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t

GUIDII TO HEALTH;

OR

80TANX0 r AMZLY FHYMOZAir.

CORTAIHINS

A COMPLBTE SYSTEM OF PRACTICE,

ON A PLAN ENTIRELY NEW:

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLES MADE

USE OF, AND DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND

ADMfNIBTfiRlNG THEM, TO CURE DISEASE.

TO^ WHICH 18 ADDBD,
01*

SEVERAL CASES OF DISEASE,

• ATTENDED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH THE
MODE OF TREATMENT AND CURE.

BT SAMVBZi TBOMSOir.

' BOSTON:

Printt4 for the Aather, and anld by hia General Agenli al
the Office of the BoBlon Inveaiigator. .

J. Q. AoAHi, Printer.
1835.

'«i

Entered atccording to Act of Congress, in the jewr
1835, by Samukl Thomson, in the Clerk's Office of
the District Court of Massachusetts.

t •

f

#

TO TBB PUBLIC.

year
ice of

The preparing the following work for the press has
been a task of much difficulty and labor; for to com-
prise in a short compass, and to conrey a correct under-
standing of the subject, from such a mass of materials
as I have been enabled to collect by thirty years practice,
is a business of no small magnitude. The plan that has
been adopted I thought the best to give a correct knowl-
edge of my system of practice ; and am confident th^t
the descriptions and directions are sufficiently explained
to be understood by all those who take an interest in this
important subject. Much more might have been writ-
ten; but the main object has been to confine it to the
practice, and nothing more is stated of the theory, than
what was necessary to give a general knowledge of the
system. If any errors should be discovered, it is hoped
that they will be viewed with candor; for in first pub-
lishing a work, such things are to be expected; but
much care has been taken that there should be no error,
which would cause any mistake in the practice, or pre-
paring the medicine.

Many persons are practising by my system, who are
in the habit of pretending ° that they have made great
improvements, and in some instances, it is well known
that poisonous drugs have been mad4 use of under the
name of my medicine, which has counteracted its operas
(ion, and thereby tended to destroy the confidence of
the public in my system of practice ; this has never been
authorized by me. The public are therefore cautioned

fl

4 AGREEMENT. j|

' against such conduct, and all those who are well dispos"
ed towards my system, are desired to lend their aid in
exposing all such dishonest practices, in order that jus-
tice may be done. Those who possess this work, may,
by examining it, be able to detect any improper de-
viations therefrom; and they are assured that any prac-
tice which is not conformable to the directions given,
and does not agree with the principles herein laid
down, is unauthorized by me.

[N.B In all places ickere f'tklHy years practice** is

mentioned or alluded to, U means at the time the work was
first published, in 1822.] I'

ii (HiB IB a HI a ST V •

The Subscriber, who is the discoverer and proprietor
of the system of medical practice contained in this work,
agrees to give, whenever applied to, any information,
that shall be necessary to give a complete understanding
6f the obtaining, preparing and using all such vegetables
B'j are made use of in said system, to all those who pur-
chase the right; and the purchasers, in consideration of
the above information, and also what is contained in this
book, agree in the spirit of mutual interest and honor,
not to reveal any part of said information, to any person,
except those who purchase the right, to the injury of the
proprietor, under the penalty of forfeiting their word and
honor, and all right to the use of the medicine. And
every person who purchases the right, is to be consider-
ed a member of the Friendly Botanic Society, and enti-
tled to a free intercourse with, the members ibr informa-
tion and friendly assistance.

SASIVBI. THOMSON.

,»

NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH;
^ on,

nVTRODVOTZOir.

There are three things which have in a greater ot
less degree, called the attention of men, viz: Religion,
Government, and Medicine. In ages past, these things
were thought by n)illions to belong to three classes of
men, Priests, Lawyers and Physicians. The Priests held
the things of religion in their own hands, and brought
the people to their terms; kept the Scriptures in the
dead languages, so that the common peer'? could not
read them. Those days of darkness are t^>ne away;
the Scriptures are translated into our own language, and
each one is taught to read for himself. Government was
once considered as belonging to a few, who thought
themselves "born only to rule." The common people
have now become acquainted with the great secret of
government, and know that "all men are born free and
equal," and that Magistrates are put in authority, or out,
by the voice of the people, who choose them for their
public servants.

. , While these, and many other things are brought where
"common people" can understand them; the knowl-
edge- and use of medicine, is in a great mt^asure conceal-
ed in a dead language, and a sick man is often obliged
to risk his life,, where he would not risk a dollar; and
should the apothecary or his apprentice make a mistake,
1*

'*

:'>%

6

Aeio Grtitde to Health;

the pick man cannot correct it, and thus is exposed to
receive an instrument oi' deutli, instead of that Mhich
would restore him to health iiad he known good medicine.

" It may be alleged," said lir. Buchan, " that layinff
medicine more open to mankind, would lessen their faith
in it. This indeed would be the case with regard to
some; but it would have a quite contrary effect upon
others. I know many people who have the utmost dread
and horror of every thing prescribed by a physician, who
w411, nevertheless, very readily take a medicine which
they know, and whose qualities they are in some measure
acquainted with."-

'* Nothing ever can, or will inspire mankind with an
absolute confidence in physicians, but by their being
open, frank, and undisguised in their behavior."

"The most effectual way to destroy quackery in any
art or science, is to diffuse the knowledge of it among
mankind. Did physicians write their prescriptions in
the common language of the country, and explain their
intentions to the patient, as far as he could understand
them, it would .enable them to know when the medicine
had the desired effect; would inspire him with absolute
confidence in the physician ; and would make him dread
and detest every man who pretended to cram a secret
medicine or poison down his throat."

It is true, that much of what is at this day called med-
icine, is deadly poison; and were people to know what
is offered them of this kind, they would absolutely re-
fuse ever to receive it as a medicine. This I have long
seen and known to be true ; and have labored hard for
many years to convince them of the evils that attend
such a mode of procedure Avith the sick; and have turn-
ed my attention to those medicines that grow in our own
country, which Nature has prepared for the benefit of
mankind. Long has a general medicine been sought
for, and I am confident I have found such as are uni-
versally applicable in all cases of disease, and which
may be used with safety and success, in the hands of the
people.

After thirty years study, and repeated successful trials
of the medicinal vegetables of our own country, in all
the diseases incident to our climate: I can with well

^1

or, Botanic Family Physician.

our own

groundi d aMiirance, recommend my aystrm of practice
and mcdicincM to the public, as salutary and cflicacious.

Great discoveries and improvements have been made
in vnrluus arts and sciences since the first settlement of
our country, while its medicines have been very much
neglected. As these medicines, suited to every disease,
grow itpontaneously upon our own soil; as they are bet-
ter adapted to the constitution; as the price of imported
drugi is very high; it follows, whether we consult health
whiuh is of primary importance, or expense, a decided
preference should be given to the former, as an object
of tueh tnagnitude as no longer to be neglected. Yet
in the iiitrouuction of those medicines I have been vio-
lently opposed^ and my theory and practice condemned,
notwithstanding the demonstrative proofs in their favor.
But, those who thus condemn, have taken no pains to
throw off prc\judice, and examine the subject with can-
dor and impartiality. Such as have, are thoroughly sat-
iafled of their utility and superior excellence.

From those who measure a man's understanding and
ability to be beneficial to his fellow men only from the
aeouisition he has ihade in literature from books; from
iuoh as are governed h^ outward appearance, and who
will not stoop to examine a system on the ground of its
intrinaio merit, I expect not encouragement, but opposi-
tion. But this will not discourage nrra* I consider the
diieovery 1 have made, of inestimable value to mankind,
and intended for the great benefit of those who are will-
ing to receive it.

%@ing born in a new country, at that time almost a
howling wilderness, my advantages for an education were
very imall ; but possessing a natural gift for examining
the thingii of Nature, my mind was left entirely free to
fellow that inclination, by inquiring into the meaning of
the great variety of objects around me.

PosiieiMing a body like other men, I was led to inquire
into the nature of the component parts of what man is
made. 1 found him composed of the four elements —
Earth,' Water, Air and Fire. The earth and water, I
found were the solids; the air and fire the fluids. The
two first I found to be the component parts; the two
laat kept him in motion. Heat, I found, was life; and

JV*ei0 Chide to Health;

1

Cold, death. Each one who examineii into it will find
that all constitutiona are alike. I shall now describe the
fuel which continues the fire, or life of man. This is
contained in two things, food and medicines; which are
in harmony with each other; often grow in the same field,
to he used by the same people. People who are capable
of raising their food, and preparing the same, may as
easily learn to collect and prepare all their medicines
and administer the same when it is needed. Our life
depends on heat; food is the fuel that kindles and con-
tinues that heat. The digestive powers being correct,
causes the food to consume; this continues the warmth
of the body, by continually supporting the fire.

The stomach is the depository from which the whole bo-
dy is supported. I'he heat is maintained in the stomach
•by consuming the food ; and all the body and limbs re-
ceive their proportion of nourishment and heat from that
source *, as the whole room is warmed by the fuel which
is consumed in the fire place. The greater the quantity
of wood consumed in the fire place, the greater the heat
in the room. So in the body; the more food, well di-
gested, the more heat and support through the whole
man. By constantly receiving food into the stomach,
which is sometimes not suitable for the best nourishment,
the stomach becomes foul, so that the food is not well
digested. This causes the body to lose its heat ; then
the appetite fails; the bones acne, and the man is sick
in every part of the whole frame.

This situation of the body shows the need of me'di-
cine, and the kind needed ; which is such as will clear
the stomach and bowels, and restore the digestive powers.
When this is done, the food will raise the heat again, and
nourish the whole man. All the art required to do this
is, to know what medicine will do it, and how to admin-
ister it, as a person knows how to clear a stove and the
pipe when clogged with soot, that the fire may burn free,
and the whole room be warm as before.

The body, ader being cleared of whatever clogs it,
will consume double the food, and the food will afford
double the nourishment and heat that it did before. We
know that our life depends on food, and the stomach be-
ing in a situation to receive and digest it. When the

\viU find
tribe the
This is
hich are
.me field,
) capahle
, may as
[ledicines
Our life
and con-
correct,
) warmth

whole bo-
! stomach
limbs re-
from that
uel which
9 quantity
r the heat
, well di-
he whole
stomach,
irishment,
J not well
eat; then
an is sick

of me'di-
will clear
le powers,
igain, and

o do this
to ndmin-
and the

)urn free,

clogs it,
^ill afford
ore. We
imach bc-
iVhen the

or, Botanic Family Phijiician. 9

stomach and bowels are clogged, all that is needed, is
the m^»at suitable medicine to remove the obstructiums in
the system. All disease is caused by clogging the sys-
tem; and all disease is removed by restormg the diges-
tive powers, so that food may keep up that heat on which
life depends.

I have found by experience, that the learned doctors
are wrong in considering fever a disease or enemy ; the
fever is u> friend, and cold the enemy. This I found by
their practice in my family, until they had five times given
them over to die. Exercising my own judgment, i fol-
lowed after them, and relieved my family every time. Af^
ter finding a general principle respecting fevers, and re-
ducing that to practice, I found it sure in ail disease,
where there was any nature left to build on, and in three
years constant practice, I never lost one patient.

I attended on all the fevers peculiar to our country, and
always used it as a friend, and tharreturncd the gratitude
to the patient. I soon began to give this information to
the people, and conviifced many that they might as cer-
tainly relieve themselvesof their disease, as of their hun-
ger. The expense to them to be always able to relieve
themselves and families, would he but small; and the
medicine they may procure and prepare themselves. '

This greatly disturbed the learned doctors, and some of
them undertook to destroy me, by reporting that I used
poison ; though they made no men'.ion of my using their
mstrumcnts of death. Mercury, Opium, Ratsbane, Nitre,
and the lancet. I considered it my duty to withstand
them, though I found my overthrow was what they aimed
at. A plan was once laid to take me in the night, but I
escaped. Next I was indicted as though I had given poi-
son, and a bill brought against me for wilful murder. I
was buund in irons and thrust into prison, to be kept there
through the winter, without being allowed bail. I peti-
tioned for and obtained a special court to try the cause,
and was honorably acquitted, after forty days imprison-
ment. I maintained my integrity in the place where my
persecution began. In five years, while vindicating this
new and useful discovery, I lost five thousand dollars, be-
sides all the persecution, trouble, loss of health, and re*
proach which has been in connection with the losses.

10

JVeif Guide to Health;

It hai boen acknowledged, even by those who arc un-
Oitndly to ine and my practice, that niy medicine may
be good in some particular cases, but not in all. But
tbii ii an error. I^'or there i re but two great priaciples
in tlio constitution of things, whether applied to the mind
or body; the principle ol life and the principle of death.
That which contains the principle of life, may be per-
vsrted, by a misapplication, into an administration of
death; us tho stomach may be overloaded, and mjurcd,
eviM) by wholesome food; but nothing that is wholesome
in Any case, unless abused, can be even tortured into an
adminintrntion of death. If, then, a medicine is good in
any case, it is because it is agreeable to nature, or this
principle of life, the very opposite of disease. If it is
egri'tjuble in one case, it must be absolutely so in all.
By the active operation of nature, the whole animal
economy is carried on; and the father of the healing
art, Hippocrates, tells us, what is an obvious truth, that
Nature w heat. The principle is the same in all, dif-
fering only in degree. When disease invades the frame,
it reniiitM in proportion to its force, till overpowered into
■ubmiHMion, and when extinguished, death follows, and
it ceases to operate alike in all. If then, heat is life,
and itM extinction death, a diminution of this vital flame
in cvaty instance, constitutes disease, and is an ap-
proximation to death. All then, that medicine, can do
in the expulsion of disorder, is to kindle up the decay-
ing ipark, and restore its energy till it glows in all its
wonted vigor. If a direct administration can be made
to produce this effect, and it can. it is evidently imma-
terial what is the name, or color of the disease, whether
bilious, yellofV, scarlet or spotted; whether it is simple
or complicated, or whether nature has one enemy or
more. Names, are arbitrary things, the knowledge of
a name is but the curnmin and annis, but in the knowl-
edge of tho origin of a malady, and its antidote, lies
the weightier matters of this science. This knowl-
edge mnkes the genuine physician; all without it is real
quackery.

It has been a general opinion that extensive study and
great erudition, are necessary to form the eminent phy-
itciun. But all this may be as Paul saith, but science,

fy
to

or, Botanic Family Physician.

n

0 arc un-
:ine may
all. But
priaciples

the mind
of death.
y be per-
tration of
\ mjured,
wholesome
sd into an
IS good in
re, or this
. If it is
so in all.
le animal
le healing
truth, that
n all, dif-
the frame,
vered into
ilows, and
;at is life,
^ital flame
is an ap-
e, can do
he decay-

1 in all its
I be made
itly imma-
3, whether
k is simple

enemy or
►>vledge of
he knowl-
tidote, lies
is knowl-
it it is real

study and
inent phy-
ijt science,

falsely so called. A man may have a scientific knowl-
edge of the human frami, he may know the names in
every language of overv medicine, mineral and vegeta-
ble, as well as every disease, and yet be- a miserable
physician, But there have been men without this to
boast of, from the earliest ages of the world, who have
''arisen, blest with ' the lublimer powers of genius, who
have as it were, with one look pierced creation, and with
one comprehensive view, grasped the whole circle of
science, and left learning itself, toiling afler them in
vain." A man never can be great without intellect, and
he never can mure than Htl the measure of his capacity.
There is a power beyond the reach of art, and there are
gifts that study and learning can never rival.

The practice of the regular physicians, that is those
who get a diploma, at the present time, is not to use
those means which would bo moiit likely to cure disease;
but to try experiments, upon what they have read in
books, and to see how much a patient can bear without
producing death. AlUr pursuing this plan during their
lives, they know just about as much as they did when
they began to prac^ce, of what is really useful to man-
kind. If a patient dies under their hands, why, it is the
will of God, and they are sure to get extravagantly paid
for their trouble, and nothing more is said about it; but
if one out of hundreds of my patients die, and where the
doctors* have given them over as incurable, they at once
cry out, that it is quackery, that I gave them poison, &c.
for the purpose of running me and my medicine down,
and to prevent its being used by the people. The fact is
well known to thousands who have used my medicine,
and to which they are ready to attest, that it is perfectly
harmless, and I defy the faculty to produce one instance
wherein it has had any bad effects.

It is true that the study of anatomy, or structure of the
human body, and of the whole animal economy is pleas-
ing and useful; nor is there any objection to this, how-
ever minute and critical, if it is not to the neglect of first
great principles, and the weightier matters of knowledge.
But it is no more necessary to mankind at large, to quali-
fy them to administer relief from pain and sickness, than
to a cook in preparing food to satisfy hunger and nourish-

12

►1*

A'«w Guide to lieallht

ing the body. There ii one general cauie of hunger
and one general BUfjply offood; one general cause of
disease, and one general remedy. One can be satisfied,
and the other removed, by an iuBnite variety of articles,
best adapted to those dilferent purpuHcs. That medicine,
therefore, that will open obitructiun, promote perspira-
tion, and restore digestion, in suited to every patient,
whatever form the disease assumei^, and is universally
applicable. And acute disorders, mucIi as fevers, cholics,
and dysentery, may be relieved thereby, in twenty-four
or forty-eight hours, at most.

REMARKS ON FEVERS.

i

Much has been said and written upon fevers, by the
professedly learned Doctors of Medicine, without throw-
ing the most .profitable light on the subject, or greatly
benefiting mankind. They have been abundantly fruit-
ful in inventing names for disease, and with great care
and accuracy distinguished the different symptoms; but
they appear quite barren as to the knowledge of their
origin and remedy. To the first, but little importance,
comparatively speaking, can be attached; the latter is of
the highest importance to all classes of people.

According to the writings of learrM)d Physicians, there
are a great variety of fevers, some more and some less
dangerous. But to begin with a definition of the*NAME.
What is fever? Heat, undoubtedly, though » disturbed
operation of it. But is there in the human frame, more
than one kind of heat? Yes, says the physician, strange
as it may appear, there is the pleuritic heat, the slow
nervous heat, the putrid heat, the hectic heat, the yellow
heat, the spotted or cold heat, the typhus or ignorant
heat, and many other heats; and sometimes, calamitous
to tell, one poor patient has the most, or the whole of
these fevers, and dies at last for want of heat I

Is fever or heat a disease? Hippocrates, the acknowl-
edged father of physicians, mamtainfd that nature is
heat; and he is correct, Is nature a disease? Surely
it is not. What is commonly called fever, is tire effect,
and not the cause of disease. It is the struggle of na-
ture to throw off disease. The ould causes an obstruc-

oVf Botanic Family Pkyncian.

13

r hunger
cause of
aatistied,
' articles,
iiedicine,
perspiia-
f patient,
niversaily
I, cholics,
enty-four

1, by the
lut tUrow-
»r greatly
ntly fruit-
reat care
toms; but
e of their
iportance,
utter is of

ans, there

some less

he 'Name.

disturbed

me, more

1, strange

the slow

he yellow

ignorant

alamitous

whole of

acknowi-
nature is
Surely
he effect,
ie of na-
obstruc-

lion, and fever arises in consequence of that obstruction
to throw it off. This is universally the case. Remove
the cause, the effect will cease. No person ever yet
died of a fever! for as death approaches, the patient
grows cold, until in death, the last spark of heat is ex-
tinguished. This the learned doctors cannot deny ; and
as this is true, they ought, injustice, to acknowledge that
their whole train of depletive remedies, such as bleed-
ing, blistering, physicking, starving, with all their refrig-
eratives; their opium, mercury, arsenic, antimony, nitre,
&c. are so many deadly engines, combined with the di»-
ease, against the constitution and life of the patient. If
cold, which is the commonly received opinion, and which
is true, is the cause of fever, to repeatedly bleed the pa-
tient, and administer mercury, opium, nitre, and other
refrigerents to restore him to health, is as though a man
should, to increase a fire in his room, throw a part of it
out of the house, and to increase the remainder, put on
water, snow and ice!

As it is a fact, that cannot be denied, that fever takes
its rise from one great cause or origin, it follows of
course, that one method of removing that cause, will
answer in all cases'; and the great principle is to assirt
nature, which is heat.

At the commencement of a fever, by direct and proper
application of suitable medicine, it can be easily and
speedily removed, and the patient need not be confined
long. Twenty-four or forty-eight hours, to the extent,
arc sufficient, and oflen short of that time, the fever may
be removed, or that which is the cause of it. But where
the patient is left unassisted, to struggle with the disease,
until his strength is exhausted, and more especially, when
the most unnatural and injurious administrations are
made if a recovery is possible, it must of necessity take
a longer time. • These declarations are true, and have
been oflen proved, and can be again, to the satisfaction
of every candid person, at the hazard of any forfeiture
the faculty may challenge.

Notwithstanding all these things, how true are the

words of the intelligent Dr. Hervey, who says, "By what

unaccountable perversity in our frame does it appear,

that we set ourselves so much against any thing that ia

. 8 ' ■

14

4JVW0 Chnde to Heallh;

new? Can any one behold, without scorn, such droncf
of physicians, and after the space of so many hundred
years' experience and practice of their pradecessors, not
mie single medicine has been detected, that has the least
force directly to prevent, to oppose, and expel a continu-
ed fever? Should any, by a more sedulous observation,
pretend to make the least step towards the discovery of •
such remedies, their hatred and envy would swell against
him, as a legion of devils against virtue; the whole
society will dart their malice at him, and torture htm
with all the calumnies imaginable, without sticking at
any thing that should destroy him root and branch. For
he who professes to be a reformer of the art of physic,
must resolve to run the hazard of the martyrdom of his
reputation, life and estate."

The treatment which the writer has received from
some of the learned physicians, since his discovery of
the remedy for the fever, and various other diseases, is
a proof of th^ truth of this last saying of Dr. Hervey.
They have imprisoned him, and charged him with every
thing cruel and unjust ; though upon a fair trial, their
violent dealings have come down upon their heads; while
he has not only been proved innocent before the court,
but useful', having relieved many which the other
I^ysicians had given over to die.

I will now take notice of the yellow fever. The cause
of this fatal disease is similar to spotted fever. The
cause of death in the latter, is in consequence of its
producing a balance by cold, outward and inward ; and
in the former there is a balance of heat outward and in-
ward; both produce the same thing, that is a total cessa-
tion of motion, which is death. . The color of the skin
has given name to both these diseases. The yellow is
caused by the obstruction of the gall; instead of being
discharged through its proper vessels, it is forced and
diffused through the pores of the skin. The same ef-
fects that are produced by these two fevers may be oh*
served in the motion of the sea; when the tide is done
running up, there is what is called slack water, or a
balance of power, and the same thing takes place when
it is done running down; when the fountain is raised,
the water runs fr<mi it; but when it is lowered the water

or. Botanic FdmUy Phyncian,

16

i droficf
hundred
Bore, not
the least
continu-
ervation,
overy of •
1 against
e whole
ture him
eking at
ch. For
f physio,
m of his

ed from
jovery of
seases, is

Hervey.
ith ever^
ial, their
^g; while

e court,
ne other

he cause
er. The
ice of its
rard; and
d and in*
tal cessa-

the skin
yellow is

of beinff
irced and

same ef-

y be ob-
e is done
ter, or a
ace when
is raised,
the water

runs towards it. The same cause produces the same
effects in the spotted and yellow fevers; for when a
balance of power between the outward and inward heat
takes place, death follows.

Having described the two kinds of fever which are
the most alarming, they being most fatal, I shall pass
over those of a less alarming nature, and merely observe,
that there is no other difference in all cases of fever, than
what it caused by the different degrees of cold, or loss
of inward heat, which are two adverse parties in one
body, contending for power. If the heat gains the vic-
tory, the cold will be disinherited, and heaUb will be re-
stored; but on the other hand, if cold gains the ascen-
dancy, heat will be dispossessed of its empire, and death
will follow of course. As soon as life ceases, the body
becomes cold, which is conclusive evidence that its gain-
ing the victory is the cause of death. When the power
of cold is nearly equal to that of heat, the fever or strife
between the two parties, may continue for a longer or
shorter time, according to circumstances; this is what is
called a long fever, or fever and ague. The battle be-
tween cold and hejtt will take place periodically, some
times every day, at other times, every other day, and
they will leave off about equal, heat keeping a little the
upper hand. In attempting to cure a case of this kind,
we miist consider whether the fever is a friend or an
enemy; if it is a friend, which I hold to be the fact,
when the fever fit is on, increase the power of heat, in
order to drive off the cold, and life will bear the rule;
but, on the contrary, should cold be considered a friend,
when the cold fit is on, by increasing its power, you
drive off the heat, and death must ensue. Thus you
mav promote life or death by tempering cold and heat.

Much has been said by the doctors concerning the
turn of a fever, and how long a time it will run. When
it is said that a fever will turn at such a time, I presume
it must mean that it has been gone ; this is true, for it is
then gone on the outside, and is trying to turn again and

So inside, where it belongs. Instead of following the
ictates of nature and aiding it to subdue the cold, the
doctor uses all his skill to kill the fever. How, I would
ask, in the name of common sense, can any thing turn

16

A«i0 Qmde io BeaUh;

when killed? Support the fever and it will return in-
side; the cold, which is the cause of disease, will be
driven out, and health will be restored. In all cases
called fever, the cause is the same in a greater or less de-
gree, and may be relieved by one general remedy. The
cold causes canher, and before the canker is seated, the
strife will take place between cold and heat; and while
the hot flashes and cold chills remain, it is evidence that
the canker is not settled, and the hot medicine alone, oc-
casionally assisted by steam, will throw it off; but as the
contest ceases, the heat is steady on the outside ; then
canker assumes the power inside ; this is called a settled
fever. The truth is, the canker is fixed on the inside
and will ripen and come off in a short time, if the fever
ia kept up so as to overpower the cold. This idea is new
and never was known till my discovery. By raising the
fever with Nos. 1 and 2, and taking off the canker with
No. 3, and the same given by injections, we may turn a
fever when we please; but il this is not understood, the
canker will ripen and come off itself, when the fever will
turn and go inside and the cold will be driven out; there^
fore they will do much better without any aid, than with
a doctor. The higher the fever runs, the sooner the cold
will be subdued; and if you contend against the heat,
the longer will be the run of the fever, and when killed,
death follows.

When a patient is bled, it lessens the heat and gives
double power to the cold ; like taking out of one side of
the scale, and putting it in the other, which doubles the
weight, and turns the scale in favor of the disease. By
giving opium it deadens the feelings; the small doses of
nitre and calomel tend to destroy what heat remains, and
plants new crops of canker, which will stand in different
stages in the body, the same as corn planted in the field
every week, will keep some in all stages; so is the dif*
ferent degrees in canker. This is the reason why there
are so many different fevers as are named ; when one fever
turns another sets in and so continues one after another ui>-
til the harvest is all ripe, if the season is long enough; if
not, the cold and frost takes them ofl^ — ^then it is said they
died of a fever. It might with as much propriety be said
that the corn killed with frost, died with the heat. The

/ ^ - . . ' '

P
v

fi

a
c

t(

si
a

a

n
c
c
ai
w
tl
li
oi
in
w
el
fc

or, Botame Family Physician.

^

IT

sturn inn
, will be
all cases
r less de-
Jy. The
ated, the
nd while
ence that
Llone, oc-
)ot as the
ide; then
a settled
he inside
the fever
ea is new
aising the
aker with
lay turn a
stood, the
fever will
ut; there^
than with
r the cold
the heat,
en killed,

ind gives
ne side of
uhles the
ase. By

doses of
lains, and

different

the field
) the dif-
vhy there
one fever
fiother u»-
noufih; if

said they
ty be said
jat. The

question, whether the heat or cold killed the patient, is
easily decided, for that power which bears rule in the
body after death is what killed the patient, which is cold;
as much as that which bears rule when he is alive is heat.
When a person is taken sick, it is common to say I have
got a cold, and am afraid 1 am going to have a fever;
but Ui) fears are expressed of the cold he has taken; nei*
ther is it mentioned when the cold lef^ him. The fash-
ionable practice is to 6ght the remains of heat till the pa-
tient dies, by giving cold the victory; in which case is it
not a fact that the doctor assists the cold to kill the pa-
tient ? Would it not have been more reasonable, or likely
to have cured them, when the fever arose to throw off
the cold, to have helped the fever and give nature the
victory over its enemy, when the health would be restored
the same as before they took the cold?

We frequently see in the newspapers accounts of peo-
ple dying in C3n3equence of drinking cold water when
very warm, Sdme fall dead instantly, and others linger
for several hours; the doctors have not been able to afford
any relief when called. The principal symptoms are
chills, aid shivering with cold, which is viewed with as-
tonishment by those who witness it. Proper caution
should always be observed by persons when very warm
and thirsty, who go to a pump to drink, by swallowing
a little at a time, which will prevent any fatal effects.

Thi<4 strange circumstance of being cold on a hot day,
and which has never been accounted for in a satisfactory
manner to the public, I shall endeavor to explain in as
comprehensive and plain language as I am capable. The
comprtnent parts of animal bodies are earth and water,
and life and m )tion are caused bv fire and air. The in-
ward heat is the fountain of life, and as much as that has
the po.wer above the outward heat, so much we have of
life and strength, and when we lose this power of heat,
our strength and faculties decay in proportion; and it is
immaterial whether we lose this power by losing the in-
ward heat or raising the outward heat above it, as the
effect is the same. If you raise the stream level with thft
fountain, it stops the current, and all motion will cease,

2*

'y

18

J>rew Guide h HeaWi;

and the same efiects will follow by lowering the fountain
to a level with the stream. When the outward heat be-
comes equal with the inward, either by the one being
raised, or the other being lowered, cold assumes the
power, and death takes place.

The cause of the fatal efr(^cts by drinking cold water,
is because the fountain of life is lost by the stream be-
ing raised above the fountain, or the inward heat low-
ered by throwing into the stomach so large a quantity of
cold water as to give the outward heat the power of bal-
ancing the inward, and in proportion as the one ap-
proaches to an equality with the other, so the strength ia
diminished, and when equal, death ensues.

I shall now make some further remarks on this and
other subjects, with a hope that it may be beneficial to
mankind. The reason why these extraordinary cases
appear so wonderful to the people, is because they are
unacquainted with the cause. Why should we wonder
at' a person being cold on a hot day, when we are not,
any more than we should wonder at another being hun-
gry, when we have just been eating; or that others
can be in pain, when we are enjoying good health?
The one is as plain and simple as the other, when un-
derstood. The want of inward heat is the cause of their
being cold, just as much as the want of food is the
cause of hunger, or the want of health is the cause of
pain. One person may have lost the natural power of
heat, by an effect which others in similar situations may
not have experienced, and will suffer the consequences
of cold in proportion to the loss of inward heat; this is
manifest in the different degrees of sickness. If the
inward heat loses its balance of power suddenly, death
is immediate; which is the case in spotted fever, and in
frowned persons. When the inward and outward cold
is balanced, life ceases, and the blood being stopped in
its motion, settles in spots, which appearance has given
name to what is ' called spotted fever. The same ap-
pearances take place on drowned persons, and from the
same cause.

The practice of bleeding for the purpose of curing
disease, I consider most unnatural and injurious. Na-
ture never furnishes the body with more blood than is

or, Botanic Family Physician.

19

luntain
eat be-
I being
les the

water»
am be-
at low-
intity of

of bal-
)ne ap-
ength is

his and
ficial to
y cases
hey are

wonder
are not,
mg hun-
it others

health?
rhen un-
B of their
i is the
cause of
power of
ions may
equences
t; this is
. If the
ly, death
r, and in
irard cold
topped in
nas given
same ap-

from the

of curing
ous. Na-
id than is

necessary for the maintenance of health; to take away
part of the blood, therefore, is taking away just so much
of the life, and is as contrary to nature, as it would be
to cut away part of the flesh. JVI any experiments have
been tried by the use of the lancet in fevers; but I be-
lieve it will be allowed by all, that most of them have
proved fatal; and several eminent phj^si^ians have died
m consequence of trying the experiment on themselves.
If the system is diseased, the blood becomes as much
diseased as any other part; remove the cause of the dis-
order, and the blood will recover and become healthy as
soon as any other part; but liow taking part^of it away
can help to cure what remains, can never be reconciled
with common sense.

There is no practice used by the physicians that I
consider more inconsistent with common sense, and at
the same time more inhuman than blistering, to remove
disease ; particularly insane persons, or what the doctors
call dropsy on the brain ; in which cases they shave the
head and draw a blister on it. Very few patients, if any,
ever survive this application. What would be thought
if a scald should be caused by boiling water to remove
disease? Yet there is no difference between this and a
blister made by flies. I have witnessed many instances
where great distress and very bad effects have been caus-
ed by the use of blisters; and believe I can truly si^
that I never knew any benefit derived from their use. It
very frequently causes strangury, when the attempted
remedy becomes much worse than the disease.
, In support of my opinions on the subject, I will give
the following extract from the writings of Dr. Hillary,
an eminent physician of London.

"I have long observed that blisters are t oo frequently,
and too often improperly used, as they are now so much
in fashion. It is very probable, that we have no one
remedy, in all the Materia Medica, that is so frequently,
and so often improperly applied, not only in too many
cases, where they cannot possibly give any relief, but
too often where they must unavoidably increase the very
evil, which they are intended to remove or relieve. How
often do we see them applied, and sometimes several of
them, by pretended dabblers in physic, not only where

.20

Aei0 Guide to Health;

there are no indications for applying them, but where
the true indication are against their application; as, in
the beginning of most fevers, and especially those of the
inflammatory, and of the putrid kind, where, in the first,
the stimulus of the acrid salts of the cantharides, which
pass into the blood, must unavoidably increase, both the
stimulus, and th^ momentum of the blood, which were
too great before, and so render the fever inflammatory,
and all its symptoms worse.

'* And it is well known that the cantharide$ contain a
^reat quantity of alkaline semi-volatile salts, which pass
mto the blood, though they are applied externally; and
attenuate, dissolve, and hasten, and increase its putrefac-
tion, which is also confirmed by the putrid alkaline acri-
mony which they produce in the urine, with the heat and
strangury, which it gives to the urinary passage."

ON STEAMING.

Steaming is a very important branch of my system of
practice, which would m many cases without it, be in-
sufiicient to eflect a cure. It is of great importance in
many cases, but considered by the medical faculty as
desperate; and they would be so under my mode of
treatment, if it was not for this manner of applying heat
to the body, for the purpose of reanimating the system
and aiding nature in restoring health. I had but littl«
knowledge of medicine, when through necessity, I dis-
covered the use of steaming, to add heat or life to the
decaying spark; and with it I was enabled, by adminis*
tering such vegetable preparations as I then had a knowl-
edge of, to effect a cure in cases where the regular prac-
titioners had given them over.

In all cases where the heat of the body is so far ex-
hausted as not to be rekindled by using the medicino
and being shielded from the surrounding air by a blanket,
or being in bed, and chills or stupor attend the patient,
then applied heat by steaming, becomes indispensably
necessary; and heat caused by steam in the manner
that I use it, is more natural in producing perspiration,

e:

or^ Botamc Family Phyiician.

%\

lit where
n; as, in
)fc of the
the first,
!««, which
, both the
lich were
mmatory,

contain a
/hich pass
laily^ and
I putrefac-
aline acri-
e heat and

system of
It it, be in-
lortaoce in

faculty as
y mode of
plying heat

he system
d but little
jsity, I dis-

life to the
)y adminia-
id a knowl-
gular prac-

s so far eX)-
e medicine
Y a blanket,
he patient,
dispensably
he manner
lerspiration,

than any dry heat that can be applied to the body in
any other manner, which will only serve to dry the air
and prevent perspiration in many cases of disease, where
a ateam by water or vinegar would promote it and add a
natural warmth to the body, and thereby increase the
Hfa nnd motion, which has lain silent in consequence of
the cold.

Dr. Jennings has contrived a plan to apply heat to the
body by a dry vapor, caused by burning spirit, which
he calls a vapor bath, the idea of which was, I have no
doubt, taken from hearing of my steaming to raise the
heat of the body. It may answer in some cases and
atages nf disease ; but in a settled fever and other cases
where there is a dry inflammation on the surface of the
body, it will not answer any good purpose, and I think
would be dangerous without the use of my medicine to
Arit raise a free perspiration ; for when the surface of the
body is dry, the patient cannot bear it, as it will crowd
to the head and cause distress, the same as is produced
by burning charcoal, or from hot stoves in a tight room,
and will bring on a difliculty in breathmg, which is not
the case in steaming in my way. This machine can on-
ly be used in bed, where the vapor cannot be applied to
the body equally at the same time, therefore is no better
than a hot, dry stone, put on each side and to the feet of
the patient, for he can turn himself and get heat from
them as well as to have all the trouble of burning spirit
and turning to the vapor of it, to get warm by this dry
heat. When the patient stands over a steam raised by
putting a hot stone in water, which gives a more equal '
neat all over the body than cuxx be done in any other
manner, it can be raised higher, and may be tempered
at pleasure, by wetting the lace and stomach with cold
water as occasion requires.

The method adopted by me, and which has always
answered the desired object, is as follows: Take several
atones of different sizes and put them in the fire till red
hot, then take the smallest first, and put one of them into
a pan or kettle of hot water, with the stonp about half
immersed; the patient must be undressed and a blanket
put around him so as to shield his whole body from the
Air, and then place him over the steam. Change the

I

11

h t

1

II

I i

p

I I v

It JTew Guide to HeaUh;

■tones as often aa they grow cool, so as to keep up a
lively steam, and keep tnem over it; if they are faint,
throw a little cold water on the face and stomach, which
will let down the outward heat and restore the strength;
after they heve been over the steam long enough, which
will generally be about fifteen or twenty minutes, they
must be washed all over with cold water or spirit, and
be put in bed, or may be dressed, as the circumstances
of the case shall permit. Before they are placed over
the steam, give a dose of No. 2 and 3, or composition, to
raise the inward heat. When the patient is too weak to
stand over the steam, it may be done in bed, by heating
three stones, and put them m water till done hissing, then
wrap them in a number of thicknesses of cloths wet with
water, and put one on each side and one at the feet, oc-
casionally wetting the face and stomach with cold water,
when faint.

Many other plans may be contrived in steaming, which
would make less trouble and be more agreeable to the
patient, especially where they are unable to stand over
the steam. An open worked chair may b^ made, in
which they might sit and be steamed very conveniently ;
or a settee might be made in the same manner, in which
they might be laid and covered with blankets so as to
shield them from the surrounding ai**. Such contrivances
as these would be very convenient in cases where the
patient would have to be carried through a course of
medicine, and steamed a number of times, as is frequent-
ly necessary, particularly in complaints that have been
of long standing.

As I have frequently mentioned a regular course of
medicine, I will here state what is meant by it, and th«
most proper way in which it is performed. Firstly, give
No. 2 and 3, or composition, adding a tea spoonful of
No. 6; then steam, and when in bed repeat it, adding
No. 1 , which will cleanse the stomach and assist in keep-
ing up a perspiration; when this has done operating, give
an injection made with the same articles. Where there
are symptoms of nervous -affection, or spasitis, put half a
tea spoonful of the nerve powder into each dose given,
and into the injection. In violent cases, where imme- '
diate relief is needed, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6, maybe given

or, Baiame Family Phgndan.

33

(eep up «

are faint,
ich, which
I strength;
igh, which
lutea, they
spirit, and
jumstances
laced over
ipoiition, to
too weak to

by heating
tissing, then
ha wet with
the feet, oc-
i cold water,

iming, which
jeable to the

0 stand over
b9 made, in
onveniently ;
jer, in which
Lets so as to
contrivances
is where the

1 a course of
9 is frequent-
It have been

ar course of
)y it, and the
Firstly, give
i spoonful of
^at it, adding
assist in keep-
perating, give
Where there
itis, puthalfa
h dose given,
nvhere imme-
may be given

together. Injections may be administered at all timea,
and in all cases of disease to advantage ; it can never do
harm, and in many cases, they are Indispensably neces-
sary, especially where there is canker and inflammation
ia the bowels, and there is danger of mortification, in
which case, add a tea spoonful of No. 6. In cases of
this kind, the injection should be given first, or at the
same time of giving the composition or No. 3.

