(«?. SA  oV

FRIENDLY LETTER
v
COUNSEL AND  ADVICE
CONSUMPTIVES,
AND OTHER
INVALIDS.
ALSO,
PRESCRIPTIONS, WITH SPECIAL DIRECTIONS,
FOE THE CURE OP
CHILLS  AND FEVER.
BY S. S. FITCH, A.M., M.D^;5
    OF 714 BROADWAY, N. Y.
Ic&i
 '■ Dr. S. S. Pitch's Office is at 714 Broadway, N. Y., an3
other office, either at Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburg, or elsewhere. Nor
is there any other Physician who is authorized to use his name. His
treatment and remedies can be had only by applying, personally or by
letter, directly to himself, at his office in New York. He will not be
responsible for any advice, counsel, or treatment obtained1 elsewhere,
whether accredited by his name or not.  Beware of imposition ! 
             RECIPE  AND  DIRECTIONS

                          FOR  CURING


    FEVER    AND    AGUE.

                       .-----------•♦♦♦♦-----------

  Those who are so unfortunate as to have the Fever and Ague, are aware that
it is difficult to find a safe, certain, and reliable cure for it.  It is not indeed  so
difficult to " break the fits," and arrest the disease temporarily.  But this is not
to cure it.  It is one thing to " break the fits," and another thing, as thousands
are aware from a painful experience, to secure the patient against their  return-
in other words, to actually cure  the  disease.
  Almost universally the remedies put forth as " specifics for Fever and Ague,"
as well as the  treatmer* employed for it by physicians generally, are  designed
and adapted  only to "break the fits."  They do not remove  the  disease.   The
malarial poison, which causes the  disease, remains in the system, and is exceed-
ingly liable, as we all  know, to bring on, sooner or later, a return of  the chill
and the fever.   What the patient wants is  a cure, and not a mere temporary
respite from the effects of the disease.  By following the directions given below,
such a cure will be effected.

               TO  BREAK  THE PAROXYSMS, OR "FITS."
  Get at the Dnuririst's—of Ohinoidine, six drachms, and dissolve it in one  ounce of
Neutral Spirits.  To this add one oui.r-e of Tinctvre of OeUeminum.  Then take of
this preparation  one teaspoonful every hour for four hours.  One  hour before taking
the first dose, drink a cup of very  strong coffee, hot, with a teaspoonful of brandy
in it.  Commence taking this medicine eight hours before the ordinary time  for the
return of the chill.  This will break the chill, and you will have none.  This is one
part of the  treatment.  But it is  not all that is required for a cure.  The following is
essential:
           TO  REMOVE  THE DISEASE  FROM THE SYSTEM.

  For two days before eommenciner the use of the above remedies, procure and take
my " ANTI-BILIOUS MIXTURE." Yon may inquire for it at any respectable Drug-
gist's.  Of this Mixture take enough  twice a day to act freely on the bowels.  The dose
is from a teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls, or more.   Ordinarily commence with a
tablespoonful, unless the bowels should be inclined to be loose—then less is  required.
If constipated, use more.  Secure two full and free evacuations every day, and take
as much as is necessary to do so, even if it should be a wineglassful.  Then continue
the use of the Anti-Bilious Mixture daily during the entire treatment, and for some
two weeks after  the fits are broken, using it once a day at bed-time, and in sufficient
doses to effect one or two free movements daily.
  The above are proper doses for an adult person of ordinary strength.  For younger
persons and children, and those very feeble, the doses must be graduated accordingly.
  Recollect, that the use of this " Mixture"  is absolutely essential  to render a perfect
cure certain.
   Wash the whole person every morning in spirits and water, and once  a week in
soap and water.
   Y on may rely upon this treatment as being certain to effect a cure.  It will not fail.
  Should you experience any difficulty in  procuring the Medicines mentioned,
or in getting them properly put up, I will prepare and send them to you, if re-
quested to do so, together with the Anti-Bilious Mixture.  The cost of both,
put up in a package, will  be S3,  which must be inclosed.  Application can be
made by mail, and the  Medicines  sent  by  express, or they may be applied for
personally.   In all cases, give Name. Post-office, County, and State.
             Address,              S. S. FITCH,  M. D., 714 Broadway, N. Y. 
                           A   LETTER
                                    OF

FRIENDLY  COUNSEL AND  ADVICE TO  INVALIDS.
My Friend :
             You are an invalid.   You have learned by its loss what a priceless
treasure health is ; and you  desire to regain it.  My object in addressing you
this letter is to aid you in doing so.
  If yovfr disease is one that has come suddenly upon you, prostrated you  at
once upon your bed, and seriously threatened your life, it will have excited the
alarm, and with that the most prompt and  earnest attention of your physician
and friends in your behalf.  They will have done their utmost to save you, and
bring  you back to health.  Indeed, if you have only the toothache, or ague  in
the face, a pain in the head, an attack of colic, or any other temporary ail-
ment, if it be one which brings with it acute suffering, though alarm may not  be
awakened, the sympathy of your friends will prompt them to immediate efforts
for your relief.  In all acute  disorders  you will hardly need  to look abroad for
sympathy, for counsel, or for effective aid.
  But if you are a chronic invalid, you can testify from a painful experience that
the case is very different.  Your disease is slowly withering up your life ; but your
friends, it may be, do not know nor believe it.   You have many a lonely hour
of suffering, uncheered by sympathy and unrelieved by kindly care ; the burden
you bear is fully known only to yourself.  You cannot be always complaining,
though you should be always suffering, lest you weary the patience of those
about you.  You apply to your physician, but he will not comprehend that you
are really sick, and turns you off, perhaps, with some simple palliative, and the
'' hope'' that you will soon  be better.  You turn from him sad and hopeless,
feeling that your case is not understood.
  Or,  what is worse, you may be  the victim of some insidious malady that is
secretly, but surely, undermining your life ;  while both you and your friends are
all unsuspicious of danger.  There is,  it may be, a little wasting of the strength
and flesh ;  perhaps an occasional hacking—you do not call it a cough ; you can-
not breathe as well as you once could ; on walking rapidly, or running up stairs,
you stop and " pant for breath," and  the heart beats so that you can fed it;  in
the afternoon there is a red spot on your cheek which you did not use to have.
But the eye is bright, hope buoyant, the  spirits light,  and you expect to  be
"better next week."  Fatal  error!   By-and-by, so surely as time rolls on, unless
some kind hand  is stretched out to save you, you shall be wakened  from your
dream of delusion to the startling, horrible reality that you are in the fatal grasp
of consumption, and then you will be  told there  is  no remedy for your disease. 
4                   A LETTER OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL
Then with what agonizing regret will  you  ask,  " Why  did  not some  one
rouse me to  my danger before it was too late ?  And is there indeed no remedy
now?"
  But consumption is not the only disease that steals upon us unawares: there
are many others.  Perhaps your life is not seriously endangered ;  your disease
may be only  annoying, or, at worst,  distressing.  There are many such chronic
ailments.  Some of them, indeed, render life so miserable, that it were almost a
kindness if it could be cut short.   You  may be the subject of one or more of
these.  If so,  I venture to say that you have been often disappointed in hoped-
for relief from the remedies you have used—so often, perhaps, that you have lost
all confidence in medicine and physicians, of whatever  kind or "school," and
"given up" in despair, or settled down trusting to " nature " for escape, if you
ever escape at all.
  It is  unfortunately, but very certainly, a fact, that under the  ordinary practice
pursued by the medical profession, almost all kinds of chronic diseases, from con-
sumption down through the whole  list, are generally less  successfully treated
than acute diseases.

                    A MISTAKE TO BE CORRECTED.

  Now, if from any of the circumstances I have suggested, you  have fallen into
the error that you have a disease that is  incurable, I desire, as the first step in
aiding you, that you will dismiss this error from your mind.  I don't believe you
have any such disease ;  for the simple reason that there are very few diseases, of
whatever form, for which there are  not effectual remedies.   In the course of a
long practice, embracing now over 70,000 patients, and extending to almost all
known chronic maladies, I have found not more than two or three which have
proved to be incurable.   It is true that remedies may be applied too late—after the
diseased organs have become so far- disorganized, and the vital powers so far
prostrated that life cannot be saved.   In  this manner, however, a simple cut on
the finger, or a common cold, may become incurable.  Still,  let me  assure you
that the fatal  stage of our worst  chronic diseases—consumption and heart-disease, for
example—are not reached nearly so soon as is usually supposed.   They may very
often be cured after they are pronounced incurable under the ordinary treatment.
Let me ask you, then,  to set about the inquiry for assistance, whatever may be
your disease, with hopeful assurance that health may be regained.

                    GROUNDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
  I think I cannot more satisfactorily give you ground for encouragement  than
by  explaining to you  what the various prevalent diseases are—their causes,
nature, effects, and symptoms, (among them you will most likely find your own ;)
and then describing the method of treatment by which they may be cured.
  To understand clearly what disease is, we must have some notion of that con-
dition  termed health, and upon what  it depends.   Let us see how the life  andi
health of the  body is maintained.
  The life of the  body is maintained by two great classes of functions or opera-
tions going on in it, viz., those employed in nutrition, or in nourishing the body, and 
AND ADVICE  TO  INVALIDS.
5
 those employed in excrementation,  or  expelling from it waste  and worn-out
 matter.  These are the two great vital processes of animal life ; all others that
 are witnessed or experienced are but results of these, and essentially dependent
 upon them.  What, then, are these processes ?  1 will explain.
   Our bodies are constantly wearing out; the elements of which  they are com-
 posed are constantly decaying.  Each elementary particle has an independent
 life of its  own; and this life, in nearly all parts,  is exceedingly brief.  Each
 particle lives its brief life, accomplishes its mission, and then dies, and is carried
 out of the body.  As fast as the elements of the body thus die and are removed,
 there is received from the blood a new supply to take their places.  The supply
 of nutriment is furnished to the blood by the food, water, and air we consume.
 These processes of decay and reparation are continually in active operation.
   That series of operations by which  the above elements, food, water, and air,
 are introduced into the system and converted into  organized living tissue, con-
 stitute nutrition, or the appropriation of nutriment. That by which the worn-out.
 decayed, or waste matter, and also what is introduced that is not nutritious, and
 therefore unfit for use, are taken up and cast out of the body—constitutes exere-
 mentition, or the disposition of excrement.
   To  accomplish these  principal processes, there are  in operation, of course, a
 great number and variety of organs and functions.   But they are all designed  to
 work together, to secure these great results ;  for example :

                                IN NUTRITION,
 the aliment is, 1. Masticated  or chewed, and swallowed; 2.  Dissolved in the
 stomach; 3. Passed into the duodenum, or "second stomach," and  then min-
 gled with  the bile from the liver, and certain juices from other glands;  4.
 While passing on through the intestines, taken up  or absorbed by little vessels
 called lacteals,  thousands of which are distributed along the inner surface of the
 intestines, and by them conveyed into the current of the blood ; 5. Carried  to
 the heart with  the blood  flowing back from the veins, and thence thrown into
 the lungs, there to undergo  a most wonderful transformation, viz., that of  being
 endowed with life or vitality through the agency of the air inhaled  in breathing ;
 6.  Passes back  to the heart from the lungs, and thence is sent  out through the
 arteries to all parts of the system, to  nourish it, warm it, and supply its waste.
 Such is nutrition.
                              EXCREMENTITION.
   As fast as the elements of  the living structure, in  any of its parts, die and are
 of no farther use, they are  taken up by little  absorbents, which may be called
 the scavengers of the system, stationed  in  every part,  which convey them to some
 one of the great outlets, the bowels, the lungs, the skin, the kidneys, or the  liver,
 to be thence expelled.
  In this office of excrementUion, or expulsion of waste matter, the lungs perform a
 most important, indeed an  essential part.  It is by their direct agency that it is
 accomplished.   It is through the action of the ait received in breathing that the
force is supplied by which all  the functions and movements of the body are carried
 on ;  and it is also by the action of the air on the blood that its impurities are 
6
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
removed directly through the lungs.   Large, sound lungs, and a constant supply
of pure air, are therefore absolutely indispensable to the complete removal of the
detritus, or worn-out matter of the body.

                       DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES.
   From the views above given of what life and health depend upon, we are pre-*
pared to understand what disease is, and in what it originates.
   Disease, whatever its forms or variety, results from some of the following causes:
   1. From external  violence,  including all  injuries  from blows, cuts, falls,  heat,
frost, breaking of bones, too violent exercise, &c.
   2. From taking into the system, poisons and other hurtful agents ;  embracing
all poisons, as well as improper food and other injurious substances, put iuto the
stomach ; all poisons received directly into the blood by contact or inoculation,
and all inhaled into the lungs in the air.  From these sources come our contagious
diseases, and fevers, and most acute diseases.
   3. From defective nutrition—whether imperfection in food, digestion, the vitalizing
process in the lungs, or any other circumstance.
   4. Defective excrementUion, or a failure to completely and constantly rid  the system
of waste matter,  whether this waste matter is that  which has once formed a part
of the living organization, and has worn out,  or that which has never  been
vitalized in the process  of nutrition.
   I should add, that some diseases may be inherited; that is, when the system of
the parent has become corrupted or diseased from any of the above causes, he
may transmit the disease or corrupt blood to his or her  offspring.
  The 3d and 4th causes mentioned are  the great  sources of chronic disease.   The
others may,  indeed,  lay the foundation of chronic disease, but  they do  it by
interrupting  or  deranging nutrition  and excrementition.  Wherever retained
waste matter settles, there it causes mischief.   It may be in the brain, and then
we have disease there—water  on the brain, or something else;  in  the spine,
where it causes  spinal disease, distorted  spine, &c. ; in the bones of the knee,
causing white swelling ; in the hip, causing hip disease ; in other joints, or the
muscles,  causing rheumatism ;  in the glands about the  neck or the skin,  causing
scrofula; in the  lungs, causing consumption, &c, &c.   I might go on enumera-
ting a long list of maladies springing from this corrupt source.
   We may, as a general rule, have health if we please.
  Is not this clearly true ?  It is only necessary that we conform to certain laws
which govern the great processes of life I have described.  If we take proper food
and  drink, and  only  such, at proper hours,  in proper  quantities;  if we  take
proper exercise and  proper rest; if we keep the skin clean, and pure,  and lively,
the bowels free, and, most important of all, the lungs  full and the chest large,
while we always breathe a pure air, we cannot well be  sick.   Nature will always
do her work well, if we do ours.  We may,  indeed, be injured by violence, and
we may receive malarial and other poisons from the air.  But,  usually, if we
have that robustness of health which obedience  to the laws of health will give
us, we can successfully resist and overcome these violences and poisons.   [For a
further explanation of this subject, see my " Six Lectures."] 
AND ADVICE TO  INVALIDS.
*
   1, Windpipe.  2, Bight Lung, or Great Air-Bag.  8, Heart.  4, Left Lung half cut away,
           showing the air-pipes and air-cells.   5, Midriff, or floor of the Lungs.

  With the general view we now have of the operations upon which health  and
disease  depend, we are prepared to consider  specially several of the  prevalent
chronic disorders.   Most probably yours will be found among them.


                 DISEASES   OF   THE   LUNGS.

                      CONSUMPTION—WHAT IS IT?
  Consumption is almost always two diseases—one tuberculosis, or the presence of
tubercles lodged in the substance or body of the lungs ; and  the other bronchitis,
or an ulceration, inflammation, or irritation of the  membrane lining the  lungs.
These are two totally distinct diseases.
  Tubercle, when found in the lungs, is a whitish  substance,  having about the
consistency and appearance of hard cheese, when it is first deposited.   It is simply
nothing more nor  less than a portion of the waste  or worn-out matter that has
accumulated in the system, and been deposited in the lungs instead of being cast
out through the channels of excretion as  it should  have been. The system not
being thoroughly cleansed of this waste  matter, the blood becomes loaded and
corrupted with it;  and as the blood is filtered, as it were, through the lungs, this
matter is deposited in them.  Wc shall understand this better by looking  at the
construction and office of the lungs.
  In the above figure you have a  representation of them.   There are  two—the
right and left; the right the largest, and divided into three, and the left into two
lobes, as they are  called.  The  heart lies between them.   They are  composed
almost entirely of  air-cells and tubes, much like a large number of clusters of 
8
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
grapes united to one branch.   Into and through these the air freely passes, filling
and inflating them.  The walls of these little cells are composed of a thin, deli-
cate membrane, over which is spread a thick  mesh  or  net-work of fine blood-
vessels.  The blood is thrown into the lungs from the heart, through vessels that
branch off and sub-divide until they come down to this net-work on the walls of
the air-cells; and while passing through these minute channels the vital element
of the air, with which the lungs are filled by breathing,  passes directly through
the walls of the cells into it,  at the same time that carbonic acid gas which  has
been  formed- in the blood passes out from  the blood into the air-cells, and is
expelled with the returning breath.   This is the process by which the blood is
aerated or vitalized.
   When tuberculous matter exists in the blood, as I have before described, it is
arrested in  the lungs while the blood is passing through them, and remains
deposited at various points, in small granules, usually about the size of a pin's
head, and from that to the size of a small pea.  At first  these resemble  in con-
sistency and appearance small pellets of hard cheese.   While they remain in this
state  they seem to do but little harm,  except to reduce the capacity of the lungs
for air, thus causing some shortness of breath, want  of flexibility in the lungs,
and loss of strength and flesh.  Usually, however, they soon soften and dissolve,
and in doing so inflame, ulcerate, and  destroy the tissues of the lungs themselves.
In the progress of  the disease, whole  clusters or masses of these tubercles thus
dissolve, at the same time that successive clusters are being deposited, which
in their turn soften, dissolve, and  involve the substance of the  lungs, the
air-cells and  blood-vessels in their vicinity—the pus or corrupt matter result-
ing from this  process passing into the  air-tubes, and being coughed up and
expectorated.   This destruction goes on until there is not enough of sound lung
left to sustain  life, and the patient dies.   Such is tubercular consumption.  [See my
Six Lectures.]
  What I have described is pure tubercular consumption.   But there is, as I have
Baid, almost always another disease connected with it—the same that is popularly
called bronchitis, when confined to the throat and the  two divisions of the wind-
pipe leading to  the lungs.
  This bronchitis in the lungs may result from a cold that settles and becomes
chronic in them, or from inflammation of the lungs, or a humor or skin  disease
in the membrane lining them ; or catarrh commencing in the head may make
its way down the throat and fasten on the lungs ; or the  very presence of tuber-
cles may set up an irritation  and, ultimately, inflammation in this membrane ;
or irritating substances may be inhaled in the air for a length of time and cause
it.  But whatever its cause may be, it is an active, aggressive disease, requiring
totally different remedies from tubercular consumption.   One of the reasons why
physicians so generally fail to treat consumption successfully is, because attention
is not paid to the fact that these two diseases are usually  present in all cases ;
and that remedies which will tend to cure the one  may  aggravate the other.
Still,  both may be  treated at the same time, and the different remedies required
for each made to harmonize. 
AND ADVICE  TO  INVALID8.
9
                         CAUSES  OF CONSUMPTION.
    Recollect that tubercles come from the waste matter that is not, as it should be,
  cast out  of the system by the emunctories.  Now, it is clear that whatever
  tends to weaken the power of the lungs, to vitalize the blood,  or to lessen the
  activity of the organs for carrying off the waste matter, tends to consumption.

            A DISPOSITION TO CONSUMPTION  MAT BE INHERITED.
    Everybody knows that the children  of consumptive parents are more likely
  to have consumption than the children of healthy parents.   They inherit some
  peculiarity of constitution—some corruption  of the blood—some defective con-
  formation of  the  structure of the lungs,  or other  vital organs, or a natural
  feebleness of the vital forces, from which there is a tendency to the manufacture
  in the system of tuberculous  matter; that is, there is a greater liability than in
  strong and robust constitutions that the aliment will fail to be completely vital-
  ized, and that the emunctories will fail to completely carry off the waste matter.

    A NATURAL PREDISPOSITION TO CONSUMPTION MAY BE COUNTERACTED.
    Consumptive  parents do not transmit a disease to their offspring,  but only a
  tendency  or predisposition to disease.  By proper measures this predisposition  may
  be overcome, and sound, robust health  established and preserved.   [See my Six
  Lectures.]
                               SMALL  LUNGS.
   One of the most direct means of bringing  on consumption is permitting the
 lunges to become small, so that little air is used.  The habit of stooping,  per-
 mitting  the shoulders to fall forward on to the chest;  of breathing with short
 breaths; of sitting much in confined postures; of bending forward and cramp-
 ing the chest over a low desk, table, or counter, or in sewing, if  practised much,
 will almost certainly lead to consumption, in those at all disposed to it.
   The lungs are placed  in a framework  of bones and muscles, so made  that it
 may be compressed or enlarged at pleasure.   (See the figure on page 10.)   The
 lungs occupy the cavity of the chest.  The ribs, tied behind and before by elastic
 cartilages, may be easily forced inward, so as to compress the lungs, or outwards,
 so as to inflate and enlarge them.  The bones of the shoulders may be held back
 in  their  natural position, leaving the ribs free to rise and fall in breathing; or
 they may be thrown forward, and their weight made to rest on the chest, flatten-
 ing and  compressing it.  We may have  an erect, handsome figure, with a full,
 broad, round chest, and large, powerful lungs, if we please; and if  we do, we
 cannot well have consumption.  So long as the lungs are fully inflated, and every
 cell and  tube filled  at each breath with pure air, the whole blood, with all  the
 aliment we take,  will be always completely vitalized, the system will be vigorous
and the waste completely removed, and no tuberculous matter formed.

                   THE  GREAT  OFFICE OF  THE LUNGS
is to supply force or vitality to the system ; and our force or strength is always
in proportion to the size and perfection of our  lungs.  With small  lungs, there- 
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
        1, Breast-bone.    2—2, Basket of the Chest     8—8, Basket of the Hips.
                    4, the Spine in the Loins or small of the Back.

fore, we cannot have robust health  and strength.   If predisposed to consump-
tion, we shall become its victims.  If we escape  this scourge, we shall still be
feeble, weakly, and the subject of disease in some  form.
  Any agency or influence whatever that depresses the vital energies of the system for a length
of time may cause consumption.  Living in  confined, or  damp,  or  dark rooms ;
breathing a vitiated air;  exhausting  exposures and fatigue ;  habits of indolence,
and taking too little exercise;  unhealthy employments; living  too much in-
doors, and leading  a sedentary life; protracted fits of sickness, and almost all
chronic disease; the drying up  of old  sores and issues, and the  driving in of
external skin diseases; improper treatment of catarrh and bronchitis, by which
these affections are driven down upon the lungs; all excesses and irregularities
of living ; neglecting to bathe and rub the surface of the body, so as  to keep the
skin in a healthy condition ; permitting the  bowels  to remain constipated ; all
female weaknesses, irregularities, and disorders;  any great  and protracted grief
or care, or any other mental disquietude.  In fact,  any thing that disturbs or
throws into confusion the principal processes of  life, as I have described them,
may lead to consumption ; and if you, my friend,  are a consumptive invalid, you
can look back and trace your present condition  to some of these causes.
                           A NEGLECTED  COLD.
   But of all causes, none is more common, or more fatal, than a neglected cold.
A cold directly attacks both the great  processes  of  life.  What is a cold ?  It is
the closing of the pores of the skin,  the principal outlet of the waste of the
system.  Not finding escape by the  skin, this matter rushes to the lungs, and
seeks an escape there.  This inflames the lining membrane of the lungs, thickens
and poisons it; and this disqualifies it in some  degree for its office of arterializing
the blood.  A cold, then, interferes with the  vitalizing  of the  aliment  taken for 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
11
nourishment, thus tending directly to the formation of tuberculous matter, while
at the same time it locks up this matter in the system.
  This is why a cold is so terribly fatal to the person inclined  to consumption, and
so dangerous to all.   A cold settled on the lungs, and remaining there, is almost
sure to produce consumption,  sooner or later, even in the  most robust and
healthy.  Never—never—never neglect a cold!  Do not rest until you have wiped
out every trace of it.

