depends upon the electrical state of the individual body, and can only be known by trial. You cannot tell that a given piece of steel is magnetic or not till you try; no more can you tell the electrical state of the living body. It is only by experience you can know it. Calomel, then, has no exclusive relation to nomenclature; yet you will hear practitioners say, "It is not proper for this disease, but it is proper for that;""it is good for jaundice, but bad for consumption." All this is mere scholastic folly, based upon "the baseless fabric" of a hypothesis! There is no disease, however named, where the administration of mercury, in some of its preparations, may not be advantageously employed or the reverse, according to particular doses and constitutions. How is it that the oxymuriate of mercury, formerly so much extolled by the physicians, is now so seldom prescribed? A more effective remedy for numerous forms of disease is scarcely to be found in the Materia Medica. I have more particularly experienced its valuable aid in the treatment of dropsy, dyspepsia, paralysis, and eruptions. Very analogous to mercury in its mode of action is

use.

IODINE. Its influence on glandular parts, and consequently upon secretion, is very remarkable. But, Gentlemen, like every other remedial agent, iodine cuts two ways-atomically attracting or lessening volume and secretion in one case, atomically repelling or increasing both in another, according to the electric state of the individual body for which it may be prescribed.Now, the fact that iodine can cause as well as cure glandular diseases, is not known to the profession; at least I have not seen it noticed in the course of my reading. It behoves me, therefore, to state, that I have been frequently obliged to countermand its exhibition in the treatment of bronchocele and other enlarged glands, from the obvious increase of these tumours under its In such cases, patients have told me they were not so well in themselves, that they had had shivering fits, or had suffered from inward fever; for, like mercury, iodine has also a general febrile effect upon the system, for good in one case, for evil in another. As regards my own practice, I have found quinine more generally successful in the treatment of glandular affections than iodine. In a case of goître, that resisted both, a very great diminution of the swelling took place after a short trial of arsenic. But here I may observe, that a remedy which may be found to be generally well adapted to the treatment of a particular type of disorder in one locality, may be found to be as generally prejudicial, when applied to the same type in another. This, to a certain extent, may account for the encomiums which individual medicines receive from the profession one day, and the contempt with which they are very often treated the next. With iodine I have cured osseous and cutaneous complaints; and I have also found it useful in the treatment of consumption and dropsy.

LEAD. The acetate of Lead is a valuable agent in good hands, and was long celebrated as a remedy for Consumption. I have cured eruptions by it, eruptions that resisted everything else I could think of. "One effect of the continued use of acetate of lead," says Dr. A. T. Thompson, “is the excitement of ptyalism (salivation,) but notwithstanding this effect, it has been recommended by Mr. Daniels for the purpose of allaying violent salivation, in doses of ten grains to a scruple, in conjunction with ten grains of compound powder of ipecacuan. How," asks Dr. Thompson, "are these contending opinions to be reconciled?" How, but by the rule that the power which can move one way, may move the other, according to the Electrical condition of the individual Brain? This question, coming from a professor of materia medica, shows you that professors have yet to learn the Duplexity of action of all medicinal substances.

TAR-CREOSOTE.-From innumerable trials of Tar, and its preparation Creosote, I am enabled to speak satisfactorily of the remedial power of both. In small doses, Creosote produces a mild Fever, often beneficial in dyspeptic and hysteric cases, though in some instances, like every other agent in

nature, it occasionally disagrees. I have been obliged sometimes to discontinue its use from the vomiting of which the patient complained after taking it; though, where vomiting was a previous symptom, I have succeeded in stopping it by Creosote. Generally speaking, I have found Creosote an excellent remedy in dropsy, rheumatism, and cutaneous disorders. I once cured with it a case of amaurotic blindness of both eyes, where the disease was of considerable standing. The remedy was pushed as high as twenty drops for a dose; I commenced with two drops. The efficacy of tar-water in the treatment of all kinds of disease, was the universal belief of the latter half of the last century. The celebrated Bishop Berkeley wrote a treatise, which contributed greatly to bring it into fashion. From my representing tar-water," he says, " as good for so many things, some perhaps may conclude it is good for nothing; but charity obligeth me to say what I know and what I think, howsoever it may be taken. Men may censure and object as they please, but I appeal to time and experiment: effects misimputed; case wrong told, circumstances overlooked, perhaps, too, prejudices and partialities against Truth-may, for a time, prevail and keep her at the bottom of her well, from whence, nevertheless, she emerges sooner or later, and strikes the eyes of all who do not keep them shut." The Bishop sums up the catalogue of its virtues, by saying, It is of admirable use in FEVERS."

