Looking for a doctor/surgeon/physician or midwife?

In Canada we have an excellent publicly funded health care system. And medical knowledge throughout the world is improving all the time. Both things make it something of a shock then, when you look at the health care of the Regency era.

The first line of defense against illness was home remedies. The second line of defense was the apothecary. The third line perhaps was a doctor, if there was one within reach. The names doctor, physician and surgeon were occasionally confused and the duties could overlap. Often the practitioner had little or no training. But education and standards for medical practitioners were improving, and medical discoveries were happening apace during the Regency.

The practitioners that did exist had no hesitation in advertising their services in the newspapers and distributing trade cards that explained their business.

Kentish Gazette Tuesday 2 February 1808

http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/johnson/online-exhibitions/a-nation-of-shopkeepers

Inoculation had only recently been discovered to be effective, but there were already practitioners advertising their services for the procedure.

http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/johnson/online-exhibitions/a-nation-of-shopkeepers

 

 

Any number of apothecary/surgeons also advertised their services as 'man-midwives'. I find the name discomforting, and I wonder about the extent of their knowledge and the quality of their ministrations.

Carlisle Patriot Saturday 20 March 1819

Stamford Mercury Friday 2 September 1808

http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/johnson/online-exhibitions/a-nation-of-shopkeepers

Among the dozens of advertisements for the man-midwife, I could find only one for a female midwife. Her qualifications sound excellent, but it is interesting that she feels she has to list them and offer testimonials when the men simply 'hang out their shingle', so to speak.

Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 1 July 1814

 And finally, there were the 'new' practitioners, listing their association with a particular medical college and ensuring that potential clients know they have been trained and educated in medicine.

Westmorland Gazette Saturday 27 June 1818

Whenever I think that I would like to live in the Regency era, dance with an earl at Almack's, or eat ices at Gunter's, I remember the health care of the era, and I am thankful I live where I do, and in the year 2015.

'Til next time,

Lesley-Anne

Publication Day - The Possibility of Scandal

It is my great pleasure to announce that my tenth traditional Regency romance - The Possibility of Scandal - has been published today by Uncial Press. It is available from Uncial Press, Amazon Kindle and many other ebook suppliers.

~When the Haythe twins undertake a mad adventure, there is always the likelihood of disaster.~

The first review came out a few weeks ago, and was most gratifying:

"Ms. McLeod has made the Regency era her specialty, and her research shows. She also imbues her work with originality and creativity. Her plotting and characterization make THE POSSIBILITY OF SCANDAL a riveting read that will draw readers not only into the colorful theatrical world of the times, but into the lives of a varied group of personalities. And if you are interested in the Regency era, make a visit to www.lesleyannemcleod.com."

Jane Bowers
Romance Reviews Today

When I began to write 'The Possibility of Scandal' I immersed myself in Regency theatre, although the theatre that the Haythe twins encounter is not at all typical.

This engraving of a theatre from the book Old and New London influenced the appearance of the Haythes' Fortune Theatre in Rotherham, although I added a portico.

I collected pictures of theatre auditoriums in order to make the Haythes' theatre very different from the usual.

Opera House Haymarket 1809

Royal Coburg Theatre 1818

Sadlers Wells Theatre 1810

It has been an interesting adventure researching and writing The Possibility of Scandal. 
Don't forget to visit my Facebook page to enter to win a copy of the ebook--or simply email me at lesleyannemcleod@gmail.com

'Til next time,

Lesley-Anne

All the News from Brighton

I thought you might be interested in the latest news from Brighton, according to the Sussex Advertiser of December 27, 1819:

Clicking on the items will enlarge them, for easier reading, in a new window.

It is this kind of research that brings the Regency period to life for me; I hope you find it interesting.

'Til next time,

Lesley-Anne