NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Bethesda, Maryland n j j THE FAMILY GUIDE TO HEALTH, CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE BOTANIC THOMSONIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE. WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. BY J. A. BROWN, Formerly Physician to the Tremdnt and Massachu- setts Thomsonian Infirmaries, BOSTON,—St present, Proprietor and Physician to the R. I. Botanic Infirmary, Pawtucket, R. I., aniL President of the R. I. Botanic Association. " Must we go to Europe to import mineral poisons?— Must the wealth of the country be sent abroad 1o bring a- mongst us the instruments of death? Must we pay with the substance of our lives, for aching bones and ruined constitutions? No! never! The remedies are here; they are spread over the plains and the mountains in abundance, they surround every cottage and bloom round every cabin * >over the vast and tractless wilderness."—Robinson. PROVIDENCE: B. T. A JL B R O--P R I It T E R. 18 37. 0 i2-?-> FNTEKED According to Act uf Congress, in the year 1837, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of Rhode Island. TO THE PUBLIC. In the preparation of the following pages, the au- thor has not been actuated by a desire to come into competition with Doctor Thomson, nor, by offering them to the public, does he wish to interfere with the sale of that gentleman's works, or his rights as a private citizen, and the original inventor of the mode of practice herein described. Having, for years, been sensible of the necessity of some general and familiar guide, for the tise of such persons as may be unable to purchase more expensive works, the author has finally come to the determination to supply the deficiency, as far as his ability and ex- perience will permit. Those into whose hands this work may fall, who- may be acquainted with the works of Thomson, and with those of other writers on the same subject, will readily perceive that we have adopted a plan differ- ent from all of them. It has been, apparently, the object of those who have written and published books on the subject of the Botanic Medical Practice, to swell the size of their works, by the insertion of something to help make up a book, although it might be entirely useless and uninteresting to the common reader. In this way they have made them unsuita- bl+for a general gmdefor the unlearned and labor- IV mg classes, who have little time for the study of medical books, and as little disposition to spend that (•>ne in selecting from a great mass of matter, the little which only is useful. The consequence is, they soon become impatient of the task, and reject the whole, as useless and incomprehensible. The author has not the vanity to suppose, that this little treatise is sufficient to make every man a phy- sician, either for himself or for others, in all cases, and under all circumstances; but he feels fully con- fident, that if people will study it carefully, and follow the directions it contains, they may prevent forty-nine fiftieths of the sickness, tvhichnow causes so much pain, distress, sorrow and suffering; while at the same time, they will not subject themselves to the numerous aches, afterpains, and thousands of other miseries, so commonly experienced, as the long standing and often fatal effects of mineral poisons administered by the boasted Medical Faculty. Hoping that our endeavors may prove serviceable to our fellow men, by enabling them to prevent or to baffle disease, and thereby to relieve suffering hu- manity, we oj/i-r them to the public, with our re- spects and best wishes. PREFACE. The preservation of life and health, is the first great object, to which our attention is naturally directed. Of course, the most effectual means to promote that object, are worthy of our highest consideration; and their dis- covery, and the proper mode of application, is an attain- ment which cannot be too highly estimated. It is one in which all are deeply interested, and on which, every one should be qualified to judge. We need not argue this point with the reader. The proposition will meet a ready response in every breast; for all know that life and health are blessings, which cannot be purchased at a sacrifice too great. Though man may be rescued from the grasp of death, and raised from the bed of languishing, still, to be left to drag out a miserable existence, in consequence of the means used to preserve life, is an evil of the highest mag- nitude. Though such an one may be said to exist, yet his existence is scarcely a blessing; for, deprived of the enjoyment of health, and the system retaining the seeds of disease, and the active causes of premature decay, pain and misery become the companions cf his bosom, and he may be said to endure, rather than to enjoy, a living death. PREFACE. pasides—the preservation of health is qnite as impor/- Aint as its restoration. It has been truly said, "an ounce of preventive is worth a pound of cure." Every case of severe and protracted disease, even though not fatal at the time, preys upon the system, wastes its energies, impairs the constitution, and accelerates our progress to the tomb. It is obvious then, that plain and simple rules which all can understand, and cheap, safe and efficacious remedies, always at hand, which may be readily applied, and which rarely fail to remove the incipient causes of disease, and thereby prevent extreme suffering, and perhaps death, as well as the loss of time and money, must be a desidera- tum to mankind, of inestimable value. That the physicians in what is termed the regular practice, sometimes effect apparent cures, wo have no disposition to deny; and a portion of those cures, where diseases are slight, and taken in their incipient stages, may be real and permanent. But, by far the greater portion of the supposed cures, and especially in cases of obstinate fevers, we are well satisfied, from our own observation and the testimony of others, leave the patient the victim of lingering disease and torment, created by the very remedies employed for the restoration of health, and worse, even than the original malady, under which he suffered. The Dotanic Medical Practice furnishes safe, efficacious, and healthy substitutes for those poisonous remedial a- gents. It furnishes the healing balm from the product? of our own soil, to remove disease, to restore the sufferer to sound health, and without leaving him subject to those PREPACK. Vii enervating and deleterious- effects, produced from the min- eral poisons, with which a false science and a heartless cupidity have combined to curse suffering humanity. The veil of mystery which has hitherto enveloped the medical science and practice, has prevented men from looking into the nature of the diseases incident to our raco; hence, but few are aware that the slightest indispo- sition is, but too generally, the precursor of some distress- ing, if not fatal malady. In apparently slight cases, to call a physician, is tronblesoine and expensive. The members of the domestic circle are unacquainted with the symptoms, and the means of prevention. All has been en- trusted to the Doctor, as having the'only legitimate right to know any thing about diseases. The cose is neglected for the present, aa there appears no immediate cause for alarm. The "slight cold" continues—the appetite fails—a burning sensation creeps over the skin, followed by alter- nate cold and shivering—pains dart through the head, sides, and limbs—and there is parching thirst, and con- tinual restlessness. In the morning, the patient attempts to rise from his bed—faints—finds himself sick—and sends for a doctor; who, on his arrival, finds the person who had a "flight cold," burning up with a raging fever.— Calomel and the lancet, are applied; but in vain. Per- haps nature may finally prevail over the disease and the remedies applied. The patient may recover, to feel, during the remainder of his life, the pernicious effects of the drugs he has been compelled to swallow; or, which is quite as probable, the disease may triumph, and aided viii PSEFACE. in the work of death, by calomel and the lancet, hurry the suffering victim to a premature grave. Asa preventive against the fatal evil, the Botanic Prac- tice presents the beneficent means which nature has pro- vided, and freely furnishes. It is not too much to say, that, in almost all cases, where those remedies are season- ably applied, according to the simple directions which will be found in the following pages, disease will be read- ily baffled, and the fatal or pernicious effects which other- wise ensue either from the disease itself or a false mode of treatment, be entirely prevented. These hints are not speculative. They are founded on the result of an expedience of many years; and there are thousands now living in the enjoyment of sound health, who can and do attest to their truth; and who, but for the Thomsonian Botanic System of Medical Practice, would long since have slumbered in their graves, or been dragging out a miserable existence, in the daily expecta- tion of being released from suffering by the hand of death. We entertain you with no fiction. We speak only of substantial reality:—And, though our system has been op- posed by the Medical Faculty and ks friends, from the first moment of its introduction by Samuel Thomson, yet no one can deny its superior success over all others, and that it has often succeeded when all others had failed.— But notwithstanding the violence of the opposition it has had to encounter, and the unhallowed means adopted to carry out that opposition, its march has been constantly onward. Little by little, the light of simple truth has PREFACE. ix penetrated the mystic shades of legal quackery; and man- kind are daily yielding to the conviction, that it is better to be saved by the students of nature's laws, who deal in nature's remedies, than to be killed, or maimed, by sci- ence, with the poisons prepared by the labor of art. The time is at hand, when the quackery of the Medical school will be openly exposed, and fully understood:— When the veil will be withdrawn, which has so long shielded the mystery of iniquity from public gaze:—When men shall learn the secrets of the crucible and the labara- tory:—When they shall openly see, and duly appreciate, the weapons which the Chemical Science has put into ihe hands of the grizzly monster to accelerate his work of destruction. Men will then learn their dependence on nature, for life and health, and the means she has provided for their preservation; and the reign of false science, and the use of her poisonous nostrums, will be remembered only a6 things that were. To lend our feeble aid to promote a work so desirable, and which must prove of vast importance to the human race, is the object of the following pages; and the author's hope is, that they may help to accomplish it. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. There is nothing more common, when a man enter* on a professional career, than for others to inquire, Who is he? What is he? &c.—These inquiries are proper e- nough in themselves, as the public have the right^to know who and what they employ, especially in a branch of business so highly important as the medical profession;— and when the inquiry is raised in order to ascertain what a man is, rather than what he has been, and what are bis actual qualifications, it is also laudable. But, it too often happens, that the curious and inquisitive, in raising these questions, led away by the sound of names, and dazzled by the pomp of imaginary greatness, seek rather for ti- tles, diplomas, and implied merits, than for that intrinsic worth, which should be admitted only on the score of practical proofs, derived from the fruits of professional la- bors. By his works should every man be tiied. One man, reared in the lap of wealth and luxury, may have passed through the forms of a collegiate education,, and graduated, a dm ce. Another, emerging from the vale of poverty, and denied even the benefits afforded by a common school, with the aid of an energetic mind, may cultivate his own intellect, and become distinguished in the walks of literature. On> man may pass through a regular course of scientif- ic and professional study, and never reach the standard of mediocrity, though aided by the best helps the age affords. 12 BIOGRAPHICAL Another, without these, impelled by his own genius, and aided by the spirit of untiring perseveiance, may over- come all obstacles, and arrive at eminence. One man may plod on in a long beaten track, and, having perfect- ed himself in all the principles developed by those who have gone before him, prove himself as well qualified to discharge the duties of bis profession, as any man can be, who is governed by the same rules. Another, compara- tively unlearned, his mind free from those fetters imposed by the dogmas of the schools, and impelled by his aspira- tions for pre-eminence, may take a higher flight—boldiy traverse hitherto unknown regions of science, and bring most important principles to light, which have, from the creation of man, been obscured from mortal view, and de- fied all systematic researches. To such causes is the world indebted for by far the greater portion of useful discoveries that have ever been made; and the philosopher, and the schools of science, though they affect to treat the supposed ignorance of oth- ers with contempt, have done little else than to build up- on the facts thus furnished them, the theories and hypoth- eses on which they so much pride themselves. These well known truths should satisfy every rational mind, that it is proper rather to inquire what a man is, than what he has been—rather, what are his actual qualifications, than at what college he was educated, or if at any—and, rath- er, what are the works that test the truth or falsity of his profession, than whether he carries a sealed parchment in his pocket, as a voucher for his merits; for diplomas may frequently utter falsehood—actions—never. SKETCS. IS The author of the following little work, is reluctant to obtrude himself upon the public, as his own biographer; but as many of his most sincere friends have earnestly so- licited soms account of his life, and the reasons which led him to embrace the profession in which he is now engag- ed, he has finally come to the conclusion that it may be his duty to comply with the request. Of myself, then, I will now proceed to speak. I should hardly think it necessary or proper, to speak of my former occupation, were it not for a thousand silly re- ports which some have taken the pains to circulate. Not that I should feel at all ashamed to acknowledge myself a mechanic, or even a hostler, as some have affirmed me to have been; but, because, in the first place, if my suc- cess in my profession at present, is evidence that lam qualified to discharge its duties in a proper manner, it is nobody's business whether 1 have been a mechanic, a hostler, or a shoe black. A man may have been a very clumsy workman at either of those occupations, and be- come a very good physician. In the next place, as I fancy my patients will give me credit for a very good share of success in the practice of the art of healing, to tell of my having been originally a hostler or a shoe black, might have somewhat the ap- pearance af boasting; as is the case with the man, who, having become rich by his own exertions, frequently en- tertains you with the tale of his former poverty. Doctor Franklin, however, when once inquired of by a certain nobleman, if he had not been reared up, a printer, repli- ed, yes, my lord; and if your lordship had been,you.ner- er would have teen anything else. 14 5 BIOGRAPHICAL But, to return—I was born in the town of Westmin- ster, Mass. i:i the month of May, 1810. In that town I passed the first days of childhood, to the age of seven years, with a widowed mother; my father having died before my remembrance. When I was seven years of age, my mother married a second husband, and removed to the town of Ashby, Mass., whither I accompanied her, and where I resided till I had reached the seventeenth year of my age. At that time, deeming it necessary to prepare myself, by engaging in some profession for the active business of life, I left home, and engaged, as an apprentice, to learn the trade of a carpenter. After hav- ing labored at this vocation about one year, I had the misfortune to injure my stomach by over exertion, which occasioned internal bleeding to a considerable extent, and reduced me to such a feeble state of health, that, for the two succeeding years, I was unable to follow any labori- ous occupation whatever. I was destitute of any means of support, but what the kind charity of my friends bestowed upon me, and for which, thank God, they ever have had, and, I trust, ever will have, my heartfelt gratitude. I e\ er bore it in mind, however, that he who will not endeavor to help himself! is unworthy the aid of others. In conformity with this maxim, I employed myself during the summer months, mostly spent in Boston, in some light occupation, and, in the winter devoted my time to teaching school; by which means, and the assistance of friends, I was able to sup- port myself, and attend the fall terms of a High School. By these means, applied with determined perseverance, SKETCH. 15 and tUc resolution to make the most of them that circum- stances would permit, and opportunity afford, I was ena- bled to make some advances in an education, in addition to what I had obtained in boyhood by the facilities offer- ed in a country village. Thus, with what advantages I possessed, much inferior to what I could wish, I have made my way thus far though the world, to what purpose others must judge, with very little professional assistance. At the age of twenty, I commenced a new mode of life:—I engaged in a sort of trading enterprise; purchas- ing country produce, and disposing of it in market. This business I followed during warm weather, for four years; and, in the autumns of two of those years, attended school myself, and taught school in the winter; and found my health much, improved. A considerable portion of my time, durin<» my attendance at school, and most of the last term, was employed in the reading and study of medical works. For this, a good opportunity was afforded me, as I happened to room with a medical student, who was very anxious that J should prosecute the study, for which I had a strong inclination; and had I not found so many contra- dictions in the theory and practice of medicine, I might have studied the profession, and now been a dealer in mineral drugs, with a mind so prejudiced against every thin<» out of* the regular path of medical science, as to prevent me even from examining the pretensions of any other system. Another thing which would have deterred me from en- tering on the study, had there been nothing else in the way, was the waat of funds. These, however, would 16 BIOGRAPHICAL have been furnished by friends, had I seen fit to apply for them, which I would never consent to do, 60 long as 1 could obtain a livelihood without. This, together with the manifest absurdities of the medical schools, determin- ed me to relinquish the idea of studying the profession. I should probably never have again imbibed the idea, had it not been for sickness and death, which brought it up afresh, and the details of which, will hereafter invite the attention of the reader. During the period briefly glanced at in the foregoing pages, many things occurred to shake and weaken my little remaining faith in the infallibility of the medical faculty; and which directed my thoughts to the inquiry, whether there might not be some mode for the treatment of disease, more congenial with the human constitution- more consistent with the principles and laws*bf nature.— Yet, I had no more belief in the Thomsonian system of practice, than thousands of those ignorant of it, at the present day. True, I had heard of that practice for a considerable time before; together with all the flaming details of poisonous Lobelia, murderous steam baths, and slaughtering quacks. But I thought it only a wild project of some unprincipled villains, like many other deceptive artifices of the day, to filch money from the pockets of those who might be silly enough or mad enough to embrace it, at the hazard of health, and even of life itself. 1 first heard of this mode of treating disease, when I was about eight years of age. Doctor E. Darling, a cous- in of my mother, who then, and to this time, practised in SKETCH. 17 Boston, visited the country at the period I speak of, and of course, advocated the practice. Though young at the time, it is still fresh in my recollection, that considerable was said about the system. It was much ridiculed; and people laughed at the idea of buying a boo!< for twenty "dollars, to make a patent doctor—having patent medi- cine—patent steaming—and what was most thought of, and most ludicrous of all, raising patent children.' Such was the language and the ridicule of all who heard the subject mentioned at that time; yet, in the same town, there are at the present period, many believers in the Thomsonian system of medical practice, who are also its firm friends and supporters. Years had passed away, and the occurrence I have re- lated had become as a dream of childhood. But after I went to reside in Boston, I frequently came in contact with those who had been snatched from the very jaws of death, and rescued from the yawning chasm of the tomb, by the almost miraculous powers of the health restoring system of Thomson. Yet, notwithstanding the testimony of these living witnesses, and the almost palpable evi* dence which their very existence furnished, I continued skeptical—in fact an unbeliever—though sometimes, al- most convinced. But when I felt at all inclined to admit the force of ev- idence, and give way to conviction, the hearing or per- usal of some vague report, would cause the horrid vision of persons poisoned with Lobelia, burned to death with Cayenne pepper, or murdered in a steam bath, to flit a- cross my brain, and dispel every approving thought, and 2 IS BIOGRAPHICAL eradicate every favorable impression. I would then shud- der at the bare mention of such a murderous practice; and it almost tempted me to wish that those who follow- ed it, might be compelled to swallow their own medi- cine, and submit to their own mode of treatment; which I knew was a species of punishment, which physicians in general very much dreaded. During all this time, I never dreamed, that the reports so industriously circulated, were false, and got up by the Faculty deeply interested in checking the progress of the glorious cause of humanity, destined at a future period, as they could plainly see, to eclipse a false science, the fruit of four thousand years of labor, study, and experi- ment, and expose its deception to tho world. They no doubt foresaw the final result, and were satisfied that, when it should come, they would be compelled to aban-- don their calling, and seek wealth by some other means. Yet, at that time, such thoughts hud not entered my mind. Like many persons at tho present day, was I thus blinded, and prevented from coming to the truth, and from being enlightened by her rays; until stricken by the hand of disease, dire necessity compelled me to look a- round for means to restore my own health, and to pre- serve my own life, which had been nearly sacrificed by the culpable ignorance, or unpardonable neglect, jf a member of the regular Medical Faculty. The year following that in which I removed to Boston, the small pox made its appearance in that city. I hud not had the small pox, nor had 1 been vaccinated; and be- SKETCH. 19 ing of course i n danger of taking the loathsome disease, I was advised to be vaccinated immediately, as a necessary measure of precaution. Accordingly, I applied to a re- spectable regular physician—one so called, at least, and was vaccinated with, as he said, pure and fresh, vaccine, or kiue pox mattter; and for which, I paid him, if my recollection serves me, three dollars, as his fee for the op- eration. In due time, the innoculation appeared to have taken effect; a pustule was formed, and filled; and after the us- ual process, disappeared. But after circumstances have satisfied me, that the matter used by the physician was far from being pure. Soon ufter this event, I found myself affected with bad and troublesome humors; which, from the time of their first appearance, continued to grow worse and worse.— At length they became so bad, that I was compelled to re- linquish my business in Boston, and return to the country, in order, if possible, to regain my health. For several weeks previous to leaving my business entirely, I was, for a considerable portion of my time, unable to be about.— But when compelled to relinquish it enMrely, I visited one of my relatives, who kept the Thomsonian medicine, and who used it in his family. A great many people will take a thing at the hand of a friend, which they would not dare to purchase. So it was with me. I begged the "Composition Powder" of my relative, and took it, and the effect was verry salu- tary; though I could hardly have been prevailed upon to purchase an ounce of it from a Thomsonian Doctor, lest 20 BIOGRAPHICAL I should have been guilty of procuring some noxious poi- son, and thus perpetrate the act of self destruction. And I know of hundreds who use botanic medicines, and who procure them by troubling their neighbors, as I did my cousin. I have frequently supplied persons with what is considered a stock of medicine for a year, and seen them come again for more, in tho course of a few weeks; and, on inquiring what had become of the former stock they had purchased, I have been told that their neighbors had beggad it away, a dose at a time. I have usually made the inquiry in such cases, because I knew those I enquir- ed of, were residents among those who, almost unani- mously, pretended to be opposed to the Thomsonian practice. Many of these perhaps may beg, in preference to buy- ing, because it 13 cheaper. But many others, I suspect, arc actuated by the motives which governed me, and are ;ishamed, or afraid, to have any thing to do with a mur- derous steam doctor. But to proceed. I took but little of the Composit- ion Powder, and though its effects were so beneficial, in- stead of taking more, I applied to an old Indian doctress for relief. This old Indian, whose name was Sackett, gave me some vegetable medicines, from which, though I did not receive immediate relief, I think I finally expe- rienced a good effect. After this, I returned to the coun- try; where, in the course of a few weeks, my health was >o far improved, as to enable me to resume my business in Boston. But I feel the effects of the poisonous virus with which I was vaccinated, even to the present day. . SKETCH. 21 The next occurrence which made an impression on my mind, was as follows. After some months, I returned home, and found my friends all in good health. I had an only brother, who had not, to my knowledge, ever been sick for one day in the course of his life. I arrived home on a Saturday eve- ning. On Sunday morning, this brother was slightly at- tacked with a bowel complaint. The family, easily a- larmed, proposed to send for a Doctor. My own experi- ence had somewhat prejudiced me against the poison craft, and I made some slight objection to doing so; and it was delayed for a'time. But, towards night, a mes- senger was despatched, and a Doctor called. During the day, scarcely any thing was done, which might have been done, by simple vegetable remedies, which might have produced effectual relief, because all faith was confided in the family physician, to whom alone they would look for aid. At length he came. And, mark the result! I would gladly omit this narrative, did r.ot duty re- quire its insertion as a solemn warning to others who may be placed in like circumstances. The physician en- tered tho house with that air of consequence and impor- tance, peculiar to the learned faculty. As usual, he called for pap':r, and commenced dealing out his medicine; the daily effects of which, are sufficient to satisfy any one not blinded by the show and glitter of assumed greatness, of its deadly properties, and fatal result. Each dose of the vile drug aggravated.'instead of alle- viating, the complaint, and enhanced, instead of amelior- ating, the tortures of the suffering victim. The visits of 22 BIOGRAPHICAL the Doctor were, however, continued till the succeeding Sunday ev. ning; when exhausted nature gave up the straggle, and the hand of death relieved the patient from his cruel sufferings. During this trying scene, I had some- how obtained the impression, that his complaint might have been cured by means of the Botanic Practice. And that impression was strengthened and confirmed, by other cases. On Saturday, the day previous to the decease of my brother, my father in law was taken sick. Being ex- hausted by the fatigue* of night watching, by loss of sleep, and anxiety«of mind, he laid down to take some rest; and, on awaking, found himself severely attacked with racking pains throughout his whole system. This was followed by cholera morbus, or relax, similar to that under which my brother was then suffering, and of which he died, the next day. Had I not fortunately been at home, no doubt the doc- tor would have had another job, and death might have numbered another victim. As it was, his feet were bath- ed, and he was deposited in bed. I then undertook to produce perspiration, by placing hot stones at his feet, and adding extra covering to his bed. It was my first es- say in the healing art, and though I now see it was rather a bungling one, yet I succeeded, and that was sufficient My object in attempting to excite perspiration, was to remove the chills, and the lameness; and while thepe measures were going on, I had caused brandy and sage tea to be provided; the only medicines with which I was much acquainted. SKETCH. 23 I then commenced giving the brandy to my patient— my first one—in doses of a wineglass full at a time, sweetened with loaf sugar, as often as there were returns of pain; and to keep up the perspi'ation, the sage tea was copiously administered, and the stones at the feet remov- ed as often as they became cold, and their places supplied witb hot ones. By persevering in this course, he was kept free from pain, except at momentary returns at in- tervals, and the looseness of the bowels was checked.— During the night, he had swallowed about a pint and a a half of brandy, and several quarts of the tea; and in the morning, he was free from the complaint At that time I did not know how to take a person out of bed in a state of profuse perspiration,without subjecting him to the danger of taking cold; therefore I commenced removing the cov- ering, gradually, piece by piece, and continued in this manner to lessen the quantity, till the system had bean cooled down sufficiently to permit him to leave his bed without danger. The use. of brandy, in this complaint, I had learned, as in travelling I bad been subject, at times, to attacks of the same complaint, and never knew it fail to cure, if taken as often as the pains returned. That morning, my sister, a girl of about fifteen years of age, was still more suddenly and violently attacked in the same way. She was taken while preparing breakfast;— and so severely as to be obliged to leave her work, and go immediately to bed. I pursued the same course with her I had with my father in law; and before night, I had the pleasure of seeing her restored to health, and about the house. Neither of them experienced the slightest return of the complaint 2t BIOGRAPHICAL Thus, without the least knowledge either of doctoring or nursing, was I enabled, with ease, to effect a speedy, safe, and permanent cure, in these two cases, while tho other patient, in the hands of medical science, and treat- ed according to the rules of the regular practice, languished for a week in "pain and misery, and then death closed the scene! With similar treatment, such might have been the fate of the other two. True, it may be said, that because two were saved h) my mode of treatment, it does not follow that the other was destroyed by a different mode, as he might have died under my hands. But the facts afford strong prcsum p- tive proofs, that, being able to save t'.e two, the thiid might have been saved by a similar treatment. These cases brought the subject of the medical prac- tice home to my own bosom. And they fixed deep and solemn impressions on my mind, which can ne^r be e- rased, as long as life remains, and reason holds her se:~t. From this lime, I went forward with the determination to look into the Thomsonian r.ystem, and to know all I could Icain of the Botanic Practice; for I had become fully sat- isfied that there was neither certafnty nor safety in the regular system. I formed this re-solution, without the remotest idea of ever engaging in the practice of medicine.' myself, even should I so far approvo the principles as to adopt them. It was merely a measure of self defence a- gainst the evils of disease, and a false science. Accordingly, when I had closed up my business of the season, I called on Doctor Benjamin Thomson, whokopt an Infirmary in Charles Street, in the city of Boston; SKETCH. 25 and acquainted him with my wishes. He expressed a strong desire that I-should remain with him, and become his assistant in attending on the sick. He was doing con- siderable business in the line of his profession, tmd had no one to take charge of the sick room ; ar.d, thinking it. would prove a good opportunity for me to come at the truth, as regarded his practice, I closed with his offer, and consented to remain with him. I shall never forget my introduction to the sick roo::i Never, before nor since, have I been troubled with that indescribable sensation, called fiome sickness. I had not Jet forgotten the thousand and one frightful 9tories I had heard, and read, of pei.-ons poisoned to death by Thom- son and his murderous agents; and I was now, for the first time, ushered into the presence of three persons laboring under the nauseating effects of Lobelia, and full in my view stood the villanous steam box, a machine with which iny imagination had associated as many horrors as belong- ed to that terrific engine of revolutionary vengeance, of France, the Guilotine! Two of the invalids were very feeble. The lobelia had taken a good deal of effect on them, and I felt assured they must die! I was horror stricken; and began to think that half had not been told me, of the murderous practices of the steam quacks! But I soon learned how easy it was for a novice to be mistaken, and how readily, even others are imposed upon and deceived, by appearances and idle reports. In less than three hours after I had consigned two of these pa- tients to the arms of death by anticipation, nil three of them were out of bed, in the parlor, seated around the 26 BIOGRAPHICAL table, and regaling themselves, with a good appetite, on the substantial bounties of nature, and without restraint. I looked on with'astonishment—I though I was in a dream—But no—I rubbed my eyes, and was satisfied that I was still awake. These must then be but the unearth- ly apparitions of those victims of steam and lobelia, whom, a few hours before, I had seen as I thought, in the very embrace of death. Had their ghosts remained, to haunt the presence of the quack, and were they now mimicking the things of flesh, and blood, and life, to torment their destroyer! But, no—there was too much rattling of knives and forks—and too rapid a waste of the piles of eatables, for a ghostly banquet, and I was constrained to believe that the persons before me, revelling on the good things of this life, were the identical beings of flesh and blood, whom, three hours before, I had considered on the very borders of the grave! Suffice it to say—these persons speedily recovered their health, and vacated the sick room, to give place to others who succeeded them; and who were treated in a similar manner, and with equal success. There is nothing like visible facts, to convince the un- derstanding. From what I daily saw, my doubts began to give way; and I gradually came to the belief, that this was tho true art of healing. Nor have I ever known s person, who has witnessed much of the practice and its effects, who has not arrived at a similar conclusion. I continued with Doctor Thomson, and, ere long, be gave up the whole care of the patients to me, except in casef of unoommon teverity. He often enjoined it on me to take up the profession, and make it my business. But I SJtBTCH. 17 as often refused to do so; telling him I had got a better occupation. Contrary however to this resolution, I came to the conclusion, in the Spring, after leaving Doct Thomson, to continue in the business; and did so, in con- nection with a lady, who was experienced in the prac- tice. From that time, I"have followed the profession, with a degree of success which has far exceeded my most sanguine expectations. My first movement was, to establish an Infirmary in a large house I hired for the purpose, in Tremont Street, Boston. This I called the Tremont Infirmary; and, by being extensively acquainted, soon had a considerable share of patronage. But it is a true saying, that, though "a partnership may be a good ship to sail in, it is a bad ship to make a harbor;" and so I found it. I had furnished all the funds for the business, with no other security than that afforded me by a verbal contract. However, finding, after a time, that this would not do for me, I took myself out of the concern, at a loss of more than five hundred dollars; and opened a larger, and more extensive establishment, in Washington Street, Boston, to which I gave the name of rhe Massachusetts Botanic In- firmary; which is still in operation, and the largest estab- ment of the kind, in that city. Up to this time, I had purchased most of my books and medicine of Doctor Thomson; and on which, I found I bod paid an enormous profit. I also learned that other practicioners were in the habit of purchasing their medi- cine wherever they could find it best and cheapest; and that, in many instances, they obtained, for thiee or four 28 BIOGRAPHICAL dollars, that, for whieh Doct. Themson invariably charg- ed me fifty! I expostulated with Doctor Thomson for this, what I considered abuse. But I could get no other satisfaction, than that the right to compouisJ and vend the medicine, was secured to him by patent, and that I had no right to obtain it elsewhere, charge what he would. I had then, if I recollect rightly, purchased medicine and books of Doctor Tromson, to the amount of seven or eight hun- dred dollars, in one year. On since making an estimate of the cost to him, as 1 know very nearly what he pays for tho ingredients, I find it to be about one hundred and twenty dollars; leaving a profit to him, of about six humored dollars, on the articles used by one person, in one year! My reply to the Doctor, was, that I should not pur- chase any more medicine of him under those circumstan- ces, and at the rates he had charged me, provided I could obtain them elsewhere, until he should have adopted measures to compel others to purchase of him. In this I thought myself fully justified; for I could not suppose ray- self under any obligation to sacrifice my time and servic- es for the benefit of Doctor Thomson, under the authori- ty of hi* patent right, while he was permitting others to come into competition with me, who, defying his authori- ty, saved some six hundred dollars per annum in the cost of medicine, and which amount I had to lose. Thus, having broken with him on that score, the mat- ter has rested till the present time. 1 have pursued my owu course—purchased my medicine where I could find SKETCH. 20 it, cn such terms as I could, compounded it when, where, and how I pleased, and sold, and administered it to those who have pleased to purchase or take it. True, the Doctor has, several times since that period, published me as a trespasser on his right, as an impostor, and by sev- eral other polite names, but I believe those publications have never injuriously affected me^ at least, they have not, to my knowledge. Of these attempts to injure me, I have taken very little notice, :::.(] have considered them as being of little im- portance; though I have it in contemplation to say some- thing of tlieni hereafter. Mow or why, he should brand me as an impostor, is however somewhat difficult to im- agine; since, I at first commenced the practice under his auspices, and continued to be countenanced by him so long as 1 was willing to purchase medicine of him at his price. I have never entertained a feeling of enmity, hostility, or even disie-pect, for that gentleman. On the other hand, no man holds his talents, and his eminent services,, in higher estimation. No one feels more grateful for the benefits conferred upon the family of man, by his success- ful efforts in the cause of humanity, and bis important dis- coveries in the healing art. For all these, I have ever benn, not only willing, but anxious, that he should re- ceive an ample reward; and to promote that object, used my best endeavors to increase the sale of his books, as, long as he was willing to supply me with them for that purpose. But I have ever thought, and have repeatedly express- 30 BIOGRAPHICAL ed my thoughts to him, that an attempt to monopolise the trafic in the medicines and to reward himself by e- normous profits on that, was injudicious, and would pro- duce an injurious effect, both on the practice, and its au- thor; while to protect himself against what he considered invasions of his right of monopoly, would occasion him much trouble and expense. I have therefore recommend- ed to him, to look for his profits from the sale of his books; and to let all who would, purchase, compound, and sell the medicines. This, I still believe, would have been the best way. It would have prevented most of the dif- ficulties that have occurred. It would have satisfied all honorable men, and they would have helped to protect him against the arts of all others. Had Doctor Thomson pursued such a course, he would have been much better off nt this time, in a pecuniary point of view, than he is, and stood much higher in the estimation of others. But, ho has pursued his own course, and I have pursued mine; and dins we stand. Some of the results of this policy, as it regards him, we have already seen, and others are daily becoming evident. At the hands of his agents, at least many of them, he has experienced treachery and double dealing. The great profits he has made on medicine, hai tempted them to u- surp what he considered his rights, and to set up for them- selves, while he supposed them actiog, in good faith for him. To aid them, new publications have been made, which have very much retarded the sale of his, and which would probably not have been done, but for his monopo- ly. These troubles, together with the strenuous and un- 9XETCH. SI hallowed opposition ho has had to encounter in his career, have borne heavily upon him. They are sufficient to have soured even the most amiable disposition; and lean readily excuse any little harshness and severity in him. It was this unpleasant state of things, which induced me to dispose of my Infirmary, in Boston, last named, in which I had as much business as I could manage, and to oommence. operations, de novo, on a new stage, where the Thomsonian system was almost unknown, and where it had very few friends, and a numerous host ol foes. That I did not leave Boston because my disagreement with Doctor Thomson prevented me from obtaining a full share of patronage, is fully evident, from the fact, that I disposed of all ray furniture and aparalus to my success- or at a fair rate, and received from him over seven hun- dred dollars for the privilege. It may hence be thooght, that I was well paid for leaving Boston. 