During the colonial period of America, medicine was a highly undeveloped form of science. Those traveling overseas encountered many illnesses (http://www.history.org/almanac...). Since the colonial period developed in the 17th century, the science of medicine revolved around the resources that were available before technology. Due to the lack of resources and variety of medicines, an apothecary served as an interesting occupation during the 17th century.

According to history.org, a few practices an apothecary performed include: providing medical treatment, prescribing medicine, training apprentices, performing surgery, and serving as mid-wives. Apothecary shops eventually grew into mirroring modern day drugstores. On top of selling medicine, apothecaries would often sell cooking spices and oil, toothbrushes, and tobacco (http://www.history.org/almanac...).

A colonial apothecary’s practice correlates with doctors. They would often times have to attend house calls, and then prescribe medicine. During the 17th/18th century an apprentice was a young man going through hands on experience in order to learn the ins and outs of herbal medicines.

The apothecary system in colonial American served a great purpose, seeing as it was a convenient way for people to receive medical treatment. The concept of apothecaries and their apprentices serves an interesting and direct view into colonial America and the medical sciences they were capable of performing.

(http://www.history.org/almanac...)