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Homeopathic Physician’s Ledger

 File
Identifier: SC MS 0376

Scope and Contents

As a medical Day Book each page lists date, name of patient, treatment and fee ($.50 to $2.00). There appears to be different handwritten entries. This ledger-style daybook measuring 33 x 21 x 2.5 cm bound in tan buckram over board trimmed with burgundy calfskin across top and bottom gilt embossed decoration on calfskin and black decoration on tan buckram.

Dates

  • Creation: 1890

Creator

Access Restrictions

Access Restrictions: Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Use Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Please inquire about copyright information.

Biographical / Historical

The Lehigh Valley was a cradle of American Homeopathy (see SC MS 0348). The Valley homeopaths employed a therapy involving a high degree of mutual participation between doctor and patient. Disease was individualized in each patient. Homeopathy was considered natural healing but some of the treatments are questionable. It is believed that Catasauqua, Pennsylvania had two homeopathic physicians at the time of this Day Book: Dr. Daniel Yoder (1833-1920) and Dr. Alfred J. Becker (1861-1919). Dr. Yoder was a well established homeopathic doctor of long standing who started a practice in 1858. He studied with Dr. Walter F. Martin of Weaversville and continued his studies at the Pennsylvania Medical College in Philadelphia graduating in 1855. He was a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Homeopathic Medical Society of Pennsylvania and served as president of the Lehigh Valley Homeopathic Medical Society. He was married to Amanda E. Glace (1843-1925). He practiced over 50 years in Catasauqua. Dr. Becker commenced study of medicine with his uncle Dr. Aaron Becker, who was a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Assistant surgeon of the 198th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War. He continued study at the Hahnemann Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons graduating 1885. He was a member of the Lehigh Valley Homeopathic Medical Society and the Alumni Association of Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. He was married in 1888 to Ella D. Schreiber (1864-1931). He practiced 29 years in Catasauqua. Among the treatments listed in the ledger are tooth extraction, tonic and anodyne, quinine and potassium chlorate, bismuth, battery and strychnine, dressing wound, astringent, febrifuge, cauterizing, carbolic acid, iodine and iron, medicine and advice, pepsin, morphine, ergot, arsenic, sulphur, laxatives, linaments, hypodermic injections, aconite, listerine - among many other chemical doses. Many of the patients came to the office on almost a daily basis. Among some of the entries are notations that a patient was referenced to the homeopathic doctor by other doctors (specifically Dr. Hornbeck and Quigg). Some patients paid by cash on account. At each patient’s name is a number apparently a file number for billing.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 ledger ) ; 33 x 21 cm

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A ledger documenting Nineteenth-century homeopathic medical practice in Catasauqua (Pa.) in 1890.

Arrangement

Entries are in chronological order.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, October 5, 2019.

Related Materials

SC MS 0348. Lehigh Valley Homeopathy, compiled by Ned Heindel. 1980. Rumble, Walker. “Homeopathy in the Lehigh Valley 1881-1920.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 104, No. 4, pp. 474-490. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Status
Completed
Author
Eleanor Nothelfer.
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English.
Sponsor
Lehigh University Library and Technology Services.

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)