1 thought so too, at tho time, but, after having removed to Providence, my expenses amounted to more than one thousand dol- lars, before I had obtained business enough to meet them as they occurred; nor have I yet retrieved the loss I suf- fered in rny first start. But, with the blessing of health, should that be continued, the prospect is good for the fu- ture, and I shall still continue,' with choerfulness, alacrity, and determined perseverance, to move-onward. During all my changes and perigrinations, I have al- ways lound something to do, and ever tried my best to do it punctually, faithfully, and well. Without saying any thing of skill, of which others must judge, I believe, to say the least of it, I have been extremely lucky in 32 BIOGRAPHICAL practice, having, during the whole course of it, lost but two patients in my Infirmaries, and not more than one vatient in a year, out of them, in cases where I was the first and only physician in attendance. It may be thought that my practice has teen rather limited; and in fact, it is thought by many, that the sys- tem is not one which can embrace the treatment of the whole catalogue of diseases. This is a mistake. The Botanic system, when properly understood, and skillfully applied to practice, has no equal in the entire range of medical science. The thousands of diseases, of every hue, type, and character, which constantly yield to its 0- verwhelming, though genial and life giving powers, and the multitudes who, by it, have been rescued from the em- brace of death, and restored to the complete enjoyment of life and health, will bear me witness. There is not a malady within the reach of medicine, but what will find a remedy in the Botanic practice, more genial, efficacious, and far more safe, than is furnished by any other system. Experience is the best teacher. Doctors of medicine acknowledge that the Botanic practice is unquestionably good, in many cases, but contend that there are many others in which it is, not only of no avail, but injurious, and even fatal. I have, long since, become satisfied, from observation and actual experience, as well as from the u- nanimous testimony of those who have submitted to the Thomsonian treatment, that this is a mischievous error.__ It is merely the opposition of theory to facts—it is tho force of prejudice founded on hypothetical speculation, o- gainst the daily successful results of the system we advo- SKETCH. S3 cale, and which must finally carry conviction to the most sceptical mind. Satisfied, as I am, of the infinite superiority of the Bo- tanic practice over every other, for the preservation of health and life, I am willing t> encounter the powerful opposition it meets w ith, but which is daily losing strength as the light of truth advances; and to bear the contumely and reproach cast upon it, and upon its friends and advo- cates; to promote the best interests of the human race.— A child may raise the alarm, though a powerful arm may be required to ward off the danger; and it is my intention, while life, and health, and reason remain, to warn my fellow creatures of the dangers of the popular medical practice, whether able to do little or much to stay the fa- tal evils it engenders. The opposition which has been raised against the Thom- sonian system, has no doubt retarded its progress in the learned world, and measurably prevented its introduction among those who place too much reliance on scientific pretensions, and pay too much devotion at the shrine of fashion, to permit them to enter on the investigation of facts, or to follow the simple path of truth, even in purr suit of health. But there arc men, who. jealous of the domineering spirit of the schools, manifested on all possi- ble occasions, and who, being sensible of the fallacy of their higb pretensions, will ever take the liberty, and ap- propriate the time, to compare and decide for themselves. Among such, generally, the botanic system of medical treatment finds its friends and supporters; and with them, it has made a rapid progress. They discover its simplic- 3 34 BIOGRAPHICAL ity and its efficacy; and recognising it as the handmaid of nature, and consequently as the friend of man, and the powerful enemy to human disease, are willing to embrace it, and to suffer, in common with its discoverer, the buf- feting of its foes. i With my best wishes for human health and happiness, the foregoing brief narrative has been penned; and, with the hope that it may not be entirely uninteresting and use- less, is now laid before the reader; and of whom I must now take leave, in order to proceed in the more impor- tant undertaking, and the more useful one, of prosecuting our inquiries respecting the history and principles of tho Thomsonian Botanic practice of medicine. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE THOMSONIAN SYSTEM. We are not about to enter minutely into detail on this subject, as such a course would exceed the limits we have prescribed to ourselves in this little work, and is not neces- sary to the object we have in view. And, as a complete history would also involve the entire biography of the in- ventor, it would present a task we do not feel ourselves at liberty, even were we qualified, to undertake. Our remarks will therefore only extend to what we consider most interesting and important, and leave the reader to his own reflections. It is well known to every one at all acquainted with the subject, that the science and practice of medicine has been, from time immemorial, a series of experiments on the human system, founded on theory and hypothesis, and involved in doubt and obscurity. From time to time, medical professors have announced discoveries considered vastly important, and which have occasioned much in- vestigation and controversy. Sometimes those discover- ies have been adopted by a portion of the faculty, and re- jected by others. Some have been unanimously adopted, and others unanimously rejected. And, uot unfrequenf-. S6 HISTORICAL ly, have new principles been laid down, to which medi- cal practicioners have readily assented, while former us- ages have been exploded, as unscientific, and unsafe.— Even at this late period, physicians disagree as to the gen- eral principles of the practice in many essential particu- lars, and especially as to the proper mode of treatment for many diseases; while there are many other diseases, the nature of which has baffled all their attempts at in- vestigation, and for which, no definite mode of treatment has been devised by them. The present method of awarding prizes for essays on the origin, cause, treatment, and cure, of some of the most common diseases incident to the human frame, affords unquestionable evidence of the ignorance of the facultv, on those matters; for if they had acquired the knowledge which the physician ought to possess, these essays would be useless, except for the information of students, whom their masters ought to be qualified to teach. These dis- coveries, pretended discoveries, discussions, controversies, change?, and uncertainties, all afford sufficient proofs that the medical system ever has been, and still remains, imperfect; and amounts, in fact, to a virtual acknowl- edgment on the part of the faculty themselves, that dis- ease is to them a mystery, unveiled only in part; and that their practice acknowledges no definite rules, is governed by no established laws, and ensures no certain result. It is evident that no safe reliance can be placed in such a concatenation of uncertainties, doubts, conjectures probabilities, knowledge, and ignorance. All that can be said of it is, that men have submitted to it, rather from ACCOUNT- 37 necessity than from choice, rather with the faint hope that relief might be afforded them, than with faith and confi- dence in a favorable issue. All acknowledge the impor- tance of the confidence of the patient, and the hope of cure, to sustain the animal spirits, and to aid medicine in its efforts to restore health. That Doctors as often kill as cure, has long since become proverbial, from their fre- quent errors in judgment and practice. This impression has destroyed confidence, and no doubt often produced fatal consequences, when relief might otherwise have been afforded; while thousands, under the influence of a simi- lar impression, have neglected to call for aid, and sunk to the grave, without an effort to preserve life. Add to these, the multitudes who have been hurried out of the world, by means of calomel, arsenic, and oth- er mineral poisons, aided by blisters, the lancet, and the knife, and we have a fearful catalogue of victims to the doubts, conjectures, ignorance, and mysteries of a spuri- ous science. We are aware that all this may be termed, by many, mere conjecture of our own; assertion, without unv farther proof of its truth than our own ipse dixit; but if tho reader will candidly accompany us through our remarks, we think we can give him facts, which he will admit to be sufficient to substantiate what we have said. If we can shew him that we have a system which is found effectual to restore health, in most cases where oth- er systems fail—to restore sound health, where others leave the patient to suffer as much from the after result of the remedy, as he did, or would have done by the disease —if we can prove to him that the remedies are simple, Historical safe, and universally applicable, both by theory and un- doubted facts—I say, if we shew the candid reader all this, and we believe we can, we shall satisfy him of the truth of the foregoing remarks, and render him a valuable equivalent for his labor. The Botanic system of medical practice, we have al- ready hinted, is intimately blended with the life of Sam- uel Thomson, to whom the world is indebted for it; and to whom, notwithstanding all the bitter persecution he bas endured, the world will hereafter award the tribute of gratitude due to an eminent benefactor. The case of Samuel Thomson is peculiar—almost unique. Most men who are celebrated for improvements in the sciences, having been reared and nurtured in semi- naries of learning, have availed themselves of the aid af- forded them by the scientific researches, or accidental dis- coveries of others, to improve or perfect systems, the foundations of which have been already laid. Others, without a scholastic education, and probably grappling with poverty, have accidentally discovered important principles, and being unable to build upon them, have left them to others to carry out, and to erect on them the su- perstructures of wealth, or fame. Thomson is like neith- er of these. Destitute, even of the advantages of a common English education, he, involuntarily and without design, became a student of nature, in the department of Botany, at a very early and tender age. Led by some secret impulse, be knows not what, unless by that indescribable some- thing called natural genius, while yet scarcely four yea is account. 39 had passed over his infant head, he commenced his ex- plorations of the botanic kingdom; and, in the field of nature, entered on the study of her laws, and tested their operation by experiment; the only true principles of sci- ence, and the only certain method of developement. From the tender age we have mentioned, up to the pe- riod of manhood, his inquiries into the names, the prop- erties, and the effects of plants, in a medical point of view, were prosecuted with untiring assiduity; and, aided by the experience of another, as illiterate as himself, he appears to have become almost perfectly acquainted with the subject, while others, more fortunate as to wualth and education, were plodding through a tedious round of study, under learned masters, without obtaining even a moiety of the knowledge, acquired, almost unaided, by this child of nature. Nor did he confine himself to the beaten track, or to those plants alone, the virtues, or the noxious properties of which, were understood. Curiously inquisitive, no one of nature's productions, within his range of the vegetable kingdom, escaped his notice. Reckless of all consequences but the acquisition of botanical knowledge, no one was permitted to pass through his hands without its effects having been tried on his own system. To this propensity, are we indebted for the discovery of the important medicinal properties of Lobelia; a plant, which, of all others common to our country, is most valuable as a remedial agent.—A plant which subsequent experience has shewn to afford a reme- dy for disease, far more efficacious than the entire mineral preparations of the medical school, without any of their 40 HISTORICAL poisonous qualities, or the production of any of their per- nicious and fatal effects. This herb, as far as was known, was considered a dead- ly poison; though probably, the idea was merely a vague one, as we are now certain that the supposed fact never could have been established by the test of experimeut. But youngThomson, then but tittle more than four years of age, tested its properties, as usual, on himself. It pro- duced nausea and vomiting. As it did not poison him, he put it into the hands of others. They tested its virtus.*, with a like result. Without the least thought of ever ap- plying this plant to medical purposes, he thus continued to use it oc.-asionally, out of mere curiosity, till nearly twenty years of age; without considering that he was prosecuting one of the most important and successful ex- periments in medicine, ever entered upon, to which ho was probably indebted in a measure for his own health, and which was destined to become the basis of a system of medical practice, which, by its unparalleled success in the healing art, will finally supplant and overthrow all conflicting theories, and, in its progress, bless the wor'd by itsgenipl influence, and confer lasting honor on its dis- coverer. It is curious to trace the progress of Thomson through his infantile career, the years of boyhood, and those of youth, to the age of manhood; and to witness how, in- sensibly to himself, he was storing his mind with botan- ical knowledge, acquainting himself with the healing pro- pensities of nature's productions, and paving the way for the most thorough and valuable reform in the medical world. account. 41 When but eight years of age, he had become so well acquainted with the vegetable kingdom, that he was em- ployed by those in the more advanced stages of life, to select from the fields and the forest, those plants, herbs, and roots, which, being recommended for their medicinal and healing virtues, they did not dare to entrust them- selves to designate. And, about that time, he says, a fit of sickness from which he suffered, led him still more earnestly to prosecute his inquiries. For several years, he appeared to pass through various changes'a'nd reverses. lie was compelled to labor at farming, though much against his will. lie was treated with some severity by his father; but, during that period, he experienced the important benefits, of spending one month at a country school; at which, owing to circum- stances he could not control, he made but slow progress in learning. At the age of sixteen, owing to his natural propensity, his parents entertained some idea of putting him to study with a person called a root doctor. He was much pleased with the proposed arrangement, but, to his great mortification, it fell through, and he was compelled to remain at home, and attach himself again to the plough. However he may have viewed it at the time, the failure of this project was probably a favorable circumstance. Had it been carried into effect, he would have been very likely to have entered on, and pursued the track marked out by his instructar, at least in most respects, and the world would thereby have been deprived of that original and better system, which bears his name. Providence, we think, baffled the design, to bring about a more impor- tant end. 42 HISTORICAL In the jear 1788, and when Thomson had entered on hia nineteenth year, he met with an accident, which ap- pears to have first called his attention, practically, to the art of healing; and which, like all his other experiments, was first tried on his own person. His father had purchas- ed some land on Onion River, in the State of Vermont. Thither, Samuel accompanied him, to assist in preparing it for cultivation. While there, and exposed to severe hardships, he accidentally wounded himself badly in the ancle, with an axe. The wound proved troublesome, painful, and eventually, dangerous. An application by a physician, increasedthe difficulty. Samuel himself, then directed the application of comfrey; and which, in the course of a few hours, produced an effect decidedly sal- utary and beneficial. He next applied to Doct. Kitter- edge, a botanic physician, on his way home to Alstead, N. II., where he arrived, on a bed, though in a very fee- ble state. He finally recovered in the spring, and was able again, to attend to his business. We learn nothing more of Mr. Thomson till the age of twenty-one; which he reached on the 9t'.i of February, 1790. From this time, having received a deed of one half his father's farm, in Alstead, he appears to have turned hia attention to agricultural pursuits; but in May following, we find him again in the character of his own physician. He had taken a severe cold, which resulted in a slow fever. He was also attacked with the measles; together with his mother, and the rest of the family. He lost his mother about this time, though her death was not directly occasioned by the measles, but by a disease which sue- ACCOUNT. 48 ceeded them, which was called the galloping consump- tion. She was attended by several physicians, and treat- ed with the drugs common to the practice. Doctor Thomson says he was very sick with the same disease, and was importuned by the physicians, to submit to the same mode of treatment with that practised on his moth- er; but he quaintly informed them that he preferred a "natural death.'" He procured the necessary vegeta- ble ingredien's, prepared medicine to his own liking, and cured himself in a short time. In July, following, he entered into the married state; and in little less than a year, his wife gave birth to her first child. But, as though Providence had arranged and ordered a train of circumstances to place the medical practice of the day before him in its worst form, to satis- fy him perfectly of its evils, and to force him to the wor k for which nature bad designed him, the labor of Mrs. Thomson was of the most distressing character, and well calculated to harrow up the feelings of the husband. The pains of labor were excessive; and though in the bands of a regular medical practitioner, she lingered in cruel agony for nearly two days, before her delivery. She was left in a low state, which was followed by a suc- cession of violent convulsion fits; and notwithstanding she was attended by six regular physicians, and finally by the Beventh, she grew worse and worse, and at length they gave her up to die. She however partially recovered her health, by the use of vegetable medicines. A few years after this occurrence, he gave a young man at work in the field with him, some of the Lobelia, 44 HISTORICAL which he chewed. It operated powerfully as an emetic, and produced a profuse perspiration. The young man supposed he was poisoned. But, in the course of a few hours he recovered from its effects, and declared he had never taken any thing which did him so much good. From this circumstance, probably the result of mere sport, Thomson first imbibed the idea that Lobelia was a valua- ble plant for medicinal purposes; and, subsequent trials' and a long aud successful practice by himself and others, have fully proved that he was not mistaken. On the birth of his second child, he appears to have acted as medical adviser and assistant; calling in to his aid, a physician who resided on his farm, a sort of mon- grel, half root and half mineral doctor, of whom he ap- pears not to have entertained the most exalted opinion. On this occasion, no serious difficulty occurred; and the mother, safely delivered, wassoon restored to her ordina- ry state of health. Previous to the birth of his first son, Mr. Thomson again called in his "family doctor," to attend his wife in a fever. After some time, he became satisfied that he was making a bad matter worse, and dismissed him; and Mrs. Thomson soon recovered. The child, when about six weeks old, was attacked with croup, and the doctor was called again; but he failed of success, and gave the child up to die. Again, Thomson put forth his own ef- forts, disappointed the doctor, and saved his child. Soon afterwards, his second daughter was attacked with canker rash, which disease she had very severely. The family doctor attended, as on former occasions; and after having ACCOUNT. •15 exercised all his medical" skill, declared that she must die. This case appears to have been one of the worst descrip- tion. 1 he father says, "She was senseless, and the canker was to be seen in her mouth, nose, and ears, and one of her eyes was covered with it and closed; the other began to swell and turn purple also." It was on this distressing occasion, that he introduced steam, the first time we_hear of it in his practice; nor does he say what prompted him to do it. To raise steam for the purpose, he used vinegar on a hot shovel; and applied a wash of rosemary to the parts affected with canker. This treatment proved successful, and the daughter was restored to health; though with the loss of sight of one eye. In this case he also applied cold water to the eyes. From this experiment he became satisfied of the bene»- fits of steam. He practised with it afterwards, with some improvements in the mode of generating it, and adopted the plan of washing the body, either with spirits, vinegar, or cold water, and giving hot medicine to keep up the in- ternal heat of the system. During all this period, Thom- son seems to have had no thought of entering on the practice of medicine, though he gathered every descrip- tion of medical roots and plants, applied them to use in his own domestic circle, and went on in this way, as ne* cessity dictated, to plan and complete the beneficent sys- tem which he has since presented to the world. Thomson, from this time, seems to have broken off his connexion with the doctors. A third, fourth, and fifth son, were born without any other medical assistance than 46 HISTORICAL what he was enabled to render. He was eminently successful in all his attempts, his family doctor removed from the vicinity, and the health of the family very much improved. In November, 1802, his children had the measles. He experienced some difficulty at first, in consequence of not knowing how to treat them. But "necessity is the mothv er of invention," and being put to it, he found means to effect complete cures in all the cases. On this occasion, be tested the powerful and salutary effects of Lobelia; or, as he terms it, the "Emetic Herb." The measles had so affected the lungs of one of the sons, that he was una- ble to speak above a whisper, for three weeks. The father was fearful of consumption. Nothing could be found to afford relief, till, at last, resort was had to Lo- belia. This produced the desired effect: the disorder gave way, and the patient was soon restored to healh. It was four years previous to this time, that he had had the small pox. While afflicted with this disorder, his in- quisitive mind was led to study its character. He became satisfied that it was neither more nor less than canker, in in its highest stage; and, by following up the investiga- tion, was led to believe that measles and the canker-rash, were the same or similar, in a mitigated form. He hence concluded, that a mode of treatment suitable for canker, was proper for these; and that the treatment for one of them, was the proper mode for all. His success in the treatment of his own family on the above occasion, and the experience of subsequent practice in all these disor- ders, have proved, beyond a doubt, that he was coirect. ^ ACCOUNTi 47 Soon after*this occurence, he began to be called upon to exercise his skill out of his own family circle. Such had been his success at home,- that those who had wit» nessed it were astonished, and it became the topic of con- versation abroad. The first account he gives of a visit to a patient, is worthy of note. He was called to a lady in the neighborhood, who, for many years, had been afflict- ed with cholic, and could obtain no relief. Doctor Thom- son, as we shall now call him, attributed the difficulty to canker; and, by applying remedies proper for that disor- der, he effected a complete cure. His mode of treatment was so simple that it became a subject of Ridicule; and the patient herself was ashamed to speak of the cure, though she never after eperienced a return of the dissase. We have Been thus minute in speaking of the early life of Doctor Thomson, and his habits, and first attempts in the practice of the Botanic system, because we deem- ed it essential to the history of the system itself; and we will now briefly recapitulate, in order to shew, at once, how closely one is identified with the other. Whether from circumstances which fix a deep impres- sion on the infant mind, or from the simple dictates of nature and providence, wo are not able to say; but cer- tain it is, that, in thousands of instances, the first dawn of reason developes a propensity to some special pursuit. Whatever may be its cause, we give this propensity the name of natural inclination; and the readiness and"alac- rity with which the pursuit is prosecuted, we term natu- ral genius. This propensity is sometimes checked, and even overcome, by the counteraction of circumstances, 48 HISTORICAL .*■ but when left free from obstructions or restraint, seldom fails to lead its possessor through life. No doubt can ex- ist, that Doctor Thomson was urged forward by some such impulse. Look at the unbreeched urchin, scarcely four years of a«»e, traversina the fields, and threading the mazes of the forest, to indulge his propensity to cull the roots, plants, and flowers, with which nature had stored her, vegetable magazine. Perhaps it was curiosity that guided the infant wanderer in life researches. Be it so—Vet why. should his curiosity, more than that of other children, have so entirely absorbed his mind in this pursuit, to the absolute . exclusion of all others? At that age, too, the careful pa- rent would be extremely apprehensive of the effects of poisonous plants, which his knowledge nt such a tender a^e would not be likely to designate; and against which, they would most assuredly and frequently warn the young botanist; and, ten to one, either such a child woujd heed t:ie caution, and abstain from the practice, or poison him- self by his disobedience. But not so with him. He not only culled, but he tasted and chewed^every thing which came in his way; and tried its effects upon himself; yet • he appears never to have experienced any disagreeabje f effects from the habit, with the exception of the vomiting occasioned by Lobelia, and which eventually led to his most important discovery. Other persons, withoutian indication of any special or natural propensity, enter on a course of study, with a par- ticular object in view. They pursue a track marked out for them by books and teacliezs, and are content with ACC0UKT. 49 knowing what others have known; or at most, with hav- ing advanced a few steps farther in the same direction.— But Doctor Thomson proceeded without system, without any definite purpose, without any highroad to travel, and destitute of any other directions or way marks, than what nature, his own mind, and his own experience might fur- nish. These circumstances were, as they ever are in all cas- es, the most certain and direct means of giving birth to^in original system. The mind thus free from all the shack- les of popular science, independent of all dogmas, and guided onjy by the laws of nature, is cast upon its own resources, and with unwearied application, in the midst of the field in which materials abound, pursues the study with the certainty of success. It is in this way, that the self taught man so frequently outstrips and soars above the mere student of book philosophy, who obtains his knowledge as the parrot learns to talk. Thus Doctor Thomson shaped and followed his course. Even his ignorance of literature and philosophic science was a benefit to him. With a knowledge of these, his mind.might have been directed to some other pursuit:— If not, be might have seized on his first discoveries, and from the pride natural to the learned, launched into prac- tice on a half matured plan, and perhaps have mingled it with the legalized quackery of the day, and neutralized its virtues. But his course was difTerent Conscious of his own ignorance, and diffident of his own talents, he ap- peared to entertain no thought of becoming a physician, and from time to time, recommended and administered 4 50 HISTORICAL his simple remedies only as necessity dictated, when all other remedies had failed; and it was not till he had reach- ed the age of thirty-three years, that we find him to have undertaken to prescribe for a patient, except in his own case, or some one in his own family; and then, generally, for those whom regular physicians had pronounced incur- able. We have already said that he commenced his bo- tanical researches at the age of fouw years. Before he commenced his practice abroad, he had consequently pur- sued his study of the book of nature, twenty-nine years. During the above period, Doctor Thomson had beceme acquainted with a long catalogue of medicinal plants, and learned their healing properties from experience. Grad- ually he had adopted one and another, as the knowledge he derived from the use of them justified: And finally, as the great balancing power necessary in the formation of a new and complete system of medicine, he was induced to apply the steam bath externally, and hot medicines in- ternally, to preserve nature's equilibrium, by the proper distribution of heat. During the same period olso, he learned from painful experience, the nature of ffevers, small pox, measles, and canker rash, and their appropri- ate mode of treatment; and by closely scrutinising the mode pursued by the regular practicioner, and comparing it with his own, both in operation aad effect, he became fully satisfied of the superior certainty and efficacy of sim- ple botanic remedies, over the mineral poisons, phleboto- my and blistering, which constitutes their principal reme- dial agents. Now be appeared to have collected sufficient account. 51 knowledge and experience to combat disease, and had weapons enough at hand to warrant him in engaging in the deadly conflict. Yet, slowly and cautiously, he en- tered on the glorious work; and though occasionally ht> attended at the side of the sick couch, and disarmed dis- ease of its fatal powers, it was not till the year 1805, when pressed with calls from all quarters, that he con- cluded to relinquish his agricultural pursuits, and devol-; himself entirely to his new profession. It may well be supposed, that few indeed would call for his services, until they had found those of other, and scientific physicians of no avail. This was generally tru^. The cases therefore which he attended, fortunately for his fame and usefulness, were those of apparently a hope- less character. In all these he exhibited great skill. In most of them he effected cures, to the utter astonishment of all. These circumstances were soon noised abroad, and caused much speculation; and finally they create:l such a demand for his services, that, as we have already stated, he concluded to give himself up entirely to tl. • work. Thus commenced his public career as a Botanic Physician, at the age of about thirty-six years, at least thirty of which he had spent in practical study. Persons generally denominated root doctors, Indian doctors, &c. at least as far as wo know, appear not to have adopted any general system for the treatment of dis- ease, or to have studied much as to the causes which pro- duce it- Their medicines are generally specifics, or cer- tain remedies for the cure of certain disorders. Doctor Thomson never adopted that plan—tie aimed above it 52 HISTORICAL He never dealt in specifics—His object was, to ascertain the true nature and cause of all disease, and to provide remedies for a general practice. This he knew was not in the possession either of the root or mineral doctors.— But when he came to the conclusion to enter on the prac- tice, he had adopted no general regular plan of operations, and set himself at work to devise one, by drawing on his past experience, and the information he had acquired from it. The result of his deliberations were substantially as follows. He concluded that the animal body is constituted of earth and water, as the solids; and that fire and heat en- ter into the composition, and are the causes of life and motion. The conclusion followed as a matter of course, that cold, the absence of heat, is the true cause of disease. On thi* simple, though philosophic basis, he proceeded to erect his theory with as much certainty and precision as though he had been educated in the first seminary in the world. To restore natural heat, and to. distribute it throughout the body as nature does when unobstructed in the process, he concluded the only true and effectual means to res'ore health. This he proposed to do by re- moving obstructions, clearing the stomach, assisting the digestive organs in their work, and causing perspiration. Hence he rejected minerals, blisters, and the lancet; and true to nature, went to work with heating medicines, lo- belia, and the steam bath. From this period, about 1805, may be dated the birth cf the Thomsonian botanic practice, as a system. And though farther experience has pointed out improvements ACCOUNT. 53 in some of its parts, as to the modus operandi, Btill, in all its essential principles it remains as it originally was;— for time and experience, instead of having detected a sol- itary error in the basis and principles laid down by the o- riginal inventor and father of the system, have but more firmly established them; and daily furnish new proofs, that they constitute nature's own law. It has been, and still is, objected to Doctor Thomson, that he is an ignorant man. Ignorant of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, he no doubt is; but we have known many dunces who were acquainted with all three. It is object- ed again, that he is ignorant of Anatomy. It may be so, though we are fully persuaded that he knows as much of the human frame, as many of those who profess to know more. But grant him ignorant of all things else, yet no man in his senses can deny him an extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties and virtues of the vegetable kingdom. His theory of disease and cure, is founded on the general laws of nature, operating on the human sys- tem as a whole. Hence, his object is only a general rem- ely, variable merely in the mode of application, as cir- cumstances may dictate, to remove obstuctions to the ac- tion of the vital power. To clear the stomach, regulate the bowels, cause per- spiration, throw off morbid matter, and to diffuse the nat- ural and genial glow of heat throughout the system, is all he asks, and all he aims at. When all this can be accom- plished, and he seldom fails to do it, health is restored;— and the result will best tell whether Doctor Thomson id an ignorant man, as regards his profession, and practice. 94 BIOGRAPHICAL One thing however is certain—The botanic system of cdicine, as now taught and practiced, is Doctor Thom- son's own invention. Of that he cannot therefore be ig- norant, and must be as well qualified to teach and prac- tice it, as any one else. Without the aid of scientific knowledge or of medical books or instructors, his own na- f.ve sagacity, aided by observation, led him to discover :.nd adopt the most important and firmly established prin- ciples respecting the origin and nature of disease, and the great desideratum to be aimed at, to effect the restoration of health. But here, medical science had come to a stand, and the faculty, left without sufficient light to di- rect them another step onward, had, in the course of ex- periments, sometimes successful, and at others fatal, so multiplied the nomenclature cf diseases, and the number and forms of remedial agents, that the farther they at- tempted to progress, the path became more intricate, and the darkness and obscurity more perplexing. To remove these insurmountable difficulties, was a prin- cipal object with Doctor Thomson; and to this, he spec- ially directed his attention. He argued, as some eminent and learned men had done before him; that disease is one, or an unit. In other words, that all disease originates in one cause, and assumes different types and characters, on- ly as modified by different circumstances:—Hence that, a simple mode of practice which should be found effectual in removing that one cause, would be properly applica- ble to disease in all its forms, varied from time to time, but never omitting the essential parts in any case, as tho symptoms or violence of the disorder might dictate. ACCOUNT. 55 Medical men, and thousands of others, ridiculed the idea, that any man, and particularly one so ignorant as Samuel Thomson, should have found an universal specif- ic in a few simple roots and herbs, which, with the aid of a steam box, was sufficient in all possible cases. This idea seemed the more ridiculous, inasmuch as the entire learning an# experience of the medical fraternity, for for- ty centuries, instead of finding out such a simple remedy, had been continually complicating the medical system, and rendering it more uncertain, indefinite and obscure. But they seem to have forgotten that simplicity is one of the greatest beauties of any system; and that in many instances, in which complication, the work of science, has rendered machinery almost valueless for a long peri- od of time, the practical efforts of a self taught man have removed the difficulty, by simplifying the whole; and thus secured its benefits to to the world. Thus Doctor Thom- son simplified the machinery of disease, and of medical practice, and adapted the latter to the former. He clear- ed away all the ten thousand wheels, and springs, and belts, and cranks, &c. &c. &c., and laid the motive pow- er open to view. He found that power to be but one— and learned that there could be but one antagonist power to obstruct its operations—That motive power was heat; without which, man cannot live—That antagonist power, cold, with which, man must die. On this ground he e- rccted his theory; and, with the apparatus to combat this cold, and to restore the proper action of heat to the sys- tem, in obedience to nature's laws, he started on the race, ?mid the bitter persecution of some, the ill-natured oppo- 5iJ HISTORICAL sition of more, and the sarcasm and ridicule of thousands. A man of ordinary firmness would have been borne down and disheartened by the discouragements he met with even at the very threshhold. A man who was not "made of sterner stuff" than enters into the composition of some, would have shrunk from the scoffs, and jeers, and bitter jibes, which were lavished on him. A man who could not nerve himself against all the calumny, the reproach, and the persecution, which his fellow creatures could heap on him, would hayesunk beneath the load he was destined to sustain. And a man who was not deter- mined to bear all, for the benefit of mankind, would have tunned back, disgusted with the base ingratitude he met with, and left disease and death masters of the battle field. But he was a being well fitted by nature and habit, for the part which Providence had designed for him to act; and bearing up, with almost heroic fortitude, and stoic firmness, under the tremendous burden, be defied the rag- ing tempest which assailed him, breasted the waves with a steadiness and perseverance which manifested an uncon- querable resolution to brave every danger that could by possibility await him, and stemmed the torrent as one d&- terniined to reach his port of destination, or perish in the attempt We cannot go fully into the details of Doctor Thom- son's practice as a physician. Our limits will not permit us to do so. We shall therefore give a kw sketches, to shew that the regular physicians were mistaken, and that his theory was correct, not however going any farther in- to the theory than is necessary to its history; reserving its principles ia detail, for another part of the work. ACCOUNT. 57 As before observed, about the year 1805, we find the Doctor embarked in the practice. His scene of opera- tions was in Alstead and Walpole, N. H. An alarming disease prevailed in those towns, which obtained the ap- pellation of yellow fever. The doctors combatted it, probably with calomel, and remedies to cool the fever.— Tho result was a loss of nearly one half their patients. Thomson, who considered fever the agent of nature to throw off disease, entered the field, and pursued his plan of raising tho internal heat, cleansing the stomach, and applying steam to the surface. With the exception of eight nights, he was the whole time in attendance on the Bick for the space of forty days; and amidst the mortali- ty around him, lost not a solitary patient! At various times after this, and at various places, he continued his mode of practice in fevers of every description, and white hundreds were falling victims to them, in the hands of scientific physicians, his practice proved effectual in over- coming the disease, and restoring health, almost in every instance. In the samo year, 1805, Doctor Thomson was called to attend a lady who had the dropsy; probably the first case of this disorder which had been submitted to him.