A fair examination and criticism of all the medical systems in vogue

Front matter

t / f U/t- <e- is Qc>c t-^e ^c^c^ 0*i Co^r/c^cc ft<< t> * z.

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE/

AND

Preface

The object of a preface is to give some account of, or reasons for, the production that follows, or the author's motives for its publication. Ever since the true science of medicine was shadowed forth, by Dr. Samuel Thomson and other pioneers of reform, a constant crusade has been kept up against it by interested men, in the hope of rendering its doctrines and practices ridiculous and unpopular, and thus preventing that thorough regeneration of this noble science, which would greatly mitigate our sufferings, prolong our lives and multiply our pleasures. I say, by interested men, those who, having studied long and carefully, the various systems of error, and found them honorable and profitable in their practice, have been therefore unwilling to acknowledge their errors and the worthlessness of their labors, to give them *kp for truth, and to perform more labor for less profit, for the cause of science and humanity.

Many friends of reform, and practitioners and teachers of medicine, have done what they could to develop its principles and illustrate its practice; but no one has yet attempted to furnish a full and safe defence of it, against the attacks of its enemies — especially has no one ventured to branch out from his own fortress of defence, and attack the enemy on the high seas of his own crazy craft, and to drive him into the whirlpools and the certain destruction into which he would gladly persuade us that we are most rapidly tending. Yet such a work is very much needed, and, though very conscious that his talents, his time and his circumstances all fall short of the magnitude and importance of the undertaking, the author has resolved to do what he can, in this hitherto little cultivated field; in the hope that it will be useful to philanthropists of every character, grade and condition in life, till something better shall come forth to take its place.

It is well known that the author has had a very large experience in the work of defending the cause of truth, science and humanity, and developing the true principles of medical science. And he hopes to be better able to fulfill any expectations that may arise in other minds from this knowledge, than to satisfy himself that he has done all that he might have done under more favorable circumstances.

One of the most difficult things in the world, as well as the most import- Ant, to the sick man, is to ascertain what practice he should employ for the

(iii) *

IV PREFACE.

relief of his physical sufferings. As it is impossible for any person not thoroughly "bred to physic," to learn, from any sources within his reach, the true character of any system of practice, I have been careful to give the true character of each system, so that, whoever will make himself thoroughly acquainted with this little Work, will have no one but himself to blame, if he does not choose the best, at the commencement of his disease, and continue it till he recovers or dies. It is well known that some physicians who belong to one class, will often practice on the principles of another; thus the Allopathist may give good medicines, the wet sheet, the warm and vapor bath; the Eclectic, who pretends to "dispense with all deleterious agencies" (403), may bleed, cup, blister and give opium and other narcotics, and even calomel; and the pretended Physio-Medical may, to' some extent, use like agents. But this work will enable him who is familiar with it, to detect all such hypocrisy, and guard against its ruinous effects.

The subjects discussed are the following:

1st. Medicine as it is in the various schools.

2d. Medicine as it should be.

3d. The contrast between them.

4th. The answer to the questions, what is science and what is quackery, and where may each be found. —

Editors or critics, who may deem this work worthy of their notice, will confer a favor on the author by sending him a copy of their notices; and, if any living authors think that he has done them injustice, they will please show him wherein, and the wrong, if any, shall be corrected in notes to the next edition, which will soon appear, *■■ this is nearly all bespoken.

Preface To The Second Edition

The unique character of the following work, (no one like it having ever before been published), and the manifest value of it to persons of every class and condition of society, caused the sale of a large edition in a very short time after its publication. Though the circumstances of the past five years have been very unfavorable to the issue of a new edition, the demand for it has been and is still so pressing, that the proprietors have concluded to send it forth.

From multitudes who obtained and perused the first impression, we have received the most flattering testimonials to its value, for which we have here no space. Suffice it to say that physicians of every class have commended it for the extent, variety, and judicious selection of its quotations from distinguished authors, and the candor and fairness of its criticisms ; ministers of the Gospel have prized it for the aid it has afforded them in advising their sick friends as to the choice of their physicians ; lawyers consider it a work of great value to them, in selecting facts relating to, and in framing arguments upon, questions of medical jurisprudence; heads of families and other individuals perceive that they have in it a sure and safe directory to their choice of a system of practice and a class of practitioners ; students of medicine jnstly regard it as a key to unlock all popular systems, and to enable them intelligently to choose among them the one they should pursue ; and last, but not least, the reformer of medicine finds it to be his best guide and aid in his efforts to disperse the errors of medical theorizers, and to disseminate light on the true science and practice of medicine.

Every physio-»e«Ucal (natural) practitioner will learn, by a short trial, that a dozen copies of this work lent, successivdy, for a week or two only, to the inquiring inhabitants of the city, town, or country in which he locates, will be the best of all means of breaking down opposition to his practice, of spreading abroad the true light, and of securing to him an extensive, a useful, and a lucrative practice.