WBA S646a 1837 THE AND FAiTIIL.1T ASSISTANT : IN FIVE PARTS. CONTAINING : 1. A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF VEGETABLE MEDICINES II. THE MANNER OF PREPARING THEM FOR USE. III. DESCRIPTION OF DISEASES, AND MANNER OF CURING THEM. IV. A DESCRlPTIOttOF MINERAL AND VEGETABLE POISONS. GIVEN BY THOSE CALLED REGULAR DOCTORS, UNDER THE NAME OF MEDICINES. V HEALTH VARIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED. By ELI AN glfllTII, physiciaV. " They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick"—Matt. ix. 12. FOURTH ED PT.j 0 N~, h ■■» r o BOSTON: B. TRUE, PR. WATER STREET. 1837. C Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1837, in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. WB/j Sfc4 la m*7 nrnEx. A. ., Paa-«. Abortion,.......Ijjg Ague in the Face,..... 141 Anthony's St. Fire,.....142 Appetite,.......145 Asthma, ....... 145 Apoplexy,..... - 143 Arsenic,.......215 Antimony,.......217 B. Barberry, ....... 66 Bayberry,.......48 Bearing Down,......148 Bitter Root,.......67 Bitter Sweet,.......81 Bites and Stings, ...... 149 Blisters, Bleeding, Seatons and Issue*, - - 137 Blood, Spitting, &c......150 Biles,........151 Breasts Inflamed, ..... 151 Burdock,.......78 Black Birch,...... 78 Bugle, or Arch Angel,.....94 Boerhaave,.......243 Bitters, Vegetable, ..,-.. 108 Bitters, Wine,......132 C. Cancer,....... 152 Canker, ....... 155 Catarrh,.......156 Chicken Pox, ...... 157 Chilblains, .......157 Childbirth,.......158 Cholera Morbus, ...... I5g Cold,....... 162 Cough,....... 162 Cucumbers,-.......(97 Croup,........167 Cholic,....... 163 Consumption, - - - - - 164 iv Convulsions, ...... J 66 Cephalic Snuff, . - - - - - - 131 Cramp - . -.....]G7 Chocolate Root,......76 Cherry Stones,......78 Charm mile, .......86 Chicken Pox,......157 Cayenne, American, ..... 34 Cayenne, West India, [',» Cl<"ver, Red,.......70 Cancer Plaster,......IN Cough Powder,......114 Cordials, ....... \2o Calomel,.......221 Cough Drops,......115 Cough Syrup,......116 Cathartic Compound, - - - - - ]29 Cathartic Drops,......]29 Canker Cordial,......133 Cordial, Wine,......133 Cordial, Bilious,......]34 Consultation of Physicians, .... 267 Curious Medical Law,.....268 r>. Dance, St. Vitus,......169 Deafness, ....... 170 Diarrhoea, - - - - - - - ]70 Dropsy,....... ]71 Dysentery, or Bloody Flux, - - - - 173 Dyspepsia,.......173 Drops, Nerve, ...... j^q Drops, Pulmonary, ..... 133 E. Epilepsy,.......I75 Emetics, -...... cjg Emetic, No. I,......101 Emetic, No. 2, or Liquid Emetic, . -. ^4 Emetic, use ot, No. 2, ... - 105 Emetic, No. 3,......105 Eye Water, - - - - ■ . . - 111 Elm,....... {-u Extract from J. Wesley, .... 0.-5 V F. Fover, ••.......176 Fever and Ague, - - - - - 179 Fluor Albus, -..... 180 G. Gout,........180 Garden Rue, - - - - •• - - 67 Gum Myrrh, ...... 84 Galenic Medicine, -.....248 Gravel,....... 204 Grains of Paradise, ..... 269 Golden Seal, ......270 H. Head Ache,".......181 Heart Burn,.......181 Hiccup, ....... 162 Hydrophobia, ...... ]82 Hemlock Bark,......33 Hops,........82 Hoarhound, .......88 Hysterics, - - - - - - - 184 Health,....... 253 I. Introduction ---...-13 Itch,........185 Injections or Clysters - - - - - 118 Itch Ointment,......120 J. Jaundice, ....... ]84 Juniper Bush, ...... 83 Jackson's Farewell Address, .... 275 L. Liver Inflamed,......186 Lock Jaw,.......187 Lovage, ....... 96 List of Diseases,......207 M. Mnn a Subject of Disease, .... 19 3 ri Measles, ....... 188 Menses, Obstructed,.....190 Mullen Leaves, &c......79 Marshmallows, ...... 96 Metalic Medicine or Poison, .... 220 Mercury,....... 213 Myrrh, Gum,...... 84 Medical Lectures,......246 Monstrous Little Physic, .... 260 N. Nipples Sore, &c.......191 P. Prices of Medicine, ..... 8 Palpitation of the Heart, .... 191 Palsy, or Paralysis, ..... 192 Phrensy, ......193 Piles,........194 Pimples,.......195 Plant of Renown, or Lobelia, ... 49 Plurisy, ....... 196 Pennyroyal,.......74 Peach Leaves, &c. ..... 75 Poplar Bark,.......75 Plantain, .......- 90 Poultices, ....... 120 Pills,........123 Peppermint, ------- 7.J Poison,........196 Poison Illustrated,......236 Q Quacks and Quackery, - . . . . 234 Quinsy,....... 197 R. Raspberry Leaves - j .... 77 Rheumatism,...... 198 Rickets,.......199 Ringworm, see Tetters, - Rees Confession, Dr......233 Regimen of Health, Ac. .... 258 Regulars,.......268 rii S. Strains ? ...... . 205 Scalds, or Burns, -.....201 Scrofula, or King's Evil, .... 201 Scurvy........202 Small Pox,.......203 Stranguary,.......205 Salve, - - - -.- - - - ]J3 Skunk Cabbage,......71 Sumac, - * - - - . - - -77 Spearmint, ....... 86 Steaming, - - ... 135 Saffron,........95 Salt i'etre,.......218 Soda, ... . 244 Swine t'ox, - - 197 Stone, or Gravel, ... . . 204 Self Examining S iciety, - - - 263 T. Tetters,....... 205 Tooth-Ache, ...... 206 Tapeworm, ....... 207 Thoroughwcrt, ... - - 92 Tansy,....... 87 Tarler Emetic,......223 V. Vegetable Ointment,.....110 Vegetable Syrup for Dysentery, - - - 117 Vegetable Giugh Powder, .... H4 Vegetable Elixir, ..... 109 Vegetable Powders, - - - - - 107 VeJerian, or Nerve Powder, - 65 Vomiting,.......206 Volatile Salts,......1J7 Vegetable Bitters,......108 Venereal Disease,..... 271 TV. Warts, ..-•.. ... 206 Witch Hazle, - -.....92 Worms, - t - - 206 Wormwood, - -.....82 PRICES OF MEDICINES, PREPARED BY ELIAf SMITH, AND KEPT CONSTANT- LY FOR SALE AT NO. 140 HANOVER STREET, BOSTON. Elixir, per Bottle - - - - $1 00 " h tlf do. - - - ' - 50 Botanic Ointment, per Bottle - - 2 00 do half do. - - 1 00 Restorative, per Bottle - - 1 00 half do. - - 50 " quarter do. ... 33 Peach Cordial per Bottle - 1 00 half do. ... 50 " quarter do. ... 33 W. I. Cayenne, per Bottle - - 75 per lb. - 1 00 " per qr. - - 37£ " " per oz. - - 12£ Green Emetic, per lb. 1 25 per qr. - - 37J " " per oz. - - ]2| Nerve powder, per lb. 1 25 per qr. - - 37£ " per oz. - . i2£ Bitter Root, per lb. - - J 51) " perqr. - - - 37£ '• per oz. - - . 12| Elm, superfine, per lb. * - - - 75 " ground per lb. - - 4() African Cayenne, per lb. \ 00 " per oz. - - 12X Vegetable Powders, per lb. 1 33 per qr. - . 37^ per oz. - - ]2j IX Bayberry Bark, per lb pulverized 50 " " per oz. - - H Hemlock Bark, per lb. do. 40 Gum Myrrh, per lb. ... 80 Cough powders per oz. 20 Cough Drops per oz. - I2J American Cayenne, per lb. 50 " «' per qr. 17 " " per oz. 6* Vegetable Pills, per hundred 40 " per box 50 Emetic Seed, per lb. ... 2 00 " " pulverized - - 2 50 Wine Cordial, per Bottle 1 00 Bitters, per Bottle - 50 Acid Cough Mixture, per oz. H Cathartic Drops, per oz. 10 Nerve drops, per oz. ... 10 Syringes, each - - 1 00 Rheubarb, per lb. - - 1 00 Vegetable Ointment, per bottle 1 50 Pectoral Emulsion, per oz. 10 Dysentery Syrup, per Bottle 1 00 " " per half Bottle 50 Eye Water, per oz. - m Hygiean Powders, per lb. 1 50 VEGETABLE MEDICINES. Prepared by Dr. Ettas Smith. The following are among the many preparations kept constantly for sale at No. 140 Hanover street, Boston. Vegetable Elixir—Excellent for pain in the stomach and bowels, and Rheumatic complaints. Pills for head-ache, bilious complaints, costive- X ness, dyspepsia, and difficulties in the stomach and liver. Vegetable Powder*—Useful for a cold and foul stomach, violent colds, cough, sore throat, and to relieve from threatened fevers. Vegetable Bitters—for jaundice, loss of appetite, sickness in the stomach, head-ache, &c. Botanic Ointment —A certain cure for humors, corns, stiff joints, shrunk cords, stiffness in the neck, rheumatic complaints, swelling in the throat, chilblains, chapped hands, weakness and pain in the back, sores, ringworms, cuts and burns. Olive Ointment—Very useful for salt rheum, as many can testify. Health Restorative—Excellent to remove ob- structions in the kidneys, for stranguary, diabetes, and various female complaints. Cough Powders—Good for hooping cough, and ulcers in the thioat. Cathartic Drops—Excellent for indigestion, liver complaints, stranguary, obstructions- in the kidneys, and a certain cure for costiveness. Panacea Pills—Good in various kinds of fe- male complaints. Sweating Poioders—Always useful in the first stages of cold, or fever, good to promote digestion, remove obstructions, and give tone and vigor to the whole system. Hygiean Compound—Designed for head-ache, foul stomach, jaundice, loss of appetite, fever in the first stages of it, costiveness, cold hands and feet, female complaints generally. Emetic Powders—A certain cure for the fever in the first stages of it ; pain in the head, back, and limbs. Worm Powders—\Jtefu] for children troubled with worms. XI Dispepsia Bitters—Good for indigestion, loss of appetite, pain in the stomach and bowels, faint- ness, and all kinds of bilious complaints. Wine Bitters—Excellent for removing wind and pain in the stomach and bowels, for removing faintness, and langor, particularly in hot weather. Golden Cordial—Good to warm the throat, stomach and bowels, to remove pain, and warm the whole system. Peach Cordial—Designed to increase the ap- petite, help the digestion, and to cause an har- monious action in the body generally. Panuna—This is good in all common com- plaints, such as dispepsi:i, liver complaints, colds, coughs, shortness of breath, nervous complaints, diarrhoea, cholera, cramps, spasms, cholic, pain in the back, diabetus, jaundice, female obstructions, also, to prevent puking, or raising blood, and ma- ny internal complaints, peculiar to men, women and children. Cholera Cordial—This is a superior prepara- tion for all complaints of the stomach, or bowels, called cholera morbus, diarrhoea, dysentary, relax, pain in the bowels, also for female complaints, such as fluor albus, flowing, bearing down pains, and every thing of the kind. It is a safe and use- ful medicine in all the above cases. Nerve Drops—Designed to calm the whole, or any part of the system, and to restore the natural tone of the body. It produces easy and natural sleep, without the stupifying effects of opium, or laudanum. Di/st.atary Syrup—Good for dysentary or relax caused by coldness in the stomach or bowels. Vegetable Linament—An outward application, it is excellent for stiff joints callouses, corns, &,c. xu In rheumatic cases, it gives great relief by bath- ing the parts affected with it, night and morning. Itih Ointment—A certain cure for that unpop- ular disease, as multitudes can testify. Vegetable Salve—Good for sores, burns, bruis- es, or scalds. Cutholiron—Useful in cases of dispepsia, jaun- dice, indigestion, fainting, consumptive com- plaints, and pulmonary complaints generally. Pectoral Emulsion—Used to relieve a hard, dry distressing cough, to moisten the throat, and pass through the stomach and bowels, warming and softening as it passes along. Compound Tincture of Lobelia—This is pecul- iarly useful for Children who are troubled with cold and foul stomachs, and costiveness. It ope- rates moderately to vomit the stomach, relieve cos- tiveness, and calm the whole system, and is per- fectly safe for old or young. Acid Cough Syrup—To be taken in cases of asthma, quincy, hooping cough, common colds and sore throat, swelling of the glands of the throat, dryness of the mouth and throat, canker in the throat and stomach, catarrh, or any difficulty in the throat caused by cold. Eye Water—Good to remove canker from the eyelids, it removes the cold from the eyes when inflamed, easing pain, when perseveringly applied. Canker Wash—A certain cure for a certain dis- ease, if applied in season, according to the direc- tion which goes with it when sold. Solar Tincture—A certain cure in sorre female complaints, when all other remedies fail. Tooth Powder—Useful to cleanse the teeth and gums, and remove canker from all parts of the mouth. xuv Tooth Wash—Good to warm and cleanse the mouth or canker, to take out a bad taste, and re- move soreness caused by canker, &c. Bathing Drops—This is very useful in cases of rheumatism, bathing the parts affected, for strains and stiffness in the neck, cords, colds, and sore- ness in the back and sides. Acid Bathing Drops—This is excellent to bathe with when the pores are shut up by cold, to open the pores, and assist the perspiration. Liquid Emetic—This is prepared to give imme- diate relief in cases of cramp, fits, lock-jaw, spasms, fainting, cholic, and violent pain in the stomach or bowels. Tincture of Lobelia—This is an emetic for very young children, in all cases of fits, pain in the bowels,and any internal difficulty peculiar to young children. ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Fellow Citizens, This fourth Edition of the " American Physi- cian and Family Assistant," is published with a desire that my fellow citizens may learn how to avoid the dangerous mineral and poisonous vege- tables, which are administered to the sick, under the name of medicines. This edition is greatly enlarged beyond the former editions, containing the greatest part of the articles prepared by me, for the sick and lame. There is in this, a description of nearly all the vegetable medicines needful for the sick, in dis- eases peculiar to our country. The manner of preparing them is given in language easy to be understood by men, women and children. A XIV plain description is given of diseases, sores, and the various difficulties where medicine is needed ; and the manner of applying inward or outward remedies. The various mineral and vegetable poisons us- ed, by those called " regular doctors," are impar- tially described, so far as the limits of this work would allow. The mineral preparations are also described from the medical works of the " regu- lar doctors," with all the correctness in my power to do, not meaning in the least to exaggerate, or misrepresent any one article. This has not been done from any prejudice against that order of men ; many of whom I high- ly esteem as men who wish well to their fellow citizens ; but while I esteem them, truth obliges me to be against their poisonous preparations. Paul said " We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness, in high places." Paul was not at war with men, but principles injurious to the communities. " Good will toward men," leads me to oppose those things which benefit a. few, to the great inju- ry of the many, who suffer greatly by taking these things which the Creator never designed for the benefit of the sick and lame. There is no doubt in my mind, that the time will come, when in the " Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts" a law will be made, that all things kept for the sick by the apothecaries, shall be dis- tinguished by the American language, instead of latin ; and that no apothecary shall be allowed to sell poison for the sick, and that no physician shall be allowed to administer to the sick, any thing which medical writers have acknowledged is poi- xr son. What a wonder would be raised by men, women and children on entering an apothecary's shop, to find on the drawers—the words quick- silver, a deadly poison, good for the sick. Arse- nic, a most fatal poison, yet one the best medi- cines in the class of tonics. Antimony, which means kill the monk ! would any person of com- mon sense, dare take such things, if they could read them in their own language ? I think not. After spending over twenty years, in studying diseases and remedies, preparing medicines, and administering them to the sick, and making such observations on diseases, mineral and vegetable applications, as have passed under my observation, I have come to this conclusion,—that the earth yields all the food needful for man—all the drink, all the clothing, and all the medicine needful for all nations, tongues and languages ; and will so continue to do, as long as they are needed. Also, that generally, there is enough, or the earth can be made to produce enough, of all those things, in every country where men live. My conclusion is, that it does not require so much skill to prepare every thing for the sick, as is required to prepare their clothing, drink and food. Who says that females in general are not capable of preparing food for themselves and fami- lies, so of dress, and other things. Why is it more necessary to sludy anatomy to heal the sick, than to bring up children, to prepare their own food through the whole of a short, or long life. The cook must prepare food for the growth of every part of the body, this can be done without understand- ing anatomy. Daily observation proves that men may understand enough to remove diseases from every part of the body, without ever seeing a dead body cut in pieces. XVI Believing that men and women are Gapable of understanding diseases and how to cure them in the first stages of sickness, I have prepared this small volume, for their benefit, that they may not be imposed on by such as lay in wait to deceive, for their own advantage. From all I have seen done for the sick with the various preparations published here, I am confi- dent of the following particulars.— 1. Men generally, by reading and understand- ing the medicines here described, may so far be- come their own physicians, as to prepare medi- cines and in the first stages of disease, so apply them as to obtain a cure without the aid of any physician whatever ; and not be under the neces- sity of being poisoned by a regular doctor, under the name of taking such medicine (poison) as serve to increase instead of diminishing the dis- ease. 2. By reading, and learning the use of these preparations, a young man of good natural abili- ties may soon be able to administer vegetable me- dicine, to the sick, with good success, without go- ing through the tedious course of medical lectures, to learn how to administer poison, to blister and bleed, and all those practices so injurious to man- kind. From three to six months spent with an experienced botanic physician, will enable a man to attend the sick, to their advantage in all com- mon cases. 3. A foundation is laid in this book to establish an apothecary's shop in every town, in the United States, where one is needed, to be kept by a botan- ic physician, who would be capable of preparing, and using what medicines were needed in all ca- ses where medicine is wanted. A physician is the only man suitable for an XV1I apothecary, and an apothecary the only man cap- able of being a physician. It is to me rediculous, that an apothecary should keep medicines for the sick, and not know the use of them ; and it is no more so that a physician, professedly skilled in medicines, should be obliged to send to the apoth- ecary for them when any one is sick. There must be some craft in all this. The doctor deals out only his visits and prescriptions, and the apo- thecary makes his profits from those who pay the doctor for his visits and prescriptions. How much better than this would the plan pro- posed in this book be for the sick, and for the physician. The medicines suitable for the people grow chiefly where the sick and the botanic phy- sician lives, and the land rich enough to bear food and clothing for its inhabitants, generally bears nearly all the medicines needed. The apotheca- ry can collect and prepare all needful for the sick, and as a physician, deal out, or administer medi- cine according to the wants of the sick. Let the experiment be tried, and the proof will be mani- fest to all who go according to these directions. I have tried this plan in Boston over nine years, and it has exceeded all I at first contemplated. For many years it appeared to me that this plan would answer an excellent purpose. When I first communicated my design to some of my most in- timate friends, their reply was, *' It will not do, you will involve yourself in trouble and loss only. The apothecaries in Boston are so established, that their influence, and that of their medicine, will so hold the people, that your vegetables, though good, will not very soon, if ever, go into such general use, as to make it an object for you to attend to all you propose." xvui Notwithstanding all this, my small knowledge of medicines, and various properties needful for this purpose ; I hired a shop in Hanover street, and began with my small stock, worth about fifty dollars—adverlised » myself as a physician and apothecaiy, put up the same on my sign ; and in- vited the sick and lame to apply for vegetable medicines without any kind of poison. This was like a grain of mustard seed, the least of all seed. I then supposed this was the only apothecary shop where only vegetable medicines were kept for the sick. In six months from the commencement, my friends advised me to contiuue, which has been done to this day [1837] and there is yet an in- creasing demand for such preparations as are here described. Vegetable medicines are coming into use in every State in the Union, and I have calls for medicines, which are carried to Europe, Asia, and Africa, to South America, and the Sandwich Islands. The former editions of the " American Physician," &,c. have been sold and gone with the medicines. The number of Botanic Physicians is continu- ally on the increase in almost every part of the United States. Young men and old are engaging in the business of collecting and preparing vege- tables and administering them to the sick and dis- tressed. Some may think me too severe on the mineral doctors, and that too much is said in the fourth part on poisons of various kinds. Were people as well acquainted with the awful consequences of these minerals, as I am, when given to the sick they would be surprised to think any one could know their deadly effects, and not warn the com- munity more. AMERICAN PHYSICIAN, &c. MAN, as A subject of disease and medicine. All men are composed of earth and water ; these are the solids ; the heat or fire gives motion to the man, earth and water are inactive, or dead. The air or fire is fluid! and gives action to earth and water. The constitutions, or constituent parts of all men are the same, as all are composed of the same elements, and differ only in the temper of the same materials. All men have similar solids and fluids, which are comprised in the following ;—-fibres, mem- branes, arteries, veins, lymphceducts,nerves, glands, excretory vessels, musles, tendons, ligaments, car- tileges, and bones, to which may be added, the hair and nails. The fibres, as they appear to the naked eye, are simple threads of the minut- est blood vessels or nerves, or both. Membranes, are passages of fibres, expand- ed to cover, or line, any other part. Arteries, are tubes that arise from the ven- tricles of the heart, and thence dividing into branches, distribute the blood to every part of the body. Veins, are tubes to collect and return the blood from the extremities of the arteries to the heart. Lymphceducts are fine pellucid tubes, to carry lymph (water) from all parts, especially the glands, 5 20 which they discharge into the larger veins and in- to the vasa lactea, blood vessels. Nerves, are the immediate organs of sensation, which originate from the brain, and terminate in all the sensitive parts. A glend secretory, is composed of an artery, vein, lymphatic, excretory duct, and nerve. The use of glands is to secrete fluids from the blood for divers uses. Excretory vessels are either tubes from the glands to convey the secreted fluids to their re- spective places, or vessels from the small guts, to carry the chyle (the white juice formed in the stomach by digestion of food) to the blood vessels. Muscles, are distinct portions of flesh, (or springs) which by contracting, perform the motions of the body. Tendons, are the same fibres of which the mus- cles are composed ; but more closely connected, that they may possess less space in a limb, and be inserted in less room into a bone. Ligaments, are strong membranes, or bodies of fibres closely united, either to bind down the tendons, or give origin to the muscles, or tie to- gether such bones as have motion. Cartilages, are hard elastic bodies, smooth and insensible ; their use is to cover the ends of the bones that have motion, to prevent their at- trition, &c. Bones, are firm parts to sustain, and give shape to the body, &c. &c. When all this variety in man is in harmony (including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, &lc.) or equally balanced, the man is well; when any part is disordered, the man is more or less unwell. There are four things peculiar to a well man. 1. A good digestion ; for if a man has no appetite, 21 or a craving voracious appetite, he cannot enjoy good, health. 2. The body in all its parts free from obstructions, caused by cold or filth. 3. The cir- culation of the blood free, by being suitably warm- ed and cleansed. 4. The perspiration natural ; not sweatingtoo much or none. A cold clammy, or gluey sweat, is an unfavorable symptom. Whenever either of these is lacking, the man is more or less unwell. That medicine which is best calculated to pro- mote digestion, remove obstructions from the dif- ferent parts of the body, make the circulation of the blood natural, and cause the perspiration to be regular, is the only medicine suitable for a sick man. As all men are made of what grows out of the earth, as to the solids, it is certain that nothing can re- store a sick man to health, but the medicine which grows from the same earth. Man is fed with what grows, is clothed with what grows, and if he is cured, when sick, his medicine must come from the same source. Here we see the impropriety of giving a sick man nitre, arsenic, mercury, antimo- ny, zinc, or any other mineral poison. Every kind of vegetable poison, such as opium, cicuta, foxglove, nightshade, apple peru, is injurious, and more or less dangerous, whether taken inwardly or applied outwardly. Hippocrates said there was in every man a kind of immortality, which he called nature, or heat. This raised to a certain pitch, throws off the bad, and holds the good. This is truth, and on this de- pends the health of every man. This begins and continues all the motion or life of man, and when this fails, all life is gone. The man is then "cold as death." 22 I cannot in any other way so clearly give my readers a general view of the human body as in the words of an ingenious English author, who has written a plain and concise description of man, vyhich every one who wishes a knowledge of this subject, may read with pleasure and profit : and by it may see the impropriety of giving minerals to the sick, in the hope of relieving them. His words are these :— " When the all-wise Creator determined on making beings which should be able to move from place to place, he contrived for them an or- ganization different from that of beings whioh were fixed. As moveable beings could not have their roots in the ground, he provided them with the cavity pf the stomach, in which they were to carry about what should be equivalent to the soil for plants \ and the suckers of their nutriment centering into that cavity, were destined to act like the roots of plants in the soil. Hence, in all animals, exists the necessity of eat- ing frequently, to fill the cavity of the stomach ; hence the folly and mischief of filling it with hete- rogeneous and unnatural substances ; it being the object of nature simply to extract from the matter in the stomach a homogeneous milky substance called chyle ; no other juice but chyle being ad- mitted into the animal system, the rest being re- jected and expelled. As animals were intended to move about, the perfect are therefore provided with eyes, to see ob- jects which might endanger their safety, with tars to hear, for a similar reason ; with a voice to warn others, or to obtain assistance in danger. Hence, also, they were provided with senses of 23 smelling and tasting, to discriminate the food which was proper for the stomach ; and with the sense of feeling, to secure their identities, and ex- cite them to action. And though things sensible be numberless, But only five the senses' organs be ; And in those five, all things their forms express, Which we can touch, taste, smell, or hear, or see. The organs of sense and the powers of volition proceed from the head and brain, by the nerves, which direct the muscles and tendons ; but the functions of animal life are sustained by a simple, yet wonderful arrangement, in the stomach and cavities of the body. The heart is the centre of a vast number of tubes, called arteries : and by its never-ceasing contraction, it carries the blood through them, to all parts of the frame, diffusing every where warmth and life. The blood of a man, thus driven by the contrac- tion of the heart (a force like that by which water is driven out a syringe or bladder,) weighs about 30 pounds ; and, as this is the stock of the preci- ous fluid possessed by each of us, and our lives de- pend on its constant circulation, it is not allowed to remain at the extremity of the arteries, but is there taken up by another set of tubes called veins, and by them brought back again to the heart. Thus, there is a constant circulation, oulward and inward, of this same blood, at the rate of an ounce to each contraction, from the heart through the arteries, and back to the heart by the veins. To warm, revive, nourish it and keep up its quan- tity, there are various other wonderful, hut very simple contrivances. 24 Were once the energy of air deny'd, The heart would cease to pour its purple tide ; The purple tide forget its wonted play, Nor back again pursue its curious way. The heart consists of four cavities, from one of which called the left ventricle, the blood is driven into the arteries through the body ; by another, called the right auricle, it is received back again by the veins , it then passes into the right ventricle, whence it is forced into the lungs. Having there been revivified by coming into con- tact with the air, it is carried back by a set of veins into the left auricle, and, from thence, into the left ventricle, where it began its course : it is then a- gain forced into the arteries, brought back by the veins, &,c. till the end of life. The lungs are a large spongy substance, filling nearly the whole cavity of the chest, which rises as they fill, and falls as they empty, in respiring air through the mouth and nostrils. The act of respiration is performed about twen- ty times in a minute ; and about forty cubic inch- es of air are respired every time ; of which two in- ches oxygen are absorbed by the blood in the lungs, producing, at the same instant, ninety eight de- grees of vital heat, and restoring to the veinous blood its bright red color. [Obs.—The lights, as they are called, or the lungs of sheep or oxen, are exactly similar to the lungs of a man. On inspection, they will be found to be wonderfully adapted to their design of bring- ing the air into contact with the blood. Any rup- ture in their tender fabric, or defeat in their ac- tion, leads to the fatal disease, called Consump- tion.] Four thousand times in every hour, each cavity of the heart is called into action ; and all the blood 25 in the body passes through the heart fourteen times during that space. The arteries, into which it is forced, branch in every direction through the body, like the roots, branches, and leaves of a tree, running through the substance of the bones, and every part of the animal substance, till they are lost in such fine tubes as to be wholly invisible. In this manner, they distribute nourishment; supply perspiration ; and renew fill the waste of the system ; and, by passing through glands in every part of the body, all the various animal secretions, are elaborated. In the parts where the arteries are lost to the sight, the veins take their rise, and in their com. mencement are also imperceptable. The blood is then of a dark color ; and as it returns to the heart with a less impetus, there is always more blood in the veins than in the arteries. As the blood, in this discolored state has lost some of its vital power, it is driven through the lungs, and its color is restored ; but on its passage back to the heart, it also receives a supply of a new fluid extracted from the food of the animal in the stomach and intestines. The loss of weight in a human body by perspi- ration in twenty four hours is about four pounds ; and what is gained by the inspiration of air into the lungs, is lost by the expulsion of moisture, and of gas generated in the lungs. The motion of the lungs is preserved by that of the chest containing them ; that of the heart may be felt on the left breast ; and the circula- tion of the blood, from the action of the pulse in various parts of the body, and particularly at the wrist. 26 In children, the pulse gives one hundred and twenty strokes in a minute ; at 20 years, about seventy-five ; at 30, about seventy ; and in old age sixty or sixty-five. For the purpose of renewing and nourishing the blood, food is taken in at the mouth, mace- rated by the teeth, and mixed with the saliva : it is then carried into the stomach, a bag like an highland bag-pipe ; where it is dissolved into a soft pap by a powerful liquid, called the gastric juice. This pap is then forced from the stomach into the intestines ; where it is separated into a white milky liquid, called chyle and into the excrements. The chyle is taken up or absorbed, by myriads of fine tubes called the lacteals, which carry it to a main-pipe called the thoracic duct. This pipe as- cends to the throat, where it empties the chyle into a large vein, and being mixed with the blood, is conveyed to the heart. Of such subtle and wonderful contrivance is the organization of man ! Similar also, is the construc- tion of the whole animated nature, from the great- est to the smallest. Within the package of the skin, and essential to life and comfort, are numerousbones for strength; hundreds of muscles and tendons for action; nerves spreads every where for sensation : arteries to carry out the blood ; veins to bring it back again, and glands performing all kinds of secretions ; besides an infinite number of tubes called lacteals and limphatics, to absorb and convey nutriment to the blood. Such being the complex construction of our bodies, is it not wonderful that we last seventy or eighty years ! When it is considered also that a 27 muscle or bone out of place, a vein or an artery stop in its circulation, or a nerve unduly acted upon, cre- ates disease, pain, and misery ; is it not wonderful that we enjoy so large a portion of health and pleas- ure. Should not such considerations teach us the va- lue of prudence and temperance ? Thick in yon stream of light, a thousand ways, Upward and downward, thwarting and convolv'd, The quivering nations sport; till, tempest-wing'd Fierqe winter sweeps them from the face of day ; Ev'n so, luxurious men unheeding pass An idle summer-life in fortune shine— A season's glitter ! Thus they flutter on From toy to toy, from vanity to vice :— Till blown away by death oblivion comes Behind, and strikes them from the book of life. Thomson. The nerves are soft white chords which rise from the brain, the focus of sensation, and disperse themselves in branches through all parts of the body. Impressions are received by the brain from the adjacent organs of sense; and the brain exerci- ses its commands* over the muscles and limbs by means of the nerves. Thus, the body is enabled to avoid what is hurt- ful, to flee from danger, and to pursue every thing useful and agreeable. [Obs.—The proper object of vegetable organi- zation appears to be to supply food to animated na- ture ; and the wisdom of Providence is in nothing more evident than in the variety, wholesomeness, and abundance of vegetable provisions.] The ear is placed in the most convenient pari of his body near the brain, the common seat of all the senses, to give more speedy information. In man it is of a form proper for the erect pos- 28 ture of his body ; in birds, of a form proper for flight, and not protuberant ; in quadrupeds, its form is, in some, large, erect, and open ; in others, ' covered ; in subterraneous quadrupeds, the ears are short and lodged deep. The structure of the ear is admirably contrived to collect the undulations of sound, and to convey them to the sensory in the brain. The first part is the auricle, or external ear, formed to stop and collect the sonorous undulations, and convey them to the concha, or large capacious round cell, at the entrance of the ear. Persons, whose ears are cut off, have a confused hearing, and are obliged to form a cavity round the ear with their hand. In the interior is the auditory passage, curiously tunnelled and turned, to give sounds an easy pas- sage, and prevent their too furiously assaulting the more tender internal parts. To prevent the entrance of noxious insects, this passage is secured with a bitter nauseous sub- stance, called ear-wax. The next principal part is the membrana tympani, or drum of the ear, with its inner membranes, the "four little appen- dant bones, and the three inner muscles to move them, and adjust the whole system to hear loud or soft sounds. The passage behind the drum of the ear, is call- ed the vestibulum, being the entrance to two other cavities, called the labyrinth, and the second coch- lea, from its resemblance to a snail's shell. The principal organs of the sense of smelling are the nostrils and olfactory nerves ; the ramifications of which are distributed throughout the nostrils. Smelling is effected by the odorous effluvia in the air, being drawn into the nostrils by inspira- tion, and struck with such force against the olfac- 29 tory nerves, as to shake them, and occasion ideas of sweet, fostid, sour and aromatic. The taste is that sensation which all things give to the tongue ; but some consider the palate, the upper part of the roof of the mouth, to be the in- strument of taste. The Creator seems to have established a very intimate union between the eye, the nose, and the palate, by directing branches of the same nerves to each of these parts, by which means there ex- ists all the necessary guards against pernicious food ; since, before it is admitted into the stomach, it undergoes the trial of two of the senses, and the scrutiny of the eye. Feeling is the sense by which we acquire ideas of solid, hard, hot, cold, foe. Some consider the four other senses merely as modifications of feeling. The immediate organs of feeling are the pyra- midal papilla? under the skin, which are little soft, medullary, nervous prominences, lodged every where under the uttermost skin. Feeling is the most universal of our senses ; in blind persons, the defect of sight has been suppli- ed by their exquisite touch or sense of feeling.— Spiders, flies, and ants, have this sense in greater perfection than man. From these five senses, flow all our sensitive perceptions, the result of experience ; and all the various habits, qualities, passions, and powers of animals. Certain practices called instincts, not the appa- rent result of experience, appear to us to belong to some animals, contrived by some unknown means of that all-powerful Creator, whose wonderous and incomprehensible works inspire with rapture and 30 devotion the being whom ho has qualified to ex- amine and estimate them. As a prop-work or substantial frame to the body, the bones are formed. That the bones might not interfere with motion they are provided with hinges or ligaments. That the ligaments might work smoothly in one another, the joints are separated by gristles or cartilages, and provided with a gland for the se- cretion of oil or mucus, which is constantly exud- ing into the joints. There are 248 separate bones in the human bo- dy, classed under those of the head, the trunk, and the extremities. The skull, or cranium, consists of eight pieces, and serves as a vault arrd protection to the brain. There are also the cheek bones, the jaws, and 32 teeth imbeded in them. The head is joined to the trunk by the vertebrae, consisting of several short bones, to the upper part of which is fastened by a hinge joint, and turned in the socket of the next lower one to the right or left by suitable muscles. In the front and centre of the trunk is the breast bone, extended from the neck to the abdomen ; and opposite to it, in the back, is the spine or back- bone, which extends frorn the skull to the bottom of the loins, and is a long chain of separate short bones, called vertebras. These serve as tlie support of seven hoops or ribs, which are inserted in them, and form the chest or thorax, in which are the heart, lungs, &,c. Beneath them, inserted in the spine only, and extending but half way round the body, are five False ribs. The hip-bones supporting the'abdomen are called the pelvis. 31 From the neck to the top of each arm, a bone extends on each side, called the collar-bone, and the blade hones' are independent supporters of it. The bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow is called the humerus. From the elbow to the wrists are two bones, the outer of which is the radius. The thigh bone is called the os femur ; the knee, the patella ; and the leg has two bones like the arm, the inner called the tibia, and the outer the fibula. The animal frame is constantly exhausted and renewed ; so that every particle of the human body is changed in the compass of a year ! Nor is it less surprising that so many different substances as compose every animal body, should also be secreted by the glands from the same blood, than that, that blood may, in every instance, be traced to grass for its origin. [ Obs. 1. Those functions by which aliment is assimilated for the nourishment of the body, are digestion, absorption, circulation, respiration, and secretion; and the effect of such assimilation is called nutrition. 2. The food received into the stomach after mastication by the teeth, and being mixed with sa- liva, is converted into chyme by the gastric juice ; the chyme passes into the intestines, where it is converted into chyle and excrementitious matter ; which last, being separated by means of bile, is evac- uated from the body; whilst the chyle is absorbed by the lacteals and conveyed into the blood vessels. 3. The absorbent system consists of the lacteals, lymphatics, the thoracic duct and the glands call- ed conglocate, throughout the body. Glands are organic bodies consisting of blood 6 32 vessels, nerves and absorbents, intended for the secretion or alteration of particular fluids. They are divided into four classes, simple, compounds, conglobate, and conglomerate ; and the orifices of glands are said to be peculiarly irritable. f>. Secretion is the process by which various fluids are separated from the blood by means of the glands-. The secretions arc divided into the saline, as sweat and urine ; the oleaginous, as the fat, cerumen of the ear, &c. ; the saponaceous as bile and milk ; the mucous, as on the surface of membranes, &c. 6. Sensibility is the faculty of perception by the contact of an extraneous body ; and this principle is generally diffused in our corporeal organs, but in different degrees. That modification of animal matter, in which sensation appears peculiar to ex- ist, is termed nervous. 7. Motion is effected by the muscular fibre con- tracted by volition ; but the will can only exercise this power, through the medium of the nerves.— h ritability -is the power of contraction, inherent in our bodily organs, but not liable to be influenc- ed by the will.] All the senses of animals, and all their varied powers of action-are exactly adapted to their dif- ferent modes of existence. What is food to one, is poison to another ; and every one finds provision according to its natural habits. Every thing, also, is in exact proportion ; and every provision of nature harmonizes with the corresponding desires and wants of animals. Nature's unnumbered family, combine In one beneficent, one vast design ; E'en from inanimates to breathing 'man. An Heaven-conceived, Heaven-executed plan ■ Onward, from those, who soar, or lowly creep ' 33 The wholesome equipoise through all to keep ; As faithful agents in earth, sea, and air, The Lower World to watch with constant care : Her due proportion wisely to conserve ;— A wond rous trust, from which they never swerve." Pratt' Loicer World. Having given the above description of the differ- ent parts of man, we now proceed to a description of Medicine for general use in diseases, peculiar to Americans ; and equally beneficial to all na- tions, tongues, and languages on the whole earth. A proof of this is, that the medicines described in this work are impartial, I have administered them to people from different parts of North and South America, and from Europe, Asia and Africa. Res- toration to health has been the effect of the medi- cines given in all curable cases. Should this work fall into the hands of people in any part of the world, thoy may be certain that the use of the veg- etables, as described here are safe, and will cer- tainly cure, if applied in season. MEDICINES FOR COMMON USE. hemlock bark. This is generally known in all parts of the Uni- ted States. There is a poisonous plant called Gar- den Hemlock, or Cicuta, which should never be used, as it is a deadly poison. Hemlock Bark is taken from the hemlock tree. The inner bark or meat, is the part to be used for medicine. It is an excellent medicine for canker, when made into a st rong tea, either to drink, or to wash a canker sore. The following is my method of preparing it for use. Take the bark as it come sfrom the tree ; use such as is well dried and bright upon the inside. 34 Shave off the ross, and pound the bark line in an iron mortar, or grind it in a mill. A tea made of this bark is good for children, and grown people who are troubled with canker in their mouths, throats, stomachs and bowels ; to wash canker sores, or to make poultices, for canker, to be thick- ened with slippery Elm. [See Poultice.] Red Raspberry leaves made into a tea, witch hazel leaves, sumac leaves or berries are also good for canker, when made into a tea and used freely. Evan root, or what some call chockolate root, is good for canker, when an astringent is needed. AMERICAN CAYENNE. American Cayenne has not long been known by this name. There are three kinds of Ameri- ean pepper called Cayenne. 1. A kind which grows in all the New-England States, and used to be called red pepper. There are different kinds as to the shape of the pods, and when this kind is ground and sifted, it is sold for Cayenne, and is us- ed with food. This is good as a medicine with other medicines, and when no other kind is to be had, may be used as a substitute, though its power is not sufficient to remove all obstructions, which other kinds will do when properly compounded with other vegetable medicines. It is not suffi- ciently strong to make good elixir. 2. There is another kind of American Cayenne, which grows in Rhode Island, and is raised prin- cipally by a Mr. Child, of Warren, R. I. and is always for sale at the grocery stores in Boston. It is said that he brought the seed from the West In- dies, and that the difference between that and W, I. Cayenne, is only as the difference of the two cli- 35 mates. It is not more than one half so warm to the mouth, as the W. I. Cayenne. This is much better than the West India Cayenne to use in the first part of the preparations of the Emetic ; for making vegetable powders, bitters, &lc. The use of this will be mentioned when we describe veget- able powders, bitters, and the manner of giving and preparing the vegetable emetic in another part of this book. 3. There is a third kind of American Cayenne, which is called Philadelphia Cayenne; this grows in Pennsylvania, and is brought from Philadelphia, and kept by some apothecaries and grocers in Boston. This I consider the best kind of American Cay- enne. It is of a bright color, nearlyscarlet. It is clean, and suited "to the constitutions of the people of these United States. Using this principally in giv- ing an emetic, prevents pain, and raises the heat gradually whereas the West India Cayenne, if used without this, raises the heat too quick, and often distresses the sick very much. In giving a description of several preparations of medicines, these kinds of Cayenne will be mention- ed, and this description of these Cayennes will serve to instruct the reader in preparing medicines for use. WEST INDIA CAYENNE PEPPER. It is thought by some that this is a newly dis- covered medicine, not having been known till with- in a few years; but the following Will shew that it has been known as an excellent medicine for more than thirty past. v In the Edinburgh Dispensatory, printed in the year 1701, p- 256, is the following : " Piper In- 0* 36 dicum. [London edit.] Fructus, Capsicum nn- imum, ' Guinea pepper, or capsicum ; the fruit.' This is an annual plant, cultivated in our gardens; it ripens its red pods in September, or October. The taste of capsicum is extremely pungent, and acrimonious, setting the mouth as it were on fire. It is chiefly employed for culinary purposes,and has long been used in that way; but of late it has been employed also in the practice of medicine. And there can be little doubt that it furnishes us with one of the purest and strong stimulants which can be introduced into the stomach ; while at the same time, it has nothing of the narcotic effect of ardent spirit. Dr. Adair Mackitrick, who was perhaps the first that employed it as a medicine, directs its being given to the extent of six or eight grains in the form of pills, or in the form of tinc- ture made by infusing half an ounce of it in a pound of rectified spirit, and given from one to three drachms diluted for a dose. He has found it useful in a variety of affections, particularly in that morbid disposition which he calls the cachexia africana and which he considers as a most fre- quent and fatal predisposition to disease amono- the slaves. This pepper has also been of late suc- cessfully employed in a species of cynanche malig- na, which proved very fatal in the West Indies, re- sisting the use of Peruvian bark, wine, and other remedies commonly employed. A species of it, called in the West Indies, bird pepper, is the basis of a powder brought us from thence under the name of" cayenne pepper." Dr. Thatcher, in his Dispensatory, written in 1809, gives the following account of Cayenne, in p. 168. " This species of pepper is a native of South America, and is cultivated extensively in 37 the West India Islands. The pods are long, point- ed, and pendulous, at first of a green color, and af- terwards of a bright orange red. The taste of cap- sicum, is extremely pungent and acrimonious ; setting the mouth as it were on fire. Its pungen- cy is completely extracted by alchohol, and partly by water. " Cayenne pepper is an indiscriminate mixture of the powder of the dried pods of many species of capsicum. These peppers have been chiefly used as a condiment, [for seasoning or"a sauce.] They prevent flatulence (or wind) from vegetable food, and have a warm kindly effect upon the sto- mach. An abuse of them, however, gives rise to vieeral obstructions, especially of the liver. Of late they have been employed also in the practice of medicine. There can be little doubt, but they furnish us with one of the purest and strongest stimulants, that can be introduced into the stom- ach ; while, at the same time, they have nothing of the narcotic effects of ardent spirits. " Dr. Adair Mackitrick, who was perhaps the first that employed it as a medicine, directs them to be given to the extent of six or eight grains, un- der the form of pills, or in tincture, made by infus- ing half an ounce of the pods, in a pound of recti- fied spirits, and to be given from one to three drachms in a dose. He has found them useful in a variety of affections, particularly in that morbid disposition, which he calls the cachexia africana, and which he considers as a most frequent and fa- tal predisp'osition to disease among the slaves. Dr. Wright says, that in dropsical, and other com- plaints, where chalybeates (impregnated with iron or steel) are indicated, a minute portion of pow- dered capsicum (cayenne) forms an excellent ad- 3t- dition, and recommends its use in lethargic affec- tions. " This pepper has also been successfully em- ployed, infused in vinegar, as a gargle in a species of cynanchc maligna, which proved very fatal in the West Indies, resisting the Peruvian bark, wine and the other remedies commonly employed. The practice, though successful in the West Indies, it is said, is not without danger from the inflamation it is liable to induce. «' In tropical fevers, coma (or carus, a slight de- gree of apoplexy) and delirium are common atten- dants ; and in such cases, cataplasms, poultices) of capsicum have a speedy and happy effect. They redden the parts, but seldom blister, unless kept on too long. In ophthalmia [a disease of the eyes, being an inflamation in the coats, proceeding from arterious blood gotten out of the vessels] from re- laxation, the diluted juice of capsicum is a sover- eign remedy." From what is recorded in the Edinburgh and American Dispensatories, respecting the Cayenne pepper as a medicine, the following particulars are evident. I. That it has been known and used as a me- dicine for more than thirty years past. 2. It is acknowledged to be one of the purest and strongest stimulants (exciting a quick sensation) which can be introduced into the stomach, being at the same time entirely destitute of any narcotic, or stupifying effect on such as use it. 3. Dr. Mackitrick found it particularly useful in dropsical complaints, and other dangerous dis- eases ; even when other medicines failed. 4. Dr. Thatcher declares that it is useful in re- moving wind or cold from the stomach, and as hav- 39 ing a warm and kindly effect upon the stomach. He adds that Dr. Wright declares it good in leth- argic complaints. 5. Dr. T. adds that in diseases attended with delirium, a poultice made with cayenne, has had a speedy and happy effect by removing that delirium; and that in inflamed eyes, the juice of it is a sov- ereign remedy. Notwithstanding all said against this medicine, it is evidently a good thing for the sick, as well as a good article with food for the healthy ; when us- ed as it ought to be. In preparing the Elixir, this only will answer to make it good and powerful in removing pain. Many are disappointed in using the Elixir ; this is because American Cayenne is used instead of this kind. In many cases of rheu- matism, an ounce of this Cayenne boiled in one quart of strong vinegar, is an excellent thing to bathe the effected parts with, as it removes the pain, brings down the swelling, and makes the joints limber, and restores the action of the parts affected. In addition to the above account of Pepper, we give the following from Sibly's edition of Culpep- er's "English Physician"—printed in 1798.— Every reader of this work, may from the following learn two things ; 1. The various kinds of pep- per now in use, have been acknowledged as medi- cines fong before they were in use in America, notwithstanding some have represented themselves as the first discovers of their medical properties. 2. It is certain that they have, long ago, done much good when properly administered to the sick, lame, &c. It appears from this quotation, that more has been known of the medical proper- 10 ties of pepper, than is generally known in this country, in the nineteenth century. The follow- ing is from vol. 1, p:vge 303. PEPPER.—'KINDS AND NAMES. There are several sorts of pepper, as black* white, and long pepper ; called piper nigrum, al- bum, ct longum. The black and white pepper, differ not either in manner of growing, or in form of leaf or fruit. The long pepper also grows in the same manner, but differeth in the fruit. All these sorts grow on a climbing bush, in the East Indies, after one manner, that is, as hops grow with us : so that, if they be not sustained by some tree or pole, on which they may climb and spread, they will lie down on the ground, and thereon run and shoot forth small fibres at every joint. But the usual manner is to plant a branch taken from the bush near some tall tree, great cane, or pole ; and so it will quickly, by winding itself about such props, get to the top thereof; it is full of joints, and shooteth forth fair, large, leaves, one at each joint, being almost round, but ending in a point, green above and paler underneath, with a great middle-rib, and four other ribs somewhat less, spreading from it, two on each side, and smaller therein also, unto edges, which are smooth and plain, somewhat thin, and set on a pretty long foot- stalk. The fruit, or pepper, whether black, white, or long, groweth at the same joint, but on the con- trary side, opposite to the leaf, round about a long stalk, somewhat thinly set all along thereon, or not so close as a bunch of grapes ; the roots hath sundry joints creeping in the ground, with fibres at the joints. The white pepper is hardly distin- guishable from the black, by the plants thereof un- 41 til it become ripe, (for the white and black pepper grow on different bushes,) but that the leaves are of a little paler green color, and grains or berries are white, solid, firm, without wrinkles, and more aromatic. The long pepper hath leaves of very near the same form and size, but a little longer pointed, of a paler green color, thinner also, and with a-shorter footstalk, but four or five ribs some- times on each side, according to the largeness of the leaf, with other smaller veins therein, and has less acrimony and hot taste than the black. The fruit of this also groweth in like manner at the joints, opposite to each leaf, which are closer set together than the black, consisting of many small grains as it were set close together in rows, and not open and separate as in the black and white pepper ; of an ashcolor when it is ripe. GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES. All the peppers are under the dominion of Mars, and of temperature hot and dry almost in the fourth degree, but the white pepper is the hottest; which sort is much used by the Indians, many of whom use the leaves as Europeans do tobacco ; and even the pepper itself they also chew, taking from the branch one grain after another, while they are fresh. Pepper is much used with us in meats and sau- ces ; comforteth and warms a cold stomach, consumeth crude and moist humours therein, and stirreth up the appetite. It helpeth to break or dissolve wind in the stomach or bowels, to provoke urine, to help the cough and other diseases of the breast, and is effectual against bitings of serpents, and other poisons, and to that purpose it is an in- 12 gredient in the great antidotes : but the white pep- per, as being more sharp and aromatical, is of more effect in medicine ; and so is the long, being more used to be given for agues to warm the sto- mach before the coming of the fit, thereby to abate the shaking thereof. All of them are used against the quinsey, being mixed with honey, and taken inwardly and applied outwardly, and disperse the kernels, as well in the throat as in any other part of the body. Mathiolus maketh mention of a kind of pepper, which he calleth piper JEthopicum brought with other merchandise from Alexandria into Italy,and growing in the long pods like beans or pease ; but many pods set together at a place, whose grains within them being like pepper both in form and taste, but smaller, stick very close to the inside ; this sort Serapio calleth granum zelin. Monardusalso maketh mention of a kind of long pepper, that groweth in all the tract of the conti- nent of the West Indies. This kind of pepper is half a foot long, and of the thickness of a small rope, consisting of many rows of small grains, set close together as in the head of plantane, and is black when ripe ; and hotter in taste, and more aromatical and pleasant, than capsicum, and pre- ferred before black pepper, and groweth (says he) on high trees or plants. GUINEA PEPPER--KINDS AND NAMES. There are many sorts thereof found out and brought to our knowledge in these latter days.