NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Bethesda, Maryland ;-J''LE'l TERS AND CERTIFICATES, i? K COMMENDING PATENT PORTABLE WARM AND HOT BATIL TO WHICH ARE ADDED EXPLANATIONS or THE NATUIUS OF THE KEMEDY, > '.•' AND INSTRUCTIONS for its application; Designating some of the cases in which if will bb particularly beneficial, for the use of FAMILIES. By SAMUEL K. JENNINGS, Patentee, NORFOLK: PRINTED FORT Hi: JUTHOti, Bv 55, Dillworth & C. Keemle 1816. t /District of Virginia, to wit: Be it remembered, that on the ninth day of Octo- l. s. ber, in the fortieth year of American independence, Samuel K. Jennings of the said district, hath depo- sited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit: " Letters and Certi- *' ficates recommending the Patent Portable Warm and Hot .*, *; Bath. To which are added explanations of the nature of the * *4 remedy, and instructions for its application. Designating " some of the Cases in which it will be particularly beneficial " for the use of families. By Samuel K. Jennings, Patentee." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, en- titled " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing, the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro-^r prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;'' * and also an act, entitled " An act supplementary to an act, en- titled *' An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro- prietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." SETH FOSTER, glerk of the district of Virginia, Norfolk, LETTERS ;■;, whose outermost courts they have never trodden Others, who without an intention to be arrogant, feel as if the people cig'.t to look to them for instruction. Improvements iu the art to which they can have no claim, must, therefore, eclipse their importance; and with their pride thus piqued, without waiting to reason upon the subject, all their feelings are concentrated in a fixed resolution to put down the cause of their troubles. Such was the storm which was raised for the destruction of the great Sydenham of London ! Such too,the struggle intended to over- turn the herculean labors of that great physician and philosi ;lcr who lately eng'ightened ard graced the city of Philadelphia !— Blinded interest too creeps in, and false fears of future loss are raised, so that every benevolent emotion is suppressed. Com- i:».isseration at human woe is no longer felt or felt in vain ! This ruthless passion can witness destructive scenes of sickness, pain, and death, rather than hazard the possible loss of sordid g-.in. I am nevertheless firmly supported by the reflection, that truth is necessarily imperishable. It may be opposed and even suppressed for a'season, but it will ultimately break forth in all in Ms native splendor, and enlighten the world. Such w?.s the fact in tie memorable \\ illi.:tTnri:e"s motion before the pari it; me nt of England, to put an end to the dave trade. " It fell dead from his lips." So'iie thirty rears afterwards it was taken up and this odious trade in human souls forever ah -dshed. I therefore stdl flatter myself, that as every physician must know the importance of heat in the cure of driea^e,and as ail must have experienced the difficulties which attend its application in any ordinarv way, that many will avail themselves of the use of mv apparatus.— Could this plan yet succeed, by observing its decisive effect, they would necessarily discover the truth of those principles which I shall ultimately establish. With thjs view, I now make my last appeal to those noble sou's in the medical world, who are ready t>) see and embrace the truth, and I call to my aid scientific men of every order in society. The success which attended a simi- lar effort on a former occasion, gives me the greater courage in this attempt. In the year 1814, having the advantage of a personal ac- quaintance with Thomas Gholson, esquire, I forwarded my pam- phlet to him. accompanied by a letter, signifying the good eilecfc the Bath would have in the cure of disease as incident to the army. Doctor James Tilton, physician and surgeon general of the ar- mies of the United States, a man of much independent worth, happened to lodge in the same house with Mr. Gholson, and was immediately made acquainted with my views. In a few days the physician general obtained permission from the honorable John Armstrong, secretary of war, and I was invited to the seat of government. On my arrival I had the satisfaction to find that preparatory measures were already in train for the accom- plishment of my wishes. The final arrangement and the result of the proceeding, will be seen in the sequel. For this polite and and highly respectable introduction to the city, and the agreeable facility with which I was permitted to ne- gotiate the contemplated visit to the hospital at Norfolk, the ho- norable secretary of war and surgeon general, are entitled to my highest regard and most, grateful acknowledgements. But they wili receive a more lasting reward in the blessings which this system, aided by their patronage, vrill eventually secure to succeecii ng generations. Wilmington, (Delaicare) July 16, 1814. Dear sir, Agreeably to your request, I have no hesitation in giving you my se:i5c of the utility of your newly invented hot and 1*1 warm Bath, in the cure of diseases. I can only speak in general terms on a subject s.» novel: and, perhaps, the best method I can take for communicating my thoughts and reflections on the subject, i«, by recounting the measures taken by the hospital de- partment for the investigation of its usefulness. Conformably to an order from the secretary -f war, I was di- rected to make the necessary arrangements for your admission to the hospital at Norfolk. By the same order, I v.as directed to send doctor Hays, an hospital surgeon of great respectability, to assist and be witness at the experiments. The doctor report- ed favorably, and in that correct manner which -gratified the se- cretary of war, as weil as myself. He particularly recommends it in regimental practice, " from the opportunity of meeting disease In its early stages." He recommends it in feveis, lan- go. id excitement of the surface, and diseases produced by sup- pressed perspiration. The doctor made experiments on about thirty cases, very much to his satisfaction, but has not exhausted the subject. I have seen the Bath applied in a few instances; and have had it applied to my own person. Tie ease and facility ol the ap- plication, and the delightful sensations it affords, are greaily in favor of its general use. And when we consider the nervous and sensible quality of the skin, and the importance of this emunctory, a flood of argument must arise, for the application of remedies to the surface of the body. In the promised edition of your explanations, 8cc. besides the theory and direction for correct application, permit me to request that you will, by every possible precaution, guard us against the wrong application of so important a remedy. With great respect, 1 am dear sir, Your friend and humble servant, JAMES TILTON. Doctor S. K. Jennings. Washington City, April 7,1814. Dear sir, Conformably to the orders of the secretary of war, you will be pleased to accompany doctor Adam Hays, an hospital sur- geon, to Norfolk, in Virginia, and communicate to him and the surgeons generally, of that post, not only the principles of your newly invented bath, but the method of application ; taking care not only to show the cases in which it may be applied to advan- tage, with the manner, duration, &c. but especially to guard them against the misapplication, so as not to bring an useful remedy into discredit. [7] Agreeably to the secretary's order, yonr account for expences, &c. may be presented at any time. I am, dear sir, very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) JAMES TILTON, P. S. G. May 5, 1814. This may certify, that, in obedience to an order of the honora- ble secretary of war, and in conformity to the instructions of the physician and surgeon general of the United States, Dr. Samuel K. Jennings has accompanied me at the post of Norfolk, Virginia, and satisfactorily demonstrated to me the principles and mode of making the application of his newly invented method of curing disease in a summary way, by the means of his patent, portable warm and hot Bath. (Signed) A. HAYS, Hospital Surgeon, Having performed this service, I determined on a visit to Philadelphia and New York. With this intention I addressed a note to the President of the United States and obtained the following letter in duplicate—the one copy addressed to Dr. Physic, the other to Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell. Washington City, August 1814 Dear sir, Doctor Jennings has a medical invention, in the value of which he feels so much confidence, that he is anxious to present it to the consideration of the most enlightened of the profession. Although a departure in some measure from an established rule, I cannot refuse a line which may promote an opportunity for the explanations by which he wishes his invention to be tested. His benevolent character is a further apology for the liberty I take. Accept assurances of my great esteem and friendly respect. JAMES MADISON. Doctor Physic. Doctor Physic was in ill health, and unable to attend to the practice. He favoured me with an interview however, and spoke very favorably of my invention. Doctor Mitchell without having received his letter and with- out solicitation, enclosed under cover to the Physician General, the following letter to me? viz. [8] New York, March 27, 1813. To Doctor Jenninrs: 1 thisdav, excellent sir, wrote to the Physician General of the United States, my opinion on your mode of applying heat to the external surface of the human body; and on Pot tin's method of directing its action ilpon the stomach and internal parts. I have caused several experiments to be made with the alko- holic vapour, on the patients of the New York Hospital. I am inclined to believe it is an efficacious and valuable remedy. It is remarkably neat. Nothing can be more handy. And really it in some sort enai lesyou to place your patient 1»eyond the cli- mates, where snow and frost exercise their chilling influence, to the regions where solar w-armth is more uniform and elevated. It is a most important part of your heated air, that it is free from all smoke, soot and ashes. I have considered the spirituous decomposition chemically. I have examined the metalic apparatus mechanically. And I have witnessed the action of the rarified vapours remedially. Considering a torpor of the skin to be a cause or accompani- ment of many diseases ; and that heat is the best of all excitants; I am well satisfied that your method of applying caloric to sti- mulate the cuticular surface is happily calculated to give relief in such cases, and produce extensive advantages to the sick and disabled, in many other maladies. SAMUEL L. MITCHELL. About six months after the receipt of the above highly satis- factory letter, Dr. Mitchell again honored me with the follow- ing most definite testimony. New Fork, 29th Oct. 1815. Dr. Samuel K. Jennings, Dfar sir, Since I wrote to you and General Tilton about the Va- pour Bath,. I have had many opportunities of trying its practi- cal efficacy. I am more and more satisfied with the value of the remedy. It is so neat, so cheap, so bandy, and so within the reach of every body, that it surpasses every thing vrirh which I am acquainted, for. applying c doric to the external surface of the human body. It '^ so capable of conveying heat, so suscep- tible of a higher or lower temperature, and witball so well adapted to a longer or shorter continuance, that its power to be beneficial is exceedingly enlarged. But above all, the caloric may directed to a part of the bodv, ©r to the whole body, to a robust person or to one in the lowest debility, tr myself, I explain it, I order it, and Lrecommend it. Accept the assurances of my ldi:;h esteem and reo-ard. SAMUEL L. MITCHELL. Dr. Gallup of Vermont, from whom I received the foljav.