Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. AL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICII 1. i -^sf\. f rz3 : fe^ f n -C^N, m jo xavaan ivnoiivn iNinmw jo Anvaaii ivnoiivn snoiqsw jo Aavtan ivnoiiv AL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICIN y r~ Z f pz\/ I ^\ W JO IHKllll IVNOIIVN 3NI3IC13W JO A II V II 9 II IVNOIIVN 3NIDI03W JO A B V I a I 1 IVNOIIV ' ■? ^J< AL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICI* AL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICIN /" i«K ^ 2 >■; a./ o QUACKERY EXPOSED 1Z Z OR A FEW REMARKS ON THE THOMSONIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE; CONSISTING OF TESTIMONIES AND EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS WRITERS. WITH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. BY JOHN A. BROWN. I it " Must we go to Europe to import mineral poisons ? Must the wealth of the coun- try be sent abroad to bring amongst us the instruments of death ? Must we pay with our substance and our lives, for aching bones and ruined constitntions ? No! never! The remedies are here; they are spread over the plains and the mountains in abun- dance, they surround every cottage and bloom round every cabin over the vast and trackless wilderness."—Robinson. BOSTON: 1833. N^Z INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. In offering the following extracts to the public, it is not the de- sire or intention of the proprietor to exaggerate the beneficial effects of the Thomsonian system, or to give more than a brief sketch of its virtues and success. But believing that some cheap and com- prehensive pamphlet in favor of the system, was needed for dis- tribution among those who wish for information, but have not been able to obtain it, or those who have been so much prejudiced against the system, as to be unwilling to spend time sutficient to peruse a work of larger size, together with many other reasons, the proprietor has been induced to collect a few interesting extracts from those writers, who have become acquainted with the system, and are desirous that others should participate with them in its ad- vantages. Could all the cases in which the Thomsonian sys- tem has proved successful in relieving and curing disease in the United States, be collected and published together, they would form a volume that would astonish the world. To some this language may appear too strong, too much like " quack boasting," but it is not so ; the system has spread with a rapidity before unknown in Medical History. Its beneficial and blessed effects have been tested, not by a few simple cases, but by the most inveterate and fatal diseases of our country. Even in the Cholera, that desolating plague, over which the prescriptions of the Medical Faculty have had no power, and have not been able to arrest its course one mo- ment, the Thomsonian system has achieved the most noble and un- paralleled triumph. By following Nature, the Botanic Physicians were successful, and could remove the disease, and cure their pa- tients, while of those attended by the Regular Physicians, thousands were hurried to an untimely grave. For further remarks on the Cholera, the reader is referred to Dr. S. Thomson's Cholera Chapter, in another part of this work. It is a well known fact, and acknowledged by everyone who has ever given any attention to the subject, that wherever there is dis- ease, there is a warfare or struggle in the system, between nature and the disease ; and if the disease is not too firmly seated, Nature unassisted by medicine will be able to overpower and remove it. But if the disease has the upper hand, and nature struggles in vain to overcome it, how can the introduction of mineral poisons, medi- cines directly contrary to nature, into the system, have a tendency to remove the disease ? Do not those medicines on the other hand strengthen the enemy and weaken the friend till at last the disease triumphs over nature,and the patient dies a victim not to the disease alone, but to the poisonous remedies used. Can it be made to ap- pear reasonable, to any man in his sober senses, that the same med- icine which will destroy the health, and perhaps the life of a well man, will in the hands of a skilful Physician cure a sick one ? 8 «ay with such nonsense. Let reason and common sense be our guides; strip the profession of medicine of every thing that looks like mystery, let the Physicians write their prescriptions in plain and intelligible language, that can be understood by the common people, and there would soon be a tremendous reaction in the public mind, and the " merciless operation of steaming and lobelia," (as a certain editor lately termed it) would be preferred to the deadly effects of those u poisonous minerals, mercury, arsenic, &c. with which the shops of the apothecary and druggist are crammed. All the medicines that are used in the Thomsonian practice, are perfectly innocent and harmless, and cannot injure any person sick or well. Even lobelia, which one of our wise Physicians said, ("strange that one small head can carry all he knows") " was so poisonous that he dare not use it"—yes, lobelia, which has been used as a scarecrow by the enemies of the system, may be given to any person in whom there is no disease, and whose health is per- fect, and it will have no operation as an emetic, but will remain in the stomach perfectly harmless, without causing the least pain or sickness of any kind. Some may think if this is the case, the medicine is not powerful enough to have any effect on some com- plaints, but those who have had practical experience of its opera- tion, will never raise an objection on that ground. It is a fact of which but few are aware, that the Thomsonians have a preparation made from the harmless articles used in the system, which have al- ways been found on trial to be a specific, a certain cure for those distressing diseases, which have baffled the greatest skill of the most learned Physicians, viz. Hydrophobia and Lockjaw. Many have sneered and ridiculed this system of medicine, and questioned its efficacy, because, forsooth, the author was not a learned man— had never entered a college—never received the pompous but tin- selled title of M. D. But let it be remembered, that mere book- knowledge can never make a great or a wise man of a fool, although it has made many persons of common abilities, conceited and " Reg- ular" fools. Dr. Thomson never pretended to the titled of learned, on the contrary he tells us, in his own narrative of his life, that he was illiterate, poor and oppressed, with a sick and helpless family, that it was by experience alone he ever gained any knowledge ofmed- icine.that when his family were sick and given over by his Physician, he determined to try himself, and to his own astonishment he soon restored them to perfect health. Being thus successful in his own family, his neighbours, who received no help from their Physician, applied to him for relief, and he was enabled to relieve them in a short time of their diseases. Thus was he forced into public no- tice, contrary to all his expectations, and soon finding that he must relinquish his business, to attend to the numerous calls made upon his time by the sick, he determined to reduce his practice to a reg- ular theory or system, whereby others might be enabled to adminis- ter his medicines as well as himself. This extraordinary and unprecedented success immediately crea- ted a general excitement among the Regular Faculty, who seemed determined to put him down at all events, by the most disgraceful, iniquitous, and unprincipled means they could possibly resort to. Dungeons, ohainB and imprisonment haVfe been the regard of the 4 man who has done more than any other living, for the good of his fellow creatures. He has been tried for his life before a jury of his country, and " even perjury could not substantiate a plea against him." Medical laws in open defiance of the Constitution, have been passed in many of the States, making it penal for any one to administer medicine, who has not received a diploma from some Medical College—laws which were never heard of, or " ever en- tered into the heart of man to conceive," before Thomson com- menced his practice. But what has been the effect of all this op- position ? It has had just a contrary one from what was intended. It has been the means of spreading the system more rapidly, than the greatest exertions of its best friends could have done in twice the time. By this means the eyes of the public were opened, and when they saw all this array, all the engines of malice and persecu- tion employed, and heard the tocsin of alarm sounded to arouse the Medical Faculty, when they saw all the exertions of the "Regu- lars" put forth, to put down a poor, miserable, ignorant, insignificant quack, as they were pleased to call Dr. Thomson, the people began to believe there must be something in the system to create such an excitement, and they were thus led to examine for themselves ; and all who have.ever given a fair and candid attention to the subject, have