— Gregorius de Riggio, a Capuchin friar, maketh mention of a dozen several sorts or varieties, at the least, in the fruit or pods, though in any thing else very little differing ; there are likewise some other varieties, observed by Clusius and others. 43 DESCRIPTION. The most ordinary Guinea pepper with long husks, capsicum majus vulgatius oblongis siliquis. By this you may frame the description of all the rest, the main difference consisting in the form of the fruit, whether husk or pods. This plant riseth up with an upright, firm, round, stalk, with a cer- tain pith within them ; growing about two feet high in this country, and not exceeding three feet in any other hotter climate, spreading into many branches on all sides, even from the very bottom, which divide themselves again into other smaller branches, at each joint whereof come two long leaves upon short foot stalks, somewhat bigger than those of nightshade, with divers veins in them, not dented about the edges at all, and of a dark- green color ; the flowers stand severally at the joints, with leaves like the flower of nightshade, consisting most usually of five, and sometimes six, white small-pointed leaves, standing open like a star ; with a few yellow threads in the middle, af- ter which come the fruit, either great or small, long or short, round or square, as the kind is, eith- er standing upright or hanging down, as their flow- ers shew themselves either of this or that form ; in this, about three inches in length, thick and round at the stalk, and smaller towards the end, which is not sharp, but round-pointed, green at the first, but when full ripe of a very deep shinino- crimson color : on the outside of which is a thick skin, and white on the inside, of a sweet pleasant smell, having many flat yellow seeds therein, cleav- ing to certain thin skins within it, which are broad at the upper end and narrow at the lower, leaving the end or point empty within, not reaching so far ; the husk or seed of which is of so hot and 7 fiery a taste, as to inflame and bum the mouth and throat for a long time after it is chewed, and almost ready to choak one that taketh much at a time thereof: the root is composed of a great tuft or bush of threads, which spreads plentifully on the ground, and perisheth even in hot countries after it hath ripened all its fruit. There are nineteen other sorts of Guinea pep- per, all which, except the undermentioned, differ so little from that already described, as not to be worth explanation. Guinea pepper with hairy stalks capsicum raule piloso. This groweth with green round stalks, set full of white hairs, contrary to all other sorts ; at the branches come forth two such leaves as the beforementioned one hath, but rather larger ; the flowers are white, consisting of five leaves like the rest, which are likewise larger ; after which come the pods, green at first, and, when ripe, red like the rest, which are somewhat great andlong, end- ing a very long point ; not differing from the for- mer sorts in the seed and roots. PLACE AND TIME. All these sorts of pepper came from the West Indies, called America, and the several parts there- of, Brasil being reckoned as a part of it, and our Summer Islands also ; but here in England (tho' erroneously) we give it the name of Guinea pep- per, as though it originally came from thence.— They are now raised in gardens in all the provin- ces of Europe, excepting in very cold countries, and grow in many places of Italy, Spain, &,c. They do not sow them in hot countries before the end of March or beginning of April, and at the soonest they do not flower before August fol- 45 lowing, and their red pods ripen not thoroughly until November, when they will continue both with flower and fruit most of the winter, where the weather is not very intense ; but in very cold cli- mates they perish with the first frost, and therefore must be carefully housed, if any will preserve them. GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES. All these sorts of pepper are under Mars, and are of a fiery, hot, sharp, biting taste, and of a temperature hot and dry to the end of the fourth degree ; they burn and inflame the mouth and throat so extremely, that it is hard to be endured ; and, if it be outwardly applied to the skin in any part of the body, it will exulcerate and raise it as if it had been burnt with fire or scalded with hot water. The vapours that arise from the husks or pods, while one doth but open them to take out the seed, (especially if they beat them into powder, or bruise them) will so pierce the brain, by flying up into the head through the nostrils, as to produce violent sneezings, and draw down abundance of thin rheum, forcing tears from the eyes, and will all pass into the throat, and provoke a sharp cough- ing, and cause violent vomiting; and,jf any shall with their hands touch their face or eyes, it will cause so great an inflammation, that it will not be remedied in a long time, by all the bathing there- of with wine or cold water that can be used, but yet will pass away without further harm. If any of it be cast into fire, it raiseth grievous strong and noisome vapours, occasioneth sneezing, cough- ing, and strong vomiting, to all that be near it ; if it should be taken simply of itself, (though in a very small quantity, either in powder or decoction) it would be hard to endure, and might prove dan- gerous to life. 46 Having now given you an account of the dan- gers attending the immoderate use of these violent plants and fruits, I shall next direct you how to proceed in order to make them become servicea- ble for health, being corrected and cleansed from all their evil and noisome qualities. Preparation of the Guinea Pepper. Take the ripe pods of any sort of the Guinea pepper, (for they are in property all alike) and dry them well, first of themselves, and then in an oven after the bread is taken out : put it into a pot or pipkin with some flour, thatthey may be quite dried, then cleanse them from the flour, and their stalks^ if they have any; cut both husks and seeds within them very small, and to every ounce ofthemputa pound of wheat flour ; make them up together into cakes or small loaves, with leaven proportioned to the quantity you make ; bake these as you do bread of the small size, and, when baked, cut it again into smaller parts, and then bake it again, that it may be as dry and hard as a biscuit, which, beaten into fine powder, and sifted, may be kept for any of the uses hereafter mentioned, or may serve instead of ordinary pepper, to season meat or broth, for sauce, or any other purpose the East In- dian pepper doth serve ; for it doth not only give good taste or relish to the meat or sauce, but is found to be very good both to discuss the wind and the cholic in the body. It is of singular ser- vice to be used with flatulent or windy diet, and such as breeds moisture and crudities ; one scru- ple of the said powder, taken in a little broth of veal or of a chicken, gives gr«at relief and com- fort to a cold stomach, causing phlegm and such viscous humours as lie low in the bottom thereof to be voided ; it helpeth digestion, for it occasioneth 47 - an appetite to meat, provoketh urine, and, taken with saxifrage water, expelleth the stone in the kidneys and the phlegm that breedeth them ; and taketh away dimness or mistiness of the sight, be- ing used in meats ; taken with Pillulae Aleophan- ginae, it helps the dropsy ; the powder, taken for three days together in the decoction of pennyroy- al, expelleth the dead birth ; but if a piece of the pod or husk, either green or dry, be put into the womb after delivery, it will make them barron for ever after ; but the powder, taken for four or five days fasting, with a little fennelseed, will ease all pains of the mother. The same also made up with a little powder of gentian and oil of bays in- to a pessary, with some cotton wool, doth bring down the courses ; the same, mixed with a lohoch or electuary for the cough, helpeth an old invete- rate cough ; being mixed with honey and applied to the thoat, it helpeth the quinsy ; and-made up with a little pitch or turpentine, and laid upon any hard knots or kernels in any part of the body, it will dissolve them, and not suffer any more to grow there ; and, being mixed with nitre snd ap- plied, it takes away the morphew, and all freckles, spots, marks and discolorings, of the skin ; appli- ed with hensgrease, it dissolveth all cold impost- humes and carbuncles ; and mixed with sharp vinegar it dissolveth the hardness of the spleen : mixed with unguentum de alabastro, and the reins of the back anointed therewith, it will take away the shaking fits of agues ; a plaster made thereof, with the leaves of tobacco, will heal the sting or biting of any venomous beast. The decoction of the husks themselves, made with water, and the mouth gargled therewith, helpeth the tooth ach, and preserveth the teeth 7* 48 from rottenness ; the ashes of them being rubbed on the teeth, will cleanse them, and make them look white. The decoction of them in wine help- eth the hernia ventosa, or watery rupture, if appli- ed warm morning and evening : if put to steep for three days together in aquavita, it helpeth the pal- sy, the place affected being bathed therewith ; and steeped for a day in wine, and two spoonfuls drunk thereof every day fasting, it is of singular service in rendering stinking breath sweet. BAYBERRY.--BARK OF THE ROOT. This is by some called Candlebcrry Myrtle ; but Baybcrry is the name by which it is known in this country, particularly in New England. It is a kind of shrub, and generally grows from two to four feet high. It is the most common near the sea shore.' It bears small berries, from which by boiling, a kind of tallow of a greenish color is ob- tained, which is used with common tallow to make the candles hard that are used in hot weather.— This tallow is also good to put in salve, which is made and used by country people. The leaves of the plant are good to make a strong tea of, to gargle the throat when sore, or swelled. The roots are the most valuable part for medicine, which are strong at any season of the year, when obtained. The best time to pro- cure it is, when the sap runs, or in warm weather. The roots must be pulled up and washed clean. When this is done, lay the root on a stone, take a hard dry stick, and crack the bark from one end of the root to the other. This will make the bark come off easy and quick. It ought to be dried in the sun. 49 A strong tea made of this bark is good for a sore throat, for canker in the throat, stomach and bow- els, and to cure a recent relax. It is also an ex- cellent tea to wash a foul or cankered sore. The bark made into powder is good for snuff to clear the nose arid head, and cure pain in the head; also as a tooth powder, to clear the gums of scurvy, and remove canker from the mouth. The bark of this root, made fine by pounding it in an iron mortar, or by the pulverizing mill, is a principal article in the vegetable powders, men- tioned in this work. [See Vegetable Powder.] In some states of the stomach, this powder in warm water answers for a gentle emetic, though it will not always operate in this way. When it does, the operation is always safe. An heaping teaspoon- ful is enough for one time. This medicine is continually coming into use in this country, and without any doubt, its medical properties will hereafter become more known than at present. The reader will find a further description of this plant, where medicine is described, in which this article makes one part of the preparation. EMETIC HERB, OR PLANT OF RENOWN. It appears from the writings of the Prophet Eze- kiel, that in his day there was one plant used by the people, which was in itself superior to all oth- ers known at that time ; as it possessed medical properties which was not to be found in any other. To illustrate the glory and excellencies of the Messiah who was to come, he made use of this plant that they might see his superiority above all 50 others when he should appear among them. He savs, Ezekiel, xxxv. 29.—" And I will raise up coir them a plant of renown." The plant which I .all the plant of renown, if not the one mentioned y the Prophet, is superior to any plant in this Country, and will with other vegetable medicines, do what no other one will do, and I think well de- serves this name. This plant has a variety of names in this coun- try. It is called Indian Tobacco—Emetic Weed —Emetic Herb—Lobelia Inflata—Lobelia Emet- ica. Some call it poisonous, some useful, some useless. Some say it will kill immediately, and some say it is an infallible cure in all curable cas- es, &c. As much is said of this plant at the present time, I shall be particular in stating what others have said of it, and in giving what I know to be true of it as a medicine for the relief of the sick. I shall first give my readers an account of it as stated by Dr. Thatcher, Dr. Drury, and Dr. Cut- ler, published by Dr. Thatcher in his " Ameri- can New Dispensatory," printed in 1810, or not far from that time. The following is in Thatcher's Dispensatory, page 258. Lobelia Inflata. Lobelia Emetic. The Lobelia Inflata is indigenous, [a native plant of America] and annual, rising to one or two feet, with branched stems. The leaves are oblong, al- ternate ; slightly serated and sessile. The blos- soms are solitary, in a kind of spike, of a pale blue color. It is found common in dry fields, among barley and rye stubble, and flowers in July and August ; its capsules are inflated, and filled with numerous small seeds. The leaves chewed are at first insipid, says Dr 51 "Cutler, but soon become pungent occasioning a copious discharge of saliva. If they are held in the mouth for sometime, they produce giddiness, and pain in the head, with a trembling agitation of the whole body ; at length they bring extreme nausea and vomiting. The taste resembles that of tartar emetic. A plant possessed of such active properties, notwithstanding the violent effects from chewing the leaves, may possibly become a„ valuable medicine. It was employed by the aborigines as an eme- tic, and also by those empyrics who affect to deal in Indian remedies only. As a new article it has lately excited much speculation in the New Eng- land States, and its properties have very frequent- ly been subjected to the test of practical experiment. It is found to operate as a speedy and active e- metic, and it often induces a most profuse perspira- tion immediately after being received into the sto- mach. It has proved seviceable in cases of cho- lic, where emetics were indicated. In a variety of instances it has been administered as a remedy in asthmatic affections, and on competent author- ity we are assured, that it has in general mani- fested considerable efficacy, and sometimes prov- ed more beneficial in this distressing disease than any other medicine. From some of its effects, says an eminent physician, lobelia seems to be re- lated to the narcotic plants ; to the mouth and first passages, it proves acrid, (having an hot biting taste) and highly stimulant ; its stimulous appears to be of the diffusive kind, as Dr. Cutler, on tak- ing it, experienced an irritation of the skin over the whole body.. The specific qualities of this highly active plant, promising to be of utility as a remedy, should he particularly investigated by ingenious and intelli- gent men, that its rank in the Materia Medica may be clearly ascertained. The following highly interesting observations have been recently received from the Rev. Dr. M. Cutler. " When I was preparing my botanical papers." says the Doctor, '' I had given it (the lobelia) on- ly a cursory examination, and having some doubt about its specific character, I suspected it to be a new species. Accidentally ascertaining its eme- tic property, I inserted it with the specific name, emetic weed. By chewing a small part of it, com- monly no more than one or two of the capsules, it proved a gentle emetic. If the quantity be a little increased, it operates as an emetic, and then as a cathartic, its effects being much the same as those of the common emetics and cathartics. It has been my misfortune, the author observes, to be an asthmatic for about ten years. I have made trial of a great variety of the usual remedies with very little benefit. In several paroxysms, I had found immediate relief more frequently than any thing else, from the skunk cabbage. The last summer I had the severest attack I ever experienced. It commenced early in August, and continued about eight weeks. Dr. Drury, of Marblehead, also an asthmatic,has made use of a tincture of the Indian Tobacco, by the advice of a friend in a severe pa- roxysm early in the spring. It gave him immedi- ate relief, and he is entirely free from the com- plaint from that time. " I had a tincture made of the fresh plant, and took care to have the spirit fully saturated, which I think is important. In a paroxysm which per- haps was as severe as lever experienced, the dif- 53 ficulty of breathing, extreme, and after it had con- tinued for a considerable time, I took a table spoonful. In three or four minutes my breathing was as free as it ever was, but felt no nausea at the stomach. In ten minutes I took another spoonful, which occasioned sickness. After ten minutes I took the third, which produced sensible effects upon the coats of the stomach, and a very little moderate puking, and a kind of prickly sen- sation through the whole system, even to the ex- tremeties of the fingers and toes. The urinary passage was perceptibly affected by producing a smarting sensation in passing urine, which was probably provoked by stimulous upon the bladder. But all these sensations very soon subsided, and a vigor seemed to be restored to the constitution, which I had not experienced for years. I have not since had a paroxysm,' and only a few times some small symptoms of asthma. Besides the vi- olent attacks, I had scarcely passed a night with- out more or less of it, and often so as not to be a- ble to lie in bed. Since that time, I have enjoy- ed as good health as, perhaps, before the first at- tack. " I have given you this minute detail of my own case, from an apprehension that this plant ju- diciously employed, may approac nearer to a specific, in this most distressing complaint, than any other that has been yet discovered. But I am aware much further experiment is necessary to ascertain its real value. Several medical gen- tlemen have since made use of the tincture in asth- matic cases with much success, but the effects have not been uniformly the same.- In all instan- ces of which I have had information, it has pro- duced immediate relief, but the effect has been 54 different in different kinds of asthma. Some pa- tients have been severely puked with only a tea- spoonful but in all cases some nausea seems to be necessary. " The asthma with which I have been afflicted, I conceive to be that kind which Dr. Bree, in his Practical inquiries on disordered respiration, &c. calls the first species * a convulsive asthma from pulmonic irritation of effused serum.' My constitu- tion has been free, I believe, from any other dis- order, than what has been occasioned by an affec- tion of the lungs, anxiety of the pra3Cordia, and straitness of the breast, and other symptoms pro- duced by that affection. In similar asthmas, the tincture has been as successful as in my case!. It is extremely desirable that careful experiments should be made by men of real medical know- ledge. " A particular case has been related to me of an effectual cure of the hydrophobia, in the last stage of the disease, by the use of this plant. I had the information from a man of undoubted veracity, that received it from the father of the young man who was cured ; but facts relating to the case have not been sufficiently ascertained to assert it to be a remedy in this disease. In a short time I expect to obtain a more circumstantial and satis- factory account of this case. "With the view of establishing a uniformity of strength in the preparation, the Essex District Medical Society have agreed, that the proportion for the tincture of lobelia shall be two ounces of the dried plant to one pint of diluted alcohol. " The result of subsequent practical observations has amply confirmed the utility of lobelia inflata in various diseases. In numerous instances of 55 asthma it has procured the most essential relief, though in general its effects were only temporary and palliative. As a pectoral it has been found useful in consumptive and other coughs, depend- ing on mucus accumulated in the bronchial ves- sels by exciting nausea and expectoration From its very speedy operation as an emetic, and its stimulating effects on the mouth and fauces, bene- ficial results might be expected from its use in croup and whooping cough ; and on some trials our expectations have been realized in this respect. It may perhaps be anticipated to supercede sene- ka, as a remedy in the former, and antimonials in the latter affection. " More extensive practical knowledge of the properties of this plant, afld the various forms and circumstances of its administration is still, howev- er, a most desirable object. " The leaves should be collected in August, while the plant is in blossom, and carefully dried, and preserved for use. From ten to twenty grains of the powdered leaves will in general be found a suitable dose as an emetic for an adult, or it may be repeated in smaller quantities. As a pectoral it may be given in powder or pills alone, or com- bined with other remedies, repeated in small dos- es till an evident good result is observable. Of the saturated tincture, twenty, forty, or even sixty drops may be safely given children of one or two years old, increasing as occasion may require." In the Pharmacopeia of the United States, pub- lished in 1820, by the authority of the Medical Societies and Colleges, is the following account of a tincture of Indian Tobacco, page 235. *' Tincture of Indian Tobacco. Take of Indian Tobacco, two ounces ; diluted alcohol one pint. Digest for ten days and filter." 50 From all said upon this plant, in these two au- thors, we notice the following :— 1. That the emetic herb is a native of America, and a new species of medicine, not known, except- ing to the natives, till within a few years. 2. It is evident that the Indians used it as a safe and useful emetic, without any bad consequences whatever. 3. It seems by Dr. Thatcher's account of it, that within a few years, the physicians have made practical experiments with it, and found it useful in opening the pores, removing cholic and asth- ma. 4. Dr. Cutler of Wenham, found a cure of the asthma by it, and a restoration to health, which he had not before enjoyed for many years. Dr. Drury of Marblehead, found the same relief. Dr. C. considers it the best remedy for that complaint, of any thing ever before discovered. 5. Dr. Cutler mentions one cured of the bite of a mad dog bythis plant, which doubtless is true as this herb rightly administered, is an infallable cure in that case. 6. It is here stated to be useful in the croup, whooping cough, &c. and the Doctor says it may be safely given to children, in tincture, from twen- ty to forty, or even sixty drops ; and the powder- ed leaves may be given to a grown person, from ten to twenty grains, that is, about a common tea spoonful. 7. The Dr. says that the various forms and cir- cumstances of administering this medicine is a most desirable object to be known by the physi- cians, though it is what they do not yet know. 8. It appears, that before Dr Cutler wrote to Dr. Thatcher he considered it like minerals, a 57 very good and a very dangerous medicine, so bad that if it does not operate immediately, death is the consequence, sometimes in five or six hours, and that horses and cattle have been supposed to be killed by eating it accidentally. All this is false, and Dr. Cutler's account of it, and Dr. T's. own remarks, after he wrote these dangerous parts, proves that this part is not true. 9. It is evident that the members of the Medi- cal Societies and Colleges in the United States, are convinced of its excellency, as they have in their book, published in the year 1821, given di- rections as to the manner of preparing the tinc- ture of it for use in sickness. 10. The fact is, other men know much more of this valuable plant than the Doctors, and this knowledge they wish for, and doubtless would be glad of it and the privilege of administering the same. In addition to the above, I here subjoin my ex- perimental knowledge of the excellency of this re- markable plant ; and what the reader finds here recorded, he may safely depend on as truth, and with safety administer it accordingly. The Plant of Renown, sometimes called " In- dian Tobacco ,-" sometimes Puke Weed; and by Dr. Cutler Lobelia Inflata, is a native of Ameri- ca. I have seen it growing plentifully in Ver- mont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, and Vir- ginia ; and without doubt it is plenty in New Jer- sey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. I have heard of it in Ohio and Kentucky, and it is likely to be plenty in all parts of the United States. It is entirely a wild plant, and cannot be culti- vated in gardens. If it is sown, it is not certain to 58 ever be seen again. It sows itself like themullen, in the autumn, comes up and spreads out like mul'.en, or winter grain, the first summer ; the next year it grows up from nine inches to two feet high, in description as given by Dr. Thatcher.— It may be found by the first of July, but it is not ripe till August and September ; at which time the leaves are a little turned, then the pod is ripe, which on account of the seed, is the best time to gather it. One thing is very remarkable ; the leaves are equally strong from their first appearance until ripe, and may be used at any time, to young or old. The seed is good when the leaves are dried by age, or killed by frost. The leaves are best to be gathered in a clear day, and when the heat of the sun is most powerful ; though it may be gathered at any other time. It is not a plant confined to any soil ; though it is mostly found in old fields. I have found it in groves, in dry hot ground ; in low lands, and is the largest near streams. It may almost always be found by the side of roads, particularly turn- pikes, which have been made several years. I have observed it the most plenty in hot and wet seasons, and the largest in wet places. It appears to me that the seed sometimes lies in the ground for years before it grows ; as it is frequently found where none could grow, until an alteration was made in the state of the ground.— I have frequently found it in corn fields, in fields of grain, mowing ground, pastures and door yards. It grows plentifully in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts ; some in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Wherever the soil is rich enough to produce food for men and beasts, there this plant may generally be found. 59 USE OF THE PLANT OF RENOWN, OR EMETIC HERB. Though one of the most useful herbs on earth with others, it is not so alone, as it does not pos- sess all needful to restore health to the sick man. It is very quick in its operations, but if some other medicine is not added to assist, it soon exhausts itself, and is done. I have found it with other medicines, an infalli- ble cure in all cases, excepting such as are beyond all cure. I have given it to all ages, from two days old to men of eighty-two, with safety and success. I have given it to females in all cases peculiar to them, and have never known it to fail, in curable cases. There are two cases, where it will not op- erate ; one*is, when the person is dying ; here it will not act, of course it will not cause death to any one. The other is, when all disease is^removed, it will not make a well man sick. When a man is so sick as to be past cure, this emetic will re- lieve him, and cause him to live longer, and easier than without, excepting in mortification. THE POWER OF THIS PLANT. Several physicians have mentioned to me that they were afraid to use it, not knowing the power of it. This I am thoroughly acquainted with, be- yond a doubt. The power of it is, with other me- dicines, to remove disease, and no more. Like food, which has power to remove hunger, drink to remove thrist, riches to remove poverty, life to re- move death, &c. It operates on disease in every part of the body, as the eyestone does in remov- ing from the eye, whatever injures. When this is done, the stone ceases its operation. 8* 60 There is no doubt but the power of it, as well as all other good things may be abused ; but used in a proper medium, its power is always against disease, and in favor of the diseased. If enough is not given, it worries, if more than is needed is given.it is lost but will not kill. No one ever died by its operation, as there is no death in it. It is pos- sible some have died by taking it, because those who gave it raised the outward heat too high, by having the room too warm, by puting on too many clothes, or by steaming hot stones and putting them round the sick person. This ought always to be remembered, and then, all is safe. I do not know that any one ever died in this way, but this is the only way in which a person may die that I know of in taking this emetic. This emetic is so powerful, as to search every part from head to foot, to remove (with other medicines) ob- structions from the brain, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, jaws, throat, muscles, heart, lungs, liver, stomach, midriff, bowels, kidneys, gall bladder, bones, mar- row, sinews, legs and feet; it will go through the veins, arteries, blood vessels, and every part that can be obstructed ; so far it has power to go, and no further. There is an oil in this herb, which can be dif- fused through the whole body, for the general good ofthe whole. This herb stands at the head of all the herbs made for the service of man, and is the king of all diseases, and with its army, has power to over- come all opposed to the health of men while in a curable state. Notice. There are two parts of this plant which are used for an emetic. The leaves and the seed. The leaves are to be gathered at any time after 61 they are grown, dried in the sun, pounded fine, and sifted through a fine sieve, and then they are fit for use. To obtain the seed, the leaves must be a little yellow, at which time the seed is ripe. The herb must be gathered, spread on a sheet, and dried in the sun. When dry, the seed maybe easily rubbed out, and then taken from the sheet. This for use must be pounded in an iron mortar, until it is soft and sticks together. The various modes of preparing this plant in both parts for an emetic, will be found under the article Emetic ; which see. This plant of re- nown, is useful in cramps, fits, lockjaw, spasms, &c. As it is my design to write upon a variety of diseases peculiar to man, and shew the use and power of the Emetic herb, in removing diseases, and the manner of applying it illustrated from ex- perience ; I shall close with the following, written by Dr. Howard of Ohio. " Lobelia Inflata is a biennial plant, growing from eight to thirty inches high ; stem erect, milky, branched. Leaves alternate, milky, oval, or ob- long, acute, edges jagged with unequal teeth.— Flowers scattered along the branches, small, pale blue, axillary to bracts, somewhat similar to the leaves but much smaller, upper ones the smallest. Seed vessel a small oblong, roundish pod, crown- ed with several little bracts which are the calyx ofthe flower. Dr. Thomson fancifully supposes the pod to resemble the human stomach. Seeds many, very minute, brown, resembling tobacco seeds. Lobelia is a common plant in most parts of the United States, growing by the road side, rarely in woods, in the greatest abundance in stubble fields, 62 especially the next season after the crop is taken off. When broken, a milky, acrid, juice exudes from the plant, of a most penetrating diffusable na- ture, which, if applied only to the eyelid, produc- es a powerful effect upon the eye, whence the name eyebright. This plant being biennial, throws out the first year only a few radical roundish leaves laying close to the ground ; the next year it produces the stem, branches and seeds. The leaves and roots of the first year are as powerful as the mature plant, excepting the seeds, which are the strongest. The whole plant is acrid and nauseous, produc- ing salivation ; whence we suppose, originated the mistaken supposition that it causes the slavers in horses and cattle. It is not known to produce this affection ; but on the contrary, horses and cattle are affected in this way when feeding on pasture grounds where this invaluable herb does not grow. The lobelia is the most valuable and efficient emetic known ; its full merits being scarcely ap- preciated even by those who are in the "habit of making frequent use of it. It also acts as a sudo- rific, expectorant, and diffusable stimulant ; and for the relief and even cure of asthma, and as an antispasmodic, its equal has not yet come to the knowledge of the world. As a stimulant it ex- tends its effects to every part of the system,- re- moving obstructions and restoring a healthy action, wherever the one exists, or the other is needed.__ Its action or effects may often be sensibly felt or known by a pricking sensation over the system, particularly in the fingers and toes, frequently at- tended by another singular sensation, comparable to the purring of a cat. Professor Rafinesque 63 says that some ofthe medicinal properties of lo* belia were known to the Indians ; it being used by them to clear the stomach and head in their great councils. A diversity of symptoms attend the operation of lobelia emetics, evincing the magnitude of its power and the surprising energy of its operation on the human system, which often terrify those who are unacquainted with its superior and as- tonishing influence and efficacy in arresting dis- eased action, and restoring health and harmony to the human machine. Its effects are different on different individuals, and upon the same indi- vidual at different times. Sometimes there will be severe pain in the stomach and bowels; strange, agitated and indiscribable, but not always unpleas- ant sensations. Convulsive motions of the lower jaw, often attended with a convulsive breathing, like the sobbing of a child. General distress, or uni- versal sickening feeling. Sometimes perfectly easy and quiet, without the power to move hand or foot, or even of rolling the eyeballs in their sockets ; and at other times great restlessness and anxiety, with symptoms of a most alarming character, pre- vailed. In some instances the countenance be- comes pale, and the skin cold, with the appear- ance of approaching death ; whilst in others the countenance assumes a florid appearance, bearing the marks of health. These symptoms, -together with a great variety of others which it would be impossible to describe, are very alarming to those who are unacquainted with the lobelia ; and we mention them here in order to guard such, against unnecessary fears from their occurrence. The practitioner and pa- tient may be assured that we have never seen nor known of any instance in which those alarming 64 symptoms produced, or were followed by, any per- manently bad effects. Dr. Thomson, who claims the honor of first introducing the lobelia into gen- eral notice, speaking of them, says, " they appear to be the effects ofthe last struggle of disease, and are a certain evidence of a favorable turn of the disorder." However we may disagree with Dr. Thomson in calling that a cause which is only an effect, we must acknowledge that he has hereby furnished us with a valuable hint. The alarming effects of lobelia are probably caused by the resto- ration of a healthy action to diseased parts which have long been accustomed to a morbid sensibility and a diseased action. A healthy operation be- ing thus suddenly restored, and the organs not be- ing properly prepared to receive the new impulse, an unusual and oftentimes alarming train of symp- toms are produced. But this state is generally of short duration ; the organs soon become accus- tomed to their new and healthy action, the pertur- bation of nature subsides, and the patient feels no ill effects from the previous unpleasant symptoms. And what still further confirms these views is, that those alarming symptoms are almost always fol- lowed by a more rapid improvement of health, and are, therefore, to be regarded as indications favor- able to the prospects of a speedy recovery. As an antidote to poisons of all kinds, whether animal or vegetable, the lobelia stands unrivalled; particularly in the cure of hydrophobia. Several well attested cases of cures of this terrible and fa- tal disease, have come to our knowledge, one of which occured in the city of Cincinnati, an ac- count whereof is published in the appendix to this volume. The lobelia is used in powder, infusion, or tine- 65 ture, of the leaves and pods, or the seeds, either simply by itself or compounded with other articles. The best time to gether it is in the fall, when the leaves are beginning to turn yellow, as the seed is then ripe, and we have the advantage of the whole plant. For preparation and doses, see under the heads of compounds, and course of medicine." VALERIAN, NERVE POWDER, LADIES SLIPPER, WHIPO' WILL SHOE. [Indian Name—Adam and Eve.] This plant grows in various parts of New En- gland, and in various parts of the United States. It is found in the woodland and swampy ground. It grows and spreads the leaves on the ground. A single stalk runs up about one foot, and bears one singular looking flower ; and the root is of great use to the sick, whether male or female. Dr. Thatcher gives the following account of it, page 360. Wild Valerian. The root. " This plant is perennial, (continuing for sever- al years) and grows wild in England. The root, which is the part used in medicine, consists of a number of fibres matted together, and attached to one head ; of a brown color, having a strong and unpleasant smell, and a warm bitter taste. Its ac- tive matter is extracted equally by water and by alcohol. Its infusion changes color, on the addi- tion of sulphate of iron. By distillation, water is impregnated with its flavor, but not with its taste. No essential oil is obtained. Valerian is one of the principal modern antis- pasmodics, (having power to relieve cramp, con- vulsions, &c.) and is used with advantage in cho- 66 rra, epilepsy and hemicrania. Some recommend it as useful in procuring sleep, particularly in fev- er, even when opium fails : but it is principally useful in nervious and hysterical affections. The common dose is from a scruple to a drachm in powder, and in infusion, from one to two drachms three or four times in a day, which is increased gradually, as far as the stomach can bear it. Its unpleasant flavor is most effectually covered by a suitable addition of mace. Valerian is lately found in abundance on the borders of the Ohio river, not inferior to that imported from Europe." American Valerian is superior to European. The Valerian, or nerve Powder, which I have found very useful, grows in various parts of New England, and may be easily found. My manner of preparing and using it is as follows :—the root must be dried and pounded fine, and sifted thro1 a fine seive, and done up in a tight box, or bottle for use. In many cases where the emetic is given this ought to be used, particularly where people are what is called nervous. Half a teaspoonful with every dose ofthe emetic may be given when the tea is cool enough to drink. When an injection is given, this powder, from half to an whole tea- spoonful, should always be given. It serves to quiet the nerves, prevent spasms, and procures ea- sy sleep, without stupifying. When a person can not sleep, put a teaspoonful of this powder into one tea cup full of strong penny royal tea, warm enough to drink, and take it when in bed at night, and it will cause an easy refreshing sleep. barberry—the bark of the root. This is generally known, having the resemblance 67 of briars. The fruit, when ripe is red, and very sour. The berries are good for digestion, as they help the digestive powers, being preserved, and eaton, or used in water to drink. The bark of the root is a good bitter when boiled in water; es- pecially when a person is troubled with a relax. In costiveness it ought not to be used, being too much of an astringent. Culpepper says, that the inner rind of the bark is good, made into a strong tea, to cure scabs, itch, tetters, ring-worms and yellow jaundice. BITTER ROOT. This root produces a stalk somewhat resem- bling buck-wheat, with white flowersj the stalk rises about two feet. It is found in various parts of New England. The root only is the part for medicine. The root is very bitter, and a good corrector of the digestive powers. It must be ga- thered, dried and pounded fine, and sifted through a fine sieve. It is an excellent medicine for cos- tiveness, as it does not relax, but move the bowels as they ought to be moved. A tea spoonful of this powder given in warm water, or with the vegeta- ble powder, is a remedy in costiveness. If one tea spoonful does not answer, take another, night and morning, until relief is obtained. I have known several people, who were for years obliged to take physic to have a discharge from the bowels ; who after taking this powder awhile, have become en- tirely regular. Bitter Root, is an excellent remedy for cold in the head, to be used in powder as snuff. In cos- tive cases, I have frequently added two tea spoon- ful to one junk bottle of the vegetable bitters, which has helped the digestion, wholly removed costiveness, which before had been obstinate and of long continuance. SLIPPERY ELM.--THE INNER BARK. There are two kinds of Elm in America. The white, or rough elm, and the slippery elm. There are two kinds of slippery elm; one, the bark is tough ; the other is tender, and easily made into a powder. The brittle kind is the best, and most suitable for medicine. The other is good, but by no means equal to this. To prepare this, the ross or outside should be shaved off; when it is dry, it should be pounded in a mortar, and then sifted for use. It may be chewed and swallowed, or made into a tea. It is found in various parts of Vermont. Dr. Mitchell says, it has been beneficially ad- ministered in catarrhs, pleurisies and quinsies ; it has been applied as a poultice to tumours, and as a linimqpt to chaps and festers. Dr. Thatcher gives the following account of it, in his Dispensatory, page 358. " The surgeons of our revolutionary army, and also those of general Wayne's army, who defeated the Indians in August, 1794, experienced the most happy effects from the application of poulti- ces of elm bark to gun shot wounds, which were soon brought to a good suppuration, and to a dis- position to heal. It was applied as the first reme- dy. When tendency to mortification was evident, this bark bruised and boiled in water, produced the most surprising good effects. After repeated comparative experiments with other emollient ap- plications, as milk and bread, and a linseed poul- 69 tice, its superiority was firmly established. In old ill-conditioned u\cers, and in flesh burns, equal benefit was derived from it. The infusion of the bark was used with advantage as a diet drink, in pleurisy and catarrh, and also in diarrhoea, and dysentery." Many ofthe ahove facts relative to the medici- nal qualities ofthe red elm, were communicated, says the editor of the Domestic Encyclopedia, by Dr. Joseph Strong of Philadelphia, who served as surgeon in the western army ; and adds, as a proof of the neutriment which it affords, that a soldier who lost his way, supported himself for ten days upon this mucilage and sassafras. The editor of the above mentioned work, proceeds to observe, that the red elm tree may be considered as a high- ly valuable addition to our stock of medicines, ex- clusively American and ought to be carefully searched for by the medical gentlemen in the country, and preserved from the indiscriminate axe. The inner bark ofthe slippery elm, or its mu- cilage, has been found by recent experience to be singularly beneficial when applied to chillblains, cutaneous eruptions, and various kinds of sores and ulcers ; and there is much reason to believe, that its internal use in dysentary, consumption, &c. may be attended with greater advantage than is generally imagined. This tree certainly may be recommended to the particular regard of medi- cal practitioners as a new and domestic article of our Materia Medica, whose medicinal virtues will probably be found to merit a large share of confi- dence. In my practice of medicine for several years past, I have found the inner bark of the elm of 70 great use to the sick. It ought to be pounded fine, and taken so. My manner of using it inter- nally is the following :—Take an heaping tea spoonful of it in a tea cup, mix it with as much sugar, and work it awhile with a spoon, then pour in cold water, and stir or beat it, till the lumps are gone, and it begins to thicken ; then add boil- ing water, and stir it till it is thick enough to eat with a spoon. If more agreeable to drink it, make it thin with hot water, and drink from half to a an whole tumbler full. This preparation is good to heal soreness in the throat, stomach and bowels, caused by canker ; to restore an appetite when lost by canker, which has injured the coats ofthe stomach It is an excellent thing for wo- men to take for a month or six weeks before the birth of children, as it makes the birth of the child much more easy and safe than without it. The elm is an excellent thing for a poultice, as it is very soft and healing. A poultice of it applied to the eyes, in an inflammation is good, as there is no danger of injuring them by it. There is no doubt of its excellence in all the cases mentioned by the authors quoted in the aboVe account of slip- pery elm. RED CLOVER.--THE HEADS. The heads of red clover, boiled down to the thickness of tar, is a powerful medicine for old ob- stinate ulcers, sores, cracks in the lips, &x. The manner of preparing it, is the following :—Fill a brass kettle with the heads when they are in bloom, boil them well, and squeeze them ; then fill the kettle again with heads and boil them in the same water ; then squeeze them, afterwards boil 71 it down to the thickness of tar, when it is fit for use. Spread it on soft leather, or bladder split thin, and apply it to the part affected. SKUNK CABBAGE.--THE ROOT. This plant grows in swamps and meadows, all over New England, and is a native plant of North America only. Its name is derived from its smell and appearance. The smell of a skunk and the leaves resembling cabbage. It grows up without any stalk, and is by this distinguished from white hellebore or poke root, which is poisonous. The root only is valuable. It should be split and dri- ed, which takes out the rank smell. There is no disagreeable smell in the dried root ; which for use must be pounded or grated fine. This root is excellent for a cough, by being grat- ed on honey and swallowed. I know a woman much afflicted with a cough, she grated about half a tea spoonful of this root on a half a table spoon of honey for a few days, taking this quantity every morning before breakfast, and in a short time was entirely cured. The principal use I make of it besides this, is in the cough powder. [See cough powder.] The following account of skunk cabbage is re- commended to our readers from Thatcher's Dis- pensatory, page 151. "This valuable domestic article is found to be well deserving of a place in our Materia Medica, and may be ranked high in the class of antispasmodics. The roots dried and powdered have proved of excellent use in asthma- tic cases, and often afforded relief in this distress- ing disease, when other means are ineffectual.— It should be exhibited during the paroxysm, and 72 repeated as circumstances may require, in doses of thirty to forty grains. It will be proper to per- severe in the use of it for some time after the pa- roxysm has gone off, or till the patient is perfect- ly recovered, which is said to have been the me- thod pursued by the Indians for the cure of this disease. " The Rev. Dr. Cutler has announced his o- pinionofits efficacy as experienced in his own particular case, after other remedies had disap- pointed his expectations. The antispasmodic power of the skunk cabbage root have been dis- played when prescribed in other diseases. In one of the most violent hysteric cases I ever met with, says a correspondent, where the usual antispasmo- docs and even musk had failed, two tea spoonsful of the powdered root in spirits and water procured immediate relief, and on repeating the trials with the same patient, it afforded more lasting benefit than any other medicine. " In these spasms frequently affecting the ab- dominal muscles in purturition, he adds, it produ- ces the desired effect in doses of one tea spoonful repeated occasionally. In numerous other in- stances of spasmodic affection, and also in chronic and acute rheumatism, this root, either in powder or decoction, has evinced its efficacy, and per- formed important cures, as attested by good au- thority, in confirmation of my own experience.— Two instances have been stated in which this me- dicine has been supposed to be remarkably effica- cious in the case of dropsy ; two tea spoonful of the powdered root being taken every morning suc- cessively till the cure was effected. The seeds of this plant are said by some to afford more relief in asthmatic cases than the root." 73 Note.—Notwithstanding all the good properties said to be contained in this root, there is danger of an extreme in the use of it. Not long ago, a Doctor directed a young man to make a syrup' of it, and drink freely of the same. He drank it un- til his throat swelled, his cough increased, and it was thought he was incurable. I visited him, gave him several emetics, and he revived. A lit- tle of it in molasses, or in the cough powder is good, but much of it is injurious. PEPPERMINT--THE HERB. This is a warming herb, and good in cases of cold. " The leaves have a strong, rather disa- greeable smell, and an intensely pungent aromatic taste, resembling that of pepper, and accompanied with a peculiar sensation of" coldness. They af- ford an essential oil, rich in the aromatic quality of the herb. It also contains a small portion of camphor. " Peppermint is used as a stimulent and carmi- native, to obviate nausea or griping, or to relieve the symptoms resulting from flatulence. It is also an excellent stomachic, of great use in flatulent cholics, languors, and hysteric cases, and in vom- iting. It is used under the forms of the watery infusion, the distilled water, and the essential oil. This last being dissolved in a due portion of rec- tified spirit of wine, and colored with green grass, forms the essence of peppermint of the shops ; a fashionable and pleasant carminative, which, when taken on sugar, imparts a glowing taste, sinking into the tongue, and extending its effects through the whole system, instantly communicating a glow- ing warmth." 74 PENNYROYAL--THE HERB AND FLOWERS. This is an excellent herb, and its virtue ought to be understood by all. It is generally known in Europe and America, as containing valuable pro- perties. Dioscorides, an ancient author, gives the following account of it. " Pennyroyal is good to make thin and loosen tough phlegm, to take away coldness from any part of the body and to di- gest raw Or corrupt matter in the stomach. Made into a staong tea, it removes female obstructions and afterbirths, is good to remove sickness from the stomach, and to prevent vomiting. Taken with honey, it is good to clear the lungs and bow- els, of cold. Applied to the nostrils with vinegar, it revives such as are subject to fainting. Being dried and burnt it is good to cleanse the gums.— The green herb bruised and put in vinegar, is good to cleanse foul sores and to take away marks and bruises about the eyes, and redness ofthe face by being too long near the fire." Pliny says it is good to help fainting, to ease pain in the head, breast and bowels, and to. pre- vent gnawing in the stomach, He also says, it is good in cramps, convulsions, &c. Boiled in milk it is good for a cough, and for ulcers and sores in the mouth. Mathiolus says, that a decoction of it helps the jaundice, dropsy, pains in the head, sinews, &c. My way of using the tea of this herb is, to give the emetic in, according to the direction for using the lobelia, to warm and cleanse the stomach. It is the best tea I can find to make the ematic ope- rate. It prevents spasms and hysteric affections, by being given to women who are subject to these 75 complaints, while going through a course of me- dicine. Often in attending young children, this sweetened, and the emetic, is all necessary to give them, to clear the whole system of cold, and other difficulties attending them. Pennyroyal is an herb found in almost all parts of the world where men live, which shews that it ought freely to be used in all cases of cold and sickness, instead of the poisonous plants and min- erals now in use, among the fashionable part ofthe world. PEACH LEAVES...STONES. The leaves and meat of the stones are of great use to the sick, though but little attended to in this country. A strong tea made of the leaves are excellent for the cholic, and such like complaints peculiar to children and young people. The leaves dried and powdered, are good to stop blood and heal wounds. They are useful for a cough, or shortness of breath, and to remove hoarseness, and for defects in the lungs, and such as raise blood. The meat of the peach stone is an excellent medicine to assist, or restore the digestion, and re- move pain in the stomach and bowels Peachmeats pounded fine, and boiled in vinegar, until they are considerably thick, are good applied to the head, to cause the hair to grow on bald pla- ces, and parts where it is too thin, according to Culpeppei 's account of it. POPLAR BARK.....OF THE ROOT OR TREE. There are three kinds of poplar in this coun- 76 try ; the lombardy, which have been considered ornamental trees—the black poplar which is tall, the limbs long and tough—the white poplar, this is the best for medicine. The black is good, but not so strong as the white; this, the bark is smooth, and in the upper part white ; the branch- es are short and brittle. The inner bark of the trunk or root is a most excellent bitter, either by itself, in a strong tea, or compounded with other bitter herbs, barks or roots. There is perhaps no one thing better to help the digestion than this bark. It is good in all con- sumptive cases, and in what is called the jaun- dice, made into a strong tea, and drank freely sev- eral times in a day. Not long ago, a man from the Cape came to see me, and said he believed he must soon go with the consumption, without im- mediate relief. He bought five pounds of this bark pulverized, and drank it freely for many weeks. He recovered his health, and is now as well as any man, and able to attend to his busi- ness. In the year 1821, I attended a man in Providence, R. I. supposed to be in a quick con- sumption. After attending him through three re- gular courses of medicine in ten days, I directed him to drink this tea ; which he did. In three weeks he was able to work, and has enjoyed good health from that time. CHOCOLATE ROOT.....THE ROOT. This is by some called evan root; and choco- late root, because it resembles chocolate in taste. This is an healthy root, and many wise people in the country drink it instead of tea or coffee. In all cases of canker, this is good for young or old. 77 It should be gathered, washed, dried and pound- ed fine for use. SUMAC..COMMONLY CALLED SHUMAKE..THE LEAVES. BERRIES, AND BARK OF THE TRUNK OR ROOTS. This plant as medicinal, is either unknown to the American Doctors, or else disowned—Dr. Thatcher does not mention it, nor Culpepper.— The leaves, berries, and bark, are all good to re- move canker, made into a strong tea, and drank freely. It is useful in gravel, and stranguary, as it serves to remove obstructions, and to cause the water to go off freely. In cases, where the stom- ach needs souring, the berries are best; where stoppage of water is the complaint, the leaves and bark are the most suitable. The bark should be pealed, when the sap is free; the leaves gathered, when they are full grown, and the berries, when they are ripe or turn- ed red; and each of them should be dried in the sun, and kept dry for use. RED RASPBERRY LEAVES. This plant receives its name from the colour of the fruit which is red. Another kind bears black berries. This plant is not mentioned in Thatcher's Dispensatory. This belongs to the class of plants good for canker! The leaves made into a strong tea, are good to remove canker from the mouth, throat, stomach, bowels, and oth- er parts of the body. In the dysentery, it is very useful. In the first stages of that disease, I have known people wholly cured with a strong tea made of the leaves. 78 When a canker poultice is needed, this tea is good to make it'with ; and in a burn, a strong tea thickened with pounded Elm, is useful; and for all sores where canker appears, this is good to wash them with.^Children who have sore mouths, or are otherwise troubled with canker humors, ought to drink this tea freely and for a considera- ble time. It is a useful tea for children, to take with the emetic when it is given. WILD CHERRY STONES AND MEAT. Wild cherry stones, dried and pounded fine. with other articles, make an excellent cordial, to be taken after disentery, or whenever the digestive powers need restoring. The cherries dried and pounded with the stones and steeped in hot water with loaf sugar and brandy, are good for such as lack an appetite, when the digestive powers are weakened. This preparation is said to be useful in gravel, and where people are troub- led with wind in their stomach and bowels. BLACK BIRCH... INNER BARK. The bark of this tree, is said to be a good medi- cine for the gravel and sore mouth, when made in- to a strong tea. It grows plentifully in Vermont. A strong tea of it, is good to make a cherry or a peachmeat cordial. BURDOCK....LEAVES, SEED AND ROOT. This herb is* generally known. The following description of burdock is given by Culpepper in the following words, and is worthy of attention:— 79 "The burdock leaves are cooling, moderately drying, and discussing withal, whereby it is good for old ulcers and sores. A drachm of the roots taken with pine kernels, helpeth them that spit foul, mattery and bloody phlegm. The leaves ap- plied to the places troubled with the shrinking of the sinews, or arteries, give much ease. The juice of the leaves, rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents : And the root beaten with a little salt, and laid on the place, sud- denly eases the pain thereof, and helpeth those that are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the leaves being drank with honey, provoketh urine, and remedieth the pain of the bladder. The seed being drank in wine forty days together, doth wonderfully help the sciatica. The leaves bruised with the white of an egg and applied to any place burnt with fire, taketh out the fire, gives sudden ease, and heals it up afterwards. The decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or canker, stayeth the corroding quality, which must be after- wards anointed with an ointment made of the same liquor, hog's grease, and vinegar boiled to- gether. The roots may be preserved with sugar, and taken fasting, or at other times, for the same purposes, and for consumptions, the stone, and the lask. The seed is much commended to break the stone, and cause it to be expelled by urine, and is often used with other seeds, and things to that purpose." MULLEN LEAVES. This is a plant so common, that there is no need of a description of it. I here give the read- 10 8'0 er an account of it as a medicine, published by an English author, in the year 1681. It is given in the style of writing in that day. "A small quantity of the root given in wine, is commended by Dioscorides against lasks and flux- es of the belly. The decoction hereof drank is profitable for them that are bursten, and for cramps and convulsions, and for those that are troubled with an old cough. The decoction thereof gargled, easeth the pain of the tooth ache. An oil made by the often infusion of the flowers, is of very good effect for the piles. The decoction of the root in red wine, or in water, (if there be an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been often quenched, doth stay the bloody flux. The same also openeth obstructions ofthe bladder and reins when one cannot make water. A decoction of the leaves hereof, and sage, marjerom and chamomile flowers, and the places bathed therewith that have sinews shrunk with cold or cramps, doth bring them much ease and comfort. "Three ounces of the distilled water of the flowers drunk morning and evening for some days together, is said to be the most excellent remedy for the gout. The juice ofthe leaves and flowers being laid upon rough warts, as also the powder of the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take them away, but doth no good to smooth warts. "The powder ofthe dried flowers is an especial remedy for those that are troubled with bellyache, or the pains ofthe cholick. The decoction of the root, and so likewise of the leaves, is great effect to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or inflammation of the throat. The seed and leaves boiled- in wine, and applied, draw forth speedily thorns or splinters gotten into the flesh, ease the pain, and 81 heal them also. The leaves bruised and wrapped in double papers, and covered with hot ashes and embers to bake awhile, and then taken forth and then laid warm on any botch or boyl happening in the groin or share, doth dissolve and heal them.