Apothecary
From ThreadsOfTime
Contents |
More than a Druggist
In Renaissance times, the Concept of apothecary was more than simply a druggist. An apothecary often:
- Provided medical treatment
- Prescribed medicine
- Trained apprentices
- Performed surgery
- Served as man-midwives
Apothecary practiced as Doctor
A apothecary can and most oft does practice as healer and/or a physician. That they make house calls to treat patients, make and prescribed medicines, and train apprentices. Some apothecaries may also be trained as surgeons and man-midwives.
The Apothecary Shop in the Roturier District in Elua is the site where one apothecary-surgeon practices. The shop features a large collection of delft drug jars for storing medications line one wall, and antique implements for compounding and dispensing drugs are also displayed, with some items original to the shop.
Some modern treatments based upon old remedies
Some of the ingredients used in remedies in the Renaissance times were the basis for modern medications. They include chalk for heartburn, calamine for skin irritations, and cinchona bark for fevers. Later it was discovered that cinchona bark contains quinine for malaria and quinidine for cardiac conditions.
Oral hygiene is managed with: 'Gargarism', a gargle of lemon juice, licorice roots that were chewed on one end to form a toothbrush, scrapes and files for teeth, and 'Electuarium Gingivale', a jelly-like substance taken for scurvy. Improper care of your teeth may lead you to feel some discomfort when it comes to emergency care: a dental chisel is used to break an impacted tooth, a tooth key for lower molar extraction, and two 'goat's foot' elevators for lifting teeth and bone. (All pictured below)
Expensive treatment leads to self-diagnoses and treatment
Medical treatment is expensive and individuals frequently diagnosis their own problems and compound medications guided by tradition, folklore, or domestic medical books. Headaches are often treated by vinegar of roses, a home remedy made of rose petals steeped in vinegar and applied topically.
Apothecary shops also sell cooking spices, candles, salad oil, anchovies, toothbrushes, and tobacco, making them true precursors of today's drugstores.
Gallery of Apothecary
 Leeches for bloodletting. |
 Your RX is ready! |
 Recipes of medicine. |
 A mortal and pestle. |
 Mixing a compound. |
 Syrup containers. |
 Oral hygiene kit. |
 Dental extractors. |
