The Apothecary in Eighteenth-Century Williamsburg: Being an Account of his medical and chirurgical Services, as well as of his trade Practices as a ChymistFord, Thomas K.
History
The Apothecary in Eighteenth-Century Williamsburg: Being an Account of his medical and chirurgical Services, as well as of his trade Practices as a Chymist
Ford, Thomas K.
Pharmacists -- Virginia -- Williamsburg; Pharmacy -- Virginia -- Williamsburg
April 14 To bleeding Vomit & Chamomile Flowers . . 7 . . 6
21 To Brimstone & Antimony . . 1 . . 3
22 To Purge Honey & Barley . . 4 . .
25 To Purge 2/6. 26 Sugar Candy 1/3 . . 3 . . 9
29 To bleeding & Pectoral Mixture . . 8 . . 6
30 To Visiting Mixture & Sago . . 9 . . 9
May 4 To Pectoral Mixture . . 6 . . 6
11 To 1 lb Balsam Honey . . 6 . . 3
19 To 1 lb D_o_. 6/3 25 Honey 1/0
31_st_ Cons. Roses 2/ . . 9 . . 3
June 1 To 1 lb Balsam Honey . . 6 . . 3
6 To Lenitive Electary & Salope . . 3 . . 6
15 To Castor Oil & Honey . . 6 . .
16 To Febrifuge & Bitter Decoctions . .12 . .
22 To Attend_ce_ & Bleedg in the Night . .10 . .
23 To Honey & Oxymel Squills . . 2 . . 6
July 10 To Honey 1/ 10_th_ Capillaire & Sago 5/6 . . 6 . . 6
August 20 To Vomit & Chamomile Flowers . . 2 . . 6
21 To Febrifuge Decoction repeated . .10 . .
L 5. 16 . 6
The partnership lasted only three years, for reasons not now
discernable, and William Pasteur gave notice to the public that “I
purpose commencing oyster merchant” at his landing on King’s Creek
between Williamsburg and Yorktown. Galt, on the other hand, continued to
practice medicine, serving as a senior surgeon to the Continental
military hospital in Williamsburg, joining in partnership with Dr.
Philip Barraud, and becoming visiting physician to the public hospital
for the insane and a member of its board of directors. He held both
offices until his death in 1808. Yet as late as 1794 he was identified
in court records as “Apothecary, of the City of Williamsburg.”
_THE APOTHECARY SHOP_
The Pasteur-Galt apothecary shop on Duke of Gloucester Street in
Williamsburg is a reconstruction. Its size and location are determined
with certainty not only from an eighteenth-century town map, but also by
eighteenth-century foundations excavated on the site. The land was owned
by Dr. William Pasteur from 1760 until 1778, during which time he
probably built the shop. When he and John Minson Galt dissolved their
partnership, he sold the property to Galt, who transferred it to his son
at the end of the century.
No record survives as to the exact appearance, outside or inside, of the
Pasteur-Galt shop. Some apothecary shops apparently had as many as three
rooms: the front shop, the doctor’s office and operating room, and
possibly a sort of laboratory where the apprentice compounded medicines.
The Pasteur-Galt shop has been reconstructed with two, the preparative
work being done in full view of the public.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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