According to early Indian traditions of the
San Francisco Bay section of California, there were both medicine-men and
medicine-women. The superstitions of these primitive people attributed to
them supernatural powers, in virtue of which they were held equal to the
chiefs of their tribe. All honor to the medicine-man when he could bring
back to his tribesmen strength and endurance for conquests, but should he
fail he was apt to be physically punished for his shortcomings.
The great cure-all was the sweat-bath in the
sweat-house, or temescal, which, quoting from Bancroft's "Native
Races of the Pacific Skates," "was built in the shape of an inverted bowl,
generally about forty feet in diameter at the bottom, built of strong poles
and branches of trees, covered with earth to prevent the escape of heat.
There was a small hole near the ground, large enough for Diggers to creep
in, one at a time, and another at the top to give out the smoke. When a
dance is given, a large fire is kindled in the center of the edifice, and
the crowd assembles. The apertures, both above and below, are then closed,
and the dancers take their positions. Simultaneously with the commencement
of the dancing, which is a kind of shuffling hobble-de-hoy, the 'music'
bursts forth. Yes, music fit to raise the dead. A whole legion of devils
broke loose. Such screaming, shrieking, yelling, and roaring was never
before heard since the foundation of the world. A thousand cross-cut saws
filed by steam power - a multitude of tom-cats lashed together and flung
over a clothes-line - innumerable pigs under a gate - all combined would
produce a heavenly melody compared to this; yet this uproar, deafening as it
is, might possibly be endured, but another sense soon comes to be saluted.
Talk of the thousand stinks of the City of Cologne. Here are at least forty
thousand combined in one grand overwhelming stench. Round about the roaring
fire the Indians go capering, jumping, and screaming, with the perspiration
streaming from every pore. They rush frantically around the walls in hope to
discover some weak point through which they may find egress, but the house
seems to have been constructed purposely to frustrate such attempts. More
furious than caged lions, they rush bodily against the sides, but the stout
poles resist every onset." The medicine-man of the rancheria would then open
the door and, followed by all the inmates, rush wildly to the river, into
which they would plunge, and those who survived the awful shock would gather
on the bank to sleep off their exhaustion, and the fandango was over.
In 1833 cholera killed thousands of Indians,
destroying whole settlements, and even tribes, often not leaving enough of
the living to dispose of the dead.
The dead were held sacred. The burying-ground
was a place of religious worship and prayer, although the majority of Indian
dead of this section were burned. The funeral bier was a weird scene of wild
orgies and cantations of friends and relatives of the deceased.
Mount Diablo, practically centrally situated
and rising to a height of nearly four thousand feet, causes a climatography
which is peculiar only to Contra Costa County. The ocean winds of the summer
and the southeast winds of the winter, blowing against its ragged rocks,
antagonize and yet harmonize the seasons most perfectly. The western half of
the county, cool and temperate, with a daily ocean breeze, has always been
practically free from epidemics of contagious diseases, yet the frail and
anemic are here subject to the catarrhal congestions of mucous-membrane
diseases.
The great central valley, with its coast
windbreak of western hills sheltering it from the fog and the force of heavy
winds, and giving a modified temperature under the fog-bank without its
disagreeable features, forms a recreating and recuperating spot second to
none in the United States.
The eastern half, as it dips into the San
Joaquin Valley from which the winds are shifted by the great Mount Diablo,
has a temperature of fifteen to twenty degrees higher, which, while giving
health to the frail and anemic, is somewhat endemic to typhoid and malaria
infections.
The mountains of mineral deposits, with the
winter rainfall percolating through their crevices, send forth many and
various mineral springs. Throughout the county there are many springs of
good clear, healthful water, and others with various degrees of saturation
with the compounds of sodium, calcium, magnesia, and iron.
The Grand Canon Springs, near Richmond, under
the management of I. N. Gates; the Alhambra Springs, under the management of
L. M. Lasell; and the Ferndale Springs, in the valleys back of Martinez, are
exceptionally good table waters. They are being bottled and shipped by the
thousands of gallons and serve to advertise in many homes one of the wonders
of Contra Costa County.
September 7, 1847, in Saline, Mich., Lewis
Risdon Mead was born. He came to California in 1863, by the way of the
Isthmus of Panama, and became identified with his uncle, Orange Risdon, the
founder of the Risdon Iron Works, of San Francisco. Orange Risdon located
and bought from the Government two hundred acres of land in what is now
eastern Contra Costa County, believing that the mineral springs that were
located upon the same were of considerable financial value. Under his
direction, his nephew, Lewis Risdon Mead, with a party of surveyors,
surveyed the tract to ascertain definitely whether or not these springs were
located upon the property. Mr. Risdon intended the erection of a large
salt-evaporating plant, and had the iron pans made at his works in San
Francisco, to be sent to what is now Byron, for the purpose of evaporating
this water and collecting the salt. Mr. Mead, on going to the place for his
survey, found many campers that told him stories of people who had been
cured of rheumatism and allied conditions by bathing and drinking these
natural waters. In 1868 Mr. Mead built a bath-tub and a small house on what
was known as "the sulphur spring," and it received a liberal patronage. In
1872 its popularity had grown so that a ten-room house was built to
accommodate the bathers. In 1877 it was rented by H. C. Gallagher, now of
Denver, Colorado, who built several bath-houses at the different springs and
established a stage-line thence to Byron. In 1880 Mr. Mead again took
possession of the springs, and their wonderful development and popularity
throughout California, the United States, and abroad were due entirely to
his personal management. He caused the salt-beds to be filled with ten or
twelve feet of good earth, in order to grow the beautiful trees and
shrubbery which now surround the hotel. In 1901 the first hotel, erected at
a cost of $50,000, was destroyed by fire. In 1902 this was supplanted by a
$150,000 Moorish building, built by Reid Brothers, of San Francisco, after
which Byron Hot Springs became one of the best-known resorts in California.