embraced and become warm supporters of the Thomsonian system. If it yas, as it has been represented, such a worthless im- posture, it would soon sink in public estimation, and die like all other false and ridiculous theories. But says a certain writer, '' It is not in the power of all the medical men in the United States, to plunge Samuel Thomson under the surface. His system having the Sun in the firmament for its origin, is too far advanced to be shaken by falsehood and misrepresentation. It is laid on the foun- dation of a great law of nature, as broad as gravitation, and as last- ing as its laws, so that while " the faculty^ are blown about by every wind of doctrine, the system of the ancients who made the Sun the God of Physic, and is now known under the appellation of the Thomsonian system, will flourish until that sun, the source of light and life, shall set in darkness, and the doctrine be shrouded in the Cimmerian darkness of Gothic barbarity." In proof of the success and spread of their practice, many of the Regular Faculty, as they find all opposition useless, are now com- ing over to this system. Well may " The wondering world inquire to know fr Is it the truth ? Can it be so ? Why gentlemen the de'il's to pay, That you forsake the good old way, And take a course both new and odd, That wise professors never trod— Tour ciaft is waning sirs, we know it, Thomsonian skill will overthrow it. They often have it in their pnw'r, To save men at the 'leventh hour ; And thus confer a cure unlooked for. The patient save, but starve the doctor !" The following extracts ar« from the Thomsonian Recorder, a very valuable periodical, devoted to the advancement of the Thom- sonian system, published at Columbus, Ohio, and edited by a gen- tleman who was formerly a Surgeon in the U. S. Army, and mem- ber of the Medical Societies of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The . fol- 5 lowing is a short extract from the editor's address to his Patrons. "It may be thought by some, that our remarks are too severe on the Medical Faculty—but recollect that we speak of them as a body. That there are honorable exceptions, we are proud for the cause of humanity to declare ; but from them as a body we ask nothing, for were we to ask for bread, we should expect a stone ; were we to ask a fish, we should expect a serpent ; and were we to ask for medicine, we know we should receive poison ; we repeat it, from them we ask nothing. Let them fulminate their anathemas, and report and publish falsehoods as they have done, let them publish " death by steam and lobelia," and the poisonous effects of lobelia, and the vitriol-like effects of cayenne, to the amusement of all those who have a knowledge of the truth, and we will tell them that they themselves by so doing, spread the system faster than a legion of Dr. Thomsons could without such help." The following is the first of series of essays that appeard in The Thomsonian Recorder, signed " Honestus." ESSAY I. System of Medicine. I. It would require a volume of extraordinary size, and time and labor, exceeding the abilities of the most talented individual, to give the names, or title pages, of half the authors, who have started and attempted to defend some new theory, in relation to febrile diseases, and the long catalogue of complaints incident to human nature. II. The discrepant doctrines, jarring and contradictory exposi- tions of the general principles of medical science, by which they have pompously essayed to enlighten the world, have served rather to confuse, confound, and deeply cloud the understanding, and lead the honest enquirer after truth, wide of the mark. III. The controversies resulting from these mulifarious halluci- nations, have been conducted by every conceivable variety of gen- ius,talent and disposition, from the days of Hippocrates, the immor- tal Father of Physic, down * * * down to the moping, ploding, speculating sciolist, H***H*** whose plagiarism is too notorious to escape observation, too contemptible for sober animad- version, or trivial labour of incidental criticism. IV. These reputed oracles of medical science, who have distin- guished themselves, as the champions of learned controversy, have glutted Europe and America by their voluminous productions.— Many have become eminent for the endless severity of the censures they have heaped <>n each other. By their physiological, patholo- gical, and Therapeutical inconsistences, consecutive discordancy and violence of opposition have sinned against common sense.— Their conflicting theories have been derived from the different and differing universities, whence they have obtained their education ; every part exhibits a portrait of the verbose, fantastical, dissentious philosopy of their respective professors. The lenient hand of chari- ty strives in vain to consign their illiberal and unprofitable litiga- tions to the deep shade of deserved oblivion. V. These remarks have not originated in any personal resent- 6 ment against the Faculty—They are not the spawn of that maligni- ty, so often indulged against any one who may attempt to call in question the medical infallibility of the craft, or doubt a moment the legitimacy of their claims to diplomatic prerogatives, who is not him- self attaclied to the purchment corps. VI. The regular faculty claim, not only to possess an exclusive right to the knowledge of medicine, but to vilify and abuse each other. Arrayed in the panoply of academic honors, they assume privilege to assault each other with high toned raillery—but we plebeians must hold our tongues. If the learned Barrister or rev- erend Divine presumes to hesitate, or indulge a momentary doubt of their superior sagacity, he must hold himself amenable, and be exposed to a regular lampooning, and a stormy shower of the bil- lingsgate technicalities peculiar to the order. VII. If our graduates and learned professors, have never arrived at any certainty in medical science, if they still float on the broad sea of conjecture, or make moonlight excursions in regions of de- lusive fancy, what avails the time and money expended for their education ? If they have not any established principles among themselves, if they be almost universally dissatisfied with each oth- er, and wander like Noah's dove without a resting place, what en- couragement have we to become their disciples ? or how justify that obsequious homage and servile adulation, secured by the nom- inal honor conferred by a Diploma, obtained by some means, from some medical institution, that owes its importance to the patronage of the state, however obtained 1 VIII. We know the faculty can justly boast of men, whose ex- tensive erudition would be an honor to any of the learned profess- ions—these, in the lucid seasons ofcalm reflection, sacred to reason and common sense, rise superior to that sordid selfishness, that too often perverts, corrupts and measurably deranges sound minds. IX. An intelligent writer in the "western journal of the medical and physical sciences" has expressed his sentiments on a point in- timately connected with our subject, with a firmness and precision, that no doubt, had the same language dropped from the pen of a Thomsonian writer, it would have drawn down upon him the indig- nant frowns, of the whole graduated fraternity,and loaded him heav- ily with hard names and abusive epithets. X. It has fallen to our lot," saith the writer alluded to, i( to have a full opportunity of observing the management and utility of col- legiate instruction in the United States ; and we have no hesitation in saying, that its advantages are very generally misapprehended, and its importance entirely overrated. There are no schools which have been estimated so extravagantly, and which do so little to meet the public expectation, as those of medicine." XI. " Before the invention of the art of printing, when learning was confined to the halls of Universities, the treasures of science could be obtained only through the medium of public lectures- but at the present time when the student, at an expense scarcely supe- rior to that of a course of Lectures, can collect in his study the uni- ted experience and observation of the profession, and can study, compare and arrange at his leisure the opinions of the most distin- guished men, a course of lectures can be useful only as subsidiary T and strictly subordinate to a well regulated plan of reading, and a judicious use of the other advantages, which ought to be afforded by institutions of this kind. XII. Lectures may be useful by establishing an elevated stand- ard of professional excellence, by inspiring a love of fame and a professional feeling, by directing the labors of the student, and ani- mating his progress.; but the variety and extent of the sciences subsidary to medicine, are too great to admit of any plan of oral instruction, supplying the place of patient investigation in the stea- dy and unremitted labor in the field of observation. " It requires," adds our author, " A well regulated mind, with a very consitlera* ble degree of information, to hear