A VEGETABLE, MERCURIAL, AND SPIRITUOUS PREPARATION WHICH I DENOMINATE QUINTESSENCE ANTI-PSORIQUE, OR METTEMBERG'S WATER, AND ALSO A PARTICULAR METHOD OF EMPLOYING THE SAME BY CUTANEOUS ABSORPTION AS A SPECIFIC AND MEDICAL COSMETIC
Year: 1825

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, the
Chevalier JOSEPH DE METTEMBERG, of Foley Place, in the Parish of Saint
Marylebone, in the County of Middlesex, Physician, late Surgeon Major in
the French Armies, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-sixth day of February, in the sixth year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph De Mettemberg. His especial licence, that I, the said Joseph
De Mettemberg, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Joseph De Mettemberg, my exors, aditiors, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and also in His said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention
of "A VEGETABLE, MERCURIAL, AND SPIRITUOUS PREPARATION WHICH I DENOMINATE
QUINTESSENCE ANTI-PSORIQUE, OR METTEMBERG'S WATER, AND ALSO A PARTICULAR
METHOD OF EMPLOYING THE SAME BY CUTANEOUS ABSORPTION AS A SPECIFIC AND
MEDICAL COSMETIC;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Joseph De Mettemberg, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and
my

page_text: to cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Do Mettemberg, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner of making, producing, and compounding my aforesaid
quintessence anti-psorique, or Mettemberg's water, and of using and applying
the same when so made and produced, are herein-after particularly set forth
and described, that is to say:-
When administered by cutaneous absorption, and according to the method
herein-after detailed, Mettenberg's water is free from the inconveniences of
mercurial and sulphureous ointments, &c., and from the dangers of internal
mercurial preparations, of which the prescriptions are contained in the diffe-
rent pharmacopoeias, the absorption of mercury as modified and divided ad
infinitum in the quintessence antipsorique may be rated at one grain per day
when used as a diaphoretic, and at a twentieth part of a grain only as a pero-
phylactic or preventive remedy; the beneficial effects of this specifico-cosmetic
have been borne out by a foreign official summary of authentic facts.
In chronic affections, of which the symptoms are very various, but the causes
few, practitioners are solicited to make trial of this new experimental
method as a very valuable external revulsive remedy, and patients to make the
same trial under their inspection.
I beg to observe in this place, 1", that I have been placed in the rank of
physician and surgeon of the first class of the French armies by a special
decision of the French Government of the Thirteenth June, One thousand
eight hundred and four, conformably to the regulations of the law of the
10th March, One thousand eight hundred and three, for the practice of
medicine.
2nd, that the invention of my specifico-cosmetic was called forth at the
desire of the French Government in 1794.
3rd, that I obtained public reparation against the calumnious writings
levelled at my discovery by a sentence of the Correctional Tribunal of Paris,
given on the First of August, 1821.
4th, that mon's passions do not reason, and that most useful discoveries have
been rejected in their infancy.
The following is the receipt for the preparation of my quintessence anti-
psorique or Mettenberg's water:-Take deuto chlorito of mercury, or corrosive
sublimate, half a dram; distilled water, or other pure water, fourteen ounces;

