These few are but a handful of famous Southern surgeons.  There is one man, however that most of you are not familiar with, yet his name has been or is known by more people than any afore mentioned.  Most of those previously mentioned will be forgotten with time, except by historians, or those similar interests, or intense players of Trivial Pursuit.  In contrast, the name of the man I wish to speak of will continue to be known, not because of his achievements but because a patent medicine carries his name.

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Dr. Tichenor was a multi-faceted Southern gentle man who was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, on April 17, 1837.  He was the son of Rolla and Elizabeth Tichenor, both natives of Kentucky. His father was a merchant and steamboat owner and continued these pursuits throughout his life.  George Humphrey Tichenor received the usual public school education of that time(which was somewhat limited in most sections of the South) in Rumsey, Kentucky. At age 13, upon his mother’s death and his father’s remarriage within the year, he ran away from home, taking his brother Thomas Jay, aged 11, with him, as they both felt unwanted by their stepmother who had five children by a previous marriage.  His father’s second marriage ended a year later and he died two years later.

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After leaving school, George devoted considerable time to the private study of chemistry.  By 1859, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and shortly after the beginning of the Civil War, he was commissioned by the Confederate government to manufacture gunpowder.

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I would like to relate some of Dr. Tichenor’s experience as a Confederate soldier.  At 24 years of age, in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the Washington County “Daredevils,” Tennessee cavalry troop.  In due time, orders came to march to Knoxville Tennessee, thence to Cumber- land “Gap.  He was in the first field service which scouted both sides of the Cumberland Mountains, and the first battles of importance in which young Tichenor participated were Fishing Creek (Mills Spring), Tennessee; Laurel Bridge and London, Kentucky; and skirmishes at the Cumberland Gap.

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Orders were received to march in the direction of Mississippi to join General Johnston’s army.  On May 13, 1862, the company was re-organized and young Tichenor was elected Orderly Sergeant of Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry.  On March 30, 1862, they were ordered to make a forced march to protect Booneville, Mississippi. When they approached Booneville, they could see that the Federals had possession of, and were burning, the town.  Just before reaching town, Col. Bob McCullough told the 125 men in the cavalry that he was going to command them and expected perfect obedience in his commands, for he proposed to recapture all the Confederate soldiers that the Yanks had taken and to save Booneville by a daring move.  He ordered them into a column of twos, and they marched into Booneville facing 4,000 Federals.  Onward they marched, up within fifty yards of the line of battle.  Then the colonel ordered: “Halt! Left wheel into line. Right dress.”  As they made no show of fright, the enemy did not fire on them, seeing that they had only a handful of men.  However, the  Federals soon became uneasy.  They could not understand such daredevil move as had been made, marching and counter-marching, and making no show of fright. Finally the confederates who were prisoners discovered their friends and they raised such a rebel yell that it seemed to shake the ground.  They considered themselves no longer prisoners.  This caused the Yanks to become confused, and when someone yelled they were trapped would all be captured, this was enough.  The stampede commenced .  It is recorded how fearful it was to see how they ran over each other trying to make their escape.  They gave a few parting shots while running, killing only six of the command.  As soon as the enemy retreated, Colo. McCullough’s men dismounted and rushed to the railroad and separated the burning cars, saving most of the ammunition train and ordinance stores.  The men kept up such yelling and rejoicing over the victory that the Yanks never stopped running until they reached Corinth.

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The command was next ordered to go to the front, as advance guard for General Armstrong’s cavalry division.  On September 14, 1862, I-Uka, Mississippi, was recaptured with an immense amount of supplies, making the men happy at the prospect of a full meal once more. However, five days later, the enemy from Corinth marched to within four miles of I-Uka and gave battle.  The next day, the Confederate army retreated. AT this time, young Tichenor was detailed to take command of one division of commissary wagons and shortly afterward, near Tuscumbia, he was severely wound in battle; his left forearms was shattered, breaking both bones.  His medical service was suspended for four months, until February 4, 1863, at which time he was ordered to Springhill as a recruiting officer for the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, but soon after his arrival, it was his misfortune to have a severe spell of sickness (malaria).  Before he was able to travel, the Confederate army fell back and he was left inside the enemy lines.  As soon as he recovered, he recruited five men who knew every foot of ground in Williamson County.  This enabled them to be very successful in all their movements.  Within two months, they captured four wagon trains.  Some were saved, and some were burned.  Their finest sport was surprising the pickets outside Franklin and capturing a few well-equipped cavalry horses every few nights.

