Annotated almanac, 1756

Almanac containing two laid-in leaves and calendar pages with sporadic annotations of measurements, on the May page an annotation listing towns where Winthrop lodged. The first laid-in leaf has a short entry with structural measurements relating to an inclination of Old Stoughton College (January 21), and the second laid-in leaf has entries including notes on deaths in the community, the weather, an outbreak of dysentery (September 4), and the raising of a new Cambridge meeting house (November 12-17).

Diaries of Benjamin Guild, 1776, 1778

These diaries of Benjamin Guild document his travels as a Presbyterian pastor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The daily entries describe people Guild met and dined with, the food he ate (including strawberries, currants, watermelon, English cherries, and lobster), the funerals he attended, and the sermons he gave. Many entries relate to his health concerns (the ague and eye trouble), sleeping habits, and widespread public health concerns (including smallpox, dysentery, "nervous fevers," consumption, and "putrid fever"). The diaries also contain passing references to the activities of American, British, French, and German soldiers during the American Revolution; the invasion of Canada and battles occurring in New York are noted. In August 1778, after visiting Providence, Rhode Island, Guild comments on the disordered state of the city after American soldiers passed through it. He also recounts a visit by officers of the French fleet to the Harvard College library in September 1778 and describes his dinner on board the French man-of-war, Sagitaire. One entry describes an elaborate ball sponsored by John Hancock, held for French soldiers and "Boston ladies," and another refers to the "incursion" of Indians. Many of Guild's diary entries pertain to his work as a Harvard College Tutor; these entries describe his lectures at the College, meetings with colleagues, personnel decisions, and the examination of students. He also describes books he is reading and his opinions of them, the purchase and sale of books, and his desire to learn Hebrew and French. In addition, multiple entries refer to a man named Prince, who was perhaps Guild's slave. Prince sometimes accompanied Guild on his travels.

Letter from Fisher Ames to Deborah Ames Shuttleworth, 1805 August 27

One folded sheet containing a two-page letter from Fisher Ames in Dedham, Mass. to his sister "Debby" in Windsor, Vermont. Ames provides updates on the health of his children and individuals in the community, and discusses the summer heat, including mention of the likelihood of dysentery, and his attendance at "Mr. Montagu's Church," referring to the Dedham Episcopal Church presided over by Reverend William Montague.

Memoranda Medica of John Perkins, 1750-1773 (inclusive)

Contains notes written by Dr. John Perkins (1698-1781) from 1750 to 1773 on physiology, materia medica, and illness, including symptoms, causes, and treatment of conditions like mumps, dysentery, dropsy, and rheumatism. Also includes observations on children and on various bodily functions. There is an index at the end of the volume.

Cases copied by James Lloyd from Mr. Steed, apothecary in Guy's Hospital, London, 1751-1787 (inclusive)

Contains medical cases copied by James Lloyd (1728-1810), primarily between 1751 and 1754, from Mr. Steed, an apothecary at Guy's Hospital in London, England. The volume has additional medical cases dating from 1780 to 1787. Lloyd transcribed the names, ages, and symptoms of the patients, as well as the medicines and medical care delivered to them. The volume is divided into chapters based on the type of case, which included vision loss; fluor albus, or leucorrhoea; diabetes; and dysentery. There is also a letter pasted into the volume addressed to Dr. Brigham of the Boston Medical Library Association from Lloyd's great-grandson, dated 4 November 1887.