Primitive Physick

by John Wesley

The Primitive Physic of John Wesley was first crafted in the middle of the 1700s; more than a century later it remained in print in several forms, a testament to its continued use as a tract of folk medicine, proto-homeopathy, and its function as a general pragmatic herbal of sorts.

Proposing treatments (receipts) for over one hundred conditions and diseases, including both the chronic and acute, the fatal and the annoying, Wesley's work must of necessity be included in any competent catalog of herbal or early medical works of note.

Excerpt from Primitive Physic: Or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases

When man came first out of the hands of the Great Creator, clothed in body as well as in soul, with immortality and incorruption, there was no place for physic, or the art of healing. As he knew no sin, so he knew no pain, no sickness, weakness, or bodily disorder. The habitation wherein the angelic mind, the Divin Particula Aur abode, although originally formed out of the dust of the earth, was liable to no decay. It had no seeds of corruption or dissolution within itself. And there was nothing without to injure it: heaven and earth, and all the hosts of them were mild, benign, and friendly to human nature. The entire creation was at peace with man, so long as man was at peace with his Creator. So that well might "the morning-stars sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy."
2. But since man rebelled against the Sovereign of heaven and earth, how entirely is the scene changed! The incorruptible frame hath put on corruption, the immortal has put on mortality. The seeds of weakness and pain, of sickness and death, are now lodged in our inmost substance; whence a thousand disorders continually spring, even without the aid of external violence. And how is the number of these increased by every thing round about us? The heavens, the earth, and all things contained therein, conspire to punish the rebels against their Creator.

Genres: Christian

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 1779

About the author

John Wesley is recognized as the founder of Methodism. An acclaimed preacher, Wesley travelled extensively on horseback and drew large crowds for his outdoor sermons. A contemporary of William Wilberforce, Wesley was a strong voice opposing slavery in England and the United States. His influence upon modern Christianity can be seen by the large number of Methodist organizations in the Wesleyan tradition all over the world.

Reviews

[Moira L. Mefein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating information

While I would not want to trade my first aid kit for this manual. I find many of the suggested treatments pharmaceutically logical. In addition, Wesley's tirades about doctors making health care unduly complicated rings true today just as much as it did in the mid-18th century. Top that with his frustration at collusion between doctors and those who make drugs, and you could be reading something written this morning!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting historical read.