Dr. Danelson's counselor with recipes

Front matter

I

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

DR. DANELSON'S

Preface

The majority of physicians, we believe, are prejudiced against books which popularize medicine ; and why, we fail to understand. They cannot reasonably object to every man, woman, and child having a correct, rather than a fanciful knowledge of physiology, of the operations and functions of the organs of their own bodies — in fact, of the life within themselves. Most doctors regret not having at an earlier period in their own lives possessed such information. Any opposition to the dissemination of the facts and principles of hygiene will be futile, for the newspaper press has undertaken this form of education, and the avidity with which health articles are copied and recopied shows a desire for such. If the want is not met by the profession, who should be best qualified for the work, it will be supplied by the intelligent outside its ranks. At the present time this is the case to a great extent, and the whole subject is discussed ably and wisely by the laity. An exception may be noted in some of the largest publishing-houses, who are issuing small works in series on medical topics written by medical men.

To talk of the "mystery of medicine" in this age is simply " foolishness," and it is equally out of place to assume the possession of scientific knowledge far beyond the comprehension of the masses. If a physician knows exactly the condition of his patient, and the causes and consequences of his difficulties, he can explain them so as to be understood by the least intelligent.

There exists altogether too much ignorance on medical matters. People act, if they do not speak, as though it was not necessary to use reason and common-sense in medicine the same as in other matters. This ignorance compels a multiplication of words by the doctor in giving instructions ; and his successes are as often thwarted by some imprudence which he failed to forbid or proscribe, as from disregarding instructions which a knowledge of physiology would have averted. It is a sad mistake to believe that popular medicine injures a physician financially or otherwise. The informed will look after minor matters, it is true, and perhaps they will do this in any event ; but when skill is wanted they call early, seldom arouse one at unseasonable hours, make the visit a3 cheervi PREFACE.

fill as can be tinder the circumstances, relieve one of the necessity of looking after minor details, appreciate the services rendered, pay for it promptly, and enhance one's reputation by assisting in speeding the cure. The only one to suffer is the pretender, the impostor. A moment's reflection will convince any one of the fact. Persons who are sharp in bargains, shrewd in business, and sagacious in most of the concerns of life, have little knowledge of the principles of medical practice, and seldom scrutinize or criticise the man into whose keeping their lives are entrusted, — his methods, or their progress. Among these, a little learning would be dangerous to the pretensions of the charlatan. We would not believe that this prejudice is founded upon any such fears as here depicted. If it is, we would gladly hasten the day of more complete knowledge. We suggest that in the education of the masses lies an easy solution to the problem of ridding the country of empirics, now endeavored to be accomplished by legal enactment.

Perhaps physicians are prejudiced against books which popularize medicine, from a belief that too much medicine would be taken, and disease be increased instead of lessened. This ground is hardly tenable. The selfish would welcome the more extensive harvest ; but there is no danger of immediate results one way or the other. Few have any idea of the hogsheads and tons of patent medicines taken ; and we doubt if there was ever more medicine swallowed than at the present time, and yet the average duration of life is increasing. Perhaps one has little to do with the other, but it is a good illustration of overdosing. Such books generally advise but few remedies, and these not injurious. There are exceptions, but they are few.

Again, such works teach physiology and hygiene, and if the instructions are followed, disease is prevented. Besides, a person using one of these recipes watches its effects much more closely than that received from a physician, and if ineffective throws it aside, and uses another if he chooses — a liberty which he should take, but does not care to take with the doctor's remedy.

Another objection to the education of the people in the rudiments of medicine is, that when they employ a physician they will not follow his advice. This argument is theoretical only, and we have already noticed its practical effects to be quite the contrary. If a patient does not follow instructions, the responsibility and risk are his own. It is not so certain but he may know of a better way than the course recommended. Physicians and nurses we know often disagree, but this is seldom the case when the nurse is educated. A common-sense view may differ from the scientific opinion. Medicine needs both the common-sense and the scientific ; but when a seeming conflict does come, let the so-called scienti-

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fie give way to the other, that no mistake may happen, and no injury.

Such prejudices compel the mother with her first babe to seek the physician for answers to the thousand and one questions ever rising in her mind concerning its care, its welfare, and its physical training. They compel the timid to suffer, which they would rather do than consult a doctor for information on sexual matters. They would, if the people would concur, foster such ignorance that health would be continually jeopardized. Such sentiments do not accord with that philosophy which declares, "I am a man, and nothing which affects humanity should be a matter of indifference to me."

There are serious objections to some "popular medical works" on the ground of immorality. The most dangerous book to public morality, we believe, is one professing to be written by a physician, who advocates universal lust and license as a matter of science and physiology. This book expresses boldly the carefully whispered opinions of some medical men, who, immoral themselves, advise the readers, male and even female, to practise immorality, just as doctors who freely indulge in intoxicating drinks also freely prescribe them for their patients. All this is fearfully wrong, and fearfully mischievous, as any one can see who looks beneath the varnished surface of respectable society, as can be shown from the highest authority, and as a deduction of physiological science ; for nothing which is not contrary to nature can be opposed to a true morality.

In the pages which follow an effort is made to avoid all objectionable features. General terms are as far as possible omitted. To advise patients to use tonics, leaving the selection and administration to their untutored judgment, is wrong. When such occur, it better be interpreted, Consult a physician. To the discretion, however, is left either the size of the dose or frequency of dispensing it. These must always be decided by the urgency and emergency. The doctor is himself often puzzled in this matter. Each disease is treated by itself, repeating the recipes when proper, and taking the chances of being considered verbose.