among those who follow the profession.

There is no

The growing popularity of the THOM-Every means that could possibly lessen SONIAN SYSTEM of Practice of Medicine, the profit of the Medical man, or the venand the limited source from which the eration that the mass of the people enterpeople can derive correct knowledge on tain for him, either by simplifying the art, this matter, in this part of our Republic, or by diffusing a general knowledge of seems to call for a medium through which the science among the people, is strenuthe people of the southern States may re-ously opposed by those initiated into the ceive some correct information respecting mysteries of the disciples of Esculapithis important subject. Were facts suf- us. This kind of opposition is not peculiar fered to circulate freely among the people, to Medicine alone, but it is so with every there would be no need of publications to craft that depends for its prosperity upon sustain the reputation of the system, or the the ignorance of mankind. characters of its Practitioners. But, un-thing surprising, then, in the opposition fortunately, this is not the case. that the system of THOMSON meets with like all other reforms, has to encounter opmedical men. among Such is human naWhen the followers of any craft position from many quarters. Men, prejudiced by education and by interest, see others engaged in removing the veil honestly oppose that which is even bene- which they have so assiduously endeavficial to themselves and mankind at large. ored to drop between them and mankind Our case is not isolated in this particular, at large, the craftsmen will certainly but it shares a similar fate with all other oppose the reformer with all the energy reforms that have taken place in the that they possess, and spare no pains in world. Interest and necessity are al-keeping their temple from the public most synonimous terms in the cause of gaze, or from the danger of being demolished; and the darling source of interest action among men. All the wants, necessities, and luxuries of life, as well as given to the people, from whom it was dethe misfortunes of men, have been turned rived.

This,

ture!

to a source of profit, to some one or other In arraying ourselves against the torof the human race. Indeed, misfortune rent of popular prejudice, and the malice and casualties have become the means of of those who are determined to oppose us support, and a source of interest, to the "right or wrong," we shall never act the most respectable part of mankind. Med-part of a sycophant. In defending our icine is justly and deservedly ranked. a-cause, we shall be under the necessity of mong the most honorable professions that correcting, as far as is in our power, the can be pursued by man. It has been, extravagant notions that the world enterfrom time immemorial, an occupation ho- tains with regard to the opinions and the norable and profitable to those who pur-practice of the popular practitioners. We sue it: and it has been kept exclusively shall never find fault merely for the pur

pose of engaging in controversy; but, in those whom they fear would become their order that the people may have a better successful rivais in the healing art. They opportunity of forming a judgment on the have actually succeeded in impressing comparative merits of the different prac- the belief among the people, that because tices, we shall endeavor to give a fair re- a man practices the Thomsonian System, presentation of the result of both the old there can be no harm in villifying his and the new. Meantime, we shall strive character and in giving currency to the to keep in mind that all human means most foul charges that can be invented are limited, and all human reason fallible by malice and envy. When any evil rewhere the Author of all existence has not port is circulated against a Thomsonian scen fit to reveal the fundamental truths practitioner the question is never asked whence men may draw their conclusions. whether the report be true. It is enough Would the world and our opponents ex- that a person, has adopted certain opinions tend this forbearance towards us, we have as regard the practice of medicine, which no doubt that many of our pages might be are not in accordance to the popular nomore advantageously filled, and our feel- tions of the world---it is a sufficient inings spared from many severe trials. dulgence to make the crime of slander harmless !---and thus has falsehood gained

nity of judging of a new plan of curing disease, it is necessary they should know how far the art has attained perfection in our fashionable schools: as we must necessarily fail sometimes, our opponents seize upon those failures with avidity to put us

Heretofore, the medical profession has been looked upon, by the mass of the an honorable pass through all circles of people, as a science which kept pace in society! improvements, if it did not surpass other Human power is limited; and perhaps departments of science in stability of prin- there is no subject in the world where it ciple, and certainty in practice; in fact, is more so than in the art of prolonging it is the general opinion that, the art of life and preserving health! In order then, Medicine as taught and practised now, is that the people may have a fair opportu the pure essence of science, sifted from all the errors and superstitions and ineumbrance of the past; and many think, in consequence of this, that it is nothing short of lunacy or barefaced imposi i on for any one to pretend to say, he has found cut something new or good, that has not down, it is necessary for us, in justification been in use before, in the practice of me- to our character, that we should expose dicine. It shall be a part of our aim, their failures also; that a just comparison in conducting the JOURNAL, to correct may be made as regards the merits of both. this erroneous impression. It shall never We are in the minority, a despised and be our aim to bring the profession of me- persecuted minority! our opponents are dicine into disrepute, or try to depreciate indefatigable in their persecution, and no the character of any member of the "fa-means, however base, is spared to attain culty." We have no ill will against ei- their desired object. They enjoy the their. But we think that the people ought miles and favors of the wealthy and the to have a just idea of the rank that medi-powerful, they are courted by the great cine occupies among the sciences. and upheld by the world: the contest, Too often our opponents are ready and is therefore, very unequal! Although willing to take advantage of their elevated necessity and long sufferings have often gituation in society to cast obloquy upon driven some from the fashionable practice