Unfortunately, this hotel was burned in 1912. It was,
however, replaced in 1914 by another fire-proof building, costing $100,000.
A few days after Mr. Mead furnished the writer this data he died from acute
bronchial pneumonia, June 13, 1916. There has been no man who has been more
active and helpful in the development and the growth and welfare of Contra
Costa County than Lewis Risdon Mead. He has left his handiwork written as an
enduring monument in the large industry which he developed, in the cordial
friendship with the men of affairs of central California, and in the health
and affection portrayed in the countenances of thousands of people who were
relieved of suffering to become useful and happy men and women, owing to his
organization and work. He was an active Mason, one of the founders of
Brooklyn Lodge No. 225, of Oakland, and a member if the Knights Templars and
of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a regent of the University of California
and president of the Mechanics Institute of San Francisco for many years. He
was an active Republican, and at all times a constructive builder.
The early history of Contra Costa County is
largely a record of the work of physicians who were lured to the Golden West
by the spirit of adventure. In each section of the county is the name of
some physician who was a determining factor in its material development.
The most striking character in the early
drama of Contra Costa County is that of Doctor John Marsh, who was born in
Danvers, Massachusetts, June 5, 1799. His academic work was taken at Harvard
University, from which he graduated. His medical course was taken at Fort
Snelling (now St. Paul), Minnesota, after which his love of adventure
started him on his course. He traveled through practically the whole United
States, engaging in the Indian wars of the West from 1828 to 1835. He
drifted through the southern portions of the United States and northern
Mexico, reaching what is now Los Angeles, and coming north to the base if
the great Mount Diablo about 1836 or 1837. Doctor Marsh's personal
appearance was commanding, his adroitness as a manager great. He had seen
much of life, was a keen observer of men and things, was a thorough French
and Spanish scholar, and had a very versatile mind. Many articles from his
pen, descriptive of the country and dealing with the romance of the early
Spanish-Indian days of California, appeared in Eastern publications. He
obtained a grant of seven thousand acres of land from the Mexican Government
on the east base of Mount Diablo, which title was later confirmed by the
United States. This he stocked with cattle. When the gold excitement came
his land and cattle greatly advanced in value, until he became a very
wealthy man. Doctor Marsh was not actively engaged in his professional
calling, practicing only among the many people he employed, and who were
settled upon his large estate, and those of his neighbors and friends. On
September 24, 1856, he was foully murdered by three discharged employees
near Concord, while on his way to Martinez.
Doctor S. J. Tennent was born in Liverpool,
England, January 5, 1818, and graduated in medicine from London University.
Being enthused with a spirit of romance and adventure, he shipped on board a
whaling vessel for the Sandwich Islands, where for a few years he practiced
medicine, becoming physician to the king of the islands. His roving
disposition caused him to drift to San Francisco, where he landed a short
time prior to the period of the discovery of gold in California. On
September 8, 1849, he married Rafaela Martinez, daughter of the commandant
of the Presidio of San Francisco. On account of this marriage he inherited a
large tract of land between Pinole and Martinez, and gave his attention
principally to farming and stock-raising. On April 11, 1854, he was
appointed county physician, which position he held until February 8, 1872.
He established the first drug-store in Martinez, in 1858.
Doctor E. F. Hough was born in New York
October 23, 1823, graduating from Berea College, Ohio, in 1839, and studying
medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He came to California with the first rush for
gold. After spending a short time at various parts of the State, he came to
Contra Costa County in October, 1853, and settled in the Ygnacio Valley,
where he was one of the earliest settlers. There being few white citizens,
and the practice of medicine not being all lucrative, he opened a store,
which he abandoned in 1855 and came to Martinez, where he established the
Hough Hotel, which he conducted for a quarter of a century. It is said he
was the first discoverer of mineral paints in California. While a man of
affairs and influence in the social development of the county, he was never
actively engaged in the practice of medicine.
The grand old patriarch of Contra Costa County
was without question Doctor James H. Carothers. He was born in Beaver
County, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1823. His academic work was taken at Ohio
Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, and he graduated in medicine from Miami
Medical University. He came to California in 1852, visited many different
sections of the State, and finally decided upon Contra Costa County as his
home. He went back to Ohio to bring his family to his new home, and in 1854
returned to California for permanent residence in Contra Costa County, where
he actively established himself of the practice of medicine. About 1860 he
bought sixty acres of land from Don Salvador Pacheco and laid out the town
of Pacheco. Here he built stores, houses, and his own residence, and this
town was for a long time the active business center of central Contra Costa
County. In 1869 he was elected to the State legislature upon the Republican
ticket. On August 5, 1874, he was appointed county physician, which position
he held for many years. In 1874 he moved back to Martinez, and this place
remained his home until his death. His practice extended the full length of
Contra Costa County, and he will always stand out as the most noted man in
the medical history of Contra Costa County. He assisted in organizing the
California State Medical Society, and in June, 1877, organized and became
president of the first Contra Costa Medical Society, and in this society he
always maintained an active membership. Among those who had the good fortune
to know Dr. Carothers he will be remembered as one of the brightest and most
successful characters it was ever their lot to meet.
ANTIOCH. - In Antioch it appears that the
first physician was Doctor Samuel Adams, who located about 1853, and
confined his work to the treating of ulcers and tumors, which he invariably
diagnosed as cancers. He died in 1880. About 1860 Doctor John R. Howard
located in Antioch, and actively practiced medicine until 1874, when he
moved to Oakland. About 1864 Doctor Van Black and Doctor Mayberry located.
Doctor Ruggles came in 1866. Doctor Emmett L. Wemple located in Nortonville
in 1873, and in a short time moved to Antioch, from which place he
extensively practiced medicine in eastern Contra Costa County until 1888,
when he moved to San Francisco. Doctor M. C. Parkison located in Antioch in
1875, where he continued to practice medicine until his death in 1910.