-in* letter.is anaulhor, whose book upon the Epid or.ic Diseases of di -t state, *» c. passed a vei v honorable review in Boston. The Me- dical P- pository of New-Yoric. has also ^iven a review of the same, in which the merit of Dr. Gallup's work is handsomely acknowledged. Woodstock, (Vt.) February 20, 1816. Dear sir,. i have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance vritlj yon, which might be agreeable ; but I have become acquainted with you- writings and wop- >ve:nent in the medical department by the politeness of Mr. Strom:, the former representative from this di-trict. He sent me your apparatus fin cor^evinjj; the r*s of burning alcohol to the bodies of the diseased, for which I feel very thankful to hi a and yourself. The very first re'lec- tian on the subject ca-ried conviction to my mind of its utility, and I coini but he astonished that the Use of it had never oc- curred to me before, considering I have been so intent on the subject of appl;. in- heat to the surface for a seric of years.— I have made various trials of it in different diseases and find it a very valuable improvement. At the time it Mas presented to me, I was engaged in writing on the Epidemic Diseases of this state, viz: in the summer and autumn of 1814.—I have made favorable mention of your im- provement in several places in the work, as a duty I owed to society, and my acknowledgements of gratitude I now tender you. The work I have alluded to was printed last summer at Bos- ton, containing 420 pages octavo. It is entitled. ■• Sketches of Epidemic Diseases in the State of Vermont, from its ti.-st set- tlement to the vedv 181:5: with a consideration of their cause*, phenomc'ii and treatment: to winch are added, remark--on pul- monary consumptions." L 10 J '•Force their slight bands, their secret haunts brtray.f\ JBy Sfc. —-I was astonished to discover from your writings the similarity of object and result from different trains of reflection and in- vestigation, and in remote parts of the union. Perhaps I am going too far in saying very different1 modes of investigation; they seemed in many respects similar. It would indeed, be very desirable to me if your apparatus could be circulated in this quarter. Dear sir, with wishes for your prosperity and happiness, I am, with due respect, Your obd't and very humble servant, JOSEPH A. GALLUP. Dr. S. K. Jennings. The following is from Dr. Thacher, a very eminent physician of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who is the author of a work, enti- tled the '• American New Dispensatory" as also of another, " Observations on Hydrophobia" both of which have done him honor. He is at present engaged in the publication of a a\ ork, entitled " American Domestic Medicine," which has much ex- cited public expectation. Plymouth, [Mass.) March 16, 1816. Sir, Having been apprized that you have invented a method of communicating heat by means of a spirituous vapour batn, I take the liberty of addressing you on the subject, and the en- closed prosoectus will explain my views. I am solicitious to make my intended publication a medium of every improvement and discovery relative to practical medicine, and if consistent with your arrangements, to favor me with a short sketch of the Erinciples and utility of your method, within a few weeks, to e inserted in the appendix of my work ; it will be very grate- fully received, as it may promot* the views of us both and at the same time, prove highly advantageous to the public. From report, i am of opinion that your invention is extreme- ly well calcu-.ated for the purpose intended, and that it ought to be more generally known in this part of the country. I have not been fortunate enough to meet with either your publi- cation o- apparatus, and if any arrangement could be made for the purpose, it mi^ht be in my power to extend the employment of it in this vicinity. I am, svspertfully, Your obedient servant, JAMES THACHERv Dr. S. Jennings. L11 j A copy of my pamphl^ft was forwsr-'cd, and r\frzr'! to remain in indecision between t em, and'to say " uon ru'iinim inter vostaxtas comvovere Mies." I have little doubt of the groat potency of your Steam Kath ; and that It v.ill behind capable of marked efficacy in human diseases.— More time aod observation may however be necessary to di-cri- mim.fnd bowels.—It was a (\<^i^ .are one.—This too was a female case, whom I found on visiting her, with coid extremities and surface, violent pain about the region of the stomach and upper bowels, with lan- gour, faintness, and scarcely a perceivable pulse in the radial artery. In this situation she continued nearly two days, not- withstanding cordials, opiates, and cathartics, were administer- ed, and a large blister was drawn upon the region o'" the sto- mach, and two upon the extremities. Jso passage could be pro- cured, or general excitement raised on the surface. I applied your bath, and continued its application till a general diapho- resis was produced, and kept up for some hours, soon after which a passage was effected by ordinary moans. I then used it periodically, so as to keep up the excitement on the surface till the patient was relieved. I confidently believe that tins wo- man would have died, had it not been for the aid of your bath. From yours respectfully, JOHN I. CABELL, Dear sir, Having used your " Portable Warm and Hot Bath,1" with decisive advantage to several patients, I cannot but regret that any one should so far mistake your object as to suppose that you consider it a specific. Having for four \eavs past received fre- quent communications from you, explanatory of your experi- ments and observations, upon the surface, and of the probable benefits to be derived from a more perfect method of applying heat, I am in duty bound to offer you my little influence in op- position to any such illiberal insinuation. I know that your in- vention is the result of much philosophical inquiry, and promises [13] great good to the community, as one powerful auxiliary in the cure of disease. And I know, moreover, that it may be so used, as, in many instance«, pleasantly to supersede the use of other agents, which are loathsome in their administration, and, more or less, deleterious in their effects upon the system. Permit me to parrate the circumstances which attended a single case, which I treated upon your principles. It v as an instance of a most painful dismenorrhagia, protracted to the length of five days, with frequent faintings, and continued watchfulness. On the fifth day she became perfectly delirious, with a pulse beating 120 in the minute, and her extremities cold. At this stage I was called in. I immediately exhibited an anodyne, which was rejected.. An attempt was then made to compose her stomach with cordials, intended to be prepara- tory for the trial of another opiate. The attempt proved abor- tive. By this time three hours had passed away in painful anxiety, every moment hoping to see the stomach" prepared to receive such agents as appeared to be necessary. Under these circumstances, ,1 most willingly availed myself of t)ie "retrial heat of your bath; fi-st applying it to her lower extremities; and so soon a- her feet were well warmed, removing it to her stomach, where its powers were concentrated, until a general but moderate diaphoresis was induced. Before the operation was ended, the delirium went off", and the patient dropped into a pleasant sleep, and rested composedly for the space of two hours. An opiate was then exhibited, which was retained by the sto- mach. Medicines, such as are ordinarily used in these cases, were afterwards advised, and the bath was repeated the follow- ing evening. In ten minutes after the repetition of the bath the patient broke out uncommonly thick with the measles. I was informed that she had been exposed to the cold for 12 hours, about the time she expected to be in delicate health, and the immediate effect was such as I have described. Till con- vinced by the fact, her friends were fully of opinion that she had the measles years ago. It is worthy of notice, that so com- pletely was the surface abandoned by the excitement, so com- pletely was the excitement locked up in the system, that she had none of the ordinary appearances which usher in the measles. Neither high fever, cough, nor sore tin oat attended her case. There was indeed, an alarming deficiency of animal heat;—and Iain confident without the influence of artificial heat, to that extent, and with that decision which your bath on- ly could have furnished, this patient would have died, and no B [14] one would'have suspected the true nature of the disease, by which her dissolution-would have been effected. I am yours, respectfully, GUSTAVUS A. ROSE. P. S. It is a certain fact, that the sleep was induced exclu- sively by the bath. The first anodyne dose was given in form of a pill, which was seen when it was thrown up. G. A. ROSE. Doctor ;S'. K. Jennings. Ten Honorable Gentlemen,members of the Senate and House' of Representatives of the United States, thought proper to as- sociate in the following certificate, which was forwarded by mail. And what renders it the more important, several of them are medical men by profession.. " We the subscribers, haying witnessed the application of Doctor Jennings's Patent Steam Bath, consider it a v.*p» valua- ble remedy in numerous diseases. Joseph Anderson, William Strong, Aylett Halves, Thomas Gholson, William Anderson, Geo. M. Bibb, O. C. Comsiock, Thomas Telfair, Richard Breuty William Latimore. Philadelphia, August 10th, 1814. Dear sir, On Sunday evening last, I was called to visit a lady at the corner of Market and 11th streets, who on Friday evening pre- vious had been violently attacked with Asthma, and when I :iaw her, was still laboring under much difficulty of breathing, with her face flushed, and great pain in the head, and right side. I immediately applied your Patent Steam Bath, and in about 20 minutes produced a very free perspiration with an im- mediate mitigation of all the distressing symptoms. After this application, I gave a tea spoonful of Elix'r Paregoric and no other medicine; expecting honever, that she might possibly require some bleeding in the morning. Indeed I would then have bled, but wished to give the bath the fullest trial, to ^ec what its effects would be, without other aid. I saw this lady at 9 o'clock the next morning, and was much pleased to find her entirely reliev- ed, insomuch, that I thought any thing further unnecessary, ex- cept a little of the brown mixture as an expectorant. The lady remarked with surprise that the pain in the side had also left her} which in every previous attack, had uniformly remained some* days after all the other symptoms had completely subsided. Yours with esteem, Sac, THOMAS SARGENT. Doctor S. R\ Jennings. Lynchburg, July 17th, 1815. D«AR SIR, Every day gives me fresh proofs of the value of the " Pa- tent PoHuble Hot and Warm Bath." In two violent cases of spasmodic croup, I ejected a cure with it in twenty minutes.-— Calomel was exhibited after the spa:-an was overcome. Mr. S. Bernard, after working steadily during a warm day, was seized at night with severe spasm; his face was quite dis- torted when I got to him, and he had lost the use of his .superior and inferior extremities; the muscles concerned in respiration, were so far denrived of power, that he breathed with difficulty, and those of the tongue so severely paralized, that he could scarcely make himself understood. 1 he Bath was applied and it relieved him in a few minutes. He took a cathartic that evening, and was quite well the next day, except the soreness which was consequent upon the violent contraction of the muscle.