Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Morton to Hans Sloane – July 21, 1711
Item info
Date: July 21, 1711
Author: John Morton
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4042
Folio: ff. 325-326
Original Page
Transcription
Morton’s entire family has come down with smallpox. Mr Vandergucht engraved ‘the Natural Curiosities’ for him.
John Morton was a naturalist who was in correspondence with Sloane from roughly 1703 to 1716. Morton contributed nearly one thousand specimens (fossils, shells, bones, teeth, minerals, rocks, man-made artifacts, etc.) to Sloane’s collection (Yolanda Foote, Morton, John (16711726), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19364, accessed 2 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Martyn to Hans Sloane – September 23, 1725
Item info
Date: September 23, 1725
Author: John Martyn
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 62-63
Original Page
Transcription
Martyn informs Sloane that he may be elected President of the Botanical Society. He believes that Sloane’s acceptance of the post would contribute to the advancement of science. The Botanical Society is comprised of ‘obscure persons’ so far as Martyn is concerned. He wants to change that characterization by electing Sloane its President. The next meeting is on Monday and Martyn will make an appeal so long as Sloane approves.
John Martyn (1699-1768) was a botanist. He became Professor of Botany at Cambridge, though he was absent most of the time. In 1730 he moved to Chelsea to have access to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Martyn published botanical works throughout his career (D. E. Allen, Martyn, John (16991768), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2012 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/18235, accessed 17 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton to Hans Sloane – November 17, 1725
Item info
Date: November 17, 1725
Author: Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: f. 89
Original Page
Transcription
The books Sloane sent have arrived at Rouen. Mrs Walpole sends her compliments to Sloane. She is six months pregnant.
Horatio Walpole was a politician, diplomat, and younger brother of Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He worked closely with his brother and represented several constituencies throughout his career as an MP including Great Yarmouth and Norwich (Philip Woodfine, Walpole, Horatio , first Baron Walpole of Wolterton (16781757), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2011 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/28595, accessed 8 Aug 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Martyn to Hans Sloane – March 10, 1724/25
Item info
Date: March 10, 1724/25
Author: John Martyn
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4047
Folio: f. 328
Original Page
Transcription
Martyn sends several papers. He requests that Sloane offer his support if they meet his approval. He could not deliver them himself because he has come down with a fever.
John Martyn (1699-1768) was a botanist. He became Professor of Botany at Cambridge, though he was absent most of the time. In 1730 he moved to Chelsea to have access to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Martyn published botanical works throughout his career (D. E. Allen, Martyn, John (16991768), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2012 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/18235, accessed 17 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
William Wotton to Hans Sloane – February 24, 1713/14
Item info
Date: February 24, 1713/14
Author: William Wotton
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4043
Folio: ff. 231-232
Original Page
Transcription
Wotton is thinking of inviting ‘Dr Thorp’ to Bedford. He complains that ‘Apothecary’s and Quacks’ are disrupting medical ‘practise of the countrey’.
Wotton was a child prodigy, having received his BA from Oxford at the age of nine. He mastered several languages and fields of inquiry and became a member of the Royal Society in 1687 as well as being ordained in 1689. He published many works on history, theology, culture, and politics and contributed to the Philosophical Transactions (David Stoker, Wotton, William (16661727), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2007 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/30005, accessed 14 June 2011]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Edward Tyson to Hans Sloane – February 24, 1697/8
Item info
Date: February 24, 1697/8
Author: Edward Tyson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4037
Folio: ff. 29-30
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 30]
Sr
Mr Hunt was with me to acquaint me
yt yr Possum is dead & I do design tomorrow
morning to look into his inside I should
be glad of ye Company if in ye mean
time you would take a little acct of what
Authors has described this Animall you would
oblige
yr Friend & servt
Edw: Tyson.
Feb: 24
–97.
Tyson wishes to dissect Sloane’s late possum.
