From self-medication to the monopoly of the prescription of analgesics: process of confiscation of profane knowledge in France

In the 19th century, when the pharmacopoeia was enriched with a considerable number of psychotropic drugs, most of which had analgesic properties, self-medication was the norm. The individuals of the time had traditional knowledge about the available substances, updated for new drugs thanks to numerous medical popularization contents. Doctors and pharmacists participated in this increase in medicalization, which favored their installation as recognized professionals. But as their status became more and more institutionalized, the official medical profession worked to prohibit any health care practice outside of its control, whether it be the use of traditional therapists (healers, bonesetters, herbalists etc.) or self-medication. In this article, we will analyze the medical practices of 19th century individuals in relation to psychotropic drugs and show the health consequences of the confiscation of lay knowledge about these substances.