Antiques and Muskoka; Amputation Advise For The Homestead Practitioner

The Bird House in the photograph at the top shows a carved thistle design post that was once on a property in Bala. Now it is a snow stand. Robert Currie Photos

1862 MEDICAL ADVISE TO HOMESTEADERS ON HOW TO UNDERTAKE AN AMPUTATION - IMAGINE THAT ORDEAL - AND WE THINK WE HAVE IT ROUGH

ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE SHOPS POSSESS SOME OF THESE SELF-HELP BOOKS, AND THE MEDICAL TOOLS THAT GOT THE JOB DONE

   TO BEGIN, HOW ABOUT THAT CRAZY SNOW? BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD, WHEN WINTER WAS EVIL EVERY YEAR...AND SNOW DAYS AT SCHOOL WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. THE TEN BLOCKS TO SCHOOL SEEMED LIKE TWENTY, AND OUR "PORTAGE AND MAIN", WAS THE INTERSECTION OF TORONTO STREET AND RIVER ROAD IN BRACEBRIDGE, JUST OVER THE MUSKOKA RIVER VIA THE HUNT'S HILL BRIDGE. I NEVER REMEMBER HAVING A "LIGHT" OR "MILD" WINTER. I'M SURE WE DID HAVE LESSER WINTERS IN SEVERITY, I JUST DON'T REMEMBER THEM. I KNOW FOR SURE, THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN THE GRAVENHURST MAIN STREET SO APPROPRIATELY DECORATED, TO COMMEMORATE THE ICE AGE. EVEN A CTV CAMERAMAN AND REPORTER WERE CAPTURING THE ACTUALITY OF SIBERIA-SOUTH, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, NEARLY BEING SUCKED UP INTO A FUNNEL OF DRIVEN SNOW, AS IT LOOKED JUST OUTSIDE OUR MUSKOKA ROAD SHOP THIS AFTERNOON. I WAS QUESTIONING THE USE OF THE WORD "BLIZZARD," WHEN WE LEFT THE HOUSE THIS MORNING, BUT NOT ONCE WE GOT HERE. AS FOR IT BEING A BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT, WELL, LIKE THE SEVERE HEAT OF MID JULY, IT HAS A LIMITED APPEAL TO TRAVELLERS....AS SHOPPERS. SO I'VE HAD LOTS OF TIME TODAY, AFTER DIGGING US OUT OF ENTOMBMENT, TO PONDER STUFF LIKE BUSINESS, AND AMPUTATIONS. SO LET'S GET AT IT, AS PROMISED. NOW PLEASE CONSIDER A MUSKOKA HOMESTEAD, ON A DAY LIKE THIS, BACK IN THE 1860'S, AND UNCLE ELIJAH'S ARM HAS TURNED BLACK FROM FROST BITE. TURNING TO A COPY OF MACKENZIE'S SELF HELP MANUAL, YOU'VE FOUND A REMEDY. NOT A PLEASANT ONE, MIND YOU. BREAK OUT THE BOOZE, TO RELAX THE MOOD. THE REAL DILEMMA FOR THE FILL-IN PHYSICIAN, IS WHETHER THE ARM OR LIMB IS SALVAGEABLE. YOU CAN'T PUT IT BACK ON, ONCE IT'S REMOVED. SO PAY ATTENTION, IN CASE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN ONE OF THESE NIGHTMARE SCENARIOS, PRESSED UPON YOU IN THE MODERN ERA. IT DOES HAPPEN. PAYS TO BE READY FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES.
