VACCINATION ORDERED. 

Steps to Prevent Spread of Smallpox In New Kent County. 

[Special to The Times-Dispatch.] 

New Kent, Va., May 25.-The local Board of Health of New Kent county met at the courthouse yesterday to take such steps as are necessary to prevent the spread of smallpox in the county. Dr. C.L. Bailey, Dr. U.H. Johnson, Dr. J.R. Parker, W.P. T. Tunstall and T.N. Harris, members, composing the board, were present, and ordered that all persons in the two districts in which the disease exists be vaccinated, the expense of such vaccination to be born by the county.  

There are only three cases in this county fully developed and several suspected of being infected. 

-Times Dispatch, 26 May 1912


In 1912 there were 20,190 cases of smallpox in the United States resulting in 235 deaths.

Virus and Response 1856 Pt, VII- the End and Peticolas

Some more information on the rather interesting Dr. Arthur Edward Peticolas (1824- Nov 27 1868) He was the grandson of Phillipe Abraham Peticolas born March 1760 Meziers, France came to American by way of Santo Domingo. His parents were Edward F. Peticolas(b 1793 Pa) and Jane Pitfield Braddick, both of artistic leanings, Edward F. Peticolas being one of the most well known painters of the Virginia of the time; young Arthur E. Peticolas displayed some canvases himself as a young man before turning to medicine.*

The below is from his obituary in the Richmond and Louisville Medical Journal of February 1869.

He received his medical education in the Medical Department of Hampden-Sidney College, (now the Medical College of Virginia), where he graduated in March, 1849. 

. . . 

In the autumn of 1854, the professor of anatomy, Dr. Johnson, having met his death by the loss of the steamer Arctic, on which he was returning from Europe, Dr. Peticolas was appointed by the faculty to deliver the lectures in that department, during the ensuing winter course, and in the following March, he was duly elected by the board of visitors to the vacant professorship. 

. . .

At the commencement of the war, he received a commission as surgeon in the army of the Confederate States, and was soon after assigned to duty as a member of the board established at Richmond for the examination of surgeons and assistant surgeons, in which position he remained until the termination of hostilities. 

The increasing inroads of his relentless disease upon his strength and spirits drove him at length to seek relief in a change of climate, and, with this view, he accepted, in the summer of 1867, the offer of the chair of anatomy in the New Orleans School of Medicine, and bade adieu to the Institution with which, in various relations, he had been so long connected. His hopes of amendment, however, were doomed to disappointment, and he resigned his position in New Orleans at the close of his first course. Returning to Richmond, he resumed the practice of his profession, and about one year ago, without solicitation on his part, he was elected superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, at Williamsburg.

. . .

While bodily suffering and mental anxiety threw a tinge of melancholy over his character and imparted to his manners a habitual reserve which was unattractive to the stranger, the sincerity and real kindliness of his nature won for him the cordial esteem and affection of those who knew him most intimately.

The article below is rather more . . . direct  . . . about the end of Dr. Peticolas.

Dr Arthur E Peticolas.

Dr Arthur E Peticolas, Superintendent the Eastern Lunatic Asylum at Williamsburg, committed suicide there on the morning of Nov. 28th, by leaping from a window of the building, and dashing out his brains. He was a distinguished physician, and formerly a professor the medical college at Richmond. His mind been unsettled for some time past. 

-The Medical and Surgical Reporter, Philadelphia, Oct. 17, 1868



*"Talented Virginians: The Peticolas Family"-L. Moody Simms, Jr.
The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 85, No. 1 (Jan., 1977),

Virus and Response 1856 Pt VII- Names and Places

Some of the people affected in the 1856 small Pox outbreak, either infected "naturally" or who may have been infected by the "live" vaccine from the full text of the report to the General Assembly.

1) "Thomas Breeden" "Mrs Breeden the wife of the deceased, her son Lloyd, Joseph Robbins a boy of 12 years of age living in the family"

2) "George W. Mitchell the head of the family, his wife, and infant daughter"

3) "Pryor a free negro lad aged about 18 years"

4)"Peter an old man aged about 70 years the property of John G. Mitchell."

