W. Eugene Smith’s Landmark Portrait: ‘Country Doctor’

2 minute read
Dr. Ernest Ceriani makes a house call on foot, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Dr. Ernest Ceriani makes a house call on foot, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
By Ben Cosgrove

For his groundbreaking 1948 LIFE magazine photo essay, “Country Doctor” — seen here, in its entirety, followed by several unpublished photographs from the shoot — photographer W. Eugene Smith spent 23 days in Kremmling, Colo., chronicling the day-to-day challenges faced by an indefatigable general practitioner named Dr. Ernest Ceriani.

Six decades later, Smith’s images from those three weeks remain as fresh as they were the moment he took them, and as revelatory as they surely felt to millions of LIFE’s readers as they encountered Dr. Ceriani, his patients and his fellow tough, uncompromising Coloradans.

Born on a sheep ranch in Wyoming, Dr. Ceriani attended Chicago’s Loyola School of Medicine but opted not to pursue a medical career in the big city. In 1946, after a stint in the Navy, he was recruited by the hospital in Kremmling, and he and wife Bernetha, who was born in Colorado, settled into the rural town. Dr. Ceriani was the sole physician for an area of about 400 square miles, inhabited by some 2,000 people.

Eugene Smith’s at-times almost unsettlingly intimate pictures illustrate in poignant detail the challenges faced by a modest, tireless rural physician — and gradually reveal the inner workings and the outer trappings of what is clearly a uniquely rewarding life.

“Country Doctor” was an instant classic when first published, establishing Smith as a master of the uniquely commanding young art form of the photo essay, and solidifying his stature as one of the most passionate and influential photojournalists of the 20th century. In 1979, the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund was founded to support those working in the profoundly humanistic style of photography to which Smith dedicated his life and his art.

