving. The property, buildings and equipment taken over by the State in 1914 were estimated to be worth $250,000. The O. M. U. had to its credit the unusual achieve- ment of having built itself up without a dollar of outside money.
The Central Ohio Medical Society was organized at Westerville June 14, 1869, with the following officers: President, Dr. C. P. Landon; vice president, W. F. Page; secretary, Dr. P. F. Beverly; treasurer, Dr. John McClurg; censors, Drs. A. Andrus, Alexander Neil and O. Johnson. The meetings, which were at first quarterly, were held monthly at different points in central Ohio. The society enjoyed an active life for 27 years, the last meeting having been held November 5, 1896. Among the Columbus physicians who at different times were president were: Drs. G. S. Stein, J. F. Baldwin, R. Wirth, F. F. Lawrence. Among its secretaries were: Dr. J. U. Barnhill, G. M. Clouse and E. M. Hatton.
In April, 1892, the Columbus Academy of Medicine was organized and the following officers were elected: President, Dr. D. N. Kinsman; vice president, Dr. T. W. Rankin ; sec- retary, Dr. J. C. Graham; treasurer, Dr. F. W. Blake; board of censors, Drs. T. C. Hoover, H. W. Whitaker, H. P. Allen, Frank Warner and J. B. Schueller. It meets regularly for the consideration of questions of interest to the profession.
Other short-lived organizations of physicians were the Columbus Pathological Society in which Dr. J. W. Hamilton was the leader, and the Franklin County Medical Society, with Dr. W. J. Means at its head. These various organizations, as well as the rival medical colleges were the outward manifestations of much bitter strife in the profession, of which little need here be said. Suffice it to say that the profession has for the most part escaped from those unhappy days, and is now devoting its energy to the great work of the preven- tion and cure of disease. In surgery and medicine and in general and specialized practice. Columbus has many men of wide repute. Women physicians also have appeared and are doing their share to relieve suffering humanity. Preventive measures are favored in private practice as well as in public service, and in the latter the physicians are giving generously of their effort and their knowledge.
Prior to 1887, the only public health service was rendered, first by temporary boards appointed in emergency, and, later, by the Police Commission. In April, 1887, Council passed an ordinance creating a Board of Health, the members to be elected annually by the
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Couneil. The following constituted the first board, ehosen the following month: P. H. Bruek, president, ex-offieio, Z. F. Guerin, M. D., A. E. Evans, M. D., N. S. Townshend, M. D., J. M. Dunham, M. D., Emerson MeMillin and Alexis Keeler. Dr. Frank Gunsaulus was ehosen health offieer; T. B. Vause, milk and meat inspector. It is fortunate for this important service which gained recognition so late that the executive duties were intrusted to physicians of the first elass, such as Dr. D. N. Kinsman, Dr. J. B. Sehueller and Dr. W. D. Deuschle. These men saw the need and the possibilities of the service and in reports urged its enlarge- ment and perfection. During Dr. Sebueller's administration, Council made provision for a baeteriologieal laboratory, in which Dr. John D. Dunham and Dr. Harvey C. Fraker were the first to serve, giving to the work a portion of their time.
In 1903 under the new charter, the Board of Health was reorganized and constituted as follows, the appointment by the Mayor and confirmation by the Couneil: J. W. Clemmer, M. D., W. E. Edmiston, M. D., P. D. Shriner, M. D., J. U. Barnhill, M. D., and George W. Sehoedinger. MeKendree Smith became health officer. Others in the order of their serviee were: Dr. E. G. Horton, Dr. S. B. Taylor, Dr. J. W. Clemmer and Dr. Louis Kahn, who was elected in 1912 and served till February, 1919. John W. Keegan, the present sec- retary, has served in that capacity since 1906.
The members of the Board of Health in 1917 were: George J. Karb, president, ex-offieio : O. H. Sellenings, M. D .; W. E. Edmiston, M. D .: Harry Gabriel, M. D .; P. D. Shriner, M. D., and Miss Jennie Tuttle. The board, through its employes, inspeets food, establishes quarantine when necessary, investigates cases of communieable diseases, fumigates houses and rooms, inspeets tenements and direets distriet physicians who gave medical aid to the sick poor.
The Board of Health was considerably disorganized in 1918 by the war service of some members and the enforeed absence of others. While it was in that condition the epidemie of influenza and pneumonia came upon the city, and the burden fell upon the remaining mem- bers, Dr. Kahn and Seeretary Keegan. The disease began to be felt early in October and at the end of the month 320 deaths had been recorded. In the next eight months, the deaths from this scourge in the city were as follows: November 246, December 251, January 67, February 76, March 165, April 57, May 42, June 12-a total of 1,236 deaths in nine months from this single eause. The height of the epidemie was reached late in December, and the ban on publie gatherings was removed, but there was a flare-up in March which quickly subsided.
When Dr. Kahn retired in February to return to private practice, Dr. W. L. Diek became Acting Health Officer. The vaeaneies on the Board were filled and that body is composed of the following, besides the Mayor: P. D. Shriner, M. D .; O. H. Sellenings, M. D .; Wells Teachnor, M. D .; Ira B. Hamblin, M. D., and Joseph Carr, Director of Publie Welfare.
From the city and county, 126 physicians entered the army in 1918 for professional serviee, while others aided in the selective service and bore the extra burden imposed by the employment of so many of their brethren in the war work. Some of these were privileged to render exceptional service. It is possible to mention a few such as Dr. Charles S. Ham- ilton, major in charge of medieal activities for the draft; Dr. H. H. Sniveley, colonel, Army Medieal service abroad; Dr. Verne A. Dodd, commander, Naval Base Hospital; Dr. F. O. Williams, commander, Naval Base Hospital; Dr. Philip D). Wilson, captain, Army Medical service in Franec; Dr. Sylvester J. Goodman, captain, Army Medical service at the camps and in Franee; Dr. Andre Crotti, Army Medical service at the eamps; Dr. Carl D. Postle, captain. Army Medical service in eamos. Dr. E. F. McCampbell, dean of the College of Medicine, and Dr. A. W. Freeman, of the State Department of Health, were also actively in the service.
Twenty-four Columbus dentists entered the army with commissions, serving at different camus in this country and abroad, while those who remained at home examined and gave free service to men ealled in the draft. Of these may be mentioned Dr. John W. Means, eap- tain. Medical Corps, Columbus Barraeks, and Dr. W. 1. Jones, captain, Medieal Corps in Italy.
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