Dr William Bell's The Settlers' Guide, edited by Lois Sabine
Dislocated your jaw while praying? Insert a fork handle on either side of the mouth. Choosing a wet nurse? On no account pamper her or allow her to take on airs.
This is just some of the medical advice given by Dr William Bell to the colonists of New South Wales.
Dr Bell was born in Ireland in 1815 and studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, prior to arriving in Australia in 1839. Bell practised in Sydney, Parramatta, Windsor, Carcoar, Orange and Sofala and became aware of the great difficulty experienced by the colonists in obtaining medical assistance in outlying areas.
He wrote The Settlers' Guide in 1849 to enable those in medical need to help themselves or others in times of difficulty. Warming to his task, The Settlers' Guide eventually contained more that 85,000 words and is in two parts. He advertised it as "soon to be published" but sadly, this did not occur.
The manuscript was lost for the next 160 years, until Lois Sabine discovered it at the bottom of a box of papers in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
This is a unique, never before published, comprehensive Australian medical guide for families, settlers, bushmen and invalids in 19th-century Sydney. The Guide is a must-read for family historians who will wonder at their ancestor's treatment and at their subsequent survival. Researchers will find the Guide a treasure trove and today's doctors will also benefit from this sometimes startling refresher course.
Please note that the price includes postage within Australia. If you are ordering from outside Australia please contact us for a quote on postage costs.
Price: AUD$38.00
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