By Sam Dunnington, '14
No one likes the doctor's office, but at least you usually leave feeling better than you did walking in. 98 years ago, your chances of feeling better appear to have been much slimmer. We recently received an appointment book used by P.E. Somers, M.D., a physician working in the Grinnell area in 1914. Besides his appointments, the book includes a section outlining the basic medical knowledge of the day, parts of which are terrifying.
Below is a section on basic childhood wellness. Highlights include a suggestion that infants sleep 18-20 hours a day, and that gummy eyes signal approaching death.
P.E. Somers' appointment list for January, 1914. Included on the list is A.L. Ricker, who used to own a house roughly situated where Younker Hall is today.
The cutting edge of artificial respiration techniques in 1914. It's unclear whether the man with the snappy mustache is the Sylvester in question.
The book also includes tips on medicine dosages, poisons, and what to do if someone has ingested too much Cannabis Indica. Stop by the Iowa Room and see it soon!
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