— The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on any member that hath been out of joint, and is newly set again, taketh away all swelling and pain thereof." Every one who reads and understands the above description of mullen, must be convinced that it is of importance to have it where they can apply the same when needed. BITTER SWEET. This plant was anciently called Amaradulcis, morral, woody-nightshade, felonwort. It grows wild in moist hedges; and has woody, brittle stalks, and climbs on bushes. But if there be no shrubs, it creeps along the ground, and frequently strikes new roots. It flowers in the months of June and July. The taste of the twigs and roots, as the name of the plant expresses it, is both bit- ter and sweet; the bitter being first perceived, and then the sweetness. Dr. Thatcher says it was formerly in much esteem as a powerful medi- cine ; though at present, the doctors appear to be unacquainted with its excellence. The following extracts from Culpepper's writ- ings, printed in the year 1681, will shew the esteem people had for it at that time, in England and Germany. Being tied about the neck, is a most excellent remedy for vertigo or dizziness in the head.— "The country people commonly used to take the 82 berries of it, and having bruised them, they appljr them to felons, and thereby soon rid their fingers of such troublesome guests." "We have now shewed you the external use of the herb, we shall speak a word or two ofthe in- ternal, and so conclude. Take a pound of the wood and leaves together, bruise or pound the wood and leaves together, then put them in a pot, and put to it three pints of white wine, put on the pot lid, and shut it close, then let it infuse hot over a gentle fire twelve hours, then strain it out, so have you a most excellent drink to open ob- structions ofthe liver and spleene, to help difficul- ty of breath, bruises and falls, and congealed blood in any part of the body ; to help the yellow jaundice, the dropsy, and black jaundice, and to relieve women newly brought to bed. You may drink a quarter of a pint (a gill) of the infusion every morning. It purgeth the body very gently, arid not churlishly as some hold." The bark of the root is of great use as a part of a preparation for removing callouses, corns, &c. [See Vegetable Ointment.] WORMWOOD....LEAVES AND FLOWERS. This is a common herb, known generally. It grows by the way side, on mountains, and in gar- dens, and is plenty in America. It is a hot dry herb, as hot as the blood. It is good to give in stranguary, surfeits, swellings; to restore the ap- petite, and for the jaundicef and to remove swell- ings from the bowels. HOPS. The following account of the medicinal prop- 83 erties of hops, is from Culpepper. Hops in phy- sical operations are used to open obstructions of the liver, to cleanse the blood, to loosen the bow- els, to remove the gravel and stranguary. The decoction of the tops of hops, is useful to cleanse the blood, to remove scabs and' breakings out of the body, as also tetters, ring worms and spread- ing sores. The decoction of the flowers and tops, are useful in expelling poison. A syrup made of the juice, and sugar is good for the yellow jaun- dice : it easeth the headach, caused by heat, tem- pers the heat of the liver and stomach. JUNIPER BUSH. This is a bush generally known. We give the following account of it from Culpepper,— This admirable Solar shrub, is scarcely to be paralleled for its virtues. The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry but in the first, being a most admirable counter poison, and as great a re- sister of the pestilence as any that grows, and is good, against the bitings of venomous beasts, and good in the stranguary. It is so powerful a rem- edy against the dropsy, that a lye made of the ash- es and drank, is of great use. It helps the terms in women, and fits of the mother. It strengthens the stomach, expels wind ; there is scarcely a bet- ter remedy for wind in any part of the body, than the oil of juniper taken from the berries. Such people as do not know how to get the oil, may eat ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every morning fasting. They are good for a cough, shortness of breath, consumption, pain in the bowels, ruptures, cramps and convulsions. They give safe and speedy deliverance to women with child, strength- 10* SI en the brain, help the memory, and help the sight by strengthening the optic nerves. They are good in all sorts of agues; they help the gout, and strengthen all the limbs of the body. The ber- ries are good for the piles, stone, to procure an ap- petite, for palsies, and falling sickness. The berries are not ripe the first year; but con- tinue green two summers and one winter before they are ripe, at which time, they are of a black- ish colour, and therefore you will always find up- on the bush green berries. When the leaves fall off, the berries are ripe. GUM MYRRH. This is a gummy risinous concrete juice, ob- tained from a shrub growing in the East Indias. The best myrrh is somewhat transparent, of an uniform brownish, or reddish yellow colour; of a slightly pungent, bitter taste ; with a strong aro- matic, not disagreeable odour, though nauseous to the palate." The following account of its med- ical properties, are taken -from the Encyclopedia. (Art. Myrrh.) " The medical effects of this aromatic bitter, are to warm and strengthen the vicera ; it fre- quently occasions a mild diaphorisis, and promotes the fluid secretions in general. Hence it proves serviceable in languid cases, diseases arising from simple inactivity ; those female disorders which proceed from a cold, mumps, sluggish indisposition of the humours, suppressions of the uterine dis- charges, cachetic disorders, and where the lungs and throat are oppressed by viscid phlegm. " Myrrh is likewise supposed in a peculiar manner to resist putrifaction in all parts of the body ; and in this light stands recommended in 85 malignant, putrid and pestilential fevers, and in a small pox, in which last, it is said to accelerate the eruption." The tincture of myrrh has long been in use, and is of great help to the sick. The following account of the tincture of myrrh, is from Thatcher's Dispensatory, p. 510, which shews that myrrh is a good article as a medicine. " Tincture of Myrrh is recommended internal- ly for warming the habit, attenuating viscid juices, strengthening the solids, opening, obstructions, particularly those of the uterine vessels, and re- sisting putrifactions. The dose is from fifteen to forty drops, or more. It may perhaps be given in these cases with advantage, though it is more commonly used externally as a stimulent and an- tisceptic application for clearing foul ulcers, and promoting the exfoliation of carious bones." The common tincture of myrrh, is made in the following manner.— 1. Myrrh, powdered fine, three ounces. 2. Alcohol, twenty ounces. 3. Water, ten ounces. Let them stand together seven days, and then strain it through brown paper. The doctors in general appear but little ac- quainted with the very useful properties of myrrh. It is warming, penetrating, cleansing, and pre- serving in its nature ; and by its effects in out- ward applications, it is easy to determine its opera- tion when taken internally. Pounded and put in- to brandy, it has often cured the dysentery, and I have frequently used it to prevent mortification in the bowels, and to remove other complaints. Take a piece of fresh meat, and let it lie for a while in the " tincture of myrrh,'''' and it will not 86 putrify. In my " vegetable elixir," this is one es- sential part of the compound ; a medicine, which will overcome more difficulties perhaps, in the hu- man body, than any other preparation now in use. [See vegetable elixir.] SPEARMINT. This is an herb generally known, and needs no description. Culpepper says, it is good to prevent vomiting, to ease pains in the ears, stomach, head, &c. It has an healing, drying quality. Should the lobelia emetica, (the herb mentioned in this book as one part of the compound vegetable eme- tic,) cause too much puking, which is seldom the case, a strong tea of spearmint will prevent its op- eration, as it is the counter of this herb. People have often been taken with vomiting, which has continued long, and stopped it only by drinking spearmint tea. CHAMOMILE. Almost every person knows this herb, though but few know the virtue that it contains. The following is the amount of Culpepper's description of it ; which I think may be relied on. A deooction of tea, made of it and drank, will take away pain in the side. The flowers beaten and made into balls with oil, and taken, removes soreness. The Egyptians make great use of it, as a medi- cine, being a plant of the sun. It is good for agues and inflammations of the bowels.—Bathing with the decoction, takes away weariness, and easeth pain in any part of the body. 87 It is good for the sinews when overstrained, and is useful in swellings and callouses. It is good in cholic and stranguary, and dissolves the stone in the bladder. A syrup made of the juice of the herb and flowers, with white wine, is a remedy against the jaundice and dropsy. The oil of chamomile flowers or the herb, is of great use for hard swell- ings, pain, shrinking of the sinews, cramps and pains in the joints. As a clyster, it removes pain in the bowels. This, with bitter sweet and oil, makes a most excellent ointment for swellings, callouses, corns, &c.—[See Vegetable Ointment.] GARDEN RUE. Culpepper gives the following account of it. He says it is good to help the menses, or bring them regular, and to remove a stoppage of urine. It removes pains in the chest and sides ; helps a cough, pain in the head, difficulty in breathing, inflammation of lungs, auguea, cholic, by being made into a tea. Pounded and put into the nose, stops bleeding. TANSY. Dr. Thatcher gives the following account of tansy, page 356. Tansy is an indigenous native perennial, (continuing for many years) growing by road sides and the borders of fields, and is also cultivated in gardens. Its yellow blossoms ap- pear in August. This plant possesses a warm bitter taste ; it is deobstruent, not ungrateful to the palate, and some have had a favourable opinion of it in hysteric disorders. The leaves S8 and seeds have been of considerable esteem as anthelmintics, and are given in doses of from one scruple to one drachm. If fresh meat be rubbed with the plant, it will be effectually preserved from the attacks of the flesh fly. Culpepper has given an extensive description of the excellencies of Tansy, in the following words : " The decoction of the common tansy, or the juice drank in wine, is a singular remedy for all the griefs that come by stopping of the urine, helpeth the stranguary, (or stoppage of water) and those that have weak reins and kidneys. It is also very profitable to expel wind from the stomach and bowels, and to relieve in female com- plaints, or obstructions peculiar to them. It is also useful to prevent abortions. The seed of tan- sy is good to give children that are troubled with worms, and the juice ofthe leaves in drink have the same effect." Tansy boiled in oil is good to annoint with, when the sinews are shrunk by cramp or pained by cold. HOREHOUND. This herb has for many years past been consid- ered an excellent thing for the sick, though at this time its goodness is but little known among people in general. Dr. Thatcher gives the following ac- count of it, page 200. " This is a perennial plant which grows wild on road sides, and among rub- bish. The leaves have a very strong, not disa- greeable smell, and roughish, very bitter taste. It is reputed to be both attenuant and resolvent; an infusion ofthe leaves in water, sweetened with honey, is recommended in asthmatic and phthysi- cal complaints as well as in most other diseases of the breast and lungs. They promote the fluid 89 secretions in general, and liberally taken, loosens the bowels." Dr. Withering observes, " that it was a favorite medicine with the ancients in obstructions of the viscera. He says, that it is the principal ingredi- ent in the negro Cesar's remedy for vegetable poi- sons. That a young man who had occasion to take mercurial medicines, was thrown into a sala- vation which continued for more than a year. Ev- ery method that was tried to remove it, rather in- creased the complaint. At length, Linneous pre- scribed an infusion of this plant, and the patient got well in a short time." The following account of horehound, is from Culpepper's writings. " A decoction ofthe dried herbs with the seed, or the juice ofthe green herb taken in honey, is a remedy for those who are short winded, or have a cough, or are consumptive either through long sickness or thin distillations of rheum upon the lungs. It helps to expectorate tough phlegm from the chest, being taken from the roots or iris or orris. It is given to such as have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by ser- pents. The leaves used with honey, purge foul ulcers, stay running sores, and the growing of flesh over the nails. The juice with wine and honey help to clear the eye sight. Galen says that horehound will remove obstructions from the liver and melt, purgeth the breast and lungs of phlegm ; and used outwardly, it both cleanses and helps the digestion. Matthi- olus says, that a decoction of horehound is useful for diseased livers, and for itching and running tetters. The green leaves bruised and boiled in old hog's lard into an ointment, abates the swell- ings of women's breasts. A syrup made of hore- »u hound, is very good to remove old coughs and tough phlegm, and for old people who are asthma- tic or short winded." PLANTAIN. Much has been said of this herb, though it is not generally known as a medicine. What is call- ed great plantain, grows common in fields and by the road side, and is generally known. Many peo- ple apply the bruised leaves of this herb to slight wounds, inflamed sores, and swellings, with a fav- orable effect. It was recorded in a Virginia pa- per, that a> gentleman was bitten above the knee by a spider. A few minutes after he perceived a pain shooting upwards from the spot which soon reached his heart. A quantity of plantain was immediately gathered and bruised, and the juice squeezed out and swallowed, which stopped the progress of the poison, so that a cure of the bite was obtained immediately. The story of the battle between the spider and toad is generally known. I had the following from a man who saw the battle. He stated that in his field he observed a toad in quick motion from one place to another, which led him to see the cause. He noticed a large spider which stung the toad. As soon as he was stung, he applied to his medi- cine, the plantain leaf, which he would bite and return to the spider. After doing this several times, the man pulled up the plantain and held it in his hand. The toad soon returned, but his re- medy was gone ; in a few minutes he swelled and died. From this and other accounts, we may rest assured, that this herb is good in such cases. If it is good for a toad, it is good for a man in the same situation. 91 Culpepper has given a high recommendation of plantain, which he considers one ofthe best of all herbs which grows. We will here give a few ex- tracts from him, and leave the reader to judge and act lor himself. The juice of plantain clarified and drank for several days, is excellent to remove pain in the bowels. It is good to stop bleeding at the mouth, or spitting blood, to cure discharges of bloody wa- ter from the reins or bladder, and to stop the bleed- ing of wounds. It is also considered good for such as are troubled with phthysic or consumption of the lungs, ulcers and consumptive coughs. Dais- corides says, that a decoction or powder of the roots or seed, is better for the above complaints, than the leaves. The clarified juice of plantain, dropped into the eyes will take out inflamation from them ; and dropped into the ears removes pain and helps to restore the hearing. The juice or decoction is useful in curing old ulcers, canker, and sores in the mouth, and the piles. When a bone has been out, this herb is good to prevent pain, swelling and inflamation. The powders of the dried leaves taken in drink, destroys worms, and boiled in white wine, destroys worms which breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of plantain water, and two parts of brine of powdered beef boiled together and clarified, (says Culpepper) is a most sure remedy for the cure of all spreading scabs, or itch in the head or body, and all manner of tetters, ring- worms, shingles, and all other kinds of running sores. Finally, the plantain is good to heal fresh or old wounds or sores, either outward or in- ward. 11 92 WITCH HAZEL.....BARK AND.LEAVES. Dr. Cutler says, this tree is a native of the United States. The Indians considered it a val- uable article in their materials for medicine. They applied the bark to painful tumours and ex- ternal inflamations. A poultice made of the inner rind of the bark, he says, is found to be very efficacious in removing painful inflamations from the eyes. A strong tea made of the leaves is excellent for the canker in the mouth, throat, stomach and bowels ; this tea thickened with pounded crack- ers, is excellent for a poultice, to apply to sores inflamed, and filled with canker, or what is com- monly called proud flesh. THOROUGH WORT. The leaves and flowers are the parts used as a medicine. In describing this valuable plant, I shall first give Dr. Thatcher's account of it in his Dispensatory, p. 217. " This is a native an- nual plant, flourishing abundantly in wet meadows, and other moist places. The stalk is hairy and rises from two to four feet, perforating the leaves at each joint, from which it is sometimes called thorough stalk or stem. The flowers are white, and appear in July and August, forming a corym- bus, at the termination of the branches. The leaves at each joint are horrizontal, serrated and rough, from three to four inches long, and about one inch broad at their base, gradually lessening to a very acute point of a dark green, and cover- ed with short hairs. " Thoroughwort certainly possesses active pro- perties, and deserves the attention of American 93 Physicians. It acts powerfully as a suderific and emetic, and sometimes as a purgative, and has been successfully employed in intermittents and other fevers, either in decoction or the leaves in powder. Every part of the plant may be ad- vantageously employed, though the flowers appear most active. " A watery infusion of the leaves is a powerful and not disagreeable bitter, and the flowers are deemed superior in this respect to those of chamo- mile, and ought to be kept in the shops. The dried leaves in powder, or made into pills, with lenitive electuary, given in doses of twelve or fif- teen grains, are of excellent effect as a mild laxa- tive, obviating costiveness without induring de- bility or heat ; correcting bile, and promoting perspiration." Another medical author gives the following ac- count of this herb. " Thoroughwort, Thorough-stem, Thorough- wax, Cross-wort, Bone-set, Indian sage, Ague- weed. Vegetable antimony." " This article is very nauseously bitter to the taste. By different preparations and manage- ment, it may be made to produce a variety of ef- fects. A strong tea prepared by long steeping, or by boiling, and taken freely while warm, may, according to the quantity, be made either to pro- duce perspiration, and assist in raising phlegm from the lungs, or to purge or vomit. Taken cold, and in a more moderate quantity, it gives strength. In one or other of these methods it may be useful in common colds, influenza, ma- lignant pleurisy, low fever, agues, indigestion, and weakness in general, being managed as above di- rected, according to the effects desired." 94 We hare reason to believe this a good and use- ful herb. Every person may feel safe in usuing it as mentioned in the above quotations. I have made use of thoroughwort as a medi- cine for several years, and found it a powerful remedy in many obstinate cases ; particularly in the preparation for bitters and pills, of which this is an impoitant part. It is said to operate as an emetic and cathartic. Many think this cannot be. The fact is this, make a strong tea without boiling it, drink it warm, and it'will operate as an emetic ; owing to an oil which has this effect. By boiling the tea for some time, this oil is thrown off, and then that which is physical operates, and by drinking it cool, causes a discharge from the bowels. In several preparations in this work, this herb will bo mentioned, and the manner of preparing it for use. BUGLE OR ARCH ANGEL....THE LEAVES AND FLOWERS. This herb is called Bugle, Middle Confrey, Brown Bugle, Sickle-wort, and Arch Angel. The following account of it is given by Cul- pepper. This has green leaves, some are green and some brown, dented upon the edge, and hairy, with a square stalk, and small burs on it. The stalk is from twelve to eighteen inches high. A decoction of the leaves and flowers made in white wine, and taken, dissolveth congealed blood, caused in those who are bruised inwardly by falls, and is useful for any inward wound, or stabs in the body or bowels, and for such as are troubled with what is called the liver complaint. 95 It is good for all kinds of sores and ulcers, though of long standing. The leaves bruised and applied to gangrenes, fistulas, made into a wash is of great use ; also to cure sores in the mouth and gums. It is so good for all sorts of hurts in the body, that no one who knows its use- fulness, will be content without it. Those who are troubled with strange dreams and with what is called the nightmare, may find great relief by using a syrup made of this herb. Culpepper says, " These I have cured by taking only two spoonfuls of the syrup of this herb, two hours after supper, when going to bed." This herb is good to add with other things in making the Vegetable Bitters ; (which see.) A good cordial may be made by taking bugle, wormwood, and horehound, equal parts ; make a strong tea, by boiling them together. When boil- ed, strain off the tea ; for one junk bottle of it, add two ounces peachmeats pounded fine, four ounces loaf sugar, half an ounce of gum myrrh ; one gill brandy, if the person is relaxed, and if costive, one gill of Hollands gin. Take half a wine glass of it two or three times a day, before breakfast, dinner and supper. It is safe in all con- ditions. SAFFRON. Saffron is a bulbous rooted perennial plant, generally cultivated in European gardens. The smell of saffron is pleasant and aromatic, but a narcotic ; the taste a fine aromatic bitter. Saf- fron is remarkably fragrant, and is highly esteem- ed as it exhilarates the spirits when taken in small doses ; but, if used in too large portions, it nroduces immoderate mirth, and all the conse- 1 11* 96 quences resulting from the abuse of spirituous liquors. Saffron and Snakeroot, made into a tea is good to give children and grown people, when they are attacked with the measles, but the tea ought not to be very strong. LOVAGE. This is a plant generally known, and needs no description. Culpepper says, " Half a drachm at a time of the dried root, powdered, and taken in wine, warms the stomach, helps digestion, and removes pain from the same ; eases inward pains, gripings and wind. A tea made of the leaves is good to remove colds and agues. The seed for this pur- pose is more powerful than the leaves. The distilled water of the herb, helps the quinsy. Being dropped into the eyes it takes away redness and dimness from them ; and will remove spots and freckles from the face. The leaves bruised and fried with a little hog's lard, and laid warm on any bile will break it in a short time." MALLOWS AND MARSHMALLOWS. The following account of mallows is extracted from Culpepper's account of them. A decoction made ofthe seeds of mallows boil- ed in wine or milk, is good in cases of Phthisic Pleurisy, and other diseases of the lungs and chest. The leaves and roots have the same ef- fect. The leaves bruised with a little honey are good to lay on the eyes, and removes diseases from 97 them. A syrup made of them is good to remove costiveness. The leaves bruised and rubbed on places stung with bees, or wasps, takes away the pain, redness and swelling in a short time. The juice of mallows boiled in old oil, and ap- plied, takes away the roughness ofthe skin, scurf, dandruff, dry scabs in the head, or other parts, and prevents the hair from coming off. It is also good to remove scalds, "St. Anthony's Fire, and other painful swellings in any part of the body. Culpepper says that the 3Iarshmallows are more powerful in the above complaints, than the com- mon mallows. He states that a strong tea made of the leaves, is good to loosen the bowels, for injections, to relieve in cases of gravel and strang- uary. He says that at a certain time a kind of bloody flux prevailed in England, which the college of physicians called the plagup of the bowels, which they could not cure. He says, "My son was taken wi'h the same disease, and the excoriation of his bowels was exceeding great; myself being in the country, was sent for ; the only thing I gave him was mallows bruised and boiled in milk, which he drank, and in two days (the blessing of God being upon it) it cured him. And I here, to shew my thankfulness to God, in communicating it to his creatures, leave it to posterity." In all such diseases, these two herbs may be us- ed with entire safety and good success. CUCUMBERS. If they were one degree colder, they would be poison ; but it is safe eating them in small quan- tities. They are good for a hot stomach, eaten 98 with salt, pepper and vinegar. The juice is good to cleanse the skin of the face. The seeds are good for stranguary, obstructions in the bladder, &c. PJMRT MI. EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE PREPARATION AND USE OF VEGETABLE MEDICINES. EMETICS, OR VOMITS. Before I proceed to a description ofthe emetic mentioned in this book, or rather the preparation which produces it, some introductory remarks are necessary. 1. It is objected to, by many, that vomiting is unnatural, and of course injurious to man. An healthy emetic is not unnatural, nor injurious. We clear many things by bringing back. The young child vomits up the mother's milk without being sickened, and immediately is ready for more. When the stomach is full of cold and dead matter, by a suitable emetic, it may be immediately clear- ed and restored to its natural state. 2. It is objected, that emetics frequently given, weaken the stomach, and injure the whole system. It is true that poison given for emetics has this ef- fect ; but the vegetables created for emetics, have a contrary effect ; they relieve ; they cure the sick. 3. That emetics are useful, is allowed by al- most every man who has the name of a physician. Those considered the most learned Doctors, speak in favor of it. 99 Dr. Robert Hooper in his " Medical Dictiona- ry," gives the following upon the subject : " Emetics (Emetica sc Mediramenta: to vom- it.) Substances capable of exciting vomiting, in- dependently of any effect arising from the mere quantity of matter introduced into the stomach, or of any nauseous taste or flavor. The susceptibility of vomiting is very different in different individuals, and is often considerably varied by disease. Emetics are employed in many diseases. When any morbid affection depends upon, or is connect- ed with other distention ofthe stomach, or the pre- sence of acred, indigestible matters, vomiting gives speedy relief. Hence its utility in impaired appe- tites, acidity in the stomach, in intoxication, and where poisons have been swallowed. From the pressure ofthe abdominal viscera in vomiting, emetics have been considered as service- able in jaundice, arising from biliary calculi ob- structing the ducts. The expectorant power of emetics and their utility in catarrhs and phthisic, have been ascri- bed to a similar pressure extended the thoracvis- cera. In the different varieties of febrile affections, much advantage is derived from exciting vomit- ing especially in the very commencement of the disease. Emetics given in such doses, as only to excite nausea, have been found useful in restraining haemorrhage. Different species of dropsy have been cured by vomiting, from its having excited absorption. To the same effect, perhaps, is owing the dispersion of swelled testacies, bubo, and other swellings 100 which has occasionally resulted from this opera- tion. If an emetic operates only to clear the stomach, it can do but little good ; and frequently the com- mon emetics fail of this. They then sicken and frequently leave the sick man worse. Sometimes they operate till the patient dies. Indian root is often injurious, and tartar emetic is always poi- son. Hooper says,—" Tartar Emetic is obtained by boiling fuible oxyde of antimony with supertar- trate of potash ; the excess of tartaric acid dis- solves the oxyde, and a tripple salt is obtained by chrystalization." The violent operations of these emetics have caused many to fear every kind of Emetic. The Emetic described in this work is very dif- ferent from those in common use among the reg- ular Doctors, especially in the following particu- lars :— 1. They are always safe when given according to the directions in this book, either to children or adults. It never cramps the stomach , but in- fallibly removes cramp when applied for that pur- pose. It is perfectly safe given to females in the time ofthe courses, when they are stopped, or are troubled with too great a discharge, in the flour albus, &c. It is safely given to females in every stage of pregnancy, from first to last, and will pre vent abortions, if seasonably administered. De- formed people who cannot take other emetics, may be sure of a benefit from this. 2. It never disturbs the bile, unless it is dead ; then it throws it out of the stomach, nor does it ever convulse the stomach. 3. It will not disturb the food in the stomach if it sets easy after being eaten. A person may eat his breakfast, go to bed, and take this emetic 101 in half an hour after eating, and vomit without bringing it up. If one part of the food worries the stomach, this emetic will bring up that part, and leave the remainder undisturbed. If the whole eaten disturbs the stomach, it will bring it all away and give him an appetite for more after the operation is over. This I have seen thousands of times. 4. In addition to clearing the stomach, it is more or less diffused through the whole man, and operates to clear all parts from cold and filth. It warms, cleanses, and quickens the circulation of the blood, helps the digestion, removes obstruc- tions, and opens the pores. It does all needful for the sick", and distressed ; and was in the wis- dom of God, as certainly designed for the relief of the sick, ias food and drink was designed for the hungry and thirsty. 5. In one thing more, this Emetic differs from others ; that is, a man cannot take so much of it at one time as to injure his health. When he has taken enough for one time, he cannot swallow any more, it will come back. When a man is cleared of all disease by this emetic, and its attendant medicine, it will not ope- rate, but passes off, without any disagreeable ef- fect. It will not operate on a dying man, nor make a well man sick. Of course it is perfectly safe in all conditions, if administered according to the di- rections here given. Having mentioned these things, I now proceed to a description of the materials which compose this Emetic : the manner of compounding the different vegetables, and how it must be giv- en to the sick.—It consists of the following ; 1. Penny Royal. 2. East India, or Ameri- 102 can Pepper. 3. Emetic Herb, called Lobelia, the leaf made fine. 4. Nerve Powder, called Valeri- an, fine. 5 Sugar. 6. Water, and in some ca- ses, Vegetable Elixir. These articles are compounded in the following manner. 1. Make about one quart of Penny Royal Tea; fill a common tea cup about half, or two thirds full ofthe tea ; add one tea spoonful of sugar, from half to an helping tea spoonful of East India Pep- per, or American Pepper ; stir all this together while the tea is hot. When the tea is cool enough to drink, add an heaping tea spoonful of green emetic ofthe leaves made fine, and sifted ; half a tea spoonful of nerve powder, and orie tea spoon- ful of elixir, if you have it. Stir all these together, and let the sick person drink it. Let him drink, and wash his mouth with penny royal tea, if he desires it. 2. From fifteen to eighteen minutes af- ter giving the first dose, fix another in the same manner as the first, with the addition of a tea spoonful of liquid emetic, in common cases. [See Emetic No. 2, which is the liquid emetic] 3. In from fifteen to twenty minutes after the second dose, give a third dose fixed the same as the second. This is Emetic enough for one day. 4. In about half an hour from the time of giv- ing the third dose ef Emetic ; fill a tea cup about half full of hot pennyroyal tea, sweeten it, and add an heaping tea spoonful of American Cayenne ; half a tea spoonful of Nerve Powder ; one or two tea spoonsful of Elixir; stir these together, and let the patient drink it. Half an hour after giving this, prepare another dose, in the same manner ; and after another half hour, prepare and give a third one ; the same as the second. This is generally enough for one 103 day. If the patient does not vomit freely with all this, give him a tea spoonful of Nerve powder, and as much Elixir, in a tea cup of warm pennyroyal tea. After the operation of the Emetic is done, give the patient milk porridge, as soon as he has an appetite for it. He may also drink cider, cold water, ginger tea, or pennyroyal, if he craves either of them, or all. It is necessary for the patient to remain in bed several hours after the operation of the emetic has ceased. He must never leave the bed until the perspiration has ceased. Ln short days and cold weather, it is often best to lie in bed till the next morning. In general it is best not to change the clothes until the next day. It must not be done when in a perspiration : it exposes the patient to take cold. It is never good to wash after, either with warm or cold water. The day after taking the emetic, they may gener- ally eat what their appetite craves ; but be careful not to eat food hard to digest, and be sure never to drink spirituous liquors ; they create disease. If the disease is not removed wholly by one course of emetic, it must be given again in bed, in three or four days, as the case may require, until the person is well. Between the times of taking the emetics, the patient must take powders, pills, and bitters, as directed in other parts of this work. [See bitters, powders, &c] This emetic is sure in all cases of obstructions in the liver, stomach, bowels ; in fevers, rheumatism, &c. [A word to those who give the emetic describ- ed here. A general rule is here given ; but there are certain variations, which ought to be observed. It is said, give American Cayenne with the eme- tic. This generally is best, but there are cases, 12 104 when it is necessary to add a small quantity of " West India Cayenne," with the American,— that is, when the American does not raise the heat high enough to make the emetic operate. Some- times the green emetic without the liquid is enough. That is in people of slender constitu- tions, or who have been long sick, and reduced to a state of great weakness. In such cases, judg- ment must he used. In some cases it is best al- ways to give an injection first ; but this is not generally needful. Where the stomach is very foul, and the bowels are free, and in cases, where the head is obstructed ; where they are troubled with dizziness, and swimming, as it is called, or they talk of being deranged. In such cases, it is best to give the emetic without an injection. EMETIC--NO. 2, OR LIQUID EMETIC. There are several ways by which this Emetic may be prepared. 1. Take one quart of elixir, [see elixir,] add four ounces of seed emetic, pounded fine, and shake it together several times in a day, for four or five days, let it settle, and it is fit for use, by pouring off the liquor from the seed. This will do in common cases, where it is to be used. 2. Another way to prepare it is.—Take one quart of alcohol, add four ounces emetic seed, pounded fine, half an ounce West India Cayenne, shake it several times in a day for one week, pour it off, and it is fit for use. 3. The best liquid Emetic I have tried, is made and prepared in the following manner : Take one gallon (or a greater quantity in the same propor- tion) of the best Holland gin, add one pound seed emetic pounded fine, one ounce best West India Cayenne pounded fine Shake them togethar 105 several times in a day. Let the liquid stand on these dregs, and pour off from the dregs, when it is needed for application, in such cases as are de- scribed here. Uses of the Liquid Emetic—No. 2. It is to be used in all cases of fits, cramps, con- vulsions, spasms, lockjaw, poison, &c. It must be given in the following manner—Take from half to an whole wine-glass full, clear ; soon after give warm pennyroyal tea. If this does not operate in the course of about fifteen minutes, give as much more with pennyroyal tea after it. If it does not operate with all this, give a tea spoonful of vege- table powders, and pennyroyal tea—All this I nev- er knew to fail of giving certain relief. This is a preparation, and dose for grown peo- ple—from the age of six years to all over that age. With this preparation, I have relieved people in fits, cramps, spasms, lockjaw, &c. and have never known it to fail in a single instance. EMETIC—no. 3. This is a preparation for young children, and may be safely used in all conditions which chil- dren may be in, from the day they are born. For very young children, make a tea of pennyroyal, and fill a teacup one third full, sweetened. Put one tea spoonful of the green emetic, (made fine and sifted) into a thin cloth ; dip it into the tea, and squeeze it to get the strength into the tea.— When cool, give one third of it: in about ten or fifteen minutes, give one third more ; and in ten or fifteen minutes, give the remainder. If this dose does not relieve, fix another dose, and give it as be- fore. This is enough for one time. 106 For children from five to six months old to two, three, five, or six years old, make pennyroyal tea, fill a teacup half full of the tea, sweeten it, and put an heaping tea spoonful of green emetic into it ; stir it well, and give the child one third of it ; in ten or fifteen minutes, give one third more ; and in as much more time give the remainder.— This is generally enough for one day. If this does not operate enough to relieve, give half as much more ; and be particular .to give drink as often as the child wants it, either cider, tea or wa- ter. Another preparation of No. 3, Emetic, for Children. Take four ounces of green emetic, pounded fine ; put it in a glass bottle, add one pint of alco- hol, and one quart of warm water, cork it close, and shake it several times in a day for one weok, let it settle, and pour off for use when it is need- ed. For young children, give from one to three tea spoonsful, in about as much warm pennyroyal tea, sweetened. If this quantity does not relieve, give as much more, in the course of half an hour. Give freely of pennyroyal tea, water, or such drink as the child craves. This may be given with safety, in all cases of cold, shortness of breath, coughs, quincy, croup, whooping cough, meazles, chickenpox, fevers, can- ker rash, scarlet fever, mumps, and in all obstruc- tions of the throat, neck, lungs, and stomach.— This preparation will make children vomit easy, and remove the complaint. If giving this number three, of either prepara- tion, does not cure in one, two or three days, give 107 another, as above, and so repeat it, until a cure is effected. VEGETABLE POWDERS. These powders are prepared in the following manner :— 1. Take one pound of bayberry bark, (and in the same proportion for more or less,) ofthe root dried, made fine, and sifted through a fine sieve. 2. Add eight ounces of ginger, four ounces of East India Pepper, or American Cayenne, two ounces of golden seal, one ounce of valerian, called nerve powder. All made fine, and sifted through a fine sieve. Put all these together in a dry tub, or some oth- er vessel, and stir them with a stick till they are well mixed ; then sift the whole through a coarse sieve, that each part may be a like through the whole, and they are fit for use. This preparation is of great use for young and old, male and female. They are useful and safe for violent colds, fevers, foul stomach, head ache, juandice, pain in the stomach and bowels, dysenta- ry, cholic, loss of appetite, cold hands and feet, palpitation of the heart, rheumatism, female complaint caused by colds,and all kinds of humors. Directions for using these powders. For an adult, put an heaping tea spoonful into a teacup, and add as much sugar, then pour the cup half full of boiling water ; stir it together, and when cool enough, add one tea spoonful of vege- table elixir, if you have it, if not, take it without. For children, half, or two thirds of the above quantity. Take it in bed at night, and also in the morning, in violent cases. If taken in the 12* 10* day time, sit by the fire with a coat or blanket over you, until the warmth caused by the medi- cine is abated. Sometimes when the stomach is very foul, it will cause some vomiting, it is then more beneficial. If given in the first stages of a disease a few doses night and morning will often effect a cure. VEGETABLE BITTERS. These bitters are prepared in the following manner. 1. To make one junk bottle, take of poplar bark and the leaves and flowers of thoroughwort, equal parts, enough for about one quart of strong tea ; add about one fourth as much wormwood. Put thein into an earthen vessel ; and pour boiling water on them. Boil them a while to get out the strength. Put this in a bowl, and add one tea spoonful of American cayenne. Pour the tea into the bowl and stir the whole together, and when cool, add from one gill of brandy or gin, to half a pint ; put all into a junk bottle. Shake it a few times, and the bitters are fit for use. These bitters are good for jaundice, loss of ap- petite, indigestion, pain in the stomach and bow- els, costiveness, and other obstructions peculiar to females, and for swellings in the bowels. Take a common wine glass full, before breakfast, at eleven o'clock, and towards night, when needed. They are a safe medicine in all conditions for male or female. N. B.—There are some cases, where an addi- tion to these bitters is needful. If designed to as- sist obstructed mences, two tea spoonful of nerve powder, and two of bitter root must be added to one junk bottle after they are made. The bitters 109 must be shaken before they are taken. One wine glass at once, two or three times in a day is suf- ficient. In cases of an old relax, two tea spoonsful of pounded bayberry bark of the root, and one of nerve powder must be added, and taken as above. This will generally cure in a few days or weeks at most. VEGETABLE ELIXIR. This elixir is prepared in the following man- ner. Take one gallon best fourth proof cogniac brandy, put it into a stone jug, or glass demijohn. Add one pound gum myrrh pounded fine and one ounce of W. I. Cayenne Pepper pounded fine.— Shake them well together, every day for six or seven days, and the elixir is fit for use. Let the myrrh remain until the liquor is all used. For a larger quantity, observe the same proportion of brandy, myrrh and Cayenne This elixir is useful in all cases of pain, taken inwardly, or applied upon the outside. In cases of common head ache, put some on the head, and snuff it up the nose ; it will generally relieve in a few minutes. Hold some in the mouth for the tooth ache, then wet cotton wool, and put it on the tooth, it will generally relieve the pain in a short time. By taking from half to an whole table spoonful in cases of pain in the stomach, or bowels, the pain will soon be removed. Bathing the sides or bow- els, will remove the pain in a short time. When the joints are swelled or pained with rheumatism, rubbing them with this elixir, will relieve pain and bring down the swelling. When a joint is strained, by bathing with this, no the pain will be removed, the swelling taken down, and the strength restored. In cases of cramp in the limbs, stomach or bowels, this elixir will remove it immediately.— Applied to cuts, bruises, and slight burns, orother wounds, it effects a speedy and easy cure. When the hands are covered with warts, by ap- plying this often, it will take them away. Blood warts are cured by it. What is called " weeping sineios" are cured by bathing the part several times in a day, and wearing a flannel over the in- jured part. People troubled with weakness and pain in their backs, may be cured by bathing with this elixir, and Botanic ointment, two or three times in a day. A recent relax is generally cured by taking a ta- ble spoonful two or three times in a day for a few days. Swellings in any part are removed by taking it, and bathing where the part is affected. VEGETABLE OINTMENT. This ointment is prepared in the following manner. Take one gallon of neats-foot oil, add one pound of the bark of the root of bitter sweet, dried and pounded fine ; half a pound of chamomile pound- ed ; half a pound of wormwood pounded ; and one once of cayenne pepper pounded fine, with one quart of best cogniac brandy. Stir these together and simmer them over a slow fire one day. After this, strain off the oil, and add two ounces of spirits of turpentine to each pound of the oint- ment. This ointment is designed wholly for outward applications. Such as callouses, swellings, bruis- Ill es, sprains, tightness of the sinews, or stiffness in the joints, and to remove corns. Corns are cured by shaving them down to the quick, and then put a thin piece of bladder into the ointment, and wrap it round the toe, and wear it, adding more ointment when needed, until the corn is gone. EYE WATER. Many preparations have been presented to the public, under the name of Eye Water, having not much more then the name. Minerals have been used, but those cannot be good for the eyes. Ma- ny, without any doubt have been made wholly blind by the injudicious use of such things. There are many good things used, though very simple. Some use cold water, applying it every morn- ing ; I am now almost 68 years old, and have from 16 years old washed my eyes with cold wa- ter every morning, and my sight has never failed much ; I can now write without glasses, and read common sized print, without difficulty. A friend of mine, nearly seventy-two years of age, can read the finest print without glasses, he has made a practice of puting his face into cold water once or twice every morning, and opening his eyes, for over thirty years. In old age the eye shrinks, which makes glasses needful. The cold water prevents that flatting of the eyes. Some have used warm milk from the cow, as good for inflamation and useful. A poultice of fine elm wet with milk and laid on the eyes at night, is very good in cases of inflamation. In cases of pain in the eye balls bathing the eye lids with liquid emetic, with the eyes shut, is very good to remove that pain, and to take out the redness. n« The following is one ofthe best preparations 1 have ever found. No. 1. This is made in the following mariner. 1. Take one ounce of clover extract, (which see) dissolve it in about one pint of spring water, half a gill rose water, and one gill and a half of cogniac brandy. Shake them together every day for one week, and it is fit for use. If this is too strong for children, reduce it with soft spring wa- ter. Put this on the eyes and eye lids, with the end ofthe finger, several times in a day. This will generally cure. No. 2. The following is the way to prepare it. Take the bark of the root of white maple.— Shave off the ross, cut it fine, and boil it tiff the strength is out, then take out the bark, strain the liquor, and boil it down to the thickness of molass- es. Take about one ounce of this and dissolve it in one pint of soft water—add one gid and half of best cogniac brandy, one gill best rose water, shake it every day for ten days, and it is fit for use. Apply it with the finger to the edge of the eyelids, several times in a day. It is also good to apply to any canker sore on any part ofthe body. I have found it an excellent remedy, when all other pre- parations failed. The following is the way of discovering the use of this bark. In the year 1834, a man related to me the following circumstance. He stated that he had a sore on his lip, supposed to be the begin- ning of a cancer, it often pained him very much. One day as he was in the woods at work, his pain in the lip was very severe. In this state of an- guish, he pulled of a green leaf from a tree near, and laid it on his lip, and passed along. In a short time the pain abated. Finding this relief he 113 returned to see what tree he plucked the leaf from, and found it to be the white maple. He continu- ed to apply the leaves till he was wholly cured. I saw the scar, but the supposed cancer was gone. After he was gone, I reasoned thus—if the power of the'maple leaf is so great, how much more pow- erful must the bark of the root be ! From that time till now I have continued to use this extract for the eyes, mouth, and other canker sores, and found it to exceed what I had at first contemplated ; and now publish it for the benefit of all who may use it on such occasions. SALVE. Salve, and such kinds of compounds for out- ward applications, have long been in use, and are likely long to be needed, the scriptures mention " Eye Salve, Ointments," of the apothecary, and other things of the same nature. We will give directions for a few preparations in num- bers. No. 1. is prepared in the following manner. Take one pound of Bees-wax, one pound of salt butter, twelve ounces balsam firr, twelve ounces turpentine, simmer them together, till the whole is melted into one mass; then settle it, and strain off from the sedement, and it is fit for use. It is useful for any kind of sore, bruise, burn, cut or scald, after the sore is cleansed from blood, can- ker, &c. No. 2. This is a compound of Botanic Oint- ment and Salve, No. 1, melted and mixed, equal parts of each. This is an excellent preparation to cause a sore to discharge, that it may be pre- pared to heal. In cases of scrofulous humors, ' 114 salt rheum, shingles, ringworms, and in any cases of eruption ofthe skin, it is very useful. It is used for the cure of old cankered sores ; it opens the pores, causes a discharge of dead mat- ter, and prepares the flesh to heal itself. It may be bathed on by the fire, or spread on a clean cot- ton or linen cloth, and used until the sore is heal- ed. CANCER PLASTER. This plaster is prepared in the following man- ner :— 1. Take the heads of red clover, when full grown, put them in a brass or iron kettle. Fill up the kettle with water sufficient for the quantity of clo- ver heads collected. Boil them till the strength is out ; then strain the water and press out all you can from the clover When this is done, boil down the tea by a slow fire, until it is about the thickness of tar when cool. This is very good for common sores, but not strong enough for can- cers. 2. Take half a gill of this which is boiled down. Add to this quantity an heaped tea spoonful of the emetic seed pounded fine, and the same quantity of West India Cayenne made fine. Stir all these together, and it is fit for use. Take a piece of bladder split, and made soft by rubbing it, or a piece of soft glove leather. Spread the plaster, larger than the sore, and lay it on. When the cancer, or any other canker sore has taken off all the plaster, spread another and put on. Continue this till the sore is cured. For further particulars see cancer. VEGETABLE COUGH POWDER. This powder is prepared in the following manner. 115 Take of horehound, made fine and sifted, four ounces ; one ounce of lobelia emetic ; (emetic herb) one ounce of cayenne pepper ; elicampane root two ounces ; one ounce of skunk cabbage ; one ounce of valerian, and one ounce of thorough- wort, all pounded fine, and sifted through a fine sieve, arid well mixed together, whenit is fit for use This powder is designed for the cure of any kind of cough, caused by cold, directly or indi- rectly. If the throat is sore, if there is a difficulty in swallowing food or drink ; or if there is hoarse- ness, or if the person is troubled with the croup, whooping cough, asthma, or a dry hard cough, this will generally give relief in a few days. Directions—Take an heaping tea spoonful of the powder in a tea cup, add one table spoonful of molasses to it. Stir it together, as you would sul- pher and molasses. For a grown person, take from two to four tea spoonsful at one time ; parti- cularly when in bed at night. It is best to take it whenever a person has an hard time of cough- ing. Mix the same quantity for children, as for adults, give them only half as much at once.— Should this powder cause vomiting, it will give the more relief, or do more good. This powder as given above directed, has saved many sick children from death. COUGH DROPS. The cough drops are prepared as follows :— Take one quart liquid emetic ; one quart water ; add four ounces elicampane made fine ; two oun- ces skunk cabbage made fine ; one pound honey ; two ounces nerve powder. Shake them every day for ten days, then settle and pour off. 13 116 Take from one to two tea spoonsful at night, and at any other time when the cough is trouble- some, or the most violent. For children it may be reduced by adding pen- nyroyal or mayweed tea. ACID COUGH SYRUP. Take of Sumac Berries one pound, elicampane root, four ounces ; skunk cabbage root, one ounce ; West India Cayenne, one ounce ; vinegar one gallon. Boil these together until the strength is out of the berries and roots. Then pour off the liquor from the sediments, and add about three pounds of honey, and it is fit for use. Use of this cough syrup. It is to be taken in cases of asthma, quincy, whooping cough, com- mon colds, sore throat, scrofula, swelling of the glands of the throat, canker in the throat, dryness ofthe mouth and throat, canker in the throat and stomach, catarrh, and any other difficulty in the head or throat, caused by cold. Directions—-To be taken from one tea spoonful, to a table spoonful, several times in a day. Child- ren or grown people,troubled\vith anykind of cough should take it whenever the cough is severe, by day or night. Children should take about half the quantity given to an adult. This preparation was first made for a man who was supposed to be in the last stages of consump- tion. By his request, I visited him, his cough was distressing, his breathing was difficult. I asked him if he thought he could take an emetic 1 He answered, do you think I can 1 No. We all concluded he must die. While setting in the chamber with him, the question arose in my mind, is there no relief for him ? I fixed upon part of this preparation, and made a quart of it, and di- 117 rected him to take it several times in a day until Saturday, when I would visit him again, and soon- er if he needed me. On Saturday, being the fifth day, I visited him again, and found him greatly relieved. I then gave him an emetic, and in two weeks gave him three or four more. He reeovered, and is now alive and enjoys as good health as men in general who are nearly seventy years old. His name is Philemon Russel, of Charlestown, near Boston. Since that first preparation, it has been much improved, and large quantities of it are continual- ly called for by such as are troubled with coughs and other difficulties in the throat and neighbor- ing parts. Try it. VEGETABLE SYRUP FOR DYSENTERY. To prepare this, take one pound poplar bark, pounded fine ; one pound of bayberry bark, made fine : one pound gum myrrh pounded fine; seven pounds loaf sugar ; three gallons of spring water ; one gallon best fourth proof cogniac brandy. Put all these into a brass kettle, and let them boil a- bout half an hour, strain off the liquor when cool, and put it in bottles corked tight, and it is fit for use. Take about one wine glass full at a time, two, three or four times in a day, as the dis- order may require. For children about half as much as for a grown person. VOLATILE SALTS. Take of sal amoniac crude, one ounce ; two ounces of pearlash; pound them separately, then mix them well together, and add two or three drops of vegetable elixir, shake it all together in a bottle, and it is fit for use. To be used for the head ache, fainting, &c. 113 INJECTION OR CLYSTERS This means medicines thrown into the body by syringe. Hooper gives the following description of them. " injection, (from injicio, to cast in. A medicated liquor, to throw into a natural or pre- ternatural cavity of the body by means of a sy- ringe.") Buchan says, " This class of medicines is of more importance than is generally imagined. Clysters serve, not only to evacuate the contents ofthe bowels, but also to convey very active me- dicines into the system. A simple clyster can sel- dom do hurt, and there are many cases where it may do much good." All physicians who have any proper knowledge of the human body, have acknowledged the pro- priety of injections in a great variety of cases.