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Their last venture, and the most successful, was when they learned that a large party of Negro slaves was going to make a break for freedom by going to the Federals at Franklin and, in order to aid the Negroes, a Federal company of cavalry was to meet them and escort them into Franklin. Knowing this, Dr. Tichenor managed, with only five men, to undertake not only the capture of the entire cavalry company, but the slaves as well.  What he did was to station his five men at various distances on each side of a stone fence on the turnpike road between Springhill and Columbia, Tennessee. He placed them in a triangular position on each side of the turnpike and waited for the arrival of the Federal cavalry. IT was his plan that as the cavalry came into the area, each man behind the fence acting as a captain, would call “halt” and demand their surrender.  This occurred after the head of the column was abreast of Capt. Tichenor. He commanded them to halt, surrender, and dismount, and the same command rang out in distant tones from each side of the stone fence.  The Federal captain called out, “Don’t shoot. We will surrender.” 

They all dismounted and laid down their arms on the side of the road. Tichenor then called to the Federal sergeant-major to take the horses, and ordered his command to remain in their places, and instructed that five men be detailed from the troops alleged to be behind the fences.  The five men mounted the captured horses, and Dr. Tichenor gave orders from the prisoners to march forward by fours and keep in the middle of the road.  He talked to them kindly, telling them they would be treated well if they obeyed orders.  All went well until one soldier broke for liberty.  He was quickly shot and left on the road, and there were no further attempts at escape.  Just before arriving at Columbia, they met the Negroes with wagons and teams loaded with their plunder. Capt. Tichenor halted them told them the Rebs had captured of forty men, forty horses (all equipped), 50 Negro slaves, and five wagons and teams.  The Federal captain was asked how many Rebs he had seen.  He replied, “I have seen only six, but on each side of the fence, we left behind not less than a full regiment, judging from the number of officers who called out for surrender.”

During the war, simultaneously fighting and studying, Tichenor passed the examination of the medical board and was appointed acting assistant surgeon for the Confederacy.  He spent much of his time trying to concoct an antiseptic fluid which would sterilize and help heal wounds.  He finally fulfilled his dream.  He often proclaimed:  “I will use my antiseptic freely on Southern soldiers, but want no damn Yankee to get it.” He is credited with introducing the first use of antiseptic surgery in the Confederate army.

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Capt. Tichenor was wounded in November, 1863, and by the time he was taken from the battlefield to the army hospital in Memphis, his leg wounds had become gangrenous, and the army surgeons ordered amputation. He protested and, with the assistance of friends, was smuggled out and taken to a friend’s private residence.  He treated himself with his antiseptic solution and succeeded in saving his leg.  While he was recovering from his wounds, he met his wife, Margaret Ann Drane, who with her father, the Rev. T. J. Drane, was assisting in caring for those disabled in the hospital.  The couple was married in Liberty Baptist Church in Liberty, Mississippi, on November 12, 1863.

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Shortly before Memphis was taken by the Federal army, Capt. Tichenor was ordered to act as Provost Marshall for Canton, Mississippi. Here, as his last duty, he was able to recruit a few loyal men for the Confederate army.

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The doctor’s war record is outstanding.  He participated in 24 engagements and was wounded four times – Corinth, Mississippi, and at Denmark, Meden, and Bolivar Tennessee. After the war, for the amazing price of $1.00, he bought a plantation called “Black Hawk”, and began his private practice of medicine in nearby Canton, Mississippi.

In 1868, Dr. Tichenor left his wife and two children with her parents in Liberty, Mississippi, to prepare a home for them in Wilkinson County, 45 miles south of Natchez later known as Wakefield Landing.  Once a month, he journeyed alone on horse back, taking as much as three days to travel over hills, with no roads through swamps and over rivers with ferries, to see his family.  It was while he was practicing in his Wilkinson County home that he began to bottle his antiseptic solution for sale.