The use of steaming is good in preventing sickness,
as well as curing it. When a person has been exposed
to the cold, and is threatened with disease, it may be
prevented, and long sickness and expense saved by a
very little trouble, by standing over a steam and follow-
ing the directions before given, till the cold is thorough-
ly thrown off, and a lively perspiration takes place; then
^o to bed, taking the stone from the kettle, and wrap
It in wet cloths, and put it to the feet. This may be
done without the medicine, when it cannot be had ; but
is much better to take something to raise the inward
heat at the same time. A tea made of mayweed or
summer-savory, or finger and hot water sweetened, ma^
be given, or any thin^ that is warming. This advice la
for the poor, and those who have not a knowledge of the
medicine ; and will many times save them much trouble
and long sickness.

Steaming is of the utmost importance in cases of sus-
pended animation, such as drowned persoqs; in which
ca8a||»lace the body over a moderate steam, shielded by
a blanicet, from the weight of the external air, and ran- .
fying the air immediately arbund them with the steam.^
Pour into the mouth some of the tincture of Nos. 1, 2,
and 6 ; and if there is any internal heat remains, there
will be muscular motion about the eyes, and in the ex-
tremities'. If this symptom appears, repeat the dose
several times, and renew the hot stones, raising the heat
by degrees; if the outward heat is raised too sudden, so
as to balance the inward, you will fail of the desired ob-
ject, even after life appears. This is the only danger of
any difficulty taking place; always bear in mind to keep
the fountain above the stream, or the inward heat above
the outward, and all will be safe. Aflier life 19 restored,
put them in bed and keep the perspiration firee for twelve

1 ■

•r.i-^r:

f

w

34

JVew Gtdde to Health;

houri, by hot stones wrapped in cloths wet with water,
■nd occasionally giving the tincture as before mentioned,
when the coldness and obEtructions are thrown off, and
the patient will be in the enjoyment of his natural
■trongth. Beware of bleeding, or blowing in the mouth
with a bellows, as either will generally prove fatal.

In many cases of spotted fever, steaming is as neces-

•ary ai in drowned persons; such as when they fall ap-

larently dead ; then the same treatment is necessary to

ighten the surrounding air till you can raise the inward

Mat 10 as to get the determining power to the surface.

Begin with a small stone, and a9vlife gains, increase the

■team as the patient can bear it ; if the distress is gr$at,

{tive more hot medicine inside, and as soon as an equi-
ibrium takes place, the pain will cease. In all cases of
this kind, the difficulty cannot be removed without appli-
ed heat to the body, and is more natural by steam than
by any other means that can be made use of. In cases
or long standing, where the patient has been run down
with mercury, and left in a cold and obstructed state,
liable to rheumatism and other similar complaints, they
cannot be cured with medicine without applied heat by
■team, as nothing will remove mercury but heat.

When a patient is carried throueh a course of my med-
icine and steamed, who has been long under mercurial
treatment; and while under the operation of the steam,
when the heat is at the highest, the face will swell, in
consequence of the poisonous vapor being condena|tt^ by
the air, the face bemg open to it. To relieve thii^put
them in bed, and take a hot stone wrapped in several
thicknesses of cloth wet with water, pouring on a little
vinegar, and making a lively steam; put it in the bed
and cover the head with the clothes and let them breathe
the fteam as hot as can be borne, until the sweat covers
the swelled part. This will, in about fifteen or twenty
minutes, throw out the poison, and the swelling will abate.
This method also is of great service in agues and teeth-
ache caused by cold; and many other cases of obstruc-
tion from the same cause, especially yobng children
■tuffed on the lungs.

To steam small children, the best way is to let them
■U in the lap of a person, covering both with a blanket

til

d[

k^

■ *

or, Botamc FamUy Phyndan.

26

and let over tho stoam, pouring a littlo vinegar on the
stone ; or it may be done in bed with a hot stone, wrap-
ped in clothti wet with water, putting on a little vinegar >
and covering them with the bed clothes laid loosely over
them; but in thii way you cannot exercise so good judg-
ment in tempering the ste^m, as when you are steamed
with them. If the child appears languid and faint, the
outward heat it high enough; put a little cold water on
the face or breast, which will restore the strength, then
rub them in a cloth wet with vinegar, spirit or cold water,
put on clean clothes, and put them in bed, or let them
sit up as their itrcngth will permit. This is safe in all
cases of cold and obstructed perspiration. It ought al-
ways to be borne strongly in mind, to give a child drink
often, when under the operation of medicine, or while
steaming ; if this is not done, they will suffer much, as
they cannot ask for it.

In all cases of falls or bruises, steaming is almost in-
fallible; and is much better than bleeding, as is the
common practice, which only tends to destroy life in-
stead of promoting it. If the person is not able to
stand over the steam, it must be done in bed, as has been
described. Give the hottest medicine inside that you
have, and keep the perspiration free till the pain and
soreness abates, and the strength will be soon restored.
If the advantages of this mode of treatment was gener-
ally known, heeding in such cases, or any other, to
remove disease, woiHd never be resorted to by the wise
and prudent.

The use of steaming i» to apply heat to the body
where it is deftcient, and clear off* obstructions caused
by cold, which the operation of the medicine will not
raise heat enough to do; for as the natural heat of the
body becomes tlierebv lower than the natural state of
health, it must by art be raised as much above as it has
been below; and this must be repeated until the diges-
tive powers are restored, sufficient to hold the heat by
digesting the food, then the health of the patient will be
restored by eating and drinking such things as the appe?
tite' shall require. In this way the medicine removes
disease, and food, by being properly digested, supports
nature and continue! that heat on which life depenos.
3

■mr-

26

Aisto Ouide to HeaUhs

Some who practise according to my ay stein, boast of
carrying their patients through in a shorter time without
the trouble of steaming; this is easily accounted for;
steaming is the most laborious part of the practice for
those who attend upon the sick, and the most useful to
the patient; as one operatioD of steaming will be more
effectual in removing disease, than four courses without
it; and to omit it is throwing the labor upon the pa-
tient, with the expense of three or four operations more
of the medicine, than would be needed, did the person
who attends do his duty faithfully.

I

ON OIVINO FOISON AS MEDICINE.

The practice of giving poison as medicine, which is
80 common among the medical faculty at the present
day, is of the utmost importance to the public; and is a
subject that I wish to bring home to the serious con-
sideration of the whole body of the people of this coun-
try, and enforce in the strongest manner on their minds,
the pernicious consequences that have happened, and are
daily taking place by reason of giving mercury, arsenic,
nitre, opium and other deadly poisons to cure disease. It
is admitted by those who make use of these things,, that
the introducing them into the system is very dangerous,
and that they often prove fatal. During thirty years prac-
tice, I have had opportunity to gain much experience on
this subject, and am ready to declare that I am perfectly
and decidedly convinced, beyond all doubt, that there
can be no possible good derived from using in any man-
ner or form whatever, those poisons; but on the other
hand, there is a great deal of hurt done. More than
nine-tenths of the cnronicca*ies that have come under my
care, have been such as had been run down with some
one or the whole of the above named medical poisons;
9Bd the greatest difficulty I have had to encounter in re-
moving the complaints which my patients labored under,
has been to clear the system of mercury, nitre; or opium,
and bring them back to the same state they were in be-
fore taking them. It is a very easy thing to get them
into the system, but very hard to get them out again.

boast of
without
ited for;
ctice for
iseful to
be more
without
I he pa-
ns more
i person

i

which is
; present
and is a ~
lous con-
lis coun-
ir minds,
1, and are
, arsenic,
ease. It
ngs,. that
mgerous,
jars prac-
rience on
perfectly
hat there
any man-
the other
ilore than
under my
ivith some
1 poisons;
nter in re-
red under,
or opium,
ere in be-
get them
again. ^

:<';^

27

^^ or, Botmn^ Family Phytidani

. ^Thftse who mak« user^of these things as medicfhe,

^ seem' to cloak the adpinistering them under the specious
pretence of groiat skill and art in preparing and using

' them; but this kind of covering will not blind the peo-
ple, if (hey would examine it and think for themselves,
instead of believing that every thing said or done by a

niearned man must be right ; for poison given to the sick
by a person of the greatest skill, will have ^exactly the
same effect as it would if given by a fool. The fact is,
the operation of it is diametrically oppo|^d to nature,
and every particle of it, that is taken into the system,
will strengthen the power of the enemy to health.

If there should be doubts in the minds of any one of
the truth of what I have said concerning the articles I
have named being poisonous and destructive to the con-
stitution and health of man, I will refer them to the
works published by those who recommend their use;
where they will find evidence enough to satisfy the most
credulous, of the dangerous consequences and fatal ei^
fects, of giving them as medicine. To remove all doubtf
of their being poison I will make a few extracts from
standard medical works, as the best testimony that can
be given in the case.

"Jtf«»na<e a/' Mercury, is one of the most violent poi-
sons with which we are acquainted. Externally it acts
as an escharotic or a caustic; and in' solution, it is used
for destroying fungous flesh, and for req^oving hcpetic
eruptions; but even externally, it must be used with
very great caution." Yet, reader, this active poison is
used as medicine, and by being prepared in a different
form, and a new name given it, Calomel, its good qual-
ities are said to be invaluable, and is a certain cure for
almost every disease.

*'0.vyd of .Arsenic, is one of the thost sudden and vio-
lent poisons we are acquainted with. In mines, it causes
the destruction of numbers of those who explore them:
and it is frequently the instrument by which victims are
sacrificed, either by the hand of wickedness or impru-
dence. The fumes of Arsenic are so deleterious to the
lungs, that the artist ought to be on his guard to prevent
their jexhal at ion by the mopth; for if they be mixed and
swallowed with the saliva, effects will take place similar

^.

.^>.-.^^ *?¥,

1^ 10 £p^p^ ^•

tot those which follow its intrNuction into the st^aeli ,
Htf. a diUine state, namely, a senagtion of a piercings
gnawing, and burn|iig kind, accompani^ with an acute
patip in the ftomach and intestines, which last are vio-
WBtly contorted; #onvulsive vomiting; insatiable thirst,
from the parched and rough state of the tongue and throat'
hiccough, palpitation of the heart and a deadly oppres- ^
sion of the whole breast, succeed next ; the matter eject-
ed by the mouth, as well as the stools, exhibit a black,
foetid, and pi||^id appearance; at length with the mor-
tification of the bowels, the pain subsides, and death ter-
minates the sufferings of the patient." "When the
quantity is so very small as not to prove fatal, tremors,
paralysis, and lingering hectics succeed."

Notwithstanding this terrible description of the fatal
effects of this article, the author says, 'Hhough the
most violent of mineral poisons, arsenic, according to
Murray, equals, when properly administered, the first

fedicines in the class of tonics." "Of all the dis-
isea, says Dr. Duncan, in which white Oxyd of Arse-
nic has been used interrmlly, there is none in which it
has been so frequently and so successfully employed,
-is in the cure of intermittent fevers. We have now
the most satisfactory information concerning this article,
in the Medical Reports, of the effects of arsenic in the
cure of agues, remitting fevers, and periodical head-
aches, by Di^ Fowler, of Stafford." Such are the
powers of this medicine,' that two grains cf it are often
sufficient to cure an intermittent that has continued for
weeks! As an external remedy, arsenic has long been
known as the basis of the celebrated cancer powders;
"Arsenic has ever been applied in substance, sprinkled
upon the ulcer; but this mode of using it is exceeding-
ly painful, pud cxtreiiirely dangerous. There have been
fatal effects produced from its absorption." No other
escharotic possesses e^ual powers in cancerous affec-
tions; it not unfrequ6ntly amends the discharge, causef
the sore to contract in size, and cases have been related
of its having effected a cure. But, says Dr. Willich,
"we are, on the combined testimony of many medical
practitioners, conspicuous f^r their professional f|MdM|ind
integrity, irresistibly induced to declare tmr opinion^

^^I

iM

■#N

%-

pi.

t

*

stomach
tiercingi
n acute
are vio-
3 thirit,
i throat'
oppren
cr eject-
El black,
lie mor-
eath ter-
hen the
tremors,

[he fatal
Ligh the
rding to
the first
the dis-
of Arae-
which it
nployed,
ive now
3 article,
ic in the
al head-
are the
ire often
riued for
>ng been
iowdera ;
sprinkled
ceeding-
ave been
No other
lis affec-
cauBti
[1 related
•Willich,
medical

opinion^

0-i

^^3^

>^9bi

or,waa$ne Family Phyaician.

S9

ffr at least, against the internal use of this active and dan-
gerous medicine." "

I Hhall leave it to thoTeader, to reconcile, if he can,
the inconsistencies and absurdities of the above stater
ments, of the effects of ratsbane ; and ask himself the
<pie8tion, whether it can be possible, for an article, the
use of which is attended with such consequences, to be
in any shape or form, proper to be used as medicine;
yet it is a well known fact, that this poison is in constant
use among the faculty, and forms the principal ingredient
in most of those nostrums sold throughout the country,
under the names of drops, powders, washes, balsams,
Sec, and there can be no doubt that thousands either die,
or become miserable invalids in consequence.

"Antimony, in the mcjdern nomenclature, is the name
given to a peculiar metal. The antimonial metal is a
medicine of the greatest power of any known substance;
a quantity too minute to be sensible in the most delicate
balance, is capable of producing violent effects, if taken "^v
dissolved, or in a soluble state." " Sulphureted antimo-
ny was employed by the ancients in Coliyria, against in-
flammation of the eyes, and for staining the eyebrows *
black. Its internal use does not seem to have been es-
tablished till the end of the fifteenth century; and even
at that time it was by many looked upon as poisonous."
•'All the metallic preparations are uncertain, as it en-
tirely depends on the state of the stomach, whether they
have no action at all, or operate with dangerous violence. "
'•The principal general medicinal application of antimo-
ny has been for the "Use of febrile affections." •• In th'3
latter stage of fever, where debility prevails, its use is
inadmissible, " Of the propriety of using this metal as
medicine, I shall leave it to the reader to judge for him-
self.

i'JVifre. Salt-Petre. This salt, consisting of nitric
acid and potash, is found ready formed on the surface
of^o soil in warm climates." "Purified nitre is pre-
scribed with advantage in numerous disorders. Its vir-
tues are those of a refrigerent and diuretic. It is usu-
ally given in doses from two or three grains to a tBcni-
Ele, Wttng a very cooling and resolvent medicine, whiell ?:
y relaxing the spasmodic rigidity of the vessels, pro-
3*

«

>,r

#

m

*

»*i^

#

:'^

J^^Guide to HuiUt^; ^

■ '^ "It

motee not only the secretion of urine, but at the sams -f
time^ insensible perspiration, in febrile disorders; while
it allays thirst and abates heat; though in malignant
^ases in which the pulse is low, and the patient's strength
exhausted, it produces contrary effects." *' This pow-
erful salt, when inadvertently taken in too large quantlr
ties, is or^e of the most fatal poisons," " For some in-
teresting observations relative to the deleterious proper-
ties of salt-petre, the reader is referred to Dr. Mitchell's
letter to Dr. Priestly."

I have found from a series of practical experiments for
many years, that salt-petre has the most certain and
deadly efiects upon the human system, of any drug that
is used as medicine. Although the effects produced by
it are not so immediately fatal as many others, yet its
whole tendency is to counteract the principles of life,
and destroy the operation of nature. Experience has
taught me that it is the most powerful enemy to health,
and that it is the most difficult opponent to encounter,
nith any degree of success, that I have ever met with.
Being in its nature cold, there cannot be any other effects
produced by it, than to increase the power of that enemy
of heat, and to lessen its necessary influence.

*^ Opium, when taken into the stomach to such an ex-
tent as to have any sensible effect, gives rise to a pleas-
ant serenity of the mind, in general proceeding to a cer-
tain degree of languor and drowsiness." "It excites
thirst and renders the mouth dry and parched.". •' Taken
into the stomach in a larger dose, gives ris« to confusion
of the head and vertigo. The powers of all stimulating
causes of making impressions on the body are diminish-
ed; and even at times, and in situations, when a person
would naturally be awake, sl§ep is irresistibly induced.
In still v|arger doses, it acts in the same manner as the
narcotic poisons, giving rise to vsrcito, headache, tre-
mors, delirium and convulsions ; and these terminating
in a state of stupor, from which ike person canno#«t)e
roused. This stupor is accompanied with slowness of
the pulse, and with stertor in breathing, and the scene is
terminated in' death, attended with the same appear-
' teces as talce place in an apoplexy." " In iiprmit-
tents it is said to have been us||i with good effect." " It

■*sf

.*

the samef
;rs; while
malignant
's strength
This pow-
re quanl^
r some in-
us proper-
Mitchell's

iriments for
certain and
y drug that
•ocluced by
ers, yet its
pies of life,
erience has
y to health,
► encounter,
!r met with.
ptheD effects
'that enemy
je.

such an ex-
e to a pleas-
ing to a cer-
*' It excites
" "Taken
to confusion
I stimulating
re diminish-
len a person
iWy induced,
mner as the
jadacLe, tre-
B terminating
m canno#^be
slowness of
d the scene is
anie appear-
In Mprmit-
jffect.*' "It

m^ or. Botanic Family Physician.

31

'^ is often of very great service in fevers of the typhoid
typo." " In small pox, when the convulsions before
eruption are frequent and considerable, opium is liberal-
ly used." " In cholera and pyrosis, it is almost the onljr^
thing trusted to." " The administration of opium to the
unaccustomed, is sometimes very difficult. The requisite
quantity of opium is wonderfully different in different
persons and in different states of the same person. A
quarter of a grain will .in one adult produce effects which
ten times the quantity will not do in another. The
lowest fatal dose to the unaccustomed, as mentioned by
authors, seems to be four grains; but a dangerous dose
is so apt to puke, that it has seldom time to occasion
death."

From the above extracts, it will readily be seen, that
the use of opium, as medicine, is very dangerou-s, at
least, if not destructive to health; its advocates, it will
be observed, do not pretend that it will cure any disor-
der, but is used as a paliative for the purpose of easing
pain, by destroying sensibility. Pain is caused by dis-
ease, and there can be no other way to relieve it, but by
removing the cause) Sleep produced by opium is unnat-
ural, and afllbrds no relief to the patient, being nothing
more than a suspension of his senses; and it might
with as much propriety be said, that a state of delirium
is beneficial, for a person in that situation is not sen-
sible of pain. The fact is, opium is a poison, and when
taken into the system, produces no other effect than to
strengthen the power of the enemy to health, by dead-
ening the sensible organs of the stomach and intestines,
and preventing them from performing their natural func-
tions, so important to the tnaintaining of health and
life. In all the cases that have come within my knowl-
edge, where the patient has been long in the habit of
taking opium, I have found it almost impossible, after re-
moving the disease, to restore the digestive powers of
the stomach.

I have made the foregoing extracts on the subject of
poisons, for the purpose of giving a more plain and sim-
ple view of the pernicious consequences caused by their
being given as medicine, than I could do in any other
manner. In this short address, it is impossible to do

t

•*#•

32

JVei0 Guide to Health;

/

that justice to the subject that I could wish, and which its
' importance demands; but I am not without hope, that
what is here given will satisfy every candid person who
m reads it, of the truth of those principles, which it has been
at all times my endeavor to inculcate, for the benefit of
mankind, and convince them, that what has a tendency
to destroy life, can never be useful in restoring health.

In support of what has been before said on the use
of mercury, I will here give a short extract from Dr.
Mann's Medical Sketches, which is but a trifle in com-
parison with the many cases that he has given of the
fatal effects of that poison. " Calomel should never be
administered, unless the patient is so situated that the
skin may be preserved in its natural warmth. If this is
not attended to during its administration, either the
bowels or the glands of the mouth suffered. To .one of
these parts it frequently directed all its stimulating pow-
ers, and induced on one or the other high degrees of in-
flammation, which terminated in mortification of the in-
testines, or destruction of not only the muscles, but the
bones of the face.

'• Four cases under these formidable effects of mercu-
rial ptyalism, were admitted into the general hospital,
at Lewistown ; three of whom died with their jaws and
faces dreadfully mutilated. The fourth recovered with
the loss of the inferior maxilla on one side, and the teeth
on the other. He lived a most wretched life, deformed
in his features, when I last saw the patient, incapable of
taking food, except through a small aperture in place of
his mouth."

There are several vegetables that grow common in
this country, which are pl»isons; and in order that the
public may be on their guard against using them as
medicine, I will here give a list of those within my
knowledge, viz: Garden Hemlock, Night Shade, Apple
Peru, Poppy, Henbane, Poke-root, Mandrake-root, Gar-
get-root, Wild Parsnip, Indigo-weed, Ivy, Dogwood,
Tobacco, and Laurel. In case either of these articles,
or any other- poison should be taken through accident,
I or otherwise, a strong preparation of No. 1, with a
small quantity of No. 2, will be found to be a sovereign
remedy.

be

■■^.,

«

d which its
hope, that
terson who
it has been
5 benefit of
a tendency
ig health,
on the use
t from Dr.
ifle in corn-
liven of the
Id never be
ed that the
If this is
either the
To .one of
dating pow-
igrees of in-
)n of the in-
ies, but the

is of mercu-
[al hospital,
r jaws and
jvercd with
ad the teeth
s, deformed
ncapable of
in place of

common in
ler that the
ng them as
within my
lade, Apple
e-root, Gar-
Dogwood,
3se articles,
;h accident,
. 1, with a
a sovereign

or, Botanic Family Phyncian.

^^

33

Cases frequently occur in the country, of being poi-
soned externally, by some of the above vegetable poisons,
in which they swell very much. When this happens, by
taking No. 2, or Composition, and washing ji^ith the
tincture, or the third preparation of No. 1, relief may be
speedily obtained.

It is a common thing with the cloctors to make use ot
many of the above mentioned vegetable poisons as medi-
cine; but I would caution the public against the use of
them in any way whatever, as they will have no other
effect than to increase the difficulty, and injure the con-
stitution of the patient; being deadly poisons, it is im-
possible that they can do any good. No dumb beast will
ever touch them, and they are correct judges of what is
good for food or medicine.

Great use is made in many parts of the country of
garden hemlock, Scicuta, and is recommended by the
doctors for many complaints, to be taken or applied ex-
ternally. I have been credibly informed that large quan-
tities of this article are collected and boiled down to a
thick substance, by the people in the country, and sold
by them to the doctors and apothecaries. It is well
known to be the greatest poison of any vegetable, and
was used in ancient times to put criminals to death; but
this was before it was ever thought of, that the same ar-
ticle that would cause immediate death when taken for
that purpose, would also cure disease.

Many persons that pretend to make use of my system
of practice, are in the habit of using some of the vege-
tables that I have mentioned as poisonous. I wish the
public to understand that it is entirely unauthorized by
me, as there is nothing in my practice or writings, but
what is directly opposed to every thing of a poisonous
nature being used as a medicine; for it has always been
my aim, to ascertain and avoid the use of every thing
except such articles as I knew by actual experience to
be agreeable to nature, and also free from all danger or
risk in using them to cure, disease. I therefore caution
the public against putting any confidence in such as make
use of either vegetable or mineral poison.

There has been several cases of death published by
the doctors, which they say were caused by thdse who

%

*

ii^

JVei« Guide to Health;

practice by my system; and from the description they
have given of the treatment, I have good reason to sup-
pose, if there is any truth at all in them, were attended
by such «8 I have before mentioned, pretending to prac-
tise by my system without having a correct knowledge
of it; and who are tampering with every kind of medi-
cine they can find; for there is no such treatment of dis-
ease, as they describe, ever been recommended by me,
or that can be found in my writings or practice. It is
very convenient for them, and has become common, to
say, when they happen to be success! j1, it is their own
great improvements; but when the patient dies, it is then
laid to the Thomsonian system of practice. This is un-
just, and ought to be exposed ; and I ask all those who
have a wish to promote the practice, to adopt som«
means to ascertain the truth, and make it public.

r-

i- !

THE DOCTORS V ITHOUT A SYSTEM.

That the doctms have no system is a fact pretty gen-
erally acknowledged by themselves; or at least they
have none that has been fixed upon as a general rule for
their practice. Almost every great man among them
has had a system of his own, which has been followed
by their adherents till some other one is brought forward
more fiishionable. This is, undoubtedly, a great evil,
for it makes every thing uncertain; where it is con-
stantly changing, there can be no dependence on any
thing, and the practice must always be experimental; no
useful knowledge can be obtained by the young practi-
tioners, as they will be constantly seeking after new the-
ories. What, should we say of a carpenter who should
undertake to repair a building without having any jule
to work by, and should for want of one, destroy the half
of all he undertook to repair. The employers would
soon lose all confidence in him, and dismiss him as an
ignorant blockhead. And ia it not of infinitely more im-
portance for those who undertake to repair the human
body, to have some correct rule to work by? Their
practice is founded on visionary theories, which are so
uncertain and contradictory, that it is impossible to form

or, Botanic Family Physician.

iption they
son to 8up-
e attended
ng to prac-
kqowledge
fid of raedi-
ment of dia-
ided by me,
;tice. It is
common, to
is their own
j9, it is then
This is un-
II those who
adopt some
AbUc.

;t pretty gen-
it least they
neral rule for
among them
een followed
ught forward
a great evil,
re it is con-
enee on any
rimental", no
^oung practi-
fter new the-
r who should
cing anyjfule
stroy the half
loyers would
liss him as an
tely more im-
the human
by? Their
which are so
ssible to form

any correct general rule as a guide to be depended upon.
In order to Hhow the opinions of others, as well as my
own, I Mhall make a few extracts from late writers on
thu Mubject. Speaking of the revolutions of medicines,
one Huys:

" We have now noticed the principal revolutions of
medicine; and we .plainly perceive that the theory of
medicine, not only has been, but is yet, in an unsettled
itate, that its practical application is wavering, fallacious,
nnd extremely pernicious; and taking a survey of the
various fortunes of the art, we may well say with Bacon,
that medicine is a science that hath been more professed
than labored, and yet more labored than advanced, the
labor having been in a circle, but not in progression."

"Theories are but the butterflies of the day; they
buKse for a while and then expire. We can trace for
many centuries past, one theory overturning another, yet
each in its succession promising itself immortality."

"The application of the rules which the practitioner
layi down to himself is direct, and in their choice, no one
can err with impunity. The least erroneous view leads
to iome consequence. We must remember the lives of
our fellow creatures are at stake. For how many cruel
and premature deaths, how many impaired and debilitated
oon^titutions have paid for the folly of theories ? Follies,
which have proved abnost always fascinating. The study
of a system is more easy.than an investigation of nature;
and in practice, it seems to smooth every difficulty."

''In my lectures on the art of physic, says Dr. Ring,
both theoretical and practical, I have fully proved that
there is no necessity for that bane of the profession, con-
jucture or hypothesis ; and if I were asked whether, if I
myielf were dangerously ill, I would suffer any hypo-
thetical, however plausible physician, to prescribe for my
malldy, my answer would be no, assuredly no, unless I
wished to risk the loss of my life. I could give a re-
markable instance of this.

"Speculation and hypothesis are always at variance
with mound experience and successful practice.'*

The above extracts evince the pernicious effects of
false theory and hypothesis, which at the present day,
conititute nearly the whole art of physic.

^

36

AVir Guide to Health ;

The following just remarks are copied from the writ-
ings of the Rev. John Wesley.

"As theories increased, simple medicines were more
and more disregarded and disused; till, in a course of
years, the greater part of them were forgotten, at least
m the more polite nations. In the room of these, abun-
dance of new ones were introduced, by reasoning, spec-
ulative men ; and those more and more difficult to be
applied, as being more remote from common observation.
Hence, rules for the application of these, and medical
books were immensely multiplied; till at length physic
became an abstruse science, quite out of the reach of
ordinary men. Physicians now began to be held in ad-
miration, as persons who were something more than hu-
man. And profit attended their employ, as well as
honor. So that they had now two weighty reasons for
keeping the bulk of mankind at a distance, that they
might not pry into the mysteries of their profession. To
this end they increased those difficulties, by design,
which were in a manner by accident. They filled their
writings with abundance of technical terms, utterly un-
intelhgible to plain men.

"Those who understood only how to restore the sick
to health, they branded with the name of Empirics.
They introduced into practice abundance of compound
medicines, consisting of so many ingredients, that it was
scarce possible for common people to know which it was
that wrought a cure. Abundance of exotics, neither
the nature nor names of which their own countrymen
understood."
' " The history of the art of medicine in all ages," says
Dr. Blane, " so teems with the fanciful influence of su-
perstitious observances, the imaginary virtues of medi-
cines with nugatory, delusive, inefficient, and capricious
practices, fallacious and sophistical reasonings, aS to
render it little more than a chaos of error, a tissue of de-
ceit unworthy of admission among the useful arts and
liberal pursuits of man."

I !

*j444dU-fr) t^A) VbV^

^

m the writ-
were more
a course of
en, at least
hese, abun-
»ning, spec-
fficult to be
observation,
ind medical
ngth physic
;he reach of
5 held in ad-
)re than hu-

as well as
' reasons for
B, that they
fession. To

by design,
y filled their
I, utterly un-

tore the sick
of Empirics,
af compound
s, that it was
which it was
)tics, neither
I countrymen

\ ages," says
uence of su-
;ue9 of medi-
nd capricipwi
Dnings, as to
a tissue of de-
leful arts and

V .

uu<

> .,».« '._ .'. , ..-,1 4 J. f

DBICRIPTIOH
Vegetebl* M«41cta«t aa«d la my »y»Uam of PmetlM.

In describing those vegetables which I make use ot
in removing' disease and restoring the health of tfte par
tient, agreeably to my system of practice, I shall men-
tion those only which I have found most useful by a long
series of practical knowledge; and in the use of which
I have been successful in effecting tiie desired object.
A much greater number of articles in the vegetable king-
dom, that are useful as medicine, might have been de-
scribed, and their medical virtues pointed out, if I had
thought it would b\i beneficial; in fact, I am confident,
there are very few vegetable productions of our country,
that I have not a tolerable good knowledge of, it having
been my principal study fur above forty years; but to
undertake to describe them all would be useless and un-
profitable to my readers, and could lead to no good re-
sult. The plan that I have adopted in describing such
articles as I have thought necessary to mention, a;id giv-
ing directions how to prepare and administer them, is to
class them under the numbers which form my system of
practice ; this was thought to be the best way to give a
correct and flill understanding of the whole subject. Each
number is calculated to effect a certain object, which is
stated in the heading to each as they are introduced;
every article, therefore, that is useful in promoting such
objects will be described as applic^.ble to the number un-
der which it is classed. The three first are used to re-
move disease and the others as restoratives. There are
a number of preparations ami compounds, that I have
made use of and found good in curing various complainti;
the directions for making them and a descriptbn of the

i^^

►•

II J>feu Quidt to BenUki

■rtiolef of which they are composed are given as far as
was deemed necessary. The manner of applying them
'wili be hereafter more particularly stated, when 1 come to

{[ive an account of the manner of treating some of the most
mportant cases of disease which have come under my care.

No. 1.— To ekanu the Stomach, overpotetr the cold, and
promote a free persptroiion.

■MITIO HBRB. . LOBKLIA INFLATA OF LINAUS.

In giving a description of this valuable herb, I shall
be more particular, because it is the most important arti-
olo made use of in my system of practice, without Wihich
it wotfid be incomplete, and the medical virtues of Which
■nd the administering it in curing disease, I claim as my
own discovery. The first knowledge I ever had of it,
was obtained by accident more than tifty years ago, and
never had any information whatever concerning it,.ex-
oopt what I have gained by my own experience. A
great deal has been said of late about this plant, both in
tivor and against its utility as a medicine; but all that
the (houlty nave said or published concerning it, only
■hows their ignorance on the subject; for there is very
little truth in what they have stated concerning its medi-
oal properties, except wherein they have admitted it to
be a certain cure for the asthma, one of the most dis-
trOMtng complaints that human nature is subject to. It
if i truth which cannot be disputed by any one, that all
they have known about this article, and the experiments
that have been made to ascertain its value, originated in
ttiy making use of it in my practice.

In the course. of my practice, a number of the doctors
diioovered that the medicine 1 made use of, produced
•flibcti which astonished them, and which they could not
■ooount for; this induced them to conclude, that because
it waa io powerful in removing disease, it must be
pobon. This I think can be very satisfactorily account-
ad for; they have no. knowledge of any thing in dl
thaiir medical science, which is capable of* producing a
powerful effect upon the human svstem, except what is
pelaonottf, and tnerefore naturally form their opiniona
igrMAbly to thin amMieoiia theory. There ia a power

m as far w
•lying them
n 1 come to
! of the most
dermycare.

\e co/d, and

Iierb, I shall
portant arti- ,
ithout ^hich
ues of utrhich
claim as my
sr had of it,
krs ago, and
trning it,.ex-
lerieace. A
ilant, both in
i but all that
Qing it, only
there is very
ing its medi-
idmitted it to
le most dis-
ibject to. It
one, that all
I experiments
originated in

the doctors
j)f, produced
|ey could not
Ihat because

it must be
rily account-
jthing in all

uoducing m

bept what is

|eir opinions

is « power

Of, BoUmc FatnUy Phynetan.

99

to produce life and a power to produce death, which are
of course directly opposed to each other; and whatever
tends to promote life, cannot cause death, let its power
be eyer so great. In this consists all the difference be-
tween my system of practice, and that of the learned
doctors. In consequence of their thus forming an erro-
neous opinion of this herb, which they had no knowledge
of, they undertook to represent it as a deadly poison;
and in order to destroy my practice, they raised a hue-
and-cry about my killing my patients by administering it
to them. Some of the faculty even made oath that it
was poison, and when taken info the stomach, if it did
not cause immediate vomiting it wais certain death. It
is unnecessary for me now to point out the falsity of this,
for the fact is pretty well known, that there is no death
in ft', but, on trie contrary, that there is no vegetable
that the earth produces, more harmless in its effects on
the human system, and none more powerful in removing
disease and promoting health.

There is no mention made of this herb, by any author,
that I have been able to find, previous to my discovering
it, excepting by Linesus, who has given a correct de-
scription of it under the name of Lobelia Inflata; but
there is nothing said of its medical properties, it is there-
fore reasonable to conclude that they were not known till
I discoveri^d it, and proved it to be useful. When the
facult;)r first made the discovery that I used the Emetic
Herb in my practice, they declared it to be a deadly poi-
son', and while perfocuting me by every means in their
power, and representing to the world that I killed m^
patients with it, they were very ready to call it my medi-
cine, and allow it to be my own discovery ; but since
their ignorance of it has been exposed, and they find it
is going to become an article of great value, un attempt
seems to be making, to rob me of all the credit for caus-
ing its value to be Known, and the profits which belong
to mo for the discovery. In which some who have been
instructed by me are ready to join, for the purpose of
promoting their own interest at my expense.

Dr. Thacher, in his Dispensatory, has undertaken to
give an account of this herb; but is very erroneous, ex-
cept in the deicription of it, which is nearly correct,

40

Mw €Mdt to SiMi

It appears that all the knowledge he haa on the subject,
as to its virtues, is borrowed iirom others, and is proba-
bly derived from the ridiculous ideas entertained of its
power by those doctors who knew nothing about it, ex-
cept what they gained by my making use of it, ad has
been before stated. As to its being dangerous to ad-
minister it, and that if it does not puke, it frequently
destroys the patient, and sometimes m five or six hours;
and that even horses and cattle have been supposed to
be killed by eating it accidentally, is as absurd as it is
untrue, and only proves their ignorance of the article.
He tells a melancholy story about the Lobelia Inflata
being administered by the adventurous hand of a noted
empiric, who, he says, frequently administered it in a
dose of a tea spoonAil of the powdered leaves, and often
repeated; which, he says, furnishes alarming examples
of its deleterious properties, and fatal effects. This,
there is no doubt, alludes to me, and took its rise from
the false statements circulated about me at the time of
my trial, to prejudice the public against my practice.
It is true, the dose that I usually prescribed is a tea-
spoonful of the powder; but that it ever produced any
<atal effect, is altogether incorrect, and is well known
to be so by all who have any correct knowledge un the
subject.

What is quoted in the Dispensatory, from the Rev.
Dr. M. Cutler, concerning this herb, is, in general, cor-
rect, particularly as it regards its being a specific for the
asthma; though he labored under many mistaken no-
tions about its effects when taken into the stomach ; he
says, " if the quantity be a little increased, it operates
as an emetic and then as a cathartic, its effects being
much the same as those of the common emetics and ca-
thartics." In this he is mistaken, for it is entirely dif-
ferent from any other emetic known; and as to its oper-
ating as a cathartic, I never knew it to have such an
effect in all my practice. And I certainly ou^ht to know
something about it, after having made use pi' it for above
forty years, and administering it in every form and
manner that it can be given, and for every disease that
has come within my knowledge. It appears that all the
knowledge he and other doctors have got of this herb's

or^ Botanic FamUy Phygician.

41

I gubject,
is proba-
ted of its
It it, ex-
t, UA has
IS to ad-
re quently
iix hours;
>posed to
i as it is
e article,
ia Inflata
)f a noted
id it in a
and often
examples
;s. This,
rise from
lie time of
practice,
is a tea-
uced any
ill known
re un the

the Rev.
leral, cor-
fic for the
itakcn no-
mach; he
t operates
icts being
;s and ca-
itirely dif-
0 its oper-
9 such an
ht to know
; for above

form and
sease that
iiat all the
his h^rb^t

being useful in curing disease, particularly in the asth-
ma, was obtained from me; lor when I was prosecuted,
I was obliged to expose my discoveries to show the
falsity of the indictment. Dr. Cutler was brought for-<
ward as a witness at my trial, to prove the virtues bf
this plant by his evidence, that he cured himself of
the asthma with it. He says the first information he
had of its being good for that complaint, was from Dr.
Drury, of Marblehead. In the fall of the year, 1807,
I introduced the use of the Emetic Herb, tinctured in
spirit, for the asthma and other complaints of the lungs,
and cured several of the consumption. In 1808, I curn
cd a woman in Newiugton, of the asthma, who hud not
lain in her bed for six months. I gathered some of the
young plants not bigger than a dollar, bruised them, and
tinctured them in spirits, gave her the tincture, and she
lay in bed the first night. I showed her what it was,
and how to prepare and use it, and by taking this and
other things according to my direction, she has enjoyed
a comfctable state of health for twelve years, and has
never been obliged to sit up one night since. The sam^
fall I used it in'Beverly and Salem; and there can be no
doubt but all the information concerning the value ofthiv
article, was obtained from my practice.

After Dr. Cutler had given his testimony of the vir-
tues of this herb, and the doctors having become con-
vinced of its value, they come forward and say it is
good medicine in skilful hands. Who, J would ask,
is more skilful than he who discovered it, and taught
them how to prepare and use it in curing one of the
most distressing complaints known? Jf it is a gooid
medicine, it is mine, and I am entitled to the credit of
introducing it into use, and have paid dear for it; if it
is'poison, the doctors do not need it, as they have enough
4>f that now.. Dr. Thaeher undertakes to make it ap^
pear that the fatal effects he iells about its producing,
was owing to the quantity given; and says I adminis-
tered a tea-spoonful of the powder; and when he comes
to give directions for using it, says that from ten to
twenty grains may be given with safety. It appears
grange that different terms should produce sucb diflferent
4*

I ^^

42

A«t0 Gvnde to Health;

ofTects iti (he operation of medicine. If a tea-spoon fnl
is given by an empiric, its effects are fatal ; but if the
same quantity is administered by a learned doctor, and
called grains, it is a useful medicine.

This herb is described in Thacher's Dispensatory un-
der the names of Lobelia Inflata, Lobelia Enietica,
Emetic Weed, and Indian Tobacco; several other
names have been given it, some by way of ridicule and
others for the purpose of creating a prejudice agninst it;
all of which have so confounded it with other articles that
there is a< difficulty in ascertaining what they mean to
describe. I have been informed that there is a poisonous
root which grows iii the Southern States, callecl Luibelia,
which has been used as a medicine ; the calling this herb
by that name, has probably been one reason of its being
thought to be poison. Why it has had the name of In-
dian Tobacco given it, I know not; there is a plant that
is called by that name, which grows in this country, but
is entirely different from, this herb both in appearance
(ind medical virtues. In the United States Pharmaco-
poeia, there are directions given for preparing the tino*
ture of Indian Tobacco; whether they mean tnis herb or
the plant that has been always called by that name, does
not appear; but it' is probable they mean the emetic
herb, and that all the knowledge they have of it is from
Dr. Cutler's description. It is said by Thacher, that it
was employed by the aborigines and by those who deal
in Indian remedies; and others who are attempting to rob
me of the discovery affect to believ« the same thing; but
this is foanded altogether upon conjecture, for they can-
not produce a single instance of its having been employ-
ed as a medicine iil! I made use of it. 1*he fact is, it is
a new article, wUoUy unknown to the medical faculty,
till I introduced it into use, and the best evidence of this
is, that they are now ignorant of its powers; and all the
knowledge they have of it has been obtained from my
practice. It would be folly for me to undertake to say
but that it may have been used by the natives of this coun-
try; but one thing I am certain of, that J never had any
knowledge of their using it, nor ever received ariy infor-
mation concerning it from them, or any one else.

