UNITED STATES OF AMERICA y, . FOUNDED 1836 WASHINGTON, D. C. GPO 16—67244-1 11 r. THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE REDUCED TO ITS SIMPLEST FORM. IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY OP M. LOUIS DESCHAMPS; BY MEANS OF WHICH (BvtxQ one can be l)is avon J)l)t)striatt atrtr JDrtiggtst REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OF A PLANT WHICH WILL BE OP ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO HUMANITY: ALSO, ON THE DANGERS ARISING FROM THE USE OF FIRE-ARMS, RESULTING FROM THE PRECAUTIONS GENERALLY USED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS. ^■\T,.'-''. ■'e heated with coal, the gas of which is very pernicious, especially in this description of maladies. (Observation made in New York.) 16. In diseases accompanied by intense thirst, a quarter or half a spoonful can be taken in a glass .of water whenever a desire to drink is experienced. In these cases, the use of the syrup must be continued until the thirst has entirely disappeared. I7.*lt is proper, after taking this medicine, especially in cases of chronic diseases, where it is necessary to pass some days without food, to resist the calls of hunger on the last day, as far as possible, without however enduring too much uneasiness. By way of repast, whenever appetite is*felt, resort may be had to a spoonful of pure syrup which will be found excellent, until the sense of hunger grows too keen. In many cases, on the first day of the administration of the medicine, ap- petite is sometimes felt, or a general uneasiness and desire to sleep; sometimes an, unwillingness to take it, caused by the food which it has encountered in the stomach—the whole depending on the state of dis- organization which prevails. But on the following days, the course of diet prescribed, is submitted to without an effort, and the administration. of the medicine excites no repugnance. 18. It is of the highest importance during the use of this syrup, to abstain from everything else ; otherwise potions may be taken, without suspicion on the part of the patient, that will counteract all the effects of the syrup. NOURISHMENT {Not to be taken before two hours after the last dose) to be used during the administration of the syrup, and which ought to be continued, especially in chronic diseases, as long as possible. Panado (a gruel made of the crust of bread well baked, a little but- ter, salt, and water sufficient to boil it for an hour, and reduce it to the condition of a thin gruel)—-I know of no better nutriment for invalids in a state of convalescence. But I fear that in the United States, where bread is not well baked, this preparation can rarely be well made, Bread made in the French style, should therefore, if possible, be pro- cured for this purpose. Stale bread is preferable. The panado might be replaced by a gruel of Indian meal, in which might be mixed a little butter or sugar. This should be boiled for at least an hour, and ought not to be made too thick. Rice, ground, or even in the grain, might be used instead. Other substances might be used instead of those which I have designated, but care should be taken at first to select those which are the least solid, as it is very important not to fatigue the digestive mechanism, which should be carefully tended, as it .is frequently in a weak condition. As a general rule nourishment is proportioned, not to the quantity of food that we re- ceive, but rather to the amount that has been well digested. Strength is gained during the period of convalescence, by subsisting on a light diet, and the solidity of the food should be increased as the digestive organs recover their healthy condition. IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 9 PRESCRIPTIONS For spontaneous indispositions of minor importance, but which frequently lead, when neglected, to serious diseases. One or two doses taken at night, after retiring to bed, are usually found sufficient to restore health on the following day. Still I would advise persons who use it for the first time, to take on the following morning, doses enough to make it act as a purgative. If, on the contrary, the health should not be entirely restored on the following morning, it should be continued throughout the day, until the patient feels quite well; but should the feeling of sickness remain, the prescriptions di- rected in cases of severe spontaneous diseases should then be followed. PRESCRIPTIONS For severe spontaneous diseases. The patient should take a dose every hour until he feels quite well, which generally happens as soon as the medicine has acted very pur- gatively. Then if the patient finds himself somewhat exhausted, the medicine must be administered in smaller quantities,find at longer in- tervals, or even discontinued entirely for some hours. A dose should always be taken at about 10 o'clock at night, and the patient should also have it administered whenever he feels thirsty. If the complaint has not entirely disappeared, the medicine must be given every hour till the patient feels quite well, and his appetite returns. On the first day, he should take a panado at from 12 to 2 o'clock, in the evening the syrup should be resumed, and on the following morning, he should take several doses. Should the syrup not allay his appetite, he should have a panado at 10 o'clock in the morning, and another at 2 o clock in the afternoon, a dose in the evening, and one or two in the morning. Should his strength return, more solid food may gradually be taken, and the use of the syrup may be discontinued. If entire convalescence should not be effected in two days, the mal- ady must be regarded as being complicated with some chronic difficulty,, and the proper prescriptions in such eases must be followed. PRESCRIPTIONS In cases of chronic maladies and indispositions, for persons who are suffi- ciently strong to work, who support themselves by manual labor, and who cannot adopt a strict regimen. 1. Never dine later than 2 o'clock P. M. 2. Abstain from indigestible articles of food, (Pres. I*. No. £.) 3. Drink nothing but water. . 4 Always bear in mind, that the .syrup should be taken at least seven hours after eating. Always keep the body warm, and frequen y read over the general prescriptions, in order to become familiar with lhTs'it is proper, when this syrup is first taken, to make it act very nufeavely while at the same time, the necessities of exertion must SisSed7; persons who are occupied, away from home, through h week, should wait until Saturday evening and Sunday to talte tne syrup in sufficient quantity to operate as a free laxative. lhose who stay at home, should commence as soon as possible. On the first day, the patient should dine as \&%^^*$,™ order to have a good appetite at the time when the first dose is taKen, which must be, after going to bed. 10 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. On the second day, sufficient must be taken, in hourly doses, com- mencing as early as possible, to make the remedy operate as a free lax- ative. A repast may be taken two hours after the last dose, but not later than 3 o'clock P. M. If food can be dispensed with, it will how- ever be preferable. About 10 o'clock at night a full dose must be taken, or even two, if possible, in one glass of water. On the third day, the syrup must be taken very early, two doses at a time, in one glass of water, and the patient must breakfast two hours afterwards. It must be remembered that the syrup should not be taken sooner than seven hours after eating, and that it is always veiy important to take it in the evening, night being the time when its operation is mosl beneficial, owing to the gentle warmth of the bed, and the period of seven or eight hours, in which nature is left entirely at liberty. The importance of leaving me digestive mechanism in a state of repose cannot be too forcibly urged on the mind. It is indeed, the condition of a speedy cure. Every day the same regimen must be followed, the medicine being taken in the morning and evening, and made to act purgatively as fre- quently as circumstances will allow. If possible, the patient will do well to take warm baths of soft water from time to time. They should be taken, as far as possible, fasting or at least four hours after having eaten. A bath may be taken im- mediately after using the syrup. Aliments of too nourishing or of indigestible character, should be abstained from, and the appetite should always be kept under control. The course here prescribed is much longer' in duration, and requires a intch larger quantity