— She had previously submitted to mercurial treatment, which increased the difficulty; and her physioian declar- ed nothing else could save her. But, when reduced to the lowest stage, and as a last resort, Doctor Thomson was called in, and, by pursuing his plan, she was restored to health in about a week. He afterwards continued to teat this practice in the same disorder, with a degree of 53 HISTORICAL success that created universal astonishment. In the case of Mrs. Eaton of Exeter, N. H. which had been given up as. incurable, she was reduced fifteen inches in size in a short time, and finally cured. Doctor Shephard, who visited this lady with him, inquired how he did it; to which Doctor Thomson replied, in his characteristic man- ner, "the fire had gone out of the body, and the water had filled it up; and all I had to do, was to build fire e- nough to boil the water away." However unscientific this reply, it exhibits the basis of the system on which Doctor Thomson proceeded. Doc- tor Shephard was constrained to express his astonishment at the result, which, though the reply made him laugh, could not fail to shew that the practice was correct.— And, to prove it still more fully, it was continued in all cases, and in almost all, with similar success. Doctor Thomson gives us, in his biography, a great many instances of cures wrought by means of the reme- dies he used, and among which, he enumerates fevers, dropsy, dysentery, bleeding at the lungs, venereal, salt rheum, cancer, consumption, fyc. One case of consump- tion deserves particular notice. Rev. Mr. Bolles, a well known and highly esteemed Baptist clergyman of Salem, Mass. was very sick in the month of Deoember, 1808.— His complaint was pronounced consumption, and he was reduced to a state so extremely low, that tho physicians, of whom his brother was one, had given him up, and de- clared him to be incurable. In this extremity Doctor Thomson was invited to visit him. He did so—and af- ter a good deal of persuasion, and consultation with the ACCOUNT. 59 friends of Mr. Bolles, but without giving him any encour- agement to hope for success, he consented to proceed.-^ Here again, we behold him combating consumption with the same weapons he wielded against fever, or dropsy, 01 any other disease. It was disease, emphatically, against which he waged war, and, meet it where he would, and in whatever garb, it was still disease; and unless nature had given up the struggle, the same weapons were com- petent to the purpose. It is not our province to go into the minutee of the case. Mr. Bolles was unable to be out of bed Tor more than three minutes in the day. Yet by means of Lobelia, to cleanse the stomach loaded with a putrid mass of matter, and such other remedies as were applied by Doct Thom- son, in three weeks, he was able to sit up two or three hours per day, and by the return of the following Spring, regained his health. , Here then we have an instance of one of the most ex- treme cases we can imagine, which had completely baf- fled the utmost skill of the most eminent physicians, treat- ed with complete success by the ignorant quack Thom- son. Reader—What sum, think ye, would Doct. Bolles have given, for skill to save his suffering brother? Alas! He had it not, and yet, Samuel Thomson, the ignorant, the despised, the persecuted, snatched that brother from the jaws of death! Suffice it to say, Rev. Mr. Bolles was living in Boston but a few months since, and for aught we know, still resides there, in the enjoyment of health. Dr. Thomson's reputation, or rather the reputation of hif practice, now began to extend itself. In the Spring 60 HISTORICAL of 1805, we find a lady at his house, who was brought one hundred and thirty miles, on a bed, to seek aid at his hands. Sho had been bedridden most of the time for ten years. In tho course of three months, she was so far re- stored to health as to be able to travel thirty miles a day, on her way home, and for years afteiwards, retained a comfortable degree of health. In the autumn of the samo year, having attended Elder Bowie*, of Richmond, and cured him of dysentery, he un- dertook to cure Mrs. Bowles of a cancer on the breast.— The tumor, he says, was about the size of a hen's egg.— He cured it without causing pain; and twelve years after- wards, he saw her in good health. Another case of the same distressing, and generally fa- tal malady, be attended soon afterwards. Caustics had been employed for eleven weeks, but without any other effect than that of nearly destroying life. In three weeks Doctor Thomson removed the complaint, and restored the patient to permanent good health. Thus he proved the efficacy of his mode of treatment of this dreadful scourge; and numerous other cases of the same malady which came under his care, and his eminent success in their treatment and cure, established its decided superior- ity over all others. In the Spiing of 1806, Doctor Thomson determined on a visit to the city of New York, for the purpose of ascer- taining tho character of the yellow fevor, and making a trial of his mode of treatment in that disorder. Some time after his arrival in the city, he experienced an attack of the disorder himself, which he soon overcame. Short- ACCOUNT. 61 ly afterwards he had the opportunity of practising on a patient violently attacked with the same disease; whom he effectually relieved in less than twenty-four hours.— lie returned home in September, and resumed his prac- tice in that vicinity. We will not follow him in all his movements from this time. We can only say, that he continued to extend his sphere of action to various parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine; and that wherever he went, be accepted all calls, practis- ed in all cases of disease which fell in his way, and was so remarkably successful, that up to the close of 1809, a remarkable period in his life to be noticed hereafter, he had lost but eight patients out of the hundreds he bad at- tended. And even of these eight, several might probably have been saved, had they submitted to his directions. We notice this fact as a very extraordinary circum- stance, when we consider that the system he had intro- duced was still in its infancy, and might have been sup- posed imperfect; and that he had had no advantages of education, study, or experience, but those derived from nature herself, and those afforded him by his own prac- tice. We notice it also as being still more extraordinary, when we consider that during the first few years, almost every one was afraid of him as a physician, and which, added to the determined and bitter opposition of the med- ical faculty, deprived him of nearly all patients, except those who had tried all other means in vain. Hence we find that nearly every one who resorted to him for medi- cal aid, had been long under the care of other practicion- ers; and who, being assured by them that they were be- fiiJ HISTORICAL youd the reach of medical skill, and must die, thougl t there could be no harm, if there was no good, in risking themselves in the hands of the "stearx quack." However hard and distressing to him at the time, this state of things was fortunate for his system. The patients were satisfied that they hazarded nothing, and were con- tent to submit to his prescriptions, in hope that they might possibly be benefitted. His success in effecting a coir.' plele cure in almost every case, exposed the fallacy of the theory and judgment of the medical schools, and carried conviction of the correctness of his own. Hence he be- gan to gain the public confidence, which, affording him further opportunities for practice in ordinary cases of dis- ease, obtained for him a celebrity which led peoplo to in- vestigate the subject. And since that period, the pro- gress of his system, though gradual, has been sure; and, unlike all others, the more intimately people become ac- quainted with it, the more fully are they convinced of its soundness, and with the greater confidence they adopt it, and conform to it. It will be recollected by many of our readers, that for -overal summers, a most fatal disease prevailed in many parts of New England, called the spotted fuver. The A- siatic cholera never more completely set the skill of the medical faculty at defiance, than did this fell destroyer.— The entire period of its prevalence presented a series of medical experiments, instituted for tho purpose of arrest- ing its march. But as though it were a foul spirit of the nether regions, commissioned to roam the earth in quest of victims, and to la-^'i the puny efforts of man to scorn, ACCOUNT. still it wended its way from town to town, from village to village, and from house to house, triumphant in its deso- lating progress, and laying low in the dust, nearly all who came in its way. The writer well remembers the desolating ecourge, the boding fears entertained on its approach, and the havock of death which marked its course through the land. He well recollects that the celebrated Doctor Mann, at that time, he believes, a Post Surgeon in the U. S. Army, and stationed in Boston, was called on from all parts of the country, to.render his advice and assistance in the terrible emergency. He was famous for his skill in the treatment of fevers; and published a work about that period, on that particular disease of which we speak. Yet nought avail- ed—the desolating scourge, almost unchecked by the com- bined efforts of the medical faculty, pursued its onward course, and seemed to stop, only when it had completed its work of death. Yet amidst this heartrending scene of desolation, there was one who could grapple with the cruel monster, and disarm him—There was one who could lame his savage ferocity, control him as readily as he would have done a sucking lamb, and rescue the suffering victim from his deadly fangs—That one was Samuel Thomson. Yes— even this full malady yielded to his superior skill, almost without a struggle; and would the learned faculty have but condescended to take a lesson from him they termed an illiterate quack, hundreds of their patients, who fell, the unhappy victims of their scientific pride, and learned ignorance, might now have been living in the enjoyment of health. f>4 HISTORICAL Thomson pursued the even tenor of his way, mid per- secution, contumely and reproach. His universal specif- ic, his saving process, was put in operation. Like all oth- er diseases, even this gave way to him. and his patients were saved; while those who unfortunately came into the hands of science, fell thick and fast, like men exposed to the murderous fire of musketry in the open field. We will briefly notice an instance, by way of proof and illus- tration. In the Spring of 1816, Doctor Thomson visited Cape Cod, and attended, with success, se\eral cases of spotted fever, or cold plague, as it was sometimes called. He returned home, but was soon informed that the malady had reappeared in Eastham, a town on the Capo, and was raging with fearful fatality. According to request, he im- mediately hastened thither; and now, mark the result.— He remained at Eastham about two weeks; and during that time, thirty-four patients were treated according to his mode, and out of the whole number, but one died!— On the other hand, of those who were attended by the regular physicians, but one out of twelve lived! Who can read and reflect, without the involuntary ex- clamation, what a waste of human life by science!— What a salvation of life by reputed quackery! Yet such are the facts, as solemnly certified by the Minister, Select men, an other respectable inhabitants of the town, and not disputed, we believe, even by the doctors themselves. Previous to this time, Doct. Thomson finding the prac- tice to have increased so far as to require more than his individual attention, had instructed others in it, appoint- ACCOUNT. m ed them his agents, and supplied them with medicine.— But he met with much trouble in this course of proced- ure, from the want of good faith in some of those in whom he reposed the trust. Under these circumstances, deem- ing some sort of legal protection necessary to secure to him some of the pecuniary benefits of his important dis- covery, he proceeded to the seat of the General Govern- ment in February 1813, and obtained a Patent from James Madison, then President of the United States, dated March 3d, 1S13. On his return, he called on Doctors Rush and Bint in, of Philadelphia, and explained his system to them. He had a friendly intercourse with them on the subject— Doctor Barton, to whom Doctor Ru>h referred the sub- ject, promised to give the system a trial, ar.d to report it as its merits might warrant. Both these gentlemen died however soon after, and Doctor Thomson was thereby prevented from receiving the benefit of their opinion, and probably theirinfluer.ee. In 1815 he again vi.-itcd Phil- adelphia, lectured, and introduced the botanic practice; which has continued to increase, thrive, and flourish in that city. It has also extended itself with great rapidity and success, since that period, through every state in tht; Union; ar.d has finally found its way to England under very favorable auspices. From about 1810, commenced a stormy period in the life of Doctor Thomson, iclative to his private concerns with those with whom he connected himself in businc??. It would not much interest our readers to detail hispiiv;;!' grievances. Wc think he has-aheady done too much o!" 66 historical this for his own credit, in his " Narrative," and in other publications. No doubt he has had much reason to com- plain of ill treatment at the hands of those who should have been fast friends, and faithful supporters; yet we can see but little benefit likely to result to him or any one else, from laying the facts, with all the minutae of names and details before the world. It is enough to saylj that his agents, at least many of them, broke their fetters, set np for themselves, and thus disappointed his hopes of the benefits he expected to derive from the monopoly he fan- cied his patent secured to him. Others undertook to pub- lish books, to compound medicines, to vend them, and to cure diseases, on his system, without authority derived from him. A trial at law found the patent deed defect- ive. He afterwards procured another. And still affairs go on as formerly, and the troubles of Doctor Thomson, in that respect, continue as before. In looking back on the past, it is certainly matter of surprise, to see what the lapse of little more than forty years has wrought; and what a wonderful revolution, though yet but limited and partial, has been effected.— With the exception of the clerical profession, no other or- der of men have obtained so strong a hold on the confi- dence and the faith of society, as the medical faculty, and even the clergy, though perhaps they have occupied the pre-eminence in the esteem and confidence of a portion of the christian world, have never exercised an influence so general over every portion of mankind, as have phy- sicians. People were fully persuaded, that the profession and account. <>7 practice of medicine necessarily involved principles which none but the profound scholar, and the highest grade of talent, could comprehend or apply to use. They tacitly consented to the supposed truth, that the nature and ori- gin of disease, in all its modified forms, and the human system, and the proper modes of treatment, were sub- jects involved in mystery, inscrutable but to the deep searching eye of science, through the medium of Chem- istry, Anatomy, and a thorough acquaintance with the materia mcdica of the schools. This knowledge was to be obtained only by the aid of colleges and academies, literary and medical, and the application of years of labor to the study of established theories, accompanied by ex- perimental lessons. These advantages arc of course out of the reach of iIk- multitude. But few, comparatively speaking, can afford the time, much less the money, necessary to .such a Ion<: and expensive course of preparatory studies. The conse- quence is, that the medical practice has been mostly con- fined to the rich, who have greeted it finally into a legal ised monopoly, and on an aristocracy of wealth, hav built up an aristocracy of science. This has been myst tied and guarded by a technical jargon, analogous to tin of the law, beyond the reach of any rules of interprets tion, except the rules of the medical practice and of which, the faculty have too successfully labored to keep all others in profound ignorance. Surrounded with the pomp and glitter of wealth, ar- rayed in the consequence of learning, displaying high sounding titles paraded on parchment and enrolled in the 68 BIOGRAPHICAL archieyes of colleges and medical institutions, assuming pretensions to superior wisdom, and sustained in those pretensions by the fashionable world, the faculty have been looked up to as beings of a superior order, holding patents from heaven's high court of chancery, for the ex- clusive right of staying the hand of death, and distributing life and health to mankind. Their supremacy, in this re- spect, has been considered as established and legitimate. Struck with these imposing appearances, the great mass of mankind approach the physician with a feeling of awe and veneration, as a being with whom it is almost unlaw- ful to hold converse, with a face unveiled. The amaz- ing volubility with which he runs through the medical vo- cabulary, gives a most exalted opinion of his wonderful knowledge, and leads the uninitiated listener almost to be- lieve, that the learned oracle is so deeply versed in na- ture's handy work, and is >.o intimately acquainted with all her laws, that his power is sufficiently potent to fright- en death itself from his prey, and to give life and health at a word. But, alas!—the sick bed, the dying struggle, the livid ctfrpse, the funeral procession, and the mourn- ers' tears, unfold a different scene, tell a different tale and mock his assumed greatness. Nevertheless, men refuse to be convinced, even by ocular demonstration. The physicim must be a great man. He graduated at college—he has studied medicine for three or four years—he has attended on the operations of the dissecting room, and learned that man has a heart, and liver, and vitals—he has heard a course of anatomical lectures, and found out how to distinguish between the account. 69 jtw bone and tho spine—he can deal out a dose of calo- mel, open a vein, or lay on a blistering plaster, and pre- dict that a patient may die, or may live, and be quite as likely to guess wrong, as to guess right—Manymay die under his treatment, but their time has come, and medi- cal skill cannot save them—Some recover, and thatestab- lisbes^iis fame on a permanent basis. In short, the people determine that the physician knows a great deal, and shall be a great man—The physician seconds the motion, and determines that he will be one. Should fifty of his patients die, why that is the fault of di- vine providence. Their death was decreed—their lime is come—ar.d how can it be expected that even a great and learned doctor should successfully resist the decree of fate. Should ten patients .recover, the wonderful skill of the practitioner is resounded from Dan to Beersheba— Providence lias nothing to do with the cure—Oh—no— that is the doctor's work—without bis aid, they would certainly have died, though their time had not come. Against all this array of power—a power sustained and strengthened by the ignorance, the prejudices, and the pride of mankind, did the single arm of Thomson wage war, scarce forty years since. In this unequal struggle, single handed, but conscious of li.^ht and justice, did he advance, like the stripling of Judah with his sling and stone, on the Goliah of the medical world. From that time to this, his course has been steadily onward, and though yet multitudes remain ignorant of his system, and opposed to the practice, yet, at this moment it is comput- ed that, in the United States, its friends number more 70 HISTORICAL than five millions; and, having been introduced in England, no doubt it will rapidly spread in that country. But let it not be supposed that all this has been done without strenuous efforts, and the most cruel and bitter persecution on all hands. Doctor Thomson relates that his mode of practice was so simple that, at first, it met only with ridicule, instead of serious opposition; and cures were effected with so much ease and facility, that he was thought to be entitled to little or no remuneration for bis services. These to be sure were discouraging circum- stances, of themselves; but yet they were nothing more 'ban might have been expected in the ordinary course of things. As early however as 1805, we learn that the doctors condemned him and his practice, though we know not to what extent the opposition was carried at that time. But in 1806, a determined opposition manifested itself a- gainst him, which gave rise to a bitter persecution, and caused him much perplexity and suffering. On a visit to the town of Newbury port in the month of November, he was called on to visit a woman at a place called Salisbury Mills, who was suffering under a severe attack of the lung fever, - She had been attended by a doctor of the name of French, who had given her up to die. Doctor Thomson effected a cure of the patient in a few days. The circumstance appears to have created a good deal of conversation in the neighborhood, and, prob- ably, by rather lessening the consequence of this Doctor French, worked him up into a violent rage^ and, as might have been expected of a self sufficient, narrow minded and malignant brute, gave birth to a deep and settled hos- ACCOUNT. 71 tility, to be appeased only by revenge. He even de- scended to mean petty lying-, and insisted that the woman was on the recovery before Thomson saw her; but was promptly contradicted by her and her husband. Another case occurred at the same time and place, on which Doctor French tried his skill without success, and which was cured by Doctor Thomson; and in addition to these two cases, he attended several others with a like re- sult. All this made'matters worse with his learned oppo- nent, whom he left soon after to the free indulgence of his wrath. In the town of Jericho, in Vermont, in the following August, the dysentery prevailed to an alarming extent, and to a degree of fatality seldom witnessed. Of twen- ty patients in the hands of the regular physicians eighteen died! Of thirty attended by Dr. Thom- son, TWENTY-EiGHT-recovered; and the two who died were in the last stage of the disease before he saw them. Yet, the doctors who had lost eighteen out of tiventy, accused him of having killed his patients, because he lest two out of thirty'—and even those two wereinady- inI. D. of a medical society, of the eighteenth century! This was, however, a tacit acknowledgment that Doct. Thom- son effected cures which he could not, and for which ho pretended that gentleman was indebted to supernatural a- gency '■ All this did not answer the purpose intended. Thom- sonianism still progressed;.and people rapidly came into the belief that it was better to Jbe cured even by witch- craft, than to be killed by science. Doctor French foui.d ■ that he must resort to other measures; and that it would be necessary to send Doctor Thomson out of the world, ACCOUNT. 73 in order to get him out of his way. Accordingly he threatened to shoot him, should he again appear in his neighborhood! It would seem hardly credible that French could have entertained a design against Thomson's life;— and that for no other reason than because Thomson cured the sick, when he could not. Yet the sequel will shew that he did entertain such a design, and that, tfiough omit- ing to carry it into effect by violence with hv3%wn hand, he used his utmost efforts, aided by others, to accomplish it in another way. Doctor Thomson prosecuted him for his threats, proved his charge, and obtained a judgment of court against him, which probably made him conduct with more caution. But an opportunity shortly after pre- sented itself, for the exercise of his vengeful feelings. Doctor Thomson was called upon to attend a young man in a desperate case of typhus fever. The name of the patient was Lovett; and he resided in Beverly, Mass. The care of the young man was taken by the Doctor with much reluctance,'as he thought him so sick that med- icine would not save him. He however finally consent- ed ; but, soon satisfied that he could do the patient no good, he requested that some other physician might be called in. Two others were immediately called, and the patient was left in their charge, after Doct Thomson had remained with him during the night At about ten o'clock in the evening of that day, the young man died. A few days previous to this, he had attended young Lovett, when first taken sick, and relieved him of his complaint; and this second attack, of which he died, was occasioned by too early exposure, which brought on tin disease in its 74 HISTORICAL worst form. The father of the patient acquitted Doctor Thomson of all blame, only he alleged that he did not at-' tend him as soon as he ought to have done, on the sec- ond attack. The Doctor however declares that he at- tended him as soon as he was made acquainted with the circumstances. Doctor Fiench had his eye on this case, and in the course of little more than a year afterwards, had laid his^lan, as he thought, to accomplish his favor- ite object. Subsequently to the death of Lovett, Thomson had been called to visit a Capt Trickey, for whom he refused to do any thing, as he was confident it would be useless; and he told the son of the patient that he would not live more than twenty-four hours. Mrs. T. however gave her husband some of the Thomsonian medicine which she had in the house, and called in two doctors. They bled him —he grew worse—the next day, he died—Of course, his death was laid to the charge of Doctor Thomson, by the doctors and others, and gave rise to the most slanderous reports. This circumstance furnished another link for the chain which Doctor French was so intent on completing. Having arranged his plan of operationSj^this very am- iable M. D. some time in the fore part of November 1809, entered a complaint with a magistrate, against Doctor Thomson, for murder; founding his charge on the death of young Lovett; and on which charge, the Grand Jury found a bill of indictment for wilful murder! On being informed of this, he was advised to make his escape; as his friends clearly saw that every possible effort would be made to destroy him, and as no doubt, every art which ACCOUNT. 75 could be thought of, would be put in requisition to effect ;he object. He refused to do so, was arrested on the charge, and, on the 10th of November, imprisoned in the Jail in Newburyport, to await his trial. During his imprisonment, he seems to have suffered much from cold, as no fire was allowed him, but his friends, among whom were many gentlemen of respecta- bility, did much to alleviate his sufferings. As the regu- lar term of the Supreme Court would not be holden till nearly a year subsequent to this time, Judge Parsons, at that time Chief Justice of Massachusetts, consented to hold a special term for the trial of the cause. The court accordingly convened on the 20th December, and on the same day, he was placed at the bar for trial. Mr. Lovett, the father of the young man, for whose supposed murder, Doctor Thomson was on trial, was the first witness called. He seems to have been rather in- clined to distort the case, but finally made out nothing of any importance against the prisoner. A Doctor Howe followed. He swore that Thomson administered poisons to his patients; particularly Lobelia, of which, a root he presented, he said was a specimen.— But Doct Howe could not describe Lobelia—Doct. Cut- ler said the root offered by Howe was marsh-rosemary, . and another gentleman, to satisfy the court of the con- temptible ignorance of the said Doctor Howe, ate the entire sample of the root he had offered. Several other witnesses were examined, but their testimony amounted to nothing, and even Doct French, when brought upon ii»oath, was obliged to acknowledge that the prisoner 76 HISTORICAL had practised successfully, in the part of the country where he, Doctor French, lived, and that his medicines were harmless! Judge Parsons interfered—He informed the prosecutors that the testimony against the accused amounted to noth- ing, and though Doctor Thomson had made every pre- paration of witnesses, &c. for a full hearing, no defence was considered necessary, none was offered, and, in ten minutes, the jury returned a verdict of acquital, on the pleas and evidence of the prosecutors themselves. Thus ended that farce; but not till Judge Parsons had given some hints, which Legislatures have since practised upon, that laws should be enacted, by which only physicians li- censed by medical colleges, can recover their fees in a court of justice: After this, Doct. Thomson prosecuted Doct. French; but, by bad management, and the glaring p'ejudices of the court, lost his case. Doct. French had taken pains to ransack the whole field of Doct. Thomson's labors, and the entire number of patients he was proved to have lost, out of the hundreds of desperate cases he had attended from the commencement of his practice, was eight—and eight only! And yet, with such astonishing success, • a success which we firmly believe no regular physician in the United States can claim, he was basely charged with murder, and every endeavor used to consign him to the gallows; and for no other assignable reason, than that he, by his simple mode of practice, excelled the members of the regular faculty in the art of healing. It usually happens, as a general rule, that persecution account. 77 strengthens and promotes almost every cause. More es- pecially will it be found, that a cause founded in correct principles, and having the general good of mankind in view, will be brought more effectually into notice by the clamors of its interested opponents, and cause its merits to be more particularly discussed. And this becomes more certain, in consequence of the public sympathy ever excited towards a persecuted man. Thus in the case of Doctor Thomson; his enemies, by their clamors, gave him a celebrity which he would have been long in ac- quiring. His trial for murder brought his name forward in the public journals, called out many men of the fiist respectability, in his favor, and elicited a powerful array of astounding facts, which spoke volumes in favor of his mode of medical treatment, and led hundreds to examine for themselves, who, otherwise would have known noth- ing of the subject. The public saw, at least those who would take the trouble to look, and they could not resist the evidence of their senses. Every where that Thomsonianism appear- ed, disease gave way, and yielded to its genial powers.— Death was robbed of his victims, and the sick restored to health; while the medical faculty, with all their scholastic knowledge, and scientific weapons, were frequently com- pelled to see their boasted skill baffled by disease, and to yield the palm to one they termed an illiterate quack. From this period, the Thomsonian practice began to sqread with greater rapidity, and to be more extensively known. As it made its way into notice, aided by the opposition it had already encountered, it excited new 78 HISTORICAL and increased alarm among the medical faculty. Thov. however deeply versed in other sciences, seem not to havt studied the science of human nature, and adopted the mode to put down the Thomsonian practice, which had essentially aided in accelerating its progress:—Just as though they could subdue the flame by the addition of fu« el. The result has been, that the more the regular phy- sicians have labored to put down Doctor Thomson, and bis botanical system of medical practice, the greater tha public feeling excited in their favor, the more has it led people to investigate the subject, and the mote numerous have its friends become. We will quote a very striking instance, to illustrate this fact In the town of Manlius, N. Y. according to the account given by Doctor Thomson, in his narrative, his son, Dr. Cyrus Thomson, was arrested and thrown into prison, with another Thomsonian practitioner who resided in that town. Doct. C. Thomson, it would seem, was settled in the State of Ohio. He was passing through Manlius, when he was requested to call and see two very sick per- sons, in company with the other Thomsonian Doctor, which he did. One of those patients died; and the regu- lar physicians raised such a clamor on the occasion, that they caused both C. Thomson and his friend to be thrown into prison. On giving bail, both were released from confinement; but Thomson, who had been prevented from prosecuting his journey, commenced business in the place in the line of his profession. The affair gave him celeb- rity, the people advocated his cause, and protected him, and from that period, 1821 to 1825, the practice had a ACCOUNT. 79 more rapid increase than it had ever had before; at least in that section of country. During those four years, ac- cording to Doctor Samuel Thomson, it extended itself more than two hundred miles, and gained many friends; and well it might; for he says that, out of about FrFTEEN hundred patients, his son lost but six! The doctors appear very soon to have seen the error they had committed in detaining Cyrus Thomson in Man- lius against his will. They thought at first, no doubt, that they had done a great thing in commencing this pros- ecution, and truly it was so; but not exactly such a great thing as they had anticipated. They expected to put him and his friend down, and destroy the credit of the system; but the wise were taken in their own craftiness; and, as is usually the result of violent measures of persecution, built up what they had intended to destroy. But still, the doctors, like many others, failed to learn wisdom from experience. By their persecutions, they had compelled Cyrus Thomson to remain in that part of the country. By their persecutions, they raised up friends for him, and gave him an extent of business to induce him to remain there when at liberty to act as he pleased. And yet, with these Pacts before their eyes, they then con- tinued to persecute him, in order to force him to leave them; and thus continued to benefiit him. Had these men exercised but a thimble-full of discretion, they never would have prosecuted him. He would then have pro- ceeded on his way and left them to themselves. But they compelled him to remain against his will, and then be continued amongst them against theirs; and to use 3 80 HISTORICAL homely saying, they found to their cost, that they had "caught a Tartar." Since that day, in a number of instances, legal meas- ures have been resorted to, to check the progress of the Thomsonian system. On the bodies of some few patients who have died under this treatment, inquests have been , held, and postmortem examinations had. These ha\e of course been mostly emparte, and the doctors who have controlled them, have generally concluded that the patient was murdered by means of steam, lobelia, cayenne, or something else. But they have also very generally been more successful in exposing their own ignorance, than in satisfying the people of the truth of their charges; and have succeeded in convincing multitudes, that their pto- ceedings, instead of being intended to promote the public good, are the offspring of deep malignity and sordid-in- terest " .„ We do not wish our readers to understand us as rank- ing a sweeping denunciatory charge against all the mem- bers of the licensed medical faculty. Such is not our in- tention. The malicious and ill-natured course we have spoken of, has many, very many, truly honorable excep- tions. But these exceptions are to be found among those high minded men, which here and there adorn the pro- fession, and who look down with as much contempt upon the small fry, or licenced quacks, who really know no science but money getting, as it is possible for the reader to imagine. Men of real science are aware of the many abuses practised by ignorant quacks, who have no other passports to public confidence, than their diplomas. Thev ACCOUNT. Si- are aware that thousands of such are abroad, and de- nounce them and their practice as heartily as we do.— Men of noble mind and enlightened views, frankly con- fess, and candidly deplore the imperfections of medical science, aud earnestly desire reform. Hence, they are willing to give even Thomsonianism a fair trial, and to judge of its merits from its effects, rather than from the supposed ignorance of its professors, or the amount of money to be gained to them by its failure, or lost by its success. Even such men have their prejudices, it is true, and cannot be expected to come readily into the views of Thomson; still, it is well known, that while the Utile m. d's are unsparing of their persecutions, the greater on s move cautiously in the business. They have already, as we shall stmin another part of this work, approved some of the material parts of the Thomsonian system, and a- dopted some parts, as salutary to tho human constitution, and highly useful in the cure of disease; while the mere understrappers of the profession, bitterly denounce the whole. Nor would we be understood to say, that there are no quacks, and no impostors, who profess to be guided bv the principles of the Thomsonian theory and practice.— ft is a truth which the experience of mankind has f.illy tested, that there are by far too many persons who, r.ttu- ated by avarice, or led on by some other propensity, with an apparent recklessness of all consequences to others, eeeni willing to sport even with human life, if in nu other Way they can gratify the favorite passion. Iy those ^)>0 S2 HISTORICAL conscientiously believe in the superior efficacy of the Thomsonian practice, who tike unwearied pains to quali- fy themselves for the work, and who prosecute it with a scrupulous regard to human welfare, it is seen with much regret, that unworthy persons have assumed the profess- ion, and, ignorant of its principles, abuse the public, and inflict deep injury on the system, and on those who carry it out ably in their practice. While such abuses exist, and they are too common, it cannot be wondered at, that a prejudice should exist, un- favorable to the system'itself, in the minds of those who give themselves no trouble to examine it, or test its mer- its. Yet even this is wrong. There is no profession, and no calling, however valuable, honorable, and important, which is not cursed with villainous members; and if we were to judge from the character of such, there is not one which would not be condemned. But there is a rule of judgment which seldom if ever fails to lead to a correct conclusion, and which, it is the indispensable duty of all, to follow. First—as far as practicable, satisfy yourself of the merits of tho system laid down.—Second—look at its effects, as produced through those whose character is good. Third—if those effects are decidedly beneficial, you have then sufficient proofs to justify the conclusion that the system is a good one. Fourth—when you meet with one who, though holding that system as a profession, contradicts his profession by his works, set him down as an impostor, who intentionally acts the hypocrite, or igno- rantly pretends to that of which he knows nothing. This is the correct rn.lc of judgment in religion, moral.- ACCOUNT. t>3 ly, politics, the sciences, and in fact, in every thing else. By this rule alone do we ask judgment to be made up on the botanic medical practice. Look at it—examine it— try it by the strictest and most invariable tests. If satis- fied of the truth of its pretensions, and you wish to reduce the principles to practice, resort to men whose conduct and success have tested their skill—whose works have proved their honesty and their ability. If from these you derive a favorable impression, then tax not the system of Thomson with the sins of ignorant and reckless pretend- ers. This is the way you do in relation to the licensed medical faculty—You never undertake to condemn a skil- ful and eminent man, and his mode of practice, merely for the miserable quackery of an ignorant pretender to medi- cal science. Such a course would be unjust and unman- ly. It would be dispised by every honorable man. \\i request the application of these rules and prinoiples in nil i:ases. In the year 1813, it will be recollected, Doctor Thom- son obtained a patent for his discovery and invention.— This was proper, as no one will be disposed to deny that he was entitled to a rich reward for all he had suffered, and for the benefits he had confened. Not only so, but as his patent would give him the entire control of the busi- ness, and no one could lawfully enter upon it without his consent, it was to be supposed that he, for the sake of his own fame, and the credit and success of his system, would be careful to exclude from the practice, all who were not well qualified. But so simple was the entire process of curing disuse, S4 HISTOEICAL iii the*mind of the inventor, that he seems to have forgot- ten that, to those who had not, like him, passed more than thirty years in its practical study, even its simplicity might be perplexing, that none could understand it at first sight, as ivell as himself, and that no one could be quali* fied to proceed in it with the probability of success, with- out some previous qualification, and some study and prac- tice. Hundreds became satisfied that, they had only to purchase a book and a patent right, to be qualified to practice at once; and that there was nothing more to be done than to know how to raise steam, and mix up an e- iiielic, to'constitute an able physician. Under such circumstances, with the very natural desire of the patentee to extend the knowledge and practice of the botanic system of-medicine, it is hardly to be wonder- ed at that abuses should have crept in, in consequence of the patent rights, which all may obtain for an inconsider- able sum of money, having been placed, in many instan- ces, in unworthy hands. Doctor Thomson himself has denounced a great many persons who have engaged in the practice. He h;.s characterised thein as impostors and deceivers; and warned the public to beware of them as men unworthy of trust and confidence. Had the Doctor n'ways been careful to withhold his patent rights from all, except those who gave good evidence of their ability to make proper use of them, his denunciations and warning*- might be productive of good. But, unfortunately, many ■ 1' those he denounces, are persons who have commenced their career under his own sanction, and with his patent M.thcrity in their pockets. Among these, are found many ACCOUNT. 