1871 “doctoring” in New Brunswick

[ionelv]

I was reading about the 1867 Paris Crew and the tragic 1871 death of one of the English rowers, James Renforth. Excerpts from a Newcastle paper at that time:

Dr. Johnson, of St. John, who had now arrived, made a careful examination of our patient, and ordered him a little brandy and water, and directed that hot bottles should be put to his feet.
Dr. MacLaren also shortly came to us, and, taking out his lancet, he opened a vein in each arm. But for a considerable time the blood would scarcely flow, and it became obvious that poor Renforth was sinking fast. After a brief consultation, the two doctors gave us all to understand that our countryman was dying