RESTRICTED: Extremely fragile. Use digital reproduction. Original available by special permission only.

Notebook of John Ward [manuscript], 1666-ca. 1669.

1 v. (181 leaves) ; 147 x 90 mm

Among the people mentioned are Peter Chamberlen, the man-midwives Bowden and Newman, Sir John Hinton, "Dr Modesy" (i.e. Robert Morison), Sir William Butts, Peter Heylin, Roger Drake, Thomas Willis, Sir Charles Scarburgh, Walter Needham, William Conyers, Sir Alexander Fraizer, Robert Boyle, Edward Morgen, Jacob Bobart, William Howe, William Tooker, Edward Alleyn, John Fletcher, Sir Kenelm Digby, William Harvey, Manasseh ben Israel, Samuel Purchas, Sir John Suckling, Sir William Coventry, Mr. Francis Willoughby. Some of the entries duplicate information in the preceding volume (Folger MS V.a.294).

Mostly devoted to Ward's practice in and around Stratford, as well as notes on dissections conducted on visits to Oxford. Includes descriptions of autopsies, case descriptions, and numerous notes on therapies of Oxford practitioners, especially Thomas Willis and Thomas Jeamson. With extracts from Joseph Glavill's Plus ultra (especially on anatomical discoveries) and from William Simpson's Hydrologia chymica. Includes an account of the autopsy of Mrs. Townsend and further account of her cancer described in V.a.287 (leaves 32v-33r). Also discusses the merits of various kinds of grapes, peaches and cherries; John Evelyn's projected Elysium Brittanicum; the barometer, thermometer, and telescope; Evangelista Torricelli and his experiments; theories of the universe; early physicians and their works; a way to embalm the dead; the dictionaries of the Academie française and of the Accademia de la Crusca; and shorthand (leaf 130v). There is a price list of books at Mr Scott's in Little Britain (leaf 139).

In English and Latin.

On leaf 120r, Ward mentions "Dr. Hylin in reckoning up [th]e dramatick poets, omits Shakespear."
List of contents partially derived from typescript description that did not include folio references. Specific location of some references not determined.
Volume in roughly two parts: Entries made at Stratford in summer 1666 (fol. 1r-25r) and Stratford and Oxford from summer 1668 to spring 1669.
One of several volumes, originally 17 in number, known as "Ward's Diary." 16 of these volumes are now Folger MS V.a.284-299.
For a microfilm copy of D'Arcy Power's notes on this and 8 other John Ward notebooks, see Folger Film Acc. 682 (original notes held at Royal College of Surgeons).
For a microfilm copy of D'Arcy Power's transcript of this and 5 other John Ward notebooks, see Folger Film Acc. 683 (original typescripts held at the Wellcome Trust).

"The pen's excellencie" : treasures from the manuscript collection of the Folger Shakespeare Library / compiled and edited by Heather Wolfe. Seattle : Distributed by University of Washington Press, 2002, p. 77.
Frank, R.G. Journal of the History of Medicine, 29 (1974).
Yeandle, Laetitia. "Shakespeare allusions." Shakespeare quarterly, XX (1969), p. 87-88.
Extracts included in Diary of the Rev. John Ward, A.M. : vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon, extending from 1648 to 1679 ... / arranged by Charles Severn (London : H. Colburn, 1839).

Medical Society of London MS -- Dr. J.A.S.N. Rosenbach, of New York (Sotheby's, London, April 4, 1928, lot 631).
Formerly Folger MS 2073.5.

Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680. Plus ultra. Selections.
Simpson, W. (William), active 1665-1677. Hydrologia chymica. Selections.

Great Britain -- England.

V.a.295

cs2073