Beschreibung:

An extensive manuscript and photographic archive of Dr. William Stephenson Robertson (1831-1887), a professor of theory and practice of medicine and of clinical medicine at Iowa State University, consisting of 1900+ pages of medical reports and lectures, most handwritten by Robertson, the doctor's diary for 1861, 200+ photographs of Robertson, his family, friends, colleagues, and home in Muscatine, including 3 daguerreotype portraits of Robertson, and 25+ miscellaneous items regarding Robertson's work. Robertson studied at Knox College, IL, and graduated in medicine from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, in March, 1856. During the same year, he moved to Columbus City, Iowa where he began practicing medicine, and he remained there for twelve years. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Robertson raised the first company of volunteers that was recruited in the state, but for some reason, they were not accepted by the government. In June of 1861, he was mustered into the Army as Major of the Fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He actively participated in every march, siege, and battle of the regiment until July 23, 1862. Between 1868 and 1869, Robertson worked in the hospitals of New York City, and by the spring of 1869, he moved to Muscatine, Iowa. He was then offered the chair of theory and practice of medicine and clinical medicine by Iowa State University's Medical Department, a position he accepted and occupied until his death. The archive features 60+ handwritten and printed medical reports and lectures, almost all produced by Robertson, covering a variety of topics such as the brain, the nose, gall stones, pathology, rheumatoid arthritis, cholera, diabetes, gout, diarrhea, hysteria, theory of fever, and diseases of the liver, mouth, stomach, and kidneys, among many other things. Also included are three copies of a bill Robertson printed at his own expense and presented to Iowa's General Assembly titled A Plea for the Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Children of Iowa. While serving as a city and Muscatine County physician, Robertson recognized the sad conditions of the "feeble-minded" children living in the county poor house, and realized that there were no government provisions for the care of these children. As a result of Robertson's actions, Iowa established a successful institution for the maintenance and education of the once neglected youth. Additionally, as the medical director and representative of the Department of Iowa, GAR, Robertson wrote a report on the Funeral of U.S. Grant, and a printed copy of this report is included in the archive. A highlight of the collection is Robertson's 1861 diary, written in the Franklin Almanac and Diary, 1861, which features sporadic entries from January through November. Many of the initial entries includes details about early events leading up to the outbreak of the civil War, such as the secession of certain states, Fort Sumter being besieged by South Carolina (January 3) and surrendering to the rebels (April 13). In a February 23 entry, Robertson mentions the attempted assassination of Lincoln, and on March 26th, he writes the following: Lincoln burns in effigy in Galesburgh [sic], Ills. for evacuating Fort Sumpter [sic]. Lunatical that bed of Negro equality - or rather Negro Superiority!. Robertson also makes note of a riot in Baltimore and the first blood shed in Massachusetts (April 19), as well as the notorious assassination of Elmer Ellsworth in Virginia (May 24). Robertson also discusses his attempts to raise the first company of volunteers in Iowa and his eventual commission as Major of the 5th Regiment Iowa Volunteers (July 6). In addition to the war, Robertson also discusses his duties as a doctor, mentioning specific patients and their health issues. He makes note of procedures or surgeries performed, including amputating a woman's leg on one occasion, and a woman's breast at a later date. An interesting diary of a man who was undoubtedly dedicated to his chosen profess