■M.

r

or, Botanic Family Physician.

43

-spoonfal
)ut if the
ctor, and

latory un-
Enietica,
ral other
licule and
cignintt it;
ticlet that
y mean to
poisonous
d Ltibolia,
g thii herb
ii'iti being
ime of In-
i plunt that
Duntry, but
ippearanoe
Pharmaco-
g the tino*
thin herb or
name, does
the emetic
>f it if from
her, that it
m who deal
ipting to rob
thing; but
ar they can-
jen employ-
fact ia, it it
cal facultjr,
lence of this
and all the
ed from my
take to say
ofthiscoun-
iver had any
id arty infor-
else.

The Emetic Herb may be found in the first stages of
its growth at all times through the summer, from the
bigness of a six cent piece to that of a dollar, and larger,
lymg flat on the ground, in a round form, like a rose

f tressed flat, in order to bear the weight of snow which
ays on it during the winter, and is subject to be winter-
killed like wheat. In the spring it looks yellow and
pale, like other things suffering from wet and cold; but
when the returning sun spreads forth its enlivening rays
upon it, it lifts up its leaves and shoots forth a stalk to the
height of from twelve to fifleen inches, with, a number
of branches, carrying up its leaves with its growth. Tn
July it puts '{prth small pointed pale blue blossoms, which
is followed by small pods about the size of a white
bean, containing numerous very small seeds. This pod
is an exact resemblance of the human stomach, having
an inlet and outlet higher than the middle; from the
inlet it receives nourishment, and by the outlet dis-
charges the seeds. It comes to maturity about the flrst
of September, when the leaves and pods turn a little
yellow; this is the best time to gather it. It is what is
called by botanists, a bienneal plant, or of only two
years existence.

This plant is common in all parts of this country.
Wherever the land is fertile enough to yield support for
its inhabitants it may be found. It is confined to no
soil which is fit for cultivation, from the highest moun-
tains to the lowest vallevs. In hot and wet seasons it is
most plenty on dry and warm lands; 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 is very dry the seed does
not come up, and of course there will be very little to
be found the next season. I have been in search of
this herb from Boston to Canada, and was not able to
collect more than two pounds; and in some seasons I
have not been able to collect any. I mention this to
show the uncertainty o/its growth, and to put the peo-
ple on their guard to be careful and lay up a good stock
of it when plenty. In the year 1807, if I had offered a
reward of a thousand dollars fbr a pound of this herb, I
should not have been able to have obtained it. I have

44

J^ew Guide to Heatih;

seen the time that I would have given two dollars for an
ounce of the powder, but there was none to be had;
which necessity taught ine to lay upalh I could obtain
when it was plenty.

In seasons when this herb is plenty, it may be found
growing in highways and pastures, by the side of old
turnpikes, and in stubble land, particularly where it has
been laid down to grass the year before; v/hen grass is
scarce, it is eaten by cattle, and is hard to be found
when full grown. It is a wild plant, and a native of this
country ; but there is no doubt of its being common to
other countries. It may be transplanted and cultivated
in gardens, and will be much larger and mgre vigourous
than when g )wing wild. If some stalks are led, it
will sow itseii, and probably may be produced from the
seed ; but how long the seeds remain in the ground be-
fore they come up, I do not know, never having made
any experiments to ascertain the fact. It is certain thBt
it is produced from the seed, and there is no good reason
to suppose that it may not be cultivated in gardens from
the seed as well as other vegetables; I think it most
probable, however, from the nature of the plant, that it
will not come up till the seeds have laid at least one win-
ter in the ground.

This plant is different in one very important particu-
lar, from all others that I have a knowledge of, that the
same quantity will produce the same effect in all stages
of its growth, from its first appearance till it comes to
maturity; but the best time for gathering it, as has be-
fore been mentioned, is when the leaves and pods begin
to tarn yellow, for then the seed is ripe, and you have all
there can be of it. It should then be cut and kept clean,
and spread in a large chamber or lofl, to dry, where
it is open to the air in the day time, and to be shut from
the damp airduringthe night. When perfectly dry, shake
<out the seed and sift it .through a common meal sieve, and
preserve it by itself; then beat off the leaves and pods from
the stalks, and preserve them clean. This herb may be
prepared for use in three different ways^ viz. 1 st. The
powdered leaves and pods. 2d. A tincture made from
ihe green herb with spirif. dd. The seeds reduced to a
:fine powder And compounded with Nqs. S .and 6.

the

anc

in

kn

a te
the
whf
full
3.
take
spoo
and
Umt

or. Botanic Family Phyaician.

4ft

ars for an
> b€ had;
iild obtain

be found
ide of old
here it has
n grass is
) be found
live of this
common to
[ cultivated
B vigourous
are left, it
ed frcni the
ground be-
Eiving made
certain that
good reason
urdens from
link it most
ilant, that it
ast one win-
ant partieu-
of, that the
n all stages
it comes to
, as has be-
l pods begin
you have all
1 kept clean,
dry, where
te shut from
ly dry, shake
al sieve, and
nd pods from
herb may be
_. Ist. The
e made from
reduced to a
ind 6.

1 . After the leaves and pods are separated from the
stalks, pound or grind them in a m.^rtar to fine powder,
sift it througk a fine sieve, and preserve it from the air.
This is the m at coininon preparation, and may be given
in many difTirent ways, either by itself or compounded
with other articles. For a cominan dose, take a tea-
spoonful of this powder with the same qukntity of sugar
in half a tea-cupful of wann water, or a tea of No. 3
may be used instead of the water; this dose may be
taken all at one time, or at three times, at intervals of
ten minutes. For a you'\^ child strain off the liquor
and give a part as circuinitances shall require. There
is but one way in which this herb can be prepared, that
it will refuse its services, and that is when boiled or
scalded; it is therefore important to bear in mind that
there mu^t never be any thing put to it warmer than a
blood heat.

2. To prepare the tincture, take the green herb in
any stage of its growth, if the small plants are used, take
roots and all, put them into a m )rtar and pound them
fine, then add. tne same quantity of good spirits; when
well pounded and worked together, strain it throutrh a
fine cloth and squeeze and press it hard to get out al' %he
juice; save the liquor in bottles, close stopped, f^r use.
G)od vinegar, or pepper-sauce may be used instead of
the spirit. Prepared in this manner, it is an elTc3otual
counter-poison, either taken, or externally applied. It
is also an excellent medicine for the asthma, and all
com,)laints of the lungs. This is the only way in which
the doctors have made use of the Emetic Herb;
and they acknowledgre it to be one of the best remedies
in many com )laiats, that ha^ bsen found, though they
know but little about it. For a dose, take from half to
a tea-spoonful. Its effects will be m >re certain if about
the same quantity of No. 2, is added, and in all cases
where there are nervous symptoms, add half a tea-spoon-
full of nerve powder, Umbil, to the dose.

3. Reduce the seeds to a fine powder in a mortar, and
take half an ounce of this powder, or about a large
spoonful,' with the same quantity of No. 2, made tine,
and put them in a gill of No. 6, adding a tea-spoonful of
Umbil; to be kept close stopped in a bottle for use;

$f

46

Aew Guide to HeaWt;

when taken, to be well shaken together. This pre para*
tion is for the most violent attacks of disease, such as
lock-jaigr, bite of mad dog, drowned persons, fits, spasms,
and in all cases of suspended animation, where the vital
spark is nearly extinct. It will go through the system
like electricity, givltag heat and life to every part. In
cases where the spasms are so violent that they are
stiff, and the jaws become set, by pouring some of this
liquid into the mouth between the cheek and teeth, as
soon as it touches the glands at the roots of the tongue,
the spasms will relax, and the jaws will become loosen-
ed so that the mouth will open; then give a duse of it,
and as soon as the spasms have abated, repeat it,' and a^
terwards give a tea of No. 3, for canker. This course
I never knew fail of giving relief. It is good in less
violent cases, to bring out the measles and small pox;
and if applied to pimples, warts, &c. will remove them.
I have cured three dogs with this preparation, who were
under the most violent symptoms of hydrophobia; one
of my agents cured a man with it who had been bitten
by a mad dog ; and I have not the least doubt of its be-
ing a specific for that disease. For a dose, take a tea-
spoonful.

Much has been said of the power of the Emetic Herb,
and some have expressed fears of it on that account;
but I can assure the public, that there is not the least
danger in using it; I have given it to children from one
day old to persons of eighty years. It is most powerful
in removing disease, but innocent on nature. Its oper-
ation in different persons, is according to their different
tempers, moving with the natural current of the animal
•spirits. There is two cases where this medicine will
not operate, viz. when the patient is dying, and where
there is no death; or in other words, when there is no
disease. There can be no war where there is no enemy.
When there ^s no cold in the body there is nothing to
contend against, and when there is no heat in the body
there is nothing to kindle; in either case therefore this
medicine is silent and harmless. It is calculated to re-
move She cause and no more, as food removes hunger,
and drink, thirst. It clears all obstructions to the ex-
tremities, without regard to the names of disease, until

or, Botanic Famly Phytician.

47 »

B pre para-
5, 8uch aa
;g, spasms,
e the vital
ihe system
r part. In
i they are
)me of thia
d teeth, as
ihe tongue,
>ine loosen-

dose of it,
it it,^ and af-
This course
rood in less

small pox;
jmove them,
n, who were
jphobia; one

been bitten
iibt of its be-
, take a tea-

Gmetic Herb,
hat account;
not the least
ren from one
lost powerful
e. Its oper-
heir different
of the animal
medicine will
r, and where
n there is no
is no enemy,
is nothing to
it in the body
therefore this
culated to re-
noves hunger,
tns to the ex-
disease, until

it produces an equilibrium in the system, and will be felt
in the fingers and toes, producing a prickling feeling like
that caused by a knock of the elbow; this symptom is
alarming to those unacquainted with its operation; but is
always favorable, being a certain indication of the turn
of the disorder, and they generally^ gain from that time.
In regard to the quantity to be given as a dose, it is
matter of less censequence than is generally imagined.
The most important thing is to give enough to produce
the desired effect. If too little is given, it will worry
the patient, and do little good; if more is given than
what is necessary, the surplus will be thrown off, and is
a waste of medicine. I nave given directions what I
consider as a proper dose in common cases, of the dif-
ferent preparations, but still it must be leflt to the judg-
ment of those who use it, how. much to give. The most
safe way will be to give the smallest prescribed dose
first, then repeat it till it produce the wished operation.
In cases where the stomach is cold and very foul, its
operation will be slow and uncertain; in which case
give No. 2, which will assist it in doing its work. See
also, page 90, § 11.

When this medicine is given to patients that are ia
a decline, or are laboring under a disease of long stand-
ing, the symptoms indicating a crisis will not take place
till they have been carried through from three to eight
courses of the medicine; and the lower they have been,
the more alarming will be the symptoms. I have seen
some who would lay and sob like a child that had been
punished, for two hours, not able to speak or to raise
their hand to their head; and the next day be about, and
soon get well. In cases where they have taken consid-
erable opium, and this medicine is administered, it will
in its operation produce the same appearances and symp-
toms that is produced by opium when first given, which
having laid dormant, is roused into action by the en-
livening qualities of this medicine, and they wiU^, be
thrown into a senseless state; the whole syatem wHi be
<me complete mass of confusion, tumblinf^m every direc-
tion; will take two or three to hold them on the bed;
they grow cold as though dying; remaining in this way
firom two to eight hours, and then awake, uke one from

48

JWto Guide io Health;

•leep after a good night's rest ; be entirely calm and lenii-
ble us though nothing had ailed them. It is seldom (hey
ever have more than one of these turns; as it is the last
struggle oi (he disease, and they generally begin to recov-
er Irom that time. 1 have been more particular in
describing these effects of the medicine^ as they are very
alarming to those unacquainted with them, in order to
show that there is no danger to be apprehended, as it is
certain evidence of a favorable turn of the disease.

The Emetic Herb is of great value in preventing sick-
ness as well as curing it; by taking a dose when first
attacked by any complaint it will throw it off, and (Ve-
quently prevent long sickness. It not only acts as an
emetic, and throws off the dtomach every thhig (hat
nature does tiot require for support of the system;
but extends its effects to every part of the body. It !•
searching, enlivening, quickening and has a great power
in removing all obstructions; but it soon exhausts itself,
and if not followed by some other medicine to hold (h»
vital heat till nature is able to support itself by digesting
the food, it will not be sufficient to remove a disesst
that has become seated. To eflect this important object,
put me to much trouble, and after trying many experi-
ments to get something that would answer the purpose,
I found that what is described under No. 2, was the best
and only ntedicine I have a knowledge of, that would
hold the heat in the stomach, and not evaporate; and
by giving No. 3, to remove the canker, which is the great
cause of disease ; and then following with Nos. 4 and 5, to
correct the bile, restore the digestion, and strengthen
the system, I have had little trouble in effecting a cure.
Directions for preparing &c. — see page 79.

No. 2. — To retain the itUemal vital heat of the iyitem
and cause a free perspiration.

*' , '' CAYENNE. CAPSICUM.

This article being so well knowr> it will be unneceseg^
ry to be very particular in describing it. It has been a
loiig time used for culinary purposes, and comet to Uf
prepared for use by being ground to powder, and a pto*

or, Botanic Family Phy»ician.

49

Im and wnsi-
geldom they
it is the Iftfit
gin to recov-
particuUr in
they are very
, in order to
ndcd, as it ie
dittenae.
eventing »ick-
66 when flriit
; off, and (Ve-
ily act» ai on
ry thhng that
[ the fcyntem;
e body. It ii
I a great j)ower
jxhausts itself,
ine to hold the
If by digesting
love a disespe
iportant object,
; many experi-
Tthe purpose,
2, was the best
of, that would
evaporate; and
lich is the great
Hon. 4 and 6, to
and strengthen

ecting a cure.

9.

t of the iyttm

be unneccsai^
It has been a
id comet to ui
der, and « pro-

portion of salt mixed with it ; this destroys, in some de-
greo, its stimulatifig effects, and makes it less pungent;
but it is not S3 good for medicino as in its pure tftate.
It is said to be a native of South America, and is culti-
vated in many of the West India Islands; that which
«omes to this country, is brought from Dcniarara and
Jamaica. It also grows in other parts of the world. I
once bought one hundred pounds of it in the pod, which
was brought from the Coast of Guinea; had it ground at
Portsmouth, and it was as good as any I ever used.
There are several species that are described under the
name of Cvapsicum; all of which are about the same, as
to their stimulating qualities. The pods only are used;
thoy are lung and pointed, are of a green color till ripe,
when they turn of a bright orange re^ When the pods
are green, they are gathered and preserved in salt aUd
water and brought to this country in bottles, when vine-
gar is put to them, which is sold undorthe name of Pep-
per-Sauce. The ripe pods ground to a powder is what is
used for medicine and cooking; but the Pepper-Sauce is
very good to b^ taken as medicine and- applied externally;
the green pods hold their attracting power till ripe, and
therefore keep their strength much longer when put in
vinegar; as the bottle may be filled up a number of times,
and the strength seems to be the same; but when the
ripe pods are put in vinegar, the first time will take near-
ly all the strength.

I shall not undertake to dispute but that Cayenne has
been used for medical purposes, long before 1 had any
knowledge of it; and that it is one of the safest and best
articles ever discovered to remove disease, I know to be
a fact, from long experience; but it is equally true, that
the medical faculty never considered it of much value,
and the people had no knowledge of it as a medicine, till
I introduced it, by making use of it in my practice. Mei»-
tion is made-of^ Cayenne in the Edinburgh Dispensalor/,
at chiefly employed for culinary purposes, but that of late
it has been employed also in the practice of medicine.
The author says that "there can be little ddubt that it
fiirnishes one of the purest and strongest stimulants which
can be introduced into the stomach ; while at the same
time it has nothing of the narcotic eflfoctsof ardent spif it*.
6

■*

60

Jfew Guide to Health;

I

* *

It is said to havo been used with success in curing some
cases of disease, that had resisted ul! other remedies.'*
All this I am satisfied is true, fur if given as a med-
icine, it always will be found useful ; but all the knowl-
edge they had of it seems to have been derived from a
few experiments that had been made, without fixing upon
any particular manner of preparing or administering it,
or in what disease, as is the case with all ether articles
that are introduced into general practice. In Thacher's
Dispensatory, the same account is given of Cayenne, as
in the Edinburgh, and. in almost the same words.

I never had any knowledge of Cayenne being useful
as a medicine, or that it had ever been used as such, till
I discovered it by accident, as has been the case with
most other articl(s«(^used by me. After I had fixed upon
a system for my government in practice, I found much
difficulty in getting something that would not only pro-
duce a strong heat.in the body, but would retain it till
the canker could be removed, and the digestive powers
restored, so that the food, by being properly digested,
would maintain the natural heat. 1 tried a great num-
ber of articles that were of a hot nature ; but could find
nothing that would hold the heat any length of time.
I made use of ginger, mustard, horse-radish, peppermint,
batternut bark, and mony other hot things; but they
were all more or less volatile, and would not have the
desired effect. With these, however, and the Emetic
Herb,, together with the aid of steam, I was enabled to
practice with pretty general success. In the fall of the
year 1805, I was out in search of Umbil, on a mountain,
in Walpole, N. H. I went into a house at the foot of
the mountain^ to inquire for some rattlesnake oil;
while in the house, I saw a large string of red peppers
hanging in the room, which put me in mind of what I
had been a long time in search of, to retain the internal
beat. I knew uiem to be very hot; but did not know of
Tvkat nature. I obtained these peppers, carried them
home, reduced them to powder, and took some of the
powder myself, and found it to answer the purpose bet-
ter than any thing els% I had made use 6f. I put it in
spirit with the Emetic Herb, and gave the tincture mix-
M in a tea of witch-hazle laaves, and foimd that it would

or, Botanic Family Physician.

Bl

uring iome

rcmedicB.'*

1 an a med-
the knowl-

vcd from a
fixing upon

nistciing it,

;her articles

n Thacher'»

Cayenne, as •

orda.

being useful
as such, till

le case with

d fixed upon
found much

not only pro-

l retain it till

istive powers

erly digested,

a great num-

)ut could find

igth of time.
, peppermint,

gs; but they
not have the

J the Emetic
as enabled to
he fall of the
A a mountain,
at the foot of
tlcsnake oil;
f red peppers
ind of what I
in the internal
id not know of
carried them
some of the
e purpose bet-

* 1 put it in
tincture mix-
i that it would

retain the heat in the stomach after pukiag; and pre-
serve the strength of the patient in pruportii>n. I made
use of it in ditferent ways fur two years, and always with
good success.

' In the fall of 1807, I wos in Newbury port, and saw a
bottle of pepper-sauce, being the first 1 had ever seen;
I bought It and curried it hunie; got some of the same
kind of pepper that was dried, which I put into the bot-
tle; this made it very hot. On my way home, wen taken
unwell, and was quite cold; I took a swallow from the
bottle, which caused violent pain for a few minutes, when
it produced perspiration, and I soon grew easy. I after-
wards tried it and found that after it had expelled the
cold, it would not cause pain. From these experiments,
1 became convinced that this kind ot pepper was much
stronger, and would be better for medical use than the
common red pepper. Soon after this, I was again in
Kewburyport, and made inquiry, and found some Cay-
enne; but it was prepared with salt .for table use, which
injured it for medical purposes. I tried it by tasting,
and selected that which had the least salt in it. I at-
terwards made ..use of this article, and found it to an-
swer all the purposies wished; and was the very thing
I had long boca in search of. The next year I went to
Portsmouth, and made inquiries concerning Cayenne,
and from those who dealt in the article, I learned that it
wad brought to this country from Demarara and Jamaica,
prepared only for table use, and that salt was put with
it to preserve it and make *•: more palateable. I became
acquainted with a French gentleman who had a brother
in Demarara; and made arrangements with him to send
to his brother, and request him to procure some, and
have it prepared without salt. He did so, and sent
out. a box containing about eighty pounds, in a pure
state. I sent also by many others, that were going to
the places where it grows, to procure all they could;
in consequence of which, large quantities were import-
ed into Portsmouth, much more than there was imme-
•diate demand for. I was not able to purchase but a
small part of what was brought, and it was bought
up by others on speculation, and sent to Boston; the
consequence was, that the price was so much reduced,

,1 ♦

M

A*ew Guide to HeaUK;

i

I

l^'

that it would not bring the first dost, which put a
itop to its being imported, and it has skice been very
•curce.

When I first began to use this article, it caused much
talk among the people in Portsmouth, and the adjoining
towns; the doctors tried to frighten them by telling that
I made use of Cayenne Pepper as a medicine, and that
it would burn up the stomach and lungs as bad as vitriol.
The people,, generally, however, became convinced by
tSikms it, that all the doctors said about it was false,
and It only proved their ignorance of its medicinal vir-
tues, and their malignity towards me. It soon came
into general use, and the knowledge of its being useful
in curing disease \yis spread all through the country. I
made use of it in curing the spotted iiever, and where it
was known, was the only thing de'pended on for that
disease. I have made use of Cayenne in all kinds of
disease, and have given it to patients of all ages and
under every circuipstance - that has come under my

iiractice; and can assure the public, that it is perfect-
y harmless, never having known it to produce any bad
effects whatever. It is no doubt the most powerful
stimulant known; its power is entirely congenial to na-
ture, being powerful only in raising and maintaining
that heat on which life depends. It is extremely pun-
gent, and when taken, sets the mouth as it were on fire;
this lasts, hovTCver, but a few minutes, and I consider
it essentially a benefit, for its efiects on the glands caus-
es the saliva to flow freely, and leaves the mouth clean
and moist.

# The only preparation necessary, is to have it ground
or pounded to a fine powder. For a dose, from h^f to
a tea-spoonful may be taken in hot water sweetened,
or the same quantity may be mixed with either of the
other numbers when taken. It will produce a free
poippiration, which should be kept up by repeating the
dose, until the disease is removed. A spoonful, with
an equal quantity of common salt, put into a gill of vin-
effar, makes a very good, sauce, to be eaten on meat, and
will assist the appetite and strengthen the digest ure.
One spoonful of this preparation may be taken to good
advantage, and will remove faint, sinking feelings, which

m

or, Botanic Family Physician.

63

lich put a
been very

lused much

le adjoining
telling that
e, and that
d as vitriol,
jnvinced by

was false,
idicinal vir-

soon came
aeing useful
country. I
ind where it

on for that
all kinds of
all ages and
; under n>y
it is perfect-
luce any bad
ost powerful
jenial to na-

maintaining
;tremely pun-
were on fire;
nd I consider

glands caus-

mouth clean

ive it ground
from h^f to
jr sweetened,
either of the
oducc a free
repeating the
ipoonful, with
a gili of vin-
on ment, and
he digest ure.
taken to good
eelings, which

some are suhjoct to, especially in the spring of the year.
Peppor-saiico Is good for the same purpose. Atea-spoon-
ftil of Cayenne may be taken in a tumbler of cider, and
is much better than ardent spirits. There is scarce any
preparation of medicine that I make use of, in which I
do not put lome of this article. It will cure the ague in
the face, by taking a dose, and tying a small quantity in
Ane cloth, and put it between the cheek and teeth, on
the side that k affected, setting by the fire covered with
a blanket. It \» good to put on old sores.

t

RED PEPPERS.

These are very plenty in this country, being cuhivat*
ed in gardenti, and are principally made use of for pick-
ling; Tor which purpose the pods are gathered when
green, and preserved in vinegar. It is of the same na'*
ture m Cayenne pepper, but not so strong; and is the
best substitute for that article, of any thing I have ever
found. For medical use they should not be gathered till
ripe, when they are^j^ bright red color; should be
reduced to d fine po^H| and may be used instead of
Cayenne, when that a^Rle cannot be obtained.

GINGER.

This is a root which is brought from foreign coun-
tries, and m too well known to need any further descrip-
tion. It is a very good article, having a warming and
agreeable etft'Ct on the stomach. It is a powerful stim-
ulant, and is nit volatile like many other hot articles;
and is the next best thing to raise the inward heat and
promote perspiration; and may be used with good suc-
cess for thnt purpose, as a substitute for Cayenne, when
that or the red peppers cannot be had. It is sold in
the shops, ground, but is sometimes mixed with other
articles to increase the quantity, and is not so strong.
The best wny Is to get the roots, and gring or poa|ld
them to a fine powder. The dose must be regulated
according to circumstances; if given to raise the ii»>
ternal heat, and cause perspiration, it must be repeated
till it has the desired effect. It makes an excellent
poultice, mixed with pounded cracker, or slippery-elm
bark, for which I make much use of it. To keep a
5*

54

yew Guide to Health;

piece of the root in tho mouth and chew it like tobacco,
swallowing the Juice, is very good for a cough, and
those of a coniuinptivo habit; and this should be also
done by all who nro exposed to any contagion, or are at-
tending on the Mick, an it will guard the stomach against
taking the disease. It may be taken iu hot water sweet-
ened, or in a teti of No. 3.

BLACK PEPPER.

This may bo uied to good advantage as a substitute
for the foregoing articles, when they are not to be had,
and may be prepared and administered in the same man-
ner. These four that I have mentioned, are all the pv
tides I have been able to find, that would hold the hxn-
of the body for any length of time; all the others t! <
I hav^ tried, arc so volatile, that they do little good.
See Directions, page 80,. «f

If*

No. 3.— To

Bcour the Stomach
the Ca

!:hg^

Bowels, and remove

Under this head, I shall describe such vegetable pro-
ductions as are good for Canker, and which I have found
to be best in removing the thrush from the throat, stomach
and bowels, caused by colds, and there will be more or
less of it in all cases of disease; for when cold gets
the power over the inward heat, the stomach and bowels
become coated with canker, which prevents those nu-
merous little vessels, calculated to nourish the system,
from performing their duty. A cure, therefore, cannot
be effected without removing this difficulty, which must
be done by such things as are best calculated to scour
off the canker and leave the juices flowing free. There
are many articles which are good for this, but I shall
Diantion only such as 1 have found to be the best.
S^eral things that are used for canker, are too bind-
ittg, and do more hurt than good, as they cause obstruc-
tions. I have adopted a rule to ascertain what is good
for canker, which I have found very useful; and shall
here give it as a guide for others; that is, to chew
■ome of the article, and if it causes the saliva to flow

it

or, Botanic Family Physician.

55

3 tobacco,
nigh, and
d be also
or are at-
ch against
iter swcet-

i substitute
to be bad,
same man-
5 all the r:
)ld the hv at.
others tl < i
little good.

and remove

Tetable pro-
l have found
oat, stomach
1 be more or
n cold gets
1 and bowels
Is those nu-

the system,
sfore, cannot

which must
od to scour
free. There
}, but I shall
be the best,
ire too bind-
ause obstruc-
what is good
j1; and shall

is, to chew
laliva to flow

freely, and leaves the mouth clean and moist, it is
good; but, on the other hand, if it dries up the juices,
and leaves the mauth rough and dry, it is bad, and
should be avoided.

bayberry; or candleberry.

This is a species of the myrtle, from which wax is
obtained from the berries, and grows common in many
parts of this country. It is a shrub growing from two
to four feet high, and is easily known by the berries
which it produces annually, containing wax in abund-
ance; these grow on the branches close to them, similar
to the juniper; the leaves are of a deep green. The
bark of the roots is what is used for medicine, and should
be collected in the spring, before it puts forth its leaves,
or in the fall, after done growing, ad then the sap is in
the roots; this should be a^nded to in gathering all
kinds of medicinal roots^ but those things that the tops
are used, should be collected in the summer when near-
ly full grovm, as then, the sap is in the top. The roots
should be dug and cyiBd from the dirt, and pounded
with a mallet or cluh^^^Rien the bark is easily separated
from the stalk, and may be obtained with little trouble.
It should be dried in a chamber or loft, where it is not
exposed to the weather; and when perfectly dry, should
be ground or pounded to a fine powder. It is an ex-
cellent medicine, either taken by itself or compounded
with other articles; and is the best thing for canker of
any article I have ever found. It is highly stimulating
and very pungent, pricking the glands and causing the
eajiva and other juices to flow freely. Is good used as
tooth powder, cleanses the teeth and gums, and removes
the scurvy; takea as snufF, it clears the head and re-
lieves the head-ache. It may be given to advantage in
a relax, and all disorders of the bowels. When the stom-
ach is very foul, it will frequently operate as an em^c.
For a dose, take a tea-spoonful in hot water, sweetened.

WHITE POND LIIY — the Root.

This is well known from the beautiful flower which
it bears, open.lng only to the sun, and closing again at

56

Aeio Guide to Health ;

7

night. It grows in fresh water. ponds, and is common in
all parts of this country where I have been. The belt
time to gather it, is in the fall of the year, when dry,
and the water in the ponds is low, as it may then be ob-
tained with little difficulty. It has large roots, which
should be dug, washed clean, split into strips, and dried
as has been directed for the Bay berry root bark. When
perfectly dry, it should be pounded in a mortnr, and pre-
served for use. This article is a very good medicine for
canker, and all complaints of the bowels, given in a tea
alone, or mixed with other articles.

HEMLOCK — the inner Bark. *

This is the common Hemlock tree, and grows in all
parts of New England. The best for medicine is to
peel the bark from the young tree, and shave the rois
from the outside, and preserve only the inner rind; dry
it carefully, and pound or grind it to a powder. This
article, with some further remarks upon it, has been re-
tained in all former editions of this work; but it has been
found by long practice that it isJjLtoo drying a nature,
operating too much as an astringent. I have, therefore,
wholly laid it aside, and would not recommend it to be
used as medicine, when any of the other articles recom-
mended for the same purpose can be obtained. This,
with Bayberry bark and the Lily root, I formerly u»C(l
in No. 3, or what has been ccmmonly called coffee,
though many other things may be added, or either of them
may be used to advantage alone. The bought^, mode in-
to a tea, are very good ibr gravel and other obstructions
of the urinary passages, and for rheumatism.

MARSH ROSEMARY the Root,

This article is very well known in all parts of this
country, and has been made use of for canker and sore
mouth. I have made use of it with Bayberry bnrk as
No. 3, in my practice, for many years, with good suc-
cess; but after finding that the Lily, root was belter,
have mostly laid it aside. It is so binding in its na-
ture, that it is not safe to use it witho.ut a large proper*
tion of the Bayberry bark.

or^ Botanic Family Phyaidan.

67

SUMACH — ike Bark, Leaoea and Berries.

This appears to be a new article in medicine, entirely
unknown to the medical faculty, as no mention is made
of it by any author. The first of my knowledge that it
was g'>od for canker, was when at Onion River in 1807,
attending the dysentery; being in want of something to
clear theastomash and bowels in that complaint, found
that the bark, leaves or berries answered the purpose
extremely well, and have made much use of it ever
since. It is well kn:)wn, and is found in all parts of the
country ; some of it grows from eight to twelve feet hign,
and has large spreading branches; the berries grow in
large bu.iches, and when ripe, are a deep red color, of
a pleasant sour taste; and are used by the country peo-
ple to die with. The leaves and young sprouts are made
use of in tanning morocco leather. For medicine, the
bark should be peeled when full of sap, the leaves, when
full grown, and the berries, when ripe ; they should be
carefully dried, and when used as part of No. 3, should
be pounded, and maylfpjsed altogether, or either sepa-
rate. A tea made of either or altogether, is very good,
and may be given with safety in a'most all complaints,
or put into the injections. It will scour the stomach and
bowels, and is good for strangury, as it promotes urine
and relieves diffi .'.ulties in the kidneys, by removing ob-
structions and strengthening those parts. I have been
in the habit, of late years, of making use of this article
with Bayherry bark and Lily root, equal parts, for No.
3, or coffee, and it has always answered a good purpose.
But the Bayherry is sufiisient of itself; but if the Bay-
berry cannot do had, the other articles may be used, ei-
Iher simple or compounded.

wiTCH-HAZLE — ike Leuves.

I found the use of this article as medicine, when I
was quite young; and have made much use of it in all
my practice. It is too well known in the country to
need any description; is a small tree or bush, and grows
very common, especially in new land. A tea made of
the leaves, is an excellent medicine in many complaints.

58

JV«t0 Guide to Heallh;

.!»

! f

and may be freely used to advantage. It is the best
thing for bleeding at the stomach, of any article I have
evei* found, either by giving a tea mado of the dry leaves,
or chewing them when green; have cured several witii
it. This complaint is caused by canker eating off the
small blood-vessels, and this medicine will remove the
canker and stop the bleeding. I have made much ube
of the tea, made strong for injections, and found it iu all
complaints of the bowels, to be very serviceable. An
injection made of tliis tea, with a little of No. !2, is good
for the piles, and many complaints common to females;
and in bearing-down pains it will afford immediate relief,
if properly administered. These leaves may b^:used in
No. 3, to good advantage, as a substitute for either of
the other articles, or alone for the same purpose.

BED-RASPBERRY — the Leaves.

This is an excellent article, and I believe was never
made use of as medicine, till discovered by me. When
at Eastport, I had no article with me good for canker,
and resorted to my old rule of Hating, and found that
these leaves were good for that complaint ; made into a
strong tea, it answered every purpose wished. I gath-
ered a large quantity of the leaves, and dried them, and
have been in constant use of it as a medicine ever since,
and have found it an excellent article, both for canker
and many othei complaints; for relax and other bowel
complaints of children, it is the best thing that I have
found; by giving the tea and using it in the injections,
it afibrds immediate relief. A tea made of the leaves
sweetened, with milk in it, is very pleasant, and may be
used freely. It is the best thing for women in travail,
of any article I know of. Give a strong tea of it, with
a little of No. 2, sweetened, and it will regulate every
thing as nature requires. If the pains are untimely, it
will make all quiet; if timely and lingering, give more
No. 2, and Umbil in the tea. When the child is born,
give it some of the tea with sugar and milk in it; this
prevents sore mouth ; and the tea is good to wash sore
nipples with. A poultice made with this tea and crack-
" er, or slippery elm bark, is very good for burns or

the
bile

4:

or, Botanic Family Pliyncian.

is the best
iclo 1 have
dry leaves,
Bveral witli
ing off the
remove the
e much u6e
und it ui all
leable. An
>. i>, is good
to females;
;diate relief,
f boused in
for either of
pose.

B was never
me. When
1 for canker,
d found that
made into a
led. I gatb-
ed them, and
le ever since,
h for canker
other bowel
g that I have
le injections,
of the leaves
t, and may be
en in travail,
ea of it, with
jgulate every
e untimely, it
ig, give more
child is born,
nilk in it; this
to wash sore
ca and crack-
for burns or

fcalds; if the skin is off, by applying this poultice or
washing with the tea, it will harden and stop smarting.
It may be used in No. 3, as a substitute for otbcr arti-
cles, or alone, to good effect.

S(iUAW-w£ED — Indian name Cocash.

This is known in the country by the name of frost-
weed, or meadow-scabish; it is a wild weed, and grows
in wet land, by the sides of brooks; it has a stalk that
grows four or five feet high, which is rough and woolly,
with a narrow leaf; and bears a blue blossom late in
the fall, which remains tilf the frost kills it. The root
lives through the winter, and in the spring puts forth
a new stalk; the leaves at the bottom remain green
through the winter. The roots and top are used for
medicine; it has a fragrant taste and smell like lovage.
It was the tirst thing I ever knew used for canker, and
was given to me when I had the canker-rash, being con-
sidered then the beert article known for canker ; I have
frequently used it for that complaint, and found it very
good. Take the greem^oots and leaves, bruise them,
and pour on hot water; give this tea, sweetened. It
may be kept by adding a tittle spirit, and is good for
rheumatism and nervous aflfections. It is perfectly harm-
less and may be used freely. It makes a very good bit-
ter, tinctured with hot water and spirit, and is good for
dizziness and cold hands and feet. See Directions, Slc,
page 80.

No\ 4. — Bitters, to correct the fli/e, and restore Di-

gestion.

BITTER HERB, or BALMONT.

This herb grows in wet mowing land, by the side of
brooks; it is about the size of mint, the leaves some
larger; the stalk is four square; the leaves are of a
dark green, of a sweetish bitter taste. I( bears a white
blossom of singular form, resembling a snake's head with
the mouth open. This herb is very good to correct the
bile, and create an appetite. A tea of it may be used

m

60

JV«t0 Guide to Health;

alone, or it may be added to the other articles described
under this numbetr, which are all ealculated to restore
the digestive powers.

POPLAR BARK.

'^■

^' There are several species of the poplar tree, that
grow conainon in this country. One kind is called the
white poplar, and another stinking poplar; the bark of
both these kinds are good for medicine ; but the latter
is the best, being the roost bitter. It has tags hanging
on the limbs, which remain on till it leaves out, which
is about a week later than the, other kind. It f](as short
brittle twigs, which are extremely bitter to the taste.
The inner bark, given in tea, is one of the best articles
to regulate the bile and restore the digestive powers, of
any thing I have ever used. The bark may be taken
from the body of the t**ee, the limbs' or the roots, and the
outside 43haved off and preserve the inner bark, which
should be dried and carefully preserved for use. To
make the bitters, No. 4, it shouVd be pounded or groun J
fine, and mixed with the other articles, or it may be used
alone for the same purpose. To make a tea, take^a hand-
ful of the bark pounded or cut into small strips, and put
into «^ quart mug, and fill it with boiling water, which if
taken freely will relieve a relax, head-ache, faintness at
the stomach, and many other complaints caused by bad
digestion. It good for obstructions of the urine, and
weakness in the loins; and those of a consumptive habit
will find great relief in using this tea freely.

BARBERRY — the Bark,

This is a well knovm shrub, produ(;ing red benies, of
a pleasant sour taste, which are much used as a pickle,
and are also preserved with sugar or molasses. The
bark of the root or top is a good bitter, and useful to cor-
rect the bile, and assist the digesture. The bark should
be collect<ed at the proper season, darefully dried wid
pounded or ground to fine powder; and is used as a part
of the bitters, No. 4. A tea made of this bark is verr
good for all cases of indigestion, and may be freely used.

*

ti

',*SI

^ or, Botanic Family Physician.

61

8 described
i to restore

■ tree, that
a called the
the bark of
ut the latter
igs hanging
I out, which
It f<aH short
to the taste,
best articles
e powers, of
nay be taken
oots, and the
iiark, which
for use. To
led or grounl
t may be used
, take^ahand-
lrips, and put
iter, which if
>, faintness at
aused by bad
le urine, and
umptive habit
r.

red berries, of
>d as a pickle,
olasses. The
1 useful to cor-
i« bark should
jlly dried and
used as a part
8 bark is veiT
be freely used.

BITTER-ltOOTy OT WANDERINO r.IILK-WEED.

This valuable vegetable grows in meadows and in
hedges, and in appearance is something like buckwheat,
having similar white blossoms; when the stalk is broken
it discliargcs a milky substance; it has two small pods,
about the size of the cabbage seed pods, with a siMiy
substance. This herb is wandering, that is, the roots
run about under ground to a considerable distance and
produce inai^ stalks, which grow up from different parts
of the root to the hei ;at of about two feet. Th;^ kind
that is commonly known by the name of wandering
milk-weed, grows only on opi^^nd; there is another kind
which grows near rivers and on ia!?nds, where high wa^
ter floyys over it; this ditfers some from tiit> othui in appear-
ance; the roots run deep in the sand; it has leaves and
pods like the first, and both ar«i good for medicine. The
bark of the root is used. The roots should be dug and
dried; and when perfectly dry, may be pounded in a
mortar, when the bark is easily separated from the woody
part. This root is very bitter, and is one of the greatest
correctors of* the bile I know of; and is an excellent
medicine to remove costiveness, as it will cause the bow-
els to miive in a natural manner. A strong decoction of
this root, made by steeping it in hot water, if dri|||||( free-
ly, will operate as a cathartic, and sometimes as ab emet-
ic; and is mjst sure to throw off a fever in its first stages.
It should be used Li ail cases of costiveiHss.

GOLDEN

seal;

OTf OHIO EERCUMA — the Root.

