The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-01
BENJAMIN Franklin Medical Wis
dom,

The philosophy Of BENJAMIN FRANK
LIN has peen the theme Of teachers
for many years. nut the fact that his
versatile genius euulcinted In that
distant time ideas on sanitation that
are adopted universally today adds
new lustre to his ACHE, ements for
human welfare.
\ discussion Of the cause of FRANK.
Inns aversion to alcoholic drinks In
Il recent number Of the journal OF
the American Medical Association
brings out the fact that his objection
10 alcohol was primarily On the
ground Of its "Inuddling" effect and
seuondarily because Of its expensive
ness. incidentally DR.. DILLrR Of
ritisburg quotes some excerpts from
the philosophers little book on Medl-
cine, now GU Of print. which are In
structive though not generally known.
DR.. SuINFLN. an authority IN the
value of fresh air. says that FRANK.
Inns views are the equal Of the most
advanced views current today"
That he had shared the prevalent
dread IT fresh air is evident from the
following:
Experience has convinced me OF my
Error. | row look upon fresh Air as a
friend | even sleep with an open Win
dow | am persuaded that no common
ths Air within a close Room. that has
been often breath'd and not changed
Moist Air. 90, which formerly | thought
Pernicioug. gives me no Apprehensions.
You ply sicisns have " late ha ppiiy dis
covered that fresh and cool Air does
good to Persons in the smallpox and
9th r Fevefs, II Is TO be hoped that in
another Century or two We may find
out that I, is not bad even for People
in Health"
The idea that colds may I've due to
heterogeneous is foreshadowed in
the following excerpt
"Napors arising from Marshes and
stagnant Pools, in which many Insects
die and corrupt the Water, AFFORD un.
wholeso,ne Air and ii Is not the mere
Water contained in the Damp Air, bu,
the volatile Particles Of corrupted ami
NAL matter mixed with that Water.
which renders such air PcrniCious "a
sIAa1 ola aakA I ta. -.-.
1t a Cause Of III same kind that renders
the Air In a close Room where the per-
spirable Matter is bredthel over and
over again by "A number Of assembled
People so hur,ful to Health. Afr be-
ing In such a situation. many find them.
selves affected by the Fsbricuia which
the English alone call a cold and per
haps from the Name imagine that they
caught the malady by going out Of the
Room, whfn it was in fact by being
In IT,"
The following may serve as u les
son to both lay people and physicians
Some years since, "A number of par,
alytics were brought to me from differ,
ent parts Of PENNSYLVANIA aud tn,
~neighboring PROVINCES, to he electrised
which ! did for them at h,ir request
Appearances gave great spirits
to the patients and made them hope 4
perfect cure. ! never knew any advan
tag from electricity in palsies that wa
permanent. And how far the apparen
temporary advantage might arise frou
the spirits given by the hope OF success
enabling them to exert y:Vre strength
IN moving their limbo Il. viii not pre-
tend to say
Dr. FRANKLIN invented the bif0cu
s%ppctuclcs now In common use. An,
he was the first to Use the hnmmocI
bnth now successfully applied 10
nervous and mental diseases. "a
, PoLtoN BoNAPAsTE probably lenrne
from FRANKIIN's hook the value Il
i, this prolonged bath, which accordin
, to Or. ACHILLES RosE the Empero
used when engaged in the most ardr
GUS campaigns. To relieve the tensile