to seek succour and help from us, yet the fancy of the brilliant imagination of the power of the " regulars" is still unbound-poets or tale writers. But it is intended ed. They arrogate to themselves great for a far more humble purpose; although honor for the exercise of their profession less pleasing, yet not less useful. Our and hold the practice of their rivals in con- little paper is intended for those whose tempt and ridicule; although it proves su- business it is to relieve the sufferings of perior to theirs in use. It is with the their fellow-creatures. It is not intended view to counteract all these errors among for those who have studied the healing the people that the press has become ne-art in the fashionable schools, and who, in cessarily employed. But as we have no consequence of this, are full of self-impublications for this in the South it portance and self-sufficiency; but it is for was thought necessary to have some source those who have to minister to the sick, and here whence correct knowledge might be who watch the sick bed with the anxiety imparted to those who are ignorant on the of a fond wife, or husband, or brother or subject of Thomsonian practice. It was sister, or father or mother; and if we this which suggested the propriety of the should cause the sufferings of a fellow BOTANIC JOURNAL—and not the mere de- mortal to be less than they would have sire of strife and opposition to the old been without this, we shall be amply reschool of medicine. paid for all our exertions. Although our In disseminating this practice among labors are very trivial, to be compared to the people, we have the satisfaction of what is daily issued out of the press, yet knowing that we are engaged in the work we feel with peculiar force the responsiof humanity, and so far as our feeble ex-bility which is devolved upon us as well ertions may go, to open the eyes of some as the inadequate store of learning and few, we are certain that we will prove natural talents we possess, to do honor beneficial to them. It is useless to say to our undertaking. our undertaking. We hope, howany thing to prove the utility of health, ever, that our motives will be appreor the benefits that are derived and the ciated by our readers, and that if the work means that will safely restore it when im- should not come up to the full extent of paired. All will admit the necessity of their expectations they will look over it both. That the Thomsonian remedies, with charitable feelings.

and plan of curing disease, are far superior

As we shall occasionally expose the to any ever yet adopted in practice, is practice of the old school in the pages of proved beyond any doubt, to the per- the JOURNAL, we invite our opponents, Yes, also, whenever they may come across any fect satisfaction of thousands ! millions, in these United States. Yet mal-practice among the Thomsonians, the opposition is very great, and every to lay the whole fairly and dispassionately step of ground that the System gains is before the public: and we hereby tender disputed with determined resistance by them our columns for that purpose. We shall not admit vague statements, but its opponents.

We are perfectly aware that our humble only well authenticated facts, with the full sheet is not destined to moulder upon the name of all parties concerned. We do shelves of the scientific libraries of the day not wish to intimate, by this, that none of nor to adorn the parlour or rapt in extasies our practitioners commit errors, but we do the sentimental romance reader, or the know, that notwithstanding the ignorance literary gourmand, who feeds upon the with which we are charged, our practi

Our

tioners are not the cause of as much suf- find themselves in the inextricable mazes ferings in proportion to the extent of prac- of a sad dilemma; their time easily distice as the practitioners of the old school posed of. It is astonishing that so many physicians have fallen into this extravaare, with all their boast of learning! gance. Blood as the most precious matPhysicians make use of no remedial a-ter for life is lavishly squandered where agents but such as are perfectly innocent there is no necessity; yes, often without upon the constitution and if they do no good knowledge for what purport.

we are equally certain they can do no harm.

That the public is deeply interested in any subject that is devoted to the preservation of health and its restoration, when impaired,is a question which admits of no dispute. All are interested; the rich as well as the poor, the old as well as the young!

"Hea'th is the poor man's wealth and the rich man's bliss."

BLOOD-LETTING.

My remarks shall, therefore, convince my fellow-citizens, that so far from blood letting being beneficial it is productive of the most serious and fatal effects. Should I contribute by these remarks to save more lives in future and arrest this crue) practice, I would feel that gratification which arises from the consciousness o having performed a good act. How it i to be regretted that such an awful scourg of humanity should exist.

During my residence of fourteen year past, in this happy country of liberty and independence, I am bound to say that in all my practice of twenty-seven years as The following is an extract from the re- a physician, never have I seen in any part marks made by the learned and experien- of Europe, such extravagance of blood ced Dr. T. F. Daniel Lobstein, on the letting as I have seen in this country.subject of blood letting. Dr. Lobstein How many thousands of our fellow citibeing one of the most eminent of the zens are sent to an untimely grave! How medical Faculty, late Physician of the many families are deprived of their amimilitary hospital and army of France, a able children! How many husbands of member of the most noted medical socie- their lovely wives! How many wives of ties in the United States, and of many their husbands! who have fallen victims others in Europe, Professor of mid-wif- to bleeding, and the same may be said of ery, and author of several works on med- Mercury. We no more count the loss of ical and literary subjects, we think his blood (by bleeding) by ounces, but by honest sentiments on so important a sub-pounds. Each head-ache, each indispo ject, entitles them to the serious consid-sition, is, among physicians, quite a suffieration of those who wield the bloody cient pretence to say "you must be bled." knife, as well as to the hearty co-operation In the blood is the human life, in the of all who are in any way opposed to the unnatural and inhuman practice of phlebotomy.-Botanic Watchman.

