Doctors' Fees

Of course doctors' fees varied greatly in early America, just like they do today. To the people then, the charges were just as expensive as they are today, and they didn't have health insurance. People in the cities generally had to pay more than those living in the country. This makes little sense considering the rural doctors had to travel farther to see patients, which took more of their time, and they had less competition. Some doctors did charge an extra fee for the miles they had to travel.

There were boards that set fee guidelines, but each doctor set his own prices. Here are some fees for a city and a rural area from 1835-1845, which will give some idea of the charges. They are not exact, because, remember, they would vary from state to state and from eastern locations and more western locations within a state.

          

                  
                                                 City          Rural
Advice given in office           $1-10           .50   
Close house call                     $1-2             .50
Night house call                     $5-10           .75
Vaccination                            $5                 $1
Birth                                        $10-30         $4
Bone set                                  $5-10            $2-8
Minor operations                   $25-100      $20
Per mile of travel to home    $1                .50        

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About Blogging

I admit, I felt a bit hesitant when I began a daily blog. As I feared, it does cut into my writing time. My novel manuscripts aren't clicking up their word counts nearly as quickly as they once did, and it's sometimes hard to come up with an interesting topic day after day. But, I began by pulling from the many magazine articles I've published, and, with practice and experience, it has become easier. In addition, I've seen many positive outcomes already.

First of all, I've met people I wouldn't have met otherwise and made many new friends, as well as reconnected with some old ones. The support and encouragement I've received have been heart-warming. I've even been made an administrator on some pages, so I can post links to my blogs directly onto their facebook page.

Then, there's my Sunday messages. Since I am a Christian writer, I decided early-on to write a faith-based message for Sundays, and God has led me to post on several Christian facebook pages. I have been amazed at how God has used them to touch people's life for Him. It is both inspiring and humbling to see how God has turned this into a call on my life and into a mission. If for some reason, I had to give up blogging on the other days, I would try my best to hang on to my message blogs, because I can see how God is using them for good.

There have even been a couple of blogs that have caused controversy and debate, like my blog on cursive hand-writing. I don't mind people disagreeing with my opinions. Like when I taught school, I'm pleased when I generate questions and cause people to think. One comment said a post was "thought provoking." Now that could have been a compliment or not, but I choose to see provoking thought as a good thing.

I'm surprised by the improvement I can feel in my writing through blogging, although I shouldn't be. The more you practice something, the better you'll usually become. I've always read that writers should keep a journal. Except for some occasional travel journals, I've never found the time to write in one regularly. However, blogging has given me the same kind of practice. 

So, I may have reluctantly begun writing my blogs like many writers before me, but I can see some great benefits from it. In fact, I would quickly say the positives far outweigh the negatives, and I hope you agree enough to follow them each day.

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Mailing a Letter

Letters used to require sealing wax, because there were no envelopes or other methods to keep them sealed. The first items that could be called envelopes were more like pouches and not used for letters. In fact, when envelopes came into use for mail, they had to be hand made and were also sealed with wax at first. It was not until 1845 that a machine was developed in Great Britain to produce an envelope.

In 1811, the United States Congress ordered a survey of the post road between Passamaqoddy, Maine and Sunbury, Georgia, because they needed to know the distances between towns to determine postal rates. They established these rates in 1815. When the costs of things in 1815 are considered, mailing a letter wasn't that cheap.

Postal rider woodcut

Under 10 miles ---------- 6 cents
11 to 60 miles ------------8 cents
61 to 100 miles ----------10 cents
101 to 150 miles ---------12 cents
151 to 200 miles ---------15 cents
201 to 250 miles ---------17 cents
251 to 350 miles ---------20 cents
351 to 450 miles ---------22 cents
Over 450 miles -----------25 cents

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) had been the first Postmaster in the newly formed country. Of course, nationwide mail coverage would not take place for many more years. Remote and rural areas depended on travelers to carry important mail, at least until they got to a place it could be posted.

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Colorful Rides

When I think of a wagon, I imagine one of unpainted wood, and, when I think of a carriage, I visualize a black one. That was not necessarily the case, however. Horse-drawn vehicles were painted in an array of colors, and different parts might be different colors. 

