Saturday, January 4, 1941

FLOYD TREATED FOR KIDNEY STONE. EDNA BAKES.

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Much colder to - day, ground

covered with light snow.

Henry went to G.R.on Right

of Way.

Laura called to - night,

said Floyd has a kidney

stone, lodged in duct

leading from kidney to

bladder. They are giving

him treatments to try to

dislodge it.

Baked bread, two cakes,

cookies.

Tired to - night.

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According to Harvard Health Publishing, kidney stones were first "diagnosed" nearly 7,000 years ago. In present time, "kidney stones send nearly three million Americans to the doctor each year."

Floyd is undergoing treatments to dislodge a kidney stone.

I wondered what form of treatments were used in the 1940s. I didn't find much information that I could understand/decipher easily as it was mainly presented in academic articles written not for a layperson like myself.

I did read about an early surgical method (sans anesthesia) known as a lithotomy.

The Hippocratic Oath contains the line "I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft."

This was for good reason. Surgical methods like a lithotomy were not for the unskilled practitioner nor for the faint of heart patient.

If you are not faint of heart, READ MORE about the procedure and one terribly botched lithotomy.

Friday, January 3, 1941

HENRY TAKES FLOYD TO HOSPITAL

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Beautiful sunny day.

First sunshine we have had

in about four weeks.

Cleaned the whole house

to - day.

Much colder to - night.

Henry went to G.R. early

this morning. Took Floyd

Flynn to St. Mary's hospital.

Very, very sick with terrible

pain in region of kidney

and bladder.

Henry drove Flynn's car.

Henry went to Custer to-day.

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St. Mary's Hospital opened in Grand Rapids in 1853. Located at 145 South Lafayette St., Sisters Mary Ignatius McCord, Mary Anthony McMullen, and Mary Baptist Feldner founded the 15-bed hosptial.

Since its humble beginnings in 1853, St. Mary's has grown into a comprehensive medical facility that is now part of West Michigan's Mercy Health System.

St. Mary's Hospital around 1920

Dr. Robert Claytor

Dr. Robert Claytor earned his medical degree at Meharry School of Medicine in Nashville, TN in 1934. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University but was refused entry to their school of medicine because their quota for African-American students was filled.

After earning his medical degree he decided to settle in Grand Rapids where he became the area's third black doctor.

Dr. Claytor received privileges at St. Mary's Hospital shortly after his arrival in Grand Rapids but it took another ten years before he would be accepted to the staff at Butterworth Hospital.

In 1976, Dr. Claytor was named the "Family Physician of the Year" by the Michigan Academy of Physicians. He died on February 27, 1989 after a long illness.

Learn more about Dr. Claytor, his wife, and his legacy.

Dr. David Baumgartner

Dr. David Baumgartner served on the staff at St. Mary's for 47 years before retiring in 2019. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Aquinas College and studied medicine at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Baumgartner specialized in infectious disease and was instrumental in founding

an HIV clinic at St. Mary's Hospital in 1989. It was the first of its kind in the area and came at a time when fear and stigma associated with the disease prevented patients from receiving care.

Dr. Baumgartner worked with St. Mary's to secure a grant to establish the HIV clinic in Grand Rapids. He said he had hoped to identify 30 patients in the area during the first year. It only took three months.

Learn more about Dr. Baumgartner, his history with St. Mary's and his work establishing care for HIV patients in Grand Rapids.

Thursday, January 2, 1941

A GLOOMY AND DISMAL DAY

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Gloomy dismal day.

Rained part of day.

Sewing an apron this P.M.

and evening.

Henry home all day.

Hank and Orlo did chores

and sawed wood.

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I feel a bit of foreboding in Edna's remarks about a gloomy and dismal day. It is only the second day of the new year and she seems to be feeling the weight of what is to come.

In less than a year's time, the United States will enter into World War II.

For now, things are business as usual on the farm. Edna is sewing a new apron and Hank and Orlo went about their chores.

Orlo Hostetler worked on the farm for several years as a hired hand. Henry is aging and is busy with his position as a commissioner for Kent County. Hank will eventually take over the farm but in January of 1941he is just 17 and still in high school.