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The Medical and Surgical Guide for Emigrants, Families
Image Not Available for The Medical and Surgical Guide for Emigrants, Families

The Medical and Surgical Guide for Emigrants, Families

Author (1817-1899)
Date1853
Object number00001690
NameBook
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 190 x 126 mm, 0.2 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionBook titled 'The Medical and Surgical Guide for Emigrants, Families'. Extended title reads 'The Domestic Medical and Surgical Guide, for the Nursery, the Cottage, and the Bush; Giving the Best Advice, in the Absence of a Physician or Surgeon, in Cases of Accident or Sudden Illness: Useful to Families, Emigrants, Travellers, Missionaries, Village Clergymen, and Sea Captains. The Government Medical Chest Explained, as to the Properties of the Medicines and the Quantity to be Taken. Written at the request of Mrs. Caroline Chisholm, by Jabez Hogg, member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, fellow of the Medical Society of London, Mem. Path. Soc. Lond., Etc. To Which is Appended Advice on the Preservation of Health at Sea, with the Orders of the Government Relating Thereto'. Published by Ingram, Cooke, and Co. London.HistoryWith immigration from Britain reaching record numbers in the mid-late nineteenth century, emigrant guides became a popular genre for these heading in to the unknown. Practical information on destinations was important but it was not until around 1850 that comprehensive practical medical advice was published for arrivals who might find themselves hundreds of kilometres from the nearest doctor. In 1853 Caroline Chisholm was back in London after living in Australia for eight years. Whilst in Australia she had experienced firsthand the trials of women and families who had emigrated there and the conditions they had endured on ships, isolated properties and in the congested urban areas springing up. Chisholm made significant inroads in assisting families and women in the Australian colonies and did not cease her efforts on her return to London in 1846. She had written numerous informative guides herself, advocated governments and toured the country promoting assisted whole family immigration, but Chisholm turned to a medical expert to write a much needed comprehensive medical guide for emigrants. It is not clear how Chisholm met Jabez Hogg and requested he compile the book 'The Medical and Surgical Guide for Emigrants, Families'. Hogg was an ideal candidate however. He was a well-respected medical practitioner by this stage a published journalist, editor and associated with the Hospital for Women and Children in London. It may also have been through a connection with the writer Charles Dickens, who was an advocate for Chisholm's work. Dicken's raised funds for the immigration of whole families to Australia, supported a number of emigration schemes, including Chisholm's Family Colonization Loan Society and had been a school mate of Hogg. SignificanceBy 1850 nearly 200,000 free settlers had chosen to migrate to Australia to start a new life. The majority were English, Irish and Scottish with little knowledge of the new country they were arriving at. Emigrant guides were poplar but their usefulness varied and often did not address practical family or female issues, Caroline Chisholm continually attempted to remedy this gap and this book by Dr Hogg is part of her extensive efforts.