A 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
THE 
 
 BOTANIC FAMILY FRIEND: 
 
 BEING 
 
 A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE NEW SYSTEM 
 
 OF 
 
 THOMSONIAN MEDICAL PRACTICE; 
 
 EXPLAINED AND ENLARGED ; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS, 
 
 CALCULATED PARTICULARLY 
 
 FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES. 
 
 IN THREE PARTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Narrative of the Medical Practic* of Samuel Thomson. 
 
 PART' II. 
 
 Description of the Vegetable Medicine used in the Thomso- 
 .nian, or Botanic Practice; with the Manner of Prepar- 
 ing and Administering them in all Cases of Disease. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Directions for the Treatment of Diseases under the various 
 Forms and Symptoms in which they may appear, agreea- 
 bly to the Thomsonian, or Botanic System of Medi- 
 cal Practice. 
 
 BY E. G. HOUSE. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 
 
 1844. 
 
 / 
 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844 } 
 
 By E. G. House, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 I 
 
 Pakt I. 
 
 Narrative of the Medical Practice of Samuel Thomson. 
 
 Chap. I. Introductory Remarks, . _ . 13 
 
 Chap. II. Birth, Parentage, hardships endured, and the first de- 
 velopement of his mind, in regard to the medical 
 properties of Vegetables, - 26 
 
 Chap. III. A misfortune ; which compels him to commence prac- 
 tice from necessity ; first on himself and afterwards 
 on his own family and others, - - - 32 
 
 Chap. IV. Determination to follow the medical practice as a busi- 
 ness. System of practice fixed upon and explained, 39 
 
 Chap. V. Plan of treatment for curing disease. Such vegetables 
 as have be«n found best calculated for that purpose, 
 classed under their proper heads, 45 
 
 Chap. VI. Practice continued, and its success in an alarming dis- 
 ease that prevailed. Many desperate cases attended 
 with success, with his mode of treatment in effecting 
 a cure, * 
 
 Chap. VII. Practice continued. Some desperate cases cured, that 
 were new to him. Persecutions and ill treatment 
 
 ntiflfZ^V 
 
 63 
 
I 
 
 4 CONTENTS. 
 
 from some of the regular doctors; and the cure of 
 cases of Consumption described, 60 
 
 Chap. VIII. Remarks on Consumption, with a description of the 
 symptoms, cause, and the different parts of the body 
 affected, ------ 71 
 
 Chap. IX. Remarks on Consumption continued; with an account 
 of a consultation held with the doctor in a desperate 
 case, and his opinion in regard to the treatment of 
 the disease, with its symptoms, - 82 
 
 Chap. X. Account of a visit to New York, to gain a knowledge of 
 the Yellow Fever. His experience there in regard to 
 disease and food; with a continuation of his practice 
 nearer home, - - - - 89 
 
 Chap. XI. Narrative continued; with a description of the cure 
 of various complaints; such as measles, dropsy, can- 
 cer, fits, lung fever, wounds, &c, - - 99 
 
 Chap. XII. Description of cutaneous and scrofulous complaints, 
 and the manner in which they were cured ; such as St. 
 Anthony's fire, scald head, venereal, erysipelas, &c, 109 
 
 Chap. XIII. Continuation of narrative, with some account of the 
 treatment received from members of the medical 
 faculty. Indictment and Trial for murder. Acquit- 
 tal. Patent obtained, with remarks on its validity, 120 
 
 Chap. XIV. Practice continued; with a description of several im- 
 portant cases of cures. Difficulties with agents. 
 Visit to Philadelphia; system of practice introdu- 
 «ed there, ------ 132 
 
 Chap. XV. Description of the treatment of some important cases; 
 such as Yeliow Fever, Gout, Quinsy, Rupture, Piles, 
 Bad wounds, Scalds. Remarkable cases of Spotted 
 Fever at Eastham, Cape Cod, cured by his usual 
 course of treatment. - - - - 142 
 
CONTENTS. O 
 
 Chap. XVI. Some further account of the practice, with a descrip- 
 tion of the manner of cure in several cases of dis- 
 ease. A new plan by which dislocated joints and 
 broken bones can be restored, without resorting to 
 violent means, ----- 154 
 
 Chap. XVII. The Thomsonian practice introduced into the West- 
 ern part of the State of New York, and the Western 
 and Southern States. Remarks on the conduct of 
 those engaged in it, with the treatment they met with 
 from the Doctor, as well as from the medical faculty. 
 Agency of Horton Howard, - - - 163 
 
 Chap. XVIII. Some account of extraordinary cures in Ohio, with 
 the treatment and success in several cases of mid- 
 wifery. Dropsy on the brain. Worm complaints. 
 Conclusion of the Narrative, - - - 173 
 
 Part II. 
 
 9 
 
 Description of the Vegetable Medicine used in the Thomsonian, or Bo- 
 tanic Practice — With the manner of preparing and administering them 
 in all cases of Disease. 
 
 Chap. I. Emetics, - 184 
 
 Chap. II. Stimulants, 190 
 
 Chap. III. Astringents, ----- 195 
 
 Chap. IV. Tonics, 202 
 
 Chap. V. Nervines, ----- 208 
 
 Chap. VI. Medical Compounds, .... 216 
 
 Chap. VII. Medical Simples, 231 
 
 Chap. VIII. The Steam Bath, 244 
 
 Chap. IX. A Course of Medicine, - 251 
 1* 
 
6 CONTENTS, 
 
 Part. III. 
 
 Directions for the treatment of Diseases under the various forma and 
 Symptoms in which they may appear, agreeably to the Thomsonian, or 
 Botanic System of Medical Practice. 
 
 Chap. I. General rules — To be observed by all who wish to pre- 
 serve their health, by preventing disease as well as cur- 
 ing it, 260 
 
 Chap. II. Fevers; with introductory remarks, - - - 266 
 
 Chap. III. Diseases of the Skin,— Eruptions, - - 275 
 
 Chap. IV- Diseases of the Lungs, Thorax and Windpipe, - 281 
 
 Chap. V» Diseases from various causes. • 28S- 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 In offering the following work to the public, I have no 
 apology to make, neither do I claim any extraordinary 
 merit, more than an honest zeal in the cause of human- 
 ity. If by my labors the sum of human suffering is 
 made less, and the great family of mankind are taught 
 lessons of improvement in their condition, it matters not 
 by whom it is brought about. It will probably be thought 
 by many to be a great piece of presumption in one who 
 has not been regularly educated for the profession, to 
 undertake to write a medical work; but as to this I have 
 no answer to make, and shall leave the people to form 
 their own conclusions, after investigating the subject 
 and giving us a fair and impartial trial. If the merits 
 of a medical work depended upon its being written 
 mostly in a foreign language, unintelligible to the great 
 mass of the people, 1 must confess myself incompetent 
 to such a task ; but shall take the liberty to deny the 
 utility or necessity of such a means to impart useful 
 knowledge. 
 
 It may be proper, however, to give some reasons for 
 having undertaken such a task. This can be best done 
 by stating certain facts, which will give a better view of 
 the subject, than any other plan that I can adopt. In 
 my boyhood I had a strong inclination to gain a knowl- 
 edge of the healing art ; and became somewhat a pro- 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 ficient in learning the medicinal virtues of such vegeta- 
 bles as the people were in the habit of making use of to 
 relieve themselves from disease ; and was often employ- 
 ed by the neighbors to collect such as were needed. If 
 my own wishes could have been complied with, I should 
 probably have been a physician, either for good or for 
 evil ; but circumstances placed me in a situation that 
 prevented this, and I was compelled to adopt another 
 course, which was to learn the art or trade of a printer, 
 and get my living by hard labor ; though I never entirely 
 lost sight of my early propensity for the knowledge of 
 medicine. 
 
 When I came to have a family of my own, it gave me 
 an opportunity to gain by experience a pretty correct 
 knowledge of the practice of the medical faculty ; for, 
 against my own judgment, I was compelled to com- 
 ply with the fashion, and send for the doctor in every 
 case of sickness, whether he was needed or not ; and 
 we were seldom a week without a professional visit. 
 The expense was the least of the evil, for the sickness 
 seemed to increase with the doctor's attendance, and by 
 the means adopted to effect a cure. Out of six cases in 
 my own family four of them terminated fatally, and the 
 other two escaped only by the strength of their constitu- 
 tions. I lost a wife and three children, all of them by 
 diseases common to every family. This led me to reflect 
 somewhat seriously upon the subject, and I made up my 
 mind that the whole system of medical practice, adopted 
 by the regular faculty, was wrong, and that it caused 
 more disease than it cured. From these premises I 
 came to the determination to eschew the doctors and 
 their poisons altogether ; believing it safer to trust to 
 nature, and those means within our own knowledge, 
 than to their skill ; and from this decision 1 have never 
 deviated, nor have I had any reason for regret that it 
 was taken. I was left with five children, who were sub- 
 ject to all the complaints that every family is liable to be 
 afflicted with ; but by such simple remedies as were with- 
 in our own reach, there has been no case of protracted 
 disease, and they have enjoyed as good health as falls to 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 the lot of the most favored class of the human family. 
 I state these facts without comment, leaving others to 
 draw their own conclusions, after comparing them with 
 their own experience. 
 
 A short time after the above determination was form- 
 ed, Dr Samuel Thomson applied to me to print a book, 
 which he contemplated publishing, giving a description 
 of his system of practice, with directions for curing dis- 
 ease, upon the plan that he had adopted from his long 
 experience. In consequence of the information obtain- 
 ed of him of his discoveries and the improvements he 
 had made in the treatment of diseases, in the interviews 
 I had with him, which being so perfectly congenial to 
 my previously formed opinions upon the subject, that I 
 became strongly interested in his cause ; and very read- 
 ily became a disciple in his school of reform in the med- 
 ical practice. He had made arrangements with a man 
 in whom he had placed much confidence, to prepare his 
 work for the press ; but this was frustrated by a disa- 
 greement between the parties, and a delay took place of 
 several months. Several others were applied to for the 
 same purpose ; but no one in whom Dr Thomson could 
 be induced to place confidence, would undertake the 
 task. The result was that at his earnesc and frequent- 
 ly repeated solicitations, I undertook to prepare the copy 
 and print the work ; which was faithfully performed to 
 his satisfaction, and I believe to all who were friendly to 
 the botanic practice. 
 
 In my long intercourse with Dr Thomson, which con- 
 tinued for several years, it afforded an opportunity to 
 study the man, and gain a greater insight into his sys- 
 tem of practice, and learn more correctly his plan of 
 treatment in curing disease, than has fallen to the lot of 
 any oth^r person. From this circumstance, it is pre- 
 sumed, I have been often requested, by those who have 
 taken an interest in extending a more correct knowledge 
 of the Thomsonian, or botanic practice, than has hereto- 
 fore been done, to prepare and publish a work in my 
 own name, which should not only be a correct and safe 
 guide to the practice ; but that would preserve in its pu- 
 
10 PREFACE. 
 
 rity the experience of the man who originated and in- 
 troduced the system, and followed it with extraordinary 
 success in curing- all complaints incident to our country, 
 for more than forty years. The task has been perform- 
 ed with an honest intention of being useful to my fellow 
 creatures, as well as to fulfill the wishes of my friends. 
 It has caused me a great deal of labor ; for to condense 
 into so small a compass a complete system of medical 
 practice from such a great variety of materials, and at 
 the same time make it intelligible as well as useful to all 
 classes of people, is no small undertaking. 
 
 My greatest aim has been to write so as to be under- 
 stood by every one, without any particular regard to the 
 purity of style, or elegance of language. Technicali- 
 ties have been as much as possible avoided, as perplex- 
 ing and useless ; and it is believed that there will not be 
 found in the description of remedies and symptoms, or 
 directions for curing disease, a single phrase that will 
 lead to a misapprehension of its meaning, or but what 
 will be readily understood by the reader ; for one great 
 object has been to make the book a useful family guide 
 in all cases of sickness, and feel confident that it may be 
 safely relied upon as such. Mothers would be the best 
 physicians, as they are certainly the best nurses, if they 
 only had confidence in themselves ; and would rely upon 
 their own skill instead of sending for a doctor in every 
 case of disease. Every family should keep on hand a 
 supply of the most important articles recommended in 
 the botanic practice ; by doing which they would be able 
 to relieve themselves from many complaints in their first 
 stages, and prevent long sickness. By keeping in the 
 house ready for use, a few articles, such as cayenne, lo- 
 belia and bayberry, which are most important; other 
 articles needed may be procured when wanted, and the 
 compounds can all be prepared by themselves, by follow- 
 ing the directions that are given, it will be in the power 
 of every family to become their own physicians at a tri- 
 fling expense. 
 
 in regird to the regular medical faculty and their 
 practice, I have a few remarks to make. They are nat- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 11 
 
 urally opposed to our system, as being, according to their 
 views, an interference with, and an infringement of their 
 prerogative ; but I have the charity to believe thai this 
 opposition arises more from pride and interested motives, 
 than from any intention to-do wrong. As men, I think 
 them as honorable and humane, and entitled to as much 
 respect as any other class or profession of men ; but at 
 the same time, I must say, that it is my honest and sin- 
 cere belief that their whole system of practice is radical- 
 ly wrong. Admitting this to be a fact, it will be natural- 
 ly asked, why do they persist in it, and oppose every at- 
 tempt to bring about a reform ? This is not an easy- 
 question to answer. They are in many respects a priv- 
 ileged order, and hold great control over the minds of 
 the people, by the peculiar circumstances of their situa- 
 tion and rank in society. Combinations formed to effect 
 certain purposes, are not easily diverted from their course, 
 especially when their pride and interest are at stake. 
 
 Many of the faculty have, however, abandoned the 
 old system, and adopted the botanic practice, and have 
 become its warmest advocates; and Thomsonianism has 
 gained so much favor among the people, that the doctors, 
 to sustain themselves and get practice, are compelled to 
 use deception, by disguising their medicine under the 
 name of vegetable preparations, and assuring their pa- 
 tients that they use no poisons or minerals in their prac- 
 tice. It is not unusual in the country towns, for those 
 who attempt to establish themselves in the medical prac- 
 tice, to announce that they are vegetable or root doctors. 
 This shows conclusively that public opinion is decidedly 
 against the mineral practice ; and whenever the people 
 can find a substitute, in which they have confidence, 
 they will readily embrace it ; but it is folly to expect a 
 radical reform except it is brought about by the people 
 themselves, by withdrawing their patronage from those 
 who persist in a course of treatment to cure disease, that 
 is acknowledged by all to be dangerous, and believed by a 
 great many to cause more disease than it cures. 
 
 It is customary with the regulars to call all those who 
 presume to practice the healing art, without having stud- 
 
12 PREFACE. 
 
 ied a certain time in some medical seminary and receiv- 
 ed a diploma, a quack ; but which of the two are most 
 entitled to this appellation, must be left to the public to 
 decide. Dr Waterhouse says he is sick of learned 
 quackery, and has with much zeal advocated the cause 
 of Dr Thomson and given an opinion in favor of his sys- 
 tem of practice ; and his age and experience certainly 
 entitle him to some degree of credit. The knowledge 
 Dr Thomson gained from his practice has proved by the 
 remarkable success which has attended him in curing 
 disease, that experience is a better school to learn what 
 is useful, than to study the opinions of those writers who 
 have left behind them nothing but doubt and uncertain- 
 ty in medical science. 
 
PART I. 
 
 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 or 
 
 SAMUEL THOMSON. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 At the time the first book which Dr. Thomson pub- 
 lished, giving an account of his life and what he called 
 his system of practice, was offered to the public, he 
 deemed it necessary to give to the world some account of 
 his origin, the course he had pursued through life up to 
 that time, and the hardships he suffered with the opposi- 
 tion he met with from his enemies, in order to vindicate 
 his character against the many falsehoods and misrepre- 
 sentations that had been circulated to ruin him and 
 destroy his practice, by those who were interested in ef- 
 fecting that object. That work was written for him by 
 the author of this book, from such materials as he was 
 enabled to obtain from him at that time, which were 
 very imperfect, being in a great measure verbal, though 
 he had committed to paper in the best manner he was 
 capable such memoranda as he had from time to time 
 thought necessary to preserve. 
 
 Although the publication alluded to was not so perfect 
 as those who think more of ornament than useful infor- 
 mation conveyed in a simple and unostentatious style, 
 would think fashionable ; yet it has been perfectly satis- 
 2 
 
14 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 factory to those who have taken an interest in the cause, 
 and has been the means of placing him in a respectable 
 position before the public, as well as to give every one 
 who possessed it, sufficient knowledge of the medicine he 
 used and of his treatment of all kinds of disease, as to 
 enable them to pursue the practice with safety and suc- 
 cess. Not only has it done all this, but has enabled him 
 to acquire great wealth in the sale of his family rights 
 and medicine, throughout every state in the Union. 
 Many editions have been printed and circulated in all 
 parts of the country. It has even been printed in the 
 German language and large numbers sold among those 
 people in Pennsylvania and the Western States. In fact, 
 the practice has now become too deeply rooted to be put 
 down by any opposition that can be brought against it. 
 It is not unreasonable to have concluded that ere this 
 time, from the success he has met with, Dr. Thomson 
 might have been satisfied, and have been willing to rest 
 content with the pecuniary benefits he has received and 
 those honours which a large portion of the public are 
 willing to award him for the zeal he has manifested and 
 the perseverance with which he has pursued his course 
 in lessening the sum of human misery by curing in a safe 
 and simple manner those diseases that flesh is heir to ; 
 and giving to others the knowledge by which all may be 
 benefitted by his experience, and that ages yet unborn 
 may bless Mm for the good he has done ; letting others 
 follow in his track and receive such reward as their skill 
 shall entitle them to in pursuing the practice, without 
 interference or molestation. This we should suppose 
 would give more pleasure to a generous mind than the 
 hoarding a few dollars, merely to gratify the indulgence 
 of avarice. 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 15 
 
 We are not disposed to speak of Dr. Thomson other- 
 wise than with due respect, and shall endeavor to give 
 him all the credit he is entitled to ; but the truth in 
 honest soberness must be told or we shall not do our duty ; 
 we shall " nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in 
 malice." All men have their failings and their peculi- 
 arities, and those who have been most distinguished for 
 any great quality of mind that has placed them above 
 other men, have also their frailties, and under excitement 
 have gone farther, and been led to greater excesses than 
 other men. The cause is obvious, for such men are 
 endowed with strong passions, which their reason is not 
 at all times able to control. It is most generally the 
 case that men of this description apply their minds to 
 s'>me parjici:! ir object, which draws their attention from 
 the smaller concerns of common men. From this cause 
 they may be very ignorant of the business concerns of 
 life, and will be likely to form erroneous opinions of 
 those they have dealings with ; for whenever there hap- 
 pens to be any disagreement, they are apt to look only 
 at their own side of the dispute, and think those who 
 differ from them must be in the wrong, and very unchar- 
 itably come to the conclusion that all men are dishonest 
 and wish to cheat them, without reflecting for a moment 
 that others have their own interest to look after as well 
 as theirs. 
 
 This has been peculiarly the case with Dr. Thomson, 
 for he has been over thirty years in constant trouble with 
 those who have engaged in the practice ; and of the 
 hundreds that he has appointed as his agents, not one as 
 far as our knowledge extends, but what he has denoun- 
 ced as dishonest and unfaithful, and has done all in his 
 power to injure them. This is to be regretted by all 
 
16 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 those who (eel an interest in sustaining him and extend- 
 ing the practice ; for it has tended very much to strength- 
 en the hands of his enemies, and increase their influence 
 with the people. We feel satisfied that had he pursued 
 a more liberal policy and depended for his reward on the 
 sale of his family rights and such share of the profits in 
 the sale of medicine as would naturally fall to him, 
 leaving to others who engaged in the practice all they 
 could gain by it and the preparation and sale of medicine, 
 it would have been more to his interest and much more 
 to his honour than the course he has taken. There can 
 be no doubt of the fact, that some of his agents have 
 dealt with him unfairly ; but many of them have been 
 driven to it from necessity, and would have done differ- 
 ently had they been treated with more liberality. 
 
 Of the fact that Dr. Thomson is an extraordinary man 
 there can be no reason to doubt, and is entitled to rank 
 among those original geniuses, who have appeared at 
 different periods and have benefitted mankind by their 
 discoveries. He possesses a very active and an inquiring 
 mind, and has, during his whole life, been constantly 
 searching among the visible works of creation for truth, 
 and in full belief that every thing was made to answer 
 some end, to ascertain what was intended for good and 
 what for evil. In his researches he has principally con- 
 fined himself to the inquiry of what caused disease, and 
 what was the safest and best method of removing it. In 
 pursuing this study, not having had a literary education, 
 and not being able to profit from others by reading books, 
 was compelled to look into and study the great book of 
 nature, for such information as would enable him to 
 gain correct knowledge on this important subject. 
 
 The success with which his practice in curing disease 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 17 
 
 has been attended, and the readiness with which a very 
 large portion of the people have adopted it, is evidence 
 sufficient, we should think, to satisfy every one who is 
 not under the influence of prejudice, of its superiority 
 over what is called the regular practice. That in re- 
 moving the cause of disease as well as relieving hunger, 
 vegetable substances are much more proper and safe 
 than minerals ; and that nature is a better and more 
 sure guide than art. There can be no doubt of the fact, 
 that he has been the principal agent in producing a great 
 reform in the medical practice of this country ; which, 
 if it has not now, will bring about one of the greatest 
 revolutions which has taken place for many ages ; by 
 giving such information to the people as will enable them 
 to decide correctly for themselves the question whether 
 they are benefitted or injured by the means used to re- 
 move disease. By this knowledge they will be naturally 
 led to have more confidence in themselves, and rely less 
 on those who have an interest in keeping them in igno- 
 rance ; for there can be no good reason given why they 
 are not as capable of judging rightly on this subject, as 
 that of their political or religious rights and duties. 
 
 In pursuing what he has considered his duty in the 
 fulfilment of the great object to which his life has been 
 devoted, we are compelled to confess that Dr. Thomson 
 has in many things taken a course that cannot be justi- 
 fied, upon the principles of justice or good policy. The 
 bitterness with which he has carried on a perpetual war 
 against what he calls the three crafts, that is, lawyers, 
 doctors and ministers, has been, to say the least of it, 
 injudicious; and has been a great injury to him and his 
 cause. But to do him justice it must be taken into con- 
 sideration the treatment he has received at their hands ; 
 2* 
 
IS NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 the persecutions and sufferings he has undergone and 
 the cruelty with which he has been assailed by some 
 part of them; this had soured his mind and naturally 
 made him jealous of every body who did not take sides 
 with him ; but to condemn a whole class for the conduct 
 of a few is not doing right. 
 
 That the class of men styled professional, have a great 
 and controlling influence over the minds of the people, 
 cannot be doubted for a moment ; that this power is ex- 
 ercised in too many instances more for their own inter- 
 est and advancement in society than for the good of their 
 fellow creatures, is what cannot be denied by any one. 
 This is more the fault of the people themselves than of 
 those to whom they look up to as a superior order of 
 beings ; for so long as they suffer others to think for 
 them they will be most likely to be misled. And this 
 will always be the case until the people learn to think for 
 themselves, and adopt some plan by which they can gain 
 correct knowledge of what is best calculated to promote 
 their own interest as well as independence. In this view 
 of the case, we feel confident that Dr. Thomson would 
 have done more good in his day and generation had he 
 confined himself to curing disease and imparting to others 
 his experience by which they could gain sufficient know- 
 ledge to enable them to do the same, than by hurling fire- 
 brands into the camp of those whom he considered his 
 enemies. 
 
 Towards those with whom he has had dealings, and 
 more particularly those who have been appointed by him 
 as agents, his course has been extremely eccentric, and 
 in many cases his conduct would seem to have been the 
 result of an uncharitable and morose disposition ; for 
 those who have done the most to sustain him and promote 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 19 
 
 his best interest by doing all in their power to extend s the 
 practice and put it upon a more respectable footing than he 
 was able to do himself, have been those against whom he 
 has shown the most bitter enmity. We state the fact, but 
 shall not undertake to give any satisfactory cause, as there 
 may be reasons that have not come to our knowledge. 
 From a long and intimate acquaintance, and from the nu- 
 merous interviews we had with Dr. Thomson, during the 
 time we wer&engaged in preparing his book for publica- 
 tion, opportunity was afforded, as we thought, to form a 
 pretty correct knowledge of his disposition and character. 
 The opinion then formed of him, and we have seen no 
 reason to change it, was that he was an honest man and 
 naturally possessed a good heart. The evidence he gave 
 during his practice, in his kindness towards his patients, 
 and the readiness with which he gave his assistance in re- 
 lieving all who applied to him, from sickness and pain, is 
 evidence of this ; and we have the charity to believe that 
 his errors have been more of the head than of the 
 heart. 
 
 In the intercourse between men in all their pecuniary 
 concerns, it is natural to suppose that all are actuated 
 and governed by some principle or motive in all their 
 dealings ; either doing by others as they would have 
 others do unto them, or by being governed by a mere 
 selfish policy of looking to no other end than their own 
 interest, setting aside all other considerations except a 
 certainty of gain. In an attempt to fix upon some reason 
 that would account in any way satisfactorily to ourselves 
 for the conduct of the doctor, we were compelled to come 
 to the conclusion, and in doing this we think there is suf- 
 ficient evidence to justify the remark, that he has for 
 several years past been under the entire influence of 
 
20 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 what seem to be his ruling passions, avarice and jealousy. 
 These have a greater power over the human mind than 
 all others, and are very apt to gain strength by age, until 
 they get complete control. 
 
 The propensity with which he has ever manifested a 
 disposition of associating with the lower and more turbu- 
 lent portion of society, and by connecting himself with 
 several of the factious associations that have had their 
 day in times past, has tended very much to lessen the 
 good opinion of him and his practice, which might other- 
 wise have been felt by the more intelligent, well dispo- 
 sed and honest portion of community. We have it 
 from good authority, that he has contributed considera- 
 ble sums of money toward the support of these combina- 
 tions, obtained of him by their leaders for the purpose of 
 aiding the cause, by enabling them through the press to 
 circulate their peculiar doctrines. He had an undoubt- 
 ed right to give his money to whom he pleased, and for 
 whatever purpose he chose to contribute it ; but there 
 are many other ways in which he could have shown 
 his liberality by contributing his charities where they 
 were much more needed, by which he might have done 
 much good in lessening the sum of human misery, and 
 been infinitely more to his credit. 
 
 The last and most important act of his life, that has 
 come to our knowledge, has been the connecting him- 
 self with those who style themselves Free Inquirers, an 
 association who profess not to believe in the Christian 
 religion, and who promulgate doctrines, the tendency of 
 which is to break down all the old established institu- 
 tions of the country. The appointing their leader as 
 his general agent, a man notorious for his zeal in sus- 
 taining and spreading the principles of infidelity, has 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 21 
 
 been more obnoxious to all Christians, and given greater 
 dissatisfaction to those who were disposed to be friendly 
 to him, and who took a strong interest in spreading his 
 medical practice, than any other step he has ever taken; 
 and has fixed upon the cause a lasting stigma that he 
 can never wipe out. We profess to be as strongly in 
 favor of the liberty of conscience, in its fullest sense, as 
 any one can be; and believe that every man has a 
 right to the enjoyment of his own opinions, on religious 
 and all other subjects, and to be protected in that enjoy- 
 ment ; and that he has a right to protection in pursuing 
 whatever course of life he shall elect for his own ben- 
 efit and happiness, so far as he can do it without injury 
 to his neighbour, or disturbing the peace of society, and 
 no farther ; but at the same time we hold, that the man 
 who attempts to destroy the Christian system of religion, 
 without offering a better, and one that shall be more 
 acceptable to the people, is an enemy to civil society, 
 and is as much guilty of treason against his country, as 
 the man who joins an enemy in time of war. 
 
 When the period had arrived at which Dr. Thomson 
 found that he was unable to attend to the practice per- 
 sonally, it become necessary that some plan should be 
 adopted by which means his experience and the know- 
 ledge he had obtained by devoting a larger portion of 
 his life in curing disease, could be communicated to 
 others, and be preserved in such manner as to enable 
 them to follow in his footsteps and practice with equal 
 success. For this purpose he published in 1822 his 
 Narrative and Guide to Health. This work was got up 
 with great care and much labour, with the intention to 
 convey in plain and simple language all the directions 
 and information necessary to a perfect understanding of 
 
22 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 what was essential to enable every one to pursue the 
 practice with safety ; and that every family who had a 
 copy should possess a sure guide in all cases of sickness. 
 It would seem that these intentions have been fully real- 
 ized ; for it has been the only book relied upon by the 
 followers of the Thomsonian practice for twenty years, 
 though several others have been published, and we have 
 never heard of a single complaint but that it has answer- 
 ed every purpose. 
 
 Of late years as we have understood, some of those 
 whom the doctor considered his friends, have endeavored 
 to persuade him to publish a larger work, by which his 
 name might be handed down to posterity among the 
 great and learned men of the age ; but it seems that his 
 good sense or his good fortune has prevented his com- 
 mitting this folly. Some two or three years ago, however, 
 a Dr. Matson undertook to get up something of the kind ; 
 but Dr. Thomson not being satisfied with it, for what 
 cause we know not, refused to give the work his sanction, 
 and declined having any thing to do with it ; and the 
 book has since been published by the author in his own 
 name. The reason for all this we think is very obvious, 
 for the natural consequence would be nothing more than 
 the engrafting his system upon that of the regular doctor's, 
 and give them all the advantage of his experience, with- 
 out being the least benefit to those who have adopted his 
 practice, or any honour or profit to himself. We were in 
 hopes that his good sense would have prevailed, and 
 induced him to let well enough alone ; and not be per- 
 suaded to put himself in the hands of those who might, 
 for interested motives, place him in a position which his 
 education and his habits of life do not entitle him ; but in 
 this it must be confessed we have been painfully disap- 
 pointed. 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 23 
 
 There has lately made its appearance a work under 
 the imposing title of the " Thomsonian Materia Medica," 
 containing eight hundred and thirty four pages. It ap- 
 pears to have been got up and published by a son of the 
 old doctor, John Thomson of Albany, for his name 
 figures quite conspicuously throughout the book. His 
 aim in publishing such a work cannot be divined, ex- 
 cept it be to make himself a great man at the expense of 
 his father ; for we cannot believe that it has his father'3 
 sanction, or that he had any hand in the work, unless he 
 has entirely changed all his former opinions of the faculty 
 and their theory. It appears to be mostly copied from 
 standard medical works, with all their Latin names and 
 technicalities, unintelligible to the common reader ; and 
 can be of no possible use to any but those who prepare 
 themselves for practice by a regular medical study, and 
 for this there are plenty of other books in which they 
 could gain much more correct knowledge of the science. 
 In fact we can discover nothing in the work that would 
 be a safe guide to the true Thomsonian, except what is 
 copied from the Narrative and Guide to Health ; and this 
 appears in such a mutilated state, being so altered from 
 the original, by additions, and the introduction of new 
 remedies and modes of practice, with its connection and 
 amalgamation with that of the regular doctors, that it will 
 be little benefit to those who seek to gain a knowledge of 
 the new practice.* 
 
 •Since the above was written, it has come to our knowledge, 
 that our conclusions in regard to Dr. Samuel Thomson's having 
 any band in getting up this work, or even having in any way 
 his approval, were correct ; for it seems that he was dissatisfied 
 with it, and at the end of the book is inserted his objections to 
 such parts as deviated from what he had heretofore published, be- 
 ing innovations and changes in several important parts of his sys- 
 tem of practice, of which he does not give his sanction. 
 
24 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 That John Thomson had a right to publish this work 
 or any other in his own name, we shall not dispute ; but 
 to put the name of Samuel Thomson in the title page, as 
 its author, cannot be viewed in any other light than as 
 an imposition upon the public ; for it is a well known 
 fact, that the old gentleman cannot read understanding!? 
 one half of the book. In making this statement we would 
 wish to be understood that it is not for the purpose of 
 derogating in the least from all the honours he is justly 
 entitled to ; but to sustain him in what we consider a 
 more honourable character, that of a self-taught man, who 
 has raised himself to a high rank in society by his own 
 talents, without the aid of knowledge gained from books. 
 For the purpose as we presume of making the work 
 more popular by a fashionable dress, there are introdu- 
 ced a large number of pictures, representing a variety of 
 views in anatomy and physiology, with some very good 
 specimens in botany. This is all very well, and will no 
 doubt gratify the curiosity of many ; but as to its utility 
 in affording any knowledge to the common class of peo- 
 ple in curing disease, we have strong doubts. To the 
 frontispiece, which is intended as a likeness of the doc- 
 tor, we have some objections, it not being a correct repre- 
 sentation of the man ; for he appears to be dressed up 
 for the occasion in a new suit of clothes, in which he 
 seems to be uncomfortable and out of his element. It 
 will hardly be recognised as the Dr. Thomson of whom 
 the people have heard so much. That man who has 
 heretofore been in the habit of appearing in a plain 
 homespun dress, travelling through the villages of our 
 country, with his saddlebags containing such articles of 
 medicine as could not be obtained in every place, and 
 trusting to his own knowledge of vegetables for whatever 
 else should be needed, curing all kinds of disease, to the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 25 
 
 astonishment of the people, and not a little to the annoy- 
 ance of the regular faculty. 
 
 To give a more correct understanding of our views, as 
 well as his own opinion of himself, we will relate a short 
 anecdote. On an interview we had with Dr. Water- 
 house not long after he became acquainted with Dr. 
 Thomson, in conversation in regard to him and his prac- 
 tice, he stated that his wife had become a convert to the 
 Thomsonian doctrine, and that she took much pleasure 
 in conversing with the doctor whenever he visited them. 
 On one occasion she undertook to give him her advice 
 as to his personal appearance, and recommended that he 
 should dress in better style and wear the best of broad- 
 cloth, ruffles, &c, in fact to become a fashionable gen- 
 tleman, which would cause him to be noticed by the first 
 class in society. He heard her through, and all the an- 
 swer he made was, " If I was to do that I should n't be 
 Sam Thomson." 
 
 Having thus far endeavored to give a faithful and hon- 
 est description of the man, as regards his character, 
 opinions, peculiarities, and his medical knowledge, with 
 an attempt to do him justice by paliating his faults, we 
 shall now proceed to lay before the reader such portion 
 of the narrative of his life, as we shall deem best calcu- 
 lated to convey the most correct information of the 
 Thomsonian practice ; with such other instructions as 
 will enable all who take an interest in the subject to 
 gain a correct knowledge of it. By which means we 
 feel confident that the public will be better satisfied, and 
 that the doctor will be placed in a higher and a more 
 honourable position before the world, than by any attempt 
 to dress him out in borrowed plumes. 
 3 
 
26 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Birth — Parentage — Hardships endured, and the first develope- 
 ment of his mind, in regard to the medical properties of Vegeta- 
 bles. 
 
 Samuel Thomson was born Feb. 9, 1769, in the town 
 of Alstead, county of Cheshire, State of New Hampshire. 
 His father had purchased a piece of land on credit, about 
 a year before, and moved into this place, then a wilder- 
 ness. They were of course very poor and suffered great 
 hardships, having nothing to depend upon but their own 
 labour, to procure a living, and pay for the land. This 
 was the case with most of those who settled in this new 
 country at that time. The settlement of these regions 
 had been kept back for many years in consequence of 
 the inroads made by the Indians from Canada, during 
 the French war ; but when the treaty of 1763 was made 
 the lands were rapidly taken up and entered upon by 
 the poorer, but most enterprising and hardy class of ad- 
 venturers of the old settlements. The sufferings and 
 hardships of these people were very great ; but they were 
 content with their lot, and comparatively happy ; for 
 they looked forward to that prosperity, which industry 
 and prudence always insures. 
 
 The subject of our narrative, being the oldest son, 
 was put to hard labour as soon as he was capable of do- 
 ing any thing useful. It was the custom of those 
 times ; for every child as soon as old enough was made 
 to do something towards its support. It was a rule adopt- 
 ed among the first settlers, that a bov at six or seven 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 27 
 
 years old, was able to earn his own living ; and this was 
 generally carried out in practice. A great contrast be- 
 tween this and the present times, for now many are not 
 capable of doing it even when arrived at years of man- 
 hood. As to giving children learning in those days it 
 was out of the question, except where mothers were ca- 
 pable, they instructed them in some of the first rudi- 
 ments ; for the only thing thought of was to get some- 
 thing to eat, and such clothing as was necessary to pro- 
 tect them from the inclemency of the seasons. This ap- 
 pears to have been the case with Samuel Thomson, for 
 he says his father kept him to hard work from the time 
 he was four years old, and all the chance he had to get 
 learning was, when he was ten he was allowed to attend 
 n school for about a month, which the people had got 
 up about a mile from his home, and this was considered 
 a great privilege. 
 
 In these times the people were too poor to employ doc- 
 tors, as they would be unable to pay their bills, and 
 therefore they had none among them. When sick they 
 had to depend upon such means as were within their 
 reach, and the assistance of neighbours, for relief, which 
 in most cases answered every purpose and were gene- 
 rally successful. There was commonly in each neigh- 
 bourhood some more aged female, who was looked up to 
 as possessing superior knowledge in curing disease, who 
 was at all times ready to attend when sent for, as mid- 
 wife, nurse, or adviser, and to assist in relieving the sick, 
 for such remuneration as the people saw fit to give her. 
 During this period of honest simplicity there were sel- 
 dom any cases of long continued disease, or bedridden 
 patients, whose constitutions had been broken down by 
 experimental practice. It was a fortunate circumstance 
 
29 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 for the world and for the future usefulness and success 
 of the young aspirant, Samuel Thomson, that the first 
 ideas impressed upon his childish mind, upon this impor- 
 tant subject, was from such a school ; for they fixed upon 
 his inquiring mind truths that have sustained him through 
 his eventful and active career of life. 
 
 The first dawnings of his youthful inquiries, were to 
 learn the names and properties of the vegetable produc- 
 tions of the earth, which he saw growing around him ; 
 to this subject his mind seemed to be intuitive, and 
 strongly bent on gaining information on the subject. He 
 says, in his narrative, that when in the fields at work, 
 "I was very curious to know the names of all the herbs 
 which I saw growing, and what they were good for ; and, 
 to satisfy my curiosity was constantly making inquiries 
 of the persons I happened to be with, for that purpose. 
 All the information I thus obtained, or by my own ob- 
 servation, I carefully laid up in my memory, and never 
 forgot. There was an old lady by the name of Benton, 
 lived near us, who used to attend our family when there 
 was any sickness. At that time there was no such thing 
 as a doctor known among us, there not being one within 
 ten miles. The whole of her practice was with roots 
 and herbs, applied to the patient, or given in hot drinks, 
 to produce sweating ; which always answered the pur- 
 pose. When one thing did not produce the desired ef- 
 fect, she would try something else, till they were reliev- 
 ed. By her attention to the family, and the benefits they 
 received from her skill, we became very much attached 
 to her ; and when she used to go out to collect roots and 
 herbs, she would take me with her, and learn me their 
 names, and what they were good for ; I used to be very 
 curious in my inquiries, and in tasting every thing that I 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 
 
 S9 
 
 found. The information I thus obtained at that early 
 age, was afterwards of great use to me." 
 
 During the course of his childish experiments to learn 
 the medical uses of vegetables that he daily saw around 
 him, he discovered a plant that attracted his notice, as 
 being different from what he had heretofore seen ; on 
 chewing one of its pods, the effect produced was so dif- 
 ferent from any thing he had before tasted, that it left a 
 deep and lasting impression upon his mind, and the sen- 
 sation produced at the time he never forgot. At this 
 time he formed no idea of its being useful as a remedy 
 in curing disease ; but only amused himself by inducing 
 other boys to chew it, for the amusement of seeing them 
 spit, and sometimes vomit. This was all he knew of this 
 plant for twenty years. When he came to fix upon a 
 more regular plan to cure disease, he found that he need- 
 ed something possessing greater power, than any thing 
 he had yet found, to cleanse the stomach and restore its 
 tone so that food would digest. In reflecting upon this, 
 his memory brought to mind the herb that he had found 
 many years before ; and from the recollection of the sin- 
 gular taste and effect it produced at that time, led him to 
 think that it might be a valuable medicine. He imme- 
 diately procured some of the article and tried it, first on 
 himself and then on others, and found it to be the very 
 thing he wanted. He gave it the name of the Emetic 
 Herb, and it has ever since been considered the most 
 important article used in the Thomsonian practice. It 
 is described by Linnaeus under the name of Lobelia In- 
 flata, by which cognomen it has been introduced into the 
 American Pharmacopia and other medical works. Thus 
 it will be seen, what no one at the present time can have 
 a doubt, that Samuel Thomson has discovered and been 
 3* 
 
30 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 the means of introducing into the medical practice, one 
 of the most valuable articles of the Materia Medica. 
 
 It would seem that as he increased in years, though 
 kept constantly at hard work, he never lost sight of his 
 favorite study, by storing his mind with every thing that 
 came within his observation relating to disease and the 
 best method to cure it. On this subject he says in his 
 narrative, " The winter I was eight years old, 1 was very 
 sick with the canker-rash ; but was attended by the widow 
 Benton, who cured me by making use of such medi- 
 cine as our country afforded, and I was in a short time able 
 to be about. After I had got well, my mind was more 
 attentive to the use of roots and herbs, to be found m 
 that part of the country, with their names and medical 
 uses ; and the neighbours were in the habit of getting 
 me to go with them and show them such roots and herbs 
 as the doctors ordered to be made use of in sickness,. for 
 syrups, &c. and by way of sport they used to give me 
 the title of doctor." 
 
 Nothing of much importance took place in regard to 
 the future prospects of young Thomson for several years. 
 He was kept constantly at hard work by his father, which 
 gave him little leisure to. obtain knowledge except what 
 he could get during his hours of labour ; but his mind 
 was so bent on examining into the works and mysteries 
 of nature, that he let no opportunity escape him with- 
 out an attempt to ascertain what every vegetable was good 
 for, that he saw growing around him, and learn their 
 medicinal properties. He was in the habit of closely ex- 
 amining and tasting every thing of the kind that he 
 saw while at work in the fields ; and knowing the fact 
 that certain roots and herbs were gathered by the people, 
 and kept to be used in cases of sickness, it was natural 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 31 
 
 for him to inquire for what purposes they were applied, 
 the diseases which they were good for, and the manner 
 in which they were prepared and used in curing disease j 
 and such was his tact for acquiring a correct knowledge 
 on this subject, and treasuring it up in his retentive 
 memory, that at the age of sixteen years, he had obtain- 
 ed a very extensive knowledge of the medicinal virtues 
 of nearly every vegetable that grew in the country around 
 him. 
 
 About this time, he having given such strong evidence 
 that his mind was so decidedly bent on being a physi- 
 cian, it caused considerable talk among the neighbours, 
 and by their advice his father came to the conclusion to 
 send him to study with a doctor in a neighbouring town. 
 This he says raised his ambition very much ; but it was 
 of short duration, for his parents on more maturely con- 
 sidering the subject, altered their minds, for they said he 
 had no learning, and farther that they did not see how 
 they could spare him from his work. This was discour» 
 aging, and he says in his narrative, " I now gave up all 
 hopes of going to any other business, and tried to recon- 
 cile myself to spend my days in working on a farm, 
 which made me very unhappy. I had little learning, and 
 was awkward and ignorant of the world ; as my father 
 had never given me any chance to go into company, to 
 learn how to behave, which caused me great uneasiness." 
 Whether his not studying the medical profession in a 
 regular way, was a misfortune or not, it is not easy now 
 to say. It is most probable, however, that he would have 
 been a very useful physician, and might have done much 
 good by his practice ; but we have strong doubts whether 
 his name would have been known beyond the limits of 
 the few towns around him. It would have given his 
 
32 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 mind a new direction, and he would have been more 
 likely to have studied and been governed by the expe- 
 rience of others, than to have fixed upon any plan of his 
 own ; and the world would have received very little ben- 
 efit from his labours. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A misfortune ; which compels him to commence practice, from 
 necessity, first on himself, and afterwards on his own family 
 and others. 
 
 We shall now endeavour to lay before our readers 
 such information as will place the subject of our labours 
 in a new position before them, which will develope some 
 of the fruits of his youthful impressions ; and will show 
 the advantage of storing the mind with useful know- 
 ledge obtained by observation, or from information gain- 
 ed by inquiring of others, which may be usefully ap- 
 plied in many cases during life, to the most important 
 ends for their own good or that of their fellow creatures. 
 When young Thomson was in his nineteenth year, his 
 father having purchased a tract of land in the western 
 part of the State of Vermont, took him with him and 
 went on to it to commence a settlement. This was in 
 October, and in a few days they were enabled to put up 
 a shanty in which they had to live. He says they had 
 to work very hard and their fare was poor ; but they got 
 along tolerably well till the 22d December, when he had 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 33 
 
 the misfortune to cut his ancle very badly, which laid 
 him up for several months, and came near depriving him 
 of life. The wound was a very bad one ; it split the 
 bone and laid the ancle joint open, so that the juices ran 
 out, which reduced his strength very much. He was 
 thus placed in a very critical and distressed situation. 
 
 If he had been able to go out himself, it is probable 
 he could have found something that would have given 
 relief; but this not being the case, and his father hav- 
 ing little knowledge of such things, he had to lay and 
 suffer till hi-s strength was nearly gone. His father had 
 sent for a doctor, who ordered the wound to be washed 
 with a liquid made by boiling sweet apple tree bark, but 
 caused great pain, and made it worse. He now found 
 that he could expect no assistance from others, and that 
 he must depend upon himself; for he could not livelong 
 without some relief. He told his father that he thought 
 if some comfrey root could be obtained, a plaster made 
 of it, and applied to his ancle, would ease the pain. He 
 immediately started off and after much trouble had the 
 good fortune to find some. A plaster was made by pound- 
 ing some of the roots, and putting with it some turpentine, 
 which was applied to the ancle, on the side opposite the 
 wound, which had the desired effect, the juices stopped 
 running in about six hours, and he was very much re- 
 lieved. This accidental remedy was found through ne- 
 cessity, and he says was the first time the mother of in- 
 vention held forth to him a helping hand. 
 
 While lying in this situation an old man from Canada, 
 passing that way, and hearing of the case, called to see 
 him ; and observing the putrid state the wound was in, 
 told them that gum-myrrh would be good for him, as it 
 was an excellent article to prevent mortification. Some 
 
34 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 of the tincture was immediately obtained, and squirted 
 into the wound ; the smarting was severe for a short 
 time, but it had a favourable effect. On tasting it he 
 found it to be of a. hot nature, and a pleasant bitter, he 
 took some ; and by using this article, there was in a 
 short time a favorable alteration both in his bodily health, 
 and in the state of his wound. This gave him a high 
 opinion of the value of gum-myrrh, and he has made 
 much use of it ever since. 
 
 Their stock of provisions being exhausted, and his 
 wound somewhat better, his father was very anxious to 
 return to Alstead. It was a doubtful question with them 
 both, whether he would live to perform the journey ; but 
 he being willing to make the trial, a sled was fitted up, 
 in which he was placed on a straw bed, and on the first 
 day of January they started. His sufferings were very 
 great; but the kind treatment he received from all who 
 saw him, and the attentions and sympathies shown by the 
 people where they stopped, encouraged them to perse- 
 vere. After a tedious journey he at last arrived safely 
 at his home, though in a very feeble state of health, and 
 it was a long time doubtful whether he would recover ; 
 but by kind attention and good nursing, he soon began 
 to mend. It was not however till the first of March that 
 he could walk. He was able in the course of the spring 
 to attend to some business, and his father left him in 
 charge of the farm and returned to Vermont. 
 
 This accident and the sufferings he underwent in con- 
 sequence of it, with the various opinions expressed by all 
 who saw him, afforded to his active and inquiring mind 
 a useful study. It was the opinion of those who saw him 
 on his journey, and decidedly that of all the doctors, 
 that nothing would save his life but to have his leg ta- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 35 
 
 ken off. This lie strenuously opposed, and said that he 
 had made up his mind that he had rather take his chance 
 with his leg on, bad as it was, to having it taken off ; 
 and of this obstinancy, as it was then considered, he 
 says he has never had reason since to repent. In the 
 course of his reflections and studies in the book of na- 
 ture, to learn how to remove disease, he could find a 
 great many remedies which Providence had provided to 
 cure wounds and diseased limbs ; but he could discover 
 no provision that nature had made for cutting them off. 
 This is a modern introduction of art, for we believe the 
 ancients had no knowledge of it ; and there can be no 
 doubt of the fact, that a vast number have been mutila- 
 ted by amputation, who might have been cured without, 
 by a timely use of proper remedies. 
 
 From the time of his recovery he took charge of the 
 farm, his father and brother having left home to work on 
 their land in. Vermont. During the next spring the fam- 
 ily all had the measles, and his mother was very bad, 
 having what is called the black kind. The doctors tried 
 their skill upon her, without doing her any good, for all 
 they did seemed to increase the disorder ; they then 
 gave her over, and said she had the galloping con- 
 sumption. She lived but about nine weeks. Though 
 he had recovered from the disease, it left him troubled 
 with a bad cough, and the symptoms appeared much the 
 same as those of his mother ; but he refused to take any 
 medicine from the doctors ; and undertook to cure him- 
 self with such articles as he had a knowledge of, in which 
 he succeeded by taking syrups and other compounds of 
 his own, to remove the cough, and he soou got well. 
 
 When he was twenty-one years of age his father gave 
 him a deed of one half the farm, and in the course of 
 
36 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 the year he was married. This placed him in a some- 
 what new position, in regard to his duties and his pros- 
 pects in life ; and the many cases of sickness that he 
 had in bringing up a large family of children, afforded 
 him opportunities to gain much information of the na- 
 ture of disease, and the best method of curing it ; 
 as well as to not only make improvements in forming 
 his own system of practice, but gave him a pretty cor- 
 rect knowledge of that of the regular doctors. We 
 shall not have room to give the particulars of all the 
 cases, but shall endeavour to describe the most important 
 only, and such as will tend to convey to the reader use- 
 ful information. 
 
 When their first child was born his wife had a very 
 bad time. She was taken ill on Saturday, sent for help, 
 and lingered along till Sunday night, when she was con- 
 sidered to be in a very dangerous situation. She was 
 in hand all night, until the next morning at sunrise, 
 when she was with great difficulty delivered. Soon af- 
 ter the child was born she went into strong convulsion 
 fits, which continued for a long time. During the whole 
 night there had been a continued effort to force nature, 
 which produced so great an injury to the nervous sys- 
 tem as to cause the fits. He says that what he witness- 
 ed that night of the barbarous treatment of his wife, 
 caused him to pay attention to midwifery, and he practi- 
 sed afterwards by aiding nature to do its own work, in 
 its own way, with great success. 
 
 Six doctors were called in during the day to hold a 
 consultation and give their advice ; but they did nothing 
 except to quarrel and find fault with each other; and 
 the husband becoming dissatisfied with their conduct, 
 dismissed the whole of them, and sent for two root doc- 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 37 
 
 tors who staid with her during the night, and made use 
 of all the means they could to strengthen and quiet the 
 nervous system, and in the morning the fits left her, but 
 she remained in a very dangerous condition for a long 
 time, and never entirely recovered from the injury she 
 received. 
 
 The following case being an important one we think 
 it will be best understood in his own language. " When 
 my second daughter was about two years old she was 
 taken sick, and had what was called the canker-rash. 
 Our doctor was sent for and said she had the disorder as 
 bad as any one he ever saw. He tried his utmost skill 
 to prevent the putrefaction, which he feared would take 
 place ; but after using every exertion in his power, with- 
 out doing her any good, he said he could do no more, 
 she must die. The child was senseless, and the canker 
 was to be seen in her mouth, nose and ears, and one of 
 her eyes was covered with it and closed ; the other be- 
 gan to swell and turn purple also. I asked the doctor if 
 he could not keep the canker out of this eye ; but he 
 said it would be of no use, for she could not live. I told 
 him that if he could do no more, I would try what I 
 could do myself. I found if the canker could not be 
 stopped immediately, she would lose the sight of both 
 eyes. She was so much distressed for breath, that she 
 would raise herself straight up in her struggles. I pla- 
 ced myself in a chair and held her in my lap, a blanket 
 was put round us both ; a hot shovel was then placed 
 between my feet, and I poured on vinegar to raise a 
 steam ; and by following up this plan for about twenty 
 minutes, she began to breathe easy. During the whole 
 time I kept several thicknesses of cloth wet with cold 
 water on her eyes, changing them as they became warm. 
 4 
 
38 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 I followed this plan for about a week, repeating it every 
 two or three hours, when she appeared to be better. 
 Her eyes came open, and the one that was the worst, 
 was completely covered with canker ; and when the 
 scale came off the sight came out with it, and it entirely 
 perished. 1 used a wash of marsh rosemary to remove 
 the canker. The other eye was saved to the astonish^ 
 ment of all who saw her. She entirely recovered from 
 the disease, with the exception of the loss of one eye. 
 This was the first of my finding out the plan of steam- 
 ing and using cold water. I afterwards made many im- 
 provements, and by making use of this method to aid in 
 curing the sick, especially in desperate cases, has been 
 one great cause of my success." 
 
 He had some other cases in his family, where neces- 
 sity compelled him to depend on his own resources for 
 relief. In one case a child was violently attacked with 
 the croup, and after the doctor had left it to die, by ad- 
 ministering a few drops of rattlesnake's oil it gave re- 
 lief, and by other remedies, with close attention, during 
 the night he recovered. At the birth of their third child 
 his wife was, after delivery, seized with the cholic and 
 had other violent symptoms. The midwife was much 
 alarmed, and said a doctor must be sent for ; but not 
 being able to find one, he undertook to do what he could 
 himself; and by giving hot medicine to raise the inward 
 heat, and applying the steam, she was relieved in about 
 one hour. All he did was strongly remonstrated against 
 by the midwife ; but she admitted that it had saved her 
 life. The success which attended these cases caused 
 much talk among the neighbours, and he was called on 
 by others to give his assistance where the doctors had 
 been unsuccessful, which he attended and effected cures, 
 much to the astonishment of the people. 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 39 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Determination to follow the medical practice as a business. 
 System of practice fixed upon and explained. 
 
 The success which had attended him in all the cases 
 that he had thus from necessity or by accident been in- 
 strumental in giving relief, caused much talk and spread 
 his fame through the neighbouring towns, and he was 
 sent for and attended a number of patients, who were 
 considered incurable, in all of which cases he succeeded 
 in effecting a cure. He had by this time satisfied his 
 own mind, that there was little difficulty in curing the 
 sick, and removing those complaints incident to our 
 country, if suitable and proper means were used for that 
 purpose. He also became satisfied that the practice of 
 the doctors was wrong, and that they caused more sick- 
 ness than they cured. This led him to reflect seriously 
 upon the subject, and prompted him to endeavour to con- 
 vince the people of the correctness of his conclusions, 
 and that his own views were founded on facts. 
 
 He had thus been in this kind of practice for several 
 years, for which he had been paid very little for his la- 
 bour, and his success had caused him to be sent for in 
 most of the desperate cases, some of which were at con- 
 siderable distance from home. From these causes he 
 found that his time was so much taken up with attend- 
 ing upon the sick, that he could not find time to pay 
 that attention to his own affairs that his interest and the 
 comfort of his family required. This caused him to re- 
 flect seriously upon the subject, and he came to the con- 
 
40 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 elusion that he must give up the practice altogether or 
 make it his business for life. The natural tendency of 
 his own disposition was to the latter course, for he had 
 always had a strong aversion to working on a farm ; be- 
 sides his inclination seemed to be so strongly bent on pur- 
 suing the practice, that he found it impossible to divest 
 his mind of it. He consulted with his friends and ask- 
 ed their advice ; who expressed their opinions decided- 
 ly, that as it seemed to be the natural turn of his mind, 
 and if he felt himself equal to the undertaking, it was 
 his duty to pursue the course which nature seemed to 
 have marked out for him. After weighing the matter 
 and viewing it in all its bearings, he came to the deter- 
 mination to follow the medical practice, and devote his 
 whole time to it, and use all means to make himself as 
 useful as possible to his fellow creatures. 
 
 After he had come to the determination to make a 
 business of the medical practice, he found it to be neces- 
 sary to acquire a correct knowledge of the human sys- 
 tem, and to gain such information of its structure and 
 organization, as would enable him to pursue the prac- 
 tice with safety and success. To do this he had no 
 other resource than the exercise of his own mind, and 
 to investigate and look into what he saw around him, 
 and what he knew to be truth. This he deemed to be 
 necessary, not only for his own government ; but that it 
 migty be a guide for others, who should engage in the 
 practice, and enable them to understand his plan, and 
 preserve to the world whatever discoveries or improve- 
 ments he might make. 
 
