The Strasburg Heritage Society will sponsor a program on Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Decatur St., Strasburg.

Diane Whitcomb will present "Medicine in the 1800s: The Healing, The Harmful, The Quackery." In the 1800s, people were unaware of germs, bloodletting was a common treatment for illness, mercury was a common medication, and bad air was thought to cause some diseases. Whitcomb will share how medicine was practiced in the 1800s, including how to make pills using an antique pill roller.

Whitcomb is a retired family nurse practitioner with an interest in the history of medicine and use of herbs as medicine in the 1700s and 1800s. She tries to keep this history alive by storytelling, hands-on items, demonstrations, and discovering how the past use of herbs has influenced present-day medications.

Whitcomb lives in Mount Joy with her husband and dog. She is the mother of three and grandmother of five. She is growing a Colonial herbal medicine garden to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary.

The program is free of charge. Prizes will be given to all attendees ages 6 to 15.