Ohio History Journal

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THE ROLE OF THE "DISTRICT" AS A UNIT IN OR-

THE ROLE OF THE "DISTRICT" AS A UNIT IN OR-

GANIZED MEDICINE IN OHIO1

 

By ROBERT G. PATERSON, PH.D.

 

Use of the "district" as a basic unit of medical organization

and administration is, historically, the oldest in the State. It ante-

dates the county, city and state medical societies. A "district" in

the sense in which it is used here includes within its area two or

more counties. From 1811 to 1902 the history of medical organi-

zation in Ohio is full of the trial and error method in attempting

to find a satisfactory unit or units as the basis for local organiza-

tion.2

Broad Outline of Developments

Beginning in 1811 and continuing to 1833, known as the le-

gal period of organization, the laws of the State established medi-

cal districts in the then existing counties. "The first of Ohio's

eighty-eight counties (Washington) was established in 1788. The

last revision in the boundaries (Auglaize, Logan) was made in

1888, exactly one hundred years later."3      By 1833 there were

seventy counties in the State. Population was sparse and scat-

tered. The 1830 census showed 937,903 population. Physicians

were few in number and likewise scattered. Roads and transpor-

tation were primitive. So it was natural for the State legislature

to adopt the district as the basis for the establishment of local

boards of censors, the prime purpose of which was to license

physicians to practice within the State. The law of 1812 went

one step further when it provided for a State medical convention

to be composed of representatives from each of the five medical

districts. From 1811 the number of districts grew from five until

in 1833 there were twenty-two districts set up. After the repeal

 

1 While the period set for discussion covered the years 1885-1858, it was thought

best to treat this subject as a complete unit from 1811 to 1940.

2 See Guy Thompson, District Medical Organization in Ohio. Thesis, M.A., Ohio

State University, Columbus, Ohio, 1987.

3 R. C. Downes, "Evolution of Ohio County Boundaries," Ohio State Arch-

aeological and Historical Quarterly (Columbus, 1887.), XXXVI (1927), 340ff.

(367)