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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
ECLECTIC     PHYSICIANS
tit
OF
CINCINNATI AND  COVINGTON.
  In  pursuance of a notice published through the Cincinnati Daily Times, the
following gentlemen, Eclectic Physicians of Cincinnati and Covington, assembled
in the Hall of the Eclectic Medical Institute, viz :
         W. Byrd Powell,                   P. Hen by Hale,
         J. King,                           J amis Adams,
         R. S. Newton,                      J. C. Thomas,
         Z. Freeman,                        J. E. Stephenson,
         J. R. Buchanan,                    0. E. Newton,
        P.  K. Wombacgh,                    S. Kyle,
         Thomas Cusoaden,                   J. Milton Youart,
         H. A. Warriner,                    A. C. Hewitt.
  On motion of Prof.  J. R. Buchanan, Prof. W. Byrd Powell, of Covington;
Ky., was elected President of the meeting, and on motion of Prof. R. S. New-
ton,  Dr. P.  Henry Hale was elected Secretary.
  Whereon, Prof.  R. S. Newton explained the objects of the meeting, and
and with reference to them the President then  addressed the meeting as
follows :
                     REMARKS OF PROJF. POWELL.

  " Ex-Professor Jones and myself have always been on social and friendly
terms;  I have, therefore, no motive  to indulge in  any unkind remarks or re-
flections concerning him. I have read his late pamphlet, and from its personal,
rancorous and  revengeful tone, I am forced to conclude that the promotion of
the Eolecfic  Medical Institute, of this city, is not his object.  It appears to me
that no one can read it and avoid the conclusion that he would willingly des-
troy the Institution and the prospects of its cause !*■ the West, to ruin Professor
Buchanan and  to cripple the  other members of the Faculty.   With such  a
feeling I have ne sympathy.   But to such a mind as his the existing Faculty
of the Institute may have given ample cause for all the malignity he has mani-
fested.  However this may be, the quarrel between him and the said Faculty
is, legitimately, no business of ours  upon this occasion.  We have assembled
here to consider upon the means essential to a successful counteraction of any
deleterious influence which the pamphlet of  Ex-Professor Jones may have, in
eonsideration of the relation which he at one time held to the Institute and the
cause of medical reform^^gdjfflgBJr Hpyupose of abusing him or of defend-
       1
 
2
PROCEEDINGS OF ECLECTIC  PHYSICIANS
 ing the Faculty—for we hold that the Faculty and the cause in which they are
 engaged are two independent or entirely different subjects.  If the feelings of
 the present Faculty be really in harmony with  the spirit of medical reform,—
 if they be capable teachers, diligent and faithful in the discharge of their duties
 to the Institute,—then the Institution is in that  condition which should entirely
 satisfy its friends—that portion of the public which  is interested in medical
 reform.   In the discharge of our duty upon this occasion,  we are not, in  my
 opinion, called upon to repair either the real or the  imaginary wrongs which
 the Faculty are charged  with having inflicted upon  Professor Jones; and if we
 are to regard his pamphlet as a true index  of  the  depth and  strength of his
 hatred for the Faculty,  and particularly of  Professor Buchanan, we may  rest
 assured that nothing less than their extermination will  satisfy him.  And, al-
 though it is proper that  we should respect  Professor Jones and his associate,
 Dr. Baldridge, with all their prejudices, yet it would be very unwise in us to so
 outrage a great natural law as to save  them and destroy the Institute, because
 in the course of events  they were required, for the supposed success of  the
 cause, to leave it.
   It is not necessary for us to enquire  whether, in the abstract, Professor Jones
 was justly or unjustly expelled from the Eclectic Medical Institute, it is enough
 for us to know that it was relatively correct and necessary—correct, with refer-
 ence to the  cause in which  all of them were engaged.  Six of the Faculty
 united in  purpose and harmonized in  action, and  standing opposed  to this
 union, and thwarting this action was the one individual, Professor Joues;  and
 in cases of this kind it is perhaps impossible for any Board ef Trustees to judge,
 according to the laws of abstract justice, but involved  in  the  premises  there
 were  three facts of which they could  not be ignorant,  namely :  the principle,
 or school must go on ;—it  is more probable, ceteris paribus, that one man should
 err, than six; and lastly, it is less difficuft to fill one vacancy than six.
   The correctness of these principles will be admitted, we may presume, by
 every sound mind, and if Professor Jones had  acted in accordance with them,
 after his expulsion, he would have r.sen in public estimation ,but, unfortunate-
 ly, he yielded to the suggestions  of  his  animal man and has fallen  below  the
 possibility of redemption.  In this emergency it was natural that many of  his
 personal friends, out of the school and in the class, should sympathize and go
 with him—wculd outrage fundamental  principles  through the impulse of  the
 occasion;  hence we can  entertain no reasonable doubt that  three-fourths of
 those students and friends  who acted with him, have, through the revolution
 zing influence of the cool, calm and sobsr second thought, brought themselves
 back to a proper state ot feeling and action.  It is upon this principle, and this
 alone, that we can explain what 1 believe lo be the fact, viz. : that this pam-
 phlet  was delivered from the prese in an  unviable condition.   Between  the
 feelings of the writer, as conveyed in  the pamphlet,  and those of the public,
 there is no agreement.   So truly have I  found this  to be the case, that I have
 not a doubt but that the little  chloroform we shall administer to it to-night, will
 consign it to eternal rest.
   Professor  Jones has  made many charges against some members  of  the
 Faculty; and some of these are serious—of vital importance, because they in-
 volve the professional principles of the  Institution ;  and 1 am asked whether
 they will not have a mischievous influence upon the prosperity of the Institute.
 I answer;  they may, with a few of the less gilted  and enlightened, but even
 with these, under the light of truth they can no  longer exist than dew upon  the
 warbler's wing under the influence of  the morning 6un.   It is easy to make
 charges, and it is equally easy to present plausible evidence of their trnth,  but
 the intelligent and judicious  are  not going to act without knowing something
 about the opposing evidence, or the privilege  of a cross-examination,  more
 especially as the author  of them has not entirely eclipsed, either  intellectually
 or morally, all of his former colleagues, in public opinion.   He has made one
oharge against  Professor Newton  which I know to be  false,  and  J have every
reason to believe that he was, long sinfig. asaaigd that it was ialse, and yet he