lectures, with much advantage, under any circumstances. But in the medical schools of this coun- try, these things are managed in the worst possible manner. The great desideratum appears to be, to deliver the greatest possible number of lectures in the shortest time ; the whole circle of medi- cal literature is to be hurried through in the space of less than four months." XIII. From the brief survey we have taken ofthe whole ground, relating to our popular medical institutions, what an oracle of sci- ence must that young man be, whose natural talents have scarcely arrived to a comfortable mediocrity, who has never acquired a habit of close thinking, or arranging his ideas with accuracy on any sub- ject, but he has been hastily lectured into a man of wisdom. The legislature of Ohio has determined, that one course of lectures, in some one of these temples of science, attended, perhaps with wan- dering eyes and heedless ears, to the attitude, gestures, and incess- ant volubility, of some professor's tongue, shall constitute this indi- vidual, or entitle him to become a member of any one medical so- ciety in the state. Let the lectured dunce produce satisfactory evi- dence of such attendance, and he is a man of science, a philoso- pher, and a physician. If such be the foundation of our medical institutions and the distinctions they have attempted in the west, what shall we imagine the superstructure to be, that has been reared upon such a basis ? XIV. "Attendance on two courses of this routine of farce and humbug," subjoins the above named writer, " is called fishing an education, and next in order comes the diploma. And what does the diploma amount to ? An evidence that the gentleman thus dignified is qualified to practice medicine ? Nothing of the kind. Wealth may purchase the honor, the influence of friends may secure it, or dogged resolution, in attending three or four courses of lec- tures, will at length weary out the patience of professors, and enable the veriest dunce in the Universe, to carry off the prize—It amounts simply to shew that the persons who wear this distinguished honor, have been able to raise the means to attend two courses of lec- tures. XV. Our author proceeds to affirm, " This is a fair representa- tion of that system of instruction that is pursued in every medical college in the United States, a system that is supported at an ex- pense of half a million of dollars annually—a system that is absurd- ly expected by a large portion ofthe community, to supply every defect of talents, and industry, and transform men destitute of every qualification into accomplished physicians. We appeal to the pub- 8 lie to say, if it is not one of the greatest impositions ever palmed upon an enlightened age ; if it is not perfectly inadequate to the ob- jects in view, and at least five centuries behind the present condi- tion of literary improvement. Yet the gentlemen at the head of these institutions, who have in consequence an opportunity of Lec- turing themselves into notice, and thereby of rising above profess- ional competition, with all the gravity of a Roman augur talk sen- timentally about the attachment of young men to their Alma Mater, and from a generous attachment to the interests of literature, very modestly pray that they may be protected against competition." XVI. The allusion here made, refers to an introductory lecture delivered by John B. Beck, M. D. at the college of physicians and surgeons ofthe city of New-York, Nov. 6th, 1829. We are sensi- ble of the design of the author, to elevate the standard of medical education, narrow the arena of state patronage, and circumscribe the privileged order, within limits to be graduated by this standard. XVII. The unsuccessfulness of all former attempts, the wretched condition of such establishments in our own country, demonstrate, unequivocally, that little confidence can be placed, by an enlight- ened intelligent community, in these medical institutions, and their arrogant pretensions. XVIII. Medical colleges may elevate an ostensible standard to the acme of their proud ambition and imperious folly, but men, who have not a natural taste and genius for medical pursuits, will never attain to any extraordinary perfection in the healing art. Cash, friends, and a fortunate combination of incidents, may give a dul- lard block-head a nominal elevation, to the high standard of imagin- ary excellence, prescribed by pompous professors and their deluded patrons, but can never infuse intelligence, genius, or aptitude of mind, for scientific attainments, into stupid dull-brained lads, on whom nature has entailed an intractable, drowsy indocility. Edu- cation cannot rouse, nor professors lecture their sluggish intellect, to the lofty summit of genuine professional eminence. XIX. The genial current of the human mind will flow in the channel that nature has prescribed, and is not easily diverted from its course. When any one branch of science is urged upon a youth, for which he has no natural aptitude, but rather an inherent settled aversion, inwrought, in the very rudimental stamina of his mind, what perfection can we expect from such perversion of na- ture ! Whatever of genius the individual might have originally possessed, the erroneous direction of intellect, in the developement of its powers, will give to the mind a resemblance to plants, whose growth has been forced in a hot house, that never acquire that de- licious flavor, that peculiar excellence, which distinguishes those that come to maturity in the open atmosphere, according to a regu- lar course ofnature. XX. The philosophy ofthe human mind, begins to arrest the at- tention of the inquisitive, who are unwilling to take every thing upon trust : It must and undoubtedly will become a subject of more special and extensive investigation. The young dawn of in- tellect should be watched with most scrupulous attention. The embryo motions of a gigantic mind, may often be detected in cells of obscurity, poverty, and desolation, that only need management 0 cultivation and improvement, to rear the possessor to a sublime de- gree of moral and literary excellence. On the other hand, how of- ten do we see wealth and affluence, conferred on families, where mental abilities have been bestowed by mother nature with a spar- ing hand. These facts must be fully understood ; and genius, ap- titude of mind to the acquisition of useful knowledge, be duly ap- preciated, before the standard of scientific, knowledge, particularly of medical education, can be successfully reared far beyond the de- graded level ot the present period. XXI. Merit alone should command our respect. Our colleges have erected a false delusive standard. This is a fact in relation to medical science, that does not admit of honest contradiction. Shall our medical colleges and universities, engaged in perpetual warfare among themselves, imagine they can command the confidence of the world ? They every where oppose and condemn each other, and will they call us to rally round some imaginary standard, obse- quious to their dictation ? While the whole medical kingdom is divided against itself, and every professor raises a standard of his own, is it possible that these conflicting claims, can be so lectured into notice, as to secure the patronage and exclusive protection of the state. --------------------- The following extract is from a letter dated Liberty Hill, Ker- shaw District, S. Carolina, Feb. 11, 1832. It is from the pen ofthe talented patriotic statesman and physician, Dr. Robert D. Mont- gomery. It was originally addressed to the Rev. Wm. Carlisle.— The contents of the letter have been forwarded to us by R. Ferriss, Esq of Winsborough, enclosed in a communication bearing date Oct. 19th, 1832. ' Mr. Carlisle prefaces the letter by the following remarks : " The circumstances that gave rise to the publication ofthe following let- ter, were these. Dr. Montgomery applied to me for a Thomsonian family right, he pledged himself to report his opinion ofthe system as soon as he should have an opportunity of fairly testing it. A re- quest being sent to him by the Thomsonians for that purpose. The following letter is his reply ;" after an interesting detail of his pat- riotism and public services, in conclusion he adds ; "suffice it to say, that Dr. Montgomery's opinion of any system is of more impor- tance than the opinion of a thousand self interested physicians, whose object is to keep the people in ignorance ofthe nature of dis- ease and consequently of the mode and manner of performing cures." The following is the letter referred to. Gentlemen—I received your letter on the 10th ult. and on the evening it came to hand, was severely attacked with the cholera morbus, which prevented a more early answer. You requested my opinion on the Thomsonian practice of medicine, and inquire some- thing concerning my medical studies, previous to my adopting the botanic practice. I will with pleasure endeavor to satisfy your in- quiries, in as brief a manner as I am able. It will perhaps be the most satisfactory course to give a short