Medical Practices in the 1700’s By: Angela

People John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts, made medicine for children in the colonies. He knew cures ( as did others ) from England. John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts, made medicine for children in the colonies. He knew cures ( as did others ) from England. Benjamin Rush was also a famous doctor. He became more famous when yellow fever killed more than 4,000 people but he saved many with new cures. Benjamin Rush was also a famous doctor. He became more famous when yellow fever killed more than 4,000 people but he saved many with new cures.

The Apothecary The Apothecary is like a pharmacist today. They sold medicine. The Apothecary is like a pharmacist today. They sold medicine. They gathered leaves, tree bark, and other materials. They gathered leaves, tree bark, and other materials. It was important for them to use the right amount of each ingredient. It was important for them to use the right amount of each ingredient. They would cut up plants and put them into a bowl called a Mortar. They would cut up plants and put them into a bowl called a Mortar. Then they would ground them with a small club called a Pestle. Then they would ground them with a small club called a Pestle. Or they might have dissolved it to make a liquid so patients could drink it. Or they might have dissolved it to make a liquid so patients could drink it. People also bought drugs from merchants but did not often trust doctors. They were very expensive. People also bought drugs from merchants but did not often trust doctors. They were very expensive.

Mortar and Pestle

Quick Remedies Honeysuckle was used to treat fevers and sore throats. Honeysuckle was used to treat fevers and sore throats. Parsley helped wounds heal faster. Parsley helped wounds heal faster. Cranberry paste soothed a stomach ache. Cranberry paste soothed a stomach ache. Leaves from a Columbine plant made into lotion would cure a sore throat or mouth. Leaves from a Columbine plant made into lotion would cure a sore throat or mouth.

Doctors Doctors did not learn at a university or medical school. Instead they spent 6 years working with a older doctor. Doctors did not learn at a university or medical school. Instead they spent 6 years working with a older doctor. Doctors believed sickness was caused by poison. Doctors believed sickness was caused by poison. They often carried germs from one patient to the other. They often carried germs from one patient to the other. Sanitation was a problem. Their knives were often blunt and dirty, as were their hands. Sanitation was a problem. Their knives were often blunt and dirty, as were their hands. There were no painkillers. There were no painkillers.

Procedures Barbers also acted as doctors, even performing operations. Barbers also acted as doctors, even performing operations. If you had to amputate, cut off, your leg, there was no way to stop the pain. You would probably die of shock, infection, or loss of blood. If you had to amputate, cut off, your leg, there was no way to stop the pain. You would probably die of shock, infection, or loss of blood. Many women died giving birth. Many women died giving birth. Doctors tried to take blood out, hoping the sickness would get out the body. They would take a sharp knife or blood- sucking leech and take out one to two pints of blood. The patient usually died. Doctors tried to take blood out, hoping the sickness would get out the body. They would take a sharp knife or blood- sucking leech and take out one to two pints of blood. The patient usually died.

Leech Doctors would keep many leeches in a jar, often painted, looking nice.

Disease Small Pox- An infection caused by two main viruses, the Variola Major and Minor Virus. It attacked skin cells creating red little bumps across your entire body. Measles- Rubeola, a highly contagious respiratory infection that was caused by a virus causing total-body rashes, flu-like symptoms, cough and runny nose.

Credit Info Books: Medicine in Colonial America by Charlie Samuel Everyday Life in Colonial America by Louis B. Wright Websites:

Picture Credits Wikimedia Commons: Wikimedia Commons: /wiki/File:Black_peppercorns_with_mortar_and_pestle.jpg _Peale_1783.jpg _Peale_1783.jpg at_the_Hospices_de_Beaune.jpg at_the_Hospices_de_Beaune.jpg/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Lonicera_fragrantissima1.jpg