W WESTROP 



NATURE’S ASSISTANT 
TO THE 
RESTORATION OF HEALTH. 
TO WHICH IS ADDED A 
SHORT TREATISE
ON THE 
VENEREAL DISEASE,
RECOMMENDING A 
SAFE, EASY, AND PROPER MODE OF TREATMENT. 
ALSO 
An Essay on Gleets, Seminal Weaknesses, 
AND THE 
DESTRUCTIVE HABIT OF SELF-POLLUTION. 
BY J. HODSON, M. D. 
THE SIXTH EDITION. 
LONDON, published by J. Matthews, Strand; and sold by all other 
booksellers in Great Britain. 
[PRICE ONE SHILLING AND SIXPENCE] 



INTRODUCTION. 
ALTHOUGH the following pages were written with 
an intent to recommend a few secret prescriptions, 
yet, it is presumed that there is nothing contained therein 
but what is founded upon Reason, as well as upon that 
firm basis of Medical Knowledge—Practical Experience. 
The express purpose of this publication being thus ac- 
knowledged, it scarcely need be observed, that it is not 
intended so much for the critical eye of the learned, as for 
the instruction of the ignorant, the illiterate, and the af- 
flicted. The language is, therefore, adapted to the most 
simple capacity, and it is hoped will be sufficiently under- 
stood by those for whom it is chiefly designed. The more 
learned and exalted reader, however, if afflicted, may receive 
instruction therefrom, and considering its usefulness only, 
will kindly cast the veil of charity over the numerous ble- 
mishes which he may discover therein. 
The catalogue of public medicines is already so large, 
that one would suppose it almost impossible for any thing 
new to be added thereto, did not every day’s experience 
convince us, that the Faculty have not yet arrived to that 
great degree of perfection in the healing art, as to have 
discovered remedies for all the complaints and disorders 
incident to the human frame.—A news-paper is now 
become the chief vehicle for giving information to the 
afflicted, where they may apply for relief in sickness, lame- 
A2 ness

ii INTRODUCTION. 
ness, or any other calamity which may happen to the 
body; and every humane person, who is possessed of a 
remedy for any particular complaint, thinks it his duty to 
make known to the world, that he will supply the afflicted 
with his remedy at a moderate profit. 
Never, perhaps, was there an age, wherein the pre- 
parers and venders of medicines were so numerous as at 
present: the press daily teems with their productions; the 
news-papers are crouded with their lists of cures; and we 
are perpetually hearing of some grateful person, who is 
sending forth his thanks in print, for having been restored 
to health from a dangerous disease, and miraculously res- 
cued from the jaws of death, by syrups, tinctures, powders, 
drops and balsams, prepared by these advertisers. Their 
essays, treatises and dissertations, on the various diseases 
incident to mankind, have been purchased with avidity, 
and read with attention; they have impressed on the minds 
of the readers a favourable opinion of the compositions 
they recommend; and, by explaining the peculiar ease 
with which they may be taken, and the very great proba- 
bility of their performing an effectual cure, they have 
established an extensive sale for their articles, and are at 
this time held by many in the highest esteem, as the uni- 
versal dispensers of health and long life. 
There is, on the contrary, a number of persons with 
whom a prejudice against these medicines hath taken root, 
and who exclaim against the inventors of them in the most 
vehement manner, and vilify both them and their medi- 
cines with names the most opprobrious and undeserved. 
And 

iii INTRODUCTION. 
And why?—Merely because they are advertised. Are 
their virtues lessened by this means? Does an advertise- 
ment in a public news-paper render the medicine less effi- 
cacious or valuable? In the eye of reason it should seem 
otherwise; but if the assertions of our adversaries may be 
credited, one single advertisement subverts the whole mass  
of ingredients, destroys the nature of the composition, and 
takes away all its power. 
Yet what is there in a news-paper that should occasion 
this mighty disgrace? They were at first, indeed, merely 
conveyancers of political information—disclosing the se- 
crets of ministerial councils, and presaging to the public a 
future peace or war; but their plan has since been ma- 
terially altered and improved; they are now become the 
vehicles of general information; and there is scarcely any 
article in life, of which we stand in need, but what an 
advertisement will more easily procure than any other 
means we can devise.—People are thoroughly convinced of 
this advantage, and hence it is that advertisements are so 
numerous in all our news-papers: They form a conside- 
rable part of their contents, and to men of business are 
certainly the most valuable. The Merchant, by this means, 
knows the departure, voyages and arrivals of his vessels; 
the Sportsman is presented with an account of the country 
races, as also with the sales of horses and their pedigrees; 
the Farmer sees the state of the harvest through the king- 
dom, and reads of the improvements in husbandry; and 
the Tradesman has a variety of information, which at 
once pleases and instructs him. Nor are the Ladies 
A3 exempt

iv INTRODUCTION 
exempt from deriving advantages from a news-paper. In 
that they trace the progress of fashion through all its vari- 
ous windings, learn who appeared the most brilliant at the 
ball or in the drawing-room, see when all the places of di- 
version open and shut, are informed who sells the most 
valuable perfumes, and read a long list of births and mar- 
riages; whilst the Humane Christian, whose heart melts at 
the woes of his fellow mortals, may find, from reading the 
news-papers, an ample field for exercising that greatest of 
all christian virtues—Charity! 
And yet shall it be reckoned a crime, if the old or feeble 
invalid, whose infirmities confine him from the busy world, 
but who is still desirous of knowing how affairs go on, and 
therefore reads the News; shall it be reckoned a crime, if in 
the same paper that he reads for amusement, he reads also 
how he may be relieved from his affliction? The proprietors 
of many medicines have no resource but this. The en- 
trance to every other path is shut against them; they are 
therefore the last persons that should be spoke against for 
following this serviceable method. 
The cures done by the faculty are such as must excite 
wonder and gratitude of all who have been witness to them; 
but did there yet remain one single disorder which they can- 
not cure, a medicine calculated to remove such complaint, 
and which is able to remove it, is certainly deserving public 
protection and encouragement. 
And does not every day present us with the indisputable 
testimonies of living witnesses, who, but for the relief of 
these advertised medicines, had certainly fallen a sacrifice
to

v INTRODUCTION. 
to their disorder, or what, perhaps, is still worse, had con- 
tinued miserable objects of distress, unhappy in themselves, 
and troublesome to their friends? 
How numerous are the accounts which are thus pro- 
duced of persons being cured by this means! and how 
sincere a pleasure must every feeling mind receive from a 
perusal of such valuable cures, and from the reflection, that 
we are not destitute of remedies for our most dangerous 
disorders, though given up by the faculty as totally in- 
curable! 
But as the most noble designs and best institutions are 
subject to pervertion, it would be a want of candour in de- 
fending the mode of advertising medicines, if we did not 
at the same time express our just abhorrence of the villainy 
of those impostors, who make use of this method to rob the 
unwary not only of their money, without affording relief 
to them, but a great many even of their lives. A subject 
wherein our lives are so materially concerned, is too seri- 
ous and important to be treated on with levity, or with a 
design of furthering the private interest of any class of 
people; and therefore can be no excuse for him, who, to 
answer this selfish purpose, would endeavour to establish 
erroneous principles among the multitude, and persuade 
them to the application of medicines, which destroy in- 
stead of curing them. 
In general, however, these kind of impostors confine 
themselves to a certain indelicate complaint, which hath 
been fatal to many young persons of both sexes. Unhappy 
objects! borne away by a fondness for inordinate pleasure,
or


vi INTRODUCTION. 
or ruined perhaps, by some deceitful wretch, they are in- 
sensibly led on to this practice, and ere they reach the 
meridian of their lives, they fall a prey to an infamous 
disease. The fear of publishing their situation frequently 
prevents them seeking a timely remedy, and the poison in 
the mean while spreads through all their veins, till at length 
they are reduced to the disagreeable necessity of submitting 
to the most torturing operations, or of sinking into the 
grave amidst inconceivable agonies. 
Here, surely, is distress sufficient to excite our pity, and 
it cannot but be expected that proper encouragement will 
be given to him who can furnish a simple medicine, which 
may recover these miserable sufferers, without exposing 
them to a violent operation, or occasioning the least in- 
jury to their constitution. Such a remedy is recommended 
in the course of the following pages: Its efficacy has been 
happily experienced by thousands, who, from the brink of 
the grave, have been restored to life and health, and from 
being a burthen to themselves and the public, have been 
rendered useful and valuable members of society. And 
such has been the effect of this remedy on some of the pa- 
tients, that though before unwilling to have their situation 
known, they have afterwards readily published their case, 
as an instance of gratitude to the proprietor, and as a means 
of pointing out a cure to those who stand in need of it. 
As the proprietor of the after-mentioned medicines is 
convinced of the superior efficacy in the complaints for 
which they are recommended, by numerous instances of 
success, he doubts not of their being properly distinguished
by

vii INTRODUCTION.  
by a judicious public. By steady perseverance in their 
use, and implicit obedience to the directions given with each, 
he has every reason to hope for success: but even should 
they ever be found not to possess the desired efficacy, they 
have at least this excellent property, that the patient is 
never left in a worse state than when he began the use of 
them.—He therefore only wishes for an impartial trial of 
them; and whoever should take upon himself to condemn 
any medicine before he has taken the trouble to enquire 
how far it deserves his censure, betrays a mind full of hatred 
and envy, which cannot bear to see the prosperity of 
another, without endeavouring to injure him and destroy 
his reputation. 
As members of society, and as well-wishers to our fel- 
low creatures, it is our duty, no doubt, to encourage all 
discoveries which tend to public utility; and those which are 
conducive to the preservation of our lives and constitutions, 
are certainly useful in the highest degree. To those Gen- 
tlemen of the Faculty, therefore, who with so much can- 
dour and liberality have encouraged the use of these medi- 
cines, by prescribing them to their patients, the Proprietor 
wishes to express his just acknowledgements.—The disa- 
greeable effects arising from the loss of health are sufficient- 
ly numerous, and speak for themselves.—From the cradle 
to the grave we are the subjects of disease, and our lives are 
a series of misery and pain. 
J. H.
Hatton-Garden, 1789. 
THE 




(3)
THE 
PARISIAN VEGETABLE SYRUP. 
IMPROVED FROM M. DE VELNOS.
AND PREPARED ONLY 
BY J. HODSON, M. D. No. 29, HATTON-GARDEN.  
PRICE HALF A GUINEA A BOTTLE. 
To the afflicted with the Scurvy, Scrophula, Cancers, Chronic 
Rheumatism, Piles, Paralytic Complaints, Inflammation of 
the Eyes, Pimpled Faces, St. Anthony's Fire, Impurities 
after the Small-Pox or Measles, Female obstructions or 
Suppression; and any disorder originating in a Foulness 
of the blood and juices, or occasioned by an obstructed 
perspiration. 
ANCIENT medical writers have been at much trouble 
in distinguishing the various disorders of the skin, of 
which they have made up a very considerable catalogue; 
but the denomination of Scurvy hath, in modern times, 
been given to the whole class, as well as to all cutaneous 
eruptions whatever; nor is it meant here to attempt the 
distinction, as the remedy proposed is applicable to all the 
disorders ranked under that head. 
The Scurvy, in many parts of the world, is considered 
as an endemic evil, and for above a century was the scourge 
of Europe. In armies it hath frequently been reckoned 
to 

(4)
to destroy more lives than the sword; and where it does 
not by itself rise to so visible a calamity, is frequently a 
dreadful addition to the malignity of other diseases. 
The real Scurvy occurs in different habits and in diffe- 
rent constitutions. Other diseases are often mistaken for 
this, and this is as frequently mistaken for other complaints. 
It may (Dr. Lind observes) take its origin from many 
causes, perhaps little suspected to give rise to such a dis- 
order. It may be occasioned after a fever, by unsound 
viscera, or by a vitiated state of the blood; and, experi- 
ence has sufficiently proved, that many of those obstinate 
cases which occur in patients who have undergone repeat- 
ed courses of mercury for a supposed venereal taint, are 
really scorbutic. Persons whose constitutions are here- 
ditarily liable to the scorbutic corruption, cannot bear the 
operation of mercury in any form or shape whatever, even 
in a very small quantity; therefore when that medicine 
hath been freely and injudiciously administered to them, 
it more particularly disposes that constitution to receive the 
scorbutic taint from any obvious external cause. 
This disease is hereditary in many constitutions, and it 
may also be contracted by a variety or complication of ex- 
ternal causes, the chief of which are a cold and moist air, 
damp rooms, beds and clothes, gross viscid food, and want 
of exercise; and whatever closes the pores of the skin, and 
lessens or obstructs perspiration. 
It is so general a disorder that few people are free from it, 
and its symptoms are so various and uncertain, that it can 
be no wonder it is so frequently mistaken for other com-
plaints 

(5)
plaints. A scorbutic humour in the blood does not 
always manifest itself outwardly by blotches and spots upon 
the skin; but often lurks within, and occasions such symp- 
toms that the patient has no idea that the effects are pro- 
duced by such a cause. 
A very common consequence of a scorbutic habit is 
ulcerated lungs. Also difficulty of breathing, nausea and 
vomiting; looseness and costiveness, fainting fits, pains 
in every part of the body, burning pains in the kidnies and 
urinary passage, (commonly mistaken for the stone and 
gravel) hard tumours in the groin, and other glandular 
parts of the body, pricking pains in the soles of the feet, 
weakness of the whole nervous system, cramps, convul- 
sions, drowsiness, languor, tremor of the limbs, the dropsy, 
with a variety of other symptoms; may all proceed from 
a scorbutic habit, and can only be relieved by restoring 
the blood to a state of purity; and it is in vain to seek 
for any relief, without an attention to that as the primary 
object. 
Dr. Cheyne has very justly observed, that “ There is no 
chronical distemper whatsoever more universal, more ob- 
stinate, and more fatal in Britain, than the scurvy taken in 
its general extent. Scarce any one chronical disorder but 
owes its origin to a scorbutic cachexy, or is so complicated 
with it, that it furnishes its most cruel and obstinate symp- 
toms. To it we owe all the dropsies that happen after the 
meridian of life; all diabetes, asthmas, consumptions of 
several kinds, many sorts of colics and diarrhæas; some 
kinds of gouts and rheumatisms; all palsies; various kinds 
B of

(6)
of ulcers, and possibly the cancer itself; most cutaneous 
foulnesses, weakly constitutions, bad digestions, vapours, 
melancholies, and almost all nervous distempers whatso- 
ever.”—Cheyne's Essay on Health and Long Life. 
Scorbutic complaints were for a long series of years 
imagined to be far beyond the power of medicine; and 
many an unhappy mortal has gone through the whole 
Materia Medica for this disorder, without receiving any 
real benefit: Sea-water has been tried without effect; the 
several hospitals have not been more successful; and the 
patient, after lingering from year to year, became a spec- 
tacle too horrid to behold, and gladly received the finishing 
stroke of death. Happily, however, this is not now the 
case: Plain simple methods have been disovered of putting 
a stop to this consuming plague, and its danger obviated. 
But, alas! mankind having totally lost their original sim- 
plicity, they have lost also all relish for simple remedies: 
They seek after signs and wonders, expecting medicines that 
will work miracles, and think it too much trouble to “ wash 
and be clean.” Like Naaman the Syrian, they think, “ He 
will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name 
of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place. 
and recover the leper,” without calling themselves upon the 
name of the Lord, and applying the means which he hath 
appointed. Indeed, it is much to be lamented, that very 
few people have sufficient confidence in the means which 
Providence hath put in their own power, for eradicating 
this troublesome disorder; not reflecting, that all medicine 
will be taken in vain, if they do not assist its operations by 
a proper attention to other particulars.
No

(7)
No symptom of this disorder is more disagreeable to the 
patient, than the scorbutic ulcer; and there is no symptom, 
perhaps, to which improper remedies are more generally 
applied.—“ With respect to the use of Mercury in these 
kind of ulcers, it ought always to be had in view, that in 
such as are really scorbutic, instead of acting as a remedy, 
if given in any considerable quantity, it proves almost a 
certain poison.”—Bell on Ulcers. And indeed a long-con- 
tinued use of Mercury is in no case free from danger, as it 
evidently colliquates the whole mass of blood, weakens the 
nerves, and brings on tremors and palsies. 
Dr. Lind, in his universally admired Treatise on the 
Scurvy, speaking of real scorbutic ulcers, says, “ The 
slightest bruises and wounds of scorbutic persons degenerate 
into such ulcers;” but Mercury, he adds, “ in a truly 
scorbutic ulcer, is the most dangerous and pernicious medi- 
cine that can be administered.—There are few medicines 
carried out in a sea chest which are here of service. Those 
of the mineral kingdom, such as steel, antimony, and espe- 
cially Mercury, do manifest harm. Vegetables have great 
and peculiar virtues in this disease, arising from a combi- 
nation of various qualities; and the best remedies are fur- 
nished from a composition of different Plants, most emi- 
nent for the properties required. Upon the whole it fol- 
lows, and will be found true in fact, That the most perfect 
and effectual remedies are found in a composition of diffe- 
rent ingredients, each possessing, in a high degree, one or 
other of those virtues, from a combination of which, a 
vegetable, saponaceous, fermentable acid may result.” 
B2 A

(8)
A medicine formed upon the plan so strongly urged by 
Dr. Lind, has been long received by the public with general 
satisfaction, and is now in universal estimation under the 
name of 
DR. HODSON’S 
PARISIAN VEGETABLE SYRUP, 
Improved from M. DE VELNOS. 
This Vegetable Syrup has been a favourite with the public 
upwards of twenty years; and since its first introduction 
into this kingdom from M. DE VELNOS has been conside- 
rably improved. Some time since his Majesty's Royal 
Letters Patent were granted for the improvements made in 
an article so highly interesting to the community at large; 
which Royal Patent, (in consequence of a very valuable 
consideration) became the sole property of Dr. Hodson, of 
Hatton-Garden, who has spared neither trouble nor ex- 
pence in the improvement thereof, and to whom alone the 
art and secret of preparing the same is known. 
This most elegant and pleasant remedy is purely vege- 
table, not having any thing of a mercurial or pernicious 
nature whatsoever in its composition. Its reputation has 
been so firmly established during that period, that the 
faculty in general have not scrupled to recommend it to 
their patients. This syrup, which has thus stood the test 
of time, and the experience of thousands, in a great variety 
of cases, is the most pleasant ever discovered, and is so 
perfectly safe and gentle in its operation as to be admini- 
stered to the most tender constitutions, as well as to infants, 
and to the fair sex during every stage of pregnancy; yet at 
the


(9)
the same time it is so subtil and potent, that by penetrating 
the minutest vessels it removes obstructions inaccessible to 
any mercurial preparation whatever; mixing with the blood 
and juices, cleansing the fluids from every pernicious quality, 
and restoring them to that state of purity required by nature 
to keep the body in health. 
GENERAL EFFECTS OF THIS SYRUP.
IT may be necessary, before the general efficacy of this 
medicine be stated, to take notice of an objection that is 
frequently started by the Ignorant, concerning its univer- 
sality, viz. “ That what is good for every complaint, cures 
none.”—Such persons who object to this medicine on that 
account, may consider, that the Bark has never been object- 
ed to as a remedy for an intermitting fever, merely because 
it is proper in some stages of the venereal disease; and the 
disorders for which this vegetable remedy is prescribed, are 
only what originate from ONE cause—an impurity of the 
blood and juices. A medicine of this nature is in the pre- 
sent times more than doubly valuable, as the intemperance 
and luxury of the age is hastening the ravages of the Scurvy, 
and rendering our blood the more impure; and though a 
love of intemperance cannot on any account be defended, 
yet those who have been weak enough to associate with the 
sons of luxury, and thereby destroy their own constitutions, 
have the means now offered them of repairing the breach, 
and—so far as is in the power of physic to assist them—to 
restore themselves to perfect health.
B3 This

(10)
This medicine was originally published as a specific in 
scorbutic and venereal taints only, in which it has happily 
succeeded, though of the most malignant nature, and where 
the strongest mercurials have failed. 
In scorbutic cases, where the limbs have been covered as 
with the coarse bark of a tree, or full of corroding ulcers, 
when sea-water and other remedies have been tried in vain, 
this syrup has effected a radical cure. 
The efficacy of this syrup in purifying the blood, and 
its great success in scorbutic and venereal complaints, oc- 
casioned it to be administered in a variety of other cases, 
supposed to be attendant upon the one, or to originate in 
the other. 
Hence it has been frequently found efficacious in the 
rheumatism, asthma, dysentery, vertigo, convulsive and 
paralytic complaints, &c. 
A lady at Stoke Newington was cured of a cancer in her 
mouth, solely by the use hereof. 
A girl at Cambridge was cured of the scrophula, or 
king’s evil, after being turned out of the hospital there. 
The piles have been removed, fistulas relieved, and ob- 
stinate sores and ulcerated legs have at length yielded to 
this remedy. 
Long-continued inflammations of the eyes, pimpled 
faces, and violent eruptions, have been radically cured 
by it. 
It is singularly efficacious in removing disorders which 
are often the consequence of inoculation for the small-pox; 
or after the measles. 
It

(11)
It has also been found a most happy relief in the Sup- 
pressions and Obstructions peculiar to the fair sex, and it is 
the only remedy to be depended upon for the complaint to 
which they are subject at the Change of Life. Females, 
therefore, should particularly attend to this article, as by a 
timely application of this valuable medicine, they may be 
freed from one of the most afflicting disorders to which 
human nature is subject. 
Dr. Hodson does not, however, intend to recommend 
this syrup as a general and certain specific in every species 
of these latter-mentioned cases; for the same effects are 
not always produced by the same cause; but in those 
complaints originating from the above-mentioned causes, 
this remedy will always be of service; and in no case what- 
ever can it be in the least injurious. 
This benign medicine is grateful to the palate, agreeable 
in its use, simple and uniform in its action, mildly promot- 
ing every evacuation, and efficacious in all impurities of 
the blood and juices. 
It is strengthening and stomachic, passes easily through 
the intestines, generally purges gently, and neither strains 
nor irritates. 
It seldom produces violent sweats, but commonly occa- 
sions a gentle perspiration just after its administration. 
It operates mostly by urine, the quantity of which it 
generally increases, and frequently occasions a very visible 
alteration in the colour and nature of it. 
In short this purely vegetable preparation is designed to 
promote all the natural secretions without violence; therefore
by 


(12)
by thus gently assisting Nature in her own way, it ne- 
cessarily follows, that perseverance in its use is required; 
and as it thoroughly cleanses the blood, the patient must 
not be surprised if he finds no visible good effects for some 
time, if the complaint he an obstinate one; or if in some 
instances he appears to be worse; but by a steady perseve- 
rance in the medicine, and proper attention to the direc- 
tions, a radical cure may in general be depended on; for 
the Scurvy is so universal a distemper, that no part is free 
from its rage; the chyle, the blood and the lympha are all 
tainted therewith, and the use of remedies are sometimes 
obliged to be continued a long while to root out the dis- 
order. 
PARTICULAR OBSERVATIONS. 
SCURVY.—Persons of a scorbutic habit should chuse a 
warm, dry situation, with a pure air; and when the atmo- 
sphere is moist, they should go well clothed, and shift often 
with dry linen. Cleanliness of body, moderate exercise, 
the use of the flesh-brush, or frictions with dry cloths, are all 
very serviceable.—People ought not to feed too much upon 
stops in this complaint; but the diet should be light and 
easy of digestion, consisting chiefly of a due mixture of 
animal and vegetable substances; but all food should be 
good, found, plain and simple in its kind, such as will 
readily be converted into chyle, and tends to render the whole 
mass of humours mild, soft and balsamic.
Milk. 

(13)
Milk of all sorts, where it agrees with the constitution, 
is beneficial, as being a truly vegetable chyle; but whey 
being of a more cleansing quality, is better, and frequency 
agrees with those for whom milk is too heavy. 
Bread should be made of wheat flour, unadulterated, 
sufficiently leavened and well baked; and butter ought to 
be eat very sparingly. Simple broths made of fresh meat, 
with plenty of herbs, fresh roots and vegetables, are very 
proper. When the patient is not under a course of medi- 
cines which forbid the use of sallads, they may be found 
beneficial, especially such as dandelion, endive, sorrel, 
cresses, scurvygrass, fumitory, and purslain. These, how- 
ever, should be properly mixed, the warm and the cold 
ones together; but raw sallads are not to be eaten at 
such time as the vegetable syrup is administered; for raw 
sallads and acids taken at that time (or during the operation 
of any purgative) are apt to occasion gripings and other 
disagreeable sensations. 
Fish is rather prejudicial in this complaint, as having a 
speedy tendency to putrefaction. Salt may be eaten with 
fresh meat to advantage, serving therewith as a cor- 
rector of the corruptive quality; but salted fish or flesh of 
all kinds must be avoided. Salting meats renders them hard 
and difficult of digestion, consequently improper, in many 
cases, to afford that soft mild nourishment, which is re- 
quired to repair the body. 
Foreign tea is hurtful to many constitutions; a tea made 
of English herbs is preferable.—The Aromatic Tea 
hereafter mentioned, is recommended as most proper
in 

(14)
in all cases where the Vegetable Syrup is administered, 
and is full as pleasant as the foreign. 
At meals, good found beer, cyder, home-made wines, or 
such fermented liquors are good. Foreign wine, if it could 
be had genuine, might be drank in moderation; but that 
being seldom the case, it is better to be totally avoided. 
Spruce beer or wormwood ale are excellent antiscorbutics; 
but distilled spirits have a most pernicious influence in this 
disease, and therefore ought to be shunned as a certain 
poison. 
SCROPHULA.—This disorder is commonly known by 
the name of the King’s evil; which name it has inherited ever 
fine the time of Edward the Confessor, because said to be cur- 
ed by him and several succeeding kings both of England and 
France. Upwards of 9200 persons are recorded to have 
been touched for it by Charles II. but with what success 
has been variously related, disputed and believed. This 
disease appears in so many forms that to attempt an entire 
description of it would be endless, and the general symp- 
toms are so well known that it would be unnecessary. 
This disease is either hereditary or accidental; and when 
the former it mostly requires a long and tedious course of 
medicine to effect a cure.—In some patients the Vegetable 
Syrup alone hath had the desired success; but it frequently 
happens that some additional remedies, both internal and 
external, are necessary.—In this case a personal application 
to Dr. Hodson will be advantageous to the patient. 
CANCERS, or those ulcers or tumours call cancerous, 
have been cured by this Syrup; but it has been where they
have

(15)
have originated in a foulness of the blood, or from an ob- 
stinate or ill-treated venereal taint. Cancers are not suf- 
ficiently understood or distinguished by the faculty in gene- 
ral; therefore Dr. Hodson wishes always to be consulted 
in these cases, previous to taking this syrup. 
RHEUMATISM.—The causes of the accute rheuma- 
tism are, whatever may conduce to the production of an 
inflammation in the part affected. An obstructed perspira- 
tion and an inflammatory diathesis constitute the most gene- 
ral causes. The chronic rheumatism hath for its principal 
causes, an irritating acrimony in the juices secerned into 
the parts complained of. 
The vegetable syrup is peculiarly excellent in this com- 
plaint, as it is not only a promoter of perspiration, but 
purifies the blood from that irritating acrimony which is the 
Principal cause of the disorder. 
PILES.—This troublesome complaint is in general 
effectually removed by this remedy.—A principal article in 
the treatment of the piles is to keep the body gently open, 
without purging or irritation—For this purpose no medi- 
cine can be so properly adapted as this syrup. 
PALSY.—The success of this Vegetable Remedy in 
Paralytic cases has been almost incredible to those not suf- 
ficiently acquainted with the general cause of that disorder. 
Physicians consider this disorder as the effect either of too 
much vital heat or too little: hence it is evident that a di- 
sease which may arise from two such opposite principles, can 
only be relieved by a medicine which is enabled to restore 
the blood to its natural balsamic state; and hence it is that
this

(16)
this Vegetable Syrup has performed such extraordinary 
cures! For by its subtilty it mixes with the blood and 
juices, conveying its potent qualities into the most extreme 
ramifications of the vascular system, cleansing the fluids 
from every pernicious quality, and restoring them to that 
degree of purity required by nature to keep the body in a 
healthful state. 
This Syrup having the power of dissolving coagulations 
and setting the dissolved matter at liberty again, hence what- 
ever vitriolic bodies have been taken internally so as to 
make the fibres rigid, they are restored to their elasticity 
by this medicine. And this is often the case with those 
who have been under a continued use of styptic, astringent, 
vitriolic remedies: Such are mercurial preparations; and 
in those who have been rendered paralytic by their abuse, 
the capillary tubes are obstructed; they are contracted, and 
become rigid and unfit for oscillation, the juices are har- 
dened and grow too big to pass through such strictures, and 
as this is the case through all the vessels, obstructions and 
stagnations ensue in all. In order to obviate and take away 
these consequences, (says Strother) we must strike at the 
original cause of them, which is the vitriols pent up in 
every capillary. This vegetable remedy having a power 
and faculty to join in with the acids of the vitriols, and of 
stimulating the fibres, so that the stricture will be taken off, 
the earths will be disengaged by its saponaceous quality, 
and the effects will then cease and vanish: Hence this 
medicine is peculiarly excellent after ill effects produced by 
Mercury. 
FEMALE

(17)
FEMALE OBSTRUCTIONS.—There is no surer 
method of restoring the Menses, after a long suppression, 
than of joining the dissolvent with the stomachic. This 
syrup possesses, in an eminent degree, these two qualities, 
which the faculty are so desirous of uniting; and it is, 
doubtless, from the union of these two qualities, that it de- 
rives its efficacy in those disorders that are peculiar to 
the sex. 
For a particular account of the efficacy of this 
medicine in venereal cases—see the latter part of this pam- 
phlet.  
DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING THE SYRUP. 
THE general dose of this medicine is a common sized 
tea-cup full, one or two hours before breakfast, and the  
same quantity one or two hours after supper. 
However, in delicate and tender constitutions, it is the 
best method to begin with a small dose, as two or three  
table spoonfuls, increasing it a spoonful night and morning, 
till the proper quantity be ascertained, sufficient to keep 
the body open in the most easy and agreeable manner. 
In old and inveterate cases, and also where the body is 
naturally of a costive habit, it is recommended to take a 
dose or two of salts, or other opening physic, previous to 
entering upon a course of this syrup. And where it has 
not the effect (as is sometimes the case) of keeping the 
body gently laxative, it will be necessary to take a little 
C opening


(18)
opening physic once a week; but be careful to avoid all 
strong and violent purges, as they are always unnecessary, 
and often prejudicial. 
In those constitutions where the stomach hath been hurt 
by being overloaded with medicines, a nausea and sickness 
will, perhaps, be experienced on the first taking this syrup, 
in which case a gentle emetic will be proper. 
The dose for children must be proportioned to their age 
and constitution, beginning with a small dose and gradually 
increasing it. 
*** The afflicted may be assured that no dangerous con- 
sequences will ensue from a full dose or a liberal use of this 
valuable remedy; but it should be observed, that perseve- 
rance is often necessary; in all cases a particular attention 
to the directions, as well as regularity in the time and dose, 
is to be regarded; and above all, it must be noticed, that it 
will be in vain to expectany relief from this remedy without 
punctuality; for taking a bottle or two properly, then 
leaving off for some days and beginning again, will be of 
no kind of service. It must be taken regular; and in some 
cases it hath required half the quantity necessary for a per- 
fect cure to be taken before the patient has perceived that he 
hath obtained any relief; therefore persons in the country 
who wish to go through a regular course of it should take 
care to have a proper supply. 
The Syrup should be kept in a cool place. 
CASES.


