Southern Folk Medicine

A comprehensive overview of historical domestic medical practices, particularly in the Southern colonies, by compiling various remedies and case studies from eighteenth and nineteenth-century manuscripts. The text explores treatments for a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses, including fevers, sore throats, and dropsy, highlighting common procedures like bloodletting, blistering, and the use of clysters (enemas), often rooted in the humoral theory of medicine. Furthermore, the source details the preparation and use of herbal, animal, and chemical compounds, including opium and popular patent medicines such as Turlington's Balsam, while also touching upon folk beliefs, incantations, and witchcraft alongside the practices of both lay and professional practitioners. The author analyzes these sources to illuminate the concerns, values, and evolving nature of healing traditions during this period, recognizing the mix of ancient customs and contemporary theories in domestic care.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/pharmacy_simpleProduced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/