history of my medical life, then my reasons for adopting the new practice may appear in a more convincing light. After I had finished my collegiate education in 10 the vears 1794-5 and 6,1 proceeded to the study of medicine in Columhia, S. Carolina, under the tuition of Drs. Montgomery & Henricks, both students of the Rushean school. After this, I at- tended the medical lectures in Philadelphia, given by Drs. Shepper, Rush, Woodhouse and Barton. Having attended the regular course of lectures under these professors, they adjudged me entitled to a diploma, for my medical knowledge, yet it was contrary to the rules ofthe institution to give me one, unless 1 went through another course ; my finances would not admit of it at that time, and 1 never obtained a diploma. After my return from Philadelphia, I fell im- mediately into practice, but quickly found, that the theory, however beautiful it might appear, would by no means agree with the prac- tice. I entered the practice with all the ardor that it is possible for any young physician to possess. Every leisure moment was em- ployed in perfecting my knowledge ofthe science of medicine ; and I flattered myself that I was as successful in my practice, as my cotemporaries : my prospects were flattering and my practice lucra- tive for fourteen or fifteen years. I then became wearied of the practice, and during the latter part of my time, have given it over, unless constrained by the entreaties of a friend. I could do no bet- ter than to pity their distress. You would here inquire, what it was that could induce me to relinquish a gainful practice, and adopt a system of yesterday—to leAve the old beaten track for one newly opened ? I answer, because the marks to point out the way to pro- ceed, in the old practice, were fallacious and not to be depended on when life was at stake. Here I would candidly ask the candid physician, if he has not often been deceived, in the symptoms of dis- ease, when flattering himself with the prospect of the speedy recove- ry of his patient, when he left him. perhaps at evening—the next visit, perhaps the next morning, found him breathing his last 1 you beheld him surrounded by weeping friends, because they viewed hirn departing to his long home. In such circumstances humanity sickens and anxiously inquires, " Is there no relief from disease and premature death 1" The answer is to be found in the botanic practice. But, is this practice infallible 1 Does it never fail 1 Yes, it may fail, has filled, and will fail, in a number of cases. It has and will fail, of course, when the vital spark is nearly extinct, when the powers of life are destroyed by disease, or when the condition of the patient is such that there is not any thing remaining for the medicine to act upon. Medicine cannot acton a dead body, though it be ever so active. At such a crisis, this practice, as every other, will most assuredly fail : yet, in the midst of all these failures, the new practice will have a decided superiority over every other mode of cure yet known by man. I find by experience in my family, and among my friends, who have used the medicine as directed, that in fevers, it generally relieves the patient in twenty-four hours, and often in less time. A number of cases in my own family, that have been as violent as any under the old practice, which required three or four weeks, before they were able to leave their bed, yet by the Thomsonian practice, these have been relieved in the short time already stated. This practice, under my direction, has tri- umphed over an ascites, or dropsy ofthe abdomen, in which the old practice had labored in vain. The bite of a rattle-snake, on one of the family, accompanied with violent pain, was freed from all pain 11 in less than ten minutes, and the swelling ofthe foot and leg was but trifling. In myself, a violent attack of rheumatism and choler morbus, both yielded to the botanic applications. Another fact is worthy of notice ; your patient does not suffer the great debility, by a course ofthe new practice, that commonly takes place in the old. The natural functions are soon restored to their former vigor. The patient forgets that he was sick. Do you wish me to account for this 1 It is easily done—there is not that prostration of strength by depleting remedies in the new, as in the old practice. Another reason why the same degree of debility is not induced, is that the medicine used is in harmony with the powers of life ; hence it is, that, after the operation ofthe Thomsonian remedies, the patient feels invigorated and cheerful. One other fact which gives the new a decided advantage over the old practice, is that the remedies are the sams in all cases that can possible occur, the object is uniform, viz : The restoration ofthe natural heat as it is a primitive vital property, hence the practicing physician, acting with any tolerable degree of common discretion, cannot err materially in administer- in^ the remedies : He is not liable to do any irreparable injury to his patient. I'his is not the case with the old practice : How often have we witnessed with grief, the baneful effects of medicine on the constitution ofthe patient ? Where is the physician that will not ackowledge that his medicine has often operated in a different man- ner than he had expected, and that his patient was worse from the use thereof. . r: . . , A Brown, a Rush, and others have declared firmly in their be- lief in the unity of disease, and the unity of cure : Doct. Thomson joins them in the belief, and practices precisely on that principle.— Away then, with your thousand diseases, and your thousand reme- dies, and adopt that system of practice that is both safe and saluta- ry to man. , , In conclusion, I would add, another reason which makes the Thomsonian practice valuable, and that is its simplicity, or its plain, natural adaptation to the illiterate, untutored part of the human fam- ily The poor and illiterate, require the attention ofthe humane and benevolent in all countries, and such are the most numerous class in society : To such, the Thomsonian practice holds out the helping hand, to snatch them from pain and death, and such he in- vites to a participation of its benefits. . These are some ofthe considerations which have determined my judgment to the botanic practice of medicine. I am fully conn- dent that whoever will give it a fair trial will rejoice at the success. I am respectfully yours, &c. Robert D. Montgomery. A CHOLERA CHAPTER. WRITTEN BY A THOMSONIAN, IN 1832. 1 It is truly an imperious duty, incumbent upon all men, as members of civil society, to apprise men of danger, present or ap- oroTchTng, and warn them to escape impending evil in every lawful and honorable method within their power. 12 2. The cholera cloud has for a long time hung round our coun- try, and multitudes have died along our sea coast, towns and cities, and in the back and western countries. 3. By our last advices from Orleans the mortality was prevailing to a terrible extent—from 150 to200 dying a day. 4. Our friends acquaint us that while the multitudes are dying round them, faster than they can find graves to hold them, yet they feel secure and fear no particular danger, and can only feel sorrow for those of their fellow creatures that are swallowing their deadly doses, while the steam doctors have not the privilege to save life, when it could easily be done. 5. To them and all others in similar circumstances, is this word of compassion and good will most kindly dedicated. 6. If you would keep clear ofthe cholera, avoid the doctor, who comes to you with calomel, opium and lancet. 7. Let those cholera preventives alone that are puffed and blown in the newspapers, just to get your money, regardless of consequen- ces. 8. Always make it a rule not to take any medicine, unless you know what you take it for; and never take any thing that will make a well man sick, but try always, when you use any medicine at all, to use such as will make a sick man well. 9. Drive off all fright and fearfulness about cholera, for that will lead you off after cholera preventives, and lead you after the chole- ra nostrum doctors. 10. The learned quacks will draw off your blood, the very foun- tain of your life, they perhaps will do as they certainly have done, syringe in a large quantity of saline fluid, or white lie into your veins, and purge, and blister, and salivate besides. 11. This is doing a great business. In addition to all this, they may, as they certainly have, prescribe a gill of brandy and 200 drops of laudanum to be taken in the course of two or three hours. 12. Ten to one if the college doctor does not put down 50 or 60 grains of calomel, if very popular, perhaps twice that quantity. 13. In this way the game is played—the blind are leading the blind—they are all falling into the ditch together, until the grave is running over full. 14. This has been the case in many places, but especially at Or- leans, where the plague rages and will rage until there is a change in the medical practice. 