Medical aspects of the tour by Martin Martin (c 1660-1719) of the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland
Historical analysis published in Inflammopharmacology (2023)
Abstract
This review is based investigations on the Western Isles, Scotland, by Martin Martin, a notable Scottish Highlander, academic and medical doctor, of the 17th-18th century. His extensive observations of the geography and peoples of these Isles were recorded in his books, "On the Description of the Western Islands of Scotland Circa 1695" and "A Late Voyage to St Kilda". In these books and subsequent papers there were some noteworthy observations on the occurrence (and as he says non-occurrence) of "epidemical" diseases and conditions afflicting the peoples of The Isle of Skye and the Western Isles of Scotland in this period, and these are discussed in this review. Martin also gives details of a wide variety of remedies that were observed or reported by inhabitants around that time. Some of these remedies are interesting for their relevance to the period but others are of doubtful merit. These are reviewed here more for their significance in the understanding of the diseases and conditions of humans and even in some cases animals at that time. Introductions by Charles Withers and R.W. Munro, 11 and re-assessments of the contributions of Martin and colleagues of that time have given insight into the health and condition of peoples of the Western Isles of Scotland(the Occidental) (Martin 1695; Martin 1716).
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Historical medical-aspects analysis of Martin Martin's c.1660-1719 tour documenting medical practices including bloodletting traditions of the Scottish Isles.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This review examines medical observations recorded by Martin Martin in his books on the Western Isles of Scotland and the Isle of Skye during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, including observations on the occurrence of diseases and a variety of remedies reported by inhabitants. The abstract notes that some remedies were relevant to the period while others were of doubtful merit. For ASH's domain, the article has no defensible connection—leeches, hirudotherapy, and the leech secretome are not specifically mentioned among the remedies described. The review is primarily of historical and ethnographic interest and provides no specific evidence regarding leech therapy.
Citation
Medical aspects of the tour by Martin Martin (c 1660-1719) of the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland.
Buchanan et al. · Inflammopharmacology, 2023
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