(19)
CASES. 
Dr. HODSON acknowledges himself under obligations 
to those patients who have hitherto favoured him with the 
particulars of their cures for publication, as they have all 
been communicated voluntarily, and therefore are un- 
questionable evidences of the genuineness and efficacy of 
his medicines. Since this remedy hath become his own 
private property, delicacy hath always engaged Dr. H. to 
avoid, as much as possible, exposing the names of those 
cured by his medicines, particularly in disagreeable or 
doubtful cases. He hath also too high an opinion of his 
medicine—too much regard for the public confidence in 
his integrity—and too great a respect for the dignity of 
his situation, to degrade himself by a solicitation for such 
testimonials, or to be under the necessity of PURCHASING 
them authenticated by a long list of witnesses.—The cases 
which Dr. Hodson publishes are genuine; some of the 
following cures are of recent date, and many of them 
were effected some years past; and notwithstanding the 
names of the parties are suppressed, yet many of them 
may be referred to on a proper application. 
A Gentleman in Huntingdonshire had been for some time 
afflicted with a most violent scurvy, with eruptions of a 
putrid nature all over his body, a dimness of sight, and a 
constant swimming or dizziness in the head, so that he has 
frequently fallen senseless to the ground. Notwithstanding 
he had the advice of the most eminent physicians, and took 
a great variety of medicines prescribed by them, his disor- 
der daily increased, and was attended with a total loss of
C2 appetite 

(20)
appetite and a lowness of spirits, insomuch that life became 
burdensome to him. In this reduced state he determined 
to make trial of the Vegetable Syrup. After taking only 
seven bottles, he found his disorder entirely cured, and his 
constitution amazingly restored. 
A Gentleman in Westminster, had for a considerable 
time laboured under a Scorbutic habit, which at length 
increased to such a degree, as to bring on an entire depres- 
sion of spirits, a bad digestion, an universal weakness, and 
a train of ill effects, which reduced him to the lowest con- 
dition. He complained of pains in all his limbs, which 
afflicted him continually; but were so particularly acute 
when warm in his bed, that he could scarce ever lie down 
an hour, without being under a necessity of rising, walk- 
ing about his room, and sitting up in his bed (very fre- 
quently all night.) He had previously tried many things 
without any effect, insomuch that he despaired of being 
relieved from a state of torture. However, notwithstand- 
ing the inveteracy and painfulness of his case, he was most 
happily disappointed, and convinced of the sovereign an- 
tiscorbutic efficacy of the Vegetable Syrup, by perceiving 
a most sudden and sensible alteration in every disagreeable 
symptom, till in the course of two months he found him- 
self perfectly cured. 
To Dr. HODSON, London. 
I had been afflicted with a violent scorbutic humour for 
five years, which broke out in blotches all over my body, 
and on its first appearance brought on a sit of sickness, 
which continued three months. 
Having seen your Vegetable Syrup advertised, I was 
induced to try that medicine. When I first began taking 
it I was also very much afflicted with the piles, which 
troubled me dreadfully. This last complaint, however, was 
soon removed by your medicine, and by a little perseve- 
rance in its use I am perfectly recovered from the scorbutic 
humour, and now enjoy a good state of health. 
I have 

(21)
I have therefore sent you these particulars for publica- 
tion, and you may refer any enquirer to me. 
Bourne, May 29, 1785. 
Extract of a letter from Shepton Mallet, near Bath. 
“ I am happy to acquaint you, that the information you 
received of my being cured of a most inveterate scorbutic 
humour is true, by six bottles of the Vegetable Syrup. 
“ At the time I began with the Syrup, I despaired of 
ever being relieved, and was almost reduced to a shadow, 
except my right leg, which was almost as big as my body. 
The assistance of regular practice failed, as did Bath, 
Cheltenham and Weymouth; I likewise took many dozens 
of Ward’s Powders, Bateman’s Drops, and five bottles of 
Norton’s; these last hurt me exceedingly, without procur- 
ing what the two former did, three or four hours artificial 
sleep. 
“ I have had no return of my complaint, nor have I, 
since my cure, paid any attention to any particular mode of 
living; I eat of every thing, drink wine, punch, cyder and 
malt liquors, without finding the least inconvenience. 
“ N. B. You may make use of this in any manner you 
please.” 
Mrs.—having been violently afflicted with the piles 
for about two months, she applied to the faculty, who bled 
her, and administered the usual remedies for that complaint. 
She continued the use of their prescriptions for one month 
without benefit, and then applied for the Vegetable Syrup. 
From the first bottle she received no visible benefit, but 
when she had taken about half the second, she was most 
agreeably comforted by receiving a good night’s rest, a 
blesting she had not enjoyed for three months before. 
Three bottles effected a complete cure. 
A girl about 16 years of age, of Chesterton near Cam- 
bridge, was afflicted with a scrophulous complaint, which 
for about 12 months had been extremely violent. She was
C3 admitted 


(22)
admitted a patient of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, but in a 
short time was turned out as incurable. As the last effort, 
and with very little hope of success, she applied to Mr. 
Hodson, and was radically cured by taking only three bot- 
tles of the Vegetable Syrup. 
A gentleman of Downham in Norfolk, who had for 
many years been troubled with violent scorbutic eruptions 
in his face, for which he had been under the care of the 
most eminent of the faculty, was radically cured by only 
four bottles of the Vegetable Syrup. 
A lady at Stoke Newington, near London, had been for 
some time troubled with a cancer in her mouth, which re- 
duced her so much that she was almost starved to death, 
being able to swallow barely sufficient to sustain nature, and 
having tried the faculty without success. She was, how- 
ever, happily cured by a few bottles of the Vegetable 
Syrup. 
A waiter at a tavern near Charing-cross, cured of a most 
inveterate scurvy, his body all over blotches, by only five 
bottles, bought at T. Durham’s, Cockspur-street. 
A maid servant to a lady in Westminster, was an out- 
patient at the Dispensary in Gerard-street, St. Ann’s. Her 
complaints were a large phagedenic ulcer in the throat, as 
likewise an ulcerous palate, with rottenness; all the liquids 
she took came through her nose, and even the aliment at 
times. After attending the dispensary some time, she was 
at length pronounced incurable. In this dreadful condition 
she was immediately put under a course of the Syrup. The 
ulcer in her throat and palate were healed in the space of a 
month; and in a short time she was radically cured, and 
now enjoys a perfect state of health, to the surprize of all 
who were acquainted with her unhappy situation. 
A Patient for upwards of 12 years had been afflicted with 
so dangerous and virulent a Scurvy, as affected him in 
almost

(23)
almost every part of his body, particularly his throat, head, 
and face: it was with difficulty he swallowed, and had se- 
veral running wounds in his head and face, besides into- 
lerable pains in his head and limbs. But upon taking a few 
bottles of the Vegetable Syrup he was restored to a perfect 
state of health in every respect. 
A Lady had been afflicted with an inveterate Scurvy for 
many years, for which she took a great number of reme- 
dies prescribed by the faculty, without the desired effect. 
Being recommended by a friend to the use of the Vegetable 
Syrup, she applied in a most deplorable situation; at 
that time she laboured under a weakness in her arms and 
legs, and a swelling, with small ulcers in the gums, which 
occasioned an incessant spitting; pimples and itchings in 
different parts of her body, pains in the head and breast, so 
acute, as, with other symptoms, to endanger her life; 
under these circumstances she began the Vegetable Syrup, 
and in three months was perfectly cured. 
Letter from a gentleman of the first character at Lynn Regis, 
Norfolk, Sept. 21, 1787. 
“ The great benefit I have received from your vegetable 
syrup will induce me to continue taking it, and as I mean 
to keep some constantly in my house, be so kind to send me 
twelve cannisters by diligence. My case has been a violent 
scorbutic eruption, which I have been attacked with for 
some time. On my return from Harrogate, about two 
years since, it broke out in both my legs from my knees to 
my feet; in appearance the skin resembled the coarsest 
bark of a tree. I began a course of your medicine last No- 
vember, with a strict attention to your directions, and have 
taken 20 cannisters of Mr. Marshall of this place. The 
disorder did not yield to it till after the 12th. I am not 
yet perfectly free from it, but shall continue taking your 
syrup, and am happy to to tell you it has made a most 
wonderful alteration in me, so much to the satisfaction of 
myself


(24)
myself and friends, that I flattered myself this account 
would prove agreeable to you, which you are at liberty to 
make use of in what manner you please.” 
Another letter from the same gentleman, dated Oct. 5, 
says, “ Except a little eruption of heat (scarce worth men- 
tioning) I am in a fine state of health. It has had its de- 
sired effect. Indeed, I may say, I deserve it, as I took 
your medicine with the strictest attention to your directions 
in every respect, and for a long continuance too—what 
few persons probably would have complied with. I mean 
to continue it as I shall see occasion.” 
A gentleman of Lynn in Norfolk had laboured for some 
years under a violent and disagreeable humour, which at 
first made its appearance in small pimples breaking out 
upon his head, but which increased to large spreading ul- 
cers and descended upon his forehead so low as to render 
his eyes in danger. He had applied for relief to many 
professors in regular, practice as well as to others, some of 
whom pronounced the complaint to be of a cancerous na- 
ture, and others the Tinea, or Scald head. Finding no 
relief from their prescriptions, he came to town, and put 
himself under the immediate inspection of Dr. Hodson.— 
At the time he was received into the doctor's house, there 
were upon the crown of his head seven deep and spreading 
ulcers, two of them nearly the size of a half crown piece, 
and all of them extremely fetid, casting forth such an offen- 
sive smell as rendered his presence very disagreeable.—But 
notwithstanding the inveteracy of the case, in five weeks 
he returned into the country perfectly found, in which state 
he continues. 
A young man who lives a few miles from London, ap- 
plied with sore legs, attended with a violent scorbutic hu- 
mour. He had in each leg two large spreading ulcers, one 
of which was much larger than a crown piece.—By taking 
about 18 bottles of the Vegetable Syrup, and applying the 
Egyptian Balsam outwardly, he was perfectly cured.
A

(25)
A coachmaker, at Lynn, in Norfolk, had been violently 
afflicted with the piles for upwards of two years, during 
which time he had the advice of several gentlemen of the 
faculty, and took a number of medicines, without obtain- 
ing a cure. At length he was induced to try the Vegetable 
Syrup, and applied for a bottle, which gave him almost 
immediate relief, and by persevering in the use of a few 
bottles, was radically cured. 
Extract of a letter to the proprietor of the Vegetable Syrup. 
“ Returning from a journey I was struck with a fit of the 
palsy, which took away the use of my left hand and foot. 
In endeavouring to get off my horse I fell on my side, and 
had not power to rise or walk without assistance : My face 
was distorted, and my mouth so drawn aside, that I could 
scarcely speak so as to be understood. I took such reme- 
dies as were prescribed, and used the hot bath, but with 
very little benefit, and it was the general opinion of those 
to whom I applied, that I should never recover the use of 
my limbs. Having heard of the great cures that had been 
effected by the Vegetable Syrup, I was encouraged to 
take it, which I have the satisfaction to assure you answered 
my most sanguine expectations. I grew daily better, and 
perfectly recovered the use of my hand and foot.” 
The Parisian Vegetable Syrup is in oval tin bottles, seal- 
ed with the arms of France, round which is a scroll, LE  
PARISIEN VEGET. SIROP.—It is sold at 10s. 6d. a bottle; 
but in order to encourage patients to give this remedy a fair 
trial, (for in obstinate cases perseverance will always be 
necessary) the quantity of 12 bottles put into four, may be 
had for five guineas, securely packed for the country, or 
exportation.—These can be had only at the Doctor’s house 
in Hatton-Garden. 
DR.

(26)
DR. HODSON’S 
AROMATIC TEA, 
Price HALF A CROWN a packet. 
PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED TO PEOPLE OF FASHION, 
AND PERSONS OF A SEDENTARY LIFE. 
NERVOUS affections, or a disposition to be too easily 
susceptible of irregular and painful emotions, may be 
considered as one of the greatest scourges to people of rank. 
They have become much more common within the last 
century, and (as observed by a celebrated physician) have 
been peculiarly unhappy in a mistaken treatment, because 
the origin has not been sufficiently investigated. 
The all-wise Creator of the Universe hath allotted to the 
nerves an office in the animal machine, which requires the 
greatest perfection in all their operations. They are, there- 
fore, the most liable to be disordered, the most susceptible 
of alteration, and the most difficult to be rectified. No 
wonder, then, that disorders in this delicate system should 
be so common and permanent, and that the variations of 
well and ill should so frequently happen. 
These complaints principally depend on three causes, viz. 
weak fibres, a too great nervous sensibility, and a per- 
spiration too susceptible of change; but to enumerate the 
symptoms occasioned by a weakness or disorder of the ner- 
vous system, would be an endless attempt. It may be
proper 


(27)
proper, however, to mention a few of the  most character- 
istic:-The first symptoms are generally a kind of pusilla- 
nimity we were before strangers to; diffidence, fear, grief, 
dejection, lowness of spirits, attended with windy inflations 
of the stomach and intestines; the appetite and digestion 
are mostly bad, though sometimes there is a craving for 
food and a quick digestion; the body is sometimes loose, 
but more commonly bound, which occasions great uneasi- 
ness. The patient is frequently troubled with sudden flush- 
ings of heat in various parts of the body, at other times a 
sense of cold as if water was poured on them; flying pains 
in the arms and limbs; pains in the back and belly, resem- 
bling those occasioned by the gravel; yawning, frequent 
sighing; the sleep is unfound, and seldom refreshing; the 
mind is disturbed on the most trivial occasion, and is hurried 
into violent commotions, inquietudes, sadness, &c. the me- 
mory also becomes weak, and the judgment fails, 
Head-achs, which are very frequent amongst people of 
fashion, are the consequence of some disorder in the sto-  
mach or nerves, and often of both. Indeed, nerves, con- 
tinually agitated by humours which are always irritative, by 
disordering the harmony of the organs, and enfeebling the 
body, also destroy the mental faculties; which arc so much 
dependent on the situation of their surrounding body, that 
whatever disorders the œconomy of the one, absolutely 
prejudices the mode of thinking in the other.  
Hence it is evident, That a close application to study is 
prejudicial to health.
The 

(28)
The diseases to which the learned are peculiarly liable, 
arise from two principal causes, viz. The perpetual attention 
of the mind, and the constant inactivity of the body.—The 
brain, the nerves which arise from it, and the stomach, 
which is furnished with many nerves of an exquisite sensa- 
tion, are the parts first attacked, and commonly most in- 
jured by the immoderate labour of the mind; but if it should 
continue any length of time, almost all the parts of the body 
become partakers of the injury. Meditation also, by keep- 
ing the nerves too long in a state of action, wastes the 
spirits too much, and hinders the brain from preparing 
them; so that this important fluid, which is the purest sub- 
stance and most highly prepared of any other in the human 
body, is either deficient, or undergoes some alteration which 
must inevitably produce many disorders. 
The learned, however, are not the only persons who 
suffer under these disorders. People of a sedentary life 
and occupation are equally liable thereto.—Exercise 
strengthens the fibres, preserves the fluids in their proper 
state, procures an appetite, facilitates the secretions, raises 
the spirits, and occasions an agreeable sensation in the 
whole nervous system; whilst a sedentary life destroys the 
strength of the muscles, and renders them, for want of use, 
unable to bear action; the circulation, therefore, deprived 
of this considerable assistance, soon grows languid : Vital 
heat diminishes; the humours stagnate and become vitiated; 
and the secretions and natural evacuations not being well 
performed, the body remains loaded with excrementitious 
humours, the acrimony of which preys upon the constitu-
tion, 

(29)
tion, strength is dissipated, and a variety of disagreeable 
consequences ensue. 
After these observations, it will follow of course, that in 
order to assist those who labour under too delicate a con- 
stitution, or the effects of a recluse and sedentary life, we 
must endeavour. 1st, To mend the digestion. 2d, To quiet 
the agitation of the nerves. And 3d, to diminish the fever- 
ish inclination by diminishing the sharpness of the humours, 
and to facilitate perspiration, the obstruction of which 
causes those catarrhal and sometimes inflammatory fevers, 
which finally produce the most malignant disorders of the 
breast.
As an assistant towards effecting these important points, 
Dr. Hodson recommends the constant and daily use of his 
AROMATIC TEA, for breakfast and in the afternoon, in- 
stead of the foreign tea now in general use, the ill effects of 
which have been sufficiently noticed by medical writers of 
the first eminence. 
The following observations on the foreign tea are taken 
from a curious writer, who justly calls it, Water bewitched 
with Indian Poison. 
“ Now for the nature of tea, of which there are several 
sorts; but as they are but one kind of plant, and differ only 
as malt may do, in being high or slack dried, or being finer 
or coarser, so I shall consider them all as one. Tea is the 
leaf of a small shrub of the kind of our dog-tree, of an au- 
stere bitter, astringent taste, without any aromatic warmth. 
It has but very little oil in it, and that which it has is of 
D the


(30)
the refiny kind, is narcotic and stupefactive: It has also 
but a very little salt, and that is of the fixed kind. 
“ If we compare the nature of tea with the nature of the 
English diet, no one can think it a proper vegetable for us. 
It has no parts fit to be assimilated to our bodies: Its essen- 
tial salt does not hold moisture enough to be joined to the 
body of an animal; its oil is but very little and that of the 
opiate kind; and therefore it is so far from being nutritive, 
that it irritates and frets the nerves and fibres, exciting the 
expulsive faculty; so that the body may be lessened and 
weakened, but it cannot be increased and strengthened by 
it. This might be ascertained by a very little experience: 
The first time persons drink of this, if they are full grown, 
it generally gives them a pain in the stomach, dejection of 
spirits, cold sweats, palpitation at the heart, trembling, 
fearfulness; taking away the sense of fulness, though pre- 
sently after meals, and causing a hypochondriac gnawing 
appetite. These symptoms are very little inferior to what 
the most poisonous vegetables we have in England would 
occasion, when dried and used in the same manner.” 
From the ill effects of tea, we may in a great measure 
attribute the general effeminacy of the age; for it mocks 
the strong appetite, and satiates it with light trifling food, 
the bold and brave become dastardly, the strong become 
weak, women unhealthful, and children ricketty ; in short, 
it gives an effeminate weakly turn to the people in general. 
Tea was first used by the rich, and when that had flatted 
their spirits and racked their stomach, a dram was a known 
remedy. This might probably bring the poorer sort of
people 

(31)
people into dram-drinking; for they could not well return 
to labour with their fibres relaxed, and spirits dejected. 
The Aromatic Tea here recommended possesses none of 
those pernicious qualities above described. On the con- 
trary, it will be found peculiarly serviceable to all persons 
of a weak constitution, but more especially to people of 
fashion, to the studious, and to all those of a recluse and 
sedentary life. It is likewise particularly recommended to 
boarding-schools, clerks in public offices, compting-houses, 
&c. and to all those whose employments confine them 
chiefly within doors. 
This supremely elegant vegetable composition may be 
used in the same manner and quantity as other tea, but is so 
far preferable in point of nourishment as to bear no kind 
of comparison. It admirably strengthens the nerves, assists 
the memory, comforts the head, and braces the stomach; 
relieves dulness, languors and debilities; greatly restores 
impaired constitutions and nourishes decayed ones; won- 
derfully improves the sight, opens obstructions in the breast 
and lungs, cherishes the heart, revives the spirits, prevents 
the vapours, is of a most agreeable flavour, and has a grate- 
ful aromatic odour. 
To prevent any counterfeit being substituted for this 
genuine article, Dr. Hodson requests the public to take par- 
ticular notice, that his Aromatic Tea is moulded up in packets, 
bearing a beautiful emblematical label, designed and engrav- 
ed by a capital artist; also a perfect resemblance of the me- 
dallion belonging to the Prince of Wales’s Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons. And each packet is impressed with Dr. 
Hodson’s arms in fine red wax.
AN

(32)
AN UNIVERSAL FAMILY MEDICINE. 
DR. HODSON’S FAMILY ELIXIR; 
OR, 
GENERAL PROMOTER OF HEALTH AND LONG LIFE. 
Price FIVE SHILLINGS and FIVE PENCE a Bottle, 
I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee.
Jer. XXX. 17. 
IT is well known that the Chinese have long been in 
search of an Immortal Elixir, or a remedy which should 
at least restore to them the longevity of the antients; and 
although they have not acquired the full accomplishment 
thereof, yet their researches have not been entirely without 
foundation, as the present discovery sufficiently testifies. 
This very excellent remedy was a great secret in the 
family of an eminent foreign physician for many centuries; 
and hath been procured and improved by Dr. HODSON, at 
a very great expence and trouble.—The physician above 
alluded to died at the age of 144 years, in consequence of 
a fall from his horse. His mother lived to the age of 107, 
his father 112, and his grandfather to that of 130; and 
their longevity was attributed to the constant use of this 
Elixir, viz. by taking only 20 drops night and morning, 
in double the quantity of wine, tea or water, assisted by a 
regular mode of living.
Indeed 

(33)
Indeed there can be little doubt, but that by a constant 
and regular use of this most excellent cordial (particularly 
if accompanied by the assistance of Dr. Hodson’s Aromatic 
Tea for breakfast) mankind may be preserved many years 
in the enjoyment of a good state of health.—lt greatly re- 
stores the strength of the constitution, recruits the animal 
spirits, improves the natural senses, takes away weakness 
and trembling of the nerves, removes rheumatic pains, car- 
ries off all those gross humours from the stomach which 
cause flatulencies and indegestions: expels worms, cures 
the cholic, is serviceable in the dropsy, gives relief in 
deafness occasioned by dryness of the tympan, or drum of 
the ear; appeases for some time the tooth-ach; and per- 
fectly cures the ague at the third dose. It purifies the 
blood, enlivens the circulation thereof, and keeps the body 
moderately laxative, without pain or violent irritation.— 
In short, it is the Great Restorer of Human Nature, a pre- 
servative against contagious distempers, and may be admini- 
stered without danger. 
DIRECTIONS FOR USING THIS ELIXIR.
THREE things are essentially necessary on the part of a 
patient labouring under any kind of malady, viz. Faith, or 
a firm confidence in the means employed; sincere and fer- 
vent Prayer, that a blessing may attend those means; and 
an implicit obedience to the directions given with the medi- 
cine. if these be attended to, every success may be rea- 
sonably hoped for by the use of this elixir in the following 
complaints;
D3 As 

(34)
As a general promoter of health and long life:—Take 20 
drops, or a tea-spoonful, of this elixir in double the quantity 
of wine, tea or water, daily, an hour before breakfast and 
an hour after supper. 
For a regular purge:—Men of a robust constitution may 
take three table spoonfuls; but women and delicate per- 
sons only two, in an equal quantity of tea, barley-water, or 
water-gruel, two hours after a very light supper. It occa- 
sions them to sleep with great serenity during the night, and 
will not operate till the next day, when it requires no other 
precaution than to eat nothing crude, neither acids nor fal- 
lads, and to keep moderately warm. 
In indigestions and after intemperance:—Take two table- 
spoonfuls of this elixir in double the quantity of tea. 
In weariness, languors and lowness of spirits :—Take one 
table-spoonful, either by itself, or mixed with an equal 
quantity of aromatic tea or wine and water. 
In cholicky complaints :—Take one table-spoonful of this 
elixir in two of brandy; and if the first dose has not the de- 
sired effect, repeat it in half an hour. 
For the worms :—Take three tea spoonfuls without any 
mixture, in the morning fasting, for eight days succes- 
sively. 
In the dropsy:—Take one table spoonful in a like quan- 
tity of mountain wine, in the morning fasting, for one 
month regularly. 
In female suppressions:—Take one table spoonful of this 
elixir, in three of red wine, and walk half an hour after it 
before breakfast, for three days together.
In

(35)
In the ague :—Take one table-spoonful, either by itself 
or mixed with a little aromatic or beaum tea, just before the 
sit and go to bed. It frequently happens that one dose is 
sufficient for a cure; but it is very seldom more than three 
doses are necessary; though it will be prudent to repeat it 
a week after, in order to prevent a relapse. 
In cases of deafness:—Put a little cotton dipt in this elixir 
into the ear, renewing it night and morning; and if the 
deafness is occasioned by a want of moisture, or sufficient 
secretion of wax, this application will effect a cure in a 
short time. 
In the tooth-ach:—Soak a bit of cotton or lint in this 
elixir, and put it into the tooth, if it be hollow. 
*** It may not be improper to observe, that persons of 
a cold, phlegmatic, melancholy constitution, should take 
one or two table-spoonfuls of this remedy every morning 
during the winter season, and half that quantity in the 
summer; whilst those of a warm bilious habit, subject to 
the gravel or the piles, need only take a tea-spoonful regu- 
larly every night and morning. 
In all those cases where this elixir is directed to be 
taken in tea, Dr. Hodson's Aromatic Tea is particularly re- 
commended, as being so much preferable to the tea commonly 
drank. 
This Family Elixir is sold in bottles 5s. 5d. or in large 
family bottles, with glass stoppers, at One Guinea each.— 
The large bottles can be had only at the Doctor’s own 
house in Hatton-Garden.
THE

