York in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. George Holtzapple, The Breath of Life
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020
1. Dr. George Holtzapple, The Breath of Life Marker
In 1855, George Holtzapple had been practicing medicine less than a year in his native Loganville when he received an urgent message that a 16-year old Frederick Gable was fighting for his life against pneumonia. "Give me breath!" the boy pleaded to Holtzapple.
The young doctor attempted a daring, but primitive experiment to produce the life-saving element oxygen. The experiment was a success, young Gable was saved, and Dr. Holtzapple is credited with possibly the first use of oxygen therapy in the treatment of illness.
Artist: Wayne A. Fettro
Sponsored by WellSpan Health and York County Medical Society
[Caption on the mural:]
On March 6, 1885, Dr. George E. Holtzapple was called to the home of Frederick Gable of Loganville. The 16-year old was fighting for his life against pneumonia. Desperate to save his patient, he attempted to produce oxygen in an experiment believed to be the first recorded use. The experiment worked. Gable lived to age 91.
Artist Howard C. Imhoff, a nationally known commercial artist who moved to York & started the line of Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Cards, illustrated this life-saving event for a 1957 publication.
Erected 2000 by York Murals, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 39° 57.857′ N, 76° 43.594′ W. Marker is in York, Pennsylvania, in York County. Marker is on North Duke Street just south of West Philadelphia Street (Pennsylvania Route 462), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 N Duke St, York PA 17401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William C. Goodridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named William C. Goodridge (about 300 feet away); The York Fair (about 500 feet away); Lafayette Club (about 500 feet away); 148 East Philadelphia Street (about 500 feet away); The First National Thanksgiving (about 500 feet away); "Men who don't often weep wept then" (about 600 feet away); World War II (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in York.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020
2. Dr. George Holtzapple, The Breath of Life Marker
Closeup of the caption on the mural
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020
3. Dr. George Holtzapple, The Breath of Life Mural
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
