Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 19 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Early Medical Help
In the early days, in the Gatineau, as elsewhere, doctors and medical assistance were noted because of their absence, or were a day's journey away. It therefore behooved the adults of a family, especially the women folk, to be prepared for any eventuality in cases of sickness or accident. Wives and mothers passed known home remedies from generation to generation - midwifery, the art or practice of assisting women in childbirth would seem to be an aspect of this development, as does nursing.
Often the remedies and cures provided by these "first aiders" proved successful and the patient recovered. However the reverse of the coin also applied when the illness or accident did not respond to the cure, or was beyond the scope and experience of the person providing the remedy or treatment. In such cases death often stepped in to claim a victim.
Mortality was high, as one can guess, in the average settler families, which may, in part, account for the birth rate of those days being considerably higher than today.
The treatment of accidents involving injuries to limbs was rough and ready. Often broken bones could not be reset, or would not be reset properly, which could result in shortened arm, or in the case of the leg, a permanent limp. Should a limb, or portion thereof be entirely severed the stump was cauterized. This process, to seal the end of the blood vessels, to prevent further bleeding, had to be performed as soon after the accident as possible. In some cases an axe or knife was heated red-hot and was then applied, always provided the patient had not bled to death. Another method, somewhat messy, was the application of hot tar. If the patient had not fainted this would likely occur upon cauterization. On the other hand, if the patient, although suffering serve shock, was otherwise conscious, a stiff dose or several of brandy, whisky or other potion of a similar nature was administered, which had the effect of achieving a "dead drunk" - whichever way one looks at it.
It is surprising how many persons survived severe injuries and the seemingly brutal treatment of our forefathers were forced to apply. Of course many died despite treatment, as did those who were alone at the time of the accident.
Three of the earliest medical practitioners in the lower Gatineau were Asa Meech at Chelsea, Dr. Stephen Wright - a relative of Philemon Wright - at Wakefield and Dr. Peter Howard Church in Aylmer.