j^j^Ct^
A NEW PHILOSOPHY
OF
MEDICAL SCIENCE,

               BASED UPON

        ANALYTICAL  PRINCIPLES;     .',& .


                  THE

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

      OF THE MOST PREVALENT DISEASES.


             TO WHICH ARE APPENDED


 TESTS OF THEIR C
By J. CLAW30N KEXiXiEir, Analytical Physician.
 « In Nature herself alone we mast expect to find the laws of Nature; and we pinnge into diffi.
roltv and distress, only it proportion as we deviate from these Uws. To study Natnxe, therefor*
f. to met tha part of a good subject, and of a friend to humauity."-^e Stunt Piert e.
            Neto=¥orft,
J. A. FRA.ETAS & Co., PRINTERS—No. 7 SPRUCE-STREET.
1847. 
 
TO THE CITIZENS  OF  THE UNITED STATES.
  Fellow Citizens:—In the dedication of a work, professedly Medical,
to our fellow-citizens of all classes,  whether professional or non-pro-
fessional, may be considered by some  as supererogative  and uncalled
for—especially a subject  which is pretty generally  considered by per-
sons out of the pale of the profession,  as  dark and mysterious—ab-
struse and unintelligible—" stale and unprofitable."

  Many of our prudent Fellow-Citizens, who are contented with the
old fabulous doctrine of medicine,  founded on the  grossest ignorance
of the laws governing all animated nature—who settle down into the
lethargy of contentment, at the suggestion that the "moon is made of the
whole or part of a Yankee  Cheese,u or the correctness that "man's origin
was from a race of  monkeys," will be perfectly  satisfied to drag on at
a snail's pace, well girdled in the harness of a fashionable superstition.
To such in commiseration of their subservient views we have  chosen
to dedicate this Treatise.

   The more  wise—the enquirers after truth—who adopt the maxim of
reason before judgment—who are not 'so bound in fetters of the mind'—
who are foremost in the support,  encouragement and  advancement 
IV             TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
of all that is useful in tending to the amelioration of suffering human-
ity, promoting the spread of intelligence—overthrowing old and rotten
edifices, (whose foundations  are  errors, and whose  superstructures
are prejudices) as so much useless lumber impeding the march of sci-
ence—erecting and establishing upon a more firm and durable founda-
tion, the TEMPLE OF TRUTH,  around  which  her votaries may
gather the many Chaplets of  Fame,  she so  profusely spreads  before
them.  To such, our  dedication will meet with cordial welcome and
respect.

  It has been the wish and endeavor of the  Writer to simplify  " hid'
den mysteries^ in one of  the grandest sciences—the brightest orb that
ever studded the canopy  of "Power and Knowledge"—to elevate from
the level of a mere trade—to what it is  justly entitled a humane and
philanthropic science.   He does not believe, that the technical jargon
of the schools of medicine, enhances or elevates its scientific princi-
ples, but on the contrary, retards  all improvement and begets a detest-
ed veneration for false and musty hypothesis, which will take years, if
ever, of patient toil to blot from  the Student's mind this mental hal-
lucination.

  It needs no  " spirit called  from the vasty  deep" to inform us, that a
thorough and radical reformation in the now wm-called medical science,
is most devoutly and ardently to be wished for—every one of our fel-
low citizens who have passed through the ordeal of medical experiment,
become pretty well convinced of the truth of this axiom.
                                            THE  AUTHOR.
» 
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
  Medical Science is a department of Natural Philosophy.   The ex-
planation of the phenomena of life,  of health, of diseases, of death,
is only to be found in a knowledge of the operation of those  general,
uniform, immutable, physical laws, which govern and control univer-
sal nature, in all its organic and its inorganic forms—in all its animate
and its inanimate conditions.
  The true Theory of medical science is a knowledge of the opera-
tions of those laws in the formation, support and changes of the hu-
man system ;  which pre-supposes  a familiarity with  the anatomical
structure and functions of its various organs.
  The practice of medicine is the administration of such remedial
agent,  or the  application of such remedial processes, as will remove
whatever  obstructions may  retard the operation  of  the organic
laws, or  interfere with the necessirry actions, motions or changes of
the animal frame.
  The human  body  is composed  of  various proximate  principles or
constituents, and these proximate principles are in their turn composed
of two or more simple  ingredients  or ultimate elementary principles.
Hence the human body is a chemical compound, and all the  changes
of its various solids and fluids,  their decomposition and recomposition
are affected by the operation of chemical laws.
  This view of'the subject has been objected to—that we cannot
manufacture blood  out of aliment in the chemical  laboratory, and
hence the argument in favor of a peculiar vital power is brought forward
—But the objection fails—art may fail in imitating nature in her perfec-
tions, although operating upon the same principles—and again, in rela-
tion to the case in question, we have  no  such alembic as the human
stomach in which to  experiment, which sufficiently shows the futility
of that objection.   It is not the business of the student  of nature to
• 
6                     PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
 create the thing he professes to understand, his province is to ascertain
 those laws, or  the modes  of animal  and vegetable existence ; their
 growth and decay.
   The undeniable truth that the human body is constituted of mate-
 rial  substances, shows at once, that in seeking the true explanation
 of the modus operandi of medicine, they are to be found in the chemi-
 cal changes that matter produces upon  matter, not in the " impres-
 sions,"   "sympathies,"  "vitalities,"  "energies,"  " excitabilities,"
 "living principles," and such like metaphysical abstractions—which
 for ages  have afforded the many votaries of medical science an ample
 field for  imaginary theories, destitute of philosophy in which to build,
 rebuild, demolish, and redemolish system after system.

  Medical theorists  in all ages seem to have taken it for granted
that  there was—that there  necessarily must be  something very pecu-
 liar—some incomprehensible principle, thing or being—separate and
 indistinct from  either soul, body or spirit—that constituted the real
 and  essential difference betwixt living  and dead matter—betwixt ani-
mate and inamimate—betwixt organic and  inorganic substances.—
They have also seemed to think that this peculiar principle must be a
little  better understood and its operations a little more  cognizable to
men's reason, before any fixed foundation could be laid for an endura-
ble system  of  Medical Science—and thus while  their time, talents
 and acquirements have been devoted to the vain pursuit of a phantom
 of their own imaginations, the whole legitimate field of  science, left
uncultivated, has run up to weeds, briers, thorns and thistles.
  To extirpate root and branch these " cumberers of the ground" and
again to exhibit the*» fair  field of  science, inviting in  its primitive
beauty—rich in its innate  treasures—and to  direct thereto the ener-
 gies  of the scientific'philanthropist, philosopher and physician, is per-
haps no ordinary task.  To  direct general attention, research and in-
vestigation to a new channel—to eradicate errors which have for ages
been deeply rooted in  the pride, prejudices or interests, of the learned
the master spirits of an established philosophy—even the great oracles of
science, requires time, perseverance and  energy—nevertheless, as  a
world may accumulate around an atom,  self-balanced in space—so may
i 
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
7
a little ball  once set in motion eventually enlarge into an orb of sci-
ence, which may ere long be seen revolving around the Sun of Truth.
  That some improvements ought to be made in medicine as well as
all  other arts  and sciences,—that  Medical  Science  is  lamentably
behind the intelligence of the age, is the well known conviction of all
intelligent persons, professional or other.
  To be satisfied that the first principles of the Science of Medicine
are not understood, a person has but to look  around—see the various
conflicting theories and practices in vogue—views—the various  kinds
of  doctors  every where  prevalent, with the  thousands, yea, tens of
thousands of  unintelligent doctors of the irregular trade,  who  are
successful competitors with the Regular physician in the confidence of
the people—in the procuring of patients, and even in (we say it with
deep humility) the result of their prescriptions.
  New and useful improvements  in other  sciences—new applications
of mechanical power, successful in their practical application to the pro-
ductions of desirable and certain results in the necessary or useful pur-
poses of human  life, are daily springing up, giving a more energetic
impulse to the general " onward march"  towards  final perfection.—
The collateral departments of Medical Science, CherrVistry, Botany,
Anatomy, Physiology, &c, are, too, cultivated  and improved with a
rapidity exceeding  the most  sanguine expectation, which  their most
confident votaries entertained but a few years since ;   but that particu-
lar department of philosophy, Medicine, is  decidedly in the back
ground.  As a science, too, it is too uncertain in its results, too experi-
mental in its practice, and too unintelligible in its theory.   There is
no general agreement between the  authors of the various standard
works upon the theory and practice  of medicine, except in a general
assent to what are called fundamental principles, and  these are  really
fundamental errors.   There is  no  general  consistency or agreement
between  the theory advanced and the practice recommended by the
same authors.   Medical authors have too generally, in treating of the
applicability of a given article of the  materia medica for the treatment
of a particular disease, adduced a host of reasons and authorities, both
for and against the use of the article  in question, which argument pro
and con, too generally happen to be too nearly balanced for the practi- 
8                     PRELIMINARY  REMARKS.
 tioner or student to draw any rational inferences, in relation to what is
 best to be done.
   The whole principles upon which the practice of Medicine depends,
 should be known by all—as familiarly understood by the man of gene-
 ral education, as the man of Medical education.   It does not necessa-
 rily follow from this that all  should be practitioners of medicine, or
 that the number of these should be either increased or diminished.
   There is no  Science  that is not  as  intelligible in  its general prin-
 ciples to  the non-professional as the professional man.  If medicine
 is not an exception  to all other Sciences in this respect, then it only
 follows that  it is intelligible to nobody.
   Such is the eager spirit for the acquisition of  knowledge  upon all
 subjects, at  the present  day—and from the flood of light that has re-
 cently burst  upon the world, from various  departments of philosephy,
 that the spirit of enquiry must  yet  extend  deeper and broader—that
 until  men's  understandings are  fairly met and satisfied by medical
 philosophers—community will not—cannot place but a meagre measure
 of confidence in "legitimate medical science," and  hence, until  that is
 done, the'scientific practitioner must be content to  " contend manfully
for the faith ;" with the illiterate charlatan and the regular graduates
 of the " Institutes of Medicine" must come ifi almost daily competition
with the self constituted M. D. of a patent  nostrum.
   It is true,  too true, that there is generally a repugnance in the pub-
lic mind, to  devoting any considerable attention to a subject, considered
so abstruse as the theories of life, disease and health.   This results in
 some degree from an ignorance of its momentous importance—yet in a
 much greater degree from the erroneous opinion that the whole know-
 edge pertaining to these subjects, which it is possible to possess must
 come through the routine of a professional education.
   If the rudiments of those  sciences  which are  so intimately blended
 with the  every day affairs of life—to wit: Anatomy, Physiology,
 Chemistry, Botany and  Therapeutics, were made an essential part of
 a common school education, we should soon have, among all classes
 of community a multitude,  (who  now  upon all medical subjects are
 mere automatons,) capable of making correct observations, of discrimi-
 nating betwixt science itself and scientific  pretensions,—capable even 
PRELIMINARY  REMARKS.
9
of making useful discoveries, in the amelioration of " the physical ills,
that flesh is heir to," and the consequence of which would be, that, the
present tendency to degeneration in  human constitutions would be
checked, and physical regeneration established.  Another benefit that
would necessarily accrue, and one of much importance, by submitting
our scientific principles  and pretensions to the judgment of the public
mind, before we required the return of " faith in believing" would be
the sure extinction of that innumerable race of medical advertisers,
who now occupy so conspicuous a position  in  most of our otherwise
readable papers and periodicals.
% 
i-.,\*U. 
CHAPTER  I.
                   MEDICINE—ITS ORIG

  " In our  researches,"  says Dr. Paris,
" to discover and  fix the period when
remedies were first  employed for the al-
leviation of  bodily suffering, we are soon
lost in conjecture, or involved in  fable
—we are unable to reach the period in
any country, where the inhabitants were
destitute of medical resources, and  we
find among  the  most uncultivated, that
medicine is  cherished as a blessing, and
practiced as an art  by the inhabitants of
New  Holland and New  Zealand,  by
those of Lapland and Greenland, North
America and the interior of  Africa.—
Charms and amulets were the expedients
of  the Barbarians, ever more inclined to
indulge in  the delusive hope  of super-
stition than to listen to the voice  of
sober reason.   Traces of 'amujets may
be  discovered in very early history;  for
Galen informs  us  that  the  Egyptian
King, Nechetsus, who lived  630 years
before the  Christian era, had  written
that a green jasper, cut into the  form of
a  dragon,  surrounded  by rays, if ap-
plied  externally, would  strengthen the
stomach and organs of  digestion.   We
have  moreover  the authority  of the
scriptures in support of  this opinion—
for what were the ear-rings which Jacob
buried beneath the Oak  of Sachem, as
related in Genesis, but amulets.   Theo-
 Ehrastus pronounced  Pericles  insane,
 ecause  he discovered that he wore an
amulet about his neck."
  Medicine originated as a science by
Hippocrates  about  2000 years  ago.—
Previous to which  time  the people ap-
pear to have been  their  own doctors,
or advised with their priests.   The arti-
cles which they  used were exclusively
vegetable, and articles discovered by ac-
cident  They fortunately discovered, by
pulverizing a certain root and taking a
portion of it, it would act as a cathartic
—by taking a tea made  of a  particular
herb, it would produce perspiration, &c,
The advantages derived from tbeir effects
M AND SUPERSTITION.

 in disease, was not. only sufficient in-
 ducement for them to continue their use,
 but to acquire the effects of other plants.
 The cause  by which they produced  the
 effects they are known to do, they were
 unable to discover.  They used  them
 because they produced  such effects, and
 the effects gave them relief.
   The Practice  of  Medicine by Hippo-
 crates, consisted in the  collection of all
 those accidental discoveries which had
 then  been accumulating  for  ages, and
 establishing  a new branch  of  business
 by the erection of  a " Doctor Shop" to
 sell and prescribe medicine.  Hippocrates
 was equally ignorant of the cause, why
 cathartics, sudorifics or  emetics produced
 the effec's which they are known  to do
 —as  much so as the most ignorant indi-
 vidual that preceded him—he only used
 them  because they produced  their par-
 ticular effects.    The  cause by which
 they  produced their effects were as dark
 to him as the age  in which he lived.—
 Hippocrates  had acuteness enough to
 perceive his deficiency in this respect—
 he,   was  possessed  of  sufficient  in-
 genuity to imagine or invent  an expe-
 dient for this mystery—which should be
 as he fancied, and  which has ever since
 been  deemed a sufficient explanation of
 the mystery by every  physician, theo-
 retical and physiological writer upon the
 science, since tbat  day.   The existing
 superstition of the people in the age ia
 which he flourished, were  such as to
 favor an invention of this kind.   It is a
 matter of some  regret and surprise that
 scientific medical men of modern  times
 are not less  superstitious than the an-
 cients were in this respect.
   Hippocrates lived at  a period which
 we now denominate the " dark ages."—
 The people at that  time had no ideas of
 a Deity like those entertained at present.
 They believed in a plurality of Gods.—
 They believed that a specific deity was
 necessary and  did  preside  over  every 
12                           Medical  Science.
matter, circumstance and  thing.   Thus
they had  their God of strength—their
God of wine—their Goddess of wisdom
—their Goddess of  spring, &c.   When
Hippocrates introduced the  Practice of
Medicine, if he had not even the dispo-
sition, he could do no other than com-
ply with the general and prevalent  su-
perstitious opinions; hence they insti-
tuted a "God of  Physic,"  deified him,
and  erected temples to him under  the
name of Esculapius.   This Deity they
contended  governed the  action of  all
medicine, by blessing or cursing it—ap-
proving or  disapproving  of it.   The
only mode by which they  could deter-
mine whether it  was pleased  with  an
article administered as a medicine, was
to try it on a patient; if it appeared  to
produce a good effect, it was received as
evidence the deity  was pleased with it
—if an evident bad effect, the deity was
displeased with it.  In many cases they
supposed  the  deity to bless a medicine
given to  one  individual,  and the same
article administered  to another, he would
curse.   But a short  period however
elapsed  before other  important offices
were attributed to this specific deity —
It was alleged, that  it performed all the
offices requisite to life; by first commu-
nicating  the  living principle to  every
thing capable  of  life, either animal  or
vegetable; and afterwards sustaining it
by its direct power and influence.  Nor
was this  all;  other  important offices
were again  conferred upon  it, that of
performing all the  offices  of secretion
and excretion.   It was the direct cause
of every  involuntary action—through
its agency the Mood was formed, the bile
eecreted,  the  emunctories   acted, the
lungs inflated, the  heart propelled the
blood, &c.
  We  here perceive  Medical Science
originating in the  grossest  and   most
ignorant   superstition,  and  one  most
admirably calculated to not only obscure
the science in  the darkest mystery, but
to place insurmountable obstructions to
its improvements  or advancement.
  Strange as it may appear to our rea-
ders, that Medical  Science  should  be
founded in such gross superstition; yet
is it not still far more remarkably strange,
 that  the same chaiacterislic superstition
 yet governs every  system of medicine
 now advocated, or yet  offered  to the
 world ?—the same principles yet do, and
 ever have governed the science!   We
 admit that as the chamelion changes its
 color, so has this deity changed its name,
 to suit the  character of the times  ; yet
 the principles remain  unaltered.   Von
 Helmout called it archins; Cullen, vis
 medicatrix  natura ;  Darwin,  sensoreal
 energy ; Rush, occult  cause;  Hooper,
 vital  principle, &c. What it is, all agree
 it is impossible to tell!  but they alledge,
 that it is neither material, nor immaterial;
 that it is neither matter  nor spirit!   All
 admit it to be an indefinable, incompre-  \
 hensible something!  yet its existence
 and office, all alledge  is  not  the  least
 equivocal.   Of its particular location in
 the system, there appears  considerable
 disagreement.  Some contend it is located
 in  the  stomach—some  in  the heart—
 some in  the  brain—some in the blood,
 and others that it is diffused throughout
 the fluids and solids.
  It will readily be perceived that whilst
 opinions of  this  character exist,   the
 practice of  medicine cannot possibly be
 other than experimental.  All agents for
 the treatment of disease introduced into
 practice, must necessarily be the result
 of experiment.   Hence in a case of dis-
 ease,  we find  regular,  and those  con-
 sidered  well educated  physicians,  try
 this, then that, then something else;  and
 at last are foiled in all their attempts at
cure.   Even  if in  their experimental
practice, they administer an article which
is attended with the most injurious results
 to a patient they have always a sufficient
excuse—an  ark of safety to flee to—a
convenient  scape  goat  in  their  vital
 principle or vis medicatrix natura ;  and
so will continue to have as long as they
can render the belief prevalent, that an
indefinable, incomprehensible something,
separate  and apart from  the Laws of
 Nature, governs  and superintends all
 the  involuntary actions  and motions of
 the  Human  Body.  If  this doctrine be
true, why is not one physician  as good
as another ?   And where is the use of
 any physician at all ? If all that we are
 to know is, that certain  visible effects, 
Metallic Medicines.
13
as the  cathartic  effect  of Jalap—the
emet.c effect of  Ipicacuanah,&c, with-
out understanding how  and why such
effects are produced, where is  the differ-
ence between the most scientific  doctor,
and the most illiterate quack ? Does not
the quack know by  experiment  that his
pills will act as a cathartic, as  well  as
the doctor knows about Jalap ?   May
not an article  administered as an emetic
or  cathartic,  have  other  actions  than
that which is visible, and that action  be
of the  most injurious character ?  Is it
not so with Tartar Emetic and Mercury?
It is lamentable that the  whole  Practice
of Medicine of  every sect and order, 1s
based upon experiment  alone, and that
only.
   To entertain  opinions like those ad-
vocated and supported by the  Medical
Fraternity, we cannot!  Because in the
first place it pre-supposes that the great
Jehovah, (who had  power to  form all
worlds,) was so deficient in wisdom and
power, as to be incapable of organizing
and constituting laws, which would pro-
duce  organization and life ; and after-
wards sustain it,  without  placing in the
Human Body, a little indefinable some-
thing to manage it! Again, we can never
recognise the doctrine of an inferior deity
usurping the Throne of a superior deity.
Such principles can lead  to no certain
results in practice, it renders the practice
empirical, experimental, guess, try, &c.
In fact it is not worthy the appellation
of a Science!
                              CHAPTER II.

