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A HlSTORY (This History of P. E. Hos~ pital. was researched and . written by Brenda Sharpe and Suzanne Pierson for the P. E. County History Publicationl' Théiprogress of medical prac- tice in Prince Edward is closely wrapped up with the dcvelopmenti and settlement of the county byi the UEL (United Empire Loyal ists), who came to this part of the province at the close of the Re . volutionary War. It is reasonable to suppose that the first doctors to serve the scattered colonists were 2. ly in 1919 patients were ad mitted for treatment and before the year was over, it was neces- sary to add increased accommodzr tion. Again in 1921 the new East wing was added bringing the cap acity up to twentyseven beds, but many more were crowded in. In 1919 a Nurses Training School was established under Miss E. Wood,,R.N., the first Superintend I ent. Miss Laura Gaden, R.N., took army surgeons and civilian praC-, titioners. The first settleIs themselves ac quired from the Indians some knowledge of the use and medicm- . al virtues of the native roots’and herbs, so that it was common practice to have these products on hand, in dried form. stored a- way t'or use as the occasion de‘ manded. Among the most come mon roots used were Dandelion. Burdock, Golden Seal and Tanzy. Some of the wives of the colon- ists who had a natural ability, at -tained a considerable skill 1n the handling of maternity cases, and ‘ their services were ‘in demand, as a medical man was not always a- vailable nor could the patients af- - feld his more costly services in these cases The difficulties in the practice of medicine in the pioneer days were s many, Poorly constructed roads necessitated travel on horse-hack,‘ transporting the necessary sup- plies in saddle-bags. With widely spread communities the journeys were strenuous and tiresome. As transportation.improved, a two wheeled gig replaced the more pri- mitive mode of travel, with the use of a sleigh or cutter in the winter. Gradually conditions improved ulr til on the advent of the present century, the automobile replaced the slower horseadrawn vehicles. These modes of transportation were important, because in the early days, the doctor went to the patient instead of the patient com- ing to the doctor. When he made these house calls the doctor had to be prepared to do anything from bandaging a finger to performing major surgery. Therefore, it was necessary for him to take with ‘ him all the medical equipment he might need' for medical treatment. During the winter. in the bad weather. the doctors often found it necessary to spend the night at the home of the patient, in case the patient‘s condition became worse and due to the storm. he. would be unable to reach him soon enough. . . 1 However during the war of 1914- 19113. the world became very hos- pital conscious, for much had been learned in the way of improved methods for caring for the sick and wounded. At that time Prince EdWaid County had no hospital so in order to encourage the building 01' one in Pic-ton. Miss Sarah Min» E‘tta Walt willed the sum of two thousand dollars on the ndition that a start must be , 1 before the and of 1918 Under the diieotion of Mr. H B 811.5101 and Mr. W. J. Carter, an option was taken on the home of Mr Goings Alcorn. A general meetin 01‘ the publie‘ was called and pghty- eight became charter members of the non rtofit m» not: 'wn as Prnee E ward tut. Incorpoiutod on 11. over a short while later and re- 1 mained for several years, a cap‘ able teacher and strict adminis- trator. Most of the local physiei< ans and sngeons donated theirI time in teaching the student nurs _ es and 110m the fiist graduation in 1922 until the last’in 1944 when ; the training school was discon i tinued, seventyvfive girls earned! 1 their diplomas and have taken ‘ their places as cificient nurses. , T The training school furnished not i only a home town training, but a1- ‘ so helped to promote and retain a friendly cry-operative spirit be- tween the stail', doctors and the citizens of the County, but had to close when stricter requirements were placed on training schools, by the Ontario Minister of Health, during the period when many nurv ses weie out of work. . . Although there were originally I thirty Directors on the Hospital Board most of the work was man- aged by the President and,Seeret» ary. the latter being one of the 1 local Bank Managers who acted in that capacity without pay in return for his bank getting thel hospital account. However, there came, a time when a more efflci ent arrangement became necesâ€" sary, and when Mr. A. E. Cain-an, editor of Picton Gazette became Pussident, the services of Mr. R. B. §mall, who had an excellent banker‘s training. were secured in ‘_' 1934. ' In October, 1959. thanks to genâ€" 1 erous grant. pledges, and dona- tions the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital was ofileially opened The new building, with} fll'ty- live beds. gave not only more 5 worn for patients but also more‘ adequate room 101 the expanding facilities 'l‘he lab which had been! in the garage, now had room to. do the necessary research. A room was also provided for Physio- Therapy. and Xray, operating, and nursery facilities were in- creased In Februaw, 1965 21 new win! .was added This addition prov1ded . forty more beds. a larger lab and pharmacy, and more room for Fe diatrics. Thus today the Hospital in Prince Edward County has a ninety~five hed capacity. with EXâ€" cellent facilities and equipment readily available... i I i Pr. Ed. Co. Memorial Hospltal 11.2