The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-29
COMMON SENSE VS.. PREJUDICE

By r. V. PIERCE, M. d., of the Worlds Dis
pensary, Buffalo, N. Y, author OF "The Peoples
Common Sense Medical Adviser" ETC., etc.
lam aware that there is a popular, and not
altogether unfounded prejudice against "patent
medicines" owing to the small amount of merit
which many ofthem possess. The appellation
"Patent Medicine, }" does not apply to my rem
edies, as no patent has ever been asked for or
obtained upon them, nor have they been urged
upon tbs public as "cure ais" They are simply
some favorite prescriptions, which, in a very
extensive practice, have proved their superior
rems dial virtues In the care OF the diseases for
which they are recommended. Every practlc-
ing physician has his favorite remedies
which he oftenest recommends or uses BE-
cause he has the greatest confidence in their
virtues. The patient does not know their COM
position. Even prescriptions are usually writ
ten In language unintelligible to any but the
druggist. As much secrecy is employed in The
preparation OF proprietary medicines. Does
the fact that an article Is prepared by process
known only TO the manufacturer render that
article less valuable? How many physicians
know the elementary composition of the reme-
dies which they employ, some OF which have
never been anaIyzed: Few practitioners know
how morphine, quinine, podophyllin, leptan-
drin, pepsin, or chloroform are made, or how
nauseous drugs are transformed into palatable
elixirs; yet they do not hesitate TO employ
them. Is II not inconsistent to use a prescrip-
ton, the composition of which is unknown 10
us, and discard another preparation simply be-
cause IL is accompanied by a printed statement
of its properties, with directions for its use?
Some persons, while admitting that my med
icines are good pharmaceutical compounds, OBJ
ject to them on the ground that they are too
often used with insufficient judgment. pro-
pose to obviate this difficulty by enIightening
the people as to the structure and functions of
their bodies. the causes, character and symp-
toms of disease, and by indi eating the proper
and judicious employment Of my medicines,
together with such auxiliary treatment as may
be necessary. Such is one of the designs of the
Peoples Medical Adviser, 10000 copies of which
have already been published, and are sold at
the exceedingly low price of 81 50. and sent post
paid to any address within the United States
and Canada
Ifyou would patronize medicine, scientifi-
calIy prepared, use my Family Medicines.
Golden Medical Discovery is tonic alternative, or
blood cleansing, and an unequalled cough
remedy; Pleasant Purgative Pellets, scarcely
larger than mustard seed, constitute an agree
able and reliable physic; Fsvorite Prescription,
a remedy for debiIitated females; my Com
pound Extract of Smart Weed, magical rem.
edy for pain, bowel complaints, and an un.
equaled IMMINENT for both human and horse
flesh, while DIR. Sage's Catarrh Remedy Is
known the world over as the greatest specific
for Catarrh and "Cold in the Head" ever given
to the public.
These standard remedies have been before
the public Tor many years-a period long enough
TO fully test their merits, and the best argument
that can be advanced in their favor is the fact
that their SAFE was never SO great as during the
past six months.