                            METALLIC MEDICINES.


'Minerals excite a pernicious and baneful influence on  the system; they seldom or never cure,
   bit often destroy the patient.  Their operation is altogether uncertain, depending entirely on
   the state of the stomach, whether they act at all or are injurious."—Cooper'* Lexicon.
  Metallic Medicines were  fir6t intro-
duced into the treatment of disease in the
16th century by a sect called Alchemists,
previous to which diseases were treated
 Principally  with  vegetable  medicines.
 'he Alchemists contended, that the ele-
mentary principles of all matter, that is,
the jirst principles of matter, whether in
the' vegetable,  animal or mineral king-
doms, was salt, sulphur and mercury, and
that in  the animal kingdom, in these
" three first substances," as  they called
them health and  disease  consist—that
the mercury, in proportion  to its vola-
tility, produces tremors,  mortification in
the  ligaments,  madness, phrensy  and
delirium, and  that fevers, phlegns and
the jaundice are the offspring of the sul-
phureous principle, while they supposed
that the cholic, stone, gravel,  gout and
rheumatism, derive  their  origin from
salt.
   The boasted champion of this system,
was an individual styling himself "Theo-
phrastus  Bombastus  Paracelsus   " a
native of Switzerland.  He was the first
that  introduced mercury  as an internal
remedy for the cure of disease—he was a
most daring and illiterate quack, as well
as a most notorious drunkard and de-
bauchee. Owing to its deleterious effects,
it  produced among  the  medical  world
considerable  excitement,  and for  200
years, there was a great struggle between
the followers of the vegetable  practice,
the  then prevailing treatment,  which
finally, through the intrigue and sophis-
try of the Alchemists, the vegetable sys-
tem  was  overthrown, and the mineral
system established.—The term QUACK
was applied  by  the advocates of the
vegetable treatment, to  all  who used
quacksalber or mercury, and certainly
they still  deserve that title.
   Mercury has become  so universal a
remedy for disease, that  the  amount of
the  many years spent by the student, in
poring over books, anil lectures, is but
mercury and bleeding.  On every trifling
occasion,  mercury or blue  pill  is given, 
14
Metallic Medicines.
 and thankful should that individual be,
 who hapily escapes its destructive effects.
   Even among the mineral physicians,
 we find some, who speak in strong lan-
 guage  against it; Dr. James Hamilton,
 professor in the University  of Edinburg,
 observes,  " that there are  but few poi-
 sons more active, or more dangerous, and
 so deleterious is it,  that even the smallest
 dose of it, may speedily destroy  life."
 Dr. Reese, of London, makes the follow-
 ing  confession—" we know not," says
 he,  " whether we have most reason to
 bail the discovery of mercury as a bless-
 ing, or regard  it as a curse, since the
 diseases it  entails, are as numerous as
 those which it cures."   An American
 Physician, states, that in using mercury
 in fevers, it has removed the fever, and
 the patient to all appearance is in a state
 of convalescence, when  suddenly, he is
 attacked with another  fever, the mercu-
 rial fever, by which the patient loses his
 life, often before the physician can reach
 the house.   Dr. Falconer, mentions, that
 it produces tremors, paralysis, and often
 incurable mania.
   Scrofula and cancer are aggravated by
 it, and it produces diseases, particularly
 among sailors, and  inhabitants of south-
 ern climates, of which, the most respec-
 table practitioners, are ignorant, together
 with  the means of affording  relief. Wit-
 ness  the pains and diseases  to  which
 southern people are subject, or visit the
 hospitals for seamen, and  observe  the
 poor sailors, crippled or injured in some
 manner for life by i«s use.
  The use of  it produces  impaired or
 capricious appetite for food,  indigestion,
 flatulency,   disturbed  sleep,  frightful
 dreams,  impaired  or  depraved  vision,
 frequent aches  and pains  in different
 parts  of the body—as the kidneys, liver
 breasts, limbs,  sides, &c.; sometimes a
 Budden failure of strength, as if just dy-
ing—violent  palpitations of  the  heart,
difficulty of  breathing, emaciation, debi-
lity, eruptions of  the skin, sore  throat,
piles, ulcers, palsy, fatuity,  epilepsy,
dropsy,  nervous affections, decay of the
bones, rheumatism, and  the mercurial
disease—salivation  is   produced,  the
breath becomes foetid, teeth  rot and fall
  out, and often the whole jaw, the hairs
  fall off or  turn  prematurely gray,  the
  countenance is sallow, and the individu-
  al suffers numerous pains.
    " It is true," 6ays a distinguished wri-
  ter, " all patients are not  killed who
  take it; but it so retards the efforts of
  nature to remove this poison, and  the
  disease together,  from the system, that
  she often struggles " like a cart beneath
  the sheaves" to effect it, and very fre-
  quently if  the  constitution is not suffi-
  ciently strong,  it kills the patient almost
  immediately or at some  subsequent pe-
  riod ; or if it does not have this effect, it
 renders him a  cripple, or miserable  for
 life, and perhaps it would be much bet-
 ter for hiin, if the physician had imme-
 diately put an end to his  life by a dose of
 Arsenic or Prussic Acid; for in this case,
 the constant state of torture, misery and
 wretchedness, which attends the exhibi-
 tion of this mineral, would  be avoided.
 It penetrates into every avenue of 1he
 system, destroying  the  flesh,  bones,
 fluids and mental powers.  The person
 who takes it is  liable to have  his teeth
 drop out, his tongue  inflamed or ulcera-
 ted, and  perhaps protruding  from  his
 mouth,his flesh wasted away, saliva and
 blood flowing copiously  from bis mouth
 and gums', or perhaps the whole jaw-bone
 in  a state of rottenness or exfoliation;
 the patient is unable to chew or swallow;
 such a stench arises from his breath, that
 his friends or attendants can scarcely ap-
 proach his bed-side;  he is scarcely able
 to articulate a word;  his stomach and
 bowels deranged;  flesh and  strength
 gone ; he is'racked and tossed  with ex-
 crutiating pains, unable to sleep or deli-
 rious ;  and   the  poor patient  is now
 doomed to sink to  an unlimely grave, a
 victim of quackery, empiricism or charla-
 tanism; and should the unfortunate be-
ing recover from the immediate effects of
6uch worse than barbarous treatment, he
is doomed to drag out a miserable exis-
tence ; and all from the use of the dead-
ly poison administered under the garb
of medicine.  A preparation or agent,
 which  I never  could learn, was ever
capable of curing a disease, any further
than  arises  from its action as a purga-
tive." 
Metallic Medicines.
15
  A medical  writer observes, "it is a
matter of profound astonishment to me,
that any article productive of such dele-
terious effects, should be so highly ex-
tolled by the faculty, and be so univer-
sally used."
  Dr.  Henstis,  an American  physician
states, '«1  have known and  seen many
cases of salivation  in  bilious fever, but
never have I known an instance where-
in  I had  not  every  reason  to believe
that the recovery  was thereby retarded.
It is certain  that patients often recover,
who have  been salivated in this disease ;
and this, strange as it may appear, has
afforded an argument for the advocates
of this medicine, to say and to boast, that
the cure was effected by mercury, where-
as, the probability is, that had the pa-
tient never tasted the article, or experi-
enced its effects, his recovery would have
been  much more rapid.   The unfortu-
nate instances of  the failure of a sali-
vation  in the cure of fever, are too nu-
merous to leave any doubts  as  to Its
pernicious and destructive effects.  The
horrid  spectacles frequently to be seen,
as  the consequences  of the mercurial
treatment,  are  shocking to humanity,
and disgraceful to the profession.  Even
were  mercury the only alternative, that
life is dearly purchased, which is bought
at the  sacrifice of  every thing that ren-
ders life desirable ; the constitution bro-
ken and destroyed  ; the person maimed
and disfigured, so  that it is scarcely re-
cognized  by the  unfortunate  sufferer
himself ;  an  object of pity and horror
to  his friends.  Deprived of their teeth,
and perhaps  their jaws ;"we sometimes
see these pitiable objects, with distorted
features, the jaws, cheeks  and palate
having been  partially destroyed by mor-
tification, and the remaining portion cic-
atrized, (healed) into an unsightly knot
with the mouth distorted from its natu-
ral  position, and  drawn obliquely to-
wards the ear, and the lips and cheeks
consolidated  with  the gums.   It may be
said in reply,  that such effects seldom
occur   from  a salivation,  yet   they
sometimes happen, and rarely does it
fail that  the constitution escapes from
the salivation without sustaining a last-
ing injury. Were it always in the power
of  the practitioner to  coatrol the opera-
tion of mercury, less danger would be
sustained or apprehended from it; but
unfortunately this is not the case.   Calo-
omel  is often  given to a great extent
during the continuance of fever without
producing'any sensible effects, and  it is
only after the  solution  of the disease,
when convalescence isabout taking place
that this latent poison breaks forth with
ten-fold  violence.   The  patient,  who
about a day or  two previously, flattered
himself with a  speedy recovery, now
finds  himself sadly disappointed, and is
doomed to undergo a factitious disease,
more tedious and painful than the first."
  It is a lamentable fact, that physicians
have been, as is justly observed  by the
author of Lacon,  " tinkering the consti-
tution  for  upwards of  2000 years to
cure disease, and  the result of all  their
discoveries is, that Brimstone  and Mer-
cury are their only specifics, and diseases
remain what they ever were."   And yet
they have been unable to discover the
mode of operation of any one prepara-
tion of Mercury;  in  their works upon
the subject they say, " it is in vain to
enquire," " it has a peculiar action upon
the vital functions."  " Of the modus
operandi of Mercury we know nothing.*
  Knowing its destructive  effects, we
cannot too  strongly warn the public
against its use,  and that class of practi-
tioners who are in the habit of prescrib-
ing it; if they value their health, or that
of their offspring; if there is a spark of
that benevolent, human, merciful feeling
towards their fellow citizens, a desire to
see the sufferings  of mankind lessened,
let them cherish it as they would a gem
of inappreciable  value,  and beware of
that bane to man, mercury.   And  that
individual who knowing  its deleterious
effects, still persists in using it, deserves
no pity, no sorrow for his miserable sit-
uation, and  his physician  no censure for
what he has done.  Mercury is  called
the Sampson of the Materia Medica, and
so it  appears to  be;  for if  Sampson
slayed his Thousands, this mineral has
slain its Tens of Thousands.
  ARSENIC, (from the Arabic  term
Arsanek, from  its strong and  deadly

  * For a full explanation of its mode of action,
See our'late work en titled " Key to Medical Sci-
ence." —page 187. 
16
Metallic  Medicines.
 powers.)   The first account we have of
 this metal is to be found in the writings
 of Dioscorides,and of some other authors
 who wrote  about the  beginning of the
 christian era.  It is the same  substance
 which Aristotle  had called " Sandara-
 cha," which was  used by  the ancients
 in the arts.
   The White Oxide of Arsenic, or what
 is generally understood  as Arsenic, is
 spoken of in the writings of Avicenna in
 the 11th century.  At what period the
 metal called Arsenic was first extracted
 from the Oxide is unknown.  Paracel-
 sus knew it, and  the manner of  obtain-
 ing it is described by Schroeder  in his
 pharmaccepia published in 1647.   It was
 not until 1733 that  this  metal was ex-
 amined with any degree of Chemical pre-
 cision.
   This metal  is capable  of combining
 with two doses of oxygen, and of form-
 ing two compounds which possess  acid
 properties, and which have been denom-
 inated Arsenic and Arsenious  acid.
   Arsenious Acid, White Arsenic,  Ox-
 ide of Arsenic and Rafs-bane, are one
 and the same article—and is that which
 is generally  used for remedial  purposes.
 The particular period  in  which  it  was
 first  introduced is not known,  but it has
 been supposed to have  originaed with
 the Alchemists.
  It is prescribed  by physicians of mod-
 ern times for the following diseases, Can-
 cer, Ulcers, Intermittent Fever, Chronic
 Rheumatism,  Diseases of  the  Bones,
 Neuralgia, &c.
  Arsenic is one of the most deadly  me-
 tallic preparations to both animal  and
 vegetable life—Dr. Hooper in his Medi-
 cal Dictionary pronounces it one  of  the
 most sudden  and  violent  poisons with
 which we  are acquainted ; and even
when the quantity given, is so small as
not to prove fatal, it  produces tremors,
paralysis and lingering hectics.  On the
combined testimony  and  experience of
many practitioners, we unhesitatingly
 condemn the  use  of it as a medicine.
The  revolting  spectacles of  its noxious
qualities are witnessed in  the unfortu-
nates who have  been subjected to its
powerful influence in the  western parts
of our country, where  it is dealt out by
 the practitioner with a liberal hand as a
 nostrum in Ague and Fever.  Mr. Bran-
 de states that he " considers that its in-
 troduction  into  the pharmaccepias as a
 great evil;  as more harm  than benefit
 has resulted from its administration."—
 "  The Oxide  of  Arsenic,"  says Dr.
 Eberle, " acts with great violence when
 taken internally,and commonly destroys
 life in a very short time"—and continues
 he, in a dose of  " one fourth of a grain,
 it excites nausea and slight chills.  By
 continuing it in such doses, it  destroys
 the appetite, excites vomiting,  pains in
 the stomach and bowels, painful diarr-
 hoea, great anxiety and oppression in the
 breast, debility and emaciation, numb-
 ness of the  hands  and feet,  dropsical
 swellings, tremor and paralysis.  From
 the statement of Dr. Paris, it is both de-
 structive to   animal  and  vegetable
 life, that the influence of the Arsenical
 vapours near the copper smelting works
 of Cornwall and Wales " is very appar-
 ent in the condition both of the animals
 and vegetables in the vicinity."   From
 the  observations of  M.  Jaeger, it ap-
 pears that " the  death  of vegetables is
 induced by Arsenic from the gradual ab-
 sorption and distribution  of the  poison
 by the  vessels and cellular membrane,
 so that the plants die  in  succession as
 the particles of the Arsenic reach them."
  The following terrible  effects attend-
 ing the administration of Arsenic is de-
 scribed by Orfila—" An austere taste in
 the mouth ;  frequent ptyalism ;*  contin-
 ual spitting; constriction of  the pha-
 rynxf and acesophagus ;%  teeth set on
 edge;  hiccups;  nausea; vomiting of
 brown or bloody matter ; anxiety ;  fre-
 quent fainting fits ;  burning  heat at the
 precordial  inflammation  of  the lips,
tongue,  palate,  throat  and  stomach ;
acute pain  of  stomach,  rendering the
mildest drinks intolerable; black stools
of indescribable  fcetor,  pulse  frequent,
oppressed and irregular, sometimes slow
and unequal;  palpitation of heart; syn-
  " Salivation,
  t The muscular bag at the back part of the
month.
  t The tube that carries the food into the sto-
mach.
  i The foropart of the region of the chest. 
Metallic Medicines.
17
cope ;* undistinguishable  thirst; burning
sensation  over the  whole body resem-
bling a consuming fire; at times an icy
coldness; scanty urine, of a red or bloody
appearance—altered expression of coun-
tenance ; a  livid circle  around the eye-
lids ; swelling and  itching of the whole
body, which becomes covered with livid
spots, or  with a miliary eruption, pros-
tration of strength, loss of feeling, espe-
cially in  the feet  and hands;  delirium
convulsions,   sometimes  accompanied
with an insupportable priapism ; loss of
the hair;  separation  of  the  epidermis ;f
horrible convulsions and death.
ANTIMONY", and its different  prepara-
   tions,  as Oxide  of Antimony, Tartar
   Emetic, Tartar Emetic Ointment, James'
   Powder &c.
   Theancients were acquainted with this
metal.  Pliny informs us that  it was
found in silver ore. It generally contains
a portion of  Arsenic.  Basil Valentine, a
German Monk is the first who describes
the  process of extracting it from the ore.
He by the internal administration of it,
(although  unintentionally  it  appears,)
poisoned his brother  Monks; hence  its
present name, Antimony, or Anti-Monk.
   No metal, not even Mercury, has at-
tracted so much the attention of physi-
cians—one party extolling it as an infalli-
ble specific in every disease; while anoth-
er derided  it as a  most virulent poison
which ought to  be expunged  from the
list of medicine.
 It appears that Paracelsus, who it seems
had an itching for dabbling in nearly all
the  metallic medicines,  was one of its
warmest advocates, and  recommended it
as a sovereign remedy in the Plague that
raged with considerable violence  at Bohe-
mia, in 1562.  Instead, however, of its
proving itself a valuable  specific in this
disease,  its  administration was on the
contrary productive of the most danger-
ous  consequences, and was denounced by
the Medical  Faculty of  Paris as a fatal
poison;  the consequence  of which, the
French Parliament issued a severe decree
against its internal employment in 1566.
   All the oxides of Antimony are some-