     I HAVE SOLD LOTS OF ANTIQUATED MEDICAL TOOLS, IN MY YEARS IN THE HUNT AND GATHER PROFESSION. AS A MATTER OF INTEREST, A YEAR AGO, I SOLD A COMPACT, FOLDING SALESMAN'S SAMPLE CASE, DISPLAYING ABOUT SIXTY SURGICAL BLADES USED IN THE OPERATING ROOM. I PURCHASED THEM IN A SALVATION ARMY THRIFT SHOP AUCTION, ALONG WITH THREE OTHER INSTRUMENTS. CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING ACQUISITIONS AND RE-SALES I'VE HAD, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ELECTRIC EMBALMING PUMP, I SOLD TO MY FRIEND DAVE BROWN, BACK WHEN WE HAD OUR BRACEBRIDGE ANTIQUE SHOP. I LOVED TO KEEP IT ON A STAND NEAR THE FRONT COUNTER, BECAUSE IT WAS FUN WATCHING THE REACTION OF OUR PATRONS, WHEN THEY'D PUT THEIR HAND ON TOP, AND ASK SUZANNE OR I, WHAT KIND OF CONTRAPTION IT WAS....AND IF IT STILL WORKED. WHEN WE'D TELL THEM THAT IT DID STILL WORK, AND WOULD THEY LIKE TO TRY IT OUT, LIKE MAGIC, THEY'D GET REAL SERIOUS ABOUT THE MECHANICS OF THE BEAST.....AND ASK HOW IT WORKED. WE DIDN'T STRING THEM ALONG TOO FAR, BUT WHEN THEY FOUND OUT WHAT IT WAS, THEY'D PULL THEIR HAND BACK, AS IF HALF-EXPECTING, IT WOULD START PUMPING SOMETHING IN OR OUT OF THEIR BODIES. THEY'D ACTUALLY BEGIN SENSING, BY SUGGESTION, ALL THE SOULS THAT GOT SUCKED INTO THAT MACHINE OVER ITS WORKING YEARS. HAUNTED? THAT'S THE WAY THEY TREATED IT, FOR SURE. BUT BY GOLLY WAS IT EVER A CONVERSATION PIECE. AS FOR PEOPLE THINKING US WEIRD FOR HAVING SUCH A PIECE? HEY, THIS IS PART OF THE ANTIQUE DEALER'S QUEST, AND INTRIGUE, TO BE MORE MEMORABLE THAN THE COMPETITION.
     MEDICAL ANTIQUITIES ARE A BIG DEAL TODAY, AND THERE ARE DEALERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN THESE IMPORTANT RELICS OF OLD TIME MEDICINE AND TREATMENT....INCLUDING SUCH DEVICES AS WERE USED TO AMPUTATE LIMBS FOLLOWING ACCIDENTS, OR OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY OWNED USED BONE SAWS, AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS OF SURGERY, ALTHOUGH I HAVE PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO MEDICAL SUPPLIES USED ON BATTLEFIELDS, ESPECIALLY THE CIVIL WAR. AMPUTATIONS WERE COMMON IN THE HOSPITAL TENTS ON THE FRINGE OF MAJOR BATTLES, AND THERE ARE COLLECTORS WHO DESIRE THESE "USED" INSTRUMENTS......WITH SUCH INCREDIBLE PROVENANCE ATTACHED. SOME OF THE VALUATIONS ARE STAGGERING. I READ UP ON SUCH THINGS, IN THE COLLECTABLE FIELD, BECAUSE HONESTLY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO FIND SUCH AN HISTORIC PIECE, IN THE SHOWCASE OF SOME ANTIQUE OR SECOND HAND SHOP, UNDER-RESEARCHED, AND MISUNDERSTOOD, FOR ITS ACTUAL PURPOSE. IF YOU'RE UP ON YOUR MEDICAL INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION, YOU CAN FIND SOME REAL GEMS OUT THERE, AND AS I'VE MENTIONED EARLIER, THEY'RE CALLED "SLEEPERS," IF THEY ARE INADEQUATELY IDENTIFIED. NOW, IN READING TODAY'S BLOG, ABOUT SUCH MEDICAL PROCEDURES, AS AMPUTATIONS, OFTEN PERFORMED WITH AVAILABLE TOOLS, ON THE HOMESTEAD (A CARPENTRY SAW BEING SUBSTITUTED), THINK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTIQUE DEALERS DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN RESEARCH....BEFORE SETTING OUT THEIR MOST RECENT COLLECTING FINDS. HISTORY IS PART OF THE ANTIQUE PROFESSION, ALTHOUGH I SEE A GREATLY REDUCED INTEREST THESE DAYS.....AS A LARGER THAN EVER PORTION OF SALES ARE FOR THE PURPOSES OF DECORATION ONLY. IT'S OKAY FOR SOME THINGS, BUT BY GOLLY, I STILL BUY FOR MY OWN INTERESTS, BASED ON INTERESTING PROVENANCE.
    FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW OF A CHAP, WHO HAS A COFFIN COFFEE TABLE. THE COFFIN WAS USED AS CONTAINER OF TRANSPORT, MANY YEARS AGO, TO GET A BODY FROM ENGLAND TO CANADA VIA AIRCRAFT. THE FAMILY REJECTED THE COFFIN, IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER, AND THE ORIGINAL WAS PUT IN STORAGE. EVENTUALLY SOMEONE PURCHASED IT AND MADE A FUNKY LIVING ROOM TABLE OUT OF IT. OUR FRIEND ACQUIRED IT OFF THIS INDIVIDUAL, AND NOW I WANT IT. IT WILL GO WITH THE DEATH BED I PURCHASED A FEW YEARS BACK, FOR SUZANNE; A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF CANADIANA..., A SPINDLE BED THAT WAS ONCE USED IN THE MANSE OF THE ALHAMBRA CHURCH, IN TORONTO, TO DISPLAY THE DECEASED, DURING MEMORIAL VISITATIONS HELD AT THE REVEREND'S ABODE. THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO COLLECT THE HAIR OF THE DECEASED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A COLLECTION OF HAIR, FROM NUMEROUS VICTIMS, CLIPPED FROM THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE BLACK DONNELLYS, MURDERED ONE NIGHT, IN THE TOWN OF LUCAN, ONTARIO, SO MANY YEARS AGO. EITHER AN ASSISTANT TO THE CORONER OR UNDERTAKER, KEPT THE LOCKETS OF HAIR FOR REASONS UNKNOWN. THEY SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE HANDS OF A COLLECTOR. I WOULD THINK THEM TO BE QUITE VALUABLE TODAY, BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SENSATIONAL MURDER STORIES IN CANADIAN HISTORY. I HEARD THIS STORY FROM A RELIABLE HISTORIAN.     MACABRE? CERTAINLY. COLLECTABLE. YOU BET! HERE NOW ARE SOME MORE NOTATIONS FROM THE 1862, FOURTH EDITION OF MACKENZIE'S UNIVERSAL RECEIPT BOOK, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE 1820'S, AS A SELF HELP TEXT FOR AVERAGE FAMILIES, HOMESTEADING IN NORTH AMERICA. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT, THE OWNER OF THIS PARTICULAR BOOK, FOUND IN MUSKOKA, WAS USED TO HELP FACILITATE AN AMPUTATION, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A FOLDED-DOWN PAGE CORNER; BUT I'M SURE IT GOT A GOOD WORK OUT, BASED ON ITS ROUGH CONDITION. THESE WERE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BOOKS, FROM BASIC MEDICAL INSTRUCTION, TO TREAT HUNDREDS OF MALADIES, AND STILL, IN ANOTHER CHAPTER, OFFER TIPS ON HOME COOKING AND HOME ECONOMY; THE MIXING OF ARTIST COLORS, AND TIPS ON PAINTING WITH WATERCOLORS.
