Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-03-27

CIRCULAR ADDRESS TO TIE PEOPL

CIRCULAR ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE
anil Medical Profession cf lermoHt
The officers and members of the Vermont State
Eclectic Medical Society. in this their first annual
address 10 the public think it proper to briefly de-
fine their position with reference to the prin-
ciplcs of the American Eclectic system Of medi-
cine The leading doctrine of the Eclectic
profession is that the investigation and prac-
tice OF medicine should be free and untrammeled
that no association should have Che power to pre-
scribe q certain standard Of faith which shall be
forced upon every member of the profession by
threats Of professional obloquy and ostracsm. -
We claim for ourselves, and extend TO others, full
liberty Of investigation and action. We recog-
nze every enlightened and educated physician as
standing on the same platform OF professional re-
spectability and enjoying the same sight, no mat
ter what doctrines in medicine he may advocate,
or what system Of practice he may deem it his
duty to adopt
The name Eclectic commends itself at once TO
all who approve OF liberal investigation. and who
deem it their duty 10 gather knowledge from every
available source. Ii Is the most appropriate. be-
cause OF the fact, that American medical reform
owes its existence TO an eclectic freedom of in
yestigation a departure from the dogmas Of the
schools and an eclectic research into nature, and
In the results of various clinical experience by all
classes Of observers. These researches have not
resulted in mere accumulation OF materials, but
in addition the introduction Of great number OF
and superior remedies. tue llstdfuluH OF q
number of dangerous and poisonous agents, for
which more efficient, and at the same time per
fectly safe substitutes have been obtained, and a
great and comprehensive system Of safe and ration
al practice has been organized upon the basis Of
the widest and most enlightened practical etpe-
rcnce.
Eclecticisrn aims to enlarge and improve the
most important portion Of practical medicine,
yiz:-materia medica, in exploring our indigo
nous medical botany. and obtaining the medicu
principles isolated from each plant. as TO adj
minister in the smallest dose aud most agreeable
form
1t is a distinctive and fundamental principle Of
the eclectic system of practice, that no medical
treatment should be allowed that permanently i'm
pairs the vital powers.
In the choice of remedies those should be pre-
ferrcd which are safest and are calculated 10 act
in accordance with physiological laws. We reject
The most perncious features OF allopathic practice,
such as blood-lettng, the use of poisonous metals
such as mercury. anumony, arsenic, ETC., their use
being a gross violation of the dictates of sound
medical philosophy based on an extensive and en-
/ lightened experience.
The use OF these dceterious agents has filed
the civilized world with inyalids and brought mil
lions to premature graves, and make it almost i'm
/ possible TO find single individual who has used
them that is not to greater or less degree affected
] by their pernicous influence The fancied neces-
sity for the Of mercury for its power over the
liver is well known by all well informed electric
/ practitioners to be delusion. Without the use
/ OF mercury and its dangerous morbid after-conse-
/ quences, we safely and promptly produce much
more efficient cholagoguo and Alternative action by
means of the distinctive eclectic remedies.
In the practice of surgery, we'll us in other
. departments, the remarkable improvements and
superior results of eclectic medicine, in compari-
son with all that has been accomplished by the high
est allopathc skill challenge professional scrutiny.
/ The eclectic profession are free to investigate
for themselves they do not feel justified to prac-
tice by rote nor kill by rule but taking the first
. great principle we have mentioned viz rejecting
all actual poisons for guiding star, they feel per
/ iccty safe TO roam over the whole boundless field
OF medical inquiry, and TO seize upon truth where
ever lis found to adopt or reject any medical
agent means. As it proves to be useful or iniu
rous they leave the beaten track and plunge in
to the untried wilderness TO seek for new truths
That they have been successful needs no long ar
gument 10 prove. Look at the array of new anC
potent remedies which they have discovered ant
brought into use. Behold the happy results tha
have followed their application. See what a com
plete revolution they have wrought in the medoa
world. Amid the scoAs and the oppostions b,
which they have been continually assailed, thel
have established colleges and schools which favor
ably compare with those Of any other school o
practice that has had centuries to give il strength
and permanency. Yea more their system is fas
supplaniing other modes, and while they shal
crumble into dust, the new and better institutions
fostered by their care, will rise triumphant. |
there be such law as the law OF progress it can
not be otherwise truth must preDaH!
GEO. A BAGLEY, NJ d.,
Recording Secretary.
WEST ToPsHAM, VERMONT,
March 1867.
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A Methodist minister who is only annch talle
than Tom Thumb, is the latest sensation in tn