-.!. 1 have applied the Bath in the late Epidemic, (Fer>u:irj.r.ionicc T-ivhoides ;) in most cases, respiration was immediately reliev- ed by it. Where suffocation v as threatened from a swelling of the throat, the iiafch was of great benefit. It was associated however with bleeding, blistering and cathartics. By warming the surface the determination was changed and in all slighter affections, the engorgement of the longs readily overcome; but in the mo/e violent cases it was necessary to keep the baih in operation, until imflammatorv action was induced, after which the lancet could be used with' safety, and the lungs more effec- tually relieved. Where the excitement had been equalized by the use of the Bath, the balance was maintained by blistering with a peculiar facility, and in many cases blisters were not ne- cessary. In all these cases the Bath was used as an auxiliary together with other medicines. Among others I also was siez- ed with this disease last fall, and in the course of an hour re- spiration became so difficult, that I began to apprehend very se- rious consequences; my pulse was small, feeble, and frequent, and my veins sunk. I went to bed, but could lie only on my back; 'the Bath with to o cups was put in operation at my feet, and kept there for nearly an hour. By tins time my pulse be- Lis] came full and bold, I breathed w ith comparative ease, and could lie on either side. The Bath was now changed, and the steam directed to the affected'side, for SO minutes, when my pulse be- came tense; I then drew 10 or 12 ounces of blood and after re- maining an hour longer in bed, rose, put on dry linenj and went about my ordinary business, suffering not the least inconve- nience, except from a slight stitch in my side. The Bath has been used by me in some cases of puerperal fe- ver. I find that stimulants may be administered with greater- safety when it is applied ; and in some other forms of disease there appears to be less hazard in the exhibition of opiates, as they are rendered more diffusible by the Bath, and consequently less disposed to seek an improper determination. Wishing that the powers of this useful invention may be more generally known, I remain your obd't. WILLIAM OWENS, Doctor S. K. Jennings. 4 Philadelphia, August 3, 1815. Dear sir, A xtry respectable lady of the Society of Friends, pro- nounced by her Physician in Jersey, to be in the last stage of pulmonary consumption, came here to place herself under the care of Dr. Wistar. But hearing of me, and of your Bath, placed herself under my care; I fully expected she Avould not survive one month; such were her symptoms and appearance, especially, when she informed me, that she had lost three sis- ters and two brothers in that disease. Notwithstanding all these discouraging circumstances, I commenced, and by°day gave her the muriatic acid as you advised, and by night Jen- nings's. Warm and Hot Bath; and by the blessing of God, in six weeks sent her home, not. barely recovering, but quite well. The lady to whom 1 gave the.Bath in August 10th while you were here, in an attack of asthma, has had no return of it since. —Tois I think very singular, as she had been subject to returns of the complaint every three and four weeks, for six or seven years past; she has also recovered her flesh and general health, to all appearance. 1 lately made the ao: hcitieo to a Mr. Da- vies in market street, who for more than a year past, has had violent spasmodic affections of the kidneys. In a few hours af- ter the application, he discharged a small stone, about the size L 17] of a pea, which from appearance must have been formed in the pelvis of one of the kidnies. Yours in love, &c. THOMAS SARGENT. Doctor S. K> Jennings. Stephensburg, July 24th, 1815. Dear sir, For some time f have been testing the medical principles upon which you have established your Portable Hot and Warm Bath. Your invention makes the application of heat both neat and convenient. And after numerous applications of the same$ in a multitude of cases, I give it my warmest approbation. Whether we consider your principles scientifically, or your means of applying heat mechanically, there needs only a fair trial to gain the approbation of every candid investigator. Wishing you success in the wide diffusion of your benevolent invention, (for such must be every means of lessening the quan- tum of human misery) and with the assurance of a hearty con- currence, I remain with every sentiment of respect, Yours, &c. J. B. TILDEN. Doctor S. K. Jennings. The subscriber is disposed to aid Dr. Jennings, in extending the use of his Patent Portable Apparatus, for administering the Warm and Hot B tth. By this simple but admirable invention, every physician, and indeed every family may be furnished. with an elegant and de- lightful method of applying heat. It is not attended with the diiliculty and delay inseparable from any of the ordinary me- thods heretofore discovered : It may be put in operation in five minutes, and applied to a patient in the most helpless condition, seated in a chair, or lying on a couch, sofa, cot, or bed: it is used without water ; the heat being conveyed' in the vapour of burning; spirit, produced and transmitted by means of a tubular tin stove : The decree and duration of the heat can be regulat- ed with the greatest facility, and applied to a limb, or to the whole body, with equal convenience. The apparatus exclusive of a light wooden frame for supporting the bed-clothes, does not weigh more than 1 § pounds, and when packed up, may be commodiously carried in a pair of saddle-bags or in a large pocket. L 18] Physicians of the first ,nrinence have bestowed the highest commendation upon this valuable impiovement iu the applica- tion of heat, and many patients have already borne wboe-s to its salutary powers. Its utility, however, will be sufficiently obvious to every one who knows how much, tie s/hiwis concern- ed in the preservation of health, and f . production of disease; and how fre. uertl- the latter depends upon a general deficien- cy of health, e\ri(' to* 100 since last fall". I have made use of it constantly in my family for ten months, in the comment noont of all colds, and in almost every instance have found it M>vy beneficial in- deed. Most diseases seem to be produced by colds, and on im- mediate application it checks the disorder in an agreeable and pleasant manner. I am myself very subject to taking cold and have applied it constantly, and derived great benefit. I am the more pleased with it on account of the pleasant sensation it produces, contrary to the expectation of a person never having experienced it. I have found it produce wonders in my own family in the rheu- matism, and in the bilious fever ; and in the cholic among some of mv neighbors!—where they could got relief no other way. Some seemed to be in such an agony, as if they must die, and when the Bath was applied, and a profuse perspiration was produced, they were immediately relieved. I attended a neighbor not long since, who was suddenly taken with a violent pain across his breast and Jioulders, so that he could not turn in his bed. I applied tie Bath locally, extend- ing and continuing the heat until he was very warm and wet.— He was relieved. In fact, in a few hours was out of bed and in health. Really such is my opinion of this invention that I would not take gaOO for toe Bath could I not get another.— Some weeks past I had a violent cold, was so hoarse and had such a cough, that I could scarcely talk. I dreaded the appli- cation of the heat on account of the very warm weather; not having tried it in the summer till then. Bat to my surprise it was agreeable, and the hoarseness was removed immediately.— The cold broke, I discharged the gathering mucus and wis shortly relieved. It certainly would be a great benefit to the world, was its value known and it was brought into general use. 1 am with great respect, Your obedient servant, THAD's. NORRIS. Mr. Grigsby who follows next in order, is a respectable citi- icn of Prince AYilliam County, Virginia. August 2nd, 1815. DjEAR sir, Injustice to you and to the community at large. I cannot longer be sdent upon tiie good effects which 1 have witnessed from the use of your Patent Steam Bath. L S3 1 In June, 1814, I was balen ill with a dysentery, while in the •city of Richmond. My friends thought I wouhtido well, to re- cover in four weeks. The Bath was twice used and I was cured without other remedy. I immediately purchased one for myself. Shortly after a Miss Cowles of my neighborhood, was taken sick at my house. A bilious cho'.ic. So e tremely ill that she was unable to umlress herself. I treated her with the Bath till a free persniration was produced. Itga\e her en- tire ease. She slept well that night—ate heartily the next day at every meal, and wos quite well. She was habitual.! v subject to attacks of the same kind, which in every former instance had required much medical attention. It has been more than twelve months since she was cured by a single application of the Bath, and there has been no return of her complaint. :-:he now con- stantly asserts that she would rather have the Bath, than the best physician in the world without it. My wife's sister was afterwards taken with a violent bilious fever. She was cured at once, and says she would not take any consideration for the Bath if another could not be had. Mrs. Crisman a poor woman in my neighbourhood, had been confined to her house from September until June. I gave her three applications of the Steam hath, and the nert day she walked to see one of her neighbors and has not been confined si ace. 1 visited a friend in Frederick county. In the neighbourhood there was a certain Miss Mitchell, extremely ill with a biliou.3. I hadcinried my Bath with me. I went to see her, and re- qii"As\{ the privilege of trying it in her case. She recovered immediately—believes confidently, I saved her life, and ex- presses much gratitude. Two other ladies were ill with violent cholic, both of whom were immediately relieved upon the application of the Bath.— I my«elf was the first in this neighborhood who took the late . Epidemic. I had a terrible nam in my head, with a wonderful disposition to sleep, and my throat was xeey sore. I was taken ah .1 it four miles from home. At my request Mr. Forte sent for a Bath. 1 had it applied that night, and the night f dlowing.—. The. next day I got home. My friends were alarmed and pri- vately advised my wi*> to send for a physician. But I fori;id her. At le ;gth she told me that a certain gentleman, a man of go ol information, had given her his opinion, that I should ce«- ta' :iy die, and t'.rt the c-edit of t'-e Patent Steam Bath would lie ^:,ie forever, as.it would be said that it had killed me. I told her that she could cootradict that statement, inasmuch as sh•• I;new I a'ways was hotter after the application. 