    "OF COMPOUND ACCIDENTS - HAVING SPOKEN OF THE TREATMENT TO BE PURSUED FOR A BRUISE WOUND, FRACTURE AND DISLOCATION, SO HAPPENING SINGLY, IT REMAINS TO STATE WHAT IS TO BE DONE WHEN THEY ARE UNITED. WE WILL SUPPOSE THAT A MAN HAS BEEN VIOLENTLY THROWN FROM A CARRIAGE. ON EXAMINATION, A WOUND IS FOUND IN HIS THIGH, BLEEDING PROFUSELY, HIS ANKLE IS OUT OF JOINT, WITH A WOUND COMMUNICATING WITH ITS CAVITY, AND THE LEG BROKEN. IN THE FIRST PLACE STOP THE BLEEDING FROM THE WOUND IN THE THIGH, REDUCE THE DISLOCATION NEXT, DRAW THE EDGES OF THE WOUNDS TOGETHER WITH STICKING PLASTER, AND LASTLY APPLY HARTSHORNE'S OR DESSAULT'S APPARATUS TO REMEDY THE FRACTURE. IF, INSTEAD OF A WOUND, FRACTURE AND DISLOCATION, THERE IS A CONCUSSION OR COMPRESSION OF THE BRAIN, A DISLOCATION AND FRACTURE, ATTEND TO THE CONCUSSION FIRST, THE DISLOCATION NEXT, AND THE FRACTURE THE LAST."
     "OF AMPUTATION - AS ACCIDENTS SOMETIMES HAPPEN AT SEA, OR IN SITUATIONS WHERE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A SURGEON, AND WHICH REQUIRE THE IMMEDIATE AMPUTATION OF A LIMB, IT IS PROPER TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON THE SUBJECT. TO PERFORM THE OPERATION, IS ONE THING; TO KNOW WHEN IT OUGHT TO BE PERFORMED IS ANOTHER. ANY MAN OF COMMON DEXTERITY AND FIRMNESS CAN CUT OFF A LEG, BUT TO DECIDE UPON THE NECESSITY OF DOING SO, REQUIRES MUCH JUDGEMENT; INSTANCES HAVING OCCURRED WHERE, UNDER THE MOST SEEMINGLY DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PATIENT THROUGH FEAR OR OBSTINANCY HAS REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO THE KNIFE, AND YET AFTERWARDS RECOVERED.
     "ALTHOUGH IN MANY CASES MUCH DOUBT MAY EXIST IN DETERMINING WHETHER IT IS PROPER TO AMPUTATE OR NOT, YET IN OTHERS, ALL DIFFICULTY VANISHES, AS WHEN A BALL (SHOT) HAS CARRIED AWAY AN ARM. SUPPOSE FOR A MOMENT, WHILE ROLLING IN A HEAVY SEA, DURING A GALE, THE LASHING OF A GUN GIVE WAY, BY WHICH A MAN HAS HIS KNEE, LEG OR ANKLE COMPLETELY MASHED, OR THAT EITHER OF THOSE PARTS ARE CRUSHED BY A FALL FROM THE TOP-GALLANT YARD, A FALLEN TREE, ETC. THE GREAT LACERATION OF BLOOD VESSELS, NERVES AND TENDONS, NOW CRUSHED, HAVING SPLINTERED THE BONES, ALMOST NECESSARILY RESULTING FROM SUCH ACCIDENTS; READER, IMMEDIATE AMPUTATION AN UNAVOIDABLE AND IMPERIOUS DUTY. IF THERE ARE NONE OF THE REGULAR INSTRUMENTS AT HAND, YOU MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING; WHICH ARE ALWAYS TO BE HAD, AND WHICH ANSWER EXTREMELY WELL - BEING CAREFUL TO HAVE THE KNIVES AS SHARP AND SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE.
