WAN (U FOOD FOR INVALIDS! COMPOSED OF |/iiratfe$ from % iMorg 4 WITil BOMB GROSVENOR SWAN, M D. |: .^ successful Practitioner in the Art of Healing by Magnetism, the Mental and Motor Cure. With, many interesting Facts and Testimonials. ftlorscls of Mott iHoberti Sate. f* %mlh m §inm#£r than Jfiriwn! PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, BT THE N. W. U. PUBLISHING HOUSE CHICAGO. 1*71. Smith Brothers Printers. wm& roa ehtaussi COMPOSED OF ,nratl$ from % ii^torg of :™ jupjj, WITH SOUK Morsels of more fnoirern ©ate. ^ i GROSVENOR SWAN, M. D. A successful Practitioner in the Art of Healing by Magnetism, the Mental and Moter Cure. With many interesting Facts and Testimonials. 4r*i*fc rUUUSHES FOB THE AUTHOR. BT THE N. W. U- PUBLISHING HOUSE: CHICAGO. 1871. PEEFACE. OUR object in sending out into the world the following little, messenger, is to invite the attention of Physiologists, Physi- cians, and all intelligent people to the consideration of the value, as remedial agencies, of those subtle forces, both material and spirituab which the improved science of the age is beginning to recognize. Mental Hygiene, which among the most accomplished and skillful members of the regular school of medical practice, is now assuming considerable importance, we have not the space in the little work before us, to discuss. The connection between mind and body, their mutual action and reaction, the relation of unhealthy mental action to pathological con- ditions of the body, presents an interesting subject waich must be reserved for future consideration. The existence of a law by which there may be a transmission of vital force from one person to another, and the potent influences which may thus be brought into action in generating pathological conditions of the body, and also in its restoration to health, will be found to be fully demonstrated by the facts presented. Many of these, and those which will doubtless be read with the greatest interest by the investigating mind have been gathered from the dusty records of the past. Those which have been furnished of more modern date, will more especially interest that portion of my readers known as invalids, and who are capable of comprehending a fact as a fact, and of accepting it as such, when presented by authority entitled to respect and confidence, though it may belong to that class so frequently met with in the realms of science and nature, which to our limited powers of perception are incomprehensibl e. The facts with which the author's name is connected, incredible as some of them may appear, are, to the best of our knowledge and belief entirely free from misrepresentation or exaggeration, and we humbly trust that they will meet with the candid consideration of all whose opinions may be entitled to our respect as true and honest lovers of truth and humanity. INTRODUCTION. IN the month of July, 1867, while treating a most obstinate disease according to the ordinary method, a phenomena occurred of a most happy tendency, wholly unexpected, and not to be accounted for by me. I made this incident the subject of deep reflection, without being able to come to any satisfactory conclusion. For a time I was bewildered. I could not believe the thing t possible which from day to day I found myself capable of doing by the mere magnetic touch of my hands; I turned my attention to the records of the past, and I learned that this was no new and undiscovered power — that among the ancients it constituted the most important mode of cure, and formed a part of the medical man's education until the superstition of the dark ages made it unsafe for him to practice it. I learned also that the marvelous cures performed in the Temples of JEsculapius were by this means effected. And that when Christianity had dethroned the Gods of the Pagans, there were found among the Priests in the Monasteries, thf>se who possessed marvelous powers, and effected cures as wonderful as any that had been recorded of Empedocles or Appol- onius. As for myself, I have continued to go forward in the exercise of this gift, with what success the reader must judge from the testimo- nials herein presented. They constitute but a small share of the numbers that have been cured, but I boast not of myself; let praise be given to Him " from whom cometh every good and perfect gift.'' The diseases that are most frequently cured by this treatment are Weak Eyes, Partial Blindness, Diseases of the Brain, Weak Spines, Tumors, Falling of the Womb, all kinds of Sexual Weakness, Internal Ulcers, Dropsy, Loss of Voice, Weak Lungs, Catarrh, St. Vitus Dance, Weakness of the Limbs, Dyspepsia, Rheumatism, Nervous Debility, Diabetes, Bronchitis, Diseased Liver, Kidneys, Heart, Throat and Bronchial Organs, Humors of the Blood, &c. A IOTEEESTETO FACTS FEOM HISTOET. THE historic page furnishes no facu susceptible of clearer proof than that the art of healing by magnetic manipulations was anciently recognized and practiced with varying success, according to the vital power of the physician, until the middle or dark ages ; and whoever will take the trouble to examine the writings of Josephus, of Homer*, of Plato, of Pythagoras, of Plutarch, of Pliny, of Cato, of Tacitus> of Alexander Trallianus, of Paracelsus and Van Helment, will there find abundant evidence to prove that long before the commencement of the Christian era and down to a much later period of time, diseases were cured through a peculiar power, termed by the ancients the occult influences, and being unable to comprehend them or to explain them bv natural laws the writers of those times attributed them either to the influence of evil spirits, or the beneficence of the Gods. Cicero says of Pythagoras that he learned the secret of the Egyp- tian doctors. Plutarch relates that Pyrrhus, king of Epirus had the gift of remov- ing diseases by gently and slowly touching the affected parts with his hands. Pliny says: "there exists some men whose bodies are eminently curative, There may be some doubt about enchantment, and magic verse, bnt I positively believe that the will of the operator and his intention of relieving the patient, impart to the emanation which comes from him a beneficial and remarkable power." Nat. Hist., Lib. viic: 34. Apolonius, who, according to history, was born four yearg before Christ, was said to have cured the most dangerous diseases with mirac- ulous power. Some of the heathen philosophers placed his wonderful cures in contrast with those of Jesus of Nazareth. Hierocles, it is said, had the presumption to do this, but Apolonius claimed that he performed, these wonders by the aid of science and nature, and that he was sustained by God in all his actions. Galen who lived in the second century, and who before going to Food for Invalids. Rome, where he became famous in his profession, traveled extensively through Greece and Egypt. The people were astonished by his wonderful cures — attributed them to magic, and contended that he had received all his knowledge from enchantment. He himself con- fesses that he had made a special study of the secret means of Hippo- crates, and derived great advantage from them in his practice. Hippocrates five-hundred years before the Christian era, divided the art of healing into two parts, the common remedies and secret means, which latter embraced the occult influences, and this most potent means, the great father of medicine declares, " should not be revealed except to men of high moral character, who are especially entitled to the favor of the gods and the regards of men." Alexander Trallianus, a Greek physician of the sixth century, whose writings it is claimed will rank in style and importance with those of Hippocrates, resorted in his practice to the two different systems, viz : The administration of medicines, and the occult means or " natural remedy," as he termed it. He describes the manner of treatment, and how the passes, as he calls them, should be made in cases of epilepsy, and then concludes his instructions with these words : " As for myself I acknowledge I have resorted to both prac- tices ; but in our day, as the ignorant accuse persons who use the secret means, I always endeavor to use the common remedies, although I consider them less efficacious." Marcellus Ficinus, born at Florence, in 1443, professes this same doctrine, and says, while speaking of this mode of treatment: " you may be sure that the action produced, will be so much the more con- siderable, as the spirit emitted is more abundant, and more animated, by the imagination, and the heart." Pomponatius, born at Mantua, in 1462, devoted his attention to the study of this phenomena, and so wonderful was his success in the re- moval of diseases, that many attributed it to magic incantation, and the influence of evil spirits, but he claimed that this gift sprung from natural causes hitherto unknown, or misunderstood, but in no instance whatever ought it to be attributed to evil spirits. The facts, says he, recorded in the history of the past ages, as well as those we witness at the present time, demonstrate the actual and independent influence of a benevolent soul upon the health of the diseased. Some men being especially endowed with eminently curative faculties, the effects pro- duced by their touch are wonderful. Cardanus born at Pavia, in 1501, who was a Philospher, a Mathema- tician and a Physician, it is said, performed extraordinary cures by Facts from History. 