Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 14: Taunton's Doctors, 1924

Chapter 14: Taunton's Doctors

The Taunton doctor has proven the courage, skill and patience that are leading qualities of the profession, in the face of most critical and challenging circumstances during a decade past. And there has been no slacking on his part in the strife, whether in national wars or with disease epidemics. Unanimously, on critical occasions, the local doctors' conferences have decided for undelayed relief for humanity. Entering upon their profession, they have enlisted 'in a cause that calls for sacrifice, and they have met and not avoided the issue. The city records the historical fact that during the influenza epidemic they were on duty day and night; and during the World War they were as one for whatever summons. In their calling they are representative of the Taunton spirit of remedial help at this hour.

The World War brought to judgment all professions, and the doctors of this city stood the test, as the very old saying has it. All were ready - all were at their posts. Yet there were some to be chosen for official place; and there were a good proportion who were to represent their brethren in the Medical Corps of Army or Navy. Some of the young practitioners went overseas in the World War. For example, John H. Doyle, M. D., joined the Medical Corps, and after having been stationed at Camp Hancock base hospital, went away for a year with his contingent to France and Germany; he entered as a lieutenant and returned as a major, and today he is a member of the Medical Reserve Corps. C. J. C. Gillon, M. D., served notably as an officer of the Medical Corps on hospital ship duty in the Navy. Andrew J. McGraw, M. D., was attached to the 332nd Infantry in the Medical Corps, and he served at base hospitals in Italy. William Y. Fox, M. D., captain in the Medical Corps, was attached to the Camp Dix base hospital, later in Delaware, then at Fort Hamilton. Donald F. Macdonald, M. D., a captain in the Medical Corps in the war, is now a member of the Officers' Reserve Corps. Joseph lL. Murphy, M. D., was in Ambulance Corps No. 17, and in the Sixth United States Infantry, Fifth Division; he went over the top, and returned as commander of Ambulance Company No. 17. Frank A. Murphy, M. D., was a captain in the Medical Corps, with the 163rd Infantry. Joseph B. Sayles, M. D., was attached to the United States General Hospital No. 6, at Atlanta, Georgia, in the dermatological section.

"The local medical advisory board through the war consisted of the following-named: Arthur R. Crandell, M.D., chairman; Ralph D. Dean, M. D., secretary; and Drs. Harry B. Baker, 'Horace G. Ripley and A. E. Mann (dentist). The examiners for the local draft board were: Charles A. Atwood, M. D., chairman; Drs. Thomas F. Clark, William Y. Fox, Edward F. Galligan, C. J. C. Gillon.

The Taunton Doctors' Club has its history of frequent meetings and of instructive papers that are listed hereinafter. A meeting of Taunton physicians interested in forming a medical club was held at Morton Hospital, April 8, 1897 - Dr. Frank A. Hubbard, chairman; Dr. Elliott Washburn, secretary; Dr. Silas D. Presbrey, treasurer. The signers of the call for the meeting included Drs. Charles A. Atwood, F. C. Walker, Seth D. Presbrey, B. L. Dwinell, J. A. Hunt, Frank A. Hubbard, Elliott Washburn, A. S. Deane, T. J. Robinson, J. W. Hayward, A. V. Goss, William Y. Fox, E. T. Galligan.

Officers were elected at the meeting of May 10, as follows: President, 1c A. Hubbard; vice-president, A.S. Deane; secretary, Elliott Washburn; treasurer, Silas D. Presbrey; and the constitution was accepted at that time, in which it was stated that the club should be called the Taunton Doctors' Club, and that any reputable physician practitioner of medicine should be eligible for membership. The present membership is twenty-nine. The first essay in this club's history was read May 20, by Dr. Silas D. Presbrey, on "Venous Thrombosis as a Complicating Disease." Other transactions are taken from the records:

June 17, Dr. T. S. Robinson reviewed "The Recent Epidemic of Malaria at East Taunton." October 21, Dr. Elliott Washburn read a paper on "The Value of Formaldehyde as a Disinfecting Agent." Other papers in 1897 were as follows: November 18, Dr. B. H. Strout on "Fracture of Jaw'; December 16, Dr. C. A. Atwood on "Surgical Shock."