66

66

SULPHUR,-though now seldom used, except for diseases of the skin, was long extensively employed in physic. With the vulgar, it is still a remedy for ague. Like creosote, it produces a mild febrile effect, which may be turned to account in numerous disorders, especially in dyspepsia, hysteria; also in rheumatism, which last I have often cured with it, after every other remedy usually employed for that distemper had successively failed. The most generally influential agent in rheumatism is

COLCHICUM OR MEADOW SAFFRON, the medicinal principle of which is an alkali, termed Veratria, or Veratrine; and an admirable medicine it is, when carefully and cautiously administered. Now Colchicum, like sulphur, has cured the ague: and its efficacy in this case depends upon the mild Febrile action, which, like Hope, or Joy, it has the power of producing. If it has relieved pain and swelling in many cases, so also can it produce both; a reason why you should watch its effects; for where it fails to improve, it commonly aggravates. Like all other medicinal agents, it is a motive power, and if it fail to move matter the right way, it must occasionally move it the wrong. The mildest remedial substance, when taken by a person in perfect health, if it act at all, must act prejudicially. What is the action of Colchicum, in such cases? According to the journals of the day, pains of the joints and feet were among the symptoms produced by it, when accidentally taken in poisonous quantities by previously healthy persons; the very pains for which we find it available in practice!

SQUILLS, DIGITALIS.-Are physicians aware that both of these substances have the power of suspending as well as of increasing the secretion from the kidneys? They are often continued too long in dropsy, to the prejudice of the patient, from practitioners being ignorant of their double action. But in this respect they only harmonise with all known agents. The Electrical state of the body, which cannot be known but by an experience of their effects upon it, determines whether Squill or Digitalis prove aggravant or remedial.

STRAMONIUM OR THORNAPPLE is used by the Asiatics, in their treatment of mania-a disease which it has produced. It can also produce eruptions of the skin, a fact which led me to try its effects in cutaneous disease. Combined with belladonna, I have cured some very obstinate eruptions with Stramonium. I have also employed the same combination advantageously in the treatment of pulmonary consumption. The general action of both remedies in small doses, is mildly febrile. Their use sometimes produces a temporary dimness of sight, which goes off when the remedies are stopped.

TOBACCO, LOBELIA INFLATA.-Tobacco is a valuable remedy, when properly prescribed, and it may be administered internally as well as externally. I have found its internal use, in tincture, efficacious in dropsy and asthma. Heberden cured a case of epilepsy, by applying a cataplasm of Tobacco to the pit of the stomach. The lobelia inflata, or American Tobacco, is a good diuretic, and has cured asthma. Like the common tobacco, it produces sickness, in large doses.

THE BALSAMS AND GUMS.-Copaiba, Turpentine and Guaiac powerfully influence mucous surfaces, in one case increasing secretion, in another suspending it. Turpentine is also a Chrono-Thermal remedy. With it, I have cured cases of Iritis, which resisted mercury and quinine. Copaiba in some constitutions produces a cuticular eruption so like small-pox, that even medical men have supposed it to be that disease. Others, putting this rash down to a fanciful cause called Syphilis, have gravely proceeded to ruin their patients' constitutions with mercury, to cure what they were pleased to call 'secondary symptoms!" All these medicines are useful in Rheumatism, which they can produce.

66

CANTHARIDES OR SPANISH FLY.-This is principally used as a blister; but the tincture of Spanish Fly is an admirable internal remedy for gleet and leucorrhoea, and it is also among our best diuretics; remember, however, it can produce stranguary, an opposite effect. I am in the habit of combining it with quinine and prussic acid, in the treatment of dyspeptic cases, and find it useful also in cuticular disease; though in the case of one gentlemana colonel of the army-a blister to the side had the effect of blistering him all over on both of two occasions in which it was tried.

