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Papers concerning The Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America from the Office of the Secretary of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

 Collection
Identifier: CPP 1/004

Series I: 1818-1821

The collection contains letters, circulars, and reports, 1818-1821, probably assembled by Joseph Parrish, Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, documenting the College's contributions to the production of the first national pharmacopoeia. Several items addressed to the College from Lyman Spalding or the Medical Society of the State of New York describe the project and arrangements made for a preliminary meeting of delegates held in Philadelphia, 1-4 June 1819. These delegates were from medical schools and organizations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Also included is a report of Thomas Parke and Thomas T. Hewson, delegates to the National Convention in Washington, D.C., held 1-8 January 1820, and a report with an extensive list of emendations of a committee appointed by the College of Physicians in 1821 to suggest revisions to the 1820 edition of The pharmacopoeia of the United States of America.
Series II: 1832-1843 The collection contains letters and reports, 1832-1843, assembled by the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Phjladelphia, documenting the College's contributions to the second revision of The pharmacopoeia of the United States of America. Several items are in the hand of Franklin Bache or George Bacon Wood. Included is an 1832 agreement, signed by members of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, to adopt the standards of the pharmacopoeia; information on distribution of the published volume; a report de scribing the work of the College's committee appointed to suggest revisions; and a report of the College' delegates to the 1840 National ' . Medical Convention. Also included is a letter concerning the pharmacopoeia from German physician Friedrich Wilhelm Oppenheim.

Dates

  • 1818 - 1843

Creator

Biographical / Historical

The office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was created during the organization of the College in 1787. The Secretary is the appointed officer of record. His original duties were to record the minutes and transactions of the College and preserve its documents and correspondence. In 1834, the Secretary was also empowered to keep lists of the fellows and provide them with certificates of membership. In 1863, the responsibility for notifying officers and committee members of election or appointaent devolved upon the Secretary. An annual report on the fellowship became part of the Secretary's responsibilities in 1870. At this time, a related office, the Recorder, was created to keep the minutes of all scientific sessions. The office of Recorder was abolished in 1914, and a salaried position, the Clerk, was created under the Secretary; the Secretary devoted himself to matters of fellowship while the Clerk preserved the minutes and papers of the College. The position of Clerk was abolished in 1925, and his duties were returned to the Secretary. In 1990, the Secretary was empowered to perform "all the duties appropriate to his or her post as the elected recording officer of the College and assure the duties and powers of the President in the absence or temporary incapacity of both the President and President-Elect".

Extent

2 folders

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The office of the Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was created during the organization of the College in 1787. The Secretary is the appointed officer of record. His original duties were to record the minutes and transactions of the College and preserve its documents and correspondence.

The collection contains letters, circulars, and reports, 1818-1821, probably assembled by Joseph Parrish, Secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, documenting the College's contributions to the production of the first national pharmacopoeia.

Custodial History

This collection is comprised of two accessions.

The sources of both collections are unknown. They were processed and catalogued in 1991.
Title
Papers concerning The Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America from the Office of the Secretary of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
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Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
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