Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-09-28


the living powers of nature. In this mode
o, reasoning he was confirmed, by n painful
experience ot medical practice ~ his own
fimily. lie found the physicians had not
success; and he discovered their medicines
to bo poisonous. and the reverse Of nature;
an aggression of her power. and violation of
her laws. He had carefully observed ma
tnrc's mode ofcuring disease, or the practice
of the ris medicci,ir nature. as the schonlmen
would say. md he conceived, the whole So
crct Of curing diseases consisted in aiding
the efforts and operations Of nature, by adj
minislering medicine which was in conformi-
ty with her laws.
For so curious'y and wonderfully are we
made, that whenever we are assailcd by any
noxions power; the system Immediately as
snnes new. and generally violent, form
OF action to resist, and Ia overcome it. Her
operations in supplying flesh, llgament and
bone. when these have been injured, or re-
movcd from the body, have been the admlra-
ton and astonishnrnt Of the students and
lovers of nature in every period of the world.
The skill and power of nature to prevent
deIormity, or injury, in filling up and supply
ing the defects OF any part of the system, Is,
indeed, so miraculous, that both in ancient
and modern days, il has been nscribed to the
agency Of percipicnt, conscious, and III
telligcnI power.
Thomson pursued his system which was
to observe nature in her efforts to cure dis
ease; to aid hcr,by remedies in harmony with
her laws; 20 support her when ready to per-
| isb; and to alay her fury, when reused to ex-
cessive action. For the latter his ncrvInr is
Incompatible, and for the former, Nos. 2, 3
and u. or i. 5 and q, will be found II salutary
remedy
The mineral poisons, used as remedies so
excessively and universally, seem still to ad-
vance, until they have become rs common n,
the bed side of the patient, as food on the Ia
bic of the healthy. This state of things has
long progressed with accumnlatng power,
ard the most disastrous and ruinous consc-
qnences. The time ,howcver,is nigh at hand,
when poisonous remedies shal! be hunted
from medical practice. Great and wise and
noble men. IN every quarter Ot the globe, are
opening their eyes to this wide spreading
havoc and devastation, and raising their vol
ces like a trumpet, to Withstand and over
whelm II.
The Medical Colleges of Paris, and Lon
don, and Edinburgh, are taking the lead IN
the great work OF regeneratng the medical
world; in arresting the practice Of poisoning
the human system, and sending millions nn-
wcpt, unpiticd, snannealed, to people the
realms of the King of Terrors. Our own
country has raised her warning voice; the
great and good DIR. Rush opened the cry, and
1t now resounds from the University of Mas
sncbuselts, 10 the wilds Of the West. 81 am
sck,' says the celebrated Dr. Watcrhouse,
Professor Of Materia Alcdca in the Universe
ty of fCambridge;."I am sick of learned qnack-
ery!" And he adds, "The flora of North A.
merica is nstonshngly rich in remedies
There is no doubt, in my mind, that in more
diseases than is generally acknowledged, ve-
getable simpcs are the preferable remedies.
VIII" knows but in time. these native produc-
ltinns Of the field and forest, will SO enlarge
and conform their dominion, rs to supersede
the employment of other medicines" The
dawn has broke upon us, and bright day shall
20 forth and shine; when we may hope to
live with the dear objects of our love, until
ripe and full Of years, we shall be gathered
10 our fathers.
! DIR. James Hamilton, Fellow Of the Royal
College of Physicians, and Professor of Mid
wfery in the University of Edinburgh, says;
I"Among the numerous poisons which have
been used for the cure or alienation of dsea-
scs; there are few which possess more active,
and of course more dangerous, powers, than
mercury. Practitioners prescribe, on every
trltling occasion, caloincl or the blue pill 4
thus, calomcl Is now almost the universal |
opening medicine, recommended for infants
and children; and course of the blue pill, is
advised, without any discrimination, for the
cure of trifing rrcgula rites Of digestion in
grown persons"