Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-05-03

THOMSON, luoin whom tne IhonSoflan Sys-
TEN Of Medicine takes its name) was the
original founder of that system Of practice,
herewith forward you copy Of a letter writ
ten several years since, from the venerable
DR.. Benz. Waterhouse, Of Cambridge, Mass.
to DR.. Thomson, wherein his opinion on that
subject is fully given, with some remarks as
to the effects Of the lobelia emetic, &c. BY
inserting you will greatly oblige subscrib-
er, and friend to the Thomsonian System.
To SAMUEL THOMSON,
Botanic Practitioner of Medicine.
/ Dear Sir.-To the questions put to me yes
terday answer, that remain firm in the o.
pinon that you were the discoverer Of the re-
markable medicinal virtues Of the LoJeHa In
.fdta, as safe emetic, and other rare qualities
IN efiectually deterging the stomach and in
tcstines Of foul and morbid matter, a prime
object in the removal of all disorders consc-
quent of imperfect digestion--the fruitful
source Of almost all our chronic disorders
The efficacy and safety Of this vegetable, !
have had ample and repeated proofs of, in
number of cases, and in my own person, and
have reason to value it equal to any article in
our Materia Medica. -
Your joining to the emetic effects of Lobe
liza the pdpor- Bath, is, in my opinion, n hap
py practice, if conducted with requisite care
and caution, but not to be entrusted to any
that are not daily instructed in the danger at.
tendaht upon careless and harsh use Of q
warm bath without every convenience and ac-
commodation in such seasons as the present
! That you yourself was the originator Of this
lcnnnnilnI nxfcpsivnlv
under the title Of The IhOmsonian Practice, or
System. have no doubt whatever. | mean
the uniting the warm bath, with the thorough
elimination Of the whole alimentary canal. |
value it and recommend it on this ACCOUNT
1t effects in three or four days, what we re-
gular Physicians use to occupy as many
weeks. AS public tcschrr of the Practice
Of physic, have told my Pupils for nearly
hulfa century past,t when they have learn
ed how to restore the long impaired organs
OF digestion to their pristine or natural state,
they have acquired two thirds Of THEFT profes-
sion; and on that simple principle is based the
whole doctrine Of my printed Lecture on the
pernicious effects of smoking cigars ,aand the
inordinate use Of ardent spirits. tc
Furthermore. The regular physician finds
1t necessary sometimes to make a great
change in the human frame,or to make very
strong counter irritation, so as 10 obliterate
the morbid or destructive one. This used to
be done by quicksilver. that is, mercury in its
various preparaiions;when pushed to saiira-
lion it dilapdates, il we may speak so,-or
dissoves the human fluids, all Of which are
made up of globues, or round particles, on
the crasiS Of which depends the vital integrity
of our bodies, and of course, our health and
vigor. After the hazardous process of saliva.
ton, the physician may, perhaps, be able to
say-no,o Ihave so far changed the morbid
state of the patient, that his disease is con-
qnered, and entirely overcome by thepower-
fnl operation of the mercury. But then in
whnt condition does he find the suferer?-
His teeth are loOsened, his joints arb weak
ened, his healthy countenauce is impaired,
his volcy is more feeble aud he is more sus-
cep,ible Of cold. aud damp state Of The wea.
ther. His original disorder is besure over
come, but it is paying great price for it,
Secret history conceals from public notice
lnnumerable victims of this sort.
Now, my sagacious, industrious, and much
respected EMPIRIe, nr EcLECTIC, if you ike
the lutter term .better,let us come to the point
you seem to aim at, namely: my opinion on
the whole.
! consider mnn laboring under chronic
no local affection, that if laid bare, would be
visible to the cye,end touch-I sn VI con-
slider such patient, who has passed through
one, two,or three. las the case may be)of your
processes Of the Lobeha emetc, and thor
ouehly rinscd out intestines. to be as much
altered as The man who has gone through the
very 'disagreeable and dangerous operation
OF mecurial salvation; and if so, your dis
cOyety il hiUhlv valuable m nd on this n ccour rt
i; was that spoke freely and strongly in
CONNIE ndation of your new pr Iactice, and was
not afraid nor ashamed to hail you us RE-
FORMER, and to give you the full credit, and
m this view, have always considered you as
standing on higher ground than Paracelsus
! who was born in 1883
I have not word to say about a gents. |
know nothing about rights and privileges by
purchase, stood alooffrom all such matters,
when 81 years ago, had Uaccination in my
own hands. | told all knew,and kept moth.
ing back from the publc-not even some of
my own errors-and a0hat ,oas my REGARD?
As to the point of your originality will
sum it up in as few words rs possibly can
] regard you as the TREE, the root and trunk
Of the Lobelia and vapor both system conjoin-
ed; and its limbs your immediate agents, and
it's leaves and fruit, tho purchasers Of the
rights and priyilcges-all deriving their val
ne from the Tree Of knowledge which you
happily planted and nourished for the benefit
of the afflicted; md having said this, I have
performed grateful office, and may add n
duty to all around me, and remain, and hope
ever to remain, Your steady friend,
;. BENJAMIN WATERHoUsE.
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