of syrup, than where a strict diet is observed. When the disease is too protracted, the medicine may be for a time discontinued; thus it may be taken for two weeks, then left off for the same period, and subsequently recommenced until a perfect cure is en- sured. PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHRONIC DISEASES. On the first day, the patient will take a light dinner at 1 o'clock, if he has any appetite. At 10 or 11 o'clock at night, after retiring to bed, he will take a dose. But should he suffer much pain and have no ap- petite, he will commence at once (if he has taken nothing beforehand) to take this medicine every hour. He will remain in bed as long as possible. If he is tip, he will take a6 active exercise as circumstances will permit, and may even resort to manual labor, if sufficiently strong. On the third and fourth day, he will manage to take nothing except the syrup, which he can readily do, and on the fifth also, without much difficulty. Care must be taken all this time to secure the full laxative operation of the remedy, and when a sense of fatigue ensues, the dose must be either diminished, or discontinued for some houfs. Nothing, however, must be taken to drink except the syrup, as much diluted as may be desired. On the first day of the return of appetite, endeavor must be made !b resist it by taking a dose either pure or mixed with water. As soon as food is resumed, the patient must continue, as long as possible to restrict himself to a panado, to be taken between 12 and 2 o'clock suf- ficiently strong to satisfy his appetite. Two doses must be taken in" IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 11 the evening, and as many doses as possible the next day, until 10 o'clock or noon. « Should the appetite become too strong to resist, the patient may be allowed to take some very light aliment at 10 o'clock A. M., and at 2 o'clock P. M. Two doses must be taken in the evening, and three in the morning at 6, 7, and 8 o'clock. Every third day the patient will take only one meal at 2 o'clock •. he will take syrup enough to make it act as a free purgative, commencing very early in the morning, and finishing at noon. Few chronic dis- eases will resist this treatment, if the prescriptions are carefully follow- ed. Those patients who are not entirely cured, will be at least so far recovered as to feel sure of a speedy cure. Should any feel no better, it must be ascribed to the fact that tr_nr have taken it too late, or that it has been improperly administered. *The rigor of the prescriptions is for the most serious diseases; they may be modified in cases of less im- portance. The effect produced will be a sufficient guide in this respect for the patient. An invalid is but a child who needs direction, and whose caprices and desires are often diametrically opposed to the treatment which is proper for his complaint. PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE COMPLAINTS OF CHILDREN, EVEN OF THE TENDEREST YEARS. Fathers of families, it rests with you to preserve your children always in good health, and even to correct in them those vices of dis- organization which are, perhaps, hereditary. As soon as a child is taken sick, whether nourished from the breast, or with other food, all nutriment must be discontinued for three or four hours, if circumstances and the nature of the disease will permit. Be- cause, in a case of extreme sickness, it would be necessary to admin- ister the medicine at once without hesitation, even immediately after eating. By extreme sickness, I mean a case where the pain increases rapidly, and the child is in danger. The use of the syrup must only be discontinued when the child is entirely recovered. Then, about an hour and a half after the last dose, he should receive a light panado, which, if it can be substituted for milk, is far preferable. An ordinary dose (a large spoonful in a glass of water) should be prepared, and the child should receive as much of it as he likes to take, in a tea-spoon. As soon as quiet repose is obtained, he should be left, and on awaking, some more of the syrup should be given him. Children laboring under a chronic disease should have their rest regu- lated, and the syrup should be given them, in place of milk, during the night. They should receive food only during the day, and this might be managed, without difficulty. Let them be fed until 6 o'clock in the evening—they can then take the syrup at 10 o'clock, and also whenever they wake during the night. On the following morning they can re- ceive food from 8 o'clock until 6 in the evening. In case the child is weaned, the same treatment will be pursued as for adults, except that the dose must be graduated; thus from two to five years, the dose is one quarter, from six to nine one half, from ten to fourteen from three quarters to a whole dose. The medicine may readily be graduated by observing the purgative effects which it ought to produce, and these should never be neglected. The younger the patient, the speedier the operation of the remedy; a circumstance which proves that in infancy there are no accumulated 12 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. disorders, and that nature is then very active in repairing the derange- ments of the animal mechanism. CHOLERA. Prescription given by me to only one cholera patient, whost sufferings disappeared as soon as he took the first few doses, and whose health was restored in a fcio days. As soon as a person is atsjeked by cholera, he must be put in bed, if possible, in woollen coverings, and must be kept as well wrapped up as possible. A dose must be given him each time in a glass of warm water, and must be repeated as frequently as practicable, until the pain has en- tirely disappeared, and the warmth of the body is restored. Then the covering should be gradually diminished in quantity, only leaving suf- ficient to keep the patient warm. If sleep should then ensue, the patient should be left alone; but should his rest be agitated and unquiet, a dose must be given hourly in a glass of lukewarm water, until it acts very purgatively, and the patient becomes fatigued. Then smaller doses must be given, or the remedy should be discontinued for some hours; and on resuming it, the patient should take it at longer inter- vals, as hi" necessities may require. Afterwards the regimen should be adopted which is directed in the case of spontaneous maladies, dur- ing convalescence. YELLOW FEVER PRESCRIPTION. As soon as sickness is felt, the patient should at once take the-syrup, even though it be immediately after eating, and the doses should be repeated as often as possible during the commencement. The vomit- ings will soon be calmed. If the medicine has been taken, while fast- ing, a contrary result will be produced. If food has just been received, vomiting will only continue until the stomach is empty, and the syrup is allowed to pass freely into the digestive canal, and produce its pur- gative effects. As soon as the alarming symptoms have disappeared the prescription should be followed, which is directed in cases of serious spontaneous diseases. Though I have never treated persons attacked with this malady I feel certain that it may be ranged under the class of serious spontan- eous acute diseases. I estimate things by their analogies, and I am rare- ly deceived in my prognosis relative to the nature of diseases. All rest on this one principle ; that the disorders of our frame are produced by derangement of the digestive organs. PRESCRIPTION IN CASE OF SEA SICKNESS. As soon as the patient vomits freely, without feeling a desire for food he may almost always be assured that his nausea will soon disappear! It would therefore be useless, in such cases to take the syrup But if, on the contrary, painful vomitings are experienced, accom- panied by general uneasiness, rendering life insupportable, take the KPJmm-Sately-' and followthe prescription for slight spontaneous diseases. The patient will feel better after taking the first dose, the li\ enaer-iesmiUngSWi11 sooncease' and he will recover his apparently dili!!lnlflntnla Pen°n habitual]y troubled, when on land, with in- refoXdto It I J'• *'? ? C°minUe the USe °f the ^P' h^in& oace resorted to it, sufficiently long to correct that difficulty. IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 13 In my last voyage from Havre to New York, I gave my remedy to several of the passengers who felt its good effects as soon as they had taken it, but its operation was most remarkable in the case of my ser- vant's wife, who was suckling