■^■

This 'article grows only in the Western country; I
am not well enough acquainted with the herb, to give
a description of it; but of the medical virtues of the
root, I have had a sufficient experience, to recq^imend
it as a very pleasant bitter, and in cases where the food
in the stomach of weak patients causes distress, a iea-
spoonful of the pqwder, given in hot water, sweetened,
will give immediate relief. It is an excellent corrector
of the bile, and may be used for that piirpose alone, or
6

•% '

:im

m ^ JV«i0 Guide to HtaUh;

with the bittw root, or may be comgoun^ed with either
or all the articles df scribed under this numlifer, to restore
the digestive poweni. See Directions, Slc. Mge 02.

*

The purposes for tvhich the articles described under
tMi bead are used, is to regulate the stomach, so that
the food taken into it, may be properly disested \ and I
have mentioned enough to enable those ivho make usa
of the practice to effect that object, if properly attended
to. Tms is a very important part of the system of prac-
tice, tot unless the food is digested, it is impoifible to
keep up that heat upon which life depends. \\

No. 5. — Sfmp for the Dysenterg^ ia strengthen ihs Stom^
aeh and Bowels^ and restore weak patients.

The articles used in this preparation, are the bark of
poplar and bayberry, which have been described, peach-
meats, or meats of cherry-stones, sugar and brandy.

PEACH-MEATS. * .

Thfijneats that are in the peach stones have long been
uaed tis medicine, and need but little to be saiaabout
them, except that they arc of great value to strengthen
the stomach f^i bowels, and restore the digesture; for
which purposb i have made much use of them, and al-
ways to good advantage. Made into a cordial with oth-
er articles, in the manner as will be hereafter directed^
forms one of the best remedies I know of, to redover the
natural tone of the stomach afler long sickness; and to
restore weak patients, particularly in dysentery. A tea
made of the leaves of the peach-tree is very good for
bowel complaints in children and young people, and wiU
remdf e cholic.

chbrrt-stoneS.

The meats of the wild cherry stonos are very good,
and may be used instead of the p^ach-zneats, when the/

R

oil

m

or, Botamc Fmuly Phyiicuillf^

6S

fiih either
, to reitort

ibed under
:h, 10 thnt
kted', ftnd I
make uie
ly attended
em of prac-
ipoiuble to

en th€ Stom'

ient§,

I the bark of
ibed, peaoh-
brandy.

ve long been
»e laidabout
o ■trengthen
igeeture: for
lem, and al-
lial with oth-
ter directed,
) redover the
new; and to
itery. A tea
erv good for
Qple, and will

re very good,
te, when they

cannot be had. Get these ^ones as cle|j|^ja8 possible,
when well d|ied, poiind them in a roortar, and separate
the meats from the stones, which is done with little trou-
ble; take the same quantity aa is directed, of the peach-
meats, and it will answer equally as well. A tea made
of the cherries, pounded with the stones, and steeped in
hot water, sweetened with loaf sugar, to which add a
little brandy, is good to restore the digestive powers, i||0
create an appetite.
Bitter almonds may be used as a substitute for the

goach-meats%' chefty-stones, when they cannot be had.
«e Directions, &c. page 82.

No, 6. — Rhettmaiie Drops^ lo remove pain, prevent mor-
iification, and promote a naiwral heat.

The principal articles used in this preparation, are
high wines, or fourth proof brandj^, gum myrrh and Cay-
enne; for external application, spirits of turpentine is
added, and sometimes sum camphor. The manner of
preparing will be hereafter given.

ODM MTRRH.

This is a gum, obtained from a tree which grows in
the East Indies, and is brought to this country and sold
by thcMApothecaries for medicinal uses. There is no-
thing sold by them that possesses more useful and medi-
cinal properties than this article ; though the Doctors
eeem to have but little knowledge of its virtues. All
those whom I have heard express an opinion upon it,
consider it of very little value. When I obtained my
patent. Dr. Thornton, the clerk of the Patent Office,
said it was good for nothing;' all this, however, does
not lessen its value. The first knowledge I had of it,
was when I was laid up with my lame ancl#, at Onion
River, as has been before related in my narrative. Aa
old man from Canada, passing that way, and he>^rinff
of my case, called to see me, and observing- the putrid

t

64

^

™,

AVte aHideUo Heatth;

atate I waiTllI, told my (kther that gum myrrh wouM
be good for me, a| it was ail excellent' amclo to pre-
vent mortification. He immediately obtuin||d some of
the tincture, and not having a syringe, he took -some
in his mouth, and squirted it through a qnill into the
wound; the smarting was severe for a short time. By
tHting it himself, and finding it a pleasant bitter, he
gave me some to take; by using it there was n favora-
ble alteration, both in my bodily henlth, and in the
state of my wound. After this, (n-had areut faith in
this article, and was seldom without it. When I came
to have a family, I made much use of myrrh; it was
one df the principal articles used in restoring my wife,
when given over by the mid-wife, as related in my nar-
rative. In several cases of bad wounds and old sores,
it afforded ereat relief; and in what the doctors call
worm complaints in childr,?n, by giving the tincture,
when such symptoms appeared, it removed them. I
used it at this time, by making a tincture with spirit;
but after having a knowledge of Cayenne, I put some of
this with it, which made it much better. 1 found out by
accident, that boiling it would prevent the fumes of the
spirit from rising to the head, which would otherwise, in
some c ases produce bad effects, particularly in such as
were subject to hysterical ejection. This was the origin
of my rheumatic drops, a preparation which has proved
more generally useful than any one compound I make
use of. In selecting myrrh for use, take that of a light
brown color, somewhat transparent, and.of a bit^ taste,
a little pungent. It should be reduced to a fine powder,
by being pounded in a mortar, before used.

SPIRIT OF TURPENTINE.

This article is too well known to need any description,
being used by painters. The only way in which I use
it, is in su<||fa preparations as are intended for external
application, in which I have found it useful. A propor-
tion of it should be added to the rheumatic drops, when
used for the i ch or other bad humops. It is a powerful
article, and should be used with caution.

« ■». '■

Off Bolanic Famly Phytician.

w

Kyrrh urouM
cie to pre-
i|jil some 01

5 took -801110

uill into the
ri time. By
nt bitter, he
was n I'uvora-
and in the
ireat faith in
?hen I came
lynh; it was
ing my wife,
ed in my nar-
nd old sores,
) doctors call
the tincture,
ved them. I
e with spirit;
I put some of
[ found out by
! fumes of the
1 otherwise, in
irly in such as
was the origin
ich has proved
pound I make
that of a light
f a biti» taste,
a fine powder,
d.

iny description,
in which I use
;d for external
ful. A propor-
tic drops, when
It is a powerful

€'*'«

UM CAMPHOR,

I shall say but little about this article, as I never
found any very great advantages from its use, though I
never knew it to do any harm. It is made much use
of, and I think there is m'>re credit given to it than
what it deserves. I have been in the habit r^ addinff
some of it to the rhcumiitic dr <ps, when used for baa
sprains, and in such cases hnvs found it usefui; and I
have no dwtht but that it ma) be s vmeti nes given to
advarrtage to warm the stomach, an^ reli ve pain; but
there are other articles which t make use of for tin t
purpose, that are much better. See Dircctior ^ &c.,
page 83,

NERVE POWDER,

Amgrican Valerian, or Ladies* Slipper; Bometimes called
Vmbil, or Male and Female ,^ervine.

There are four species of this valuabie vegetable, one
male and three female; the male is called yellow umbil,
and grows in swamps and (^et land; has a large cluster
of fibrous roots matted together, joined to a solid root,'^^
which puts forth several stalks that grow about two feet .
high; It has leaves something resembling the poke leaf.
The female kinds are di-ti<?jruished by the color of
the blossoms, which are reii, 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 ihoots up to the height of from
eight to ten mchi.s, bearing on its top a red blossom of
a very singular form, that gives it the name of feniale
umbil. This kind is found on high ledges, and in
swamps. Th^ed and white, and white umbjl, grows
only in swamps, and is in larger clusters of roots, than
the yellow, but in a similar form; its top is similar tO
the red, except the color of the blossom. The yello#
and red are the best forimedicine; the roots should bo
dug in the fall, when done growing, or in the spring, bjBv
,6 * .

66

JVeio Gttide io Health;

m'

fore the top puts forth. If dug when gro\viii|, the roots
will nearly all dry up. When the roots aw dug, they
should be washed clean, carefully dried, and pounded or
ground to a fine powder, sifted through a fine sieve, and
preserved from the air for use.
This powder is the best nervine known ; I have made

8 refit use of it, and have always found it to produce
le most beneficial efif'ects, in all ciises of nervous af^
fection, and in hysterical symptoms; in fact, it wpiild
be difficult to get along with my proeticc u many cases
without this important article. It is perfectly harmless,
and may be used in all cases of disease with s^f^t^ ; and
if much better than opium, which is generally gjivcn in
oases of spasmodic affection, and which only ^^C|dcns
the feelings, and relieves pain only by destroying seni*
•ibtlity, without doing any good. It has been supposed
by the doctors to be of a narcotic nature; but this is a
mistake. They have drawn this conclusion, I suppose,
from its tendency to promote sleep; but this is alto>'
gether owing to its quieting the nerves, and leaving' the
patient at ease, when nature requires sleep to recover
the natural tone of the system. Half a tea-spoonful
may be given in hot water, sweetened, and the dose i-(e»
peated, if necessary; or the same quantity may be mix-
Jid with a dose of either the other numbers, when given,
md put into the injections; and where there is nervous
'iymptoms, it should never be dispensed with. See Ui*
recttons, &c., page 83.

I have thus far given a description of all the impor-
tant vegetables made use of in my system of practice,
with the manner of preparing and using them. I shall
now proceed to describe a number of articles of less
importance, all of which I have used and found good
in various complaints. Some of them foipti a part of my
medical preparations, and many others may be used as
ilbstitutes for some that have been mentioned. They
are all of a warming nature, and may be used to advan-
tage in throwing off disease in its first stages.

or. Botanic Family Physician.

67

\ roots

ded or
e, and

made
reduce
)us af-

wpiild
f cases

rmless,

y; and

^ven in

leadens

ig 'sen-

ipposed

this is a

upppse,

is alto^

^ingthe

recover

ose t-ie"
le mix-
given,
nervous
3ee Di'

impor-
)ractice,
I shall
of less
nd good
rt of my
used as
, They
> advan-

SPEARMINT.

This is a well known herb, and makes a very pleas-
ant tea, whiuii may be freely used in sickness. The
most valunble 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, I have frequently used it for that purpose
with success; but it is volatile, and will not retain the
heat long in the stomach. In colds and slight attacks of
diseane, to drink freely of a tea made of this herb on
goijig to bed, will throw it off. The essence, put in
warm water, is good to give children, arid will relieve
pain in the stomach and l^owels. 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 great value in medicine, and a tea of it may
be freely used in all cases of sickness. It is good for
the stomach, being warming and cleansing; if drank
freely, will produce perspiration, and remove obstruc-
tions. In colds and slight attacks of disease, it will be
likely to throw it otT, and prevent sickness. It is very
good for children, and will remove pain in the bowels
and wind, Iti going through a course of medicine, a
tea of this herb may be giren for drink, and will cause
(he medicine to have a pleasant operation.

%

SUMMERSAVORY.

This herb grows in gardens, and is made use of to
season meats m cooking; it is of d very pleasant flavor,
and of a hot nature. A tea of it is good for colds, and

68

JVeto Ouide to Health;

may be used irealy in case of sickness. There is an
oil made from thiii nerb, which will cure (he tooth-ache,
by putting a little on cotton wool, and applying it to the
affected tooth.

IIOARHOUND.

This plant grows common in this country, and is
made much account of in removing cough. An in-
fusion 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 hoarseness caused by a bad cold. The hoar-
hound candy is very useful for such as are troUl^led with
cough, particularly old people, and those that are short
winded.

ELECAMPANE.

The root of this plant, made into syrup, is good for a
cough ; and I have made use of it for that purpose with
advantage in many cases, and can recommend it as a
safe and useful remedy in complaints of that kind.

MAYWEED.

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 usoa freely, and a hot stone put to the feet,
will in most coses throw it off. It grows common in old
fields, and by the sides of roads.

VrORMWOOD.

•This herb is a very wholesome 'bitter, and may be
taken to advantage in different ways. It is of a hot
nature, and is good for the stomach, to create an appe-
tite, and assist the digesture. It may be taken in tea,
or the green herb may be pounded and tinctured in spir-
it, which is good to apply to i| te'uise or sr lin.

TANST.

This is a hot bitter herb, grows common in highways,
and is cultivated in gardens. A tea made of this herb

T

swel
them
For

Th
plied

or, Botanic Family Physician.

69

3 IS an
i-ache,
t to the

and is
An in-
)ney, is
i lungs.
Tm, and
le hoar-
led with
ire short

od for a
>ose with
id it as a
nd.

len going
ttacks of
the feet,
ion in old

1 may be
i of a hot
J an appe-
;en in tea,
ed in spir-
1.

highways,
' this herb

is good for hysterics and other female complaints; it
will strengthen those that have weak reins and kidneys,
and is good for the strangury, or stoppage of urine. —
The green leaves pounded, are good to put on bruises
and sprains, and will allay the swelling.

CHAMOMILE.

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 ^ood given in a tea for bowel
complaints, and externally applied will relieve sprains,
bruise.s, and swellings, and remove calluses, corns, &.c.
Bnd restore shrunk sinews.

BITTER-SWEET.

This herb has long been est^med as a medicine of
considerable value for many complaints. It grows com-
mon in this country, in hedges where the ground is
moist, agd 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 I have no doubt is correct; but the
only way I make use of it is for external application;
the bark of the root, with chamomile and wormwood,
makes an ointmeni, of gi eat .value, which is an excellent
thing for a bruise, sprain, callus, swelling, or for corns.

MULLEN.

The leaves of this plant are very good to bring down
swelling, and to restore conti acted 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 my strength-
ening plaster.

■m

BURDOCK.

The leaves of this plant, wilted by the fire, and ap-
plied to an external injury, will allay the inflammation

70

JV«t0 Guide to Health;

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 feet 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 something resembling cab-
bage, from which and its disagreeable smell, it takes its
name; it may be found in the meadows and y/ef land.
The roet only is used for medicine, which sbould be
dug and split into strips, and carefully dried; when dry,
it should be pounded or ground to a powder. Thif
powder may be taken in tea, sweetened, or made into a
syrup, or half a tea-spoonful may be mixed in honey,
and taken in the mcyning, or at night when going to
bed. It is good for asthma, cough, difficuity oi breath-
ing, and all disorders of the lungs, and with other ar-
ticles makes one of the best preparations for th^e com-
plaints I have ever found. ^^
•

WAKE ROBIN.

. This plant grows wild in this country. It has three
triangular leaves, from between them it puts forth a nak-
ed stalk, pn the top of which is a singular stem or pistil,
enclosed in a sheath, resembling a flower, which is fol-
lowed by a bunch of reddish berries. This root is used
for medicine, and resembles a small turnip. This root
is extremely pungent and stimulating, fcnd is often given
fur cholic and pain in the bowejs, and to expel wind.
I have mostly made use of it for cough and disorders of
the lungs, for which I have found it a very useful article,
and it forms part of my composition for coughs. The
root should be dried and reduced to a powder, and may
be given mixed with honey, or in a syrup.

THOROUGHWORT.

This ^erb is well known in the country, and is made
use of by the people in tea for many complaints, it ii

of a

comp

prepi

Thi

Jlainti
t proi
tions i
may b
in all <

This
where
joint; t
like a s
drank f]
may be
advonta

A tea

Elaints
ave ma
peachmt
18 an ei
been rei
gesture,
bowels.

This Id
count of
nse of h)
fee. It
AS a subs
(bis coun

OTy Botanic Family Phyncian.

71

it on

The
er to

New-
^ cab-
icei it!
> land,
uld be
.i\ dry,
Thit
into a
honey,
oing to
brcath-
hcr ar-
e com-

18 three
anak-

»r pistil,
. li fol-
it used

Ihis root
n given

ll wind,
■ders of
article,
The
id may

lia made
It if

of a warming nature, and is good for cough^ and other
complaints of the lungs. It is used in uiy compound,
prepared for coughs.

FEATHBRFEW. .

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 tho^e parts. It should be taken in tea alone, or
may be added with chamo. 'Ue, 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
ioint; 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 n||Dde use of for all obstructions m those parts to
advantage. '

BLACK BIRCH BARK.

A tea made of this bark, is useful in curing all com-

Elaints of the bowels, and to remove obstructions. I
ave made much use of it in dysentery. This tea, with
peachmeats or cherry stone meats, made into a syrup,
18 an excellent article to restore patients, after having
been reduced by that disease, and to promote the di-

Sesture. It is good for canker, and all complaints of the
owels.
t

EVAN ROOT.

This is called by some people chocolate root, on ac-
eount of its resembling that article in taste, and is made
use of by some for common drink, instead of tea or co^
fee. It is go(^ for canker, and may be used in No. 9,
as a 8ubstitut«%or other articles. It grows common in
this country, and is too well known to need describing.

#

72

JVeto Guide to Health;

SLIPPERY ELM BARK.

The inner bark of this tree is an article of much
value, and may be used to advuntftg^ in many different
ways. There. are several species of the elm that grow
common in this country ; and there are two kinds of the
slippery elm, the bark of one is rather hard and tough,
and the other is very brittle; the latter is the best for
medicinal uses. The bark should be peeled, the outside
ross shaved off, dried, and ground or pounded to a hue
powder. If used internally, put a tea-spoonful of this
powder into a tea-cup with as much sugar, mix them
well together, then add a little cold water, and stir it till
perfectly mixed, and then put hot water to it and stir till
it forms a jelly thick enough to be eaten with a spoon.
A tea-spoonful may be taken at a time, and is an excel-
lent mejiicine to heal soreness in the throat, stomach and
bowels, caused by canker; or more hot water may be
put to it and made into a drink, and freely taken for the
same purpose. I have made much use of this bark for
poultices, and have in all cases found it a moHexcellent
article for that purpose. Mixed with pounded cracker
and ginger, it makes the best pouhice I have ever found;
for burns, scalds, felons, old sores, &c. it is the best
thing I have met with, to allay the inflammation, ease
the pain, and heal them in a short time.

BALSAM FIR.

This balsam is obtained from a tree well known in
many parts of this country ; it is taken from smnjl blis-
ters, which form in the bark. It isof a very healing na-
ture, and is good to remove internal soreness. It torms
an important article in my healing salve. When taken
it may be dropped ou loaf sugar.

GENTIAN.

This root grows wild in this country; ahd is found
plentifully in Vermont. It was foriiierl|!: collected for
exportation, and large quantities of it were sent to Chi-
na, where it brought a great price. It is said the peo-

The
culinar)
ground
It is ver
and wiJll
in retair
BppetiteJ
ter, swej
ach. It
ly and e(
that purj

or, JBotomc Family Phyncian.

73

much
ifferent
It grow
i ot the
tough,
Dcst lor
outside
:o aftne
il of this
lix them
stir it till
d stir till
a spoon,
an excel-
mach and
r may be
3n for the
bark for
^excellent
i cracker
^er found;
3 the best
tion, ease

known in
small blis-
lealing na-
It torms
hen taken

_ is found
Fleeted for
;nt to Chi-
the peo-

ple of that country considered it of great value; but
for what purpose they use it, is, I believe, only known
to themselves. It is a nervine, and may be used to ad-
vantage in all cases of nervous* affection, either alone or
mixed with other articles. The root should be dug in
the fall, dried, and reduced to a tine 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 i^e^
ture, and is mtide much use of in tea, for measles and
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 surface,
which effect may be produced by almost any strong stim-
ulant ; but No. 2, 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 tendengh to promote perspiration, and is good to re-
move pam in the stomach and 'bowels, and expehwind.
The roots reduced to powder may be mixed with gentiao
or umbil for all nervous complaints.

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 wft>
ter, sweetened, will remove pain in the bowels and stonv>
ach. It is frequently used for rheumatism, both internal
iy and externally; but Nos. 2 and 6, are much better for
that purpose. >

7

^#

u

A«itf Guidfi

toHtakhs

HORSERADISH.

• '4

W #

t

The root of this plant is mostly used for culinary par<
poses, and it has some medicinal properties. It is of a
kot ndture, 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 digestiire. The, leaves are sometimes applied to re-
move external pain, but is apt to raise a blister.

BALM or 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 tinc-
tured in spirit, produces an effect something like th«
tincture ot 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^orrector
of the bile, and will operate both as an emeiP and ca-
thfurtic; it is more harsh than the other kind of poplar,
but may be used to advantage in many cases of dis-
ease.

BUTTERNUT.

This tree grows common in this country, and is well
Imown from the nut which it bears, of an oblong shape,
iB4 nearly as large as an egg, in which is a meat con-
taining much oil, and very good to eat. The bark of
this tree is used by the country people to color with.
The bark taken from the body of the tree or roots, and
' boiled down till thick, may be made into pills, and ope-
rates as a powerful emetic and cathartic; a syrup may
be made by boiling the bark, afid adding one third mo-
Iwaes and a little spirit, which is good to give children
for worm complaints. The buds and twigs may also be
nsed 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 an-
•wered by these preparationA^ and they are the most

or, Botamc Famly Phyneian.

n

■y por-
ts of a
lea will
The
assist
I to re-

wsesseft
r poplar
but the
nd tine-
like th«
as a re-
)ed from
lorrector
I and ca-
poplar,
of di»-

safe and harmless of any that I know of; 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 tha
bandage wdt, 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 strangury. The bark of the butternut it
the principal ingredient in Dr. Hawkes*s rheumatic and
cancer pills, and also of Chamberlain's bilious cordial,
which have been so celebrated for many complaints. It
is called by some people oilnut and lemon walnut.

BLUE ANO WHITE TERVINE.

* This is a well known herb, growing very common ; it
ranks next to the emetic herb, for a puke ; and may be
used for tbat purpose, either i alone or combined with
tborougiiwort. It is good to prevent a fever in its first
stages. ^*his herb has been used with considerable suo-
cess in an)ns#nption, having cured several cases where
the doctors had ^iven them over. It may be used m a
tea made of the dry herb; or prepared in powder nke
the emetic herb.

d is well
shape,
leat con-
bark of
lor with,
oots, and
and ope-
yrup may
bird mo-
s children
y also be
White
ual parts,
are fond
iently an-
the most

FIPSISWAT, or RHEUMATIC WEED.

*-

This kerb grows on mountainous land, and <m 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 jene to two inches
long, xvith 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 afid all scrofulous humors, by drinking the
tea and bathing with it the parts affected. ||.

\^^

ie

Jfei»'Ouide to Health;

Another evergreen plant, called wild lettuce, srowf
on the Bamo kind of land, which posgeeaeg nuicn Ihn
■ame medical properties as the above. It hm round
leaves, from the size of a cent to that of a dollar, re-
■embling a common lettuce. Tho roots of this plant,
and of tho 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 affected with the same. It is olio good
to restore weak nerves.

OOLOENROD.

This herb may be found common on pine plaint and
in hedges; it grows about two or three feet high, has a
long narrow leaf, very smooth and glossy, and a largo
cluster of yellow blossoms; it has a sweet, spicy tnitt
and smell, resembling fennel or anniaA There is an oil
obtained from this herb, eood foir medicine; and al»u pre^-
pared in essence, isgooq for pain in the head, to be tak-
en, or the outside bathed with it. The^il 4|fioad to
scejit the bayberry and bitter root snuff, which is very
g(»ed to be taken and snuffed up the nose. There are
several herbs that resemble this in appearance, but are
very different in smell and taste.

I

MEADOW FERN.

Thi» 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 lal%er on some bushes than others; some
of them bear a small bur, or cluster of seeds, whieh,
when rubbed between the fingers, leaves an oily or bftl-
samy substance, having a fragrant smell, sometning like
spirits of turpentine.

These buriS, pounded fine and simmered in cream,
hog's lard or fresh butter, is almost a sovereign remedy
for the itch, or external poison, an4 all bad humor
sores. When the burs cannot be had, take the bufih
and buds and ms^e & strong decoction; drink of tbia

.1

T<

in g^
Mowt

The!

growl
uch thfl

round
>llar, re-
■ plant,
ogethar,
Take a
ter, and
Ibo good

laina and
i;h, hai •
id a largo
iicy tnRtt
Q 18 an oil
1 wUu pre
bo tnk-
ood to
■his very
rhere are
), but aro

or, Botanic Family Phytictan.

11

ind by the
tho wator;
om two to
tiag a large
\ew, unme
ids, whieh,
oily or bal-
lotbing like

in ereom,
an remedy
bed humor
e the bufth
rink of tbit

and waiih with the same. This liquor roay be prepared
in syrup, and by boiling it down, maybe made into oint-
ment, as has been described for the burs; the syrup
should be taken, and the ointment put on the affectod
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 bason, add cream
enough to make an ointment, keep it warm for twelve
hours, bo careful not to scald it. Rub it on at night
when going to bed. Three times using it will generally
efTect a cure. The foregoing described ointments, to-
gether wi|b No. 3, and the rheumatic drops prepared
with the spirits of turpentine, will be sufficient to cure
any case of this complaint.

^ PRICKL¥ ASH.

This is a shrub or bush that grows in the Wcstfni
country, and is 'well known by the people there. It

S'ows from eight to twelve feet high, and bears a berry
at grows closeto the limbs ; it has leaves iike the white-
ash. The bark and the berries are used for medical
purposes. The berries aro very pungent, and are a
powerful stimulant, as also the bark of the top and roots,
though not so strong. Jt should be pounded to a pow-
der, and steeped ia hot water, then put into wine or spir-
it, and it makes a very good hot bitter. Take half a
glass two or three times a day ; it is geod for fever and
ague, for which it is much used; and for lethargy, or
sleepiness, and for cold feet and hands, and other eom-
ploints caused by cold.

BITTER THISTLE. *

This herb is a species of the thistle, and is cultivated
in gardens. It is of one yearns growth, the seed being
aown in the spring, and it comes to maturity in the fall.
The stalk has a number of branches, and a great quao*

0>

n

^^Mw Guide to Health',

ttty of leaves. The leaf in some larger than the Canals
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 wirte or spirit.
It is an excellent corrector of the bile, and may be safe-
ly used for that purpose. The Cardis Bcnedictus, or
beloved thistle, is cultivated in the same manner, and
may be used for the same purpose.

AtlC RANGE L. .\^t.«'lli»

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
Irather 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 very much alike, but are very 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
important purposes; the rough removes the canker, and
the bitter is a corrector of the bile. By adding No, 2,
the compound contains the three great principles of the
healing art, viz. hot, rough and bitter.'

•n-51,

1:. ^

-«X3Up

t; J-

a«»

■>MSt-

,\' V.

about
e end,

sed for
i drank
powder
\r spirit,
ac safe-
!lu8, or
er, and

DIRECT lOBTI

FOR PREPARING AND USING

TCGETABLE ]!IEDI€II«E.

W-

)i«,

be often
fh fields,
aves are
i of bur
i at each
ch other;
ferent in
no bitter
They
swer two
»ker, and
jg No. 2,
cs of the

I:..-,: •■■
•'i.

'^

at

No. 1. — Emelic Herb.

The preparation of this herb hns been sufficiently de-
scribed, for wliich see page 43. It is prepared and used
in three difForent wavs, viz:

1. The powdered leaves and pods. This is the most
common form of using it; and from l:'\lf to a tea-spoon-
ful rnny be taken in warm water, sweeten*,'' : or the same
quantity may be put into either of the otht.- numbers
when taken; to cleanse the stomach, overpower tht ♦^old,
and prom;)te a free perspiration.

2. A tincture made from the green herb in spirit.
This is used to counteract the eflects of poison; to^lfte
either internally or externally used; and for asthma and
other complainls of the lung^. For a di^se, take a tea-
spoonful, adding about the same quantity of No. 2, in
half a tea-cupful of warm watlir, sweetened, and in all
cases of nervous affection add half a tea-spoonful of nervo
powder. For the external effects of poison, take the
above dose, and bathe the parts affccttd with the tinc-
ture, repeating it till cured.

3. The seeds reduced to a fine powder, and mixed
-with Nos. 2. and 6. This is for the most violent attacks
.pf spasms and other complaints, such as lock-jaw, bttepf
a mad d :>g, fits, drowned persons, and all cases ofsuspe^d-
«d animation, where 'the vital spark is nearly extinct.
For a dose, give a tea-spoonful, and repeat it till relief
is obtained ; then follow with a tea of No. 3, for canker.

For children, the dose must be regulated according to
their age. If very youn|N^steep a dos^ of the powder

80

JVeto Gtdde to HeaUh;

in half a tea-cupful of warm water, or tea of raspberry
loaves, and give a tea-spoonful at a time of the tea,
•trained through a fine cloth, and sweetened, repeating
the dose every ten minutes, till it operates; and give
pennyroyal, or some otheje herb tea for drink.

No. 2. — Cayenne.

This is a medicine of great value ir ' : .; practice, and
may be safely used in all cases of disf.use, to raise and
retain the internal vital heat of the system, cause a free
perspiration, and keep the determining powers to the
turface. Tho only preparation is to have it reduced to
A Ane powder. For a dose, take from half to a tea-
•poonful, in hot water, or a tea of No. 3, sweetened; or
the same quantity may be mixed with a dose of either
the other numbers, when taken. The dose should be
repeated every ten or fifteen minutes till the desired ob-
ject is efibcted, and continued occasionally till health is
restored. When this number is given, the pati«nt should
be kept warm, by sitting by the fire, covered with a
blanket, or in a warm bed.

# No. 3. — For Canker.

Take Bayberry root bark and white pond Lily root,
equal parts of each, pounded and well mixed together;
•teep one ounce of the powder in a pint of boiling water,
and give for a dose, a common wine glass full, sweet-
ened.

If the above' cannot be had, take as a substitute,
•umach bark, leaves or berries, red-raspberry or witch-
hazle leaves, marsh rosemary, or either of the other
articles described under the hef>d of No. 3 ; they are
all good for canker, and may be used together or sepa-
rately.

When the violence* of the disease requires a courae of
medicine, steep one ounce of the above mentioned pow-
der. No. 3, in a pint of boiling water, strain 00" a wine
glass full while hot, and add a tea-spoonful of No. 2,
And the same quantity of maar; when cool enough to

take, I

tyoff

at inti

pound

again

■poonf

the inj

Afte

operati

three h

page 2

This

repeate

stances

moved.

■ometin

in bad <
carry ii

a week,
Greal
BO as I
through
the con
the pnt
very di
below t
by artifi
Durir
seasone
the pat
the appi
A tei
night a
and dui
poplar

As ■(
No. 4,
and ha
taken t
the sto
powers.

♦^^I*,.

or, Bilanie FamUy Phyndan.

81

t«ko, add a toa-Npoonful of No. 1 , and half that quanti-
ty of nerve p'jwder. Let thia doao be given three times.,
at intervah oC fifteen miiiutes; and let the same com-
pound be given by injection, and if the case requires it,
again repeat it. If in3rtiHcation is apprehended, a tea-
spoonful of No. 6, may be added to each dose, and to
the injections,

After the patient has recovered sufficiently from tho
operation of tho medicine, which is usually in two or
three hours, place thuin over the steam, as is directed in
page 31. « m

This operation is sufficient for one time, and must be
repeated each day, or every other day, as the circum-
stances of tho case may require, till the dis-uder is re-
moved. Three times will generally be sufficient, and
sometimes onco or twice will answer the purpose; but
in bad chronic caios it may be necessary to continue to
carry *han* tnrougu a it>tfuiar uuuron ttvn.or tbibo times
a week, for a considerable length of time.

Great care ifiust be taken to keep up an internal heat,
80 as to produce perspiration, afVer they have been
through tho operation, by giving occasionally No. 2, or
the composition powder, for if this is not attended to,
the patient may have a relapse, in which case it will be
very difftcult to rdine it agam, as they will fall a^ much
below a natural heat as they have been raised above it
by arti^cial means.

During the operation give milk porridge, or gruel well
seasoned, with a little cayenne in it; and after it is over,
the patients may eat any kind of nourishing food that
the appetite may crave.

A tea-cupful of the tea of No. 3, should be taken
night and morning, to prevent a relapse of the disease^
and during the day drink frequently of a tea made of
poplar bark; and it costive, use the bitter root.

As soon as the disorder is |emoved, use the bjtters,
No. 4, to correct tho bile and restore the digcsture;
and half a wine glass full of the syrup, No. 5, may be
taken two or three times a day, which will strengthen
the stomach and assist in regulating the digestive
powers.

■ ..■■Ut!^:p'''*i-

.:M

Wp^

83

JVm0 (hide to HeaUKi

x^

The foregoing directions Ate calculated for the more
violent attacks oi diseaie, and such as have become set-
tled; but those of a less violent nature must be treated
according to circumstances. In the first stages of a
disease, it may be most generally thrown off by a doSe
of the emetic herb, with No. 2, to raise a free perspira-
tion, followed by a te» of No. 3, to remove the canker,
and the bitters or u t^a of poplar bark, to regulate the
digesture. For a sudden cold, take a dose of the' com-
> position powder on going to bod, and put a hot stone,
wrapped in wet cloths, at the feet, which will in most
cases remove the complaint; but if these applications do
not answer the purpose, the patient should be carried
through a regular course as soon as jiossible. Steaming
is safe and will always do good, and the injections must
not be neglected, particularly where the bowels are dis-
ordered. In consumption, and all old lingering com-,
plaioAo, give thfli /•«»r»t|»«»»uion |>«»»»oer lor iwn r\* mrcQ
days before going through a regular course.

No. 4.— BiWeri.

Take the Bitter Herb, or Balmony, Barberry and
Poplar h'U'k, equal p^rts, pulverized, one ounce of the
powder to a pint of^ hot water, ond half a pint of spirit.
For a dose, take half a wine glass full. For hot bitters,
add a tea-spoonful of No. 2.

This preparation is calculated to correct the bile and
create an appetite, by restoring the digestive powers;
and may be freely used both as a restorative and to pre-
vent disease.

When the above articles cannot be had, either of those
that have been before described under No. 4, which
are all good for the same purpose, may be used as a
substitute.

No. 6.— Si/riip.

Take Poplar bark and bark of the root of Bayberry,
one pound each, and boil them in two gallons of water,
strain off and add teven pounds of good sugar; then

W'

or, Botanic Family P/tynctan.

83

more
le set-
:reated
3 of a
a doiie
irspira-
janker,
ite the
e' com-
, stone,
in most
Lions do
carried
teaming
ns must
are dis-
2 com-
!f, inre6

jrry and
of the
spirit,
bitters,

}ile and
powers;
to pro-
of those
which
sed as a

layberry,
of water,
ar; thea

scald and skim it, and add half a pound of peachmeats;
or the same quantity of cherry-stone meats, pounded
fine. When cool, add a gallon of good brandy; and
keep it in bottles for use. Take half a wine glass fall
two or three times a day.

Any other quantity rnay be prepared, by observing the
same proportion of the different articles.

This syrup is very good to strengthen the stomach
and bowels, and to restore weak patients; and is
particularly useful in the dysentery, which leaves the
stomach and bowels in a sore state. In a relax, or
the first stages of the dysentery, by using a tea of No.
3, freely, and giving this syrup, it will generally cure
it, ai>d will also prevent those exposed, from taking the
disease.

No. 6. — Rheumalic Dropg.

Take one gallon of good fourth proof brandy, or any
kind of high wines,^ one pound of gum Myrrh pound-
ed fine, one ounce of No. 2, and put them into a stone
jug, and boil it a few minutes in a kettle of water, leav-
ing the jug unstopped. When settled, bott\e it up for
use. It ma^ be prepared without boiling.'by \etting it
stand in the jug for five or six days, shaking h well
every day, when it will be fit for use.

These drops are to remove pain and prevent morti-
fication, to be taken, or applied externally or to be put
into the injections. One or two tea-spoonfuls of these
drops may be given alone, or the same quantity tnay
be put into a dose of either of the medicines before
mentioned ; and may be also used to bathe with in. all
cases of external swellings or pains. It is an excel-
lent remedy for rheumatism, by taking a dose and
bathing the parts affected wi|h it. In the headache,
by taking a swallow, and bathing the head, and snufi-
ing a little up the nose, it will remove the pain. It is
good for bruis'^s, sprains, swelled Joints/^Rnd old sores;
as it will allay t(ie inflammation, ering down swelling,
ease pain, and produce a tendenoy to heal; in fact
there is hardly a complaint, in which this useAil medi-

84

!»>■'*■■

JVcto Gmde to HedUltt

cine cannot be used to advantage. It ii the belt
preservative against mortification of any thing I have
ever found.

For bathing, in rheumatism^ itch, or other humors,
or in any swelling or external pain, add one quarter part
of spirits of turpentine ; and for sprains and bruises, a
little g4ini cauiphor mky be added.

tea-sp(
and ix
nerve
same,
tient n
medici,

NERVE POWDER.

This is the American Valerian, or Umbil, ond the
preparation has been sufficiently described, for which
see page 65. This powder is a valuable and safe medi-
cine, and may be used in all cases without danger; and
when there are nervous symptoms, it must never be dis-

Eensed with. For a dose, take half a tea-spoonful in
ot water sweetened; or the same quantity should b?
put into a dose of either of the other medicines, and also
into the injections, in all nervous cases.

composition; or, vegetable powdbr.

Take two pounds of the bayberry-root bark, one pound
of ginger, two ounces of Cayenne, two ounces of cloves,
all pounded fkif!, sifled through a fine sieve, «nd well mix-
ed together. For a dose, take a tea-spoonful of this pow-
der, with an equal quantity of sugar, and put to it half a
teacupful of boiling water; to be taken as soon as suffi-
ciently cool, the patient being in bed, or by the fire,
covered with a blanket. ,

This composition is calculated for the first stages end
in less violent attacks of disease. It is a medicine of
much value, and may be safely used in all complaints of
male or female, and for children. It is good for relax,
dysentery, pain in the stomach and bowels, and to re-
move all obstructions cajjjised by cold, or loss of inward
heat; by taking a dose dh going to bed, and putting b
hot stone to the feet, wrapped in wet cloths, it will cure
u bad cold, and will generally throw off a disease in itM
first stdgcs, if repeatCMltwoorthree times. ' jfthe symp-
toms are violent, with much pain, add to each dose B

Tak<
Hoarhc
No. 2,
one of
gether.
halfati
warm, i
ticularl^

Whei
be best,
re> ,ilar
sary.

Take

and boil

and fill

before in

heads to

fire i\n

fit for us(

ii shou/d

made sofi

old sores.

Take
one and a
sam-fir;
off into a
heal fresh
(he inflam

or, Botanic Family Physician.

85

tea-spoonful of No. 6, and half a tea-spoonful of No. 1 ;
and in nervous symptoms, add half a tea-spoonful of
nerve powder; at the same tune give an injection of the
same. If these should not answer tlie purpose, the pa-
tient must be carried through a regular course of the
medicine, as has been before described.

COUGH FOWDER.

Take four tea-spoonfuls of Skunk Cabbage, two of
Hoarhcand, one of Wake-robin, one of No. 1, one of
No. 2, one of Bayberry bark, one of Bitter root, and
one of nerve po.wder, all made fine and well mixed to-

g ether. When taken, to be mixed with molasses. Take
alf a tearspoonful of the powder on going to bed; keep
warm, and continue to take it till relief is obtained, par-
ticularly on going to bed.

Where the cough has been of long standing, it vfig
be best, while takmg this prescription, to go through a
re^.ilar course of the Biedicine, and repeat it if neces-
sary.

CANC£R PLASTER.

Take the heads of red clover, and fill a brass kettle,
and boil them in water for one hour; then take them out,
and till the kettle again with fresh ones, and boil them as
before in the same liquor. Strain it oif, and press the
heads to get out all the juice; then simmer it over slow
fire tiil it is about the consistence of tar, when it will be
fit for use. Be careful not to let it burn. When used,
it should be spread on a piece of bladder, split and
tnade soft. It is good to cure cancers, sore hps, and all
old sores.

SALVE.

Take one pound of Bees-wax, one do. of salt Butter,
one and a half do. of Turpentine, twelve ounces of Bal-
sam-fir; melt and simmer them together; then strain it
off into a basin, p.nd keep it for use. It may be used to
heal fresh wojunds, burns, scalds, and all bad sores, after
the inflamjaoAtion is allayed, and the wound cleansed. .
8

«i*Ffl

86

JVew Guide to HeaUh}

STRENGTHENING PLASTER.

