Q&A: Learn About 18th-century Medicine with Dr. James Craik
Q: Emily from Jenks asks: Was Dr. Craik an actual person in real life?
A: Yes, I lived from July 1730 – February 6, 1814.
Q: Bella from Jenks asks: Is Dr. Craik Scottish?
A: Yes, I was born in in the parish of Kirkbean, County Kirkcudbright, near Dumfries in Scotland.
Q: Olivia from Mr. Ramsey’s class in Shawnee wants to know if you had schools back then?
A: Yes, there were schools in the 18th Century. Most were one room schoolhouses. Some students learned at home from Tutors. Some learned trades as appentices.
Q: Ella from Noble asks: Do you know when Dr. Craik started his doctor training?
A: I started my medical education at the University of Edinburgh, when I was 10 years old.
Q: Brendon from Norman asks: What year did you become a doctor?
A: In 1750 at the age of 20.
Q: A student from Epic Charter School asks: Why would you fight Indians?
A: We fought against the Northwest tribes during the French and Indian War. The war was against the French over land. The Northwest Tribes sided with the French and the Southeast Tribes fought with us (The English).
Q: Angel from Shawnee asks: Was Dr. Craik in the Revolutionary War?
A: Yes, as a matter of fact I was the Chief Phyician and Surgeon General of the Army.
Q: Max from Jenks asks: Did you ever know Alexander Hamilton?
A: I encountered him during the Revolutionary war. I remember him from the Battle of Yorktown.
Q: Marysiah asks: Did you use the same weapons in wars that we use today?
A: If your doctors use Sabres, or sword, then yes. If they use other weapons, then no.
Q: Carol asks: Did you ever get grossed out when your on the job?
A: There were a few times that my stomach was turned at the site of some disease or injury, but as a doctor it is my duty to work through this and to help them.
Q: Teagen from Shawnee asks: Did Dr. Craik discover any medicine?
A: No, I am not responsible for the discovery of any new medicines.
Q: Amy asks: What was your favorite thing about being a doctor?
A: My favorite thing is being able to help people who are sick and injured.
Q: Isabella from Jenks is wondering what kind of clothes you wore?
A: In the winter, my clothes are mostly made of wool, and in the summer they are mostly made of linen. I usually wear a suit that has a pair of knee breeches, a waistcoat, a cravat (18th century neck tie) and a jacket.
Q: Akayla asks: What about kid medicine? Were there pediatricians?
A: Doctors did not specialize then, they treated all people.
Q: Gracie from Freedom Elementary wants to know what the most common illness was then and how to treat it.
A: The most common illness is probably the cold, and it is treated with willow bark and plenty of fluids.
Q: Aliyah from Norman asks: Were there any viruses that you could not get rid of?
A: Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Small Pox.
Q: Addison from Norman asks: How do you make your most used medicine?
A: Willow bark is taken and ground into a powder. It can then be mixed into fluids and drank or it can be made into pills by adding a little honey until it is the resembles dough. Then roll it in to a rod that can be sliced into pills. It is used to treat headaches and other symptons of the common cold.
Q: Carissa from Norman asks: Did most people have clean drinking water so they won’t get sick?
A: Most people did not have clean drinking water. So instead of drinking water, many people drank fermented and brewed beverages like beer, ale, cider, and wine.
Q: Jackie from Norman asks: If you were sick, then how did you get to the docter if did not want to get out of bed?
A: Well, in the 18th century, if you were sick, the Doctor would come to your home and treat you. That way you didn’t have to go out and get youself sicker or spread your illness to other people.
Q: Stephen from Norman asks: Did you guys have eye glasses if you had a hard time seeing?
A: Yes they did have eyeglasses and as a matter of fact Benjamin Franklin invented the Bi-focal glasses.
Q: Akayla from Jenks asks: How could you fix a broken arm or leg?
A: They would use wooden splints instead of a cast. If the break was really bad, the would amputate.
Q: Bryson from Norman asks: Did George Washington get sick, and what did he get?
A: George Washington did get sick, and some of the dieases he had are Small Pox, Malaria, and Quinsey.
Q: Sydney from Sequoyah Elementary asks: How did you meet George Washington?
A: We met during the French and Indian War. We were both serving with the Virginia Regiment. I was the Surgeon of the Regiment, and George Washington was a Lt. Colonel.
Q: Beau asks: Are you and General Washington best friends?
A: We were best friends for 45 years.