an infant of two months old. She expe- rienced the most acute suffering caused by continual vomiting. Her milk had entirely disappeared. I gave her some syrup, the pain and vomiting ceased at once, and her milk returned almost immediately, though the ship was then tossing about under a heavy gale. PRESCRIPTION IN CASES OF POISONING. As soon as the patient feels that he has been poisoned, he should take the syrup as often as he can, until the pain has entirely disappeared, and the prescription for serious spontaneous diseases should then be followed. , , I have only had four or five cases of this description; these have always been perfectly cured in a very short space of time. The pain and vomiting have yielded to the first few doses. It is incumbent on me in the first place to establish all the results that can be obtained from my discovery. A-saaBa ,,„ 1 As soon as it is taken, it arrests the progress of the disease, un- less the patient is laboring under some disorder m which nature is powerless This, however, rarely happens, if the patient is attended to as soon as he is attacked. . In almost all spontaneous maladies, where the medicine is at once resorted to, convalescence takes place in from 24 to 48 hours, unless the disease is complicated by the presence of some chronic derangement. ?! regardthe patient as convalescent, when his pain ceases and his aunetite returns.) Those who do not experience this result after'he ffiof two days, may take it for granted that they are affected by a Sder which nature requires a certain prolonged period to repair Sfor example, as cerebral fever;) but still they will feel so much imnroved that they may safely promise themselves a speedy cure. Ponvalescence when no act of imprudence is committed, is very rnS^S^^fficing.iisually.to restore the lost strength and sornetimes to increase it beyond its original amount. When I speak ?^7nnpniis maladies I presuppose that the patients were in good ^Sl^ent^™*^^."™™" the physi- cians who prescribe for the ^eT^s"se: henceforth regarded only as Cholera and yellow fever*M I £^ J^ alarm, if treateH in severe acu^to rostTn^^^ t its approach by some preliminary ^P*™8 " ™°™ a're felt In : easyPito check W^^i"^^^^ few k^^nturergrree -u^n^casj although I have never tested the effects of the remedy on this disease. 14 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. r I have treated many cases of cholerine at New York and one at Paris; they were all cured in the space of a single day. I have had but a sin- gle case of cholera, which like all other spontaneous maladies, was cured by my remedy. The patient experienced relief from the first dose, and very soon recovered his health. I arrived last year, in the commencement of the month of July, at the city of New" York. I there met with the cholera, which we had seen, and learned to treat, in Europe. I had brought with me on_my arrival 600 bottles of syrup. I did all in my power to obtain cholera pa- tients, but in vain. I was unable to speak the language, and found my- self,without a single acquaintance, in the midst of a city, where every man is completely absorbed in the pursuit of business. I deeply regret that I was unable to profit by the opportunity presented for the use *f my remedy, for it does not satisfy me to feel convinced of what the result would have been ; facts must be adduced in support of my convictions, though I believe that its results would have been successful without an exception. So strong is my conviction in reference to this subject, that I will undertake to support it by a pledge of part of my fortune. I think I can with safety affirm that sea-sickness, disorders of the digestive or- gans, occasioned by the continual motion of the vessel, which also produces continual heart-burn, will be readily cured, or at least, much alleviated. I say alleviated, because there are persons who go to sea, while laboring under chronic maladies, which must be removed in or- der to obtain a satisfactory result j but at least, before attaining this result, they will cease to experience the pain and the disgust with life, which render sea voyages so painful to many. They will have an excellent opportunity, if they desire to take the trouble, to effect a com- plete restoration of health. I confirmed my opinion of its efficacy in sea-sickness, principally during my last voyage. I gave it to several of the passengers, who re- covered immediately, and very soon enjoyed an excellent appetite; but its application was most remarkable in the case of my servant's wife, who had a child of two months old at the breast. Several days after our departure, she was, for a long time, very sick with vomiting, and her supply of milk was insufficient to satisfy the wants of her in- fant. I gave her some syrup—the vomiting disappeared, and the milk returned almost immediately. I had previously, with the aid of the syr- up, cured this woman of a severe gastritis, and of a disease pecu- liar to females, from which she had suffered for ten years. In chronic complaints, whatever nature can effect, will be obtained by allowing her to carry on her own operations undisturbed, for a suf- ficient period to produce a reorganization, which will always be in proportion to the disorders existing in the animal mechanism. Hence it is important in convalescence to use every necessary precaution in order to give the organs which have been affected sufficient time to recover their original strength. We can, by comparing our external ■with our internal disorders, appreciate to some extent the nature of the latter. How long a period is often found requisite, to restore to a wounded part, even after it has been healed, the strength which it ori- ginally possessed "? Just in proportion to the existing degree of dis- organization, the part which has been affected will long remain very sensmre, and will require very great care in order to restore it to its original condition. In my opinion, our internal disorders should be sub- jected to the same laws. We should no more abuse the chemical Jab- oratory of our system, than we should an arm or a leg which has not yet IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 15 recovered its strength. Nature labors diligently, but she is frequently unable to restore certain lesions to their primitive condition. By the term chronic diseases, I understand, in general, those which have resisted the various kinds of medical treatment in vogue, and which nature has not cured in the period commonly assigned for that purpose. For instance, a cold or an attack of diarrhoea, after a month's duration, passes into the chronic state. In addition to these cases, are those which naturally extend through a long period. Chronic diseases, where nature has not yet lost her power of action, can generally be cured in about a fortnight, by the adoption of a rigor- ous diet. But if at the end of this period the pain has not entirely dis- appeared, and the patient fails to find hiinsalf entirely convalescent, or at least, decidedly better, nature must be considered powerless, and the disease consequently incurable. If there is a visible improvement, a perfect cure will soon be effected by practising the necessary persever- ance. In chronic diseases, too much importance must not be allowed to ex- ternal appearances. I have often seen patients who had been given up, and whose death was daily expected, revive, and regain, in a very short time, their usual good health. Nature is more liberal than is some- times supposed; she frequently overcomes the obstacles which impede her action, so that we sometimes see patients recover in spite of the improper remedies which they adopt. A prudent silence is usually ob- served respecting those who have died from the remedies which they used. Nature, we say, does all the mischief; and those who have es- caped from the shipwreck, must attribute their salvation to the resources of art. I believe that few diseases would be incurable, if persons would at- tend to them in time, and avoid aggravating them by a host of remedies which counteract the operation of nature, by augmenting the disorder to such a point that nature becomes powerless to repair it. Insanity (disease of the brain) is one of the complaints which I be- lieve to be very easy of cure by the aid of my discovery, which should be taken, as far as possible, as soon as the patient is attacked. It is a <*reat error to expect to be able to cure insanity by the application ol local remedies. That complaint is like all others—it originates in a peculiar disorder of the digestive