9 unknown means which drew upon him suspicions of sorcery and caused him to be incarcerated at Bologna. He was accused of having a familiar demon, but he declared that nature alone had endowed him with wonderful powers, and by these alone he performed his great cures. Van Helment, who was born in 1597, at Brussels, performed such as- tonishing cures by means of this gift that, notwithstanding his excellent character for morality and religion, he was accused of magic by the inquisition, thrown into a-dungeon and would have been put to death had not his friends succeeded in effecting his escape. He wrote two treatises on the subject and is the first who gave to this mysterious power the name of Magnetism. We have thus far been speaking of men who were educated in the science of medicine — of those whose names we revere as the fathers and founders of the science, and as moulders, in a great measure, of the systems now practiced by a great many. My object has been to show, that they not only recognized this potent agency — this marvelous influence, this divine endowment, but with what veneration they cherished it as a most sacred trust. Traveling along down the track of time, history tells of others, who at a still later period, and outside of the profession of medicine, were endowed in a special manner with this gift. One of the most remarkable men of his time, who became famous in consequence of his great magnetic cures, was Valentine Greatrakes. He was an Irishman by birth, an unpretending pious man, and history says of him, that he was never accused, by any one, of knavery or deception. He traveled in England from 1662 to 1666. The learned George Rust, Lord Bishop of Derry, says of him: " that by the application of his hands he caused pain to disappear;" and in farther speaking of him, he says: " I do affirm, that I saw him cure diseases, among which were Opthalmia, Epileptic Fits, Scrofula, and Cancerous Tumors of the breast." The same author continues by saying "I am not induced by these cures to believe that there was something super- natural about them. He himself did not think there was. It would seem that some salutary emanation issued from him." The diseases which have been cured by Greatrakes," says Pecklin in his " Obser- vations on Medicines," "are very numerous, among which are Paralysis, Blindness, Deafness, Dropsy, Pleurisy, all kinds of fevers, Neuralgia, Tumors, Cancers, Scrofula &c, have been cured by the touch of his hands." He was invited to London by t'le King who recommended him to the notice of his Phjscian. The Royal Society of London 10 Food for Invalids. during the Presidency of the celebrated Robert Boyle, investigated the matter, and unable to refute the facts, undertook to account for them as being produced by a " sanative contagion in Mr. Greatrake's body, which had an antipathy to disease"' They also published some of his cures in their transactions. The explanation given of Greatrake's cures, by the Royal Society, in their report, strikes us may not be far from correct. The person healing is supposed to be gifted with peculiar powers which he employs in obedience to nature's laws, and why should it be thought any more strange that human hands, properly applied, should heal human imfirmities, than that a mineral or vegetable substance applied to diseased portions of the body should operate to effect cures? Where there is disease there is a lack of vital force, and where there is a lack of vital force, it is reasonable to suppose, that in many instances it can be more effectually supplied by the touch of the hand, than by the application of a leach or a linament. From the hand there may be imparted a quickening current of vital electricity — of re- fined human magnetism which will as certainly be d;awn to those con- ditions as that there is such a thing as the law of magnetic attraction. William Read, who lived in the reign of Queen Ann and who per- formed wonderful cures of the eye by the power of his own vital magnetism, and who by this method cured the Queen of a disease of the eyes, was by the Queen Knighted, to show her appreciation of his marvelous gift of healing. William Read was a poor, illiterate jour- neman tailor, yet his God-given powers greatly exalted him in the eyes of the queen. In view of all these facts, should the question be asked why the knowledge of this gift should have been suppressed and so long been permitted to remain in oblivion ? Let the dungeon, the rack, the Btake and the gibbet answer. The Dark Age had began to enshroud the nations, men were unwilling then as they would be now to languish in dungeons or suffer martyrdom for the sake of benefitting their fellow men. And hence for the time being this wonderful art was lost which for so many ages had been taught and practiced by all the most learned and renowned of the world's great physicians. During those perilous times when physicians dared not practice it, the knowledge of this art was lost, so that when Mesmer, in the year 1778, appeared before the Academy of Medicine in France and claimed that he had made a new discovery in science, the learned members of that dignified body, many of them, scoffed at his pretentions, and were evi- dently profoundly ignorant of the fact that Van Helment had, in the Facts from History. 11 early part of the 16th century published two treatise which he had written on the subject. Maxwell, physician to the King of England, had also discussed this subject in a work he published in 1679, entitled Be reMagnetica. Unfortunately as it would seem this divine gift is now scarcely recog- nized except by those who are outside of the medical profession, and who are, consequently, from their lack of knowledge in what Hippocrates termed the " common remedies," unable to accomplish all they otherwise might in their laudable efforts to relieve the sufferings of their fellow men. Solomon has said that, " there is no new thing under the sun," so do we aver that this mode of cure, or this gift of healing, is no new thing. The question is often asked, " By what power doeth this man these things ? " We have neither time, space, nor the inclination now to an- swer this question ; and whatever our views might be in reference to it the reader will readily perceive that they can make no difference with the facta. Many of the authors above quoted, admitted that this power, through which these things were done, was outside of and higher than man, and worked through him for the good of the human family. And, as A. Hammond, Esq., of Galesburg, who published a lengthy and learned article on this subject, in the winter of 1870, has well said: " The facts seem to point through all religions, and in all times and nations, to one great and all-pervading, active and intelligent means, which the Great Father of all men, and nations of men, prepared and used to bless men on earth, as he prepared His sun in the heavens to Bhine for all and upon all to bless all." In the honest and conscientious exercise of this gift, I war not with any man, or association of men, more particularly with that class known as physicians, with whom I have been so long associated, and from whom I have received so many acts of kindness and sympathy. No man is more deserving, or should be held in higher esteem than the faithful, honest, and intelligent physician who sacrifices his own ease the comforts of home, and oftentimes life, in the prosecution of his arduous and responsible duties. To all such I would say, go, brother, and acting in the light which is given you, persevere in your exertions for the good of your fellow men and may God crown your efforts with abundant success. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. From the Old Ghuvrd, (AT. Y. City,) June Number. 1868. Dr. G. Swan, of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., New York, we see reported in the papers as having discovered a process by which he is enabled to effect the most astonishing cures of inveterate chronic diseases which have hitherto defied the utmost skill of the medical profession. The blind are made to see, the halt, the rheumatic, the bed-ridden, and the victims of all sorts of " incurable" maladies are made to walk. Dr. Swan is a regular physician and surgeon of great practice and established skill, a fact which protects his new pretentions to a great extent from the charge of " humbug "— a charge which is easily made, and has often been made, against men of the greatest learning and skill in the science of healing. Indeed all the greatest discoveries in that art at first had to rest unfler the imputation of hum- bug. It is a cheap way which professional ignorance, and prejudice, and bigotry has of answering what it can neither comprehend nor refute. We have for a long time been of the opinion that what may be de- nominated vital electricity would yet take the highest rank in the healing art.; and we, therefore, rejoice to see a gentleman of Dr. Swan's learning and high standing in the medical profession devoting his study to this most important subject. From the July Number of the Old Guard. An eminent physician of Philadelphia, a professor in one of the Medical Colleges of that city, writes to ask if wo know anything of the nature of the remarkable cures lately performed by Dr. Swan. We deem the matter of such public importance that we refer to it in our " Table." We know nothing of Dr. Swan's theory of the cures he has affected; but we have seen three persons who had been bed-ridden for many years, and were considered, until lately, even by Dr. Swan him- self, as hopelessly diseased and crippled, but who now not only walk, but rejoice in perfect restoration to health. We have seen two such cases that seem to be miracles, and, in a ruder state of society, would Opinions of the Press. 