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In 1872, “the big island” in the Mississippi River between Adams County, Mississippi, and Concordia Parish, Louisiana was the rendezvous point for a group of outlaws.  A certain Mr. Murrell was a desperate Leader who was uniting all dissatisfied elements for the purpose of establishing a utopia by means of murdering the owners first, and then dominating the cities. Capt. Tichenor, at the head of selected men recruited in Natchez, defeated and dispersed Murrell’s army in a battle about 35 miles below Natchez.  For this service, he was delegated as surgeon for disinterring and burying the remains of Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia.

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In 1877, he moved to Red River Landing, Louisiana. Here he applied for a patent for the label of his antiseptic solution, which was granted on May 1, 1883.  It featured the familiar battle scene.  The formula was not registered, known only to him. He described the medication as a cooling medication or a “refrigerant”. In 1885, he moved to Baton Rouge and devoted his time to the manufacture and sale of the antiseptic and the practice of medicine.

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Dr. Tichenor was primarily a doctor; however, his interests were varied and his accom- plishments many.  While living in Baton Rouge, along with Drs. Richard Day and Thomas Buffington, he perfected a method of grafting and uniting the ulnar and radial arteries of a mill hand of Burton’s sawmill, a medical accomplishment considered impossible at the time.  This in fact must have been the first limb re-implantation and vascular anastomosis. Alexis Carrel’s renowned work was not until the early 1900’s.

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Dr. Tichenor’s contributions to medicine were many. He was famous for his mass grafts and was reported to be the first man to make an artificial anus in a newborn with an imperforate anus.  He allegedly was the first to successfully treat spinal meningitis and was the discovery of permanganate of potash for snakebites.  He invented the first inhaler (U.S. patent #87603). (However, I have been told by a knowledgeable source that a Dr.J. Nott in 1848 invented an inhaler, which would have preceded Dr. Tichenor’s).

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He was a practicing photographer, first as an amateur and later as professional. He discovered the “pearl type” photographic process, which was a vast improvement on the old daguer- reotype process. He painted beautifully in oils. He was a musician and played the fiddle. Because of the war injuries to his left arm, he could not hold the fiddle in the orthodox manner. So he tied a string to the tailpiece button,looped it over his neck, held the fiddle guitar-style and bowed vertically.

Long after the war was over, Dr.Tichenor maintained an interest in the affairs of war veterans.  He organized the Medical Officers Army and Navy of Confederacy Association for the purpose of preserving medical data andthe military practice of medicine and surgery.

For many years, he was commander of the Confederate States Calvary Association and
Surgeon General of the Louisiana Division. He was also surgeon on the staff of various commanders-in-chief of the national associations, exerting his influence in the compilation of southern history, literature and chivalry, being chairman of the committee to erect a monument to women of the south, the only country to officially honor its womanhood.

He reviewed President Roosevelt’s “Rough Rider’s” before they embarked for the Spanish -American War, and his opinion as to the preparedness of these men was given to Secretary Daniels aboard the presidential yacht before the United State’s entry into the war.

Dr. Tichenor’s father was a steamboat owner and captain; hence, as a child he was exposed to the river and he maintained interest in boats and waterways throughout his life.  The overflowing river ruined financially when he was s practicing surgeon at Red River Landing and forced him to move to Baton Rouge.  This experience was very instrumental in his fight to control the river.

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Dr. Tichenor was named “the man who conquered the Mississippi River”. Due to his study of this and other singular rivers, he is credited with changing the engineering policy of the U.S. Government, opening the southwest passages and the building of the spillway as opposed to the all-levee fallacy.  He advocated these changes persistently in the New Orleans and St. Louis newspapers, waterway journals, and before various engineering press and state legislative bodies.  His persistence in the development of the spillway is probably his greatest single accomplishment.  Because of this, those of us living in areas below sea level are able to stay dry.

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Dr. Tichenor’s name lives on through his antiseptic solution.  The rise and fall of patent medicines seems to be spectacularly meteoric.  One day, radio and newspaper commercials speak of nothing else.  The next day, they are forgotten.  It takes an outstanding man to produce and outstanding product, and Dr. Tichenor proved that he was outstanding in more fields than one.  The formula has not changed and does not deteriorate. An old bottle has the same potency as a new one.

