1890 New England Physician’s Daily Dairy Recording the Names, Addresses, Health Conditions and Treatments of Hundreds

On offer is an excellent record of a medical doctor’s practice in 1890 in New England.

The author of this diary is unknown. We know he is a medical doctor and context clues suggest that he is practicing in the Westboro, Massachusetts  area.

Each page in the diary consists of lists of patients seen and a reference to either a medical problem or a treatment suggested. It was not uncommon for him to see a 1-2 dozen people each day. And his work week was a 7-day week!

Beyond the individual patient’s names, the comments are very brief and many consist of abbreviations. In some cases, he notes the location of a patient, indicating that he traveled to see them. He writes patient names in ink and then notes about their condition and treatment in pencil. Some excerpts:

“McDermott 441 Fourth Going south on the horse cars, get off at Jackson, go east 2 blocks” [Feb 5]. 

“Vine, Mrs. 56 Chestnut = Obs. ser. Girl Stillborn” [April 14]. 

"Dyson [ ] in thighs, no pain, R knee, a weakness in walking, (eczema behind left ear, has med for lumbago and will take that, med for ear" [Apr 20]. 

“In New York at the semi-annual meeting of the State Society at Brooklyn” [Oct 1]. 

“Semi-centennial of Boston [ ] Med Society – Boston” [Dec 23]. 

For a medical historian or public health researcher, this is an outstanding look at one 19th century doctor's full year of daily practice. It is also a rich source of data for genealogists researching family lines and connections, including addresses, in this part of New England. 

This diary measures 5.75 inches by 3.25 inches and contains 365 pages. It is about 90% complete as the doctor took a few days off (or didn’t make notes) throughout the year.  The cover is intact but shows wear marks and some staining. The binding is intact and the pages are in good condition. The handwriting is legible. Overall G.