  * Fainting or swooning.
  t The skin.
what soluble in water;  in this respect it
resembles the oxide of Arsenic  in ap-
proaching an acid state.
  Antimony iscapable of combining with
Oxygen, and  forming an acid called anti-
monious acid.  By the addition of Cream
of Tartar to Antimony,  in boiling water
tartarized Antimony or tartar emetic is
formed.  Cream of Tartar is composed of
Potas and tartaric acid, and  hence  the
true character of Tartar Emetic is tartrate
of Antimony and Potas.   The taste of
Tartar  emetic is  nauseous and  caustic.
In this form it is made use of in medicine,
sometimes by uniting it with some nausea-
ting plant, at other times dissolving  it in
water and giving  the patient small qunti-
ties  at a time, as in  table spoonful doses,
until the emetic effect is  produced.  Tar-
tar emetic when  rubbed with lard forms
tartar emetic Ointmeut—used for  rubbing
over the chest for the purpose of produc-
ing pustules and  eruptions on the skin.
It is also used combined with Mercury,
Sulphur, and with Lime in the  nostrum
called James' Fever Powder.
  Antimony, when  taken internally, pro-
duces sickness  of the stomach,  vertigo,
anxiety, insensibility and delirium.  The
experiments of Brodie on living animals,
with this metal, produces paralysis, insen-
sibility and loss of the power of motion.
On opening them  he found the pulsation
of the  heart  exceedingly  weak, and al-
though artificial respiration was kept up,
it soon ceased to act.
   Tartarized Antimony or the oxyde of
Antimony, both being soluble are as ca-
pable of being absorbed in the system as
Mercury, and extending its destructive,
irritating and poisonous influence to every
organ, which is plainly evinced by its ac-
tion on the system,  in cases where its ef-
fects become obvious, which are an aus-
tere metallic  taste in the mouth, nausea,
copious vomiting, hiccough, burning pain
in the stomach, cholic,  frequent evacua-
tions from the bowels of a slimy and blue
appearance often tinged with blood, faint-
ing, small,  contracted   and accelerated
pulse, surface  of  the  body  cold with
clammy sweats,  burning inward fever,
intense  thirst, difficult respiration, loss
of  sense, convulsive movements,  very
painful cramps, prostration and death. 
18
Metallic  Medicines.
   Where these dreadful effects do not fol-
low its use, it is capable of being decom-
posed by the various  fluids, constituents
of the human body and they in becoming
acrM, poison the .solids, at the same lime
depriving them of  the requisite degree of
material to supply their important changes
and growth.   The most serious and de-
plorable consequences follow this course
of treatment.   The most important fluids
of the human body become decomposed,
changing their  composition from that of
healthy  to the most fatal or deleterious
venom, to wit, the bile, the  nervous and
glandular fluids, and even the blood itself.
Look at the blue livid appearance of the
skin and its dead and inactive state where
this metallic  poison has been  used as in
fevers, pulmonary and bronchial affections
—That  many  dyspeptic complaints are
produced by its use there is little doubt;
as it even decomposes the gastric juice,
producing gastritis,  attended  with  hic-
cough, a burning and  gnawing sensation
is felt in the  stomach, belching  of acrid
and caustic liquor and frequent ineffectual
attempts at vomiting.
  Orhla, on poisons, makes the following
remarks on the effects of antimonial pre-
parations,  " It is to be remarked that
these preparations,  more particularly oc-
casion copious and  obstinate  vomiting,
large evacuations by stool, great difficulty
of breathing, and  such a constriction  of
the throat,  that  the patient  is unable to
swallow any thing, finally very painful
cramps, a sort of intoxication, and amore
or less considerable prostration of the vital
forces."
  Consumption, all diseases of the lungs,
are aggravated by antimonial preparations
yea, in many cases it produces consump-
tion
  M.  Gerard,  an  European Physician,
states, that  " its internal use, sometimes
  roduces pustules, occupying considera-
  le portion  of the intestinal canal, simi-
lar to those produced  on the skin by its
application." Another Medical writer ob-
serves, that when given even in doses of'
a few grains, he has known it to produce
sudden,  dangerous, and fatal  collapses,
and a persisting and uncontrolable cath-
arsis, in consequence of  the  enythema
 and irritation excited in  the mucous sur-
 face of the stomach an.I intestines.
   Dr. Heustie. says, " perhaps there is no
 medicine in  the catalogue of the Materia
 Medica that has been productive of such
 opposite effects as this; at one lime when
 exhibited under iavorable circumstances,
 putting a stop to the progress of the dis-
 ease at the very threshold; and at another,
 precipitating the  patient hastily into  the
 arms of death. As far as my observation
 extends, I think I am  warranted in say-
 ing, that tartar emetic  can never be pru-
 dently exhibited in  the  hiszh  and malig-
 nant grades of bilious  fever.  I am con-
 firmed in this opinion from having seen
 and known so  many instances of alarm-
 ing, and sometimes fatal prostration, pro-
 duced by its exhibition;  I  have known
 persons in a high fever, with a strong and
 fall pulse, and generally increased tem-
 perature of  the body,  in less than two-
 hours after  taking this poisonous medi-
 cine,  to be affected with a death-like cold-
 ness ; the pulse at the wrist no longer per-
 ceptible, the  eye inanimate,  the lips,
 cheeks and extremities, exhibiting the !iv-
 idity of death, a cold and copious sweat
 exuding from the general surface of the
 body and every symptom  of approaching
 dissolution."

 SILVER—Nitrate  of Silver, or  Lunar
  Caustic, Filings of  Silver,  Nitrate of
   Silver Pills, &c.
  At  what period this  metal was discov-
 ered and who recommended it as  an in-
 ternal or external  remedial agent in dis-
 ease is not known—it is probable that  it
 was known as early as Gold, which has
 been supposed to have been the first metal
 employed by man.   The  first  authentic
 account we  have  of its being prescribed
 and recommended as a  medicine, is to be
 found in the writings of Bombastus Para-
 celsus and " Vitalisl" Stahl who  speak
 of it as a specific in epilepsy.
  Nitrate of  Silver is highly extolled by
 the mineralists as one of the most valua-
 ble Metallic tonics in the whole of their
 Materia Medica.  None of  the  metallic
 preparations  has  received so high eulo-
giums  as this, from Paracelsus,  Stahl,
 Simms,  Cappe,  Nord, Roget, Powell, 
Metallic Medicinei.                         19
 Brurse, Thacher,  Eberle and other lumi-
 naries of the mineral practice in diseases
 of  Epilepsy, Mania, Tumors and " sym-
 pathetic" palpitations   of the heart; St.
 Vitus' Dance, Dropsy, Fluor Albus, Scro-
 fula, Mercurial disease  ; Diseases  produ-
 ced by  the  adminstration of Lead; In-
 flammation of the mucous membrane of
 the stomach, bowels, &c. &c.
   Nitrate of  Silver is composed of Nitric
 Acid and Silver,  and is one of the most
 irritating and corrosive metallic poisons.
 It is more generally known under  the
 name of Lunar Caustic, an  outward ap-
 plication to  warts,  fungus flesh,  &c. as
 an eating and burning  substance.   It is
 alsoJYequently administered internally in
 the form  of Pills, combined with some
 powerful narcotic in order in a measure
 to  destroy sensibility  of the  nervous
 power, that the sceptic effects of the metal
 may not be so sensibly  felt.
   " Nitrate of Silver" says the U. S. Dis-
 pensatory, " produces  the effects  of  the
 corrosive poisons."  "  Caution must be
 exercised not to continue it too long, as
 it is apt to weaken  the stomach." '* In
 epilepsy it has gained some celebrity as a
 remedy ; but, though sometimes benefi-
 cial, it often  fails.  Its  effects have been
 found to be most  favorable in this disease
 when it acts upon ihe bowels."  (!)
   Sementini, an  Italian  physician, says,
 " that a cutaneous eruption of a pustular
 kind, frequently  appears in  those who
 are taking this remedy; and  that when
 this takes  place,  we may be assured of
 the  beneficial  influence  of  the  medi-
 cine."^)
  " In my own practice," adds Dr. Eberle,
 " It has but  very  seldom proJuced any
 decided advantages, although I have giv-
 en  it largely and persevering I y in several
 instances.  He also  adds, that it is now
 ascertained beyond a doubt, that the long
 continued use of  Nitrate of Silver  is ca-
 pable of giving a permanent  black color
 to the skin."

 GOLD—and  its preparations, as Muriate
  of Gold, Oxide of  Gold, &c.

  Gold  seems to have been known from
the earliest period, and  valued highly  by
all races of men, owing perhaps in a great
measure  to  its  scarcity  and  beauty.
   During the tirade  of  the alchemists
against the vegetable  treatment, this me-
tal which they  ridiculously  contended
they could manufacture out of the  baser
metals, as lead,  copper, &c, was held
by them as sovereign in its effects as a
medicine ;  but owing to its deleterious
nature as a remedial  agent, it soon fell
into  disrepute.  It was not until  1810,
that it was again brought forward by Dr.
Chrestien of Montellier, who published a
treatise upon it extolling it as a remedy in
Scrofulous and Syphilitic diseases.
   Gold in any of its  preparations  when
administered, produces inflammation  of
the whole system which is rapidly fol-
lowed by ulceration of the stomach and
bowels terminating in death.  Orfila ranks
the Muriate of Gold among the most poi-
sonous substances.  Chrestien asserts that
it is incomparably stronger than Corrosive
Sublimate.   He administered it in doses,
at  first no larger than one fifteenth of  a
grain, and if pushed beyond one tenth  of
a grain, it never failed to excite fever and
inflammatory symptoms.   " Pontin and
several Swedish  physicians, who have
tried  this remedy, state  that they never
obtained any real advantage from its use."
The U. S. Dispensatory says. •« The pre-
parations of Gold are decidedly poison-
ous, though indifferent degrees." A work
entitled " Quacks and Quackery," writ-
ten in support of the mineral system, has
the honesty to say that  it is one of the
most corrosive and irritating poisons and
soon causes death.

COPPER—and its preparations, as Blue
   Vitriol, amonialed Copper, acetate of
   Copper, (Verdigris)
  " If we except Gold and Silver, Copper
seems to have been  more early known
than any other metal.  In the "first ages
of the world,  before the method of work-
ing iron was discovered, Copper was the
principal ingredient in all domestic uten-
sils and instruments of war.   Even dur-
ing the Trojan war as we learn from Ho-
mer, the combatants had  no  other armor
but what was made of bronze; which is a
mixture of Copper and Tin.  The word
Copper is derived from the island of Cy-
prus, where it was fir3t discovered, or 
so
Metallic  Medicines.
 least wrought  to  any  extent by  the
 Greeks."
   When any of the preparations of Cop-
 per are taken internally they  produce a
 copperish taste in the mouth ; nausea and
 vomiting : violent pain in the stomach and
 bowels; frequent black and bloody stools;
 small irregular, sharp, and frequent pulse;
 fainting; burning thirst:  difficulty   of
 breathing;  cold  clammy sweats ; small
 quantity of urine; violent  head-ache;
 cramps,  convulsions and  death.  Who
 first introduced  it as a medicine is not
 known.

       ZINC—Oxide of Zinc, &c.
   The preparation called Oxide of Zinc
 was introduced by Gaubius, who obtain-
 ed  his  knowledge of  its "  remediate
powers from a celebrated quack."
   Its action upon the system is violent,
producing vomiting, spasms of the sto-
mach, constipation or  diarrhoea,  inflam-
mation  of the bowels, convulsions and
paralysis. It is given in Epilepsy, Worms,
Chronic  Histeria,  Cutaneous Eruptions,
Spasmodic Asthma and Small Pox.
    BISMUTH—Oxide of  Bismuth.
  This metallic Oxide was introduced into
practice by Dr. Odier of Geneva.  Its ac-
tion upon the system is similartotheOxide
of Zinc; as  alarming distress in the sto-
mach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or con-
stipation, colic, heat in  the breast, vertigo,
drowsiness and death.  It is recommend-
ed in epilepsy, palpitations of the heart,
and spasmodic diseases.
LEAD—Sugar of Lead.  Carbonate  of
   Lead, Red Oxide of  Lead, &c
  The U. S.  Dispensatory states—" when
introduced into the system byimpercepti-
ble degrees, it acts injuriously on the
nervous  system,  producing a   peculiar
colic,  called  lead colic and palsy, which is
at most, always  partial and incomplete.
Dr. A. J. Thompson, of London, states,
" that of all the  ordinary preparations of
lead, the carbonate is the most virulent—
and  that those  Salts which  are easily
convertible  into the carbonate  are  also
highly poisonous."   Sugai of Lead is an
irritant poison—its use produce--* violent
pains in the bowels and obstinate consti-
pation called lead colic, affecting the mus-
 cles, depriving them of their support, as
 witnessed in those who work in lead or
 have been subjected to  its influence.
   Carbonate of Lead  is most generally
 used as an external application to ulcers
 and to inflamed surfaces and is capable of
 being absorbed into the circulation produ-
 cing the above poisonous effects.
   Acetate, or  Sugar of Lead is the form
 in which the mineral physicians usually
 prescribe internally in  bleeding  of the
 lungs intestines  and  uterus; Dysentery,
 Cholera of children, in checking vomiting,
 &c.   notwithstanding   these mineralists,
 who recommend it so highly in disease,
 speak in the strongest terms of its prison-
 ous and deleterious effects upon  the hu-
 man system—Sage consistency this, tru-
 ly !  They say, to use the language of the
 U. S. Dispensatory, "it  acts as an irritant
 poison, producing inflammation of the ali-
 mentary canal, if the patient survives for
 some  time !"

  IRON—The preparations of Iron are
 numerous, amounting to upwards  of 20
 different kinds;  they are  prescribed  in
 general debility and " relaxation of fibre"
 and  languid circulation—in diseases of
 hysteria, fluor albus, gleet, scrofula, rick-
 ets, St. Vitus' dance,  Palsy, Dyspepsia,
 Neuralgia, &c.
  Its use produces heat, thirst, headache,
 difficulty of breathing, and  other distres-
 sing effects.
  Professor Liebeg of the  University of
 Giessen, in his work on  Organic Chemis-
 try, says, " The true Organic poisons are
 those articles which possess  the power to
 form fixed permanent compounds with the
 muscular fibres and membranes, salts of
 lead, Bismuth, Copper, Mercury and Iron
are of this class."
  For remedial purposes, the preparations
are usually conjoined with other tonic or
alterative articles, as Myrrh, Gentian, Al-
kalies or Acids  which are really benefi-
cial without any deleterious consequences
and all the permanent benefit accruing, we
are disposed to impute to these adjuvants,
 we freely admit that a transient stimulus
with increased  digestive power and ner-
vous energy results from iron alone. But
those who notice closely the effects of a
long continued  use of the preparations of 
Vegetables and their poisonous properties.
21
iron,  will  discover eventually that the
florid flush of the face, the increased heat
ofthe6urface, the mental energy &c, will
gradually decline under their continued
use, an increased irritability of the various
organs, with general debility .will super-
vene, so much so, that often the  patient
cannot bear any article of a bracing nature
at all—the florid cheeks will become pal-
lid or an excessive unhealthy crimson or
hecticflush, and the surface preternatural-
ly sensitive to alterations of heat and cold
—the secretions again either deficient in
quantity or impeifect in  quality—while
all  attempts to  lessen  these  conditions
by a farther use of any  preparations of
iron will be fruitless.
  The many virtues of Mineral  Water,
which contain  a small portion ot iron
can very well be explained  without con-
ceding any remediate agency to any min-
eral whatever.   The Muriate of Soda and
Carbonate  of  Soda, as  well  as  several
other non-mineral ingredients, which they
contain are  useful  medicinal  articles,
which connected with " scenery" and sal-
utary exercise, often prove serviceable to
the invalid.  For a more extended analy-
sis of the action of the preparations of iron
we refer to our work entitled " Philo-
sophical Medical  Journal."   We  here
close our Chapter on  " Metallic Medi-
cines."
  Fellow  Countrymen, we  know  the
above statements to be facts, glaring be-
fore you, will you rest contented to suf-
fer, or will you arouse to a  man, as free-
men,  and tell  the  monopolizing faculty
that you will  be  trifled with no longer
that you are done with poisonous and ar.
tiiicial remedies and will use only those
which will act in harmony with the laws
of your existence—and we promise in re-
turn,  that your wives, your children, even
your  countrymen will suffer less sickness,
less debility, live to a more advanced age,
and enjoy a  state of mind  and  body,
calculated to render the sweets and plea-
sures of a  freeman's life worth the liv-
ing for.
CHAPTER  III.
VEGETABLES  AND THEIR POISONOUS PROPERTIES.
   Though we are  of that class of prac-
titioners of medicine who repudiate the
use of metallics, either in their simple or
combined state as remedial agents in the
treatment of diseases,  and  contend that
the true medicinal substances are only to
be found in the vegetable kingdom. Yet,
we are free to admit that there are many
vegetablesjwhich contain substances poi-
sonous, even in their minutes'  doses, »o
the animal economy ; and which we con-
tend do not contain any remedial proper-
ties whatever.
   That vegetable  agents  are the only
proper remedies for the treatment of dis-
eases, no  one who understands the phi-
losophy of vegetable and animal  matter
will attempt  to deny.   What  is animal
matter but a concentration of the proper-
ties of vegetable matter ?  Yet this may be
met by the graduates of the Metallic In-
stitutes of Medicine, with the  assertion,
we say " assertion," for we defy them to
prove the truth of it, that vegetable and
animal matter contain metallic substances.
To such we would  say,  name to us the
vegetable that contains Mercury, Arsenic,
Antimony, Lead, Copper,  Iron,  Silver,
Bismuth, or any metal whatever ?  Can
vegetation exist and be supported in a me-
tallic bed? Such stupidity of reasoning on
the part of the infatuated physician, shows
a want of  information of  the laws and
grades of matter.
   Prussic Acid stands at  the head of ve-
getable poisons—one  drop of this  acid,
placed upon the eye of a dog will prove
instantaneously fatal—the  act'on of this
acid is strictly confined to the nervous
system, neutralizing the  fluid by which
their power  of action  becomes perfectly
paralised and death results.
   Hufeland relates, that a man about to
be taken up as a thief, took Prussic acid, 
22
Vegetables and their poisonous properties.
staggered a  few steps and  fell.   The
pulse could  not be felt, and there was no
trace of breathing.  In  a few minutes
there was a single violent expiration.
  Orfila states, that a servant girl  swal-
lowed a small glassful  of Alcohol satura-
ted with Prussic  acid.   In two minutes
she fell dead.
  Beck states, that a Chemist in Paris ap-
plied a bottie  of the  acid  to  his nose,
afarming  symptoms immediately com-
menced and continued throughout the day.

  IODINE,—This vegetable salt was first
discovered in 1812, by Courtois, a soda
manufacturer of Paris.  It is a constituent
of many marine plants ;  as the common
sea  weeds,  &c,  of sponge,  oysters; in
sea water, salt springs ; in many springs
at Saratoga, &c.
  Iodine was  first used and recommend-
ed as a medicine, by Dr. Coindet, of Ge-
neva, who employed it in bronchocelle'.*
  This article is used both internally and
externally, in the form of Ointment, So-
lution, Tincture, &c.   Recommended for
enlargement of the glands of  the breast;
of the Liver and  Spleen ; Cancer,  Vene-
real Complaints, Ulcers; Ovarian Dropsy,
Leprosy, Pulmonary Consumption, Scro-
fula, Gout,  White Swelling, Deafness,
Fistula.Distortionsof the Spine, Piles, &c.
  It is observed  by Breza, " that like
mercury,  iodine maintains a permanent
action on the  system,  for a considerable
time after its administration has been sus-
pended."
  Coindet gives the following description
of the action of iodine.  " Highly  accel-
erated pulse,  palpitation, frequent dry
cough, great loss  of strength and emacia-
tion, swelling and tremors of the  lower
extremities, wasting of  the mama*  and a
continued and annoying increase or ap-
petite."
  Dr. Eberle states, " certain individuals
can never take  it in doses sufficient to af-
fect the constitution without very unplea-
sant consequences; such as  dimness  of
vision, indistinct hearing, fallacious touch
and various other nervous symptoms."
  In some  individuals  iodine produces a
  * A tumour on the fere part of the neck, and seat-
ed between the wind-pipe and skin.
  * The breast.
 peculiar itching or tingling sensation oyer
 the  whole  surface of the body; and its
 external application  in the form of oint-
 ment, is said sometimes  to cause a total
 loss of sensation in that part of the integ-
 uments on which  it  is rubbed, extending
 itself occasionally to those parts which
 are supplied by the same nerve3 of sen-
 sation."

