REMEDY AND PREVENTION FOR THE CHOLERA MOftBUS, POINTING OUT THE PROPERTIES OF OILS AND ACIDS, AND THEIR GOOD EFFECTS IN THIS DISEASE. ILLUSTRATED BY THE REMARKS OF A PHYSICIAN 5 AND ALSO SOME WELL-AUTHENTICATED CURES, MEDICAL CORRESPONDENCE, &c. &c. BY MRS. BOYS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY VIZE SLATER, 23, BUCKINGHAM-PLACE, OPPOSITE WARREN STREET, FITZROY SQUARE; AND PUBLISHED FOR SALE BY CALLOW AND WILSON, CORNER OF GERRARD AND PRINCES-STREET, SOHO; HIGHLY AND SON, FLEET-STREET; BURGESS AND HILL, WINDMILL-STREET, HAYMARKET; AND VILLERS, CHEMIST, TURNHAM-GREEN. Price, 2s. 1832. TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF RICHMOND. My Lord Duke, From the native benevolence of your disposition, as the favorer of every attempt that may tend to alleviate the affliction of mankind, this small Treatise is humbly offered to your Grace's notice, By Your Grace's very devout and humble Servant, S. BOYS. No. 7, Chapel Street, Soho, and Rouxmenisl, Dieppe. MALIGNANT CHOLERA. As no medical work hitherto published on this fatal malady has been found satisfactory, nor have the suggestions contained in such works succeeded in arresting its devastating course, but has, on the contrary, become every day more extensive, and seems to threaten the whole of Europe, I have brought forward to the public notice a specific for this disease, and I am bold to assert it, not abashed by the contradictions of such as do allege the only theory for guide ©fallmedieal operations, but holding fast to the invaluable axiom, that experience is the mother of science. I am led into this observation from the apparent neglect on the part of the faculty, to whom this remedy has been submitted, why this simple, yet efficacious specific treatment, has been neglected. Sometimes I have thought it has originated, from the want of a dear conception, as to the chemical properties of my preparation, or that professional dignity would not condescend to the admission of a formula of presciiption, emanating from a lady. However, this neglect has been to the incalculable detriment of suffering humanity. A case of Cholera presenting an example of sudden recovery, is particularly valuable, because it clearly demonstrates the effect of my remedy, which demands as explicitly as possible its curative intentions, which is that of producing a new action in the whole viscera, arresting and diverting its consequences, without purging, by promoting perepiration, and the complete expulsion of the morbid poisou. 6 Time has proved all other remedies, hitherto employed are inconsistent with safety, and will irrecoverably sink the patient beyond the power to succumb. It is natural to suppose stimulents will aggravate the unhealthy condition of the weak and irritable parts of man. The remedy and treatment consists in a culinary preparation : — the juice of the green sorrel plant, extracted by infusion, combined with sweet oil or butter, say, about a desert spoon-full of" oil, or an adequate proportion of butter to a tumbler, three parts full of the sorrel-tea, made rather acid, and salted to the consistence of sea-water, and drank very hot; to be repeated in half an hour, and the two draughts is deemed sufficient ; but in the event of the first draught being rejected from the stomach, the same process to be repeated. I wish it to be distinctly understood, that this remedy is to be administered in the primary symptoms of the disease, as the effect, in some degree, might be uncertain, after other stimulating remedies have been made use of. The above is the manner in which this invaluable anticholera draught is to be taken, and as I have before stated, the beneficial effects, arising from its operation, both as to the cure and prevention, will be speedily and efficiently displayed, like a charm, upon the unfortunate sufferer. The singular success of this draught, taken occasionally, is the decided prevention in guarding the constitution against susceptibility of attack. I shall now make a few observations on the presumed pathology of this appalling disorder. A secret constitution of the air may be a philosophical and scientific remote cause ior Cholera Morbus, which is sometimes contagious, and sometimes not, according to the intensity and nature of the effluvia: it is presumable it constitutes some form of morbific poison. 