1 used it night and .aoruing to my feet, and when my throat would be sq L ^1 sore and stiff, that I could not swallow I applied it to my neck, so as to sweat my head and neck, which was a great advantage to me. I recovered in a few days and took not one particle of medicine. Afterwards my family was seized with the same complaint. Ten of them down at once. I bathed them and proceeded in other respects, as your pamphlet directs—and al- though many were sick, thro' mercy they all recovered, and I had no physician. On the 1st July last, my house servant was seized with a ilux. He discharged great quantites of blood; for more than a week before I was made acquainted with his condition—Two bath- inps effectually cured him. I cannot enumerate all of the many cases which I have al- ready relieved with the Patent Steam Bath. I do not believe that even you yourself, can sufficiently appreciate the great good that must one day result from this invaluable remedy. It will bring lasting blessings on, the human family, and I believe ] no man can say too much in its praise, only let it be fairly tried. From your friend, A. GRIGSBY. P. S. Mrs. Crisman, was so drawn up and decrepid with Rheumatism, that she could not straighten herself until after I had given her the Bath. Paul Carrington, Esq. deceased, was one of the Judges of the General Court of Virginia. Sylvan Hill, August 24th, 1815. Dear sir, Mr. Ramsay is desirous of appointing an agent in Charlotte to dispose of some of Doctor Jennings's Patent Machines for the Steam Bath. I have no doubt, but that the invention maybe extensively useful. If confined to the cure of rheumatism, in which I know it to be beneficial, it affords a cheap relief. The machine which I have, was loaned to Mr. Isaac Coles for some months, who as- sured me, he found it very beneficial in rheumatism, croup, and in its application to chills preceding fevers. Accept of my esteem, PAUL CARRINGTON, Jr. Mr. Eppes is a respectable citizen of Lynchburg.. September 26th, 1815. /Dear sir, Having used your Patent Pot table Warm and Hot Bath, in my family more-than two years, 1 feel it my duty to bear testi- mony of its worth. My wife at one time was seized with a [25 ] violent fever, which increased rapidly, so as to excite alarm.— II >r oulse in the spare of 3 < r 4 hours from the comme iceuienfc |,»fit I >' st-ok s to the minute; i gave her the Bata. which s© complet ly broke her fever in the course of the night, that she was ahnost well the nevt morning; some slight feverish symp- toms only i em lined, which wore off without any other aid. In two instances a neice of >uih was very ill. The first, a high fe- ver, attended wito. a sore throat and soreness at the stomach, with great stupor. The other a case of measles. In each a single application of the Bath afforded entire relief. In the last there remained the breaking out of the measles only, without any pain. Seven or eight others of my family were sick all nearly at one time. The symptoms were, first a chill, then a high fever, sore throat, soreness at the stomach, great stupor or sleepiness. From two or three application- of the Bath made at intervals in each case, with the aid of a gentle cathartic, re- stored the patients on foot in the space of three to five days; except a single instance only, in which the patient's throat was. so inflamed as to compel us to prop her up in bed, in order to save her from strangling. In this case immediately after the third Bath, blood letting and a blister plaister were added ; after which the patient fell asleep, had a good nights rest, and in a few days was restored to health. Many other cases, such as pleurisy, rheumatism, dyssentery, tooth ache, and great colds ; have been entirely relieved by the use of the Bath most commonly without any other aid. Hoping that all who try the Bath may be attended with like success, I subscribe myself your humble servant, HAMLIN EPPES. Dr. S. K. Jennings. The following five gentlemen, are all citizens of Lynchburg.. —Mr. Martin and Mr. Carson, are preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lynchburg, January 1, 1815. Dear sir, I should consider myself wanting in gratitude, if I did not communicate the happy effects resulting from an application of your Portable Bath. My little daughter was suddenly seized in the night with a fit of the croup, which threatened immediate suffocation. I had recourse to the ordinary mode of bathing, which afforded but temporary relief. She continued with a high fever all the next day, with threatening symptoms of relapse.— In the evening I applied your Bath with such success, that in a lit- C £26] tie morethaa one hour she was entirely relieved, both of fevejf and all symptoms of spasm, S, SCHOOLFIELDi Doctor S. K. Jennings, January 7, 1814, Sir* Encouraged by the successful use you made of your Steam Bath, in the case of my wife, when ill of the child-bed fever, I have since tried it upon a negro boy, who was taken with a vio- lent cold, attended with pains, so that he could scarcely move his legs. 1 repeated the Bath several times. From the first appli- cation he began to mend, and he recovered in a very few day ^ so as to be able to walk about. Respectfully, I remain yours, CHRISTOPHER WINFREE> Dr. S. K. Jennings. January 7, 1814, Dear sir, I feel it my duty to inform you, that my wife who had beea for many years much indisposed, subject to frequent attacks of violent colds, and when at her best, suffering almost daily at- tacks of chills and fevers, has tried your Patent, Portable Bath; with the most happy effects. Upon three applications she was restored to health. It may be proper for me to state, that she is §3 years of age. I am yours sincerely, WM. P. MARTIN. Dr. S. K. Jennings. January SO, 1814V Pear sir, My little son was extremely ill of a bowel complaint. Or* dinary medicines were tried in vain ; and I bad nearly despaired of his life.—The Bath was recommended and tried—its effect was so decisive, that bye-standers could perceive the immediate amendment, and the child recovered, having received a single application. I am yours, &e. ARMISTEAD TRUSLOW. "Br. S, A". Jennings. I *? 3 * September 29th, 1815. Dear sir, I have for a considerable length of time been in possession of your Patent .Steam Bath, and have had occasion for the fre- quent use of it; my family having been much afflicted. I must confess! to you sir, that I am highly pleased with it, and I think it a great improvement in the healing art. I have never known it fail to have good effect in any instance in which I have ap plied it. As an instance, I would state that my wife for many years was subject to a violent head ache. I thought proper to use the Bath by way of experiment. It produced immediate relief. I have had it applied to myself, and must say it is the mort pleasant remedy that I ever used. Yours, &c. JOSEPH CARSON. Dr. S. K. Jennings. Mr. Green, Mr. Seaman, Mr. Brough, and Mr. Shuster, re- side in the Borough ol Norfolk. I can say nothing in confir- mation of the respectability of these men, which will be contra- dicted. The concurrence of their testimony will be deemed absolutely conclusive, by the Citizens of this Borough, and bv all who know their standing in society. Norfolk, October 15th, 1816. Dear sir, I was persuaded, that your Patent Steam Bath would be of feat service to me, the first time I saw an account of it. For had always been very subject to take bad colds, and in my younger days, could get certain relief by taking a good sweat in the common way; but after advancing in years, it had been with great difficulty I could be brought to perspire, and sometimes it could not be effected at all. As soon as an opportunity offered therefore, I procured one. I have now been making use of it for myself and family, which is 15 to 20 in number, for nearby three years, and ir,v ex- pectations have been far exceeded. From time to time, we have applied it in a variety of cases, and never once, without some good effect. In ague and fever, when the cases have been recent, they have been cured by the first application. In three cases of the cramp cholic, and one of them uncommonly violent; in each, in about thirty minutes the patient was in a sound sleep, and within a few hours entire- ly well. I think it a duty I owe to you, as well as to the public, to state twe particular instances, which, have happened to myself.-— [28] Some time last fall, I was much disordered in my bowels, for nearly a week; occasioned I suppose, by a had cold. If seem- ed as if it was so*ordered by Providence, that the full effect of the Bath might be tried. I had gone on neglecting myself from day to day, until I could scarcely attend to my business. I suffered extremely from a constant tenesmus. The gripirjgs were very frequent, and the discharge little else than blood aid slime. In this condition I went to bed, took a Bath for about thirty minutes, which kept me in a profuse sweat all night. ---The next morning I had as copious an evacuation as I could have wished, and felt entirely clear of the complaint, without taking one particle of medicine. The other instance happened about six weeks since. I was suddenly seized with a violent pain in my back and hip, so that I could not turn my- self in the bed, any more than if my back had been broken. I applied the Bath, in six hours I could sit up, and in a day or two, was entirely well. Mrs. Green has applied it in a num- ber of cases, to her poor neighbors, and scarcely ever without success. She has treated such cases as ague and fever, sore throat, rheumatism, disordered bowels, and even the tooth- ache. In short, I think T can safely say, we have not only been sav- ed from much sickness, but also from mm h e> pence. In the space of three years, we have not called in a doctor more than three times. I have only now and then to get a dose of physic from the apothecary, and that writh the Bath answers every pur- pose. I must furthermore add, that I never have received the smallest injury, though I have frequently got up before sun-rise and gone about my business as usual, after sweating profusely all night. I am with great respect, yours, &,c. RICHARD L. GREEN. Dr. S. K. Jennings. Norfolk, 10th October, 1816. Hespected Friend, I have used the Patent Portable Steam Bath in my fami- ly for nearly three years, and am prepared to say, that its use- fulness has far exceeded my most sanguine expectations ; 1 feel it a duty to mention some among the many instances, in which it has been proved. Two grown persons attacked with the cramp cholic, apparent- ly in the most excruciating pain, were perfectly relieved in a short time, and in both instances, were in a sound sleep in le»3 than tlrirty minutes, and no return of the complaint sinee. :*>] .In several cases of ih.? epidemic, that nreva'Ied in the winter and spring of Ih'-'i sod 15, I also used the Bath. It was found eoually beneficial, and T can achl. that its usefulness in a privrte f.oioiv was made mor<* consnicioiH, from the circumstance of some of the above instances i -ir-peningin the night, when it was difficult to get a physician, and i have never hesitated to make use of it without medical ad. Ice. . I lnne myself for many years been afflicted with a complaint in the head and stomach; and could find no relief but bv blood-let- ting, and that cudy temporary. I have iattei I >• t.-it d the Steam Bath, and have every reason to hope, that I shad be able to lay aside my former painful remedy. THOMAS SEAMAN. Dr. S. A*. Jennings. Norfolk, October 12th, f816. Dear sir, If a certiorate from me, respecting the efficacy and conve- nience of the Patent Portable Bat'i., can be of any use to the pub- lic, you are welcome to the following faots. I have keen using your method and apparatus in a family way, upwards of two years aari a half. My family is large. I make no pretension to medical skill, and Mrs. Brough more fre- quently applies it, than any one else. Still however, after re- peated trials, I am prepared to say, that our success has been fully equal to any tiring which you had promised us in the pam- phlet upon the subject. In a number of instances, we have waited upon our friends and neighbors, and with the same uni- .form success. Mrs. Brough has been afflicted with a gouty or rheumatic com- . plaint, for ten or twelve years past, and was generally confined during the whole of the winter. The last winter she used the Patent Steam Bath upon herself, every night, foi three or four months ; and two or three times a week for the remainder of the time, reckoning from the first of the year. She went abroad the most of the winter, and her general' health is now very much improved. We have used it in the commencement of several cases of small-pox, in the measles in a number of instances; in agues and fevers, cholics, and in all sorts of complaints, such as in a family way, we ascribe to the taking of cold very often. In all these instances, we managed the business as well as we could, agreeably to the instructions which you have given in the pam- phlet; and we never failed of meeting witk a degree of suc- cess even beyond our expectation. f candidly think, this remedy ought to have a place in ev'ery family. At least for myself, I would not be deprived of it now I know its worth, for ten times, no not for ff'y times its cost. I am, with much respect and esteem, KJOBERT TUOLGIL Dr. S. A. Jennings. Nrrfdk. October 19, 1816. Dear sir, Having used your Steam Bath for nearly three years, with great success in my family, 1 feel myself bound to give you a detail of some of the good eifects we have experienced there-' from. There is residing with me, an old lady, who was troubled with severe pains every winter, for several years. She was perfectly restored by one application, and there has been no return of the complaint, although it has been eighteen months since she wai cured. I have proved the good effects of the Bath in several cases of cholic, both upon myself and family. I have known it to pro- cure perfect ease in twenty minute*, in the most severe cases.