J. W. Eighmy Notebook MS-0468

Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & University Archives
Title: J. W. Eighmy Notebook
Creator: Eighmy, J. W.
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0468
Physical Description: 0.20 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1875-1875
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

This handwritten notebook was titled "Practical Notes and Formulae. By J. W. Eighmy, M. D." by its author, and dated October 10th, 1875. It is a collection of 77 recipes and formulae for treatments to numerous illnesses. Eighmy wrote these in a blank book of prescription forms from "J. H. Burnham, Druggist and Apothecary, Commercial Block, Sutter Street, Folsom, California."
Formulas are included for a variety of ailments, including: whooping cough, "bites of serpents and tarantulas," gangrene, tapeworm, scrofula, itch, cancer, croup, syphilis, epilepsy, gout, dysentery, gonorrhea, rheumatism, diphtheria, cholera, and granulated eyelids. Some formulas are multi-purpose cures for a variety of health problems, such as the recipe for "Mexican mustang liniment." The entries also give dosage and proper length of treatment. Eighmy seems to have used this book as a sort of commonplace or scrapbook, pasting in newspaper clippings and cuttings towards the end of the book. These cuttings include poetry, informative facts, and popular maxims in addition to recipes for various cures.
One newspaper clipping is an advertisement for the author's patent medicine: "Dr. Eighmy's Magic Cure for Rattlesnake Bite." The advertisement, titled "A Wonderful Discovery," claims that this cure is "warranted to cure the bite of all venomous reptiles, hydrophobia, and the stings of poisonous insects in 20 minutes. Price $1 per bottle. Traveling agents wanted everywhere, to whom great inducements will be given. Prepared only by Dr. J. W. Eighmy, Brownsdale, Minn."

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for access.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are in the public domain. However, the nature of historical archival and manuscript collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, folder title, box number, J. W. Eighmy Notebook , Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.

Biographical Note

J. W. Eighmy, M. D., was a physician in California during the 1880s, and had previously practiced in Brownsdale, Minnesota. According to the Medical and Surgical Directory of the United States of 1886, the nearest post office to his practice was that of Antioch, California. This volume identifies Dr. Eighmy as an eclectic physcian, or one specializing in the combination of natural remedies and pharmaceutical medicines. He was certified by the exam board in California.

Accruals

9999-166

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Personal Papers
Medicine--Formulae, receipts, prescriptions
Eclectic medicine

box 1, folder 1

"Practical Notes and Formulae. By J. W. Eighmy, M.D." Folder 1 1875