5)Ellen Richardson and George Richardson, the children of Dr. W. Pryor Richardson

6) Leroy Williams

7) Elizabeth a black girl about 14

8) "four negroes" Jack, George, Lizzy, Drusilla,

9) "Mr. (Thomas) Boswell's son and daughter aged about 17 and 13 years and a young man in the family named Lewellin Crowdis"

10) William O. Hockaday- "17 members of family" and Charles, Dick, and George Lewis Washington

11) Mrs Sally Hockaday at her residence, " A colored man named Washington Scott"

12) Thomas M. Timberlake-"14 members of family"

Below a map of the chief area of infection- you will notice some of the family names from the report, such as Digges(orDiggs), Hockaday, Timbelake, Mitchel, Williams, Boswell, and Lacy.

Below is a map of the area near Tabernacle Church showing the residence (actually residences) of Dr. Richardson as well as a Mitchel property on Weir Creek that seems a likely place for the Smallpox hospital mentioned.

Virus and Response 1856 Pt IV - "Are you fully aware of the import of your accusation?"

Below is the rather lengthy reply of Dr. Peticolas to the letter of Dr. Richardson. They both appeared in the March 4 issue of the Richmond Examiner one over top of the other.

REPLY OF THE VACCINE AGENT TO DR. WM. P. RICHARDSON OF BARHAMSVILLE, NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. 

Richmond, March 1, 1856. 

Sir: I last night had an interview with Dr. Patteson commissioned by the Governor to report on the apparent origin of Small Pox in your neighborhood. It grieves me sorely to learn the sad suffering of many of your people, caused undoubtedly by virus obtained from me, supposed to be vaccine virus. I know full well that regrets of mine can afford you no relief, and that nothing I can now say or do will remedy the evil you have been subjected to. While, however, I respect your afflictions you must pardon me for saying that neither you nor your fellow sufferers have acted justly in conceiving for one moment that your visitation has been due to neglect of mine. I am aware that an excited people does not reason logically. The maledictions of the ignorant I might reasonably count on, but I am surprised that those whose profession and education should teach them coolness and prudence, have joined in the general outcry; ascribing fault where none is to be found. I am still more surprised to see that you, a member of the medical profession, should attempt to make public issue of a medical question. Whatever your object, your quiet reflections will show that the only ends to be thus attained arc needless alarm of the public mind, incalculable injury to one who could never have voluntarily harmed you or yours, and, I worse than all, loss of confidence in the operation of vaccination. 

I am told that your child is ill with small-pox, that its disease was produced by virus obtained from me, that perhaps the result may prove fatal. I am myself a father, and can appreciate your sorrow, and those of your neighbors who may be similarly situated.- I But, sir, if our positions were reversed. l would not only refrain from public or private expression calculated to excite against you the prejudices of your fellow-men, but would earnestly use every effort in my power to enlighten those who would ignorantly make like attempt. What in the thing of which you complain? Analyze it. Why, Simply this: that my earnest endeavor to shield you and your people, has, under the direction of the great Governor of the Universe, failed; that I extended the malady it was my wish to prevent; that you called on me for assistance; that I responded to the call, and that my caution, my skill, my judgment, were alike in vain,-  Pray, sir, have you lived a practicing physician these many years, and never been guilty of a like offence. Have you never yet seen the case where all your art and all your science has failed to save the patient from the grasp of death? Have you never yet seen the man, woman or child who might, in all human probability, have lived longer but for your professional interference! Lives there the doctor of even limited experience, who esteems his own sagacity an unerring guide! Yet, what would you think, if the friends of one of these unfortunate sufferers were to reward your thought and toil In his behalf by & well-directed effort to destroy or weaken your moral or professional influence? Would you not severely censure so unfair a course? And, yet, are you willing to commit yourself to a like procedure?

