A Singular Remedy: Cinchona Across the Atlantic World, 1751-1820

Stefanie Gänger's study explores how medical knowledge was shared across societies tied to the Atlantic World between 1751 and 1820, focusing on Peruvian bark or cinchona. It shows how this remedy and knowledge about its consumption were understood by men and women in varied contexts, such as Peruvian academies, Scottish households, Louisiana plantations, and Moroccan court pharmacies. This study in plant trade, therapeutic exchange, and epistemic brokerage demonstrates how knowledge weaves itself into the fabric of everyday medical practice in different places.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Stefanie Gänger delves into the intricate web of medical knowledge exchange that flourished between societies interconnected by the Atlantic World between 1751 and 1820. At the heart of her study lies the Peruvian bark, or cinchona, a plant with remarkable therapeutic properties. Gänger showcases how this remedy and its associated knowledge, encompassing recipes for bittersweet, aromatic wines, tales of its discovery, and beliefs in its ability to prevent fevers, were comprehended and utilized by individuals across diverse contexts. These contexts range from Peruvian academies to Scottish households, from Louisiana plantations to Moroccan court pharmacies. Through her exploration of plant trade, therapeutic exchange, and epistemic brokerage, Gänger unveils the profound ways in which knowledge intertwines with everyday medical practices in various regions. This insightful study sheds light on the complex networks that facilitated the spread of medical knowledge and its impact on the lives of people throughout the Atlantic World.

ISBN-13: 9781108816335