James Africanus Beale Horton’s 1859 work, The Medical Topography of the West Coast of Africa with Sketches of Its Botany, stands as a pioneering contribution to medical geography and ethnobotany. Presented as his thesis to the University of Edinburgh, this book meticulously examines the environmental and botanical factors influencing health along the West African coast. Horton, a native of Sierra Leone and one of the first Africans to earn a medical degree in Europe, offers a unique perspective on the region’s health challenges.​

The text delves into the climatic conditions, topography, and seasonal variations that affect the prevalence of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Horton emphasizes the importance of understanding these environmental factors to mitigate health risks for both indigenous populations and European settlers. His observations underscore the necessity of adapting medical practices to local conditions to improve health outcomes.​

In addition to the medical aspects, Horton provides detailed sketches of the region’s flora, highlighting plants with medicinal properties. These botanical insights not only enrich the understanding of local remedies but also contribute to the broader field of ethnobotany. Horton’s work bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and Western medical practices, advocating for a more integrated approach to healthcare.​

Horton’s work is a testament to the value of combining scientific inquiry with local knowledge. It serves as a historical document that reflects the complexities of colonial medicine while offering insights that remain relevant to contemporary discussions on global health and the importance of indigenous knowledge systems.