Medical Records of Dr. George Colmer, Livingston Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue

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From the French Settlement Historical Register, published by the French Settlement
Historical Society, French Settlement, Louisiana 70733. The LaGenWeb Archives thanks 
them for contributing this information.

Vol. 5, December 1980

Originally submitted to the FSHR by Warren B. Wall.

     Dr. George Colmer practiced medicine in the Springfield area

from about 1840 to 1878.  Two volumes of his records were saved and

are now in the Tulane University library.  A microfilm copy is in 

the SLU library in Hammond.

     One of the two volumes is Dr. Colmer's Diary C, a record of his

activities and other events of interest from 1850 to 1878.  The

second volume is Book F of his medical accounts covering the period

from 1859 to 1878.  Some of the accounts are brief, as little as one

office visit, while others span several years and contain much information

of genealogical interest.

     One account that is relatively brief and interesting is that of

Capt. Samuel Leat of "the Island".  Following is a copy of that account, 

complete except for certain medical details not copied.  The location 

and distance to Capt. Leat's residence were recorded by Dr. Colmer since

he charged for mileage ($1.00 per mile by day, $2.00 by night).  He apparently

gave a discount for prompt payment, as he sometimes did.

     A second brief account, that of Joseph Dobson Miller, is included

since Capt. Leat is mentioned in it.  We see here that the information

given to Dr. Colmer in 1865 that Capt. Leat had died was in error.

Page 165

Samuel Leat (Capt.)
Lives on the Island

1861 - January 11 (Friday) - Mileage to residence, via Clio.
       Conducted by Ned Halcar.
       Left Springfield at 8 A.M. and got back at 7 P.M.          $15.00
       Accouchement of Mrs. Leat of daughter, Thirty-nine
       years old - first child.  (Medication not copied)           25.00
       Present - Mesdames Alexis, Harris, Jones, Miller and
       Halcar.  Messrs. Dot Miller, Ned Halcar and C. Leat
       owns and runs the schooner Bonfouca commonly
       called "The Bone".  Paid January 31, 1861, $30.00 in full.

       Mrs. Leat is said to have died sometime in September or
       October 1864, and her husband is said to have died a few
       weeks afterwards.

Page 494

Joseph Dobson Miller
Last account at page 305, Book E

1861 - November 13 (Wednesday, 3 A.M.) Advice for self at his
       mother's.  Fever, chills, spleen enlarged, pains in back    $5.00
       and back of neck.  (Medication not copied)
       Paid (present and in office Capt. Samuel L. Leat) in
       full this Monday, May 14th, 1866.