Tyson, a physician, was known for his anatomical publications including that of an orangutang (Anita Guerrini, Tyson, Edward (16511708), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/27961, accessed 18 June 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Richardson to Hans Sloane – September 10, 1721
Item info
Date: September 10, 1721
Author: Richard Richardson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4046
Folio: ff. 130-131
Original Page
Transcription
Richardson writes of several people who suffered from the same ailment. It fell ‘chiefly amongst the poor people’. The epidemic killed many people. Patients have a ‘depressed pulse’ and ‘malignant fever’. The man who brought the illness from Lincolnshire is still alive, but has headaches. Richardson tried to contact the Consul, but he is traveling in France and Holland. He congratulates Sloane on the success of smallpox inoculation, noting that ‘it was practised in Asia long agoe’.
Richardson was a physician and botanist who traveled widely in England, Wales, and Scotland in search of rare specimens. He corresponded and exchanged plants with many well-known botanists and naturalists (W. P. Courtney, Richardson, Richard (16631741), rev. Peter Davis, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23576, accessed 31 May 2011]).
Patient Details
-
Patient info
Name: N/A Unnamed
Gender:
Age:An 'old man'.
-
Description
The man had similar complaints as above.
-
Diagnosis
-
Treatment
Previous Treatment: He took an 'alexipharmick Electuary and Julape' applied to 'his legs'. The man was blistered.
Ongoing Treatment: A 'string Infusion of serpent virgin: serrd: Rat: ther: Innend: et Rorisanserum. made with malt spirits'.
Response: Treatment 'had no effect not the least blister appearing'. Further blisters 'appeared under the the plaisters but [...] no discharge was made but the skin appeared very white'. The man 'went of in convulsions'.
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More information
-
Medical problem reference
Death, Colds, Eyes, Convulsions, Death, Eyes, Convulsions, Death
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Richardson to Hans Sloane – September 10, 1721
Item info
Date: September 10, 1721
Author: Richard Richardson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4046
Folio: ff. 130-131
Original Page
Transcription
Richardson writes of several people who suffered from the same ailment. It fell ‘chiefly amongst the poor people’. The epidemic killed many people. Patients have a ‘depressed pulse’ and ‘malignant fever’. The man who brought the illness from Lincolnshire is still alive, but has headaches. Richardson tried to contact the Consul, but he is traveling in France and Holland. He congratulates Sloane on the success of smallpox inoculation, noting that ‘it was practised in Asia long agoe’.
Richardson was a physician and botanist who traveled widely in England, Wales, and Scotland in search of rare specimens. He corresponded and exchanged plants with many well-known botanists and naturalists (W. P. Courtney, Richardson, Richard (16631741), rev. Peter Davis, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23576, accessed 31 May 2011]).
Patient Details
-
Patient info
Name: N/A Unnamed
Gender:
Age:An 'old man'.
-
Description
The man had similar complaints as above.
-
Diagnosis
-
Treatment
Previous Treatment: He took an 'alexipharmick Electuary and Julape' applied to 'his legs'. The man was blistered.
Ongoing Treatment: A 'string Infusion of serpent virgin: serrd: Rat: ther: Innend: et Rorisanserum. made with malt spirits'.
Response: Treatment 'had no effect not the least blister appearing'. Further blisters 'appeared under the the plaisters but [...] no discharge was made but the skin appeared very white'. The man 'went of in convulsions'.
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More information
-
Medical problem reference
Death, Colds, Eyes, Convulsions, Death, Eyes, Convulsions, Death
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Richardson to Hans Sloane – September 10, 1721
Item info
Date: September 10, 1721
Author: Richard Richardson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4046
Folio: ff. 130-131
Original Page
Transcription
Richardson writes of several people who suffered from the same ailment. It fell ‘chiefly amongst the poor people’. The epidemic killed many people. Patients have a ‘depressed pulse’ and ‘malignant fever’. The man who brought the illness from Lincolnshire is still alive, but has headaches. Richardson tried to contact the Consul, but he is traveling in France and Holland. He congratulates Sloane on the success of smallpox inoculation, noting that ‘it was practised in Asia long agoe’.
