Northern Dispensary of Philadelphia for the Medical Relief of the Poor records

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Scope and content note

Administrative Information

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Creator

Northern Dispensary of Philadelphia for the Medical Relief of the Poor.

Title

Northern Dispensary of Philadelphia for the Medical Relief of the Poor records

ID

1687

Date [inclusive]

1816-1904

Extent

3.2 Linear feet ; 1 box, 18 volumes

Author

Finding aid prepared by Susan M. Kearney.

Language

English

Abstract

The Northern Dispensary was chartered in 1817 for the purpose of furnishing gratuitous medical assistance to those who, though not destitute, could not afford medical care. The corporation, governed by a board of managers, was supported by membership, donations, legacies, and investment and rental incomes. It served the Spring Garden, Northern Liberties, and Kensington districts. The records consist of board of managers minutes, 1816-1876; Medical Board minutes, 1841-1872; register of patients, 1816-1862; in-door register of patients, 1873-1874, 1877-1880; occulists' register of patients, 1886-1888; and register of female patients, 1891-1896, 1901-1904. All of the patient registers record: name, admission date, age, residence, occupation, disease or diagnosis, and results. The earlier registers may record color and birthplace as well, while later registers are more detailed as to diagnosis and prescribed treatments.

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Scope and content note

In 1786, The Philadelphia Dispensary for the Medical Relief of the Poor was opened. Based on the European model of a free clinic to serve the working poor, this Dispensary was one of the earliest medical facilities to service the poor in the New World. After utilizing rental property in the beginning, a permanent building was finally erected in 1801 on Fifth Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. Before long, this facility was overwhelmed and two additional dispensaries were founded in Philadelphia: The Northern Dispensary to serve Spring Garden, Northern Liberties, and Kensington districts; and The Southern Dispensary to serve Southwark, Moyamensing, and Passyunk districts.

This collection contains records for The Northern Dispensary which was instituted on 1 October 1816 and chartered on 26 March 1817. Established for the purpose of furnishing gratuitous medical assistance to those who, though not destitute, could not afford medical care, the corporation of this facility, governed by a board of managers, was supported by membership, donations, legacies, and investment and rental incomes.

The collection of eighteen volumes provides a thorough coverage of the Northern Dispensary from its inception through 1862. Between 1862 -1876, the minutes of the organization are almost complete. After 1876, records are sporadic. In total, the records consist of Board of Managers minutes, 1816-1876; Medical Board minutes, 1841-1872; register of patients, 1816-1862; in-door register of patients, 1873-1874, 1877-1880; oculists’ register of patients, 1886-1888; and register of female patients, 1891-1896, 1901-1904. All patient registers record name, admission date, age, residence, occupation, disease or diagnosis and results. The earlier registers may record color and birthplace as well, while later registers are more detailed as to diagnoses and prescribed treatments.

Most volumes are complete and legible despite the fragile condition of the books themselves. The volumes are large and need to be handled with care, especially the oldest ones that often have loose covers and pages. There is a possibility that Volume 7 may not be from The Northern Dispensary. Volume 6 covers patients’ records from 1843-1862, and Volume 7 covers patients’ records from 1850-1854. Volume 6 records 459 patient entries for 1851; Volume 7 records 2281 patient entries for 1851. Given this overlap and the fact that Volume 7 records almost four times the number of patients, there is a possibility this volume has been misplaced; it might be from the central Dispensary that likely handled more patients than either The Northern or The Southern Dispensaries. Volume 7 does not have any other markers to help clarify this overlap.

In their entirety, the volumes provide specifics on many individuals from early 19th century Philadelphia, especially from the neighborhoods covered by The Northern Dispensary. One can learn names, addresses, countries of origin, races, and medical information. However, without any index, the task of locating any specific person would not be easy. In addition to what can be learned about the patients, doctors’ names are often given along with several lists of contributing supporters. Volumes 1 and 2 are noteworthy for insights into background and monetary facts. Volume 1, the Register of Patients from 1816-1831, opens with inserted newspaper clippings detailing reports on each of the Philadelphia Dispensaries from 1824-1828 and records the address of the facility as 373 N. Front Street as of 6 January 1824. The first patient entry is Number 40 on 17 October 1816. The page listing the first 39 patients is missing. Volume 2 records that $2.00 would cover 2 patients for a year; $4.00 would cover 4 patients for a year; and $30 would cover 2 patients for life. In 1830, the annual budget for the Dispensary was $1,474.52.

An internet search discovered two Annual Reports by the Board of Managers to the Contributors: one in 1870 and one in 1871. These are not part of this collection, reinforcing the fact that the records herein are not complete. In 1870, the address given for The Northern Dispensary was 603 Spring Garden Street; in 1871, the address was 608 Coates Street (Fairmount Avenue). The 1871 report can be accessed online through The State Library of Pennsylvania at https://archive.org.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; 2018.

Access restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Purchased, 1939.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

• Medical records.

Subject(s)

• Charitable Organizations--Philadelphia.
• Medical History--19th Century.
• Pennsylvania--Economic conditions--19th century.
• Public welfare--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History--19th century.
• Public welfare--Pennsylvania.

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Collection Inventory