Day Books

Books recording daily consultations, visits and prescriptions. Within each volume the entries normally are arranged in columns by class of patient: Private (P), Free (F), Club (C), Insurance (I) or Panel, although these columns are not always headed. The name of the patient and their location (not full address) such as village, name of house, farm or business is entered and any medicine that is prescribed. The diagnosis is not necessarily included. Early volumes include the prescription formula.

Consultations occurred seven days a week and on all public holidays. Willans' patients ranged across all classes, from the royal household at Sandringham and local aristocracy to maids, the military and public house landlords.

Most volumes include loose papers at the front, back and within the pages. Loose papers tend to comprise notes, lists of names, letters to the doctor requesting medicine, letters from local health authorities and education authorities, pharmaceutical products literature, various types of medical attendance form, government circulars or regulations, National Insurance claim forms, chemist and druggist bills.

Many of the books include, at the back, accounts of payments probably for a health or insurance club. These are arranged in alphabetical order by surname and do not always relate to the years the day book covers.

1914-1948

16 volumes