— It is common for the patient to fall asleep, whilst under the ope- ration. A gentleman came from the country to my house, who had had the ague and fever for several weeks. He stated, that he tried every thing the physicians had recommended, and found no relief. By a few applications of the Bath, he w as perfectly restored to health. In all cases of bad colds, it is a most effectual remedy, and if it were for this only, I would recommend it to all families, as a most valuable family article. I am pleased with it the more, because we can manage all common cases, without the advice or attention of a physician. —Indeed I must say, that if it is used as you direct, there will Hot be much need for physicians or medicine. Perhaps it might not be amiss for me to add, that the Rev. Mr. "Waters of Princess Anne, informed me, that in the way of eharitv, he attended a great number of persons last winter, sick with the late fatal epidemic ; and that in every case where the Bath was applied, the patient recovered. l"ours respo'tfnlly, JACOB 6HWSTER. Dr. S. K. Jennings. f SI] After this host of consistent testimony, the reader will permit me to state, that my practice for several years, has been one continued display of similar facts. I do not say, that all cases are cured with equal facility and decision. But as often as I have been called to persons recently sick; after making the pro- per allowances for different ages, degrees of strength, accom- modation, &c. the good effects of the Bath, have been more uni- formly evinced, than of any, or all other remedies collectively, that I have ever tried or witnessed. And I must add, that my experiments have been repeated sa freqently, that I am compelled to believe the skin to be cheilly concerned in the formation of disease. That this conviction is the result of candid induction, and is supported, by an appeal to the laws of animal life, will be nude dbstinetiy to appear by the following explanation^ EXPLANATIONS OF TFV N1TUPE OF THE li^MEBY, Sfc. TEE bodily health of man, depends upon the regular pros* duction, anu uniform co-operation of fcr power;, essential to life, each of which i sh,J' c odder disr«nctl ■, under tie follow- ing terms : E' rcitabU'ty,E.aHemeni, Sllmir'i, and Vital-Heat. Int. Excitability, which has ah-o> been c* ied vital power, and sensorial power, would be as weli understood perhaps, if I were to say, it is th$ princ-'pje of life. Under the influence of this power, the several parts md or- gans of the system, are made capable of receiving active im- press ions. Tiie eye for instance, which from its construction, is itself a Uiost perfect perspective, or telescope, world nevertheless be altogether useless, did not the excitability make it capable of fee'iug the impression, made upon it by the rays of light. The ear, by the excitability with which it is charged, feels the impression made upon it by sound. The membrane which lines tie nose also, by this same power, is capable of feeling the impression-made by odors. In the same manner, the tongue is made capable of perceiving tastes. The skin, is likewise prepared to feel the impression, made by external agents or substances; as of heat or cold, or by the touch of any thing soft or solid, rough or smooth. But tie impressions made on the organs of sens©} are not im- mediately connected with that co-operation of powers, upon which life depends. Each of the senses, when awakened by any suitable impression, furnishes an instance of perception ; and in this way, may have more or less influence upur: the state of health. There is another exhibition of the presence and influ- ence of excitability, essential to the preservation of the sys- tem, x\hich will help to an understanding of what I mean, by the term Excitement. 2nd. The influence of excitability upon the heart, arteries, veins, lymphatics, glands, and secretory vessels, makes these se- veral organs, capable of feelipg the impressions made by the stimulant powers which act upon them, and prepares them to perform those peculiar motions, by which they are alternately expanded and contracted, &e, <^-a . ...... . 13S J By these almost inexplicable motions, the blood and lymph are circuited ; the various absorptions and secretions are car- ried on. and the different excrements are thrown out of the sys- tem. The organic motion, maintained for these important pur- poses, I shall call Excitement. As impressions made on the organs of sense awaken percep- tion, so also it would seem, that impressions made upon the blood vessels, ike. excite motion. Pleasant impressions made on the organs of sense, are desira- ble, and can be a long time sustained. But too much light, act- ing beyond a certain limited duration upon the eye, extinguishes the power of vision ; and too loud sounds, destroy the power of hearing. So also, healthful excitement is pleasant, and can be sustained in many instances, three nore years and ten. But if raised too high, the vessels feel pain, and life may be prema- turely extinguished. Excitement is maintained at the evpence of the excitability; and therefore, there must be a constant production of excitability in the system, equal to the expenditure necessary for the main- tenance of perpetual excitement. If the excitability be produced in a degree below its natural quantity, it will make the syrtem liable to disease. If the ex- citability be accumulate.! to a morbid degree, it will also make the system liable to d:b-.case, in another and opposite condition. And as excitement is dependant upon the presence and co- operation of excitability with other powers, it is obvious, that tvery distinct variation in the state of the excitability, must al- so affect the excitement. These variations, therefore, will be considered more at large, under the next division of powers. 3rd. The third order of powers, which are Stimuli, includes a variety of agents, such as the different aliments, heat, atmosphere, light,sounds, odors,bodily exercise, thought, &c. to which must be particularly added., the touch and motion of the blood, as it nets upon the heart, arteries and veins, as also the touch and motion of the lymph, and other fluids secreted and deposited in their various receptacles, or moving in their passage, through their appointed tubes. These various stimuli, acting upon fibres and vessels, and oi> gaos, charged with excitability, rouse them to action: and by repeated or continued impression, urge them on in a kind of perpetual motion. Therefore, if the excitability be regularly produced and dis- tributed throughout every part of the system, and iJ the nourish- ment and other Stimuli are present in due order and propor* tion, the excitement will be equable and healthful. ' E 3* 1 The application of preternatural stimuli wall produce more than ordinary excitement, and ef course an extraordinary ex- penditure of excitability. The system, if long oppressed by preternatural stimuli, will &ink into a state of indirect debility—a state in which there is a deficiency of excitability. A man staggering from the use of ardent spirit, or from chewing tobacco, furnishes an instance of this kind of debility. He has been checking too heavily upon his stock in life. The same or a similar effect may be produced by a sickly atmosphere. And such is the state of things in most cases of sudden and dangerous fever—as the yellow fever, vio- lent bilious fever of almost every grade, &c. By the subduction of any of the natural stimuli, excite- ment will he diminished, and consequently, excitability accumu- lated. The same effect may he produced by certain sedative agents, such as cold and fear. Whenever excitement is long reduced to a state below that which is natural, whether by the subduc- tion of stimuli, or by the application of a sedative agent, the system rises into a state of direct debility, a state in which ex. ti-iiability is accumulated. This is the condition of a man re- ceotly w-eakened by loss of blood ; by the operation of a violent cathartic, or by excessive fasting. These inferences, however, though certainly true, admit of limited application only. For at the same time, that preternatural stimuli produce ex- traordinary excitement, yet if applied in a certain gradual man- ner, the system will acquire a capacity to generate a preterna- tural portion of excitability; assuming a state analagous to that of natural excitement. This process is performed under the control of the samelawrs of the system by which it adapts itself to different climates, and in every climate, to its seasons, modes of living, &c. By the same laws the system is saved from im- mediate destruction, when men shamefully impose upon it those oppressive and poisonous stimulants, tobacco and ardent spirits. But when the stimulant agent is powerful, and suddenly ap- plied, or when applied a sufficient length of time, it may over- whelm the system'Vith all its resources for adaptation, and pro- duce a state of indirect debility. So, also, when there is a gradual subduction of stimuli, and the excitability is accumulated in a small degree only, the sys- tem, by, its own powers of re-action, may raise its excitement, and find a natural balance. The loss of a single meal, or of half a pound of blood, seldom much incommodes a man in pret- ty goed health. But a sudden and copious, or a frequently re- [35] pealed subduction of stimuli, or the agency of cold too Tong con- tinued, mayr produce a pernicious degree of direct debility. Whenever debility of cither of these two descriptions prevails to a considerable extent, it places the system in a state liable to disease, and in this view, debility is well enough said to be the predisposins: cause of fever. 4th. The fourth power, wdiich is vital heat, though necessarily co-ordinate with animal life, requires a distinct consideration; be- cause it is subject to morbid variation, and very often requires certain and distinct medical management. Vital heat is produced and maintained in the animal system, in some way, through the functions upon which life depends j and i he circulating blood, must be the medium through which it is distributed. And as there is no sensible difference between animal heat and that which is produced by common fire ; there- fore, the former as well as the latter, is forever escaping, seeking an equilibrium of temperature with that of tiie surrounding at- nv>sphere. It follows of course, that the system may be placed in a condition, in which vital heat may not be generated with suf- ficient rapidity to keep up the natural degree of warmth Hence the necessity of fire in wintry and damp weather, as also of put- ting on wearing apparel well calculated to prevent the escape- ment of heat. Indeed, it is obvious to common sense, that the warmth of the surface should be fitly adapted to that of the cen- tral vessels, and that this equilibrium should be regularly main- tained. Without it, a portion of the excitement will be sus- pended, excitability accumulated, and the s\ stem made liable to disease. Furthermore, the system in its variable susceptibilities of im- pression, from external and internal heat, is capable of falacious sensations. In a summer's night for instance, after a very hot day, the heat for some hours is felt much more oppressively, after the thermometer is considerably lowered. The degree of heat cannot be less and greater at the same time. It is not the heat of the surrounding atmosphere which causes the distress. 