The Health of Carlo

On Monday April 1, 1912 The Minister of Public Works, who was visiting Warburton for the purpose of opening the road to Mt. Donna Buang, presided at the opening ceremony in connection with a sanatorium recently established at the township. The institution, which is a comfortable two-storied building, is situated on the hill side less than a mile from the Warburton railway station. It is fitted up with all modern improvements, including electric light and a modern electric bath. In addition, its unrivalled surroundings, and fresh mountain air give it many advantage's as a place of recuperation for those in need of rest after illness. Its authors are the sect of Seventh Day Adventists, who have a settlement at Warburton, and who have established - according to the statement made by the manager, Mr. A. W. Anderson - no fewer than 74 similar institutions in different parts of the world. Mr. Edgar, in his capacity as Minister of Health, and Dr. Robertson, on behalf of the Public Health department, thanked Mr. Anderson, for the hospitality extended to the visitors, and wished the institution every success. (1)

The Sanitorium at Warburton, opened by Mr Edgar, at an event attended by Carlo Catani.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria image H32492/1696

Mr Anderson was reported as saying that he had been married for 20 years and had never required a Doctor. (2). In response, Carlo Catani, who was also an invited guest, remarked that he had been in the State for 36 years without having to consult a doctor. (3) This indicates that Carlo was remarkedly healthy and robust. 

The healthy Mr Catani

Lilydale Express, April 5, 1912 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article258396504

I wondered who the Doctor was who signed Carlo's death certificate when he died at the age of 66 at his Blessington Street home, on July 20, 1918. As the Prahran Telegraph reported - 

A few days previously he was standing on a scaffolding superintending the erection of additions to his home, when he was suddenly seized with illness, from which he never recovered. (4)

The official cause of death, as listed on the death certificate, was Chronic Nephritis and Cerebral Thrombosis and the doctor who attended him was Dr R. Morton. This was, I believe Dr Reginald Lonsdale Morton of 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. (5)  As a matter of interest, Dr Morton was a keen cricketer, a member of the St Kilda Cricket Club and President of the Victorian Cricket Association (6). In the section on the death certificate - Duration of last illness - there was a question mark, so it does not appear that Carlo had been treated by Dr Morton previously for the the causes of his death. Perhaps then, Carlo may have been able to boast that he did not need to  consult a doctor for 42 years (or perhaps like some people, he just ignored his symptoms).

Dr Morton also attended Catherine Catani  when she died on August 6, 1925, also at 39 Blessington Street, St Kilda. She was 68 years old and her cause of death was Senile Anaemia Myocarditis, the duration of which had been seven days. Their daughter Eugenie, who was only 19 when she died on August 1, 1915 had been attended by Dr R.G. Reid. Eugenie died of Nephritis and Odema of the Lungs and her illness had lasted one year, one day, according to the death certificate. What a tragic event her death was for her family. Her doctor was Robert George Reid of Glen Huntley Road, Elsternwick. In 1909 he was appointed the Health Officer for the City of Caulfield, a position he held until 1926; at one time he was also the Chief Medical Officer for the Boy Scouts. (7)

Also, one day, I will do a post on the opening of the road to Mt Donna Buang. 

Footnotes

(1) The Age, April 3, 1912, see here.

(2) Lilydale Express, April 5, 1912, see here.

(3) Ibid

(4) Prahran Telegraph, July 27, 1918, see here.

(5) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com  and articles on Trove

(6) Dr Morton - Obituary The Age, May 27, 1947, see here; The Argus, May 28, 1947, see here.

(7) Dr Reid -  Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Caulfield - Brighton Southern Cross, February 27, 1909, see here; Prahran Telegraph, January 15, 1926, see here;  Boy Scouts - The Argus, August 22, 1910, see here