organs, which produces disorder ol the brain. I have not yet had a case of this kind under my care, since these poor creatures whom it attacks are at once imprisoned as crimi- nals -but I have cured a multitude of diseases of the most chronic de- scription, some of them having lasted 20 years, which were seated in the same part of the system ; patients suffering from neuralgic affec- tions of the brain, which threw them, whenever a paroxysm occurred, into a state bordering on madness; many of these were, perhaps, more difficult to cure than most of the disorders which produce insanity. Pulmonary complaints, which are so common, and which are^ gene- rally deemed incurable, would be easily cured if attended to, « their earliest stages. The time for action must not be delayed until the dis- ease has made such terrible ravages as to deprive you of part .rf a* organ, the normal condition of which is so important to the animal economy. It is shocking to see these poor victims, usually in the hands of men who feel convinced that they must go to the grave and who accelerate their progress thither by the treatment which they adopt, and the diet which they prescribe. We must never despair even where the disease seems to be in its last stage It may require a rniracle, indeed, to save the patient in cases of such mm.nent danger, 16 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. but nature alone has the power of working miracles like these. I could cite many examples of what she has been able to effect in such cases, when her operations have been judiciously seconded. God helps those who help themselves. Let us confide in her, and she will save us, without departing from those immutable laws by which her proceed- ings are governed, and which operate so effectually when left to them- selves. That hereditary malady, which in many families causes the lungs to be attacked sooner than any other part of the system, could easily be checked in its origin, if its first indications were carefully watched and attended to. A cold, in such cases, should never be neglected, how trifling soever it may appear; an active life should be pursued, or if that is impossible, recourse should be had to gymnastic exercises, which are very various in their nature, and some of which can be performed almost without a change of position. Nature demands a life of ac- tivity for the animal machine, for it is in this condition that the chemi- cal laboratory best performs its functions. The perfection of its elabo- rations evinces a strong and robust condition of health. My remedy can be employed in the case of children, even of the tenderest years, and the happiest results will be promptly obtained by its proper and timely use. Thus, a weak constitution, which proceeds from a disor- dered condition of the body, frequently inherited from the parents, might be converted into a healthy and robust one. Perhaps if an en- tirely different physical education were pursued, our race might regain its original vigor, and arrive at its full development. One of the great advantages of my discovery is, that it dispenses with the necessity of pre-occupying the attention by inquiries concerning the nature of the complaint with which the patient has been affected. All that is necessary to know, is that the patient is sick, and then to take immediate measures to check the evil. The complaint will usually be cured in less time than the physicians would have taken to ascertain the diagnosis of the disease—a profound branch of medical science, in which the disorders of our machine, often at such a point as to be irre- parable, are allowed to augment. If when they pretend to put their finger on the seat of the disease, they could arrest its progress, the evil would be so much the less, regarded as a question of time. But too often the contrary is the case. On the morrow, or some days after- wards, you are informed that there is a complication of disorders which it is very difficult to cure without aggravating others, and then it too frequently follows that death is the result. Poor nature is abused and physicians alone are regarded as possessing the gift of healing! What, I ask, should we say to a bootmaker to whom we had sent our boots to be mended, or to a watchmaker to whom we had sent our watch to be repaired, if these artificers, after having severally examined these objects, should say respectively, " Your boot can be mended, I know whft it wants,"—" Your watch has a spring out of order, I will return it to you in as good condition as ever,"—and yet, a few days afterwards, should bring back your property to you in shreds and frag- ments, averring that the more they labored—the more their efforts were directed to the accomplishment of a certain end, the further they seemed to recede from it; that the result of their efforts, was merely to return the work in such a condition that it could be of no possible service to you We should say, I think, to these good people, " You don't know your business or your business is a fraud." We should at least feel relieved from the necessity of paying them for their pains, if indeed we refrained from demanding damages of them. But with the physician the case is dif- IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 17 ferent; he is paid extravagantly, thanked politely for his good offices, and then withdraws until a favorable occasion presents itself foi calling in his aid, in order that the patient be allowed to die with aU the for- malities prescribed by his sublime science ! I believe that my discovery might be successfully applied in the dis- eases of most of the domestic animals. I have obtained the happiest results from administering it to dogs. I have long desired to try it on horses, and I trust that when the experiment is tried, it will prove suc- cessful in the highest degree. The disorders of animals resemble those of the human race, but with this difference,—that as the former live in a condition more nearly ap- proaching to that of nature, their disorders are less intense, and almost always accidental. They commonly attain the plenitude of their powers, while man is too frequently but an abortion of his species, ac- cumulating disease on disease—a puny weakling compared with the rest of the creation. The duration of his existence is a striking proof of this fact: be- fore completing a third part of his allotted career, he becomes prema- turely feeble. The horse lives six or seven times the period necessary for the attainment of its full growth ; the dog ten or eleven times that period. If we cast a glance at the animal kingdom, we are astonished at the comparatively brief duration of our existence. I address myself to humanity at large, and in particular to you who constitute the laboring class, and whose prosperity consists almost ex- clusively in the power of conducting your occupations without inter- ruption. A long sickness too frequently proves your ruin, drives your families to despair, and plunges you into the most frightful misery. A. chronic illness opens other prospects to your view besides the hospital, for it sometimes proves the termination of your laborious career—a dreadful spectacle, which I know in its full extent, and which has in- duced me to leave my solitude and invite your attention to a gift which nature offers to your acceptance. Endeavor, then, to estimate its im- portance ; your future prospects and those of your family may depend on it. You, fathers of families, should consider that others have an interest in your existence; you are the support of those to whom you have given being; nature enjoins you to do all in your power for the preservation of yourselves and your children. With the aid of my discovery, you need dread sickness no longer. You can avoid nearly all the chronic diseases by carefully attending to the spontaneous complaints that at times make the irappearance, and you will thus be able to prolong the duration of your natural powers. \ Your earnings henceforth will not pass into the hands of those who too often martyrize instead of curing you. Nature, in such cases, is accused, but she is always stretching out her arms to reach us a plank of safety that we may escape from the shipwreck, until at last the time which she has prescribed is past, and the powers of animation then dis- aPftewould be well for the poor to make arrangements in common, for the manufacture of my remedy, in order that they might thus obtain it cheaper Money could be saved by the purchase of drugs at uhole- sale!Pas well as by making a large quantity of