Take Burdock leaves and Mullen leaves, bruise them
and put them in a kettle, with a sufficient quantity of
water, and boil them well; then strain off the liquor,

gress or squeeze the leaves, and boil it down till about
alf as thick as molasses; then add three parts of Rosia
and one of Turpentine, and simmer well together, until
the water is evaporated; then pour it off into cold water,
and work it with the hands, like shoemaker's wax; if
too hard, put in more turpentine, when it will be fit for
use. It should be spread on soft leather and applied to
the part affected ; and it is good to strengthen weakness
in the back and other parts of the body.

VOLATILE SALTS.

Take crude Sal Ammoniac, one ounce, Pearl ash, two
Igfticos, and pound each by itself, mix them well together,
and keep it close stopped in a bottle for use. By damp-
ing it with spirit or essence, wilV increase the strength.
This applied to the nose, is good for faintness, and to re-
move pain in the head ; and is much better than what is
generally sold by the apothecaries.

t

NERVE OINTMENT.

Take the bark of the root of Bitter-sweet, two parts;
of wormwood and chamomile, each equal, one part,
when green, or if dry, moisten it with hot watev; which
put into horse or porpoise oil, or any kind of soft animal
oil, and simmer them over a slow fire for twelve hours;
iken strain it off, and add one ounce of spirits of Tur-

Eentine to each pound of ointment. To be used for a
ruisc, sprain, callus, swelling, or for corns.

POULTICE.

Make a strong tea of Raspberry leaves, or of No. 3;
take a cracker pounded fine, and slippery-elm bark pul-
verized, with ginger, and make a poultice of the same.
This is good for old sores, whitlows, felons, and for bad
- burns, scalds, and parts frozen. Apply-this poultice and
renew it, at least as often as every twelve pr twenty-four
hours, and wash with soap suds at every renewal; wet-

ting i
berry
a cur(

Thi
est im
when
use of
not, tl
very vi
have b
the pri
patient
isterinc
therefo
Accc
are cer
tration
internal
guard {
To acc(
remove
where t
taking
bowels,
inj^tio
takl^n i
purpose
warm t
of dyse
the bov
be disp
and bet
than, on
cases,
tion, pa
in this
other,
conside
this imp
where t

- '^'V^';-

or, Botanic Family PayBician.

87

them
ity of
quor,
about
Rosia
, until
water,
ax; if
fit for
lied to
aLn«i89

sh, two
(gether,
y damp-
trength.
id to re-
\vhat is

fo parts;
►ne part,
which
)ft, animal
ve hours;
s of Tur-
sed for a

of No. 3;
bark pul-
the same,
ind for bad
ouUice and
wenty-four
ewal; wet-

ting it in the interim with cold water, or a tea of Rasp-
berry leaves, till it discharges; then apply the salve till
a cure is effected.

INJECTIONS, or CLYST&RS. , ^

This manner of administering medicine is of the great-
est importance to the sick ; it will frequently give relief
when all other applications fail. It is supposed thiU the
use of them is of great antiquity; whether this be trtfe or
not, the using them to relieve the sick, was certainly a
very valuable discovery; and no doubt thousands of lives
have beerfsaved by it. The doctors Hlive long been in
the practice of directing injections to be given to their
patients, but they seem to have no other object in admin-
istering them, than to cause a movement in the bowels;
therefore it was immaterial what they were made oft

According to the plan which I have adopted, there
are certain important objects aimed at in the adminis-
tration of medicine toyfemove disease, viz. to raise the
internal heat, promote perspiration, remove the canker,
guard against mortification, and restore the (Vgestion.
To accomplish ^ese objects, the medicine necessary to
remove the complaint, must be applied Jto that part
where the disease is seated; if in the stomaoh only, by
taking the medicine, it mav be removed; but if in the
bowels, the same compound must i)e administered by
inj^tion. Whatever is good to cure disease, when
tak^n into the storhach, is likewise good for the same
purpose if giv%n by injection, as the grand object is to
warm the bowels, and remove the canker. In all cases
of dyientery, cholic, piles, and other complaints, where
the bowels are badly affected, injectidns should never
be dispensed with. They are perfectly safe in all cases,
and better that they be used ten tiines wheanot needed,
thaa, once neglected when they are. Ii^ many violent
cases, particulieyly where there is dange^ bf mortifica-
tion, patients may be relieved by administering medicine
in this way,' when there would be no chance in any
other. I do, therefore, most seriously advise that these
considerations be always borne in mind; and that
this important way of giving relief, be never neglected,
where there is any chance for it to do good. In many

"^^^

88

jNeto Guide to Health;

■ H

complaints peculiar to females, they are of the grentest
importance in giving relief, when properly attended to;
for which purpose it is only necessary to repeat what has
been before stated; let the remedy be applied with judg-
meflit and discretion to that pivt where the disease is
seated.

The common preparation for an Injection or Clyster,
is t^ake a tea-cupful of strong tea made of No. 3, strain
it on* when hot, and add half a tea-spoonful of No. ^,
and a tea-spoonful of No. 6; when cool enough to give,
add half a tea-spoonfuf of No. 1, and the same quantity
of nerve powder. Let it be given with a lar^ syringe
made for that purpose, or where this cannot be had, a
bladder and pipe may be used. They Inist be repeated
as occasion may require, till relief is obtained.

B|any other articles may be used to advantage in the
injections ; a tea of witch-hazle and red-raspberry leaves,
either, or both together, are very good in many cases.
For canker, a tta of either the a||ticles described under
the head of No. §, will answer a good purpose. When
the danker is removed, the bowels will be left Hore, in
which case, g^e injections of witch-hijfcel or raspberry
leaves tea, yf^h slippery-elm bark. When injections are
used to moie th» bowels only, No. 1. should be left out.
It is always fiaf^to add the nerve powder, and if there is
nervous symptoms,^t must never be omitted.

STOCK OF MCDICINK FOR A FAMIIiY.

1 ounce of thp Emelic Herb, ^ .gK,

2 oui^cea of Cayen^^, ^
I 1ft. feiiyberry root Hbark, in powder,
J lb. of Poplir Bark,

, lb. of Ginger,
pim'pi' the Rtienmatic Drops. ^- *

This stock will be sufficient for a fami|y for one year,
and with such articles as they can easily procure them-
selves, when "wanted, will enable them to dure any dis-
ease, which a family of common size may be afflicted
with during that time. The expense wilt be small, and
much better than to employ a doctor, Md have his ex-
travagant bill to pay.

#

I.

to thi
411 two
be sal

2.

de^h;

a frien

aid th(

health.

3.
human
formed
tute th<
fire am
and ma
cred fr
ensues.
4. J
ance ol
hyi any
dered,
tion of
is its opl

5.

tion, wl
that mel
best call
pirationj

6.^
digeste(
on whici
to the -^U
ishp^-nt,!

tollows.
7. Of
or Jess of

4m^''^4lfl^

or, Botanic Family Physician.

OENERAIi DIRKCTIONS

n

the
mil

In Curing or Prerentlnf Iii5esa^^0

1. Be careful to always keep the determining
to the surface, by keeping the^ifiward heat al>o
outward, or the fountain above the stream, and
be safe.

2. It must be recollected that heat is life, a/t^ cold,
de^h; or jn other words, cold is disease; that/^fever is
a friend artd coldtheenemy; it is therefore necessary to
aid the friend and oppose the enerAy, in order to restore
health. ,

3. That the construction and organiTation of/»*
human frame, is in all men essentially thf same ; ll^ng
formed of the four elements. Earth and water /insti-
tute the solids of the body, which ^^ade a^'^e b
fire and air. Heat Ik a peculiJr "Opiner, i'^
and motion to the whole; and^ilbei^«ntirel overpow-
er ele'^*^^^' death

! by
lif«

ered from whatever cause byi

ensues. *

4. A perfect state .o£ health Arises /""f « «"«
.f*L «.„♦..-« ^r**i,« ^i^«n*o/and when

ore oc less disor-

fs afways a d^inu-

iver of told, which

/onqr a due bal-
ance of temperature oflhe elfmente'^"** ^^^^ »' "

hy. any moans destroyed,

dered. When this is the

tion of heat, or an ii||creai

is its opposite. / , u * * j

5. All disorders ai»* cans*- ^y obstructed perspira-
tion, which may be pi^duced ^X f g^eat variety of means;
that medicine, the^fore,^«t be administered, that is
best calculated t(^emov^r"ctions and promote pers-

6 The fc**d take/*"**® *^® stomach, and being well
diaelted ^ourishe?^ system, and keeps up that heat
on^whicHife dop'^da; but by constantly taking food in-
to the -*to'nac'l/^><^^^ is sometimes not suitable fornour-
ishp^-ntj 't bf<^®* ^oul, V#that the foo^js not^vell di-
ff'Sted; liur causes the bdjly to lose its heat, and disease

tollows. ^ , ' , , . ,

7. Oanker is caused by cold, and there is always mora

or less of4t in ^1 cases of disease; continue to make use

80

JVew Guide to Health;

I i

of such articles as are calculated to remove it, aa long;
as there is any appearance of disorder.

8. When the disease is removed, make free use of
those things that are good to restore the digestive now-
ertf not forgetting to keep up th<i inward heat, by giving
oocilbionally, No. 2. «

9.\y<Keep always in |Mnd, that an ounce of prevention
is b|^er than a pound of cure; and give medicine on thw
first appearance of disorder, before it bedomes seati^d;
for it ^y be then easily thrown oS*, and much sickneNg
and expVnse prevented.

10. 1% case of a fever, increase the internal how by
giving hot medicine, so as to overpower the cold, when
ti-e naturrti heat will ret|irn inwardly; and the cold
wi^ertadethe whole surface of the body, a» the heat
ha^ne beft^re. This is what is called the iwcn of the
fever. ^

1 !• 'f No. ka^hould sicken and not puke, there may
bo two c uses ffi^itflviz. the coldness or acidity of the
stomach; N- thelbt, -ive Jfo. 2. more freely, and for
the IWter, di^olve\ p|| of pearlash about the size of
a large pea, n^ ^vin^ glass of water, and let them take
It, which wHJ ccj^terftct the acidity. If this fails, nmko
use of the^tearn, hichwill opTn the pojes, extract the
coW, and set the i%ej„^ -^^^ operation. *#

, }?'* ,*" g'^*"S "Viicin^|||i children, give about one
half, a lml<f more o^ ad5)rding to their age, of the
qufmtity directed for a g^^^ ^^^^^ g^ particular to
offer them drink often, Vpeci^y young children who
cannot ask for it. ' •' "

13 Dysentery is causeAw caAer on the boweli,
for which, make a free use m\ teaV No. 3, with No.
2, and give the same by injectfc\ [^ the first of the dii-
6ase, and aftei ward* give the syrujK^ No.? to strength-
en the stomach and bowels, ani"*tx3tore U^ digewive
powers. ' A

14. The piles is canker below the ♦eu.h of n^dieine
given ir^ the ujspal way, an4|^ust be cut^ by uKng a
wash of No. 3, made strong, pftid by giving i||v0fetionfi of
the same, with No. 2? ^What is called beBn^» dowu
pains in women, is from the same cause; and muf»t be
relieved by injections made of witch-h^e orife^l ratip-

or, Botanic Fam'Uij PhyHician.

91

borry leaf tea, steeped strong, with No. 2, strained. If
this dose not give relief, go through a regular course of
medicine.

15. Women in a state of pregnancy, ought to be car-
ried through a regular course of the medicine, espec-
ially when near the time of delivery. When in travai ,
give raspberry leaf tea, with a toa-spoonful of the com-
position powders, or No. 2, and keep them in a perspira-
tion. After delivery, keep up the internal heat, by
giving the composition powder, or No. 2. This will
prevent cold and atler pains; if there should be symp-
toms of fever, carry them through a regular course of
the medicine, which will guard against all alarming
complaints, peculiar in such cases.

16. In all cases of a burn, scald, or being frozen,
wrap up the part in cloths wet with cold water, often
wetting them with the same, to prevent their becoming
dry, and be careful to give hot medicine, such as No. 2,
or the composition powders, to keep up the inward heat.
Pursue this plan for twelve hours; and then, if the skin
is off, apply the "poultice, or salve. If there should be
convulsions, or fever, a regular course of the medicine
i|;nust without fail be attended to.

17. When' a scald is over the whole or greatest part
of the body, apply cotton cloth of several thicknesses to
the whole body, wet with the tea of raspbe#y leaves,
thoroughly wetting it with the same to preveril it from
becoming dry; and give the hot medicine. When the
scald is under the stocking, or any other tight garment,
let it remain on, adding more cotten cloths, and wet
the whole with cold water as often as the smart of the
burn returns. ■

18. If the skin is off, or in case of an old burn, to
guard against canker, apply a poultice of cracker and
slippery-elm bark, made with a tea of raspberry leaves;
washing it with soap suds, when the poultice is changed,
and then with the same tea. When any part is frozen,
the same method must be taken, as for a burn.

19. For a fresh wound, cut, or bruise, wash iipmedi-
ately with cold water, and bind up in cloths wet with
the same; keep a hot stone at the feet, and take medi-
cine to raise a gentle perspiration; continue this till

iir,-' «t;*, !%£.

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the faiflnmmatton ii allayed, and the wound peirfectly
cleansed, then apply the poultice or salve, till healed.
The air must be kept iVom all wounds or sores, as it
will eausf ,paiii, and prevent them from healing.

^. In sudden ano deadly attsbks, such as spotted or
yeHbW fevera,; fits, drowned person, croup, &c. the heat
and activity of the piu|j|ent fa so much diminished, that
Uie l^mmon adininiitration will not give relief; the d«r
termining power to the lurfacis, being so small, through
the lose of internal heat, that it will not give the medi-
cine operation, ai^ its effeota are resisted, andcount^r-
balanced by the pressure of the external air. To coun-
teract this preaiure, keep the room, by aid of a aood
fire, about as warm as a summer heat; and more fiilly
to rarify^ and lighten the air, and aid the operation of
the medicine, make a fVee uae of the steam bath; and
keep the patient shielded by a blanket, at me same
time give oooaatonallv Nos. 1 .and 3. This course
should be unreiij^fiigiy perseverflin till the patient is
relieved,*

21. If the glands are diy, so that there is no moisture
in.the mouth, or if the patient is much iiressed for breath,
give a stfong'tea of No. 2, aweeteneo, and repeat it till
the mouth becomes moist. No. d, should not be used
while tjie mouth is dry; if any ia used, add a large por-
tion of N# 2. f ,

22. Bt careful not lo hive the outward heat too high,
by too many clot^hes or Are; for if this is the case, it
will cause a balance of the outward and iwward heat,
.and will prevent the medicine flrom operating, by atop-

' ping the circulation ; and the patientjiill be very much
distresoed. When this happens, thrw cold vinegar on
the face and atomaeh, and give more hot medicine, which
will let down the outward neat, and raise the inward.

* Keep ilwayi In mind to a tvs ths p«tli>nt frpih air when
•tramiiifTt snH whilt foinff tnMH|h a oniirne of medicine, by
meHinff * quick flra of ■hnvisgo. oi ftry tifht #ood, and opening
a window at the Hiin« i\mp\ m litla will Immediaiplj elianjre the
foul air in the wtni, by drivinf It out, and etipplyiny ii« place bj
the fr««h air Onnt tli* surronndinf alinoiiplierp. This mode is
•ieentini ip all dlaordwrtboih in iini weather and in cold. Sienming
h not eimsntiil in hi't wmih*t,no9pi when gAinn throneh a O' eras
ofmedi «in« v'^kfker whioh, a ■nnwsf'balh i« gnod in^ the nrarninff,
aa it leta duwn Ihs outward lital,#hiob givi^s power to Ute iowsrd.

or, Botanif FamUy Physician.

93

as it

33. If the patient is restless, wet the head and body
with cold vinegar; and if there are convulsions or
spasms, give the nerve powder with No. 2. Injections
must also be used.

24. Never make use of physic in cases where there
is canker inside, for it will draw the determining powers
inward, and increase the disease. I have seen so many
bad effects from giving physio, that I have disapproved
Ihe use of it altogether; but if any is given, af\er the
operation, be careful to keep up the inward heat, so as
to cause a free perspiration.

2d. Avoid all minerab used as medicine, such as mer-
cury, arsenic, antimony, calomel, preparations of copper
or lead ; and also nitre and opium. They are all poison,
and deadly enemies, to ^edtn.

2tf . Beware of bleeding aod blisters, as they can
never do any good, and may be productive of much
harm; they are contrary to nature, and strengthen the
power of the enemy ta health. Setonsand issues should
also be avoided, as mey only tend to ^aste away the
strength of the patient, without doing any good; it is a
much better way to remove the cause by a proper ad-
ministration of medicine, which will be more certain and
safe in its eflTects.

27. Be careful not to make use of salt-petre in any
way whatever; it is the greatest cold of any thing that
can be taken into the stomach, and was never intended
for any other purpose than to destroy life. It Is a very
bad practice to put it on meat, for it destroys all the
juices, which is the nourishing part, and leaves the flesh
hard and difficult to digest.

28. Never eat|Kpat that is tainted, or any way injnr-
ed) as it will engender disease; for one ounce in the
stomach is worse than the effluvia of a whole carcass.
Eat salt provisions in hot weather, and fresh in cold.

29. Be careful about drinking cold water, in very hot
weather, as it will tend to let down the inward heat so
suddenly, as to give full power to the cold. If this should
happen, its fatal effects may be prevented by giving the
hot medicine, to raise the inward heat above the outward.
Be careful also not to cool suddenly, after being very
warm, in consequence of uncommon exercis6.

«%''

♦

94

JV*ew. Guide to Heatthi

30. Remember that regularity in diet is very impor-
tant to preserve health; and that if more food is taken
into the stomach, than is well digested, it clogs the sys-
tem and causes disease. Therefore be cautious hot to
eat too much at a time, and have your food well cooked.
This is very important to those who have weakly consti-
tutions.

31. Ardent spirit is slow <j)oison; it is taken to stimu-
late, but this effect is soon over, and much use of it de-
stroys the tone of the stomach, injui'es the digestive
powers, and causes disease. It is therefore much better^
when the feelings require any thing of the kind, to itake
use of stimulating medicine, such as Nos. 2 and d,' for
these will answer a far better purpose.

By a strict observance of the foregoing directions, you
may save much pain and expense, and enjoy good health
ana long life,, which is the earnest wish of the writer.

Fsr

To make Milk Porridge.

Put a quart of water in a kettle, with a proper quan-
tity 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; let it be
well boiled, then add half a pint of mjlk. This to be
eaten while under the operation of the medicine; and
is also good food for the sick, at any other time, espe-
cially while the stomach is weak.

To make Chicken Broth.

Take a chicken and cut it in pieces; put the gizzard
in with it, opened and cleaned, but not peeled. 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 seasoned.
This may be given instead of the milk porridge, and is
very good for weak patients, particularly in cases of the
dysentery.

r

this
com
I

till

of a

met

layi

doc

ofle

the

aal

Wy Botanic FamUy Phyncian.

95

impor-
t taken
ae syt-
I hot to
cooked.

consti-

stimu-
)f it de-
igestive
1 better,
to ftiake

e; for

ma, you
d health
rriter.

er quan-
our in a
water is
let it be
lis to be
ine; and
le, espe-

9 gizzard
. Boil it
give the
and when
seasoned.

5e

and is

When the operation of medicine is gone through,
I have said that the patient may eat any kind of nour-
ishing food his appetite should crave; but the best thing
is, to take a slice of salt pork boiled, or beef steak, weU
done, and eat it with pepper-sauce ; or take cayenne;
vinegar and salt, mixed together, and eat with it, which
is very good to create an appetite, and assist the digesture*

/

DBSCRIPTION

Of MTend €•••■ ot D1smm«, wltli Dlr«etloiM homr iMkmf

b« Cured*

ses of the

FBIiOKS.

This sore always comes on a joint, and is often caused
by some strain or bruise, which makes a leak in the
joint or muscle, and the sooner it has vent, the better.
If it is brought to a head by poulticing, the skin being
so thick that it w!U oflen be caiused to break through the
back of the hand, before it can get through the skin on
the inside. The' best way to give it vent, that I have
ever found, is to burn a small piece of punk, the bigness
of half a pea, on the place afibcted. If you think the flesh
is dead down to the matter, you may prick the point of a
needle into the. dead skin, and raise it up and cut out a
piece under the needle sufficient to let out the matter;
then apply poultice or salve. If painful, wrap it in cloths
of several thicknesses, wet with cold water, and repeat
this as often as it becomes hot or painful. Take the
composition or warm medicine, to keep up an inward heat.

If the sore has b^eii several days coming, and appears
nearly ripe, apply a piece of unslacked lime to the part
affected, wrap it up and wet the cloth with cold water,
till the lime is slacked; and repeat this till the skin looks
of a purple color: then open it as before directed. This
method is more safe and quick in causing a cure,^aa
laying it open with a knife, as is the practice of some
doctors. By cutting the live flesh, it forms a leak, and
often spoils the joint ; but by searing them by either of
the above modes, it secures and prevents the leak, and
makes a speedy cure.

96

•>

JWio Guide to Health;
Freexe$ and Bum»,

These two names of disorder are one and the same
thing, and require the same treatment. Take a cloth
wet in cold water, and wrap several thicknesses round
or laid on to the part, to be kept wet as often as the pain
increases. Give warm medicine inside. Jfthe scald is
dangerous, carry them through a regular course of med-
icine, as though they had a lever, or any other acute dis-
order; keep the cloth or poultice on to secure it from
the air, from twelve to fourteen hours, till the soreness
or pain is entirely gone. If the skin is off, a poultice of
flour bread wet with any of the articles composing No.
3, and keep it wet with this tea or water till the sore dis-
charges, then wash with soapsuds; when dressed, wash
with the tea of No. 3, and continue the poultice or salve
until a cure is effected.

A freeze is direct told, and a burn is attracted cold;
for as much as the heat opens the pores more than usual,
the cold follows and closes them as much more than they
were before the operation of the heat; this stops the per-
spiration from going through the surface, and the water
collects under the grain of the skin, which is called blis-
tering; the water applied in the cloth on the outside,
opens the pores, and lets the water out by perspiration,
and the grain adheres to the skin; the pain ceases, and
the cure is completed.

Cure of My Broiher*8 Son of a Scald.

He was about 14 years of age, ttid was taking off
from the fire a kettle of boiling cider, the leg. of the
kettle caught by the log, tipped it forward, and poured
the cider boiling hot, into a Inrge bed of live embers,
whicji covered his bare' feet with this hot mass; he was
obliged to hold on till the kettle was set on the floor,
«nd then jumped into a pail of cold water, and stood
there until his father procured some cloths, which he
immediately wrapt his feet up in; his father laid by the
fire to attend to pour on water, to keep the cloths filled,
which keeps the air from the surface, and eases the

kept

taking

teris,

stockili

happer

family

to go

in the

sensesj

Bui
and
are tb^
stood,
these

or, Botanic Family Phyncian.

VI

i samo
a cloth
I round
he pain
Bcald ia
of med-
lute dis-
it from
loreness
iltice of
in|; No.
jore dis-
id, wash
or salve

sd cold;
in usual,
han they

the per-
le water
iled blis-

outside,
ipir&tioD,
tses, and

aking off
3g, ot the
d poured
embers,
j; he was
the floor.
Mid stood
which he
lid by the
ths tilled,
eases the

pmin; for as the water wastes and lets the air to the
burn, the pain will increase ; but by pursuing this course
for about two hours, the pain abated, and the boy fell
asleep. Water was poured on the cloth but two or
three times during the rest of the night, and in the morn-
ing, preparation was made to dress the wound, when,
to the surprise of all present, no blister had arisen, nor a
particle of skin broken. He put on his stockingii and
shoes as usual, and went about his work, perfectly well.

Case of a Boy who iea« badly Scalded.

A lady took off from the fire a tea-kettle filled with
boiling water, when her little son, about six years old,
stepped oh the bail and turned the contents en to both his
feet, and falling, one hand went iutq the tea-kettle; both
foot and one hand were very badly scalded. I happened
to be present, and immediately tore up cloth sufficient
to do up each part, wetting them with cold water. I
then put him in bed and gave him some warm medicine,
put a warm stone at his feet, and wet the cloths as often
as he complained of pain. In about two hdurs he fell .
asleep, after which, two or three times wetting the cloths,
kept him easy through the night. In the morning on
taking off the cloths, there was no appearance of blis-
ters, nor any skin broken ; and he put on his shoes and
stockihgs and appeared as well as before the accident
happened. It had been the declared opinion of the
family the night before, that the boy would not be able
to go to school for a fortnight; but on finding him well
in the morning, were hardly willing to believe their own
senses, or that the child had been scalded. «

General Remarks on Bums.

Burns are the most easily cured, if rightly managed
and understood, of any wounds I ever attended; and
are the most difficult and dangerous, when not under-
stood, and wrongly treated. How often have we seen
these sores continue all winter and could not be healed?
9

at .

'^1

98

A«te Otiide to HeaUki

%-

as also, burns caused by blisters made with Spanish
flies, which amount to the same thing. By not being,
treated in a proper manner in season, the canker gets in
and eats out the flesh, after which what is called proud
flesh fills up the sore. The doctor applies his sugar of
lead, vitriol and red precipitate to eat out the dead flesh;
this aflects the cords and draws them out of shape and ,
many times makes a sore that they cannot cure, which
terminates in a mortifying canker sore. My friends, if
you wish to avoid all thi;^ trouble, attend to what belongs
to your peace and comfort, before it is hidden from your
eyes; that is, to attend to the canker, which always
awaits such cases, and where the skin is ofi", in all ^ases
of burns or blisters, apply a poultice of cracker, or elm
bark wet with a tea of No. 3, until the canker is gone.
Sometimes add ginger; if the inflammation is high, add a
little of No. 2, with the ginger, keeping the poultice wet
with cold water; when the sore discharges, apply salve
till a cure is effected.

I shall continue my remarks on burns, by showing the
evil consequences arising from blistering. Not long
since I knew a case where a doctor drew a blister on a
child's breast up tor the neck, for being stuffed at the
lungs. It lingered, with this scald near its vitals, about
a week; I was then called to visit the child and found
it to be dying. The mother asked me what I thought
was the matter with it; I took off the dressing and
showed her the mortified flesh all over the blister, and
told her that was the disorder. She seemed much sur-
prised; and I then asked her if the child had been
scalded and it had mortified in like manner, whether she
would have had any doubt of its being the cause of her
child's death ? she said that she should not. I gave her
'my opinion, that 'tt was exactly a similar'case, aind that
the child's death was caused as much by the blister as it
would have been by a scald. The child died before
morning. I had declined' doing any thing for it, as I
was satisfied that I could do it no good ; and if I had
, made the attempt, it would have been said that I killed it.
I have seen many cases where I was perfectly satis-
fied that the patients died in consequence of blisters,
not only on the stomach, but on the head. In many

erne
nervol
nightl
Ibundl

Wy Botanic Family Phyaician.

99

panUh
being,

gets in
proud

igar

of

I flesh;
pe and .

which
snds, if
)elonga
m your

always

II ft'ase*
J or elm
B gone.

\\, add a
tlce wet
ly salve

Bring the
fot long
er on a
i at the
Is, about
[id found

thought
sing and
ster, and
luch sur-
lad been
lether she
jse of her

gave her
, and that
•lister as it
ied before
)r it, as I
d if I had

I killed it.

Bctly satis-

of blisters,

In many

that I have witnessed, where a blister was drawn on the
head, as soon as it began to draw, their senses were ^one,
and did not return till they died raving, or stupitied.
More than half the cases where the head was shaved and
blistered, that have come within my knowledge, have
died. I never could see any reason whv a scald on the
head or body, done on purpose, should have a tendency
to effect a cure, when the person is sick, and the same
thing happening to them by accident, when well, should
destroy .their health or cause their death. If a person
-should have their head or stomach so badly scalded as to
take off the skin, we should consider them in the most
dangerous condition; but nothing is said about it when
drawn on purpose. I shall leave it to the reader to re-
concile, if he can, this inconsistency. I have known
most dangerous stranguries caused hy blisters on the
sides and limbs, and those who applied them did not
know the cause, and I have been applied to for relief.

Motiijication of the lAmba.

I was called on to go on board a vessel, at Eastport,
to see a young man, who had had a block fall from mast
head on his foot, weighing 13 1-2 p6unds, which lv isised
all his toes to pieces except the little one. The ac^M'cnt
happened on Friday, and I did not see him till the Tues-
day following; during which he had neither eat nor
slept. His nerves were much affected, and had spasms
and convulsions through the whole system. I took off
the dressing from his foot, and found it black, and the
smell very offensive. The captain of the vessel appear-
ed to be very anxious about him, asked, me if I could
help his foot; I told him that I mifst first try to save
his life, for his whole body was as much disordered as
his foot. He requested me to do what I thought best.
I put a poultice of meal on his foot, and wet the cloth
with cold water, to allay the heat; then gave him medi-
cine the same as though he had been attacked with a
nervous fever. The captain attended him through the
night, and I went to see him the next morning, and
Ibund him much better* The captain said he was aston-

.*

100

JSew Guide to Health;

iflhed at the operation of the medicine, for that his rom-
iting and sweating had carried off all the pain in hit body
and foot, and had also reconciled the nerves.

I unbound his foot and found that the black and yellovr
streaks up the leg had disappearitd, and on the foot, all
the flesh that was alive, se6med to receive fresh support
from the body ; and the living and dead flesh appeared
as though two colors were painted by the side of each
other. I then made a lie of pearlasn in warm M'ater,
and soaked his foot in it, which caused a slimy glaze
all over his foot; this took away all the offensive smell;
and I washed it v^th vinegar to kill the alkali and keep
it from irritating the skin. The acid cleared ofl[ all
the slimy matter, so that it wiped clean. I then cut
off the great toe at the middle joint, and the two next
at the upper joint^and set the next, which was broken.
I cut none ofthellesh but what was dead, to stop in
part the putrefaction. I then put on another poultice,
and ordered it to be kept wet with cold water, and a
warm stone wrapped in a' wet cloth, to be put to his
feet to keep a steam, giving him warm medicines inside
to keep up the inward heat; and by wetting the foot
with cold water, it kept the determining power to the
surface. Thus raising the fountain and lowering the
stream. By this treatment it becomes impossible that
mortification can go from the limbs to the body, any more
than a log that floats over the dam, can go back again
into the pond, when the fountain is kept mil. The next
day I dressed his foot and found that the dead flesh had
digested very much; I again soaked it in pearlash, and
then washed in vinegar as before, which was of great
service in allaying the bad smell. I then caused him
to be carried through a regular course of medicine,
which completely restored bis bodily health; his appe-
tite was good, and all pain and soreness abated, so tliat
he tqtfk food regularly, and lost no sleep afterwards,
till he got entirely well, which was in about four weeks.
The captain was a very good nurse,^ and was faithful
in attendance on the young roan till he got well; and
expressed the highest gratitude for my attention and
success; and as <- proof of his confidence in the medi-
cine, he purchasea a right, for which he paid me t;irenty

or, Bolanie Family Phytteian,

101

Tom-

yellow
>ot, all
upport

f each
water,
' glaze
smell;
d keep
off all
ten cut
ro next
broken,
stop in
»oultice,
, and a
i to hia
8 inside
the foot
: to the
ring the
ible that
,ny more
;k again
;'he next
lesh had
ash, and
of great
ised him
nedicine,
lis appe-
I, so that
terwardsj
ir weeks.
s faithful
tvell; and
ottion and
he medi-
ae t;Hirenty

■ilver dollars, observing at the iwne time, that he never
paid fur any thing with more latiifttotion.

Old Canker Sorti on tki Leg»,

When I was a young man, I was much troubled
through the winter, for many years, with sores on my
legs. At the commencement of cold weather, if 1 broke
the grain on my shin, it would become a bad sore, and
continue through the winter; the canker would get Into
it and eat to the bone, and sometimes spread under the
grain like a burn, and feel the same, being extremely
sore, with stings and twinges like a cancer. These sores
were so troublesome, that it led me to invent a cure;
finding the cause to be cnnker, I took some, of the ar-
ticles composing No. 3, steeped stronff, and washed the
part affected with it; if there was a bad smell, I first
washed the sore with stronjg^ soap suds, taking off all the
loose skin, which was blistered with cankery humor,
and then washed .with a tea of No. 3, to destroy the
canker and harden the sore; sometimes wetting it with
the drops.. If the inflammation run high, and Uie sore
spread fast, I put into it a pinch of fine No. 2; then put
on a poultice of white bread and ginger, wet with the
above tea, wrapping it up with several thicknesses of
cloths wet with cold water; wetting them as of\en as dry,
so as to be painful, and did not let the sore come to the
air for twenty-four hours. In this time, if kept well wet
and warm, it will discharge ripe matter, and the inflam-
mation and canker will arbate. When next dressed, wash
first with soap suds as before, then with the tea; if the
soreness is gone, you may apply the healing salve, with
the wet cloths, if going to bed, to keep out the air^ put
occasionally a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths, to the
feet to keep up a steam, and wetting the sore if painful
with cold water. Take medicine to keep up the Inward
heat; such as composition or hot bitters, ana when these
do not answer the purpose, go through a course of tho
medicine, and repeat as occasion may require. This
method, if persevered in, I seldom knew to fail of suq^ess.
9*

:■!?'

H.

l(tt

A*ci0 Guide to Health;,

I was called to attend a case of this kind, not long
■ince, where the inflammation and pain was very great,
and fast spreading under the grain of the skin; there
had been applied ati elm and ginger poultice, mnde with
tea of No. 3. I opened and only added a pinch of No.
3, and laid on the poultice again, putting on a wet cloth,
mnd ordered it kept wet with cold water till next morn-
ing; when oA dressing it, found the inflammation abat-
edy the sore discharged ripe matter, and by two dress-
ings more of the same, the cure was completed.

r

Case of ike Bite of a Rat, euppoaed to he JtfacT.

Not long since, I was sent for to attend a man who
had beeq bitten on one of his eyebrows by a rat, sup-
posed to be mad. The wound healed in a few days,
then turned purple round it, as though the blood had
settled, and turned more black, until he was blind. He
was sick at the stomach, and had a high fever. I car-
ried him through a course of the medicine, but with little
advantage. The swelling and dark color progressed
till he was about tho color of a blackberry pie. These
appearances led me to suspect that the madjiess of the
rat was caused by eating ratsbane, and communicated
this poison to the man by the bite, as he appeared tho
•ame as a person I had once seen, who had been killed
by taking that poison. I then waifihed his face with a
strong tea of Nos. 1 and 2, and gaye the same inward
with No. 3, carried him through another course of med-
icine, keeping a cloth on his face wet with the ten as
before, to keep out the air when under the operation
of the medicine, to sweat his face and throw the poison
out. I kept him in a sweat for several days, occasion-
idly with his face secured from the air, which method
had th^ desired effect, by bringing the poison out. By
continually keeping up the perspiration, the swelling
abated; but whenever this was not well attended to, so
as to keep the determining powers to the surface, the
spasms would increase to such a degree that his life was
frequently despaired pf. He was carefully attended in
this manner about onomosth, before I could determine

or, Botanic Family Phy$ician.

109

long
^reat,
there
) with
f No.
cloth,
morn-

abat-
dreM-

fad.

an who

at, Bup-

w days,

ood bad

id. He
I cnr-

/ith Uttle

ogreseed
These

ss of the

iunicated
ared the
en killed
e with a
e inward
of mcd-
\e tea as
operation
le poiRon
occasion-
i method
out. By
swelling
led to, so
rface, the
is life was
(tended in
determine

in my own mind, whether the disease or nature would
gain the victory; atler which time he began gradually
to gain his health, and in about six months, he appeared
to be clear of the poison. The man was sixty years of
age; and the acciaent happening in the fall of the year,
it was much more difficult to conquer this cold and dead-
ly poison, than it would have been in warm 'weather.
This case convinced me that the cause of mad rats and
road cats, is owing to the rats having been poisoned by
ratsbane, the cats eat them and become afibcted by the
poison, which makes them mad, and by biting the peo-
ple, communicate the. poison, from which many fatal
consequences have frequently happened.

Bad wound in the Eye cured.

While I was at Eastport, Maine, a man was cutting
turf, about twelve miles from that place, and accidentally
had a pitchfork stuck into one of his eyes, by a person
who was pitching " the turf near him. It passed by
the eyeball, and stuck fast in the scull, so that it was
with considerable exertion that he' could draw it out.
The eye swelled and closed up immediately, and the

Eeople were much fVightened, and sent fo; me; but it so
appened that I could not go. I gave directions to the
mi^n who came af^er me, to return and carry him through
, a course of medicine as soon as possible, keeping several
thicknesses of cloth wet with cold water on his eye, and
not open it for twelve hours; and to keep him in a
perspiration the whole time. This was faithfully attend-
ed to; and on opening the wound after the above time,
the swelling was nil gone, the eye was open, and a large

auantity of blood was in the wet cloth, which had been
rawn from the eye. They continued the wet cUMI, and
gave him warm medicine inside, keeping him iii a gentle
perspiration for the next twenty-four hours, which clear-
ed the eye of all the blood, restored the sight, and amend-
ed his health, that he was well in about a week, to the
astonishment of all who saw him.

■ye.

104

M' %

m

JVetc Guide to Health;
Cancer Sores.

A concise and general treatise on this violent and
often fatal disease, may convey some useful ideas on the
subject. The cause of this sore is very little understood.
In all sores of an eating nature, there is more or less
canker, according to their virulence. A cancer is the
highest degree of canker, being the most powerful effects
of cold, and consequently the greatest degree of inflam-
mation; therefore the remedies ought to be those of a
warming nature, as the greatest preventives against can-
ker. Whenever a violent inflammation is discovered, it
is supposed that heat causes the difliculty; but the fact
is, it is only evidence of a war between heat and cold ;
for there is no inflammation where there is perfect health,
bfcause heat then bears complete rule ; and no disease
can take place until the cold makes an attack on the body,
ivhiuh causes an unnatural heat to oppose an unnatural
cold ; wherever the cold takes possession, the inflamma-
tion shows itself, by stopping the circulation; the efiect
is swelling, inflamed callus, arising from some leak, caus-
ed by the natural course being stopped. If it suppurates,
and discharges, it is called ulcer, bile, and the like, and
the canker goes off with the putrefaction. If the leak is
80 slow as to callus as fast as they discharge it, it be-
comes a hard dead lump of flesh, and not having circula-
tion enough to support it, it begins to rot; here the canker
shows its eating nature; being seated in the dead flesh,
and eating on the live flesh, which is intermixed with it,
causes pain and distress, in proportion as the body is
filled with coldness and canker; if this is sufiicie'nt to
keep the power above the natural circulation, the patient
will continue in this distressed situation, being eaten up
ali^^e, until worn out with the pain, death comes as a
friend to relieve them. This is the natural termination
of thiti 4readiul malady; which is far better than to com-
bine with it the common form of practice in using arsenic,
which only helps to eat up and distress the patient.

In order to give a more correct idea of 'the dangerous
•fTect of making use of arsenic in cancers, I shall make
a short extract from Thacher's Dispensatory, on the
subject ;; — "Arsenic has long been known to be the

buig

■print

uiiiitf

fatHl

Thii

D«vid

out 01

thii pc
did wi
My wii
who m
riliid I
all thoi
would (
to riik
Thi
And in (
inoouUi
tumor ii
undir a
through
the bdrii
and r@p
Thi imi
painAil i
lor twil
oer balgi
ter fur
and ron
ger and
iyitotn
hurntjr,
cin§, eni

dian eon
tag pain
of thi (
Whir©
burn thi
iainj am
to eradie
•Aer the

Of, Botanic FamUy Phynctan.

105

I and
)nlhe
stood,
r less
is the
effects
nflam-
e of a
at can-
sred, it
ne fact
\ cold;
health,
disease
16 body,
inaturul
flamma-
le effect
k, caus-
purates,
ike, and
3 leak is
it be-
circula-
e canker
id flesh,
with it,
body is
icient to
patient
eaten up
nes as a
mination
to corn-
arsenic,
ent.

angerouB
all make
on the
be the

buif of the celebrated cancer powder. . It has been
•prinklid in substance on the ulcer; but this mode of
Ulhig it in exoesstvely painful, and extremely dangerous;
fatttl effeeti have been produced from its absorption.
This faot I have known in several instances, whore
DAVidnon'i agents and others have undertaken to draw
out oancers, when the patient would absorb enough of
thii poison, which seating on the lungs, caused them to
dio with the consumption, in the course of one year."
My wish, in exposing this nostrum, is to benefit those
who may bo ignorant of the imposition; for it may be
relisd on as a truth, that there is more or less poison in
all those burning plasters, used to cure cancers; and I
would advise all to beware of them; it will be much safer
to risk the cancer than the cancer quack.