page_text: vegetable spirituous infusion, which will be herein-after described, two ounces;
nitric alcohol, highly rectified, half a dram.
Modus Faciendi, or Mode of Preparation.-The mercurial salt above
named is to be pounded in a glass,mortar with a pestle of the same substance,
and to be dissolved gradually in the distilled water, and the solution to be
poured into a bottle. The vegetable spirituous infusion, and the nitric alcohol
highly rectified, is to be then added, after which the bottle to be well shaken, &
corked to preserve the contents, to be employed according to the mode of
application herein-after described, which mode of application constitutes an
essential part of this new physiological remedy, and completes the Invention.
The vegetable spirituous infusion above referred to as entering into the
composition of the quintessence antipsorique or. Mettenberg's water, is made
as follows:-Take dried leaves of wormwood, of sage, of wild mint or men-
tastrum, of calamut or. baum of thyme, picked clean, dried flowers of lavender,
of camomile, of elder, dried roots of gentian, of male fern, of saponaria or
soapwort, of each sort two ounces; brandy of full proof strength, or from 18
to 19 degrees above 0, 192 ounces, or six French litres.
Modus Faciendi, or Manner of Preparing the Spirituous Vegetable
Infusion. The leaves and roots are to be cut small, and they are then to be
put into a vessel or mattrass with the flowers, the brandy is then to be poured
over them, the vessel or mattrass.closed tight, and the mixture suffered to
digest cold for about 12 or 15 days, after which time the liquour is poured off
and the residuum submitted to a strong pressure to obtain the whole of it.
The liquour is then to be bottled, the bottles being quite filled and well corked,
when it may be preserved in a cellar for use.
Observations I wish to be observed.-1st, that it is only for the sake of a
greater identity and regularity that I have named in my receipt distilled water.
I declare that good common water (soft, rain, river, or spring water), filtered, if
not quite limpid and clear, may be substituted in its place at all times. 2nd,
that by nitric alcohol highly rectified, I mean that which has been distilled
several times. 3rd, that "dento chlorite of mercury" is the latest scientific
denomination of corrosive sublimate. (Thenard, Professor of Chemistry,
3rd vol. 1824.) 4th, that I use for the composition of my specifico-cosmetic
a French weight, of which the pound is sixteen ounces, the ounce eight
drams, the dram of 72 grains; this agrees with 884 scruples of English
apothecaries weight to the pound, consequently the ounce contains 24
scruples, and the dram 8 scruples; and also a measure of which the litre
is.82 French ounces for water, being equivalent to 39 English ounces.
5th, although corrosive sublimate is in itself poisonous, yet it ceases to be

page_text: so when compounded as aforesaid, and a part of it becomes simple muriate
of mercury or calomel, whilst the rest is modified by a chemical change
brought about in it by the several substances added to it as above described.
Peculiar Method of using the Vegetable, Mercurial, and Spirituous Com
position, or Mettenberg's Water, as a specific or special remedy agains
psoric disease, and as a medico cosmetic, under the denomination of a new
medical method, by cutaneous absorption and natural crises.-I employ
and direct this composition to be used to discover, cure, and prevent psori
diseases internal as well as external. First, to discover and cure a multi
tude of chronic maladies reputed obstinate and incurable, which are produced
and supported by old or degenerated scabies, or by internal psoric disease
sublatâ causâ tollitur effectus. These maladies shew themselves frequently
in the various symptoms of obstruction, gout, rheumatism, tetters, ulcers,
dropsy, pulmonary catarrhs, epilepsy, intermittent fevers, paralysis, a cachetic
state, &c., which symptoms change again in our descendants and become
complicated with other morbific discases or humors. Secondly, to cure
radically all kinds of visible or apparent scabies, whether recent, old, inve
terate, accidental, critical, and salutary, with this advantage over all other
medical practice, that it does not prevent the patient from pursuing bis
habitual occupations and regimen, and that it does not spoil the linen nor
clothes which he wears while in the use of it, which is an important
advantage, particularly for the public service. Srdly, to prevent these same
maladies in the form of a cosmetic for the use of the toilette and cleansing
the person, for which it will be found one of the best cosmetics. The general
treatment or mode of using the quintessence antipsorique, or Mettemberg's
water, as an indicative, curative, derivative, and depurative, or external
revulsive means, is by lotion or wash, to be applied as follows:-The bottle
containing the quintessence antipsorique, or Mettenberg's water, having been
well shaken, about 2 or three ounces of it should be poured into a glass
and thence into a basin or deep plate. The patient should then dip the
inside of his hands into it and wash his limbs (from the shoulders to the
fingers, and from the hips to the extremities of the toes, including the soles of
the fect) all over several times until the whole dose be consumed. The air
striking upon the pores favors the absorption of the remedy into the skin of
the limbs thus washed with it, and in less than a quarter of an hour the
patient must complete the absorption by rubbing himself lightly all over with
the palm of the hands until the skin is dry. To avoid the effect of the cold
upon the naked skin, he should uncover only two limbs at a time, and wash
and rub himself before the fire or in a room warmed by a stove.
This