15. Falsehood and deception there prevail, and death goes on taking a wide swath, and we may well exclaim in the fulness of our sympathy, O, foolish inhabitants of a country boasting of light and liberty ! How long will you sacrifice yourselves and your children at the shrine ofthe moloch of mineral poisons, and the learned ig- norance of the doctors who give you poisons according to law. 16. Some do and will enquire why mortal disease is more preva- lent at some seasons than another. To answer this interrogation, we will refer you to the year of 1806. Then was the total eclipse ofthe sun. Such was the chilly state ofthe atmosphere that season, that little corn was raised, the crops all failed to an alarming de' gree—the yellow fever and dysentary prevailed. 17. The doctors had bad success. The same preventive, viz • calomel, opium, blistering and bleeding, and a train of nostrums 13 were used as preventives, and the same remedies to cure were used as have been since used, and are now using to cure the cholera : about nine tenths of those who sickened died. IS. In 1805 and '6, I lost not a patient. In 1807, I attended a'. Jericho, Vermont, where 20 persons had died under the care ofthe regular doctors. Two lived who had utterly refused to take a parti- cle of mineral medicine, they took none of any kind. 19. Every one who had taken medicine from the regular doctors died, whether they called it yellow fever, dysentary, or black vomit. The color of the complaint did not make any odds. Out of 30 1 relieved 29, at the risk of life and fortune : such were the circum- stances in which I was placed. 20. In 1810, the disease changed color and got spotted, and was then called the spotted fever. The doctors went the same old round of medicine—round and round, like a horse in a cider-mill. They did not appear to have made any improvement, except those who added to the old list, the sulphate of antimony. The remedy was about as fatal as the butcher's knife, skilfully applied to the throat of a beast. 21. This grammar doctor lost sometimes 3, sometimes 4 or 5, or 6, and once at least 7 out of a family. I could not get to practice at all in that vicinity. I was most wantonly abused when I cured all who applied ; and there the inhabitants flocked to the kill-all doctors like people crowding a mill in a dry time, when each one strives to have his turn first. 22. In 1816, many unusual spots were seen on the sun, as many will remember. Astronomers noticed those phenomena. 23. A cold, chilly state ofthe atmosphere prevailed through the season. The disease received a new name. The school doc- tors called it the cold plague. This was the best or truest name they had ever given it. 24 The same medicines were crowded down the people's throats as before, the same th.it has since been given for cholera. Almost every one died who took the mineral medicines. Scarce one escaped to tell the effect the medicine had upon them. We were compelled to judge in these cases by the stark naked facts. 25. In one neighborhood, (Eastham) I distinctly recollect, that more than 40 have died. Doctors from three counties had been attending. Their success was as bad as ever. The same weapons of death were employed as formerly, and the lancet more liberally used. 26. In the space of two weeks, by an attentive and faithful use of my medicine, 33 out of 34 recovered, to the surprise and astonish- ment of many. I had no reformers to go beyond me in those days. The regular doctors were my leading opposers. 27. At the same time, at the same place, among those who were attended by the regular doctors, eleven out of twelve died : thus plainly proving that (X/^it was the medicine, and not the disen^e, the remedies used and not the disorder, that killed the people; they were led like sheep to the slaughter. These transactions occurred at Eastham, at Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, as .referred to and con- firmed My responsible testimony in my Narrative. 14 28. Let the friends of truth, for whose dear sake I now employ my pen, just pause a moment and consider, what is the difference what name we give the disease, or whether we give it any name or whether there be any disease to name or not ? Death you see has been the result, where the medicine ofthe regular shops has been used. The facts speak for themselves, in a language that has been heard and felt by thousands. 29. The name of cholera, spasmodic cholera and Asiatic chole- ra are modern names for our epidemic disease. It began to get into use pretty extensively in this country, in 1830. 30. At that period disease was worked up into a multitude of names, the names of medicine underwent a great revolution. Stu- dents had to learn new names to make wise men of themselves, even lawful doctors, with privilege to kill without being ques- tioned. 31. Thus the credulity ofthe people is imposed upon. The cholera cry rung from the pulpit and the press, from the priest and from the doctor. The echo rang far and wide. 32. The country was unusually healthy and continued so for many months, before all the machinery ofthe inquisition could be got up into complete operation. 33. The Boards of Health, as they have been called, were estab- lished in our cities. These consisted of regular doctors or those un- der their immediate control. 34. Fifty thousand dollars were raised in the city of Boston and placed at their disposal to enable them to cleanse the city and give the cholera a decent reception. 35. While the busy note of preparation was humming in our ears, the cholera preventives were spreading. 36. Every dupe of these speculations was provided with some cholera nostrums or charm. Men, women and children were pro- vided with a bag hung round their necks, containing the wonder- working amulet. The price rose from 75 cents to 16 dollars per lb. or 1 dollar per ounce. 37. Next in order in this age of wonders, discoveries, and im- provements, comes Dr. Warren's prescription : 1 gill of brandy, and 200 drops of laudanum to be swallowed within a short given time, as a preventive, or as a remedy in case of attack, until a doc- tor could be obtained. 38. With such a dose down the neck of a patient, and a good dose of calomel, or even without it, I should expect that Dr. Death could quick despatch his business without any medical advice. 39. In this way those arch imposters whom the law protecteth, have invented and vended their preventives and remedies, deal- ing out the most deadly poisons, and filled their pockets well with the precious metal, gleaning from every one weak enough to be- come a dupe to their impositions. 40. By the spirit of this speculation, thousands have been fright- ened, until they imagined they were seized with some symptom resembling the deadly cholera, down went the preventives, and out goes the body of the cholera, victim ofthe cholera preventives. 41. No doubt remains on my mind, that more than one hundred thousand dollars have been paid by the people to purchase a dag- ger to plunge into their own bosoms. 15 42. Who that honestly views the record of facts here faithfully and fearlessly stated, can refrain from denouncing these political contrivances, and medical speculations, as deeds of enormity and wickedness, deserving to be publicly censured and condemned by every honest man. 43. Who would not sooner risk himself with thunder, big guns, mad dogs, and earthquakes, than swallow a gill of brandy, 200 drops of laudanum and 60 grains of calomel 1 44. If to all this you add bleeding, syringing your veins with saline composition, and a blister 10 inches square across your breast ; who could doubt whether the remedy or the disease killed him. 45. May not this statement suffice to satisfy the mind of any man who has ever examined into the nature of things, and has any just conception ofthe cause of life and motion, or the cause of in- action and death. 46. The learned ignorance that has brought the world into this condition, is undoubtedly one ofthe greatest plagues that ever in- fested the earth. 47. Let us come to the point, for truth will never flinch : sup- pose then, that every adult in Columbus, or any Town or City on earth, should, at bed-time this night, take a gill of brandy and two hundred drops of laudanum, would not a large proportion of them be dead before morning, especially if they should all be attended by college doctors, repeating the dose ? 48. In such a «ase—we should at this season of alarm, excite- ment and speculation, hear the Board of Health reporting that half or two thirds ofthe town had died ofthe cholera in one night. 49. If my memory be correct, I read an account of one of the eastern cities, of three thousand who died in one night, and of thirty thousand more who were taken sick. 50. Can it be thought an extravagant calculation that in a"city of such immense population, three thousand should have taken some popular cholera preventive and die I 1 51. Is it not natural to suppose that ten times as many, at such a season of terror and distress, sheuld take the same remedy, if they only had a forlorn hope that swallowing the medicine would prevent their death. At such perilous seasons, such hopes may often be excited ; down goes the deadly drug, for drowning men will catch at straws. 