Two pharmaceutical compositions for the traditional treatment of struma in the 19th century

Abstract

Struma is a tubercular skin disease. The tubercular germ settles into the skin from outside or inside the body. The germ can reach the skin from the outside through a number of means, especially in those with reduced resistance. The germ can settle into the skin through holes or scratches called ports of entry to induce struma. Inside the body, germs are able to move to the skin and subcutaneous layers through contact with blood and lymph nodes.This study deals with drugs/mixtures applied for the treatment of struma in traditional folk medicine that have been stated as being effective for the treatment in archives from the 19th century. In the introduction, tuberculosis and historical developments in folk medicine are briefly noted. Various applications for the treatment of struma in traditional folk medicine are explained. Examples of certain precautions taken by the government to prevent struma spread in various regions of the Ottoman Empire are then provided. Next, two herbal prescriptions in folk medicine are discussed. These prescriptions were written on the front page of a notebook owned by an Ottoman officer. Examples of methods used to treat struma treatment from these texts and those carried out by people today are also discussed.