85 of the most able practicioners; and a considerable num- ber besides, among those, have never purchased the right to practise. By Doctor Thomson's denunciations and warnings therefore, the public are not taught to discriminate be- tween the physician and the quack—They only learn who practice under the authority of his patent, and who do not—Who purchase their medicine of him, and who do not—While the very men he denounces as impostors and quacks, dangerous to the community, might rcMily be- come his agents, and receive credentials at his hands, by giving bonds to purchase medicine of him, at about six times the price for which they could procure it elsewhere of a quality equally good. Those who have taken every pains to qualify thsm- selves for the practice, have felt themselves injured by the course of the patentee. They have devoted their time and their money to the object, and suffered the per- secutions which have been unsparingly heaped upon them; and they had the right to expect that he would use the au- thority given him, to shut out unworthy men from among them, and protect the qualified agent, and the public, a- gainst abuse. But, to their mortification, they have found I y unhappy experience, that £20 in money, and a bond to ensure fidelity to the interests of the patentee, were the only qualifications required; and they have been, on all hands, brought into direct competition with those who, in fact, had no other to offer. Bonds could not control such persons for any great length of time. They have shortly set them at nought, defied the authority of thep.i- 86 HISTORICAL tenteef and procured their medicines where they pleased at a saving of more than eighty per cent. Amidst these dificulties, those engaged in the psactice, with honorable motives, had but one of three things to do. Either they must prevail on Doct. Thomson to pros- ecute encroachments on his patent, and defend himself and his friends in a court of law, if he had the power;— or his friends must resist his pretensions to the right of monopoly, to defend themselves;—or, must quit the prac- tice. Doctor Thomson did not prosecute infractions to any good purpose under his new patent, and suffered oth- ers to violate it with impunity. His friends, among whom, the author of this little work classes himself, did not feel inclined to quit the field. They closed with the only alternative, resisted Doctor Thomson's claims to a monopoly, and* took to themselves the right to purchase medicine where, and of whom they pleased. The case stands thus—The author is one of those pro- scribed by Doct Thomson as an impostor. Yet ho stuoV ied with Doct. Thomson's agent—Commenced, andlorg continued practice with the approbation of Doct. Thom- son. He would probably have continued to do so up to this day, had Doctor Thomson enforced the authority of his patent, and kept out ignorant and dishonest men.— And had he continued to pay Doctor Thomson six hun- dred dollars per annum, for that which the Doctor per- mitted others to purchase for fifty, the author would never have been set down by him as an impostor. The reader, it is presumed, now understands the question:— Thus:—A man, however ignorant and dishonest, having ACCOUNT. 87 paid Doctor Thomson $20 for a patent right, becomes a physician; and continues in fellowship with the patentee, as long as he continues to pay him six dollars, for medi- cine which costs fifty cents. But, although a man have purchased a patent right, be as well qualified to practice as Doctor Thomson, or better, and be universally ac- knowledged eminent for skill and success, if he purchase medicine of any one but Doct. Thomson, even though of better quality, which is not impossible, he is an impostor, in the vocabulary of the good Doctor. We have been partic.lar in this part of our subject, for two reasons—First, to shew why it is that any real im- postors have found their way into the Thomsonian ranks: which is because any one can obtain from the patentee, the right to practise, by paying for it. Second, to shew that, when Doctor Thomson proscribes men as impostors, his proscription is no evidence that they may not be quite as good physicians as he is, and use as good medicines.— The only evidence it affords, is, that they refuse to come under bonds, or to continue so, to buy of him every ounce of medicine they use, and pay him his price, though it be fifty times its real value, and whether the article be good, bad, or indifferent' This is what he calls imposture; and there are a great many as good botanic practitioners as he is, who occupy this ground. ^ Such is now«the state of things. A disseulion Iu#grown up between the patentee and a great number of others, on the ground we have stated above. This dissention, it will however be seen, originates entirely in the question of le- gal right, and pecuniary interest. There is no dispute a- 88 HISTORICAL bout the essential doctrines and principles of the botanic practice, and "amid the war of elements," they still ad- vance, and continue to gain a stronger and stronger hold on the public favor. Since the first introduction of this system of medical practice, laws of severe character have been enacted in a number of our states, against "quackery" evidently in- tended to prevent its progress, in order to uphold and sup^ port the aristocracy of the medical school. These laws have operated unfavorably in some instances, on tho practitioners, in a pecuniary point of view. But, like all other modes of persecution, and all other restraints on what people consider their own personal rights, they have tended to promote inquiry, and to advance the cause their famcrs intended to destroy; and finally, as it happens with most arbitrary laws in a free country, they have be- come, if not exactly obsolete, at least almost a dead let- ter. As our theory and principles have come into notice, they have called out many able pens, in the way ofut- taclcand defence. In the first place, the theory was treat- ed with ridicule; but facts were given in reply, which could not be gainsayed. Ridicule was then followed by vituperation and abuse. Still the facts stared opponents in Uie^ce, and neutralised the slander. At length, a few individuals of the regular medical faculty, had the inde- pendence to exanii*ie the theory for themselves, on scien- tific principles. rl hey became satisfied of its claims to su- periority, and boldly entered the field in its defence.— Aided by the talents of other able writers, it baa been ACCOVMT. 80 fairly presented before the public, in its proper form, and laid open for the examination of all. With the exception of a few snarling pretenders to medical science, the facul- ty have come now to treat the theory in a more deferen- tial manner; and the prospect is, that at no distant peri- od, it will become with them, the subject of a fair and manly discussion. Even as far as the discussion has gone, with all the prejudices of science against innovation, the system has lost nothing. On.the contrary, it has been continually on the advance. Much of the asperity formerly manifested in attacks upon it has been done away, and some of its most important principles have been admitted to be cor- rect, by those well qualified to judge. It should also be known, for it is a very important fiict, that lobelia, for- merly considered as a deadly poison, has, since the dis- covery made by Thomson, been introduced into the phar- macopia of the faculty; and that the use of the vapor, or steam bath, is now approved by them. Not only so—but the experience of every day shews that the use of miner- als, blisters, and the lancet, is becoming more unpopular, even among the faculty themselves. Many eminent phy- sicians have become satisfied of their pernicious effects— Many declare that a revolution in medical science must be effected, and that soon. What must that revolution bring about? Every indication at the present meraent, points to the overthrow of the mineral practice. A reform or revolu- tion in that practice, will not answer the purpose, nor meet the views of the public. With all possible reforms BO HISTORICAL and revolutions, poisons will remain poisons; blisters will not become other than blisters, and the lancet, when it opens tho vein, will still continue to let out the purple cur- rent of life. The evils—the fatal evils—of all these rem- edies become more apparent, daily; even many learned physicians doubt their utility, and some condemn them; and every day increases the public antipathy to them— But one species of reform—but one sort of revolution- will be tolerated at last—the reform and revolution which are hastening forward; and which will finally sweep a- way the quackery of the schools, and establish the life preserving and health restoring botanic medical practico. THOMSONIAN THEORt ard pr,i:;ciples. We have already seen, that the first attempt to put down this theory, was by means of ridicule. It seemed to bo supposed that, because its inventor had been rean>d in obscurity, he wus therefore destitute of the ability and the means to make correct observations, or to come to ant definite rational conclusions on the results of his own experience. Much less likely did it appear, that, desti-s lute as he was of any scientific aids, he should be found capable of fabricating a theory on philosophic ground.— Those who ridiculed him seem not to have been aware, or at least not to have had the fact in remembrance, that "necessity is the mother of invention," and that philo- sophic truths are as frequently arrived at by proceeding, f.oin the effect, to learn the cause, as otherwise. I We readily grant, that, had Tlisin>on been first made acquainted with the philosophy of life, death, health, and disease, his progress might have been more rapid; but, it by no means follows, that his conclusions would have been more certain. As it was, his experience, which :s the best school master, taught him the Hiwaii* of curing ; disease, and the properties of the medicines he u*i;d; and the modo of his practice, led him insensibly to ascertain the philosophy of the human system. Hence, when the I 9i HISTORICAL faculty came to find out what his theory was, they learn- ed that they had been ridiculing a system resting on phi- losophic principles to which it was peculiarly adapted, laid down by some of their most eminent practitioners, though in a'somewhat different form of words from those of Doctor Thomson. Let us now compare. Thomson says that bodies are composed of four elements—earth, air, fire, and water.— Modern Chemistry would crurge him with a false mode of expression. It would say that, although formerly there were considered only four elements, as above enum- erated, yet it has been proved that each of these are com- pound bodies, made up of a number of simple elements. No matter—the fact does not invalidate his theory.— Leave out the word elements. Say that animal bodies are made up of four constituent bodies, earth, air, fire, and water, and you then have a philosophic truth acknowl- edged by all. Thomson's only error in this respect was, that from a want of the knowledge of the intricacies of chemical science, he took those for elements, which are compound bodies. The practical result is however the same. He meant simply to say, that animal bodies are mads up of earth, air, fire, and water; and that is strictly and philosophically true. From these premises, it cannot be doubted for a mo- ment, his deductions are sound. A combination of all these bodies, in suitable proportions, in the proper form, and subject to the unobstructed operation of certain laws, is absolutely ^indispensable to organic existence in a healthy state. iNTo one will deny this; and thus Thomson says, ACCOUNT. 98 "the healthy state consists in the balance and distributioii of these four elements, and disease, in their disarrange- ment." Was ever a philosophic truth expressed with more clearness and precision? And we should like to see the physician, who would take upon himself to deny that it is a truth. His next proposition is equally perspicuous, and equal- ly beyord the reach of cavil. "All disease is caused by obstruction:"—That is, whatever it be, whether morbid matter collected internally, in the glands, or externally on the surface, to obstruct the operation of the laws which confer and control the principle of life, produce disease.— And who is there that is not fully satisfied of this? Who is there who does not know, when the physician can open the pores and produce perspiration, clear the system of morbid matter, and give to all the organs of life their full and vigorous action, that his work is accomplished, and health restored? Surely, in all this, there is nothing to ridicule—nothing but what all true philosophy approves— nothing that is not absolutely necessary to all medical science. We inquire, then, what is there in the theory, which can be made the proper object of ridicule? Why that, as disease, and all disease, is the effect of obstrucfions, so all disease is curable only by removing those obstructions, by diffusing heat over the system. No matter whether Doct. Thomson's theoretical principle, that " heat is life," be true, or not. To a patient, it matters but little whether h eat be life, or the cause of life, or merely the means of promoting another principle which preserves life, so long Mi BIOGRAPHICAL as he finds himself restored to health by the application and diffusion of heat, when all other means had been tried in vain, he cares not about the technical phraseology.— " Heat is life" to him. At least it has preserved life, and restored health; and he is satisfied. We will not undertake to argue the point, whether the proposition that "heat is life," and that "cold is death," be or be not strictly and philosophically true. The doc- trine was set up by Thomson as the result nf his observa- tion and experience. He found by his practice, thatwheu he could properly regulate and diffuse this most important element, as he terms it, he could communicate renewed energy to the springs of life, and restore the system to a healthy and vigorous action. He found also, that with- out thi3 powerful agent, disease would triumph, and de- stroy the patient, in defiance of medical skill. Proceeding on this principle, he came to the conclusion that "whatever supports the internal heat, and directs the determining powers to the surface, will expel disease;" which he contends "is the effect of one general cause," viz. "obstructions," and "requires a general remedy." In obedience to this theory, we find him engaged in producing this result in the systems of [his patients with as much care as the natural instinct prompts the feathered tribe to exercise, during the season of incubation, to pre- serve the proper temperature of their eggs, to communi- cate the powers of life to their embryo offspring. And Doctor Thomson certainly has the result of a successful practice in favor of his conclusion. If unparalleled success in restoring the sick, and theap- ACCOUNT. 95 parently dying patient, to life and health, can afford any evidence of the truth of an abstract proposition, it must be conceded that no one has ever had so much to offer, and so conclusive, as is afforded by his practice. Though af- ter all, as we have before stated, the correctness or incor- rectness of the bare proposition, can make no difference as to the merits of his theory and principles. Whether "heat is life," or the lire giving, and life preserving prin- ciple, the result is the same. Life, and the seat of life, is a mysterious subject. It has exercised the utmost ingenuity of ihe most eminent writers. Yet no one has ever been able to arrive at any thing like positive demonstration, and scarcely any two have been found to agree. Doct Good places life in the blood. Even there, heat may be life, in warm blooded animals; and, if not life itself, yet the cause of life.— Thomson's theory is, that the circulation of the blood is caused by the expansive power of internal heat, and the counteraction of external atmospheric pressure. And who is there unacquainted with the fact, that when tho vital current is congealed or coagulated, by means of cold, it ceases to flow, and life becomes extinct; unless before the fatal moment, it be reduced to its liquid state, and a new impetus imparled to it, by means of heat. How then can life exist in the blood, without heat? For aught we know, the blood might be deprived of some of its compo- nent parts, and life yet be preserved. But we know, without the possibility of mistake, the deprivation of life is simultaneous with the loss of heat. Doct. Rush makes life to consist in motion, heat, sen- 93 HISTORICAL sation, and thought This he calls 'tperfect life." But are all these necessary to perfect life? We should think not So confine a man as to deprive Jiim of the power of motion, yet, while in a healthy state, which may contin- ue for a long time, we know not why his "life" is not as ^'perfect" as though every limb had the freedom of mo- tion. It is believed that there are thousands of animals without the power of thought; but we know not why "life" is not as "perfect" in them, as it was in Doctor Rush. We do not consider however, that there is any balf way place between life and death. One body may possess more of the power of life than another, but if any body has life, that life must be perfect Motion, sensa- tion, and thought, are evidently the result of physical or- ganization; and, at least some of them, and for aught we know, all of them make their appearance long after life has been imparted, and come to maturity with the system itself. That man has life, and "perfect life" before hia birth, will not be denied; but that the powers of motion, sensation, and thought, are communicated at the same pe- riod with it, we think many will be slow to believe. "Life may exist without these, but not without heat. And thus you deprive the theory of life, as laid down by Doctor Rush, of every essential principle but that of Dr. Thom- son's, viz: heat. The cause of disease, according to Rush, is "morbid excitement." This, by the way, is rather far fetched.__ A "morbid excitement" is, literally, a diseased excite- ment. Hence to say that disease is caused by it, is to say disease a caused by diseased excitement. The moan- A'CCOUNT. 9? *rrg probably is, that disease is caused by an unnatural ex- citement of the system. This view perfectly corresponds with those of Doctor Thomson. Let us make use of a simile to illustrate our meaning. There is a lake which has certain natural outlets, thro' which it discharges fts waters in smooth and gentle cur- rents; and no danooge is produced. But, by some means, these channels become obstructed, and the currents cease to flow. Finally, the main body of the water having continued to be swelled by constant accumulations, rises above the proper level, breaks through its banks, and with tremendous force, sweeps away all before it. Thus, in the human system; while there are no obstructions to the proper outlets for natural evacuations, all goes smoothly on, and health is preserved. But when these channels become obstructed, and the mass accumulates which should be thrown off, nature struggles to relieve herself of the burthen. This is what Doctor Bush calls "morbid [diseased] excitement"—and this is what Doctor Thom- son calls disease. And now we would inquire where is the practical difference? Doctor Rush sets this down as the one only cause of disease. Doctor Thomson considers it as the one only disease; exhibiting itself under various forms, as modified only by various local causes, but still requiring essentially the same species of remedial agents to remove it. Is it not perfectly apparent, that what would remove the caus- es of the "morbid excitement" of Doct. Rush, would al- so remove Doctor Thomson's "obstructions," and vice versa ? la it not quite certain that what would quiet the 7 98 THEORY "morbid excitement" of Doct Rush, and assist nature to resume her operations without interruption, would cure the disease of Doct. Thomson, by removing all obstruc- tions to her course? Is not Thomson quite as philosoph- ical in all this, as Rush? Where then the difference be- tween the latter and the former? Let us see. Rush had studied the science, and built up a theory of disease, but had not erected a corresponding system of practice. Thomson had invented the practice first. Ex- perience proved its correctness. This led him to the the- ory of disease. That theory wa3 approved by the science of Rush. But Thomson had this advantage—he had both theory and practice,and Rash had the theory alone. We might expatiate much longer on this particular branch of our subject, by comparing the leading princi- ples of theThomsonian theory and practice, with the phi* losophic views of many others, and laboring to point out more minutely, their strict accordance with a thousand well known facts. But the limits we have prescribed to the work admonish us to be brief; and, as many of those facts will come into the discussion, incidentally, we will omit them in this place, and proceed. It will net be so surprising on due reflection, as it might appear at the first glance, that Doctor Thomson should have become so well acquainted with the nature of dis- ease, and the medicinal properties of vegetable produc- tions. He is not the first who has made the attempt to simplify the theory of disease. Doct Brown, in his the- ory and practice, reduced all diseases to two classes, and treated them accordingly. Doct Rush went beyond him, AND PRINCIPLES. 09 as we have already seen, and reduced them to one; and used means only to ascertain the state of the system of the patient, without an elaborate study of the particular type of the supposed disorder; and, like Doctor Brown and Doctor Thomson, took measures to equalize and reg- ulate the life giving and life preserving principle, by re- moving the obstructions to its healthy operation. Brown and Rush were eminent and successful practitioners; buf how did they arrive at their conclusions? Certainly not by means of the science of medical schools. Medical science, popularly so called, does not recog- nise, or even tolerate this doctrine. This is apparent from the fact, that their nomenclature embraces a multitude of names and remedies, beyond the powers of the most ca- pacious and retentive memory; and which involves the entire practice in dubious obscurity, by rendering it nec- essary to await tho full developement of the peculiar character of tfie disease, before any defini'.D measures can be adopted for its cure. Sometimes, while thus waiting in suspense, the disease assumes a fearful height, and de- fies medical treatment. At other times, it is so compli- cated, that it cannot be defined: or 60 deceptive that its name is mistaken. In either case, the physician must op- erate in the dark, and proceed by guess; and there can be no doubt in the mind of any one, that many valuable lives are sacrificed to this uncertainty. From such a science, Rush could not have learned the unity of disease. How then could he have learned it? We reply, by practice, observation, and the nature of things. He saw the fatal evils of the multifarious jargon of the no THEORY faculty. He sought means to overcome them. By strict attention to the first symtoms of disease, their similarity must have stuck him forcibly, as indicative of one com- mon origin This conviction must have led to another; viz: that they owed their birth to one common cause.— Another conclusion from this, must have been equally certain; tliecause being always the same, the effects must be similar—Hence the plain, simple, and natural infer- ence, that disease is one, varying in appearance and vio-— lence according to local circumstances, and requiring sim-V rlar remedies in all cases, in the main, varying only in the details of the mode and application, as local circumstan- ces might dictate. Doct. Rush most, most unquestiona- bly, have proceeded on this ground; nor can we doubt the ultimate conclusion in his mind, that a simple reme- dial system, adopted to all possible cases, was the great desideratum in the theory and practice of medicine;.yet he did not explore the field in which the remedy was te be found; but Doct. Thomson commenced in the proper manner to make this important discovery. He had at his command, only a few of the simples of nature, lie saw the ravages of disease, for which he had no names, only as they were furnished him occasionally by others. First, one disease would make its inroads in- to his family circle. The physician, after the exercise of his utmost powers, would give the patient up to die.— Driven by necessity, or led on by hope, Thomson came in with his half dozen roots and herbs; and his wife or r:hild was rescued from the very jaws of death. By and bv, some disease with a different name would make its AND PRINCIPLES. 101 appearance, and attack his family with fearful violence. The skill of the physician would again fail. Again would Thomson step forth with his little handful of simples, and again would he prove victorious. Thus, one disorder af- ter another, first in his own family, then among his neigh- bors, and finally in a large community, was found to yield readily to the very few ample agents which made up his miniature pharmacopoeia, till at length, to his own astonish- ment, as well as the astonishment of others, he found them infinitely more effectual in all possible cases, than the multitudinous prescriptions of the entire range of pop- ular medical science. In comparing Thomson and Rush therefore, we find only this difference in point of fact— Rush, by observation, had become convinced that all dis- ease was originally the same; and that, to remove disease, you had only to remove the original cause; but be had no common or universal remedy. Thomson, by practice, learned the remedy first; and its efficacy, and the manner in which it gave relief, led hioi to the same conclusions to which Doctor R*ish had arrived, as to disease itself.— We can see nothing in this, except the boldness, perse- verance, and native strength of mind, of Doctor Thom- son, to excite our special wonder,—Nothing but what is perfectly natural. One of the great objections urged against the Thom- sonian practice, is, that it introduces comparatively igno- rant men into the practice of medicine, and holds oat in- ducements to individuals to attempt to become their own physicians, perhaps at the hazard of life. To the latter objection, we would oppose the saying ol a late eminent 102 theory" physician of Boston—that a man who was not capable of being bis own physician, at thirty, was a fool; and the opinion of Doctor Rush seems nearly to have correspond- ed with this sayiug. He says. " The essential princip'es of medicine are very few; they are moreover very plain. All the morbid affections of heat and cold, of eating-and drinking, and the exercises of the body and mind, may be taught with as much ease as the multiplication table." He recommends that the profession be stripped "of every thing that looks like mystery and imposition," and that " medical knowledge be clothed in a dress so simple and intelligible, that it may become a part of academical edu- cation, in all our seminaries of learning." He argues that men and women may learn to preserve health and to cure disease, as easily as to raise grain, or to make bread.— And he supposes that, to question this fact, is to impeach the goodness of Deity, by supposing that he acts without unity of system, in giving to all, the capacity to cultivate and prepare aliment to preserve health, while he has ren- dered the means to restore it so abstruse as to. requi re years of study to learn and apply them. He farther ar- gues that, though "surgical operations, and diseases which rarely occur, may require professional aid, two or three persons seperated from other pursuits, would be sufficient to meet the demands of a city consisting of forty thou- sand people." In the entire circle of our acquaintance or knowledge, we have never seen or heard, among the friends of the Thomsonian theory and practice, any thing more truly radical than this—any thing more pointed against the AND PRINCIPLES. 103 mystic quackery of the medical faculty—any thing which more pointedly ridiculed its preposterous pretensions— any thing more favorable to the general spread of medi- cal knowledge—nor any thing which more fully sanction- ed the idea, that the present routine of medical study was all a farce, and that any person of common capacity may acquire all necessary information on the subject, as read- ily as one may learn to cultivate grain, to make bread, or commit the multiplication table to memory. There is nothing more true than that circumstances al- ter cases. If the science of the schools were the true and only medium of acquiring medical knowledge and medical skill, and if the art of healing were to be learned only by a thorough acquaintance with the anatomy of the human system, the names, nature, effects, and composit- ion, of the nauseous and deleterious drags which compose the pharmacopoeia of the schools, and the endless vocabu- lary of disease, with its ten thousand traits—We say if the art of healing were to be arrived at only through this sin- uous path of eternal contrarieties, then well might'men de- spair of obtaining the requisite knowledge, without many long years of study. Yea—we sincerely believe that, were all this necessary, a Methusalch might appropriate his long life to the laborious task, and yet die a novice! But Doctor Thomson did not believe this; neither did Doctor Rush. The latter gentleman, as we have already seen, reduced disease to an unit; and sought only to re- move the cause, by assisting the operations of nature.— The extent of study necessary, on his theory, was to learn when the animal functions were disordered, and the vital 10U THEORY energies impaired, and to what degree. All this he reuc}- ily learned, and so may any one else in a short time, by close observation, from external appearances, and the de- scription efthe internal feelings; and "m fact, in mostcas<- es, one maybe accurately known from a knowledge of the other. What remains then, but to- know the means which nature has provided to aid herself, and to apply them to use as circumstances may require? This was the desideratum with Rush, and this hr the theory and mode of practice adopted fry Thomson; and which an experi- ence of forty years has proved correct. We are not inimical tc> knowledge in medical men.— Far from it. The more of it, the better. But it should be of the right kind. Ihe knowledge of all she schools in the world, after a lapse of thousands of years, did not qualify physicians to care the spotted fever, or the chol- era." About seven out of eight who were attacked with these disorders, and submitted to the scientific practice, died. At least nineteen out of twenty who sought relief from the Thomsonian practice, were cured. Who car/- notsee that the Thomsonian practitioners, if comparative- ly unlearned, had not by far the greater amount of valnas- ble medical knowledge? The medical faculty have, from their first birth, been continually studying to find out th« nature of disease, and to devise remedies. Yet, in pro- portion lo the nurrrber of patients, they Fose ten, perhaps twenty, where the Thomsonian loses one; nrrd that dis- proportion too, when a comparatively large number of the patients wlio submit to Thomsonian treatment, are rhose whom the regular doctors themselves eoufessthey cannot cure. AND PRINCIPLES. 105 What occasions this mighty difference? The regular doctors are learned men—They are scientific men too— and have passed through all the regular forms of prepara- tion for the practice. No doubt they know a good deal. What is the matter then? Why do they suffer men, com- paratively ignorant, taken perhaps a year ago from the field or the workshop, to go ahead of them; and without a smattering of Latin, anatomy, or chemistry, to take from these same learned men, the palm of victory, and to save hundreds, for whom learning and science can find no rem- edy? How happens all this? Permit us to reply. The regular physician knows a great many things, but among them all, he has not studied the right one. The Thomsonian, though he may have studied but a few things, has studied the "one thing needful" to the medical faculty, the true nature of disease, and the proper and ef- fectual mode of cure. No matter though the learned may be able to name every bone, muscle, artery, and all oth- er component parts of the human boily—No matter, though he mav be so deeply versed ra chemJstry as to havo made the discovery of the " Philosopher's stone"—No matter, though he could read yon off from memory's page, the names, symptoms, and characters of all the diseases which have ever afflicted the family of man, and give a complete list of the entire collection of remedial agents recommended by the schools—Suppose he could do all this, and still could not rescue the suffering victim from the grasp of death—Of what utility would be all this, to a dying man? And if, after all this, the Thomsonian practitioner, ignorant of this array of hard words and *b- 106 THEORY struse science, should succeed in cheating death of his prey, and restoring the apparently dying man to health; would it not be evident that he knew mo.j of what a physician ought to know, than he who had pretended to know so much? Such instances are not rare. Thousands of such have occurred in all parts of the United States; and the evi- dence is complete, to all who will candidly scan it, that the ignorant man who has made himself well acquainted with the Thomsonian theory and practice, brief and sim- ple as they are, knows more of the true nature of disease, and the proper mode of treatment and cure, than could be learned at medical colleges in a thousand years, under their present system. Look for a moment, at the Thomsonian theory and practice, and to satisfy yourselves of the truth of the a- bove statements, compare them with others. Thomson says, for instance, " Heat is life—Cold is death." This is the foundation of his whole theory. Obstructions which prevent the proper distribution and action of heat, cause cold, which induces disease. Unless these obstructions can be removed, the cold, will be increased. To speak more philosophically, the heat will be diminished, and the violence of disease increased; and finally the heat will be entirely banished from the body, and life become ex- tinct. Now follow Doctor Thomson into the sick room.— There lies a tender and delicate female, on the third or fourth day, of what her mineral doctor calls a "settled fe- ver." He considers the fever as the disease—the cause And principles. 107 of all the misery the suffering patient endures. He says it must have "its run"—perhaps twelve or fourteen days. In that time, in all probability, the' patient will die. All the attending physician professes to be able to do in the time, is to assuage the fever in some degree, and to ame- liorate the tormenting pains; and for which purpose, he lets blood; blisters, and administers cooling, and narcotic poisons. Thomson tells him he is mistaken. The fever is not the disease, but the friend—the handmaid of na- ture, struggling to throw off the disease. He says that, instead of giving cooling medicines, stimulants ought to be administered, to raise the internal heat, and to remove the obstructions which cause the fever. The doctor laughs at all this, but the patient is satisfied, and puts herself un- der the charge of Thomson. The doctor retires; but not until he has warned the patient and her friends, that Thomson's stimuli will burn her up, and that his violent remedies, on a frame so weak and delicate, will certainly prove fatal. Nothing daunted, however, Thomson goes to work in a mode directly the reverse of that practised by his pred- ecessor. Lobelia and Cayenne are not spared. The sys- tem is properly heated, obstructions are removed, the pores are unsealed, moisture covers the skin, the digest- ive organs resume their proper office ; the racking pains cease to torment the patient, the fever disappears, and the vital energies are restored to full vigor. In the course of two or three days all this has been effected, and the patient restored to health. In innumerable instances have such things been accomplished, not only by Doct. Thorn- 108 theory son, but by others, on his principles, without even a year of study. And not only in fevers, but in all other disor- ders incident to the human frame, known to the people of this country, has the same course been pursued with e- qual success*. And what do the facts prove? Why that fevers, as well as other diseases [the doctors call them so] may be cured, or broken up. That cooling medicines are not proper, and that stimuli are the better remedies.— They prove that Doctor Thomson, and those who faith- fully follow out his principles, however ignorant in other respects, possess afar more valuable fund of useful medi* cal knowledge, than the regular faculty. And they make it manifest by their works. Long before Doctor Thomson had dreamed of such a principle, and long before the day which ushered him in- to life, it had been believed by thinking men, that divine providence had provided in the fields and forests of every clime, remedies for the diseases of man; and that each habitable portion of the globe furnished all that was nec- essary to its own incumbents. Supposing all disease to be one, even should not every clime furnish plants of the same appearance, still there may be those, and there are those, which though apparently dissimilar, possess the same medicinal virtues. The Lobelia may not be uni- versal, but there may be other plants with the same prop- erties. The re are many vegetable productions which are poi- sonous to the brute creation. There are others which are useful and necessary to them as food, and others which serve them as medicines. Rarely indeed is it known, that AND PRINCIPLES. 109 any animal that roams at pleasure in the fields and forests swallows any poisonous production. The instinct or hab- it, or whatever you please to call it, by which they are guided, is a mysterious principle, but it is nevertheless true that they select for use, plants which furnish them wholesome nutriment, rejecting all others, unless compell- ed to a different course by necessity, to prevent starva- tion. Some, we know, perhaps all, have recourse to medicinal herbs in case of sickness, and have their ami* dotes against the effects of poison. Thus, the toad, when poisoned, resorts to the plantain, and the cat when sick, finds her remedy in catnip. The medicinal properties of camomile, it is said were first discovered by watching the habits of a sick dog; which, every morning, drank the dew from the flowers of thit plant, till he had recovered his health. The sluggard was advised by Solomon, to learn wis- dom fiom the ant May not we profit by the admonition? Why should we distrust ihe care and goodness of the Great Creator, and, leaving the green field and the majes- tic forest, where his bounties are spread out before us, force our way i./io the bowels of the earth, in search of those things which nature has hidden from our view, known to be deadly poisons? Can we doubt for a moment, that he who has provided all things necessary for the brute creation, in those fields and forests, on which we are e- qunlly dependent with them, should have neglected the welfare of his intellectual offspring, and left them to per- ish without aid, or to seek it from mineral poisons? No— perish the thought. We will not think so meauly of the 110 theory God of nature. The toad when bitten by a venomous reptile, seeks the plantain, and is preserved by its genial properties. And shall it then be supposed that the Al- mighty, considering man as of less importance than the toad, should have left him to the direful necessity of swal- lowing poison as a healing remedy? Yet, instead of learning wisdom, which man might do even from the toad, the learned physician administers poisons to cure disease; and, what is still more astonishing, compels his patient to swallow one poison, either to counteract or ex- pel another. We are well aware that, to-what we have said on this subject, and by way of objection to the use of lobelia, it will be urged that it is a poison; and to prove that it is so, and that brutes are not always led by instinct to avoid poisons, we shall be told that it sometimes is eaten by horses, and that it produces the effects of poison on them. To the first of these statements, we reply that the opin- ion that lobelia is a poison, is a vulgar error, which phy- sicians sanction either from ignorance or interest We believe that no man who values his reputation a straw, will undertake to point out any experiment made for the purpose, which has shewn lobelia to be a poison. What are the proofs that it is so? Why, jt has been so consid- ered. And so have many other things, which are now known to be innocent. But persons have died, in some instances, who have taken it as a medicine. True—and so have thousands who never swallowed a single grain of it Of the thousands, and tens of thousands, who have taken it freely in extreme cases, not one jn an hundred ND PRINCIPLES. Ill have died. The remainder have found health in it—and, in no post mortem examination, has its poisonous quali- ties been detected. This does not look much like poison. As deadly a poison as the faculty pretend it to be, hun- dreds of persons might be pointed out, who, by its aston- ishing healing powers, have been raised, almost from death to the enjoyment of sound and permanent health, who, had they swallowed one hundredth part as much calomel as they have lobelia, would be now, either miser- ably decrepit wretches, or quietly slumbering in their graves. And yet, forsooth, lobelia is a deadly poison, and calomel, in the language of Professor Silliman, is a l'safe and gentle remedy." What abominable hypoc- risy. But as respects the horse. It has been often said, that horses which had eaten lo- belia, were effected with nausea, ran at the mouth, and appeared sick. Very likely; for so it affects the human subject. But do horses die in consequence of it? We can, from long experience, answer no. We have been long in the habit of preparing and vending this artiole for the use of keepers of livery stables, to administer to their horses in cases of disease. And in no one instance which has come to our knowledge, be the disease what it might, have we known lobelia, when given, to fail of effecting a cure. Reasoning then from analogy and from the facts, we argue that, as lobelia is found to produce this effect, the horse, acting from the instinctive impulse common to the brute creation, seeks and eats it as a medicine incase of sickness, instead of cropping it accidentally. Its oper- ation, which has led some to imagine it poisonous, we THE0RT 112 take to be merely the result of its medicinal properties, and the medium through which the cure is effected. We are satisfied that the diseases of the horse require a simi- lar treatment with these of the human species; and that there is no remedial agent more salutary to either, than the one in question. Much ridicule has been cast upon the Thomsonian the- ory and practice, because it is said to prescribe but one remedy for all complaints. This charge is, in part, false —and, so far as it is true, it affords no subject for ridicule. The charge is false, inasmuch as the Thomsonian prac- tice embraces a considerable number of botanic produc- tions, possessing a variety of medicinal properties, to be administered, as the judgment and experience may di- rect, as disease may develope itself in one form or the other. But we acknowledge frankly, that all these, scp* arately or combined, are given with a singleness of pur- pose, directed to one object, and intended for the produc- tion of one result—viz: to remove obstructions, to anni- hilate the cause of disease, and thereby to banish the dis- ease itself. For instance, one man has a fever, another the dysen- tery, a third, the dropsy, and so on. We assign to all of these, the same general origin, obstructions in the system, which have disturbed the vital action by destroying or de- ranging the balancing power; or as Doctor Rush would have it, which has created a morbid, or diseased excite- ment However therefore the mode of treatment may be varied in detail in these cases, the ultimate object must be the same—to cleanse the system, open all its natural AND TRINCIPLES. 