                    CAN CONSUMPTION BE CURED?
   The general  impression is, that it cannot be, after it is once fairly " seated,"
as it is expressed ;  that is, after tubercles have  been deposited  in the lungs, and
especially after the tubercles have begun  to dissolve, and ulceration has taken
place.   This has long been the  established doctrine among physicians, as well as
the people.  But it is not true; and I am anxious to  convince you that it is  not,
for you cannot be disposed to make any very earnest effort to obtain help, if you
believe help is impossible,
   I have described, in  a plain, simple manner, the nature and causes of consump-
tion, in order that you may yourself see that it can be cured.   And now, do you
discover any impossibility in the way ?   It is clear that, if at any time—while there
is enough of the lungs left to support life, or, in other words, supply the system
with its requisite vital force—the formation of tuberculous matter can be stopped,
or its deposit in the lungs arrested ; and then, if the tubercles  already deposited
can be either removed or prevented from  softening,  and  the sores made healed,
the work is done.   But why may not this process of tuberculation be arrested ?
It certainly may be ; for it is only necessary that the patient be enabled to  con-
sume air enough to vitalize  the blood thoroughly, and that all the organs em-
ployed in carrying off the waste matter be stimulated to do  perfectly their duty.
When this is done, no tuberculous  matter can be formed.   Then, as soon as
tubercles  stop forming,  the true disease is, in fact, cured.   It only remains to
remove the tubercles already deposited, and to repair the damage that  the lungs
have suffered.
   The tubercles may be removed in one of two ways, viz.:

                    1.  TUBERCLES  MAY  BE  ABSORBED.
   I know that there are those who assert that tubercles never are and  cannot be
removed by absorption.   But that  they are in error, may be inferred from the
well-known fact that we often  see  tuberculous deposits (as, for example, scrofu-
lous lumps in  the neck) absorbed  away by the use of appropriate  remedies.
The same  process  may take place in the lungs.   It will not be denied that the
absorbents are  capable of carrying off every part of the system, and do remove
even  the  bones themselves.  If they can  remove bones, they certainly can re-
move tuberculous matter.  These absorbents are found in all parts of the body—
in the lungs as well as elsewhere; and there is not a doubt that they are capable
of removing tubercles from them.   I am confident that I have seen many cases
where  absorption of tubercles in the lungs has actually taken place under my
treatment. 
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A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY COUNSEL
 2. TUBERCLES MAY BE DISSOLVED, AND  DISCHARGED BY EXPECTORATION.
  The substance of the  lungs will, it  is true, be likely to suffer to a greater ol
less extent by this process : but it is by no means certain that life will  be de-
stroyed by it.  The extent of the injury will depend upon the extent of the  tuber-
culous deposit that is thus to be discharged.  Each tubercle, as it softens, may
cause some ulceration of the tissue of the lung lying immediately in contact with
it:  but this ulceration may be confined to the immediate region of the tubercle ;
and as soon as the tubercle dissolves and is expelled, nature may set up a healing
process, and the wounded lung be restored to soundness.  Scars, and even cavities,
may be left;  some of the air-cells and tubes  may be obliterated ; but the wounds
made, the ulcers and the cavities may heal; for nature can heal a wounded lung as
well as a wounded finger, and in thousands of instances does so, as we all know.
All portions  not invaded by tubercles will, of course, remain sound; and will
even  increase in size and capacity so as to compensate  for the loss of that de-
stroyed.   Fair health and strength may thus be recovered.
  Thus we see, that when the formation of tuberculous matter, and the continued
deposit  of it  in the lungs, are  arrested, as I have shown they may be, there is
a natural  tendency to  health.  But  appropriate treatment and remedies may do
very much to promote this tendency, and aid in  a cure.  Indeed,  usually, they
are all but indispensable for this purpose, as they are in arresting tuberculation ;
for the  lungs may have become so much  injured—there may be so much tuber-
culous matter to be removed—the vital energies of the system may have become
so much prostrated, and so many other disorders may have set in, that nature
cannot,  unaided, overcome the terrible combination of her enemies.
  Then as to Bronchitis, the disease in the lining  membrane of the lungs, which
I have described, all admit that it  is curable.   It is often obstinate, and requires
skillful treatment; but when the right remedies are used, it will yield.
  You see then, that, from the  "nature of the case," consumption is not incu-
rable.   Now,  you will find in the letters I append, positive proof that it actually
is cured by the treatment I employ. [See Appendix.]

 HOW CONSUMPTION  MAY BE CURED—THE AUTHOR'S TREATMENT.

                         MECHANICAL  REMEDIES.
  The first step is to enlarge the lungs and v improve the breathing.   This I aid
the patient by mechanical means to accomplish.  The shoulders must be held
back from the chest, and the chest thrown out, so as to give room for the lungs
to be inflated.  This is done by well-adjusted Shoulder-Braces.
  Then I have the patient use an Inhaling Tube.  This is a convenient little silver
instrument [see the above figure],  so constructed that the air is inhaled or breathed 
AND ADVICE TO INVALIDS.
13
1, Consumptive Chest and Figure.      2, Not Consumptive.
in freely and with ease, but exhaled or breathed out with  more difficulty.  The
air is drawn in through this until the lungs are inflated to their utmost capacity,
and  then  blown out again with a good deal of force.  By this means the air is
pressed into all the cells and tubes, unfolding those  that have  been compressed
together,  opening those that have collapsed, distending  and  rendering those
membranes thin  that have  become  thickened, and freeing  the lungs from any
accumillations of mucus or phlegm that may be in them.
  I have known the deposit of tubercles arrested by the use  of this itube and
the shoulder-braces alone. Often by their use the narrow, sunken-chested, round-
shouldered, weakly person has secured a fine figure, a full chest, large lungs, and
full strength.
  I find the use of these instruments well-nigh indispensable.  You will at once
recognize  "Fig. 1" in the above plate as that of a  consumptive—not so much
by the emaciation and woe-begone expression of the face, as by the round shoul-
ders and sunken chest.   You know at a glance that the lungs are the seat of his
disorder.  But you could not be made to believe that " Fig. 2"  has consumption. 
A LETTER  OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL
         Back View of the Supporter.          Front View of the Supporter.
    1,1,1,1, the back pads of the Supporter.       2,2, Springs that go from the front pad,
    2, 2, Ends of the Springs that come from       up around the waist.
      the waist.
With that broad, full chest, and straight, orect person, he cannot have diseased
lungs.   Do you not believe that much would be  done for this poor consumptive,
if he were to be straightened up and his chest and lungs well inflated.
                      TO IMPROVE THE BREATHING.
  This is a  most important object.  All  consumptives breathe with more or
less difficulty.  One  reason is,  that the muscles which  support  the  abdomen
are weak and relaxed: the entire system is feeble, and these suffer with all
the other muscles.   They are  directly employed  in  breathing.   The lungs
rest on a broad muscle  called  the diaphragm,  or midriff, which  lies  over the
contents of  the  abdomen like  an inverted  bowl—the edges  attached  to the
walls of the body. When we inhale our breath, this muscle contracts throughout,
and is thus drawn downward more nearly to a plane, thus enlarging the cavity of
the chest; and the air rushes in through the  throat,  to press out the lungs to fill
the enlarged space.  But the diaphragm has no power to press upward :  itwnerely
relaxes, and then the abdominal muscles contract, and dash the contents of the
abdomen upward against it, which presses the air out of the lungs. Thus,  in breath-
ing, the diaphragm and the abdomen together act precisely like the floor of a bel-
lows—the former pushing it down, and the  latter carrying it up.  Now, if the
muscles of the latter are weakened, and do  not contract as they should, the  lungs
may be filled, but they cannot be emptied perfectly : the breathing  is labored, too
little air is consumed, much of it remaining  continually in the lungs, and is not
exchanged for pure air ; and thus the same mischief is in fact done as would  be
by compressing the chest. 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
15
  This difficulty I remedy by an Abdominal Supporter, (as seen in plates M and L.)
It is so constructed and adjusted with soft pads and steel springs, as to completely
counteract the relaxing of the abdominal muscles, to support the abdomen and
the back, and immensely benefit  the breathing.  It is light, elastic, fits like a
glove, and can be worn without the slightest discomfort.  This supporter confers
great benefits in many other diseases, which I shall refer to hereafter.  (See  my
Lectures.)
  We have now provided as fully as possible for securing  the constant consump
tion of a large supply of air—vitally important,  as has  been seen, in avoiding,
and equally important in arresting,  the formation of tubercle, as well as in giving
the whole system vitality and power.

                          MEDICINAL REMEDIES.
  But something more is needed—we must employ true curative medicines ; and such
medicines there are for this disease.   I could not give you even the names of the
medicines I use, with the formulas and prescriptions for preparing them,  without
writing " a book " for the purpose ; and if I could, it might not be well to do so,
as you would be likely to misjudge in their application, and misunderstand your
symptoms.   I will, however, tell  you what I aim to accomplish by them:
  1st. To rally and support the vitality of the system.
  2d.  To soothe, and quiet and strengthen the nervous system, which is usually
more or less suffering.
  3d.  To purify and enrich the blood, to neutralize in it all humors and  poisons,
and to make it truly the " pabulum of life," in nourishing and supporting  the
whole body.
  4th. To promote the absorption or expulsion of tubercles in the lungs, and the
healing of any ulcers  or  cavities  that may exist; to control the cough ;  to clear
the lungs of mucus and phlegm;  to prevent all tendency to bleeding; and to
remove any burning,  heat, or pain that may be felt about the chest.
  5th. To subdue all irritation and inflammation of the membrane lining  the
lungs, whether from  bronchitis, catarrh, humor, or any other cause.   For this
I employ both constitutional remedies and local medication, the latter by means
of Medicinal Inhalations, in suitable cases.
  6th. To subdue all accompanying disorders.  Consumption is very seldom found
alone.  Some other organs besides the lungs suffer.  There is often  indigestion,
or palpitation of the heart,  or disorder of the biliary organs or bowels, nervous-
ness,  headache, pain more or less somewhere, fever, night-sweats.  In females,
some female  disturbance, &c., &c.  These all receive attention, and remedies are
adopted to remove them. (See my "Six Lectures.")

                                 BATHING.
  It  is of the  greatest  importance that the skin  should have careful atten-
tion.  I  therefore recommend  bathing, by  washing the  whole person daily
in water as  cold as can  be  borne without causing chilliness or inconvenience.
Some cannot bathe in cold water : these should use tepid water, and occasionally
spirits, or spirits and  water.  Salt and water is better than fresh water.  I find
the most delicate can  bathe in pretty cold water, if they will first rub the whole 
16
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY COUNSEL
person with a coarse towel, or hair mitten or brush, until the skin is red and in
a glow, then wash rapidly off, and wipe dry ; and  then rub again smartly with
the rough towel until warm.  Occasionally rub the person all over with the hand.
Once a week wash all  over in soap-suds ; and, if feverish, occasionally in pearlash
and water.  The chest especially should be well bathed and rubbed daily.

                         DIET FOR CONSUMPTIVES.
  In the first stages  of consumption, the diet should for a  short time be very
light.  As soon as  the  fever and congestion  are reduced,  the patient should
take a better diet as  he can bear it; and should  drink, constantly and freely,
sago gruel, slippery-elm or flaxseed tea, mucilage of gum-arabic, Iceland or Irish
moss tea:  they will  materially aid the effect of  medicines.  If,  however, at
first the patient is weak or debilitated, or the lungs ulcerated more or less, then
he may eat as much as he can bear without fever, great shortness of breath, or
oppression in the stomach; he may live generously on perfect food, well  cooked
and always light; meats cooked with all their juices, so as to be perfectly tender
and easily picked to pieces with the fingers. Avoid all old, tough, or half-cooked
meat, that lies heavily or long on the stomach ; all windy and half-cooked vege-
tables ; all sour fruits, and, as a  general principle, all fruits that cause wind.
Fruits  had better be cooked ; avoid all nuts, walnuts, peanuts,  &c. ; all pickles,
preserves, fresh bread, &c.; all acids, vinegar, &c.  Baked pastry is usually bad,
if you  eat much.   Never over-load the stomach.   Do not  allow  yourself to
get very hungry or exhausted for want of food.   You may eat  as much salt as
you please with your food.  Stale  bread, toast, plain pastry, light griddle-cakes,
well-cooked potatoes,  well-cooked tender  chicken,  turkey, beef,  mutton, veal,
fresh fish, oysters, soft part of clams and their liquor, game, grits of wheat, rice,
and hominy are good food.   Milk may be often allowed,  especially  to those
accustomed  to it.  In case you know what does agree with  you,  use it; do not
lose your own experience ; you may use almost any thing that agrees with you :
always go to the table with the family, if possible and agreeable.  Any food that
you know disagrees with you, avoid.  (See remarks in my  " Lectures "  on Diet.)

                       DRINKS  FOR CONSUMPTIVES.
  The  consumptive may drink what he knows agrees with  him.  Pure water,
black tea, a little good French brandy and water, port wine, and London porter,
if no fever is produced, are often excellent.  Iceland or Irish moss, put in a dish
and covered with cold water, after two or three hours makes a  good drink, if
thirsty.  Avoid coffee.  After ulceration of the lungs is fully established, the
patient should eat and drink as much as he can bear.  Exercise your best judg-
ment, and be guided very much by your own experience.   It  is  better to live too
high than too low.  (See remarks in my " Lectures " on Diet.)

                                 EXERCISE.
  The  practice of confining consumptives in the  house, especially  in a close
room, is  horribly cruel.    It should never be done.   Go out daily, if possible, and
never be shut up ; enjoy all of God's pure air and sunshine that you  can.  Do
not fear the air—it is your life.  Have some agreeable occupation out of doors, 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
17
if you can; if you cannot, then  go out for  pleasure.   Horseback riding, if it
does not fatigue  too much, is excellent; if you can't ride in this way, walk, or
go in a carriage.  At all events,  exercise in the open air in some way daily,
except when the weather is very bad.   At all  times wear clothing enough so that
you will not take cold.  Seek cheerful society ; avoid gloomy people ; live in  all
respects as  pleasantly and happily as possible.   (See my "Six Lectures," and
" Health,  its Aids and Hindrances.")

                                 CLIMATE.

  I recommend the  consumptive to  seek, if possible,  a temperate, equable,
dry climate.   A very warm one is not best.  Such a one as the damp, change-
able,  bleak climate of the sea-coast of New England is bad.  That of many parts
of Pennsylvania and New York is as  good as can be  found.   The sea-coast is
a bad climate  for advanced consumptives ; so  are sea voyages ; they do very well
for those simply inclined to consumption, where the disease is not seated.  In a
word, that climate is best where the weather is mildly cool, steady, and uniform,
and the atmosphere dry.

                 NO  HURTFUL OR PAINFUL REMEDY USED.

  I always prepare  my own medicines, and never use  any that reduce the
strength—that cause sickness—that  occasion pain, or  interfere for  an  hour
with  the  patient's  business  or pleasure.  I  very rarely, in any case, employ
minerals, believing them hurtful, by accumulating in the system ; besides, I find
that all their beneficial effects for  chronic disease may be secured from the vege-
table world.   I never reduce  the patient with blisters or setons,  or harsh painful
remedies of any kind, but aim to  soothe all  pain, and build him up by mild,
gentle means.   In every way his health is brought in all respects up to as high a
point of perfection as possible.

  Such is  a general outline of the treatment employed by me, and which I have
found successful in curing this terrible disease.  But  it will be of little avail to
you that there is thus made known to  you a plan of treatment, and a  system of
remedies,  whereby consumption can be cured, if, while having  the disease, you
are deceived as to your true condition until it is too late for any human power or
6kill  to save  you.   It is  important,  therefore, that you know what the  early
symptoms of consumption are.  I will briefly  describe them.

                   EARLY SYMPTOMS OF CONSUMPTION

  Most commonly, the first symptom of consumption is a decline in flesh and a
sinking of the strength.   These,  however, fail so  gradually that the change is hardly
noticed for some time.  The  appetite  remains good, perhaps, and as much food
as usual is taken, but it does  not seem to nourish the body.
  Soon there is experienced at times a little shortness of breath, not felt, it may be,
except when attempting some increased exercise, such as going up hill or  up
stairs, walking fast or running, lifting a heavy weight, or something of the kind.
Then, when more breath is needed, it is found that it is difficult to fill  the lunga 
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A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY COUNSEL
or take a satisfying breath.  The chest seems less flexible than natural; it does not
rise well—seems growing flat and contracted ;  and the lungs do not fill well.
  In a little time there commences a slight cough—at first a mere hack ; it is not
recognized or acknowledged to be a cough ; it is expected daily to disappear.  It
does not do so, but still hardly seems to increase for some time.  By and by, how-
ever, there may be a sudden aggravation of it, which is usually  attributed  to a
cold, or something else.  It may partially recede  again, but not wholly, and soon
it becomes completely established.
  Pain in the side is a frequent symptom, oftener in the left side  than the right.
Sometimes it extends through to the back, and is felt under the shoulder-blades.
  In many cases there is slight bleeding from the lungs, perhaps at  long intervals,
and perhaps more frequently; sometimes to the  extent of a tablespoonful and
more, and sometimes only a little, staining the phlegm coughed up.  This spitting
of blood is always alarming.  If you have ever bled at the  lungs at all,  be sure
there is danger.   In  some cases, the first intimation that the lungs are out of
order will be a  copious gush of blood from the lungs : this should not  usually
cause so much alarm as merely spitting blood, as  it does not so certainly indicate
tuberculation ;  but consumption is  likely to follow such bleeding, unless means
are used to prevent it.
  When any of these symptoms  appear, do not delay an  hour applying for
assistance.
  I need not describe the later symptoms. The deep, hollow cough—the hectic
fever—the night-sweats—the  pale, wasted form—the sunken chest—the distress
for breath, can be mistaken by no one.
  These are  the  ordinary symptoms  usually attending the  commencement of
tubercular consumption; but  there are, of course,  a thousand circumstances that
may vary them.  Consumption, as we have seen, may be induced by any one of
a great  variety  of other diseases, and the usual  symptoms of the disease which
ushers it in will precede those characteristic of consumption, and often  modify
them throughout the whole course of the sickness.   Dyspepsia, for example, may
cause consumption, when for a length of time  there will be all  the  peculiar
suffering produced by this complaint; then a hacking cough will set in ; there
will be difficulty of breathing, pain about the chest, perhaps spitting of blood,
emaciation, loss of strength, cough more or less severe, expectoration, &c.; with,
at the same time,  continued  indigestion,  constantly aggravating  all the other
symptoms.  The same is true of all other disorders that cause consumption.
  (For a more complete explanation of the causes and symptoms  of consumption,
see my  " Six Lectures.")

              WHY  IS  CONSUMPTION  SO GENERALLY FATAL?
  Is it  because the  disease is  itself incurable?   No, it is not;  I know  it  to be
curable.  It  may, it is true, pass into an incurable stage ;  and so may any other
disease.   One great reason is, because the early indications of consumption are not
noticed, and do not give alarm.  Just here is the terrible danger of  this disease.   It
steals upon its victim, and actually destroys his lungs before he knows  that he
is attacked.  I wish I could make this truth fell, not merely remembered.
  The lungs have little sensibility ; we cannot feel much pain in them.   Disease 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
19
almost anywhere else  gives pain.  Here it does not, except incidentally.   Wnen
pain in the chest is experienced in consumption, it is in the membranes investing
the lungs, and in the  walls of the chest, not in the lungs.  A person may have
tubercles, ulceration, even large cavities  in the lungs, and not know it by any
pain in the lungs.   If disease in the lungs gave us as much suffering as it does
almost anywhere else, it would be oftener  cured, because it would be attended to
in time.   I have explained to you what the early indications of consumption are,
that you may not be deceived into a fatal delay ; and let me beg that if you detect
any of them in yourself, you will not postpone an hour seeking effectual help.
   Indeed, the unfortunate  consumptive, in nearly all  cases,  seems forced to die
by circumstances that appear  to be  planned expressly for his destruction.  Hk;
friends flatter him, his disease flatters him, and, worse than all, his  physician
too often flatters him.  The clearly defined symptoms of consumption come upon
him one after the other, but he is told there is no danger—that he has a " cold,"
or a little " bronchitis," or only " debility," or something else equally harmless.
Perhaps he has his palate cut off, his tonsils cut out, and his throat burned with
caustic.   No efficient medicines are  given him.  He still grows weaker, his
cough is increasing,  his flesh  is wasting  away; it may be he has bled two or
three times, and he begins to suspect  that perhaps  his lungs are " somewhat
affected."   He asks his physician to tell  him candidly if it is not so.   To settle
 the matter, another doctor is called  in consultation.  They examine his chest;
 and now, when the poor patient has not a month to live, they gravely announce
 to him or his friends that they think  there may be a "slight deposit of tubercle
 in one lung,"  and he had better " take cod-liver oil, and go South, or take a sea
 voyage."  He is thus cheated and flattered until the host sands of life are running
 out.  Then comes the terrible truth—that he has indeed the consumption,  and
 must die !  Yes, must die, because he has been deluded into a fatal security
 until the lungs are actually destroyed, and the last stage of the disease  is reached.
 I wish I could make  you realize your  danger from these fatal snares into which
 you are so liable to fall.  Will you not endeavor to escape from them by reading
 attentively what I have now said, and carefully comparing your condition with
 the symptoms described ?  Then, if  you detect any of these symptoms in your-
 self, do not put off for an hour seeking the means to arrest and cure your disease.

