Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-15
Novel Treatment OF Dyspepsia.

Some years ago physician in New York city
published a small book in which he gave well
written certificates OF marvellous cures for dyspep-
sa. Patients began to flock to him. Their intro
duction to his treatment was very queer. He
took the patient into his consultation Office exam
ined his case, and If it was he could cure, he
announced his fee five hundred dollars, to be
paid in advance. Ii the patients confidence was
strong enough the money was paid, and then the
doctor took him through a hall, up a flight of
stairs, through another hall, then through a room,
down flight of stairs, up flight, down q flight,
then to the right then to the left and at last they
| arrived in a small room without windows, artlh-
ciallY lighted, and in that room the patient was
required to put his name to solemn vow that he
never would reveal the modes OF treatment This
being all finished, the patient was introduced to
the treatment 1t Itconsisted in slapping the stom-
ach and bowels. Besides this the patient was re-
qulTed to live temperately, and much in the open
air. On rising in the morning he was required to
| spend from five to ten minutes in striking his own
abdomen with the fats Of his hands. Then he
went out for a mornings walk, after having drank
. tumbIer or two Of cold water. At eleven O'Clock
In the forenoon he spent quarter of an hour cT
mere in slapping the bowels with his hands. Then
he laid down to rest. He dined temperately al
two O'clock, and spent the afternoon in saunterinn
about. At seven 0 clock IN the evening he repea.
ted the percussion, ana went to bed at nlnC
o'clock.
majority Of the cases OF dyspepsia that sought
relief at this establishment had used all the othel
means except the slappinS that il to say, the,
had lived on plain food and much in the opeI
air. Il was the slappiug, the pounding with III,
fists, kneading with the fists of an attendant, tha
cared these people, for cured they certainly we-e
Marvellous cures were effected at this establish
ment.
/ After the death of the doctor, some of the pa
tients felt themselves absoved from the obligation
and one of them described the treatment to me. :
In every case of indigestion, no matter what MAJ
. be its character, slapping the stomach or bowel
with the fats Of the hands on rising in the morn
ing, four hours after breakfast, and in the even
ing on going to bed is excallent treatment
: cannot conceive of case Of chronic indigestion
which such manipulation would not relieve
q the patient be so weak that he cannot perforr
these slappings or kaeadings upon his own persor
a the hand of a discreet assistant should bs en-
/ ployed.
/ Il is marvellous how the body the stomach Il
& example, when these manipulations are Erst prat
r tlced, may be so very tender that the slighke
d touch can hardly be horne-it is marvellous ho
e. in two or three weeks blow almost as hard ;
b the hand can give is borne without suffering.
% you have PAIN IN the side or across ths che
Is percussion win relieve it almost Immediately.
But constipation, dyspepsia torpidity Of liver au
r. other affections Of the abdominal viscera, are r
lieved more surely and completely than any 9TH
ID class OK affections by percussion, kneading, ETC.
re Such treatment comes under the head of counte
- irritation new circulation is established in Il
is parts near the point of suffering and congestion
o. Besides this especially in abdominal troubles ii
manipulatons appeal directly to tho eOntIaetili
10 OF the weak, relaxed vessels 10 the affected pal
1t Dio LetelS. E.H3 54