| HEALTH |
| Health care in the late 1800's and early 1900's was a great concern for people of Fox Harbour. During times when food was scarce, many residents fell ill with diseases such as consumption, beri-beri, and diphtheria. With few doctors, sick people had to rely on nature or their own remedies for a cure. |
| Most families had great faith in their own homemade remedies passed from generation to generation. Many of these remedies relied on natural products such as gum (turpentine), bark and leaves of trees. Someone suffering from a cough could usually find relief by drinking the liquid produced when the cross-like tips of the fir trees were boiled (cross of the var). Sore feet could be treated by soaking in water from boiled birch leaves, while turpentine was used as an excellent healing agent for sores. Some of these folk medicines made of substances such as boiled molasses and kerosene for a cough, or sulphur, molasses and red flannel on the chest for pneumonia, or liquid from boiled sheep manure for measles, were often so vile tasting that one had no choice but to recover quickly! |
| Some remedies were of questionable value. Medicines that fell into that category might be, a cloth tied tightly around the head to stop a headache, or a skin of salt pork worn around the throat to cure the sore throat. |
| Of course, many people had their own particular remedy for aches and pains referred to by some as "polypert", a liquid often confiscated by the local constable, but highly prized for its medicinal qualities. Once the constable searched a local house for moonshine, but only found several bottles of the popular medicine. |
| Some local people even had special prayers for certain illnesses, for example William's prayer to cure the toothache. This night when I lay down to sleep, I throw my bones in a crooked heap, If I should die before I wake, Then I will be clear of the toothache. One woman who suffered from toothache attested to the fact that her pain was gone after her uncle recited this prayer. |
| In every community, there were those who were looked upon as healers. Paddy Murray was regarded as a person having the ability to cure toothache, perhaps by means of a remedy such as holding a mouthful of vinegar. There was great belief in Ned Riley's ability to stop bleeding. This was usually done by an application of cobwebs or turpentine. Anyone suffering from warts could go to Mary Sampson (Charles), Nora McCue (The Green), or Ellen Lane to banish them. Perhaps one most highly regarded as a local doctor ministering to the wounds and broken bones of the people of Fox Harbour in the late 1800's and early 1900's was Dick Davis, local blacksmith and boat builder. Mr. Davis, according to older people in the community, never had a failure, whether he was setting bones, sewing cuts, or pulling teeth. It is interesting to note that in recent years, several members of Mr. Davis' family have followed his example by becoming members of the medical profession. Other people highly regarded in the medical field, in Fox Harbour, were the midwives, who delivered babies at home up to 40 years ago. Many of these midwives had little or no training. One Fox Harbour midwife was Peggy Mulrooney McCarthy, a rather unusual person, but one beloved by many so that after her death a headstone was erected in her memory. Other local midwives included: Martha Mullins, Lizzie Smith, Elizabeth Griffiths King, and Theresa Griffiths. If the local midwife, wasn't available or had become too old for the task then Mrs. McGee from Southeast, Ann Murphy from Dunville or Mag Power from Ship Harbour were called upon to attend to the birth. In later years, Rose Foley delivered her share of new citizens for Fox Harbour. It was not until the Commission of Government built one of thirteen small cottage hospitals in Argentia, in 1935, at a cost of $16,000, that people in this area began to have some semblance of health care. This hospital would serve, not only, Argentia, but also people living in small and remote communities around Placentia Bay. For this reason, the new cottage hospital was erected near the Argentia dock for the convenience of patients who came by way of the coastal boats. The resident physician, Dr. John Greene, from Toronto, was well liked and gave excellent medical service. This hospital which employed local people was an attempt to provide medical care for the people of the whole area. On Jan. 27, 1941, the Secretary of Public Health and Welfare, Dr. H.M. Mosdelle, was notified by the Public Works Department that the Argentia Cottage Hospital would have to be dismantled and removed from its site during the construction of the base. The Americans gave a May 1, 1941 deadline for the removal, because of the urgent need to get the base constructed and operational, in view of the war in Europe. After the Placentia Cottage Hospital opened in 1942, people went there for medical attention. Dr. William Collingwood and Dr. John Ross are two of the many names that come to mind for their contribution to health care in the local area. In order to see these doctors one had to be registered or "On the books," at the hospital. Payment for this service at first took the form of sheep, livestock or produce. In later years, a fee of $15.00, then $ 10.00 per year, per family was charged. As in most things that pertain to Newfoundland, the sea, too, played a part in health care. Names such as "The Christmas Seal," "The Lady Anderson" and Dr. Wilsons and his boat come to mind as we remember their contribution to the health care of Fox Harbour in days now long past. |