   SULPHATE of QUINIA.   This salt
 is  obtained  from Peruvian  Bark,  by
 means of sulphuric acid.   It is recommen-
 ded and lavishly prescribed in intermitting
 fevers.   Experience  has shown its ad-
 ministration in many cases to have proved
 deleterious and dangerous to the system ;
 to prove which we only  have to cast our
 eyes over the pages  of those who  have
 written on the subject of Quinia, when we
 find the author highly extolling its virtues
 in one  paragraph  to  be condemned in
 the  next.   Thus it  is with  Dr. Eberle
 upon the virtues of this article.
   " Experience"  says he, " has indeed
 established its excellent powers as a rem-
 edy in intermitting levers  and other anala-
 ogous periodical affections, usually treated
 by tonics."  Again,  "Occasionally, this
preparation  acts strongly upon the ali-
mentary canal,  producing violent purging
or vomiting,"   And again, the  same au-
thor observes.  " A  full  dose  is usually
followed by  a  manifest  increase of the
temperature of  the surface, and a feeling
 of tension  and fullness in the head.  Its
tendency to  determine the  blood to the
brain, is indeed very considerable. When
full  and frequent  doses  are  taken, the
countenance  generally becomes  flushed,
and the vessels of the head turgid, attend-
ed with a sense of confusion, heaviness
of the  head,  and often  ringing in «he
ears.  In three instances under my obser-
vation,  the cerebral congestion  produced
by this article, was so violent as to  give
rise to a singular  form of delirium, re-
sembling the mental  derangement which
is excited by an over dose of Strammo-
nium."
  To this catalogue of morbid symptoms
produced by the  use of  this  drug, we
might add,  without  over-stepping the
bounds  of  truth,  which  many  can  bear
witness who have been subjected to " full 
                                 Bleeding.                              23

and frequent doses" of Qninia in fever  got or spurred Rye, Extract of Hemlock,
and ague;  swelling or enlarging  of  the  Opium,  Morphine, and all the  prepara-
liver and spleen—the  bile becomes acrid  tions of  Opium, &c &c,
and depraved—nervous  system deranged    The vegetables which are devoid of all
—watery state of the blood, terminating  useful medicinal qualities and which are
in dropsy and death.                    highly  destructive to animal  life, are
   There are many  other poisonous pre-  deadly Nightshade, Henbane or  Hyosy-
parations and extracts that are obtained  amus; Hemlock, or sometimes called poi-
from   the  vegetable  kingdom,  which  son Hemlock ;  Nux Vomica; Thorn Ap-
should never be prescribed as medicine,  pie or James Town  Weed, Digitalis, or
as Croton Oil, Oil of Tansey, Hydriodate Fox Glove ; Bitter Almonds, &c. &c.
of Potassa, Oxalic Acid, Oil of Savin, Er-
                             CHAPTER IV.

   MEANS  RESORTED TO  IN THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES  WHICH  ARE
                   MECHANICAL  IN  THEIR APPLICATION.

  BLEEDING—Has long been  practi-  brane: is there no  other  mode  of relief
sed : even so early as the time of Hippo-  but  blood-leiting ?  Can  no  course  be
crates.   He  bled  his  patients to  excess,  adopted to equalize the circulation ? Are
sometimes opening two veins at  once,  there no attenuants—no refrigerants—no
and frequently suffering the blood to flow  rubefacients ? Cannotthe blood be induced
to such an extent as to produce fainting,  to leave the part?
The practice of modern physicians is not    The manner in which disease is over-
so frequently carried to such an extent as  come by bleeding, is by debilitating  the
to produce fainting; but the operation is  system so far as to deprive it of  its pow-
oftener repeated.  In inflammation of the  er of action.  Yet the disease is not there-
lungs, liver, kidneys, &c. recourse is im-  by cured; it  is  only changed  from  an
mediately had to bleeding.  For  what  acute to a chronic, fixing itself upon some
purpose ? To lessen the inflammatory ac-  internal organ, as the liver or lungs; and
tion of the  affected  part—to relieve the  should the patient  eventually recover, he
pain,  or difficulty of  breathing,  as the  owes it to  the  kindness  of some good
case may be.  Does it relieve? Certainly :  dame, nurse,  and his  constitution alone.
In many cases it does. How ? By lessen-  The assertion that bleeding  is requisite
ing the  quantity  of blood,  by which  in consequence of a surplus  quantity of
means the force of  the circulation is re-  blood, termed " plethoric state of the sys-
duced ; the vessels become less distended,  tern," " a fullness of habit of body,"&c,
and the pain  thereby mitigated.  How  is untenable and cannot be maintained or
long ere the same operation  is required  supported.
to be repeated ? But a few hours  and it     Blood can only be produced in propor-
requires repetition.   What must be the  tion to  the food  we use, and if in a heal-
effect, if every few hours blood be drawn  thy state must constantly make  its depo-
from  a healthy, robust person, would not sites throughout the system, and the re-
the system become exhausted ? Must not suit that must follow, will be an increase
the strength  of the constitution sink under of flesh, and a  more robust athletic  and
it? Is  not the whole system, which  is vigorous constitution.  It may be asked,
nourished and supported by the  blood,  would  you  bleed  in  congestion of  the
thus deprived of the requisite material for brain, or apoplexy? Not at all! These
its growth and strength ? In pleurisy there  affections are produced in consequence of
is a determination of blood to the pleura,  the blood becoming thick, viscid or gluti-
a congestion  of   blood  in that  mem- nous; which consequently impedes its cir- 
 24                                Bleeding.

 culation and  does not return from  the    Dr. Maywood, in his remarks on blood-
 head by the veins as fast as it is thrown  letting,  says, " The  doctrine of blood-
 through the arteries by the heart; hence  letting, so much insisted on  by medical
 the accumulation or congestion.          men, is fraught with most serious conse-
   Can no course be adopted  other than  quences to mankind ;  and therefore, the
 to  separate,  mutilate  and  destroy  the  conscientious physician  is, in duty bound
 beautiful  and  unique arrangement of  to examine its merits accurately."
 those delicate  vessels  that serve as con-    A medical writer observes of Dr. Rush,
 duits in conducting the purple stream of  the great advocate of venesection «'A ve-
 life, through a thousand  winding lanes  ry worthy physician of our acquaintance,
 and avenues of the human body for its  a few years since,  put out a pamphlet to
 sustenance and growth: Are  the stick-  establish the value of bleeding in fevers;
 lers for the antiphlogistic treatment justi-  and the only rule we could gather from it,
 liable, with all their  wisdom  of science,  was to bleed ; if the bleeding did nogood,
 in disarranging that which they are inca-  bleed  again  that it might do  good ;if it
 pable of re-arranging ! Has nature in  her  did  good,  bleed  again  that it might  do
 wisdom so  over-stepped the  bounds of  more good.  At  length  he fell sick  him-
 perfection in not  placing in  every arm a  self, (for  physicians, as well as others,
 faucet that we might draw off at our lei-  alas!  are  mortal,) not with  fever,"but
 sure the  " surplus"  amount  of blood  ?  with some chronic affection.   He bled
 or has man, speculative man, been invest-  himself, and  he  bled  again  and again,
 ed with the right to manufacture an  in-  (for no  one else could be found to bleed
 strument by which it could  be accom-  him sufficiently,) and  he died at last, Ia-
 plished ?                                menting that if  he only could have bled
   The  fatal effects of blood-letting  are  himself once more  he should have recov-
 strongly pourtrayed by judicious writers,  ered ; but in his last attempt, a mist came
 The late learned and experienced Dr. J. F.  over his  eyes, and his  hand could not
 Lobstein, of the medical faculty of Paris,  command his lancet; and he must die for
 late physician  of the  Military Hospital  the want of bleeding !"
 and  Army  of France, and  member of   An  eminent  English surgeon,  states,
 nearly all the medical societies in the civ-  that, " Though the ill effects of the loss
 ilized world, as also  of several literary  of  blood,  unless excessive,  are seldom
 and  benevolent  associations,  makes the  perceivable in youth, yet they rarely fail
 following remarks :                      of being felt before  the age of forty-five.
   " Were  bleeding and mercury totally  People who have been often  bled when
 prohibited,  a   great   many   physicians  young, about this period of  life  begin  to
 would find themselves in the inextricable  be afflicted with chronic pains.  They re-
 mazes of a sad dilemma; their  time easily  cover  very slowly from fits  of illness,
 disposed of.  It is astonishing  to find that  and are very liable  to  febrile paroxysms
 so many persons, and still more astonish-  and a variety of other disorders."
 ing that so many physicians have fallen   Dr.  Macintosh remarks  that,  " No
 into this extravagance.  Blood, the most  physician, however wise and experienced,
 precious matter for life, is lavishly squan- can tell what quantity of blood ought to
 dered where there is no necessity ; yes,  betaken in any given time."
 often without  knowledge, for  what pur-   Dr. Thatcher, in his  Practice of  Medi-
 porse.   My remarks shall therefore con-  cine, page 208,  observes, that,  " We
 vince my fellow citizens, that so far from  have no  infallible index  to direct us."—
 blood-letting being beneficial, it is produc-  " a precipitate decision is fraught with
 five of the most serious and fatal effects, danger, and a  mistake may be  certain
 Should I contribute by these remarks, to death."
 save more lives in future, and  avert this   Dr. Reed says.  "  If the employment of
 cruel  practice, I would feel that gratifica- the  lancet  was abolished  altogether,  it
tion which arises from a consciousness of would  perhaps, save  annually a greater
having performed a good aft. How much number of  lives, than  in one year, the
it is to  be regretted that such  an awful sword  has ever destroyed."
scourge of humanity should exist."         To which we may add, in the language 
Issues aud Setons—Blisters.
25
of Dr. Henry.  " Abominable is the mur-
dering quack, who forever impatient to
unsheath his blood-thirsty lancet, draws
from a  fever patient the irreparable bal-
sam of life."
   Bleeding produces convulsions, palsy,
impotence, epilepsy, apoplexy,  hysteric
fits, consumption and dropsy ; and  those
individuals  who have been in the habit
of getting  bled, especially  females, are
certain to lead a wretched existence : be-
ing attacked with weakness, nervousness,
&c.   Gen.  Washington  was killed by
blood-letting,  mercury  and  antimony.
Eighty  or  ninety  ounces of blood were
taken from  him in  the course of twelve
hours,  besides two " moderate"  doses of
calomel, accompanied with  an injection ;
then  five grains of calomel, and five or
six grains of tartar emetic, &c. and in this
manner was the beloved Father of his
country tortured to death.  Lord Byron
called bleeding the  «' destruct.ve art of
healing"---it proved so  in his case.
   ISSUES AND SETONS.—This prac-
tice has  been instituted in order to divert
the diseased fluid from an affected part to
an artificial channel;  thereby to relieve
the system  from the oppression and diffi-
culty under  which it  labored.    The
practice is quite common, especially in af-
fection  of the lungs. Yet it is impossible
to suppose, that any  permanent  benefit
can arise where the morbid matter produ:
cingthis result is  continually generating
and acquiring strength. It mayin some in-
stances, prolong the life of the patient for
a short  time ; but even that is doubtful,
as the  facilities granted  for  the disen-
gagement of this  morbid  matter might
produce an increased tendency in  the sys-
tem to its generation.   Their action is al-
ways unpleasant  and disagreeable, and
frequently produces considerable debility.
In fact it is  but  another drain  through
which life must continue to ebb.
   BLISTERS—The  precise time, and
by whom, blisters were first introduced
into practice, we are  not able to deter-
mine   Previous to the discovery of the
vescicating  power of Spanish flies, vari-
ous powerful  stimulants or escharotics
were employed for that purpose.  Since
the introduction of this article they have
been, and are  yet  very extensively em-
ployed,  and their use is strongly recom-
mended  in almost every derangement of
the abdominal organs, as well as inflam-
mation of the lungs and  pleura.    Like-
wise, in fevers and a vast variety of other
complaints.  Yet there are numerous in-
stances of the evils produced by them.—
On some  constitutions a poisonous im-
pression is made, attended with quickened
pulse, dryness of the mouth and fauces,
heat of  the skin, nervousness and  stran-
guary, and even convulsions; and some
physicians have been  so  much alarmed,
by the  occasional  occurrence of  these
symptoms, as to induce them to apply the
remedy with great hesitation.  That these
affections  result from  the absorption of
the active and irritative principles of can-
tharides into the circulation, there can  be
no question.   But the  above admitted
evils, are  not to be compared with the
mischievous consequences, too frequently
resulting  from their  use.  The human
system is at all times more or less impreg-
nated with  that morbid matter, which is
constantly carried through the  system by
the circulation, which is capable of en-
gendering disease : therefore, by placing
a blister over any organ;   that organ be-
comes weakened or so far debilitated as
to render it  incapable to  resist the influ-
ence of this motbid matter.   Such  organ
is thereby in a condition not to resist, but
to  become  the convenient receptacle for
whatever train of mortiid humor  may be
forming in the system.  How frequently
is it the case, where  an  individual has
had a blister placed over the region  of the
Liver; that, upon the occurrence of any
slight change of the atmosphere, or, hav-
ing taken a slight cold, the first sensation
of° pain will be experienced in that part.
In Pulmonary-Consumption, what  agent
can be more conducive to  the  permanent
establishment of that disease, than a blis-
ter over  the thorax ?    How long  ere an
affection  of the Lungs would accrue, in
that individual  most free from it,  by
placing  a  blister over the chest.    Like
bleeding,  urgent  symptoms  may   some-
times be relieved by it; yet it predisposes
to permanent injury, by the determination
which it creates of the fluids to the blis-
tered part.   A little reflection will con-
vince us of their utter uselessness in Con- 
26
Steaming.
sumption, when we consider the little in-
fluence they can possibly have directly up-
on (heltings.  Thelungshangin the chest,
they have no connection with  it, and are
only attached to the chest by the pulmona-
ry vessels; and to the neck by the wind-
pipe. Of the evils of blistering, the cases
are numerous.   Of all  the  afflictions to
which mankind are liable, none are so ap-
palling to the humane and sensitive physi-
cian as that produced by burns. Few out
of  the pale of  the profession are  aware
how frequently burns, apparently  trivial
and insignificant, are followed by fatal re-
sults, preceded in some cases by symptoms
of a decidedly typhoid character, in  others
disturbance of  the  mental  functions
amounting even to madness, and again
not unfrequentlyare the symptoms so fal-
lacious as to deceive any but the most ex-
perienced  in prognosis,  in  regard  to the
fatal event.   Now, if there be so much
danger from the inflammation  of the ca-
pillary nerves, by fire; how can the same
effect be free from danger, whenjsroduced
by blisters?  Does not  pathology daily
prove to us that the cutaneous system is
more acutely sensitive than any other or-
gan.  To  lollow  nature, to  produce  a
natural determination  k) the  surface of
the body is consistent and proper, such is
the  course nature pursues  in afcstate of
health.  But who will asseit, that  an ul-
cerated  and  suppurative  surface is  a
healthy  action  ?     Will  the   advo-
cates of  blistering contend that  nature
frequently produces ulceis on the suiface
of the body, and so relieves internal affec-
tions ?   We ask, if  the various out-
lets of the body are not destined to carry
off excretions of the body peculiar to their
offices, why  has  nature ordained more
than one emunctory?   Would they de-
fend the  doctrine  by asserting, that so
long as it be evacuated, it matters  not by
what emunctory it be done ?   Is nature's
course always beneficial ?  This is, when
unperverted  by  unfavorable   circum-
stances, true;  but when peiverted, does
it not pursue a course leading to death  ?
They would  be unwilling to  deny this,
as it leaves the treatment pursued entirely
and only chargeable with the fatal  result.
So numerous and so well founded are the
objections against blisters,  that it is  a
matter of wonder that they have not been
long since exploded.
  That the action of cantharides produces
inflammation of the bladder by symptoms
of stranguary, is universally conceded.
Is there any proof of its morbid influence
being confined to  the  bladder?   How
does it produce these  deleterious effects I
Is it not by absorption ?   Why may they
not  by  these means  be carried  to any
other organ ?
  The deleterious  effects complained  of,
are such as  reasoning a priori, might be
expected from such a medicine passing
quickly through  the system.   But when
carried to other parts, the effect? would be
more gradually developed, so as  to ob-
scure the fact.  We can see no fair rea-
son for doubting  the liability of its pro-
ducing ulceration in  any  other  organ;
especially  if that organ  be susceptible
from previous irritation, to greater excita-
bility.
  STEAMING, as practiced by some, at
least, experience has shown, is not with-
out its evils; and these  sometimes have
proved to be of the most serious charac-
ter, even in  the  destruction  of  life.  It
may be  said  that  where such  was the
case, the  operation was performed  by
those unacquainted with  the process.—
We admit them to have been unacquaint-
ed with the result, or  the effects  likely to
be produced :  had they been  so, no*ex-
cuse could be satisfactory thus to jeopar-
dize  life—a patient  can be  almost  as
easily steamed or sweated to death,  as
bled to death—the  process  and result is
not vastly different.  Steaming to a mode-
rate extent, in many cases  of acute dis-
ease, is doubtless very beneficial, particu-
larly vapour baths; but the repeated  in-
ordinate extent to which it is often carried,
from the very nature of the case.must pro-
duce  serious  mischief; and  even  more
permanent than that of  blood-letting —
When bleeding   is had recouise to, the
thick or glutinous portion  ol the blood
is discharged from  the orifice, as well as
the more fluid parts; but in steaming, the
mo6t fluid parts  of the blood are  disen-
gaged, whilst the thick, viscid or glutin-
ous  principle is  left behind, or retained
in the system; this effect becomes very
soon obvious, by an almost  entire pros- 
Emetics.                               27
tration  of  the  nervous energy.    The
nerves,  like all  the  other  solids of the
body, derive their support from the blood,
and when  the  blood becomes thick and
viscid,  it cannot  impart,  or  rather the
nerves  themselves,  cannot receive  that
supply  necessary  for their support and
nouri.shment. The idea likewise of steam-
ing in every affection, appears utterly fal-
lacious  ; some complaints can only be ag-
gravated and promoted by it; and particu-
larly  where there is great  debility  or
prostration  of  strength, which  so  fre-
quently characterize  affections  of the
lungs,  or  other  chronic  disorde s.  It
would  appear that there have  been in-
stances  where  patients   have   expired
under the  operation ; and  although it is
alleged  that it occurred through  misman-
agement or ignorance,  and that regular
practitioners  are  subjected to the same
mishaps by their mode of treatment, it
neither  justifies the  one nor excuses the
other.  He who practices medicine, ought
at least to know  how much  his patient
can withstand, panicularly when it is in
his power, every  moment of the opera-
tion,  to increase  or  decrease its action ;
the  truth  is, the who'.e  practice is ob-
jectionable,  and cannot be  tolerated  by
the scientific practical physician.

