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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. 11)
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(seq. 11)

R: Dun Pock everywhere incrusted, she very well & good spirits, Bowells kept lax by Pul Cath & Mist Cath

P. Hunter, Scabbs almost all off, Mist. Cath.

Mercy Sally Hawes|, Pocksall scabbed & fallen off,Mist cath

Mercy Hawes, Very well, uncertain whether last last eruption were true Small Pocks or not -

R. Bradford, scabbs fallen off, she very well, Mist. Cath.

This Eve, I inoculated My Son John, with Matter taken this Day from the Legs of Billy Nothage, who has the small Pox the natural Way, I made an incission in the left arm, untill several Drops of blood flowed, then rubbed the Part with a Piece of infected thread, after which layed on a piece of infected thread, & bound it on the incission by Plaster, Compress & Roller - Takes Pul. Ciner. {grain} vj at Night -

This Eve, inoculated Sukey Forster aged [blank], in same manner as my Son - her Mouth is affected with Pulv Rubbr: she has taken as preparatory - gave Pul. Cath. {Scruple}j to be taken morrow Morn. -

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 12)
Complete

(seq. 12)

June 16, Sukey Bovey, scabbs very black & incrusted on face uses Wine freely, cold air, & Cascaril, Bowells kept lax by use of Pul Cath. very weak & oppressed. -

Polly Bovey, no Eruption yet. Med &c continued -

Sally Bovey, few scattering pustules - Use of meds lessened

Nancy Bovey, Ditto

{Hephzibah} Bovey, Ditto

Billy Nothage, Pocks more than half scabbed of, Pul. Cath.. ij – Mist: Cath.

{Benjamin} Nothage, pustules well filled - by far, - has been hectical & emaciated for three Months past. - profuse hæmorrage from Nose yesterday – Decoct. Cascaril –-

Sally Nothage, no Eruption yet. Med continued -

Josiah Nothage, Ditto . -

R. Dun, Pock half scabbed off - Bowells kept lax by Mist. Cath. - -

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 13)
Complete

(seq. 13)

Sally Hawes, Well

Mercy Hawes, no Eruption yet.

P. Hunter, scabbs fallen off.

R. Bradford, Rash with vesicular eruption, - Pul. Cath. ij – Mist. Cath.

Sukey Forster, Arm not inflamed around the incission = incision, but open & Moist, - Applyid some matered variolous pus to it, & bound on Bandage &c directed to be taken off on the morrow & only a Tallowed Rag applyed - takes Pul. Rubr. pro Re nata , Mouth still sore &c

Son John, Arm inflamed around the Incission & dischar ges, notwithstanding , which applyed a little variolas pus to orifice - takes Pul. Ciner : {grain} vj, quaq: Nocte keeps abroad chief of Time - cool & thin cloathed, Sukey observes same Regimen. - abstain from Meat &c.

June 20, Sukey Bovey, died this Morn, having thro the Course of this Illness voided many hundred Worms, the larger part of which from 5 to 20 or 22 inches long & large in proportion

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 14)
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(seq. 14)

Polly Bovey, has but few Pustules, & Symptoms lighter dilutes & keeps the Air, & Bowells lax. -

Sally Bovey, Ditto

Nancy Bovey, Ditto

{Hephzibah} Bovey, Ditto

Billy Nothage, Pock chiefly scabbed off. Mist. Cath.

{Benjamin} Nothage, Pocks scabbing off, has recovered very much since the use of the Cascaril, is stronger & better than for several weeks past.

Josiah Nothage, Has but few Pustules & Symptoms lighter - - uses Air. Dilute. & Bowells lax

Sally Norhage, no Eruption yet. Been complaining & feverish for 5 days past. - Warm {Pediluvium} -

R. Dun] Pocks chiefly scabbed off, - Mist. Cath.

R. Bradford, late vesicular Eruption dried up. -

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 15)
Complete

(seq. 15)

Island all the Time, - has troublesome Head ache. - Sal. Sol. & Lavend keeps Bowells lax with Pul. Cath – -

Son John, Eruption yesterday & day before yesterday has about 100 pustules, distinct & good, runs about all the Time, & chiefly without doors. - Ripe Fruits, & dilution & Bowells kept lax by use of Pul. Miste. Cath.

July 8, Son John well, Scabbs fallen off, Pul. Cath.

Sukey Forster Ditto. Pul. Cath.

Bovey's & Northage's Children, all of them, scabbs chiefly fallen off. -

July 8 Hospital West Benton

Miss Gamage, aged, [blank], had an eEuption appeared upon her Face, Breast & Arms on the Eve of the 6th {instant} this Day, I was desired by the Select Men to visit her, which I accordingly did, & found her with a distinct Small Pox, altho she was thick & loaded, Symptoms of Fever &c lessening. - Removed to hospital this Eve

July 9, Miss Gamage very comfortable, Pustules filling . . .

Last edit over 2 years ago by blackletterkate
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