The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-09
COMMUNICATION.
For the Peoples Press.
THOMSONIANISM IN VERMONT

Mr.. EDIToK.-In our article Of the Oath
Of Thomsonianism in Vermont. and thus
we shall speak of it now, though if the
Thomsonian advocate, Mr.. Smith of Bris.
TO-, sees anything in our communications
which is applicable TO his brethren general.
~, whether in this, or other states, he is at
liberty 10 use it, and like garments distriS>
ute where they will the best fit. We were
long time anxiously looking for some
thing plausible in his answer to our inqui-
ries, which would seem 10 establish the
Thomsonian system, as the system 10 be
pursued by all, at least, we expected he
would in some measure explain his theory,
so that the people might compare the rela-
tive merits OF the two systems of medical
practice. But the gentleman, either from
the insignifcance of bis theory. or for the
want of argument 10 sustain ii, has entirely
overlooked the subject, he has not touched
upon the Thomsonian's system. or elucidat-
ed a single point in his theory. All his ef-
forts were spent in reviewing our commu.
nications and commenting thereon, which
wcare quite willing should pass for what
they are worth. But the most of them we
shall consider as unworthy of notice.
LIST. Vox populi. Vox Del |! But is this
true? Are the people prepared 10 decide
that there is nothing valuable in our profess
sion which we should labor TO obtain. before
we dare impose ourselves upon them, by
embracing The Thomsonian System which
is without form, and darkness covering its
facet Do the people do this Or have
they ever done il? Or has God ordained
that the wheels of time shall continue TO roll
on, and The only being created in his own i'm.
age forever remain in stupid ignoronce OF
himself and the natural laws that govern
the physical world Talk not then Of the
Thomsonian system which has degraded
men OF america ten fold in the scale ofin.
teliigence, in the eyes of all Europe. OF
which the French exclaim "Bon pours
rlensi Quote our medical authors as much
rs you please you will not find syllable in
favor Of your system, but they all invariably
condemn the course you pursue npraclice,
ii not in words, they do 10 their theory, and
who shall we follow as the lights of the world
il we can place no reliance upon those who
are versed in the knowledge of all who have
gone before theml Surely sir, if their the.
cries are all false you cannot advise men to
jump on 10 another theory as baseess as that
o. Thomsons, in which is discovered igno-
rance more degrading Than the worthless
speculatons Of the Egyptian priesthood. -
1t is system or something, by Thomso.
mans declared 10 be an improvement, d" the
value Of which we leave for the future to de-
! eide" but we believe it to be one of the thou.
sand isms of the day, out of which proceeds
little good. 10 the first place Thomson the
great father, of what OF Quacks began
| bv exposing the cruel absurdifies of the
| Old School practice" what absurdities did
he expose Oh. Of bloodlelting, for the rea.
son tina, j: was cruel. Very humane indeed,
but he did dare with his eyes blind-folde
10 irifla with the lives of his employers and
has the audacity 10 call it science, an i'm.
provement etc. and to publish it 10 the world,
but was his reason for exposing the absur-
dities of bloodletting because it was cruel I
| No, we think not, we believe il was because
he was ignorant of the effect of bloodletting
and ignorant Of Anatomy, and with all his
holiness dare not venture so far as TO open
blood vessel. lest he should open an ar
! terry, not being able 10 Distinguish between
! reins and arteries, In This he has extend.
ed the right hand ofignorance 10 all his de-
voted successors, and in his wisdom too in &.
troduced the grand specifics, Pepper, Lobe.
liza, and steam. Therefore is our assertion
reiterated, " that all the Thcmsonians are
without an exception illiserate and ignorau,
pretenders in the healing art We have
not forgotten that some O. the improve
ments and discoveries in the sciences have
been introduced by obscure individuals" we
remember that Thomson has introduced a
something and has his followers. So has
Joe Smith. As one Of those followers you
say, "you confess you are none too wise,
but wish to be wiser" d We would say Then
10 you and all your brethren. read and be.
come wiser! Even then perhaps we would
dare to meet you, bnt does Mr. 8 NTH sup.
pose tina, even the 7wo fears TO meet him