   EMETICS  are deemed  a  valuable
class of medicines, by both mineral and
Botanic Physicians.   The treatment has
long  been  sanctioned by much high au-
thority, and  any  attempt  on my part to
disparage their use, will doubtless be met
with  strong argument in support of  their
utility.   As  useful as they  may appear to
be, defended by argument ever so strong,
1 am  satisfied, and much experience will
afford ample testimony, of serious  evils
resulting from their use; especially where
employed to the almost  unlimited extent
so frequently practised  by its particular
votaries.   I  cannot  consider  that  na-
ture  ever designed  the contents of the
stomach  should  be  discharged by the
mouth; yet it is said does  not nature in-
dicate this, when she is about to disgorge
the stomach  of its contents  ? The contents
of the  stomach  being  offensive to her,
does  she  not  repel it ? Is this action of
the   stomach  not  sufficient to deter-
mine  us in  our prognosis?   If  the
peristaltic motion governed the stomach,
as well as the bowels, it would be ;  but
the case is vast:_> different, one is the reg-
ular action conducive to health ; the oth-
er, the irregular action indicative of dis-
ease.  One is the healthy action of the in-
testines—the other, the  irritability of the
stomach,  dependant  upon disease.  But
we are again asked shall we not give an
emetic to disengage the offending matter
from the stomach ? What ?—increase the
irriiability ?  Would it not be better to al-
lay it ?   But, it is again  said—the emetic
acts by relaxation ! Relax the stomach —
deprive  it of its energy—subdue its abil-
ity, to compel  it to evacuate  its contents!
This is  incomprehensible—but were this
even probable, and were I to admit it to
be so, by such relaxation, might not per-
manent  injury  accrue  to the stomach ?
The safest step is to avoid the danger al-
together.
   I think every judicious practitiouer will
agree with  me in this  particular.  The
proper and only course of the alimentary
canal is downward. It is the course clear-
ly pointed out in the anatomy of all ani-
mated beings.   To institute  emetics is to
reverse  nature's known and obvious laws.
Who that will reflect  for one moment,
but must peiceive the injurious action of
emetics, particularly  in bilious affections,
where they are so  frequently prescribed.
A physician is called to a patient, labor-
ing under a bilious affection, which is in-
variably produced from  a disease of the
liver: he at once  prescribes an  emetic,
and the patient throws up a quantity of
bile.  " See what a quantity of  bile he
has thrown up," says the physician—" It
is well that I gave him the emetic," Is it
known  that the stomach cannot tolerate
bile, but immediately ejects it the  instant
it is induced into it ?  Is the physician not
aware that the very emetic urged the bile,
(of which he speaks,) into the  stomach ?
If this is the effect, and that  it is so, is in-
disputable ; 1iow improper is an emetic—
especially their  frequent repetition as in
bilious affections.  I do not mean to  be
understood, that emetics are  invariably
useless, there  may  be  cases where they
may prove beneficial; it is their too fre-
quent use that I object to. 
28                    Cathartics Stimulating.
 An emetic would be useful, where it were tender to the touch, and watery flocculent
 necessary to  evacuate immediately the stools; in  such, cases, nothing  can be
 contents of the stomach, as in cases  of more injurious than the administration of
 swallowing  some powerful  eschorotic, cathartics.   Since which several mdivid-
 or narcotic—especially  where we have uals it appears have seized upon his ideas
 not the neutralizing agents  at hand, yet and appropriated them to  their own use,
 their use  is seldom required.  The use of not only in the treatment of  fever, but in
 emetics has led many physicians into er- eveiy case of  disease, and so industrious
 ror.   They  generally have a sudorific have they been in advocating their theory
 effect, in  consequence of the excitement of draining the system, purging the body,
 produced  by their operation ; and the ben- purifying the  blood &c.  that  those not
 efits arising therefrom, are attributed  to sufficiently conversant with the manner in
 the evacuation of  the  stomach.  Where which medicines to produce beneficial ef-
 emetics are employed, we  are decidedly fects ought to operate, have been led in
 opposed to tartarized  antimony, as this some instances into very serious  errors,
 article, it  is well known, is capable,  in  even in some  cases we fear, to the de-
 the form of ointment,  ol producing pus-  struction of human  life.   Cathartics act
 tules upon the skin, when externally ap-  by irritation, and lubrication, such as act
 plied.   It cannot, therefore, be difficult for by irritation,  produce  a thin and watery
 us to imagine, what must be their action  discharge from the  bowels.   The irrita-
 upon the tender coats of the  stomach.   If tion which they produce upon the mucus
 used at all, vegetable emetics, are far the  membrane, the skin  or coat  which lines
 least objectionable.                       the intestines,  produce a secretion or de-
                                        termination of  the fluids to  the bowels,
  CATHARTICS (Stimulating,) when  and this  accumulation  of fluids in the
 judiciously administered, with  regard to  bowels is followed  by  their disengage-
 the promotion of the secretions, are a val-  ment, and may be regarded as artificial
 uable class of remedies provided the arti-  diarrhoea.  Hence must, be seen  at one
 cles, of which they are composed are not  glance by the attentive observer, that the
 too acrid,  or irritative a quality.  Cathar-  frequent use of cathartics, as advocated
 tics may  be combined with valuable al-  by some, are not so beneficial, (to say the
 teratives, and should the cathartic proper-  least of them)  as they  would  appear to
 ties be slow in their action, the  alterative  induce  the public to believe.   The Con-
 or purifying properties, will become as-  stant  use of  them  frequently  induces
 Btmilated with the blood, and hence very  much debility,  and  impairs the regular
 important and beneficial results may arise,  action of the intestines.  It is astonishing
 in very many cases of disease.   If cathar-  that this fact is not more reflected upon,
 tics are very active and quick in their op-  when the patient is desired to commence
 eration, they pass off, producing no oth-  with four pills as a cathartic,  and to take
 er beneficial results, than that of evacua- them every  day,  daily increasing  their
 ting the contents of the alimentary canal; number, until fifty may be taken  per day,
in some instances,  this becomes necessa- with no more  sensible effect upon the
 ry, particularly when there appears con- bowels than in  the commencement. Who
 siderable constipation of the bowels.  A does not perceive  that the action of the
 doctrine was some time since advanced by bowels is thus paralized ?  Besides, what
Dr. Hamilton, advocating in the  strongest is the benefit  to be derived from such a
 terms the  use of cathartics; he applied  course? Why it purifies the blood! say
them in cases of fevers, which is certain-  its advocates.   How ? Do  the pills enter
ly in most cases very judicious treatment;  the blood vessels? No! That won't do.
yet, in those cases where there exists in-  Hew then ? W hy by draining the  sys-
flammation of the intestines,  characteriz-  tern from morbid  matter.  Why not ef-
ed by the tongue being  red at the tip and  feet it then by sweating, bleeding, puking
the edges, and brown in the middle ; the  &c. Oh ! say they, that won't  do  ! Why?
abdomen  tumid, tense, and  exceedingly  Wei! I can't exactly say. 
Physiology.
29
CHAPTER V.
PHYSIOLOGY.
  The existence of animal and vegetable principle.    The Bile is one of the most
life is confined  to  a certain temperature, important fluids; the office of which is
The temperature which supports  the one, to separate  that portion  of the  general
is as  necessnry to the existence of the mass of chyle or the nutritious particles of
other—both are composed of solids and the  digested  mass  necessary  for  the
fluids.  And both derive their solid por- growth and sustenance of every partof the
tions from the  fluids which circulate in body.  The Bile having separated the nu-
their vessels.   All animal matter is sup- tritious part, which is termed chyle, which
ported and  maintained by vegetable and is of  white and  milky consistency, this
gaseous matter absorbed from Ine atmos- chyle  is taken up  by a set of extremely
pherc—animated  beings cannot  exist in- small absorbent vessels, called lacteals.—
dependent of vegetation.   Nature in her These have their origin in the inner coat
wisdom   has  constituted  us  with a sto- of the intestines, and passing thence dis-
mach ; it is the first great enlargement of charge themselves into a tube termed the
the alimentary canal.  In  appearance, it  Thoracic Duct, which terminates near the
bears considerable resemblance to a retort,  neck,  at the junction of the left subclavian
The food on its arrival here is acted upon  and jugular veins.   It  here unites with
by the gastric  juice, (secreted from the  the venous blood, or dark blood, and is
lining membrane  or the stomach,) sep-  carried to the right  auricle or  muscular
arating  it  into minute  particles.   The  bag of the heart.   The heart propels it
principal  constituent of  gastric juice  to the lungs.
being muriatic acid, it is  not difficult to    The Heart is a powerful muscular or-
account  for the dissolution of  the food,  gan, having four apartments or  cavities;
The experiment is easily made by placing  its right and left auricle or muscular bag,
 a  piece  of meat in muriatic  acid for  and right and left ventricle or cavity.  It
 24 hours, keeping it at the  natural tem-  is considered  the centre of circulation.—
 perature  of the body.   After this change  Of  its muscular  power we may have
 is produced it  is carried to the duodenum,  some  conception when we consider that
 or commencemeut of the small intestines,  in  man, the whole  quantity of  blood is
 through the pylorus or pit of the stomach,  estimated  at about 28  pounds ; and that
 in which  it   meets  with another fluid  at  every pulsation (which if regular is
 called the  pancreatic  juice, produced by  about 70 per minute) an ounce  of blood
 an organ situated behind the  stomach ; passes through it. Upon this calculation,
 surrounded by the curve of the duode-  the whole  blood in the body must pass
 num, termed the Pancreas;  it  is about  through the heart every six or eight min-
 six inches in length, and one and a half utes   This assertion is, however, made
 in breadth.    This fluid is alkaline, with  on mere conjecture; it is certain that the
 a small proportion of acid.  By this pro- blood passes through  the heart not less
 cess the  office of digestion  is completed, than  100 times in 24 hours, making due
 It is now presented with  another liquid ; allowance for that portion which may
  most important;  which is likewise intio-  have been expended or generated   Ihe
  duced into the duodenum from the liver, instant this venous  blood, which is  al-
  by a small duct or tube, extending from  ways of a dark color, owing to its being
  an oblong membraneous bag, situated un-  charged with  carbon   resembling char.
  der  the  liver, to which it is attached in  coal, generated from  the decomposition
  the right side termed the Gall  Bladder,  of animal and vegetable matter in the
  which is the reservoir of this fluid when  system.    The veins  being absorbents,
  secreted by the liver.   The constituents  take  up a large quantity of the decora-
  of bile  are principally alkali and a bitter  posed matter, consequently their dark 
30
Physiology.
color.   As soon as this blood is present-
ed in the  lungs its dark property is lost;
it becomes of a lively red  owing to the
neutralization of the carbon.  The cause
of  this is plainly understood ;  at every
exhalation,  carbonic acid  gas is thrown
off, while at every inhalation, oxygen and
electricity are absorbed.   An affinity ex-
isting by the power of electricity between
the oxygen and carbon, carbonic acid gas
is produced and expelled.
  Oxygen and electricity are the vivifying
principles of life;  while  carbonic acid
gas is destructive to life.    If, in illustra-
tion, a person be sleeping in a tight room
where there is  burning charcoal, the mo-
tions of life soon cease.   The  reason is
plain ; the oxygen contained  in the room
becomes overpowered by  the  carbonic,
acid gas produced by the consumption of
the charcoal. But if before the functions
of life cease to perform their offices, wa-
ter be thrown upon him,  he recovers—
water   being   principly composed  of
oxygen.
 The blood now sent to the lungs, having
become decarbonized or divested  of the
inert  part, is fitted  for  the purpose of
sustaining  and promoting  every part ol
the body.   After  being thus manufac-
tured  in the laboratory of  man  in  the
mannerstated.it is returned to the heart by
the pulmonary  veins; thence it is forced
through the arteries, the " aorta or parent
tube subdivided into  thousands  of tor-
tuous shoots, on the sides of  which my-
riads of vessels like the down of a peach
conduct a  circulation: a tissue  of arte-
ries ; they extend to  every part, becoming
to diminutive that the  naked eye in  vain
endeavors to detect them"   In this cur-
rent is embraced every constituent neces-
sary ; the  nerves attract by the power of
tiectricity  the materials requisite  for the
nervous fluid.  Every bone, muscle,  liga-
ment, &c, are made and supported from
it.   Unerring,  they convey just the sort
of material  necessary to mend  a bone,
heal a cut, lubricate a joint and to supply
the waste that is continually taking place
in the system.
  We  cannot refrain from alluding to
one of these  branches, of  arteries,  per-
taining to  the organ called the  spleen,
which pursues  a serpentine course over
 the pancreas, behind  the  stomach, in
 which it gives off branches to neighboring
 parts, then enters the concave surface of
 the spleen, where  it ramifies into innu-
 merable smaller  arteries, from which the
 blood is taken up by minute veins, which
 uniting with each other form the splenic
 vein.
   We shall now proceed to illustrate in
 as concise a manner as possible, the situ-
 ation and uses of  the  other organs, not
 previously named in the course of the di-
 gestive processes and circulation.
   The  Spleen, (usually called  the  milt
 in animals,) is situated  on  the left side
 between the eleventh  and  twelfth false
 ribs;  it is of an oval figure, and is con-
 nected with  the  stomach, the omentum
 or cawl, the  left  kidney,  the  pancreas
 and the colon or  large intestine by seve-
 ral Jigamentsand vessels.  In anatomical
 structure the Spleen resembles the brain
 more nearly than any other organ of the
 body; being located in the upper left side
 ol the abdominal cavity, some have con-
 ceived its use  to  be to balance the liver
 on the right side ; perhaps, ori the  prin-
 ciple of the Dutchmfjii  in days of  yore,
 who placed a bushel of wheat in one end
 of a bag, and an equal weight of stones in
 the other to balance  the bag while " going
 to mill."   The  substance of  the Spleen,
 though firmer than that of the brain is yet
 softer and more pliable than any organ ex-
 cept the brain.  The capillaries of the skin
 transmit colored blood.    Ali the nerves
 going into the Spleen grow larger, softer,
 pulpy, and at length mingle apparently
 in its substance like those of the brain.—
 Those animals devoid of a brain, are also
 destitute  of  a  Spleen.    Both  the  brain
 and Spleen are glandular, yet neither has
 any excretory duct: both are more largely
 supplied by blood than  any other organ,
 the blood in the splenic vein has nearly or
 quite lost  its  coagulating   property.—
 These facts  sufficiently  establish the an-
 alogy of  function between the brain and
 Spleen.    The  assertions made by some
 medical  authors, that  the  Spleen  has
 been removed  in animals and man with
 little or no injury, I shall take the liberty
 of denying.   Anatomy does not discover
any blood vessel communicating between
 the Spleen and stomach or portal vessels; 
Physiology*                              31
hence the idea that its function is auxili-
ary to digestion cannot be sustained.  Its
office is to separate from  the  arterial
blood those elements, or principles, as,
oxygen, electricity, perhaps phosphoric
acid, which constitute the influence, fluid
or power of  the nerves of involuntary
motion, or primitive  system of nerves,
These nerves are the  instruments of se-
cretion, assimilation, excretion, circula-
tion, absorption, digestion and respiration
in  part.    This system of nerves  is
formed  long ere the  brain or spinal mar-
row.   The  Spleen  does not, however,
furnish aH the elements for  the supply
of this  class of nerves.  They are every
where to be found intimately connected
with arteries,  following them  in  their
course  and  convolutions,  often  pene-
trating  their coats and  expanding upon
their inner surface; thus much  of  their
support is derived directly from the blood,
which  fully explains   the  phenomena
that animals have lived and maintained a
feeble  existence for a  while after the
 Spleen   has  been  extirpated.    These
nerves  are no where to be found in com-
 munication  with the veins   They are
the  origin or   primary structures of all
 animals, and the class of animals below
 fishes have this nervous structure  with-
 out either brain or Spleen.

   The  BRAIN is a large round organ,
situated in the  cranium or skull,  sur-
 rounded by a thick and somewhat opaque
 or  dark  and  insensible membrane, the
 dura-mater formed by two layers, which
 defends the Brain and  adheres strongly
 to the internal surface of the skull.  This
 membrane is  supplied with  blood from
 the internal masciUary artery, or artery of
 the jaw, which is a branch of the exter-
 nal carotid artery—named so on account
 when tied or  its circulation being ob-
 structed, produces sleep - when it reaches
 this membrane, the  dura  mater,  it  di-
 vides  into  three or  four  ramifications,
 and spreads itself throughout this coat
 to the anterior, middle and posterior lobes
 of the Brain   The Brain is thus largely
 supplied with arterial  blood.   In  the
 Brain the nerves of sensation derive their
 power, and they are the second formation
 of  nature.    They  are the source  by
which  we  derive all our  sensations of
sight, hearing,  feeling,  tasting,  &c.—
They,acting in concert with the organic
nerves,  deriving  their power from  the
Spleen, are the cause of the growth and de-
cay of the human  boly.  But how do the
nerves know what peculiar property is
necessary for the sustenance and growth
of  the bone, cartilages,  &c,  and  by
what power  do  they supply all  the
wants  of the  human structure?  They
are  electric  conductors;  and  by  the
power of  electricity, (attraction,) they
absorb and deposit  every constituent
necessary for that purpose.

   LIVER—The  largest  gland in  the
human body is  that of the liver, situated
in the abdomen, of a deep dark color,
divided into two  principal lobes, which
are subdivided intosmaller ones; the right
extending far down the right side, thence
across the middle  of the body towards the
left  side,  which it  however does  not
reach, as the large end of the  6tomach,
as  has   been  stated  before,  comes
between the  left  lobe  of  the  liver
and the side ; it is attached  firmly to the
diaphragm or midriff, separating  it from
the  chest;  much  the  largest part of this
viscus lies on  the right side;  the  liver
receives  a large proportion of the  venous
blood from the lower extremities and ab-
domen by a large vein called  the vena
portar or portal vein which upon entering
the  liver branches off in every  direction,
suffusing the whote substance of  the or-
gan.  From  the venous  or dark blood
the  bile is produced.   Under the  liver
is situated the Gall  Bladder, the  use of
which is to  receive and retain the bile,
which is carried from thence as previous-
ly stated.

   The KIDNEYS are  situated on each
side of the spine, a little above the bips.
The right  is somewhat lower than the
 left, and nearly in contact with the liver;
the right  lobe  of which overlaps the
 Kidney.   The external portion  of the
 Kidneys are full  of  small blood vessels.
 The Kidneys are constantly largely sup-
 plied with blood. The artery supplying
 the Kidneys is a  branch of the aorta. 
32      The Cause and Symptoms of the most Prevalent Diseases.
                             CHAPTER VI.

     THE CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS OF THE MOST PREVALENT DISEASES.

