The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-07-24

VIII always iOllOW me use OF powerful eVacu-
ments, and the best medical writers now recon-
mend nutricous aliment as the hest medicine in
every even in extreme cases of debility. The
bark 81 leaves of the elder have been long known
us powerful eVacuments, aud no! esteemed I'M
safe. Yet caution is recommended in using the
buds, their effect is esteemed and has been
found dangerous in some cases.
The following valuable article relative TO the
cure ofPurd Fever by yeast, is selected from
the London Courier of The Both Of March.
PUTRID FEvERs.-A Scotch paper contains
the following article relative to the cure OF this
terrible malady by yeast. The account is given
in letter written by the Rev DR. Cartwright,
which cannot be too extensively communicated,
since it points out new resource for the preserv-
alton Of human life.
"Seventeen years ago, | went" says the be-
nevolent cergymen GO reside at Bramptop,
populous village near Chesterfield. / had NOT
been there many months before purid fever
broke out among us. Finding by Tar the greater
number of my parishionerS TOO poor TO afford
themselves medical assistance, undertook, by
the help otsnch books on the subject of medicine
as were in my possession, 10 prescribe for them.
early attended boy about fourteen years Of
age, who was attacked with the fever. He had
not been i'll many days before the symptoms were
unequivocally putrid. then administered bark,
wine, and such other remedies rs my books di-
rected. My eXertions Were however of no avail;
his disorder grew every day more untractable and
malignant, SO that | was in hourly expectation of
his dissolution. Being under the necessity OF
taking Journey, before ] set off to see him, us
thought for the last time, | prepared his parents
for the event of his death, which considered as
inevitable, and reconcied them in the best man
ner was able to n loss which knew they would
feel severely. While | was i'm conversation on
this distressing subject with his mother observ-
ed in small corner of the room, tub of wort
working. The sight brought 10 my recollection
an experiment had somewhere met with, ''of
piece of putrid meat being made sweet 10y being
suspended over Tub of wort in the act of fer
mentaton." The idea flashed into my mind that
the yeast might correct the putrid nature of the
disease, and instantly gave him two large spoon
fuls. | then told the mother, if she found her
son better to repeat the dose every three hours
| then set out for my journey; upon my return,
after few days. | anXiOusy inquired after the
boy, amt informed lie was recovered.
could not repress my curiosity, though | was
greatly latigued with my journey, and night was
come; ! went directly to where he lived. which
was three miles Off in wild part of the moors.
The hoy himself opened the door, locked sur
prsingly well, and told me he felt better from the
instant he took the yeast
After | left Brampton | lived in Leicester
shire. My parishoners being there few ami op-
ulent, dropped the medical character entirely,
aud would not prescribe for my own family.
One of my domestics falling i'll, accordingly the
apothecary was sent for. His complaint was u
violent fever, which in its progress became pu
trid Having great reliance, and deservedly, on
the apothecary's penetration and Judgment the
man was left solely to his management. His
disorder, however, kept only gaining ground till
at length the apothecary considered him in very
great danger A, last, finding every effort to be
of service him haflled, he told me that he con-
sidered it to be lost case and that the man could
not survive "a hours. On the upOthercary thus
giving him up, determined to try the effects of
yeast; gave hing large spooniuls, and in Is
minutes from his taking the yeast, his pulse, tho
still feeble, began TO get composed and full lie
IN 30 minutes from his taking it, was able to get
up from his bed and walk in his room. At the |
expiration OF the second hour, gave him ba-
son OF sage, with good deaf of lemon, wine and |
ginger in it; he ate with an appetite; in another
hour repeated the yeast; an hour afterwards |
gave him the bark as before; at the next hour
he had food; next had another dose Of yeast, and
then went to bed; it nine O'clock; he told
me he had good night, and was recovered. !, |
however, repeated the medicine, and he was soon
able TO go about his business as usual.
IS About year after this, rs was riding past |
n detache farm house, at The outskirts of the vii
lage, | observed farmers daughter standing at
the door, apparently in great nffliction. On EN-
uuring into the cause of her distress she told me
her father was dying. | dsmounteti, and went
into the house to see him; l found him in the
last stage of putrd fever. His tongue was
black, bis pulse was scarcely perceptible, and he
lay stretched out like corpse, in a state of drow-
sy insensbily. Immediately procured some
yeast, which diluted with water, and poured
down his throat, then left him with lutte hopes
of recovery; returned however, in about two
hours, and found him sensible and able TO con-
verse; then gave him dose of bark; he after
wards took at a proper interval, some refresh
rnent. said with him till he repeated the yeast,
and then left him with directions how to proceed;
| called upon him the next morning at nine o.
clock; i found him apparently well, and walking
in his garden. He an old man upwards
of70.
81 have since administered the yeast to above
fifty persons Iaboring under putrid fevers and
what is singular Continues the benevolent man,)
| have not lost patient"
The above has been handed to us by gentle
man in this city, who has lost two children by
the fever which has been so prevalent and fatal