Patients, Power and the Poor in Eighteenth-Century Bristol

Discover the intricate dynamics of healthcare in the past with Patients, Power and the Poor in Eighteenth-Century Bristol by Mary E. Fissell. Published by Cambridge University Press in 2002, this insightful paperback spans 284 pages and delves into the shifting narratives surrounding health and medicine in early modern England.

Fissell vividly illustrates how housewives, clergymen, bloodletters, and herb women once held significant voices in the discourse of health. However, as the century progressed, the burgeoning authority of formal medicine began to overshadow these traditional perspectives. This book compellingly argues that the evolving relationship between the wealthy and the impoverished was a pivotal factor in the rise of medical authority.

Explore the social history of Bristol and gain a deeper understanding of the medical practices and beliefs that shaped the lives of its inhabitants during the 18th century. Perfect for anyone interested in the history of medicine, social history, and biography, this work is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike.