John Hunter Gave Himself Gonorrhea and Syphilis John Hunter was a renowned 18th-century surgeon in London and eventually become the most famous physician in all of England. Hunter made enormous contributions to anatomy and embryology through the dissection of cadavers pilfered by the professional grave robbers known as resurrection men. This knowledge of anatomy allowed …
Continue reading “Doctor Heal Thyself — 18th Century Medicine Gone Wrong”
Do you consider Benedict Arnold a brilliant general or an evil traitor? Despite what you may have learned in school, the answer to this question is far from simple and highly political. Blessed with almost superhuman energy and endurance, handsome and charismatic, he was a successful apothecary and a seagoing merchant before the war. Unfortunately, …
People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit. However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the brewer, you should …
If you are serious about drinking cider, then you almost certainly know that US President John Adams also drank cider enthusiastically, and professed to consume a gill a day, before breakfast. Cider was John Adams’ orange juice, and in his day, it was understood that a good quantity of cider, and the Vitamin C that …
13 October 1776 In the fall of 1776, the American Revolution appeared doomed to the ignominious fate of a suppressed insurrection. The invasion of Canada had collapsed with the assault on Quebec, where General Richard Montgomery was slain, and the ocher colonial commander, Benedict Arnold, severely wounded, was forced to flee southward with his men. …
Continue reading “US Marines in the American Revolution — Defeat on Lake Champlain”
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 13, 1775 — The acquisition of a fleet of ships that would become the United States Navy was authorized by an act of the Second Continental Congress. The …
Hops are a relatively new addition to the brewmaster’s toolkit. Prior to the widespread adoption of hops, beer, sometimes called gruit, was bittered and flavored with spice and herb mixtures. Any number of herbs and spices went into gruit including henbane, wild rosemary, heather, ginger, spruce, juniper, and bog myrtle, just to name a few. …
Beyond beer, what are hops used for? Well, humulus lupulus (hops) is related to cannabis (humulus cannabis) and while you can’t smoke it, the herb is used for calming: reducing anxiety, encouraging sleep, and many other medical properties. As a tea, hops are quite bitter and the flavor. Its bitterness is actually a plus when …
I grow hops at home and not just because fresh hops make better beer. First of all, hops area a wonderful ornamental plant. I would grow hops for my wife just because she thinks they are pretty. Hops are also a powerful medicinal herb. You can use hop tea (or beer by the way) to …
Forgive me if today I take a little departure from American History. Let’s talk taverns, Jewish Taverns, and the quintessential Jewish Tavern would have been in 18th Century Poland. It was Sunday, and from church after morning Mass,They came to Yankel’s to drink and relaxIn everyone’s cup grey vodka swished‘Round with a bottle the barmaid …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 