It is useless to pursue this question; your reasoning, if admitted, lends not alone to the conclusion that I should resign my vaccine agency, and that the Legislature should abolish the office, but that you and I and all men, should cease to occupy any position involving the exercise of judgment or of faith. Are you fully aware of the import of your accusation? It is that my intelligence is not superhuman; that I am not infallible; that I am not always able to discern the invisible forces of a piece of scab. In short, my great crime is that I am an erring mortal like yourself! I am willing to confess, sir, that I do not pretend to any preeminent qualities of head or heart, but I do feel sure that I have exerted the utmost care in the administration of my office; that I have done even more than might be considered my duty; that I have often uselessly expanded my own funds rather than risk injury to others, and I am conscious of distributing, at no time, any virus which I would not have fearlessly used on my own family. Would you do as much?  Can any man do more? With such faith before your eyes, will you now persist in seeking my injury? Can you find no other explanation of the difficulties and dangers of the past month but by ascribing them to my misconduct? It In wisely intimated in your letter that I must expect imposition if I send to Philadelphia.- But the reason why I send to this or any other city, it is not attempted to explain. The truth is, sir, you and your professional brethren throughout the State, force me to adapt the method you are so prompt to condemn, and if lives are thus lost, you are responsible, and you alone! Instead of protecting every infant as soon after birth a practicable; instead of inculcating and practicing the  re-vaccination of your people at stated periods; instead of urging the importance of these considerations on the notice of your patients, you seldom think of virus, except under immediate fear of infection: and when the agent sends you good matter, having reaped its advantages, you fail to make any return. The consequence is obvious, more virus is needed at one time than the agent can procure by his own unassisted endeavors. Opprobrium is heaped upon him by applicants mad with fear; and, deserted by those from whom he might naturally expect aid, he is compelled to seek the assistance of those whom you term "the picayune cormorants of Northern cities." There is no leisure for trial, the only test of virus. All must be vaccinated at once. If the matter chance to be I good, not even thanks are returned. If, on the other hand, as has now occurred, it proves bad, all must suffer- some may die, and the cry is still against the agent. The agent is sagaciously expected to remedy all the evils resulting from the carelessness and negligence of 2,000 practicing physicians and a million of people.

To resolve these difficulties, you say "abolish the office." Similar argument might be directed against all the articles of your materia medica, of worth, or of power. Some have suffered, others have died, because of their use; and the extension of the principle would terminate in the suppression of your own art. Suppose the agency abolished, where should you get virus! The reply is plain: by sending either directly or indirectly to the North. The fact is, air, in thinking of this question, you must balance the evil against the good. Don't imagine that, because one or two hundred people in New Kent, or elsewhere, have suffered from the only accident which has occurred for fifteen years, that therefore, many thousands have not received benefit, many thousand who might otherwise have shared your fate.

The fault is not in the agent, but in the law. The present law expects miracles at the hands of the agent, and rewards him with so much of $500, as is saved from payments of postage and purchases of virus.- To earn this magnificent remainder, he must suffer himself to be set up a mark for the ill-conceived rage of dissatisfied citizens. The greater the work, the less the pay: the more doubtful the encomiums is passed upon his labors. But with all its imperfections and its impossible requirements the vaccine agency has done and will yet do much service, unless the Legislature, inflamed by your exciting appeal, acts without reflection. But if the present law has obtained good results, one may be framed far preferable and more protective in all its provisions. If your intentions have not for their end the gratification of private malice or the manufacture of political capital at my expense- if you are truly patriotic in your desire, do not waste precious time in accusing me of faults of which you must be conscious I am innocent; but exert your energy to procure a just vaccine law, which shall protect both the people and the agent; forcing the latter to assume no more than his true share of responsibility and affording him reasonable remuneration for the fulfillment of its requisitions.

Under the circumstances, be it understood that no expression in this epistle is intended to bear other than a kind and courteous interpretation. I am attacked; I must defend myself; but I do so coolly and dispassionately, with both the hope and the belief that the time which shall terminate your apprehensions for the safety of your family and friends will enable you to recognise(sic) the truth of my remarks.

 A.E. PETICOLAS, Vaccine Agent.

