Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-21
DEATH IN THE ELIXIR.
DR.. Allan McLane Hamilton Thinks It Is
Worse Than Mere Humbug.

A New York special to the Philadelphia Press
says that DR.. Allan McLane Hamilton. who has
just returned from abroad, was at his home, 20
East 29th street, yesterday. He talked very
freely about the Brown-Sequard elixir of life.
ut is one Of the sensations of the day in
Paris" he said. AT the time left there were
only two men who had taken the injection-the
doctor and one other. II it had not been the
work Of a man of standing should not have
considered the matter at all; should have put
it down as arrant humbug. But Investigated
the matter sufficiently and am sure the at
tempt to renew mans youth in that way is
absurd. l have not made any experiments
and l do not intend to make any. The theory
| is opposed to all the laws of physiology and
chemistry. Further than that, believe it is a
very dangerous proceeding, and that it is time
for reputable physicians to express their dis
approval of the experiments.
I'm what way is it dangerous?"
''There is great danger of introducing viru-
lent poison into the system. 1t is well known
that the putrefaction Of albumen produces
some of the most deadly poisOns. 1t is quite
possible that this substance injected into the
veins should act there as the arrow poison does
which is used by the South American Indians.
When the elixir is sterilized by heat or the adj
mixture of substance to prevent decay it is
quite certain that the elixir must be so changed
to lose any beneficial element it may have
had when fresh. But do not believe it has
any beneficial element when fresh. When
sklllfully prepared and injected before decay
sets in it would have no more effect than water
would. But there is always danger. 1t is hard
to tell when the moment has passed at which
the harmless substance becomes dangerous
The juices of newly dead body, as undertaken
and medical students know, are much more
dangerous when absorbed through a wound
than those Of a body that has been preserved
some time. DR.. Brown-Sequards injections
were all very painful. l believe that many
cases Of erysipelas have followed these injec-
tions."
As an offset to the Brown-Sequard elixir there
Is device for the treatment of nervous dis
eases, which DR.. Hamilton brought from Paris
with him and which he says is well worth con-
sideration. 1t is the invention of DR.. Luis of
Paris. 1t is simple affair There is a little
cherry box about five inches square, above
which project two shafts, one within the other,
sleeve and arm fashion. On each shaft is bal
anced black bar nine inches long, an inch
wide and quarter inch thick, edge up. By
clock work in the box these ebony arms or bars
are made to revolve in opposite directions. Six
little round mirrors are placed on each side of
each bar. The patient is placed in chair in
dark room, facing the machine.
An electric hight or any bright light Is con-
centrated on the black arms of the machine by
a convex mirror placed behind the patient. and
then the arms are set whirling. The patient
watches them whirl. The motion and flashing
lights operated on the nerves through the ewes.
DIR. Hamilton said he had seen patients put to
sleep by this means and some extraordinary
cures accomplished. The explanation of the
effect of the whirling arms and flashing lights
is that they change the habit of the brain. The
effect is analogous to that produced by soft
music on a nervous or irritated man. but the
rhythm of regularly flashing lights has more
powerful effect upon the brain than the rhythm
of music.