113 avenues, and restore the natural action by the due diffus- ion of heat, the vital principle, thoughout the system.—* Can there be any doubt as to the propriety of this course? Suppose the stomach can be cleansed, and all the natural channels of evacuation opened, can any one suppose that fever can continue to rage? And if fever be overcome by means which cleanse and purify the system, and restore its organs to healthy action, it will not be pretended that disease will longer afflict tho patient, for the difficulties now removed, were the only cause of disease. Suppose again, the case be dysentery. Perhaps the disease has originated in a cause created by taking into the stomach, unhealthy food. And what is this cause? A quantity of morbid matter deposited in the system, which cannot be digested; and which instead of passing off thro' the natural avenues, serves to obstruct them. Instead of passing itself off, it prevents natural evacuations. Instead of being digested, it deranges the digestive system, weak- ens the digestive powers, overcomes the natural heat of the body, and, unless a speedy remedy be applied, must eventuate in death. Suppose then, as in the case of fev- er, you take effectual means to eject the morbific matter which causes all this difficulty by sealing up the ten thou- sand avenues for evacuations. Suppose all that matter to be thrown off, and all those channels to be unclosed, how long before nature will resume her wonted course? And when the cold clammy sweats have ceased, and the pow- ers of the digestive organs been restored, can disease any longer exist? And yet, is it not perfectly evident that all this may be effected by a treatment nearly similar to tlrat 8 114 THEORY of fever? First cleanse, then warm, and finally strength- en the stomach, and the work is done. Take'the case of dropsy—It consists in a collection of water, in some part of the system, or, universally in the system. Why should this collection take place? It only occurs in a very small number, comparatively, of the hu- man family, and under peculiar circumstances. Very lit- tle more moisture is taken into the stomach at one time than another, or by one person than another. The natu- ral channels of evacuation are fully adequate to the pur- pose of ejecting the entire quantity again, and why is it not done? There can be but one consistent reply. Those channels have been obstructedr—closed—and nature fails in her efforts to unseal them. What is necessary then?— Is not the reply equally inevitable—Remove the morbific matter which has closed up the canals—open the natu- ral passages for the discharge and evaporation of the su- perabundant element. Restore and equalise the temper- ature of the system, and strengthen it in order to assist the operation of nature's laws. Can any one doubt the cure? Can any one suppose that dropsy could longer exist? And how shall this be done? Nothing more is necessary than that which cured the fever and the dysentery; though, in each case, perhaps some local causes might dictate a some- what different course in the details of treatment. We argue not from theory alone, though that were suf- ficient. We have practice—wo have long experience to substantiate the argument, as thousands of instances will fully show. We challenge the strictest scrutiny when we say, that, few and simple as are our remedial agents, and AND PRINCIPLES. 115 Dinch as the faculty may ridicule our "one remedy for all complaints," they have been, and will be, found more ef- fectual in curing the numerous maladies which prey upon the human system, than all- the scientific and farfetched drugs of the medical faculty. We boldly challenge the entire host to produce an emetic so certain, so efficacious, or so salutary as lobelia, stimuli which can bear the least comparison with cayenne, sedatives equal to our nerve powders, tonics equal to our cordials, or sudorifics that have the least pretension to merit, when brought into competition with our vapor bath. In short, our remedies are Ccw and simple, and their effects eminently salutary; while those of the regular faculty are numerous, com- plicated, uncertain, dangerous, and often fatal. Tho Thomsonian theory and practice cure, and that speedily; seldom loses a patient, and never kills one. The science of the schools, though it may sometimes effect partial cures, seldom restores sound and permanent health, and often despatches the patient suddenly, or leaves him a suf- fering invalid, the victim of protracted disease, or a lin- gering death. DIFFERENT DISEASES AND TREATMENT. We are now about to enter on a subject which is im- portant for all to understand, because it is intended as a practical guide to health, for the direction and aid of the common capacity, to enable the reader to secure that in- valuable blessing. It being intended also for common family use, it would not, we think, be advisable to theo- rise to any great extent, as plain and simple rules deduced from successful practice, will unquestionably answer a much better purpose. While therefore we shall attempt to give satisfactory reasons for what we may advance, it will be our main object to describe a variety of cases se- lected from actual experience, together with the modes of treatment adapted to them; and that in a manner too plain and simple to be mistaken. It is presumed that such a course will be more satisfactory to the reader than any other, as by it, he will more readily understand the rules of the practice, and be able, with more certainty, to ap- ply them to use. In the course of his practice, the author has invariably found that nothing is so convincing to the mind, as an act- ual successful trial, or being an eye witness of one. A person may philosophise and theorise during the whole course of his life; yet he will be slow to believe, nnless DISEASES AND TREATMENT. 117 there be corresponding facts presented to his view. Give him these and he is satisfied without theory. We intend to give the reader facts. If he require more theory than we shall present him with, and have a curiously inquisi- tive mind, he will have materials to direct his inquiries;— and he will find it more easy, certain, pleasant and profit- able, to erect a theory,on facts, than he would to draw supposed facts from theory, in both of which, he might after all be mistaken. It is extremely easy for a fruitful mind to frame suppo- sitions. We are very apt to look on our own offspring with peculiar fondness. Hence our suppositions are the objects of affection, and we rarely fail to set them down as truths, without a very thorofjjh investigation of their mer- its. For this reason we may proceed to draw on imagin- ation, which will never fail to furnish us with plenty of materials to our own liking, to build up splendid and plausible theories; and after all, when we come to reduce them to practice, we may find that we have lost our labor, and that imagination has aided us in fabricating only a splendid delusion. On the contrary, a system found- ed on practice never proves deceptive. For though, in some things, we may not be able to account for actual results, yet we have those results before our eyes, and the theory will never lead us to an error in practice, though our ignorance of some of nature's laws may lead us to un- philosophical conclusions, as to causes by which effects may be produced. These remarks are not made to apologise for want of theory among Thomsonian practitioners. We have on**. 118 DISEASES the essential parts of which have already been given, and which is brief, plain, simple, and easily understood, and based on true philosophic principles. It would be idle to suppose it infallibly correct in all its parts—We shall not pretend that it is so. What theory has ever been? But there is one thing we can say with confidence —Where the principles it inculcate^ are properly applied to practice, the labors of the practitioner are crowned with a degree of success which no other mode of medical treat- ment can boast of. We are well aware that objections may be raised, and amuments brought, against some of the principles we lay down in theory; but we know of no theory which is not open to objections, and against which arguments may not Be raised. But we care not for this, even could objections and arguments be urged a- gainst every principle it contains. This would only be theory against theory—We bring a successful practice to remove all objections, and to rebutt all arguments; and which is sufficient, in the view of reason and common sense, to put to flight all the speculative reasoning of the schools. Of all the diseases with which mankind are afflicted, wo will single out, first, what is usually termed a cold, as the cause of more sickness than any other one, or than all others combined. Some may smile when we call cold a disease. But did they but see an hundredth part of what the physician sees of this malady, and its effects, they would not think it time misspent to study a treatise of an hundred pages, devoted to this subject alone. In usin» the term cold, we wish it to be understood as a negation, AND TREATMENT. 119 simply meaning the absence of heat That a loss or di- minution of the natural heat of the system is the true cause of a vast proportion of tho sickness we experience, is a proposition which, after due reflection, it is believed few if any will deny. For our own part, we believe it would be difficult to find disease in the system at all, unless there were a deficiency of natural heat, or an unnatural distribu- tion of it The above remarks must apologise for the space that this important subject will occupy. The heart rending'scenes which daily meet the eye, and pain the sensibilities of the practicing physician, originat- ing in a slight cold neglected for a Considerable length of time, and then treated, as a regular physician would say, scientifically, would induce anyone possessed of a single spark of humanity, to drop the tear of regiet and sympathy for human suffering, and to exclaim, why is it thus! This question we will attempt lo answer. The best way we know of to exhibit the effects of neg- lected cold, is to cite eases. In doing this, facts will be given, though names will be withholden, except in cases where we have been authorised to publish them. But in all cases we shall hold ourselves bound to give names to individuals who may call upon us for them, on condition that tltcy shall not be made public. The first case to which the attention is invited, is that of a respectable gentleman in a country town. He was attacked with a common cold, which, having been neg- lected for several days, was followed by a pleurisy. He was attended by a ph"sician, who proceeded in the usual method, to bleed the patient, to administer opium, &c.— 120 DISEASES The pains were thus overcome for a time, by overcoming sensation; and then it became necessary to administer stimulating drinks, to keep life in the patient. But when the strength began to return, and the blood to circulate freely, the pains again returned, and blood letting, and opium, &c. were again resorted to, with effects similar to those at first produced. It was sometime before the sys- tem could muster force enough to recover itself from a shock so violent as that given by the combined powers of the disease, and the unnatural mode of treatment pursued by the physician. During all this time, nothing had been done to remove the cause. In other words, the physician had treated tho patient for pleurisy, and left untouched, the cold which gave it birth, nourished it into life, and imparted its pow- ers. The natural heat of the system was destroyed, or deranged by depleting remedies. True, the pleurisy was banished, but the very remedies which banished that, de- stroyed the balancing power, and confirmed and strength- ened ihe cold, which gave birth to disease in another form. In short, the patient found he had only exchanged one disease for another, which, though more slow in its oper- ation, was likely to prove equally fatal at last His strength was gone, and the system prostrated, a violent cough succeeded, and consumption appeared inevitable. Thus was one of the most healthy men reduced, in a few days, to a state of extreme debility, and brought to the very borders of the grave! The slight cold neglected, brought on the pleurisy; and the remedies applied to re^ move the latter, brought on the third disease—remedies AND TREATMENT. 121 intended to " cure or kill," and which are administered for the disease, without the slightest reference to the orig- inal cause. Thus do physicians conduct, just like a per- son who should attempt to stop a water wheel by force, instead of shutting the gate. The constitution was de- stroyed by violent and unnatural remedies, while cold, the original cause, which any old lady might have remov- ed, remained untouched. And what followed ? His physicians, for he was now attended by several of the best, informed him that he must be kept in a weak state, lest his, cough should gain strength, and prove fatal. By keeping his strength down, they gave him hope, that he might get about again. Accordingly bleeding was continued, and blisters, and leeches, and cupping, Src. were resorted to, and followed up to the utmost extent.— But all proved of no avail, for cold, the great cause of the difficulty, still remained in the system, and counteracted all attempts to effect a cure. By this time, the patient was a fair candidate and well prepared for admission into a Botanic Infirmary. In about two years after he had taken the slight cold.> he applied to the author for advice and assistance He was frankly told that his chance for a cure was small, and we had rather not undertake his case; as, if he died, it might be said that his death was occa- sioned by the Thomsonian practice. lie was, however, earnest and determined; and finally was received as a pa- tient, and his case prescribed for and treated as follows:— 1. There was given him a dose of the Composition Powder. 2. In the course of a few hours after thefirst dose, a second dose of the Composition Powder, together 122 DISEASES. with some Cough Drops. These were intended to warm the stomach, and produce a natural action in the system, as well as to loosen the cough, which was rather tight— These produced a favorable effect, and the next day he went through a light course of medicine as follows :—3. An injection to evacuate the bowels, which had the desir- ed effect in less than five minutes, without weakening the patient, as is the case with cathartics in general. 4. He was placed in the vapor bath, with the temperature at 80 deg. by the thermometer, which was gradually raised to 100 deg. But being weak, he could not remain in the bath a sufficient length of time to prepare the system to take a cold shower bath. In cases of extreme weakness, the patient is usually put into bed without a shower, or a warm one applied. In this case, for certain reasons, we preferred the latter course. 5. After having taken the warm shower bath, the patient was placed in bed, and an emetic was administered, consisting of lobelia combined with other articles, according to the Thomsonian prin- ciples. This operated so as to produce a fa\orable ef- fect. 6. The patient was rubbed all over with spirit and water, before the perspiration had been checked ; which toned up the pores of the skin and prevented him from ta- king cold. After all this had been done, the patient was dressed, and partook of some refreshment with a good appetite.— The operation through which he had passed, occupied about five hours; and in the course of the week he pas- sed through two others of a similar description. Between these courseshe mada use of the Composition Powders, AND TREATMENT. 123 Vegetable Bitters, and Cough Medicines; and all of which apparently produced a very favorable effect At the close of the week, he thought himself much better, and expres- sed confidence in the prospect of being restored to health. We had however perceived that there was but little ground on which to rest the hope of a successful issue, believed his case to be incurable, and not wishing to administer more courses of medicine, advised him to return home.— He did so, and continued to take medicine to keep him comfortable. But, in about three weeks afterwards, he was taken worse and died. AH "this was the effect, originally, of a simple cold; though many, as was at first expected, attributed the death of the patient to the Thomsonian practice. We will now refer to another case. It is that of Mrs. Force; the wife ofMr. Wm. C. Force, President Street, Providence, R. I. This lady had had a severe cold for several days, which was finally attended with extreme pain in both sides. A neighboring physician was called in, who ranks first in the profession in Rhode-Island. He administered an emetic, to be followed with laudanum.— These did not remove the cause, and the effect of cou;se continued to operate. In about two hours after his first visit, the physician was again called. He then opened a vein, and let blood, us the only method by which she could expect relief.— yet relief came not. The author of this work was then sent for, who despatched Doct. Farwell, now of Fall Riv- er, then a student with the author, to visit the patient.— He commenced giving a cour:e of Thomsonian medicine, 124 DISEASES as described in the former case; only he had to Wrap kot stones in wet cloths, and place them in bed, in lieu of the steam bath. The process cured the cold, the cause of tho difficulty, and the effect ceased. In other words, the cause was removed, and the disease was cured. In a short time the patient was relieved from pain, and restor- ed to her usual health. Such is the difference between doctoring the cause with vegetable remedies, and doctor- ing the effect according to the fashionable mode of prac- tice. Another case of sickness, from cold. Our readers will still bear in mind, that we speak of cold as the absence of heat. Mr. R—, a merchant of Boston, took a slight cold, on a journey to New York. A few days of care and absti- nence would probably have removed the difficulty, but it being in the season of fruit and green vegetables, he in- dulged his appetite too freely in these things, and was ta- ken sick. Being a firm believer in the efficacy of the bo- tanic practice, he would not consent lo place himself un- der the care of a dealer in mineral poisons. He therefore procured the best articles he could obtain for the purpose, and a friend, at his request, administered injections. By these he was so far relieved that he ventured to start for home. On his arrival, he had considerable fever, a se- vere pain in the bowels, and was very much exhausted. He came to tho Infirmary, and called for a course of med- icine; stating that he was very sick, and was fearful that he should not recover. He came in the afternoon, and immediately commenc- AND TREATMENT. 125 cd with a course of medicine, which produced a very sal- utary effect; and the"next day he was about the street.— The objector will say, the difficulty was mere indigestion. It is admitted—but there must have been a cause for thix difficulty. What was the cause? Answer—unqueon- ably cold, which had impaired the action of the stomach, and prevented digestion. Had not that cause been re- moved, it would probably have produced more serious evils; and the common mode of practice would or might have led to a protracted illness, and possibly ended in death. The vegetable remedies of the Thomsonian sys- tem, effected a speedy cure. This list of cases originating in slight colds, might be continued, till an enumeration of diseases had been made of every type, shade, and hue, to be found in the medical vocabulary. Who has not heard it said by the person wasting away with a lingering consumption, "the cold I took at such a time is the cause of my complaint ? Had I listened," says the dying victim, " lo the advice given me at the time, and taken measures to cure that cold, I should not now have been afflicted with an incurable and fatal disease." So it is with fevers, and by far the great- er proportion of complaints. Notwithstanding cold is the only assignable and the well known cause of these diseases, still the physicians suppose that, on the variation of symptoms, medicines must be varied accordingly. To illustrate the doctrine, we will suppose the following case. Six men have been exerting themselves in an extraor- dinary manner; If you please, in attempting to subdue a 126 DISEASES destructive fire. All of them have taken cold. In con- sequence, one of them, predisposed to rheumatism, will be attacked with that complaint For that one, the physi- cian would probably, and very rationally, prescribe sweat- ing, and perhaps a vapor bath. On tho second, perhaps the cold will fix some disorder of an inflammatory type— perhaps a fever. In this case, the physician prohibits all warming medicine; nor will sweating answer, in his esti- mation, because he thinks that by these the inflamation will be increased. Bleeding is resorted to, together with Jever powders, composed principally ofOpiumJCamphor, and Nitre; the powders to be administered hourly, and the patient to be starved. This will make a long job at best, as the doctor says the " fever must have its run'," and, unless nature should prove strong enough to counter- act the effect of the remedies applied, and to expel the dis- ease in defiance of them, the patient will die. The third is immediately attacked with a raging fever. Here, says the doctor, is no cold. The fever, in other words, the hi at—is the disease, the great cause of danger, and must be destroyed. To do this, he lets blood, cools down the system, and removes the heat Cold naturally takes full possession; and, as might have been anticipated; the re- sult is death ! The fourth subject of a weakly constitution, is taken with pleurisy. In this case, it is supposed that cold is out of the question; and the treatment will be precisely as deseribed in the first case mentioned in this part of our work. The fifth, after the first symptoms have disappear- ed, will find himself in a weak and debilitated state—no AND TREATMENT. 127 pain, no fever, and no strength. Not much, it is suppos- ed by the doctor, can be done in this case. The patient, he thinks, is too weak to take much medicine. He can- not bear depletion, and stimuli it is thought will produce a fever. The patient is therefore obliged to wait till his physician has ascertained precisely what is the nature of the disease, before any thing of consequence can be done for him. Perhaps by the time he has come to any defi- nite conclusion, a confirmed case of consumption presents itself, and death spares the doctor the trouble of a cure, though probably not in season to prevent a long bill. The sixth person has a robust constitution—he pays little or no attention to his cold—and nature alone overcomes it without medicine. These six cases, all, were the production of one cause. Over exertion, and exposure. The five cases of illness which followed, were evidently the varied results of one common cause. That cause was cold ; and the means by which it operated to produce the subsequent symptoms and complaints, was, obstructions it had created in the system. These obstructions occurred, some in one part of the system, and some in another; and, hence, the va- riation in the symptoms and complaints, in accordance with local crrtumstances. But one thing is perfectly ev- ident :—one only agent, cold, was the first cause of all —obstructions were_ the secondary cause—And we think it equally evident, that any one mode of treatment which should overcome the one first cause, cold, by remov- ing the one secondary cause, obstruction, would con- quer the disease, of whatever character, the existence of J28 DISEASES which depends entirely on those causes. The treatment therefore, in each case, should havo been the same in principle, varying only in the modus operandi, as the strength or weakness of the patient or patients should have dictated. And now, on this ground, let us take a look at the Thomsonian principles and practice;—and we shall find, according to what has been before said, that they aim at that single result, to remove the obstructions occasioned by cold, or by any other cause, if there be any other, and to strengthen the system by the process, in- stead of weakening it. Rarely indeed docs this simple method fail to effect the object, or to restore health; and, generally, it is accomplished in a few hours, on a seasona- ble application. FEVERS. After what has been said on the subject of cold, it would seem almost useless to spend much time on that of fever. But, as this complaint, or rather, as the disease which gives birth to it, is yearly dispatching its thousands to an untimely grave, and as the fatal effects are improp- erly ascribed to fever itself, some remarks may be deem- ed necessary. For our own part, it is believed that three quarters of those whom the doctors say die of fever, fall victims to a false mode of treatment; nineteen twentieths of which consists in blood letting and blistering, and the exhibition of mercury, all of which are as unnatural and inimical to life and health, as the poisoned dagger of the assassin. There probably is no condition to which a person can be reduced, which will so readily and thor- oughly convince him of the superiority of the Botanic AND TREATMENT. 129 Practice over the depletive system of the licenced practi- tioner, as to experience, or witness in others, the treat- ment of a case of violent fever. In this, there is no deception, and no mistake. The botanic treatment is almost in every particular, directly^the reverse of that adopted by members of the regular licen- ced faculty; and if one can shew that fire and ice will produce the same effect, by the same rule, then and not till then, can he shew that the two modes of treatment can be reconciled with each other. The regular physician bleeds, cools, and reduces tho system as low as it will bear ; and should the patient liye, it will be long ere he recovers bis health, if he ever do.— On the contrary, the Thomsonian heats up his patient, and clears the system, by the use of warming and cleans- ing medicines administered internally, and the external application of the vapor bath, until a free and copious perspiration has been produced. These dislodge the mor- bid matter—the patient first experiences a sensation of cold—then the natural heat is diffused—the obstructions are removed—ihe cold is expelled—the fever vanishes— and the patient finds himself completely renovated, and in full possession of health—and all, in a few hours. During the process, no poison is swallowed—therefore none is left in the system. Hence, no such things as fe- ver-sores, hip diseases, rained constitutions, s^c. remain as the results of the treatment—results which too often remain as an offset for most of the benefits conferred by the bleeding, blistering, and mineral practice—for nothing has been done or given, which could inflict the slightest injury on a person in sound health. 9 IW DISEASES Perhaps, in some cases, passing once through this sim" pie process may not entirely remove the cause of dis- ease, and a relapse may be the consequence. Let the patient try it again then, and partake plentifully of milk porridge, or gruel, as soon as the system shall have been properly cleansed, and the trouble will be at an end. We have said above, that nothing is done or given, which would injure a person in sound health. But in the regu- lar practice, what is administered to the sick man, would be likely enough to kill the well one. In fact, doctors fre- quently say, if we had given to half a dozen well persons, what we have given to this sick one, it would have killed them all ! The difference is, the poison is more readily diffused through the system of the heallhy person, than the sick one ; but it is not possible, in our estimation, that poison sufficient to kill six persons in health, should not injure one person in a fever. Sometime during the practice af the author in Boston, a young man was brought to his Infirmary from on board one of the packets which plied between that cily and Richmond, Va. He was attacked on Sunday, with the Southern Billious Fever; or as the Captain called it, Yel- low Fever, as near as the climate would admit of. Tho commander of the packet being a Thomsonian, always kept the medicine with him; and he gave the patient some, which appeared, for the time, to relieve him. But on the following morning he was attacked with increased violence, and was conveyed, in a carriage, to the Infir- mary. This occurred on Monday morning. A course of medicine was immediately commenced, such an one as. AND TREATMENT. 131 will be described hereafter. Subsequently to the opera- tion, which lasted about four hours, he arose from bed, to appearance entirely well, ate heartily, rested well during the succeeding night, and was out on Tuesday morning. In the forenoon of that day, the fever again made its ap- pearance, and he immediately submitted to the same mode of treatment as on Monday,'and with precisely a similar re- sult Wednesday it was the same. On the following night, as beforei he look diaphoretic medicines, and on Thurs- day went through another full course, which produced a powerful and effectual operation. He then departed, in good health, and, the next day, took his place on beard the packet as one of the crew; and on Monday following, was as well able to do his duty on board, as though noth- ing had happened to him. This was the only case the writer has ever had under his care, in which the patient appeared to have been ef- fectually relieved, and then suffered a relapse so many times in succession. But he has had several cases which required as much, and even more medicine, before but little perceptible relief could be obtained. We had another case, while practising in Boston, simi- lar to the above, and which nearly proved fatal. The writer had an intimate acquaintance, a young man who sailed in the capacity of mate on hoard a ve^el in the West India trade. He always carried with him a supply of Thomsonian medicines. But it happened, while in a West India port, that a numher of the crew of his vessel were sick, and he*gave them all the medicine he lmd procured for his own use, preferring rather to do that, i32 DISEASES than to give them the poisonous drugs, with which the medicine chest was furnished according to law. On his passage home, he was attacked with the fever common to the West India climate; but having no medicine but such as he refused to give to others, he made use of none. On his arrival at Boston, the complaint had so far advanced, that a discharge of corrupted matter had commenced.from both ears. This indicated that stage of the disease, when the faculty generally consider medicine unavailable, and the case hopeless. He was taken to the Infirmary at about 3 o'clock P. M. where a course of treatment was imme- diately entered upon. The first course of medicine produced no other effect than mere temporary relief. After the first course, he continued taking medicine, with frequent injections; which latter remedy is of much importance in all such cases, to prevent mortification. This course was followed up till the next morning. He was then carried through another course of medicine; but it could not be made to act upon the system. The case now assumed a hopeless aspect,as medicine would not act. Having a strong tincture of lobelia at hand, prepared in vinegar instead of spirit by way of experiment, a tea- cup full of that was given, with a teaspoon full of the strongest African Cayenne pepper. On being raised up in bed, lie swallowed it. The effects went through his -vsteiii like electricity. They were instantaneous; and ihe change was astonishing. "He is safe!" I exclaimed —to his anxious friends, who, in» mute despair surround- • I iht bed ofthe sufferer. From that period commenced AND TREATMENT. 138 his convalesencc; and in a short time he was again at his duty, and on his way over the bosom of the Atlantic;— the discharges from his ears had not entirely ceased though till after his arrival again in the West Indie*. The satisfaction and pleasure of having been instrumen- tal in the salvation of this worthy and highly esteemed individual from an untimely death, is a rich compensation for'all the opposition, sneers, and ridicule, the writer has ever encountered on account of being engaged in an un- fashionable practice, though we might fill a volume larger than this, with a list of cures effected in a length of time, varying from three or four hours, to as many days. We will however record but one case more, of a person whose name we were at liberty to publish, whenever its publi- cation might appear likely to farther the cause of human- ity. This gentleman is Kilburn Bates. Esq. and who in 1835, was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature.— Mr. Bates was a man of strong constitution, and accustom- ed to an active life, and passed most of his time in tho open air. Confinement in the close heated rooms in the city, and frequent exposure to a cold atmosphere without proper precautions, caused a cold which he did not take measures to cure; and after considerable time, he was seized with a violent fever. He was aware that he was just that sort of person which a fever generally destroys, under the usual mode of treatment; and as to the steam practice, he had his misgivings about that. For many years, Mr. Bates had entertained doubts of Lho infallibility of the medical faculty, and, as a natural 134 DISEASES. consequence, would have something to say about the Bo- tanic system of practice. Mrs. Bates knew his views on the subject, and her last injunction when he left home, in the solicitude of conjugal tenderness and anxiety, was, " Don't go near a steam doctor." However, mau- gre the anxious caution of his "better half," he finally determined to try the experiment, and accordingly came to the Infirmary. On his arrival, he had apparently, as much fever as any person we had ever seen, It was with much difficulty he could walk across the room—and he said, " Don't kill me!" After some conversation, and some mutual inquiries, his case was taken in hand. The first object I wished to accomplish was to open the pores. For this purpose, the vapor bath is sometimes in- dispensably necessary; though, at other t'niiu% it will an- swer a very good purpose to wash the surface with a weak solution of pearlash and water, and put in bed with a hot stone at the feet. As soon as the bath was ready, he was put into it; and sonic warm medicine was given him as soon as the pores of the skin began to relax sufficiently to produce perspiration. As the temperature of the bath in- creased, more warming medicine was administered, till his teeth began to chatter; cold chills ran through ihe whole system, and his flesh, on the surface, became as cold as the clods of the valley. At this stage of the pro- cess, many persons who are unacquainted with the Thom- sonian theory and medicines, become terrified, and con- clude that cayenne and lobelia are indeed poisonous. Persons of ibis description can scarcely form a concep- tion of the posiibility that persons should become cold, AND TREATMENT. 135 While in a steam bath, and swallowing hot medicines, un- less there be poison in the case. They will reason pre- cisely as the disciples of Esculapius, in the logic of mod- ern medical science. The patient, say they, has a fever —fever is heat— he takes-nothing but hot medicines, and has been in a liot bath; and for all that, he has become cold! The patient certainly is dying!—Oh! the horrid effects of lobelia, cayenne, and steam! A little patience, and we may dispel your fears. The above is precisely the result tho Thomsonian earnestly wishes to witness. To him, it is ominous of good, and the harbinger of a successful and salutary issue. Cold was the cause, which, by its peculiar action, i;i obedience to scientific laws, had contracted the skin, an.l closed the pores. The heat generated in the body, was obstructed in its passage, and stopped on the surface.— Nature aroused herself, and gave an increased velocity to the circulation, in order to remove the obstruction, or to overcome it. The increased action in the circulating fluid increased the friction, and raised the heat, ar.d helped to make the fever more visible. And, in that case, what was to be done? Cure the cold, of course—And how was this to be effected? Why, supply the loss of heat, remove the obstructions, and the man is well. And now let us take another look at our patient; whom a few mo- ments ago, we left shivering with cold in a steam bath. Mr. Bates still continued to feel the cold chills, thougn by this time, both the cold and the fever had left the sur- face. A* soon as he had become thoroughly warm, he was placed in bed. Ho then took lobelia, with nervine, i3& DISEASES canker and warming medicines combined, which effectu- ally removed the obstructions, and in about four hours he was relieved. The cold was cured, the effects ceased, and the patient was well. To render the cure certain, he afterwards went through two courses of medicine. He then purchased one of Doct Thomson's books, for twen- ty dollars, and a stock of medicine, and returned to his home. In the autumn of the same year, I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Bates again. On being asked if his book had proved of any service to him,, he replied—"Yes—It has been worth, to me, five times the cost of it, already."— And then he went on to enumerate the cures he had ef- fected, with the book in one hand, and the medicine in the other. It is presumed that what has already been said on tho general subject of Fever, will be considered sufficient in this place. It should convince any one of the rationality of the Botanic Practice; but should it fail to do so, the doubter is advised to call at some Botanic Jnfirroary.'and examine the subject where bo can have occular demon- stration, Canker Rash, Scarlet Fever, Throat Ail, Putrid Sore Throat, &c. &o. The above names are applicable to complaints, all of which are about one and the same thing, with some slight variation in the symptoms; and which is one of the most general and fatal complaints which has visited the coun- try for many years. AND TREATMENT. 137 A great many of the ablest physicians, and the most ex- perienced, have acknowledged that they knew not what to do for this complaint. They have even said they did not know but it was about as well to attempt to do noth- ing, and let it have its course. Even the «' Boston Medi- cal and Surgical Journal," the mouth-piece of the craft, in New England, says something must be done to enable the faculty to control it with more certainty; and recorm- mends the reports of unfavorable cases, with the mode of treatment. One would think, however, that if the object be to control the disease, it would be better to report cures than deaths. We have had much to do with this complaint, and have found that the Botanic practice would cure, without fail, when properly managed. We have never lost a patient with the complaint- One reason, it is believed, why the faculty are so unsuccessful in its treatment, is, because they almost invariably give physic. In most cases we have known, in which persons have died of this disease, or of the effects of it, death has been occasioned by mor- tification of the bowels. It is the natural effect of the dis- order to produce putridity in the system, and which is plainly perceptible when the patient h;:s been thrown in- to a state of perspiration, even on the first attack. Giv- ing physic, carries this putridity to the bowels, and pro- duces the mortification which ends in death. In all complaints of a putrid character, it is of the ut- most importance to keep the patient in a natural perspira- tion; for unless this be done, it will be found impossible to keep up the natural action of the system from the cen- 138 DISEASES tie to the surface. If this be not done, arid the putrid matter be suffered to collect, and to remain in the system, the patient will as certainly die, as he would from the ac- tion of the most virulent poison. We knew one person who died of mortification, who but one hour previously, was thought to be on the recov- ery. It was supposed that the disease had had its run,and left the system; when", in fact, from the want of more dif- fusive stimulants to throw it to the surface.' it had located itself in the bowels; and the patient was warned of his hopeless condition, only by the stroke of death ! Thus was a valuable citizen, a beloved and affectionate husband, and a kind parent, sacrificed to medical igno- rance of his complaint and the proper mode of treatment! We have never known this complaint prove fatal,when the patient was kept in a state of perspiration, the action kept up from the centre to the surface, and the systom kept clear by the use of emetics and injections.* ft has been our general practice to keep the patient slightly nauseated by means of Lobelia, till he was consid- ered to be out of danger ; and in cases in which the bow- els were affected, to cause him occasionally to \oinit.— Injections composed of Composition Hot Drops and Lo- belia, have been given hourly, until the disease gave way; which, in some cases if not taken in hand in proper time, has required from two to three days. One thing should al- ways be borne in mind:—That it will not answer to wait to see if the patient will get along without medicine, »s even the delay of but one hour may sometimes prove fatal. Be prompt—use medicine you are certain will do no harm. AND TREATMENT. 189 Be certain also to give it often enough, and in sufficient quantities; and by no means omit the injections. Anoth- er thing is also of much importance. Be cautious not to expose the patient to the liability to take cold, till at least a week after the disease shall have disappeared. A young man was violently attacked with this complaint, and the attempt to throw it off, was crowned with suc- cess;—He appeared to be well in the course of a week.