Although black was indeed the most popular carriage color, there were also brown, white, green, red, yellow, blue, purple, and burgundy ones in different shades and hues. Striping also grew popular, and, in the 1860's and 1870's, black carriages with gold stripes were all the rage. Carriages with fancy scroll work also became a fad. Mountings and fittings might be made of brass, ivory, silver, or gold for the wealthy.

The upholstery inside added additional color. A buyer could choose from leather, velvet, satin, corduroy, or broadcloth in an array of colors.

Of course, for those who were lucky to even have a wagon, the conveyance would likely be much plainer. In Cleared for Planting, when Emma's family moved to the Appalachian Mountains, Emma was afraid their rickety wagon and bone-poor mules wouldn't even make the trip.

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Let Them Eat Chocolate Cake

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day, so I thought we'd take a closer look. Spanish explorers found chocolate beverages among the Mesoamericans in Mexico. They took the beans back to Europe where sugar was added to the drink to make it more popular.

In 1764, Dr. James Baker discovered how to make chocolate usable for other treats by grinding the cacao beans between millstones, much like grinding grain. Conrad Van Houten from the Netherlands found a way to extract the fat from the cacao liquid in 1828. This produced a solid mass and ground into a powder that made chocolate much more affordable. Now, chocolate cakes became common.

The Duff Company, a molasses company in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, introduced the first devil's food chocolate cake mix in the 1930's, but mass production was held up until after World War II. Today there's many versions of the chocolate cake. Here's an old recipe for devil's food cake written for today's cooks:

        Chocolate Devil's Food Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 leveled cups dark brown sugar, not packed tightly
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup margarine and shortening mixed
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup hot water
3 egg whites

Cream together sugar and shortening mix. Blend in egg yolks and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together three times. Alternately add milk and hot water while mixing. Fold in beaten egg whites. Bake in a oven preheated to 350 degrees until done (about 30 minutes for 9" layer pans). Frost as desired.

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Candle Making                

Historically, most candle making occurred in the fall, when the days cooled and shortened. Dipped candles were common, but candle molds were also used, and households saved every bit of fat, grease, or tallow possible. Wax candles would sometimes be formed by hand.

To make dipped candles, the maker needed a big pot to melt and skim the tallow. Poles and rods held the wicks and helped dry and rotate the candles until they became

large enough. A good dipper gave the candles plenty of time to dry

to prevent brittle candles that would crack and break easily. The tallow pot would be swung back toward the fire to keep it melted and then brought away to keep it from becoming too hot.If done inside, something covered the floor to catch any excess drippings.

Molds were made of tin or pewter, and the larger ones would make two dozen. Candle makers would go from house to house with large candle molds to make the needed supply for a household, but most women made their own. The  wicks were attached to a wire or nail laid across the individual cylinders and positioned to hang down the center. Melted tallow was then carefully poured in.

Many farmers' wives made some candles from bees wax. She'd shape it by hand by pressing bits of warmed wax around a wick. They considered the wax just as important as the honey. Bayberries were another source of wax in certain areas. Bayberry candles smoked less, seemed firmer, and gave off a pleasant odor. The Carolinas also made some candles from sealing wax.

People were careful how they burned candles, because they were tedious to make. They used daylight as much as possible, and often went to bed when it disappeared, or else they sat by the firelight when it became cool enough. Still, candlelight would be necessary at times, and families always tried to keep a supply on hand.

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Choosing What's Best

The Bible is filled with examples of those who chose what was right or best over the easier path. Joseph chose not to succumb to Potiphar's wife's temptations, and he ended up in prison (Genesis 39). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose not to bow to King Nebuchandnezzar's god and ended up in a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). When Daniel refused to stop praying to God for 30 days, he was thrown into a lion's den (Daniel 6), and these are only three of many.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

There are also many modern examples. Here's one:

Eric Linddell was a Scottish missionary, who also happened to be a talented athlete. He'd trained to run for Great Britain in the 100-meter race in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. However, when he checked in, he discovered that the heats for his race were to be run on Sunday, and he saw that as the Lord's Day. His sister had already tried to discourage him from postponing his mission work in China until after the games. He had answered her, "Jenny, God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." 

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 1:3).