        .  •    * y    ":     f 
OF  CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.
says that he was "credibly" informed of it.  Now it so happens that  I know
that he could not have been credibly informed  of it, unless the statement of a
liar could be construed into credible evidence,  and I am very much of  the
opinion that all of  his matter-of-fact accusations are  like it—either garbled
statements about facts or absolute  falsehoods, though  he may  be innocent of
their fabrication.   He states that he has been informed that Professor Newton
authorized or sanctioned a statement that appeared in the Bulletin of the Mem-
phis Institute,  to  this effect,  that that  Institution was  thoroughly Allopathic,
(according to the modern definition of this  word ; calomel, antimony and the
lancet.)   Now the fact is, that Newton and myself were up here when that
statement appeared in the Bulletin at Memphis, and when we arrived there we
had the matter investigated, and  found that Professor Hulce had not only had
it done, but had to lie to get it done by those who had charge of the press, and
of this fact Professor Jones has been far more credibly  informed than he ever
was of the contrary.  Let it be understood  that I was the founder of that In-
stitution—that the trustees gave me all power in the premises, ratifying all  my
ac's,—that 1 selected all the professors,—that I selected Professor Newton, and
did it upon the faith that he was an Eclectic,  (according to the present reforma-
tory meaning of the word,) that ever since I  have had  more personal intimacy
with him  than with any other individual, and  finally, that I have  never dis-
covered the smallest tendency id his mind to waver or doubt the soundness of
his adopted professional principles—at this moment I could as easily doubt  the
faithfulness of the  magnetic  needle,  as Newton's  to modern Eclecticism.
After all this, what must be my impressions as to the soundness of  Professor
Jones' charges upon the Faculty, particularly that of pseudo-Eclecticism ?
  The largest portion of  Dr. Jones' pamphlet is  devoted to the destruction of
Professor tfuchanan ; he has produced numerous, I can  not say  weighty, testi-
monials  to prove that his doctrines are visionary and useless—even incompre-
hensible.   1 can endorse for him here, for  I have heard students—yes, many of
them, say as much.  And he states that even his colleagues have said as much.
Well, suppose that both professors and students  said so, what of it?  Neither
protessors nor students, nor even yet, Professor Jones, have said that he is  not
a talented man, a ready writer, and a fluent lecturer—that he has not been one
of the main pillars of the Institution since  his election into it.
  1 remember distinctly that when a student of medicine at  Lexington, Ky.,
that some of the professors and many of the students regarded Professor Cald-
well's doctrines as visionary and incomprehensible; and 1 was  one of them.
The same objections were  made  to Professor Jackson of Philadelphia.  Then
why were not these gentlemen expelled from  their  distinguished schools res-
pectively'?  Because they were able men—able, because they had the power
to make the students think, and consequently to  make  them more  effective.
Professor Buchanan's condition is  precisely parallel—he has not been so fortu-
nate as to make all his colleagues and students believe his doctrines  to be true
and useful, and  on the other hand, his disbelievers have not succeeded in
proving them to be false and mischievous.  If Professor Jones will  do this, I
now pledge myself to give him my feeble assistance in  having  him removed
from the school.   It  should be remembered that  Professor Buchanan's depart-
ment is measurably literary, and therefore it provides  a large field for sugges-
tion when  facts can  not  be  had, and we have frequently done  Professor
Buchanan  the justice to say that we knew of no one who has more power ot
make others think, who can think, than he,  and if Professor Jones have failed
to be benefitted, in this wise, by his intercourse with him, the fault is his own
misfortune.
  Professor Jones  charges  Professor Buchanan  with  being a  dictator—with
possessing a spirit of dictation.  For ought that we know to the contrary, this
charge may be well  founded.   But as  a  more harmonious Faculty than  the
one that now has charge of the Institute, perhaps never existed,  it follows that
the other six are good and loyal subjects—it proves  more, namely:  that Pro-
fessor Jones has neither the power to  govern,  nor  the  humility to obey—to 
4
PROCEEDINGS OF ECLECTIC  PHYSICIANS
lead nor to follow.  It may be worthy of historical recollection to remark, that
in many periods of the world, men, similarly constituted have existed.
  As my purpose is neither to prosecute nor defend in the premises, but simply
to satisfy the public, to the extent of my influence, that the utmost harmony
and social feeling prevail in the present Faculty of the Eclectic Medical Insti-
tute of Cinctnnati, and  that  the  said  Institution was never more worthy of
public confidence, nor more capable of public usefulness than it now is, I beg
leave, gentlemen, to trespass a little while longer upon your patience.
  It has been my privilege to hear lectures in a dozen or more  Medical Col-
leges, and this, one would reasonably suppose, should qualify a medical gen-
deman for  judging pretty accurately of the relative strength and the usual pe-
culiarities of medical faculties.   After graduating in Lexington University, I
visited Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, each of which contained two
medical schools, and as some of these schools were much distinguished, it may
well be  supposed that  a young Western  frontier-man would expect to find
more professional ability than  the West could furnish;  at all  events, this was
my expectation, but to my great disappointment I soon discovered that I had
left a school that was  incomparably  superior  to either of them  in useful and
practical ability to teach ; and the peculiarity common to all of them  which I
observed, was this :  neither of those schools had  more than three useful and
and respectably able teachers.   The  University of Philadelphia, that of New
York, and that of Baltimore,  bad each one professor who,  as a  teacher,  was
inferior to any professor I have ever known in the West, and yet one of these
was distinguished for his science.  It has been my observation up to this time,
that mediocrity is characteristic of a majority of every faculty 1 have seen.
   Now, gentlemen, allow me to give my attention to the faculty of the Eclectic
Medical Institute of Cincinnati.   Inasmuch as  Professor Jones  objects very
strongly  to Professor Buchanan as a teacher, not because  of any deficiency of
talent, but  because he is, in his.opinion, visionary and somewhat heterodox;
(and here let it be remembered that Professor Jones is too modest to  dictate to
other Professors what they shall teach,) and he is of the opinion, too, that Pro-
fessors Bickley., Hoyt and Sherwood are not the exactly simon-pure.  I will Jay
them aside,  more especially as I have never heard the three latter, (and  Pro-
fessor Newton  too, I should have had to command to stand aside, if my evi-
dence did not vindicate him.)  To dispose thus of these gentlemen is not proper
in one who has it in his power  to  bear  favorable  testimony in their behalf,
therefore I am  pleased to add  that I have heard the most talented of the stu-
dents express  themselves  in  the highest terms  of commendation  of their
efficiency and excellence as teachers.  But with  reference to Newton,  Free-
man, and King, the only  members of the  present faculty of the Institute ol
whom, as professors, 1 have any personal knowledge, I may speak more freely
fWid emphatically.  When  I selected  them as colleagues  for  myself in the
Sputh, I was of the opinion that they possessed the requisite talent and energy
i to make a name  for themselves.   Now let me ask, have they not done it, and
that top in the short space of four years?  I know these  gentlemen, I have
tried them, and now express it as my honest conviction that they will compare
favprably, as teachers, with the ablest professors of our country.
..., Now, in review,  1 beg leave to remark, that however  people may differ in
cpipipn as to the  value of Professor Buchanan's labors,  it has ever been admit-
ied/bv his colleagues, as a body, that he is, as an acquisition to the school, too
valuable.to be {dispensed with so long as he is retainable.   Of the other three
the class highly,approve :,upw include with those the three,  whom I know and
highly appreciate, and all acting harmoniously together,  and it becomes  very
questionable whether there is a school in our  country more favorably circum-
stanced than Ujp  Eclectic. Medical Institute of  Cincinnati.
   Gentlemen, I can nqt yet cpnclude—you must  indulge  me a few minutes
longer.  You ^are aware that there,,was a meeting of, so called, Eclectic physi-
cians last winter in this:city. It consisted ot disaffected Eclectics, hood-winked
Eclectics, and disaffected Physbpatbistfr—it  was gotten up privately, there was 
OF CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.                    5
no call for it through the public  press, it consisted of a few of such as I have
designated, and their very able, chaste and christian-like  proceedings  were pub-
lished in pamplet form.  Professor Jones was one of this meeting, ami 60 was
Ex-professor Baldridge.   As I have said (with reference  to Professor Jones)
I have personally no unkind feelings towards  Professor Baldridge;  but  as he
has been intriguing to injure that organization  upon which the principal weight
or responsibility of medical reform, in this section of our country, rests, I can
not forbear to expose him as one of the  disaffected,  who would brook or risk
any mischief to the cause, to break down certain individuals ot the organization
above aliuded to.
   When I was seeking professors for the Memphis Institute, he desired to be
one, and when I spoke of King, Newton  and Freeman,  he told me that they
would not do, that King Was not capable,  Newton was not of the right  grit,
and Freeman  could not be trusted, and  consequently he would not  serve  with
them;  but  he had, he said, two sons-in-law who were just  the men for the
occasion.  Upon a subsequent  occasion  I informed  him that 1 had decided
upon accepting  the services of those  gentlemen, and, upon  finding that my
purpose was fixed, he consented to serve with them, but  it so happened that
they would not serve with him.   But he was premature in  all he did in this re-
lation, for, at no time had I solicited his service*.  He was not what 1 wanted,
and was too old to become it.  It is proper to add, in this place,  that before
my acquaintence with him, he was hostile to  Professor Buchanan, and to Jones
also, 1 believe,
   We now find that Ex-professors Jones and Baldridge were at the head of this
 secretly gotten up  convention of Eclectic (?) physicians, and under all the cir-
 cumstances connected with this  subject  can any one imagine it to  be possible
 that opposition to the Institute, inculcated, hatched, and promoted bj these gen-
 tlemen, can effect  anything more than a public contempt  for themselves?
 Gentlemen, I  have more confidence in  the wisdom of the public mind than to
 believe  it.
   There is, gentlemen, but one  other topic upon which I de?ire to make a few
 remarks before concluding.
   Ex-professor Jones has endeavored to make much capital out of the practice
 of the professors in delivering private lectures.  He would have the public to
 believe that he is singularly honest in refusing to do so—that  he taught all  he
 knew in his  public course.  Upon this subject we can scarcely separate him
 from the idea of knavery or  stupidity.  I  dislike the alternative and would not
 intentionally  be harsh.   If he delivers to a class all he knows  in a course of
 four months lectures,  why require students to take  a second course, and even
 when they have done so  occasionally reject them?  If two courses will barely
 graduate a young man, would not three or four do it with far more credit to
 him ?  If Professor Jones can tell a class all that he knows in a four month's
 course of lectures, we should conclude  that he was not prematurely removed.
 As regards th3 student, if the hearing of a subject discussed once will enlighten
 him,  will he not  become more enlightened  and familiar  with it by hearing it
 discussed several times?
   The truth is, the giving of private lectures by the  regular professors of medi-/
 cal colleges  is, we may  say, a universal  practice,  and as Professor Jones
 refuses to do it because of conscientious scruples, he should be regarded as the
 most honest professor who is known  to the profession.  We are confident that
 a capable teacher  can advance a student more in one hour than books can in
 three days, and then, it is much more easy and agreeable.   Upon this subject
 I am sure I have had more experience than  Professor Jones, and  therefore I
 recommend it to all students to take  private lectures, if they  can—the opinion
 of Professor Jones to the contrary notwithstanding."
    After  the  concision of his  remarks,  the Chairman was requested by the
  members of the meeting to  write them out in full for publication.
    Dr. Wombaugh addressed the meeting, expressing  his earnest disapproba- 
PROCEEDINGS OF  ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
lion of the recent attack upon the Institute, and offered the following resolu-
tions :
  " Whereas the labors of the faculty of the  Eclectic Medical Institute have been
unfortunately opposed by the enemies of reform,  and  Whereas, we  regret to
learn  that they Lave recently received  the co-operation of additional slander
and abusive reports from individuals unfriendly to the Institute,
  " Resolved—That we consider it the duty of all true friends of reform to contra-
d:ct and counteract the slanders which have recently been circulated by expelled
professors.
  " Resolved—That a committee of five be appointed to examine the subject in
detail and make s-ueh a  report to the medical profession as will promote the
cause of truth and medical reform."
  After remarks from  various gentlemen, the foregoing  resolutions were
unanimously adopted, and the following gentlemen were a committee to carry
out the purpose ot the last resolution: Dr. W.  Byrd Powell, Dr. Israel Wilson.
Dr. P. K. Wombaugh, Dr. P. Henry Hale, and Dr.  J. C. Thomas.
  Dk. S.  Kyle made explanatory statements in  reference to the  so called
': Meeting of Eclectic physicians," and denied having made  the statements
against Dr. Newton  attributed to him in  the pamphlet of Dr. Jones.
  On  motion, the Secretary proceeded to record the names of the gentlemen
present who desired to have their names placed on record  as members of the
meeting approving of its proceedings, which names are  those given above, as
constituting the meeting.
  On  motion, Resolved, tbat the committee should be authorized  to publish their
report as the final action of this meeting.
  On  motion, the meeting adjourned.
                                      W.  BYRD POWELL, President.
                                       P.  HENRY  HALE, Secretary.
                  REPORT  OF THE  COMMITTEE.

   The committee appointed by the Eclectic Physicians of Cincinnati and
Covington to report upon  the recent accusations and hostile movements
against the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, having examined the
subject in a spirit of impartiality, and with an eye to the public welfare,
apart from the private objects el individuals,  would respectfully report—
   That while the)' would regret any appearance of factious or discordant
action, they do not deem the  present occasion one of great importance or
serious danger as to the consequences involved.   At the same time, they
believe  that all  abusive publications  against  the leading advocates of
medical  reform are calculated to  give  material  aid to its  opponents.
They regret to observe that any individual,  after  occupying  a place  in
theE. M. Institute, and after being required to withdraw by his colleagues
or by the trustees, should  be so provoked by personal disappointment as
to assail his former colleagues, to endeavor to destroy the Institution, and
to create a rancorous feud among the friends of reform.   The personal
differences between Dr. Jones and his former colleagues, and his decided
persona! hostility, constituted a sufficient reason for separation, but not
for warfare  against the school.   The  committee  do not think that any
private wrongs whatever would justify such a course.   They  would re-
gret and condemn such  action in any individual,  whatever might be his 
OF CINCINNATI AND  COVINGTON.                  7
previous character or his  personal  injuiies.   Personal  ends should not
interfere with great public  objects and institutions.  Yet  when  o-rave
charges against  the  Institute  are adduced in a public manner, they de-
mand some notice ;  and as this is  the  purpose of our  appointment, we
propose to examine the question whether any charge can be substantiated
which should diminish the esteem and admiration which the E. M. Insti-
tute has  heretofore commanded.
   If the  charges of Dr. Jones and Dr. Baldridge are to be believed, the
Eclectic Medical Institute  is entirely  unworthy  of public  confidence.
The Faculty are, with scarcely an exception, unprincipled men, who are
continually engaged in abusing each other secretly  and  plotting against
each other's interests—but  who have no hesitation in stating any false-
hood necessary to keep up appearances. Not only are they void of honor,
but they are equally void of good sense, disqualified for their position as
medical teachers, destitute of the true spirit of reform, devoted  to money
and cunning in tricks to deceive and  defraud  their pupils in whose pro-
gress they feel no interest, and to whom they give very little satisfactory
instruction.
   Those who have known the past reputation of the Institute and  of its
Faculty, will be slow to believe such charges,  and will  require the best
of evidence  before they would believe that the world has been  so totally
mistaken in the character of a public institution and of its  well-known
Faculty.   What, then, is the evidence upon which charges of so marvel-
ous a character are based ?   Very little evidence  is adduced except the
word of Dr. L. E. Jones and Dr. A. H. Baldridge.  But these  are inter-
ested witnesses,  both highly incensed by being removed from office, and
both anxious to establish, if possible, a rival school, but having no proba-
ble hopes of success except by the downfall of the E. M. Institute.
   Still, if their statements appear  to  be candid,  reasonable,  and well-
sustained,  we must  give them due credit.   But that  is  the  difficulty
The very first pointed accusation of Dr. Jones  is in  the form of an allu-
sion to some disgraceful or immoral conduct of Dr. Buchanan, growing-
out of his relation as a student to Dr. Powell  of this committee.   Now
the fact  is he never held such  a  relation to  that  gentleman.   If then
imaginary or malicious stories are circulated without examination in one
instance,  with which we are  acquainted,  we  can not rely upon other
stories from the same imaginative and malicious source.
   Next we observe a charge that Dr. Newton  had been  recently engaged
in mercurial practice, and was, but the year before his appointment  in the
E. M. Institute,  while professor in the Memphis Medical Institute,  enga-
ged in opposition to  reform,  having sanctioned a  public announcement
that the Memphis Institute was not reformatory in  its character, but be-
longed entirely to the Old School Allopathic party.  Upon this subject
some of the committee have positive personal knowledge, other  witnesses
are within reach,  who  have given their testimony, and we  feel  it our
duty to  pronounce any such  statement totally and maliciously untrue.
We know that Dr. Newton has never abandoned the principles of Eclectic
reform since he renounced the doctrines of his teachers  and espoused the
liberal  cause.   We know that the announcement in question was  unau-
thorized  and false, being,  with its author, severely condemned by Dr.
Newton and the majority of the Facculty.   This  whole subject was ex-
amined into and  satisfactorily settled even to the approbation of Dr. Jones 
8
PROCEEDINGS  OF ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
himself, before Dr. Newton was appointed in the E. M. Institute.   Why
he should now attempt to revive slanders which he himself once despised
and publicly denounced in the Eclectic Medical Journal,  the reader can
decide for himself.    Another imputation  which  Dr. Jones  attempts
obliquely to revive is conveyed in an allusion to Dr. Newton as practicing
with calomel.  The committee would ask why, when  a  slander is dead
and buried by common consent, should any one attempt  to  galvanize it
into life.    The Eclectic physicians of Cincinnati generally were charged
with using mercury secretly, on account of their success in the cholera of
1849.  This slander was nearly anonymous, but it was considered worthy
of refutation by the unanimous declarations of all then in the city : that
was the end of it.   Dr. Newton was subsequently singled out for attack
on the same score by Dr. Latta.   The charge was completely answered
at the time by Dr. Newton to the  satisfaction of all Eelectics, in the Eclec-
tic Medical Journal of  October, 1849.  The committee are  led  by these
facts  to  conclude  that if stale and exploded calumnies are introduced
against Prof.  N., it  must be  because no serious objections founded in
truth can be adduced by his enemies.
   It thus appears that in matters  of which we have  positive knowledge
Dr. Jones not only disregards the truth but asserts  the very opposite of
truth.   If so,  we can not attach any importance to his other assertions,
except so far  as they  are intrinsically reasonable or  sustained  by some
other evidence.
   Let us  next enquire if the general statements of Dr. Baldridge can be
relied upon as accurate, when judged by what the  committee know to be
true.   One conspicuous statement of Dr. B. refers to the history of the
E. M. Institute.   He denies that he was removed  from office or requested
to resign, and  affirms in substance that  his  resignation  was entirely
voluntary and in accordance with a  previous intention.   This  the com-
mittee can not believe, as they are too familiar with the facts concerning
Dr. B's removal.   They must say that the removal was not voluntary on
his part, and that Dr.  B. as soon as removed was very anxious to procure
a professorship somewhere else, as well as hostile to his latf. colleagues,
for his rejection on account of incompetency.  If then self-interest would
lead Dr. Baldridge to pervert  facts of  such a nature,  when there are so
many individuals  living who can correct his  mis-statements, we  do not
feel that he is a reliable witness upon any subject in which his own interest
or reputation is concerned.   Especially when he is known  as having for
several years been hostile and abusive toward the E. M. Institute.
   In addition to these two witnesses,  who  appear to be unreliable  for
correct information, statements are referred to as coming from various
students of the Institute and various physicians in correspondence with
Dr. Jones.   To  make these statements and scraps of letters  worthy of
confidence they must be fairly and honestly given.   The committee can
not possibly examine  all  of these cases and  discover whether they are
genuine  or not, and whether they represent fairly the sentiments of the
writers after a full view ol the facts.  They must judge  from what they
can learn of  matters within reach.
   They learn that a letter purporting to be  signed by members of the
medical  class,  which  was one of the corroborating documents  of Dr.
Jones, has been respectfully called for by a committee of the last medi-
cal class, and that Dr. Jones could not be induced  to exhibit  it to that
committee. 
I
                    OF CINCINNATI  AND COVINGTON.                  y

