St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, 1908

File — Box: 1, Folder: 42

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: This small collection of papers of Robert M. Girvin includes personal letters from Reinhold L. Herman, 1876-1877 and 1898; letters from Charles P. B. Jefferys, 1875 and 1878, reporting on the health of Charley [Jefferys' son?], suffering from liver and kidney disorder; two letters, 1878, from Amos Row, containing inquiries about the use of "mannikins" for anatomical instruction; and letters, 18711872, from a former patient, Caroline McGehee Stewart, describing her experiences with menstruation, pregnancy, and tapeworm for which Girvin prescribed kousso [brayera].

Series 2 contains a lengthy daily account, 1871, by one of Girvin's patients [J.C.M.?] which describes the symptoms and treatment for cancer of the colon. The patient was treated with a combination of opium, enemas, condurango bark, and electricity. A few miscellaneous letters received by John H. Girvin, a physician and one of Robert M. Girvin's sons, are contained in Series 3. Correspondents include: John C. Heisler, ca.1900, J. H. Musser, 1900, and Charles A. Oliver, 1901.