 To gain a knowledge of physiology he took his own 
 body for a study ; and in the investigation of which he 
 formed certain conclusions of its structure and the func- 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 41 
 
 tions of animal life. He found that his body was com- 
 posed of bones, cartilages, tendons, muscles, glands, lig- 
 atures, various membranes, veins and arteries, — that 
 the whole was enveloped in a covering called the skin, 
 which was provided with innumerable outlets called 
 pores, through which all useless matter not wanted for 
 the nourishment of the body passed off by perspiration. 
 That life is sustained by the food taken into the stom- 
 ach, where being digested it furnishes heat and nutri- 
 ment to all parts of the body. That the first part of the 
 process of digestion commences in the mouth, where the 
 solid part of the food is chewed and mixed with the sali- 
 va, and thence passes into the stomach where it under- 
 goes a change, by being decomposed, and becomes a 
 white liquid, called chyle ; it then passes into the large 
 gut called the duodenum, where it receives the gall, 
 and then is called chyme, being perfectly prepared to 
 form the blood, which is the life of man ; from thence it 
 passes through the intestines, which are provided with 
 innumerable little vessels, called lacteals, which take up 
 all the nutritive part and convey it to the blood vessels ; 
 the other or earthy part, passes off by the rectum. That 
 the only other evacuation is by the bladder, which is a 
 reservoir for receiving certain useless fluids, which are 
 secreted by the kidneys, and pass off by the urinary pas- 
 sage. That one of the greatest and most important 
 functions for sustaining life was the operation performed 
 by the lungs, these being so constructed as to contain a 
 quantity of air, by which it is inflated, and this air being 
 rarified by the vital heat, causing them to contract ; and 
 the hot air, after being deprived of its oxygen, which is 
 used in preparing the blood for circulation, is expelled, 
 forming a sort of vacuum, when the cold air rushes in 
 4* 
 
42 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 through the windpipe to fill it ; this is what is called 
 breathing ; and this operation gives motion to the heart, 
 and causes it to act as a forcing pump, by which means 
 the blood is forced out of one valve through the arteries 
 to the extremities, from whence it returns back through 
 the veins and is admitted by another valve, to be again 
 renewed for circulation. Thus it appeared to him evi- 
 dent, that this curious and complicated machinery was 
 kept in motion by the power of heat. 
 
 After having satisfied his own mind that his theory in 
 regard to the construction of the human body, and its 
 various operations in sustaining life, was correct, the 
 next thing was to inquire into and endeavour to ascertain 
 the cause of disease. To come to a conclusion on this 
 point, he found the only sure way was to examine into 
 effects, and as he knew there could be no effect without 
 a cause, this course must lead to correct results ; and by 
 exercising his reason and applying the knowledge he had 
 obtained from his practice to the subject, it confirmed 
 him in the opinion that he had before formed, that heat 
 was the great principle that sustained life or animation, 
 and that cold, or a loss of the power of heat, was the 
 cause of all disease. Thus the following convictions 
 were forced upon him — That to assist heal in recovering 
 its natural state, was the only means by which the sys- 
 tem could be restored to a healthy condition ; and that, 
 after this was effected, by clearing the body of all ob- 
 structions and causing a natural perspiration, the stom- 
 ach would digest the food taken into it, by which means 
 the whole system would be nourished and invigorated, 
 and heat or nature would be enabled to maintain its 
 power over cold, which is always opposed to it — That 
 the constitutions of the whole human family being essen- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON/ 43 
 
 tially the same, varying only in the different tempera- 
 ment of the same materials of which they are composed ; 
 it appeared to his mind evident that all disease proceed- 
 ed from one general cause, and might be cured by adopt- 
 ing some plan that would operate as a general remedy — 
 That a state of perfect health arises from a due balance 
 or temperature of the elements ; but if this is by any 
 cause destroyed, the body becomes more or less disor- 
 dered ; and when this is the case there is always an ac- 
 tual diminution or absence of the element of fire, or heat • 
 and in proportion to this loss of the power of heat, the 
 body becomes more or less affected by its opponent cold. 
 And that the greater part of the disorders with which the 
 human family are afflicted, however various the symp- 
 toms and different the names by which they are called, 
 arises directly from obstructed perspiration, which is al- 
 ways caused by the effect produced by the power that 
 cold had gained over the inward or vital heat of the body. 
 We believe it to be a well known fact, and so consid- 
 ered by every one, that most if not all cases of disease, 
 are occasioned in the first instance, by what is called ta- 
 king cold ; and this is caused by exposure, or a sudden 
 change of condition, such as going out of a warm room, 
 when in a state of perspiration, into the cold air, without 
 being properly protected by clothing ; or, after violent 
 exercise, sitting in a cool place exposed to the cold air 
 till a chill takes place; and many other ways, which may 
 all be guarded against and prevented by prudence and 
 caution. And it is also as well known that by timely 
 administering simples, such as are stimulating in their 
 nature, so as to restore perspiration, which in such cases 
 is always suspended, by raising the internal heat of the 
 body, a removal of the difficulty is easily effected ; but if 
 
44 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 this is neglected, or nature is not able to relieve itself, 
 the cold becomes seated, and some more powerful means 
 will be needed to remove the disease, thus caused by the 
 loss of heat, and restore health. 
 
 Whenever a disease becomes seated and cold has 
 gained a foothold, so as to sustain itself against the power 
 of heat, which is always its opponent, decomposition or 
 putrefaction commences in that part of the body where it 
 is seated, and this effect is a tendency towards dissolu- 
 tion or death ; and if not checked and the difficulty re- 
 moved by administering such remedies as will cleanse 
 the part affected and restore the natural heat, the disease 
 will continue to progress, until heat is entirely expelled 
 from the body, when it returns to the elements from 
 whence it came. This-efFect produced by cold in its pro- 
 gress, is called canker, which exists more or less in all 
 cases of settled disease, either internal or such as are 
 caused by external wounds. And this part of the sub- 
 ject in regard to effecting a cure, ought to be well under- 
 stood, being of greater importance than any other, and 
 the first object should be to remove the canker, for it 
 forms a resting place where cold takes its stand, and may 
 be truly said to make the food it feeds upon. 
 
 It may be presumed an established fact, that all cases 
 of acute attack of disease, and which cause the greatest 
 pain, are seated in the glands, where obstructions take 
 place, caused by the effect of cold, either internal or ex- 
 ternal, or both. Now the only possible way that a cure 
 can be effected, is to aid nature to remove these obstruc- 
 tions, which long experience has proved can be done by 
 increasing the inward heat by- stimulating medicine, and 
 lightening the surrounding air by the application of 
 ?team ; thus raising the fountain and lowering the 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 45 
 
 streams, when a lively perspiration will take place, and 
 the pain will cease. Then by giving such articles as 
 are best calculated to restore the digestive organs, the 
 health of the patient will soon be completed. There are 
 other dangerous cases of disease that become seated on 
 the surface of the body, and are kept there by the exter- 
 nal cold, which can only be cured by the same means as 
 above described. These and many other cases will be 
 fully treated upon in another place, when we come to 
 give a description of them under their different names, 
 with directions for their cure, upon the Thomsonian plan, 
 which has been found effectual and safe. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Plan of treatment for curing disease. Such vegetables as have 
 been found best calculated for that purpose, classed under their 
 proper heads. 
 
 Having fixed upon these general principles, in regard 
 to the structure of the human body and the functions by 
 which it is kept in motion, and life is sustained, with 
 the cause of disease, his next inquiry was to ascertain 
 what was best calculated to restore the system, when 
 disordered, to a state of health. For this purpose his 
 mind was naturally directed to the vegetable kingdom, 
 which he believed contained a remedy for every disease, 
 if it could be found out and properly applied. As it was 
 evident that the body was supported and life sustained 
 
46 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 altogether by food, it was reasonable to suppose that every 
 thing administered as medicine, to be useful, must be in 
 harmony with it. He found that he must look to effects, 
 to gain a correct knowledge of the nature of all substan- 
 ces to be used as medicine ; by which means only he 
 could ascertain what to admit as useful and what to re- 
 ject as injurious. He found also that all vegetables 
 were different in their nature; yet, that when adminis- 
 tered to cure disease, they all have a tendency to pro- 
 duce certain effects, either .to assist nature in removing 
 all complaints, or increasing the difficulty ; and when 
 this is correctly understood, he found there was little 
 trouble in gaining the object desired. It appeared to 
 him to be self-evident, that nothing of a poisonous na- 
 ture, could by any possible means be made useful in cur- 
 ing disease ; and he therefore discarded every thing he 
 found to be of that nature; and made use of such arti- 
 cles only as were proved to be congenial with the sus- 
 taining of animal life, and in harmony with food. To 
 give a more perfect understanding of his system, or plan 
 of treating the disease, we have thought best to class 
 such articles as he made use of, under the following heads, 
 viz : Stimulants, Astringents and Tonics ; with their 
 powerful auxilliaries the Emetic and Steam Bath. 
 
 Stimulants — are such articles or substances as have 
 the power when mixed with the juices of the body to gen- 
 rate heat, and thereby increase the action ; for the 
 meaning of the word is, to stir up, to excite, to invigo- 
 rate. There are a great variety of articles that come 
 under this head ; in fact there is nothing that can be use- 
 ful when taken into the stomach, but what, in a greater 
 or less degree, has a stimulating effect. In a state of 
 health, food is sufficient for all the purposes of maintain- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 47 
 
 ing life ; but when any part of the body becomes morbid 
 from disease, it requires something more powerful to re- 
 move the obstructions. Dr. Darwin says in his Trea- 
 tise on Nutrition, that food nourishes according to its stim- 
 ulating qualities. Of this there can be no doubt, and it 
 follows of course, that whatever medicine tends to aid in 
 producing this effect is best calculated to remove disease. 
 There is nothing of a wholesome stimulating nature, but 
 what is found in vegetables ; though the regular doctors 
 undertake to make it appear that minerals and other poi- 
 sons operate as such. This in some measure may be 
 the case ; but this effect is produced by the effort nature 
 makes to expel an enemy, and reduces the strength ; 
 whereas the nutritive stimulants have a tendency to in- 
 crease it. Upon the same principle they maintain that 
 cold acts as a stimulant ; and this is so far true as its 
 being opposed by heat causes action ; but this only tends 
 to exhaust the energies that sustain life. Ardent spirit 
 is well known to be a powerful stimulant ; but by its too 
 frequent use it loses this quality, and becomes highly 
 injurious to health ; for it contains nothing nutritive in 
 its nature ; and only tends to injure the tone of the stom- 
 ach, and seriously to affect the nervous system. When 
 the materials of which alcohol is made are used as food, 
 they are nourishing to the body, but distillation destroys 
 this quality altogether. 
 
 The first and most important object in removing dis- 
 ease is to find something that has a sufficient stimulat- 
 ing power to not only raise but to hold the internal heat 
 of the body, and keep up the perspiration until all ob- 
 structions can be removed, and the stomach cleansed so 
 as to digest the food taken into it. To find an article 
 that would effectually do this Dr. Thomson says he had 
 
48 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 much difficulty. He tried a great may articles which 
 he found useful, and would answer a very good purpose 
 in the first stages of the disease ; but in chronic cases, 
 where the system had been run down by neglect or bad 
 treatment, they were not sufficiently powerful to effect 
 the desired object. By persevering, however, in his plan 
 and in the use of such articles as he had found best cal- 
 culated to raise the inward heat, he met with great suc- 
 cess in his practice for several years ; until he by acci- 
 dent come across some of the common red peppers 
 of the country, which on trial he found to be much 
 superior to any thing he had before used. This he con- 
 tinued to make use of for some time ; but in pursuing his 
 inquiries to find something better; he at last, on visiting 
 a seaport, met with some Cayenne Pepper, which he im- 
 mediately made trial of and found to be the very thing 
 he had been so long in pursuit of. He from that time 
 adopted it as one of the most important articles that is 
 made use of in his system of practice ; and there can now 
 be no doubt of the fact, that it is the safest and most pure 
 stimulent ever discovered. 
 
 Astringents — are such articles as have the power, 
 when administered as medicine, either internally, or ap- 
 plied to external injuries, to remove canker, by allaying 
 the irritation caused by that disease. The meaning of 
 the term is, to tie up, or bind together ; and its operation 
 is to stop the flow of blood or the animal juices. It is of 
 the utmost importance to have a correct understanding of 
 this subject ; for we maintain that in all cases of settled dis- 
 ease, there is more or less of canker ; and the first object 
 ought to be to remove this difficulty, in order that a natu- 
 ral action of the parts may take place, when nature will 
 be able to effect a cure. The articles that come under 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 49 
 
 this head are numerous in our country ; but many of 
 them are not safe to be used as such, on account of their 
 being too binding, and the only way to correct this diffi- 
 culty is to use with them something that is stimulating, 
 Cayenne has been proved to be the best. From this it 
 would appear that those articles which possess the great- 
 est stimulating power as well as their astringent effects, 
 are the safest and best calculated to remove the canker 
 and aid in effecting a cure. The Jesuit's bark was used 
 by the doctors as an astringent for many years, and for a 
 long time was considered a sovereign remedy for almost 
 every disease ; but it was found to be too binding in its 
 nature, and by drying up the juices, often did more harm 
 than good ; and they not knowing how to correct the 
 evil by stimulants, have laid it aside ; for we believe it 
 is now very little used by them. This is not evidence, 
 however, that it may not be used to advantage by the 
 assistance of stimulants. 
 
 In the course of his practice for several years Dr. 
 Thomson says he met with the same difficulty, with those 
 articles he made use of to remove the canker ; but by 
 trying a great number of different things for this pur- 
 pose, he was enabled to find some one of them, with the 
 other means he used, to effect his object. He used for a 
 long time marsh rosemary and various kinds of barks, 
 which he found good in many complaints ; but their ef- 
 fects did not seem to meet his views in the more difficult 
 cases that came under his care ; until at length he found 
 an article that answered his purpose. This was the bark 
 of the root of Bay berry, which he found to be effectual in 
 removing the canker, and at the same time its stimula- 
 ting qualities were sufficient to prevent any bad effects. 
 From that time he used this as his chief remedy in such 
 5 
 
50 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cases ; and from thirty years experience, has not been 
 able to discover any thing that can compare with it in 
 producing the desired effect. He had long been in the 
 habit of testing whatever he met with by its taste, to 
 ascertain its medical virtues ; for he naturally came to 
 the conclusion, that the effect produced in the mouth 
 would continue to have the same when introduced into 
 the stomach. In ascertaining what is best to be used as 
 an astringent, he lays it down as a rule, that by chewing 
 the article, if it causes the saliva to flow freely and leaves 
 the mouth moist and clean, it is good ; but if it leaves 
 the glands dry and causes a sensation of foulness in the 
 mouth, it is bad and should be avoided. This we think 
 is sound doctrine and is worthy of being remembered. 
 
 Tonics — are such articles as have a tendency to regu- 
 late the tone of the stomach and strengthen the diges- 
 tive organs, and enable them to perform all their func- 
 tions in preparing the food to nourish the body. To 
 give tone is to regulate so as to produce harmony. If 
 in the process of digesting the food when taken into the 
 stomach, there is not a proper balance of power in the 
 ingredients of which it is composed, or there is any thing 
 obnoxious, it will cause disorder ; and if this is not cor- 
 rected by some means, or the offensive matter is not 
 thrown off by an emetic, the consequence will be a set- 
 tled disease, and the whole system will become more or 
 less affected by it. The same difficulty may take place 
 by overloading the stomach with too much food, or tak- 
 ing into it what is not suitable for nourishment. Now 
 the tendency of all these effects is to produce discord, 
 and the only remedy is to use such means as will restore 
 the proper tone to all the parts : when nature will be 
 enabled to continue a heulthy action, and maintain the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 51 
 
 necessary functions for sustaining life. All the articles 
 used as medicine for this purpose, we shall place under 
 the head of tonics ; they are very numerous and may 
 be known by their bitter taste. 
 
 The great regulator of digestion' and which prepares 
 the aliment for the purposes of furnishing nourishment 
 to the body, it is well known, is the bile ; which is a 
 thick, yellow, bitter liquor, separated in the liver, collect- 
 ed in the gall bladder, and discharged into the lower 
 end of the duodenum. In a state of health this is the 
 only tonic needed ; but when the stomach is out of or- 
 der, it nee Is something that will regulate its action and 
 restore the tone, before it will return to a healthy condi- 
 tion ; for if the food passes into the duodenum in an un- 
 prepared stair, it will not take up the gall, and therefore 
 passes off vviihout affording any nourishment, and will 
 tend to cause disease in the alimentary canal. The gall 
 not being used for its proper purposes, and constantly 
 flowing, of course passes into the circulation in a crude 
 state, and being carried to the surface by perspiration, 
 turns the skin of a yellow colour. This is called the 
 jaundice, or a bilious habit, and is considered a disease ; 
 but this is not the fact, for it is only a symptom showing 
 the state of the stomach, which is the seat of the disease. 
 
 In some cases when the stomach is weak and inactive, 
 the gall flows into it, and there mixing with the undigest- 
 ed food, forms a cold mass of morbid matter, which if 
 not removed, w r ill cause canker, and lay the foundation 
 of a long continued disease ; for health cannot be restor- 
 ed while this mass remains in the stomach. The Thom- 
 sonian method for doing this, and we think it the only 
 correct and safe one, is to remove this cold mass of mor- 
 bid matter with emetics; and then to raise the inward 
 
52 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 heat by giving the most powerful stimulants at hand, 
 till perspiration is restored, with astringents to remove 
 the canker, after which follow with tonics to restore the 
 digesture. This, when persevered in, will in most cases 
 effect a cure, by removing the cause of disease. One 
 of the best tonics for regulating the stomach, and pre- 
 paring nourishment for the body, is common salt ; and 
 may be often administered as a medicine to great ad- 
 vantage, when the stomach is out of order and has need 
 of a corrector. Dr. Thompson has said that salt afford- 
 ed more nourishment than any other substance, he knew 
 of. That it is essentially needed in digesting the food 
 and creating an appetite, there can be* no doubt. All an- 
 imals that chew the cud have a strong craving for salt ; 
 and this is good evidence of its being useful and nece^- 
 sary, for instinct never errs. Abstinence may some- 
 times be useful in correcting the digesture ; for con- 
 stantly taking food into the stomach when it cannot di- 
 gest it, must do an injury. We would wish, however, to 
 be understood not to mean total abstinence ; for it is 
 essential that the stomach should be supplied with as 
 much light and nourishing food as it can bear without 
 causing distress. There are a great variety of vegeta- 
 bles which are useful as tonics ; many of those that 
 have been proved to be the best, will be hereafter de- 
 scribed in their proper place. 
 
 Emetics — are all such articles as when introdu- 
 ced into the stomach cause vomiting, by aiding it to 
 eject whatever may be there that is offensive and inju- 
 rious to health. The only article now used for that pur- 
 pose in the Thomsonian practice, is the Emetic Herb, 
 (Lobelia inflaia) which has become one of the main pil- 
 lars of that system of practice, and without which it 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 53 
 
 would be difficult to effect a cure in chrouic cases of 
 disease. It has now been used as an emetic for over 
 thirty years, and has been proved to the satisfaction of 
 all who have had a knowledge of its effects, to be the 
 most safe and effective in its operation, of any thing that 
 has ever been discovered. The Steam Bath is another 
 powerful auxilliary in removing the cause of disease ; 
 by opening the pores it attracts the determining powers 
 to the surface, and tends to clear the system of all impu- 
 rities, giving a lively action to the skin. A more partic- 
 ular description of this important remedy, and the best 
 manner of applying it, will be hereafter .given. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Practice continued, and its success in an alarming disease that 
 prevailed. Many desperate cases attended with success, with 
 his mode of treatment, in effecting a cure. 
 
 Having now commenced the medical practice as a 
 business, he was sent for and attended several desperate 
 cases of disease, in which he met with extraordinary suc- 
 cess. In the year 1805 a very alarming disease prevail- 
 ed in his neighbourhood, which from its peculiar symp- 
 toms was called the yellow fever. It was very fatal, for 
 about one half of those attended by the regular doctors 
 died. He was sent for and attended a number of the 
 worst cases, and during the prevalence of this epidemic, 
 which lasted about seven weeks, never lost one patient. 
 5* 
 
54 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 He says in his narrative, that he pursued his usual course 
 of treatment, by cleansing the stomach, and raising the 
 inward heat so as to cause perspiration, then giving 
 medicine to clear off the canker ; by which means he 
 was able to check the disease and restore his patients 
 to health, with much less difficulty than he had ever 
 thought before to be possible. In those cases he found 
 great benefit in the use of steam, in the application of 
 which he made several improvements. The experience 
 he gained during this practice, he says confirmed him 
 in the opinion, that fever is a disturbed state of the na- 
 tural heat, and is only a symptom caused by the efforts 
 nature makes to remove the obstructions, which cold has 
 been the cause of producing ; and that the only way to 
 remove the disease, is to assist nature or heat to over- 
 come the effects caused by cold. 
 
 A man in a neighbouring town was suddenly taken 
 with bleeding at the lung3 ; his doctor had done all he 
 could without any benefit. He was in despair, and the 
 family were greatly alarmed, stating that he had lost in 
 twentyfour hours nearly six quarts of blood. In this sit- 
 uation Dr. Thomson was sent for and attended ; and by 
 giving medicine to get as great an internal heat as pos- 
 sible, caused him to sweat profusely ; then gaye medi- 
 cine to clear off the canker, a cure was effected, so that 
 in four days he was well enough to attend to his busi- 
 ness. 
 
 In the same year, he had a case that was somewhat 
 new to him. A woman who had been in a dropsical 
 way for several years. The disease had of late gained 
 rapidly in its progress ; and it was thought by her hus- 
 band she would not live through the day. He found her 
 situation very distressing ; she said it appeared to her 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 55 
 
 that she was full of scalding water. In the first place 
 he gave her about a gill of checkerberry and hemlock, 
 distilled, which allayed this burning sensation imme- 
 diately ; and then by cleansing the stomach, and follow- 
 ing his usual course, he was enabled to relieve her, so 
 that in about a week she was in a comfortable state of 
 health, which continued for many years. 
 
 There was brought to his house about this time, in her 
 bed, a woman from Vermont, who was in a very extra- 
 ordinary situation, she had lain in her bed and been per- 
 fectly helpless for ten years, and had been attended by 
 all the doctors in that part of the country, without any 
 benefit. He proceeded with her in his usual way, by 
 cleansing the stomach and getting a perspiration ; and 
 she soon began to gain ; but he met with great difficulty 
 in making her help herself, or use any kind of exercise. 
 To effect this object he had to resort to various expe- 
 dients, such as laying her on a bed in a wheelbarrow, 
 and run her about in this way till she was tired. 
 After exercising her in this way for a week, she gain- 
 ed some strength, and could move her limbs. He 
 then put her in a wagon and drove her about in that till 
 she would at last rather than fall, start her feet unexpect- 
 edly and try to help herself. She was after this put on 
 a horse, and by making several trials, she at last got so 
 as to be able to ride alone four miles, out and back, at a 
 time; and on returning she would lay down and not 
 move for six hours. By pursuing this plan, and at the 
 same time giving her medicine to keep up the perspira- 
 tion, and restore the digesture and strengthen the nerves, 
 for three months, she was able to return home, and af- 
 terwards enjoyed a comfortable state of health. 
 
 He was about this time called upon to attend several 
 
56 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cases of dysentary, which by treating them in his usual 
 manner, was enabled in every case to effect a cure. 
 Two cases of cancer also came under his care, which he 
 succeeded in curing by pursuing his plan of clearing the 
 system from obstructions, restoring the digesture, and 
 keeping up a healthy circulation ; and applying his can- 
 cer balsam to reduce the tumor. This balsam was an 
 invention of his own, which will be hereafter described. 
 
 A case came under his care, while on one of his med- 
 ical excursions, which we think worth relating. A 
 young man had been taken in what was called cramp 
 convulsion fits, which he had a regular succession of for 
 three days. The doctors did all they could to relieve 
 him without success. In this situation, Dr. Thomson 
 being in the village, was sent for, and says when he en- 
 tered the room where the young man was, he went into 
 a fit. His feet and hands were drawn in towards his 
 body, his jaws were set, his head drawn back, and every 
 part of him as completely fixed as a statue. The great 
 difficulty was to get medicine into his stomach, which 
 he effected by preparing a strong mixture, composed of 
 the seed of lobelia made fine, cayenne, and the rheu- 
 matic drops ; then putting his finger into the corner of his 
 mouth, making a space between the cheek and teeth, 
 poured in some of it ; and as soon as it reached the 
 glands at the roots of the tongue, the spasm in the mus- 
 cles of the jaws relaxed and his mouth was opened ; then 
 by causing him to swallow some of the mixture, it had 
 such an effect on the stomach as to relax the spasms in 
 the whole body. Some medicines were left with direc- 
 tions how to proceed with him, and by following them, 
 he soon recovered his health, and had no fits afterwards. 
 
 This experiment we look upon as one of the greatest 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 
 
 57 
 
 importance of any that he had ever made ; for it not only 
 relieved a fellow being from one of the most distressing 
 complaints known, but proves beyond a doubt, that the 
 seat of all cases of spasms is in the stomach ; and the 
 manner in which the desired object was obtained, shews 
 an ingenious mind, and is worthy of all praise. There 
 has been since a great number of cases of lockjaw cured 
 by the same method; and in no case we believe has it 
 ever failed in giving relief to this dreadful complaint, 
 which has heretofore been considered incurable. We 
 witnessed a case of the kind somewhat similar, and can 
 vouch for the facts in the following statement. A young 
 woman in a state of despair had taken a large quantity 
 of laudanum to destroy herself; a physician was sent 
 for, who sent a student, but he made no attempt to re- 
 lieve her — considering the case out of the reach of his 
 skill. In. the mean time a person who had a knowledge 
 of the Thomsonian practice was called in by a friend, who 
 pursued the same method that Dr. Thomson has describ- 
 ed in the above case, and met with the same success. 
 The poison was thrown off the stomach, and the girl re- 
 covered. The young student witnessed it with much 
 anxiety ; but before he left, he told one of the women pre- 
 sent, that he would give fifty dollars to know what the 
 medicine was. 
 
 A young man was brought to him from a distant town 
 who had been afflicted with a fever sore on his thigh 
 for several years. He began with him by giving medi- 
 cine to correct and strengthen the system ; bathed the 
 wound with the rheumatic drops, sometimes bathed it 
 with cold water to strengthen and increase the circula- 
 tion in the limb, and after pursuing this course for about 
 a month, he was well enough to do some work. The 
 
58 NARRATIYE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 young man remained with him about four months, when 
 he returned home, being able to walk the whole distance, 
 which was one hundred miles. 
 
 In the fall of the year 1807 the dysentary prevailed in 
 a town in Vermont, and was so fatal, the inhabitants be- 
 came much alarmed. Of twentytwo cases attended by 
 the doctors only two survived. A meeting of the peo- 
 ple was held to consult upon the subject, at which the 
 selectmen of the town with other responsible individuals 
 were appointed to make suitable provisions for taking 
 care of the sick. The success with which Dr. Thom- 
 son had met in curing this disease being known to some 
 of them, led them to apply to him for his assistance. He 
 was immediately sent for, and attended with all expedi- 
 tion. On consultation he agreed to undertake the task, 
 on condition that he should have two men to assist him, 
 which was complied with, and two good men were se- 
 lected for that purpose, and he at once commenced his 
 practice. In the course of three days he had thirty pa- 
 tients under his care. He says the cases were more 
 distressing than any he had ever witnessed ; but by per- 
 severing in his usual course, was enabled in eight days 
 to completely subdue the disease ; and all that he at- 
 tended recovered except two, who were dying when he 
 first saw them. 
 
 In this practice he gained much knowledge of the 
 cause of this complaint ; and satisfied his own mind that 
 it was brought on by the loss of heat in the body, and 
 canker. The stomach being so much disordered by 
 cold, that it could not digest the food that was needed to 
 maintain the inward heat ; and this caused canker not 
 only in the stomach but through the whole alimentary 
 canal. He brought but little medicine with him and 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 59 
 
 had to make use of such articles as he could procure at the 
 place. In describing his practice, he says he made use of 
 red peppers steeped in a tea of sumach leaves sweetened, 
 and sometimes the bark and berries, to raise the inward 
 heat and clear off the canker, which had the desired 
 effect. After taking this tea, those who were strong 
 enough he placed over a steam, as long as they could 
 bear it, and then put them in bed. Those who were 
 too weak to stand, he contrived to sit over a steam; and 
 this was repeated as often as he thought it was required. 
 To restore the digesture he made use of a syrup made 
 of the meats of the black cherry stones with a tea of 
 black birch bark, to a quart of which was added three 
 ounces of sugar; this syrup was given freely and had a 
 very favorable effect. By this simple means he was 
 able to check this formidable disease, and perform cures 
 that seemed to the people to be miraculous. 
 
 He was sent for and attended in other towns in the 
 same disease after this, with equal success. He also 
 had put under his care a number of cases that were con- 
 sidered past cure, in all of which he was successful ; but 
 as it is our only aim to give information of his system of 
 practice, in order to enable others to gain a correct know- 
 ledge of it, we shall give a description of such cases only 
 as we think most important. 
 
60 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICB 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Practice continued. Some desperate cases cured, that were new 
 to him. Persecutions and ill treatment from some of the regu- 
 lar doctors ; and the cure of cases of consumption described. 
 
 Although in pursuing the practice Dr. Thomson met 
 with the most extraordinary success, which gave general 
 satisfaction to the people, in all places that he visited, 
 yet he continued to be strongly opposed by many of the 
 regular doctors, and that portion of the public, over 
 whom they managed to exercise a powerful influence. 
 This, however, did not prevent him from persevering in 
 his course ; and most of the people in all the places 
 where he practised took a strong interest in his cause and 
 seemed determined to support him. He continued to 
 have as many patients as he could possibly attend upon, 
 many of them of the most desperate kind ; all of which 
 he treated in the same manner, as he had heretofore 
 done, by removing the cause of disease and restoring the 
 digesture, by such' simple means as he then had a know- 
 ledge of, making such improvements as he from time to 
 time in the course of his'practice, from experience, found 
 to be useful. The success with which his practice was 
 attended gave the people such confidence in his skill, 
 that he was applied to by all those who had failed in 
 getting relief from any other source. Many of the 
 people, who had not a correct understanding of the natu- 
 ral and simple means he used to remove disease, were 
 weak enough to believe that he could perform impossi- 
 bilities and cure complaints that were beyond the reach 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 6i 
 
 of human skill. This placed him in a situation much to 
 his disadvantage, and caused him much trouble and per- 
 plexity ; for if one out of hundreds that he attended hap- 
 pened to die, the circumstance was seized upon by his 
 opponents, who circulated all kinds of false statements, 
 that they could invent, to prejudice the public against 
 him and his practice ; at the same time they would allow 
 him no credit for the numerous cures he made. 
 
 During the year 1807, he attended a great variety of 
 cases, such as rheumatisms, consumptions, dropsies, fe- 
 vers, salt-rheum, nettle-rash, or St. Anthony's fire, scro- 
 fulous humours, felons, &c. In all of which he gave 
 great relief, and in most of them he effected an entire 
 cure. He pursued uniformly his usual plan of treat- 
 ment, in which he had before been so successful ; which 
 was to give the most powerful stimulants he had, to raise 
 the inward heat, till by that and the application of steam, 
 there was a free perspiration ; then administered the 
 emetic herb to clear the stomach and promote a natural 
 circulation ; after which he followed with the bayberry 
 bark and other astringents, to remove the canker ; and 
 with tonics to restore the digesture. Injections were 
 used when thought needed, especially when the bowels 
 were affected ; and the nerve powder was made free use 
 of to quiet and strengthen the nervous system. This is 
 what he has called in his system of practice, a regular 
 course of medicine, and is what is meant when that is 
 mentioned. This course he repeated as often as the 
 state of the patient and the nature of the disease requir- 
 ed, until all the difficulties were removed. By a steady 
 perseverance in this plan, he was enabled to effect cures 
 in numerous cases where all other skill had failed ; and 
 it is our serious belief, that if the same method is faith- 
 6 
 
C2 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 fully followed with judgment and discretion, it is not 
 only safe, but more certain in curing disease, and less 
 liable to injure the system, than any other practice yet 
 known. 
 
 He had a great number of cases of chronic rheumatism, 
 in which he met with remarkable success. This is one of 
 the most painful and distressing complaints that the hu- 
 man family are afflicted with; and prevails to great ex- 
 tent in our cold climate. A large portion of the people 
 are mere or less troubled with it, especially the aged. 
 It seems to be seated in the glands of the joints, which 
 are obstructed by the cold, so that the blood does not 
 flow freely in the parts affected, causing inflammation 
 and swelling, when it becomes extremely painful. He 
 found that his hot medicine, with steaming, was the only 
 remedy in this formidable complaint; and was able in 
 all cases that came under his care, by his common course 
 of treatment, to effect a cure ; though in those of long 
 standing it was necessary to repeat the course a number 
 of times. All this is easily avoided, however, by apply- 
 ing the remedy in the first stages of the complaint. The 
 doctor has related several cases of this disease, which 
 he cured by pursuing his common course of practice. 
 One of them was that of an elderly gentleman, who had 
 been laid up by it for two months, and was unable to 
 move himself, without much suffering ; by giving him 
 three courses of medicine, he was able after three days 
 attendance, to walk out ; and in a short time could at- 
 tend to his business. 
 
 The most important cases that were under his care, 
 and in which his cures were considered the most extra- 
 ordinary, were in that alarming complaint which goes 
 under the name of consumption. It seemed to be the 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 63 
 
 settled opinion of all, even of the medical faculty, that 
 where this disease, had become chronic, or permanently 
 seated, and the lungs were ulcerated there was little or 
 no chance for a cure. The very ^ew cases of recovery, 
 of those attended by the faculty, probably led to this 
 conclusion ; for their treatment of this complaint by the 
 use of mineral poisons, opiates, and what they call the 
 depletive course of practice, in all cases only tended to 
 reduce the strength of the patient, and hasten the pro- 
 gress of the disease, till death only could put an end to 
 their sufferings. The people were naturally much 
 alarmed in all cases of this kind, and anxiously sought 
 for any remedy that had the least prospect of giving re- 
 lief. The consequence has been that the ingenuity of 
 min has been exerted to the utmost, in compounding 
 and offering to the public, the thousands of nostrums as 
 infallible remedies in this disease ; and as the articles of 
 which they are composed are unknown to any but them- 
 selves, it cannot be viewed in any other light than an 
 imposition practiced upon the people for their own pro- 
 fit ; and only has the effect to relieve their pockets, with- 
 out relieving them of their complaints. 
 
 These circumstances and the numerous applications 
 he had from those labouring under this complaint, led 
 Dr. Thomson to reflect seriously upon the subject, and 
 to endeavour to ascertain its cause, as also the best means 
 by which it might be cured. To do this he had no other 
 way of coming to correct conclusions, than by the know- 
 ledge he had gained by practice, and the exercise of his 
 own mind. He took for a guide his own theory, that all 
 disease originated from one general cause, that is, ob- 
 structions occasioned by cold, or lessening of the power 
 of vital heat in the part affected; and that the only dif- 
 
64 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 ference between this alarming complaint and all other 
 acute attacks of disease, was in its locality and symp- 
 toms. He thus came to the conclusion that the only 
 way to effect a cure was to remove the cause, by admin- 
 istering such medicines, and making use of such means, 
 as would aid nature in clearing the system of all obstruc- 
 tions, throwing off the morbid matter by perspiration, 
 and restoring the digestive organs, so that food would 
 maintain the natural heat of the body. He also satis- 
 fied himself by his practice, that in all cases of this kind, 
 where the patient had not been so reduced by improper 
 medical treatment, that nature had given up the con- 
 test, and the vital spark had become so nearly extinct as 
 to make it impossible to rekindle it, a cure might be 
 effected with as much certainty, as in most other cases 
 of chronic disease. That his opinions were correct has 
 heen abundantly proved, by the extraordinary and nu- 
 merous cures that have been effected by his practice,. 
 most of them where all other means had failed. 
 
 During the year 1808 he had a great number of cases 
 of consumption, in all of which he met with remarkable 
 success. Many of them had been given over by the 
 doctors as incurable ; and to give an idea of the differ- 
 ence between his practice and the success which attend- 
 ed it, and that of the regular doctors, we shall give a de- 
 scription of some of the most important cases. He was 
 called upon to attend a married lady who was considered 
 in the last stages of a consumption. By the account she 
 gave of her case it appeared that it had been brought on 
 in the following manner. She had been formerly afflict- 
 ed with a scrofulous humour, which made its appear- 
 ance on her hands, and though troublesome caused her 
 not much inconvenience. She applied to a doctor for 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 65 
 
 his advice, who directed her to make use of a sugar of 
 lead wash. This drove the disease from her hands to 
 her lungs, and she had been from that time in a decline, 
 and had now very little hopes of ever being any better* 
 The usual course of medicine was administered, which 
 had a very favourable operation ; and by continuing 
 them occasionally, with the use of tonics to restore the 
 digesture, she was in the course of a few weeks restored 
 to health. This case shows the danger of operating 
 upon the effects of disease, instead of removing the 
 cause ; or cutting off the limbs instead of applying the 
 axe to the root of the tree. There can be no doubt of 
 the fact, that a large proportion of cases of consump- 
 tion, as well as other settled complaints, are caused by 
 the external application of poisonous substances, which 
 check perspiration, and turns the course of nature from 
 the surface inwardly, when the disease becomes seated 
 in some one of the vital organs. The same effects may 
 be produced by administering the same kind of medicine 
 inwardly. 
 
 In the course of the same year he had a case of con- 
 sumption which caused more talk, and produced a greater 
 excitement than any that he had before attended. The 
 person labouring under this disease was a baptist minis- 
 ter, who was very much respected and beloved by his 
 society, and their anxiety was very great about him. Dr. 
 Thomson says in his Narrative — " I found him very 
 weak and low, in the last stages of the disease ; all hopes 
 of a recovery were at an end ; his doctors had left him 
 as incurable. He asked my opinion of his case; and I 
 told him I could not tell whether his cure was possible, 
 till after trying the effects of the medicine. He expresed 
 a strong desire that I should undertake with him; but I 
 6* 
 
66 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 declined doing any thing until he consulted his deacons 
 and other members of his Church and their advice taken ; 
 which being done, they offered no objection, but wished 
 him to act his own mind, and whatever the result should 
 be, they would be satisfied. Pie replied that he was con- 
 vinced that he could not live in his present situation 
 more than a week, and therefore his life could not be 
 shortened more than that time ; and it was his wish that 
 I should undertake to cure him. His strength was so 
 far exhausted, that it was with the greatest exertion and 
 difficulty, that he was able to sit up a few minutes each 
 day to have his bed made. 
 
 " I gave his friends as correct an account of his dis- 
 order and the operation of the medicine as I could ; and 
 expressed my own feelings of my responsibility in the 
 undertaking ; but they assured me that let the result be 
 what it might, they should be satisfied. On these con- 
 ditions I undertook, and told them that twenty-four hours 
 time would decide whether he lived or died. I began 
 to give the medicine in the morning, which had a very 
 calm and easy operation. The emetic herb operated 
 very gently, and threw off his stomach a large quantity 
 of tough phlegm, resembling the white of an egg; the 
 perspiration moved favorably on, and was free ; the in- 
 ternal heat produced by the medicine fixed the deter- 
 mining powers to the surface, and threw out the putre- 
 faction to such a degree that the smell was very offen- 
 sive. The patient had a brother present who was a doc- 
 tor ; he observed that he did not know whether the med- 
 icine made the putrefaction, or whether it made visible 
 what was secreted in the body; but he was soon con- 
 vinced on that head, for when the medicine had clean- 
 sed him, all the putrid smell ceased. While the medi- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 67 
 
 cine was in its greatest operation, the perspiration brought 
 out the putrid matter to such a degree, that the nurse 
 was so affected by it when making his bed, that she 
 fainted and fell on the floor. 
 
 11 After attending upon him about three weeks, he was 
 able to set up two or three hours each day; his food 
 nourished his body, and his strength gained very fast, 
 considering the season of the year, which was Decem- 
 ber. I then gave directions how to proceed, and left 
 him in the care of his family ; and on visiting him in 
 the spring, found him so far recovered as to be able to 
 ride out, and he was in good spirits. He soon gained 
 his health and was able to attend to all his duties for 
 many years afterwards. 1 ' A number of other similar ca- 
 ses might be given, but they having been all treated in 
 the same manner, and terminated with the same results, 
 it could not communicate any thing new that would be 
 useful. 
 
 During the year 1809 he suffered many severe trials 
 and persecutions from some of the faculty and others, 
 who seemed determined to destroy him and stop his 
 practice; but he continued it whenever called on, with 
 the same success that had heretofore attended him, and 
 relieved a great number, who were given over to die by 
 the regular doctors. The following case we think wor- 
 thy of a description. It was that of a young woman, 
 who had been confined to the house for four months with 
 the consumption. She was very much emaciated, and 
 had a violent stricture of the lungs, which was so severe 
 that she said it seemed to her that there was a string 
 that drawed her lungs to her back ; this caused a dry, 
 hacking cough, which was very distressing. Every thing 
 that had been done for her seemed only to increase the 
 
G8 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 difficulty. Dr. Thompson says that he had very little 
 hope in her cure ; but the young woman was so urgent, 
 and seemed to have such strong faith in his practice, 
 that he with reluctance was induced to undertake with 
 her. She said that she wished it might either kill or 
 cure, for she had no desire to live in the situation she 
 was then in. Her courage was very great,-and she took 
 the medicine and followed all the directions with much 
 perseverance. His usual course of practice, was follow- 
 ed with great zeal for about six months before the medi- 
 cine could raise the inward heat sufficiently to hold more 
 than six hours. She then had what was considered a 
 settled fever, which much alarmed her friends, as they 
 thought she would certainly die ; but the doctor was sent 
 for, who told them there was no cause for their alarm, 
 for it was the first favorable symptom that had taken 
 place ; as it gave evidence that the inward heat had 
 gained the power over the cold. After this she soon 
 gained a comfortable state of health, much to the aston- 
 ishment of all her friends ; which she continued to en- 
 joy, till about the same time next season, when she had 
 another turn of the' fever. He attended her and gave 
 his usual course of medicine, and raised the vital heat 
 till it completely overpowered the cold, when she was 
 entirely cured, and ever after enjoyed good health. 
 
 One other case will be given, being rather of an ex- 
 traordinary nature, for the purpose of showing the ab- 
 surdity and bad consequences attending the fashionable 
 mode of practice, very often resorted to by the faculty, 
 of bleeding. A young woman applied to him who had 
 for a long time been much troubled with bleeding at the 
 stomach. She stated that she had been bled by the doc- 
 tors forty-two times in two years ; and that they had bled 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 69 
 
 her seven times in six weeks.. He found her in a mis- 
 erable condition ; she had been so drained of her blood, 
 that the veins and arteries had become so contracted 
 that they held very little of that vital fluid ; and the heat 
 and circulation was so much diminished, that water had 
 filled the flesh, at the same time what little blood there 
 was rushed to the face, and gave a deceptive appearance 
 of health, while the extremities were cold. He carried 
 her through a regular course of his medicine, which 
 caused a natural circulation, and kindled heat enough in 
 the body to expel the useless water, which left room for 
 the blood to circulate through the whole system, instead 
 of circulating as it had done before only in the large 
 blood vessels; and they being so much extended by 
 there not being heat sufficient to give it motion ; which 
 leads the doctors into the erroneous idea, that there is 
 too much blood ; and they resort to the practice of blood- 
 letting, which reduces the strength of the patients, and 
 increases the disease. As soon as the medicine had its 
 full operation, so as to cause a natural and free perspira- 
 tion, her appearance exhibited the true state of her case ; 
 for instead of being so fleshy as she had before appear- 
 ed, she seemed to have fallen away, and had become 
 quite emaciated ; but when the digesture was restored, 
 so that food could nourish the body, she gained her 
 strength and flesh, and in a short time completely recov- 
 ered her health. 
 
70 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Remarks on consumption, with a description of the symptoms, 
 cause, and the different parts of the body affected. 
 
 There is probably no disease that has been more gen- 
 erally fatal in our cold climate, than what goes under 
 the name of consumption. The bills of mortality show 
 that there are more deaths among adults caused by this 
 than any other complaint. The meaning of the term is, 
 a general wasting away of all those energies that sustain 
 life. For this there must be some direct cause; for it 
 certainly cannot be supposed that this decay is natural ; 
 especially before the patient has arrived at the meridian 
 of life. We write with a sincere and honest desire to 
 give useful information, and direct the mind to an en- 
 quiry into natural causes and effects, and to a knowledge 
 of the truth ; which may be easily understood by all, if 
 left free from the shackles of visionary theorists. In giv- 
 ing our views on this important subject,. we are governed 
 altogether by the information obtained from Dr. Thom- 
 son, in the long intercourse we had with him, while pre- 
 paring his first book for publication, and by the exercise 
 of our own reasoning faculties. From all the facts we 
 have been able to obtain, and from a careful considera- 
 tion of the subject in all its bearings, we have decidedly 
 come to the conclusion, that the fatality that has hereto- 
 fore attended this alarming complaint, has been princi- 
 pally, if not entirely, caused by the unnatural practice of 
 the medical faculty. In proof of this we need no better 
 evidence than the remarkable success that has uniformly 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 71 
 
 attended the Thomsonian practice; for of all the nume- 
 rous cases that have been faithfully treated in that way, 
 not one in a hundred have failed of success. Besides 
 this, we have the written opinions of all the most emi- 
 nent physicians, and those who have had the most expe- 
 rience in practice, to sustain us. 
 
 In order to give a correct understanding of our views 
 in giving a description of this disease, we shall make a 
 division of the subject as follows : viz. 
 
 1. Consumption of the lungs, (phthisis pulmonalis,) 
 the symptoms of which are a cough and raising of puru- 
 lent matter from the lungs, attended with hectic fever ; 
 which is followed by an ulceration of the lungs and a 
 general decay of the whole system. 
 
 2. Consumption of the liver, (hepatitis,) or what is 
 commonly called by the doctors, liver complaint. The 
 symptoms are, in the first attack of the disease, inflam- 
 mation and acute pain in the parts affected ; commonly 
 in the right side, difficulty in lying on the diseased side ; 
 dry cough. When the disease becomes settled, or chro- 
 nic, these symptoms in a measure cease, and large ab- 
 scesses form on the liver ; secretion of bile interrupted ; 
 high coloured urine ; loss of appetite ; tendency to me- 
 lancholy. 
 
 Agreeably to the Thomsonian theory, these complaints 
 both arise from the same cause, differing only in locality 
 and symptoms ; that is, obstructions in the parts affect- 
 ed, caused by cold, or loss of vital heat; and like all 
 other acute attacks of disease, may be easily removed, 
 by using heat as a friend, and increasing its powers, till 
 it overcomes the enemy, which is cold ; but when the 
 disease has become seated, and canker has commenced 
 its operations, which causes the abscesses, or ulcers ; or 
 
rZ NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 when the same effect is produced by administering min- 
 eral poisons and other means to kill the fever, or heat, 
 it will be much more difficult to effect a cure; and will 
 require a regular course of medicine ; to be repeated till 
 all obstructions are removed, and giving tonics to re- 
 store the tone of the stomach so that food will maintain 
 life by being properly digested, and affording nourish- 
 ment to the body, and producing a healthy action in all 
 parts of the system. 
 
 In one of the interviews we had with Dr. Thomson, 
 when explaining the cause, and giving his directions for 
 curing this disease, we distinctly recollect his making 
 the following statement, which we think of importance 
 to be preserved. That in all the experience he had 
 gained from practice, in cases of consumption, in those 
 where there was ulcerations and bleeding at the lungs, 
 he met with much less difficulty in effecting a cure, than 
 where this was not the case. His reasons were that 
 these symptoms gave evidence that there was a natural 
 heat, though in a disturbed state, an increase of which 
 was all that was wanted, to expel the cold, remove 
 all obstructions, and restore a healthy circulation. As- 
 tringents will stop the bleeding, which is caused by the 
 canker eating off the small blood vessels of the lungs. 
 That these symptoms caused great alarms ; but he soon 
 proved by his practice that there was no grounds for 
 them ; for as soon as the operation of the medicine pro- 
 duced a free perspiration, and a natural circulation of 
 the blood, all fears were banished from the minds of the 
 patients and their friends. He also stated, that in his 
 practice he always found that in those cases where there 
 was little or no evidence of inflammation, and the whole 
 system seemed to be prostrate from want of vital heat, in 
 
OP BAMUEL THOMSON. 73 
 
 consequence of cold having gained the complete control 
 over it, there was great difficulty in arousing the ener- 
 gies of life, to such a degree, as to hold for a sufficient 
 length of time, to enable him to remove the obstructions, 
 and restore the digesture, so that food would afford the 
 nutriment necessary for the support of the body; and it 
 took a long time, with a steady perseverance in his usual 
 course of practice, before a cure could be effected. 
 These cases he was satisfied were caused by the fash- 
 ionable practice of bleeding and giving mercury and 
 other poisons, which reduces the vital powers and 
 strengthens that of cold. 
 
 Consumption of the lungs appears to be a disease ma- 
 terially differing from all others, both as to its cause and 
 the symptoms that usually attend its progress. The pe- 
 culiar construction and the duties performed by the 
 lungs, renders them more liable to disease than other of 
 the vital organs. Air is constantly passing into them, 
 either pure or impure, and the various changes of its 
 temperature render them at all times liable to disease ; 
 but to prevent these difficulties, there are guards placed 
 which are always at their post, to ward off approaching 
 danger, and enable nature to restore the parts to a heal- 
 thy state ; except in those cases where the system is 
 generally affected, by perspiration being stopped, and a 
 want of proper tone in the digestive organs. In which 
 case there will be needed such medicine as will remove 
 these difficulties by aiding nature, or heat, to regain its 
 lost power over cold. 
 
 In respiration we all know that the air passes through 
 
 the wind pipe into the lungs, where it imparts its oxygen 
 
 to the blood and prepares it for circulation ; the impure 
 
 air then passes out through the same channel, and the 
 
 7 
 
74 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cold air rushes in to take its place and repeats the same 
 office ; this is what we call breathing ; without which 
 life could not continue. The windpipe has a great num- 
 ber of appendages, such as cartilages, ligaments, mus- 
 cles, and a variety of vessels, communicating with the 
 lungs and other parts; with glands and ducts, to se- 
 crete and hold in deposit all those juices needed for a 
 healthy action of the parts. Before it enters the thorax, 
 or trunk of the body, it divides into two parts, one of 
 which goes to the right and the other to the left lobe of 
 the lungs. The interior of this pipe is so constructed, 
 that nothing but air can pass below a certain point ; for 
 if any substance should do so and enter the lungs, it 
 would cause instant death. There are, however, certain 
 vessels that extend through the lungs and communicate 
 with the windpipe ; through which they discharge into 
 it whatever matter may there accumulate, either from 
 its being diseased, or from what perspiration may not be 
 able to throw off, from whence it is raised and discharg- 
 ed from the mouth by a cough. When this cough has 
 continued for a time it becomes as it were a second na- 
 ture, and is indispensably necessary for the continuance 
 of life, as it acts as a pump to discharge from the lungs 
 and glands of the windpipe, the morbid matter that there 
 collects, which would be dangerous to life, if it was not 
 in this way removed ; and it should be treated as a friend, 
 by using such stimulants as will tend to loosen the 
 phlegm, and cause it to perform its office with as little in- 
 convenience and distress as possible, till the cause can 
 be removed. There are other cases of disease, that 
 are attended with a cough, which are produced by ob- 
 structions in the glands of the throat and windpipe, cau- 
 sed by cold ; but if the cause is removed by raising the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 75 
 
 heat till it overpowers the cold, the cough will soon cease 
 to be troublesome. 
 
 It is pretty generally believed that most cases of this 
 complaint as well as many others, are, in the first in- 
 stance, caused by what is termed taking cold, or as we 
 should say loosing heat ; when the whole system will 
 become more or less affected, according to the violence 
 of the attack, and more particularly the glands and other 
 vessels of the throat, nose and eyes ; from which there 
 will be an unusual discharge of mucus, attended with a 
 cough. Perspiration having ceased, the morbid matter 
 that is usually thrown off by that evacuation, collects in 
 different parts of the body, causing obstructions, inter- 
 rupting a healthy circulation of the blood, and if not re- 
 move!, a sett! <i disease. This generally fixes on the 
 vital organs, and the lungs, as has been before stated, 
 being more subject to disease than the others, are most 
 likely to become the seat of such chronic cases of com- 
 plaint. The best, and we think the only remedy, in 
 this state of the system, is to make use of such means as 
 will open the pores, which can only be done by admin- 
 istering such powerful stimulants, as will raise the in- 
 ward heat, and at the same time by shielding the body 
 from the surrounding cold air, when a lively perspira- 
 tion will take place. After this, by taking proper pre- 
 cautions against exposure, nature will be sufficient to 
 restore all the functions to a healthy state. 
 
 The foregoing remarks, although they refer more 
 particularly to this disease, are applicable to many other 
 complaints which originate from the same cause, and 
 the symptoms may appear similar in the first stages of 
 the attack ; it follows of course that the same means 
 should be pursued to effect a cure as has been before 
 
76 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 directed. There are cases of pulmonary consumption 
 that are caused by a reaction, in the course which na- 
 ture provides to throw off and cleanse the blood from all 
 poisonous and impure matter, by the power of inward 
 heat forcing it to the surface, where it often becomes 
 seated in the glands of the skin, causing a scrofulous hu- 
 mour. This is also the case with all those cutaneous 
 complaints, which the system is liable to be afflicted with, 
 that terminate in eruptions of the skin ; such as small- 
 pox, measles, chicken-pox, &c. In all cases of this 
 kind, if the determining powers are kept from the cen- 
 tre to the surface, the disease will pass off without diffi- 
 culty, and the general health will be improved by it. 
 This can only be done by administering such stimu- 
 lants as will keep the pores open, and by shielding the 
 body from the surrounding cold air. In obstinate cases 
 the steam bath should be used, keeping up at the same 
 time as much inward heat as possible. 
 
 But on the contrary, if the operations of nature are 
 checked by cold, or the application of poisonous washes 
 are made to the surface, so as to stop perspiration and 
 increase the power of cold to that degree' as to wholly 
 change the course of disease, by turning it from the sur- 
 face to the centre, the virus or poison will return in- 
 ward, and become seated on some of the vital organs, 
 when it will be most likely to cause a very dangerous if 
 not a fatal disease. Similar effects are produced by 
 bleeding and giving calomel, or other poisonous mine- 
 rals, which lesson the power of vital heat, and tend to 
 increase the disease by turning the current inward. Any 
 kind of physic will produce the same effect. When 
 the lungs become the seat of this difficulty, it is the 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 77 
 
 cause of what it is usual to call a galloping consump- 
 tion, and if the disease is not immediately removed, 
 usually terminates by death in the course of two or three 
 weeks. It sometimes happens that this virus or poison 
 becomes seated in the internal glands, or other parts of 
 the abdominal region, where it remains dormant for a 
 long time, and the patient will continue to be in a miser, 
 able state of health for many years ; end a restoration 
 to health will not take place till it is again driven to the 
 surface by the power of heat, and expelled by that course 
 nature designed it should be. In all cases of this kind 
 the only chance of a cure is by a regular course of med- 
 icine, to be repeated as often as the patient can bear it, 
 and a steady perseverance in the use of every means 
 that can be employed, to raise the inward heat as 
 high as possible by stimulants and by the aid of the 
 steam bath, till the morbid matter is thrown out of the 
 system, when a natural circulation will take place ; and 
 then to be followed by tonics to restore the digestive or- 
 gans. 
 
 Consumption of the liver, it would seem, is a com- 
 plaint of modern date, as there is no mention of it we 
 believe by medical writers till of late years. That the 
 liver is liable to obstructions and consequently of disease, 
 as well as all the other organs, there can be no reasona- 
 ble doubt ; but we see no reason why it should become 
 the seat of a settled chronic disease more than other 
 parts of the internal region. Yet there are few com- 
 plaints that cause more alarm, and which are attended 
 with more serious consequences, than what the regular 
 doctors have given the name of " liver complaint." 
 They are in the habit, when they find a patient labour- 
 ing under a difficulty which is beyond the reach of their 
 7* 
 
78 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL FRACTICE 
 
 knowledge, to give it a name ; which is generally fixed 
 upon from some apparent symptom, and this afterwards 
 becomes the fashionable name for al! cases of a similar 
 appearance ; and they therefore prescribe for the name 
 of the disease, without any regard to the primary cause ; 
 instead of using such remedies as would remove the ob- 
 structions and restore the vital action. Y/e have abund- 
 ant reason to believe, that most if not all the cases of a 
 diseased liver, are caused by the unnatural practice of 
 the faculty ; for they invariably adopt the depletive plan, 
 bleed and give small doses of calomel, as much as the 
 patient can bear without causing salivation. This may 
 ease the pain for a time ; but does not remove the cause 
 of disease ; and the consequence is that cold and canker 
 become seated, ulcerations are formed, and it becomes a 
 settled disease ; and is what we have given the name of 
 consumption of the liver. If the proper means are used 
 when the first symptoms are manifested, by raising the 
 inward heat till a free perspiration takes place, this 
 would never be the case. 
 