13 absolutely pass for such. Dr. Swan is a man of learning and science in his profession, and has, we have no doubt, some scientific explanation, or at least, some theory of his own, to account for the effects which he has produced. At any rate, his standing in the professon, both as a physician and surgeon, entitles his discoveries, whatever they may be, to the highest consideration of the student of medical scienne. Is there any science that more needs a fresh infusion of genius ? From the St. Lawrence Plaindealer, Canton, N. Y. The cures performed by Dr. Swan are truly wonderful, and we have in our possession authenticated facts, showing that they equal, if not Burpass anything that was ever heard of as being done by Newton, or any one of modern times who has claimed to be in possession of these wonderful powers. The evidence is not far-fetched — the cures have been performed in our own and an adjoining county, besides, Dr. Swan is well known to us, and has been for years. We have always had con- fidence in his medical skill, for we once had occasion in our family to thoroughly test it, and notwithstanding our practical skepticism, we cannot believe that Dr. S. would abanbon a good practice in his pro- fession for the purpose of pretending to do what he is not thoroughly convinced he has the power to accomplish, and that it is his duty to perform. Statement of the Reformer of Watertoum, N. Y, after one of Br. Swan's visits to that place. " Dr. Swan's visit to our town last week, was attended with success, so far as the demonstration of the fact of his wonderful healing powers may be concerned. We have not space to give many individual cases, and indeed one such as we here give must be as good as more : Mrs. F. B. Hallet, of Smithville, was brought here and carried up into the doctor's rooms in a chair. She had for years been a helpless sufferer, unable to raise her hands to her head, to straighten her limbs- or support herself in an upright position without the aid of crutches, In a few moments she was enabled to brush and comb her own hair, and to walk without the assistance of any one, or the use of crutches, and the lady who was carried up in a chair came down into the hall without her crutches or the assistance of any one." The annexed letter in reference to the great healing powers of Dr. G. Swan, of this place, we copy from the Malone Palladium. The 14 Food for Invalids. facts are of so extraordinary a character as to appear almost incredible) yet they come to us well authenticated, and are, in fact, no more won- derful than many of the cases that we have witnessed here in our own vicinity. Last week a lady from Watertown, (a Mrs. Davis) informed us that she had suffered from a chronic difficulty for over twenty years; that she had employed several eminent physicians ; that she had been treated by Newton and Bryant, but had in every instance failed to obtain relief. At last she tried Dr. Swan, who in a few minutes removed from her all sense of soreness and pain, and that she had not experienced a symptom of the return of her complaint.— Oouverneur Times. Copied from an article in the Gouverneur Times, March 12th, 1868. We see by the Malone papers, that our friend and neighbor, Dr. G. Swan, of this place, has been astonishing the people of that vicinity with the cures it is claimed he has there performed by means of his magnetic or healing powers. One paper speaks of them as " miracu- lous." We do not know what to say, other than that the facts of the cures being performed by Dr. S., and in the manner represented, are in- disputable, and of the fact also, that t^e cures are permanent. The wit- nesses who will testify to these facts, can be seen almost any hour in the day walking our streets. Dr. Bullard of this place, who from the effects of Rheumatism has been a cripple for about two years, claims that he has experienced a constant improvement from the moment he received treatment from Dr. Swan. A few days since, a man by the name of Hall was brought here from an adjoining town, and was helped into the office of the doctor on a pair of crutches. Those who saw him, say that it was with great dif- ficulty that he could get out of his chair, by aid of these. In a few moments, to the surprise of those who were watching, to see what the doctor could do for such a case, the man walked out without his crutches, and promenaded off down the street in a manner that indi- cated that he enjoyed it. Now these are the facts; we do not pretend to account for them, but we know that it is of no use to deny them, while we are surrounded by the witnesses that would prove our denial false. When these cures that are being performed by Dr. Swan, were first heard of, it was said that it was some sort of a mesmeric or psychological effect that would not last; but it does last. The Miss Barnum, who was cured the 3d of November, (a statement of which case made by the Opinions of the Press. 15 young lady's father, we published a few weeks ago,) has continued to gain in flesh and strength from that time to the present, and now assists in domestic duties about the house. Again we say, the facts cannot be denied ; how shall they be accounted for? that is the ques- tion ; and this is the manner in which all honest and candid lovers of truth, must, we think, discuss the subject. The following is copied from a letter addressed to Br. Swan by Profl^ J. R. Buchanan, M. B. of New York, in the month of January, 1868. " I see by your pamphlet that you are treating disease by your personal potency more successfully even than I could have anticipated. I rejoice greatly in your success, but I wish to give you two hints. First, while exercising your nervauric and perhaps spiritual power do not loose any of the advantages that belong to your position and your skill as a surgeon and a physician, take a little pains to keep that promi- nent and thereby maintain your standing and your influence for good. Do not become a mere personal healer as others are who are not entitled to and can not attain your standing in science; but let the public understand always that you are a surgeon and a physician —one of the learned and distinguished gentleman who are entitled to speak ex cathedra and to be recognized by the colleges as well as the people as an authority in science. Second, Do not depend solely upon your per- sonal fund of vitality and health, but study the organology, and in operating avail yourself of the keys of the human machines The engineer does not reduce himself to a mere fireman and depend only on increasing his engine power by adding more fire and water —he studies the use of valves, pipes, condensers, &c, so the vital engineer, without drawing too much on iris own resources, will control and direct the vital power of his subject. Study my Sarcognomy and concentrate the vital forces to the region of disease; but I cannot give the science of manual healing in a letter, I only call your attention to it as an important mode of simplifying your labors, diminishing your expen- diture of vital force, and insuring more satisfactory results. TESTIMONIALS. Hhe-umatism. Gottverneub, January 27,1868. I have been a cripple from the effect of Inflammatory Rheumatism for the past eight years. I have tried all sorts of remedies and doctors* — have been treated by Bryant the great healer that practiced with Newton for a while. I have spent some months at Clifton Springs, but failed to receive any perceptible benefit. The joints in my hands, feet, fingers and toes were nearly all out of place. My ankle and wrist joints were apparently immovable, and I suffered constantly from pain and soreness. About four weeks ago I applied to Dr- Gh Swan of this place. He immediately relieved me of all pain and soreness, then began breaking up the adhesions and getting the bones back into place. My wrist and ankle joints are now quite flexible. All the bones in my feet have been brought back to their natural position, the callouses are disappearing from the finger joints, and aside from natural fatigue I feel no inconvenience in being on my feet and wait- ing on customers in our store from morning till night. I have been constantly improving and gaining strength in my hands and feet from the moment Dr. S. first gave me treatment. Mobkis Kilmer. Br. BullaroVs Statement. Gotjverneub, February 3, 1868. For the past ten years I have had Rheumatism in my right hip. The joint was partially drawn out of place, and when sitting down I could not raise my foot from the floor without the assistance of my hands. From what I had learned of Dr. Swan's wonderful cures in this place, I was induced to call on him, and to my surprise and wonder he, by the simple magnetic touch of his hand, in less than ten minutes, Testimonials. 