The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-05
COMMUNICATION.
For the Peoples Press.
"THOMSONIANISM IN VERMONT"

inst. we find an article under the above
head, filled with so many aSpersions, mis-
representations and faLsehoods, the writer
was either afraid or ashamed to attach his
name TO it. Now Mr.. Editor, we wish to-
examine few of this writers statements,
and make known few facts in relation to-
them, that the readers of your paper may
be able to judge for themselves of this mat
Ter, without the pfuffered council of their
unknown friend behind the cur:an; and
we hope the liberality of sentiment and feel
ing, which seems TO prevade community
the desire of the people to hear both sides
before decision is made-(since you have
opened your columns for an attack upon
"'rhomsonism in Vermont will be nv
security for the admission of this disclaimer
also, for The public eye. We will notice
LIST, The popular "cry for Improvement"
which seems TO come up In all directions
from the people, who are disguised with
"Lsarned Quackery." lie seems to charge
them with reckissness in not caring, whcth.
er IT comes from the mise or ignorant, or
whether there be any uH liz in the propo-
sed improvement, or not if they can only
make it popular: but let him remember tho
old maxim-uor popaH, pOr dei--the voice
of the people is the voice Of God. Tho
truth Is, the public mind is on the march
from Reguldrism to Thomsonism and hap
py will it be for old school NJ. DIS. if they
can keep pace with the spirit Of The times
keep up with tine car public opinion, und
not fall under her pondrous Wheels. Tho
writer seems TO have forgotten, that all i'm
provements. and important discoveries in
the arts and sciencies, have been introduced
by some obscure individual from among tho
mass Of The people that the pathway to re-
form, has always been stained with the
blood Of martyrs; the cry of heresy AMI
quackery, has always come from the DOM
inant party-those whose interests have
been in opposition 10 the interests of tho
people, who have generally introduced all
Improvements, at the expense of their for
tunes and their blood. Instead of being as.
sisted IN the great work of reform, BY their
teachers and leaders, a majority of them
have always opposed them. until the thing
had become popular; and then how quick
their cry is changed--"they always were
in favor oft. when in scientific hands" 1t
is so now. Since Thomson first began To
erpose the cruel dbSurdities Of the old school
practice, and make known the effects OF
Blood>letting, Calomel, and Opium. intro
ducing Lobelia, Cayenne and Steam, az
substitutes how changed and modified tho
practice Of many regular physicians. In.
deed many Of them in the United States.
have rsnounced and denounced their poison
practice, land come over 10 the side of Thorn
son.
I'd, "Thonisonians are, without an ex-
ceptIon. illiterate, and ignorant pretenders
to the healing art" This is quite as ia
vCrable as we have any reason to expect
considering the source from whence IT
comes. We confess we are none loo lcise-
though we are anxious to be riser. But
when we propose bringing our ignorance in
TO contact with the learning and science of
our Regular brethren--thal our minds may
be enlightened. we find that while they pro-
tess to have all the hight. and to be anxious
to difiuse it among the people,ihey avoid ev~
cry opportunity Of meeting us before them.
as several have done in this vicinity.
If the regulars are honest in their pre-
LESSONS Of learning and science, and in what
they say of the ignorance of Thomsonians
why are they afraid TO meet usl Whv is
it that they prefef doing all they can behind
our backs, to prejudice the people, against
us, and our practice, by private siander5
and abuse, instead Of meeting US with fair
argument Or If they come out in print.
shield themselves from all responsibility. BY
their names from their commu.
nications But admitting we are ignorant,
can our ignorance be greater than that of
the regulars7 DR.. Rush, in his lectures in
The University Of Pennsylvania, says,-"Our
want Of success is owing to the following
causes: LIST, Our ignorance of the disease;
I'd, Our ignorance of a suitable remedy -
gnorant, enough, In all conscience Again
DR.. Rush says-"Dissections da ly convince
Is Of our ignorance of the seals of disease.
Ind cause Us TO blush at our prescriptions"
And then he exclaims--"what mischief4
AVE we done, under the belief OF false facts
md false heo, iesl We have assisted in
diseases; we have done more
We have increased their mortality" ROB.
,age 1907 Now we ask if it be possible for
my Thomsonian 10 be more ignorant of dis
,ase, or the seals of disease than the regn-
ars--they themselves being judges! Orls
t possible for us to do more mischief With
,ur Lobelia, Cayanne, and Steam, than to
multiply diseases and increase their NOR
ality? And if such men as DR.. Rush, with
II his knowledge Of Anatomy, Physiology,
anthology, Chemistry ect. could not tell
he seats of disease, nor ADM mister poison
'ithout multiplying diseases, and increas-
lg their mortality; what are we to exPecs
:om our little medical tyros here in the
ountry They may have grown grey IN
ractice, but their opportunities for gaininz
knowledge of their profession and for Gin.
al observations, bear no comparison wiih
nose of Rush and many others. who havr
lade confessions equally startling and