THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 211 (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) CHAPTER XVI. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. INTRODUCTORY observations.1 " When we consider the importance and elevated character of the science of medicine—its object, the preservation of the health and lives, and the healing of diseases, and the amelioration of the physical and mental sufferings of our fellow human beings—its extent embracing a knowledge of all science—it is evident that medical education should engage the earnest attention of the entire medical profession. The advances made in all the branches of knowledge, and especially in the science of medicine during the past century, have exceeded in extent and value those of all past ages ; and it is no longer possible to compress its vast domain within the narrow limits of ' seven Professorships.' The present age owes its wonderful progress to experimental and scientific research. " Evolution and development are the talismanic watchwords of the nineteenth century, and the doctrine is being accepted that things in the world do grow, and are not made ; it is no longer generally accepted as a matter of religious faith that the universe was created by supernatural power, for many of our deepest thinkers, men of the most profound understanding, believe that it has been gradually unfolded by the action of natural causes. But, not wishing to be accused of heresy, it may be stated that, whether the theory be according to Darwin or Hackel or Spencer, or some other philosopher, the law will be the same in any case, and away back, behind ' protoplasm," germinal matter,' and ' cellular germ there exists abundant proof of a ' First Great Cause,' of an ' Infinite wisdom,' for the depth of which, language has no expression. A great flood of light on this subject is now pouring forth on the world, but its acceptation as a convinoing truth rests in a great measure wholly with the individual." " The world," says Goethe, " is not so framed that it can keep quiet." All the natural energies are brought into full force by the spirit of enterprise, by the spirit of progress. The telegraph wires wipe out all territorial boundaries, and railways penetrate the utmost confines of the earth, and by them States and territories are bound fast together in one web. 1 From selected sketches. " Qui facit per ilium, fact? per se." 212 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. " The Bible," says Gail Hamilton, "is full of excellent precepts, and the world is full of bad examples. If a man smite us on the right cheek, we — knock him down. If a man sues us at law, we stand suit, and if he would borrow of us we promptly turn away, unless he can give ample security." Science and enterprise have spanned the continent with electric wires, cabled the Atlantic Ocean, given us the measurements of revolving planets, spread forth the canvas to the gale, and made the trackless ocean a highway through the world. By the use of scientific and cunningly devised instruments bleak skies and rude winds are foreseen, and the navigator places him in safety. The electric light has displaced gas as effectually as the latter did the " tallow dip," and is established upon a secure commercial basis. Schoolhouses, churches, newspapers, and books open up to the poorest the lights and opportunities of knowledge. The wealth of nations increases and we see all the arts of life approaching nearer and nearer perfection. In science, art and literature each succeeding generation is wiser than its predecessor. The mistakes of past experience serve as beacon-lights to warn us off the rocks Of error and lead us to the port of truth, The great and wide advancement in the different branches of medical science within the last generation is as much a marvel as the progress made in any other of the arts and sciences. The poorest laborer can now obtain advice and medicine far superior to that which royalty could command one or two centuries ago. " The advance in medical knowledge within one's memory," says Sir James Paget, " is amazing, whether reckoned in the wonders of science not yet applied, or in practical results, in the general lengthening of life, or, which is still better, in the prevention and decrease of pain and misery, and in the increase of working power.. " The dawning of medical science, which now sheds its light through the world, began with Hippocrates nearly twenty-three hundred years ago, and he first treated of medicine with anything like sound or rational principles. He wrote extensively, much of which has been translated, and serves as a foundation for the succeeding literature of the profession. He relied chiefly upon the healing powers of nature, his remedies being exceedingly simple. He taught that the people' ought not to load themselves with excrements, or keep them in too long; and for this reason he prescribed meats proper for loosening the belly,' and if these failed he directed the use of the clysters. "Three hundred years before Christ, Erasistratus invented and used the catheter, introduced the tourniquet, and produced an instrument for lithotriptic operations. Celsus flourished A. D. 50 to 19 as the greatest of Roman surgeons. " Through the centuries from the beginning of the Christian era down to THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 213 the time of the discovery of the circulation of the blood by Harvey, 1619, medicine shed but a glimmering light in the midst of the darkness then enshrouding the world, and the greatest strides in the advancement of the various branches of medical science have been made in the last one hundred years, and most of them may be placed to the credit of the last half century. " Physiologists no longer believe with Paracelsus in the sixteenth century, that the planets have a direct controlling action upon the body, the sun upon the heart, and the moon upon the brain ; nor do they now believe that the vital spirits are prepared in the brain by distillation ; nor do they admit that the chyle effervesces in the heart under the influence of salt and sulphur, which take fire together and produce the vital flame. On the contrary modern physiology teaches that the phenomena of the living body are the result of physical and chemical changes ; the temperature of the