'The vital heat conveyed through the circulating fluids, is painfully felt by the skin. The skin is thus morbidly sensible to the inter- nal heat, by reason of the refrigerating effect accompanying a profuse and long coutinued perspiration. The atmosphere is not too hot to be comfortable, but the skin is too cold to be insensible 1 rthe internal heat of the system. The state of the therm me- ter and that of the skin, evince this truth. And if these two witnesses are doubtful, it shall be demonstrated to any one whe will experience the pleasurable reliof, which a hot-bath instant- ly afferds whea in tin* condition. [36] The above facf explains the cause of that heai and thirit which is felt upcn great loss of blood, or the violent operation of a dose of medicine. Both the thirst and heat are increased fey drinking cold water. The sedative effect of cold upon the fauces and esophagus, increases their sensibility to heat, and therefore the heat of the circulating blood and fluids of those parts is more painfully felt;—In other words the cold water like eating snow or ice in the winter causes the throat and gul- let, painfully to feel their own vital heat. Thirst of this de- scription is best corrected by hot and stimulant drinks : the ex- ternal heat by the application of tine Bath. Again whether animal heat depend upon the devclopement of caloric in the lungs, or upon mechanical attrition, or whether it be the result of a chemical decomposition of t.ie fluids, which is taking place in the gla'u's and secretory vessels, or whether it be co-ordinate with excitement, and is a necessary result of the action of stimuli upon the fibres-of the system—whether one or all of these considerations are involved in the production of vi- tal-heat, it must equally follow that there is a deficiency of this principle, whenever there is a deficiency of excitement. Damp or cold weather lessens the circulation of the blood in the vessels of the surface.; and if theexposiue be continued too long to a person in full health, it is commonly followed by an at- tack of pleurisy. The same kind of exposure happening to a very fleshy per- son, and especially to one in habits of drinking ardent spirit, is commonly followed by an attack of bilious pleurisy. And a person advanced in years, ot a more youthful person immediately after great and long continues fatigue, is liable to an attack of bastard pleurisy. In a way something like tiris, are produced most of the instan- ces of rheumatism, catarrh, quinsy, croup, head-ache, tooth- ache, &c. In all these cases, tie common notion is, that the patient has taken cold. And common sense in this, as well as in most other things, is a-cording to truth. For the fact is, that cold abme, or cold combined with some degree of fatigue, may be consider- ed as the predisposing cause of complaint in all such instances. We have se*n. that if the excitement is raised too high the excitability may become too much exhausted, and in that way make the system liable to disease. In sickly places and seasons, the atmosphere is loaded with poisonous agents, v hich, togetler with the daily repeated heat of the sun in midsummer, produce a state of debility. -When the system is thus enfeebled, the quantity of animaf heat which is dependant upon the circulation, is proportionably diminished* [sr] and those branches of vessels most remote from the centre of motion, that is the skin, must receive a deficient supply of blood ami heat. Hence it is, that a person in this condition can so easily be injured by the dullness of a summer's night, or by damp or rainy w eather, or weather un usually cold for the season. The surface being feebly supplied with circulating blood, the cold of a sum- mer's night, is sufficient to suspend the action of the vessels, so as to destroy the balance of excitement, and prepare the system for that state of things, which is fever. The greater the degree of exhaustion, the more morbid will be the effect of exposure to the cold; and the contrary. If the prostration be not too much below that state of things, which would lead to an instance of inflammatory fever, the case will assume a character as nearly as may he, similar to that of a pleurisy. It will be a case of intermittent fever, and according to circumstances, wrillbe a quotidian, tertian or quartan. If the degree of debility be greater, the case will assume a shape more like that which is called remittent fever. V still greater degree oi debility will be followed by a con- tinued fever. And finally, if the exhaustion or debility be sufficiently great there will follow an instance of typhus or nervous fever. It would seem then, that fever is in it's nature, about the same thing;—and that it's various anpearances, are the result of dif- ferent degrees of strength only, which may be present in any case under its influence. It is obvious therefore, that in all these diversities of predis- position to disease, a due regard to the temperature of the sur- foe, wrould effectually prevent an accession of fever. The pa- tient thus enfeebled by the remote cause, would be sensible of weakness. But upon maintaining a balance of the four powers of life, he need not experience any thing more distiesshig, than that which attends the most favorable convalescence. If this explanation of the powers of life may be credited, then we may safely infer from the whole, that in correcting dis- ease, art may be con lined to four principle intentions. The first intention should be to secure a competent supply of heat, and maintain a proper equilibrium of temperature. The second, to put down or diminish excessive excitement. The third, to extinguish any excess of excitability. The fourth, t »Huppoit the system in any case of debility. Any other that might be added, must be the lesnlt of a onn» bination or modification of these, in any manner necessary ot proper for the correction of local disease. [38] Although the simple doctrines here exhibited are not general* Ty admitted, the practice of most skillful- pby-i inns, might be uueted for the confirmation of all that is here advanced. It is a fact well known to all thinking men of observation, that notwiti standing the diversity of theory, medical men have impercepti i\ run into an uniformity of practice. Hence v.e find, that blood-letting, puking, purging, blisters and salivating, for many year* have been the general remedies which they have employed for the cure of fever in all its diversities, although thev luive called it by a very great variety of names. And if disease is indeed a unit in its nature, as was so ably and con- clusively taught by the great Doctor Rush, it is perfectly philo- sophic to admit the existence of remedies of general applica- tion ; and of great general principles and agents which may be so modified as to be generally appropriate. And therefore, so far am I from condemning this uniformity of practice, that I ap- plaud and consider it good evidence of the soundness of the practical judgment of those who pursue it. If then, the general practice of. physicians declares, that "blood-letting, puking, purging, blistering and salivating with mercury, are general remedies, 1 may be permitted to add the Patent Bath as another general agent; especially if it is made evident, that this, more than any other, admits of general appli- cation. The first intention which I propose, viz: " to secure a com- j pete n't supply of heat, and maintain a proper equilibrivm," me cases blisters should be added. There is no danger of taking cold. The grs which is used, is as free from moisture as atmospheric air. It will dry a damp sheet. Besides, in all the instances in which it has been used, 1 have not known one, by which the patient found any ill effects injthat way. Indeed, if such a thing should happen, another application, and a little care, would perfectly correct every in- convenience. When the patient is not much reduced, and seems to be too long coming into a state of perspiration, I commonly add more heat. If two or more cups cannot stand within the base of the bath, I place it upon them in any way I can, propping it up with bricks, or any other convenient support. The heat of two or three cups will be drawn up by the tube. If the patient com- plain too much, I remove one of the cups for a few seconds, and replace it so soon as the heat a little subsides. By this method my object is more speedily, certainly, and safely accomplished. 'Fleshy patients, if treated with the Bath, should be heated in a gradual manner. If pale and short-breathed, the decision proper in ordinary cases might do much mischief. Indeed, in almost any case, where there is a long standing sallow ness of •omplection, it is not proper to force a sweat. In these cass§, it ..»av require many gently repeated trials before a natural state of the skin can be' r£C™*red, And in most instances «f £-;a sort, blistering, friction and cordials, as wine, 8tfc. ought to be employed as auxiliaries to the Bath. ft With suitable variation in the degree and continuance of the- treatment, according to circumstances; the PateuV Steam Bath will be useful in all the following forms of disease, viz: In CoLl-i, Catarrhs, Croups, Asthmas, Pleurisies and Fever in its various shapes, whether intermittent, remittent, continued or nervous. In all these the application should always be gene- ral and decisice—taking care to begin the treatment on the first onset of the complaint. In Lical Infia nation, &c. such as Sore-Breast, in female ca- ses—Hicellei Testicle, Anthrax or Carbuncle, Sore-Throat, ({uinsey, Ear-Ache, Tooth-Ache, when produced by cold, and in cases of abscess or imposthume. In these instances, the ap- plication may be general at night, and topical or directly upon the part affected, at any time in the day. Or if the one method prove ineffectual, let the other be tried also. In St„ Anthonys-Fire, Nettle-Bash, Scald-Head and such like affections,—In these the application maybe made as in case* f the Batb| ft l« J and the cure will be the more speedy and decisive. There is much more danger in a temperate than a violently hot Bath. In decision there is nothing to be feared. If the disease is not corrected by this method, in two or three days, it may be concluded that the lungs are much injured, and a large blister eight by ten inches square, should be drawn up- on the affected side. Afterwards proceed as above advised, till ihe patient is recovered. With a little variation in extent and severity, and with some reference to the seat of the pain, similar management will sue- ceed in every possible mode of recent disease. Inflammation of The Brain, Is inflammatory fever, in wlffch toe morbid determination of excitement is turned upon the head. The peculiar symptoms attending it, are a violent pain of that part; an inability to bear light or noise ; great restlessness ; and commonly a small, tense pulse, though sometimes it is full and strong. In other respects the appearances are the same as those describing inflammatory fever. I might add, however, that it is frequently attended with very obstinate costiveness, insomuch, that the most violent ca- thartic medicines are used in vain. In this case, blood should be let freely, and as often as the violence of the symptoms make it necessary; observing to de- fend the head with cold applications, especially during every ap- plication of the Bath. Drastic cathartics should be daily admi- nistered ; and in cases of great violence, the intestines should be continually under their influence for two or more days; say aloes, 60 grains, gamboge, 20 grains, calomel, 20 grains. The whole may make 24 pills; 3 to 6 may be given once in 6 hours, according to the violence of the case. To be followed by a dose of oil, or some gentle cathartic. Or jalap, aloes, calomel, cas- tile soap, of each sixty grains. Make of the whole togethew sixty pills. The dose may be from 3 to 8 at discretion. The feet of the patient should be kept carefully warm, and if the pain be obstinate, a large blister should be drawn upon the back of the neck. Light should be excluded, and silence constantly observed. . A« in pleurisy, so also in this mode of fever; if the veins do not fill upon tying on the ligature, let the Bath be appliedb efore anv very decisive blood-letting is performed. Itmio-ht be remarked here, however, that there is one kind of head-ache which is seated in the pericranium and hairy scalp, or the external covering of the head. It is produced by cold.