Exercise
For students and teachers, this suggested exercise encourages further reflection and thought on the topics discussed in the pages in this section of the Web of Healing.
From the Garden to the Kitchen to the Sickroom:
Women and Healing in 18th-Century Philadelphia
Review the pages from the receipt books of Elizabeth Coates Paschall and Catherine Haines, both of whom lived in Philadelphia during the 18th century. What can you learn about healing in the 18th century from these entries? Write a 1000-word essay in which you discuss the historical questions these sources allow you to ask. What are the benefits and drawbacks to dealing with these kinds of materials? Think about the ways in which they might illuminate our search for a more complete understanding of the past. Also consider additional sources you might be able to use that could aid you in piecing together a narrative based on Catherine and Elizabeth’s receipt books.