Covering four centuries of medical practice, R.E. McKechnie's Strong Medicine: A History of Healing on the Northwest Coast (Victoria: Morriss Printing, 1972; also Vancouver: J.J. Douglas, 1972) begins with references to the shamanic traditions among Aboriginal peoples, followed by reports of early naval medicine and the devastation wrought by plagues of smallpox, measles, syphilis and tuberculosis. He later documents the emerging science of medicine in the 19th century and the pioneer practices of physicians such as himself in the 20th century.

Review of the author's work by BC Studies:
Strong Medicine: History of Healing on the Northwest Coast

BOOKS:

McKechnie, R.E. Strong Medicine: A History of Healing on the Northwest Coast (Victoria: Morriss Printing, 1972; also Vancouver: J.J. Douglas, 1972).

[BCBW 2004] "Medicine" "First Nations"