ISBN 978-1-923386-41-9
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923443-24-2
EBOOK
Frontier Medicine
Stories of illness and survival in South Australia 1836 – 1856
A journey into the harsh yet hopeful beginnings of South Australia, where survival was a daily battle and resilience shaped the future.
The voices of South Australia’s early settlers resonate through letters and diaries and illuminate their struggles with illness and survival. From the perilous voyage to the challenges of an unfamiliar land, these settlers faced an unrelenting battle against a strange landscape, climate, and diseases.
In 1839, Joseph Warner had grappling with the devastating loss of his wife Mary, who succumbed to illness shortly after their arrival. His diary reveals a man torn between caring for his children, managing a fledgling farmstead, and tending to his ailing wife. Such deeply personal accounts, drawn together in this book, provide vivid insights into the harsh realities of settler life.
Readers will discover how settlers coped with ailments and death, the relentless torment of insects, extremes of weather, and the rudimentary conditions of makeshift camps. The book highlights their medical concerns, their use and belief in doctors, and their resilience in adapting to an unyielding environment.
By bringing these stories to light, this book off ers a compelling exploration of the medical challenges faced by South Australia’s first European settlers. Through their words, it gives readers a chance to connect with the raw and often heartbreaking realities of life almost 200 years ago.
About the Author
Margaret Boult is an independent medical historian with a keen interest in the human stories behind historical medical practices. Her work delves into the challenges of nineteenthand twentieth-century medicine, focusing on the experiences of patients, practitioners, and institutions. In 2019, she earned a Master of Philosophy for her thesis Epilepsy in the Lunatic Asylums of South Australia (1853-1913). Combining rigorous research with a storyteller’s touch, Margaret brings fresh perspectives to the intersection of science, health, and the environment. Her background in Botany and medical science informs her exploration of topics ranging from the struggles of early South Australian settlers to the resilience of children aff ected by polio. Through her writing, Margaret invites readers to connect with the past and the enduring human spirit in the face of medical adversity.