The Treatment of Pleurisy (in the early 1700s)
Filed under: Medicine
Continuing a look at the practice of medicine in the 18th century, the topic this week is Pleurisy. The treatment below is recommended by Every Man His Own Doctor, or The Poor Planter’s Physician, written and published in 1736. Punctuation, spelling, emphasis and capitalization are all reproduced faithfully from the original text.
A COMMON Consequence of a violent Cough is Pleurisy; which discovers itself by a brisk Fever, and sharp Pain, pretty low in one of the Sides, shooting now and then into the Breast, and sometimes quite back into the Shoulder-Blades: It is uneasy every Time the patient draws his Breath, and more so when he coughs; which is generally the Case in this Disease.
THE Moment any Person finds these Tokens upon him, he must, without Loss of Time, take away 10 Ounces of Blood, and repeat 3 or 4 Days successively, if the Pain go not away before. On the Third Day, he may vomit with 80 Grains of Indian Physick (Virginian Ipecocacanna,) and every Night, drink 7 Spoonfuls of Pennyroyal Water, or the Decoction of it, moderately sweetn’d. In the mean Time, let him, every Three Hours, take Half a Spoonful of Honey and Linseed Oyl mixt together. He should also strew Indian Pepper, upon Pennyroyal Plaister, and apply it very hot to the Place where the Pain lies, and be sure to keep himself warm, and abstain from cold Water: Tho’ if the Distemper should prove obstinate, you must apply a Blister to his Neck, and one to each Arm, on the fleshy Part above the Elbow.
THE Patient’s Diet should be light, and cooling; and his constant Drink, either Linseed, or Balm Tea, a little sweetn’d.
THE best Way to prevent this Distemper, will be, the bleed in the Beginning of any great Hoarseness, or Cough, and also to forbear swilling great Quantities of Water, or Small Beer, in ordinary Life.
NOTES:
- Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs). It causes a sharp chest pain, particularly with coughs and deep breaths. Pleurisy is usually a symptom of another condition rather than a condition in and of itself.
- Bleeding
See my previous discussion of bleeding in the Notes of the post on the Treatment of Coughs. - Indian Physick (i.e. Indian Physic)
A plant (Porteranthus stipulatus) indigenous to the Eastern United States that can be used to make an emetic (a drug that causes vomiting). - Pennyroyal
A plant in the mint family, famed for its reputation to keep pests away (insect pests, not your annoying next-door neighbor).- A picture of Pennyroyal (courtesy of Purdue).
- An FAQ on the traditional uses of Pennyroyal.
- An interesting legal situation based on the traditional use of Pennyroyal.
- A Modern Herbal entry on Pennyroyal.
- An article about the use of Pennyroyal in a short story.
- Decoction
A tea that is boiled slowly for 15 to 20 minutes. It is usually made from bark, roots or large seeds. - Linseed Oil
A common 18th century medicine (and paint supply). Another name for Linseed Oil is Flaxseed Oil.- Alleged benefits of Linseed Oil.
- For a slightly contrasting view, here is the MSDS for Linseed Oil.
- Indian Pepper
The author is referring to black pepper. - Plaister (i.e. Plaster)
Also known as a poultice. A paste made of various herbs and applied to a soft cloth which is then placed on the patient’s body. - Balm Tea
A team made from Lemon Balm, yet another herb in the mint family.- Information on Balm Tea from an organic farm
- Balm Tea and Magick
- Small Beer
A weak and second-rate beer. Traditionally, two beers were brewed from the same mash. The lighter (and weaker) second beer was known as small beer.
Disclaimer: This book was written nearly three centuries ago, long before such modern ideas as hygiene and germ theory. As a physician, I in no way recommend the treatment suggested above. If you have a chest pain, see a doctor (and quickly!). This excerpt is presented merely for interest and entertainment.
Previous looks at colonial medicine: Cough and Whooping Cough.
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