   They learn that the  name of Dr. E. E. Beach has been given by Dr.
 Jones in his pamphlet as authority  for one of his statements, but they
 have also seen a statement from Dr. Beach  flatly contradicting Dr. Jones
 and denying that he acknowledged any such statement.
   They learn that an  extract  from a letter given by  Dr. Jones in his
 first pamphlet,  as from a graduate in Michigan,  is not a correct repre-
 sentation, that gentleman's views being but  a mere echo of Dr. J.   Dr.
 J.  succeeded in producing a prejudice against the rest of the  Faculty  in
 the mind of a student by whom this Michigan graduate was misled.  The
 same student soon after discovered that he  had been misled  by untrue
 statements  from  Dr. J., and  consequently gave different information to
 his friend in Michigan, and they both repudiate the sentiments which Dr.
 J. has published.
   Dr. J. adduces the private conversations  of different members of the
 Faculty, to prove that the Faculty is in a discordant  condition, and that
 Dr. Buchanan and his views are not approved by his colleagues according
 to their public declarations—in short that they are all dishonest, and that
 Dr. B. is considered by them unsound.  But unfortunately Dr. J's wit-
 nesses  all turn against him.  Every member of the present Faculty posi-
 tively and solemnly denies  all such imputations.   That Dr.  Buchanan
 has always  maintained  a high standing with his colleagues is  sufficiently
 shown  by their public acts and  expressions and  their reliance upon his
 services. The imputations of Dr.  J., therefore, merely assail the integrity
 of said professors, by representing them as playing a deceitful  part.   But
 Dr. J. has not himself, at this time sufficient character  for  veracity to
 assail the veracity of others.   He has, however,  stated that Dr. Kyle
 made  similar statements to his own  concerning Dr. Newton's private
 conversations and that Dr. K.  was willing to swear to their truth.   But
 the committee find that Dr.  K. does not sustain him.  Dr. K. was present
 at the true meeting of Eclectic Physicians  at the  E. M. Institute,  and
 then publicly and distinctly contradicted this version of his remarks.  The
 committee also have in their possession a letter addressed to them by Dr.
 K.  on this subject, in which he states that he has not  observed, in attend-
 ing lectures at the Institute, the evils complained of by Dr. J.,  and denies
 making any such  statement as Dr. Jones has  placed in his mouth.  Ex-
 professor 1. G.  Jones,  of Columbus, also denies the  correctness of the
 statements of L. E. Jones as refers to his own conversations, (see Eclectic
 Medical Journal for March,) and Dr. Morrow has left  his own  sentiments
 on record in the  Eclectic Medical Journal.   Being now dead  he can not
 speak,  but  his  most intimate  associate and  brother-in-law,  Prof. Hill
 states  in his behalf (in a letter which  we have seen) that in his  private
 conversation he often expressed his approbation of Dr. Buchanan's pri-
 vate course  of lectures and never  expressed  any disapprobation to his
 knowledge.
  Thus far  Dr. Jones'  statements being unsound,and his stories contra-
 dicted by his own witnesses, let us enquire what additional testimony can
 be adduced.  We find several extracts  from letters, published,  some  with
 and some without a  name.   The committee have enquired  as  to the
 sources of these  letters and statements.  They find that some of the par-
ties have been disappointed in procuring a  medical degree, some have
been disappointed aspirants to professorships—some have been considered
as reflecting no credit upon the profession, and some  are hostile  to  the
         2 
•
10
PROCEEDINGS OF ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
Institute and its doctrines.  Where they emanate from respectable sources
they are probably based upon exparte statements, and not the product of
a deliberate opinion and full knowledge of the facts. Hence the committee
can not regard such statements as of any value.
  As  to  the  attempts of   Dr.  Jones  to impeach  the  general talent,
soundness of judgment, and professional knowledge of Dr. Buchanan and
his colleagues, the committee do  not think that those gentlemen stand in
any need of defence.   It would be a work of supererogation to attempt to
prove  what is so  well  known  by the  public.   As to the public and
private lectures and peculiar views or discoveries of Dr. B. they have long
been  regarded  as  constituting attractive  and  valuable  features of  the
Institute, and expressions  of disapprobation  from  individual  students
amount to nothing when the general expression of  classes has been so
uniformly that of extreme approbation and interest, and when the national
reputation of  Dr. B. has been mainly acquired by means of those very
doctrines.  The attacks upon Dr.  Buchanan and Dr. King have both been
refuted by the decided expression of their classes.
   The attacks upon the  Clinical course and  hospital  called Newton's
 Clinical Institute, are, in the judgment of the committee, simply malicious.
 as they are contrary to the  sentiments of all the students who attended,
 An anonymous attack upon  the Hospital clinic during the last course,
 (the source of which is not positively kpown,)  elicited the following ex-
pression from all the students who voluntarily attended the exercises.
                  SENTIMENTS OF THE CLINICAL CLASS.

  Whereas, we, the members of the clinic class, feel ourselves implicated by the
letter received by Professor R. S. Newton, over the signature of •' Tatler's Devil,"
purporting to express the sentiments of said class, Resolved
  1st. That we deprecate the act and the author.
  2nd.  That we are not only sali-fied, but think Prof. Newton has done all that it
was possible for him to do under the circumstances, and that we hereby tender him
our thanks for ihe deep interest he has taken in our behalf  and to render the clinic
lectures instructive.
T. J. Fentress,
J. Turrentine,
A. B. Nobles,
Jos. H. lug,
David Hulse,
M. N. Bonebrake,
S B. Anderson,
James Crowfoot,
J. S. Bebee,
A. C. Hewetl,
Roland T. Hart,
Wm. W. McCullough,
E. Williams,
Enoch P. Jones,
Jas. C. Heyderson,
A. Beck,
M. R. Leonard]
E.H.Lake,
 J. A. Burns,
 J. R. Johnson,
 J. H. Gray,
 J. W. Adams,
 John Hull,
 C. W. Stocum,
 Jno. H. Ogden,
 H.H.Lewis
 John C. Nisbet,
 C. Stowell,
 Anson Birch,
 J. T. Lattner,
 J. A. Churchill,
 H. R. Benham,
J.M. Swift,
 J. F. Wuist,
 T. F. Steward,
 Andrew Gullett,
Wm. North WiUierson,
Isaac A. Hammer,
D  T.Holland,
Van McHenry,
M. H. Dersham,
W. W. Washburn,
G. F. Bailey,
J. Shotwell,
Geo. L. Gibbs,
M  Krancis Clayton,
M. M. Baily,
Wm. S. Latta,
Henry Vigor,
Wm. Patty,
Eli Elstun,
Is-aac Tibbetts,
A. H. Cropper,
Thos. Cuscaden.
  Is it necessary to protract any further our review ?   We have not yet
found the evidence that the Institute and Faculty are in any degree liable
to the charges of  Dr.  Jones, and even if we had any evidence of their
truth, we should have great difficulty in believing them, since it would be
necessary to believe that sixty or seventy respectable physicians, recent 
OF CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.
11
graduates of the Institute, have united in publishing unprincipled false-
hoods.  There is a question of veracity between Dr. J.  and the medical
classes  of  both the Winter and  the  Spring sessions, and it is easier to
suppose that one interested and impassioned individual may mis-state the
facts in his own case, than that so large a number of disinterested parties
should state such falsehoods.   We here append the proceedings of the
class which attended the Winter session, who had heard Dr. Jones  as a
professor and had also heard his whole argument and his attack upon the
Faculty.  These proceedings, we learn, were the sentiments of  the entire
class within a few days of the close of the  session.   One hundred and
twenty-eight were counted in the  hall of the Institute, of whom but two
were opposed to adopting the resolutions.  We presume  the  members of
these  classes to have been as respectable  as other classes in respectable
schools, and we regard those whom we know personally  as gentlemen of
integrity.
     PROCEEDINGS OF WINTER AND  SPRING  CLASSES.

           Eclectic  Medical  Hall, Cincinnati, February 17, 1853.
   At a meeting of the class  of the E. M. Institute,  Geo. Lundy Gibbs
was called to the Chair, and E.  H. Waugh appointed Secretary.   On
motion, a committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions  expressing
the views of the class regarding a publication recently made,  purporting
to be  a report  of the proceedings of Eclectic Physicians held in Cincin-
nati, February  7,  1853,  and signed by A H. Baldridge, M. D., Presi-
dent, and S. Kyle, M. D., Secretary.
   The following gentlemen were appointed said committee : B. Pickering,
T, R. Ward, W. S. Severance, T.  C. Ellis.  The meeting then adjourned
until to-morrow, February 18.
   February 18, 1853.   The  class met  pursuant to adjournment.   The
committee presented the following report, which was adopted.
   E. H. Watjgh, M. D.,  Secretary.       G. L. GIBBS, President.