page_text: operation is only to be performed once a day, and the best time for it is when
the digestion is completed, and particularly in the evening just before going to
bed. In cases of apparent or visible scabies (recent, old, and inveterate) the
strength of the medicine must be first diminished by adding an equal portion of
common water to it, which will double the quantity of the dose above mentioned,
and then the patient will wash and rub all the other parts of his body affuted
with eruptions and itching also, but more lightly than the limbs, until he can,
by convalescence, return to the pure quintessence applied only to the limbs as
aforesaid. For those parts which are affected with violent eruptions previously
existing or called forth by the remedy, the quintessence must for a time be
mixed with at least three parts of either river or spring water, or be so diluted
that the patient shall at no time experience more than a very slight smarting,
the dose being in all cases augmented or diminished, according to its effects.
The use of Mettemberg's water is to be thus continued until all eruption
whatsoever is removed, till the skin recovers its natural smoothness and
beauty, and until lotion made with the quintessence alone produces no more
sensible effect than an ablution with common water, and only occasions (with
the exception of a few pimples here and there) a slight unnatural perspiration,
more or less abundant; the quintessence must then be mixed with two thirds
of water, and the use of it only discontinued when the pimples and itching
have entirely gone away, and the perspiration has again become natural or
insensible, which experience has shewn to be an entire destruction of the
psoric disease. The bottle should be well corked after having been used, and
the glass, as well as the basin or plate, rinsed, and the whole put away. A
bottle of Mettemberg's water containing from 26 to 28 ounces lasts eight or
ten days, when used without dilution. It has an agreeable smell, and does
not spoil the linen.
Directions. In the indicative treatment of scabies, or for the discovery of
such as is presumed to be repercuted, palliated, or degenerated (that is, driven
in, and apparently cured), or if internal psoric disease, the dose must be.
reduced to half the foregoing, and mixed with an equal portion of water,
when used for children under the age of five years, and mixed with a third
part of water for children from five to twelve. The same process must be
observed for temperaments more or less delicate, more or less irritable, more
or less weakened, resorting, however, gradually to the use of the undiluted
quintessence. If thus modified it does not produce its usual effect, should
the cause of the complaint not come within the range of my specific, it
occasions no pimples, no itching, no sensible or marked effect upon the skin,
nor does it affect the general state of the health; it then serves merely to

page_text: beautify the skin, and it would be useless to prolong the trial of it beyond
from two to four bottles; but in the contrary case, by bringing successively
out upon the skin the internal or disguised psoric disease, it produces the cure,
or at least the amendment, of maladies of all kinds which may result from
such disease, and there will appear, principally at the bend of the arms, of the
wrists, on the hand, and the inside of the thighs, either redness or an eruption
of pimples, accompanied with itching, which fall in scurf, and are succeeded by
others, and disappear by perspiration. This treatment by cutaneous absorption
does not derange the usual mode of living and the occupations of the patient; it
does not subject him to the necessity of any preliminary preparation nor of any
peculiar regimen; he requires no other anti-psoric remedy, either internal
or external, it being sufficient that he should be temperate, avoid excesses,
cold, damp, and draughts of air; he must therefore be careful to clothe him-
self, and lie rather more warmly in bed than usual, that he may not thwart
the crisis, which is to be produced by perspiration. In the indicative, deri-
vative, and depurative treatment, the patient may neglect washing and rubbing
bis arms, and confine the lotions to the lower extremities, extending them to
the haunches and buttocks, and using the whole of the dose above men-
tioned of the specific; he should, however, at least once a week, and previous
to putting on clean linen, wash all the other parts of his body with a mixture
formed of one part of the quintessence and three parts of warm water, and
dry himself afterwards with a cloth. I must observe again, that my specific
is confined to the destruction and cure of psoric disease in general, and that
its application in maladies, infirmities, or discases which have no connection
with it, is followed by no eruption of pimples or salutary crisis. I wish it
to be observed at the same time, that this disease proceeding also from
internal causes, such as bad food, the suppression or diminution of the per-
spiration, of the menstrual discharge, licentiousness of the imagination, a con-
sequence of corrupt moral affections, &c., &c., many invalids carry the
elements of it in their blood, without its ever having developed itself externally
by the symptoms which ordinarily characterise it. This will explain critical
and salutary scabies. The ordinary dose is from two to four bottles to prove
its efficacy or inefficacy in chronic or obstinate affections, whereof the cause is
unknown; from eight to twelve to purify the blood in cases of scabies degene-
rated or internal psoric disease; from two to four to destroy radically old and
inveterate scabies proceeding from external causes; one bottle to cure the
eruptions of scabies recently communicated and not susceptible of renewed
eruptions, and one bottle at most to restore to its previous state and its
natural seat scabies newly repercuted and not changed in its nature. If the