  Man is one of the plants of Nature's  of diseased action, rendering the fluids of
garden ; like them,  he  is nourished and  a depraved character.  The fluids being
fed—ihat  is, he partakes  of  the food  the primitive effect of the causes of dis-
which she produces—inhales her atmos-  ease, the solids become secondaiily affect.
phere—grows to his stature—is subjected  ed in consequence of, and by the morbid
like the stately pine, to all the tempestu-  constituents or state of the fluids.
ous winds of life, and, like all animated    In our organization  we are furnished
beings or vegetable substances, loses his  with an organic structure, which is well
powers of animation, becomes  disorgan-  calculated to render us to a certain degree
ized, dies, and returns to  the elementary  independent of disease, provided attention
principles from  which he  was formed,  be paid to it on our part which the im-
All na'ure, animate or inanimate, is but  portance of it requires.   That disease of
one continual routine of organization and  every description results Irom the accu-
disorganization,  decomposition  and re-  mulation of morbid matter in the system,
composition!  Yea, one eternal change,  cannot be the subject of doubt.   In some
If it were not so, we  could not be ani-  instances, years may transpire before the
mate  or intelligent  beings.  To escape  effects of this morbid matter may so fully
disease is impossible :  we are exposed to  develope itself as to be characterized by
those causes by which it  is generated  any  disease.   Yet the fact is incontro-
every moment of our lives; the gasses of  vertible, that it  was gradually and con-
the atmosphere are capable of producing  stantly accumulating, and at length man-
it, especially when  in  situations where  ifesting itself  by an attack  upon 6ome
we may be exposed to the effluvia arising  organ,  the  structure of which is not so
from the decomposition of vegetable or  perfect and vigorous as another  ; 01 the
animal substances;  the water we drink  system being more or less charged with
may  be  impregnated  with  deleterious  it. is subjected to some excitement, as a
substances which it has acquired through  sudden transition of temperature and ex-
the different stratas of earth. If we use  posure, a violent attack  of fever,  acute
animal food  of any description, we may  inflammation  has followed.   These ac-
likewise become affected, as all animals  cumulations of  morbid  matter in the
are subjected to disease.                  fluids, may with propriety be termed the
  When we take a pathological view of  "seeds of  disease;" which,  constantly
diseases, we find  that they all have their  accumulating, must corrode and disorder
origin in a morbid condition  or quality of  the solid structure of the human body.
the circulating fluids of the human body,  This morbid matter can be no other than
which may be acquired hereditarily—by  the product resulting from the  decompo-
the inhalation of poisonous  effluvia—by  sition of the food taken into the stomach
sudden transitions of temperature—or by  to resupply the waste which is continu-
the inoculation of virus, or other foreign ally  taking place in the  whole animal
substances into  the circulation.   Like- economy.   Food  taken in the  system
wise a diseased state of the fluids may be having performed the offices of supplying
produced by the undue,  obstructed,  or it  with  such  materials requisite for its
increased action  of any one of the excre- support, the useless particles  are diseh-
tory organs; in which case, they would gaged therefrom, as unfit for any further
become weakened, and thereby incapable purpose in the animal machine.  This
of performing their offices;  or, in other unserviceable  matter must, necessarily,
words, discharging from the  system such he of a putrescent  character,  which is
morbid accumulations as are formed by  constantly increasing, and which, if not
constant decomposition, and which would  neutralized (rendered harmless) and ex-
by retention in the system, be the cause pelied from  the system, must  produce 
The Cause and Symptoms of the most Prevalent  Diseases.
33
disease.  To what extent this putres-
cency must accumulate to produce death,
is impossible to say; but it is certain that
it must be to such a degree as to render
an organ essential to the support of life
incapable of  performing  its  functions.
The principal excretory organs by which
the constant decomposed matter is carrieij
from the system are the skin, intestines,
the kidneys and the lungs in decarboni-
zation; hence  the importance  of  their
duly performing their offices.   There are
other exhalents, as the eyes, ears, nostrils,
&c., but  the healthy action  of  the  first
is by far the most important.
  The veins, as stated under Physiology,
are " absorbing  vessels ;" hence  they
readily absorb or take up  this  effete
matter charging   the  exhaling  organs,
which should have been thrown from the
system ;  this matter, charging the blood,
tends to accumulate rather than diminish.
From  the venous blood the bile is pro-
duced.
  There is no organ of the body so sus-
ceptible of disease as that of the Liver;
and that in its healthy action depends in
a great measure the health of our whole
organization, is true.   The office of the
Liver  being  to  secrete or elaborate the
bile; the duty of  which fluid  is, to sepa-
rate  that part of the  food calculated for
nutrition, termed chyle, from the general
mass.  If  the functions  of the  Liver
become obstructed or weakened, serious
mischief must ensue.   The  alimentary
matter, though perfectly digested in the
stomach, and then passed into  the first
intestine  (duodenum) is not  there  duly
separated  into  two  distinct  portions—
chyle and chyme—or, in other words,
the chyle or nutritive portion  is not suf-
ficiently separated from the general mass
for the lacteal absorbents to take up and
supply the  natural wants, required by
the continual waste of the system.
  Many persons  are laboring  under  a
derangement of the Liver for years,  who
have not the least conception of its exist-
ence.  Any transient symptoms of indis-
position which they may experience is
attributed to a different or mistaken cause,
and are thus incapable of guarding against
this insidious enemy of their repose.
  A disease of the Liver itself is some-
times characterized by pain in the right
side, extending  more  or less  into the
shoulder, between the shoulder, or under
the shoulder  blade.  It sometimes be-
comes  torpid and inactive; appears  to
enlarge or swell, pressing against the dia-
phragm,  which separates the chest from
the abdomen,  thereby lessening the ca-
pacity  of the thorax,  or cavity of the
chest, giving rise to shortness of breath,
difficulty of breathing, phthisic, asthma,
&c.  A  diseased state  of  the Liver,  in
connection with  an  impurity of  blood,
necessarily produces an unhealthy state
of the bile, which may become thick,
insufficient, thin, superabundant or acrid.
Where the bile is thick or viscid, it arises
from the inactivity of the Liver, and be-
comes  hard and impacted in the gall duct,
and even in the Liver and gall  sac, pro-
ducing what  are  termed gall stones, and
hard hiliary concretions, the passage  of
which  through the gall duct, gives much
pain and distress.  This thick state  of
the bile, in most instances, is equivalent
to a deficiency; and the consequence is a
sour state of the stomach or bowels.  The
bile is  an  alkaline substance,  showing
conclusively its formation by the decom-
position  of animal  matter;  and when
sufficiently alkaline, and flowing into the
duodenum  in  sufficient quantities, neu-
tralizes the acidity which may be there
generated.
  The  thin,  superabundant, and acrid
state of the bile, may be considered under
one head, for they are frequently attend-
ant on each other. When superabundant,
it is  usually thin ;  yet  some time  may
elapse before it becomes acrid ; according
to the state of the Liver.  If superabund-
ant, the individual will frequently com-
plain of sickness at the stomach or nau-
sea, have a capricious appetite for food,
and  not  'infrequently  throw it up.  It
may  be known by its extreme bitter taste.
Under such circumstances the bowels are
generally very costive.
   Whenever  the alkaline  properties  of
the bile are overcome by acidity, diarrhoea
follows, as witnessed by the free use of
vinegar and water, or the eating of sour
or unripe fruits, so frequently  practiced
by children in  the summer season. When
the bile becomes acrid, it irritates and in- 
 34     The Cause and Symptoms oj

 flames  the  mucous  membrane  of the
 small intestines,  and in some  instances
 produces ulcerations of the pylorus, or
 commencement of the  intestines.  They
 complain  of a burning, painful, sinking
 sensation, or great weakness just below
 the pit of the stomach; are subject to con-
 siderable  flatulence, and  sour,  burning
 eructations, or belching and indigestion;
 so  much  so as to often be compelled to
 abstain  from animal food.  At this day it
 is considered a complaint of the stomach,
 and is  fashionably  termed  Dyspepsia.
 This thin and acrid state of the bile pro-
 duces other derangements, by being ab-
 sorbed into  the blood-veseels.   The evi-
 dence of which is clearly manifest in the
 skin, the eyes, and countenance, subject-
 ing the individual  to   attacks  of  bil-
 ious  fevers, &c.;  even the yellow
 fever is produced by this cause.  The
 absorption  of this bile into  the blood,
 renders that fluid thick and viscid,  in
 consequence of  which,  much  greater
 labor of the heart is required to propel it
 through the arteries to the surface of the
 body; which labor weakens the heart,
 and palpitations  follow, and even a dis-
 ease of that organ itself  often  ensues.
 From the debility of the heart  thus in-
duced, it is unable to throw the blood to
the extremities, hence the patient is  sub-
jected to cold feet and hands,  and at the
 same time with  vertigo, dizziness,  pain
in the head,  ringing in the ears,&c.  The
arteries  leading to the head are large, and
 owing to its proximity there is but little
difficulty in  throwing the blood  to  the
 head by the heart; that blood has to re-
turn through the  veins; but as there is
 no  heart to propel the blood from  the
 head through  the veins,  the motion  is
 slow, and itc thick or  viscid character
 renders it still more sluggish ;  hence, ac-
 cumulations of blood take place  in the
 head—press upon the  brain—producing
 the difficulties above  stated;  even apo-
 plexy is caused in this way.   At times
 obstructions for a moment arise,  which
 are termed " a rush of blood to the head."
 Numbness of the limbs, shooting pains
 through the  breast and other parts of the
 body, nightmare—even palsy and par-
 alysis are produced by this state of the
 blood.   In consequence of this morbid
 the most Prevalent Diseases.

 accumulation of bile in the blood, charg-
 ing the capillaries,  small  and  hair-like
 blood-vessels, which are immensely nu-
 merous, the pores  of the  skin become
 obstructed,  charged, and filled  with an
 oily, hard,  saline substance, so there is
 but little perspiration; thus the disease
 is thrown more forcibly upon the internal
 organs,  especially the kidneys ; and  at
 the same time if the concave  surface of
 the Liver be affected, a disease of the
 kidneys is  almost invariably  produced;
 evinced  by  pain and weakness across the
 small of the  back,  and-extending down
 the limbs, with many other very distress-
 ing symptoms.   Dropsy is produced in
 this way.
   Nervousness, debility, and  weakness,
 to a greater or less extent, are the attend-
 ants of a diseased  Liver.   The thickened
 glutinous and viscid  state  of the blood,
 renders  it difficult for the nerves, liga-
 ments, cartilages,  &c, to^ absorb  from the
 blood that fluid necessary for their sup-
 port; and,  like a spear of grass  in  a
 drought, these organs are io_.a  measure
 deprived of their energy  and  support.
 Some individuals suffer excessively from
 nervousness.  When this  viscidity is so
 great as  to produce obstrucjtrpns or depri-
 vation in a part  of the power^of action,
 the nerves of  sensation baeo'me  affected,
 producing insanity.   This*acrimonious
 bile so charging the blood and acting upon
 the  muscular flesh,  produces humours,
 eruptions," canker," &c, even scrofula
 frequently originates from its acrimony
 extending to the glands.   When the up-
 per or convex surface of  the Liver be-
 comes  diseased, it extends its influence
 to the lungs, from which it is only sepa-
 rated by  a thin membrane called  the dia-
phragm,  which the lungs in the chest,
 and liver in  the  abdomen,  are nearly in
 contact.  Cases have occurred where the
 Liver and Diaphragm have ulcerated to-
 gether, and  portions of  the Liver and
 Lungs  have been  expectorated through
 the cavity of the Lungs.
  Having traced the  disease of the Liver
 through its various mutations, and shown
 a portion of  the  symptoms  arising there-
 from, yet the illustratior.s might be greatly
 extended. It is very doubtful whether
any disease of  a  chronic character 
Pulmonary Consumption.
35
exists, in which the Liver does not per-
form a prominent part, or is not more or
less concerned; and I venture  to affirm
that health can in no  instance be main-
tained where  the transactions  of   the
Liver are  in  any way imperfect.   The
 freat prevalence of Consumption of the
 ,ungs in  this climate, generally speak-
ing, originate from a morbid derangement
of the functions of the Liver—particular-
ly that form of disease which physicians
have called " Dyspeptic Pthisis."
  I do not wish to be understood as
saying that all diseases of the lungs ori-
ginate from a  previous  disease of the
Liver.  Other  causes may exist favora-
ble to such a result, as hereditary dispo-
sition, narrow chest, imperfect structure
and the result of acute diseases, as fevers,
pleurisy, inflammation of the lungs, in-
juries of the breast, &c.
PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.
   Pulmonary Consumption has long been
 considered  as  a  most  fatal  malady;
 thousands yearly sink under its devasta-
 ting power; all  ages and sexes become
 its victims.   It  is a Hydra which  has
 destroyed its millions, and has baffled the
 skill of thousands.  In  fact, so  firm are
 the convictions of its  incurability, that
 an individual, in most cases, is consigned
 to death the instant the  disease  becomes
 manifest.  The belief of its incurability
 could only have arisen from the little suc-
 cess which has  attended  the  course of
 treatment hitherto  pursued, respecting it.
 Its principles, its action its nature, have
 never been developed.   It is an error of
 the most serious consequence, that prac-
 titioners of medicine direct their efforts to
 allay symptoms, instead of  a scrupulous
 inquiry into the  original or proximate
 cause :  applications to relieve present or
 urgent symptoms, may have the most un-
 happy effect, by aggravating the primary
 cause, as is evident by the administration
 of expectorants.  The whole course pur-
 sued  by physicians, for  this disease for
*the last century, with but little exception,
 is wrong :  one more calculated to aggra-
 vate and increase the disease, than to allay
 it; and I have little doubt, that in many
 instances, the disease by such  treatment,
 has  been   permanently  established  in
 many  individuals, who, had   it been
 otherwise, might yet have enjoyed a rea-
 sonable degree of health.   Of the cura-
 bility  of  Pulmonary  Consumption, if
 properly  understood,  there  can  be  no
reasonable doubt; but it is the want of
a true understanding of the disease which
has rendered it so fatal.
  Dr. Carswell, a  celebrated  European
writer,  observes—" Pathological  anato-
my  has,  perhaps,  never afforded more
conclusive evidence in proof of the cura-
bility of a disease, than  it  has in that of
Tuberculous Phthisis."
  Dr. Clark,  of London,  says—"That
Pulmonary Consumption  admits  of  a
cure, is no longer a matter of doubt;  it
has been clearly demonstrated by the re-
searches of  Lsennec, and  other modem
Pathologists."
  In  the  Military  Hospital  at Capua,
where the greatest  number of Consump-
tive  patients of the army are sent, the
most  recent and extensive experiments
were made by Dr. Giovanni de Vitis, chief
Physician to the Military Hospitals of the
Neapolitan Army;  and  from the  1st of
May 1828, to the 8th of January 1832,
there were sent out  of the Hospital per-
fectly cured; Forty cases of Chronic Ca-
tarrh, Forty-seven of Consumption in the
first stage, One Hundred  and Two in the
second, and twenty-seven in the third,
making a total of Two Hundred and Six-
teen cases; One Hundred  and Seventy-
six of which were cases of Consumption.
  Dr. Beddoes reports to have cured three
cases out of five.of Tubercular Consump-
tion, in his practice.
  Dr. Magennis, of the Royal Naval Hos-
pital at Plymouth,  in England, reports
that of seventy-two cases  of Consump- 
36                     Pulmonary  Consumption.
tion, 25 with  ulcerated lungs recovered,
and fifteen from the stage previous to ul-
ceration.  Thirteen, in an early stage of
ulceration, were discharged greatly reliev-
ed, nine in the previous stage ; and but
ten cases  entirely lost.
   The above statements are such that no
one can deny, or that no intelligent medi-
cal man would dare to deny.   The direct
action of  the  disease upon the lungs, in
ordinary cases, is first produced by debili-
ty.  The  blood, as previously shown is
thrown from the heart to the lungs at every
pulsation, and is again returned from the
lungs to  the  heart; yet if  the lungs in
their original structure are weak, or have
subsequently become so from  any cause,
they are unable to return the blood from
them to the heart, as fast  as the heart
throws it  to them ; this results in accu-
mulations of blood in the lungs —
   Their arteries, veins, and capillary ves-
sels  become filled, charged, and gorged
with  blood;  the consequence of which
is swelling or enlargement of  the lungs,
partially filling the cavity of the thorax,
that there is not sufficient room  for their
expansion, and a full inhalation is almost
impossible ; hence the shortness of breath
or difficulty  of breathing:—When the
lungs are thus charged and distended
with blood, upon some slight exertion, as
coughing, or any violent action, some of
their small blood vessels become ruptured,
and  blood is  discharged at the mouth,
called, " bleeding at the lungs."  This ac-
cumulation of blood in the lungs, is the
cause of irritation, which produces ulcers
or tubercles  upon  them, as well as the
deposition of  tuberculous  matter from
the blood  in the air cells of the lungs
   Having given a synoptical view of the
most prominent chronic diseases, with the
symptoms by  which they may be distin-
guished ;  and also shown by what means
morbid matter  is introduced into the sys-
tem; our  next enquiry should be what
action it is capable of  producing.   Dis-
eases are considered as acute and ehronic.
Acute is a term made use of to signify a
disease of short duration, and generally
of  a  somewhat  violent   character.—
Chronic is used in  opposition to acute, to
signify diseases of a long and protracted
character.   My views are somewhat dif-
 ferent,  I consider the term ambiguous,
 and not calculated to convey the true na-
 ture of the case.  The body is composed
 of  solids and fluids, and the disease term-
 ed  acute disease, I contend is  confined to
 the fluids; the idea maybe much more
 easily comprehended  by considering an
 acute disease  as fever, an  inflammatory
 action of the fluids; an acute disease may
 be  general, as in fever;  or local, as the
 liver,  lunge,  &c.  Chronic diseases,  I
 would consider a disease of the solids, in
 which there is little if any acute  inflam-
 mation ; yet a disease of the solids must
 be  preceded by a diseased or inflammatory
 action of the fluids;  and  so long as it
 exists, supported by them.
  The only actions that can take place,
 in either animal or vegetable matter, are
 three in number; and three only!  What!
 but three amidst the thousands of diseases
 to  which mankind are subjected ?  are
 there but three  actions ?  but three.—
 there may  be numerous  symptoms—a
 variety of  symptoms  characterize every
 disease,  but  the direct actions  are but
 three —These actions on vegetable mat-
 ter  are known by- vinous fermentations,
 succeeded by the acetic, which is again
 succeeded by the putrefactive.   The ac-
 tion on animal matter is—first, irritation,
 succeeded by  inflammation, terminating
 in putrefaction or decomposition, forming
 matter or pus.   When this  morbid or de-
 composed matter, which   should   have
 been thrown off*  by the  6kin, bowels and
 kidneys is retained in the system, and a
 sufficient quantity of it has accumulated
 in the  system, disease is  produced; the
 first action of which is  irritation, and
 that irritation  manifests itself upon the
 weakest  organ, 't  having  the strongest
predisposition, simply that  from its de-
bility, it is least able to resist it.    If the
internal organs are  sufficiently strong to
resist it, it is thrown  to the surface, and
makes its appearance upon the skin in
the  form  of ulcers,  boils,  eruptions, &c.
Under such circumstances, as is frequent-
ly the case from  some sudden excitement
 in the system,  as the sudden disgorgement
 of bile from the liver, as sudden change
of the atmosphere, &c, its action becomes
violent, and  results in fever.   I would
not  say that all fevers are produced in 
Concise  Synopsis of the Analytical  Practice of Medizine.    37
this way; accidental causes, arising from
external circumstances, as well as some
cases of nervous excitement, may contri-
bute much to the result; but when fever
is induced, its nature and  action are the
same.
  Among all the fluids of the body, there
is  none  of  more  importance than the
blood.   It is this fluid which produces all
the other fluids of the body; and they,
the solids; hence  the  importance of  its
being constantly in a healthy condition.
It is not so when charged with this mor-
bid matter—it is not so when  too thick
or too thin.  The blood consists of two
parts; the one the watery, serous, or thin
part,—the other the thick part, or clot;
when the thick  part ahounds, it requires
to be attenuated; and when the thin part
abounds.it requires consistency.  A free
use of animal  food charges  it  with hu-
mours, and an entire vegetable diet ren-
ders it weak and watery.
CONCISE SYNOPSIS
ANALYTICAL  PRACTICE   OF   MEDICINE.
   1 st.  There does not exist in every ani-
mated  being, an  indefinable  principle,
which superintends and controls all the
secretions and excretions upon which life
and health  depends, called  archeus,  vis
medicatrix natura,  vital principle, effort
of nature, &c, as contended  for by med-
ical men.
   2nd. The human body is composed of
fluids and solids compounded accordingto
the  laws of  chemical affinity, from the
world  of inert matter surrounding us.—
These  laws are in action and  are mani-
fested by every change in matter, wheth-
er animate or inanimate.  Matter is gov-
erned  by no  other laws: they  are laws
regulating and governing change of mat-
ter and are called the laws of nature.
   3rd.  Animal matter cannot  be formed
from mineral; but on the contrary, is ex-
clusively the product of vegetable ; con-
sequently the only  corrector of animal
matter is  necessarily vegetdble.—Vegeta-
ble remedies.
   4th. Life and  Death, Health and Dis-
ease are certain  states  in  which animal
and  vegetable matter may exist: all of
which  states are governed by and depen-
dent upon no other than clearly definable
natural laws.
  5th. Animal Matter (unlike vegetable)
during life,  is  constantly  subjected  to
change—composition and decomposition
—constantly  wasting  and constantly
forming.
  6th. The changes which the  laws  of
nature produce  in  living matter  (under
ordinary process) by which it is again re-
solved into its original  elements, are but
three.  In vegetable they are denomina-
ted vinous, ascetic and  putrefactive fer-
mentation ; in animal, irritation,  inflama-
tion and putrefaction. When these chan-
ges take place in a very slow and protrac-
ted manner,  the casual observer  may
doubt their existence, but when they pro-
ceed with rapidity they become  so obvi-
ous that none will ask proof of the real-
ity. These changes are necessarily taking
place every moment of its existence and
the putrescent matter formed by  this de-
composition, is (when  in health) carried
from the system by the various excretory
organs as fast as generated.  (It is other-
wise in disease.)
  7th. Disease is produced by the debili-
ty or inefficient action of some one  or
more of the excretory organs, as the skin,
bowels, kidneys, &c, by which  the pu-
trescent matter formed by constant decom- 
38      Concise Synopsis of the Analytical Practice of Medicine.
position cannot be  carried from the sys-
tem, but is there retained, producing thick
and viscid  blood : and consequently im-
peding circulation, congestion stagnation,
&c.  The natural heat of the body being
about 95 degrees, this product of decom-
position soon produces inflammatory ac-
tion  in a weakened and debilitated organ
or in that part  of the system where the
blood most accumulates;  followed by ul-
ceration, or by the irritating effects of this
morbid matter being disseminated through
the circulation,  fevers of  one character or
another arise as bilious, intermittent, lung
fever, &c.  Disease may also be produced
by the inoculation of some virus by which
the blood becomes contaminated, by food
of an unhealthy nature ;  water  and other
substances, containing properties capable
of counteracting  the  laws conducive to
health or by  the  inhalation of gasses
which may charge  the  atmosphere we
breathe.
   8th. We contend that there are two to-
tally distinct nervous  systems, emanating
from two separate sources and performing
two distinct different offices; one of which
is the source by which we derive every
sensation—the other, that by which the
growth and decay, the secretions and ex-
cretions of the entire human body is reg-
ulated and governed.
   9th.  We  recognize the  periodicity  of
disease—that the symptoms of  all disea-
ses are more violent at some periods than
at- others, as in  ague and fever.
   10th. We reject the use of  all harsh
and debilitating agents as Mercury, An-
timony, arsenic, and  all metallic oxides,
either internally or externally.  Bleeding,
Blistering,  Emetics,  Steaming,  Issues,
Setons, drastic Cathartics, and all agents
capable of producing debility—making a
patient sick to make him well, or tearing
down  the  system for  the  purpose  oi
building it up again ! or  the  use of any
agents as stimulants by  which the ner-
vous system is excited to action, beyond
its natural powers  of strength which  is
invariably followed by greater prostra-
tion after the effects of the stimulant  is
expended.   The nervous power being the
capital upon which the  physician must
depend for a restoration to health requires
the strictest care and attention in its pres-
ervation.  If the nervous system becomes
so exhausted as to render  it incapable  of
performing the functions requisite for the
sustenance of the whole human body, res-
toration to health is impossible.
  11. The qualifications necessary  for a
physfcian are, First, A knowledge of all
the laws of nature by which animal mat-
ter  is governed—a knowledge of the
chemical constituents of every  fluid and
solid of the human body, the office they
are destined to  perform  in the animal
economy  and the changes they are capa-
ble of  undergoing, by which  unhealthy
or diseased action can take place.  Sec-
ondly, A knowledge of the chemical con-
stituents of every agent employed in me-
dicine.  The knowledge  is imperatively
necessary to understand the modus ope-
randi of medicine—to enable  the physi-
cian to prescribe  that article  capable of
neutralizing, dissolving   and  rendering
harmless any character of  morbid matter
generating or accruing in the system—to
understand what  the invisible action  of
medicines are which produces each par-
ticular visible effect. 
INSTRUCTIONS
By which  individuals require to be governed when prescribing
                             our  medicines.
  The Vegetdble Rob is required where the tongue shows a whitish coat and the
body of it inclined to a pale color, rather thick and broader than usual, showing the
blood to be slimy or charged with mucous, it is a powerful solvent and dissolves
thick and viscid obstructions throughout the entire system, as biliary calculi or gall
stones, which frequently form in the Liver and bile duct—thick viscid bile, &c. It
dissolves urinary calculi which form in the bladder, causing gravel—the thick mu-
cous and slime with which the blood is  often charged, tumors of the abdomen and
other parts. It is required in all cases where the above description of tongue exists;
in numbness of the limbs, palsy, heavy dead pains, called rheumatism, pain and diz-
ziness of the head inclining to apoplexy,  costiveness, scanty or pale urine, blood
becoming watery  terminating in Dropsy, cold extremities, tuberculous deposits in
the Lungs, Asthma, Phthisic, &c.

