November 4, 1866

11/4/2025

From the 1866 Diary of Mary Knox Herrick
November 4, 1866
Mr. Shepard sent a receipt for kneumatish (?). Em came home at noon. At night Mr. L and his wife called. Em fixed (?) and sweat me.
*receipt could be recipe. I believe in olden times these two could be interchangeable. But I can't figure out what she was trying to say with kneumatish or maybe one of you sees a different word? An ailment? A cure?

1 Comment

Catherine Russis

2/18/2026 12:49:01 pm

I'm guessing she meant, 'pneumatic,' but wasn't familiar with the correct pronunciation. I found this on line:

"Pneumatic machines utilized air pressure to treat various ailments.
They were believed to improve circulation and promote overall health.
Many machines featured chambers where patients inhaled medicated air.
Treatments often included the use of steam or vapor for respiratory issues.
These devices were popular in spas and health resorts of the era.
Critics questioned their efficacy, leading to debates in medical communities.
Some machines were designed for specific conditions, like asthma or fatigue.
The rise of pneumatic therapies coincided with advancements in industrial technology.
By the late 19th century, interest waned as modern medicine evolved.
Today, pneumatic principles are still applied in various therapeutic contexts."

Author

Mary (Knox) Herrick was born May 7, 1813 in Blandford, MA to Harry and Charlotte (Blair) Knox. She married Thomas Herrick June 11, 1836. They had ten children: Charlotte, Henry, Ursula, Emma, Mary, Isabella, Melissa, Bessie, Abbie and Hattie.

1866 Diary of
Mary (Knox) Herrick

November 4, 1866

Leave a Reply.

Author

Archives

Categories

1866 Diary of​Mary (Knox) Herrick

November 4, 1866

Leave a Reply.

Author

Archives

Categories

1866 Diary of
Mary (Knox) Herrick