   Whereas,  we have carefully read a pamphlet against the  Eclectic
Medical Institute, recently put farth by Dr. L. E.Jones,  signed by A. H.
Baldridge, M. D., President,  and  S. Kyle, M. D.,  Secretary,  purporting
to represent the sentiments of the  Eclectic Physicians of Cincinnati and
vicinity ; and whereas, we know of but one Eclectic physician entertaining
such  sentiments, excepting  the  two whose names are signed to the
pamphlet:
   1st.  Resolved, That we regard this pamphlet as an imposition on the
public whom it addresses  under  the false pretence of expressing the
sentiments of the Eclectic physicians of  Cincinnati and vicinity,  when in
reality it  only  expresses  the  ideas  and language of Dr. L.  E. Jones,
which are prompted solely by the desire to inflict injury upon the  most
successful, talented, and efficient school of medical reform now  in  exis-
tence.
   2nd.  Resloved, That the entire pamphlet is  filled  with a series  of
slanderous misrepresentations, which render it entirely unworthy of pub- 
12
PROCEEDINGS  OF ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
lie confidence, and prove that its author has but little regard to the claims
of truth and honor.
  3d. Resolved, That the  assertion that the class generally sympathize
with L. E. Jones, and approve his course,  is a slander upon the class.
  4th. Resolved, That the assertion that seventy or eighty students left
the Institute on account of the expulsion of Dr. L. E. Jones,  and the
" inefficient teachings of the Faculty," is grossly false, as itis well known
to the entire class that  the number of students in attendance upon the
lectures immediately after the expulsion of Dr. Jones instead of being
diminished was actually  greater than it was immediately previous to that
act.
  5th. Resolved, That  we  feel assured,  and that many of the present
class positively know  from their own  attendance,  that  the  doctrinal
teachings of the E. M. Institute are in substance and spirit the same at
present that they have been from the first organization of the school, and
that the  assertions  of  Dr. L.  E. Jones  to  the contrary,  are the mere
offspring of  chagrin  and disappointed ambition.
  6th.  Resolved, That the imputations  of  chicanery and fraud against
the present  Faculty are utterly groundless, and  are  disgraceful  only to
the slanderer who utters the ridiculous charge.
  7th. Resolved, That  the expulsion of Dr. L. E. Jones was an act of
necessity, for the preservation of the Institute, and that the assertion that
he was expelled on account of his opposition to Homoeopathy, is a false-
hood so totally groundless as to prove its  author capable  of fabricating
falsehoods without a scruple.
  8th. Resolved, That when the announcement was made that Dr. L. E.
Jones had been expelled from the Institution—that the class received the
announcement with  "sadness and silence,"  "with surprise and morti-
fication," by the members of the class in general, is very far from truth;
the truth being that the announcement was received and applauded with
unusual interest, as the  class knew that he could not longer remain in his
chair and harmony prevail in the Institution.
  9th. Resolved, That the reiterated statement that numbers of the class
have been compelled to  attend  private courses of lectures, and further,
that the lectures have been deficient in  the Institute in consequence of
said courses of lectures, is  unqualifiedly false ;  the lectures  on the con-
trary having been full  and complete, and entire  satisfaction has been
given.
  10th. Resolved, That  the unanimous action of the Faculty in expelling
Dr. L. E. Jones has resulted in harmony and good feeling in the Institute,
which did not and could not have prevailed so long as he was permitted
to indulge in a tirade of  personal abuse of the professors, and  indulge
in vulgarity which was unbecoming a gentleman, much less a man whose
greatest interest is for the  " unsuspecting  and too confiding youth" of
the E. M. Institute.
  11th. Resolved, That we regard Professor Bickley, not only as a good
lecturer,  but as an efficient and instructive teacher, and that he has the
esteem and  confidence of the class.
  12th. Resolved,  That we can not too strongly disapprove of the thrusts
made at  Professor Buchanan, which deserve a prompt condemnation of
all favorable to the cause  of Eclecticism,  as he  has done  more than any 
OF CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.
13
other individual, excepting the lamented  Professor Morrow,  to. forward
the cause, and as much depends  on him as the able and devoted sup-
porter of Eclecticism, such slanderous attacks can not too promptly meet
the disapprobation of all true Eclectics.
   13th. Resolved,  That the E. M. Institute was never in a more prosper-
ous condition,  never more harmonious, never on a  firmer basis, never
were the teachings  more thorough  and satisfactory, never before were
the future prospects more cheering and hopeful than now.
   14th. Resolved,  That the assertion of Dr. L. E. Jones, that he was
expelled because  he opposed the doctrines of  Hahnemann,  is utterly
false and grondless, as the subject of  Homoeopathy,  so far as we know,
was never a matter of discussion  or difference between  the members of
the Faculty, and he was never, as far  as we know, censured or opposed
by any one for the views which he expressed on the subject.  In all the
charges against him we  have never heard  the subject of Homoeopathy
even alluded to,  although we have heard  many other charges against
him of a very  serious  character.
   15th.  Resolved, That the assertion,  that the Faculty of the E.  M. In-
stitute are departing from the plain, practical course  of teaching, which
has heretofore been pursued in the Institute  in the time of Dr. Morrow,
and that the Faculty have become partly  Homoeopathic and partly Allo-
pathic or " Old School,"  is a  slanderous falsehood, which  is not only
entirely groundless, but is certainly the very reverse of truth ; since in
the time of Dr. Morrow the Faculty embraced one member of the Old
School Allopathic party, and one member of the Homoeopathic party;
whereas at this time there  are no  such encumbrances upon  the school;
and the whole course of teaching in the Institution is solid, practical, and
truly Eclectic, as  that term has always been understood by the great mass
of  medical reformers in America.
   16th. Resolved, That the assertion that the teachings of Prof. Buchan-
an are ethereal, wild, incoherent, and visionary fancies,  and that they
are calculated to subject the graduates and  students  to " unmerited re-
proaches and contumely," we feel it our duty to deny, as we have heard
from the chair which  he occupies nothing  but a  clear and  simple ex-
planation of the physiological  and pathological subjects which belong to
his department presented in a peculiarly original manner, and embracing
much important and practical matter,  not obtainable from any work with
which  we are acquainted, or taught in any other medical school of which
we have  any  knowledge.
   17th.  Resolved, That those who have become acquainted with  his
wonderful accessions  to science  do universally accept  his teachings as
supplying a great vacuum in science, that they are in perfect accordance,
as we most firmly believe, with the great laws controlling the animal or-
ganism, and  that his  discoveries  in physiological  science have rendered
parts of the science, heretofore obscure and mystified, clear and plain as
any fact in science.
                      BARTON PICKERING,  1
                       THOS. R. WARD,
                      W. S. SEVERANCE,      )■   Committee.
                      T. C. ELLIS,
                      GEORGE KELLER,      J 
14
PROCEEDINGS  OF ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
                      Eclectic Medical Institute, June  8,  1853.
  At a meeting of the class of the Eclectic Medical Institute, for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the contents of a pamphlet,  said to be
published by Dr. L. E. Jones,  H. Doty was called  to the chair, and T.
J. Fentress appointed Secretary.
  On motion, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of the fol-
lowing gentlemen :  Messrs. Fentress, Johnson,  and Benham,  to wait on
Dr. L.  E. Jones and  obtain,  if possible, a copy of  a  letter, which  he
asserts to be  in his  possession,  purporting  to have been written in New
York city.
  [This  letter was stated by  Dr. J.  to have  been written in Cincinnati,
and signed by several students,  as an expression of  approbation toward
himself,  although it was published as a letter from New York,  in order
to conceal all the parties concerned in this clandestine transaction.—Ed.]
  On motion, a committee of five was appointed, consisting  of  the  fol-
lowing gentlemen :  Messrs. Johnson, Turrentine, Hewett, Finkbine, and
Benham, to draft resolutions  expressing the views of the class concerning
the above-mentioned pamphlet.
  On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet to-morrow, at 4 o'clock,
P.M.
                         COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
                                                   June 9th, 1853.
  We,   the  said committee, proceeded according to  instructions,  and
politely requested Dr. L. E.Jones to furnish us with a copy of said letter,
which  he positively refused, stating  that he  was under no obligations
whatever to accede to our  request;  his assertions to the contrary, not-
withstanding.
                                     T. J. Fentress.)
                                     J.  R. Johkson,  >• Committee.
                                     H. R. Benham,  )
  On  motion, each resolution,  as follows,  was taken up separately and
unanimously adopted.
  On  motion, it was Resolved,  That these resolutions with  the proceed-
ings of the meeting, be forwarded to Prof. R. S. Newton lor publication.
   T. J.  Fentress,  Secretary.                   H.  Dots, Chairman.

           RESOLUTIONS UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE CLASS.
   Whereas, Certain reports are  in circulation, derogatory to the  character
and  position of the Faculty of the Eclectic Medical Institute, and reflecting
dishonor upon the class now in attendance ;  and  Whereas,  a part of  a
pamphlet, entitled "An exposition of the professional perfidy, hypocrisy,
duplicity and mendacity of the secret and malicious intriguer, Prof. J. R.
Buchanan,"  and which would, ere this, have been published  in full,  had
not the design and  scurrility of the article prevented its issue, containing
as it does, gross falsehoods and base insinuations, alike  insulting to Prof.
Buchanan and his associates, and degrading to the author ; therefore,
   Resolved, That we regard  this movement, on the part of those engaged
in it, as  a treacherous attack upon  the  cause  of reform, dictated by a 
OF CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON.
15
feeling of chagrin, wounded pride,  and revenge—as  vindictive as false,
and infamous as untrue.
  Resolved, That we regard the assertion, that " the desire for diplomas,
and the fear of displeasing their Faculty, especially after so many tirades
of abuse liad been hurled at me by them, forced the class into submission,
or at least into silence," as a slander, reflecting dishonor upon the inde-
pendence of the graduating cla<s to whom it rnfers ;  and false, as mem-
bers of the  Spring class, then in attendance,  will testify ;  and  that no
"tirades of abuse," or "threats" were uttered in the Institute
  Resolved, That the assertion that " many of the students who remained
during the vacation would not matriculate in  the Eclectic Medical Insti-
tute,  for the Spring session,  until they came to me and  learned that the
new school (?) would not be  organized this spring," is unequivocally
false, as the members of the class unanimously testify.
  Resolved,  That the assertion that "only about sixty remained in the
city, nearly fifty of whom were candidates for graduation,  and  of that
number but a few, probably not more than twenty, voted for their adop-
tion,"  etc., is false,  as the chairman and others of the meeting  which
adopted these resolutions well know.
   Resolved, That the statement concerning  " various emphatic, printed
documents coming from  the  class  after  it was reduced to less than one-
third," is unmeaning and untrue, because, first, no  " printed  document"
came  from the class referred to,  and second, no such  " reduction" took
place.
   Resolved, That the assertions that Prof. Buchanan is a "poor teacher,
capable of selecting  and impressing but little of any importance"—that
he is hard to  understand, wild and visionary," are grossly  unjust,  re-
flecting dishonor on one of the best physiologists of the  age,  and if re-
garded would be  detrimental  to the progress of physiological science ;
and that, though his indefatigable labors and lofty deductions may  not
be  appreciated by hunkers, nor understood by the stupid, we highly  ap-
preciate them, and regard his lectures as all that could be asked by the
students of physiology.
   Resolved, That the insinuation that "Prof. B.  condenses his  lectures
into one-half of the term, and then so  mystifies and commingles them
with  intangibles as to render progress impossible," is wholly unfounded ;
and that while he necessarily gave  his chair, for the  first half of his term,
to Anatomy, he has  fully made up his time in the latter half; and that
we regard his instructions as the more impressive from that arrangement;
and that the assertion that he brings all his peculiar views into his regular
course on physiology, has no  foundation in truth  ; and that when he de-
livered a few lectures, at the close of the session, on  the science of An-
thropology, it  was by especial request of the class.
   Resolved,  That the statement in said pamphlet charging Prof. B. with
 "teaching homoeopathy," is  known by this class to be untrue,  as his
views of those doctrines has been so distinctly stated, and his sound  Ec-
lectic teachings so practical, and highly prized, that we indignantly spurn
the insinuation, and cast it back upon its authors.
   [It is not implied here that homoeopathic instruction or practice is dis-
honorable in itself—the charge which is thus spurned is that of duplicity,
,- n  teaching doctrines contrary to publicly expressed belief.—Ed.] 
16
PROCEEDINGS OF ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
   Resolved,  That the  insinuations in said part of pamphlet, charging
 members  of the Faculty with  " fraud, swindling,"  etc., are but the
 emanations of a brain diseased by jealousy  and envy, and are as false as
 malicious, as the private lectures of Professors Buchanan and King were
 delivered in compliance with  the earnest solicitations of the several classes;
 and the small fee charged for such lectures was  freely given,  and in no
 instance urged from the members of those classes.
   Resolved,  That so far as concerns the charge  against Prof. King,  that
 "he only recommended six or eight remedies,"  falsehood marks it; for
 in his  lectures  to  the class, he  has recommended over  one hundred
 remedies; and we regard him as one of the best  practitioners of the age;
 and that the charge that he has reserved any disease legitimately belong-
 ing to his chair, for his private course, is utterly untrue.
   Resolved,  That we, as members of previous classes, as well as those
 now  in attendance, wish to  express our pleasure that the recent change
 in the members of the Faculty has been made, thus placing in the chair
 of practice,  in the  place of Ex-professor  Jones, a  man  infinitely his
 superior in amiability, in scientific attainments, and  in success  as  a
 practitioner in the  treatment of  diseases which  have baffled the skill of
 other schools of medicine.
   Resolved,  Finally, that despite  all the contumely  that has been hurled
 against the Faculty  and the  Institute, we  regard the Faculty as purely
 Eclectic, high-minded  and honorable  gentlemen, efficient and zealous
 teachers, faithful to the interests of Eclecticism and  of the glorious  cause
 of medical reform, lovers of science, and friends of humanity ; and that
 the Eclectic  Medical  Institute of Cincinnati,  Ohio,  is the grand nucleus
 around which cluster  the strength  and the glory of American medical re-
 form ; and despite all opposition, it will stand as firm and  unshaken as
 the rock of Gibraltar, and continue to shine  until it has illuminated the
 medical world, that is now shrouded in darkness  ; and that  we are proud
to acknowledge her as our Alma  Mater, and hereby pledge ourselves to
sustain  and promote her interests to the utmost  of  our ability.
                                     J. R. Johnson,
                                     J. TURRENTINE,
                                     A. C. Hewett,
                                     William Finkbine,
                                     H. R. Benham.
► Committee.
   Thus while all the reliable testimony refutes the attacks of Drs. Jones
and Baldridge, we may ask whether such attacks have any importance ? *
They appear to derive importance from two facts.  1st, These gentlemen
have heretofore  been recognized as  professors in the Institute.   2nd,
Their accusations are represented as endorsed by a " numerous" meeting
of  *' Eclectic physicians," and  Dr.  Jones professes  to have  received
universal sympathy  with his  views.

