Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-16
XAPOUR BATH.

VAPOUR BATH.
We have been requested to publish the fol-
lowing extract of a letter from physician Of
extensive practice in the city of New-York, to
one Of his friends in this town, relative to the
Medica,ed Vapour Bath Boston GALAXY.
"We have been successful, particularly in the
treatment Of all diseases Of the skin, from Lee
pra Grocorum, 10 Tinea Capitis. This itself
is great triumph over Pandora and her Box.
We have also been particularly fortunate in the
treatment of old Syphilitic and Rheumatic ca
and eruptions. Several severe cases of quin-
cey, Group, hooping-cough, tetanus, &c. SC.
and that formidable train of diseases which have
been supposed TO have their origin in spasm,
or construction, have all without exception, Civ
en- way 10 the timely aid of the Vapour Bath,
with other active medical treatment. Indeed,
the catalogue of acute diseases which are i'm
mcdiately relieved, and in almost every instance
cured, might be run out to an indefinite length.
Nor is analogy or common sense at variance
with sef-evident facts; for if we take person
laboring under the most acute stage Of Typhus,
or any other fever, with hot dry skin, parched
tongue, ardent unquenchabe thirst; quick, hard
and full pulse; violent headache, delirium-
place him in the Vapour Bath, at about 1902
or 1922, for about 10 or Is minutes; what will
be the result Why, there will be an immediate
cessation Of all the aggravated symptoms
The skin will become relaxed, soft, and moist,
and if we please, copious perspiration may be
made TO flow. The tongue will become moist,
the heat Of the body will be reduced to 90 or
go; ardent thirst abated, pain relieved, pulse
reduced from 100, to 80 or 90, and senses re-
turned. If in this state the patient be put 10
bed, and allowed to take as much cool drink as
he wishes, the perspiration will continue and
every symptom Of his previous indisposition
vanish What then, | would ask, is this, but
the long sought for desideratum medicorum, a
crisis But here is the stage, where the Judi
cious management Of the skilful physician is
brought to the test; for if this crisis be neg
lected, the patient will, Gin given time) re-
lapse again into his former state, with even ag-
grayated symptoms; but if the patient be free
Nv evacuated by brisk cathartics and the skin
kept moist with large quantities of cool, simple
drinks, the patient will, to certainly, recover,
without the least return Of fever, or any symp-
tom Of his former complaint.
"This is no exaggerated or colored statement
of the powers or effects produced by the aid OF
the Medicated Vapour Bath, on the body Of a
person laboring under disease, but facts, which
am at all times ready to prove TO any person,
who NAV wish to be satisfied on the subject"
ssThe House in which Napoleon Bonaparte resided
at st. Helena, has been converted into Stable
On reading the above sentence, generous
mind Will find it difficult to suppress certain
feelings Of pity, contempt, or indignation; but
these emotions arise not so much from consi-
Iteration of the reproaehful fact therein contain
ed, as from that natural train of reflections
which slight review Of the events of the last
twenty years is calculated to inspire.
The exile, sufferings, and death Of Napoleon,
upon desert rock at the worlds extremity,
have fixed an immortal stigma upon the allied
despots of Europe. Under the government of
that extraordinary character, while in the ze-
NTH Of his prosperity and splendour, the con-
dition of France might be compared with that
of Rome under Augustus. He held, it is true,
the liberties Of the people within his grasp; but
that power, with regard 10 the nation, was new.
err abused--and however extensive or unjust
may have been his ambitious views in relation
to other powers, it was ever manifest that his
ultimate object was the glory of France. AS
patriot, the French must always revere his
memory-and as terror to the Legitimate
fools by whom he was beset, their minions will
cease to execrate his name, so long as despo-
tism shall maintain its present ascendancy.
What European monarch of modern times,
nay, of any former period, has evinced either
the talent or the love of country which distin-
guished Napoleon? Who, among those crown
ed imbeciles, ever encountered personal perils,
or exercised undaunted perseverance in the
cause Of his subjects, like Napoleon! And yet,
after life Of such toll and devotion, after Sc
ries Of achievements unparalleled in the annals
Of herosm the accidents Of war placed him in
the hands Of noble enemy, and he is magnani
mously condemned 10 linger out his few remain
ing days in solitude upon barren speck, stand
ing amidst the waste Of waters, like himself,
alone and unapproachable!
But, as if human vengeance were utterly in
satiable, his kidnappers-for they were never
his conquerors in fair conAict-adjudged also
that he should endure every variety Of mental
and bodily anguish, that could be produced by
the most contemptuous insoence, and depri-
walton of the comforts Of life They therefore
selected for his gaoler, pitiful wretch, whose
sense of honor had never developed itself; and
whose obsequious servility to his employers,
was equaIled only by his ingenious meanness
in the continuance Of insults too detestable even
for Billingsgate candidate for Botany Bay
Thus he died-and was buried-and his late