the remedy at the same; UMutual benefit associations, the Odd-Fellows for example^mi.ghifat once begin the work; if they commenced in the neighborhood of New York, I would aid them to the utmost of my power. In each locality there should be a factory, which might serve for several others, if L'xe 18 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. place was thinly inhabited, so that the utmost possible economy might be observed. When all the necessary drugs are abundant, the preparation, valued accordingly, may be turned to good account. If persons are "desirous of regarding my discovery in a serious light, and obtaining from it the most speedy results, on the most economical conditions, the best method of effecting these objects would be, to insti- tute houses of health, where a small number of attendants could take charge of a very large number of patients, and supply them with every necessary convenience. A sick person should be regarded as an overgrown child, full of ca- prices and requiring to be controlled by the dictates of good sense. At home he is often an absolute sovereign, no resistance being offered to his will, or his whims; or we find him surrounded by persons recom- mending a wrong course, always willing to adopt the mode of practice which they have witnessed under similar circumstances, or if by direc- tion they abandon it, they are sure, though unconsciously, to resort to it again. DETAILS RESPECTING MY DISCOVERY, AND AN AC- COUNT OF WHAT IT HAS HITHERTO ACCOMPLISHED. Having been threatened from my childhood with disease of the lungs, and several of my brothers having fallen victims to that complaint, 1 was apprehensive of sharing their fate, but a very active life combined' with a love of the chase, was, I believe, the principal cause to which I owe the prolongation of my existence; still I have always been far from enjoying a condition of robust health, being frequently troubled with affections of the chest, and with almost continual tooth-ache, and a variety of other ailments. Five severe attacks of acute disease have as many times brought'me to the brink of the grave. On the termination of the last, a state of languor ensued which excited my apprehensions, when chance induced me to take this syrup, just as I would have taken the juice of herbs, or any other sudorific. 1 took it under the most favorable conditions, and to these, though accidental, I am indebted for my discovery, and an established state of health. I always took it eight or nine hours after my last meal, and avoided everything in my diet that could counteract its operation. My health returned as if by enchantment; I never felt so strong before, my tooth-ache left me, my bleedings at the nose, which had previously occurred at least two or three times a week, entirely ceased. In fine, I regained a degree of health to which I had been a stranger, and which I can only attribute to the effects produced by the syrup. It appeared to me that the principal effect of this medicine was to fortify the digestive organs, and that its laxative and sudorific virtues might correct all the disorders to which our frame is subject. I had long entertained the fixed idea, that in general the derangement of our animal system proceeds, especially, from disorders of the digestive ap- paratus, and that when this was disturbed, the other portions of the machinery would, in most diseases, partake, in an increased decree of the same derangement. ° ' I inhabited a country by no means healthy, where severe colds pre- IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 19 vail, and a number of other indispositions, attributable to various causes, and among the principal, to continual changes of temperature. In a space of twelve years I was frequently attacked by these disor- ders, which however I always checked by a few doses of syrup. It is true that, in some cases, I did not at onqe receive all the benefits which I anticipated. On such occasions I adopted a strict diet, and immedi- ately regained my health. I occupied much of my time in endeavor- ing to discover the most efficacious mode of administering the remedy. I applied it to cure the diseases of my dogs, and I found that it uni- formly answered the purpose in a very short time. I induced many of my friends to try it when they were sick, and they were always speedily cured by its use. It was a long time before I understood the true mode of applying it. Whenever an opportunity occurred I tried experiments, often at the ex- pense of my health, and continued them until I felt convinced that my observations were correct. I returned to France in 1841. After 21 years of absence I had to en- counter a cold, humid climate, and to change a very active for a very sedentary life; yet with the exception of a single day, during which 1 was confined to my bed bv an attack of •intermittent fever, which has not since re-appeared, I can truly say that I have not had a day's ill- ness for twenty-one years. It was in France that I learned best how to appreciate the importance of my discovery; I was then living in the country, at Graville, near Havre. I employed my servants, during their leisure moments, in manufacturing my syrup, which I gave to the sick of my neighborhood. I effected cures which excited my surprise. These good people, sin- gularly enough, would never apply to me, except when they were given up as hopeless, although they were all convinced that whatever I did for them was often more than disinterested. I had addressed several physicians of my acquaintance, to induce them to engage in using my discovery, promising to place it at their disposal on condition that they would bring it into general use, and offer- ing to show them, as I readily could, the proofs of its value I have found them always the same opponents of progress The physicians of our day have made no advance since the days of Mohere., I am con- vinced that in France, where I published my discovery, there is not a physician to be found, who has used it, on a single occasion, conscien- tiously and in good faith. ,. I did not suppose that one day I should have the courage to disse- minate, personally, the knowledge of my discovery, and to fight single- handed against so powerful a body as the facuty protected oy laws of the most rigid feudalism, and stupid and conceited with the importance of their irresponsible duties, which render them potent assassins (for Sev can kill you, whether through ignorance or design, without being accountable toan'y one.) They gave constituted <^™£r$£l in the eves of the vulgar. They have usurped the place of nature. 1 hey wtenfor raSer they wish to make us believe that they can conquer KrJand "nide her at their will. Nature, in their eyes, is but a cruel stepmothei Ihfwould soon hive destroyed the human race, had they noToeen on handTo prevent her. Mankind, * every age, have wished oanoear something more than mortal, sometimes under one shape, omSmsuxder another. When, then will humanity have^ pbiloso phy enough to shake off the disgraceful yoke, ^f J^ades the 20 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. time, my decided preference for solitude and tranquillity. For some time I had observed the disgraceful traffic carried on between the ma- jority of physicians and the venders of drugs ; the former prescribing for their patients the most expensive medicaments, and in the largest quantity, and directing them to be procured of some particular drug- gist as preferable to any other, and the latter charging the highest pos- sible price, and paying over a handsome commission to their accom- plices. Had this knavery been practised only on the rich, the evil would have been far less; but what shocked me, was to see the poor workmen its victims. Without regard to their miserable condition, they were compelled to spend for a single prescription, which frequently did but aggravate the disease, the fruit of two or three days' labor. This mode of speculating on human misery disgusted me ; and it was then that I asked myself whether my important discovery was doomed to die with me. I at once made a firm resolve to do all in my power to communicate to humanity a knowledge of my discovery, in order that my fellow-beings might receive the benefits it afforded, even though I should sacrifice all my fortune in the task. In France I encountered obstacles which were almost insurmount- able. I set out for Paris; announced myself to M. Francis Arago, our great astronomer, and perpetual secretary of the Academy of Sciences. if knew the nobility of his character, and his