(36)
THE 
SPECIFIC FOR SORE BREASTS, 
PRICE HALF A GUINEA A POT. 
To Ladies afflicted with Milk Sores, or Scirrhous Tumours 
of the Breast. 
AMONG the disorders to which the female sex are pe- 
culiarly liable, few are attended with so much pain, 
anxiety and uncertainty in the mode of cure as SORE 
BREASTS. Fevers, accidental colds, or inattention fre- 
quently occasion Milk sores, and the common method of 
treating them is exceedingly painful and tedious. Tumours 
in the breasts proceeding from other causes, if at first neg- 
lected or improperly treated, are attended with dangerous 
consequences, as an inflammation ill treated commonly 
terminates in a Scirrhus, and sometimes degenerates into 
a Cancer. 
For the cure of these Galen hath laid down two methods; 
the first by medicines purging off the offending humours; 
the other by extirpating the tumour. As to the first it is 
certain, that if such medicines are not administered in the 
most early stage of the complaint, the matter is so com- 
pacted and hardened, that it will not yield to purging; and 
as to extirpation, it can answer no end after the constitu- 
tion is ruined, or the whole mass of humours corrupted by 
it; and but few people will submit to undergo this painful
and 


(37)
and dreadful operation, till it is too late for them to receive 
any essential benefit by it.—A cancer might, perhaps, 
generally be prevented if the patients would not conceal 
their case too long, but would at the first appearance of the 
symptoms apply for a proper remedy. 
Avoiding therefore those too often ineffectual and al- 
ways dreadful operations of the knife or caustic, this specific 
hath been discovered, which hath, in general, proved a 
safe, easy, and speedy method of curing milk sores, as 
well as scirrhous tumours proceeding from other causes. 
without any violent or painful operation, having either dis- 
persed or brought them to a proper degree of suppuration, 
and afterwards healed them. 
The most necessary knowledge for persons afflicted, is 
the proper means of obtaining a radical cure for their com- 
ptaint; and it would be only obtruding upon their patience 
to point out the nice and unnecessary distinctions with 
which some writers fill their publications, tending only to 
confuse the reader, and increase the size of their volumes.  
It may be useful, however, just to point out the origin and 
source of a CANCER, and consequently the danger of neg- 
lecting to remove those symptoms which are the presage and 
basis of it. 
A TUMOUR is a preternatural magnitude of the part, 
wherein the augmentation is owing to a morbid state. 
The coagulation of the milk in the breasts, or what other- 
wise stagnates by a vicious acidity, frequently causes an in- 
flammation in the breasts of women giving suck; but this is 
sometimes erysipelatous; it is attended with tumour, pain, 
redness, &c.
A 

(38)
A PHLEGMON or Inflammation, is a tumour resisting the 
touch, with tension, redness, a throbbing pain, and a 
burning heat. 
All inflammations of the breast are dangerous, because 
they tend to abscesses, and thence become sanious ulcers and 
sometimes fistulous. If they terminate not in abscesses 
they are indurated into scirrhuses, which easily degenerate 
into cancers. If improperly treated they sometimes degene- 
rate into gangrene. 
A SCIRRHUS, is a hard indolent tumour, resisting the 
touch, has no particular heat, and changes not its natural 
colour till it becomes large and unequal, when it oftentimes 
turns of a livid, blackish or leaden colour, attended with 
violent pain, and obtains the name of an occult Cancer.— 
Very often this disorder at the beginning seems but trifling: 
A hard tumour, not much bigger than a pea, is the first 
symptom perceived, which, without giving the patient 
much uneasiness, continues a long time without seeming to 
increase; but by pressure or improper treatment of any 
kind, it begins to extend itself, pushing out a kind of roots 
towards the neighbouring parts, and gets the name of Cancer 
from its supposed resemblance to the claws of a crab.—The 
breasts are sometimes rendered scirrhous by an imprudent 
use of spirits of wine to them. 
Seeing then by what easy gradations a slight inflammation 
may degenerate into almost an incurable malady, there 
wants no apology for recommending those persons la- 
bouring under any of the above symptoms, to a speedy ap- 
plication of this remedy.
During 


(39)
During Dr. Hodson’s residence at Cambridge, amongst 
a great variety of instances of the efficacy of this easy 
method, no less than ten different persons in a small village 
about a mile from thence, were radically cured by it. A 
few cases are annexed, and any lady desirous of further in- 
formation, may, by a personal application, receive every 
possible satisfaction. 
DIRECTIONS FOR USING THIS SPECIFIC. 
IN Milk Sores spread a plaister on a coarse linen cloth, 
large enough to cover the whole breast. The salve must 
be spread as thick as a half crown piece, and a fresh plaister 
applied every 12 hours till the tumour is dispersed or comes 
to suppuration, and in the latter case, after it has broke, a 
fresh plaister must be applied only once in 24 hours. The 
patient must be careful not to wear stays during the cure; 
to keep the breast warm by putting a linen cloth over the 
plaister and flannel over that; and be particularly attentive 
to keep the body open by gentle purgatives adapted to her 
constitution. Where the habit of body is bad, the Bark 
taken in moderate doses will have a very salutary effect. 
In scirrhous and other tumours, which do not proceed 
from the milk, the same outward application must be made 
use of as in milk sores; and at the same time, the bark, or 
some other purifier of the blood, must be taken regularly; 
in either case, an attention to regimen is particularly re- 
commended; to avoid salted or high seasoned meats and
strong 


(40)
strong liquors. Air and moderate exercise will accelerate 
the cure; and in milk sores the patient must drink very 
sparingly. 
CURES BY THIS SPECIFIC. 
A lady at Papley, near Oundle in Northamptonshire, 
after having lain in a fortnight, her breast began to be in- 
flamed and painful; every endeavour was made use of in 
order to repel it, but in vain; matter was soon formed, and 
it was opened by a gentleman of the faculty. During se- 
ven weeks the situation of the patient continued very pre- 
carious, being often flattered with the appearance of an 
approaching cure, and matter as often collecting again.— 
By applying the specific recommended in this pamphlet, 
she was perfectly cured in one month. 
Mrs. Hardiman, in the houshold of the late Rev. the 
Dean of Ely, was afflicted with a scirrhous tumour more 
than 12 months. She had applied to the most eminent of 
the faculty at Cambridge, who informed her that she could 
have no relief, unless she would submit to have the tumour 
extracted by the knife. Being unwilling to submit to this 
operation, she was recommended to try the safe and easy 
method prescribed by Dr. Hodson, and in about three 
months was happily cured without any painful operation. 
A lady at Hilgay in Norfolk, recommended by the cler- 
gyman of the parish, perfectly cured in a month. 
Mrs. Cole, wife of Mr. Cole, a gentleman farmer, at 
Boxworth in Cambridgeshire, got cold in her lying-in, 
which occasioned a violent inflamed breast. She was at- 
tended by a surgeon from St. Ives and another from Cam- 
bridge; but receiving no relief, was recommended (by a 
neighbour who had experienced the benefit thereof) to the 
method above alluded to, and in five weeks was cured. 
The


(41)
The wife of a poor man recommended by Mr. Cole, was 
cured in a month of a very bad breast. 
Mrs. Ivatt, at Lolworth, cured of a very bad milk sore 
in about a month. 
Mrs. Fitch, of Linton, cured of a milk sore, having 
lain-in about six months. 
Mrs. Edwards, of Linton, was in one month cured of a 
scirrhous tumour in her breast, which had afflicted her nine 
Months. 
Mrs. Frost, of Chesterton near Cambridge, safely cured 
of a bad milk sore, occasioned by a fever in her lying-in. 
Mrs. Barwick, of Barnwell, cured of a milk sore in a 
month. 
Mrs. Battle, of Feversham, of three different milk sores. 
Mrs. Coulson, in Cambridge, had a sore breast occasion- 
ed by a cold caught in lying in. By this elegant method of 
treatment a suppuration was promoted, and having cleared 
itself by a proper discharge, it was healed up, and a radical 
cure effected in a short time. 
Mrs. Briggs, of Cambridge, caught a violent cold by 
lying in a damp room. The disorder fell into her breast, 
and being improperly treated a gangrene was the conse- 
quence, in which dreadful state she was put under proper 
care, and by this easy method obtained a perfect cure in 
about seven weeks. 
*** This Specific is in the form of a delicate salve; and is 
sold only at Dr. Hodson's house, No. 29, Hatton-Garden, 
at Half a Guinea a Pot.
E THE 

(42)
THE 
EGYPTIAN BALSAM, 
PRICE HALF A CROWN A POT. 
This is a safe and excellent remedy for old Sores and Ulcers, 
Biles, Blotches, Cancerous and Inflammatory Tumours, 
Whitlows; and particularly for extracting Thorns, 
Splinters, or other pernicious Substances out of Wounds, 
&c. &c. 
THIS balsam is held in great estimation even by the 
faculty, in all the above cases, and is, without doubt, 
the finest application ever yet discovered, as it does not 
heal up in such a temporary manner that they break out 
again in a short time, or upon the slighted accident hap- 
pening to the part; but first cleanses it thoroughly, and 
then cures gradually and radically. 
The Egyptian Balsam is certainly preferable to any thing 
else in the world, it is so exceedingly delicate, having no- 
thing disagreeable either in the smell or colour; the com- 
position is so perfectly innocent, that it may be applied to 
the most tender and weak constitutions, even to an infant; 
and the application is so easy, that it requires very little 
trouble and no confinement. 
DIRECTIONS

(43)
DIRECTIONS FOR USING IT. 
LET the wound &c. be first well cleaned with a piece of 
fine old rag dipped in warm water; after which let a plai- 
ster of this balsam be applied, spread on a clean linen rag. 
Spread it as thick as a half crown till it begins to heal, and 
then thinner as the wound grows better.—Observe to clean 
the wound well at every dressing, which must be every 12 
hours till it begins to heal, after which you may reduce the 
plaisters to one in 24 hours; and be sure to keep on a 
plaister two or three days alter you are to all appearance 
Well.—The plaister should be spread upon thick coarse new 
cloth, with the stiffening just washed out, and not upon 
old rag. Observe to put linen cloth or rollers over the 
plaisters, and by no means flannel or any thing woollen.— 
In pimples or blotches on the face, a piece of sticking 
plaister may be put over this plaister. 
N. B. It may be observed, that if there is any proud flesh, 
it should be cleared away when the wound is dressed. And 
as most of the disorders above-mentioned are occasioned by 
a scorbutic habit of body, it is recommended that the pa- 
tient take a few doses of such gentle physic as best agrees 
with the constitution. The Bark is in general very ser- 
viceable; or those whose circumstances will admit of it 
should go through a regular course of Dr. Hodson’s Vege- 
table Syrup; as it will not only expedite the cure, but also 
be a means of preventing future complaints.—This is de- 
sired to be particularly attended to.
E2 CURES 

(44)
CURES BY THIS BALSAM. 
THE son of Mr. Joseph Cole, of Upwell, in Norfolk, 
(a boy about 14 years old) about Christmas, 1780, had a 
very severe fit of sickness, which fell into his legs, and they 
became full of sores, having at least forty holes in them. 
Mr. Cole had been at a considerable expence as well as 
trouble, in order to give his son relief; and after many 
fruitless efforts, he applied to Mr. Chapman, of Downham, 
for some Egyptian Balsam; in the use of this Mr. Cole 
persevered for two months, during which he applied fifteen 
pots, and at the end of that time his son’s legs were well. 
Left the above should be thought an exaggerated account, 
I declare my son had at least forty holes in his leg, and am 
willing to satisfy any inquirer of the certainty of the facts 
mentioned. 
JOHN. COLE. 
To the Proprietor of the Egyptian Balsam. 
“ I consider it as a duty that I owe to mankind to com- 
municate the following very extraordinary cure by the Egyp- 
tian Balsam, a remedy that is invaluable, and which I do 
most seriously advise all persons alike afflicted to have re- 
course to. The case was briefly as follows: 
“ My wife had been afflicted with an inveterate fetid ul- 
cer in her leg for about thirty years standing, in which time 
I have paid some score pounds to apothecaries, surgeons, &c. 
for medicines and advice; but the diseased part baffled all 
their attempts, and they generally left her rather worse than 
better. It is about two months since that seeing an adver- 
tisement of the Balsam in the Salisbury Journal, I advised 
my wife to make trial of it. A pot was procured from Mess. 
Collins and Johnson, Salisbury, and the Balsam was appli- 
ed as directed. In a few dressings the wound, which was 
nearly five inches long, and more than one inch wide, deep, 
and very foul, became clean, put on a healthy appearance, 
and the inflammation greatly abated. We procured a second 
and a third pot, and it is with great joy and gratitude that
I now 

(45)
I now inform you her leg is quite well, her strength in- 
creased, and I thus voluntarily and unasked publish this. Of 
the truth of this my wife is now a healthy witness. 
JOS. HUNT." 
Fordingbridge, Hants, 
March 24, 1783. 
A young woman, servant to a widow lady in Cambridge, 
had been troubled with sore legs every winter for seven 
years past; she had been under the care of the first surgeon 
in Cambridge, and had also been some time in Adden- 
brooke’s Hospital, but all without effect. In the winter 
of 1780 she applied the Egyptian Balsam, at which time 
her legs were in a most deplorable condition, being all 
over sores, and having several holes in them. The Balsam 
brought the sores to a proper degree of suppuration, and 
having discharged all the fetid matter, they were gradually 
healed, and were perfectly well in five weeks, in which 
state they have continued ever since. 
Ann Southwell, a girl about ten years old had a violent 
scorbutic humour broke out in her hands, and had sores on 
four of her fingers; she was perfectly cured by one pot of 
this balsam. 
A young woman had a splinter run under her finger nail, 
which festered and was so very bad that she not only ex- 
pected her nail to come off, but it even threatened a morti- 
fication. By applying this balsam, however, she was per- 
fectly cured in a short time. 
Sold at 2s. 6d. a Pot by all the Venders of Dr, Hodson’s 
other articles; but larger Pots at 7s. 6d. to be had only at 
the Doctor’s house in Hatton-Garden.
E3 DR. 

(46)
DR. HODSON’s 
IMPERIAL OIL, 
PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND EIGHT-PENCE A BOTTLE.  
This Oil is improved with so much success as to be safe and 
certain remedy for all kinds of Sprains, Bruises, Injuries 
from Blows or Falls, Hard Swellings, Chilblains, Weak- 
nesses and Rickets in Children, Contractions of the Limbs, 
Joints and Sinews, Old Achs and Pains, Gout and Rheu- 
matic Pains,—It has also been found to be very efficacious 
in the cure of Cuts, and Chaps in the hands; and a certain 
remedy for Burns and Scalds, 
A Sprain is an accident that often happens, and if great, 
occasions a painful lameness of the part for a while, 
and frequently prevents the persons so afflicted following 
their occupations. From neglecting what at first seems; a 
trifling ailment, it sometimes arises that a dangerous malady 
proceeds from what might have been easily removed by a 
timely application; the recommending a proper remedy, 
therefore, for hastening the recovery of the strained part to 
its natural state, cannot but be acceptable to the public, as 
well as of particular service to those who stand in need of 
such a relief. 
The effects of a violent strain are, such an extension of 
the tendons and vessels of the muscles strained, that they 
cannot contract themselves to their natural lengths; and
the 

(47)
the great elongation of them (which deprives them of their 
contractile power) besides the diameter of their cavities, ob- 
structs the free course of the fluids through them, makes 
them swell and become painful, and renders them incapa- 
ble of their usual services.—These effects naturally lead us 
to conclude, that the most proper remedies are those ap- 
plications which may best attenuate their obstructed fluids, 
recover an easy circulation of them, and sufficiently con- 
tract the elongated vessels. Such a remedy will be found 
in this remedy; than which there has not been a medical 
discovery of more general utility to mankind for many 
years. Indeed it is now in such universal estimation, as to 
render it almost needless to say any thing concerning its 
merit. The many cures that have been effected by its use, 
and the persons of character who have granted the liberty 
of publishing their names in recommending this valuable 
composition, have stamped its reputation superior to any 
thing before offered to the public for similar purposes; and 
the very extraordinary demand for it, convinces the pro- 
prietor that his labour and studies have not been in vain.— 
He is happy to find that the improvements he has made in 
the preparation have rendered it so excellent a remedy for 
all kinds of sprains, bruises, injuries from blows and falls, 
hard swellings, weakness, stiffness and contraction of the 
limbs, joints and sinews, rickets and weakness in children, 
old achs and pains, rheumatic pains, chilblains, and chaps 
in the hands.
Examples 

(48)
Examples oft prevail, when precepts fail.—
Convinced of the certainty of this old adage, the proprie- 
tor of the Imperial Oil thinks it a duty incumbent on him 
to lay before the public the following instances of the great 
efficacy of that medicine, as he conceives it is from the 
pure motive of public utility that he has been favoured with 
so many cases as he is now in possession of, and he hopes 
it may be an inducement to others to try the same experi- 
ment in similar cases, and in all probabilty be a means of 
giving ease and happiness to many of their afflicted fellow 
mortals. 
A LIST OF SOME OF THE CURES PERFORMED BY
THE IMPERIAL OIL. 
Copy of a Letter from a Gentleman in the Country. 
One of my children had a soreness under the thick part 
of the thigh, supposed to be hurt on horseback. I had it 
well rubbed with your Imperial Oil, but it inflamed it so 
much that I sent for a surgeon, who forbid the use of it, 
but recommended a poultice with ointment of elder, to pre- 
vent a suppuration if possible. The poultice was renewed 
thrice a day for ten days, when the surgeon said it would 
certainly gather, for matter was already formed. Being 
very unwilling to submit the child to the surgeon's knife, 
and fearing he should be made a cripple, I would not suf- 
fer any application to accelerate its coming to a head, but 
persisted in the poultice and elder ointment. In a few days 
the soreness, (which before was so extreme he could not 
walk, or bear the slightest touch of the finger) went off, and 
he could walk as well as usual; but there was a substance 
under his thigh as broad as your hand and as hard as a board. 
For

(49)
For this I again applied your Oil, and in a few dressings 
the substance separated into lumps, which daily got less till 
they were quite reduced.
To the Proprietor of the IMPERIAL OIL. 
The Imperial Oil is a medicine which I believe will have 
a great run—I have given it to some poor people who have 
had the misfortune to hurt themselves by falls, and it has 
compleatly cured them. 
Gloucester. 
ROB. RAIKES. 
E. Statham, Newcastle-street, near Shoreditch church, 
ln assisting a porter to remove some furniture bruised her 
foot, and sprained her back in such a manner as to render 
her incapable of continuing in the family where she was at 
service, and being obliged to be sent home she was confin- 
ed to her bed, not being able to stir without pain. A friend 
procured for her a bottle of the Imperial Oil, from which 
she soon found relief. By using one bottle, the bruises in 
her foot were cured, the pain in her back removed, and her 
strength greatly restored. At the same time she applied 
this remedy to her wrists, having a weakness in them occa- 
sioned by a sprain received a long time before, and was so 
fortunate to find that weakness perfectly cured. 
Mrs. Nouridge, a widow woman in Cambridge, aged 
66, sprained her loins by listing a large washing trough, 
her advanced age made her fearful that she should not be 
able to procure any relief; but being in extreme pain she 
was willing to try what effect the Imperial Oil would have, 
From the use of this she soon found ease, and by only one 
bottle was perfectly cured. 
Mr. Alex. George, Fleet-street, in the great frost, 1784, 
tumbled down on the pavement and bruised his knee, which 
occasioned instant lameness, and give him excruciating 
pain; but by the use of this medicine he was soon per- 
fectly recovered.
Extract 

(50)
Extract of a letter from Bath. 
“ —The efficacy of your Imperial Oil has been prov- 
ed in a remarkable instance.—James Harvey, servant to 
Edward Vanbrugh, Esq; in Brook-street, having received 
a violent sprain in his ancle, was confined to his room five 
weeks, and unable then to walk, notwithstanding during 
that time he had used numerous applications recommended 
by an eminent surgeon and others. He was then induced 
to apply the Imperial Oil, which in a fortnight perfectly 
cured him."
William Badcock, groom to a gentleman of the univer- 
sity of Cambridge, received a blow from a horse, by which 
he was so much injured as to be incapable of attending in 
the stable: Having before experienced the good effects of 
the Imperial Oil, in curing him of a contraction of the 
sinews, occasioned by straining himself in walking, he im- 
mediately made application for a bottle, by which he was 
cured in a short time. 
In January, 1777, my father received a hurt in his 
shoulder, by a fall from his horse, which bruised him terri- 
bly, and for which he could get no relief, till the April 
following, when he applied the Imperial Oil, It is astonish- 
ing the almost instantaneous success that attended this ap- 
plication.—He felt immediate ease, and in a few days was 
perfectly free from pain. 
One of my pupils on Friday last had the misfortune to 
be thrown from a waggon, and was so bruised on one arm 
that he was not able to stir it himself, nor could he bear to 
have it touched without great pain. On Saturday morn- 
ing I found him very bad; from the shoulder to the wrist 
black, swelled, and painful, nor could he stir his arm the 
least in the world. I immediately applied your Imperial 
Oil, and in two hours he found himself better. By repeat- 
ing it according to the directions, he was able to dress him- 
self and was at church on Sunday, at school on Monday, 
and is now well. 
C. H. 
Burton, July 6, 1779.
In 


(51)
In August last, a child about 18 months old, received a 
fall by which he was much hurt, particularly in his shoulder, 
and continued a long time in great agony; I had the assis- 
tance of a surgeon of great practice, whose advice was fol- 
lowed, but without effect. The many cures I had seen ad- 
vertised, added to the persuasions of a friend who had ex- 
perienced the good effects of your Oil, prevailed on me to 
try it. It is with the greatest satisfaction I inform you, 
that by the application of one bottle only he was restored; 
but as the child was before this accident very weak and 
ricketty, and as I perceived he gained strength from the 
Oil, I procured another bottle, with which his joints were 
well rubbed according to the directions; and he is now 
quite strong, hearty, and free from the rickets. 
Cambridge, Oct. 18, 1779. 
A. M’ PHERSON.
Mr. James Chambers, of Whapload Drove, near Spald- 
ing, has a relation who was afflicted with a hard swelling 
on her knee, as hard and callous almost as the bone; she 
had all the advice her circumstances would admit of, but to 
no purpose. Mr. Chambers applied to me for a bottle of 
the Imperial Oil, which was used according to the direc- 
tions, and it gave her great ease; he then applied for a 
second bottle, which effected a compleat cure. 
Spalding, July 14, 1781. 
JOHN ALBIN. 
Edw. Newitt, in Cambridge, was hurt by blows from a 
horse; his shoulder was exceedingly bruised, and he was 
in great agony; I cannot describe his situation sufficiently 
to do justice to the medicine by which he was relieved, 
He was desired to apply nothing but the Imperial Oil; and 
by a proper attention to the directions, he soon received a 
complete cure. 
Wm. Newitt, brother to the above, had been for seve- 
ral days troubled with a pain and swelling in the face, which 
at intervals threw him into the most extreme agony. In 
one of these agitations he snatched up a bottle which had a
little

(52)
little of the Imperial Oil in it, and warming it, applied it 
to the part affected, and it gave him immediate ease, and 
by continuing to use it was soon completely cured. 
The great comfort and relief administered to Mr. John 
Dann, farmer, at Wortling, in Sussex, by the use of your 
Imperial Oil, under a violent sprained knee, complicated 
with the Rheumatism, induces him to make the following 
public acknowledgment, for the benefit of others: 
That having laboured three quarters of a year under the 
above complaint to a degree that necessitated him to use 
crutches, and having, during that period, tried a great vari- 
ety of means under the direction of the most able practition- 
ers in that neighbourhood, without experiencing the least 
good effect, he had recourse to the Imperial Oil, which in 
a few times applying, so relieved him that he could walk 
without assistance, and by continuing its application to the 
end of the bottle, he had the happiness to find the use of his 
leg perfectly restored to him, his pain totally removed, and 
the contraction so effectually remedied, that the joint re- 
mained perfectly strong and active as if nothing had hap- 
pened to it. 
Mr. Dann came unsolicited and gave me ocular demon- 
stration of his cure, at the same time authorising me to use 
his name; and added that his brother Mr. G. Dann, had re- 
ceived equal benefit from the use of the Oil, under a 
sprained wrist. 
Mr. Lampriere, a plumber and glazier of this town, pur- 
chased a bottle of Imperial Oil to apply to his son’s arm, 
that had been sprained by a fall. On asking him a few 
days after what advantage his son had reaped from it, he 
replied, “ Cured to admiration! and in only thrice using." 
Lewes, March, 1782.  
W. LEE. 
Mr. Joseph Snasdale, farmer, at Wimbottisham, Norfolk,
in the harvest of 1780, being on a waggon loaded with 
barley, the horse went suddenly on, in consequence of 
which he fell off, and his shoulder pitched on the shafts of
the 

(53)
the waggon, from which he fell to the ground.—The hurt 
and bruises he received, and the extreme agony which suck 
an accident must occasion, may better be conceived than 
described. He made use of the common nostrum in such 
cases, viz. hot vinegar; but it was in vain; the next morn- 
ing he was worse, and therefore sent for a bottle of the 
Imperial Oil. It would be needless, after saying he applied 
it according to the directions, to add that he found relief; 
but the almost instantaneous effect which it produced he de- 
clares was astonishing. The following day he was enabled 
to assist again in the field, and though he had a second, he 
avows that he was entirely cured by the first. 
Eliz. Watson, Cambridge, in coming down stairs her 
foot slipped, and she tumbled, by which she was terribly 
hurt; her leg being bent under her was much bruised, her 
ancle sprained, swelled, black, and she was scarce able to 
walk. She had only one bottle and was by that alone 
perfectly cured. 
Mr. John Simpson, of Darsingham, near Lynn, in No- 
vember 1780, sprained his foot in coming down a ladder; 
he neglected it till his sinews became quite contracted, 
much swelled, and his foot so painful he could scarcely 
walk. He purchased a bottle of the Imperial Oil, and made 
the first application about six o’clock in the evening; about 
twelve at night, his leg was so painful he could get no rest, 
and therefore got up and applied the Oil again, when he 
found the swelling greatly abated, and by continuing the 
use of it, in about three days he was perfectly cured. 
About two years ago I was seized with a swelling in my 
right leg, which at last increased to a prodigious size, and 
acquired such a degree of hardness as to occasion great pain, 
and rendered me incapable of following my trade, which is 
that of a baker, for more than three months; after having 
used abundance of means to no purpose, but that of dis- 
burthening my pocket, I fortunately saw an advertisement 
F of

(54)
of your Imperial Oil, and I purchased a bottle ; by the use 
of which the swelling was soon abated, and in about a 
month’s time I was able to follow my employment, and by 
the blessing of God have had no return of my complaint to 
this day. In justice therefore to your incomparable Oil, 
and for the benefit of my fellow subjects, I desire you will 
make my cure public, and remain your obedient humble 
servant, 
RICHARD PHILLIPS. 
Coventry, Aug. 23, 1781. 
March 2, 1780. 
On Friday the 4th of February, as Mr. Morley, of Wood- 
hall, Norfolk, was coming down a mill in that neighbour- 
hood, a person in the inside set the mill at work, when the 
cogs unfortunately caught Mr. Morley’s hand, which they 
bruised and mangled in a shocking manner, his hand being 
almost cut through; in short, it is impossible properly to 
describe the havock it made with him, so as to do justice to 
the excellent medicine by which he was relieved. He ap- 
plied the Imperial Oil; and on Saturday last he called on 
Mr. Chapman, of Downham, (of whom the medicine was 
purchased) shewed him his hand, which was quite well, and 
assured him this extraordinary cure was effected by only 
one bottle. 
Alice Cook, a poor woman in Cambridge, sprained her 
wrist very much in wringing some sheets, which she had 
been washing; her arm swelled from her wrist quite to her 
shoulder, was full of pain, and she continued in that situ- 
ation near a fortnight without any assistance; when a gen- 
tleman distinguished for his humanity, hearing of her mis- 
fortune, sent her a bottle of the Imperial Oil, ordering her 
to use it according to the directions sent therewith, but this 
her circumstances and occupation in a great measure pre- 
vented; she was under the necessity of continuing her em- 
ployment for a subsistence, though her arm was in con- 
stant agony, and was often obliged, after rubbing the affect- 
ed part with this medicine, to go immediately to the wash
trough. 

