Most people already know that life in the Revolutionary War army was harsh and led to disease and injury, but what about the remedies for those conditions? What did one do when a soldier became sick while enduring the brutal Valley Forge winters or was injured in battle?

Newtown Historical Society will look at medicinal practices during the Revolution on Monday, May 11, at 7:30. Dr Ray Sullivan will present a program called “Rough Medicine: The Medicine and Surgery of the American Revolution.”

The program will take place in the community room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street in Newtown. Admission is free.

The state of medicine 235 years ago had not progressed beyond the theory that the four humors — blood, phlegm, yellow and black bile — regulated both health and medical treatment. By far the most common remedy was bleeding, which was thought to remove the bad cause of a disease as well as lowering the temperature in the case of fever. This could be done by cutting a vein and letting blood drip into a cup or by attaching leeches to the skin and letting them go to work.

Other remedies might include various herbal remedies taken from traditional or Indian sources, usually administered by way of infusing into a tea. The concept of infection was unknown, either in personal or environmental hygiene or the use of antiseptics.

The only anesthesia available was a stiff alcoholic drink. Otherwise, soldiers were told to “bite the bullet.” Proper diet was often impossible to obtain and contributed to the problem.

On Monday evening, Dr Sullivan will dress and play the part of Dr John Warren, a colonial and Revolutionary era doctor who became the first professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr Warren was an important medical practitioner who influenced the development of medicine in the early United States. He was the brother of Dr Joseph Warren, the hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the father of John Collins Warren, who succeeded his father as the second Harvard professor of medicine.

Dr Sullivan will not only dress the part but will bring the tools of the 18th Century medical trade with him and explain their often gruesome use.

Ray Sullivan was a surgeon at Waterbury Hospital Health Center for over 30 years, serving as chief of staff there. He is also interested in New England history, and has published two books on the subject.

In addition, he is a Revolutionary War re-enactor, serving with Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, and has spoken widely on the subject of Revolutionary War medicine.

All Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. A short business meeting will take place before the presentation for the election of officers and trustees. Refreshments will be served following the program.]

For further information, call 203-426-5937 or visit newtownhistory.org.