William Henry Kelley was a veterinarian in Albany, New York, from the late 19th century into the 20th. He ran the Albany Veterinary Hospital on Western Avenue, was active in the state and national professional veterinary organizations, and was a frequent lobbyist for issues relating to animal health and the veterinary profession.
Kelly's letter impression books contain his reports to Charles A. Wieting, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture, describing his examination of diseased animals. There are also letters to veterinarians and state legislators concerning the testing and condemnation of tubercular cattle, state licensing of veterinarians, certification of professional schools, the New Yorks State Veterinary College, and cases of illegal practice and malpractice. There are also bills for professional services and other personal business letters. The books are marked "Personal" and "Private Letters." This was probably to differentiate these books from volumes kept for New York State Veterinary Medical Society work (see RMC collection # 2541) and his business, the Albany Veterinary Hospital. The 1896-1904 volume has been water damaged, so some of the pages are difficult or impossible to read. Both volumes are on brittle onion skin, but the 1896-1904 volume is particularly brittle
Kelly apparently had an interest in home veterinary remedies, and at some time near the turn of the twentieth century purchased a book of horse remedies compiled by Ransford H. Garlock of Beul, New York, ca. 1880-1910. The hand-written book includes recipies for a number of ailments, such as heaves, scratches, thrush, and spavins. The treatments are attributed to a number of sources, most likely local farmers, although some appear to have come from newspapers and books, such as "Professor Cushman's Catalogue of Farriers' Prescriptions."
William Henry Kelly papers, #2542. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
RMC collection # 24-1-119
RMC collection # 2541