There was no asepsis nor antisepsis. Instruments after use were wiped off with a rag, and were then ready for the next case. It was the day of "laudable pus” when suppuration was considered essential to successful healing. Bacteria were not discovered until fifty years later.
On his ride the doctor always had a pair of saddlebags. Many used more than a century ago are still preserved. Each bag had a capacity of about two quarts. In one he carried his medicine, in the other his instruments. His usual instruments consisted of lancets for bleeding, needles for suturing, a catheter, scalpels, small forceps, a rectal syringe for the favorite clyster (or enema,) and always a turnkey for extracting teeth, for there were no dentists in those days except in the largest cities. The use of obstetrical forceps was extremely rare at that time.
He carried no splints, bandages, or cotton. If called upon to "put up" a fracture he whittled a splint out of a shingle or hewed it from a board. For padding he used tow, found in every farm house. For bandages a sheet or old calico dress was torn up.
Some present day people who are practical minded may wish to know what fees the country doctor received. The following figures are from one of several sets of account books of country doctors in those years in the same general region where Dr. Whitman practiced.
All prices are in multiples of 6¼ cents, called by some a six-pence, but usually called a half shilling. For a visit within three miles the charge was 25 cents. For a greater distance 6¼ cents a mile was added. If a second visit were made on a patient in one day it was termed "a call" and charged at half price, i.e. 12½ cents; this to prevent the accusation that the doctor was trying to run up a bill. Medicines were charged extra, usually 6¼ cents at each visit. Patients who called at the doctor's house were charged 12½ cents plus the charge for medicine.
Surgical services were, for blood letting 12½ cents in addition to the visit charge; extracting a tooth 12½ cents; fractures from $2.00 for lower arm to $5.00 for upper leg; amputations were from $5.00 for lower arm to $20.00 for upper leg. Obstetrical deliveries were from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the
