Photos of Dr. John Olson and his “tonsil chair.”
“Doc” John Olson, also known as “Olie,” Colrain’s last resident physician, will be the subject of a program at a meeting of the Colrain Historical Society on Thursday, April 13, at the home of his daughter, Joan McQuade, 7 Main Road, Colrain. Born in 1900, Doc practiced in that house from 1937 to 1979. Known to tear along back roads in his green Jeep when necessary to deliver a midnight baby, he was also inventive.The tonsil chair above was his creation, fashioned from an ordinary kitchen chair, making it possible to remove tonsils, usually from a child, while the patient was seated upright, rather than supine. After the brief procedure in his examining room, he would carry the still-etherized patient up steep back stairs to the “tonsil room,” where, on recovering, they would be treated to ice cream by his wife, Caroline Olson.
The program at 7:30 p.m. will follow the monthly CHS meeting at 7 p.m.
A potluck supper will precede the meeting at 6 p.m. For the potluck, bring a main course, veggie or dessert to share, along with your place setting. Beverage will be provided.
All parts of the evening are free and open to the public.