                             A COMMON ERROR.
    Permit  me  to caution  you against another very  common  error.  It  is, the
 practice adopted by many  invalids of asking the advice of their family physician
 as to the propriety of adopting some  other treatment besides his.  A moment's
 reflection must  convince  you that  this  is  really absurd.  Do you suppose  that
 your physician is going  to confess  that his treatment has been  a blunder, and
 recommend you to adopt one radically different ? • He will tell  you that seated-
 consumption cannot  be cured by any treatment.  This is a cardinal doctrine with.
 thousands.  Will any of these physicians be likely to advise you to put yourself
" in the hands of one who totally denies this doctrine, and claims that he can cure
 it?  Will not such  a one be  more  likely to cry "Humbug!" and scout the
 new treatment with contempt ?  Let me assure  you, that instead of expecting
 any countenance, you must be prepared  to encounter the  most desperate oppo- 
20
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY COUNSEL
sition from all physicians who treat consumption and other chronic diseases on
the old plan, if you do so much as lisp your desire to make trial of any remedies
or treatment not taught in some " orthodox book of practice."  So, also, expect
the opposition of three-fourths of your friends :  they have made up their  minds
either that you must die, or else that you are in  no danger.  In either case, it is
folly, they very honestly believe, to look beyond your family physician  for help.
  Examine the matter for yourself.  Ascertain what have been the results of youi
physician's treatment in others affected as you are.  See whether he has cured
them.  Learn what his  practice is—whether he profess to be able  to cure the
disease you have, &c.; then candidly investigate the treatment here commended
to your notice ; examine the facts presented, and the testimony of those who have
employed the  treatment; and decide for  yourself the important question as  to
whether  or not you had best make trial of it, in preference to continuing that
which you know never to have cured anybody.  When your mind is made up,
then act at once, without regard  to the  advice of those about you, unless those
who offer the advice can point you to a " better way."   Do not be turned about
by the interests or the whims of either opposing  physicians or prejudiced friends.
Your life, not theirs, is at stake.  (For a more complete exposition of consumption,
see my " Six Lectures," and " Health, its Aids and Hindrances.")

                                ASTHMA.
  This disease, which frequently occasions the most terrible suffering, and which
is often  fatal, is usually caused  by a humor in the lungs.  In some persons it
appears as a seated affection, producing a constant difficulty in breathing, and a
wheezing as though the air-passages were partially closed, as in fact they are.
There is a humor spread on the internal surface of the lungs, which thickens the
lining membrane, and thus partly fills up the tubes and cells.  In other persons
it appears occasionally, or periodically, from some exciting cause,  coming on
with great violence, lasting from two to three hours to as many days, and causing
at times the most awful distress.  The struggles for breath are frightful.  This is
called spasmodic asthma.  In these  cases a spasmodic contraction of the air-pas-
sages takes place.   Asthma is  curable—entirely so.  I  adopt the same general
treatment for  this disease as for consumption, with  such modification of special
remedies as the peculiar circumstances require.  There must be both a general and
local treatment, and all the ailments that accompany it must receive attention.
(See my  " Six  Lectures.")
                               BRONCHITIS.
  This a most common disorder, and is often the forerunner of consumption.   It
is common among clergymen, lawyers,  teachers, lecturers, etc. ; those who  use
the voice very much, especially before  large assemblies  and in heated rooms;
also, sedentary and dyspeptic persons, and those of  a costive  habit, are liable to
it.   Its symptoms are soreness of the throat, hoarseness, loss of voice, a sense of
tightness across the chest, cough (in some slight,  in  others most  distressing),
weakness of the voice, great fatigue when talking, etc.   In many cases there are
swelling of the tonsils and enlargement of the palate.   In a large proportion of
cases of these  throat diseases, if of  long standing, the lungs are also affected— 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
21
almost always so, if the patient is highly predisposed to consumption.   But it may
be cured in nearly all cases, even after  there is ulceration.  Like consumption and
asthma, it is both a constitutional and local disorder, and must be treated with
both general and local remedies.  In most cases it is a true humor fastened upon
the throat;  and merely suppressing the eruption there, does not cure it.  Burning
the throat with caustic, therefore, should never be resorted to, unless the most
active  measures are taken to fortify the lungs and renovate the system ; otherwise
the disease is almost certain to be driven upon the lungs.  I have seldom found
it necessary to use caustics at all.  The disease yields, in most cases, without.
The same general rules as to diet, drinks, and habits of living that apply to con-
sumption, apply in this disease.  (See remarks in my " Lectures.")

                        CATARRH  IN  THE HEAD.
   This is a most disagreeable, annoying, sometimes painful disorder.   It is an
inflammation  of the  membrane lining the nose, extending  sometimes into the
 front part of the head, down the back nasal passage to the throat, to the cheeks
and eyes.  It causes  offensive discharges from the nostrils, partially or wholly
closing them; headache, a dull, heavy pain  over  the  eyes, confusion of mind.
heat and pain about the nose, eyes, and cheeks ; at times, frequent "hawking,"
to clear the nose and  throat; impaired sense  of smell,  and sometimes taste and
hearing.  It should not be neglected, as it often extends to the lungs, producing
catarrhal consumption.  It is not simply a local affection, but a constitutional
 one, and cannot, therefore, be cured  by simply a local remedy.  My plan is to
give remedies to purify the blood of the humor which causes the catarrh, to rally
 the whole system, and then, by suitable applications to the membrane  immedi-
 ately affected, by inhaling medicated vapor among other means, to  subdue  the
 chronic inflammation.  In this way, I usually find catarrh in the  head perfectly
 curable.  It is,  however, often an obstinate  disease ;  and if you are the subject
 of it, j'ou have, I presume, tried many remedies without receiving any permanent
 benefit.  Let me assure you that you will continue to meet with disappointments
 so long as you use only local remedies. It is not simply a local disease.  It is both
 local and constitutional, and requires both local and constitutional treatment.

                        DISEASE OF THE HEART.
   There is, perhaps, no disease, acute or chronic, which occasions to  the invalid
 more alarm and apprehension than  that of the heart.  Thousands, from this
 cause, live in hourly  fear of death, and in this awful apprehension they suffer a
 thousand deaths.
   Heart disease may be cured.   There are very few cases, indeed, that will not
 yield to  a proper medical treatment.  I say so, because the fact has been demon-
 strated before my own eyes, and in my own practice, in repeated instances.

                      SYMPTOMS  OF HEART DISEASE.
   The most common  form in which disturbance or disease of the heart is' shown,
 is simple palpitation.  It is at first, perhaps, felt only occasionally.  These spells
 may increase  in duration.  As it progresses, it is  accompanied by a little short-
 ness of  breath, perhaps an occasional sharp pain in the left side,  running up to 
22                  A  LETTER OF  FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
 the  shoulder and down the arm.  In its progress there may be, at times, a
 distressing sense  of fulness in the left side,  and perhaps an indescribable feeling
 of misery, with periods of greater distress for breath.   Going up hill or up stairs
 will bring on violent palpitations,  and take away the strength and breath  to ;i
 distressing degree.  There is sometimes a feeling of weakness, and often pain, in
 the left side, which may extend to the left arm.  Any sudden emotion, such as
 fright, or surprise, or pleasure, will set the heart fluttering like a frightened bird.
 At times the heart may seem to stop beating for an instant, with a kind of shock,
 and then as suddenly resume its action, with a bound  and a flutter, lasting some
 minutes.  At other times there is a sudden sensation of an indescribable  rotary
 motion of the heart, as though it turned over.  As the disease increases in  vio-
 lence, there may be distressing difficulty of breathing, amounting, in some in-
 stances, almost to suffocation, with partial or total faintings.  Sometimes, even in
 slight derangements of the heart, the sleep is disturbed by alarming dreams  and
 frequent startings ; and in more severe cases  the invalid can scarcely lie down at
 all.  In some cases there is most terrible pain in the heart—sometimes dull  and
 heavy, at others sharp and lancinating. But there may be disturbance or disease
 of the heart without pain.
  In some instances the  general health or appearance is but little disturbed or
 changed by the diseased action of the heart;  in others, a change in these respects
 is marked  and peculiar: the countenance will be  bloodless  and livid, and the
 eyes swollen and watery.  In some cases the palpitation will  amount to only a
 slight increase in the rapidity and force of the pulse ;  and from this it varies in
 severity to  a hard, violent throbbing, which may  be  seen to shake the whole
 person,  and even the chair or bed on which  the  invalid may  sit or recline.   In
 some instances there will be a uniform, regular hard beating of the heart, and in
 others the pulse will be irregular and intermitting.

                     TREATMENT OF HEART  DISEASE.
  My treatment  is directed to  the  cause of  the  disease.  The  disorders  and
 diseases which produce or attend it are cured,  and the whole system, by appro
 priate constitutional remedies, is restored  to a condition of health.  By specific
 remedies addressed to the heart, its agitation and violent action are quieted  and
 subdued, and the disorganization which is going on arrested.  The condition of
 the system is regulated, and those distressing  suspensions of circulation, which
 often cause sudden death, I take prompt and effectual means to prevent.   If the
 disturbance is one caused by disease or irregularity elsewhere,  the cause I remove
 by prompt  and efficient remedies, applicable  to the  particular case.  I always
 adopt efficient measures to guard the  lungs against taking on disease—to enlarge
 and  strengthen the chest and lungs—to build up' and strengthen the whole
 system—to purify the blood, and restore the whole  body to sound health.  (See
 my " Six Lectures.")

            LIVER COMPLAINT AND  BILIOUS DISORDERS.
  Deranged action of the  liver is very common : organic disease of this organ is
not so common.   The latter is usually indicated by heat, pain, and swelling in
the right side ; by obstinate costiveness, flatulence,  or  diarrhoea, and sometimes 
AND ADVICE  TO  INVALIDS.                     23
 great pain  in  the bowels; more or less indigestion;  sallow skin, yellow eyes,
 loss of  appetite, or insatiable craving for food;  loss of flesh and strength;  great
 melancholy and depression of spirits ;  palpitation of the  heart; in some cases
 cough ; sometimes there is most distressing pain in the side and across the centre
 of the body ; headache, and a dull, heavy, drowsy feeling.  Many of these symp-
 toms are present in mere torpidity or deranged action of the liver.   The latter is
 not, however, attended with swelling in the side, nor so much pain and  heat in
 the region  of the liver.   Bilious derangement  is often  produced by  want of
 exercise,  irregular habits, sedentary employments, excessive study, confinement
 in-doors,  colds, eating too much or too rich foods, particularly fats.
   A common cause is malaria, the  origin of bilious, remittent, and chill fevera,
 and fever and ague; another common cause is the inj udicious use of mercury in some
 form. ^ This agent acts powerfully on the liver.  It may give temporary relief in
 biliousness, torpid liver, etc. ; but it does so only by violently stimulating the
 liver, as well as  other glands.  Of course  this is followed  by a corresponding
 depression,  leaving the liver weak, prostrated, and, perhaps, actually diseased.
   I treat affections of the liver,  and the various  forms of biliousness, by ascer-
 taining and  removing the cause  : by quickening the action of the other emunc-
 tories, by invigorating and strengthening the liver itself, by correcting the action
 of the bowels.  If mercury has been much used, this must be removed from the
 system.   All accompanying disorders I carefully attend to, and appropriate diet,
 exercise,  bathing, etc., is prescribed.  I seldom have the  misfortune to fail in
 restoring the patient to complete health under this treatment.

              DISEASES  OF  THE  KIDNEYS, BLADDER, &c.
   These are a common and painful class  of affections.   The usual  symptoms are
 pain, heat, and tenderness in the small of the back ; passage of water attended
 with heat, scalding, pain ;  sometimes with discharge of blood, &c. ; urine variable
 —sometimes scanty and high-colored, at others clear and too abundant,  often
 depositing red or white sediment, which adheres to the vessel or1 settles at the
 bottom.  In some cases there are fever and a coated tongue.  If the bladder is the
 seat of the disorder,  there is pain, heat, or uneasiness in that region ;  frequently
 stricture and painful retention of urine ;  sometimes discharge of blood and mucus.
 Gravel  results from diseases of the bladder, and  these are most often caused by
 humor settling in  those parts ; sometimes they are caused  by injuries, blows on
 the back,  falls, &c.; often by frequently forcibly  retaining the urine, because it is
 inconvenient to void  it, &c.  In uterine diseases the bladder and kidneys are often
 involved ; the uterus not unfrequently presses on  the bladder so as to injure it.
 Often there  is inflammation of the neck of the bladder or urethra, with structure,
 perhaps, and inability to pass water, causing the most terrible suffering.  In
 other cases there is inability to hold the water—a most troublesome and disagree-
able affection.  Whatever  the  cause, and whatever the form of the disease, it
may usually be cured ; but, as in other complaints, the  cause must be removed.
If it is humor, the blood must be renovated ; if external injuries, the inflamma-
tion must be soothed and subdued ; if disease  of other organs, that must be
sought out and cured ; and then remedies, medicinal and mechanical, addressed
directly to the seat of the difficulty. 
24
A  LETTER  OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL
                              RHEUMATISM.
  This painful affection is too well  known to need description ;  and it is as well
known that it is often regarded as incurable.  Temporary relief is about all that is
hoped for.  When, however, the cause is known, and remedies employed that will
reach that cause,  a cure is perfectly practicable.  Rheumatism results  from a
peculiar poison in the blood, which settles upon the membranes, covering the
joints usually; sometimes it invades the muscles.  Wherever it  is, it causes
inflammation, vitiates the secretions, and causes much pain.   By  proper local
applications, together with  such general remedies as are specifically adapted to
eradicate the poison, there is scarcely any case that may not be cured. Decided
relief can be given in all  cases.   It is true  that when the joints have become
disorganized and drawn out of shape, when chalk deposits  have been made, and
the general system completely broken down, we can hardly hope to see the dis-
organized parts restored to their natural condition.  But even after this stage is
reached, the disease may usually be arrested, and the  suffering removed.
  Let me say that local and external applications cannot alone cure rheumatism.
It has its seat in the blood, and  the blood must be purified from the humor or
poison.  It is a constitutional affection, and requires constitutional remedies;
local remedies, it is true, are useful  to give temporary relief, but they are not
always or often curative. With true curative general remedies, I usually find that
rheumatism, in all its manifestations, may be conquered.

                               DYSPEPSIA.
  There are numerous organs engaged in the process of digestion, and where any
of them  are  diseased or deranged, digestion  is impaired.  When  indigestion
becomes chronic, or habitual, then there is  dyspepsia.  Among the  symptoms
are the following :  Oppressed, heavy feelings ; sour  stomach ; wind in the stom-
ach ;  often the food is thrown up, sometimes unchanged, at  others sour and
acrid, scalding, and almost excoriating the throat; there is, perhaps, active pain
in the stomach, extending up the left side and under the shoulder-blades  ; there
is at times  a restless, nervous, uneasy feeling, commencing at the stomach and
extending over the whole system ;  often there is severe headache ;  the appetite
is vitiated,  sometimes too  craving, at others gone  entirely ;  a bad  taste  in the
mouth in the morning; a dull, heavy, sluggish feeling during the  day ; bad
dreams, perhaps sleeplessness, perhaps  too heavy sleep, at night;  sinking, all-
gone feeling at  the pit of the stomach ; palpitation of the heart; rush of blood
to the head ; feet and hands sometimes cold, sometimes hot and burning ;  pain
across the centre of the body, at times, perhaps, extreme,  in some  cases pretty
constant, in others  commencing  only some hour or two after meals—eating often
stops it for the time ; depression of spirits, the dyspeptic being often exceedingly
morose, gloomy, and fretful, sometimes indifferent to all about him,  at others
irritable and easily disturbed ; loss of energy and ambition ; wasting of strength
and flesh, &c. ; sometimes a hacking cough and oppression for breath.
  These symptoms  do not,  of  course, all appear in the same individual.  But if
you are a dyspeptic you have  felt some of them.   You have  also found your 
AND ADVICE  TO  INVALIDS.
25
disease difficult to cure:  what has cured others will not help you, perhaps.  No
two cases are just alike,  and each case must be treated by itself.  But because
you have failed to find relief thus far, you need not be discouraged—dyspepsia in all
its forms is curable.
                          CAUSES OF DYSPEPSIA.
   Like every other disease, dyspepsia in every case has some specific cause.  These
causes are various, and different in different individuals.  One of the most com-
mon is want of exercise, while consuming too much food.   We have seen that the body
is constantly wasting away.  We need food enough to  6upply this waste, but no
more ; all surplus is hurtful.  Action, exercise, movement, increase the waste,
and of course the demand for food.   But if while at rest we consume as much
food as is required while in action, we get too much, load and burden the diges-
tive organs, and induce dyspepsia.  This is inevitable.
   There   are numerous  other causes  of dyspepsia,  such  as  long-continued,
exhausting mental labor,  care, anxiety, or grief; irregular habits; excesses of
all kinds ; improper food ;  too little food for a length of time ; eating at unusual
hours; late suppers;  harsh, irritating medicines; falling of the bowels; con-
traction of the chest, thus depriving the system of needed vital air ; neglecting
to bathe the body, and allowing the skin to become impure and clogged.
   There  are many other diseases  that  occasion dyspepsia; any, in fact, which
confine the invalid to  the  house a long time, and greatly reduce the strength,
may do so.  Most distressing dyspepsia often results from female diseases, falling
of the womb, inflammation and ulceration of the womb, leucorrhoea, irregularity,
&c.   Another common cause is the striking  in of humors, and  their determina-
tion to the organs of digestion.
   A certain amount of exercise is essential  to healthy digestion ; there is abso
lutely no substitute for  exercise.  From the laws of our being it is demanded,
and we cannot have health without it.  Motion—activity—is an indispensable
condition of growth, development, and health in the animal organization.  This
is a natural law ; if we violate it we must pay the penalty.  It is true that a man
may have dyspepsia in spite of daily bodily exercise ; but he is sure to have it if
exercise  is altogether neglected.  Set it down, therefore, as true beyond a perad-
venture, that you cannot have health, nor get relief from your dyspepsia, so long
as you omit to give yourself sufficient exercise.
                           TO CURE  DYSPEPSIA
Is  sometimes difficult,  but seldom  or never impossible,  if the  patient  will
thoroughly co-operate  with me.   My plan is, first to  seek out the cause, learn
what it has originated  from, and then strike directly at this cause.  If it results
from  some other disease,  I direct remedies to that at once.  If from wrong habits
of living, I point them out, and seek to have them abandoned.  I regulate, as
far as possible, the diet—recommend the proper exercise—secure daily bathing
—have the chest well expanded—the bowels supported and regulated, and the
general vigor of the whole system strengthened and improved.   Then directing
carefully prepared remedies to the digestive organs, the stomach, bowels, liver,
&c, I usually succeed in restoring the  patient to sound digestion and good health,
in the course of from one to three months. 
26
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY COUNSEL
  Let me recommend you, if you are inclined to dyspepsia, not to sit down and
despair of help.  You can do much yourself to regain health.  Do not sit in your
house, your shop, your office, or  your store, lazily brooding and mourning over
your wretched condition, or meekly "acquiescing in  the dispensations  of Prov-
idence."   The " dispensations of Providence," in your case, are most probably
only stripes due to disobedience.  Leave your sedentary employments and habits;
go out, ride, walk, hunt, fish, play, recreate ;  engage  in moderate labor on the
farm,  in the garden, or elsewhere.  Engage in something that takes your mind
off from yourself, and fixes it on an object to be accomplished, whether it be pleas-
ure or profit.   Keep the mind as  free as possible from disagreeable care, anxiety,
depression, and gloom ;  avoid exhausting mental labor and fatigue ; seek cheer-
ful, pleasant society,  and cultivate a cheerful  temper.  Do not be governed by
your appetite,  if it is not a healthy one ; take as much proper  food as you need,
and no more ;  always masticate it well.  Eat at regular intervals, bathe daily,
keep the bowels free, take regular  sleep and rest, avoid all excesses, and in all
respects obey the laws of health.  Then, if you need medical advice or assistance,
call on me, or sit down and write  me a letter, describing your symptoms fully, an-
swering the questions on page 32 of this pamphlet, and I will direct you what to do.


                         FEMALE  COMPLAINTS.
  The extent of disease  and suffering among females  is frightful.   We seldom
meet with a healthy woman ; and no invalids more eminently deserve the sympathy
and effective  services of the  physician.   Thousands  suffer in uncomplaining
silence ; others suffer and  complain, but  find no relief. I desire to do what I
can in their behalf.
  Let me first say, that if you find yourself a sufferer from any female com-
plaint, you should not hesitate for a moment from motives of delicacy to make
your condition known.  Your  health, perhaps your life, and that  of your off-
spring, is at stake; nothing should prevent you from seeking effective help at
once.
  There are many forms of female weakness and disorder ; falling of the womb is
perhaps one of the most common.   This causes a heavy, dragging feeling in the
pelvis, with pain and weakness in the back, perhaps through the hips and across
the abdomen.  There is inability to walk well; generally  more or  less prostra-
tion of strength; sinking at the pit of the stomach  and  about the chest and
shoulders ;  sometimes palpitation of the heart; usually obstinate costiveness and
sometimes suppression of the water; frequently leucorrhcea, &c.
  Inflammation  and  ulceration of the womb  are  also common.   They frequently
accompany falling of the womb, and give rise to a long train of distressing symp-
toms,  besides those above mentioned, such as obstinate dyspepsia, headache, rush
of blood  to the head, pain in the back, shoulders, chest, hips, pelvis, legs, or
arms ; great nervousness, painful menstruation, suppression of the menses ; heat
and burning,  in some cases,  in the abdomen; flooding,  great prostration of
strength, emaciation, great depression of the spirits,  gloom,  and despondency.
Often  the poor sufferer is entirely bed-ridden for months.
  If you are one of  this unfortunate class, permit me to  assure you that you 
AND ADVICE  TO INVALIDS.
27
need not continue to suffer thus :  there is relief for you.  But you need treat-
ment that cannot well be communicated to you here, and that requires the
supervision  of an experienced physician.  My plan embraces  the use  of both
mechanical and medicinal remedies.   The abdominal supporter in these complaints
is exceedingly important.  An internal supporter is often requisite.  I employ one
of a peculiar construction,  that  is worn without  inconvenience,  and that per-
fectly supports the womb and holds it  in place.  The remedies  I make use of
cause no pain or inconvenience, occasion no increase of suffering, no sickness, and
no interference with your usual habits, pursuit;,, or pleasures ;  they do not pros-
trate or break down-the strength, and do not injure the constitution.  Write me,
and let me advise you.  In the mean time, you will most certainly derive much
benefit from wearing one of my abdominal supporters, which may be had  at most
druggists.
                             SKIN DISEASES.
   Their  name is legion.  We are  a poisoned race.   To find a human being in
Christendom, in whose veins flows no taint or poison, is probably an impossibility.
These diseases occupy different parts of the surface of the body—the face, scalp,
eyelids,  the ear,  internal and  external, the  throat, breast, limbs,  hands, feet, in
fact all portions of the surface, producing in their  various forms of development
and location a vast catalogue  of complaints which  we have not space  to  enumer-
ate, all proceeding from poison in the blood.  All  may be repelled from  the sur-
face to the  internal organs, affecting one or all of them.  It is very rarely that
we  meet with any skin disease of any type that cannot be cured by proper
remedies, local and constitutional, in from six weeks to two months.

                                  CANCER.
   This terrible disease, one of the most awful which invades the human system,
originates from poison in the  blood.  Of this there cannot be a rational doubt.
 Cancer in its earlier stages may frequently be cured by internal medicines alone,
and a permanent cure is all but impossible except  by purifying the blood of the
cancer poison.   After the poison is expelled, and the blood is purified, then plas-
 ters can be applied to the cancerous tumor, which, in a few weeks, with very
 little pain,  will remove the tumor entire.  Rapid  healing follows, and soon the
 patient rejoices in perfect health.