Dr. Arthur Edward Peticolas, 32, a charter member of the Medical Society of Virginia, was at this time Professor of Anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Virus and Response 1856 Pt III- "Our community has, for the the last two weeks, been in the highest degree of excitement"

     From the Richmond Enquirer of March 4, 1856




                    BARHAMSVILLE NEW KENT  COUNTY, Va.,
                              February 27th, 1856-

 To the Vaccine Agent of the State of Virginia:

Sir: Our community has, for the the last two weeks, been in the  highest degree of excitement, on account of the sudden and unexpected introduction of small pox virus procured from you. Some four or five weeks since, a young man in the vicinity of this place, was attacked with that most loathsome and alarming disease, small pox, of which he died. From twelve to fourteen days afterwards, the whole family of which he was an inmate, consisting of nine persons and some four or five others who visited him during his illness, fell sick of the same disease. A hospital was immediately opened for the treatment of the cases, and for the better protection of the community. I was summoned as consulting physician to that Hospital and, responded to the call. Before, however, entering upon my official duties or to any way exposing myself to various contagion, I procured a small portion of what was denominated vaccine virus from you. It was endorsed genuine vaccine matter. I immediately inserted it into the arms of three persons, one of whom had been previously vaccinated. Nine days from that time, the vaccine disease, as was supposed, commenced in the two unprotected individuals, though with much more violence, and persistence than is usual. I was informed by the parent and mistress of the patients that the disease was running unusually high, characterized by violent pains in the head and  trunk, sick stomach and intensely high fever. I flattered myself without seeing the patients, or having any communication whatever with them. from the description given, that it might be the vaccine disease. Three days from the time these premonitory symptoms commenced, an eruption appeared upon the face, neck and forearms of both patients. I Was called at once to visit them, and to my great surprise and astonishment found it to be genuine inoculation, and so pronounced it. I proclaimed it, wherever I went, that the community might be protected against the insertion of any more virus obtained from you. Mr. Agent, you little know the great injury you nave indicted upon this people, to say nothing of the disease consequent upon the innoculation(sic), a death blow has been given to the business operations of our community. Would you think, sir, that there have been, and are now, in our midst some eighty persons, suffering under small pox, taken alone by innoculation from your small pox virus?-- Sir, there can be no doubt about it. I have seen, and am treating some forty cases of inoculation myself in all these cases, there was not the slightest communication between them and those who contracted the disease, in the natural way. You may suppose that innocolation modifies the disease to some extent, and I grant it does when patients are prepared for it. But there has been no preparation in these cases, and I am now treating cases whose recovery is exceeding doubtful. They have assumed the most confluent form incident to the disease. Are you not now satisfied of the genuineness of your innoculations? If not, If not I respectfully invite you to visit our county and satisfy yourself. I will see to it that you shall not be harmed, although the indignation of the people is superlatively high. You have placed yourself, as Vaccine Agent of the State of Virginia, in a position to be imposed upon by every picayune cormorant of Northern cities. It is said when you are pressed for vaccine virus, you procure it in Philadelphia, it so you are liable to be imposed upon at all times for the most obvious reasons. I would, therefore, most respectfully suggest to you the propriety of resigning your office at once, I and to the Legislature of the State, the greater propriety of abolishing the agency altogether. I think the community would be better protected by such a course.

                      Respectfully, W.R. RICHARDSON, M.D.



The name is wrong. The letter is from William Pryor Richardson, a 39 year old doctor living with his family near Tabernacle Church. The doctor in 1852 had had a report of his use of ergot for convulsion published in The Stethoscope and Virginia Medical Gazette of Richmond.

The Vaccine Agent to to which this letter is addressed was Dr. Arthur Edward Peticolas, Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia.

Next, Dr. Peticolas responds.

Virus and Response 1856 Pt II - "In relation to the charge of transmitting small pox virus."

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA. 

SENATE. 

                                                                                TUESDAY. March 4, 1856.

The President presented various Executive communications, among others a communication from Dr. Petticolas, in relation to the charge of transmitting small pox virus. The Governor appointed Dr. Wm. A. Patterson† to visit New Kent and ascertain the facts. Dr. P. reported that the small pox virus had been transmitted, but that the best medical skill could not have prevented it.  

The communication, on motion of Mr. SAUNDERS¹, was referred to a special committee —Messrs. SAUNDERS, RANDOLPH², CREIGH³, FUNSTEN⁴ and MCKENNEY⁵were appointed said committee.

 -Daily Dispatch, 5 March 1856


*The President of the Senate

† that is William A. Patteson,(1795-1870) who had an office on the south side of Main between 8th and 9th streets. A graduate of the College of Philadelphia, he had studied under Rush. A former Delegate he had been practicing medicine in the city and in Manchester since 1817.

