Pictures of Nursing

A Summary, Historical and Political, … of the British Settlements in North-America (Volume 2), ca. 1752

William Douglass is the author of the two-volume historical summary of the "British settlement in North America," published in mid 1700s. In this second volume, Douglass provides detailed data that offer insights into the political and economic landscape of 7 colonies and provinces in North America. The author includes statistics and descriptions related to the African slaves. In the section related to Pennsylvania, Douglass notes that "…as the Negroes of Africa, who give poisons, which in various, but certain Periods, produce their mortal effects, some suddenly, some after a number of months or years. They cure several poisons, for instance, the bite of that American viper called rattle snake…"

Courtesy National Library of Medicine