52. Could this idea be faithfully proclaimed in the streets of Or- leans—could these facts and the reasonings thereon, be thundered in the ears ofthe devoted inhabitants of that ill fated city, until they should know and understand the truth in relation to their con- dition, I am confident they would refuse the schoolmen's remedies. The desolating angel would sheath his sword, and the work of death make a solemn pause ! ! ! 53 Would disease, reader, have ever appeared in such a mor- tal form in this country, had not the deadly name ol cholera been introduced, and the preventives and the name and the remedies all travelled together? 16 54. Have not thousands suffered death by doctoring the name instead of the malady ? The same remedies have followed up the name from Asia, through Europe, to America, with equally destruc- tive ravages, and should the same articles, or medicines be used for the name hunger, it would produce similar effects, without regard to name, sex or situation. 55. Thus have I given my reader some general outlines of the cause, or, to say the least of one ofthe causes, and I honestly think I may safely say, one ofthe principal causes, of the greatest plagues that ever visited mankind. 56. The honest reader will perhaps inquire, among the many forms of disease that have appeared in our country, are there none of these disordered states of men's bodies, that are not produced or occasioned by such remedies or poison medicine 1 57. I answer yes. There is the same disease, though in a dif- ferent form, that formerly appeared in our country, the scarlet fe- ver, spotted fever, yellow fever, and cold plague arelimbs and mem- bers ofthe same body. If you will allow me to personify disease. 58. The doctrine of transmigration will apply much better to the various forms of disease in human bodies, much more philo- sophically than the Pythagorean doctrine of the transmigration of souls. 59. The yellow fever and dysentary of 1806, transmigrated into the spotted fever in 1810, into cold plague in 1816, and the terri- fying ghost now walks a cholera spectre through the country. 60. The same disease, whatever livery it wears, the same de- mon, in whatever shape he appears, and the same poisons have been given for the relief and cure ofthe afflicted. 61. The unity ofthe disease is evident that some remedies that excite and support the powers of life, remove disease and restore health in the one case, has uniformly succeeded in all other cases when used in time and faithfully attended, as certain as the min- eral poisons have made quick work, despatched the patient and sent him to his grave. 62. The preceding summer, spring and fall, like the same sea- sons in the years 1806, '15 and '16, has been remarkable for the chilly state ofthe atmosphere and the deficiency of the summer crops, particularly Indian corn. 63. The peculiar mortality of some seasons, seems to be aug- mented by sudden and excessive transitions or fluctuations from heat to cold, and from cold to he^at. 64. It will be readily recollected that the preceding winter com- menced early in the fall of 1831. The air was cold and chilly un- til late in the season the last summer. The cold and chilly weath- er was protracted beyond the usual period—all nature appeared to feel the impression. 65. The heat of animal bodies were subject to the peculiar in- fluences these circumstances were calculated to produce, the nat- ural or vital heat was diminished some degrees below the healthy point, considering the time ofthe year, when the wintery cold and chilly blasts were intruding on the warmth of summer. The heat of summer came on suddenly, and the weather became rapidly and intensely hot. The inward heat of men's bodies could not rise in proportion to the external heat, they had not time to take in, take up and absorb the caloric or heating principle from the at- mospheric air they used for respiration. The stream was too low, it fell nearly to a level with the degree of external heat. The prevalence of disease was the consquence. Equalization inwardly and outwardly would have in any case pro- duced dissolution. This was the state of all who died—this was death ! !!—It is, and will be death wherever it occurs. It resembles a stream rising too fast for the fountain. It makes back water as it were on the wheels of animal life and motion, and they wallow and labor hard, when the stream rises almost to a level with the fountains this ; must always be the case. 66. Somewhat similar to this, is the physical condition ofthe an- imal body of man, when the inward heat is diminished below the zero of that scale by which health is graduated, and the heat of the day or atmospheric air, about equal to that of the body, then the body suffers the inconvenience of cold, in proportion to the loss of inward heat, and when these become equal the body dies. 67/ A patient approaching this condition, and nears it by the power of medicine, or force of disease, will commonly turn yellow on the skin, and his complaint will get the name of yellow fever.— The liver loses power to perform its functions, and the powers of life run down, outward heat having risen too high for the in- ward 68 We will try and be explicit. When the heat ofthe body is diminished inside, and the heat of the air about equal to that ofthe body, the person suffers the consequence of cold, in proportion to the loss of inward heat, and when they are equal or come to a level they die; at this balance of heat, outward and inward, spots will often appear on the skin ; the standard or scale of life is correct in itself, but the balance ofthe powers of life which are graduated by it suffer derangement from their natural and regular order. 69. This form of disease, this state of the balance of power be- tween outward and inwarcUcold, is called spotted fever, cold plague, &c. And sirs, cholera is the same thing, whether it be occasioned by a balance of heat inside, reduced or reducing to an equilibri- um, or equal degree outwardly, or of the outside, or whether it be a balance of outward cold, balanced with the inward. 70. Whenever heat and cold equilibriate, or cold and heat come to a level inwardly and outwardly, or outwardly and inwardly, ces- sation of all animal warmth and motion ensues, these are proper evidences and attributes of life, yea the essential properties of life itself. These constitute that in which animal life eminently con- sists, and without which, man's body does not, cannot live or be alive; when motion ceaseth, and heat is extinct this state is death. 71. It is immaterial in relation to the certain result, whether the balance or equilibrations of power takes place by raising the stream to a level with the fountain, or by lowering the fountain to a level with the stream. 3 TS~ 72. Take the ebbing and flowing of the tide waters of the sea for illustration : no matter whether it be high water slack, or low water slack, when it is i-lack, it is quiet, it does not flow one way nor another. This is an emblem ofthe slate of death. 73. There is in the living, human animal body, a certain degree, circumstance or condition of heat, accompanied with motion which constitutes and distinguishes the living state. Without caloric in a tr.ovng state or capacity of mobility there is no animalization, or powers of animal life. 74. A state of inaction, and extinction or depression of that de- gree and condition ofthe caloric or principle of heat in the living system, constitutes a state of death. This is a correct definition of death itself. 75. In theliving state of warmth and action, when the animal ma- chine is in operation, muscular motions, and the whole vascular sys- temare excited, dilated, expanded, and the blood and all the circula- ting juices propelled along their respective channels. The air, blood, and watery fluids are rarefied and expanded, and so dilate and stim- ulate their containing vessels, and maintain the power of life, or support and keep up the living state, or animalized condition of man's body. 76. A state of collapse in yellow fever, cold plague or cholera, is like the slack water condition ofthe ocean tide we just hinted at. In whatever form disease appears, or shape it wears, or whatever name the doctor may give, it is all in reality the same thing—the same state or condition ofthe animal body. 77. The state of collapse is resembled in or by the condition of a drowning person, reduced to that state or degree of vital coolness and depression, that the fire or heat of life begins to be extinguish- ed, or is going out, and action and all capacity of action beginning to cease. 78. In a drowning man as the heat begins to become partially extinct, there is so little of it remaining in the drowning body, the lungs collapse, they expand with difficulty. With such a depress- ion of weight and cold upon them, they can no longer expand, no longer execute their regular functions. 