 The doctors say that nothing will remove this com- 
 plaint but mercury ; they therefore in all cases adminis- 
 ter calomel or the blue pill ; but the little success they 
 meet with, we should suppose would be sufficient to sat- 
 isfy any one, that this conclusion of theirs, as well as 
 their practice, is founded in error. The Thomsonian 
 practice has abundantly proved, that a diseased liver can 
 be cured with as much certainty as most other com- 
 plaints ; and in its first stages without any difficulty, and 
 in a short time ; even in what have been considered des- 
 perate cases, where the patients have been run down 
 with the mercurial treatment and left hopeless, they have 
 in numerous instances been greatly relieved, and have 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 79 
 
 recovered a comfortable state of health, if not entirely 
 cured, by a faithful perseverance in the Thomsonian 
 mode of treatment. Numerous cases might be given if 
 thought necessary in support of the above opinion ; but 
 we shall state one only, which was attended under our 
 own direction, and we can therefore vouch for its truth. 
 A young lady aged 20, had what was pronounced to be 
 a liver complaint ; and was attended by, as was thought, 
 the best skill of the medical faculty. They prescribed 
 their usual course of treatment, that is, bleeding and 
 calomel ; which was followed for about five months, she 
 constantly growing worse : and was given up as incura- 
 ble. She was reduced to a very low state, the pain in 
 her side was severe, and she was able to sit up but a few 
 minutes at a time, from extreme weakness. In this sit- 
 uation, having no other hope, resort was had to the 
 Thomsonian practice. After three courses of medicine, 
 which were cautiously, but faithfully given, she was able 
 to be about and attend to some light work ; and in six 
 weeks, by occasionally repeating them, with the aid of 
 restoratives, she recovered a comfortable state of health, 
 which has continued to this time. In this case great be- 
 nefit was had from the steam bath, the effects of which 
 seemed to be miraculous ; by increasing the vital ener- 
 gies, throwing out the morbid matter that the mercury 
 had caused and left in the system, and restoring the se- 
 cretions to their natural state. 
 
 The structure and,, action of the liver materially dif- 
 fers from the other organs, inasmuch as it differs from 
 them in all those duties it is designed to perform in sus- 
 taining the living principle. It is composed of glands 
 for the secretion of bile, and is supplied with veins that 
 convey the blood from the lower belly to it, for the pro- 
 
80 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 duction of bile ; and with arteries which afford nutri- 
 tion. It differs from all the other organs in one particu- 
 lar ; for in the circulation of the blood through the glan- 
 dular parts, it has no aid from arterial action ; and is 
 therefore very slow, to give time for secretion of bile. 
 This is one of the singular parts of the animal economy; 
 nutritions and secretions of the various organs, are al- 
 ways supplied from the arterial blood, and the circula- 
 tion kept up by arterial force, this of the bile only except- 
 ed. It therefore follows of course, that the liver, though 
 not so subject to inflammation, is more liable to obstruc- 
 tions from cold, than the other organs. The length and 
 minuteness of the blood vessels that are connected with 
 the liver for the secretion of bile, are not equalled in any 
 other part of the whole system ; this accounts for the 
 slowness of the circulation of the blood in that organ ; 
 and the danger of disease and pain from unnatural arte- 
 rial action, caused by mercury and other poisons. There 
 can be little doubt of the fact, that from this cause arises 
 the melancholy, langour, despondency, and sometimes 
 delirium, that accompanies this complaint; for it is ge- 
 nerally conceeded, that the liver is far more frequently 
 the seat of mania and melancholy than the brain. 
 
 The duties performed by the liver, in secreting and 
 supplying the bile, are indispensable to the sustaining of 
 life ; for without this aid the food taken into the stom- 
 ach could not be prepared in a suitable manner for mak- 
 ing the blood, which is the life of the whole animal crea- 
 tion. It is one of the principal digestive organs, without 
 which the circulation, that affords heat and nutriment to 
 every part of the system, could not be kept up ; for a na- 
 tural digesture and circulation, is the mainspring which 
 keeps the machinery in motion. When, therefore, the 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 81 
 
 secretion and supply of the bile, is obstructed by cold or 
 any other cause, so as not to afford a sufficient support 
 to the blood, there will be a prostration of the strength, a 
 general wasting away of the flesh, and the whole body 
 will become more or less diseased. When in this situa- 
 tion nature requires the aid of medicine ; and it would 
 seem to be the dictate of common sense, that the only 
 medicine that can afford the relief needed, must be such 
 as will act in harmony with food, remove all obstructions, 
 by increasing the vital energies, so that the great princi- 
 ples of life may be maintained in full vigour by nature 
 herself. That the medicine and mode of treatment re- 
 commended in the Thomsonian practice will do all this, 
 there can now be little doubt ; and that they are more 
 safe and certain of effecting a cure, than any other now 
 known, is sufficiently proved by the success with which 
 the practice has uniformly been attended ; and also by 
 the little success that has in almost every instance been 
 met by the regular faculty. It is unnecessary to here re- 
 peat any particular directions for the treatment of this 
 complaint. The common course of medicine must be 
 relied on as the principal remedy, to be repeated wiien 
 thought needed. Cayenne and lobelia, are the most 
 powerful agents for removing the difficulty, and must be 
 freely used, till the system is cleared from all obstruc- 
 tions ; then follow with restoratives. 
 
82 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Remarks on consumption continued ; with an account of a con- 
 sultation held with the doctor in a desperate case, and his opin- 
 ion in regard to the treatment of the disease, with its symptoms. 
 
 It is a generally received opinion that consumplion of 
 the lungs is hereditary ; that is, that it descends from 
 the parents to their offspring. That this is the fact we 
 shall not undertake to decide ; but we can conceive no 
 good reason why it should be so. There is nothing in 
 the nature of the disease that can be communicated to 
 another except it be by the putrefaction caused during 
 its continuance. That some families are more liable to 
 this disease than others, there can be no doubt ; for 
 there have been many instances in which a part, and 
 sometimes all the members of a family have died with 
 it. This proves nothing more, however, than a predis- 
 position to the disease, and not that it is hereditary or 
 contagious. The facts above stated can be accounted 
 for by a theory more reasonable, and more in accord- 
 ance with natural causes and effects. No two bodies 
 are fashioned exactly alike ; and this difference of for- 
 mation in the vital organs may be the cause why some 
 are more likely to be predisposed to a particular disease 
 than others. A different formation of the lungs, and the 
 various glands and vessels connected with this organ, 
 may make them more liable to consumption, than others 
 differently constructed ; and this peculiar formation will 
 naturally descend from the parents to their offspring, 
 who will more or less partake of it. It is reasonable to 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 83 
 
 suppose, therefore, that this circumstance is a cause 
 why this disease should continue in such families. Ad- 
 mitting this to be the case, it is very important that all who 
 are liable to this predisposition should use every preven- 
 tion to guard against taking cold ; and on the first ap- 
 pearance of any symptoms of this complaint, to take 
 early measures to stop its progress, by keeping the pores 
 open, and the circulations correct. If the symptoms 
 indicate a settled disease, it will be best to go through a 
 regular course of medicine ; be careful about taking into 
 the lungs cold air, which will produce irritation and in- 
 crease the disease ; use no means to stop the cough, but 
 promote it by relaxing medicine ; till the cause is remov- 
 ed. By these precautionary measures, the disease may 
 be prevented from becoming settled ; and a comfortable 
 state of health may be preserved to the patient. 
 
 There are other cases of disease in which the same 
 predisposition may exist, and in which the same princi- 
 ples will apply with equal force, such as the gout, asth- 
 ma, &c, in which similar precautionary measures should 
 be taken to ward off approaching danger, by which 
 means there can be no doubt much suffering may be 
 avoided. It is a well established fact, that children often 
 inherit from their parents a diseased habit of body, which 
 may continue during their lives ; but this is of a differ- 
 ent nature from what we have before stated. It is, no 
 doubt, communicated by the mother, while bearing them ; 
 and is caused by some virus or poison, with which her 
 blood is impregnated, such as scrofulous humours, vene- 
 real taint, and others caused by mercury and other poi- 
 sons, that remain in the system. In all cases of this 
 kind it is of the greatest importance, that mothers, dur- 
 ing pregnancy, should be thoroughly cleared from them 
 
84 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 by courses of medicine : and the child after it is born 
 should be treated in the same manner, as far as it can 
 bear it ; in order to eradicate from its system any taint 
 that may remain. 
 
 We have said much more on the subject of consump- 
 tion than was at first contemplated ; but the frequency of 
 the cases of this alarming disease, and the numerous in- 
 stances of its fatal termination under the treatment of the 
 faculty, make it of the greatest importance that the peo- 
 ple should be correctly informed on the subject, in order 
 that they may be enabled to check it in its first stages, 
 by a safe and simple remedy that is always within their 
 own reach; for we hold it as a wise maxim, that it is far 
 better to prevent disease than to cure it. It is also im- 
 portant that their minds should be relieved from all ap- 
 prehension of its fatality ; by being convinced of the 
 fact, that it can be cured by the botanic system of prac- 
 tice discovered by Dr. Thomson, in all cases where the 
 patient is not reduced so low as to be beyond the reach 
 of any remedy. If what we have said on this subject 
 should in the least degree have a tendency to throw 
 such light on the minds of those who read it, as to ena- 
 ble them to relieve themselves and their neighbours from 
 disease, and thus lessen the sum of human misery, we 
 shall feel amply rewarded for our labours ; and in this 
 hope we leave it for experience to decide how far our 
 views are founded on correct principles. If they are 
 found to be correct as to the consumption, they will be 
 also found to be applicable and useful in all other com- 
 plaints ; for, according to the Thornsonian theory, all 
 disease originates from one general cause, and can only 
 be cured by one general course of treatment. 
 
 Before closing on this subject, we shall take the op- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 85 
 
 portunity to make some remarks, and give such infor- 
 mation as we think will be found useful to all, and more 
 particularly so to those who follow the practice. That 
 is in regard to a correct knowledge of the state of the 
 patient in cases of consumption; for when any one un- 
 dertakes to cure the disease, and gives promises of suc- 
 cess, without knowing what progress it has made, and 
 how far the natural functions can be relied on to sustain 
 the vital action, they may meet with disappointment and 
 mortification by a failure. To judge correctly on this 
 head it requires experience ; but a pretty correct idea 
 can be formed by the effect produced by the medicine ; 
 this, however, depends very much on the judgment, and 
 nice discrimination of the one who has the charge of the 
 case. There has been some few instances in which a 
 cure has been undertaken when the system has been so 
 much reduced as to render it impossible, which have 
 terminated fatally. This has done much injury to the 
 cause ; for all such cases have been seized upon and 
 published to the world by the enemies of the practice,, in 
 order to prejudice the people against it. It is best, there- 
 fore, to give no encouragement in cases where appearan- 
 ces give little or no evidence that a cure is practicable ; 
 and only direct such paliatives as have a tendency to 
 make the patient more comfortable. 
 
 In order to give Dr. Thomson's own views on this sub- 
 ject, we will state a case that he attended as an adviser, 
 to which we had the pleasure of being present ; and as 
 it is well known that all his conclusions have been drawn 
 from a correct source, and are founded on his own expe- 
 rience and observation, we consider them the best au- 
 thority that can be offered. A gentleman of respectable 
 standing in society had been for a long time afflicted 
 3 
 
86 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 with the consumption of the lungs, and had the attend- 
 ance of the most celebrated of the faculty, without any 
 benefit, till his case was pronounced hopeless, and was 
 left by them to the gradual decay of the disease ; until 
 death should terminate his sufferings. In this situation 
 some of the friends of the family recommended the 
 Thomsonian mode of treatment, when a young man who 
 had some knowledge of the practice, undertook the cure. 
 He gave the medicine, which afforded some relief; but 
 it was soon found that it did not remove the cause. Un- 
 der these circumstances the family expressed a strong 
 desire to have the advice of the old doctor; but at this 
 time it was well known he had declined attending upon 
 the sick, on account of ill health, being worn down by 
 his long continued practice. We were applied to for the 
 purpose of using our influence with him, (which was at 
 that time much greater than it has since been, for which 
 we know no reason,) and after some persuasion he con- 
 sented to attend. During the visit our attention was 
 more fixed upon the doctor than on the patient, for the 
 purpose of endeavouring to learn his thoughts from hrs 
 actions, as we well knew that his manner of communica- 
 ting them by words was peculiar to himself. He exami- 
 ned the patient with considerable scrutiny, asking several 
 questions of him and of the young man who attended 
 him ; felt of his hands and arms ; corded the wrist by 
 grasping it with his hand, to ascertain the state of the 
 circulation, which is his practice, instead of feeling the 
 pulse. We felt satisfied in a few minutes, that his opin- 
 ion was made up, and that there was no chance for a 
 cure. He gave some directions in regard to keeping his 
 cough loose, by giving the tincture and other articles, to 
 enable him to raise easy ; and in fact to do all they could 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 87 
 
 to alleviate his sufferings ; when we left him. On going- 
 out the wife accompanied us, and .before opening the 
 front door, she with much feeling requested the doctor 
 to give her his opinion without reserve, of what he 
 thought of her husband. The doctor in a very candid 
 and kind manner, told her that he could give her no en- 
 couragement for his recovery ; that if the attempt had 
 been made sooner there might have been some chance 
 of a cure; but it was now too late. She thanked him 
 for his visit, and for his candour in telling her what he 
 thought to be the truth, for which her mind had been 
 made up to expect. The gentleman died shortly after. 
 
 When we'had left the house considerable conversation 
 was held on the subject, and we made many inquiries of 
 him in regard to the manner in which he had ascertain- 
 ed the state of the disease in this case, and why he had 
 come to the conclusion that it was incurable. We felt a 
 strong desire to get from him such information as would 
 not only satisfy our own curiosity, but be useful to others. 
 In this we were not disappointed, for he communicated 
 freely his ideas on this and similar cases, founded on the 
 knowledge he had obtained from long experience. He 
 6aid that the person who had undei taken this case had 
 done very wrong in giving encouragement of success 
 without a correct knowledge of the state of the patient, 
 and the progress the disease had made. In ascertaining 
 this there were various ways, yet much must depend up- 
 on the judgment ; but the best and safest is, togive the 
 hotest medicine and watch the effect ; if it produces per- 
 spiration and increases the circulation, proceed with a 
 full course of medicine ; and if after waiting a suitable 
 time, say twentyfour hours, there should appear to be 
 no improvement, or rather if the patient should fall back 
 
88 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 to the former state and appear more feeble, the conclu- 
 sion may be reasonably formed that there is little or no 
 chance for a recovery from the complaint ; as it gives evi- 
 dence that the natural energies are too far exhausted to 
 afford a foundation to build upon. If on the other hand 
 there should appear to be the smallest gain, and heat 
 would hold so as to keep up a free and natural perspira- 
 tion till the digesture could be restored, and enable food 
 to supply that nutriment which is necessary to sustain and 
 continue the vital action, he had in every such case been 
 successful in effecting a cure. He also said, that these 
 same indications may be relied on as a test in all other 
 cases of a settled disease, particularly in those where the 
 system had been run down by bleeding and giving mer- 
 cury or other poisons. 
 
 In regard to the case then witnessed, he said that the 
 symptoms of the patient were altogether unfavourable; 
 that although the vital spark had been somewhat aroused 
 by the medicine, yet there was not fuel sufficient to main- 
 tain the inward heat, to such a degree, as to overpower 
 the cold; therefore the circulation of the blood was fee- 
 ble and only in the larger blood vessels, affording no heat 
 and nutriment to the extremities. That there was on 
 the skin a clammy cold matter, which was quite sticky to 
 the hand when felt of; caused by the effort nature made 
 to throw off through the pores all offensive substances; 
 but there was not a natural perspiration. This he view- 
 ed as a deathly symptom, and in which he had never 
 been mistaken. That his cough was gradually failing, 
 so that it was with the greatest difficulty he could raise 
 from his lungs the mucus that was constantly accumula- 
 ting, and when this entirely stopped, life could continue 
 but a short time. 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Account of a visit to New York, to gain a knowledge of the nature 
 of the Yellow Fever. His experience there in regard to disease 
 and food ; with a continuation of his practice nearer home. 
 
 It had been at all times a great object with Dr. Thom- 
 son to gain information of the nature of every descrip- 
 tion of disease to which the human family were liable ; 
 and to seek for and ascertain some means by which it 
 could be cured. Whenever a new disease made its ap- 
 pearance, or any epidemic prevailed that caused alarm 
 among the people, his mind seemed on the alert to learn 
 its cause and symptoms, and to seek out a remedy that 
 would not only relieve the sick, but that would put a 
 stop to its progress. In this way he has gained all his 
 knowledge of the nature of disease ; and by the exer- 
 cise of his ingenius mind in learning the properties and 
 power of vegetable medicine, has been able, in all cases 
 that have come under his care, to find a sure and safe 
 remedy. In order to obtain a correct knowledge of the 
 yellow fever, which had prevailed and been very fatal in 
 our southern cities, he made a visit in the year 1806, to 
 the city of New York for that purpose. He arrived 
 there in the month of July, when the weather was very 
 hot, and this disease was prevailing to a considerable 
 extent. His- first step was to apply to the city authori- 
 ties and request of them an opportunity to try his medi- 
 cine and mode of practice on some of the cases ; but 
 they took little notice of him, more than to say they had 
 no objection to his trying, but that he could get no pay 
 8* 
 
90 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 by law for his practice, and referred him to the Board of 
 Health, at the head of which was an eminent physician. 
 He soon found out what he had not before thought of, 
 that the whole business in regard lo the disease and its 
 treatment, was under the entire controul of the medical 
 faculty ; it would be fruitless, therefore, for him to make 
 any further attempt to obtain his object, under the sanc- 
 tion and protection of the public authorities. This fail- 
 ure we are satisfied was a serious misfortune to the suf- 
 fering people and to the world ; for we feel confident in 
 the belief, that if he could have had a fair chance to try 
 the practice, h's success in curing the yellow fever, 
 would have convinced the public of its superiority over 
 all others known, and would have given him a rank with 
 the greatest benefactors of the age. 
 
 It had for a long time been his opinion, that the yellow 
 fever was similar to that which had been common in the 
 New England States, which had received its name from 
 the same circumstance, that is, the different appearance 
 of the skin ; that the cause was the same, only differing 
 in the different climates. As he had been successful in 
 curing the spotted fever, he could see no reason why the 
 yellow fever could not be cured by the same course of 
 practice ; and felt anxious to prove to the world, that 
 his theory was correct; but if it was wrong, 'the only- 
 way to prove it would be by a fair experiment. Not 
 having an opportunity for this as he wished, he had to con- 
 tent himself with gaining such light on the subject as 
 accident threw in his way. 
 
 He remained in New York several weeks, during 
 which time he lost no opportunity afforded him, for ex- 
 amining into the nature of the prevailing fever, and also 
 of all other complaints incident to large cities, and ascer- 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 91 
 
 taining their cause ; all which tended to fix his mind 
 more firmly in the belief, he had before entertained, that 
 all disease originated from the same cause, that is, cold, 
 or the loss of inward heat ; that they differed only in 
 their locality and symptoms, which has given rise to the 
 variety of names which have been given them by the fac- 
 ulty. He was called upon to attend a case of what was 
 pronounced by all who saw it to be the yellow fever. 
 He says in his narrative the man was violently attacked 
 about noon ; his symptoms were coldness and shivering, 
 and had no pain ; his eyes were half closed, and appear* 
 ed like one half asleep; in two hours after the attack, he 
 had lost nearly all his strength. He began with him by 
 administering the hottest medicine he had, to raise the 
 inward heat and overpower the cold ; and in about an 
 hour after, he began to grow warm and the pain was very 
 severe, which continued till the perspiration appeared, 
 when he became easy, and the next day was well enough 
 to attend to business. In this case like all those he had 
 before attended of the spotted fever, cold plague, and 
 other sudden 1 attacks of disease, the cold had overpower- 
 ed the heat, when sensation had ceased, and of course 
 there was no pain ; but as soon as heat began to increase 
 so as to be able to contend with the cold, sensation re- 
 turns, and the pain will be very severe till perspiration 
 takes place. 
 
 He also had a case of the fever-and-ague, which was 
 somewhat new to him, and he was therefore induced to 
 pay particular attention to all its symptoms, in order to 
 learn the nature of this complaint. The patient had 
 been sorely afflicted with this disorder for about four 
 months, and could get no relief. In closely examining 
 into the case, he found that it gave a complete view of his 
 
92 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 theory of heat and cold ; for there appeared to be about 
 an equal balance between the two, heat keeping a little 
 the upper hand. When cold prevailed there would be 
 ague fits, with a sensation of cold chills and shivering ; 
 but when heat gained the ascendency, there was consid- 
 erable inflammation or fever, which would drive out the 
 cold for the time, and the ague fits would cease. These 
 turns generally take place either every day or every other 
 day ; and as long as this continues to be the case, they 
 remain neither well nor very sick ; but entirely unable 
 to perform any kind of labour. From what he witness- 
 ed in this case, he came to the conclusion, that the only 
 chance for a cure was to follow the indications that na- 
 ture pointed out, and lend her a helping hand to subdue 
 the enemy, cold ; to remove all obstructions caused by it, 
 clear the system of canker, and then by restoring the 
 digesture, she would be reinstated in complete control of 
 her empire. To effect this he administered his usual 
 course of medicine, and continued his common treat- 
 ment for four days, when the patient was completely cur- 
 ed, and had no more attacks of either the fever or ague. 
 Afterwards he had much experience in this complaint, 
 particularly in the Southern and Western States, where 
 it prevailsto a great extent; and also on the Lakes, 
 or where there is much stagnant water ; all which has 
 convinced him that the opinion he had formed of this 
 disease was correct. 
 
 In the Western States the people are subject, in the 
 autumn of almost every year, to violent attacks of what 
 the faculty call a billious fever; their practice is in such 
 cases to bleed and give calomel to break the fever ; and 
 if the constitution of the patient is strong enough to re- 
 sist the disease and the doctor, they escape death at the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 93 
 
 time; and the .disorder becomes intermktant, or what is 
 called fever-and-ague, which generally continues for a 
 long time, if not during their lives. In these cases they 
 seldom entirely recover their health ; but continue to 
 drag along a miserable existence ; considering them- 
 selves in a measure safe, or at least not in danger of be- 
 ing attacked by any other disorder; for so long as heat 
 can sustain the vital energies life will continue. Since ( 
 the botanic practice has been introduced into those parts 
 of our country where the above disorders prevail, it has 
 been proved beyond a doubt, that they can be cured by 
 it, with a certainty that has banished all doubt from the 
 minds of those who have been witnesses of its extraordi- 
 nary success. Cayenne and lobelia have been found to 
 be a sovereign remedy, not only in these, but all other 
 accute attacks of disease; without injury to the system, 
 or leaving any bad effects behind. 
 
 While in the city of New York, he examined into their 
 customs, habits, and mode of living; particularly in re- 
 gard to whatever might have a tendency to produce dis- 
 ease among the people; and he has made some very just 
 remarks in his Narrative on the subject of food, which we 
 consider of importance, and shall, therefore, make the 
 following extract, for the information of all those to whom 
 it applies. He says, "while I was in the city of New 
 York I took particular notice of their manner of living ; 
 and observed that they subsisted principally upon fresh 
 provisions, more particularly the poorer class of people ; 
 who are in the habit in warm weather of going to market 
 nt a late hour of the day, and purchasing fresh meat that 
 is in almost a putrid state, having frequently been killed 
 the night previous, and being badly cooked, by taking it 
 into the stomach, will produce certain disease ; and I am 
 
94 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 convinced that this is one of the greatest causes that those 
 fatal epidemics prevail in the hot season, in our large 
 seaports. Mutton and lamb is often brought a great dis- 
 tance from the country, and having been heated and fa- 
 tigued, then are cooled suddenly, which causes the fat 
 to turn to water ; and often when killed, are in almost a 
 putrid state, and the meat is soft and flabby. Such meat 
 as this, when brought into the market on a hot day, will 
 turn green under the kidneys in two or three hours, and 
 taken into the stomach will putrify before it digests, and 
 will communicate the same to the stomach, and the 
 whole body will be so affected by it, as to cause disorders 
 of the worst kind. If people would get into the practice 
 of eating salt provisions in hot weather, and fresh in cold, 
 it would be a very great preventive of disease. One 
 ounce of putrid flesh in the stomach is worse than the 
 effect produced by a whole carcass on the air by its efflu- 
 via." 
 
 It has at all times been a favourite study with Dr. 
 Thomson to learn the nature of every article used as 
 food as well as that of medicine ; as without the former 
 life could not be maintained at all, and the latter is only 
 needed to remove disease, and assist the former in sup- 
 plying that nutriment to the body, which fs needful in 
 maintaining the great principle of life. In fact this theo- 
 ry is the foundation of his whole system of medical prac- 
 tice. The first object in all cases of disease is to re- 
 move the cause, by such medicine as is best calculated 
 to effect that object and restore the digesture ; then to 
 follow by supplying the stomach with suitable food for 
 nourishing the body and maintaining that heat on which 
 life depends. His opinions upon this subject are valua- 
 ble as respects the sick, for his practice led him to pay 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 95 
 
 particular attention to it; but he found it very difficult 
 to fix upon any precise rule that would be of much ad- 
 vantage ; for people differ so much in their habits, tastes 
 and appetites, and also in the particular state of the sys- 
 tem at the time, that it would be impossible to adopt any 
 plan that would be useful, as what would suit one might 
 be injurious to another. He has, therefore, left it to the 
 judgment and discretion of the patients to decide for 
 themselves ; and only says in his general directions, that 
 they may eat any kind of nourishing food that their ap- 
 petite craves ; with the caution, to select such as is the 
 easiest to digest, and not to overload the stomach by 
 eating too much at a time. This is a good rule and per- 
 fectly safe. 
 
 On returning to his home he was again applied to by 
 those who were afflicted with disease; most of the cases 
 were such as had failed to get relief from the more fash- 
 ionable practice ; for it was their general custom, in the 
 first attack of disease, to send for one of the regular doc- 
 tors, and when they had been run down by their prac- 
 tice, and considered past cure, the steam doctor was ap- 
 plied to as a last resort to save their lives. When he 
 attended and relieved them of their complaint, they were 
 unwilling to reward him for his labour, or even to give 
 him any credit for his skill. The doctor got his pay for 
 making them worse, and often got the credit of the cure, 
 by circulating a report that the patient was getting bet- 
 ter and would have recovered under their treatment ; 
 and in this those who were relieved, and their friends, 
 were often ready to join. Such kind of treatment was 
 discouraging, and the consequence was, that Dr. Thom- 
 son refused to practice among those who had used him 
 in this way, and only attended on such as duly appre- 
 
96 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 ciated his system of practice, and were friendly. He 
 had, however, many of the most desperate cases, in his 
 neighbourhood and the adjoining towns, in all of which 
 he had the most decided success in effecting- cures. 
 The complaints were in most cases such as were com- 
 mon to the country, and were caused by the loss of 
 heat, in the first instance, and then by neglect, or erro- 
 neous treatment, had become chronic. By giving such 
 medicine as would raise the inward heat and remove the 
 canker, the patients were in a short time restored to 
 health. 
 
 In consequence of the treatment he had received near 
 home, and to relieve his family from the burthens they 
 had for a long time been subject to by having their house 
 filled with the sick, he made up his mind to extend his 
 practice to more distant parts of the country. He had 
 before been sent for and had attended in places at a con- 
 siderable distance from home, where his success had be- 
 come known ; and the remarkable cures he had per- 
 formed, caused the people to be anxious to have him 
 among them. His practice was therefore extendedat this 
 time to Vermont, the eastern parts of New Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts, and in Maine, as far as Eastport, where 
 he was sent for by the authorities and the principal men 
 of the place, and where an epidemic had prevailed to an 
 alarming extent. In every place that he visited all the 
 most desperate cases were put under his care, and the 
 success which attended his practice in curing those 
 complaints that had before heen viewed as incurable, 
 not only gave perfect satisfaction to those who felt an 
 interest in relieving the sick ; but was hailed as the 
 greatest blessing to the people. This success, however, 
 was attended as it heretofore had been, by the most vio- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 97 
 
 lent and unrelenting opposition from the regular faculty, 
 and that portion of the people, who were misled and in- 
 fluenced by the misrepresentations they circulated to de- 
 stroy him and his practice, root and branch; but the 
 more intelligent and rational class in the community un- 
 derstood their designs, and came forward in support of 
 the truth, and did all in their power to sustain him and 
 the practice, which enabled him to continue his course 
 in relieving the sick, and to introduce his system of prac- 
 tice among the people by giving such information as 
 would enable them to relieve themselves and others from 
 disease. 
 
 Although every description of disease came under his 
 care, such as consumption, fevers of every colour and 
 type, dropsies, cancers, rheumatism, canker-rash, erysip- 
 elas, salt-rheum, measles, and numerous other scrofu- 
 lous complaints, he proved by the success of his prac- 
 tice, that all disease originated in one general cause, and 
 that one general remedy is applicable in all cases ; for 
 he pursued his usual plan of aiding nature, by raising 
 the vital heat, till its enemy, cold, was overpowered, 
 then clearing the system of canker, and restoring the di- 
 gestive organs. In the correctness of this theory, he be- 
 came more and more convinced by his experience ; for 
 in no case did he fail in giving essential relief, and in 
 most of them effected a complete cure. Such extraor- 
 dinary success naturally led the people to have faith in 
 his system of medical practice, and induced great num- 
 bers of thern to adopt it, refusing all other means of cure, 
 and seeking to gain a knowledge of it so as to enable 
 themselves to become their own physicians. 
 
 He had through the whole course of his practice, free- 
 9 
 
98 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 ly communicated a knowledge of his system, and of all 
 the various methods he had adopted in curing disease, 
 with a description of such vegetables as he had found by 
 his experience, to be the best calculated for that pur- 
 pose, and how to prepare and use them. For this 
 information he had received no compensation, and for 
 his practice his pay had been small, not more than suf- 
 ficient for his support. This induced him to fix upon a 
 new plan, by which he could obtain some more substan- 
 tial remuneration for his labours than he had heretofore 
 received ; which was to sell family rights — that is, on 
 the receipt of twenty dollars he obligated himself to com- 
 municate to the purchaser all the knowledge he posses- 
 sed, or should afterwards acquire, in curing disease. 
 Many of these rights were disposed of, by which means 
 a knowledge of the practice became much more extend- 
 ed among the people. Heretofore in most of the cases 
 Dr. Thomson had been in the habit of attending per- 
 sonally, and was obliged to be nurse as well as physi- 
 cian ; but the practice had so increased, that he was 
 compelled to instruct others as assistants, and employ 
 them in such cases as he was unable to attend ; and the 
 success they met with in curing diseases, and some of 
 them of the worst kind, is the best evidence of the supe- 
 riority of the botanic practice ; for with a limited expe- 
 rience and no knowledge but what they had from him, 
 they could cure complaints that had been given over by 
 the regular faculty. 
 
 Wherever Dr. Thomson went he was constantly em- 
 ployed in attending the sick, and the cures he performed 
 gave the most complete satisfaction to the people. It 
 will be unnecessary for us to follow him in all his ca- 
 reer, and attempt to describe the numerous instances of 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 99 
 
 his success ; but shall give only such of them as we 
 
 think will convey the most correct understanding of the 
 botanic practice. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Narrative continued, with a description of the cure of various com- 
 plaints ; such as measles, dropsy, cancer, fits, lung fever, 
 wounds, &c. 
 
 S 'me mention has before been made of the measles ; 
 of cases that took place in his father's family ; and of 
 his mother's dying with this disease, in consequence, as 
 he thought, of the treatment she received from the doc- 
 tor who attended her. These circumstances led him to 
 examine into the nature of this complaint, and he found 
 by the experience he afterwards had in his practice, that 
 it was not a dangerous disease if left to take its natural 
 course, and the system properly guarded against the ef- 
 fects of cold. If the inward heat is sufficient to keep the 
 perspiration free, and the body is protected from the ex- 
 ternal cold air, which always surrounds it, the disease 
 will pass off without doing any serious injury ; but if this 
 is not the case, particularly about the time they make 
 their appearance on the skin, or when physic is given, 
 or any kind of mineral poison, which strengthens the 
 power of cold, and turns the determining powers from 
 the surface inwardly, the virus that causes the eruption, 
 returns and mixes again with the blood, and not being 
 
100 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 able to pass off through the pores, fixes upon some of 
 the vital organs, most generally upon the lungs, when it 
 becomes a settled and dangerous disease. 
 
 In the course of Dr. Thomson's practice, he says that 
 he had a great many cases of the measles, and in all of 
 them he was successful in effecting a cure, and that he 
 has never known a single case that proved fatal, where 
 his plan of cure has been faithfully followed. In tho 
 first symptoms he gave stimulants to keep up the inward 
 heat, and kept the patients warm by shielding them from 
 the cold air; and left the disease to take its natural 
 course. If this had not been attended to, and the erup- 
 tion would not come out, or after having made its appear- 
 ance had disappeared and turned inwardly, and there 
 was much distresses is always the case, he immediately 
 gave full courses of medicine, till they were relieved, 
 which would be the effect as soon as it appeared on the 
 surface. He says : " I once had a case of a young wo- 
 man who had the measles ; she lingered with the symp- 
 toms four or five, days, and then became very sick, turned 
 of a dark purple colour, and had a high fever. I gave 
 her a strong dose of the canker tea, in which I put a 
 spoonful of the seeds of lobelia made fine ; this caused 
 such a violent struggle as to make it necessary to hold 
 her in the bed ; but in about ten minutes she vomitted, 
 and a perspiration look place, which was followed by the 
 measles coming out, so that she was completely covered 
 with the eruption. She was soon well and about her work." 
 
 Being in a neighbouring town on the Sabbath, went 
 to meeting, and during the service a young woman was 
 taken in fits, and was carried out of the meeting house. 
 His curiosity induced him to go out and examine into 
 the case, and by inquiry found that she had been sul> 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 101 
 
 ject to them for a long time. By the remarks he made 
 and the opinion he expressed on the cause of the disease, 
 led the friends to have faith in his being able to cure her 
 of the fits, as well as other complaints with which she 
 was afflicted ; and in a few days after she was brought 
 to his house for that purpose. He with considerable 
 reluctance, it being a very bad case, agreed to do the 
 best he could for her ; and began in his usual manner 
 to give her medicine. The first effect of the medicine 
 was to cause her to have a strong convulsion fit ; but it 
 soon caused her to sweat freely, which was an end of 
 her fits. By persevering in his usual plan of treatment, 
 her perspiration became natural, and her other evacua- 
 tions were regular ; she soon recovered her health, and 
 had no more fits afterwards. This, with other similar 
 cases, that he witnessed, led his mind to an investiga- 
 tion of the subject, and ascertain the nature of the dis- 
 ease, and particularly the cause of those violent spasms 
 which accompany this distressing complaint. The re- 
 sult was, that he became satisfied in his own mind, that 
 this, like other violent attacks of disease, in the first in- 
 stance, was caused by a sudden loss of the inward heat, 
 in consequence of taking cold ; when the perspiration 
 ceases, and the whole system becomes disordered ; the 
 digestive organs are impaired, so that the stomach is not 
 able to afford that nutriment to the blood on which life 
 depends. To restore a healthy action all needed is to 
 remove the obstructions caused by cold, by an increase 
 of the inward heat, and giving power over the opponent 
 cold ; then by cleansing the stomach and restoring the 
 digesture, all the functions that sustains the living prin- 
 ciple, will perform their various duties, and maintain a 
 proper balance of power in all parts of the body. He 
 9* 
 
102 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 found that fits were caused by a loss of this balance of 
 power in the system, which operating upon the nervous 
 system, so affects the muscular action, as to cause vio- 
 lent spasms. This he has fully proved by his practice ; 
 for in every case where the power of vital heat was suffi- 
 cient to produce a natural circulation, the spasms were 
 at an end. 
 
 He had, during the time he was in practice, many cases 
 of that alarming complaint called cancer, in all of which 
 he met with remarkable success in effecting cures. The 
 opinion he formed of this disease was, that it was inter- 
 nal, and not external as had heretofore been supposed ; 
 and the only means by which it could be removed and a 
 radical cure affected, was to cleanse the blood of the 
 cancer taint, and restore the system to a healthy state. 
 To do this he pursued his usual course of treatment, at 
 the same time made such applications to the tumour a9 
 would dissolve and remove it. In this way he was able 
 to cure all cases that came under his care, where the 
 health of the patient had not been so far reduced by ne- 
 glect or erroneous treatment, as to be past cure by any 
 means, with as much certainty and as little difficulty as 
 most other complaints. A few cases will be given for 
 general information. 
 
 He was sent for to attend in the family of a clergyman 
 in a neighbouring town, whose family were sick with the 
 dysentary. After curing them all of this complaint, the 
 wife stated to him that she had a cancer on her breast, 
 and wished him to do something for her relief. He pur- 
 sued his usual plan of treatment with her ; left medicine 
 and directions what to do in his absence ; and on visit- 
 ing her again found her health much improved, and the 
 tumour considerably reduced, though it was then as 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 103 
 
 large as an egg; but by following his prescriptions, it 
 was in a short time entirely dissolved, without causing 
 any pain ; she afterwards enjoyed good health, not be- 
 ing again troubled with the cancer. 
 
 In another case, he says in his Narrative, " I was sent 
 for to attend a woman in the neighbourhood, who had 
 been under the care of a celebrated doctor, for a cancer 
 in her breast. He had tortured her with his caustics, 
 till her breast was burnt through to the bone ; and by 
 its corrosive nature had caused the tendons to draw up 
 into knots ;. he had also burnt her legs to the cords. 
 She had been under his care eleven weeks ; until she 
 was much wasted away, and her strength nearly gone. 
 In this situation the doctor was willing to get her off his 
 hands, and wished me to take charge of her. After 
 some hesitation I consented, and attended her three 
 weeks, in which time I healed up her sores, and cleared 
 her of the humour so effectually, by courses of medicine, 
 that she has ever since enjoyed good health." 
 
 He had about the same time another woman brought 
 to his house, who had a cancer on the back of her neck. 
 She was cured in about the same time, by the usual 
 courses of medicine, which cleared the system of the 
 cancer taint ; and the tumour was dissolved by applying 
 the cancer balsam, and she afterwards enjoyed good 
 health. 
 
 The dropsy was another formidable complaint, of 
 which he had a number of cases, and in which he met 
 with very good success in curing. The nature of this 
 disease he took much pains to ascertain ; and the opin- 
 ions he formed from experience were, that it is caused 
 by cold, or the loss of inward heat, like most other com- 
 plaints, which obstructs the natural evacuations, more 
 
104 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 particularly that by perspiration ; and causes the water 
 that is thrown off by them when in a state of health, to 
 collect in the body, which causes it to swell, in some in- 
 stances to an enormous size. To cure it he made use of 
 the most powerful stimulants he had, to raise the inward 
 heat as high as possible, in order to remove all obstruc- 
 tions, keeping the pores open so as to have a free and 
 lively perspiration, thus causing the water to pass off 
 by the natural evacuations ; at the same time paying par- 
 ticular attention to the stomach, giving occasionally an 
 emetic, and following with tonics to strengthen the diges- 
 ture, so that food will be able to maintain the natural 
 heat of the body. This was what he called, in his quaint 
 language, kindling a heat in the body sufficient to boil 
 away the water. In this manner he effected some ex- 
 traordinary cures, to the astonishment of all who witness- 
 ed them. 
 
 These remarks apply more particularly to those cases 
 where the water collects in the body and limbs, which 
 he found were easily cured ; but there is another kind 
 of dropsy, which is produced by the same cause, but 
 differs materially from the other in its symptoms and the 
 course it takes. The water instead of collecting in dif- 
 ferent parts of the body and limbs, seems to find some 
 leak by which it passes into the abdomen, or lower part 
 of the trunk. This complaint he considers incurable, 
 and can only be relieved by tapping to let off the water. 
 By this and other means to correct and support the liv- 
 ing principle, he could restore the patients, so as to ena- 
 ble them to enjoy a comfortable state of health ; but 
 they would be liable to a return of the disease. He has 
 given an account, however, of two cases in which there 
 was a complete cure. One was of a young woman : in 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 105 
 
 which case he drew off the w^ter by tapping, and then 
 by swathing and giving courses of medicine, and restor- 
 ing the digesture, he was able to effect an entire cure. 
 The other was of a young man, who had been tapped 
 twice before. He pursued the same plan as in the other 
 case, and after drawing off the water, he says he carried 
 him through several courses of medicine, and gave him 
 the juniper ashes with molasses and gin freely, which 
 carried off large quantities of water, and he entirely re- 
 covered from the disorder. 
 
 During the year 1809 he had a- great number of des- 
 perate cases, and met with his usual success in effecting 
 cures. He says in his Narrative, " during this summer 
 a woman applied to me from a neighbouring town, who 
 had the dropsy, and brought with her a little girl who 
 had the rickets very badly, so that she was grown much 
 out of her natural shape. I carried them both through 
 a regular course of medicine, and attended them in my 
 usual way for three or four weeks, when I gave the wo- 
 man information how to relieve herself and the child, 
 occasionally visiting them. They both recovered of 
 their complaints, and have enjoyed perfect health since." 
 
 Some time previous, two women applied to him to be 
 cured of the dropsy : the cases were very bad and he de- 
 clined doing any thing for them, in consequence of hav- 
 ing so many patients under his care ; but by their ur- 
 gent importunities, was induced to do what he could to 
 relieve them. He administered his medicine which ope- 
 rated favourably and gave considerable relief; and left 
 directions with the nurse how to proceed ; but she ne- 
 glected her duty, and he found on visiting them in the 
 morning one had taken cold by being exposed, and was 
 worse ; so that he was not able afterwards to raise heat 
 
106 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 enough to restore the perspiration, and she died the next 
 night. The other woman, who was considered much the 
 worse case, being swollen to an enormous size, con- 
 tinued to gain ; and after remaining under his care for 
 three weeks, returned home much reduced in size, and 
 her general health so much restored as to make her com- 
 fortable. The loss of this patient was seized upon by 
 the faculty, who took the opportunity to circulate many 
 false reports about him and his practice, in order to in- 
 jure him and stop his practice ; but those acquainted 
 with the circumstances acquitted him of all blame, and 
 the faculty altogether failed in accomplishing their 
 object, which was to get him indicted for murder. 
 
 He had a case of the dropsy while in Eastport, which 
 on account of the violent opposition he met with, we shall 
 give a short account of. A married lady had the com- 
 plaint, and was attended by one of the regular faculty 
 for a long time, till he gave her over as incurable. Dr. 
 Thomson was applied to by her husband and he consent- 
 ed to attend her, after much conversation with him and 
 the doctor on the subject. After there had been a fair 
 understanding, as he thought, by all concerned, he com- 
 menced giving the medicine, which had a very favoura- 
 ble operation ; he then left her for the night in care of 
 the nurse, with all necessary directions. On visiting 
 her in the morning found her sitting by a window expo- 
 sed to a current of air, and also that the nurse had en- 
 tirely neglected following his directions. Believing from 
 these circumstances that there was a concerted plan to 
 oppose him in his undertaking, he declined doing any 
 thing more ; but being strongly urged by the husband 
 and some of the friends of the family, he consented to 
 continue, on condition that a gentleman in whom he 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 107 
 
 could trust, would stay in the room with the patient, and 
 see that his directions were strictly complied with. This 
 being agreed to, he commenced again giving the medi- 
 cine, and by a steady perseverance in his usual course 
 of treatment, the woman was in three weeks time en- 
 tirely cured. 
 
 One more case we shall cite, being somewhat differ- 
 ent from those that have before been stated. It was that 
 of a married woman, whom he attended in Portland. 
 She had been troubled with the dropsy for a long time, 
 and was much swollen in her body and limbs, and at 
 this time was in a state of pregnancy, being as was sup- 
 posed over her time. Her situation was very alarming, 
 and her friends felt great anxiety about her, in conse- 
 quence of having been in a similar situation before, when 
 she was delivered by force, and came very near losing 
 her life ; and the doctors then said, that if she should 
 ever be so again, she would certainly die. He followed 
 his usual course of treatment for the dropsy, and car- 
 ried her through three regular courses of medicine in five 
 days, by which she was reduced in size eight inches ; 
 her travail pains then came on regular and natural, and 
 in about two hours was delivered of a daughter, and they 
 both did well. In two weeks she was well enough to be 
 about the house. 
 
 A case of the lung fever was attended by him which 
 accidentally came to his notice. It was of a woman 
 who had been given over by the doctor who had attend- 
 ed her, and was considered in a dying state when he 
 saw her. He followed his usual course of treatment, by 
 giving the hottest medicine he had to raise the inward 
 heat ; and in about fifteen hours her fever turned, and 
 the next day she was comfortable, and soon got well. 
 
108 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 This cure so enraged the doctor who had previously at- 
 tended her, that he afterwards became his most deadly 
 enemy. 
 
 A young man applied to him, who had cut three of 
 his fingers so badly as to lay open the joints. The doc- 
 tor mentioned in the above case, had attended him three 
 weeks, when they had become so bad that he advised 
 him to have them cut off. Dr. Thomson began with 
 him by giving medicine to improve his general health, 
 which had been considerably impaired by the pain he 
 had suffered. He dressed the wounds by first cleansing 
 them by washing with a weak lye, then applied some of 
 the rheumatic drops, and did them up with proper ban- 
 dages, putting round the whole several thicknesses of 
 cloths, which were kept wet with cold water. Contin- 
 uing to dress them in this manner for ten days, he was 
 well enough to attend to his work in a nail factory. The 
 young man's mother was a poor widow, who depended 
 on him for her support. Dr. Thomson shortly after saw 
 him at his work and found that his fingers were entirely 
 cured. The young man wished to know what his price 
 was for curing him, when on inquiry he found that the 
 other doctor had sent in a bill of seventeen dollars, he 
 told him that was enough for him to pay, and he should 
 charge him nothing. 
 
 A young man was sent to his house from Vermont, 
 who had lost the use of his arm by a strain ; it had been 
 in a perishing condition for six months, and the flesh ap- 
 peared to be dead. He began with him by carrying him 
 through a course of medicine, which was repeated when 
 thought necessary ; at the same time bathing the arm 
 with the oil of spearmint. In ten days he was able to 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 109 
 
 use his arm, and in two months he was entirely cured 
 and returned home. 
 
 A lad fourteen years old was put under his care, who 
 was in a declining state of health. He had been for 
 some time troubled with bleeding at the nose, and there 
 had been corrosive sublimate with other powerful astrin- 
 gents snuffed up his nose to stop the bleeding, which had 
 such an effect upon the blood vessels in that part, that 
 they were shrunk up and nearly destroyed, and his flesh 
 was much wasted away. He was carried through a 
 course of medicine, which gave an equal circulation to 
 the blood through the body, and stopped its unnatural 
 rush to the head, which was the cause of the bleeding ; 
 then by keeping the perspiration free and restoring the 
 digesture, so that food would support the body, he in a 
 short time entirely recovered his health, and was not 
 -asrain troubled with bleeding at the nose. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Description of cutaneous and scrofulous complaints, with the man- 
 ner in which they werecured ; such as St. Anthony's fire, scald- 
 head, venereal, erysipelas, &c. 
 
 There are probably no complaints with which the 
 great family of mankind are afflicted, that cause more 
 suffering, and are attended with more dangerous conse- 
 quences, than those that are called cutaneous, or diseases 
 of the skin. We have in preceding chapters given 
 10 
 
101 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 some account of the opinions and experience of Dr. 
 Thomson on this subject ; but its importance will justify 
 our endeavours to communicate all such information as 
 may have a tendency to be useful. All kinds of diseases 
 of a scrofulous nature, according to his theory, arise 
 from impurities in the blood, and their appearance on the 
 skin is the effect of disease and not the cause. Nature 
 has provided means by which all morbid or foreign mat- 
 ter is separated from the blood and carried off through 
 the pores by perspiration, if there is a healthy action in 
 all the parts ; but when the system is diseased so as to 
 retard nature in performing its duty, any virus or poison 
 that may from whatever cause be in the blood, will 
 make a lodgment in the glands of the skin, under the 
 cuticle, or scarf skin, and by irritation will produce in- 
 flammation in those parts, which is generally followed by 
 the formation of pustules or sores, but sometimes only a 
 red colour, according to the nature of the disease, which 
 will remain until the cause is removed. To effect this 
 our plan is to increase the vital action by such stimu- 
 lants as will keep the determining powers from the cen- 
 tre to the surface, and cause a free perspiration, when 
 the poisonous matter will pass off by the discharges from 
 the eruptions. It will be necessary also to protect the 
 surface against the effects of cold. The steam bath will 
 be found very useful. 
 
 In cases of long standing, where the disease has be- 
 come permanently seated and does not yield to the com- 
 mon remedies, it will be necessary to carry the patient 
 through a regular course of medicine, and repeat it as 
 often as convenient till the difficulty is removed. Clean- 
 liness is of great importance in cases of this kind, there- 
 fore the clothes and bedclothes should be often changed, 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. Ill 
 
 and every means taken to guard the patient, and also 
 those in attendance against the bad effects of the poison- 
 ous effluvia, that escapes during the operation of the 
 medicine. 
 
 Numerous cases of complaints of this kind came un- 
 der the care of Dr. Thomson in the course of his prac- 
 tice, many of them were of the most dangerous charac- 
 ter ; but he was able by his usual course of treatment, 
 not only to remove the difficulty, but to restore the 
 patients to health. A respectable clergyman applied to 
 him for assistance, who had for a number of years been 
 afflicted with the nettle-rash, or St. Anthony's fire. He 
 said that he had always imputed the cause of the com- 
 plaint to over-heating himself by fighting fire several 
 years before; for ever since that time, he had been sub- 
 ject to a breaking out all over his body, which was often 
 very painful, causing him to swell, and he felt as though 
 he had been stung by bees. He had applied to all the 
 doctors in those parts, but could get no assistance. The 
 opinion Dr. Thomson formed of the case was, that by 
 violent exercise and exposure to the fire, he had raised 
 the vital heat to the greatest possible height, and then by 
 suddenly cooling, left the outward and inward heat at 
 nearly a balance. That is, the excitability was carried 
 to the greatest pitch, when the exciting power suddenly 
 ceasing, left the living energies reduced as much below 
 the natural heat as it had been raised above it ; and na- 
 ture being opposed by cold, was not able to gain its pro- 
 per ascendency. 
 
 Taking this view of the case, he concluded that the 
 only way to effect a cure was to place the patient as near 
 as possible in the same condition as when he was fight- 
 ing the fire ; then suffering him to cool gradually, retain 
 
112 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 so much of the inward heat, as to enable nature to re- 
 cover her power over cold. This plan was followed by 
 carrying the patient through a regular course of medi- 
 cine, and making use of the most powerful stimulants he 
 had, together with the aid of steam; and with such com- 
 plete success, that he was perfectly cured, and ever after 
 enjoyed good health. He had a case very similar to this 
 a few years after ; which was that of a man who over- 
 heated himself by working in the hold of a vessel on a 
 very warm day; then sitting in a cool place till he be- 
 came chilled, and took a violent cold. He came very 
 near losing his life at the time, and continued in a low 
 state of health, unable to do any kind of work for a long 
 time, until Dr. Thomson undertook his cure. He treat- 
 ed him in the same manner as above describes ; anc; 
 met with similar success ; for in a short time he Entirely 
 recovered his health. a 
 
 The scaldhead, or as called by some salt rheum, is a 
 loathsome disease common to children ; though the latter 
 is a scrofulous humour and makes its appearance on dif- 
 ferent parts of the body, and differs from the other; for 
 the former only comes on the head, and completely cov- 
 ers the scalp with a hard scab ; this form of the disease 
 has been considered very difficult to cure. The botanic 
 practice has, however, been completely successful in 
 curing this troublesome complaint. In fact we have not 
 heard of a case in which it has failed in effecting a cure. 
 A case of this disease came under the care of Dr. Thom- 
 son ; which was of a boy who was brought to him by 
 his father; he had been afflicted with it for nine years, 
 and had been most of that time attended by different 
 doctors, without receiving any benefit. He began with 
 the patient in his usual manner, by operating upon the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 113 
 
 cause, and gave medicine to raise the inward heat and 
 cause a free perspiration, to clear the blood of all impu- 
 rities, by throwing off through the pores of the skin the 
 poisonous matter that was the cause of the disease ; at the 
 same time guarding the part affected by suitable cover- 
 ing, and making such applications as would soften the 
 offensive matter and remove it from the surface. This 
 plan of treatment proved completely successful ; so that 
 the boy, after three weeks' attendance, returned home 
 perfectly cured, and has not since had any appearance 
 of the disease. 
 
 Venereal, or syphilis, is a disease of a scrofulous na- 
 ture, and is supposed to be caused by an impure and un- 
 natural intercourse of the sexes, which generates and 
 communicates to the blood a poisonous taint which be- 
 comes seated in certain glands of the body; and if not 
 checked in its progress, assumes a very high state of 
 canker. The only way which the faculty attempt to 
 cure this disease is by administering mercury, both in- 
 wardly and applying it externally. This method it ia 
 pretty well known, and is admitted by some of the most 
 eminent medical writers, causes a much more dangerous 
 disease, than the one they attempt to cure. They as- 
 sume the fact that nothing but mercury will remove this 
 virus or taint from the blood ; but in this as well as in 
 many other of their theripeutical conclusions, they labour 
 under a delusion, that if it was not for their being learn- 
 ed men, would be viewed by the uninitiated as gross ig- 
 norance ; for it has been proved beyond all doubt by the 
 botanic practice, that this disease can be cured with as 
 much certainty, as any other scrofulous complaint. 
 
 Dr. Thomson has cured a great number of cases of 
 this disease ; and those practicing upon his system have 
 10* 
 
114 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 been equally successful. Even in such cases as had been 
 for a long time under the fashionable treatment, and had 
 become entirely a mercurial disease, they have been able 
 to effect a complete cure ; without leaving any mercu- 
 rial or venereal taint behind. He has described two ca- 
 ses of the very worst kind, which came under his care, 
 and we shall give them in his own language. " 1 had 
 a case of a woman, who was brought to me on a bed, 
 fifteen miles. She was in a very putrid state, and as bad 
 as she could well be, with all the consequences that are 
 caused by being filled with mercury. Different doctors 
 had attended her for eleven months, and she had con- 
 stantly been growing worse. She had been kept igno- 
 rant of her disease, till a few days before brought to me, 
 on account of her husband. I carried her through five 
 courses of medicine in two weeks, and applied a poultice 
 of white bread and ginger, made with a tea of No. 3, 
 (canker tea.) This completely broke up the disorder ; 
 and by giving medicine to correct the bile and restore 
 the digesture, she was cured, and returned home in three 
 weeks after coming to me. By taking medicine to re- 
 store her strength, enjoyed good health ever after. 
 Another woman was cured in the same manner, who 
 had been in this way for six years, and unable to do any 
 business. I attended her three weeks, when she was 
 restored to health, and returned home. In less than a 
 year after, she had two children at a birth ; and con- 
 tinued to enjoy good health." 
 
 Erysipelas, as far as we have been able to gain infor- 
 mation on the subject, was in former times considered 
 as a disease that very young children only were subject ; 
 and it was thought by many that it originated from a 
 cankery taint which they took from the mother before 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 115 
 
 their birth. How far this opinion can be relied on as 
 truth, we know not ; but there are many good reasons 
 to support the belief that it is correct, in most if not all 
 cases of the kind. Be this as it may, there has of late 
 years appeared a disease, which goes by this name, and 
 to which all ages are subject, from the youngest to the 
 oldest; and it has puzzled the faculty very much to as- 
 certain its cause and the best way in which it can be 
 cured ; for they have not, we believe, yet fixed upon any 
 general mode of treatment. As far as we have been 
 able to gain a knowledge on the subject, it appears not 
 to be a primary disease ; but is in all cases only secon- 
 dary to some other complaint, which it follows, and with 
 which it seems to be connected ; generally what they 
 call a typhus or lung fever. Whether the erysipelas in 
 adults is brought on by the depletive practice of the fac- 
 ulty, and by filling their patients in all acute attacks of 
 disease with medical poisons, is what we do not feel 
 warranted in asserting as a fact; but there are many 
 good reasons which go to satisfy our mind that this is 
 the case, and we feel confident that all experienced 
 Thomsonians, will be ready to fall in with this belief. 
 The few cases that we have witnessed, would seem to 
 put the matter beyond all manner of doubt ; for they 
 were such as had been treated by the attending doctor in 
 their usual manner, and after the fever had been sub- 
 dued, the symptoms of this disease appeared in their 
 most distressing and dangerous form ; and we believe all 
 of them terminated fatally. Dr. Thomson has given no 
 account of this disease under its fashionable name, but 
 there can be no doubt but that he has had many cases 
 of the kind under his care, which he considered similar 
 and treated in the same manner as other scrofulous com- 
 
116 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 plaints, where there was the highest degree of canker 
 and putrefaction ; in all of which his course of practice 
 has proved wonderfully successful. 
 
 The symptoms of this disease are in its first stage, red 
 spots appear on the body, and rapidly spread to different 
 parts, accompanied with chills and drowsiness, some- 
 times delirium. When it attacks the face it becomes 
 very much swollen, particularly the nostrils and lips ; the 
 eyelids often enlarge so as to entirely obstruct the sight- 
 Blisters form, which discharge a yellowish matter. In 
 some cases only one half of the face is affected. If the 
 blisters do not form and discharge, the skin becomes dry 
 and scaley. After the disease has continued several 
 days, if not checked by removing the cause with proper 
 remedies, abscesses form on the breasts and under the 
 arms, which, if they come to a head, discharge very offen- 
 sive matter.** 
 
 The best way to proceed in such cases is to imme- 
 diately carry the patient through a regular course of 
 medicine, and repeat it after intervals, till all difficulties 
 are removed ; at the same time making use of a poultice 
 of slippery elm, bayberry, &c. with every means to re- 
 store the digesture and strengthen the system, by tonics 
 and suitable food. Dr. Curtis, an eminent botanical phy- 
 sician, gives the following case of a lady who had been 
 afflicted with this disease every summer for three years, 
 and was more aggravated and continued longer at each 
 successive season ; the last of which she continued un- 
 der the " regular" treatment nearly all summer. He 
 says in one of his* lectures, « in the spring of 1834 she 
 applied to me. Her face was so swollen that she could 
 scarcely see, and blisters an inch long, more or less,were 
 raised all over it. I directed an emetic, [lobelia,] and a 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 117 
 
 sweat, relief to the bowels, [injection] and a poultice of 
 bayberry, slippery elm, &c. to the face. The next day 
 she was about, and in less than a week entirely well. 
 No traces of the disease had been seen when I last saw 
 her, which was in the latter part of the next summer." 
 