Richardson was a physician and botanist who traveled widely in England, Wales, and Scotland in search of rare specimens. He corresponded and exchanged plants with many well-known botanists and naturalists (W. P. Courtney, Richardson, Richard (16631741), rev. Peter Davis, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23576, accessed 31 May 2011]).
Patient Details
-
Patient info
Name: N/A Poor Man's Wife
Gender:
Age:An 'old man'.
-
Description
The man had similar complaints as above.
-
Diagnosis
-
Treatment
Previous Treatment: He took an 'alexipharmick Electuary and Julape' applied to 'his legs'. The man was blistered.
Ongoing Treatment: A 'string Infusion of serpent virgin: serrd: Rat: ther: Innend: et Rorisanserum. made with malt spirits'.
Response: Treatment 'had no effect not the least blister appearing'. Further blisters 'appeared under the the plaisters but [...] no discharge was made but the skin appeared very white'. The man 'went of in convulsions'.
-
More information
-
Medical problem reference
Death, Colds, Eyes, Convulsions, Death, Eyes, Convulsions, Death
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Richardson to Hans Sloane – November 4, 1721
Item info
Date: November 4, 1721
Author: Richard Richardson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4046
Folio: ff. 144-145
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 145]
Hon:d Sir
I deferred making my returne to your last obliging letter till I could give you some satisfactory account of the malignant Fevere which has been so fatall in this place which is now very much abated, not above three or fouer persons are dead of it since my last, & all of them old persons; it has of late appeared to be of the intermitting kind in some a regulare tertion & in others a double tertion when it showd it selfe of this kind I was in hopes that the Bark might have been of very great use, but upon repeated trials I found it did not answer my expectation without the addition of Alexapharmick & these alone were of more service; those yt perspired pretty freely recovered the best; one thing I generally observed that the sweat of these persons had an usuall suffocalinty smel, I was desired to visit a neighboure who was seized with a paralytic motion in his left side I found upon in: :quiry that this reaction was periodical & had returned about twelve o clock for three or fouer days swieffively, & continued about two houres in each pmaxyme; by the use of alexapharmaticks he is now recoverd, though the fits continued upon him about fourteen days. I was shown a poor man in Bradford by an Apothecarry there, who in his fitts had such indent motions in his leggs & armes that (dark) the bent of the skin from his leggs & ellbows, & was forced to (^) his lyed sown in his bed though at the same time he was perfectly sensible. I ordered him to be blushed in severall places & by the use of Alex: :apharmatick is in a prossessing was of recovery.
Woodcocks are come to as trip year sooner then usuall; perhaps you may not have them yet in the fourth in plenty, which makes me take the freedome to send you a pott of them on Wednesday last by Tho: Fenton a Bradford Carrier.
Fol. 145v
that they came to you safe & in good order wil be very velu[…] accounts to
Hon’d Sr
Ric: Richardson
North Bierley
Nov: 4th 1721
Richardson was a physician and botanist who traveled widely in England, Wales, and Scotland in search of rare specimens. He corresponded and exchanged plants with many well-known botanists and naturalists (W. P. Courtney, Richardson, Richard (16631741), rev. Peter Davis, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23576, accessed 31 May 2011]).
Patient Details
-
Patient info
Name: N/A Neighbor
Gender:
Age:
-
Description
The man is from Bradbury and was visited by an apothecary. He had 'violent motions in his leggs and armes'. The man was bedridden.
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Diagnosis
-
Treatment
Previous Treatment: Richardson had the man 'blistred in several places' and prescribed 'Alexapharmicks'.
Ongoing Treatment:
Response: The man is recovering.
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More information
-
Medical problem reference
Convulsions, Fevers, Convulsions