Prairie Doc Perspective Week of May 10th, 2026
“Pump Handles and Public Health”
By Jill Kruse, DO
Health care is often thought of as something that happens one patient at a time in a clinic or hospital. Public health takes a broader view and is focused on improving the health of entire populations. In 1854, a London physician helped stop a deadly cholera outbreak by removing a simple pump handle. That moment would become one of the earliest and most powerful examples of public health in action.  Back then no one understood how cholera spread. Many believed it was caused by “bad air” or mysterious environmental forces. They did not know that it was actually caused by a bacterium that was spread through contaminated water sources.  
Dr. John Snow noticed a pattern. In London’s Soho neighborhood, a cluster of cholera cases seemed concentrated around a single public water source, the Broad Street pump. When he mapped where people lived, most of the infections pointed back to that pump. Even those who lived farther away, but became ill reported getting their water from the same source. Meanwhile, workers at a nearby brewery, who drank beer instead of water, were largely spared. The brewing process, alcohol and acidity of the beer made it difficult for the cholera bacteria or other pathogens to survive. 
Armed with this evidence, Dr. Snow convinced local officials to remove the pump handle. This cut off public access to the contaminated water.  After this happened, the number of new infections quickly declined.  That simple act marked the beginning of modern public health; using data, observation, and intervention to stop disease at its source.
Today, public health has evolved from reacting to outbreaks to preventing illness before it starts. Public health professionals work behind the scenes to protect and improve the health of communities.  They do this through providing education, guiding policy, and conducting research. They are the unsung heroes of healthcare. When Public Health works well, it can be almost invisible or easy to ignore. However, when there is a breakdown in Public Health services, the results can be devastating to a community and the effects are obvious.  
Federal, state and local health departments prepare for emergencies, monitor for disease outbreaks, ensure food safety, and safeguard water quality. They also advocate for health screenings in underserved or high-risk populations. Public health officials work to reduce barriers to care and promote healthier lifestyles for everyone. They may not be removing pump handles anymore, but they are still working every day to protect our water, our food, and our communities. They are helping us all, as we say on the show, to stay healthy out there people.
Dr. Jill Kruse is a hospitalist at the Brookings Health System in Brookings, SD. She serves as one of the Prairie Doc Volunteer Hosts during its 24th Season providing Health Education Based on Science, Built on Trust. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on SDPB, YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).

Prairie Doc Perspective Week of My 3rd, 2026
A Bump in the Crossroads of the Body 
By Andrew Ellsworth, MD


When was the last time you thought about your neck?


It’s easy to overlook, but your neck is a remarkably busy place. It houses the spinal cord, carrying signals between your brain and the rest of your body. It allows food to travel from your mouth to your stomach. It delivers blood to your brain. It contains muscles that support and move your head, along with your vocal cords, thyroid, and parathyroid glands.


In many ways, the neck is a crossroads of vital structures, and it can offer clues when something is not quite right elsewhere in the body.


Take a moment and gently feel your neck. Become familiar with what is normal for you. If you notice a lump or something that does not feel right, it’s worth paying attention.


Many neck lumps are not dangerous. Some are simply swollen lymph nodes reacting to an infection. A cold, flu, sinus infection, strep throat, dental issue, or even a skin infection can cause lymph nodes in the neck to enlarge. These typically improve over a couple of weeks as the body recovers.


However, as with any area of the body, if you feel a new lump or bump, consider an appointment with your provider to have it examined. 


As a general rule, if a neck lump persists beyond two to three weeks in an adult, it should be evaluated. In children, lymph nodes may remain enlarged a bit longer and still be harmless, but in adults, persistence deserves a closer look.


The feel of a lump can also provide clues. Lymph nodes from infection are often soft, movable, and a bit rubbery. In contrast, a hard, fixed, or rapidly growing lump is more concerning and should be checked promptly. Lumps that continue to enlarge or change over time also warrant evaluation.


Other symptoms also matter. Fever, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or difficulty swallowing are important signals that should not be ignored. Swelling in multiple areas of the body may suggest a more widespread process, such as some infections or, less commonly, a cancer like lymphoma.


Another common finding is a thyroid nodule, located in the front of the neck. These are fairly common and usually benign, but they are often evaluated with ultrasound to better understand their size and appearance and to determine if follow-up is needed.


Some people experience a “globus sensation” which is the feeling of something stuck in the throat when nothing is actually there. This can be related to acid reflux, post-nasal drip, muscle tension, or even stress and anxiety. Once again, persistent symptoms should be checked out. 


The bottom line is simple: if you notice a lump or bump in your neck, do not ignore it. While many causes are minor and temporary, some require further attention. When in doubt, have it evaluated.
A quick check today can provide reassurance, or catch something early when it matters most.
Dr. Andrew Ellsworth is a Family Medicine Physician at Avera Medical Group Brookings in Brookings, SD. He serves as one of the Prairie Doc Volunteer Hosts during its 24th Season providing Health Education Based on Science, Built on Trust. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on SDPB, YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).