— Many have been kept alive for some time, only with nourishment thrown up this way. Many times people have been relieved by an injection of warm water, gruel, broth, &,c. In my method of attending the sick, many dis- eases could not be cured without the use of them. Such as cholic, dysentery, piles, cholera morbus, general coldness in the bowels, stranguary, gravel, diabetes, falling of the rectum, flour albus, flow- ings, stoppage ofthe courses, pain in the back, and all hysteric complaints. There are not many diseases where an emetic is needed, that an injection should be given first, and generally it is not necessary at all, when the pills mentioned in this book, are used according to directions. The following is my manner of preparing an in- jection. 1. Make a tea of Pennyroyal, and strain half a pint into a small bowl. 2. Add a rising tea spoon- ful of warming powder, or American cayenne, or 119 common red pepper, while the tea is hot. 3. When the tea is about blood warm, add a rising tea spoonful of green emetic, as much nerve pow- der, and one or two tea spoonsful of elixir. Stir all these together, fill a syringe, and give it in bed. In case of piles, cholera morbus, disentery, pain in the bowels, &c. Injections should be given whenever relief from pain and distress is needed. In case of costiveness, they should be given two or three times a week, as the difficulty demand. For an injection when the emetic is not to be given, prepare it in the same manner, only add half a tea spoonful of the green emetic. This will relieve in cases of cholic, relax, stranguary, pain of any kind in the bowels, or piles. Should the person feel much pain in taking either of these kinds of injections, give a table spoonful of elixir, which will soon remove pain after it is swal- lowed. If an injection is given without the emetic, it should be given at night, in bed, and at any time when given, the person should be in bed. (X/*Notice.—Judgement must be used in giv- ing injections. In common cases, they may be giv- en according to the above directions; but this will not do in all kind of diseases. There are diseas- es, in which if a strong injection was given, it would cause a delirium, by raising the heat too high in the bowels. In cases of female obstruction, emetics ought not first to be given. Sometimes in such cases, they ought to take one or two emetics before any in- jection is given. In some such cases, where there are any appearances of insanity caused by the dis- ease, the injection should be given in the even- ing after the operation of the emetic is over. 120 When there are obstructions in the womb, of a long standing, a tea should be made of valerian, and the other parts added,which will have a ten- dency to calm the whole system, instead of irritat- ing it. In all these cases " Wisdom is profita- ble to direct." itch ointment. Itch ointment is prepared in the following man- ner : Take one gallon of high wines, or alcohol; one pound of gum myrrh, pounded fine; one ounce of West India Cayenne. Put the alcohol into a jug that will hold about two gallons ; add the pound of myrrh and cayenne to it in the jug. Shake or stir it well together.. Put the jug jn a kettle which will hold one or two pails full of water. Pour wa- ter into the kettle until the kettle is nearly full.— Hang it over the fire. Let the cork be out ofthe jug. In this situation let the water boil and the alcohol, about half an hour. After it is cool, and settled, strain it off from the myrrh and cayenne ; and add one fourth as much spirits of turpentine as there is of the alcohol after it is boiled. .Shake it for some time, and it is fit for use. It must be put on night and morning until a cure is perform- ed, which is commonly within one week. This I have never known to fail of curing the most obsti- nate kind I have met with. [See itch.] N. B.—This ointment must always be shaken up in the phial before it is put on. There is no need of changing the clothes when this is used, and there is no danger by taking or using it at any season ofthe year. POULTICES. The poultice or outward applications to sores 121 boils, swellings, &c. is very ancient, and it has come down to our time, and proved useful.— When king Hezekiah was sick, Isaiah, who was a Botanic Physician, made a plaister or poultice of figs, and laid it on the sore, by which it was healed. No doubt such a poultice would be use- ful now, if applied. There are several things used for poultices, which do not to me appear of much value—In- dian Meal is one. This is a cold application, in itself, I have never seen much, if any benefit from it. Wheat Bread is another thing used.— I do not see how the power of food can be con- verted into powerful medicine. It may serve to keep off the cold. It will remove hunger, but is not designed, as I see, to remove disease. Medi- cine cannot be made into food, nor can food be made into medicine. Flaxseed is another article for ^.poultice, though I have never seen much advantage derived from it. Catnip, Wormwood, and many other things of this kind have done good, when used as a Poul- tice. We will notice a few which have been proved very useful, and may be depended on when a poultice is needed, in cases of swelling caused by colds, bruises, canker sores, and humors of vari- ous kinds. No. 1. This is a simple Elm Poultice. Made in the following way—Take any quantity of ground Elm, wet it with hot water, or raspberry tea, till it is thick enough to spread, then put it on a cloth about blood warm, and apply it where, it is needed. To be used on places that are very sore, where much cannot be borne. When the eyes or 122 eye-Ids are much inflamed, a poultice of this kind should be made thin, a linen cloth put round it, and laid on the eyes at night, and repeated, until the inflamation is out. All poultices should be changed once in twelve hours, as they do much more good. This is an excellent preparation for eyes that are cankered, or any part where there is much canker. No. 2. This number is to be used on old cank- ered sores of long standing, for burns when much cankered, for swelled joints caused by cold, Gout or Rheumatism, and where the flesh has be- come dry and hard, and which does not discharge. To make this—Take four ounces of Elm made fine, two tea spoonsfull of sweating powder, American cayenne, two tea spoonsfull of Green Emetic made fine, and sifted, stir these together, and mix it with hot water till it is thin enough to spread on a cloth. To make this poultice the most useful, the part where it is applied, should first be bathed with ''Botanic Ointment," before the poultice is put on. This should be put on twice in twenty-four hours. When a sore is much cankered, it should be wash- ed with warm soap suds, before it is bathed with ointment, and another poultice applied. This kind of poultice is useful for swelled joints and any other swelling caused by cold, strains,' bruises, mumps, scrofula, quinsey, croup and any thing of that nature. When this poultice causes too great heat in the sore, &c. pour on cold wa- ter, which will serve to remove the cold and in- Tarnation, and give immediate relief. To make a ^ore, or bile break the sooner, add to the above abjut one quarter as much pond lilly root pound- ed fine, and sifted, as there is of the other arti- lees which compose the No, 2. Poultice. 123 No. 3. To make this number—Take of West India Cayenne, and Emetic Seed Powder. equal parts, add the amount of flour. Wet it with hot water till it is soft enough to lay on, and apply it till the cause is removed. This is to be used for what is called breeding sores, runround, or sores round the roots of the finger nails, this will re- move the pain and difficulty in a few days. It is also good to apply to felons and all sores of that nature. Some one of these numbers, is good in cases of sprains, swellings caused by rheumatism, ague sores, salt rheum, St. Anthony's fire, gout, old can- kered sores, burns, &c. PILLS. To show the propriety of pills, or of taking medicine in this form, in certain states of the hu- man body, we will first give a few extracts from ancient authors. 1. "They are called pillalm, because they re- semble little balls. The Greeks call them cata- potia. 2. It is the opinion of modern physicians, that this way of making medicine was invented to de- ceive the palate, that so by swallowing them down whole, the bitterness of the medicine might not be perceived. 3. I am of a contrary opinion to this. I rather think they were done up in this hard form, so that they might be the longer in digesting; and my opinion is grounded on reason. The first inven- tion of pills was to purge the head,—Such infirm- ities as lie near the passages were best removed by decoction, because they pass the grieved parts 124 the soonest. If the infirmity lies in the head, or any remote part, the best way is to use pills, be- cause they are longer in digestion, and therefore the better able to call the offending humor to them." This account of pills, is to me rational, and for the above reason, I have of late prepared and used with success such as are here described. There was no one preparation which operated as these pills do, and they answer generally, all the purpos- es which were contemplated before they were pre- pared and used. Take of Poplar Bark, made fine, one pound ; pound, Bugle, one pound, Thoroughwort, one eight ounces of Wormwood. Put these in a brass kettle, and boil' them till the strength is out; then strain off the tea from the herbs, and boil it down to nearly the thick- ness of molasses. To this add one ounce West India Cayenne, made fine, two ounces of Golden Seal, two ounc- es Bitter Root, and two ounces Extract of But- ternuts dissolved, one ounce Green Emetic, two ounces Allocs, made fine. If all do not make it hard enough to make into pills, stir in fine elm or poplar bark, until it is thick enough to work into pills. They are good to remove head ache, costiveness, pain in the stomach and bowels, to help the diges- tion, and to remove the wind in the stomach and bowels.—They are safe and useful to take in all conditions where pills are needed. Directions. Take from three to seven every other night. For children, half the quantity.— When children cannot take them whole, they may be grated fine, and mixed with molasses. 125 They are remarkably good in cases of costiveness, indigestion, cold stomach, head ache, and dizzi- ness. They are good in various kinds of female complaints, and may be taken with safety in all situations in which men or women may be in.— A few cases are here stated among many others. 1. A gentleman in Boston was troubled with a severe head ache four or five days. By taking only seven of these pills at night, the pain was wholly removed in about twelve hours. 2. A lady was troubled with a constant pain in her head for about seven months. By the request of her husband, I visited her, gave her 40 pills to take, five or six every other morning ; a few bit- ters and powders. Before she had used all the pills, the pain was removed, and it has not re- turned. 3. Another was troubled with costiveness; which was removed by taking these pills a few times. 4. A young man, who had been sick with a fe- ver after recovering so as to have a good appetite, ate some food which hurt him. The family was alarmed, fearing the fever would return. His nurse gave him in the morning nine pills, which removed the obstruction, and at night he was en- tirely well, and felt no more of the difficulty after- wards. cordials. There are various kinds of Cordial suitable for people who are unwell. 1. If a person in troubled with a relax in the bowels, make a strong tea of red raspberry leaves. Add to one quart of this tea, two ounces of peach- 126 meats made fine. Half an ounce of myrrh pounded fine; four ounces of loaf sugar ; and one gill of Cogniac brandy. Bottle it, and it is fit for use. When you drink them, shake the bottle first. Take about one wine glass full, two or three times in a day. 2. If a cordial is needed to relieve costiveness, make a strong tea of poplar bark made fine, and thoroughwort, equal parts. Add five ounces loaf sugar, and one gill of gin. When the stomach is cold,add to each junk bottle one or two tea spoons- ful of American Cayenne. 3. In cases where the appetite is small, the di- gestion poor, make a strong tea of black birch bark. To one quart, add two ounces of peachmeats made fine ; half an ounce of myrrh, made fine ; one tea spoonful of American Cayenne ; four ounces of loaf sugar, one gill of Cogniac brandy, and drink two or three wine glasses full in a day. Shake them in a bottle before you drink them. 4. To relieve the bowels of cold, &c. take of yellow dock root, dandalion roots, and the leaves of lovage, equal parts, half as much saffron. Boil them together, and strain off the tea. To one junk bottle, add five ounces loaf sugar, one gill of gin, drink it in the same quantity, and as often as the direction for using the other cordials There are scarcely any complaints where some one of these cordials will not relieve. All these have been frequently tried, and proved useful for the sick. N. B.—When peach-meats cannot be obtained, cherry-stones pounded, or bitter almonds may be used as a substitute, by adding to each junk bot- tle, the amount of two ounces of peachmeats. 127 SWEATING POWDERS. Take one pound of golden seal, (or any other quantity in the same proportion) one pound East India, or American pepper, one pound bayberry bark, fine, eight ounces West India Cayenne, four ounces nerve powder. Mix these together, and they are fit for use. These powders are designed to give quick relief in cases of violent cold,oppression on the stomach, accompanied with a general langor, a sense of weariness, and symptoms of a fever. Taken ac- cording to the directions, they frequently give re- lief in one or two days. " These produce an ap- petite for food, because they promote digestion, —they promote digestion by exciting an healthy action of the stomach ; they remove morbid ob- structions and give tone and vigor to the whole system. Every Botanic Physician, should know how, and when to use them." Dhections—Take, in common cases, an heap- ing tea spoonful, add a tea cup half full of hot wa- ter, and one tea spoonful of sugar. Take it two or three times in a day ; morning, noon and night. In cases, when there are symptoms of a fever, take the above quantity, once in three or four hours, for twenty-four hours. This course will generally restore the tone ofthe system, give ease and comfort in a short time, if applied in season. EMETIC POWDERS. The emetic powder is prepared in the follow- ing manner. Take one pound of Green Emetic, pounded and sifted fine, eight ounces warming powders, or American Cayenne, four ounces of nerve powder, two ounces of golden seal, two ounces of bitter root, 14 " 128 four ounces of thoroughwort, four ounces bayberry bark all made fine, and mixed, then sifted through a sieve, to have them exactly mixed, and they are suitable for old or young, if given according to the directions. A preparation of this kind has been needed for years, and is frequently called for. It is given to the public for general use. There are many cases where a gentle emetic taken in season, would save much sickness, trou- ble and expense. In cases of violent cold, symp- toms of fever ; in distressing head ache ; pain in the stomach, caused by unwholesome food, or by food not well digested ; cholic, wind, or pain in the bowels; a small emetic would relieve immedi- ately, so that the person might soon be able to at- tend business as usual. In such cases, this emetic powder may be used with safety and success, by attending to the fol- lowing Directions—1. It must always be taken in bed. 2. Put an heaping tea spoonful of this powder in half a tea cup of warm pennyroyal tea and drink it sweetened. 3. In, from fifteen to twenty min- utes, give as much more, (the same as the first) if the first or second dose causes vomiting, stop at the second, and afterwards give pennyroyal tea freely. If neither operate to vomit, give a third dose, in twenty minutes, and no more at that time. Give pennyroyal tea freely, after the third dose. If all this does not relieve, give one or two dos- es of vegetable powders, or sweating powders, ac- cording to the directions on the paper which con- tain them. In one or two days after taking this powder, according to the directions, another may be giv- 129 en, and so continue, till relief is obtained. In common cases one course will be sufficient to re- lieve. CATHARTIC COMPOUND. This compound is prepared by mixing equal parts of cathartic and nerve drops, and shaking them together. When this is done it is ready for use. This is an excellent preparation for almost any internal complaint of children—whether from cold, cough, foul stomach, costiveness, slow fever or general langor. A child about six years old, near me a few weeks ago, had taken cold, which caused so much fever, that when I visited her she could not set up, I directed a table spoonful to be given her, three or four times in a day in pennyroyal tea. She took it according to direction, and the third or fourth day, she was well, and able to eat and be about the house as usual. Another in the north part ofthe city, was tak- en with what is called the scarlet fever. I direct- ed the same fbr her, and in less than a week her health was entirely restored. One table spoonful for children, from five to eight • years old, in pennyroyal tea, from two to five times in a day, is sufficient for children, and for adults from half, to a wine glass full, from two to four times a day, is enough. It may always be ad- ministered with safety. It has been tried and proved. CATHARTIC DROPS. To make cathartic drops—for one quart, take one pint and a half of best Holland gin, add half a pint of water, add two ounces of bitter root, and one ounce of mandrake. Shake it once or twice a day for ten or twelve days, and it is fit for use. This liquid is designed to regulate the stomach and bowels, particularly the bowels. In general where people are very costive, the stomach needs regulating as well as the bowels. This prepara- tion will relieve both, by using it according to the direction. Directions—For young children, give one or two tea spoonsful of it, night and morning in one table spoonful of thoroughwort or pennyroyal tea. If two tea spoonsful does not remove thedifficulty, take one or two more until the costiveness is re- moved. For a grown person, take at night from one ta- ble spoonful to two thirds of a wine glass full, in thoroughwort, or pennyroyal tea. This seldom fails to remove costiveness, and to preveut a re- turn of the difficulty. NERVE DROPS. To make these drops—Take one pint and a half of best Holland gin, half a pint of water—add to this two ounces of nerve powder, or valerian, made fine, one ounce of hops, pounded fine. Put these into the gin and water, shake it twice a day for ten or twelve days, and it is fit for use. This is a preparation designed to calm the whole, or any part of the system, and to restore the natural tone ofthe body. Multitudes com- plain of being nervous ; they mean easily agitat- ed. They are either troubled with trembling, starting, dreaming of frightful objects, or imagin- ing they see them when their eyes are closed, or 131 something of the kind. Some lie awake many hours before they can sleep at all. Others sleep well a few hours and remain a wake till morning. Some to produce sleep, take opium, laudinum, po> ragoric, 8$c. They sleep by taking these things, but such sleep is not natural nor refreshing ; it only stupifies, and leaves the person worse in the end. These drops cause no such effects. They calm in reality, causing a rest which is natural. Directions—For young children, give one or two tea spoonsful, in a table spoonful of pennyroy- al tea, several times in a day, as their situation may require. Grown people should take one ta- ble spoonful with the vegetable powders, or hy- geian compound every night in bed, or as much in warm pennyroyal or motherwort tea, until they are relieved of what is called nervious complaints. It is always a safe and excellent remedy ; and wholly supercedes the use of opium or any other poisonous preparation. CEPHALIC SNUFF. Take four ounces of the bark of bayberry root made fine, and sifted through a very fine sieve.— Add half an ounce of bitter root, made fine and sifted—half an ounce of nerve powder. Mix these together, and add a few drops of the oil of golden rod. Stir all together, and it is fit for use. To be used for headach, cold, or stoppage in nose and head. WORM POWDERS. To make these powders, take one pound worm- wood, made fine, one pound thoroughwort, fine, four ounces bitter root, four ounces nerve pow- 14* 132 der, two ounces golden seal, all made fine, and sifted. Mix them together. Directions.—Put two tea spoonsful in a tea cup, and add one table spoonful of molasses, stir it all together as you would sulpher and molasses, take from one to three tea spoonsful, two, throe or four times a day, according to the age ofthe child. For a grown person, take twice the quantity, as for a child. WINE BITTERS. To make ten gallons, Take seven gallons best sweet wine, mix it with three gallons pure water, add four ounces golden seal, four ounces nerve powder, four ounces prickly ash bark, four ounces cloves. After all these are put together, add five ounces American cayenne or East India pepper, two ounces mandrake root fine, two ounces saf- fron, and two ounces sage, one pound mountain ash bark. Those must all be pounded fine, and shaken every day for one week, and it is fit for use. Take from two thirds, to an whole wine glass full, before breakfast, and dinner, and at any oth- er time when troubled with pain in the stomach or bowels. This preparation is excellent for removing Dis- peptic difficulties, restoring digestion, correcting the appetite, and for removing wind and pain from the stomach and bowels. People troubled with faintness in the stomach, and general langor, will find great relief by taking it several times in a day, according to the directions. PULMONARY DROPS. Take four gallons of rye gin, eight ounces myrrh, fine, one pound East India Pepper, four 133 pounds loaf sugar, one gallon pure water,_ eight ounces golden seal, four ounces nerve powder, all pounded fine. Put all these into the gin and water, stir them together every day for one week, and it is made and fit to be taken. Take from half to an whole wine glass full, two or three times in a day. These drops are designed for consumptive com- plaints, horseness, coughs, cold, or any difficulty in the chest, or what is generally called difficulty in the lungs. Where there is a tightness and dry- ness in the throat, and bleeding in the throat or chest, this is very useful. Half a dose for an adult, is sufficient for children. It is very useful for children who have the croup, or any obstruc- tion in the throat. CANKER CORDIAL. Take one pound Sumac Berries, eight ounces white pine bark, eight ounces bugle, four ounces wintergreen, four ounces yarrow, four ounces hem- lock bark. Boil all these together in water, until the strength is out, then strain off the liquor, and add one quart best Holland gin to each gallon, and it is ready for use. Directions—When any one is troubled with canker in the mouth, hold this cordial in the mouth several times in a day. If the canker is in the throat, gargle it with this cordial two or three times a day until relief i3 gained. If the canker is in the stomach and bowels, drink part of a wine glass, two, three or four times in the day, and eve- ning, it will generally cure by taking it a few days, as above directed. WINE CORDIAL. Take four gallons Muscat wine, one pound 134 mountain ash bark, eight ounces white pine bark, four ounces prickly ash bark, one ounce of East India pepper, or American pepper. Pound all these fine, and put them into the wine ; and shake it every day for two weeks, and it is good for consumptive complaints, loss of appetite, faint- ness, and weakness of the stomach, and for general debility, caused by long sickness, or whatever has reduced the person to a state of great weakness. This cordial was made in consequence of a young female who was supposed to be in the last stage of consumption. After giving her several courses of emetics ; by which she was greatly relieved, she observed one day that she was better, but there was a place in her stomach that no cordials or bit- ters would touch. In consequence of this, I pre- pared this cordial. After she had taken it a few days, she said it gave her the relief she wanted. By taking it a few weeks, she recovered, and en- joyed as good health as usual. Take one, two or three wine glasses in a day, as the state of the general system may require. BILIOUS CORDIAL. Take five pounds of sarsaparilla root, two pounds poplar bark, one pound thoroughwort, one pound mountain ash bark, one pound wormwood, eight ounces hoarhound, eight ounces liverwort, one pound bugle, two pounds wild cherry bark ; pound all these fine and boil them in water until the strength is out; then strain off the liquor, and boil it down until the liquor is suitably strong, then add one pound nerve powder, one pound golden seal, eight ounces sasafras bark ofthe root, two ounces bitter root, and one quart best Holland gin to each gallon, stir it together every day, for 135 one week, and it may be used with comfort. This is designed to remove difficulties in the liver ; in the stomach, and bowels, and for jaundice, and lo remove obstructions from the brain and all parts ofthe chest, stomach and bowels. Take about one wine glass full several times in a day. STEAMING. ' This course of operation on a sick man, has many advocates, and opposers. I once consider- ed it needful for the sick, being told that it was useful, though the propriety of it was not always manifest. About fourteen years ago, I gave it up as either hurtful or needless. My reasons for giving up the practice, are the following. 1st. Those who were steamed often lost more heat than they gained. The patient, is steamed after taking the emetic ; and is often in a state of free perspiration. Taking him out of bed in this state, and placing him over a steam, or in a steam box, he must loose some heat, and some in get- ting him back to the bed again ; after washing him with cold water, or pouring a pailful on his head. 2d. To raise the heat so high upon the surface must drive the cold into the man, instead of driv- ing it out as the emetic is calculated to do. Ma- ny under the operation of steaming have fainted, because the cold was driven back into the stomach and bowels. Some have died in the operation of the steam. The argument is, that a perspiration must be produced. This is not always needful, no more than it is needful for a man always to perspire, because he is at work. 136 3d. People have applied to me for help, after taking Thomsonian emetics, and steaming ; be- cause all this had not removed the disease. One man told me he had taken ten emetics, with steam- ing, and was not cured of his difficulty. Three of my emetics, without steaming, or washing with cold water, entirely relieved him. 4th. Another reason against steaming is, that it is sometimes dangerous. We know there have been instances, where people have died in the steam box. The heat was doubtless raised too high. I have seen people steamed so high, that it was difficult to revive them again. 5th. My last reason against steaming is, that it is unnecessary. In attending people about twen- ty years, I have cured them sooner, and with more ease to them and myself, than by steaming. One Thomsonian at the west, thinks he has found an ointment, which is superior to steaming. By raising the heat inside gradually, electrify- ing, and applying botanic ointment, the sick are cured with less trouble and expense, than by the old way of steaming and pouring cold water. These remarks are not made from any unfriend- ly feelings towards the Thomsonians ; but to shew why my practice excludes steaming ; as many now think steaming is in my system of medicine ; tho' it is not. I consider the " old practice" of minerals, one extreme, and the steaming another. One is too cold, the other too hot. A medium between these extremes, is to me the most rational. Too much heat raised by cayenne is painful— too much cold water on the surface, after steam- ing, I consider dangerous. Those in favor of steaming, have the same right to use it, that I have to omit it. 137 BLISTERING, BLEEDING, SET0NS AND ISSUES. These things are in such common use, that some may expect to read of them in this work. All these, I consider not only useless, but often injuri- ous to the sick. A blister is a burn, though generally only thro' the first skin. The flies shut up the pores and deaden the skin, so that the water which goes off by insensible perspiration, raises it up till it breaks and the water runs off. In a person very cold, there can no blister be raised. In a person warm and full of blood, something must be kept on, or the body will heal the burn ; as the course of na- ture is to heal any breach made upon any part of the body. The bad effects of blistering are often seen in addition to the trouble they cause in the first part of their operation. Canker often attends them, sometimes mortification, sometimes withered limbs and death. It is a fashion with some to shave the head, and blister it to cure a fever. The conse- quence of this is death in many instances. The blister raises the heat on the head, turns the cold into the brain, which ought to be thrown out ; brings on a delirium, and death generally follows, in cases where I have been acquainted. Bleeding, is another bad practice. " The blood is the life," says Moses ; and to take away the blood, is to take so much ofthe life ofthe sick man. A man has never too much blood, any more than he has too much brains, or too many bones. A well man never complains of loo much blood ; of course blood is a benefit to a sick man. After a man has been sick, had his blood taken from him, is much weakened thereby ; the Doctor tells him 153 to eat and drink to make blood. If he want* more blood to make him strong, would he not have been stronger, had his blood been left in him 1 Judge ye. Sctons and Issues, are unnatural sores made up- on some part of the body. They must be kept open by a pea, or piece of wood, or the body ever friendly to each member, would heal the breach which the unskilful doctor has made upon the ter- ritory of man It is said, '« they run off the dis- ease;" this is not true. I have seen them kept open till almost all the flesh was gone from the limb, and the disorder still increasing. I have never seen any bad effects by curing them and re- moving disease in a natural and rational way. PART III DISEASES, AND MANNER OF CURING THEM WITH VEGETABLE MEDICINE, WITHOUT THE USE OF MINERALS, BLEEDING OR BLISTERING. ABORTION. The symptoms of abortion are the following ; pain in the back, loins, and lower part ofthe ab- domen ; shiverings, flowing, nausea, palpitation of the heart, &c. This most commonly happens be- tween the second and fourth months of pregnan- cy ; it may, and sometimes does happen later. It it is generally occasioned by falls, overreaching, or reaching too high ; frights, disagreeable smells, by poisonous emetics,or by any violent commotions ofthe body or mind. In this case there is a loss of balance in the sys- 139 tern ; and a pressure which causes a miscarriage, When the above symptoms appear, the person should be put into a bed immediately with the head lower than usual. A dose of vegetable powders, elixir and nerve powders must be tak- en. If this dose does not relieve, an injection prepared as directed in this book, should be given. If all this does not relieve, or restore the bal- ance of the system, an emetic must be given; this will certainly prevent, if administered in sea- son. I will here mention a few cases in which this course relieved, and wholly prevented an abortion. 1. A young woman was taken with shivering, pain, &c. Her husband asked me to visit her, in a few minutes after she was taken. She first took some powders. This did not relieve her.— We then gave her an injection, and an emetic. This relieved her entirely, and all was well un- til her child was born, which was several months after. 2. Another woman about forty, in a town near Boston, who had overdone, was violently seized in the morning with pain, and flowing. A doctor near by, was called in. He directed the nurse to lay snow and ice on her bowels ; to lay her head low, and by all means not to take any thing warm. She remained in great distress through the day. In the morning of that day, I was sent for to attend her husband, who was sick with a fever. I arriv- ed there at 6 o'clock in the evening. Entering the room, my mind was greatly shocked at the distress of the two. The man was distressed, and near a delirium. The woman was at times in such distress that she would cry out aloud, on ac- count of severe pain. 15 140 She asked me if I could do any thing to relieve her. My reply was, " I could relieve you, but it will displease your doctor." She replied, " he will not come again unless I send for him, and this I shall not do if you can help me." She fur- ther added.—" The doctor says I must not take any thing warm, and here I am shaking and shiv- ering with the cold, caused by the snow and ice around me. Will it do to take some of your Elixir." " Yes, I will give you some if you will take it." I then gave her one tea spoonful. In half an hour, I gave her a table spoonful ; this re- lieved her some. I then directed her attendants to warm two thick blankets, to put one under and one over her, that she might not suffer by the wet clothes around her. In half an hour from giving the last elixir, I gave her a cup of powders, elixir and nerve pow- der. By midnight she was entirely free from pain, and the flowing ceased. As I was attending her husband in the same room, I frequently gave her warm pennyroyal tea, with elixir in it. At 5 o'- clock in the morning I left them both easy, and retired to rest. At 7 o'clock I went into the room, and found them both easy, having been refreshed with sleep. She stated that she felt well enough to set up, and had some appetite to eat. I directed her to con- tinue the same medicine for a few days, and in a short time, she was as well as before this difficulty happened. This course is always safe, in all cas- es of this kind, and may be pursued without any fear of an injury in taking such medicines in cases of this kind. Sometimes abortions take place, and females frequently loose their lives because no relief can be obtained to prevent a flowing on such occasions. 141 The same course will bring a balance in the blood after miscairiage, as it brings a balance of the sys- tem to prevent the same. It is a great mistake people are in, that nothing warming must be giv- en in these cases ; this is the only safe thing to be done. A young woman near Boston had miscarried, and being very weak, sent for a doctor, who di- rected her to take cooling things. As she grew no better, by her request, I called to see her. I left her one paper of powders and one ounce of elixir, to take night and morning. She took this four days ; at which time she walked to Boston, which was one mile. I gave her as much more, which wholly relieved her, and she was soon re- stored to health and strength. AGUE--IN THE FACE, This is a very distressing complaint, though not generally dangerous. In the first stages ofthe a- gue, but little need to be done to effect a cure.— When a person feels his face stiff, and some pain- ed, hold the vegetable elixir in the mouth, and bathe the face where the pain and swelling is with the same ; which will generally remove the cold in a short time. If this does not cure, take a dose of the pow- ders ; then take a tea spoonful of cayenne pep- per, and put it in a fine cloth, tie it up, wet it in the elixir, and put it in the mouth, between the gum and the cheek ; set by the fire, with a blank- et over the head, and wrapped around the body. Set a bowl or some vessel on the hearth or floor before the fire, and let the water run out of the mouth, until the cold is out, when the pain will cease. 142 If the pam and swelling is in both sides, put the cayenne in a small cloth on both sides, which will cure, unless the disorder is very stubborn. If all this does not cure, give an emetic, the same as for any other disease, which I never knew to fail in effecting a cure. The first person I ever attended with this com- plaint held the cayenne in her mouth three hours, after having been in a distressed condition for four days. The next day after taking this meth- od, she was able to attend to her business as usu- al ; the swelling came down, and she was no more troubled with it after. One instance more 1 here mention. A Physician in Boston was much afflicted with the ague in his face; for seven nights successively he had but very little sleep. The eighth night he came to see me, and observed that he was almost dead, and could not relieve himself. He sat down by a good fire, and I first gave him a strong dose of powders; next I fixed a small bag of cayenne, and put it between his cheek and gums ; wrapped a large blanket around him, set a bowl to catch the water which run from his mouth, and placed a chair before him to lean his head on. In one hour he was completely relieved and fell asleep. In a short time after, he went to bed, and slept all night. In the morning he went home and was no more troubled with the ague. st. Anthony's fire—erysipelas. This disease is an inflammation principally up- on the skin, which appears on different parts of the body. It is generally caused by over heating the body, and cooling suddenly. *' Every part of the body is equally liable to it, but it more fre- 143 queritly appears on the face, legs and feet than any where else, when seated externally." What is called the shingles is the same disease. The symptoms of this disease are,—the face of other parts, are inflamed with pimples, scurf, blis- ters, large or small, with heat, redness, itching and smarting, drowsiness, and sometimes difficul- ty of breathing are its attendants. The different states of this disease require dif- ferent modes of treatment. In the first of this dis- ease, it may be cured by taking the Vegetable Powders, and Elixir, night and morning, and bath- ing the affected parts with the Elixir and Botanic Ointment, two or three times in a day, and weary- ing soft flannel to keep off the cold. When this does not cure, the Emetic must be given, the same as to remove any other kind of Cold and obstructions, and to open the pores.— This operation, and bathing with the elixir, and botanic .ointment, will perform a permanent cure, by continuing the application till the disease is re- moved. The emetic must be continued once in three, four, or five days, until "the cause js wholly removed, taking the powders every night, until a cure is performed. APOPLEXY. " Apoplexy is a sudden deprivation of all the senses, and all the sensible-motions of the body ; excepting that of the heart and lungs." This word originally meant to knock down, be- cause it causes a person to fall down as though dead. It means a sudden loss of sense and mo- tion, in which the person is, to all appearance, dead, the heart and lungs however continue to move. The real cause of apoplexy, is too great a 144 quantity of water and cold in the brain, which ob- structs and prevents the natural circulation of the blood through all parts of the body. The causes of this disease are numerous, but any thing which causes an unnatural pressure towards the brain, or that prevents the return of the blood from the head, may bring it on. The usual fore-runners of an apoplexy are, gid- diness, pain and swimming in the head, loss of memory, drowsiness, noise in the ears, an invol- untary flow of tears, and difficulty in breathing, The manner of removing this kind of obstruc- tion is the same, as for removing obstructions from any other part ofthe body.—An emetic, by being often repeated, will cure without fail. My method is, first to give the vegetable powders, then give emetic, as directed in this work, going through a regular course. If once does not cure, in the course of one, two or three days, as the case may require, give the same again, administering the pow- ders, night and morning, with the bitters, and such food as the person can cat, as much and as often as he wishes for food. His drink may be cider, beer, coffee, tea, milk porridgo or gruel. A laboring man in Boston, about fifty three years old, who had some years before had one or two slight shocks of the apoplexy was so violently shocked, that he had but little knowledge of any thing. He sent for me at night. He appeared quite stupid, though he knew me. I first gave him the emetic, described in this work. It operated through the whole system, and greatly relieved him. The next morning he was able to walk a- bout, and in a short time went to his work as usu- al, and has never felt any of the difficulty since, which is four or five years. After taking the cmc- 145 tic, he took powders and bitters, some time, and ate the same as before. APPETITE. There are three states of the appetite. One is regular, the other two are irregular ; in one, the person craves more food than a well man needs ; in the other, he can eat but little, and that often cause pain, or appears to him to be lost. A per- son with a canine appetite will grow poor, the same as the one who has little or no appetite. In either of these cases, the stomach is foul and cold, which obstructs and injures the digestive powers. To remedy either of these difficulties, the stomach must be warmed and cleansed, that it may be pro- perly toned, when the appetite will become regu- lar, the food digest, and the whole body receive its part of nourishment from the food eaten. Two things may, be done for relief. The first, is to take the vegetable or hygeian powders, night and morning, and the vegetable bitters, or restora- tive, two or three times in a day. If the stomach is not very foul and cold, this will cure ; but if it is, the stomach and bowels must be cleansed and warmed with the vegetable emetic, until the cause is removed. Sometimes one course will do, some- times two or three ; and in some cases, the person must be attended four or five times. [See stomach.] All kinds of minerals must be avoided in these cases, such as mercury, arsenic, nitre, &c. ; also bleeding, blistering, taking salts, and any other cold thing, as they increase the difficulty, instead of effecting a cure. In the summer of 1821, I visited a young lady, who was considered consumptive ; she was poor, pale and weak, yet had a craving appetite, and 140 Was in frequent want of food, which, when she had eaten, did not hurt her. With all she ate, she grew poor and weak. I first gave her the vegeta- ble powders for a few days ; then attended her through a regular course of medicine five times in about five weeks ; giving her between the times, the powder every night, the bitters three times in a day. Her appetite soon became regular, her di- gestion good, and she soon enjoyed a comfortable state of health, ASTHMA. "Asthma is a difficulty of respiration, or breath- ing, from a disorder in the lungs, usually attended with violent motions ofthe diaphragm, abdominal and intercostal muscles, and with asterter, or ratle- ing in the throat. This word signifies to breathe with difficulty.-^* The real cause of the Asthma is a cold in the lungs, and the neighboring parts connected with the lungs ; the midriff, the muscles ofthe bowels, throat, &c. The action of all these parts must be regulated, and the balance of every irregular part restored, before this difficulty can be remov- ed. It appears to be the common opinion of doctors, and others, that air is the cause of breathing ; but this is a great mistake. There is as much air in and round a dead man, as there is in and round a living man. It is heat that, makes a man breathe ; and for want of this in the lungs, a man complains of a difficulty in breathing, or is said to have the asthma. Let any man have a cold in his lungs, and his breathing is hard. The cold air presses down the windpipe, and expands the lungs as it passes from the large pipe to the smaller ones.—- 147 This extends the lungs like filling the bellows with wind. As it is natural for the muscles ofthe lung to contract, or draw up, the heat ofthe lungs rarify the cold air, and it is pressed out warm, and feels warm as it passes out through the mouth, In a well man, the air is warmer in the lungs, and he throws out the rarified air with ease, awake or asleep. When the lungs are so cold as to loose their na- tural action or tone, they neither warm the air, nor press it out with ease ; this produces what is called the" asthma.. A drowned person looses the heat to a greater degree, and cannot breathe at all. Warm him, and get his blood in motion, and he will breathe again. To cure the asthma, the heat must be raised in the whole man, so high as to wholly clear the lungs ofthe cold. If the cold is removed only from the lungs,^_the man will breathe easy for a short time, then the cold from the body will fill that rarified space, and the difficulty will return again. The only cure for the asthma that I have found is, to give medicine that will clear the^whole body ofthe cold ; this is the emetic No. 1, and its at- tendant, -(an injection) this will cure, in all cura- ble cases. It must be repeated, until relief is ob- tained. 1 have never found but one case, that remained uncured, after giving medicine several times.— This was a young man who had a violent cold on his lungs, by going into a fresh pond to swim and bathe himself. I attended him from eight to twelve times. He was much relieved, but not wholly cured. This is the only case in which this mode of treating the disease has failed. I have no doubt that he might have been wholly cured, had he 118 been careful, and persevered in the same course' of medicine. The first person I ever attended with this com- plaint, was the wife of Lewis Studley, of Scituate, Mass. She had been considered in a decline, in addition to the asthma. In the spring of 181H, I attended her five or six times ; she was cured of the asthma and her other complaints, and has from that time enjoyed good health. She was at- tended through a regular course of medicine once in one, two or three weeks, as her situation re- quired, taking between the times of beiag attend- ed, powders, bitters, &c. BRAKING DOWN. This is caused by cold in the womb, and the parts connected with it ; by which the muscles or springs fail to support what they were originally designed to do. Sometimes this is a complaint of women, otherwise considerably healthy. In gen- eral it is peculiar to weakly women, as they are called. Li such as are otherwise healthy, all need- ful to remove this difficulty is, to take the vegeta- ble powders, or hygeian compound, and elixir for some time, and while taking these use injections two or three times in a week. Let the injections or clyster be given at night, in bed. If this does not cure, it is because other parts of the body are so cold that the parts warmed by this application, are filled again from the cold in the system generally. When this is the ease, the emetic must be given with the injection, until the obstructions are removed from the body; by this means the whole system will receive nourishment from food, and the parts weakened, will become strong, -and thus rpmove the disorder- This 149 method of curing a bearing down, I have pursued for several years, and have never known it to fail of effecting a cure, unless in cases where the sick were past cure, by some other disease ; such as consumption or dropsy, in the last stages of the complaint. BITES AND STINGS OF INSECTS, AND VENOMOUS OH POISONOUS ANIMALS. The stings of wasps, hornets* bees, &c. are generally cured easy, if attended to in season. I have always cured them by applying the vegetable elixir. This takes out the inflammation and re- moves the pain in a short time. In some cases of a sting, people were sick at the stomach so as to puke. When this is the case, the person ought, in addition to bathing the part with the elixir, to drink from a table spoonful to half a wine glass of the same ; this will remove the sickness, and pre- vent any injury being done to the stomach. The bites of poisonous or venomous animals ; such as rattle snakes, scorpions, spiders, vipers, mad dogs, cats, &c. are generally attended with alarming and dangerous consequences, unless the poison or infection is removed from the body. All poison is cold, and when a person is bitten, the poison is carried from the bite, in the blood to the heart, and from the heart to every part of the body, and in this way the whole system is affected. The certain and safe way of treating all these bites at first or at any time, is to give the emetic in the usual form ; this will raise the heat to such a degree as to prevent any injury to the stomach, heart, bowels or limbs. By repeating this the whole system may be cleared from the infection, and the health and life of the man preserved. ISO BLOOD......SPITTING OF, COUGHING, VOMITING, AtCf. Much is said of bleeding at the lungs ; I am not yet convinced that any such thing ever took place. The common cause of raising blood, by spitting, coughing or vomiting, is the canker, caused by cold. This sometimes eats off the blood vessels ; sometimes the veins or arteries.— When large veins or arteries are eaten off by can- ker, death generally is the consequence. Spitting blood is not generally dangerous, unless in persons consumptive :—Vomiting blood is often the fore- runner of death. The remedy in this case is a strong tea made ofthe bark of bayberry root or sumac berries with a teaspoonful of cayenne, to about one quart of water, and these well boiled together. This tea, and one teaspoonful of the leaf of the emetic, and one teaspoonful of the seed of the emetic No. 2, given three times according to the direction in other cases, with a clyster of the same, will not fail of effecting a cure, unless the person is too far gone to be restored. In several cases of this kind, people have thought an emetic would increase the discharge of blood; but it has always checked it, and giv- en relief. In November, 1820, a young man by the name of Joseph Chandler, bled to such a de- gree that his friends did not expect him to live till morning. The next week I gave my emetic, which so relieved him, that in once attending him he was cured of that, and has not raised any blood from that time to the present, 1822. In giving the emetic, it must be repeated until the cause is removed. This is very different from the fashionable mode of stopping what is called 151 bleeding at the lungs, which is the following: "bleeding, laxatives, alum, bark, nitre, small do- ses of vitriolated iron calcined," &c. "Blue vit- riol, alcohol, compound tincture of Benjamin, vit- riolated iron, &c.—[Elliot's Pocket Book.] Blue vitriol is a preparation of copper, and a dead poison. BILES. Biles are caused by cold, which the heat of the body drives from different parts to one place.— When a quantity of cold matter is collected, an inflammation appears .which is a war between the heat and cold ; the heat risesto throw from the body, what is thrown together in one or more pla- ces. This cold ought never to be scattered, as the heat has driven it to one point. The first thing to be done is, to raise the heat in the body by giving the vegetable powders, or hygeian compound, this will ease the pain. Next make a poultice of pulverised elm moistened with a strong tea made of hemlock bark, raspberry leaves, sumac berries, or pond-lilly roots. When the poultice is dry, wet it with tea. Make a new poultice twice a day; this, with the powders taken, will help to bring the sore to an head. As soon as it is ripe, if it does not break, open it, that the corrupted matter may pass off. After this, apply the salve mentioned in this book, keep it suitably warm, and a cure may be expected soon. BREASTS INFLAMED. This inflammation must be treated the same as biles, unless it is too stubborn to yield to such a mode of treatment. In that case, the person must be carried through a regular course of medicine, 16 152 This will either remove cold, or bring it to an head sooner,5 by applying the poultice after the operation of the emetic is over. If women, soon after their children are born, would be particular to take thehygeian compound and elixir, night and morning, or only at night, they would seldom, if ever, be troubled with such inflammations, or with broken breasts, as they are termed. CANCER. This is an affliction which many endure with much alarm, as it is generally agreed that a can- cer cannot be cured. From what several authors have written, it is evident that the nature of a cancer and the cure is but little understood by men called learned doctors. We will quote three. Elliot says, "that a cancer is a round unequal tu- mor, of a livid color, surrounded with varicose vessels, and seated in the glandulus parts of the body.—Some cancers are fixed, others moveable ; some pale, others red and inflamed; sometimes they remain harmless for yecirs, at others they in- crease hastily, ulcerate, discharge a feted sanious ichor, and soon prove mortal. Treatment.—Bleeding, in a case of 'inflamma- tion ; cooling laxatives ; salt water: extract of garden hemlock, magnesia, soap, or the like, in small doses as alteratives; muriated barytes, the deadly night shade, and arsenic have also been found serviceable. Hemlock fermentations have been found beneficial." Dr. Hooper gives the following. "Cancer.— Carcinoma. A painful, hard, indolent tumor of a glandular part, which terminates in the foulest ul- 153 cer. Those tumors were so called by the ancients, that exhibited large blue veins, like crab's claws, from cancer, a crab. Mode of cure. Excision. When that is not permitted, arsenic : a carrot poultice ; cicuta, bel- ladonna, or stramonium." Dr. Bucan says, "This is one of those diseases for which no certain remedy is yet known." Two things are evident from these quotations. One is, that these doctors knew how to describe a cancer. The other thing is, that they do not know what will cure. These authors acknowledge that a cancer is an ulcer of the foulest kind, and direct poison to be administered, which never can cure. The fact respecting a cancer is this, it is can- ker, making its appearance in one part of the bo- dy, shewing that the whole body is more or less affected with the same. Many appearances in the body are called cancers, which are only warts or things which never injure the system; and often men have the name of curing a cancer, when they have only removed something else. A real can- cer may be taken out, but this can never cure the disease in the person, for it is in every part, more or less. To cure a real cancer, whether the common kind, or what is called a rose cancer, the whole system must first be cleared of canker. When this is done, there is nothing left to support what is called the cancer. My method of curing is, first to clear the sys- tem with the emetic, &c. giving powders, bitters, &,c. to help the digestion, and continue this course until the whole body is cleared of what makes and supports the cancer. While attending 154 to this, apply the cancer plaster, which goes into the Bore, and lessens it. The cancer eats the plaster, instead of being eaten out by the plaster.—When the plaster is all gone from the soft leather, or bladder on which it is spread, more must be put on, until a cure is performed. I will here mention a cure of a rose cancer, which I attended in the winter of 1825. Mr. John Fawcett, had been troubled for several years, with a bad humor under his left jaw. Several doctors had tried to cure it, but it increased. At length it broke out upon the edge of his under jaw, which greatly alarmed him. It had all the appearance of a rose cancer. He applied to me. I carried him through a regular course of medi- cine six times in about six weeks. While giving him these six emetics, four sores came out on the side of his neck, directly under the cancer.— These soon healed up and were well. The cancer was nearly as large as a cent, and about as round, and nearly the fourth of an inch thick. While attending him, I kept the cancer plaster on, after it had been poulticed a while.— At the end of six weeks, the cancer had dimin- ished in size more than two thirds, and was very thin at the edge. After about six weeks from the time I began with him, he went into the country, and was gone four weeks. In all this time he wore the cancer plaster. When he returned, the cancer was all gone, and only a small scab was seen which soon fell off, and he was wholly cleared from the diffi- culty, and so he remains. In this way all real cancers may be cured, if attended to in season, Hnd treated as they ought to be. 155 CANKER. There is scarcely any disease so destructive to men as the canker. It is caused by wet, cold and heat. It even attacks impure gold and silver. James says, "Your gold and silver is cankered." Paul says, "Their words will eat as doth a canker." Wherever the cold is seated, canker is its attend- ant ; and eats the flesh upon the outside or with- in. It is seen on the lips, on the tongue : on dif- ferent parts of the skin and flesh, where the cold is seated. It has a great variety of names, but is only one thing. It is often in the throat, stomach, bowels, &>c. It causes bleeding at the stomach, from the blood vessels, veins and arteries. People frequently bleed and die, because the canker eats off the veins or arteries. Sometimes it is called the bleeding piles ; some- times tumors, scrbfula,king's evil, and many other names, but after all, it is a canker, or that which eats the flesh. Whenever a person has what is called a settled 4ever, the canker is in the stomach, In a pleurisy, people frequently bleed at the mouth, nose, &.c. and frequently their mouths, tongues and lips will be sore, which is the canker. Some- times it will be seen in the ears, sometimes in the eyes, and at other times it will appear in the skin, in various parts of the body, and often in almost every part of the man. In the dysentery, the canker is in the bowels, and frequently causes what is called, "mortifica- tion in the bowels." I have known the doctors to order salts for can- ker, which is bad, as it increases the difficulty.— Canker is caused by cold, and every thing of a cold nature makes more. Mercury on the eyes, attracts the canker, and causes blindness; and 16* 156 there is no doubt but this has often caused a mor- tification in the bowels, by increasing the canker there. Giving common physic, is very injurious where the canker has taken hold of the bowels. Where there is not much canker, a strong tea made of red raspberry leaves, and drank freely is good. The leaves of witch-hazel, sumac berries, bark or leaves, or the root of pond lillies, made in- to a strong tea, is good in this case. Where the canker is bad, and has a strong hold of the stomach, bowels, or any other part, the sure remedy is, to go through a regular course of med- icine, and continue it until a cure is effected.