Record of Contagious Diseases 1880 - 1908: A Historical Room Treasure

From late 1880 until June of the year 1908—a term of 28 years—the City of Rock Island required its medical doctors to submit to the City Clerk the names and circumstances of any citizens who were diagnosed with a contagious disease. That record is kept in the Historical Room of the Rock Island Public Library. What does it look like? What can be learned from it? This afternoon that original record will be on display, accompanied by a presentation about what it can tell us today and the importance its information can have for researchers and students. The library’s Reference Librarian, James Shearouse, will give the presentation.