                   KING'S EVIL,  OR  TRUE  SCROFULA.
   King's evil, or true scrofula, whether  in the form of lumps  or  hard swellings
about the neck, under the chin, on the cords of the neck, or elsewhere, or in the
form of running, scrofulous sores, results from a peculiar depravity of the consti-
tution, and particularly the blood.   It is very common, and is the  parent of a
pestilent brood  of other forms  of disease.  It is usually  indicated by a clear,
transparent complexion, and a soft, frail, delicate  appearance .of the flesh.  The
eyes are often red about the edges of the lids.  The glands in various parts of
the system incline  to  swell, and  there is  delicate  general  health.   It often
induces consumption.  Sometimes it breaks out in obstinate running sores.  The 
28
A  LETTER  OF  FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
back is often affected, when the spine may become distorted, twisted to one side,
or bowed outwards, and also the breast-bone.  This is called the " rickets."
  It is  a dull, sluggish,  hydra-headed,  pestilent disease, and requires skilful
treatment; but it is not  incurable.   By general remedies adapted to renovate
the system, rouse the vitality,  purify and enrich the blood, and correct  the
nutrition, I have usually succeeded in conquering it, before the constitution  has
become completely broken down, and the parts of the system on which it deter-
mines disorganized.
                              COSTIVENESS.
  Thousands suffer from  habitual costiveness.  It is a  distressing  disease in
itself, and the parent of many others.  Headache, sick-headache, confusion in
the head, rush of blood to the head, apoplexy, palsy, throat disease,  consump-
tion,  bleeding  lungs,  heart disease, dyspepsia,  liver  complaint, piles, skin
diseases, nervousness,  womb diseases, kidney complaints, &c,  are sometimes
produced, and always aggravated by it.
  It usually results from a torpid condition of the liver.  It may, however, be
caused by want of exercise, a habit of procrastinating the call of nature,  the  use
of drastic cathartics, &c.   But from whatever it proceeds, if the proper measures
and remedies are employed it may  be removed.   An  abdominal supporter is
usually of great benefit.  Active exercise daily is well-nigh indispensable. Bathing
is important.  With these I employ medicines to gently  stimulate the liver, cor-
rect the digestion, strengthen the bowels, remove all  attendant diseases, and
invigorate the whole system ; and I hardly ever fail to give complete relief.

                                 PILES.
  This is not generally a dangerous disease, but it is always annoying,  and often
terribly painful.   It occurs more in sedentary people than  others, and  generally
is attended  with costiveness.  It results from an  imperfect circulation of  the
blood; the blood does not flow freely back from  the rectum, and the blood
vessels then become enlarged, so as to  form terrible tumors.  These are in some
cases external, and in some  internal.   These latter are apt to bleed, by being
ruptured by the hard fasces pressing against them.
  To cure the piles effectually, the circulation of  the blood must be restored to
its natural activity ; congestion of the  liver, which exists usually to a greater or
less extent, must be removed; constipation  relieved;  and the general system
invigorated.  Both local and  constitutional remedies are requisite  under  the
proper treatment, and the  use of the supporters always important.   I do not find
it difficult to cure the piles.
  THE GENERAL VIEW OF THE PLAN ON WHICH I TREAT DISEASE.

  Having thus noticed  several of the prevalent chronic diseases, somewhat in
detail, and explained how I treat them, let me present in a few words the prin-
ciples on which  my  plan of treatment  is based, and the  objects I am to
accomplish. 
AND ADVICE TO  INVALIDS.
29
  1st. I start with the fact, for a fact it is, that no person can have robust health
with small lungs and a contracted chest;  nor if the lungs are suffering from any
disorder upon them.  Here is the very citadel of life, from which all the vigor,
vitality, and power of the system are obtained.  The great office of the lungs is
to supply power and vitality to the system.   If they are on any account deficient,
every organ of the body suffers and languishes in consequence.  I aim, then, in
all cases to secure in the patient a large chest, and healthy, well-developed, well-
expanded lungs ; and I take means,, by shoulder-braces, inhalers, &c, to secure
these ends.
  2d. In almost all chronic affections, where there is loss of strength, the abdom-
inal muscles are more or less relaxed. This is especially the case in affections of
the lungs and throat; also in dyspepsia, chronic diarrhoea, female disorders, &c.,
causing a sinking, heavy, "all-gone" feeling at the pit of the stomach, and a  *
dragging sensation about  the breast and shoulders.  This I correct by a well-
adjusted abdominal supporter, and appropriate local applications to the parts.
  3d. I regard the skin as a most important organ, and by bathing, warm or cold,
medicated or simple, as the  case may require, I secure an active, healthy  con-
dition of the skin.  I find the most beautiful effects from these baths in treating
chronic complaints, and in the preservation of health.
  4th. I give my patients a most complete regimen, as regards exercise, out-doors
and in ;  diet adapted to each case ; sleep, clothing, and all other matters relating
to their habits and mode of life.
  5th. I give them medicines, external and  internal, local and general, adapted to
cure them.  Here is the grand remedial power of my system ! I find that there is a  pos-
itive power in medicine unknown to those who employ only the crude drugs of
the apothecary's shop.  By skilful combinations, diseases can be cured that cannot
be reached by any one medicinal agent alone.  I employ remedies, all prepared
most carefully under my.own hand, which have specific tendencies to the various
organs, and are true  antidotes to  the poisons which invade the system.   There
are none used that sicken, or reduce the strength, or cause pain or inconvenience.
The  treatment employed does not in any case interrupt or interfere with the
patient's business or pleasures, if they are proper and innocent.
  One Woru More.—If you are an invalid suffering from any chronic disease, do
not submit to the use of any harsh, or painful, or prostrating remedies.  Do not
allow yourself to be  bled, or physicked,  or purged, or blistered to  death.   Do
not load your body with mineral poison, especially mercury. Any treatment or
any remedy which causes  you one half  hour's suffering,  or inconvenience, or
sickness—that reduces your strength, shuts you up in your room, or makes you
even "nervous," is wrong and hurtful.
  Recollect what I have described as the  two great  processes of life.   Remedies
should at once promote these processes, and not interfere with them.   All disease
is a result of some imperfection in these processes ; and you will have seen  that
in all the remedies and measures I have described as employed by myself, I aim
to restore these functions to a healthy activity and vigor.  What does not tend
to this end is hurtful in medical treatment. 
30                  A LETTER OF FRIENDLY  COUNSEL
               RULES FOR PRESERVING HEALTH.

  rt is not difficult to preserve Goon Health, if you will obey a few simple rules.
  1st.  You must have Large Sounu Lungs.   Without good lungs you cannot have
robust health.  The  strength, power, vigor—all the vitality of the  system, and
of each organ of it—are derived from the lungs.  But  you may have good lungs
if you choose, (accidental mechanical injuries excepted.)  The  person  should  be
carried erect, the shoulders thrown and kept back off from the chest, the breath-
ing should be habitually full and deep, and the chest kept large and full.  Never
allow yourself in  the habit of stooping. Many persons  stoop while they sit or
stand at their work.  A very hurtful habit, practised by many females, is to  sit
at their sewing actually doubled up, with their feet on a stool, their work pinned
to their laps, as you  see represented in the above figure.  A worse  habit could
not well be indulged in.   So, too, many students practice a similar habit of
sitting at their studies, as seen on the next page.  You see this must necessarily
contract the chest and cramp the lungs, as well as all the internal organs. Never
permit yourself to stoop.   Stand and sit straight,  and don't fear being thought vain
if you are erect; with chest thrown  out and shoulders back.   Frequently take
long full breaths, and get  the habit of full, deep breathing.  If  necessary, wear
shoulder-braces, and  use an inhaling tube.  Never sit  in a cramped, stooping, or
confined  position while writing, reading, sewing, or at any other employment.
Never lace,  or in any  way  confine the chest.   As the first  requisite to good
health, then,  secure a full broad chest, an erect figure,  and large lungs.  You can
do IT.
  2d. Never permit yourself to breathe a vitiated air.   Recollect that  the air is your
life.   You poison the very fountains of life when you breathe impure air.  Recol-
lect, too, that you yourself render the air impure by breathing it; every return-
ing breath comes loaded with poison.   Air once breathed is not fit to be breathed
again until it is purified in the great  laboratory of nature.  Never shut yourself 
AND ADVICE TO  INVALIDS.
31
up in a room, either night or day, where you will have  to breathe the same air
over and over.   Why is it that those who live out of doors are stronger and
healthier than those who live confined to the house ?   Because they breathe a
purer air.  Always have your rooms well ventilated, both  day and  night, and
spend as much time as you can in the open air and the sunshine.
  3d. Take, at regular intervals, as much wholesome, digestible food and drink as
the waste of the system requires, and no more.  This looks  like a very simple rule,
and so it is, if you will resolutely resolve  to obey it.   But there is none which is
more generally and wretchedly violated.  As a general rule, we eat too much.
We too frequently eat to satiate our appetites and gratify our palates, and not to
satisfy our wants.   Special rules of diet are of but little use.   Each person must
be his own guide here ; and he can be, if he will resolve to consult common sense.
Never eat too much, or at unseasonable hours,  or unwholesome food, or too
rapidly.   Don't eat late suppers.
  4th. Keep  the skin  on the  whole person clean and healthy. To do this, wash the
whole person daily in water as cold as you can  bear, and be warm and comfort-
able after  the bath.  Use much  friction with  a coarse towel, both  before and
after the bath.  Do not omit this, if you  would have health.
  5th. Take brisk exercise daily in the open air.  Nothing can take the place of this
—absolutely nothing.  You must have exercise.   Walking, riding on horseback,
laboring, or in some way.   If you can't go out, then exercise in the house.  Do
something to exercise the muscles of the chest, particularly.   Take exercise daily.
  6th. Take  regular sleep, at seasonable hours.   Retire in season, and rise early.
Take  sleep enough, but not too  much.  Sleep in a well-ventilated  room, on a
moderately hard bed, with covering enough to be just comfortable, and no more.
Ventilate your room and bed well during  the day. 
32
A  LETTER  OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL
  7 th.  Never expose yourself to take cold.  You may suppose this impossible ; but it is
not.   Recollect a "cold" is the result  of a sudden closing of the pores of the
skin, and is the effect of cold air upon the skin when it is warm, or the sudden
lowering of the temperature of the body in some way.  Going from heated  into
cold air, sitting in a draft, wetting the feet or  person, &c, will, as everybody
knows,  give  a cold.  Avoid,  under all  circumstances,  suddenly lowering the
temperature of the body, and you  will not take cold.
  8th.  Protect the person by proper clothing, and never sacrifice comfort  and
health to appearance.  Keep the head cool, the feet warm, and the bowels free.
  9th.  Keep  a cheerful  temper.  Don't  let the heart be burdened by care or
grief.   Avoid the vices—all of them.  Practice  the virtues—all of them.   Give
some time to recreation.   Don't wear yourself out, by exhaustive work or business.
Inform the mind—cultivate the heart;—keep the Commandments ! so you shall have
health and long life.
                   CONSULTATION AND  TREATMENT.

        HOW MY TREATMENT AND  REMEDIES MAY  BE .OBTAINED.

  I should prefer to have you, if desiring my treatment  or counsel, visit me, and
give me the  opportunity of making a personal examination.  A more accurate
knowledge of your true condition, especially if the lungs are the seat of the dis-
ease, can,  of course, in this way be obtained.  I would  recommend, therefore, if
it is practicable, that you visit me.
  A personal  examination is not, however, indispensable.  I have had the plea-
sure of treating successfully a great number of invalids by letter.
  Just sit  down and write me a full statement of your case, setting forth all your
symptoms, circumstances, history, and condition.   To  aid you in doing this, I
give you here a number of questions to which you may reply.

                         QUESTIONS TO  INVALIDS.
  Give name, age, residence, occupation ?  Family consumptive, or what com-
plaints subject to? Where born and brought up ?  Married  or single?  Strong
or delicate ?  Lean or fleshy ?   Straight  or stooping,  or deformed ?   Height,
and size   around  the waist, two  inches  above the  hips ?  Color  of hair ?
Complexion ?   Have you any humor, scrofula, cancer, skin disease, headache,
cough, asthma, rheumatism, or pain anywhere, loss of voice, hoarseness, catarrh,
dropsy, expectorate much, raise blood, fever or night-sweats, chills, confined to bed
or house, palpitation, nervousness, fits, palsy, bad dreams, sour or sick stomach,
dyspepsia, flatulence, distress at stomach, colic, all-gone feeling anywhere, cos-
tiveness, diarrhoea, appetite good or bad, piles, fistula,  gravel, heat of urine, or
scanty, or sediment ?  If a lady—married  ? had any children ? any female  com-
plaints ? irregularity ? weak back ? pain anywhere ? any bloating ? dropsy ? bil-
ious ?  worms ? indigent or  easy circumstances ?  any bad fit of sickness ?  taken
much medicine ?
  Please reply to all of these, and add any facts necessary to a full understanding
of your case.  On receiving such a statement, I will promptly reply, giving my 
AND ADVICE TO  INVALIDS.
33
candid opinion of the character of your disease, and the probability of a cure-
stating also my terms and plan of treatment.  My  charges are moderate, my
object being to make my system of  treatment and remedies the instrument of
curing the sick, and relieving the greatest possible amount of human suffering.
  Remedies, with full instructions for using them, can be sent by express to any
part of the country.  My usual plan is to take the patient under my special
charge, and furnish all needed remedies for a specified time.   I shall wish you to
write me frequently, and let me guide and direct your course, making any needed
changes in the remedies, and giving all required counsel.
  Address your letters to me, at my  Office, 714 Broadway, New York; and give
your address in full, Post-office, County, and State.
  IN CONCLUSION,—May I urgently press upon you, particularly if suffering
from any disorder  of the lungs, the inexpressible importance of doing now, at
once, what should be done to arrest your disease ?  Do not delay.   Do not delay !
DO NOT DELAY!!   Ten thousand voices come up from our graveyards reit-
erating the admonition.  Do not be cheated out of your life by the hallucina-
tion that there is no  danger, while any disorder clings to  the system.   Oh, if
I could make the truth on this subject seen and felt as it  really is, how many
precious lives should I save, which will now be sacrificed to a fatal procrastina-
tion !  But I  can only repeat, Do not delay ! You have in this little pamphlet all
the admonition you need—will you heed it ?
                                 Your sincere well-wisher,
                                                  S.  S. FITCH,  M. D.
                DO  NOT  BE  MISLED.

  Dr. S. S. Fitch, the originator of the system of practice set forth in
this pamphlet and the works noticed here, and whose name is widely
known to the public as such, finds it necessary to say that he has no office
in Chicago, Buffalo, Pittsburg, or elsewhere out of the city of New York.
He has no connection with any other office than his own, at 714 Broad-
way, N. Y.; and no Physician elsewhere has any right to use my name,
or hold himself out as having any professional connection with me or my
office.  My treatment and remedies can be obtained only by application
directly to myself, at 714 Broadway, N. Y.        S. S. Fitch, M. D. 
APPENDIX.
               CORRESPONDENCE,

PROVING THE CURABILITY  OF  CONSUMPTION, ASTHMA,  HEART DISEASE,
                  AND OTHER  CHRONIC COMPLAINTS.
  In the preceding pages, I have shown that Consumption, Asthma, Heart Disease,
and the other prevalent chronic disorders are not in their nature incurable.  In the
following, I present a few letters from among the great number, of similar import,
received from my patients in the course of a regular correspondence with them,
proving conclusively that they actually are cured  under the treatment employed
by me.
  If the  facts stated in these  communications are true, there remains no doubt
that, by the measures and remedies embraced in  my system, a complete mastery
is obtained over these diseases.  Will the reader, therefore, do himself and my
system the justice to carefully examine these communications ? and if,  after doing
so, he has any misgivings  as to  their genuineness  or truthfulness, then I ask
him to make  inquiry of the writers of the letters.  Their addresses are given in
full; and it will cost only the trouble of a line addressed to any of them (with a
stamp inclosed), to determine the matter.                 S.  S. Fitch, M. D.
           AN UNDOUBTED INSTANCE OF CONSUMPTION CURED.

         Case I.—Letter from W. H. Bangs, Esq., of Washington, D. C.

                                 Bank of the Metropolis, Washington, D. 0., )
                                           December 10, 1856.            J
Dr. S. S. Fitch, New York :
  My dear Sir,—In March, 1853, after a severe attack of bilious fever, which was
followed by a general prostration of my system, I contracted a cold, which, set-
tling upon my lungs, produced the most alarming symptoms of consumption—
such as spitting of blood, profuse night-sweats, and a hacking, troublesome cough.
My friends were exceedingly anxious that every available means of relief should
be resorted to ; and  accordingly nothing was left undone which thoughtful care
and solicitous kindness could accomplish, aided by professional  skill.  Under all
these appliances, my health, as the spring opened, became better, and I buoyed
myself up with the  hope that, as the summer advanced, I should become quite
strong again.   This  hope remained with me until the latter part of the summer,
when, by an unfortunate accident, I was subjected to a severe hemorrhage of the
lungs, which  prostrated me  even more than I had been when  first attacked.
From this time up to the period when I placed  myself under your care, I led a
miserable existence—at  times sorely perplexed and dispirited, ready to  yield to
the approach of despair ; and then again temporarily relieved, only to find  my-
self again deceived and disappointed in the various means which I resorted to for
relief.   Some months after, I came across your " Six Lectures to Consumptives," 
CONSUMPTION  CURED.
35
and became deeply interested in them, for I thought the arguments there  used
displayed more sound common-sense than I had ever seen before on that subject.
The reading of the work kindled anew the flames of hope which had almost died
within me ;  and I determined to write to you, and, if encouraged, to submit my
case to you.   In the month of March or April of this year, I wrote to you, and
received an encouraging reply.  I then resolved to place myself under your care;
and, not being able to visit you at  that time, wrote you a detailed statement of
the symptoms of my case, in answer to which you sent me  a box of your medi-
cines, together with a shoulder-brace and  supporter, and an inhaling-tube for the
purpose of expanding the lungs and filling them  with air.  Accompanying these
was a letter containing directions for my guidance in  the use of  the medicines.
From  the time  I  commenced the use of these remedies, I commenced to gain
flesh, and to feel as I had not done for years.   The shoulder-brace and supporter
I found every thing you  indicated to me they would be.  Prior to their use,
after a day's writing I would feel so  exhausted and weak as to unfit me totally
for any kind of out-door service.  After using  them, I ascertained that I could
perform the same amount of writing with one-half the fatigue and  exhaustion
which formerly accompanied me from my place of business.   I have now been
seven  months under your  care, and can assure  you that during that time  my
health  has  been gradually but steadily improving ; and I  am  now in better
health, can  endure more fatigue, take more exercise, and enjoy life generally,
better than  I have been permitted  to be  or to do for many years.  I know that,
with  a system which has  been so completely enfeebled and prostrated as mine
has been, great  care and caution will  always be necessary auxiliaries to good
health ; but with the use of your remedies, both  medicinal and mechanical, and
a perfect trust in that good and ever kind Providence which  has thus far blessed
the use of them to my good, I can look forward to the future, if not with pos-
itive hope, at least with cheerfulness and  contentment.  I would  not, on any
account, be  without your shoulder-brace and abdominal supporter, and your
medicines.—I continue to use them, although there is no actual necessity for my
doing so.
  Leaving you the permission  to  use this  letter, or any part of  it, in any way
which may subserve your purposes,
                             I am, my dear sir, very truly yours,
                                                     W.m.  Howkll  Bangs.

  [It was after Mr. Bangs had been some three months under my treatment, that
I first saw him, and had an opportunity of examining  his lungs.  I found  that
both were tuberculated, and that one had been ulcerated, but was then healing.
His disease  was clearly true Tubercular Consumption, which must inevitably
have  gone steadily on to a fatal  termination, if it had not been arrested by
timely remedies.]
                 A REMARKABLE CASE OF CONSUMPTION.

          Case II.—Letter from C. De Revere,  Esq., of Tarry town, N. Y.
                                             Tabkttown, N. Y., March 10,1854.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—I feel it to be a duty I owe to yourself and the  community, to-
make a public acknowledgment of the fact  that, under your treatment, by the
blessing of God, I have been restored to comfortable health, after going down to
the very borders of the grave with true pulmonary consumption.
  As  I am informed by physicians, it is nearly or quite  impossible to deter-
mine, with absolute certainty, that any individual now in  health ever had  true
consumption ; that although consumption may be curable, still the fact of such
cure can only be established by a post-mortem examination of the lungs.  This
may in most cases be true, but it is not in my case as the circumstances which I
will relate conclusively show.
                                    3 
36
CONSUMPTION  CURED.
  Disease first began to develop itself in my lungs in 1842, by a cough, and the
usual attending symptoms of decline in strength and flesh, pain about the region
of the chest, through  the shoulders, and  under the shoulder-blades.   The dis-
ease continued slowly,  but steadily and obstinately, to progress.  The best med-
ical advice and assistance I could get appeared to oppose no check to it.  By the
year 1845 I had  become very feeble, coughed much, expectorated largely, with
all the  ordinary indications of diseased and wasting lungs.   During the last-
named year, a new feature presented itself: a large  abscess gathered in the left
side  and broke,  discharging a great quantity of thick matter, resembling very
much that which I coughed  up.  This discharge  continued until I called on you
in 1847.   It proved to proceed from a cavity in the lungs.  Ulcerous and tuberculous
cheesy matter was discharged ; but what showed conclusively that the opening
was into the  substance of the lungs was, that the air passed out from the lungs
through the abscess.  I could, and did frequently, blow out a lighted candle by placing
it before  the opening, and  making a sudden effort  at expiration.  Here was
positive proof that extensive ulceration, involving the substance of the  lungs,
was going on. All my symptoms indicated consumption—cough, expectoration,
great debility and emaciation, distress for breath, hectic fever, night-sweats, &c.
My friends and my physicians regarded me as certainly doomed to the grave, by
the disease which was on me, as though I had been already in my coffin.
  This was my apparently hopeless condition when,  in January, 1847. I most
fortunately applied to you.  I did so with very little hope of  relief.  You your-
self did not express a very confident hope that you could  rescue me from the
grasp of a disease so firmly fastened, but still encouraged me by saying that you
thought  it possible I might  be cured if I  adopted and faithfully pursued your
treatment. I did so, and with gratitude to God for his blessing upon the  means
rou employed, and with gratitude to you for your skill and kindness in treating
me, I can say that I have been in the enjoyment of good health for the last foui
or five years.  I pursue my ordinary business, have no cough, no pain, have my
usual flesh, and nearly my usual strength.   I do not suppose that I am as  strong
as I would be with  lungs that had  never been diseased.  The front lobe  of the
left lung is nearly all gone.
  My case may appear  almost  incredible to those who regard seated consump-
tion as incurable.  But if the skeptical will write or call on me at Tarrytown,
N. Y., I can,  I think, convince them that at least one such case has been cured
by your  admirable  treatment.  With  the sincere  wish that others  similarly
afflicted may apply to you and find  relief,
                                  I am most gratefully yours,
                                                   Cornelius De Revere.

  [Mr. De Revere now  (1857) resides at Sing Sing, N. Y., in the enjoyment of
good health.]
Dr. S. S. Fitch
ADVANCED HEREDITARY  CONSUMPTION  CURED.

   Case III.—Narrative of Rev. Rodolphus Bard.