At the meeting of January 20, 1898, Dr. B. H. Strout was elected treasurer, in place of Dr. Silas D. Presbrey. March 17, Dr. A. S. Deane read a paper on "Medical Officers in the United States Navy," and December 15, Dr. B. L. Dwinell on "Rheumatism." The papers of 1899 were as follows: January 19, Dr. J. E. Fish on "General Paralysis"; April 19, Dr. S. J. Mixter, surgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital, on "Acute Abdominal Emergencies"; June 15, Dr. J. W. Hayward on "Conservatism in Surgery"; November 23, Dr. J. A. Hunt on "The Treatment of Alcoholism."

The speakers and papers for 1900: February 10, Dr. S. D. Presbrey on "Glycosuria and Gangrene"; March 15, Dr. T. J. Robinson on "Diphtheria Antitoxin'; April 19, Dr. A. M. Round on "Tetanus"; May 17, Dr. B. H. Strout on "Alveolar Abscesses"; June 21, Dr. F. W. Page, of Boston, on "The Value of Expert Medical Testimony"; October 18, Dr. Elliott Washburn on "Rupture of the Urethra"; November 15, Dr. Atwood on. "Treatment of Appendicitis." January 31, 1901, the same officers were elected, with the exception that Dr. Ralph D. Dean was chosen secretary, in place of Dr. Elliott Washburn. The readers for the year: January 31, Dr. A. R. Crandell on "Infant Foods'; May 15, Dr. J. B Blake, of Boston, on "Surgery of Kidney"; October 17, Dr. Keene, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Institution, on "Degeneracy"; December 19, Dr. A. V. Goss on "Treatment of the Insane in Massachusetts"; February 12, 1902, Dr. F. A. Hubbard on "Early Recognition of Lung Tuberculosis"; March 20, Dr. J. A. Hunt on "Exophthalmic Goitre'; June 26, Dr. G. Carroll Smith on "Our Most Useful Drug"; February 19, 1903, Dr. C. A.. Atwood on "Nose Bleeding"; March 19, Dr. B. W. Baker on "Relations of Poison to the Etiology of Insanity"; October 13, Dr. R. V. Baketel on "Paranoia"; December 17, Dr. A. §S, Deane on ''Résumé of Therapeutics."

February 16, 1904, Dr. J. Emmons Briggs, of Boston, on "Surgery of Gall Bladder and Ducts"; November 18, Dr. F. A. Hubbard on '"Salpingitis"; March 21, 1905, Dr. F. W. Murdock on "Acute Diseases of the Ear'; November 21, Dr. E. W. Cushing, of Boston, on '"Tubercular Diseases of Kidney and Bladder"; February 20, 1906, Dr. E. H. Nichols, of Boston, on "Medical Aspect of American Football'; March 20, Dr. F. G. Balch, of Boston, on "Cystoscopy"; January 15, 1907, Dr. F. A. Washburn, of the Massachusetts General Hospital, on "Management of Hospitals'; January 28, 1908, Dr. B. L. Dwinell on "Fractures"; February 18, Dr. W. Y. Fox on "Current Medical Literature'; May 19, Dr. F. A. Hubbard on 'Medical Testimony in Court'; March 16, 1909, Dr. J. A. Hunt on "Some Cases Treated Without Medical Interference'; December 14, Dr. C. A. Atwood on "Injuries to the Patella." The speaker of June 211, 1910, was Dr. Philip Hammond, of Boston, whose subject was "Ear Disease."

June 22, Dr. W. Y. Fox, "The Doctor and the Public"; October 17, Dr. Leslie Spooner, of the Massachusetts General Hospital on "Anti-Typhoid Vaccination'; December 19, Dr. E. J. Galligan on "Tonsils as a Source of Infection"; January 16, 1912, Dr. A. V. Goss on "Treatment of Acute Insanity"; February 20, Dr. J. A. Hunt on "Cancer"; March 19, Dr. Harvey P. Towle, of Boston, on "Some of the Newer Methods of Treatment of Skin Diseases"; June 25, Dr. Mehegan on "Chronic Joint Affections." . May 20, 1913, Dr. H. H. Germain, of Tufts Medical School, read a paper on "Operations on Chronic Appendicitis Cases, Without Relieving the Symptoms"; October 21, Dr. R. F. Chase, of Boston, on "Methods of Diagnosis of Gastro-Intestinal Diseases"; March 21, 1916, Dr. A. R. Crandell on "The Physical Examination of the Infant"; May 16, Dr. A. S. MacKnight, of Fall River, on "Insects and Disease"; October 17, Dr. Ralph D. Dean on "Whooping Cough." the district that the twenty-five members of the Taunton Doctors' Club are heartily in sympathy with the action of the President of the United States with regard to Germany, and are ready to offer their services in case of need, in any professional capacity for which they may be qualified. March 20, Dr. R. C. Larrabee, of Boston, spoke on "Heart Irregularities'; May 15, Dr. H. G. Ripley on "General Paralysis"; June 27, Dr. F. A. Hubbard on "Why Practise Medicine?"; October 16, Dr. J. A. Hunt on "Spinal Lesions."

