Early Medical Services in Berkshire and South Oxfordshire from 1750

by Margaret Railton [Polmwood Publications 1994]
hdbk + royal blue dust jkt (b/w illus), 158mm by 24Omm; maps inside front & back covers, illustrated, sources, index, 244pp.

This well-researched book traces the history of medical treatment for the poor against a background of social opinions and legislation. The story is traced from the Old Poor Law in the 18th century to health care under the terms of the New Poor Law from 1834, together with the development of hospitals, dispensaries and medical societies, etc. on which the future National Health Service was built. Illustrated with photographs, sketches, facsimile documents and tables this book provides the background and suggests many sources to discover more about your ancestors and any medical care they may have received in the old county of Berkshire. (JD - Dec 2001)