The book covers three generations of the Thomas family including author Bill Thomas' grandfather, Dr Theo Thomas, who was a general practitioner in Palmerston for 33 years from 1917.
Dr Thomas, after training as a Methodist minister, studied medicine and graduated from the Otago Medical School "because he felt he could do more good as a doctor", his grandson said at the book launch.
A good deal of the work of a country doctor involved treating patients in their own homes, Bill Thomas (70) said yesterday.
His grandfather's diary recorded his first evening in Palmerston being spent with a sick miner at Shag Point.
This was typical of many evenings when the doctor was "endlessly" out on the road, his grandson said. Mr Thomas stayed with his grandparents and attended Palmerston District High School for a time.
He accompanied his grandfather on many home visits around East Otago between Karitane and Hampden and inland to Macraes.
He was instructed to sing to his grandfather to keep him awake when driving to visit patients.
The construction of the Palmerston cottage hospital, in 1926, of which Dr Thomas was superintendent, eased some of the burden of home visits for the doctors. Being the doctor's grandson was a plus, Mr Thomas said.
As a 5-year-old, he was delighted to be given a free lolly at the Palmerston sweet shop and a free saveloy at the Palmerston butchery when he went shopping with his grandmother.
Dr Thomas was "a joiner", Mr Thomas said.
He became involved in many organisations in Palmerston, including the borough council.
He did not just join organisations; he usually became an office bearer as well, Mr Thomas said.
Dr Thomas was elected mayor of Palmerston on three occasions between 1941 and 1950. The doctor was a man who was "devoted to his family and to his community", Mr Thomas said. Sometimes, the two conflicted.
Dr Thomas' family always liked to go to the Palmerston A and P Show.
Unfortunately, many country families often decided to combine a visit to the Palmerston show with a visit to the doctor's surgery at his home, the book records.
As a result, the Thomas family often missed going to the show.
The Palmerston street where Dr Thomas lived was named Thomas St in the doctor's honour.
In the Spirit of their Age has been self-published by Mr Thomas.
