In 1899 my ancestor, Bernard, received his medical license. He was my Mom's, Father's, Mother's, Brother. When he was 27 or 28, he cut himself during surgery. He finished the surgery and died of blood poisoning. The patient survived. When he cut himself, other doctors working with him encouraged him to treat himself. He refused and completed the surgery.
We found 6 articles about him. Apparently, his age was in debate. None of the articles list a year for his death. Apparently, he did die in October. 6 months after contracting blood poisoning. My assumption is that by now there is an actual disease name for what it was. But, back then, it was simply called, "blood poisoning".
Before all of this, his worked through a smallpox pandemic going through the city he worked in. Literally just like the health care professionals today. He made the same sacrifices. Briefly he was on one town's board of examiners. He was apparently brilliant and a talented doctor. Very highly respected in his field.
It was a brave thing to do. He knew he had contracted blood poisoning instantly. He knew it was deadly at the time. His job was to save the patient. So his focus was on doing everything he could for the patient. Again, just like all of the hard working medical professionals today. They know they are getting Covid-19. It feels like a matter of when not if. But, they continue to work long hours doing everything they can without enough supplies. Because they too are brave.
It was 1903 when he died. It took a few days but, my dad found his death certificate. My mom's side has always been fantastic at record keeping. Both of my maternal grandparents had large collections of records as well as verbal stories documenting family history. They were mostly well educated, most of them teachers, so this makes sense. Ancestry.com might not have that many surprises for me from my mom's side.
Apparently, this was a very difficult operation and time was crucial. The very conditions many medical professionals still work under. I didn't know that he worked through that Smallpox pandemic. It was a lot more localized then Covid-19 is. But, a pandemic is never easy and it was a moderate to large town. The same town my mom grew up in.
I have heard Bernard's story many times. My mom is clearly proud of him. For being the right kind of doctor. It's the kind of accident that can happen to the most experienced doctors in their prime. As well as new doctors just starting out. It happened over 100 years ago, it still happens today. Just like Bernard, today's doctors keep going and do everything they can for the patients. Prioritizing the patient.
I think of Bernard when I see signs around thanking Emergency workers. Especially, health care workers. There is a reason for all of this appreciation. We think we know how brave they are being. How much they are sacrificing for their patients during this current pandemic. But, we probably don't understand the full lengths they are going to for patients.
I want to thank those currently in health care with all of my heart. Because we literally would never be able to make it through this without everyone who works in medicine right now. We need to give their scrubs capes and play superhero entrance music through the hospital halls at the start of each shift.
Some of them are joining Bernard. Many have died of the current pandemic. Having contracted it from a patient. Just like Bernard. When that knife slipped, he instantly knew the gravity of what happened. But, calmly he carried on. Just like those who gave their lives to heal the sick today.
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