Boston Dispensary
Encyclopedia
The Boston Dispensary or Boston Medical Dispensary provided for "medical relief of the poor" in Boston
, Massachusetts
, from the late 18th century through the mid-20th century. In the 1960s it merged with Tufts Medical Center
.
, William Shattuck, William Smith, Samuel Stillman
, and Samuel West. Early benefactors included Benjamin Dearborn
. The charity incorporated in 1801.
By 1807, "the Boston Medical Dispensary, instituted in October, 1796, has afforded the means of relief to many necessitous persons, among others, whose feelings would have been hurt by an application for assistance from the alms house; as they are by this charity attended free of any expense by an able physician, either at their own houses, or at the Dispensary, as the case may require, and furnished with whatever medicine they may need, and with wine, if necessary. This institution is supported by subscriptions; the payment of 5 dollars annually, entitling tile subscriber to recommend two patients constantly to the care of the Dispensary. The town is divided into three districts; the southern comprehends all the south part of the town from the south side of Winter and Summer streets; the Middle from thence to the Mill creek, including West Boston; the Northern district all the north part of the town from the Mill bridge." Fundraising events took place at the Federal Street Theatre
in 1821, and Doggett's Repository of Arts
in 1823.
Through its history, there were many physicians who received their training at the Boston Dispensary including Oliver Wendell Holmes
, James Jackson
, Asa Bullard, Gamaliel Bradford, Pliny Hayes, Edward Warren, Henry Bowditch, Benjamin D. Appleton, Daniel Slade, E. Whitley Blake, and Buckminster Brown.
In addition to organizing the charitable provision of medical service throughout the city, the dispensary maintained a central clinic at no.76 Cornhill
(ca.1823), no.138 Washington Street (ca.1832), and no.25 Bennett Street, at the corner of Ash Street (ca.1858-1911). A newly constructed clinic replaced the old building on the Bennett Street site in 1883.
"In the 1960s, the Boston Dispensary merged with the Floating Hospital for Children and the Pratt Diagnostic Clinic/Tufts Medical Center Hospital. It also formed alliances with Tufts University School of Medicine which serves as the principal teaching affiliate for the Medical Center."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, from the late 18th century through the mid-20th century. In the 1960s it merged with Tufts Medical Center
Tufts Medical Center
Tufts Medical Center is a medical institution in Boston, Massachusetts occupying space between Chinatown and the Theater District....
.
History
Founders included Jonathan Amory, John Andrews, William Brown, John Codman, Samuel Dunn, Stephen Gorham, John Coffin Jones, John Parker, Samuel ParkerSamuel Parker (Episcopal bishop)
Samuel Parker was the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.-Education and Ordination:...
, William Shattuck, William Smith, Samuel Stillman
Samuel Stillman
Dr. Samuel Stillman was an American Baptist minister. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in South Carolina, he married Hannah Morgan and took a pastorate in South Carolina for several years....
, and Samuel West. Early benefactors included Benjamin Dearborn
Benjamin Dearborn
Benjamin Dearborn was a printer and mechanical inventor in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts in the late 18th and early 19th centuries...
. The charity incorporated in 1801.
By 1807, "the Boston Medical Dispensary, instituted in October, 1796, has afforded the means of relief to many necessitous persons, among others, whose feelings would have been hurt by an application for assistance from the alms house; as they are by this charity attended free of any expense by an able physician, either at their own houses, or at the Dispensary, as the case may require, and furnished with whatever medicine they may need, and with wine, if necessary. This institution is supported by subscriptions; the payment of 5 dollars annually, entitling tile subscriber to recommend two patients constantly to the care of the Dispensary. The town is divided into three districts; the southern comprehends all the south part of the town from the south side of Winter and Summer streets; the Middle from thence to the Mill creek, including West Boston; the Northern district all the north part of the town from the Mill bridge." Fundraising events took place at the Federal Street Theatre
Federal Street Theatre
The Federal Street Theatre , also known as the Boston Theatre, was located at the corner of Federal and Franklin streets in Boston, Massachusetts. It was "the first building erected purposely for theatrical entertainments in the town of Boston."-History:The original building was designed by Charles...
in 1821, and Doggett's Repository of Arts
Doggett's Repository of Arts
Doggett's Repository of Arts was an art gallery in Boston, Massachusetts, located at 16 Market Street. Its proprietor, John Doggett, was a gilder and framer with a retail shop near the gallery...
in 1823.
Through its history, there were many physicians who received their training at the Boston Dispensary including Oliver Wendell Holmes
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an American physician, professor, lecturer, and author. Regarded by his peers as one of the best writers of the 19th century, he is considered a member of the Fireside Poets. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat...
, James Jackson
James Jackson (physician)
James Jackson was a United States physician. He was a proponent of Massachusetts General Hospital and became its first physician.-Biography:...
, Asa Bullard, Gamaliel Bradford, Pliny Hayes, Edward Warren, Henry Bowditch, Benjamin D. Appleton, Daniel Slade, E. Whitley Blake, and Buckminster Brown.
In addition to organizing the charitable provision of medical service throughout the city, the dispensary maintained a central clinic at no.76 Cornhill
Old Corner Bookstore
The Old Corner Bookstore is a historic building in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. It is located at the corner of Washington and School Streets, along the Freedom Trail of revolutionary and early American historic sites.-History:...
(ca.1823), no.138 Washington Street (ca.1832), and no.25 Bennett Street, at the corner of Ash Street (ca.1858-1911). A newly constructed clinic replaced the old building on the Bennett Street site in 1883.
"In the 1960s, the Boston Dispensary merged with the Floating Hospital for Children and the Pratt Diagnostic Clinic/Tufts Medical Center Hospital. It also formed alliances with Tufts University School of Medicine which serves as the principal teaching affiliate for the Medical Center."
Further reading
- Boston Dispensary. Annual report. 1860; 1883.
- William R. Lawrence. A history of the Boston Dispensary. Boston: Printed by J. Wilson, 1859. Google books
- New building of the Boston Dispensary. Boston medical and surgical journal, v.109, no.22. Nov. 29, 1993; p.525. Google books
- Robert Willard Greenleaf. Centennial report of the Boston Dispensary. Brookline, Mass.: Riverdale Press, 1898. Google books
- Abbie E. Dunks. The Boston Dispensary, 1796–1962. New England Journal of Medicine 266:29-31, January 4, 1962