(55)
trough. However, notwithstanding all these disadvantages, 
and of being dabbling sometimes in hot and sometimes in 
cold water, from the first application of this Oil she found 
great relief. After applying it a second time she felt very 
little inconveniency, and by that alone was perfectly cured. 
Cambridge, Feb. 24, 1780.  
ALICE COOK. 
Oliver Cuttridge, of Chatteris, in the Isle of Ely, on the 
24th of May last, received a violent blow on his stomach, 
by which he was much hurt; it settled under the right 
breast, and afterwards under his arm, at which time he was 
so bad as to be scarce able to breathe.—He was recom- 
mended to use the Imperial Oil, and purchased a bottle of 
Mr. Berridge, of Chatteris. In testimony of the benefit 
he received from it, he has hereunto set his name this 17th 
of June, 1780.  
OLIVER CUTTRIDGE. 
Charles Laurenson, at Mr. Hurlestone’s, in the Petty 
Cury, Cambridge, on Thursday the 8th day of April, 1779, 
received a violent sprain in his wrist, which swelled amaz- 
ingly, was full of pain, and whereby he was rendered in- 
capable of working. He continued in this situation till 
Saturday evening, when he applied the Imperial Oil, and 
found almost immediate relief. On Monday morning the 
swelling was abated, he was able to go to work, and on 
Tuesday was quite well. 
Having laboured under a tedious pain of the rheumatism, 
which rendered me incapable of doing my business, but 
being recommended to the Imperial Oil, which is sold by 
you, and by using only part of the bottle you sent me, soon 
found a great deal of ease, and am perfectly recovered; so 
thought proper to let you know, and hope you will have 
the same published. As witness my hand, 
GEORGE BRUCE, Carpenter, Whittlesey. 
During the frost in 1784, Elizabeth Butler, in Cam- 
bridge, was returning from the Great Bridge with some 
firing, when she fell down with her burden and sprained
F2 her 

(56)
her arm. She continued bad a month, at the end of which 
she applied some of the Imperial Oil, and was cured by 
less than one bottle. 
The following remarkable cures have lately been per- 
formed by the Imperial Oil. 
A gentlewoman of my acquaintance got cold in a lying- 
in, which fell into her knee and leg, swelled them exceed- 
ingly, and gave her excruciating pain. I recommended 
the Imperial Oil, which she tried, but thought the first ap- 
plication increased both the swelling and the pain. I en- 
couraged her, however, to persevere, and had the satisfac- 
tion to find that a second bottle wrought a compleat cure. 
Soon after a friend of mine happening to mention that 
his wife suffered extremely with a sore leg, for which she 
had been attended by a surgeon without effect. I told him 
of the above case, and begged she might try the Imperial 
Oil. The first application seemed to inflame the leg, and 
as there was a wound the lady herself was afraid to use it 
again, till I assured her there was no danger, and persuaded 
her to repeat it. She did so; and had only occasion for a 
second bottle, being now quite well, though for three 
months she had been in continual pain. 
Edward Howe, Cambridge, in knocking the stock off a 
gun, he accidentally missed the stock, and gave himself a 
violent blow on the cap of his knee with the hammer, which 
occasioned instant lameness, insomuch that he could but 
just make shift to crawl about the house, with his knee quite 
stiff; he was not able to bend the joint, but was in very 
great pain. He applied hot vinegar, but it had no effect; 
he then applied opodeldoc, but with as little success as the 
vinegar. An acquaintance who came to his house in the 
evening advised him to apply the Imperial Oil. This hap- 
pened on a Saturday; he applied the Oil that evening, and 
soon found relief; he continued it the next day; and on 
Monday morning he walked eight miles, without finding 
any inconvenience from the blow. 
Mrs.

(57)
Mrs. Pedley, of Cambridge, had a swelling in her leg, 
which rendered her unable to walk; on Wednesday, Au- 
gust 15, 1781, her leg was swelled to such a degree, and 
in such violent pain, that it confined her to her bed the 
whole day. She obtained a bottle with directions how to 
use it; the effects of which were, that by the following 
Sunday she was quite well. 
William Catley, brewer's servant, in Cambridge, fell 
off a cart with a sack of grains, and hurt his loins. He was 
cured by one bottle of the Imperial Oil only. 
Mrs. Williamson, laundress, in Cambridge, flipped down 
a cellar window, and hurt herself exceedingly with the iron 
bars belonging thereto; her leg and thigh were bruised very 
much, appeared very black, were much swelled, and she 
was rendered so lame, that it was with the utmost difficulty 
that she walked so far as to procure a bottle of the Imperial 
Oil. By paying proper attention to the directions, given 
with each bottle, she was in a few days perfectly recovered. 
Andrew Cockle, of Barnwell, near Cambridge, applied 
this valuable medicine, having received a violent hurt on 
his hand; which was swelled to a very great degree, and he 
Was afraid would render him incapable of following his 
business; but by the use of one bottle of this oil he was 
perfectly cured. 
Sir, 
I have obtained permission of a farmer in this neighbour- 
hood to make use of his name in recommending your Im- 
perial Oil, it having entirely cured him of a violent sprain- 
ed knee, of which he had been ill above a twelve month, 
and for which he had applied many other remedies without 
effect. 
Your's, &c. 
Lewes, Sussex.  
WM. LEE. 
F3 But 

(58)
But the excellency of the Imperial Oil Is not confined 
to the human species alone; It is found, by experience, to 
be of infinite service for horses that have their backs galled 
with the saddle, are wrung in the withers, or strained in 
the back sinews, as well as for old sprains, wind galls, 
cracked or swelled heels, &c. 
A Clergyman in Hertfordshire (who has given the pro- 
prietor liberty to refer any candid enquirer to him) had a 
favourite mare which had been turned up three years, be- 
ing lame with a flip in the shoulder, and was afterwards 
cured by the use of this Oil. 
Dr. HODSON has made the improvement of this remedy 
his study for many years, and has now brought it to the 
highest degree of perfection; and to prevent, as much as 
possible, the public from being imposed upon, he requests 
those who have occasion to make use of his medicine to ob- 
serve that The Imperial Oil is in square glass bottles, with 
IMPERIAL OIL, PREPARED BY DR. HODSON, LON-
DON, moulded thereon. Each bottle sealed with the 
cypher J. H. in red wax. Price 2s. 8d. 
Full directions are sealed up with each bottle. 
*** It is earnestly requested that those who have occa- 
sion to use the Imperial Oil will be very particular in ob- 
serving the directions; which are remarkably short, the 
medicine perfectly safe, the application exceedingly easy; 
and a speedy cure will generally be quite certain.
THE 

(59)
THE
PARISIAN VEGETABLE SYRUP. 
PRICE HALF A GUINEA A BOTTLE. 
TO THE AFFLICTED WITH 
VENEREAL COMPLAINTS. 
IT would be of little service to a patient afflicted with this 
complaint, to know the various opinions of authors 
concerning the origin of it, and the exact time of its ap- 
pearance in Europe. It is of much more consequence for 
him to ascertain when he has received the infection; and 
if so, the method he ought to pursue, in order to obtain a 
safe and perfect cure; for few, very few, whether of the 
faculty or otherwise, are so happy in the management of the 
Lues Venerea as it could be wished.—Waving, therefore, 
all useless introduction, it is intended only to point out the 
various modes by which it may be contracted, the symp- 
toms by which a person may be convinced of having re- 
ceived the infection, the danger of improper treatment, and 
a safe, easy and certain mode of obtaining a cure. 
Technical terms will be avoided as much as possible, and 
every necessary information delivered in the most plain and 
concise language; this little tract being intended for the 
instruction of the ignorant, and not for the criticising eye 
of the learned.
There 

(60)
There is not, perhaps, amongst all the diseases to which 
human nature is subject, any attended with more dismal 
consequences than the venereal; and to add to its own at- 
tendant calamities, there is not any that has experienced 
worse treatment; the patient, in many cases, suffering more 
from the ignorance of the practitioner, than from the ma- 
lignity of the disease, whilst the unhappy object of its rage 
seldom obtains even the compassion of his fellow mortals, 
since his sufferings are generally supposed to arise from the 
gratification of lust and inordinate passions. 
The most common way of contracting this complaint be- 
ing by coition, has affixed an idea of criminality on those 
infected with it, which frequently renders disguise neces- 
sary, and obliges the unfortunate patient to conceal his 
situation too long, or make application to those ignorant 
persons who promise a speedy and secret cure; but who in 
reality only fix the disease deeper in the system, and by 
hastily removing the visible symptoms, make that a con- 
firmed case, and sometimes an incurable malady, which 
was at first only a slight infection. It is scarce possible for 
even the first stage of this disease to be cured effectually and 
speedily at the same time; those patients are deceived there- 
fore who are taught to believe it. “ Two or three weeks, 
(says an eminent physician) and sometimes five or six are 
necessary to carry off a gonorrhœa, even by the most proper 
treatment;” for the time necessary to eradicate the infec- 
tion depends upon such a variety of circumstances that it is 
impossible to fix any precise period. 
It

(61)
It is much to be lamented, however, that disguise in this 
case should be so often thought necessary, not only as it 
renders a cure more difficult, but because the disease may 
be communicated to the innocent as well as to the guilty, 
as will presently be shewn. 
OF THE 
VENEREAL INFECTION. 
NOTWITHSTANDING the variety of treatises which 
have been published on this subject, no more is known 
concerning the nature of the venereal poison than about 
that of the small-pox, or any other contagion. It has not 
yet been discovered, whether the poison has different de- 
grees of acrimony and volatility, or whether it is always 
the same in its nature, varying only with regard to the par- 
ticular part to which it is applied, or according to the dif- 
ferent habit or constitution of the person who receives the 
infection. 
How long the venereal poison may lurk in the body be- 
fore it produces any sensible effects, is a matter of equal 
Uncertainty. There are few practitioners but what must 
have observed instances of its remaining dormant for weeks, 
or even months; nay some have asserted it to have broke 
out with unequivocal symptoms after remaining harmless 
for half a year. These, however, are rare instances, as in 
general the first symptoms appear on the second, third or 
fifth day after impure coition. 
Whilst

(62)
Whilst mankind in general are easily affected by this 
poison, there are some few who seem to be altogether un- 
susceptible of the contagion, and who run every risk with- 
out suffering in the smallest degree. Some are more liable 
to be infected than others, seemingly of the same habit; 
and those who have been once infected appear to be more 
liable to catch the disorder a second time, than those who 
never were infected before. The same difference is ob- 
servable in the progress made by the disease after the patient 
is infected. In some the progress is slow, and the disease 
appears scarcely to gain any ground, while in others it 
advances with the utmost rapidity, and soon produces the 
most terrible symptoms. 
Two causes, indeed, might be assigned for the mildness 
or malignancy of the symptoms, viz. the constitution of the 
person receiving the infection, and the virulency of the 
virus received. Persons who have been used to live regu- 
lar and of a good habit, one might suppose, would be sub- 
ject to fewer as well as milder symptoms, than those whose 
fluids are in a gross and corrupt state; but this not being 
always the case, we may conclude that in such patients, a 
severity of symptoms is occasioned by the malignancy of 
the venom received, which is sometimes of so corrosive a 
nature, as to penetrate immediately into all parts wherever 
it comes.
OF 

(63)
OF COMMUNICATING THE DISEASE. 
THIS complaint differs indeed from most others, be- 
cause that they, both acute and chronical, may arise from 
air, diet, violent exercise, sedentary life, &c. whilst this 
must be contracted by familiar communication, and though 
an abuse or regulation of the non-naturals will exasperate 
or moderate the symptoms, yet it is not in the power of 
them to produce the distemper. The venereal matter must 
be applied in a fluid state, either to a wound, ulcer, or some 
part where the mucus is very soft, as in the parts of gene- 
ration, &c. but it may be communicated different ways, 
as experience has sufficiently evinced. All the modes of 
communication may, however, be ranked under the fol- 
lowing heads: 
1. By coition of an healthy person with another who is 
infected with a gonorrhœa, or ulcers on the genitals. 
2. By the coition of an healthy person with one appa- 
rently in perfect health, but in whose genitals the poison 
lies concealed, without having yet produced any bad symp- 
toms. So that a person who has, perhaps, received an in- 
fection two or three days before any symptoms appear, may, 
during that time, and often does, infect another, without 
knowing themselves to have the disease. 
3. By sucking, in which case the nipples of the wet 
nurse may be infected by venereal ulcers in the mouth of 
the child; or the nipples of the nurse being infected, will 
occasion venereal ulcers in the child’s mouth, nose or lips.
4. By 

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4. By any part of the body, whether covered by the 
cuticle or not, being exposed to the contact of the venereal 
poison; by kissing, touching, &c. especially if the parts so 
exposed have been previously excoriated, wounded, or ul- 
cerated, by any cause whatever. From this cause venereal 
ulcers frequently arise in the scrotum or thighs; and there 
are some well-attested instances where the infection took 
place in the hands of surgeons and midwives. They have 
likewise been produced in the nostrils, eyelids and lips of  
persons who had touched the genitals either of themselves 
or others, affected with the disease, and then rubbed their 
nostrils, &c. with their fingers, without previously washing 
their hands. Laying in the same bed with a person infected, 
who hath venereal eruptions on the skin, will likewise oc- 
casion the contraction, the warmth of the body opening the 
pores, and the infected matter being thereby absorbed. 
5. By wounding any part of the body with a lancet or 
knife infected with the venereal virus.—Van Swieten re- 
lates several instances of the Lues being communicated by 
carelessness in cleaning the instrument used in bleeding or 
Scarification. 
6. Children may likewise be hereditarily afflicted, that is, 
receive the infection from their parents; in which case 
they are sometimes born with inflammations of the skin, &c. 
but though there should be no appearance for some days, 
yet in about a week eruptions with brownish spots or scabs, 
degenerating into ulcers, arise about the mouth, nose, fore- 
head, head, and often over the whole body.
It 


(65)
It must be allowed that the disorder generally discovers 
itself first in those parts by which the infection was received; 
so that if the mouth or lips are first affected, it is to be sup- 
posed the virus was received by kissing, or (if an infant) by 
sucking a disordered nurse, &c. &c.  
But the following is, perhaps, one of the most extraor- 
dinary instances upon record, of the propagation of this 
dreadful malady: “ On the 22d of April, 1785, a young 
child belonging to William Parsons, on Milford-Hill, 
Salsbury, died of the Lues Venerea, after a lingering illness. 
It appears that in the absence of its parents, It had frequently 
been intrusted to the care of an old blind woman, who 
suffered it to pass into the hands of an unhappy female 
labouring under that distemper, and who unintentionally 
communicated the infection by means of chewing some
victuals for it.” 
A very remarkable instance will be found amongst the 
cases hereaster inserted, of a person receiving the infection 
from the seat of a privy. 
Various therefore are the ways by which this contagion 
may be contracted; however, the most frequent mode be- 
ing by unlawful embraces, and consequently the symptoms 
more generally arising about the genitals, it will be proper 
to dwell a little upon the description of the three different 
stages of the disease, and its various symptoms. 
The first is that while the disorder may be deemed doubt- 
ful, or when, from the symptoms abating, by the applica- 
tion of emollients and a cooling regimen, it is evidently not 
venereal. 
G The

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The second stage is when the symptoms may fairly be 
pronounced venereal, and yet deemed local. 
And the third is the confirmed Lues, when the virus 
being actually received into the blood, mixes with the 
several secretions, and circulating through every part, taints 
the whole habit 
OF THE 
FIRST, OR GONORRHŒA STAGE. 
ALTHOUGH, in the present age a virulent running 
is one of the most frequent circumstances to be met with in 
practice, and few persons are infected but what perceive 
this to be one of the first symptoms of infection; yet the 
same indications and consequences are not always the effect 
thereof. For in many cases, gentle cooling medicines, an 
emollient bath, and a simple injection will carry off the 
infection in a few days; whilst in others, it frequently 
happens that the inflammation increases, more alarming 
symptoms appear in a little time, notwithstanding the ap- 
plication of cooling medicines; and if the running be 
checked by injection or from any accidental cause, before 
the infection is totally subdued, a swelling of the testicles, 
a bubo, or some other alarming attendant is produced. It 
is, therefore, very evident, that all cases of gonorrhœa are 
not venereal. It has, indeed, been but too common a prac- 
tice to treat all cases as venereal wherever a gonorrhœa has
been

(67)
been the prevailing symptom; whereas there are, strictly 
speaking, THREE kinds of gonorrhœa, viz. 1. The simple 
or benign gonorrhæa, which will be treated of hereafter; 
2. The virulent gonorrhœa, or Clap, not venereal; and 3. 
The venereal gonorrhœa, properly so called. 
It appears to be owing in a great measure, to the want of 
making a proper distinction between the two last-mentioned 
species, that so much harm hath been done by the admini- 
stration of Mercury; which (however successfully employ- 
ed in the chancre, or second stage of the venereal disease) 
is very improper in this stage, and in the virulent gonorrhœa 
not venereal is manifestly injurious. Perhaps no criterion 
is yet discovered whereby to ascertain, on its first appear- 
ance, whether this discharge is to be pronounced a virulent 
or a venereal gonorrhœa; therefore in what I call the First, 
or Gonorrhœa stage, I include not only that which is 
strictly venereal, and which is succeeded or accompanied 
chancres, &c. but also the gonorrhœa virulenta, where 
no such symptoms succeed ; or in short, all the different 
Species of this disease which are communicated by a found 
person having connection with an infected one, and in 
which the first symptom is a discharge from the urethra. 
Because, in the first place, there is no certain mode of dis- 
tinction; 2dly, they all arise from the same apparent cause. 
viz. impure coition; and lastly, the same mode of treat- 
ment is necessary, even if it be venereal, in this stage of 
the disorder. 
G2 SYMPTOMS.


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SYMPTOMS.—The virulent gonorrhœa appears some- 
times within six hours, and at other times perhaps not till 
four, five, eight or ten days after infection; and instances 
have been known of months elapsing before any symptoms 
appeared; the quicker or slower progress of the virus may 
naturally be supposed, therefore, to have a great depen- 
dence on the activity of the received miasma, or the patient’s 
habit of body, or perhaps both. 
The first observable symptom is generally an agreeable 
sensation in the whole or greatest part of the urinary pas- 
sage; probably no discharge is then observable; but an 
itching, with a small degree of pain in the genitals, gene- 
rally precedes a running, which distilling from the urethra 
occasions a small degree of titillation, particularly at the 
time of making water. In the most favourable degree of 
infection the spots on the linen appear of a kind of water- 
colour; as the disorder advances fresh symptoms arise, and 
the former ones become more violent: The running gra- 
dually changes both in colour and consistence, and becomes 
yellow, greenish, and sometimes streaked with blood. 
There is an inflammation and swelling about the orifice of 
the urethra; the erection becomes painful, involuntary, 
more frequent and lasting than when natural, and most 
troublesome when the patient is warm in bed. All the 
symptoms become more intense as the disorder arrives to- 
wards its height: The heat of urine is so extremely acute, 
that the patient dreads making water, though he feels a 
constant desire for it, and yet it is rendered but by a few 
drops, and that with the greatest difficulty.—Heat, pain,
and

(69)
and a sense of fullness is felt about the seat; the running is 
sharp and plentiful; and it is accompanied, perhaps, hy 
swelled testicles, or some of the following disagreeable 
symptoms: 
Phymosis, which is a constriction of the prepuce over the 
glans, which prevents its being drawn backwards. 
Paraphymosis, on the contrary, is when the prepuce is 
constricted behind the glans, and cannot be brought for- 
ward. 
Chordee is a painful contraction of the under part of the 
penis at the time of erection, and then only, the sensation 
being as if it was pulled down with a cord. 
Buboes. The general seat of these swellings or tumours 
is in the groin. In the beginning the patient feels a stiffess 
in the groin, particularly in walking; the swellings at 
length appear, which are sore if touched, hard, and gradu- 
ally increasing become painful and inflamed; the shape of 
a bubo is round or oblong, and its size various, sometimes 
as large as an egg, and sometimes considerably larger. 
Venereal buboes are of two kinds; sometimes they arise 
solely from the contagion passing directly to the affected 
gland, and there fixing itself. From the discharge being 
too small, or the unseasonable application of styptic and 
astringent injections, whereby the virus which ought to 
have been discharged by a gleet is injudiciously suppressed, 
a bubo often arises, and is then a symptomatical disease; 
but if it arises without any late infection, it is then a sign of 
a confirmed Lues, of which more hereafter.
G3 The 

(70)
The above symptoms, altho’ generally supposed to be 
evident marks of a venereal infection, are, nevertheless, 
sometimes doubtful; for they may all arise from a virulent 
gonorrhœa, not venereal. 
Females may sometimes mistake the first appearance of 
this complaint for the Fluor Albus; but in the latter the dis- 
charge is much greater, nor is it often attended with that heat, 
smart and inflammation, experienced in venereal cases. 
INSTRUCTIONS.—Some people (from what motive 
I will not pretend to determine) inveigh strongly against 
the parade, as they falsely term it, of application for ad- 
vice in these cases. But he only betrays his ignorance who 
affects that the most copious general instructions may not 
in particular instances require some alteration; and he 
must be a bigot indeed, as well as destitute of at least all 
practical knowledge, who believes any medicine to be so 
perfectly efficacious in itself that its operations cannot re- 
ceive any assistance from the experience of a judicious 
practitioner. Who then should a patient under a course 
of any public medicine apply to in particular circumstances 
but to the person whose situation ought to enable him to 
give the information required? If we employ what is call- 
ed a regular bred practitioner, we naturally expect him to 
be answerable for his mode of treatment in every disease; 
and whatever station in the community a person may for 
merly have filled, when he becomes the proprietor of one 
secret prescription, which may affect the health and lives of 
thousands of mankind, surely it becomes his duty to make 
the effects and operations of such medicine his particular
study

(71)
study, and to enable himself to give every possible assistance 
to the intrinsic value of his remedy. If he does not per- 
form this duty he does not deserve the confidence of the 
public; and it is but a miserable consolation to a patient 
who wishes to be informed of some particular circumstance, 
to be told, “ I make the medicine agreeable to the recipe, 
but I know nothing further.”  
But to return. As the immediate personal application is 
not always either convenient or agreeable, it may not be 
improper to add a few instructions for those not sufficiently 
acquainted with the proper mode of conducting themselves 
after infection; for though the elegant medicine herein 
recommended removes the most disagreeable symptoms 
without any other application, yet proper measures may be 
taken to prevent the rapidity of the malady before it may 
be convenient to obtain that remedy; and as private in- 
terest ought always in some degree to give way to general 
utility, it is my wish to put every patient who depends on 
me for relief to as little expence as possible, by giving him 
every information that may hasten a cure. 
And first it will be necessary to caution the reader against 
applying styptic injections to check the running; for if 
the discharge be imprudently stopped, before the infection 
be carried off by medicines which cleanse the parts and 
evacuate the poison, a confirmed pox will be the conse- 
quence. 
“ It is but fair to acknowledge (says an eminent writer) 
that where there is virulence in a gonorrhœa, our art can- 
not cure it speedily and effectually at the same time. There-
fore 


(72)
fore the patient ought not to expect, nor the physician to 
promise it.”—There is danger of the disorder being carried 
into the habit by every thing which stops the discharge be- 
fore the infection be removed; and this stoppage may be 
occasioned by violent exercise of any kind, hard labour, 
strong purging, catching cold, or a fever fit, while under a 
course of physic. 
To expedite the cure is to allay the inflammation, appease 
the heat of urine, soften the juices, and lubricate the pas- 
sage of the urethra. For this purpose as soon as a person 
has reason to suspect himself infected, and has not con- 
venience to apply for advice or proper remedies, he should 
strictly observe a cooling regimen, avoid all high seasoned 
or salted provisions; he should drink plentifully of barley 
water, milk and water, whey, linseed tea, &c. take care 
of cold, beware of venereal enjoyments, and avoid all vio- 
lent exercise. He should keep his body gently open, but 
by all means avoid strong drastic purges. A little cream of 
tartar will sometimes answer the purpose; or he may send 
to an apothecary for the following, which I have always 
found to be very proper : 
Lenitive Electuary, one ounce. 
Jalap and Rhubarb, of each two scruples. 
Nitre, four scruples. 
Simple Syrup, q. f. for an electuary. 
Of this he may take about the size of a nutmeg, once, 
twice or thrice a day as he finds it necessary to keep his body 
laxative. By these means he will be better prepared for 
the operation of proper remedies.
On 

(73)
On the first symptoms of inflammation, he should get 
milk and water of a moderate warmth, in a half pint or pint 
stone vessel, and soak the penis well in it two or three times 
a day, particularly at night; and after each soaking if he 
perceives any particular inflammation, he should there ap- 
ply a little elder ointment, which he may get at any drug- 
gist’s or apothecary’s. It will also be of infinite service if 
a little milk and water or linseed tea be injected up the 
urethra, or urinary passage, at the same time. 
If this method be observed on the first appearance of any 
inflammatory symptom, it will greatly lessen the virulence 
of the complaint, and consequently render a cure more 
easy to be obtained. 
Those whose situations will not permit them to get milk, 
must use water only, but it must be warm.—FEMALES 
should get a sponge. and bathe and foment the part well. 
Should these not be found sufficient to answer the inten- 
tion, the following fomentation will be proper, especially 
if the patient is troubled with a chordee: 
Take Elder and Chamomile flowers, of each half an ounce. 
Marshmallow leaves, an handful. 
Linseed, half an ounce. 
Boil these ingredients in three pints of water till reduced to 
a quart, then strain it off and foment the part well with it 
two or three times a day. 
In case of stranguary, 
Take Gum Arab, powder 
Crem. Tart. of each equal parts.
Mix them and take a tea spoonful two or three time a day 
in a little water.
In 

(74)
In all stages, and in every symptom, cleanliness of the 
parts is to be particularly observed; and in case of Phy- 
mofis, a syringe must be introduced between the foreskin 
and the nut, so as frequently to inject a little milk and 
water. 
The patient should be particularly careful against stop- 
ping to evacuate urine in the open air; for although this 
is apparently of little signification, it is not uncommon for 
the cold air to occasion a sudden check to the running, and 
a bubo or swelled testicle to be the consequence. 
By all means avoid all such remedies as are promised to 
stop the running immediately. It is usual with many prac- 
titioners to apply astringent injections; but whenever the 
discharge is unseasonably restrained, and the virulent mat- 
ter thereby blocked up, before the infection is totally car- 
ried off by medicines that cleanse the parts and evacuate the 
poison, a confirmed lues will certainly be the consequence; 
for reason alone sufficiently points out that if humours slow 
to any particular part and find no passage for their running 
off, they must swell the parts more; therefore stopping fluxes 
ought to be one of the last intentions put in execution, and 
a virulent gonorrhœa ought never to be stopped till proper 
revulsions are made and correctives have preceded: then, 
and then only may corroborants be applied. 
A celebrated writer on this subject defines the venereal 
virus to be “ an extremely fine, volatile, saline fluid, sub- 
tile, attractive, corrosive, and very penetrating.” No one, 
perhaps, will question the truth of this definition. Now it 
may easily be conceived how readily a fluid of this nature
is 

(75)
is absorbed through the pores of such a soft and sensible part 
as the penis, during the local heat in the act of coition. It 
is natural to suppose that as the heat abates, the pores gradu- 
ally close, and by that means shut up this infectious fluid. 
The human body being so framed as to have a general ten- 
dency to throw off whatever is injurious to health, it is the 
duty of a medical practitioner to observe which way nature 
points, and to assist instead of counteracting her intentions. 
It may, therefore, justly be asked, whether it be prudent 
to interrupt the progress of nature in her intentions of the 
virulent gonorrhœa?—lf before the heat in coitu be totally 
abated, and the pores closed, a proper detergent was made 
use of, experience proves that infection might be prevented; 
but after the virus has been absorbed, and nature has shewn 
which way she wishes to free herself, it is certainly wrong to 
counteract her. This is further confirmed by considering 
that in the species of infection where there is no discharge, 
a cure is always more difficult; and also that if the discharge 
be too small, a bubo is generally the consequence. 
It is not here to be understood, as objecting to all kinds 
of injection whatever, for it is not the mode, but the com- 
position and premature use thereof, that is censured. In- 
jections are proper: Even in the most inflammatory state 
emollient and anodyne ones are useful; and it frequently 
happens that a gleet will remain, after the most judicious, 
treatment, which can only be stopt by an astringent in- 
jection. 
An attention to these particulars in order to abate or lessen 
the local symptoms, and at the same time taking regularly
the 


