Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Fall 1999

Degree Name

Master of Arts in History - (M.A.)

Department

Federated Department of History

First Advisor

Lisa Marie Herschbach

Second Advisor

Beryl Satter

Third Advisor

Richard B. Sher

Abstract

Manuscript records open a window to past events and cultures, often serving as a source of information the like of which is not available in printed form. An examination and analysis of three rural New York State physician's case record books, maintained during the nineteenth century, provides insight not only into the evolution practice of medicine, but also serves to highlight the differences between rural and urban routines.

Case records produced during the first half of the nineteenth century, such as those of David Hanford, who practiced between 1816 and 1844, and Jonathan Johnson, who left records of his medical practice dating from 1827-1829, demonstrate aggressive plans of treatment. These two physicians were representative of the time in which they practiced, as they frequently applied techniques of bleeding, and prescribed copious quantities of pharmaceuticals. George M. Teeple, whose case records cover the period from 1847-1872, was much less aggressive in his application for medical therapeutics. He preferred to rely on the power of nature.

These medical records, when compared not only to each other, but also to published accounts or urban practices, define rural medical practice.

Included in

History Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.