Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 19, 1922

Chapter 19

First Hospital - Writings of Hypocrates - First Autopsy - Medical Associations - Langlade County Doctors - Trials and Tribulations - Drugs and Instruments - Medical Statutes - First and Second Langlade County Medical Societies - Dental Association - Dentists - School of Chiropractics - List of Physicians - Chiropractors.

Before the time of Hypocrates, the healing of the sick or the art of medicine was joined with the mission of Gods and priests. Religion, medicine and the superstition of the people combined into a so-called science of the ancients.

The writings of Hypocrates were standard guides for the medical profession for centuries after his death. Galen in 130 A. D., Andrew Vesalius in 1514, William Harvey in 1628, each were epochal medical writers. Edward Jenner, discoverer of vaccination against smallpox. Dr. Morton of Boston in 1846, discoverer of anaestheti.x properties of suphuric ether, all of these and others since, have done much to advance medical and surgical science.

tez, Spanish conqueror of Mexico. February, 1752, the first hospital was opened in the United States by Drs. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond in Philadelphia.

Antigo and Langlade County are served by two hospitals. The City Hospital, owned by Dr. E. J. Donohue, located at the intersection of First Avenue and Superior Street, and the Antigo Hospital, owned by Drs. G. E. and G. W. Moore, located at 1404 Fifth Avenue.

The .Wtigo Hospital

The first autopsy held in America was upon the remains of John Bridge of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who died of "Winde CoUicke," August 20, 1674. The first doctors in the United States were Dr. Thomas Wootten of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, Dr. Walter Russell, 1608, and Dr. Lawrence Bohun in 1610. The first hospital in the world was built at Jerusalem by Helena, mother of Constantine, about 350 A. D. The first American hospital was built before 1524 by Corstructure situated between Milton and Superior Streets where now the Langlade County Normal dormitory is located. It was organized by Dr. I. D. Steffen in 1889. He conducted it for three years.

Dr. I. D. Steffen purchased a piece of property in Antigo from Theresa Hirtz, March 11, 1897, and opened the Antigo Hospital. He sold the property to Mayme Boyle in 1917 and she in turn sold it to Dr. G. W. Moore, January 3, 1918. Dr. G. W. Moore has since associated with Dr. G. E. Moore, his fo'mer pri-tner, in conducting the hospital ture from Osca Daskam, June 3, 1911. The property, located in block 2 of Daskam's subdivision, was converted into the City Hospital. It is in charge of the Misses Agnes and Theresa Donohue.

The first Langlade County doctor was Dr. E. Smith, who came to Antigo from Little Suamico, Oconto County. Dr. Smith did not remain long in Antigo. He was immediately followed by Dr. F. J. Despins, who stopped for a time at the Springbrook House. Dr. Smith came here in 1880. Other pioneer doctors were Dr. E. A. Beckel, Dr. G. W. Moody, Dr. G. W. Remington, Dr. J. H. Dawley, Dr. M. J. Lower, Dr. F. J. Doyle, and Dr. Mills, dentist.

Trials Of Early Physicians

Today we cannot imagine the trials and vicissitudes that confronted the pioneer physician of 1880. Before Langlade County was organized it was necessary remedies. These ordinarily consisted of herbs, barks, liniments, ointments, secured by stage from Shawano or Wausau. The families would "stock up" on such medicine as St. Jacob's Oil, Seller's Cough Syrup, burdock and pleurisy root and other home remedies.

The pioneer housewife was always on hand when illness overtook a neighbor or a member of her own family. She usually had a remedy for most any disease and when her remedy failed a doctor was called. His methods were crude compared with modern medical methods, but in justice to the pioneer doctor, he brought relief to as many a patient and exhibited as much resourcefulness and common sense as do the modern physicians. Many of the herbs and medicines of early days did not possess pleasing tastes. "I can taste some of the medicine yet," remarked a pioneer of 1879.

If Drs. E. Smith and F. J. Despins, the first doctors in the county, could come back to earth and witness the wonderful progress made in Antigo and vicinity, for settlers to send to Shawano, Wausau or Clintonville for a physician. Many a life was in the balance while the doctor, far away, with poor roads, wound his way through the forests, either on horseback or with his "buckboard" and pony. When calls were made in evenings in later years many a doctor would lose his way in the dark wilderness. Over on the Wolf River, Jeannie Hill, now Mrs. Art Janes, and Mrs. Charles Larzelere, who nursed many a sick person, recalled sending to Clintonville for a doctor, who would often be two to three days on the way.

Domestic Medicines

It is only reasonable to see that because of these conditions so prevalent in New County and Langlade, afterwards, every household was provided with home see the flying machine, the automobile, the roaring 20th century passenger train, the great farm tractors and observe doctors talking with patients miles distant, prescribing treatment by radiophone or telephone and giving other medical advice, they would be thunderstruck, so to speak. If they could visit the late meetings of the county Medical Society, hear the papers read and the medical terms created since their day, they would be amazed.

Many instruments and necessary appliances could not be secured by early physicians. The pioneer doctor acted as nurse, interne, attendant and operator. His hospital was a room in the home of the patient. The X-ray and other electrical apparatus were unknown. Asceptic surgery, as practiced today, was in embryological stages.

Society

The first Langlade County Medical Society was organized April 19. 1897, with the following officers: President, M. E. Williams; Vice President, Dr. M. J. Lower; Secretary, Dr. B. F. Harris, and Treasurer, J. H. Dawley.

The present Langlade County Medical Society was organized in the municipal council chambers by Dr. J. M. Dodd, councilor of District No. 10, now District 11 (La Crosse District), of the State Medical Society, October 9, 1903. Officers elected were : President, Dr. I. D. Steffen; Vice President, Dr. M. J. Donohue; Secretary, Dr. F. I. Drake; Board of Censors, Dr. F. V. Watson, Dr. M. A. Flatley, and Dr. M. J. Donohue. Meetings were set at the first Friday of December, March, June and September. Present officers are: President, Dr. L. A. Steffen; Vice President, Dr. E. R. Murphy; Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. J. C. Wright.

The purpose of the society is to bring into one organization the physicians of the county, so that by frequent meetings and full and frank discussion, interchange of views, they may secure such intelligent unity and harmony as will elevate the opinion of the profession in all scientific, legislative, public health, material and social affairs, to the end that the profession may receive that respect and support within its own ranks and from the community to which its honorable history and achievements entitle it.

The annual meeting, with banquet, was introduced in 1910. The society did commendable service during the World War as a unit as also did its members.

List Of Physicians

Present Antigo Chiropractors are: Harry Zuehlke, J. J. Healy, Julius Below and Miss Alma Hanson. In 1912-13 the Antigo School of Chiropractics conducted by Paul Von de Schoeppe enjoyed state and nationwide reputation. The school graduated many chiropractors.

The Langlade County Dental Association organized June, 1919, with the following officers: President, Dr. F. C. Kestly; Vice President. Dr. C. B. Baker; Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. A. A. Hoffman. Meetings are held every two months. Present officers are : President. Dr. C. B. Baker; Vice President. Dr. John Prokupek; Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. A. N. Anderson.