Doc's Medicaine Perked up Miners
(note: this article appeared in October 1977 written by Denice Wheeler--see source below. John Richard Roberts worked at Cumberland located just outside of Kemmerer and Diamondville, Wyoming.)
Cumberland, Wyoming.
The medical profession as practiced in isolated mining camps during the late 1800's has little parallel to codes and ethics imposed on modern doctors. In fact, this coal-mining town in southwestern Wyoming would not have had any medical services if a medical degree had been required. F.L. McCarty was appointed camp foreman in 1900 shortly after prospectors had found coal in the area, and the Union Pacific Railroad had indicated an interest in buying all that could be mined.
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Cumberland, Wyoming.
The medical profession as practiced in isolated mining camps during the late 1800's has little parallel to codes and ethics imposed on modern doctors. In fact, this coal-mining town in southwestern Wyoming would not have had any medical services if a medical degree had been required. F.L. McCarty was appointed camp foreman in 1900 shortly after prospectors had found coal in the area, and the Union Pacific Railroad had indicated an interest in buying all that could be mined.
Mine Doctor
To Mr. McCarty fell many duties, among which was acting as mine doctor. The mine commissary became the doctor's quarters and hospital. In the midst of the roughest kind of frontier life, lacking adequate tools and training, Mr. McCarty treated all ailments and injuries of the miners. Deep snows often prevented the transportation of patients to the railroad and Mr. McCarty had to treat cases that should have had hospital care. One incident that clearly showed "Dr." McCarty's medical abilities occurred soon after he assumed his duties.
Miners Took Ill
In the early spring of 1901, a majority of miners took ill, all within a few days, breaking out with strange marks. Mr. McCarty had a hunch it was a contagious disease but he could not pinpoint the cause. He was trying without success, to associate the symptoms with anything he had ever known, when an old fellow named Ned Larkin came into the office. Mr. Larkin was said to have been "plentifully pock-marked" and it dawned on Mr. McCarty that the solution to his diagnosis was stamped on Mr. Larkin's face.
Question him as to the symptoms during his previous illness, the "doctor" found that those symptoms were identical to those of his other patients. He became convinced it was smallpox. The "doctor" was advised that the only sure cure was good whiskey, applied liberally both internally and externally, and he immediately ordered a 10-gallon keg from Kemmerer. Mr. Larkin being immune, was placed in charge of the sick, and generous doses of the "medicine" were given to each man. The pile of whiskey requisitions made it appear as though each patient had taken a daily bath in the delectable liquid. Mr. Larkin's requisitions read, Please deliver to 'hospital' one gallon Old Hickory, cured in wood, for bathing Swedes."
By this time, practically all miners in camp had gone to their bunks and were receiving the unique treatment. Mine officials never object to the unusual request because, in short time, everyone fully recovered with very few of the men bearing marks from the disease. By virtue of good luck, common sense, and the splendid health of his rugged, 6-foot patients, he managed to wind up his medical career without a single fatality.
Source:
Wheeler, Denice. "Doc's Medicine Perked Up Miners." published in the Salt Lake Tribune, 15 October 1977, page 1 section D.
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