The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-03

DR.. HUNTERS CHALLENGE TO THE MEDICA L
FACULTY OF New YoRK.-The letter recently
published in our columns by DR.. Hunter, chal-
longing the medical faculty Of New York to o
public controversy, through the medium Of the
newspapers, on the merits of his peculiar sys-
tenn Of practice, as yet remains without an an
swer. How is this? Is the medical profession
the only one that shrinks from entering the
arena of discussion in defence Of it's theories?
Had the same provocation been addressed to
the church or to the law, we should ere this
have had hundreds Of we'll primed disputants
rushing into the ring. Are we to conclude
that medicine is the only science which will
not bear the light of Investigation?
We're the facts stated by DR.. Hunter merely
conjectural we apprehend that less hesitation
would be shown in entering into controversy
with him. Men are rarely averse to the trouble
of winning an easy victory. It is because the
case that he makes out is demonstrable by
data that cannot be refuted, and bee ause the
success of his practice places vast body Of
evidence within his reach, that he finds no one
disposed to take up the gauntlet that he has
say, in the whole annals Of the profession, has
ever introduced more important in
nbvation on the old system Of practice, or
gained in short space Of time more converts
to his opinions. Amongst these he has to
reckon some of the faculty itself, forced to
conviction by the proofs that daily fall under
their observation. But the most incontroverti-
BILE evidence of the benefits conferred by DR..
Hunters mode Of treatment in diseases of the
lungs is to be found in the City Inspectors re-
port. By these documents it is shown that the
diminution in the mortality from consumption
during the last three months of the year 1855,
as compared with the corresponding three
months Of 1853 and 1854, was nearly twenty
five per cent Comparing the first quarter OF
the present year with the first three months of
the years 1854 and 1856, the diminution is still
more remarkable, amounting to more than 80
per cent. Now, we know from the vast num-
Der Of cases treated and cures effected by DR..
Hunter during the periods referred to- that his
efforts contributed, If not to produce all, at
least the greater share Of this improvement.
The severity Of the past winter would have in
creased instead of diminished the mortality
arising from pulmonary diseases, had not there
been some new and powerful counteracting in
Auence at work.
Emboldened by these results and having
the most entire confidence in the inhalation
ystem, DR.. Hunter now comes forward to
challenge the faculty to fair and open inyes
tigation of bis theories. He says, and says
truly, that it is not right to confue the dis
cussion to medical journals, which are the mere
opponents of the interests and prejudices OF
particular individuals, societies or schools.
He claims the whole public for his audience
and he leaves to them the decision of tie
merits Of the controversy. In order that
there shall be no mistake as to the Issues
raised, be classes them under The four follow
ing heads
lst That edeinss, when inhaled no. locally on tha
lungs and air passages, aud that H. IL cpy when a.
aauiys eyeo that sny direct acti3p CA b. yr1 ed
a. Tfat ntslsd medicines act cousisntie nav Al sa1
NJ lqcA'y, AID NJ eoiy 20, ~. ueTe apesaoy, more