page_text: remedy acts too powerfully, it must be modified for the time with a good deal
of water. The patient must not seek to hurry its effects in the hopes of a
speedier treatment; he must sound nature and follow its course, which will not
be forced, for impatience will only retard the cure. In cases of scabies dege-
nerated or of internal psoric disease (of chronic psoric maladies, reputed
obstinate or incurable), the eruptions excited, though always accompanied
with itching, shew themselves principally under the form of milia, tetters,
erisypelas, prurigo, and the patient must not mind the length of the treatment,
even should it exceed three months; the virus which infects the mass of the
blood, and prevents its free circulation, can only be extirpated insensibly, and
in proportion to the regeneration of the humours. It is necessary that the
crisis should take place in a gentle and progressive manner, and not violently;
and at the same time a strengthening regimen ought to be followed, which
will support nature and prepare a good state of digestion, as good soups or
broths, and succulent and nutritive aliments; wine, porter, chocolate, coffee,
and tea, taken in moderation, are not. prejudicial; exercise and motion
in airy places are also good. The use of the quintessence should not
be discontinued suddenly. After having derived from the treatment the
desired benefit,, recourse should be had from time to time to the prophy-
lactic lotion herein-after mentioned. The spring and summer are the most
favourable seasons for beginning the treatment of degenerate scabies or of
internal psoric disease. Few or no pimples come on the hands, and the
eruption, being changed in its nature, does not communicate scabies. The
cure of apparent and contagious scabies may be performed at all times.
Before beginning the lotions, the large pimples should be opened with a
point. After the first few lotions, the virus begins to lose its contagious
quality, and with a little precaution the person suffering may continue to mix
in society without fear of communicating it. When the skin is dirty,
particularly on the hands and feet, it must be washed with common water
before beginning the use of the quintessence. (Persons with whom economy
is not an object, may begin by washing themselves with a lotion of the quin-
tessence modified with three times its quantity of water, and afterwards wipe
themselves with a cloth, in order the better to cleanse the skin, open the
pores, and thus prepare the way for the other lotions of the remedy, which
then acts as an internal medicament.) In cases of scabies, where it is only
a local malady, or where it does not infect the mass of the blood, and its seat
is confined to the skin, no renewed eruptions appear, and the cure is performed
very quickly. After the first few lotions the. pimples become deadened, the
itching diminishes, and perspiration and sleep return. In all other cases the

