My mother had allergies and asthma attacks during the time that she lived in Continental Village. So did I, but my allergies were not as severe as hers. Whenever her breathing was seriously impaired, my step-father or my brother John would call the doctor. In the late 1940's and 1950's, country doctors would get in their automobiles and drive to the patient’s house when there was a serious health condition such as a suspected heart attack or asthma attack.
My mother's doctor lived in Peekskill. His name was Dr. Bookbinder. Receiving an urgent call he would leave his house immediately, day or night, and drive to our house in Continental Village about three miles distant. He parked on the side of Sprout Brook Road in front of our house, never in the driveway. He would walk to the front door carrying a large black doctor's bag. He was a short man, about 50 years old, and his head was partially bald. He wore a dark suit and white shirt, no tie.
One of the children usually answered the door bell when Dr. Bookbinder arrived at our house. He would go directly to my mother's bedroom and when he entered his cordial greeting was, "Hello, sweetheart."
He never discussed money for his services on the telephone. He did not write a bill at our house either. After examining my mother and providing treatment, Dr. Bookbinder simply leaned close to my mother's ear and said: "Eustelle, that will be $10 and it includes the cortisone shot. I'll put it on your account when I get back to the office (his home). You don’t have to pay me now."
As I recall, she paid him once in cash on
the spot. She was working for Reader's Digest in Pleasantville, N. Y., and she
was receiving a salary of $35 each week.
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