7 For ages past, bile has been supposed to be the positive existing cause of the Cholera Morbus ; a deficiency, or an excess, will produce morbid effects, and a vitiated quality of its natural fluid, which is a leading symptom in the disorders of the stomach, the stomach is kept in a constant state of excitement ; digestion becomes feeble and imperfect, the bowels want their proper supply of healthy bile, and there is no mediating power, or neutralizing agent, such as the bile imparts, to correct the irritation from this cause, consequently an effervescence is formed, all acids intermixing with alkali, will necessarily give into effervescence. There «an be no effervescence without the action of an acid upon an alkali. Then, the human body, or alkaline part, being agitated by something extra, in quality of acid, is the cause of the disorder. The soft, mild qualities of oil will have the power to disarm it of its malignity, its acuteness, its acerbity, (acrimony in this case), by involving it in a mild and viscid matter, which prevents it from acting on the sensible part of the stomach and intestines. It being the nature of contraries to tend to an equilibrium, the principles of nature being two — active one, and passive the other. The active volatile propensities of the acid will intermix with the oil — will attain to it — will associate with it, and, inasmuch as the acid attains to the oil, in the same ratio will it associate from the human body, and take away from the cause of the evil. The effervescence diminishing, the pain will diminish. The pain diminished, we gain in the scale of support. The warm draught of acid and oil produces copious perspiration, relaxes the skin, and gains a passage for the effluvia of the pestilence or poison, to come in contact with the oil, which is its antidote. This done, the patient is saved. Arguing from the successful application of oil, in the plague, externally applied, and its acknowledged efficacy 8 in obviating the fatal effects of the animal poison, instilled Into a wound, by the bite of a viper, it requires no sagacity in supposing, from this circumstance, it might possess the virtue taken inwardly, it is a happy thought, from its well known capacities, in other respects. No remedy hitherto employed meets with a more scientific, rational, and satisfactory reason for the practice. This remedy has been tried with the happiest success, in the worst possible cases of indigestion, and suppressed biliary secretion, which is the inveterate pre-existing cause of Cholera. No physician can account, for a certainty, of the modus opcrandi, of his own prescription, consequently the task would he hazardous to account for the effect of those he had not tried ; and as medical rule was foreign from my subject at the time this discovery presented itself, the rule I adopted, Uras to go quite another way to that of medical science. I have often remarked the surprising great relief and comfort which this remedy has afforded, the means apparently insignificant and inadequate to the correction of biliary secretion, and no sensible operation, yet the bowels become regular and comfortable. That remedy must be best which as simple, pure, and free from irritating qualities, and such as approaches nearest to the nature of our own bodies in a liealthy state, or is capable of being easiest converted into their substance. This sorrel infusion has a very strong resemblance and consistence to the fluids contained in the stomach and duodenum ; it possesses the properties the same as the gastric fluid, so requisite for digestion. Every other remedy is not simply useless, but to be rejected as hurtful. It is well known, up to this period, the various articles in the materia medica has had no undcviating good effect; and in whatever variety of form the Cholera has presented itself, and inadmissible by all practitioners, as to any general rule that can be laid down for 9 the treatment, yet from the many repeated proofs by my own hands, malignant furious Cholera attacks of vomiting, purging, spasms, and pain, yielded to the first draught; a second in half an hour, confirmed the cure. I therefore submit it to the consideration of the public from the certainty it will prove useful. I never can forget my own suffering while labouring under the complaint, and the inexpressible joy I experienced at the relief I obtained, as also what my son and others have experienced from the game remedy. Lemon-juice was well ascertained to he a certain preventive and cure for contagious disorder, in the seventeenth century, but the attention of physicians having been absorbed in vain speculations, and their judgment perverted, — this ambiguity, — this excellent remedy was so much overlooked and neglected, that it was not rendered available to the best interest of mankind, till after the middle of the eighteenth century. Among the ancient physicians, culinary preparations were more