  * The committee would remark that they have made no reference to a number of
abusive statements in the pamphlet in question,  for the reason that, although they
are known to be untrue, they are of too paltry a character to be dignified by any
especial notice or formal contradiction.  They would remark,  however, that the
malicious reference to Dr. Buchanan in connexion with the death of Dr. Morrow,
is not sustained by  the statement of the facts which we have  received from the best
authority. 
OF CINCINNATI AND  COVINGTON.
17
   As to the former fact we would remark that no member of the present
 Faculty or present Board of Trustees was concerned in their  introduction
 into the Institute, excepting Dr. Wilson who concurred in their removal.
 They were  appointed  because there was no  competition for the places
 and the Board was compelled  to accept a sufficient number to make
 out  a Faculty.   Dr. Jones was chosen  as a  substitute for  Dr. Jordan
 who would  not accept.  Both of these gentlemen retained  their places
 until their presence was found to be deeply injurious to the Institute, in
 the unanimous  opinion of their  colleagues.
   As to the "numerous" meeting of Eclectic physicians,  the committee
 can  not discover its existence.   The only general meeting of which we
 have any knowledge was  that publicly called and held at the  E. M. Insti-
 tute, by which the  present committee  were appointed.   In  the  private
 meeting at Dr. Jones'  apartments, there were three or four known as
 physicians in Eclectic practice,  one of whom was present at our public
 meeting, and we have never heard that  any of these individuals approved
 of Dr. Jones' scurrilous language against the Faculty, on the contrary,
 we  have been informed  by Dr. Kyle that the scurrilous expressions of
 the pamphlet were inserted after the meeting by Dr. Jones himself.
   As to the great sympathy Dr. J. has received we  have only his own
 statement, upon which  we can not rely, as he professes to have received
 a great  deal of sympathy from the class  when they have almost unani-
 mously condemned him, and has endeavored to convince the public that
 the physicians of  Cincinnati unanimously condemned the Institute, which
 is the reverse of  the truth.   If his  claims to sympathy  abroad are no
 better grounded than his  claims to sympathy at home,  his opposition to
 Institute need not excite much apprehension.
   Upon the  whole the committee regard this entire  affair  as  amounting
 to very little more than an effort of interested parties to create dissatisfac-
 tion  and undermine the leading school and principal reliance of medical
 reform, with the hope of preparing  for the establishment of an  opposi-
 tion  school,  which  is  not needed, and which would be productive  of
 much injury—aside from the ingratitude of endeavoring to  injure and
 thwart the  labors of those who have so  nobly upheld the banner of re-
 form.  The present Faculty deserve the united  and  hearty support  of
 every friend  of reform,  and as  their labors receive  but little pecuniary
 recompense, while  they  are diffusing  the principles of reform more
 efficiently  and extensively than has ever been  done before, they  are
 doubly entitled to  the gratitude and friendship, and the co-operation of all
 who desire the success of reformatory  principles.
  From all that we can learn, the school at present does not  comprise a
 single inefficient or  unfaithful teacher,  nor  a single  one who  is not
 esteemed and respected by the  class.   Nor do we believe that  a more
 harmonious and co-operative Faculty was ever  united in one institution.
 Certainly the Institute  has  never before  been so free from  discordant
 elements and from  any doctrines or influences adverse to  liberal and
 progressive reform,  in  the  spirit in which  the Institute was  originally
 founded.
  As to the attempt  to  insinuate that the Institute  neglects  giving the
 proper instruction in Eclectic practice, and to a great extent teaches the
 Homoeopathic system, which is implied in the pamphlet of  Dr. Jones, we
scarcely know whether such  ideas deserve to oe treated even  seriously. 
18
PROCEEDINGS OF  ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
Every one concerned knows  that the instruction in  the  Institute has al-
ways been in all departments what is denominated Eclectic, except while
the chair of Homoeopathy was established in the Institute.   In the es-
tablishment of this chair, by a  former Faculty, no member of the present
Faculty had any agency except Dr. Buchanan.   The  leading part in its
establishment was taken by Dr.  Hill and Dr. Monow.    The extent to
which the Faculty went at that time was objected to by Dr. Buchanan—
and the  first  movement for its discontinuance  was  made  by Dr.  B.,
through whose action finally the chair was abolished, in which movement
he was sustained by the influence of the present professor of practice.
  During the lifetime of Dr. Morrow he firmly maintained the  Homaeo-
pathic  department  against objections adduced by  some  of  the present
Faculty.   And it is notorious  that the Institute has, at the present time,
less connexion with the Homoeopathic party than at any  former period.
Not one of those who gave an  unqualified  support to  the Homoeopathic
chair is now in  the Faculty.
  Excepting  as to the  excision  of the  Homoeopathic department,  the
identity of the Institute in spirit and sentiment with its original principles,
has been  remarkably preserved.   The same member  of  the  original
Faculty, upon whom  devolved from  the first the  duty of defining  the
doctrines  and platform of the school,  is still vigilant as Dean of the
Faculty in maintaining a liberal and  consistent course  and  in teaching
the same Eclectic philosophy  in  medicine.   The two  leading pioneers
who were removed by disease and death from the chair of practice have
been  replaced by one who,  although younger,  has  already gained  the
most conspicuous position in the Eclectic  ranks as  practitioner and sur-
geon.   The chair  of obstetrics has been occupied by one of the oldest
and ablest Eclectic physicians in  America; three of  the  chairs, vacated
by resignation for other pursuits, have been filled by well qualified pro-
fessors who are  graduates of the Institute, and who have established the
character of sound,   thorough,  fluent  and efficient teachers.    We are
therefore convinced that the Institute was never in a better condition for
sound  Eclectic teaching and for harmonious  action.   The course of clini-
cal instruction has supplied a great desideraturn,  and  notwithstanding
the active intrigues against the Institute, we believe it has never enjoyed
greater, if even as great, reputation and popularity as at the present time.
                                 W. BYRD POWELL,^)
                                 ISRAEL WILSON,
                                 P. HENRY HALE,
                                 P. K.  WOMBAUGH,
                                 J. C. THOMAS.
>  Committee.
         DR. BUCHANAN  TO THE  MEDICAL PUBLIC.
 It is with feelings of pity for a passionate »nd misguided individual, as well as disgust for the vul-
 ?ar ebullition of his malice, that I now refer, as briefly as possible, to the last calumnious pamphlet of
 >r. L. E. Jones. Among those acquainted with the parties and the facts, no such reference is neces-
sary, and silence would be the proper course ; but there are so many to whom the facts, as well as the
parties, are but Uttle known, that a brief explanation is necessary, if for no other purpose, at least, to
furnish the friends of medical reform with the necessary information to repel the attacks of of the com-
bined enemies of liberal medicine,—composed of the inveterate ene.uics of all reform, and the dema-
 fogues, traitors, and  pretenders, who co-operate with them.  Let me proceed, then, to correct  this
 udget of malicious falsehood, and petty misstatement, so far as self-respect permits the notice of its
malevolent gossip. And I trust it will be the last time I shall ever allude to this individual and hit
attacks.
 Dr. Jones, although not fully conscious of the degradation of his position, having been condemned as
a wilful slanderer, by medical classes, endeavors to break the force of their sentence of condemnation 
OF  CINCINNATI AND  COVINGTON.
19
by denying the fact that such condemnation was general and decided, yet in this subterfuge, affirming
that not more than about twenty voted for his condemnation, he but aggravates his disgrace, by stating
a palpable falsehood, which has been unanimously pronounced false by the class in attendance at the
Spring session.  Surely his repu'ation for truth must have been entirely annihilated, when, out of 125
or 130 gentlemen, composed  of his former auditors, many of whom had been upon the most friendly
terms personally, there  were not even five individuals who would refuse to pronounce him a convicted
slanderer.
  The other subterfuge of intimating that the  resolutions of the Winter class proceeded from myself, is
entirely unavailing.  Even if it had been true  that my assistanee was considered desirable or necessary,
to regulate judiciously the phraseology of their sentiments, the fact would have amounted to nothing,—
being but an indication  of  their prudence, and a desire to avoid injudicious remarks, or unnecessarily
harsh expressions.  But, the truth was, the committee drew up their resolutions before consulting me
upon the subject, and  when they called  upon me for  additional suggestions, I gave them my views,
which appeared to coincide with their own, and they completed their expression according to their own
views, which were considered, discussed,  and adopted by the class, because they were the clear expres-
sion of the common sentiment.  The expression was truly the spontaneous sentiment of the entire class,
and would have been equally if not more  severe in sentiment, if no suggestion had  been  made by my-
self.  The resolutions unanimously adopted by the  Spring class, of which I had no knowledge until
a week after the class had dispersed, are certainly as pithy and energetic in their condemnation of Dr. J.
as those that  were adopted during the Winter; his scurrilous  pamphlet being pronounced, not only un-
true, but«' infamous."
  Why, then, it may be asked, should slanders, so generally condemned as infamous, be noticed at all ?
Simply for the reason that this collection of slanders, will probably  be the principal magazine from which
the enemies or medical reform will supply themselves with  weapons, for their partizan warfare against
our cause.   All the Old  School medical journals of America combined, and  all the malignity of Old
School colleges,  have never evolved, in  all their operations, one-fourth  of the amount  of calumnious
misrepresentation which has been  set afloat by a single  traitor to  the cause.  Every Eclectic physician,
when using  his moral influence in his own circle for the  benefit of reform, to divert young men from
the associations  of a medical despotism to those of Eclectic reform, will find the most active influence
brought against him; from the slanders of Dr. Jones, eagerly repeated and circulated, for the support of
the mercurial system.
  The amount of injury which might be done in this way, if such slanders were credited, is ten fold
greater than all the service which has ever been rendered by Dr. j;to reform, and it can be counteracted
efficiently only by placing Eclectic  physicians  in full possession of the facts.
  Dr. Jones makes an industrious effort to falsify my relations to Dr. Morrow.  His assertion, that " Dr.
Morrow absolutely required him to omit two or three pages" of allusion to Neurological science, in the
circular, and all other assertions which represent Dr. Buchanan or Dr. Morrow as speaking disrespect-
fully of each other, are the mere offspring of malice.  I was never  aware of any differences of sentiment
between Dr.  Morrow and myself, as to what would be a proper allusion to cerebral science in the circu-
lars of the'school. The friendly and intimate relations between Dr Morrow and myself, were never in-
terrupted for an hour or a moment,—and I can not but regret that he is not living to utter the indignant
rebuke with  which he would  respond to the dishonorable references to himself and his friend.   To re-
present Dr.  M  as practicing systematic duplicity toward myself, to keep my co-operation with the
school,  and being afraid to utter his sentiments, is a base slander on his memory.
  Had Dr. M. been alive, he would have borne the principal burden of the removal of  Dr. Jones, as
he did in the case of  Dr.  Baldridge.  The very climax of hypocritical impudence is exhibited in the
crocodile  sympathy which these  men now exhibit toward  the memory of Dr. Morrow—one  of whom
stood in hostile relations to him, during the life of Dr. M., while the other was continually harrassed by
his jealousy of Dr. Morrow's  course, and was  only withheld by his fears  from making the most serious
charges.
  These are unpleasant  subjects, and I should  not make any allusion to them, but for the unbounded
impudence of a man who never enj oyed the intimacy or the confidence of Dr. M„—whose views differed
bo widely upon many subjects—who was prevented from an  open rupture merely by the fact that he
was over-awed, but who now claims an intimacy and sympathy which never existed, merely to aid his
struggles  for revenge.
  The reference  to Professor  Hill, as participating in the disapprobation of my course,  is equally un-
warrantable and untrue, as is shown by a letter from Prof. H. upon this subject, which is at the service
of any who wish to see it.
  The treacherous attempt of Dr. J. to array against me private conversations of members of the faculty,
has  only resulted in his own  disgrace, as in every solitary instance his assertions are solemnly denied
by all concerned; and several have informed me, that the language which Dr. J. has attempted to father
upon them, is the very identical language which he was himself accustomed to use.
  Honorable men do not betray the confidence of private conversation; hence I was never informed by
my friends of the malicious language of l>r. J.; but he who, not satisfied  with this species of treachery,
totally distorts and falsifies private conversations, maliciously reported, forfeits all claims to credibility.
[See statements of Prof. I. G. Jones, Prof. R. S. Newton, Prof. W. Sherwood, Prof. J. King,  Prof. G.
W. L, Bickley, Prof. J. W. Hoyt, in Eclectic Medical Journal of March, 1853.  The committee of Eclectic
Physicians have further examined the same subject.)
  The reference  fo Neurology  as gradually acquiring an increasing power in the Institute, is entirely
false.  It occupied the same position in  the school at the first as  it has  ever done, since my labors in
that field  of science were the means, in the first instance, of inducing the authorities of the school to
invite my co  operation.
  The relations which I have borne to Homoeopathy, and the sentiments which I have expressed have
been zealously distorted and falsified. To accuse a medical man of favoring or adopting Homoeopathy is
not a criminal or discreditable charge, for any  scientific system, honorably pursued, is honorable to its
followers, butjin this matter I repel accusations which derive their whole character from the  attempt
to attribute double-dealing and insincerity.
  My relations to Homoeopathy have been the same from thefirst,  without any' variation,  to the present
time  Almost identical in sentiment  with my colleague,  Dr.  Morrow,  (though  slightly  different in
policy,) I have no disposition  now to modify the sentiments which my conscience approved, and which
were  so firmly sustained by him.   I have ever vindicated, and ever expect to vindicate, Homoeopathy
as a system of reform, against the unjust  attacks of its  orthodox  and bigoted opponents—but while I 
20
PROCEEDINGS  OF  ECLECTIC  PHYSICIANS
vindicate its claim to an honorable position as a contribution to medical science  and medical reform,
I claim the right, when confronted  with over-zealous, ultra or  bigoted supporters of  that  system, to
criticise, either by reason or by ridicule, the extravagance of their assumptions.  But I have no sympa-
thy whatever with the course of an  expelled professor, who could  regard Homoeopathy as a system of
delusion, and yet, from a short-sighted policy, fraternize with it and assist in giving it diffusion until
convinced  that his policy was unprofitable, he became its  most zealous opponent, denouncing others
who could  not shift with so  much rapidity.   To illustrate  my position, I must refer to the fact that,
while I have always urged a liberal treatment of Homoeopathy, I never regarded the coursp adopted in
the establishment of the Homoeopathic chair, as a measure of prudence.  I am not accustomed to dwel-
ling on my  own acts and preserving etact reminiscenses of the part I  may have borne in public transac-
tions.  But in reference to this matter, it is impressed on my mind by the fact that I received from a
prominent  Homoeopathic practitioner (when negociating concerning the Homoeopathic chair)  a  letter
containing  a pungent rebuke for not being sufficiently liberal in my course toward Homoeopathy.  If
my sentiments had been favorable to that movement, it would certainly have been known to my Homoe-
pathic friends.   Hence I have requested of Professor Gatchell, of the Cleveland school, (then  a  professor
in the Institute) with whom I was especially  intimate,  to state what were his recollections or the
sentiments which I  expressed at that time.  Prof. G. says—(in a letter, which is at the service of any
who w sh to see it.)
  " I well recollect the conversation held by us, relative to the establishment of that chair, and that you
expressed yourself as decidedly opposed to  it.  You proposed simply to open the hall of the Institute to
any Homceopathist who might be selected  by the fraternity to lecture there—but from  first to  last you
opposed the creation of a Homoeopathic chair as one of the chairs of  the Institute.  After one year's
trial of the chair you offered, for at least sustained, (I do  not certainly recollect which)  a resolution at a
faculty meeting, recommending an abolishment of the chair.
  " After Dr. Morrow's death, yourself and myself being the only members of the Faculty in the city,
and yourself a member  of the Board of Trustees, you, as I  was always informed,  proposed, advocated
and carried a resolution abolishing the chair."
  To this abolition of the chair Dr. Morrow  and others were decidedly opposed, when the measure was
brought forward by myself in the faculty meeting, and the proposition was rejected; subsequently I
have been informed by Professor Newton that, in his last  conversation with Professor Morrow before his
death, when he urged his objections against  the Homoeopathic chair,  Dr. Morrow resisted his sugges-
tions and expressed  a confidence  in his ability to sustain that department.  It was, therefore, not by
myself, but by the majority of the faculty, that the Homoeopathic department was introduced,—and not
by the faculty generally, but myself, that its abolition w;is proposed and effected, for no such design was
entertained until the death of Dr. Morrow threw the responsibility upon myself and enabled me to take
that decisive course.
  Between  the death of Dr. Morrow and the abolition of the Homoeopathic chair,  Professors Hill, Rosa
and Jones  held a meeting in reference to the affairs of the  Institute, at Elyria. 0., the result of which
was communicated by Prof.  Hill, and some of the suggestions were carried out.  At this meeting in-
stead of recommending the abolition of the Homoeopathic chair, there was no objection  or disappro-
bation  expressed—on the contrary it was  recommended that the Homoeopathic professor should per-
form the additional duties of Professor of Obstetrics—a  proposition so ruinous in its  tendeucy that I
at once rejected it, and Prof. Gatchell agreed with me that its effect would be suicidal to the Institute.
Yet about a week or two afterwards Dr. J. gave me his proxy to act in the Board of Trustees, when I
procured the abolition of that chair.
  The ridiculous assertions that I proposed to convert the  Institute into a Homoeopathic school located
in Covington, and to enter into Homoeopathic practice myself, are so stupidly absurd that  one may
divide  his admiration between the malicious profligacy of such falsehoods, and the Billy stupidity which
would attempt to give them currency.
  The quotations made by Dr. J.  from the most extreme passages in which I have  illustrated on the one
hand the merits, and on the other hand the defects of Homoeopathy and infinitesimals, are made in the
same spirit of cunning and malice.  A passage, designed to illustrate  the increasing  impressibility ol
mankind, is quoted without reference to to the page from which it is taken, and remarks are separated
from the context and construed into a meaning the very reverse of the truth.   The paragraph thus dis-
torted, which occurs on page 239 of the first volume of Buchanan's Journal of Man, denounces, as use-
leas and injurious, the bleeding and drastic medication of the old school system, and recommends instead
" the gentler agents of the materia  medico."—viz.: those which are used by Eclectic reformers, which are
considered  milder and safer than Calomel, antimony, etc.  In addition to those, still gentler agents were
shown to be useful on account of the high impressibility  of many constitutions.  Where such impressi-
bility exists, the homoeopathic preparations, animal magnetism, etc. are sufficient,  without any material
quantity of medicine.  These ideas, which have been, from the first, promulgated, without objection,
through the Institute and through the Eclectic Journai,  Dr. J. caricatures into the proposition that the
Eclectic remedies should be discarded as useless, and animal magnetism and homoeopathy substituted.
Such disregard of truth shows that  Dr. J„ having lost character with those who understood the facts,
and  hopeless of reaching them,  aims mainly to reach those who know nothing of the Institute, and the
character or doctrines of its faculty,  and are therefore liable to imposition,  and to  furnish materials for
enemies of reform who may be as unscrupulous as himself.
  Assailing, as Dr. J. does, a Faculty of whom he has personally endorsed and commended every mem-
ber (excepting Dr. Sherwood and Dr. Bickley,) as sound Eclectic teachers, he is certainly aware of the
entire falsehood and malice of hisattacRs, and it is amusing to observe that, in order to escape  the force
of his published commendation of Dr. King,  he falsifies his own language and declares that his commen-
dation applied to Dr. Hill, although when his letter was published Dr. Hill had accepted a Homoeopa-
thic professorship, previous to which his sentiments were well known, and his letter contained  denunci-
atory language applying to Dr. H. especially I  Prevarication and falsehood require much  more skill
and foresight than Dr. J. possesses  to escape self-refutation. *
  * In the following letter, Dr. J. correctly describes his present position, exposes its falsehood, and warns
the public against sucn men as himself.  His own letter is a complete refutation of his pres'-nt attack.
  " Eds.  E.  M. Journal.—Ah article recently appeared  in the Medical Era, the organ o! the Reformed
School of Medicine in Louisville. Ky., edited by Prof. J. H. Jordan, over the  signature of Prof.  O i. Childs,
of that school, in which  the writer attempts to  prove that  the Eclectic Medical School of  Cincinnati is fast
loosing its reformatory character, aad  relapsing into a state of hunkerism. 
OF  CINCINNATI  AND COVINGTON.
21
   The pride which Drs. J. and B. felt in their former colleagues, as long as they were permitted to con-
 tinue in connexion,  is a ludicrous contrast to their change of tone after expulsion.  Even then, to de-
 tach a single member of the Faculty would have been to either of them a matter of immense rejoicing.
 A visionary and absurd anticipation of the co-operation of Dr. Buchanan was at once communicated to  a
 student as one of the inducements or attractions of Kr. Baldridge's school, taking care,  however, that
 Dr. Buchanan should not be aware of this use of his name.   (I would refer to a very honorable gentle-
 man. Dr. J. D. Collins of Ky., as the gentleman who informed me that this inducement was held out to
 attract him to Dr. Baldridge's school at Louisville.)
   The contemptible misrepresentation in reference to Prof. Caldwell requires a simple statement of the
 facts. Among other measures suggested for the  promotion of  the prosperity of the  school  after the
 death of Dr. Morrow, I recommended  (but did not urge as I should have done) the invitation of Prof.
 Caldwell, the founder of the Louisville Medical Institute, to deliver  a  course of lectures upon Medical
 Jurisprudence and Medical Literature—subjects with which he  had been familiar as a teacher and au-
 thor for nearly half a century.  The liberality, progressiveness, and moral courage of Dr.  C., which had
 to a great extent impaired his influence among the adherents of Hunkerism, led me to believe that he
 might be induced  to  accept such an invitation under proper circumstances.   His distinguished career
 —his vast fund of learning—his lofty position  as  one of the patriarchs of American medicine, (having
 been a cotemporary, in his younger days, of Rush and the statesmen of the revolution) rendered it highly
 desirable, if possible,  to obtain the influence of so venerable a name in  behalf of medical reform.  But it
 was natural that obscure men like Dr. J., who wither away under the shadow of intellectual greatness,
 should abhor and envy its influence.  It is true that Dr. Caldwell is superannuated if superannuation
 be identical with longevity, for he is about eighty-one years of age, (see History of Kentucky) and  like
 Baron Humboldt at  present, who is three years his senior,  he exhibits the fact that truly great intel-
 lectual men retain their intellectual power, learning and brilliance to the most advanced  age.  There is
 not at the present time a more imposing, dignified, learned, intellectually-vigorous and interesting man
 in the medical profession than Prof.  Caldwell.  [Since these lines were written Prof. CaldweU  has
 departed this life at  Louisville.]
   The story in reference to Lane and spirit-rappings is another contemptible misrepresentation.    Mr.
 Lane, a student of the Institute, and regarded as an honorable young man, undertook with the co-opera-
 tion of other individu- Is, to get up, by collusion, a counterfeit of the spirit-rapping phenomena, for the
 purpose of trying how far such an imposition could be successfully carried.   In a circle of gentlemen
 embracing those engaged in the hoax, I was present when his imitations were made.  I was at that time
 investigating the subject, and had not yet seen much evidence of the  genuineness of the  phenomena.
 The sounds produced by Mr. Lane were quite different from those which I had supposed to be genuine,
 and I therefore placed no reliance upon them.  The only value of his exhibition consisted in his de-
 claration that  he was entirely sincere  and was not producing any deception.   I was therefore  very
 particular to question him closely and obtain his positive assertion  of the genuineness of his proceed-
 ings—directing my questions in such a manner as to compel him to confess the deception or to lie in a
 shameful manner.  His veracity being thus pledged,  I agreed to commence the investigation, hoping
 that his  veracity might be sustained, but determined to prosecute the investigation until 1 felt fully
 authorized  to pronounce him either a deceiver or an  honest agent of the same wonderful phenomena
 exhibited truthfully by others.  To condemn him as an impostor, without such an investigation, would
 have been  hasty and  unjust toward one whom I  had never regarded as capable of anything dishonor-
 able.  Three interviews (1 think) were held with Mr. Lane at the office of Dr.  C, (no one being present
 but ourselves.)  I proceeded to test  him first by asking questions, and afterwards by examining his