Doctor Frank Rattan bought the practice of Doctor E. L. Wemple in 1888, and
continued to practice in Antioch until 1901, when he moved to Martinez.
Doctor T. B. De Witt came in 1891, and practiced a short time, and then
moved to San Francisco. Doctor W. S. George came to Antioch a few months
after Doctor Rattan, and has been in continuous practice since that time.
Besides being a very busy physician, he has always been very active in the
social and political affairs of his town and county. Doctor J. W. De Witt
located in Antioch in 1894, after his uncle moved to San Francisco. He has
been in continuous active practice throughout eastern Contra Costa County
since that time. Doctor Chas. B. Fisher located in Antioch in 1906, and
remained about one year. Doctor Edward A. Diggins came to Antioch in 1911
from San Francisco, since which time he has continued to practice in
Antioch. Shortly after his arrival in Antioch he established a private
hospital, which he conducted for a short time. Doctor Carlotta R. Deckelman
located in Antioch in 1915, and has built up a good practice.
The following is an early fee schedule from
the office of Doctor M. C. Parkison, adopted by the physicians of Contra
Costa County early in 1870:
The following
rates of charges have been agreed upon by the undersigned
physicians of Contra Costa County:
For each prescription or advice at
office.......................................$2.00
For special office
examination.................................................... 5.00
For each visit in town during day
time......................................... 2.50
For each visit in town during night time, 10pm to
7am.................. 5.00
For visits one mile from residence and under five miles
............... 3.00-5.00
For visits over five miles from residence, per mile
........................ 1.00
For visits in consultation with usual mileage fee
.......................... 5.00
For ordinary midwifery with usual mileage
fee.............................. 20.00
For midwifery when instruments are required
..............................$40.00-100.00
M. C. Parkison, M. D. O. B.
Adams, M. D.
E. L. Wemple, M. D. G. E.
Alexander, M. D.
John Leffler, M. D. D.
Walker, M. D.
J. H. Carothers, M. D. H. V.
Mott, M. D.
Extract From Code of Ethics
"A physician ought not to take charge of, or prescribe for, a
patient who
has recently been under the care of another member of the faculty in the
same illness, except in cases of sudden emergency, or in consultation
with the physician previously in attendance, or when the latter has relinq-
uished the case, or been regularly notified that his services are no longer
desired."
BAY POINT. - At the time of the establishment of
the C. A. Smith Lumber Company at Bay Point in 1911, Doctor George McKenzie,
of Concord, established an emergency hospital for the care of the sick and
injured of the company. He has been continuously in charge of it since that
time. In 1911 Doctor Orlando Pearson located in Bay Point, where he remained
six months.
BRENTWOOD. - A great deal can be written
concerning the early doctors of the vicinity of Brentwood and Byron. The
earliest and most conspicuous is that of Doctor John Marsh, whose history
has been briefly given. Doctor Patterson located near Bethany in the eastern
end of the county in the late '60s. His practice reached as far as the
neighborhood of Antioch. He remained a good many years. Doctor C. A. E.
Hertell practiced in the district about 1869 or 1870. He was a Methodist
minister, and located at what was known as Point of Timber. He was of the
old school and believed that calomel was the Hercules of Materia Medica.
Doctor Meyers located in the vicinity in the '70s, and was known as the
French doctor who performed miracles. Doctor Charles Connors came to
Brentwood in 1886 or 1887 from Los Angeles, and remained about two years.
Doctor H. V. Mott located in Marsh Creek about 1880, later removing to
Brentwood, where he practiced until he died. Doctor J. E. Marsh came to
Brentwood about 1898, practicing a short time. He was followed by his
brother-in-law, Doctor C. A. Bell, who remained two years. Doctor J. W.
Ellis located on a farm near Oakley in 1896 and practiced until 1904. At
present he is retired from active work. Doctor H. Rozsas located in
Brentwood in 1900 and practiced one year. He was followed by Doctor J. T.
Gardner, who practiced for a short time. Doctor A. C. Bowerman then located
in Brentwood, where he remained one year. Doctor George F. Wise followed Dr.
Gardner. After remaining eighteen months, he was compelled to leave on
account of poor health. Doctor Frank S. Cook came to Brentwood immediately
following the earthquake and fire in San Francisco, and he is still actively
practicing his profession. He is widely known, particularly on account of
his genial personality, in eastern Contra Costa County, and is a prominent
factor in its present development. Doctor L. B. Weatherbee located in Oakley
in 1914, and has a very good practice.
BYRON. - The first man to locate in Byron was
Doctor W. K. Doherty. His custom was to scatter handbills in the street,
drifting them from the porches and windows, announcing himself as "the great
venereal doctor." Doctor J. W. Hammond was next to locate in Byron, about
1898, where he has been continuously in active practice. He has deservedly
enjoyed the utmost confidence of the people of this vicinity. Doctor Louis
Mead, whose father was the founder and able manager of the Byron Hot Springs
for many years, was resident physician at the springs about 1906. After
remaining there for a few years, he moved to San Francisco.
CONCORD. - In 1853 Doctor E. F. Hough located
in Ygnacio Valley, conducting a store and practicing medicine. He moved to
Martinez in 1855. There was no physician located in this vicinity until
Doctor J. H. Carothers located the town of Pacheco, where he resided until
1876. When Dr. Carothers moved to Martinez to assume the position of county
health officer, Doctor Lefler moved to Pacheco, and practiced in Pacheco and
Concord until 1891, when he returned to Martinez. Doctor F. Bass practiced
for a short time in 1886. Doctor Hayward G. Thomas came to Concord in 1887,
when, after three years in general practice, he removed to Oakland, where he
now lives, and limits his practice to eye, ear, nose and throat work. In
1890 Doctor F. F. Neff, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, located in
Concord. He is one of the very finest types of men, has been continuously
closely connected with the development of Concord, has an exceptionally
large practice, and
possesses a host of loyal friends. The people of Concord have
been particularly fortunate in their medical care. As a colleague of Doctor
Neff's, Doctor George McKenzie, of Toronto University, located here in 1891.
