The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
The Book Found by nm Indianapolis
Collector I'm a New York Second
Hand Bookstore.
JOSEPH BISHOP FIRST OWNER
THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN eng
LAND IN 1745.
IL Is Valued mt Two Hundred Dollars
and Contains Fearful and Won
derfuI" suggestions.

While rummaging through the dusty
shelves of an old secondhand book store
in New York recently an Indianapolis col
lector of rare medical books came across
an ancient volume, the leaves of which
were yellow and frail and the leather cover
so worn and dirty that the lettering on IL
indistinguishable. The pages OF the
book had long since become disconnected
from the cords and glue that had once held
them together and were only kept intact
by number of strings which were wrapped
tightly about the volume. The dealer re-
fused to unite the strings until assured
that his customer meant business" and
then he removed the cover, which came
of In two separate pieces, and disclosed
one of the few copies of Mr. Wesley's
Primitive Physic" that are in existence
to-day. The Indianapolis man purchased
the book without much parley over the
transaction, paying a high price for the
quaint old volume, and brought II back
home with him to occupy place of honor
in his library
The book was printed in London, June IL.
1747, just little over 155 years ago, and
the type is of the old English style that
requires painstaking scrutiny by modern
readers before they are able to follow the
text properly. On one of the fly leaves
the name Of the original owner OF the
book appears. penned laboriously, from all
appearances, but, no doubt, with a good
deal of pride the part OF the writer.
for he evidently considered the occasion
one Of immense Importance. This is what
was written in the long ago by the proud
possessor of the volume:
Joseph Bishop is my name,
And with my pen 1 write the same"
HIGH VALUE.
The book, which is valued at $500 by its
present owner, has attracted much at
tention among the local physicians that
have been fortunate enough TO get an OPP
portunity to examine IL. Nothing could bet
ter illustrate the progress Of medicine dur
ing the last century and a half than a
glance through the pages of this erzssre
old publication. The volume is made up OF
what its author called "a collection OF
receipts for curing all diseases" and after
reading ii through one is inclined 20 give
thanks that John Wesley's sermons have
outlived his medical advice. Even the
stoutest admirers OF the stanch old Meth
odist will find it impossible to suppress
their mirth when they read some Of his
receipts" and will find themselves won
dering IL, after ALL the good evangelist
didn't kill good many people while saving
souls. And yet John Wesley was no doubt
as good doctor as was TO be found any
where in those old times; and he had the
courage of his convictions. too. as the self
confident style in which this little book was
written proves.
In the preface he says. TO quote his own
quaint style: LAS to the manner of using
the medicines here set down, should adj
wise. as soon as you know your distemper
(Which is very easy unless In a complica-
ton of disorders. and then you would do
well to consult a physician who fears Cod.
first, use the first Of the remedies for that
disease which occurs in the ensuing collec-
ton (unless some other Of them be easier
to be had, and then IL may do just as webb;
secondly, after a competent time IL IL takes
no effect, use the second, and third. and so
on. l have purposely set down. in most
cases, several remedies for each disorder,
not only because all are not easily TO be
procured at all times and in all places. but
likewise the medicine that cures one man
will not. always cure another OF the same
distemper. Nor will Ii cure the same man
at all times. Therefore IL will be necessary
to have variety. Thirdly, in connection
with the taking of the medicines. abstain
from all mixed and high-seasoned food:
drink only water. If II agrees with your
stomach; If not. drink small beer
1t is only possible. of course. in a brief
article, TO give but few OF the remedies
which are printed I'm the old-fashioned Eng
lish type in the curious old book. For the
curing OF an ague. which seems TO have
been the most common of all sicknesses In
those days. over score OF receipts are
given. Here are few Of them: Eat a
small lemon, rind and ALL" Put a tea
spoonful OF salt of tartar into a large glass
of spring water and drink little by little.
Repeat the same dose the next two days.
before the time of the fit" when children
get an ague they can be cured by wearing
waistcoats in which the bark OF a tree is
quilted"
AN AWFUL MIXTURE.
For "St. Anthonys fire." which. as the
author explains in foot note. is fever at
| tended with red and painful swelling on
the face. the patient is advised 70 put a
gallon of cold water TO a quart OF Norway
tar, stir them together with a hat stick for
five or six minutes and after the mixture
has stood covered for three days. drink a
/ glass OF IL. warm. I'm bed every hour until
/ well" Some people RAY think that he
might have substituted until dead just as
well. For curing apoplexy. the patient is
/ TO undergo large bleedings from the neck.
while having his feet bathed I'm hot water.
and then should have his garters tied very
tight just above the knee to lessen the
motion OF the blood from the lower ex-
tremities." Canine appetite" comes In
1 for a good deal OF consideration by the
| doctor. 1t isn't explained just what Ca
nine appetite" is, but judging from some
OF the remedies given. IL must be that un-
respectable trouble known tape worm
to-day. The principal receipt In this case
| is TO dip bread In red wine and stun II In
/ the nostrils OF the sufferer"
John Wesley's suggestion for the curing
OF badness is unique and should be given
a trial ar once by those Indianapolis citi-
gems that are interested In such things
through force OF circumstances. He ad-
vises that 1.-The bald one rub his head
morning and evening with onions until IL 10
red. ar,i then rub II with honey for awhile.
! CONTINUED ON PAGE Two.)<