Webmasters note
It had been my original intent to begin this feature with an exposition of the historical significance of Dr. Buchan's book, but then I happily learned that task had already been done by a latter day colleague of his, by means of a webpage at Harvard Medical School. That page may be accessed via the link section at the bottom of this page.
I chose the 2nd edition (1785) of the work to digitize, rather than the 1st edition (1769) for two reasons. The second edition not only contains all of the wisdom and knowledge of the first, but also represents the freshest advices coming to the attention of the Faculty during the years of the North American rebellion. Additionally, as Buchan himself notes, an entire chapter, one dealing with a delicate subject, was deliberately omitted from the earlier work.
As you go through the work, you'll note mention of terms (e.g., "seton") that the good doctor apparently felt his 18th c. readers were familiar enough with that they needed no explanation. Fortunately for we denizens of the 21st century, we may repair at will to the On-Line Medical Dictionary, without doubt the finest of its kind on the Internet, a link to which will also be found at the end of this page.
TO
Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart.
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
SIR,
THE DOMESTIC MEDICINE having been honoured, on its first appearance, with the patronage of your learned and worthy Predecessor the late Sir JOHN PRINGLE, I beg leave, in a more improved state, to dedicate it to you, as a small, but sincere, testimony of that veneration and esteem with which I have long beheld the Man who, born to ease and affluence, had resolution to encounter the dangers of unknown seas and distant climes, in pursuit of useful Science; and whose constant object has been to render that Science subservient to the happiness and civilization of Society.
I have the honour to be, with great respect,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
London,
Nov. 10, 1785
W. BUCHAN.
Of the General Causes of Diseases.
Of Children
-Diseased Parents
-Clothing of Children
-Food of ditto
-Exercise of ditto
-Bad effects of unwholesome Air upon ditto
-Nurses
Of the Laborious, &c.
-the Sedentary
-the Studious
Of Aliment
Of Air
Of Exercise
Of Sleep
-Clothing
Of Intemperance
Of Cleanliness
Of Infection
Of the Passions
-Anger
-Fear
-Grief
-Love
-Religious Melancholy
Of the Common Evacuations
-Stool
Of Urine
-Perspiration
-being affected by Changes in the Atmosphere
-Wet Clothes
-Wet Feet
-Night Air
-Damp beds
-Damp Houses
-Sudden Transitions from Heat to Cold
Of Diseases.
Of the Knowledge and Cure of Diseases
Of Fevers in general
Of intermitting Fevers or Agues
Of an Acute Continual Fever
Of the Pleurisy
-Bastard ditto
-Paraphrenitis
Inflammation of the Lungs
Of Consumptions
Of the Slow or Nervous Fever.
Malignant, Putrid, or Spotted Fever
Miliary Fever
Remitting Fever
The Small-pox
Inoculation
The Measles
-Scarlet Fever
-Bilious Fever
St. Anthony's Fire
Inflammation of the Brain
Inflammation of the Eyes
The Quinsey
-Malignant ditto
Colds and Coughs
A Common Cough
Hooping-Cough
Inflammation of the Stomach
-Of the Intestines
Of the Colic
Inflammation of the Kidnies
-of the Bladder
-of the Liver
Of the Cholera Morbus, and other excessive Discharges from the Stomach and Bowels
-a Diarrhoea, or Looseness
-Vomiting
Of the Diabetes, or excessive Discharge of Urine
-a Suppression of ditto
-the Gravel and Stone
Involuntary Discharges of Blood
Bleeding at the Nose
Bleeding and Blind Piles
Spitting of Blood
Vomiting of Blood
Bloody Urine
-Dysentery, or Bloody Flux
Coeliac Passion
Of the Head-ach
-Tooth-ach
-Ear-ach
Pain of the Stomach, &c.
Of Worms
Of the Jaundice
Of the Dropsy
Of the Gout
-Rheumatism
Of the Scurvy
-Scrophula
-Itch
Of the Asthma
Of the Apoplexy
Of Costiveness
-Want of Appetite
-Heartburn
Of Nervous Diseases
-Melancholy
-the Palsy
-the Epilepsy, or Falling Sickness
-the Hiccup
-Cramp of the Stomach
-the Night-mare
-Swoonings
-Flatulencies, or Wind
-Low Spirits
-Hysteric Affections
-Hypochondriac Affections
Disorders of the Senses
-of the Eye
A Gutta Serena
A Cataract
Short Sightedness
Seeing only at too great a distance
Squinting
Spots or Specks
Bloodshot Eye
Watery or Weeping Eye
Of the Ear,
-Taste and Smell
-Touch
Of a Scirrhus and Cancer.
Of Poisons.
-Mineral Poisons
-Vegetable ditto
Bites of poisonous Animals.
- of the Mad Dog
-of the Viper
-of poisonous Insects
-of the Rattle Snake
Of the Venereal Disease
-Virulent Gonorrhea
-Gleets
-Swelled Testicle
-Buboes
-Chancres
-A Confirmed Lues, or Pox
General Observations
Diseases of Women
Of the Menstrual Discharge.
-Pregnancy
-Child-birth
-Barrenness
Diseases of Children
Of the Meconium
-the Aphthae or Thrush
-Acidities
-Galling and Excoriation
-Stoppage of the Nose
-Vomiting
-a Looseness
-Eruptions
-the Croup
-Teething
Of the Rickets
-Convulsions
-Water in the Head
Of Surgery
-Bleeding
-Inflammations and Abscesses
-Wounds
-Burns
-Bruises
-UIcers
Of Dislocations
Dislocation of the jaw
-of the Neck
-of the Ribs
-of the Shoulder
-of the Elbow
-of the Wrist and Fingers
-of the Thigh
-of the Knees
-of the Ancles
-of the Toes
Of Broken Bones, &c.
-Strains
-Ruptures
Of Casualties
-Substances stopt between the Mouth and Stomach
-Drowned Persons
-Noxious Vapours
Effects of Extreme Cold
-Heat
Of Fainting, Fits, and other Cases, which require immediate Assistance
-Intoxication
-Suffocating and Strangling
-Persons who expire in Convulsion Fits
Cautions concerning Cold Bathing, and drinking the Mineral Waters
Balsams
Boluses
Cataplasms and Sinapisms
Clysters
Collyria, or Eye-waters
Confections
Conserves and Preserves
Decoctions
Draughts
Electuaries
Emulsions
Extracts
Fomentations
Gargles
Infusions
Juleps
Mixtures
Ointments, Liniments, Cerates
Pills
Plasters
Powders
Syrups
Tinctures, Elixirs, &c.
Vinegars
Waters by Infusion, &c.
Simple distilled Waters
Spirituous distilled Waters
Wheys
Wines
Related Websites
Dr. Adam G. N. Moore
Richard Siderits M.D. Yale University
University of Pennsylvania website
McFarland & Company; ISBN: 0-7864-0338-1
Rutledge Books, Inc.; ISBN: 1-887750-93-2