Pam Lecky's Blog, page 40

Victorian Medicine – what were they thinking?

In The Bowes Inheritance, one of my characters, Eleanor, is dying due to contracting rheumatic fever, which subsequently damaged her heart. One of the symptoms of her condition was oedema, referred to as dropsy by the Victorians. Naturally enough, off I went to find out what the Victorians considered an appropriate treatment for same. Amongst my research books is, Enquire Within Upon Everything 1890, published by Old House Books. It is a great book to dip into, as it covers a huge range of topics from food, medicine, dancing and manners. I came across some strange and interesting treatments that made me either smile or squirm.

The Humble Leech

Way back in the mists of time, seemingly Ancient Greece, someone had the idea of using leeches to ‘balance’ the blood, (obviously someone with nothing better to do, a cash shortage and a pond full of the little blighters). As ideas go, it was rather good as it caught fire and proved a popular ‘cure’ for centuries to follow. Well, it was popular with the medics; for anything from inflammation of the brain to gout. My sympathies, however, have to lie with the unfortunate patients. Just the thought of even one of them on my skin …

From the Veg Patch

One of my all-time favourite Victorian remedies, which I just had to reproduce in full, is for ‘Restoring Hair when Removed by Ill-health or Age:

‘Rub onions frequently on the part requiring it. The stimulating powers of this vegetable are of service in restoring the tone of the skin, and assisting the capillary vessels in sending forth new hair; but it is not infallible.’

I imagine it was an infallible way of losing friends …

Swoon

A delightful piece of (frankly patronising) advice for those of a nervous disposition, (seemingly only young ladies suffered from this), was to seek cheerful society, rise early, and exercise in the open air on horseback. They were further advised to avoid excitement, study or late meals.

Kill or Cure!

Who hasn’t dreaded toothache? But in the 19th century it was probably better to have the tooth pulled. A home remedy of creosote or chloroform rubbed on to the tooth was common practice in Victorian homes. We have banned creosote because of its carcinogenic properties but the Victorians believed that wood-tar creosote prevented necrosis.  It was also used as an expectorant, an antiseptic and a laxative.  How did anyone make it to old age??

And Poor Eleanor?

She had to swallow a pretty vile concoction – a solution of sea squill and vinegar. It was a clear yellow liquid with a bitter acid taste. The plant used was Drimia maritime. The inner part of the bulb was macerated in a solution of acetic acid.

Yes it does sound yummy, doesn’t it? Squill is still used today … in rat poison!

Picture credit: Franz Eugen Köhler  

Have you come across any bizarre treatments in books you have read?