Year: 1866

To the Editors Of the GevelaHd Leader:


GENTLEMEN-Health appears to be the
highest terrestrial aim of both rich and
poor; is esteemed the climax of all
earthly blessings; and, when lost no con-
sideration seems too great, no reward too
high, for its restoration. For its preserva-
tion, it is absolutely essential we should
comprehend and yield ready obedience to
the immutable laws that govern our
physical systems; and when unavoidable
circumstances, or an indulgence in eur
own indiscretions, have deprived US of it,
it becomes still more necessary that we
should thoroughly understand the surest
and most rational means of restoring it.
Lectures are being delivered, books. are
being written, newspapers TEEN with
articles on Science, National Politics, Law
and Theology, while the great and vital
subject Of the Laws of Health remains
enyeloped in darkness and obscurity.


Physicians who alone are competent to
discuss the questions; to explain the
causes that produce disease; the symp-
toms by which its approach is known
and the most certain means of guarding
against it, are either learnedly silent, or
confine their writings to medical journals,
which they so completely fill with
technicslities, as to place them entirely be-
yond the comprehension of ordinary read
ers. In fact it seems ever to have been
the studied object of our profession, to en-
shroud the science and art of medicine in
the deepest mystery.


1t is lamentable indeed, more especially
in country like this, where the masses
are so intelligent and well informed on
general topics, to find so few who possess
correct ideas on the important subject of
health,-a subject paramount interest 10
all others, and one so intimately connect
ed with the life, and happiness of the hu-
man race.


E5The medical profession generally seem
to have some unexplainable objection to
appear in the columns of newspaper
either as teachers or discussionists; but
while anxious for the regard and good
opinion of our brethren, we claim the
right to act in the matter, as a sense of
justice and feeling for humanity dictate


When we consider that consumption
and its kindred diseases prematurelv
carry of one-third of our population, and
that there is scarcely a single household
throughout the length and breadth of the
civilized world, that has not mourned
the loss of some dear friend or relative
from this hitherto uneonquerable enemy,
we feel We are justified in throwing off
the trsmmels of false etiquette, and
freeing ourselves from the silly, self-im-
posed barriers that have deferred the
great body of the profession from at
tempting TO enlighten their fellow beings
on the deeply interesting subject of health
and disease.


For several years past we have devoted
our exclusive attention to the study and
treatment of pulmonary affections, and in
brief series of letters, void of techni-
calities, and written for the benefit of all
classes, we propose to give the result of
our extensive experience and research.


A war that would destroy two millions
of men anRually-that wOuld sweep two
millions of the finest of our race from off
the earth, would shock Christianity, revo-
lutionize governments, derange commerce,
and excite and alarm the whole world
And, although it has been estimated that
that number Of human beings are each
and every year hurried to premature
graves by that fell destroyer, Consump-
ton, vet how few there are who have put
forth any rational efforts TO check this
fearful ravsge? To attempt to prove the
utter inutility of a system of medication
that witnesses so terrible sacrifice of hu-
man life, from any single malady, would
be superhuous indeed. All recognized
authorities on the subject admit it.


Sir James Clark, in speaking of Con-
sumption, says: HTke i1effeGev of all
means hitherto adopted for diminishing the
frequency or reducing the mortality Of this
class Of disease, Is of itself sufficient incitc-
zaent to rs to seek for some other msthod
of Tensedyiag the sviL"


The ablest medical writers during the
last half century, have made equally
frank and startling admissions; and still
thousands of medical men continue in the
old routine course of stonachic medica-
ton, regardless of warnings, and SEEM
ingIy regardless of consequences.


We feel gratified to know that the sys-
TEN Of Medieated Inhalation, which we
have so strenuously advocated and prac-
tised with such unparalleled success, is at
last receiving that attention from the
medical profession It's vast importance de-
mands. Its simplicity, its nationality, no
less than its unquestionable superiority
over every other system of practice, must
ultimately ensure its adoption by the
whole world, as the only hope of arresting
this fearful scourge that devastates the
land, and from whose -ravages no country
is frae no home secure


Our letter on Chronic Catarrh viii ap-
pear on Wednesday next


We remain, your obedient servants,


= DIS. KELLY s. RAMSAY,


Physicians for Diseases Of the Throat and


Lungs rs-aass


NorE-Drs. Kelly & Ramsay can be
consulted either personally or by letter
upon the various affections of the throat
and lungs, embracing Catarh, Sore-throat,
Bronchitis, Asthma, and Consumption, at
"