Medical Profession in Indiana

Dr. Dillon Geiger, born on September 23, 1907, discusses the quality of and changes in the medical profession over his forty years of practice. He speaks of his medical education at the Indiana University School of Medicine, his medical service in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, his military service in the United States Air Force during World War II, and his general and otolaryngology practices after the war. In addition, Dr. Geiger comments on the economy of Bloomington, Indiana, changes and advances in medicine, and his tenure as a trustee of Indiana University.

Goethe Link, born on May 20, 1879 and died in 1980, discusses his family, his father, who was also a doctor, his medical education, and medical practice, which included his performance of the first drainage of the pancreas in the world. He speaks of professors, mentors, contacts, and experiences that influenced him and he comments on specific medical conditions, including Graves' Disease, delirium tremens, and malaria. Dr. Link also comments on his care of American Civil War veterans at the Secretary of the State Board of Pension Examiners, some of the medical changes that occurred during his many years of practice, burking and resurrectionists, and his hobbies of herpetology, astronomy, and hummingbirds.

Dr. George T. Lukemeyer, born on July 18, 1924, discusses his medical education, medical school admissions, and unemployment among physicians. In addition, he comments on the Regents of the University of California vs. Allen Bakke court case.

Margaret Owen, born 1899, attended Indiana University and began practicing medicine in the late 1930s. She concentrated on gynecology and obstetrics and, after World War II, went into practice with her husband. She speaks about practicing in a farming community, such as making house calls and delivering babies at home, as opposed to practice in Bloomington where she had ample access to hospital care for her patients. She also worked several years at the IU Student Health Center besides her private practice. She also discusses changes in medicine, such as vaccinations, penicillin, and the attitude toward contraceptives.