 We think there has been enough said to give a pretty 
 correct knowledge of the nature of this destressing com- 
 plaint, and the manner in which it ought to be treated. 
 As to the cause we have only given an opinion, which 
 we feel satisfied is founded on as correct a foundation as 
 any other hypothesis can be. There may be cases where 
 there is no apparent evidence that it has been preceded 
 by a different disease ; but this does not satisfactorily 
 prove that this is not the fact ; for there may have been 
 some secret cause, that had been for a time lurking in 
 the system, which had not been before brought into ac- 
 tion, with a sufficient force, to cause it to make its ap- 
 pearance on the surface of the body. Whether our con- 
 clusions are correct or not, one thing we feel well assur- 
 ed of, that it originates from a cankery taint in the 
 blood ; and the symptoms arise from the effort nature 
 makes to clear itself from all obstructions caused by 
 cold. All this, however, is, comparatively speaking, of 
 much less importance, than to ascertain the best method 
 by which the disease may be cured when it does make 
 its appearance. 
 
 The following case of a child, that had the canker in- 
 wardly, and was under the care of a nurse who had been 
 instructed by Dr. Thomson. He was sent for and in- 
 formed by the nurse that they could not make the per- 
 spiration hold. He says in his Narrative, that " on see- 
 ing the child, I at once found that they had kept about 
 an equal balance between the outward and inward heat ; 
 
US NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 when they gave medicine to raise the inward heat and 
 start the determining power to the surface, they at the 
 same time kept the outward heat so high as to counteract 
 it. After explaining to them the difficulty, I raised the 
 child up and poured on to it a pint of cold vinegar, and 
 it immediately revived. Applied no more outward heat, 
 but only shielded it from the air, and gave the warmest 
 medicine inward, on the operation of which, the child 
 grew cold and appeared much distressed. As soon as 
 the inward heat had gained its full power, and drove the 
 cold out, the circulation became free, and the child was 
 relieved from pain and fell asleep; the next day the heat 
 was as much higher than what was natural, as it had 
 been lower the day before ; and when heat had gained 
 the victory over cold, the child gained its strength and 
 was soon about, perfectly recovered." 
 
 In the course of his practice he had a great number 
 of cases of a scrofulous or cutaneous nature ; and found 
 by his experience that they all originated in one general 
 cause — that is, such a diminution of the vital energies 
 by loss of inward Keat, that the circulation and evac- 
 uations became obstructed, so that nature is unable 
 to clear itself by throwing off by perspiration and 
 other means, the morbific matter that is constantly ac- 
 cumulating in the system, in all cases of internal dis- 
 ease. This of course produces a struggle between the 
 exciting power and the morbid action, and causes, what 
 is called by the faculty, a fever, and by them is consid- 
 ered a disease ; but which we hold to be only a symp- 
 tom of disease, or a disturbed state of the inward heat, 
 which is exerting itself to drive out the enemy, and re- 
 store the living principle, to a healthy state. In this 
 stage of the disease he found by using the fever or heat 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 119 
 
 as a friend, and giving such assistance as it may need 
 by administering stimulants to open the pores and cause 
 a free perspiration, health may be restored in a short 
 time without danger of producing any bad effects ; but 
 when this is neglected, and nature is not able to relieve 
 itself, and more especially when poisonous articles are 
 introduced into the stomach, and other means are used, 
 which have no other effect than to give a temporary re- 
 lief by deadening the sensible organs, without in the re- 
 motest degree removing the cause of disease, the two 
 contending powers, heat and cold, or life and death, 
 make a drawn battle of it ; and the morbific virus or 
 poison becomes seated in the glands of the skin or other 
 parts of the body, when canker commences its deadly 
 operations ; producing in the former eruptions or sores, 
 and in the latter hard tumours. The success which has 
 attended the practice of Dr. Thomson, as well as those 
 who have adopted his system, in all cases of this kind, is 
 the best evidence that could be offered in support of the 
 correctness of those conclusions which he has drawn 
 from such knowledge as he could gain from actual ex- 
 perience ; for in all cases that came under his care he 
 met with the most extraordinary success ever before 
 known in effecting cures. His plan has invariably been 
 to clear the system from all obstructions by courses of 
 medicine, removing the canker, and restoring the diges- 
 ture ; at the same time keeping up a free perspiration 
 by stimulants till all morbid or offensive matter should 
 be carried off through the pores of the skin and by other 
 natural evacuations. By investigating the vegetable 
 kingdom he had found among its products articles that 
 would do all this, and had proved by his long practice 
 their efficacy as well as safety. 
 
120 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Continuation of Narrative, with some account of the treatment 
 received from members of the Medical Faculty. Indictment and 
 Trial for Murder. Acquittal. Patent obtained, with remarks 
 on its validity. 
 
 He who engages in a profession, or attempts to pursue 
 any other course, which happens to be viewed as a devia- 
 tion from what may be considered the established cus- 
 tom, if successful, will be most likely to meet with much 
 opposition, let his talents or his usefulness be ever so 
 great. This may at first appear to many as strange ; 
 but it is notwithstanding, too true ; for the interest and 
 pride of some, and the ignorance and prejudice of others, 
 will be very likely to cause them to become his most bit- 
 ter enemies. This has been peculiarly the case with 
 Dr. Thomson ; for his extraordinary success in curing 
 disease by a mode of practice of his own invention, 
 which differed from that considered more fashionable, is 
 the only reason that can be given for the unrelenting op- 
 position and violent persecutions, which he has met with 
 from a certain class of men. If he had killed his pa- 
 tients instead of curing them, or had he been proved to 
 be as ignorant and dangerous in his practice as has been 
 said of him, this might justify his being exposed to the 
 world ; but his very success has been the cause of their 
 enmity. 
 
 He had now followed the practice of medicine as a 
 business for several years, and had been more generally 
 successful in curing disease, it is believed, than any one 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 121 
 
 who had preceded him. The cases that came under 
 his care were most of them considered hopeless, and such 
 as had been given over by the medical faculty as beyond 
 the reach of their skill. If a large proportion of them 
 had died under his treatment, there would have been 
 nothing wonderful in it; but it is a fact well known to 
 thousands that the cases in which he failed in effecting 
 cures were very few and in all of them the want of success 
 could be satisfactorily accounted for, as not being his 
 fault, or owing to any failure in his mode of treatment. 
 In all acute attacks of disease the cure was effected in 
 so 'short a time and with so much apparent ease, that 
 the patients were hardly willing to believe that they had 
 been sick, and he gained little credit for the cure, al- 
 though he had saved them from long sickness. Now 
 admitting these to be the facts, and we know no reason 
 for doubting them, one of two things must certainly be 
 allowed to be the truth ; either that he possessed extra- 
 ordinary skill, or that his system of practice has been 
 proved to be far superior to all others that have come to the 
 people's knowledge. That the latter is the truth, has 
 been abundantly proved by the remarkable success that 
 has attended all those who have faithfully followed the 
 practice ; and also by the fact, that a number of physi- 
 cians who were educated and had long practiced upon 
 the old system, have abandoned it altogether ; and have 
 adopted the Thomsonian system, which they have con- 
 tinued to follow with great zeal and success. 
 
 He continued to practice in different parts of the coun- 
 try, and wherever he went was hailed by the people with 
 joy and gratitude, as one whom they looked up to for 
 deliverance from pain and sickness. The high and the 
 low, the rich and the poor, applied to him for assistance 
 11 
 
122 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 in all cases that were considered desperate, and in which 
 they had failed to get any relief from other sources; in 
 most of which he effected cures, and in all gave great 
 relief. His success caused his fame to be spread far and 
 near ; and wherever an epidemic prevailed or there was 
 any extraordinary sickness, which gave alarm to the peo- 
 ple, he was sent for, and was by his pei severance and 
 skill able in a short time to conquer the prevailing dis- 
 ease and put an end to the alarm, without losing scarce- 
 ly a patient ; at the same time most of those attended by 
 the regular doctors died. 
 
 Such extraordinary cures as he performed, it would 
 be reasonable to suppose would have induced the faculty 
 to have investigated and ascertained the facts, in order 
 to learn by what means they were performed, that they 
 as well as the people might reap the benefit of any dis- 
 covery or improvement that he should make in the heal- 
 ing art; but instead of this many of them made it a per- 
 sonal thing against the man, as one who had intruded 
 upon their prerogative, and had entered to the feast with- 
 out haying on the wedding garment; and instigated by 
 their pride formed a design to destroy him or drive him 
 from the country. Dr. Thomson possessed a satirical 
 turn of mind, and he was too apt to make use of this for- 
 midable weapon against those he considered his ene- 
 mies ; and the cases in which he effected cures that had 
 been given over by the regular doctors, gave him fre- 
 quent opportunities to triumph over them. This natu- 
 rally fixed in their minds strong feelings of enmity; but 
 such conduct on his part, though it might be imprudent, 
 yet was no justification for the treatment he received at 
 their hands. 
 
 Notwithstanding the opposition he met with from his 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 123 
 
 enemies, Dr. Thomson continued to practice with his 
 usual success, and a large portion of the people shewed 
 him kindness, and did all they could to protect and aid 
 him, especially all those who had been cured by him, 
 together with their friends ; but there seemed to be a 
 determination with some of the medical faculty to destroy 
 him, or to drive him from the country. Among those 
 who bad joined in effecting this object, the most conspic- 
 uous was a Dr. French of Salisbury, in which and other 
 towns in the vicinity, Dr. Thomson had met with great 
 success, in curing some of the most desperate cases, most 
 of which had been given over by the faculty as incurable. 
 Several of these cases were within the circle of the 
 practice of Dr. French; and to have his patients cured 
 after he had given them over to die, by one who he had 
 denounced as an ignorant quack, seemed to give him 
 great umbrage, and fixed in his mind a deadly hostili- 
 ty. He circulated various false statements in regard to 
 some few cases in which Dr. Thomson had failed to ef- 
 fect cures, representing that great numbers had been killed 
 by his treatment ; and took every means to find some 
 case on which a complaint could be made and an in- 
 dictment founded, so as to bring him to a trial for his 
 life ; but those who knew the facts came forward and 
 gave such testimony as defeated for the time all his plans ; 
 though it caused Dr. Thomson a great deal of trouble 
 as well as to put him to a heavy expense. 
 
 For the purpose of giving the reader a fair view of 
 these persecutions, and what he suffered from his ene- 
 mies while pursuing his medical practice, and teaching 
 the people his system, by which they could cure them- 
 selves, without calling upon the regular faculty, we shall 
 give a short account of one of the most important cir- 
 
124 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cumstances that occurred daring his extraordinary ca- 
 reer in relieving the sick. His enemies never losing 
 sight of their object, had in the latter part of the year 
 1809, found a case in which they flattered themselves 
 that they should be able to gratify their revenge and ef- 
 fect the grand purpose they so earnestly sought; the 
 particulars of which are as follows. 
 
 About two years previous, while Dr. Thomson was 
 practicing in Beverly and adjacent towns, he was called 
 upon by a Mr. Lovett, to attend his son, who he said had 
 been violently attacked with what was thought to be a 
 typhus fever. He was very much engaged at the time 
 and could not go with him, until he was sent for three 
 times, when he attended. In his Narrative he says : 
 "I gave him some medicine which relieved him, ne.xt 
 day carried him through a course of the medicine, ana 
 he appeared to be doing well, and I left him in the care 
 of a man who was assisting me in practice, with direc- 
 tions to keep in the house and not expose himself. This 
 was on Wednesday, and I heard nothing from him, and 
 knew not but what he was doing well till the Sunday 
 afternoon following, when I was sent for and found he 
 was worse. On inquiring of the man who had charge 
 of him, learned that he had got so much better, he had 
 been down on the side of the water, and returned on Fri- 
 day night ; that the weather was very cold, being in the 
 month of December ; that he had been chilled with the 
 cold, and soon after his return he had been taken very 
 ill ; that he staid with him on Saturday night and he 
 was raving distracted all night; that he had not given 
 any medicine, thinking he was too dangerously sick for 
 him to undertake with. 
 
 " I told the young man's father, that it was very doubt- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 125 
 
 ful whether I could do any thing that would help him ; 
 but I would try and do all I could. I found that the pa- 
 tient was so far gone that the medicine would have no 
 effect, and in two hours told him I could not help his 
 son, and advised him to call some other advice ; this 
 took place in the presence of two gentlemen who were 
 present. Mr. Lovett made answer that if I could not 
 help his son, he knew of none who could, and was very 
 desirous for me to stop with him all night ; which I did 
 and stood by his bed the whole time. He was much de- 
 ranged in his mind till morning, when he came to him- 
 self and was quite sensible. I again requested the father 
 to send for some other doctor, as I was sensible that I 
 I could do nothing for him that would be of any benefit. 
 He immediately sent for two doctors, and as soon as they 
 arrived, I left him in their care. The two doctors at- 
 tended him till the next night about ten o'clock, when 
 he died." 
 
 This case was hunted up two years after it had oc- 
 curred, when Dr. Thomson had left thejneighbourhood, 
 and was at home with his family. The opportunity was 
 taken by his enemies to pursue their plan of effecting 
 his ruin, and a complaint was made by Dr. French to a 
 doctor, who was a justice of the peace, in which he sta- 
 ted, which was of course sworn to by him, that the 
 young man was murdered by poisons administered to 
 him by the accused as medicine ; and that he had good 
 reason to believe that the accused had with malice afore- 
 thought, murdered sundry persons in the course of the 
 year past ; upon which a warrant was granted. The 
 whole business was laid before the Grand Jury, who 
 were then in session, by whom, upon the evidence of 
 French and some other doctors, a bill of indictment for 
 
126 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 murder was found. This was all done without the 
 knowledge of Dr. Thomson or any of his friends. When 
 he returned to Salisbury to pursue his practice, the affair 
 had become known to the public, and his friends advised 
 him to go off and keep out of the way ; but this he refu- 
 sed to do ; saying that he was not conscious of having 
 done any thing worthy of punishment, and the gov- 
 ernment must prove the charges or he must be honoura- 
 bly acquitted. He was soon after arrested by the sher- 
 iff, put in irons and taken to Newburyport and confined 
 in a dungeon. 
 
 There was no court that could try the case, to be held 
 for nearly a year, and therefore he would have to lay in 
 prison that time, unless a special court could be obtain- 
 ed for the trial. His friends obtained counsel, who ad- 
 vised that he should petition the chief justice to order a 
 special session for his trial ; which after much trouble 
 and expense was granted, and a special term was order- 
 ed to be held on the 10th of December. The day be- 
 fore the time appointed he was taken from the jail in 
 Newburyport by the sheriff, put in irons, and conveyed 
 to Salem, where the court was to be held, and again 
 confined in the prison at that place. The weather was 
 extremely cold and he suffered very much on the jour- 
 ney ; but he was much better treated, and more com- 
 fortable than when in the other prison. In consequence 
 of the sickness of the chief justice the trial was put off 
 for ten days, and he had to suffer for that time in prison, 
 with what patience he could, for their was no help for it. 
 
 On the day of trral the prisoner was brought into court 
 and placed in the bar, when the usual ceremonies were 
 gone through with ; the attorney for the government 
 opened the case by stating what he expected to prove 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 127 
 
 and his witnesses were examined ; but their testimony 
 did not in the least prove any thing against the accused ; 
 when the chief justice stopped the proceedings and said 
 there was no evidence to sustain the indictment, and 
 wondered what they could have for a grand jury to find 
 a bill on such testimony. He briefly charged the jury, 
 dwelling more on the subject of quackery in general, 
 than on the case before him ; saying that if there was no 
 law against it the Legislature ought to make one. The 
 jury in a few minutes brought in a verdict of not guilty, 
 and the prisoner was discharged. Thus ended this ma- 
 licious prosecution, putting the county to much expense, 
 and causing great suffering to an innocent man, for no 
 other reason than because he had the presumption to 
 cure diseases that were beyond the skill of the faculty, 
 without having a license from a medical society, which 
 would have authorized him to kill his patients instead of 
 curing them without censure from any one. 
 
 It would have been well for Dr. Thomson if he had 
 been satisfied with being thus acquitted, and by the tri- 
 umph he had gained over his enemies ; but he let his 
 feelings get the better of his judgment, and commenced 
 a warfare with one of the most conspicuous of his perse- 
 cutors, by bringing an action for damages against him 
 for the injuries he had suffered, from his defamations and 
 malicious prosecutions, in which he met with an entire 
 failure, not being able to get a verdict in his favour ; and 
 had to pay the whole expense of the trial, which amount- 
 ed to two thousand dollars. By this turn of his affairs 
 he was placed in a ruinous situation as to his property; 
 but the assistance of some friends who had stood by him 
 through all his troubles, enabled him by persevering in- 
 dustry in about two years to pay off the expenses and 
 
128 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 clear himself from his liabilities. It was unreasonable 
 to expect to gain his cause against so powerful an oppo- 
 sition as he had to contend with, which consisted not 
 only of the medical faculty, but of other professions, who 
 will always unite in opposing any one who interferes 
 with either of their interests ; and the influence they 
 have over a certain class of the people, would make it 
 next to impossible to obtain a court and jury that would 
 do him justice. 
 
 After Dr. Thomson had been released from his impris- 
 onment and again left to enjoy his liberty, and pursue 
 his practice he found it necessary to spend some time 
 with his friends to recover his health, which was very 
 much impaired by the sufferings he had undergone while 
 in prison. After this he went more extensively into the 
 practice, in which he met with the most remarkable suc- 
 cess ; and by the assistance of those he had instructed 
 was enabled to attend upon a great number of patients, 
 most of them desperate cases, all of whom were cured, 
 or essentially relieved from their sufferings. Several so- 
 cieties were formed in the towns where he practiced, for 
 the purpose of aiding each other in sickness, which pro- 
 ved very useful and satisfactory to the people. He re- 
 ceived a letter from Eastport, Maine, which he had be- 
 fore visited, and introduced his practice, signed by some 
 of the principal men of the place, stating that a new kind 
 of fever . prevailed there which had been very fatal, and 
 produced great alarm among the inhabitants, as they 
 could get no relief from their doctors, wishing him to 
 come there as soon as possible. 
 
 This request was complied with, and on his arrival he 
 was received with great joy by those who had written to 
 him, and by the people generally. His first object was 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 129 
 
 to ascertain the nature of the prevailing disease, which 
 he soon found to be cold and canker. He had a large 
 number of patients put under his care, ang! by pursuing 
 his usual course of practice, in all of which he was suc- 
 cessful, he effected cures that were deemed miracles, not 
 having lost a single patient. There were also cured by 
 him five desperate cases of consumption, which were de- 
 clared by the doctors to be past cure, and one very bad 
 case of dropsy, all of which were cured in three weeks 
 time. In all this practice he was attended and assisted 
 by some of the committee who had written to him, and 
 every thing was done under their inspection. To effect 
 these cures he made free use of cayenne and bayberry, 
 with these and lobelia, the only medicines he topk w T ith 
 him, with such articles as he found growing round the 
 place, he was enabled to restore to health all who applied 
 to him for relief, and give such general satisfaction to 
 the people, that a large number of family rights were 
 sold, and a society formed for the purpose of aiding each 
 olher. During the whole of the time, however, he was 
 violently opposed by all the doctors in those parts, who 
 made use of every means they could devise to stop his 
 practice, and drive him from the place. 
 
 The difficulties Dr. Thomson met with froni the pow- 
 erful combination that seemed to have been formed 
 against him in all parts of the country, where he had in- 
 troduced his system of practice, caused much anxiety 
 among his friends, and created a doubt of his being able 
 to contend against them. They had even gone so far as 
 to send petitions to the Legislature to pass a law to put 
 down quackery, as they called all medical practice, that 
 did not submit to their dictation. Under these circum- 
 stances he found it necessary to adopt some course by 
 
130 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 * 
 
 which he could maintain his rights and sustain himself 
 against his opponents, by appealing to the government 
 for protection. He therefore consulted his friends, and 
 by their advice went on to Washington, and obtained a 
 Patent for his whole system of practice, thus, as he 
 thought, putting himself under the protection of the laws 
 of Congress. It is the general opinion that taking out a 
 patent, as it is called, gives a peculiar right of property, to 
 the exclusion of all others ; but this is not the fact, un- 
 less it can be sustained as an original and useful inven- 
 tion or discovery. Any citizen of the United States can, 
 by filing in the patent office, specifications describing his 
 discoveries, and also a model of his invention, obtain a 
 certificate signed by the President of the United States, 
 by paying thirty dollars, which is only evidence of the 
 fact that he has complied with the requirements of the 
 law ; and if it is disputed is of no value, unless the right 
 of the claimant is set up by a decision of a judicial tribu- 
 nal. In several thousands of patents that have been ob- 
 tained in this country, very few have been sustained by 
 this test. 
 
 After the return of Dr. Thomson he published his pa- 
 tent, which seemed to strengthen his position, and ena- 
 bled him to contend more equally with his enemies, as 
 public opinion became at the time more decidedly on 
 his side. In consequence of this he went on prosper- 
 ously, selling many family rights and extending his 
 practice to all parts of the country. He proceeded in 
 this way very well for several years, until he undertook 
 to set up his claims under the patent, by bringing an ac- 
 tion for the breach of it, in the Circuit Court of the 
 United States. In this he entirely failed ; the judge de- 
 cided that there was nothing in his specifications on 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 131 
 
 which to found his claim of an exclusive right ; and he 
 had to sutler a nonsuit to go against him, and to pay all 
 the costs. He afterwards obtained a new patent, by filing 
 a new set of specifications ; but this did not in our opin- 
 ion make his case any better. The difficulty is, in his 
 pretensions he covers too much ground, and never can 
 be supported in them, either upon the principles oflaw, or 
 justice to others. If he had confined himself to obtain- 
 ing a patent, for any particular medical compound, or 
 any useful article, of which he could prove that he was 
 the original discoverer or inventor, there can be no doubt 
 of his having a right to the exclusive sale of it ; but to 
 claim a patent right for his whole system of medical prac- 
 tice, is as we conceive the height of absurdity ; for it 
 would be an injurious and unjust interference with the 
 rights of the whole community. Just as wejl might a 
 schoolmaster obtain a patent for a new method of in- 
 structing children, and claim the right as a new system 
 of education, excluding all others from the use of it with- 
 out paying him for the same, whatever price he should 
 demand. 
 
 As regards the selling family rights, we look upon it 
 in a different point of view ; for to do this he needs no 
 patent. The amount paid is for valuable information 
 received by the purchaser ; but it confers upon him no 
 legal rights, neither does it take from him any. The 
 using whatever the earth produces, that is useful for 
 food, or as medicine to relieve the sick, is a natural 
 right, and should be entirely free to all ; but if any one 
 discovers a new article that proves to be useful, or invents 
 any new compound, or a new method of preparing and 
 administering such remedies as prove valuable in remov- 
 ing disease, that have not been before known or introdu- 
 
132 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 ced, he is entitled to a reward for his ingenuity. The im- 
 mense amount that Dr. Thomson has received by the 
 sale of family rights, and also for the large profits on the 
 sale of medicine that he has heretofore enjoyed, as well 
 as on his practice, has abundantly rewarded him for all 
 he has done ; and if he is sincere in his professions to 
 promote the public good, he ought to make no more pre- 
 tensions to claim a monopoly ; for in doing so he follows 
 the example of the regular faculty, of whom he has made 
 complaint, for their attempt to get a law passed prohibi- 
 ting the people under severe penalties, from, selling or 
 administering any article as medicine except those who 
 obtain a license from a medical society, or is prescribed 
 by one of their members. Those who have purchased 
 rights are undoubtedly entitled to all the advantages and 
 benefits that can accrue from their practice, or the pre- 
 paring and sale of every thing used in the Thomsonian 
 practice ; and all such medicine ought to be sold as free- 
 ly, and at a fair profit, as any other articles of merchan- 
 dize. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Practice continued ; with a description of several important cases of 
 cures. Difficulties with agents. Visit to Philadelphia} system of 
 practice introduced there. 
 
 The Thomsonian practice had been introduced into 
 Portland, to which place he made several visits, and had 
 a great number of cases under his care, many of them of 
 
OF 3AMUEL THOMSON. 133 
 
 the most desperate kind, in all of which he met with his 
 usual success. A case of spotted fever was attended by 
 him of a man who was taken very suddenly, and fell 
 senseless while at the pump for water, was carried into 
 the house, and Dr. Thomson sent for. When he arrived 
 he found the patient laying in a state of insensibility ; 
 his jaws were set, so that he could get nothing into his 
 mouth. He was enabled, however, to give relief, by ad- 
 ministering a strong solution of cayenne, brown emetic, 
 and rheumatic drops, which was done by putting his 
 finger between his cheek and teeth and pouring in some 
 of the liquid ; as soon as it could be forced by squeezing 
 so as to reach the roots of the tongue, the jaws came 
 open, when he was able to get the patient to swallow 
 some of the same preparation, and in a short time his 
 senses returned, when he spoke, and appeared like a per- 
 son awaking from sleep. As soon as the effects of the 
 medicine had subsided, he relapsed into his former state ; 
 and it was found there was no chance for permanent 
 relief without rarifying or lightening the surrounding air. 
 For this purpose he was laid across the laps of three men, 
 shielding him from the air by a blanket ; a pan was then 
 put under him, partly filled with hot water, in which was 
 put a hot stone ; while over this steam the medicine was 
 again administered, which caused a free perspiration ; 
 and as the inward heat increased, animation increased in 
 proportion, till a healthy action of the system was re- 
 stored. By the usual remedies he was soon restored to 
 a perfect state of health. 
 
 We shall give another case somewhat similar to the 
 
 above. A woman was attacked with the spotted fever, in 
 
 a very singular manner. The first appearance of it was 
 
 a violent pain in her heel, which soon moved up to her 
 
 12 
 
134 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 hips and back, from thence to her stomach and head; so 
 that in fifteen minutes she lost her sight, and in less than 
 half an hour she was senseless and cold ; and in this state 
 he found her when called in. By shielding her from the 
 air with a blanket, and applying a moderate steam, at 
 the same time giving a tea-spoonful each of cayenne and 
 lobelia in a tea-cup of warm water sweetened, she in a 
 short time recovered her senses ; and the symptoms were 
 similar to a drowned person when coming to life, after 
 it had been suspended by being under water. As soon 
 as the perspiration became free, all pain ceased, and she 
 was comfortable. In twentyfour hours the disease was 
 removed, and she was able to attend to her work. 
 
 The same day he had another case of a child, with 
 the same complaint, that the doctor had given over and 
 left to die. He gave it the most powerful stimulant he 
 could prepare, with the emetic ; but it lay senseless six 
 hours, before the medicine had caused a sufficiency of 
 inward heat to get a natural action in the stomach and 
 bowels, when it began to revive, and what came from it 
 was black and putrid ; the bowels barely escaped morti- 
 fication. The child was soon well. These two cases 
 were both cured in twentyfour hours' time. 
 
 He was called on to attend a case while at Eastport, a 
 description of which will give useful information in 
 regard to his practice in cases of surgery. A young 
 man on board of a vessel lying there, had a block 
 weighing thirteen and a half pounds fall from the mast- 
 head upon his foot, which bruised all his toes on that 
 foot to pieces except the little one. The accident hap- 
 pened on Friday, and he did not see him till the Tues- 
 day following, during which time he was in so much 
 pain that he had neither eat nor slept. His nervous 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 135 
 
 system was so much affected that his whole body was in 
 convulsions. He took off the dressing they had applied, 
 he found the foot black, and the smell very offensive ; 
 this satisfied him that mortification had commenced ; and 
 he soon became convinced that there would be no use in 
 trying to cure the foot, till there could be something done 
 to relieve him from his distressed situation, for his whole 
 body was as much disordered as his foot. He immedi- 
 ately applied a poultice of Indian meal, with several 
 thicknesses of cloth, which were kept wet with cold 
 water, to lessen the inflammation, and ease the pain, 
 which had the desired effect ; then carried him through 
 a regular course of medicine, the same as for an attack 
 of the nervous fever. 
 
 On visiting this patient the next morning, found that 
 all the bad symptoms had left him, and he was quite 
 comfortable. He took off the poultice and found a mate- 
 rial change in the appearance of the wound. That part 
 of the flesh thai was alive seemed to be nourished by the 
 circulation, and the living and dead flesh appeared as if 
 two different colours had been painted by the side of each 
 other. The foot was put into a lye made of pearlash and 
 warm water, which caused a slimy glaze all over the foot. 
 This took away the offensive smell. It was then washed 
 with vinegar to prevent the alkali from irritating the 
 skin, which cleaned off all the slimy matter, so that it 
 wiped clean. He then cut off the great toe at the middle 
 joint, and the next two at the upper joint, and set the 
 next which was broken. A new poultice was put on as 
 before, and the cloths round it kept wet with cold water, 
 and a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths was put to his feet 
 to keep up a steam ; and the hot medicine was continued 
 to be given, to increase, as much as possible, the inward 
 
 \ 
 
136 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 heat. The next day there appeared to be a great im- 
 provement, both in the bodily health as well as the wound. 
 The same course was pursued in dressing as the day be- 
 fore. After which he was carried through a full and 
 regular course of medicine, which completely restored 
 his bodily health, and the healing process progressed 
 rapidly. In four weeks, by careful and judicious treat- 
 ment, he was entirely cured. 
 
 This we view as a very remarkable cure, and shows 
 what can be done by a perseverance in the botanical 
 practice with judgment and skill, and its superiority over 
 all others. If he had been attended by one of the regu- 
 lar doctors, his course would have been to allay the pain 
 and distress by destroying sensibility with opiates ; and 
 the next, and only thing they could do, would be to take 
 off the limb; in doing which, there would have been a 
 very small chance of saving the patieni's life. 
 
 One other case we will mention, which was treated 
 Bomewhat. similar, though the difficulty proceeded from 
 a different cause. On a passage he took to New York 
 by water, in the winter season, they were blown off the 
 coast, and the crew suffered very much by the cold ; one 
 of them had his feet and hands very badfy frozen. The 
 man had been so much chilled by the cold weather, that 
 the limbs received very little warmth from the body, not 
 enough to bring them to their feeling, until they got into 
 warm weather, the effect of which was, to raise the heat 
 on the limbs faster than in the body, which caused the 
 most excrutiating pain in the parts that had been frozen. 
 The captain begged of Dr. Thomson to do something for 
 the young man, to relieve him from his distress. He 
 readily undertook the task, and before commencing, duly 
 considered all the causes and effects attending the case. 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 137 
 
 . When he became satisfied, in his own mind, that the 
 only way in which relief could be obtained, was to raise 
 the inward heat, and lower that of the extremities. To 
 effect ihis, he wrapped the feet and hands in such 
 cloths as he could procure, wetting them with cold water, 
 put him into his berth, covered with blankets, and gave 
 the hottest medicine he had w r ith him. This plan 
 was persevered in, increasing the inward heat as 
 much as possible, by giving the medicine, and when the 
 parts frozen became more painful, poured cold water on 
 the cloths, till in about two hours there was a free per- 
 spiration, when the pain entirely subsided. When the 
 cloths were afterwards taken off, it was found that the 
 blood had settled under the nails and skin, which came 
 off without causing any blisters or sores; and before ar- 
 riving in port the man was well enough to attend to his 
 duty. 
 
 The successful termination of this simple case, gives a 
 practical demonstration of the theory upon which the 
 Thomsonian system of practice is founded. That to re- 
 store a healthy action to any part of the body, wheri dis- 
 eased from whatever cause, depends upon the power that 
 the inward heat has to overcome the effects of cold so as to 
 keep the determining powers from the centre to the sur- 
 face, which will cause a proper circulation of the blood, 
 and enable nature to perform its duty in restoring such 
 parts as may bo diseased ; which Dr. Thomson, in his 
 figurative language calls raising the fountain and lower- 
 ing the streams. This can only be done through the 
 agency of suitable food introduced into the stomach, 
 which supplies heat and nutriment to the blood ; or by 
 stimulating medicine, when the former is not sufficient 
 to effect the object desired ; and by the application of 
 12* 
 
138 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cloths wet with cold water, to the surface or extremities ; 
 this shields the parts from the effects of the surround- 
 ing air, which is the cause of inflammation, or a disturbed 
 state of the natural heat of the body. The same course 
 of practice has been proved to be effectual in curing 
 burns, as it immediately stops pain and restores the parts 
 in a short time to a healthy state ; and also in all other 
 cases of inflammation on the surface. 
 
 The same theory seems to have found favor, of late, with 
 many people ; for a certain physician has made himself 
 quite popular, in the extraordinary cures he has per- 
 formed, by a course of practice which we believe they 
 call hydropathy j for nothing can go down with the peo- 
 ple without a great name which none understand but the 
 doctors. If it had been called simply the application and 
 use of cold water, it' would have been viewed as a dan- 
 gerous practice, especially when used by any one but a 
 learned doctor. But this does not lessen, in our opinion, 
 its utility, for it accords perfectly with the Thomsonian 
 system of practice. As far as we have been able to as- 
 certain the practice of this physician, which has been 
 from some of those who have witnessed some of his cases, 
 his modus operandi, as the doctors would say, has 
 been to strip the patients and wrap them in sheets wet 
 with cold water; keeping them in this situation till the 
 inflammation on the surface is allayed; and nature, or 
 the inward heat, has time to recover its power over the 
 effects of cold, causing a free perspiration, by which 
 means all obstructions are removed by this important 
 evacuation, and a healthy circulation is restored. How 
 far his practice agrees with our views, in regard to in- 
 ternal remedies, we know not ; but have the charity to 
 believe that he has sufficient skill to guard him against 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 139 
 
 all dangerous experiments, by ascertaining the true state 
 of the patient's situation, so as to know how far the ex- 
 ternal application of cold water can be carried without 
 endangering the life of the patient, by applying so great 
 a degree of cold as to counteract the vital heat. We 
 can perceive no great difference between this mode than 
 by the use of the steam bath ; for, besides shielding the 
 body from the surrounding air, it can be no farther use- 
 ful than as the heat of the body has power to convert the 
 moisture within the covering into steam, and thus to pro- 
 duce a similar effect as the application of the vapour in 
 any other form ; except it be on the limbs, when applied 
 to allay the inflammation and pain caused by scald or 
 being frozen. 
 
 There has been introduced of late a new system of 
 medical practice, under the formidable name of homoeopa- 
 thy, which we have reason to think has some connection 
 with that described above ; for ihey both seem, in a 
 great measure, to be founded on the cold water plan of 
 treatment, and, as far as that goes, cannot be very dan- 
 gerous. We have not been able to gain a know- 
 ledge of this system that would, perhaps, justify our 
 attempting to give a correct view of it ; but so far as we 
 have been able to gain a knowledge of the plan of treat- 
 ment in all cases of disease, it is to mix one grain of 
 some powerful medicine with an immense quantity of 
 water, and this is freely administered to the patients; so 
 that the medical particles are taken into the system by 
 atoms. What the advantages of this mode of treatment 
 are, we know not, except it be that there is no immediate 
 danger from any effects it can produce. We are inclined 
 to think favorably of the plan, for it agrees in a great 
 measure with our views, that it is better to do little or 
 
140 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 nothing and trust to nature, than to run the risk of using 
 violent remedies, as is too often the case with the regu- 
 lar faculty. 
 
 The practice had become so much extended, and the 
 calls upon him so numerous, that Dr. Thomson was com- 
 pelled to give instructions to others to enable them to assist 
 him in attending upon the sick. Several of them, whom 
 he found the most capable, he appointed as his agents, 
 authorizing them to sell family rights, and prepare and 
 sell medicine. But the share he allowed them as a com- 
 pensation not being sufficient, as they thought, to reward 
 them for their labours, several were induced, from this 
 cause, to quit the practice altogether, except in their own 
 families. Others withdrew their connections with him 
 and continued to practice and prepare and sell medicine, 
 without accounting to him for the same ; for which con- 
 duct the doctor has made very bitter complaints. Hav- 
 ing given our views upon this subject in a former chap- 
 ter, we shall omit any further remarks; but shall leave it 
 to the public to decide for themselves, for there probably 
 may have been, in many instances, faults on both sides. 
 
 In the year 1816 he spent much of his time in Ports- 
 mouth, in which place and the neighbouring towns, he 
 had as much practice as he and those he had instructed, 
 could possibly attend upon; in all of which they met 
 with very great success in curing all kinds of disease, 
 many of them were considered desperate cases, of long 
 standing, and had been given up by the faculty as incura- 
 ble. A large number of family rights were sold, and the 
 purchasers were formed into a society, for mutual in- 
 struction and assistance, which proved to be a great ben- 
 efit to the people. He had appointed Mr. John Locke, 
 of Portsmouth, as his agent, to not only assist in the 
 
OP SAMUEL THOxMSON. 141 
 
 practice, but to give instructions to those who purchased 
 rights ; authorizing him to se'l family rights, and to pre- 
 pare and sell medicine. This gentleman Dr. Thomson 
 speaks of in his Narrative, with great praise, for his skill 
 and honesty, as well as the faithful manner in which he 
 performed all his duties; and says: — " I mention this 
 tribute of praise to his fidelity, the more readily, as he is 
 one of the very few who I have put confidence in, that I 
 have found honest enough to do justice to me and the 
 people." After following the practice for a length of 
 time, he found that the compensation allowed him, was 
 not sufficient for his support, and that he could not do 
 justice to his principal, without injury to himself and 
 family ; and was therefore compelled to abandon it, and 
 seek other means to gain a living. 
 
 During the following year, Dr. Thomson received an 
 application from Philadelphia to make a visit to that city, 
 and introduce his system of practice; to give lectures, 
 and by other means communicate to the people such a 
 knowledge of it as would enable them to avail themselves 
 of all the advantages of the practice. Thinking it ne- 
 cessary to have some one go with him, an arrangement 
 was made with Mr. Locke to accompany him as an as- 
 sistant. On their arrival there, they were received with 
 much joy by those who had requested the visit, among 
 whom were Elder Plumer, and several gentlemen of re- 
 spectable standing, who took a strong interest in intro- 
 ducing the practice among the people. Meetings were 
 held, and lectures given, explaining the principles upon 
 which the system is founded, which proved satisfactory to 
 a large number. A number of family rights were sold, 
 and a large society was formed for mutual benefit, and 
 the people generally took a lively interest in the cause. 
 
142 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 After having made such arrangements as were deemed 
 necessary, and appointing an agent to sell rights and 
 medicine, they visited Baltimore, Washington and Alex- 
 andria, and then returned to Portsmouth. 
 
 CHAPTER, XV. 
 
 Description of the treatment of some important cases, such as yellow 
 fever, gout, quinsey, rupture, piles, bad wound, scalds. Remarkable 
 cases of spotted fever at Eastham, Cape Cod, cured by his usual 
 course of treatment. 
 
 While practicing at Portsmouth and Exeter, he per- 
 formed a great number of cures, some of which we think 
 worthy of being preserved, as giving useful information 
 to those who may wish to obtain a correct knowledge of 
 the true botanic system. A man had what was consid- 
 ered the yellow fever ; his family doctor attended him, 
 who bled him, and pursued the usual plan of the regulars, 
 by giving medicine to kill the fever. He was kept as 
 cool as possible, without being allowed anything that 
 would cause warmth, until he was shivering with the 
 cold. Having heard the doctors say that Dr. Thomson 
 killed patients by sweating them, he conceived an idea 
 that if he could sweat, it would relieve him, and he was 
 sent for. On attending him he immediately commenced 
 his usual course, by giving him the hottest medicine he 
 had, and making use of other means to increase, as much 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 143 
 
 as possible, the inward heat ; and in about an hour he 
 effected his object by causing perspiration. The same 
 course was continued during the night ; the patient being 
 part of the time out of his right mind, imagining he was a 
 lump of ice ; but in the morning he appeared to be much 
 relieved, and had his senses perfectly. The doctor who 
 had attended him made several attempts to interfere and 
 stop the course that they were pursuing, by frightening 
 him and the family, and wished to take more blood from 
 him ; but they were satisfied, having seen enough to con- 
 vince them, that heat and life was more encouraging than 
 cold and death, and he was therefore dismissed, and 
 never employed again by them or any of their friends. 
 
 During the first operation of the medicine he was so 
 weak as to be unable to move or help himself; but when 
 the inward heat had gained so as to overpower the cold, 
 he recovered his strength, and was free from all pain, 
 until the next morning, when he was attacked with a 
 violent pain in the lower part cf his bowels, which was 
 very severe ; to relieve this he was very anxious that 
 they should give him a dose of physic. Dr. Thomson 
 says : " I opposed this, being convinced that it would not 
 do in such cases, believing that it was caused by the 
 poisonous drugs he had taken. He was so urgent, how- 
 ever, I gave him some, which operated very soon, and 
 the consequence was, that it reinforced his disorder, and 
 threw him into the greatest distress. He asked for more 
 physic, but I told him that I would not give him any 
 more ; for I was satisfied of the impropriety of it, and 
 have never given any since in such cases. It checked the 
 perspiration, and drew the determining powers from the 
 surface inward; so that I had to go through the same 
 process again of raising perspiration and vomiting, which 
 
144 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 was much more difficult than at first, and it was with the 
 most close attention that I was able to keep off mortifi- 
 cation for the twelve hours that he was kept back by 
 taking this small dose of physic." By a zealous and 
 steady perseverance in his course of treatment, he ef- 
 fected a complete cure, so that, on the fourth day the pa- 
 tient was well enough to go out and attend to his busi- 
 ness. 
 
 This cure, being so complete, and effected in so short 
 a time, it caused much talk among the people. The pa- 
 tient belonged to the highest class of society, being con- 
 nected with some of the first families in th£ place ; they be- 
 come very anxious to know how it was done, and ex- 
 pressed much astonishment, that a man who they had 
 heard was so ignorant, could cure the most dangerous 
 cases of disease, when at the same time the regular doc- 
 tors lost nearly all on whom they attended ; but on hav- 
 ing explained to them the principles upon which the 
 botanic system was founded, they became satisfied of its 
 superiority over all others, and gave it their generous 
 support. This afterwards proved lo be of great advan- 
 tage to Dr. Thomson, for some of them became his best 
 friends, and rendered him important assistance in defend- 
 ing himself against his enemies. The gentleman that 
 was cured introduced him to an uncle, a man of high 
 standing, and of the first respectability in those parts. 
 This gentleman had been subject for many years to 
 attacks of the gout, from which he had suffered very 
 much ; being some seasons confined to his room for the 
 whole winter, until the return of warm weather, when he 
 would recover sufficient strength to be able to get about 
 again, and remain so till he had another attack. He had 
 been attended by the regular doctors without receiving 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 145 
 
 any benefit from their practice, more than to reduce him 
 by their depletive plan of treatment, so as to cause him 
 to be less sensible to pain ; till nature, aided by the warm 
 weather, was able, in a measure, to remove the diffi- 
 culty. 
 
 After Dr. Thomson had explained to this gentleman 
 the principles upon which he founded his system, with 
 his Tiews of the cause of disease, of the correctness of 
 which he expressed his entire satisfaction, he requested 
 him to tend upon his family, and give him and his wife 
 such information as would enable them to become their 
 own physicians in future. This he readily assented to, 
 and afterwards carried some members of the family 
 through a regular course of the medicine, which relieved 
 them from the difficulties under which they labored ; at 
 the same time giving such explanations and instructions, 
 as would qualify them to do the same. After this the 
 wife expressed a wish to be attended and carried through 
 a course of medicine, for a salt rheum, with which she 
 had been afflicted for several years, which was readily 
 complied with ; and by two or three courses she was com- 
 pletely cured, so that she never after had any appear- 
 ance of the disease. From this time, whenever this gen- 
 tleman had an attack of the gout, he was relieved in a 
 short time, by the use of the medicine and the steam 
 bath, so that he was never after confined with it for more 
 than twentyfour hours at a time ; and he has at all 
 times expressed his gratitude for the information thus re- 
 ceived, which has enabled them to relieve themselves, 
 whenever afflicted with disease; and has often said, that 
 if he could have been as sure of relief when first subject 
 to these attacks, as he then was, he should consider it of 
 more value than all the wealth he possessed. We have 
 13 
 
146 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 the original certificate of this gentleman, in which the 
 facts as above stated are fully verified in each particular. 
 The opinion that Dr. Thomson has formed of this dis- 
 tressing complaint, from his long practice and the numer- 
 ous cases he has witnessed, is that the seat of the disease 
 is in the stomach, and from this source all the difficul- 
 ties take their rise. The first symptoms make their ap- 
 pearance in the joints of the great toe, when the feet be- 
 come very much swollen, causing excrutiating pains in 
 the parts affected ; and it will seem to go from one foot 
 to the other, and sometimes to the knees. The hands 
 are often attacked in the same manner, going from 
 thence to the elbows, which also become much swollen 
 and extremely painful. It is, we believe, generally be- 
 lieved, that if it can be kept from returning to the body, 
 there is no great danger ;and we have no doubt that it 
 is much more safe to let nature take its course, only 
 shielding the parts from the air by flannels than to at- 
 tempt any violent remedies. It has been proved, however, 
 beyond a doubt, that in cases of the gout, relief can be 
 obtained, and much pain and suffering prevented by the 
 botanic remedies, together with the steam bath, espe- 
 cially when resorted to in* the first attacks of the disease. 
 We have known several persons that are subject to this 
 complaint, who have in all cases, on the first symptoms 
 of the attack, been able to relieve themsejves and throw 
 off the disease by only using the steam bath ; but we 
 should recommend, before taking it, that the patient 
 take some stimulating medicine to keep up the inward 
 heat. 
 
 He had a case of a child who had the quinsey very 
 badly; or, as it has been called, the rattles, in conse- 
 quence of the noise they make in breathing, caused by 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 147 
 
 a rattling in the throat, which is owing to blisters that 
 form in the windpipe; and if these are not removed, will 
 often produce death, by an entire stoppage. They had 
 given the child up to die when he first saw it, but by 
 giving cayenne, which caused violent struggles for a 
 short time, it soon revived from its stupid state, and as 
 soon as there was moisture in the mouth, he gave the 
 lobelia and cayenne in a strong tea made of bayberry 
 bark, which caused it to vomit and cleared off the canker, 
 when it was greatly relieved, and appeared to be out of 
 danger; but on visiting the child the next day found 
 they had neglected it, and was much worse than when he 
 first saw it. The throat was so much swollen and filled 
 with canker, it had not been able to swallow anything 
 for six hours. He relieved it, however, and saved its life, 
 by the following plan of treatment : 
 
 He took some small quills, stripping off the feathers, ex- 
 cept about an inch at the points, and made a swab, 
 dipped it in a strong tea of bayberry, began by washing 
 the mouth, then rinsed it with cold water ; then washing 
 with the tea again, forcing the swab down lower in the 
 throat, which caused it to gag, this opened the passage 
 so as to enable him to get the swab much farther down, 
 then washed again with cold water; by pursuing this 
 plan, he was in a short lime able to clear the passage so 
 that the child could swallow. He then gave the cayenne 
 tea, a tea spoonful at a time, when it soon began to strug- 
 gle for breath, and appeared in great distress. In its 
 struggles for breath, discharged considerable phlegm 
 from its nose and mouth. He then gave the emetic with 
 bayberry tea, which operated favorably, and in two hours 
 it was able to nurse. This same plan has proved suc- 
 cessful in cases of the scarlet fever, the symptoms of 
 
148 NARRATITE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 which, in regard to the swelling of the glands of the 
 throat and canker, are very similar. We would recom- 
 mend its trial in desperate cases. 
 
 A gentleman was troubled with a rupture ; his bowels 
 came down, swelled, and become very painful ; a doctor 
 was sent for, who applied a bag of snow, which drove 
 the pain to the stomach, and caused puking. The 
 swelling increased, and he was in great distress. The 
 case becoming desperate, and the family being much 
 alarmed, Dr. Thomson was sent for, and not being able 
 to attend himself, sent a person with medicine, and gave 
 directions to get him as warm as possible, and carry him 
 through a course of the medicine. This was done, and 
 as soon as perspiration took place, the inflammation 
 abated, the swelling decreased, all appearance of mortifi- 
 cation disappeared, and the bowels went back into the 
 abdomen. In twelve hours he was restored from a dan- 
 gerous situation to his usual state of health. 
 
 This difficulty is caused by some hurt or strain, tl 
 makes a breach in the peritoneum, a tough mcmbran© 
 that supports the intestines and keeps them in their 
 place ; through this breach the intestines are liable to 
 pass, into the cavity between that and the skin, causing 
 in some cases, quite a large protuberance. When this 
 happens, by placing the person in a horizontal position, 
 they will generally go back into the abdomen, and may 
 be kept from coming down by a truss. If this 13 
 not attended to in season, and the bowels remain down 
 any considerable time, inflammation will take place in 
 the parts, and they become much swollen ; and there 
 will be great danger of mortification, which has often 
 proved fatal, as they cannot be got back again, till these 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 149 
 
 difficulties are removed. This may be effected by a 
 course of medicine without danger. 
 
 He had a case of an elderly gentleman, who had been 
 confined to the house, and much of the time to his bed, 
 for seven weeks with the piles. He had been in the 
 hands of seven different doctors, before Dr. Thomson was 
 applied to, and had been continually growing worse. 
 They had performed an operation upon him, and said 
 they must perform another. The side they had operated 
 upon took much longer to effect a cure than the other. 
 He began with the patient in the usual way, and carried 
 him through two courses of medicine in three days, 
 when he was able to go out of doors. Injections were 
 given him, composed of bayberry bark and lily root, 
 made into a strong tea, to which was added a small 
 quantity of cayenne. Warm tallow was applied several 
 times during the day, and often washing externally with 
 the above tea. Tonics were given to strengthen the di- 
 gesture and restore the appetite, which was in a very low 
 state. The sores healed in a short time, and he soon 
 gained his general health, and was never after troubled 
 with that complaint. 
 
 While practicing at Eastport, he had the following 
 case. A man had the tine of a pitchfork stuck into one 
 of his eyes. It passed by the eye-ball and penetrated 
 considerably into the skull bone, so that it required quite 
 an exertion to pull it out. The eye swelled and closed 
 up immediately. The man was carried through a regu- 
 lar course of medicine as soon as possible, at the same 
 time several thicknesses of cloths, wet with cold water 
 were applied to the wound, which was kept wet and not 
 removed for twelve hours ; and the perspiration kept up 
 the whole time. On removing the cloths, there was a 
 13* 
 
150 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 large quantity of blood, which had been drawn from the 
 wound, and there was no appearance of inflammation. 
 The cloths were again applied as before, and the perspi- 
 ration kept up with hot medicine for the next twenty- 
 four hours, which effected a complete cure, without any 
 injury to the sight of the eye. 
 
 A description of the following cases of bad scalds, we 
 think, will give useful information; and show the effica- 
 cy of the application of cold water in curing them, with 
 little suffering from pain. A lad fourteen years of age 
 was taking off, from a very hot fire, a kettle of boiling 
 cider, the leg of the kettle caught and tipped forward so 
 as to pour the whole contents into a bed of live embers, 
 which covered his feet with this hot mass; he held on to 
 the kettle until it was set upon the floor, and then put 
 his feet into cold water, where he kept them till cloths 
 could be procured, in which they were wrapt, after hav- 
 ing been dipped in cold water; attention was paid to 
 pour on cold water to keep the cloths filled. This pro- 
 tects the surface from the surrounding air, and almost 
 entirely removes the pain that always accompanies such 
 accidents. By pursuing this plan for about two hours, 
 he was free from pain and fell into a sleep. Water was 
 poured on the cloths two or three times during the night, 
 and in the morning on removing the cloths, to the sur- 
 prise of all present, no blisters appeared, and the skin 
 was not broken. He put on his stockings and shoes and 
 went about his work, without appearing to experience 
 any inconvenience from the accident. 
 
 In another case a lady had taken off from the fire a 
 kettle of boiling water. Her little son, six years old, 
 stepped on the bail and turned the contents on both his 
 feet, and falling, one hand went into the kettle ; so that 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 151 
 
 both feet and one hand were very badly scalded. Dr. 
 Thomson happening to be present, immediately wrapped 
 them in a number of thicknesses of cloths wet with cold 
 water. He then put him in bed, and gave him a tea 
 spoonful of the composition powder, in warm water, 
 sweetened, putting a hot stone wrapt in wet cloths to his 
 feet, and wet the cloths on his feet and hand as often as 
 he complained of pain. In about two hours he fell into 
 a quiet sleep ; after which, by two or three times wetting 
 the cloths, kept him easy through the night. In the 
 morning on taking off the cloths, there was no appear- 
 ance of blisters, nor was the skin in the least broken ; 
 and he put on his shoes and stockings, appearing to be 
 as well as before the accident happened. 
 
 The following case happened in our own family, and 
 we can, therefore, vouch for the truth of the statement. 
 A young lady passing through the kitchen, stepped upon 
 something on which had been placed a small kettle of 
 boiling ley, the contents of which were poured upon her 
 foot and ankle, and of course caused a very bad scald. 
 The shoe was taken off, and the foot immersed in a 
 tub of water, after which a towel dipped in cold water 
 was wrapped round the foot and ancle, and was kept full 
 of water; this soon relieved her of pain. She had on a 
 cotton stocking which was not removed. In coming 
 home two or three hours after the accident, we found 
 her sitting with her foot on a stool, and a wet cloth in her 
 hand, which she often dipped in a wash dish of cold 
 water that stood by her side, and applied it to the towel 
 round her foot, which kept it constantly wet. Some hot 
 drops were given, which prevented faintness. Nothing 
 more was done till the next morning, except keeping the 
 cloths wet, when on removing them and taking off the 
 
152 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 stocking, there was no appearance of blisters, and the 
 skin was all whole, with the exception of a spot on the 
 top of the foot, about the size of a cent, which appeared 
 to have received a greater injury than the rest. A small 
 plaster of healing salve was applied to this, and the wet 
 cloths continued as before. On fhe fourth day she put 
 on her stocking and shoe, and walked to the south part 
 of the city and back ; and we never heard an)- complaint 
 about her foot from her afterwards. 
 
 We feel perfectly confident that this same mode of 
 treatment would prove to be of immense benefit to the 
 sufferers in all those accidents that so frequently take 
 place on board of steamboats, in consequence of the 
 bursting of their boilers. By stripping the sufferers and 
 wrapping them in sheets wet with cold water, to be kept 
 wet by pouring on water, or by adding others to them, as 
 they become dry, till they were relieved, would prevent a 
 great deal of suffering and save many lives. 
 
 In the year 1816, Dr. Thomson made a visit to Cape 
 Cod, for the purpose of collecting some articles of medi- 
 cine, which he could not procure elsewhere. At the 
 time the spotted fever prevailed there to an alarming 
 extent. He told the people that they were dying for the 
 want of a knowledge of the medicine that was growing 
 around them, by which they could relieve themselves. 
 Some of the people were anxious for him to introduce his 
 system of practice, by attending upon some of those who 
 had the disease. He complied so far with their request 
 as to undertake with four cases, three of them of the 
 worst kind, all of which were cured in a short time, by 
 his usual plan of treatment. He sold two family rights, 
 and gave the purchasers instructions so as to qualify 
 them to carry their patients through a course of medicine ; 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 153 
 
 furnished them with such medicine as they might need, 
 and returned to Boston. 
 
 In a short time after his return he received a letter 
 signed by the selectmen and other gentlemen of the town 
 of Eastham, requesting him to come there as soon as pos- 
 sible, to attend upon the sick; for the fever wns increas- 
 ing in its extent and fatality, and their doctors had failed 
 in giving any relief. He went there as soon as he con- 
 veniently could, and found the people in great alarm. 
 He immediately commenced his practice, and had a large 
 number of patients put under his care, with all of whom 
 he was able, with the assistance of the two that he had 
 previously given information to, by pursuing the same 
 course of treatment that had proved successful in all his 
 former practice in such cases, to give relief and effect 
 cures, that appeared to all who witnessed them, to be the 
 dispensation of a divine Providence. In all these cases, 
 he says in his narrative, his course of treatment was to 
 give such medicine as would create and maintain the 
 greatest degree of inward boat, u .,j produce a free per- 
 spiration ; in all cases in which it was needed, the steam 
 bath was made use of; and he found a great benefit in 
 using injections. After the stomach had been cleansed 
 by emetics, he followed with tonics to restore the diges- 
 tive organs. During the time he was there, which was 
 about two weeks, he attended thirtyfour cases, all of 
 which, except one, were cured ; in the same time, eleven 
 out of twelve attended by the regular faculty, died. 
 In the short time that this epidemic prevailed in this 
 small town, over fifty proved fatal. A certificate signed 
 by the selectmen and magistrates of the town of East- 
 ham, has been published, which fully proves all the above 
 statements. 
 