He is a very efficient, attentive, and busy physician, has continuously been
in charge of the emergency hospital at Bay Point, and has taken a particular
interest in the development of the Concord school system. Doctor McKenzie is
a brother of Superior Judge A. B. McKenzie. Doctor Hamlin was located in
Concord for a short time in the early '90s. During the smallpox epidemic of
1900 and 1901, Doctor E. A. Ormsby, brother of Assistant District Attorney
A. S. Ormsby, was located in Concord. Doctor W, N. Finney located in Concord
in 1912, and has a very good practice. Doctor E. E. Johnson came in 1914. He
is a man of ability, and will build up a very good practice.
COWELL. - Doctor W. E. Bixby was the first
physician for the Cowell-Portland Cement Company. He practiced from 1909 to
1913, and in 1913 Doctor F. B. Cone succeeded him. Doctor C. C. Fitzgibbon
succeeded Doctor Cone in 1914, and is now resident physician. Besides the
company work he has a very good general practice.
CROCKETT. - Doctor J. S. Riley moved from Port
Costa to Crockett in 1893 and established a very extensive practice. He
always had a great interest in all civic affairs, and during his long
practice in this vicinity aided greatly in its development. After a very
useful life, he died from cancer of the tongue in 1909. Doctor H. N. Yates
located in Valona in 1897, established a very extensive practice, and
remained about six years. Doctor F. S. Cook came to Crockett in 1898 and
remained about eighteen months. Doctor William C. Yates became associated
with his brother, Doctor H. N. Yates, about 1901, and remained in Crockett
about two years. Doctor Otto M. Schultz came to Crockett in 1901, but only
remained a short time. Doctor J. W. Key moved from Pinole to Crockett in
1902, remained there several years, and built up an extensive practice.
Doctor A. H. White located in Crockett in 1906 and remained about eighteen
months. He established a hospital in Valona, which he conducted for a short
time. Doctor George W. Sweetser came to Crockett in 1907 and remained until
1914. Doctor William F. Booth and his brother, Edwin F. Booth, after
conducting a general merchandise store in Valona for several years, studied
naturopathy, and registered to practice in Valona in 1907 and 1909
respectively. Doctor F. A. McManus located in Crockett in 1912, and after a
few months of busy practice, while returning from making a call upon a
patient, was accidentally killed by a Southern Pacific train at Vallejo
Junction. Doctor J. G. Harrington located for a few months in 1914. Doctor
J. H. Adams came to Crockett in 1914, and has built up a very extensive
practice along this section of the water-front. Doctor G. M. O'Malley came
in 1915, and has made friends during the short time he has been here.
DANVILLE. - The first physician to locate in
Danville was Doctor J. S. Larabee, who came in 1854, and remained until his
death, in 1860. Doctor George E. Alexander located here in 1870 and remained
several years. Doctor E. R. Layne practiced for a short time in 1894. Doctor
George W. Derosier located in 1896 and remained a short time. Doctor H. C.
Reamer located in 1901 on account of poor health. In 1916 Doctor Love came
from Pasadena to Danville, and has a good practice.
MARTINEZ. - In 1849 Doctor William B. Bolton
located in what is now Martinez. In the list of names of voters of 1850
appears the name of Doctor George Lawrence. Doctor John Strentzel came in
1853, and was one of the most active of the early men of central Contra
Costa County. He helped organize and was the first master of the Alhambra
Grange, and was active in the building and management of the Grangers'
warehouse. Doctor J. H. Carothers came to Martinez in 1852, but only
remained a short time, and moved to Pacheco. He later relocated in Martinez
in 1855. He spent most of his time conducting a hotel, although he did some
active practice. Doctor C. A. Ruggles located in 1858. Doctor Charles E.
Holbrook located late in the '60s, and succeeding in 1872 Doctor S. J.
Tennent, of Pinole Valley, as county physician. Doctor Edmund Bragdon
located in 1872, remained a few years, and then moved to Concord. He later
returned to Martinez, where he died. Doctor John Leffler located in 1874,
moved to Pacheco in 1876, and returned to Martinez again in 1891, where he
died. About 1875 Doctor J. R. Howard located in Martinez. He was a man of
considerable literary ability. Several of his articles appeared in the early
periodicals, being most descriptive of central California. Doctor H. V.
Bernett located in Martinez in 1877. Doctor E. E. Brown, who was a resident
of Martinez, and whose family were to a great extent the molders of the
early political and social affairs of central Costa County, graduated at the
Kentucky School of Medicine in 1882, and immediately located in Martinez. He
built up a very extensive practice and held many positions of honor and
trust in the community, being county physician for many years. He died in
Martinez in 1913. The first woman physician, Mrs. M. A. Howard, located in
1885, remaining only a few months. Doctor Charles G. Merrell came to
Martinez in 1886, remained two years, and moved to San Francisco in 1888.
Doctor John B. Tennent, the son of Doctor S. J. Tennent, one of the first
settlers of Contra Costa County, was the first county physician - from 1895
to 1897. He graduated at the Cooper Medical College in 1888 and returned to
the county of his birth, soon becoming one of the busiest and best-known men
in Contra Costa County. After a few short years of active work, he died in
October, 1897. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman located in Martinez in 1892 and
soon established a very large practice. He served as county health officer
for many years, having charge during the smallpox epidemic in the years 1900
to 1901, and at one time had one hundred and fifty-three cases in
Quarantine. It is stated that no case gave a history of previous
vaccination. In 1908 he established a private hospital in Martinez, which he
conducted for some time. He removed to Rust in 1911. Doctor Mary Leonard
Murphy located in 1897 and remained until 1901. In 1899, at the time of the
building of the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, now part of the Santa Fe
system, Doctor A. P. Mulligan was the railroad company's surgeon, and
remained in Martinez and vicinity during the period of construction. Doctor
John E. Fleming located in Martinez in 1893 and remained only a short time.
