Contains Duke Hospital patient discharge summary records for individuals who experienced poisoning and sought treatment at the Duke University Medical Center between 1953 and 1979. Included in the discharge summaries are the chief complaint that caused hospitalization, symptoms, past history, physical examination, clinical findings, course of treatment, diagnosis, and patient's disposition. Summaries also provide commentary on surrounding social circumstances. The summaries are organized chronologically and then grouped alphabetically by type of poison. Types of materials include correspondence, discharge reports, and notes. Materials range in date from 1953 to 1985.