In the Clarence Day before the far-flung availability of pharmaceutic drug , people usednatural remedy , create philosophers' stone and Camellia sinensis made from plants , animals and mineral . But how would you know what to take for what ? It was mostly folk wisdom until the appearance of"Domestic Medicine"by William Buchan , M.D. , a British physician . This book was one of the first to make medical information available to the populace , both in Britain and the U.S. It was the most popular health guide before the twentieth hundred , going through142 printing process , from 1769 to 1871 . ( Buchan died in 1805 ) .
" It was almost like the Dr. Spock of its twenty-four hour period except it was not only for child , " say Dr. Nathaniel Comfort , a professor of the history of medical specialty at Johns Hopkins University .
Some of Buchan ’s advice sounds very modern . Here he ison breast - feeding : " The mother ’s Milk River , or that of a goodish nurse , is emphatically the good intellectual nourishment for an infant . Neither art nor nature can afford a right substitute for it . " He also digest vaccination against variola major 20 years before Edward Jenner ’s publication introducing vaccination , and urge good hygienics practices like hand-wash .
Other advice was definitely for its times — Buchan recommend tailoring a affected role ’s intellectual nourishment and let out his blood in lodge to balance his constitution , a appendage calledhumourism .
The book is also chock - full of recipe for simples , ingredient mixed together for various ailments . " If you bet simples , an mediocre 18th century home might out - therapy the medicine storage locker of the most malady - besotted patient today , " observe historian Comfort . Oyster shells , plant antecedent , Allium sativum , ginger , mercury , Epsom salts and brand filings are just a few of the simple ingredients Buchan suggested stocking medicine cabinet shelves with .
Here ’s some other aesculapian advice taken from his ledger .
Cough and Pain Relief
" OPIATES are sometimes necessary to slake the violence of the coughing . For this purpose a little of the sirup of popies , or five , six or seven drops of tincture of opium , according to the age of the affected role , may be take in a cupful of Hyssopus officinalis or cent - royal tea , and repeated occasionally,“wrote Buchan .
" In Buchan ’s day [ opium was ] something that any well - equip house would have some of , " Comfort allege . " It was make love to be a wonderful , in effect hurting stand-in and terrific coughing suppressant . "
Today , however , we know opiumto be wildly addictive and potentially deadly in all its forms , including poppy seed , diacetylmorphine and certain prescription drug .
Syphilis
Mercurywas used for hundred in a vain cause to heal syphilis . Although Buchan did not paint a picture it as a first haunt , he did say that two mercury pills at Nox and one in the dayspring for several day would work , add , " I have always found it one of the most dependable and effectual medicines when properly used . "
Despite that assurance , many people died of poisoning from ingesting mercury . Those who did n’t die of syphilis , which was a terrible style to go , too .
Now , give thanks good , we have a in effect choice to mercury , in the form of penicillin . Instead , one injection of long - actingBenzathine penicillin G(2.4 million unit administered intramuscularly ) will do the trick , fit in to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention . Alternatives are uncommitted for those allergic to penicillin allergy .
swallow Poison
In the case of mineral poisoning , such as from arsenic , Buchan wrote , " The patient should drink large quantities of newfangled Milk River and sallad - oil till he honk ; or he may drink warm water mixed with oil . " If that did n’t go , the patient role could take a small amount of ipecac . " Ipecac was stock until very latterly . You were being an irresponsible parent if you did n’t have ipecac in the star sign , " enunciate Comfort . This sirup was used for centuries to bring on vomiting following ingestion of possible poison .
In 2004 , guideline were changed tosteer people awayfrom ipecac , since research designate that the sirup did n’t actually do good people who ’d been poison . Throwing up did n’t keep the great unwashed from getting pallid from the poison . In fact , ipecac can have major knottiness , because it can react badly with certain swallowed chemicals or medicinal drug .
Thecurrent adviceis to call 911 if the person who swallowed the poison is deliver convulsion or trouble breathing . If the mathematical product swallow is burning or caustic and the person isnothaving convulsions , he or she should take small amounts of piddle or Milk River . Otherwise , call the Poison Control Center ( 1 - 800 - 222 - 1222 ) for expert avail .
As with anything involving your wellness , it ’s essential to persist on top of come out research and information from reputable source . The advice here is not a substitute for aesculapian counseling .
