Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1306

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.4 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

William S. Huber student lecture notes, 1885-1888, Ms. Coll. 1306, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1885-1888 (inclusive)

Creator:

Huber, William S.

Form:

Lecture notes

Abstract:

Dr. William S. Huber (1865-1909) was a dentist in Lebanon, Pennsylvania who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical and Dental Schools. This collection contains Huber's student lecture notes recorded between February 1885 and March 1888.

Dr. William S. Huber was born in July, 1865, to Dr. William A. (a prominent Lebanon, Pennsylvania, dentist) and Juliana Huber. He was educated at public schools in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and graduated from Lebanon High School. From there, he began his education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, completing first the course of medicine, and then continuing on to take a full course in dentistry. According to the University of Pennsylvania Catalogue and Announcements from the 1886 to 1887 academic year, Huber was a successful student and was among several students "selected for their proficiency in Anatomy to act as Assistant Demonstrators of Anatomy," (page 66).

Following the completion of his studies, he succeeded his father in his dental practice and "built up a large and lucrative practice," (Kirk, page 1019). In 1895, he married A. May Kaler (1866-1901) and they were the parents of William K. (1896-1951) and Charles G. (born in 1898).

In addition to his career as a dentist, Huber served as a member of the board of public schools, as presiding officer of the city council and the select council, and as member of the board of elders of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also participated in the Mt. Lebanon Lodge, Weidle Chapter, and Hermit Commandery of the Masons; the Lu Lu Temple in Reading, Pennsylvania; and the Harrisburg Consistory. Huber died of apoplexy on May 25, 1909.

Works cited:

Kirk, Edward C., editor. The Dental Cosmos, Volume 51, 1909 (page 1019).

University of Pennsylvania Catalogue and Announcements, 1886-1887, page 66.

This collection contains Dr. William S. Huber's lecture notes from his time at the University of Pennsylvania Medical and Dental Schools. There are seven volumes that begin in February of 1885 and end in March of 1888. Several of the volumes overlap in time and seem to have been used for separate classes. The notes themselves include several hand-drawn diagrams. Lectures address Dental Materia Medica and Therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, bone fractures, concussions, ulcers, pain and inflammation, and cells, as well as diseases of the blood, the liver, the heart, and the lungs. There seem to be a number of descriptions of plant based remedies in the first, second, and fifth volumes in the collection. Professors include anatomist and surgeon David Hayes Agnew; professor of clinical medicine William Osler; professor of dental pathology, therapeutics, and Materia Medica James Truman; and professor of clinical medicine H.C. Wood.

Most of the volumes are written from front to back; then turned over and written back to front. On one occasion, a quiz is included, but it is unclear if the notes are documenting Huber's studying or the actual quiz. The volume dated October 1887 to January 1888 appears to contain notes from actual medical cases, describing the gender and age of patient, their vocation, their medical condition, history of condition, and, sometimes, recommendations. It is possible that this class was taught by Osler.

Huber's handwriting is fairly difficult to read and it is frequently unclear if the headings of pages are different classes or simply different lectures within classes. None of the volumes have clear titles of courses with the possible exception of the first, dating February of 1885, which seems to be Truman's class on Dental Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Folder titles were crafted from the most prominent information on the first few pages of each notebook. It is often unclear who taught the courses. Despite the challenges of reading Huber's handwriting and determining courses or teachers, these volumes provide a glimpse into the type of education a student in medicine and dentistry would have received at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1880s.