THE EARTHS AND ALKALIS have all particular effects upon the body, according to the mode and degree in which they are administered. Besides their constitutional influence, each has more or less affinity to special organs. Lime and Bary tesinfluence the secretions of the stomach; Soda and Potash those of the lungs, kidney, and bladder; Ammonia or Hartshorn affects the salivary glands-each for good or for evil, according to its dose and fitness for particular constitutions. The earth called Alum is a favourite with the common people, in the cure of ague. What is its mode of action? Its power of astringency or attraction simply the same power by which it arrests the morbid increase of secretion, called leucorrhoea. How does it do that? By its attractive influence over the atoms of the spine and the nerves proceeding from the spine. Well, then, that is the way in which it cures the ague. The greater number of

THE ACIDS have been usefully employed in medicine. Acetic acid, or vinegar, is an old remedy for hiccup, and might be efficacious in other spasmodic diseases. Dilute sulphuric acid has cured the ague, among other disorders. With dilute nitric acid, I have arrested and increased almost every secretion of the body, according to varying circumstances. For a gentleman who was affected with vertigo and tremor, I prescribed dilute nitric acid, which cured him; his wife, by mistake, took his medicine for her own, and in a few minutes afterwards, she was affected with a tremor, that lasted for nearly an hour! You see, as a general rule, then, that whatever can move one way, can move the other.

Gentlemen, the medicines of which I have given you some account to-day, are the principal SYMPTOMATIC medicines which I employ in my own practice, combining or alternating them, as I have already stated, with the chronothermal remedies. But there are thousands of other agents, which may be usefully employed in this manner, and a great number are mentioned in our books of Materia Medica. What I have said on the action of remedies generally, will apply to all. At our next lecture, I shall give you some account of the principal chrono-thermal agents; and conclude the course by a general summary of the Chrono-Thermal Doctrine.

LECTURE X.

PRINCIPAL CHRONO-THERMAL REMEDIES

SUMMARY OF THE CHRONO

THERMAL DOCTRINE OF DISEASE.

GENTLEMEN, We now come to consider the mode of action of the chrono-thermal agents, or those substances so generally effectual in prolonging that remission of symptom which we have proved, beyond question, is a law of all disease. Whatever be the nosological name of a distemper-ague, epilepsy, or eruption—the physician will more surely accomplish his purpose of cure by taking advantage of this period of immunity, than by any measures to which he may resort during the paroxysm. The more perfectly periodic the paroxysmal return, the more amenable will the disease, for the most part, be to the 'chrono-thermal medicines; but however imperfect, irregular, or brief the remissions, there is no case of disorder that may not be beneficially influenced by these remedies, whether they be alternated with baths and emetics, or be prescribed in combination with such symptomatic medicines and local measures as the features of the case, from place or prominence, may appear to demand. Let us commence the consideration of the chrono-thermal agents with a few observations on

THE PERUVIAN BARK.-To the value of this bark as a remedy for many diseases, the celebrated Cullen, among others, bears his unequivocal testimony: what does he say are the ailments in which he found it most useful? Rheumatism, gout, scrofula, scurvy, small-pox, dysentery, gangrene, diseases of the bones, convulsions, hysteria, hypochondria, hæmorrhages. Is not this a pretty comprehensive association of apparently different diseases, all cured or relieved by a single substance! And yet it never seemed to enter the head of any medical writer before me, that these diseases have each something in common-each some principle of continuity which, amid all their apparent variety, establishes their unity of type. One remedy alleviates or cures them all-and yet physicians either cannot or will not see that the action of that remedy is one and one only, viz., motive power. What better evidence of the absurdity of Cullen's own nosological system-a system that, so far from explaining the perfect continuity that pervades the chain of all morbid motion, separated the link so widely asunder, that the student could not, for the life of him, believe them to be anything else but so many distinct and unlike disorders, each of which, forsooth, required a separate treatise to understand it! What a beautiful piece of work for the quacks! what an admirable method of darkening the world, that bad men might better pursue their game of imposture!

