Medical Rates in 1845
Shortly after the founding of St. Joseph in 1843, local physicians agreed upon a "card of rates" which they each agreed to charge for various medical services. This provides an interesting example of the costs and types of services provided by the medical profession a century and a half ago.
| For a visit within one mile and prescription (day) | $1.00 |
| For each succeeding mile | .50 |
| For same services at night, double price | 1.00 |
| For visit in town and prescription | 1.00 |
| For visit at night | 2.00 |
| For medicine in all cases charge extra | |
| For attendance whole night | 5.00 |
| For consultation | 5.00 |
| For a simple case of midwifery | 5.00 |
| For a case of twins | 10.00 |
| For difficult cases, fee in proportion to difficulty | |
| For necessary attention, after four hours, per hour | .25 |
| For bleeding | .50 |
| For extracting teeth | .50 |
| For cupping | 1.00 to 2.00 |
| For blisters, large size | .75 |
| For blisters, medium size | .50 |
| >For advice and prescription at office | 1.00 |
| For administering enema | 1.00 |
| For setting fracture of upper extremities | 5.00 to 10.00 |
| For setting fracture of lower extremities | 10.00 to 20.00 |
| For dislocation of upper extremities | 5.00 to 10.00 |
| For dislocation of lower extremities | 10.00 to 20.00 |
| For amputating fingers and toes, each | 5.00 |
| For amputating forearm | 15.00 |
| For amputating arm | 10.00 |
| For amputating leg | 20.00 |
| For amputating thigh | 25.00 |
| For extirpating tumors | 2.50 to 10.00 |
| For opening abscess | .50 |
| For vaccination | .50 |