blood is ascertained by the thermometer, and the different fluids and gases of the body are analyzed by the chemist, giving to each its own properties and function. " While the eighteenth century witnessed greater advancement in the department of medical science than any or all its predecessors, the crowning achievements seem to have been Reserved for the nineteenth — the present century. Among the thousands of elements that comprise this century's advance in medical science mention will be made of but one, and that among the first discoveries, i. e., the use of anesthetics, which benumb the nerves of sensation, and produce a profound, but transient state of insensibility, in which the most formidable operation may be performed while the patient sleeps and dreams of home and happy hours, and the physician is left to the pleasing reflection that he is causing no pain or suffering." But it appears that as rapid as has been this advance during the last hundred years, so, correspondingly, have there developed new forms and phases of disease to baffle the skill of the most eminent physicians and scientists in the land ; and while diseases malarious in their character, have for a time defied the attempts to overcome them, they have, nevertheless, been subdued and conquered. Medical skill has proved equal to every emergency. There is, to-day, known to botanists over one hundred and forty thousand plants, a large proportion of which are being constantly added to the already appalling list of new remedies. Many of these new drugs possess little, if any virtue, save as their sale adds to the exchequer of some enterprising pharmacist. A drug house of this State recently issued a circular, in which they advertised 33 syrups, 42 elixirs, 93 solid extracts, 150 sugar-coated pills, 236 tinctures, 245 roots, barks, herbs, seeds and flowers, 322 fluid extracts and 348 general drugs and chemicals. " The ancients were not so well supplied with drugs. It was the custom among the Babylonians to expose the sick to the view of passengers, in order to learn of them whether they had been afflicted with a like distemper, and 214 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. by what remedies they had been cured. It was also the custom of those days for all persons who had been sick, and were cured, to put up a tablet in the temple of Esculapius, wherein they gave an account of the remedies that had restored them to health. Prior to the time of Hippocrates all medicine was in the hands of priests, and was associated with numerous superstitions, such as sympathetic ointments applied to the weapon with which a wound was made, incantations, charms, amulets, the royal touch for the cure of scrofula, human or horse flesh for the cure of epilepsy, convulsions treated with human brains. " While all this credulous superstition of early ages, born of ignorance, existed to a vastly large extent, it has not been fully wiped out by the generally advanced education of the present day. The latest appeal to the credulity of the masses of the people is an invention to relieve the unfortunate sick, and is known as the Faith Cure.' The persons seeking to popularize this means of cure are either deceived themselves, or are deceiving others. Upon this point says a popular writer: If the disease be an incurable one, all the prayers in the world will not cure it. Filth brings fever ; prayer cannot interpose. "There is probably no department of medicine at the present time more promising of good results than is sanitary science. While physiology and pathology are making known to us the functions of the human body, and the nature and cause of disease, sanitary science is steadily teaching how the causes of disease may be removed or avoided, and health thereby secured. This knowledge is of the greatest practical importance to all, and especially to the people of this county where, upon not less than four occasions, have there been visitations of the dreaded cholera, and, save upon the first of these, swept the inhabitants away like chaff before the wind. But the probabilities of a future cholera epidemic are very materially lessened by the greatly improved sanitary condition of Sandusky in the introduction of a complete system of trunk and lateral sewers, and the provision of an excellent water supply, by which the use of the old wells was discarded, and the sewage matter carried by force of the water to points beyond the possibility of injury. " Progress during the coming one hundred years, if only equal to that of the past, will more than have accomplished great works in the advancement of sanitary science ; but the accomplishment of this work calls, not only for the labor of the physician, but, for the intelligent co-operation of the people. The physician cannot do it alone. If anything really great is to be done in the way of sanitary improvement, and of preventing disease and death, it must be done largely by the people themselves. This implies that they must be instructed in sanitary matters. They must be taught what unsanitary conditions favor the origin of disease, how disease is spread, and the means of its prevention. If it is true that that knowledge is of greatest value to us which teaches the means of self preservation,' then the importance of a wide spread knowledge of how to prevent disease and premature death cannot be overestimated." THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 215 The older residents of this county well remember the cholera scourge of the years of 1849, 1852, and lastly in 1859, and there may be still living a few that can recall the first visitation in 1832. But then the county had not acquired a sufficient population to make felt the ravages of this disease in its greatest severity ; nor was there then a sufficient accumulation of filth in which the germs of the disease could breed and develop. But during the years 1849, 1852 and 1854 the scourge was indeed terrible, and hundreds of persons fell victims to its ravenous greed. The medical force of the county at that time was small, only in proportion to the population, and those here had little knowledge of the disease or of the means of its cure and prevention. Of the early members of the medical profession of Erie county only a traditional record exists. It is one of those classes of occupations that record but little