     "INSTRUMENTS - THE HANDKERCHIEF AND STICK, A CARVING OR OTHER LARGER KNIFE, WITH A STRAIGHT BLADE, A PENKNIFE, A CARPENTER'S TENON OR MITRE SAW, A SLIP OF LEATHER OR LINEN, THREE INCHES WIDE AND EIGHTEEN OR TWENTY LONG, SLIT UP THE MIDDLE, TO THE HALF OF ITS LENGTH, A DOZEN OR MORE LIGATURES, EACH ABOUT A FOOT LONG, MADE OF WAXED THREAD, BOBBIN, OR FINE TWINE, A HOOK WITH A SHARP POINT, A PAIR OF SLENDER PINCERS, SEVERAL NARROW STRIPS OF STICKING PLASTER, DRY LINT, A PIECE OF LINEN, LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE END OF THE STUMP, SPREAD WITH SIMPLE OINTMENT OR LARD, A BANDAGE THREE OR FOUR YARDS LONG, THE WIDTH OF YOUR HAND, SPONGES AND WARM WATER."
     IN MUSKOKA, THERE WERE CASES OF AMPUTATIONS AT LOGGING CAMPS, WHERE IN THE ESSENCE OF TIME, A QUICK DECISION HAD TO BE MADE ON HOW TO SAVE AN INJURED WORKER. IT MIGHT BE THE CASE A DOCTOR COULD BE TRANSPORTED FROM ONE OF THE MAJOR TOWNS, TO THE LOGGING CAMP, OR THAT THE PATIENT COULD BE BROUGHT BY SLED, TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, AS THERE WERE NO ACTUAL HOSPITALS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE BACKWOODS INDUSTRY. THERE WERE TIMES, HOWEVER, THAT THE MEDICAL CRISIS DID NOT ALLOW LENGTHY TRAVEL, BEFORE EMERGENCY TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. SO IMAGINE IF YOU CAN, JUST HOW PRECARIOUS IT WAS FOR PATIENT AND UNTRAINED SURGEON, AND HELPERS, TO GET IT RIGHT. THE PAIN WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY NECESSITATED A FAIR AMOUNT OF SCREAMING, AS THERE WERE FEW MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE TO RENDER A PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS. IT'S NOT TO SAY A PUNCH IN THE FACE WASN'T ADMINISTERED ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, TO FORCE THE PATIENT TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE SOON-TO-BE SURGEON. IF A LIFE DEPENDED ON IT, WHO WAS TO DETERMINE, AT THAT CRITICAL MOMENT, IF THE PREPARATION FOR SURGERY WAS A LITTLE HARD ON THE PATIENT?
     "OPERATION - GIVE THE PATIENT SIXTY DROPS OF LAUDANUM (WHEN AVAILABLE), AND SEAT HIM ON A NARROW AND FIRM TABLE, OR CHEST, OF A CONVENIENT HEIGHT, SO THAT SOME ONE CAN SUPPORT HIM, BY CLASPING HIM ROUND THE BODY. IF THE HANDKERCHIEF AND STICK HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, PLACE IT AS HIGH UP ON THE ARM AS POSSIBLE (THE STICK BEING VERY SHORT) AND SO THAT THE KNOT MAY PASS ON THE INNER THIRD OF IT. YOUR INSTRUMENTS, HAVING BEEN PLACED REGULARLY ON A TABLE OR WAITER, AND WITHIN REACH OF YOUR HAND, WHERE SOME ONE SUPPORTS THE LOWER END OF THE ARM, AND AT THE SAME TIME, DRAWS DOWN THE SKIN; TAKE THE LARGE KNIFE AND MAKE ONE STRAIGHT CUT ALL ROUND THE LIMB, THROUGH THE SKIN AND FAT ONLY; THEN WITH THE PEN KNIFE, SEPARATE, AS MUCH OF THE SKIN FROM THE FLESH ABOVE THE CUT, AND ALL AROUND IT, AS WILL FORM A FLAP TO COVER THE FACE OF THE STUMP; WHEN YOU THINK THERE IS ENOUGH SEPARATED, TURN IT BACK WHERE IT MUST BE