Medicine in Virginia, 1607-1699

"Medicine in Virginia, 1607-1699" by Thomas Proctor Hughes is a historical account written in the mid-20th century. The work explores the evolution of medical practice in colonial Virginia, detailing the transplant of European medical theories to the New World alongside the challenges posed by native Indian medical practices. It delves into the medical conditions and diseases faced by the early settlers, thus illuminating the precarious nature of health in this fledgling colony. The opening of the book sets the stage by outlining the European medical backdrop and its influence on practices in Virginia. It describes how the pilfered medical theories from ancient authorities like Hippocrates and Galen were confronted with new realities in the constantly evolving environment of colonial Virginia. Various sections highlight the diseases that plagued the settlers, rooted in practices and understandings that often lagged behind emerging scientific knowledge. In particular, the text contrasts the traditional European approaches with the indigenous methods of healing, foreshadowing the complexities and adaptations of colonial medicine that would be explored in subsequent chapters.