of their own history except as shown by local societies formed at different times, and in this county there appears to have been none organized prior to the year 1850. The great body of medical practitioners in Erie county may be divided into two classes, and known commonly as Allopathic and Homeopathic. ' The name of the former, however, is rarely applied by its representatives to themselves, they claiming to be "regular" physicians, and considering all others as the creation of a digression from the true and correct principles of medicine and practice. The name Allopath is one applied by Homeopathists to the " regulars " to distinguish them from their own body. In this chapter space is devoted to each of these branches of the profession. Among the medical practitioners of Erie county there have, perhaps, been none that attained a standing of special eminence in the profession, but there have been, and are now to be found in the ranks, men of understanding, men of science, men of great mental and moral worth and integrity, whose influence has been so salutary and all-pervading that the whole profession seems to have caught something of its spirit, and maintained a freedom from all unworthy methods, such as can be found in but few communities. SOME PIONEER PHYSICIANS. Reliable information concerning the names of the pioneers of the medical profession in all parts of Erie, or what afterward became Erie county is indeed meagre, and in the following mention it is more than possible that some names are lacking. But from facts gleaned from all sources we are enabled to furnish the names of several who were identified with the profession at a very early day. The pioneer in the town of Sandusky was, unquestionably, Dr. George Anderson, who came to this place from New York State, and continued in practice for several years. Dr. Anderson died during the first cholera epidemic. Dr. John W. Russell came to the town in the spring of 1828, and left in the fall following. Another pioneer in the profession was Dr. Jeremiah S. Coch- 216 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ran, who came to Sandusky in 1832, just at the time of the first cholera outbreak, and rendered efficient service during its continuance. He died in July, 1845. Dr. Elwood Stanley came here during the cholera epidemic of 1849, and rendered efficient service during that and the subsequent cholera periods. Waitsell Hastings commenced the practice of medicine in Oxford township as early as 1811, but he afterward moved to Parkerstown, a hamlet of Groton township, where he died. Dr. Strong succeeded Dr. Hastings in Oxford, and was, in turn, himself succeeded by Dr. Carpenter. The latter subsequently moved west, and Dr. George Carpenter took his place. Dr. Isaac Rogers, a Botanical physician, also practiced in Oxford. At Huron Dr. Ansolem Guthrie located in 1813, but after four years removed to Canada. Dr. McCrea, a former resident of New Jersey, practiced in Huron township at a very early day. Dr. Charles H. Leggett came here in 1830, and practiced at the village about two years. He was drOWned in the Huron River in 1832. Dr. George S. Haskins settled at Huron in 1832, and Dr. Joseph Caldwell in 1833. The first physician of Berlin township was Dr. George S. Baker, who located here in 1822. Dr. Xenophon Phillips, Dr. Guthrie, Dr. Harkness, Dr. Fay, Dr. Daniel Butler, also David Butler,—the latter a "root and herb" physician —practiced here, but all were not resident practitioners. Among others of later years were Professor L. B. Hill and Dr. George S. Hill. In Margaretta, Dr. Hartshorne established at Venice as early as 1817; Dr. Samuel Carpenter at Castalia in 1824, and at the same place Dr. M. J. Morseman came in 1836 Drs. James F. Wilson, R. C. Luce and J. D. McKim were also quite early physicians of Margaretta. Dr. Strong seems to have been the pioneer of the profession in Vermillion. Dr. A. E. Merrill, formerly probate judge of the county, and F. C. McConnelly were settlers of a later day. Dr. George Hastings applied the healing art to the people of Groton township as early as 1810. He died in 1864. In Perkins Dr. Richard P. Christopher performed a like service commencing in 1815, and in Milan were Drs. Goodwin and Guthrie, THE MEDICAL SOCIETIES. The first steps looking to the organization of a medical society were taken while the lands embraced by Erie county were included within the territorial limits of Huron, and at a time when the idea of establishing such a county as Erie was unconceived. On the l0th of April, 1824, an order was promulgated by the press (the old Clarion), which being copied herein will fully explain itself. " MEDICAL NOTICE.—Pursuant to an act to incorporate medical societies for the purpose of regulating the practice of physic and surgery in this State, I hereby notify the medical gentlemen, resident in the counties of Richland, Huron, Lorain, Sandusky and Seneca, that a meeting will be holden at Norwalk, the last Tuesday of May next, at z0 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of or- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 217 ganizing a medical society agreeable to said act. It is expected that there will be a general attendance of physicians of this district, as the eleventh section of the act provides that no person, other than members of one of the medical societies in this State, shall be permitted to practice physic or surgery after the 1st of July next. DANIEL TILDEN. "Norwalk, April 10, 1824." The Clarion, in its issue of June 2d following, contains the following report relative to the proceedings had in pursuance of the above notice : "COMMUNICATION.—Agreeable to the act on the 25th instant, came on at Norwalk the first meeting of the Fourteenth Medical Society in this State. The meeting was full, and upon the whole we were much pleased with the respectable display of parchment. At three o'clock the gentlemen proceeded to organize by choosing Dr. Tilden, of Norwalk, president; Dr. Anderson, of Sandusky, vice-president ; Dr. Mantor, of Elyria, secretary ; Dr. Fay, of Milan, treasurer ; Dr. Lucas, of Uniontown, Dr. C. G. Miller, of Mansfield, Dr. Baker, of Florence, Dr. Sanders, of Peru, Dr. Strong, of Bloomingville, censors. Officers for 1825.