progressive spirit, from the intimate relations which had existed between two of his brothers and myself. I therefore felt emboldened to communicate to him the know- ledge of my discovery. I found that he was sick, but he received and listened to me with interest. I told him of my discovery, and informed him that the object of my journey to Paris, was to make applications of it, under the observation of persons occupying such a position in the scientific world and in public consideration, that their approval might be regarded as a guaranty of its success. M. Arago replied that the constant demands on his time prevented him from attending to any other subjects than those in the line of his legitimate pursuits__ that I had only to present my discovery to the medical faculty, which was alone competent to decide on its merits. On my remarking that the faculty would never recommend a discovery that would rendeAheir services unnecessary, M. Arago observed, that the remark was cor- rect, and told me that there was but one means of attaining my object which was by preparing a memoir on the subject, which he promised to present to the academy. I replied that I would at once commence it, but as I had the honor of his personal acquaintance, I desired to sus- tain my discovery by a pecuniary guaranty to the academy. M Arago approved of my proposition. Some time afterwards, I returned to the observatory, but finding M. Arago absent, I left my memoir with one of his nieces (together with a hundred shares in the Havre and Rouen Rail Road, which had cost me 70,000 francs,) and requested her to hand the papers to her uncle, stating, at the same time that I should return the following day. Early the next morning. I called on M. Arago. He was sick, and I was unable to see him ; he returned to me the 100 shares which accompanied my memoir, by the hands of his niece, who remarked to me, with a somewhat indignant air that her uncle was unable to comprehend the meaning of these shares I told her, but in vain, that they were inseparable from a memoir which I presented to the Academy of Sciences. I could not make myself un- derstood. I then thought that M. Arago had not had sufficient time to read my memoir, a supposition which explained his eagerness to re turn the 100 shares which he might possibly have regarded as a bribe I concluded my memoir thus: " I have placed in the hands of M* IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 21 Arago, 100 shares in the Havre and Rouen Rail Road, which cost me 70,000 francs. If you, gentlemen, are convinced that the panacea which I submit for your examination fails to produce the effects which I as- cribe to it, M. Arago can dispose of these shares, as he shall deem best for the service of humanity ; for my enterprise has no other motive than the welfare of mankind, and to that cause I should desire this pledge to be consecrated." Disappointed at being obliged to take these shares before obtaining a favorable solution, the thought occurred to me to place them in the hands of the Secretary of the Institute, furnishing him at the same time with about 20,000 doses of my panacea, in order that its virtues might be immediately tested. I found M. Payagar. I informed him of what had occurred between M. Arago and myself, and I begged him to have the goodness to receive these shares. I had much difficulty in inducing him to do so, though I told him that I would absolve him from all responsibility. I returned a few days afterwards to the Secretary's office, to ascertain when it was probable that my memoir would be pre- sented to the academy. I saw M. Payagar, who told me that M. Arago had charged him very explicitly to return me my shares, that the Aca- demy had no need of any pledge, that a conviction was all that they required. In spite of all opposition, I was forced to take back my shares, but in doing so, I told M. Payagar that they would be always at the disposal of the academy, and that I would deposit them at the office of the Havre and Rouen Rail Road Company in Paris, where they remained until my departure to America. My memoir was read on the 5th of July, 1847, by M. Arago, at the Academy of Sciences. I went to see him the next day : he received me with much amenity, and told me that he had had great difficulty in nominating a commission to pass upon the merits of my discovery. I then inquired of whom the com- mission was composed. He replied that he did not know, that I could learn at the office of the Secretary, but that they were all physicians. I started with surprise, and could not conceal my apprehension that these gentlemen would never give my discovery a trial; a contingency of which I had expressed my fears in my memoir. 1 said, " I will not attempt gentlemen, to disguise the difficulties which beset the work that I propose to undertake; but the interest of humanity, wldch is the sole object of my attention, will enable me to surmount them. I know how many interests will combine to ensure the defeat of my project; even those who profess to favor and to value it, will use every effort to depre- ciate and ruin it. I know that it has a strong party to contend against but I relv on experiment; which 1 know will not belie the statements 1 advance and on the good sense of philanthropists, which will resist everv in'lluence that would retard the welfare of humanity. Experi- ence is a -reat teacher, destroying the most plausible theories, when they cannot stand the tests which it presents ; yet it is in experience that I nlace all my hopes for the success of this important discovery. _ _ I went to the Secretary's office, where I learned that my commission was composed of Drs. Dumeril, Serre and Andrei. M. Payagar ad- vised me to call on M. Dumeril in preference to the others, as the most independent man of the three. I supposed that MM Serre and An- dral had already judged my discovery vyithout any other form of pro- cess I found M. Dumeril at dinner; he was remarkably poll e; he iof, ij,P tPhlP. and led me into his office, and addressed me thus, I am left the table and led me into his [elighted to see you, sir. I unde urn in the hands of the governme specific which you have discovered for diseases of the lungs 1 eplied that my discovery was not a specific, but a panacea-that as he delighted to see you, sir. I understood that you had placed a large in the hands of the government as the guaranty of the success of •c „.u;„v, ,r™, v,,,™ disr-nverprl for diseases of the lungs. 1 sum a 22 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. was not acquainted with the contents of my memoir, I would send him a copy, and would call again the next day. I accordingly repaired ta> his house, at the appointed hour. My reception by the learned doctor was different from the former one. He received me with a degree of cold- ness which bordered on rudeness, and thus addressed me, (I use his own words)—" Sir, you present us with a panacea—we don't know such a thing, nor have we' any desire for it. You teach us nothing, for we know all the virtues of the drugs that compose your syrup." " The fact that you do not know any panacea," replied I, " is precisely the reason why I present you with my discovery. That you have no desire for it, is what 1 have always supposed, and what I have endeavored to express in my memoir. As for the knowledge that your art professes to afford, respecting the properties of the roots that compose my panacea, it may possibly do so as regards their individual virtues, but it gives you no intormation respecting their combination and proportions, and I pre- sume M. Dumeril has sufficient acquaintance with chemistry to know that a substance added to the composition of several others, often effects a change in the properties of the whole mass—that many substances making a combination might have properties diametrically opposite to the same combination made with different proportions." 