by Smith, Robert H.

See previous entry: Little Home Histories, Part 90 -- Homes of Thomas Webster, Sr., 1782-1858.

Soon after Dr. Ephraim Williams began to practice as a Physician in Barnesville, Ohio, one of the older doctors had a patient with a bad case of typhoid fever. In due time the disease yielded but left the patient weak in mind as well as body. The doctor also was unable to get her up and some of the other doctors in the area were called for help, but the result was the same.

At length it came to Dr. Williams' turn and as he had knowledge of similar conditions, he considered -- as he rode along -- how he would proceed. After examining the patient carefully, he told her she was in a bad way. He told her that he did not have the medicine with him that he wanted her to take, and asked her husband to come to his office for it the next day.

In the meantime, he made some bread pills with enough innocent bitter to disguise them. The doctor had already gained her confidence so she would try anything he suggested and each visit he would mention some different thing to try, such as sitting up a short time, then the next time longer, then take a few steps and more the next time, and so forth.

When he thought the proper time had come, he suggested she ride out some, and set a certain day for her to come to his office. Thus he succeeded in getting her nearly back to normal and thereby made himself a valuable reputation that gave him a wide practice.

The secret of his success was not made known at that time, but it was said he laughed over it when telling his relatives the story when he was an old man.

Source: Written by: Robert H. Smith.

See next entry: Little Home Histories, Part 92 -- Richard Williams.

For the table of contents and first entry in this series, please see: Little Home Histories, Part 01 -- Table of Contents and Introduction.

This entry is adapted from Little Home Histories in Our Early Homes, Belmont County, Ohio, which was published in 1942. Its publication was coordinated by Robert D. and Beulah Patten McDonald. This entry has been reedited for inclusion in the Pierian Press Fulltext eBooks database, and is included on the Stratton House Inn Website by special permission. This entry is licensed for use ONLY on this Website. It may be used for educational purposes and personal pleasure under fair-use provisions via this Website. Please note that the Stratton House Inn iteration of this entry does NOT include the subject headings assigned each chapter for use in the Fulltext eBooks database.

DATABASE: Fulltext eBooks: Copyright (c) 2002 The Pierian Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved
ENTRY NUMBER: EBK30013791