Book of the Month: William Buchan’s Domestic Medicine.
William Buchan (1729-1805) was a Scottish doctor who, in 1769, produced the first edition of what was to be one of the most popular and successful medical books ever published.
Buchan was critical of the medical profession for making a mystery of their art and his book, which was entitled Domestic Medicine; or a Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases, by Regimen and Simple Medicines, was aimed at the lay public and was intended to give practical advice on preserving good health and treating common ailments using easily obtained medical preparations.
Buchan's advocacy of self-help, simple treatments, plain diet, hygiene and temperance struck a chord with the public, particularly wives and mothers who would be largely responsible for the health of their household. It was said that the two books to be found in every Scottish croft were Buchan and the Bible. He was also a strong supporter of inoculation against smallpox, more than 20 years before the publication of Jenner's Introduction of Vaccination.
The book became an instant best seller and was to run to 21 editions in Britain and Ireland and remain in print for over 90 years. It was translated into all the main European languages and also enjoyed great popularity in the USA.
Dun's Library holds copies of seven different editions of this book, ranging from the 3rd (1774) to the 21st (1813), all except one printed in Dublin. The copy of the 6th edition of 1777 has the name "Anne Mahon, Castlegar" written on the title page. She was part of the Mahon family, who loved on the extensive Mahon Estate in Castlegar, Co. Galway, and would have been a typical user of Buchan in her care of her family and servants.
Buchan died in 1805 and was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey.
Robert Mills, RCPI Librarian