The Scarlet Letter

[Bikko57]

I really think this is one of the best classics of American Literature. It captures a distinct period in time where Puritan thought was very pervasive. My thought is how much is true about the use of medicinal herbs during that period of time. I never reasearched it and was wondering if anyone knew about the medicine Chillingsworth concocted for the hapless Reverend Dimsdale. Would it possible to pass off herbs as a cure without knowing what harm they could do or were they for the most helpful to the people they were administered to. Just wondering.

[Danik 2016]

This paper discusses Chillingsworth as herbalist and doctor.
http://mh.bmj.com/content/31/1/17.full

[Bikko57]

Thank you. I always thought Chillingsworth was based on an actual doctor.

[Offeror]

Just a personal opinion: I read the Scarlet Letter couple of years ago and was a bit disappointed with it. Although the writing is nice and the descriptions of scenes very dramatic, I presume a writing style that was prevalent in those days but didn't end up being compelling enough for me as a story. An easy read though.