17 relieved me of all pain and soreness, and enabled me to move my right limb in any direction with the same ease and freedom that I could the other. W. B. BulIiArd. TO ALL WHOM IT MAT CONCERN : I hereby certify, that I have been a cripple from the effects of Rheu- matism for about five years. About a year ago, having heard much of the wonderful cures Dr. G. Swan of this place, was performing, I was induced to call on him, and submit my case to a trial of his skill. By the simple touch of his hands I was soon relieved of all pain and soreness; was cured of all lameness, and have had no Rheumatism since. Henry Haskins. Gotjterneur, Dec. 2, 1868. Paralysis. The following was published in the month of April 1858, by the Albany Evening Post, the local editor having been in our rooms at the time the treatment was given, witnessed the result: Mr. V. C. Snyder, No. 15 Van Buren street, Syracuse, called on Dr. Swan, (practicing at 159 North Pearl etreet) this morning to be treated for paralysis of the lower limbs. In a few moments he was enabled to use his limbs with the same apparent ease as ever, and to convince persons present of the fact, he jumped with both feet from the floor with youthful agility, a feat he declared he could not have performed, when he called on the doctor if it had been to save his life. Dr. G. Swan — Bear Sir: It is about two weeks since I called on you with my right arm paralyzed and hanging perfectly powerless by my side. Since the five minutes you spent in restoring to me the use of it so that I could again raise my hand to my head, it has been gaining in strength, and I have not had, nor seen any occasion for any other treatment. W. E. Smith. Gouverneur, Jan. 27, 1868. Rochester, N. T., Dec. 15,1868. On the evening of the 16th of July last, I met withan accident, which not only broke one of the bones of my left arm, but completely paralyzed the same. After the faithful use of all ^remedies applicable to such a case without receiving the least benefit, Dr. G. Swan, in a treatment not lasting over three minutes, fully restored the arm to its 18 Food for Invalids. natural use; several weeks have since elapsed without any return of the difficulty. I therefore entertain no fears but that the cure is permanent. Unable to comprehend the philosophy of this wonderful change so suddenly and so unexpectedly wrought upon me, I am oontent to recognize the fact, leaving every one to form their own opinion. T. O. Benjamin, M. D. Catarrh. From Mrs. Judge Strong. Watertown, Dec. 5, 1868. Dr G. Swan — Bear Sir: I have had no trouble with my throat, my lungs or my head since, by the blessings of God, you cured me of my catarrh through your wonderful gift of healing. Hoping and praying for your oontinued success in your works of love and mercy, I remain, Your very grateful friend, Roxana T. Strong. Hermon, Nov. 28,1868. Dr. G. Swan — Bear Sir : I have suffered from Catarrh for about three years, when about a year ago you gave me one treatment for it. I have not had a symptom of the disease since. Ruby J. Barnum. Chicago, Jan. 6,1871. Dr. G. Swan—Bear Sir : For some years previous to March, 1868 I suffered from Catarrh. Had been treated by a very celebrated healer without any beneficial results. At the time alluded to above, when I called at your rooms in Rochester, N. Y., I had taken a severe cold, greatly aggravating my Catarrh, you, however, relieved me entirely in a few moments and I have not, up to this time, had a return of the difficulty. Yours truly R. G. Murray. Pulmonary Complaints. About the first of November, 1867, my wife was confined to the house, with a severe illness caused by lung difficulty; she had had hemorrhage from the lungs with a most distressing and exhausting cough. Her physician who was then attending her had given his opinion that she could not recover. Dr. G. Swan of this place stepped in one day and Testimonials. 19 gave her treatment; she received almost instantaneously relief; in less than a week she was out walking about town, and has had no trouble with her lungs since. F. E. Merrit. Editor of Gouverneur Times. Case of Mrs. John Wilstach, of Lafayette, Ind., published in the La- fayette Bispatch, by Rev. A. W, Bruce, in Becember following. In the month of October now past, Mrs. W., of this city, was return- ing from a visit to Minnesota where she bad been for the benefit of the pure air of that region; but having received no benefit, was, as she supposed, returning home to die with pulmonary consumption. Call- ing at Chicago, she was persuaded by her friends there to take treat- ment of Dr. Swan. On examination, he gave her no encouragement, evidently considering her's as a hopeless case. Her physician had told her the left lung was entirely destroyed. By her request the doctor gave her a treatment and from that moment she began to improve, and is now recovered from the hoarseness with which she was afflicted, and is enjoying a very comfortable degree of health. Spinal Complaints. Extract from 0. L. Bamum's statement, published in the G-ouvtneur Times, in relation to the curing of his daughter Martha. Gouverneur, Jan. 4, 1868. She had been almost entirely helpless for the past eight years. Her back had grown badly out of shape — her limbs were drawn up and could not be straightened. For the past two years she had not swal- lowed a mouthful of nourishment that was not almost instantantly thrown up. She was reduced to a perfect skeleton from mere .starva- tion, and was only kept alive by the use of alcoholic stimulants. We had abandoned all hope or thoughts of its being in the power of any human agency to restore her to health, and incredible as it may seem, know that she could not have sustained herself in an upright position for a single moment, with crutches, or any other means, for she could not get her feet to the floor, and she had no strength to do it if she could. On the 3d of November, Dr. G. Swan, of this place, by some kind of powerful healing or magnetic influence, relieved her almost instantly of all disease and suffering. She can now walk as well, eat 20 Food for Invalids. as well, and sleep as well as any of us, and has not taken or required one particle of medicine or stimulants from that time to this. O. L. Barnum. Remarkable case of Spinal disease. The facts in the following case were published by R. D. Jones, Asso- ciate Editor of the Rochester Bemocrat in the month of March, 1858. " We have heard of many remarkable cures performed by Dr. Swan during his stay in Rochester, and among the marked cures is that of the little daughter of Mr. J. E. Haden of this city. The child who is about nine years old, for a year had curvature of the spine, and in the time had been under the treatment of several skillful physicians, but continually grew worse. On the fifteenth of February Mr. Haden took his daughter to see Dr. Swan. At this time the spine was so sensitive that even the slight jar of the carriage in which she rode to the doctor's rooms produced extreme pains, and she could not bear the smallest pressure upon the part affected. After one treatment by Dr. Swan, the soreness was entirely removed, and there was very rapid recovery. In three weeks after the child was treated by Dr. Swan, the physician who had previously attended her called, and on exami- nation said she was almost well, and, soon after, without knowing who had been employed, pronounced a cure effected. The child has gained rapidly in flesh, is now apparently well and takes part in the sports of the children of its age, as though it had never been almost help- less, as it was a few months ago. The parents feel under a deep debt of gratitude to the doctor for restoring their daughter to health and strength." Female Complaints. The Cure of Mrs. M. Porter. Gouverneur, Jan. 27,1868. My wife has been an invalid for the past three years. I have con- sulted and employed many physicians highly recommended for their professional skill, but for the past four months she has been unable to be moved from her bed to the table to take her meals. She was unable to walk or sit up longer than to have her bed made. On the evening of November 30, Dr. G. Swan was called, and in a fi'w minutes we sw her off from her bed and able tc walk, which she did without assis- Female Complaints. 21 tance. She has been to the table and taken her meals regularly w'ith the family ever since, and is gaining strength daily. Michael Portek. Gouverneur, Dec. 3, 1868. My wife had been an invalid for about five years, and for the most of the time she was not able to be on her feet, or walk more than just to get around the house. We had employed different physicians, and the best we could find, but failed to find much relief from any, until Dr. G. Swan of this place, by some mysterious power unknown to me, and when she was suffering the most, caused her in a few moments to feel quite well. She soon discovered that all pa'in and soreness had gone— that her disease had left her — and she was able to walk about town, which she did without fatigue or injury. Her disease was chronic inflammation and ulceration of the womb. Wm. A. Bowman. Judge Neary's Statement. • Gouverneur, Dec. 5, 1868. My wife has been an invalid in consequence of female weaknesses, for about six years, most of which time she has been under medical treatment — one year of the time she spent in one of the most popu- lar water cure establishments in the state. Learning of the wonder- ful success of Dr. G. Swan of this place, in treating this class of dis- eases, she was induced about a year ago to call on him and try the effect of his treatment, and to use her own language, she experienced greater benefit from one treatment of his than from all the doctoring she had ever before had. She is now, I am happy to say, in the enjoy- ment of very comfortable health. Dr. Swan heals through some powerful magnetic influence which may justly be denominated the gift of healing. E. H. Neary. Complicated Cases. With Extreme Nervous Prostration. The following case was published by Augustus Hammond, Esq., of Galesburg, in the Free Press of that city, in January, 1870. " By the request of Mr. S. Peterson of