page_text: eruptions of scabies are reproduced, and the treatment then becomes more
or less tedious, according as the system is more or less vitiated in its humors,
and according to the constitution of the patient.
Lastly, Mettemberg's water may be used in travelling, and the use of it
discontinued in very cold weather, or when the patient does not feel inclined
to wash himself. Nothing retards a cure more than scratching, but a few
drops of the quintessence in half a glass of water will serve to allay any itching,
as well as to dress all psoric eruptions. But large excoriations should be
covered with a softening and desiccated salve; as, for example, one of white
lead ointment, or with a plaster of red lead spread upon cloth. An emollient
and maturative plaister, as for example, compound diachylum, should be put
on the boils or small tumors, and a piece of oiled or gummed silk kept on the
parts affected with tetters. It is indispensable for the patient to be cleanly,
and to change his linen and bed linen as usual; as to mattresses and counter-
panes, and clothes which cannot be washed with lye, they must be beaten and
exposed to the fresh air; or, still better, it is indispensable for a patient who
has not the means of changing his dress and his bed clothes (if he does not
wish to expose himself to perpetuate or renew the infection of scabies) to
wash and cleanse well that part of his clothes which immediately touches the
skin, and for still greater security to impregnate them afterwards with the
anti-psoric water. Mettemberg's water is always used cold when alone, but
when modified or diluted, it is indifferent whether cold, lukewarm, or hot
water be added to it. Women who during the treatment should happen
to menstruate may continue it, observing to add an equal portion of
hot water to the liquor. Should the nails become more or less stained, it
need excite no anxiety, as they are restored to their natural state soon after.
This slight inconvenience happens mostly in the treatment of degenerated
scabies to those patients who dip a sponge or rag into the pure liquor,
in order to spread it over the skin of their limbs, thus necessarily and indis-
tinctly impregnating the nails. This inconvenience may be easily avoided by
using only the inside of the hands for rubbing in the medicine without
touching the nails (as before explained in the article Treatment), or else a
brush of goat's hair with a long handle may be used for applying the lotion,
still using, however, the dry palm of the hand to rub the specific into the skin.
Persons who do not make a constant use of the remedy, and only employ it at
the toilette with a sponge, are not exposed to stain their nails. Besides, those
who devote themselves to the care of patients preserve themselves from the
effects of the contagion by washing their hands immediately after having used
them for rubbing, as seen herein-after in the article Prophylactic Lotion. Preg-

page_text: nant women and wetnurses may use it, and it will benefit their children.
Wetnurses may wash the bodies of their children with a few drops of the
quintessence only in half a, glass of water rather lukewarm. During the
treatment the patient must abstain from all active internal remedies, and con-
fine himself to the use of analeptics, such as milk, wine, or porter, and
mucilaginous beverages. In all complicated cases where there exists a malady
foreign to scabies which requires immediate attention, the use of Mettemberg's
water should either be deferred or quite relinquished. In cases of acute
psoric maladies, of uneasiness, of fever, of inflammation, of internal pains, of
irritation and prevention of sleep, of violent eruptions and itching, a softening,
temperate, and refreshing regimen should be observed, and beverage of a cor-
responding nature taken; as these maladies diminish, the ordinary regimen
should be gradually resumed. When the patient experiences a loss of appetite,
sourness on the stomach, clamminess and bitterness in the mouth, has strong
breath, a more copious discharge of saliva, and thick urine, he should take
some slight purgatives, and cease using the lotions; he must also avoid all
unnatural evacuations, except those through the pores of the skin, and follow,
for complicated cases, the general principles of medicine. Persons in whom
the nervous system is very irritable may alternately use the lotions, and a
common bath rather approaching to hot than lukewarm. They may also
towards the close of the treatment, in cases of degenerated scabies, leave.an
interval of one or even two days between the lotions. Persons who have
blisters and issues must dress them as usual during the treatment, taking care
not to derange the edges of their bandages. The same line of conduct must be
observed in all other surgical cases; if one of the limbs happens to be the part
affected it must be excepted from the lotions administered to the three others,
in order to divide and derive the internal psoric disease from the disordered
part, which it is requisite to calm and strengthen. Mettemberg's water
is never applied otherwise than externally; if any of it was swallowed from
inadvertence, its effect would be to produce vomiting, which would be promoted
by drinking a quantity of warm water, after which some rich broths and
emollient clysters, and other softening remedies,. should be administered. The
empty bottles may be used to put wine or any other liquid for drinking
in after they have been well rinsed first with lye and then with fresh water.
The quintessence anti-psorique, or Mettemberg's water, may be conveyed by
land, by water, and into all countries, without being subject to be spoiled, care
being taken to keep it on its arrival in a temperate place. To sum up, it is
sufficient during the indicative, derivate, and depurative treatment, to observe
the following rules, viz': 1st, at night to put an extra covering over the feet

