EARLY U T A H MEDICAL P R A C T I C E 1 By BLANCHE E. ROSE
The history of the practice of medicine in Utah in the 1840's and 1850's, at least such as was practiced by recognized physicians, is largely a narrative of the lives of a few rugged, hardy individuals who embraced the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Samuel L. Sprague.—One of the outstanding characters of the Great Mormon Exodus was Dr. Samuel Lindsey Sprague. Born in Boston, May 3, 1807, he was attracted in his early practice of medicine to the Mormon faith, and attached himself to the banner of Brigham Young. He was Brigham's close companion, and was constantly with him in his travels, except when detached and sent on particular missions by the Church leader. The early newspapers as well as the journals of the pioneers contain numerous items relating to Dr. Sprague's comings and goings. It is related that on the night of March 13, 1846, while the emigrating Mormons were encamped at Richardson's Point, Iowa, President Young, after spending most of the evening in the historian's tent, visited with Dr. Sprague in the latter's tent for more than an hour. It is noted that on this occasion, the doctor reported the health of the camp fairly good. One patient was ill—spring fever, ague and coughs. He felt that after a severe rainstorm the general health would be improved. There were three or four cases of distemper among the horses. On August 14, 1846, at Cutler's Park, Nebraska, the health of the emigrants was poor. Dr. Sprague had seen 40 patients up to that time, and there were 15 or 20 more to be seen. Most of the cases of illness were fever among the newcomers. Those who had been in camp (this was near Winter Quarters) during the season, enjoyed fairly good health. His movements during the next few years formed a constant pilgrimage serving the Saints. Accounts of his treating the sick, white and Indians; helping care for the horses and cattle; burying the dead, often burning wood over their graves to conceal them from wild Indians as well as animals; treating the contagious diseases, measles, whooping cough, lung complaints, as well as chills and bilious fever; treating accidents; setting broken bones; and alleviating fever and itching from drinking water appears in the records. Thomas Bullock's Journal relates some interesting cases: "June 5, 1848, President Young's company moving across the Elk 1. From the comprehensive "History of Medicine in Utah," submitted by Miss Rose to the Faculty, University of Utah, May, 1939, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree. This excerpt was selected, edited and arranged by J. Cecil Alter.
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