Doctor Frank Rattan moved from Antioch to Martinez in 1901 and built up an
extensive practice. He established a drug-store, which he personally
conducted. After a few years of very hard work, Doctor Rattan was compelled
to retire on account of ill-health. He has been practically confined to his
home for several years, but in defiance of his painful malady he has at all
times preserved his cheerful and cordial friendships. His retirement from
active practice has been deeply regretted, both by his colleagues and his
many loyal friends. Doctor George W. Sweetser Crockett, returning again to
Martinez in 1914. Doctor Sweetser has a legion of friends and has a very
extensive practice. Doctor George P. Wintermute came to Martinez in 1897 and
remained one year. In 1905 Doctor Edwin Merrithew moved from Geyersville to
Martinez. His cheerful personality and attention to his work has made him
one of the busiest men of Contra Costa County. He has been county physician
since 1910. Doctor William S. Lavy came to Martinez in 1910 and remained for
eighteen months. Doctor E. B. Fitzpatrick became associated with Doctor
Frank Rattan in 1911, and two years later, when Doctor Rattan was forced to
retire on account of ill-health, succeeded him. He has been secretary of the
County Medical Society for many years and is a very busy man. He was married
in September, 1916. Doctor J. H. Hawkins located in Martinez in 1915 and for
the short time which he has been here, is building up a very good practice.
NORTONVILLE. - Dr. Emmett L. Wemple located in
1873 and remained a short time. Doctor Joseph L. Woolford practiced in the
late '70s. Doctor R. D. Spedding succeeded Doctor Woolford. Doctor Hugo
Rozsas had an extensive practice in Nortonville until the mines closed down
in 1884.
PINOLE. - Doctor S. J. Tennent came to what
is now Pinole in 1849, but did not devote his entire time to the practice of
medicine, although he served as county physician for a number of years.
Doctor J. McI. Morrison located in Pinole in 1896, and was the first actual
active practitioner in the town. Doctor Morrison remained in Pinole for
about four years, and in 1905 relocated there for a few months. Doctor R. B.
Stanley Smith located in Pinole in 1901 and remained about one year. Doctor
J. W. Key came in 1901 and stayed one year. Doctor Herbert Watt practiced in
Pinole from 1902 to 1905. Doctor Devore followed Doctor Key, and Doctor H.
Y. Baldwin came in 1906 and remained a few months. Doctor M. L. Fernandez
came from San Francisco to Pinole in 1906 and has been in continuous
practice here since that time. Pinole was the birthplace of Doctor Fernandez
and his boyhood home. His father had very extensive business interests here.
The Doctor has
established a very extensive practice, and is undoubtedly one
of the busiest men in Contra Costa County. He also has extensive business
interests. Doctor F. P. McManus came as an assistant to Doctor Fernandez in
1916, and is resident physician at the Hercules Powder Company.
PITTSBURG. - The history of a considerable
part of the growth and development of Pittsburg can be written around the
name of Doctor Frank S. Gregory. He graduated from the Cooper Medical
College in 1900, and soon after located in Pittsburg. He had the confidence
and patronage of the entire population of this city, and was very active in
its economic and social development, serving for many years as chairman of
the city council and as a member of its school board. He was perhaps the
most active man in Pittsburg in its civic development. In 1914 Doctor Lucian
A. Bauter located in Pittsburg and has built up a good practice. Doctor W.
A. Nicolson succeeded Doctor F. S. Gregory and remained for about a year and
a half, and later removed to Oakland. Doctor S. H. Marks succeeded Doctor
Nicolson, and has made many friends, building up an extensive practice.
Doctor H. E. Peters located in Pittsburg early in 1915. He is a man with a
very genial personality and of good medical training, and is a very busy
practitioner.
PORT COSTA. - The first physician to locate
along the Port Costa-Crockett water-front was Doctor J. S. Riley, who came
to Port Costa in 1882, and was physician for the Southern Pacific Company
until 1893. Doctor A. W. Rickey came to Port Costa in 1892 and was appointed
the Southern Pacific Company's physician, to succeed Doctor Riley, and
remained in Port Costa until 1912. He served as county physician from 1905
to 1911.
RICHMOND. - The first physician to locate in
Richmond was Doctor L. T. Gorsuch, who came to Richmond in the early part of
1901. He was the first surgeon of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, had a good
practice, and built a fine home. He unfortunately contracted pulmonary
tuberculosis and was forced to leave Richmond in May, 1903, going to the
mountains for his health. He died that fall. Doctor George W. Stockwell came
to Richmond from San Pablo in the summer of 1901, practiced for about two
years, when he succumbed to an attack of acute appendicitis. Doctor P. C.
Campbell came to Richmond in the fall of 1901 and has been in continuous
practice since that time. He has always been a very popular man. He was a
member of Governor Pardee's staff and had charge of the State medical aid
during the earthquake and fire in San Francisco. He served as assemblyman in
this district in 1908, and was president of the County Medical Society in
1916. Doctor J. McI. Morrison came from Pinole to Richmond late in the fall
of 1903 and enjoyed a good practice. He served as city health officer,
remaining in Richmond until 1911, when he went to Portola. He died of cancer
of the stomach in 1913. Doctor L. Goldschmidt located in Richmond for a few
months in 1902, then moved to Los Angeles, where he now lives. Doctor U. S.
