The Center for the History of Medicine is pleased to announce that the Abner Post papers are now open to research.
Abner Post (1844-1934) was Professor of Syphilis at Harvard Medical School and Senior Physician at the Boston Dispensary, Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in syphilis and dermatology. He interned at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, and held positions at the U.S. Marine Hospital in Chelsea, Massachusetts (Surgeon); Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (Assistant Surgeon); and Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (Surgeon). Post also held consulting surgeon appointments at Boston City Hospital, where he was also curator of the hospital museum.
Post’s research focused on syphilis and its related physical and social complications, including bone and congenital syphilis, interstitial keratitis, and genito-urinary diseases. At the time of Post’s career, syphilis was a major public health problem. Post lectured on syphilis to the Massachusetts Medical Society and other medical organizations. He also wrote on hospital organization and professionalization.
The Abner Post papers consist of teaching and student records, research records, professional organization records, writings and lectures, and personal and biographical papers. Professional records relate largely to Post’s work on syphilis, inside and outside of his roles as physician at the Boston Dispensary and Professor of Syphilis at Harvard Medical School.
For more about Post and his collection, please view the collection finding aid.
Accessible Versions of Images
Syphilis Exam
Medical School of Harvard University. 1902-03.
Syphilis.
- A man applies to you with a sore upon the genitals supposed to be of venereal origin. What would lead you to consider it primary syphilis?
- Six weeks later the same man shows you a general macular eruption. What would lead you to consider it a manifestation of general syphilis?
- The same man consults you six months later as to the propriety of his marrying. What advise would you give him?
- Six months later the same man tells you that his wife is pregnant. What is your prognosis as regards the child? What treatment would you advise?
- A child three months old shows an eruption supposed to be syphilitic. What confirmatory signs and symptoms would you look for?
February. 1903.
Abner Post Lecture
Cambridge Medical Improvement Society.
The next regular meeting of the Society will be held at the Colonial Club, Tuesday evening, December 27, 1910, at 8.15 o'clock.
Dr. Abner Post, of Boston, will talk on "Personal Experience with 606."
Most men are anxious to learn all they can of this new line of treatment, and we are particularly fortunate in listening to a man of Dr. Post's experience. Let us have a large attendance.
Lunch and cigars will be served.
Augustus W. Dudley, President.
Felix McGirr, Secretary.
1436 Cambridge Street.