  The Antiseptic Detergent removes inflammation by neutralizing that aerid matter
in the blood, producing and supporting it. The Detergent should be used where the
tongue or edges look red or inflamed—the bowels  inclined  to  be relaxed—sore
mouth or throat sometimes called canker—■eruptions  upon the skin called humors
of one description or another, as erysipelas, &c.—ulcers—where there is much pain
in either of the sides or bowels—thin and acrid  bile producing bilious  diarhoea,
difficulty of breathing in consequence of inflammation of the Liver—weakness at the
pit  of the stomach, pain across the small of the back,  high colored urine sometimes
voided  in small quantities or attended with heat  in passing it where there is much
weakness or debility—palpitations of the heart,  or throbbing sensations in various
parts of the system.


  The Percuro is required when the tongue is thick and not very broad, and the body
of  it of a dark appearance, showing the blood to be highly charged with carbon,
the pulse generally hard but not unusually quick,  the bowels more or less costive,
the urine somewhat thick, and depositing at times a brick like  sediment, little per-
spiration or at least a deficiency, the skin somewhat rough  or hard, sharp pains in
the limbs, chest and other parts of the body, particularly the head and face, called
tic  douloureux, neuralgia, fyc, at times attended with numbness, dizziness, difficulty
of breathing, fullness of the chest, phthisic, asthma, #c.
  It frequently occurs that it is necessary to use two medicines at a time.  If there
exists a thick and bad state of the blood and inflammation, it is necessary to deter-
mine whether it be produced by the blood being charged with carbon or mucous;
the above described appearanee of the  tongue will enable the individual generally
to determine.  If it be produced by carbon, it will be necessary to use the Percuro
and Antiseptic Detergent at the same time.  If the  inflammation be high, the Deter-
gent should be taken twice a day and the Percuro once. If the  inflammation be not
great, the Percuro twice and Detergent once.  If the vicidity of the blood be occa-
sioned by mucous, the Rob must be used either once or twice a day in conjunction
with the Antiseptic, according to the state of existing inflammation.  Sometimes by
using either the Rob or Percuro alone, inflammation may arise in consequence of
the acrimony which developes itself by dissolving the viscid matter charging the
blood:  in such cases, it will generally be sufficient to use the Antiseptic  once a day
and the other medicine twice.
  Where a patient is weak and nervous, and there is not too much i nflammation
the Nervine Cordial should be used two or  three times a day in addition to the 
40
Instructions  when Prescribing our Medicines.
other medicines, taking It at the intervening times between using the others.  The
Nervine Cordial is not prepared from those articles that act as stimulants, but from
such as support and increase the healthy character of the nervous fluid.  It will be
found of much benefit in Ague and Fever  if taken only during the intermission of
the paroxysms.

  Medicated Wrapper.—This article is directed in diseases of the Lungs, and is worn
by the patient around the body next the skin.   The object Of using it, is to induce
the blood to circulate upon  the surface of the body—to charge  the capillary vessels
of the skin, and theieby counteract the tendency of blood to the Lungs, which is
invariably the case where the lungs have become weak, as at every pulsation of the
heart the blood is thrown to the luDgs, where it undergoes the change from venous
to arterial  blood.   By the  blood  accumulating in the lungs, it becomes stagnated
and consequently hepatization takes place.   Loading- and distending the  blood ves-
sels of the lungs, irritates them and produces cough, which in its turn is followed
by inflammation and ulceration, and not unfrequently the rupture of some bloodves-
sel of the lungs.   If this blood be induced to quit the lungs, or  the lungs be protec-
ted from this accumulation and engorgement of blood, <he irritation and cough in
relative proportion diminishes and  the  lungs have  time to recover their natural
strength; and even where an ulcer exists upon them, by this means it is deprived of
support, and as a consequence theals; provided, we  at the same time make use of
such medicines internally, as  will  neutralize,  purify and cleanse from the general
circulation that morbid matter or morbid constituent of the blood which generates
and supports the disease.  In such cases we  are governed by the particular circum-
stances attending the disease; if inflammation exists, we use the Antiseptic Deter-
gent; where the blood is charged  with mucous, the Rob; with carbon the Percuro.
If the disease be wholly upon th*  lungs, and no other organs implicated, (which is
seldom the  case,) we use the Pulmonicon Syrup and Powders; and the Inhaling Bal-
sam where  purulent expectoration  appears, which may  be known by the  expectora-
ted matter sinking in water.

  Invigorating Cordial.—This is an article we  use in female debility, fiuor albus,
&c, where the disease is not dependent upon inflammation, or after having subdued
the inflammation by the use of the Antiseptic Detergent.

  Scrqfalous Elixir.—We use it where Scrofula becomes apparent by small tumours
in the glands of the throat, sometimes breaking and discharging a thin and somewhat
watery fluid and the ulcers healing  with  a ragged appearance.  Where there is
much inflammation it is necessary  to use the Antiseptic Detergent with the Scrofu-
lous Elixir as directed in other medicines.

  Detergent Balsam.—This  article we  use in Diseases of the Kidneys; especially
where they have become ulcerated, and when there is not too high a state of inflam-
mation.  We generally use it in connection with other medicines, as Rob, Percuro
or Antiseptic Detergent as the case may require.

  Reviving Cordial—This article  we use where there is a sinking and faint sensa-
tion at the  pit of the stcmach unattended  with inflammation.   We use it  for the
purpose of affording ease and relief to the patient when distressed, not as a remedy
to cure.  To cure recourse musr. be had to remedies which produce a healthy secre-
tion of bile.

   Cathartic Powders—These are a valuable anti-bilious cathartic, and may be used
as  a cathartic  in all cases of  costiveness or conslipated bowels.   They will be
found a valuable article in all kinds of fever, and  in all other cases where cathar-
tics are indicated.

   Perspirative  Tincture.—This  article  used in conformity to the directions,
may  be  depended upon  in producing  perspiration in all  cases where it is
required.   After evacuating the  towels by a cathartic powder, then bathing the
whole surface of the body  and limbs with luke-warm ley water and rubbing dry
with a coarse towel, the use of the Perspirative Tincture will produce free perspi- 
Instructions when Prescribing our Medicines.           41
   ration, and break op any fever in its forming stages; and where  it has existed for
   some time a repitition of the same process successively for three or four dayB, will
   almost invariably prove successful in effecting a cure.

     American Vegetable Health Pills.—This article is designed for general usefulness
   and long experience has furnished  the most satisfactory evidence of their utility.
   They do not act as cathartics in general; their action is mild and without pain or
   producing prostration of strength; neither do they leave the bowels inclined tocos-
   tiveness after their use, as is invariably the case where irritating or stimulating ca-
   thartics, as jalap, senna, colycinth, &c. are sure to do.  They are a perfectly safe
   and easy cathartic under any circumstance, and few who know by experience their
   properties, will be without them.  Their composition is of a very different charac-
   ter from those in ordinary use.   Their direct action  is to decompose and render
   more fluid the hard fcecesor contents of the bowels, as well as to neutralize the acrid
   matter frequently loading the bowels, producing inflammation,  cholera  morbus,
   uiarrhoea, dysentery, &c.  One single pill will generally arrest a disposition to di-
   arrhoea, and produce healthy action.  No traveller shloud be without them; they
   will be found the travellers friend in many emergencies.

     Acid Wash -—This article we apply to dissolve thick and viscid  accumulations, as
   tumors, swelling*, bloating o f the extremities or other parts, and to promote circu-
   lation in a part where it is deficient.
     Cough Drops.—This is an article designed to allay that irritation producing cough.
   It contains no preparation of opium, morphia, squills, &c. which is so generally an
   ingredient of cough mixtures.

    Refrigerent Wash—This article will be found valuable in allaying swellings, pains,
   and inflammations,  in any part to which it is applied.

     Vegetdble Vermifuge.—This article is calculated to expel from the system every
   description of worms generally found in the human body.  It acts by destroying that
   morbid  matter charging the intestines which serves as a burrow for worms to
   breed  in.

     Cough Candy.—This is a pleasant and agreeable Cough Remedy, one in which
   great dependence may be placed.   It allays irritation and inflammation, and as it
   contains no deleterious substance, is of much value in  infantile affections.

    Neutralizing Mixture.—This will be found valuable  in Cholera  Morbus, Cholera
   Infantum, or Summer Complaint of children: Diarrhoea, Dysentery, &c. It neutra-
   lizes acidity of the stomach and bowels.

    Dysenteric  Cordial.—Valuable   in  obstinate   Diarrhoea,  Bleeding  of  the
   bowels, or Dysentery, green, slimy, and acrid stools as in  particular diseases.

    Dedbstruenl Tincture—^or Gout,  Rheumatisms, Lumbago, Neuralgia, St. Vitus-
   Dance, Epilepsy, Lock-jaw,  Disease of the Womb, Hysterics, Cramps, Hypochon
   driac  diseases, Catalepsy,  derangement of   the  intellect  accruing  from  an
  affection of the  organic nerves,  Apoplectic  paroxysms, Fits   of  Children,
  Spasms, &c.
    Female Elixir.—This is a medicinal preparation which the sick can place the most
  unlimited confidence in its use for the following complaints;  such as Falling of the
  Womb and relaxation of its ligaments; Fluor Albus or Whites; Menstrual Dischar-
  ges, either  suppressed, irregular,  or morbid  quantity; Barrenness;  Impotency iu
  Males and Affections of the Prostrate Gland, &c.  It has a direct  affinity and acts
  beneficially upon the Ganglionic system of nerves, attenuating and rendering healthy
  the most  important fluid  of  which  they are the laboratory.  A number of com-
  plaints  incident  to  females arises from  the  inactive  state of this nervous system,
  which is the conducting  power of all secretions, excretions, assimilations, &c.

   These with various otner preparations, for the various diseases incidental to this
country, are kept conitantly on hand at our various offices,  accompanied with fall
and complete printed directions for using them. 
          REPORT   OF  CASES

