Smyrna times., 1855-10-31

DrOml-
nently under the notice of the profession, than
they seize upon it as the basis for new patent
medicine. Sarsaparlla is an example in point.
Some twenty years ago, the use of this drug,
which had previously fallen into disrepute, was
revived as very beneficial in certain Diseases
From this date, we find deeoctions," "com-
pound decoctions," and "syrups" of sarsapa-
rilla manufactured and sold as nostrums all
over the world. If we examine these prepara-
tons, in few of them do we find even a trace
of sarsaparilla. In one instance, bi-chloride of
mercery has been detected as an Ingredient.
and yet the chief object for which they have
given has been to purge mercury from the sys-
tem!'
What we have said of sarsa parilla is equally
true OF wild cherry bark. Dr. Hastings, OF
London, suggested naphtha as remedy in
certain diseases of the lungs, and though it wa 5
almost immediately proved to be worthless, if
not injurious, we find "syrups of naphtha {"
SOLD asa patent medicine in almost all the drug
stores. few years ago, medical men began
to use Cod-lver oil, and Immediately a dozen
Vlilalhous mixtures were compounded and sold
as pure cod-lver oil, to the injury of thou
sands. In the spring of 1851 we introduced
ihhalatloh as systematZed mode of practice
III the treatment Of diseases of the lungs and
noW' without any aid, instruction, or counten-
a"ce from uS,.there are persons in this and
helghOorng cities, protesting to employ the
same medicines" and to " perfectly understand
our practice" Others are perambulating over
the country. We have heard of them at Phila.
delphIa, Plttsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago, Louis
VILE, New Orleans, Boston, Montreal. and
several other places. Some have had the cool
ness TO refer to us, but in every instance before
our reply could reach their victims they had
disappeared
These are great evils, and not only sacrifice
thousands OF lives, but prevent fair nvestga-
tloh OF most medical discoveries. Physicians
are cheated out of the honor, and the afflicted
deprived Of the benefits which both would other
wise WI, ENJOY. But are they evils beyond remedy!
we think not. While laws exist TO punish
swndling in the sale of a bogus watch. we
cannot see why they should not to punish the
same act IN the sale of a patent medicine. or
IN the false assumption of the title and func-
TONS OF doctor. The pretences are equally
J"tSe ana the motives equally dishonest But
we know 1t is useless to talk of legal restrlc-
ions. The world has got into its head the no.
tloh mat laws to protect health and life are
unnecessary, aud theoe is no way of getting it
OUT lhrfe Is, however, a means of effectually
countcractlng these evils. We live in an are
when most people can read and in a country
where all-that is necessary s to clearly poiut
OUT any Migrant imposition, and the loud cIamor
OF public Indignation will at once correct it
Mankind have natural reluctance to being
deceived and swindled and then laughed at by
that tribe OF vulgar pretenders who sell
" syrupS, stomach correCtors" " and d" abdomi-
nal supporters, but they read an advertisement
ciaIning Tor these, wonderful virtues and as
nobody says to the contrary, they are led to pur
a D,f :,
would be so stupid as to buy +" supporter"
composed of steel, india-rubber and cotton
wood, and put it on the outside Of his body to
cure ulcers an the lungs, if he but reflected for
a moment, or If any person called his attention
TO the absurdlty Of such proceeding! We
believe these nostrumS only find sale because
they are uneXposed, and that the proper course |
TO Danish them IS to open the "sealed book
ana teach the people the common principles of
rational medicine, through medical journals |
specially designed for their reading or, better |
sun because more general, through the columns
OF the newspaper press. The foolish objection
OF our profession to this course is really the !
groundwork of quackery. SO long as medical
Information Is withheld, what can even educa |
TED men and women possibly know of their own !
anatomy and physiology, or about the causes !
ana cure ct disease! Aud without knowledpe. !
now are they to Judge OF what is true and what
IalSe True, most well-intormed persons es-
cape the grosser quackeries by the simple ex-
ercise OF thelr intelligence, but what becomes
OF tne poor who have not this advantage Life |
10 them Is surely quite us sweet, and the {" res
ddg USta DOM" is not a sufficient excuse for
abandoning them TO the cupidlty and ignorance
of quacks.
physicians must become the medical instruc-
tors OF the people, and must be spirited enough
III the work to fight against and expose those |
lnhuences which degrade our profession no less
than they sacrifice the health and lives of the
Until this is done, quackery will ride
IN gllded coach, and good men sigh in vain |
over the miseries it occasions
ScARCITY OF HORSES IN EURopE.--A corres- |
pondeut Of the New York Spirit of the Times. I
writing recently from London, thus speaks of
the horse market i'll that city, " Ladies' saddle
horses are not to be had, neither are carriage
horses, which will surprise you. In thirteen
days search could not find decent pair for
sale at any price, If this war lasts another !
year, the Europeans will be importing horses |
from America, and 1T would be well worth the |
attention of our farmers and breeders to raise
large horses, fit to draw heavy carriage, or
carry a heavy man. Good saddle horses for
gentlemen, arc still to be found by payino for
them; first rate one stands you $500" A |
Utica IN. y paper states that gentleman
is now in that city, purchasing carriage and
saddle horses for the Paris market. We are
not sure, but 1t would be wisdom on the mart /
OF our country friends to enter largely upon the
propagation OF horses and mules, for the Euro |
pean war is by means at an end, and the De-
mand for these animals must necessarily in |
crease IN that country for some time TO come.
0~5 There is at preseDt in Vienna lilIipu-
ton orchestra, composed Of forty eight bows,
from eight to fourteen years old, under the d |
rGctlon OF Nr. Rollinger. They come from
halsheid small town OF Germany. 1t is anus
ing 10 see boy ofcight years handling drum
almost too great for him to carry; the hornisfs
have to hold their instruments by the circles,
as they cannot reach their hand into the bells.
These children play with great correctnrss n nd