   The writer evidently desires to elevate the instituton to which he belongs at the expense  of the Eclectic
 Medical Institute of this city, and not, as  I conceive, by fair argument, or by maintaining  truth, but by
 making assertions totally destitute of either.  H«d the article  emanated from a different source,! should
 not have been disappointed; but that Dr. Childs should lend his name to propagate a charge wholly destitute
 of foundation, occasions in my mind not a little surprise.  ,                             .....    .   .
   The object of the writer no one can mistake.  I learn  that he and his coadjutors have distributed this
 article among Eclectics, so far as they could ascertain their location, throughout the  West.  In it the Dr.
 invites the friends of true reform in medicine to come to Louisville, where  they will get reform pure  and un-
 adulterated, in  the school to which he belongs ; while in Cincinnati they will get a little Homoeorathy,  a
 little reform—very impure, however, and much that is Allopathic, or real hunkerism
   I am much surprised at the arrogance assumed in the declamatory article of the youthful champion of
 medical reform.. A parallel to  it is only found in the practices pursued  by  designing, self-interested, and
 dishonest politicians.                          .   ,      .   .,  „   ,,  .  ..       ...    .,,   .,
   Now what are the facts in the case ?   Not a  stngle man in the Faculty inclines to either Allopathy or
 Hunkerism, or to Homoeopathy, further than a spirit of enlightened and liberal investigation should prompt

