Ms. Maday:
 
The terms "medecin" and "medecine" do indeed exist, the first being the
equivalent of the English"doctor" while the second is now the equivalent of
the English "medecine" as in medical sciences.  According to the "Dictionnaire
Robert", commonly known as the "Petit Robert", the term "medecin" dates from
the 14th century while "medecine" dates from the 12th century.  According to
the Petit Robert, "medecine" also has an archaic or regional meaning which is
very likely to have existed in New France: remedy or potion, meanings now
covered by the French term "medicament".  Also note that the term "guerriseur"
is used in both International and Quebec French to denote someone who heals (a
healer) but who is not formally recognized as a "medecin".
 
William Moss
City Archaeologist
Quebec City