Plain home talk : about the human system, the habits of men and women, the causes and prevention of disease, our sexual relations and social natures embracing medical common sense applied to causes, prevention, and cure of chronic diseases, the natural relations of men and women to each other, society, love, marriage, parentage, etc., etc

Front matter

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Preface

“Common Sense,” I am aware, is quoted at a discount; especiallj by tlie medical profession, which proverbially ignores every thing that has not the mixed odor of incomprehensibility and antiquity. Me<lical works are generally a heterogeneous compound of vague ideas and jaw-breaking words, in which the dead languages are largely employed to treat of living subjects. Orthodoxy in medicine consists in walking in the beaten paths of .^sculapian ancestors, and looking with grave contempt on all who essay to cut out new paths for themselves. Progress is supposed to be possible in every thing except medicine; but in this science, which all admit has room for improvement, the epithet of “ Quack” is applied to every medical discoverer. I trust I may prove worthy of the denunciations of the bigoted. This work is written for the amelioration of human suffering, not for personal popularity. To uproot error and do good should be the first and paramount aspiration of every intelligent being. He who labors to promote the physical perfection of his race ; he who strives to make mankind intelligent, healthful, and happy, cannot fail to have reflected on his own soul the benign smiles of those whom ha has been the instrument of benefiting.

My intention in preparing this work is to supply a desideratum which has long existed, i. s., a medical work, reviewing first causes as well as facts and ultimate effects, written in language strictly mundane, and comprehensible alike to the lowly inmate of a basement and the exquisite student of an attic studio ; and if successful in fulfilling the promise of the title-page, I have too much confidence in the intelligence of the masses and the erudition of the unprejudiced scholar, to believe that it will be received with unapprecialion and indifference. Many of the theories which these pages will advance are certainly new, and antagonistic to those of “old fogy ism,*

IV

PREFACE.

but it does not follow that thcj are incorrect, or unworthy the consideration of the philosophical and physiological inquirer. They are founded upon careful observation, experiment, and extensive medical practice, and if tlie truth of the theories may be judged by tbe success of the latter, then do they unmistakably possess soundness as well as originality, for living monuments to the skill and success of the author have been and are being daily raised from beds of sickness and debility in every part of the United States. If these remarks sound boastful, be not less ready to pardon the conceit of a successful physician than that of a victorious soldier. The successfnl military chieftain is notoriously conceited; is it not as honorable and elevating to save life as to destroy it ? If a man may boast that he has slain hundreds, cannot his egotism be indulged if he has saved the lives of thousands? I shall claim the soldier’s prerogative, for when medical charlatans at every street corner are blowing their trumpets, it does not behoove the successful physician to nurse his modesty. "What I write, however, shall be written in candor, and with an honest intention of enlightening and benefiting humanity.

It was with the foregoing preface that the author, about twelve years ago, issued a medical work bearing the title of Medical Common Seme — a book of about 300 pages, and somewhat less than 100 illustrations. When that volume first made its appearance, some of my prudent friends shook their grave heads, and predicted for the author pecuniary failure and professional disgrace. Like those of many other prophets, their predictions proved to be only croakings, and the expected martyr soon found himself surrounded by hosts of new friends and swarms of new patients. While awaiting the popular verdict, after the first issue, one of the oldest and most noted clergymen of New York called at my office for tho avowed purpose of a.ssuring me how much he was pleased with the publication, and his appreciation possessed greater value to mo because he had studied medicine in his youthful days, with tho view of fitting himself for practice. Ho pronounced “ Medical Common Sense ” a refreshing contribution to medical literature, and expres.sed a hope that it would obtain a large circulation. I breathed easier, for the splendid phyrREFACE.

V sique, generons countenance, cultivated manner, and commanding presence of the first juror gave to liis encouraging words the color and impressiveness of authority, and I almost felt as if the popular verdict had already been rendered ; nor was this feeling delusive, for as the book continued to circulate, letters came in daily, like the droppings of the ballots on election days, from intelligent men and women in all parts of the country, thanking me for the information' I had presented in language which could be comprehended by the masses of the people. The appreciation of the latter has been attested by the fact that over two hundred and fifty tliousand copies have been sold, a circulation which I venture to affirm has been attained by no other medical work of the same size in this or any other country. "While these books have, as I believe, benefited their numerous readers, the latter have in turn greatly enlightened the author.

