A seventeenth century doctor and his patients: John Symcotts, 1592?-1662
Dr Symcotts lived in Huntingdon and his medical practice extended over Huntingdonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. His patients included notable families and the editors have highlighted Oliver Cromwell and his family, drawing on other sources that also refer to him receiving treatment from Dr Symcotts.
The introduction discusses seventeenth century medical education and practice; Dr Symcotts’ patients; fees; diseases from which his patients may have suffered; and treatments.
The correspondence includes bills showing medicinal ingredients and their cost. The case notes contain descriptions of patients’ symptoms, the treatment prescribed and the outcome, sometimes with notes on other patients with similar symptoms. There is a glossary of medical terms and ingredients.
About the author(s)
Reviews
‘The admirable marshalling of the whole material gives a revealing survey of medicine as then practised.’ – Charles Singer British Medical Journal 21 June 1951 p.1350-1.
Publication details
A seventeenth century doctor and his patients: John Symcotts, 1592?-1662, by F. N. L. Poynter and W. J. Bishop. Streatley, BHRS, 1951. xxxiv, 126p. illus. BHRS vol. 31
Out of print
This volume is available as an ebook from Boydell & Brewer for £19.99.
Individual members of the Society can purchase the ebook for £4.00.
Information on membership can be found here.
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