— This will in a few time3 clear the whole system ol this dangerous disease. CATARRH. This word means to flow down, or a fall of wa- ter. Tt is "an increased secretion of mucus, from the membranes of the nose, fauces, and bronchise, with fever, and attended with sneezing, cough, thirst, lassitude, and want of appetite " What is commonly called the catarrh, is nothing more or less than water in the head, which drops down in- stead of passing off in the natural way. When the man is well, the useless water passes off by sensible or insensible perspiration, and by urine, &c. If there is not heat enough to carry the water off through the pores of the head, it falls down. If there is uot heat enough for this, the water stops, and then the person is said to have the dropsy in the head. This is the origin of the catarrh. I have attended many people, who, among other cold complaints, were troubled with the catarrh. When their other difficulties were removed, th« catarrh has always gone with them. 167 Raising the heat through the whole body, either by vegetable powders; or emetic, if the powders are not powerful enough, will certainly cure the catarrh ; as many can testify who have received the medicine recommended in this work. CHICKEN-POX. The following are the usual symptoms of this disease; "chillness, heat, and the usual precurso- ry symptoms of fever; but milder than in the small pox. They rise like those ofthe small pox, but may be known from them by the matter being more like water than pus; by little vesicles or bladders filled with water, on the top of such pus- tules as are whole; and by turning about the fifth day." The best thing to be done is to raise the in- ward heat by giving a strong tea made of penny- royal, mayweed, or yarrow. If this does not cure, give the vegetable or hygiean powders, which will generally drive out the cold and canker.— When all these fail, give the emetic and injec- tion, which never fails to relieve, if applied in season. CHILLBLANS. Chillblains mean an inflammation ofthe extreme parts of the body from cold, attended with violent itching, and sometimes forming a gangrenous ul- cer The feet are the most commonly affected with this difficulty. "Chillblains commonly attack children in cold weather, They are generally oc- casioned by the feet and hands being kept long wet or cold, and afterwards suddenly heated. I5C When children are cold, instead of exercise to warm themselves gradually, they run to the fire— This occasions a sudden rarefaction of humors, and infraction of the vessels; which being often repeated, the vessels are at last overrdistended, and forced to give way." In common cases, bathing the hands and feet, morning and evening, with the vegetable elixir, and ointment will cure in a short time. In some instances I have seen the feet so bad, that there was an appearance of mortification. In such a case, my mode of cure is, fo clear the body by emetic, &c. take out the inflammation with a poul- tice, and then apply the cancer plaster, or botanic ointment, which seldom fails of effecting a cure. CHILDBIRTH. This is a circumstance in the life of women, which requires particular attention. For several weeks before the birth of the child, the woman should be kept easy in body and mind. She should drink freely, several times in a day, a tea made of slippery eh" bark, which will greatly ease the la- bor and pain at the birth of the child. She should also take the hygiean compound every night for two or three weeks beforehand. After the birth of the child, let the same pow- ders be given, which will prevent after pains, fe- ver, sores, or broken breasts. Be careful not to bleed before nor after, as it is an injury. Do not take salts, laudanum, no paragoric, nor give any of these to the child. If the child is troubled with wind, or pain in the bowels, bathe with the vegetable elixir, which will remove the pain, and prevent their crying much for three months. 159 CHOLERA MORBUS. These two words describe a difficulty in the stomach and bowels at the same time. One sig- nifies bile and the other flux. It is a purging and vomiting of bile, with anxiety, painful gripings, spasms of the abdominal muscles and those of the thigh. Buchan gives the following description of it, page 343. "The cholera morbus is a violent purging and vomiting, attended with gripes, sick- ness, and a constant desire to go to stool. There is hardly any disease that kills more quickly than this, when proper means are not used in due time for removing it. It is generally preceded by heartburn, sour belchings, and flatulence, with pain of the stomach and intestines. To these succeed excessive vomiting and purging of green, yellow, or blackish colored bile, with a distention of the stomach, and violent griping pains. Violent hiccupping, fainting and convulsions, are the signs'of approaching death." In this disease, (in violent cases,) the first thing to be done, is to give an injection, as directed in this work. As soon as this has done operating, give the emetic as directed in this book. If once does not cure, apply the same again in a day or two, or sooner if the disease requires it. Between the times of giving the emetic, give the cholera cordial, pills, and powders, as directed, with such food and drink as the patient requires. In the year 1817, this disorder prevailed in Charlestown, Mass. to an alarming degree. I was sent for to attend a woman violently seized with it. I went to her house about 7 o'clock in the evening. Aa soon as medicine could be pre- pared, I gave it as above mentioned. As soon aa the emetic operated, the violent vomiting ceased. 160 In a short time she became entirely calm; at 3 o'clock in the morning, she was entirely relieved, and was no more troubled with it. Many others have been attended in the same way, and I have never known this course of medicine to fail of ef- fecting acure, if applied in season. In the year 1832, much was said of this terri- ble disease; particularly in Europe where it has swept away millions of men. It has made terrible ravages in Russia, Prussia, and many other pla- ces. Many have died with cholera in America, and it rages in some places to this day, (183(5.) It is said to be more destructive than the plague in former years. There were a considerable num- ber who died in Boston, with the Cholera Mor- bus, though not with the Asiatic Cholera. In 1832 there were many deaths by this dis- ease. The regular Doctors in Boston, gave the following, as near as I remember.—Half a gill of hot brandy, with fifty drops of laudanum once in half an hour, for two hours, then to lay bags of hot sand on them from head to foot, and poultices besides; injecting one tea-spoonful of laudanum up the rectum, with the other doses. I doubt whether there is a man on earth, who could take all this, and live twenty-four hours. The general cause of the cholera morbus is a stoppage in the pylorus, or outlet from the stomach into the bowels, caused by a cold in that part, which prevents the food from passing off regular- ly, This brings on a labor of the stomach and bowefs, to clear each part at the same time, The only sure way to remove this disease is, to remove the cause, or to take away the cold from the pylorus,and to restore the tone of the stomach and bowels. This can certainly be done, if at- 261 tended to in season, with injections and emetics as directed. This disease may generally be prevented, if the preventive is applied in season. People who have cold stomachs and bowels, and who are subject to a relax of the bowels, or who are frequently cos- tive, or are troubled with dyspepsia, are the most liable to this disease. Such people, should fre- quently take the Vegetable Powders, Elixir, Cho- lera Cordial, Pills, &c, or an Emetic. These things will warm the stomach arid bowels, and save from that destroyer of the human race. People who wish to avoid this disease* must de- termine not to take mercury, antimony, nitre, salts, nor any other mercurial preparation, such as calomel, corosive sublimate, sub-muriate, &c. they should not be bled, as all these things serve to increase disease, instead of overcoming or re- moving it. In the year 1832, I had a number of cases called the cholera. By giving them powders, elix- ir, pills, cholera cordial, &c. all were cured but four, without emetics. These we gave emetics, &c. and cured in one day. One man Went home from his work towards night, and was taken with violent pain in his stomach and bowels. He sent for me at eight o'clock, in the evening. He was very sick, and said to me, I never knew such pain before. I first gave him an injection, and then the emetic. The discharge from his bowels was so offensive, that it was hardly possible to stay in the room. The medicine operated well, and be- fore ten o'clock, he was entirely easy, and I left him. The next morning I returned, and found him sitting in his chair. He observed he had eat his breakfast, and expected to be about soon. He 162 tarried in the house two days after, and went to his work, and has never been since troubled with that disease. COLD. It is a common thing for people to say they have a very bad cold, and indeed I never knew them to have a good one. In the first stages of a common cold, warm the bed, drink freely of hot mayweed, or yarrow tea, if no other remedy can be obtained. My method of treating a common cold is this ; warm the bed at night, give a strong dose of the vegetable pow- ders, with a tea-spoonful ofthe elixir in the above tea, or penny-royal tea. This course will not on- ly throw off a cold, but it often prevents a fever. COUGH. This is a word much used by people in general. They have a bad cough, an hard dry cough, an hacking cough, a tedious cough, a wearing cough, whooping cough, consumptive cough, nervous cough, stomach cough, lung cough, &x. &x. After all this, is "a cough" a disease, or is it not? It is not. It shews disease, but is itself a friend to man. It is as essential to man, as a pump is to the vessel. The cough is frequently disordered, and cannot perform its natural operation. How many times do we hear people say, that after cough- ing, and thereby clearing the stomach, they fell better. The patent medicines for stopping a cough, are generally injurious ; for when a cough is stop- ped, the sick man soon dies. A consumptive man will live while he can cough, but when he cannot 163 raise up the cold and phlegm, he dies in short time In a cough, medicine ought to be given that will warm and clear the stomach of the cold, and filth, and which will bring the whole system into harmony with the warm, clean state of the stomach. My method in the first state of what is called a cough is, first to warm the stomach with Hygeian powders and elixir, as directed to use them. Next give the " cough powders." If this does not re- lieve, give them a regular course of medicine, (the injection and emetic) with powders, bitters, pills, elm bark, &c. which will cure, unless the'person is so far gone as to be past recovery. In the whooping cough, the Hygeian powders given every night, and cough powders,a tea spoon- ful at night, and when the child has an hard time of coughing, will generally cure in a few days ; if this does not cure, give the emetic, a few times will certainly relieve. CHOLIC. According to modern descriptions, there are the following kinds of cholic—Bilious, hysteric, in- flammatory, nervous, stone, and wind cholic. However many kinds of cholic may be describ- ed, one course of medicine will cure the person, let him be troubled with either. All needful is to remove the obstructions from the part where the pain and distress is felt. The bilious cholic is caused by an obstruction of the bile, or the outlet of the gall bladder. To cure this complaint give the injection and emetic, once in two or three days, until the cause is removed. Following this course a cure is certain. I have attended people troubled with these va- 17 164 nou» kinds of cholic, as they are called, and on« or two courses of medicine has alwayB given im- mediate relief. I was once violently attacked with the bilious cholic, and going through the regular course of medicine twice, entirely cured me, so that it has not in the least troubled me for twenty years. In common cases of wind or hysteric cholic, a table spoonful of the " vegetable elixir," taken clear, will generally remove the pain in a few min- utes. Bathing the bowels at the same time with the elixir, will greatly assist in relieving in addi- tion to taking it inwardly. I have frequently re- lieved children by only bathing the bowels with this medicine. CONSUMPTION. This signifies wasting or decay of the whole body, generally attended with a dry cough, quick pulse; night sweats, pain in the side, and sometimes a wasting without any fever, or other symptoms of consumption. Whatever may be considered the cause of this disease, a cold is always at the bottom of it. Most people with this complaint, date the beginning of the disorder from wet feet, damp beds, night air, wet clothes, or taking cold after being very warm. This is generally the first cause. The second cause is often that which is given to cure. Let a person with consumptive symptoms, take the things directed at this day for that complaint, and he will be about certain to have a settled consumption, and be pronounced past cure in a few weeks or months. The following are some of the remedies for a 165 consumption, as directed by some of the most learned Doctors. Bleeding, nitre, ipecacuanha, issues, seatons, a perpetual blister at the pit of the stomach, peruvian bark, opiates administered at night to appease the cough, and procure rest.— Some "have recommended burying the patient up to the chin in fresh dug earth, for some time." El- liot says, " for sweats, give vitriolic acid, or let a calico waistcoat, steaped in a strong decoction of bark, well dried, and renewed daily, be worn next to the skin." Such things as these, given to a person inclin- ing to a consumption, would in a short time place him beyond a cure. The balm of quito, has been recommended, but I do not think a worse thing was ever given in consumptive cases. But few can ever take more than from two to four bottles. There is no disorder more easily cured than what is called " the consumption," if rightly attended to in season. When the stomach has by cold and filth, lost its action, there is no cure ; as at that time, the flesh and blood is nearly gone, and the person must die. I am more frequently called to attend consump- tive people than any other, and seldom fail of cur- ing them. My method is this ; first, give them the "vegetable powders, or hygeian compound, for a few days. After this, give them an emetic, as in other cases of cold, and foulness of the sto- mach. This should be done two or three times in a week, as their situation may require. Be- tween the times of attending them, give the " vegetable bitters," or restorative, about three times in a day, and the powders every night.— Sometimes it is needful to give the cordial twice a day, a wine glass full at once : in this case omit 166 the bitters so much as to take both three times in a day. While going through the regular courses of medicine, the best method is to let them eat such food as their appetite craves, and as much as they need. In some cases three, four, or five times are suf- ficient. In the year 1>21, I attended a woman thirteen times in about four months; at which time the cause was removed. Young females are more liable to consumption, than any other class of people. By being careless of themselves when they ought to be uncommonly careful, they often lay a foundation for death.— Wetting their feet, going too thin clothed, going from warm rooms, and warm exercise, often brings on this complaint. Having their clothes too tight, and preventing the natural circulation ofthe blood, is another bad thing. If they would, when thus exposed, take a dose of the vegetable powders, or hygeian compound, or a table spoonful of the elix- ir, or even a strong cup of pennyroyal, mayweed, or horehound tea, a consumption might often be prevented ; and even avoiding minerals, might prevent it CONVULSIONS. These are involuntary contractions (or spasms) ofthe muscles, (or springs) and the consequent motions ofthe parts which they serve, such as the head, hands, feet, legs, &,c. This generally aris- es from a disorder, or cramp in the stomach, which extends to every part ofthe body ; depriving the person of sense, and causing all the motions of the body to be involuntary. The certain eure for this is, to give about half 167 a table spoonful of the vegetable emetic, (No. 2.) In about fifteen minutes after, give a tea spoonful more, in half a tea cup of pennyroyal tea. This will generally make them vomit, and give relief. After this, give them more of the same tea, or any other drink they choose. When the jaws are locked, the emetic must be put between the teeth and cheeks, and crowded with the hand beyond the teeth ; and as soon as it touches the roots of the tongue, the mouth will open. CRAMP. This is a spasm of the muscle, or muscles, or a contraction, caused by cold in that part of the body. Cold in the stomach or limbs brings it on. When in the stomach, half a wine glass of elix- ir swallowed, will generally relieve instantly. If this does not relieve, give half a table spoonful of emetic, No. 2, the same as for convulsions, this will relieve. Cramp in the neck, hands, arms, feet and legs, may be at once removed, by bathing the parts af- fected with the elixir, sitting near the fire, or keep- ing warm in bed. CROUP. This is a species of asthma and catarrh, and if neglected, or unskillfully treated, is a disease fatal to children, who are the most subject to it. " Children are often seized very suddenly with this disease, which, if not quickly removed, proves mortal." It is known by various names, some call it hives, and some the rising of the lights. 17* ins " This disease generally prevails in cold and wet seasons. It is most common upon the sea coast, and in low marshy countries. Children of a gross and lax habit are most liable to it. It gen- erally attacks children in the night, after having been much exposed to damp cold easterly winds, through the day. Damp houses, wet feet, thin shoes, wet clothes, or any thing that obstructs the perspiration may occasion the croup. "It is attended with a frequent pulse,quick and laborious breathings, which is performed with a peculiar kind of croaking noise, that may be heard at a considerable distance. The voice is sharp and shrill, and the face is generally much flushed, though sometimes it is of a livid color." The manner of curing this disease, as directed by those of our day, called the most skillful, is to bleed often, give emetics, or antimonial solutions; to apply mustard poultices, blister the throat, &c. Doctor Ewell directs the tincture of foxglove, or calomel, from thirty to sixty grains ; and in some cases laudanum. I' is not strange that children with this disease so generally die. I do not think there are many well children that would live Jong, if they were to take what is given to children seiz- ed with the croup. If this disease is caused by cold, or damp air, and want of natural perspiration, there is no way to remove it, but by removing the cold, opening the pores, and by removing what has caused ob- structions, in the head, throat and neck. Warm pennyroyal and mayweed tea is very good, in slight cases of croup ; but the only certain cure is, to give the emetic, as prepared for children, and con- tinue this every day, or every other day, as the case may require, until the cause is removed.__ 169 This, with the above course of medicine, may be done with safety and success. ST. VITl'S DANCE. This is a kind of convulsion, spasm, or want of balance in the muscles or springs ofthe body. If effects the head, armsv legs, speech, causes a loll- ing out of the tongue, drawing one leg after the other like an idiot ; with a variety of odd and re- diculous gestures. It generally effects the youth, between ten and fourteen years of age. Male and female are subject to this complaint ; but females are the most liable to it. The cause of this want of balance in the sys- tem, is cold, or whatever takes away the natural motion of the muscles. I once attended a young girl, who was in a violent motion, caused by tak- ing minerals, given by one ofthe regular Doctors. A lad fell into the water in August, which caused the rheumatism ; this soon went off, in a few weeks, he had this dance from hand to foot ; yet he appeared in other respects as healthy as usual. The course I have pursued to cure this singular disease is, first to clear the head, stomach and bowels, and raise the inward heat so high, as to remove the cold from every part, and thus restore the balance ofthe whole muscular system. To do all this, the stomach must be cleared with emetics ; such as this book describes, if that is not enough, give injections occasionally. With these give hygeian compound, panacia pills, and resto- rative. Between the times of giving the emetics, bathe with the bathing drops, or elixir, and botan- ic ointment, night and morning. Electrifying with Dr. Brown's machine is useful in this case. 170 There are several young people in Boston, that 1 have cured in this way, within a few years, who have never since been troubled with it. It does not generally prove fatal, but often causes parents a living trouble for years. I know a girl about eighteen years old, who is now without doubt past all cure. She is in continual motion, and almost senseless, knowing but little of what is around her. Parents are cautioned against giving prepa- rations of iron, steel, or any other mineral, as all such things instead of removing the difficulty serve to increase it. DEAFNESS. This is commonly caused by cold, either direct- ly or indirectly. Sometimes a gathering in the ear causes deafness, by so taking away the action, that it can never be restored. In some cases of deafness, by dropping five or six drops of liquid emetic into the ear, once or twice in a day, and putting cotton wool into the ear, wet with the same, will restore the hearing in one or two weeks. The most certain cure is, besides this, to give several emetics, as here directed. These will clear the head of cold, and restore the hearing.— If this will not cure, the case is two stubborn to be removed. I have cured several in this way, when every other course has failed. DIARRHOEA. The meaning of this is, " a purging without much sickness or pain ; succeeded by loss of ap- petite ; and sometimes nausea, fever, with weak pulse, dry skin, and thirst." This state of the 171 bowels is often a benefit, as it carries off what might otherwise be an injury. When this loose- ness ofthe bowels causes sickness, take half a wine glass of elixjr, which will often entirely stop it. If this does not cure, take a tea spoonful of vegetable powders in hot water, as directed, add- ing one tea spoonful of elixir. If this does not re- lieve, give an injection, as directed in this book. If that fails, give the emetic, No. 1, which is a sure and quick remedy in all such cases. DROPSY. Dropsy signifies a swelling of the whole body, or some part of it, occasioned by a collection of watery humors. According to the common ac- ceptation of the word, there are four kinds, or rather four parts affected with one disorder. A general dropsy, called anasarca, or a collection of water under the skin. The asites or collection of water in the bowels. The hydrops pectoris, or dropsy in the breast. The hydroccpalus, or drop- sv in the head. The first, a general dropsy, be- gins with a swelling of the feet and ancles towards night, which for sometime disappears in the morn- ing. In the evening, the feet and legs, if pressed with the fin ^er, will pit. This swelling gradually ascends, and occupies the trunk ofthe body, the arms and head. After this, follows difficulty of breathing, weakness, heaviness, a slow fever and troublesome cough, which if not cured, ends in death. As dropsv means a collection of water, it can on- ly be one thing, and one course of medicine will cure in all curable cases. What is called general dropsy, i? the most easily cured. Dropsy in the 172 chest, is difficult to cure ; and in some cases, it i« incurable, when it is caused by a leak in the sys- tem. Dropsy in the bowels and brain, is general- ly cured in a short time. • In all cases of dropsy, the first thing to be done is, to clear the stomach and bowels of cold and filth, and to open the pores. This must be done by a regular course of clysters and emetics ; which must be given as often as the state of the disease requires ; whether one, two, or three times in a week, or more ; which in all curable cases, never fails. I once attended a woman with the general drop- sy, who was much swelled from her head to the feet, and was near a state of mortification. The first time I attended her with the emetic only.— The second time, with that and the injection.— Before the injection was given, she was in a con- vulsed state, and supposed to be dying. By giv- ing the injection, the balance ofthe system was restored ; but her voice was gone for several days, so that she could only whisper. 1 gave her the same course of medicine eight days successively. In four weeks she was well, and went home. Another person had the dropsy in the bowels. She was attended three times with the regular course of medicine, and took several injections be- sides, which entirely cured ; and she now enjoys good health, and has had no appearance ofthe dis- order for more then two years. I attended the widow Baily of Scituate, who, in addition to the dropsy, had a slight shock of the palsy. She took the vegetable powders about four weeks, and with twice attending, was entirely cured ofthe dropsy and palsy. A son of Elisha Tucker, of Boston, about seven 173 years old, was much swelled in his bowels, and his flesh gone ; and but little appetite. In the year 1821, I attended him with the vegetable emetic, injections, and steaming, which took down the swelling in a few weeks. In all cases of dropsy, the person ought to take the powders every night, the bitters two or three times in a day ; and such food as the appetite craves, and as the stomach will digest; and drink that which is in harmony with the food and me- dicine. Dropsy in the womb, as it is called, must be treated the same as in any other part ofthe body. There is one general cause of dropsy, and one general remedy. DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. This is " a discharge of mucus, blood, and puru- lent matter, by stool ; violent gripings, pain in the loins, and anus, with fever." It is caused by cold and canker in the stomach and bowels. The word originally meant pain in the bowels. The best method of treating this disorder is, first to give the injection mentioned in this work ; next the emetic, in a regular course. Afterwards, give the vegetable powders, night and morning ; and the cordial two or three times in a day. This course of medicine must be followed until a cure is made. Injections ought always to be used, to prevent pain and mortification in the bowels. DISPEPSIA. This word means the same as indigestion ; and consists in " want of appetite,—nausea,—some- times vomiting,—heartburn,—costiveness,—dis- 174 tenfrions ofthe stomach, particularly upon taking a small quantity of food—frequent n.-ings into the throat of a sharp acid liquor, and eructations of imperfectly digested matter." Much is said upon this disease at the present time, and much is done, and much to no advan- tage, and often to the injury of the patient. Dis- pepsie bread has been prepared ; rubbing and ironing the surface, pressing, jumping, taking mag- nesia, &c. All this has been done, and yet the cause not removed. The real cause of this disease is a cold and foul stomach, and there is no real cure, without cleans- ing and warming the stomach, and restoring the tone ofthe system generally. If any kind of ves- sel is musty, we know it must first be cleansed be- fore it can be used, without injuring whatever is put in it. So it is with the stomach. There are different stages of this disease, which require different treatment. In the first com- mencement of it, by taking the hygeian powders, elixir and pills, with the health restorative, it may be cured in a short time : but when it has been of long standing, and the patient has been injured, and the cause increased by taking magnesia, opi- um, laudanum, mercury, arsenic, and other poi- sons, the only sure way of curing is, a regular pro- cess of emetic, as described in this work. This will infallibly cure, if attended to in season, with perseverance until the cause is removed. In some cases, one course of emetic, &c. will cure ; but it generally takes from one to five times, and in some very stubborn cases, more than five times. After the stomach is in this way warmed and cleansed, the patient ought for some time to take the powders, pills, and bitters, as directed in this 175 work ; to eat such food as is agreeable to the taste, and sits easy in his stomach. He should take ex- ercise as is the most useful, whether it be riding, walking or doing such labor as shall not cause him to overdo. Let all these things be done, be- ing for some time careful not to take cold, and he may be certain of a cure, and he will soon know what it is to eat in pleasure, and not barely from necessity. EPILEPSY. This is what some term falling sickness. The symptoms of epilepsy are—a " languid pulse, pale countenance ; and afterwards, great pain in the head, with stupor anH drowsiness sometimes pre- ceding a fit; though it often comes on without these previous symptoms. The patient falls down sud- denly, gnashes his teeth, froths at his mouth, uses many disagreeable gesticulations and distortions ; and sometimes discharges involuntarily by stool and urine." The cause of this disease is cold, and obstructions in different parts ofthe system, partic- ularly in the muscles, or springs of the body. In this disease the system is out of balance, the same as in the lockjaw. Remove the cold and restore the balance, so that every part may bear together, and the epilepsy is cured. The same thing must be done as in all other obstructed cases. Begin by giving the vegetable powders, then give the vegetable emetic as here directed. Follow this course as often as needful until the whole body is cleared of the cause. In this disease, the person ought generally to be at- tended two or three times in a week, and some- times every other day. I have attended several with this complaint, and never knew this mode of 18 17fi treating it, fail of effecting a cure, when properly attended to. FBVEll. There are at this time, according to the writings of the learned doctors, a great variety of fevers.— The following are among the many : Inflammato- ry fever—Intermittant fever—Miliary fever—Milk fever—Mixed fever—Puerperal fever—Putrid, or Malignant fever—Scarlet fever—Slow, or Nervous fever—Worm fever—Braiu fever—Rheumatic le- ver—Hectic fever—Typhus fever—Yellow fever —Cold fever, &.c. &c. After all said upon fevers, there is but one.— Fever means heat, and in a sick man, it is a dis- turbed operation of the natural heat of the body. A sick man, who has a high fever, as it is called, has no more heat than a well man, if he has so much. The cold is in his stomach, which crouds the heat to the surface. This is called a fever.— When a person has taken a bad cold, he is said to be feverish ; and the first thing generally done is, to give hot herb drink, to drive the cold from the body, that the heat may turn; which the doc- tors call the turn ofthe fever. If this does not an- swer, the doctor is sent for, to prevent a fever, or throw it off as they term it. The usual method is, first to bleed, then give the calomel and jalup.— Taking away the blood lessens the heat, and the calomel increases the cold ; and a settled fever follows. Then the fever must have its course, or the person must have a run of fever, as it is called. Dr. Buchan says, that a fever is only an effort of nature to free herself from an offending cause.— His words are the following :—page 158. " As 177 fever is only an effort of nature to free herself from an offending cause, it is the business of those who have the care of the sick, to observe with dili- gence which way nature points, and to endeavor to assist her operations. Our bodies are so fram- ed, as to have a constant tendency to expel or throw off whatever is injurious to health. This is generally done by urine, sweat, stool, expectora- tion, vomit, or some other evacuation. There is reason to believe, if the efforts of na- ture, at the beginning of a fever, were duly attend- ed to and promoted, it would seldom continue long ; but when her attempts are either neglected or counteracted, it is no wonder if the disease proves fatal. There are daily instances of persons who, after taking cold, have all the symptoms of a beginning fever ; but by keeping warm, drinking diluting liquors, bathing their feet in warm water, &c. the symptoms in a few hours disappear, and the danger is prevented." This quotation contains more truth respecting fever, than many volumes which have been written on the subject. We have now only to find what nature is, and how to assist it. Hypocrates says, " Nature is heat." " Natura dure"—nature leads. How does it operate ? To throw off the bad, and retain the good. To bleed, blister, or give cold things, such as all minerals are, is to counteract and not to assist nature. Let whatever may be the name ofthe fever, the first thing to be done is, to increase the heat, and throw off what has caus- ed the sickness or fever. In the first of common fevers the hygeian com- pound, pills and elixir, given a few times at night, and in the morning, and two or three times in a day, will answer, without any thing else. If a per. 178 son has been several days without any relief, the certain way to cure is, to give the vegetable emet- ic to clear the stomach and bowels. This will generally open the pores, by which the cause will be removed. I have in many instances, when the person was confined to his bed, by one course of medicine relieved him so as to be out in a few days. When a person has been confined many days, been bled, blistered, taken physic, taken opium, calomel, nitre, Sfc. it takes much more medicine to cure, and a longer time. It is common to take a week or more, to cure in such cases. The typhus fever, as it is called, commonly affects the head, as it is caused by cold, or an obstruction in the brain. It is a fashiona- ble thing in such cases, to shave the head and blister it. This is a very dangerous practice, as it raises the heat upon the outside, drive the cold to the brain, and so far as I have been acquainted, generally brings on delirium and death. What is called the yellow fever, generally pre- vails in hot weather ; and the spotted fever in cold weather. In the summer, the heat upon the sur- face, is too great for the heat ofthe blood ; which causes it to putrify. In the winter, the cold upou the surface, is too great for the heat ofthe blood, which is chilled, and becomes spotted ; and peo- ple in this case have died in a short time after be- in(r taken sick. The samecau^e will cure either. Raise the heat in the man above the heat on the outside, and he mny he cured. Raise the heat above the power ofthe cold, and the disease is re- moved. We all know that a hearty well man who can endure much cold can endure much heat. The 179 course to be taken in any kind of fever (accord- ing to the different names) ought to be pursued until the cold, filth, and obstructions in the body, are wholly removed ; then the person is well. In fever, the restorative and pills, ought to be used, and such nourishment for food or drink as the ap- petite craves. FEVER AND AGUE. This disease is generally caused by effluvia from putrid stagnating water. This is evident from their abounding in rainy seasons, and being most frequent in low marshy countries, as in Hol- land, the low fresh meadow lands in the middle and Southern States, and around the lakes in New York. I find that Dr. Buchan thought an emetic good in this disease. He says, (page 166) " The first thing to be done in the cure, is to cleanse the stomach and bowels. This not only renders the application of other medicines more safe, but like- wise more efficacious. In this disease, the stom- ach is generally loaded with cold visced phlegm, and frequently great quantities of bile are dis- charged by vomit, which plainly points out the necessity of such evacuations. Vomits are there- fore to be administered before the patient takes any other medicines." The safe and certain way to cure this disease, is to give first an emetic, the same as in any other case of cold and obstructions. Do this once in three or four days, until the cause is removed ; giving between the times the powders, pills, bit- ters, &c. I have several times removed the com- plaint by once attending the sick. Four or five times has always been sufficient. 18* 180 FLUOR ALDUS, OR WHITES. The following is its appearance—"a flux of thin matter from the vagina, of a transparent or white color, sometimes tinctured with yellow or green ; sometimes it is sharp and corroding, with a foetid smell, especially when of long continuance."— This disease is caused by cold, which produces weakness in the parts affected. Where this has not been of long standing, the hygeian compound, and elixir, taken night and morning for sometime, with a wine glass of the restorative, two or three times in a day, will generally cure in the course of two or three weeks. If the person has long been in this case, the only certain cure is to go through a regular course of medicine, two or three times in a week, until the cause is removed. They ought between the times, to take the powders, pills and restorative, and e.it such food as the appetite craves; avoiding hard labor, extremes in heat and cold, night air, damp clothes, and wet feet. GOUT. The word arthritis, the gout, is from a Greek word, which signifies a joint ; because in this dis- ease, the joint or joints are affected. " It chiefly affects the membranes, tendons, and ligaments; the pain is like that of a dislocated bone, with a sensation as if warm water were poured on the part, succeeded by chillness and slight fever, a breathing sweat comes at the end of the fit, and the part swells, &c. The gout is caused by cold in the joints, and the parts affected. A cure must be performed by removing the cold from the whole system ; the same as in the rheumatism. [See Rheamutism.] 181 HEADACH. There are a variety of causes for the headach ; but whatever obstructs the free circulation of blood through the vessels of the head, may cause the headach. In a common or slight headach, it may be cured in a few minutes, by wetting the top of the head with the vegetable elixir, and snuffing some of it up the nose. When the headach is caused by a foul stomach, it must be cleared by taking the vegetable emetics,which will thoroughly remove the cause and then the effect must cease. HEART-BURN. This is an imaginary disease ; no such thing as the heart-burn, ever took place. This disagreea- ble sensation is always in the Stomach. Should it be called the stomach-burn, it would be more proper, though less fashionable. Elliot says, "the common heart-burn, proceeding from acidity, irri- tating the upper orifice of the stomach, is removed for the time, by magnesia, &c." Buchan says, (page 462) " what is commonly called the heart- burn, is not a disease of that organ, but an uneasy sensation of the heat or acrimony about the pit of the stomach ; which is sometimes attended with anxiety, nausea and vomiting." There are in the stomach of an healthy person, three things which make the foment, and which prepares the food for digestion—heat, sour and bitter. When these three are in harmony, or in an equal balance, the stomach is easy ; but when there is a lack of heat and bitter, the sour is the highest: this causes the burning in the stomach, or what is improperly called heart-burn. The cer- tain cure for this complaint is, to cleanse the stom- ach, by the vegetable emetic, and afterwards take 182 the Restorative, which will bring the stomach to its natural tone, and will end the heart-burn, as it is very improperly called. If the complaint is not very bad, a little pearl- ash, dissolved in warm water and swallowed, will relieve. Sometimes eating peachmeats will re- lieve; but in the worst cases, the emetic is safe and sure. HICCOUGH, OR HICCUP. This " is a spasmodic, or convulsive affection of the stomach and midriff, arising from any cause that irritates their nervous fibres." Sometimes holding the breath will stop it; hold- ing the pulse will sometimes relieve, or giving a sudden shock. A swallow of the elixir is gener- ally a certain cure. In giving a course of the vegetable emetic, it is a common thing to have the hiccup; but it never continues long. HYDROPHOBIA. This long word simply means the fear or dread of water. It now means canine madness. It is called hydrophobia, because people that are bitten with a mad dog, dread the sight or falling of wa- ter, when they are first seized with the madness. It is a kind of spasm. The following description of a mad dog, and a person bitten, is from Elliot's medical pocket-book, and is wortjiy of a place here. " It is of more consequence here to describe the symptoms in the dog than those of the patient. We may know the dog to be mad by his dull, heavy look ; endeavoring to hide himself; seldom or never barking; being angry and snarling at 183 strangers, but fawning on his owners; refusing all food, drooping, hanging down his ears and tail, and often lying down as if going to sleep. This is the first stage. He next begins to breathe quick and heavy, shoots out his tongue, slavers, and froths at the mouth ; looks half asleep ; flies suddenly at by-standers ; and runs forward in a curve line.— At length he knows not his owner, his eyes be- come thick and dim, and water runs from them; his tongue is of a red color ; he grows weak and faint; often falls down, then rises, and attempts to fly at something; and grows mad and furious.— The nearer to this state, the more dangerous the bite. " If the state ofthe dog cannot be obtained, he may be known to have been mad, or the disorder may be known to be this by the following effects, which will come on sooner or later. The bitten part begins to be painful, wandering pains come on gradually, with heaviness and uneasiness; the patient has disturbed sleep, frightful dreams, start- ings, spasms, sighing, anxiety, and loves solitude ; pains shoot from the bitten part up to the throat, with straitness, sensation of choaking, and horror or dread at the sight of water, or other liquids, which is a sufficient characteristic of the disease." Manner of Cure. The infection from a mad dog, is generally diffused through the whole system of one bitten. In its operation the whole body is disordered, particularly the muscles. . The sure remedy is, the clyster and vegetable emetic. If it is taken soon after being bitten, this medicine will drive all the infection from the body; so that there will be no more trouble about it. This course must be followed, until the infection is all removed. If a person bitten by a mad dog, feels any of 184 the above mentioned eyinptoins, he should take the emetic immediately, and continue taking it, one, two, three, or four times in a week, until he ia wholly relieved. HYSTERIA, OR HYSTERICS. Hysteria, or Hysterics, is from a Greek word which signifies the womb. It is an inflammation ofthe womb, or a kind of spasm, originating from that inflammation. It is not common for one to be without the other. It is known by a grumbling noise in the bowels. It seems to the person affec- ted, that a ball is ascending to the throat, with a sense of suffocation, &.c. This is a real disorder, which in general is not much understood. When there is but little inflammation in the part affected, the hygeian powders and panacea pills, with a teaspoonful of American valerian, taken every night, with a clyster made of motherwort, and a teaspoonful of cayenne boiled with it; and given at night—a few times will cure ; but if the disorder is very bad, causing fits, cramps, convul- sions, &c. a regular course of emetics must be tak- en and followed until the cause is wholly removed. From one to five times is generally enough to make a certain cure. JAUNDICE. The true meaning of Jaundice, is an obstruc- tion of the bile or what is contained in the gall bladder. The simple account of the jaundice is this:—The gall bladder grows on the under side ofthe liver, which lies on the stomach. By rea- son of a foul and cold stomach, the liver becomes cold, and the neck ofthe gall bladder, also. This 18.-, cold swells the neck of the gall bladder, and pre- vents the gall from passing off into the bowels.— As it cannot pass off freely, it flows back, and ap- pears in the white of the eyes, then in the face; and often over the whole body. This bile goes with the blood, and is carried through the whole system. In its worst state, it is called the black jaundice; which ends in mortification and death. The manner of curing this complaint is, to re- move the cause, which is to clear the stomach of the cold and filth; remove the obstruction from the gall bladder, clear the whole system, and take off the yellow from the skin. When this is done, the jaundice is cured.—When there is but little cold and foulness in the stomach, and the obstruc- tion small, taking the hygeian compound and pills, night and morning, for a few days, will generally cure. When the obstruction is great, the only sure way of relief is to take the vegetable emetic, No. 1; and the injection once in two, three, or four days, until the cause is removed ; taking between the times, the hygeian powders and restorative with the pills, two or three times in a day ; and eating such food as the stomach will digest. ITCH. This is an uncomfortable, dishonorable attend- ant of many high spirited people ; though not gen- erally dangerous, unless rendered so by neglect, or improper treatment. Many have been ruined by applying minerals to the surface. Dr. Buchan gives the following description of mercurial prepa- rations. Page 448. " Much mischief is likewise done by the use of mercury in this disease. Some persons are so fool hardy as to wash the parts af- 18(5 fected with a strong solution ofthe corrosive subli- mate. Others use the mcrcuiial ointment, without taking the least care either to avoid cold, keep the body open or observe a proper regimen." It is not to be told what mischief is done by using mercu- rial ointment for curing the itch. " People ought to be extremely cautious, lest they take other erup- tions for the itch. Many of the irruptive disor- ders to which children are liable, have a near re- semblance to this disease. I have often known infants killed by being rubbed with greasy oint- ments, that made these eruptions strike suddenly in, which nature had thrown out to preserve the patient's life, or prevent some other malady." The only certain and safe remedy I have found, is the following :—take the hygeian compound and pills, as directed every night and morning, and use the llitch ointment" mentioned in this work. Bathe the parts affected, night and morning by the fire, or in bed. Continue this application un- til a cure is performed, which is commonly within one week. There is no need of changing the clothes. The ointment which cures the itch, will. cleanse the clothes; and there is no bad smell, nor danger of taking cold, as they keep up the in- ward heat, while the ointment kills what the pow- ders drive to the surface of the body.—This is equally safe for young or old, the weak or strong. If young children cannot take the powders, give them the tea poured off from the powders. LIVER INFLAMED. Much is said at this time of the liver complaint; and I believe but little understood.—An inflamma- tion ofthe liver, kidneys, throat, stomach, bowels, 187 limbs, &,c. is always caused by cold. Remove this, and an inflammation is at an end. When the liver is inflamed, raise the heat in the stomach, which is a near neighbor to the liv- er ; the emetic will do this, and take the cold from the liver; and then all will be well. LOCK JAW. This is what is called spasm. Elliot gives the following description of it. " A rigid contraction ofthe muscles, which raise the lower jaw, whence the jaws continue violently closed with great pain." Hooper says—" Locked jaw or Trismus, a species of Tetanus." In describing tetanus, he says— " Tetanus, (from a Greek word) which signifies to stretch, spasm with rigidity. A genus of dis- ease in the class neuroses, and order spasmi of Cullen; characterised by a spasmodic rigidity of almost the whole body." Elliot's description is correct:—" a rigid con- traction of the muscles, which raise the lower jaw." It is simply the want of balance in the whole system. Whatever will relax the system, and bring all the muscles to regular balance, is the cure for this alarming disease. In slight cases of the locked jaw, the Vegetable Elixir, swallowed, and rubbed on the parts affected, will remove the spasm. In violent cases, the vegetable emetic, No. 2, must be given in the following manner :—Take about half a wine glass full of Liquid Emetic, put it into the mouth, if it can be put between the teeth ; if not, put it in a phial, and put the phial between the cheek and gumb, and press it with the fingers back of all the teeth. Soon after the emetic touches the roots of the tongue, the mouth will 19 18-* open without any force. In the courso of from fifteen to twenty-five minutes more, give nearly a wine glass of the same This will generally slack the whole system, and the person will appear as though his strength was all gone. In the course of half an hour, give a teaspoonful of the vegetable powders, in a tea cup full of pennyroal tea.—AH this will cause the person to vomit, which will re- lieve. Give such drink as the person calls for, whether herb drink, cider, or gruel. Should the spasms return, give the regular course of emetic and injection, once in two or three days, until the cause is wholly removed. I have had several cases of this kind, and have always cured them in this way. There is no risk in this medicine ; and it is certain to relieve. MEASLES. The original word is reubola from rubio, to be- come red. Elliot gives this account of the meas- les:—^Symptoms,—chillness, shivering, pain in the head, fever, sickness, and sometimes vomiting; cough, heaviness of the eyes, with swelling, inflam- mation, and discharge of a watery humour from them; and also from the nostrils. The third or fourth day, an irruption like flea-bites appears in face, neck, and breast; and soon after in the body and limbs; it rises above the skin, but does not supperate. The fever and other symptoms do not as in the small pox, abate on the appearance of the eruption, which continues about three days, then dies away, the skin pealing off; but the other symptoms remain, and even increase, espe- cially the cough, which is also attended in gener- al with difficulty of breathing, and oppression of the breast." 189 This ie a correct description of the measles; and it is evident from this description, that they are caused by cold, and must be cured by its op- posite, heat. In common cases of measles, a strong tea of saffron, snake root, mayweed, yarrow, or penny- royal is sufficient; in addition to keeping the chil- dren comfortably warm, by staying in the house, &c. In worse cases, a tea made ofthe vegetable powders will cure, by raising the inward heat, and driving the cold to the surface. In the worst cases the vegetable emetic, No. 3, must be given in a tea made of hemlock bark, red raspberry leaves, sumac berries, or hazle leaves. Either of them will answer. An injection of the tea should be given at the same time. In the year 1821, the measles raged in Boston generally, and it was said not far from five hun- dred children died. One doctor gave a child two table spoonsful of strong tobacco tea, and an- other four or five. Both children died in a short time. I attended two or three children in the same family in the way mentioned here; and they all recovered. My own child, four years old, was violently seized, having all the symptoms ofthe worst kind. 1 gave her the injection and emetic, which relieved her in a few days. In a short time after being cured ofthe measles, she became very deaf, so as scarely to hear at all. I gave her the same course of emetic again, which took away the remaining cold that had caused the measles, and deafness. She now enjoys good health, and has no deafness at all. I attended several chil- dren, and all recovered, excepting the one who had taken four or five table spoonsful of tobacco tea. I doubt whether there is a well child in Bos- 19t) ton, that could live at'tor taking so much tobacco tea. But the doctor ordered it, and they never have the name of killing children. The Lord txkes them away ; and it is said he has a right to his own,—even if he takes them with tobacco tea. MENSES OBSTRUCTED, &/C This word is from ceda menia ; and this from two Greek words, which signify " according to the month." It is what takes place in all healthy fe- males, from the age of fourteen years to fifty. Fe- males from infancy to fourteen years, generally differ but little from males as to health ; and fe- males from fifty and onward, are generally as healthy as men, and can often endure more hard labor. In this operation of nature, there is something wonderful. It is caused by a redundency of blood, which in healthy women, passes off regularly. In a state of pregnancy, it nourishes the child. Af- ter the birth, it turns to milk, and supports the child from the breast ; when the child is weaned, it. again passes off in the natural way. At the age of forty-five or fifty, as the person looses heat by age, this redundency of blood fails, and the female -generally enjoys good health without it ; which cannot be from fourteen to fifty. In the first stages of this, mothers ought to be careful of their daughters, that they do not take cold, which often lays a foundation for them to be unwell through life. In common obstructions of this kind, a strong tea of motherwort, or thoroughwort, will relieve. If this fails, the hygeian compound and pills must be taken, as directed in other cases. When these 191 fail, the injection and emetic must be given the same as in other obstructed cases. It must be continued until the cause is wholly removed. Of- ten times the bowels will be much swelled ; this course will remove swelling and all other attend- ant difficulties. Sometimes there is not a stoppage, but it is irregular, too often, or not often enough ; too much or not enough. The emetic, &,c. with the restorative will, if attended to thoroughly, and in season, bring every part as it ought to be. SORE NIPPLES. Make a strong tea of the bark of the root of bayberry, and wash them with it several times in a day. PALPITATION OF THE HEART. Dr. Hooper gives the following description of this disease. " Palpitatio. Palpitation of the heart, which is either constant or frequently re- turning. A genus of disease in the class neuroses, (nervous disease) and order spasmi of Cullen. In pletoric habits, repeated venesection ; for bleed- ing in debilitated, cinchona and iron ; in bilious ones, lemon juice. Musk, volatile alkali, asafoeti- da, blisters." Dr. Elliot, without explaining the nature of the disease, gives the following direction for cure. " In proper constitutions, bleed repeat- edly ; but where the disorder proceeds from re- laxation, the bark and corroberants. Nervous me- dicines, musk, volatile salts, &c. are good; as are also blisters. In billious habits, it is frequently removed by pure lemon juice." From all this, who knows what is meant by the 19* 192 palpitation of the heart ? It is a nervous com- plaint, and of the order spasmi, a kind of spasm. There is some cause for this disorder. When a person runs, is affrighted, asleep, or awake, he has a palpitation of the heart. If an increased circu- lation ofthe blood brings on a temporary palpita- tion ; whatever lessons the passage of the blood, must cause the same. A cold in the nose, swells, and lessens the passage of the air. A cold in the veins, arteries, &lc. lessens the passage ofthe blood through the heart ; of course the blood, by being partially obstructed, presses the harder ; this caus- es the palpitation, or beating. Place a large stone in a small smooth stream, and it will cause a pal- pitation ofthe writer ; remove the stone, and the palpitation is done. So in the man ; remove the cold, and the palpitation is cured. To do this, clear the whole man from obstructions, and this difficulty is cured. A regular course of clysters, emetic, &c. as in other obstructed cases, will cure, unless the person is too far gone. In a great ma- ny cases, I have found this method a certain cure for this disease. The powders, bitters, &,c. should be given between the times of giving the emetic ; the same as in other obstructed cases. PALSY, OR PARALY8IS. This is " a loss or diminution of the motion or feeling, or both,of some part or parts ofthe body." The word palsy or hemiplegia or palsy on one side, is from two Greek words, which mean half and to strike, because it takes one side ; and therefore the common saying, " the person is struck with the palsy." The word paralysis, is from the Greek word, which means " to loose ; as 193 it is " al oss of tne power of voluntary motion, af- fecting certain parts." There are two kinds of palsy. One affects the nerves, the other the muscles. The first is com- monly called the numb palsy, the other, the shak- ing palsy. The first is caused by an obstruction in the nervous system ; and the other by an ob- struction in the mucles, which takes away the na- tural balance. Buchan says, " The immediate cause of palsy, is any thing that prevents the regular exertion of ^the nervous power upon any particular muscle or part of the body. The palsy may likewise pro- ceed from wounds themselves ; from the poisonous fumes of metals or minerals, ae mercury, lead, ar- senic. The cure of the palsy must be by that which will remove the cause, restore the nervous system, and bring the muscles to their natural action, or tone. There are cases of palsy, of both kinds, which are incurable ; particularly when it attacks old people, and such as have taken mercury, lead and arsenic for medicine. I have attended several within a few years, and cured them entirely. My method is, first to give them the hygeian powders and pills for a few days; then give them the emetic, and its attendant, once in three, four or five days. Also bathe the parts affected with bathing drops and botanic ointment. This course will cure, unless in desperate cases. PHRENSY, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. This is caused by too much water and cold in the brain, which obstructs, or prevents the natural action of that part. To cure this, raise the heat 194 by the vegetable emetic, &lc. the same as in any other obstruction : this will throw off the water and cold, restore the balance, and bring the brains to the natural state, and all will be well. PILES. Dr. Hooper says, the word piles is from a Greek word, which means "flux of blood." " They are known by a discharge of blood with the fceces, at- tended with pain in the rectum, loins, and head ; and by the presence of enlarged veins, which are^ the piles." Dr. Elliot says, " piles" are " pain- ful tumours in the anus and rectum." Dr. Bu- chan says, " a discharge of blood from the hoe- morrhoidal vessels, is called bleeding piles.