The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

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memory Chesselden on the bones, and Innes on the muscles,
without specimens of the former or plates of the latter;
and afterwards to meander the currents of the humoral
pathology of Boerhaave and Vansweiten; without having
studied the chemistry of Chaptal, the physiology of Haller
or the materia medica of CuUen."*^
Drake applied himself with industry. Upon the completion
of his apprenticeship he became the full-fledged partner
of Dr. Goforth. Though their business increased rapidly,
their cash intake did not add up in like proportion.
In letters to his father, Drake spoke of entering from $3
to $6 on their books every day, but expressed doubt of
ever collecting twenty-five per cent of this.
"The doctor trusts every one who comes, as usual.
I can
get but a small share in the management of our accounts,
or they would be conducted more to our advantage. I have
not had three dollars in money since I came down, but I
hope it will be different with me after a while. An execution
against the doctor, for the medicine he got three years
since, was issued a few days ago, and must be levied and
returned before the next general court, which commences
the first of September .... I am heartily sick and tired of
living in the midst of so much difficulty and embarrassment;
and almost wish sometimes I had never engaged in
partnership with him, for his medicine is so nearly gone
that we can scarcely make out to practice, even by buying
."^'
all we are able to buy . . .
There were, however, compensations.
Dr. Goforth was
a very popular man among the more important people in
town and introduced his young student to all—William
H. Harrison, General Gano, the Symmes family, Arthur
St. Clair, Nicholas Longworth. In this way Drake was able
to form many friendships and to awaken and stimulate an
interest in public affairs which he maintained throughout
his life.
To Drake is accorded the double distinction of receiving
the first medical diploma conferred west of the Alleghenies
—granted in 1805 by his mentor^*—and of being the first