Dr. Ernest Ceriani makes a house call on foot, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Dr. Ernest Ceriani makes a house call on foot, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Ralph Pickering holds his 5-week-old baby while waiting to be Dr. Ceriani's first patient of the day. Pickering, a horseback guide to tourists coming to see the majestic Rocky Mountains, traveled from an outlying ranch to reach the doctor's office.
Ralph Pickering holds his 5-week-old baby while waiting to be Dr. Ceriani's first patient of the day. Pickering, a horseback guide to tourists coming to see the majestic Rocky Mountains, traveled from an outlying ranch to reach the doctor's office.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani sits at bedside of a patient as he assesses flu symptoms during a house call. When Smith began "Country Doctor," he shot for a period of time with no film in his camera, to help Ceriani get used to his presence without wasting precious film.
Dr. Ceriani sits at bedside of a patient as he assesses flu symptoms during a house call. When Smith began "Country Doctor," he shot for a period of time with no film in his camera, to help Ceriani get used to his presence without wasting precious film.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
In the backseat of a car, Dr. Ceriani administers a shot of morphine to a 60-year-old tourist from Chicago, seen here with her grandson, who was suffering from a mild heart disturbance.
In the backseat of a car, Dr. Ceriani administers a shot of morphine to a 60-year-old tourist from Chicago, seen here with her grandson, who was suffering from a mild heart disturbance.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani examines a feverish 4-year-old girl suffering from tonsillitis. Although most of his patients were children, Ceriani was initially inexperienced in pediatrics when he started his practice, and studied up on it whenever he had the chance.
Dr. Ceriani examines a feverish 4-year-old girl suffering from tonsillitis. Although most of his patients were children, Ceriani was initially inexperienced in pediatrics when he started his practice, and studied up on it whenever he had the chance.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Though he had no vacations and few days off, Dr. Ceriani did have use of a small hospital, which was equipped with an X-ray machine, an autoclave and an oxygen tent, among other medical necessities. Here, he explains an X-ray -- he developed the film himself -- to one of his rancher patients.
Though he had no vacations and few days off, Dr. Ceriani did have use of a small hospital, which was equipped with an X-ray machine, an autoclave and an oxygen tent, among other medical necessities. Here, he explains an X-ray -- he developed the film himself -- to one of his rancher patients.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The doctor tapes a patient who broke some ribs after a horse rolled over him. "His income for covering a dozen fields is less than a city doctor makes by specializing in just one," LIFE's editors noted, "but Ceriani is compensated by the affection of his patients and neighbors, by the high place he has earned in his community and by the fact that he is his own boss. For him, this is enough."
The doctor tapes a patient who broke some ribs after a horse rolled over him. "His income for covering a dozen fields is less than a city doctor makes by specializing in just one," LIFE's editors noted, "but Ceriani is compensated by the affection of his patients and neighbors, by the high place he has earned in his community and by the fact that he is his own boss. For him, this is enough."W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani uses a syringe to irrigate wax from an elderly man's ear to improve his hearing.
Dr. Ceriani uses a syringe to irrigate wax from an elderly man's ear to improve his hearing.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani examines the stitches in the lacerated hand of a young patient.
Dr. Ceriani examines the stitches in the lacerated hand of a young patient.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Two friends transport Dr. Ceriani to Gore Canyon so he can enjoy a few hours of recreational fishing, a rare treat for the hard-working physician.
Two friends transport Dr. Ceriani to Gore Canyon so he can enjoy a few hours of recreational fishing, a rare treat for the hard-working physician.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani fly-fishes on the Colorado River.
Dr. Ceriani fly-fishes on the Colorado River.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Thirty minutes into his fishing excursion, Dr. Ceriani is called to an emergency: A young girl has been kicked in the head by a horse and is badly injured.
Thirty minutes into his fishing excursion, Dr. Ceriani is called to an emergency: A young girl has been kicked in the head by a horse and is badly injured.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The child's worried parents look on as Dr. Ceriani, surrounded by nurses, examines their 2-year-old daughter.
The child's worried parents look on as Dr. Ceriani, surrounded by nurses, examines their 2-year-old daughter.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani has stitched the girl's wound to minimize scarring, but he must now find a way to tell the parents that her eye cannot be saved and they must take her a specialist in Denver to have it removed.
Dr. Ceriani has stitched the girl's wound to minimize scarring, but he must now find a way to tell the parents that her eye cannot be saved and they must take her a specialist in Denver to have it removed.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The doctor helps a rancher carry his son into the hospital. The inebriated young man dislocated his elbow when he was thrown from a bronco at a rodeo.
The doctor helps a rancher carry his son into the hospital. The inebriated young man dislocated his elbow when he was thrown from a bronco at a rodeo.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The injured elbow required a painful reset.
The injured elbow required a painful reset.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
"Don't tell my mother," said the young man. Still under the effects of ether, he didn't realize she'd been holding his hand during the procedure.
"Don't tell my mother," said the young man. Still under the effects of ether, he didn't realize she'd been holding his hand during the procedure.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani checks the blood pressure of 85-year-old Thomas Mitchell, who came to the hospital with a gangrenous leg. Knowing that Mitchell might not be strong enough to endure the necessary amputation, Ceriani had been postponing surgery.
Dr. Ceriani checks the blood pressure of 85-year-old Thomas Mitchell, who came to the hospital with a gangrenous leg. Knowing that Mitchell might not be strong enough to endure the necessary amputation, Ceriani had been postponing surgery.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