Abbott and Doctor H. N. Barney came to Richmond on the same Santa Fe
ferry-boat early in 1902. Doctor Abbott assisted Doctor Gorsuch in his
practice for a few months, when he became ship surgeon on a German steamer
and went to Germany. After spending a short time in German cities he
returned to New York for short post-graduate work, and located in Grand
Junction, Colorado, where he lived until 1908. He came to Richmond in 1908
and became associated with Doctor C. L. Abbott in establishing the Abbott
Hospital. He has many friends and a good practice. Doctor Barney served as
city health officer, and has always had an extensive practice. On account of
his cheerful personality, he is prominent in fraternal circles. Ill-health
forced him to retire in 1916, a fact that is deeply regretted by his
colleagues and many loyal friends. Doctor H. F. Worley assisted Doctor
Gorsuch in his practice for a few months during his illness. Doctor C. L.
Abbott moved from San Pablo to Richmond in the summer of 1902, succeeding
Doctor Gorsuch. He has served as surgeon for the Santa Fe Railroad Company
since 1903, was a member of the committee which secured the incorporation of
the city of Richmond, has served as county coroner since 1907, and was a
member of the board of freeholders which drafted the first city charter.
Doctor C. R. Blake came in 1903, and at all times has had an extensive
practice. He reorganized the city health department, and has given to the
city of Richmond undoubtedly one of the best health departments of any city
of its size. Doctor Blake since 1914 has been limiting his practice to eye,
ear, nose, and throat work, being the first of Richmond's medical men to
take up a specialty. Doctor L. K. Riley came to Richmond in 1903, has
always had a good practice, and has found time to assist in the civic
affairs of the city. Doctor W. B. Brown came to Richmond early in 1903, and
published the Richmond Terminal newspaper. He has always been a
good booster for the town. Doctor William S. Lucas arrived in Richmond in
the fall of 1903. He has always been attentive and an efficient man in his
work, and is now one of the best-known men in Contra Costa County. He built
a fine business building on Macdonald Avenue in 1916. Doctor J. W. O'Brien
located in Richmond in 1906, remained about one year, then moved to
Sacramento, where he now lives. Doctor Marguerite Deininger-Keser came to
Richmond as an assistant to Doctor C. L. Abbott in 1907, and after two years
of associated practice with the latter, established her own office. She has
always had a good practice and many loyal friends. Doctor A. E. Byron came
to Richmond in 1907 as a representative of the North American Hospital
Association. He remained about eighteen months, and was succeeded by Doctor
Thornburg in the Hospital association, and established a private hospital on
Twelth Street, which he conducted for a short time. Doctor Prouty lived in
Richmond about three years. Doctor L. A. Martin moved from San Pablo to
Richmond in 1911, and was house physician to the Abbott Hospital until 1914,
when he assumed a similar position with the Roosevelt Hospital and moved to
Berkeley. Doctor Hall Vestal came to Richmond in the fall of 1910. He has an
extensive practice, and has taken a considerable interest in the social and
civic affairs of the city. Doctor R. Del Mas located in Richmond for a few
months in the winter of 1911 and 1912. Doctor W. E. Caesar came to Richmond
in 1912 and soon built up a very good practice. He established the Barrett
Sanitarium in 1916, which he now conducts. Doctor H. T. Risdon in 1912
located in Richmond for a few months. Doctor S. M. Benner came in 1912 and
remained one year. Doctor C. H. Woodruff, osteopath, located in 1913, and
remained until 1916, when he moved to Napa. Doctor H. L. Carpenter came in
1913, and for the short time he has been here has a very big practice. He is
well liked by his colleagues and has many loyal friends. Doctor W. W. Frazer
came to Richmond in 1913, and has a good practice. Doctor J. B. Taylor
located in Richmond for a few months in 1914. Doctor I. B. March came to
Richmond in 1914 and established a good practice. He entered the U. S. Army
Medical Reserve staff in 1916, and is now stationed at Monterey. Doctor C.
H. Gibbons registered to practice in Richmond in 1914. Doctor H. N. Belgum
established the Belgum Sanitarium in 1914 for the care of nervous diseases,
and is medical superintendent of the same. In 1915 Doctor M. F. Underwood
was located here for a few months.
RUST. - In 1911 Dr. Joseph T. Breneman
located at Rust.
SAN PABLO. - About 1855 Doctor David Goodale
came to San Pablo, settled on a ranch, and engaged in farming and
stock-raising. His practice of medicine was limited to that of his employees
and neighbors. He died about 1885 in San Francisco. Doctor Jacob M.
Tewksbury came from South America to San Pablo and bought a large tract of
land, which he leased to tenants. He did not actively engage in the practice
of medicine, and part of the time lived in San Francisco. He died in the
early '70s. Doctor Kingsbury was the first man to devote his entire time to
the practice of medicine. He located in 1868 and remained about four years.
Doctor Dunbar came in 1870 and remained five years. Doctor O. B. Adams came
from Oakland in 1876 and built up an extensive practice, later returning to
Oakland, but continued to have a large practice through the San Pablo
country. Doctor Hatch also located in 1876, but remained only a short time.
Doctor C. C. Kelley practiced for a few months in 1877. Doctor L.
Wallendorff located here in 1878. He continued his study of medicine at the
California Medical College at Oakland and had his original certificate
canceled in April, 1880, registering as a graduate from the California
Medical College. He remained in San Pablo about four years. Doctor Harwood
came in 1880 and remained about one year. Doctor Bramman located in what is
now Rust and practiced in the vicinity of San Pablo. Doctor Larkin came to
San Pablo in 1884 and remained about two years. Doctor Smith practiced for a
few months in 1885. Doctor John Gardner located in 1887 and remained about
three years. Doctor C. E. Camp first came to San Pablo about 1891, where he
continued to practice until 1899, when he moved to Honolulu. He returned to
San Pablo again in 1908, where he has since resided. Doctor Camp has at all
times had a very extensive practice throughout the San Pablo Valley, and is
undoubtedly the best-known practitioner in this vicinity. Doctor J. McI.
