Dad's Osteomyelitis

Two weeks ago I accidentally sent this story to the Citizen along with the one about the E. F. Keeney wedding. I really goofed, but I wanted you to see the beautiful child who had osteomyelitis, all of those years ago, so I am running it again.

Jim Clark says: “My dad, Dorris, had osteomyelitis bone infection in his lower leg when he was 12 or 13. Dr. Blake was Dad’s doctor. In those days before antibiotics Dad suffered in pain, going downhill and starting to turn black from infection. His oldest brother, Harold, came to visit from Indianola and found how bad Dad was. He contacted Dr. Hooper who soon arrived in his
Model T.

Finding a dire situation he returned to Indianola and brought back his Cadillac with a back seat to carry patients in. He took Dad to a hospital in Des Moines where a Dr. Grey did surgery on Dad’s leg and removed the infection.”

Jim’s Aunt Pearl told about pushing Dorris in his wheelchair. She lost control, and the wheelchair and Dorris were dumped out onto the ground. She was sure she had hurt him, but he laughed and told Pearl to “do it again.”

The picture shows Dorris during recovery. His left leg is wrapped in dressings under his leggings. He was Dorris D. Clark (1913-1962), born north of Palmyra on Butcher Creek and was son to Edward and Eldora “Dora” Deaton Clark.

CAHS thanks Jim Clark for his family pictures and stories.