154 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Some farther account of the practice, with a description of the manner 
 of cure in several cases of disease. A new plan by which dislocated 
 joints and broken bones can be restored, without resorting to violent 
 means. 
 
 There are various complaints which all are liable to 
 be affliced with, and which in the course of his practice, 
 Dr. Thomson found were so easily removed by very sim- 
 ple means, that he has not thought of sufficient importance 
 to be very particularly described. Most of those are 
 what are called bowel complaints, and proceed from a 
 disordered state of the stomach; that which is the most 
 common is the relax, or diarrhoea, and if not removed be- 
 comes very troublesome, and causes severe pain in the 
 lower part of the abdomen, particularly when there is a 
 movement in the bowels. He had frequent cases of this 
 disease, which he says there was not the least difficulty 
 in relieving, by giving his hot medicine to increase the 
 heat till a perspiration took place, then following with 
 tonics to strengthen and regulate the digesture. When 
 the difficulty had continued for any considerable time, 
 and did not readily yield to this treatment, resort was 
 had to a regular course of medicine, which never failed 
 of effecting a cure. This complaint is most common in 
 warm weather, particularly in the latter part of the sum- 
 mer, and is in most cases probably caused by eating unripe 
 fruit and other articles that are hard to digest, while the 
 vital organs are in a languid state. Care should be 
 taken, therefore, to guard against such indulgences ; and 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 155 
 
 occasionally taking such simples as are stimulating, and 
 tend to increase the power of the digestive organs. 
 
 While attending upon a case of this complaint, he 
 says in his narrative, he was taken down with the same 
 in a most singular manner, in a few minutes after return- 
 ing home. He became in a short time so weak that he 
 was unable to do anything for himself. One of his asist- 
 ants was with him, and did every thing he could without 
 the least relief; the medicine had no effect, and every 
 thing he took passed through him in two or three min- 
 utes. He says he became convinced that if he could get 
 no relief, he should not live more than three days, for 
 nothing seemed to warm him. He sent and obtained 
 some butternut bark, which was boiled, and he took a 
 dose of this decoction as strong as it could be made ; as 
 soon as it began to operate, followed it with brandy and 
 loaf sugar, burnt together till it became a syrup ; this 
 caused a severe pain ; then by a regular course of medi- 
 cine, was soon relieved. 
 
 In the course of his extensive practice, Dr. Thomson 
 must have had numerous cases which he could not 
 charge his memory with, sufficiently to give the particu- 
 lars of them, and has, therefore, described such only as 
 he thought most important, in conveying a correct know- 
 ledge of his system of practice, and such as had made 
 the strongest impression on his mind. He had adopt- 
 ed no theory but what had been abundantly proved by 
 his practice, to be correct; for experience had been his 
 only guide. Whenever a case exhibited symptoms that 
 appeared new to him, his mind was instantly engaged in 
 ascertaining the cause and seat of the disease, and was 
 always able to find a remedy that would produce the de- 
 sired effect. In this consists the great difference between 
 
156 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 the success of his practice and that of the regular facul- 
 ty. They follow a theory that cannot be depended upon, 
 and a practice that it is altogether a matter of chance 
 whether they kill or cure. 
 
 The following case of the palsy has been added in a late 
 edition of the Narrative; omitted, he says, by forgetful- 
 ness, in the first. While practicing in Portsmouth, he 
 received information from home, that one of his daugh- 
 ters was very sick, and her life despaired of. On his ar- 
 rival he found her, as it was thought, in a dying state, and 
 they said she had been so for several days. Her eyes 
 were set, and she breathed like one in the last struggles 
 of life. It was thought by the family to be useless to do 
 anything for her ; but it was his maxim, that it was 
 never too late to try, and there was hope as long as there 
 was life. He, therefore, her mouth being open, poured 
 into it a spoonful of pepper vinegar, a bottle of which he 
 had brought with him ; and in about two minutes she 
 opened and moved her eyes. He then gave her another 
 spoonful, which was swallowed. This revived her, so 
 that in about ten minutes she spoke, and seemed like a 
 person waking from a sleep. In a short time she was so 
 far recovered as to be able to give an account of the cause 
 of her situation, which left no doubt of its being a stroke 
 of the numb-palsy. She said the shock struck one side 
 of the body and limbs, in which there was no feeling, 
 except a prickling sensation, at first attended with se- 
 vere pain, after which it appeared to be entirely dead, and 
 remained so until the effects of the pepper-sauce brought 
 back the prickling sensation and pain as at first ; after 
 this she partially recovered her strength, and the circu- 
 lation became more natural. She was carried through 
 several courses of medicine, which restored her to a com- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 157 
 
 fortable state of health, without any other inconvenience 
 than that the side which had received the shock remained 
 weak, and more liable to the effects of cold than the 
 other. She, after this, had a family of six children, and 
 was able to attend to all her duties, although she after- 
 wards had two or three shocks; but these were relieved 
 in a short time by a course of medicine; by which 
 means she was ever after able to enjoy as good a state of 
 health as fulls to the lot of most of the family of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Accidents frequently occur and are sometimes fatal, 
 occasioned by the burning of charcoal in a tight room, 
 which destroys the oxygen, and renders the air unfit for 
 respiration. The effect is to disarrange the whole course 
 of the living energies, and eventually to destroy those 
 functions that sustain life. In such cases the sufferers 
 should be treated in the same manner as in all others, 
 where animation is suspended. Similar effects are often 
 produced by hot stoves in a tight room. Dr. Thomson 
 relates several cases in which it caused convulsion fits; 
 but he was able in all of them to restore the patients, by 
 letting in the pure air, and giving his hot medicine to 
 raise the inward heat. 
 
 Cases of felons often occur, and are attended with # se- 
 vere pain, and cause much suffering to those who are af- 
 flicted with them. They come on the inside of the hand, 
 at some one of the joints, most generally one of the fingers. 
 It is caused by some accident that makes a breach id the 
 membrane which surrounds the joint, letting the juice 
 into the flesh, causing inflammation and swelling. The 
 only way that a cure can be effected, is by giving vent to 
 the morbid matter that collects in consequence of this 
 difficulty. The common plan has been to apply poul- 
 14 
 
158 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 tices; but this seldom does much good, for the skin 
 where they come is so thick, that it cannot be brought 
 to a head there, and will often spread to other parts of 
 the hand, and sometimes breaks on the back side of it. 
 It is the usual practice of the doctors to let out the matter 
 by lancing; but this is painful, and will cause a stiff 
 joint. The plan that Dr. Thomson has adopted in his 
 practice, is undoubtedly superior to any other that has 
 been discovered ; for it has never failed in the numerous 
 cases that have been treated in this way, to effect a cure, 
 and with very little suffering to the patient. 
 
 He says the best way to give relief that he has ever 
 found, is to burn a piece of punk-wood on the part affect- 
 ed, about the size of a pea. As soon as the skin and 
 flesh appear to be dead down to the matter, prick the 
 point of a needle into the skin, raising it up and cut out 
 a piece with a sharp knife under the needle, sufficient to 
 let out the matter ; then apply a poultice or salve ; at the 
 same time wrap the hand in several thicknesses of cloths 
 wet with cold water, and keep them wet by pouring on 
 the cold water, as often as it becomes hot or painful. 
 Take the composition or warm medicine, to keep up the 
 inward heat. If the felon has been several days coming, 
 and appears nearly ripe, apply a piece of unslacked lime 
 to the part affected, and wrap it in cloths wet with cold 
 water, till the lime is slacked; repeating this till the 
 skin looks of a purple colour; then open it as before di- 
 rected. 
 
 We have known a number of cases of this complaint 
 which were treated as above described ; all of them were 
 completely successful. One of which was attended by 
 Dr. Thomson himself, at the request of several gentle- 
 men, who witnessed it ; and the whole process was per- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 159 
 
 formed in presence of one of our oldest and most respect- 
 able physicians, who expressed the*most perfect satisfac- 
 tion with the success as well as the manner of treatment ; 
 and acknowledged it one of the most ingenious -opera- 
 tions he ever witnessed. 
 
 The following case which we attended a few years 
 since, is thought worth relating for the information it 
 will give, and may be depended upon as correct. Be- 
 ing on a visit in the country, a young woman who lived 
 in the family where we stopped, had a felon, with which 
 she had been afflicted for several days before we saw it. 
 She had applied to the family doctor, who had ordered it 
 to be poulticed ; but this gave her no relief. It came. on 
 the lower joint of the middle finger, and the pain was so 
 severe that she had not slept for two nights. The in- 
 flammation was very great, and the hand was much 
 swollen. She appeared to be in the greatest distress 
 with the pain, which extended up to her shoulder. The 
 Thomsonian plan was pursued as far as we had means, 
 not having any medicine. Some punk-wood was found, 
 however, and a small piece was taken up on the point of 
 a pin, touched to a coal of fire, and then applied to the 
 swelling nearly over the joint, where it was kept till con- 
 sumed. A thin shaving of hard soap was then put on ; a 
 piece of linen was folded several times, dipt in cold wa- 
 ter, and then laid over it, and the whole hand wrapped 
 in several thicknesses of cloths, wet with cold water. 
 This eased the pain very much, so that she had a good 
 night's rest. Cold water was poured on the cloths occa- 
 sionally when they became hot. In the morning, on 
 taking off the dressing, there was a white spot where the 
 punk-wood was burnt, something larger than what was 
 applied. The dead skin was raised up with the point of 
 
160 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 a needle, and a piece cut out as large as could be done 
 without touching the live part, and the same dressing 
 applied as before. On the following day she was able to 
 attend to her work; and in four days was entirely 
 cured. 
 
 There is another complaint somewhat similar, which 
 is called a whitlow. The difficulty, however, in all cases 
 of this kind is seated in the roots of the nail of one of the 
 fingers or thumb, and becomes very painful. The best 
 remedy is to apply a poultice of some kind, and the 
 cloths wet with cold water. The best is that made of 
 slippery elm and bayberry, with the canker tea, and 
 should be used when they can be obtained. This will 
 soon give relief, and effect a cure in a short time, if sea- 
 sonably and properly applied. 
 
 The plan of relaxing the muscles for the purpose of 
 setting broken bones, or dislocated joints, by the applica- 
 tion of warm water, is one of Dr. Thomson's most im- 
 portant discoveries, and cannot be too highly prized, for 
 its efficacy, as well as the pain and suffering it prevents. 
 It has been resorted to in a great number of cases, not 
 only by Dr. Thomson himself, but by others who prac- 
 tice upon his system, with the most complete success ; 
 and we believe in no case has it failed to have the desired 
 effect. We make the following extract on this subject, 
 from one of Dr. Robinson's lectures, delivered at Cincin- 
 nati, which gives a better view, perhaps, than any thing 
 we can say : 
 
 u There is one part of the new practice, which I wish 
 to recommend to general notice : Dr. Thomson's method 
 of reducing the contracted muscles, in the occurrence 
 of broken bones and luxations, [joints dislocated.] It is 
 very simple and effectual ; and of such power and influ- 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 161 
 
 ence over the contracted muscles, that the patients can 
 have the bone set, or the luxation reduced, almost with- 
 out pain. The great importance of this simple practice 
 need not be impressed on those who have witnessed the 
 agony of setting bones and reducing luxations in the 
 usual and established practice. I have known a piece of 
 the bone sawed off, in order to its being set, such was 
 the contraction of the muscles! This state of terrible 
 suffering to the patient, and moreover being rendered by 
 it lame for life, was so dreadful to behold, that Dr. 
 Thomson's simple mode of reducing the muscles, is, of 
 itself, sufficient to immortalize his name, if he had never 
 made another discovery." 
 
 In his Narrative, Dr. Thomson relates some cases, 
 which will give a view of his manner of practice, prece- 
 ded by the following directions. In cases where a joint 
 is put out, or a bone broken, give a dose of cayenne, or 
 composition powders with half a tea-spoonful of nerve 
 powder, which will promote a perspiration, prevent faint- 
 ing, and quiet the nerves; then wrap thelimb, or other 
 part, in cloths wet with water as hot as it can be borne, 
 and pour on the warm water, placing a pan underneath 
 to catch it, for a short time, when the muscles will be- 
 come relaxed, so that the bones may be put in their 
 place with little trouble. This is much better than the 
 method that is generally practiced, of extending the 
 muscles by the strength of several persons, which weak- 
 ens the parts so much, that the bones are liable to get out 
 of place again ; besides, the operation causes severe 
 pain to the patient, and much trouble to the operator, 
 which is all obviated by this method. When the bones 
 are in meir place, apply the same cloths wet with cold 
 water, which will keep them there. 
 14* 
 
162 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 He was sent for to attend a woman who had put her 
 elbow out of joint by a fall from her horse. He found it 
 badly out, being twisted considerably from its natural 
 position. Some water was ordered to be made hot as 
 soon as possible ; her arm was stripped, and as soon as 
 the water was hot, a towel was put into a large tin pan, 
 pouring the water upon it till thoroughly wet, and as soon 
 as cool enough to be borne, was wrapped round the arm 
 from the wrist to the shoulder, then putting the pan 
 underneath, poured on the water as hot as she could bear 
 it so as to keep the towel entirely wet, for about fifteen 
 minutes. Then taking off the towel, caused one person 
 to take hold of her arm above the elbow, and another at 
 her wrist, to steady it; and then by placing his fingers 
 against the end of the bone on the under side, and his 
 thumb against that of the upper side, by a gentle 
 pressure each way, the joint was set without pain, or force 
 on the muscles. He then wrapped the same towel which 
 had become cold, round the arm, which kept the joint 
 firm in its place; put her arm in a sling, and she walked 
 home that night, and the next day was well enough to 
 do some knitting. 
 
 His practice when a shoulder was put out, was to re- 
 lax the muscles in the same manner, and then by putting 
 the arm over his shoulder, and lifting up, was in all 
 cases able to put the joint into its place, without any dan- 
 ger and with little pain to the patient; and then by ap- 
 plying the cold water, the muscles become braced, so 
 that there was no danger of its getting out again. He 
 also states a case where a man had his hip joint put out, 
 and several doctors had tried in vain to set it. One of 
 his agents being present, undertook to set it by his mode 
 of treatment, and after he had relaxed the muscles sufS- 
 
 / 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 163 
 
 ciently, put his knee against the hip joint, and placing 
 his hand on the inside of the knee, turned the leg out and 
 crowded the joint into its place, without the least difficul- 
 ty, and the man was in a short time able to be about. 
 Many other cases might be given, but we think enough 
 has been stated to give a pretty correct knowledge on the 
 subject. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The Thomsonian practice introduced into the western part of the State 
 of New York, and the Western and Southern Slates. Remarks on 
 the conduct of those engaged in it, with the treatment they met with 
 from the doctor, as well as from the medical faculty. Agency of Hor- 
 ton Howard. 
 
 The botanic system of practice up to about the year 
 1822, was confined principally to such parts of the coun- 
 try, as Dr. Thomson was able to give his personal atten- 
 tion ; for he had no means of giving information to others 
 except by his practice and verbal instruction ; but in this 
 way, though rather imperfect, it was spread among the 
 people in many parts of the New England States, and 
 was considered by them to be a discovery of great im- 
 portance ; for they soon became convinced, by the -extra- 
 ordinary cures that were performed by it, of its great 
 superiority^over the fashionable practice, the destructive 
 consequences of which they had seen abundant proof. 
 After he had accomplished one of his greatest objects in 
 having prepared and printed his Narrative and Guide to 
 
164 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTTCS 
 
 Health, he was able to extend the practice by means of 
 his books and his agents, to all parts of the country. 
 Those who now purchased a family right, had something 
 for their money, by which they could gain a knowledge 
 of the system sufficiently correct to enable them to cure 
 themselves and others of disease, with perfect safety. 
 
 In the western parts of the State of New York, it was 
 introduced very extensively, where it gave great satisfac- 
 tion to the people ; for it was found to be a certain cure 
 for those intermittants and other fevers, to which the 
 people in those parts were at all times liable, and from 
 which they had suffered very much, as they could get no 
 relief from the regular doctors. Wherever introduced, 
 those engaged in the practice met with the most deter- 
 mined opposition from the regular faculty ; and every 
 means were resorted to for the purpose of prejudicing the 
 people against it. All kinds of false reports were circu- 
 lated about the treatment of cases, as well as to try to 
 frighten the patients and their friends, by stating to them 
 that the medicine used was a deadly poison. All this* 
 however, only had a tendency to increase and extend the 
 botanic practice; for the people generally understood the 
 motives of those who opposed it, and naturally took a 
 stronger interest in supporting the cause. In a few 
 cases in which cures were imprudently undertaken, that 
 were past recovering by any human means, and such as 
 the faculty had given over as incurable, which termina- 
 ted fatally, a hue and cry was immediately raised against 
 those who attended them ; complaints were made and 
 they were prosecuted, and in some instances imprisoned, 
 for malpractice ; but on proof of the facts, they were ac- 
 quitted without any one appearing against them. This 
 course only had the effect of putting those engaged in the 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 165 
 
 practice to much trouble and expense, but did not pre- 
 vent them from persevering in their attendance upon all 
 those who were suffering from disease, and wished for 
 their assistance. 
 
 It is a fact which cannot be denied, that Dr. Thomson 
 in his appointment of agents, has been governed more 
 by his interest than by a proper regard for the honour and 
 respectability of his system of practice ; for those on whom 
 he could calculate would add most to his gains, were 
 generally preferred to others who were better qualified to 
 give that satisfaction to the people, which is expected 
 from those who are employed as physicians. This has 
 been a great drawback upon the success of the botaniG 
 practice; so far, at least, as regards its taking that high 
 stand which we think it is entitled to by its superiority 
 over all others. When men are found engaged in the 
 practice who do not possess those qualifications that en- 
 title them to some respect in good society, it keeps back 
 men of respectable standing from taking an active part in 
 its support, which they otherwise would do. Any man 
 who can read, may get such information from the book 
 as to enable him to practice with some degree of success, 
 especially in acute attacks of disease; but it requires a 
 person of strong mind and sound judgment to undertake, 
 with a chance of success, the cure of chronic and difficult 
 cases. This applies, however, only to those who engage 
 in the practice as a profession ; for it is our great aim to 
 give such information as will enable every family who 
 possess our book, to become their own physicians in all 
 sudden attacks of disease, which will prevent their hav- 
 ing to deal with chronic cases. 
 
 The practice was extended by the agents into several 
 of the Western States, where the people received it with 
 
166 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 great joy, finding on trial that it was a sure remedy for 
 all the fevers and other epidemics, which prevail in those 
 parts more or less each season. In Ohio it produced 
 quite a sensation among all classes of people. Many ex- 
 traordinary cures were performed, much to the surprise 
 of all; principally such as had been considered incura- 
 ble, and had been given over by the faculty, as past their 
 skill. Several men of the highest political standing pur- 
 chased family rights, and used their influence in spread- 
 ing a correct knowledge of the botanic practice among 
 the people. The clergy generally gave it their support ; 
 and some of the regular doctors quit their old practice 
 and embraced the botanic system with great zeal and 
 effect; they have continued to support it by every means 
 in their power; and where societies had been formed, 
 they delivered lectures explaining the principles upon 
 which the system is founded, and pointing out its superi- 
 ority over what they denounce as a system of poison, 
 which causes more disease than it cures. 
 
 The new medical practice had now become so much 
 extended, and having assumed so decided a stand among 
 the people, that nothing seemed necessary but a judicious 
 and liberal management of all its concerns, to insure not 
 only its permanent success, but that it would eventually 
 be the cause of effecting a complete reform in the medi- 
 cal practice of the country. Although Dr. Thomson has 
 shown himself to have possessed, in an eminent degree, 
 those qualities of mind, which fitted him to be the pion- 
 eer in reforming the old medical system of practice, by 
 the introduction of his botanic system, and convincing 
 the people of its superiority as well as safety; yet it 
 would seem, by the manner in which he has managed 
 his own affairs with all those he has had dealings with, 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 167 
 
 especially those who became his agents, that he was en- 
 tirely deficient in all those business qualifications, so ne- 
 cessary in devising and carrying into effect the plan of 
 establishing his system, and putting it upon a high and 
 honourable foundation. 
 
 In consequence of the great extension of the botanic 
 practice in all parts of the country, there was a corres- 
 ponding increase of demand for the medicine used in 
 the practice ; particularly of such articles as were in- 
 dispensable, and not easily obtained. The most important 
 of these are cayenne, gum myrrh, lobelia, and bayberry 
 bark ; although the two last mentioned articles grow 
 plentifully in this country, yet it requires considerable 
 capital to collect, prepare for use and keep ready for sale, 
 a quantity sufficient to supply the increasing demand. 
 Cayenne and myrrh being of foreign growth,- they could 
 only be obtained pure and in any considerable quantity 
 of the importing merchants. The great consumption of 
 cayenne, and consequently the increased inquiry for it 
 as an article of trade, caused lafge importations to supply 
 the demand. Dr. Thomson having now acquired great 
 wealth by the sale of his family rights, and the profits he 
 had made on the sale of the medicine used in his prac- 
 tice, was enabled to purchase up all that was imported, 
 and thus had it in his power to fix the price to suit him- 
 self; and we have it from good authority, that he availed 
 himself of this advantage to as great an extent as he 
 could, whenever opportunities offered. He says, in the 
 last edition of his narrative, that he had in one instance 
 procured nearly three tons, and had sent to the south 
 twenty barrels prepared for use. 
 
 We feel not a little surprised, that a man of his saga- 
 city, could for a moment suppose, that he would be able 
 
168 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 to secure to himself the right he claimed, of fixing the 
 prices of all the medicine used in the botanic practice, 
 and also to put in his own pocket, most of the enormous 
 profits made on all that should be sold. Besides the 
 great injustice it would be to those who purchased his 
 family rights, and had paid him for the privilege of pre- 
 paring their own medicine, and of course of purchasing 
 the articles they needed, where they could obtain them 
 the cheapest. He even went so far as to require of his 
 agents a bond, making themselves liable to a very heavy 
 forfeiture, if they should fail to conform in the prices of 
 all the medicine sold by them, to a scale to be furnished 
 by himself; allowing tliem twentyfive per cent, for their 
 profits ; and all who refused to comply, were to be dis- 
 missed from their agency. Some few of them, from ne- 
 cessity, complied ; but the greater number refused, 
 arao|g whom were those who were his most able sup- 
 porters, and those best qualified to sustain the practice. 
 The consequence was a complete failure in effecting his 
 object ; and the disposition he manifested of grasping at a 
 monopoly, gave great dissatisfaction to all who had taken 
 an interest in sustaining the system, and caused a total 
 indifference, if not an enmity, with those who had been 
 engaged in the practice. 
 
 We have been more particular in making the above 
 statements than we should have been, if we had not felt 
 a certain conviction, that most, if not all the difficulties 
 and quarrels Dr. Thomson has had with his agents, has 
 been caused by his course of conduct in regard to the 
 sale of medicine used in the botanic practice; and the 
 consequence has been, that all who chose to deal in the 
 articles, have withdrawn all intercourse with him, and 
 now collect, prepare, and sell all kinds of botanic medi- 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 169 
 
 cine, the same as other merchandize, at a fair profit. 
 This is as it should be, and we believe he has given up 
 the contest ; and contents himself with trying to convince 
 the public, that no medicine is good but what is bought 
 of him ; but in regard to this, the business must be left to 
 regulate itself, and the people will be their own judges, 
 and buy where they can obtain what they want, to the 
 best advantage, without regard to the pretensions of any 
 one. We feel no disposition to do him injustice; for 
 every one friendly to the Thomsonian system of prac- 
 tice,- will readily allow that he is entitled to the grat- 
 itude of the people for what he has done ; and that 
 he ought to be liberally rewarded for his ingenuity and 
 perseverance ; but at the same time we feel convinced 
 that the way in which he has managed his affairs of late 
 years, has been against his own interest. 
 
 After the practice had been pretty generally introduced 
 into the state of Ohio, and those who witnessed the extra- 
 ordinary cures that had been performed by it, and be- 
 come convinced of its superiority over the old practice, 
 were anxious to have some suitable person appointed to 
 take charge of the business, who would be qualified to 
 give the necessary information to those who bought fam- 
 ily rights, and do justice to all concerned. Dr. Thomson 
 could only occasionally pay them a visit, and of course 
 had little opportunity to do more than to explain the gen- 
 eral principles of his system to a few, as occasions oc- 
 curred. Those who had acted as his agents, had con- 
 ducted in such a manner as to give general dissatisfac- 
 tion to the people, although they had sold a great number 
 of rights, which, with the books they distributed, had 
 created a strong interest, without establishing such a con- 
 fidence in the purchasers, as would warrant them in 
 15 
 
170 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 using the practice without danger. On visiting them in 
 the year 1827, and finding how his affairs had been man- 
 aged, he concluded to comply with the wishes of the 
 people, and appoint some one as his general agent; and 
 after much solicitation from him as well as from several 
 gentlemen who took an interest in the cause, Horton 
 Howard, Esq., of Columbus, was induced to undertake 
 the business, and was appointed by Dr. Thomson as his 
 general agent for the whole Western and Southern States, 
 with full powers to print his books and manage all his 
 business as such. 
 
 This gentleman was peculiarly qualified for the under- 
 taking, being better acquainted with the whole western 
 country than any other man, as he had been several 
 years land agent for the general government. He devo- 
 ted his whole time to the business, and traversed the 
 country from Georgia to Michigan ; he did more to ex- 
 tend and establish the botanic practice, and raise it to a 
 respectable standing, than all others who had engaged 
 in it. The position he held in society enabled him to 
 induce many to engage in the practice and become 
 agents, who were well qualified to promote its useful- 
 ness as well as respectability. Societies were formed, 
 and conventions held, in which lectures were given by 
 able men, imparting much valuable information; and 
 newspapers were established to diffuse a knowledge of 
 the practice among the people. A course of fifteen very 
 interesting lectures, were delivered at Cincinnati, by Dr. 
 S. Robinson, which were published by Mr. Howard, and 
 iiave done much in supporting the cause of the new sys- 
 tem of practice, by showing its superiority over that of 
 the regular faculty. 
 
 The whole business went on very prosperously for 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 171 
 
 about three years, when Dr. Thomson began to show a 
 disposition to be dissatisfied with this agent, and to put a 
 stop to his career, by denouncing him as unfaithful. The 
 cause of this we are not able to account for, except it be 
 the operation of jealousy on a narrow mind ; fearing that 
 Mr. Howard would take the lead out of his hands, and 
 make himself more respected and popular than he had 
 ever been able to be himself. He has endeavored to 
 make it appear, in the last edition of his Narrative, that it 
 was owing to a refusal on the part of this agent to settle 
 with him ; but this we think is not correct, for in an in- 
 terview we had with Mr. Howard at that time, he stated 
 that it was altogether the fault of Dr. Thomson that they 
 did not come to a settlement, for he had been at all times 
 ready and willing — that all the cash profits he had re- 
 ceived, had been divided with him according to agree- 
 ment — that a very large amount of the proceeds from the 
 pale of rights and medicine, was in notes and other prop- 
 erty ; much of it in the hands of a gents, scattered all over 
 the western country, and could not be collected without 
 taking a long time, and probably a considerable part of 
 it would be lost. All this he was ready to show ; but 
 Dr. Thomson avoided him and sent others, who he had 
 reason to believe were using their influence over him to 
 effect certain objects for their own benefit, which it af- 
 terwards appeared was the case. 
 
 A settlement was made, however, by a reference, and 
 Mr. Howard was to pay him four thousand dollars, and 
 a few days after, his agency was revoked by Dr. Thomson, 
 and four others were appointed in his place. This termina- 
 ted the controversy, so far, at least, as it was personal; 
 but Mr. Howard had reserved to him the right of contin- 
 uing to sell family rights, till he had disposed of all the 
 
172 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 books he had on hand, which was the cause of some dif- 
 ficulty with those who had taken his place ; for it gave 
 him the power to proceed in the business as before, with- 
 out accountability to Dr. Thomson or any of his agents 
 He did so continue, and took the lead in the botanic sys- 
 tem of practice, notwithstanding all the opposition thai 
 was made to him. He afterwards prepared and pub- 
 lished in his own name as author, a work, entitled " An 
 Improved system of Botanic Medicine," in which he has 
 given Dr. Thomson's system of practice, with many ad- 
 ditions, which we presume he intended as improvements : 
 but of this we have our doubts; for they appear to b« 
 mostly copied from the writings of medical authors, wit 
 the introduction of some visionary theories, which w 
 think tend more to perplex than to instruct. 
 
 Several attempts have been made by those who have 
 taken a strong interest in bringing about a reform in the 
 medical practice, to establish medical colleges upon tie 
 Thomsonian plan of treatment; to be under the direction 
 of such men as should be found to be best qualified to 
 give all the instructions necessary to qualify young men, 
 who should wish to engage in the practice, for that pur- 
 pose. And also to establish infirmaries where the sick 
 could apply, and be attended to with greater convenience, 
 and at less expense than at their own houses ; besides, it 
 would be the best school for gaining a correct knowledge 
 of the practice, not only to the student, but such women 
 as should be desirous to qualify themselves as nurses. 
 Dr. Thomson has been often solicited to join in carrying 
 into effect such a plan, and invited to attend meetings- 
 held for the purpose ; but he seems to have set his face 
 against every thing of the kind, and his conduct has been 
 such as to disgust all those who took an active part in 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 173 
 
 the plan, and they declined having any thing to do with 
 it. The reasons why he has conducted in this manner 
 we cannot account for, except it be that although it would 
 redound much to his honour, yet it would not gratify his 
 avarice by putting money in his purse. There has, how- 
 ever, been some botanic medical schools established, par- 
 ticularly one at Columbus, Ohio, which has been very 
 successful, and done much good ; and we hope yet to see 
 the whole plan carried into effect. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Some account of extraordinary cures in Ohio, with the treatment and 
 success in several cases of midwifery. Dropsy on the Brain. Worm 
 complaints. Conclusion of the Narrative. 
 
 During the visits that Dr. Thomson made to Ohio, he 
 was called on by those engaged in the botanic practice, 
 to attend in several of the most desperate cases; in all of 
 which, cures were effected, much to the astonishment of 
 all who witnessed them. This was a great advantage to 
 those who were seeking for information ; for his experi- 
 ence enabled him to communicate a knowledge of the 
 practice in this way, that would have been very difficult to 
 have done by any written or verbal directions that he 
 could make. It also inspired a confidence in those en- 
 gaged in the practice, and tended to encourage them to 
 persevere in whatever they undertook to accomplish 
 without fear. His mode of treatment in most of these 
 15* 
 
174 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cases, being similar to what has before often been de- 
 scribed, it will be unnecessary to repeat it; and we shall 
 give an account of such only as will tend to convey use- 
 ful information. 
 
 While at Columbus, in 1829, one of his agents, who 
 had been on a journey to the Southern States, on return- 
 ing home was very violently attacked with what is called 
 a billious fever, a disease very common in the Western 
 States, and was so bad that he considered himself in a 
 dying state, and had sent for his wife, who was absent, 
 with instructions to make all haste or she would not see 
 him alive. Dr. Thomson attended him the next day, 
 and carried him through a course of medicine, which re- 
 lieved him ; and by a close attention was able to effect 
 an entire cure, so that in about a week he was well 
 enough to take a journey of eighty miles. 
 
 Another case was attended by him a short time after 
 this, which caused much talk among the people. It was 
 of a gentleman who stood very high in the public estima- 
 tion, and much anxiety was felt by his friends for him. 
 Dr. Thomson w T as strongly solicited by them to attend 
 him, as the only hope they had of saving his life ; and 
 he with much reluctance consented. On visiting him, 
 found his case to be a very bad one. He had before been 
 ailing at various times, and had been attended by the fac- 
 ulty, and taken a great deal of their poisonous drugs; so 
 that he now seemed to be labouring under a complication 
 of complaints, being completely run down. He says that 
 he gave -but little medicine that night, and in the morn- 
 ing carried him through a regular course of medicine, 
 which only had the effect to arouse the living energies, 
 so as to put into operation the opium that had lain dor- 
 mant in the system. This threw him into a state of 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 175 
 
 frenzy, and he thrashed and tumbled about in his bed for 
 four hours ; when he was somewhat composed. He was 
 then steamed, and the medicine had an operation, which 
 stirred up the physic, and brought on a relax. Medicine 
 was given to restore the digestive powers, but the system 
 was in such a disturbed state, that it had no effect. 
 
 The patient remained in the same state for thirtysix 
 hours, when he was carried through a second course of 
 medicine, which renewed the operation of the opium, and 
 he again became frantic, and was so restless that he was 
 not still a moment for eight hours. His friends stood 
 around the bed all this time to see him die. He kept 
 calling for water, and drank during the time several 
 quarts. About three o'clock in the morning he began to 
 be more quiet, had short intervals of rest, and his senses 
 seemed to be recovering, though at times he was much 
 out. Soon after, the medicine had a powerful operation, 
 and he vomited eight times. This completely relieved 
 him ; he ate a bowl of milk porridge, and was quite com- 
 fortable. In the morning he was steamed, after which 
 he put on his clothes, and in the course of the day was 
 well enough to ride out. A syrup was prepared of 
 cherry root bark, peach stone meats, loaf sugar, and 
 brandy, which stopped the relax; and in less than a 
 week, he was able to lake a journey and attend to his 
 business. 
 
 He paid considerable attention, while in Ohio, to the 
 subject of midwifery, and attended several cases for the 
 purpose of giving instruction to others. This branch of 
 the new system we consider of the greatest importance ; 
 for there is nothing in the whole fashionable practice, 
 that has been attended' with more serious consequences, 
 and caused more suffering, than the obstretical practice 
 
176 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 of the regular doctors. For this we need no other evi- 
 dence than what is afforded by their own writers on this 
 subject. It is now established, beyond all doubt, by 
 those who have had experience in the Thomsonian 
 practice, that all needed, in cases of child-bed delivery, 
 is to correct the system when disorded, by a course of 
 medicine, and wait for nature to do its own work in its 
 own way; very little assistance is wanted, which can 
 always be afforded by any woman who has had experi- 
 ence. Wherever the botanic practice has been intro- 
 duced, it has been completely successful, in all cases of 
 midwifery; and there are thousands who would have no 
 other assistance. 
 
 Dr. Robinson, in one of his lectures, in which he gives 
 some very strong facts in support of the botanic practice, 
 and points out wherein it is superior to the old, says, 
 " Even in child-bed delivery, a matter never to be forgot- 
 ten, this practice has very nearly removed the pain and 
 punishment from the daughters of Eve, threatened to our 
 progenitor and entailed upon her offspring. A lady of 
 good sense, and without the least colouring of imagina- 
 tion, said it was easier to have five children under the 
 operation and influence of this new practice, than one 
 by the other management and medicine. And she had 
 had experience in both cases, and has been supported in 
 the evidence by every one who has followed her example." 
 
 Dr. Thomson has related several critical cases of mid- 
 wifery which he attended, in which his mode of treat- 
 ment proved completely successful, and gave relief in 
 some of them, where all other means had failed ; but as 
 it was our intention to give only a general view of the 
 subject at this time, we think it unnecessary to state any 
 particular description of the manner in which they were 
 
OP SAMUEL THOMSON. 177 
 
 treated, as we may probably in another part of this work, 
 give some directions in regard to the cure of disease's in- 
 cident to women and children. 
 
 There are a great number of diseases, or, as it would 
 be more consistent with our theory to say, symptoms of 
 disease, that the human family are subject to, which Dr. 
 Thomson has not given any particular description of. 
 This he probably thought unnecessary; for having set- 
 tled in his own mind, that all disease arises from one 
 general cause, that is, obstructions caused by cold, or loss 
 of vital heat; and that the only remedy must be to re- 
 move the obstructions and restore the vital heat to its 
 natural state. If this can be effected, and he has abun- 
 dantly proved by his practice that it can, all that can be 
 done further by medicine, is to strengthen the digestive 
 organs, so that food taken into the stomach shall main- 
 tain the living principle ; and, therefore, all that he could 
 do by any attempt to enlarge on the subject, more than 
 he has before done, by giving a faithful exposition of the 
 knowledge he has gained by long experience, would only 
 tend to lead the inquiring mind into doubts and perplex- 
 ities, and be worse than useless. We shall, however, 
 give our views of some cases, which have been of fre- 
 quent occurrence, and have generally proved fatal; these 
 are what the faculty have given the name of brain fever, 
 or dropsy on the brain. 
 
 In order to be understood on the subject, it will be 
 necessary to refer back to first principles, and look in- 
 to causes and effects. According to the Thomsonian 
 theory, the first effects of disease arise from a disordered 
 slate of the stomach, which retards the circulation, and 
 puts into disorder all the natural functions of the system, 
 by lessening the power of heat, and increasing that of 
 
178 NARRATIVE OP THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 cold. In the glands and muscles are first witnessed the 
 state of the disease; and if the difficulty is not removed 
 by suitable remedies, it becomes seated on some one of 
 the vital organs, and is then considered a chronic case. 
 The brain being the organ of sense, and the fountain of 
 reason, if attacked by disease, from whatever cause, the 
 symptoms appear more alarming, the efforts that nature 
 makes to remove the obstructions seem to be more vio- 
 lent, and the termination of the struggle more immediate, 
 and oftener fatal, than when any other part is affected by 
 the same cause. 
 
 The practice of the regular faculty in these cases, is to 
 shave the head and apply blisters, with leeches to the 
 temples, and cold applications to the head ; thus oper- 
 ating upon the effect of disease, to the entire neglect of 
 the cause ; and the best evidence of this treatment 
 being erroneous, is, that very few, if any, cases managed in 
 this way, ever recover ; for so long as the cause remains, it 
 is folly to expect to effect a cure. Now the plan that Dr. 
 Thomson would adopt in such a case, would be to carry 
 the patient through a regular course of medicine, which 
 would cleanse the stomach, increase the inward heat so 
 as to cause perspiration, and equalize the circulation 
 throughout the whole system. This would put a stop to 
 the unnatural rush of blood to the brain, which we think 
 reasonable to suppose is the only cause of the in- 
 flammation and distressing symptoms that take place in 
 this complaint. That this plan of treatment would in all 
 cases effect a cure, is more than we are able to say, for it 
 is beyond the reach of human knowledge; but that it is 
 the most consistent with reason and common sense, and 
 the most agreeable to nature, we shall leave others to de- 
 cide for themselves ; with this assurance, that there will be 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 179 
 
 no danger in the trial, as it will not increase the diffi- 
 culty. 
 
 We recently witnessed a case of this complaint, which 
 being treated in a somewhat different manner, it is deemed 
 worthy of being related. A child three years old was at- 
 tacked with what appeared to be the common summer 
 complaint of children. A physician who uses principally 
 vegetables in his practice, was employed. He adminis- 
 tered his medicine and did what he could for the child, 
 without giving any relief; but the operation of the medi- 
 cine made it manifest that the stomach and bowels were 
 much disordered and filled with canker; and as he 
 seemed to doubt of being able to effect a cure, a homoeo- 
 pathic doctor was sent for. With much apparent confi- 
 dence in being able to remove the complaint, he com- 
 menced his plan of treatment ; but the apparent effect of 
 his medicine was to make the child much worse, and it 
 soon fell into a state of stupor, which was followed by 
 perfect insensibility. He now decided that the disease 
 was a dropsy on the brain, for which there was little or 
 no chance of a cure. It was after this several times 
 wrapped in a sheet wet with cold water, and the head 
 was ordered to be dipped in cold water every hour, with 
 cloths wet with the same, to be constantly applied ; but 
 it had no visible effect more than to give momentary 
 relief. The child continued in this state for seven days, 
 during which lime nothing was given it to take but cold 
 water, when it died. In four days after the child was 
 buried, this homceopathian sent in his bill of forty dollars 
 for his attendance ; from which it would appear, that 
 although his practice may not in all cases be successful, 
 yet it must be profitable. 
 
 There is another complaint which is very common, es- 
 
180 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 pecially among children, that we have not before men- 
 tioned, and is what goes by the name of diseases caused by 
 worms. Dr. Thomson says he has had a great deal of 
 experience in what are called worm complaints, and after 
 he had made himself acquainted with the cause, he adopt- 
 ed a plan of treatment, by which he met with no difficulty 
 in curing every case that came under his care. The im- 
 portance of the subject will justify our giving such an ac- 
 count of his experience, and the conclusions he formed 
 from his practice, as will, we feel confident, convey use- 
 ful information. This can be done in no better way than 
 by copying the following remarks from his Guide to 
 Health ; for which, however, we have a just claim of pa- 
 ternity, although he is entitled to credit for the theory and 
 practice therein described. 
 
 " A great deal is said about worms causing sickness, 
 and there is scarcely a disease that children are afflicted 
 with, but what is attributed to worms. The doctors talk 
 about worm complaints, worm fevers, worm cholics, &C, 
 and give medicine to destroy the worms ; by so doing, 
 they frequently destroy their patients. There was never 
 a greater absurdity than their practice, and the universal 
 opinion about worms causing disease. The fact is, they 
 are created and exist in the stomach and bowels, for a 
 useful purpose, and are friendly to health, instead of being 
 an enemy ; they are bred and supported by the cold 
 phlegm that collects in the stomach and bowels j^this is 
 their element, and the more there is of it the more there 
 will be of the worms; they never cause disease, but are 
 caused by it. Those who are in health, are never trou- 
 bled with worms, because they are then quiet, and exist 
 in their natural element ; every one is liable to have more 
 or less of them ; and the reason why children are more 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 181 
 
 troubled with what is called worm complaints, is because 
 they are more subject to be disordered in their stomachs 
 and bowels than grown persons. When children are 
 sick, and their breath smells bad, it is said they have 
 worms, and every thing is laid to them ; but this is owing 
 to disease caused by canker, for there is nothing in the 
 nature of worms that can affect the breath. In cases of 
 this kind, the only thing necessary is to cleanse the 
 stomach by getting rid of the cold phlegm, and restoring 
 the digestive powers, when there will be no difficulty 
 with the worms. The common practice of the faculty is 
 to give calomel and other poisons to kill the worms. This 
 must appear, to any one who examines into the subject, 
 to be very wrong, as well as dangerous ; for the worms 
 cannot be killed by it, without poisoning the whole con- 
 tents of the stomach." 
 
 The plan of treatment adopted by Dr. Thomson in 
 cases of this kind, and in which he, as well as all those 
 who have followed his system of practice, have been com- 
 pletely successful, was to give the composition powders, 
 or cayenne, to warm the stomach ; then the canker tea, 
 made of bayberry, or any other article described under 
 the head of astringents, to remove the canker; to be fol- 
 lowed with the bitters, or either of the articles described 
 as tonics, to correct the bile and strengthen the digestive 
 organs. If this does not remove the difficulty, the pa- 
 tient should be carried through a regular course of medi- 
 cine, and give the restoratives till a cure is effected. In- 
 jections should be often given ; and when there are ner- 
 vous symptoms, give the nerve powder. If mortification 
 is apprehended make free use of the rheumatic drops, 
 both in the doses administered, and in the injections. 
 16 
 
182 NARRATIVE OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE 
 
 There are a great number of important cases of disease, 
 that have been cured by Dr. Thomson and those who 
 have followed his system of practice, which might be de- 
 scribed, with the manner in which they were treated ; 
 but we think there has been enough given to convey all 
 the most important and useful information on the subject, 
 that is necessary for a correct understanding of the na- 
 ture of disease, and the best manner of curing all those 
 complaints that the human family are liable to, by the 
 Thornsonian, or botanic system of practice. 
 
 In the last edition of his Narrative Dr. Thomson has 
 added several articles, which we very much regret ; for 
 they are mostly foreign to the subject, and only show 
 that he was actuated by strong feelings of resentment 
 against many with whom he has had dealings. How 
 far he had justifiable grounds for this, we shall not un- 
 dertake to say ; but it cannot be viewed otherwise than 
 with sorrow, by his friends, that they were suffered to 
 appear in the book. They contain some very just and 
 shrewd remarks on several subjects, which if they had 
 been put into proper form and language, might have been 
 useful ; but this not having been done, shows that those 
 who had the management of the business, were not com- 
 petent to fulfil the task, or were governed by bad mo- 
 tives ; as they have suffered his rambling thoughts to be 
 laid before the public in a manner that does him no 
 credit, either as a man of good principles or soundmind. 
 We have the charity, however, to believe, that this has 
 been more owing to his having bad advisers, than from 
 any inherent principle of his own. 
 
 For several years past, Dr. Thomson has resided most 
 of his time in Boston, where he has an infirmary for the 
 sick, and a large establishment for the preparation and 
 
OF SAMUEL THOMSON. 1S3 
 
 sale of botanic medicine ; this has been ably managed by 
 Mr. Magoun, and has received extensive patronage from 
 the public. The old doctor, from his age and infirmi- 
 ties, needed peace and rest, and he has of late confined 
 himself most of the time, to his residence, seldom leaving 
 home, and then only on urgent business. He has, how- 
 ever, on all occasions, when called on, been ready to give 
 his opinions and advice, which have in every case been 
 found to be instructive and useful. He has devoted the 
 greater part of a long life, to the amelioration of the suf- 
 ferings of his fellow-creatures, and has done more in re- 
 forming and improving the medical practice than any 
 other man of the age; and the world owes him a debt of 
 gratitude for his labours. 
 
 We shall now bring our treatise to a close, as regards 
 the narrative part of our work ; and our future labours will 
 be devoted to giving a description of the vegetable medi- 
 cine used in the botanic practice, with the ways and 
 means of curing disease; and if our abilities are in the 
 smallest measure equal to our zeal in the cause, we are 
 not without hope of furnishing the people with a book 
 that will be found useful to all those who may need ad- 
 vice and assistance in sickness. 
 
PART II. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLE MEDICINE 
 USED IN THE THOMSONIAN OR BOTANIC PRAC- 
 TICE—WITH THE MANNER OF PREPARING AND 
 ADMINISTERING THEM IN ALL CASES OF DIS- 
 EASE. 
 
 We shall confine our descriptions principally to such 
 articles as have been found by long experience to be the 
 most useful, when administered as medicine; and sui-h 
 as have been proved by many years' practice to have the 
 desired effect in removing disease. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EMETICS. 
 
 To cleaoce the stomanch, and aid in removing obstructions caused by 
 cold, or loss of. vital heat ; acting also as a relaxant in all cases of 
 unnatural excitement of the muscular action, or the nervous system. 
 
 LOBELIA INFLATA EMETIC HERB. 
 
 This useful herb has now become so well known, and 
 its medical properties so well understood by a large por- 
 tion of the people of this country, that it will be unneces- 
 sary for us to go into a very elaborate historical account 
 
VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 185 
 
 of its discovery, or the manner in which it has been in- 
 troduced into the materia medica of this country, farther 
 than what has been already given in our Narrative of 
 Dr. Thomson's medical practice. We shall, however, 
 give such description of it when growing, the time of 
 collecting, and the manner of preparing for use, as we 
 think will convey all necessary information on the sub- 
 ject. 
 
 The Eme'tic Herb is what is called by botanists a bi- 
 ennial plant, or only of two years' growth. It comes up 
 in the spring and spreads its leaves, lying flat on the 
 ground, and may be found during the first summer, from 
 the size of a six cent piece to that of a dollar. The next 
 spring it rises with its leaves, and shoots forth a stock to 
 the height of from twelve to fifteen inches, with a num- 
 ber of branches. In July it puts forth small pale blue 
 blossoms, which are followed by pods about the size of a 
 white bean, containing numerous very small seeds. It 
 comes to maturity about the first of September, when the 
 leaves and pods turn a little yellow; this is the best time 
 to gather it. All parts of this herb possess medical prop- 
 erties ; but the leaves, pods, and seeds are the only parts 
 used in the botanic practice. 
 
 This plant grows common in all parts of the country. 
 It is confined to no soil which is fit for cultivation, from 
 the highest mountains to the lowest valleys. In hot and 
 wet seasons it is most plenty on dry and warm land ; in 
 hot and dry seasons, on clayey and heavy lands. When 
 the season is cold, either wet or dry, it rarely makes its 
 appearance ; and if the summer and fall should be very 
 dry it is evident that very little of the seed comes up; 
 and of course it will be scarce the next season. 
 
 When the plants are gathered, put them in a dry loft 
 1G* 
 
186 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 or chamber, kept as much as possible from the damp air; 
 and when they are perfectly dry, they may be laid upon 
 a sheet and beat with a stick, till the leaves and pods are 
 separated from the stalks, which may be easily taken off. 
 Then sift the remainder in a common seive, which will 
 separate the seed from the leaves and pods. To prepare 
 them for use, the latter should be reduced, in a mortar, 
 to a fine powder, and sifted through a fine sive, and kept 
 from the air in some tight vessel. This is the most com- 
 mon preparation, and is what Dr. Thomson has given the 
 name of Green Emetic. The seeds must be prepared in 
 the same manner, and preserved in a glass bottle to be 
 kept tight. This preparation possesses nearly twice the 
 power of the other, and is what he calls the Brown 
 Emetic. 
 
 There is another method of preparing it, by making a 
 tincture of the green herb, in any stage of its growth, with 
 spirits, which is of great value in many cases of disease ; 
 particularly in that distressing complaint, the asthma, for 
 which the faculty admit it to be the best remedy that has 
 ever been discovered. It is kept in the apothecary shops, 
 and is much used by them in this and other complaints, 
 where the windpipe and lungs are affected, as it assists 
 nature to remove all obstructions, by throwing off the 
 mucus, and restoring the natural secretion of the glands. 
 It is an excellent thing for children when stuffed, and 
 are threatened with croup or lung fever, and also in 
 whooping-cough. By administering half a tea-spoon- 
 ful occasionally, it will give certain relief, and prevent 
 much distress. 
 
 The emetic herb is one of the most valuable articles 
 used in the botanic practice ; for without it, there would 
 be great difficulty in chronic cases to remove the com- 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 187 
 
 plaint. Dr. Thomson has ranked it as the first and most 
 important article used in his system of practice ; but Dr. 
 Curtis in his lectures makes some just remarks, in which he 
 disagrees with him in this particular, and although he ad- 
 mits lobelia, as n, relaxant, to be superior to any thing that 
 has been discovered, yet as a general remedy in all cases, he 
 thinks it not equal to cayenne. He says, — " Some sup- 
 pose that lobelia is the most important article in the ma- 
 teria medica. In this opinion I cannot agree ; for though 
 I admit that there are some cases that cannot be cured 
 with cayenne without lobelia, yet, I am sure there are 
 more that cannot be cured with lobelia without cayenne, 
 or something that will serve as a substitute." 
 
 Much has been said about lobelia, which has caused a 
 prejudice in the minds of many, who have been led into 
 the belief that it is a poison, but this is altogether an error, 
 and can be proved so to be, by, I might say, millions, 
 who have witnessed and experienced its effects. It is 
 now well known that in its operation, there is no kind of 
 danger, and at the same time it is the most effectual in 
 removing disease of any thing ever given as a medicine. 
 Dr. Thomson with his characteristic shrewdness, has, in 
 his Narrative, made the following remarks. — " In the 
 course of my practice, a number of the doctors discovered 
 that the medicine I made use of, produced effects which 
 astonished them, and which they could not account for. 
 This led them to conclude, that because it was so powerful 
 in removing disease, it must be poison. This, 1 think can 
 be very satisfactorily accounted for. They have no know- 
 ledge of any thing in their system which is capable of 
 producing a powerful effect upon the sick, except what is 
 poisonous, and therefore naturally form their opinions 
 agreeable to this erroneous theory. There is a power to 
 
1S8 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 preserve life and a power to produce death, which, of 
 course, are directly opposed to each other ; and whatever 
 tends to promote life, cannot produce death, let its power 
 be ever so great." 
 
 As to the quantity to be given at a dose, it is of less conse- 
 quence than what is generally imagined. Dr. Thomson 
 has directed for a common dose a tea-spoonful to be given 
 in half a tea-cupful of warm water, sweetened, or it may 
 be put into bayberry tea, or any other liquid preparation; 
 he gives a caution, however, not to put it in any thing hot- 
 ter than can be conveniently swallowed ; as scalding it de- 
 stroys, or materially lessens its powers. He says the 
 best way is to give the common dose at first, and repeat 
 it till the desired effect is produced; for if there is not 
 enough given, it may worry the patient, and do little 
 good ; if more is given than needed, the surplus will be 
 thrown off, and is only a waste of medicine. If the stom- 
 ach is very foul and the inward heat low, its operation 
 will be slow and uncertain ; in which case give cayenne, 
 which will assist in producing the object desired. 
 
 It may be administered in every kind of complaint 
 without danger, and to all ages and conditions. To chil- 
 dren, give about half, more or less, according to the age, 
 that is directed for an adult. In the first symptoms of 
 disorder, by giving a dose it will throw it off, and in most 
 cases, prevent long sickness. It will not only cleanse 
 the stomach of all offensive matter, but by its enlivening 
 and quickening qualities, has great power in removing all 
 obstructions. It will be necessary, however, to give cay- 
 enne, or some other stimulant, to sustain the inward heat,, 
 and keep up a free perspiration till all difficulties are re«j 
 moved. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 189 
 
 BLUE AND WHITE VERVAIN. 
 
 This herb is too well known to need a particular de- 
 scription ; it grows very common in neglected fields and 
 pastures. It is good as an emetic, and ranks next to 
 lobelia for that purpose. This herb has been used with 
 considerable success in consumptive cases; and is good 
 to prevent a fever if given in the first stages. May be 
 given in a tea made of the dry herb, or prepared in a 
 powder like the emetic herb. 
 
 THOROUGH WORT BONE9ET. 
 
 This is a very common and well known herb, growing 
 usually near some stagnant pool, or running stream of 
 water, and is much used by the people for many com- 
 plaints. If given in a strong tea, it will operate as an 
 emetic; to produce which it must be given in copious 
 draughts. It is of a warming nature, and is good for 
 coughs and complaints of the lungs. When given as an 
 emetic, it may be combined with vervain. 
 
 There are many articles in the vegetable kingdom 
 which may be used with success as an emetic; but lobe- 
 lia is now so easily obtained^ and is so much superior to 
 any thing else known, that it would be useless to de- 
 scribe them. We have known cases where food had 
 been eaten that was hard to digest, when the stomach 
 was in a cold and weak state, which caused very severe 
 pain; by taking a tea-spoonful of cayenne in hot water, 
 sweetened, it has caused vomiting and given immediate 
 relief. 
 
190 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 STIMULANTS. 
 
 To raise and retain the internal vital heat of the body, and promote per- 
 spiration, causing a natural circulation of the blood. 
 
 CAYENNE CAPSICUM — BIRD PEPPER. 
 
 There are several species of capsicum which are used 
 as medicine in the botanic practice: they are all of the 
 same nature, possessing powerful stimulating qualities; 
 differing only in their power to generate and sustain the 
 vital heat. They are all extremely pungent, causing a 
 burning sensation when taken, seemingly setting the 
 glands of the mouth on fire; but this only continues for 
 a short time, causing the saliva to flow freely, and leaves 
 the mouth clean and moist. Dr. Thomson says that in 
 his practice for thirty years or more, he made use of cay- 
 enne in all kinds of disease, and has given it to patients 
 of all ages and under every circumstance ; and that he 
 can assure the public of its being perfectly harmless, 
 never having known it to produce any bad effects what- 
 ever. It is now admitted by all, even the medical faculty 
 themselves, to be one of the purest stimulants known. 
 Its effects on the system is entirely congenial to nature, 
 being powerful only in raising and maintaining that heat 
 on which life depends. 
 
 The best article of the kind that is now used as medi- 
 cine, is made from what is called the Bird Pepper, which 
 is brought in the pod from Liberia and other parts of the 
 Guinea coast, in large quantities; and is here prepared 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 191 
 
 for use, by being ground in a mill, bolted, and put up in 
 barrels like flour, when it is sent to all parts of the coun- 
 try and sold as any other merchandize. The pods, or 
 fruit are quite small, growing on a shrub or bush, and 
 when prepared for use, is- of rather a dark straw colour; 
 it may be distinguished from other kinds, by its being 
 more pure and pungent in taste. This is what we shall 
 hereafter designate, in our directions for its use as a med- 
 icine, by the name of cayenne. 
 
 There are other varieties of capsicum, which, when re- 
 duced to a powder, are sold under the name of cayenne ; 
 and differ from the above only in strength, being of the 
 Fame nature. These kinds grow abundantly in all hot 
 climates, and the pods or fruit are produced from an an- 
 nual plant, which may be cultivated in gardens in any 
 part of the earth within the temperate zone. The vari- 
 eties differ only in the size and shape of the pods. The 
 best is brought from the West Indies and South Amer- 
 ica, and from which has been heretofore made the cay- 
 enne, sold in the shops, and used as a condiment. The 
 pods are of a long pointed shape, about the size of 
 the finger, and when ripe are of a bright red colour. 
 These pods are gathered when green before fully grown, 
 and preserved in bottles with salt and water, when, by 
 being put in vinegar, is what is sold as pepper-sauce. 
 This is a very valuable article, when U3ed as medicine, 
 in many cases of disease. There is one thing peculiar 
 to these pods when gathered before coming to maturity, 
 that they continue their power of generating heat, and 
 the vinegar may be renewed, and the same strength pre- 
 served, until entirely consumed ; but if the ripe fruit 
 is used, the strength is exhausted by two or three appli- 
 cations. 
 