                                   Ravenna, Ohio, October, 1850.
  Dear Sir,—In looking over the history of the last two years of my life, I am
filled with gratitude to God for his great goodness in so far restoring my health,
and giving me back to my family, after all hope had fled, and they could only
look at me as already entering the grave.  It has ever been to me a self-evident
truth  that the all-wise Creator always works  by means, and it gives me great
pleasure, my dear sir, to say  that your remedies for the  cure  of consumption
were the means, "the only means," of my recovery, as will more fully appear
by the following statement of my case.
  First, my family nearly  all consumptive—my mother, brother,  and also a
large number of other relatives, died of consumption.   From my childhood my
constitution was slender, and  for the last twenty-five years regarded by all my 
CONSUMPTION CURED.
37
friends as inclining to consumption.  At the age of twenty-five years I com-
menced preaching the Gospel, with but little prospect of living to the age of
thirty   Lungs weak,  a constant hoarseness and hacking cough, some expectora-
tion, often night-sweats, and habitual costiveness, attended with frequent dis-
tressing nervous headaches.  A change of climate from  New  York to Ohio
operated favorably, and for twelve years  I was able to act as pastor of the Baptist
Church m Brimfield.  In the winter of 1844 I had a severe  attack of erysipelas
fever, which very much injured  my constitution, and left me in  a decline.   In
the winter of 1846 I took the charge of a protracted meeting in Mantua, labor-
ing night and day for four weeks, at the close of which I found my whole sys-
tem entirely prostrated—my lungs so weak, it was with difficulty I could speak
so as to be heard.  My friends and ministering brethren became alarmed, and
earnestly advised me to stop preaching.  But I did not realize my danger, and
continued to preach two or three times  each Sabbath during the summer.   In
September I took a violent cold, and at  once found myself on a sick-bed, with a
hard cough, large expectoration of light, frothy matter, daily chills, fever, night-
sweats, loss of  appetite, pain in  the  chest, shoulders, and limbs, palpitation of
the heart, nervousness, &c.  I tried the  usual remedies, such  as blistermg, &c,
to no benefit.   I went down rapidly, with increasing alarming symptoms, until
the middle of  November.   All hope was gone, and the community considered
me past recovery.
  A copy of your Lectures fell into my hands, the reading of which rekindled a
spark of hope.   I lost no time in applying to you, and on the first day of Decem-
ber, "of happy memory," received a full supply of your remedies.  I followed
your directions to the letter, and to the astonishment and  joy  of all my friends,
my recovery was as rapid as had been my decline, so that on New-Year's-day I
was able to visit my friends.  I soon felt myself compelled to labor for the support
of my family.   During the summer I performed my usual amount of labor.
  In October, 1846, I again found myself ailing.   I called on Dr. A. Jackson
Squire.  He decided I had a chill fever—gave me medicine, which soon relieved.
However, I imprudently went out too soon, which brought on a relapse.   The
disease concentrated  its whole force  on  my lungs ; my right  lung till then was
sound, but now both lungs were highly congested.  Cough returned with great
violence ;  lungs soon became loaded with thick, heavy matter,  without the power
to throw it off.   I was out of your medicines, but, fortunately, I was able to bor-
row from one of your patients one bottle of Expectorant, one  do. of Pulmonary
Balsam, and a  bottle  of Anti-Mucous Mixture.  After taking the Expectorant a
few days, I raised large quantities of matter that would sink in the water almost
as soon as lead.  That bottle of Expectorant saved my life.  I applied to you
again: there was necessarily considerable delay in getting the medicines.  My
friends and physician said there was no hope in my case, and I, too, felt that my
time to die had come—made arrangements to leave my family : and how could I
think otherwise ? I had a hard  cough, raised large quantities of solid matter.
distressing pains through my entire  lungs,  shoulders, bowels, and limbs, daily
chills and  fever, night-sweats, loss of appetite, flesh rapidly wasting away ; and
to crown the whole, swelled limbs and diarrhoea.   Your letters, dear sir, to me
were full of kindness and encouragement.  You said you fully believed I would
yet recover.  You did not misjudge.  My recovery was slow, " but certain."
  In May last I felt anxious to see you.   My health still very poor, many of my
friends thought me presumptuous in undertaking such a journey alone.   On your
examination of my lungs, you pronounced the entire front  of my left lung and
the top of the right ulcerated.  This was no news to me :  I  had made the state-
ment often to my friends, which  I found  to agree with your decision.   You also
said my lungs were in a healing state.   I now acknowledge my doubts at that
time,  but have  since found you correct.
  In October last I was elected to the office of Recorder of Portage county.  My
political opponents said that writing would kill me, and some of my friends even
feared it might prove true.   I have now  bocn in the office, writing from four to
eight deeds per day, for four months,  my health improving all the while.   The
secret of this is. you, sir, have learned me how to take care of my health.   I am
often asked, "Do you expect to be restored to perfect health?"  I answer all 
38
CONSUMPTION  CURED.
such, " I never enjoyed perfect health ; I have now almost gone through the
winter without any serious attack of the lungs,  and by care I hope yet to live to
the common age of  man."   Dr. Earl, of  Franklin, not long since said to me,
" Sir, you are almost a miracle in the history of disease."  Others have expressed
themselves in the same manner.  In conclusion, I will say, no man feels a deeper
interest in consumptives than myself.  To all such I honestly and conscientiously
would say, " Try Dr. Fitch's remedies—try them faithfully :  do not say you can-
not follow his directions ; but follow them perseveringly, and through the bless-
ing of God you may yet live, who would otherwise sink into an early grave."
  In publishing the above statement I believe I  am doing my duty to an afflicted
public, ^nd to you, kind sir, as a benefactor ;  and it shall ever be my prayer that
peace, prosperity, and long life may be yours.
                     With sincere regard, I remain yours truly,
                                                        Rodolphus Bard.

  [Mr. Bard's present address is "Brimfield, Portage County, Ohio."  He is at
this timt (1857) in good health.  Can any doubt remain  that in this case true-
seated Consumption had been permanently cured ?]
              STILL ANOTHER CASE  OF CONSUMPTION CURED.

           Case IV.—Letter from Miss  Jane Gray, of Brooklyn, N.  Y.

                                No. 6 Prinoe-street, Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept 9,1856.
  Dr. S. S. Fitch :  Dear Sir,—I feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to you for the
health I now enjoy, which I ought sooner to have acknowledged.  In 1850, when
I applied to you, I was not expected to live.  I had had a bad cough some two
years, and for several months had not been able to leave my room.  My physi-
cian told me my lungs were seriously  affected, and that he could do nothing for
me.  I was very much emaciated, had bled several times from the lungs, suffered
much pain in the chest and under the shoulders, had fever and  chills daily, and
most profuse night-sweats.  My strength was so far gone  that I could not walk
across the floor without two persons supporting me.  I expectorated profusely,
and suffered great distress for breath.   This had been my condition for over
eleven months,  and constantly sinking.  I was lifted into an easy  carriage when
I visited you.  I had  no hope at all myself, nor  had my friends, that I could
possibly survive  long, for I had all the symptoms  of true consumption  far ad-
vanced.   You encouraged me to hope, and I now have reason to be thankful that
I was induced to put  myself under your treatment.   I made rapid improvement
after the first week or ten days, and in five weeks I was able to walk a block.
Ihis improvement steadily continued, until at the expiration of about a year my
health was quite recovered, and I have since remained well.  It is now perfectly
good, and my lungs are strong and sound.  I feel that under a kind Providence
1 owe my life and my  present good health to you.   If  there are any who need
the aid which I received, and doubt the truth of these statements, for the sake
ot the suffering I will cheerfully reply to  their inquiries.   With most heartfelt
thanks for the benefit I have received,  I am respectfully yours,
                                                        Miss Jane Gray.
                         HEART  DISEASE CURED.

            Case V.— Letter from Mrs. M. II. Valentine, of Brooklyn.

                                               South Brooklyn, July 16, 1856.
w™XAIL;?Ri F,IT,CH-—You to whom I owe so much of my health and happiness,
™,! L            l7 express my feelings, yet I cannot refrain from addressing
you to assure you what my gratitude must be in future
  About six months previous to the date at which I commence this letter, I was 
THROAT  DISEASE CURED.
39
severely afflicted with what I supposed to be disease of the heart.   I had tried
every thing I could hear of, together with the advice of one of the best physicians
in the city, until I was satisfied I had done much to my injury to obtain a tem-
porary relief.  In  this state of suffering I came to you for advice, which you gave
with such calm confidence, it encouraged me, and sustained me, or, rather, seemed
to quiet me, for in my weak and highly excitable state, the barest possibility of
relief acted as a stimulant, and seemed to arouse every nerve within me.   I will-
ingly submitted myself to your treatment, and soon experienced its magic effects.
I can truly say I have  not enjoyed such uninterrupted health  for many years.
In skill and science I am sure you have  no equal.   I have read your book of
Lectures with peculiar  pleasure, which I recommend most cordially, and particu-
larly admire  the liberal  and generous tone, so  free  from any thing lik* profes-
sional exclusiveness.   I have endeavored to be  as brief as possible.  Permit me,
therefore, to hope  you  will have health and happiness, beyond the reach of want,
for the rest of your life, to compensate you for your benevolence and energy so
freely spent in the public service.      Yours, truly and sincerely,
                                                   Mrs. M.  H. Valentine.

  [This lady, when she came to me, was  not expected to live three months.]
   A CRITICAL CASE OF LUNG  DISEASE, WITH BAD  BLEEDING, CURED.

          Case VI.—Letter from W. A. Htilyer, Esq., of New York City.

                                             New York Citt, November 15,1S54.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—When a man feels that he owes his life to another, time only in-
creases his admiration and strengthens his gratitude.  This is the feeling I have
towards you.  In April, 1852, I was attacked with repeated  and violent hemor-
rhages from my lungs, accompanied with much cough, soreness of the throat,
&c.  I also experienced great tightness and shrinking of my chest, short breath-
ing, and nearly all of the most alarming symptoms of consumption.  My nearest
friends viewed my case as exceedingly critical and dangerous. I applied at once
to you, without endangering myself by any other advice.   The result was a per-
fect and permanent cure.   Your medicines, mechanical remedies, and inhalation,
without reducing me, or disturbing in any manner my appetite, or even inter-
rupting my professional employment, and without  any shock or violence,  gently
led me back to health.  I have witnessed many other cases of consumption cured
by you.  In your hands medicine seems one of the exact sciences.  In the whole
course of my life I have never met a physician whose prescriptions and medicines
seem so unerringly certain to cure.   I most cheerfully give you leave to use my
name,  and refer any person to me who  may wish further information.
                                       Believe me ever yours.
                                                   W. A. Hillyer,
                 Attorney at Law, No. 27 William-st., N. Y., house No. 69 )
                               Nassau-st., Brooklyn.                     |
    THROAT  DISEASE, WITH LOSS  OF VOICE  FOR  TWENTY-FIVE  YEARS,
                            PERFECTLY  CURED.

         Case VII.—Letter from Mrs. Lucretia Louis, ofJeffersonviUe, Ind.

                                          Vefferbonville, Indiana, Oct 22, 1854
Dr. Fitch :
  Dear Sir.—Permit  me at this time to address a few lines to you,  although it
has never been my privilege to see you.  Is it strange that I feel great respect for
one who has been the means, in the hands of God, of relieving me of such bodily 
40
PALPITATION  OF  THE  HEART  CUBED.
infirmities?   In the year 1826 my health and strength began to fail.  My com.
plaint was general  debility  and a derangement of the nervous system.   I was
doctored by several  physicians,  but they made my case worse instead of better.
In 1828 I began to lose my voice, but with great exertion continued to speak a
little for the space  of six months, when I became entirely speechless.   Such a
case (the doctors  said) was never known, and what to do they knew not.  They
finally resorted to calomel, and  made a cripple of me for the space of four years.
My sufferings while  in that condition I will not attempt to describe.  I obtained
temporary relief;  but found  no  cure for all my maladies until I applied to you,
by letter, for  advice, last spring.  I was then speechless, and coughing almost
incessantly day and night, with short breathing and  pain in the left shoulder.
I commenced using your remedies  and following strictly your advice, and was
soon relieved of  my cough. Your medicines, with  the  cold  salt-water bath,
appeared to regulate and strengthen the system ; and  the result is—my voice is
perfectly restored, and I am  entirely free  from bad feelings which had never left
me for  one hour  in the last twenty-six years.   You have done for me  what a
number of physicians in five different States had tried to do, but failed of success:
their skill was baffled.  I have lived a mute for more than twenty-five years, but
for the last two months have been able to talk and sing, like I was wont to do in
the days of my youth.  My health is  good.   I have nothing to complain of but
a broken constitution.  Accept my thanks, and ever believe me,
                                               Very  truly yours,
                                                     Mrs. Lucretia Louis.
            DISTRESSING PALPITATION OF THE HEART  CURED.

               Case VIII.—Letter from Mrs. S. Lock, of Michigan.

                          Sanilac Co., Wonicot P. O., Michigan North, Feb. 8,1857.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—I do really desire that every one of the thousands who are suffering
from disease of the heart, may be made acquainted with the fact  that you  can
cure it.  About nine months ago I applied to you, after having read  your lectures,
by letter, with a disease of the heart, which had been pronounced incurable by the
best physicians in this part of the State.  I have been severely afflicted, for the last
five years, with the most distressing palpitation of the heart, with terrible pain in
the side and chest at times.   I had turns of fainting, when the heart would beat
for a time most violently, and then cease altogether for a while ;  after which I
would be entirely helpless.   Two years ago I was so  near  gone, that for about
three months I was almost daily expected to depart this life.   I had given up all
hopes of ever recovering again to a state of health, when I was induced to apply
to you.   I received your medicines about seven months ago, and, after taking
them according to your directions, I have been restored to quite good health, for
which I feel very thankful to you and a kind Providence, and I hope that your
days on earth may be many and happy ;  and if  I should never have the pleasure
of seeing you on earth, I hope to meet you in heaven,  where sickness, pain, and
death are felt and feared no more.                    Truly yours,
                                                            Mrs. S. Lock.

  P. S.—I was very badly bloated around  the chest, and  in twelve weeks I
shrunk  twelve inches.  You are at liberty to make such use  as you please of
this letter.

Dr. S. S. Fitch, 714 Broadway, New York :
  Dear Sir,—After my best  respects to you, &c, &c, I hereby certify that I am
personally acquainted with Mrs. Lock.  She lives in sight of my door.  She had
your medicine of me.  It has had the desired effect of restoring her to health.
I therefore testify to the truth of the within written.
                                         Yours, respectfully,
                                                     Rev. Abraham Sloat. 
BROKEN CONSTITUTION BUILT  UP.
41
                     VALUE  OF  CORRECT  TREATMENT.

                   Case IX.—Letter from Rev. Phineas Camp.

~   „  ~ _.                       Whitkstown, Oneida Co.. N. Y., November, 1,1854.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—With gratitude I acknowledge the receipt of your "Six Lectures."
   °.  ° . Tr^e acknowledged cure of consumption in the case  of an acquaintance
of mine in Trenton, a few miles distant from here, by your remedies, led  me to
apply for the Lectures.  I also heard a brother minister, who officiates in a neigh-
boring town, say, on  seeing your book in my hands, " That book saved me from
consumption."  <*  »  o  I have recommended persons to you, and shall grate-
fully  do so in future—wishing and praying for  your still  greater success in
future.  *  o  o                                 Yours, truly,
                                                           Phineas Camp.
                   A BROKEN CONSTITUTION BUILT  UP.

        Case XI.—Letter from Mrs. Annie P. Davis, of Berlin Centre, Ohio.

                             Berlin Centre, Mahoning Co., Ohio, January 16,1857.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Sir,—Having been  desirous for a great while  to  express my gratitude to my
greatest earthly benefactor for the great benefit I have derived from his medical
skill and  remedies, I take the present opportunity of doing so.  But language
would fail to express adequately my gratitude to you.  I was a miserable invalid
for two years previous to consulting you ; mental and physical powers a perfect
wreck ; suffered much, enjoyed but little ; every thing tired me ; could converse
but little ;  reading tired me ; listening and conversation tired me;—in fact, I was
tired  of myself.  When in health, I enjoyed a constant flow of spirits :  (what a
contrast!)   Health gone, I had ceased to interest any one, and  often felt that for
me it were better to depart; yet there  were ties to hold me to  earth.   I had  two
daughters that needed a mother's counsel.  I remembered that I was left mother-
less at the age of  three years, and had experienced an orphan's bitterness.  When
I remembered these things I felt a clinging to earth.
  I was advised by a friend to consult you, and finally prevailed on my husband
to lay my case before  you  ; which I presume seemed like a waste  of words  and
material to him, for rumor said I must soon die.   I had been constantly treated
for two years for  lung affection or dropsy, or something else ; but the relief af-
forded from the use of anodynes was of short duration, and seemed to greatly ex-
cite the nervous system.
  And when we received an answer from you, in which you  stated that you hoped
to be the means under God of my recovery, I felt to thank God and take courage ;
for they that put  their trust in God shall be blessed in their deeds.
  Your medicines were received in good time, and were taken according to direc-
tions (taking at first the smallest doses marked on the bottle), with a daily sponge-
bath ; and am happy  to state to you that I have attained all you promised—com-
fortable health—but not enduring strength. Where  there was a general debility
of the system, there is now a general tendency to health.  The effects of your dif-
ferent remedies seem in  perfect harmony with the system.  There is no tearing
down to build up, but under their influence the  general strength is revived  and
the enfeebled  body restored  to health.  I am almost a wonder to myself  and
friends.  No one that saw me while an invalid thought I  could live very long ;
but, thanks to the Author of all good  and your skilful treatment, I can oversee
my household affairs,  enjoy society, ride on horseback, and walk short  distances.
Your mechanical  treatment constantly  answers every  purpose for which it was in-
tended.          *'                      Yours with great respect,
                                                         Annie P. Davis. 
42
A  COMPLICATION OF DISEASES CURED.
             BRONCHITIS  TENDING  TO CONSUMPTION CURED.

                   Case XIII.—Letter from Mr. J. E. Baker.

                                               Mt. Zion, N. J., January 12,1856.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—You have wondered undoubtedly what has become of your patient,
No. 4030, for it is a long time since I have written.  My last  letter was not an-
swered, and I therefore delayed writing until now.  After a long  time, some five
weeks, I  received your medicines, and  began to take them.  I improved rapidly,
even though I was  very irregular in the administration of the remedies.  From
the first of September last I have been quite well,  and have labored excessively—
preaching twice on Sabbath, and lecturing three or four evenings during the week.
I shall always feel indebted to you for the good I  have received from your coun-
sel, and shall, as soon as opportunity offers, reward you materially for your ser-
vices.  This I send, informing you that you are not forgotten by
                                    Your friend and well-wisher,
                                                           J. E.  Baker.
                A TERRIBLE COMPLICATION  OF  DISEASES.

           Case XIV.—Letter from Mr. Thomas Briggs, of Erin, C.  W.

                                    Erin, Wellington Co., C. W., August 13,1855.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—I take this opportunity to address you a few lines,  expressive of the
satisfaction I experienced in regard to your treatment  of my case.  As you may
remember, I first applied to you about the  28th of August, 1854.  I had been
previously afflicted in the summer season for eight years, as I was  exposed to two
very severe storms on the 20th of June, 1846.  From that time up to the time I
consulted you by letter, I had taken several different kinds of medicines, some of
which afforded temporary relief.  I was afflicted in the manner following, viz.—
with a sharp,  sometimes excruciating,  pain about the kidneys and hips, a severe
pain all over the chest, shooting to between the shoulder-blades many times like
a dagger, and reverting to my back ; and on heavy breathing, a great feeling of
soreness all over the top of my chest, with severe sneezing and great discharge of
catarrh from my nose, fever in the morning, night-sweats, chills,  periodical  sick
stomach, asthma ; and, to crown all, a severe, hard,  dry cough, of twenty-seven
years' standing.  I coughed some nights until near morning.  In this condition I
consulted three physicians, who said I might be cured ; took all the medicines
they gave me, and I getting worse all  the time.   At last they said all the medi-
cines in the world would not cure me.   In this forlorn  condition I was given up
to linger and die.  However, just at this time  your Almanac was put into my
hands, and I read and believed there was help for me yet.   This was the first
time your name was heard by me.   When I wrote you, you said you  thought I
might be fully restored to health.  I commenced using your remedies and medicines
on the 6th of  October, and in about one week I began to feel somewhat  better ;
and as I'had not been able to labor since the 24th of May, 1854, and kept gaining
in strength, about the 1st of December I began to do light work ;  and now I can
bless God that I am once more able to resume my daily labor, and have done so
since December last;  and  I can now say that I enjoy good  health, dear sir,
through God ; you have been the instrument in God's hands.   I still use the
tubes, braces, and supporters,  of which I feel I would never be without.  Accept
my kindest love and respect.              Yours, with much regard,
                                                         Thomas Briggs. 
AN INTERESTING CASE.
43
                 TENDENCY TO  CONSUMPTION  ARRESTED.

                 Case XV.—Letter from Miss 0. N. Follansbee.

^   „  „  „                        Grafton, Grafton Co., N. H., December 81, 1855.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—When I applied to you in 1852,1 was suffering from a severe cough,
and all thought I was fast hastening to fill a consumptive's grave ; and it may be
that I shall yet, but not so soon as all then anticipated, for at the present time I
am in the enjoyment of good health, without any indication of a disease  on  the
lungs ; and to you,  instead of dame Nature, would I award the tribute of praise
of my present state of health, for I had trusted to her, and daily grew worse, until
your "Lectures  upon Diseases of the Lungs" accidentally fell into my hands.
They  inspired me with so much confidence  that I immediately applied to you;
and you will please accept my warmest thanks for your advice.
                                            Truly yours,
                                                   Miss 0. H. Follansbee.
                          AN  INTERESTING  CASE.

       Case XVI.—Letter from Mrs. T. E. Cadwell, of Saratoga county, N. Y.

