(AMERICAN MEDICINE) [William White, President]

[Letter of Recommendation:] To the attending physician of the Philadelphia Dispensary. I recommend to the care of the Dispensary, believing [blank] to be a proper object of this charity ... Day of [blank] 17 [__]

[Philadelphia ?]: [s.n.], [1797]. Partly-printed form in broadside format, 7¾ by 6¼ inches, untrimmed and with ornamental border; a near fine example.

An 18th century health insurance card: the name of a needy patient would be engrossed in manuscript in the blank portions on the form. The form was then autographed by a contributor or benefactor concerned with the medical welfare of an impoverished soul, the latter who would then be admitted into the hospital. Six patient rules that had to be strictly obeyed are seen beneath, including the necessity of returning vials to the Apothecary. The Philadelphia Dispensary, i.e. The Philadelphia Institute for the Medical Relief of the Poor was instituted April 12, 1786. [See Mease & Porter, “Picture of Philadelphia...” (1831) I:21-23.] The Dispensary’s “system of payment for benefits sounds like present-day health insurance” whereby contributors who paid one guinea a year would become a “contributor” and in turn they would have the benefit of being treated by six attending and four consulting physicians and surgeons. [Marion, “Philadelphia Medica” (1975) p. 13.] Austin 1514. Bristol 10069. Shipton & Mooney 48228. ESTC W975. Not on AAS online. Shipton & Mooney, Bristol, Austin and ESTC locate only Penn’s; our example conforms to their measurements. OCLC, adds one copy only, Clements. [144574]

$1,650

see other items in Americana: Broadsides

see other items in American Federal Era (1783 to 1815)