Download 18 Century Medicine - Chadds Ford Historical Society

CFHS
Chadds Ford Historical Society • P.O. Box 27 • 1736 Creek Road • Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Phone: 610-388-7376 • Fax 610-388-7480 • Website: www.ChaddsFordHistory.org
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18th Century Medicine
In 18th century Pennsylvania medicine was practiced by various members of the
community. Most apothecaries, physicians, and surgeons were located in large towns
such as Philadelphia. An apothecary was a type of doctor who could diagnose the
patient’s illness and prepare medications to treat the symptoms of a particular disease.
Apothecaries were usually trained through apprenticeship. Surgeons could set broken
bones, pull teeth, and perform other types of surgery. There were also a few physicians.
A physician was trained to diagnose illnesses but usually did not mix drugs or perform
surgery. Physicians received their training at medical schools. Many physicians went to
Edinburgh, Scotland to study medicine although schools were available in England, and
later in Philadelphia and New York. Most physicians, apothecaries, and surgeons made
house calls rather than treating patients at the apothecary.
Pennsylvania’s economy was based on agriculture so most Pennsylvanians did not live
close enough to a large town to have access to a physician. Many people, other than
doctors, treated members of the community when they were sick or injured. Much of the
responsibility for caring for the sick was provided by the mistress of the household. We
also have documentation in diaries and journals that many male heads of household
practiced medicine at this time (including George Washington).
Much medical information was passed down from mother to daughter or learned from
other family or community members. Home remedy books were available to those who
could read. The Housekeepers Pocketbook by Sarah Harrison, Every Man His Own
Doctor by John Tennant, and Primitive Remedies by John Wesley (who suggested a
healthy diet, fresh air, plenty of exercise, and simple medicines) were just a few of these
reference books for the home practitioner. Medicinal receipts (remedies) could also be
found in the cookbooks published at this time. Examples are Hannah Glasse’s The Art
of Cookery Made Plain and Easy and Eliza Smith’s The Complete Housewife. This
knowledge was also passed on to those who could not read, and thus new medical
knowledge could spread through the community.
Home health care was less expensive than calling a physician to your home. Many
medicines could be grown in the kitchen garden, including dozens of herbs, such as
chamomile for stomach ailments and horehound for coughs and colds. Other
medications, which could not be grown in this climate, could be purchased at the
apothecary. In addition to plant materials, apothecaries also sold a wide variety of
ingredients for medicines such as powdered chalk and oyster shells for heartburn. A
prescription was not necessary although the apothecary would recommend certain
medications or treatments. The apothecary also sold the equipment needed for the
home practitioner such as mortars and pestles to mix medicines.
Intro to 18th C Medicine, ©CFHS, 2012
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Women also practiced medicine outside of the households, treating neighbors and
members of the slave households throughout the community. Women served as
midwives, sometimes traveling great distances to deliver children to those in need of
their services.
Neither physicians nor home practitioners had knowledge of bacteria, germs, or viruses
at this time. They did not practice basic hygiene that we take for granted today, such as
sterilization of instruments or even washing hands. It was quite common for family
members, friends, and neighbors to come and sit by the sickbed to read or bring news
to those who were infirm, even though it was known that certain diseases were
contagious.
Source (adapted from): “Family Medicine in Colonial Virginia,” Department of School and Group Services, The
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, Virginia).
Intro to 18th C Medicine, ©CFHS, 2012
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