Description
Discover the historical remedies for common ailments in 'Can Onions Cure Ear-ache?' This captivating book delves into the eclectic healing practices of the late 18th century, authored by the renowned Scottish physician, William Buchan. Many today wonder, can onions really alleviate earaches? This tome explores such queries, detailing how folk remedies and early medical science intertwined. Packed with quirky suggestions like using cow dung, crushed oyster shells for heartburn, and even unconventional methods involving sheep brains, this book offers a humorous yet insightful glimpse into past health practices. As readers sift through Buchan’s forgotten wisdom, they’ll learn practical tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, embracing proper nutrition, and staying active. This book is essential for those curious about historical medicine, folklore, or looking for a unique read that blends humor and wisdom. Grab your copy and embark on a journey through the fascinating world of 18th-century healing! Plus, enjoy the convenience of free shipping on your order, and allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Note that once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9781851243822. Format: Sewn. Year: 2012. Publisher: Bodleian Library Publishing.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781851243822
Format: Sewn
Year: 2012
Publisher: Bodleian Library Publishing
Description:
What common condition can be treated with cow dung? How do crushed oystershells ease heartburn? Can eels cure deafness? And how do you stop a stubborn case of the hiccups?
If someone was struck down by illness or injury in the late eighteenth century, the chances are that they would have referred to William Buchan's Domestic Medicine - with the result that they might have found themselves drinking a broth made from sheep brain or administering drops of urine in their ears. The book's author, a Scottish physician, published his self-help manual in 1769 specifically for the benefit of people who were unable readily to access or afford medical assistance. Copies could be found in coffee-houses, in apothecary shops and private households, and in 1789 Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers took the sensible precaution of grabbing the copy from HMS Bounty before they fled to Pitcairn Island.
Much of Dr Buchan's advice on how to live a healthy life and avoid disease is still sound and relevant today, such as eating a varied and healthy diet, breathing plenty of fresh air, and taking exercise. Many of his prescriptions are amusing when viewed in retrospect, such as his fondness for powdered Spanish fly and genital trusses. Other recommendations - bleeding a woman experiencing a difficult childbirth or administering mercury to treat numerous ailments - were downright dangerous. This edited selection of entries from one of the first medical self-help manuals gives a fascinating insight into popular treatments of the eighteenth century, derived both from folklore and the emerging medical science of the day.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781851243822
Format: Sewn
Year: 2012
Publisher: Bodleian Library Publishing
Description:
What common condition can be treated with cow dung? How do crushed oystershells ease heartburn? Can eels cure deafness? And how do you stop a stubborn case of the hiccups?
If someone was struck down by illness or injury in the late eighteenth century, the chances are that they would have referred to William Buchan's Domestic Medicine - with the result that they might have found themselves drinking a broth made from sheep brain or administering drops of urine in their ears. The book's author, a Scottish physician, published his self-help manual in 1769 specifically for the benefit of people who were unable readily to access or afford medical assistance. Copies could be found in coffee-houses, in apothecary shops and private households, and in 1789 Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers took the sensible precaution of grabbing the copy from HMS Bounty before they fled to Pitcairn Island.
Much of Dr Buchan's advice on how to live a healthy life and avoid disease is still sound and relevant today, such as eating a varied and healthy diet, breathing plenty of fresh air, and taking exercise. Many of his prescriptions are amusing when viewed in retrospect, such as his fondness for powdered Spanish fly and genital trusses. Other recommendations - bleeding a woman experiencing a difficult childbirth or administering mercury to treat numerous ailments - were downright dangerous. This edited selection of entries from one of the first medical self-help manuals gives a fascinating insight into popular treatments of the eighteenth century, derived both from folklore and the emerging medical science of the day.