An accomplished French physician, Baron Alibert, speaks thus of the bark and its influence in disease: "I have been able to pursue and appreciate the salutary results of the employment of this substance in cancerous affections, in scrofulous tumours of the glands, according to the recommendation of Fordyce; in many cutaneous diseases, and principally in lepra, elephantiasis; and in certain cases of jaundice, arising from diminished tone in the secretory organs of the bile; in the alterations affecting the osseous system, such as rickets, spina bifida, &c. With the bark, we may also advantageously combat certain disorders of the nervous system, such as epilepsy, hypochondria, hysteria, &c. Many authors recommend it in hooping-cough, and the various convulsive coughs. No remedy, according to them, is so efficacious in strengthening the organs of respiration, and in preventing the state of debility induced in the animal economy by the contractile and reiterative movement of the lungs. The most part of those who employ it in like cases are, nevertheless, of opinion, that the administration of it is imprudent without some

previous preparation, according to the particular stage of disease. These practitioners (influenced, doubtless, by their hypothesis of a humour in the blood) would in some sort mitigate the ferocity of the paroxysms by sweeteners and temperants; often even by evacuants, such as emetics and bleedings.To prevent irritation, they wait until the strength has been absolutely struck down. But upon this point, the celebrated Murray differs from these practitioners in toto. The Peruvian bark, according to that physician, is equally adapted to the cure of convulsive and periodic coughs, as to the cure of intermittent fevers. He witnessed an epidemic in which these maladies were efficaciously met by this powerful remedy from the commencement. He has, therefore, PROVED that there is no advantage in retarding its administration; and that to permit, in the first place. so great a waste of the vital powers, only renders the symptoms more rebellious, and their consequences MORE FATAL!"

Gentlemen, I am not now giving you opinions-I am not now dealing in hypothetic disquisitions-I state facts simply, facts powerfully attested; for Murray in his day was celebrated over all Europe, and Alibert, only a few years ago, was second to no physician in France. Both have now passed from the scene of life; but their writings may be still read with advantage by every one who takes any interest in medicine. The value of the bark in all diseases, both authors distinctly state. You have also heard what they say of the sanguinary practice. Nothing can be stronger than the expression of their united evidence against this practice; yet in the teeth of that evidence-in the teeth of common sense even, which says, that whatever reduces the vitality of the whole, must more surely confirm the hereditary or other weakness of a part; the medical herd of this country still go on like their ignorant fathers before them, bleeding, leeching, and purging to death, or all but death, every unfortunate creature who falls into their hands. Did the disciples of Malthus only know how admirably their master's system has been carried out by the great body of English practitioners, what encomiums would they not heap upon the schools to whose regiments of lancers and leechers the world is so indebted for keeping down a surplus population! But let not people suppose that, possessed of a remedy so powerful, and, so far as nomenclature is concerned, one so almost universally applicable as the bark, the physician has an infallible elixir-a remedy adapted to all constitutions. The most perfect ague-fit within my own remembrance, appeared to me to be the effect of two grains of quinine, prescribed for an asthmatic patient. Dr. Thompson, on the other hand, mentions the case of a patient of his, in whom this medicine brought on an attack of asthma: "When he was getting well, after seven or eight days, I again," he says, "began the sulphate of quinine, and the same attack was the result." A lady, after taking it, became subject to intermittent fainting-fits. Now, some would be glad to lay hold of this as a reason why you should never use quinine. But the smell of the rose has produced fainting-the smell of ipecacuan asthma;— must we, therefore, never smell a rose, or keep ipecacuan in our houses? What agent in nature is absolutely innocuous? Rhubarb, in a very minute dose, has produced convulsions with some people; should we, therefore, never prescribe rhubarb ? When quinine disagrees, the common complaints are tremor, faintness, headache, vertigo, nervousness, cramps, and "all-overishness." Ratier, in his Hospital Reports, among its deleterious effects, mentions "nervous agitations," which, I fancy, might be as well translated shivering-fits,"-or-what say you to " ague,' "Gentlemen? Oh! you may depend upon it, whatever can correct a morbid motion may cause it! Like many other medicines, the Peruvian Bark is termed by writers on Materia Medica, a tonic. All Medicines are tonics, when they improve the health of the patient; but when, on the contrary, weakness or nervousness is the result of using them, who will say, that in that case they are anything but debilitant? Like an emetic, or a purge, the Bark may do both one and