The University of Iowa Homeopathic Medical Department (1876-1919)

Dr. William Max Rohrbacher (1887-1972):
Practicing Homeopathic Medicine in Johnson County

On June 12, 1912, after four years of study, Rohrbacher graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and, that night, married Elizabeth Petsel, also of the Iowa City area. After he served a one-year internship at the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital in Boston, they returned to Iowa City and Rohrbacher worked as a staff doctor and substitute lecturer for the UI Homeopathic Medical College until its close in 1919.

65. William Max Rohrbacher June 12, 1912 Wedding photograph. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

66. Elizabeth Petsel Rohrbacher June 12, 1912 Wedding photograph. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

Soon after the college closed, the Rohrbachers purchased a building at 811 East College Street in Iowa City. The back section became their home and the rest was converted into a homeopathic hospital, which they named "Rohrbacher's Sanitarium." Although the hospital burned down in 1931, it was rebuilt soon after, functioning a total of 51 years.

67. Dr. Rohrbacher's homeopathic hospital and home at 811 East College Street, Iowa City, destroyed in a fire February 8, 1931 Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

68. Dr. Rohrbacher's homeopathic hospital and home rebuilt after the fire of February 8, 1931 Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

69. Dr. Rohrbacher's hospital staff July 5, 1971 Helen Gay (left) was the receptionist and secretary for 30 years; Iva Hayes (right) was the office nurse for 50 years. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

Dr. Rohrbacher died at age 85, after his 60th wedding anniversary in 1972. Today, "Rohrbacher's Sanitarium" is an apartment building; two of his four daughters are still living, both in California, and numerous Johnson County residents remember his service to their families. 70. Dr. and Mrs. Rohrbacher on 60th wedding anniversary June 12, 1972 Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

Dorotha Grout of Kalona, IA patient of Dr. Rohrbacher

"If you had a sore throat he, or usually his nurse, used this glass tube, different ones for throat and nose. That was uncomfortable sometimes, but it worked . . . . . . . This little thing was screwed onto the end of the ultra-violet machine, sort of a box-like shape that sat on the floor. This tube came out from it; they would use a straight tube for your nose or a curved one for your throat."

Marj Dane of Iowa City patient of Dr. Rohrbacher

"Many people could not afford to pay the doctor during the Depression. One night, it was 10:30, and the doctor had been out for three nights late in a row. He came home and when he got to the entryway, there he saw a burlap sack which had two old hens inside. He had to butcher and clean them yet that night. Someone had brought that to him as payment for services." Alan Williams of Des Moines, IA son-in-law of Dr. Rohrbacher 71. Dr. William Max Rohrbacher no date Taken at Townsend Studio in Iowa City, IA. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

"They used to pay $2.50 for the visit, that included the consultation, the medicine and everything else . . . . He was never cross, took as much time as each patient wanted with him and had a good sense of humor. He was interested in people and often traded for his services. Each afternoon we would have an orange juice break in the office. All the workers would go to the back and drink orange juice with the doctor while the patients waited." Helen Gay of Iowa City secretary for Dr. Rohrbacher for 30 years

72. Dr. William Max Rohrbacher June 12, 1952 On the occasion of his 40th wedding anniversary, he was presented with this bouquet of yellow roses which, according to his daughter, represented the many babies he brought into the world. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

"I had been off work for a severe ear infection. I couldn't do anything. . . . . So, I just said to my wife "I'm going to call Dr. Rohrbacher." I knew he had very unorthodox methods of doing things, but I also knew he was an MD and was fully capable of doing traditional medicine.

Dr. Rohrbacher said, "Sure. I'll be down in the morning, 7 o'clock, at your house and we'll have you up and around." He came in and he brought in all these bottles: arsenic, belladonna and strychnine*. He put them in little packages and he gave very strict directions.

"By 10:00 you are going to be in a sweat like you've never sweat in your life and then," he said, "you'll be getting better. I think you could probably go back to work this afternoon." I laughed because I hadn't been back there for more than a week. But what he said was actually true. By 10:00 I was sweating it out. He explained that they would drive out the other poisons that were working and he was right. I didn't go to work that afternoon, but the next day I went to work." John Bixler of Iowa City Neighbor of Dr. Rohrbacher 73. Dr. William Max Rohrbacher no date In front of his home and hospital. Courtesy of Helen Rohrbacher Odom

*These medicines were homeopathically prepared with infinitesimal doses of the above substances. Do not attempt these methods on your own.

74. Case two of exhibit