page_text: when in bed. 2nd, during the day to wear two shirts, one over the other, or
one shirt with a flannel waistcoat, flannel drawers, or petticoat worsted or
cotton, or rabbits hair. 3rd, to take in the evening after the lotions, and in
the morning a quarter of an hour after getting up, some weak ten. 4th,
lastly, to calm and strengthen the interior and drive the crisis to the exterior
of the body. In pains symptomatic of gout and rheumatism, which pro-
ceeded from intercepted perspiration, as well as from repercuted scabies, I
should recommend, in addition to my specific or medico-cosmetic lotions, the
use of the following plants, as well in the form of a light and agreeable
sweetened tea, as in fumigations applied to the part affected, which should be
afterwards wrapped up in flannel. Take dried leaves of sage, germander,
ground ivy, white nettle, and dried flowers of camomile, equal quantities of
each. Patients are, moreover, particularly requested to undergo the treat-
ment before described under the guidance of medical advisers in whom they
place confidence.
Prophylatic Lotion, or peculiar Manner of using Mettenberg's Water for
the Toilette, as a Preventative and Preservative against Psoric Infliction,
rather than a Cure for the same.-In order to completely cleanse the skin
and to preserve it against the contagious effects of scabies, the person using it
will take a liquor glass full of the quintessence anti-psorique, mixed with
three times the quantity of water (that is, a quarter of the quintessence to
three quarters of water), and was generally or partially all the external parts
of the body according to the directions herein-before mentioned, and will then
wipe it dry. A second lotion should in like manner be rubbed in until
absorbed, which is to be applied exclusively to the four limbs, or only to the
hands. Thus when a person happens to have slept in a contagious bed, or to
have touched anything suspicious, Mettemberg's water serves at once as a
cosmetic and as a preservative against a malady the consequences of which are
so cruel. Besides, this lotion will maintain the natural perspiration; used
also occasionally for the head, it prevents the formation of the pellicles which
are found at the roots of the hair, and which proceeding from intercepted
perspiration eventually cause the hair to fall off. After each lotion the head
must be wiped. From 12 to 15 drops of the quintessence decanted into half
a glass of fresh water will do to wash the face, and the same proportions
should be observed in using the bidet. The preservative virtue possessed by
Mettemberg's water against the effects of the contagion of scabies may be
explained thus: if it is incontestable that this water has the property of
destroying even the radical disease in the oldest and most inveterate scabies,
it follows a fortiori that it must be capable of destroying it in its beginning, and

page_text: of preventing its extension. The desired effect could only fail of being produced
where the use and absorption of the remedy was not proportionate to the malig-
nity of the virus, and then if any pimples should appear, accompanied with
itching, the patient might quickly get rid of them by applying a few lotions accord-
ing to the article Treatment. Moreover, experience proves that the freshness
and beauty of the skin depend principally on the freedom with which the insen-
sible perspiration takes place. Every animal of great muscular power (as the
horse) would lose his strength, and even die, if the perspiration was not
carefully kept up by daily rubbing with the curry comb and brush. Thus in
northern climates, where fogs are more common, and consequently the perspi-
ration more susceptible of being intercepted, the means above described for
preserving the health must be considered as very advantageous, particularly
when assisted by a method suited to the climate, such as the one in question,
as will be seen hereafter in the article Medico-cosmetic.
A few Reflexions on a False Medical System, on the Ravages occasioned by
Psoric Disease, on its Nature, on the Necessity of opposing to it a triumphant
Remedy, and principally of expelling it through the Pores of Perspiration.-The
insect named sareopte; or hand-worm (acarus scabiei), does not always exist in
the pimple of the itch, and when it does exist, it is one of the many and very
various effects of psoric disease in general, which proceeds as well from internal
as external causes, and which a false method still prevents from being properly.
investigated, to the great detriment of the progress of practical medicine. Thus
the external symptoms which characterise all kinds of scabies are derived from
psoric disease; to cause them to disappear very quickly to the eye is a bad
system of practice, which does not always destroy their morbific principle, but
which produces a number of chronic affections reputed obstinate and incurable,
which may be defined under the name of degenerated scabies. These second-
ary maladies besiege more than ever the hospitals, appearing in innumerable
shapes, and occasioning an immense annual expense, not only in the public.
hospitals of Government, but likewise in all other hospital establishments, the
greatest part of which might be saved by the use of my new medicine and
medical method, since it requires no attendance at the hospital. The opponents
to this prudent doctrine have chosen to give the preference to sulfureous
fumigation (whose sentence time has already pronounced), and to other.
astringent and repercussive modes, inconsiderately used until now for the cure.
of scabies, which modes (weakening the animal economy, closing the pores of
the skin, choaking up the lymphatic vessels, and deranging the equilibrium.
of the functions) act in contradiction to the order prescribed by nature, and
explain the metastasis of the psoric matter. The objections raised against
the new-external revulsive treatment tending to prove that it is longer, and.

