Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Browse Items (1 total)

  • MS1996-11_001.jpg

    Medical record book prepared by a Barwick Bruce, a plantation doctor of Barbados.  A contemporary title added to the front cover reads: "Barwick Bruce's Day Book Commencing March 17, 1791." Most entries are signed by either John Austin or William Tull. Each entry lists a date, the name of the person examined, and the treatment prescribed. Plantations mentioned include Edge Hill, Grome Hall, and Bay Plantation. A majority of the entries concern treatments prescribed for illnesses or injuries suffered by enslaved persons. James Bruce is listed as the master of many of the slaves treated. In addition, some entries concern prescriptions given to treat planters and their family members. The entries provide insight into care provided by plantation owners for their enslaved laborers and family members and into different remedies prescribed for ailments, such as bleeding, purging, pills, and ointments.

Output Formats

atom, dc-rdf, dcmes-xml, json, omeka-xml, rss2