Heritage, Volume 17, Number 2, May 1999 Page: 4
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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Lewis A. JonesIn this issue of Heritage magazine, we
look at the quixotic early practice of medicine
in Texas. The "progressive" minds of
the late 20th century would view these
early practices as gross negligence, even
criminal. However, the science of bacteriology
initiated by Louis Pasteur and Joseph
Lister's conclusion that germs were
the cause of infection was a product of the
late 19th century. Texas' first medical practitioners
were the product of an earlier
time.
For the initial 300 years, Texas was a
remote outpost of the Spanish empire, and
those who came were priests to convert the
Indians and save souls, not to heal the
wounded and ill. Sickness was treated by
bleeding and purging, while medicines were
in the form of herbs, none of which were
helpful in the periodic epidemics.
Nevertheless, there were some medical firsts in Texas while
under Spanish rule. The first recorded successful surgery was
performed in 1535 by explorer Cabeza de Vaca. An arrowhead was
removed from the chest of an Indian using an unsterilized knife,
sutured using a deer bone, and the flow of blood was staunched
with animal hair. Other firsts included: vaccination against cowpox
(1806), a civil lawsuit for malpractice, Zambranov v. Zervan
(1807), a dispute over hospital expenses involving "moss, wool
and other bedding materials...and medicinal brandy" (1808), and
a failed attempt of socialized medicine in San Antonio (1820).
After Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, medical care
eroded because there was no longer support from the Crown.
However, with the influx of Anglo-Americans into Texas, medical
treatment began to change. Indeed, doctors came, but the motivations
were not always altruistic. The reasons: mainly land, but also
problems of health, gambling, dueling, and affairs of the heart.
Being removed from the learning centers, frontier medicine was 50
years behind in the development of medical practice. Moreover,education was done by preceptors wherein
one would "read for medicine." There was
no clinical training.
Furthermore, the practice of medicine
was almost as dangerous as some of the
panaceas. Always on call, it was not unusual
for a frontier doctor to ride 20 miles
on moonless nights in blizzard conditions,
across rivers, through woods while evading
Indians.
Public acceptance, too, was hard won.
An early sage advised, "I would further
caution newcomers who desire peace, prosperity
and health to avoid lawyers, doctors,
and quack medicines, and all other unseemly
monsters."
Popular causal reasons for illness included
poor climate and an imbalance of
bodily humors. Frequent treatment was
with poison (arsenic, nitre, and calomel).
Surgically, amputation (made tolerable by the use of chloroform)
remained the standard treatment for open fractures. Still, the
scourges of malaria, yellow fever, asiatic cholera, tuberculosis, and
dysentery could devastate a community.
Not every household trusted doctors (see Dr. Moursund's account
on page 16), but they all relied on home remedies that
included magic, amulets, poultices, plants and herbs, teas, and
granny rags. Home care emphasized the rights of the citizens to
take responsibility for their own ills and choose their own remedies.
What an odd concept entering the 21st century-responsibility.God Bless Texas.
P. S. Again, the Texas Historical Foundation is indebted to former
Lt. Governor Bob Bullock. During his tenure in state government,
Governor Bullock handed out Texas flag stickers with the slogan
"God Bless Texas". He is allowing the THF to continue this
tradition.A non-profit organization devoted to historic preservation requests applications and nominations for
BOARD MEMBERS
There are currently openings on the Board of Directors of the Texas Historical Foundation. The Board is seeking to recruit new
members who will reflect the full range of historical, preservation, and archaeological interests that the Foundation has traditionally
supported. It is also important that the Board represent the different geographical areas of the state. At present we are seeking to
increase representation from South Texas and the Panhandle, and we encourage applications from those areas. Send cover letter and
curriculum vita to:Lewis A. Jones * Texas Historical Foundation *P.O. Box 50314, Austin, Texas 78763
For more information on Board service, call (512) 453-2154 or by e.mail at thf@texashf.org4 HERITAGE *MAY 1999
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 17, Number 2, May 1999, periodical, May 1999; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45394/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.