Jeffries, John, 1745-1819. Small Pocks, 1775-1779 (inclusive). B MS b1.2, Countway Library of Medicine.

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Ledger containing accounts of smallpox inoculation by Dr. John Jeffries (1745-1819) at Rainsford Island Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, from June to July 1775; at a West Boston smallpox hospital in July 1775; and in Halifax, Nova Scotia, between 1776 and 1779. The accounts include dates, names, ages and physical condition of patients, and details regarding the method of delivery. Among the patients he inoculated was his son, John, at Rainsford Island Hospital on 14 June 1775.

Biographical Notes

John Jeffries (1745-1819), A.B., 1763, Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, M.D., University of Aberdeen, Scotland, was a Boston physician and scientist. He was an assistant surgeon on a British naval vessel when the Revolutionary War commenced in 1775. A Loyalist, Jeffries evacuated Boston with British forces in 1776, and worked as a surgeon in a British military hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, until 1779, when he moved to London. In 1785, Jeffries became the first man (with Jean-Pierre Blanchard) to fly a balloon across the English Channel between England and France. He returned to Boston in 1790, and practiced medicine there until his death.

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(seq. 6)
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(seq. 6)

Sally Northage, aged 10 years, no symptoms at present, Pul. Rubr. bis Die - Warm {Pediluvium}: at time of Erupti on. - Dilute & keep air - Avoid sun & heat to face

{Benjamin} Northage, aged 6 years, Ditto, no Symtoms at pre

Josiah Northage, aged 9 months, same Regimen, & Pu liner. bis Die - no Symptoms at present -

Hephzibah Bovey, aged 6 months, Ditto {Regimen} Ditto Med no Symptoms at present

Sally Bovey, aged 4 years, no Symptoms at present, Same regimen - Pul. rubr. bis die

Polly Bovey, aged 6 years, no Symptoms at present, {Regimen} & Med. as above -

Nancy Bovey, aged 2 years, No symptoms at present, P Ciner. bis Die - Regimen as above -

William Northage, aged [blank], 4th Day of Eruption, Load confluxed in Face & Hands, Breast &c no so corroded, Pain Belly - Pul. Rubr. {with} Jalap. bis Die - Dilute & keep up & have Air -

Sukey Bovey, 4th Day of Eruption, aged 3 years, consider:

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 7)
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:ably loaded, flatted & Pitted, but red around bases. {continue} Pul. Rubr. {with} Jalap bis Die -

June 7, My son John, aged 17 months, Pul. Ciner. {grain} vjj Night & Morn, as preparatory for Inoculation - puked him once each Dose, & purged him, after fin 2 Day and but {grain} iv in Dose

Suzky Foster, my Maid Servant, aged 24, Pul. Rubr. {grain} vj, Night & Morn, as preparatory, purged her

June 10, Sukey Bovey, Pock confluxed on face & Hands, tolerably elevated, Continue Pul. Rubr. &c – Delirious -

Polly Bovey, No symptoms, Med. continued

Sally Bovey, Ditto

Nancy Bovey, Ditto

Hepzibah Bovey, eruption not determined whether Small Pox or not. -

Sally Hawes, Her small Pox very favorable, not exceed ing 150 all over her. -

Mercy Hawes, no Symptoms yet. -

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(seq. 8)
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Rachel Bradford, Pock all scabbing off, Mist: Cath.

Rebecca Dun, Pock finely elevated, confluxed in face distinct & fine all over body & extremities, just so thick as to allow them to be distinct & very large, full of well digested Matter, Mist: Cath. operated very well. -

Nelly Hunter, Scabbing off. Mist. cath.

{Benjamin} Northage, Pocks just coming out, appear but few & very distinct,

Billy Northage, Pock distinct, & good, but very full & coruded, beginning to crust upon face -

Sally Northage, complaining No appearance of Pock yet

Josiah Northage, no Symptoms yet. -

June 11/12 Sukey Bovey, Passed no stool, 30 hours, Mist Pul. Cath. w/i Day - after that Pul. Rubr: vj - to use Night & Morn. dilute freely. - sits at window, cold air.

Polly Bovey, no Symptoms, - Pul. Rubr: ch . &, bis Die

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(seq. 9)
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(seq. 9)

June 14, Suzey Bovey, Pock scabbing on face & Arms, declining yesterday, & had a Rigor, much oppressed, took Emet which operated by Bowells & relieved her. - Wine & Water, Sangru &c Pul Cath so as to keep Bowells constantly lax. Pul. Cath -Mist. Cath.

Polly Bovey, no eruption yet, Med. &c continued

Sally Bovey, Ditto

Nancy Bovey, Ditto

{Hephzibah} Bovey, Ditto

Billy Nothage, Pock scabbing off, Pul. Cath continued so as to keep Bowells lax . . . Mist. Cath.

{Benjamin} Nothage, has few pustules only, weak & languid - Wine &c.

Sally Nothage, complaining & has been for several days - Emet. - After that persue Pul. Rubr

Josiah Northage, no eruption yet - Med. &c continued

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 10)
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(seq. 10)

Sally Bovey, Ditto. Pul: Rubr: + - bis die

Nancy Bovey, Pul. Ciner: + bis die

Billy Nothage, Pock incrusting on Face & little brown on Hands, Mist Pul Cathiv repeat pro re nata every Morn

{Benjamin} Nothage, Few scattering pustules, - Pul. Rubr: vj - bis Die

Sally Nothage, Complaining, but no pustules - Pul. Rubr. ch. + - bis Fie

Josiah Nothage, no Symptoms - Pul. Ciner. ch. + - bis Die

R: Dun, Mist: Cath.iijj Pock incrusting on Face Breast &c Repeat Mist. Cath. pro re nata - – vel {quaque} Mane

P. Hunter, scabbing off. -

Mercy Hawes, Few scattering pustules on Hands &c

Sally Hawes, As yesterday - Mist. Cath. pro re Nata

{Hephzibah} Bovey, Pul. Ciner. vjij, bid Die –

R. Bradford, scabbing off, Mist. Cath. pro re Nata

each of above Patients take cold air, by going out sitting at Window &c & all drinks cold. - Sit up as much as possible

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
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