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From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <>
Subject: HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY (PART V)
Date: Sun, 27 May 2001 11:15:36 -0500


BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF RINGGOLD AND DECATUR COUNTIES,
IOWA. The Lewis Publishing Company, l887.
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PROFESSIONAL
~~~
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
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The life of a medical practitioner in a newly settled country is
generally one of toil and hardship. Compensation is usually meager, and
however extensive may be the physician's practice, much of it must be
rendered gratuitously on account of the poverty of his patients. A
strong constitution and abundant patience is requisite to success, and
success frequently means on the part of the physician merely the
consciousness that he has performed his duty well. Many of those who
first ministered to the sick in Decatur County were not graduates of any
medical institution, and would not today be recognized as competent
physicians; but they exercised what knowledge they had in the interests
of suffering humanity, and deserve credit for what they did. As the
country grew in population, the number of physicians increased, and in a
few years all the settlers had reliable medical advisers within a short
distance from their homes.

Fever and ague was the chief complaint, and by far the most frequent
among the early settlers. It was especially prevalent in the region
lying along Grand River. Aside from this disease, from which few
pioneer settlements in the West were ever entirely free, there was
little sickness. The early settlers were generally men and women of
strong constitution and robust health. They never called a doctor
unless their symptoms were alarming, but instead relied upon the
efficacy of herb teas and other simple remedies. Had it not been for
fever and ague, doctors would have had but little to do. That disease
disappeared as the country improved, and now few portions of the country
can boast of a healthier climate and population than Decatur County. No
great epidemics have ever visited the people. There is nothing in the
condition of air and climate to cause disease; and the present
generation is free from inherited taints, and blest with good habits and
vigorous health.

The physicians of Decatur County have generally been men of more than
average ability in their profession. Not a few have been of culture and
extensive scholarship. The present practitioners are almost without
exception reckoned among the most honorable citizens, and in their
professional character are possessed of judgment, faithfulness,
knowledge and skill such as entitled them to rank among the most useful
members of society.

DECATUR COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

This society was organized June 8, l875, the members present at that
time being DRS. CHESTER, STUART and TODD, of Garden Grove, and SANFORD,
FINLEY, MCCLELLAND and LAYTON, of Leon. DR. TODD was chosen temporary
president, and DR. FINLEY the first permanent president. DR. MCCLELLAND
was vice-president, and DR. LAYTON, secretary. DRS. LANEY and BONE, of
Decatur City, became members at the second meeting, when constitution
and by-laws were adopted, and a fee bill selected.

Regular meetings have been held monthly, except during the severe
weather of winter. At these meetings discussions and consultations are
held for mutual improvement. These are read, and clinics frequently
held. The permanent headquarters of the society are at Leon, but the
monthly gatherings are held at different places by turn, and an annual
picnic is generally indulged in. For l886 J.B. HORNER is President;
H.C. VAN WERDEN, Secretary; H.C. VAN WERDEN, Treasurer, and these three
also act as censors. The present active membership includes--W.J.
LANEY, Decatur City; W.A. TODD, Chariton; H.C. BONE, Grand River; M.
DANIELS, Terre Haute; H.R. LAYTON, Leon; J.R. MCCLELLAND, Leon; R.D.
GARDNER, Leon; W.H. TODD, Van Wert; A. HAMILTON, Blockly; W.C. WHEELER,
Davis City; L.H. SALES, Leon; H. PARRISH, Decatur City; E.C. MASON,
Harding; J.B. HORNER, Davis City; H.C. VAN WERDEN, Leon; W. VAN WERDEN,
Leon; E.W. DOOLITTLE, Garden Grove; O.W. FOXWORTHY, Weldon; N.J. HYATT,
Van Wert; ENOS MITCHELL, Weldon.

To Be Continued: PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY. . . . . . . .
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

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