"For the life of the flesh is the blood." -Lucretius, 17 21.

blood is placed the strength of the whole organic life; without blood there is no heat, no motion of the system; yes take away from the brain the blood, and the self-cogitative powers will be instantly

A long time has elapsed since I deter- extinguished. mined to publish my remarks on the per- Is it not evident that the most robust nicious effects of bleeding, which not on- persons are such, because rich in blood? ly during that time, but especially at pres-Certainly it is not such persons who are ent, is considered an almost universal re- attacked with nervous weakness. Strength medy and frequently resorted to as a res- and blood stand always in direct relation torative in the slightest indispositions, He who takes blood from the patient takes notwithstanding the direful consequences away not an organ of life, but a part attendant on such practice, it continues to life itself.

be the main pillar of the medical profes- In burning fevers, it is by numerous sion. Were bleeding and mercury totally experiences proved that the most simple prohibited a great many physicians would fevers, by bleeding, become nervous and

putrid fevers of which I can attest many before they could obtain a little strength. such instances. In pure gastric fevers Ladies who were very nervous, tormented bleeding is always pernicious; it does not with hysteric spasms. The former recovvacate the diseased matter which is situ-ered by my treatment in a short time, and ated in the intestinal canal, and can only the latter, as I dispensed with the use of be removed by gastric remedies, while bleeding, lost their spasms and became bleeding, in such cases vacates a part of directly better, all which I can satisfactorily the strength which is necessary to be act-prove.

ed upon in order to expel the disease. Where I have not employed bleeding I desire it not to be forgotten, that in such persons recovered by my treatment regular gout the inflammation is nothing in a very short time. If now the climate else than a crisis, a local metastasis by of this country should require in all indiswhich a dangerous stuff from the internal positions directly to commence with bleedpart is thrown to the external. Nothing ing, and I have neglected it, all these takes more of the necessary strength away persons were inhabitants of this country than bleeding; and the conclusion is either and climate; all these should have died, the attack of the gout disappears directly but they recovered soon. and the disorder is thrown internally, or to That the people in this country are some dangerous part, as the head, the accustomed to be bled, this is, true a very lungs, &c. Hence arise inflammation of verity: but what is the true reason of it? lungs, apoplexy, or inflammation of the Whether is it the patient or the physician? stomach. I believe, to speak with justice, it is the In nervous affections bleeding is no latter. What does the patient know of remedy; the nervous affection itself has what is convenient for him? He complains from its nature with the blood nothing of head-ache, cramps in the stomach, common; on the contrary it arises from a cholic, dyspepsia,&c.he sends for his phydefect of the blood and of weakness. Isician in whom he very likely has confihave seen during my residence of nine dence; he thinks that all that is ordered years in Philadelphia, many ladies whose him will be convenient for him; and the physician I had the honor to be. Their doctor after feeling his pulse, declares to former physician in all slight indispositions him this severe sentence, "you must be ordered them to be bled; whereby they bled," and thus is a habit of bleeding es-" became more and more nervous, and those tablished. I know very many cases had no nervous attacks when I stopped the wherein a physician has accustomed his bleeding. I treated in a similar manner, patient to be bled four times a day! But a very respectable lady in Philadelphia time proved the result of such treatment, who was attacked with a severe pleu- by the death of a great number of such risy, and I saved her without bleed- patients. I am certain that all such persons ing, which to many in that city, was very who have been bled a great many times astonishing. in their lives, their constitution must It is alleged that the climate of this become weaker every year, but their recountry requires in all its indispositions to pentance will in future be too late. be bled; and 2d the people of this coun- The duty of a true physician, who is not try are accustomed to be bled. Let us an egotist, is to answer to the confidence of examine these reasons. Now it comes of his patient, to recover him as soon as to pass that during my residence of four- he can, and not by weakening remedies teen years in this country, I can prove to prolong the treatment, which is probaby a great number of persons who have bly the principal cause why a great many been treated by me during that time, and physicians employ such treatment, espein the same diseases in which such persons cially if the patient be able to pay, thereby were treated by physcians of this country, to inscribe to him a great number of who employ calomel in great quantities, visits, and the patient, by this intention. blisters, and blood letting, cups and leeches afterwards falls a victim to the avariciousto supererogation; and of all those persons ness of the physician. How many patients who have not fallen victims to such treat- have perhaps been treated by such an ment, their convalescence was very long, intention? If the physician persuade hiş