HELD BY AN ASSISTANT, WHILE WITH THE LARGE KNIFE, YOU MAKE A SECOND STRAIGHT INCISION ROUND THE ARM AND DOWN TO THE BONE, AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO THE DOUBLE EDGE OF THE FLAP, BUT TAKING GREAT CARE NOT TO CUT IT. THE BONE IS NOW TO BE PASSED THROUGH THE SLIT IN THE PIECE OF LINEN, BEFORE MENTIONED, AND PRESSED BY ITS ENDS AGAINST THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE WOUND BY THE PERSON WHO HOLDS THE FLAP, WHILE YOU SAW THROUGH THE BONE AS NEAR TO IT AS YOU CAN. WHEN THIS IS DONE, RELAX THE STICK A LITTLE; IF AN ARTERY SPRINGS, TIE IT AS BEFORE. THE WOUND IS NOW TO BE GENTLY CLEANSED WITH A SPONGE AND WARM WATER, AND THE STICK TO BE RELAXED. IF IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE ARTERIES ARE ALL TIED, BRING THE FLAP OVER THE END OF THE STUMP, DRAW ITS EDGES TOGETHER WITH STRIPS OF STICKING PLASTER, LEAVING THE LIGATURES HANGING OUT AT THE ANGLES, LAY THE PIECE OF LINEN, SPREAD WITH OINTMENT OVER THE STRAPS, A PLEDGET OF LINT OVER THAT, AND SECURE THE WHOLE BY THE BANDAGE, WHEN THE PATIENT MAY BE CARRIED TO BED, AND THE STUMP LAID ON A PILLOW.
     "THE HANDKERCHIEF AND STICK ARE TO BE LEFT LOOSELY ROUND THE LIMB, SO THAT IF ANY BLEEDING HAPPENS TO COME ON, IT MAY BE TIGHTENED IN AN INSTANT BY THE PERSON WHO WATCHES BY THE PATIENT; WHEN THE DRESSING MUST BE TAKEN OFF, THE FLAP RAISED, AND THE VESSEL BE SOUGHT FOR AND TIED UP, AFTER WHICH EVERYTHING IS TO BE PLACED AS BEFORE. IT MAY BE WELL, TO OBSERVE THAT IN SAWING THROUGH THE BONE, A LONG AND FREE STROKE SHOULD BE USED TO PREVENT ANY HITCHING, AS AN ADDITIONAL SECURITY AGAINST WHICH, THE TEETH OF THE SAW SHOULD BE WELL SHARPENED, AND SET WIDE.
     "THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, WHICH IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE AWARE OF, WHEN THE ENDS OF DIVIDED ARTERIES CANNOT AT TIMES BE GOT HOLD OF, OR BEING DISEASED THEIR COATS GIVE WAY UNDER THE HOOK, SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE DRAWN OUT; SOMETIMES ALSO, THEY ARE FOUND OSSIFIED OR TURNED INTO BONE. IN ALL THESE CASES, HAVING ARMED A NEEDLE WITH A LIGATURE, PASS IT THROUGH THE FLESH ROUND THE ARTERY, SO THAT WHEN TIED, THERE WILL BE A PORTION OF IT INCLUDED IN THE LIGATURE ALONG WITH THE ARTERY. WHICH THE LIGATURE HAS BEEN MADE TO ENCIRCLE THE ARTERY, CUT OFF THE NEEDLE AND TIE IT FIRMLY IN THE ORDINARY WAY. THE BANDAGES ETC., SHOULD NOT BE DISTURBED FOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS, IF THE WEATHER IS COLD; IF IT IS VERY WARM, THEY MAY BE REMOVED IN THREE. THIS IS TO BE DONE WITH THE GREATEST CARE, SOAKING THEM WELL WITH WARM WATER UNTIL THEY ARE QUITE SOFT, AND CAN BE TAKEN AWAY WITHOUT STICKING TO THE STUMP. A CLEAN PLASTER, LINT, AND BANDAGE ARE THEN TO BE APPLIED AS BEFORE, TO BE REMOVED EVERY TWO DAYS. AT THE EXPIRATION OF FOURTEEN OR FIFTEEN DAYS THE LIGATURES GENERALLY COME AWAY; AND IN THREE OR FOUR WEEKS, IF EVERYTHING GOES ON WELL, THE WOUND HEALS."