                             Moreau Station, Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 11,1S56.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—I desire to give a  history of my case.  I am under your treatment.
It is now nearly a year since I first saw you in  your office  on Broadway, and my
condition was then a most pitiable one, for I was obliged to be carried about like
a child, being entirely unable to walk, and able to ride only with great pain and
weariness.   After an examination of my lungs you pronounced them in a state of
ulceration, as I had raised blood, coughed, had chills, fever, and sweating, with
pains about the chest, side, and shoulder-blades.  I also had spinal disease of
nearly five years' standing—my spine being so  badly curved,  and being so weak,
painful, and numb, that I had walked but a few steps  for the previous  eight
months, and had been many weeks of that time unable to  turn over in bed.  I
had a tumor in my left side, or rather inside the hip-bone, which you pronounced
an ovarian tumor.   You said you thought  no medicine would reach that, as it
had been growing for more than eighteen  months—that you feared it  might
cause my death.  In  fact, you  gave  me but little encouragement, for you said
my recovery depended much upon the tumor, which was the most critical of my
many diseases.
  I had doctored much, having employed five physicians in  six years, taken cod-
liver oil all one summer, when  given up by my attending physician;  worn Dr.
----'s Galvanic Belt, and  used  his Magnetic Fluid, and all  without  permanent
relief.   For three  springs  before I saw you, I was brought  upon my bed with
lung disease and weakness (having also most terrible female weakness), and have
been given up by my friends.  I lost all hope  of  being any better;  and when I
went to you it was without much faith, and  I  resolved if your remedies did not
help me, I would never take medicine again or consult another physician.  You
gave me an abdominal supporter, and also shoulder-braces, with a box of medi-
cines with directions for use, which I commenced using ; also bathing in  tepid
water every morning.  In a few weeks I became a  little stronger,  and was at
length enabled to walk across my room alone, though I do not believe I should
have ever walked again had it not been for your supporter, which seemed of more
value than any medicine.  Since adopting your braces  my  chest has enlarged
three inches.  I take deep, full  breaths, do not cough but  very little, do not raise
such very bad matter as formerly, nor so much of it; my tumor has entirely disap-
peared, and my  back is much stronger than I had ever thought it could be, as I 
44
HEART DISEASE  CURED.
have walked a quarter of a mile nearly every day this summer by stopping to
rest frequently, and could  ride three or four miles without very great fatigue.
There is no doubt but that your medicines have done all this for me, under God's
blessing, and I cannot but thank Him for directing me to you, to  whom I offer
the most heartfelt gratitude.  Your remedies have done so much, it really seems
as though they would ultimately cure me, which perhaps they will yet do, though
my health is now equal to my former most sanguine hopes.
  You are at liberty to use any or all of the  above for the benefit of those sim-
ilarly affected.  I believe I am a walking advertisement of the efficacy of your medi-
cines ; and people who saw me before I came under your treatment, ask, "Have
you used no medicine but Dr. Fitch's?" and  as the invariable  answer is "No,"
the remark follows, "Well, I did not suppose you would or could  live till  this
time."                               Yours, respectfully,
                                                     Mrs. T. E. Cadwell.
                A  BAD  CASE OF  HEART DISEASE CURED.

              Case XVII.—Letter from A. H. W.  Vansiclen, Esq.

                                 New Lots, Long Island, N. Y., February 28, 1855.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—Having suffered exceedingly from that prevalent and truly alarming
complaint, disease of the heart, I find words inadequate to express my gratitude
for the benefit I have derived from your valuable remedies.  As a trifling remu-
neration for your benevolence and unceasing exertions so freely spent in  my be-
half, as well as a duty to an afflicted community, I hereby make a public acknowl-
edgment of the facts of my case, knowing of no better method of accomplishing
my wishes or desires ; and by doing so, can merely add  another link to the long
chain of testimony already produced in your favor for the treatment of chronic
affections.  If, however, by this brief communication, I should aid or alleviate
suffering humanity,  and cast a gleam of hope to those similarly afflicted, I shall
not entirely fail of the object at which I aim.  For years has this disease, with a
complication  of others, been making  its fearful  ravages  upon my system, and
picturing to me  time after time (the only encouragement or consolation to  be
derived from a vast*majority  of the medical faculty) that of death in  one or
another of its forms.  I have been so reduced or debilitated as to be confined to
the house for months at a time, and frequently to  my bed.  I have been under
the treatment of various physicians,  all of whom arrived at nearly the same con-
clusion, and left me, with the most terrible forebodings,  to my fate.  At  present
I am better than I have  been for  years, and every thing  seems to indicate a
steady course of improvement,  so that I am led to believe that, with the blessing
of God, I may yet walk the rosy path of  life, so long to me unknown.  To those
that are suffering with this fearful malady, without being able to obtain relief, I
would say, submit to the treatment of  Dr. Fitch, and you will soon be convinced
of the superiority and efficacy of his  practice.  It nevertheless requires unceasing
care and good  judgment on the part of the patient, and  a strict compliance with
his counsel or advice.
  And now, as I sincerely believe that you have been the instrument, through a
kind Providence, of restoring  me to my present  comfortable condition, permit
me,  therefore, to hope that you may have health and  happiness  beyond the
average period allotted to man on  earth, and that  you may benefit many a de-
sponding sufferer as greatly as  you have me.
  I will close with my ardent wishes for your welfare and prosperity.
                                      Respectfully yours,
                                                    A. H. W. Vansiclen.
  [September 1, 1857, is very well.] 
DISEASED  THROAT AND LUNGS CURED.
45
                          VALUABLE  TESTIMONY.

          Case XVIII.—Letter from John Gordon, Esq., of Ottawa, C. E.

^                                      Aylmer, Ottawa, C. E., October 20th, 1856.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—Two years ago I called on you as the bearer of a letter, stating the
case of Mrs.  Mary Gordon, the wife of my brother, who was then a very distressed
and helpless invalid.  She had some  two months previously been severely sick
with a violent attack of erysipelas, which had confined her to the bed for some
weeks, and which  left her much diseased.  She was confined to her house, and
could not walk across the floor without assistance.  Her whole 6ystem seemed to
be poisoned.  She had great distress, dizziness, and a sense of fullness in the head,
pain in the chest and sides—between the shoulders and under the shoulder-blades,
with a distressing sinking feeling at the  pit of the stomach, with cold chills run-
ning down the back and limbs.   She had had falling of the womb for seventeen
years,  which was constantly growing worse.  The pain in her head was agonizing,
and she and her friends feared at times it would drive  her crazy.  She  availed
herself of all  the medical advantages which this part of the country affords, but
without relief.  You prescribed for hcf and sent her remedies, abdominal sup-
porter and braces,  with medicines.  They have cured her ; she is  completely re-
stored to her health, and can now walk twenty miles, if need be.  Her case has
been considered very remarkable by our  neighborhood, and has secured the grati-
tude of herself, her husband,  and friends. Your success in this case has induced
many invalids in the vicinity to  apply to you with  various complaints,  and  al-
most uniformly they have been helped.   Some of your cures  in these cases have
been wonderful.  I cannot do less than  recommend the sick everywhere  to avail
themselves of your admirable treatment, confident as I am  that it is best adapted
of any that is practised to  restore the  invalid  to health.  Among those who
have  used your  remedies with benefit I may mention Miss Kellogg, whose left
lung her doctor here said was gone : she is well; also Mrs. Chamberline and Mr
James Reid.  Mr. Reid was far gone in consumption, and is now very much in*
proved.  I could name others, but forbear.
  Trusting that your remedies may be as effective in curing others,
                               I am respectfully yours,
                                        John Gordon, High Constable,
                                                  District of Ottawa,  C. E.
                  DISEASED  THROAT AND  LUNGS CURED.

            Case XIX.—Letter from R. F. Nelles, Esq., of Gait, C. W.
                                                      \
                                          Customs, Galt, C. W., October 20,1856.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  My dear Sir,—I only received yours of the 4th instant yesterday, and have mucb
pleasure in testifying to the benefit I derived from your medicine and advice.
  In June of last year I called upon you  for advice, having been previously pro-
nounced incurable by many eminent physicians  in  Canada.   After an examina-
tion, you  told me that you  could  cure  me  in  two months.   I then called on
Dr.----of your city,  who examined me,  but told me the very reverse from what
you said—that nothing could save me from an early grave.  He said that he might
be able to relieve me a little, but said he  could give me no encouragement—that
my case was hopeless.
  After a night's reflection I made up my mind to place myself in your care, but
with scarcely a hope that you could  cure ine.  All I have to say  is this, that your
words in my case have been verified.  I was in a very weak state when I went to you ;
given up by several physicians—amongst  the rest, Dr. H----.  I took your medi-
cine, followed your advice, and am now, thank  God, as strong and healthy  as
ever.
  I attribute my recovery, under God's blessing, to your agency. 
46
COUGH,  RAISING  BLOOD, ETC.,  CURED.
  I sent you a patient last spring from Grimsby, C. W.—a Mr. Pettit, who is im-
proving slowly ;  and I shall, whenever I find any one afflicted as 1 was, use every
endeavor to send them to you.
  Mrs. Munro is  much obliged for your kindness to her when in New York.   She
has returned with her son-in-law ; but, poor fellow, he is very low.
  If I can at any time further your interests, I will willingly do so.
                            With most sincere respect,
                                        I remain yours faithfully,
                                                           R.  F. Nelles.

  [When Mr. Nelles  called on me, I found his lungs in a very bad state.   His
disease was at the commencement  bronchitis, but it had been badly treated, and
had crept down upon the lungs, establishing serious disorder there. There  were
ulceration of the throat, chronic inflammation of the bronchi, and tuberculation
of the right lung.  He has entirely recovered.]
   COUGH, RAISING BLOOD, PALPITATION  OF THE HEART, ETC.,  CURED.

          Case XX.—Letter from Mrs. Ann A. Cole, of West Derby, Vt.
                                             West Derby, Vt., October 9,1*56.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—In May, 1853, I applied to you as an invalid, after an illness of three
or four years, without aid from any one, although I had employed good physicians.
I had a very bad cough,  of several years' standing, commencing when I had mea-
sles.  I had raised blood many times, and  much of it, with distress at the stom-
ach, and also a burning  in my chest as if  heated by a furnace ; much  headache,
almost incessant palpitation of my heart, and of course a full measure of alarm to
my family.  I had great pain about my chest, sides, and back, with excessive cos-
tiveness.   At this time,  when all despaired of my recovery, I wrote to you.  The
result of your medical treatment was a full  restoration to health.  And now, when
free  from  cold, I enjoy excellent health.  My recovery is considered almost a
miracle among my acquaintances.  Please  accept my best thanks.
                                        Respectfully yours,
                                                           Ann A. Cole.
             TERRIBLE  EFFECTS OF HUMOR ON THE LUNGS.

      Casb XXI.—Letter from Rev. H. C. Longyear, Esq., of Phoenicia, N. Y.

                                   Phoenicia, Ulster Co., N. Y., February 9,1857.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Sir,—With pleasure I pen these lines to inform you  of the result of my
application to you for medical aid, at a time when I was fearful that consumption
would soon end my earthly career.
  From my infancy to the age of twenty-two years, I was the subject of repeated
attacks of inflammation of the lungs, a seated cough, and profuse expectoration.
Finally, I may say that I was almost always sick ;  to say the least, my health was
so delicate that I was not able to do much  at school  nor on the farm, for every
little  cold or over-exertion would bring on  cold chills, a stoppage of expectora-
tion, and finally a burning fever.
  In the month of June, 1848, I was brought very low by an attack of pleurisy
and inflammation of the lungs, and was attended by a physician of the regular al-
lopathic school, who, I suppose, treated me according to the usual manner, until
I got up from  my bed.  But still I remained quite feeble for more than  two
months.   I was troubled with pain in my side, shortness of breath, and a sinking,
all-gone feeling at the lower part of my chest.  From  time to time I inquired of
my physician whether he could not give me something to strengthen me.  At  this
period I was advised by the Rev. A. L. Freeman (then a student at Madison Uni- 
                   TRUE  CASE  OF CONSUMPTION CURED.                47

versify) to read your Lectures, which I did as soon as I could procure them. Upon
reading your views of consumption and diseases of the lungs, my almost expiring
hope revived.  I visited you  at  your  residence in  New York, in October, 1848.
You examined me, and said you did not think I had consumption, but (if I re
member right) a humor  on  the air-passages  of the lungs.  You  told me  you
thought I would soon get along,  with the faithful application of your remedies.
  I commenced about the 15th of October, and in about a month or a month and a
half I enjoyed better health  than I ever had before ; and the following winter I
was able to be out in the severest cold weather with men of the strongest consti-
tutions.  This was contrary to your orders ; for you told me when I  felt bettei
to be very careful until I was sure I was sound ; but contrary to this, I was verj
careless and exposed myself very much.   It was the opinion of  my wife and my
self, that  if I had  followed your orders I should  have been cured of my long
standing cough  before spring.  I have enjoyed quite comfortable health evei
since—so much better than I  did before, that I know that I cannot be grateful
enough to God for the bestowal of health to such a good degree.  For the  past
five years I have been trying to preach the everlasting gospel, and have often ex-
ercised my lungs very much, and find them still as strong, if not stronger, than
they were six years ago.   Finally, I have the strongest confidence in your ability
to treat all kinds of chronic diseases with success.
  Praying that the Lord may grant  you a long life of usefulness and a happy
death, with an abundant entrance into the kingdom of glory,
                         I remain your friend and brother in the Lord,
                                                        H.  C.  Longyear.
                  A TRUE CASE  OF CONSUMPTION CURED.

           Case XXII.—Letter from A. H. Rock, Esq., of Winton, Iowa.

                                     Winton, Benton Co., Iowa, March 7th, 1856.
 Dr. S. S. Fitch :
   Dear Sir,—I desire to make a public acknowledgment of the very great benefit
 I have derived from your remedies, advice, and treatment.   I  first applied to you
 in December, 1853.  I had then been out of health some two years, and seriously
 ill from the September preceding.  During December and January I coughed al-
 most incessantly.  I suppose consumption is hereditary in my family—having lost
 one sister from it; my mother died of  heart  disease, and her mother  of bron-
 chitis.  I have been since a boy by no means robust—never capable of enduring
 much hardship, and somewhat delicate in frame and constitution.
   In September, 1853,1 took a severe cold, which settled in the throat and lungs.
 I had been subject to cough more or less for four or five years previously.   Now
 the cough was terrible, and no means that I employed seemed  to even palliate it.
 It was attended by copious expectoration of a thick, yellow matter, and I suffered
 considerable pain about the chest, sides, &c.   I lost my voice  entirely in Decem-
 ber—not being able to speak above a whisper—and did not recover it until  after
 the use of your remedies. I had a hectic fever daily, and exhausting night-sweats.
 My strength and flesh rapidly left me.   I was soon reduced to a mere skeleton,
 and was unable to walk across the floor without assistance.   My family physician
 gave me up ;  and he and some five or six others in our place said I could not live
 longer than spring.  My friends supposed these physicians were correct,  and also
 gave up all hopes of my recovery.   They all pronounced me in true consumption,
 and the disease far advanced.
  Such was my condition when, on the recommendation of a gentleman here who
 had been cured by you, I applied by letter for your opinion and remedies.  Your
reply was that my case was a bad one, but you hoped you could help me.   You
sent me your mechanical and  medical  remedies, and their effect was wonderful.
Within two weeks from the time of commencing their use, I began to amend.
My cough gradually decreased ; I began to  gain strength and  flesh ;  I recovered
my voice ; and from the condition I have  described I have steadily come  up until
my health has  become well established.  My friends are astonished at my recov-
ery.   But what is singular, our physicians are so illiberal as not to acknowledge 
48                  HEREDITARY  CONSUMPTION  CURED.

that your remedies have been the means of my recovery.   This astonishes me. as
they know that I was steadily sinking and getting worse, in what they themselves
pronounced true consumption, until I commenced  your treatment; that since I
have been under it I have as steadily recovered, being now restored  to health,
and that I have used no remedies but yours.  It does  seem to be as irrational as
it is illiberal to deny the restoring, healing power of your remedies in my case.  I
know they have cured me, and so do our physicians ; but they have not the man-
liness to acknowledge it.  From the spirit  they show, I really think they  would
have preferred to see me die under their hands than be cured under yours.
  You may be sure I feel very grateful for  what you have  done for me.  My case
certainly proves  the remarkable efficacy of your treatment.  Let me add that my
lungs seem entirely restored and healed ; but the left lung is much smaller than
the right,  showing it to have been the seat of very serious  disease.
  You are at liberty to make such use as you please of this letter.
  ,                                              Yours respectfully,
                                                            A. H. Rock.
            CONSUMPTION, WITH TERRIBLE  BLEEDING, CURED.

   Case XXIII.—Letter from Mrs. Gertrude D. L. Montanye, of Shandakin, N. Y.

                                Shandakin, Ulster Co., N. Y., January 29th, 1857.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Sir,—Two years ago  last month I was attacked with hemorrhage of the lungs,
and raised from three to four quarts of fresh blood in one week, which prostrated
me so that I was obliged to be lifted out and in my bed.  Under the care of a
neighboring physician I recovered so as to be able to be up and around during the
winter, but was unable to do any thing worth mentioning, and continued to spit
a little blood, accompanied with a great deal of pain in my side and a severe cough.
In the spring I had another severe attack, which again  brought me down to my
bed.   I applied to various physicians—all of  whom afforded me only temporary
relief.  I was then recommended by the Rev. H. C. Longyear to write to you and
procure your remedies—he having previously derived benefit from your treatment
—and which I was at length induced to do, but  not before I had again had an at-
tack  of it in the fall.  On receiving my letter stating my case to you, you imme-
diately forwarded your medicines, together with jrour other remedies, which I re-
ceived in January (that is one year ago this month), and which  I immediately
commenced using.  My health gradually improved under your treatment, though
I had a slight attack of hemorrhage in the spring ; but that I think came from
overdoing myself.  Since then I have been slowly improving, and am now en-
joying better health than I  or my friends ever  thought I would  again. If this
simple statement of my case and the benefit derived, by the blessing of God,
from your treatment, will be of any service to you, or induce others to put them-
selves under your treatment, I shall be very glad.
                                    Yours respectfully,
                                              Gertrude D. L. Montanye.

  P.  S. You are at liberty to arrange these facts to your own taste ; and, indeed,
if you publish them, I should be glad to have you do so.
                                        Yours,               G. D. L. M.
                 TRUE  HEREDITARY CONSUMPTION CURED.

        Case XXTV.—Letter from Mr. Geo. C. Ball, of Michigan City, Mich.

                                           Michigan City, November 7th, 1856.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :
  Dear Doctor,—It is with pleasure that I assume the present opportunity of ad-
dressing you respecting my health at the present time.   One year ago from this 
AN  INSTRUCTIVE  NARRATIVE.
49
date I went to see  you at 714 Broadway, New York, in a very feeble state of
health—feeling weak and trembling all over, pain around and between the shoul-
ders, in the left breast, very difficult breathing, the air did not enter freely in the
left lung, and feeling, when breathing damp air, a heavy, clogged sensation in
the throat and at the junction of the pulmonary tubes with  the trachea—having
suffocating feelings when breathing hot or rarefied air, and often being waked up
nights by smothering feelings ; night-sweats, dyspepsia, bleeding lungs, irregular
pulsation, catarrh,  weak back, rush of blood tp the head, and the spermatorrhoea
for one year—its  cause  for five, with  three years leading to the cause.  In fact,
my whole system was completely out of order—every organ was either enfeebled
or diseased, and it had been working on me for no less than five years ; and now,
through a judicious and constant use of your remedies, I am enjoying fair health,
and am fast progressing on to a perfect restoration of health, which awaits a faith-
ful invalid's compliance to your prescriptions.
   Let me add, that consumptives should  be  encouraged to persevere with their
medicines, although they may not at once seem to  confer benefit.   When I first
commenced taking  your remedies and following your advice, I felt weaker  than
what I did previously, and continued to do so for  the space of three or four weeks;
then, however, my strength began to return very gradually, but was interrupted
often by those depressed and trembling feelings ; and in this way I continued to
improve, by being a little better after those poor days than before them.  Now,
if I had left off your medicines at that period when I felt or experienced the great-
est weakness, no doubt  I would not now have been in the land of the living, for
that weakness was the very critical period in which  the conflict  between the dis-
ease and medicines occurred ; and the remedies have completely triumphed over
it so far as to allow me  to enjoy fair health now, and am able  to take plenty of
exercise without any notable fatigue.  I would say to all consumptives, to follow
up all Dr.  Fitch's prescriptions faithfully, judiciously, and perseveringly, as  it is,
I believe, the only road that leads to a permanent cure of consumption.  Patients
are very apt to think that they ought to improve in a few days.
   For myself, I will say that I had many ups and downs whilst  using them, and
came very nigh giving up three or four times, believing that my case was incura-
ble.  What prompted me to think that my case was incurable, was that five of
our family died of this  disease in five years' time.   The first death occurred on
the  11th of October, 1850—that of my brother : he was a  strong  and  healthy
young man.   On the following 3d of August,  1851, my mother died  of the same.
One year from the following March  17th, the strongest and healthiest  brother
died.   On the following June the 8th, 1853, a sister died of the same ; and on the
2.-tth of September, 1855, my father died ; at which time I was fearfully attacked
with the same awful disease ; but by a judicious, persevering, and faithful use of
your remedies, I  am now, through the blessing of God, permitted again to enjoy
fair health, and am still improving.
                                              Respectfully yours,
                                                     Geo.  C Ball,
                                                    Late of Thorold, C. W.
                       AN INSTRUCTIVE  NARRATIVE.

            Case XXV.—Letter from Mr. Jno. Patton, of Medina, Ohio.
                                       Medina, Medina Co., Ohio, August 26,1854.
Dr. S. S. Fitch :                                                        .
  Dear Sir,—I furnish you the following statement with pleasure, as after being
raised by your instrumentality from a disease of which I never expected to re-
cover,  and continuing the use of your remedies in preference to all others.mv
confidence in them is such that I can most cordially recommend them  as being,
with the Divine blessing, most likely to benefit those afflicted with pulmonary

  My constitution is not naturally vigorous, yet I have enjoyed moderate health
until August, 1851. when I observed a degree of pain in the upper  part of my
lungs and throat, that affected me in sneaking, and my strength  appeared to be 
50
AN  INSTRUCTIVE  NARRATIVE.
failing.   Soon a cough, at first slight, increased steadily until October 1st, when
I laid aside my avocation (colportag?) for a time, hoping that it would  give way
soon under the influence of cod-liver oil, which was thought to have been of some
benefit in a case where the person ultimately died of consumption.   I used it
freely, but found, week succeeding week, my cough steadily increasing, and my
strength as steadily declining.
  After several weeks I abandoned the use of the oil, and resorted to other rem-
edies highly recommended, but with  no better  effect;  so that my friends, I
believe, generally considered me  as  beyond recovery.   Although in any other
disease I should have resorted to a physician, I had seen  so many cases of this
disease baffle the most skilful physicians, that I had no hope of receiving sub-
stantial benefit from them, although the friendly suggestions of one in our vicin-
ity afforded me relief in some respects.  In February I was so reduced as to  be
obliged to spend most of the day in a reclining position, whilst I expectorated
large quantities of thick, corrupt matter, tinged considerably with blood, and had
two  or three slight attacks of spitting blood.   Cod-liver oil and phosphate of
lime at this period checked the disease, but soon lost their effect; and my expe-
rience in the use of cod-liver oil accords fully with your views as  given in youi
Lectures.  The reading of this work was highly beneficial to  me.  After linger
ing during the summer of 1852 with the  changeable and often flattering symp-
toms frequently experienced by others, I  procured a bottle of '' pulmonary bal-
sam," and one of "heart corrector," in Medina, and derived much benefit from
their use, and during the winter I entertained brighter hope.   But I could obtain
no more  of your remedies, and spring did not confirm my hopes.   Early in June
an attack of bleeding so reduced me that there  appeared scarcely any ground of
encouragement left.
  In August I concluded to  apply to you by letter, as my last  earthly refuge ;
and  in October received a box of your medicines and inhaling-tube, shoulder-
braces and supporter, and soon found myself steadily recovering ;  and during the
winter my health improved so much,  that last spring I offered my services to the
Publication Board, for which I had labored before, hoping that riding in the
open air would  be conducive to my further recovery.  This hope I have realized
in a good degree, and have labored, with short intervals, the entire summer.
  Your inhaling-tube, and supporter, and shoulder-braces I found essential, and
continue their use, having but little hope  of seeing  consumption  cured without
their invaluable aid.   With gratitude and respect, I ever remain
                                                   Yours, truly,
                                                             Jno. Patton.
  [The foregoing are merely specimens of letters received from my patients, in
the course of a  regular correspondence with them, while conducting their treat
ment.  I cannot present a greater number without swelling this pamphlet to an
inconvenient size. 'And  if I could, it would, I think, be useless to do so ; for if
the plain, simple, clear, convincing facts so truthfully set forth in the above let-
ters, do not arrest the attention and awaken the interest of the  invalid reader, a
" volume" of like testimony would probably be equally lost upon him.
  I cannot forbear once again most earnestly to urge the invalid to give  the  sys-
tem of treatment, and the foregoing testimony in relation to it,  an impartial and
careful examination.   Let him put to himself  the inquiries,  "Does  not the
method of cure  here explained commend  itself to my judgment and common
sense ? and if the facts stated in the above letters are really true, do they not
demonstrate that in this treatment I may find relief for disease which has been
incurable by all  the remedies I have hitheji^-ernplDyedJ"   Recollect that it  is
your own health, not mine nor your^physician's", which is at stake ; and act ac-
cordingly.                         <\                         S. S. FITCH.]

