Medications, treatments, pills & potions 1650 - 1950

This latest book in the Kent’s Untold History series explores the changing history of
medicines, medical treatments, pills and potions in Kent from the 17th century
onwards, tracing the evolution of medications and drugs prepared by alchemists and
doctors from the historically plant-based preparations of the 1600s and 1700s through
to the evolution of science-based medicines of the 1900s onwards.
Advances also took place in the design and manufacture of artificial limbs, many
becoming controlled by cables, gears, cranks and springs, which could often be
rotated or bent. By the late 1800s new inventions in the manufacture and fitting of
artificial teeth were also taking place.
The late 1800s and early 1900s experienced some of the most important advances in
medication and medical treatments. The discovery of penicillin; advances in surgery
that stopped wounds from getting gangrene, as well as operating theatres becoming
germ-free environments; the use of sterilization to kill bacteria on surgical
instruments; the discovery of different blood groups and blood compatibility or
incompatibility, which showed that blood transfusions would only work if the blood
groups were compatible, as well as the development of X-rays.
Probably the most significant advances in healthcare were to come in 1911 and
1948, with, first, the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act, 1911, and
then The National Health Service Act introduced in 1948. This later Act was to
provide healthcare that was free for all at the point of delivery.
This 5th title in the Kent’s Untold History series looks at many of these evolutions, development, and discoveries in rather more detail, with input from Kent newspapers in the British Newspaper Archive from the early 1700s right through to
the mid 1900s exploring how these advances and changes were implemented.