Following a two-year pandemic, and a long 70 years since Dr. W. Gifford-Jones spent three months as the hotel doctor at the majestic Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie, Quebec, situated overlooking the St Lawrence Seaway, the doctor made a nostalgic return visit. The memories of that summer of ’52, and several summers that followed, recollected exciting moments of triumph, two terrible tragedies, and the first of many precious animal patients. The visit also administered a heavy dose of nostalgia.
As this week’s article attests, an adventure into the past can be good medicine. Here’s a brief glimpse into the story. We hope it helps trigger fond memories in the minds of many readers embarking on similar journeys into the past.
Diana – These days, I don’t imagine there are many hotels that have a doctor-in-residence. Let’s talk about what was it like being a hotel doctor. How did you become involved with a hotel years ago?
Gifford-Jones – I had completed two years of surgical training at the both the University of Rochester and the Montreal General Hospital. I then had six months free until I would return to Harvard for another three years of surgical training. I needed more money.
Diana – But why the Manoir Richelieu in French Canada?
G-J – I was offered two situations: one at Chateau Lake Louise in western Canada and the other at the Manoir Richelieu in Quebec. At the Chateau, I would have been working for another doctor, while at the Manoir I had the opportunity to be my own boss. Besides that, I preferred the French atmosphere.
Diana – Any apprehension about being the only doctor and isolated at a hotel?
G-J – Not at all. I looked forward to the relaxation of a hotel and I had just completed a very busy surgical year in Montreal. But when I made my plans to work at the Manoir, I had no idea of what I was about the encounter.
Diana – That sounds foreboding.
G-J – I left Montreal aboard a Canada Steamship Lines boat, an overnight trip. Upon arrival at the hotel the next day, I met the two nurses who would be working with me. It was my task to care for all the employees and guests of the hotel that became ill. I thought it would be easy. I retired early that evening tired after my journey and the excitement of arrival. But at 10 o’clock that night the telephone operator called saying there had been an accident in the hotel lobby. A guest, having had too much to drink, had picked up an object and for no reason struck another guest on the head, who was lying unconscious on the lobby floor. It was the start of a long night.
Diana – Yikes! That’s a tough start.
G-J – Yes, it meant an ambulance ride to the local hospital, and I had very limited French to explain the problem! X-rays showed there was no evidence of a fracture, and the man finally became conscious. I arrived back at the hotel at 4AM and was ready for a good night’s sleep. But it was not to be. At 6:00AM, the phone rang again, saying there had been another accident in the lobby. At this point, I wondered what in tarnation is going on at the hotel!
Diana – What had happened this time?
G-J – This was a true tragedy. An electrician was doing a routine service check on the top of the elevator and his son was working the up and down controls. His father asked to take the elevator down. His son unfortunately took the elevator up which forced his father to slip between the elevator and the shaft. It was a difficult and dangerous task to dislocate his father, who had a broken back and could not move his legs. This was a major medical disaster requiring emergency surgery. I accompanied the ambulance transporting him over a bumpy road to the hospital in Quebec City.
Diana – You must have been exhausted by the time you arrived back at the Manoir, and you were probably wondering what was going to happen next. So much for a relaxed routine at the hotel. Were these isolated events?
G-J – There was another incident that I’ll never forget. One that could happen to anyone reading this column. I had worked with a surgical colleague at the Montreal General. He was taking his wife and three children on a car tip for a holiday to the Gaspé. But his little girl developed an ear infection along the way. Knowing I was at the hotel nearby, he decided to drop in to the Manoir. It was good to see him and all the girl needed was an antibiotic. We chatted for several minutes and then they departed on their journey. A short time later I heard this tragic news. They were driving over one of the rolling hills near the Manoir when there was a head collision. Everyone was killed save only their little girl who survived.
I have often thought, what if I had examined her earache a little longer or a little speedier. Or, what if I had talked to my doctor friend a little bit longer or a little bit shorter. They would not have been going over that hill at that time. It shows how fate plays such a vital role in our lives. And I simply cannot forget this tragedy.
Diana – That’s awful. It’s a powerful reminder of the role of fate, but also your stories are a reminder of the life-and-death work of a doctor. I hope all your time as the hotel doctor wasn’t like that.
G-J – I spent three months at the Manoir, then returned to Harvard for three more years of surgical training. I returned to the hotel for one month on four other occasions and never encountered such a traumatic 24 hours.
Diana – But with such a large staff and so many guests, you must have had a busy time.
G-J – Yes, there were the usual aches and pains. Chefs cutting their fingers. Guests sprained their ankles. And there was an assortment of other ailments. I had office hours twice a day, but I was always on call 24 hours a day. It is such a pleasant hotel, but because it catered to an elderly population, inevitably there was the occasional drama. One Baptist minister was desperately ill and refused to be hospitalized. I had two seasoned nurses who were convinced that he was about to exit this world, so much so that we debated how to remove him after death without the guests seeing. But he rallied and left on his own two feet! Another well known cabinet minister and friend of the Prime Minister suffered a coronary attack. The PM’s personal cardiologist was sent to the hotel to see if I was proving the right treatment. He told me nothing more could be done and that due to the nature of the coronary infarct, he was destined to die, and this he did.
Diana – Of all your patients at the Manoir, any extra special ones?
G-J – Yes, there was Bruce of Montreal. He was a beautiful Labrador retriever. I bandaged his paw after an accident, and I could see the gratitude in his eyes. There is a great picture of the two of us together.
Diana – You must have met many interesting people too. Who do you recall?
G-J – Many people from Montreal and other cities had build beautiful summer homes near the hotel. I also became their doctor. They always invited me to their cocktail parties. So, it was not always work and no play during those summers. I met the Governor of the Bank of Canada and several prominent businessmen. But one famous American stands out. His family had been long term residents of the area. I had been at the hotel for s short time when I received a call from Senator Robert Taft. He asked if he could come to my room to discuss a medical problem. He told me that his wife, Martha, had suffered a stroke and would I look after her that summer. He had just finished a race for the U.S presidency against General Eisenhower and had lost the election.
Diana – That must have been an interesting situation.
G-J – Very much so, and I got to know his wife very well. It was difficult time for her and she was a very courageous lady. And Senator Taft was a very courteous gentleman.
Diana – Any other significant recollections?
G-J – I got to know one older French family doctor in La Malbaie, a nearby community. I would often drop by, as he had a wealth of experience and many interesting experiences to relate. He helped me solve tricky medical problems. I will never forget his kindness and friendship.
A return to this great hotel and these many memories has left me feeling very happy. I’m grateful that Susan, my children, and grandchildren experienced how this magnificent hotel had such an impact on my medical career. If only the beautiful long wooden table gracing the hotel lobby could tell stories. It was there seventy years ago and is still there now. Around that table was a favourite spot for staff and guests to gather after dinner. Aw, what wonderful memories.
