His practice was in rural Pennsylvania, and during the Great Depression he did, in fact, accept a chicken (or, more often, eggs or produce) from some of his patients.

Why?

Because it was the Great Depression, and they were small, dirt-poor farmers who didn't have anything else! And he could do that because most of the people paid him money.

Bartering doesn't pay the rent on office space, insurance bills, medical supplies, personnel salaries, and all the other overhead of a medical practice. And one family can only eat so many chickens, eggs, ears of corn, zucchinis, only need its house painted so often, or whatever, so bartering can only be a sideline.

There are names for medical systems that rely on barter to function. I think "third-world" and "medieval" are sufficient to get the point across: that this is not how it should work, and anyone who suggests it is simply doesn't understand the problem.

I think when campaign fundraising time comes, it'll be time to send Sue Louden a head of cabbage.