Knoxville, I speak of a re- markable cure in his family by Dr. Swan, now of Galesburg, and recently of New York. The wife of Mr. Peterson had been sick for some eight years, and for most of the time had been confined to her bed. For the last two years she had been perfectly helpless and speechless B 22 Food for Invalids. and able to make known her wants only by the motion of her hand. All the means known to medical science had been used for her recov- ery and without any favorable results. Dr. Swan was called to see her, and after a few minutes treatment she was enabled to rise up unassisted and walk across her room and back again, and after further treatment was able to converse with her husband and children. All this happened in less than an hour. This cure took place some three weeks since and has every prospect of being permanent; the patient is every day gaining in strength." The case of Miss E. W. Huggins. The following statement was published by the editor of the Oalva Republican, Galva, 111., in May, 1870 " A lady now stopping at the Mead House, Miss E. W. Huggins, of Abingdon, had been an invalid for thirteen years, unable to sit up during the whole day in all that long time. For the past five years she had been confined to her room, for the past three years quite help- less and confined to her bed. She suffered from a Complication of difficulties involving the spine, heart, lungs, and digestive organs. For the past year she had scarcely drawn a natural breath in conse- quence of the serious derangement affecting the action of the heart and lungs. On the 20th of February she was brought on pillows in a perfectly helpless condition to Dr. Swan, who was then stopping in Galesburg. She was immediately relieved of her suffering, the heart's irregular action was stopped; she was caused to breathe easy and natural from the first moment of the treatment, the next day to walk. From that time she has continued to improve in health and strength." The above facts we have the lady's own word for^vhich will not be questioned by any person who has listened to the sad tale of her suffer- ings, and her expressions of gratitude to the great Father of mercies for the wonderful relief that has been given her through one possessed of such astonishing powers. Miss Huggins was for some years a mission- ary among our Northwestern Indians, and is a devout Christian lady whose statement may be implicitly relied on. Epilepsy. Gouverneur, Dec. 11,1868. George Elliott, a young man that worked for me in the printing office, about the commencement of last summer, had long been afflicted with Epileptic fits; having them almost every week. Dr. G. Swan of Epilepsy, ' 23 this place, happening in at our office during one of the worst of his attacks, gave him treatment. From that time the young man's health began to improve, and he has not had a fit since. F. E. Merritt. Gouverneur, Dec. 5,1868. I had long been the subject of distressing Epileptic fits occurring frequently. One year ago the 20th of last November, Dr. G. Swan of this place, gave me treatment for the same. I have never had any fits since. Charles Cobbin. Tumors. Hermon, Dec. 5, 1868. About the middle of last June I took counsel of several physicians in relation to a tumor that had been growing for some time on my under lip. It was decided by a number of them to be a cancer; I met Dr. G. Swan, of Gouverneur, as he was passing down the street in that village, and in the presonce of Dr. Merrick, and several other persons, inquired to know his opinion. He did not disagree with the opinion that had been expressed by others, and said he would try his healing powers on it; he held it for a few moments between his thumb and finger — the tumor 3oon began to disappear and in a few weeks it was entirely gone. George Willard. Chicago, Dec. 2, 1870. Dr. G. Swan —Bear Sir: The facts in my case are simply the fol- lowing : " For the past two years I have been troubled with a tumor near the right shoulder blade that physicians of eminent skill and learning had pronounced cancerous. The disease is hereditary in my " family. My grandmother, a cousin and a brother died from the effects of cancer. The tumor on my back had become so troublesome that it had almost entirely deprived me of the use of my right arm, when on the twenty-fourth of November, I came from home at Sand Springs, Delaware Co., Iowa, and placed myself under the care of Dr. T. J. Lewis of this city. I think that his treatment benefited me, and you are undoubtedly correct in your opinion that his baths had done very much towards preparing the system for the wonderful results which followed your treatment. On the morning of the thirtieth, Dr. Lewis brought me to you. The tumor was then about two and one-fourth 24 Food for Invalids. inches across. You gave me what you called a treatment, which con- sisced of simply rubbing and feeling of it with your hands for some eight or ten minutes. For a few hours after the treatment it was quite painful, since then I have felt nothing of it. The next morning I called on you for another treatment and to my inexpressibly joyful surprise, as well as to your own apparent astonishment we found that the tumor had entirely disappeared. Feeling myself ever grateful to God for such a wonderful deliverance from a most fearful disease, I am Very truly and gratefully yours, John Carroll. Statement of the Rev. S. Gilbert with reference to the fact con tained in the above letter which was published by him in the New Covenant: " The following letter will explain itself. It will be hard for many to believe the statements made. We have several times called atten- tion to the wonderful power of Dr. Swan. At the time of Mr. Car- roll's second visit we happened to be in the doctor's office, and we made an examination of the tumor at the time. We could discover but a slight thickening under the cuticle. Dr. Swan's success is certainly very wonderful. He was educated as a regular physician, but he found that he possessed a peculiar magnetic power which would enable him to treat successfully many diseases without medicines." North Bangor, Me., March 14,1868. About four weeks since, Dr. Swan, of Gouverneur, N. Y., of whose great healing powers we had heard well authenticated reports, was induced to visit us, and treat some patients who wercanxiously waiting for him in this place. The following will show what his success has been: Mrs. Charles H. Bell, whose health had been declining for the past four years, and who had now become unable to walk, with strength rapidly wasting, and being obliged to take her meals in a reclining position, was treated by Dr. Swan, and in fifteen minutes made to feel quite well; in half an hour she walked across the street; has been about most of the time since. Mrs. Stanley who, fifteen years afflicted with Chronic Rheumatism and twelve years unable to walk a step, with limbs and muscles con- tracted, joints dislocated, calloused and set, was treated by Dr. S., and is restored to the partial use of her hands and arms; is improving rn Other Cases. 25 strength; and it is believed with a few more treatments will be able to walk. A tumor of several years standing, and by physicians pronounced a cancer, was completely removed from the person of Joel Cornish. Also a tumor (we are credibly informed) of the size and form of the hand, much inflamed, and having the general appearance of a cancer, was removed from the person of a lady residing a few miles distant. Several chronic cases (our neighbors) of liver complaint were treated with great success. The above are a few of the many that were treated by Dr. Swan, with great success during his brief stay in Bangor. He seemed cau- tiously to guard against boasting of his healing powers. We regard the Doctor to be a man eminently worthy of appreciation, not only for the gift, or healing powers which he possesses, but also for the noble and manly character of Christian virtue and goodness with which he is so generously endowed. A. J. Hollenbeck, Charles Bell, J. G. Barney, M. Stanley. Other Cases. Case of Rev. J. S. Lee, Professor of Languages in St. Lawrence University. Canton, N. Y., May 18, 1868. To the Afflicted, everywhere — This is to certify, that by reason of severe and protracted mental labors, my nervous system became highly sensitive, so that I dreaded the operation of extracting my teeth, which I had contemplated for the purpose of having an artificial set inserted. But to-day Dr. G. Swan, of Gouverneur, so mesmerized or Psychologized, or otherwise "treated my nerves, that the dentist, Dr. Hitchcock, was enabled to extract eleven teeth with comparatively little pain. Other operations of a similar character he has performed in this and other towns. In the power which he has over the nervous system, and ability and skill in alleviating disease and curing the sick, I regard Dr. Swan as a public benefactor, and eminently entitled to the patronage of those who are so unfortunate as to be afflicted with disease. Rev. J. S.Lee. Hermon, Nov. 30, 1868. For seven or eight years I was greatly afflicted with diabetes and a disease or weakness of the kidneys, that caused me much suffering and annoyance day and night. I had much pain and lameness in my ba ck. About eight months since Dr. Swan relieved me entirely with o n treatment, and I have experienced none of the effects of the disease since. O. L. Barnum. 