Kelowna doctor forced to retire early
The Biblical adage “Medice, cura te ipsum” – “Doctor, heal thyself” – came to mind as I researched and wrote this article.
However, it seems more appropriate to heed its words as an encouragement to action, rather than as a critical admonition.
Does “Doctor, heal thyself” resonate with Dr. Nathaniel Aikins, the subject of this article?
Nathaniel Aikins was born in Wentworth County, in what is now the Province of Ontario, on March 6, 1859, the seventh of eight children in his family.
His father, William Aikins, was a native of Ireland and his mother, Susanna Clark, was born in Ontario.
William Aikins and Susanna Clark were married in Ontario in 1845.
The 1871 Canada Census for Binbrook, Wentworth South, Ontario lists the Aikins family:
William Aikins, 61 years old, born in Ireland, C. Presbyterian, farmer
Susanna Aikins, 45 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian
James Aikins, 22 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian. farmer
William Aikins, 16 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian
Nathaniel Aikins, 13 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian, going to school
Mary Aikins, 23 years old, born in Ontario C. Presbyterian
Jane Aikins, 20 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian
Elizabeth Aikins. 17 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian
Amelia Aikins, 14 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian, going to school
Sarah Aikins, 11 years old, born in Ontario, C. Presbyterian, going to school
The “1895 – 1896 Hamilton Directory” (page 109) lists “Aikins, Nathaniel, M. D.”, living at 266 East Avenue.
Four years later, the “1899 – 1900 Hamilton Directory” (page 100) lists “Aikins, N., M. D.”, living at 32 Wellington.
The 1901 Canada Census for the City of Hamilton, Ontario lists Nathaniel Aikins as a physician, 42 years old, married [sic?], and of Irish descent.
Five years later, “Nathael” [sic] Aikins was listed in the 1906 Canada Census, living at Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. He was “single” and 45 years old. Within a few years, Dr. Nathaniel Aikins was living at Kelowna, where he resided for the rest of his short life.
Dr. Nathaniel Aikins died at Kelowna on July 30, 1910 at the age of 51 years.
The following obituary appeared on page three of the August 4, 1910 edition of “The Kelowna Courier and Okanagan Orchardist”:
“We regret to announce the death of Dr. Nathaniel Aikins, brother of Mrs. W. D. Harvey, which took place on Saturday, the cause being pernicious anaemia, from which he had suffered for a considerable period.
“He came here several months ago in a dangerous condition of health, but apparently made good progress towards recovery, and feeling himself much improved he ventured to take a trip to the Coast to visit friends on Salt Spring Island.
“The journey over-taxed his strength, however, and brought back his malady in aggravated form, and he returned here about three weeks ago, only to sink until death gradually came.
“Dr. Aikins was 52 [51] years of age and unmarried. At one time he had an extensive practice in Hamilton, Ont., but he moved west a number of years ago and practised at various points in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“He also spent some time in the Peace River and Bulkley Valley, where he held some valuable coal lands at the time of his death.
“The funeral was held on Monday morning, interment taking place in the Cemetery.”
Dr. Nathaniel Aikins’ British Columbia Death Registration (Microfilm #B13110; Registration #1901-09-197086), signed by Kelowna doctor W. J. Knox, confirms that Dr. Aikins’ death was due to pernicious anaemia, from which he had suffered for two years.
Dr. Knox last attended Dr. Aikins on July 30, 1910, the day of his passing.
The informant was E. A [Elizabeth] Harvey, resident of Kelowna.
Nathaniel Aikins was buried in Lot 30, Row 2, in Kelowna’s Pioneer Cemetery in a grave adjacent to his sister, Elizabeth Harvey, and some of her family.
A fine granite marker records the basic details of Nathaniel Aikins’ short life.
Nathaniel Aikins must have felt very concerned and frustrated as his health steadily deteriorated.
Pernicious anaemia, the body’s inability to uptake and absorb Vitamin B12, was then untreatable.
Its diagnosis was a terminal one, the sufferer gradually losing strength and vitality, inevitably resulting in death.
Today, pernicious anaemia is treatable, through vitamin B12 injections or oral medication.
These treatments are simple and effective but in the early years of the 20th century they were not available to sufferers of pernicious anaemia.
Dr. Nathaniel Aikins, a victim of pernicious anaemia’s, was forced to retire from his medical practice and focus on his own health, knowing that his future would not be happy. An experienced medical doctor, Nathaniel Aikins must have wished to heed the advice, “Physician, heal thyself,” but he was unable to do so.
This article is part of a series, submitted by the Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Historical Society.