(76)
the Parisian Vegetable Syrup, in order to eradicate the in- 
fection, will, if taken at an early period, generally put a 
check to the disease in this stage; but it commonly hap- 
pens to patients who have been repeatedly infected with 
this disorder that a gleet will remain even after the most 
proper treatment: It is therefore of the utmost consequence 
for the patient to be assured of the venereal virus being 
eradicated. For this purpose the following are recom- 
mended as the most certain methods: 
When the matter of the running is soft and well digested; 
when the inflammation, smart of urine, and shooting pains 
are entirely subdued; when the penis is so free from all 
pain that it will bear to be squeezed, handled, or the glans 
griped, without any complaint of soreness, more than is 
usual from a rough handling that member; when the pa- 
tient is free from involuntary erections, and the matter is 
tenacious and ropy; and above all, if there are the appear- 
ances of little threads of matter resembling vermicelli float- 
ing in the urine as soon as made, or the stains on the linen 
become of small extent, not bigger than a pea, the gleet 
may safely be suppressed by a mild injection.
OF 


(77)
OF THE 
SECOND OR CHANCRE STAGE. 
IF the disorder be what is termed a virulent gonorrhœa 
not venereal, it will most assuredly be carried off by the 
mode of treatment already prescribed, without any further 
symptoms arising ; but if it be a venereal gonorrhœa, it will 
sometimes happen, that after an increasing inflammatory 
state of some days, secondary symptoms will appear. 
It will be urged that a chancre is frequently the first token 
to a patient of his having received the infection, and in that 
case, cannot be called the second stage. This must be 
granted; but it is here called the second stage, because, it 
is in general preceded by an inflammation and discharge. 
It is likewise a criterion whereby to determine the disease 
to be venereal, and to judge of the propriety and necessity 
of administering mercury, which can never safely be done 
if there are none of the secondary symptoms. 
It will be necessary, however, before entering into the 
particulars of this stage, to observe, that during a course of 
the Vegetable Syrup, the use of Mercury is not deemed 
necessary; but as this treatise is written for general use, and 
will therefore probably fall into the hands of many who 
may, either not have the opportunity of procuring the 
Syrup, or else be prepossessed in favour of the specific 
quality of Mercury, this work would not have been 
thought sufficiently perfect and useful, unless such persons 
were instructed how and when to apply that remedy with 
propriety, and safety.
H SYMPTOMS
 

(78)
SYMPTOMS and INSTRUCTIONS.—Chancres ap- 
pear at first like a little erysipelatous inflammation, with 
itching. They resemble the ulcers in the mouth, com- 
monly known by the name of cankers, and though they 
may appear on any part of the body, are mostly on or near 
the pubes: There arise from the inflammation little red 
pimples, filled with a transparent fluid, sometimes becom- 
ing white; upon these breaking small spreading stubborn 
ulcers are formed, which are painful, inflamed, sore and 
unequal at the bottom, with hard, ash coloured edges, 
covered with whitish sloughs. 
Chancres as well as ulcers of all kinds, should be kept 
clean by washing frequently in milk and water. If the 
discharge from the urethra be little or none, these should 
not be healed up too hastily; but if they remain obstinate 
and the edges become callous, sprinkle a little red precipi- 
tate thereon after the washing, and apply a little dry lint. 
Chrystalines are small thin bladders, filled with a clear 
transparent liquor, and are lodged on the prepuce. The 
fluid being let out, they are seldom attended with any disa- 
greeable consequences. 
Bubo.—This symptom will arise in every stage of the 
disorder. They seldom happen any where but in the groin, 
but instances have been known of their arising in the arm 
pits. They generally tend very slowly to suppuration; it 
is therefore the best method to endeavour at dispersing them. 
—The Vegetable Syrup generally will have this effect of 
itself; but those who think it necessary, or wish to hasten 
the cure, may rub in about a dram of mercurial ointment
every 

(79)
every night, not upon the bubo, but in the inside of that 
thigh. But if nature particularly points out a suppuration, 
and by the increase of inflammation that state seems ap- 
proaching, the sooner it is completed, the more perfect and 
satisfactory will be the cure. The common bread poultice 
may be applied warm, or if that cannot be complied with, 
a soft plaister with galbanum upon it.—Purging must, in 
this latter case, be forborn, and the diet may be more 
generous. 
Swelled Teslicles.—This symptom arises either in the first 
or second stage, particularly when the running is unseason- 
ably checked, by cold, hard drinking, strong violent purges, 
violent exercise, or the too early use of astringents.—
Bleeding is sometimes necessary in this symptom, if the in- 
flammation runs high. Fomentations are of singular ser- 
vice. Poultices of bread and milk, softened with a little 
oil or elder ointment, are proper, and ought constantly to 
be applied when the patient is in bed. When he is up, 
the testicle should be kept warm, and supported by a bag 
truss, or by a cloth or handkerchief, which may easily be 
contrived so as to prevent the weight of the testicle having 
any effect. 
Phymosis and Paraphymosis in this stage too commonly 
conceal ulcers, therefore ought to be kept perfectly clean 
with a syringe; and in some cases it is necessary to have 
the glans set at liberty by an incision. 
In all the above cases, a strict and regular attention to 
administering the vegetable syrup is to be observed, either 
with or without the addition at remedies above recommended.
H2 But 

(80)
But if by neglect, improper treatment, the virulence of 
the infection, or from any other cause, the disorder is not 
stopped, a confirmed Lues ensues, when the virus being 
actually received into the blood, mixes with the several 
secretions, and circulating through every part, taints the 
whole habit. 
OF THE 
THIRD OR CONFIRMED STAGE. 
IF a person having received the infection, attended with 
its local symptoms, be properly cured, the complaint never 
returns without a fresh infection; but if through negligence 
of the patient, or improper treatment in the practitioner, 
the disorder is not happily ended in its local stage, instead of 
a Gonorrhœa, a Lues Venerea is the consequence; and the 
disorder returns perhaps a long time after, with an aggra- 
vation of some or all its former symptoms, and a numerous 
tribe of additional ones. 
The signs of a confirmed Lues are pains in the head and 
joints, which are particularly troublesome in the night, and 
when the patient is warm in bed; scabs and scurfy erup- 
tions in various parts, particularly about the mouth, upon 
the forehead and temples, behind the ears and spreading 
upon the head, of a yellowish colour, resembling a honey- 
comb; by degrees these spread over other parts of the body, 
and in time the pustules are covered with broad crusty scabs, 
that destroy the roots of the hair, and baldness is the
consequence. 


(81)
consequence. When these eruptions scale off they leave a 
mark behind nearly of a chocolate colour. Corroding ul- 
cers are sometimes formed, which beginning about the 
throat gradually creep by the palate towards the cartilage of 
the nose, which they destroy; the gums become ulcerated, 
the breath offensive, and the whole fauces painful and in- 
flamed. Sometimes these ulcers eating through the bone, 
a passage is formed from the mouth to the nose. 
Venereal ulcers happen upon the palms of the hands, soles 
of the feet, behind the ears, in the inside of the lips, or 
about the anus, which are attended with great soreness and 
pain, and a thin matter oozes from them. 
If the venereal matter falls on the ears it occasions a sing- 
ing noise, pain, thickness of hearing, and sometimes total 
deafness, whilst the internal substance of the ears becomes 
exulcerated, and a caries of the bones follows. 
If it falls on the eyes, the eye-lids are rough, the eyes 
affected with pain, itching, and inflammation, dimness of 
sight, sometimes total blindness, and a discharge of a sharp 
watery humour. 
Sometimes excrescences arise in the middle of bones;  
their spongy ends become brittle and easily break, or they 
are soft and bend like wax. Hard moveable tumours, like 
the King’s evil, are formed in the neck, arm-pits, groin, 
&c. and sometimes the periosteum swelling becomes hard, 
and forms those tumours called nodes. 
Nocturnal pains—that is acute pains in the arms, shins, 
joints, and particularly in the head, which come on while 
in bed, and go off towards the morning, generally torment 
H3 the

(82)
the patient in this stage of the disease. Though some of 
these are superficial, yet often they are deep fixed, and 
greatly resemble gouty and rheumatic pains. 
Chancres.—These are a symptom in the first stage; but 
in the confirmed state they are generally more callous, are 
in clusters, and commonly attended with ulcers in the throat, 
nocturnal pains, &c. 
Buboes.—lf these arise any length of time after infection, 
and are accompanied by sore throat, venereal ulcers, &c. 
they may be deemed a sure sign of a confirmed case. 
There are symptoms peculiar to the fair sex, as an over- 
flowing or a suppression of the menses, the whites, scirrhus 
or cancer of the breasts, hysteric affections, inflammation; 
abscess, scirrhus, gangrene, ulcer or cancer of the womb; 
they are frequently barren or subject to abortion; or if they 
bring children into the world, they are perhaps half rotten. 
It is not to be supposed, that all these symptoms are al- 
ways to be met with at the same time, or in the same pa- 
tient, in either stage; but so many being described, a person 
may be enabled to judge from the different appearances this 
disorder puts on, whether he has not just grounds to sup- 
pose his complaint to be venereal. 
To the aforementioned symptomatical catalogue, dread- 
ful as it is, might be added many others, for this direful 
malady frequently puts on the appearance of other disorders, 
and hence many unfortunate persons labour for years under 
afflictions originating from a venereal cause, mistaking them 
for gout or rheumatic pains; also palsies, convulsions, asth- 
mas, &c. may all arise from a veneral taint, for there is
scarcely 


(83)
scarcely any distemper that has put on so many different 
shapes, or been attended with such a variety of symptoms; 
and if proper relief be not timely obtained, the vital as well 
as natural and animal functions are depraved; the body be- 
comes emaciated and unfit for motion; and the unfortunate 
victim awaits with impatience the kind messenger of death, 
to put a period to his miserable existence. 
AS the faculty in general have recourse to mercurial pre- 
parations in this complaint, and as most of the compositions 
sold under different titles of pills, drops, tinctures, &c. have 
Mercury for their basis, it may be proper to set forth the 
danger and inefficacy of that destructive mineral. 
There are not wanting sufficient authorities amongst me- 
dical practitioners, both ancient and modern, to prove the 
inefficacy of mercury in the cure of the venereal disease; 
and even those who are bigotted to its use, as the only spe- 
cific in general practice, asserting it to be a safe medicine in 
the hands of a skilful practitioner, yet must acknowledge, 
that when applied by the inexperienced, it is always dan- 
gerous, and very often destructive. 
The Greeks supposed this fluid to be corrosive and poi- 
sonous; it was first introduced into medicine by the Ara- 
bians externally against various cutaneous maladies. About 
the end of the 13th century it was in practice with some of 
the European physicians; but was not generally established 
till the beginning of the 16th century, when it began 
to be internally ventured on in venereal and some other 
diseases.
Quicksilver, 

(84)
Quicksilver, it is true, has been given internally in many 
cases, without prejudice, even to a large quantity; but the 
external application of it hath very often proved injurious 
to those who in the venereal disease have made the unhappy 
experiment. A great many it hath proved suddenly de- 
structive to; hath caused a tremor, insensibility, palsy, 
perpetual lameness to some; to others an ill and frequently 
incurable habit of body. 
“ The cure by Unction (says Fernelius) is attended with 
much danger to the nerves, and rather eases the complaints 
by its cold stupefactive quality, than eradicates the somes; 
and though the humours are drained away in large quantities, 
yet the distemper returns oftentimes, and the patient after 
MANY YEARS of his supposed cure, relapses and grows 
worse than ever.” 
J. B. Montanus gives an account of a person, seized 
with an epilepsy immediately upon being anointed, and 
says. That if any receive a cure thereby it must be by ac- 
cident. 
Fallopius observes, that if the distemper be not at first 
subdued by Mercury, it will be useless to apply that remedy 
afterwards; and he gives instances of patients who had been 
anointed and nodes arising on the shin bones some years 
after, he opened them, and found the quicksilver in their 
pores. 
And an eminent physician of our own times observes, 
that if mercurial ointment be rubbed upou a chancre, be- 
ginning bubo, &c. and repeated dally three or four times, 
it will remove the appearance of the disease from the part,
but 

(85)
but it will drive it into the constitution. Also, that in a 
scorbutic or scrophulous habit, tainted with the venereal, 
if a small quantity of mercurial ointment be rubbed on any 
part of the body, it will in many instances produce a violent 
salivation, that in spite of all sorts of remedies will run on 
for several weeks, the patient reduced in strength, and the 
taint still remain, though the salivation has been so inordi- 
nate. 
But however free from danger the use of quicksilver may 
be, some of its preparations are exceedingly poisonous; 
“ but above all (says Dr. Allen) the corrosive sublimate.— 
This, like raging fire, catches and destroys all before it.” 
Instances are given by ancient writers, of persons sud- 
denly dropping down dead on the administration of mercu- 
rial pills; and many of them declare mercury to be a poison 
used in any form whatever, being injurious to the nerves, 
by its cold stupefactive quality inducing tremors, palsies, 
convulsions, and a train of the most baneful nervous symp- 
toms. These notions, however, would now be deemed 
enthusiastic and absurd, as no doubt but mercury has fre- 
quently been administered to advantage; yet it requires a 
great deal of skill, both in the disorder and the preparation, 
to render it safe and productive of good effects. 
It is no uncommon case for patients under very eminent 
Practitioners, to be pronounced perfectly cured, the symp- 
toms having totally disappeared, and yet the disease will 
unexpectedly return again, perhaps with greater rage and 
violence than before. This generally proceeds from wrong 
measures taken at first; for there is a material difference 
between


(86)
between destroying the virus, and obliging the symptoms 
to disappear. A few doses of calomel mixed with the com- 
mon purging pill, by weakening the spring of the fibres, 
will, in many instances oblige the disorder to disappear and 
retreat into the habit; but the virus is not thereby destroy- 
ed; it only lurks in the blood, and must consequently break 
out again as soon as the solids have recovered their former 
tone and vigour. 
A very eminent and ingenious practitioner a few years 
back published a pamphlet, recomending a saline prepara- 
tion of mercury, which being rubbed with a sufficient quan- 
tity of any mild powder, is applied to the mouth in small 
portions, where, by a proper degree of friction, it is ab- 
sorbed immediately, and (he observes) produces its full 
effects upon the system, without doing injury to the stomach 
or bowels.—This, however, is a horrid method, and tho’ it 
may possibly be found in some cases to answer the intention, 
yet its application is often attended with disagreeable effects, 
and its disadvantages have been found to more than coun- 
terbalance its advantages. The following case, will suffi- 
ciently illustrate the inelegancy (to give it no harsher epithet) 
of this method: 
A gentleman with a recent infection was apparently cured 
by mercurials; but some time after he was surprised by the 
appearance of a small very stubborn ulcer. To cure this, 
he applied the method of absorption above-mentioned, and 
persevered in it till his teeth became black and disagreeable, 
his breath was rendered so offensive that no person could 
bear

(87)
bear to come within some yards of him, he was totally- 
emaciated, but the ulcer was not removed, and his injured 
constitution dearly experienced the horrors and inefficacy 
of this application. He took only six bottles of the medi- 
cine recommended in the following pages: at the end of 
the third the ulcer was healed, and at the completion of the 
fifth his constitution was restored to a degree of astonish- 
ment. 
Allowing, however, for a moment, that Mercury hath 
sufficient power to eradicate the venereal virus; yet there 
are two substantial reasons for forbearing the use of it, where 
more safe and efficacious remedies may be had recourse to. 
One objection to the use of mercury is, the danger to 
which the patient is exposed should he happen to take cold 
whilst under a course of it. Many persons are so negligent 
as to use mercurials without taking the least care either to 
avoid cold, or observe a proper regimen; the consequence 
of such conduct must be obvious. The metropolis pro- 
duces daily too many instances of the propriety of this ob- 
jection: persons vend their diabolical compositions under 
various names, pretending that they may be taken without 
any confinement or restriction, being free from every dan- 
gerous quality; when the fact is, they are “ mere vehicles 
of corrosive sublimate,” and if the unfortunate persons who 
get into their clutches by any accident take cold, they soon 
feel, and perhaps have reason never to forget, the fatal 
effects thereof. A judicious practitioner will administer 
mercurials with the utmost caution; and give his patient
particular 

(88)
particular directions to avoid such danger, well knowing 
that without care the remedy often proves worse than the 
disease. 
A second objection to the use of mercury is, that even a 
salivation does not evacuate it out of the system, and it is of 
so subtile a nature, that it is not possible to say how long it 
may lie dormant and imperceptible, yet its action be repro- 
duced by many casual circumstances incident to the human 
frame; and in the course of practice variety of cases have 
been met with wherein a salivation hath returned after every 
effort hath been made to evacuate the mercury from the 
system. These assertions are not made merely by way of 
inveighing against mercury; but they are founded on prac- 
tice as well as on the opinion of several of the most emi- 
nent of the faculty; Dr. Saunders, Dr. Brocklesby, Mr. 
Bromfield, Mr. Howard, and Mr. Perry have publicly 
declared themselves to the same effect; and two instances 
are particularly recorded; one of a person, who after sali- 
vation and an appearance of perfect recovery, caught cold 
in a shower of rain, had a second salivation in consequence, 
and died in a few days; the other of a young lady, who 
died of a second salivation, which caused a mortification. 
Such evidence of the danger and inefficacy of mercury 
one would suppose sufficient to deter people from the use 
of remedies so hazardous even if skilfully admininistered; 
but particularly from applying in their distress to those ig- 
norant persons who impudently sport with the lives of their 
fellow mortals.
TO 

(89)
TO be of service to our fellow creatures is one of the 
grand duties incumbent on mankind in general; and whether 
it is done by giving ease and health to the afflicted, 
relieving the distressed, or in whatever manner it is in 
our power to be of public utility, it it is our duty to do 
it to the utmost of our abilities. It is necessary, therefore, 
after shewing the inefficacy of the general mode of treat- 
ment in venereal cases, to recommend a remedy that shall 
possess all the excellencies required, without any of the dis- 
agreeable qualities. 
The venereal virus being “ a fluid subtile, volatile, at- 
tractive, corrosive and penetrating,” it requires a remedy 
at least equally subtile, volatile, and penetrating, whose 
actions may be extended into the most extreme parts of the 
vascular system, and counteract the malignant qualities of 
the infected virus. Such a remedy is to be found in the 
PARISIAN VEGETABLE SYRUP, 
Known as a universal remedy in all impurities of the blood, 
and particularly recommended as a cure for the venereal 
disease, however complicated the disorder or dreadful the 
symptoms, having effected many surprizing cures, not only 
in recent gonorrhœa and simple cases, but in old inveterate 
complicated cases, when salivation, antimonials, and the 
decoction of the woods have been tried to little or no 
purpose. 
This elegant remedy is produced from vegetables only, 
without a single particle of mercury, or any pernicious ar- 
ticle. It is agreeable to the taste, simple and uniform in 
its action, promoting moderately every evacuation, and
I though 

(90)
though so mild that it may be administered with safety to 
children at the breast, or women during every stage of 
pregnancy; yet it is so powerful and subtile, that there is 
no part of the human body which the particles of it do not 
reach, consequently there are no symptoms that escape its 
operation. The chyle being impregnated with it, it is con- 
veyed into the most minute vessel: there are no glands 
which it does not pervade, no lamina of the bones between 
which it does not slide, and no capillary vessels which it 
will not penetrate. 
The danger when injudiciously administered, and the 
frequent inefficacy of mercury in the venereal disease, have 
been allowed by medical writers the most respectable for 
candour and knowledge. Even those who are bigotted to 
its use, as being safe in the hands of a judicious practitioner, 
and insist on its being the ONLY specific in a confirmed 
case, must own, that in a recent infection mercury is not 
only unnecessary, but often prejudicial. Boerhaave asserts 
that “ in gonorrhœas, lodged where the humours are 
scarcely perceptible, mercury never effects a cure; and it 
is absolutely ineffectual where the virus has gained ground, 
and is seated in the smaller vessels.”—Buchan observes, 
that “ if mercury be taken too early in a gonorrhœa it does 
mischief;" and Hunter seems of opinion, that after a cer- 
tain quantity of mercury hath been administered in con- 
firmed cases, the complaint, in many instances, is absolutely 
changed into a new disease, or complication, in which he 
acknowledges the efficacy of the Vegetable Syrup.
From

(91)
From the joint opinion of eminent writers, ancient and 
modern, therefore, we may justly infer, 1. That Mercury 
is by no means a specific for the venereal disease in any 
stage.—2. That in a recent infection it is injurious.—3. 
That in confirmed cases, where the virus has penetrated 
the minute vessels, mercury cannot effect a cure.—And 4. 
That in many cases where it is administered, it produces a 
disorder, which becomes the more inveterate the longer 
mercury is continued to be applied as a remedy. 
If mercury be ever necessary, it is to remove some local 
or particular symptom, as a very obstinate chancre, phy- 
mosis, &c. but as many people have imbibed so strong an 
idea of the necessity of mercury in this disorder, it is pro- 
per to inform such persons, that the best and safest method 
of administering mercury is to rub about a dram of mer- 
curial ointment in the inside of the thighs, every night at 
going to bed, at the same time taking this syrup regularly. 
The use of mercury is thus rendered not only safer, but 
much more efficacious; for the syrup enters into contact 
with it, carries it through those minute vessels in which its 
passage would otherwise be obstructed, and prevents those 
disagreeable consequences, which often ensue, from mercury 
continuing in the system after the disease hath been eradi- 
cated.—A gentleman of the faculty, of extensive prac- 
tice in one of the universities, who has much administered 
and recommended this syrup, (and to whom alone I am in- 
debted for this information) assures me, that by this method 
he hath been able to remove the most obstinate symptoms,
I2 having 


(92)
having never experienced a failure or disagreeable conse- 
quences. 
Mercury being so hazardous a medicine, when unskil- 
fully applied, young people should be extremely cautious 
to whom they apply, the first time of receiving the infec- 
tion, as in general they too eagerly run to any person who 
promises speedy relief, and thereby often receive irrepara- 
ble injury. 
This medicine was originally published as a specific in 
scorbutic and venereal taints only, in which it has happily 
succeeded though of the most malignant nature, and where 
the strongest, mercurials have failed. 
In venereal cases, it cannot be sufficiently recommended, 
on account of its peculiar safety to the constitution—a pro- 
perty which gives it a superiority over all mercurial prepa- 
rations whatever. In a recent case, it abates the inflam- 
mation, and carries off the offending humours. In con- 
firmed ones, it gradually removes the most obstinate symp- 
toms; and whenever the constitution has suffered from an 
imprudent use of mercury, this syrup is the only medicine 
that can be of service; for it acts as a restorative to the con- 
stitution, and removes those gouty, rheumatic and other 
pains, with which the patients are frequently afflicted, after 
other symptoms of the disease have entirely disappeared. 
Such a remedy is particularly recommended to those un- 
fortunate women who have been injured by the imprudence 
of their husbands, and have every reason to expect they 
shall bring into the world an infected offspring: In such a 
case, mercury cannot be administered without the greatest
danger 


(93)
danger both to the mother and child; but by taking this 
syrup, the mother may not only be herself freed from a 
dreadful complaint, but also be enabled to bring forth a 
found and healthy offspring. 
In the use of the vegetable remedy herein recommended, 
it is to be noted, as to the time required for perfecting a cure, 
that besides the degree of infection, the age and constitu- 
tion of the patient, as also the addition of other acrimo- 
nious humours, is to be considered, so as to render it im- 
possible to fix any certain time for a radical cure. In some 
constitutions where immediate application has been made, 
or when the precautions before recommended have been 
taken, three or four bottles have cured a recent infection, 
and in others it hath required six or eight; but there can be 
little doubt, by a proper attention to the directions, of effect- 
ing a cure; and as the restrictions required during its ad- 
ministration are only respecting regimen, violent exercise, 
and to abstrain from venery, it may be taken without con- 
finement or hindrance of business. 
An observation is proper to be made here, which is equal- 
ly applicable to any creditable public medicine: a person who 
has laboured under a violent disorder for many years, per- 
haps, and has probably in the course of that time suffered a 
great deal very patiently whilst under a regular practitioner; 
if he should think proper to try any advertised medicine, and 
it does not in a manner work a miracle, he gives it up, con- 
demns the medicine, and villifies the proprietor; when pro- 
bably if he had persevered but a short time longer, he would 
have found the relief he wished for.
I3 In 


(94)
In respect to the present medicine, it should be under- 
stood, that in many cases, not only perseverance is neces- 
sary, as it corrects and purifies the whole mass of blood and 
juices; but also that it is not uncommon for the patient to 
take half the quantity requisite for a radical cure before he 
perceives any benefit. This will be further exemplified in 
the annexed cases. From persons, therefore, who shall fa- 
vour this medicine with an impartial trial an implicit obe- 
dience to the directions is expected. 
“ I must make one remark here, as being of the utmost 
consequence, both for the satisfaction of the patient, and to 
my own reputation. It has been proved, in the former part 
of this work, that mercury may lie dormant a considerable 
time in the human body, and afterwards be accidentally 
brought again into action. In some of the following cures 
it will be seen that this vegetable remedy has had that effect 
in some old and obstinate cases, where a great deal of mer- 
cury had before been liberally administered, insomuch that 
my patients have been sometimes doubtful of the truth of 
my assurance, that there was no mercurial preparation in 
the syrup. Much pains too has been taken in order to per- 
suade the public that this medicine was “ a mere vehicle of 
corrosive sublimate.” A judicious public need not be told 
how practicable it is, though at the same time how illiberal, 
to exhibit a bottle of Vegetable Syrup, with corrosive sub- 
limate, and falsely to assert that it was the medicine of an 
opponent. 
“ I not only declare, that in the composition of the genuine 
Parisian Vegetable Syrup, which is prepared only by me,
there 

(95)
there is not any mercurial preparation whatever, but I sub- 
mit it to any impartial chymist to analyse; and in order 
that every patient may himself judge of the truth of my as- 
sertion, I have added to the end of this pamphlet, sundry 
methods of recovering mercury into its original shape; by 
which it may be easily known whether any preparation be 
mercurial. 
J. HODSON. 
Hatton-Garden. 
CASES. 
MANY treatises have been written upon the Venereal 
Disease, but very few of the authors of such publications 
have endeavoured to point out to youth the dismal conse- 
quences which sometimes attend that dire complaint, and 
earnestly engage them to shun even the chance of con- 
tracting the miserable disease, by avoiding all illicit commu- 
nication. The reason is obvious; these treatises being 
written chiefly with a view to recommend their own prac- 
tice and mode of treatment, instead of warning mankind of 
the danger, they have absolutely encouraged them to it, by 
setting forth the ease and certainty of a cure; and few, very 
few, if any, have had candour enough to confess, that in 
some instances, no remedy hath been discovered which 
could effect a cure; in many the remedy applied hath prov- 
ed as fatal as the disease, and thousands though cured,, 
perhaps, of the disease in the body, have a sting left behind, 
which can be cured only by the “ Great Physician” of 
returning Prodigals.
Therefore 

(96)
Therefore although in some of the following and a 
variety of other cases, cures have been effected by this 
syrup, when the patient hath been berest of every hope of 
obtaining relief; let it not be presumed from thence, or 
from any extraordinary instance, that there is no case so 
desperate but what a cure may be relied on as a certainty. 
There have been instances, no doubt, when the patient 
has had every medical assistance possible, and yet hath fallen 
a sacrifice to the wretched disorder. Nay instances are re- 
corded, where the progress of the infection has been such 
that in a few hours a mortification hath taken place. If, 
then, this treatise falls into the hands of any young reader, 
who hath never yet been tainted with this sore disaster, Let 
him here take warning! Let him not presume too much on 
his own constitution because of the wonderful efficacy of 
this syrup! Let him avoid the necessity of applying to it. 
Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its 
colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright: At the last it 
biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder: Thine eyes 
shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter per- 
verse things. 
An elderly gentleman applied three days only after in- 
fection; the symptoms he informed me appeared within 
twelve hours after coition, upon which he had taken some 
gentle opening medicines by way of precaution. The parts 
were much inflamed, and the discharge great and much 
discoloured. He obtained a radical cure, however, by 
three bottles. 
A young man who had some years since gone through a 
course of mercurials for a venereal infection was discharged
from 


