Book Review The Doctor Was A Woman

 

Chris Enns is a prolific writer who is passionate about sharing stories about daring women who moved West to embrace a non-traditional lifestyle. She has authored over 50 books, and her newest book, "The Doctor Was A Woman," is about the first female physicians on the frontier. It was a vocation frowned upon by men as well as women.  As a result, these aspiring doctors often suffered discrimination and little acceptance.  The book is written straightforwardly, profiling 10 women who defied all odds to become doctors and do extraordinary things during a time period where few women chose this career path, Each of the 10 vignettes or mini-biographies, in no particular chronological order, covers groundbreaking women, who received their training in schools out East to become qualified as doctors choosing to live frontier life despite many hardships. Many of these women shared common characteristics, one of which was determination with the relentless pursuit to become a female woman doctor in a male-oriented field. Some of these women had suffered personal tragedies in their lives that ultimately inspired them to practice healing in the rugged West, a place where their talents were needed.  They exemplified bravery in struggling against prejudice and societal norms.   

I enjoyed the inclusion of informative pieces on medical coverage that pertained to this time period at the end of each vignette. These informative pieces covered subjects such as how to treat tuberculosis, gunshot wounds, typhoid fever, and smallpox. Some of these doctors made groundbreaking strides in the areas of plastic surgery, dental care, and sterilization.    

Enns's meticulous research was quite impressive. To create this book, she employed primary sources from original diaries, journals, newspaper and office records, and medical documents.  An extensive bibliography can be found at the end of the book.   

One profile that stood out to me was Dr. Sophie Herzog, a headstrong, spunky, and accomplished surgeon. She worked for the railroad for twenty years while maintaining a private practice in the Wild West town of Brazoria, Texas. She was an expert on the treatment of gunshot wounds. At the end of Dr.Herzog's biography, she wrote a description of her unusual technique for extracting a bullet from a gunshot wound by putting patients in a hanging position to remove the bullets from victims.  Despite the unusual, it did make sense to me. Dr. Herzog proudly wore a necklace made from bullets she had extracted from gunfighters. 

I enjoyed learning about these brave frontier doctors who were dedicated to the art of healing. This book was well-written and included a lot of interesting information.  

All About The Author https://chrisenss.com/

Chris Enss is a New York Times Best Selling author, scriptwriter, and comedienne who has written for television and film and performed on cruise ships and on stage. She has worked with award-winning musicians, writers, directors, and producers and as a screenwriter for Tricor Entertainment, but her passion is for telling the stories of the men and women who shaped the history and mythology of the American West. Some of the most famous names in history, not to mention film and popular culture, populate her books. 

I met Chris at the 2024 Tucson Book Festival. She owns an extensive western-themed wardrobe, and seeing her choices is always fun.

A few days before the festival she and several other Western authors came to Green Valley for a panel presentation. On the left is Sherry Monahan, standing R.G. Yoho and on the right, Chris Enns.

They were joined by Manuela Schneider (left) and Carol Markstrom (right)