— When the vessels only swell, and discharge no blood, but are exceeding painful, the disease is called the blind piles." The amount of all this is, there are two difficul- ties in, or near the same part; which are called by the same name. One is known by the pain it causes, and the other by a discharge of blood, &c. What Buchan calls blind piles, is a distressing complaint; as the rectum is filled with tumours, or hard bunches, the same as tumours in the throat. The first is in the inlet of the stomach, the other at the outlet of the bowels. The bleeding and blind piles are both caused by cold and canker. The piles are by the doctors considered incurable; that is, they do not know how to cure them. In some cases, they have giv- en what they call medicine, until the passage was wholly obstructed, and they made an artificial pas- sage, which answered but a short time. The man died- 195 In Dec. 1820, a man in Boston, by the name of William Greene, was sorely afflicted with the blind piles, which troubled him in the winter for twelve or thirteen years. He had applied to sev- eral doctors, but obtained no cure. In this last attack, his doctor, after attending him a while, told him there was no cure for him. On a cer- tain day, being greatly distressed, he sent for me. He was in the most painful state I ever saw one with that disorder. I told him my manner of treating that disease, and that I believed he might be cured. He went immediately to bed, and I gave him the injection and vegetable emetic, in the usual way. Between the times of attending him with the emetic, I gave him several injections, prepared without the emetic in them. I gave him the emetic three times in the course of a few weeks, and the injections seven or eight times, with the powders at night, and the bitters three times in a day. This course wholly cured him ; and at this time, (1832) he is entirely free from the piles; and says he has not enjoyed so good health for thirteen or fourteen years, as he now enjoys. In cases of bleeding piles, when there is a sore- ness of the skin, it should be frequently washed with strong tea, made of hemlock bark ; the bark of the root of bayberry, or sumac leaves or berries, or the roots of pond lillies. PIMPLES. Wash them with a tea made of bayberry root, or sumac berries, or the vegetable elixir. If they are not very bad, this will cure. Where they pro- ceed from cold and canker in the body, the only certain cure is, to clear the whole system with an 196 emetic, &x. this will remove the cause, and one* prevent something worse than pimples. PLEURISY. This means an inflammation of the plurea.— "The term pleurisy, is an inflammation of that membrane, called the plurea, which lines the in- side of the breast. It is commonly called pleurisy fever; and begins with shivering, cold, &c. It is attended with pain in the side, raising blood, &c. It ought to be treated the same as a fever of any other name. [See fever.] It is common to bleed in the pleurisy, but this is wrong : this relieves the pain without removing the cause. Raise the heat and throw off the cold and filth with the emetic; then the cause will ba removed, and the pain will not return. POISON. Poison is but one thing : though it may be done by animals, vegetables, or minerals. Poison is "any substance which proves destructive to the life of animals, in a small quantity; either taken by the mouth, mixed with the blood, or applied to the nerve." Mineral poison is mercury, cor- rosive sublimate of mercury, arsenic, antimony, nitre, or salt petre, vitriol, &c. Vegetable poison is poppy, or opium, garden hemlock, henbane, berries of deadly nightshade, &c. Animal poi- son is the bite or sting, which conveys the poison through a wound. The cure for poison is the vegetable emetic, when the poison is taken into the stomach. If it is taken in through the pores, by poisonous oint- ments, or by the bite of an animal, or sting of an 197 insect, the whole system must be eleansed, the same as in the hydrophobia. I was once called to a young man who had swallowed an ounce of laudanum, with the design of killing himself. Soon after he took it, he fell, and remained senseless. By administering the emetic, which was crowded to the back part of his teeth ; when it reached the roots of his tongue, his mouth was opened. More was given after- wards ; and in the course of one hour, the lauda- num was all taken away, and he was no more troubled with it. Nitre, or salt petre is the worst of all mineral poison, as it is the, most difficult to remove, being so uncommonly cold and dead. CHICKEN POX, OR SWINE POX. The symptoms of this are, "chillness, heat, and the usual precursory symptoms of fever ; but mild- er than in the small pox. The eruptions appear about the third day. They rise like those of the small pox, but may be known from them by the matter being more like water than pus ; by little vescicles or bladders, filled with water on the top of such pustules as are whole ; and by their turn- ing about the fifth day ; which the others do not till at least the seventh. The swine pox is only a larger kind of chicken pox." This should be treated the same as the measles. [See Measles.] QUINSY. This is an inflammation of the throat, caused by cold. It is attended "with pain, great heat, ij*- mors, redness, difficulty in swallowing and breath- ing and fever ; the covala sometimes relaxed^ and inflamed ; the face red." The quinsy, croup, audi 19* mumps, differ but little from each other, except- ing in the name ; what will cure one, will cure the others. It is simply a cold and swelling in the parts of the neck; and must be removed by the opposite of cold—heat. In common cases o"f the quinsy, croup, &c. the first thing to be done is, to raise the heat, by giv- ing warm teas, such as pennyroyal, peppermint, &c. It is also good to wet flannel in vinegar, with cayenne, or pepper sauce, and put it round the neck. If this does not answer, the emetic, No. 3, must be given for children ; and the injection to raise the heat, and take away the inflammation from the throat. Cayenne tea must be given to moisten the throat, and take away the canker. In the year 1818, my youngest child, four months old, was violently seized with the quinsy, so that no one expected her life ; and we even laid her down to die. The method pursued then, as the last thing was, to put a feather down her throat, wet with canker tea, to remove the canker. Next a strong tea of cayenne was made and pour- ed down her throat, a teaspoonful at a time. Next we gave her the emetic, and steamed her, which overcame the disorder ; and in one week from that time, though only four months old, we carried her almost forty miles in one day. She has never since been troubled with it, and now enjoys good health. RHEUMATISM. The doctors tell us of acute rheumatism, chro- nic rheumatism, inflammatory rheumatism, and rheumatic fever; rheumatism in the head, breast, •tomach, bowels, &c. &c. The greater part of 199 what they say, and do, proves that they are al- most entirely ignorant of the nature of it, or at least of the medicine that will cure. The word rheumatism is so called, from its being formerly used in the same sense as rheuma, to flow. The discharge from the nostrils or lungs, arising from cold. "In the present day, the mean- ing of the word is applied to a genus of disease in the class pyrexiae; and order phlegmasia, of Cullen ; characterised by pyrexia; pain in the joints, and heat on the part," &>c. After all said upon the different kinds of rheu- matism, it is a cold in the joints, muscles, and dif- ferent parts of the system. The certain cure for the rheumatism is the fol- lowing : In cases where it chiefly affects the back, or some of the limbs, taking the hygeian powders, or bathing the pained part with the elixir and bo- tanic ointment, will generally relieve in a few days. When the stomach is foul, the joints stiff, the cords tightened, and the muscles have lost their action, the only remedy is to give the injec- tion and emetic first. Afterwards anoint the stif- fened parts with the botanic ointment ; and in the morning, bathe all the affected parts with bathing drops, and botanic ointment, night and morning. Persue this course one, two or three times in a week, until the cause is wholly removed, and the person will be well. In the year 1822, I had more cases of rheuma- tism, that in three years before. Almost erery one I attended are now well, and able to attend to their business ; and were cured according to the above directions. ------ RICKETS. The word rickets, is from a Greek word which 20 200 signifies the " back bone." To us, it would sound very uncouth, to say the child has the back bone, as very few are without one. It is likely the an- cients meant a disease which affected the back bone, causing it to grow out of its natural shape. The symptoms of rickets are the following :— " The head is large ; the fontanels keep longer open ; the face full and florid, the teeth produced with difficulty, dark, irregular, and apt to decay ; the joints knotty, and the bones protuberent, causing incurvation and distortion ; the ribs pro- tuberate, and become crooked ; the belly swells ; cough and pulmonary disorders succeed. The disease usually appears about the eighth month, and continues till the sixth year ; the child moves weakly, and waddles ; the understanding is very clear." The real cause of this disorder, is an obstruc- tion below the arms, by which the nourishment ofthe food is prevented from being distributed through the whole body. By this means, the chest and head, get more than belongs to them ; and the other parts not so much. This causes such an uncommon shape, arid is the reason of the large head, and small legs, arms, &c. ofthe child. The cure in this case is, to remove the obstruc- tions, that every part of the body may receive its part of the food, and grow all in harmony. The vegetable emetic, &c. given in season, will remove the obstructions, and restore the natural balance ofthe system. Parents ought to be careful to at- tend to this disease in the first stages of it ; as it will not only prevent deformity, but even death in fhe family. Children ought not to be kept too still when young, nor suffered to go long wet, which often brings on the rickets. 201 ring worms—See Tetters. SCALDS, OR BURNS. In the first instance of a scald or burn, before it is blistered, wet a cloth with cold water, and wrap it around ; if it is on the arm or feet, let the cloth that is on, (if there is any) or the stock- ings remain, and wet them ; adding a wet cloth over them. Whenever the smart is felt, wet it a- gain ; and continue to wet it when it smarts, un- til it is easy. In the time of wetting it, take a dose of the vegetable powders, to keep up the in- ward heat. When there is a blister, or it has broken ; or when the scald or burn is large, a poultice must be made of elm, and wet with a tea made of red raspberry leaves, and put on. When the poultice becomes dry, wet it with the tea. Change the poultice once in twenty-four hours ; continue it, until it discharges ; then apply the salve, until it is cured. When there is an appearance of a fe- ver, the emetic must be given ; this will keep up the inward heat, prevents the severe pain, and a fever, and cause a discharge, which will remove the canker, and prepare the sore for healing. See Poultice. SCROPHOLA, OR KING'S EVIL. The word " scrophola struma, the king's evil, is from scrophula, a swine, because this animal is said to be subject to a similar disorder. It is well known by swelled lymphatic glands ; thick upper lip ; obstinate ulcers ; redness of the margin ofthe tarsus ; indolent tumors on the joints ; fair com- plexion ; and an irritable habit." 202 " The first appearance of this difficulty is com- monly about the neck, under the chin, or behind the ears. Small knots or bunches are seen, which gradually increase in number and size, until they form one large hard tumour. This often contin- ues for a long time without breaking ; and when it does break, it only discharges a thin watery hu- mour." Sometimes the scrophula attacks the arm pits, groins, feet, hands, eyes and breast.— Sometimes the lungs, liver, and spleen, or melt. In whatever form it appears, it is nothing more nor less than canker ; caused by an obstruction in the glands. The only sure and speedy cure of this is, to clear the whole system by a regular course of medicine, as in other obstructed cases. When the sores or bunches discharge, they should be washed in a tea made of hemlock bark, raspberry leaves, or pond lilly roots. If they are much swelled and painful, a poultice of pounded cracker and elm should be made, and moistened with a strong tea made of raspberry leaves. When the soar is clear- ed of canker, apply salve until it is healed. SCURVY. Dr. Elliot gives the following as the symptoms ofthe scurvy :—" Heaviness, lassitude, low spi- rits, offensive breath, tender gums, sallow bloated countenance, hemorrhages from the nose and mouth ; difficult breathing, swelling of the legs ; yellow, purple, or livid spots on the skin ; tum- ours in the limbs, contraction ofthe tendons ofthe hams." &c. The cause is cold and obstructions. A regular course of emetic, &,c. as in all other obstructed 203 cases, is a certain cure, unless the person is so far gone, as to be past all cure. SMALL POX. The symptoms of this disease are almost the same as in the measles, and the same progress will cure. The reason people die with this dis- ease is, the heat is not high enough within to drive the cold and canker from the system. Raise the heat with the vegetable emetic, &c. and throw the cold to the surface, and the disease will cer tainly be removed. When the blood is taken, the heat is lessened ; and when the mercury is given, the cold is increased. It is not strange that people die with such treatment ; the greatest wonder is that all do not die who are used in such a manner ! That this kind of medicine will cure the small pox, I will shew in two instances. One was :— About six years ago ; a man in Newburyport, by the name of Taylor. The doctors did not know what to call the disease. After attending him some time, he was given up to die. He then re- quested a Mr. Knight, who was some acquainted with this method of treating the sick, to give him an emetic. He did so, and the next day, the dis- order came out, and the doctors pronounced it the small pox. He soon recovered, which proved the excellency of vegetable medicine above all others. This I had from the man who gave the emetic. Another case was that of a man from New- York, in 183/1, who gave the small pox to so ma- ny in Boston. When he was covered on his face and body, he came to me to cure a bad hu- 20* 204 mor. I had then no thought of his having the small pox. I gave him vegetable powders, and pills to drive the humor out, and botanic ointment to bathe with. He attended to my directions twen- ty four hours, and then came again. He followed the same course as much longer, and came the third time, and said he was well, and left the city for New-York. After his arrival, he heard that several in Boston had taken the disease from him. The doctors attended several without knowing what the disease was, and finally concluded it was the small pox. They were carried to the Hospi- tal. Some recovered, and some died. One of the Boston doctors said to me, " I told the doc- tors, they had better send them all to you." The emetic, I believe, will infallibly cure, if applied in season. STONE OR GRAVEL. " When small stones are lodged in the kidneys, or discharged along with the urine, the person is said to be afflicted with the gravel. If one of these stones happen to make a lodgement in the blad- der for some time, it accumulates fresh matter, and at length becomes too large to pass off with urine. In this case the person is said to have the gravel."—Buchan. The direct cause ofthe gravel is cold ; which may be seen in the water. This cold is in the kidneys. When the water is thick, something to remove the cold should be taken. In the first stages ofthe gravel, the hygeian compound, taken night and morning, and an injection, madeof hem- lock bark and cayenne boiled together and given two or three times in a week will cure. If this 205 docs not cure, a regular course must be attended to with the emetic, &c. which will dissolve the stone, remove the cause, and bring the whole sys- tem regular. STRAINS. In the first stages, bathe with the elixir, and take the powders. If the part is inflamed, wet a cloth in cold water, and keep it on till the inflam- mation is done ; then apply the poultice, mentioned in this work. If the part is stiffened, bathe it with the Botanic ointment, in addition to the other things mentioned. STRANGUARY. This means simply a difficulty in discharging water, attended with heat or scalding. It is caus- ed by a cold in the neck of the water bladder, which takes away the action ofthe muscles in that part, and swells the passage. In common cases, an injection, the same as in the gravel, (see stone and gravel,) will releive in a short time, taking the Powders at the same time, night and morning.— When this will not cure,give the injection and emetic which I have never known to fail of effecting a cure. TETTERS. Tetters, pimples, ringworms, shingles, &c. all proceed from one cause. When they make but a small appearance, the vegetable elixir rubbed on, and the powders taken for a few days, will cure. If they are stubborn, the person must go through a regular course of medicines, which will remove the cause, then the effect will cease. 206 TOOTHACHE. In common cases, hold the elixir in the mouth to take out the cold. If the cold in the jaw is the cause ofthe pain, treat it as the ague in the face. If this does not cure pull them out. VOMITING. It is not an uncommon thing for people to be taken with an involuntary vomiting. Sometimes it.is owing to a foul stomach ; sometimes from food which does not digest ; and sometimes from taking poison. People have sometimes taken tar- tar emetic, and Indian root, antimony, or a wine emetic, which has caused a vomiting not easily stopped. Whatever may be the cause of such a kind of vomiting, the vegetable emetic, taken, will remove the cause, and prevent the operation. This is a safe and certain remedy in all cases of the kind in the young or old, male and female, in all condi- tions they may be in. WARTS. These are caused by leaks in the muscles, when the hands are strained, particularly in young people. To cure these, bathe the hands several times in a day, with vegetable elixir until they are gone. The elixir will stop the leaks ; and the warts will die for want of support from the hand. WORMS. Worms are considered a kind of disease ; but they are essential to our existence, and we cannot live without them. The cause of what is called 207 worms, is foulness of the stomach and bowels.— This sickens the worms, and they are disturbed ; and in endeavouring to get from the filth, get into knots in the throat, and often choak the person, and they die ; or they pass off the other way. The safe and sure remedy in this complaint is, to cleanse the stomach and bowels with the injection and emetic. I have never known this to fail of effect- ing a cure, if applied in season. TAPE WORM. This is so called from the flat appearance of a discharge like tape, which is considered a worm. This is caused by cold and filth in the bowels.— The same course as for worms should be pursued, which will certainly cure if continued. One man I attended only once, and he was cured. Anoth- er I gave the injection and emetic six times before he was cured. This course will remove the cause, and restore the person to a natural state, and is done with entire safety. LIST OF DISEASES. Diseases, which all proceed from one general cause, and may be cured with one process ; that is by giving the injection and emetic described in this Book. If any one is at a loss what to do in the following cases, give the sick this emetic, at suitable intervals, until a cure is performed. This may be done with perfect safety. Apoplexy—Epilepsy—Palsy—Vertigo—Head- ache—Catarrh—Asthma— Cough— Consumption —Palpitation ofthe Heart—Fevers—Small Pox- Chicken Pox—Measles—Surfeits—Plague—In- voluntary Vomiting—Inflammation ofthe Stomach 208 —Cholera Morbus—Bite of a Mad Dog—Yellow Jaundice ; or Disease of the Liver—Gravel— Stranguary—Diabetas-Inflamiuation ofthe Reins and Bladder—Dropsy—Ruptures—Venereal Dis- ease—Scurvy—Obstructed Perspiration—Lepro- sy—Shingles—Bleeding at the Nose—Vomiting Blood—Bloody Urine—Gout—Rheumatism—Ob- struction and Suppression of the Menses—Fluor Albus—Relaxation ofthe Ligaments of the Uterus —Hysteric Fits—Cholososis ; or Green Sickness —Sterility—Bearing Down of the Matrix—Flood- ing—Abortions—Convulsions—After Pains. rJiRT IV. VARIOUS KINDS OP POISON USED BY MEN, CALLED REGULAR DOCTORS, UNDER THE NAME OF MEDICINES. Opposition to the regular Doctors, as they are called, is not the cause of the following description of poison ; but good will to the sick, their friends, and mankind generally. A greater calamity, in my opinion cannot befall a nation, family or indi- vidual than to be poisoned when sick, with the hope of obtaining health from that which would kill a well man. Men are not only allowed to give the most deadly prison to the sick, but are encouraged in so doing, and paid largely fordoing this work of destruction ; while by their means, men skilled in disease and medicine,are despised, put down, and treated as enemies to the sick, and not to be encouraged, in administering medicines 209 which God has created out of the earth to heal men, take away their pains, and to make peace . throughout the earth. At this time, 1837, people are coming to the knowledge of vegetable medicines beyond what they ever knew before. Twenty years ago, fevers, consumptions, chole- ra morbus, and diseases of this kind were much more frequent than now. About sixteen years ago, the whole number of deaths in Boston, as published by the " Board of Health," was fourteen hundred and twenty in one year, out of about thirty thousand people. Now there are not far from eighty four thousand : The deaths in Bos- ton in 1834, as published by the " Board of Health," were not far from fifteen hundred ; only about one hundred more than when there were not half so many people. What can be the cause of this difference 1 Boston stands where it did in 1818; the land, the water, and the air is the same as then, unless an increase of land, buildings, and people tends to make the city more healthy. I consider the cause to be, using so much less of poisonous minerals, and vegetables. I do not be- lieve there is a twentieth part so much minerals administered to the sick now, as heretofore. Some ofthe Apothecaries say there are now more vege- tables used by the sick than there was fifteen years ago. There are at this time many families in Boston, who have wholly laid aside the old practice of bleeding, blistering, seatons, and issues, besides abandoning Mercury, Arsenic, Antimony, Calo- mel, Opium, Laudanum, and all other things con- nected with these deadly poisons. As a proof of all this, see how many infirmaries, hospitals and 210 private houses there are, where the sick are re- ceived from different parts ofthe city and country and cured. There are at this tune several of these houses, where the sick are attended from various parts. There are also several men who visit and attend the sick and lame at their houses, with great and good success. As soon as people know what they take from the Apothecaries' shops, they will wholly cease to use them ; this the doctors know for certainty. If the doctors wished the sick to know what they give them, their prescriptions would not be written in Latin, a language which the great mass ofthe people do not understand. Though the Aj>othe- caries have the business of preparing what they call medicines, and dealing them out according to the direction ofthe doctors ; yet I am told they do not know the use of what they sell for the sick, and more likely than not, some of the doctors who direct what medicine must be given the sick, would not know the medicine if they saw it. If an Apothecary is sick, he sends for a doctor to know what medicines he must take to restore him to health ; this to me is a ridiculous affair. A man is employed to deal out medicine for the sick, who does not know what to take himself when sick. If I were to tell people of medicines of my pre- parations good for the sick, and yet did not know what to take myself when sick, the public would rightly consider me a blockhead, more fit to dig in the mud, than to deal out medicines to young and old. How this would appear to an intelligent fo- reigner ! An American is sick, he sends Jjo an American Physician for assistance—he sends to an American Apothecary for medicine for^the sick 211 man—the prescription is in Latin—the medicine is marked with a Latin word or words—neither of the three speaks the Latin language : What is all this for ? To keep the sick man and his family ig- norant of what he is to take, I suppose. In vain do we blame the Catholics for praying and preach- ing in Latin, while our Physicians and Apotheca- ries do the same thing. Why is all this done ? I think there are two rea- sons for it. One is, that the people may remain entirely ignorant of what is done for the sick, that those who profess the healing art, as it is called, may have all to do that the sick need. 1 am often astonished at the ignorance of multitudes of young and old, as it respects medicine. Many people of good sense as to other things, are children as to knowledge of medicine. They conclude the doc- tor knows, and content themselves to remain in ignorance, and do as the doctor says, even when they think his directions are unreasonable and con- trary to nature. If the doctor says, " the outside must be blis- tered to cure the inside," they consent to have from one to a dozen put on, and sometimes one after another on the same sore spot. If the doctor says, " burn a hole in the arm or leg and keep it sore with a pea, or a piece of wood," they consent to have it done to obtain a cure, and though they grow worse and worse, yet they persevere to the last of life. If the doctor says " bleed often," they consent to this until they look like dead men sitting up and trying to walk. If the doctor says, " go" without eating, except some very light food, and but little of that," they obey, though they have an excellent appetite, and food does them good. If the doctor says, a leg or an arm must 212 be taken off, it is done, and sometimes they have taken off the wrong leg. If the doctor tells them that " the most innocent vegetable medicines are poison, and the most violent mineral, or vege- table poison is the most suitable and valuable me- dicine for them to take,"—they refuse the good, and swallow the poison ; and though they see their friends take poison and die ; yet they will take the same kind, and hope for a cure till the last mo- ment of life. There is no doubt in my mind, that many who give poisonous things for medicine are honest, though not consistent. One proof of this honesty is, that some take the same poisons when sick, that they give others; but this I think is not a general practice among doctors. The word Poison, in the Scriptures, is always in the singular', and of course is one thing only. There are three kinds of poison : mineral, vegeta- ble and animal. This is a subject of great im- portance at the present time ; as multitudes are told that poison is needful, and that some kinds of poison, is the best medicine for sick people. The following account of Poison, is from the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, vol. xv. page 266, arti- cle Poison. This work gives the following description of Poison • " Poison is any substance which proves destruc- tive to the life of animals in a small quantity, eith- er taken by the mouth, mixed with the blood or applied to the nerves. " Of poisons there are many different kinds, which are exceedingly various in their operations. The mineral poisons, as arsenic and corrosive mercury, seem to attack the solid parts ofthe sto- 213 mach, and to produce death by corroding its sub- stance : the antimonials seem rather to attack the nerves, and to kill by throwing the whole system into convulsions ; and in this manner also most of the vegetable poisons seem to operate." We will now give a description of some of the minerals and vegetable poisons used to cure the sick. I. Mercury, is the first mineral poison we shall mention. There are various names given to this mineral ; some we shall mention. The first is Quicksilver, or Liquid Silver because it resem- bles liquid silver. The Germans called it Quack Salbar, and as it was used privately in private dis- eases,, the doctors who used it were at first called " quack salbar doctors," and at last quack doc- tors, or men who gave poison to the sick. This is Dr. Parr's account of it, and all who use quick- silver or quack salbar are quack doctors. Now they fix the name quack on those who are entire- ly opposed to quackery, or quicksilver for medi- cine. At the close of the fourteenth century, Mercury was used by some as a medicine. Not far from that time it was called Mercury, or the god of medicine, as Paul was called Mercurius or Mercury, because the people of Iconium thought the god of eloquence had come down in the like- ness of men. Dr. Parr, in his "Medical Dictionary," page 171, gives the following description of this mineral.— " The people who work in the quicksilver mines soon die. When first affected, they are seized with tremours, after which, a salivation comes on, their teeth drop out, and pains of the whole body, particularly the bones, seize them." Hypocrates does not seem to have been acquainted with it.— 214 Aristottle and Dioscorides rank it among the poi- sons. Galen says it is corrosive. Messue the Arabian, was the first who used it as a medicine, and he only applied it in the form of an oiutment in cutaneous diseases. Avicenna observes that it may be swallowed crude, and it passes through the body. About the end ofthe thirteenth centu- ry, it was introduced into Europe as a medicine, but not esteemed a safe one, until the Venereal disease was found to yield to its efficacy. The first internal mercurial medicine which gained re- al credit was the Pulul Barbarosa, which was com- posed of quicksilver, rheubarb and musk." Here you have the words of a learned doctor, who declares it poisonous, and that the men who dig it out of the earth, live but a short time. Sup- posing I wf re to tell the world that the vegetable medicines I use, often destroy the lives of those who gather them 1 Would any one dare to use them ? You answer no ! This mineral is used con- tinually, though the most learned doctors say it is poison, and death to those who dig or use it ! ! We will now give a few extracts from an Ame- rican physician, and author. We will select from the many, Dr. James Thatcher, of Plymouth, Mass. a man who has stood high among his breth- ren as a writer, and practitioner. We take the following from his Dispensatory. He says, "Mer- cury taken into the stomach in its metalic state, has no action on the body except what arises from its weight or bulk. It is not poisonous, as was vulgarly supposed, but perfectly inert. There is nevertheless indubitable evidence, that persons 215 who work in the mines, or are otherwise exposed to the fumes of quicksilver, frequently experience its destructive consequences. Among other dis- eases, Hoffman mentions palsies, apoplexies, epi- lepsies, hectic fever,&c. these remarks are corrob- orated by a recent occurrence which took place on board two vessels in which, from the fumes of quicksilver, an alarming illness broke out among the crews, all of whom were more or less salivat- ed." It is all in vain for Dr. Thatcher to say that mercury is not poisonous, after telling of it& de- structive consequences. No poison can be worse than the effects of mercury above mentioned.'— Hypocrates, Galen and many others say it is poi- sonous, and all who take it, have occasion to say the same.—See Thatcher's Disp. page 233. The ruinous effects of mercury are seen and felt in every part ofthe world, when it is administered under the name of medicine. 2. Arsenic is another mineral poison given to the sick, under the name of medicine. Of this poison, Dr. Thatcher says, page 305. " Oxide of Arsenic is one of the most sudden and violent poi- sons we are acquainted with. In mines it causes the destruction of numbers who explore them, and it is frequently the instrument by which victims are sacrificed, either by the hand"of wickedness, or imprudence. The fumes of arsenic are so del- eterious to the lungs, that the artist should be on his guard to prevent their being inhaled by the mouth, and swallowed with the saliva ; effects will take place similar to those which follow its introduction into the stomach in a saline state ; namely, a sensation of a piercing, gnawing and burning kind, accompanied with an acute pain in 21* 216 the stomach and intestines, which last are violent- ly contorted; convulsive vomiting, insatiable thirst from the parched and rough state of the tongue and throat, hiccough, palpitation ofthe heart, and a deadly oppression of the whole breast succeeds next ; the matter ejected by the mouth as well as the stools, exhibit a black, foeted and putrid ap- pearance ; at length with the mortification ofthe bowels, the pain subsides, and death terminates the sufferings of the patient. Soon after death, livid spots appear on the surface ofthe body, the nails become blue and often fall off" along with the hair, and the whole body becomes speedily putrid. When the quantity is so very small, as not to prove fatal, tremours, paralysis, and lingering hectics succeed. On dissection, the stomach and bowels are found to be inflamed, gangrenous, and corrod- ed, and the blood is fluid." How is it possible that any man after giving such an awful description of arsenic, can recom- mend it as one ofthe best medicines to be admin- istered in the worst cases of sickness ! ! This same Dr. Thatcher after describing the horrors of this mineral poison says on the same leaf, "though the most violent of mineral poisons, arsenic ac- cording to Murry, equals, when properly adminis- tered, the first medicines in the class of tonics.— This is well displayed in its efficacy in the treat- ment of intermitent fever the disease in which it has been principally used. The employment of oxide of arsenic is now extended to remitting fev- er, periodical head ache, dropsy, hydrophobia, lepra elephantiasis, and certainly with safety and success ; though its administration will always re- quire to be conducted with the utmost care." It is employed medicinally under various forms. 217 The arsenical solutions introduced by Dr. Fowler, being in general preferred, will be found in its [dace under the head of preparations. In the dis- eases mentioned above, particularly intermittents, it has been found to be a safe and efficacious rem- edy by Dr. Fowler, Withering and other respecta- ble practitioners ; a preparation similar to that di- rected by Dr. Fowler, and called white tasteless ague drops, has lately been given with singular efficacy in the whooping cough. Notwithstanding all the various preparations of arsenic its nature is the same—" the most violent of mineral poisons," do what you may with it.— Can wheat flour be made a poison by a different mode of cooking 1 Can cieuta be made healthy by any preparation 1 Surely not. It is not strange to me that injurious minerals should be wrapped in Latin by those who administer them to the sick. Let the doctor tell his patient he must take the most violent poison to obtain a cure, and see if he will take it ! 3. Antimony is another mineral poison. The word antimonium means, anti-monk ; because it killed the monks who used it as medicine. The word anti means against, and this mineral is not only against the monks, but all others who take it under the name of medicine. Dr. Parr in his Medical Dictionary, vol. 1. p. 135, gives the following account of it. " Anti- mony is sometimes found in a particular ore, but most frequently mixed with other metals. Basil Valentine a German Monk, gave it, as tradition relates, to some hogs, which after purging, it greatly fattened, thinking in like manner to feed his brother monks, all died by the experiment ; hence the name Antimony, Anti-Monk. It is 218 called satanus devorans, or a devouring Satan or Devil, from its power of devouring or destroying, as it were, all metals when in fusion with it." Dr. Thatcher says of Antimony, Dbp. p. 352, " Antimony in the modern nomenclature, is the name given to a peculiar metal. The Antimonial metal is a medicine of the greatest power of any known substance : a quantity too minute to be sensible in the most delicate balance, is capable of producing violent effects, if taken dissolved, or in a soluable state All the metalic preparations are uncertain, as it entirely depends on the state ofthe stomach, whether they have no action at all, or operate with dangerous violence." Any person of common understanding must be convinced by reading the above, that all prepara- tions of Antimony are dangerous in the extreme. " Let him that readeth understand." 4. Nitre or Saltpetre.—Dr. Thatcher says, Dispensatory, p. 334—" This salt consisting of nitric acid and potash, is found ready formed on the surface of the soil in warm climates. Animal and vegetable substances, in a state of decomposi- tion, are mixed with a quantity of carbonate of lime, and exposed to the air but protected from the rain." Animal and vegetable substances in a state of decomposition means dead flesh, and rot- ton plants of any kind—curious medicines ! made from dead hogs, dead hens, dogs and horses, with rotton cabbage, onions, squashes, turnips, &c. That this salt is poison we have only to read Dr. T's account of it, p. 284. " This powerful salt, when inadvertently taken in too large quantities is one of the most fatal poisons. There are sev- eral attested cases on record, and some recent in- stances might be added, in which from half to an 219 whole ounce has occasioned violent vomiting, con- vulsions, swellings, and other painful symptoms, in persons who by mistake, had swallowed it in a dissolved state, instead of glauber or similar salts. For some interesting observations relative to the deleterious properties of saltpetre, the reader is re- feredto Dr. Mitchell's letter to Dr. Priestly." The above is Dr. Thatcher's account of the poisonous nature of saltpetre, which is recommended as me- dicine for the sick, and the doctor tells us how to take the same to obtain a cure. People put this poisonous salt on their beef, bacon, and some into butter to make the meat tender and to keep the butter cool. When bacon is fried it foams, to shew the poison ; sometimes the meat crumbles from the bone of the bacon. "Death is in the pot." 5. Opium.—This is a vegetable poison, by which multitudes have died. Opium means the juice or milk of white poppies—this juice exposed for a few days to the sun and air, thickens into a stiff tenacious mass which in fact is opium. It is then worked up into masses and covered with poppy or tobacco leaves. That opium is poison, is certain, not only from the effect it has on those who take it, but also from what is said of it by medical writers. Dr. Thatcher says (see Disp. p. 295,) " Opium, taken into the stomach iri a large dose, gives rise to confusion of the head and verti- go, the powers of all stimulating causes of making impressions on the body are diminished, and even at times, and in situations when a person would be awake, sleep is irrisistably induced. In still larger doses, it acts in the same manner as the narcotic poisons, giving rise to vertigo, headache, tremours, delirium and convulsions, and these ter- 220 minating in a state of stupor from which the per- son cannot be aroused. This stupor is accompa- nied with slowness of pulse, and with stertor in breathing, and the scene is terminated in death, attended with the same appearances, as take place in an apoplexy." It is a wretched argument in favor of giving opium, that some have found relief, or at least have lived through the operations of a dose of clear opium, or a preparation of it called laudanum, or some other preparation of it. It is the same as arguing upon the safety of falling overboard, because some have lived afterwards. Dr. T. has in this quotation said enough to con- vince any rational man of the danger of taking opium on any occasion excepting when he means to destroy his own life, instead of waiting to die a natural death. Having mentioned afew of the most fatal min- eral and vegetable poisons, we will notice a few ofthe very many preparations of mineral and veg- etable poisons, published in books on this subject, by those who are appointed to attend and admin- ister to the sick. Mercurial preparations are numerous. 1. Pu- rified Quicksilver. This is quicksilver separated from its carbon, and any foreign body or metal it may have contained in its natural state by dist 1- ling it with filings of iron. What a nourishing pre- paration this must be for a sick man ! Equal to broth of boiled shingle nails ! 2. Mineral Quicksilver or Corrosive Sublimate. This is a preparation of quicksilver, sulphuric a- cid, and dry muriatic of soda. Corrosive subli- 221 mate means the highest preparation of quicksilver, corrosive means consuming, eating or wasting away. What but learned ignorance would have ever contrived such a mess to cure a sick man. As well might the wild ass grow fat by snuffing up the East wind, while the range of the mountains are his pasture. 3. Sub Muriate of Quicksilver, or Calomel.— This is a preparation of muriate of quicksilver and purified quicksilver. This is the famous Calomel so much used, it is quicksilver and quicksilver. It looks to me like a cake made of coarse and fine indiaa meal. What would this be but an indian cake ! It hides itself under a new name, but it is quicksilver after all the cooking. A new name for the old poison. 4. Precipitated Submuriate of Quicksilver.— This is another kind of calomel. It is made of diluted nitrous acid, purified quicksilver, muriate of soda, and boiling water. This differs about as much from the other calomel, as an indian cake shortened and sweetened does from one of the same kind without either shortening or sweeten- ing. 5. jEthop's Mineral—This is made of purified quicksilver and sulpher equal parts. Dr. Thatch- er says of this poison, page 451, " this is perhaps the most inactive of the mercurial preparations." Who is there that would dare knowingly to take inactive or deadening poison into the stomach in hope of obtaining relief ? 6. Blue Pills.—" These are made of purified quicksilver, conserve of red roses, each an ounce, and two ounces of starch." Having mentioned a few preparations of mer- cury, and some of the other mineral poisons used 222 for medicine, we will now name a few other poi- sonous preparations which should be avoided as such by the sick and healthy, being all in their nature contrary to health, and tending to destroy life and health—Dr. T's. Dispcns. 1. Prepared Sulphuret of Antimony. 2. Glass of Antimony. 3. Cerated Glass of Antimony. 4. Golden Sulphur of Antimony. 5. Antimoniai Powder. 6. Butter of Antimony. 7. Emetic Tar- tar. 8. Panacea of Antimony. 9. Lunar Caus- tic. 10. Amonia of Copper. 11. Iron. 12. Pu- rified Iron Scales. 13. Salt of Steel. 14. Cal- cined Vitriol. 15. Martial Flowers. 16.-Phos- phate of Iron. 17. Purified Quicksilver. 18. A- cetate of Quicksilver. 19. Calomel. 20. Pre- cipitate Mercury. 21. ^Ethop's Mineral. 22. Su- gar of Lead. 23. Extract Lead. 24. Flowers of Zinc. 25. Arsenical Solution. 26. Vitrolic Ether. 27. Dulcified Spirit of Vitriol. 28. Dul- cified Spirit of Nitre. 29. Inspissated Juice of Aconite or Wolf's Bane. 30. Inspissated Juice of Deadly Night Shade. 31. Inspissated Juice of Black Henbane. 32. Infusion of common Fox Glove. 33. Strong Tincture of Spanish Flies. 34. Liquid Laudanum. 35. Paragoric Elixir. 36. Tincture of Thorn Apple. 37. Wine of Tobac- co. 38. Wine of Opium. 39. Antimoniai Wine. 40. Wine of Iron. 41. Copper Pills. 42. Mer- curial Pills, or Blue Pills. 43. Ointment of Quick- silver. 44. Blue Ointment. 45. Ointment of Verdigris. 46. Ointment of Oxide of Zinc. 47. Plaster of Quicksilver. 48. Prussic Acid. 49. Golden Sulphur of Antimony. 50. Compound Mixture of Iron. Here are fifty poisonous prepa- rations ready to be given the sick when the inven- tors of these dreadful calamities are called upon to 223 deal out such vials of wrath. We will give the composition of one of them called Tartarized An- timony or Emetic Tartar. Dr. Thatcher says, this scourge of nations is composed of" Oxide.of An- timony with Sulphur, nitrate of Potash three parts, super tartrate of Potash four parts, distilled water thirty-two parts." As all the above preparations contain more or less mineral or vegetable poison, it seems to me almost needless to do more than to lay them be- fore my fellow citizens as poisonous, for them to avoid such poisons as they regard their health and lives. No preparation can alter the nature of poi- son. Those learned overseers of the sick tell us what to do when these things poison the sick.— Minerals always do that in a greater or less degree. When people take poison to kill themselves, they only take what the doctors give the sick to save them from death. Any one who doubts these statements may read Thatcher's Dispensatory, and find the articles here recorded as poisonous. It would make a large volume if all the poisonous preparations were written, with the dreadful effects they have produced, and are now producing in every part of the world where poison is given to the sick in- stead of that medicine the Lord has created out ofthe earth, by. which he heals men, takes away their pains, and makes peace through all the earth. In p. 187 of Dr. T's Disp. is the following Ta- ble showing the proportion of Antimony, Opium 22 224 and Quicksilver contained in some compound me- dicine. Tartrite of Antimony. Wine of Tartrite of Antimony contains two grains of tartrite of Anti- mony in the ounce. Opium. Opiate Electuary contains in each drachm about a grain and a half of opium. Electuary of Catechu contains in each ounce about two grains and a half of opium ; for one grain of opium is contained in one hundred and ninety three grains. Powder of Ipaeacuan and Opium contains six grains of opium, in each drachm or one grain in ten. . Opiate Powder contains one grain of opium in ten. Opiate Pills contain six grains of opium in each drachm, or five grains contain half a grain of opium. Tincture of Opium is made with two scruples of opium in each ounce ofthe liquid, or with five grains in each drachm. Animoniated Tincture of Opium is made with about eight grains of opium in each ounce of the liquid or about one grain in each drachm. Tincture of Soap with Opium is made with about fifteen grains of opium in each ounce ofthe liquid. Troches of Liquorice with Opium, contains about one grain of opium in each drachm. Camphorated Tincture of Opium, contains near- ly one grain of opium in three drachms. Quicksilver. Quicksilver Pills contains fifteen grains of quicksilver in each drachm. Quicksilver Ointment contains about twentyfive grains of quicksilver in each drachm. 225 Mild Qucksilver Ointment contains twelve grains of quicksilver in each drachm. Quicksilver Plaster contains about sixteen grains of quicksilver in each drachm. Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver contains in each drachm four grains of quicksilver and eight of nitrous acid. Milder Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver con- tains in each scruple half a grain of quicksilver, and one grain of nitrous acid." If reading and understanding all these prepara- tions of antimony, opium and quicksilver does not convince men of the ruinous tendency of them, I know of but two ways to convince them ; one is to give those things to their friends and if that is not enough, take the doses themselves. These poisons for the sick strongly urge upon my mind the words of the* Prophet Isaiah, v. 20. " Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness ; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." If this is not the case in the above preparations, I am not capable of judging between good and evil. Can good bread be made from bad flour 1 Can a good dinner be made from tainted meat, mouldy bread and frozen potatoes ? Can evil be turned into good, or good into evil ? Can darkness produce light or light produce darkness ? Can bit- ter be made sweet ? Can sweet be made bitter ? Can poison produce health ? Can health produce disease ? Should the public be told that many medicines I use cause death to those who gather them, would any believe that healthy medicines could be pre- pared from them ? All join to say no! no ! Dr. T. 226 says that the minerals used for medicine are some of the most fatal poisons! and afterwards he calls these evils good. When will the time come that men shall have their senses exercised to dis- cern both good and evil, and to know that good cannot be evil, nor evil good, even when the doc- tor says so ?" There is now only one thing more for the peo- ple to learn, and we shall be the most happy na- tion on earth. That one thing is medicine ; or " what is best to cure a sick man." What was once called government and religion, remained in latin, and no common man could read what it meant. Government is now a simple thing, keep- ing ourselves in harmony under rulers of our own choice. Religion now means our duty to God, ourselves, and each other. The book which con- tains this, is now in almost all languages; and al- most every person can read now, and understand for himself. This is certain, that the more know- ledge people have of the scriptures, the more pea- ceable they are among themselves. Popular medicine is now wrapped in latin even among Americans. Why is this 1 It is said that if people knew it, they would make a bad use of medicine and kill themselves. This is not true ; if they knew what it is, they would not use it at all. Let an apothecary put on his drawers quick- silver, arsenic, or ratsbane, whoever saw this, would flee from it as a deadly poison. When the translation of the Bible into the Eng- lish language or mother tongue, was first propos- ed, the clergy raised a great cry against it, as some doctors do about medicine. Some said it would ruin the nation and that it would be the means of bringing religion to nothing. One clergyman said 227 if a common farmer should read this text—" No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom ;" if when ploughing he should happen to look back, he might go dis- tracted, fearing he should go to hell for such an act. Farmers have more sense. All the objections against an acquaintance with medicine are of no weight. The work is begun, it must and will prevail. When a law was made to prevent any one from administering medicine in London, and within six miles, unless a member of the " Medical Society," it was stated, that no one should be prevented, or hindered from administer- ing, or taking any kind of herbs, roots, &c. This is all needful for the sick. That people generally ought to become acquaint- ed with that medicine best for the sick and infirm, is evident from the following considerations. 1. The example of the beasts and birds urge us to an acquaintance with medicine. Men in general think themselves much above the beasts and creeping things ; but some of them are ahead of man. When a spider stings a toad, he knows what medicine to use as a cure. He bites the plantain leaf, and is cured. The cat when sick eats catnip, and is cured of fits, and other difficul- ties. The dog, when sick, eats a certain kind of grass, and soon is well. So with the horse, he knows what medicine will cure his disease ; let him run free, and he will soon find it, and be well. Some say this is instinct, if this is instinct, and better than reason, let us either give up our reason for instinct, or use our reason in going beyond in- stinct, and then be wiser than the beasts that per- ish, instead of falling below them. 2. Another reason why men generally ought to 22* 228 become acquainted with medicine, is, that the na- tives, the wild men of the woods are acquainted with it. How many people there are who, after trying all the Doctors, as they term it, have been cured entirely by some old Indian or squaw ! they never think of giving poison to the sick to effect a cure. And who ever saw an indian bleed or blis- ter a sick man to remove disease ! A man can- not have a high opinion of his knowledge of med- icine, when the beast, birds and wild men use none of them. 3. Another argument in favor of a knowledge of medicine is, that in ancient times, it was gen- et ally known. It is but a few years since the knowledge of medicine was confined to a few.— Much of what is called medicine, was unknown to the ancients, either the physicians, or common people. Hypocrates did not know Mercury as a medicine. He called it corrosive. Celsus called it poison, so .did Galen. How many men and wo- men there were fifty years ago, who understood medicine, to what there are now. Since the in- troduction of mercury, antimony and other miner- al poisons, the knowledge of medicines, which grew out of the earth, has been in a great measure lost, until within a few years. That vegetable med- icines were generally known, is plain from what David said,"He gave grass for the cattle, and herbs for the service of Man." Vegetable medicines •are clearly described as in general use in the Book of Ecclesiastes, chap. 38, ver. I to 15th "Honor a physician with the honor due to him for the uses which ye may have of him ; for the Lord hath created him. For ofthe Most High cometh heal- ing, and he shall receive honor from the king.— The skill of the physician shall lift up his head ; 229 and in the sight of great men shall he be in admi- ration. The Lord has created medicines out of the earth ; and he that is wise will not abhor them. Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be made known ? And he hath given men skill, that he might be honored in his marvelous works. With such doth he heal men, and taketh away their pains. Of such doth the apothecary make a confection, and of his works there is no end; from him is peace over all the earth. My son, in thy sickness be not negligent, but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole. Leave off from sin, and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness. Give a sweet savor, and a memo- rial of fine flour ; and make a fat offering, as not being. Then give place unto the physician, for the Lord hath created him, let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him. There is a time when in their hands there is good success. For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that which they give for ease, and remedy to prolong life. He that sinneth before his Ma- ker, let him fall into the hands ofthe physician." These things are all plain, and need no com- ment. 4. Another reason. It is generally acknow- ledged that it is needful for the common people, at least, to be acquainted with what is best to be done in the common business of life. We all al^ low that it is best that men should well understand the business they expect to follow for a livelihood through life. Women should be taught all things belonging to house keeping. Woe to the man whose wife was brought up ignorant of what is to be done in a family. There is not so much skill 230 required in preparing the vegetable medicines as to do all in the various branches of cooking. What should we do if the knowledge of cooking food was confined to a few, and all others must depend on their preparation ? It would then be with food as it now is with medicines, we must take what they give, though it make us sick, or make us die. 5. Another reason why medicines of a vegeta- ble kind should be generally known is, that in all countries where the earth produces food and cloth- ing, it produces such medicines, in quantity and variety altogether suitable and sufficient to cure all diseases, if applied in season. This is a re- ceived opinion among our fellow citizens at this time. It is astonishing to see the vast variety of medicines which is the growth of our own coun- try ! For one difficulty there are many things use- ful, some for one, some for another, according to the age or strength ofthe sick, according to the age, state or stage of disease, so that if one plant is too weak or strong, another is exactly suited to the case, and this is proved by the one which per- forms. 6. One argument in favor of vegetable medicine is that so much is now written on the subject, and yet so little known. Hypocrates appears among the first who wrote upon medicines ; he lived twenty-one hundred years ago ; or three hundred before the birth of Christ He was a real physician, and not barely a professional one. He said there was in every man a kind of immortality, which he called nature.— This he said was heat ; he said it operated to throw offthe bad and hold the good. This is the true principle in man. He said there is a medi- cine, or vegetable, which would clear the stomach 231 of filth : collect the same from all directions into the stomach, and then throw it off from the man, and thus restore him to health. He does not tell us what that medicine is, but we have found the vegetable which does all this, and restores to health and strength. This is one of the greatest discoveries ever known by man, as it respects disease and health. Celsus wrote considerable on vegetable medi- cines, and Galen was a botanic physician. Some objected to his plan, as too bulky, and that he gave too much. To remedy this, they distilled the ve- getables ; which drove off the virtue of them.— Next they used minerals, which brought all into a small compass, and so they go to this day. So I have read in some author. Nicholas Culpepper, an Englishman, wrote much upon vegetables ; he was born October 18, 1616, and died January 19, 1654, aged 38 years and three months. According to these dates, his book was written about one hundred and eighty- five years ago, or not far from that time. I have now one of his books printed about the year 1644, and another in 1794, much improved in language, and some enlarged. Silsby printed an edition a- bout the year 1796, with another volume of his own. In the first volume, Silsby has described towards five hundred plants and roots, and given the shapes of the medical plants, mentioned by Culpepper. This is a valuable work, and ought to be known. Besides these, we have many mo- dern books on vegetable medicine, by American authors, which are calculated to do much good, if attended too. The following are among the many—Dr.Thatch- er's Dispensatory is one ; though many mineral 232 poisons are recommended, yet there are very many valuable vegetables described. Dr. Ewel, has written a large volume on medicine, in which are many excellent vegetables described. Dr. Beach has written one large volume, nearly all upon ve- getables, and their use as medicines Dr. S. Thom- son has written, or some one for him, a small vol- ume on vegetables he thinks the best on earth. Dr. David Rogers, of New-York, has published a small volume on a variety of vegetables, with their uses, which is worth reading and attending too. Dr. Steward has published a small volume, in which are many good vegetables described. From this view of the many who have written upon vegetable medicines, no one can be excused for remaining ignorant of vegetable medicines, for want of various descriptions of them. 7. One reason more in favor ofthe knowledge of vegetables is, the great advantage derived from the knowledge and use of them. The compound vegetable medicines prepared and used by the author of this work, have exceed- ed all others in usefulness, on himself, his family, and in various parts of the United States, in Eu- rope, Asia and Africa. People from all these countries have been cured in Boston, and gone to their homes in health. Some one or more of the preparations mention- ed in this work, have been used with astonishing effect, when even the Thomsonian system has fail- ed. The abundant proofs ofthe usefulness of ve- getable preparations is the extent of country where vegetables are now used. The regular Doctors acknowledge that two mil- lions of people now use vegetables instead of min- erals. Some of the regulars appear alarmed at its 283 rapid spread, and some conclude vegetables are much better than mineral poison. The number is daily increasing who say, we will not take poi- son any longer." Having given a description of poison, and my reasons for using vegetable medicines only, I shall close this fourth part, with a few extracts from the mineral doctors, " as their own poets have said." The candid confession of Dr. Richard Rees, of London, member of the Royal College of Sur- geons, author ofthe " Dictionary of Popular Medicine," " Medical Guide," " Chemical Guide," Corresponding Member of the Society of Practical Medicine, of Paris, &?c, " The charter of the ' Royal College of Physi- cians' is found to contain a singular license, which is, permission to any one and every one to practice the healing art by the use of herbs only. Now we do really consider this as ample permission as any man would require, for poor must be the resour- ces of that physician's mind, and very narrow his knowledge of medical botany, who would not from the vegetable kingdom alone, cure most of the diseases ofthe human frame : even the specific of mercury, if we were driven to the necessity of a substitute, might probably be rivalled in some of these productions of nature. We know not wheth- er we have the most reason to hail the discovery of mercury as a blessing, or regard it as a curse, since the diseases it entails are as numerous as those which it cures. Our best informed dentists declare that they can clearly witness the progress of the use of mercury, in the increasing diseases and decay ofthe teeth. There are serious objec- 234 tions also to other articles of the metalic world : antimony, iron, arsenic, are dangerous remedies in the hands of the ignorant, and mankind, per- haps, in the aggregate, would be benefited by their expulsion from medical practice." QUACKS AND QUACKERY. Much has of late been said of quacks and quack- ery, first by men called Doctors, and then by those who have learned to talk after them. Nothing sounds worse with many, than the word quack, when applied to a man who cures the sick out of the common wayof giving mercury, laudanum, blis- tering, bleeding, setons, and issues, &c. Some have gone so far as to say, they would not be cur- ed by a quack, or any but a regular doctor. At such a time as this, it is highly proper to find the original meaning of the word quack, and then apply it to such as deserve this title of dis- grace. To be certain what the word means, we must apply to some learned doctor of the regular order, for an explanation. Dr. Parr, author ofthe London Medical Dictionary, shall be the man to decide for us. He was, " Fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, and senior Physician of the Devon and Exeter hospitals."