192 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 That capsicum, or cayenne is an article of great value 
 in the medical practice, is now put beyond all manner of 
 doubt. It is probably more generally used in curing 
 every species of complaint, by those who practice upon 
 the Thomsonian system, than any other article of the 
 materia medica ; and the regulars make much use of it 
 throughout the country ; for they have found it to be a 
 safe and certain remedy in most of the fevers and epi- 
 demics that prevail among the people in some form 
 or other every season. Dr. Curtis says, in one of his 
 lectures, that when the cholera prevailed, a physician 
 in Louisiana discovered a medicine that cured that com- 
 plaint ; and his success was so great that the people 
 gave hirn a service of plate as a reward for his ingenuity. 
 It was afterwards discovered that this remedy was noth- 
 ing more than cayenne, disguised by being mixed with 
 calomel. It is a well known fact that capsicum is the 
 principal medicine used by the negroes in the West Indies 
 and our Southern States, for all their complaints. In the 
 Edinburgh Dispensatory we find the statement of an 
 eminent physician, that while practicing in Jamaica, the 
 soldiers stationed there were sorely afflicted with a dis- 
 ease in their eyes, for which he could find nothing that 
 would afford the least relief, until he learned from the 
 negroes that by applying a tincture of capsicum, it would 
 cure the complaint ; he tried it and was completely suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 The only preparation necessary, according to Dr. 
 Thomson's directions, is to have it reduced to a fine 
 powder; and for a dose, from half to a tea-spoonful may 
 be given in hot water, sweetened, or the same quantity 
 may be mixed with the canker tea, or any other liquid 
 preparation ; and also may be put into the injections. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 193 
 
 It will produce a" free perspiration, which should be kept 
 up by repeating the dose, until the disease is removed. It 
 will be proper here to remark, by way of caution, that 
 when the living energies are in a low state, in con- 
 sequence of the stomach being foul and inactive, the 
 cayenne will cause very severe pain, till it generates heat 
 sufficient to overpower the cold ; this will take place in a 
 few minutes, when the pain will cease. To guard 
 against this, the patient should be in a warm bed, or be- 
 fore a fire shielded by a blanket, and give a cup of hot 
 tea before administering the cayenne. 
 
 COMMON RED PEPPERS. 
 
 There are two or three kinds, which differ only in 
 the shape of the pods, being of the same nature, and as a 
 medicine, are the next best articles to cayenne. Large 
 quantities of them are cultivated in gardens, and the prin- 
 cipal use made of them is for pickles ; for which purpose 
 the pods, are gathered when green and preserved in vine- 
 gar. For medical use the earliest and best pods should 
 be left and not gathered till ripe, when they will be of 
 a bright red colour; they should be strung and hung up 
 where they will be kept from the damp air, and when per- 
 fectly dry, must be reduced to a fine powder, and kept in 
 some tight thing for use. It is not so powerful as cay- 
 enne, but by giving a larger quantity, in common cases, 
 it will answer all the purposes of that article, 
 
 GINGER. 
 
 The ginger root is the produce of the East Indies, and 
 
 has been imported into this country from Calcutta in large 
 
 quantities, being an important article of commerce; but 
 
 it has of late years, as we are informed, been extensively 
 
 17 
 
194 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 cultivated in the West India Islands, having been 
 brought there from the East ; and by many is thought to 
 be superior to the other, this is probably owing to there 
 being more pains taken in preparing and preserving 
 it in a pure state for the market. It is imported in 
 the root and here ground, and may be found for sale in 
 all the shops ; the safest way is, when wanted for medi- 
 cine, to buy the roots and have them ground ; for what 
 is sold in the shops is often mixed with other articles, and 
 is of little value. Ginger is a very good article, having 
 a warming and very agreeable effect on the stomach. It 
 is a pleasant stimulant, and may be given as such 
 to raise the inward heat and promote perspiration ; and 
 is a good substitute for cayenne, when that or the red 
 peppers cannot be had. The dose must be regulated ac- 
 cording to circumstances ; if given to cause perspiration, 
 it may be prepared the same as directed for cayenne, and 
 must be repeated till it has the desired effect. It is made 
 much use of in >the botanic practice in poultices, and 
 mixed with bayberry, slippery-elm bark, or pounded 
 cracked, has been found very useful, where such applica- 
 tions are needed. An infusion may be made by putting 
 some of the roots, pounded in a mortar, into boiling 
 water, and half a tea-cupful may be given, sweetened, 
 with a little milk, which will make it very palatable. To 
 hold a piece of the root in the mouth, chewing it and 
 swallowing the juice, is very good for a cough, and those 
 of a consumptive habit ; this should also be done when 
 exposed to contagion. 
 
 BLACK PEPPER. 
 
 This is an article of commerce, and great quantities of 
 it are imported from Sumatra and other parts of India, 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 195 
 
 where it is produced in abundance. It is sold in the 
 shops both in the berry and in a powdered state. This 
 pepper is a pure stimulant, and may be used as a substi- 
 tute for the articles that have been before described as 
 such, when they cannot be had ; and may be prepared 
 and given in the same manner. The articles that have 
 been described under the head of stimulants, Dr. Thom- 
 son says, are all that he. has been able to find, that could 
 be depended upon to raise and hold the vital heat for a 
 sufficient length of time to be of much benefit ; all the 
 others that he tried, were proved to he .too -.volatile to do 
 much good. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ASTRINGENTS 
 
 To remove the canker, by checking an unnatural flow of the animal 
 fluids, and restore a healthy action to the secretions. 
 
 i 
 
 BAYBERRY CANDLEBERRY. 
 
 This is a species of the myrtle, from the berries of 
 which wax is obtained, and grows common in many parts 
 of this country. It is a shrub growing from two to four 
 feet high, and may be distinguished by the berries which 
 it produces annually, containing wax; these grow close 
 to the branches, similar to the juniper. The only part 
 used as a medicine is the bark of the roots, which should 
 be gathered in the spring before it puts forth its leaves, 
 
196 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 or in the fall when done growing, as then the sap is in 
 the roots. The roots should be dug and cleansed from 
 the dirt, and pounded with a mallet or club, by which 
 means the bark is easily separated from the stem. It 
 should be dried in a chamber or loft, where it will not be 
 exposed to the weather ; and when perfectly dry, may be 
 pounded or ground to a powder, to be sifted in a fine 
 seive, and preserved for use. The coarser part to be 
 used with other articles in making the canker tea ; and 
 the finer to be taken in substance, or used in the compo- 
 sition powders. 
 
 The bayberry, thus prepared, is one of the most impor- 
 tant articles used in the botanic practice, and forms the 
 basis upon which is founded all the canker remedies. 
 As an astringent, there has been nothing yet found 
 that equals it; by its peculiar effects upon the fibres it 
 arrests the diseased state of them caused by cold, and 
 gives energy to the living principle, by restoring the 
 natural secretions. Dr. Thomson says that it is an excel- 
 lent medicine, either taken by itself or compounded with 
 other articles ; and is the best thing for canker of any 
 article he has ever found. It is stimulating and quite 
 pungent, exciting the glands and causing the saliva to 
 flow freely. Is good used as tooth powder, cleansing 
 the teeth and gums, and removes the scurvy ; taken as 
 snuff", it clears the head and relieves the headache. It 
 may be given in a relax, and all disorders of the bowels. 
 When the stomach is very foul, it will frequently cause 
 vomiting. For a dose, give a tea-spoonful, in hot water, 
 sweetened; a little milk may be added, which will make 
 it more pleasant. 
 
 WHITE POND-LILY. 
 
 The root of the white pond-lily has long been used as 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 197 
 
 an astringent for removing canker. It grows in fresh 
 water ponds, and may be found in all parts of the coun- 
 try, being distinguished by the beautiful white flower 
 that it bears, opening only to the sun, and closing again 
 at night. It has large roots, which should be gathered 
 in the fall of the year, when the ponds are low, as it 
 can then be obtained with little difficulty. The roots 
 should be washed clean and split into strips, then dried 
 and prepared in the same manner as has been directed 
 for the bayberry root bark. This article is a very good 
 medicine for canker, and all complaints of the bowels ; 
 it may be given in a tea alone, or mixed with other 
 articles. A tea of this root is good to make a poultice ; 
 and also is one of the best articles to cleanse old ulcers, 
 sores and wounds. 
 
 HEMLOCK. 
 
 The inner bark of this tree is powerfully astringent, 
 possessing a large portion of tannin ; and Dr. Thomson 
 has heretofore made use of it, compounded with other 
 articles, for canker ; but he says in his last edition, that 
 he has found it to be of too drying a nature, and finding 
 other articles much better, has laid it aside. Others 
 think differently, however, and make much use of it in 
 the canker powders as an important article. The best 
 for medicine is to take the bark of the young tree, shave 
 off the outside, and when perfectly dry, may be reduced 
 to powder and saved for use. The boughs made into a 
 tea, are very good for gravel, and other obstructions 
 of the urinary passages, and also for rheumatic com- 
 plaints. Many aged people who are troubled with rheu- 
 matic pains and stiffness in their joints, have found great 
 relief in using this tea as their common drink. 
 17* 
 
198 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 MARSH ROSEMARY. 
 
 This plant grows on salt marshes, and has a thick tuft 
 of dark green leaves, from the centre of which shoots up 
 a round stem a foot or more in height, with branches 
 that puts forth in August and September, small, bluish, 
 purple flowers. The root only is used as medicine, and 
 is an astringent of great power. It is much used for 
 canker, and sore mouth and throat. Dr. Thomson says 
 that he made use of it in his practice, for many years, 
 with the bayberry bark for the canker tea ; but finding 
 that the lily root was better, has mostly laid it aside ; 
 and that it is so binding in its nature, that it is not safe 
 to use it without a large portion of the bayberry. 
 
 SUMACH. 
 
 This shrub or bush grows plentifully in the Northern 
 and Middle States, and is too well known to need any 
 description. It bears berries, which grow in large 
 bunches, and when ripe, are of a dark red colour, of a 
 pleasant sour taste. As a medicine, it is of great value, 
 being essentially astringent, and possesses a large portion 
 of the tannin principle. The bark, leaves, and berries 
 are used, and should be gathered in the proper season, 
 dried and prepared for use as has been directed for all 
 other barks, roots, &c. ; they may be used all together, 
 or each article separate. A tea made of either, or all 
 combined, will be found useful, and may be given with- 
 out danger, in almost all complaints; and maybe put 
 into the injections. It is good in stranguary, as it pro- 
 motes urine and relieves difficulties in the kidneys, by 
 removing obstructions and strengthening those parts. A 
 tea may be made of the ripe berries, sweetened, which is 
 very good for children in bowel complaints. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 199 
 
 Dr. Thomson says that he has made use of the sumach 
 for many years, and has found it one of the best articles 
 for dysentery and other bowel complaints that he has 
 met with ; and that he has generally used it with bay- 
 berry and lily root, equal parts, for his canker tea. It 
 may be used as a substitute for bayberry and other can- 
 ker remedies, when they cannot be had. 
 
 WITCH-HAZLE. 
 
 This is an article of much value in all complaints 
 caused by canker, and various other difficulties. It is a 
 small tree or bush, which grows very common in this 
 country, and may be found on new land, and in many 
 other situations on land not cultivated. It is valuable as 
 an astringent, to stop inward bleeding, and prevent an 
 unnatural flow of the animal juices, which is caused by 
 canker. A tea made of the leaves is an excellent medi- 
 cine in many complaints, and may be freely used to ad- 
 vantage ; it will give immediate relief in cases of bleeding 
 at the stomach or lungs. The bark may be used for the 
 same purposes, and is equally useful. An injection made 
 of this tea, with a small quantity of cayenne, will give 
 great relief in the piles, and is good for many complaints 
 common to females ; and in bearing down pains it will 
 afford immediate relief, if properly given. The leaves 
 may be used in the canker tea to good advantage, as a 
 substitute for other articles, or alone for the same pur- 
 pose. The pulverized leaves taken as snuff, is a good 
 remedy for bleeding at the nose. 
 
 RED RASPBERRY. 
 
 This is an excellent article, and is too well known to 
 require a particular description. It has great astringent 
 
200 VEGETAELE MEDICINES USED 
 
 powers, but has no bad effects in its operation, being a 
 friendly assistant to nature in removing disease, and re- 
 storing the natural action of the fibres and secretions. 
 Dr. Thomson says that he discovered the value of this 
 article as a medicine, like many other of his remedies, 
 from necessity ; for being in a distant part of the coun- 
 try, and called on to attend upon some cases of alarming 
 complaint that prevailed, which he ascertained to be 
 caused by canker ; and not having any suitable medicine 
 with him, had to resort to his rule of tasting. He went 
 into the fields, and after trying a great number of arti- 
 cles, found that the red raspberry leaves was the best ; 
 he gathered some and made a strong tea, which was ad- 
 ministered to the patients, and it had the effect desired. 
 After this he made it one of his most important articles 
 for removing canker, and curing many other complaints. 
 For relax and other bowel complaints of children, it 
 proved to be one of the best things he had ever found ; 
 by giving the tea and using it in the injections, it will 
 give immediate relief. A tea made of the leaves, sweet- 
 ened, with a little milk, is very pleasant, and may 
 be used freely ; and is one of the best things for women 
 in travail of any he has ever found. By giving a strong 
 tea of it, with a little cayenne, sweetened, it will regulate 
 every thing as nature requires. If the pains are un- 
 timely, it will make all quiet ; if timely and lingering, 
 give more cayenne and half a tea-spoonful of nerve pow- 
 der in the tea. When the child is born give it some of 
 the tea with sugar and milk; this will prevent sore 
 mouth ; and the tea is good to wash sore nipples with. 
 A poultice made with this tea and cracker, or slippery 
 elm bark, is very good for burns or scalds ; if the skin is 
 off, by washing with the tea and applying the poultice, it 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 201 
 
 will ease the pain and soon effect a cure. It may be 
 used in the canker tea, with other articles, or alone, to 
 good effect. 
 
 COCASH SQUAW-WEED. 
 
 This is plenty in most parts of the country, and by 
 some is called frost-weed, or meadow scabish ; it is a 
 wild weed, and grows in wet land, by the side of brooks ; 
 it has a stock that shoots up four or five feet, which is 
 rough and woolly, with a narrow leaf, and bears a bluish 
 flower late in the fall, which remains till the frost kills it. 
 The root lives through the winter, and in the spring puts 
 forth a new stem ; the leaves at the bottom remain green 
 through the winter. The roots and top are used for 
 medicine, and has a fragrant taste and smell, resembling 
 lovage. It is an astringent, and much used by the peo- 
 ple for canker-rash and other complaints caused by 
 canker ; is very harmless, and may be used freely with- 
 out danger. Take the green roots and leaves, bruise 
 them and pour on hot water ; and give this tea, sweet- 
 ened-. It may be kept by adding spirits, and is good for 
 rheumatism and nervous affections. Tinctured with 
 spirits, it makes a very agreeable bitter, and is good for 
 giddiness and cold hands and feet. 
 
 Remarks. — We have given a description, under the 
 head of astringents, of all the articles that Dr. Thomson 
 has been able to find in his long practice that he could 
 recommend as safe and certain remedies in removing the 
 canker and restoring a natural and healthy action to the 
 secretions and other important functions that sustain life. 
 According to his theory in all cases of settled disease 
 there is always more or less canker; and a medicine 
 
202 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 therefore that will remove this difficulty, is of incalcula- 
 ble value ; and a correct understanding of this part of 
 the botanic practice is of great importance to all those 
 who make use of it to cure disease. There are many 
 articles in the vegetable kingdom that we have not de- 
 scribed, which are valuable as canker remedies, and 
 may be used with success when those that are better 
 cannot be had ; if on trial they are found t& be too bind- 
 ing, make use of cayenne, which will prevent any dan- 
 gerous effects. To ascertain the properties of articles, 
 which may be needed as astringents, it will be useful to 
 follow the example of Dr. Thomson, and test them by 
 their taste. If on chewing, the glands are excited so as 
 to cause the saliva to flow freely, and the mouth is left 
 clean and moist, it is good ; but if it leaves the mouth 
 dry and foul, it is bad and should be avoided. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 TONICS. 
 
 To strengthen the digestive organs, and restore the natural tone of the 
 stomach. 
 
 BITTER ROOT WANDERING MILK-WEED. 
 
 This is one of the most valuable articles used in the 
 botanic practice, for giving a natural and healthy tone 
 to the stomach, and regulating the bile. This valuable 
 vegetable grows in meadows and in hedges, in appear- 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 203 
 
 aTice it resembles buckwheat, having similar white blos- 
 soms ; when the stalk is broken it discharges a milky 
 substance, which is extremely bitter ; it has two small 
 pods, about the size of cabbage seed pods, with a silky 
 substance. This herb is wandering, that is, the roots 
 run about under ground to a considerable distance and 
 produce many stalks that grow up from different parts 
 of the root to the height of about two feet. The kind 
 that is commonly known by the name of wandering milk- 
 weed, grows only on upland. There is another kind 
 which grows near rivers and on islands, where high wa- 
 ter overflows it ; this differs some from the other in ap- 
 pearance ; the roots run deep in the sand ; it has leaves , 
 and pods like the first, and both are good for medicine. 
 The bark of the root is the only part made use of as 
 such. The roots when dug should be cleared from dirt 
 and dried, and when perfectly dry, may be pounded in a 
 mortar, when the bark is easily separated from the woody 
 stem that forms the inside ; the bark should then be re- 
 duced to a fine powder and preserved for use. Dr. 
 Thomson says that this root is very bitter, and is one of 
 the greatest correctors of the bile he has been able to 
 find ; and is an excellent medicine to remove costive- 
 ness, as it will cause the bowels to move in a natural 
 manner. A strong decoction of this root, made by steep- 
 ing it in hot water, if drank freely, will operate as a 
 cathartic, and sometimes as an emetic ; and is most sure 
 to throw off a fever in its first stages. . It should be used 
 in all cases of costiveness. The powder may be given 
 in doses of a tea-spoonful with hot water, to be repeated 
 as occasion may require till it has the desired effect. It 
 may be also put into other articles used as tonics, and 
 will in all cases be found useful. 
 
204 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 BALMONY — BITTER-HERB. 
 
 This herb grows in wet mowing land, by the side of 
 brooks ; it is about the size of mint, the leaves some- 
 what larger ; the stalk is four square, and the leaves are 
 of a dark green, of a sweetish bitter taste. It bears a 
 white flower of a singular form, resembling a snake's 
 head with the mouth open. The balmony is a tonic of 
 the first order, for correcting the morbid secretions of 
 the bile, removing the torpidity of the liver, and crea- 
 ting an appetite. A tea made of the herb alone, may be 
 freely used, or it may be added to the other articles de- 
 scribed under the head of bitters, or tonics ; all of which 
 are calculated to restore the digestive powers. 
 
 POPLAR AMERICAN ASPEN. 
 
 There are several species of the poplar tree, that grow 
 common in this country. Of these one kind is called 
 white poplar, and another tag poplar, or stinking poplar ; 
 the bark of both these kinds are good for medicine ; but 
 the latter is the best, being a tonic of great value. It 
 has tags hanging on its limbs, which remain till the tree 
 leaves out in the spring, which is later than the other 
 kinds. The twigs are short and brittle, which are very 
 bitter to the taste. The inner bark, given in tea, is a 
 medicine of much value to regulate the bile and restore 
 the digestive organs. The bark may be taken from the 
 body of the tree, the limbs, or the roots, then shave off the 
 ftutside and preserve the inner bark for use. To make the 
 bitters it should be pounded or ground to 'a powder, and 
 may be mixed with other articles, or may be used alone 
 for the same purpose. To make a tea, take a handful 
 of the bark pounded or cut into small strips, and put 
 it into a quart mug or pitcher, filling it with boiling wa- 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. .205 
 
 ter, which if taken freely, will_relieve a relax, head-ache, 
 faintness at the stomach, and many other complaints 
 caused by bad digesture. It is also good for obstruc- 
 tions of the urine and weakness in the loins ; and those 
 of a consumptive habit will find great relief in using this 
 tea freely. In cases of dispepsia by using this tea as a 
 drink, it will do much towards restoring the digesture. 
 
 BARBERRY. 
 
 This is a well known shrub, growing very common in 
 the north Atlantic States, producing red berries of a 
 pleasant sour taste, which are much used as a pickle and 
 for preserves. The bark of the root or top is a pleasant 
 bitter, and is a good tonic, to correct the bile and strength- 
 en the digesture. The bark should be collected at the 
 proper season, carefully dried and pounded or ground to 
 a fine powder ; it is used with other articles to make the 
 vegetable bitters, or it may be used alone for the same 
 purpose. A tea made of this bark is very good for all 
 cases of indigestion and may be freely used. A drink 
 made by pouring boiling water on the berries, when 
 dried, a little sweetened, is very pleasant, and may be 
 used as a beverage in cases of sickness. 
 
 GOLDEN SEAL KERCUMA. 
 
 This is an annual herb, growing in different parts of 
 the United States, but mostly west of the Alleghany 
 mountains. It flourishes best in wet woodlands. It has a 
 perennial root and an annual stem, from six inches to 
 one foot in height, with two unequal leaves, and a sin- 
 gle whitish or rose-coloured flower. The root consists 
 of numerous long fibres, and is of a bright red colour. 
 It is a valuable tonic and much used as such in the bo- 
 18 
 
206 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 tanic practice ; possessing the ordinary virtues of vege- 
 table bitters in a great degree. Dr. Thomson says he 
 has made much use of this article, and has always found 
 it useful in regulating the bile, and strengthening the 
 digestive organs ; and in cases of weak patients, when 
 food causes distress in the stomach, a tea-spoonful of the 
 root pulverized, taken in hot water, sweetened, will give 
 immediate relief. It is good to restose the digesture, 
 and may be used for that purpose alone, or with the 
 bitter root, or may be compounded with other articles 
 described under this head, for the same. 
 
 UNICORN ROOT STARWORT. 
 
 This plant is found in almost all parts of the country, 
 growing in open fields, and about borders of pine for- 
 ests, and blossoms in June and July. It is a valuable 
 tonic, and may be usefully employed for similar purpo- 
 ses with other bitters that have been described ; for fe- 
 male weaknesses, and pains in the side and breast, it is 
 said to be a good remedy. The root may be pulverized 
 and taken in hot water, sweetened, or in a tea made by 
 pouring hot water to the roots, and may be used freely. 
 
 GOLDTHREAD. 
 
 The root of this plant is a tonic and may be used as 
 such to good advantage in all cases, for aiding the di- 
 gesture and restoring the appetite. It has a creeping 
 perennial root, of a bright yellow colour, from which it 
 derives its name ; it grows in many parts of the coun- 
 try, and may be found plenty in the hilly parts of New 
 England. The plants blossom in May or June, and pos- 
 sesses great bitterness, but the root is the only part used 
 as medicine. It has considerable astringent qualities, 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 207 
 
 and is often used, made into a strong tea, as a gargle 
 for sore mouth and throat, being found useful for that 
 purpose. 
 
 wormwood. 
 
 This is a well known herb, and is much used by the 
 people for many purposes ; it is a very wholesome bitter, 
 and as a tonic may be used to advantage to regulate the 
 bile and restore the digesture, as it will strengthen the 
 stomach and create an appetite. It may be given in a 
 tea, or the green herb may be pounded in a mortar, 
 mixed with Spirit, and made into a tincture, and given in 
 that way. This tincture, of the green leaves, pounded, 
 may be applied to advantage in cases of a bruise or sprain. 
 
 Remarks. — To regulate the digestive organs, so that 
 food taken into the stomach may be properly digested, 
 and be enabled to afford that nourishment to the whole 
 system, without which life could not be sustained, is a 
 very important part of the botanic system of practice ; 
 and should be well understood and faithfully attended to, 
 especially in cases where the patient has been labouring 
 under protracted disease. We have described such arti- 
 cles as have been found by long practice, to be the most 
 useful as tonics; feeling confident, that if timely and 
 properly administered, they will either singly or by be- 
 ing combined, answer all the purposes needed. There 
 are a great number of articles that may be useful for the 
 same purpose ; for every thing bitter is of a hot nature, 
 and possesses in some degree tonic powers; and they 
 may be used with safety, where others, better, cannot be 
 obtained. 
 
203 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 CHAPTER V, 
 
 NERVINES. 
 
 Tn soothe and quiet the nervous system, when in an irritable or unnat- 
 ural state of excitement, without causing any of the injurious effects 
 produced by narcotics. 
 
 LADIES' SLIPPER AMERICAN VALERIAN NERVE POWDER. 
 
 There are several species of this valuable vegetable ; 
 the American Dispensatory gives an account of six 
 kinds; but Dr. Thomson describes only four, one male 
 and three female, which are distinguished by the colour 
 of the flowers. The male is called yellow ladies' slipper, 
 and grows in swamps and wet lands, has a large cluster 
 of fibrous roots matted together, joined to a solid root, 
 which puts forth several stalks that grow about one foot 
 high ; its leaves somewhat resemble the poke leaf. 
 
 The flowers of the female plants are red, red and 
 white, and white. The red has but two leaves, which 
 grow out of the ground and lean over to the right and 
 left, between which a single stalk shoots up, to the height 
 of from eight to ten inches, bearing on its top the flow- 
 er, which is of a very singular form, and from which the 
 sexual character of the plant is known. 
 
 The red and white, and white ladies' slipper grow 
 only in swamps and marshy ground, and are found to 
 produce larger clusters of roots than the yellow, but in 
 a similar form, the top of the yellow is similar to the red 
 ladies' slipper, except the colour of the flowers. 
 
 The yellow and red are the best for medicine. The 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 209 
 
 roots only are used, which should be dug in the spring 
 before the top puts forth, or in the fall, when the foliage 
 is dead ; for the sap is then in the root. It may be easi- 
 ly found by the dead stalk of the previous year. If dug 
 in the summer, when the sap is in the stalk and leaves, 
 the roots will nearly all dry away. When procured, it 
 should be washed clean and carefully dried, and ground 
 or pounded in a mortar to a fine pounder, sifted through 
 a fine seive, and preserved from the air for use. 
 
 The nerve powder is the best medicine that has ever 
 been discovered, for quieting the nerves when in an un- 
 natural state of excitement. Dr. Thomson says that he 
 has made great use of it in his practice, and has always 
 found it to produce the most beneficial effects, in all ca- 
 ses of nervous affection, and in hysterical symptoms ; in 
 fact, he says, it would be very difficult in many cases to 
 succeed in the practice, without this important article. 
 It is an innocent remedy, and does not have any of the 
 injurious effects produced by opium, or other narcotics, 
 which give temporary relief only by deadening sensibili- 
 ty, without having the least tendency to remove the cause 
 of disease. From the peculiar effect it has in relieving 
 pain, and leaving the patient to the enjoyment of quiet 
 rest, has induced some to consider it to be of a narcotic 
 nature ; but this is entirely a mistaken notion, for they 
 awake refreshed by natural sleep, both in body and mind, 
 without any of those dull, heavy, and stupid effects pro- 
 duced by opium. 
 
 From half to a tea-spoonful of the nerve powder, may 
 be given in half a tea-cupful of hot water, sweetened, and 
 the dose repeated if found necessary ; or the same quan- 
 tity may be mixed with either of the other preparations, 
 when taken ; and also put into the injections ; and where 
 IS* 
 
210 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 there are nervous symptoms, it should never be dispen- 
 sed with. 
 
 SCULLCAP. 
 
 This herb has a small, fibrous root, the top grows from 
 ten inches to two feet high, and in some respects resem- 
 bles lobelia inflata. It may be found plenty in this coun- 
 try, and much has been heretofore published in the pa- 
 pers about its being a certain cure for hydrophobia ; but 
 with what truth we have never been able to learn. Dr. 
 Matson has introduced it in his book as an article of 
 much value, and makes use of it as his principal article 
 as a nervine, instead of the ladies' slipper. Dr. Thom- 
 son makes no mention of scullcap in his book, and we 
 therefore conclude that he thought it not of much value. 
 "We recollect once making inquiry of him as to the value 
 of this article as a medicine ; and if our memory serves 
 us, his answer was, that he had made use of it in his 
 practice, and had tried it in several cases ; but finding 
 little or no benefit in it, had laid it aside. It may be 
 good, however, and as we consider it harmless, those who 
 wish, can use it as a substitute for ladies' slipper, when 
 that cannot be had. 
 
 We shall here insert a description of several articles, 
 which have been made much use of in the botanic prac- 
 tice, and have been found to be useful in removing dis- 
 ease, and also as restoratives. They are all used in the 
 medical compounds, and constitute an important part of 
 many of them. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 211 
 
 GUM MYRRH. 
 
 This gum is obtained from a tree that grows in the 
 East Indies, and is kept for sale in all the apothecaries' 
 shops. Dr. Thomson says there is nothing sold by them 
 that possesses more useful medicinal properties than this 
 article. He discovered its value by accident, in trying 
 it on himself, as related in the narrative, and has since 
 made much use of it in various cases of disease ; and 
 recommends it as the best medicine to check mortifica- 
 tion, of any thing he has ever found. In selecting myrrh 
 for use, take that of a light brown colour, somewhat 
 transparent, and of a bitter taste, a little pungent. It 
 should be reduced to a fine powder in a mortar, before 
 used. 
 
 GUM CAMPHOR. 
 
 This gum is made much use of by the medical faculty 
 for various purposes, and is kept in families dissolved in 
 spirits, and is used, as it would seem, generally as a sort 
 of preventative. It is stimulating in its effects, and may 
 be given to advantage for warming the stomach and re- 
 moving pain ; but there are other articles made use of 
 for that purpose, which are much better. The only way 
 it is used in the botanic practice is for external applica- 
 tions, in which it has been found useful in sprains and 
 bruises ; for these, and many other injuries, it may be 
 added to the rheumatic drops. 
 
 SLIPPERY ELM. 
 
 The inner bark of thia tree is an article of much va- 
 lue, and may be used to advantage in many different 
 ways. There are several species of the elm tree that 
 grow common in all parts of this country ; there are 
 two kinds of the slippery elm, the bark of one is more 
 
212 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 tough than the other, which is very brittle, and is the 
 best for medical purposes. It is probable, however, that 
 this difference arises only from the age of the tree, as 
 their medical properties are the same. The bark should 
 be pealed, the outside ross shaved off, dried, and pound- 
 ed or ground to a fine powder. When used internally, 
 put a tea-spoonful of this powder into a cup with as much 
 sugar, mix them well together, then add a little cold wa- 
 ter, then beat and stir it with a spoon till perfectly mix- 
 ed, and then add hot water to it and stir till it forms a 
 thick jelly. A tea-spoonful may be taken at a time, and 
 is an excellent medicine to heal soreness in the throat, 
 stomach and bowels, caused by canker ; or more hot wa- 
 ter may be put to it, making a drink, which may be free- 
 ly used for the same purpose. 
 
 This bark is made much use of in the botanic prac- 
 tice for poultices, and has been found to be the best arti- 
 cle known for that purpose, mixed with pounded cracker 
 and ginger. Applied to burns, scalds, felons, old can- 
 ker sores, &c, it will allay the inflammation, ease the 
 pain, and heal them in a short time. 
 
 SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE. 
 
 The only way in which this article is used, is in such 
 preparations as are introduced for external applications, 
 in which it will be found useful in many cases. A small 
 quantity may be added to the rheumatic drops, when 
 used for the itch, or other bad humours that make their 
 appearance on the skin. It is a powerful article, and 
 should be used with caution, or it may do injury by re- 
 ducing the muscular action to such a degree as to cause 
 great weakness. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 213 
 
 PEACH STONE MEATS. 
 
 The meats that are in the peach stones have long 
 been used as medicine, and have been found very useful 
 in strengthening the stomach and bowels, and assisting 
 the digesture ; for which purpose they have been used 
 to great advantage. Used with other articles in making 
 syrups and cordials, forms one of the best remedies 
 known, to recover the natural tone of the stomach after 
 long sickness ; and to restore weak patients, particularly 
 in dysentery. The bark, leaves, and flowers of the peach 
 tree, made into a tea, is very good for bowel complaints 
 and many other difficulties in children and young peo- 
 ple. 
 
 CHERRY STONE MEATS. 
 
 The meats of the wild, or black cherry stones, are 
 very good, and may be used instead of the peach meats, 
 when they cannot be had. Procure these stones as clean 
 as possible, and when dry they may be pounded in a mor- 
 tar, and the meats may be separated from the hard shell 
 with little difficulty ; and may be used for the same pur- 
 pose as the peach meats, with equal advantage. A tea 
 made of the dry cherries, pounded, and steeped in hot 
 water, sweetened with loaf sugar, to which add a little 
 brandy, is good to strengthen the digesture and create 
 an appetite. 
 
 Bitter almonds may be used as a substitute for the 
 peach or cherry stone meats, where they cannot be had. 
 
 PURGATIVES. 
 
 In consequence of the danger of its being improperly 
 used, Dr. Thomson has decided against the use of physic 
 in all cases; but more particularly where there is can- 
 ker, and when the obstructions that cause the disease are 
 
214 VEGETABLE MEDICINE! USED 
 
 not removed. The opinion he has formed from his long 
 experience, is, that it tends to draw the determining pow- 
 ers inwardly, and checks perspiration by lessening the 
 power of vital heat, and therefore doing a great injury. 
 By correcting the tone of the stomach and bowels, with 
 such medicines as have been recommended for that pur- 
 pose, with the aid of injections, at the same time giving 
 stimulants to raise the inward heat, nature will move as 
 it ought to do, without being forced by drastic purges, 
 which increase the difficulty. He has confessed to us, 
 however, that there may be cases, and he had witnessed 
 some, where there are difficulties remaining in the bow- 
 els, that do not go off by the use of other means used, in 
 which articles gently purgative, such as butternut, bitter 
 root, and thorougbwort, may be used to advantage ; but 
 he thinks, with many others who have been long in the 
 botanic practice, that the using physic is more danger- 
 ous than useful. 
 
 It has been an established rule with Dr. Thomson in 
 his practice, that all vegetable medicine, as far as possi- 
 ble, should be administered in substance, as having a 
 more lasting and beneficial effect than when given in 
 any other form. This opinion of his we think found- 
 ed on correct principles ; for it will be readily admitted, 
 that the stomach requires the substance in all articles of 
 food, as well as the spirit; and we can see no reason 
 why medicine, to be in harmony with it, should not be 
 composed of the same. All liquids when swallowed re- 
 main but a short time in the stomach, and can have no 
 other operation than on what it contains ; and, therefore, 
 will not have any very lasting effect ; but when a sub- 
 stance is introduced it will continue its operation till ex- 
 hausted. For these reasons he has given directions, 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 215 
 
 that all his most important articles, which are given to 
 remove obstructions and sustain the vital action, should 
 be administered in powders. 
 
 There is another thing peculiar to him, which we 
 think of importance sufficient to mention ; that is in re- 
 gard to the disagreeable effect, on the mouth, of some ar- 
 ticles used in his practice. We recollect on some occa- 
 sion of taking the liberty of suggesting to him, whether 
 it would not be an improvement to prepare such medi- 
 cine as is disagreeable to take, in pills, so that the pa- 
 tient would more readily swallow them than to take it 
 in the usual way. His answer was, that this effect on 
 the glands of the mouth, is one of the most important 
 parts of the operation, as without this the medicine would 
 have but a partial effect ; that if food could be introdu- 
 ced into the stomach without being masticated and mix- 
 ed with the saliva, it would not be likely to digest, and 
 of course would cause disease. He has for these rea- 
 sons disapproved of making use of pills of any kind, ex- 
 cept such as are made of stimulating and astringent ar- 
 ticles, "to be chewed and dissolved in the mouth, to ex- 
 cite the glands and warm the stomach. 
 
 We shall, however, deviate from his rule in some 
 measure, being convinced that many kinds of medicine 
 may be compounded, made into pills, and administered 
 in this way to as much advantage, as in any other; and 
 will be much more convenient for the patient, and more 
 readily taken, than when given in a liquid state. 
 
216 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 MEDICAL COMPOUNDS. 
 
 Under this head we shall give directions for compounding, preparing 
 and administering all such medicaments as have been long used in 
 the botanic practice ; and which have been recommended by 'Dr. 
 Thomson as being of great value in curing disease, with some that 
 have been obtained from others who have been long in the practice. 
 
 GREEN TINCTURE OF LOBELIA. 
 
 Take the green herb in any stage of its growth, if the 
 small plants are used take the roots also, pound them in 
 a mortar, and add the same quantity of good spirits; 
 when well pounded and mixed together, strain it through 
 a fine cloth, squeezing and pressing it hard to get out all 
 the juice ; keep it in bottles, close stopped for use. This 
 tincture may be used for various purposes. For asthma 
 it has been proved to be a sovereign remedy. It is val- 
 uable to counteract the effects of poison, to be used in- 
 ternally or externally. For a dose, take a tea-spoonful, 
 with a little cayenne, in half a tea-cupful of warm water, 
 sweetened, and in all cases of nervous excitement add a 
 tea-spoonful of nerve powder. For external effects of 
 poison, take the above dose, and bathe the parts with the 
 tincture, repeating it till cured. For children when stuf- 
 fed at the lungs, with symptoms of croup, or in whoop- 
 ing cough, by giving a small dose occasionally will give 
 great relief. 
 
 BROWN EMETIC TINCTURE. 
 
 Another tincture is made of the seeds of lobelia, (3d 
 preparation,) which is of great value in curing many des- 
 perate cases of disease. Take of the powdered seeds 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 217 
 
 half an ounce, or a table-spoonful, with the same quanti- 
 ty of cayenne, and put them in a gill of rheumatic drops, 
 adding a tea-spoonful of nerve powder, to be kept close 
 stopped in a bottle for use ; to be shook up when taken. 
 This is for spasms and other violent attacks, such as 
 lock-jaw, bite of mad dog, fits, and in all cases of sus- 
 pended animation. For a dose, give a tea-spoonful, and 
 repeat it till relief is obtained ; then follow with canker 
 tea, &c. 
 
 For children, regulate the dose according to their age. 
 If quite young, steep the powdered seeds in warm water, 
 or tea of raspberry leaves ; give a tea-spoonful of the tea, 
 strained through a fine cloth, and sweetened, repeating 
 the dose every ten minutes till it operates. 
 
 CANKER TEA. 
 
 Take of bayberry root bark and white pond-lily root, 
 equal parts of each, pulverized and well mixed; steep 
 one ounce of the powder in a pint of boiling water, and 
 give for a dose a wine glass full, sweetened. Or, for the 
 same purpose, may be used, sumach bark, leaves or ber- 
 ries, red raspberry or witch-hazle leaves, marsh rosemary, 
 or either of the articles described under the head of as- 
 tringents ; they are all good for canker, and may be used 
 together, or separately, when others cannot be obtained. 
 
 BITTERS. 
 
 Take balmony, barberry and poplar bark, equal parts, 
 reduced to a fine powder ; put one ounce of the 
 powder in a pint of hot water, and add half a pint of 
 spirit. For a dose take half a wine glass full. For hot 
 bitters, add a tea-spoonful of cayenne. This preparation 
 is for correcting the bile and creating an appetite, by 
 19 
 
218 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 strengthening the digestive organs ; and may be freely 
 used both as a restorative and to prevent disease. Any 
 of the articles described under the head of tonics, may 
 be used as substitutes, as they are all good for the same 
 purpose. 
 
 SYBUP. 
 
 Take poplar bark and bark of the root of bayberry, one 
 pound each, and boil them in two gallons of water, strain 
 it off and add seven pounds of good sugar; then scald 
 and skim it, and add half a pound of peach stone meats, - 
 or the same quantity of cherry stone meats, pounded 
 fine. When cool, add a gallon of good brandy, and keep 
 it in bottles till used. Take half a wine glass full two or 
 three times a day. 
 
 This syrup is very good to strengthen the stomach and 
 bowels, and to restore weak patients ; and is particularly 
 useful in cases of dysentery, which leaves the stomach 
 and bowels in a sore state. In a relax, or first stages of 
 the dysentery, by making free use of the canker tea and 
 giving this syrup, it will in most cases effects a cure, and 
 also prevent those exposed from taking the disease. 
 
 RHEUMATIC DROPS — HOT DROPS. 
 
 To make this valuable mixture, take one gallon of good 
 high proof brandy, or any kind of high wines, or alco- 
 hol, one pound of gum myrrh, pounded fine, one ounce 
 of cayenne, and put them into a stone jug, and boil it a 
 few minutes in a kettle of water, leaving the jug unstop- 
 ped. When settled, put it in bottles for use. It may be 
 prepared without boiling, by letting it stand in the jug 
 for five or six days, shaking it well every day, when it 
 will be fit for use. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 219 
 
 These drops are used to remove pain and prevent morti- 
 fication ; to be taken, or applied externally, or to be put into 
 the injections. One or two tea-spoonsful of these drops may 
 be given alone, or the same quantity may be put into a 
 dose of either of the preparations before described : it may 
 be also used to bathe with in all cases of external swellings 
 or pains. It is of great value in rheumatism ; by taking 
 a dose, and bathing the parts affected, it will in a short 
 time remove the complaint. In some cases it may cause, 
 for a short time, sharp pain ; but by keeping warm as 
 possible it will soon go off, and this is pretty sure evi- 
 dence of a cure. In headache, by taking a swallow and 
 bathing the head, it will remove the pain. It is good for 
 bruises, sprains, swelled joints, and old sores ; as it will 
 allay the inflammation, reduce swellings, ease pains, and 
 produce a tendency to heal ; in fact there is hardly a 
 complaint, in which this useful compound cannot be 
 used to advantage. It is the best preservative against 
 mortification, that has ever been found. 
 
 For bathing, in swellings, or eruptions on the skin, 
 add one quarter part of spirits of turpentine ; and for 
 sprains or bruises, a little camphor may be added. 
 
 COMPOSITION VEGETABLE POWDER. 
 
 Take two pounds of bayberry root bark, one pound of 
 ginger, two ounces of cayenne, two ounces of cloves, all 
 reduced to a fine powder, sifted through a fine sieve, and 
 well mixed together. For a dose, take a tea-spoonful of 
 this powder, with an equal quantity of sugar, and put to 
 it half a tea-cupful of boiling water ; to be taken as soon 
 as sufficiently cool, the patient being in bed, or by the 
 fire, covered by a blanket or cloak. 
 
 This vegetable composition is calculated for the first 
 s tages of disease, and in less violent attacks. It is a 
 
220 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 medicine that will be found of great value, and may be 
 safely used in all complaints, either male or female, and 
 also for children. It is a good remedy for a relax, dys- 
 entery, pain in the stomach and bowels, and to remove 
 all obstructions caused by cold, or loss of inward heat. 
 By taking a dose on going to bed, and putting a hot 
 stone to the feet, wrapped in wet cloths, it will cure a 
 bad cold, and will generally throw off a disease in its first 
 stages, if repeated two or three times. If the symptoms 
 should be violent, with severe pain, add to each dose, a 
 tea-spoonful of the rheumatic drops, and half a tea-spoon- 
 ful of brown emetic ; and if there are nervous symptoms, 
 add half a tea-spoonful of the nerve powder ; at the same 
 time give an injection of the same. This composition is 
 unequalled by any article known, as a general remedy 
 for all complaints ; and no family who wish for health 
 and comfort should be without it. 
 
 CANCER PLASTER. 
 
 Take the heads of red clover, sufficient to fill a com- 
 nicm ZiZ*"* ^ rass kettle, fill up with water and boil them 
 for one hour ; then take them out, and fill tne Kettie 
 again with fresh ones, and boil them as before in the 
 same water. Strain it off and press the clover heads to 
 get out all the juice ; then simmer it over a slow fire till 
 it is about the consistence of tar, when it will be fit for 
 use. Be careful not to let it burn. It may be spread on 
 soft leather, linen cloth, or a fine piece of bladder, split 
 and made soft. This plaster is a valuable remedy in 
 curing cancers ; and will also cure sore lips, and all old 
 sores. 
 
 HEALING SALVE. 
 
 Take one pound of bees-wax, one of salt butter, one 
 and a half of turpentine, and twelve ounces of balsam- 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 221 
 
 fir ; melt and simmer them together ; strain it off into 
 a pewter dish, and keep it for use. It may be applied to 
 heal fresh wounds, burns, scalds, and all bad sores, after 
 the inflammation is allayed and the wound cleansed. 
 
 STRENGTHENING PLASTER. 
 
 Take burdock leaves and mullen leaves, bruise and 
 put them into a kettle, with a sufficient quantity of water, 
 and boil them well ; then strain off the liquor, pressing 
 the leaves so as to get out all the juice, and boil it down 
 till about half as thick as molasses ; then add three parts 
 of rosin and one of turpentine, and let it simmer over a 
 gentle fire till the water is evaporated ; when it may be 
 poured into cold water, and worked with the hands ; if 
 found too hard put in more turpentine. Spirits of tur- 
 pentine may be used when the other cannot be had, but 
 is not so good. When properly worked, it may be divi- 
 ded into rolls, done up in papers and kept for use. It 
 should be spread on soft leather and applied to the part 
 affected, as hot as it can be borne. 
 
 This plaster is valuable for many purposes. As a 
 strengthening plaster it is superior to others commonly 
 used ; for it does not obstruct perspiration, but keeps the 
 skin moist and active. In fresh cuts, after cleansing 
 them from blood, by applying this plaster in such a man- 
 ner as to bring the edges of the wound as near together 
 as possible, it will soon cause it to heal. In cases of 
 ague in the face, by applying it to the part affected, will 
 give immediate relief, and save much pain. 
 
 NERVE OINTMENT. 
 
 Take the bark of the root of bitter-sweet, two parts ; 
 of wormwood and chamomile, each equal, one part, when 
 19* 
 
222 * VEGETABLE MEDTCINES USED 
 
 green, or if dry, moisten them with hot water; which put 
 into horse or porpoise oil, or any kind of soft animal oil, 
 and simmer them over a slow fire for twelve hours ; then 
 strain it off, and add one ounce of spirits of turpentine 
 to each pound of ointment. To be used for a bruise, 
 sprain, callous, swelling, or for corns. 
 
 VOLATILE SALTS. 
 
 Take crude sal ammoniac one ounce, pearlash two 
 ounces, and pound each by itself, mix them well togeth- 
 er, and keep it close stopped in a bottle ; by damping it 
 with spirit or essence, will increase the strength. This 
 applied to the nose, is good for faintness and to remove 
 pain in the head ; and is better than what is sold in the 
 shops. 
 
 FOR A POULTICE. 
 
 Make a strong tea of raspberry leaves ; or use canker 
 tea, or a tea of either of the articles described under the 
 head of astringents ; put in it crackers, pounded, with 
 6lippery-elm bark and ginger, pulverized ; make of these 
 a poultice of proper consistency, to be applied as warm 
 as can be borne. This is good for old canker sores, 
 felons, whitlows, and for burns, scalds, and parts frozen. 
 Renew the poultice every twelve hours, or at farthest 
 every twentyfour hours, and wash with soap suds at 
 every renewal. Biscuit or flour bread may be used 
 instead of the crackers, when they cannot be had. 
 
 In cases of burns, scalds, or violent contusions, if the 
 inflammation and pain is severe, wrap the parts in cloths 
 wet with the tea, or cold water, to be kept wet till the 
 pain is relieved. When the diseased part discharges 
 ripe pus, apply the healing salve until a cure is effected. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 223 
 
 FOR INJECTIONS. 
 
 The most common preparation for an injection, in the 
 botanic practice, is to take a tea-cupful of strong can- 
 ker tea, or a tea made of either the articles described 
 as astringents, strain it when hot, put in it half a tea- 
 spoonful of cayenne, and a tea-spoonful of hot drops ; 
 when cool enough to be administered, add half a tea- 
 spoonful of lobelia, and the same quantity of nerve pow- 
 der. Let this be administered in all cases where there 
 is the least chance of its being needed ; to be repeated 
 as occasion may require, till relief is obtained. 
 
 Many other articles may be used to advantage in the 
 injections ; a tea of witch-hazle and red raspberry leaves, 
 either, or both together, will answer a good purpose in 
 many cases. When there is canker in the bowels, a tea 
 of either of the articles described as astringents, will be 
 useful, if administered in this way, and afford great re- 
 lief. When the canker is removed, the bowels will be 
 left sore, in which case give injections of witch-hazle or 
 raspberry tea, with slippery elm bark, which will remove 
 the. difficulty. If they are given to move the bowels 
 only, by increasing the inward heat, and causing a natu- 
 ral action, the lobelia should not be used. It is always 
 safe to add the nerve powder, and if there is nervous 
 symptoms, it should never be omitted. 
 
 Whatever is good to remove disease when taken into 
 the stomach, is likewise good for the same purpose, if 
 given in injections ; for the remedy to be useful must be 
 applied wherever the disease is seated. In all cases of 
 dysentery, cholic, piles, and other complaints where the 
 bowels are badly affected, injections should never be dis- 
 pensed with. They are perfectly safe in all cases ; and 
 better that they be used ten times when not needed, 
 
224 TEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 than once neglected when they are. In many violent 
 cases, particularly where there is danger of mortifica- 
 tion, patients may be relieved in this way, when there 
 would be no chance in any other. In many cases pe- 
 culiar to females, they are of the greatest importance ; 
 and will afford certain relief, if properly administered, to 
 the parts where the difficulty is seated. 
 
 ELIXIR OP LOBELIA. 
 
 Take any quantity of the stems of the emetic herb, 
 bruise them well, and put them into a wooden vessel, 
 similar to what is the practice in leaching ashes, with a 
 little clean straw at the bottom, before tho outlet, as a 
 strainer, press them down as close and solid as possible ; 
 then pour on them common proof whiskey, boiling hot, 
 enough to nearly cover the mass, cover it over with a 
 cloth, and let it stand for two or three days, or a suffi- 
 cient time to have the liquor absorb and take up all the vir- 
 tues of the plant ; then it may be drawn off through the 
 spigot, and put into bottles, and kept for use. 
 
 This is a new preparation of lobelia, and has been ap- 
 proved of by Dr. Thomson, as a valuable addition to the 
 remedies used in his system of practice. As a counter- 
 poison it has been proved of great value, as it destroys 
 the virus and puts an end to its eating effects in all ulce- 
 rous sores. In the venereal complaint it is a sovereign 
 remedy, if applied in the first stages of the disease. 
 By cleansing the parts affected, and applying this 
 elixir freely, it will remove all difficulties, and effect 
 a speedy cure. In all scrofulous eruptions, or swelling's 
 on the surface, by first washing the parts with warm wa- 
 ter in which has been dissolved a small quantity of pearl 
 ash, and then washing with the elixir, it will eradicate 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 225 
 
 the poison, correct the secretions, and restore to a natu- 
 ral state the vital action. One or two tea-spoonsful may 
 be given as an emetic, and will have a milder operation 
 than either of the other preparations of lobelia. 
 
 emetic PILLS. 
 
 Take half an ounce of powdered seeds of lobelia, one 
 spoonful of cayenne, two tea-spoonsful of nerve powder, 
 and a few drops of the oil of pennyroyal, spearmint, or 
 peppermint ; then add a sufficient quantity of the extract 
 of peach leaves to make the mass moist enough for the 
 purpose designed ; mix the articles well together and 
 make it into pills. For a dose, from two to six may be 
 taken on going to bed, or any other time when it may be 
 thought needed. 
 
 HEALING SALVE. 
 
 Slack four ounces of quick lime in a pint of rain wa- 
 ter, and let it settle till clear ; then pour it off and add 
 half a pint of linseed oil, two ounces of beeswax, and let 
 them simmer over a slow fire till the water is evaporated. 
 
 WASH FOR SORE EYES. 
 
 Take one tea-spoonful of white vitrol, or alum, and 
 one and a half of rock salt, and dissolve them in a gill of 
 soft water. By washing the eyes with this cfteu, it will 
 give great relief. It may be also used to advantage in 
 any cutaneous disease. 
 
 SYRUP FOR SUMMER COMPLAINT. 
 
 Take blackberries when ripe, mash and strain them 
 through a cloth so as to get out all the clear juice, add 
 to this about an equal quantity of loaf sugar ; then add 
 to it good brandy sufficient to keep it from becoming 
 
226 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 sour. This syrup is said to be a very valuable medicine 
 for relax or dysentery, particularly for children. One or 
 two tea-spoonsful may be given several times during the 
 day, till relief is obtained. 
 
 BUTTERNUT PHYSIC. 
 
 Take eight ounces each of butternut bark and peach 
 leaves, four ounces of bitter-root, bruise them in a mor- 
 tar till fine, and then put the whole into a brass kettle 
 with a gallon of rain, or other soft water, boil it down to 
 about one half, then strain it off, pressing it so as to 
 get out all the juice. Put the liquor into a clean kettle 
 and boil it again to about a pint ; when cool add about 
 the same quantity of molasses. For a dose take a tea- 
 spoonful every three or four hours till relief is obtained. 
 Care should be had not to continue the doses too long, as 
 it might do harm, by drawing the determining powers 
 inwardly. To preserve for use put it in a glass bottle, 
 kept close stopped, and add brandy sufficient to keep it 
 from souring. 
 
 We do not recommend this physic to be used only in 
 eases where there shall appear to be a difficulty, or slop- 
 page in the bowels, which all other means used do not 
 seem to reach, in which case it may prove useful. 
 
 hull's cholic pills. 
 
 Take of gum aloes half a pound, myrrh, cinnamon, 
 and cloves, one ounce each, ginger half an ounce, mace 
 one drachm, saffron two drachms, nitre two ounces ; re- 
 duce them to a fine powder in a mortar, and sift through 
 a fine sieve, then add two table-spoonsful of good bran- 
 dy ; work it well together with the hands, and make it 
 into pills. By pounding the aloes and myrrh by them- 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 227 
 
 selves till tolerably fine, then adding the other articles, it 
 will save much labor. If mace cannot be had, twice the 
 quantity of nutmegs may be used instead. 
 
 These pills have long been celebrated for curing the 
 billious cholic, and as a remedy in all cases of billious 
 complaints, is a medicine far superior to any of the great 
 variety of pills sold for that purpose. The above is the 
 only true recipe, as it is a correct copy of that which has 
 been handed down through four or five generations from 
 the inventor. They are mild in their operation, and 
 cause no pain ; being stimulating and soothing in their 
 effect, assists nature in removing all obstructions and in 
 restoring the stomach and bowels to a healthy state. 
 From four to six pills may be taken as a dose, and when 
 the pain continues severe, it must be repeated every three 
 hours till relief is obtained. By taking a dose at night 
 on going to bed, it will remove disease in its first stages, 
 and often prevent a fit of sickness. 
 
 REMEDY FOR RELAX. 
 
 Make a strong tea of sweet gum-tree bark, strain off 
 one pint, and when cool add to it a pint of new milk, 
 which has been boiled, and sweeten with loaf sugar, or 
 molasses. Take one or two tea-cupsful every hour till it 
 gives relief. This is much used in the Southern and 
 Western States, and with universal success, even when 
 all other remedies had failed. Fn those parts where the 
 gum-tree bark cannot be had,bayberry bark or any other 
 powerful astringent, may be used instead. 
 
 ONITMENT FOR PILES. 
 
 Boil bayberry bark and white pond-lilly root together, 
 and make a strong decoction ; strain off the liquor, and 
 to a pint, add one ounce of alum ; when dissolved, add 
 
£2S VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 one pound of fresh hog's lard ; simmer them over a slow- 
 fire for six hours, when it may be preserved for use. By 
 applying this ointment often, particularly when going to 
 bed, it will give great relief, and in most cases effect 
 an entire cure. Wash the parts occasionally with alum 
 water. 
 
 Remarks. — We have given directions for making all 
 the most important compounds recommended by Dr. 
 Thomson, and used in his system of practice, with sev- 
 eral others that have been obtained from other sources, 
 all of which have been proved by long experience to be 
 of great value in curing disease. Many more might be 
 given if thought necessary ; but these, we think, will be 
 found sufficient for all purposes, if administered or ap- 
 plied with judgment and sound discretion. Those who 
 have a correct knowledge of the botanic practice, and 
 strictly conform to our classification of the medical prop- 
 erties of the various vegetable substances that have been 
 found useful in relieving the sick, may compound and 
 prepare them in as many different ways as their judg- 
 ment or fancy may dictate. For those who may need 
 a more correct understanding than they have been able 
 to obtain, we insert for their use the following informa- 
 tion. 
 
 Syrups. — These are made by boiling the articles and 
 obtaining a strong decoction, then add sugar or honey, 
 simmer over a slow fire, and when cool, add spirit' suffi- 
 cient to preserve them. 
 
 Tincture. — Pound the green herbs or roots in a mor- 
 tar, adding good spirits or vinegar; then strain through 
 a fine cloth, press so as to get out all the juice. If dry 
 herbs or roots are used, soak them a short time in hot 
 water, and proceed as above. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 229 
 
 Elixir. — This is made by infusion, by putting the in- 
 gredients into spirits, and letting them remain till nearly 
 dissolved, which will give it a thicker consistence than a 
 tincture. 
 
 Ointment. — Make a strong decoction of the vegeta- 
 bles used, strain it off and add hog's lard, fresh butter, or 
 any kind of animal oil, sufficient to make it of proper 
 consistency, then simmer it over a slow fire till the water 
 is evaporated. 
 
 Conserves. — Take either flowers, roots, or herbs, 
 pound them in a mortar with loaf sugar or honey, making 
 it into a paste, to be diluted as occasion may require. 
 