   Those to whom the practical departments are assigned, are among the  oldest, most zealous firm and devo-
 ted advocates of reform in medicine.  They are men that have never wavered; they have advocated the im-
 Derative necessity of a reform in the healing art, and having earnestly maintained that, although there might
 be errors and delects in the American system of medical retorm. yet they believed that the great principles
 upon which it was based, presented more to recommend it to the confidence of  the public than  any other sy s-

 ^htreis aTtMstinu  noVone in the Faculty who believes in the. ultra grounds  taken by either  the. Old
 School or the Houiceopathists.  Indeed thtfSchool, as now organized, enjoys artater freedom from either
 influence than it has at any former period since the charter was obtained.  All the excresences and influences
 adverse or foreign to the most liberal, enlightened and progressive medical reform are cut off.  The school is
 now free, with a better organization, as 1 verily believe, and with a better prospect for future usefulness and
 eminence than ever before existed.                           ,           .,      ,   ,  „  , , „   ,,.
  I repeat we are now free from uncertain, vacillating, visionary characters on the one hand, and AUopathic
 hunkerism on the other.  With the energy and fixedness of purpose possessed by the present Faculty of the
 Institute, I trust we shall be prepared to  meet and ovenome all the false I mahciousl and slanderous  pre-
 dictions uid publications, designed to injure the cause of Eclecticism  or the Eclectic Medical. Institute,
 whether they emanate from open enemips or selfish and interested Reformers, who would dishonor ths
 cause bv pervertina truth, in order to elevate themselves.     ,   ,. ... ,        ■    ...    ,  ,.  . .
  When the Institute abandons the radical reformatory around which it has ever advocated,  a°d which has
exerted such a salutary, though perhaps in many parts silent influenee upon the old and destructive mode of
medicationthroughoutthe country, fpledje myself to itsfnends and the friends of the cause, to abandon it.
I aXionisb. them; however, to  be upon their guard-to.pass such statements, whether emanating from Dr,
Childsor any one els*, astke machinations of its enemies-as the ebulhtions of deswmnq menv/Ko  wish to
build up thJ[^*yidM»>Wtll»8t# jud sustain  their own selfish  purposes  by  the injury of the Ectectte

"f^SfSi                '    \                                         L.E. JONES. 
22
PROCEEDINGS  OF  ECLECTIC  PHYSICIANS
mode of producing sounds. *  With the assistance of information obtained from a Judge engaged in the
plot, he succeeded in  giving me answers which being beyond his own probable knowledge, I suspected
were derived from the Judge, and on the first opportunity I asked him if he had not furnished Mr. Lane
the information  in question.   It now became obvious that Mr. Lane was only retailing second-hand
information in a very  blundering manner.   Having politely encouraged him  to go on until his decided
failure wis sufficiently palpable and amusing, although I bore a grave countenance, I demanded that, as
he had failed in answers, he should submit the sounds to a similar scrutiny, and  it appeared that he
was  incapable of producing any but  faint  raps on the floor.  Examining these, I found that they were
produced oniy under his feet, and finally appeared to be limited to one foot, and taking hold of that  foot
with my hands, placing one above and the other below it, the raps instantly ceased.  Still to my regret
Mr. Lane would not confess the imposition, but proposed to give me better evidence in another interview.
I attended the next appointment,  apprehensive that he would avoid me, but hoping that he would hon-
estly confess the trick.  He preferred the former, and kept out of sight from that time.   I immediately
and with some indignation denounced the whole affair in the presence of his preceptor, Dr. C. and Dr. S.
No intelligent person  who has fairly and fully witnessed the spiritual phenomena,  now doubts that the
sounds are produced  from a mysterious and invisible source, but  any assertion that I was ever con-
vinced of the genuineness of Mr. Lane's sounds is totally untrue. On the contrary I took pains to make
known the imposition to those who had believed the  phenomena merely from his solemn declarations.
The impression made upon the mind of the Judge as he  informed  me, was  that the whole affair gave
additional  evidence of the truth of the genuine phenomena, since a  counterfeit  skillfully  attempted
under  the most favorable circumstances had failed of success.
  The only credulity of which I confess myseli guilty, is that which supposes every man honest until I
have some  reason to suspect him.   This is with me' a matter of principle.   I confess, too, having been
deceived in one instance, by believing for a time the dishonorable accusations of Dr. Jones against Dr.
Freeman, which I now know to have been  untrue,  having learned their falsehood  before I personally
proposed to Prof. F.  to resume his position in the school.   The friendly relations  between myself. Dr.
F. and other members of the  Faculty, can no longer be disturbed by the malicious gossip of one whose
recklessness is now fully understood, and who has a rare faculty of  deceiving, by means of minute  cir-
cumstancialgossip artfully distorted and secretly circulated.  This is his sole reliance, for he has been
condemned in his whole course with fatal unanimity.  The members of the Faculty, nearly all of whom
were selected and approved by himself, unanimously condemned his course and were compelled to send
him their unanimous request to resign for the good of the Institute.   The Board of  Trustees selected by
himself next almost unanimously  expelled  him after  hearing his tedious defence.   The two medical
classes also condemned and denounced him as a wilful slanderer, and the  Eclectic Physicians of Cincin-
nati and Covingtou have condemned him with equal emphasis.  No traitorous and factious disturber
ever met a  more decisive rebuke and condemnation.
  Theallusionstomy lectures during the Spring session are decidedly slanderous in their general import.
  The  established and necessary custom of  the school is to give the anatomical instruction  before the
weather is  too warm, by taking additional time from another chair  during the first half of the session.
Thus anatomy occupies two hours daily during the first half and physiology two hours daily during the
latter half of the session.  This arrangement has always been considered proper and satisfactory by all
concerned,  including the present slanderer.  The comments  of Dr. J. upon this arrangement are merely
designed to gull those who know nothing about the matter, knowing that he has already lost  the con-
fidence and respect of the students of the Institute, who are acquainted with  the facts,  lhe charge of
neglecting or being absent from the school has no foundation whatever, except in reference to the Spring
session of  1852.  Spring sessions are not considered a part of the regular duties of the school, but are
in each instance gotten  up by the voluntary agreement of such members of the  Faculty as are capable
of participating.  They are a"tax upon the Faculty for the benefit of the profession.  Before the com-
mencement of the Spring session I expressed my  doubts  whether I should be able to giv a full course
of lectures, although I was willing to do all that I could.  An absence from my family at Louisville and
in infirm health, for more than four months of the winter session,  was a painful sacrifice—a sacrifice
of a sacred personal duty to public  considerations.  But as my absence from my family would be required
for only seven weeks  I hoped that it would not be impracticable.   However, although detained longer
than 1 hoped and called off during my  lectures by a telegraphic message, I succeeded in giving nearly
the whole of the usual course.  Yet even if I had been absent during the whole Spring term  and not
given  a single lecture, under such circumstances no one could have justly objected.  Neither professor
nor student was ever censured for attending to the claims of his own family,  which are paramount to
all other considerations.  Instead of regretting that I did not take more time for the school,  I can  only
say that under the same circumstances again 1 should probably decline entirely to perforin any service
during the Spring session.   The extreme eagerness of the class formy presence ws sufficiently compli-
mentary, and the strong manifestations of interest in every course of lectures that I have given were
gratifying to my feelings.  The story so circumstantially detailed in reference to expressions  of disatis-
faction in the class is b ised upon the following facts.  In my  first course of medical  lectures, not know-
ing the knd of instruction to which the students hud been accustomed.   1 proceeded as was customary
in other schools by discussing general and philosophic al  principles before proceeding to details.   Stu-
donts, unaccustomed to such lectures, having never heard a full course upon physiology and the Insti-
tutes,  and not knowing that such lectures were to be followed by the details  to which they were intro-
ductory, expressed a desire for a different style of lecturing.   Perceiving thus  that the style which
would lie most appropriate to a learned treatise was not so well adapted to oral instruction, I immediately
morlif  ed my course and adopted the plan which I have ever since followed, and I have reason to believe
from the complimentary language and resolutions of  the  class, that  this first course of lectures was
highly appreciated and e-teemed.   Indeed I could not desire more complimentary  language than what
came from that class.  The amount of dissatisfaction may be judged from their expression, which was
as follows : —
   " Dr. Buchanan, we feel a  pride in churning as  our professor—a man we believe especially designed
and capac lated by Nature for the  work of investigation, experiment and reformation, by which our age
is so emphatically characterized—and a man in whom  the rarest and most varied talents harmoniously
blend.  *  *  *   " We regard his discoveries in Neurological, Pathological, and Physiological sciences

