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The information on this page is not intended as medical advice.
What is an Apothecary?
What is an Apothecary?
An Apothecary (upper case “A”) was essentially an earlier form of a pharmacy. Medicines were stored, displayed, distrubuted, and sold in these shops. It was where the people of a community could come to receive medicine as well as other goods such as candies, much like what you might see in a modern pharmacy.
The apothecary (lower case “a”) was the early pharmacist. They prepared the medicine.
Jonathan Potts was primarily a physician, but he also ran an apothecary alongside his practice in Reading, PA. He likely operated out of two rooms, one as a shopfront to sell medicines and one as a laboratory to make medicines. He could distribute the medicine he himself prescribed.¹
Who worked in the Apothecary?
Who worked in the Apothecary?
An apothecary would often have help in their practice. Many took on apprentices, hired, or enslaved help.
Jonathan Potts most likely used enslaved labor in his practice.
Pompey & Hester
Pompey & Hester
Pompey (or Pomp) (male) and Hester (or Esther) (female) were two enslaved people that appear in Jonathan Potts’ ledgers. Although not much is known about either, they were both most likely working in Jonathan’s Apothecary garden.²
In a letter to his brother discussing his medical practice, Jonathan remarks that his “gardens go on well” and that he has “a set” of enslaved individuals to attend them. Other letters may imply that Hester was also working in the laboratory to create medicines or at least to transport them.²
The kitchen at Pottsgrove Manor, set up as a medical lab
In the Garden
In the Garden
Apothecaries would often grow medicinal plants in their own gardens.
Here's a selection of what's currently growing at Pottsgrove Manor:
Hyssop
Hyssop, a plant similar to mint, was used primarily to treat issues in the chest and lungs, such as coughs or asthma. ⁴, ⁵, ⁶
Fennel
Fennel, which tastes similar to licorice, was generally used to calm upset stomachs or to relieve issues like flatulence. ⁴, ⁵, ⁶
Wormwood
Wormwood was often infused into wine and ale to create a medicine that was said to strengthen the stomach. ⁴, ⁵, ⁶
Sage
Sage was used to generally improve health, working as a warming medicine. It was said to encourage appetite and to calm the nervous system. ⁴, ⁵, ⁶
What's in the Apothecary?
What's in the Apothecary?
Treatments & Bloodletting
Doctors of the 18th century believed in a concept called “humoral pathology,” which attributed diseases to uncontrolled “humours” or bodily fluids.
It was believed that various diseases were caused by any one of these four humours – blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile – flowing too freely, flowing too little, or even just existing in excess in the body. ³
As a result of this belief, medical treatments in the 18th century often involved practices such as bloodletting, which sought to balance the humours by letting out excess blood. ³
Medications were also often intended to "soften" or "strengthen" the humours, as needed.
Bleeding bowl, used to measure the amount of blood lost in a session of bloodletting, reproduction, loan courtesy of Jennifer Bolton.
Leech case, used to contain leeches which were used as another form of bloodletting, reproduction.
The Apothecary Chest
An 18th century apothecary would likely have medicines and medicinal ingredients on hand in their shop. These medicines were used to balance the humours and relieve symptoms such as pain or stomach aches.
Check out what's in the chest at Pottsgrove Manor below!
Click on a drawer to open it and learn more about each medicinal ingredient
CaryophilliaFl. Lavend.Rad. Rhabarb.C. Cinnam.Fol. SenaRad. ValerianaC. AurantFr. Nux. Mosch.Rad. Zingib.C. LimonesOpiumS. AnisumC. Peruv.P. Longum.S. FœnumFl. Cham.Rad. Glycyr.S. CardamomWhat do the abbreviations mean?
18th century medicine often uses Latin. The letters and abbreviations on the apothecary chest are abbreviations for Latin prefixes referring to the different parts of the plants that these medicines come from.
C. – cortex, or outer layer
Fl. – flores, or flower
Fol. – folium, or leaf
Fr. – fructus, or fruit
P. – piper, or pepper
Rad. – radix, or root
S. – semen, or seed
In Jonathan's Ledger
In Jonathan's Ledger
Jonathan Potts kept good records of his practice, including of the medicines and tools he purchased.
While he purchased many of the medicines in the Apothecary chest above, he also purchased some items that might be more familiar to a modern home.
Castile Soap
Castile Soap
Although 18th century doctors did not quite have a concept of germs, they still practiced cleanliness. Castile soap, made from olive oil, is still readily available today.
Camphor
Camphor
Although this word may not be familiar, the very strong, almost minty scent of this ingredient most likely is. Camphor is still widely used today as an active ingredient in topical medicines, like muscle relaxers, cold relief rubs, and even lip balm. ⁶
Cream of Tartar
Cream of Tartar
Many 18th century medicinal ingredients doubled as cooking ingredients. Although these products stick around from then till now, they often loose their medicinal prowess. ⁶
Jonathan also purchased some less than familiar items...
Ledger Excerpt
Ledger Excerpt
Jonathan kept great records of his finances, especially for his Apothecary. This close up of his invoice shows that he purchased two ivory syringes, 6 pill boxes, and as well as some amount of camphor.
Read some pages from the ledger
These three pages from Jonathan's ledger show that he purchased some of the medicines above. You may recognize ingredients, objects, or even prefixes from the Apothecary chest.
Take a look and see what you can find! Click the arrow on the bottom for hints.
This page uses the prefixes Rad. and Flor., and mentions Cream of Tartar, Camphor, and Castile [soap].
This page uses the prefixes Rad. and Semen (Latin for seed), and mentions the ingredients Caryophilla and Lavender.
This page is certainly the trickiest! But it has several mentions of "Cort. Peruv," or Peruvian bark.
Citations for this page
Citations for this page
Blanco, Richard L. Physician of the American Revolution: Jonathan Potts. New York, NY: Garland Publishing, 1974.
From documents and letters as cited in James, Mrs. Thomas Potts. Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior. Cambridge, MA.: 1894.
Williams, Guy R. The Age of Agony: the Art of Healing, c. 1700-1800. Chicago, IL: Academy Chicago Publishers, 1986.
Barrow, John. Dictionarium Medicum Universale: or, a New Medical Dictionary...etc. London: T. Longman&C. Hitch; A. Miller, 1749.
Berlu, John Jacob. The Treasury of Drugs Unlock'd...etc. London: S. Ballard, 1738.
Lewis, William. The New Dispensatory...etc. London: J. Nourse, 1765.
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