— He was out for three or four days afterwards; but during that time he was unfortunately drenched in a shower of rain, and the complaint returned upon him with renewed and increased violence. 1fe was brought to the Intifinary, and in three or four days became again quite comfortable, though his throut continued to be somewhat sore and swol- len. He had worn large whiskers; and they proving somewhat inconvenient at times when he bathed his throat, he shaved them off The result of this operation was a second cold, and relapse; and for nine days, it was thought that he must ha\e a suppuration on his neck; but it was finally prevented by local steaming, poultices, and the use of means to keep the system free from obstructions. One case more—it was that of a young lady who was attacked with the complaint, who was somewhat acquaint- ed with the Botanic Practice. Her friends with whom she was on a visit, knew nothing of the practice however, and were somewhat loth to call a physician of that order. I hiving some of the Composition Powders, she took thein, and the operation was favorable. Still they were insuffi- ci.-'.it to meet the exigencies, of the case—the ladvt grew worse, the familv became alarmed, and the writer was 140 DISEASES sent for; but being from home, did not see tho patient till some time had elapsed; that is, from the morning till the afternoon. By this time the patient spoke with great difficulty, the boweJswere much distended and constipated. The case appeared to be a desperate one, and almost beyond the reach of medicine and of hope. At her request, howev- er, operations were commenced,on the Thomsonian sys- tem. The greatest danger was thought to exist in the slate of tho bowels; and there was great cause to fear that morti- fication had already commenced in that region. Conse- quently, injections were immediately resorted to, and which operated well. They were continued, with short intervals, for several days. The next thing desirable was, to produce perspiration; and there being no vapor bath at hand, stones of about the size of a two quart measure were heated, and then immersed in hot water till they had ceas- ed to hiss, and wrapped, first, in a wet cloth, and that cov- ered with a dry one. They were first placed at the feet of the patient, and then one or two in other parts of the bed. This having been done, emetics were given, and the pores of the skin soon began to relax. A perspiration followed. As soon as she began to perspire, a putrid stench was produced, so perceptible that any one could readily see there was, or had been, danger of mortification. The perspiration was kept up for several days, while we continued to give emetics and other warming medicines. She gradually mended during the process, and which, in one week, removed the complaint. AND TREATMENT. 141 Many other cases of this disease might be narrated, but it is deemed unnecessary, as the above are amply suffi- cient to test the salutary nature of our treatment, and to give evidence of its superior efficacy. We have never had a case of this complaint, in which the patient was not more than six years of age, that required more than three days to effect a cure. Older persons generally require a longer time, and cures are effected, usually, in about n week. CROUP. This is a complaint which is generally considered very fatal; and well it may be, when we take into view the al- most entire fuilure of the faculty in treating it In addit- ion to this, if we look at the different theories laid down by medical Writers, we shall find them at variance, one recommending a favorite remedy, and another denounc- ing it in no measured terms. Looking over a few volumes of the " Boston Medical Journal," we find nearly a dozen different treatments laid down and strenuously ad- vocated, some of which we intend to copy in future. We never have found the least difficulty in this disease, where we were called first in the case; and several times have we saved patients after they have been given over and left by the faculty; while in others we have failed. We will mention two cases which we once had, both, if our memory serves us right, in one week. The first was a child about three years old: It had been attended for three days by three of the most celebrated physicians of Boston, and by them pronounced incurable. Then was a rhanoe for v.- to try; but we refused, knowing that if the 142 k ' DISEASES. child should die, it would be said that we killed it. How- ever, the entreaty of the parents prevailed over our de- termination, and we consented to make a trial. At this time the child was entirely dead and cold up to the knees, and every breath it drew seemed as if it must be its last. To all appearance the child's breath would be stopped in a few moments by either a contraction, or obstruction [we believe the former] of the passage to the lungs. The child had taken large quantities of medicine for three, days previous, [poisonous of course] which had not produced any operation whatever. Thus we found the child just breathing its last, with the system full of medi- cine', and n0 action. We told the parents that we thought we could relieve the child, provided we could cleanse the system of the poison that had been previously given, before that produced death, as it unquestionably must, unless it could be eradicated ; as the physicians stated when they left the child, that it must die, as they had given medicine enough to kill a dozen well children, and it would not operate. lu this situation we commenced with a weak decoc- tion of Cayenne and Lobelia, which are article;; power- fully anti-spasmodic, Diaphoretic, Stimulant and Emetic; intending to relax the spasms, produce a perspiration, and excite the action of the system, so that the emetic would throw from the stomach the poison there lying inactive. In less than five minutes after giving the first medicine, the child appeared perfectly relieved of the difficulty in breathing, and no symptoms of croup could be seen. AND TREATMENT. 143 The parents inclined to believe that the child would re- cover. But we informed them that the only chance was in the speedy operation of the emetic to throw off the med- icine in the stomach, which must otherwise certainly pro- duce death. In this situation the child was laid in the cradle, a hot brick, that happened to lie in the fire, was immediately wrapped in wet cloths and placed at its feet, which were rubbed in order again to start the circulation, if possible. The child seemed to fill into a quiet sleep; and after lying about twenty minutes, it began to breathe shorter which increased gradually until it breathed its last, which was in aboi t forty five minutes after I first saw it. There was not the least struggle or groan, as is general- ly the cas3 in the croup, but it seemed to sink from ex- haustion, occasioned, as we think by the great quantity of medicines previously given. The other case was precisely like the above,, so far as the disease was concerned, except the child appeared more exhausted, and we should not ha\e made any trial whatever, had it not been that every thing previously giv- en had been immediately thrown from the stomach. This child had been given over twelve hours before; buKas there was nothing to contend with except the disease, we commenced the same bs in the other case, with some hopes of success; and to the great astonishment of all present, we fed the child with our medicine for near an hour before it vomited, when it operated freely—the cure was effected; and the second day following, we carried the child out to ride, the same as though nothing had hap- pened. 144 DISEASES Now, we consider the croup as much cured in the first case as the last; but the great difference was, that in the last case, when the child was cured of the croup, it was well; while it will be recollected that the other had medi- cine enough in the system to kill a dozen well children, besides the effects of the disease. We believe that ninety nine cases out of every hundred of this complaint, are occasioned in the first instance by « a cold, which causes an obstruction or contraction, (we think both in many cases,) of the Trachea or wind pipe; which if suffered to continue any great length of lime, will in some cases prove fatal. But, if persons having children exposed to this complaint would but take the precaution to keep the Thomsonian Tincture Emetic in their houses, and make free use of it on the first appearance of the com- plaint, they would find it almost an infallible remedy.— Should the complaint return, after being once relieved, the same course should be again pursued, as it is perfectly safe and had better bo used three times where it is not absolutely necessary, than omitted once where it is. We will notice two other cases, of recent occurrence. The first was a child about a year old, which was thought to be in a decline. It was attacked with cioup ; and though the family made use of Thomsonian medicine from the commencement of the disease, they did not do it so effectually as the case required. They finally despaired of a cure, and the writer was called in. The case was a bad one, but was proceeded with as follows: The tincture of lobelia was first given, and that was followed by the Thomsonian third preparation of lobelia, AND TREATMENT. 145 and other articles ; whhh so far relieved the child, that it dropped to sleep. Directions were left with the family for farther proceedings. Next morning, the child seemed free from croup, but sickening under exhaustion ; and in about half an hour breathed its last, without a struggle or a groan. Here permit us to digress so far as lo say, we have never known or heard of a person who made use of the Thomsonian medicines in their last sickness, who did not pass easily out of the world. Not only as a preserver and restorer of health, where recovery is within the reach ef medicine, is the Botanic practice the friend of hu- manity. On the bed of death it interposes its salutary influence, smoothes the dying pillow, ameliorates the pangs of mortality, and enables the devoted victim to glide gently and peacefully to the tomb. Life ebbs away like the silent tide ; or, like the flickering gleam of an exhausted lamp, grows dim and more dim, till its last feeble ray is fled, and its last twinkling spark extinguished. Those throes, and struggles, and horrible convulsions, which, in the trying hour follow the administration of mineral poisons, and harrow up the souls of weeping mourners, are unknown in the Thomsonian practice.— And surely it cannot be considered as a very slight evi- dence of merit, that where human skill cannot restore health, this practice will at least assuage the sufferings, and banish the torments of the last hours of a mortal existence. But to return— Writh the consent of the friends, a post mortem exa- mination of the above named child was had. It occurred 10 ik; DISEASES about eight hours enbsequent to its decease As we ex- pected, the croup had been broken up, and the patient no doubt died from exhaustion. Not only so, but other dis- eases were developed in. the internal viscera, which would have proved fatal, had the patient even survived this at- tack. The other case we alluded to was that of a child about four months old. The attack was a severe one. The father having but little faith in physicians, declined to call one; and they gave the child tincture of lobelia, and other Botanic medicines; but were not well enough ac qtiainted with the practice to effect a cure. When they supposed the infant to be dying, we were called in. WTe found the case a desperate one The tincture of lobelia, together with goose oil, was given as often as the distress returned; and occasionally some pepper tea, or composi- tion powder. This course relieved the child, but it was found neces- sary to follow it up for three or four days, before the diar ease had entirely disappeared. A complete cure was however effected, and the infant remains in good health, to this time. Vomiting we consider the only certain remedy for this disease. If lobelia, which is the best article, be not at hand, take the next best which can be obtained, if it be nothing more than chamber ley and molasses. DVSIT.PSIA. Dyspepsia, or Indigestion, is a disease which is, per- haps, as prevalent at the present day, as any one to be found in the entire catalogue of human ills, except dis- AND TREATMENT. 147 contented minds and empty purses. Yet this is a new complaint, it being but a few years comparatively, since it was first known among us; and even now, in many of our back country towns, it is very rare to find a case.— But in cities and towns with a dense population, it is al- most as rare to find a person who is not more or less af- flicted with it. This estimate of the proportion of people afflicted with dyspepsia, may be considered by some as being a wild one, but it is believed, by the writer at least, to be su b- stantially correct Not only so, but it is cause of won- derment with him, that so many can be found, as there are, free from this complaint, provided all follow the fash- ons of the times. We arc not about to write a treatise in defenee of the " Graham System," but in treating on the subject of Dyspepsia, cannot suppress the rising thought, that, if all persons were to accustom themselves to plainness, simplicity, and frugality, in their diet, and to air and exercise, %w would be troubled with this fashion- able and tormenting disease. But people will not be ad- vised against their appetites and habits, and so we must content ourselves by pointing out the way in which they can remove the effects of indulgence. Our limits will not permit us to enter into all the minutoe of diseases, but merely to glance at the causes, and lay down an effectual remedy, for the time being. We can tell how to restore the dyspeptic to health—how to preserve it, will be de- ferred to another time, or perhaps, to his judgment. If, however, any person wishes to know how to produce Dyspepsia, and to contiaue it to his heart's content, the 14S DISEASES following rule will be generally found to answer his par- pose. HOW TO CREATE AND CONTINUE DYSPEPSIA. 1. Drink freely of strong tea or coffee, at least three times a day. 2. Eat freely of highly seasoned animal food three times a day, or twice a day will answer; with butter, or grease enough of some sort, for it to swim in. 3. In the intervals, make use of plenty of stimuli, or strong narcotic drinks. 4. Take plenty of wine. 5. Chew or smoke (it would be better to do both) that poi- sonous narcotic weed called tobacco. 6. Lounge in bed, or on a sofa sixteen hours out of twenty four, and read .and write and study twelve or fourteen hours in the day. 7. Be sure you do not walk a mile if you can possibly have a chance to ride, nor pump a pail of water, if you can find a servant to do it for you. If the reader will carefully practice on the foregoing rules and principles, and does not rear up a full grown Dyspepsia, to his entire satisfaction, we will never guess again. It is believed no one can successfully controvert the position, that the most prolific causes of this troublesome and dangerous complaint, axe improvements in medicine, improvements in cookery, and improvements in the quality and quantity of food; together with other things named above. Improvement in error—think of that From these causes, the digestive organs are affected, and their powers impaired. The process of digestion is hence interrupted and re- tarded. As a necessary consequence, obstructions are AND TREATMENT. 149 formed in the secerning vessels. The nutriment from the food is not taken up, and the system decays. The ex- tremcties become cold, like a room when the fire place has been clogged with incombustible materials. All this being true, and it is so, the true philosophical method to cure the complaint, is by removing obstructions from the stomach and connecting vessels, to increase the natural action of the parts, and keep them toned up so as to pre- vent a relapse. To accomplish this, it is necessary to make a general application, to every part of the machine, calculated to relax it, and cleanse the morbific matter from all parts of the system in which it may have located itself. The most efficient agents to perform this important of- fice, are the Thomsonian Emetics, with the vapor bath. The latter to relax the skin and to open its pores, and the former to increase the action in every part of the system, and to discharge the morbific matter through the pores; at least whatever portion of it may be collected near the surface. At the same time, the emetic cleanses the stomach, and the whole internal viscera of the system. Particular care should be taken to clear the bowels and increase the action, by stimulating injections. The above mode of treatment constitutes what we have heretofore alluded to as a course of medicine : and which will be more fully described in another part of tbis work. Some persons may be reluctant to take the trouble to go through this operation: but to such we say, try something else first, if you choose. It may possibly an- swer the purpose and accomplish the object. But should that fail, you can try this ; and then you will be qualified to judge of its efficacy from experience. 150 DISEASES. We have known many cures of Dyspepsia to be ef- fected by the use of the vegetable antidyspeplic Wine Bitters. Once, on an excursion to the country, the author was informed by a gentleman, of an acquaintance of the latter, who had been afflicted with this complaint for a long time. Before leaving the house, we presented the gentleman with an ounce paper of the Bitters, and re- quested him to-present it to his friend. The request was complied with, and to the utter astonishment of both of them, the bitters effected a cure of the complaint. The cure was certainly a remarkable one, and probably not one case in a hundred would have yielded in a similar manner, and the relief remained permanent. We have seen a great many cases in which the medi- cine would act as in the following one. A young'man'in Boston was very much afflicted with this complaint. We gave it as our opinion that he could not be cured without going through a course of medicine; and that it might re- quire a number. He was afraid of the course, and said he had much rather take medicine for a longer time than to submit to it. He finally commenced with the Bitters. In a few days he called and said he was almost well. But, in a short time afterwards, he called again, and said the Bitters had ceased to produce the effect, and did not act as at first. He then agreed to follow the advice at first given him, and to submit to a course of medicine.— This lie did ; and the result was a perfect cure. Other cases like this might have required three, six, or even a dozen courses to produce the desired effect The true principle to be observed is, perseverance; and in this, a-; >nd treatment. 151 « in all other cases of complaints not past cure, a like re- sult will not fail to follow. INFLAMMATIONS. This complaint is occasioned by obstructions in that part of the system in which it locates itself. The real original cause is relieved to be the loss of the natural heat and action of the system. It does not confine itself to any particular part, but is always to be found where obstruction exists, with an increased unnatural action — It makes no difference where it may be located, whether in the head, the feet, or any other part; find it where you may, still it is inflammation; and what will remove it from one part wiU also remove it from another. The first and grand object is, to remove the cause—that is, the cold ; and the obstruction and its effects must then cease to exist and operate. In some cases, in which there is considerable heat on the surface, the proper way to proceed is, to equalize tho circulation by cold applications to the inflamed parts, and healing the others. Should other means fail, a course of medicine will give relief, and effect a cure, by removing the complaint, if a cure be within the reach of medicine. Of this treatment, viz. a course of medicine, we have al- ready spoken, and deem it unnecessary to make any far- ther remarks in this place, and proeeed to speak of CONSUMPTION. This scourge of our northern and inconstant climate, in a complaint wliich almost every one pretends to under- 15Z DISEASES. stand—at least so much of it as to assert that there is- no- cure for what is termed a " seated consumption." Wo shall however take the liberty to differ from almost every body else in opinion on this important subject, and to shew our reasons. We may be so. ignorant as not to understand what is meant by a " seated consumption^ but consider it to imply an ulceration of the lungs. T his being true, as we suppose it to be, an ulcer once formed upon the lungs, a "seated consumption" follows; and which, it is gener- ally supposed, defies all attempts at cure. We are skeptical as to this doctrine, or ralhor, believe nothing of it. Consumption we believe can be cured, or at least ar- rested in its progress, even after the lungs have become so badly ulcerated as to be nearly one half consumed; and the life of the patient be preserved, until extinguished by old age, or some incurable malady. It is believed prac- ticable to convince any person of sound judgment of the correctness of this opinion. There is, it i3 true, a great difference in different per- sons, as respects this complaint. With some it may be "institutional—in other words, they may be born with it ■i the system, or be very much predisposed to it. In such cases, when the complaint developes itself, it is dif- ficult :o combat it with any degree of certainty. Such is the case with the author of this little work. Here permit him so far to digress again, as to request the reader to bear the above statement in mind ; that when the author may have fallen a \i.tim to this complaint, and be numbered " AND TREATMENT. 153 i ith the dead, his own fate may not be converted into a reproach on the system of ihe medical practice he advo- cates and follows. By some means, all must die—and we pretend not to conquer that which is invincible. With himself, as with many others, the writer is confident that consumption is an hereditary disease, which may deal the mortal blow at last. It is with the greatest care that he has been enabled, thus far, to preserve himself from it: and should he, ere long, prove less successful than here- tofore, and fall by its ravages, it is his earnest desire that the Botanic practice may not suffer by it. There is another description of persons who full victims to this disease, without the least natural or constitutional predisposition to it ; who, with the least degree of care would never have had the slightest occasion to fear it. Such was the fact with the person whose case we men- tioned under the head of colds; and who finally died of this complaint He was not a person of consumptive habits, and would never have had the disease, but under just such treatment as he received. In his case a cure might have been wrought, had the proper treatment been resorted to before his lungs were ail, instead of half consumed. Of this we feel confident. To establish this proposition we give a relation of cases which have served as the ground on which to base oiu opinion, more than all the writings wc have ever examin- ed, and they are not few. The first case is that of a young woman, wife of a Botanic practitioner. On our first acquaintance with this lady, she enjoyed almost uninterrupted health, excep*. 154 DISEASES when afflicted with a cold, which generally affected hei lungs. She gave the following relation. When thirteen years of age, she was taken sick, and was finally pro- nounced to be in a consumption, and past all chance of a recovery. In that stage of the disease she was fortunately attended by a botanic physician. After considerable lime he succeeded in making a cure; and her health remained good until March, 1833, about ten years afterwards. She then took a severe cold; but being so situated that she could not conveniently doctor for it, it was neglected, with the expectation that it would wear off, as had been the case many times before. In the month of June following the writer called at her house, and plainly saw that she was neglecting herself, and endangering her health; and so stated to her husband. He was satisfied of the fact, but stated that he conld not prevail on her to lie her busi- ness by, and take medicine, as she was confident she could get along without it. But she was soon convinced of the contrary. The conviction that something was necessary to be done came too late. Medicine produced no other effect than merely to give temporary relief; and she gradually continued to fail, until the latter part of November fol- lowing, when the disease conquered, and launched her into the tomb. One week previous to her decease, the writer veiled her by request ; and, in all his practice, never did he seo a person to all appearance so completely exhausted by disease. Still she appeared cheerful and comfortable, though perfectly satisfied that not the least possible chance retrained for her recovery. AND TREATMENT. 155 After the death of the patient, we made a post mor- tem examination, in order that all might be satisfied that disease, and not medicine, had destroyed her. The result of that examination satisfied the n.ost incredulous, of her situation; and furnished facts, to which the parti- cular attention of the reader is now solicited. About one third p^rt, or in other words, a large proportion of the right lobe of the lungs was entirely consumed and gone; and the deficiency appeared to have existed for some time; and we concluded from the time she was thirteen years of age. But be that as it might, it was evident from the fact of the great deficiency found to exist, that she must have had a "seated consumption" at some former period, which had been stopped in its progress; and, with proper care, she might probably have lived to old age. At this time the entire body of the lungs were one complete mass of corruption—showing conclusively, that medicine, instead of shortening*her days, had actu- ally kept her alive and comfortable, until that part of the machine was completely worn out Another case was that of a person who had been given up as incurable, but continued along for a considerable length of time. There appeared to be a collection in one of his sides, and his physician finally determined to make an incision between the ribs. The operation was per- formed; and the result was, the discharge of a great quan- tity of corrupted matter, which continued for some time; and the patient finally recovered, and retains his health to the present time. If both these rrere not cas?s of " seated consvmp- 156 DISEASES Hon," then it is frankly confessed we are ignorant of the meaning of the term. Yet we would not be understood to say, these cases were completely cured, in every sense of the word. We only say, the disease was arrested in its progress, and the first named person might have lived to be old, with prope rcare; and the latter may still do so. Hundreds of cases of this complaint might be recorded, which would doubtless be interesting to the reader, espec- ially to such as have it in contemplation to enter on tho practice of medicine; but it would swell the work far be- yond our intended limits. Besides, these pages are not so much intended to make every one a physician, as for the purpose of convincing the reader which ui the better way. The following mode of treatment for this complaint, in accordance with the Thomsonian system, is copied from the works of Horton Howard. Treatment.—A radical cure of consumption has so long been considered impossible, that we are fearful of hazarding the imputation of enthusiasts or of dealers in the marvelous, should we assert any thing to the contrary.— But we are constrained to declare our belief, that, many :ases of this most fatal malady may be cured, in almost my case but the last, by pursuing a judicious course with the use of proper means. Many cases approaching a consumption may be remov- ed by the use of the expectorant powders, with the bitter tonic or diaphoretic powders, or both. The bitter tonic,* must be taken three or four times through the day, in tea- vegetable Bitter. AND TREATMENT. 157 spoonful doses; and the expectorant! and diaphoretic powders,t in similar doses, at night. The tincture of lo- belia, in nauseating (sickening) doses, commonly from h alf to a whole tea-spoonful is sufficient, or the root of the skunk cabbage in half to whole tea-spoonful doses, in some instances of affections of the lungs, appear to have a better effect than the expectorant powders; and cases winch do not seem to be much benefited by one, may perhaps be by another, and, therefore, either may be used at discretion. But the best way of attacking this formidable disease is with repeated courses of medicine. These should be administered, if an attempt at cure is made in the latter stages, every day, perhaps, for a while, or every other day, until the most urgent symptoms are subdued, when they may be longer neglected according to the circum- stances of the case. But the strictest and most unremit- ting attention must be paid to relapses; and if they occur the patient should immediately submit to a full course of the medicine and steaming, as nothing else will effectual- ly check his downward march to the grave. The lungs are never completely at icst, but are always in use, day and night, asleep or awake'; and are conse- quently exposed continually to the irritation of their own action and to the influence of the atmosphere, both of which circumstances are known to retard the cure of ul- cers situated upon the external parts of the body; and we tCough Powders. ^Composition Powders. 158 DISEASES think it fair to. infer that like causes will produce like ef- fects in the lungs. In case of an ulcer upon the arm or leg, these organs can be kept in a state of rest, and poul- tices-or salves may br. applied, whereby the healing pro- cess will be vastly accelerated; but no. such helping means can be applied to the lungs. Medicines can only affect them by restoring a general healthy action lo the wholo system. Hence we might very naturally infer, what is an abso- lute fact, that consumption is a complaint more difficult to cure, as well as more liable to relapse, than almost any other. It therefore requires the strictest measures in its treatment, and the most guarded watchfulness against re- lapses. The moment a relapse is discovered, a thorough process of the medicine should be gone into, however averse to it the patient may feel; as the neglect of it might be his de. struction, whilst its prompt administration may be the means of prolonging life. And as this disease is more difficult of cure than most others, so relapses are attended with a corresponding danger; and even in curable cases the loo long neglect of them will be productive of fatal consequences. No physician ought to attempt the cure of a consumptive case without being so situated as to be able to give his daily personal attention to it. DYSENTERY, DIARRHCE, BOWEL COM- PLAINT, &c. We class these complaints all under one head, as we have universally found that the treatment which was AND TREATMENT. 159 adapted to one, was equally so -lo the others. In short, they are about one and the same thing; only the names mark the different stages of the complaint, or its greater or less severity. In nearly all classes of .this complaint, the natural action of the system is reversed—thai is, in- stead of the circulation being from the centre to the sur- face, it is from the surface to the centre. The fluids and nutriment necessary to sustain life, all take a downward direction, ar.d, as a natural consequence, the patient be- comes weak and emaciated; and so will remain till the proper natural action of the system shall have been estored. Many times nature will react and overcome the com- plaint, and remove it without any material aid; but even the n it is of considerable importance to be acquainted with the means to assist nature, and thus prevent that degree of weakness which is otherwise consequent on the disease, even in its milder forms. Whatever will check the un- natural action of the system, that is, whatever will pre- vent the circulation from the surface to ihe centre, will be found sufficient lo put a stop to the complaint. In what manner any person can explain the propriety of giving physic in cases of this complaint, which is the general practice of the regular physicians, we have yet to learn. That cathartics will, in a few instances among many, hasten the disease forward to a crisis, is readily granted; but, it is also believed that, in all such cases, if let alone, nature would work the cure w ithout the aid of medicine. In all these cases where physic is administer- ed, the action, or rather we would say, the reaction of the 160 DISEASES system, it is that produces a favorable result. But if a medicine, or a mode of treatment can be had, that will produce this result without first reducing the system with cathartics, something will be gained on that ground, we should think at least. But another, and far greater gair will be, the prevention of the injuries inflicted by such prescriptions. We are confident that thousands of lives have been sacrificed by that practice, when, without it, the disease would have resulted favorably. The effect of physic is to diminish the strength, and of course to impair the ability to withstand and overcome the disease. In such a case, the system will be unable to react, nature will be exhaust- ed in the struggle, her efforts to counteract and throw off the disease will be paralyzed, and the patient will fall a victim to its power. On the other hand, the patient should be plied with remedies that will excite natural action in the first place, without the weakening effects of calomel or any other cathartic; and such medicines will effect a real cure, and do the work speedily and completely. The proper way to do this is to give medicine that will check this drain upon the system at once, if that be the disease ; and not tell the patient that he is very sick, and then inform him that he must be reduced still lower before any thing can be done to restore his health. Not tell him that his com- plaint is very dangerous, but must be made worse before it will answer to cure it. For, by such a rule, should a man sink to his middle in mire, it would be requisite for him to sink down, head and ears, before it would answer to extricate him from his difficulty. ,y AND TREATMENT. 161 Though various remedies sometimes become necessary in this complaint, yet its treatment should, in all cases, be on one principle. What will have a good effect at one time, may produce no effect at another time. But we have seen but very few cases in which a course of Thom- sonian medicine would not give relief in a very short time; and it should always be persisted in, till the system has been entirely cleared of morbid collections. We had a friend who was afflicted with this complaint for a great length of time. He submitted to the Botanic treatment, and went through several courses of medicine, and tried almost every remedy for the disease that was considered good for it; but all to no purpose, farther than to render him comfortable, and prevent him from becom- ing worse. At length however, we made another effort to effect a cure as follows. We took the root of the run- ning blackberry, together with wild cherry, and sumach; all green. These were bruised and steeped. About a quart of the Iiqujd was then strained off, to which were added loaf .sugar and brandy sufficient to preserve it.— This preparation was given to the patient, and less than one half the above quantity entirely subdued the com- plaint. All the above named articles had been made use of beforo in this case, though in a different state. They were collected and dried the year previous, and produced no effect. All articles which possess the property of tanning, such as hemlock, red-raspberry leaves, marsh rosemary, bay- berry, hardhark, and many others, are useful in these complaints. Injections should by no means be neglected, U I<52 Diseases as they will strengthen the bowels below tlie reach of other medicines. '1 hese should be composed of the usual dose of composition powder, with a teaspoonful of liot drops, or vegetable elixir. This should be followed after evacuation by one composed of milk porridge or slippery elm gruel. These latter are of the utmost importance With young children laboring under the complaint. Wc have known many lives saved by them, when neither medicine nor nourishment could be taken in any other manner. The composition powders and the hot drops, either combined or separate, are good remedies, and gen- erally sufficient. The peach meat preparation is the best compound we have ever found for the complaint; but, in severe cases, should be preceded by a course of medicine. Much more might be said on this subject, but the abo?e will be found sufficient for the purpose, which is rather to shew that there are plenty of vegetable remedies to pre- vent sickness, than to make physicians-. WORM S. According fo the opinions of many, worms are very troublesome creatures ; but with the Thomsonian theory and practice, they are so insgnifieant as to be scarcely worthy „f notice. The theory we believe to be correct is, that the collection of phlegm and not the worms, is the cause of the difficulty or disease—that the worms are bred and nourished by the phlegm—and that ns soon as the latter is removed from the stomach by the emetic the difficulty will vanish. In these cases, the emetic should be given repeatedly till the symptoms subside* AND TREATMENT. 163 In cases in which the bowels are costive, tho butternut syrup should be given ; and injections occasionally ad- ministered of the usual description; which will be found serviceable. Should the patient be troubled with the tape worm, or the small white worm, [the latter locates itself in the lower parts of the bowels near the anus] the cure will be more tardy. The latter case will how- ever be cured in a short time, by giving courses of medi- cine to cleanse the system by removing the morbid matter, and occasionally using injections of salt and water. As to the tape worm, we have doubts of there being any certain jemedies, except such as are dangerous. Such cases are however rare, and probably would be more so, were cases of disease in general properly treated. Sev- eral cases of this description are said to have been cured by the Thomsonian practice, in persons we have know::. That is to say; they thought they had been troubled with the tape worm, and had been cured. Of the facts wo know nothing, and therefore say nothing. But it is be- lieved that the practice we advocate will, even in such cases, do all that can be done with safety; and we would caution everyone to avoid taking or giving poisons to kill the worm, because it can never be done without danger lo the patient, more to be dreaded than even the worm itself. As to the stomach worm, as at first stated, it is very easily managed; and when these little rascals are kept out of the way, we have known but very little trouble with any others. The remedies mentioned for these are sinj-. pie, safe, and efficacious ; and if persons suffer them to 164 DISEASES spread havoc in the system, it is the consequence of ig- norance, prejudice, or neglect. COUGH. A cough we"do "not consider as a disease, but as merely the fruit of one. For this reason Thomsonians have no- thing to do with doctoring the cough, but simply and philosophically look for the cause, and make its removal the object to be accomplished. It is a very common remark, and one frequently made by physicians, that the cough must be stopped ; as if that were all that is neces- sary to restore health. But, to stop a cough, without fiist having removed the cause, would be like stopping the pumps on ship-board, without having stopped the leak. The cough is as necessary to free the stomach or lungs from morbid matter constantly collecting there in such cases, as the operation of the pumps to keep the ship from sinking. It is an effort of nature to throw off the cause of disease. When a cough proceeds from a collection of mucus or 2>us in the stomach or lungs, the mass should be immedi- ately removed by resort to a course of medicine. Some- times it may proceed from irritation—then it may be re- moved by quieting and soothing medicine—such as syrup, the [nerve powder, and occasionally one, two, or three of the emetic pills, with the composition powders on going to bed. Should these prove insufficient, a course of medi- cine will clear the system, so that these remedies will take effect, and relief will -be obtained. AND TREATMENT1. 165 BURNS AND SCALDS. There are few accidents that occur, which strike peo- ple with greater dread than burns and scalds. Yet there is no wound which can be more speedily healed when properly treated. Our experience on this subject com- menced with our practice; and that practice in such cases has ever been crowned with success, Soon after our having become an inmate in the Infirmary of Doctor Thomson, a man came to him from a neigh- boring town—a man of large property, but unfortunately of intemperate habits. When he came, which was at night, he was far from sober, and by next morning he had as it is sometimes said, "grown no better very fast;'' and which was the natural consequence of his having a pint of ardents in his trunk, which he brought with him as a travelling companion. He however went through a course of medicine, as Doctor Thomson said we might steam tho rum out of him. The more he was steamed the more crazy he became; and at length he was taken in a sort of fit Ho was soon brought out of the fit by the use of cold water, and was put into bed. The waiter wrapped a hot stone in a wet cloth, and placed it at his feet. He soon became rational, and apparently as, capable of feeling as any other person. He took his medicine as directed, and which operated well. At the time he said nothing of his feet, and of course nothing was thought about them. But after about f >ur hours he remarked that they felt sore; and on exami- nation, it was found that he had held them in cor.'r.ct with the stone, which was hotter than usual, until ihyv 166 dise'ases. had been badly burned or scalded by the steam. The effect was such as to raise blisters so large, and to scald or burn so deeply, that next morning ihe skin was cut with scissors around two of the toes on one foot, and one on (ho other, and which when removed took the nail with it- The ball of one foot was covered with a blister, and ihe other foot was burned in several places. This would have been called rather a bad case by al- most any person; and so it really was. Yet the patient lost not a night's sleep in consequence of it; nor was he confined to his room ; and in twenty One days he put on his boots and went home, as though nothing had happened to him. Not only so—but during his stay at tho Infirmary he walked up two flights of stairs every night. In the end he was made a well and temperate man. Jle lost all relish for ardent spirits, which he attributed to the acci- dent ; and which he said he valued more highly than he did all his property. The treatment pursued in this case was, to wrap the feet in cloths wet with cold water, and administer warm- i.vg medicine, such as the composition and cayenne teas, sufficient to keep np a perspiration. By pursuing this course for about twelve hours, the pain and soreness en- tirely subsided. After that, the parts affected were kept ii:oi^t with poultices made of slippery elm, powdered crackers, and ginger, until perfectly healed. Another process we have seen attended with success is, to cover the parts affected with dry flour, and continue to apply more as often as there is sufficient moisture to cause it to adhere. AND TREATMENT. Ifc7 The principle things to be observed, are to exclf.de air from the parts affected, and to keep them cool, and the system warm, till pain and smarting shall have ceased.