May Health Peace and Contentment be Yours

Did You Know?

In the Middle Ages, a cow's horn with a scrape of soft leather tied on as a teat was often used to feed babies.

The Baby Bottle Museum. (2014). "The History of Baby Feeding". www.babybottle-museum.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

P. Coll 120 J.O. Booen photographBirth and Childhood

Through our early years we rely on the love and nurturing provided by parents to ensure that we have a positive beginning through our journey on the wheel of life. This support prepares us for obstacles that we will encounter as we move along the wheel of life. Parents ensure we are provided with everything needed to maintain good health and continue into the next stage of our lives.

Photograph (right): Booen, J.O.(ca.1897). Photograph of an unknown child (detail). Chilliwack Museum and Archives, P.Coll 120

Being Unwell or Broken

Our encounters with the unknown as we learn to deal with illness, suffering, broken limbs and other ailments, takes us to health professionals. We have all made our visits to the doctor and other health practitioners where we hope for answers, cures, relief and ways to cope.

Photograph (left): Chilliwack Museum and Archives. (2014). Detail of exhibit: "May Health, Peace and Contentment be Yours" showing suturing artifacts from the Museum collection.

It's All in the Tooth

Although A.C. Wells, who arrived in Chilliwack in 1865, is credited with being Chilliwack’s first “dentist” Dr. William Vaughan Davies was Chilliwack’s first full time dentist. When Dr. Davies arrived in Chilliwack in 1906 dentistry, though still in its infancy, was a recognized profession. The British Columbia College of Dental Surgeons was established in 1886 as a regulatory body leading the way for oversight and licensing of the profession.

Dr. Davies, a Canadian from New Brunswick, was trained in the United States at the Boston Dental College. After graduating, a trip west took him first to New Westminster in 1894 before he finally settled in Chilliwack. His first office was located in the Denholm and Jackson block but in 1908 moved into the newly completed Hart Block at Five Corners.

The 1800s saw major advances in dental care and equipment. The adjustable dental chair (1831), adjustable head for a dental drill (1838), Goodyear’s discovery of the way to vulcanize rubber which paved the way for the development of dentures (1840), and the use of nitrous oxide as an anesthetic (1844) helped move the profession away from the barber/surgeon era into a distinct discipline.

Photograph (right): Chilliwack Museum and Archives. (2014). Detail of exhibit: "May Health, Peace and Contentment be Yours" showing dentist's chair and drill from the Museum collection and originally owned by Dr. William Newby. Object ID (drill) 1990.070.001, (chair) 1987.015.001.

 

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