Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1841-03-13

Remarks on Statistical Medicine, contrasting ii
result olthe empirical with the regular practice
PhysIc in Nachez.
By SAMUEL A. CARTwRIGnT, NJ. D.
Natchez, Mi.

Physc in Natchez.
By SAMUEL 4. CARTWRIGHT, NJ. D.
Nachez, Mi.
have witnessed two very different rrss "a tho
practice Of Medicine in Na!chcz. In the first,
the practice was confined TO physicians who had
been regularly educated for that purpose, aud the
doors closed against all species OF emplrlclsm.
In the second the practice has not been confined
TO physicians properly 80 called, but fully aud
freely laid open 10 all kinds Of quacks aud lgnor-
ant pretenders. am now about to test the re-
suits oflhe practice Of medicine N these two eras,
standing as | do as Ink between them, by the
unquesuonable facts OF statistical medicine.
Statistical medicine or political arithmetic, as
it is sometimes called, IS ihat searching derau-
ment OF ouI science which separates the ore from
the droSs, Il mclts down aud consumes the
scafoIdng which eeyates empIrclsm, ephsmer'
al success and accidental popularity, into high
places 1t undeceves the pubic by substituting
for the caprices Of the ctedulous, the partial and
the prejudlccd, tire unernng results Of time aud
klluth. Statistical medicine furnishes the key
which opens to public view III manner The mos,
convincing, simple and summary the actual re.
suits Of the regular aud empirical practice. The
doctrine Of annuIlIes, SUGGESTIONS, reyerslons and
life assurances, are all founded upon the truths
afforded by statistical medicine. The facts watch
it dlscoses in rega'd TO the practice OF medicine
IL this city, are well calculated to make every
member Of this society proud Of the profession 10
which he belongs and Of the noble science to
which it pertains. They show that the syren
voice Of the emplric is not 10 be trusted. They
| IA oh rcaA 10 Lnnu1c1un IN
mcdiclne--no safety for the afflicted, but IN the
counsols of those who have patiently climbed tie
rugged hill of science--no reform TO be found by
descending lower, but by climbing higher.
The excitement, which of late years, has been
kindIed throughout the United States against the
medical profession under the popular catch word
"reform," not only stuck at physicians, but at
some of the most valuable medicines ottbe mate
| ria medica. The medicines most commonly used
by physicians, particularly all the mineral prepa-
cations. were denounced as polsons and physl-
clans were represented as a set OF men who fol-
lowed The avocaton Of poisoning their fellow cit
/ liens foI mere gain, or from species Of niatua-
ton, and so far fom being useful to the public,
were more mischiey0us than an equal number Of
assassns or highway robbers. The excitement
was famed into flame, with so much zeal, by
the manufacturers ofnoslrums and patent med-
cines, that many ignorant, but in some instances
good meaning persons, were stricken with spe-
cles of fanaticism believing themselves called on
TO 90 out into the world 10 bring about reform
in medicine. Cobblers left their lasts, black.
smiths their anYlls, the barber threY aside bis
shaving brush, and even grey headed iailors jun
! ped down from the board 10 become relormers in
physic. For some time our strict laws against
empricism kept the reiormers out of Natchez.-
Al length, from causes not necessary here to
mention, our laws against empnlcism were vIrtu'
ally annued, Very soon afterwards no less thar
half dozen relormers, full Of zeal, made then
way into this city and chose II as the place o
their permanent residence to carry out relorma
ton in medicine. They had never studied the
science they came TO reform, nor had they ever
acquired the elementary education necessary &c
enable them to begin the study. But their lack
Of knowledge only made them the louder in de
nouncing physicians and their remedies. They
were particularly hostile to eaomei and the Ian
Get. The one, they accused Of being in all cases
poison, and the other Of being at all times IN
Necessary and pe'nicious. They excited tn
hopes Of the afflicted and prevailed on the credu
lily Of the weak, by putting the many mnaculou
cues, which, the "teformsd system" was sid t