(97)
from the hands of the faculty as cured. When he applied 
to me he was covered with large pustules from head to foot, 
but particularly his arms and thighs. His whole body was 
emaciated, his strength nearly exhausted, and to all ap- 
pearance a few weeks must have put an end to his miserable 
existence. He was immediately put upon the use of the 
Vegetable Syrup, and by eight bottles was made quite a 
new creature. 
A servant to a gentleman in Westminster, who was of a 
relaxed constitution, and much injured by the quantity of 
mercury he had taken six months before, was troubled with 
violent pains in his shin bones, nocturnal pains, head ach, 
and had frequently eruptions in his face. Six bottles of the 
Syrup made a compleat cure. 
A gentleman who had undergone a course of mercurials 
ten years before, a few months after his discharge from the 
faculty discovered that his cure was not compleat. Having 
a particular aversion to advertised medicines, he submitted 
to the modes prescribed in regular practice, till he had spent 
upwards of 40l. without obtaining a radical cure. At 
length he applied personally to know if this Vegetable re- 
medy would afford him relief. His complaint was highly 
complicated with the scurvy; his legs and arms were cover- 
ed with pimples; he had violent itchings all over his body, 
particularly when warm in bed; on his back were several 
large pustules, and one small ulcer.—He received a radical 
cure. 
A gentleman in the city had for upwards of sixteen 
months been afflicted with a malignant sore throat from a 
venereal cause; he was under a surgeon of eminence, and 
Underwent mercurial courses repeated without effect, till he 
was so reduced that it was feared he was falling into a con- 
sumption. In this desperate situation he was recommended 
to the Vegetable remedy, from which he received a cure 
in about six weeks.
A gentleman 


(98)
A gentleman near Fleet-street had been afflicted many 
years with an obstruction in the urethra, and had also an 
ulcer at the neck of the bladder. He had for a considerable 
time used bougies without effect, the passing of which fre- 
quently put him to such exquisite torture, that he was oblig- 
ed to relinquish the use of them, and being in constant pain 
he almost dispaired of ever obtaining relief. In this un- 
happy situation he entered on a course of the Vegetable 
Syrup; but though it was two months before his water 
came free, yet in about four his cure was entirely com- 
pleated. 
A Tradesman near Temple-bar, twelve years before his 
application to me received a venereal infection, for which 
he applied to a gentleman of extensive practice, and went 
through a course of mercurials without obtaining a cure. 
He therefore applied to other surgeons, many of them of 
the first eminence, and, (as himself expressed it) had taken 
his hat full of mercury, and in every mode in which the 
faculty could administer it. He had also taken several ad- 
vertised medicines, and tried the antimonial method pre- 
scribed by the “ company of surgeons.” Disagreeable 
symptoms daily increased, and he had large nodes upon his 
arm which almost deprived him of the use of it. To this 
he had used an outward application which gave him some 
relief; and he had taken the decoction of the woods in 
large quantities. But finding no substantial benefit in any 
medicines he had taken, he had given up all hopes of a cure, 
and was with much difficulty prevailed on by a friend to 
apply to me. The most striking symptoms that now affected 
him were an ulcerated throat, nodes upon both legs and one 
arm, violent nocturnal pains, and hectic fever. I assured 
him that if he would put himself entirely under my direc- 
tion, there could be no doubt of his obtaining a cure. He 
immediately did so, and was perfectly restored. 
A gentleman who had been married upwards of two years 
applied to me in great anxiety, having a discharge and heat
of 


(99)
of urine exactly similar to a fresh infection, though he de- 
clared it was five years since he had any venereal complaint, 
nor had he since his marriage taken any measures whereby 
he could receive a fresh infection. He related to me the 
method that his practitioner had pursued at the time he al- 
luded to, and though so long a time had elapsed, and he 
was supposed to have been radically cured, all the present 
symptoms united to confirm my opinion that his complaint 
was venereal. He began the Syrup, but from the two first 
bottles he perceived no alteration, except that the heat of 
urine was a great deal abated. However, seven bottles made 
a perfect cure. 
A woman about forty years of age, in the fourth month 
of her pregnancy, applied to me, complaining of a violent 
relaxation and also a schirrous tumour in her right breast. 
From several corroborating circumstances I judged the 
cause to be venereal, and after some little hesitation she con- 
fessed that her husband had injured her some time before, 
though she believed without knowing that himself was in- 
fected; that as soon as it was discovered, he had applied 
to a person, and they were both, as imagined, cured; but 
she had never been in health since, and had twice miscar- 
ried. The husband had but few disagreeable symptoms 
now, the chief being nocturnal pains, accompanied with 
violent prickings in the part of generation. The poor wo- 
man’s constitution had suffered very much. The disorder 
of the body, added to the anguish of her mind, had render- 
ed her truly an object of compassion. I immediately put 
them both upon a course of my Vegetable remedy, at the 
same time recommending a strict attention to regimen, and 
a regulation of the passions. The husband took only four 
bottles; the woman eight; and I had the satisfaction to 
experience the efficacy of my medicine in an extraordinary 
manner, the woman being since delivered of the child with 
which she was then pregnant, and which is perfectly free 
from any symptoms of the disease.
A young

(100)
A young man of an exceeding gross habit, had no symp- 
toms till the eighth day after infection, which were then 
very mild. He took some of the electuary prescribed in 
the former part of this pamphlet, and then entered upon a 
course of the Syrup; but it took eight bottles to make a 
perfect cure. 
A gentleman in whom the symptoms appeared within 
twelve hours after infection, though naturally of a moderate 
habit, took nine bottles to complete his cure. The symp- 
toms were very virulent, accompanied with chancres, phy- 
mosis, &c. 
To Dr. HODSON. 
“ Five months since I had the misfortune to receive a 
venereal infection, which made its first appearance in sharp 
pricking pains on the nut of the penis, no discharge, but 
red spots appeared, which were just beginning to ulcerate 
when I applied for some advertised drops and purging re- 
medy. I continued the use of these medicines for four 
months, and though I had paid strict attention to the direc- 
tion in every respect, I was in a worse situation than when 
I began taking them. The symptoms now were several 
lumps and soreness under and about the root of the tongue, 
sides of the throat and palate; all much swelled, and seem- 
ed at times that the under jaw was quite benumbed; pains 
in the groin and thighs, and violent itching of the penis. 
I have taken five bottles of your syrup, and beg to know 
whether I may depend upon a cure by persevering in it, as 
many of the symptoms are not yet removed.” This case 
was extremely obstinate; but the gentleman obtained a 
radical cure, though it was some time first, for while he 
was under the mercurial medicines at first alluded to, he 
caught a violent cold. 
“ Necessity induces me to lay my case before you, a 
case which has baffled several physicians and surgeons, who 
are under the denomination of being the first of their pro- 
fession in London. Last August I found myself infected 
with


(101)
with the venereal disease, upon which I made application 
to a surgeon, who gave me a preparation of mercury. I 
continued under his direction for three months, at which pe- 
riod I found myself some degrees worse than at my commence- 
ment; my throat was ulcerated in such a manner as to ren- 
der me incapable of speaking to be understood, or taking 
the smallest nourishment without putting myself to the most 
excruciating pain. Then I made application to a second 
person, who gave me a different preparation, from which 
I did not receive the least benefit; again I applied to a 
third, who used me in like manner, this being about the 
21st of December, when I was obliged to quit an employ- 
ment I held, as being incapable of doing anything. I was 
then admitted into an hospital, where I underwent a drench- 
ing of mercurial preparations for twelve weeks, which in 
fact had like to have sent me a journey I was yet ill pre- 
pared for. They all pronounced me in a decline, and never 
to recover. I am now quite debilitated. After the drench- 
ings I have gone through my blood is still in the most cor- 
rupt state, as my hands are all breaking out, seemingly 
like the scurvy, and an inflammation with pimples on my 
private parts; inwardly exceeding weak, with a most vio- 
lent cough, all of which I ascribe to my being treated in an 
injudicious manner.” 
In a much worse state than here described was this pa- 
tient, when he was put upon a course of the Vegetable 
Syrup.—He took 20 bottles, accompanied by the sarsapa- 
rilla decoction with liquorice, barley-water, &c. and was 
restored. 
A married woman in the country, about 34 years of age, 
of a weakly constitution, received a venereal injury. In 
a few days after she applied to her apothecary, who ad- 
ministered the usual remedies, and after having taken them 
about ten days, she was taken suddenly ill, occasioned by a 
severe cold caught whilst under mercurial medicines. Her 
head and face inflamed and swelled very much, and she 
was three weeks under the same gentleman in that
K situation 

(102)
situation before she could continue his prescriptions for the 
original complaint. She then went under another course 
of medicines for one month, the disorder seeming rather to 
increase than diminish, being in continual pain, attended 
with cold and hot fits alternately. She took six bottles of 
the Vegetable Syrup, by which she was greatly recovered 
and her constitution much restored. The disease, however, 
was not yet subdued; she was therefore put under a regular 
course of the sarsaparilla decoction during the seventh and 
eighth bottles of the syrup; but being of a costive habit, 
she had hitherto taken occasionally a dose of salts recom- 
mended in the printed directions; which she had gradually 
increased to the quantity of an ounce and a half, without 
occasioning any extraordinary effects. She then very un- 
advisedly took (instead of what was recommended) a penny- 
worth of jalap; which operated so violently that it rendered 
her in a dangerous situation for about a week, and it was 
three weeks before she was so far recovered as to begin the 
syrup again. From these circumstances, the disorder had 
rather gained ground again. The principal symptoms now 
were ulcers in the womb, difficulty of urine, and a con- 
tinual bearing down.—The syrup and decoction was begun 
again in small doses, and increased as the constitution would 
bear it.—When she had taken two more bottles, the cos- 
tiveness was entirely removed, and her strength so much 
restored that she could take the full dose. She took five 
more bottles, and was by that perfectly recovered. 
N. B. She had a hard spreading swelling on one side of 
her neck, which had been seven years increasing in size, 
and before taking the syrup was very much inflamed and 
painful. She had the advice of several of the faculty, who 
pronounced it to be a cancer; but the syrup entirely dis- 
persed it. 
A young gentleman of the strictest veracity applied for 
advice in a disorder of the genitals.—Upon examination, I
found a violent inflammation, a copious discharge, attended 
with chancre, phymosis, chordee, and in short certain 
symptoms


(103)
symptoms of the second stage of a venereal infection.—lt is 
very certain he never had any connection with a female, 
consequently he denied the charge. That it was venereal 
is beyond a doubt, and that he received the infection from 
the seat of a privy is very evident.—lt appeared, that about 
a fortnight before, he had occasion, at an inn upon the 
road, for the privy, which a person had so recently left 
that the seat was warm; that he afterwards found upon the 
penis a very small quantity of whitish matter, which he 
whiped off with his shirt, and two or three days after the 
inflammatory state commenced —He was treated as a ve- 
nereal patient, and cured in a short time.—lt would appear 
from this, that a person infected, not only with a plentiful 
discharge, but also perhaps with a chancre or ulcers, had 
accidentally discharged some of the matter on the edge of the 
seat, which being immediately received by a found person, 
had conveyed a sufficiency of the virus, to communicate 
the infection. 
“ About three years since I had the misfortune to contract 
a venereal infection, which on applying to a surgeon was 
treated as a confirmed case, and the usual application of 
mercury was administered internally for upwards of six 
months, and was then pronounced cured, and entertained 
the same idea myself, as nothing remained in appearance to 
make me think otherwise. Since taking the mercury for 
the original complaint I have laboured under a very indiffe- 
rent state of health, whether hurt by the mercury or any 
other cause I am not able to say; but my complaint for 
these two years past has been the piles, accompanied with 
a disagreeable restlesness in bed, disturbed sleep and lowness 
of spirits; and what is most extraordinary, about three 
weeks since, there appeared an itching about the glans, at- 
tended with a phymosis, and every morning a lodgment 
of a small quantity of white matter behind the nut, which 
made me think it a return of the old disorder, for I was 
convinced that it could not be a fresh infection, as I had 
avoided all occasions that might have caused it. I
K2 immediately

(104)
immediately applied your Vegetable Syrup, and have en- 
tered upon the fourth bottle, when the inflammation is 
much abated, therefore hope by a little perseverance that 
I shall be quite restored.”— Cured by eight bottles of all the 
symptoms. 
“ I have had the venereal disease for five years and a 
half. When I contracted it first I found no symptoms but 
a clear running. I have been taking mercury ever since I 
first contracted the infection, and have been salivated with- 
out any benefit. For two years I found nothing but the 
clear thin running, and then I found it all in my joints; 
they swelled very much: I could not turn in my bed with- 
out help. I took sweats and got better, but the pains in 
my joints still continued. In six months after I was again 
crippled, which continued for twelve months.—I have now 
pains in all my bones, the joints of my elbows and knees, 
and some of my fingers are so that I have but little use of 
them. My shoulders are so painful that it is with difficulty 
I can lift my arm up. Night pains very bad, and ulcers in 
my nostrils.”— The above is the patient’s own description at 
the time he entered upon the Vegetable Syrup.—By a long 
perseverance in the syrup, accompanied with the decoction 
of sarsaparilla, and being a month under Dr. Hodson’s im- 
mediate inspection he was happily cured. 
“ Dec. 22. With the particulars of my case, which I 
promised you, I have sent you a hare and two brace of 
partridges, as some token of gratitude for the very effential 
service which you have done me.—In March last I caught 
the venereal infection for the first time in my life, and ap- 
plied to the doctor who is always employed in our family 
I took his medicines till July, but without benefit. I then 
applied to a surgeon, from whom I obtained considerable 
relief; but in the harvest (in the month of September) the 
weather being wet, I got a severe cold, and was danger- 
oufly ill, being confined to my room, for six weeks. I 
had a Doctor of advice attended me from whom I received
a great

(105)
a great deal of benefit. He told me the disorder was driven 
into my bladder, for I had such violent pain in making 
water that I could only make a few drops at a time, tho’ 
always wanting. At this time I was recommended to apply 
to you, whose advice I have strictly followed. When I 
began your syrup, I was troubled with a sharp windy pain 
from my kidnies, all up my back and in my bowels, sick- 
ness at the stomach, pain in making water, pain in my head, 
up my temples and to my ears, a sore throat, and violent 
night pains.—I am very happy in being perfectly recovered 
by your medicines and instructions, and shall ever think 
myself under the highest obligations to you.” 
A gentleman going to America about nine years since, 
just before his departure contracted a venereal infection.— 
He concealed his case during the voyage, the consequence 
of which must be obvious. On arriving at Boston he ap- 
lied to a surgeon, went through a course of mercurials with 
some benefit, and after using various other means obtained 
a cure; but in a fortnight after received a fresh infection.— 
Every method now tried proved ineffectual, and he returned 
to England after a few years, in a very emaciated state, 
having suffered as much from mercury and improper treat- 
ment as from the disease. Upon his arrival in England he 
retired to his estate in the west, and during 18 months took 
a great many advertised pills and drops without the desired 
effect.—The latter end of August he entered upon a course 
of this Vegetable Syrup. In about two months he was so 
far recovered as to come up to London, that he might be 
under the proprietor’s immediate inspection to complete the 
cure; and in three months from the time he began upon 
the syrup he was radically cured, after having been afflicted 
nine years, except an intermission of a few weeks. 
A gentleman afflicted with a venereal complaint had ap- 
plied to a person of eminence in the profession, and being 
treated as customary in those cases, the symptoms disappear- 
ed, but in a short time broke out again. He applied to the
K3 same

(106)
same practitioner, went through a course of mercurials, had 
the advice of a physician and was salivated, His constitu- 
tion was thus very much injured, and he was so emaciated, 
that he was sent into the country to try the effect the air 
and a milk diet. His strength being somewhat recovered, 
he returned to town, went through another course of medi- 
cine, and tried Mr. Clare’s method of absorption by the 
mouth. He was near three years in that disagreeable state, 
and spent above 80 guineas to no good purpose, whilst the 
disorder had made a most dismal progress: His legs were 
much swelled, and his joints so painful that he was not able 
to walk; the palate of his mouth was affected, corrosive 
ulcers were destroying his lips and nose, and the smell of 
him was highly offensive to all around him. In this de- 
plorable state, when his friends thought his recovery im- 
possible, he began this Vegetable Syrup. From the first 
three or four bottles the swelling and pain in his joints 
seemed to increase, and he took nine bottles before he re- 
ceived much benefit. From this period he recovered 
rapidly, the pains abated, the swellings subsided, and he ac- 
companied the syrup with the sarsaparilla decoction to the 
quantity of a pint a day. But (what is a strong proof of 
the danger of mercury, and corroborates the opinion that 
it may lie dormant in the system a long time and again be 
brought into action) when the patient was so far recovered 
as to get much into the air (of which he had been incapable 
for a considerable time before) he very incautiously changed 
his lodgings, and the day when this change took place being 
a general rain, he got wet through, and then imprudently 
went into his new bed, which proved to be damp, without 
taking the least precaution, or even changing his linen.— 
The severe cold occasioned by such misconduct, brought 
the mercury, so liberally administered by former practition- 
ers, again into the most violent action, and rendered the 
patient the most deplorable object ever beheld.—Yet not- 
withstanding all these disadvantages, he was recovered to the 
enjoyment of a better state of health than he had for many 
years before.——N. B. He took upwards of two dozen 
bottles of the syrup.
To

 

(107)
To Dr. HODSON, No. 29, Hatton-Garden. 
“ Two years since I laboured under a venereal com- 
plaint, which seemed to bid defiance to mercury in every 
shape. This disease raged with great violence till at last a 
bubo formed itself, and when ripe I suffered a lancet to be 
applied to it, and my surgeon continued his mercurials in 
such quantities that I began to think the remedy worse than 
the disease; at last I had recourse to your Vegetable Syrup, 
which cured me though in a long time. Five months ago, 
suspecting myself to be injured, and not having an oppor- 
tunity of getting your syrup, I took mercurials from a phy- 
sician, notwithstanding which I paid my addresses to the 
fair sex as usual; but at the end of two months I felt violent 
pains in the urethra, especially at the neck of the bladder, 
attended with constant discharge. I continued to ride on 
horseback a great deal, till a swelled testicle ensued, and I 
was compelled to keep my room till it got well. I then ob- 
tained your syrup, and found, after two bottles, a discharge 
of matter for a day or two, and when that ceased the pain in 
making water ceased also. I then fancied myself well 
enough to neglect a proper regimen, though I still continued 
the syrup, and went upon a hunting party for a week, dur- 
ing which I paid no attention to the disorder; but at the 
end of the week found a pain fixed in the place where I 
had a bubo two years ago, and as I had a plaister by me to 
apply in case of such a symptom, I accordingly applied it, 
and in a few days the pain left that spot and went to one of 
my testicles, where it continued more or less for some time; 
and having at different times taken a wonderful quantity of 
mercury, I began to fear I had injured my constitution very 
much. However when I had taken ten bottles of syrup, I 
should have thought myself well, but at times felt an aching 
pain, which lasted sometimes half the day, sometimes only 
a few minutes. I therefore took five bottles more quite 
regular, accompanying it with a quart of sarsaparilla decoc- 
tion a day, and am now perfectly restored to health by 15 
bottles of your syrup.” 
To

(108)
To Dr. HODSON. 
“ Some time since I contracted an infection, and ap- 
plying to a gentleman of the faculty of well-known ability, 
he adopted a plan of mercurials and powders, which I con- 
tinued some time, but found the mercury instead of enter- 
ing the constitution, passed off by stool. I then took it in 
smaller doses, but found it did not in the least affect the 
constitution. A month passed without the least check be- 
ing given to the disorder: My surgeon then observed that 
it was a folly to be trifling with the pills any longer, and 
desired I would rub the size of a nutmeg of mercurial oint- 
ment every night in the inside of each thigh, till the whole 
was nearly absorbed. I continued this method for some 
time, and made no alteration in my common mode of diet. 
By degrees I found the discharge to be less in quantity, and 
to become more of a ropy nature, and I still continued the 
ointment, till one day I was taken with a violent shivering 
chilness, pains in the head and limbs, &c. These I looked 
upon as sure symptoms of having caught a violent cold, 
which I attributed to the use of the mercury; I immediately 
took near a pint of vinegar whey, which caused a violent 
perspiration, and next morning a dose of salts, by which I 
was much relieved; but that night my left testicle swelled 
to the size of an egg or larger, my teeth and gums became 
sore; my mouth, tongue and palate in a most tormenting 
state, my face much swelled, and violent pains in my jaw- 
bones; nor could I get a moment’s sleep, the discharge of 
fetid saliva was so great; my breath also was tainted, my 
teeth black and filled with disagreeable excrement between, 
and, in short, I was in a compleat salivation. Resolving to 
use no more mercury, and seeing your advertisement in the 
papers (in which you assure the public that your Vegetable 
Syrup is perfectly free from mercury) I began a course of 
your medicine. I continued, however, in that uncom- 
fortable situation ten days, during which I never went out 
of a warm room, but kept my body and head warm with 
flannel, bread and milk being my only diet, not being able
to 


(109)
to bear any solids in my mouth. By continuing your syrup 
I got well, but this violent salivation had reduced me so 
low that it was some time first. When I got something 
better, I took the sarsaparilla decoction according to your 
directions, and after that barley-water with liquorice.” 
A farmer near Cambridge, had a venereal complaint of 
ten years standing, complicated with an inveterate scurvy, 
for which he had been thrice salivated without effect; be- 
sides innumerable dreadful symptoms which cannot with 
delicacy be described: the lower part of his back was full 
of sinous ulcers, communicating with each other, and 
grown fistulous, with a caries overspreading the os sacrum. 
The nature of this disease had bent him almost double, and 
he had now kept his bed near twelve months, when the 
minister of the place applied to know il the Vegetable Sy- 
rup could afford relief. The trial was made, and the hap- 
py effects were most sudden and astonishing; for by the 
sole use of the Syrup, he was able in a fortnight’s time to 
rife and dress himself, at the end of five weeks to walk round 
the village, and in a short time perfectly cured, to the 
amazement of the neighbourhood. 
A soldier in the guards, was, from a venereal complaint 
of long standing, highly complicated with the scurvy, 
covered with large pustules and ulcers of a most sordid 
nature, from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. 
The vulva and tonsils were almost entirely consumed with 
ulcers, and he was quite worn out with the most dreadful 
nocturnal pains. He had nodes on various parts, a slow 
hectic fever, and a continual headach. He had undergone 
the torments of several mercurial courses, without effect, 
till he was emaciated to the highest degree, and looked upon 
as absolutely incurable. In this situation the unhappy man 
was put upon this syrup, by which he was perfectly cured. 
A cabinet maker had laboured under a venereal com- 
plaint, highly complicated with the scurvy, upwards of six 
years. His body was covered with pustules of a putrid
nature.

(110)
nature. There was a large fœtid ulcer on the right leg, 
and a fistula in the perineum, through which the urine 
passed, and gave him exquisite pain. He had been twice 
salivated without effect, notwithstanding which dreadful 
symptoms, he was put under a course of this Vegetable 
Syrup. In the space of about seven weeks the ulcer in the 
leg was cured; at the end of two months all the putrid 
eruptions disappeared, in fourteen weeks the fistula was 
healed, and the urine passed through the natural channel. 
A patient had laboured under a malignant venereal in- 
fection of ten years standing, during which he had under- 
gone divers mercurial courses, and had been twice salivated 
without effect. He had large sordid ulcers in the throat, a 
considerable ulcer under the tongue, and a deep sinous one 
in the groin; his gums were almost eaten away, his teeth 
were become loose ; nor had he swallowed any thing solid 
for some time; he had eruptions all over his body, was af-
flicted with a most violent head-ach, which at times almost 
took away his senses, and he laboured under nocturnal pains 
that deprived him of rest. The disorder had reduced him 
to a most emaciated state, and rendered him an object truly 
deplorable. In the above-mentioned situation he was put 
upon a course of the Vegetable Syrup, by the use of which 
in about a month he was enabled to swallow with a degree 
of ease, and in ten weeks every complaint was gradually 
removed, and the patient radically cured. 
A gentleman in the country was afflicted with a violent 
head-ach at different times, noturnal pains in the limbs, 
especially in the hips and legs, elbows and shoulder blades. 
He had nodes on each tibia; swellings towards night from 
the foot to the knee; a shivering like a fit of the ague, for 
two or three hours successively every evening, attended 
with a slow fever, which went off about two or three in the 
morning with a sweat. He had also a putrid discharge 
from the nose, a stinking breath, a nauseous spitting every 
morning, and had lost three teeth, which dropped out of 
their sockets. In this state he began a course of the Vege-
table 


(111)
table Syrup, which produced the most favourable symp- 
toms; the pains greatly abated, he walked almost twenty 
miles with more ease than he could two before; he gained 
strength, activity, and a slow of spirits, the unremitting 
fever ceased, the pulse beat regularly, and he slept com- 
fortably six or seven hours successively, which for a long 
time he had not done for a single hour. In about two 
months he was perfectly restored, and now enjoys an un- 
interrupted state of health. 
Proper insructions to persons doubtful, respecting the true, 
difference between venereal symptoms, and those often 
mistaken for them. 
THIS is the most important article that can be recommended to the 
attention of any person who has ever been infected with this disease; 
for it commonly leaves such a depression upon the spirits, particularly 
where large quantities of mercury have been administered, that the 
patient is either driven to despair, or forced into the hands of ignorant 
pretenders, who put him under treatment for a complaint, of which, 
probably he had not the least symptom. 
All eruptive disorders of the skin, if they happen without mani- 
fest cause, and obstinately elude the force of medicine, are signs of a 
venereal taint; but must be distinguished from disorders of the skin, 
which are critical, and not venereal; or from yellow or livid scorbutic 
spots, which abound most where other marks of a confirmed scurvy 
appear. 
Ulcers of the throat, nose, palate, and gums, with rottenness of the 
bones contiguous, are often observed in an inveterate pox; but to 
distinguish these it must be remarked, that venereal ulcers first at- 
tack the tonsil glands and throat, then the gums, but more rarely 
and slow. Whilst, on the contrary, scorbutic ulcers first attack the 
gums, and afterwards the throat. 
Venereal ulcers frequently seize the nose, with a rottenness of the 
subjacent bones; but scorbutic ulcers seldom if ever. 
Venereal ulcers corrode and form cavities; scorbutic ones shoot out 
spungy excrescences, or proud flesh. 
Venereal pains are generally increased by the heat of the bed; 
whilst those of the scurvy, gout, and rheumatism, are eased thereby. 
Venereal pains are chiefly confined to the solid or middle part of the 
bones of the legs and arms; scorbutic ones to the joints and mem- 
braneous parts of the body.
Venereal 

(112)
Venereal pains will not yield to common medicines, but others are 
removed by flannel, or warm weather. 
If a deep feated violent pain has occupied the same part for a con- 
siderable time obstinately resisting all remedies; or, if the patient 
has been seized with a chillness for several evenings together, suc- 
ceeded by a feverish heat, and sweats towards the morning, they are 
signs of a latent pox. 
If after chancres suddenly dried up, a bubo repelled, or gonorrhœa 
restrained, by art or accident, the same complaints break out again 
without fresh cause, then it is evident the patient is poxed.  
Buboes, warts, chancres, or excrescences, after an apparent cure, 
without intimacy with a suspected person, are certain signs of the 
strongest infection. 
There are certain symptoms peculiar to Women in the venereal 
disease, as a suppression or overflowing of the menses; scirrhus or 
cancer of the breast; hysteric affections; inflammation, scirrhus, ulcer 
or cancer of the womb; they are frequently barren, or subject to 
abortion; or if they bring children into the world, they are strumous 
ricketty, hectical, and emaciated, or perhaps half rotten. 
But it is of the utmost consequence for them to distinguish a fresh 
venereal from the Fluor Albus, or whites; for as the former is ma- 
lignant and inflammatory, and the other commonly arises from weak- 
ness and relaxation, the remedies are directly contrary. 
In the Fluor Albus the discharge proceeds from the vagina and the 
cavity of the womb, the menses being seldom regular. But in the 
gonorrhœa it proceeds from parts contiguous to the urinary passage 
and continues whilst the menses slow.  
In the Fluor Albus the discharge is attended with pains in the loin 
and loss of strength, with seldom any inflammation or heat of urine 
except after a long continuance of the discharge, which becoming 
sharp, excoriates the surrounding parts. But in the gonorrhœa, the 
discharge is preceded by inflammation, itching and heat of urine; 
there is a frequent irritation to make water, and the orifice of the 
urinary passage becomes prominent and painful. 
In the fluor the discharge comes on more gentle, and may be pro- 
duced from a variety of causes, as sprains, frequent abortion, long 
illness, or irregularity of the menses; but in the gonorrhœa it often 
appears suddenly without any evident cause. 
Lastly, The colour of the discharge, in bad habits of body, is 
sometimes the same, viz. yellow or greenish; but is usually more 
offensive and greater in quantity: Whilst that of the gonorrhœa is not 
attended with those symptoms of weakness, as well as small in quan- 
tity, But if an inflammation or chancre happen to fix upon the 
Vagina Uteri the question is then put out of all dispute, and the 
disease may safely be pronounced venereal.
DR. 

