Records of the Philadelphia Medical Society

Collection

Identifier: Z10c 38

Scope and Contents

The Records of the Philadelphia Medical Society include the original manuscript of the 1827 Society constitution; minutes; reports, including those from the librarian and treasurer; correspondence; records of a committee concerned with quack medicines, patent trusses, and specifics and patents, with reports on Swaim's panacea and H. Chase's truss against hernia; membership records; advertisements; and essays on a variety of medical topics by candidates for membership.

Dates

Creation: 1794-1868

Creator

Philadelphia Medical Society (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some restrictions may apply. Contact the library for more information.

Biographical / Historical

The Philadelphia Medical Society was instituted in 1789, first incorporated in 1792, and rechartered in 1827 "for the purpose of mutual improvement in the science of medicine, and for the promoting of medical knowledge."

The society was composed of junior members and honorary members. Junior members were medical students, and honorary members were practicing or formerly practicing physicians. Potential members were nominated by two society members. Once a junior member obtained their medical degree, they could become an honorary member.