Talk:History of Medicine (United States)

The Use and Importance of the Practice of PHYSIC; together with the Difficulty of the Science, and the dismal Havock made by Quacks and Pretenders. A. The Independent Reflector (1752-1753). New York: Feb 15, 1753. p. 47 (4 pages) This article from 18th Century New York City describes the ideal physician as one learned in the liberal arts, fluent in Latin, educated in Science, Logic, and Mathematics, and bewails the great number of physicians then practicing in the city who were "ignorant as the little boys in the lowest class of reading school", whose very advertisements prove them ignorant of the names of drugs,that they are unable to hold a conversation, and that these illiterate mountebankes are"murderous quacks" who extort fees from the widows and orphans of their patients, to deprive them of the only solace left to them. (language updated)

Of the Yaws.The American Magazine and Monthly Chronicle for the British Colonies (1757-1758). Philadelphia: May 1758. Vol. 1, Iss. 8; p. 374 (9 pages) Diatribe against the "illiterate German quacks" commonly known as " Lapidee doctors", and the poisonous medicines they give, and advice on self-help for the reader for relief of yaws to "be done with Quacks and their pernicious trumpery"

The Symptoms and Cure of the VAPOURS. The New England Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure (1758-1759). Boston: Mar 1, 1759. p. 46 (1 page) Discusses the vapors and hysterics:characterized by "a thumping of the heart, a croaking of the guts, and a fullness of the stomach", and "dejection of the spirit" points out the general inadequacy of physicians ability to deal with this, suggests plunging into cold water 3X weekly, or "suffer yourself to be whipped by smart little rods", avoid spirits but may have one pinch of snuff daily,

MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. Worcester Magazine ... Containing Politicks, Miscellanies, Poetry, and News (1786-1788). Worcester: Jun 1786. announcement that the members of the Massachussets medical society seek case reports

Form of the constitution of the college of physicians of Philadelphia. The American Museum; or, Repository of Ancient and Modern Fugitive Pieces & c. Prose and Poetical (1787-1788). Philadelphia: Oct 1787. Vol. 2, Iss. 4; p. 405 (3 pages) Founding rules of College- there will be 12 senior fellows, indefinite number junior fellows and associates

For the AMERICAN MAGAZINE.; The Art of PUSHING into BUSINESS and MAKING WAY in the WORLD. PETER PICKPENNY. The American Magazine, Containing a Miscellaneous Collection of Original and Other Valuable Essays in Prose and Verse, and Calculated Both for Instruction and. Feb 1788. Vol. 1, Iss. 3; p. 166 (5 pages) satirical advice to the young physician on how to advertise and convince patients of their remarkable abilities, and fabulous cures