18th Century Medicine: The Physician, the Silver Bullet, and the American Revolution

The field of medicine will be examined through the lives of well-intentioned physicians and their experiences. You’ll hear how the Revolutionary War introduced another element into the lives of these typical Hudson Valley doctors. Where previously they dealt with illnesses of the body and injuries caused by accidents, they were called upon to deal with gunshot wounds and amputations. The talk examines artifacts, diary excerpts, and other sources that tell the history of Hudson Valley medicine.