By Helen Mann
This is part two of the Looking Back column’s deep dive into Yarra Glen’s first doctor, following on from last week.
Dr Chapman was called to attend accidents over a wide area. In April 1903 the head teacher of the Toolangi State School was out riding. The stirrup leather gave way and she was thrown heavily to the ground. The Doctor found that besides a severe shaking, her right arm was both broken and sprained. The State School was closed for a month as a result. Accidents with horses were very common being so much part of daily life in the country. The two-year-old son of Mr J. Mitchell of Dixons Creek was kicked on the forehead by a horse. Dr Chapman applied eight stitches and dressed the wound.
During summer snake bites were quite frequent but were usually dealt with promptly and successfully. The sons of the Shire Overseer, William Clements, were crossing a paddock one summer day in January 1905. Roy Clements, about 25, was bitten on the leg but did not know what had bitten him. His brother tied up his leg and went to a neighbour, Mr Smedley, for assistance. Mr Smedley drove the boys to the doctor, who found the tell-tale punctures of a snakebite. Dr Chapman ‘injected morphia, and Roy was able to leave for home, and up to time of writing (a week later) was doing well.’
Next summer it was reported that Jack Scott was bitten by a snake. He ‘was putting the horses out, and stepped on the snake, which bit him on the foot. He was treated by Mr. (sic) Chapman, who was five hours attending him. The article states that ‘ten months ago the same boy was bitten by a snake while he was asleep in bed.’
Those who needed operations continued to go to Melbourne hospitals because there were none closer. Mrs Christensen of Clear Hills … had an operation of a most delicate character performed upon her …recently for an internal complaint.
Being a prominent figure in the local community the health and well-being of Charlie Bath was frequently reported. In August 1905 he suffered ptomaine poisoning after eating salmon which had been left in an open tin for 2½ hours. He was immediately given a “stiff dose of carbonate of soda” and Dr Chapman claimed that it saved Charlie’s life. Mr Bath remained in a weakened state for several days.
In September 1906 Dr Chapman’s world began to fall apart. A special meeting of the Eltham Council was held early in that month to consider his suspension as Health Officer ‘on account of the contradictory nature of several reports sent in by him regarding the Yarra Glen railway station and the Christmas Hills State School. His services to the Council ended on 30 September 1906 and Dr. Basil Adam of Lilydale was appointed in his place as Health Officer.
Dr Chapman then appeared in the Lilydale Police Court in November charged with assaulting his wife and sister-in-law at his home in Yarra Glen. Miss Phipps was visiting the Chapmans at her sister’s request. She witnessed the doctor assaulting his wife and, on going to her aid, she too was assaulted. Three neighbours arrived and removed the doctor. The Chapman family apparently left Yarra Glen soon afterwards.
In December 1906 Dr Henry Vogler placed an announcement in the Evelyn Observer that he had commenced practice at Yarra Glen. He and his family resided in the town for the next 23 years and were active and respected members of the community.
