I have illustrated the practice of the first century, from the two manuscripts I have examined, as giving an impartial idea of its every-day methods.  The Governor, Johannes Secundus, it is fair to remember, was an amateur practitioner, while my ancestor was a professed physician.  Comparing their modes of treatment with the many scientific follies still prevailing in the Old World, and still more with the extraordinary theological superstitions of the community in which they lived, we shall find reason, I think, to consider the art of healing as in a comparatively creditable state during the first century of New England.

In addition to the evidence as to methods of treatment furnished by the manuscripts I have cited, I subjoin the following document, to which my attention was called by Dr. Shurtleff, our present Mayor.  This is a letter of which the original is to be found in vol. lxix. page 10 of the “Archives” preserved at the State House in Boston.  It will be seen that what the surgeon wanted consisted chiefly of opiates, stimulants, cathartics, plasters, and materials for bandages.  The complex and varied formulae have given place to simpler and often more effective forms of the same remedies; but the list and the manner in which it is made out are proofs of the good sense and schooling of the surgeon, who, it may be noted, was in such haste that he neglected all his stops.  He might well be in a hurry, as on the very day upon which he wrote, a great body of Indians—­supposed to be six or seven hundred—­appeared before Hatfield; and twenty-five resolute young men of Hadley, from which town he wrote, crossed the river and drove them away.

HADLY May 30:  76

Mr Rawson Sr

What we have recd by Tho:  Houey the past month is not the cheifest of our wants as you have love for poor wounded I pray let us not want for these following medicines if you have not a speedy conveyance of them I pray send on purpose they are those things mentioned in my former letter but to prevent future mistakes I have wrote them att large wee have great want with the greatest halt and speed let us be supplyed.  Sr Yr Sert will LOCHS

(Endorsed)

Mr. Lockes Letter Recd from the Governor 13 Jane & acquainted ye Council with it but could not obtaine any thing to be sent in answer thereto. 13 June 1676

I have given some idea of the chief remedies used by our earlier physicians, which were both Galenic and chemical; that is, vegetable and mineral.  They, of course, employed the usual perturbing medicines which Montaigne says are the chief reliance of their craft.  There were, doubtless, individual practitioners who employed special remedies with exceptional boldness and perhaps success.  Mr. Eliot is spoken of, in a letter of William Leete to Winthrop, Junior, as being under Mr. Greenland’s mercurial administrations.  The latter was probably enough one of these specialists.