Morrison located in 1894, remained two years, and moved to Pinole. Doctor
E. G. Bennett located in 1898, practiced two years, then moved to Petaluma.
Doctor George W. Stockwell succeeded Doctor Camp in 1899, remained about
eighteen months, then moved to Richmond. Doctor C. L. Abbott succeeded Dr.
Bennett in August, 1900, remained eighteen months, then moved to Richmond.
Doctor L. A. Martin succeeded Doctor Abbott in 1902, remained in San Pablo
until 1911, when he removed to Richmond.
WALNUT CREEK. - The first physician reported
to have been located in what is now Walnut Creek was Doctor Smith, about
1859. In 1868 Doctor Rowan was located at Baregas Springs, and practiced in
the vicinity of Walnut Creek for about ten years. Doctor C. C. Kelley
located here in 1877 for a short time. Doctor J. E. Pearson came in 1878.
Doctor W. E. Hook, a brother of Supervisor Vincent Hook. after graduating at
the University of California, returned to Walnut Creek, where he practiced a
short time. Unfortunately, Doctor Hook died at a very early age. Doctor E.
E. Brown practiced here for a short time about 1880. Doctor W. F. Lynch came
in 1885. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman was here from 1895 to 1897. Doctor C. R.
Leech practiced here from 1897 to 1902. Doctor Fred Watt came in 1902 and
remained until 1904. Doctor C. R. Leech returned to Walnut Creek in 1904 and
has since that time made it his home. To think of Walnut Creek is to think
of Doctor Leech, a man of excellent personality and exceptional ability. He
has a very extensive practice throughout the San Ramon Valley. Doctor
Charles Allen Stevens, osteopath, practiced for a short time in 1907. Doctor
Carolyn C. Cole came in 1910 and devoted part of her time to the practice of
medicine. Doctor Louise A. Oldenbourg, who is specializing in anesthetics,
has made Walnut Creek her home since 1915.
HOSPITALS. - Prior to 1880 the Board of
Supervisors awarded contracts to private persons for the board and care of
indigent sick, the price of clothing and medicine and physician's bills not
to be taken into consideration. These contracts were awarded for one year.
On June 16, 1880, the board purchased lots 163-165 of the original survey of
the town of Martinez, for the sum of $825, to be used as the site for the
county infirmary. In 1881 the contract was let for the erection of three
one-story buildings for hospital purposes, upon the county hospital grounds,
according to plans and specifications prepared by E. W. Hiller. The
contract was let to Lamb & Ferrie for $3225. In 1910, according to plans and
specifications furnished by Architect Weeks, R. H. Ingraham, contractor,
built the first wing of the present hospital, at a cost of about $40,000,
and in 1914 the second wing was built, at a cost of $36,000. The hospital
grounds contain seven acres. In 1910-11 there were 298 patients admitted to
the hospital; in 1915-16 there were 666 patients admitted. The hospital
staff consists of a superintendent, a surgeon-in-chief, an assistant
surgeon, a matron, and five graduate nurses. Statistics for the year ending
June 30, 1916, are as follows: The average daily number of patients, 97.22;
the average daily per capita cost, seventy-eight cents; average daily number
of employees, fifteen. Patients are admitted to the county hospital by
permits from their supervisor. All classes of cases are admitted. Paid
patients are charged for at the rate of fifteen dollars a week for room and
board, including general nursing. The ward rates are ten dollars a week.
Special nurse's board is fifty cents a day. The county hospital has
juvenuile detention and insane detention departments. W. H. Hough has been
superintendent practically ever since the completion of the new building, in
1910, during which time he has been an efficient, capable manager, and
established the first organized and regular system of accounting. The
Hercules Powder Company established an emergency hospital at Hercules in
1902, which has been continuously conducted. Doctor A. H. White established
a private hospital at Valona in 1906, which he conducted for about two
months. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman established a private hospital in Martinez
in 1907, which he conducted for about six months. Doctor C. L. Abbott and
Doctor U. S. Abbott established the Abbott Hospital in Point Richmond in
1908. This hospital had a capacity of twenty-five beds. Doctor L. A. Martin
was medical superintendent. It was a general hospital until 1913, since
which time it has been conducted only as an emergency hospital. Doctor
George McKenzie established an emergency hospital at Bay Point in 1909, of
which he still has charge. Doctor Edward A. Diggins established the Valley
Hospital at Antioch in 1911, which he conducted about one year. Miss Jeanie
Craven established the Craven Hospital at Richmond in 1913, which she has
continuously conducted. It is the largest general hospital besides the
county hospital in the county. Doctor Blumenburg established the "A-B-C"
Hospital at Walnut Creek in 1914. The Standard Oil Company has a beautiful
and complete emergency hospital at its refinery in Richmond, established in
1915. During the first year there were over four thousand patients treated
at this hospital. Doctor Charles A. Dukes is surgeon-in-chief; Doctor C. L.
Abbott, Doctor U. S. Abbott, Doctor W. S. Lucas, and Doctor W. E. Cunningham
are associate surgeons. Miss N. Y. Frazer is nurse in charge, and Miss
Lydiksen assistant nurse. Doctor W. E. Caesar established the Barrett
Sanitarium in Richmond in 1916.
COUNTY PHYSICIANS. - The first county
physician was Doctor S. J. Tennent, appointed April 11, 1854. He served
until February 8, 1872, when he was succeeded by Doctor Charles E. Holbrook.
Doctor Holbrook resigned August 5, 1874, and was succeeded by Dr. J. H.
Carothers. Doctor H. Bernett succeeded Doctor Carothers August 4, 1880, and
served until February 4, 1895. Doctor J. B. Tennent was then appointed and
served until January 18, 1897. Doctor E. E. Brown was then appointed
and served until November 1, 1897. He was then succeeded by Doctor J. B.
