The Role of American Domestic Medicine in the Nineteenth Century: Implications for Modern Populations with Low Access to Health Care

Author

Savannah Allen, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow

Date of Award

Spring 2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

History

Director of Thesis

Dr. Joseph November

First Reader

Dr. Burke Dial

Second Reader

Dr. Burke Dial

Abstract

Domestic medicine can be defined as medical treatment provided within the home or community that is administered by a member of that home or community who is not a physician, surgeon, or nurse. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, domestic medicine flourished as housewives began to take on the role of medical practitioner. This was an attempt to alleviate the stress of low healthcare access that plagued lower-income and rural communities. Among lower- and middle-class communities in present day, we continue to see disparities in access to quality health care. I will argue that telemedicine has transformed during the pandemic to become an effective, though not perfect, solution to healthcare disparities present in modern America, similar to domestic medicine’s solution to healthcare disparities in the nineteenth century.

First Page

1

Last Page

27

Recommended Citation

Allen, Savannah, "The Role of American Domestic Medicine in the Nineteenth Century: Implications for Modern Populations with Low Access to Health Care" (2022). Senior Theses. 531.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/531

Rights

© 2022, Savannah Allen