Web of Healing

The Web of Healing is an illustrated history of aspects of healing and medicine in Philadelphia during the 18th century. It focuses on the non-traditional and under-investigated realms of healing, including the practices of Native Americans and African Americans and the midwifery and domestic medicine practiced by women. Included are a bibliography and a walking tour of relevant Philadelphia sites, “In Search of Health," with a downloadable pamphlet and audio clips.

The Web also serves as an introduction to the process of “doing history,” drawing on primary materials from Philadelphia’s rich archival collections and critiquing previously published materials. It was produced by graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of History and Sociology of Science. See the Web >>.

This is the first in what will be an ongoing series of web exhibits on this site about the history of science, technology and medicine. The exhibits will highlight the wealth of archival resources in the Philadelphia area, using these resources to explore specific topics, and will be intended for a broad spectrum of public and scholarly audiences.