A seventeenth century doctor and his patients: John Symcotts, 1592?-1662

A seventeenth century doctor and his patients: John Symcotts, 1592?-1662

Dr Symcotts lived in Huntingdon and his medical practice extended over Huntingdonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  His patients included notable families and the editors have highlighted Oliver Cromwell and his family, drawing on other sources that also refer to him receiving treatment from Dr Symcotts. The introduction discusses seventeenth century medical education and practice; Dr Symcotts’ patients; fees; diseases from which his patients may have suffered; and treatments.
The correspondence includes bills showing medicinal ingredients and their cost. The case notes contain descriptions of patients’ symptoms, the treatment prescribed and the outcome, sometimes with notes on other patients with similar symptoms. There is a glossary of medical terms and ingredients.