Still feeling that he needed to honor God and not run on Sunday, Eric signed in for the 400-meter race instead, since its heats would be run on Monday. He not only won the final race, but he broke the old record by turning in a time of 47.9 seconds. As with Joseph; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and Daniel, Eric followed God, even when things looked bleak for him if he did, and everything worked out in the end. In 1981, an award winning movie was released on Eric Linddell's life. You may have heard of Chariots of Fire. And, Eric went on to become a noted missionary to China.

The God who knows the whole story can be trusted with all the days that fill its pages, but it's always tempting to pick up the pen ourselves (Bo Stern, Beautiful Battlefields. Kindle loc. 400-401).

We can rationalize not choosing the best course when the consequences look defeating or threatening. But let's promise ourselves to always honor God by choosing the very best course, the one that glorifies Him. 

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 20:7).

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Never Bored

I hear my grandsons complaining about being bored, and I just smile to myself. I feel blessed to realize I've never been bored in my life. No matter where I am, I've always been able to find interesting things to do.

I think it may come from the fact that I'm interested in almost everything, and I always have a backlog of things I want to get to. The list usually grows faster than I can cross things off. In addition, I love to read and normally have a book within reach. In fact, I'm usually reading at least four: the Bible, a Christian non-fiction for part of my morning devotions, a shorter devotional for my bedtime devotion, and a novel for enjoyment. My Kindle helps with this. In a very small package, I carry around an entire library with me. Right now I have 2,285 books on it, and the number continues to grow.

I also think writing. At any one time, I have at least four novels rolling around in my head, and sometimes more. I get to know my characters, and imagine brief scenes this way. When I get ready to write one, I already have snippets of the novel worked out, so I can write quickly. Just like I've never been bored, I've yet to have writer's block - another blessing.

The list of my hobbies and things I like is quite extensive. Here are just a few of the ones not already mentioned: quilting, embroidery, sewing, basketry, crochet, drawing, painting, pottery, textile dyeing, herbs and medicine, photography, travel, history, folk studies and folkways, Appalachian culture, gardening, cooking, canning, farming, natural sciences, movies, drama and theater, teaching, public speaking, home decor, architecture, scrapbooking, etc.

So, when I hear someone talk about being bored, I just smile to myself. I could live ten lifetimes and never be bored.

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The Handwriting Debate

Today is National Handwriting Day and I thought it a good time to take a look at cursive handwriting. Did you realize this style or writing is dying a slow death, largely due to technology? Some argue that with the wide use of computers, pads, and cell phones cursive writing is no longer needed. They say that if young students learn manuscript or printing, so that reading comes easier, then that's enough. At some point in time, I might come to agree with them, but not yet.

We might get by with only signing our names in cursive, which doesn't even have to be legible, for the most part. Yet, I find myself using cursive writing every day, as I write in my faith journal. I have four large ring binders full already, and, although I could print them, that's much slower.

The necessity of cursive writing was brought home to me when I

enrolled in some traditional university classes for the first time in decades. In almost every class, I took a timed midterm and final

exam, which was either all writing or heavily so. If I had not known how to write in cursive, I would have been greatly hampered. I noticed that most of the students still took notes on paper, too. So, for now, I vote to teach cursive handwriting skills.

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The End of an Era

On this day in 1901, Queen Victoria died after reigning for 64 years in England. Of course, her influence and the style named for her continued much longer. Her years as monarch were the longest of any ruler in British history and the longest of any female in all history.

Born May 24, 1819, Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward, fourth son of King George III, and a German Princess. She inherited the British throne when she was 18, because her father and his three brothers had all died, and her uncles had left no legitimate heirs.

Although Britain had already established a constitutional monarchy, Victoria managed to influence her nation's government, and became a loved figurehead. She was known for her stand for strict moral conduct and personal standards. Styles of architecture and furniture bear her name.

She married her first cousin, Prince Albert, in 1840, and they had nine children. He died in 1861 of typhoid fever, and the queen was devastated. She remained secluded at her residencies until 1866. In 1883, Victoria fell down some stairs and lived with a limp and rheumatism thereafter. By 1900, her health was declining rapidly. Her rheumatism had worsened so she couldn't walk and cataracts had clouded her vision. By January 1901, she also appeared dazed and often confused. She died on January 22 at age eighty-one but is certainly remembered in history.