(113)
Dr. HODSON’s 
PERSIAN RESTORATIVE DROPS, 
PRICE HALF A GUINEA A BOTTLE. 
For Weaknesses, Debilities, Relaxations, Loss of Memory, 
Nervous Affections in general; but more particularly 
recommended to Boys, Young Men, and those who in the 
Prime of Life feel the dread consequences of a secret and 
solitary Vice, now too frequent amongst Youth, especially 
in great schools. 
HAPPY in every discovery from his medical studies, 
which can tend to the welfare of mankind, Dr. 
Hodson has peculiar satisfaction in the improvement he has 
made in this valuable composition; whereby he has been 
enabled to afford the most permanent relief to numbers, 
not only of those unhappy youth who have been deluded, 
at an early age, into a secret and destructive vice now too 
common amongst them; but also to persons of all ages, 
afflicted with NERVOUS DISORDER, proceeding either 
from an immoderate use of tea, hard drinking, heat of 
climate, excess of grief, or dissipated pleasure. 
This balsamic remedy is peculiarly adapted to weak fe- 
male constitutions, as well as to phlegmatic habits in gene- 
ral; it acts powerfully as a nervine, not only to the weak 
stomach, but to the whole nervous system; corrects a viti- 
ated appetite and digestion in the first passages, and assists 
L wonderfully

(114)
wonderfully in recovering the tone of the urinary and geni- 
tal organs: hence its efficacy in the most obstinate seminal 
gleets in men, and corresponding weaknesses in women; 
and hence it will contribute more safely, surely and honour- 
ably towards conjugal happiness than any of those irritating 
diabolical compositions, which are so shamefully admi- 
nistered to the unwary in this metropolis. 
This elegant preparation is earnestly recommended to 
those ladies who from repeated difficult labours are afflicted 
with weakness and infirmities; in which cases it is most 
highly useful, strengthening at the same time the stomach, 
the back, the weakened organs, and the whole constitu- 
tion. 
Those who in advanced life feel the consequences of 
youthful excess, or unfortunate youth who have brought 
on themselves a numerous train of evils, will, by the use of 
this find themselves restored to health and strength, and all 
the melancholy symptoms removed which are the general 
effects of such causes. 
These drops restore strength and vigour to all parts of 
the body; and are particularly adapted to those who travel 
into the Indies, or who have reduced their constitutions by 
change of climate. 
The Persian Restorative Drops are extracted by a chemi- 
cal process from some of the choicest natural balsams and 
strengtheners in the Materia Medica.—The name balsamic 
in a manner conveys an idea of its virtues: it is a requisite 
in medicines of this class, that they be soft, yielding and 
adhesive; also that by their smallness, they have a ready
disposition 

(115)
disposition to motion; for as Dr. Motherby justly observes, 
“ medicines of this kind cannot be conveyed to the part 
required but by the common road of the circulation" there- 
fore they ought to be administered in such a form as they 
may most readily be conveyed into the circulation, and 
their use must be continued some time before their effect 
can be perceived. 
From the foregoing observation the propriety of a liquid 
form for the administration of such remedies, in preference 
to that of any other, is obvious; and these drops, (which 
are perfectly elegant in respect to smell, taste, and appear- 
ance) will be found to possess the genuine qualities of an 
analeptic, for besides the nutritious quality of restoratives, 
they have a fragrant, subtile, oleous principle, which im- 
mediately affects the nerves, and gives a kind of friendly 
motion to the fluids, yielding plenty of animal heat, the 
true source of firmness and vigour. 
But this medicine not being recommended as a general 
specific, it may be necessary more particularly to point out 
in what cases it is not a proper remedy, as well as where it 
will be essentially serviceable. 
Menses departing.—This periodical discharge generally 
ceases between the age of 40 and 50. With some it hap- 
pens earlier; Sometimes it quits them all at once, but most 
commonly its departure is gradual. This period is gene- 
rally critical with the sex; and proper remedies now 
applied will free them from a troublesome complaint the
L2 remainder 


(116)
remainder of their life.—The blood being always in a state 
of impurity at this juncture, these Drops are not calculated 
for this disorder of the Change of Life; but the Vegetable 
Syrup, mentioned in the former part of this pamphlet, is 
recommended as the most safe and certain remedy that can 
be administered. 
Irregularities.—ln young persons this discharge is some- 
times extremely irregular; which may be occasioned either 
by a real deficiency or disorder in the powers of nature, or 
(which is too frequently the case) from imprudencies, and 
means used by themselves (such as washing the feet in cold 
water, &c. at the expected time) in order to check this pu- 
rifying discharge, before they know its salutary effects.—It 
would be well, indeed, if mothers, and those who have the 
care of girls, would be more attentive to them at that age 
when this flux of nature is first expected; for they ought 
then to have the best advice and assistance that can be pro- 
cured for them. 
For irregularities in the menstrual discharge proceeding 
from any of the above-mentioned causes, these Drops are 
often of great service, and can never do harm; but as a 
much better remedy, Dr. Hodson recommends his Family 
Elixir, which for these complaints, will be found the best 
medicine, perhaps, in the world. 
Immoderate Flux.—A too long continued, a too frequent 
return of the menses, or any such discharge as reduces the 
patient’s strength during the intervals of its return, is called 
immoderate. Women of soft lax habits, those who have 
often miscarried, and those who live in ease and plenty
are

(117)
are the most frequent subjects of this complaint; and more 
vigorous constitutions suffer this way when subject to sud- 
den passions, violent exercises, sedentary life, relaxation, or 
a full diet, consisting of high-seasoned or acrid food, &c. 
The quality of these fluxes may be injurious as well as 
the quantity. The Whites, as usually called, are extremely 
hurtful to delicate women: however, the discharge is not 
always white, but sometimes green, yellow, pale, or of a 
blackish colour; sometimes foul, fetid, sharp or corrosive. 
When such are the symptoms, a course of correctives is 
recommended to be first administered, after which these 
Drops will be found a most excellent strengthener. 
But it often happens that these complaints proceed from 
indolence, or the excessive use of tea and other watry 
liquors. Hence arises an uncommon weakness and de- 
bility; violent pains, inward wastings, tremors and nervous 
affections; for which these Drops are happily calculated, 
as well as for a weakness of the seminals, occasioned by a 
variety of other causes. They strengthen the whole consti- 
tution, and remove most of the complaints attendant on a 
debilitated state of the body. 
Youth of both sexes, who have indulged themselves in 
imprudent habits, or those who in advanced life feel the 
effects of youthful excess, will find a happy relief in this 
medicine. The trembling and lowness which attend these 
complaints generally go off in a short time, and those who 
had grown old, as it were, before their time, have been 
restored to second youth by it. When the eye-sight has 
been weak, the limbs feeble, the memory impaired, and
L3 even 

(118)
even the mind decayed with the body, a course of this 
medicine hath renewed the whole. 
Persons thus afflicted, find themselves disgusted at all 
amusements, absent in company, stupid and senseless every 
where; and if they think at all, feel themselves plunged 
into the deepest melancholy. From all these miseries this 
remedy is calculated to afford relief; but it should be ob- 
served, that perseverance is often necessary; in all cases a 
particular attention to the directions, as also regularity in 
the time and dose, is to be regarded; and above all, it must 
be noticed, that it will be in vain to expect any relief from 
this remedy without punctuality, for taking a bottle or two 
regular, then leaving off for some days and beginning again, 
will be of no service. It must be continued regular. 
The dose is only a tea-spoonful, or from 25 to 30 drops, 
an hour before breakfast and an hour after supper, in a tea- 
cup or wine-glass of water, wine and water, or sugar and 
water, as most agreeable; but the best method is to pour 
the drops upon a little powder sugar, and then add the water 
or wine. 
N. B. After the first bottle, the patient may also take 25 
drops about eleven o’clock in the forenoon, and at four in 
the afternoon. 
It is in vain that people attempt to take medicines for 
any disorder whatever, if they do not pay some attention to 
their mode of living, during the administration of proper 
remedies; for the best prescriptions may be rendered use- 
less by inattention to these particulars, whilst good nursing, 
and due regard to diet, are great assistants to the most able
physician;


(119)
physician; it is therefore desired that a particular attention 
may be paid to the directions concerning regimen, which 
are sealed up with each bottle. 
Sleeping on hard beds or mattrasses, rising early, and 
taking moderate exercise in the open air, should be attended 
to, particularly by females; and when the weather will not 
permit them to go out, they should be engaged in some ac- 
tive employment within, or take the exercise of swinging, 
which will be found very conducive towards a restoration 
of health in these cases, particularly where there are any 
symptoms of consumption. 
GLEETS AND SEMINAL WEAKNESSES. 
GLEETS and seminal emissions have been generally 
allowed to be very difficult of cure. Perhaps no disease 
hath baffled the skill of the faculty more; and they must 
allow, that in many instances they have given more trouble 
than the most acute disorders. This difficulty must arise 
either from the original cause not being thoroughly investi- 
gated, or (what is too often the case) want of perseverance 
in the patient in the use of proper medicines; for the cure 
of these kind of weaknesses, in general, require a longer 
time to effect than patients expect. 
A gleet, called also the simple or benign gonorrhœa, is 
an involuntary efflux of seminal juice; or, as Dr. Fordyce, 
defines it, “ An increased secretion from the mucous glands 
of the urethra without infection." The discharged matter is
mild 

(120)
mild and generally whitish, occasioning no disorder on the 
parts through which it passes, or on which it falls. 
Weakness in the parts is the PRINCIPAL CAUSE, which 
may be occasioned particularly by excessive or too early ve- 
nery, and the practice of self-pollution, to which youth are 
so generally addicted. It may also be occasioned by relax- 
ation owing to heat of climate, as also by the shock of any 
violent disorder, violent or too frequent purging, excess of 
spirituous liquors, cold, too frequent coition, violent exer- 
cise, and acrimony in a cachochymic, scorbutic or ar- 
thritic habit. It often happens, likewise, that after a ve- 
nereal infection, a gleet will remain and be very trouble- 
some, even though every symptom of the disease hath 
disappeared. 
A venereal gonorrhœa frequently repeated, improperly 
treated, and even with the most judicious treatment, often 
ends in a gleet, which may proceed from some remains of 
the infection, or merely from relaxation. It is of conse- 
quence, however, for the patient to be assured of this be- 
fore he attempts the cure; because the stopping a venereal 
gleet before the infection is removed, is sometimes attended 
with bad consequences. 
If the discharge be inconstant, and is observable only 
upon straining to stool, or when stimulated by lascivious 
desires, there is no reason to apprehend any infection re- 
maining; but if the discharge is constant and obstinate, it 
is to be feared the disorder is still lurking within. If the 
patient, however, be still doubtful, he would do well to 
be perfectly satisfied by going through a course of Dr.
Hodson's 


(121)
Hodson’s Vegetable Syrup, which is recommended in those 
disorders. 
Seminal weaknesses also, are sometimes occasioned by a 
scorbutic humour in the blood, and often by weaknesses 
arising from inoculation for the small-pox; in which cases 
likewise a course of the Vegetable Syrup is recommended, 
previous to taking these Drops. 
It is a truth which, perhaps, no practitioner will attempt 
to deny, that the weaknesses most difficult to cure are those 
occasioned by early or excessive venery, or the baneful 
habit of self-pollution. Young persons ought to be cautious 
of entering themselves too early into the service of Venus, 
and to consider well their constitutions before they give 
themselves up to their lascivious inclinations. The strong- 
est constitutions may be ruined by excess, and people of 
weak tender habits ought to be particularly cautious, for 
venereal pleasures may prove equally injurious whether 
they be entered upon too early in life, or are carried beyond 
the bounds of moderation and strength of the constitution. 
These considerations ought to be impressed on the minds of 
young people early, as it is too late to caution them against 
a danger when they have got so far in that they cannot 
escape it. Nature, it is true, prompts us sometimes to 
bathe in the enticing streams of pleasure; but our passions 
should be moderated by reason, and we ought not to suffer 
the one so far to get the ascendency over the other as to 
bring on a total inability to comply with the reasonable de- 
sires of nature; for that will be found to be the case even 
in what is deemed the prime of life, if our early passions are
not 

(122)
not moderated; and a premature old age must inevitably be 
the consequence of a dissipated youth, if proper restoratives 
be not timely applied to. However young people should 
not give themselves up to voluptuousness, in the hope that 
such balsamic restoratives are happily to be obtained. A 
constitution may be so far debilitated that the best remedies 
will prove ineffectual for its restoration. Most diseases are 
much easier to prevent than to cure; and though I would 
not have the most emaciated person, even in the last stage 
of a consumption, despair of obtaining relief; yet I would 
have those, who, perhaps, not being aware of the danger, 
have just stept into the alluring path, seek the most early 
remedy, and hastily retire from that road, which though 
apparently strewed with pleasure, is sure to lead only to 
destruction. 
The Divine Author of our being has so adjusted the laws 
of our nature and constitution, that a vicious youth must 
necessarily groan under a decrepid old age, should he reach 
that stage of life. Our bodies are not able to sustain the 
repeated shocks of our ungovernable lusts; if by an eager 
pursuit of pleasure our solids are kept upon the continual 
stretch, they must wear out, and either subject us to an 
immature death, or the mortifying reslections of repenting 
age. 
Would those young gentlemen, therefore, who so early 
and ardently offer themselves before the shrine of Venus. 
but seriously take a view of the dreadful precipice on which 
they stand, when they thus stray from the paths of virtue; 
would they attentively consider what a load of afflictions
they 


(123)
they are treasuring up for themselves by their dissolute way 
of life; and could they but conceive the horrors of that 
emaciated state which will most assuredly be their portion; 
the dread of what is to come would be sufficient to cool the 
warmth of passion, and guard them against the temptation 
of the most enchanting vices. 
Perhaps the chief cause of insidelity on one part in the 
marriage state may be attributed to the debilitation of the 
other occasioned by the imprudences above alluded to. 
This consideration might surely have some weight, and 
stop them in the midst of their dissipation. At least it 
ought to oblige them to seek for proper assistance for the 
restoration of their constitution before they enter into a 
state for the duties of which they are totally incapable, and 
which consequently, instead of proving a life of pleasure and 
happiness, must inevitably be a continual scene of discon- 
tent and misery.—From relaxed and debilitated constitu- 
tions, proceeding from any of the causes above alluded to, 
arise many disagreeable circumstances, such as impotency, 
barrenness, palpitation of the heart, weakness, dulness, 
trembling, melancholy, loss of memory, nervous affections, 
lowness of spirits, nocturnal and involuntary emissions, par- 
ticularly in making water or upon stool, with a total disin- 
clination as well as inability for venereal enjoyments; and 
in the end palsies, lethargies, or a wasting consumption, 
with a complication of every thing destructive to the human 
frame. 
In men there often appears redness and inflammation of 
the glans penis, a disagreeable itching sensation, and a
mucus 

(124)
mucus between the preputium and the glans, which being 
harboured there occasions a rank smelling furriness. 
In women it causes the fluor albus, or whites, weakness 
and pains in the back, relaxation of the womb, inward 
wastings and decays, &c. 
It is of infinite consequence to the patient, however, that 
the originating cause should be thoroughly investigated; 
because if it proceeds from the remains of a venereal infec- 
tion, or from a scorbutic or cachochymic habit, the body 
should be properly regulated before strengthening medicines 
are used. This being duly attended to, the use of the bal- 
samic medicine published under the name of the 
PERSIAN RESTORATIVE DROPS 
will be found to answer every intention required, being an 
exalted chemical preparation, acting as a tonic upon re- 
laxed constitutions, restoring the system to its original health, 
and is a most elegant strengthener for thin emaciated per- 
sons, reduced either by a natural weakness of constitution 
or a course of dissipated pleasure. 
To those who have addicted themselves to that destructive Habit, 
SELF-POLLUTION. 
AS to the numerous train of evils which arise from the 
habit of self-abuse, it can be of little service to caution those 
persons to avoid a danger who have never any opportunity 
of observing that caution; this emaciating practice is too 
frequently imbibed amongst play-fellows, and in schools,
where

(125)
where treatises of this kind are never admitted. Boys wan- 
tonly point it out to each other, not knowing, perhaps, the 
danger that attends it. Young people think not that the 
prolific juice which they are so lavish of in their juvenile 
days, is the source of all their sprightliness and activity, 
and will be wanted in their riper years, to support them in 
case of sickness, and in health to fit them for the necessary 
occupations of life. No friendly monitor informs them, 
that a continuance of fuch practices will bring on disorders 
which must terminate in the most dreadful consequences; 
and that ere they have reached the meridian of their days 
they will drag on a miserable life, deprived of memory and 
all vigour of mind; real spectacles of wretchedness, no 
longer men, but animals half dead. 
But though it is not probable, that young people should 
see this treatise time enough to prevent them entering into 
such courses; yet it may be a means of persuading them to 
refrain from a continuation thereof, and of restoring their 
strength and vigour, just to point out some of the symptoms 
consequent of such conduct;, and to recommend a proper 
remedy. Happy will it be for the reader, should he have 
been so unfortunate as to have suffered from any of the above 
mentioned causes, if he has prudence enough to receive this 
friendly caution, and resolution sufficient to wean himself 
from a continuance in the cause of his misfortune! and the 
intention of these pages will be fully answered, whether 
they tend to restore health to constitutions already injured, 
or guard the unwary from a continuance in vices, which in 
the end must be their inevitable ruin; for these kind of
M plesures 

(126)
pleasures not only impair the constitution of the body, but 
weaken and enervate the noblest faculties of the soul, 
whereby the whole man is frequently brought to bend under 
the weight of the most melancholy circumstances. 
This vice has generally been distinguished by the name 
of Onanism, being the supposed crime for which the Lord 
flew Onan, as recorded in the 38th chapter of Genesis.— 
The punishment here inflicted upon the son of Judah, suf- 
ficiently testifies the heinousness of the crime in the sight of 
God. It is, indeed, a perverting of his divine order; it is 
the prostitution of those organs and powers with which he 
endowed man, for the purpose of increasing the members 
of his heavenly kingdom, to the gratification of a diaboli- 
cal passion: It is turning the grace of God into lascivious- 
ness, violating his law of propagation, and plunging the 
soul from its original seat in heavenly bliss to the dark 
regions of misery and woe!—But the melancholy gloom 
which this destructive habit casts over the souls of its vota- 
ries, demands the balm of consolation, rather than the 
arrows of vindictive justice: Turn, then, ye unthinking 
mortals! turn from the paths that lead to destruction, and 
walk in the road that will carry you to happiness. Fly from 
this tempting, this deceittul sin, whose syren charms allure 
you to your ruin. Turn to that all-gracious Lord, who is 
now waiting only that he may be gracious. There is still 
balm in Gilead,—there is still the Great Physician there. 
He hath loved you with an everlasting love; and his arms 
are open to receive you. He also is able to save you, and 
he will support you in all your temptations. His strength
will 

(127)
will be perfected in your weakness, and if you are but 
stedfast in your desire to flee from this sin,—in all your 
struggles,—in all your dangers, trials, distresses and assaults 
of the enemy, you will be more than conquerors, through 
Christ that loved you! 
This miserable destroyer of the human race is generally 
contracted at an early period of life, even before nature has 
stamped the marks of puberty, and without the party re- 
flecting that it is sinful, or knowing that it is injurious. At 
so early a period as that of eight years (as appears by the 
cases hereafter inserted) have boys been taught this baneful 
habit. It is commonly practised in great schools, and, alas! 
too often pointed out to the innocent and unguarded youth, 
by those who ought to use the greatest care and watchfulness 
in preserving them from it. 
Deluded children! little do they imagine that to be the 
first step to an age of misery and woe! Happy, indeed, 
would it be if that innocence with which they first; enter 
into the vicious habit could preserve them from the conse- 
quences that inevitably follow the practice thereof. But 
vice is like a shelving pool: shallow at the brink, it may 
be entered without any apparent danger; but when once 
in, man gets deeper and deeper imperceptibly, till at length 
he gets overwhelmed; and soon as custom has obtained any 
degree of strength, the soul and body both concur in solicit- 
ing this crime; the soul, beset with unclean thoughts, ex- 
cites lascivious emotions; and if it be diverted for some 
moments by other ideas, the sharp humours, which irritate 
the organs of generation, soon draw it back.
M2 The 

(128)
The truth of these observations would be sufficient to 
stop young people in this pernicious progress, if they could 
foresee, that in this respect one false step brings on another; 
that they cannot resist temptation; that in proportion as the 
motives of seduction increase, reason, which should keep 
them within bounds, is weakened; and, in a word, they 
find themselves plunged in a sea of misery, without, perhaps, 
the hope of a single plank to escape upon. If sometimes 
early infirmities give them notice; if the danger terrifies 
them for some moments, when the infirmity is relieved and 
the danger over, rage precipitates them afresh. 
The absolute controul which this practice gains over the 
senses is beyond expression. No sooner has this unclean- 
ness got the master over the heart, but it pursues its votary 
every where, and keeps possession of him at all times and 
in all places. Upon the most serious occasions, and in the 
most solemn acts of religion, he finds himself in a manner 
transported with lustful conceptions and desires, which take 
up all his thoughts. 
Nothing so much weakens the mind as that continual 
bent of it to one object, which is the case with those addicted 
to Onanism; and in whatever vocation a person is engaged 
in, some degree of attention is required, which this per- 
nicious practice renders them incapable of. 
True it is, that we are ignorant whether the animal 
spirits and the seminal liquor are the same; but experience 
teaches us those two fluids have a strict analogy, and that the 
loss of either produces the same effects. 
The loss of too much semen occasions lastitude, debilities, 
and

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and renders exercise difficult; it causes emaciation, and 
pains in the membrane of the brain, which patients call a 
dry burning heat, and which incessantly burns internally 
the most noble parts. The spinal marrow does not only 
waste, but the mind and body equally languish, and the 
man perishes a miserable victim. By these emissions not. 
only the powers are lost, but the memory fails, the sight is 
clouded, and the voice becomes hoarse. 
Young people of either sex, who devote themselves to 
lasciviousness, destroy their health in dissipating those 
powers which were destined to bring their bodies to their 
greatest degree of vigour. The seminal liquor has so great 
an influence upon the corporeal powers, and upon perfect 
digestion, which repairs them, that physicians in general 
are of opinion, that the loss of one ounce of this liquor 
would weaken more than that of forty ounces of blood. 
Its use and importance determines the only proper method 
of its being evacuated. Too great a quantity of semen 
being lost in the natural course, produces very direful 
effects; but they are still more dreadful when dissipated in 
an unnatural manner. The accidents which happen to 
such as waste themselves in a natural way are very terrible; 
those which are occasioned by masturbation are still more so. 
Frequent emissions of the seed relax, dry up, enervate, 
and produce a croud of evils, as lethargies, epilepsies, 
faintings, tremors, palsies, spasms, &c. The stomach is 
disordered, digestion destroyed, disturbing dreams prevent, 
sleep administering relief, the whole body is weakened, 
particularly towards the loins; decay and emaciation suc- 
M3 ceed;

(130)
ceed; insensible perspiration is obstructed, the irregularity 
of which produces the most fatal consequences, occasions 
the liver and reins to be over-heated, gives a disposition for- 
the stone in the kidnies, the natural heat is diminished, the 
sight weakened, and the eyes sink into the head. 
Surely the idea of such a train of miseries proceeding 
from this cause might be sufficient to deter youth from en- 
tering into such a course!—Doubtless it would if they were 
aware of it; but these are not all the baneful effects of this 
habit. In the following letters, some very extraordinary 
cases will be found, pointing at the ill effects of giving way 
to this alluring vice!—That others may take warning from 
these examples is the earnest desire and sincere prayer of 
their real friend. 
Hatton-Garden. 
J. HODSON. 
The Persian Restorative is in plain square glass bottles; 
each bottle is sealed with red wax, the impression J. H. in 
a cypher, and sold at Half a Guinea a bottle. 
Larger bottles, at One Guinea each, safely packed in a 
box for sending abroad or into the country, to be had only 
at the Doctor’s house.—N. B. A guinea may be inclosed 
in a letter by the post; for which (if post paid) one of these 
boxes will be returned by the carrier desired. 
Dr, Hodson’s very extensive practice and particular at- 
tention in these cases enables him to afford that permanent 
relief to such unfortunate patients, as they cannot experi- 
ence under any other physician in the kingdom.—And 
Persons however young, who have in the least given way to 
the delusive habit of self-abuse, should lose no time in applying 
to him, from whom they will meet with that tenderness and 
fidelity which such cases demand. 
CASES


(131)
CASES AND CURES. 
THE following cases are inserted here to point out 
chiefly the consequences of this destructive habit, that a 
view of the dreadful effects thereof may be the means, in 
some degree, of deterring young people from giving way to 
the fatal delusion; and the cures are added to shew the 
efficacy of the Persian Drops in a variety of cases, that 
those who are already drooping under similar complaints, 
may not sink into total despair, but seek for advice and 
remedies, even though they should be berest of every other 
hope of relief. 
A gentleman who had been afflicted with a violent ner- 
vous head-ach for a long time, was cured by three bottles 
of these drops. 
To Dr. HODSON, No. 29, Hatton-Garden. 
“ The relaxation of which I complained to you was, I 
believe, owing chiefly to heat and change of climate, for 
being always of a delicate constitution, I never gave way 
to those pleasures that so frequently bring on similar com- 
plaints. However you are at liberty to let the public know 
that seven bottles of your Persian Drops have perfectly 
strengthened my constitution, and given me better spirits 
than I have ever enjoyed before in my life: for which 
reason I shall ever remain your’s, &c.” 
“ I have been twelve months troubled with an incontinen- 
cy of urine, so that I can hold it but a very little time, and if 
I am not near a convenient place it comes from me involun- 
tarily, and what is still worse it very often comes from me 
in my first sleep in bed, without my knowledge. Some- 
times I find nothing of it for a month together, and at 
other limes every night for a long time. Whether it 
comes

(132)
comes from a relaxed state of the bladder I know not, but I 
have always a moisture or kind of white water comes from 
the end of my penis, and at this time (which I never had 
before) a redness, a disagreeable itching, and a tightness of 
the skin when it is erect. I have read your essay on gleets 
and weaknesses, and think that the medicine which you call 
the Persian Restorative Drops will be of service; but beg 
you will send whatever else you may think proper.”—This 
patient was cured in a short time. He washed the parts in 
a mixture of vinegar and water every morning and night: 
His regimen was chiefly rice and strengtheners: He took 
only three bottles of the Persian Drops, and two Boxes of 
Pills applicable to his case. 
A very EXTRAORDINARY Case. 
“ I take the liberty of laying my case before you, though 
from the nature of it I very much fear there can be no re- 
lief. From a habit contracted at school at the age of 11 
years, and in which (not knowing it was injurious or sinful) 
I have continued till within this month, with intermissions 
of a month, or as long as my resolution lasted; which (as 
bad habits are easier contracted than left off) was but of short 
duration; and indeed I had determined to leave it off, as 
upon every repetition I found the consequences to be a vio- 
lent head-ach and stupidity; but fortunately seeing an ad- 
vertisement recommending the perusal of your pamphlet, 
I purchased it, and in consequence now trouble you with 
this letter, being convinced that you have a sincere satis- 
faction arising from the consciousness of laying open to view 
the rock on which so many young people have split. And 
whether I am so fortunate as to receive any advantage or 
not, I shall always consider myself obliged to you, as upon 
every perusal of the consequences you have kindly pointed 
out as attendants upon self-abuse, I feel my resolutions 
strengthened to avoid it in future.—I am now 23 years old 
without the least appearance of manhood in any shape, my 
penis never being larger than a child’s, and the testicles not 
much larger than peas; nor do I recollect ever to have
produced 

