Who was Gabriel Furman?
Hooker's Map of the Village of Brooklyn in the year 1827, 1827; B A -1827 [1861?].[1; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Born in 1800, Gabriel Furman(1800-1854) was Brooklyn's first historian and was very much involved in his Brooklyn community. Furman was an individual who took pride in being a Brooklynite and desired Brooklyn to have an identity seperate from New York. In his efforts to build Brooklyn' identity, Furman was engaged in numerous projects and events. He was involved in the development of Brooklyn's ferry systems and was a member of the water, ferry, and courthouse commission. Furman also emphasized the need for self- improvement via his public lectures which were held all throughout Brooklyn.
In his journals, Furman observed and documented many of Brooklyn's rapid changes, particularly its evolution from vast farmlands to industrious urban society. Gabriel Furman was fascinated with just about every topic relevant to Brooklyn which included race, gender, politics, religion, health, illness, infrastructure and countless more. However, the topics I'll be referring to the most will be primarily his entries on health and illness. Contained within these entries are various remedies used to cure cancer at that time.
Works Cited:
Leri, Ronald. Gabriel Furman: Historian and Civic Leader. New York: New York University, 1978.
In his journals, Furman observed and documented many of Brooklyn's rapid changes, particularly its evolution from vast farmlands to industrious urban society. Gabriel Furman was fascinated with just about every topic relevant to Brooklyn which included race, gender, politics, religion, health, illness, infrastructure and countless more. However, the topics I'll be referring to the most will be primarily his entries on health and illness. Contained within these entries are various remedies used to cure cancer at that time.
Works Cited:
Leri, Ronald. Gabriel Furman: Historian and Civic Leader. New York: New York University, 1978.
His Entries: "The Cure for Cancer"
Curing Cancer with Common Sheep Sorrel
A Cure for Cancer -"Take the Common Sheep sorrel which grows plentifully in the fields, generally near the fence, pound it up together, and then place it on a pewter plate, and set it in the Sun, when it will form a salve. apply this salve to the cancer & it will cure it."
A Cure for Cancer -"Take the Common Sheep sorrel which grows plentifully in the fields, generally near the fence, pound it up together, and then place it on a pewter plate, and set it in the Sun, when it will form a salve. apply this salve to the cancer & it will cure it."
A Cure for Cancer, 1825, volume 6, page 3; Gabriel Furman papers, ARC.190, Box 2, Folder 1; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Curing Cancer with Cleavers/Clivers
Extraordinary Cure of Cancer
"The Rev Dr Bacon gives the following account of this cure by the use of Cleavers, or Clives, in a letter to a friend. (American Magazine, New York 1787=88. page 556.)..."
Extraordinary Cure of Cancer
"The Rev Dr Bacon gives the following account of this cure by the use of Cleavers, or Clives, in a letter to a friend. (American Magazine, New York 1787=88. page 556.)..."
Extraordinary Cure for Cancer, circa 1831-circa 1832, 1842, volume 6, pages 206-208; Gabriel Furman papers, ARC.190, Box 2, Folder 1; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Curing Cancer with Olive Oil
"...a very severe case of Cancer was cured by boiling olive oil in a Brass or Copper vessel till it was thick, and then applying it to the part."
"...a very severe case of Cancer was cured by boiling olive oil in a Brass or Copper vessel till it was thick, and then applying it to the part."