Manuscript Group 442, James Henry Clark (1814-1869), Physician Papers, 1836-1914

MG 442
JAMES HENRY CLARK (1814-1869). Physician.
Papers, 1836-1914
6 volumes (1.0 linear ft.)

Papers,1836-1914, of James Henry Clark (1814-1869) and his son, James Henry Clark, Jr. (1853-1945), two Newark, N.J. (Essex County) physicians. James Henry Clark founded the Newark Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1856, the first organization of its kind in New Jersey. President of the Essex District Medical Society in 1867, he also decided disability and pension cases until his death in Montclair, N.J. in 1869. James Henry Clark, Jr. served as eye and ear surgeon at St. Michaels Hospital in Newark (1883-1915), and as Newark police surgeon (1886-1920).

Four volumes are those of Dr. James Henry Clark (1836-1865), and include scrapbooks of his writings and account books. Clark’s account books include patient names (primarily Newark residents), dates, examination, diagnosis and treatment, medicines dispensed, and fees charged. Clark’s published writings cover medical topics, such as the Newark cholera epidemic (1849), cesarean sections, the use and abuse of stimulants, lager beer as medicine, hospitals, and eye and ear problems, as well as religious topics and temperance.

A physician’s daybook (1888-1896) of Dr. James Henry Clark, Jr. is a daily record of patients attended to by Dr. Clark, with patient names, residence, illnesses, treatments, and fees. Also, a scrapbook kept by the two Dr. Clarks (1850s-1914) contains American Medical Association ephemera; College of Physicians and Surgeons memorabilia; letters, calling cards, and receipts relating to trips to Europe; and a New Jersey Historical Society certificate (1914). Other James Henry Clark papers, including a casebook and daily journal, are located in MG 826, Academy of Medicine Records.

Gift of Ann Borden-Smith, 1961

MG 442

J. HENRY CLARK

Papers, 1836-1914

Item-Level Description

JAMES HENRY CLARK: Volumes

1. “Writings of James Henry Clark,” Volume I. ca. 1836-1858.

Scrapbook of writings, publications, and clippings of his writings. Divided into three sections:

I. Medicine, II. Religion, and III. Temperance. Part I includes writings on the cholera epidemic (Newark, 1849); case histories; articles in the Newark Daily Advertiser on disease, hospitals, sanitary conditions; cesarean sections; the use of stimulants; Dr. Clark’s “reflecting otoscope”; sight and hearing; and “lager beer as medicine.” Part II includes writings on religious topics and local news including the Newark City Tract Society. Part III includes writings (some in the New York-Organ) on Essex County Temperance Society, an essay “The Present Position and Claims of the Temperance Enterprise, A Prize Essay,” (1847) and miscellaneous subjects on travel and local events. This volume also contains a poem (1845) and some letters (ca.1840s).

2. “Writings of James Henry Clark,” Volume II ca. 1858-1868.

Scrapbook of writings, publications and clippings of Clark’s writings. Divided into three sections:

I. Medicine, II. Religion, and III. Temperance and Miscellaneous. Similar to Volume I, this scrapbook also includes miscellaneous writings on recreation and local subjects in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., and clippings and notes regarding obituaries and marriages (1862-1868). Also, an engraving of Watchung Station in Montclair (N.J.) by Edward P. Clark.

3. Account Book, 1847-1853 (1857?).

Medical accounts, visit and fee records. Rough chronological entries include name, year, some addresses, “operations,” treatments, and medicines dispensed. Mainly Newark residents. The first twenty pages were turned into a scrapbook with newspapers clippings, primarily concerning Cuba and the wreck of “The Maine” (1898).

4. Account Book, 1854-1865.

Same as above.

JAMES HENRY CLARK & JAMES HENRY CLARK, JR.

5. Scrapbook, 1850s-1914.

Scrapbook with items collected by both James Henry Clark Sr. and Jr. Includes: valentines; clippings on travel, and Thackeray and other literati (1850s); American Medical Association printed material and pamphlets (1853); ephemera and engravings (1850s); calling cards, business cards (some in French), and hotel receipts relating to trips to great Britain and Europe in 1839 and 1845; letters to J.H.C. (1840); articles on women’s rights; University of State of New York/College of Physicians and Surgeons matriculation tickets, course cards, ephemera (1836); and New Jersey Historical Society certificate (1914).

JAMES HENRY CLARK, JR.

6. Physician’s Daybook, 1888-1896.

Daily entries of patients include: name, residence, disease, family member (wife, child, servant, baby, etc.), treatments, accounts and “monthly reconciliation.”