Introduction
The 18th century was a time of great change and contrast in England. This book aims to provide a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of people across different social classes during this fascinating period. Through the words of those who lived it – from wealthy aristocrats to humble shopkeepers – we’ll explore various aspects of 18th century English society.
Our journey will take us through the realms of medicine, social life, fashion, domestic affairs, and more. We’ll see how people dressed, what they ate, how they entertained themselves, and how they coped with illness. We’ll also examine the roles of servants, the challenges of travel, and the state of education and work.
By delving into personal diaries, letters, and other primary sources, this book offers an intimate and authentic view of life in 18th century England. It reveals not just the facts of history, but the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of real people who lived through this dynamic era.
As we explore these various aspects of 18th century life, we’ll see both how different it was from our modern world, and yet how many human experiences and concerns remain timeless. Let’s begin our journey into the past.
Chapter 1: Medicine and Health
In the 18th century, medical knowledge and practices were vastly different from what we know today. This chapter explores the common ailments, treatments, and health concerns of the time, as well as the role of doctors and other medical practitioners.
Common Ailments and Treatments:
One of the most feared diseases of the era was smallpox. Dr. Claver Morris’s diary provides insight into its impact:
Miss Nancy Dawe a religious, Ingenious and sweet tempered girl of 11…was seized with the violent pain in her head … which threw her very suddenly into Universal convulsions that took away her life in about 18 hours.
Inoculation against smallpox was becoming more common, as noted by Nicholas Brown:
Dutches of Northumberland arrived at Heaton Hall with two children to have inoculated.
Other common treatments included bleeding and blistering, as seen in Dudley Ryder’s account:
Mr. Lucas let me Blood to 16 ounces, in my Left Arm.
Folk Remedies:
Alongside professional medical treatments, many people relied on home remedies. Strother, a shop assistant in York, recorded one such remedy:
About a month since they were all seized with fever, but of what kind John knew not, and not being very able to pay the demands of a doctor, they took the advice of their neighbours, and drank soot and water, and ate just enough to satisfy the demands of nature. With this simple remedy they have all surprisingly recovered.
Doctors and Their Practices:
Dr. Claver Morris’s diary provides a wealth of information about the life of a physician in the 18th century. He made house calls, often traveling long distances on horseback:
I went from Somerton about 7 (being called for) on Mr. Fry’s daughter Frances at Yearly in Membury in Devonshire ..I rode by Cricket and called in on Mrs. Pitt… and I came to Mr. Fry’s about 5.
Doctors often worked in conjunction with surgeons and apothecaries. Morris records:
Visited Walter Stone at Downside with Mr. Lucas. Dined at Mrs. Long’s. Mr. Lucas took off Walter Stone’s Leg there.
Public Health:
The 18th century saw growing awareness of public health issues. Mary Delany mentions the spread of influenza:
That same influenza which I left at Berlin, I have had the hard fortune to find here; and many people die of it.
In conclusion, while medical knowledge was limited compared to today, the 18th century saw important developments in understanding and treating diseases. However, illness remained a constant threat, and both professional medical care and folk remedies played important roles in people’s attempts to maintain their health.