When Mitchell finally rallied, the doctor gently carried him from the basement ward up to the operating room of the hospital, which had no elevator.
When Mitchell finally rallied, the doctor gently carried him from the basement ward up to the operating room of the hospital, which had no elevator.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani gives the 85-year-old man spinal anesthesia before amputating his gangrenous left leg.
Dr. Ceriani gives the 85-year-old man spinal anesthesia before amputating his gangrenous left leg.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani responds to a late-night call when an 82-year-old man suffers a heart attack at a boarding house. Town marshal Chancy Van Pelt and one of the man's fellow tenants stand by.
Dr. Ceriani responds to a late-night call when an 82-year-old man suffers a heart attack at a boarding house. Town marshal Chancy Van Pelt and one of the man's fellow tenants stand by.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Knowing the man who suffered the heart attack at the boarding house will not make it through the night, Dr. Ceriani calls for a priest from the kitchen.
Knowing the man who suffered the heart attack at the boarding house will not make it through the night, Dr. Ceriani calls for a priest from the kitchen.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani helps the town marshal carry the heart attack victim to the ambulance. There, the country doctor will see that his patient is as comfortable as possible, knowing there's nothing he can do to save him.
Dr. Ceriani helps the town marshal carry the heart attack victim to the ambulance. There, the country doctor will see that his patient is as comfortable as possible, knowing there's nothing he can do to save him.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The treeless ranching community of Kremmling, Colo., stands on a 7,000-ft. plateau beneath the towering Rocky Mountains.
The treeless ranching community of Kremmling, Colo., stands on a 7,000-ft. plateau beneath the towering Rocky Mountains.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dr. Ceriani holds 11-month-old son Gary as his wife, Bernetha, steadies 3-year-old Phillip on a fence while watching a parade. Though they'd been married for four years at the time Smith was profiling the doctor, Mrs. Ceriani still struggled with the unpredictability of her husband's schedule.
Dr. Ceriani holds 11-month-old son Gary as his wife, Bernetha, steadies 3-year-old Phillip on a fence while watching a parade. Though they'd been married for four years at the time Smith was profiling the doctor, Mrs. Ceriani still struggled with the unpredictability of her husband's schedule.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A fund-raising committee in Kremmling was able to raise $35,000 in 1947 to purchase the home of the town's retiring physician and turn it into a 14-bed hospital. The funds were used to stock the tiny hospital with as much equipment -- some of it war surplus -- as could be afforded. Middle Park Hospital had only three wards that could accommodate 14 patients. With a new hospital in place, the town then put out a call for a new general practitioner -- a call answered by Dr. Ceriani.
A fund-raising committee in Kremmling was able to raise $35,000 in 1947 to purchase the home of the town's retiring physician and turn it into a 14-bed hospital. The funds were used to stock the tiny hospital with as much equipment -- some of it war surplus -- as could be afforded. Middle Park Hospital had only three wards that could accommodate 14 patients. With a new hospital in place, the town then put out a call for a new general practitioner -- a call answered by Dr. Ceriani.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
After finishing a surgery that lasted until 2 AM, Dr. Ceriani stands exhausted in the hospital kitchen with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. "The nurses," LIFE noted, "constantly admonish him to relax and rest, but because they are well aware that he cannot, they keep a potful of fresh coffee simmering for him at all hours."
After finishing a surgery that lasted until 2 AM, Dr. Ceriani stands exhausted in the hospital kitchen with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. "The nurses," LIFE noted, "constantly admonish him to relax and rest, but because they are well aware that he cannot, they keep a potful of fresh coffee simmering for him at all hours."W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani in the small Kremmling, Colo., hospital.
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani in the small Kremmling, Colo., hospital.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Doctor Ceriani checks 4-year-old Jimmy Free's foot, cut when the boy stepped on broken glass.
Not published in LIFE. Doctor Ceriani checks 4-year-old Jimmy Free's foot, cut when the boy stepped on broken glass.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ceriani examines his handiwork after the partial amputation of a patient's leg, Kremmling, Colo., August 1948. The patient, Thomas Mitchell, was suffering from a gangrenous infection.
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ceriani examines his handiwork after the partial amputation of a patient's leg, Kremmling, Colo., August 1948. The patient, Thomas Mitchell, was suffering from a gangrenous infection.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. An operating room in Kremmling, Colo.
Not published in LIFE. An operating room in Kremmling, Colo.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ceriani with a patient.
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ceriani with a patient.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani delivers a baby.
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani delivers a baby.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Maternity ward, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Not published in LIFE. Maternity ward, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. An incubator in Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Not published in LIFE. An incubator in Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. The contents of a country doctor's bag, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Not published in LIFE. The contents of a country doctor's bag, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Doctor Ceriani and town marshal Chancey Van Pelt carry a patient from a cabin in the hills near Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Not published in LIFE. Doctor Ceriani and town marshal Chancey Van Pelt carry a patient from a cabin in the hills near Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani on his way to a house call in foul weather, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.
Not published in LIFE. Dr. Ernest Ceriani on his way to a house call in foul weather, Kremmling, Colo., 1948.W. Eugene Smith—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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