Il8 FACTS RELATING TO GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 



In some instances these " doctors " may have been school 

 teachers who were always well known men in the community. 

 At various times under different dates during the years 1742 

 to 1745 there are entries in the town records showing where 

 money was paid to Dr. Richardson for keeping school. 



During this period I find the names also of Dr. Kittredge, 

 Dr. Prentice and Dr. Dinsmore. 



March 28"' 1 744 Doct Green Leaf for delvering the wife of Joseph 

 Jewett. 



P'^ Leonard Parker for fetching the doc' for arwing (Erwins) child. 



—0—8—0 



April 1 744 p"* Daniell Sheadd for going to the doct for experence 

 fisk. 



In the Old Mill district at Harvard Dr. Phillip Fowler 

 bought land in 1749 where in the deed he is styled as of 

 Groton. 



During the generation immediately preceding the Revolu- 

 tion, the science of medicine in Massachusetts was making 

 progress by slow but steady steps. The bond of union with 

 the clerical profession, existing from the earliest days of co- 

 lonial life, had been cut ; and there was no longer any prac- 

 tical connection between the two callings. Medicine had 

 passed through the creeping stage, and was now beginning 

 to walk alone. It was a long stride in advance when men 

 began to turn their studies in one direction, and to make a 

 specialty of general practice. The opportunities, however, 

 were few for the successful prosecution of this object. There 

 were neither medical schools nor hospitals, and the young 

 men were obliged to pursue their studies under the guidance 

 of practising physicians. Frequently they were bound out, 

 like apprentices, to their instructors, and were compelled to 

 do all sorts of chores around the house and barn, as well as 

 the professional drudgery. In those days the physicians used 

 to buy their own drugs and prepare their own medicines ; 

 and it was the province of the students to pound the bark 

 and spread the plasters, as well as to mix the ointments and 



