Guide to the Dr. F. R. Millard Ledger
MS 91

Summary Information

Repository
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Creator
Millard, F. R., Dr.
Title
Dr. F. R. Millard Ledger
ID
MS 91
Date [inclusive]
1880-1906
Extent
0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Abstract
The collection consists of one ledger cataloging poisonous substances dispensed by Dr. F. R. Millard.

Preferred Citation

Dr. F. R. Millard Ledger, MS 91, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

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Biographical / Historical Notes

Dr. F. R. Millard was a native of Ohio and moved to San Diego in 1874. He was one of the early physicians in the area and also operated a drug store. He raised a family in San Diego, but only minimal information is available. Dr. F. R. Millard died on March 28, 1917 at the age of 84.

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Scope and Content

The collection consists of one ledger cataloging poisonous substances dispensed by Dr. Millard. Pasted on the inside front cover are sections of printed material, "An Act To Regulate The Sale Of Certain Poisonous Substances" (California State Legislature, April 16, 1880) and "Poisons and their Antidotes." The former states legislative requirement for a ledger of this nature. The ledger's records are divided into columns that show the date, name of purchaser, purchaser’s residence, identity verification, the substance sold, the quantity of substance, the reason for purchase, and by whom it was dispensed. Clients were mostly from the San Diego area, but a few were travelers from other areas, such as San Francisco or Mexico. Substances regularly sold include morphine, chloroform, carbolic acid, arsenic, laudanum, opium, cocaine, and nitric acid, for such purposes as headaches, disinfectants, horse medicine, bird stuffing, engraving, toothaches, rheumatism, sleeplessness, and vermin extermination. Not all substances sold were for medical issues. Quantities were usually either in ounces or grams. The poisonous substances were most commonly dispensed by Dr. F. R. Millard or H. Walker. Other distributors listed intermittently include John Palmer, C. J. Everhart, and James Crosthwaite.

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Arrangement

Ledger entries in chronological order.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 San Diego History Center Document Collection January 9, 2013

1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Sandra Kirkwood on January 9, 2013.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

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Controlled Access Headings

Geographic Name(s)

  • San Diego (Calif.)

Personal Name(s)

  • Crosthwaite, James
  • Everhart, C. J.
  • Millard, F. R., Dr.
  • Palmer, John
  • Walker, H.

Subject(s)

  • Drug stores
  • Drugs
  • Medicine -- Formulae, receipts, prescriptions
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician
  • Poisons

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Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Ledger cover and spine are detached.

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Collection Inventory

Box

"Record of Poisons and Poisonous Substances Sold By F. R. Millard, M.D.," 1880-1906 

Entries of interest:

1 oz. of nitric acid to test gold (page 29)

1 oz. chloroform for toothache (page 37)

2 oz. arsenic for rat poison (page 47)

10 grams strychnine for bird stuffing (page 95)

20 grams cocaine for self (page 175)

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