Health concerns and remedies in 19th-century Parramatta: a look at patent and proprietary medicines

Using archaeological assemblages from 19th-century sites in Parramatta, New South Wales, this study explores health concerns revealed through the analysis of commercially packaged patent and proprietary medicines from a cross-section of colonial households. Discussion is focused on the ailments that affected the health of the colony of New South Wales, the availability of health care in the Parramatta township, public health initiatives of the period and detrimental environmental factors associated with this growing community. Using both documentary and archaeological evidence, the analyses identified the ailments for which people were self-medicating and a comparison of households identified discernible differences and similarities in ailments and treatments based on socioeconomic status. Results demonstrate patterns of commonality in ailments and self-medication for all sites, but also indicated differences in approaches to medical treatment according to household type and socioeconomic status.