—Dr. Nathan H. Mantor, president; Dr. John B. Johnson, vice-president; Dr. Amos B: Harris, secretary; Dr. Lyman Fay, treasurer; Dr. George G. Baker, Dr. Moses C. Sanders, Dr. Daniel Tilden, Dr. Eli Dresback and Dr. Charles E. Ford, censors. Officers for 1826.—Dr. Moses C. Sanders, president ; Dr. George Anderson, vice-president ; Dr. Amos B. Harris, secretary ; Dr. Lyman Fay, treasurer ; Drs. George G. Baker, Daniel Tilden, Nathan H. Mantor, Daniel Brainard, junior, and Joel Luther, censors. Officers for 1827.—Dr. Allen G. Miller, president ; Dr. George G. Baker, vice-president ; Dr, A. B. Harris, secretary ; Dr. Lyman Fay, treasurer ; Drs. George G. Baker, William F. Kittredge, Moses C. Sanders, Daniel Tilden and Eli Dresback, censors. Officers for 1828.—Dr. George G. Baker, president; Dr. Moses C. Sanders, vice-president; Dr. Amos B. Harris, secretary; Dr. Lyman Fay, treasurer; Drs. William F. Kittredge, Allen G. Miller, Eber W. Hubbard, Moses C. Sanders and Daniel Tilden, censors. Officers for 1829.—Dr. Moses C. Sanders, president; Dr. Daniel Tilden, vice-president; Dr. Amos B. Harris, secretary; Dr. Lyman Fay, treasurer; Drs. George G. Baker, Nathan H. Mantor, William F. Kittredge, William W. Nugent and Henry Kuhn, censors. At a meeting of the society held in 1830, a resolution was adopted approving of the efforts then being made for the suppression of intemperance. During the year Dr. George Anderson was the president, but no further mention of the proceedings of this society are found, and it is probable that the organization was not maintained much later than the year 1830. In 1828 the practicing physicians of Huron county were as follows : George 218 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. G. Baker, Daniel Tilden, M. C. Sanders, George Anderson. Lyman Fay, William F. Kittredge, William W. Nugent, Amos B. Harris, H. M. Clark, Joseph Pearce, Andrew McMillen, Richard P. Christophers, Samuel Stephens, Charles Smith, Samuel B. Carpenter, W. Merriman, Lemuel Powers and A. H. Brown; and inasmuch as this county was embraced within Huron at that time, the physicians above named, or part of them at least, resided within what afterward became Erie county. ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. The Erie County Medical Society was the outgrowth of a meeting of physicians held at Sandusky on the 6th of April, 1850, at the office of Dr. E. S. Lane. Of this meeting Dr. Daniel Tilden was chosen chairman, and Dr. E. Lauderdale, secretary. This gathering was wholly informal and the main business transacted was the declaration of intention to organize the society, and the appointment of a committee on constitution and by-laws, as follows : Drs. E. S. Lane, Robert R. McMeens, C. Cochran and E. Lauderdale, of Sandusky ; Dr. Galpin, of Milan ; Dr. Caldwell, of Huron, and Dr. Wilson, of Castalia. The constitution and by-laws were adopted and the society organized on the 13th of April, 1850. The first officers were Dr. Daniel Tilden, president ; Dr. E. S. Lane, secretary. The original members of the society were Doctors Daniel Tilden, sr., Aaron Austin, E. S. Lane, Robert R. McMeens, E. Lauderdale, and Charles Cochran. From that time the society received acquisitions in membership and was productive of much good, both to the members and the people of the county. It would be difficult, if not absolutely impossible, to state the numerical strength of the society at any time after its full organization. As new names were added the persons respectively signed the " articles of faith" of the society, and from the roll thus formed we are enabled to furnish the names of members in the order of seniority in the society. In addition to those whose names are given above the following appear to have been, at some time, received into membership : Daniel Tilden, jr., Moses C. Hoyt, Samuel B. Carpenter, jr., John A. Blanchard, Henry J. Donahoe, James Hitchcock, H. S. Parmenter, Henry D. Mann, James F. Wilson, George W. Carpender, Joel Morse, —. Horwitz, A. H. Agard, Joseph Caldwell, James D. McKim, Philip Graefe, J. E. Woodbridge, A. H. Rankin, A. J. Gawne, Elwood Stanley, W. Graefe, Leopold Pape, Charles T. D. Gibson, Carl Heiter, T. S. Field, R. C. Luce, F. C. McConnelly, Samuel H. Bassinger, Michael A. Hughes, P. H. Clements. J. T. Cushing, George S. Haskins, William Storey, T. M. Cook, William R. Page, G. W. Decker, M. J. Love, Rev. Samuel Marks, A. Szendery, Alta F. Cook, Charles Graefe, A. C. Friend, W. D. Wilson, L. S. Szendery, R. L. McNees, W. J. Esch. The society continued in a prosperous condition for something over ten years, until the breaking out of the war, and thenceforth it seems to have suffered with the general disintegration, not only of societies, but of parties and THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 219 all manner of civil associations. From 1861 to 1870 but few meetings were held and no proceedings were entered on the records of the society. In 1870 the society was again brought together, mainly to take some appropriate action upon the occasion of the death of Dr. Tilden, which occurred during that year, but since 1861 the society has never been as strong as at and prior to that time. It now numbers not to exceed a dozen active, working members. Its present officers are as follows : Dr. William Graefe, president ; Dr. Elwood Stanley, first vice-president ; Dr. W. J. Esch, second vice-president ; Dr. Alta F. Cook, secretary and treasurer. According to the record of medical societies of the State for the year 1887, the following persons, physicians, are members of the Erie County Society : T. M. Cook, Alta F. Cook, William J. Esch, William Graefe, Charles Graefe, Ralph W. Nees, Alvis Szendery, Louis. Szendery, Elwood Stanley, Carl Tuttle. THE BAY CITY MEDICAL SOCIETY. This organization, the junior of its class in the county, was formed in the spring of 1878, and was made up in part of members of the older society just before mentioned. During the ten years of its existence the Bay City Medical Society has never been strong in point of membership, and it numbers now but eight members, as follows : Henry J. Donahoe, A. J. Gawne, E. J. Goodsell, Carl Heiter, M. J. Love, F. C. McConnelly, William Storey, and L. Szendery. Its officers are A. J. Gawne, president ; F. C. McConnelly, vice-president; E. J. Goodsell, secretary and treasurer. HOMEOPATHY. It is a trite saying that the improvements, inventions and discoveries of the last fifty years exceed both in number and importance all that had been accomplished for many centuries before. Admitting this to be true, it may be said that in no department of human knowledge have greater advances been made than in medicine. To affirm that all the different theories on the subject of the best methods of treating disease are alike valuable, would betray ignorance, if nothing worse; to deny that each or any of the theories had, in at least a limited degree, some practical value, would not only convict the individual of ignorance, but be an assumption of wisdom that only bigots would claim, and even credulity could hardly admit. Among the systems or theories on the subject of curing the sick that have received recognition and practical application in this country within the last fifty years, is that known as homeopathy. An enthusiastic believer in the law of cure expressed in the legend "Similia Sinailibtrs Curantur" once undertook to enforce the truth and value of this system, by asserting that the law on which it rested proceeded directly from the throne of God. A " doubting Thomas 220 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. to whom the remark was addressed, replied that the endorsement of a patent by the Almighty was usually considered sufficient, but as there is a very generally accepted opinion among the best informed people that about all the laws that govern this world, or effect its inhabitants, proceed from the same source, there does not seem to be any peculiar importance conferred upon the system, in virtue of its origin. That the law of cure expressed by the above legend, when honestly and absolutely followed, will cure disease, restore the sick to health, is a fact as well attested as any statement resting on human testimony, and is capable of demonstration on precisely the lines of argument and proof whether pathological or dynamic, that apply to all other restorative methods, or medical dogmas of the age. The history of the introduction of homeopathy into this city, and the experience of the pioneers of the practice, are not peculiar or specially noteworthy, unless it be in the fact that its advent was welcomed by a few influential friends and supporters who, after forty years of experience, are still numbered among the patrons of the system whose birth and baptism they helped to celebrate. Thirty-four years ago Sandusky had one homeopathic physician ; now there are six. Then there were seven thousand inhabitants ; now we have twenty-three thousand. The entire yearly receipts of the business of the only homeopathic physician in Sandusky, in 1854, was a little less than $3,000. Several of those here to-day will largely exceed that amount in 1888. The homeopathic physicians of this city are doing more business in proportion to their numbers, than the " old school." They have now, and have always had a relatively large clientage among the wealthy and best people of the city. The homeopathic physicians of the city compare favorably with those of any city of the same population ; not only is the comparison favorable so far as their own school is concerned, but in comparison with any other school. The homeopathic physicians in the other parts of the county would suffer no loss by a similar comparison, either with their brethren in the city, or with their competitors of other systems of practice. Since 1847 fifteen homeopathic physicians have settled in this city (Sandusky), of whom six reside here now, and are engaged in active practice. The same number have at different times located in other parts of the county ; each of the following villages having at one time or other had one or more homeopathic physicians : Berlin, Castalia, Huron, Kelly's Island, Put-in Bay, Milan and Vermillion. Of those who have settled in the city at different times, to the present date, February, 1888, only six are here now. Of the whole number, all are still living but two, Dr. Henry Wigand, who died about 1870, in Dayton, O., and Dr. D. T. Kramer, who died in Kansas two or three years ago. The following are the names of the different physicians and the order of their location in Sandusky : Henry Wigand R. Caulkins, D. T. Kramer, C. Hastings, I. B. Massey, J. D. Buck, L. L. Leggett, E. Gillard, G. A. Gordon, C. E. Stroud, S. A. Henderson, D. Gillard, Dr. Newton, Wm. Gaylord, James Gillard. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 221 The first homeopathic physician to settle and practice in Erie county, 0., was Dr. Henry Wigand. He was a German by birth ; a man of robust and commanding physique, pleasing manners, scholarly attainments, and very successful in his profession. He settled in Sandusky in 1847, and remained here until after the cholera of 1849, when he removed to Dayton, in this State. He published a work on practice in 1856, which had a limited sale, but has been out of print for many years. Dr. Wigand came to this city from Boston. He was not only the first homeopathic physician to settle in this county, but he represented that system in its most distinctive characteristics The next physician of this school of practice to locate in Sandusky was Dr. R. Caulkins, who came in 1848. He remained here in practice until 1850, when he left and returned again about 1862 or '63. From here he finally moved to Toledo, and after a few years spent in that city, went to New York State. He is now in charge as physician of one of the hospitals in Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. Caulkins is a man of pure life, devoted to his profession; very religious in his nature ; honest in his opinions and thoroughly independent in asserting them, and urged by his impulsive temperament he at times expressed himself with a vehemence and personality that reached the very verge of social propriety. The next representative of homeopathy in this city was Dr. D. T. Kramer. He came here from New York State. He graduated from the Homeopathic College in Philadelphia about 1848 and located here the same year. Dr. Kramer was a man of sterling character, and commanded the respect of all who knew him. He devoted himself and his utmost skill to the best interests of his patients. He believed most thoroughly in the law expressed in the legend "Similia similibus curantur," and as those who knew him best can testify, whatever professional success he attained