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There have been over a billion bottle of Dr. Tichenor’s sold.  It has become a household word as the number one all-purpose remedy in many southern areas. The older label promoted the formula for wounds, burns, bruises, sprains, bruises, colic cramps diarrhea, and flux—and for colic and blots in horses and mules.  The label later claimed its use for sunburn, minor throat irritation, sprains, bruises, sore muscles, sore and tired feet and athlete’s foot, insect bites, scratches or other minor injuries, superficial burns, scald, prickly heat and toothache.  Today, the label’s only directions are as a mouthwash and topical antiseptic.

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It was noted in the 1960’s’ that a large number of New Orleans blacks who make up over 50% of the Tichenor market, had moved to Chicago and carried with them their loyalty to the brand and demanded it. Hence, the stores had to stock it.  However, other forays into Yankee territory proved to be a big flop, thereby fulfilling the good doctor’s ancient curse-prophecy, that he did not want a damn Yankee to get it.

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During prohibition, Dr. Tichenor’s antiseptic proved a good liquor substitute, so the government cracked down on the alcohol percentage and for a time required that additional ingredient be added that would discourage oral intake.

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Market research showed that most people using Dr. Tichenor’s antiseptic were elderly and black.
So a decision was made to change the old bottle label.  The depicting a Revel soldier triumphantly waving a Confederate flag was shrunk, while the flag and its non-too-subtle message were obliterated by a small banner reading “Kills germs – helps heal.”  This was in 1965, the year of the Selma, Alabama, civil rights march.  One year later, the scene was dropped altogether.  Meanwhile the word refrigerant went the way of all pseudo-medical archaisms.

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In order, to get to the young market, a radio personality, Pinky Vidacovich, was hired to
make ads with singing commercials which always ended up “Good old Dr. Tichenor,
best antiseptic in town.”  He said this with a Cajun accent.

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In 1886, the business was moved to the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans, the gateway to the recent infamous New Orleans World’s Fair,  and in 1962 it moved to its present modern plant. 

In,  January 1923, Dr. Tichenor, at age 85, was seriously injured in a fall.  He died three weeks later.  His body was brought back to Baton Rouge where funeral services took place aboard a train. Thus ended the multifarious life of the best-known southern surgeon.

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Source

The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)  12Jun 1898  Sun.  Page 10

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THE NEW ASSISTANT SURGEON GENERAL

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Dr. George H. Tichenor has been honored with the appointment of the assistant surgeon general, U.C.V on the staff of General E.H. Lombard.

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The subject of this sketch is a native of Kentucky but removed to Nashville, Tenn. in 1859.  He entered the Confederate service in that state by joining the Williamson Company Dare Devils, on June 6, 1861, commanded by Captain Wm. Ewing.

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On June 10, 1861, his command was ordered to Nashville, Tenn., where a battalion was formed and elected F. N. McNary, Lieutenant colonel, and commander of Second Tennessee Cavalry.  In due time orders came to march to Knoxville, Tenn., thence to Cumberland Gap.  Their first field of service was scouting on both sides of Cumberland mountain, and the first battles of importance in which Dr. Tichenor participated, were at Fishing Creek, (Mill Springs), General Zelicoffer commanding until killed; Laurel Bridge, Ky., Sept 28, 1861; a running fight at Lebanon, Ky., Sunday, Sept 29, 1861; and Oct. 23, 1861.  Also, a skirmish at Cumberland Gap followed.  On Oct. 31, they had an engagement at Creavesburg, on the Cumberland River, with the federal infantry.  Then on Dec. 26, 1861, the battle of Jamestown, Ky.

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Orders were then received to march in the direction of Mississippi, to join General Johnston's army, re-enforcing as the sequel proved, Corinth and the Mississippi Department.  They were instructed to look after Eastport, on the Tennessee River, and there had frequent engagements with the federal gunboats.  On Sunday, April 6, 1862, the command was ordered into line of battle on the hills below Eastport, between the river and Iuka, Miss.  On April 13, 1862, they engaged in the battle of Bear Creek bridge and railroad bridge, defending the same.

