Medical Lecture Given by Montezuma on the Virtues of His Menthol Salve, Precursor to Vapo-Rub

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10 October 1893

A lecture given by Montezuma on the virtues of menthol, namely on the salve of menthol and Vaseline he invented to relieve lung problems, colds, etc. He notes the higher prevalence of lung complaints among Indians but says it is due to the rigors of reservation life. He is clearly addressing an audience of fellow physicians. He explains that he invented the menthol salve as a replacement for the "hot poultices" of the period: on the reservation where his patients lived an average of forty miles apart from each other, the conventional hot poultices made of mustard, linseed oil or even raw meat would be rendered cold and ineffective and would lack the healthful effect of the menthol vapor. The lecture is undated: It is signed "Carlos Montezuma, Carlisle PA" so I assume this lecture originates from his tenure as the staff physician at Carlisle, sometime from 1893-1896. Date on record is approximate.

Additional Information

Subjects/Tags: 
Indians--Medicine
Carlisle Indian School (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
Menthol
Menthol--Health aspects
Associated People: 
Montezuma Carlos Interviewee