The Van Buren press., 1859-08-24
Ear the Van BURN Prem.


Nh. EpIToa-Sn 81 6nd since the Last issue
of the Pres thst many Of our citizens are
ready to think that Messrs. Scorr and PESsrwr
had with me = conco.ted plan to arouse this popu-
lace, and make them think. if possible. the only
means was the PenLywit Springs for them to get
restored to health, which take the responsibility
to deny, for I. if my recollection serves me Alright
never spoke to either of these gentlemen prior to
the issu> Of yourpaper. It was the solicitation
of the public alone that caused me to investigate
those waters. which investigation pray the pop
lace may be edited by. Though am poor man.
as regards wealth, I can say thing. am rich
in principle too much SO to be bribed by any man
to do what Das not right; and as long l carry
the body Of man. you may expect to find the
principle Of a man in that body. There has been
much done by scientific men to put the people in
possession of remedies for diseases Of the body
Many excellent means have been solicited by them
in the way of Medical Journals and papers to give
the public information and it is gratifying to
how much good there has been done how much
suffering has been avoided and expense saved still
there are some who are opposed to the plan ofcom-
mtting knowledge of means whereby the invalid
can be restored to health. They seem to think that
it will lower the character and dignity Of Pro-
fession, and consequently our usefulness will be
miserably destroyed. But the results are far 9th
erwise /; real and important knowledge has no ten
dency; it eevates rather than lowers the confidence
and respect of its possessor 1t has been supposed
too, that mischief would result from an attempt on
the part of the people parake of the responsible
tiles that God has placed in their power. Why,
my dear sir. the people have. in all ages of the
world prescribed more less for themselves, and
to certain extent, been their own physician. Nov
city is the food of fancy, and long any matter
the existence of which is known, remains in mys-
terry, the human mind will never cease to pry into
it. Let the mind fully grasp thing and it's nov
city is gone and SO far responsibility is con
cerned the whole rests with the people any rate
They form and make up their own minds whether
they be conducive to health otherwise they se-
lect their own regimen. and when sick they take
the responsibility upon themselves of determining
upon what plan they will be treated. whether they
willb dragged by mans preparations or BY Gods
and accordingly send for physician of their own
choice, and of his skill they Judge for thcmselve.
if they are satisfied. the physician continues, il
dissatisfied. they take the responsibility Of dis
charging him. If the medicine and it's results
suits them they take it, if not they refuse it. Thus
the responsibility rests almost entirely with them
Then why should they not be informed npon this
important subject. One thing is remarkable in ref
erence to safe medication-that is mean to saw
the people are in advance of the professions They
seem to be less heroic in the of posons than the
latter. and when they prescribe for themselves they
usually employ for themselves very simple and
harmless agents, and hence occasion much less mis-.
chief than might be apprehended. They have an
opportunity of observing the pecuarities of their
own habits, susceptibilities and necessities, and
when informed on the subject of healing properties
and medicines God has ordered for their diseases
they will the more readily avail themselves of such
and be more successful for themselves than physi
clans can be for them, who do know their cases
as well as they know them themselves Thus man
is creature of habit. urged on only by the propen
sites of his nature, he not only abrdges the period
of his life, but inficts himself untold su ferinp
and the displeasure of his Creator. The rising
morn, the radiant noon, and the shadowy eve all
tell HIM as they pass, that his temporal existence
is but short, his advance to eternity rapid When
we view man in all his bearings and dependencies,
we find, and all the profoundest PHILOSOPHERS have
done no more, that he is involved in mystery. The
greatest philosophers have only discovered that
they live; but from whence they came. and with
er they are going are by nature altogether hidden.
Then why should We as physicians discard bless
ings which we know were placed here for our broth
er's maladics! No, rather let us be men-men that
seek the good Of our fellows-men that stand as
watchmen, not only forthe benefit Of families
and persons. but for brothers, for our communi-
ties, for the worth Of mankind at large. and not
wrange at each other and keep up continuous jar
gon and contention-rnen who are willing to thank
God for the blessings that he has broadcast over our
land. Yours with respect
W. c. RUrTAN, NJ. d.