Alternative Medicine in 1834

In 1834, Elizabeth Mott wrote a book, The Ladies Medical Oracle, which espoused her advice for women. She had many ideas that were rare for the time: she promoted loosening corsets, brushing teeth regularly, avoiding rich foods like butter, exercising, and incorporating the act of “shampooing,” which was a “remedy borrowed from Eastern nations.”

A few pieces of wisdom from Mrs. Mott’s book:

“It is not with doctors that I disagree, but with their complicated system of physic.”

“It may be necessary to state here, that my cures are made by simple applications of the vegetable world, and not by charms or witchery.”

“Although the body may be in perfect health, suffering of the mind must necessarily produce lassitude and dejection of spirits.”