¹ Robert Saunders of Williamsburg, who represented New Kent as well as the rest of the Peninsula
² Benjamin F. Randolph of Albemarle
³ Thomas Creigh who represented a district in what is now West Virginia
⁴ Oliver R. Funsten who represented the northern Valley
⁵ William N. McKenney who represented the City of Norfolk

Virus and Response 1856 Pt I - "Such persons as may be effected"

The County Court of Henrico concluded its February term yesterday. Before adjourning, an order was passed directing such persons as may be effected with small pox on the suburbs of the city, to procure a certificate of two county justice and go to the city hospital, the county to pay the expenses.

- Daily Dispatch, 7 February 1856



                                                                                 WANTS.

WANTED.— A Female Nurse, to attend Small Pox patients, in the county of New Kent, liberal compensation will be paid. Immediate application may be made to Alex. Walker, North side of Main street, between 18th and 19th streets, Richmond, Va.                            fe 12—lt*

- Richmond Daily Dispatch, 12 February 1856

SMALL POX IN NEW KENT COUNTY.  —The Williamsburg Gazette learns that the Small Pox has made its appearance in the neighborhood of Barhamsville, New Kent county, Va. About ten or twelve cases have appeared. It broke out in the house of Mr. Washington Mitchell, at Ware Creek. A young man at Mr. Mitchell's, by the name of Wm. F. Breeden died of it about three weeks since. This is the only death reported. We learn by Mr. William Meanly, that Dr. Richardson who lives at Ware Creek has taken the disease. The residence of Mr. Mitchell has been converted into a hospital for the treatment of cases.

  - Richmond Daily Dispatch, 19 February 1856

"The Fullness of Midsummer with the Vivid and Tender Green of Southern Spring- 1862"

We are lying in the Spaulding (medical transport, S. R. Spaulding) just below a burnt railroad-bridge, on the Pamunkey River, and, as usual, in the middle of the fleet of forage boats. The shores are at once wooded and wonderful to the water's edge, the fullness of midsummer with the vivid and tender green of Southern spring. Up the banks, where the trees will let us look between them, lie great fields of wheat, tall and fresh, and taking the sunshine for miles. The river winds constantly,—returning upon itself every half-mile or so, and we seem sometimes lying in a little wooded lake without inlet or outlet. It is startling to find, so far from the sea, a river whose name we hardly knew two weeks ago, where our anchor drops in three fathoms of water and our great ship turns freely either way with the tide. Our smoke-stacks are almost swept by the hanging branches as we move, and great schooners are drawn up under the banks, tied to the trees; the Spaulding herself lies in the shade of an elm-tree which is a landmark for miles up and down. 

The army is in camp close at hand, resting, this Sunday, and eating its six pies to a man, and so getting ready for a move, which is planning in ——'s tent. Half a mile above us is the White House, naming the place,—a modern cottage, if ever white, now drabbed over, standing where the early home of Mrs. Washington stood. We went ashore this morning with General ——, and strolled about the grounds, —an unpretending, sweet little place, with old trees shading the cottage, a green lawn sloping to the river, and an old-time garden full of roses. The house has been emptied, but there are some pieces of quaint furniture, brass fire-dogs, &c., and just inside the door this notice is posted: "Northern soldiers who profess to reverence the name of Washington, forbear to desecrate the home of his early married life, the property of his wife, and now the home of his descendants"; signed, "A Granddaughter of Mrs. Washington"; confronted by Gen. McClellan's order of protection.

-Hospital Transports: A Memoir of the Embarkation of the Sick and Wounded from the Peninsula of Virginia in the Summer of 1862- Frederick Law Olmsted
Publisher Ticknor and Fields, 1863

National Archive photo of unidentified ship- possibly the S.R. Spaulding

Poliomyeletis- 1935

To put a human face on Monday's posting about the 1935 Polio outbreak, here is another entry from that same session of the Board of Supervisors . . .

IN RE: AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCE FOR CRIPPLED CHILD, EDMUND CAUTHORNE, COLORED.