 Liniments. — These are prepared by adding to a veg- 
 etable extract or decoction, such articles as are soothing 
 and penetrating in their nature, such as spirits of differ- 
 ent kinds, essences, volatile oils, soaps, alkalies, &,c. To 
 be applied externally. 
 
 Pills. — To make these, the ingredients should be re- 
 duced to a fine powder, then to be moistened with any 
 kind of extract or conserve, suitable to make the mass 
 into pills. 
 
 Plasters.- —These are made in many ways, and of a 
 great variety of materials ; but the only kinds used in 
 the botanic practice are prepared from vegetables, which 
 are boiled till the whole strength is extracted, the liquor 
 strained off and boiled down till about as thick as mo- 
 lasses; then add rosin, with a sufficient quantity of tur- 
 pentine to give it a proper temperament ; and let it stand 
 over a moderate heat till it can be worked with the hands 
 like wax. 
 
 Salve. — This may be made by putting together bees- 
 wax, fresh butter, suet, with other articles of a balsamick 
 and emollient nature, and simmer over a slow fire till 
 20 
 
230 YEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 properly digested, then strain it off and preserve for 
 use. 
 
 Bitters. — These may be prepared in various ways, 
 from any of the articles described under the head of 
 tonics, either in powder or by making a strong decoction 
 and adding stimulants and spirits to make them more ef- 
 fective. Spirit may be added to suit the taste and pre- 
 serve them from change. 
 
 It may be useful here to observe, that in preparing and 
 administering many of the doses used in the botanic 
 practice, free use should be made of sugar, honey, or 
 molasses; as it will make them more pleasant to take, 
 and not in the least injure their effect. Milk may be 
 also used to advantage for the same purpose, particularly 
 in giving medicine to children, who will readily take it 
 when prepared with milk and well sweetened, when it 
 would be difficult to induce them to take it in any other 
 way. Honey is a valuable article as a medicine, and 
 may be used to good advantage, either alone, or by be- 
 ing put into such remedies as are used for a cough ; as 
 it has a tendency to loosen the phlegm and give relief to 
 the fauces and glands of the throat. When milk is given 
 to patients in a debilitated state, it should in all cases be 
 boiled. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 231 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MEDICAL SIMPLES, 
 
 To be used in many different ways, and for various purposes, in giving 
 relief in cases of sickness ; they are all harmless in their effect, and 
 will be found useful in giving aid to more powerful remedies; when 
 freely given in tea, will promote perspiration, and will cure colds and 
 other complaints in their first stages. 
 
 SPEARMINT. 
 
 This is a well known herb, and makes a very pleas- 
 ant tea, which may be freely used in sickness. The 
 most valuable property it possesses, is to stop vomit- 
 ing. If the emetic herb, or any other cause should 
 produce violent vomiting, by giving a strong tea made 
 of this herb, it will stop it, and sit pleasantly on the 
 stomach. 
 
 PEPPERMINT. 
 
 This article is very hot in its nature, and may be used 
 to advantage to promote perspiration and overpower the 
 cold. It has been frequently used for that purpose with 
 success, but is volatile, and will not retain the heat long 
 in the stomach. In colds and slight attacks of disease, 
 to drink freely of a tea made of this herb on going to bed, 
 will throw it off. The essence, put in warm water, 
 is good to give children, and will relieve pain in the 
 stomach and bowels. A few drops of the oil, given 
 in warm water, or on loaf sugar, is good for the same 
 purpose. 
 
 PENNYROYAL. 
 
 This herb grows common in all parts of the country, 
 and is too well known to need any description. It is an 
 article of value, and a tea of it may be freely used in all 
 
232 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 cases of sickness. It is good for the stomach, being 
 warming and cleansing; if drank freely, will produce 
 perspiration, and remove obstructions. In colds and 
 slight attacks of disease, it will be likely to throw it off, 
 and prevent sickness. It is very good for children, and 
 will remove pain in the bowels from wind. In going 
 through a course of medicine, a tea of this herb may be 
 given for drink, and will cause the medicine to have a 
 pleasant operation. 
 
 SUMMER-SAVORY. 
 
 This herb grows in gardens, and is made use of to 
 season meats in cooking ; it is of a very pleasant flavor, 
 and of a hot nature. A tea of it is good for colds, and 
 may be used freely in case of sickness. There is an oil 
 made from this herb, which will cure the tooth-ache, by 
 putting a little on cotton, and applying it lathe affected 
 tooth. 
 
 HOARHOUND. 
 
 This plant grows common in this country, and is made 
 much account of in removing a cough. An infusion made 
 of the leaves, sweetened with honey, is good for the 
 asthma, and all complaints of the lungs. The syrup of 
 this plant will loosen tough phlegm, and remove hoarse- 
 ness caused by a bad cold. The hoarhound candy is 
 very useful for such as are troubled with a cough, par- 
 ticularly old people, and those who are short winded. 
 
 ELECAMPANE. 
 
 The root of this plant, made into syrup, is good for a 
 cough ; and has been made use of for that purpose with 
 advantage in many cases, and can be recommended as a 
 safe and useful remedy in complaints of that kind. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 233 
 
 MAY-WEED. 
 
 A tea made of this herb, to be drank hot when going 
 to bed, is very good for a cold ; and in slight attacks of a 
 fever, if used freely, and a hot stone put to the feet, will, 
 in most cases, throw it off. It grows common in old 
 fields, and by the sides of roads. 
 
 TANSY. 
 
 This is a hot bitter herD, grows common in highways, 
 and is cultivated in gardens. A tea made of this herb is 
 good for hysterics and other female complaints ; it will 
 strengthen those who have weak reins and kidneys, and 
 is good for the stranguary, or stoppage of urine. The 
 green leaves pounded, are good to put on bruises and 
 sprains, and will allay the swelling. 
 
 CAMOMILE. 
 
 This is a well known herb, the flowers are sold by the 
 apothecaries and are made much use of in a tea for many 
 complaints. It is good given in a tea for bowel com- 
 plaints, and externally applied will relieve sprains, bruis- 
 es, and swellings, and remove calluses, corns, &c, and 
 restore shrunk sinews. 
 
 BITTER-SWEET. 
 
 This herb has long been esteemed as a medicine of 
 considerable value for many complaints. It grows com- 
 mon in this country, in hedges where the ground is 
 moist, and the top runs along the ground or climbs on 
 bushes. Its taste, when chewed, is first bitter and then 
 sweet, which has given it its name. It is said to be a 
 good medicine for internal injuries, and to remove ob- 
 structions, which is no doubt correct. The bark of the 
 root, with chamomile and wormwood, makes an ointment 
 20* 
 
234 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 of great value, which is an excellent thing for a bruise, 
 sprain, callous, swelling, or for corns. 
 
 MULLEN. 
 
 The leaves of this plant are very good to bring down 
 swelling, and to restore contracted sinews, by pounding 
 them, and applying them warm to the part affected. 
 For external use they are an excellent article in many 
 complaints. This herb is too well known to need any 
 description. It is an important article in the strength- 
 ening plaster. 
 
 BURDOCK. 
 
 The leaves of this plant, wilted by the fire, and ap- 
 plied to an external injury, will allay the inflammation 
 and ease pain ; and they are good pounded and put on 
 to a bruise or sprain, as it will give immediate relief. It 
 is made use of in the strengthening plaster. The leaves 
 are good applied to the ^eet in case of fever, to keep them 
 moist, and promote perspiration. 
 
 SKUNK-CABBAGE. 
 
 This vegetable grows common in all parts of New 
 England ; it has large leaves somewhat resembling cab- 
 bage, from which and its disagreeable smell, it takes its 
 name ; it may be found in the meadows and wet land. 
 The root only is used for medicine, which should be dug 
 and split into strips, and carefully dried; when dry, it 
 should be pounded or ground to a powder. This pow- 
 der' may be taken in a tea, sweetened, or made into a 
 syrup, or half a tea-spoonful may be mixed in honey and 
 taken in the morning, or at night on going to bed. It is 
 good for asthma, cough, difficulty of breathing, and all 
 disorders of the lungrs. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE, 235 
 
 WAKE-ROBIN. 
 
 This plant grows wild in this country. It has three 
 triangular leaves, from between them it puts forth a naked 
 stalk, on the top of which is a singular stem or pistil, en- 
 closed in a sheath, resembling a flower, which is followed 
 by a bunch of reddish berries. This root is used for 
 medicine, and resembles a small turnip. It is extremely 
 pungent and stimulating, and is often given for cholic 
 and pain in the bowels, and to expel wind. The root 
 should be dried and reduced to a powder, and may be 
 given mixed with honey, or in a syrup. 
 
 FEATIIERFEW. 
 
 This herb is stimulating, and is good for hysteric com- 
 plaints, and many other disorders common to females. 
 It promotes the passage of urine, and removes obstruc- 
 tions in those parts. It should be taken in tea alone, or 
 may be added with camomile, and used to advantage in 
 all cases of obstructions. 
 
 CLIVERS. 
 
 This is a sort of joint grass and grows in mowing land, 
 where the ground is wet. It has small leaves at each 
 joint; the stalk is four square, and the edges are rough 
 like a sickle. This herb, made into a strong tea, and 
 drank freely, is very good for the stoppage of urine, and 
 may be made use of for all obstructions in those parts to 
 advantage. 
 
 BLACK BIRCH BARK. 
 
 A tea made of this bark, is useful in curing all com- 
 plaints of the bowels, and to remove obstructions. It has 
 been made much use of in dysentery. This tea, with 
 peach meats or cherry stone meals, made into a syrup, is 
 an excellent article to restore patients, after having been 
 
236 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 reduced by that disease, and to promote the digesture. 
 It is good for canker, and all complaints of the bowels. 
 
 EVAN ROOT. 
 
 This is called by some people chocolate root, on ac- 
 count of its resembling that article in taste, and is made 
 use of by some for common drink, instead of tea or cof- 
 fee. It is good for canker, and may be used as a substi- 
 tute for other articles. It grows common in this country, 
 and is too well known to need describing. 
 
 BALSAM FIR. . 
 
 This balsam is obtained from a tree well known in 
 many parts of this country; it is taken from small blis- 
 ters which form in the bark. It is of a very healing 
 nature, and is good to remove internal soreness. It forms 
 an important article in the healing salve. When taken, 
 it may be dropped on loaf sugar. 
 
 GENTIAN. 
 
 This root grows wild in this country ; and is found 
 plentifully in Vermont. It was formerly collected for 
 exportation, and large quantities of it were sent to China, 
 where it brought a great price. It is said the people of 
 that country considered it of great value ; but for what 
 purpose they use it is known only to themselves. It is a 
 nervine, and may be used to advantage in all cases of 
 nervous affection, either alone or mixed with other arti- 
 cles. The root should be dug in the fall, dried, and re- 
 duced to a fine powder; from half to a tea-spoonful may 
 be given for a dose, in hot water sweetened. 
 
 SNAKEROOT. 
 
 This is a well known article, grows wild, and may be 
 found in most parts of this country. It is of a hot na- 
 ture, and is made much use of in tea, for measles and 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 237 
 
 other eruptions, to keep the disorder out, for which it is 
 considered very good ; this is owing to its warming qual- 
 ities, which keeps the determining powers to the sarface, 
 which effect may be produced by almost any strong stim- 
 ulant; but cayenne, or the composition powders, is much 
 the best for that purpose. A tea made of this root may 
 be given to advantage in many cases of disease; it has a 
 tendency to promote perspiration, and is good to remove 
 pain in the stomach and bowels, and expel wind. 
 
 MUSTARD. 
 
 The seed of this herb is principally made use of for 
 culinary purposes, being eaten on meat; for which it is 
 ground to a fine powder, and mixed with warm water. 
 It is very pungent and of a hot nature; but is volatile, 
 and will not hold the heat long enough to do much good 
 in retaining the internal heat. It is good to create an 
 appetite, and assist the digesture ; and given in hot water, 
 sweetened, will remove pain in the bowels and stomach. 
 It is frequently used for rheumatism, both internally and 
 externally. 
 
 HORSERADISH. 
 
 The root of this plant is mostly used for culinary pur- 
 poses, and it has some medicinal properties. It is of a 
 hot nature, but very volatile ; its warming qualities will 
 mostly evaporate before it gets into the stomach. The 
 roots may be given to promote the appetite, and assist the 
 digesture. The leaves are sometimes applied to remove 
 external pain, but is apt to raise a blister. 
 
 BALM OF GILEAD. 
 
 This tree is of the species of the poplar and possesses 
 some medicinal -virtues. It resembles the kind of poplar 
 that has been described, having similar tags ; but the 
 buds and leaves are larger. The buds bruised and tine- 
 
238 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 tured in spirit, produces an effect something like the 
 tincture of myrrh ; and is good taken inwardly as a re- 
 storative, and for bathing sores. The bark scraped from 
 the twigs, and steeped in hot water, is a good corrector 
 of the bile, and will operate both as an emetic and ca- 
 thartic ; it is more harsh than the other kind of poplar, 
 but may be used to advantage in many cases of disease. 
 
 BUTTERNUT. 
 
 This tree grows common in this country, and is well 
 known from the nut which it bears. The bark of this 
 tree is used by the country people to colour with. The 
 bark taken from the body of the tree or roots, and boiled 
 down till thick, may be made into pills, and operates as a 
 powerful emetic and cathartic; a syrup maybe made by 
 boiling the bark, and adding one third molasses and a 
 little spirit, which is good to give children for worm com- 
 plaints. The buds and twigs may also be used for the 
 same purpose, and are more mild. White ash bark and 
 balm of gilead may be added, equal parts, and made into 
 syrup or pills. Those who are fond of drastic purges 
 may have their ends sufficiently answered by these prepa- 
 rations, and they are the most safe and harmless of any 
 that are known ; and those who wish to be tortured with 
 blisters, can have them cheap, by bruising the green 
 shell of the nut, or the bark, and applying it where the 
 blister is wanted, keeping the bandage wet, and in three 
 hours they will be completely drawn, and the skin as 
 black as that of an African. This is much quicker and 
 safer, than if done with flies, and will not cause stran- 
 guary. The bark of the butternut is the principal ingre- 
 ent of Dr. Hawkes' rheumatic and cancer pills, and also 
 of Chamberlain's billious cordial, which have been so 
 celebrated for many complaints. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 239 
 
 PIPSISWAY RHEUMATIC WEED. 
 
 This herb grows on mountainous land, and on pine 
 plains, where the boxberry or checkerberry is found 
 plenty. It is an ever-green, and grows from three to six 
 inches high, has a number of dark green leaves, about 
 half an inch wide, and from one to two inches long, with 
 a scalloped edge ; bears several brown seeds, resembling 
 allspice. The tops and roots are used for medicine. 
 The roots, when chewed, are very pungent, which will 
 be felt for several hours on the tongue, as though burnt. 
 A strong tea made of this plant is good for cancers and 
 all scrofulous humors, by drinking the tea and bathing 
 with it the parts affected. 
 
 WILD LETTUCE. 
 
 Another evergreen plant, called wild lettuce, grows on 
 the same kind of land, which possesses much the same 
 medical properties as the above. It has round leaves, 
 from the size of a cent to that of a dollar, resembling 
 common lettuce. The roots of this plant and of the 
 pipsisway, dried and powdered together, equal parts, is 
 good to cure all bad humors. Take a tea-spoonful of the 
 powder in a glass of hot water, and bathe the parts af- 
 fected with the same. It is also good to restore weak 
 nerves. 
 
 GOLDENROD. 
 
 This herb may be found common on pine plains and in 
 hedges ; it grows about two or three feet high, has a long 
 narrow leaf, very smooth and glossy, and a large cluster 
 of yellow blossoms; it has a sweet spicy taste and smell, 
 resembling fennel or annise. There is an oil obtained 
 from this herb, good for medicine ; and prepared in an 
 essence, is good for pain in the head, to be taken, or the 
 outside baihed with it. The oil is good to scent the bay- 
 
240 VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 berry and bitter root snuff, which is very good to be taken 
 and snuffed up the nose. 
 
 MEADOW FERN. 
 
 This is a shrub, and grows in meadows, and by the 
 side of stagnant water, sometimes growing in the water; 
 it is found in thick bunches, and grows from two to 
 three feet high. When the leaves are off, it has a large 
 bud, which is larger on some bushes than others ; some 
 of them bear a small bur, or cluster of seeds, which, 
 when rubbed between the fingers, leaves an oily or bal- 
 samy substance, having a fragrant smell, something like 
 spirits of turpentine. 
 
 These burs, pounded fine and simmered in cream, 
 hog's lard or fresh butter, is almost a sovereign remedy 
 for the itch, or external poison, and all bad humor sores. 
 When the burs cannot be had, take the bush and buds 
 and make a strong decoction; drink of this and wash 
 with the same. This liquor may be prepared in syrup, 
 and by boiling it down, may be made into ointment, as 
 has been described for the burs ; the syrup should be 
 taken and the ointment put on the affected parts. This 
 ointment, or the wash, is good for salt-rheum, or canker 
 sores, and may be used freely. 
 
 YELLOW DOCK. 
 
 The root of this plant is- well known as being made 
 into ointment for the itch. The roots should be bruised 
 fine in a mortar, and put in a pewter basin, add cream 
 enough to make an ointment, keep it warm for twelve 
 hours, be careful not to scald it. Rub it on at night 
 when going to bed. Three times using it will generally 
 effect a cure. The foregoing described ointments, to- 
 gether with canker tea and the rheumatic drops prepared 
 with the spirits of turpentine, will be sufficient to cure 
 any case of this complaint. 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 241 
 
 PRICKLY ASH. 
 
 This is a small tree or shrub that grows in the West- 
 ern country, and is well known by the people. It 
 grows from eight to twelve feet high, and bears a berry 
 that grows close to the limbs ; it has leaves like the white 
 ash. The bark and the berries are used for medical 
 purposes. The berries are very pungent, and are a 
 powerful stimulant, as also the bark of the top and roots, 
 though not so strong. The berries should be pound- 
 ed and steeped in hot water, then put into wine or 
 spirit, and it makes a very good hot bitter. Take half a 
 glass two or three times a day ; it is good for fever and 
 ague, for which it is much used ; and for lethargy, or 
 sleepiness, and for cold feet and hands, and other com- 
 plaints caused by cold. 
 
 BITTER THISTLE. 
 
 This herb is a species of the thistle, and is cultivated 
 in gardens. It is of one year's growth. The stalk has a 
 number of branches, and a great quantity of leaves. 
 The leaf is somewhat larger than the Canada thistle, 
 with prickles like it ; and it bears seeds about the size 
 of the barley corn, with a beard on the end, nearly as 
 long as the seed. The leaves are used for medicine, 
 which may be steeped in "hot water, and drank like other 
 herb tea, or they may be reduced to a powder and taken 
 in molasses or warm water, or in wine or spirit. It is 
 an excellent corrector of the bile, and may be safely 
 used for that purpose. The Cardis Benedictus, or be- 
 loved thistle, is cultivated in the same manner, and may 
 be used for the same purpose. 
 21 
 
242 . VEGETABLE MEDICINES USED 
 
 ARCHANGEL. 
 
 This herb grows wild in wet land, and may be often 
 found among the grass, and at the edges of plough fields. 
 It grows from four to twelve inches high; the leaves are 
 rather smaller than mint leaves ; it bears a kind of bur 
 containing seed, which grows round the stalk at each 
 joint. There are two kinds which grow near each other ; 
 they look much alike, but are quite different in taste. 
 One is very bitter, and the other has no bitter taste, but 
 is very rough, and of a balsamic taste. They may be 
 used together in a tea or syrup, and answer two impor- 
 tant purposes; the rough removes the canker, and the 
 bitter is a corrector of the bile. 
 
 TOMATO LOVE APPLE. 
 
 This plant grows about two feet high, and has a large 
 succulent stem and branches, resembling the potato vine. 
 It bears a large pod, somewhat similar to the red pep- 
 pers, which, when ripe is of a red colour. This fruit is 
 esculent, and much used for culinary as well as medical 
 purposes. The expressed juice of the tomato has proved 
 a valuable remedy in the botanic practice, for liver com- 
 plaints, dispepsia, pain in the bowels, and obstructions in 
 the billiary ducts. It may be made into pills by boiling 
 down the juice to a proper consistency. Made into a 
 syrup as has been directed for other articles, will be found 
 convenient and useful in many complaints. 
 
 DANDELION. 
 
 This herb is a valuable tonic, and is much used boiled 
 for greens; and is also a good medicine in many cases of 
 bad digestion, as it will strengthen and regulate the stom- 
 ach, and create an appetite. By pounding the green herb 
 and extracting the juice, and taking it several times a 
 
IN THE BOTANIC PRACTICE. 248 
 
 day, will be found a valuable remedy in all billious com- 
 plaints. 
 
 • SWEET ELDER. 
 
 This is a small tree or bush, and may be found grow- 
 ing in most places in the Northern States. It bears 
 large clusters of berries, which are of a pleasant sweet- 
 ish taste. The bark, leaves, flowers and berries are 
 much used by the country people as a medicine. It is 
 gently physical, and will be found a good article used as 
 a restorative, and for many other purposes. A syrup 
 made of the ripe berries is very good to regulate the 
 stomach and bowels, and prevent costiveness. A tea 
 made of the flowers is good to give young children, and 
 will relieve griping pains. 
 
 SARSAPARILLA. 
 
 This is a root brought from South America, and 
 grows also in the Southern States; it is kept for sale in 
 the apothecaries' shops. By making a strong tea of this 
 article and taking a wine glass full two or three times 
 in a day, will give great relief in all scrofulous com- 
 plaints, as it will act as a purifier of the blood, by regu- 
 lating and promoting the secretions. It may be used, 
 compounded with other articles, to advantage, for the 
 same purpose. We lately knew a case of a young man, 
 who in long voyages had been much afflicted with the 
 scurvy, so that he lay for several months in the hospital 
 in a very distressed situation, from scrofulous eruptions, 
 sores and rheumatic pains; and getting no relief, left it 
 as incurable. He applied to an old doctor, who under- 
 took the cure; and after preparing a strong decoction of 
 sarsaparilla root and the bark of the root of sassafras, 
 gave him a wine glass full three times a day. In three 
 weeks it effected a complete cure. 
 
244 THE STEAM BATH. 
 
 There are many other vegetable simples that may be 
 used to good advantage in the first stages of disease, to 
 promote perspiration, and strengthen the digestive or- 
 gans : such as motherwort, catnip, yarrow, juniper, liver- 
 wort, sage, &c. They are all good articles, and may be 
 used with safety in all cases of sickness, either in herb 
 drinks, or for fomentations and other external applica- 
 tions. We think proper here to remark, by way of cau- 
 tion, that harm may be done by giving herb teas too 
 strong. People are very apt to think that remedies of 
 this kind can never do any injury; but this is a mistake, 
 for they may possess strong medical powers, and should 
 be used with proper caution. The best way is to make 
 them rather weak, and give more in quantity, as the hot 
 water produces a very important part of the effect in giv- 
 ing relief. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE STEAM BATH. 
 
 To repel and ward off the effects of the surrounding cold air, and ena- 
 ble the vital energies, by the power of heat to throw off, hy perspira- 
 ration, the morbid matter accumulated in the system by disease. 
 
 The steam or vapour bath has been used as a means 
 of curing disease, by the people of different nations, es- 
 pecially by those inhabiting the cold latitudes, from time 
 immemorial ; and has by them been considered of the 
 greatest importance, both as a preventative as well as to 
 
THE STEAM BATH. 24ft 
 
 Cure all kinds of complaints to which they are subject. 
 That it is a safe and salutary remedy, to aid in removing 
 all obstructions, equalizing the circulation, and restoring 
 the health, there can now be no doubt ; for it has not 
 only been adopted as one of the most important means 
 in the botanic practice to restore health, but has been 
 generally recommended by the medical faculty, and by 
 many of them used in their practice. 
 
 When it became known to the faculty that Dr. Thom- 
 son made use of steam to cure his patients, they cried 
 out against it as a dangerous practice, and spread reports 
 that he steamed them to death ; and to throw ridicule 
 on him and those who followed -his practice, called them 
 steam doctors. Now this is proof positive, we think, 
 that they had no knowledge of it as a means of removing 
 disease, until introduced by him. Several years ago, 
 when Dr. Thomson was in the full tide of his practice, 
 one of the faculty by some means obtained a knowledge 
 of the manner in which he made use of steam, and the 
 effects it produced on his patients. He after this went 
 to England, and there introduced the vapour bath as his 
 own discovery, and it met with encouragement from the 
 medical faculty, and was patronized by the nobility. 
 After this he returned to this country, obtained a patent 
 for it as a new discovery, under the name of medicated 
 vapor bath, and met with great favor from the faculty 
 here, who recommended it as an important improvement 
 in medical science. We mention this merely to show the 
 pitiful shifts they have been put to for the purpose of extri- 
 cating themselves from the ridiculous position they have 
 been placed by their conduct towards the man who had 
 been guilty of the heinous offence of having presumed to 
 21* 
 
246 THE STEAM BATH. 
 
 cure, by his simple means, patients that had been given 
 over by them to die. 
 
 In the first stages of his practice, and when he had dis- 
 covered the advantages of using steam in curing disease 3 
 Dr. Thomson had to make use of such means as were to 
 be found at the time ; but he afterwards made many im- 
 provements, and adopted several plans which were more 
 convenient, as well as more certain in having the desired 
 •.effect. His usual way was to create steam by pouring 
 water on hot stones, and placing the patient over it, 
 shielded by a blanket. He says he tried the experiment 
 of putting a quantity of herbs round the hot stones, and 
 by pouring on water raised a medicated vapour; but he 
 soon was convinced that the addition made no difference 
 in the effect, and was, therefore, useless ; for the only 
 benefit derived from the application of steam, is better 
 obtained by using pure water than any thing else. On 
 considering the subject he made up his mind, that it was 
 a much better way to introduce the medicine into the 
 stomach, and apply the steam to the surface of the body ; 
 by which he gained two objects. By the first, he raised 
 the fountain by increasing the inward heat, and by the 
 second he lowered the streams by lessening the power 
 of cold in the surrounding air, which would cause a free 
 perspiration. 
 
 As it is one great object with us to give such infor- 
 mation as will enable families to be their own doctors, 
 and relieve themselves from all kinds of complaints with- 
 out requiring assistance from others, we shall give a par- 
 ticular description of the manner in which Dr. Thomson 
 steamed his patients during his long and successful prac- 
 tice, it being the best for their purpose, as the means are 
 within the reach of every family. It is as follows : 
 
THE STEAM BATH. 247 
 
 Put into the fire three or four stones of different sizes, 
 and let them be till quite hot. Have a tea-kettle full of 
 boiling water at the same time ready. Let the patient 
 be undressed and wrapped in a blanket, or coverlid, so 
 as to entirely exclude the air from all parts of the body 
 except the face. Then take a small kettle or iron basin, 
 and put into it one of the hot stones, the smallest first; 
 pour to it a quart of the boiling water, and let the pa- 
 tient stand over it, the kettle within the blanket, and 
 keep up a lively steam by pouring on hot water from the 
 tea-kettle, and changing the stones as they become cool. 
 After standing over the steam as long as it can be conve- 
 niently borne, which will generally be from ten to fifteen 
 minutes, wash all over with cold water, then rub well 
 with a dry cloth, put on the night clothes, and get into 
 bed, with the last stone used wrapped in wet cloths put 
 to the feet; or they may dress and sit up if thought best. 
 Before steaming, give a dose of composition or cayenne; 
 and after being over the steam about five minutes, give 
 another. If the patient should feel faint, dash a little 
 cold water on the stomach, which will revive them ; and 
 if the steam should be too hot, open the blanket at the 
 bottom to let in the cool air. 
 
 When the patient is too weak to stand over the steam, 
 they may be placed in an open bottomed chair, with the 
 kettle between the feet, covering the whole with the 
 blanket; or they may be steamed in bed, by heating 
 three pretty good sized stones, put them in water till done 
 hissing, then wrap them in several thicknesses of cloths 
 well wet with water, and place one at the feet and one 
 on each side; if faint, wet the face and bosom with cold 
 vinegar or water. When children are steamed, the best 
 way is to let a person set in a chair and hold the child 
 
248 THE STEAM BATH. 
 
 in his lap, covering the whole with a blanket; by 
 which means they can be attended upon and the steam 
 regulated better than in any other way. 
 
 There has been a number of contrivances introduced 
 for applying the steam bath, some of which are very con- 
 venient, and are used by those who can obtain them. 
 The best that we have seen is a box constructed for the 
 purpose. It should be made about two feet and a half 
 square, and six feet high, with a tight bottom, and a door 
 in front five feet high, with a window four feet from the 
 bottom, for a ventilator, before which there should be a 
 curtain. It should have a false bottom, raised about two 
 inches above the other, with holes on each side to let 
 the steam pass up into the box, under which the steam 
 should be let in through a lead pipe from the boiler. It 
 should be raised from the floor sufficiently to set a dish 
 under to receive the water through a hole made at the 
 bottom. The top may be made like that of a shower 
 bath, to be used for that purpose when needed. There 
 should be a seat, that the patient can sit down when un- 
 able to stand.. 
 
 The most convenient way to generate the steam is with 
 a copper boiler placed in a sheet iron stove made for this 
 purpose ; at the top of the boiler should be an outlet, 
 fixed in such manner as to attach to it the pipe which 
 conveys the steam to the box; and another through 
 which water can be introduced when needed. There 
 should be n stop-cock fixed in the pipe near the boiler, so 
 as to shut off or regulate the steam at pleasure. A sub- 
 stitute for this may be made by using a small iron pot, 
 with the lid well secured and made perfectly tight, in 
 which there should be a hole, contrived in such a man- 
 ner as to attach to it the pipe. Or the pipe may be fixed 
 
THE STEAM BATH. 249 
 
 to the nose of a tea-kettle, and by securing the top and 
 making it tight ; so that steam may be generated and 
 conveyed to the box in either of these ways sufficient to 
 answer the purpose. They may be made to boil by 
 placing them over a fire, or on a cooking stove ; or a 
 portable furnace will be found very convenient, which 
 may be placed in any part of the room, and with a small 
 quantity of charcoal, may be made to answer every pur- 
 pose. 
 
 There has been another plan for steaming introduced, 
 which is much used. A box is made about three feet 
 square, and six inches high, with holes in the top for the 
 steam to pass through, which is communicated into the 
 box through a pipe from the boiler. A frame is placed 
 upon the box, covered with canvass to exclude the air, of 
 sufficient height for the patient to stand or sit in while 
 steaming. This is convenient on account of its being 
 made so as to be taken apart, and may be removed to 
 wherever it may be wanted with little trouble. 
 . Steaming is a very important part of the Thomsonian 
 system of practice. There are many cases of chronic 
 disease that it would be difficult to relieve without the 
 aid of the vapour bath. In all diseases where the vital 
 energies have become so far exhausted by the loss of in- 
 ward heat as not to be aroused by the administration of 
 medicine, steaming is absolutely necessary. In all cases 
 of suspended animation, and bruises caused by falls and 
 other accidents, the steam bath will seldom fail of giving 
 immediate relief. When attacked with a sudden cold, 
 which shows symptoms of a settled disease, by taking 
 stimulants and using the steam bath, it will throw it off 
 and prevent long sickness. 
 
 In rheumatic fevers and all cases of chronic rheuma- 
 
250 THE STEAM BATH. 
 
 tism, the vapour bath has been proved by long experience 
 to be one of the safest and best remedies known. In 
 cases of the gout, if made use of on the first attack of 
 the complaint, it will give immediate relief, and save 
 much pain and suffering. Those who are subject to 
 this disease, we should advise to have a steaming appara- 
 tus in their house, and whenever they feel symptoms of 
 an attack, by making use of it they may stop its pro- 
 gress, and prevent its becoming a settled disease. Be- 
 fore using the steam bath, take some stimulating medi- 
 cine to guard the stomach and keep up the inward heat, 
 which will prevent any bad consequences. We have 
 known several gentlemen that had 4ong suffered from the 
 gout, who have adopted this plan, and they assure us 
 that they have in every instance since, been able to re- 
 lieve themselves, and have not been confined more than 
 twentyfour hours in any case. 
 
 The object to be obtained in using the steam bath, is 
 to open the pores, stimulate the skin to a natural action, 
 and aid in removing the morbific matter from the capil- 
 laries and glands. When the skin is very hot and 
 parched, it is evident that the tension is too great, and 
 there is so much heat directly under the skin, that none 
 is needed outside of it. In sucb cases steam should 
 never be used, for the patient could not bear it but a short 
 time without fainting. We are informed by those who 
 have had much experience, that cases of this kind often 
 happen in those violent attacks of fevers, common in the 
 Southern and Western States. The blood in a short 
 time seems to become putrid and stagnant, in which state 
 steam could not be borne; and iherefore relief must be 
 attempted by other means. The only course to be taken 
 in such cases, with any chance of success, is to keep the 
 
A COURSE OP MEDICINE. 251 
 
 patient in bed, and give the most powerful medicine to 
 raise and sustain the vital heat, such as the brown 
 emetic tincture and cayenne ; at the same time wet the 
 surface with spirits or vinegar. Continue this treatment 
 till perspiration takes place ; or the skin becomes moist 
 and cool, and the circulation resumes a natural state. 
 After this there will be no difficulty in their bearing the 
 steam bath with comfort and advantage. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 A COURSE OF MEDICINE, 
 
 To restore the health by stimulating to a natural action the vital ener- 
 gies—cleanse the stomach from all impurities— remove all obstruc- 
 tions caused by cold — and restore the tone of the digestive organs, 
 so that food will maintain heat and life. 
 
 To give a correct understanding of what is meant by 
 a course of medicine in the Thomsonian system of prac- 
 tice, it will be necessary to have recourse to experience 
 gained by long practice. Those who have a correct 
 knowledge of the principles upon which the system is 
 founded, will readily understand, from the information 
 already given, the proper application of a regular course 
 of medicine ; but as upon this depends, in a great meas- 
 ure, the success of the practice in curing disease in all 
 its various forms and symptoms, we shall give a descrip- 
 tion of the plan adopted by Dr. Thomson, with such im- 
 provements as his long practice enabled him to make, as 
 
252 A COURSE OP MEDICINE. 
 
 well as that of others who have followed in his footsteps. 
 Yet, after all, much must be left to the judgment; for 
 it would be impossible, within our prescribed limits, to 
 give particular directions, that would be proper in every 
 case of disease. In acute attacks there would be no dif- 
 ficulty ; bat in cases of long standing, the patients must 
 be treated according to their situation, with a proper re- 
 gard for the progress of the disease, the state of the vital 
 action, and the nature and location of the complaint 
 under which they suffer. 
 
 In chronic cases, when the patient is in a very low 
 and debilitated state, the best way is to begin with cau- 
 tion, administer stimulants, and make use of such other 
 means as will raise, as much as possible, the inward heat, 
 before giving a regular course of medicine. It may be 
 necessary -to pursue this plan for two or three days, or 
 even longer, when thought advisable, to insure all the 
 advantages expected from the course. There is one 
 great advantage in this plan of treatment, over that of the 
 regular doctors, with their mineral poisons, opiates, &c, 
 which only tend to reduce the system and prolong the 
 disease; for if it does not effect a cure in all cases, it 
 will not make the patient any worse, or leave any bad 
 relics behind. The following is the general plan recom- 
 mended by Dr. Thomson, and is what he has followed in 
 his own practice for many years. 
 
 Before commencing a course, give a dose of composi- 
 tion or cayenne, and make such preparations as may be 
 needed ; then steep one ounce of the canker powder, 
 (bayberry and lily root,) in a pint of water; strain off 
 from a gill to half a pint of this tea, and add half a tea- 
 spoonful of cayenne, when cool enough to give, add half 
 a tea-spoonful of the emetic powder, and the same quan- 
 
A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 253 
 
 tity of the nerve powder, and administer it for an injec- 
 tion. When the operation of the injection is over, strain 
 off a tea-cupful of the tea, and add to it a tea-spoonful of 
 cayenne, and the. same quantity of sugar; when cool 
 enough to take, add a tea-spoonful of the emetic powder, 
 and half that quantity of nerve powder. Let this dose be 
 given, and in fifteen minutes give another dose of the 
 same, and if vomiting does not prevent, in about the 
 same time give the third dose. If there is fear of morti- 
 fication, a tea-spoonful of the rheumatic drops should 
 be added to each dose and to the injection. 
 
 After the patient has recovered sufficiently from the 
 operation of the medicine, which is usually in two or 
 three hours, they must be steamed, as is directed in the 
 preceding chapter. When they have had a full opera- 
 tion of the steam bath, washed all over with cold water 
 and well rubbed with a dry cloth, if not strong enough 
 to sit up, put on the night clothes and let them be put 
 into a warm bed with a steaming stone at the feet. After 
 a few minutes rest, let them ea't a bowl of milk porridge, 
 or gruel, with a. little cayenne in it, which will set well 
 on the stomach and cause an inclination to sleep. 
 
 During the course, especially under the operation of 
 the emetic, let the patient drink freely of herb tea ; and 
 when the sickness is severe and they are not disposed to 
 vomit, dissolve a piece of pearlash the size of a pea in a 
 little warm water, and give it, which will generally have 
 the desired effect. If the vomiting should continue lon- 
 ger than wished, give a strong tea of spearmint, and it 
 will in most cases stop it ; if it does not, give half a tea- 
 spoonful of cayenne in the tea. 
 
 This constitutes what has been called by Dr. Thomson 
 a regular and full course of medicine ; and is sufficient for 
 22 
 
254 A COURSE OP MEDICINE. 
 
 one time ; but if the disease, or what causes it, should not 
 be entirely removed, it will be necessary to repeat the 
 course as occasion may require, till that object is accom- 
 plished. Between the courses great care should be had 
 to keep up the inward heat by giving cayenne or compo- 
 sition ; for if this is not attended to they may lose ground 
 and have a relapse. A tea-cupful of canker tea should 
 be given night and morning, and during the day let the 
 patient drink often of a tea made of poplar bark ; and if 
 costive give the bitter root. 
 
 As soon as the disordered state of the system appears 
 lo be restored, and the circulation free and natural, give 
 the bitters to correct the bile and restore the digesture ; 
 a wine glass full of the syrup, may also be given two or 
 three times a day, to strengthen the stomach and regu- 
 late the digestive organs. Any kind of nourishing food 
 that the appetite may crave, if properly prepared and 
 well seasoned, may be eaten by the patient with safety 
 and advantage, provided they do nor eat too much at 
 one time. 
 
 As we prefer practical knowledge to visionary theo- 
 ries, we shall endeavour to give such information only 
 as has been obtained from the experience of not only Dr. 
 Thomson, but others who have long been in the prac- 
 tice. The following is the description of the manner in 
 which the course of medicine is given, by one who has 
 had sufficient experience to entitle his opinions upon the 
 subject to have some weight. It will be seen that it dif- 
 fers not materially from what has before been directed, 
 except in steaming before giving the emetic ; and this 
 in many cases is undoubtedly an improvement, as it has 
 a tendency to prepare the system so as to cause an easier 
 and greater effect to the operation of the medicine. He 
 
A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 255 
 
 says : — we commence the course by giving an injection ; 
 then apply the steam bath, and while under the opera- 
 tion of the steam give a dose of composition ; after be- 
 ing in the bath from ten to twenty minutes, according to 
 circumstances, or till there is a free perspiration ; then 
 rub well with a dry towel, and put on the shirt, keeping 
 the patient as much as possible from exposure to the 
 air; then put them into a warm bed, with a steaming 
 stone at the feet. After this give a dose of the emetic, 
 repeating the dose in from fifteen to thirty minutes, and 
 if found necessary give a third. When the operation is 
 over, which will take from two to four hours, place them 
 in the steam bath for from eight to twenty minutes, and 
 then shower with cold water, wipe dry and put on the 
 clothes, or get into bed as before, as the case may be. 
 During the course give herb tea, or such other drink as 
 they may desire ; and when over let them eat milk por- 
 ridge, or any other food that may be thought proper. 
 
 He further remarks, that in commencing operations 
 with sick putients, the plan must be varied according to 
 circumstances and the peculiar situation of the patient. 
 In cases of old complaints, when they are in a very low 
 and weak state, we begin by giving composition two 
 or three times a day, with one or two injections ; 
 and pursue this coursefor one, two, or more days, be- 
 fore giving a full course ; during the time keeping them 
 in a warm bed with a hot stone at the feet, and using 
 stimulating medicine to raise the inward heat and in- 
 crease the strength. In acute attacks when the sys- 
 tem is not much reduced, it will often answer every pur- 
 pose to put them in a warm bed with a steaming stone 
 at the feet, and give the composition ; when they get 
 warm and perspiration commences, say in twenty or 
 
256 
 
 A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 
 
 thirty minutes, give the emetic doses as has been before 
 directed. 
 
 There are various ways by which relief may be ob- 
 tained and a cure effected in common cases of disease, 
 without going through a regular course of medicine. It 
 is the practice of some to soak the feet in water as hot 
 as it can be borne, sitting by the fire shielded by a blan- 
 ket ; then give a dose of composition, and as soon as 
 there is a free perspiration, take out one foot at a time ? 
 rub them well with a dry cloth, and put on woollen stock- 
 ings ; then give the emetic doses as before directed. 
 When this is done to throw off a bad cold only, the eme- 
 tic may be omitted. After the operation is over, wash 
 with cold water, spirit or vinegar, and rub well with a 
 dry cloth. This is a very convenient plan in cases of 
 children, as they can be managed in this way better 
 than in any other ; and it will of violent attacks of croup 
 or lung fever, give great relief, and in most cases effect 
 a cure, if seasonably attended to. 
 
 In many complaints peculiar to females, courses of 
 medicine, either in full, or partially administered, are 
 the safest and best means that have yet been found, to 
 remove those obstructions which cause the disease, and 
 restore the living energies to a healthful and active per- 
 formance of all their duties in sustaining life. Even in 
 cases of child-bed delivery, experience has proved beyond 
 all manner of doubt, that by giving courses of medicine 
 daring pregnancy, and particularly near the time of de- 
 livery, will afford that aid to nature which enables it to 
 perform all its duties, and save the mother much pain 
 and suffering ; and by repeating it after delivery, will 
 prevent all those dangerous consequences to which they 
 are so often subject. 
 
A COURSE OP MEDICINE. 257 
 
 In regard to the number of courses to be given, or the 
 length of time they are to be continued, is a matter on 
 which there may naturally be a diversity of opinions. 
 In acute attacks of disease one course will generally be 
 sufficient; but in old complaints of long standing, when 
 the system is much disordered, it will be necessary to 
 continue them occasionally until the difficulties that cause 
 the disease are all removed, and order takes the place of. 
 disorder. In cases of the latter kind, especially when 
 the symptoms are violent, we should recommend to carry 
 them through a course once in six hours, or at least give 
 three courses in twentyfour hours ; then follow with ton- 
 ics and restoratives, giving stimulants and nourishing 
 food, for two or three days. After this if the appetite is 
 good and the patient gains strength and appears to be 
 relieved from the cause of disease, the courses may be 
 discontinued ; but if this is not the case, and there should 
 appear to be obstructions that have not been removed, 
 they must again be resorted to, and continued as before, 
 until every vestige of disease is eradicated from the 
 system. It should be remembered that the courses are 
 intended to disengage and expel from the system, all the 
 accumulated morbific matter, which the unaided efforts 
 of the vital power is unable to remove. This we think 
 is a better plan than to give a course only once a week, 
 or even in two or three days, as is the practice of some ; 
 for in that case the patient will be apt to lose as much 
 in the interim as they gain by it ; and will therefore take 
 a greater length of time to effect a cure. 
 
 Remarks on Food. — It is one of the great principles 
 upon which the.Thomsonian or botanic practice is found- 
 ed, that all medicine to be useful in curing disease, 
 must act in harmony with food ; and that it requires no 
 22» 
 
25S A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 
 
 greater learning or extraordinary skill in preparing 
 and administering medicine to cure the sick, than it 
 does to prepare and furnish food to relieve hunger. Med- 
 icine is given to aid nature in removing all obstructions, 
 by increasing the vital heat and restoring it to its full 
 power, so as to produce an equilibrium in the whole cir- 
 culation. When this is effected nature calls for food to 
 supply that nutriment which is necessary to form the 
 blood and maintain the living principle. As to what 
 kinds of food is best calculated to afford this nutriment, 
 it must be left entirely to experience and those wants/ 
 which may be made manifest by the feelings and appe- 
 tite of the patients. 
 
 After a course of medicine, Dr. Thomson says the pa- 
 tient may eat any kind of nourishing food the appetite 
 may crave, with the caution not to eat too much at a 
 time. This as a general rule is unquestionably correct ; 
 but the great variety of articles that may be equally good 
 make it necessary for those who attend upon the sick to 
 prepare such as they think the most nourishing and easy 
 to digest, changing them according to circumstances, as 
 the taste and wants of the patient may require. When 
 the stomach is weak, especially after an operation of the 
 emetic, milk porridge or water-gruel is the most suitable 
 for food ; but as the strength gains something more sub- 
 stantial will be required ; and a great many articles that 
 are nourishing and suitable, may be used to advantage ; 
 such as chicken broth, beef tea, boiled rice, broiled chick- 
 en, crust coffee, &c. When the stomach will bear it, 
 beefsteak, cooked rare and well seasoned, will be found 
 very nourishing ; and a slice of salt pork broiled on the 
 coals, to be eaten with cayenne and vinegar, or pepper- 
 sauce, is very good, and will strengthen the digesture. 
 
A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 259 
 
 Milk Porridge. — Put a quart of water in a kettle, 
 with a proper quantity of salt, and while heating mix 
 a gill of flour in a bowl with water, made thick, and 
 when the water is boiling hot, drop this into it with a 
 spoon, stirring at the same time ; when well boiled add 
 half a pint of milk. This to be eaten while going 
 through a course of medicine ; and is good food for the 
 sick at any other time, especially while the stomach is 
 weak. 
 
 Chicken Broth. — Cut a chicken in pieces, and put 
 tlie gizzard in with it, opened and cleaned, but not peel- 
 ed. Boil it till the meat drops from the bone. Begin to 
 give the broth as soon as there is any strength in it ; and 
 when boiled eat some of the meat. Let it be well sea- 
 soned. This may be given at any time, and is very 
 nourishing to weak patients, particularly in cases of dys- 
 sentery. 
 
 Water Gruel. — This is made in different ways, and 
 of a variety of materials. Oatmeal is considered the 
 best, and is generally used. It is often made with In- 
 dian meal ; but for very weak patients we think not so 
 good as many other articles. The manner of preparing 
 it is too well known to need any description. 
 
 Those who have had much experience in nursing the 
 sick, are after all, the best judges in regard to regulating 
 the diet of patients; and being at all times with them, 
 can better know what food they need, and what is most 
 proper for their nourishment. 
 
FART THIRD, 
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEAS- 
 ES UNDER THE VARIOUS FORMS AND SYMP- 
 TOMS IN WHICH THEY MAY APPEAR, AGREE- 
 ABLY TO THE THOMSONIAN OR BOTANIC 
 SYSTEM OF MEDICAL PRACTICE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 GENERAL RULES 
 
 To be observed by all who wish to preserve their health, by preventing 
 disease as well as curing it. 
 
 1. It must be borne in mind, that heat constitutes 
 the living principle, and is always opposed by cold ; 
 which makes active all matter. It may be considered a 
 fact, therefore, that as much as heat has power to excite 
 the vital energies to resist the effects of cold, so much 
 will there be health and strength ; and when this power 
 is in any essential degree diminished, by whatever cause, 
 the system will become more or less disordered. 
 
 2. That the construction and organization of the hu- 
 man frame, is in all essentially the same ; being formed 
 of the four elements ; earth and water constitute the so- 
 lids of all living bodies ; which is made active by fire 
 and air. In this consists life and motion, in all living 
 animals. 
 
 3. To preserve a perfect state of health, there must 
 be a due balance in the temperature of the elements ; 
 and if this is by any means destroyed, the consequence 
 is a disordered state of the system. When this is the 
 case, there is always a diminution of the vital heat, or an 
 
GENERAL RULES. 261 
 
 increase of the power of cold. By aiding nature to re- 
 cover this balance, the living energies will be able to sus- 
 tain a healthy action in all the functions of life. 
 
 4. Most of the disorders to which the human family 
 are liable are caused by obstructed perspiration, which 
 may be produced in a great variety of ways. The most 
 common is by what is called taking cold, or by a sud- 
 den loss of inward heat ; the surrounding cold air closes 
 the pores, and checks the natural circulation by turning 
 the determining powers inwardly. The medicine, there- 
 fore, that is best calculated to remove obstructions and 
 promote perspiration, should be administered. 
 
 5. The food that is digested in the stomach affords 
 the proper nourishment to the system, and maintains 
 that heat on which life depends. By taking more food 
 than nature requires, and particularly when it is not such 
 as is suitable for nourishment, the stomach becomes foul, 
 and it is not well digested; this causes such a loss of the 
 inward heat as to bring on disease. The best remedy is 
 to cleanse the stomach with emetics, raise the heat with 
 stimulants, and give tonics to restore the digestive or- 
 gans. 
 
 6. In all chronic complaints there is more or less 
 canker, which is caused by the power that cold gains 
 over heat, in such parts as become the seat of disease, 
 either internal or external. Its eating nature causes 
 such an irritation of the muscular fibres and glands, that 
 a cure cannot be effected without removing this diffi- 
 culty. Therefore the canker remedies should be made 
 use of as long as there is any symptoms of canker. 
 
 7. When a disease is removed, make free use of the 
 bitters and such other means as will strengthen the di- 
 gestive organs, together with nourishing food ; not for- 
 
262 GENERAL RULES. 
 
 getting to keep up the inward heat, by giving occasion- 
 ally cayenne. 
 
 8. Remember that one ounce of prevention is bet- 
 ter than a pound of cure; and give medicine on the first 
 appearance of disorder, to remove it before it becomes 
 a settled disease ; for it may then in most cases be easily 
 thrown off, and much sickness and suffering prevented. 
 
 9. When administering medicine to children, give 
 about one half, a little more or less, according to their 
 age, of the quantity usually given to an adult. Remem- 
 ber to offer them drink often, especially young children 
 who cannot ask for it. 
 
 10. We hold it to be a truth, that fever, or inflamma- 
 tion, is not a disease, but only a symptom, showing a 
 disturbed state of the natural heat of the body ; which 
 is caused by obstructions in the circulation of the blood, 
 so that it crowds in a greater quantity into certain 
 parts, and giving appearances of a greater degree of heat 
 than i3 usual. Give such medicines, therefore, as will 
 increase the inward heat, remove all obstructions, and 
 restore a natural circulation. 
 
 11. If in going through a course of medicine the 
 emetic should cause extreme nausea, and the patient not 
 be disposed to vomit, it may be owing to the cold and 
 foul state of the stomach, or to its ascidity ; for the first 
 give cayenne freely, and for the latter, give half a tea- 
 cupful of warm water, with apiece of pearlash dissolved 
 in it the size of a large pea. In some cases by shift- 
 ing the position, and turning over on the other side, will 
 cause it to operate. 
 
 12. Care should be at all times had that the air in 
 a room where there is sickness, should be kept as pure 
 as possible ; by making a quick fire of light fuel, and at 
 
GENERAL RULES. 263 
 
 the same time raising a window, it will drive out the foul 
 air and the pure air will take its place. Cleanliness is 
 also very important ; ami the clothing and bed clothes 
 should be often changed. 
 
 13. If the glands are dry, so that there is little or no 
 moisture in the mouth, or if the patient is distressed for 
 breath, give a strong tea of cayenne, sweetened, and re- 
 peat it till the mouth becomes moist, which will give re- 
 lief. Astringents should never be given while the skin 
 is in a dry and parched state, and there is no moisture 
 in the mouth. 
 
 14. Avoid all mineral preparations used as medi- 
 cine : such as mercury, arsenic, antimony, copper, iron, 
 zinc, lead, &c. They are all deadly poisons and ene- 
 mies to health. It is as contrary to nature to use mineral 
 substances as medicine, as it would be to use them for 
 food. No art can make them any thing but poison. 
 
 15. Avoid all vegetable poisons ; such as opium, stram- 
 monium, tobacco, foxglove, garden hemlock,(scicuta) digi- 
 talis, deadly night shade, henbane, garget root, poke 
 root, and many others that are known to be poisonous. 
 They are all dangerous when used in any manner or 
 form as medicine ; for they only ease pain by destroying 
 sensibility, without having any tendency to remove the 
 cause. 
 
 16. Beware of bleeding and blistering; for they 
 never do any good, but will often be productive of great 
 harm. This mode of treatment is contrary to nature, 
 and only tends to strengthen the power of the enemy to 
 health. 
 
 17. Never employ a doctor who makes a secret of his 
 practice. There can be no good reason why you should 
 not know of what the medicine you swallow is compo- 
 
264 GENERAL RULES. 
 
 sed, than there is of the food you eat. There is an ap- 
 pearance of deception in such practice, that should pre- 
 vent having any confidence in those who use it. 
 
 IS. Avoid using any of the quack medicine so vaunt- 
 ingly advertised as infallible remedies for all complaints. 
 There is always danger in making use of secret com- 
 pounds ; for they often contain articles of a poisonous 
 nature, disguised under the name of simple vegetable 
 preparations. When there happens to be a cure that is 
 supposed to be effected by them, it is circulated with 
 great pomp in all the newspapers, to promote its sale by 
 attracting the public curiosity ; but we hear nothing of 
 those cases in which it fails to do any good, or is inju- 
 rious. 
 
 19. Be careful to wrap up warm on leaving a hot 
 room to go into the cold air, especially about the throat ; 
 and keep the feet warm and dry. There has been more 
 sickness caused by taking cold in neglecting this than in 
 any other way. There is more danger in exposing a 
 part of the body to the cold air, than there is by expo- 
 sing the whole; for in the latter case it is opposed by 
 the whole power of the vital heat, and in the first the 
 citadel is conquered in detail. 
 
 20. Use proper caution in drinking cold water in 
 very hot weather, as it sometimes causes fatal conse- 
 quences, by suddenly overpowering the inward heat ; in 
 which case give the most powerful stimulants, to coun- 
 teract the effects of cold. Warm water is better to 
 quench thirst than cold, and may be swallowed in any 
 quantity without danger, let the system be under ever so 
 great an excitement. 
 
 21. Be careful not to cool too suddenly when the ex- 
 citability is carried to the highest pitch by violent exer- 
 
GENERAL RULES. 
 
 265 
 
 cise, or an}' other cause. Sit in a moderately cool place, 
 where there is no current of air, and take something hot ; 
 remaining in this situation till the circulation resumes its 
 natural state. 
 
 22. Keep always in mind that regularity and tempe- 
 rance in all things, is of the greatest importance in pre- 
 serving health. By imposing more labour on the diges- 
 tive organs than they are able to perform, is laying a sure 
 foundation for disease. Avoid, therefore, excess in eat- 
 ing and drinking, and be regular in your habits. This 
 is very important to those who have weakly constitutions. 
 
 23. Never eat meat that is tainted, or any way in- 
 jured, as it will engender disease, by becoming putrid 
 before it can digest, and communicate the same to the 
 stomach and its contents. 
 
 24. Beware of unripe fruit, or that which is injured 
 by decay ; as it will produce disorder and cause bowel 
 complaints. Good ripe fruit is wholesome, and may be 
 eaten by the sick, when convalescent, with safety; andjis 
 good to quench thirst. The Spaniards have a maxim, 
 that fruit is gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead 
 at night. 
 
 25. Never use any kind of deception with the sick, 
 nor promise what you do not believe. Judicious encour- 
 agement will often be a benefit ; but disappointment may 
 do much harm. The imagination has a powerful effect 
 on those who are labouring under disease, and the ner- 
 vous system is in a weak state. If the patient has faith 
 in your skill, it will go a great way towards a cure. 
 
 26. Never give cayenne or the emetic, in cases of de- 
 lirium tremens, or when the system is much debilitated 
 by drinking to excess ardent spirit. Make free use of 
 strong bitter drinks with hot herb teas, till the tone of 
 
 23 
 
266 FEVERS. 
 
 the digestive organs are restored, and there is a natural 
 circulation; when a course of medicine, if needed, may 
 be given with safety and advantage. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FEVERS. 
 
 Having laid it down as a correct principle, agreeably 
 to Dr. Thomson's theory, that fever is not a disease, but 
 only a symptom showing a disturbed state of the vital 
 heat, we feel somewhat labouring under a difficulty in 
 giving directions for curing such complaints as are called 
 by that name, or febrile diseases. Now in our view of 
 the subject, as there can be but one kind of heat in the 
 body ; and as in every case of disease there is more or 
 less fever, or symptoms of increased heat and inflamma- 
 tion, it must follow of course, that a medicine or course 
 of treatment which will remove the difficulty in one case, 
 must produce the same effect in all others. We main- 
 tain that heat is life and cold death ; or, to be more ex- 
 plicit, that in proportion as heat has power to sustain the 
 living principle, by resisting the effects of cold, which is 
 always opposed to it, so much there will be life and 
 health; but should heat, from whatever cause, lose this 
 power, the consequence will be that cold will gain such 
 an acendency as to obstruct the natural circulation and 
 give a check to the vital action, either partially or gene- 
 rally through the system ; which if not removed by na- 
 
FEVERS. 267 
 
 ture itself, or proper medical aid, will continue to ap- 
 proximate toward dissolution, and eventually terminate 
 in death. 
 
