Treating cholera

Later in 1850, while visiting her brother in Panama, one of his friends fell sick and died. Mary's brother diagnosed the cause of death as cholera, and she began to treat the first of many cholera patients. The local population had to call on her and she became known as the "yellow woman from Jamaica with the cholera medicine".

Mary’s method of treating cholera is described in her autobiography, “It was a very obstinate case, but by dint of mustard emetics, warm fomentations, mustard plaster on the stomach and the back, and calomel, at first in large then in gradually smaller doses, I succeeded in saving my first patient in Cruces.” When she left Panama, a party was held in her honour.

In 1853, Mary returned to Jamaica just as a yellow-fever epidemic swept the island. She was frequently called upon to tend the sick and dying, successfully treating the tropical fever with locally picked medical herbs. The medical authorities at Up Park military camp recognised Mary Seacole's skill and asked her to provide them with nurses.