    The Clerk exhibited a letter from office of Dr. Riggan, State Department of Health stating that it was necessary to purchase a steel brace for this child at a price of approximately $40.00. The Chairman of the Board, upon motion duly made and seconded, was authorized to contact the authorities in Richmond, and secure such an appliance at minimum cost, and report his action to the next meeting of the Board.

 To put that in perspective, the Sheriff's monthly salary in 1935 was $83.33

Some information on Infantile Paralysis in Depression Era Virginia . . .

  "To summarize,in 1935 up to November 1, 674 cases of poliomyelitis, including 37 deaths, were reported to the State Department of Health. The disease reached almost every section of the state though it was unusually prevalent in only a few counties. It is remarkable how readily these cases, occurring mostly in a little over 2 months, separate into two distinct groups having marked differences. The paralytic cases, appearing first in the counties bordering on North Carolina and spreading along the routes of travel throughout the state, . . ."

-American Journal of Public Health, Feb., 1936

"Notice- Pursuant to authority of Section #1492, Code of Virginia, 1930 . . ."

                 MONDAY AUGUST 12TH 1935.

IN RE: RESOLUTION OF NEW KENT COUNTY BOARD  OF HEALTH, DATED AUG a. 2, 1935, WITH REFERENCE TO BAN ON PUBLIC MEETINGS DUE TO PREVALENCE OF INFANTILE PARALYSIS IN COUNTIES ADJOINING NEW KENT.

     The Clerk exhibited copy of resolution dated Aug. 2, 1935, as above, certified copy of which was mailed State Department pf Health on August 5, 1935, and stated that he had personally prepared in the office a number of copies of said resolution, and given them out for posting at places frequented by the public, and posted others personally at remote points. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Clerk was directed to incorporate same in minutes of this meeting together with letter of acknowledgement from Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia, dated August 8, 1935, approving action taken. It was so ordered.

                                                           "N O T I C E

    Pursuant to authority of Section #1492, Code of Virginia, 1930, relating to County Boards of Health, a meeting of the County Board of Health, New Kent County, Virginia, was held on August 2, 1935, at Quinton, Virginia, at which meeting the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote:

RESOLVED:- That inview of the prevalence of infantile paralysis in Counties adjoining New Kent, and the fact that this epidemic is found to follow main lines of highway travel and to be spread by group meetings:-

It is hereby ordered that all group meetings or gatherings together of people in New Kent County, Virginia, such as such meetings, protracted church meetings, dances, traveling circuses, entertainments of all kinds where people congregate in groups, and all similar meetings, are hereby prohibited from being held in in New Kent County during the month of August, 1935, and until further notice of this board.

It is further urged that all children under 16 years of age remain at home as far as possible for their own protection and the protection of other children in the community.

            BY ORDER
                NEW KENT COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH,
                By DR. M.H. EAMES,
                    Acting Secretary.

New Kent, Va.,

 August 2, 1935

            COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
                Richmond
                        August 8,1935

Mr. S.W.Lacy, Clerk,

New Kent County,

New Kent, Va.

Dear Mr. Lacy:

    I have your letter of August 5 containing copy of the resolutions passed by the New Kent County Board of Health. Owing to the peculiar circumstances in your county, I think this is a very good resolution.

 Assuring you of our cooperation at all times, I am,

            Yours very truly,
                E.L. McQUADE, M.D.
                Director of Rural Health

While Perusing Newspapers . . .

PICOT'S VIRGINIA Worm-Killer.

    The best, safest and most pleasant remedy for Worms yet discovered —Tried by thousands and approved by all—Children cry for it.—

Most of diseases from which children suffer are occasioned by the presence of Worms in the body, and if they are neglected, they produce great derangement of the system, and give rise to many alarming affections.

This Valuable and well-known preparation is recommended with the greatest confidence: past experience and test of years having proved it to be one of the best and most reliable Vermifuges in use. It has a great advantage over most articles of the kind, as it is readily taken by children, being mild and pleasant to the taste, and safe, prompt, and certain in its effects. Prepared only by BERRIAN & MCPHAIL, druggists, corner Main and 17th streets, Richmond, Virginia.

testimonials:

Dear Sir —It gives me much pleasure to add my testimony in behalf of your most excellent Vermifuge, known as the "Virginia Worm Killer," which I have used with the most gratifying results. I can recommend it as a sole and reliable Vermifuge, and far preferable to any now extant, and less likely to be attended with unfavorable results. It may be safely given to children of all ages, and should be an indispensable medicine in every household.

