Health in the Heartland
Prior to the development of hospitals in America, most medicinal practices took place in the home. Even extreme situations such as birthing and surgery were carried out in the house by a traveling doctor. The idea of a more organized health care facility came about in the late nineteenth century. This began with the creation of almshouses to care for the sick and the poor.
In the 1800s, most doctors rode horseback to a patient’s house, so they were limited in what they were able to bring on their visits. It is then understandable why the quality of healthcare was as limited as it was. There was a general reliance on home remedies that led to a lack of appreciation of doctors, and a growing distrust of the profession. Doctors were only used in the most severe cases.
Surgery was one procedure that was carried out in a patient’s home. Anesthesia was not largely used until the end of the century and doctors were often limited to the pain tolerance of the patient. The early use of anesthesia consisted of chloroform, ether, or other similar drugs, and often led to asphyxiation. The most common risk of surgeries, however, was the increased likelihood of infection.
The most impressive aspect of the travelling doctor, was the range of ailments he was expect to treat. The doctor cared for all types of illnesses, from the common cold to the most severe cases, and was often in charge of curing the livestock too
Because of the reliance on home remedies, however, a distrust of hospitals arose. There was an underdeveloped concept of germs and the human body, so hospitals almost always made the patient sicker. In addition, hospitals did not have much money to work with. Doctors and physicians donated their time and skills, while nurses and staff received little pay. Hospitals were often considered charity because they rarely received payment. Beginning in the nineteenth century, hospitals needed more funds due to the increasing number of patients and advancements in medicine.
The medical practices became more refined and perfected and the Nodaway County citizens grew accustomed to the hospital and fully supported its growth. The belief that hospitals were dirty and provided improper healthcare was broken, and hospitals gained popularity.
In March of 1894, Mother Augustine Giesen and four sister companions arrived in Maryville with the intent of caring for the sick. The women purchased a house and three acres of land for $2,000. After procuring the necessary items, the ladies opened the twelve bed hospital on September 8th, 1894.
St. Francis Hospital in 1894
However, plans for a remodel were already in motion, and in March of 1895, Giesen hired John Walsh to draw the blue prints for a larger facility. The new hospital opened on November 26, 1895 with eight medical staff, and began charging $1-$2 a day or $5-$12 a week. In 1899, only 31 patients of 180 had paid in full, and over half were being cared for free of charge. The growing number of patients quickly outgrew the size of the hospital, and a contract was made for an expansion in 1900.
Clearly, the organization of the hospital appealed to the masses. The primarily rural Nodaway County citizens continued to pour into the doors of Saint Francis in hopes of improving their medical care. Despite the initial distrust and oddity of the concept, the people of Maryville and the surrounding areas utilized the hospital. In 1918, for example, a deadly flu epidemic ravaged the area, and citizens quickly turned to the hospital for care. However, because of its limited space, only the sickest were admitted. By mid-1919, another addition was underway.
Hospitals have greatly improved over time, and thus have increased in popularity. Having started out merely as means to care for the ailing poor, hospitals received little attention in their early years. However, as time progressed, and medicine grew more advanced, people saw the benefits of organized medicine. More and more people began utilizing the hospital, transforming it into what it is today.
St. Francis Hospital as it is today