Historic moment: One early doctor
Dr. Charles Merrill was a large man and each morning before he left his Skaneateles home his wife would curl his long hair. With these curls trimmed square around his neck, he would then walk the three miles to the Village, as he lived in the country.
Dr. Merrill never carried a medicine bag. Although there were no pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer or Merck around in his time, in the1870’s, he was not without medicines. He often gathered herbs during his walks in the countryside.
Also, he would go to the apothecary store and pick up a large number of vials, of 2 to 4 ounce capacity. He would partially fill these with a simple syrup. Then, searching among the shelves, he would choose a simple and safe drug to go into each one of the bottles. Some he would augment with coloring matter.
When he was finished, he would place all the vials in the side pockets of his coarse cloth coat. Now he was ready to meet his patients. He was best known for treating patients with nervous disorders, most of whom he felt were suffering from imaginary complaints.
If a patient approached him on the street and expounded about his distressful symptoms, Dr. Merrill would search his pockets for a suitable medicine. He would uncork each bottle, sniff its contents until the correct one came to his attention. This he would give to the patient with minute directions on how to take it.
He also specified that no liquor, beer or strong coffee or tea was to be taken along with the medicine. In addition, he instructed the patient to eat simple food, but to not over eat. His patients had great confidence in him and generally benefited from his medicines and treatment.
At other times he would put on his best suit, climb into his stylish carriage and drive to nearby villages or towns. Previously he would have sent ahead handbills announcing the time and place of his visit. The handbill also said that those in need of medical treatment or advice could call on him, especially those who had not been successfully treated by other physicians. There was always a crowd of people waiting for him.
In his spare time, of which he seemed to have an ample supply, Dr. Merrill had an intimate knowledge of the best fishing sites. He especially loved to fish in Skaneateles lake or in the creek below the dam. He never took more fish than he could use and many of the extras went to his poorer friends who could not afford to buy fresh fish at the market.
Dr. Merrill was a kindhearted man who had a great number of friends. He was as successful in his treatment of his patients as any other physician in the area. He died on May 16, 1890 at the age of 64.
To prevent ignorant or unskilled persons from endangering lives, an enactment was passed in New York City in 1792, required that each new candidate who wished to become a medical practitioner must have interned with a reputable physician for not less than three years or if they were a college graduate not less than two years. Persons already practicing medicine were exempt from these requirements but were encouraged to obtain a state license. Also exempted were persons who responded to sudden emergencies without demanding or receiving compensation.
A similar act was passed by New York State in1797. However, for future candidates, the training period was increased to 3 years for college graduates and 4 years for all others. Those persons who had met the training requirement were then required to file certificates with the county clerk or with th Secretary of State and this in turn constituted a license to practice.
The University of Pennsylvania was the first School of Medicine in the 13 colonies, opening in 1765. The school was closed during the Revolutionary War when the British occupied the city and restarted again in 1780.
Columbia opened a medical school in 1767 and Harvard opened the third in 1782
Wouldn’t Dr. Merrill be amazed to learn how many years of study are required become a physician today, and how different the practice medicine has become.
