The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-12-04
ECLECTICISM.


that which is good from all sources, rejec.
ting the evil.
The origin of modern Eclecticism Gates
back only some forty years, and yet there
are some six thousand educated physicians
of this school in active practice. The Col
leges are in Aourishing condition, one,
the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati,
having had an average of 1913 students an
nualy, for the last twenty years. In addi-
ton they have large and well written text
books on every department Of medicine, and
medical Journal having the largest circu-
lation Of any in America.
The causes leading to this reform in
medicine, were of a very grave character.
For many years, physicians had treated
disease. as if it was something tangible,
and only to be removed BY the harshest
means. The principal medicines were cat
omel, the lancet, tartar emetic, and agents
of like character, which were employed up.
on all occasions, even In the most trivial ca.
ses, rendering disease much more fatal than
it would otherwise have been. Not only
was it the cause of death in many cases,
but serious disease resulting from the use
of these poisons not uufrequently resulted,
rendering the sufferer au invalid for life.
1t certainly was no wonder, that reform
of practice like this should be demanded,
and when commenced, that it should be
hailed with joy by the people. Indeed so
great was the desire for something better,
that the system OF Samuel Thompson, crude
though 1t was, was taken hold Of in all sec-
tions of the country.
Eclectics based their opposition to old
school medicine upon two grounds. lst.
TO the theory Of ercessire action in disease,
aud consequent emplo, ment Of depressing
medicines, reducing the vitality OF the pa
tient to the lowest ebb. Opposed to this.
Eclec,ics took the ground, that all diseased
action of whatever kind, whether fever or
chronic disease, is evidence of enfeebled
vitality, either Of the entire system or of
ii part. And necessary, all correct treat.
ment is directed, first, to check the impair.
ment of vitality, and secoud, to restore the
system to its normal condition. There is
no room ior celebrating or exhausting rem
eGes, but only for such as tend to change
abnormal into normal action, and give tone,
innervation, and aid to the nutrativc pro-
cesses.
The second ground Of opposition was, that
the remedies were not only harsh and de.
bilitating, but would produce diseases,
sometimes far worse than those they were
given to cure.
Cdlomel was the Samson Of medical
agents. and there was rot disease, mild or
severe, in which it was not re commended
and used. Those acquainted with the old
practice know, that when the doctor was
called the first thing given in almost every
case was calomel and jniap, or btnepiU
followed by castor OIL Not only was it the
first thing, but it was many times the last
aud with many, nearly or quite all. In the
Southern and Western States it was used
in moderation, i. e. from ten grains to
tea or tablespoonful at a dose Many fol.
lowed the rule of Professor Cook, of Louis
vile, that if an apparent effect vas not pro,
duced by the remedy the first day, double
the dose the next, quadruple it the third
aud so on, ubtil, as we have authentic &C,
counts, one-fourth, one-half, or in one case
of bilious fever, over one pound had been
introdced. To thinking minds this indis-
criminate use OF one agent, should have
been evidence of the utter futility Of en-
ployiug ply sican and doubtless it would
if people had been permitted to think. If
we add to this, the long catalogue of all.
ments directly produced by mercury
Mercufial rheumatism, mercarial disease of
the bones, mereurial ulcers, etc., it will
readily be seen that this fearful weapon
should be discarded.
Forty years ago-yes, even. twenty years
sgo-blood~letting was the fashion, and
both physicians aud people supposed that
acute diseases could not be treated without
it, Bleeding was SO common that it was
customary TOR some to be bled every spring,
sometimes twiee year, as a preventive
measure to ward off disease.
The evil effects of blood letting necessa-
rily vary with the nature Of the disease in
which it is employed. In fever and infam-
nations it was employed to subdue excite
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