BY   DR.   J.   CLAW SON   KELLEY.
  CIse 1.  Miss P. of Boston.  This was a case in which much interest was man-
ifest.   The patient was a maiden lady about 35 years of age.   For twelve or fifteen
years had been laboring under a disease of the Liver.  Her circumstances enabled
her to have at her command the most abl<j counsel and  medical skill which the
country could afford.  She  had often been salivated, blistered, took morpbene, and
all  the usual means ordinarily employed by  the popular treatment.   On my being
called to  see her, I found her extremely weak and  emaciated—her skin dry and
husky  and  very yellow—little  or no pain—extremely costive—no appetite—low
spirited and despairing—she had not menstruated for nine years—some slight cough
—her  puJse low and  feeble—her tongue exhibited very little inflammation—the
blood  appeared  to have in a  great degree lost  its  globular character and  to
be  charged with bile  mucous, slime, lime &c.  I requested the discontinuance  of
the blue pills, quinine,  &c, she was using and  directed the  use of the Vegetable
Rob in 1-4 tea-spoonful doses—a  vegetable diuretic, and the body and limbs to  be
twice a week bathed in weak ley water.  For three or four months there appeared
but little if any improvement—but at length the tongue began to assume a more red
color—the  hands and feet which were generally cold before became warmer, and
she had some relish for food.   I then directed in addition to the Vegetable Rob the
use of the  Antiseptic Detergent once a day.   She continued this course faithfully
for about six months, during which time her  general health continued to improve,
and she had gained several pounds in weight.  At this time it being late in the fall
a slight hacking cough made its appearance, which  continued to increase in fre-
quency and severity so much so that her friends feared she would go into Consump-
tion.   I  then directed  in addition to the means I was then employing the medica-
ted wrapper. By its use her health continued to improve, and in about four months
her cough had entirely subsided.  Her nervous system being still somewhat weak
and there being but little inflammation, I directed the use of  our Nervine Cordial in
1-2 tea-spoonful doses twice a day, which in  a short time Improved her nervous sys-
tem very much.  L then directed the use of our  Deobstruent Tincture which soon
restored  the catamania, discharge and she has continued to enjoy an excellent state
of health ever since.
  Case II.  The case of a Mr. Loomis, of Norwich, Conn., a gentleman generally
known, is one deserving of great attention.  He had for a long time been laboring
under a disease of the Liver and Lungs, and for some time had lost almost entirely
the use of one side, especially the limb, by which it was witli  difficulty  he could
walk.  At the time 1 was called to see him, he was confined to the house and to his
room.  Doctors for some time told him they could do no more for him;  he must
die.  It  was at  this time he commenced my treatment—I advised the application
of the Medicated Wrapper, the Vegetable Rob and  Pills; the Pills to  be taken
once a week and the Rob three times a day, together with bathing  once a week.—
In less than a week after, he had commenced this treatment, a large ulcer broke, by
which it  appeared, the liver, diaphragm and lungs had ulcerated together—the dis-
charge of bloody corrupted matter was very great.   The  pus, however, became
gradually less and less; and in a few months the ulcers healed, and the patient re-
stored to  health, which he yet retains, feeling no  inconvenience, but slight weak-
ness in the limb formerly useless. 
Report of Cases by Dr. J. Clawson Kelley.            43
  Case III.   I was called to see Mrs. Marion Wheeler, a lady who I acsertained to
have been laboring under a disease of the Lungs for upwards of eight years.  Pre-
viously to which time from her infancy, I was informed she had been affected with
Asthma;  which disease had gradually progressed, until the lungs liad become affec-
ted. At the time I called upon her she was W6ak and prostrated—confined to her bed—
having for some months been  subjected to blisters, calomel, setons, &c, she at that
time had a seton in the side.  This case was  treated with  the Medicated Wrapper,
Pulmonicon Syrup and Vegetable Rob.  Her recovery was somewhat rapid for some
months.  Even the Asthmatic affection she had previously labored under, entirely
disappeared, and she continued to attend  to her domestic concerns for some years.
I have since learned that she is dead, but of what complaint she died, I was not in-
formed.
   Case IV.  Thomas  Turner aged 60 years, residing in the city of New York,
 about 12 years ago (1835) was subjected to a cold, which led to inflammation of the
 right eye.  Previous to which he was as hearty and robust as any man in the city
 of New York.  He applied to two physicians (the most eminent in New York) who
 undertook to treat his case.  He grew worse, and continued to grow worse until he
 lost his eye.  His medical advisers  informed him that he could now go out of the
 house to attend to his business.   In a short time he experienced shortness  of breath
 soon followed by a violent cough; about this time one of our circulars headed
 " Consumption can be oured,"  was  brought by a friend for perusal.  Application
 was made at our office and our preparations for this complaint was obtained; viz, a
 Medicated Wrapper, and Pulmunicon Syrup and Powders, and the treatment perse-
 vered in for  six months; at the expiration of which time, he had recovered so far,
 that he was induced to omit the medicine, and continued for eighteen months, com-
 paratively, to enjoy good health.  About two years from this time he fell,  there
 being considerable ice, upon the edge of a pail he had in his hand going for water.
 In four days time he was obliged to call for thd attendance of a Dr., who  pronoun-
 ced a fracture of two of his ribs; he bled him, ordered half tea-spoonful  of lauda-
 num every half hoar—gave  a prescription for a dose of calomel and jalap, and a
 vial of drops, the  composition of which he was not acquainted.
   In a week he was enabled to attend to his business, although he still felt unwell.
 About April, 1840, he took a cold, was seized with a cough and great swelling, The
 same physician attended him again—bled and ordered powders which his  wife pro-
 nounced James' Powders. Continuing under this treatment until June,  when he
 left the city for Staten Island,  he gave him  a  quantity of these powders with direc-
 tions to continue their  use, one every night; in a fortnight he commenced breaking
 out in his face and limbs, which progressed until the first of September, when he was
 forced to give up his business, by this time becoming completelycovered with pustules
 and ulcers.
   The physician  that  had  attended him, called and said it was  something he had
 taken of a poisonous nature—did not give him any advice, leaving him immediate-
 ly, neither seeing or hearing of him after.  In this situation he obtained a package
 of our Vegeteble Rob, before he had taken a package he became one mass of ulcers
 from head to foot.  His employer called to see him  and  sent his physician, who
 gave him ten pills which operated on his bowels—which the physician did not wish
 cauie.   He ordered a decoction of Lignum Vitae and Sarsaparilla, asking  him if he
 felt any lumps about his limbs or head; about three months after, he informed him
 he did not  know what more could be done for him other than to take Mercurial
 Ointment, and mixing it with Basilicon, applying it  to his ulcers—which  he accor-
 dingly did—the ulcers becoming worse and deeper.  A friend of  his brought him a
 bottle  of bitters which somewhat  strengthened him.  A lady informed him of a
 " celebrated salve" and " Sarsaparilla  Syrup" which somewhat  i elieved  him, al-
 though far from being  cured.   The proprietor after his using a half dozen bottles
 aad the  ointment  for a month, brought him a certificate ready for his signature of
his surprising cure 1   This certificate of wonderful  cure he has now in his posses-
 sion. He then saw advertised a " Compound Extract of Sarsaparilla."   This he
 procured and became quite well, except the ulcers which partially healed  to all ap- 
44        Report of Cases by Dr. John Clawson Kelley.
pearance better—but a numbness soon became evident after five bottles!!* when he
left off its use—in two weeks his old pains  returned.  The  vender of the " Com-
pound Extract of Sarsaparilla" waited on him to obtain the certificate of his " won-
derful  cure," for the purpose of placing it among his list of daily advertised state-
ments to that effect.  He obtained a correct account of his improved situation as to
the ulcers.  This was altered to indicate a perfect cure, and  appeared in public, at
the same time he  lay prostrate in  bed  of the same disease which was so vauntingly
pronounced cured.   Another person called upon him and said he knew he could re-
ceive no benefit from that kind of "Sarsaparilla;" but he would give him his « Sar-
saparilla," which he did.  Of this he took several bottles, and became  somewhat
better, and was enabled to go about a little, the sores  again  partially closing
After nine months abstinence from any kind of medicine, despairing of being cu-
red. He saw advertised about this time a  "cure for  Rheumatism, Pains, &c."  He
obtained it, consisting of a bottle of "Sarsaparilla" and a small vial of Iodine as
the vender informed him—to drop ten drops of the Iodine in half wine glass full of
the "Sarsaparilla"—increasing  one drop  daily.  In three days the pains left him;
he  informed him it was not the Rheumatism but Mercury in his system which the
Iodine would expel.  In a short time his feet, legs, hands and arms swelled dread-
fully, bocomingnearly powerless. This gentleman honestly informed his wife that it
was useless to continue the Iodine, as the Mercury could not be eradicated; but he
should take the  " Sarsaparilla."  She answered that he had taken enough of that
already.
  During thi3 helpless and deplorable condition, another called upon him and boasted
of his " Sarsaparilla Candy and Sarsaparilla Pills," which he was  persuaded to take
for one month—continuing to grow worse from that time.  His disease  now assu-
med a situation impossible for words to depict or imagination to*conceive.  His an-
cles, knee's, hips,  wrists, shoulders and  elbows, every joint swollen to three times
their natural size,  bunches of putrescent accumulation, covered with foul and eating
ulcers blueish purple, emitting corrupted matter of a fetid nauseating smell, four and
five inches across, lazar-like and loathsome to himself and those who looked upon
him—attended with a scalding sensation so  as to deprive him  of reason.   Nothing
could be born upon his body or to touch him.
  In this state of the disease his wife againapplied to me for advice and treatment.
I commenced by the Administration of the Vegetable Rob three times a day.  At
the  expiration of each week a dose of the Pills were to be taken, after the opera-
tion of which, the Rob was continued  as before.  This course had been pursued
about  two weeks, when the swellings broke, exposing to view the naked bone,
sinews,&c, the flesh hanging down in  spongy masses.   His tongue now assumed a
very red appearance, its shape somewhat sharp and pointed, giving evidence of the
thin and  inflamed state of the  blood—I now advised the use of the Antisepti) De-
tergent to be taken in connexion with the Vegetable Rob.  The Antiseptic twice a
day in three quarter tea-spoonful doses—the Rob in the same doses once a day. In a
week the  flesh commenced closing, and in three months healed;  the excretory or-
gans having become taxed io carry offthis foul putrescent matter had become some-
what debilitated  together with the  nervous system, which was somewhat reduced
from the want of  support;—I directed  him to suspend the use of  the Rob, but con-
tinue the use of the Antiseptic Detergent wi'hthe addition of the Deobstruent Tincture
ten drops, twice a day for three  weeks which was prosecuted with assiduity, at the ex-
piration of which lime great weakness was experienced by the patient  across the
small of the back, accompanied with profuse discharges of decomposed and offen-
sive  matter by urine, which sometimes clogged, preventing free passage, causing
immense distress and suffering to the invalid.  The  Antiseptic and Detergent Bal-
sam were now commenced, which removed the difficulty—his health gradually im-
proved every day till this present time.  He can be seen at his residence, No. 43
Anthony-street, New-York.

   N. B.   I do not know as I should have been induced to record  this case a second
time, revoltingin character as it is, were it not that it formed an excellent illustra-
tion to what humiliating depravity men will stoop to procure the "Almighty  Dol-
• See Arsenic and its action—p. 15. 
Report of Cases by Dr. John Claw, on Eelley.           45
lar."  The many gull-traps set by these specimens of human nature to ensnare the
valetudinarian public, bated with some popular name in order to ensure "a popular
demand for the article," and which article perhapsis as foreign to their boasted com-
pound as light to darkness, or truth to falsehood arc endorsed and highly recommended
by Regular M. D's, who are continually harping both in their  private and public
circles as well as in their journals;—the immense imposition  daily perpetrated on
the sick by the use of the fashionable compounds with fashionoble names recom-
mended by fashionable M. D's.
  Case V.  Two  cases  of cutaneous  affections in children residing in the city of
Brooklyn were brought to me last fall one about three years old and the other about
four.  The head and  face was  completely covered, with eruptions;  in the young-
est  it extended to the nose and some parts of the body.  It had been denominated
scalled head by medical  men.  The parents had sought relief from Physicians, and
all other sources they were led to believe might prove available,but without success.
Upon an examination of the tongue, I found in both instances that the blood  was
much loaded with carbon and in a high state of Inflammation.   1 first directed the
use of the Antiseptic in quarter tea-spoonful doses, to neutralize  the  acrid matter
supporting the inflammation. In a few weeks the inflammation had much subsided,
and the eruptions upon the head had become much better.   I then directed the use
of the Percuro once a day to lessen the quantity of carbon, loading the blood; at the
same time once a week, evacuating the contents of the bowels by the use of Amer-
ican Vegetable Health Pills.   The children continued rapidly to improve, and in
about four months were well, and have continued to  enjoy a good state  of health
ever since.
  Case VI.  Mrs. P. a lady about 35, who  for  a number of years had  suffered
much from difficulties peculiar to females,  and  had sought  relief from  some of
the most eminent physicians of our day, and whose friends manifested great inter-
est in her case, called upon us in company with her husband, and with considerable
reserve gave us to understand the difficulties she was subjected to.   We found that
formerly  she  had been afflicted with a disease of the Liver, and so acrid had the
bile  become and so frequent did its disgorgement into the intestines, take place that
she was often attended with severe sharp cutting  pains across the abdomen,  at times
almost  beyond endurance, and confined to her bed.  The Kidneys were likewise
very much affected, and  the difficulties in neighboring  organs were such  that at
times she was not able to walk about, but found it necessary to lie still in bed, and
had constantly to wear a supporter which afforded her but very partial relief from
the difficulty of wearing it, and extreme tenderness of the abdomen which was so
great at times, that she could scarcely boar her clothes to touch her.  Her case was
considered a hopeless one.  Physicians said nothing could be done for her, though
there might be some little things that might relieve her the disease would prove
fatal at last in the character of cancer, scrofula, or ulceration of the  organ affected.
She herself considered her case hopeless, and it was with reluctance (although urged
by her husband to do so) that she consented to make another effort  to recover her
health, saying that all she had heretofore done, had done her more hurt than good,
and if she did not succeed this time, she should let nature take its course.
  We first directed the use of the Antiseptic Detergent to allay inflammation and
our Stomachic Powders  to relieve the faintness,  sourness, &c. she  experienced at
the pit of the stomach, by the use of which her appetite soon began to improve and
the pain and sourness occasioned by the inflammation subsiding—the bowels like-
wise asssumed a more healthy character.  Both her and her friends began to enter-
tain  some hopes  of her recovery.   We now in addition to the former application
directed the use of the  Vegetable Rob to  remove from the blood the mucou-j and
slime with which it appeared to be  loaded, and about  half a teaspoonful of the
Nervine Cordial daily, to increase the nervous power, together with a tea calculated
to act beneficially  upon  the Kidneys. I however found it necessary before the diffi-
culty was entirely oveicome to resort to the Female Elixir.  She recovered and
enjoys a state of what she terms perfect health. 
REPORT   OF   CASES
BY  DR.   J.  WESLEY   KELLEY.
  Case I.  The case of a Mr. R— residing in Brooklyn,  Long Island, N. Y., is
one that requires some notice.  Mr. R. had been troubled with a disease of the liv-
er for a number of years, had advised with several physicians, both in the cities of
Brooklyn and New-York, and was treated for Pulmonary Consumption with no  ap-
parent benefit.   Through the persuasion of friends,  consulted me last October. I
found him coughing and expectorating  a dark green  matter profusely ; which, was
mixed, or dotted here and there with coagulated blood of a dark color—severe pain
in the right side—pain between the shoulder blades—lower extremities swollen—cold
and clammy night sweats—the bowels constipated—general weakness throughout the
system, and a wasting away of the muscular portions of the body—the passage of
urine small in quantities and of a dark red color, depositing in the vessel a thick
brick-like sediment—sour eructations—dizziness of  head  and  palpitations of the
heart—complaining of great distress  across the bowels—the  appetite fluctuating—
the tongue was  thick and broad, the edges coated with a thick bilious scurf and the
centre, of a dark color—the pulse at the wrist slow  but full—the under lid of the  eye
somewhat swollen.

  After enquiring into previous treatment—which  was  bleeding, blistering, emetics
and mercury—advised the use of the Vegetable  Rob in three quarter teaspoonful
doses three times a day, together with the Pills once a week, with ley water bathing;
—was called to  see him two weeks following the time he had commenced my treat-
ment—found the appetite improved in regularity—the bowels somewhat improved—
the pulse slow and weak—no change of any consequence in the urine—and now com-
plained of great weakness across  the  small of the back—there still exuded from the
skin a cold clammy sweat. The tongue had changed its color and shape, somewhat
—it was now broad but not so thick—the dark appearance through the centre had
disappeared and its edges was a little inflamed.

  I now advised the use  of the Antiseptic Detergent to be taken twice a day, in three
quarter teaspoonful doses, and the Rob once a day in the same doses.   In addition
to which some mucilaginous decoctions, to be drank freely through the day—and an
herb tea, of a sudorific nature to produce a gentle determination to the capilaries of
the surface. He continued  this course for nine months, with a few auxiliaries, as
stomachic powders, deobstruent tincture, &c, which  I  afterwards prescribed when
he was able to attend to his  business; and since which time he has recovered his
health, and is now well,  having gained greatly in flesh and strength.
  Case II.   A child, 12 years of age, daughter of Mrs. M----residing in Brooklyn,
Long Island, N. Y., was affected about/our years with what was  termed " St. Vitus
Dance," had undergone a thorough  " regular treatment"—receiving no benefit, was
brought to me for treatment.—Recommended Antiseptic  Detergent and the Deob-
iruent Tincture, and in 3 months was cured. 
Report of Cases by Dr. John Wesley Kelley.
47
         Case III.  A Mr. C----of the city of New-York, had been laboring under a se-
        vere and aggravated disease ol the Kidneys, for a number of years—hnd been under
        the mineral treatment for a long time, but his disease seemed rather to increase than
        abate.  He had dropsical swelling of the abdomen and limbs—his urine was passed
        by means of an instrument, its color resembling curdled  milk,  and was passed in
        small quantities—at other times it was passed in large quantities of a dark blood co-
        lor.   His physicians after trying every means in  their power to remove the disease,
        recommended tapping, which neither he or his family were willing to submit to and
        he was induced to abandon  their practice, and applied to me. I gave him very little
        encouragement, as he could give me no  information as to  the kind of medicine that
        had been previously administered, save the Tincture of Iron. As I was well aware,
        if he had been drugged with many of  their boasted mineral preparations that the
        symptoms was liable to deceive, as  his pulse was very slow and weak and conse-
        quently his strength much debilitated; in which case I  should have both the disease
        and the medicine taken to contend against.

          At the urgent request of his wife and self, I consented to undertake the treatment of
        the case—but not without doubts in my mind  regarding  a  favorable issue.  I com-
        menced by administering a tea, made from the Diuretic Mixture, freely through the
        day—into each draught 1  placed one eighth  of the Stomachic Powder; continued
        this two days, with bathing each morning.  In three  hours after taking the two first
        doses of the tea,  he passed  nearly a gallon of water—the distress in the region of the
        bladder had somewhat, abated and he felt much easier.  I now  administered the De-
        tergent Balsam in half" teaspoonful doses, twice a day and the Antiseptic once a day
        in the same doses ; continuing at the same time, the use of the Diuretic Mixture and
        bathing.   He continued in these  directions for  two weeks almost free from distress
        and pain—but evidently becoming weaker.  I ordered the Diuretic Mixture to  be
        made weaker—-the doses of the Detergent Balsam and Antiseptic, lessened to half
i        the quantity formerly given,  and ten drops of the Deobstruent Tincture  to be taken
        twice a day, middle of the forenoon and afternoon.  Three days from  this time he
        began  to improve in strength. He continued the use of medicine for one month con-
        tinuing to improve—he had  a  good appetite  which assisted in a great measure to
        add strength to the system.  The swelling had been  somewhat reduced.  I now or-
        dered the Detergent Balsam and  Antiseptic  to  be administered as at first,  each in
        half teaspoonful doses.  He continued this course for about five months and is now,
        nearly eight months—from the time he  commenced  this treatment, free from the
        disease.
■o-
REPORT OF CASES BY Dr. RUSSEL J. WHITE, OF THE  ALBANY

               ANALYTICO-MEDICAL INSTITUTE.
  Cass I.  Mrs. Cady, at Schaghticoke Point, who for some years had  labored un-
der a disease of the Lungs, attended with  frequent bleeding at the lungs—had been
attended by several popular physicians at  that place.  She had been reduced very
low__a consultation of four physicians decided her case to  be incurable—that
no medicine would do her any good and advised her to use none.
  In  this  situation application was made  to  me, I  advised the  use  of the
Medicated Wrapper, Antiseptic Detergent and other general remedies recommended
in our practice.  She soon  began to recover, and in a few months regained her gene-
ral health, which still continues.  Her language is, " I am perfectly well!"
  Case 11.  A Miss Peavey at Schagticoke Point, had been laboring under a dis-
ease of the Liver,  Kidneys  and  Urinary Organs lor a long time.  The treatment
parsaed by her attending; -pfeyaician,  appeared rather to increase  her difficulties
 
48             Report of Cases by Dr. Russell J. White.
than allay them.  His skill became exhausted  and he relinquished the case as past
the power of medicine. In this state I commenced the treatment of the case with the
Antiseptic Detergent, Percuro, Diuretic Mixture and Deobstruent Tincture,  Bath-
ing &c, and in three months she became well and still continues so.

  Case III.  A Mr. Dudly at Schagticoke Point, whose disease was inflammation
of the stomach and bowels given up by both friends and, physicians.   Be was in
great distress and pain.  I prescribed Antiseptic Detergent, a mild vegetable diapho-
retic and  mucilaginous  diinks,  bathing, &c, relieved  in eight hours and well in
four week?.                         ----
  Case IV.  I was  called to  see at Balston Spa.  A young lady, daughter of Mr.
Hill laboring under  an impure character [of blood and irregular circulation—the
two attending physicians first considered  it poison—then erysipelas, and finally
stated they knew not what it was—she was prostrated,  eruptions appeared  on
vnrious  parts of the  body, and from  the  knees  to the toes the inflammation was
very great,  the  skin having  nearly  all been carried  away by ulceration,  the
applications of  her  medical  attendants done  not  the least  good.   By the  use
of  the Antiseptic  Detergent and Percuro,  with bathing she  was •restored in
two weeks.                          ----■
  Case V.   The case of a Mr. Pauley, at Whitehall, who  for some  time  had
been laboring  under a disease of the Liver and  Lungs,  his  attending  phytf.
cians pronounced him incurable—they had  done  all  they  could for  him—it  was
a common remark, he could never get well, both by physicians and inhabitants—the
doctors said he eycould do him no good, and laughed at the idea of his being doctored
or taking medicine. By the use of the Rob,Antiseptic Detergent,Mucilaginous  drinks
and Bathing, he continued to improve and in about  6 months recoveredand yet re-
mains well.                         ----
  Case VI.  Miss S.----of Cohoes, was a case of confirmed Pulmonary Consump-
tion and treated as such, by her  attending physician, Dr. C, of that place, who to-
gether with the consulting physician, Dr. T. of Troy, considered her case hopeless—
that " nothing more could be done for her," that she must die, &c.  Dr. T. informed
the mother of the young lady  that " it was her duty to tell her daughter that she
could not live"—and further, that it was as impossible for any doctor to cure her, as
it would be to stop  the streams of water from running.  She coughed incessantly,
with the most excruciating pain  in the left side, high stale of fever—great  weakness
—perfectly  prostrated, and to all appearance was in the last agonies which seemed
to threaten her mortal existence, the mother was compelled to be at the bed-side the
whole day with both hands pressed hard upon the sufferers left side.  In this state I
was called, and in less than lour hours by my treatment, she was relieved from pain
and enjoyed a state of quiet and rest.   I prescribed the Medicated Wrapper, Anti-
septic Detergent, Mucilaginous  Teas,  Bathing, &c. From this time she  continued
to regain her health and strength, and in six days left her bed—" and now, but ihpee
weeks," says the certificate by her Father, "have elapsed  she visits her neighbors,
incontestible and living witness that by judicious treatment, that most to be dreaded
and fatal malady. Pulmonary  Consumption can be cured."
                        notice;
  td3 The reports of  cases cured  by Drs.  Walsh   &  Tubbs,
came too late to be inserted in the present  publication.  At a future
time we shall publish exclusively  a work entitled, " A Report of
Cases treated according to the Analytical Piactice of Medicine."
In which we shall be pleased to receive and insert all cases reported
by any member of the Analytical System in  support of the noble
and enduriug principles we are all in common, endeavoring to pro-
mulgate and establish.