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 In olden days, people sent for the doctor only when they couldn’t go on any longer. There was no such thing as free medical treatment. Home remedies were used as much as possible.
In any case, doctors’ methods were often painful and not always effective. And there was no anaesthetic, whether you needed just a few stitches or both your legs cutting off. Bleeding with leeches was used for all kinds of complaints. In 1713 a doctor was paid 6d (2.5p) to let some of these little blood-suckers loose on Helen Ley of Youlgreave.
Helen was emotionally disturbed and was described as a “lunatic”, a word which was not intended to be unkind. People did their best to help Helen and the Overseers of the Poor paid for her care over a long period, calling in the doctor when necessary. A week after the episode with the leeches, she was given 2s 2d (11p) for a new smock, so perhaps she was on the mend.
More Information
The Doctor who built a Buxton Street
More Pictures
Health and Sickness
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