was the result of a faithful application of the teachings of the founder of the system he had adopted. Homeopathy suffered no loss at Dr. Kramer's hands; on the contrary, it grew in influence, and its patrons increased in numbers. A man of modest and unaffected address, and possessing but little personal magnetism, his success and popularity were never factitious, but the reward of true manhood and real merit. Dr. Kramer moved with his family to Kansas in 1874, where he died in 1884. It is with sincere pleasure that the author of this simple tribute to Dr. Kramer's. memory embraces this unexpected opportunity to bear testimony to some of the many virtues of a man of so few faults. About 1852 a Dr. Hastings came to this city, and remained a year or two and from here went to Detroit. He never obtained much practice, and had only a limited acquaintance, even among the patrons of homeopathy. Of his subsequent history the writer has no information. In May, 1854, Dr. I. B. Massey came with his family to Sandusky from Jefferson county, N. Y. At that time Dr. Kramer was the only homeopathic 29 222 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. physician in the city ; those before mentioned as having been here, had all left. The first year of his residence in this city was at the old " Townsend House," kept at that time by R. D. McDonald. In April, 1855, he formed a copartnership with Dr. Kramer, which continued for three years ; their office being most of the time at Dr. Kramer's house, the present residence of Dr. John A. Graham. Dr. Massey graduated from the medical department of New York University in April, 1846. The venerable Dr. Valentine Mott was president of the faculty, and professor of surgery. Dr. Massey was in active practice as an allopathic physician from the time of his graduation until he came to Sandusky ; he had, however, for two or three years previous to his coming west, been investigating the claims of homeopathy, and devoted most of the year of his residence here before commencing practice with Dr. Kramer, in that gentleman's office, familiarizing himself with the materia medica and therapeutics of the system which he had decided to adopt, and in which practice he is still engaged, having practiced thirty-four years as a homeopathist in Sandusky, and eight years as an allopathist in New York. He is therefore the senior in actual age — having been born January 17, 1821 — as well as in years of practice, of all the homeopathic physicians of Erie county. Dr. Massey had for many years a large and lucrative practice, extending not only over Sandusky city, but more or less into the different townships of the county. He was from 1861 to 1871 physician to the county infirmary, a term of ten consecutive years. He was also for several years a member of the board of health, and a portion of the time health officer of the city. Admonished by increasing years and the growing infirmities incident to long exposure in the duties of a " doctor's life," that the call from labor to " rest and refreshment " had sounded, the doctor is endeavoring to enjoy the fruits of an active professional career, among those who remain of friends, patrons, and acquaintances, extending over a period of thirty-four years — more than a " generation of time." Dr. L. L. Leggett, son of General Leggett, of Cleveland, located here about 1870, and remained a year or so, when he relinquished his profession and engaged with his father in the patent law business. Dr. Leggett has the qualifications that will make him succeed in whatever he undertakes. The loss of such men to the profession is a misfortune to it and the public. The next recruit to the ranks of homeopathic physicians in Sandusky was Dr. J. D. Buck. He was born in Fredonia, N. Y. State, November 9, 1838. He studied medicine and graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic College in the spring of 1864; commenced practice at Battle Creek, Mich. ; moved to Sandusky in the spring of 1865, forming a copartnership with Dr. D. T. Kramer. In the fall of 1866 he was appointed to the chair of physiology in Cleveland Homeopathic College which position he filled until he removed to Cincinnati in the fall of 1871, where he helped to organize, in 1872-, the Pulte Medical College of THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 223 that city. Dr. Buck was for the first eight or nine years professor of physiology and registrar of the faculty. Since that time he has been dean and professor of theory and practice and clinical professor of throat and lung diseases. He was president of the State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1876. Dr. Buck has a large and lucrative practioe at Cincinnati, and is one of the leading men of the homeopathic school of the State. A man of pleasing address, robust health, extremely social and attractive in his intercourse with his patients, and the public ; studious by nature ; gifted with strong mental powers, he is an honor to the profession and would be an ornament to any society where his lot might be cast, Dr. Geo. A. Gordon succeeded to the practice of Dr. J. Buck in 1871, on the removal of that gentleman to Cincinnati, O. Dr. Gordon was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1841. He followed farming until the spring of 1864, when he enlisted as a soldier in the Union army and remained until the close of the Rebellion. He graduated from Iberia College, O., in 1867, when he began reading medicine with R. B. Rush, M. D., of Salem, O. He graduated from Cleveland Homeopathic College in February, 1867, and settled in Sandusky the following June, where he is still actively engaged in his profession, The doctor is one of our most popular and successful physicians. He has few superiors as a prescriber. Dr. Edwin Gillard was born at Venice, Erie county, O., in 1845 ; attended the High School in this city ; and Oberlin College ; served in the 145th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, usually known as the One Hundred Day troops. Returning to civil life he engaged in teaching school for five years and then entered Dr. J. D. Buck's office as a medical student, beginning practice at Bellevue in 1870. In 1871 he became a partner of Dr. I. B. Massey, and attended the Cleveland Homeopathic College where he graduated the following year. In 1882 he established