    Yours, with respect,

        L.A. SLATER, M.D.

Slatersville, New Kent county, Oct 5, 1867.

-Staunton Spectator, August 29, 1871

"A melancholy procession": White House Landing after the Battle of Cold Habor

Procession of the Maimed.

The army was particularly well placed for the prompt dispatch of the wounded to the rear, as it was only twelve miles from its water base at White House, on the Pamunkey River. Here sufficient transports were assembled to take the wounded to Northern hospital. There not being enough ambulances to transport all promptly to the rear army wagons had been brought into use. On the morning of June 3, a train of wagons and ambulances was organized, including a total of 2,177 vehicles, which in single line would have reached to White House. On June 4 forty-three new ambulances arrived.

Many of the slightly wounded started for White House on foot rather than go to the field hospitals. Thus all day on June 4, a melancholy procession of blood- stained men kept pace with the jolting wagons with their maimed burdens that filled the road to White House. No such cortege had ever before passed through, the pine thickets, past the silent swamps and over the black streams of that part of Virginia. Although a Federal army had fought there in 1865, its losses had not been nearly as great.

The road being sandy and heavy from rain, progress of the procession of the maimed was slow. As the rough wagons Jolted in ruts or over corduroy of logs in marshy places, the sufferers lyng in them, on beds of straw or boughs, groaned In agony.

Arriving at the river, they were borne aboard the transports and laid in rows in cots or upon the decks.

In the course of the day 1,254 men were placed on transports, which started for Washington. At night there remained in the hospital tents near the shore 1,460 more, ready to depart as soon as they, could be loaded on the boats.

The labors of the army’s medical officers and their helpers at this time were ceaseless. Some of the surgeons had slept but an hour or two in three nights. At first there had been a shortage of nurses, but willing volunteers had been supplied by the Sanitary Commission. The nurses, like the doctors, worked unceasingly. Their experiences in this labor were such as could not be forgotten.

 - The Washington Herald (Washington, D.C.)June 04, 1914



This was a "fifty years ago today" piece at the Washington Herald.

A.R.M.S.

Some background on a not very well known organization of the Confederate war effort . . .

The object of the Association for the relief of maimed soldiers, is to supply artificial limbs gratuitously to all officers, soldiers and seamen who have been maimed in the service of the Confederate States; and to furnish to them such mechanical compensation of other lost parts of the human body, as may be practicable. Previous to the present war, only the few who were maimed in consequence of accidents or disease, required these substitutes, and such were readily obtained in the Northern cities, where mechanical pursuits were more practised.

It is probably correctly estimated that more than 10,000 men have lost limbs by casualties of battle, during this war, and the sight of empty sleeves, and of men hobbling on wooden pegs, or swinging on the galling crutch, is now familiar, and should suggest to all observers the necessity for organization for the relief of these sufferers, and for the encouragement of proper manufactures. As is not known to all, artificial limbs can be made so perfect in symmetry, motion and color, that the loss endured, or the loss supplied, can scarcely be detected by the observer. Considerable sums are required to buy these, and thousands of the maimed have no means to purchase; others cannot obtain for want of necessary information, while many more manufactories than now exist, are required to furnish these substitutes of human contrivance to those needing them.

In consequence of the publication of an earnest appeal from the present President of the Association, in the Richmond papers, and in printed circulars of date January 12th, 1864, after a preliminary meeting, this Society was formally organized on Friday night, January 22, 1864, at a large public meeting, in the African Church, Richmond, Virginia, by the adoption of a constitution, election of officers for one year, and the collection of large subscriptions.

The constitution provides for the cooperation of all persons favorable to its object, and contemplated aid or countenance from Municipal, State, and the Confederate Governments, yet it was designed to appeal principally to benevolent and patriotic Confederate citizens, to unite and present to each of those deprived of their limbs, an artificial limb, not as an act of charity, but of esteem, respect and gratitude .

