Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-01-28

muniiy can be trusted IN The hands Of young and in
experienced practitioners and odd bungcs in the pro-
fession.
DR. James Hamilton, Professor in the University Of
Edinburg, observes.
THAT there are but fee poisons which possess
mofe active and dangerous powers than mercury
Even the simplest and midesi form OF that mineral,
exert most extensive influence the human frame,
and many II lis chemical preparations dsleIeri-
Gus tia, in the smallest doses they speedily destroy
life"
Without commenting further upon the facts IN fe-
latan 10 the evils arising FROM the use Of mercury as
slated By eminent physcians let inquire DO physi
clans understand h0ir iehy this mineral produces
iis action in the human ef II We refer TO the best
authorities this subject still left ~ the dark
and the answer remains IN obscuny In The ilniied
States Dspensaiory. standard work designed ex-
pfcssy fbr the ~ IN Physician, medical student
and aptihecaty work supposed 10 contain the best
knowledge heretofore aequired on the direct action Of
every article made use OF m the treatment ol disease
and The teri book OF The whole mineral medical pro-
fessinn we find the following under the head Of the
Medical Properties Of Mercury;
"0f The m0dHs operandi Of merearyiee knoW moth
ing except il probably through the medium Of the
circulation, and that IL possesses peculiar Alternative
power the vital functions which enables il in
many cases 10 subver diseased actions, BY substituting
lis own 10 is stead"
Here then we have the concentrated knowledge OF
the great science Of medicine the properties Of
very powerful and deleterinus article 10 constant and
exiravagant use, By the mineral fraternity. without
Is il science or il guackcrvl The reader Judge.
But says the mineral practitioner, il will prodoce sail
walton. He will admit also that il will rot out teeth.
That il will produce exfolaiion Of The bones-pro-
duce debility, ulcers, erupiions &C. But hou? Why
does il do 50? OH Ne cannot tel that 'o the
rnodus opefandi OF mercury we kHow noihing;' and
yet the pretended scientific Doctors constantly pre-
scribe it..
On this subject the celebrated DR. Hum, remarks:
"Hss any physician yet discovered the modus oper-
andi OF calomeli No Can any body tell what Gallo
mel or mercury will do when taken! No. Calomel
acts quite independently Of The PHYSICIANS ish or de-
sign I"
the most learned authors, who have hitherto
written upon II, many Of them evade the question al
together, whilst those who do refer 70 it, consider its
action utterly iHdRGbe, or refer II TO the vital prn
cple.' Professor Cullen observes:
"That il acts stimulus 10 every sensible or nov
ing fibre Of the human body, bat what the peculiar
excitement which it produces may be- IL IS cain 10
inquire"
tnue them in this manner, citing the language Of en-
neni physicians with regard TO the deeiefious effects
Of cslome and other preparations OF mercury but SUI
cent evidence has been adduced 10 convince any
sonable, unprejOdced mind Of the great improperly
anil extreme danger OF using this mineral as remedy
in disease. " these appeals TO the wisdom and under
standing Of our fellow citizens from scientific medical
authors before mentioned who have administered the
various preparations Of mercury TO their patens, and
riiaessea lie pernieiou' and horrid efeeis, be ins
eieHt o. deter them from The use OF substance ex-
refnely hazardous and frequently producing death or
entaing disease and wretehed existence through life
then the mineral fraternity Of The healing art con-
tnue heretofore 'to hawk and pedde' their layoTiie
mineral poison, with the fatal results uncertain
prospects Of success.
With oil there facts presented and many more in my
possession Of the import from the best authorities
IN medical science, trust that person will hereai
believe that destitute OF sympathy for suffer-
ing humanity and utterly regardless OF my profession
oil reputation TO prescribe or administer mercury in
any form when il is here proved 10 be deleerous in
its effects and extremely hazardous in its results.
Z. S. PLUMB, NJ. ID.
West Halifax, Jan. %, ls47.