IMH 75:2 178

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Tuesday, March 1st.

The sun shone brightly from rising to setting. The snow
disappeared mostly in places with a southern exposure. Father
went to the woods across the creek but no one was there and he
returned to the house and made a handle for an ax he bought
last Friday I suffered from griping pains in the abdomen all
last night and the greater part of to-day Father and I went
down to the creek after dinner. He waded across the creek and
spent the rest of the day with Foster and Hand who-were at
work this afternoon. John Kivett was also there. I came back
saddled up old Colonel and took a ride for the benefit of the
bellyache. Had a gas with John Fowler and one or two others.
Alvin squizzed a little.

Teaching notes: One of the more notable aspects of this journal is around the issues
of health. As noted in the introduction, William, only 26, was not going to see his 28th
birthday. Neither did his brother Alvin and his older brother Charlie had already died
after "a night of suffering " from consumption (tuberculosis). Here we see William with
"griping pains" in his abdomen. Appendicitis? That commonly cured ailment today was
generally fatal in 1880-81. He also has several rounds involving what appears to be
an abscessed tooth. As mentioned before medical science had not progressed far from
the previous centuries. One of the most overlooked features of the modern age is the
increase in life expectancy. The simple truth is that today we average 40 years more
today over those born in that era. It is an overlooked miracle.