page_text: therefore more expensive to Government and the private administration of
health than the palliatives of all apparent or visible scabies, must fall when it
is considered that this physiological treatment does not require the invalids to
remain at the hospital; that soldiers and sailors remain fit for duty, and indi-
viduals for their occupation; that prisoners and the poor may be treated at home
by charitable societies; that neither their linen nor their clothes are injured; that
from the first use of the lotions their virus begins to lose its contagious quality;
and, lastly, that a simple lotion, lasting a quarter of an hour daily for about from
twenty to forty days, is not to be put on a parallel with infesting and complicated
remedies, as disgusting as they are dangerous, and the crowding together of
subjects affected with itch for fifteen days in the receptacles for putrid fevers.
Facts
prove more; by introducing into society the quintessence anti-psorique, and
using it as the means of producing personal cleanliness by washing with it, that
scourge of society, the itch, would in time be annihilated. Psoric disease in
general is in its sources a humour or real matter sui generis which must be
driven out of the body through the pores of perpiration. The only medical
directions necessary to be attended to while using my remedy are, to preserve
the stomach and other viscera, to avoid disturbing the natural and vital
functions, to derive the psoric disease in general from the internal organs
and from the mass of humours, and to cause the salutary and curative crises
to take place on the skin, where this disease must be extirpated. It is the union
of all these circumstances which combine together both in the exact com-
position of my specific, and in my invariable and certain method of applying
the same, that constitutes my anti-psoric discovery, which discovery the French
Government called forth in One thousand seven hundred and ninety-four by
making an appeal to the officers attached to the medical department, and
which was afterwards investigated and approved by the report of the Medical
Commission on the Nineteenth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and twelve.
Explanation of the Effects of Mettemberg's Water as a Specific Remedy
against Psoric Disease generally, and as the best Cosmetic.-First, it is curative
inasmuch as it destroys even the radical disease of scabies in a manner
physically demonstrable. Secondly, it is indicative because it discovers the
existence of internal psoric disease by its mode of operating always expulsive
or external-revulsive by occasioning in this peculiar case only a pruriginous
and critical eruption. Thirdly, it is derivative inasmuch as it brings to the
parts subjected to the lotions an irritation existing elsewhere, as, for example,
tetters on the breast, on the face, on the scrotum, or a fixed pain may be
brought to one or other of the limbs, and removed from the organs essential to
life. Fourthly, it is depurative inasmuch as it continues to cause caracteristic 4

