The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1879-06-27
A LEARNED
MEDICAL LECTUREI
Delivered In the Wesleyan HalIs
Boston, on the Goth Of
March, 1873,
BY DR.. ID. w. Fairchild, of New
York City. aa.,

not my object 70 utter an unkiud word where
Il IL not deserved, or 10 traduce character, or
20 wander into any extravagant statements not
susceptible Of proof II ] knoeh my own
heart. I am here to tell you, in as plain and
simple a manner as I am capable, a series Of
facts full Of wonder and establishment. and
endeavor TO make you better acquainted with
younelyes; also 10 learn the direct cause Of
nearly al the diseases man 4 heir 10, and how
simple and Inexpensive a mode there n for
yon not only TO prevent. bat 20 curc the same.
The question will be treated seriously and
fairly, a. Il deserves. And, right here, ] will
take the occasion TO say no man has higher
regard or more thorough veneration for .H
H rHr COMBINATIONS FAMILY rHysfcrkN
than I. Such a man is entirely void Of sci.
6shness and prejudice. lie Is a constant stu.
dent. lie keeps pace with every fresh thought
advanced puts into practice most willinglyas
an auxiliary anything that proves Itself better
than he has yet known. At least he never
b condemns short Of thorough Investigation.
Such men are sometimes found. .They deserve
the confidence, love and respect Of an who
know them. Such man viii tell you the
best Of them are cropping about in the dark /;
that u n one continuous round Of experiment
The principle Of antidotes has proved an
satisfactory--yea, failure A. a. Stevens,
MD, sayss "The older physicians grow
the more skepticaI they become in the virtue
Of their own medicine" Professor Willard
Parker says "Of all sciences, medicine is
the most uncertain" Prof. Z. H. Davis:
"rHE VITAL RFFEcrs on MEDICINE,
are little understood" Mason Good, NJ
d.: "The science Of medicine Is barbarous
jargon.- Dr. Bostwick, author Of ssliistory
Of Medicine Z" aEvery dose Of medicine IS
blind experiment. Prof Evans, NJ. d.
The medical practice OF the present day is
neither philosophy nor common sense" Prof
Gregory: "Gentlemen, ninety-one medical facts
are medical lies" McLintock Mercury
has made more eriples than all the wars com
bined." And he should have added, the
present abuse OF soda or potassi, in its present
various forms, Is destroying myriads Of stom-
achs beyond redemption. Sir Ashley Cooper
'rf'he science Of medicine is founded on con
lecture and improved by murder" Oliver
Wendell Holmes said before medical class
in the year 1861 "rhe disgrace Of medicine
has been that colossal system Of self decep-
lion, in obedience to which mines have been
emptied Of the cankering minerals. the veg
etable kingdom robbed Of all It's growth, the
entrails Of animals taxed for their impurities,
the poison bags Of reptiles drained Of their
venom, and all the conceivable denominations
thus obtained thrust down the threats Of hu-
man beings suffering from some fault Of organ
ization, nourishment, or vital stimulation"
Thus might enlarge to the extent OF volumes,
in quoting the long list Of physicians strict
ures on themselves. in which they tell you
that medical science. thus far, is not only not
beneficial, bat absolutely injurious and killing
in its effects.
Notwithstanding all this, custom and early
education ever hold a wonderful power over
Us, aud It matters not however unreasonable
and absurd any teachings and customs or
habits may seem to US, or how demonstrably
II may have been proved to US that they are
injurious and fallacious. Yet il would seem
that nothing short OF long years OF bitter ex-
periences, or some sudden, mighty power, will
ever change the course Of most Of US from i'm.
pressions made through early education and
example. Yes. we are slaves to habit, custom
and fashion. There is usually wonderful
lack Of individuality. For example We are
used to our doctor; we see him daily; We rely
upon him; take his medicines, poisons and
Otherwise; pay his bills gradually grow
worse do no thinking or acting tor ourselves;
finally die-and the friends charge il to a dis
pensation Of Providence. less than thirty.fve
years ago millions up TO that period had gone
down TO their graves begging for even one
swallow Of cold water. Mothers, sisters.
brothers, and the fond lover had each in their
turn withheld from the dear one this precious
and most natural antidote. This, too, when
il was apparent that life could hold on but a
lew short hours at most. Doctors said in
those days; ..t...
"coLD WATER Is DEATH
give them calomel and a spoonful Of warm
water. instead" These loving friends were
made the willing instruments. through early
education, to obey literally the doctors com
mand. Not only was the fever patient denied
water. but was dragged, physicked. bled and
starved until all reactive power was lost. and
he gave up the ghost 10 the treatment instead
Of the disease. .I..I
doubt not there are numben here Tonight
who know this statement to be true. But 10.
day the patient gets iee-water in superabun.
dance. And why this radical change OF anti
dotes II IRE was once the antidOte Of FIRE,
why should water now be the antidOte OF
fever FIRE Simply for the reason that nature
always rcyolts against any system that lacks a
supply Of natures natural wants, or that Is
cruel TO itself. In every neighborhood, more
OF less, there were found persons Of strong
will power that decided they would not die
until they had satisfied that intense thirst, and
allayed the fire that was burning them up.
Many interesting experiences have been
told Of what these creatures in torment passed
through 10 get water. Ny own uncle, for
one, 1ay, as was supposed, at the point OF
b death. A trusty old colored man, his watch
man, was called 20 his bed about midnight.
Speaking Just above a whisper, he said !;
"Abe, | am going to ask Of you one last re-