Oatmeal and peppermint

Posted on November 22, 2013 | in Collections, CRC, Exhibitions, Library | by

Gregory letterssmall

In March 2014 our main exhibition will feature items purchased for the collections with the help of the Friends of Edinburgh University Library.  Our intern has been looking at possible exhibits and we will be featuring several of these on the blog over the next few months.

This correspondence, between Dr. James Gregory and John and James Douglas of Prince Edward Island, was purchased by the Friends in 1972. Dating from 1801, they contain an interesting and valuable insight into the practise of medicine in the early nineteenth century. The papers contain prescriptions, letters and instructions. Many of the letters bear the original red wax seal.  Gregory at one point instructs James to eat “oatmeal, if he is a good Scotchman”. The prescriptions include peppermint water, Cathartic pills and Volatile Lineament (with ingredients written in Latin), but he elaborates in his instructions that “no medicine will cure him without strict attention to regimen”. This insight into early nineteenth century medicine demonstrates a focus on lifestyle rather than the belief in the ability of medicines to cure ailments. This is just one example of the purchases made with the help of the Friends since their foundation in 1962.

Comments are closed.

Follow @EdUniLibraries on Twitter

Collections

Image shows Newspaper Article on Access Course Launch The History of Access to University Ash Mowat is one of our volunteers in the Civic Engagement Team. Ash has been...
Default utility Image Volunteering at the CRC: Charlotte’s experience Today we’re introducing Charlotte Holmes, a postgraduate student who is doing some volunteer work under...

Projects

Default utility Image Bearing Witness: The Pre-Digitisation Conservation Treatment of The Witness, Part 1 This week we have the first instalment of a two-part series by Projects Conservator Mhairi...
Default utility Image Glazy in Love: Rehousing the Emma Gillies Collection Today we have the first instalment of a two-part series from Collections Care Assistant, Sarah...

Archives

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.