Tho priiieipal object aimed at is to take out the bunch,
and in doing that by the above method, a worse evil is
inooulated, which is more fatal than the cancer. The
tumor is a mixture of live and dead flesh, and is often
undor a live skin; if it is necessary to make an incision
through the live skin, in order to dissolve the dead flesh,
tho host way is to bum a piece of punk oa the place,
and repeat it till the flesh is dead enough to suppurate.
Thi smart wilt be but two or three minutes, and not so
paittflil as the arsenic for the same time, which will last '
for twolve hours. Where the tumor is small, the can-
osr balsam will be found sufficient, by repeating the plaa^l
tor for two or three weeks, to take out the dead flesh,
and remove the canker; after this is done, apply a gin-
ger and elm poultice, wet with a tea of No. 3. If the
eystem appears to be generally affected with tiie cancer
humor, earry them through a common bourse of medi-
cine, and repeat the same while attending to the sore.

I had A eancer on my foot about the bigness of an In-
dian eorn, which had trou'jled me twice, by acut^, dart-
ing pains and twinges. I cured it by applying a plaster
of the eanoor balsam; repeating it twice at each time.
Where th^re is dead flesh under the skin, it is best to
burn the punk first, and then apply the poultice or ba)-
lam \ and it is also recommended to always give medicine
to eradieate the canker from the system, both before and
after the operation on the sore. #.

» ■

106

JWt0 Otiide to Health;

'^.

Three canceri on the breait have come under my
care, that I could not cure. One of them was as large
as a half peck meaaure, and grew fast to the breast
bone. I carried the women through a course of medi-
cine several timei, and applied a poultice of butternut
shucks, to dissolve the dead flesh, and continued this
course for some months, until the bunch had more than
half dissolved, and had grown off from the bone, so that
it was quite loose; and 1 was in hopes to have effected
a cure; but she was takfin with a fever in my absence,
and died. The other two I could relieve, and keep them

' free from pain, making them comfortable as long as they
lived; but nature wae too far exhausted to complete a
cure. I have had under my care many other cases of
cancers on the breait and other parts of the body,
which I had no difficulty In curing in the manner before
stated.

I shall conclude thia subject by a few general remarks,
riz: Guard thoroughly against canker and coldness.
Attend to the canker by a course of medicine, and re-
peat it. Use the ginger poultice if the inflammation is
great, putting some No. it, raw in the sore, then apply
the poultice, Tceeping it wet with cold water, not forget-
ting the composition and No. 2. inside, at the same time.
Let all poisonous drugs, burning plasters, and caustics
alone. Attend faithtutly to the directions here given;

Hlonor your own judgment; keep your money ; and bid
defiance to doctors.

Piles; how cured.

I was called to attend an elderly man in South Read-
ing, who had been conflned to the house, and much of
the time to his bed, for seven wcfeks, with the Piles.
Seven doctors attended him before I was sent for, and
he had continued to grow worse. The doctors had
operated on one side, and said they must on the other;
it was thoir opinion, ai well as his, that he was in a de-
cline. Tho*side that they had operated upon was much
worse to cure than the other. I carried him through a
regular course of%edicin6 twice in three days, when

a cure.

Some
which K
glands
with th(
do^not

or, Botanic Family Phytician.

107

r my
large
reast
nedi-
ernut
1 this

than
o thai
Pected
ience,
» them
8 they
ilete a
Lses of

body,
before

marks,
Idness.
ind re-
ition is
apply
brget-
le time,
auatics
given;
rnd bid

Read-
nuch of

Piles,
lor, and
ors had
> other;
in a de-
as much
rough A
B, when

he was able to go out of doors. The injection compos-
ed of No. 3, steeped, and a small quantity of No. S, was
used; warm tallow was applied freely several times in
the day. sometimes washing e.vternally with the same
tea. He had been dieted very low ; I restored his di-
gestive powers, and recovered his appetite; his sores
healed, his general health amended to such a degree,
that he was no more confined with that complaint. A
little tallow used when going to bed, prevents piles and
chafes iu young and old. Remember this.

Sore Heads in Children; j^Scalt Heads.)

This sore often comes afler having had the itch; ker-
nels form in the neck; it is contagious, being caused
by canker and putrefaction. The most eflfectual way
to cure this disease, is to carry them through a course
of medicine several times, as the case may require, pre-
vious to which the head should' be oiled, and covered
with cabbage leaves; or draw a bladder over the head,
to keep out the C0I4 air. The head should be covered
so as to make it sweat as much as possible, in order to
dissolve the hard scabs. After laying all night, the smell
will be offensive; wash the head in soap suds; when
clean, wash it also with a tea of No. 3, after which wash
with a tea of No. 1. Sometimes annoint it with the
Rheumatic drops and nerve ointment — let it come to
the air by degrees. Be careful to guard the stomach
by giving composition, warm bitters, &c. The oint-
ment, drops, and No. 1, in powder or juice, may be oc-
casionally used together or separate. Continue to wash
with soap suds, and then with No. 3, occasionally, until
a cure. is effected.

Sore BreaaU.

Some women suffer very much from this complaint,
which is caused by cold, occasioning obstructions in the
glands of the breast. When they are swelled, bathe
with the rheumatic drops, or pepper vinegar; if this
doQii not remove the swelling, and it should be necessa-

108

JV*e«e Ouide to Health;

17 to brine it to a head, apply a poultice of lily root,
made thick with* ginger and slippery #lin bark; at the
flame time, give 'the composition powder or No. 2, to
keep up the inward heat. If the woman is sick, carry
her through a regular course of the medicine, which will
remove the complaint and restore her to health in a short
time. I have cured many who were very bad, by pur-
suing the above plan, and never met with difficulty. I
attended a woman in Portsmouth, who had both breasts
badly swelled. She was sitting by the window with it
«up, and could hardly get her breath ; she could not bear
to have any fire in the room, complaining that it made
her faint. I told, be^ that if I could not make her beojr
heat, I could do her no good. I gave her some No. 2,
to raise the inward heat, and caused a good fire to be
made in the room. The inward heat gained as fast as
the outward, and in one hour she could bear as warm a
fire as I could. I carried her through three regular
courses of the medicine in five days, and at the same
time applied the lily poultice, which brought them to a
head without pain; and she was soon well.

,,, To stop Bleeding.

IitUsrnal bleeding is from the stomach or lungs, and
, is caused by canker, or soreness of the stomach; it often
«'takes place very suddenly, and creates much alarm.
The patient sometimes trembles with fright, and often
has fits of the ague, which is caused by the cold increas-
ing in proportion to the loss of blond. In the first place
shield them from the air with a blanket, by the fire, and
give the hottest medicine you have ; if nothing better
can be had, give hot water, or any kind of hot tea; and
get a perspiration as soon as possible; then apply the '
steam bath, giving gincer tea, or No. 2, if you have it,
if not, black pepper, as soon as there is an equilibrium
in the drculation, there will be no more pressure of the
blood to the stomach or Xuagi, than to thjd extremitiev,
and the bleeding will ceaflte. It has been my practice in
calKs of this kind, to give ioiie of the rheumatic drops,
■lifeld them from the air w^ a blanket, placed by the

fire;

No.

dose

fail c

remoi

have

plictttj

compi

Ext.

may h

body.

him on

the woi

I then

then pu

to brin^

it soon £

a little

finger, i

Wound a

with my

placed h

from blei

It bled n

This

makes a

supports

come do

the skin;

^^ got ba

a truss.,

length of 1

causing

proved fe

swelling i:

of the mo<

A Mr. '

nipture;

or, Botanic Family Pkyncian.

109

root,
t the
2, to
carry
1 will
short
r pur-

reasts
^ith it
t bear

made
if beajr
^o. 2,

to be
fast as
rarm a
regular
e same
m to a

gg, and
it often
alarm. .
id often
lincreas-
•st place
ire, and
better
lea; and
pply the '
have it,
jilibrium
e of the
■emitiefif
lactice in
|c dropf,
by the

fire; then give a dose of the composition powders, and
No. 2; and if t^ia does not answer the purpose, give a
dose of No. 1, which, with the steam, I never knew
fail of stopping the blood; and by giving medicine to
remove the canker and restore the digestive powers, I
have always been able to eflfect a cure. The same ap-
plication will answer for other weakening and alarming
complaints in women.

External bleeding, caused by wounds in the limbs,
may be stopped by placing the wound higher than the
body. One of my sons cut his leg very badly ; I placed
him on the floor and took his foot in my lap; as soon a^
the wound was higher than the body, the bleeding ceased.
I then poured on cold water till the wound was white;
then put in a few drops of No. 6, took two or three stitches
to bring the wound together, dressed it with salve, and
it soon got well with very little soreness. . Another case of
a little girl, who cut off the main artery of the middle
finger, and it bled very fast. I put my thumb above the
wound and stopped the blood ; then poured on cold water
with my other hand, and washed the wound well; then
placed her hand above her head, which prevented it
from bleeding, till I could get ready to dress the wound.
It bled no more, and soon got well.

Rupture.

This difficulty is caused by a hurt or strain, which
makes a breach in the tough film, or membrane, that
supports the bowels in their place, and the intestines
come down into the cavity between this membrane and
the skin; being sometimes very painful and difficult to
be got back; and have to be kept from coming down by
a truss. . When the bowels come down and remain any
length of time, they become swelled, and are very painful,
causing great distress and danger; and sometimes have
proved fatal, as they cannot be got up again till the
swelling is removed. This may be effected by a course
of the modicinp without danger.

A Mr. Woodbury, of Durham, was troubled with a
rupture; his bowels came down, swelled, and was very
10

i

no

A%i0 Ouide to Health;

painful; H doctor was sent for from Portsmouth, vrho a^
plied a bag of snow, which drove the paiw to the stomach
and caused puking. The swelling increased, and be-
came very hard. The case now becoming desperate,
and the family being alarmed, I was sent for, and on
hearing the circumstances, sent some medicine, and ^ave
directions to sweat him as soon as possible. My direc-
tions were faithfully attended to, and as soon as he be-
came warm, the nerves slackened, the swelling abated,
all appearance of mortification disappeared, the bowels
went back, and in twelve hours he was restored froml a
dangerous situation, to almost his usual state of health.
In this case may be seen the difference between the ai^
tificial doctor, and nature's physician, which is the si
as between fire and snow.

**■

Ague in the Face.

This is caused by cold in the glands of the mouth,
which ke&ps back the saliva till it causes swelling and
soreness; the /e§nker becomes prevalent at the same
time, which causes severe pain in the face and throat.
Tllfj^ sooner a cure is attempted the better; to effect
this, take a dose of the tea of No. 3, with a tea-spoonfiil
of No. 6, in it, for the canker; then tie a small quantity
of No. S in a fine piece of cloth, wet with No. 6, and
put it between the teeth and cheek, on the side where the
pain is; set by the fire covered by.a blanket, and breathe
the warm air from the fire: this will prick the jtlands
and cause the saliva to flow very freely, which wm take
out the soreness and relieve the pain. The face may
be bathed at the same time with No. 6. If the case
is of long standing, so that the system is affected, and
this does not remove the complaint, give a dose of No. 1 .
If it is caused by decayed teeth, fill the hollow with cot-
ton wool, wet with ml of summersavory, or spirits of
turpentine, which will deaden the nerv«, and stop its
aching. This is good in all cases of the teeth-ache,
tnd will generally effect a cure without extracting.

10 ap-
>inach
id be-
»erate,
Liid on
d gave
direc-
he be-
abate^,
bowels
from! a
health,
the arj
he 81

3 mouth,
lUng and
;he same
dd throat.

to effect
a-8poonfiil
U quantity
o. 6, and

where the
nd breathe
the jtlanda
sh wffl take
I face may
[f the case
fectcd, and
je of No. 1.
DW with cot-
or spirits of
and stop its
I teeth-ache,
racting.

or, Botanic Family Physician.
To relax the Muaclca in aelting a Bone.

HI

This may be done by bathing the part with warm
water, and is much better than the method that is gener-
ally practised, of extending the muscles by the strength
of several persons, which weakens the part so much,
that the' bones are liable to get out of place again ; be-
sides, the operation causes severe pain to the patient and
much trouble to the operator, which is all obviated by
my method. In cases where a joyit is put out, or a bone
broken, give a dose of No. 2, or the composition pow-
der with half a tea-spoonful of nerve-powder, which
will promote a perspiratioA, prevent fainting, and quiet
the nerves; then wrap the 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 become relaxed, so that the
bones may 6e put in their place with Mil|e trouble. .

I was once called to a woman who had put her elbow
ou^ of joint by a fall from her horse. It was badly out,
being twisted about one quarter of the way round. I
ordered some water to be made hot immediately, stripped
her arni, and as soon as the water was hot, put a towel
in a large tin pan and poured the hot water on it till well
wet; as soon as cbol enough, wrapped it ruund her arm
from her wrist to her shoulder; then placed the pan un-
der her arm, and poured on the water from a pitcher, as
hot as she could bear it, for about fifleen minutes. I
then took off the towel and directed one person to take
hold of the arm above the elbow and another below, to
steady it ; and then placed my fingers against the end of
the bone on the under side, and my thumb against that
OR'the upper side, and by a gentle pressure each way,
set the joint without pain, or force on the muscles, to
the astonishment of all present, who calculated that it
would require the strength of several men. I then wrap-
ped it up with the same towel, which had become cold;
this brought the muscles to their proper tone, and kept
the joint firm in its place; put her arm in a sling and
she walked home that night, about a mile, and the next
day was weU>enough to knit all day.

In case a shoulder is out of joint, I relax the muscles
in the same manner, and put the arm over my shoulder

#

112

Jfew Guide to Health;

and lift up, vfhxch has always put the joint in its place,
without any danger and with very little pain to the pa-
tient; and then by applying cold water, the muscles will
become braced, so that there will be no danger of its
getting out again. I knew of a case where a man had
his hip turned out, and several doctors had exhausted all
their skill in vain to set it; when one of my agents be-
ing present, undertook it by my plan of treatment, and
after he had relaxed the muscles suHiciently, 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 any difficulty.

k\:

Poison hy Ivy or Dogwood.

Many people |||re troubled with this difficulty every
season, and I have been much afflicted with it myself in
my younger days, often \>^\ng poisoned in such manner
as to swell and break out very badly, and knew no rem-
edy but to let it have its course, which was almost asi
bad as the small pox. One of my sons was often afflict-
ed in this way, and one season was poisoned three times,
so as to be blind for several days. I long sought a rem-
edy without success, till I found it in the emetic herb.
By washing with a tincture of the green plant as is di-
rect^ in the second preparation of the emetic herb, on
the first appearance of the disease, is a certain remedy.
If the complaint has been for any length of time, and has
become bad, it will be necessary to take a dose of the pow-
dered emetic, first preparation, to clear the system of the
poison, at the same time of washing with the tincture.
A tea made of the powdered leaves and pods, will do to
wash with, when the tincture, or green plant cannot be
had. The powdered seeds, with Nos. 2 and 6, third
preparation, may also be used for the same • purpose.

Measles.

This disease is very common, especially among chil-
dren, and is often attended with bad consequences, wbea

or. Botanic Family Phyncian.

113

place,
lie pa-
ea will
of it»
in had
)ted all
nts be-
lt, and
is knee
i inside
ke joint

f every
lyself in
manner
no rem-
Iniost aa
n afflict-
>e times,
it a rem-
lic herb,
as is di-
herb, on

remedy.

and has

the pow-

em of the

tincture,
will do to
annofr be
\ 6, third
rpose.

[long chil"
ces, wbea

not properly treated. It is a high state of canker and
putrefaction; and if the determining powers are kept
to the surface, it will make its appearance on the out-
aide, and go oflTof itself; but if cold overpowers the in-
ward heat, so as to tnrn the determining powers inward,
the disease will not make its appearance, and the patient
will become much distressed, frequently producing fatal
consequences, if some powerful stimulant is not admin-
istered, to bring the disorder out. To give physic in
cases of this kind is very dangerous, as it strengthens
the power of cold, and keeps the canker and putrelaction
inside, which sometimes seats upon the lungs and causes
consumption; or turns to the stomach and bowels, when
they die suddenly, as has been the case with hundreds,
for a few years past. I have attended a great many
cases of the measles in the course oCmy practice, and
never lost one; and never have Ifnowilpf any that have
died of this disorder, who were attended by any of my
agents. When the symptoms make their appearance,
give a dose of the composition powder, or of No. 2;
then give the tea of No. 3, to guard against canker, and
add some No. 2^ to overpower the cold ; and when the
second dose is given, add No. 1, to clear the stomach,
and promote perspiration. As soon as this takes place,
the disorder will show itself on the outside. By contin-
uing to keep the determining power to the surface, na-
ture will take its regular course, and the disease will go
off without injuring the constitution. If the bowels ap-
pear to be disordered, give an injection; and be careful
to keep the patient warm.

I once had a case of a young woman who had the
measles; she lingered with the symptoms four or five
days, and then become very sick, turned of a dark pur-
ple- color, and had a high fever, when I was called to
attend her. I gave her a strong dose of No. 3, steeped,
and put in it a spoonful of the third preparation of No.
1, which caused such a violent struggle, that I had to
hold her in the bed; but it was soon over, for in about
ten minutes she vomited, and a perspiration took place,
which was fbllowed by the measles coming out, so that
she was completely covered with the eruption. She was
soon well and about her work.
10*

.J0

114

Aeie Guide to Health;

*

Small Pox.

This disease is the highest state of canker and putre-
faction, which the human Ji)ody is capable of receiving,
and is the most contagious, being taken in with the breath,
or may be communicated by in-noculation, in which case
it is not so violent and dangerous as when taken in the
natural way. The distressing and often fatal consequences
that have happened in cases of the small pox, are more
owing to the manner in which it has been treated, than
to the disease. The. fashionable mode of treatment in
this disease, has been to give physic, and reduce the
strength, by starving the patient and keeping them cold.
This is contrary to common sense, as it weakens the
friend and strengthens tKe enemy; and the same cause
would produce similar effects in any other disorder. All
that is necessarygj^to assist nature to drive out the can-
ker and putrefacmn^ which is the cause of the disease,
by keeping, the determining powers to the surface, in
which case there 'will be no danger. The same manner
of treatment should be used in this complaint as has been
directed for the measles. The canker-rash, and all kinds
of disease that a person is not liable to have but once,
such as chicken-pox, swine-pox, &c., are from the same
cause, and must be tfeated in a similar mauner.

Cough,

The general opinion is, that cough is an enemy to
health, and ought to be treated as such; but this idea I
hold to be altogrther an error; for it is the effect, and
not the cause of disease. When the lungs are diseased,
there will be a collection of matter, which must be
thrown oflT; and the cough is like the pump of a ship,
which discharges the water, and prevents her from sink-
ing ; so also the cough throws off what collects on the
lungs, which, if suffered to remain, would soon putrify
and cause death. It is a common saying, that I have
a bad cough, and can get nothing to stop it; and the
doctor oflen says, if I could stop your cough, I should
have hopes of a cure ; but this is as unreasonable as it
would be to stop the pumps of a ship, which would cause

being!

wasnj

being!

geste(

use, iti

comes

Hppeti

dull

and Ic

is, to

W

or, Bolanie Famly Phyneian,

116

putrc-
iving,
reath,
ti case
in the
ijcnces
! more
I, than
lent in
ice the
m cold,
ens the
3 cause
sr. All
he can-
diseasej
face, in
manner
tas been
all kinds
jt once,
he same

;nemy to
us idea I
Feet, and
diseased,

must be
)f a ship,
irom sink-
ts on the
m putrify
at 1 have
; and the

, 1 should
able as it
)uld cause

her to sink the sooner. Ask n inllor whnt he would do,
and he would say, keep the pumpgoinff till you can stop
the leak, and when thot is stopped, tno pump will be-
come useless, as there will bo nothing to throw off.
Such medicine should be given ns will promote the cough,
till the cause can be removed, which is cold and canker
on 'the lungs; after this is done, there will be no more
cough. If a cough is caused by n suddeti cold, it may
be removed by taking the composition powder on going
to bed, with a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths put to the
feet, to produce a perspiration, and at the same time tak-
ing the cough powder, ^hich will make the patient raise
easy, and also help to remove the cause. When the
cough has become seated, and the lungi are diseased,
they must be carried through a regular course of the
medicine, repeating the same as occasion may require,
till a cure is etfected, at the snwe tiint giving the cough
powder, especially on going to bed.

Whooping cough must be treated in the same manner;
continue to give the cough powders till cured.

Jaundice.

Much has been said about the bile, or Ball, being an
enemy in case of sickness; but this is a mistake, for it is
a friend, and should be treated us such. It is the main
spring to life, and the regulator of heolth, as without it
the food could not be digested, When people have what
is called the jaundice, it is the prevailing opinion that
they have too much bile, and it is said they are bilious;
this is a mistaken notion, for there is no such thing as
being too much gall, it would be more correct to say there
was not enough. The difficultv is caused by the stomach
bein^ cold and foul, so that tne food is not properly di-
gested ; and the bile not being appropriated to its natural
use, is diffused through the pores of the skin, which be-
comes of a yellow color. The symptoms are want of
appetite, costiveness, faintness, and the patient will be
dull and sleepy ; these are evidences of bad digesture,
and loss of inward heat. The only way lo effect a cure
is, to promote perspiration, cleanse the ttomach) and re-

116

AVw Ouide to Health;

■tore the digestive powers, which will cnuse the bile to
be used for the purpose nature designed it.

Nature has contrived that each part of the body should
perform its proper duty in maintaining health, and if
there is no obstruction, there would never be disease.
The gall bladder grows on the liver, and is placed be-
tween that and the stomach, so that when the latter is
filled with food, the bile is discharged into the stomach
to digest it. The bile never makes disorder, for it is
perfectly innocent, being nature's friend; ond those ap-
pearances called bilious, show the effect of diMease, and
not the cause. The gall is a vejy bitter substance, and
it is the practice of the doctors, to order bitter medicine
to cure the jaundice, and ibis seems to be the universal
opinion, which is correct; but it cortoinly contradicts
the notion that there is too much bile, for it there be too
much, why give medicine to make more? I have attend-
ed many cases of this kind, and never had any difficulty
in effecting a cure. My method is to give No. 2, or the
composition powders, to raise the intcrnol heat, and No.
1, to cleanse the stomach and promote perspiration;
then give the bitters, No. 4, to regulate the bile ond re-
store the digestive powers. If the complaint has been of
long standing, and the system is much disordered, they
must be carried through a regular course of the medi-
cine; and repeat it as occasion may require, at the same
time give th6 bitters two or three times a day, till the ap-
petite is good, and the digesture restored. Any of the
articles described under the head of No. 4, are good,
and may be freely used for all bilious complaints.

WorvM.

A great deal is said about worms causing sickness, ond
there is scarcely a disease that children are afflicted with,
but what is attributed to worms. The doctors talk about
worm contplakits, v/orm fevers, worm cholics,* &c., and

!»ve medicine to destroy the worms; by so doing, they
requently destroy their patients. Thbre was never a
greater absurdity than their practice, and the universal
opinion about worms causing disease. The fact is, they

exis
less
troul
they
and
sick,
worn
. to dia
Ontur
this k
ach b
digest
the w«
The
mel a
pear t
very \\
not bt
of thel
after
•ick ;
wormsj
causec
fast;
child
child
throwil
saved
^t mus
practic
man wl
pet ridf
I had (
the caj

or^ Bofanie Famih/ Phytidan,

in

lie to

thould
and if
lacase.
ed be-
ittcr is
tomach
or it i«
()ge ap-
se, and
?e, and
ledicine
niversal
ttradicts
e be too
3 attend-
jifficuUy
2, or the
and No.
i|)iiation;
ft and re-
is been of
ed, they
he medi-
the same
ill the ap-
ny of the
ire good,

t8.

cncBS, and
icted with,
talk about

» itc, and
oing, they
18 never a
e universal

ct is, they

are created, and exist in the stomach and bowels for a
uieful purpose, and are fricndl| to health, instead of be-
intf an enemy; they are bred and supported by the cold
pmegm that collects in the stomach and bowels; 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 hcaUh, are never
troubled with worms, because they are then quiet, and
exist in their natiirni clement; every one has more or
less of thorn; and the reason why children are more
troubled with what is called worm complaints, is because
they are more subject to be disorderca in their stomach
and bowels than grown persons. When children are
sick, and their breath smeljs bad, it is said they have
worms, and everything is laid to them; but this is owing
to disease caused by canker, for there is nothing in the
paturo of worms that can affect the breath. In cases of
this kind, the only thing necessary is to cleanse the stom-
ach by getting rid of the cold phlegm, and restofing the
digestive powers, when there will be no difficulty with
the worms.

The common practice of the doctors is to give calo-
mel and other poisons to kill the worms; this must ap-
pear to any one, who examines into the subject, to be
very wrong as well as dangerous; for the worms can-
not be killed by it, without poisoning the whole contents
of the stomach. I once knew of a case of a child who,
afler eating a breakfast of bread and milk, was taken
sick ; a doctor was sent for, who said it \^as caused by
worms, and gave a dose of calomel to destroy them, whidh
caused fits; the child vomited and threw up its break-
fast; a dog that happened to be in the room eat what the
child threw up; he was soon taken sick and died; the
child got well. The fortunate accident of the child's
throwing oflT its stomach what it had taken, probably
saved its life, for if there was poison enough to kill a dog,
it must have killed the child. The absurdity of such
practice is like the story related by Dr. Franklin, of a
man who was troubled with a weasle in his barn, and to
get rid of the weasle he set fire to his barn and burnt it up.
I had the following relation from the doctor who attended
the cases; three children had what he called a worm fe^i

118

JVew Chiide to Health;

ver; and he undertook to kill the worms. One of them
died, and he requested liberty to open it to see what would
destroy worms, in order to know how to cure the others;
but the parents would not consent. The second died,
and the parents consented to have it opened; but after
searching the stomach and bowels, to their surprise, no
worms could be found. The third soon after died. The
fact was, their death was caused by canker on the stom-
ach and bowels, and the medicine given increased the
difficulty by drawing the determining powers inward,
which aided the cold to promote the canker. Where
children die by such treatment, the blame is all laid to
the worms, and the doctor escapes censure.

1 have had a great deal of experience in what are
called worm complaints; and after having become ac-
quainted with the real cause, have had no difficulty in
curing all that I have undertaken. I began with my
own children. One of them was troubled with what
was supposed to be worms; I employed a doctor, who
gave pink "root, and then physic to carry it off with the
worms. It would shortly after have another turn, which
would be worse; he went on in this way, and the worms
kept increasing, till I became satisfied that he was
working on the effect, and neglected the cause, when
I dismissed him, and undertook the cure myself I first-
ly gave the warmest medicine I then knew of to clear
off the cold phlegm; and gave bitter medicine, such as
poplar bark, wormwood, tansy, and physic made of the
twigs of butternut, to cleanse the stomach and to cor-
rect the bile. By pursuing this plan, the child soon got
well, and was no more troubled with worms. A child
in the neighborhood where I lived, about six years old,
was taken sick in the morning, and the doctor was sent
for, who gave medicine for worms; soon after, it had
fits, and continued in convulsions during the day, and
at night died. I was satisfied that its death was hasten-
ed, if not caused, by what was given. When the stom-
ach is diseased, or when poison is taken into it, the
worms try to flee from their danger, which causes dis-
tress, and they sometimes get into knots and stop the
passages to the stomach. Much more might be said on
this subject; but enough has been stated to put those

aa unt
th@ «t(
thgra
wti e
had a
and w^

day be
about
wag tal
oount
ber thi
took tl

M^

1^^^

and

or, Botanic Family Physician. 119

#
who attend to it on their guard against the dangerous
praettea of giving medicine to kill worms.

My practice has been what I shall recommend to oth-
eri to do, in case of what is called worm complaints, to
giv€ the composition powders, or No. % to warm the
atomach, a tea of No. 3, to remove the canker, and the
bitters or either of the articles described under No. 4, to
correct the bile. If they are bad, carry them through a
eourae of the medicine, and give the bitters. When
there are nervous symptoms give the nerve powder. In-
jeotions should also be frequently given. The butternut
gvrup is very good. If there should be danger of mor-
tifloation, make use of No. 6, both in the medicine giv-
en, and in the injections.

The tape>worm is from the same cause as other worms,
and may be cured in the same manner. They are, when
lingle, about half an inch long, and one third as wide;
they join together and appear like tape, and oflen come
away in long pieces of several yards. I was once trou-
bled with them, and used to be faint, and have no appe-
tite; 1 cured myself by taking the butternut physic,
whieh brought away several yards at a time ; and by tak-
ing the bitter medicine, to ^orrect the bile, was never
troubled with it a^ain.

I have oflen heard about people having a greedy-worm;
but this is a mistaken notion, for there was never any
aueh thing. The difficulty is the stomach being cold and
diitordered, so that the food is not properly digested,
paises off without nourishing the system, and this creates
an unnatural appetite. Remove the cause by warming
the stomach and correcting the digestive powers, ana
there will be no farther difficulty. In the year 1805, I
waa called to see a young woman who it was supposed
had a greedy-worm. It was thought to be very large,
and would frequently get into her throat and choke her,
almost stopping her breath. Her mother told me that the
day before, one of the neighbors was in, and told a story
about a person having a monster in their stomach, which
was taken in by drinking at a brook. This terrible ac-
oount so frightened her daughter, that the worm rose into
her throat, and choked her so bad that she had fits. I
took the girl home with me, and gave her a dose of hot

^9

120 mw Quid* U> HeaUh;

bittera, with lome of the norve powder that night; the
next morning I carried licf through a course ot* the med-
icine« as weU as I knew, at that time, which cleared the
stomach and bowelt, and itrengthened the nervous sys-
tem. I told her there wai no worm that troubled her,
and she had faith in what I said. 1 gave her medicine to
correct the bile and restore the digesture, and she soon

got well, being no more troubled about the worm. The
itiicuUy was caused by a disordered stomach, and want
of digesture, which produced spasms in the stomach and
throat.

CoMumption. ^*

This complaint is generally caused by some acute dis-
order not being removed, and the patient being run down
by the fashionable practice, until nature makes a com-
promise with disease, and the house becomes divided
against itself, There is a constant warfare kept up be-
tween the inward heat end cold, the flesh wastes away in
consequence of not digesting the food, the canker be-
comes seated on the stomach and bowels, and then takes
hold of the lungs. When tj^ey get into this situation, it
is called a seated consumption, and is pronounced by the
doctors to be incurable. 1 have had a great many cases
of this kind, and have in all of them, where there was
life enough lellt to build upon, been able to effect a cure
by my system of practice. The most important thing is
to raise the inward heat, and get a perspiration, clear the
system of canker, and restore the digestive powers, so that
food will nourish the body and keep up that heat on which
life depends. This must be done by the regular course
of medicine, as hai been directed in all violent attacks
of disease, and persevering in it till the cause is removed.

This complaint is called by (he doctors a hectic fever,
because they are subj^ict to cold chills, and hot flashes on
the surface ; but this is an error, for there is no fever
about it; and this is the greatest difliculty; if there were
a fever, it would have a crisis, and nature would be able
to drive out the cold and effect a cure; the only difliculty
is to raise a fever, which must be done by such medi-
cine M will raise and hold the inward heat till nature

way toe
till they
which fii

or, Boiawib Family Physician.

121

has the complete command. > When patients are very
weak and low, they will have what is called cold sweats;
the cause of this is not understood ; the water th^&t col-
lects on the skin does not come through the pores, but is
attracted from the air in the room, which is wwmer than
the body, and condenses on the surface; th|L8ame may
be seen on the outside of a mug or tumbJSr, on a hot
day when filled with cold water, which is from the same
cause. It is of more importance to attend to the pre-
venting of this complaint, than to cure it. If people
would make use of those means which I have recom-
mended, and cure themselves of disease, in its first stag-
es, and avoid all poisonous drugs, there would never be
a case of consumption, or any other chronic disorder.

Fiia.

These are produced by the same cause as other com-
plaints, that is, cokl and obstructions; and may be cured
by a regular course of the medicine, which overpowers
the cold, promotes perspiration, and restores the diges-
tive powers. Poison, or any thing else, which gives the
cold power over the inward heat, will cause fits, because
the natural tone of the muscular poWer is thereby de-
stroyed, which produces violent spasms on the whole sys-
tem. So much has already been said on this subject,
that it is unnecessary to say more, to give a correct idea
of the manner of cure.

St. ^nthony*8 Fire, JVettle Spring, or Surfeit.

These are all caused by overheating.^he system and
cooling too suddenly, which leaves the pores obstructed,
and then by taking more cold, will bring on the warfare
between cold and heat, when they break out and itch
and smart, as if stung by an insect. When the h^at
gets a little the upper hand, so as to produce perapirajtioii,
it will disappear till they get another cold. The ojify
way toeflfect acureisto give the hot medicine, and steani
till they are brought to the same state of heat as'^hat
which first caused the disease, and then cool by degrees.

122

A*ei0 Guide to SktUth;

This I have proved in several instances, and never had
any difficulty in entirely removing the cause in this way.
Make^ise of a tea of No. 3, for canker, and the bitters to
correct the bile, and a little nerve powder to quiet the
nerves, a^d they will soon be restored to perfect hsalth.

Strangury, or Gravel.

This disorder is often caused by hard labor, and ex-
posure to cold, in the early part of life; and when they
grow old their heat diminishes, the bile becomes thick,
and a sediment collects in the bladder, which obstructs
the passages; the glands through which the urine passes
are clogged and become diseased, so that there is a
difficulty in voiding the water, which causes great pain.
It is seldom that there is a cure in such cases; but re-
lief may be obtained, by a course of the medicine, and
making free use of the poplar bark tea. A tea of the
hemlock boughs is very good ; and also I have known
great relief from using the wild lettuce and pipsisway,
the tops and roots bruised and steeped in hot water.
Many other articles that are good to promote the urine
may be used to advantage.

Dropsy.

There are two kinds of this complaint; one is caused
by losing the inward heat so as to stop the natural per-
spiration, which causes the water that is usually thrown
off in this way, to collect in the body and limbs. This
may be cured by raising the internal heat and causing
a profuse perspiration, when the water will pass off ia a
natural way ; then make use of such medicine as will
remove canker and restore the digestive powers, when
the food being digested will keep up the natural heat
of the body and continue the perspiration. The other

rig caused hyr cold and obstruction; but instead of
water collecting and remaining in the body and
limbs, a leak forms in the glands and lets it into the
tmak of the body, where there is no vent to let it off.

The
means
or pail
never c j
disordej
is filled
from thi
after tl
very soj
the hot!
give th{
cure is
a cours^

This
or wanti
curing
made uj

or, Botanio Family Phyncian.

123

had
way.
rsto
; the
salth.

,d ex-

i they
thick,
itructs
passes
e is a
t pain,
mt re-
e, and

of the
known
sisway,

water,
e urine

} caused
iral per-

thrown
IS. This

causing
isoffiaa

as will
jrs, when
ural heat
:he other
Qstead of
body and
t into the
let it off.

This cannot be cured without tappings and is very sel-
dom completely cured. I have never knovn but two
who were in this situation to be perfectly renbred. One
was a girl whom I attended; I tapped her and took away
seventeen pounds of water; then swathed her up close,
and gave medicine to keep a perspiration; she did not
fill again, and was completely cured. TkiMUher was a
man, he had been tapped twice. I carried him through
the course of medicine several times, and gave the juni-
per ashes, with molasses and gin, which carried off large
quantities of water, and he entirely recovered Aom the
disorder. I have cured a number, who had the first
mentioned complaint, by the common course of medi-
cine ; one woman was cured by taking the wild lettuce,
bruised and steeped in hot water. Mention has been
made of several cases of this disease, in my narrative,
which were cured; and enough has been said to give an
idea of the cause, and manner of treatment.

Bilious Cholic.

The name of this complaint is erroneous; for bilious
means the bile, and no one ever heard of a bile cholic,
or pain caused by gall, as it is a friend to health, and
never caused disease or death. This pain is caused by a
disordered stomach and want of digesture ; the stomach
is filled with canker, which gets into the narrow passage
from the stomach, when the action of the bowels ceases;
after the pain subsides, those parts where it was, are
very sore. To cure it, raise the inward heat, by giving
the hot medicine, remove the canker with No. 3, and
give the bitters to correct the bile, and repeat it, till a
cure, is effected. If the case is bad, carry them through
a course of the medicine, and often give injections.

Pleurisy.

, This is a distressing complaint, and is caused by cold,
Or want of inward heat ; I never had any difficulty in
curing it by my common practice. The only remedy
made use of by the doctors, is to bleed; this only in-

124

JVeto Guide to Health;

creases the disease, by reducing the strength of the pa-
tient, with^^ removing the cause. I was once called to
a soldier affilastport, who had a violent pain in his side ;
the doctor that attended him, had bled him five times,
without removing the pain, which made him so weak,
that it waij with difficulty he could be held up in the bed.
I relieved JiImi in one hour, by a common course of med-
icine, and bathing his side with the rheumatic drops. It
took three weeks to get up his strength, which might
have been done in three days, if he had not been bled.
I was called to another case of the kind, of a soldier. At
the same place. He' had been bled, and a large blister
put on his side to remove the pain, which caused a stran-
gury, and he was in great distress. I declined doing
any thing for him without the consent of the command-
ing officer, who was not present. The soldier begged of
me to tell him what to do for the latter complaint, as he
could not live sb. I told him to take off the blister, which
was immediately done, and it gave instant relief. By
carrying them through a course of medicine-, as has been
directed for other violent attacks, it will cure all cases of
this complaint without danger; and it is much bettor than
bleeding, or blisters, which only increases the difficulty.

i>»

Relax.

This complaint is caused by indigestion, or loss of
the powers of the gall, which becomes thick, in conse-
quence of cold, or loss of inward heat, when the stomach
will be sour. The best remedy is, to give No. 2, which
will thin the gall ; cleanse the stomach with No. 1 , and
give the bitters to correct the digesture. A dose of the
composition powders, with a tea-spoonful of No. 6, in it,
will in most cases effect a cure. The bayberry and pop-
lar bark is good, and also many other ^'^icies that have
been described as good to restore the digestive powers.

Dysentery. "' ^

' This is a distressing complaint, and is very common,
especially among children; although much has already

or, Bolantc Family Physician.

125

he pa-
lled to
3 side ;
times,
weak,
lie bed.
)f med-
ips. It
I might
;n bled,
dier, at
) blister
a stran-
d doing
mmand-
egged of
it, as he
jr, which
lief. By
has been
cases of
tier than
difficulty.

been said on this subject ; yet its importance will justify
some further directions. It is caused by>|sold, which
gets the ascendancy over the inward heat, W as to draw
all the determining powers inward ; the stomach is dis-
ordered, the digestive powers are lost, the bowels be-
come coated with canker, the food is not digested so as
to afford any nourishment or heat to the system, and all
the juices flow inward, and pass oflT by the common pas-
sage. The canker makes the bowels very sore, and
when any thing passes them, it causes excruciating pain.
The best plan of treatment is, to carry the patient through
a regular course of medicine, and repeat it, if occasion
should require, every day till relief is obtained. During
the operation, give the chicken broth, and after the dis-
ease is checked, give occasionally a little brandy and
loaf sugar burned together^ and a strong tea of poplar
bark. Give the syrup, No. 5, t^o or three times a day,
until entirely recovered; and the bitters, No. 4, may be
given night and morning, to restore the digesture. Care
must be taken to keep up the inward heat in the interim,
by giving occasionally, No. 2. in a tea of No. 3, sweet- •
ened. Steaming is very important in this complaint, and
injections must often be administered.

or loss of
in conse-
e stomach
. 2, which
^o. 1, and
ose of the
o. 6, in it,
y and pon-
that have
e powers.

■y common,
las already

Rheumatism.