 The botanic practice is calculated to afford that aid 
 which nature requires, by increasing the internal heat 
 with stimulants, and shielding the body from the exter- 
 nal air; and when perspiration is restored, by cleansing 
 the stomach and strengthening the digesture, food will 
 be sufficient to sustain the vital action, and restore to a 
 healthy state all the functions of life. In all his practice 
 Dr. Thomson pursued this course of treatment in cases 
 of fever, and never lost a patient, where the debility was 
 not so great as to be beyond the reach of human aid ; and 
 from an exeperience of more than forty years, never met 
 with a case that changed his opinions on the subject. 
 He considered fever as a friend to health and always 
 tre iled it as such, by following the indications pointed 
 out by nature to remove the cause of disease. In this 
 consists the most important difference between his prac- 
 tice and that of the regular doctors; for they treat fever 
 as an enemy, and give medicine to break or destroy it; 
 which in fact, is to destroy life, by diminishing the power 
 of heat, and thereby giving cold a complete control over 
 it. 
 
 In treating upon the subject of fever, or febrile dis- 
 eases, we shall be under the necessity of adopting the fash- 
 ionable names given by the medical faculty to diseases 
 described under this head ; as a better way to give cor- 
 rect information on the subject than any other plan that 
 we can adopt. Fevers are said to be of two kinds ; gen- 
 eral and local. Local, from partial injuries or diseased 
 parts ; general, from an affection of the whole system, 
 or morbid action of all the vital powers. The different 
 
268 
 
 FEVERS. 
 
 forms of fever are described to be pestilent, malignant, 
 inflammatory, remittant and intermittant. To this might 
 be added a great deal about causes, stages, and states of 
 fever ; but as we consider the whole founded in error, or 
 at least as being hypothetical, shall confine ourselves to 
 effects, as ascertained by the sypmtoms in each case of 
 disease ; and leave conjecture as regards causes to others, 
 who may feel disposed to pry into mysteries that are be- 
 yond the reach of human knowledge. 
 
 Much has been said and written upon the subject of 
 vitality and to determine in what part of the body the 
 vital principle resides, without affording much light upon 
 the subject, or coming to any definite conclusion. It 
 was the opinion of Dr. Thomson that it is in the blood ; 
 and he has the support of the language of scripture and 
 the writings of the poets of all ages — that in the bloo^i 
 is the life. The blood is recipiant, and is the vehicle by 
 which heat and nutriment is conveyed to every part of 
 the system. In all cases of fever the first symptoms are 
 discovered by the action of the blood, which seems to 
 rally its powers to remove the cause of disease, in what- 
 ever part the attack is made, by which the vital action is 
 increased in those parts, causing inflammation, or a dis- 
 turbed state of the natural heat. Although we are con- 
 vinced that life or heat resides in the blood, yet we main- 
 tain that the stomach is the fountain of vitality ; from 
 which is supplied, by the food that is digested in it, all 
 the heat and nourishment, that sustains animal life. 
 
 We feel satisfied with the belief, that it is a mistaken 
 notion that there ever is too much blood, or too much 
 heat in the body ; but when there is disorder, there will 
 be an increase in that particular part where the difficulty 
 is located, at the same time there must be less in other 
 
FEVERS. 269 
 
 parts of the body ; this causes a loss of that balance ne- 
 cessary to sustain a healthy action ; and needs the aid 
 of such remedies as will by their stimulating qualities, 
 increase the inward heat and equalize the circulation. 
 In a perfect state of health there is as much blood and 
 heat in the whole body, as it is capable of receiving. 
 Disease and depletion may diminish, but can never in- 
 crease the amount. To take away part of the blood is 
 depriving the patient of just so much of his life ; and to 
 give calomel, nitre drops, and other poisonous prepara- 
 tions, increases the malady by lessening the power of 
 heatand adding to that of cold, without having the least 
 tendency to remove the cause of disease. This is par- 
 ticularly the case in all fevers ; and should be avoided 
 by all who wish for health ; for it is better to trust to na- 
 ture than to such practice. The erroneous theory adopt- 
 ed by the medical faculty on this subject, has in our 
 opinion been the great cause of their bad success in cur- 
 ing disease. 
 
 TYPHUS FEVER. 
 
 The diseases called by this name are various, and it is 
 somewhat difficult to ascertain what is meant by it ; for 
 it is customary with the regular doctors, when they find 
 a disease that they do not understand, attended by in- 
 flammation, or a disturbed state of the inward heat, and 
 there being no distinguishing symptom by which it may 
 be called, to pronounce it a typhus fever. Dr. Thomson 
 has called it the ignorant fever ; this idea he took from 
 the answer of a very old physician, of whom he made 
 inquiry what was meant by the term ; and he replied by 
 giving it that name. It is, we presume, what has gene- 
 rally been called by the people a slow fever, or long 
 fever ; and their doctors tell them it must have its run. 
 23* 
 
270 
 
 FEVERS, 
 
 Their practice is, when hot flashes make their appear- 
 ance, showing that nature or heat is making an effort to 
 remove the obstructions that cause the disease, by over- 
 powering the effects of cold, to give medicine to Kill the 
 fever, by which means the patient is kept in a debilitated 
 state, as long as this course is pursued. In all cases of 
 this kind there is canker in the stomach and bowels, 
 which must be removed by the canker remedies ; at the 
 same time raising the inward heat by stimulants, and 
 restoring the digesture. In this as well as all other sim- 
 ilar complaints, in their first stages, the difficulty may be 
 removed by very simple means, if seasonably applied ; 
 but when the disease becomes seated, it must be treated 
 like all other chronic cases. The best plan of treatment 
 is to give a full course of medicine, and repeat it as oc- 
 casion may require, till the cause is removed ; then fol- 
 low with the proper restoratives, 
 
 YELLOW FEVER. 
 
 This disease is malignant and contagious ; the symp- 
 toms which distinguish it from all other fevers, are cold 
 chills, accompanied with faintings, or a complete pros- 
 tration of strength ; sickness at the stomach and a strong 
 inclination to vomit, from the first. After a certain time 
 the skin becomes of a yellow colour, beginning with the 
 eyes, neck and breast, thence over the whole body. Vo* 
 mitting continues, and near the fatal termination a black 
 matter is ejected, resembling coffee grounds. The 
 tongue is at first covered with a yellowish coat, but after- 
 wards becomes quite black. This alarming complaint 
 it is generally supposed is caused by a poisonous or pecu- 
 liar state of the air, which communicates to the system 
 the virus or miasma, that produces the disease. It is the 
 prevailing opinion that it is conveyed to the lun^s by the 
 
FEVERS. 271 
 
 breath, and mixing with the blood, poisons the whole cir- 
 culation, but we think there is good reason to believe, 
 that it is conveyed to the stomach by the saliva ; for 
 there the first symptoms make their appearance, and it 
 also becomes the seat of the disease, from which the 
 blood is affected in the same manner as by other poisons 
 when taken into the stomach. These remarks are 
 equally applicable to all other diseases of a contagious, 
 malignant, or pestilential nature. 
 
 This disease should be treated in the most rigorous 
 manner; by giving the most powerful stimulants to be 
 had, with the brown emetic tincture, and give the same 
 by injections ; shielding the body from the air, wetting 
 it occasionally with spirits or vinegar; and persevere in 
 this course till there is a free perspiration, or the skin be- 
 comes cool and moist; after which a regular course of 
 medicine may be given, and repeated as the case may 
 require, till every vestige of disorder is removed ; then 
 follow with tonics and restoratives the same as in all 
 other bad complaints. 
 
 SPOTTED FEVER. 
 
 This fever has prevailed in the New England States, 
 to a considerable extent for several years ; and seems to 
 be one of those epidemics with which the people have 
 been afflicted, under one form or another every season. 
 It derives its name from the dark coloured spots that ap- 
 pear on the skin. The symptoms are in many things 
 similar to those of the yellow fever ; with dizziness, pain 
 in the head, and a general langour, and sometimes, with 
 a loss of all sensation. Dr. Thomson had much expe- 
 rience in this complaint, and the success of his practice 
 astonished every one who witnessed it, not having lost a 
 patient ; at the same time the regulars lost nearly all 
 
272 FEVERS. 
 
 they attended. He attributed its cause to a sudden loss 
 of the vital heat; which increased the power of cold to 
 such a degree, as to give a complete check to ihe living 
 energies; in counteracting which by raising the inward 
 heat to a natural state, was able to remove the cause of 
 disease, and in a short time restore his patients to health. 
 We can give no better directions for the treatment of 
 this disease, when the attack is sudden and violent, than 
 what has been given in cases of yellow fever ; though in 
 milder cases, and in the first stages of the complaint, it 
 may be thrown off and the health restored, by giving com- 
 position or cayenne, with the steam bath, till there is a 
 perspiration, without a full course of medicine. 
 
 LUNG FEVEH. 
 
 This fever is caused in the first instance by a bad cold, 
 which seriously affects the lungs, and the glands and air 
 vessels connected with the windpipe. The symptoms 
 are a distressing sensation in the parts affected, usually 
 accompanied with chills, which are succeeded by great 
 heat, then an acute pain attacks the chest, usually the 
 middle of one side, extending to the collar bone and 
 shoulder. The breathing is frequent and short, with a 
 hard, frequent and distressing cough. 
 
 The first thing to be attended to in this complaint is 
 to keep the cough loose, so that the patient may raise 
 easy, by giving small doses of the lobelia tincture with 
 cayenne or composition ; if this can be effected, and 
 there is a free perspiration, there will be little danger » 
 but if this is not the case, and the cough becomes hard 
 and dry, with much distress in breathing, and the pain is 
 severe, it is evident that the disease has become seated, 
 and must be treated like other violent cases ; by carry- 
 ing the patient through a full course of medicine ; to be 
 
FEVERS. 273 
 
 repealed, till relief is obtained, and the difficulties are all 
 removed. Then follow with restoratives. 
 
 SCARLET FEVER. 
 
 This complaint is most common to children from the 
 age of two or three to that of ten or twelve ; those of an 
 advanced age never have it, and the younger class are 
 seldom much affected by it. It prevails to a considera- 
 ble extent, and under the treatment of the regular fa- 
 culty generally proves fatal. The symptoms are restless- 
 ness and a continued inclination to vomit; canker ap- 
 pears in the mouth and throat; generally about the third 
 day the skin on the stomach and other parts of the body 
 appears of a scarlet colour; the throat becomes much 
 swollen, and often so much so as to make it very diffi- 
 cult to swallow. If the eruption makes its appearance 
 and can be kept out, it is a favorable symptom, and they 
 generally recover ; but if this la not the case, or if it dis- 
 appears after coming out, it will be most likely to termi- 
 nate fatally in from twentyfour to tliirtysix hours. 
 
 The treatment of this disease under the Thomsouian 
 practice has been very successful. In the early stages, 
 by giving cayenne and the canker fea freely with the 
 steam bath, and keeping the determining powers to the 
 surface, it will generally take a favourable course and go 
 off without much danger. If this is not the case, they 
 should be carried through a course of medicine. A gar- 
 gle of cayenne, salt and vinegar, will be found to give 
 great relief, and should be used often. Hot applications 
 to the throat and stomach will give much relief. 
 
 FEVER AND AGUE. 
 
 This disease having been treated upon in another part 
 of this work, for which see page 91, it is thought un- 
 necessary to be very particular in giving any far- 
 
274 FEVERS. 
 
 ther description of it. It prevails mostly in the Southern 
 and Western States ; and often follows a violent attack 
 of the billious fevers, which are common in those parts. 
 It may be easily cured by courses of medicine, which 
 should be given when the hot fit is on ; to be followed 
 by tonics to restore the digestive organs, which are al- 
 ways much impaired, and with strengthening syrups and 
 light food. 
 
 BILLIOUS FEVER. 
 
 The febrile diseases that have been called by this 
 name, are numerous, and vary very much in their symp- 
 toms ; but they all seem to arise from one general cause, 
 that is, from loss of the inward heat, which causes ob- 
 structions in the billiary ducts and other parts designed 
 to secrete and supply the bile, without which the food 
 cannot be digested and prepared in a suitable manner 
 to supply the blood with its proper nutriment. This 
 produces prostration of the strength and loss of appetite, 
 with a total derangement of the circulation, and a sus- 
 pension or stoppage of the natural evacuations. These 
 difficulties can only be removed by courses of medicine, 
 with a free use of tonics to restore the bile, and strength- 
 en the digestive organs. 
 
 CHILD-BED FEVER. 
 
 This complaint is common to women in child-bed, and 
 takes place generally in from two to four days after de- 
 livery. The faculty do not seem to agree as to the 
 cause, or the best mode of treatment. Those who are 
 attended by the Thomsonian practice never have it; and 
 therefore we think it unnecessary to give directions for 
 its cure. If in cases of this kind the patient is carried 
 through a course of medicine before and immediately 
 after delivery, there will be no danger of a settled dis- 
 
DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 275 
 
 ease; but, if it should occur from neglecting this, or 
 from erroneous practice, they must be treated in the 
 same manner as has been directed in other cases of fe- 
 brile diseases. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. ERUPTIONS. 
 
 The diseases that come under this head are quite nu- 
 merous, and are cause of more suffering, and attended 
 with more dangerous consequences, than most other 
 complaints. The Thomsonian, or botanic practice has 
 been in a remarkable degree successful in curing all ca- 
 ses of this kind ; which is good proof of the fact, that our 
 theory in regard to the cause of disease is correct ; and 
 that the mode of treatment under that practice is more 
 likely to effect a cure, than any other that has been yet 
 discovered. We have given our views pretty fully on 
 this important subject in a former part of the work, jjpr 
 which see page 109 ; it will therefore be unnecessary to 
 say any thing more upon it at this time. We shall pro- 
 ceed, however, in giving a description of some of the 
 most important diseases of this kind, with directions for 
 their cure. 
 
 ERYSIPELAS. 
 
 This disease has of late years prevailed to a consider- 
 able extent in many parts of the country, and has produ- 
 
276 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 
 
 ced much alarm among the people. It is considered as 
 contagious, and if not checked in its first stages, as- 
 sumes a very putrid and malignant character, and un- 
 der the regular treatment in most cases terminates fa- 
 tally. It most frequently occurs to those of advanced 
 age, or those who are debilitated, and their systems are 
 in a morbid state. On the first appearance of this com- 
 plaint, the difficulties may be often removed, by giving 
 the most powerful stimulants and making use of the 
 steam bath; but when it assumes a dangerous stage, it 
 must be treated as has been directed for other putrid and 
 violent attacks of disease. For a more full description 
 and other information on Erysipelas, see page 114 to 116. 
 
 MEASLES. 
 
 This disease is contagious, and very few escape hav- 
 ing it at some period of their lives ; though it is most 
 common among children. The first symptoms are a 
 moist and peculiar appearance of the eyes ; pain in the 
 head, with a tickling sensation in the nose, sneezing, 
 and a dry husky cough. On the fourth day the erup- 
 tion usually makes its appearance in deep red pimples, 
 which gradually becomes fainter as the disease advan- 
 ces. The febrile symptoms are greater on the appear- 
 ance of the eruptions. This begins to subside on the 
 third or fourth day from its appearance ; and in favora- 
 ble cases goes off without producing any bad effects. 
 The eyes are seriously affected by this disease, and should 
 therefore not be exposed to a strong light. The cough 
 may continue for some time, but if properly treated will 
 gradually subside and go off, with little inconvenience or 
 danger. 
 
 In treating this disease the main object should be 
 to keep the determining powers to the surface, by giving 
 
DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 277 
 
 stimulants, such as a tea of composition or cayenne, and 
 hot herb tens ; keeping the patient from exposure to the 
 cold air, and producing a moderate perspiration ; and 
 let the disease take its natural course. When the erup- 
 tion dpes not make its appearance in the usual time, or 
 after coming out should disappear, a full course of medi- 
 cine should be given as soon as possible, and repeated, 
 if necessary, till the difficulties that cause the relapse are 
 removed. This will seldom fail of effecting a cure, with- 
 out injuring the system, or leaving any latent disorder 
 behind. 
 
 SMALL POX. 
 
 We shall not attempt to give any particular description 
 of this disease; for the change that has.taken place with- 
 in the last half century in regard to it, by the introduc- 
 tion of the kine pox, renders it unnecessary. It is high- 
 ly contagious, being taken by the breath, or may be re- 
 ceived by inoculation, in which case it is much more 
 mild than when taken in the other way. Dr. Thomson 
 has paid much attention to this disease, and has been 
 successful in curing many cases that have come under 
 his care. He says it is the highest state of canker 
 and putrefaction that the human body is capable of re- 
 ceiving, but thinks that it may be cured by his system of 
 practice, or any dangerous effects from it prevented, with 
 as much certainty as other diseases of a putrid and ma- 
 lignant nature. The best directions that we can give 
 for the treatment of this disease, is what has been given 
 for that of the measles, which need not be repeated. 
 
 VARIOLOID. 
 
 None are subject to this complaint but those who have 
 had the kine pox ; and it seems to be connected in some 
 24 
 
27S 
 
 DISEASES OP THE SKIN. 
 
 measure with that disease and the small pox; for the 
 symptoms are nearly similar to the latter, but is very dif- 
 ferent in its progress and crisis. In most cases under 
 the botanic treatment, it has been cured without diffi- 
 culty in a short time ; but in others it has assumed a 
 more malignant and dangerous character, which nothing 
 but a perseverance in the courses of medicine could re- 
 move. There can be no doubt of the fact, that vaccina- 
 tion is a preventative of the small pox ; but whether it is 
 certain in all cases is a matter of doubt. That it may 
 leave a virus or taint in the blood, which will at some 
 future period cause disease, is not an unreasonable con- 
 jecture. This may depend in a great measure upon the 
 matter that is introduced by vaccination ; for if it is ta- 
 ken from a person who has a scrofulous disease, or has a 
 poisonous taint in the blood, it will communicate the 
 same to the one vaccinated ; and will be most likely to 
 cause a disordered state of the whole system, which does 
 not go off with the disease introduced. Whether the 
 varioloid is caused by this, or small pox infection, is 
 what we are not able to decide ; but have no doubt of 
 the fact, that many have it who have not been exposed 
 to such infection. Besides it has been proved by nume- 
 rous experiments, that the small pox matter will not take 
 by inoculation, upon those who have had the kine pox in 
 a correct manner. In all cases of this kind, where there 
 is danger apprehended, a course of medicine is the best 
 means to prevent as well as cure them. 
 chicken POX. 
 This disease is most common to children, though 
 grown persons sometimes have it. If left to take its na- 
 tural course, there will be no danger and little inconven- 
 ience, if the patient is kept from exposure to the cold 
 
DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 
 
 279 
 
 air ; and composition or cayenne, with hot herb leas, are 
 given to keep up a moderate perspiration. The symp- 
 toms are similar to those of the small pox in its first sta- 
 ges. The eruptions appear on the back and breast, in 
 large pustules, on the third and fourth day ; they form 
 scabs and disappear in about ten days. When the pus- 
 tules come on the face, being exposed to the air, they 
 will take deeper hold, and are apt to leave a scar or pit. 
 If the disease is interrupted in its course by taking cold i 
 or any other cause, a course of medicine must be given, 
 which will remove all difficulties. 
 
 NETTLE RASH PRICKLY HEAT. 
 
 This complaint may be caused by some poisonous 
 matter taken into the stomach, and carried to the sur- 
 face by perspiration, where it remains under the cuticle, 
 causing great irritation ; but it is most generally brought 
 on by violent exercise and exposure to intense and con- 
 tinued heat, which produces a profuse eruption, with a 
 tingling or pricking sensation, as though stung by in- 
 sects. In a few days it appears in distinct red blotches, 
 and spreads over the neck, body and limbs, followed by 
 an itching that is quite painful ; often much aggravated 
 during the night. 
 
 The best manner of treatment in this disease, is to 
 commence with the most powerful stimulants, to raise 
 the inward heat as high as possible, and get a free per- 
 spiration ; then give a regular course of medicine, and 
 after steaming wash with the rheumatic drops, or spirits ; 
 or what is better, the elixir of lobelia, which will destroy 
 the poison and soon remove the eruption. 
 
 SHINGLES. 
 
 This disease is probably caused by some constitutional 
 affection. The first symptoms are itching and tingling 
 
280 
 
 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 
 
 of some parts of the body, on which will appear small, 
 irregular, red patches, a little distance from each other, 
 covered with numerous little elevations. These usually 
 extend in stripes from the spine towards the breast bone, 
 but never entirely round the body. This complaint 
 should be treated in the same manner as has been di- 
 rected for the nettle rash. 
 
 RINGWORM. 
 
 This disease commences with itching and a slight in- 
 flammation. It appears in circular spots or rings, with 
 vessicles on the margin, and the centre part being red, 
 tender, and disposed to peel in scales. When one of 
 them runs its course and disappears, another generally 
 springs up in its neighborhood, and so on for an indefi- 
 nite period. They may be easily cured by being washed 
 with a ley made of wood ashes, or by dissolving a little 
 pearlash in water ; and when dry apply the hot drops, or 
 the elixir of lobelia, which is best. If the surface be- 
 comes rough and sore, apply the ointment for piles, or 
 any other soothing ointment. By taking a dose of com- 
 position once a day, will assist in the cure, by aiding in 
 removing the cause. 
 
 ITCH. 
 
 This is a cutaneous eruption, and makes its first ap- 
 pearance between the fingers in small pimples, with se- 
 vere itching ; but will often spread to different parts of 
 the body, forming pustules containing a yellow matter, 
 which sometimes unite into blotches, and bad sores. It 
 is strictly contagious, being only communicated by con- 
 tact; and may be easily distinguished from other erup- 
 tions, by a minute examination. It is a very disagreea- 
 ble and troublesome complaint, prevailing very much in 
 the country towns, particularly in schools, which are sel- 
 
DISEASES OF THE LUNGS, ETC. 281 
 
 dom free from it. It may be easily cured by using an 
 ointment made of yellow dock root, with cream or fresh 
 butter. This must be rubbed on when going to bed, by 
 the fire ; before which take a dose of composition, which 
 will prevent it from striking in. Three times using it 
 will generally effect a cure, if not it must be repeated ; 
 and wash during the day with the rheumatic drops, pre- 
 pared with spirits of turpentine, which will cure any 
 case of this complaint, 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Diseases of the Lungs, Thorax and Windpipe. 
 CONSUMPTION. 
 
 This disease has been so fully treated upon in the nar- 
 rative part of our work, (see page 70 to 88,) that we 
 shall refrain from making any farther remarks on the 
 subject ; and confine ourselves to a few directions in re- 
 gard to its cure. To effect which it is highly important 
 that the state of the patient should be correctly under- 
 stood. When symptoms of this alarming complain^ first 
 make their appearance, it may be checked in (M pro- 
 gress, and often cured by very simple means ; such as 
 giving the composition or cayenne, to increase and sus- 
 tain the inward heat, with the canker tea, and tonics to 
 strengthen the digestive organs, so that food will nourish 
 the body. Drink freely of poplar bark tea ; and keep 
 the cough loose by taking small doses of the green emet- 
 24» 
 
282 DISEASES OF THE LUNGS, ETC. 
 
 ic tincture. Those who are predisposed to this disease, 
 by making use of the same means, may ward off ap- 
 proaching danger, and prevent it from becoming seated. 
 After the consumption has assumed a chronic stage, 
 and the lungs are badly affected, and there is a hoarse- 
 ness, with a distressing cough, the only plan to effect a 
 cure, that we can recommend, is by a resort to regular 
 courses of medicine ; to be continued, and repeated as 
 often as the situation of the patient may make it safe and 
 advisable, until all the difficulties and causes of the di- 
 sease are removed. In the intervals between the cour- 
 ses, keep up the vital heat by stimulants, and give tonics 
 to strengthen the digestive organs, with restoratives to 
 sustain the living energies. 
 
 ASTHMA. 
 
 This is a distressing complaint, being attended with 
 great difficulty in breathing, and is accompanied with 
 constant wheezing ; but does not materially affect the 
 general health. It occurs in paroxisms, which usually 
 come on during the night when in sound sleep, and the 
 patient is awakened with a sense of suffocation and con- 
 striction across the breast ; being obliged to sit erect, 
 and labours with much difficulty for breath. It is caus- 
 ed by obstructions and inflammation in the glands of 
 the windpipe, and the air vessels of the lungs, which are 
 much constricted. The best remedy for this disease 
 that has ever been discovered is lobelia, which acting as 
 a relaxant gives immediate relief. Take a tea-spoonful 
 of the green emetic tincture occasionally, with cayenne 
 to keep up the inward heat. If this does not remove the 
 difficulty, give a course of medicine, and continue the 
 tincture. 
 
DISEASES OP THE LUNGS, ETC. 283 
 
 INFLUENZA. 
 
 In the first attack of this complaint the symptoms are 
 similar to those of a bad cold. The lungs become much 
 stuffed, with a hard cough, and great difficulty in throw, 
 ing off the mucus that collects in the windpipe and air 
 vessels of the lungs. It is an epidemic and prevails 
 more or less every year ; most commonly at the com- 
 mencement of cold weather, and is often fatal to aged 
 people. In the first stages it may often be removed by 
 giving the hot medicine to raise a perspiration and sus- 
 tain the vital energies, keeping the cough loose by giv- 
 ing the tincture. When this does not have the desired 
 effect, the patient should be carried through a course of 
 medicine, to be repeated till all the bad symptoms are 
 removed. 
 
 PLEURISY. 
 
 This disease is not so common with young people as 
 with the aged, or those who have passed the middle 
 age. The first attack is attended with acute pain in the 
 left side, sometimes extending to the right side, and is 
 always increased by a full breath, which produces a 
 short and dry cough, that causes much suffering to the 
 patient. The seat of this disease is the pleura, the mem- 
 brane that invests the lungs, which is much inflamed in 
 consequence of obstructions caused by cold. In many 
 cases relief may be obtained by giving the composition 
 or cayenne, the patient being in a warm bed with a 
 steaming stone at the feet ; and applying flannel wet 
 with hot drops to the part affected. By placing a hot 
 stone at the side will give much relief. When the at- 
 tack is severe the safest and best plan of treatment will 
 be to resort immediately to full and regular courses of 
 
284 DISEASES OP THE LUNGS, ETC, 
 
 medicine, which will be sure to give relief, and gene^ 
 rally effect a cure in a short time. 
 
 CATARRH. 
 
 This is a troublesome and disagreeable complaint^ 
 though it is rarely attended with a dangerous affection. 
 It usually commences in the mucus membrane of the 
 nose, and often extending to the fauces, larinx, and air 
 vessels of the lungs. Its tendency is to produce an in- 
 creased and vitiated secretion of the mucus, which is the 
 cause of a nauseous and very disagreeable sensation. In 
 some cases it becomes chronic, particularly with aged 
 people, the symptoms of which are an habitual cough* 
 loose expectoration, and increased secretion in the nose 
 and glands of the throat. It may be treated in a similar 
 manner to what has been directed for the asthma and 
 other complaints of the kind. A snuff made of bayberry 
 bark, bitter root and witch-hazel leaves, equal parts, pul- 
 verized, may be taken and will afford great relief. 
 
 CROUP. 
 
 This is seldom met with, except in children under six 
 years of age. The decisive symptom is a shrill sound 
 produced by breathing, followed by a husky cough and 
 rattling in the throat, caused by small bladders forming 
 in the windpipe. The disease is generally of short du- 
 ration ; for if not immediately relieved, usually termi- 
 nates fatally in a few hours. A lobelia emetic is as likely 
 to give relief as any thing we know of; at the same 
 time give cayenne and put the feet into water as hot as 
 can be borne, and make hot applications to the throat 
 and stomach. When in bed put a hot stone, or bottle of 
 hot water, to the feet. Give injections of lobelia and 
 cayenne, and occasionally give small doses of the brown 
 emetic tincture, till vomiting is induced. By a timely 
 
DISEASES OF THE LUNGS, ETC. 285 
 
 perseverance in this course, it will relieve the patient, 
 and in most cases effect a cure. 
 
 QUINSY. 
 
 This disease commences by a sense of irritation and 
 uneasiness in the glands of the throat, which become 
 quite sore, aggravated by every attempt to swallow ; and 
 attended with external as well as internal swelling, which 
 makes swallowing extremely difficult, and when attempt- 
 ed forces the liquids into the nostrils. It is seldom at- 
 tended with much danger; and may be easily cured by 
 giving the lobelia tincture and cayenne, with hot appli- 
 cations to the throat. If this does not give relief, carry 
 them through a course of medicine. 
 
 MUMPS. 
 
 This disease, caused by an inflammation of the paro- 
 tid glands, is a hard painful swelling on one or both sides 
 of the neck, behind and above the angle of the jaw. It 
 is not attended with any dangerous consequences, if pro- 
 per precautions are taken to guard against taking cold, 
 by shielding the parts from the cold air, and using stim- 
 ulants to keep up a moderate perspiration. After increa- 
 sing three or four days the swelling gradually subsides. 
 By taking cold it sometimes in adults assumes a new 
 character, and becomes a dangerous complaint ; in which 
 case, give a course of medicine. It is most common to 
 children, 
 
286 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Diseases from Various Causes. 
 DYSENTERY. 
 
 This distressing complaint is epidemic, and prevails 
 to considerable extent every season, most commonly in 
 the autumn ; and has under the regular treatment been 
 generally fatal, especially among children. It is caused 
 by a loss of the inward heat, which gives- an increased 
 power to the cold, so as to draw the determining powers 
 inwardly. The stomach becomes disordered, the diges- 
 ture is much impaired, so that the food is not digested ; 
 the bowels are coated with canker, which causes them 
 to be very sore, and when any thing passes them produ- 
 ces excruciating pain. Dr. Thomson says that the best 
 plan of treatment that he has been able to find, in his 
 long practice, is to carry the patients through a regular 
 course of medicine, and repeat it every day, if needed, 
 till relief is obtained. At the same time give the chick- 
 en broth, and when the disease is checked, give occa- 
 sionally a little brandy and loaf sugar burned together, 
 and a strong tea of poplar bark. Give the syrup two or 
 three times a day, until entirely recovered ; and the bit- 
 ters night and morning to restore the digesture. Keep 
 up the inward heat by giving occasionally cayenne in the 
 canker tea, sweetened. The steam bath is very impor- 
 tant in this complaint ;. and injections must often be ad- 
 ministered. Slippery elm bark is good to restore the 
 patients, by being added to the injections, and also to be 
 taken properly prepared. 
 
DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 28? 
 
 RHEUMATISM. 
 
 The acute attacks of this disease are attended with 
 inflammation and severe pain in one or more of the large 
 joints, which is increased by motion or exposure to the 
 cold. It commences in the glands of the joints, and ia 
 caused by cold, or loss of heat in the parts, which inter- 
 rupts the circulation, and the adjacent muscles become 
 much swollen and inflamed, producing severe pain. 
 This complaint in its first stages may be generally cured, 
 by taking a dose of the rheumatic drops and bathing 
 the parts with the same, sitting by the fire ; then wrap 
 them in flannels and get into a warm bed with a steam- 
 ing stone at the feet; if the pain is severe after getting 
 into bed, take a dose of composition or cayenne, and as 
 soon as there is perspiration the pain will oease. This in 
 most cases will effect a cure. When this is not the case, 
 carry them through a course of medicine, and bathe with 
 the drops, repeating it when needed, till cured. 
 
 The chronic rheumatism is most common with aged 
 people, and is generally caused by hard labour and ex- 
 posure to heats and colds. In these cases the best plan 
 of treatment is to carry the patient through a regular 
 course of medicine, repeating it as occasion may require, 
 till a cure is effected. The steam bath will be found 
 very useful in this complaint, and will with the aid of 
 stimulants to increase the inward heat, often give relief; 
 and if the case is not very bad will effect a cure in a short 
 time. 
 
 LIVER COMPLAINT. 
 
 This has been before pretty fully described, with the 
 manner it should be treated to effect a cure, (see page 
 77,) which will render it unnecessary to say much upon 
 the subject now, more than to state, that the botanic 
 
288 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 practice has, in all cases that have come to our know- 
 ledge, been successful. The regular courses of medi- 
 cine are the principal means used, which if persevered in 
 with zeal and judgment, will effect a cure if any thing 
 can. 
 
 CANCERS. 
 
 This violent and often fatal disease is caused by a vi- 
 rus or poisonous taint in the blood, which becomes seated 
 in some of the glands, causing much pain and distress. 
 We have before described Dr. Thomson's practice and 
 the success he met with in curing this complaint. (See 
 page 102.) His plan of treatment was to give courses 
 of medicine to cleanse the system and restore the gene- 
 ral health of the patient, at the same time applying the 
 cancer plaster to reduce and dissolve the tumour. In 
 this way he was able to effect cures in nearly every case 
 that came under his care ; and the same success has at- 
 tended those who have followed his directions in their 
 practice. He says that in the first stages of the com- 
 plaint, when the tumour was small, by burning a small 
 piece of punk-wood on it, to kill the skin, would cause it 
 to suppurate and discharge ; then by applying the gin- 
 ger and slippery elm poultice, or the cancer plaster, has 
 effected a cure in two or three weeks. The dressing 
 should be renewed every day, and at each time wash with 
 the canker tea, and keep up the inward heat by giving 
 occasionally composition or cayenne, with astringents to 
 remove the canker. A strong tea of pipsisvvay has 
 been found useful in curing cancers, as well as all other 
 canker sores, by drinking freely the tea and bathing with 
 it the parts affected. We knew a case of an elderly 
 lady who had been afflicted with a cancer on one of her 
 breasts for several years. By using caustics, together 
 
DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 289 
 
 with the canker, the flesh was entirely destroyed to the 
 bone, and her sufferings were very great. She was di- 
 rected to keep it clean by washing every day with a suds 
 made of castile soap, and then washing with the pipsis- 
 way tea, taking the tea two or three times a day. She 
 followed these directions, and enjoyed a comfortable state 
 of health for several years. 
 
 FELONS. 
 
 There has been given in a former part of our book a 
 description of this complaint, with directions for its cure, 
 (see page 157.) The plan of treatment, which has in 
 every case been successful, is to burn a piece of punk- 
 wood, the size of a pea, on the place affected. As soon 
 as the flesh appears dead down to the matter, prick the 
 point of a needle into the dead skin, raising it up and 
 cut out a piece with a sharp knife, sufficient to give vent 
 to the matter ; then apply a poultice or salve ; at the 
 same time wrap the hand in several thicknesses of cloths 
 wet with cold water, and keep them wet by pouring on 
 the cold water as often as it becomes hot or painful. 
 Take some composition, or other stimulating medicine, 
 to keep up the inward heat. If the felon has been seve- 
 ral days coming, and appears nearly ripe, apply a piece 
 of unslacked lime to the part affected, and wrap it in 
 cloths wet with cold water, keeping them wet till the 
 lime is slacked ; repeating this until the skin appears of 
 a purple colour ; then open it as before directed. 
 
 BURNS AND SCALDS. 
 
 These are in most cases easily cured, if proper means 
 are used, and with very little pain. As soon after the 
 accident as possible wrap the part in several thicknesses 
 of cotton or linen cloths wet with cold water, if on the 
 limbs, and if on the body to be laid on and secured by 
 25 
 
290 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 suitable bandages ; the cloths to be kept wet, by fre- 
 quently applying the cold water, whenever the pain in- 
 creases, which will be the case as they become dry and 
 hot ; at the same time give the hottest medicine you 
 have, to raise the inward heat and keep the determining 
 powers to the surface. Continue this for twelve or four- 
 teen hours ; and then if the skin is off apply the poul- 
 tice or healing salve, with the wet cloths as before, until 
 the sore discharges ; then dress with the healing salve, 
 keeping the part shielded from the air till cured. When 
 the burn or scald is very bad, particularly if on the body, 
 after applying the wet cloths, carry them through a reg- 
 ular course of medicine, and proceed in other respects as 
 before directed. If the burn is caused by the clothes 
 taking fire and the body is badly burned, strip off the 
 clothes and wrap the whole body in sheets wet with cold 
 water, and otherwise proceed as before directed. When 
 the body is badly scalded by steam, the same plan of 
 treatment should be adopted. 
 
 Parts frozen are of a similar nature, and may be treat- 
 ed in the same manner. Put them into cold water for a 
 short time, and then proceed in the same way as has 
 been directed in cases of burns and scalds. 
 
 PILES. 
 
 This complaint is easily cured in its early stages by 
 washing often with alum water and applying the oint- 
 ment for piles. In cases where there is much soreness 
 and pain, it is evident that there is canker internally, in 
 which case give injections of canker tea with a small 
 quantity of cayenne and lobelia in it; at the same time 
 take a dose of composition, or some other stimulating 
 medicine, and continue the wash and ointment till cured. 
 When the case is of long standing, and has become very 
 
DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSEI. 291 
 
 bad, give courses of medicine, the same as in all other 
 chronic complaints, with the restoratives, till a cure is 
 effected. The disease may be prevented by using the 
 ointment occasionally. 
 
 VENEREAL. 
 
 This disease is peculiarly contagious, being communi- 
 cated to certain glands of the genital organs, producing 
 inflammation and ulceration of the parts, causing them 
 to be very sore and painful, with a disposition to spread 
 rapidly over the adjacent parts. If suffered to have its 
 course, the whole system becomes more or less affected 
 with the venereal taint, particularly the glands of the 
 nose and throat, which often receive serious injury by its 
 eating nature ; and other parts, of the body are liable to 
 break out in obstinate ulcers, or a sort of scrofulous af- 
 fection. We have before given a description of Dr. 
 Thomson's manner of treating this disease, with his opin- 
 ions on the subject, (see page 113.) 
 
 The botanic practice has been completely successful 
 in curing this disease. When the effects of the virus 
 first makes its appearance, it may be easily cured by the 
 canker remedies ; to be freely taken and applied to the 
 parts affected ; with the aid of cayenne and lobelia, to 
 keep up the inward heat and destroy the poison. In ca- 
 ses where the whole system is badly affected, either from 
 neglect, or by the mercurial treatment, the only remedy 
 is full courses of medicine, with proper applications to 
 the affected parts ; to be continued till the poisonous 
 taint is completely eradicated from the system. 
 
 There can be no doubt of the fact, by those who have 
 had experience in the botanic practice, that lobelia is the 
 best article to counteract the effects of poison of any 
 thins: that has been discovered ; and that the brown emef 
 
292 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 ic tincture, with the canker medicine, is a safe and ef- 
 fectual remedy in the venereal complaint in its first sta- 
 ges; by using them as a wash, and applying them to the 
 parts affected by injection. We have the authority of 
 one who has had much experience from long practice, to 
 say, that the elixir of lobelia has been proved to be a sov- 
 ereign remedy in this disease, if seasonably and properly 
 applied ; and that it is also a sure preventative. 
 
 SCALD HEAD. SALT RHEUM. 
 
 This is a disease common to children and is very of- 
 fensive and troublesome. It is caused by a scrofulous 
 taint in the blood, and the scalp is completely covered 
 with a hard scab. The best way to cure this complaint 
 is to carry them through courses of medicine, and at the 
 same time apply to the part oil, or some soft ointment, to 
 soften the scab ; and put a close cap on the head, so as 
 to exclude the cold air. On going to bed cover it with 
 wilted cabbage leaves, and then put on the cap. In the 
 morning the smell will be very offensive ; wash clean 
 with soap suds, and then with the canker tea; after 
 which wash with the elixir of lobelia, or the brown emet- 
 ic tincture. The rheumatic drops and nerve ointment 
 may be occasionally used. The head should be kept 
 covered so as to cause it to sweat as much as possible; 
 and be careful to guard the stomach by giving composi- 
 tion, &c. Repeat the courses as often as needed, and 
 follow the other directions till a cure is effected. 
 
 SORE BREASTS. 
 
 Some women suffer very much from this complaint, 
 which is caused by cold, occasioning obstrutions in the 
 glands of the breasts, when they become hard, and are 
 often very painful. On the commencement of swelling 
 and pain, bathe with the rheumatic drops, and keep the 
 
DISEASE9 FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 293 
 
 breast shielded from the air, sitting by the fire covered 
 by a blanket, and take a dose of composition ; this will 
 give immediate relief and often effect a cure. 
 
 If it should be necessary to bring the sore to a 
 a head, apply a poultice made of lily root tea, with gin- 
 ger and slippery elm bark ; at the same time keep up 
 the vital heat by giving stimulants. When the case is 
 very bad, and the woman is in a poor state of health, 
 carry them through a regular course of medicine, which 
 will remove the difficulty and restore her to health in a 
 short time. 
 
 AGUE IN THE FACE. 
 
 This is caused by the effects of cold in the glands, 
 which stops the flow of the saliva, causing the face to 
 swell, followed by soreness and severe pain. Dr. Thom- 
 son says that the best way to cure this complaint that he 
 has found, is to take a dose of the canker tea with a 
 tea-spoonful of hot drops in it ; then tie a small quantity 
 of cayenne in a fine piece of cloth, wet with the drops, 
 and put it between the teeth and cheek, on the side 
 where the pain i6 ; sit by the fire covered with a blanket, 
 and breathe the warm air from the fire ; this will cause 
 the saliva to flow freely, which will remove the soreness 
 and relieve the pain. The face should be bathed at 
 the same time with the hot drops ; or by applying the 
 strengthening plaster to the face it will give relief and aid 
 much in effecting a cure. If caused by decayed teeth, 
 apply cotton wool wet with the oil of summersavory, or 
 spirits of turpentine, which will deaden the nerve, 
 and stop the pain. This is good in all cases of tooth- 
 ache. 
 
 RUPTURE. 
 
 We have in a former part of our book, given a de- 
 25* 
 
294 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 scription of this complaint, with directions for its treat- 
 ment, (see page 148.) It is considered as an incurable 
 disease; but any dangerous effects may be prevent- 
 ed by using proper precautions, and by judicious and cor- 
 rect treatment. When the bowels come down and con- 
 tinue any length of time, they become swelled, attended 
 with inflammation, causing great distress and danger, and 
 sometimes proves fatal, as they cannot be got up again un- 
 til the inflammation and swelling is removed. The best 
 way to effect this is to carry the patient through a course 
 of medicine, which will remove all difficulties, and restore 
 them without the least danger. 
 
 WORM COMPLAINTS. 
 
 We have before given our views pretty fully on this 
 subject ; and also the opinion and conclusions of Dr. 
 Thomson, with a description of his manner of treating all 
 difficulties of this kind, (seepage 179.) The fact is 
 there is no certainty in the symptoms that are supposed 
 to indicate the presence of worms; for the same may be 
 produced by a variety of other causes. When the gen- 
 eral health is good there need be no apprehension that 
 worms will cause disease, for they are then undisturbed 
 and rest quietly in their element ; but when symptoms 
 make their appearance, that are supposed to be caused* 
 by them, it is only evidence of a disordered state of the 
 stomach and bowels; and when these difficulties are 
 removed the symptoms will disappear. In cases of this 
 kind, give the composition powders or cayenne to warm 
 the stomach, with the canker tea to clear the stomach 
 and bowels of canker ; and follow with the bitter medi- 
 cine to correct the bile and restore the digesture. 
 
 Injections should be frequently given, and if there are 
 nervous symptoms use the nerve powder. If the case is 
 
DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 295 
 
 bad, and these remedies do not effect a cure, carry them 
 through a course of medicine, with the restoratives, as 
 has been before directed. A strong tea of the black 
 alder bark has been found in many instances, a valuable 
 remedy in cases of disease caused by worms. 
 
 JAUNDICE. 
 
 The symptoms of this complaint are want of appetite, 
 costiveness, faintness, and disposition to sleep; which is 
 caused by a cold and disordered state of the stomach, and 
 a loss of the natural action of the digestive organs, so 
 that the food is not digested and prepared in a suitable 
 manner to receive the bile, and thereby afford that nour- 
 ishment to the blood, which is necessary to sustain the 
 living principle. The consequence is, that the bile not 
 being used for what it is designed, passes into the circu- 
 lation, and being carried to the surface gives the skin a 
 yellow colour, which is one of the principle characteris- 
 tics of the disease. The best plan of treatment is to 
 commence with a course of medicine, which will regulate 
 the stomach and correct the secretions ; then follow with 
 tonics to restore the digesture. The hot bitters should 
 be taken three or four times during the day j and the 
 poplar bark tea may be drank freely. Take the bitter 
 root and use injections, to cause a natural action in the 
 bowels. 
 
 DYSPEPSIA. 
 
 This disease is caused by the incapacity of the stomach 
 to perform its natural functions ; and is generally brought 
 on by intemperate habits of life. The symptoms are, a 
 faint sinking sensation and depression of spirits, distress 
 at the stomach after eating, flatulency, the wind often 
 rising to the stomach, especially in the morning, with 
 wretching, and a greater or less degree of emaciation. 
 
296 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 By a course of medicine and the other botanic remedies y 
 to restore the digesture, great relief may be obtained ; 
 but to effect a cure it will require a long course of medical 
 treatment. Yet it will after all depend very much on the 
 prudence and self-denial of the patient ; by abstaining 
 from all excesses, either in eating or drinking, it will 
 assist very much in restoring the health. Exercise will 
 be a great benefit. Those who are constantly employed 
 at hard labour and live on coarse food, never have this 
 complaint. 
 
 DROPSY. 
 
 For a description of this complaint, with the manner 
 in which it was successfully treated by Dr. Thomson, 
 see page 103. 
 
 MUSCLES — HOW RELAXED. 
 
 In cases of broken bones and dislocated joints, the 
 muscles can be relaxed by the application of warm water, 
 so that they may be set without causing much pain to 
 the patient and with little labour to the operator. The 
 plan adopted by Dr Thomson, and which has in every 
 case been successful, is to give a dose of composition, or 
 cayenne, with half a teaspoonful of nerve powder in it, to 
 promote perspiration, prevent fainting, and quiet the 
 nerves; and put a large towel in a milk-pan, pouring on 
 it hot water till it is completely wet, and when cool 
 enough wrap it round the limb; then pour on it from a 
 pitcher the water as hot as it can be comfortably borne, 
 placing the pan under to catch the water ; and in a short 
 time the bones may be put in their place, or the joint set, 
 with very little trouble. When this is done and the 
 bandages put on, apply the same cloth, which has now 
 become cold, as before, which will restore the tone of the 
 muscular fibres, and prevent the parts from getting out 
 of place. For further information, see page 160. 
 
DISEASES PROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 297 
 
 SORE EYES. 
 
 When the eyes are diseased, they should be treated with' 
 great caution, as the sight may be injured by improper 
 medical treatment. In cases of inflammation, they may be 
 cured by very simple means if timely attended to ; such 
 as the application of the wash for sore eyes, and many 
 other simple compounds, prepared for the purpose. By 
 putting cloths wet with cold water on the eyes and keep- 
 ing them wet, especially on going to bed, will allay the in- 
 flammation ; and in the day time keep them as much as 
 possible from the cold air. If the difficulty is not removed 
 and continues for any length of time, the inflammation 
 will be followed by canker, which becomes seated in the 
 glands and on the eyelids. To remove this make a tea 
 of lily root, raspberry and vvitch-hazle leaves, or either 
 of them, to which add one-third the quantity of rheumatic 
 drops, and wash with this several times during the day. 
 The pure juice of capsicum is doubtless one of the best 
 medicines for sore eyes that has been discovered. When 
 the case is very bad, and the patient is otherwise disor. 
 dered, a course of medicine, with the above applications, 
 will soon effect a cure. 
 
 FRESH CUTS. 
 
 Wounds caused by a sharp instrument should be 
 dressed as soon as possible. Wash with cold water till 
 the blood stops, and the wound is perfectly cleansed, 
 then put the parts together and secure them by applying 
 the strengthening plaster, or some other sticking-plaster, 
 then wrap in cloths wet with cold water, keeping them 
 wet, and they will heal by the first intention, causing lit- 
 tle pain or soreness. If an artery is severed and the 
 blood does not soon stop, place the part higher than the 
 body, which will stopt it; then dress the wound while in 
 
298 DISEASES FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 
 
 this position as before directed. When any part of the 
 wound is bruised and appears ragged, it will not heal so 
 soon as the other parts ; in which case, after they have 
 healed, wet with the hot drops and apply the healing 
 salve. If by neglect or wrong treatment, the wound be- 
 comes bad and not inclined to heal, with appearances of 
 canker, wash first with the canker tea and then with the 
 rheumatic drops, putting a little cayenne in the wound, 
 applying the healing salve, and keep it well shielded 
 from the cold air. Repeat the dressing every day till 
 cured. 
 
 BRUISES AND SPRAINS. 
 
 To give relief in cases of this kind, take a dose of 
 composition or hot drops, sitting by the fire, shielded 
 from the cold air ; then bathe the part with water as hot 
 as it can be be borne, for a few minutes, and then dash 
 on it some cold water ; after wiping dry, bathe with the 
 rheumatic drops prepared with spirits turpentine, and 
 bandage with flannel. Repeat this once or twice a day, 
 and keep the perspiration free by taking hot medicine ; 
 and when in bed put a steaming stone at the feet. 
 cough. 
 
 This difficulty is the effect not the cause of disease, 
 and no attempt should be made to stop it. Give such 
 medicine as will loosen the phlegm and cause the patient 
 to raise easy, till the cause of disease is removed. The 
 lobelia tincture with cayenne is very good for this 
 purpose. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Agents appointed, 
 
 Astringents, 
 
 Archangel, 
 
 Asthma, 
 
 Ague in the face, 
 
 A. 
 
 Page. 
 
 140 
 48, 195 
 242 
 282 
 293 
 
 Bad wound cured, 
 
 33 
 
 Bayberry, 
 
 49, 195 
 
 Balmony, 
 
 204 
 
 Barberry, 
 
 205 
 
 Birth and parentage, 
 
 26 
 
 Bitter root, 
 
 202 
 
 Bitters, 
 
 217 
 
 Balm of Gilead, 
 
 236 
 
 Balsam Fir, 
 
 236 
 
 Bitter Thistle, 
 
 241 
 
 Billious Fever, 
 
 274 
 
 Bleeding at the lungs, 
 
 54 
 
 Bleeding at the stomach, 
 
 63 
 
 Bleeding at the nose, 
 
 109 
 
 Blue and white Vervain, 
 
 189 
 
 Black birch bark, 
 
 235 
 
 Brain Fever, 
 
 178 
 
 Brown Emetic Tincture, 
 
 216 
 
 Bittersweet, 
 
 233 
 
 Butternut, 
 
 238 
 
 Butternut Physic, 
 
 226 
 
 Burdock, 
 
 234 
 
 Burns and scalds, 
 
 289 
 
 Bruises and sprains, 
 c. 
 Cayenne, 
 
 298 
 
 48, 190 
 
 Canker, 
 
 44 
 
 Cancers, 
 
 102, 288 
 
 Canker rash, 
 
 39 
 
 Camphor, 
 
 211 
 
 Canker tea, 
 
 217 
 
 Cancer plaster, 
 
 220 
 
 Cough, 
 
 298 
 
 Chicken Pox, 
 
 278 
 
 Catarrh, 
 
 284 
 
 Croup, 
 
 284 
 
 Chamomile, 
 
 233 
 
 Clivers, 
 
 235 
 
 Consumption, 
 
 62,281 
 
 Composition powder, 
 
 218 
 
 
 Page. 
 
 Course of medicine, 
 
 251 
 
 Cocash, 
 
 201 
 
 Convulsion fits, 
 
 56 
 
 Cherry stone meats, 
 
 59,213 
 
 Childbed Fever, 
 
 274 
 
 D. 
 
 Dandelion, 
 
 242 
 
 Diseases of the skin, 
 
 109, 275 
 
 Diarrhoea, 
 
 154 
 
 Directions for compounding med- 
 
 icine, 
 
 228 
 
 Dysentery, 
 
 58, 286 
 
 Dropsy, 54, 
 
 103, 296 
 
 Dyspepsia, 
 
 295 
 
 E. 
 
 Emetic herb, first discovered 
 
 29 
 
 Emetics, 
 
 184 
 
 Emetic pills, 
 
 125 
 
 Elixir of lobelia, 
 
 224 
 
 Elecampane, 
 
 232 
 
 Epidemics, 53 
 
 128, 152 
 
 Erysipelas, 
 
 114, 275 
 
 Evan root, 
 
 236 
 
 F. 
 Featherfew, 
 
 236 
 
 Fever, 
 
 142, 266 
 
 Fever and ague, 
 
 91, 273 
 
 Fever sore, 
 
 57 
 
 Felons, 
 
 157, 289 
 
 Food, remarks on 
 
 93, 257 
 
 Frozen limbs, 
 
 136 
 
 Fresh cuts, 
 
 297 
 
 G, 
 
 General rules, 
 
 261 
 
 Gentian, 
 
 236 
 
 Ginger, 
 
 193 
 
 Golden seal. 
 
 205 
 
 Golden-rod, 
 
 239 
 
 Goldthread, 
 
 206 
 
 Gout, 
 
 144,216 
 
 Green tincture of Lobelia, 
 
 426 
 
 H. 
 
 Hemlock, 
 
 197 
 
 Healing salve, 
 
 220,225 
 
 Honey, 
 
 230 
 
 Hoarhound, 
 
 232 
 
 Horseradish, 
 
 237 
 
300 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Horton Howard appointed 
 Homeopath?, 
 Hull's cholic Pills, 
 Hot Drops, 
 
 I. 
 Influenza, 
 Injections, 
 Itch, 
 
 J. 
 Jaundice, 
 
 L. 
 Ladies' slipper, 
 Liver complaint, 
 Lobelia Inflata, 
 Lung Fever, 
 
 M. 
 Marshrosemary, 
 Mayweed, 
 Measles, 
 
 Medical compounds, 
 Medical simples, 
 Midwifery, 
 Meadowfern, 
 Mullen, 
 Mustard, 
 Myrrh, 
 
 Muscles, how relaxed, 
 Mumps, 
 
 N. 
 
 Nervines, 
 Nerve ointment, 
 Nerve powder, 
 Nettle rash, 
 
 o. 
 Ointment for Piles, 
 
 P. 
 Patent obtained, 
 Palsy, 
 
 Peppermint, 
 Peppers, common red, 
 Pepper, black, 
 Pennyroyal, 
 Peachstone meats, 
 Plan of treating disease, 
 Piles, 
 
 Pipsisway, 
 
 Practice determined on, 
 Pricklyash, 
 Pond lily root, 
 Poplar bark, 
 Poultices, 
 Purgatives, 
 Practice in Ohio, 
 Pleurisy, 
 
 Or- 
 
 Quinsy, 
 
 n. 
 Raspberry leaves, 
 Relax, 
 Remedy for relax, 
 
 Fa.se. I 
 
 agent, 170 
 139 j 
 226 | 
 218 
 
 283 
 223 
 
 223 
 
 295 
 
 208 
 
 71, 77, 287 
 
 29, 184 
 
 107, 272 
 
 49, 198 
 
 233 
 
 35, 99, 276 
 
 216 
 
 231 
 
 36, 175 
 240 
 234 
 237 
 
 34, 21J 
 160,296 
 
 208 
 221 
 209 
 279 
 
 227 
 
 130 
 156 
 231 
 48, 193 
 ■ 194 
 231 
 213 
 
 45 
 290 
 1230 
 
 40 
 241 
 196 
 204 
 222 
 213 
 169 
 3B3 
 
 140. 
 
 146, 
 
 100 
 154 
 227 
 
 Rheumatism, 
 Rheumatic drops, 
 Rupture, 
 Ring Worm, 
 
 8. 
 Slippery-elm bark, 
 Salt-rheum, 
 Saisaparilla, 
 Sassafras, 
 Scarlet Fever, 
 Sore Eyes, 
 Small Pox, 
 Shingles, 
 Sore breasts, 
 Scald heads, 
 Scalds, 
 Scullcap, 
 Skunk cabbage 
 Snakeroot, 
 Spearmint, 
 
 Spirits of turpentine, 
 Spotted Fever, 133, 
 
 Stimulants, 
 Steam Bath, 
 Stengthening Plaster, 
 St. Anthony's fire, 
 Summersavory, 
 Sumach, 
 Syrup, 
 
 Syrup for summer complaint, 
 System of practice, 
 Sweet Elder, 
 
 T. 
 Tansy, 
 Tonics, 
 Thoroughwort, 
 Tomato, 
 
 Trial for murder, 
 Typhus Fever, 
 
 TJ. 
 
 Unicorn root, 
 
 v. 
 Vegetable medicine, 
 Venereal, 
 Visit to New York, 
 Volatile salts, 
 Varioloid, 
 
 W. 
 Wakerobin, 
 Wash for sore eyes, 
 Witch-hazel, 
 Wild lettuce, 
 
 Wife cured, desperate case, 
 Worm complaint, 
 Wound cured, 
 Wormwood, 
 
 Y. 
 Yellow dock, 
 Yellow Fever, 
 
 P«se. 
 
 62, 287 
 
 218 
 
 148, 293 
 
 211 
 112 
 243 
 243 
 273 
 297 
 277 
 279 
 292 
 292 
 
 150, 289 
 210 
 234 
 236 
 231 
 212 
 
 153,271 
 
 46, 190 
 
 37, 244 
 
 221 
 
 111 
 
 232 
 
 198 
 
 218 
 
 225 
 
 40 
 
 243 
 
 233 
 
 50, 202 
 189 
 242 
 123 
 
 269 
 
 206 
 
 184 
 113, 291 
 
 277 
 
 235 
 225 
 199 
 239 
 38 
 ,294 
 134 
 207 
 
 240 
 270 
 

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