— gor^iiess is felt in moving the scalp with the hand. In this £46 • .sfort of heacUache, the Bath will succeed without blood let* ting. Inflammation of the Liver, May be known by a dull pain in the right side, under the short ribs, extending into the right shoulder ; sometimes affecting both «ides, and felt in both shoulders, with great costiveness and de- jection of spirits. Other appearances are such as attend sim- ple inflammatory fever, except that the pulse is commonly less tense and the appearances generally, less violent. In this case the treatment will also be similar.—Bathe and bleed. But the blood-letting will not be as frequently necessa- ry. Cathartics will be highly useful, to be daily administered, -as long as the violence or obstinacy of the pain makes it neces- sary ; and in bad cases, a large blister should be applied over flie region of the pain. At the close of a case of this sort, continue the Bath twice or three times a week,after the patient seems to be on the recove- ry; to be applied at night. The following morning, as much mercurial ointment as would be equal in bulk to an ordinary ohesnut, may be rubbed upon the right side. In making this ap- plication, the patient should sit near a good fire, and the friction I Should be pretty intense. After the operation, he should retire to bed, and rest till he is quite refreshed. This practice should be repeated every week, till all pain and soreness is removed eut of the region of the liver. Inflammation op the Stomach, Bilious Cholic, and Cholera JIIorbus. In these cases, the stomach commonly rejects every kind of medicine, whilst an alarming abandonment of the surface, and t i wetted with soap-suds or proof spirits— There is no danger of taking cold from this practice, if the Bath be immediately employed. Drink daily of the decoction of the chinquepin root. Cholic. Cholics may he the effect of irritation, inflammatory action, or spasm. In either case the Bath will afford relief. Aided by cathartics and blood,-lettting it diffuses excitement, lessens the force of the introversi »n, and extinguishes the accumulation of excitability, upon which the spasm or cramp depends. After an attack of the cholic, some appropriate cathartic ought to be re- peated. Female Complaints. When certain delicto circumstances suddenly stop, or come on too slowly, attended with pain, tiie Bath should be used at night about the particular tone. Then give a portion of calo- mel and aloes, three or four grains each. Syrup of some kind may be added so as to form it into a pill or tw o, or so much as to make it of the consistence of honey. Continue the brti, and calomel and aloes, for toree successive nights. These peculiarities sometimes come on too often for the strength of the patient. In such cases, in every instance, let the patient take the Hot- Bath, to be followed immediately by a dose of opium, orlauda- L 54] num. If opium, say from one to two grains. If laudanum, from 25 to 60 drops ; and, if necessary, repeat the same every sixth or eighth hour, gradually laying it aside. If too much exercise be the cause of ftivea*o, rest, of course, is indispensable for effecting a cure. When too strong motion of the arteries can be ascertained as the cause, gentle bleeding and purging, occasionally repeated will afford important aid. If much weakness, paleness and a disposition to bloat attend, give half a grain of opium every sixth hour, and at intervais of three or four hours, give twelve or fifteen grains of an equal mix- ture of allum and gum kino, to which may be added a drop or two of the oil of cinnamon : regulating the bowels if neces- sary, with, say, calomel, 3 grains ; rhubarb, 20 or 30. grains. Sometimes a particular appearance of a whitish complexion, &c. &c. presents itself instead of the natural one, and is very troublesome. For the cure of this case give wine and iron, using the Bath two or three times a week. It is sometimes of service to use a mixture of turpentine with honey; each in equal quan- tity, a tea-spoonful the dose—to be taken three or four times a day. Floodings, Sfc. In violent floodings, under whatever circumstances induced, with or without the aid of blood-lettin:' or opium, the Bath will be found an invaluable remedy. A morbid determination of the blood to the parts concerned, with an associate abandonment of the surface, is the disease. The intention for effecting a cure, must therefore be obvious to common sense. Piles. Most feshy persons, and more commonly those who lead se- dentary lives, are subject to the distressing complaint called piles. If the attack be of the more moderate kind, a gentle dose of cream of tartar and flower of sulphur combined, will afford relief. An occasional use of the Bath will invite the circulation to the surface, and very much aid the cure. An ointment impregnated with the virtues of the leaves of Jamestown weed, (stror.onium) is highly recommended. This ointment is prepared by frying a few of the green leaves in fresh butter or sweet oil? adding a lit" tie bees-wax, to give it proper Gensifttejaee, [ 55 ] Strangury. A painful inclination, and an irresistible straining to urinate, whilst very inconsiderable discharges are effected, mark the dis- ease called strangury. In such a case, apply the Bath frequent- ly every day. If inflammatory appearances attend, let blood. —And between the repetitions of the Bath, jugs or bottles filled with boiling water, or hot bricks wrapped in moistened cloths, may be applied to the seat of the pain. As a cathartic, say, manna, one ounce, dissolved in hot water, to which add sweet oil, from I to 4 ounces ; let this dose be repeated at discretion. —Frequent injections, may be added if necessary. Thirty or 40 drops of the spirit of nitre, in a little barley water, or melon- seed tea, may be taken frequently, as the patient's drink. And after the bowels are properly emptied, 30 or 40 drops of lauda- uuto will scarcely fail to procure ease. An excellent method for preventing AfTer*Pains. So soon as the patient is put to bed, apply the Bath pretty de- cisively. Then give 30 to 60 drops of laudanum. In most ca- ses, about eight hours afterwards, give a cathartic, say, manna, half an ounce, salts, half an ounce, dissolved in an infusion of senna, or give a dose of castor oil. So soon as the cathartic operates, repeat the Bath and laudanum. Afterwards, a daily moderate repetition of the Bath morning and evening, with a gentle dose of laudanum at night, keeping the bowels in a pro- per state, will seldom fail to prevent an attack of child-bed fever. No special restriction of any sort will be necessary, and in a few days the patient will be quite recovered. Typhoid Pneumonia, or Cold Plague. The prevailing epidemic, known in different sections of the country by different names—in the western states, by the appel- lation of the cold plague, is properly a grade of typhoid fever. •—In regions where it rages, there must be present some poison- ous agent, which debilitates the organic •movements of the sys- tem ; or else there is a want of something in the atmosphere, up- on a full supply of which, the vital functions are dependent, for a perfect state of the powers of life. Through this abridgment of the vital energies the system is placed in a condition which renders it unable to diffuse the circulation, with complete and equable impetus, throughout the whole mass.—Those ves>els most reiu-jU from the centre of motion, umst iiui^uiiii most.-— t 56] Hence the surface is fi-st enfeebled, and external cold must act first and chiefly upon toe surface. Of course it follows, that persons having previously been in feeble health ; those who are badly clad—those who live in cold houses, or are badly supplied with'fuel for fires, and especially such as-are exposed to fatigue and the weather, or drink to excess, will furnish the greater number of instances of this form of disease. The enfeebled surface und-n the influence ,ff cold which it is not prepared to resist, is imperceptibly brought into a condition approximating to a state of death ; whilst the powers of life repelled from the surface and concentrated upon the vital organs, produce a storm of excitement, which threatens speedy destruction. The excitement, thus pent up, determines upon the head, up- on the chest, and upon the glands of the throat—&c. &c. Upon this theory of the disease, blood letting must necessari- ly, in many instances, he pernicious. By th.e sudden loss of blood, the. surface, almost deprived of life, is instantly left desti- tute of excitement; thnt is, reduced to a state of death.—.No measures within the reach of human power, in such a case c m afterwards prevent the destruction of i'ifz patient. For the cure, the first intention shook! be, by the application of heat, in some way to restore the due proportion of excitement to the surface—And this can be done more speedily and effect- ually', by the agency of the Patent oteam Bath, than any other means. After the use of the Bath, the bowels shonld be cleared by a p--ot'e, but brisk cathartic :—say salts, senna and manna. In cases known to be robust a dose of calomel and ja'ap might be preferable. After the operation oii\\^ cathartic, the tiati; should he repeated. And in any very alarming case, it would be high- ly useful to wrap the patient in a blanket, wrung out of heated snirit of very hlvk prod, in which a portion of spirit o( turpen- t ne, has been previously dissolved. Possibly, in some instances t is treatment might supercede the nect r-s'-ty of blisters. If however, the throat be considerably affected, a blister ought to be applied to the neck, to ertend, down the back or breast, so as to secure a blistered surface equal iu area, to an hundred o. an hemlred so! twenty square inches—A second or tMrd ca- thartic may frequently'be found necessary :—But no blood let- ting should be tried, until tiie excitement of the surface is, by sone means, first properly secured. Afterwards blood-letting might be roneatod if necessary at discretion. The explanation he--a given, of this alarming compbuut, will acci-unt for it* a(>nearanc% without rtferine to any tiung like c oati'-n. And regular U-ving and a constant use of ••'tod fires'* w^ Uc ijaiui ^enciiuiy e^'ectuai to prevent its us&mJtt i*n St. Anthony's Fire, In this complaint use the Bath once or twice in twenty r'.wr hours. In the mean time regulate the state of the bowels as there may be occasion. Meazi.es, In this complaint when too slow in making its appearance, one or two repetitions of the Bath, brings