Peruvian bark became a primary tool for treating diphtheria in New Hampshire after Josiah Bartlett empirically identified its success during a 1754 outbreak. This shift toward clinical observation defined his forty-year medical career, which spanned the transition of colonial governance into the formation of the United States as a sovereign nation.
Medical Practice and Philosophy
Moving to Kingston in 1750, Bartlett developed a reputation for challenging traditional treatments. He emphasized wellness through diet, exercise, and fresh air, often favoring the body's natural cues over excessive medication. Beyond his work with quinine to treat throat distemper, he pioneered the use of cool liquids to manage fevers, a practice he validated through personal experience when he broke his own fever using chilled cider.
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Take the IQ test →Political Transition and Revolution
Bartlett’s political career began in the Provincial Assembly in 1765, where he mediated disputes over the Stamp Act and later opposed the Townshend Acts. His defiance of British authority grew as he aligned with the patriot movement. By 1774, his commitment to independence led him to join the Committee of Correspondence and the Committee of Safety. His home was destroyed by fire in 1774, an event that forced him to decline an appointment to the First Continental Congress.
Governance and Civic Contributions
As the fourth governor of New Hampshire from 1790 to 1794, Bartlett prioritized infrastructure development, the codification of laws, and the stabilization of state finances. His influence extended to the judiciary, where he served as chief justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature. He was also instrumental in the growth of academic and professional institutions, notably securing state recognition for the New Hampshire Medical Society and receiving an honorary Doctorate of Medicine from Dartmouth College.
Fast facts
- Born: 1729, Amesbury
- Died: 1795, Kingston
- Governor of New Hampshire: 1790-1794
- Profession: Physician, judge, politician
- Signatory: Declaration of Independence
- Burial site: Plains Cemetery
- Medical partner: Dr. Amos Gale
- Children: Twelve
Questions readers ask
What specific medical condition did Bartlett famously treat?
He treated an outbreak of throat distemper, or diphtheria, using Peruvian bark, also known as quinine.
Did Bartlett participate in the framing of the U.S. Constitution?
Yes, he was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States in 1787.
