Medicine -- United States -- History

Abstract

Samuel Cole Davis’s diary details his illness with “cancer of the lip,” as transcribed by Steven E. Kagle. Davis’s diary entries include the particulars of his medical condition and the treatments that various doctors attempted to cure the cancer or alleviate pain. Later entries especially focus on his attempt to atone for his sins and seek salvation as he approaches his death.

Abstract The memorandum written by Margery Mickle's husband (name unknown) recounts Mickle's illness with "tumorous pollypus" in the corner of her right eye and her nose. Her husband writes about the series of operations she underwent to remove the tumors, the re-emergence of the tumors after a number of operations, and the doctor's recommendation that they remove her right eye. The manuscript describes Mickle's decision not to undergo the operation to remove her eye, and recounts her final days,...