2G Food for Invalids. Canton, December 1, 1868. De. G. Swan—Bear Sir: Your inquiries are just received. The Rheumatic cripples (paupers) I sent you last spring, and which you so readily put on their feet have been doing well, so far as I know, ever since your treatment. Miss Bartholomew, the consumptive lady and neice of mine, you treated at my house has been doing well and improving ever since. The other lady, Mrs. Wagner, from Canada, who is also a neice of mine, and whom you treated for a disease of the heart and a mental difficulty was entirely cured, her mind and her heart have been all right since you, through your wonderful power, and the merciful favor of God cast out the insane spirit. Theodore Caldwell, Supt. of the Poor for St. Lawrence County. Reference to Cases from our Journal. March 21st, 1869, treated Rev. Geo. P. Porter (Episcopal Methodist) at his residence in North Division street, Buffalo, N. Y., for paralysis of the lower extremeties. At the time we called, Mr. Porter was con- fined to his bed and apparently unable to rise to a sitting posture without assistance. He assured us at the time that he could not pos- sibly walk a step or support the weight of his body on his limbs. He was entirely relieved with one treatment. Mr. Porter is a very large and powerful man, physically as well as mentally, yet in a few moments he found his lost strength restored and he arose and walked about his house with a joyful and thankful heart. June 1st, was in Buffalo again and Mr. Porter called on us at our rooms on Washington street, informing us that the cure in his case had remained permanent, and tendering to us the use of his name as a reference. Hon. Samuel H. Hammond, Watertown, New York, states that his wife who had been a perfectly helpless paralytic for five years, and who was caused to walk with one treatment, " continues getting bet- ter " and to walk as when Dr. S. last saw her. Hon. E. D. Culver, of New York City, and late minister to South America, from this government, states that his wife, who had been under Dr. Swan's treatment in the spring of 1869, had some months after continued to improve from the time of the treatment, and was then enabled to visit her friends in New Jersey. Reference to Cases from our Journal. 27 August 13, 1869.—L. F. Mullery, Omaha, Nebraska.—White swell- ing. Came to this city to have his leg amputated. The limb was straightened, and he was enabled to walk on it by the first treatment. Remained a week and returned home cured. August 26.— Mrs. L. L. Martin, Lockport, Illinois.— Congestive headaches. Cured with four treatments. August 29.—Daughter of B. F. Murphy, office 26, Chamber of Commerce.—Right limb perished — paralyzed and useless. Was enabled to walk without crutch the third treatment. Took fourteen treatments, and continued gradually improving, is now well. October 12.— J. H. Smith, Merchant at Piano, Kendall county, Illinois.— Brought to me totally blind. Sight restored without medi- cine or lotions, and the last of the following month he was in-Chicago purchasing goods, and depending on his own eyes to make his selections. Jan. 26, 1870.—The wife of Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., of Gales- burg, III.— Chronic Opthalmia (inflammation of the eyes;) apparently perfectly cured with one treatment. The case surprised us quite as much as it did others, as the cure appeared to be so sudden and so complete. In the month of April, however, the Doctor wrote us, (we having left the town) that the difficulty had returned, and that Mrs. B. had been induced to resort to other treatment. In this case we were too confident of our entire success, and failed to give that amount of treatment necessary to fortify the system against a subse- quent attack. February 1, 1870.— Frank Colton, from Omaha, Nebraska, General Ticket Agent of the Union Pacific R. R.— Difficulty of the lungs and liver. Cured with four treatments, and returned again to his post of duty in one week. February 18,1870.— E. C. Davidson, Lawyer and Real Estate Dealer Galesburg.— Partial paralysis of the optig nerve, so that he could not see to read or write. Sight restored and enabled to read perfectly well in ten minutes. This remains a permanent cure. 28 Food for Invalids. THE REPLY OF AUGUSTUS HAMMOND, ESQ., OF GALES- BURG, ILL., TO L. B. FERRIS. Published in the Free Press of that city in February, 1870. MR. Hammor d is a lawyer by profession, and a thinker by nature. He had published an article a few weeks previous to this, in which he had commented on the Gift of Healing by magnetism — had spoken of some of our cases, and by references to past history compared the cures that were effected by this means, among the ancients, and people of all nations, and all religions, with what is being witnessed by people at the present day. Mr. Ferris, who with Mr. Hammond, is a member of the Congregational church, and who having received a theological education was prepared to speak with confidence of the " opinion of the church," it seems took some exception to the import and bearing of Mr. Hammond's article, and he accordingly published the following questions, to which this article from Mr. Hammond is the reply : mr. Hammond's rejoinder. Mr. Editor — I am pleased to hear through your paper from Mr. L. B. Ferris. In noticing my last article that speaks of a certain kind or mode of cures mentioned in both the sacred and profane writings, he puts to me this question to-wit: " Does Mr. Hammond mean to say that the marvelous cures per- formed by Empedocles and the Priests of the Esculapian Temples — of St. Patrick, St. Bernard and St. Benedict in their monasteries, and Dr. Swan in Galesburg, were performed by the same means, or by the " same kind of power " as those performed by the first ministers of Christianity? The apostles believed that this power was theirs by a special supernatural endowment by the Lord Jesus Christ, and this has been the predominant view of the Christian church from that day to this. "I understand Mr. Hammond to teach, if not directly, by strong implication, that the healing powers employed by the prophets and apostles stand upon precisely the same ground as the reputed cures of Pagan priests, Romish monks and Dr. Swan. Will he explain ? " In reply, I would say first, that I am not a teacher, but only a learner. It will be remembered that in my communication, after stating a few cases of successful treatment by Dr. Swan, I made the inquiry, myself, "By what power doeth this man these things?" Afterwards I made some statements of the prevalency of this mode of treatment in times past, that has come down to us from both the sacred Mr. Hammond''s Rejoinder. 29 and profane writers, letting him that readeth decide for himself any questions that might arise in connection with the subject. I am not teaching, myself, but letting the facts teach, and all the people be judges. I would not dictate to any man any opinion, even if I could. Each must learn and decide for himself. We can help to facts, and the facts make or shape our opinions, when they are not received without question from others. As we did not make the facts, of course, we are not responsible for them, nor for their legitimate teachings. We must recognize them, however, and learn the lessons they teach if we would be wise; The6e are God's lessons and teachings. Lord Bacon's revolution in philosophy starts out with gathering the facts. Let this prevail in all departments of life and we shall stand on as sound a foundation as eternal truth itself. It is safe to go where facts lead and stand where they place us. When President Elliott, of Harvard University, can stand up in his place at the head of that old seat of learning in our country, and say that philosophy cannot be taught by " authority," as has been much practiced in our schools ; and President Fairchild, of Oberlin College, one of the divines in our orthodox church, and one of the ripest scholars in America, can say that the doctrine of the Trinity and other favorite doctrines of the church, are open for reconsideration, I trust that we may look at a few of the facts and wonderful cures in the art of healing without giving offence, or shocking the "settled con- victions" of any class of men, however remotely their hereditary opinions may have come down to us. My friend Ferris well states what is generally received in the church now, that the " Apostles believed that this power (of healing) was theirs by a special supernatural endowment by the Lord Jesus Christ, and this has been the predominating view of the Christian church from that day to this." But let us ask right here, does this opinion of the apostles, and of the Christian church since, settle this question as a fact, even with the great weight of all this authority, and long standing as the opinion may be ? If the antiquity and the apparent weight of human opinions were always to prevail, we should still be under the darkness and confusion of the old teachings in astronomy, when the earth was believed to be in the centre of the universe and without any motion of its own, and the sun, moon, and stars, were thought certainly to make a diurnal revolution around it. The other motions of the heavens were accounted for (in the Ptolemeaic system) on the principle of cycles and epicycles. Opinions that reached back four or five thousand years, and that prevailed in all the nations of 30 Food for Invalids. the greatest renown, and among all their wise men, and in all of their religions, and even among the Christians themselves, and as they thought were taught in the Bible, down to the sixteenth century, were swept away by the discoveries of Copernicus, followed