the sanitarium at his present location No. 927 Washington street. Dr. Gillard is favorably known as a practitioner of skill, and occupies a front rank among the physicians of the city. As a student or practitioner, nature has endowed him with a degree of industry, perseverance and pluck, that when supplemented by adequate professional knowledge always constitutes an energy that thrives by opposition ; and while accident or superior force may hinder or delay, they seldom utterly defeat. Dr. Gillard was coroner of Erie county for one term, and is a prominent member of several secret societies. Dr. Clarence Eugene Stroud was born in Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., January 14, 1847 ; was educated at Palmyra, N. Y., and entered his father's dental office in Sandusky, in 1865, where he remained as student or partner until 1871. Then he entered the homeopathic medical department of Michigan University and remained one year, when he entered the Detroit Homeopathic College, graduating in 1872. His first location in practice after grad- 224 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. uating, was at Wyandotte, Mich., where he remained one year. In the spring of 1873 he came to Sandusky, O. He was for a number of years a member of the board of health of Sandusky, and was, during the entire period, its efficient secretary. Dr. Stroud is a practical dentist and holds the degree of doctor of dental surgery from the Wisconsin Dental College, issued in 1881. His father and only brother are among the most prominent practitioners of dentistry in the county. Dr. Stroud's industry and constant devotion to his profession, have achieved for him a measure of success, that is the best certificate of capacity that a doctor can desire, or community bestow. Dr. Sarah A. Henderson is a native of Burlington, Vt. She studied medicine in Cleveland under Dr. Boynton, who was a member of the Cleveland Homeopathic College faculty, from which institution she graduated and practiced on Kelly's Island four years, removing to Sandusky in 1877. She is a member of the American Institute, the leading society of this school of medicine. Dr. Henderson and her friends have reason to be well satisfied with her social and professional status wherever she is known. She has demonstrated not only her individual fitness for the duties of the physician, but shown that the " Lords of Creation" have not inherited or acquired all the skill or knowledge of the art of curing the sick. The intuitions, quick perception, and critical observation of woman amounts to an instinct in estimating human character and conduct, and is equally well adapted to the interpretation of the subjective symptoms that are often all the basis there is on which to form an opinion or diagnosis of disease. A physician who has not had occasion to confess that he has often been astonished and confounded by the interpretation of symptoms and the location of disease by women entirely ignorant of all the special knowledge on the subject that doctors are supposed to possess, has had a rare experience—one that would expose him to a criticism scarcely less disparaging than was made by Dr. John Hunter, of a young surgeon of London, who was boasting in the famous surgeon's presence that he had never lost a case of lithotomy " Well," said Hunter, " I presume the same cipher would represent your successful cases." That the conditions for making useful doctors depend more on the amount and quality of the brain, than the variety of the gender, will do very well as a question of discussion for a country debating society, but is hardly oreditable to medical colleges of the present day. Dr. Warren Newton, at present at Ligonier, Ind., was born and raised in Ottowa county ; studied medicine with David Gillard, at Port Clinton ; graduated at Homeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, about 1882. He settled in Huron, this county, and after practicing there a year or two, came to Sandusky, where he remained less than a year. Having an offer of a copartnership with a physician at Ligonier, he accepted in 1885, and is now engaged in THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 225 a large and growing practice at that place. The doctor is unusually well posted in materia media; a factor of supreme importance in qualifying one for a prompt and successful prescriber. He stood high as a student and maintains an equally high relative position among practitioners. Dr. David Gillard was born at Venice, 0., July 30, 1852; studied medicine with his brother, E. Gillard, and graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic College in 1877, and began the practice of medicine at Port Clinton; moved to Sandusky in the spring of 1882, and moved back to Port Clinton the same year; again moved to Sandusky in July, 1885, and formed a copartnership with his brother, Dr. E. Gillard, but dissolved partnership and returned to Port Clinton in the autumn of 1886, where he is now located. The doctor left a fine practice at Port Clinton when he came to Sandusky in 1885, which involved so large an amount of country business that he hoped to improve his practice, at least in this respect. A year or two convinced him that having too much country practice could be endured quite as cheerfully, and more profitably, than having too little. The doctor has re- entered his old field, and has cause to be gratified with the renewed expressions of confidence manifested by the. public in his skill and uniform success. Dr. John Mathews studied medicine with Dr. E. Gillard ; graduated and commenced practice at Castalia, and for a while with Dr. Gillard, in Sandusky. He went to California, where he died a year or two ago. Dr. William Gaylord began the study of medicine in February, 1878, with Dr. J. D. Buck, of Cinoinnati, as his preceptor. He was a locomotive engineer, running night express between Cincinnati and Richmond, Ind., and continued in this employment during his study and college course, until he graduated in the spring of 1883, at the Pulte Medical College, Cincinnati, 0. The following summer he was made lecturer on history and microscopy and resident physician in charge of the college dispensary; the following year he was made professor of chemistry and toxicology, which positions he held until locating in Sandusky in 1885. While