mums256 R.N. Lambert Ledger, 1829-1834 Finding Aid Finding aid prepared by Lisa May. Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA

2003

Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Eric Cartier. 2003-05-08 Finding aid written in English. 2005-09-23 mu81 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02-5c.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst R.N. Lambert Ledger, 1829-1834 Finding Aid Manuscript Number 256 Compiled by Lisa May July 1989 Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Collection Overview Lambert, R.N. R.N. Lambert Ledger 1829-1834 MS 256 1 volume (0.25 linear ft.) Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst Physician who practiced in Upton, Massachusetts. Ledger includes two-column account entries mentioning the services he performed (such as the extraction of teeth, vaccination, and childbirth), the medicines he prescribed, and patients' (primarily women and families) accounts, which were often settled in cash or promissory notes. Also contains notation of his work presumably for the town's poor and a loose livery stable bill. English. Scope and Contents of the Collection

This ledger documents the medical practice of Dr. R.N. Lambert in Upton, Massachusetts for the years 1829 to 1834. The length of each account entry varies, from a few lines to several pages. The accounts are two-column, with debits and credits probably carried from a daybook. Almost all were balanced and settled at some point. Lambert apparently preferred to settle in cash or promissory notes. A few entries listed goods or services. Credits included sewing, livery work, and payment in grains.

The ledger contains a loose livery stable bill and some scraps of paper, but no personal notations (although one entry implies Lambert boarded with Harvey Bradish). Most of Lambert's entries were simply for "journey, visit, medicine." Other frequent entries include extraction of teeth, vaccination, venesection (bleeding), and childbirth. He prescribed a variety of medicines, from castor oil and camphor to opium and sulpher quinine.

Lambert's accounts indicate he kept a busy family practice with members of the Bradish, Fisk, Putnam, and Rockwood families as regular patients. A separate account listed his work for Upton, presumably for the town's poor. In addition, many of his patients were women, with accounts listed under women's names directly (compared with married women whose accounts are listed among their husband's).

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: R.N. Lambert Ledger (MS 256). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Acquired from Charles Apfelbaum, 1987.

Processed by Lisa May, July 1989.

Search Terms Lambert, R. N. Bradish family. Fisk family. Putnam family. Rockwood family. Physicians--Massachusetts--Upton--Economic conditions--19th century--Sources. Therapeutics--Massachusetts--History--19th century--Sources. Vaccination--Massachusetts--History--19th century--Sources. Teeth--Extraction--Massachusetts--History--19th century--Sources. Phlebotomy--Massachusetts--History--19th century--Sources. Childbirth--Massachusetts--History--19th century--Sources. Women's health services--Massachusetts--Upton--History--19th century--Sources. Upton (Mass.)--Economic conditions--19th century--Sources. Account books. Poor--Medical care--Massachusetts--Upton--History--19th century--Sources. Medicine--Practice--Massachusetts--Upton--History--19th century--Sources.