— These are his words " Quacks and Quack Me- dicines. The appellation of quack arose from quack-salber, the German appellation of quick- silver ; since on the first appearance of leus the irregular practitioners only employed this reputed- ly dangerous medicine. At present it is confined to those who sell a pretended nostrum, the prepa- ration of which is kept a secret ; but may be ap- plied to every practitioner who by pompous pre- 235 tences, mean insinuations, and indirect promises, endeavors to obtain that confidence which neith- er success nor experience have entitled him to." However much the meaning of a word may be varied, it is certain that the original meaning of a word is the true meaning. The word federalist first meant such as were friends of the general union of the states. Now it means something else. The first is the true meaning. It is cer- tain from Dr. Parr, that the word quack, original- ly meant one who secretly dealt out quick-silver for medicine in certain cases. He might secrete it under a latin word or abbreviation—but whoever gave quick-silver for medicine was called a quack, or dealer in quick-silver, or what is now called mercury, calomel, corrosive sublimate, submuriate, or any other mercurial preparation. Judge ye, readers, who are the quacks. Ac- cording to Dr. Parr, quacks are just as numerous as the men who give any mercurial preparation secretly under the name of medicine. The doc- tors are not turned quacks, but according to Dr. Parr are already such. To call a man a quack, because he heals the sick with such medicines as the Lord has created out ofthe earth for that pur- pose, is the same as to give a man a title of re- proach, because he not only desires, but really does good to all as he has opportunity, in opposi- tion to all who are only lovers of their ownselves, and care not who suffer, if they can be gratified in what they desire. But a few years ago, all preachers excepting those called the regular order, were treated in the same manner. See the difference now ! so it will be with those who despise all who do not conform to them, and obey all they command. 23 236 The following from Doctor Hooper, on various mineral poisons, is an illustration, of the word quack, mentioned in the piece before this. Doc- tor Hooper has acknowledged that arsenic, anti- mony, lead, opium, mercury, &.c. are deadly pois- ons as they tend to destroy life. What can be a greater inconsistency on earth than to give that to a sick man, to cure him, which if given to a well man would destroy life. If this description of poison given by Dr. Hooper, will not convince people of the danger of taking poi- son under the name of medicine, they must go on till death terminates the sufferings of the patient. POISONS. " 1. Q. What is a poison 1 A. A poison is any substance capable of alter- ing or destroying some or all of the functions ne- cessary to life. 2. Q. What are the principal mineral poisons ? A. Arsenic ; antimony ; copper ; lead ; and mercury. 3. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by arsenic ? A. An austere taste, constriction of the pha- rynx and oesophagus, hiccup, nausea, and vomit- ing of brown or bloody matter ; great anxiety ; heat and severe pain at the pit of the stomach ; black and foetid stools ; small, and frequent, and irregular pulse ; burning heat ; delirium convul- sions, and death. 4. Q. How is a case of poisoning by arsenic to be treated ? A. Vomiting is to be immediately excited by an emetic, of zinc, or ipecacuanha, aided by the 237 liberal use of diluents. If vomiting is not speedi- ly induced by these means, the stomach should be washed out by Jukes's syringe. After the stom- ach has been thus cleared of the poison, the next indication is to counteract the secondary symp- toms. This is to be accomplished by venesection, fomentations, emollient glysters, as circumstances may require. 5. Is there any known antidote to the poison of arsenic ? A. Sulpher of potash, alkaline salts, charcoal, sulpher, &c , have all been recommended, but are of doubtful efficacy. Carbonate of magnesia is perhaps entitled to the most credit as an antidote. 0. Q. What are the tests of arsenic. A. The following are the most important : viz. 1. The ammoniaco-nitrate of silver dropped in- to a solution of arsenic, produces a copious yellow precipitate, which in the course of a few hours turns to a dark brown. 2. The ammoniaco-sulphate of copper produces a copious green precipitate, well-known under the name of Scheele's green. 3. If a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen be pass- ed through a solution of arsenic, it causes a yellow precipitate. 4. If arsenic be thrown upon hot coals, it burns with a garlic smell. 5. If arsenic be surrounded with a circle of charcoal, between two copper plates, and subject- ed to heat for a few minutes, on separating the plates a silver-like stain will be left upon the plates. 6. Another test is the reduction of the metal, by calcining the dried suspected matter in a glass tube, with equal parts of charcoal and potash. when, if arsenic be present, even in a very minute 238 quantity, it will be sublimed, in the form of a shin- ing metallic coating. 7. Take a little recent wheat starch, add to it a sufficient quantity of iodine to give it a blue col- or ; mix a little of this blue matter with water so as to have a blue colored liquid. If into this liquid a few drops of an aqueous solution of arsenious acid be put, the blue color is immediately chang- ed to a redish brown, and is gradually dissipated entirely. If a few drops of sulphuric acid be now added, the blue color is again restored. 8. Take a few drops of the solution ofchromate of potash to the filtered solution, or to a grain of white arsenic in substance, and in half an hour a bright grass-green color will be produced. 7. Q. What are the appearances on dissection of a person who has been poisoned by arsenic 1 A. The stomach is the principal seat of morbid appearances. The villous coat of that organ is most generally found in a state of high inflamma- tion, frequently with erosions upon its surface.— The villous coat may not be unfrequently separat- ed. The intestines are also inflamed, but in a less degree. The lungs are also usually affected— they are livid, or have livid spots on their surface. The other viscera are generally in a healthy con- dition. 8. Q. What are the effects of tartar emetic, when taken in a large dose. A. Severe pain in the stomach ; excessive vom- iting ; profuse liquid stools ; face pale ; prostra- tion of strength ; pulse small and feeble ; cramps in the extremities. 9. Q. What are the appearances on dissection ? A. Inflammation of stomach and intestines.— The lungs are also frequently inflamed. 239 10. Q. How is poisoning by tartar emetic to be treated. A. Vomiting, if not already present, to be ex- cited by tickling the throat with the finger or a feather, and diluting with large draughts of mild fluids. The inflammatory symptoms afterwards to be subdued by the usual antiphlogistic means. 11. Q. What are the best antidotes to tartar emetic. A. Decoction of bark is the best. If this can- not be obtained, strong tea, or a decoction of nut galls, or any other astringent herb will answer. 12. Q. What are the test of tartar emetic ? A. 1. Sulphuretted hydrogen and the hydro- sulphurets, when used in small quantities, throw down an orange-yellow precipitate ; when used in larger quantities, a deep brown red. 2. Sulphuric acid produces a white precipitate. 3. Lime water, water of barytes, and alkalis give a thick white precipitate. 4. Infusion of galls causes a copious white pre- cipitate, and is the most delicate test of all. 5. When heated red hot with the black flux, all the preparations of antimony are reduced to the metallic state. 13. Q. What is the preparation of copper which is most usually poisonous. A. Verdegris, or the sub-acetate of copper. 14. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by copper 1 A. An acrid, styptic, coppery taste in the mouth ; parched and dry tongue ; a sense of strangulation in the throat, coppery eruptations, constant spitting, nausea, copious vomitings or vain efforts to vomit, shooting pains in the stomach, which are often very severe ; horrible gripuigs ; 23* 210 frequent alvine evacuations, sometimes bloody and blackish, with tenesmus and debility ; the abdo- men inflated and painful ; the pulse small, irre- gular, light, and frequent ; syncope, heat of skin, ardent thurst, difficulty of breathing, anxiety about the praecordia, cold sweats, scanty urine, violent headach, vertigo, faintness, weakness in the limbs, cramps ofthe legs, and convulsions. 15. Q. What are the appearances on dissection? A. The stomach and intestinal canal are found inflated, and sometimes gangrenous. 16. Q. How is poisoning by copper to be treated! A. For the purpose of expelling the poison, vomiting is to be excited by copious draughts of milk and water. After this inflammatory symp- toms are to be subdued by the usual means, and nervous symptoms by opium and antipasinodics. 17. Q. What is the antidote to copper 1 A. Whites of eggs mixed up with water, which must be taken freely. 18. Q. What are the tests of verdegris ? A. 1. Mix the verdegris with charcoal, and heat it to redness in a crucible, and metalic cop- per will be formed. 2. Sulphuretted hydrogen precipitates a black sulphuret of copper. 3. Ammonia gives a blue precipitate, but if add- ed in excess, the precipitate re-dissolves, and the liquor is of a beautiful blue color. 4. A clean plate of iron immersed in the solu- tion, becomes covered in a few hours with a por- tion of the copper, and the blue color of the solu- tion grows first green, and then turns to red. 19. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by A. When taken in large quantities, a sweetish astringent, constriction of the throat, pain in the 241 region of the stomach, obstinate, and often bloody vomitings, hiccup, convulsions, and death. When taken in small quantities and long continued dos- es, it causes colica pictonum and paralysis. 20. Q. What are the antidotes to lead. A. Sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia. 21. Q. What is the treatment proper for cases of poisoning by lead 1 A. A weak solution of Glauber's or Epsom salts to be drank very freely for the purpose of vomiting and purging, as well as to neutralize the poison. Inflammatory symptoms to be afterwards subdued in the usual manner. 22. Q. What are the chemical tests of lead? A. I. All the preparations of lead are easily reduced to the metallic state by calcination with charcoal. 2. The acetate of lead, dissolved in water, is precipitated white by sulphuric acid. 3. By chromate of potash and chromic acid, it is precipitated of a canary-yellow color. 4. By sulphuretted hydrogen and the hydrosul- phurets, a black precipitate. 5. By sulphate of soda, a white precipitate. 6. Gallic acid gives a yellowish-white precipitate. 23. Q. What preparation of mercury is gener- ally used as a poison 1 A. The muriate of mercury, or corrosive sub- limate. 24. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by corrosive sublimate 1 A. An acrid, astringent, metalic taste in the mouth ; stricture and burning in the throat; anx- iety and rending pains in the stomach and intes- tines ; nausea and vomiting, which is sometimes bloodv ; diarrhoea, sometimes dysentery ; pulse 242 small, hard, and frequent ; fainting ; great pros- tration of strength ; difficulty of breathing ; cold sweats ; cramps in the limbs ; insensibility con- vulsions and death. 25. Q. What are the appearances on dissection? A. Inflammation ofthe stomach and intestines, sometimes ending in gangrene. 26. Q. What is the antidote to corrosive subli- mate 1 A. Albumen or the whites of eggs.—Lately wheat flour has been recommended. 27. Q. What is the treatment in cases of poi- soning by corrosive sublimate 1 A. The whites of eggs to be mixed with water, and one given every two or three minutes to pro- mote vomiting as well as to decompose the poison. Milk, sugar and water, or water to be taken liber- ally at the same time. Symptoms of inflammation to be overcome by venesection, &c. 28. Q. What are the chemicaltestsof corrosive sublimate ? A. J. By mixing corrosive sublimate with char- coal and water, and subjecting it to heat in a close vessel, metallic mercury is obtained. 2. By exposing it to heat without any admixture in a glass tube, it will be sublimed, and found lin- ing the top ofthe tube in the form of a white shin- ing crust. 3. By ammonia, a white precipitate is produced. 4. Carbonate of potash causes a precipitate like brick dust. 5. Caustic potash produces a yellow precipitate. 6. Lime water produces an orange-colored pre- cipitate. 7. Nitrate of silver occasions a white curdy pre- cipitate. 243 29. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by opium 1 A. Stupor, numbness, heaviness in the head, pupil ofthe eye dilated sometimes furious delirium, pain, convulsions of different parts of the body, or palsy ofthe limbs. The pulse is variable, but at first generally strong and full : the breathing is quick, and there is great anxiety, coma, death. 30. Q. What is the treatment in cases of poi- soning by opium ? A. The stomach is first to be effectually evacu- ated, by emetics of tart, emetic or sulphate of zinc; large injections to clear the bowels, and assist in getting rid of the poisons. When as much of the poison as possible has thus been expelled, the pa- tient may drink, alternately, a tea cup full of strong hot infusion of coffee and vinegar diluted with water. If the drowsiness and insensibility bordering on apoplexy be not remedied by these means, blood may be taken from the jugular vein, blisters may be applied to the neck and .legs, and the attention roused by every means possible. If the heat declines, warmth and frictions must be perseveringly used. Vegetable acids are on no account to be given before the poison is expelled." boerhaave. This celebrated physician and scholar ordered in his will, that all books and manuscripts should be burnt, one large volume with silver clasps ex- cepted. The physical people flocked to Leyden, entreating his executors to destroy his will. The effects were sold. A German count, convinced that the great gilt book contained the whok ar- canum of physic, bought it for ten thousand guil- 244 ders. It was all blank but the first page, on which was written, "Keep the Head Cool, the Feet Warm, and the Body Open, and then bid defiance to the physician." " Dr. Rush, in that emphatic style, which is peculiar to himself, calls mercury the Sampson of medicine." In his hands, and in those of his par- tisans, it may indeed be compared to Sampson ; for I verily believe, they have slain more Ameri- cans with it than ever Sampson slew of the Philis- tines. The Israelite slew his thousands, but the Rushites have slain their tens of thousands. SODA. " Soda, or mineral alkali, as it has been denom- inated, in contradistinction to the other alkalies, which have been distinguished by the epithet of vegetable, exists in a constituent principle of sev- eral saline mineral substances, but it is usually ex- tracted from the combustion of marine plants. It is afforded by the combustion, combined with car- bonic acid, and associated with various other sa- line substances, and is obtained pure by the same general process as that applied to potash." From the above it is evident that soda is a min- eral, and of course contrary to man, who is com- posed of vegetables. It has long been settled in my mind, that minerals are unhealthy, and injuri- ous to man. Soda, and every kind of mineral wa- ter, is injurious. They are all cold and unheal- thy, whether artificial or from the springs. I have been at the springs in Saratoga and Ballstown, and drank the waters of each. They are cold, and contrary to nature, which is heat. Ice creams, ice 245 punch, and all such things are unhealthy. Those who make no use of them are the least gratified in taste, and most healthy. TARTAR EMETIC. Dr. Hooper says, this emetic "has been known to prove fatal to children," even when given in a small dose. " It is chiefly given in the beginning of fevers and febrile diseases ; when great debili- ty is present, and in the advanced stages of typ- hoid fever, its use is improper and even sometimes fatal." From this account ofthe emetic tartar, it is evident that it is fatal medicine in many cases, and the best method to lessen its fatality, is to abandon its use altogether. METALIC MEDICINE, OR POISON. Sulphuric Acid, Oil of Vitriol, Silver, Gold, Bismuth, Carbonate, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Mercu- ry, or Quicksilver, Nitre, or Salt Petre, Oxide of Arsenic, Red Lead, Lead, Tin, the filings and powder ; Verdigris, Blue Vitriol, Flower of Sul- phur, Diluted Vitriolic Acid, Spirit of Nitre, Ni- trous Acid, Aqua Fortis, Strongest common Ca.us- tic, Liver of Sulphur, Sulphuret Antimony, Glass of Antimony, Golden Sulphur of Antimony, Anti- moniai Powder, Butter of Antimony, Emetic Tar- tar, Panacea of Antimony, Nitrate of Silver, Lu- nar Caustic, Ammoniacal Copper, Purified filings of Iron, Purified Iron Scales, Rust of Iron, Salt of Steel, Purified Quicksilver, Corrosive Sublimate, Calomel, White Precipitate of Mercury, Red Pre- cipitate of Mercury, JSthiops Mineral, White Vi- triol, Arsenical Solution, Copper Pills, Pills of ^5T> Quicksilver, Pills of Iron with Myrrh, Compound Liniment of Quicksilver, Ointment of White Ox- ide of Lead, White Ointment, Ointment of Quick- silver, Ointment of Verdigris, Plaster of Quick- silver, Plaster of Red Oxide of Iron, or Strength- ening Plaster. In addition to these minerals, there are several vegetable poisons given to the sick as medicine. The following are among the many :— Deadly Night Shade, Garden Hemlock, Thorn Apple, or Apple Peru, Foxglove, Black Helle- bore, Black Henbane, Tobacco, White Poppy, American Nightshade, Garget, Poison Vine, Poison Oak, Poison Creeper, Wild Indigo, Indigo Weed, White Hellebore, Poke Root, Indian Poke, &c. These are few of the many minerals and poison- ous vegetables, which, in our country, and in vari- ous parts ofthe world, are given to the sick and wounded without their knowing what is given, or what are their effects, until often it is too late.— Can any man of common sense suppose, that such things as these can be good for the sick, when they are extremely injurious to the healthy? These things, Dr. Thatcher and others, rank among the articles called * Materia Medica,' or articles em- ployed as remedies, in sickness. MEDICAL LECTURES. The following took place in Boston, in the year lfc22, or near that time, and ought to be left on long record, for the generations-yet unborn :— A gentleman authorises us to state, for the in- formation of those of his fellow citizens who are as little experienced as himself in the science of 247 anatomy, that he, with several other persons visit- ed a chamber in Market Street, a few days since, and were much surprised with what was, to them, a novel exhibition. Human bodies, sacrilegiously stolen at-midnight from the grave, in various stag- es of putrefaction, and exhibiting various opera- tions of the dissecting knife, filled the atmosphere ofthe room, with the most nauseous exhalations. On one end of a table lay a body, dismembered of its limbs ; on another, the head, robbed of its con- tents, was placed as if to gaze in mockery at the mutilated trunk, which it had once surmounted. Arms, legs, feet, ears, heart, liver, and lights of human beings, apparently of all sizes, from six inches to six feet in length, male and female, were scattered in profusion and disorder about the room. Here was a bowl containing brains of some new laid corpse, and there a tub filled with "guts and garbage," while on a slow consuming fire, were laid the parts for which there was no further use, frying in their own fat and marrow. The furniture was besmeared with blood and filth, and every nauseating substance belonging to such an establishment,without regard to decency and clean- liness. The slaughter houses at Brighton and Cambridge, where cattle and sheep are butchered by hundreds, are perfumed palaces compared with this school of anatomy ! The gentleman who communicated these particu- lars and requests their publication, has left his name, which is at the service of any one who may doubt the correctness of the representation. On the above we have only to remark, that the scene which has thus excited the horror and in- dignation of an individual, is not a novelty in this city. Ten years ago, we attended a part of a 24 248 course oi lectures, where similar objects of disgust were so numerous and offensive, that we have never thought of it since, without loathing. The establishment in Market street, to which our in- formant alludes, is not the only one ofthe kind of which this metropolis can boast. There are, or have been, several of the kind. Dissections ofthe human body, are undoubtedly serviceable to medi- cal science ; but whether more is not lost to hu- manity than is gained for science by the practice, we think, is a question, which is, at least, deserv- ing of consideration. GALENIC MEDICINE. " That practice of medicine which conforms to the rules of Galen, and runs much upon multiply- ing herbs and roots in the same composition, though seldom torturing them any otherwise than by decoction. It is opposed to chemical medicine, which by force of fire, and a great deal of art, fetch- es out the virtues of bodies, chiefly mineral, into a small compass,"—Hooper. In the above may be seen the difference be- tween the medicine used by Galen, and that which is improperly called medicine in our day. Galen considered herbs and roots to be medicine; now minerals are called medicine, Galen taught to compound herbs and roots, though they might be bulky. Modern medicine by art, is brought into a small compass, and but a few drops must be given at a time, as a large quantity would bring on immediate death. Medicine opposite to what Galen used, is now reduced by art to so small a quantity, that a country doctor does not need a pair of saddle bags larger than two coat pockets, 249 to carry medicine enough to kill or cure all he may be called to visit for a considerable time.— " This their way is their folly, yet their children approve their sayings like sheep." When one goes forward the others follow, whether into a pit "or pasture. CALOMEL. The following Hymn on Calomel, is to be sung on certain occasions. As the following : 1st. When any one or more are convinced of its dangerous and ruinous nature, when applied under the name of medicine, so as never to use it. 2d. When any otic has taken it until his teeth are loose, rotten, or have come out. Hd. When it has so cankered their mouths, that they cannot eat their food. 4tth. When it has swelled their tongues out of their mouths, so that they could not shut their mouth for sometime. 5lh. When it has caused blindness, and partial or toted loss of sight. 6th. When it has caused large sores on their legs, feci, arms, or any part of the body. 7th. When it has caused palsy, epilepsy, cramp, or any other distressing complaint. When cured of any or alt these difficulties, this is to be sung by all such, and as many others as may join heartily in puting down Calomel. At the close of the hymn let some one ofthe singers repeat aloud—Amen. Tune Old Hundred—very grave. Physicians of the highest rank, (To pay their fees, we need a bank,) Combine all wisdom, art and skill, Science and sense, in Calomel. 250 Howe'er their patients may complain, Of head, or heart, or nerve, or vein, Of fever high, or parch, or swell, The remedy is Calomel. When Mr. A. or B. is sick— " Go fetch the doctor, and be quick"— The doctor comes, with much good will, But ne'er forgets his Calomel. He takes his patient by the hand, And compliments him as a friend ; He sets a while his pulse to feel, And then takes out his Calomel. He then turns to the patient's wife, " Have you clean paper, spoon and knife 1 I think your husband might do well To take a dose of Calomel. He then deals out the precious grains— " This Ma'am, I'm sure will ease his pains ; Once in three hours, at sound of bell, Give him a dose of Calomel." He leaves his patient in her care, And bids good bye with graceful air ; In hopes bad humors to expel, She freely gives the Calomel, The man grows worse, quite fast indeed"— " Go call for counsel—ride with speed"— The counsel comes, like post with mail, Doubling the dose of Calomel. The man in death begins to groan— The fatal job for him is done ; 251 His soul is wing'd for heaven or hell— A sacrifice to Calomel. Physicians of my former choice, Receive my counsel and advice ; Be not offended though I tell The dire effects of Calomel. And when I must resign my breath, Pray let me die a natural death, And bid you all a long farewell, Without one dose of Calomel. THE DOCTORS--BY DRYDEN. The reader is requested to commit the following to memory, " they may save him many a sick sto- mach, and headache, beside many a good dollar in doctor's flees." " Th' mineral doctors by debauch were made, Excess began, and sloth sustains the trade. By work our long lived fathers earn'd their food, Toil strung their nerves, and purified their blood ; But we their sons, a pamper'd race of men ; Are dwindled down to three score years and ten. Better work in field, for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a poisonous draught, The wise for health on exercise depend ; God never made his works, for man to mend." 24* 252 I PARODY. The doctors they cheat us, and do as they please ; They shut up their medicines, and hide all the keys— But we are determin'd, we'll bear it no more, And without their knowledge, burst open the door. With latin prescriptions, and lettinir of blood, They do all the people, with poverty flood ; Some bear it in silence, while others complain, And speak of all doctors, with perfect disdain. A plan is propos'd, which will ruin the trade, Of filling the stomach, with poison—their paid For this labor—but soon they will know, That with the wise people, their tricks will not go. The plan that's propos'd, 1 will simply explain ;— And those who adopt it, will quickly attain To knowledge sufficient, to baffle all grief, And from all their pains, will find constant relief. Buy Smith's self-taught doctor, and study it well ; Of sickness and med'eines, it plainly doth tell ; And when you'r afflicted, with languor or pain, The dose it prescribes, will heal you again. Go learn ofthe beasts, who by nature are taught, To pluck from the earth, when disease they have caught, Some simple production of nature, that's free From mercury, and nitre, as all will agree. Like them, take the physic that nature holds out; It will cure the fever, the cholic, or front ; It injures not teeth, neither weakens a limb, But, puts hones and muscles, in excellent trim. Do this, and no doctors will plague you with duns, Nor take off your purse, that with change overuns— But health and contentment, with plenty and peace, Shall be thy companions, as in age you increase. 25* JVfJJT l\ HEALTH. This word originally meant soundness of the whole man ; or the whole body so completely bal- anced in every part, as to be wholly at ease, while walking, sitting, lying down, sleeping, laboring or standing still. Many call themselves healthy, or well, who are far from it as it respects the whole man. Some have a good appetite ; but are pain- ed in the head, limbs or some particular part.— Some live to old age, labor much, and yet are never well, they never eat in pleasure. There was once an order of men called Hy- gicnistes, " physicians who only attend people in health, to prevent diseases. The temperament, the constitution, the air, the food, the habitations, the changes in the functions of the body, and those form different ages, seasons, and climates was the objects of their attention." Should such an order of men be now raised up, who understood this bu- siness of attending the healthy to keep them so ; it would not be long before the inhabitants of the United States would be as healthy as the red men of the west, who from early life have such physi- cians to attend them. Were this done, the num- ber of deaths among children would be few com- pared to what it is now. Many rules have been published to preserve health or restore it, and all without much benefit. The fact is, no particular rules can be attended too as to health. Some need more food than oth- ers, some more drink, some more rest, some less, some no meat, some almost wholly meat. " One man eateth meat, another herbs. Let not him that eateth meat, judge him that eateth herbs ; let not him that eateth herbs, judge him that eateth 254 meat." Some require much more sleep than oth- ers, so of exercise, rest, &c. Temperance in all things ; not only drink but in food, exercise, rest, sleep, &-c. is the great standard of health. A man cannot be healthy, who eats or drinks beyond a medium ; nor can he be healthy if he starve himself, as a grahamite, or on any other account. Some to be healthy have done without vegetables, these conduce more to health than any food a man can eat ; notwith- standing all the mineral doctors say against them. Look at the lambs, calves, and every creature that lives on vegetables, see them in June, how heal- thy, and thrifty they appear ! "Ask the beast, and they will tell thee." People who accustom themselves to live chiefly on milk, bread and other vegetables, are uniform- ly the most healthy, and live the longest, and the most free from gout, rheumatism, humors, and a long list of complaints caused by drinking soda, mineral waters, being often bled, blistered, setoned, leached, and poisoned within and without. From early life to the present, my food has been plain, consisting chiefly of milk, bread, and vege- tables. A little meat in the morning is generally all my stomach craves. In my whole life I have never been confined to my house by sickness, ex- cepting two weeks at one time. 1 am now sixty eight years old, lacking three months. The rheu- matism or gout has never made an attact upon my system. A bone has not been broken, nor a joint moved out of its place. My hearing is the same as in early life, and I can read or write in the day time without glasses. My health is good enough at present, [March 6, 1837.] Vegetable medicines, have always relieved me soon, whenun- 255 well. These I recommend to others, as safe and certain. My mind is fully expressed in the words of Celsus, an ancient physician, with respect to the preservation of health. " A man, he says, who is blest with good health, should confine himself to no particular rules, with respect to regimen or medicine. He ought fre- quently to diversify his manner of living ; to be sometimes in the town, sometimes in the country ; to hunt, sail, indulge himself in rest, but more fre- quent to use exercise. He ought to refuse no kind of food that is commonly used, but sometimes to eat more, and sometimes less ; sometimes to make one at an entertainment, and sometimes to forbear it ; to make'rather two meals a day than one, and always to eat heartily, provided he can digest it. He should be careful in time of health, not to de- stroy, by excesses of any kind, that vigour of con- stitution which should support him under sick- ness." This question is often put to me by the sick I attend. " What kind of food and drink must I take 1" My answer uniformly is, that which tastes well, and sets well on the stomach. Eat and drink of such kinds, often and as much as does you good. Extract from the writings of John Wesley. The healing art was first brought into use in a very natural and simple manner. In the earliest age of the world, mankind, by various experiments, or accidents, discovered that certain plants, roots, and barks, possessed medicinal propei ties. These were found sufficient to remove their diseases. The application of these remedies were plain and 250 easy ; but in process of time, many began to make a profession of medicine, and to strip it of its sim- plicity ; they began to inquire into the operation of such remedies, why and how they performed such cures ; they examined the human frame in all its parts ; the nature of the flesh, arteries, nerves; the structure of the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, bowels, &.c. with the springs of the sev- eral animal functions. They explored the several kinds of animal and mineral, as well as vegetable substances. And hence, the whole order of phy- sic was subverted, and founded upon hypothesis ; they formed theories of diseases, and their cures* and substituted these in place of experiments. As theories increased, simple medicines were more and more disregarded, and disused ; till in a course of years, the greater part of them were forgotten, at least in the more polite nations. In the room of these, abundance of new ones were introduced, by reasoning and speculative men ; and those more and more difficult to be applied, as being more remote from common observation. Hence rules for the application of these, and me- dical books were immensely multiplied ; till at length physic became an abtruse science, quite out of the reach of ordinary men. Physicians now began to be held in admiration, as persons who were something more than human. And pro- fit attended their employ, as well as honor. So that they had now two weighty reasons for keep- ing the bulk of mankind at a distance, that they might not pry into the mysteries of their profes- sion. To this end they increased those difficul- ties, by design, which were in a manner by acci- dent. They filled their writings with an abun- dance of technical terms utterly unintelligible to 257 plain men. They affected to deliver their rules, and to reason upon them, in an abtruse and phi- losophical manner. They represented the criti- cal knowledge of anatomy, natural philosophy, (and what not?) Some of them insisting on that of astronomy, and astrology too, as necessary pre- vious to the understanding of the art of healing. Those who understood only how to restore the sick to health, they branded with the name of Empirics. They introduced into practice abun- dance of compound medicines, consisting of so many ingredients that it was scarce possible for common people to know which it was that wrought a cure. Abundance of exotics, neither the nature nor the names of which their own countrymen understood. Of chemicals, such as they neither had skill nor fortune, nor time to pre- pare ; yea, and of dangerous ones, such as they could not use without hazarding life, but by the advice of a physician. And thus both their hon- or and gain were secured, a vast majority of man- kind being utterly cut off from helping, either them- selves or their neighbors, or once daring to at- tempt it. Yet there has not been wanting from time to time, some lovers of mankind, who have endeavoured, (even contrary to their own interest,) to reduce physic to its ancient standard; who have labored to explode out of it all hypothesis and fine spun theories, and to make it a plain, in- telligible thing, as it was in the beginning, having no more mystery in it than this, "such a medi- cine removes such a pain." These have demon- strably shown that neither the knowledge of as- trology, astronomy, natural philosophy, nor even anatomy itself, is absolutely necessary to the quick and effectual cure of most diseases incident to the 258 human body. Nor yet any chemical, or exotic," or compound medicine, but a simple plant or root duly applied, so that every man of common sense, (in ordinary cases,) may prescribe to himself, or his neighbor; and may be very secure from doing harm, even where he can do no good. Even to the last age there was something of this kind done, particularly by Dr. Sydenham. And in the present, of his pupil, Dr. Dover, who has pointed out simple medicines for many diseases. And some such may be found in the writings of the learned and ingenious Dr. Cheyne, who doubtless would have communicated many more to the world, but for the melancholy reason he gave to one of his friends, that pressed him with some passages in his works, which too much counte- nanced the modern practice—"O sir, we must do something to oblige the faculty, or they will tear us in pieces." Regimen of Health, Temperance and Sobriety. Now a days instead of water (which was the greatest part of the drink in the antedeluvian world, and very congenial to the temper of man) we drink brandy, usquebah, aqua vitae ; which are pernicious drinks, if commonly used. They de- stroy the ealidum innatum—innate heat—prey upon the roscid juice, change the natural tone of the stomach, the texture of the body, and the era- sis of the parts. Hence come atrophies, the im- becility of the nerves, and trepidation of our mem- bers ; which is effected by disorderly motions of the animal spirits, being impulsed and agitated preternaturally by the spirits of strong liquors.— Wine is an excellent liquor, if moderately used. 259 Tits a great refresher of decayed nature ; fortifies the stomach, strengthens the natural heat, helps digestion, carries the food to all the parts, cheers the heart, and wonderfully refreshes the spirits. The ancients called it lac senum—the milk of old men ; but by modern practice it is found, that if they suck too much of it, it will make them chil- dren. Nothing can be of worse consequence to any, than the constant and immoderate use of it. Sobriety is that which will secure you against all distempers, and makes your 'life pleasant to you ; for the harvest of diseases arises from the seeds of intemperance. By sobriety, there is a good and perfect concoc- tion made. The meat you eat, when it is well elaborated and transmuted in such a manner as is proper for each digestion, then a good habit of body is established ; the mass of blood has its pure tincture ; all the liquors ofthe body have their pe- culiar properties suitable to the intention of na- ture. But if the crasis of the parts be perverted by intemperance, then the alimentary juices de- generate from their purity ; the mass of blood and the nervous liquor are depraved, and the whole ha- bit of the body disordered. Abstinence plucks up the cause of all diseases by the roots. In the inward veins it takes away the butomia, which is caused by the ill disposition of the stomach; and that melancholy humor which is seated in the tunicles thereof, and reduces the natural temper to a just mediocrity. By temperance men shut up their days, like a lamp, only by a pure consumption of the radical moisture, without grief or pain. If the world consists of order, if our life depends 25 200 on the harmony of humors, it is no wonder that order should preserve, and disorder destroy. A spare and simple diet contributes to the pro- longation of life. Magicra piu chy anco mangia—He that will eat much, let him eat little—because by eating lit- tle he prolongs his life, and so eats much. Ifycu will have a constant vigorous health, a perpetual spring of youth, use temperance. " MONSTROUS LITTLE PHYSIC." The reader may smile to see such a curious combination of words as " monstrous little," es- pecially when he is told that it is quoted from a work no less dignified than the British Medico- Chirurgical Review, and was penned by one of the best scholars in Great Britain. But he would weep rather than laugh* if he knew one tenth of the evils which the learned doctor had in his mind, when he made such a " monstrous" expres- sion. He was investigating the causes why the lives of medical men, in consequence of evils incident to their profession, are not shortened more than they are. It does not appear that their average longevity is less than that of men of most other professions. Out of 850 physicians, M. du Bois finds 365 reached the age of 70 and upwards,— Perhaps, says our author ofthe Medico-Chirurgi- cal Review, it is because the physician " takes monstrous little physic." It is a common opinion, we know, as we ob- served in our last number, that physicians owe their escape from disease, especially in times of great sickness, to the fact that they have medicine 261 about them, and can take it in a seasonable man- ner. Yet nothing is better known than that—so far at least as the immediate friends of physicians can discover—there are no persons so much op- posed to taking medicine themselves as physicians are. The truth is, that physicians, as a body, do in- deed take " monstrous little physic," or medicine. They know euough' to let it alone. And they only give it to others as a last resort—as a choice of evils. It is curious to observe how this matter stands. The young and inexperienced practitioner, espe- cially if wanting in common sense and real know- ledge ofthe human constitution, gives a great deal of medicine. But as he grows wiser from experi- ence—not from years, for there are some physi- cians, as well as other men, to whom age never gives wisdom—he gives less and less medicine.— Go to some of our oldest and wisest and most trus- ty physicians, and ascertain, if you can, the state ofthe case ; and our word is for it, they give not one fourth the medicine that-young men do. Go to----but we will not call names ; it is sufficient to say that our wisest physicians not only take but give " monstrous little physic." Let those of you who are living on the apothe- cary shop, learn a lesson from these hints. Or will you continue to dabble with medicine till you break down what of your constitution now re- mains 1 If you really wish for exemption from dis- ease, our advice is, to take " monstrous little phy- sic."—Library of Health. Remarks on the above. It is generally understood that those called re- 262 gular doctors, take but little physic, or poison un- der the name of medicine. Were people general- ly as cautious of taking mercury as the doctors are, they might be as healthy, and live as long. I once attended a doctor's widow, who had been greatly injured by taking mercury and other min- erals. She stated to me the following—"When I was sick, said she, or the child, my husband was always ready to give us medicine ; but when he was sick, he would not take any. I asked him why he gave us medicine when sick ; and would not take the same when he was sick 1 His reply was, that he knew what it was." An old physician in----who was not altogeth- er in favor of mercury, once said, " a certain young doctor is sick, and I believe him an honest man, for he takes the same medicines he gives to his patients, but I think he will die." One sick woman said to a Botanic Doctor, " 1 like such a doctor, for he gives but little medicine, and sometimes not any; and when he does so, peo- ple get well the sooner." The meaning of all this appears to be, the less poison a sick man takes, the sooner he will be a well man. A certain woman in----was sick of a fever, and sent for her minister, (who was a Botanic Physician) to pray with her. Entering her room, he observed a large phial of Laudinum standing on the table. She told him she wished him to pray for her. What said he do you wish me to pray for 1 " That the Lord would bless the means used for my recovery." That said he I cannot do, for there is laudinum enough in that phial, to kill you and all your family, if taken at once. Well said she, " pray that 1 may again be restored to health." 203 The sick have sometimes told me that their doctor said " they were not the subject of medi- cine." If the sick are not subjects of medicine, who are ? " The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." The fact was in my mind, that they had taken so much minerals that more would ruin them. How many objects of wretchedness have I seen in consequence of takiug what the mineral doctors will not take themselves 1 A man once put this.question to a doctor— " Doctor will that cure a sick man, that will kill a well rat 1 No, said he, any one may know that. Then said the man, why do you give to the sick mineral and vegetable poisons ? I do not, said he. Do others 1 '' Yes, said he, these are the main things given the sick in this town. I can shew men and women hobbling about the streets, neith- er dead nor alive, and wholly ruined by these things." A NEW ASSOCIATION PROPOSED. Self-Examining Society. Among the many societies established in our country to extend the principles of Christanity, and to improve the morals of the people at large, it is a subject of deep regret, that while so lauda- ble a deed is manifested, and so much pains taken to remove the mote out of our neighbor's eye, there should be no society formed, no pains taken, to induce men first to cast the beam out of their own ; or, in other words, a society whose end and aim should be to examine our own hearts and lives, and see if we ourselves are not guilty of some habits and vices that need reform, which are equally as 264 bad as those which we are so ready to discover in our neighbors. This society, it would seem, ought to take the lead of all others ; and it should be the first object of our exertions to suppress the vices and follies of mankind. "Physician heal thyself," is an admonition coming from the highest author- ity, and is as applicable to the Scribes and Phar- isees now, as it was eighteen hundred years ago. Did the members of our popular societies, as well as others, take half the pains to examine them- selves, and correct their own faults, that they do to hunt up and expose the faults and follies of oth- ers, how much more like christians would they act 1 How much more happy and peaceable would be the condition of every community and neigh- borhood ? And were a society for self-examination once instituted, in this, or any other place, and made as popular as our temperance societies, and many others now are, how much less running to and fro, or of numbers standing in the corners of the streets, thanking God that they are not like other men, should we behold ? The Constitution. Art. 1. This Society shall be known by the name of the Self-examining Society, and shall be composed of members of both sexes, whose minds and hearts are capable of moral improvement. Art. 2. The object of this Society shall bo, while we may see all others' faults, to feel and correct our own. To suppress all manner of deceit and hypocrisy, slander and defamation, backbiting and evil speaking, with all that tends to injure or defraud our neighbor, either of his property or character. Art. 3. This Society shall be independent of all other societies, each member shall be vested with 265 full powers and privileges to attend to his own concerns, and he shall make it his duty to mind his own business and let others alone. And no Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, Spies, Informers, Committees nor Delegates, shall ever be chosen by this Society to watch over the con- duct of others, or make reports of their neighbor's misdoings, until such a work of charity shall have been begun at home. Art. 4. There shall be no public or private meetings of this Society on any appointed days, to manage their concerns, or to hear lectures deliver- ed before it; but it shall be the duty of every mem- ber to meet himself alone every day, and listen to the lectures of his own conscience. Art. 5. No money shall be raised from time to time, for funds to support this Society, nor to cir- culate self-examining almanacs, or to the ministers or lawyers for delivering addresses, to convince us how much easier it is to examine others, than it is to examine ourselves. Art. 6. Every member ofthe Society shall pay due regard to temperance in eating and drinking, and in every thing else. But he shall be his own judge what he shall eat, and what he shall drink, and where withal he shall be clothed—while glut- tony, and drunkenness, and tight-lacing, shall be left to the gnawings of conscience, and a con- sumption, with all the popular reproach they de- serve, without the benefit ofthe clergy, or the votes or lectures of a temperance society. Art. 7. Every thing shall be called by its right name ; men shall not put bitter for sweet, nor sweet for bitter, nor call for beer when they mean rum, nor for cider or wine, when they mean bran- dy or gin. And no innkeeper shall put new wine 266 into old bottles of French brandy, for the use of his temperance customers; and no grocer or mer- chant shall sell preparations of whiskey for Mala- ga or Madeira wine, or St. Croix rum. . Art. 8. Every member of this Society shall be allowed to drink tea or coffee, cold water or but- termilk, or lemonade, as suits him best,or to chew or smoke tobacco, or take snuff, when not offen- sive to the company he is in, without being ex- communicated fiom good society, or delivered over to the buffeting ofthe Pharisees. Art. 9. No member of the Society shall ever set himself up above his fellows, or seek to estab- lish his own character and consequence by black- ening his neighbor's good name, thinking tomake his own appear whiter ; but it shall be the duty of every one to examine their own hearts and dis- positions, and set a double guard against the sin that most easily beset themselves. Art. 10. This Society shall form no Christian party in politics, and no political party under the name of the Self-Examining Society. It shall have nothing to do with Masonry or Anti-Mason- ry, Colonization or anti-Slavery, Missionary, Bi- ble, or Tract Societies, as being in any manner connected with it ; nor shall any religious creed, test, or inquisition, council, or synod, ever be es- tablished or countenanced by this society ; but every member shall enjoy his own reliVioii, and allow to all others the same liberty he claims for himself, without being pointed at as a heretic, or branded as an infidel. Art. 11. Good society shall not be exclusively formed out ofthe aristocracy of wealth, nor made out ofthe popularity of swindling speculator., or ofcivil or religious professions. It shall include 267 the poor who are honest intelligent, and industri- ous, as well as the rich. Art. 12. The members of this Society shall seek to do good and not evil,—love and not hate each other ; and when reviled they shall not revile again ; but they shall bear with the faults and in- firmities of others, knowing that they themselves are men of like passions and imperfections. They shall respect the virtues and talents of all men, nor shall that honor and deference be overlooked which is justly due to the working part of the community,—to the farmers and mechanics and to all whose honest labor is a public, as well as private benefit. A CONSULTATION OF PHYSICIANS. The late Bonnel Thornton, used frequently to entertain himself and his friends, at the expense of physicians, and conceived he had a right to do so as he was bred to the medical profession. The formal wig (worn in olden time) was generally the object of his mirth. Mr. Thornton being once confined to bed by a fever, and his friends thinking he might never recover, urged him in- cessantly to call in the assistance of the faculty. Wearied with their importunities, he at length promised to have a consultation on a certain day, when (his friends attending) they found Mr. Thornton sitting upon his bed, with the curtains open, looking gravely at three tie wigs, placed in order upon blocks, between the bed posts. "What is the meaning of this ?" " Why this is the con- sultation of Physicians," answered Mr. Thornton, " I know what I am about—it is allowed to be more than an even chance against a patient when 263 he calls in a consultation of periwigs. The sight ofthe doctor has cured many a patient, and the danger lies in the doctor's physic. Be at ease my friends, nature is the best physician ; the as- sistance she wants I shall give, and save my mo- ney and my life." Thornton soon recovered, and for many years joined his friends in laughing at his consultation of physicians. REGULARS. In early life, the word regular, or regulars, great- ly alarmed me; as they wore red coats, and it was said "they would kill us all." After the first American war, the terror ofthe word disappeared ; and it became popular. Forty years ago, much was said of regular ministers, as some were thought irregular. The Neivlights, Baptists, Methodists, Sfc. were considered irregular; but the college ministers were the regular ordained ministers.— After some years, the Baptist and Methodist min- isters, put on the regular uniform, with Rev. A. M. V. D. M. D. D. &c. with their notes, and be- came all regular together. After a while, the Bap- tists divided, and then came up the regular Bap- tists, and others. Now another regular order has come up—^reg- ular bred physicians." " Are you a regular bred physician 1" If the answer is yes—Then some poison is good, if administered by a "regular bred physician." Mercury may by such be safely giv- en, from one ounce to a pound ; if they are after- wards hung up by the heels, to bring it out of their mouths again, if it does not operate. What wonders regular can do !! CURIOUS MEDICAL LAW. Calmut states in his dictionary ofthe Bible, that 269 there was once a law concerning medicines and physicians to this amount. The government de- termined what medicines should be used, and how. If the physician administered according to law, though the sick died, the physician was justified in his conduct ; but if he administered contrary to law, if the sick was cured, the physician was hung, not for curing the sick, but for breaking the law. GRAINS OF PARADISE. This vegetable is but little known in this coun- try, though of great value, when properly prepar- ed and used by the sick and infirm. Dr. Parr, gives the following account of it in his Medical Dictionary, Vol. 2. p. 100. " Paradisi Grana. Grains of Paradise, Amomum Grana Paradise, have been supposed to be the seeds of the larger.Cardamom, and called Maleguela, Ma- niguetta, and Cardamun Pipcratum. They are brought from the East Indies, are angulars, of a reddish brown color without, and white within ; smaller than pepper, in appearance resembling car- damon seeds. They grow in pods, in shape and size like unripe figs, divided interially into three cells, in each of which are two rows of seeds.— They join the flavor of cardamons to the pungen- cy of pepper ; but the latter pungency resides in their resin; the distilled oil possessing only their smell. These seeds are sometimes used instead of pepper, but more often employed to adulterate it Their medical virtues are the same as the semina cardamoni, though they are rather more pungent." This vegetable is an excellent article for the sick ; and in many cases, superior to American 270 or West India Cayenne, being much more mild, and diffusive, not causing pain, as West India Cayennes often does. In giving emetics, this is preferable to any kind of cayenne, as the person seldom feels any pain in its operation. It is very good for preparing bathing drops for Rheumatism, swellings, &c. I have used it constantly for about three years, and find it always useful. GOLDEN SEAL. It is also called Yellow Root, Ground Tiasp- bery, Indian Paint. This is found mostly in the western states. Dr. Howard gives the following account of it : " The golden seal is a powerful bitter tonic ; highly useful in all cases of debility and loss of appetite. It may be used alone or combined with other tonics. Very useful during recovery from fever ; in dispepsy, or any other complaint, to re- move the heavy, disagreeable sensation often pro duced by indigestible food, by taking a tea spoon- ful in hot water sweetened. * A decoction of this golden seal is also a very valuable remedy for sore eyes, as well as all other local inflammations, externally applied. It is like- wise highly probable that it may be found useful as an external application to ulcers, as Raffineque says, the Indians use it for sore legs, and many external complaints, as a topical tonic." For nearly twenty years I have made constant use ofthe golden seal, in cases of indigestion, cos- tiveness, dispepsy, pain in the stomach and bow- els, and have always found it an excellent medi- cine for old and young, male and female. 