Figure 2

Johan Haartman's medical handbook. Clear advice about recognising and curing the most common diseases with plain and simple medication, and a small apothecary for the homes and for travel; for those that are unable to ask a physician gave advice on the treatment of all the common diseases. Haartman had a sharp intellect and in most cases he gave an astute assessment of the cures. Sometimes the style was ironical, as when he pondered about the usefulness of placing a snake skin on the stomach of a woman to strengthen her labour pains. He stated that the only possible benefit from that cure would be that the woman might become astonished and for that reason go into labour.