— Care must tlien be taken to prevent the canker by the use of canker medicines, and all will be well in a short time. There is no danger to be apprehended from cold applica- tions, so long as the system is kept in proper action by warming and stimulating agents. A S T II M A. This complaint will almost invariably yield to the com- mon courses of medicine; though perhaps in some cases it may require several, in quick succession—may be daily— till relief be given. When a course cannot be taken in full, the lobelia or the Thomsonian tincture emetic should be freely used, titber in large or small quantities, as the ** "--eater or less violence of the case may require. We have known several who kept the tincture emetic constantly ou hand, and took it on the first symptoms of a return of the complaint, and thereby prevented attacks. One thing we arc fully confident may be depended on—if the Thomso- nian mode of treating this complaint, on thorough trial, will not give relief, the case may well be considered hopeless. FITS. These originate in various causes. In young children they are generally occasioned by a foul stomach, the re- sult of indigestion, and by worms. In such cases, all that is neccssarv is to administer an injection of thccomposi- ihv powders, and to .give a dc*e of tincture emetic suffic- 168" DISEASES ient to cause vomiting. By this process a cure will be effected. ^ In other cases, fits appear to be constitutional. In such ease, the only effectual means of cure is oft repeated courses of medicine, and a free use of the Nervine in the intervals. In long standing cases however, a cure is al- ways uncertain, though we have known several such cured, when others apparently not so bad, admitted at best of but a mere temporary relief. The following pre- scription sometimes produces very salutary effects— Take 2 ounces of valerian, 2 ounces of skunk cabbage, 2 ounces of hops, and 2 ounces of ginger—infuse the whole in a quart of Malaga wine. For a dose, take a wine glass full, three times a day. INTERNAL BLEEDING. Under the treatment of the faculty, this is a very serious complaint; especially when the discharges proceed from the lungs. Internal bleeding is usually occasioned in the following manner. A person takes cold, which causes a collection o f morbid matter, and which creates an obstruction in the weakest part of live system. This obstruction produces an irritation or inflammation, which results in canker. In its progress, the canker preys upon the smaller blood ves- sels, and makes openings in them. These openings be- come internal outlets for the blood ; and the circulation being impeded at the extremities by cold, the blood of course presses towards these outlets, and through them a portion of it finds its way. Through these orifices it will AND TREATMENT. 169 continue to flow, until checked either by an effort of na_ ture, or by artificial means. In order to check the internal pressure of the blood to tho parts diseased, the physician applies the lancet to the arm. In other words, to use a homely comparison, he conducts just like the man who, having discovered a leak on one side of his pond, instead of stopping it to prevent the loss of water, opens a larger outlet on the opposite side to divert the current; and thus between them both drains his pond. Thus, the physician, in this complaint, usually doctors the effect instead of the cause. Internal bleeding is generally productive of weakness and prostration of the system ; and the physician proceeds to let blood from the arm, which reduces to a state of more extreme weakness. the sufferer already on the very margin of the grave ; and many times no doubt hastens him into it. The Thomsonian maxim in this case, as in all others is, " re- move the cause and the effects will cease." Close up the internal orifices, and the bleeding will cease of itself. To effect this, perspiration should be immediately in- duced by warming medicines, such as the composition powder.-:, and herb drinks. This will have the effect to extend the circulation to the extremities, and thereby the pressure of the blood to the weak and diseased parts will be relieved. Then by giving the emetic to throw off the morbid matter, you will cleanse the system. Then follow immediately with the medicine for canker, and you will heal np the internal orifices which disease has caused u\ lr3 -DISEASES. the blood vessels. The reader need not be told that in- ternal bleeding must then cease. The simple reason is, aeure of the complaint will have been effected by the re- moval of the cause which had produced it; and that too without blood letting. We have seen and had many cases of this complaint, and have never known an instance in which the bleeding did not cease after the patient had been thrown into a slate ef perspiration, and taken the emetic; nor in which the canker medicine would not prevent its recurrence— provided that, subsequently, the patient kept clear of a cold. Several cases might here be given in illustration and proof of what has been advanced on this subject, but our limits will not permit us to be thus minute. In Lad cases, a course of medicine should first be given, and followed with canker medicine; and a free perspiration should be kept up till-the .patient is out of danger. And the same treatment should be repeated should occasion require.— This process is simple and efficacious, and equally safe .; and it can require no argument to satisfy the intelligent and unprejudiced reader, that it must be far more consis- tent with natural laws, and far more congenial to the hu- man constitution, than to drain the fountain of life by means of the lancet. CO LIC. According to the theory of popular medical science, there is a variety of complaints under this head. We tire well satisfied however that they are most, if not all, the result of cold or diminished action, which gives birth ifo a great many otlier diseases as well as the colic. AND TREATMENT* 171 . r A course of medicine is the most sovereign remedy for this complaint; to be repeated, if necessary, being careful not to omit the injections, of which several should be ad- ministered, should the attack be severe. Sometimes one composed of equal parts of chamber-Icy, hog's-lard, and molasses, will be found highly beneficial. Perseverance must be tho watchword in this complaint in particular, as it should be in all others. Whatever is done must be done promptly and effectually, or the consequences will be likely to prove fatal. CRAM P. Cramps are occasioned by cold* which contracts the cords. The true scientific method of cure, is the applica- tion of remedies to produce heat, and counteract the ef- fects of cold, or rather to o\ercome and remove it. This I will relax the coids and remove the cramp. For this pur- pose, resort should be had to the vapor bath; also bathing the feet with hot water, and rubbing them with hot drops. Should this process fail to remove the difficulty,- the p-.i- tient should submit to a course of medicine, until the sys- tem has been cleared of obstructions—This will complete a cure. ABCESS, BOILS, &c. These are the result of obstructed perspiration, which prevents nature from throwing off the morbific matter in accordance with her general law s. Of course, if the us- ual avenues for the evacuation of this matter be closed, it must cither be ejected in some other way, ot producedis- • ease. Ab cess, and Boils, constitute one of the means | 172 DISEASES r which nature has adopted to effect the object of evacua- tion and prevent sickness. As a general rule, we think it best not to do much for the parts affected, but to tako measures to cleanse the system by assisting nature to open the natural avenues, and throw off the morbific matter. To do this, we recommend a course of medicine; and if the tumor be not too far advanced before this is applied, you will be certain to affect your purpose by means of perspiration, and prevent suppuration. While we. were with Doctor Thomson, his nurse had a felon on one of her fingers. She had frequently been af- flicted with these troublesome things, sometimes for weeks. At the time we speak of, when the felon had become ex- tremely painful, she determined to make trial of a course of medicine. She did so—and it entirely relieved her from pain, for the time. The pain soon returned, and she made trial of a second course with a similar result But a third course of medicine relieved her effectually; and, from that time the felon pained her no more. Before she commenced with the medicine, the felon had so far ad- vanced, that, after the pain had subsided, the skin and nail of the finger came off; yet notwithstanding this, a suppuration did not take place: The only external appli- cation to the finger, was a poultice composed of slippery elm, pounded cracker, and ginger, in equal parts. Poultices, in these cases, should always be applied cold, and warming medicines given internally at the same time. When the pain is not severe, and there is considerable infbimation, a dose of Composition Powder, and the poul- tice described above, will be found sufficient. In slight cases, it is unnecessary to do any thing. AND TREATMENT. ' 173 BLOODY URINE. This complaint is uoually caused by sprains, which oc- casion weakness in the urinary organs, and* the location of canker in those parts. It can, in most cases, be cured by diruetic and canker teas, combined. But, if the pa- tient has taken a cold which has fixed itself on the parts affected, a course of medicine will be found necessary, to remove the cold and its effects, before the above-named remedies will become effective. AGUE AND FEVER. This curso of low, swampy, and marshy countries, is supposed to owe its origin to a vitiated and noxious atmos- phere; rendered so by unhealthy exhalations from decay- ed vegetable matter, and the dense fogs, and sudden changes in temperature, which generally prevail in such situations. Ague and Fever, however, sometimes contin- ue, even after the patient has withdrawn himself from these influences; and are sometimes, though rarely, known to be generated even in places of a different aspect from those spoken of above. Courses of medicine are the only certain remedy wc know of, for this complaint. Wc ha-ve seen a case of yix months standing, cured with one course, in about four hours. Yet other cases of shelter standing, have required several courses. But we have never known the treatment fail to cure, when persevered in with energy. BRUISES. Tn s^vero c-^cs of this character, the doctors say they 174 DISEASES must use the lancet, to prevent the blood from settling;— but the Thomsonian has a better remedy at hand than bleeding, to, keep the crimson current of life in circula- tion. He gives, immediately, some species of hot stimu- lating drink; such as Hot Drops, Composition Powders, or Cayenne Pepper tea, in sufficient quantity to excite peispiratjon. The vapor bath is also an excellent appli- cation, when circumstances will admit of it. Apply fric- tion also, to the bruised parts, and no danger need be ap- prehended from the blood. COSTIVENES3. The usual origin of costiveness, is the inaction of the organs of the stomach and intestines. It should be treat- ed the same as dyspepsia. Much may be done to allevi- ate, perhaps to remove, this complaint, by dieting. The use of plain coarse food is best. No greasy food of any description should be taken into the stomach; and perhaps the nearer the patient approaches the 'Graham System' in his diet, the better, provided it do not reduce him too much. Cathartics should be avoided as far as possible, and, when necessary, injections substituted for them. CANCERS. These should be treated very much on the same princi- ple as Abcess; and if taken in time, will generally yield to the same mode of treatment. Many times, frequent cold showers applied to the parts affected, will answer the purpose. Sometimes, caustic potash will be found neces- sary; but it should never Le applied, if its use can possibly be dispensed with. AND TREATMENT. 1T5 DEAFNESS. Deafness proceeds from a variety of causes. Some- times it is produced by old age, sometimes by cold, and at other times by loud and jarring sounds. When the Complaint originates in old age, there is no cure for it that we know of; but when in a cold, it may generally be relieved. There was a lady in Boston who had been very deaf for several years, who commenced taking courses of Thomsonian medicine, and was effectually relieved by them, except the liability to a return of the complaint on taking cold. A course of medicine never f.iiled to relieve her from these attacks. The best mode of treatment is, full courses, after having applied some soft animal oil to the ear. If the case be curable, an improvement is soon perceptible. DROPSY. This disease locates itself in various parts of the body, and is always attended with considerable uncertainty as to its final result. It is our belief that it may be cured by means of daily oourses of medicine, or by courses given every other day, with diuretic medicine in the intervals, when it is not incurable. When located in the cavity of the body, there is little chance for relief, except by what is usually called tap- ping; and that relief is merely temporary. As diuretics, useful in this complaint, may be classed the following, viz.—parsley, burdock (seeds), wandering milkweed (root), bittersweet (bark of the root), man's- root, -qnawweed, queen of the meadow, celandine, juni- 176 DISEASES per (berries), and a great many other articles possessing similar medicinal properties. HYDROPHOBIA. Hydrophobia has, from its first origin, generally been considered incurable, until met by the all powerful virtues of American vegetables, as compounded by Doctor Thomson. To the compounds thus prepared, even this horrible disease has yielded; and there are strong reasons to believe that the third preparation of lobelia, as laid down by him, when combined with a judicious use of the vapor bath, will yet be found a sovereign remedy against it. In these cases there must be no mixture of one practice with another. Steady perseverance in the pure principles and practice of Thomsonianism must be the watchword. At the same time let it be borne in mind, that this course will never kill, if it does not cure; and that the complaint will inevitably prove fatal, unjess arrested in its progress. FAINTING. Various causes produce fainting ; such as grief, joy, fear, or sudden and violent emotions of the mind ; and frequently in females, by tight lacing, whieh checks the natural circulation of the fluids of the body. To sprinkle the face frequently with cold water, and apply camphor or sal volatile to the nose, will generally prove sufficient ; but care should be taken to loosen the clothes, in all cases. But, should these means fail, a tea- spoonful of hot drops should be put into the mouth, and the head laid back so as to have the drops come in con- AND TREATMENT. 177 tact with the glands. If this should fail to effect a reco- very, give the tincture emetic, and administer a stimulat- ing injection. These we have always found to pioduce an instantaneous action. FRESH WOUNDS. They should be immediately washed with cold water. Should the effusion of blood be troublesome or dangerous, elevate the wounded part above the other parts of the body, and keep it wet with cold water. The bleeding will soon cease. It should then be wrapped up. and kept wet with the hot drops; and unless it should prove pain- ful, it should not be opened again till healed. Should the wound become troublesome in consequence of cold, or other causes, let it be treated according to the method laid down for ulcers, sores, &c. GRAVEL. For this disease we cannot w ith any great degree of certainty prescribe a mode of cure. And as we are not en"a»ed in writing a work to make physicians, and think- ing this a disease the treatment of which requires expe- rience, we shall have but little to say on it. We have never known the general Thomsonian mode of treatment fail to give relief in these cases, when combined with a free use of diuretics. These we would advise every one afflicted with the disease to make trial of, unless so situa- ted that they can have the aid of an experienced botanic practitioner. SORE EYES. These are occasioned by colds, which cause inflamma- tions. A course of medicine, and the vapor bath, or a 12 178 DISEASES sweat in bed, should be immediately resorted to. Me.irr- time keep the eyes wet with cold water by means of damp cloths; being careful to exchange the cloths as often as they become warm. Should there be a general weak- ness of the eyes, atlended"with some soreness, a wash may be used, made of the root of the white pond lily, and the leaves of the red raspberry, with the addition of a very small quantity of the hot drops. Generally this will effect a cure in a short time. LOCKED JAW. This alarming disease should be treated with the third preparation of lobelia. Pour it in at the side of the mouth, between the cheek and the teeth, till it reaches the glands. This remedy was never known to fail of giving immediate relief. The knowledge of this re- medy only, for this one malady which has destroyed thousands, is of more value than the cost of all the medi- cal works ever published. M E A S L E S. In this complaint, doses of the composition powders should be given frequently; and if the bowels are costive, the same medicine should be administered in the form of injections. Should these prove insufficient, give the tinc- ture emetic—and a full course of medicine when neces- sary; which we have never known to fail to give relief. Under the Thomsonian mode of treatment, we have never knoton a death occasione I by measles. More on this subject is unnecessary. See Small Pox. AND TREATMENT. 179 MORTIFICATION. " Remove the cause, and the effect must cease."— Our readers will have the goodness to keep this maxim in view, as the groat polar star of all medical investigation and practice. If mortification occur in consequence of a stagnation of the fluids, or, in other words, from the want of circulation—quicken the sluggish current by a free use of warm medicine, or pepper tea. Whether a mortification be merely apprehended, or has already com- menced, the above is the proper treatment The hot medicines are a great preventative, and should be used freely; either*by taking them into the stomach or as in- jections, or applying them externally; as the nature of the case may demand. PILES. This complaint is often difficult to cure, unless the cause be understood. It may proceed from humors in the system. In that case courses of medicine should be taken occasionally, and the vapor bath frequently; until the system shall have been thoroughly cleansed. When the complaint is occasioned by canker in the bowels, it may be cured by using injections composed as follows—Half a tea-spoonful of the pulverised bark of slippery elm, infused in a tea-cup full of coffee, or tea made of any article good for canker. RHEUMATISM. Rheumatism is the result of repeated colds, combined perhaps with hard labor or high living. We think few persons will beat a loss to know how to treat rhcumrtisni ISO DISEASES after what has before been said of cold, which is its cause. However, we will state one case which occurred a few years since, in order to show that perseverance is neces- sary in this, as well as in many other complaints. The person of whom we speak was about 60 years of age; and had been obliged to relinquish his attention to busi- ness for about a year. When he applied to us for assist- ance, he could barely walk across the room, and even that, with extreme difficulty. His hands and fingers had become so stiff, that he was deprived of their use. The nearest his thumb and fore finger, on one hand, could be brought together, was three and a^uarter inches from each other. And with those on the other hand there was but a trifling difference. He had given up all expec- tation of being again able to labor, and had sold his farm with the intention of breaking up housekeeping. Having heard something of the practice of the writer, he came immediately for advice and assistance. He was told it would probably require a long time to effect a cure, but that, if he would appropriate a year to the object, we would try; asking no other compensation than what services he might be able to render in that time. He closed with the offer, and the treatment of hrs case was commenced forthwith. The first operation was to administer several Courses of medicine in quick succession; using the pepper sauce aDd the hot drops to bathe nearly his whole person, as also the nerve ointment to soften and relax the cords. By fol- lowing this method, his limbs gradually became more flexible; and the pain subsided. In about two months AND TREATMENT. 1SI from the commencement of this course of treatment, he had so far recovered as to be able to perform considerable labor about the house. He continued to take courses of medicine occasionally, for about three months more; at the expiration of which time he had been completely relieved. This gentleman remained in the Infirmary nine months from the time he entered it; and then, by agreement, left it, returned to the country, purchased another farm, and remains to this time free from his former complaint.— This case occurred several years since. Had the above named person been engaged in business at the time, and anxious to give his personal attention to it, he would probably have lefj the Infirmary when par- tially relieved—say after the first two months—and might, like many others under similar circumstances, have re- mained a cripple lo this day. In inflammatory cases, the same mode of treatment should be pursued, with the fol- lowing variation:—Apply cold cloths to the parts inflam- ed, and raise the temperature of the other parts, until an equalization shall have been accomplished. If, in a year jou are unable to effect a cure by the process above des- cribed, you may as well consider the case incurable. II U M O R S. Under this head, we class all the numerous cutaneous eruptions known by various appellations, and in many in- stances so intimately combined, as to make it altogether impossible to classify them distinctly, with any degree of certainty. With the course we pursue, however, and 182 DISEASES which is believed to be strictly Thomsonian, it matters not to what distinct class a humor may belong, since all are treated on similar principles. All humors, we believe to be created by a watery fluid which circulates in the body—at least in a great measure; which fluid, when separated from the blood, and driven to the surface, produces those small blisters, which almost invariably follow complaints in which cutaneous eruptions make their appearance. When such is the case, tho best remedy within our knowledge is, to resort immediately to the vapor bath; which will1 extract this watery fluid, and prevent it from becoming troublesome; as it usually does. But the water will seldom be separated without the use of medicine. For the accomplishment of this object, courses of medicine should be taken; though there are many arti- cles distinct from these, good for the purpose, which wilt hereafter be described in their proper places. The plan usually pursued by the regular physicians, incases of this nature, is, to apply some poisonous prepar- ation, as they say, to kill the humor, and administer ca- thartics and purging medicines, to cleanse the-blood. We consider this a dangerous method, as the poison ap- plied to kill the humor, will many times be absorbed- taken up hy the circulation—and afterwards locate itself in some part of the system, or be distributed through it.— If located on the lungs, it produces consumption—if on the brain, delirium—if on the kidneys, stranguary—if on any other part, other diseases equally fatal. Wo have no doubt that thousands of lives have thus been destroyed by means of poison, without the true cause having even been suspected.. AND TREATMENT. 183 SMALL POX. A9 for as treatment is concerned, this disease might well be classed with measles; and both spoken of under the head of Humors; but us it is generally considered as being more dangerous, wc purpose to saya few words on the subject of small pox, which will be equally applicable to measles. Some may inquire if this also is caused by •cold and obstruction, seeing we make these the generat- ing causes of such a variety of complaints ; but we an- swer, no, not strictly speaking; though cold doubtless ren- ders small pox and measles dangerous; for we venture lo assert, that when the system is kept at its proper tempera- ture, and free from obstructions, the disease will always have a favorable termination. But a few years have elapsed, since it was a rare oc- currence that a person died of measles. Even now, in many of the ulterior country towns, cases of measles are managed almost entirely by old ladies, and they never lose patients of whom they have the sole care. Very different is the case now, in our cities and populous towns especi- ally, where a doctor is usually called in on the slightest appearance of disease. Not two years since, in the city of Boston, there were about thirty deaths per week, of patients laboring under litis complaint, for several weeks in succession. At the same time it is believed that the botanic physicians lost none. Neither they nor those who depended on Thomsonian medicine lost any, to our kuowledge, and we have conversed with most of the bo- tanic practitioners on the subject, as well as with severe] of tbe families which had the disease. 18-t DISEASES So far as we have become acquainted with the small pox, and we have„had considerable experience in it, it is among the diseases most easily managed. The only thing necessary, is to keep the determining power to the surface. Do this, and all will be well, and the person will be al- most certain to enjoy perfect health afterwards. The Thomsonian treatment is admirably calculated to accom- plish this end. With this, as with fivers, our plan of treatment is opposite to that of the faculty ; and ours being universally successful, no wonder they lose so many patients, as heat and cold cannot produce the same effect in the human system. To illustrate this subject, and to exhibit our plan of treatment, permit us to narrate a case: A young gentleman being somewhat unvveli, it was sup- posed he had taken cold. Being with a family who had adopted the Thomsonian principles, they advised him to take the composition powders; but he preferred to take the pepper tea, which possibly answered nearly as good a purpose. Soon there appeared a redness on the surface— the family were alarmed—and one of the oldest physi- cians in the city was called, to name the complaint. This was in the evening; and the physician could not then de- cide what name to give it. Next morning he called, and pronounced the disease to be scarlet fever. He was then informed that they had sent for a Thomsonian physician, and did not require his services. He replied—"Very well —but you must not give hot medicine—if you do it will prove fatal !" Notwithstanding this solemn caution we ventured to dissent from the opinion of the le3rned M D. and adopted the following plan of treatment, which AND TREATMENT. 185 soon conquered the disease; which proved a case of small pox, instead of Scarletina, and restored the pa- tient to health in a few days— 1. A warm stimulating injection, always to be preferred to physic to move the bowels. 2. An emetic of the tinc- ture of lobelia, with other warming medicines. These had the effect to throw the disease to the surface, where it exhibited its own true character too plainly to make it possible to mistake it for any other. 3. A frequent use of light medicine, such as composition powders, vegetable bitters, and saffron tea. This was all that was necessary. In such cases much care should be taken to keep the patient free from a chill about the time the disease is coming out, and until the pustules are filled ; though it is necessary to keep the room well ventilated, by dropping the top sash of a window a short distance, or having a door open. The face should be kept moist, by laying a cloth upon it, wet with warm water, if the eruption be considerable, to prevent it from being scarred. The diet should be light, and thg clothes should frequently be changed, and cleanliness by all means strictly attended to. CANKER. This is connected with sickness, eithor in a greater or less degree, come in whatever form it may. Consequent- ly, something applicable to it should be given in all cases. But when Canker appears as the principal disease, it is generally occasioned by internal humors; and should be treated as such. In some cases, it locates itself in the mouth or throat; and preys upon the flesh like a caustic. 186 DISEASES This may generally be removed by the use of the Com- position Powders. At the same time, chew the slippery elm, and gargle the mouth and throat with a strong decoc- tion of any of the articles prescribed for canker, and oc- casionally drink tea made of the same. When these prove insufficient, courses of medicine should be resorted to, un- til the system shall have been freed from obstructions;— continuing, at the same lime, the treatment already de- ecribed. CONCLUSION. We now conclude this part of our work, leaving many complaints unnoticed. Rather, we have left out many names, which the faculty have affixed to the same com- plaints. However, we believe we have described a suf- ficient variety, to enable anv candid and intelligent person to decide whether he would prefer to submit to the Thom- sonian treatment, in case of sickness, or to continue to be scientifically poisoned. As our principal object in offering this little book to the public, is to convince those who may give it a perusal, that the practice we contend fdf is what medical practice should be—far more consistent with nature, and congen- ial to the human constitution, than any other, we trust suf- ficient has been said on the subjects alluded to in the fore- going pages. We have not availed ourselves'of the labors of any for- mer writers except in two or three instances. We pre- ferred to tell our own simple tale, in our own simple way. deduced, as it has been, from the experience and observ- ation of a series of years devoted to the practice—A prac- AND TREATMENT. 187 tice strictly based on the system of Thomson, as far as we understand it. According to the theory we started with, it will be seen by carefully examining the modes of treatment we recom- mend for various diseases, that they vary but little, being nearly the same in all cases. Hence, ihe mere name matters but little, provided those who administer the med- icine have sufficient judgment to vary in the details, as particular circumstances may require, and confidence e- nough in it to take it themselves. The Course of Medicine should always be consid- ered necessary, where there is much disease; and is at all times perfectly safe; although, at some times, it may be productive of symptoms which may excite alarm with persons unacquainted with its operation. A particu- lar description of these symptoms will be given under the head, Lobelia. And now, kind reader, if yon have condescended to follow us thus far in our task, wo ask you to lay aside all prejudice and prepossession, to reflect on the simple facts we have stated for your perusal; and, having well weigh- ed the subject, that you should seriously make up judg- ment, as your good sense may dictate And while you may be forming your decision on the question, we will leave you, and hasten to the completion of our task. 188 botanic BOTANIC MATERIA MEDIC A: OR A CLASSIFICATION OF THE MEDICAIf PLANTS USED IN COMMON BY BOTANIC PRACTITIONERS. We do not enter on this part of our work with the in- tention of minutely describing all medicinal plants. Such an undertaking would require a volume much larger than the reader would probably have the disposition to peruse. It is our purpose, however, to name a sufficient number of such as we consider most serviceable for family use, and lo designate their medicinal virtues. Perhaps, in our cat- alogue, we shall do much more than this; for in faet, some half dozen of the most efficacious plants, will be found sufficient (or all medecinal purposes, ninety-nine times in an hundred. We shall commence our catalogue with LOBELIA:—on Thomson's No. 1. This plant is truly the medicinal Sampson of the veg- etable kingdom. It has more intrinsic value than any other half dozen that have ever been discovered. As an emetic, it is far, perhaps infinitely, more valuable than any other article contained in all the Pharmacopoeias of the medical world, mineral or vegetable. It possesses far greater powers of action, and operates with greater certain- ty, and has a more salutary effect on the diseased system than any poisonous mineral, and of course dangerous, pre- MATERIA MfiDICA. 189 paratlon; while, at the same time, it is perfectly safe in all possible cases, and under all circumstances, except tho following. The only case we know of, in which the exhibition of this medicine requires particular care, and much judgment, is, when a large quantity of poison has been swallowed, either in the form of medicine, or otherwise, and lies dor- mant in the system. Then the same danger attends the use of Cayenne pepper, either by itself, or in combination with Lobelia. ' In such cases, the poison lies dormant, from the want of sufficient heat to cause it to act In this situation, the Lobelia and Cayenne, or either of them, if there be life enough left to act upon, will produce action. Of course, there will be a contest in the system, between the poison, and the renovating and invigorating effects of the Lobelia and Cayenne. This struggle will continue till one or the other shall have conquered. Either the one will expel the poison, and restore health, or the other will extinguish life. This fact is fully illustrated in the narra* tion of a fatal case under the head of Croup; and to which the reader is referred. In other cases, Lobelia is one of the most innocent ar- ticles that can be imagined; and it may be used with as little apprehension of danger, as the most simple herb tea; and should be given till the desired effect shall have been produced. With children, we have almost invariably found it all that was necessary, except some other prepar- ation intended for the cure of canker. Of the mode of administering Lobelia, we shall speak in another place. 190 botanic CAYENNE—or Thomson's No. 2. Cayenne, we believe second only to lobelia, as a medi- cinal vegetable production. All medical writers admit it to be the purest stimulant known ; and it is certainly tho most permanent. Its effects will remain in the system for hours, producing a genial glow of warmth through all its parts, when any other stimulant would scarcely produce even a momentary sensible effect. This article, in some form, and some proportion, enien into nearly every Thomsonian compound, and is in truth applicable to almost all cases of disease. Of itself alone it is a most valuable article, either to be taken internally or applied externally; and cannot be used amiss, except when the stomach is cold—then it should be taken in small quantities, and not in quick succession, or it may produce considerable distress, which is not necessary, thou"h we have never known any harm to result from it finally. The cayenne of African growth is the best, and may be taken in doses of half a tea spoonfull or more, as long as may be deemed necessary. A small quantity of this should be added to the other medicines, for severe cases or complaints of long standing. Although we are strong in the belief of the almost in- estimable virtues of this article, still we do not approve of its constant use, more than that of other stimulants, when in perfect health. Persons in full health are sufficiently prone to gormandise without the aid of stimulants to cre- ate an artificial and ravenous appetite. Besides, by con- stant use, the system becomes so habituated to it, lhat its desired effect as a medicine is lost. MATERIA MEDICA" 191 BAYBERRY, POND LILY, HEMLOCK BARK, SUMACH, WITCH HAZEL, RED RASPBERRY LEAVES. These articles are all valuable medicines in cases of canker, and together with several others, corstitute what Thomson denominates No. 3 ; and though not directly active in removing the first cause of disease, are still in- dispensable to the recovery of sound health. Canker frequently becomes the principal complaint after the first symptoms disappear. Then, these medicines become ab- solutely necessary; and, for our own part, we believe there are no better ones for ordinary use, that have been men- tioned. Any one or more of them is highly useful in bowel complaints. You may prepare them in the form of a strong decoction or tea, and sweeten them to the taste ; or they may be made into a syrup, with brandy and sugar enough added to keep them sweet. POPLAR, BALMONY, BARBERRY, AND GOLDEN SEAL. These are all very good bitters or tonics for the stomach and bowels, after a course of medicine. They form the basis of Thomson's No. 4. Ihe poplar is very good in a tea, for the lack of urine ; and, in such cases, should be drank freely. It is also useful for consumptive patients; and for those troubled with dropsy. Balmony is of itself an excellent bitter, and useful in case of worms. The barberry is also a good bitter, particularly for jaundice.— The golden seal is the best thing wc have ever seen or heard of, to prevent distress occasioned by food. And 192 BOTANIC when the compound taken before eating, is not sufficient, this should be taken in half teaspoonful doses afterwards. PEACH MEATS. These are highly valuable, and have long been used Tor medical purposes. The preparation recommended by Thomson, and which he calls No. 5, is a syrup of peach meats combined with poplar bark, and some of the arti- cles recommended for canker. This compound is one of the best remedies that can be offered for the bowel com- plaint It is also useful for the cure o£ weakness. GUM MYRRH This is an excellent article for the purpose of strength- ening the stomach, assisting digestion, and preventing mortification. It is one of the principal ingredients in Thomson's No. 6, which is now in general use in almost every family in the United States. GINGER. Ginger is so generally known, and in such common use, that people think but little of it as a medicine. Yet it is one of the best stimulants known. We have known several important cures effected by means of this article alone. We would ad\ ise all who are afraid of cayenne to substitute this for it. Care should be taken to obtain that which is pure, and that is somewhat difficult, unless it be purchased in the root, unground. WANDERING MILKWEED. This is sometimes called American Ippecac. It will operate as an emetic, though we consider it rather dan- gerous when given in sufficient doses for that purpose.— The use we make of it is, according to Thomson's direc- MATERIA MEDICA. 193 "lions, in small doses for physic. It is an excellent article to add to the vegetable bitters or powders, when intended for persons of a costive habit Since Doctor Thomson has discontinued his practice, he thinks he has made a great improvement by rejecting this article, and every other of the nature of a cathartic, as "being not only unnecessary, but also actually injurious. We have no objection to this doctrine, as far as circum- stances will warrant us in carrying ix out. But we fre- quently find cases in which mild cathartics, we think, are not onJy useful but necessary ; and in all such cases we give them, either in die form of powder, pill, or syrup, as may seem best. PRICKLY ASH. Both the bark and berries of this shrub are useful as medicines, though we prefer the berries. We use them principally as an ingredient in the wine bitters ; though they may be used in various other forms as a tonic. BURDOCK. The seed, leaves, and root of the burdock are very useful—the seeds as a diuretic—the leaves to bind on any part affected, to excite perspiration—and the root, as one of the ingredients of a syrup for persons afflicted with humors. WILD TURNIP. This plant possesses some medicinal properties. It is said to be an excellent remedy in the colic. We have only used it in the cough powders, in accordance with the Thomsonian prescription. 13 m SOTAN.'o WORMWOOD. This possesses medicinal virtues in which we have great faith. It is excellent as an external application ; and we have often witnessed salutary effects from it, when taken internally. For bruises, sprains, and almost any case of lameness, we bejieve it k quite equal to anything else. Our method is, to take 2 parts of wormwood, and one of arsmart, and to steep them in vinegar till a strong, de- coction has been obtained without much boiling: then add one third alcohol, and it is fit for use. This is to be ap- plied externally; and when the application is made, a dose of the composition powders or of the hot drops should be taken immediately. A tea made of wormwood is good to regulate the stomach and promote digestion. lady's slipper. This is an excellent nervine, and is what Doctor Thom- son calls nervo powder. Jt is* a valuable medicine for nervous persons. It should never be omitted, but mixed with all the other medicines in half teaspoonful doses. WINTER GREEN. Winter green is a good article for a lea, to be drank freely by those troubled with humors. It is also useful to make a wash for external application. THOROUGH WORT. In the Thomsonian practice, this, though an excellent herb, is not much used, there being many others which possess nearly the same virtues. It is an intense bitter and is productive of a very good effect on the internal' viscera. In large doses, in warm decoctions it acts as an MATERIA MEDICA. 