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Doctors in Early America

There was a shortage of doctors in the colonies, especially in remote areas, and families learned to care for their own. Many planted herb gardens, but hopefully, at least someone in the area would have herbs and the knowledge to use them. A self-help book, Every Man His Own Doctor, was published in Williamsburg in 1736.

In England, there had been three branches of medicine. The physician or doctor had graduated from an university, the surgeon was more of a skilled craftsman, and the apothecary dispensed the medicines. In America, most towns were too small to support all three, and, with the shortage of medical personnel, these three positions were rolled into one. The colonies did little to regulate the practice of medicine, but some attempted to regulate the fees. Charges here tended to be higher than those in England, but then the physicians usually had to travel farther and cover a wider area.

Health usually became better in America the later one looks into the Colonial Period. In general, the Northern Colonies remained the healthiest, and the Southern Colonies seemed to have the poorest health. Early doctors subscribed to the old humoral theory (see the blog about "Early Medicine" on Nov. 3), but toward the end of the Colonial Period, more modern methods had begun.

Superstitions still governed much of medical treatment, especially early-on. Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony wrote down the directions for tending a high fever: "Cut his nails, tie in a little bag of fine linen, tie around an eels neck, put in a tub of water. When the eel dies the man will recover." Stringing berries and tying them around a baby's neck was supposed to help with teething. If not, the parents needed to make a necklace of wolves' teeth instead (Ann McGovern, If You Lived in Colonial Times. New York: Scholastic, 1964, 28-29).

Aren't you glad medicine isn't practiced this way today? We've come a long way, haven't we?

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I Am a Writer

I think all writers struggle to be taken seriously. Somewhere, many people have gotten the idea that writing is more play than serious work. If you write, then you're really free. The fact that I'm also a retired teacher and pastor's wife seem to magnify this concept.

Perhaps this misconception stems from the fact that only about 1% of writers today make their living from their writing. Just because we're often forced to seek other employment doesn't mean we wouldn't like to be able to write full-time or that our writing isn't important.

Not even all aspiring authors realize that once a book is accepted for publication, that's when the real work begins. Not only is there the pressure of working with editors and graphic design departments to bring out a quality product, but the job of marketing and promoting has now fallen on the author as well. In addition, publishers often ask that the writer have a daily blog and social media platform, which is more pressure.

Why do I write if I recognize all this? I am a writer. It's a big part of who God made me to be, and I want to glorify Him through my writing. This is why I plan to donate all profits to Christian charities. I honestly don't care if anyone ever remembers who wrote my books, as long as they grow in the Lord because of them. I do want people to love them, and I do hope Cleared for Planting sells well so that my other manuscripts will be published. I already have eleven and am working on the twelfth, which will start my New Mexico series. I'm counting on people to spread the word about Cleared for Planting and the other books I hope get published. Any help will be greatly appreciated, and, above all, pray for me and my writing.

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Pop Goes the Corn

Today is National Popcorn Day, and it's been around a long time. Popcorn is believed to have originated among the native populations of Mexico, where it was domesticated from a wild grass about 9,000 years ago. In fact, most experts think popcorn may have been the first domesticated corn. Native Americans were great traders, however, and the plant spread. Corncobs have even been found in the ancient sites of Peru. The legend that the Europeans found it when Columbus made his discoveries is unsubstantiated. 

Colonists first cooked popcorn in wire baskets over a fire, which made the treat seem dry and bland. In the late 1800's, the invention of popcorn machines, flavored popcorn, and popcorn cooked in oil and salted made it more appealing. Yet, it was during the Great Depression that the snack gained the most popularity, because it was considered fairly inexpensive at five to ten cents for a large unpopped bag of kernels. Because of this, it also became a source of income for struggling farmers. 

During World War II, sugar rations caused a shortage of candy, and Americans ate three times more popcorn than before the war. After the war, electric popcorn poppers became the rage. However, in the absence of such an appliance, a skillet with a lid slid about on a range top worked fine. Today, most families microwave a bag of popcorn specially prepared for microwave popping.

Popcorn is considered healthy if not too much is added to it. Some nutritionists warn that the microwave variety is not as good as the natural kernels, but the convenience of the microwave has kept it popular. Today Americans consume about 4 billion gallons of popcorn a year. Let's have a bowl of popcorn to celebrate the day.

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