(133)
produced any serminal juice, at least very trifling. There 
is a constant perspiration upon the under part of the penis, 
of a glutinous nature; I have frequent calls to make water, 
perhaps 20 times a day, but in small quantities; I am much 
troubled with low spirits, and a constant sallowness of com- 
plexion, occasioned, as I suppose, by a retrospective view 
of my unhappy situation. In other respects I enjoy a tole- 
rable good state of health, with a good appetite, though but 
little strength. The situation of a person in my circum- 
stances is easier conceived than described, life being ren- 
dered almost a burthen, by the continual apprehension that 
my real case should be known by my friends; for the world 
oftener takes pleasure in divulging than pitying the distresses 
of its brethren.”—In such a case, as this a cure was not to be 
expected. All that could be done was to remove some of the 
symptoms and strengthen the general constitution. 
Another singular Case. 
“ The effects arising from that cause which you so justly 
condemn in your treatise appear to be various, and perhaps 
none more uncommon than my own truly unhappy one. 
I am now 21, and have no more marks of puberty than I 
had when but 14, the growth of the parts appearing to me 
to be entirely stopt.—If you can afford any relief in my 
distressed situation, I shall not fail of an adequate reward.” 
—Singular as this case appears, the patient happily ex- 
perienced very great relief, by a proper attention to the in- 
structions given him. 
The following case is an additional proof of the bad con- 
sequences attending this sinful practice: 
“ I am now little more than 16 years of age, and have 
been guilty of that destructive habit of self-pollution for a 
year and half; but fortunately seeing an advertisement in 
the paper of your Persian Drops, I apply’d for some, and 
by only taking one bottle I found myself so considerably re- 
stored that I declined taking any more. But not having 
resolution to resrain entirely from the diabolical habit I had 
contracted

(134)
contracted, I would frequently provoke the seminal juice 
to a state of emission and then suffer it to return; the con- 
sequence of which (as I suppose) was, it chill’d in its retreat, and 
form’d obstacles to a voluntary effusion; for I now experi- 
ence an inability of erection in the urethra, from some stop- 
page of the particles which occasion that natural erection, 
yet I am strong and robust in every part.—If you will please 
to give your advice on this occasion you will much oblige 
me.” 
“ I have taken three bottles of your Persian Restorative 
Drops, and find myself better for them, you will therefore 
be pleased to send me three bottles more by the coachman, 
who will pay for them. My disorder proceeded from a 
fever in my infancy, which weakened my loins, and I be- 
lieve was considerably helped on by that pernicious habit 
which I learned, and which is so frequent in great schools, 
causing a total relaxation of the parts, attended with a flow 
thin running, and although the habit has been left off long 
ago, yet the disorder has continued several years; in course 
of which time I have taken different medicines, and among 
the rest a number of bottles of the Canada Balsam, with 
very little effect. Your opinion and directions are there- 
fore requested, for which I have inclosed the usual fee.”- 
Cured by about two months perseverance. 
“ From an imprudent connection formed very early in 
life I brought on myself a variety of disagreeable symptoms, 
with almost a total inability for all venereal pleasures, the 
particulars of which I sent you in a former letter. I am 
happy to inform you that by taking eight bottles of your 
Persian Drops, and observing the instructions you was so 
kind to send me, I find my constitution restored to a de- 
gree of admiration.” 
“ Having during my residence at a boarding school con- 
tracted a baneful habit which boys wantonly point out to 
each other, I became a most miserable object, labouring 
under a complication of various disagreeable symptoms,
which 

(135)
which rendered my life a misery. I have, agreeable to my 
promise sent you an account of the success of your medi- 
cines, which have to me been the greatest earthly blessing I 
could have received; for they have restored me from a state 
of melancholy to that of health and vigour, and for which 
I shall ever think myself your obliged humble servant.” 
“ An advertisement of your’s some time since was the 
means of furnishing me with a piece of information both 
new and seasonable to me. I had imprudently addicted 
myself to the pernicious habit of self-pollution ever since I 
came from school, without even so much as dreaming that 
my continuance in that habit was the principal cause of 
those indispositions of which I found myself subject. The 
effects of that prostitution of nature were exactly similar to 
those of a case I found in your pamphlet, in addition to 
which I also experienced, at intervals, a certain languor 
and lowness of spirits; a heavy throbbing sensation about 
my temples, and a weakness in my eyes.—Being troubled 
with the scurvy, I took five bottles of your Vegetable Syrup, 
and after that I began the Persian Drops, I did not begin 
to be sensible of their efficacy till after I had taken four 
bottles. I have now taken eight, and mean to take four 
more. The disorder about my temples is much abated, nor 
has Fancy been lately so troublesome to my imagination in 
the night, as I sleep now without emissions. My own en- 
deavours have not been wanting to assist the operations of 
the medicine, and I doubt not but I shall be perfectly re- 
stored by 12 bottles.” 
“ I am one of those miserable young men who have un- 
happily been addicted to the vice of self-abuse, which filthy 
habit I believe (since I saw your pamphlet) has been the 
cause of my present infirm state of body and mind. For a 
few weeks past I have experienced a more than usual weak- 
ness in my back, my thighs, and several of my joints, 
especially my hips and knees, so that sometimes I would 
fain lie down when I am about my business, which is that 
of 

(136)
of husbandry; also much weakness and feebleness within, 
and oftentimes sickness in a morning. I am low spirited, 
dull and stupid, often confused so that I cannot do the 
business of my calling with any heart, so that I now con- 
sider myself as one half dead. My life is at present almost 
a burden to me, I am much dejected, and my stupidity and 
loss of memory is amazing.”—Cured by five large bottles.” 
“ From a relaxation occasioned by a trick too common 
amongst young persons I was frequently troubled with emis- 
sions in my sleep and at stool. Though I had long discon- 
tinued the vile abuse, and had taken a variety of medicines, 
yet I obtained no relief, and began to fear that I had re- 
duced myself beyond the power of medicine to reach my 
case. I am not above five-and-twenty, and the anxiety of 
mind under which I must labour may better be conceived 
than described. Ten bottles of your Persian Drops, with 
an attention to the particulars you was so obliging to re- 
commend to my notice, have so established my health and 
strength that I shall ever think myself bound to recommend 
your medicine, and am, with the greatest sincerity, your 
obliged humble servant.” 
A boy about 18 who had wantonly practised a destructive 
habit to a great excess for four years, had reduced himself 
to a declining state; was troubled with violent aching pains 
in his thighs and in all the neighbouring parts. Being un- 
willing his friends should know the cause, and which he 
had been awakened to by one of my advertisements, he ap- 
plied in person, and was soon recovered. 
“ In my boyage, before nature had granted her powers, 
and given me the stamp of manhood, I unluckily caught 
the vice of Onanism, and my continuance of this practice 
forced nature till I arrived at the age of 25, at which time 
you will not wonder that I found myself almost debilitated. 
From this period, in a great measure, though not entirely, 
I desisted from this habit, and consequently found the 
powers of nature much more invigorated; but I still 
laboured


(137)
laboured under a weakness of the seminals, insomuch that 
my involuntary discharges were frequent; and notwith- 
standing this great discharge of the stores of nature, I con- 
tinued florid, strong and robust, and the semen itself always 
in plentiful quantity; by which I hoped that the vessels 
might be restored to their proper tone.—Twelve bottles of 
your Persian Drops have had the desired effect.” 
“ I was induced to write this letter by seeing an adver- 
tisement in the newspapers, relative to your giving advice 
in cases of Onanism—a sin, which I am now convinced, is 
very heinous in its nature, and an abomination in the sight 
of God, as it strikes at the root of procreation, and is a de- 
stroyer of all conjugal and social happiness.—But however 
sinful or dangerous in its consequences, I was, to my sor- 
row, deluded into the practice of it for several years; and 
though I have been enabled to desist therefrom for some 
time, yet I still find some of its bad effects in my body, 
particularly an aching pain across the loins when I am not 
in much exercise, pains in my head, spitting a thick black- 
ifh salt spittle frequently, and I have nocturnal emissions as 
often as once a week, which weaken my body and very 
much distress my mind.”— Cured by ten bottles. 
“ I am a person turned of thirty years, of a found con- 
stitution as I think at present, eating hearty and sleeping 
well, and have never had any venereal complaint; but have 
been in the southern climates, and afflicted some years with 
a drain or gleet, sometimes on going to stool, and at other 
times as mentioned in your directions. I can give no ac- 
count of its first proceeding, except that I have been guilty 
(like other youths) of that abominable vice which you men- 
tion. I have taken eight bottles of your Persian Drops 
with benefit, and mean to take four more. When on the 
sixth bottle the drain on going to stool was reduced to be 
no more than a drop of water, and rather of a whitish na- 
ture, being no way clammy or slimy. 
N “ My

(138)
“ My diet during taking the Drops, has been, for dinner 
veal or lamb, either boiled or roasted, with vegetables, calves 
head, calves feet and fish; for breakfast a pint of boiled 
milk with bread in it; a dish or two of coffee in the after- 
noon, and little or no supper. As to drink, a pint of ale 
after dinner, and the same after supper; but if thirsty be- 
tween meals, a glass of red wine and water or cyder. Also 
I made use of the cold bath three times a week.” 
“ Have been for two years past troubled, and latterly 
much alarmed, by frequent nocturnal emissions, which at 
length I found (or at least imagined) weakened me very much, 
and at times occasioned a pain in my back and breast. My 
imagination was more forcibly impressed at some times than 
at others, but the emissions were generally brought on by 
dreams. The occasion of this weakness, as I conceive, was 
a too early and frequent connection in Germany, which 
climate being warmer than I had before experienced, 
affected me very much. I was then 16. On seeing your 
Drops advertised I thought they would do me good, and 
was resolved to try them, therefore got a bottle, which I 
took as directed, eating a large cup of isinglass or hartshorn 
jelly every day, drinking red wine or red wine and water, 
leaving off tea and all kinds of spirits, and making use of the 
cold bath. The first bottle did me good, having stopped 
my nocturnal emissions, therefore got another before that 
was quite gone, and continued them for some time.” 
“ Your pamphlet having been bought at our house to see 
the cure of sore legs, I fortunately got hold of it, and read 
that part which concerned myself. I am not yet 17, and 
still go to school, where one of our head boys, two years 
since, had shewn me the way, which I continued, without 
knowing that it was wrong or hurtful.—I do not know that 
I hurt myself by it, but remember that after I had done so 
about six months I began to lose all desire to play and romp 
with the other boys, and they said I grew stupid.—When I 
had seen your book I left it off by degrees, for I had not
at 


(139)
at first sufficient resolution. I then bought a bottle of your 
Persian Drops, and after that another, and I now find as 
great a desire for play as I had before, so I write this that 
you may send your book into schools.” 
“ Very early I was taught that baneful habit of self-pol- 
lution, not knowing it hurtful. For some time I got ac- 
quainted with females, which I followed to excess. Very 
oft I had a lust came on when I had not opportunity of them, 
then I eased myself as above, till I have brought myself 
into a very low way. The first symptoms I began to feel 
were lowness of spirits, which got worse till I became me- 
lancholy. My life was a misery to me, for I never was 
easy but when asleep. I had pains at my heart, and I quite 
despaired of any relief. Before last Christmas the melan- 
choly began, and held until spring, then rather left me, but 
not quite, for now I have very low thoughts, and many 
other symptoms. I am very weak, with almost total in- 
ability for venereal pleasures, am fearful of a consumption, 
and disgusted at all amusement.”—Cured in two months. 
“ Having bad the misfortune, like many young people, 
to contract that unlucky vice mentioned in the latter part 
of your pamphlet, five years ago, being now but eighteen; 
during that long time I have lived a very miserable life, 
being afflicted for three years and a half with emissions in 
my sleep, which return almost every night, and has totally 
exhausted me. My memory is really so weak that I can- 
not mention every particular. I doubt not, Sir, but that 
you are well acquainted with the result of such cases.—I 
have taken a great quantity of medicines to no effect. If 
the virtue of your Drops would reach my case, I would 
very gladly make trial of them.”—Cured, but in a long 
time, and various remedies. 
“ I am about nineteen years of age, and have carried on 
that delusive practice for more than eight years to very 
great excess: but have not experienced very ill effects, till 
lately, when I perceived a small weakness in my back,
N2 which 


(140)
which some people say is owing, to my quick growth, and, 
likewise (though never have had a venereal infection) a 
gleet of long standing, which is only observable when I go 
to stool or urine, or when stimulated by lascivious desires; 
am of a pale complexion, have generally a slow fever, and 
very much inclinable to a consumption, and have likewise 
a very great weakness in my seminals, and much troubled 
with low spirits, in short I seem very much relaxed; whether 
it is owing to my natural weakness of constitution, or that 
habit above-mentioned, I leave it to your consideration, and 
your advice on the same will be duly attended to.”—By a 
course of the Drops cured. 
“ I am one of those unfortunate young men, who, at a 
very early period of life, was allured into the detested habit 
of self-pollution. My father kept a very large boarding 
school, and at so early an age as eight years was I taught 
this infamous practice. I acknowledge that even then I 
found pleasure in it, and as I grew up a disposition for it 
increased. I always found boys ready to solicit, or concur 
in the measure. Upon reflection I always condemned my- 
self for it, yet never had the resolution to abstain from it, 
and indeed I continued in the practice of it, in a great mea- 
sure, because I had not the least inclination for women, I 
have felt all the symptoms your pamphlet describes, but 
did not consider the source I derived them from, and in 
short ever since I remember myself was of a very weak 
constitution. Am very nervous and subject to low spirits, 
and frequently for many days together have no relish of 
life.”—Cured by twelve bottles. 
“ Inclosed are two guineas for two more bottles of your 
excellent Drops, and half a guinea as your accustomed see. 
I received the former ones and strictly followed your direc- 
tions in taking them; and having found great benefit by 
them, I thought proper to send you the particulars of my 
case for the benefit of others, and that you might give me 
such advice as may be necessary. I never had the venereal
disease, 

(141)
disease, for I never deserved it; but have been guilty of 
that wicked vice Onanism, which I was taught when I was 
only nine years old, which vice I continued till I was four- 
teen, when the penis became crooked, and the natural seed 
was emitted. Then I began to reflect on my past conduct, 
resolving to leave it off; but I did not fully wean myself 
from it till 18, and am now arrived at the age of 22. My 
night emissions are quite stopped since taking your Drops, 
which before were once a week, once a fortnight, or some- 
times twice a night.” 
“My disorder proceeds from practising the destructive 
habit of self-pollution, which I was shewn at the early 
period of eight years of age, and have practised ever since 
frequently, without knowing it was either wicked or inju- 
rious to me, till within about a year of the present time, 
when I lost a great deal of my former spirits, and was 
thought by many people too sedate for a young man of 19, 
an age when the passions generally begin to operate strongly. 
I then thought I would leave it off; which determination 
was caused by your book, which informed me that I must
have injured myself by the practice. I also purchased your 
Drops, and flattered myself that the powers of nature might 
be brought into action again. By the assistance of your 
medicine, and strong resistance against temptation to the 
practice, I soon found the powers of nature much invigo- 
rated, my constitution stronger, my spirits better, my 
head-ach entirely left me, I grew fonder of company, and 
with the additional instructions you was so kind to send me, 
I am most happily restored.- N. B. Have taken seven of 
your Guinea bottles; but if the cure had cost me thirty 
guineas the happiness I experience is adequate.” 
“ I shall not be ashamed to confess to you, that from an 
early tuition received at a grammar school in the country, 
I imbibed a most pernicious custom from the example and 
sanction of others more advanced in years. Tempted with- 
out consideration to indulge in this momentary sensation.
N3 I found 

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I found, by experience, that what was only a voluntary act, 
became so habitual in the end, that every nocturnal oppor- 
tunity was irresistible. I perceived no immediate incon- 
venience, excepting a kind of languor, which I foolishly 
attributed to too much exercise after school hours.—I have 
since been undeceived, and my present situation is as fol- 
lows:—I find my spirits very much depressed, my mind 
unhappy, owing to my thoughts continually wandering to 
the gloomy occasion of my wretchedness. I have a weak- 
ness in my loins, a slow nervous fever, frequently the sick 
head-ach, nocturnal pollutions, restlessness in company, 
fond of retirement only to feed my melancholy, and un- 
happy every where.—If you can afford any consolation to 
my mind, and restore health to my constitution, I shall 
ever be bound to praise the Lord for his goodness, and de- 
clare the wonders he hath done for me by your means.”— 
Cured in about three months.
COMPLICATED CASES. 
A woman between 30 and 40, of a very relaxed habit, 
and violently afflicted with the scurvy, complaining of great 
weakness and violent floodings, after correcting the habit 
with proper antiscorbutics took six bottles of these drops. 
In taking the first bottle she voided a large quantity of 
worms, and after that recovered strength daily, and was 
perfectly restored to health.  
A gentleman had laboured under a seminal gleet for five 
years; his appetite, strength and spirits were much reduced, 
and his constitution so impaired that he was threatened 
with a total loss of virility, though not above 30 years of 
age. He was violently afflicted with the scurvy; but had 
never contracted a venereal infection. After going thro’ 
a regular course of antiscorbutics, he took these drops, and 
in a few months his health was perfectly re-established. 
A gentleman from the country applied with a very re- 
markable gleet, which delicacy forbids to describe here. He 
had some years back been cured of a venereal infection by
mercurials, 


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mercurials, had since that time laboured under a constant 
depression of spirits; his appetite lost; sickness in a morn- 
ing, and very frequently vomited blood; he had almost a 
continual pain in his head, with a dizziness, sometimes de- 
lirious, and a slow nervous fever. He had been under 
many very eminent practitioners, but without obtaining a 
cure. He continued three weeks under a course of proper 
correctives and then began with the Restorative, of which 
he took ten bottles, and is perfectly recovered. 
A young gentleman about 20 applied, who had con- 
tracted the habit at the age of 12 years, and continued in- 
cessantly till he was 19, when having seen one of the for- 
mer editions of this pamphlet, and experiencing the ill 
effects of so pernicious a practice, he desisted. At that 
time he laboured under great weakness, and his nocturnal 
emissions were frequent.—By abstaining from the vice, and 
taking proper restoratives, he soon began to recover his 
strength; but being too eager to try whether his recovery 
was effectual, he had connection with a female, from whom 
he received an injury of a different nature, and also a strain 
upon the abdominal muscles.—He was naturally of a bad 
habit of body, his disorder alarming, and the thoughts of 
his misconduct made him miserable.—By perseverance in 
a proper course he was, however, restored. 
A young gentleman who had insensibly got into the 
habit, had been troubled with emissions for above twelve 
months, sometimes once in a fortnight or three weeks, and 
at other times two or three times a week.—These emissions 
succeeded a slow nervous fever, which had not yet been 
entirely subdued, the patient being very subject to be flush 
and hot in the face. He experienced much fatigue from a 
very little exercise, particularly in his knees and legs; was 
languid and dull all over; his hands frequently much en- 
flamed, his breath short, and seldom sufficiently in spirits to 
do much business.—The parts of generation were much 
weakened and relaxed, yet at the same time so irritable that
the 


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the slightest dalliance with a female would occasion a feeble 
erection and a discharge. Variety of other symptoms at- 
tended the patient, which cannot well be described here.— 
He was perfectly recovered, at the expence of about 12 
guineas. 
To Dr. HODSON, No. 29, Hatton-Garden. 
“ Very early in youth I was taught the baneful habit of 
self-pollution, which growing evil has brought on me a 
complication of disorders, the symptoms of which are low 
spirits, dullness, absence in company, nocturnal and in- 
voluntary emissions, with total inability and disinclination 
for matrimonial enjoyments; I am very thin, and so tender 
in the face, that the blood starts in various places every time 
I shave. I am only 23 years old, but could give you more 
symptoms, all of which I have reason to believe proceeds 
from this habit: in short the effects of past misconduct ren- 
ders me at present quite miserable.”—Cured by four bottles 
of Vegetable Syrup and six of the Persian Drops. 
“ When I was about 17 was pointed out to me that 
baneful habit of self-abuse, which to my shame and con- 
fusion have practised till 30. About 22 I began to feel a 
vast defection and anxiety of spirits, and to have a total 
dislike to all amusements and company whatever, without 
knowing the cause, till I saw advertised in the newspapers 
your book called Nature’s Assistant, which I immediately 
purchased. When I read it, it gave me a dreadful shock; 
and I thought, if your medicines should have as good an 
effect on my body as your book has had on my mind, what 
a happy thing it will be! 
“ I had at that time an inflammation in my eyes, pain in 
my joints, feet and hands, sore lips, my gums much in- 
flamed, and when squeezed gushed out with blood. From 
one corner of my mouth round the lower lip was very sore 
and stiff, with little pimples about the inside and out; head- 
ach, itchings in different places, uncertain heats, palpita- 
tion of the heart, frequent nocturnal emissions, and a nu-
merous 

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merous quantity of the most dreadful nervous symptoms, 
which rendered my life miserable.—Melancholy it was for 
me, at the prime of life, to be sinking under these dreadful 
calamities, through my own foolishness and ignorance.— 
Since I received your first, letter, I have strictly observed 
the regimen and instructions you directed. I have taken 
now eight bottles of the Syrup and two guinea bottles of 
the Drops. When I had taken four bottles of syrup, the 
constant chilness which I used to have quite forsook me, and 
I sometimes thought my nerves a little tightened. I had, 
however, still great anxieties, and having drank chiefly 
milk porridge and water gruel, was rather low; but per- 
severance in your directions, and a rectitude of conduct as 
to the cause, soon made me recover, and I escaped one 
species of plague which I constantly have had at this season, 
viz. a cough and cold upon my lungs. When I had taken 
eight bottles of the Syrup, I began the Persian Drops, liv- 
ing temperate and regular, and taking such strengthening 
things as you directed. I bless God and thank you, that 
I find myself so well. The gleet seems to be stopt. Some- 
times I feel pains in my feet and ancles for a short time, 
but they soon remove. I will, however, take three more 
of your Guinea bottles of Persian Drops, that I may not 
be in danger of leaving off the medicine too soon.” 
“ At the time I first applied to you, it was near nine 
years since I left off that great sin of self-pollution. Find- 
ing myself labouring under many disagreeable symptoms, I 
got advice; but all to no purpose, and I thought myself to 
be threatened with a total loss of virility. I am thirty-eight 
years of age. About seventeen years of age I learnt that 
destructive practice, and was much addicted to it four years, 
at which time I got the venereal complaint. As soon as I 
found myself well, I got to my old practice, but was much 
disheartened in finding a very great deficiency in semen. 
A little after I was attacked with a pain in my loins, and 
going on ship board in cold weather increased my pain to 
such a degree, that if I only moved myself it made me cry 
out.


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out. I was very ignorant of the cause, by supposing it to 
be the rheumatism. I recovered by going into a warm cli- 
mate, without the assistance of medicines. In my return to 
England about ten months after I got to my old practice, 
but finding such a great deficiency in nature, I was afraid 
all was not well with me. I then discovered these symp- 
toms: The semen for some time came away as water in the 
night, without being sensible of it; the left side of my testi- 
cles was greatly relaxed and never drawn up as the other, 
but appeared to have something come down into it. I had 
also a violent itching in my seat, and betwixt my thighs, and 
was attacked with it the most when warm in bed, which 
made me dread going to bed for almost four years, at which 
time I heard that spirits of wine was good for itchings, I 
tried it and found an amazing relief but not to cure. I 
generally voided a little thin while semen before making 
water when I had a stool. I had in general obstructions in 
making water, and rose four or five times in a night, and 
in the morning my water was very thick. I found myself 
dull, of a very bad memory, and in short a great train of 
disorders which I ascribed all to that vile practice—ln this 
state I was, when, according to your advice, I began a 
course of your Vegetable Syrup, and have taken ten bot- 
tles. I am happy to inform you, that the first bottle gave 
me relief, the itching removed at the end of six. I have 
not had recourse to spirits of wine since I began taking the 
syrup, it hath had so good an effect, though for four years I 
almost daily used the said spirits. When I had taken ten 
bottles of the Syrup. I then began the Persian Drops, of 
which I also took ten bottles, and am happy in announcing 
the very great restoration I have experienced therefrom.” 
N. B. Letters for advice in all cases, not accompanied with 
a proportionate order for medicines, are required to inclose 
Half a Guinea, and for a personal consultation Dr. Hodson 
expects the usual compliment of a Guinea.
In 


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In order that boys, servants, and all those who cannot afford 
to give a fee, may not be deprived of proper instructions, Dr. Hodson 
gives advice gratis, at his house, No. 29, Hatton-Garden, to those 
who apply personally on Mondays, from ten in the morning till nine 
at night.—But his medicines may be obtained there every day, at all 
hours; or such as find it more convenient may buy them at the fol- 
lowing, which are the only appointed places of sale, viz. Mrs. 
Randal’s, Royal Exchange; Mr. Wade’s, Fleet-street; and Mr. 
Matthews’s, No. 18, Strand.
Also at the following places in the country : 
Bath Crutwell 
Birmingham Swinney 
Ditto Pearson & Rollason 
Boston Worley   
Bristol Rudhall 
Ditto H. Brown 
Bury Gedge 
Cambridge Hodson 
Canterbury Simmons & Co. 
Ditto Bristow   
Chelmsford Clachar 
Chester Poole 
Coventry Rollason 
Derby Pritchard 
Doncaster Saunderson 
Ely Harwood 
Exeter Trewman 
Ditto Grigg  
Gtantham Quanbro’ 
Gloucester Raikes, 
Hereford Duncomb 
Hull Prince 
Huntingdon Jenkinson 
Ipswich Shave 
Leeds Binns
Lewes Lee
Lincoln Drummond
Ditto Brooke
Liverpool Billinge
Ditto Burges
Louth Marsh
Lynn Marshall
Maidstone Blake
Manchester Berry and Co.
Newcastle Hall and Elliott
Ditto M. Brown
Newmarket Baddison
Northampton Marshall
Norwich Yarrington & Bacon
Ditto Crouse
Ditto Bowen 
Nottingham Tupman 
Oxford Jackson 
Peterboro’ Jacob 
Plymouth Haydon 
Reading Smart & Co. 
Royston Andrews 
Saffron Wal- 
den Payn 
Salisbury Collins 
Sheffield Pierson 
Sherborne Goadby & Co. 
Shrewsbury Wood 
Spalding Albin 
Stamford Newcomb  
Ditto Calder 
Tewkesbury Dyde 
Upton Holt 
Whitchaven Ware 
Wisbech Nicholson 
Worcester Tymbs 
York Blanchard 
*** Persons in the country who wish to have any of the medicines 
immediately from the Doctor, by sending the money for any quantity 
they think proper, (and 1s more for a box) will have them sent by
such

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such carrier as they shall appoint.-Orders, with a draft for any sum 
may be sent by post, and the balance will be returned in the box; or 
orders with cash, may be inclosed in a box or small parcel, by any of 
the coaches, diligences or waggons, and will be duly attended to, 
provided the carriage is paid, or money sufficient inclosed. 
As it is frequently the desire, and in some cases absolutely necessary, 
for patients to be under Dr. Hodson's immediate inspection, the 
following are the terms on which he accommodates gentlemen in his 
own house : 
In those cases for which the Persian Drops are principally recom- 
mended, Three Guineas and a Half per Week. 
In venereal cases, where the patient is not under a particular con- 
finement, Three Guineas and a Half per Week, and a Compliment 
of One Guinea on his first reception.   
In those cases (not venereal) where the Vegetable Syrup is recom- 
mended, and where the patient does not require a separate accommo- 
dation from the family. Three Guineas and a Half per week. 
In those cases, where the patient is under a necessity of having a 
separate accommodation, Five Guineas per Week, and a compliment 
of One Guinea on his first reception. 
These terms include board and medicine. 
Sundry methods of discovering Mercury in any preparation, 
and recovering it into its pristine shape of quicksilver. 
Extracted from the works of 
Dr. STROTHER and Mr. BOYLE. 
Pour aqua-fortis on any body containing quicksilver, and let it 
stand a little, then throw on a little lead and the quicksilver subsides. 
Or put a little copper-filings to any preparation of mercury, and you 
may distill the quicksilver off running. 
Take copper-filings and crude sal armoniac, and mix with any pre- 
paration of mercury, and hold the mixture over a fire or candle in an 
iron or brass spoon till quite hot, when the quicksilver will run into 
its proper shape. 
Sublimate also may be revived by adding filings of steel, salt of tar- 
tar, or regulus of antimony; for the acids with which the sublimate 
is made are more strongly attracted by the fixed salts and the sulphur 
in the antimony, than by the quicksilver; the latter being therefore 
freed attracts itself again. 
FINIS.