Howard Mellor patient records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/052

Scope and Contents

This small collection of Howard Mellor's ophthalmological patient records, 1894-1906, gives a detailed understanding not only of his private practice in Philadelphia but also of ophthalmological practices, procedures, and prescriptions current at this time. The two volumes of patient records are arranged by number (assigned chronologically as admitted) and include each patient's name, age, address, ailment or complaint, and Mellor's detailed notes on the progress of the case. Each volume contains an index to the records by patient name.

There is also a substantial body of correspondence and related material including referrals from and consultations with other physicians, descriptions of complaint or progress by several patients, and payment and billing matters. Physicians whose correspondence is includes are: William A. Hitschler, Alfred Stengel, Alfred C. Wood, G. E. de Schweinitz, G. M. Dorrance, John G. Thomas, Carey L. Lamborn, D. S. Marshall, James Tyson, and John H. Girvin, who was also treated by Mellor as a patient in 1899 and 1904.

Dates

1894 - 1921

Creator

Mellor, Howard (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Howard Mellor, Philadelphia ophthalmologist, was born in Philadelphia on 14 May 1865. He was the son of John Bancroft and Margaret (Larrabee) Mellor. Howard Mellor married (1) Minnie Hazen on 8 April 1901, then (2) Sarah Eleanor Hamilton on 29 June 1918. Mellor died of mitral stenosis at Sconnelltown, Pennsylvania, on 29 January 1940.

Mellor received his Ph.B. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1889; he then received his M.D. from the University in 1893. From 1893 to 1894, he served as Assistant Surgeon in the Dispensary for Diseases of the Eye at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed Chief Surgeon in the Dispensary in 1895 and held that position until 1905. In 1896, he became Assistant Ophthalmic Surgeon. From 1896 to 1902, Mellor was Instructor in Ophthalmology in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to Sconnelltown, Pennsylvania in 1914 and became an eye surgeon at Chester County Hospital. Mellor was a member of the Chester County Medical Society and served as its president in 1926.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The ophthalmological patient records of Howard Mellor were purchased by the Historical Collections of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia on 19 March 1982. Most of the correspondence and related material was laid in each volume; during processing, these items were removed, foldered, and filed by patient number.

The collection was processed and catalogued in February 1990.