195 emetic—in cold infusions it is cathartic. It is useful in coughs and hysterics, and sometimes proves a valuable diuretic. HOARIIOUND. This herb is a very good remedy for a cough. It is one ingredient of Thomson's cough powders. It is highly useful in a syrup to loosen phlegm caused by cold. ,HOPS. Hops operate as a nervine, and may be used alone in infusion, or combined with other articles ; they are useful also for an external application in cases of painj when they should be enclosed in a small bag, wet with hot vin- egar, and applied to the part, as hot as it can be borne. SKUNK CABBAGE. Skunk cabbage is a good article for a cough, and is also a nervine, useful in case of fits. It forms a part of Thomson's cough powders. BUTTERNUT. A syrup made by boiling down the bark of this tree, operates as physic ; and Thomson says it is one of the mildest and most harmless cathartics he knows of. We are disposed to agree with him in this opinion, for we have frequently given it, and always with good success. It is an excellent remedy for children troubled with worms, to be given after the emetic. PEPPERMINT. Given in a tea, this plant is serviceable to relieve and check vomiting, expel wind, to relieve hysterietf, and pre- vent griping after having taken physic. im BOTANIC SPEARMINT. Spearmint is a powerful anti-emetic, and will check vomiting when almost every thing else has failed lo do it CHECKERBERRY. By many this plant b used in syrups and diet drinks; bbt we are of opinion that it possesses no medicinal pro- perties of much value. Its principal use with us is, to add a little of the essence to other articles, to counteract any disagreeable smell. CATNIP. Catnip is an excellent herb for small children, when troubled with wind ; and it is also useful for nursing wo- men to drink freely, especially if they have but littlo milk. • WILD CHERRY ROOT (BARK). This bark is both bitter and astringent; and is therefore an excellent remedy when the bowels are relaxed. It acts on the stomach as a tonic. A syrup of this bark is one of ihe best articles we have ever found for the bowel eomplaint. TANSY. Tansy is a very good bitter, and is also somewhat diu- retic. It is useful for female obstructions, and may be drank freely without danger. But the oil is a dangerous article, and should never be taken. SLIPPERY ELM. This-is an excellent article, and should always be kept by every family. For'poultices it has no equal. Inter- nally,^ cases of diarhoca and dysentery, it is highly use- MATERIA MEDICA. 197 ful, to sheath the stomach and bowels. It should also be used in injections. When this is done it will prevent bloody discharges and loss of strength. CLIVERS. Made into tea, these are serviceable in cases of female obstructions, and also for all diseases of the urinary organs. Wo. here close our account of medicinal plants, leaving many valuable ones unnoticed, as the limits of this work will not permit us to be more particular. Yet, we believe, as many have been mentioned as will be found necessary for general family use. We have, at the same time, omitted descriptions of the plants named; as nO one ought to undertake the collection of plants for medicine, without some other knowledge than that to be derived from printed descriptions. Any who may wish to obtain the knowledge from books, should consult those in which the descriptions are illustrated by accurate drawings. Wo have not undertaken to teach botany, but merely to speak of diseases and their remedies; and that merely to put our readers in the way to preserve health, by holding out to them a safer and a belter method than that of bleeding, blistering and poisoning. If we succeed in this, our own ioS^^s gained, and ihe reader we would hope satisfied. w 193 BOTANIC COMPOUNDS. BOTANIC COMPOUNDS, AND THEIR USES. Since having commenced this work, we have been somewhat at a loss what plan to pursue ns to this part of it Should we publish receipts for the compounds as laid down in Thomson's works, we are well aware we should displease him, though his patent right for the compounds, as therein published, we believe has expired^. He has, it is true, obtained what he calls an improved patent, which he has nofyet published, though we have had a copy in our possession more than a year; and we candidly believe that, instead of being an improvement, it is actually a worsement, if we might coin a word to express our meaning. We therefore have no disposition at present to publish that, though we have a perfect right so to do.— ^ Finally, our conclusion is, not to give any directions for compounding the medicines, at present, though we pro- bably shall at a future period. And this conclusion has been formed without reference to any considerations con- nected with Doctor Thomson, or his-patent right. It is hoped that this course will prove satisfactory to the* reader, as all those who wish for the medicines used in the Botanic practice, and would prefer to compound them for themselves, will find what has-been already said suflicient for their purpose, as we have separately named the articles of which the Thomsonian compounds are consi'tluledL— MODE OF ADMINISTERING 199 All therefore who feel disposed, and will give some little attention to the foregoing hints, may prepare medicine ac- cording to their own judgment, and may perhaps make actual improvements. In this course there can be no dan- ger, as the articles recommended are safe and innocent— and the principles and theory of the practice are so simple and so clearly laid down, that no one of common capacity need mistake them. MODE OF ADMINISTERING THE MEDICINES, AND THEIR OPERATION. We shall commence by giving directions for what if ■termed a Course of Medicine, which will be done in a manner so plain and simple, that almost any one who can read the prescription, may learn the whole truth of this operation, which has been talked of so much. It must, however, be borne in mind, that it is out of the question to lay down any certain and definite rule, applicable to all persons, under all circumstances. Our aim is therefore merely to state our general plan, which must be varied in some of its details, occasionally, as, in the judgment of the operator, circumstances may demand. We usually commence with a dose of the composition powders, about an hour previous to any farther proceeding, both to warm the stomach and prepare it for other medi- cine. It is a very good method, in long standing cases, to 209 * MEDICINES give this medicine for several days previous to the course to be taken. The first part of this course of medicine, as the writer administers it, is, an Injection. But this is sometimes c- mitted by request of the patient, when not esseniially nec- essary; yet it is best never to dispense with it, as it never does harm, and sometimes assists the operation of other medicine, in an astonishing manner. We have known this alone, to cure a most inveterate head ache, after the emetic and vapor bath had failed to accomplish the ob- ject The common way to prepare these, has been several times mentioned in the foregoing pages; but, for a course of medifine, our method is somewhat different. Fiist, make what Thomsomans calf coffee; which is a decoc- tion of the canker medicines. Strain off a tea-cup.foil, and add a teaspoon-full of the Hot Drops, and a half tea.- spoonfull of Cayenne, the same quantity of Nerve Pow- der, and a teaspoon-full of pulverised Lobelia. Let it be* administered with a common Syringe, when about blood- warm. Having done this, a dose of Composition Powder, or one of pepper tea, is prepared, and one half of it given.— The Injection will sometimes occasion distress, and even vomiting; but, should,this be the case, it will be the bet- ter; for it shews that the system is sensibly affected, and that the operation will do the more good. This operation generally occupies but a few minutes; and when it is ov- er, the patient is placed in the bath, with the mercury at about 80 deg. The temperature is gradually raised, as AND T7TEIR OPERATION. 291 the patient can bear it, to 100, or 110 deg.* After going into the bath, the remainder of the composition Pgwder, or pepper tea, above-mentioned, is given. As the vapor becomes warm, the patient should be fur- nished with a bowl of cold water, and a sponge, to wipe the face and breast. Should the vapor cause any difficul- ty of respiration, which is rarely the case, he should be permitted to withdraw the curtain of the balh, occasional>- ly, and to thrust the head and face out. After having remained in the bath from' fifteen to thirty minutes, at the choice of the patient, the person should be rubbed dry, clothed with its linen, and, being enveloped in a blanket, be remove* immediately from the balh to the bed. A hot stone should then be placed at the feet, to continue the perspiration. j,* The next thing in order, which we practice as a gener- al rule, is, to administer an emetic, as follows:—viz.— Haifa teacup-full of Pennyroyal tea, sweetened—To this, aijd one third of a teaspoon-full of Hot Drops—Half a teaspoon-full of Nerve Powder—and one teaspoon-full of pulverised Lobelia [the herb.} The latter must not be added till the tea has become cool enough to drink. After having given the above, we usually give as much Pennyroyal tea, as the patient is willing to drink; and in the course of fifteen or twenty minutes, give another dose similar to the first, except, instead of Pennyroyal, vv£ substitute the Thomsouiun Coffee, or a tea made of some of the canker medicines. If these should "not produce a sufficient effect, and they rarely foil, we give another dose in about twenty minutets 202 - MEDICINES similar to the last; only, instead of the pulversed herb, (Lobelia,) we substitute a teaspoon-full of the pulverised seeds of the same plant Immediately after the vomiting, each time, we give a bowl of milk porridge, to prevent the wind from accu- mulating in the stomach, and to strengthen the patient; and as much herb tea, of any kind, as the patient may wish for. When the stomach is quite sour, a piece of Sal Eralus of aboui'the size of a pea, is dissolved in warm water, and given. After the emetic has ceased to operate, the patient is returned to the bath, with the degree of heat, as near ns can bo judged, about-equal to that of the bed ju«t left:— he remain^ the bath about five minutes, with the heat raised gradually, as high as it can comfortably be borne. After that, the patient is showered with cold water, in quantity, from two to four quarts. Should the person, from any cause, be unable to remain in the balh till com- pletely warmed, a little warm water is added to the show- er bath. And if the patient be much opposed to the ebovver bath, the steam of the vapor bath is gradually let down, and the person washed with spirits and water;— which will generally answer every purpose. When a person is very weak, and becomes much ex- hausted by the operation of the emetic, the last bath is fre- quently omitted. In this case, the patient is rubbed over with spirits, and dressed, or put into another bed, as abili- ty may permit. This is what we call a course of medicine. Tut the reader is not to understand, from it, that a patient mw-t AND THEIR OPERATION. 203 go through with all this ceremony, or do nothing. It is very seldom essentially necessary, that one should pass through this entire process, to obtain relief. Nor do we invariably carry out this plan in all its parts, in giving a* full course. On the contrary, we vary in any part, ac- cording to our judgment; and any person who undertakes to administer it, should do the same. One thing however should be borne in mind:—Give medicine enough; for it is safe. It is certain to operate, if given in proper quantities. In some certain cases, some of the articles might be omitted, without making any essential difference ; as, for instance, persons not nervous might omit the nerve pow- der—tho50 whose systems have not lost rajch of the na- tural licit, might diminish the prescribed quantity of cay- enne—while those with whom the reverse is the case, should increase it. If there be no danger of mortification, the hot drops may be omitted ; but not otherwise on any account. After all, we consider it lest to use all these articles, if they can be obtained, as they c:;n do no possible harm, and it is impracticable always to learn exactly what is, and what is not, absolutely necessary. After the course, we prescribe the V^ciabK: Litters, and Composition Powders—tho former before eating, and the latter at night on retiring to rest: to these add the Nerve Powder if necessary; and Hitler root, Butternut syrup, or a few cathartic piils, should the bowels !ie costive. 204 MEDICINES THOMSONIAN EMETIC. This article, in the form in which we prepare it for sale, is very similar to that described in the directions for a course of medicine. Previous to taking it, a person should take a dose of composition powders, and get into bed ; placing a hot stone at the feet. It should be given one third part at a time, once in twenty minutes, in a lea made of the leaves of the red raspberry, or of some other vege- table useful for canker. When these cannot be obtained, Pennyroyal or Catnip may be used as a substitute for t hem. After the operation, the person should be rubbed over with spirits and.be dressed, or, which is most proper in some cases, go into a dry, warm bed. If the bowels arc costive or painful, an injection should be administered before the emetic, if practicable. If not, afterwards give u dose of the cathartic pills ; or bitter root or butternut syrup enough to move the bowels. TINCTURE EMETIC. This is a weak preparation for an emetic, principally composed of lobelia, and designed particularly for the use of children, and persons not wishing for a powerful medicine, ft is the most convenient form in which lobelia can be prepared for family use, as it is always in readi- ness, and can be given at a moment's warning. Jt is highly useful in the asthma, and all complaints of the lungs. It is also a valuable counterpoison, either taken internally or applied externally. Dose—A table spoonfull, three times, for a grown person—Half that quantity for 4 child ; though more may bo taken, if necessary. AND THEIR OPERATION. 205 * THOMSONIAN THIRD PREPARATION. This is the strongest preparation used in the Dotanic practice; it being composed mostly of Lobelia, Cayenne, and Hot Orops. It is particularly useful in all severe cas- es; such as fits, spasms, cramp, locked jaw, &c. Dose — A teaspoon-full, or more, if necessary. When the jaws are set, it should be put in between the cheek and teeth, with the person lying on tire back; and as soon as it reaches the glands, the jaws will come open. It is a safe medicine, though strong. We have, sever- al times, given from two to four ounces to one person in an hour, with a good effect. When a person needs a powerful emetic, this will be found the best preparation. It should be taken a teaspoon-full at a time, three times, at intervals of twenty minutes. It should be taken in the Thomsonian Coffee, or some warm herb tea. In severe cases of Croup this should be given freely, combined with a little goose oil; and followed immediate- ly with some porridge, or something, to keep up the strength. We have never seen cause of alarm in giving any of the foregoing preparations. As much warm tea and por- ridge as the patient can conveniently drink, should be giv- en. There is no danger, though in particular cases, a per- son may lie entirely insensible for several hours. This is not very common, but is a good omen when it occurs, as it shews that the medicine has taken effect RHEUMATIC HOT DROPS: OR, VEGETABLE ELIXIR. This is a valuable medicine, and may be truly said to 206 MEDICINES • be "good for every thing;",though we cannot say as some do, the "best thing for every complaint." For internal use, and external application, this medicine is valuable in Rheumatic complaints, and swellings, and to prevent mortifications. It is also highly useful for sores of all descriptions; as by keeping them wet with it, and taking a small quantity inwardly, it soon produces a ten- dency to heal. This is, likewise, almost a certain remedy for dyscn- t3ry in its incipient stages, in doses of from a teaspoon- full, to half a wineglass-full; to be repeated till the pa- tient is relieved. The usual dose of this Elixir is, from half to one tablespoon-full taken either clear, or in milk, molasses, or warm water. It is a good wash in case of humors, combined with an equal quantity of Tincture of Lobelia, and one eighth Spirits of Turpentine. Some warming medicine, as Hot Drops, or Composition Powders, should be taken internal- ly, when this wash is applied. This is a medicine which should always bo kept on hand; and persons afflicted with cough, with tooth ache, &c, would do well lo cany a vial of it in the pocket, to make use of when necessary. COMPOSITION POWDER. This powder is simple, .safe, and valuable ; and, with the exception of the Hot Dropsy in more general use than any other article in the Thomsonian practice. It is cal- culated to give relief in almost all cases, though not effec- tual to remove long standing complaints. It will "eneialiy be found sufficient in the first stages of disease. AND THEIR OPERATION. 207 The Composition Powder is particularly calculated to cure colds, and remove the obstructions occasioned by them ; though sometimes in such cases it may be found necessary, in connexion with this, to place a hoi stone at Ihe feet, and to drink freely of herb tea. Should these f-il, recourse should bo had to the emetic, or a full course of medicine. COMPOSITION SYRLT. The syrup is similar to tho powder, only it is prepared in a liquid form. It may be taken in the same manner for the same purposes. VEGETABLE BITTERS. These are intended to create an appetite for food, and promote digestion. They should be taken for a few days after having taken an emetic. We usually prefer the pre- paration of these in water; but they may be prepared in wine for those who choose it. ANTIDYSPEPTIC WINE BITTERS. Much the same properties and virtues are possessed by this meparation as the last named compound; but they are somewhat more strengthening, and in some cases produce a more salutary effect: they arc also more pleasant to take; and even persons who have a great antipathy to medicine will not be likely to make up wry faces at these. PEACH SYRUP. For weakly and consumptive persons the peach syrup is intended a* a restorative. It is also an excellent remedy for looseness of the bowels. We usually prep ire it in 208 MEDICINES different ways ; some expressly for children, and some stonger and vyarmer for^rown persons. CATHARTIC PILLS. Strictly, these are not a Thomsonian compoud—though they are entirely vegetable, and a safe medicine. We purchased the receipt for preparing them at considerable expense, from an experienced practitioner, who now is, and for many years has been, an Agent for Doctor Thom- son. We have found them a valuable medicine, in all cases where cathartics were necessary. In their operation they are very slow, and rarely cause either pnin or weak- ness. We have been repeatedly urged to advertise these pills, but have alw3ys declined to do so ; for, though physic is sometimes necessary, we believe the public have already the disposition to take too much of it STRENGTHENING PLASTER. This is a compound, formed mostly of burdock and mallen leaves, combined with a sufficient quantity of turpentine and rosin to make it of the proper consistency to be spread on the leather. It is a very good prepara* tion to apply to the back, or other parts of the body, af- fected with weakness. COFFEE—OR CANKER COMPOUND; We have already said that, where there is much dis_ ease there is always some canker. Hence this medicine is always necessary in case of sickness. It is somewhat astringent, and therefore it will occasionally be necessary AND THEIR OPERATION. 209 fit follow it with a mild cathartic, to counteract the effect produced by that property. NERVE POWDER. It is composed of the American valerian; and is one of the most valuable medicines for nervous affections to be found in the vegetable kingdom. We have given it freely in connexion with other medicines for bowel complaints* and have found it very serviceable. COUGH POWDER. This is calculated to loosen and remove the morbific matter which causes the cough, from any part of the sys- tem in which it may be deposited. It should be taken often, till it produces nausea, and till relief shall have been obtained. If this be insufficient, try an emetic. SALVE. Thomson gives a receipt for preparing this article, which is a very good one. But, like most other compounds, it requires to be prepared in various proportions, to be ap- plicable to various cases. However, we use but very little of it, generally preferring a poultice, or to keep the part affected wet with hot drops. We thereby avoid the use of any oily or greasy substance, which we believe to be generally injurious, either for food or medicine. NERVE OINTMENT. By the use of this ointment, the hard and contracted muscles are softened and relaxed. It is one of the best preparations for that purpose we havt ever found. But, 14 S V *, 210 CONCDUSIOST whatever oil remains on tho surface that will not absorlf, should be removed from the skin by means of soap and water, lest it should obstruct the pores. POULTICES. These are very useful, and should always be applied when there is any probability that they are necessaiy.— The great object of them is, to keep up a gentle perspira- tion in the part affected. Any thing that will do this, h good, though there are some things which are better than others. The description generally used by Thomsonians, is composed of powdered crackers, ginger, and the bark of the slippery elm, moistened with the coffee. It should always be applied cold, where there is much heat or in- flammation. We sometimes substitute cayenne for ginger, as long as it can be endured, in case of severe pain, at the same time giving plenty of warm drinks. CONCLUSION: AND GENERAL REMARKS. We now close this part of our work. We repeat, most of the agents in common use in the Thomsonian practice, have been noticed. It is believed, however, that no good practitioner, or other intelligent person, ca» for a moment suppose it necessary, that all these ingredients should be compounded in just such proportions, or become useless. Circumstances always alter cases; and therefore the com- pounds will, many times, be improved by some slight va- AND REMARK'S. 211 rialion from any specific rule, though they may not be es- sentially necessary. For our own part, it is our uniform custom to make medicines, as far as our judgment goes, as nearly as possible to suit the case for which we recom- mend them. We also assure our readers that there can be no possible danger in using them as they may think proper; for they can do no harm, though with some atten- tion to the subject, they might make them better. In conclusion of the discussion of the topics which oc- cupy the preceding pages, it may be incumbent on the author to offer his readers something in the form of apolo- gy. The undertaking was not induced, either by a love of notoriety, or of book-making, or the hope of gain.— Nor yet, docs it owe its birth to the supposition that the author possessed abilities to execute it, superior to others who have given their attention to the subject. The causes which prompted him to offer this little vol- ume to the public, were, a desire lo benefit his fellow- men, and extend the knowledge of the Thomsoniun prac- tice. Confident, as he is, that that practice is eminently calculated to baffle' and cure disease, in all its variety of form, he considers it the great friend of the human race; and tbat a general acquaintance with its principles, ac- companied with well established facts, is the most certain method, if not the only one, of removing popular preju- dice, and bringing the practice into general use. Satis- fied, as he also is, that a great amount of suffering is cre- ated, and a vast number of lives sacrificed, hy the fash- ionable practice of the day, to say nothing of the enormous expense incurred by it, tho author considers it the indie- 212* CONCLUSION pensable duty of every one who can, to contribute hi3 mite to enlighten and inform the public mind on this tre- mendously important subject. These impressions must serve as his apology for the publication. We are fully aware that the work is imperfect, and does not go so much into detail as many might wish.— Our engagements have been such, during its progress, that we could not give that attention to it we could have wished; but, whatever may be its imperfections of style and language, its principles will be found correct. As to details, we have gone as far as was thought necessary foi ordinary family use, and that was all that was contem- plated at the outset. To obtain the requisite knowledge for general practice, study and experience are necessary. On the subject of midwifery, we have said nothing, though our experience in this profession has been extensive, and our practice eminently successful ; as also in diseases pc- euliar to females. We deemed these to be subjects of too much delicacy and importance to make parts of a work like this for common use, and have therefore omitted them altogether. It will be seen however, by reference to a Prospectus at the end, that we have it in contemplation to publish another volume at some future period, a part of which ia lo be expressly devoted to these subjects; and which, when completed, can readily be put into the hands of those for "^ whose benefit it will be designed. We submit the foregoing pages to the perusal of those who may deign to give them a reading, asking only that they may be reviewed with candor, and receive no more MEDICINE 213 attention than that to which their merits may entitle them. FAMILY STOCK OF MEDICINE. Probably a vast majority of families are in the habit of depending entirely on physicians in c:\ge of disease ; and, never keeping medicine at hand, resort to them for aid in every emergency, however slight. This is not so much to be wondered at, as people are taught, and as most be- lieve, that the practice of medicine is a very intricate science, which requires years of study before any one should presume to engage in it Still less wonderful is this fact, when we consider that the preparations generally used as medicines are highly deleterious drugs, always dangerous under all circumstances, and more especially in unpractised hands, and unless a patient be much diseased. The Botanic practice labors under no such difficulty. Its theory of disease, correct in fact, as proved by long expe- rience, is too plain and simple to be mistaken ; and the remedies it prescribes are so perfectly innocent, and at the same time so eminently efficacious, that they may be safely administered at all times. With these reinedic- at hand, and some attention to the first symptoms of disease, those having the charge of families might, nine times out of ten, prevent sickness, or cure it, without the trouble and expense of medical attendance, and without the dan- gers which attend the usual medical practice. Besides these considerations, there are others. In many instances, when persons appear to be but slightly diseased,. the call for medical aid is delayed, till the diseas" puts on 21 ! FAMILT STOCK an aggravated and dangerous form, which, when too late, creates alarm, gives birth to a protracted course of sick- ness and suffering, and, in thousands of cases, eventuates / in death. Innumerable are the instances, in which the.-e distressing, and frequently fatal evils, might be prevented by timely aid, and the means which every family might have at all times in its own possession, would they but dismiss the fashionable practice and prejudices of the day, and furnish themselves with the simples which nature has abundantly provided for the prevention of disease, and the restoration and preservation of health. In the foregoing pages we have labored to place this important subject before the reader in its plainest form.— We have named the most valuable of nature's produc- tions for the promotion of the grand object of medical practice—have pointed out their medicinal properties— described, as fur as necessary, the modes of preparation, and the process of administering them, as well as their operation and effects. After all, there are but few who have either opportunity or inclination to search the fields and forests for these productions; therefore, for the benefit of those who would avail themselves of the labors of others in this respect, we vvoald recommend to them, even if they do not wish to become their own physicians, the following stock of family medicine, which the writer will prepare for the prices annexed. Four prepared Emetics - $1.00 Two ounces of the Third Preparation - 50 ■ Half pint bottle of Tincture Emetic - 50 One quart bottle of Hot Drops - - - 1.00 OF MEDICINE. 215 Quarter pound Cayenne - 25 Do. do. Composition 37 Do. do. Vegetable Bitters - - 37 Do. do. Coifoe .... 25 One box of Pills ----- 50 Two ounces of Nerve Powder 25 $5.00 Those who purchase the above quantity of medicine at one time, will be famished with a copy of tills book, ■gratis—and to those who may not wish for the book, a proportionate discount will be made, provided they shall have previously obtained one. The above medicines are genuine, and carefully prepared ; and are .ill put up with printed directions for their use; which, together with what may be found in this volume, will qualify any one to ad- minister them in all ordinary cases. To the above list, we might add the Anti Dyspeptic Wine Bitters, an artiele in common use among dyspeptic find weakly persons, as well as the Peach Syrup, the Cough Powder, and several other compounds. But, as these are not generally necessary, when the above have been taken in proper season, we omit them in the list of family medicine ; though they can always be had, and never should be neglected, when circumstances reader them necessary. » 216 COMMUNICATION. The following letter, from a friend, we have concluded to insert in this place, instead of publishing it in the col- umns of the Botanic Advertiser. Doct. Brown— Sir:—Understanding you are about to publish a work on the Thomsonian system of medical practice, I would take the liberty to offer a remark or two on the subject, and to express my wishes for success in the un- dertaking. Peimit me also to express the hope, that your book will be calculated for the common understanding, and'free from that unintelligible jargon which wraps the medical science in the robe of mystery, and hides from the great mass of mankind, the plain and simple facts im- portant for all to know. All other sciences have been laid open to those who will take the trouble to read, if we except here and there a word of barbarous Latin or Greek, which the pedantry of professors still insist on retaining as the relics of those dark ages, in which, what little science there was, was held as a sacred mystery, and imparted under the charge of secrecy, and the sanction of the most horrid oaths— But the science of medicine, if the quackery of the pro. fession be worthy to be denominated a science, still re- tains its mystic garb; whether because the faculty are too much ashamed of it to expose its deformity, or because a- fraid of being fleeced of their monopoly, I will not pre- tend to say. One thing however is very evident; and that is, the determination on their part, to admit of no competition, if they can possibly prevent it by arbitrary laws, by persecuting those who dissent from them and by keeping the world in ignorance of the truth. COMMUNICATION. 217 I need not inform you that, be the merits of your booh what they may, provided it deal in plain matters of fact, it will be denounced by some, and ridiculed by others, whose interest it is to promulgate error. Nevertheless, it is to be hoped that there is independence enough in a good portion of the community, to read and judge for themselves in defiance of prejudice and dictation; and on such it de- pends, to spread truth and enlighten the human mind.— On these it devolves as a duty, in my opinion, to aid tho work of medical reform, and prevent a practice, if possi- ble, which has probably killed as many persons as it has ever cured, and entailed as great an amount of suffering on mankind, as disease itself. I cannot but hope, sir, that your book will bo worthy of patronage, and that those who are the friends of medical reform, will fond their aid to promote its circulation. I am not a physician—I have never studied medicine— And all the knowledge I have of the practice, is what has been obtained from personal experience under medical treatment, observation, and an occasional glance at a medical work. From all these, as well as by conversa- tion with medical men, I have become perfectly satisfied, that nine tenths of what is termed medical seience is mere cant, founded in conjecture, and regulated by no defiinite scientific laws. I am the more full convinced of this, by the undeniable uncertainty that characterises the judgment of physicians in doubtful and dangerous cases of disease, the difference of opinion which exists among them, and the variety in their modes of treatment for the same com~ plaint And if any other proof were wanted of the fallr.- 218 COMMUNICATION. cy of the practice, it might be found in abundance in the records Of mortality, shewing the vast disproportion in tho numbers who perish under the treatment of the regular faculty, and of those who die in the hands of peisons who practice on the simple Eotanic system. I am well aware of the clamor raised against the Botan- ic treatment, when any one who submits to it, happens to die; a very rare occurrence by the way. I have read some score of newspaper articles, intended to frighten people out of their wits by painting the horrors of being poisoned with Lobelia, burnt up with Cayenne, and steam- ed to death in a vapor bath. But I perfectly understand all this tirade, it being neither more nor less than a meas- ure tn prevent people from forsaking the mercurial, bleed- ing, and blistering tribe. People will die, sometimes, no doubt:—And it is not at all strange that some die after taking Thomsonian medicines, if calomel and the lancet have not killed them before; but the very few cases of death under the Potanic treatment, which the M. D's find occasion to dilate upon, shew incontestibly, the superiori- ty of the practice to their own. On the perusal of these accounts, one cannot forbear to indulge in some reflections. Physicians, it is believed, readily admit, that calomel, tartar emetic, arsenic, and several chemical preparations they administer, unless thrown off from the system, either by their own operation, or that of some other-agent, produce much danger, if not fatal consequences. And it is well known that, in despe- rate cases, tJiey give medicines which must " kill or tare." Suppose the same were true of lobelia. wh:il COMMUNICATION. 219 then ? There is, I am fully persuaded, not an article in ihe entire Materia Medica of the faculty so certain lo pro- duce an operation, as this is. If then, it were equally poisonous with their chemical preparations, it would be just as much less dangerous to give, as it is more certain to operate; and their clamors against it would be idle. But I am also satisfied that there is nothing poisonous about it. It is a medicine of which I have never swal- lowed the smallest particle'; but I have seen many who have taken much of it, and who, so for from experiencing any ill effects from it, have been restored to sound and per- manent health. Instead of lobelia, I have, in years past, taken calomel ; and the effects of that drug are .still very sensibly felt in the system, and probably will be during life. In foct, it is doubtful if any person can be found, who has ever taken much of it, who could not tell you of some injurious effects from it; but I have never known a person in the habit of taking lobelia, who complained of any in- jury as the result. Whenever I hear of a person who is said to have been killed by lobelia and the steam bath, I look around me. Here is a city containing twenty thousand inhabitants; and it would probably be difficult to point out many days in the year, on which some funeral procession does not pass our streets on the way to the grave; and sometimes these processions amount in number to four or five. 'I here goes the corpse of a hoary headed sire to its last lonely rest. I inquire, what killed him ? The reply is—old age — Another passes, who a few days since, in the meridian of life, was in the enjoyment of vigorous health. Pcalh now 220 COMMUNICATION. numbers him among his victims. What killed him ? A fever. That youthful personage who was cut down in the morning of life, by consumption; and that child by croup. Perhaps there are others who pass, some the victims of small pox, some of measles, some of scarletina, others of dysentery, &c. &c. all killed by disease—not one of them the victim of calomel, blisters, or the lancet But—stop —who goes there ? That is a person who has, for many yeais, labored under a malady which the best physicians pronounced incurable. Finally, as a last resort, the per- son applied to a Thomsonian practitioner—but he could not save him, and he died. And what killed him ? Why, what could have done it but lobelia, cayenne, and steam. Before he took them, he was alive—he has taken them, and is dead. Yet might it not be said of all the others, with equal propriety, medicine killed them—for they too were alive—they too took medicine, and are dead. I would inquire now of every candid and unprejudiced mind, why this distinction should be made? Do facts warrant it : When the patient dies in the hands of the regular practitioner, have we not as good right to say that medicine killed him, as though he died under a different treatment? Certainly we have, unless there are facts lo warrant the contrary conclusion. Well—what are the facts ? Why, it is the regular physician, the party most deeply interested, who reports the death by means of the Botanic practice. But, with respect to the patients he loses, no examination is had, no inquiry is raised, and it is enough to know that the deceased had a regular physician to attend him. Disease and not medicine, was the PROrOSALS. 221 Cause of his death. Let another fact be weighed and duly considered, and fact I have every reason to believe it to be, that the regular physicians lose vastly more pa- tients than the Botanic practitioners, in proportion to the number they attend, and the public mind would soon be set right on this score. Let an examination be had of all fatal cases, and I believe the Botanic practitioners would be right willing to abide the issue. Candidus. PROPOSALS. The author of this work proposes to publish the "Fam- ily Guide to Health," in an enlarged and improv- ed form. Volume I. will be the second edition of this work en- larged, and, in many particulars, improved. Volume II. will contain a full and familiar treatise on the subject of Midwifery, and the diseases peculiarly inci- dent to Females and Children:—Also, directions for pre- paring and compounding the principal Botanic Medicine?. Both \olumes will contain between 300 and 400 pages of a large bize, and will constitute, together, a complete Family Guide. The work will be printed on fine white paper, with new type, and handsomely bound in two volumes. It will be put to press as soon as one hundred responsi- ble subscribers shall have been obtained. Subscription price, $5. t> ii2 PROSPECTU S, For the Third volume of the "Rhode Island Bo- tanic Advertiser"—to commence in January, 1838. The third volume of the Advertiser will be published in Monthly numbers, on paper of about the same size as that of the second volume. It will contain accounts of the " success and prospects of the Botanic practice, remarkable cases of disease and Cures, and such other matter, ns, in the judgment of the publisher, may be interesting to the ' renter in search of medical truth, and likely to serve the came of humanity. Those who have heretofore taken and perused the Ad- vertiser, are acquaintedwith our course, and qualified to judge of the merits pf the. work. We assure them th it endeavors on our part shall novt bevwanting, to keep up its ' interest, and to make improvements, as opportunity may occur, and expediency suggest. The approbation with * which the work has heretofore met, has given us eacourr agement to proceed with it; and, while wc thank our subscribers for their patronage, we respectfully solicit their aid to increase our subscriptions, and extend our circula- tion, as the means of enlarging the paper, and enhancing Ils'-usefulnes.-i. TERjvrst—for the third volume—Fifty Cents pe: annum, payable in advance. Three copies, One DpLT i. a a per annum, if all sent to one address. Errata.—Page 123 ; for, ' He opened a vein and let blood,' read, * He advised bleeding &c.' but she declined ' » INDEX. Biographical Sketch of the Author Historical account of the Thomsonian System - 35 Thomsonian Theory and Practice - - 9! Different Diseases, and Treatment - - 116 Fevers - - - - - -128 Canker Rash—Scarlet Fever—Throat Ail—Putrid Sore Throat -. - - - - 136 Croup - - - - - - 141 Dyspepsia - - -.. - - 146 Consumption - - - - -151 Dysentery—Diarhcea—Bowel Complaint - - 158 Worms - - - - - - 162 Cough" - - - - - - 164 Asthma—Fits - - - - - 167 Internal Bleeding - - - - 16S Colic - - - - - - 170 Cramp—Abcess—Boils - - - - 171 Bloody Urine—Ague and Fever—Bruises - 173 Costiveness—Cancer - - - - 17-1 Deafness—Dropsy - - - - 175 Hydrophobia—Fainting - - - -176 Fresh WTounds—Gravel—Sore Eyes - - 177 Locked Jaw—Measles - . - - - 17n Mortification—Piles—Rheumatism - - 179 Humors - - " *°* !€mallFox......183^ Canker......18:' Lobelia—Thomson's No. 1 - * - 18S .. l.MO . o.id Lil/, &c—No. 3 - - - 191 .*—Balmony—Barberry—Golden Seal—No.4 ib. Peach Meats—No., 5: Gum Myrrh—No. 6 - 1 » Gingtrf—Wandering Milkweed - - - * - ib. Prickly Ash—Burdock—Wild Turnip - - 193 Wormwood---Lady's Slipper---Winter Green— Thoroughwort - - - - - -,.194 Hoarhound—Hops—Skunk Cabbage - - - 195 ltternut—Peppermint - • - ' - - ib. earmint—Checkerberry—C-.itnip - 196 Wild Cherry—Tansy— Slippery Elm - - ib. Clivers - - - - - - 197 Botanic Compounds, and their Uses - - 198 Mode of Administering, and Operation - - 199 Course of Medicine - - - - ib. Thomsonian Emetic—Tincture Emetic''' - - 204 1 homsolsian Third Preparation - 205 Composition Powder - - .... 206 Composition Syrup—Vegetable Bitters - - 207 Antidyspeptic Wine Bitters—Peach Syrup - ib. C'Mthartic Pills—Strengthening Plaster - - 2'S Coffee, or Canker Compound - - v ib. Nerve Powder — Cough Powder — Salve—Nerve Ointment - - - - 209 Poultices - - - - -.-210 Conclusion : and General Remark" - - !' i'-iinily Stock of Medicines - - - i,!C Communication - - - « -216 Proposals - - - _ . - 'j.21 Prospectus - - , _ -22; w