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May 13, 1862, the company re-organized when young Tichenor was elected orderly sergeant of Company B, Second Tennessee Cavalry.  May 30, 1862, ordered to make a forced march to protect Boonville, Miss., Captains Parrish, Martins and McKnights, three companies in all, were moved rapidly to the rescue of Boonville.  When they approached near Boonville, they could see that the federals had possession and were burning the place.  Just before reaching town, Colonel Bob McCullough came dashing up and commanded: "Halt? Front face!  Right dress."  "Attention, men; how many have we?"  "125, all told."  "I am going to command you, and all depends on perfect obedience to my commands.  You are not to raise a gun, pistol, or saber until I order you.  I propose to re-capture all of our men that the Yanks have taken and save Boonville, by a daring move."  "By twos, left wheel into line==march."  In a few minutes, we were marching into Boonville, facing 300 to 5000 federals.  Onward they marched, up to within fifty yards of two lines of battle.  "Halt! Left wheel into line; right dress."  As they made no show of fight, the enemy did not fire on them, seeing that they had only a handful of men.  However, they soon manifested uneasiness; they could not understand such a dare-devil move as had been made, marching and counter-marching and making no show to fight.  Finally, the Confederates who were prisoners discovered their friends and they raised such a yell that it seemed to shake the ground.  They considered themselves no longer prisoners.  This caused the "Yanks" to become confused, and when someone yelled out, "We are trapped and all will be captured," this was enough;  the stampede commenced.  t was fearful to see how they ran over each other, trying to make their escape.  They gave a few parting shots while running, killing G.A. Calwell, of Company B, and wounding five of the command.  As soon as the enemy retreated, Colonel McCullough's men dismounted and rushed to the railroad and separated the burning cars, while the bombshells were flying in every direction from them, saving most of the ammunition train and ordnance stores.  The men kept up yelling and rejoicing over the victory, planned by "Uncle Bob." the "Yanks" never stopped running until they reached Corinth.  Lieutenant Colonel C.R. Bartau, commanding the Second Tennessee Cavalry, was complimented, as well as the entire command participating in the daring move, which accomplished so much for our retreating army.  In the depot, there were a dozen or so helpless, sick, and wounded Confederates.  It was a fearful sight to see the number of men cremated, in the stations and under the station house, and no one able to get there to pull or drag them from the burning building.

The command was next ordered to go to the front as an advance guard for General Armstrong's division of cavalry.  On Sept. 14, 1862, Iuka, Miss., was captured by Armstrong before Price's army arrived.  An immense amount of supplies were captured making the men happy at the prospect of a full meal once more.  On Sept. 19, 1862, while at Iuka, the enemy from Corinth marched out within four miles of Iuka, and gave battle, killing General Little.  On the 29th of September, General Price ordered the army to fall back.  Young Tichenor was then detailed to take charge of one division of commissary wagons.  General Price sent orders to hurry up the train.  The men, after their hearty meal, were very slow and Young Tichenor repaired to headquarters as quick as hE could, and said, "General, if you will order a shell thrown into the wagon camp, I guarantee the train will move in thirty minutes."  "Thank you, orderly, I will do it."  In a few minutes,  bang!  bang! was heard and when the smoke was cleared from the bursting shell, the teamsters got a first-class move on them, and in a few minutes, all the trains were out on the roads considered safe.