79. In many cases of yellow fever, cold plague, and cholera col- lapse, it is not in the power of medicine, or all the means of art to kindle and rouse the principle, or principles of heat and motion, sufficient to expand the lungs, and play the fountain pump of life with sufficient force to continue the state of animalizatiun. 80. In such cases the walls of the lungs, the sides ofthe vessels through the vascular system collapse, or begin to close and fall to- gether, like the sides of an exhausted wind bellows, or a bag emp- tied of its contents ; action ceases, and the patient dies, or rather more correctly we say, he is dead ! 81. In all these cases of plague, fever or drowning, the state or condition of collapse is essentially the same, the fire, or heat, or power of life, heat and motion, outwafd and inward be- coming equal, or approaching a state of equilibrium, in either and every case, the patient should be shielded from the weight and de- pression of a cold atmosphere with which he may be surrounded. 82. This may best be effected by the vapour bath, vulgarly called ffVeaiwirsg, by pl-acing the patient in e. convenient box, or wrapping 19 htm in blankets, and applying the steam, as we steam doctors fre- quently and most commonly do. 83. Cases of extreme w-akness, and cases of collapse are of this class. The patient may be placed in bed and hot stones or bricks, dipj).;d in hot water or vinegar, all hot and steaming may be ap- plied to the feet, hands, back and stomach or bowels at discretion. 84. In my introduction to the New Guide to health, I have re- marked, and here request, that " In all cases where the heat of the body, is so far exhausted, as not to be rekindled by using the medicine, and being shielded by a blanket from the surrounding air, or by being in bed, and chills or stupor attend the patient, then, heat applied by steaming becomes indispensably necessary." The heat by steam should always be raised gradually not suddenly. " If the outward heat be raised too suddenly so as to balance the in- ward" you will be disappointed, even when a prospect of success flatters your expectations. What I have written on the subject, should be minutely and faithfully attended to. 85. This course should be persisted in until you can by warming, stimulating medicines, rouse, blow up, or kindle the latent spark of lingering life, arrest its departure, or kindle up heat enough to expand the lungs and keep up the motions of animalization. 86. These may be administered as prescribed in my New Guide, both inwardly by the mouth, or by injections well applied, which are almost always useful, often indispensable, and never injurious, if prudently administered. 87. In this way I have been successful—my course has been easy, safe and comfortable to the sick. No means have ever done a3 well within the present knowledge of man. So long as my sys- tem can sustain this character, in defiance of all opposition, what- ever other discoveries I may make, I can find no reason for setting aside, reforming or improving my former discoveries. This would be to abandon a certainty for an uncertainty. This would be to abandon a go;>d harbour when we are safely anchored, and ventur- ing on that wide, dark and stormy ocean, without pilot, helm or compass, where the bewildering philosophy of four thousand years, have driven millions on the tumultuous billows of learned igno- rance, down to the land of silence in the shades of death. 88. Situated as I am, should I raise or join the cry of reforma- tion, the wise and prudeut patrons of the cause would certainly conclude I must be a mad man or a fool ! ! 89. Those worthy and respectable gentlemen among the regular faculty, who love the truth for truth's sake, will readily excuse the seming severity of my remarks, which are intended only for those io-norant, stupid collegian members of the profession, who take all their knowledge upon trust, and condemn unheard and unexamin- ed, whatever may contradict the prejudices of an erroneous edu- cation. 90. To the candid, honest, worthy enquirer after genuine knowl- edge, who will heartily receive the truth, the author tenders the sincere homage and respectful consideration, ever due to judicious, impartial and upright citizens of erery name and dondftion, When- ever thekse presents may come greeting. 20 The following remarks appeared in the Thomsonian Recorder, under the signature of D. F. N. I will now take a brief view of the effects, which the principal medicines of Thomson have upon the system. They are classed under six numbers. No. 1—Is the only medicine known in the world possessed with powers like it, viz : to cause a natural action ofthe brain and pro- duce a new and abundant influx of sensive, and expel the noxious substances which corrupt the organic life, without leaving this or- gan any way impaired as the narcotics do ; but on the contrary it always causes a natural action if it acts at all. It acts only where there is life ; as it has not the least power of doing any injury to the organs, nor to abstract life from them. It can only help nature to perform its natural functions. I have no time to give a detail of the other effects produced by this invaluable herb upon the human body. No. 2—This is the generator of heat in the system, its effects are to rouse the sensive in the organs, and is properly speaking a stimulus ; it gives energy to all the other medicines. No. 3—Possesses the power of gathering from the system such noxious substances as are made by the morbid action, and to give the organs the power of self-contraction, (anticeptic) by removing the corrupted substance from them and leaving them in better or- der to perform their original functions with increased vigor. No. 4—Possesses the power of restoring the debilitated organs, it causes a natural secretion ofthe fluids, as well as to keep the system in its proper functions. No. 5—Restores the digestive organs. I would place this as a supplement to No. 4. No. 6—This is the well known panacea, which is known by most every body, where '' steam doctors" have passed, which has been most universally worshipped by those who have used it, and ridiculed and jeered by the envious or prejudiced. This is so composed of the former numbers, as to possess all the qualities of No. 2, 3, and 4.—Its peculiar composition, has made it better adapt- ed for the use of every body. It has powerful effects upon the body which is yet animated, but perfectly harmless as to the destruction of even the most delicate organ. On the contrary it can only pro- duce healthy actions ; since it destroys or impairs none. It is known to be the greatest anticeptic yet used. To this might be added another number. It is that which pac- ifies the nerves, and might be called the happyfier or com- forter ; it is composed of such vegetables as will always relieve those distressing nervous affections which so much harrass the pa- tient. Thomson has made three preparations ofthe No. 1, the 3d of which is so composed as to have the properties of five numbers viz: 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. There are many other articles mention- ed in this little work, which possess various properties of minor importance, but it would lead us too far to mention them. I would advise those who are desirous of securing themselves from the dan- ger of losing their life, or health, to possess themselves with a patent from the discoverer, and to .take the trouble to make themselves acquainted With this new and valuable plan of curing diseases. 21 Will any one ask ; has the above been tried in practice ? I an swer, it has. And many have received benefits from it, which can be testified by thousands. Will you ask me how came it that the press did not notice it 1 I answer that some have noticed it, and that prejudices have prevented the circulation of facts !—such rs the human mind, there is nothing astonishing in that. " Men love darkness better than light, because their deeds are evil." It is not only now that the people would rather be deceived, according to their prejudices, than to learn the truth, and reform their conduct. They did so in past ages ! and the venerable reformers, have seal- ed their labors with their blood ! Even Christ was nailed to the cross ! Socrates was doomed to swallow the cup of hemlock !