We have added a new item to our Gift Shop. Historic Effingham Society presents “The History of Medicine in Effingham County, Georgia” by Betty Ford Renfro in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Effingham Hospital.
The following is an overview of our most recent book that we have available. The hospital published and provided copies to employees and officials during the celebration of the hospital’s 40th anniversary and we are now fortunate to be able to offer copies to the general public.
This historical review begins with the meager medical supplies and limited abilities of Dr. Andrew Zwiffler as the physician for the original Salzburger settlers at Ebenezer in 1734.
They battled sicknesses such as scurvy, malaria, typhoid fever and smallpox brought on by their long journey at sea and harsh living conditions in their new home for which they were unaccustomed.
The Revolutionary era was fortunate to have more physicians. Epidemics of smallpox challenged them as well as severe injuries and abdominal illnesses. Operations on kitchen tables in not so sterile conditions caused complications and infection for many patients.
The Antebellum and Civil War eras brought changes to medicine with the Georgia Medical Society, the Savannah Poor House and Hospital, and the Georgia Infirmary providing better quality medical care in Savannah that was accessible by most residents.
The use of ether by Dr. Crawford Long in Danielsville made surgery a more successful proposition with anesthesia. Simple measures such as cleanliness, fresh and wholesome food and drink, clean bedding, and airy surroundings increased the patient recuperation rates. The practice of bleeding a patient went out of fashion for a number of good reasons! Guyton had a large hospital during the Civil War that incorporated several city blocks. The Confederate States of America operated the facility to treat the injuries and illnesses of its soldiers.
Effingham County had many early physicians including: Dr. William A. Jenkins (1815-1880), Dr. Robert G. Norton (1841-1899), Dr. Jonathan Toole (1808-1867), Dr. William W. Wilson (1802-1880), Dr. William H. Wilson (1829-1909), Dr. Anderson P. Longstreet (1829-1873), Dr. William W. Smith (1862-1931), Dr. Henry Emmett Archer (1849-1918), Dr. Hugh R. Tarver (1869-1932), Dr. S. A. Williams, Dr. George P. Strange (1869-1939), Dr. Bruce P. Powers, Dr. Vance C. Powers, Dr. Leander K. Powers, Dr. Mittray A. Massoud, Dr. Ein Collum, Dr. Ralph Brown, and the Ushers: Dr. John Arte Usher, Dr. Sheddie Usher, Dr. Charles Usher, and Dr. Charles Henry Usher. Short biographies of these and others are included in the book.
From the early panel truck used as an ambulance, midwives, a freestanding birthing center, and a county health department soon to be the Omniflight helicopter station, it’s quite a voyage of change. For a period of time, Dr. Brown’s clinic in Guyton became the first “hospital” or overnight facility for care in the county. Many illnesses and injuries were treated there and many babies were delivered there instead of at home as had been the custom.
The Meldrim Train Disaster brought the lack of local hospital facilities to the forefront of medical awareness in Effingham County. Our EMS system, when established, brought remarkable change in the outcome of accidents and illnesses with rapid transport, more immediate emergency care and cardiac life support greatly improving length of life for our citizens. It sure was an upgrade from the hearse of Thompson’s Funeral Home.
Beloved physicians Dr. Charles T. Brown (1903-1982) and Dr. Ray D. Webb (1939-2005) saw the need for more physicians to serve Effingham County citizens and were positive forces behind the drive for a hospital for Effingham County. The Effingham Hospital Authority, county commissioners and physicians worked for a long time for this dream to come to fruition. The hospital opened Aug. 25, 1969, and has had many changes over the last 40 years. The future expansion plans and new offices for new physicians being recruited to our area will offer expanded options as well as better health care services for all Effingham County Citizens.
“The History of Medicine in Effingham County, Georgia” is guaranteed to have something you didn’t know about our county. It is available at The Gift Shop operated by the Effingham Hospital Auxiliary and also in the Effingham Museum Gift Shop, 1002 N. Pine St. in Springfield, Georgia during regular hours of operation. Effingham Museum is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sundays from 2-5 p.m. The books will be available for sale at our banquet during a book signing beginning at 5 p.m.
Mrs. Renfro will be guest speaker at the annual Historic Effingham Society Banquet on Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center Great Hall. The public is invited. Dinner tickets are $20 and available at the Effingham Museum with advance sales only — no ticket sales at the door. All tickets must be purchased no later than noon at Effingham Museum in Springfield by Feb. 1, because our meals are available only by reservation.
For additional information contact a member, call the HES office during business hours at 754-2170 or our secretary, Mrs. Renfro at 826-4705. Please join us for an interesting evening and support our organization in its endeavor to remember and preserve our past.
This article was written from information provided by Betty Renfro with compiling by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have comments, photos or information to share contact Susan at 754-6681 or email: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org
