Health and Medicine

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Unknown Recipient
July 9, 1803

Benjamin Rush writes to an unidentified doctor and thanks him for his long letter as well as the enclosed newspaper clippings. Rush is glad to hear that his publications are useful to the doctor, and he comments positively on this doctor's own publications arguing against capital punishment....

Location: I-Willoughby-2009-1

Subject: Health and Medicine, Social Reform and Advocacy

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Benjamin Rush to John Rush
May 4, 1805

Benjamin Rush responds to his son, Dr. John Rush's request for money to help him settle in Charleston, South Carolina. Benjamin responds that he is unable to furnish his son due to economic difficulties, including the upkeep for his other sons: James, Ben, and Richard who "is still unable to...

Location: I-Friends-undated-4

Subject: Business and Industry, Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Benjamin Rush to James Orbison
April 29, 1808

Dr. Benjamin Rush writes to James Orbison, the executor for the estate of William Thompson, and asks that Orbison pay an outstanding bill for medical expenses. "I have taken the liberty of" requesting payment "for medial attendance upon [Thompson] in his last illness," as Rush explains.

Location: I-SpahrB-1950-11

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Legal Document, Memorandum between James Wilson and Seth Cattell
April 1, 1809

John Wilson agrees in this memorandum to release his medical practice to Seith Cattell for $600 per year.

Letters from James Buchanan to John Reynolds
1827-1842

James Buchanan writes six letters to John Reynolds on a variety of different legal and political matters, including the Presidential elections of 1828 and 1844, Buchanan's experience living in Russia as the US minister, and increasing sectional tensions. Transcripts included. 

Letters from James Buchanan to Thomas Elder
1827-1828

Representative James Buchanan writes Thomas Elder and discusses a number of issues in two letters, including the health of Judge Duncan, the 1829 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, cities that a transcontinental road would pass through, a trial of six Tennessee militia men sentenced to...

Hiester Muhlenberg's Notebook on "The History of the Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides
1829-1830

The first portion of Hiester Muhlenberg's notebook while a student at Dickinson College consists of synopses of each book in Thucydides' "The History of the Peloponnesian War."

Hiester Muhlenberg's notebook consists of synopses of each book in Thucydides' "The History of the Peloponnesian...

Letter from Charles Cleveland to Alexander Nisbet
September 5, 1830

Professor Charles Dexter Cleveland writes to Alexander Nisbet regarding his feelings for Nisbet's niece, Miss Alison McCoskry. " Almost at our very first meeting I found myself agitated by feelings that I never before had experienced," as Cleveland explains. Cleveland also expresses concern over...

Location: I-ClevelandR-1978-1

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life, Weather and Climate

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1820-1839

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Unknown Recipient
November 30, 1832

United States Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney writes to an unknown recipient, possibly a colleague, and analyzing the case against Mrs. Davison regarding a bond and debt. Taney predicts the Court of Appeals will follow the ruling of "2 Har. & Gill." In addition, Taney apologizes for both...

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-17

Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1820-1839

Letter from John Durbin to Johnston Armstrong
March 9, 1833

John P. Durbin writes to Johnston Armstrong about the title on a property in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as plans an upcoming trip to Europe. "As it regards my [trip] to Europe," Durbin explains that he "shall not be able to go before next spring" because of "the condition of my family, the...

Location: I-SpahrB-1970-4

Subject: Health and Medicine, Land and Real Estate, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1820-1839

"Suicide," by A. Herr Smith
July 9, 1840

A. Herr Smith prepared this oration, entitled “Suicide," for the commencement ceremonies held July 9, 1840. Authoring an original speech was among the graduation requirements for Dickinson College seniors at that time. Transcript included.