The constitution further provides for an annual meeting, reports and re-election of officers, on the 22d of January; the Directors being empowered to act during intervals, as the Executive of the Association. The Treasurer is required to collect and receive all subscriptions to the finances of the Association, and appropriately acknowledge them, make disbursements, and report monthly to the Directors, an report annually to the members, the state of the finances. The Corresponding Secretary is the organ of the Association, under the direction of the Directors, in communicating with applicants for the benefit of the Association, with manufacturers, and in conference with other societies and the public.

 . . .

In February, 1864, the Directors invited the manufacturers throughout the Confederate States, to send in specimens of their work, with proposals, stating the number they could furnish, their cost, and the time and place of delivery. The three first manufacturers above named having complied with this invitation; contracts were made with Wells & Brother, on February 10th, 1864, with Hanger & Brother, on March 12th, 1804, and with Spooner & Harris, on January 2d, 1865, at the following rates:

For leg below the knee, $150,
For leg at the knee, $175.
For leg above the knee, $200.
For shoes to correspond, $65.

Wells & Brother have been paid for 309 legs already made. —
Hanger & Brother for 97, but Spooner & Harris are not yet in operation.

. . .

The Corresponding Secretary will give or send to the applicant, an order on a contractor for an artificial leg, and a suitable pair of shoes; with a ticket for admission into the Way Hospital at the Post— where board, lodging, and all necessary attention will be given during his stay. Manufacturers will send, if desired, a blank form for measurement, with directions. If taken accurately, legs may be made to fit well by these measurements, and sent by Express — but it is much preferable to have the persons present, and, consequently, all legs made for the Association, must be examined and fitted by Inspectors, to ascertain definitely their efficiency, and the fitness of the stumps to bear them. In future, when the agents and con tractors. of the Association are multiplied, such measurements can be taken by any one of these agents; but now if legs are made and furnished only on measurements forwarded, the cost will not be defrayed by the Association. It is important for his future comfort also, that each wearer of an artificial limb, should receive certain preparations and instructions from the manufacturers and Inspectors. The mechanism should be explained to him, as it is frequently necessary to tighten or loosen screws, springs or axis— to adapt them to his peculiar step or gait, or to repair displacements, and injuries, which at first slight may become serious by neglect. He should be instructed how to tightly bandage the stump, so as to compress, solidify and adapt it to a conical socket, and to obtain free and perfect action of the stump and joint, by passive motion, and never allowing them to remain flexed or semi flexed, if avoidable.

 -Brief review of the plan and operations of the Association for the Relief of Maimed Soldiers


"Taken from the Hall in the Capitol at Richmond, Va. - lately occupied by the Rebel Congress"
- manuscript note at head of title, dated April 20, 1865


An interesting exhibit from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

James Pollard- "I respectfully apply to be furnished with . . ."

 James Pollard had less luck a few months after his run in with Dahlgren's troops . . .

I assume "G.S" stands for gun shot.

I respectfully apply to be furnished with an order on Wells Bro. Charlottesville Va., or whatever manufacturer may be designated, for an artificial limb. When a Capt. in Co. H. 9th Va. Cav. Regiment, on the 4th day of July 1864, at (Battle Field or Hospital.) Winder Hos.. My leg was amputated by surgeon Dudley* at (Seat of operation) Middle 3. on account of (Wound, accident or disease) G.S. receive in the service of the confederate States at (Battle Field, &c) Nance's Shop on the 24 day of June 1864.

My place of residence is New Kent Co., State of Va. and present address, In person

(signature) James Pollard

to Dr. Wm A. Carrington

Cor. Sec'y A.R.M.S.

Richmond, Va.

OFFICERS, SOLDIERS AND SAILORS desiring relief from the Association for the Relief of Maimed Soldiers, will fill up this form, make oath to the truth of it before a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, or commissioned Officer, and forward to the corresponding Secretary at Richmond. An order will be returned for the desired limb, which will be manufactured as soon as possible.

* John Gibson Dudley. More on Dr. Dudley.

More on A.R.M.S. tomorrow. . .

The 1856 Smallpox Scare, Conclusion

The 1856 Smallpox Scare

To be continued . . .

Early Automobile Accident for New Kent Physician

From the Daily Press, October 20, 1910