January 15, 1918, resolutions were passed upon the death of Dr. Silas D. Presbrey, one of Taunton's most noted physicians. Papers were read as follows: Dr. F. A. Murphy on "An Answer to Therapeutic Nihilism." At this meeting, Dr. A. R. Crandell read a communication from Dr. Franklin W. Garton, in reference to the Owen bill, granting higher rank to selected medical' officers of the army; the bill met the approval of the club. March 19, Dr. E. J. Galligan read a paper on "Pitutiary and Its Therapeutics"; May 1, Dr. A. M. Round on "Colles' Fracture"; November 19, Dr. F. W. Murdock on "Treatment of Tonsils."

The speakers and their papers for 1919: January 21, Dr. Charles A. Atwood, "Death from Electricity'; February 13, Dr. H. B. Baker, "Glaucoma"; March 18, Dr. L. E. Butler, "Headache"; June 21, Dr. T. E. Truesdale, "Surgery Overseas"; October 21, Dr. B. L. Dwinell, "Bladder Trouble"; November 25, Dr Ralph D. Dean, "Placenta Praevia"; January 21, 1920, Dr. Galligan on "Eclampsia"'; February 24, resolutions were passed on the death of Dr. John A. Hunt. Dr. A. V. Goss read a paper on "America's Red Peril'; May 25, Dr. A. R. Crandell on "Rickets"; November 14, resolutions upon the death of Dr. A. F. Milot; Dr. F. A. Hubbard on "Pyelitis in Children." January 18, 1921, Dr. D. F. MacDonald, "Vitamens"; May 17, Drs. F. A. Murphy and F. W. Murdock on "Arterio Sclerosis'; January 7, 1922, Dr. Charles Mixter, of Boston, on "Intestinal Diseases in Childhood"; October 18, Dr. Round on "The Merits of Iodine in Oil'; November 15, Dr. J. B. Sayles, "Radium."

January 17, 1922, the same officers were elected as for a number of years past. February 21, Dr. J. L. Murphy read a paper on "Modification of Cows' Milk for Feeding Babes"; March 21, Dr. C. J. Gillon, "Tonsils"; May 16, Drs. Charles A. Atwood and J. J. Thompson presented cases for discussion; June 20, Dr. H. B. Baker on "Diagnosis of Brain Tumors by the Barranz Tests"; October 24, Dr. A. S. MacKnight, of Attleboro, on "Hospital Attitude in Relation to Tuberculosis"; November 27, Dr. J. V. Chatigny cited cases of typhoid; December 19, Dr. R. A. Greene, "Classification of Mental Diseases"; January 16, 1923, Dr. L. E. Butler on "Hodgkins Disease"; February 20, Dr. A. S. MacKnight on "Arterio-Poliomyelitis."

The Dentists' Club - Men in all professions were well proven during the progress of the World War, and it was then, too, that the men in the profession of dentistry in Taunton came to the front to tender their services for the good health and sanitation of the soldier. The dentists here gave freely of much of their time each day, to care for the mouths of the volunteers, and in that way performed a notable share.

Three dentists entered the service with the Dental Corps, one going overseas, two doing service in the camps in this country. Dr. Fred L. Nickerson, who was made first lieutenant in the corps, shared in a round of activities in Europe. Enlisting May 21, 1918, he received his discharge September 5, 1919, after having been attached to these contingents, namely, the 303rd Field Artillery, the 301st Ammunition Train, the 117th Field Signal Battalion, and the 6th Field Artillery. Dr. Thomas P. Dunn enlisted with the Second Dental Corps, June 18, and was stationed at Camp Dix, and he was commissioned lieutenant before going out of the service. Dr. Clarence O'Keefe was a first lieutenant in the Dental Corps at Camp Devens. Dr. John Smith, though not practising here, is a native of Taunton, and served with the Corps in the navy.

