February 8, 2002

Paperwork at the MGH was less cumbersome in simpler times. All of the hospital's purchases for the first quarter of 1826 are meticulously listed on a single sheet of 15- by 19-inch lined paper, carefully preserved in the MGH Archives and Special Collections.

The chart (pictured below) shows articles purchased, quantity, expense and value of goods consumed during the quarter. A look at the list reveals much about life at the MGH in the 1820s, including what people ate, drank and used as supplies. Items one would expect to find at the time include such staples as apples, beef, butter, cheese, coffee, eggs and flour.

Among the more unusual acquisitions noted were "Dogs, Iron, 1 pair," which were not pets or toys for pediatric patients but rather andirons for a fireplace. "One piece of diaper" is not as puzzling as it first seems, either: "Diaper," in its original meaning, was cloth with a pattern of small repeated figures, such as diamond shapes.

The cost of items also reflected a different economic era: three rocking chairs cost $2.25 each, while 18 "common chairs" cost a mere 80 cents each. No doubt buying in bulk was thriftier, hence such entries as: "Brooms, corn, 2 doz.," "Oil, sperm [whale], 71 gallons," and "Beer, strong, 60 gallons." (Yes, beer was bought and served to patients with their meals at that time.)

The chart was painstakingly handwritten in brown ink and signed "Nathan Gurney, Superintendent." Gurney was director of the MGH from 1825 to 1833.