it forward immediate* ly. Again, at the close of the. disease, if any determination is threatened to the lungs, or bowels, a few moderate applications of the same remedy, keeping the patient warm, will commonly pre- vent the danger. GENERAL REMARKS. In managing sore-breast, swelled testicle, carbuncle,* sore- throat, quinsey, ear-ache, tooth-ache, whitlow and any other in- stance of local inflammation from a cut or a bruise, let the Bath be used locally, as often as the case seems to require it. And if the ft\ stem appears to be feverish on the general scale, use the same method proposed in case of inflammatory fever. By using tiie foregoing directions as general rules, and apply- ing them to similar appearances, in whatever case they may oc- cur, it will quickly be found, that these few pages contain all that is necessary for common family use. It will be ascertained that disease is a unit in its nature, that its different appearances depend upon the differemt degrees of strength only in the pati- ent ; and that some accidental or constitutional circumstance must concur, where it assumes a local determination. Such is the cause wherefore, one man is commonly subject to a pleurisy, another to an asthma, a third to a cholic, a fourth to a rheumatism,, &c. &c. Some have weak lungs, others a weak stomach, others by hard labor or by constitution are liable to disease in the muscles, that is the flesh &c. Before I conclude I must once more particularly request eve- ry individual, who may use the Bath, to be careful to have a suit- able frame ; and always to let the application be made as much as possible, to the naked skin. In robust and recent cases, the more expeditiously the perspiration can be induced, the more effectual. And let it never be forgotten, that a tepid Bath in cases of inflammatory action is a great ileal more dangerous, * Carbuncle is a painful tumor something like a Boil, but much larger, seeming to have many distinct heads, and commonly ap^ gears upon the back* L 38 j than one which would commonly be thought extravagantly hot. Begin in trine, therefore, be decisive, and there is nothing to fear. It should also be carefully remembered, that in any and eve- ry case of long standing, in which tiie powers of life are consi- derably exhausted, if this remedy be tried, it-should always be directed by the hand of experience. And that nothing can be more absurd, than to expect an immediate recovery in cases which necessarily require both time and good management for effecting their cure. , I therefore take this occasion most earnestly, to request all common judges to conrine their practice to recent cases. To use their exertions rather to prevent disease in its first approaches, than to make experiments where the complaint is scarcely ma- nageable in the hands of experienced Physicians. I must also add my protest against the use of the Bath, if it is proposed to proceed in a way regardless of that information which I offer upon the subject, and which is the result, often years labor and vigilant attention. Indeed it ought to be considered an act of great injustice to me, when any man uses the bath as my remedy, and yet pavs no regard to my prescription, which ought always to be associated with its use. Plain, honest men, of good common sense, have had uniform success. They observe my instructions. The same should be done by all who use the invention, not even excepting the most skillful medical men ;—at least so long as is necessary to gain a complete experimental knowledge for themselves. In- attention to this important consideration I have no doubt has frequently been the cause of disappointment. Instances have occurred where the Bath has heen tried in vain upon hopeless patients—cases in which, in truth, its reputation ought not to have been held as implicated in any degree. It must be very illiberal, to condemn my practice for failing to re- store such patients, as have been first worn out under a long course of the most powerful medicines, which have been tried in vain ; especially when it has so often succeeded in affording re- lief where all other remedies have proved ineffectual. Failure has not uncommonly been the consequence of too tim- id or partial trial. I myself have known some cases, in which, if it had been sufficiently repeated, it would have saved the pa- tients, but by dropping it improperly, they became worse, than if it had never been tried at ail. An anonimdus publication appeared in the Aurora, in the Autumn of 1815, which has been copied into most of the prints which I have seen? purporting to be an extract from an old Dutch £59] Work, and describing something very similar to the Patent Va- por-Bath. This work is ascribed by the author of the newspa- per scrap, to a certain Stephen Blancard of l.eyden, in Holland, and is said to have been published in the year of o"r Lord 1693. Upon this authority, the Professor of Materia Medica in the Univeisity of Pennsylvania, in the course of one of his lectures last winter, 1 am credibly informed, asserted, that I had no right to the benefit of the invention. Of this work of Stephen i-Ianevd. I know nothing besides the above mentioned paragraph in the Aurora. But I have read the works of Boerhave and Van Swieten, two of the most dis- tinguished writers of the University of Ueyrien, and who must have been cotemporary with Blancard. These, of course, ought to have known something about this invention, if it then had an existence; or if they had thought it worthy of notice. But the name of Blancard I believe, is not mentioned in their works. It is true that Van Swieten prescribes the vapors ■■>', burning al- colod for one single complaint;—that of a carious bone, and bare- ly speaks of itas a very dangerous expedient in venereal cases : insomuch that his account of it, was belter calculate'1 to exclude, than to give it a place upon the catalogue of useful remedies.—- And it appears to have had that effect. For if it should be ascertained, teat Blao'-ard offered an im- {irirvement in the mode of making the arq licatioii, still the si- ence of the medical uorld fer a whole century, unanswerably proves, that the fears which were raised by Van Swieten, >veie sufficient to put down Blancard's improvement. It foil ivv=> therefore, that even had I known of this old Dutch book, that there was abundant room, for a further and addition- al improvement. And arimittingsuch a workto have had an existence, Inight ask what was the community the better for it? And is it not a lit- tle curious, that it should have been so long hidden from so ma- nv much more learned physicians, and at last after remaining useless an hundred years, that I should have sto nbleri upon a tiring forgotten, although published to the wo Id ? At least then I may say, it was as fortunate for humanity as for me, that tins obsolete remedy by chance fell in the way of one, who lias taken the necessary pains to bring it into use ; though at this late date. Might ( not continue to ask if it was known, and proved to be that valuable agent which it now appears to be, wheref >re was not its use continued ? Or is it possible, that it could have been known, in the way I useit,and after-vards net have been spoken of in Europe or America, for a hao^-ori years ? Besides, in the year lf>93, disease was known, described and treated upon the nosological plan only. Ivcmedie* of every kind L'«n were considered as having specific reference, eacti to some particular disease, or very nearly so. It follows, there- fore, that the Vapor-Bath, in. the character in which 1 offer it. to the world, assumes a form truly original, although it were ad- mitted, that something like it was known to Blancard, or to any other person the century before the last. However great or little, the credit due to the mechanical and chemical association which constitutes my apparatus, I place mv chief calculations for intellectual merit, in the theory which le to its invention. Who before me ever thought of curing inflammatory fever by the agency of heat ?—Of heat too, so intense as to produce pain- ful sensation ?—as high as HO, 120,130 or mere of FarenheitP Who before me proposed the use of heat, as a general reme- dy, for the prevention and cure of disease in any of its incipient forms? , "Who before me proposed a metallic tubular stove so con- structed as to be carried in a port-manteau, travelling trunk, saddle-bag or pocket; so handy that travellers might be prepar- ed at any place, to correct a predisposition to disease in one night, and proceed on their journey the following day ? Or who ever before me proposed to bring it into general use as a family article, which, in a large family, might be of daily use. Whoever first thought of it, the honest truth is, it remained to be my privilege, to bring to the knowledge of the present and future generations, this simple, easy, and pleasant method of preventing and curing so many of their maladies. And how was I to enable myself to progress in this arduous work, in opposition to a host of hindrances, but by pursuing that couise, by claim- ing those rights and emoluments, provided by our wise and hap- py government for the promotion of improvements? This I have done. And by my patent and the laws of the United States, I am guaranteed for the term of fourteen years, in a way which will put it in my power to persevere, in defiance of all the de- traction with which I may have to encounter. And the finuids of the Bath will multiply as the community continues to disco- ver it to be their interest to patronize my improvement. SAMUEL K. JENNINGS. P. S. My claim to a Patent-Right, is predicated upon a de- claration, that " I had an improvement, and that I did verily be- lieve myself to be the true inventor or discover of said improve- ment;"—This is obvious from the reading of the patent. And if Mr. Fulton could put in a just claim for his improvement, by the same rule also, 1 am entitled to mine. ?n>4 THE UNITED STWflSS OF AMERICA: To A.LL TO WHOM THESE LETTERS PATENT SHALL COME. Whereas, Samuel 1C. Jennings, a citizen of the United (States, hath alledged, that he has invented a new and useful im- provement, being A Portable Warm and Hot Bath; which im- provement, he states, has not been known or used before MsapplU cation ; hath made oath that he does verily believe that he is the true inventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the treasury of the United States the sum of 830, delivend a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in the said improvement, and praying that a patent may be grant- ed for that purpose :—Tliese are therefore to grant, according to law, to the said Samuel K. Jennings, his heirs, administrator* or assigns, for the term of fourteen years, from the twenty first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, the full and exclusive right and liberty vf making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used, the said improvement; a de- scription whereof is given in the words of the said Samuel A*. Jennings himself, in the schedule hereto annexed, and is made a part of these presents. In testimony whereof. I have caused these letters to (L. S.) be made patent, and the seal ofihe United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at the city of Washington, this twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, and of the independence of the United States of Ame- rica, the thirty-eighth. JAMES MADISON. By the President* JAMES MONROE9 Secretary of State, Book taken apart, leaves deaoidlfled with magnesium bioarbonate. All leaves supported with lens tissue* Resewad on linen oords with new all- rag end paper signatures, unbleached linen hinges & hand sowed headbands. Aebeund in quarter Russell^ oasis moroooe with hand marbled paper sides A vellum oorners. Leather treated with potassium laotite & neat's foot oil & lanolin. June 197?- IDERY