St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-15
VIEWS OF LOCAL GALENS.
ST. Paul Physicians Decidedly
Skeptical of the Elixir.

SkCDtICat VI TIC
Most of the ST. Paul physicians are
very skeptical on the elixir subject.
One or two are willing to try the expert
ment for what is in it, but none could
be found to commend it outright. Many
refused to be quoted in any way, though
others freely gave their views. Some
of the expressions Of opinion follow:
DR.. Henry F. Hoyt-I am, as yet, I'M
able to express an opinion as to the
practical value of the discovery. 1t is
something chat it will take time and
future experience to determine. | am
inclined to the belief, however, that it
is but little more than powerful slim
ulant, and would have no lasting effect
If such should prove to be the case, the
fluid must be administered from time to
time to have the desired effect, and it
might result in great injury to the sys-
thin. One thing is certain, when nerve
tissues are once destroyed they can
never be built up again by artificial
means. l have prepared quantity of
the elixir, and have everything in readi-
ness to make the experiment. | have
attempted to induce a patient afflicted
with nervous trouble to accept the
treatment, but as yet he is little Shaky
about it, and don't know whether he
will submit to it or not.
DR.. j. A. QUINN have no personal
knowledge of the effects of the fluid
upon the human system. but from what
| have read in the medical journals |
do not consider the alleged discovery
proved, and do not believe the elixir of
life has been discovered. =. Still, there
may be something i'll it as medical dis
cOveLy.
DR.. A. B. Ancker-I don't have much
faith in it. 1t don't think it is intended
that man shall discover the elixir of
life. | have made no experiments, as
yet, with the fluid.
DR.. Talbot JOneS-I. have had an ap-
plication from gentleman who desires
an injection of the Auid for nervous
trouble, and will perform the operation
soon. Still, | have little faith in the
alleged discovery. and told the patient
so. l do not believe that there can be
anything specific in the secretions of
glands that could have such a marvel
Gus effect upon the human system. In
most of fine tests that have been made it
is simply the effect of mind over mat
ter. The patients have been worked up
TO high state of imagination, and after
the injection were fully convinced that
they had received great benefits.
DR.. Ritchie-I can we'll understand
that this Brown-Sequard elixir may
prove successful as temporary stimu-
liant. but nothing more. However, in
the hands of inexperienced men great
harm may be done. l look upon all
these ellXirs as mere fads. There is in
medicine, as in milliner's fashions,
constant change going on, What is
popular to-day is almost forgotten to-
morrow. The Brown-Sequard elixir is
now the rage; SO was the blue glass
craze few years ago. But who ever
hears of the blue glass theory to-day?
1t will be so with this latest contestant
for public favor. | do not look for any
substantial gam to medicine by its adop-
ton, If it ever is taken up generally by
the medical profession.
DR.. Wheaton, think the elixir of
life is all nonsense. 1t is simply SOme
fantastic thing emanating from an old
mans brain. AS for its restoring pro-
creative power, it is all bOsh.
Dr. McLaren--When / read DR..
Brown-Sequard's original article on the
virtues Of his elixir. l thought that he
must be in his dotage. The elixir is
simply a fashionable remedy and will
soon die away.
DR.. q. Il. Metcalf-This elixir of life
L guess Is HDtuihS UT a uSStliiS SltUW.
| don't believe in il. II will gradually
die away the same &c the now fad of
curing consumption by injections OF
suIphurated hydrogen dir. When
bromide u sodium and choral were
tirss discovered, wcEceis were claimed
IL. them as remedies, bat it Gi,;n'G last
i1ug.
Tr. G. N. Earion-I don't believe
there is any human remedy that can
make 81 old RAN yoIr.g. 4 person
nigh; ea. the procreA.i.c glands OF
iaGb and racsiya certain stimulus
f,om the nnlrishtnsAt, but do not be-
llevG in the elixir as q regeneration. Old
Rnmaa noues used to eat the procre-
alive gianG5 ard muscles, as history
tells us, supposine that it would bring
them back their youth. History, how
ever, tells us whether their youth was
restored or not. Now take pepSin, for