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Oct. 5, 1862, the command was in battle near Tuscumbia.  Oct. 9, 1862, the subject of this sketch left camp, being wounded badly, and his military service suspended until Feb. 4, 1863.  On that date, he reported for duty to Colonel C.R. Bartau at Okolona.  His orders were to rest quietly until he could hear from Richmond.  On Jan. 8, 1853, a commission had been issued to him and he was ordered to middle Tennessee, as a recruiting officer for the Second Tennessee Cavalry.  The order was from Colonel Bartau, and approved by the Inspector General's office, Richmond.  With his commission in his pocket, he started for Springhill, Tenn., and arrived on Feb. 20, 1863, in time to witness the general confusion, caused by the killing of General Van Dorn by Dr. Peters.  He made his headquarters with his friend, Robert McElmore, but soon after his arrival, it was his misfortune to have a severe spell of sickness.  Before he was able to travel, our army fell back and he was left inside of enemy lines.  As soon as restored to health he called a number of our boys together and submitted plans for equipping all who would join him and at the same time do good service.  They readily consented.  His men, knowing every foot of ground in Williamson County, enabled them to be very successful in all of their movements.  Inside of two months, they captured four wagon trains; some were saved and some burnt.  Their finest sport was running the pickets into Franklin and capturing a few well-equipped cavalry horses every few nights.  Their parting respects to the federal army, stationed at Franklin, Tenn., was on learning that a large party of nrgroes was going to make a break for freedom, by going to the Federals at Franklin, and in order to aid the negroes a company of cavalry was to meet them and escort them into Franklin; knowing the night, Captain Tichenor managed to get only five of his men to agree to undertake the capture.  When the time came, it was a favorable night for executing his plan.  They stationed themselves on each side of a stone fence on the turnpike road, between Springhill and Columbia, Tenn.  He placed his men in a triangular position, on each side of the turnpike, and waited for the arrival of the federal cavalry.  It was the captain's plan to call a halt, and demand their surrender, and each man along the line was to demand the same, with a like command.  They waited until 11 p.m. and were rewarded for their patience by hearing the horses' feet and rattling of the sabers.  As soon as the head of the column was abreast of Captain Tichenor he commanded them to halt, surrender, and dismount.  The same command rang out in distinct tones from each side of the stone fence.  The federal captain called out, "Don't shoot, we will surrender."  Captain Tichenor commanded them to dismount, lay their arms on the side of the road, and form fours.  He called to his sergeant major to take the captured horses; then ordered the command to remain in their places, and instructed that five men be detailed from the troops supposed to be behind the fences.  His horses were brought up, having been held by one man, and they mounted when he gave the order for the prisoners to forward by fours and to keep in the middle of the road.  He talked to them kindly, telling them he would treat them well if they obeyed his orders.  All went well until one of the prisoners broke for liberty.  He was quickly shot and left on the road, and they had no more trouble.  Just before arriving at Columbia, they met the negroes with wagons and teams loaded with their plunder.  Captain Tichenor halted them and told them the "rebs" had captured their friends, and now to turn around and go back to Columbia.  They hesitated when he commanded them to obey or he would fire on them.  They obeyed in quick order when they saw the federal prisoners.  They arrived in Columbia just as the sun was rising.  It was not long before the town was aroused and out in full force to witness the night's work of six men.  Captain Tichenor was sent back to secure the federal arms left on the roadside and they were brought in.  The result of this daring venture was the capture of forty men, forty horses, all equipped, fifty negroes, and five wagons and teams.  The federal captain was asked how many "rebs' he had seen.  He replied: "I have only seen six, but on each side of the fence we left behind not less than a full regiment, judging from the number of officers who called out for surrender."  Captain Tichenor then returned south, to Canton, Miss., and was discharged from the army, because of disability of wounds, and married Nov. 12, 1863.  During the month of January 1864, a special order was issued, instructing that all able-bodied men should go into the army, and the wounded soldiers should go into the community and quartermaster's department,.  Captain Tichenor was ordered to act as provost marshall for Canton, Miss.  This order was obeyed, and it was the means of recruiting our army with a few men who were very loyal.

During the war, Dr. Tichenor was wounded four times.  It was his great fortune to possess money enough to pay, and secure the very best entertainment and attention when sick or wounded.  He gave considerable attention to our hospital service; being a chemist and medical student licensed to practice.  His opinions were respected by those he came in contact with.  Soon after the close of the war, Dr. Tichenor came to Louisiana and for many years successfully practiced his profession at Baton Rouge and elsewhere.  Later he came to New Orleans and has always been prominent in Confederate veteran circles, being the commander of camp No. 9, Confederate Veterans' Cavalry Association, for a number of years in succession.  When General Lombard was elected major general of the Louisiana division of United Confederate Veterans, Dr. Tichenor was appointed surgeon general on his staff.   

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