In the eighteenth century, physicians did not have the access to the technology that the medical field has today. They often mistreated patients because they did not have the proper information needed for a specific diagnosis. There were even times that the royal family was seen as mad due to a misdiagnosis. King George III of Great Britain is one of the most known cases. All throughout his lifetime people thought he was insane, but he was actually suffering from a genetic disorder known today as porphyria.
George III became king of Great Britain and Ireland in 1760 following his grandfather George II’s death. King George III ruled over Britain from 1760 to 1820 (Stewart 120). George III was the most attractive of the Hanoverian monarchs. …show more content…
The treatment the king received was often cruel and useless especially in his elderly years (Crews). All treatment was given in the king’s private asylum where he was kept during his later years (“Georg III of Great Britain”). Many of the methods and medicines being prescribed were not yet tried or tested. The royal physicians would prescribe the king medication to draw out “evil humors.” He would receive purgatives such as rhubarb, castor oil, senna, and antimony to treat his constipation. Tartar emetics, substances that resulted in vomiting, were to purge the body of any harmful substances. The king also ingested musk and bark. Musk was more traditionally used within food and perfume, but there was a history of using it to calm the nerves. The bark was most likely to be Peruvian bark, which contained quinine and was regularly prescribed for its fever-fighting qualities. James powders, an arsenic-based treatment, were applied to the King for the deliberate purpose of blistering the skin, but experts now believe that the arsenic in the powders triggered his episodes. They used the method of blood-letting through cupping and leeches on his temples to draw out any toxins. Mustard plasters were then used to heal the blisters on his skin from the James powders (Stewart 123). The king was often sedated for treatment because the physicians did not know how to control him otherwise. One winter, he was kept in an unheated room for treatment (Crews). When George became agitated, Dr. Willis placed him in a straitjacket or chained him to his chair. Sometimes he was gagged as well (Shenkman 102; “King George III: Mad or Misunderstood?”). Even though the physical treatment was difficult, the hardest part of the treatment was for George to leave his wife, Charlotte, behind. The odd thing about George’s case seemed to be that whenever Dr. Willis would
George III became king of Great Britain and Ireland in 1760 following his grandfather George II’s death. King George III ruled over Britain from 1760 to 1820 (Stewart 120). George III was the most attractive of the Hanoverian monarchs. …show more content…
The treatment the king received was often cruel and useless especially in his elderly years (Crews). All treatment was given in the king’s private asylum where he was kept during his later years (“Georg III of Great Britain”). Many of the methods and medicines being prescribed were not yet tried or tested. The royal physicians would prescribe the king medication to draw out “evil humors.” He would receive purgatives such as rhubarb, castor oil, senna, and antimony to treat his constipation. Tartar emetics, substances that resulted in vomiting, were to purge the body of any harmful substances. The king also ingested musk and bark. Musk was more traditionally used within food and perfume, but there was a history of using it to calm the nerves. The bark was most likely to be Peruvian bark, which contained quinine and was regularly prescribed for its fever-fighting qualities. James powders, an arsenic-based treatment, were applied to the King for the deliberate purpose of blistering the skin, but experts now believe that the arsenic in the powders triggered his episodes. They used the method of blood-letting through cupping and leeches on his temples to draw out any toxins. Mustard plasters were then used to heal the blisters on his skin from the James powders (Stewart 123). The king was often sedated for treatment because the physicians did not know how to control him otherwise. One winter, he was kept in an unheated room for treatment (Crews). When George became agitated, Dr. Willis placed him in a straitjacket or chained him to his chair. Sometimes he was gagged as well (Shenkman 102; “King George III: Mad or Misunderstood?”). Even though the physical treatment was difficult, the hardest part of the treatment was for George to leave his wife, Charlotte, behind. The odd thing about George’s case seemed to be that whenever Dr. Willis would