Prior to the mid-19th century, the approach to medicine had seen very few changes since ancient times. Patients rarely received a physical examination. Regardless of symptoms, standard treatments consisted of bloodletting, herbal medications, blistering, cathartics (such as enemas) and emetics (vomit-inducing). For serious injuries, amputations were the primary form of operation.
Significant developments in science occurred in the 1800s, which led to changes that remain foundational to medical practice today such as using anesthesia and sterilization of surgical tools. Bogus medicines by quack doctors were rampant until the tide started to turn with the formation of the American Medical Association in 1847.
Among Greenville’s 19th-century doctors, Luther H. Stringer served most of his life in this city. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy about 90 years after it opened as the first medical school in the South. After finishing his training, Stringer worked in Pelzer at a branch of Greenville’s most beloved pharmacies, the Carpenter Bros. Stringer soon came to Greenville and bought the West End Drug Store from Dr. R.P. Mullins. This prominent triangular wooden building stood at the intersection of Main, Pendleton, and Augusta streets and was built in the 1870s as Dr. Thomas T. Earle’s drug store.
Stringer prescribed proprietary medicines in typical glass medicine bottles embossed with his L.H. Stringer druggist logo to those in need of his critical services. Beyond medicines, Stringer’s drug store also carried seeds for planting, stationery, fountain pens, Whitman’s candy, cigars and cigarettes.
Contributing to society outside of his drug store, Stringer served as chairman of the Greenville County Board of Commissioners as well as vice president and director of the American Bank, which also occupied part of the same building as his drug store. At the time of his death in 1941, he was president of the Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan association, director of SCNB bank, director of Woodside Cotton mill, and the Poinsett Hotel Corp.
Stringer’s drug store lasted for the duration of World War II but closed after four decades of business when Bolt’s Drug Store moved from its South Main Street location and took over in 1945.
John M. Nolan is owner of Greenville History Tours (greenvillehistorytours.com) and author of “A Guide to Historic Greenville, SC” and “Lost Restaurants of Greenville, SC.”