1 added that I did not ask credence on account of my statements, that I based my discovery on facts, that I wished to communicate these facts to the commission, that even before testing the remedy, they might feel such a degree of conviction respecting its merits, as might induce them to use it with confidence. That at the very time at which I was speaking, I had two remarkable cases of cures in Paris. One, the lady of my hotel, who had been sick for two years with one of the diseases pecu- liar to her sex, and who, after taking my panacea for two days only, had been restored to good health. The other, an old man of seventy- two, who had been suffering some time from the most dangerous form of dropsy, that of the stomach. Two days use of my discovery sufficed to remove the disease, as if by enchantment. That I had met with these patients accidentally in Paris, and that the gentlemen of the com- mission could in a few hours repair to Graville, my place of residence —that in my own neighborhood. Angouville and Havre, I had made numerous applications of my panacea, always with the most marked success, and that I could give these gentlemen all the information in my power to facilitate their researches. I received evasive and unmeaning answers, which satisfied me that my illustrious commission, composed of academic physicians, would take no interest in my discovery. What a poor and contemptible idea I then conceived of those whom the world numbers among its celebri- ties. It is true that we were then living in the times of the monarchy when the majority of those who rose to distinction, only attained emi- nence by intrigue, and that Jesuitical spirit which seeks to check all progress. True merit was a matter of secondary importance. Appearances were almost always more than sufficient. That love of truth which characterizes true philosophy was the most danger- ous quality that a man could possess. My conscience was easy—I had done all in my power to ensure success. I was desirous of avoid- ing all cause of self-reproach. For a period of about two months I was in Paris, where I lived m a state of complete isolation, my thoughts constantly engaged in devising the best means of attaining the end proposed. Among others which presented themselves was that of embarking for the United States; still many consideration's held me back. The first was, my inability to speak English—an immense difficulty in diffusing a knowledge of my discovery. Another reflec- tion which discouraged me, was that I should perhaps meet with a po- IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 23 pulation that would afford me no aid in facilitating my philanthropic enterprise, and who perchance, without giving it a single trial, would tell me, that a panacea is an impossibility, because physicians had told them so. This was the case when Gaiileo asserted that the earth revolved on its own axis, and narrowly escaped the penalty of death by fire, for daring to utter a truth unknown till then. The discoverer of vaccination was long treated as a fool by his medical colleagues. The great Napoleon smiled when Robert Fulton spoke to him of the appli- cation of steam to navigation, considering the thing as impracticable. It is but a few years since electricity was talked of being used for tele- graphic purposes—the thing was declared impossible. How many things considered impossible now exist, and how many dis- coveries now deemed impossible, will yet be readily achieved. Few men suffer themselves to be guided by right reason—always listening to the assertions of others as if they were oracular responses, and never searching for the foundation of the fact. Poor humanity ! she does not perceive, that without knowing it, she is reduced to a state of the most ignoble slavery—that of the intellect. My voyage to the United States was postponed on account of other' considerations, which made me fear that I should fail and become ut- terly ruined, without attaining my object. Fettered by the laws of my country, which denied me all means of activity, I yet managed to evade them, without fear of being dragged by the physicians belbre the tribunals. I found means of propagating my discovery in spite of them. There was no mode of preventing me from publishing the memoir which I had presented to the academy, together with the recipe for my panacea. I printed an edition of seve- ral thousand copies, which I sent to the whole Parisian press, to the most eminent men of Paris and of the provinces; nor did I stop here. I furnished it to the principal journalists throughout Europe, and also throughout America, more particularly to the United'States. In the latter country, I sent to the principal cities numerous samples, addressed to every postmaster, in order that they might thus be distributed to the most philanthropic press of the place. There was this defect in my memoir—it was not intended for publi- cation ; the prescriptions should have been given more in detail, al- though on reading them with attention, it was easy to ascertain their meaning and obtain satisfactory results. After distributing my me- moir, 1 returned home . to Graville, where I made as much of the syrup as 1 could, which I intended for the use of my neighborhood and parts adjacent, Angouville and Havre, and also for distribution to all who might apply for it. I soon received a great number of the most flattering letters from all the departments of France, some complimenting and felicitating me, others asking for my panacea. To these I replied by sending them the receipt for making it, and adding all the information I could communi- cate, and of which they might stand in need. Many people manufactured the syrup at their own houses, and wrote to inform me that they had succeeded perfectly, both in the fabrication and apnlication of it. Others had had recourse to druggists, and they, generally, were but little satisfied with the results. I had always cautioned them to be on their guard, as the venders ol drugs had an in- terest in insuring its failure. I had engaged several druggists to com- pound it properly, promising, on that condition, to send them customers, but! have yet to meet with one who ever made it in a proper manner There was ill-will on their part; for whoever uses good drugs will always succeed. 24 IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC. DISCOVERY. The proclamation of the republic in France, induced me for a mo- ment to entertain the hope that we should have such a thing in fact as well as in name. I was soon undeceived when 1 saw the Jesuits, of every grade—a class which our monarchy had encouraged, and which, under its auspices, had diffused itself through all ranks of society— uniting with their cousins-german, the monarchists of every shade, to effect, by a common effort, the destruction of the republic. The direc- tion of the scheme was confided to the Jesuits, as the only ones capable of conducting their enterprise to a happy termination. Besides, their capacity for the task was indisputable: they brought to its performance as a guarantee of their success, the evidence of a-series of centuries consecrated alone to the work of deceiving poor humanity—constantly conspiring against its happiness, and endeavoring to convert man into a mere machine, which they could control at pleasure. They at once rjut in practice their famous maxim, that the end justifies the means. Calumny was oiie of the first weapons which they used ; afterwards came falsehood and deception of every description. With arms such as these, they made war on our youn; republic. Nearly all the members of the privileged classes enrolled themselves under so respectable a flag, notaries, physicians, official clerks, druggists, advocates, attorneys, priests, etc., etc.—all, indeed, who exert a controlling influence over the mass of ihe population by means of continual relations with it. From Ihe very birth of the revolution, they began to qualify it, by calling themselves the advocates of order and liberty, or moderate republicans, which, being correctly in- terpreted, means, men of disorder and tyranny. They were the same who in the time of the monarchy called themselves conservatives; men who had no desire to preserve liberty, but who were anxious enough, had it been in their power, to throw us back, to the condition of the 13lh century. All the republicans, notwithstanding the pledges of moderation which they had given, and which they were every day giving, were characterized by them by the epi- thet " red," which, in their vocabulary, signifies bloodthirsty wretches—aye, Robes- pierres. The term socialist, which, with the republicans signifies an advocate of pro- gress,—in a word, of all that is most conducive to the welfare of society, was perverted by them so as to signify a brawler for the division of property, or the community of goods. They imputed to us doctrines which they promulgated by their emissaries, who professed just the very tenets which they wished to ascribe to the republicans. They sent from all parts of France thousands of agents with well-filled purses, to the national workshops of Paris, for the purpose of corrupting the brave Parisians, en- deavoring by their manoeuvres to make