The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-24
COMMUNICATION.
For the Peoples Press
THOMPSONIANISM IN VERMONT.

The present age is one in which we boast,
perhaps justly, of tie wonderful improve
ment that is making in the arts and scien-
ces, and in the learned professions. The
world seems filled with the cry of improve
ment and reform. 1t matters not from whom
it comes. Whether it be from the iciSe or
the ignorant, or how great the error they
may inculcate, if a sufficient number en-
brace it to render the thing popular. The>
ology may be revised and revised ill The
minds of community are divided into sects,
and each individual fixed in the belief of
the correctness of his views. Well, we be-
ieve this is right as far as IT effects not the
final result in the good of all, but if these
views have sprung up in ignorance from
ignorant men without the shadow Of foun-
dation In truth, as Mohamedanism, Nor
manism, Millerism, ETC., we doubtless
should consider well the views and inten-
tons of such worthless pretenders before
we acknowledge ourselves ready to swallow
such nonsense. No doubt with the views
we now entertain, we should blush to be
found the dupes of their ignorance, or ava.
rice.
If such views as lead men into error,
darkness. and death, are the Improvements
of the present day, then, truly wonderful
are these Improvements. and doubtless the
world will Soon arrive at the acme of per-
fection, for ignorant men who should make
no preteDsions TO professional knowledge or
skill are multiplying fast around us, and are
virtually saying, "away with your literary
institutions, and your sciences, for nature
alone has taught US better way, and the
truths ire possess are mighty above all
knowledge" and if it were possible, would
deceive the very votarIes Of science, but
we trust this is not possible. We do not
feel ourselves prepared to lay aside our pro-
fessional requirements and return again to
the darker ages and become The slaves OF
ignorance and superstition.
The Medical profession too, which has
been improving since the days of Escula.
pias, has undergone another change, the
value of which we leave for the future tc
decide. We refer to the Thompsonian
system, system which lays aside every
theory and improvement of all preceding
ages, and establishes theory of its own
Without regard to reason or common sense
denying the necessity of a knowledge o.
Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and
Chemistry. bringing the science of medi'
cine down TO the comprehension of the
most illiterate, thereby rendering the pro
fession Immediately accessible TO any ant
every ignorant and idle adventurer. Is no
this true?
The theory is, L" Unity of disease, Unity
of remedy Il. e.) there is but one disease
which af1iicts mankind. (viz. "cold OIL
chills," and one curative effort of nature
fever or heat" to expel the invading en-
envy "cold." Therefore every effort thai
these vain pretenders make to heal the sick
is to assist nature by adding fuel to the fire
till the foe is driven from his lurking place
We need not say what this fuel is, for al
are familiar with thenames "Compositior
Powders, Hot drops. Lobelia. Barberry, ant
Bitter wood, and Cayenne or CaPslcum.
Shall we be disputed, when we have tn,
proof, if we assert that some Of these arti
cles are invariably used in all sorts and va