| Independence Day healthcare … colonial style |
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By: By Dr. MARK KESTNER
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If you are like most Americans, you have had occasion to be critical of the state of today’s healthcare system. The costs are too high, the waits too long, the results are not as positive as we would like. It is American to complain; after all that’s what started the events that ultimately led to our independence as a nation. Not only did the colonists complain, they actually stood up to the oppressors and eventually accomplished their goal of becoming a new fledgling nation.
As I was imagining what it might have been like to live during the colonial era, I learned some interesting things about healthcare of the time. My conclusion: Be glad we live in today’s healthcare environment.
Healthcare during colonial times was primarily handled by untrained people. In the case of most injuries or illnesses, any care at all would be administered by whoever happened to be at hand. Trained professionals of any sort were few and very far between. Doctors were mainly limited to attending the very well to do. Before you start feeling sorry for the more common folks, realize that the “doctors” had very little training, if any. Commoners weren’t really missing that much and may have often been better off without what passed for doctors then.
People often had a collection of herbs, tonics and various other sundry items that would be used to the best of their abilities to try to help the ill or injured. The colonists had interacted often enough with Native Americans that some of their medicinal skills had been adopted.
Compared to what an elementary school child knows about disease now, the knowledge of the time was rudimentary and sometimes bizarre or laughable. This was still an era when “experts” debated how to cure disease by balancing the four “humors.” Processes such as trephining were practiced to cure headaches and other chronic ills. This involves using an instrument to cut a hole in the patient’s skull to relieve pressure. The hole would be up to an inch in diameter. (I have a similar drill attachment in my garage if anyone wants to try it.)
Simple standards of life were far worse then as well. Let’s start with the simple observation that toilet paper was not invented for at least a hundred years after the war for independence. Think about that for a moment.
The average lifespan was in the 20s. Infant mortality was very high. Why did people die so early? Primarily infection. There was no such thing as public health. With raw sewage in the streets and pollution from outhouses being placed next to streams used for drinking water, you can imagine the contamination. Of course we have learned to avoid such things in this modern age. (With exception of dumping low-level radioactive waste and sewage sludge into a landfill next to our drinking supply, of course. Sorry, did I say that out loud?)
There were a few medicines available at the time. One of the most popular was calomel, otherwise known as mercury chloride. Of course you recognize that mercury is a highly toxic substance, but at the time, this was not that apparent. My guess is that many people recovered in spite of the treatment provided, rather than as a result.
So, the next time you are frustrated with a long wait at a doctor’s office, or the price of a prescription, or the ridiculous ways insurance companies find to avoid paying for your treatment, realize that we could be worse off.
Of course, as Americans, it is our heritage to stand up for our rights. Just because healthcare is enormously better than it was when this great country first declared our independence from foreign rule doesn’t mean that we should settle for anything less than we deserve.
Billions of dollars are taken from our paychecks every week to fund healthcare. Let your legislators know you are watching their actions with regards to how this money is spent. That’s the spirit of Independence Day!
Next week I’ll tell you the story of a very stubborn patient. Until then, celebrate this great holiday safely and remember, “Freedom Isn’t Free.” THANK YOU to all of the men and women that work and sacrifice to keep America the land of the free, the home of the brave!
Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@drkestner.com
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