successful in curing diseases, than the application of medicine. It would be well for society at present, if the same opinion and practice were followed by modern physicians. Perhaps I may explain my meaning further : the constitution having been weakened by the disease that has occurred, the patient has been further debilitated by the medicines employed for its correction ; the disease subsides, but a new action commences. The great power of a few capital medicines, has led physicians to neglect and explode the use of almost every other, persisting in the trial of remedies which they have sometimes found successful, and the efficience of which they can scientifically trace ; they do not like to meddle with such as cure ; they do not know how, let their efficacy be ever so well, and often proved by the unlearned. This vegetable drink appears to me very useful in tranquilizing and correcting disorders of the stomach, and it is so dissimilar from 10 what is generally prescribed by physicians, they can hardly suppose it can act specifically upon the disease. This observation has induced me to say my medicine has the utility I have ascribed to it. It is allowable to form an opinion from such observations which have arisen from the numerous cogent proofs of the healing influence of this remedy. That the morbid poison of the stomach and bowels is the cause of the Cholera, is fairly to be inferred, from their ceasing so immediately. When the disorders of the digestive organ is correct, from being so good in digestion, which it improves, that any variety of food can be indulged in. When vomiting has been a tiresome symptom, it is probable the stomach is in a state of contraction, any stimuli increasing its muscular action, would be injurious, whilst any easily digestible substance, nearly solid, from not occupying much space, would be retained, and gradually distend the stomach, or from causing the muscular effort produced in vomiting, to cease, give opportunity to the stomach to recover its natural function. Few medicines, however, prepared in any way that has been contrived, will not agree, when that state of stomach is to be suspected, but will be almost immediately rejected, or produce much disturbance, when a small quantity of gelatinous food will bo digested, and clearly is the means placed by Providence at our disposal, which tends not only to alleviate, but altogether prevent attack. Ido infer, this warm draught of acid and oil preserves in the one case, — in the other it cures. After the disease has abated, opening medicine would be supposed requisite to carry off offending matter, but this draught will be found to remedy the impaired action of the intestines, and secure the complete expulsion of their offensive contents. It is the draught from nature's 6up ; — nature has its cures, which art cannot always comprehend. 11 The design of this work includes in it an acknowledged degree of imperfection, regardless of which, still I am conscions of performing a duty in not secreting knowledge, or making it merely subservient to private views, but in pub - lishing information that few possess, and which may, in various ways, contribute to promote the welfare and happiness of mankind. I have made use of my talents, humble as they are, in a meritorious cause. I wish for the continued prosperity, health, and happiness of my country, and, in the dying words of the illustrious father, Francis Paul Sarpi, I say — " Esto perpctua." TREATMENT. Take a tumbler, three parts full, of the infusion of field sorrel, (green or dried), add to it a piece of fresh butter the size of a walnut, and as much salt to make it equally salt with sea-water, to be drank quite hot. This draught has generally produced almost an instantaneous cessation of the violent evacuations ; and a second, not quite so strong of the acid, has confirmed a cure. But should either of the draughts be rejected from the stomach, they are to be repeated. Any other vegetable diluted acid may answer the purpose, say — A tumbler three parts full of hdt water made equal with sea-water, with salt, and tolerably acid with the juice of a greejf lemon, and about a desert spoon-full of sallad oil, to be drank quite hot, will answer all the purposes of the former draught ; yet I recommend the sorrel in preference. This draught will be adequate to meet the most distressing attack of Cholera, and may be rendered more efficacious (if required upon any extraordinary emergency), in the 12 hands of the faculty, by the addition of opiates and com pound spirits of ammonse. If the patient should be at all reduced after the recovery from the attack, then the