Health Care in the Old Days

      That’s my brother in front with the airplane and the cowboy boots. I’m right behind him with similar cowboy boots. This photo was taken in Jersey City—before we moved to Cliffwood Beach. It was also taken before my brother, at the age of 5,  jumped off the porch one day imitating Superman. He didn't fly. He broke his arm. My family had hospital insurance, so the broken arm was fixed. However, back in the old days, the only health insurance we had was for a visit to the hospital. Any visits to the doctor for illnesses or well check-ups were not covered. 

     The pediatrician who cared for me and my siblings charged $3 for an office visit and $5 for a house visit. Once I heard him compliment our family by calling us "God-fearing" people. As I child, I wasn't quite sure about that term but I knew we had to behave ourselves. 

     The pediatrician was a good diagnostician, too. When one of our neighbor's daughters became very ill, my mom told the family to take the child to our pediatrician. He knew what the problem was. While the young girl went through a long recovery, she did get better. Of course, Mom made cream puffs for the family so I'm sure that cheered them up. At least, a bit. 

     For the most part, we didn't see the doctor unless we were quite sick. Three dollars doesn't sound like a lot nowadays, but it was a lot in the 1950s. (You can see a list of the cost of other items here.) Of course, salaries were far less back then, too)

     Mom always had clean rags and oatmeal poultices to cure cuts and scrapes. Most of the time my siblings and I had the usual childhood diseases. We also had our tonsils removed. On some occasions we needed antibiotics and then we had to see the doctor. But our pediatrician was a kind and understanding man. When my youngest sister developed pneumonia from the measles, he did not recommend the hospital for her since he knew it would be a traumatic experience for one so young. She was a sensitive child. The doctor had a nurse come to the house and care for my sister. I have no idea how much that cost. But my poor mother needed some sleep, so it actually helped the entire family.  

    That pediatrician was a real hero, in my point of view. Our family was very blessed to have such a wonderful doctor caring for us.

     ❤️ ❤️ ❤️