Historic Book Collection page 2
The Historic Book Collection - Books for Lay People
The public has always sought to manage their own care, sought
to reduce costs and to participate in the prevention and treatment
of their own ills.
Examples of works for lay people in this collection
includes: ( for more information and a more
comprehensive listing see the Full Catalogue.)
17th Century
Classics such as the infamous work by William
Salmon Aristotle's
master-piece: or the secrets of generation
displayed in all the parts thereof containing ... very necessary
for all midwives, nurses, and young married women. 1692;
which purported to be an aid to midwifery but was widely used as a
sex manual and went through many hundreds of editions become more
prurient in it's later Victorian imprints;
18th Century
Domestic
medicine: or, a treatise of the prevention and cure
of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix ...
To which are added observations on the diet of the common people;
recommending a method of living less expensive, and more conducive
to health, than the present. by William
Buchan 1798
This was a staple of many household with a hallowed place next
to the family bible on the bookshelf and advocated the importance
of cleanliness in everyday life.
19th Century and early
20th Century
By this time first aid books were being published in
increasing numbers many aimed at the growing literate working and
lower middle classes e.g.
Household
surgery, or hints on emergencies by
John Flint South 1852;
Hadyn's
Dictionary of popular medicine and hygiene;
comprising all possible self-aids in accidents and disease being a
companion for the traveller, emigrant and clergyman, as well as for
the heads of all families and institutions. Edited
by Edwin Lankester ... assisted by ...
members of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.1874;
The family
physician: a modern and up-to-date work on domestic
ailments, first-aid and nursing. edited by a
leading London Physician. Assisted by other
well-known medical men 1930.
Alternative medicine
New treatments such as hydrotherapy adn homepoathy began to be
popular
Practical
hydropathy. Including plans of baths and remarks on
diet, clothing, and habits of life. By John
Smedley ... Revised, enlarged, and stereotyped.1858;
Harmsworth's Home
doctor & encyclopaedia of good health.The
1924 edition included a section on homeopathic medicine
Practical ChildCare
Mothercraft. By Mary Truby
King 1934;
The single-handed
mother. By Lindsey W. Batten ...;
preface by H.G. Wells. 1939
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