  * As Mr  L. professed to be an  honest medium  unjustly persecuted hv immitations nirnin»t. his honor
and cIium'k ' the benefit of  all that he could exhibit. I had no hcsihtigjphljfabiiffJtiultiLli |jgi|iifst a copy
of tin- nii'iuririin'ln of  the experiments, to which he was enfitled^a'ffigjj ffiKArr^ttffoiUH^^htfileil  them
as failures  and in the Journal of Man (No 1, vol. 3.) I spoke ofyfiisrwry first expeiimentsas^Pj^hg "like
a humbug  ' before I had traced out the mode of his impositions                               A 
OF  CINCINNATI  AND  COVINGTON.
23
as calculated to fill an immense blank in the former, and to dissipate immense ignorance in the latter—
and as furnishing the only rational view of  that hitherto obscure organ, the brain, in its relations men-
tally and its functions physiologically, and making plain and comprehensible the relations of mind and
matter, which have ever been involved in  darkness  and mystery.   Dr. B. already occupies an enviable
position before the public, and being far in advance of his age in scientific research, we feel assured that
however  much  his generation fail to appreciate his invaluable contributions to science  posteritv will
fully recognize his claim to pre-eminence among the distinguished of the  nineteenth century   Haopv
in his capacity as a lecturer, impressive in his manner as a professor, and original in many of his views
as a teacher, we consider his co-operation  as arguing well for the future prosperity and final triumph of
the E. M. Institute.   As an expositor of Physiological science, we believe he is above comparison with
any known cotemporary of this or any country."
  1 am not aware that any lecturer or teacher of novel  sciences ever  had more harmonious relations
with his classes than myself.   That those who have never attended a full course of instruction in cere-
bral science are often prej udiced against it, because they do not understand it, is true, but among those
who have attended my courses I have never failed to recognize a general sentiment of approbation and
interest as well as of confidence in the special facts upon which my doctrines are based.  The followine
extracts from the resolutions of one of my private classes, in the Institute, present a fair example of the
sentiments of all.  They have not always made a formal expression of their sentiments, simply  for the
reason that it was not considered necessary,  any more than it would be in  reference to the old system
of phrenology, after it had survived the early opposition.   1 could refer to far more serious opposition
and objection to the teaching of Spurzheim by his pupils than any which  I have ever encountered.
  " While, therefore, we gratefully accord distinguished honor to the labors of Gall and his coadjutors
we do, at the same time, regard the contributions  which have been made to Anthropology by Dr Buc-
hanan as far exceeding those of his predecessors."
  ' With the general assent of my classes I have been entirely satisfied.  To pronounce upon the correct-
ness of all the details of a science of infinite extent would be impossible to  any mere student, and  would
be but an exhibition of faith in my infallibility—such faith I have never demanded or expected.
  Finally, overreaching himself, Dr. Jones becomes altogether  too complimentary.  If it  were true  as
he says, that I  objected to him from the first and endeavored to procure his removal, I should be much
pleased myself to proclaim a fact so creditable to my foresight.  But I can not claim the honor.  I sup-
posed that, although there were many objections to him, especially among the most intelligent portions
of the class, his caution and self-interest would prevent  him from inflicting any serious  injury on the
Institute.  Hence, like the rest of the Faculty, I respected his pre-emption right, which was never dis-
turbed until he had repeatedly endangered  a dissolution of the Institute. Removals have alway. been
governed by a consideration of the welfare of the Institute,  and I have never desired or proposed a
change in that way which has not been sanctioned by my colleagues and carried  into effect__not because
I governed them, but because all were governed by a desire for the welfare of the school.  1  can not claim
to have over-awed faculties, managed classes, and played the dictator in  general.   It does not  appear
that any member of the Faculty ever spoke behind my back what he would not  dare to utter to my face
with the solitary exception of Dr. Jones himself, who takes his own fears of what even in his ra»e he has
called the " commanding talents" of  myself as a measure of the spirit of his colleagues.   1 have been
content to do my duty, t) keep the Institute  in an honorable position before the public, to vindicate its
reputation, to  labor for harmony and co-operation, to  assist in removing incumbrances and quelling
discord,  to urge forward every practicable measure of improvement and elevation, and especially to intro-
duce the great liberal movement of opening our doors by a system of cheap  education.  Whether without
these labors the Institute could have attained its influential position and have held together a respectable
Faculty for a series of years, is known to those who are acquainted with its private history.


REPLY OF PROF. HOYT TO THE PERSONAL ATTACK OF DR. L.  E  JONES.

  Having just glanced through  another comtemptible  pamphlet  in  which my name  has been made
conspicuous in the use of base misrepresentation and vulgar scandal, from  the  envenomed pen of that
prolific source  of the vilest calumnies, Ur.  L. E. Jones,  it becomes my duty,  howmuebsoever 1 may
loathe the task, to confront and expose, so far as I am concerned, the  slanderous assaults of its meanly
unscrupulous author.
  The first thing which attracts  my attention is the ludicrous effort of the Dr. to swear in polite lan-
guage—the extreme difficulty of which will be readily appreciated by such as have ever been in any way
intimately associated with him.  The entire document, from beginning to end, being one fierce array of
half-suppressed oaths—the author's bile  vainly attempting to supply the place of intellect.
  A  second very interesting feature of  the pamphlet  is its consistency—alternations  of abuse and
compliment.
  The Faculty  are made to disparage and even  abuse Prof. Buchanan at sundry times__to say  he  is a
curse to the school and should be removed, and yet to cling to him with  a blind obstinate tenacity as if
he were the very life and soul of the Institute—the fabricator  alleging at  the  close of this beautifully
incongruous fabrication, as a sort of by-way through which to escape from the dilemma, that the Faculty
 have always stood in appaling/ear of Dr. B., as  if he were an incarnate devil.   Fear of what ?
  It is  sufficiently clear that  Dr. J., too stupid to see moral worth  when it is so manifestly present
very magnanimously invests other men with his own attributes, never stopping  to ask whether  his
supposition be correct.
  Possessed of no magnanimity himself, but  ever prompted by the most meanly  selfish motives/and
incited by envy and  a thousand petty jealousies, too contemptible for a  man of soul to contemplate.'  and
heartily  devoted to the  destruction of every interest which does not involve his own, he doubtle-s felt a
necessity to believe that Dr. Buchanan would be actuated by similar motives, and avenge himself on  his
opposers by a life-long warfare  against each individual, the Institution itself, aud the cause for which
it was established.
  The next, and  perhaps the most interesting feature of all, is the facility with which the author substi-
tutes his own  for the language of others—a thing winch before all others a man . I Jei.c icy and  refined
taste would deprecate-with the utmost ease making them say impossible things.
  Thus  I am  made to speak very disparagingly oi Prof. B., and to use the very'tanmage which  he him-
self repeatedly u ed in his frenzied ravings whenever the slightest  opportuui'y oiieiea for dragging
Professor B. into  our conversation—language, too, which in more instances than  one, I rec<;,vc.rwitn
becoming indignation and took occasion to rebuke, as did also, in appropriate terms,  one of ins boarders
I  ast winter. 
24                    PROCEEDINGS OF  ECLECTIC PHYSICIANS
  The opinion of Prof. B., to which the Dr. refers as expressed over my name in a certificate contained
in a pamphlet recently published for the exposure  of his calumnious misrepresentations, is that which
I have ever entertained and freely  expressed—the declaration of Dr. Jones that he " has too much con-
fidence" in me to believe I would tell truth (.') to the contrary nolwiihstanding.
  Regarding Prof. Buchanan as a man of brilliant genius, profound learning and superior philanthropy,
a noble, heroic champion of Truth and Right, pledged by his very nature to a zealous and life-long de-
votion to all great humanitarian ends, and withal a man in every act of whose social life the most honor-
able sentiments are visible, my admiration andlove would have been compelled had I  willed it otherwise.
And even Dr. Jones himself, antipodal as  he is, yielded to the necessity of always speakin g in terms of
high commendation until jealous of Prof. B's popularity and disturbed by imaginary fears of the in-
creasing size of his private classes, he saw him suddenly transmuted from a most admirable and excel-
lent to a basely false, hypocritical, and selfish man.   0, Almighty Dollar, how wondrous thy transforming
power 1  Such littleness, such corroding envy, and such short-sighted malice I  could not have believed
had not my daily and intimate business connexion with Dr. J. compelled me  to witness, month  after
month, the true undisguised sentiments and character of the man.
  That  I ever " interceded " with Dr. J.  for the chair  of Chemistry I declare to be utterly false.   He
himself first introduced the subject, stating that he had conversed with one or two members of the
Faculty in view of Prof.  Sander's  resignation, and they entertained no doubt I could be elected to fiU
the  vacancy; whereupon I expressed a  willingness to receive the appointment in  case the request
was unanimous, and forthwith made arrangements accordingly.  To show that  I did not—as it appears
Dr. Jones in his own case does—deem a professorship in the E. M. Institute absolutely essential to my
existence, I will say that I promptly declined the offer of either the chair of Anatomy or of Materia
Medica.
  That while lecturing on Toxicology during the past session, I incidentally mentioned a case occuring
under my own observation, in which a mixture of two poisonous substances (which any tyro knows is
not Homoeopathic,) had actually cured a case of ague, is true.  And I would remark,  that one must be
a miserable slave to party spirit who would fear to mention any fact, whether it harmonized with one
theory or another.
  But that 1 ever instituted a comparison between Eclecticism and Homoeopathy,  unfavorable to the
former,  I distinctly deny; and I  can not but feel mortified that any man professing  to be an Eclectic
should have such despicably mean and narrow views of Eclecticism as to attempt  to bound  it on the
North, East,  South and West by Lobelia, Leptandrin, Sanguinaria, and Podophyllin.  If, as Eclectics;
we are to confine ourselves to the self-same agents which any pioneer, however worthy, was accustomed
to use, and obstinately close our eyes to everything new and old,  not included in a brief  catalogue, to
whom, I ask, could the opprobrious title of sectarian bigot apply with more appropriateness than to us?
If such Thompsonian bigotry should be called Eclectic, then am I no Eclectic.
  But if that philosophy which, taking a dignified ana  impartial stand, closely watches the operation of
every known law—not failing, however, to ever attempt the discovery of new laws—and which in any
given case of disease seeks to appropriate the safest, most effectual, and most sanative means afforded
in nature,—which aims to study man in his true nature and in all his relations, and adapt its course to
meet every demand of that nature, be the the true philosophy; if to acknowledge no restriction of choice
—in a word, if to be a free thinker and free chooser will constitute me such, then am I  a true Eclectic,
and as such am I regarded by all who have heard my course of instruction.
  But with such men as Drs. Jones and Baldridge—two modern petrifactions—the latter of whom, not-
withstanding the ridicule and contempt, to my own personal knowledge,  heaped upon him by the for-
mer, now sweetly fraternizes with him—I  can not  e expected to  sympathize.  And although familiar
with the scientific attainments of Dr. Jones—having spent many days and nights in  the laborious effort
to transform his writings into some respectable shape—a labor about equal to that of their first produc-
tion—I  am not disposed to assist  him any longer in imposing  upon the public by showing offin bor-
rowed plumage.  He may enjoy  the benefit of my past  laborious assistance,  but I  am not willing that
my own independent writings shall be hereafter imposed upon  the public as the veritable productions
of Dr. L. E. Jones.   This is  a  sufficient  explanation of the peculiar malice which  he now displays in
his assaults upon myself.
  Attacks upon the Institute by an expelled individual, only mark bis own character.  Every professor
who has left the Institute with credit and respectability (of whom there have been six  or seven) has  con-
tinued the previous friendly  relations with the Institute,  but every one who  has  left in dishonor (of
whom there  have been four) has denounced, abused, and  slandered the Faculty  and the Institute,
as Buch men always will.
  But to spend time in refuting all the base inuendos and direct charges of  this ridiculous document
were  useless.   Many of them  are so palpably false and inconsistent as to thoroughly refute them-
selves.  And I will only say  in conclusion, that, I feel inexpressible regret that men who once  held
professorships in  the E.  M. Institute should, in their present  condition  of  depreciation  and  self-
degradation, be, in the mind of the public, in  any way connected with the noble cause which it has
become  my duty and pride to labor for and defend.                               J. "W. HOYT.
                                    NOTE FROM DR. VTARRINER.
Dr. Buchanan:                                                      Cincinnati, July 6, 1S53.
  Dear Sir:  In the recently published pamphlet of Ex-professor Jones, I notice a casual allusion to my-
self in connexion with Prof. Hoyt.   I am much obliged to Dr. Jones for the unmerited and quite un-
expected compliment he flings me, but I must protest against being classed with those who acknowledge
their inability to understand your teachings in cerebral science.  I have not suffered from any such un-
fortunate  mental obtuscness.  Certainly it has always been sufficiently apparent that there was no lack
of directness, precision or lucidity in your method of instruction.  1 have occasionally held conversa-
tions  upon your system with Prof. Hoyt, and have criticised certain points freely, just as I would in a
similar  conversation with yourself or any other person.  But surely  Prof. H. could never have cited
me as an instance of the cases alluded to in that pamphlet.  And let me say for Dr. Hoyt that during
several years most intimate acquaintance with him as  fellow student and  social friend,  I have never
heard from him any remarks,  respecting you or your doctrines, which he would not now freely make
to yourself, nor any at all resembling those attributed to him in that pamphlet.  And  verily there has
been no lack of freedom between us in our discussions of all men, topics and things that have arrested
our attention.                                               Yours truly, H. A.  WARRINER. 
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