The medical companion, or family physician : treating of the diseases of the United States, with their symptoms, cause, cure, and means of prevention, common cases in surgery, as fractures, dislocations, &c., the management and diseases of women and children : a dispensatory for preparing family medicines, and a glossary explaining technical terms, to which are added a brief anatomy and physiology of the human body, showing, on rational principles, the cause and cure of diseases : an essay on hygiene, or the art of preserving health without the aid of medicine, also the nurse's guide

Front matter

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Preface

On the important subject of domestic medicine, many books have been written, which, though excellent in other respects, have great- ’ ly failed of usefulness to AMERICANS; because they treat of diseases which, existing in very foreign climates and constitutions, must widely differ fron: ours. The book now offered to the public, has, therefore, the great advantage of having been written by a native Ametican, of long and successful practice in the southern states, and who, for years past, has turned much of his attention to the composition of it. :

The professed object of this book is to treat in the most clear and concise manner, almost every disease to which the human body is subject, to give their common names and surest symptoms, to point out the causes whence they originate, and the most approved method of treatment—and, lastly, to prescribe the suitable regimen and means of prevention.

A publication like this cannot but be exceedingly useful to all, but especially to those who live in the country, or who go to sea,, where regular and timely assistance cannot always be obtained.

Among the many and great services to be rendered by sucha book, we may fairly state its tendency to prevent that dangerous Officiousness of ignorant persons, and, that equally pernicious neglect of the patient, at the onset of the disease, whereby so many lives are lost. ‘These, with many other evils resulting from the want of such a work, constituted the motives which first led the author to offer this publication to his countrymen. It is not for nim to de-

_termine whether it be happily executed or not; but, whatever may

be the general opinion as to its merit, he has the high satisfaction to ' know, that it not only flows from the purest motives, but also contains a faithful relation of facts, collected principally from his own experience, and, in part, selected from authors of the greatest celebrity.

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He has not hesitated, occasionally, to use the language of his favourite authors, where he found it sufficiently clear and familiar for his purpose; and he hopes this acknowledgment will be received in place of frequent reference and quotation.

The reader will find, in. the latter part of the work, a table of such medicines most commonly called for in families, with an adaption of the doses to the age of the patient, together with directions to prepare and administer them. And, as it is impossible entirely to banish technical phrases when writing on medicine, the reader is presented with a Gilossary, explaining the medical and scientific terms unavoidably employed in this work.

The author, animated by the extraordinary success of the “ Mep- IcAL Companion,” has greatly improved and enlarged it, by a synopsis of the anatomy and physiology of the human body; essays on air, food, exercise, sleep, evacuations, and passions; and a Materia Medica.

Thus improved, the Meptcat Companion not only treats of the art of preserving health, and curing disease, but also inculcates a familiar knowledge of the human system, in all its parts, and the laws that govern its economy It is obvious, that by due attention to the non-naturals, by which is to be understood the means of preserving health, we may go far to protect this fabric from injury or disease. ‘'T'o inculcate this truth more universally and successfully, the disquisitions contained in this work, are enlivened with appropriate illustrations, calculated to make impressions on the mind of the reader, as lasting as they are important.

Not the least valuable portion of this work is the Marertra Meptca, pointing out those precious simples wherewith Gop has graciously stored our meadows, fields, and woods, for the healing of our diseases, and rendering us happily independent of foreign medicines, which, while they are sometimes hard to be obtained, are frequently adulterated, and always costly.

To conclude—the author having added much new and important matter to this eighth edition, it will, unquestionably, be found much more valuable than any of the former; because he has laboured to correct in this, all the errors and imperfections that have hitherto appeared, has enlarged upon the treatment of most diseases, and has introduced several others, particularly that scourge of the South and West, the malignant fever, sometimes denominated the Cold Plague,

PREFACE, XXV which were not previously noticed, though highly important to be well known and understood.

In the present state of the science of medicine, daily improving by experience, and adding rapidly to the number of valuable remedies, he felt it incumbent upon him to enlarge considerably on the treatment of the diseases generally, as well as to make other additions, which a work of this nature required, in order to its increased usefulness.

In a familiar style he has pointed out the modus operandi of the different remedies; has given the prognostics of diseases; has noticed more particularly the circumstance whence the disorders originate, for the purpose of guarding against occurrences; has distinguished those cases which yield readily to the employment of simple means, from those which require the regular attendance of a medical practitioner ; and has detailed the means for checking or retarding the progress of such cases.

On the management and diseases of women, he has endeavoured, with the aid of the most distinguished authors on this subject, to give such a description of the complaints to which they are liable, with instructions for their treatment, plain enough, to be understood by the attendants or the patients themselves; and which he sincerely hopes will in a measure have the tendency to correct the errors and misconduct of unskilful midwives, and to prevent unnecessary interference in young practitioners. ‘T’o all of which has been added a general sketch of the diseases of infancy and childhood.

With a view of correcting the gross errors of nurses, whereby so many valuable lives have been lost, there is introduced the “ Nurse’s Guide,” describing the preparations of such aliments as are most proper for the sick; which, as a family assistant, will, unquestionably, be a valuable acquisition.

Desirous that nothing should be omitted, which would in the least add to the value of the work, he has greatly improved the Dispensatory ; which is now arranged in a manner that will not in the least perplex the reader ; having endeavoured to render each formula or prescription, as concise and clear as possible, both as.to the mode of preparing and the intention of employing it by short practical remarks under each class or head.

He has likewise given a detailed Index, so that in all cases of disease, the reader may be directed without trouble or embarrass-

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ment to the appropriate remedies. And, that the bulk of the volume might not be too large, he has expunged many of the illustrations under the head of Hygieine, being of little importance compared with the matter now introduced.

The author cannot but think a work of this nature will be exceedingly useful to the student, whose theoretical knowledge has only prepared him to commence the arduous duties of his profession ; for, it will not be denied, that the most experienced practitioner occasionally feels the want of a guide in his practice. It is worthy to be noticed, when the first edition of the Medical Companion was presented to the public, Professor Barton,.with his usual liberality and philanthropy, enjoined upon his pupils to procure a copy of the work before they entered upon the duties of their profession, observing, at the same time, that he himself had profited by it in ptactice, by refreshing his memory of what he had read in more voluminous works.

To every family, more especially those in remote situations, the possession of this book must, unquestionably, be of incalculable value; for, conducted by such a guide, it will not be presumptuous to say that any person of tolerable capacity, and reasonable attention, may be enabled to practise with safety and advantage, in those cases of simple diseases most incident to our climate.

How far the author has accomplished his wishes in these important respects, the reader is left to judge from the high testimonials prefixed to the work, from some of the most distinguished physicians in our country.

He will only add, from the time and attention he has devoted, in making the improvements now introduced, he cannot but flatter himself, the “ Medical Companion” will not fail to be acceptable to his fellow-citizens; and, under this pleasing impression, he submits it to their generous patronage. —

For the notes and additions herein contained, the Editor is largely indebted to the works of Drs. Mason, Good, Gregory, McIntosh,

Eberle, Dunglison, Stokes and Eliotson; the London Lancet, Boston Journal, Braithwaite’s Retrospect, &c &c.