Albert S. Ashmead papers
Scope and Contents
The Albert S. Ashmead papers (1875-1910) is a fine collection
documenting the professional experiences of a well known American
leprologist. The focus of the collection is Ashmead's correspondence
with other leprologist and international figures concerning
the 1897 Berlin lepra conference. The collection also contains
manuscripts of Ashmead's articles, the text for an unpublished
anthology on Japanese medicine, and research notes and translations
of articles concerning leprosy and anthropology.
Series 1, Biographical and Genealogical, contains newsclippings
and a typescript entry with Ashmead's mendations from the National
Cyclopedia of American Biography (1894-1909).
Ashmead's correspondence received (1875-1910) in Series
contains the most historically significant items in the collection.
There is extensive correspondence concerning the 1897 Berlin
Lepra Conference from Edvard Ehlers, Jules Goldschmidt, G. Armauer
Hansen, and Jonathan Hutchinson.
Other highlights include: Luis F. Alvarez, who describes
the use of Carrasquilla's serum to treat leprosy; A. F. Bandelieron
the illnesses of Peruvian Indians; G. M. Bowie's reports of
leprosy cures; C. H. Branson's extensive account of his experiences
as a leper (1910); D. G. Brinton's theories on the history of
leprosy; correspondence from Juan deDiosCarrasquilla and Sebastian
Carrasquilla; C. L. Conrardy's descriptions of his missions
to lepers in Louisiana and china; Francisco Grana's 1907 account
of inoculating llamas for syphilis; R. G. Haliburton on anthropological
matters; a 1903 letter from Charles Hartzell, Acting Governor
of Puerto Rico, concerning a scandal at the leper colony on
Cabras Island; correspondence and a photograph from A. W. Hitt concerning
leprosy in India; Luther F. McKinney on leprosy in Columbia;
an 1895 letter from Clarence B. Moore on archeological evidence for pre Columbian syphilis;correspondence
from H. Polakowsky concerning the dispute with Rudolf Virchow;
correspondence from Alfred Stille describing his reactions to
Ashmead's published writings; and correspondence from Julio
C. Tello. Many items not written in English have Ashmead's
translations attached.
Series 2 also contains copies of Ashmead's outgoing correspondence
(1896-1897) concerning the 1897 conference. Major correspondents
are Edvard Ehlers and Jules Goldschmidt.
Photographs of lepers (1896 and 1901) and of a Japanese leprosy
nurse (ca. 1885), are contained in Series 3.
A small collection of Ashmead's manuscripts are preserved
in series 4. There is one folder of miscellaneous short pieces,mostly
newspaper submissions (1880-1909), as well as four lengthy manuscripts
on leprosy, tuberculosis, and Japan.
Series 5 contains printed materials and folders of newsclippings
on ambidexterity, anthropology, and leprosy. The leprosy folder
also contains a handbill, dated 22 January 1897, concerning
the proposed conference which was sent to international leprologists
from Ashmead as well as the text of the 1902 Platt leper bill.
In 1893, Ashmead assembled numerous translations of German and
French articles on leprosy, kakke [beriberi], and miscellaneous
Japanese medical and descriptive matters. Many of these articles
were written by Albrecht Wernich, and some were translated by
Ashmead himself. The collection was dedicated to the medical
profession of Japan, as Ashmead maintained that:
These valuable sources of information on subjects deeply
interesting to the Japanese people ought to be made easily accessible
to that large majority of Japanese physicians who speak English
and are not proficient enough in German or French to avail themselves
of some remarkable ideas and experiments published in these
languages.
This extensive text, entitled "Collection of some foreign
opinions on pathological matters peculiar to Japan" does
not appear to have ever been published.
Series 7 consists of Ashmead's research files on several subjects,
principally leprosy. There are several texts and translations
and information on the Berlin anthropological society debate
with Rudolf Virchow.