them destroy the very work which their own hands had reared. They counted much on the success which they would obtain by employing calumny in achieving their ends, and they accordingly used it without stint or scruple. The watchword was given, and was soon on every lip. It was a hideous spectacle—to see and hear these men, who pretended to practise every virtue, and to possess every talent necessary for the government of others, stoop to the lowest self- degradation, and calumniate those who may justly claim to be regarded as the elite of society, and whose lives are as irreproachable as their position is eminent, calling them assassins, robbers, and imputing to them all that is most despicable and contemptible in humanity. i Those who were in power, were, I think, guilty of a very great omission, in not de- creeing at that time, and not having decreed from the institution of the republic, avery severe law against calumny. The Jesuit coalition would then have been immediately disarmed, to the great advantage of public morality. The specious promises which , they made to the inhabitants of the country, obtained for them great success in the elec- tions ; they promised nothing less to the people, unfortunately too ignorant, than that one man should pay all the debts of France, and that there would then remain suffi- cient to repay the sum of over a hundred millions of the tax of 45 centimes, and to re- lieve France from the necessity of paying any taxes for four years. By such manoeu- vres as these, they elected iheir candidates by large majorities. At length, by their hideous intrigues, they procured their own substitution in place of the republicans, and we had the singular spectacle of a republic governed hy Jesuits. The root of liberty must have struck very deep in France, to resist this Machiavel- lian hurricane. Many men of liberal principles, but lacking sufficient sagacity, were, for a while, snared by the bait; and when the sober second thought had time to ope- rate, they looked with amazement at the precipice at whose brink they were standing. They resolved thenceforth, to reason with their own brains, and resort no more to their wicked advisers. Priests, advocates, official clerks, physicians, apothecaries. f believing without investigation, converts us into mere machines, and renders the present era unworthy of the name of a civilized age. " Medical science, in my opinion, made a retrograde movement in substituting mineral for vegetable remedies. It is true that we have increased the business of the druggist: and we had something at stake in doing so, for vegetable medicine was becoming so popular and simple as to interfere with our ministrations. But we have thus aban- doned the true course pointed out by nature. Our art has diverged from the path of progress. We had a vast and limitless field to explore. Often does the proper remedy lie at our very hand, while we remain ignorant of its existence. I am persuaded that as soon as we seriously investigate the medicinal properties of the vegetable world, and pub- lish to the world the result of our researches, every man will become hi3 own physician. I am convinced that there is a very prompt method for attaining this end, and advancing with agiant'space the progress of the healing art Let all nations unite in collecting from their domains all the vulgar medicinal remedies in vogue, which almost always consist of vegetables. Let these be fairly and conscientiously tested; and in cases where pecu- liar medical recipes exist, the knowledge of which is confined to certain families if these are found efficacious, let the secret be purchased, no matter at what price! Thus the most uncultivated tribes might furnish us, perhaps, with the most valuable discoveries." Such were my friend's observaUbns. I told him that I agreed with the opinions which he had expressed,—that I had witnessed among savage tribes the application of certain plants, which effected wonderful cures.—that I believed the virtues of the dragon's-blood to have been well known to the Gauls,—that we had in France a multi- tude of plants of rare virtues, but which had been long entirely neglected, The plan- tain, for example, is a remedy which I have always seen prove effectual in external IMPORTANT PHILANTHROPIC DISCOVERY. 31 wounds. Its application is extremely simple. It is only necessary to take the leaves, beat them between the hands, and apply them to the wound, so that they may come in close contact with it. Several leaves can be placed, one over another, and they may then be frequently changed, especially when suppuration is very profuse, which is generally the case at first, though it gradually diminishes until the wound is entirely closed. When the wound is very deep, the leaves must be crushed, and the juice must be introduced until the leaves can be applied. If these cannot be obtained, the root must be substituted. This plant would probably produce very beneficial effects in various internal disorders. My philosophical friend told me that he would experiment on himself with the leaves of the dragon's-blood. I gave him all that I had. He came to me some days afterwards, to congratulate me on the effects which it had produced. He said that there was much more motion in his arms, that he was stronger, and that he had never felt better since he was paralyzed. He added that he intended to make a general ap- plication of it over the whole body,but that he required a further supply of leaves for that purpose. I gave him some plants, and also some seed, that he might cultivate it himself in sufficient quantity. Since that time, I have not seen my medical friend; but a. short time afterwards, one of my intimate acquaintances called on me, and on my asking him what news he had to tell, he informed me that he was going to see our medical philosopher, that he found him very ill, and that for three days past, he had experienced the most acute suffering, which allowed him not a moment's repose; that bis servants in carrying him to see one of his patients, had let him fall on his vertebral column, that he had tried all sorts of remedies, without deriving benefit from any, but, on the contrary, that they seemed rather to increase the pain. I inquired if he had tried the dragon's-blood, and on receiving a reply in the negative, I immediately re- quested my friend to take him a supply, which he did. The leaves were slightly- crushed ; a bed of them was made for him—the doctor fell into a sound sleep, and awoke entirely relieved. A lady of my acquaintance had the misfortune to break her leg. The surgeons 3et it as soon as the clothing was removed. She felt, as is always the case after a fracture, severe pain, great irritation, general weakness, and considerable inflammation. I de- sired her, without the knowledge of her doctors, to try an application of the leaves of the dragon's-blood, which she did. and immediately experienced its beneficial effects. The pafn and irritation disappeared, and in a very short time, she was able to use the limb, though it had been severely fractured. The doctors congratulated themselves on so speedy a cure, especially in a subject oi her age, (55 years,) but they were not informed that their prescriptions had not been 'TcommunicaTed.'in 1848, to M. de la Morissier (then minister of war and charged with the colonization of Algiers), the fact that the progress of the colony depended ereatlv on the culture of maize, and in its general use, which was neglected from ig- norance of the immense advantages which the colonists would derive fromi it I pro- posed to furnish them with all the necessary means for attaining this end. At the same time? I gave him three cases of dragon's-blood seed. I said that it was my opinion hat his plant, in the climate of Algeria, would develope the same virtues which I had uidt uiit. i»«"■) '" 'l __ ■» '„,, ha „f .......iai spi-vicp. to the colonists, be- afoo?^ ween ever^wo'p ants" The plant when once transplanted, is very robust and hardy 1 ThatTt would be especially valuable to men living in a Grange climate, "here they wSuld experience a thousand" annoyances produced fr^««tly by tr fle ." ,„hi„v, v»f miThi denrive them, sometimes for a long per od.ot the use ot their «„h«tituted A nuantitv of the crushed petioles might be put in alcohol tor use uui u.B the wintet and Ch the virtues of th? plant would not then probably be so active, fflo ^very resul?s w^n«^«,?h"r!lW»to told me that I exaggerated I spoke to men specially conversant wit" °re-"ms, wn° .oia n manner, the danger, and that they had ^wa^n