Typhoid in a tent: nursing always took guts

Typhoid in a tent: nursing always took guts

BY JOËLLE SÉVIGNY

In our current state of a world-wide pandemic, one of the most popular buzz words of the moment is the saying: “essential worker.” Part of this essential team are our courageous nurses and their strong dedication to the betterment of the health of our community.

this photo of a dog, nurse and child was taken by Marjorie Henderson, and is on the steps of the Bunkhouse Hospital.

Even though the pandemic has highlighted the work of nurses and other medical staff, they have long been respected for their work; at its core, caring for another human being, is one of the most selfless acts of service.

Numerous nurses are still remembered fondly from the early days of Powell River. Medical care back then depended much on practical nurses and midwives, since giving birth at home was popular until the twenties.

Before the paper mill, Mrs. Marie Hansen came to live with her family at the logging camp where the Powell River wharf was built years later. Marie was one of the earliest nurses in the area, who took care of the ill and looked after new mothers and newborns.

The tent hospital was established in 1910.

Powell River’s first medical facility was actually a tent; believed to be burned down after the 1912 typhoid epidemic. Our first hospital was then a converted bunkhouse set up by Dr. Andrew Henderson, which had previously housed construction workers.

Then in 1913 St. Luke’s Hospital (now the Kenmar building) was opened, where many nurses cared for the ill and assisted the doctors’ work. The nurses were so well liked that in a 1924 Digester, a note to the editor states: “It isn’t any wonder the boys about Powell River are willing to be sick, provided they may go to the hospital.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an epidemic. It’s no trouble to locate the cause. The nursing staff.”

Doctor Henderson’s bunkhouse hospital was used between 1911-1913 (until St. Luke’s was built).

Nurses Renfrew, Carpenter, Milne, Smith, Sparkling and Miss Frampton are all mentioned and held in high regards. Another well remembered nurse is Mrs. George (Clara) Kendrick. Even with the hospital open, nurses complemented the medical services. Clara nursed in private homes and converted her house on Cedar Street into a maternity hospital after WWI (now 6304 Cedar).

Eventually, a bigger hospital was needed for the growing town; our first Powell River General Hospital was built in 1942 at the end of what was Oceanview by the dam (now Marine Avenue). The building has since then vanished but is still remembered today by the many locals who were born there.

Blast from the Past is a monthly historical column written by the Townsite Heritage Society’s board member Joëlle Sévigny.