A few documents written in Japanese, including a history
of medicine in Japan (1874) and a report sent to Ashmead on sickness in the Japanese army in 1874-1875, are contained in Series 8. This series also includes a newsclipping concerning Jesse James and some leaves from a wreath placed on James' tomb.
Dates
- Creation: 1869 - 1910
Creator
- Ashmead, Albert S. (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Albert Sydney Ashmead, Jr., was born in Philadelphia on
4 April 1850. His parents were Albert Sydney Ashmead, amerchant,
and Elizabeth Graham. After receiving his primaryeducation
at the Hastings Academy in West Philadelphia,Ashmead received
his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvaniain 1869. He then
took an auxiliary medical course at theUniversity as well as
a post graduate course at JeffersonMedical College. From 1871
to 1873, Ashmead practicedmedicine in Philadelphia.
In 1873, he was called to Washington to attend Prince
Adzumo,brother of the Emperor of Japan. Ashmead was subsequently appointed
Foreign Medical Director of the Tokyo Fu Hospital in Japan.
He also taught the first class of students at the medical school
of the Tokyo Charity Hospital. Ashmead returned to the United
States in 1876. He then practicedmedicine in Doniphan County,
Kansas, was the first assistant surgeon for the St. Joseph and
Denver City Railroad, and examining surgeon for the U. S. Pension
Bureau. In 1882,Ashmead moved to New York City to practice
medicine.
In New York, Ashmead pursued his primary medical interest the
study of leprosy. He was a motivating force behind the formation
of the first International Leprosy Congress, held in Berlin
in 1897; representatives of twenty two governments were present.
Absolute isolation of all lepers was proposed but defeated during
the course of the conference. Ashmead was a firm believer in
the contagiousness of leprosy and was the author of the Platt
leper bill which came before the U.S.Senate on 22 January 1902.
The bill advocated the appointment of a national commissioner
of leprosy, the foundation of a national leper home, funding
for leprosaria throughout the country, strict isolation of all
lepers in American, and a ban on emigration of lepers into the
country.
Ashmead also pursued research in syphilis, insanity,pellagra,
and Asiatic diseases such as beriberi. He was a keen anthropologist,
particularly interested in the origins of diseases, and, in
the 1890s, became involved in a scholarly dispute with Rudolf
Virchow over leprosy in preColumbian Peru.
He was a member of the University of Pennsylvania medical club,
a corresponding member of the Berlin anthropological society,
and the Medical Society of Japan.
Ashmead married Florence M. Fleming in 1873. They divorced
in1880. They had one son, David Fleming Ashmead. Ashmead
then married Isabella M. Wale in 1883; they had three sons,Graham,
John, and Robert, and three daughters, Jean, Anne,and Allie.
Albert S. Ashmead died in Philadelphia on 20 February
1911 after an intestinal operation.
Full Extent
5 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Albert S. Ashmead papers (1875-1910) is a fine collection documenting the professional experiences of a well-known American leprologist. The focus of the collection is Ashmead's correspondence with other leprologist and international figures concerning the 1897 Berlin lepra conference. The collection also contains manuscripts of Ashmead's articles, the text for an unpublished anthology on Japanese medicine, and research notes and translations of articles concerning leprosy and anthropology.
Custodial History
The Ashmead Papers were presented to the Library of the college
of Physicians by Albert S. Ashmead on 15 February 1910. This
gift also included some four books and fifty six pamphlets which
were integrated with the Library's holdings.In a letter, dated
4 February 1910, to Charles Perry Fisher,Ashmead says:
"Altogether the collection represents to me many
years of persistent, hard study and almost unendurable
toil. It is a collection pertaining to the work of
one American physician. When we take into the account of work
done by so many others of us, we can foot up a sum in behalf
of American Medicine that would compare favorably with that
of any other country on the globe."
The collection was roughly sorted by Lisa Frierman during
the winter of 1974-1975, and a calendar of the correspondence
was produced. The collection was fully processed in August
1989.
- Title
- Albert S. Ashmead papers
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
