Beschreibung:

Approximately 100 leaves, written on both sides. (Folio) contemporary calf with hand sewn binding. A fine, closely written day book of the early and very busy Massachusetts physician, Joseph Osgood. Written in a relatively clear hand, entries include the name of the patient and head of family, the medication administered, the amount charged in pounds and shillings and payments received. There were many recognizable remedies administered including cream of tartar, gum arabic, camphor, valerian, myrrh, opium, paregoric, Carolina pink root and other herbals. This fascinating day book preserves a wealth of medical history and the daily experiences of a doctor in early Massachusetts. Examples of entries include: "Nov'b 1, 1784. Mr. Asa Morse of Methuen. To visit to your wife and del'd of a son. To elix camphor, myrrh + elix paregoric" and from the same day "Mr. Asa Parker. To visit son Moses. To blooding in cubito." Joseph Osgood (1718 - 1797) was from a prominent family which included military officers and elected officials. Joseph was the son of Deacon John Osgood and Hannah Abbott. Educated at Harvard, he was first located in Boston, but moved to Andover to escape an outbreak of smallpox. Pursuing mercantile and pharmaceutical sales, he was often called upon to prescribe and became a respected physician. Joseph Osgood had two sons, Joseph Jr. and George, both physicians.