The first meeting of the ethical dentists of Taunton was held May 14, 1913, for organization, with Dr. B. H. Strout as temporary chairman, and it was voted that the Dentists' Club be formed, and that the by-laws be the same as those of the Doctors' Club, as far as possible. The officers chosen were the following-named: President, Dr. B. H. Strout; vice-president, Dr. E. F. Flynn; secretary-treasurer, Dr A. E. Mann, Meetings were to be held the second Tuesday of each month, with the exception of July, August and September. The charter members were: Drs. James J. Conroy, John F. McKeon, Edwin N. Clark, Matthew J. Mitchell, Charles J. Carey, Charles W. Hammett, E. F. Flynn, Hyman B. Swig, Charles F. Davis, Albert E. Mann, B. H. Strout, The first report on clinic for children of the public schools was made by Dr. E. N. Clark, June 10, 1913, and Dr. B. H. Strout read a paper at that time on "The Care of Children's Teeth." The club has met at various places, at the residences of dentists sometimes, but for the most part at Taunton Inn, where papers have been read and business transacted. October 14, 1913, Dr. Swig read a paper on "Cocaine"; November 11, Dr. Carey on "Dental Neuralgia"; December 9, Dr E. A. Clark, on "Pulpless Teeth."

January 13, 1914, Dr Conway read a paper on "The Gold Inlay"; February 10, Dr. W. H. Cook on "Analgesia"; March 10, Dr. Davis on "Pyorrhea"; April 14, Dr. Thomas Dunn, "Alloy Filling'; May 12, Dr. Flynn on "The Sixth Year Molar."

At the first annual meeting, July 9, 1914, the officers were re-elected. Dr. Hammett read a paper on 'The Administering of Anaesthetics"; October 12, Dr. Mann on "Oral Prophylaxis"; November 10, at Providence, R. I., Dr. McKeon on "The Adaptation of the Non-banded Porcelain Crowns'; December 7, Dr. Mitchell on "Accidents in Extracting"; December 10, Dr. Boylen, "Experience."

February 9, 1915, Dr. B. H. Strout showed and explained radiograph pictures; March 9, Dr. Swig on "The Preservation of the Dental Pulp'; April 13, Dr. Boylen, "The Diagnosis of Lesions of the Dental Pulp'; May 11, Dr. Carey on "Gold Crowns."

At the annual meeting, June 8, the officers were re-elected. October 13, Dr. Clark read a paper on "Irregularities of the Teeth'; November 9, Dr. Conroy on "Oxyphosphite and Silicate Cements'; December 14, Dr. Davis on "The Treatment of the Mouth Preparatory to the Insertion of an Artificial Denture."

January 11, 1916, Dr. Flynn read a paper on "Incidents of Office Practice"; March 14, Dr. Hammett on "Dentist and Patient"; April 11, Dr. Mainz on "Base Plate Gutta Percha as a Permanent Filling Material'; May 9, Dr. Mainz was elected secretary; all the other officers were re-elected. Dr. Mann, on "Selection of Filling Material'; November 16, Dr. Mitchell on "Dentistry as a Profession"; December 12, Dr. Nickerson on "The Treatment of Teeth and Filling of Root Canals."

March 13, 1917, the Taunton Dentists' Club wrote Captain Frank A. D. Bullard to the effect that they would put the teeth of the members of the local militia in proper condition before leaving town, in case his company were called to service. Dr. Boylen read a paper on "Practical Dentistry"; April 10, Dr Carey on "Partial Plates and Bridgework."

May 14, 1917, Dr. Hammett was elected president; Dr. Davis, vice-president; Dr. Mainz, secretary and treasurer. Dr. Clark read a paper on "Dental Patches"; November 13, Dr. Doherty on "Porcelain Crowns"; December 11, Dr. Dunn on "Taunton Dental Clinic."

January 8, 1918, Dr. Davis on "Examination of the Mouth'; April 9, Dr. Flynn on "Theory and Practice." May 14, officers were re-elected. On that date, L. James Parker, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, gave a talk concerning his work.

