Selected Topics for Presentation

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

 

Items of an officer's uniform and their use

 

The role of the militia as compared to the Continental Army

 

The winter at Valley Forge

 

Life of a Private

 

Colonial Medicine

   Theories (beliefs about health), general practices and medical instruments

 

   Specific presentations on

               Surgery

               Medications

               Treatments – sweating, purging, blister, bleed (leeches,                                                           

                       phlebotomy)

               Common medical problems in 18^th century America

               A famous case study – treating George Washington

               Role of physician, surgeon, apothecary

               Beliefs about blood

               Colonial remedies for colds and coughs

               Elixirs/tonics then and now

 

Expressions from the 18^th century

    sleep tight, Yankee, powder room, big shot, lock, stock & barrel, flash in

         the pan

 

NAVAL MEDICINE OF THE 18^TH CENTURY

 

Role of the surgeon on board ship

 

Naval discipline