Medical Response
Humanity and pandemics have always coincided. Since ancient times, people have turned to plants and herbal remedies to heal their various illnesses. The field of medicine is ever changing and adapting, and these exhibit cases are designed to illustrate the various medical developments that fend off disease.
In these cases there are various examples of botanical remedies found in books such as the use of vervain, vinegars for antiseptic, and the purple pitcher plant. These remedies continued to be used, and were improved by John Wesley in his highly popular text, the Primitive Physick, which he outlines the cures to the King's Evil, the plague, Hooping-Cough, and Cholera.
Later developments in the medical field are represented with 20th c. pamphlets on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and photos of vaccinations.
Overview of first case
Healing herbs
Healing Herbs and Their Uses through time
Vervain
Case #1: Healing Herbs and Their Uses
Overview of Case #2
The purple pitcher plant and smallpox
Effects of Cholera
John Wesley's Primitive Physic
Ship doctor's manuscript, and book detailing quarantines at sea
Various types of advised quarantine for sea travel
Case #2: Diseases and Remedies
Overview of third case
Government documentation on epidemics, and HIV/AIDS responses
Photo of vaccinations, documents on Tuberculosis
Government documentation
Child wearing a mask against sickness
Vaccinations
Case #3: Infections & Vaccinations
Herbs and recipes used by plague doctors, and common antiseptics
Case #4: Plague Doctor's Tools