This complaint is caused, by cold obstructing the na-
tural circulation, which causes pain and swelling. It
often affects the joints, so that they grow out of shape.
A cure is easily effected, if timely and properly attended
to, which must be done by such medicine as will cause
perspiration and remove obstructions. In common cases,
by taking the rheumatic drops, and bathing the part af^
fected, with the same, will remove the complaint. When
the case is bad, carry them throughaconrse of the med-
icine, and bathe with the drops, repeating it as occasion
may require, till cured. At the same time, give a tea of
poplar bark or hemlock boughs; and many other articles
which have been described as good for this complaint,
may also be made use of to advantage.
11*

126

yieto Guide to Health;

The gout is from the same cause, and the stomach
being gi'ea%' disordered, and very sour, which produces
a burning MPsation. I have cured several cases by the
common course of medicine, and giving the bitters to
restore the digestive powers.

Sore. Lips.

They are common in very hot or cpld weather, when •
there is nearly a balance of the power of outward and in-
ward heat, or outward and inward cold, which produces
canker. To cure it, take a strong dose of a tea of No.
3, with a tea-spoonful of No. 2. in it, when going to bed,
and wash them with the same, then wipe them dry to take
off the matter collected; then wet them again with the
tea, Ad put on as much ginger as will stick, repeat the
same again for two or three times, till the coat is suffi-
cient to keep out the air; when this comes off, repeat
the same process again, until the soreness is gone, then
wash again with the tea, and wipe them dry, and apply
warm tallow till a cure is completed.

Sore Eyes.

This is generally caused by being exposed to sudden
changes of heat and cold, which produces canker; and
where this is, there will be inflammation. There are
many things good for this complaint; but the best that I
have found, is white pond lily root, marshrosemary, witcH
hazle, and red raspberry leaves; make a strong tea with
all or either, and add one third as much of No. 6, with a
little of No. 2; bathe the eyes several times in a day;
every morning put your face in cold water, open and shut
the eyes till well washed ; repeat this till a cure is effect-
ed. At the same time, take the tea to clear the system
of canker.

Headache.

This pain proceeds from a foul stomach, the bile loses
its powers, the food clogs, by not being digested, and the
effect is felt in the head, which is the fountain of sense.

strip
and h
in ral
rounc
not
have

ThI
mon
morel
than
and
parts!

or, Bolanic Famihj Physician.

127

[nach
luces
•y the
jrs to

when-
jtnd in-
oduces
of No.
to bed,
to take
rith the
)eat the
is suffi-

rcpeat
^e, then
id apply

Sometimes there is stekneas at the stomach; when tliis
happens, it is Cjalled sick headache, and when they vomit,
the head is relieved. This proves that the cause is in
the stomach. It must be cured by cleansing the stomach
and restoring the digestive powers. A dose of composi-'
tion powders, sitting by the fire wrapped in a blanket,
will generally give relief; but if it should not, take a
dose of No. 1 , in a tea of No. 3, and take the bitters to
correct the bile; No. 3 should also be taken, to warm the
stomach, and if it is sour, take the pearlash water. It is
very fashionable with the doctors, to tell about dropsy in
the head, but in this I have no belief; for there is no
disease in the head but what proceeds from the stomach,
except from external injury. If they understood the real
cause, and would give the proper medicine to remove it,
there would be no difficulty in the head ; but when a
child is sick, they give calomel and other poisons, which
increases the disease ; and if they die, it is laid to the
dropsy in the head, and this is satisfactory, because the
doctor says so.

0 sudden
ker; and
here are
est that I
iry,witcH
r tea with
6, with a

a day;

1 and shut
. is eflect-
he system

5 bile loses
ed, and the
Q of sense.

Corns.

These come on the joints of the toes, and arc very
troublesome. They may be cured by soaking the foot
in warm water till the corn is soft; shave it thin; take a
strip of bladder or skin of suet, eight or ten inches long,
and half an inch wide, rub it till soft; then supple it well
in rattle-snake's oil, or the nerve ointment; wrap it
round the toe, and keep it on till worn out; if this does
not cure, repeat the same till the corn is removed. I
have seldom known this to fail of a cure. >#

Venereal. ^

This disease, that is called by this name, is more com-
mon in seaports than in the country, because there is a
more promiscuous and illicit intercourse of the sexes,
than in other places. It is a very high state of canker
and putrefaction, which takes hold of the glands of those
parts that are first affected with it ; and if not checked,

'*^"

ui^-

128

JVew Guide to Health;

#

the whole system will.hecome diseased by the venereal
taint. It is more common among sea-farine men, be-
cause of their being long absent at sea, and on coming
on shore, they give free scope to their passions, without
being very scrupulous ab jut the manner of their indul-
gence. It originates, probably, with those common
women, who have connection with many different men,
and going beyond the impulse of nature; this impure
connection causes uncleanness, which produces the dis-
ease, and when seated, is contagious.

The reason why this disease causes so m^ich fright
and alarm, is owing to two causes; the first i.^ the dis-
grace that is attached to the dishonesty in gettirig it ; and
the other is the manner in which it has generally been
treated, in giving mercury to cure it; the remedy be-
comes worse than the disease. That this disorder can-
not be cured by any other means, is altogether an error;
for I have cured a number of cases by very simple means.
The first symptoms felt, is a scaling sensation and pain
when voiding the urine; and w.tiiin twenty-four hours
after this is experienced, it may be cured in that time, by
applying cold water, and making use of the rheumatic
drops; if there is much soreness, make use of the tea of
No. 3, with the drops in it; which must be taken, as well
as applied to the parts. If the disease has been of long
standing, and the whole system has become affected,
they must be carried through a course of the medicine.
Where there has been mercury made use of, and there
is all the attendant consequences of such treatment, it is
much mo|e difficult to effect a cure ; and is only done by
a full course of the medicine, and repeating it for a num-
ber of times; raising the heat by steam, each time as
high as they can bear, to throw out the mercury and re-
move the canker, at the same time applying the poultice;
then give the bitters to correct the bile. •

I 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
constantly been growing worse. She had been kept
ignorant of hier disease, till a few days before brought to

me,
five (
poult
No. i
givin,
ture,
after
streni
woma
this w
attend
health
she hi
health
This
what h
breath
who ar
be corn
in man_
sympto"
Childr<
taint, \
similar
may be
the col<
who, bi
ing ex|
back ar
inffamr
nereal.
and the
I was cl
things
loins ani
short tir
in the vl
buboes. [
for I nel
mercury
it dries ,
dischar;

or, Botanic Family Phy»ician.

139

me on
ite, and

[ifferent
she had
;n kept
Lugbt to

me, on account of her husband. • I carried her through
five courses of the medicino in two weokA, and applied a

Soultico of white bread and ffingor, made with a tea of
To. 3. This comoletoly broke up the disorder, and by
giving medicine to correct the bile and restore the diges-
ture, she was cured, and returned home in three weeks
after coming to me. By taking things to restore her
strength, has enjoyed good health over since. Another
woman was cured in the sumo manner, who had been in
this way for s'ijl years, and una))lo to do any business. I
attended her three weeks, when she was restored to
health, and returned home, In less than a year ader,
she had two children at a birth, and hui enjoyed good
health to this day— [in 1823.]

This disease may be produced by other means than
what have been described, It may be taken in with the
breath by being much exposed in attending on those
who are m a very putrid stage of the cntnplamt; or may
be communicated to parts where the skin is broken, and
in many other ways; when they will have many of the
symptoms, the same as when taken in the common way.
Children will sometimes be afleoted with the venereal
taint, whoso parents have had the disease. A disease
similar in appearance, with much the same symptoms,
may be brought on by overdoing and being exposed lo
the cold. I once had the ca»e of a young nmrried man,
who, by straining himself from loading mill logs and be-
ing exposed to wet and cold, caurtod n weakness in the
back and loins, and he had what h ealled n gleet, and an
inflammation, with all the symptoms common th the ve-
nereal. His wife became aObctod in the same manner,
and they continued in this situation three months, when
I was called to attend them; and by making usg of such
things as I then had a knowledge of, to strengthen the
loins and remove the canker, was able to cure both in a
short time. The mun had all the lymptotri^ that appear
in the venereal except hard bunches in the groins, called
buboes. These I am satisfied are caused by mercury,
for I never knew any to have them f .\cept they had taken
mercury. By syringing with mercury and sugar of lend,
it dries the glands and contracts the passage, and stops the
discharge, when the putrid matter instead of going ofT,

'Wtr

130

J,

AVw Guide to Health;

T'w, [.mji^'^-tK,"- • --^T-

collects in the groin iind forms hard tumors, which re-
main a long time and have to be brought to a head to let
off the putrid matter. Bunches of a similar kind oAen
come on different parts of the body caused by mercury.
Much more might be written on this subject, but it is
difficult to find proper terms to convey all the directions
that may be necessary in all cases. Enough has been
said to give to those who are so unfortunate as to have
the disease, a general knowledge of the nature of the
complaint, and the best manner of effecting a cure; and
to those who are fortunate enough to escape it, any thing
further will be unnecessary. If the disease be of recent
standing, let it be considered merely a case of local can-
ker, and treated as such; but if the whole system has be-
come tainted, and especially if mercury has been given,
the disease is more difficult to remove, and must be treat-
ed accordingly.

-■r

JtllDlWIFERT. ^

This is a very difficult subject to write upon, as I
know of no words, that would be proper to make use of,
to convey the necessary information to enable a person
to attempt the practice with safety. The great impor-
tance of the subject, however, induces me not to be si-
lent; and I shall endeavor to make known to the public
such thoughts and conclusions as long experience and
much solicitude has enabled me to form,, concerning those
who are Iftjffering and are constantly liable to suffer from
the erroneous arid most unnatural practice of the present
day. The practice of midwifery at this time, appears to
be altogether a matter of speculation with the medical
faculty, by their exorbitant price for attendance. The
tax on the poor classes is very heavy ; and this is not the
greatest grievance that they have to hear, for they are
often deprived of their wives and children, by such ig-
norant and unnatural practice as is very common in all
parts of the country.

^^ * Forty years ago, the practice of midwifery was prin-
cipally in the hands of experienced women, who had no

' difficulty; and there was scarce an instance known in

or, Botame FamUy Phy$ieUtn.

181

those days of a woman dyina in chUd>becl, and it was
very uncommon for them to lose the child ; but at the
present time these things are so common that it is hardly
talked about. There must be some cause for this differ-
ence, and I can account for it in no other way than the
unskilful treatment they experience from the doctors,
who have now got most of the practice into their own
hands. In the country where I was born, and where I
brought up a family of children, there was no such thins
thought of as callmg the assistance of a doctor; a mi(f
wife was all that was thought necessary, and the instances
were very rare that they were not successful, for they
used no art, but afforded such assistance as nature re-
quired; gave herb tea to keep them in a perspiration,
and to quiet the nerves. Their price was one dollar;
when the doctors began to practise midwifery in the
country, their price was three dollars, but they soon after
raised it to five ; and now they charge from twelve to
twenty dollars. If they go on in this ratio, it will soon
take all the people can earn, to pay for their children.

All the valuable instruction I ever received, was from
a woman, in the town where I lived, who had practised
as a midwife, for twenty years; in an interview of about
twenty minutes, she cave me more useful instruction,
than all I ever gained from any other source. I have
practised considerably in this line, and have always had
very good success. It is very important to keep up the
strength of women in a state of pregnancy, so that at
the time of delivery, they may be in possession of all their
natural powers; they should be carried through a course
of the medicine several times, particularly a little before
delivery, and keep them in a perspiration during and
afler delivery, which will prevent after pains, and other
complaints common in such cases. Beware of bleeding,
opium, and cold baths; invigorate all the faculties of
the body and mind, to e^ert the most laborious efforts
that nature is called upon to perform, instead of stupify-
ing, and substituting art for nature. I will relate a case
that I was knowing to, which will give a pretty fair view
of the practice of the doctors. A woman was taken in
travail, and the midwife could not come; a doctor was
sent for; when he came, the prospect was, that she

*

132

JWu Guide U> Healthy

,♦

would not be delivered in two hours; he gave her some
medicine, which caused vomiting, and turned the pdins
to the stomach ; she continued in this situation for twelve
hours, when her strength was nearly gone ; he then bled
her, and to stop the puking, gave her so much opium, aa
to cause such a stupor, that it required all the exertions
of the women to keep the breath of life in her, through
the night; in the morning, she remained very weak, and
continued so till afternoon, when she was delivered with
instruments. The child was dead, and the woman came
very near dying, dnd it was six months before she got
her strength again. Many more cases might be given of
the bad success of'bleeding, and giving opium to stupi-
fy, and making use of art, instead of assisting nature to
do her own work.

I have given instruction to several who have bought
the right, and their practice has been attended with com-
plete success. Many men that I have given the infor-
mation to, have since attended their own wives, and I
have never known an instance of any bad consequences;
and if young married men would adopt the same course,
it would b^ much more proper and safe, than to trust
their wives in the hands of young inexperienced doctors,
who have little knowledge, except what they get from
books, and their practice is to try experiments; their
cruel and harsh treatment, in many instances, would in-
duce the husband to throw them out at the window, if
permitted to be present; but this is not allowed, for the
very -same reason.

The following cases, and the mode of treatment, each
of which presents something new and difficult, will pre-
sent to view all that will be further necessary on this sub-
ject. These will be added by way of supplement.

'^1

ST*»* ki

'H'

\K

r'n=r.

T i^rm -trt "'^'^ '.'ir^ii i;r<~' ,s.'ij'nn ;!:I

.?;\l:\

TO THG THIRD EDITIOJV.

each
111 pre-
lls sub-

urraoDVOTZOxr.

^'Th« Hebrew women are lively, and are delivered, ere )he
mldwlve* ootne in un(o them." Exodus i, 19.

Ai ill introduction to what I have further to say on
the iubject of midwifery, the above may answer as a
text; from which, I Jiave only to observe, that, had this
Importuit branch been preserved in its simplicity, at-
tended only by women, as it seems to have been in the
days of the ancient Egyptians, when the Hebrews were
elavei under Pharaoh, who ordered the midwives to kill
all the Hebrew male children at their' birth, women
might still have been delivered with as little trouble to
the midwives, and as little pain to themselves, as fr<Mn
the aeoount, it appears that they were then. For, as a
oover to their humanity, and to escape punishment from
the lydng, the midwives excused themselves for not kill-
ing the male children on account of the liveliness of the
Hebrew women. If those women had had the doctors
of the present day, with their pincers, Pharaoh would
have had less cause to have issued his decree to kill the
male children, as mstny might have been killed with un-

{mnitv, before it was known whether they were mai^iSr
bmafe. Has the nature of won?n altered^ which makes
the mode of having children so much more difficult and
inviterious novir than it was then? or is it the speculation
01 the doctors, for the sake of robbing the people of
liNiUy ioUarif the regular tribute here, for each child
bornr And should the child be born, fortunately for the
mother and child both, before the arrival of tfaiM^tor,
he even then, instead of the price of a c««(igrar visit,
considers himself entitled to a half fee; that is, ten dol-

12
• • >.

134

Mw Quide io HeaUk;

lars. In all this, you may nee the mystery of iniquity.
Then digroiM the doctor; regtore the business into the
hands of women, where it belongs; and save your wife
from muoh unneceigary paiAi your children, perhaps,
from death, and at all eveutg, your money, for better pur-
poses. Then will your children ^^be born naturally, as
fruit falls from the tree, when ripe, of itself.

From this eource, the doctors and their pincers, may
be traced the miierable health of women, unable to stand
on their feet for weeks and months, and never finally
recover; all cauied by thoie horrid instruments of steel,
to extend the paiiage not only for the child, but for the
instruments also. In this harsh and unnatural operation,
they often not only crush the head of the child, but also
the neck of the bladder. After this, there is an invol-
untary discharge of the urine, bearing-down pains, &c.
insomuch that life becomes an intolerable burden without
remedy. Can any one believe there was eve r an instance
of this kind among the Hebrew women, where mid wives
only were known, or where nature only was the midwife?
I think not. Is there any such thing known among the
natives of this country, where nature is their only de-
pendence } History gives us an account of their squaws'
having a papoose at night, and wade several rivers the
next day, when driven ny Chnstiam in warfare; and by
the simple use of 4aking the unicorn root, they would
prevent themselves from taking cold. If all these views
of the subject— what has been stated in the body of this
w^rk'H'aad what is here to follow, be not satisfactory,
neither would neople be persuaded though one should
arise from the aeaa. d

, J,! jii,.„ Fwifur JBinfewAf* on Mtdteiferv. ',.

As I am often called upon for verbal information on
this important subject, I shall endeavor in this supple-
ment to give some fUrther instructions, by relating sev-
eralimportut cases, and their mode of treatment, which
have«|ttrred since my last edition was published.

In nraition to the bod practice of the doctors, as be-
&re related, I will state another case of which I was an

or, ^danic Family Physician.

135

eye-witness. My brother's wife, about thirty years old,
'was in travail with her first child. The midwife called
on me for advice, on account of a violent flooding, which
I immediately relieved by the hot medicine ; at the same
time, some people present, privately sent for a doctor.
When he came, I told him there was no difficulty, and
all that was wanting was time. After examination, he
said the woman had been well treated. He then took
the command, and very soon began to use too much ex-
ertion. He was cautioned by the midwife; but he show-
ed temper, and said, ** Why did you send for me, if you
know best." I told him he was not sent for by our re-
quest; we found no need of any other help. The doc-
tor persisted in this harsh treatment for about seven hours,
occasionally trying to put on his instruments of torture.
This painful attempt caused the woman to shrink from
her pains, and the child drew back. After making sev-
eral unsuccessful attempts, got himself tired out; he ask-
ed me to examine her situation. I did so, and told him
that the child was not so far advanced as when he came.
He asked me to attend her. I refused the offer; and
told him that he pronounced the woman well treated when
he came; but she had not been so treated since, and I
was not liable to bear the blame. He then sent for an-
other doctor, and let her alone till the other doctor came,
in which time nature had done much in advancing her
labor. The doctors were astonished at her strength, in
thus holding out; and I now firmly believe that with the
use of the medicine which had been given her, and
which ought to have been continued, nature would have
completed her delivery. The second doctor did but lit-
tle more than to jay , the' instruments'could now be put on;
which shows how far nature had completed her i^<iirk.
The first doctor put on the instruments of death, adi de-
livered her by force; using strength' enough to have
drawn an hundred weight! Thus the child was, as I
should call it, murdered; the head crushed, and the doc-
tor put it in a tub of cold water twice; an application,
one would have supposed, sufficient to kill it, had it been
well!!

The woman flooded, like the running of water, so as
to be heard by all in the room. The doctor called for

136

JVeto Guide to Heald;

cold water to put on aa soon as possible. I told the doc
tor that he need not trouble himself any further about
the woman, I would take care of her. I gave her a
spoonful of fine bayberry , cayenne and drops ; got her
into bed as soon as possible; the alarming situation soon
abated; but her senses were gone, and her nerves all in
a state of c6nfusion. I repeated the dose with the ad-
dition of nerve powder. I put a hot stone, wrapped in
cloths wet with vinegar, at her feet, and also at her back
and bowels, until she got v/arm. Then her nerves be-
came more composed. When the doctor left her, he
said there was a doubt whether she lived over twelve
hours. At that time she was so swollen as to stop all
evacuations, besides other injuries she had received by
the use offeree instead of aid. The midwife used her
best endeavors to promote a natural discharge, but in
vain. But, when all other sources fail, then comes my
turn. I succeeded, and saved her from mortification.
The second day, I carried her through a course of medi-
cine; steaming her in bed; for she was as helpless as
though all her bones had been broken. All the way she
could be turned was to draw her on the under sheet, and
so turn her that way. After the second course, she be-
gan to help herself a little. I was with her most of the
time for five days and nights. I then left her, with medi-
cines and directions, and she gained her health in about
two months. I gave them directions how to proceed in
case she should ever be in the like situation again. She
had another child in about two years; the child lived,
and both did well, by keeping away the doctor, as I am
satisfied would have been the case the first time, had
this scourge of humanity been kept away.

f have been more particular in relating this case, than
I otherwise should have been, had I not been an eye-
witness to all the' proceedings, and of course to all the
facts which I have stated, which I could not have be-
lieved had I not seen them; and had it been at my own
house, I think I should not have waited for a door, but
have pitched the monster out at the window. Yet I
have reason to believe that this is only a sample of the
genera) practice where nature moves slowly. The argot
or rye spur, which is a very improper medicine, was

cayenr
her fee
pains
symptc
day sh4
en hre
medicii

or, Botanic Family Physician.

137

also frequently given in this case ; but it ought to be
particularly guarded against, in all cases.

Another instance happened in the country, where the
doctor was with a youi^g woman in travail, who had fits.
The doctor bled her, and took away her child dead by
force. The woman is yet in a poor state of health.
What could we expect otherwise, where learned men
forbid the laws of nature to take their course, take the
blood, ''which is the lif'S," to enable women to go through
with the most laborious task which nature is called on to
perform ? Consider of these things, my friends, and gov-
ern yourselves accordingly.'

mi

had

Now let me exhibit the other side of the picture. I
was called upon to attend a young woman in child-bed,
eighty miles in the country. I attended. She had been
sick, and sent for help, before I arrived, and had got
about again. About one week after, she was taken
again, with every appearance that she would be deliver-
ed soon. In about six hours, the pains all flatted away;
she grew pale and dull in spirits, and the motion of the
child had nearly ceased. She bad labored hard, and
got cold, and had a bad cough; and the moisture of the
glands was. so thickened, that she could not spit clear of
her mouth. I saw that there was no use in any further
delay. On Thursday, I carried her through a thorough
course of medicine, and steamed her twice in the course
of the day^ and then let her rest. About the same time
she was taken the night before, to wit, about eleven o'-
clock, her pains were regular, her animaticm and -yBJlkft
returned, a fine son was born about thr«e o'clock, rae
walked from the fire to the bed, a portion of coffee and
cayenne was administered, and a steaming stone put to
her feet. As soon as her perspiration was free, all after-
paioB ceased, and there were none of those - alarming
symptoms, common to learned ignorance. The second
day she showed symfrtoms of a child-bed feyer and brok-
en breasts. I carried her through another course of
medicine and steam. The fifth day she took breakfast
12*

138

JV*ei0 (ruide to Health;

atid dinner below with the family, and carried her child
up stairs. The eighth day she rode out two miles, paid
a visit and come back. On the ninth day, I carried her
.through another course of medicine, and got her so far
cleared, that she could spit clear of her mouth for the
first time after I saw her. On the tenth day, she rode
the same distance ; and I have no doubt that, had she
been attended in the common way, she would have had
the child-bed fever; broken breasts, and a poor health
afterwards.

This case caused much conversation. Why so i It
was the different mode of treatment, reversing every
mode commonly attended to. What shall we do? say
the people, we shall never dare to employ a doctor again.
I answer. Call the doct . , and obtain his advice ; and
then reverse every prescription given by him in a case of
child-bed. If he tells you to have a doctor, have a mid-
wife. If he says, " be bled," keep your blood for other
uses. If he says, "keep yourself cold," sweat your-
self If he says, "put cold water on your bowels,"
take hot medicine inside, and a steaming stone at your
feet. If he says, "take physic," use warm injections.
If he says, "starve yourself," eat what your appetite
craves. By strict observance of the foregoing anti-di-
rections, you may enjoy your health, and save the heavy
bill for the many visits of the doctor, besides saving him
from the trouble of keeping you sick. This is the mode
of having patent babies, so highly recommended by Dr.
Robinson, in his 13th lecture, who says, " Even in child-
bed delivery, a matter never to be forgotten, this prac-
tice has very nearly removed the pain and punishment
the daughters of Eve, threatened to our progenitor
entailed upon her ofispring. A lady of good sense,
attdVithout the least coloring of imagination, said k was
easier to hav« five children under the operation and in-
fluence of this new practice, than one by the other man-
agement and medicine. And she had had experience in
both cases, and has been supported in the evidence by
every on^ who has followed her example."

This extract Speaks rolumes in iiiTor of the treaUneal
m the last naoMd c«8e«

imnmf.rKi

mi

or, Botanic Family Physician.

139

and

iatmeBl

The following case of midwifery I shall mention, with
the mode of treatment, for the purpose of giving instruc-
tion to others.

I was called to visit a woman in Greenfield, Saratoga
Co., N. Y., who had been in travail ten days, and her life
despaired of. I think there was not less than ten men
and women present, and the seal of despair was set upon
each one's countenance. The woman, in a low voice,
said, " I cannot see what can be the use of a woman's
undergoing the distress I have for ten days, and die after
all, as two sisters of mine have done in a similar case,
but a short time ago." I replied, that pain and distress
were the common lot of all mankind, and the duty of
every one is to alleviate the miseries of others as far as
it is in our power. She asked me if I thought I could
help her. I assured her that I would do every thing I
could for that purpose. There were several persons
present who owned the right. I took out my medicine,
and put in a tea-cup a large spoonful of composition, one
tea-spoonful of cayenne, one of nerve powder, and one
spoonful of sugar, filled the cup with boiling water, stir-
red them well together, and set it down. While settling,
I took a large tea-spoonful of brown emetic, and havkig
poured off the tea into another cup, stirred in the pow-
aer, and handed it to the woman, who swallowed it, ap-
parently with all possible faith that it would help her. I
called for assistance, to regulate the bed and other things,
which were in disorder about the room, as soon as^ possi-
ble. Every attention was paid, the medicine rou^d the
efforts of nature, so th^t the woman iHras in readiness be-
fore we were. This qalled all to her assistance; the de-
sired object was obtained in less than fifteen minutes al^
ter taking tfckis friend of nature; a fine son was born
alive, and tWd woman comfortable and i^ble with itf ady-
ing; to walk from the fire to the bed, to the great joy of
all present. The gloomy veil of despair was raised from
the countenance of all, and they heartily partook of the
joy and thankfukiess of the woman and family ; insomuch
that some of the women presept, declared that they would
never have any other children but patent onesJieinpjifter.

Ih^iisn

*»*r n '^'^'tijtr/

.^-

140

^ew Guide to Health;

One of my agents, Joseph Mitchell, went with me ;
and we returned in the space of two hours, in a violent
snow storm. He declared that that expedition was worth
one hundred dollars to the society. The next day, the
husband came, and purchased the right, with instruction
on the branch of midwifery; and has attended his wife
twice since, with unusual success. Oiie of my agents
says he has frequently heard the woman relate the fore^
going case; but never without shedding tears.

Case ofMidioifery, in Columbus, Ohio.

This woman I agreed to be with when confined, which
was expected in about three weeks. I went to see my
son, about 130 miles. While there, I fell and broke two
of my ribs. I had a violent cough, and almost lost my
life. I did not return short of about six weeks, and then
in a very poor state of health. I arrived at the house
about eleven o'clock at night. The woman was then in
travail. She said she had waited for me three weeks.
The midwife said the^ waters had been discharged three
days, and the woman was in a low and lingenng state,
often wishing for me. I went to bed that night, but
did not sleep much, on account of the distress of the
woman, and noise of the moving in the house. I was
solicited about noon the next day, by the husband and
wife, her father and mother, my agent and his wife, with
an earnest desire to attend the woman, as her mind was
set on my attention. I reluctantly consented, as I was
weak in body tmd mind, and hardly able to undergo the
anxiety and responsibility of so difficult a case. I how-
ever'^0|greed to do the best I could. I pr(|^ared a dose
simill^ to that mentioned in the foregoing Case. It was
given. It soon had the desired effect, by rousing the
system to action. I delivered her in about half an hour.
But the child was apparently dead. I took the placenta
or after-birth, with the chi!<d; the grandmother being
seated in the corner, she placed the after-birth on a bed
of embers, while rubbing the child; and afi soon as the '
substance on the coals had gained warmth enough to fill
the umbilical cord with warmth and moisture, it was

*■

Ab(
agents
ed, ar
with
relief,
away

or, Botanic Family PhyBician.

141

stripped towards the body of the child, and so continued
until a sufficient degree of warmth through this medium
was conveyed into the body of the child, as to expand the
lungs, which was effected in about fifteen or twenty min-
utes ; then the string was separated in usual form.

I relate this case for the information pf those who may
not have studied the principle of heat's giving life, as is
manifest in the present case. There was no other possi-
ble way of communicating heat to the vitals, except
through that channel or stem which had supported the
growth of the child to that time, the same as any vegeta-
ble fruit is supported from the vine or tree by the stem.
If the vine be cut off, or pulled up, the fruit will wither
and die. Now what was the c&.use of the death of this
child ? Recollect the first part of this statement. The
water had been discharged three days. All that time
the child had been starving, the same as the fruit loses
its support 'when the vine is cut. But by raising artifi-
cial heat, through the placenta and umbilical cord, by
Eutting the former on the embers, and conveying the
eat to the body of the child through the medium of the
latter, it gave the child one more meal, which roused it
into action, and which was to last till the next means
nature has provided, can be obtained. Before the child
is born, it is supported by this stem from the mother in-
ternally; afterbirth, from the breast of the mother ex-
ternally. This food supports the child, till he can eat
more solid food,- and thus no longer need the breast.

Now the attention of the mother,

Majr be employed to have another;

And 80 go on with all the rest,

Your hoase be filled with children bless'd.

Case of a Fahe Conception.

About two years ago, I was called on by one of my
agents at !^lastport. Me. who appeared to be much alarm-
ed, and requested me to go with hifti to visit a woman
with whom he had been all night, and could give her no
relief. She had flowed so much, that she lay fainted
away more than half the time, and then, the rest part

142

JVew Guide io Health;

of the time, she was puking. I asked him if she was
in a pregnant state. He thought not. I answered, I
thought it must be the case. I went with him ; and, on
the way, asked him if he had given her an emetic ? He
had not. If he had used an mjection ? No, he did not
think it would answer. Not answer! What is your
medicine good for, if it is not a friend in the most alarm-
ing case? When entering the house, the man said, ^'My
wife has been fainted away more than half the time since
you lefl, and the rest of the time she has been puking."
I directed my agent to go after his syringe. The first
thing I could find warm was some wormwood tea. I
took some in a cup, and added some cayenne, nerve
powder, and emetic herb, sweetened, as heretofore di-
rected. She took it. I then steeped one pint of coffee,
and had time to give her about one glz'as, with a requi-
site portion of the same articles as before, when the
syringe arrived. I then prepared about a 'gill of this
liquid, and added the same proportion of the articles
taken, and charged the syringe with it, and ordered the
nurse to administer it. I, with my agent, left the room
for the space of about ten minutes, when we were called
in, and found the nurse much surprised at the discharge.
The like was never seen by any one present. I'he ap-
pearance was like a hog's heart secured in a membrane.
The people were at a loss what to call it. My agent
was of opinion that there was some human shape in it.
I said, no. To satisfy himself, he opened it with his
knife, and found it solid flesh. I told them it was a
false conception, and void of human shape. I then re-
peated the dose as before given, and repeated the injec-
tion \t, usual form, which cleared her of all disorder, and
set nature at liberty. Ail flowing, pukin^^and fainting,
ceased from the first application I madeP The woman
soon got well, and in less than one year, had a fine son,
and her health remains good. Many thanks were given
me by the family, believing, as they said, that what I
administered to the woman, together with what I pre-
scribed, had saved her life.

I shall close this subject with a few brief remarks.

The foregoing cases I have described for the purpose
of showing tho diflerence between forcing nature, and

or, BolanU Family Phyiician.

143

5>

aiding and assisting her. They are two theories, di-
rectly opposed to each other, and can never harmonize
together. As soon as learned ignorance begins to nse
force to extend the passage, the child ceases from its
natural progression and draws back ; as nature shrinks
from all such opei^ations, and force must then do the
whole; and if the child should be caught by such force,
as the dog catches his game, it will be likely to share
the same fate, as in the case first mentioned. I shall
not follow up the simile, by comparing the doctor to a
dog, though it might be made a very striking one. is
not this the cause of many women lingering out a mis-
erable existence in pain and torment, and are often heard
to say, " I have never been well since my last child was
born. I was in the hands of the doctor three days, and
at last was delivered with instruments. I did not stand
on my feet for six weeks, and have never regained my
health." Yet the doctor is looked upon as her benefac-
tor, and is thanked for saving her lira, (otuery. Were
theti:^ evil consequences ever known were natuiP^did
her own work, and the child born before the doctor could
get there ? In all my practice, I never knew an instance
where the woman -.ould not bear her weight upon her
feet the same day. Nor have I ever heard of a single
instance where nature had been assisted according to
rny practice by others, where the patient was not able to
bear her weight on her feet the same day of hor delivery.
As to the cause of the difllbrence between those attend-
ed according to nature, and those attended aecunduvt
artem, according to art, I shall leave the reader to de-
cide for himself.
Another evil in this branch, which I shall mention

either felt or

force. The

and tears

it off, so as to be heard by those present. Alarming, if
not fat4 consequences are the result. The question is,
what omer way can be done? Answer. The same as
in taking the child. Assist nature, instead of forcing it.
The only rule given by me, to those who wish to attend
their own wives, or others, is simply this. After the
string is separated from the child, be careftil not to lose

>~

— ^■

y^ 144

A«w Guide to Health;

it, by letting it draw back, as this is the only sure guid«
to the placenta. Take the sti'ng between the thumb
and finger of the left hand, drawing it straight, ^^ile
havinff the same between the thumb and finger of the
right nand, slipping it forward until you find the solid
part to which the string is attached. Take a steady
pull when the pain is on. After a few seconds, it will
be^in to give way, turning inside out as turning the
lining to the sleeve of a coat. But if it stick fast, take
care not to break the string, as if you do, you lose your
guide. .Keep the woman well fed with hot medicine, to
prevent flooding. Then carry her through a course of
medicine; and when the system is slackened, it will
often come of itself. I w<fuld prefer having it remain
till it discharges itself, according to nature, as it certain-
ly will in time, than to be taken away by force, as I have
seen done. The danger is far less. But I never knew
a case of the kind where the woman had been sufficient-
ly c^red by the medicine near the time of her delivery.
1 kflllr one instance, where the woman had been treat-
ed by force in thii^ way, that she had been so injured that
all her urine run '«way as fast as it collected. The doc-
tors had so injured her, that they declared she would
never live to have another child. But they were mistak-
en. The next one she was attended by mgr direction,
and carried through, I think, thirteen courses of medi-
cine before delivery. I attended her. She was sick but
about two hours; was delivered and cleared without any
difficulty, and both she and her child did woll.

There are as great errors committed in using force for
the after-birth, as for the child. The inflammation caus-
ed by usin^ force in taking the child, causes the obstruc-
tion in tdung the after-birth. When le^ed ignorant
pretenders, who ktkow nothing about follHnng the um-
bilical cord for their guide, proceed inward, where they
have no business, they often comimt irreparable injury,
and instead of taking the after-birth, they iiuure the
womb, sometimes by turning it wrong side oil, which
causes distressing bearing-down pains, and thus the
woman must linger out a miserable existence until death
comes as a welcome firiend to relieve her.

or, Botanic Fiunihj Physician.

M5

Thus, kind reader, I have given you the most impo%
tant particulars I now think of, and as to any further
directions, I can do no better than to refer you to the
General IHrectiona, as laid down in this book; and it
is my opinion that you are better off with your own
judgment and this book, than with all the scientific ig-
norance, called knowledge, as taught in the schools,
without it. Hence my advice to you is, dismiss all doc-
tors of law, physic and divinity. Pray for your own
soul, if you know what it is, doctor your own body, and
make your own will. By so doing, you will save your
share of the greatest tax ever imposed on mankind.

Oullines of Treatment in the hour of Travail.

To point out a regular rule or form for every woman,
would be out of my power, as they are restless, iiipting
their position in every form and manner, to find a place
of rest, which is as difficult as that of Noah's dove.
When they become so far advanced that they cannot
satisfy themselves any longer in their own way, then you
may assist them in the best manner to help themselves,
and to enable others to help them, by assisting nature to
do her own work.

The seat is prepared in different ways, according to
their fancy. Those who have had children ought to be
the best judge how to aid and assist them in this partic-
ular. I shaU only give advice how to proceed in some
alarming and difficult cases, to be handed down for the
benefit of generations yet unborn, as none can be ob-
tained from thift.progress of the learned, for four thousand
years. And in any beneficial information shall now be
•btained, it must be from the illiterate, who have studied
nature rather than books. I have no authors, dictiona^^
ries or^nncordance, to assist my feeble efforts in arriv-
igg at im>rrect judgment. Necessity and experience are
tie only sources of my knowledge, firom which I dimw
all my lessons.

Among the most desparate eases, is the flowing of fe-
males; pregnant or not, the treatment is the same. If
it happens before delivery, give a portion of composition
13

146

JVeto Guide to HeaUh;

with more cayenne, and hot water sweetened; or some
drops, cayenne and snuff, or fine bayberry, as sabttitutes*
If after delivery, the same. When the womiik grow*
weary and worn out, and pains begin to die away, give
a portion of the third preparation, in some composition
and nerve powder. This will compose the system so aa
to rest or reinforce nature, and hasten delivery. It is
of great service, when the pains are lingering, at the
time of giving the above named medicine, to use an in*
jection, in common form, made of the same compound.
This will hasten or delay delivery, as nature requires.

RevMtrk About the time of delivery apply a cloth of

several thicknesses wet with hot water, to slack the mus-
cles; repeat it occasionally, and keep it hot till nature is
ready to perform her work.

I attended one woman in this city, with her first child.
Her strength failed; her pains slacked; I gave her a
tabl^fmoonful of the liquid of the third preparation;
wraj^d her warm, which caused her to vomit once, and
raised a perspiration; she fell asleep, and in this situa-
tion' rested four hours, when the head of the child wa»
so far advanced, as to have been visible. She awoke,
her travail re-commenced with reinforced vigor. She
was delivered rather in a cold statie; she flowed badly;
I gave her some No. 2, and drops, with a little fine bay-
berry, which had the desired effect. She walked from
the fire to the bed, and did well.

There is another distressing complaint incident to fe-
males, worse than having children ; and often no relief
from the doctors. I have seen women in as great agony
with false pains, as at the delivery of a child. A strong
tea of witch-hazle leaves and nerve powder, and a little
cayenne, strained, used by injection eithejlfl^ay, or both,
I have seen relieve like throwing water on the fire. The
disorder is canker, and must be met with its antidottt
where it id. . ,^m

These few remarks, together with the foregoA caseg,
will be sufficient information on this 8ubj^ct. In con-
clusion, I would ask, can we attach sufiicient value on
a medicine that will give rest to a weary patient in trur
vail, and restore the nerves and muscles to a giant-like
strength, as refreshed by wine, and continue the strength

Ea

or, Botanic Family PhyHctan.

147

until delivery is completed; and at the same time guard
againg|j§li those alarming complaints, which too often
fmlowlRerwards? A medicine to which you may re-
iort with perfect confidence, in times of the greatest per-
il, that, if any thing can, it will save your wife and child,
and the fee of twenty dollars from the doctor. This is
the regular /ee in cities, though it is less in the country.

Supplemeid to the Venereal..... See page 130.

There are four diseases^ or rather four names of dis-
which are often made fatal, in consequence of the
name. 1. Venereal. 2. Hydrophobia. 3. Small-Pox.
4, Erysipelas. As the remedy is laid down in the Med-
ical FocKet Book, the name is doctored instead of the
diiease. If a child has a sore ear, and it runs a yellow
water, it will spread like fire, as often seen on.fi pot;
and it will inoculate where it touches. While im the
child's ear, women call it a canker sore; and there is
nothing alarming under this name. Any old woman can
eure it. But take the same infection from the ear, and
inoeulate with it, in that part of the body where venereal
il seated, and call it venereal, the consequence is the
same; and by the same mercurial treatment, there would
be all the alarming consequences as though the disorder
was generated in any other way. Yea, if the patient
was well, with the same administration of mercury, in the
same way, and to the same extent, the buboes and shank-
€rs would often make their appearance in the same man-
ner without the supposed disease, as with. They doctor
the name instead of the disorder. The patient, there-
fore, as oflen loses his life by the mercury, as by the
supposed disease.

Equally so in hydrophobia, by taking mercury, the
remediLbecome| worse than the disease.

In ^ler of tne above cases, the disorder is far easier
cured by a regular course of medicine, than the poison
given for it ; as the mercury is harder to eradicate from
the system, than all the natural disease incident to
mankind.

148 ^w Chidt to HeaUh;

SuppkuMtU to Smalt Pox.. ...See page 113.