— Read the histories ofthe world, and see what mankind has been ! Think you that we are better now than they were then ? O no ! And in the proof of this, let any one touch but once the popular prejudices, and you are cast off from all society, despised, ridiculed, jeered, sneered and calumniated ! True the light of science, and general education have in some respects, ameliorated the generality ofthe world. And the happy government under which we live, has se- cured us from the envy of those who wish to persecute. But even in America, in " the land ofthe free, and the home ofthe brave," Thomson has been imprisoned and chained in a filthy dungeon, and tried for his life ; because he wished to put a discovery into the hands ofthe people, for their own benefit! Will you now ask me, why you have not seen the press notice the effects of his medicines in the cure of the cholera 1 Study but a moment, the prejudices of the people. Study your own prejudices, and the question will be answered. I cannot go any further, I am afraid I have tired my reader's patience already. Copy of a letter from Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, formerly Lecturer on the theory and practice of Physic, in Cambridge University, to the late Samuel L. Mitchell, of New-York. Cambridge, December 19, 1825. My Dear Sir, Mr. alias Doct. Samuel Thomson, who has the hon- or of introducing the valuable Lobelia to use, and fully proved its efficacy and safety, will deliver you this. He has cured and re- lieved many of disorders, which others could not, without being a regular diplomatized physician, and dared to be a republican in a hot bed of federalism : for which he has been shamefully ill-treated, even to persecution. I have aided and assisted Thomson from a firm belief that his novel practice has been beneficial to numbers, and that it may be placed among improvements. If he be a quack he is a quack suigeneris, for he proclaims his mode and means. Had John Hun- ter, whom I well knew, been born and bred where Samuel 1 horn- son was, he would have been just such another man ; and had ^, T been thrown into the same society and associations as J. H. he- would in my opinion, have been his equal, with probably a wider range of thought ! but both men of talents, and originality of thought. 22 I am indeed so disgusted with learned quackery, that I take some interest in honest, humane and-strong minded empiricism ; for it has done more for our art, in all ages and in all countries, than all the universities since the time of Charlemagne. Where, for good- ness sake, did Hippocrates study ?—air, earth and water—man, and his kindred vegetable—disease and death, and all casualties and concomitants ofhumanity, were the pages he studied—every thiiiw that surrounds and nourishes us, were the objects of his at- tention and study. In a word, he read diligently and sagaciously the Great Book of Nature, as Thomson has, instead of the little books of man. How came your Legislature to pass so unconstitutional an act as that called the anti-quack law?—such as the parliament of Eng- land would hardly have ventured on 1—for who will define quackery ? Were I sufficiently acquainted with your excellent Governor Clinton, I would write to him on the subject. You New- Yorkers are half a century behind us in theological science, but your quack bill looks as if you halted also in physic. By what I have seen and learnt of Mr. Thomson I wish him suc- cess, and the notice of the eminent and the liberal in the profession, and with this view I give him this rapidly-written letter to Dr. Mitchell, and am with a high degree of esteem and respect, His steady friend, BENJ. WATERHOUSE. Extract from a letter written by Dr. Hersey of Columbus, Ohio, to Dr. John Thomson of Albany, (N. Y.) " 1 have been more than forty years engaged in the regular practice of medicine. I was a surgeon during the last war in the army ofthe United States. I was one ofthe founders ofthe Wes- tern Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and also am a member of the Medical Society ofthe State of Ohio. My practice has been extensive, my experience and opportunity for observation has sel- dom been exceeded, but I venture to peldge myself upon all I hold sacred and valuable in the profession, that in my estimation, the discoveries made by your honored father, (Samuel Thomson) have a decided preference, and stand unrivalled by all that bears the stamp of ancient or modern skill." T. HERSEY. THOMSON'S RHEUMATIC DROPS. waTdM„E?rE» D|"P,T ar° l° nCmo~ pain' and Prevent mortification ; to be taken in- wardly or apphed externally. From a tea-spoon full to half a wine-class full may nJTin- a i,,n,?* ^ may,a,so be used t0 bathe with in a11 cases of external swellings or pains.. It is an excellent remedy for Rheumatism, by tailing a dose and bathine the parts affected with it. I„ the head-ache, by taking a swallow, bathing thl head, and snumng a little up the nose, it generally removes the pain. It is good for bruises, sprains, swelled joints, and old sores; as it will allay inflammation bring down swelling, ease pain, and produce a tendency to heal. In fact, there is hardly a complaint, in which this invaluable medicine cannot be used to advantage. It is (says Dr. S. Thomson,) the best preservative against mortification of any thing I have ever found. 6 CELEBRATED STOMACH RESTORATIVE. OR....CELEBRATED VEGETABLE ANTI-DYSPEPTIC WINE BITTERS. THE salubrious effects of this admirable Medicine have been so great, that it is esteemed by thousands who have used it, as unrivalled, in the class of tonics by any remedy now extant. For removing dyspeptic affections, and habitual costiveness, —regulating the tone of the stomach, restoring digestion, znd correcting: the appe- tite, it is unparalleled. To sedentary persons, it is an unusual luxury, for its hap- py effects are apparent in dispelling faint torpid feelings, and head-ache, and dilating a warm glow through the system, by increasing a healthful circulation of the blood. For organic diseases of the stomach and bowels, it is both a safe and pleasant remedy. VEGETABLE COMPOSITION POWDER. This is a very valuable Medicine, and may be safely used in any case of sickness of young or old, male or female. It is good for sudden cold, foul stomach, head-ache, jaundice, pain in the limbs, cold hands and feet, pain in the stomach and bowels, sore throat, relax, rheumatism, and all kinds of female complaints caused by colds. CEL 33 RAT ED VEGETABLE BITTERS. Tnispreparation is calculated to correct the bile and create an appetite, by res- toring the digestive powers, and may be safely used in any situation, both as a res- torative and to prevent disease. CHOLERA SYRUP- THIS Medicine is an excellent remedy for the Cholera—that highly malignant disease which has proved so fatal to a great portion of the human race, and baffled the skill of the most learned physicians. This syrup has been used with the great- est success in cases of Cholera, as it never has failed to give speedy relief wherev- er it has been timely administered. It is equally good for all diseases that bear any resemblance to the Cholera : such as pain in the stomach or bowels—Colic—Dys- entery—and also for colds, coughs, pains in the side, &c. In all of which it will be found an excellent remedy, and may be used with perfect safety. GOLDEN SEAL.. This is an excellent Article for a weak stomach, where the food distresses, and to correct the bile. To be taken before eating in a dosa of from half to a tea-spoon full in hot water, sweetened. CANKER MEDICINE. It is good for a sore throat, sore eyes, and all kinds of Disorders where there ii anj Canker. THOMSONIAN INFIRMARY. THE subscriber would respectfully inform the friends of the Thomso- nian System, and all who are suffering under diseases, and prefer being restored to health by the use of Vegetable Medicines, rather than have their constitutions ruined, and the remainder of their lives made misera- ble by the use of " Mineral Poisons," that he has a large and conve- nient house, situated at the corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, occupied as an Infirmary, where he will be happy to attend upon all who may see proper to visit him. The great success of the Thomsonian practice in this city, within a year past, while it has made hundreds of converts to the System, has called forth the abuse and persecution of the enemies of the System, and some ofthe Medical Faculty. All the subscriber asks is a fair and candid investigation of the System, and its effects, before a wholesale sweeping denunciation is made against if. By applying at the Infirma- ry, references and recommendations can be given, sufficient to satisf the most timid and incredulous. Persons from the country are informed, that the Infirmary is situate opposite the south eastern corner of the Cotnmon, as several false i rections have been given to enquirers by interested persons. A general assortment of Thomsonian Medicines constantly kept t hand, and put up for sale, with suitable directions. Also, Fami Rights, or Dr. Thomson's Narrative and New Guide to Health, and . Robinson's Lectures on the Thomsonian System, delivered at Cincinnat Ohio. JOHN A. BROWN, Botanic Physician. Agent for Dr. Samuel Thomson. flV*/ js*- I W-y i VW ! 1VNOI1VN 3NI3 laiW iO AHVS8I1 IVNOIIVN 3 N I 3 I 0 3 W d O A H V » 8 I 1 1 V N O I 1 V N 3NI3I03W 7 ^gV 1 ,-*« I ? te*?? V. MEDICINE NATIONAl IIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAl V i \Xi>*V ! 1*7?™ IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W dO A II V t S I 1 IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W dO A » V H 8 I 1 IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W S V. MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ME DICI NE N A T I O N A I I I B R A R Y O F M E D I C I N E NATIONAL Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLM 03E0tM70 5 NLM032064705