page_text: eruptions and superabundant perspiration until the extinction of the internal
psoric disease. Fifthly, it is a preservative against the effects of contagion,
inasmuch as it destroys the psoric disease in its origin, and prevents its
propagation before the development of those symptoms which caracterise
scabies. Sixthly, it is the best cosmetic, inasmuch as it corrects the dryness
of the skin; the clearness of the complexion, the freshness and beauty of the
skin, depend chiefly upon a free insensible perspiration. No other waters for
the toilette have specific properties for destroying the animalcula which exist
in numbers in a heavy and much agitated atmosphere, such as that of crowded
public rooms, and insinuate themselves more particularly into the skin of the
face, and finally injure the state of it. This strengthening and special spe-.
cified cosmetic may be applied in all climates and in all seasons to soldiers,.
sailors, and all individuals collectively in temporary baths.or washing rooms
under the superintendence of a medical man.
Particular Directions respecting the Use of the concentrated Quintessence
Antipsorique, or Mettemberg's Water.-In order to extend the use and success
of my new method over all parts of the globe as a valuable benefit to mankind,
to avoid bulk, facilitate the carriage, and insure the genuineness of the
specifico-cosmetic, I have adopted the plan of concentrating, my anti-psorio
liquor, so that one bottle shall be sufficient to make eight by simply adding:
pure water, as herein-after described. The bottle containing the concentrated
Mettemberg's water should be well shaken, then a small glassfull poured into a
well rins'd bottle, and over it seven times the capacity of the same small glass
of soft water (river or spring water as clear as possible), so that the bottle:
shall contain an eighth of the concentrated remedy. The mixture is then to.
be shaken, the bottle carefully corked and put by to be used in precisely the.
same way as the ordinary quintessence anti-psorique, or Mettenberg's water,
and according to the instructions herein-before given. The composition of the
concentrated Mettenberg's water is precisely the same as that of this ordinary
remedy, with this difference, that the distilled or common water is left out to
be added afterwards, as herein-before described. I also prepare a concentrated.
and decanted Mettenberg's water. This extract decanted (that is, suffered to
stand, and poured off clear, leaving the sediment at bottom) is more particu-
larly meant to be employed, first, as a medico-cosmetic, or for the prophylastic
or preventative lution; twelve drops in a quarter of a glass of pure water (or
about one -ounce) will completely remove obstruction in the skin, give it tone,
correct its dryness, protect it against any virus which it might absorb, and
preserve it in a healthy state. Experience, recommends the absorption of this
cosmetic to be made use of immediately after having touched any suspicious
person or thing, and having exposed oneself to the introduction of any

page_text: miasma or virus into the skin. The absorption may be effected in a very
short space of time with the aid of the open air, and of slight friction.
Secondly, for the hygienic toilette, in which case the general absorption of
this extract in doses of fifteen drops in half a glass, or two ounces, of rum or
brandy or kirschemvasser, occasions a salutary warmth in the skin, assists the
functions, prevents the bowels from becoming confined, prevents and cures
pains symptomatic of rheumatism and gout, which proceed from intercepted
perspiration as well as from repercuted scabies. This lotion will counteract
the fatigues of a sea voyage or journey, compensate for the want of exercise,
keep up the fluidity of the humours, prevent many infirmities, and retards the
effects of age; it must be considered as very valuable, particularly in England,
where the perspiration is much more liable to be checked from the effect of
damp fogs, the effluvium of coal fires, &c., the frequent variations of the
atmosphere.
Thirdly, six drops in a quarter of a glass of water, or about one ounce,
will suffice daily to wash after shaving, in order to remove any infection
from the razor, prevent pimples and tetters on the face, to keep up a free
insensible perspiration, on which alone depends the clearness of the complexion,
the softness, smoothness, freshness, and true beauty of the skin, and to be
used partially as the most prudent and best cosmetic.
Fourthly, this last mixture, which is never repercussive, may also be used
successfully to allay and dress morning and evening all partial affections of
the skin, having recourse, however, at the same time, if it should not prove
sufficient to effect a cure, to the new medical method herein-beforo described,
or merely to daily lotions, applied in the evening to the lower extremities
according to the directions for the hygienic toilette above mentioned.
In conclusion, what I claim the exclusive right and benefit of, under my
herein-before in part recited Patent, is, the composition of the quintessenco
anti-psorique or Mettemberg's water, and the use and combination of the
several articles entering into the composition of the same, according to the
receipt herein-before given, as combined with the process of using or adminis-
tering the same by instantaneous absorption, as herein-before described.
I likewise lay claim to the said compound in its concentrated form, and in its
form of a medico-cosmetic for the use of the toilette, and the mode of using
the same, as also herein-before fully described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph De Mettemberg, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtyeth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.
METTEMBERG. (L.S.)

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1825, the aforesaid Joseph De Mettemberg (through the
interpretation of Charles Drewry, the said interpreter being first sworn, that
he had truly, distinctly, and audibly interpreted the contents of the above
Specification to the said Joseph De Mettemberg, and that he would truly
interprete the acknowledgment of the same). came before our said Lord the
King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all
and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and twenty-five.