and con- firmed by those of Newton and La Place. The children of our schools now know that the earth revolves each day and year, and that this makes the apparent motion of the heavens, and that the sun is in the centre of our system, etc., as Copernicus taught. And yet Galileo got into great trouble with said church for starting, sometime before, such an idea as the motion of the earth. Even Copernicus, who lived in a milder time, had his manuscripts by him twenty-nine years before he dared publish his discoveries, and then only in his old age, as he was about to die! What made all this change, and so soon ? Simply discovering the facts, as God made them, and being able to demonstrate them. Now we find the facts, known only for a few years, prevailing, as they should, against some five thousand years of opinions before, and these, as before said, of all the wisest men, ajid religious men of all the leading nations of the earth, the early Christians and the apostles even, among them, and the Christian church too, for most of the time since. So strong was the church in its view of this question, when it held the supreme power, that it was ready to imprison, to torture, and to put to death all those who might have a different view, however wise they might be, or unblemished in character. So from the Mosaic account of creation and other sacred writings, an opinion by Jews, Christians, and others, has for thousands of years been entertained, that would make it now only about six thousand years since the creation of this world, whereas the facts have shown to us that the earth dates its existence back many thousands, if not many millions of years before the " oldest memory," or record of man. So much for this Jewish and Christian belief. From the above we can see how unreliable are human opinions when not based on well ascertained facts. And now with all our discoveries we are only at the beginnings of knowledge, and yet, if what we have learned of the earth and the heavens be true, how grandly do the facts point to the immensity of truth beyond us and to infinity itself. We have nothing yet of which to be proud, or whereby we can become "authority in philosophy," or proscribe others on account of their opinions. But let us take the view of the apostles and early Christians, that their gift of healing was from Christ himself. As Christ himself Mr. Hammond's Rejoinder. 31 htaled by the word, the touch, and the laying on of hands, and sent forth his disciples " into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature," and said, "These signs shall folllow them that believe," " In my name they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover," etc., as is recorded in the last chapter of Mark. It was a good ground for their belief, from what they then knew and saw, when the signs did actually follow those that heard and believed. And afterwards when the disciples were blessing the world with this wonderful gift, and other powers, and many believing were possessing the same gifts also, it was so well understood among the people that these gifts could be conferred,'that some tried to buy them with money, as in the case of Simon Magus. Now, if we are to take Christ's own words, as quoted in said chapter from Mark, and other scripture for authority, must we not suppose that the devout and believing "Romish Monk," that healed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, stood precisely on the same ground as the apostles ? If not, may I not ask my friend Ferris, or any one else, to explain the difference, as I am a learner with him and all the people ? But from the scriptures, and the facts of the apostles' times, and early Christians, most of the ablest and best men of the church do not think we are taught the limit of the power of healing to those times, but think, among the diversity of gifts, that this power is to be enjoyed by the believers throughout all time. As Christ said, " I am with you even unto the end of the world," and when they went out " the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word with signs following." In 1 Cor. xii it is said, " There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." " For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom," &c. " To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit," &c. Now, if Dr. Swan is a believer in the teachings of Christ, as I nnderstand he is, who shall say that this power does not come to him as it did to the apostles and early Christians, and prophets too, if you choose ? If not in so great a degree as to some of them, is it not the " same kind of power ?" And did not the Romish monks, by the same teachings, have a right to look for and to call it the " same kind " too ? Who will explain and tell us the difference ? But I do not propose to rest the inquiry here, but follow on where the facts seem to lead, for I have " the reputed cures of Pagan priests " to dispose of yet. Can we not take a wider and wiser view of this whole subject, than heretofore, and one that shall transcend somewhat all our old teachings 32 Food for Invalids. and opinions, as the facts of science correct and enlarge our views of the heavens and the earth, over those of the ancients, and give us sublimer and grander ideas of God and of his dealings with man ? Will not the facts warrant and even compel us to do so ? We will admit all the wonderful cures' claimed of the prophets, and of Christ, and the apostles, to be true. But do we find in the sacred books the record of all the miraculous cures of the world ? Do we find them confined to the Jews and the Christians ? Not by any means. All the world, outside of these two classes, were full of them, and they were performed in all times and in all nations of which we have any important record. According to Philostratus, Empedocles, a native of Agrigentum in Sicily, who was born four hundred and forty-four years before Christ, performed many cures that were deemed miraculous; and in one instance recalled to life a woman who had for some time been supposed to be dead. It is said of Appolonious of Tyana, one of the most able followers of Pythagoras, that "wherever he went he incited to piety, to prayer, and cured the most dangerous diseases with miraculous power." There are many cases deeply interesting and from many sources which I should like to give, if space would permit, and the reader find patience, but in this article I can only make general statements of the facts, rather than give many of the facts themselves, which come to us from so many sources, from many nations in different lands, and through all recorded times. Divine honors were paid to many distinguished with this gift of healing. Temples were erected in their honor also, and kings, princes, bishops, warriors and statesmen did them reverence, and great multitudes of the people followed them with adoration, cr flocked to their temples and worshiped them as gods. A very great number of facts on this subject and those relating to the exercise of the other " gifts," also enjoyed in all times and nations, and such as Christ exercised and said should follow those that believed in him, and such gifts as are mentioned in the twelfth chapter of first Corinthians can be found recorded in the works of Josephus, Homer, Plato, Pythagoras, also thoss of the learned Ennemoser, of Germany, and those by Professor Leger, " doctor of the medical faculty of Paris," and " fellow of the society of sciences," &c, and finally I offer the Bible itself as proof of facts on this subject, outside of the people whom it particularly represents. Christ himself recognized the fact that others of his time, not his followers, did many of the wonderful things he did, and not in his name. On one occasion when his disciples com- Mr. Hammond's Rejoinder. 33 plained of it to him, he said, " Forbid them not, for they that are not against us are for us; " thus also, may we not say, recognizing the fact that they were doing them on the same principle that he was doing them, and those not against him, for the same good ends? But if against him, was not the patient still blest by the healing ? Can any one in the presence of this authority, speak of the marvelous cures performed by any others than the prophets, Christ and the apostles, as being only " reputed " or that the many wonderful things recorded by. so many authors in different ages and nations, and similar in character are really not true, while in fact they are generally better substantiated than the facts and wonderful cures recorded in the Bible ? If they are charged as being fabulous, what shall we say of the similar Bible record ? No doubt many errors have crept into all records, from the imperfections of men and society, but when the records come to us from our best sources, our most intelligent and reliable authors, is it not safer and wiser to give therh a large measure of our confidence, and then seek to learn and understand the great lessons of wisdom the facts would teach us ? And what are the lessons they teach ? The facts seem to point through all religions, and in all times and nations, to one great and all-pervading, active and intelligent means, which the Great Father of all men, and nations of men, prepared and used to bless man on earth, as He prepared his sun in the heavens to shine for all, and npon all, to bless all. Christ said He did not do His wonderful works of himself but of His Father who was in heaven; and the angels came and ministered unto Him. Did not the prophets and apostles receive their " healing powers " from the same source, and the Pagan priests and, the Romish monks too ? Who can show that they did not ? But are there no facts now, in our times, similar to those in the times of the prophets, Pagan priests, apostles and monks ? There are an im- mense number of cases to which millions of our own countrymen, and of other nations are willing to testify, not only as to their being facts which they have witnessed, but as to their similarity of character, and judging from the records and the facts themselves. The witnesses are from among the ablest and most learned, as well as from the humblest, and from both infidels and Christians, and those of the best character standing, and from all classes of men and society. And after years of investigation of this matter, they unite in their testimony as to there being now an intelligent, active power, or influence over, and about the whole human family, akin to that recorded of the angels. And that this power either directly on man, or by some forces in nature, is 34 Pood for Invalids. doing in our nation and others, many things as wonderful, almost, as anything recorded in any time, or any country, and greatly blessing man. If we do not believe them, it does not change the belief of those who know more about the matter than we do, nor the facts themselves, If we throw aside all this proof, what value is there in human testi- mony ? What reliance can we place upon the scripture record that comes to us through so many ages from a few humble disciples ? If we reject the experience and testimony of so many living witnesses, can we blame others for rejecting the testimony that comes to us, so remotely, from those interested, and of whom we know nothing scarce- ly ; except what they said of themselves, or of each other? May I not ask my Christian friends, is it not wiser to study the facts of the world, now coming before us, than hug so tightly the opinions the facts are exploding ? We may shut our eyes and wag our heads, but this does not obliterate the facts. And " if the blind lead the blind," we have been told the consequences. Now whether Dr. Swan succeeds here, or not, is a matter of more consequence to himself and patients, than to this discussion, for there are a multitude of facts on this subject all over the country; and yet it is but just to him to say, he has already performed, in many instances as wonderful cures, and they are well attested, as some that are recorded of the apostles, or monks, or pagan priests. His witnesses are minis- / ters, judges, physicians, and other intelligent men of high standing, that have known him for some twenty years, as well as many of the poor and long-suffering ones of earth, who are blessing him for the sweet joys of health restored to them by ttfis means. Can these be only " reputed " facts. Let us ask that, if any one of the above classes of cures is miraculous, are not the others so too? If the cures by Dr. Swan, Van Helmont and Galen, were on scientific principles, where is the miracle, in those by the apostles and others ? If one class was by some life-principle, or force in nature, were not the others so too ? If it is true that there is, and always has been since the creation of man, an angel force or power superior to man and increasing with the increase of man, and watching over the children of earth, and oft communicating with them and working upon them and through them and having greater wisdom and power than man and different degrees of development, like him, will not this account for much, if not all of the various phenomena of man's history heretofore unexplained ? Would not this be a beautiful and blessed relationship between two worlds? If a miracle, in the true sense of the word, is something wonderful, or an event not according Mr. Hammond's Rejoinder. 35 to the known laws of nature, or above man, then miracles always have # been, are taking place now, and it may be safe to say, always will be on earth and in Heaven too, so long as man or angel is limited in abil- ity and knowledge, and God is infinite. But it may be asked why these gifts have been so little exercised, or lost mainly for ages past in Europe and some other countries. I answer that when the Roman Catholic Church became very large, ex- tending over an immense empire and very ambitious and corrupt also, the great wants and interests of the people were crushed by the inqui- sition and other means, so that nothing could prosper, that did not work for the power of the church; all else was of the "Devil," as the people were taught to believe. The honest monks that possessed the gift of healing were a great power over the people for the church and were used as such and protected in the monasteries. With the ruin of the Roman Empire the dark ages succeeded. Thus the light from angels and men was for a time obscured or shut out just as men, may hide from the light of the sun that would expose the deeds worthy only of darkness. The rude and unlettered nations of the north of Europe, in the time of the Roman Empire, and from which ours sprung, have had every- thing almost to do for themselves. The light of the past was lost to them in the ruin of all the old Empires, and Rome only gave them her church. As the darkness recedes, such records as were preserved, and glorious names are coming more fully to the light. We find, how- ever, that in our boasted progress and triumph over the mother church we are, as an English and Protestant church, now nearer Rome than Jerusalem and nearer the Pope than Christ! I will remark here that whatever view we take of the above facts, Christ appears to be a great central light, and his character and teach- ings so exalted and beautiful, place him above all, as a blessing from Heaven to man, and as worthy of the adoration of men and the songs of angels. That in him were all the gifts most completely blended by his Father in Heaven; and by the same power as Creator and Father over all, they were bestowed, not only upon the Jews and Christians, but as the facts show upon the whole human family at its creation, and for its preservation, instruction and happiness. God " dividing to every man severally as he will." They seem to stand with the gifts of eloquence, of music, of poetry, painting and others, which in early times were also considered as the gifts of the gods. Thus, from the facts, the belief of the " Apostles " and " Christian Church " since, that the gift of healing, with the other gifts, was a " special 36 Food for Invalids. •» supernatural endowment" by Christ to his apostles, or to believers, seems to fall to the ground, like the old opinions in astronomy and geology, and that before God, the cures by the apostles, Romish monks, Pagan priests and Dr. Swan, stand on the same principle. These gifts may have been made signs, like the bow in the cloud, neither being special creations, but existing from the first in the laws of nature and of man's being and connected with angels. This of course is but a hurried and partial glance over so wide a field of thought; and many things must be left unexplained in an article like this, even if they could be at all. I shall send it forth, however, letting the facts speak for themselves, and each one de- cide for himself what the facts mean, and what great lessons of wisdom we should learn from them. In all this, I will add, can we not see something of the grand system of agencies by which an Infinite God doeth his will " in the armies of Heaven " and towards this, and, perhaps, an infinite number of other peopled worlds ? And also find room for larger charity and love towards our fellow men ? We may learn also, as millions now are believing, that from man in this and all worlds similar to our own, come the angel hosts that minister to man everywhere, and rejoice more fully in the presence of God and grow in wisdom before him. Progress and development seem to be the great laws of the universe. A. Hammond. Galesburg, III., Feb. 28, 1870. ----------*-♦-*---------- RULES AND REQUIREMENTS Op those who apply for Magnetic Treatment. All fees payable during the first visit, and no charges will be made for two visits there- after, except in special caces; after which a charge of two dollars will be made, should further treatment be deemed necessary. No patient will be induced by undue promises, while no desired information will be withheld. All must decide for themselves, and come prepared to comply with the terms. The terms in all cases must be settled before any treatment is given. Letters of inquiry answered, and circulars pent free if writers send stamp. No experiments will be made or tests be attempted to be given to gratify an idle curiosity. No spectators allowed in the operation rooms unless the patient wishes a friend present. Patients visited at their houses inside of the corporation be- fore and after office hours, will be charged extra in proportion to the time required and the importance of the case. Np cases will be under- taken unless we expect to effect a cure, or greatly benefit the patient. No extra charge for consultations except to those who do not apply for treatment. Grosvexok Stvajs, M. D., HOMCEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN & SURGEON, OFFICE *»«V/> PARLORS: 117 "\JVslTd£ls1i Avenue, Between Madison and Washington Sts ACUTE DISEASES TREATED WITH MEDICINAL REMEDIES. MANY OF THE MOST OBSTINATE FORMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE. Tiat Medicines have Faileil to Control, Promptly Relieved and Cured Witlioxit MEDICINE.