in some respects Dr. Gaylord's medical education was obtained under disadvantages, yet there were other favorable conditions that more than compensated for the necessity of devoting so large a portion of the ordinary hours of rest to providing the means of support while preparing himself for the profession he had adopted. He had the advantage of a large amount of clinical experience in the office of his preceptor, as well as the college and hospital clinics of any of the professors he chose to attend, and these privileges in an office like his preceptor's, who was at that time a professor, and dean of the medical college, afforded him superior opportunities for witnessing and assisting in a large and varied amount of medical and surgical practice. Dr. Gaylord is the latest addition to the homeopathic fraternity of the city, and is as liberally equipped with the essentials of professional success as any who have preceded him. 226 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Among the homeopathic physicians of Erie county Dr. B. F. Hill, whose . home when in the county was at Berlin Heights, was in his day a prominent member of the fraternity. Dr. Hill was born December 18, 1813, in Tioga county, Pa. Came to Huron (now Erie) county, O., when a mere boy, and engaged in farming ; began his education in the log school-h0uses of those times ; finally taught school for several winters ; studied law at Norwalk with Cortland Latimer, during the years 1839-40. Owing to impaired health he was induced to turn his attention to medicine, and graduated in the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, October 1, 1843. He was demonstrator and assistant professor of anatomy, and finally appointed to a full professorship of anatomy, which he held until 1852, when he was appointed professor 0f surgery in the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, in which institution he remained as professor until 1860. Engagements of a business nature compelled him to spend a few years in Michigan, where he was elected in 1860 to the Legislature of that State. His report on the establishment of a homeopathic medical department in the University of Michigan is justly celebrated, and accomplished the purpose for which it was written. In the spring of 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln consul to Nicaraugua. While engaged in the medical pr0fession, during the years 1852 and 1853, he built the "Water Cure" at Berlin Heights; in the meantime wrote several books, among which was " Hill's Homeopathic Healing Art," also "Hill's Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art," eleven revised editions of which have been published. He was representative in the Ohio Legislature from Erie county during the sessions of 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870. Dr. Hill died at Marysville, Cal., May 13, 1871, aged fifty-seven years. The doctor was in many respects a remarkable man. Notwithstanding he was cut of when but little past middle age, he had accomplished more than the majority of men under similar circumstances will ever achieve, no matter to what age they are spared. The record of his labors is the best monument to his memory that even filial affection could erect. Dr. George S. Hill is a brother of the late B. F. Hill. He lived at Berlin Heights, and was a very successful practitioner. He moved into the southeastern part of the State many years ago. As it was omitted in the biography of B. F. Hill, it may be mentioned here that he (B. F. H.) was the author of "The American Eclectic Practice of Surgery," and the " Homeopathic Practice of Surgery," b0th works of real practical merit. Dr. Morley of Huron, was born December 17, 1860. Studied medicine with Dr. C. S. Morley, at Pontiac, Mich. Graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic College in 1884. At once located in Huron, where he is meeting with flattering success. Dr. Morley gives promise of becoming one of the leading physicians of the county. Dr. Bond of Vermillion, is an alumnus of Detroit Homeopathic College, re- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 227 ceiving his degree in 1873. He is esteemed by his patrons and acquaintances for his many excellent qualities of head and heart. Miss Spalding, a graduate of Cleveland Homeopathic College, practiced medicine a number of years on Kelley's Island, previous to 1873. Miss Spalding moved to Kansas with the family of Captain W. A. Webb, and remains there at this date (1888). Dr. Sarah A. Henderson succeeded her on Kelley's Island. Not having Dr. Spalding's address the writer has not been able to obtain any further items in connection with her professional history. Drs. McConly, Alling, Catlin, Simmons and Sweazy, are names familiar to the people of Milan, the last two being engaged there now, and the others at different times in the past. Of the first three the writer can speak but from a limited acquaintance, enough however to convince him of their ability and success in the profession. The two occupying the field at present are in good practice, which, in an intelligent community, is a sufficient endorsement of professional merit. It is due to the writer to say that the preparation of this article was unsought, and attempted with much hesitancy, mainly for the reason that his acquaintance with the profession outside the City of Sandusky has necessarily been comparatively limited, and therefore the little time at his command in which to obtain detailed and correct information of tbe different physicians who have at one time or another practiced in the county, made it impossible to do exact justice to those whose acquaintance he had been so unfortunate as not to have made. That there are those about whom no reference has been made, or if so, simply to mention their names, is no evidence or test of their comparative influence or ability in the fraternity ; but because I had not, and under the circumstances could not, be more thorough or critical in alluding to them. Of those of whom more has been said, still more flattering mention might have been made, but as the purpose was barely to refer to a few of the characteristics of each, if my estimate of their mental and professional status is fairly correct and just, my purpose is obtained; more than this I had no right to expect, Fraternally, I. B. MASSEY.