following strengthening draught may be taken : — A wine-glass full of the decoction of peruvian bark, half a tea-spoon full of the tincture of cayenne pepper, and a table-spoon full of port wine, — to be taken twice or thrice a day. In the event of the disease reducing itself into low typhus, (in which not one single instance has occurred to those who have taken my remedy), it will then be better to call in professional aid. I wish further to impress npon the public mind the very great utility of the draught as a prevention, and upon all occasions the free and copious use of vinegar, by sprinkling the beds and apartments of the patient, bathing their head, hands, face, mouth, &c. &c. Dr. Villers will feel pleasure to attend gratuitously any Cholera case. No. 94, Newman Street, Oxford Street. 13 MEDICAL CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from Dr. Villers to Mrs. Boys. Madam, I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter, with the enclosures, on the subject and cure for the Cholera, of which, I am very strongly inclined to think the treatment is the best now extant. I am more forcibly led into this opinion — my having witnessed abroad some remarkable cures, from a similar mode of treatment — that your remedy may do all you say, especially in the primary symptoms, and pave the way for recovery. Such is my belief, that I have forwarded your account and treatment to the proper quarter of most of the provincial towns in England where the Cholera has existed, but whether the remedy has failed in the hands of others, or that any illiberal medical prejudice has prevented the use of it, I have not heard ; I should, nevertheless, strongly recommend you to give the whole of your correspondence and treatment upon the subject publicity, and by no means suffer yourself to be daunted by any illiberal remark which might eventually emanate from invidious competition : — the field of science is open for the discovery of any new remedy, and he who developes the cure for any particular malady, yet unknown, shall be considered as promoting the health and prosperity of mankind. I am, Madam, yours obediently, HAWKINS VILLERS, M.D. Newman Street, June 22, 1832. 14 Copy of a Letter from Mrs. Greene to Dr. Villers. Newcastle, July 16, IF-32. Sin, On receipt of your letter, this day, the 16th. I went to the Mayor of Newcastle duly prepared to take oath to my having received, from Mrs. Boys, a decided cure for Cholera, of which I was suddenly twice attacked, viz, on the 11th of January and 27th of March last. The second attack was more severe considerably then the first. On seeing the Mayor, t presented your letter, and he said an affidavit must be drawn up by me, signed by a surgeon, or he would not sanction it. Such, you must be aware, is quite out of the question, no surgeon being called in (which I am now sorry for on Mrs. Boys account), and I consider my making affidavit was quite sufficient ; but in all probability as the Mayor was otherwise engaged, in taking " fees of the court," he considered it unnecessary in wasting his time, therefore treated my visit with more indifference than his official duties allow. However, I can only explain to you the exact manner in which I was attacked, and you will judge of the symptoms accordingly, as I believe from reports of those who have had the Cholera, the commencement of the attack has decidedly been the same. Mrs. Boys had taken my lodgings the evening before my first attack, and observed to me she had a cure for the Cholera, and at twelve o'clock, the night following, was seized with a violent sickness, accompanied with vomiting and purging, and a slight degree of cramp in the legs, which increased, until my daughter called Mrs. Boys, (not being inclined to have our doctor called) : she gave me a half-pint glass of her medicine, which instantly stopped the sickness, and in five minutes I was totally relieved. —In half-an-hour I took two-thirds of another glass, which completely effected a cure, after which I slept exceedingly well, and took a good breakfast in the morning. The second attack was, as I before observed, more violent, but Mrs. Boys giving me the same medicine, I soon was well ; therefore 15 cannot say any thing more on the subject; but should you think it necessary, provided all expences are free, I will come to London and take oath of the same. I am, Sir, with respect, Your obedient humble Servant, LUCY GREENE. Wellington Place. Signed by me, Lucy Greene. {"CHARLOTTE GREENE. Witness/ Mr * H - E ' Hl *SON. WllneS9 \MARY BoLTON, (? Servant to Mrs. Greene. Highly respectable Persons, residing at Newcastle. THE END.