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A circular advertisement for the offices of H. R. Allen, an orthopedic surgeon, oculist and aurist who had a practice in Indianapolis, IN. The advertisement focuses on the solicitation of new patients, particularly the poor and asks the reader to "be so kind as to lend a helping hand in directing such cases to me for relief. I shall continue to use every exertion to restore them." There are also several references back to earlier produced circulars by Allen that presumably provided different or more information regarding the situation of the Indianapolis poor in need of medical care. Furthermore, Allen mentions several times the lack of a "suitable public institution" who can help meet the medical needs of the poor. It should be noted that in the same year as this circular, Allen would open the National Surgical Institute with Dr. Charles L. Wilson and Dr. W. P. Johnson. The exact date the institute is founded is unclear, but most sources suggest it was opened in June of 1869, so this circular might have been one of Allen's last as a doctor in a sole practice. Single page, single sided. Measures 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" Horace Russell Allen was born on October 21, 1834 to Joseph F. Allen (1805-1852) and Sally Davis (1815-1907) in Nelsonville, OH. He had six siblings: Emily Jane Allen Rankin (1833-1881), Mary Catherine Allen Minturn (1836-1873), Jonathan Allen (1838-1852), Elizabeth Eleanor Allen Bradrick (1841-1908), Reuben Davis Allen (1844-1863), and Sarah Minerva Allen Brink (1849-1938). He married Harriet Elizabeth Shepherd (1838-1917) on May 19, 1857 in Warren, IA, and had four children: Harriet Lulu Allen Wright (1963-1913), Mary Shepherd Allen Taylor (1867-1963), Dr. Horace Russell Frank Allen (1869-1945) and Eleanor "Nellie" Fox Allen Ayres(1873-1898). Horace first founded a medical institute in Charleston, IL in 1858. During the Civil War he served as a surgeon to the 123rd Illinois Regiment. He retired from the army in 1863 due to wounds incurred during his service. He resumed his practice in Charleston until 1869 when he moved to Indianapolis and in June of that year founded the National Surgical Institute with Dr. Charles L. Wilson and Dr. W. P. Johnson. The institute served both the rich and the poor, often never refusing patients, though it specialized in the treatment of physical deformities such as spina bifida, club feet, and rheumatoid arthritis. For a time the institute was a success, even going on to establish branches in other cities, such as Philadelphia, Atlanta, and San Francisco. The building in Indianapolis was plagued with safety issues, which came to a head on January 21, 1892 when there was a large fire at the institute killing almost nineteen people and injuring dozens more. While Allen would eventually rebuild, his reputation suffered as a result. In 1893, his remaining partner, Dr. Wilson left to start a competing institute, and the hospital was then known as known as H. R. Allen National Surgical Institute. Due to financial issues it closed in 1898. Allen then moved to Chicago, where he opened another surgical institute. He died on October 13, 1900, after a long illness, in Chicago, IL, and is buried in Indianapolis, IN. Seller Inventory # 20200209
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