                                                         1 ' ;
                                                          / 
DR.  S.  S. FIT*.
JUST d
HEALTH:   ITS  AIDS
Containing  an Exposition of the Causes and Ci
   Laws of Life; and noticing the Affections
       Heart, Liver, Stomach, Bowels, Kidneys,  BladderT
                   Skin, Bones, Joints, Muscles, &c.
BY
S. FITCH, A.M., M.D.
  This work, a large octavo volume, of 548 pages, printed on fair type and super-
fine paper, and handsomely bound in muslin, embodies the results of the author's
experience and extensive practice, written in a popular, attractive style, and
amply illustrated by reference to well-authenticated facts.  It contains  a great
fund of most valuable information, just such as is needed  to be known by the
healthy to prevent disease, and by the invalid to regain health.

   Price $2.   Apply to the Publishers, Pubney. & Russell, 79 John-street,
                New York, or at any respectable bookseller's.

          f^° Supplied to the Trade, and  to Agents, on very liberal terms.
  J^**Thb above Book may also be had by applying to the undersigned, person-
ally or by letter.  The price is $ 2.  On the receipt of this sum it will be sent
to any part of the United  States, and the postage prepaid, or to Canada, and
postage prepaid to the  line.   When applying, please give Name, Post-office,
County, and State.
                              S. S. FITCH & CO., 714 Broadway, N. Y.
RECIFE
FOR A MOST
BEAUTIFUL  TOOTH-POWDER.
  Take of powdered Peruvian Bark, two  ounces ;  powdered Nutgalls, two
drams;  powdered Cuttle-fish-bone, four drams; powdered  Orris  Root, four
drams; powdered Chloride of Lime, one dram, all reduced to a complete pow-
der and mix  them perfectly ;  then add Oil of Bergamot, Oil of Anise, and Oil
of Peppermint, three drops of each.   Sift the whole through a fine gauze sieve,
so as to be perfectly mixed and powdered.
  This will be found one of the best Tooth Powders in the world.  While it
cleanses perfectly the teeth, keeping them free from  tartar and all ^impurities
making  them  beautifully white and polished, and preventing their decay,  t
purifies the mouth and breath, and fortifies the gums,  preventing scurvy, and all
irritability.  It is a most perfect dentifrice.
  The materials may be  obtained, and the Powder put up, at any Apothecary^

      FOR SALE BY                                             >
^i^^^^^assS^ 
50
AN INSTRUCTIVE NAJ
   & CO'S
TONIO
failing.  Soon a cough, at first slight, incrc
I laid aside my avocation (colporfcigei for ftifui  preparation  for dressing  the  hair,
soon under the influence of cod-liver oil,*     J; . r    .      .    n  °         '
benefit in a case whore the person *»' dandruff, imparting to it a fine gloss and a
freely, but found, week succeediivariably arrest its FALLING OFF, PREVENT
strength as steadily declining.,,,.   i  ,     .1                 ..•  1  ,  ,     ,
  After several weeks I abrXAi, and where the roots are not entirely destroyed,
edies highly recommp''A  NEW GROWTH, after the hair has been lost.  Before
disease'j «•'-^'y despairing of being  cured of baldness, we earnestly recommend
d'r   the reader to give this Tonic  a faithful trial.  If it is once adopted as an
     article of the toilet, it will never be abandoned for any other hair prepara
     tion.  Price 50 cents per bottle.
          CATALOGUE  OF SOME OF
DR.  S.  S. FITCH'S PREPARED  REMEDIES.
   Apply for them directly to him
fPulmonary Expectorant.
f Pulmonary Balsam.
*Cherry Pulmonic.
"Cough Cnrer.
■ Indian Pectoral.
Pulmonary Liniment.
Cough Pills.
*Inhaling: Fluid.
Catarrh Snuff.
Catarrh Specific.
Catarrh Liniment.
Ami-Mucous Mixture.
Universal Tonic.
Vermifuge.
Diarrhoea Pills.
Diarrhoea Cordial.
Pain Killer.
Hair Tonic.
or to any respectable druggists.
  *Heart Corrector.
  ^Anti-Bilious Mixture.
  Vegetable Cathartic Pills.
  Nervine.
  Gravel Specific.
  *Depurative Syrup.
  Anti-Dyspeptic Mixture.
  Tonic Wash for Lencorrhea.
  Pile Ointment.
  Eye Water.
  Colic and Cholera Specific.
  Female Corrective.
  Tetter Ointment.
  ♦Uterine Catholicon.
  Vital Tonic.
  Psoric Antidote for the cure
      of Scarlet Fever.
       Those with a star [*] prefixed, are $1 per bottle; those with a dagger [t] are In *1 and also 50
      cent bottles; the Cathartic Pills 25 cents per box; all the others aret cents per bottle or bo^!

        JST CONSULTATION WITH DR. S. S. FITCH.-A11 persons usi-
      our remedies are entitled  to consult Dr. Fitch  in relation to their com-
teu.   f laiVts' Jee  of c.h»ge.  In case the medicines should in any instance fail
carefu.to#.ve ™e require! relief, they are specially invited to do so!   Write him
method/,  St^menfc of your condition and symptoms, and he will promptly
sense? ami^f V,n^/0U a» needed counsel and advice.  Our object is to relieve
demonstrate   L   °Ure the Mck» ««1 to enable us to secure these objects no
incurable by all" ^^ " ^V ^
your own health, 1              S' S' FITCH & C0"> *" Broadway, N. Y.
cordingly. 
                        DR.  S. S.  FITCH'S

    SHOULDER     BRACES.

  ABE YOU INCLINED TO BE STOOP-SHOULDERED, and to have a NARROW,
CONTRACTED CHEST ?  If so, you should at once counteract this tendency, and
take measures to make your figure erect and  straight, and  to give yourself a
broad, full chest.  Beauty of person, alone, should influence you to do this, but
there are stronger reasons for it.  You cannot have good, robust  health and
strength with a stooping figure, and a narrow contracted chest.  Small lungs and
feebleness,  in some form, always go together.   Thousands of constitutions are
ruined by stooping and contracting  the chest.  Children, while attending school,
students, clerks,  professional men,  who write much, those who work at any em-
ployment that demands  stooping,  are  liable to suffer  in this.   Children who
grow rapidly are apt to stoop.  In  all these cases health is endangered, and the
seeds of disease planted.   Especially those inclined to lung disease should, as they
value their lives, guard against a contracted chest.
  DR. S. S. FITCH'S NEWLY-IMPROVED SUSPENDER SHOULDER  BRACE,
represented above,  will enable any person to  secure an erect person, straight
shoulders, and a  wide full chest.  It differs from all others in  use in being so
arranged as to apply a continuous, gentle pressure to the shoulders, forcing them
down and backward, and doing this without cutting under the arms or causing
any annoyance.  They act as suspenders as well as brace.   Those designed for
ladies and children are worn with entire comfort, are of  a beautiful pattern, and
act very efficiently.
  Price, $2.   Apply to druggists, or directly to
                          S.  S.  FITCH &  CO., 714 Broadway, N. Y.
                        DE.  S. S.  FITCH'S

      DIARRHOEA   CORDIAL.
  This will be found exceedingly efficient in  all cases of Diarrhoea, particularly
for summer complaints in children, and all too  great relaxation of the  bowels
We recommend every family to have a bottle of this Cordial at hand.  They will
save thereby, perhaps, fatal  attacks  of dysentery, and, at all events, save them-
selves and their children from much danger and suffering.  Where there is to
great a tendency to diarrhoea from teething, it is most excellent, acting kin/'
and efficiently.
 
        RECIPE  AND   DIRECTIONS
                     FOR   CURING

FEVER     AND     AGUE
  Those who are so unfortunate as to have the Fever and Ague, are aware that
it is difficult to find a safe, certatn, and reliable cure for it.  It is not indeed so
difficult to " break the fits," and arrest the disease temporarily.  But this is not
to cure it.  It is one thing to " break the fits," and another thing,  as thousands
are aware from a painful experience, to secure the patient against their return—
in other words, to actually cure the disease.
  Almost universally the remedies put forth as "specifics for Fever and Ague,"
as well as the  treatment employed for it by physicians generally,  are designed
and adapted  only to "break the fits."   They do not remove the  disease.  The
malarial poison, which causes  the disease, remains in the system, and is exceed-
ingly liable, as we all know, to bring on, sooner or later, a return of the  chill
and the fever.   What the patient wants is  a cure, and not a mere temporary
respite from the effects of the disease.  By following the directions given below,
such a cure will be effected.

               TO  BREAK THE PAROXYSMS, OR "FITS."
  Get at the Druggist's—of Chinoidine, six  drachms, and dissolve it in one ounce of
Neutral Spirits.   To this add one  ounce of Tincture of Gelseminum.   Then take of
this preparation  one teaspoonful every hour for four hours.  One hour before taking
the first dose, drink a cup of very strong  coffee, hot, with a teaspoonful of brandy
in it.  Commence taking this medicine eight hours before the ordinary time for the
return  of the  chill.  This will break the chill, and you will have none.  This is one
part of the treatment.  But it is not all that is required for a cure.  The following is
essential:
           TO  REMOVE THE  DISEASE FROM  THE  SYSTEM.

  For two days before commencing the use  of the  above remedies, procure and take
my " ANTI-BILIOUS MIXTURE." You may inquire for it at any respectable Drug-
gist's.  Of this Mixture take enough twice a day to act freely on the bowels.  The dose
is  from a teaspoonful to two  tablespoonfuls, or more.  Ordinarily commence with a
tablespoonful, unless the bowels should be inclined to be loose—then less is required.
If constipated, use more.  Secure two full  and free evacuations every  day, and take
as much as is necessary to do  so, even if it should be a wineglassful.  Then continue
the use of the Anti-Bilious Mixture daily during the entire treatment,  and for some
two weeks after the  fits are broken, using  it once a day at bed-time, and in sufficient
doses to effect one or two free movements daily.
  The above are proper doses for an adult person of ordinary strength.  For younger
      persons and childreu, and those very feeble, the doses must be graduated accordingly.
        Recollect, that the use of this " Mixture" is absolutely essential to render a perfect
      cure certain.
        Wash the whole person every morning in spirits and water, and once a week in
      soap and water.
        You may rely upon this treatment as being certain to effect a cure.  It will not fail.

        Should you experience any difficulty in procuring the Medicines mentioned,
      or in getting them properly put up,  I will prepare and send them  to you, if re-
      quested to  do so, together with  the Ann-Bilious Mixture.  The  cost of both,
      put up in a package, will be $3, which must be inclosed.  Application can be
caretumade by mail, and the Medicines sent by express,  or  they may be applied  for
method'rsonally-   In a11 cases> £ive Name, Post-office, County, and State.
sense ? and        Address,              S.  S. FITCH, M. D., 714 Broadway, N. Y.

demonstrate  v.--------------------------------------._____________________
incurable by all
your own health,
cordingly. 
                          DR.  S.  S.  FITCH'S



HEART     CORRECTOR,

                              FOR THE CUKE OF

       PALPITATION  OF   THE  HEART,


All irregular  ao&ion—fluttering, jumping, throbbing, mo-

    mentary stopping of  the beating of the heart, sluggish

    circulation  of  the  blood, nightmare, heavy oppressed

    feeling  in  the left breast  and  side, and  the  various

    forms  of Heart Disease.


   This  beautiful  remedy acts  almost  magically.   Its effects are prompt,

immediate, and most delightful.  It controls and regulates the action  of

the heart, subdues its excited  pulsations,  and  soothes and quiets it.   If.

however, the heart is  weak, and  circulates the  blood too feebly, it gently

stimulates it to action, and relieves all distressing symptoms.  The HEART

CORRECTOR has long been known to the public.   Thousands  have used

it,  and speak of it even  with enthusiasm.  Being aware how much suffer-

ing, of  both  mind and body there is  in the community from Heart Dis-

ease, we consider  it a duty to  spread as widely as possible the fact that

there is a safe and efficient remedy  for it.

                          DISTRESSING PALPITATION CURED.
                                     Nanticoke, Heldennan Co., C W., Jan. 9th, 1853.
  Dr. 8. 8. Fitch : Dear Sir—I feel a pleasure to be able to tell you that, by the blessing of God
opon your excellent Heart-Corrector, I am better than I have been for years.  I have  purchased
one dozen bottles. I believe there is no medicine like your Heart-Corrector for a disease like mine
—terrible palpitation of the heart.  I feel thankful that God has put relief within my reach.  I would
not like to be without it.  Your kindness to me, dear sir, will not soon be forgotten.   *  * *
                               Respectfully yours,              SUSAN WEDRICK.

                   PALPITATION, COMPLICATED WITH OTHER DISORDERS.
                                           Andover Centre, N. H., March 6th, 1854.
  Dr. 8. 8. Fitch : Dear Sir—It has been about five months since I visited  you at your office in
New York city.  My situation at that time, you know, was most distressing.  I was troubled with
Bevere palpitation of the heart  of long standing.  The  Heart-Corrector and  other medicines you
gave me, have entirely cured me.  I have not been so well for twenty years.  I am now forty-five
years old.  I believe your  treatment and medicine the best in the world for the diseases I had.
                                 Yours respectfully,               D. F. LANGLEY.

                        A CLEAR CASE OF HEART DISEASE CURED.
                                    No. 8 Forty-fourth st., New York, Jan. 20th, 1856.
  Dr. 8. 8. Fitch :  Dear Sir—I do really desire that every one of the thousands  who are suffering
from disease of the heart may be made acquainted with  the fact that you can cure it  One year ago
I called upon you, with a disease of the heart which had been pronounced incurable by several phy-
sicians of this city.  My mother had died of the same disease, and others of my relatives were  af-
fected with it   I had the most distressing palpitation of the heart, with terrible pain in the side an.l
chest; at  times I had  turns of fainting,  when the heart would beat for a time most violently.
and then seemed to cease beating altogether, and I was  completely prostrated, and nearly depriveu
of consciousness.  You gave me two bottles of your Heart Corrector, and I took the medicine.
The effect was truly astonishing.  It seemed like  magic; my distressing feelings were speedily re-
lieved. In a word, the medicine cured  me, and I have remained well.  Let  me say, too,  that my
aunt, Mrs. Mary Thompson,  of  West Haven, New Haven county, Conn., has  also expen«mced the
most marked relief from this same disease by the  use of your Heart Corrector.  I repoat the wish
tlwt all who need it should know the virtues of this wonderful medicine. I am satisfied that it
 would save hundreds of lives if it were only known as it  deserved to. be.  Accept my  warmest
thanks for the  renewed health you have been the means of giving me.          tjtttjt tjttwt
                             Respectfully yours,             MARY M. HURLBUET.

   To be had  of all respectable druggists, and may be applied for directly to us.
                                   S.  S.  FITCH & 00.,. Broadway,  N. Y. 
                       DE.   S.  S.  FITCH'S
ABDOMINAL    SUPPORTERS
caret >.
method'
sense? and
demonstrate t
incurable by all
your own health,
cordingly.
       Back View of the Supporter.                 Front View of the Supporter.
  It was De. S. S. Fitoh, of 714 Broadway, N. Y., who first discovered and
taught the uses and value of supporting the  bowels, in a  great  variety oi
chronic diseases and weaknesses, particularly of the lungs, throat,  and stom-
ach, as well  as of the bowels and uterine organs, and who  perfected an in-
strument to  effect the desired objects.   The above cuts  represent  his sup-
porter adjusted to the person.
  There have been many imitations of it, as well as many other Supporters got up. But, on all hands
it confessedly stands unrivalled, and is, in fact, the only one that should  ever be used,—most
others do positive injury.   It is light, elastic, fits like a glove, gives the support in  precisely th«
right direction,  and may be worn while Bitting, standing, walking, running, riding on  horseback
dancing, or exercising in any other way, without any annoyance, and with only a delightful feel
ing of support
  There are thousands, both males and females, who  need to wear the Supporter, but who do no
know it.  All who have weak lungs, a tendency to sore throat, a sinking, all-gone feeling at the pi
of the stomach,  a dragging, heavy sensation about the front of the chest and  shoulders, inability t<
stand or walk without great fatigue, a dragging-down feeling about the abdomen, &c, and all fe
males with any kind of uterine trouble will find immediate relief in the use of this Supporter.
  The reputation of this  Supporter is so well established that we need not trouble the reader witl
any testimonials of its qualities.
  It maybe had and fitted on application at our office, 714 Broadway, N. Y., or it may be applie<
for by mail and sent by express.  Inquire for it also at any respectable druggists.
  Persons at a distance can be fitted by sending their measure around the waist, one Inch above thi
hips, and their height.
  PRICES.—For Silver Plated Supporter, $8. For Plain Supporter, $5.
  The trade supplied on liberal terms. Address
                                                    S.  S.  FITCH  & CO.,
                                                           714 Broadway, N. Y. 
                DR. S.  S.  FITCH'S

PULMONARY   EXPECTORANT

              FOR  THE  LUNGS.
   Thb Physician who undertakes to recommend  a lung medicine  for  gen-
eral use, assumes a great responsibility.   Disease of the lungs cannot be inno-
cently trifled with.  A greater crime can hardly be  committed than to in-
duce persons who are tending to consumption to waste their time in making
trial of worthless medicines.   A cough, or  any other symptom of diseased
lungs or  throat, should not be neglected one hour.  The  eight remedy is
needed now.  And it is in view of these facts  that De. S.  S. Fitoh has put
his PULMONARY EXPECTORANT in the hands of druggists for sale, and
we  confidently  recommend  it for  COLDS, COUGHS, SORE THROAT,
ASTHMA, CROUP, HOARSENESS, WHOOPING COUGH, and for all irri-
tation of the lungs.  We do not say that it will cure seated consumption—no
single medicine can  possibly do this.   But from long experience in treating
disease of the lungs, being  familiar with the effects of all the lung prepara-
tions before the public, and having as it were embodied his experience in this
medicine, De. Fitch recommends it as  the best cough and lung remedy that
there is for general use.

   Let us say to the invalid, If you have a cough, or are liable to a cough on
taking cold—or hoarseness, or sore throat, or a  feeling of stricture across the
chest, or short breath—or if you have a cold, or your child has the croup—
or if you have that  distressing complaint, the  asthma, and do not wish  to
enter upon a full treatment for it—in all these  cases you will find  that this
PULMONARY EXPECTORANT will  give you  ready relief.   We  don't
guess so, but know  it.  It is  a preparation  designed for and used in De.
Fitch's own practice, and  not " got up to sell."  He has  given it to thou-
sands of patients,  and completely demonstrated its virtues.  Price,  $1.

   We add  a few words of testimony as to its effects:

                                                      Nbw York, Feb.  5th, 1855.
  Dr. S. 8.  Fitch: Dear Sir—I take much pleasure in stating the great benefit my little daughter
has derived from the use of your invaluable Pulmonary Expectorant. She had been suffering for
several months from severe cough, and being naturally a delicate child, we were apprehensive that
something serious might result from it.  She suffered from loss of appetite and general  debility.  I
had tried many remedies without any beneficial result, till a friend of mine (whose child had been
cured of a long and seated cough) recommended your Pulmonary Expectorant.  After using it a
few days, I noticed a decided change for the better, and before one bottle was consumed, she was
entirely restored to health.  I recommend this medicine to parents as having a wonderful effect on
children ; and allow me, dear sir, to present you my grateful and sincere thanks.
                                           FRANCIS OWENS, 1S6 Leonard-street.
  A  Physician residing in Worcester, Mass., in a letter to me, dated April 19,1856, says:
  "You are aware that in our climate lung and  throat affections greatly prevail.  They are the
most formidable enemies we have to meet.  You have conferred a great favor upon the profession
and their patients in providing them with a most efficient medicine for these diseases in your Pul-
monary Expectorant   It seems to act with remarkable efficiency upon the pulmonary organs.

