My Summer Flowers

In writing there are so many articles, places or things that can be  symbolic of what is happening or what is going to happen.

I researched what flowers might symbolize or foretell.

Pink Geraniums –  gentility,  determination

Physicians, Apothecaries or Surgeons

Who would be called to your home if you were sick and living during the Regency era?

Most likely it would be a physician (doctor). But there have been references to apothecaries and surgeons. What distinguishes one from the other? I wondered that, too.

It seems to become a physician a gentleman had to be well-educated, studied Latin and had to pass a physician’s examination. Since the physician was a gentleman he did not use his hands. He was called to see only the wealthy people of England. To use one’s hands meant you were a laborer. Thereby, vicars, lawyers, military officers and physicians were gentlemen.  

An apothecary administered the physician’s instructions. He made the medicine and prepared the dosage. He put the leeches on the patient. The poor would visit an apothecary or have an apothecary come to their home. If servants in a wealthy home became ill, an apothecary might be called to examine the patient.

A surgeon had no education. He set bones, stitched up wounds, and removed appendages that were infected. He was a hand-on guy that did what needed to be done the best way he knew how. That’s why a surgeon by 1837 (After the Regency Period) got the nickname ‘Sawbones’. 

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Bathroom Breaks in Regency England

The little girls I watch recently asked if Princesses ever go to the bathroom, which got me thinking of Regency England. We know everyone goes to the bathroom and yet in books unless it’s non-fiction, we never write about it. Why would we? But there are interesting facts that I thought I’d write on my blog instead of in my books.

After a long dinner, the women would withdraw from the dining room or hall. Thereby, the room they went into was given the name of the withdrawing room. Later, it was shortened to just the drawing room. However, when they left, it was also to use the chamber pots ie bathroom in their rooms or in a room assigned for this purpose for the guests. Then the women would meet again in the drawing room. 

The men also took a bathroom break, however, they did not leave the dining room. Chamber pots were brought in with port and cigars. A bit disgusting, especially for the servants who had to remove these pots from the room after the men finished. 

Back to the beginning, I told the little girls, of course, they go to the bathroom, but they do it when no one is looking.