Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
Farm and Fzres1de.
NOW. IRE THE SICK uEaABD,


Erroneous views respecting disease, es-
pecally respecting the proper treatment Of
disease, are nearly universal. If any man
doubts the truth Of such statement, let
him consider the many and contradictory
modes of treatment which have been re-
commended for the late disease among
horses. Moreover, there is quite as much
diversity OF opinion respecting the treat
ment of nearly all diseases. Whether oc-
curing in the human subject, or in one of
the lower animals, a disease is considered
by most persons, as being an entity-a
thing distinct from and unlike any other
thing. This entity or thing called disease,
has, 1t is supposed, in some way gained ac-
cess to the vital domain, and attacked the
citadel of life.
To live the patient must be cured,-the
disease must be broken up, or subdued,
and inasmuch as 1t is supposed that this
can be accomplished only bv the use OF GER
tain drugs or agents called remedies, the
more freely those remedies are admins
tered the more certain and speedy will be
the cure. Such, in substance, is the popu-
lar mode of reasoning on this subject and
1t Is because Of the prevalence of such views
that the sick, and the friends of the sick, so
often distrust the competence of their ply
sician, fearing that lie is doing too little, or
that he does not employ the most appro-
pirate remedies. 1t is because of the prev
alence Of such notions, also, that horses,
cows, and other domestic animals are often
subjected to the most silly, disgusting and
cruel forms Of medication. Most persons,
indeed, seem to suppose that the fact that
sick man or sick horse RECEIVERS his health
and strength, is proof positive that the re-
covery is the effect Of the "remedies" en-
ployed, whereas II may have taken place in
spite of them, and the patient might have
recovered quicker and more perfectly with
out them.
Disease is an abnormal condition or &C.
ton of living body, or of some portion OF
1t, and not a thing,-a substance which
may be expelled by the specific action of
some particular drug or combination of
drugs and this abnormal condition or ac-
ton can be removed only by the vital
force or power with which the man or the
animal Is endowed. No drug can do it,
no combination of remedial agents, so
called, can accomplish it.
We know but little of that vital force or
power which pervades the entire organic
world, and which gives to every animal
and plant the ability to recover from the
effects of injury and disease but we see
the results of Its operation on every side OF
us. The tree Is wounded by the farmers
pillow, and soon the injury Is repaired, and
that without the aid OF art. The horse or
the OK Is sick or wounded, and without
medical or surgical treatment, or what Is
nnora, in spite Of the most bdrbdrous NAL
~ ,'-T.' 'n"7' ottan'iiuos recover.
4od.n8 soldier, left to die
on the battlefield, often lives to tell the
story OF his sufierings, though no human
aid had reached him, and though no RENE
dies, save the cooling winds of heaven, and
the life imparting waters of the brook OF
fountain had been appli ed to save him.
dear child Is sick. The best medical
aid Is summoned, and the most approved
remedies are administered but the dis.
ease progresses; hope fades away; the doc,
tor gives no encouragement. "Nothinp
can be done to save the child" he says; 'i
Is only question of time; take good care
Of the dear one while it stays. But, by vir
tue Of such care as only mother can be-
stow, the little patient begins to improve
and finally, with good nursing and prudent
management, complete recovery take,
place.
have said that disease consists in an I'M
natural condition of some portion of liv
ing body. II there be a change of struc
ture, or OF comp )stion, the disease Is term
ed organic; but If only the function or &C
ton of an organ be changed, it is called
functional disease. The causes of disease,
are various, and sometimes they ar,
quite obscure but as a general rule, iever
and inflammations, especially If epidemic
are caused by poison, which is carried
with the blood to every part of the bod v
producing general or constitutional dis
ease. This poison may have been taker
into the system from without the body
or 1t may have generated within the BODY
But must not this poison be expelled from
the system before health can be res ored
Yes, 1t certainly must be expelled, and on
Heavenly father has, In great kindness, en-
dowed every living being with organs an,
functions for that very purpose. Tn
lungs, the kidneys, the skin, DC, with tn
functions Of respiration, secretion and ex
eretion,-these were given us by the Gre
ator on purpose to purify the system an,
remove from 1t all the seeds and germs O
disease. But the vital force may be so ia
reduced by various causes that these or
gans cannot properly perform their func
tions. In such case nature may be assist
ed. Obstacles may be removed; the slug
gish organs may be stimulated to create
acti witty; and precisely here Is the physi
clans sphere, and II Is his only prope
sphere. His whole duty consists in help
Ing nature, when help is needed, and il
"letting well-enough alone" when help /
not needed.
The sick, then, are healed by the naturs
working Of the vital force by the recuper
alive power OF nature; by the vts uledico
triz nature; and this Is true, whethe
the patient be man or horse, woma
or COW. Medical or surgical skill, whe
Judiciously applied, may assist natul
sometimes, but can never take the place {
nature.-Dr J. II. Stedman IN Ne,0 ENG