Location: Orations-1840-S642s

Subject: Health and Medicine, Literary Pursuits

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from Samuel Reynolds to His Mother
May 1, 1848

Samuel Henry Reynolds, a member of the Class of 1850, writes to his Mother about his health, conditions in Carlisle, and asks that his father send money for medicine. Despite "not feel[ing] very well," Reynolds notes that "I have considerable of studying to do this morning." Reynolds also admits...

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Anne Taney
January 19, 1849

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to his wife, Anne Key Taney, about his health and his daughters' unexpected visit. "I was quite surprised when the girls walked into my room," as Taney notes. However, as there is not enough room at that location, Taney explains that his...

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-5

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
June 15, 1849

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger Brooke Taney writes to attorney J. Mason Campbell and discusses various financial issues as well as health concerns. As "I do not know whether I have funds in the Bank to pay the [discount?],” Taney admits to Campbell that “my negligence upon this subject...

Location: I-SpahrB-1952-8

Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from William Wagenseller to Eli Slifer
1851-1861

William Wagenseller writes ten letters to Eli Slifer on a number of different topics, including funding a monument for his late brother and recommending his nephew for a position as a doctor in the Union army. In addition, Wagenseller provides information regarding a soldier who left military...

Letters from Charles Collins to Harriet Collins (Jul. 1851)
July 8-9, 1851

Charles Collins writes two letters to his wife, Harriet, regarding his trip to Portland, Maine, and shares news of their family and friends. Collins also mentions watching a doctor perform an operation with chloroform and listening to a lecture on temperance by John B. Gough. "[Gough] is a...

Letter from Dorothea Dix to Peter Vroom
July 27, 1852

Dorothea Dix writes former New Jersey Governor Peter D. Vroom to introduce Dr. Richard Stuart and mentions establishing a hospital for the insane in Maryland.

Location: I-Friends-1976-2

Subject: Health and Medicine, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
October 8, 1852

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell and provides an update on his travel plans. Campbell should expect Taney and his wife to arrive [in Baltimore?] on Tuesday morning because Mrs. Taney is not well enough to make the journey tonight (Friday). Taney notes...

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-20

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letters from Charles Collins to Harriet Collins (Jul. - Aug. 1853)
July - August 1853

Dickinson College President Charles Collins writes five letters to his wife, Harriet Collins, while on a trip. Collins describes his travel experience as well as the various meetings he attended. Collins explains that "contrary to expectation when I first came, I have enjoyed myself very much"...

Letter from James Buchanan to Lily Macalester
January 20, 1854

James Buchanan writes to Lily Macalester and describes his life in London as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom. "I should be far happier in retirement at Wheatland than amidst the gaiety of London," as Buchanan notes. Transcript included.

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Taney Campbell
August 18, 1855

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes his grandson, [Roger Brooke] Taney Campbell, and notes that he is glad to have heard so much from the Campbell family this summer. As Taney explains, he and his wife just this morning received letters from Taney Campbell's father and sister...

Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
August 25, 1855

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell about the summer at Old Point with regard to the nearby outbreak of yellow fever and the construction of a new wharf. While his family is safe from the outbreak, Taney finds sadness in the illness and death as well as the...

Letter from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
September 28, 1855

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to J. Mason Campbell and discusses Mrs. Taney's ill health. "Maria -- who was sleeping the bed with her -- discovered that she was making an effort to raise herself in bed -- and was unable to do so," as Taney explains. Taney also asks...

Location: I-SpahrB-1964-8

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Telegram from Roger B. Taney to J. Mason Campbell
September 29, 1855

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney sends a telegram to J. Mason Campbell: "Mrs Taney is dying. Charter a Boat from Mr Falls and send it for us as soon as possible."

Location: I-SpahrB-1964-8

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

Letter from Roger B. Taney to Joel Sutherland
January 25, 1856

Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney writes to Joel Barlow Sutherland and discusses the legal distinction between letters being "in the mail" and "in the post office." Taney notes that he cannot conduct further research on the question due to his ill health. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-1962-5

Subject: Health and Medicine, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1840-1859

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