Stories of illness and survival in South Australia 1836 – 1856

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.