Tennent, who served until November 1, 1897, when he died. Doctor E. E. Brown
was then appointed and served until January 3, 1903. Doctor A. W. Rickey
succeeded Doctor Brown until March 6, 1911, when Doctor Edwin Merrithew was
appointed, and has served continuously since that time.
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICERS. - When Dr. J. H.
Carothers was appointed county physician in 1874 he also assumed
the position of county health officer, which he held until 1882. Dr. H.
Bernett, who was then county physician, was appointed health officer and
served until 1895. From 1895 until June, 1897, there was a health officer
appointed in each supervisor district. On June 1, 1897, Doctor Joseph T.
Breneman was appointed and served until July 8, 1904, when he was
succeeded by Doctor George McKenzie. Doctor W. S. George, of Antioch, was
appointed September 5, 1905, and served until September 7, 1906, when his
successor, Doctor J. W. De Witt, was appointed. Doctor Frank S. Gregory was
appointed to the position, which he has held continuously since that time.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF RICHMOND. - The first
health officer appointed in the city of Richmond was Doctor H. N. Barney,
having been appointed November 27, 1905. He served until April 28, 1908,
when he was succeeded by Doctor J. McI. Morrison, who served until July 6,
1909, when Doctor H. N. Barney was again appointed to the position of
commissioner of health under the new charter. On March 6, 1910, he was
succeeded by Doctor C. R. Blake, who has served continuously up to the
present time. The sanitary requirements of the growing city have caused the
health department to grow from one man, a single health officer without a
city office, to the present force, which consists of a commissioner of
health, a sanitary inspector, two assistant sanitary inspectors, a chemist,
a market and meat inspector, and a stenographer. The department is active in
every line that will benefit the health of its citizens. Vacant lots
are kept clean of all rubbish, official fly-traps and rat-traps are in
operation all over the city. Meat markets, vegetable markets, hotels,
stores, stables, and back yards are regularly inspected. Milk is
regularly tested in the city laboratory. All milk sold in the city is
required to be pasteurized. Before this regulation was adopted there was an
average every month of from one to five cases of typhoid fever in the city,
but since the pasteurizing law went into effect, nine months ago, only one
case of typhoid fever has been reported, and there has not been a single
death from intestinal disease of any infant under one year of age. In 1908
several cases of bubonic plague were reported in Contra Costa County, and an
investigation was conducted by the United States Public Health Service under
Doctor Blue, surgeon in charge fot the Pacific Coast District. Doctor Long
had direct charge of the investigation in Contra Costa County. Upon
examination of squirrels and rats it was found that the plague infection was
prevalent in both. A campaign to make a free plague zone surrounding Contra
Costa County and Alameda County was inaugurated, and thousands of
squirrels and rats were destroyed. There have been found 1629 infected
ground-squirrels. Six cases of plague have been reported in Contra Costa
County, four of whom died.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. - The Contra Costa
County Medical Society was first organized in June, 1877, with Doctor J. H.
Carothers, president, and Doctor E. L. Wemple, secretary. Other members were
Doctors H. V. Mott, John McFayden, John Leffler, Walter Hook, O. B. Adams,
W. B. Bolton, and Edmund Bragdon, Jr. This society had meetings in the
different towns of the county for six years, and finally went out of
existence in 1884. The presidents were: J. H. Carothers, 1880; Edmund
Bragdon, Jr., 1878; John Leffler, 1879; W. B. Bolton, 1880; O. B. Adams,
1881; Walter Hook, 1882; H. V. Mott, 1883. Doctor E. L. Wemple remained
secretary during this entire period. In 1889 a reorganization took place in
Martinez. Doctor Edmund Bragdon, Jr., was made president, and John B.
Tennent became secretary. Other members were Doctors Frank Rattan, J. H.
Carothers, H. G. Thomas, F. F. Neff, A. W. Rickey, F. S. Cook, and W. S.
George. This society lasted for only three years. The presidents were Doctor
Edmund Bragdon, Jr., 1889; Doctor Frank Rattan, 1900; Doctor J. H. Carothers,
1901. Doctor John B. Tennent remained secretary. In 1902 the society was
again brought into existence. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman, as president, and
Doctor F. F. Neff, as secretary, were the officers for the first year. Other
members were Doctors Frank Rattan, E. E. Brown, C. L. Abbott, A. W. Rickey,
J. H. Carothers, F. S. Cook, Geo. McKenzie, and W. S. George. This society
died during the third year. Presidents were Joseph T. Breneman, 1902; E. E.
Brown, 1903; Geo. McKenzie, 1904. Dr. F. F. Neff remained secretary.
The present society was formed in 1906. Doctor C. L. Abbott was elected
president and J. W. Key secretary. Other members were Doctors Frank
Rattan, Geo. McKenzie, F. F. Neff, F. S. Cook, E. E. Brown, Joseph T.
Breneman, W. S. George, A. W. Rickey, and J. H. Carothers. The presidents
were C. L. Abbott, 1906; Joseph T. Breneman, 1907; Frank Rattan, 1908; F. F.
Neff, 1909; C. R. Leech, 1910; C. R. Blake, 1911; H. N. Barney, 1912; W. S.
George, 1913; U. S. Abbott, 1914 and 1915; P. C. Campbell, 1916. The
secretaries were J. W. Key, 1906 to 1908; Frank Rattan, 1908 to 1912; E. B.
Fitzpatrick, 1912 to 1916. Members at present (1916) are F. F. Neff, F. S.
Cook, C. R. Leech, E. B. Fitzpatrick, J. H. Hammond, H. L. Carpenter, M. L.
Fernandez, H. N. Barney, W. J. Caesar, C. R. Blake, Frank Rattan, Louise A.
Oldenbourg, G. W. Sweetser, E. W. Merrithew, G. M. O'Malley, C. E. Camp, P.
C. Campbell, W. S. Lucas, A. W. Rickey, C. L. Abbott, U. S. Abbott, C. C.
FitzGibbon, and F. P. McManus.