At the meeting of January, 1919, Dr. Marron gave an address upon his experiences with the Advisory Board, and in February, Dr. Strout lectured upon "Root Canal Filling with Nitrate of Silver," illustrated with lantern slides. October 14, 1919, Dr. Nickerson talked concerning some of his experiences abroad. In 1920, Dr. Flynn was elected secretary-treasurer. In 1921, Dr. Mitchell was elected president, and Dr. Mainz secretary-treasurer; and Dr. Conroy was elected president of the club in 1922.

Doctors of Other Days - These organizations of practitioners are the outcome of the presence and the experience here of the men who in former years led the way in the profession as representative physicians of their own era. Our inquiry briefly recalls them and their times, as follows.

pioneer doctor, Ezra Deane, grandson of Walter Deane, first settler. Dr. Ezra Deane was born in Taunton, October 14, 1680, his mother being the daughter of Deacon Samuel Edson, of Bridgewater. His children were remarkable for longevity, eleven of them living the aggregate sum of more than one thousand years. A daughter, Theodora, lived to be more than one hundred years of age; she was the mother of Dr. Job Godfrey. It is said of him that "he was justly entitled to the distinguished appellation of the disinterested physician - a father to the poor." He died aged seventy years. His son Job lived to be very old, and for more than sixty years was Proprietors' clerk. Jones Godfrey, another son, followed the profession of his father. He graduated at Brown University with the class of 1793, and died in 1831. Both lived at the east side of the Neck of Land bridge.

David Cobb, judge and lieutenant-governor, was also a _ physician. Hon. William Baylies followed the same profession. He graduated at Harvard University in 1760, and studied medicine with Dr. Tobey in New Bedford. His was a distinguished family. His wife, Bathsheba, was a daughter of Hon. Samuel White, the first lawyer of Taunton; their daughter Elizabeth married Hon. Samuel Crocker, one of the first merchants of the town. Their son, Samuel White Baylies, studied law with Governor Sullivan. Another son, Hon. William Baylies, of West Bridgewater, was eminent as a lawyer. Another son, Hon. Francis Baylies, was one of the leading historians of the Old Colony. Micah Pratt, William McKinstry and Samuel Caswell were among the practitioners of that day. Others of equal ability were Drs. Ephraim Otis, Elijah Macomber, Joseph Witherell, Philip Padelford, Amos Allen, Foster Swift and George Leonard. Dr. Ebenezer Dawes practised medicine in Taunton for fifty years; he was one of Taunton's most benevolent and kindhearted physicians. |

Dr. Alfred Baylies, one of the most prominent physicians of his generation, was born in Dighton, September 16, 1787, and commenced the practice of medicine in Taunton in 1813. He was for years a trustee of Bristol Academy, and over thirty years secretary of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.

Dr. William Gordon was a physician here nearly a decade; his son, William A., was also a practitioner here.. Dr. Dan King was in practice here eleven years, 1848-1859. Dr. Henry B. Hubbard, medical examiner: during the Civil War, was a graduate of Harvard Medical School, class of 1834; he died July 6, 1870. His son, Dr. Charles T. Hubbard, was also a practitioner here. Dr. Ira Sampson, Brown University, class of 1838, and Dr. John B. Chase, Jefferson College, class of 1838, were contemporaries. Dr. Joseph Murphy, born in Ireland in 1818, was a graduate of leading colleges in Ireland. He was an active member of the Massachusetts Medical _ Society. He was four years an alderman, and was the first chairman of the Taunton Board of Health. He died September 15, 1890, aged seventytwo years. Three sons - Joseph, Francis and Charles - followed their father's profession; a daughter, Agnes, married Dr. John B. Gillon, of 'this city. James B. Dean, Edward G. McCormick, William Gage, Marcello Hutchinson, the two latter connected with the State Hospital, and Alfred Wood and Nathaniel M. Ransom, were contemporary physicians of the latter part of the last century.

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tors' Club was: Drs. Charles A. Atwood, Elton J. Bassett; John P. Brown, superintendent of the State Hospital; Owen Copp, Chauncey Adams, Frank S. Hamlet, Asahel S. Deane, one of the oldest of the practitioners here at the present time; William Y. Fox, Edward F. Galligan, Michael G. Golden, Parke W. Hewins, Charles Howe, Frank A. Hubbard, Joseph B. Murphy, Nomus Paige, Martha Perry, Silas D. Presbrey, Walter S. Robinson, William E. Carroll, Elliott Washburn, Thomas J. Robinson.