Medicine recipe book
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Medicine recipe book
- Date
- 1876-1892 (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.1 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Medicine -- Kentucky.
- Medicine -- Formulae, receipts, prescriptions.
- Traditional medicine
- Preferred Citation
- 2005ms024 : [identification of item] Medicine recipe book, 1876-1892, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Prior to the introduction of antibiotics in the 20th century, medical practitioners relied heavily upon natural plants, such as herbs, seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers, for medicinal formulations. Herbal medicines often helped heal symptoms or alieviate discomfort during an illness. The unknown 19th century person, possibly a physician or pharmacist, who created this journal of medical recipes using plants and other natural substances, likely used the small journal as a reference book for their recipes.
- Scope and Content
- The Medicine recipe book (dated 1876-1892; 0.1 cubic feet; 1 box) is a journal of handwritten medical recipes presumably maintained by a Kentucky physician or pharmacist. Some of the formulas include common herbs and natural ingredients such as peppermint, spearmint, bloodroot, garden valerian, maiden hair, yellow water flag, and others to aleviate the symptoms of common ailments such as cough and fever. Procedures on how to concentrate certain ingredients are in the back of the manuscript, while the first half gives the listing ingredients, measurements, and instructions on how to make each compound. The collection also contains 1 loose leaf paper with instructions for a medicine formulation.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
