Medical Treatment

Capreol's first doctor, Dr. Shaw, provided medical services to members of the community at an early time in the town's history. He would visit the sick by horse and buggy, working to overcome the harsh limitations of a pioneer settlement.

Over the years, Capreol enjoyed the services of many doctors, each serving the community with dedication.

In 1957, Dr. Donald McGowan, then resident physician, was joined by Dr. Garwood Shields. At this time, the two doctors decided to create a medical building that would provide facilities for medical emergencies and that would also serve as a central location where citizens could come for treatment.

Construction began on the building in the winter of 1958 and on September 14, 1959, the Capreol Medical Offices was officially opened on Young Street.

Today, the Capreol Medical Offices continue to offer medical services to all residents of Capreol.


Midwifery

Doctors were not the only form of medical service available to Capreol residents. Throughout the 1930's and 1940's, midwifery was a common practice in Capreol. Clara Thomas was the town midwife and was responsible for the delivery of many Capreol babies at her home on Kelly Street. Instead of traveling the distance to Sudbury's hospital, labouring mothers would make the short journey to Ms. Thomas' home where they would be met by Dr. Patrick A. Lacey or Dr. F. McLean.

On occasion, the doctor would be too late in his arrival, but Ms. Thomas was always able to deliver the infants without assistance, even in situations where the delivery was complicated. Clara Thomas died in 1949, but her legacy lives on in the children she helped to deliver.


Material compiled from Capreol: The First 75 Years, 1918-1993 and The History of the Town of Capreol.