Since my Itit edition was published, the ^jtjkW Vox
has been thoroughly attended to, and the general rule,
as there laid down, found to answer every purpose, and
produce the deiired iffect. To bring out the Small Pox,
as in the roeailea and other simHar disorders, be careful
not to have too much outward heat while the pock is
filling. I viiited a family in Cincinnati, last winter, who
had the Small Pox, and who bad had the Kine Pox pre-
vious. The appearance of the pustules were more like
■ poison or meaiileH than those of the Small Pox. When
it turned, it began to flat, instead of drying off; and when
it had flatted down to the vitals, it turned in, and one died,
and the othsr it left in a miserable state of health; the
pits hard and blue, like other poison sores; and I am of
opinion that more people die m consequence of having
the Kine Pox, than would die, let the Small Pox have its
natuul run. Becauie the nature of the Small Pox, when
takes the natural way, is to clear the system from every
other putrefaction, which, on the turn, scabs off with it.
Not so in the Kine Pox. The infection partakes of every
disorder of the persons from whom it was taken; itch,
venereal, cancer humors, or worse than all the rest, mer-
curial taint given by the doctor. When part, or all of
these diseases are inoculated into a healthy person, and
has no way to diioharge itself from the system, it creates
worse disease than the Small Pox. I knew a man in
Portsmouth, N. H., who was inoculated with the Kine
Pox, the infection taken from a man who had a cancer
humor. He was a healthy man when inoculated. I saw
him within two vears, and it was judged that he had more
than half A peck of cancers on different parts of the body
and limbs, He imputed it entirely to this inoculation;
and highly disapproved of the Kine Pox. He died in
the most distressed condition.

|[::::j»All people who have. been attended by Patent
Doctors, are cautioned against putting themselves under
regular doctors, as the cases have generally proved fatal
to the patient, and the blame palmed on the Patent Doc*
tor: some after two weeks in their care.

or, Botanic Family PhiflUcian.

149

Why do old people die more in a warm and rainy winter

«than in a severe cold one'?
swer to the above question is at hand. Old
people are like the old house which they built in their
younger days. The house decays about as fast as its
builder, and becomes racked with wind and storms
which have beaten upon it until the cracks open, the
shingles blow off, and the house grows leaky and cold.
So is the man in his old age. He becomes racked with
the storms and hardships of life; his heat goes out, the
fire-place decays, his food digests poorly and gives but
little nourishment or heat to warm the body and expand
the lung^. For the inward heat rarities the air in the
limgs, and causes them to expand, by lightening the air
i -lin, and the weight of the surrounding atmosphere,
^< ..'lug higher charged with oxygen or water, puts out the
fire faster than dry cold air; and as the heat decays in-
ward, the weight of the air crowds heavily on the lungs,
and causes great difficulty in breathing; the lungs la-
bor like the wheel of a mill in back water, the foun-
tain almost level with the stream, until the heat in the
lungs becomes insufficient to expand them any longer;
the weight of the air comes to an equilibrium of weight in-
side, and all motion ceases. The water in the air has put
out the fire. This is the cause why those people who have
but little fire in the body, and such a weight of damp air out-
side, the heat is so soon extinguished inside ; like a person
falling into the water; the cause of death is, the water
has put out the fire ; and when the air is full of water, it

futs out the fire in the same proportion. Thus I think
have given a satisfactory cause of death upon natural
principles. The cause and effect are in themselves.

In this case, I would ask the Christian, of every de-
nomination, what power, here, either gave or took away
life ? Was there an^r power in the case abstract from the
cause here givenHpr what soul or spirit went out at deaths
except heat, whiM is the cause of life and breath.'

Hoio Doctors shorten the lives of their Patients.

That the practice of the regular doctors, as they are
termed, shortens the lives of tneir patients, is a truth of

a 13* *

150

§flfw Guide to Health;

which I have not the shadow of a doubt; and the cause,
to me, is obvious. The eold. poisons which tluy admin-
ister, have the effect of chilling the stomach (W killing
the digestive organs; so that the food ^oes not raise more
than half the heat it did in a natural state, before those
poisons had been administered. Then the bleeding and
blistering lessens the remainder so as to reduce the heat
to the capacity of old age. It is the same thing, no mat-
ter what age, from one hour old to an hundred years.
When the heat is so far exhausted that the air is not suf*
ficiently lightened by the heat as to expand the adjoin-
ing air, the pressure becomes equalled, external and in-
ternal, the same as in the case of a drowned person.
T^ere is no difference as to age, sex, or other condition,
80 far as the practice is concerned ;„and so far as that
goes to lessen the heat by bleeding, by fever powders,
or by poison; all tend to lessen inward heat, and to di-
minish life in the same proportion; and when it is en-
tirety extinguished, death follows as a natural conse-
quence; and from the same cause; loss of heat, what-
ever it may "be that puts out the fire. The putting out
of the fire, or extinguishing inward or vital heat, is the
cause of death.

All practitioners, therefore, may by this rule either
condemn or justify themselves by looking back on their
former practice, and asking themselves the question,
" Have I cultivated the heat of my patients, to prolong
their lives; or have I extinguished their heat, and there-
by killed or destroyed them?" Is not this question fully
answered ? Do we not see that the lives of human be-
ings are daily sacrificed, at all ages, from birth to death?
Who, I would ask, is authorized to say, in such a case,
that any mysterious Providence is concernec' in the death
qf our friends, when they are destroyed in this manner ?

In every thing that breathes, the breathing is from the
same cause. Without heat, there is i^ breathing. But
when heat is continually generated olP^volved i|i a con-
fined room, excepting at one avenue, as in the lungs,
there must be breathing, or what is the same, an inhal-
ing of cold air, and an exhaling of oxygen, or vapor
firom it. Evei7 animal body has its lamp, in proportion
t» it« bigneu; and ^8 continuing to burn, is much owing

OTf Botanic FamUy Phyikian.

151

to the one who trims or takes care of the lamp. If it be
replenished with water instead of oil, and with an icicle
for iiilk, it is like the method in which the doctors
trim the lamps of their patients. Taking out the blood,
is like pourins out the oil ; and the cold poison is as the
icicle for a wick. The effect soon follows, which is cold
and darkness. Can we doubt this being the fact at the
present time ? Do we not often see the head of a family
suddenly made cold by his lamp being put out; and three
or four children taken from one house, all havinff their
lamps blown out ? Can any one suppose that had their
lamps been trimmed with good oil, and good wicks, but
that they would have continued burning as long as the
body of the lamp remained whole ? But if we continue
not to be our own guards and sentinels, but employ arti-
ficial and learned fools to watch over us, and save our
oil for their own use, and trim our lamps with water and
ice, we cannot wonder at seeing our wives and children
'* dashed in pieces like the potter's vessel." When we
employ seamen to drive our coach of life, instead of
horsemen; and as long as custom, superstition, error
and bigotry, are the ruling principles of the world, we
never can expect to live, while all the oil in our lamps
is consumed; but to be blown out by the breath of ig-
norance, if nothing worse, as mankind have been in all
ages where the poisonous breath of the Bohon Upas over-
takes them.

'>^

1 case,
death

anner ?

om the

. But
a con-
lungs,
inhal-

The learned have added nothing to the healing art;
but they have done much in taking the knowledge of the
simple remedies from the people. They have substitut-
ed the poisonous minerals which have multiplied the forms
of disease, and thereby added to our bills of mortality.
They have taken midwifery from the tender hands of
women, and substituted the torturing instruments of steel,
whereby not only childrefi, but even women have been
sacrificed. In relation to such practice, Robinson says,
Lee. viii. p. 103, *'Iti8, in truth, like running the gaunt-
let among armed Indians, or red hot plough-shares, to
escape from the poisons of medical practice."

1G2 JV*ev Guide to Health;

SEAMEN'S DIRECTIONS.

After purchasing the right, and having a sunple of
Medicine numbered, these Directions are the lirst les-
sons learned, as it gives a short and concise view of the
system and practice. In the first stages of disease, oile gill
of a tea of No. 3, may be used simple, with or without
sugar. In more violent attacks, use from half to a tea-
spoonful of No. 2; let the patient be covered with a
blanket, by the ftre or in bed ; apply a ho( stone to the
feet; if this does not relieve them, add the emetic, No. 1,
and nerve powder, and so through a course of medicine.
In all cases where the glands are dry, and much fever,
the emetic should be used without spirit ; the bitters also
are best taken in hot water sweetened than with spirit.
The objection to phydic and bleeding, is given in these
directions hereafter. The complement of medicine given
as a family stock, is more to show the simplicity of the
articles, than the requisite quantity required. Give chil-
dren drink often, sick or well.

ICT^ The public are cautioned against employing any
one who shall pretend to use his own improvements with
my System of Practice, as I will not be accountable for
any mal-practice of his.

Th' Emetic number one's design'd
A gen'ral med'cine for mankind,
Of every country, clime, or place.
Wide as the circle of our race.

In every case, and state, and stage,
Whatever malady may rage ;
For male or female, young or old,
> Nor can its value half be told.

To use this med'cine do not cease.
Till you are helped of your disease;
, For nature's friend, this sure .Irill be.
When you are taken sick at sea.

Let number two be used as bold,
To clear the stomath of the cold;
Next steep the coffee, number three,
And keep as warm as you can be.

■;(.■ U

Off Botanic Famly Phafsician. 16S

A hot stone at the feet now keep,
As well as inward warmth repeat,
"IRie ^untaih 'bove the streaqi keep clear,
And perspiration will appear.

When sweat enough, as you suppose.
In spirit wash, and change your clothes;
Again to bed, both clean and white,
And sleep in comfort all the night.

Should the disorder reinforce.
Then follow up the former course;
The seconfl time I think will do.
The third to fail I seldom knew.

Now take your bitters by the way.
Two, three, or four times in a day ;
Your appetite, if it be good.
You may eat any kind of food.

Physic, I would by no means choose
To have you first or last to use ;
For if you take it much in course,
It will disorder reinforce.

If any one should be much bruis'd,
Where bleeding frequently is used,
A lively sweat upon that day,
Will start the blood a better way.

Let names of all disorders be
Like to the limtj>8, join'd on a tree ;
Work on the root, and that subdue,
Then all the limbs will bow to you.

So as the body is the tree.
The limbs are cholic, pleurisy,
Worms and gravel, gout and stone,
Remove the cause, and they are gone.

My system's founded on this truth,
Man's Air and Water, Fire and Earth,
And death is cold, and life is heat.
These temper'd well, your health's complete.

154 AW» Guide to Heaitk;

THE PRACTICE Or MEDICINE.

This practice is on the reverse principle from the
practice of Physic,''*' being agreeable to nature, restoring
the very principles which physic destroys; for it opens
obstructions, promotes perspiration, and restores diges-
tion. These great objects are obtained by the most sim-
?le medicines, all of which grow in the fields of nature,
'he three first numbers remove disease of all forms or
symptoms by which it may appear ; fevers of every color,
as well as plagues caused by the physic of the doctor,
under every name, all, all are removed by three articles
brought to a unit in practice; viz. Lobelia, or as Dr.
Waterhouse calls it, Thomsonia emelica, Cayenne and
Bayberry bark; f all made fine, and to be administered
in a course of medicine, aided by steam. (Too simple
to be believed.) Then prove it by the three witnesses
I have named. The rule is proved to be a true one, by
the remedy being elSectual. Three numbers remove dis-
ease, as I said before ; and three numbers are restora-
tives; viz. bitters in three forms, under three numbers,
4, 5 and 6 ; these are correctors of the gall, in vulgar
English, or bilis [bile] in modest Latin. • [N. B. The
most important remark, and most essential to be borne in
mind by the practitioner, at all times, day or night, sum-
mer or winter, is the difference between correcting and
substituting!!!]

If you correct the bile, the natural physic of the body
is restored; if you substitute calomel and gallop [jalap]
for gall, you will soon gallop your patient out of the
world, as all the learned doctori have done, since the
days of Paracelsus, when he introduced poison minerals
as substitutes for gall, which has caused all the plagues
of the world, as is shown in the treatise on the practice
of physic; the practice of physic being substituted for
- the practice of medicine ; or physic for gall.

Better late than never. A natural miracle wrought.
A case of consumption, of one year's standing, cured by
one course of medicine. See Wm. Raymond's certifi-

• St?e Narrative, page 217.

t This is essential to be used in all disease ; because the first
effect bf disease is canke^, and this is the remedy for it ; or it ii
good as a preventive of canker.

or, Botanic FamUy Phyiietan.

155

and

cate, of Beverly, page 188, inserted in full in the first edi-
tion, and referred to in this. Another and greater mira-
cle. A hundred days fever, and fevers of all colors,
turned in from 24 to 48 hours, by the foregoing simple
rule, correcting instead of substituting. Why does this
simple correctmg cure consumption, fevers, choleras,
and all other diseases? Answer:^ Because the gall is a
friend to nature, and an enemy to all human disease,
whatever name the doctor may give it. Why is it 90?
The gall is the regulator and physic of the body, which,
when kept well regulated, is so fortified that no cold can
take place to cause disease. For ^he food is the fuel,
and the gall is the fire to consume ihe food; which con-
sumption of food will keep up that internal heat on which
life depends. But by daily' taking food inic the stomach,
like fuel in the fire-place, it may and often do«.<« like the
chimney, become foul, and each one wauts his physioiau,
with his appropriate remedies. The chimney sweeper
with his brush and scraper for the one, and the Thomson-
ian practitioner with his three numbers and steam for the
other; and when each one has done his duity, as a skil-
ful physician can and will do, the fire-place will receive
and consume the fuel, consequently the whole room be
warmed as before: so, in the body, when the Thoinson-
ian has done his duty in clearing the stomach, promoting
perspiration, and has restored the digestive powers, then
will the stomach receive its natural required food, and
the gall will digest it, whereby the heat, life, flesh,
strength and vigor, are constantly kept up as his reward.
Here, reader, is the sii|ple dif* jrence, plain to your un-
derstanding, between substituting and correcting the
bile. The gall is the regulator of the body, and the
medicine is the key, to regulate this regulator; and if
rightly regulated, your human machine will run until
worn out by old age, the only cause of death, casualties
excepted. By this rule, the cause of all disorder is be?
fore you; when the stomach grows foul and the food is
not craved, and of course not received, the gall has noth-
ing to perform, any more than the fire has when there is
no fuel, of course the room grows cold; so in the body,
when persons receive no food, the heat, and of course
the life, runs down, for want of the support firom food;

156

JV*eto Chide to Health;

this if the begiimin^ of disease, and in the same ratio

the end of life. This

for

consumption, onconsumini
the want of support. If one Thomsonian course wili an-
swer all purposes for correcting the sail, and restoring
the digestion, so that the appetite will crave food suffi-
ciently, and the gall will digest it, then will one course
of medicine cure conmBaption, as this is the only cause
of consumption in nature, and the only certain cure for it.

Here you see the cause of the success of Thomson's
fools, (as they are called); if they keep in his track they
will come out right in the end; for I have made the cal-
culation of the cause of. disease and the remedy, and if
the directions are followed, they will answer the purpose
I intended, whether my fool knows the cause or not^ for
skilful medicine is better, administered by my fool, than
poison administered by the hand of a learned doctor.

By these treatises on physic and medicine, the reader
will see the cause why I do not order nor give any phy-
sic, and why all who follow my directions are successful
and yet cannot account for it ; and also will be able to
account for the bad success of those who pretend to im-
prove on my system, by giving physic, as was exempli-
fied by the improvement of H. Howard, at Columbus,
Ohio; the consequence was, six out of eight of his own
family, including himself, died with cholera mortification.

ON THE

•A SHORT
LAWS OP

TRIJATISE

lillJE AND MOTION.

Clearly to understand the laws of life and motion, the
radical principles of animalization is of infinite moment.
Without some adequate views and conceptions of these,
the nature of disease cannot be correctly understood,
neither can we have knowledge to prescribe a rational,
safe, sure and certain remedy for the removal of disease
when found in the human system.

Through many long and tedious seasons, these suIh
iects had revolved in n^mind, before I could form what
I considered a correct opinion. I witnessed many dis-
tresjses in the family of man; my heart wad pierced with
many sorrows, until my mind was established in those

or, Botanic Family Phyiician.

167

' I

sub-

what

ly dis-

d with

those

Bimple truths that havo laid tho foundatiou of my prac-
tice that has been so succosilul in subsequent years.

Persecution raged against inu— -till tht presses in the
country were closed aguiust ine— Priests, doctors, law-
yers and legislators were combined against me — Ex post
facto laws were put in operation— prosecutions commenc-
ed— false witnesses arose— bigotry, prejudice °TM|ff"p"*'~
stition, like Salem witchoruft, wnvod tiieir magiS^wand,
but all in vain — truth ban provftil^cl. The darkness of
the ancient philosophers is passing away, and those sim-
ple truths, which are the genuine Pkihtophy of life, and
the fruits of the labors of my life, begin to prosper be-
yond my former expectations.

As I have never been a man of extensive reading, and
make no pretensions to tclwol learning and hook knowl-
edge, if medical or philosophical writers have taught the
same doctrines before me, it is what I am not apprised
of. It is for the truth of the doctrine, and not tor any
claims of reputation as an original writer, that I would
more strenuously contend,

When Napoleon stood in arms and was acknowledged
Emperor of France, the nations were frightened — when
a prisoner, the kings of the eartii trembled for fear of
him — ^they dared not to sutTer him to go at large on main
land, but assigned, him a more safe retreat in the solitudea
of St. Helena.

The writer is aware that the success of his system has
carried equal terrors into the ranks of medical opposition.
Their malice and persecution that brought him to the
dungeon and chains, jKero tho fruits of envy and fear.
I have driven the ulpige faculty to fly to law -legs to
stand upon, because tm strons tide of public opinion,
confirmed by testimony, lot so heavily against them, that
they had no other way to rise over the steam doctors and
keep them down.

The difficulty appears to have been that the steam
faculty were, in many instances, so inclined to receive
instruction, that they became natural philosophers in faith
and pr^otice. Following nature, they were successful
practitioners — ^they could relieva||iittress and remove dis-
ease, when by the regular oollego doctord, hundreds
were hurried to their long home.
14 *

rl

158

A*ew Guide to UeaUh;

I

The subject of lifu and motion is of great iihportance«
and should be, ftrst impressed on the mind of all who
intend to ttudy^^tfie healmg art. Unless this is first un-
derstood, the whole business of practice will be at least
uncertain. The principles of life in human or other an-
iroal bodies is the same ; all constitutions are alike, be-
ing ftijIlBd from the same materials, and all partaking of
the foiir elements, earth,^ water, air and fire or heat.

The component parts of all animal bodies are earth
and water. These are the solids; fire and air are the
fluids. Death and life are cold and heat. These form
my text — a text never yet preached from by man, and
et a sermon was never preached without it. After ful-
1^ understanding both the text and the sermon, any ques-
tion on the cause of life and motion can be fully answer-
ed; why a ship goes through the sea; a steamboat
through the river; an eagle through the air; or a car-
riage through the street. The cause bf all these is con-
tained in the principle of my text. But, what can the
text be? It must be breathine, says one. But can
breathing be the cause of life and motion ? No. Breath-
ing is an effect, not the cause. But heat, the cause of
breathing, i^ the cause of life and motion. This there-
fore is my text. The cause of life and motion.

First try the efiect of heat, what is called caloric, or
fire, on water. Suppose you put a skillet on the fire full
of water; after putting it on a few minutes, put your
hand in it; the warm water will be on the top, and the
cold water will be at the bottom. The cause of this is,
as fast as the water grows warm||| rises, and the heavier
water settles at the bottom ; 111 as it heats, it grows
lighter, until it all becomes lively and active, called boil-
ing, and thus will all fly away by steam or sweat. This
is the eflect of fire on water.

We next try the efiect of fire on air. Suppose a house
built in an open field; the air fills all parts equally alike,
the same as the surrounding atmosphere. There is no
breathing. But close the doors and windows, and build
a good fire, and as fast u the air grows light, the house
begins to breathe; eve^door and window is on the hum.
The cause of this is, the fire lightens the air in the room,
and the air outside of the house being colder, and of

or, Bolani^amily Phyncian.

159

course heavier, presses in at every crack to form an
equilibrium of weight ; and as long as y^ fire continues
to burn, the house will continue to brenhe ; but as fast
as the fire decays, the noise of breathing ceases; and
should the air be all taken out of the house at once, the
weiffht outside would crush the |iouse to piecea^ike a
broken esg-shell. Thus it will be seen tha' fire, 4||irhat|
ever produces heat, lightens air and water, causing thcrA
to expand) and hence causes br^athmg which always ar-
companies life and motion.

Thus the caiise of breathing will be pesceived If
there were no heat in the house, the house would not
breathe; and also, if there were no heat in the body, the
body would not breathe. All animal bodies breatHe ns
long as they live; and when they die, it is said, t).ev viie
for the want of breath. If you can find, or unde: stanu,
what made them breathe wKile alive; it is very easy to
find what made them leave ofi* breathing. They had
heat while alive ; but no heat, or not sufficient heat to
continue the breathing, when dead. Here, therefore, is
the cause. When the heat lightens the air in the iatigs,
the external air being heavier pressed out the light air
and filled the lungs with fresh and heavy air; and the
lungs will continue to contract and expand as long as the
fire or heat continues; and when the heat goes out, the
weight of the air comes to a slack or balance, inside and
outside, and all motion ceases. This i. 'i state of death.

Thus I have shown the ca^se of b o whing, and the
cause of leaving off breathing, which is called dying,
viz., the heat, which ^Ukept up by the digestion or de-
composition of food, iHhtens the air in the lungs, and
causes it to expand, and the c aU air comes in to supply
its place. Man has both the cause and the effect in him-
self.

All animal bodies move by the power of steam or heat;
the heat causing the lungs to expand, and the steam gpes
off with the breath, in part, and partly by the pores of
the body in perspiration; and this steam engine carries
its own pump, the pump of the heart, which pumps the
blood through the arteries and%eturns it back through
the veins which warms the whole body and limbs, and
will continue as long as the fire and water continue to

160

JV*eu Guide ioWfealth;

perform their respective offices in the bod^, with a good
Engineer to gaj|pirn and take care of the ingenious and
delicate machine.

The fuel is niext to be considered whifeh continues the
fire or life of all animal bodies. The food taken into the
stomagh is as fuel in the fire-place of the house or in the
^ileim the steam-engintof life. The drink, or water
taken,- supplies the |)ipiler whereby the steam is raised,
which carries the puiifi of the heart. The same heat
lightens the air in the lungs whereby the breath goes on
regularly; the light air is throM'n out and the heavy air
pressed in, the same as in the house. In the body th^re
is but one avenue ; so that the inhaling and exhaling of
the air are through one and the same channel, half one
way, and half the other. This is called the breathing
of the engine within, which engine will continue to go,
or move, as long as it is managed according to its na-
ture and principle, or until it is worn out with old age,
the only death incident to the machine or life of animal
bodies; all others are untimely deaths, as hinted at by
the wise man. <* Thou fool, why shouldest thou die be-^
fore thy time?"

The wicked do not live out half their days. And the
ignorant suffer the same consequence by doctors, or by
those who pretend to be engineers to keep your steam-
engine of life in order. Instead of applying proper
fuel to continue the fire of life, they tap the boiler, draw
out the hot water or blood, and throw in snow and ice,
or mercury, arsenic, antimony, nitre, &c. Down goes
your boat in the prime of life^estruction and death
caused by learned fools, who kWk not the cause of life
and motion any more than as though they never possess-
ed a human body. Here the fool has led the fool into
the ditch until it is full and running over.

Who cannot see, by the foregoing principle of life, as
here laid down, that mankind are killed as untimely as
the beasts, and nearly as many of them, even before the
noon of life ? This is caused by the force of education*
which has made them nMre ignorant than the beasts; for
the beasts were never known to kill off each other in so
ignorant and ridiculous a manner. Look; then choose
school-masters among the beasts, and learn wisdom, and

or, Botatm Family Physician.

161

prolong your lives; and not sacrifice each other as you
dO the beasts, and as many of them, fat no purpose un-
less it be to get rid of them, as you woflTd mad dogs, and
then throw them in heaps to rat in like nmnner. Wheth-
ir this sacrifice of human linns done tffough ignorance
or design, it is tne same wnh regard to its victims; the
loss of life is the same. Is there no way to remedy sudi

ivils? Look, weep, and lr#^l^1!

I return to the cause Q£Jiw|^'moti(ffl. Besides ani-
ma\ life, there is the liCeW^v<iptables,^hich, to a cer-

tain extent is undeiisontrol of tiie same principles as that
of animal life. ^Viathout earth, water, fire, and air, no
v@getaj^ilin can ei^st. Ih the lifeter season there is a
state of death in pr<){>ortn>n to the loss of heat, or a sus-
pension of Ufo. Irk the spring, a new birth is given, not
only to vegetation, but to insects. Reptiles of the dust
also rise from a state of silence or suspended animation,
to a state of life and vigor. Heat in this case is not on-
ly an agent of life, but it is in fact life itself. So, in the
rtverse case j cold is not only a proximation to death,
but it is death itseilf. Heat will not act alone, but in ac-
oordance with the other elements, without which there is
no life, neither animal nor vegetable. Neither could
there be any action in the other elements without it.
For instance, let the element of fire be taken out of the
other elements, and they would all be silent; all life
would be swallowed up in death; the earth and sea would
be frozen to one solid mass of substance, as one solid rock;
the air would be as silent as the other two elements — a
total state of death. Pause, doctors! Look back on
your cold patients! llfhile looking on the cold corpse
of the elements, when the God of nature has withdrawn
his attributes of heat, light and life ; then conclude, and
say to thyself, " Have I cultivated the heat of my pa-
tients to prolong their lives, or have I drawn out their
blood, as does the butcher the blood of the beast to kill,
whioh has produced the same effect?** Look at your
cholera patients who have been bled and the requisite
dose of brandy, opium and mercury giyen; their extrem-
ities and breath nearly cold; and then answer the ques*
tion to your own conscience and to your God. The
question is, what'haa killed or destroyed themM!
14* . ^

163

yew Guide to tl/fftUh;

Study of lintUoim. or the Skeleton in Ua jyatural Dress,

This view of me skeleton has been almost totally ne-
glected. The i||idy it ti%e anatomy ills scarcely en-
tered the mind of the ttnalfinist; but^^e dead one has
been thoroughly exMiinedi and also how to make them.
Wxi the ttuoy of the.^jff^atomy, and how to keep it
alive, ii yet a dark ral|pliyji(rille learned ; but to the il-
literate, It if pliiH and f^pflPThe constitutions of all
mankind are eiientielly afike; t|j|y have similar solids
and fluids, vb. bones, ctrtilaf«i, ten%ips, nerves, veins,

arteries, flesh, blood tjjjd other juices; bodies |nd parts
or members; and all are sustai^d in is similar a banner
as their formation, fVom the earth an4the other elements,
the common mother of us all. Man is composed of the
elements, and by the same elements he is supported. A
state of perfect health arises from a due proportion of
these elements; and when this is by any means de-
stroyed, the body is more or less disordered, and there
is always in the nrst instance an actual diminution of the
element of Are, heat, or life; and it is produced by its
opposite, cold or death. Heat may be denominated life
itself, the best ph^sleian of the body; and whoever has
not studied the living anatomy is not qualified to be a
physician of value, or to kindle up the decaying spark
of heat or life; but such a one will be like those of
the present day, " forgers of lies and physicians of no.
value,"

When I studied the live anatomy of my own body, I
observedi when I was mowing, «||Biaking hay, and the
sun came the nearest being dilrlctly over my head, I
found I had the most heat, most life, most sensation, and
most ambition. Here was my college ; here was my book
open; here was the god of nature, my President and In-
structor; here I graduated; here I got my diploma.
Here I come before the world to prove the facts and in-
struct others in the true principles of anatomy of human
life, and bow to restore tne decaying spark of life in suf-
fering huniBnlty,. The book ts open, the lesson plain to
common sense, of what is life, and what is death. There .
is no mistake with those who have studied this anatomy,
as laid down in this book of nature. Taught by this

or, Botanic Family Physician.

163

President, and haying received a ^loma fronr his un-
erring hand, I speaf with confidence, believing that there
can pe no mistake in the rules as taught in this school
ofAnatoin^. {|[«re are the jM[inc||les gf life, and even
life itself. * *

The*-' next lesson is to know the (jQrmptoms when this
principle begins to decay or Bglfve on#ard towards death.
' The patient complains, '* I I^h9,g|»t a bad cold." Here
'^ death begins, and will |M>i^iiit^ until the patient is all
cold, unless checke^y neat or fever, nature's friend.
Strange to tell ! QiinTever, or heat, be a friend to life ? ! !
Surely. RemeMber when I w^ at college, making hay,
and studying anatomy in its m<!M9t lively form with the
meridian sun overiji|y head, when I had the most life,
sensation und ambition. Was not this condition life it-
self? If so, restore the patient who has got cold, or lost
hfs heat, which is the same thing, as soon as possible, to
the same condition as he was when the sun was over his
head ; open the obstructions caused by cold ; promote
perspiration; take off canker; and restore digestion, so
that the food may keep up that heat on which life de-
pends, and let all the people say, Amen. Glory to the
God of Nature, President of this college.

Heat, the Moving Principk of Life and Motion.

The rays of light reflect back heat, and steam, which
rises to a certain height where the atmosphere settles,
or the reflection of the sun meets it, and condenses the
steam taken from the earth, which makes clouds or fog;
and the hotter the day the higher will this reflection rise,
and the more sudden will be the shower, and the heavier
will be the wind. The greater the space lightened by
heat, the greater will be the drift of the cold and damp
wind until the space is equalized. By this eflTect of heat
lightening air and water all the motion of the elements is
caused; without heat there "would be no motion, as be-
fore stated ; all space must be flUed either with air or
water to form an equilibrium^ When heat lightens any
space of air, the adjoining air will move in to make the
space equal. This causes the blowing of the wind; and

ii

*

164

JVet0 Chide to Health;

the moll- sudden i\0 space is made, the more rapid will
be the blowing of the wind. In sdkne places it is so
great it is called a hurricane, especially in the West In-
dies. Where l^e heat is great, the wind drj^es iif pro-
portion, until Cm spice ijpfilled. So oh, by the same
rule, .rom the sinallest hreeie to the greatest bUw, the
noise is in proporti(^ to A$ weight and swiftness of the
current. The greate^ ^mt or current of air, and the
greatest report, is thu^^ lightning. The space is made %
so sudden by the fluid pusin^^with such speed, and the
air is so suiddenly expanded^^ ^ha#t^ adjoining air fills
the space, it only makes one sutden crmk, and the space
is filled. The same wilyh the report of a cannon, the air
is broken by the drift of the fire through the air, and the
adjoining air filling the space, makflnhe report.

€A1JTI01V.

ICJ* Those who have family rights are hereby caution-
ed against being imposed upon by spurious or adi'Iterat-
ed articles, under the name of TTiomsonian Medicine, as
Wine Bifters, Cholera Syimp, Cholera Preventive, 6fc.Sfc.,
which, although they may have some value, yet, still,
they are rather an impos^on on the public than other-
wise. One ounce of Spice Bitters, 12 1-2 cents, contains
all the real value there is in a bottle oftvine hitlers; and
hot water, sweetened, is better to take them in than wine,
and at the same time it is not likely to lead to intemper-
ance under the idea of taking medicine. So also, No. 6,
or hot drypf, in hayhirry tea, sweetened, is a better C/u>-
lera Preventive than the same articles in rum and molasses,
and may be had at less than one half the price.

, Jff.B. Cough Powder, as mentioned on page S5, which
"ij^, intended to have been expunged, is not necessary in
«ny case. All the powders are cough powders, as they
are loosening, particularly the Composiiwn, and the more
the wholie practice is simplified the better.

•

* The following address to the Btfblio ifU appended to the '* Sup-
plement to the Narrative" in theformer edition of this work ;
but to make room for the Treatise on the " Practice of Physic,"
published in the present edition, it was thought proper to trans-
pose it.

4 '

TO THE PUBLIC.

Friends of Humanity! You have seen by the fore-
going Narrative, the labors, the trials, the persecutions,
as well as the anxieties and vexations, which the author .
has experienced in bringing his System of Medical Prac-
^ tice to the state of perfection to which it has arrived;
and also in laying it fairly before the public; trials that
would have broken down many hearts, and worn out,
long before this, many constitutions.

You have seen the system growing into practice, in
spite of all opposition ^ not only against the inveterate
hate of the doctors, but also against legal enactments;
and that it is calculated to put to silence, and even to
th« blush, every species of opposition with all those who
shall give it a fair trial. Yo^ave also seen those, after
having tested the virtues of the system, and proved its
value, who have bebn not only ready to rob Dr. Thomson
of his hard earned reputation, and fair meed of praise,
but also to build themselves up at his expense. AH this
you have seen, and much more. And it now remains
to be seen, whether either you, or the public, will any
longer patronize, any longer uphold, any longer coun-
tenance, either directly or indirectly, such iniquity, such
ingratitude, such shame-faced hypocrisy! How much
better a person must feel, to act in an open and honora-
ble way! And were you sure that you could purchase
the same thing, or nearly the same thing, of those who
have no right to sell it, and might even use it with im-
punity, would you, for the sake of a few dollars, obtain
it clandestinely, and thus rob the patentee of his just
rights.^ It may be thought, perhaps, that Dr. Thomson

M

IN

166

Concliuion.

' t

has alrnEdy become richby his patent, and therefore can
^ell afford to sustain these losses. Were this the fact,
it is no good reason why ho should be robbed. But you
must consider the inunen8e^,expense he has been at, and
is still liable to bear, to dlifend his system of practice
against legal enactments, and unfounded complaints; to-
gether with the losses he- has sustained by unfaithful
agents. This is a constant drawback upon his income.
The defence of his legal prosecutions, and those of his '^
agents, in far distant and remote states, as well as in
almost every state in the Union, as in South Carolina,
not long since; his answers to various slanders by hand-
bills, the only way, at one time, that he could obtain any
thing from the press in his favor, even for pay ; and his
various travels from the Eastern to the Western States,
and from the North to the South ; all, all these, and much
more, are constant out-goes upon what should, and did
the public duly appreciate the value of his system, other- %
wise wpuld be his fair and honest gains. But he has one
consolation. His system will live to bless mankind, and
his name will live with it, yea, be hailed with gratitude, -
when Dr. Thomson shall be no more. Cold comfort
this; when the subject or object of their gratitude shall
be in his grave! Yet even this is better than nothing;
and to know now, or to be firmly persuaded that such
will be the fact, must aSQ||L some present peace, yea, a

Hi

heart-felt satisfaction. "B&t I hope that it is not too late
to do the subject of this Narrative justice, even in some
measure, at least, now while he lives; to make the eve
of his life as comfortable and happy as human nature,
in a person of his years, is susceptible of being ; and I
can assure him and the public, that whatever I can do to
bring about an event so just, and at the same time so
desirable, shall be faithfully and cheerfully performed;
for all that my life is now worth, either to myself, my
family, or the public, I consider that both I atad they are
wholly indebted to the Thomsonian System of practice.
And it is with much pleasure that I here once more have
the opportunity of acknowledging the gratitude, and
pledging the faithfulness of his and the public's humble
servant, ABNER KNEELAND,

frtneral Agent for Dr. Samuel Thomson.

''■■'■ To the rVew Guide to Healfb.

i^

.t?

t

Paob.

'

Paoc.

Ague in the Face,

J 10

Elecampane,

69

American Valeriani

66

Elm Bark,

72

Archangel,

76

Emetic Herb, «

39,78

Balm ot'Gilead,

74

Evan Root,

73

Balsam of Fir,

73

Featherfew,

71

Barberry,

61

Felons,

95

t, . Bayberry,

55

Fevers,

13

Black Pepper,

% 54

Fits,

131

Bitter Herb,

60

Fever and Ague,

85

Bitter Root,

61

Gentian,

73

^|3ittersweet,
IpBirch Bark,

70

General Directions,

89

72

Gravel,

123

Bitter Thistle,

78

Ginger,.

53

Bitters,

83

Golden Seal,

63

Bleeding,

les

Gout,

135

Bile, (Bite No. 4.)

Golden Rod,

76

Bilious Obolic,

133

Headache,

136

i. Burdock,

VO

Hemlock Bark,

56

Butternut,.

75

Hoarbound,

68

^ Burns,

97

Horseradish,

74

Bones, how seti

110

Ejections,

87

Camphor,

65

jflUroduction,

6

Cayenne,

49,80

HPernal Heat, (see No.

3.)

Cancers,

103

Itch,

77,84

Cancer Plaster,

85

Jaundice,

115

Canker Sores,

103

Ladies' Slipper,

66

Chamomile,

69

Lock-iaw,
Lily Root,

46

Cherry Stones,

63

66

Clivers,

71

Measles,

113

Compesitipo Powders,

84

Marshrosemary,

57

Couffh,
Chicken Broth,

114

Mayweed, -

^

94

Milk Porridge,

M

Consumption,

130

Myrrh,

64'

@ounter-PoisoD, (see No

.1.)

Mullen,

70

Course of Medicipe,

23,80

Mustard,

74

Corns,

127

Meadow Fern,

77

Description of Disease,

95

Mortification of Limbs,

99

Directions for pi^eparing

Muscles, how relaxed,

110

Vegetable Medicinsi

79

Mad Dog, (see No. 1.)

Drowned Persons, ,

93

Midwifery,

130

Dropsy,

122

Nerve Powder,

66

Dysentery^

124

Preparation of do. H

<

84

*

s

168

Index io the Chdde to Health.

Paob.
Nervine, (we Nenre Powder.)
Nettle Sarin^, 121

Nerve Ointment, 86

N*. 1. Emttio Herb, de-

icriptioil of, 38

Preparation of do. 79

No. 8. Caprenne, descrip-
tion oft ^9
Preparation of do. 80
No. 3. To remove Canker,
deicriptlon of Articles
for that purpose, 64
Preparation of do. ^
No. 4. Bitters to correct tne
Bile, description of Ar*
tides tor that purpose, 69
Preparation of do. 82
No. 5. Syrup for the Dy8<
ontery, description of
the Articles used, 63
Preparation of do. 83
No. 6. Rheumatic Drops,
description of Articles
used, 64
Preparation of do. 83
Peach Meats, <63
Peppermint, 67
Pennyroyal, 68
Pipsisway, 76
Pleurisy, ' ia§ (
Poisons, JttL
• Poison by Ivy, fro. m| '
Poplar Bark, . m
Prickly Ash, 77
pQttltMse, 86
Pileii^ 106
lUoittrksJkn Fevers, 12
Itolai, ^' 134
lUd PeplJers, 53
Rid Raspberry, 69
Rheumatism, 13H
Rheumatic Drops, 64
Rheumatic Weed, 76
Ruptures, 109
Salve, " &i
Scalds, 96
SeaRHeads, 107
SmaH Poz, 113
SbreLibe, 136
Sore Ejii 196
^SoreBiiiM, 107

Paoi.
Skonk Cabbage, 70

Slippery £lm Bark, 73.

iSnake Root, 73

Steaminif, 3D»

Sumach, 57

Squaw Weed, 59

Spirits of Turpentine, 65

Spearmint, 67

Summersavorjn 68

Syrup, 88

Strengthening Plaster* 86

Stock of Medicine, 88

St Anthony's Fire, 131

Strangury, 183

Surfeit, 131
Tansy, 69

Thormighwort, 71

Unibil, (see Nerve Powder.)

Venereal, 1S7
Volatile Salts, 8&w

VegeUble Powder, alfg

Vervine, white and blue, 75
Vegetable Medicine, de*

scription of, 37

Witch Haile, 58

Wormwood, 69

Wakerobin, 70

Worms, ' ' 116
Yellow Dock, 77

Sot>PLEHBNT, 133

Midwifery, fiicther remarks

on.

134
137
139
140
141
145

Extraordinary c«se of.
Do. in Saratoga Co. N. T.
Do. in Columbus, Ohio,
False Conception, case of
Outlines of Travail,
Supplement to the Venereal, 147
Supplement to Small Poz, 148
Why do people die, &c.
How Doctors shorten, &c.
Seamen's Directions,
Practice of Medicine,
Treatise on Life and Motion 156
Study of Anatomy, &c. 163
Heat the Moving PriBqi'

pie, &e. ,
Caution, .pC'?'
Wine Bittert, &e.
Condnsion," . .
To the Public,

149
149
153
154

163
164
164
165
166

••"K.XK. ,■(...: m»»-mi»ittf^mteit'^-^'

70
72
73

a(^

67
59
65
67
68
88
86
88

121

'

122

121 -

69

^

71

'

Hi

#

75

37

58

69

70

»■'■ '

116

77

133

1

134

■

137

139

140

141

145

1.147

, 148

149

,

149

152

154

nl56

•

162

163

164

164

^

165

166

-m.