Six lectures on the functions of the lungs : and causes, prevention, and cure of pulmonary consumption, asthma, and diseases of the heart on the laws of life and on the mode of preserving male and female health to an hundred years also, a treatise on medicated inhalation

Front matter

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SIX LECTURES

ON THE

Introduction

The Author, besides lecturing in England, lias had an opportunity of addressing about fifty thousand persons in the United States, and thus of personally presenting and enforcing his views by direct examples and prompt practical results'and demonstrations. In 1827, •whilst a student of Medicine in Philadeljihia, he discovered the grand uses of the Lungs, and thereby laid the foundation of a scientific, rational, and certain method of elucidating and treating their diseases. For twenty years, with some interruptions, diseases of the Chest have been his study. To notice the efiects of climate as a curative or preventive agent, he has visited twenty-three States of the American Union ; also, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Prance, Italy, the northern shores of the Mediterranean, Switzerland, Sardenia, and Savoy *, several watering-places of Germany, Prussia, the West India Islands, the Canadas, Sic, &c. — seeking everywhere for knowledge and light on the diseases of the Lungs, making himself everywhere as fully acquainted as possible with the peculiarities of each locality, both in the nature and prevalence of Consumption, and the peculiar methods adopted for its prevention and cure by the highest professors and teachers of Europe aq^ this country ; as also by the untutored savages of this continent, who are well known to treat many diseases, and especially those of the Luiigs, with great iv ixwoDucriox.

success. To facilitate his researches, he lias lectured at many different points on the borders of the Ocean, on the shores of the Great Lakes, in many of the great Valleys, and on the Highlands of this country, as well north as south ; everywhere collecting most valuaable and interesting materials for a very extensive work upon the diseases of the Chest and Lungs. He hopes ere long to finish his researches, and then complete his great work upon diseases of the Lungs, which he flatters himself will become for Physicians a guide to a successful treatment of Pulmonary diseases. These Lectures are intended as a Director to all classes in the prevention and cure of Consumption. Those who follow the directions will not, he thinks, be disappointed, but will each day realize their truth by the most gratifying personal benefits.

The writer's experience is derived from an observation of more than twenty-five thousand cases within the last eight years, besides all his previous practice.

To render the Lectures effective upon the reader, it is necessary that perfect confidence should be placed in the statements and conclusions. Great truths are taught, which, if fully understood, implicitly believed, and judiciously followed, would lead to an almost total annihilation of Pulmonary Consumption.

To obtain a share of this confidence, a few lettere are subjoined from men of undoubted respectability and integrity ; some of whom have known the writer for many years, even from childhood ; others, who have had a thorough opportunity of noticing his practice and its gratifying results.

The reader m\\ find at the close of the volume a full exposition of the method of treating Lung disease by " Medicated Inhalation." An effort is being madelo mislead the public in relation to this prac tice; it is therefore important that the facts should be known.