Medicine of the 1870's

Medical care is being debated by the President, the Congress and the American people. The problem in the system today that is causing so much debate today is not the quality of care, but rather the cost of care. Medical care has had many breakthroughs since the 1870's, a time where Tuberculosis (referred to as consumption) was treated by sleeping sitting upright. Some other prescriptions for ailments include the following: Confection of Senna, 2 ozs.; a cream of tartar, 1 oz.; sulphur, 1 oz.; syrup of ginger enough to make a stiff paste. Mix. A piece as large as a nutmeg is to be taken as often as necessary to keep the bowels open. One of the very best remedies for piles, Pulverized Ipecac, 1 scruple; pulverized cayenne, 10 grains; water, 2 oz. Mix. To be taken at a draught. Chamomile Flowers, 1/2 oz.; cold water, 1 pint. Macerate for one hour and strain. A wine-glassful to be taken several times a day.(1) As you can see medicine has advanced quiet a lot in the last one hundred and forty years and another hundred and forty years it will likely change quiet a bit more making some of our accepted medical practices obsolete and laughable at the time, however this treatment makes sense to those giving it and seems like the best thing to do by those receiving the treatment.

1. The household physician

By Ira Warren (pg. 693, 695 and 767)