     WHILE ARGUABLY A LITTLE GORY, IMAGINE HOW IT MUST HAVE FELT, TO BE THE CAMP COOK, AT A LOGGING OPERATION, WHO IS FORCED INTO DUTY AS A SURGEON, TO FREE A LOGGER TRAPPED BENEATH A TREE, BY HAVING TO AMPUTATE A LIMB; WITHOUT SOME OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING A TABLE TO WORK FROM, AND PROPER KNIVES, AND SUPPLIES TO UTILIZE AT THAT MOMENT. THE DRUG FOR THE SITUATION, COULD BE THE ADMINISTERING OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUOR, KEPT AT THE CAMP FOR SUCH MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. CONSIDER THE SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE SITE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION, AND THE HUGE RISK OF COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM CONTAMINATION, AND AN IMPROPER FINISHING OF THE ARTERIES, ALLOWING THE PATIENT TO BLEED TO DEATH WITH GREAT SUFFERING EXPERIENCED?
     I HAVE WRITTEN PREVIOUSLY ABOUT SOME OF THESE INJURIES, AND HOW LOGGERS WERE SLEDDED OUT OF WINTER CAMPS, SOME PERISHING BEFORE GETTING TO PROPER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THERE ARE CASES OF THESE INJURED MEN ARRIVING SAFELY, IN THE LARGER COMMUNITIES, WHERE MEDICAL HELP WEAS AVAILABLE. BUT IT STILL REQUIRED EACH LOGGING CAMP BOSS, TO BE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL, AN INJURY WAS GOING TO OCCUR, THAT WOULD REQUIRE A STOUT CONSTITUTION, AND DEDICATION TO HUMANITY. THE SUFFERING WAS NOT JUST ON THE PART OF THE PATIENT. THOSE ASSISTING WERE JUST AS PROFOUNDLY AFFECTED, ESPECIALLY IF THE PATIENT HAPPENED TO DIE IN THE MIDST OF THE SURGERY, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DID HAPPEN ON OCCASION.
     WE THINK IT NASTY TO GET A COLD OR A BOUT STOMACH FLU; A HEADACHE OR CONSTIPATION. I REALLY DO THINK, FROM TIME TO TIME, WE SHOULD CHOOSE TO INVESTIGATE HOW OUR KIN-FOLK GOT ALONG, IN DAYS GONE BY.....AND IN THE CASE OF MUSKOKA, WHAT HAPPENED ON THOSE BACKWOODS HOMESTEADS, WHERE ONE HAD TO BECOME A GENERAL PRACTITIONER JUST TO GET BY, DAY TO DAY. THIS SAME BOOK, CONTAINS MANY EXOTIC REMEDIES, THAT WE'LL HAVE A WEE LOOK AT IN TOMORROW'S BLOG. YOU WON'T BELIEVE SOME OF THE CURES. "BLOOD LETTING," WAS AN OLD RELIABLE, FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS OF PRIMITIVE MEDICINE.
     HOW ABOUT THAT SNOW? WELL SIR, THE WIND HAS TAKEN A LOT OF THE SNOW OFF MY ROOF, THANK GOODNESS, AND LEFT US WITH A RATHER INTERESTING HOUSE SCULPTURE. BIRCH HOLLOW IS NOW SOMEWHERE BELOW AND BEYOND THE DRIFTS, AS IF WE WERE IN ICELAND, NOT GRAVENHURST, ONTARIO. IN THE PHOTOS ABOVE, THE BIRD HOUSE IS CROWNED WITH AN ICY POINT, AND THE MAIL BOX IS BURDENED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE SEASON. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE JANUARY THAW. JUST NO FREEZING RAIN....PLEASE!