A plea for the botanic practice of medicine / by John Skelton.

  • Skelton, John, active 1852-1865.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A plea for the botanic practice of medicine / by John Skelton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    pepper as a medicine, and that it would burn up the stomach and lungs as'bad as vitriol, The people generally, however, became convinced by using it, that what the doctors said about it was false, and it only proved their ignorance of its medicinal virtues, and their malignity towards me. It soon came into general use, and the knowledge of its being useful in curing disease, was spread all through the country. I made use of it in curing the spotted fever, and where it was known, it was the only thing depended upon for that disease. I have made use of cayenne in all kinds of disease, and have given it to patients of all ages and under every circumstance that has come under my practice; and can assure the public that it is perfectly harmless, never having known it to pro- duce any bad effects whatever. It is, no doubt, the most powerful stimulant known; its power is entirely congenial to nature, being powerful only in raising and maintaining that heat on which life depends. It is extremely pungent, and when taken sets the mouth, as it were, on fire; this lasts, however, but a few minutes, and I consider it essentially a benefit, for its effects on the glands causes the saliva to flow freely, and leaves the mouth clean and moist. Remarks on the Lobelia:— Since Dr. Cutler gave his testimony of the virtues of this herb, and since the doctors have become convinced of its value, they come forward and say it is good medicine in skilful hands.—Who, I would ask, is more skilful than he who discovers it, and taught them how to prepare and use it, in curing one of the most dis- tressing complaints known ] If it is good medicine, it is mine, and I am entitled to the credit of introducing it into use, and have paid dear for it; if it is poison, the doctors do not need it, as they have enough of that'now. Dr. Thacher undertakes to make it appear that the fatal effects he tells about its producing, was owing to the quantity given, and says I administered a tea spoonful of the powder; and when he comes to gives directions for using it, says that from ten to twenty grains may be given with safety. It ap- pears strange that different terms should produce such different effects in the operation of medicine. If a tea spoonful is given by an empiric, its effects are fatal; but if the same quantity is adminis- tered by a learned doctor and called grains, it is a useful medicine !