banner
alternativehealers.bsky.social
@alternativehealers.bsky.social
"Healers, healing, and the unofficial medical economy in England and Wales, 1834-1948". ESRC funded 3-year project. Led by Owen Davies and Steven King.
https://alternativehealer.org/blog/
Pinned
The project will examine the world of unofficial healers in England, including herbalists, bone setters, water casters, wen cutters, worm doctors, toad doctors, unofficial midwives, cunning-folk, charmers, faith healers, mesmerists, homeopaths, quacks & backstreet druggists
When Iron Maiden released their 1988 concept album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son they were not just adding another record to their discography, they were tapping into a centuries-old well of myth folklore magic and history surrounding this figure. Our New blog👇
alternativehealer.org/the-healer-b...
The Healer Born: Folk Magic, Medicine, and the Mystique of the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – Alternative Healers, 1834-1948
alternativehealer.org
June 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Our latest blog is now live and explores the 18th and 19th-century medical marketplace as a physical space where people bought remedies, ingredients, and simples. Join us for a journey through London’s historic herb markets🌿
alternativehealer.org/come-one-com...
Come One, Come All: Herbs and Simples in the Historical Marketplace – Alternative Healers, 1834-1948
alternativehealer.org
April 11, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Our project was invited to present at this year's edition of the European Social Science History Conference (ESSHC 2025) @esshc.bsky.social in Leiden. We were part of a wonderful panel organized by Kalle Kananoja from the University of Oulu. Our presentation was titled:
March 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Our new blog is now live, exploring the case of Henry Eliazer Robinson, a butcher and workhouse master, and his troubling views on the treatment of the sick poor, particularly his perception of them as animals!
alternativehealer.org/treat-like-a...
Treated Like Animals? The ‘Master Butcher’ and the Sick Poor of Altrincham Workhouse – Alternative Healers, 1834-1948
alternativehealer.org
March 13, 2025 at 9:16 AM
In January 1934 The Occult Digest published an article by astrologer Haasan Osiris suggesting that the great advancements in surgery at the time could be further improved if surgeons operated at "the right astrological time"
Intriguing theory or sheer nonsense? What do you think?
February 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Is history of contagious fits your thing? Check out @odavies9.bsky.social latest blog "The Strange Case of Mass Contagion Fits in Modern England" just published
alternativehealer.org/the-curious-...
The Strange Case of Mass Contagion Fits in Modern England – Alternative Healers, 1834-1948
alternativehealer.org
January 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
The project will examine the world of unofficial healers in England, including herbalists, bone setters, water casters, wen cutters, worm doctors, toad doctors, unofficial midwives, cunning-folk, charmers, faith healers, mesmerists, homeopaths, quacks & backstreet druggists
January 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM