Handing Down and Adaption: The Construction of the Material World of Health Care Technology in Spain (1855-1955)

This historical study uses qualitative methods to analyze and describe the components of the material world of nursing care in Spain between 1855 and 1955 based on the analysis of eight nurse training manuals. A total of 360 objects and 45 procedures were recorded. Manual analysis was carried out concurrently with data collection based on the Grounded Theory approach. Findings show that the material world of health care was composed of objects that were handed down by the medical profession to health care professionals and adapted objects, improvised mainly out of everyday household items. While the handing down of medical tools and instruments could be said to be a theoretical and technical achievement, it is not clear whether it was also a scientific accomplishment. The improvisation of objects out of everyday household items promoted by the manuals highlights the artisan-like and ingenious nature of nursing practice, which should be explored further in future studies to provide a greater understanding and promote the recognition of these objects as a health care technology.

Receipt signed by Charles Chauncey, 1771 October 1

Handwritten receipt signed by Charles Chauncey acknowledging payment of scholarship funds by John Sale.

Note from Samuel Gerrish to Joshua Gee, [1723 December]

This brief note from Samuel Gerrish to library keeper Joshua Gee is dated only as "Thursday Evening" and refers to payment issues related to the printing of the Library Catalogue. Gee refers to the note in his December 24, 1723, letter to President Leverett (UAIII 50.27.14 Box 1, Folder 7).

Letter from Joshua Gee to John Leverett, 1723 December 24

This one-and-a-half-page letter to Harvard President John Leverett concerns the printing of the library catalogue.

Receipt signed by Joshua Gee, [1723/4] January 14

This receipt acknowledges payment from the Harvard College Treasurer Edward Hutchinson for Joshua Gee's service in preparing the Library Catalogue. The receipt is dated as January 14, 1723, but presumably follows the December 25, 1723, vote of the Harvard Corporation to pay Gee for his services and refers to January 14, 1723/4.

Account with Harvard College, 1770-1771

The one page document records Harvard's debit account with Steward Hastings for nails and brads purchased between September 1770 and March 1771.

Copy of William Watson's account for painting and glazing of Holden Chapel, September 1801

Contains an itemized list of costs for painting and glazing tasks to be completed and supplies needed by Watson for Holden Chapel. Tasks include painting Doctor Warren's room twice, painting window sashes and shutters, transporting glass from Boston, and setting each window pane. Supplies needed include oil, white lead, and putty.

Annotated almanac, 1770-1771

Almanac interleaved with entries by John Winthrop and with sporadic annotations on the calendar pages. The interleaved pages include entries on the weather, scientific observations, and almost daily notes of social activities and engagements during the year.

Annotated almanac, 1771

Almanac with one interleaved folded leaf and annotations made by John and Hannah Winthrop. The calendar pages are typically annotated with one or two notes at the bottom recording household activities, and a tabulation of miles traveled. The laid-in leaf includes sporadic entries about asthma fits and household activities by Hannah Winthrop, and entries on firing the household chimneys, baptisms and deaths in the community, and a bill of mortality for 1771 in John Winthrop's hand.

[Correspondence originally sewn into the front of Volume 1], 1771-1783

This folder contains three letters originally sewn to the front inside cover of Volume 1 of Sewall's bound lectures (HUG 1782 Box 3). A fourth letter is still glued to the inside front cover and listed with the volume. The three letters consist of a letter from B. Kennicott to Stephen Sewall, May 14, 1771 and two letters written in French from Antoine Court de Gébelin to Stephen Sewall, one written on March 3, 1780, and the second received on November 18, 1783. The letter from Benjamin Kennicott acknowledges Sewall's letter to him and offers instructions for paying for a subscription to Kennicott's work. A portion of the missing text from Box 1 can be found in this folder.