Health and hospitals in early 1900s

By Joan Janzen

In the early 1900s, most small rural hospitals were run as mission hospitals by churches or by women who were registered nurses or midwives. This was true for the communities of Leader, Kindersley, Eatonia and Prelate, according to ‘A Past to Cherish,’ a history book about that region.

This photo was taken at the Eatonia Hospital in January of 1923. Ten babies were delivered within a span of two weeks. Miss Black and Miss Allen are pictured with seven of the ten new arrivals.

In 1909, Dr. J.W. Lord and Dr. D.W. Dixon were in Kindersley, followed by Dr. W.C. Wilson and Dr. Murison. Around the same time, Dr. Mains was at Leader, which was then known as Prussia. Dr. W.M. Anderson was at Prelate and was later replaced by Dr. Shaperer in 1923. In 1916, Dr. McInnis started up a practice in Eston, and Dr. Whaley came to Alsask in 1911. After 1929, he was replaced by Dr. Harvey and his wife, Dr. Ruth.

At that time, doctors had to travel great distances to give aid, and there was a great need for a hospital at Eatonia. Consequently, a two-storey house on the east end of 1st Avenue was made available in 1920. Soon, a matron, housekeeper, cook and assistant nurse were hired.

From then on, things moved quickly. According to an excerpt from the local history book, an expectant mother went into labour while in the doctor’s office on December 3, 1920. Just after midnight, another expectant mother arrived, needing immediate attention. Beds were quickly set up to accommodate the new patients.

In 1922, the hospital was moved to the Gabel house at the west end of town, and two buildings were moved beside it to be used as a kitchen, surgery and intensive care. By January 1923, the hospital had become the place to go when having a baby, and the first two weeks of that month were very busy.

Births recorded during the first two weeks of January 1923 were as follows: January 7: Mrs. Jack Day (girl); January 11: Mrs. E.R. Leeks (boy); January 12: Mrs. Roy Smith (girl) and Mrs. Rudolph Miller (girl); January 14: Mrs. William Alporte (girl) and Mrs. John Miller (girl); January 15: Mrs. Robert Stevenson (boy); January 16: Mrs. Wilfred Young (girl), Mrs. William Clarke (boy) and Mrs. William Royle (boy).