Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-05-18
POISONOUS DRUGS.
4 Revolution in Medical
Practice.
Interview with Prominent Physician

A valuable and instructive medical lecture was
given in fremont Temple last Thursday evening, a
full report of which appeared in our columns. In
this lecture some new, not to say starting IDEAS
which th eaten to revolutionize medical practice,
were advanced. and deeming the subj ct of great
importance, DR.. Greene was interviewed at his
office, No. "a Temple Place, Boston. Some delay
was experienced, caused by the number of patients
awaiting the Doctors attention. At last however
he found at leisure.
doctor, the ideas advanced in regard TO your
treatment of disease believed % be of the utmost
importance to the community a I'd trust that you
will not object to explain your views
"Certaiuly not Health is all important consid
Grafton; and knowing the system OF harmless vege-
table medicine which practice to be founded in the
eternal principles of TRUTH and ia harmony with the
laws Of nature, it is important that the community
should know the difference between the injurious
action of poisonous drugs and the cleansing purify
ing and strengthng effects of natures harmless
vegetable remedies"
"By the stem of poisonous drugs, you doubtless
refer to that of the allopathc and homeopathic
practices?"
"Yes and to the eclectic practice also for doctors
of all these schools of medicine in their practice
and recommend in their medical journals, the most
ia al aud deadly poisons known, such strychnine
prussc acid, deadly night shade, arsenic and acone
"But do not hysciaDs claim that these poisons
not poisonous in small doses?"
''SOme of them do make such absurd claim. 1t
is again reason to argue that deadly posons such
as arsenic strychnne and aconite curative be-
cause the dose given is not large enough TO kill The
doses OF poisonous drugs differ in degree in kind.
Sixty drops of aconite would kill man, while Ten
drops might not be fatal, and yet would se sufficient
to destroy life in child. Their argument is there
fore, that what might destroy lfe in a child will
prove health giving remedy in an adult. Decreas-
ing the dose renders the drug less poisonous only
there is less of it,"
"Do these poisons, given in small doses, accumu-
late in the system by continued SO as to prove
fatal?"
"Without doubt; and enough may be accumulated
to prove fatal at any moment when conce rated on
any vital organ.'
II understand that it was believed that these drugs
were thrown off from the system?',
"Many of them are partially elimited by means OF
the kidneys and other excretory organs. And in thus
passing through these organs, their accumulated
effects may poison the delicate tissues believe it
is TO these causes tina. We may ascrbc the rapid in
crease of diseases Of the kidneys and their frequent
fatal termination"
MAY they not also affect the hear. ~
undoubtedly. Many of the medicines given for
fever and other disease slow the pulse and re-
duce the fever by directly paralyzipg the hearts
action. Who shall say that this is not the cause OF
sudden deaths from heart disease? What l saw in
regard to this disease applies with equal fo.ce te
brain affections and paralysis &c nerally."
"Then in your practice you no poisonous
drugs"
"No; believe their medicines contrary 10
Nature and common sense. In my practice use
only harmless vegetable medicines and the success
of these remedies in curing diseases given up by
other doctors attest their wonderful virtues"
lyon are specialist, believe?'
al am a specialist in the treatment OF chronic or
long gstandibg diseases 1t is an acknowledged fact
at the day that the science of medicines is too
vast to be understood by any one mind. The family
ply sican, even though he has the inclination ha
neither the time the facilities to give the study
TO the treatment of chronic diseases which is abso
lnteiy necessary to understand their complications
and their cure. 1t is only by concentrating time and
study upon the trea ment Of this class of diseases
that enabled to effect such remarkable cures
81 believe that the use of patent medicines was
mentioned as not being beneficial to the commu.
nity?"
81 rarely have patient who has not taken from
one to a dozen patent medicines without benefit
Nothing can be more absurd unscienii6c than to
suppose that any patent medicine sold broad. ca. I
over the land can be effective in curing these con
plicated diseases-in meeting and overcoming the
various symptoms. which always differ in different
cases. Such diseases require the of a physician
In der that each symptom may be met and the
proper remedies prescribed 10 effect a cure"
"Do you ever treat persons by letter."
"Yes; large portion Of my practice IA done In