Because the papers include Confidential Health Information (CHI) as defined by Columbia University policies governing data security and privacy, access is allowed only under the terms of Archives and Special Collections’ Access Policy to Records Containing Confidential Health Information.
Records of about 200 pediatric cases seen by Holt, 1901-1923, largely in New York City and its surrounding suburbs, although with a few out-of-town cases. The records include his typewritten case notes and supporting documentation that may include temperature and weight charts, urinanalysis and radiology reports, x-ray photographs, and letters from parents and referring physicians.
History and Biography
Luther Emmett Holt was the most prominent American pediatrician of his time. He was educated at the University of Rochester (1875) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University (M.D. 1880), and served an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Though originally interested in orthopedics, Holt's focus soon shifted to pediatrics. In 1888 he became Attending Physician at New York's recently founded Babies Hospital, a position he held until his retirement. His Care and Feeding of Children (1894) was a worldwide bestseller, going through 75 editions and numerous translations. His textbook, The Diseases of Infancy and Childhood (1896), became the definitive text in English and went through 20 editions by 1996.
Holt was professor of diseases of children at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1901-1922. He died at Peking (now Beijing) in January 1924 while serving as visiting professor of pediatrics at the Peking Union Medical College.
Organization
Numerically by case number.
Records of about 200 pediatric cases seen by Holt, 1901-1923, largely in New York City and its surrounding suburbs, although with a few out-of-town cases. The records include his typewritten case notes and supporting documentation that may include temperature and weight charts, urinanalysis and radiology reports, x-ray photographs, and letters from parents and referring physicians.
With a very few exceptions, these were Holt's private patients, whose socioeconomic status was middle or upper class. Usually, he was called in for a single episode of acute illness, but there are some cases where Holt was clearly the family pediatrician.
The most frequent diagnoses are infant feeding difficulties, malnutrition, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complaints. Cases of tuberculosis, nephritis, and "nervousness" are also present. In addition, there are several cases of Down's Syndrome from Holt's work at the outpatient clinic of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Also included is an announcement card, 1899, notifying clients of a change in Holt's office hours.
Subject Headings and Related Records
Administrative Information
Gift of Dr. John Driscoll, Director, Babies Hospital/Chairman, Dept. of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1999 (acc.#99.11.09).