My correspondence with the people has often exceeded one hundred letters per day, and the personal experiences and observations which have been confided to me by these numerous correspondents have enabled me to form some idea of the popular needs, and to supply, still further, that physiological instruction which is so greatly wanted to make mankind healthy and happy. In this revision, it has been my aim to present answers to pretty nearly all the questions which have been put to me during the past twelve years, and to recommend such measures for individual and social reform as ■will prove morally and physically beneficial. To fulfil my duties in these respects, I could not make a volume that would popularly be regarded as suitable for the centre table. Nor yet is it a work that should find a place on some obscure shelf. It seems to me that the family library is not an inappropriate place for it. How far the lieads of families may be willing to allow it to circulate among the younger members, it must be left for them to determine ; but, if in-, teUigent parents had had my experience, they would place this book| in the hands of all children who are capable of being interested in it. In other words, they would take no pains to conceal it from children of any age, because only those wlio understand it will become interested, and all possessing this degree of comprehension are liable to obtain erroneous and injurious information upon the same topics through impure and corrupting channels, though much care be exercised to prevent it. This is a fact which a large correspond-

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PREFACE.

ence with joung people has impressed npon the mind of the author, and would command the earnest attention of all parents and guardians, if they possessed the means of knowing that the writer does. I have received enough lamentations from the young of both sexes, resulting from their indiscretions, to fill these pages, and many of their letters do not hesitate to charge their parents with cruel neglect, in keeping from them knowledge of such vital importance. I am a father, and I have written nothing in this book that I desire to conceal from my children. One of the most gratifying evidences that I have pursued the right course thus far toward them in this one particular, is the fact that they approach me familiarly npon all physiological questions that interest them, and do not hesitate to consult me with reference to the most delicate matters appertaining to their physical organizations. It strikes me that this is as it should be ; and when a parent cannot place himself or herself in this familiar attitude to a child, it becomes even more necessary that some book containing physiological information suited to the comprehension of the child be placed within its reach. If this work is adjudged unsuitable, maybe other works can be found that will answer the purpose, although I doubt if there is another book wherein the relations of all the organs of the system to each other, and those of the moral nature to the physical body, are more faithfully traced. For the adult, this work contains information which no man or woman can afford to do without, when it may be obtained at a price comparatively so trifling. If the physiological deductions and social views of the author are dissented from, the valuable facts npon which they are based remain, and the reader is at liberty to use them to sustain opinions and suggestions which he may adjudge more acceptable to the popular mind. Any thing, every thing — that the human family may grow wiser and happier.

E. B. F.

CdsTTElSTTS

Part I. Disease-its Causes, Prevention, And Cure

OPENING CHAPTER.

Disease and its Causes.

PACK

Our planet 25

Its load of human suSering 25

The tyranny of disease 25

Are mental, blood, and nervous derange*

ments 26

The brain capitol of the nervous system 27

The nerves telegraphic wires 27

How the mind sends its telegrams..... 27

How quickly it does it 27

The brain a reservoir of electricity 23

The stomach a galvanic battery 29

Other sources of animal electricity. . . . 80

PAOB

How mental troubles produce disease. . 81

What the blood is made of 84

The heart the capitol of the circulatory

system 85

Also the reservoir of the blood 85

How it pumps the blood out and in.. . 85

The capillary system described 85

How the blood builds up the body 86

Wliat becomes of the waste matters 36

The dumping grounds of the system.. 86 How blood derangements cause disease 36 How the secreted'enemy opens the system to contagion 87

The causa of fever and ague 88

What is necessary fur good health S9

CHAPTER II. The Causes of Nervous and Blood Derangements

Ignorance.

A vehicle loaded like a city omnibus.. 40 Conveying disease to the human system 40 The world in the character of “blindman's buff” 41

^norance of two kinds 41

Where iraoronce begins its work 42

How children are conceived 42

Life and disease thrust upon them 48

What next? 43

Ignorance of young women 44

“Nature’s calls” imperative 44

The coyness of young people 44

The Ignorance of grown-up children.. . 45

Physiological Ignorance 45

Its effects upon women 45

Schools must ultimately redeem us .... 45

Violating the Moral Nature.

Sympathy between the moral and physical man 46

Moral strength produces physical strength 47

Vlll

Contents

PAGE

Mind your consclenco, nnd not your

neighbor 47