271 VENERIAL DISEASE. A description of this loathsome and terrible dis- ease, has been omitted in every edition of the "American Physician," previous to this. Regard for the wretched and miserable of my fellow citi- zens, has induced me to give a concise descrip- tion of it here. It is a most loathsome disease, extending more or less to every part ofthe system, and is a kind of poison or canker conveyed by contagion or ac- tual contact. There are several names given to it by different authors ; though it always is one thing, situated in different parts ofthe system, and making a dif- ferent appearance in different parts where it is seated. The following are some of the names by which it is called. Venereal, Gonorhoea, Glets, Buboes, Chancres, Lues, Clap, &c. These all originate from one general cause, and are only different parts of the same plant. Remove the root, and all will go with it. This disease is the p unishment for the crime or sin committed, which produces the disease. One male and one female only, can never produee this disease. It is caus- ed by over action; though not always. It is gen- erally given by one to the other. Many virtuous women have taken it from wicked husbands, and some virtuous husbands from wicked wives. Whatever name this disease may be called, and in whatever part it may be seated, what will cure it in one place will cure it in another. In some stages of it, more must be done than in other states to cure. When a male takes the infection from a female, it sometimes- makes its appearance in a few days, sometimes in a few weeks ; and sometimes not be- 26 27* fore several months. Dr. Bucan says it assumes a variety of different shapes. This disease is gen- erally the effects of unlawful connections, yet it is often communicated to the innocent as well as the guilty. Infants, nurses, mid wives, and married women whose husbands lead dissolute lives, are of- ten affected with it, and frequently loose their lives by not being aware of their danger in due time. I shall now only mention a few things concern- ing this dreadful scourge of the guilty and some- times the innocent. It generally, at first makes an attack in one part, but is not long confined there. It affects the external and internal parts. I have seen it affect the head, the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, gums, throat, heart, lungs, liver, stomach, bowels, kidneys, water bladder, sinews, nerves, muscles, blood, the absorbent vessels cor- roding, and brings on general destruction through every part of the person affected with it, in its full reign, where it. has taken possession. - I have at- tended people with it, who had large sores in dif- ferent parts, from the crown of the head to the sole of their feet. There are at this moment men who have taken the disease in early life, and who feel the effects of it through the whole of a long life ; nor is this the worst of it; they have married fine women while this disease was on them, which has been communicated to their wives, nor is this the end of it, their children were born with it, and thus the iniquity ofthe father has been visited up- on the children, which will descend to the third or fourth generation. Some have told me that their children were troubled with humour in their faces, and other parts, and some have died with a disease they in- nocently received from wicked parents. I know 273 some young men, who have married with this dis- ease upon them, and the consequence is, their wives are unwell, and troubled with fluor albus, bearing down, irregular in the menses, flowing, distressing pain in the loins, back, kidneys, and contiually unhappy and wretched in every situa- tion in life. Young men in this situation, never ought to marry, until they know themselves entire- ly cured of this dreaded maledy. This disease may generally be cured, if attend- ed to in season ; but when the whole system is all on fire, it must be left to consume without remedy. In the course of twenty years I have attended a great number of males, and some females, 1 do not now recollect of undertaking any one, without affecting a cure, and many in a short time. The common course of giving mercury, or cor- rosive sublimate, never did nor never will cure.— It may attract the disease from one part of the body to another, but never did expel the dis- ease ; for Satan cannot cast out Satan, as it is canker ofthe worst kind, it must be cured by that which will remove the worst kind of canker from the whole man. One thing will drive it from the diseased, if at- tended too in season, that is the emetic and in- jection described in this work ; this I have prov- ed in very many cases, during a practice of twen- ty years. I have another preparation that is cer- tain to cure, if attended to in season and persever- ingly. It can be used with entire safety and suc- cess by male or female, without exposing their health in any way. It is so prepared, that a per- son may take it wherever he is. The directions sre printed so plain that no one need make a mis- take in applying it. People send for it from vari- 274 ous parts of the country, and find that relief de- scribed in the directions. A few words more and this shall close for the present. It is an unpleasant task to ine, to give this account of a disease so disgraceful, and yet common in our own coun- try, and in various parts of what is called the civilized world. My mind has been filled with astonishment to learn that so many are troubled with this diseuse through their own criminal conduct. Notwithstanding this, 1 most heartily pity those who are by this made wretched. To young people, particularly young men, I have to gay—avoid that road which leads to di>grace and ruin. Beware of those females whose houses are in the road to death, and wliose steps take hold on hell. Solomon has given a most striking description of them, and their dwellings—Proverbs ii. 16,—18, " To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words ; which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. Far her house inclinetli unto death, and her path* unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neith- er take they hold of the paths of life." Chap. v. 3—6, " For the lips of a strange woman dropet.h as a honey- comb, and ber mouth is smoother than oil : But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged nword. Her feet goeth down to death ; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them." Chap. vi. 24—29 & 32, 33. " To keep from the evil woman, from the flattery ofthe tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread : and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt ? &c. And Chap. vii. 5,-8, 10, & 21,-27. It is about certain, that there is many more bad men in the world than women, perhaps ten to one ; butwhen a woman is determined to be bad, she is worse than one hundred bad men, and can lead more to death and de- struction. The above description of a wicked woman, is enough to determine every rational man against the wick- •dnesi of wretched women. 275 The Farewell Address of Gen. Andrew Jackson, to the People of these United States, on retiring to private life, is inserted here, with a desire that it may be handed down to the latest generations; as the best counsel to the people, and best calculated, if attended to, to preserve our Independence, enjoy the Union of all the States, and to cause general prosperity, riches, and happiness to every part of this 'flourishing Country. Should a Foreign Pow- er ever conquer us;—Should men from among ourselves ever divide the States ;—Should we ever be in a state of Anarchy, it will be seen as the consequence of not attend" ing to the counsel and doctrine of .our aged friend Andrew Jackson. Whoever reads the "American Physician and Sick Man's Guide to Health" let him—also read attentively, the fol- lowing Address, and the remarks which follow it. EL1AS SMITH. Boston., Mass. March 2?, 1837. FAREWELL ADDRESS ' OF ANDREW JACKSON, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. Fellow Citizens: Being about to retire finally from public life I beg leave to offer my grateful thanks for the i:;any proofs of kindness and confidence which I have re- ceived at your hands. It has been my fortune, in the discharge of public duties, civil and military, frequently o have found myself in difficult, and try- ing situations, where prompt decision and energet- ic action were necessary, and where the interests of the country required that high responsibilities -mould be fearlessly encountered : and it is with 26* 276 the deepest emotions of gratitude that I acknow- ledge the continued and unbroken confidence with which you have sustained me in every trial. My public life has been a long one, and I cannot hope that it has, at all times, been free from errors. But I have the consolation of knowing that, if mis- takes have been committed, they have not serious- ly injured the country I so anxiously endeavored to serve ; and at the moment when I surrender my last public trust, I leave this great people prospe- rous and happy ; in the full enjoyment of liberty and peace ; and honored and respected by every nation of the world. If my humble efforts have, in any degree, con- tributed to preserve to you these blessings, I have been more than rewarded by the honors you have heaped upon me ; and above all, by the generous confidence with which you have supported me in every peril, and with which you have continued to animate and cheer my path to the closing hour of my political life. The time has now come, when advanced age and a broken frame warn me to re- tire from public concerns ; but the recollection of the many favors you have bestowed upon me is engraven upon my heart, and I hav* felt that I could not part from your service without making this public acknowledgement of the gratitude I owe you. And if I use the occasion to offer to you the counsels of age and experience, you will, I trust receive them with the same indulgent kind- ness, which you have so often extended to me ; and will, at least, see in them an earnest desire to per- petuate, in this favored land, the blessings of liber- ty and equal laws. We have now lived almost fifty years under the •onstitution framed by the sages and patriots ofthe th revolution. The conflicts in which the nations of Europe were engaged during a great part of this period ; the spirit in which they waged war against each other ; and our intimate commercial connec- tions with every part ofthe civilized world, render- ed it a time of much difficulty for the government ofthe United States. We have had our seasons of peace and war, with all the evils which precede or follow a state of hostility with powerful nations. We encountered these trials with our constitution yet in its infancy, and under the disadvantages which a new and untried Government must always feel when it is cahed upon to put forth its whole strength without the lights of experience to guide it, or the weight of precedents to justify its mea- sures. But we have passed triumphantly through all these difficulties. Our constitution is no lon- ger a doubtful experiment ; and, at the end of nearly half a centray, we find that it has preserved unimpaired the liberties ofthe people, secured the rights of property, and that our country has im- proved and is flourishing beyond any former ex- ample in the history of nations. In our domestic concerns there is every thing to encourage us ; and if you are true to yourselves, nothing can impede your march to the highest point of national prosperity. The Staters which had so long been retarded in their improvement by the indian tribes residing in the midst of them, are at length relieved from the evil ; and this un- happy race—the original dwellers in our land— are now placed in a situation where we may well hope that they will share in the blessings of civili- zation, and be saved from that degradation and destruction to which they were rapidly hastening while they remained in the States ; and while the '27S safety and comfort of our own citizens have been greatly promoted by their removal, the philanthro- pist will rejoice that the remnant of that ill-fated race has been at length placed beyond the reach of injury or oppression, and that the paternal care ofthe General Government will hereafter watch over them and protect them. If we turn to our relations with foreign powers, we find our condition equally gratifying. Actuat- ed by the sincere desire to do justice to every na- tion, and to preserve the blessing of peace, our in- tercourse with them has been conducted on the part of this Government in the spirit of frankness, and I take pleasure in saying, that it has general- ly been met in a corresponding temper. Difficul- ties of old standing have been surmounted by friendly discussion, and the mutual desire to be just; and the claims of our citizens, which had been long withheld, have at length been acknow- ledged and adjusted, and satisfactory arrangements made for their final payment; and with a limited, and I trust, a temporary exception, our relations with every foreign power are now of the most friendly character—our commerce continually ex- panding, and our flag respected in every quarter ofthe world. These cheering and grateful prospects, and these multiplied favors, we owe, under Providence, to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. It is no longer a question whether this great country can remain happy united, and flourish under our present form of government. Experience, the un- erring test of all human undertakings, has showed the wisdom and foresight of those who framed it; and has proved, that in the union of these States there is a sure foundation for the brightes thopea 279 of freedom, and for the happiness ofthe people. At even hazard, and by every sacrifice this Union must be preserved. The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety for the preservation of the Union, was earnestly pressed upon his fellow citizens by the Father of his country, in his farewell address. He has there told us that " while experience shall not have de- monstrated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those who, in any quarter may endeavor to weaken its bonds," and he has cautioned us, in the strongest terms, against the formation of parties, on geographical discriminations, as one ofthe means which might disturb our union, and to which designing men would be likely to resort. The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy of Washington to his countrymen should be cher- ished in the heart of every citizen to the latest generation ; and perhaps, at no period of time could they be more usefully remembered than at the present moment. For when we look upon the scenes that are passing around us, and dwell upon the pages of his parting address, his paternal coun- sels would seem to be not merely the offspring of wisdom and foresight, but the voice of prophesy foretelling events and warning us of the evils to come. Forty.years have passed since this imper- ishable document was given to his countrymen. The Federal Constitution was then regarded by him as an experiment, and he so speaks of it in his address ; but. as an experiment upon the success of ■svhich the best hopes of his country depended, and vve all know that he was prepared to lay down his life if necessary, to secure to it a full and fair tri- al. ' The trial has been made. It has succeeded 2S0 beyond the proudest hopes of those who framed it. Every quarter of this widely extended nation has felt its blessings and shared in the general pros- perity produced by its adoption. But amid this general prosperity and splendid success, the dan- gers of which he warned us are becoming every day more evident, and the signs of evil are suffi- ciently apparent to awaken the deepest anxiety in the bosom of the patriot. We behold systematic efforts publicly made to sow the seeds of discord between different parts of the United States, and to place party divisions di- rectly upon geographical distinctions ; to excite the south against the north, and the north against the south, and to force into the controversy the most delicate and exciting topics ; topics upon which it is impossible that a large portion of the Union can ever speak without strong emotion. Appeals, too, are constantly made to sectional interests, in order to influence the election of the Chief Magis- trate, as if it were desired that he should favor a particular quarter ofthe country, instead of fulfil- ing the duties of his station with impartial justice to all ; and the possible dissolution of the Union has at length become an ordinary and familiar subject of discussion. Has the warning voice of Washington been forgotten ? or have designs al- ready been formed to sever the Union ? Let it not be supposed that I impute to all of those who have taken an active part in these unwise and unprofit- able discussions, a want of patriotism or of public virtue. The honorable feeling of State pride, and local attachments, find a place in the bosoms of the most enlightened and pure. But while such men are conscious of their own integrity and hon- esty of purpose, they ought never to forget that the 281 citizens of other States are their political brethren ; and that, however mistaken they may be in their views, the great body of them are equally honest and upright with themselves. Mutual suspicions and reproaches may in time create mutual hostili- ty, and artful and designing men will always be found, who are ready to foment these fatal divi- sions, and to inflame the natural jealousies of dif- ferent sections ofthe country The history ofthe world is full of such examples, and especially the history of republics. What have you" to gain by division and dissen- sion? Delude not yourselves with the belief that a breach once made may be afterwards repaired.— If the Union is once severed, the line of separation will grow wider and wider, and the controversies which are now debated and settled in the halls of legislation, will then be tried in fieldsof battle, and determined by the sword. Neither should you de- ceive yourselves with the. hope, that the first line of separation would be the permanent one, and that nothing but harmony and concord would be found in the new associations formed upon the dissolution of this Union. Local interest would still be found there, and unchastened ambition.— And if the recollection of common dangers, in which the people of these United States stood side by side against the common foe ; the memory of victories won by their united valor ; the prosperi- ty and happiness they have enjoyed under the pre- sent constitution ; the proud name they bear as citizens of this great republic : if all these recol- lections and proofs of common interest are not strong enough to bind us together as one people, what tie will hold united the new divisions of em- pire, when these bonds have been broken and this 2*2 Union dissevered ? The first lino of separation would not last for a single generation ; new frag- ments would be torn off; new leaders would spring up ; and this great and glorious republic would soon be broken into a multitude of petty States, without commerce, without credit, jealous of one another, armed for mutual aggression ; loaded with taxes to pay armies and leaders; seeking aid against each other from foreign powers ; insulted and trampled upon by the nations of Europe, un- til harrassed with conflicts, and humbled and de- based in spirit, they would be ready to submit to the absolute dominion of any military adventurer, and to surrender their liberty for the sake of re- pose. It is impossible to look on the consequen- ces that would inevitably follow the destruction of this Government, and not feel indignant when we hear cold calculations about the value ofthe Union, and have so constantly before us a line of conduct so well calculated to Weaken its ties. There is too much at stake to allow pride or pas- sion to influence your decision. Never for a mo- ment believe that the great body ofthe citizens of any State or States can deliberately intend to do wrong. They may, under the influence of tem- porary excitement or misguided opinions, commit mistakes ; they may be misled for a time by the suggestions of self interest ; but in a community so enlightened and patriotic as the people ofthe United States, argument will soon make them sen- sible of their errors ; and, when convinced, they will be ready to repair them. If they have no higher or better motives to govern them, they will at- least perceive that theii own interest requires them to be just to others as they hope to receive justice at their hands. 283 But in order to maintain the union unimpaired, it is absolutely necessary that the laws passed by the constituted authorities should be faithfully ex- ecuted in every part of the country, and that eve- ry good citizen should, at all times stand ready to put down, with the combined force ofthe nation, every attempt at unlawful resistance, under what- ever pretext it may be made, or whatever shape it may assume. Unconstitutional or oppressive laws may no doubt be passed by Congress, eith- er from erroneous views, or the want of due con- sideration ; if they are within the reach of judicial authority, the remedy is easy and peaceful ; and if, from the character of the law, it is an abuse of power not within the control ofthe judiciary, then free discussion and calm appeals to reason and to the justice of the people will not fail to redress the wrong. But until the law shall be declared void by the courts, or repealed by Congress, no indi- vidual, or combination of individuals, can be justi- fied in forcibly resisting its execution. It is im- possible that any Government can continue to ex- ist upon any other principles. It would cease to be a government, and be unworthy of the name, if it had not the power to enforce the execution of its own laws within its own sphere of action. It is true that cases may be imagined disclosing such a settled purpose of usurpation and oppres- sion, on the part ofthe Government, as would jus- tify an appeal to arms. These however, are ex- treme cases, which We have no reason to appre- hend in a Government where the power is in the hands of a patriotic people ; and no citizen who loves his country would, in any case whatever, re- sort to forcible resistance, unless he clearly saw that the time had come when a freeman should 27 284 prefer death to submission ; for if such a struggle? is once begun, and the citizens of one section of the country arrayed in arms against another in doubtful conflict," let the battle result as it may, there will be an end ofthe Union, and, with it, an end to the hopes of freedom. The victory ofthe injured would not secure to them the blessings of liberty ; it would avenge, their wrongs, but they would themselves share in the common ruin. But the constitution cannot be maintained, nor the Union preserved in opposition to public feel- ing, by the mere exertion ofthe coercive powers confided to the General Government. The foun- dations must be laid in the affections of the peo- ple; in the security itgivestohfe, liberty, character, and property, in every quarter ofthe country; and in the fraternal attachment which the citizens of the several States bear to one another as members of one political family, mutually contributed to promote the happiness of each other. Hence, the citizens of every State should studiously avoid ev- ery thing calculated to wound the sensibility or of- fend the just pride ofthe people of other States ; and they should frown upon any proceedings with- in their own borders likely to disturb the tranquili- ty of their political brethren in other portions of the Union. In a country so extensive as the Unit- ed States, and with pursuits so varied, the internal regulations of the several States must frequently differ from one another in important particulars ; and this difference is unavoidably increased by the varying principles upon which the American col- onies were originally planted, principles which had taken deep root in their social relations before the Revolution, and, therefore, of necessity influ- encing their policy since they became free and in- 285 dependent States. But each State has the un- questionable right to regulate its own internal con- cerns according to its own pleasure ; and while it does not interfere with the rights of the people of other States, or the rights ofthe Union, every State must be the sole judge ofthe measures proper to secure the safety of its citizens and promote their happiness ; and all efforts on the part of people of other States to cast odium upon their institutions, and all measures calculated to disturb their rights of property, or to put in jeopardy their peace and internal tranquility, are in direct opposition to the spirit in which the Union was formed, and must endanger its safety. Motives of philanthropy may be assigned for this unwarrantable interfer- ence ; and weak men may persuade themselves for a moment that they are laboring in the cause of humanity, and asserting the rights of the hu- man race ; but every one, upon sober reflection, will see that nothing but mischief can come from these improper assaults upon the feelings and rights of others. Rest assured, that the men found busy in this work of discord are not worthy of your confidence, and deserve your' strongest reproba- tion. In the legislation of Congress, also, and in eve- ry measure ofthe General Government, justice to every portion ofthe United States should be faith- fully observed. No free Government can stand without virtue in the people, and a lofty spirit of patriotism; and if the sordid feelings of mere self- ishness shall usurp the place which ought to be filled by public spirit, the legislation of Congress will soon be converted into a scramble for person- al and sectional advantages. Under our free in- stitutions, the citizens of every quarter of our 296 country are capable of attaining a high degree of prosperity and happiness, without, seeking to profit themselves at the expense of others ; and every such attempt must in the end fail to succeed, for the people in every part of the United States are too enlightened not to understand their own rights and interests, and to detect and defeat every ef- fort to gain undue advantages over them ; and when such designs arediscovered, it naturally pro- vokes resentments which cannot always be easily allayed. Justice, full and ample justice, to every portion ofthe United States, should be the ruling principle of every freeman, and should guide the deliberations of every public body, whether it be state or national. It is well known that there have always been those amongst us who wish to enlarge the powers of the General Government ; and experience would seem to indicate that there is a tendency on the part of this Government to overstep the boundaries marked out for it by the constitution ; its legitimate authority is abundantly sufficient for all the purposes for which it was created ; and its powers being expressly enumerated, there can be no justification for claiming any thing beyond them. Every attempt to exercise powers beyond these limits should be promptly and firmly opposed. For one evil example will lead to other measures still more mischievous ; and is the principle of con- structive powers, or supposed advantages, or tem- porary circumstances, shall ever be permitted to justify the assumption of a power not given by the constitution, the General Government will before long absorb all the powers of legislation, and you will have, in effect, but one Consolidated Govern- ment. From the extent of our country, its diver- 287 Bified interest, different pursuits, and different hab- its, it is too obvious for argument that a single consolidated Government would be wholly inade- quate to watch over and protect its interests ; and every friend of our institutions should be always prepared to maintain unimpaired and in full vigor, the rights and sovereignty of theStates, and to con- fine the action ofthe General Government strictly to the sphere of its appropriate duties. There is, perhaps, no oue ofthe powers confer- red on the Federal Government so liable to abuse as the taxing power. The most productive and convenient sources of revenue were necessarily given to it, that it might be able to perform the important duties imposed upon it ; and the taxes which it lays upon commerce being concealed from the real payer in the price ofthe article, they do not so readily attract the attention ofthe people as smaller sums demanded from them directly by the taxgatherer. But the tax imposed on goods enhances by so much the price of the commodity to the consumer ; and, as many of these duties are imposed on articles of necessity, which ate daily used by the great body of the people, the money raised by these imposts is drawn from their pockets. Congress has no right, under the constitution, to take money from the people, un- less it is required to execute some one ofthe spe- cific powers intrusted to Government; and if they raise more than is necessary for such purposes, it is an abuse ofthe power of taxation, and unjust and oppressive. It may,- indeed, happen, that the revenue will sometimes exceed the amount an- icipated when the taxes were laid. When, how- ever, this is ascertained, it is easy to reduce them ; and, in such a case, it is unquestionably the duty 27* 288 ofthe Government to reduce them, for no circum- stances can justify it in assuming a power not given to it by the constitution, nor in taking away the money of the people when it is not needed for the legitimate wants of the Government. Plain as these principles may appear to be, you will find that there is a constant effort to induce the general government to go beyond the limits of its taxing power, and to impose unnecessary bur- thens upon the people. Many powerful interests are continually at work to procure heavy duties on commerce, and to swell t lie revenue beyond the real necessities ofthe public service; and the country has already felt the injurious effects of their combined influence. They succeeded in obtaining a tariff of duties bearing most oppress- ively on the agricultural and laboring classes of society; and producing a revenue that could not be usefully employed within the range of the pow- ers conferred upon Congress; and, in order to fas- ten up.m the people this unjust and unequal sys- tem of taxation, extravagant schemes of internal improvement were got up, in various quarters, to squander the money and purchase support. Thus, one unconstitutional measure was intended to be upheld by another, and the abuse of the power of taxation was to be maintained by usurping the power of expending the money in internal im- provements. You cannot have forgotten the se- vere struggle through which we passed, when the Executive Department of the Government, by its veto, endeavored to arrest this prodigal scheme of injustice, and to bring back the legislation of Congress to the boundaries prescribed by the Constitution. The good sense and practical judg- ment of the people, when the subject was brought 289 before them, sustained the course of the Execu- tive ; and this plan of unconstitutional expendi- ture for the purposes of corrupt influence is, I trust, finally overthrown. The result of this decision has been felt in the rapid extinguishment of the public debt, and the large accumulation of a surplus in the treasury, notwithstanding the tariff was reduced, and is now very far below the amount originally contem- plated by its advocates. But, rely upon it, the de- sign to collect an extravagant revenue, and to bur- then you with taxes beyond the economical wants of the Government, is not yet abandoned. The various interests which have combined together to impose a heavy tariff, and to produce an overflow- ins treasury, are too strong, and have too much at stake to surrender the contest. The corporations and wealthy individuals who are engaged in large manufacturing establishments, desire a high tariff to increase their gains. Designing politicians will support it, to conciliate their favor and to obtain the means of profuse expenditure, for the purpose of purchasing influence in other quarters; and since the people have decided that the Federal Government cannot be permitted to employ its in- come in internal improvements, efforts will be made to seduce and mislead the citizens of the several States, by holding out to them the deceit- ful prospect of benefits to be derived from a sur- plus revenue collected by the General Govern- ment, and annually divided among the States. And if encouraged by these fallacious hopes, the States should disregard the principles of economy which ought to characterize every republican Government, and should indulge in lavish expen- ditures exceeding their resources, they will, before 200 long, find themselves oppressed with debts which they are unable to pay, and the temptation will be- come irresistible to support a high tariff, in order to obtain a surplus for distribution. Do not allow yourselves, my fellow citizens, to be misled on this subject. The Federal Government cannot collect a surplus for such purposes, without violat- ing the principles of the constitution, and assum- ing powers which have not been granted. It is, moreover, a system of injustice, and, if persisted in, will inevitably lead to corruption, and must end in ruin. The surplus revenue will be drawn from the pockets of the people, from the farmer, the mechanic and the laboring classes of society; but who will receive it when distributed among the States, where it is to be disposed of by lead- ing State politicians who have friends to favor, and political partisans to gratify 1 It will certain- ly not be returned to those who paid it, and who have most need of it, and are honestly entitled to it. There is but one safe rule, and that is, to con- fine the General Government rigidly within the sphere of its appropriate duties. -. It has no pow- er to raise a revenue, or impose taxes, except for the purposes enumerated in the constitution ; and if its income is found to exceed these wants, it should be forthwith reduced, and the burthens of the people so far lightened. In reviewing the conflicts which have taken place between different interests in the United States, and the policy pursued since the adoption of our present form of government, we find noth- ing that has produced such deep-seated evil as the course of legislation in relation to the currency. The constitution of the United States unquestion- ably intended to secure to the people a circulating 291 medium of gold and silver. But the establish- ment of a national bank by Congress, with the privilege of issuing paper money receivable in the payment of the public dues, and the unfortunate course of legislation in the several States upon the same subject, drove from general circulation the constitutional currency, and substituted one of paper in its place. It was not easy for men engaged in the ordina- ry pursuits of business, whose attention had not been particularly drawn to the subject, to foresee all the consequences of a currency exclusively of paper : and we ought not, on that account, to be surprised at the facility With which laws were ob- tained to carry into effect the paper system. Hon- est, and even enlightened men, are sometimes misled by the specious and plausible statements of the designing. But experience has now proved the mischiefs and dangers of a paper currency, and it rests with you to determine whether the proper remedy shall be applied. The paper system being founded on public con- fidence, and having of-itself no intrinsic value, it is liable to great and sudden fluctuations ; there- by rendering property insecure, and the wages of labor unsteady and uncertain. The corporations which create the paper money cannot be relied upon to keep the circulating medium uniform in amount. In time of prosperity, when confidence is high, they are tempted, by the prospect of gain, or by the influence of those who hope to profit by it, to extend their issues of paper beyond the bounds of discretion and the reasonable demands of business. And when these issues have been pushed on, from day to day, until public confi- dence is at length shaken, then a re-action take* 292 place, and they immediately withdraw the credits they have given ; suddenly curtail their issues, and produce an unexpected and ruinous contrac- tion of the circulating medium, which is felt by the whole community. The banks, bythis means, save themselves, and the mischeivous consequen- ces of their imprudence or cupidity are visited up- on the public. Nor does the evil stop here. These ebbs and flows in the currency, and these indiscreet extensions of credit, natiually engen- der a spirit of speculation injurious to the habits and character of the people. We have already seen its effects in the wild spirit of speculation in the public lands, and various kinds of .stock, which within the last year or two, seized upon such a multitude of our citizens, and threatened to pervade all classes of society, and to withdraw their attention from the sober persuits of honest industry. It is not by encouraging this spirit that we shall best preserve public virtue and promote the true interests of our country. But if your currency continues as exclusively paper as it now is, it will foster this eager desire to amass wealth without labor; it will multiply the number of de- pendants on bank accommodations and bank fa- vors; the temptation to obtain money at any sacri- fice will become stronger and stronger, and inevi- tably lead to corruption, which will find its way into your public councils, and destroy, at no dis- tant day, the purity of your Government. Some of the evils which arise from this system of pa- per, press with peculiar hardship upon the class of society least able to bear it. A portion of this currency frequently becomes depreciated or worth- less, and all of it is easily counterfeited, in such a manner as to require peculiar skill and much 293 experience to distinguish the counterfeit from the genuine note. These frauds are generally perpe- trated in the smaller notes, which are used in the daily transactions of ordinary business; and the losses occasioned by them are consequently thrown upon the laboring classes of society, whose situa- tion and pursuits put it out of their power to guard themselves from these impositions, and whose daily wages are necessary for their subsist- ence. It is the duty of every Government so to regulate its currency as to protect this numerous class as far as practicable from the impositions of avarice and fraud. It is more especially the duty of the United States, where the Government is emphatically the Government of the people, and where this respectable portion of our citizens are so proudly distinguished from the laboring classes of all other nations, by their independent spirit, their love of liberty, their intelligence, and their high tone of moral character. Their industry, in peace, is the source of our wealth ; and their bra- very, in war, has covered us with glory; and the Government of the United States will but ill dis- charge its duties if it leaves them a prey to such dishonest impositions. Yet it is evident that their interests cannot be effectually protected, un- less silver and gold are restored to circulation. These views alone, of the paper currency, are sufficient to call for immediate reform ; but there is another consideration which should still more strongly press it upon your attention. Recent events have proved that the paper mo- ney system of this country may be used as an en- gine to undermine your free institutions ; and that those who desire to engross all power in the hands of the few, and to govern by corruption or force, 294 are aware of its power, and prepared to employ it. Your banks now furnish your only circulating medium, and money is plenty or scarce, accord- ing to the quantity of notes issued by them. While they have capitals not greatly dispropor- tioned to each other, they are competitors in busi- ness, and no one of them can exercise dominion over the rest ; and although, in the present state of the currency, these banks may and do operate injuriously upon the habits of business, the pecu- niary concerns, and the moral tone of society, yet, from their number and dispersed situation, they cannot combine for the purposes of political influ- ence ; and whatever may be the dispositions of some of them, their power of mischief must ne- cessarily be confined to a narrow space, and felt only in their immediate neighborhoods. But when the charter of the Bank of the Uni- ted States was obtained from Congress, it perfect- ed the schemes of the paper system, and gave to its advocates the positions they have struggled to obtain, from the commencement of the Federal Government down to the present hour. The im- mense capital, and peculiar privileges bestowed upon it, enabled it to exercise despotic sway over the other banks in every part of the country. From its superior strength, it could seriously injure, if not destroy, the business, of any one of them which might incur its resentment; and it openly claimed for itself the power of regulating the currency throughout the United States. In other words, it asserted (and it undoubtedly possessed) the power to make money plenty or scarce, at its pleasure, at any time, and in any quarter of the Union, by controlling the issues of other banks, and permitting an expansion, or compelling a 295 general contraction, of the circulating medium, according to its own will. The other banking institutions were sensible of its strength, and they soon generally became its obedient instru- ments, ready, at all times, to execute it's man- dates ; and with the banks necessarily went, also, that numerous class of persons in our commercial cities, who depend altogether on bank credits for their solvency and means of business ; and who are, therefore, obliged, for their own safety, to propitiate the favor of the money power by distin- guished zeal and devotion in its service. The result of the ill-advised legislation which established this great monopoly was, to concen- trate the whole money power of the Union, with its boundless means of corruption, and its numer- ous dependants, under the direction and com- mand of one acknowledged head ; thus organ- izing this particular interest as one body, and se- curing to it unity and concert of action through- out the United States, and enabling it to bring for- ward, upon any occasion, its entire and undivided strength to support or defeat any measure of the Government. In the hands of this formidable power, thus perfectly organized, was also placed unlimited dominion over the amount ofthe circu- lating medium, giving it the power to regulate the value of property and the fruits of labor in every quarter of the Union ; and to bestow prosperity, or bring ruin, upon any city or section of the country, as might best comport with its own inte- rest or policy. We are not left to conjecture how the monied power, thus organized, and with such a weapon in its hands would be likely to use it. The dis- tress and alarm which pervaded and agitated the 28 290 whole country, when the "ank of the United Slates waged war upon the people, in order to compel them to submit to its demands cannot yet be for- gotten. The ruthless and unsparing temper with which whole cities and communities wvro impov- erished and ruined, and a scene of cheerful pros- perity suddenly changed into one of gloom and despondency, ought to be indelibly impressed on the memory of the people of the United States.— If such was its power in a time of peace, what would it not have been in a season of war, with an enemy at your doors? No nation but the freemen ofthe United States could have come out victori- ous from such a contest; yet, if you had not con- quered, the Government would have passed from the hands ofthe many to the few : and this organ- ized money power, from its secret conclave, would have dictated the choice of your highest officers, and compelled you to make peace or war, as best suited their wishes. The forms of your govern- ment might, for a time, have remained ; but its living spirit would have departed from it. The distress and sufferings inflicted on the peo- ple by the Bank, are some of the fruits of that sys- tem of policy which is continually striving to en- large the authority ofthe Federal Government be- yond the limits fixed by the Constitution. The powers enumerated in that instrument do not con- fer on Congress the right to establish such a cor- poration as the Bank of the United States, and the evil consequences which followed may warn us of the danger of departing from the true rule of con- struction, and of permiting temporary circumstan- ces, or the hope of better promoting the public welfare to influence, in any degree, our decisions upon the extent of the authority of the General 297 Government. Let us abide by the Constitution as it is written, or amend it in the constitutional mode if it is found to be defective. The severe lessons of experience will, I doubt not, be sufficient to prevent Congress from again chartering such a monopoly, even if the Constitu- tion did not present an insuperable objection to it. But you must remember, my fellow citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of lib- erty ; and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behoves you, therefore, to be-watchful in your States, as well as in the Federal Government. The power which the mon- ied interest can exercise, when concentrated un- der a single head, and with our present system of currency, was sufficiently demonstrated in the struggle made by the Bank of the United States. Defeated in the General Government, the same class of intriguers and politicians will now resort to the States, and endeavor to obtain there the same organization, which they failed to perpetuate in the Union; and with specious and deceitful plans of public advantages, and State interests and State pride, they will endeavor to establish, in the different States, one monied institution wi'h over- grown capital, and exclusive privileges, sufficient to enable it to control the operations of the other banks. Such an institution will be pregnant with the same evils produced by the Bank of the United States, although its sphere of action is more con- fined ; and in the State in which it is chartered, the money power will be able to embody its whole strength, and to move together with undivided force" to accomplish any object it may wish to at- tain. ' You have already had abundant evidence 293 of its power to inflict injury upon the agricultural, mechanical, and laboring classes of society ; and over those whose engagements in trade or specu- lation render them dependant on bank facilities, the dominion of the State monopoly will be abso- lute, and their obedience unlimited. With such a bank and paper currency, the money power would, in a few years, govern the State and control its measures ; and if a sufficient number of States can be induced to create such establishments, the time will soon come when it will again take the field against the United States, and succeed in perfect- ing and perpetuating its organization by a charter from Congress. It is one of the serious evils of our present sys- tem of banking, that it enables one class of socie- ty—and that by no means a numerous one—by its control over the currency, to act injuriously upon the interests of all the other, and to exercise more than its just proportion of influence in politi- cal affairs. The agricultural, the mechanical, and the laboring classes, have little or no share in the direction of the great monied corporations ; and from their habits and nature of their pursuits, they are incapable of forming extensive combinations to act together with united force. Such concert of action may sometimes be produced in a single city, or in a small district of country, by means of personal communication with each other; but they have no regular or active correspondence with those who are engaged in similar pursuits in distant pla- ces ; they have but little patronage to give to the press, and exercise but a small share of influence over it; they have no crowd of dependants about them, who grow rich without labor, by their countenance and favor, and who are, therefore, 299 always ready to execute their wishes. The plant- er, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer, all know that their success depends upon their own industry and economy, and that they must not ex- pect to become suddenly rich by the fruits of their toil. Yet these classes of society form the great body of the people of the United States; they are the bone and sinew ofthe country ; men who love lib- erty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal laws, and who, moreover, hold the great mass of our national wealth, although it is distributed in moderate amounts among the millions of freemen who possess it. But with overwhelming numbers and wealth on their side, they are in constant dan- ger of losing their fair influence in the Govern- ment, and with difficulty maintain their just rights against the incessant efforts daily made to encroach upon them. The mischief springs from the pow- er which the monied interest derives from a paper currency, which they are able to control; from the multitude of corporations, with exclusive privile- ges, which they have succeeded in obtaining in the different States, and which are employed altogeth- er for their benefit ; and unless you become more watchful in your States, and check this spirit of monopoly and thirst for exclusive privileges, you will, in the end, find that the most important pow- ers of Government, have been given or bartered away, and the control over your dearest interests has passed into the hands of these corporations. The paper money system, and its natural asso- ciates, monopoly and exclusive privileges, have al- ready struck their roots deep in the soil, and it will require all your efforts to check its growth, and to eradicate the evil. The men who profit by the 28* 300 abuses, and desire to perpetuate them, will con tinue to besiege the hall of legislation in the Gen eral Government as well as in the States, and will seek, by every artifice, to mislead and deceive tha public servants. It is to yourselves that you must look for safety, and the means of guarding and perpetuating your free institutions. In your hands is rightfully placed the sovereignty of the country, and to you every one placed in authority is ulti- mately responsible. It is always in your power to see that the wishes of the people are carried into faithful execution, and their will, when once made known, must sooner or later be obeyed. And while the people remain, as I trust they ever will, uncorrupted and uncorruptible,and continue watch- ful and jealous of their rights, the government is safe, and the cause of freedom will continue to triumph over all its enemies. But it will require steady and persevering exer- tions on your part to rid yourself ofthe iniquities and mischiefs of the paper system, and to check the spirit of monopoly and other abuses which have sprung up with it, and of which it is the main support. So many interests are united to resist all reform on this subject, that you must not hope the conflict will be a short one, nor success easy. My humble efforts have not been spared, during my administration ofthe Government, to restore the constitutional currency of gold and silver ; and something, I trust, has been done towards the ac- complishment of this most desirable object. But enough yet remains to require all your energy and perseverance. The power, however, is in your hands, and the remedy must and will be applied, if you determine upon it. While I am thus endeavoring to press upon your 301 attention the principle* which I daem of vital im- portance in the domestic concerns of the country, I ought not to pass over, without notice, the im- portant considerations which should govern your policy towards foreign powers. It is, unquestion- ably, our true interest to cultivate the most friend- ly understanding with every nation, and to avoid, by every honorable means, the calamities of war ; and we shall best attain this object by frankness and sincerity in our foreign intercourse by the prompt and faithful execution of treaties, and by justice and impartiality in our conduct to all. But no nation, however desirous of peace, can hope to escape occasional collisions with other powers ; and the soundest dictates of policy require that we should place ourselves in a condition to assert our rights, if a resort to force should ever become necessary. Our local situation, our long line of sea-coast, indented by numerous bays, with deep rivers op- ening into the interior, as well as our extended and still increasing commerce, point to the navy as our natural means of defence. It will, hi the end, be found to be the cheapest and most effect- ual ; and now is the time, in a season of peace, and with an overflowing revenue, that we can, year after year, add to its strength, without in- creasing the burdens of the people. It is your true policy. For your navy will not only protect your rich and flourishing commerce in distant seas, but will enable you to reach and annoy the enemy, and will give to defence its greatest effici- ency, by meeting danger at a distance from home. It is impossible, by any line of fortifications, to guard every point from attack against a hostile force advancing from the ocean and selecting its 302 object: but they are indispensable to protect cities from bombardment ; dock yards and naval arse- nals from destruction ; to give shelter to merchant vessels in time of war, and to single ships or weak- er squadrons when pressed by superior force — Fortifications of this description cannot be too soon completed and armed, and placed in a con- dition of the most perfect preparation. The abun- dant means we now possess cannot be applied in any manner more useful to the country ; and when this is done, and our naval force sufficiently strengthened, and our militia armed, we need not fear that any nation will wantonly insult us, or needlessly provoke hostilities. We shall more certainly preserve peace, when it is well under- stood that we are prepared for war. • In presenting to you, my fellow citizens, these parting counsels, I have brought before you the leading principles upon which I endeavored toad- minister the Government in the high office with which you twice honored me. Knowing that the path of freedom is continually beset by enemies who often assume the disguise of friends, I have devoted the last hours of my public life to warn you ofthe dangers. The progress of the United States, under our free and happy institutions, has surpassed the most sanguine hopes of the founders of the republic. Our growth has been rapid be- yond all former example, in numbers, in wealth, in knowledge, and all the useful arts which con- tribute to the comforts and convenience of man ; and from the earliest ages of history to the present day, there never have been thirteen millions of people associated together in one political body, who enjoyed so much freedom and happiness as the people of the United States. You have no 303 longer any cause to fear danger from abroad; your strength and power are well known throughout the civilized world, as well as the high and gal- lant bearing of your sons. It is from within, among yourselves, from cupidity, from corruption, from disappointed ambition, and inordinate thirst for power, that factions will be formed and liberty endangered. It is against such designs, whatever disguise the actors may assume, that you have especially to guard yourselves. You have the highest of human trusts committed to your care. Provi- dence has showered on this favored land blessings without number, and has chosen you as the guar- dians of freedom to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May He, who holds in his hands the destinies of nations, make you worthy of the favors He has bestowed, and enable you, with pure hearts and pure hands, and sleepless vigi- lance, to guard and defend to the end of time the great charge he has committed to your keeping. My own race is nearly run ; advanced age and failing health warn me that before long I must pass beyond the reach of human events, and cease to feel the vicissitudes of human affairs. I thank God that my life has been spent in a land of liberty, and that he has given me a heart to love my country with the affection of a son. And fill- ed with gratitude for your constant and unwaver- ing kindness, I bid you a last and affectionate farewell. _ „ ANDREW JACKSON. March 4, 1837. 304 R E3I ARKS. This Farewell Address, from General An- drew Jackson to the people ofthe United States, is worthy of a place in every man's library, in ev- ery man's understanding, memory, and affections ; and ought to be handed down to the latest genera- tion, as Republicanism in principle, in experiment of more than fifty years ; amidst internal foes, foreign invaders, wars and tumults. The repub- lic described here has stood firm, while the winds blew, the rain descended, and the floods be tt upon it, the house amidst all these has stood unmoved, being founded on the four grand pillars of Repub- licanism--LIBERTY, EQUALITY, UNITY and PEACE. The rage ofthe Aristocracy against the author of this address, is only their rage against our gov- ernment in the man whom the people delight to honor. There is no one man, at the head of any nation, where the protection of heaven is more manifest, than in the late President of the United States ; especially from the battle of New-Orleans, till the fourth of March, 1837. The battle of New-Orleans, filled every mind with astonishment, when the news came, that so many thousands were slain of the British army, and only a few individuals on the American side, from six to ten. This victory raised up Andrew Jackson to the views of the whole nation ; as a very extraordinary man. It was then thought by many that he was raised up of God, to do more and greater things for the Americans ; which has since been done. From that time he was the man of my choice for chief magistrate. One striking proof of his being raised up for the good ofthe nation was that the opposers of a "re- 305 publican government," were soon his opposers.— Every plan was laid to render him odious to the people ; but all in vain. Three times he was chosen by the people, having the highest num- ber of votes of any one, (99) and twice more votes than all others.. He was represented as a military chieftain, a murderer, a cruel, hardheart- ed, blood thirsty wretch, a kitchen president, and many other hard names. He was tried as a transgressor, fined, &c. This did him no hurt. He was preserved and carried through all these things, and when two pistols were directed at him to take his life, powder would not burn to his de- struction. When his proclamation to the people of South Carolina was sent out, his friends and foes ap- proved of it, and in Faneuil Hall, H. G. Otis, Webster, and others, spoke in his praise a short time. Mr. Otis said the proclamation ought to be sounded from Maine to Florida, and from the At- lantic to the Rocky Mountains. This was like the triumphing ofthe wicked (short,) and the joy of the Hypocrite, but for a moment. When the President was in Boston, the leaders ofthe aristocracy waited on him, something like Mordecai's waiter, (Hainan) crying—thus shall it be done to the man whom the people delight to honor. He was presented at Cambridge, with the title L. L. D.—and what more ? At Salem, he was invited to sign his name on a certain book; He signed. Afterwards, it is said, his name was " expunged" and some one wrote after it—good ! I believe this class said as little in his favor after he returned to Washington, as Haman did after he returned home from his morning walk before Mordecai, in the streets of Shushan. 306 His last deeds, in obtaining the French claims ; settling difference at home and abroad ; writing this Farewell Address, describing the enemies of the republic, warning the people against them ; waiting on his successor to the chair ; and pub- licly taking leave of that body forever, has raised him still higher in the minds of the^people than he ever was before. Millions now go with him in prayer for his health and life to his place of re- tirement, saying in their hearts, or aloud—long live Andrew Jackson. The condition of Mordecai, the Jew, in Persia, mentioned in the book of Esther, is so near like that of General Jackson, that I choose here to in- sert it. " For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and ac- cepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed." Esther x. 3. We say in truth—General Andrew Jackson is next to what Washington was—and great among the republicans of the old school; the whigs of seventy-five ; accepted ofthe multitude of his fel- low citizens, seeking the wealth of the United States, and speaking peace to this whole nation, in his Farewell Address to them. -pA :g^ LIBRARY OF MEDICINE nlm 032aa7a2 a NLM032887828