New York State Department of Mental Hygiene Buffalo State Hospital Patient Case Files 14231

New York State Department of Mental Hygiene Buffalo State Hospital Patient Case Files

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This accretion documents the admission, legal status, assessment, treatment, and discharge of patients of Buffalo State Hospital (later Buffalo Psychiatric Center). Casebooks (Boxes 1-22) contain bound records pertaining to the admission and treatment of patients during the period from 1881 to 1898 (patient case file numbers 151 to 6449). Records which cover the period 1899-1920 (boxes 23-99) consist solely of medical records pertaining to patient care at the facility. These records include patient case file numbers 6456 to 16389. Black and white photographs of patients are included in later case files.

Creator:

New York (State). Department of Mental Hygiene

Title:

Buffalo State Hospital patient case files

Quantity:

99 cubic feet

Quantity:

406 volume(s)

Inclusive Dates:

1880-1920

Series Number:

14231_93

Arrangement

Numerical by case book or volume, and therein by sequential patient case number, which corresponds to year of admission.

Scope and Content Note

This accretion consists of official forms and administrative data documenting the admission, legal status, assessments, treatment planning, treatment and discharge of patients to the Buffalo State Hospital (later Buffalo Psychiatric Center).

Casebooks (boxes 1-22) contain bound records pertaining to the admission and treatment of patients at the Buffalo State Hospital from 1881 to 1898. They range from case file #151 to #6449. Included are the official copies of medical certificates which were the evidence of lunacy that allowed commitment of patients to Buffalo. Admission records include patient and family histories and medical histories, and sumaries of medical and psychiatric examiniations given at admission.

Records documenting patient life and care at Buffalo include correspondence between patient and family members, physician and nurse medical reports, summaries of physical and psychiatric examinations, laboratory test results, and information relating to patient discharge. The focus and amount of detail in the records vary over time.

Records which cover the period 1899-1920 (boxes 23-99) consist solely of medical records pertaining to patient care at Buffalo. They range from volume number 51-405 (patient case #6456 to #16389). Black and white photographs of patients are included in later case files.

Related Material

14231_99 Buffalo Psychiatric Center Patient Case Files contains post-1920 files.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Each volume has a contents page listing patients alphabetically by last name, with case number.

Records 1881-1898 (boxes 1-22): Container list showing inclusive volumes, case numbers, dates, and patient gender.

Records 1898-1920 (boxes 23-99): Container list showing inclusive volume numbers and case numbers.

Custodial History

The records were part of a bulk transfer on October 20,1993. They were more fully processed in1995. Reboxing and a revised container list were done in 1998.

Access Restrictions

Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office of Mental Health.