• Another Physician in Washington, Penn., says:
  "My first acquaintance with your admirable preparation, Pulmonary Expectorant, was in witness-
ing its effects on one of your patients, a resident of this place.  I am her family physician.  It is a
consumptive family, and I have expected to see her follow her mother and two of her brothers to
the grave before this time.  Some eighteen months ago she began to decline; a hacking cough  set
in; I prescribed the usual remedies, Cod Liver Oil. Ac, but with little apparent effect  She be-
came your patient about one year ago, and I watched with great interest the result of  your treat-
ment  The lady rapidly improved, and in three  months' time  the cough  had disappeared, her
strength revived, and she is now apparently well.  Since that time I have, despite the prejudice in
our profession against prepared medicines, used it largely and with very happy results  in incipient
Phthisis, Bronchitis, Laryngitis, Colds, Croup, &c.  I have one asthmatic patient who finds more
relief from it than any preparation he has ever tried."
  If it cannot be procured conveniently otherwise,  apply for it directly to

                              S. S. FITCH & CO., 714  Broadway, N.  Y. 
                    S.  S.  FITCH  &  CO'S
      SILVER-PLATED,  COM BIN AT ION-P AD
SUPPORTER-TRUSS
   Having observed that all the  trusses in use were more or less defective-
many  of tbem  not holding  the  rupture perfectly,  most of them  causing
more or  less annoyance, discomfort, or positive injury, De. S. S. Fitch has
applied himself to the perfection of an instrument  which should be liable to
none of these objections.  The one here presented  is the result of his efforts,
and we are happy to announce that it is found, on trial, to completely real-
ize the object aimed  at.
   A moment's examination of this instrument will convince any one that it is
entirely superior to all others in use, for the following among other reasons:

  1st THE TRUSS PAD ACTS ON A NEW PRINCIPLE, GIVING AN UPWARD AS WELL
AS A DIRECT PRESSURE.—If any one having a rupture will,  after reducing it, apply the ends
of the fingers to the ring, or the place where the intestine passes out, and press gently upward and
inward, he will be surprised to find that not one quarter of the pressure is required to prevent the
rupture coining down that is employed and absolutely necessary in the ordinary truss;  and this is
because, by the hand, the pressure is applied in the  right direction.  This instrument imitates the
action of the hand in this respect, and thus dispenses with much of the violent, annoying force used
in the common truss, while a much greater efficiency is secured.
  2d. IT GIVES SUPPORT TO THE WHOLE ABDOMEN.—It is singular that the fact has
been heretofore entirely overlooked, that in all cases of rupture the whole abdomen should be sup-
ported.  By severe pressure on a small space on one side of the abdomen the bowels are  pressed out
of their natural position to the opposite side, rendering a great amount of  force necessary to hold
the rupture, tending to produce a second rupture, causing great discomfort, and injuring  health.  In
this instrument, by a simple but beautiful combination of pads, the whole abdomen is supported,
the bowels are kept perfectly in place,  a second rupture is prevented, there is no annoying pressure
at any point it does not cross the back at all, and there is experienced only the most delightful feel-
ing of support and relief.
  3d. It is made to perform thr office of both TRUSS and ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.—
Many persons, particularly females, who have rupture, need, for other reasons, to wear the abdom-
inal supporter.  With the common truss a supporter cannot be worn. This perfectly combines the
two. For double rupture it  is absolutely perfect  The pads and spring are heavily plated with
silver—it is thus neat and clean, and not liable to rust and corrode. As a perfect truss it stands un-
rivalled and alone.
  THE SILVER-PLATED COMBINATION TRUSS.—There are those who may prefer a simple
truss not combined with a supporter.   We have just the instrument they want, in which the same
new principle is embraced—giving the upward pressure, imitating the action of the hand—having
the silver-plated pads and springs, <fcc.  It has the advantage of being less expensive than the Sup-
porter Truss.   From the many Testimonials received, we append a single one:
                                                      6  Wai.l-st.. N. Y., July 2,1857.
  Dr. 8. S. Fitch : Dear Sir—I take pleasure in saying that the Supporter Truss which 1 obtained*^
you some time since is a most perfect  instrument.  Before procuring it I had  tried several of the
most popular trusses in market, but they all occasioned more or less annoyance, and none were en-
tirely efficient  Yours is by far, in all  the essentials of a truss, very greatly superior to any I ever
saw. I would recommend all who need a truss to use it
                               Respectfully yours,                     T. JONES, Jr.
  This Truss and Truss Supporter may be had and fitted at our office, 714  Broadway, NY  or it
may be inquired for at all respectable druggists and dealers  in trusses in the United States and Can-
ada. Persons at a distance may apply  by mail, and receive it by express, and can be fitted by send-
ing the size around the person just below the hips, on a line with the rupture, and stating size, loca-
tion, and character of the rupture.
  PRICES.—Supporter Truss, for double rupture,  $10; for single rupture, $8.  Combination
Tbt/88, for double rupture, $6; for single rupture, $5.
  Trade supplied on liberal terms. Address
S. S.  FITCH  & CO., 714 Broadway, N. Y. 
                         DR.  S.  S.  FITCH'S


      VEGETABLE  CATHARTIC  PILLS

FOR HABITUAL COSTIVENESS, WEAK BOWELS AND STOMACH, SLOW CIRCULA-
  TION, IMPURE BLOOD,  PIMPLES ON  THE  SKIN, TOO FULL HABIT, DETERMI-
  NATION OF BLOOD TO THE  HEAD, Indigestion, Over-loaded Stomach, Disturbance of
  the Stomach or Bowels, from indigestible food; Palpitation of the Heart, from indigestion
  or wind; Torpid Liver, <&c, <kc.

  We have never known a person who, having once used these Pills, ever aban-

doned them for any other.   They  are, though gentle  and  mild, very efficient,

carrying off the humors of the body, purifying the blood, correcting the stomach,

giving activity to the liver, and a healthy, lively  tone to the whole system.

  These Pills have one great and distinguishing peculiarity—a. virtue which has been long
sought for in a cathartic, but has not, as we are aware, been hitherto found. There is not, probably,
a single reader of these lines, if he has had occasion at any time to use cathartic medicine, who has
not found by experience, that after its operation his bowels were more or less weakened for a time,
indicated by subsequent costiveness.   It is In the nature of cathartics to act thus.  In this Pill there
is combined a tonic which completely sustains the bowels and the system, while a cathartic influ-
ence is being produced.  They therefore never lose their effect; never leave the bowels costive, and
may be used by the most delicate person. For the diseases named, tbey act with complete efficiency,
searching out and removing all impurities of the system, acting upon the whole alimentary canal,
and restoring tone and vigor to the whole body.  When once adopted they are never abandoned
for any other.   Read a word or two of testimony:

                                                       Mount Vernon, Ind., Jan. 10th.
  Dr. S. S. Fitch: Dear Sir—With regard to your Cathartic Pills, I feel bound especially to  say,
that as a mild, pleasant, and efficient purgative, I  have  never found their equal, although I have
used Lee's, Cook's, Brandreth's, Moffat's, and many others.  It is gentle, yet sure and effectual, and
for its purpose invaluable.                                     REV. CHARLES FITCH.

                                                  Nr-w Haven, Conn., July 17th, 1S56.
  Db. S. S Fitch : Sir—Please send me six boxes of your Cathartic Pills.  They have cured me of
a terrible humor in the blood which for years came out on  my face, and was  both distressing  and
mortifying.  I wish to keep them on  hand both for myself and my family.
                                                                   JAMES HARG.

                                                          New York, Feb. 17th, 1855.
  Dr. S. S. Fitch : Dear Sir—I wish to tell you that until I began the use of your Pills I was af-
flicted with most obstinate costiveness.  I am now most happily cured of it, so that I have seldom
to resort to cathartics, and then I use nothing but your Pills. I have never seen any as good.
                                                                 R. P. VANDYKE.
           DK. S. S.  FITCH'S

LINIMENT.
  There is a class of affections in which this admirable preparation gives immediate relief, snch as
PAIN or SORENESS IN THE SIDE, CHEST, BACK, SPINE, LIMBS, JOINTS, THROAT,
STRICTURE ACROSS THE CHEST, CROUP, PLEURISY, BRONCHITIS; also, in SPRAINS,
BRUISES, &c.  In RHEUMATISM it is magical, almost, in its effects. No child will have the
CROUP when this is used in season; and when the Croup is fully developed, it will usually relieve
it if faithfully applied.  Thousands of families are using it, and none who become acquainted with
it permit themselves to be without it

                                    testimonial.
                                                 Sacramento Citt, Cal., June 14,1854.
  Dr. S. S. Fitch : Dear Sir—In February I applied to you, and you gave me two bottles of your
Pulmonary Liniment.  It has answered me for every shape of Rheumatism for which the country
is celebrated.  Sometimes I feel a little touch of the Rheumatism, but your Liniment has been suf-
ficient to eradicate it at once. I  should like to have you send me a dozen bottles.  There are a
number of iny friends who have tried it and it always cures.
                                Yours, very respectfully,               F. B. CRAGAN.

  Apply for the above Pills and Liniment of the undersigned, or of any respectable druggist
                                 S. S.  FITCH  & CO., 714  Broadway, N. Y. 
                      DR.  S.  S.  FITCH'S

     ANTI-BILIOUS   MIXTURE,

FOR DISORDERS OF THE STOMACH, BOWELS, LIVER, COLDS, SKIN DISEASES, ETC,
   We wish to state candidly and truthfully what this medicine will do, and
not to deceive the invalid or raise expectations that will not be realized.   It
was prepared by Dr. S. S. Fitoh for his private practice,  and has been used
by him many years.   It is not, therefore, a nostrum  put out on speculation.
It has been thoroughly tested, and its exact virtues ascertained.  Those who
need a remedy for the diseases named may rely upon it with great confidence.
We will specify particularly several of the disorders which are cured by it,

if used faithfully :

   1st. ALL FORMS OF BILIOUSNESS—shown in many  cases  by constipation, yel-
lowness of  the akin and eyes, a dull, drowsy feeling, depression of spirits, pain in the
right side,  or  across the centre of the  body, sluggish circulation of the blood,  ten-
dency to  diarrhoea, &c.
   2d. For DYSPEPSIA it is almost a specific.  When used as directed, we have never
known it fail to cure this  most distressing complaint.  It acts beautifully in almost all
forms of indigestion, but best where the dyspepsia arises from or is complicated with
any form of biliousness.  We feel it a duty to, urge the dyspeptic to make trial of it.
   3d. For SICK-HEADACHE.   There are thousands who suffer terribly from  this
peculiar affection, and probably they have been able  to find no effectual relief.  We do
not know that this Mixture has failed to cure sick headache in one instance where  it
has been fairly tried, and it has been tried in a large number in Dr. F.'s own practice.
   4th. It will  prevent  the FEVER AND AGUE, and all those  diseases incident  to
bilious climates.   It will cure the Jaundice.
   5th. For COSTIVENESS, Diabrhcea, Summer Complaints, Acid  Stomach, Flatu-
lence, Oppressed Feeling at the Heart, with baa circulation, disturbed sleep, bad
dreams, dbc. Sudden Colds, Humors, impurities of  the blood,  blotches and sores on the
face, hands, or elsewhere, and all skin diseases.  Many  persons are inclined, in the spring
or early summer, to "run down," to get "bilious, weak, debilitated," &c  This Mix-
ture will "right them up," renovate the system, and give  them vigor, strength, and
sprightly health.
   6th. Finally, as a FAMILY MEDICINE, to cure  those many forms of poor health
and more serious sickness, resulting from deranged bowels, stomach, and liver, from
humors, from  colds, from worms, &c, &c, it is exceedingly valuable.

   We add a few words of testimony from those who have used it:
   A Lady writing from New Brunswick,  N. J., says :
   " I have been for years a great sufferer from sick-headache. My mother was subject to it  No-
body knows what I have endured from it. Its attacks came on about once in three or four weeks,
first with a sort of blindness and confusion in the head, followed by terrible pain, and awful sick-
ness, vomiting, etc.  It lasted sometimes two  days.  No medicine seemed to  do me any good.   I
could only go to bed, aud let  nature take her own course.   About three months ago I was recom-
mended by a friend to take your Anti-Bilious Mixture for  it, and I  bless the hour that I was.  It
has, I believe, entirely cured me. I have had only one slight attack since, and that was more than
two months since.  I wish all the many who sutfer from this awful complaint, could know of this
medicine and use it."
                                                   Claimiont, C. W., June 6, lsS8.
   Da. S. S. Fitoh : Dear Sir—I owe you a debt of gratitude for the benefit I have received from
your Anti-Bilious Mixture.  I have for years been troubled with a variety of bilious difficulties.
my physician always giving me mercury for them, until the liver seemed diseased; in fact, I was
pronounced to have a seated Liver Complaint  You gave me your Anti-Bilious Mixture about two
months ago, and now I call myself a well man.  It seemed to give me at once new life.  It to truly
an excellent medicine.                  Yours. &c,            JAMES HUNTINGTON.

   Apply  for the Anti-Bilious Mixture directly to the undersigned, if you do  not  fine
it otherwise conveniently.
                           S.  S. FITCH & CO.,  714 Broadway, N. Y. 
                       "SIX  LECTURES"


   ON  CONSUMPTION-ITS  CAUSES  AND  CURE.

                  BY DR.  S. S. FITCH, A.M., M.D.

           SUBSTANTIALLY  GIVEN  AWAY!

   In view of the terrible prevalence and fatality of that Scourge of the world.
 Pulmonary Consumption, and of the  mistaken notions generally entertained in
 regard to its causes, its nature, and as to its  being incurable, and also as to the
 proper mode of treating it, the publishers of the above work have just issued
 a  large edition  of it,  for  substantially gratuitous distribution.   They believe
 they cannot more effectually aid in arresting this disease, and saving the lives
 of its victims.
   It is a volume of 380 pages, with 30 engravings, handsomely bound in muslin,
 and contains, besides a full exposition of the principles upon which the author
 has found he can cure Consumption,  Asthma, Bronchitis, Heart  Disease, and other ob-
 stinate Chronic maladies,—complete instructions certainly and effectually to pre-
 vent these disorders.   By  following these instructions, health may be secured
 even by those hereditarily predisposed to any form of disease.   There are scat-
 tered over both this country and Europe, thousands who gratefully acknowledge
 that they owe their lives, and  the  good health they have for years enjoyed, to
 this little volume.
  fl^° HOW  IT  MAY BE  OBTAINED.—This volume may be applied  for and
 sent by mail,—or it may be obtained by calling at our office.  The price per copy
 of the edition just issued  is only 25 cents.   The price has been 75 cents.  The
 postage on it is  15 cents, which must be prepaid—so that, if applied  for to be
 sent by mail, 40  cents must be inelosed.  For this sum the book will be sent,
and postage prepaid.    Address
                           S. S. FITCH & CO.,  714 Bkoadway, New York.
                 WHAT  IS SAID  OF THIS  BOOK.

                        From the N. Y. Daily Tribune.
  In concluding a lengthy article, the Tribune says—" We must stop here, for we can
rarely speak at even this  length of a work treating of diseases and remedies.  The
 freat importance of tlie subject, the general presumption that Consumption is incura-
 le, and our confidence derived from personal knowledge  and personal benefit in Dr.
Fitch's suggestions, have  impelled us to make an exception in this case.  We trust,
though we have confined our remarks to a small portion of the contents of the book
before us, we have said enough to induce those afflicted or threatened wit' Ccnsurnp-
tion, to procure and read Dr. Fitch's book."

                      From the Boston Religious Trumpet.
  This is truly a valuable book.  It treats very lucidly on the great subject of health,
and shows the insidious manner in which the most appalling diseases creep upon us,
which, with a little care, might be avoided.  How great a good would it accomplish,
if its doctrines were written on the heart of every young persou !

                From John Need, Editor of the Portland Gazette.
 Mr. E. P. Burbank :  Dear Sir,—Herewith you will receive a book, by Dr. S. S. Fitch,
of whom I have the highest opinion.  It ought to be in every family; and every per-
son at all subject to affections of the chest, lungs, throat, <fco., ought to have it always
lying witliin reach.  I advise you to see him ; cases like yours he has had hundreds
of, and knows better how to deal with them than any man living.     John N*m« 
rc^^£^
it
              DR.  S. S.  FITCH'S

REMEDIES.
          DR. S. S. FITCH, OF 714 BROADWAY, N.Y.,

AUTHOR OP '' SIX LECTURES ON CONSUMPTION, ITS CAUSES AND CURB,  AND THE LAWS
           OF LIFE," AND "HEALTH--ITS AIDS AND HINDRANCES,"

Is  widely known as the founder of a new system  of practice  for CON-
SUMPTION",  ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS,  HEAET DISEASE, DYSPEP-
SIA, LIVER COMPLAINT, SKIN DISEASES, FEMALE DISORDERS,
and other Chronic Diseases, by which these affections are much  more cer-
tainly curable than under the old, or ordinary, mode  of treating them.   He
is now, and has been for a number of years, conducting this practice at his
office  in  New York, and he has had patients in almost  every town in  the
United States and the British Provinces.  Their number now exceeds 70,000.
The efficacy of these Remedies, in subduing the diseases  for which they are
prescribed, must therefore have been most thoroughly tested in his own
practice.
  After frequent and urgent solicitation from numbers of his patients, he  was
induced to place some of these Remedies in the hands of Druggists and others,
for the benefit of those who desired to use them, but who might not find it con-
venient to visit him.  On the following pages will be found the names  of these
Remedies, and a truthful and candid statement as to the diseases  which some of
them are  designed to relieve and cure.  They will not disappoint the invalid
who uses them judiciously.  They are all prepared by Dr. Fitch himself, and are
the same  as he is using in his practice, and by the agency of which he has ac-
complished his remarkable cures.

  It should be remarked that no Remedy is here put forth as a "cure-all."  Each
one has a specific action on the system,—is efficacious in its action  on certain
diseases ;—and these diseases are honestly pointed out.
  CONSULTATION WITH DR. S. S. FITCH.—Any person using
his Remedies has the privilege of consulting him, without charge.
                                 »
  Dr. S. S. Fitch's " Friendly Letter of Counsel and Advice to Invalids, with
a Prescription and Directions for curing Fever and Ague," a pamphlet of 48 pages,
containing valuable instructions to  the sick, with directions for obtaining  his
treatment, &c, sent gratuitously, when applied for.  Enclose 3-cent stamp, to
prepay postage.    Address,
                         S. S. FITCH & CO., 714 Broadway, New York.


  CAUTION.—Dr. S. S. Fitoh's Office is at 714 Broadway, N. Y. He has
no other office, either at Buffalo,  Chicago, Pittsburg, or elsewhere.  Nor is
there any other Physioian  who is  authorized to use  his  name.   His treat-
ment can be had only by applying to himself at New York.  He will not be
responsible for any advice,  counsel, or treatment obtained elsewhere, whether
accredited by his name or  not.  Beware of imposition 1! 
                      "SIX  LECTURES"


   ON   CONSUMPTION-ITS  CAUSES  AND  CURE.

                 BY DR. S. S. FITCH, A.M., M.D.

          SUBSTANTIALLY  GIVEN  AWAY!

  In view of the terrible  prevalence and fatality of that Scourge  of the world,
Pulmonary Consumption, and of the mistaken notions generally entertained in
regard to its causes,  its nature, and as to its being incurable, and also as to the
proper mode of treating it, the publishers  of the above work have just issued
a large  edition of it, for substantially gratuitous distribution.   They  believe
they cannot  more effectually aid in arresting this disease, and saving the  lives
of its victims.
  It is a volume of 380 pages, with 30 engravings, handsomely bound in muslin,
and contains, besides a full exposition of the principles upon which the author
has found he can cure Consumption, Asthma,  Bronchitis, Heart Disease, and other ob-
stinate Chronic maladies,—complete instructions certainly and effectually to pre-
vent these disorders.   By following these instructions, health may be  secured
even by those hereditarily predisposed to any form of disease.  There are scat-
tered over both this country and Europe, thousands who gratefully acknowledge
that they owe their  lives, and the good health they have for years enjoyed, to
this little volume.                                   ,
  HIT HOW  IT MAT BE OBTAINED.—This volume may be applied for and
sent by  mail,—or it may be obtained by calling at our office.  The  price per copy
of the edition just  issued is only 25 cents.  The price has been 75 cents.   The
postage  on it is 15  cents, which must be prepaid—so that, if applied  for to be
sent by  mail, 40 cents must be inclosed.  For this sum the book will be  sent,
and postage prepaid.   Address
                           S. S. FITCH & CO., 714 Broadway,  New York.
                 WHAT  IS  SAID OF  THIS BOOK.

                        From the N. Y. Daily Trilmne.
  In concluding a lengthy article, the Tribune says—" We must stop here, for we can
rarely speak at even this length of a work treating of diseases and remedies. The
great importance of the subject, the general presumption that Consumption is incura-
ble, and our confidence derived from personal knowledge and personal benefit in Dr.
Fitch's suggestions, have impelled us to make au exception in this case.  We trust,
though we have confined our remarks to a small portion of the contents of the book
before us, we have said enough to induce those afflicted or threatened with Consump-
tion, to procure and read Dr. Fitch's book."
                      From the Boston Religious  Trumpet.
  This is truly a valuable book.  It treats very lucidly on the greflt subject of health,
and shows the insidious manner in which the most  appalling diseases creep upon  us,
which, with a little care, might be avoided.   How great a good would it accomplish,
if its doctrines were written on the heart of every young person 1

                 From John Neal, Editor of the Portland Gazette.
  Mr. E. P. Burbank : Dear Sir,—Herewith you will receive a book, by Dr. S. S. Fitch,
of whom I have the highest opinion.  It ought to be in every family; and every per-
son at all subject to affections of the chest, lungs, throat, &c, ought to have it always
lving within reach.  I advise you to see him ; cases like yours he  lias had hundreds
of and knows better how to deal with them than any man living.     John Neal. 
DR.  S.  S. FITCH'S  NEW  WORK.
                          w 'JUST OUT,  v    a-

    HEALTH:  ITS  AIDS   AND HINDRANCES:

Containing  an Exposition of the Causes  and Cure  of Disease,  and the
   Laws of Life; and noticing the Affections of the Head, Lungs,
       Heart, Liver, Stomach, Bowels, Kidneys, Bladder, Womb,
                   Skin, Bones, Joints, Muscles, &c.
BY   S. S.  FITCH, A.M., HI. D.
  This work, a large octavo volume, of 548 pages, printed on fair type and super-
fine paper, and handsomely bound in muslin, embodies the results of the author's
experience and extensive practice, written in a popular,  attractive style, and
amply illustrated by reference to well-authenticated facts.  It contains a great
fund of most valuable information, just such as is needed to be known by the
healthy to prevent disease, and by the invalid to regain health.

                           #-----•-----

            SYNOPSIS   OP  ITS  CONTENTS.

  Examination or the Chest.—Pulmonart Consumption—its Varietiei. Hereditary
Consumption—Tubercular Consumption—Bronchitis and  Bronchial Consumption —
Bronchial Tubercular Consumption—Asthma—Asthmatic Consumption—Congestive
Consumption — Imposthumous Consumption, or Abscesses in the Lungs — Mechanical
Consumption—Cerebral (Brain) Pulmonary Consumption—Headache:  its varieties—
Nasal Catarrh, or Coryza—Catarrhal Consumption—Pleuritic Consumption—Dyspep-
tic Pulmonary Consumption—Hepatic (Liver) Pulmonary Consumption—Bowel Con-
sumption—Worm Consumption—Renal or Kidney Consumption—Dropsical Consump-
tion—Rheumatic Consumption—Spinal Consumption—Cancer Consumption—Granu-
lar Consumption—Skin Pulmonary Consumption—Spermatic  and Utero-Pulmonary
Consumption—Consumption produced by Fever Sores, White Swelling, Diseases of
the Bones, Fistula, Hip Disease, Lumbar Abscess, &c. — Complications of Consump-
tion—Every case of Consumption an Individuality—There is  no "Specific" for Con-
sumption—Consumption the Citadel of Quackery.—Pulmonary Hemorrhage, Shortness
of Breath, Varieties of Cough and Expectoration.—Consumption in Children.—Croup
—Quinsy  Sore Throat—Acute Pleurisy.—On the Treatment of Invalids : Hygienic,
Mechanical and Medicinal.—Special Remedies in Pulmonary Disease, Medicinal and
Mechanical—Injurious  Remedies,  Treatment, &e.—Art, not Nature, thk great Phy-
sician.—Cathartics: Nature and use of Cathartic Medicines.—The Laws of L*ikk, and
means of  promoting Longevity—Suggestions  on the mode of preserving Health and
attaining old age.—Medicine: its mission.—Surgery und Medicine.—Conclusion.

  Price $2.  Apply at any Respectable bookseller's, or to Pudney & Russell,
                  Publishers,  79 John-street, New York.

          JIT" Supplied to the Trade, and to Agents, on very liberal  terms.
  JUT" The above Book may also be had by applying to the undersigned, person-
ally or by letter.  The price is  $2.   On the receipt of this sum it will he sent
to any part of the United States, and the  postage prepaid, or to Canada,, and
postage  prepaid to the line.   When applying, please give Name, Post-office,
County, and State.
                              S. S. FITCH & CO., 714 Broadway,  N. Y.
2412