Radio Script #1290

Little Talks on Common Things
November 22, 1981

Last week’s broadcast told you about Moses Appleton before he came to Waterville in 1796. Today I want to tell you about his arrival here and some of his activities.

It was the town’s first lawyer, Reuben Kidder, who persuaded the young man who had just completed his medical training with a Cambridge physician to come into the Maine wilderness on the Kennebec. The tiny village where Kidder had set up his law practice was then still a part of the town of Winslow, but its location on the west side of the river was causing it to grow faster than its parent on the east side.

On November 1, 1795 Kidder wrote thus to Moses Appleton. “A few weeks past I wrote you on the subject of your coming to make a permanent stand in this vicinity. The probability is, from reliable information, that the gentleman I told you about has given up all idea of coming here as a physician, and the way is open for someone else. So you should come immediately. You can practice your profession, at least for a few years, without competition. Dr. Williams, who is a physician only on the side and has numerous other interests, will be your friend and advisor. He is anxious to hand over all medical practice to a younger man, whom he will freely assist. Above here, the country along the Kennebec is settled for nearly fifty miles, and the population is growing rapidly. In the whole area there are only two physicians, neither of whom is very enterprising or skillful. Below here there is no physician on the river nearer than eight miles. East and west of the river there are none.

“Dr. Williams urges me to tell you that he will help you get established here. If you decide to come, the sooner the better. because I am sure the place for a physician here will not long be vacant. Our leading citizens are determined to have a full-time doctor here as soon as possible. Affectionately yours, Reuben Kidder.”

On January 1, 1796 Kidder wrote to Appleton again. “I received yours of November 23 on December 20. (Note that it took a full month for a letter to come from Boston to Waterville.) I am delighted with your decision to come into our vicinity and establish yourself in the practice of medicine. In response to your request for more information, I will now answer some of your questions. You ask if this is a place of much trade. Within fifty rods of my office are six traders who do considerable business. Within the same area are 30 buildings, including every kind of house and shop, now being erected where none before existing. Land near my office sells at $2 per square feet.

“You ask if we have an apothecary shop. There is none within 20 miles and only one within 50 miles and that is at Hallowell. This is as good a place as any in the whole District of Maine for an apothecary. You want to know if we have good roads. The roads along the river, both above and below here, where most of your practice will be are very good. From here to Hallowell there is a good chaise road, as good as the one between Boston and Concord. But, since the country above here is newly settled, roads in the spring are somewhat muddy. The population of Winslow is more than 1000 and is growing fast. What we now are is nothing to what we shall soon be. Nature has lavished her blessings on Winslow. It is the best site on the Kennebec. But do not expect too much too fast. We are an infant country where as yet everything appears to be rough. Please hasten your coming. We have lots of sickness.”

When he was admitted to medical practice, Moses Appleton and other new doctors not only took the Hypocratic oath, but offered a common prayer. It is worth quoting in full. “Supreme and almighty being, the giver of all life and the cause of animation in all living things, we look to thee for aid in every enterprise. Assist us in the acquisition of knowledge that will enable us to heal the diseases of human beings that thou hast created. May we obtain a comprehensive knowledge of that complicated machine, the human body, to which thou has entrusted an immortal spirit. As thy Son, while on earth, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the deaf to hear and the lame to walk,we ask that thou wilt bless those means that we, thine unworthy servants, use toward the same benevolent purpose. Amen.”

After coming to Waterville. Dr. Appleton was eager to improve his medical knowledge by securing the latest books in his field. In February 1797, he received a letter from his friend Dr. Asa Bullard in Boston. “It is uncertain whether I shall be able to buy books for you in any other than the common way. Book auctions here have become infrequent, but if I find opportunity to make an advantageous bargain. I will improve it for your good.”

Then Dr. Bullard’s letter turned to professional subjects. He wrote: “You speak of a book on cold water. I think cold water is the best medicine.in the world. It was tried on a few patients in the recent epidemic in Boston, and in all cases with astonishing success. The method was to douse it all over the naked patient, and three treatments were usually enough for a cure.

“I am thinking about settling in Wiscasset, but shall not do so until I have seen the place. I am not sure I can perform the duties of a country doctor with all its difficulties of travel. I may decide to stay in Boston in spite of stiff competition here. I heartily wish you success as a physician and plenty of money.”

Dr. Appleton fulfilled his friend’s wish in both respects. He gained enviable reputation as a doctor. and he made money.

For many years Appleton kept up correspondence with that friend, Asa Bullard. In 1800 Bullard wrote him on a medical subject many people today have never heard of – cow pox. That was a disease formed on the udders of cows, from which small postules could be taken and used on humans as innoculation against small pox. Dr. Bullard wrote: “I was able to get some cow pox matter and have used it in a few cases. I obtained it in a clandestine manner, and shall send some of it to you if you will not breathe a word to anyone about how you got it. I take it you have seen Dr. Jenner’s observations on its use as vaccination against small pox. But, anyhow, I have a few practical remarks for you. First, in inoculation, do not cut through the adipose membrane, for that will give you a bad take. Second, see that there is no blood around the incision when you put in the thread. Third, it is well to let a scab form, then take it off before you apply the matter. Fourth, never inoculate in cold weather, for your patient will suffer. Fifth, give no inoculation until at least the seventh day after the symptoms first appear. And finally, have the.patient avoid spirits, wine or even cider. If there is any need of medication, use julep or calomel. I send you today some of the matter in a phial.”

It was not long before Dr. Appleton’s reputation caused him to be called upon for consultations as far away as Augusta. In 1800 he received this letter from Judge Daniel Cony in Augusta: “Dr. Hubbard and I have been to Farmington to visit Mr. Worthing who is laboring under hydracula and other complaints. He is a man about 37, esteemed by the people of that place, and is the owner of a good estate. His friends desire that he obtain relief at any expense. We have proposed to him and his friends that he be removed to this vicinity as soon as circumstances will permit. If he is brought here, I want you
to see him, because we urgently need your advice to our doctor in Augusta.”

In 1812 Dr. Appleton received a similar plea from Dr. Benjamin Vaughan in Hallowell. The letter said: “Dr. Wright was brought here this morning. I have not been able to complete a diagnosis, but if the origin of the case is in paralytic afflictions, as I am told, the prognosis is unfavorable. I note that his scalp closely adheres to the cranium. What is worse, I learn that he is an eater of opium. Because he is a medical practitioner, it is hard to keep out of his way. We can only do what appears possible within a narrow area of treatment for these symptoms of insanity. When the patient is strong and vigorous, bleeding is the best remedy for melancholia. With Dr. Wright this may not be effective because
his case is so far advanced.

“Gentle purgatives seem helpful, the bowels of the insane are always irritable, and are helped by moderate and persistent laxatives. Opiates have been used in paroxysms, but they are not advisable when the patient has been using opium. Digitalis is recommended for maniacs, but it would not help in Dr. Wright’ s case. For the present, after an emetic and a little bleeding, I shall rely on Camphored powder. If the case lingers, I shall apply blisters to the legs. If he has paroxysms, I shall put cold applications on his head, and finally try digitalis along with cold baths.”

The army was also after Dr. Appleton. He was wanted as a surgeon’s mate in a Massachusetts regiment at a salary $30 a month and monthly ration allowance of $6. Dr. Appleton quickly told his enquirer that he could do better in Winslow.

These two broadcasts, last Sunday’s and today’s, cover only a part of the vast amount of important information found in this latest collection of Appleton papers. Next week. however, we shall turn to another subject, but I assure you that, some time in the near future, you shall hear more about Dr. Moses Appleton.

Year: 1981