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NEW ERA IN MEDICAL SCIENCE.

CONSUMPTION CURABLE: OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY DISEASES;

CHARACTERIZED BY ASTHMA, AND OTHER DISORDERS OF THE CHEST,

PRECEDED BY, OR ATTENDED WITH

VIOLENT COUGH AND WHEEZING,

EXTREME DIFFICULTY OF BREATHING;

AND THE

METHOD OF EFFECTUALLY ERADICATING EVERY SYMPTOM OF THOSE COMPLAINTS,

AND

PULMONARY CONSUMPTION,

BY MEANS WHICH

NATURE HAS PROVIDED,

TWENTY-SEVENTH EDITION.

OBSERVATIONS ON PULMONARY DISEASES;

DEFINING THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS, AND DIRECTING TO THE MODE OF TREATMENT, AND MEANS OF CURE OF

INFLUENZA COLDS AND COUGHS, HOOPING COUGH, ASTHMA, AND PULMONARY CONSUMPTION, &c.

IT is a matter of notoriety how slightly regarded or little known are the medicinal properties concentrated in the plants which adorn the vegetable kingdom. Such negligence of the means of healing, by the remedies which are sent by the immediate hand of Providence, and rendered most abundant and common, and the substitution of others of a more doubtful, and often highly injurious, character, evinces a love of change, not simply to promote a greater benefit, but to render the art of healing more complicated and obscure.

It is probable that many disorders, for the relief of which medicines are sought for from the remotest parts of the globe, which act with harshness and violence, would be averted, were the same attention paid to the investigation of the properties, and the best mode of extracting the qualities, incorporated in the leaves, seeds, roots, and juices, together with the balsams, which in some cases exude from them, to be found in the soil of Nature's platform on which we traverse.

The design of the present treatise is to attempt the restoration of the good old ancient mode of cure, now obsolete; particularly as regards pulmonary complaints, which, in this our variable climate, are unhappily so abundant and fatal. All the information, needful to exhibit to the sufferer the dangers frequently arising from the neglect of what is called a common cold; and of the means whereby its course may be nipped in the very bud, and its more direful effects removed in its latent stages, and other matter of general importance is advanced; which, while it becomes a friendly beacon to warn him of danger, will at once point to a safe and salutary, and not less certain than salutary remedy.

All diseases of a pulmonary character should be treated by remedies possessing a combination of emollient, pectoral, and mildly expectorant qualities, capable of inciding and discharging the offending matter, which impedes the free action of the lungs, and highly aggravates the complaint. A remedy has for many years been employed in these cases, embodying the before-mentioned properties, which, when mixed in honey, is so pleasant that children take it with avidity. It is composed of the essences of herbs and asiatic gums, containing the purest balsamic and healing virtues. The sacrifices of human life, which annually transpire from pulmonary complaints, call loudly for a reform of medical practice. If the means of averting this calamity, or ameliorating the afflictions of the numerous class of sufferers, with which this country abounds, can be devised, it is, doubtless, the paramount duty of the individual who possesses them, to diffuse abroad the intelligence of his discovery, as extensively as possible, and more especially so when the ordinary means fail to yield the desired relief. These considerations have appeared weighty; and stimulated by the hope, that this remedy will become the means, in the hand of Providence, of saving many thousands from a premature grave, the author is induced strenuously to recommend its use to the patient tortured with the worst symptoms of asthma, cough, difficulty of breathing, and pulmonary consumption, of which this pamphlet treats, in every characteristic form of the disease.

The antidote referred to is a medicinal agent, which, from its efficacy in Asthmatic affections, as well as in the respiratory function in Pulmonary Consumption, has extended its just pretensions to universal notice. The embarrassed breathing, approaching to an anxious sense of suffocation, incidentally presenting in Pulmonary complaints, is relieved by its salutary influence. As its pervading and soothing power has been found to ameliorate and obviate the obstruction or impeded breath, in asthmatic and other disordered states of respiration, it has become a most valuable accession to the stock of remedies entitled to confident adoption.

This preparation, being a saturated infusion of plants and gums, &c., unknown to the medical profession, cannot be ascertained by any chemical analysis or examination. As the Proprietor has not developed the particulars relative to this discovery to any member of the profession, he is prepared to anticipate from the illiberal amongst their number a degree of censure; but he appeals from the tyranny of custom to the dictates of common equity and reason. If, in the course of medical research, any discovery is incidentally made, which offers to society the most important benefits, humanity appears to demand that it should be unreservedly communicated to the faculty, for the welfare of mankind: but, having devoted a considerable property and time in the conducting a series of experiments, totally unconnected with the customary routine of medical practice, in the completion of the discovery, the Author conceives that he is warranted to expect some remuneration by its sale, as a compensation for his labours. An invention is as much the property of its proprietor, as the estate he purchases or inherits. Society has a right to enjoy the advantage of his toil and skill--but, surely his labours have an equal claim on their patronage in return. The Public are sufficiently enlightened in the subject of medicine to be aware that the opposition which secret preparations have experienced from this quarter arises entirely from interested motives, and they will decide accordingly.

OF HOARSENESS, ARISING FROM COLD.

HOARSENESS is not only a very distressing and painful complaint, but often extremely obstinate, and very difficult to cure by the customary means. A sense of roughness in the throat, with frequent attempts to clear it, is generally the first and most early symptom of the disease. It is attended with, or succeeded by irritation of the larynx, exciting a hard and dry cough, hoarseness of voice, with a sense of tightness across the chest, and sometimes with soreness and pain upon breathing deeply, or coughing. Lassitude, aching of the limbs, cold chills, and shiverings, are now apparent, with but little expectoration of the opaque matter that irritates the part; which, from neglect of the means of totally removing it, assumes other characters, and rapidly passes into inflammation of the lungs.

The larynx, or top of the windpipe, is the seat of this complaint; and to great tenderness or soreness of the surrounding part, with a thickened state of its natural moisture, may be ascribed the cause producing it. This is always perceptible to those who are hoarse, who, in endeavouring to speak out to render their voice audible, feel that part of the throat extremely painful and tender; and if, at any time, they expectorate, or discharge a portion of phlegm, it is very firm, thick, and tenacious, and often tinged with blood--but they are enabled to speak more freely afterwards, until a re-accumulation of the matter, which occasions the disease, ensues. The BALSAM is a natural and truly excellent remedy in such cases, for it possesses great power in softening and dissolving the tough phlegm; and it is, moreover, an excellent pectoral and balsamic, on which account, nothing can be more suited for curing the complaint, which fact repeated experience has confirmed.

The subjects of this disorder are always worse in the morning. The acrid humours which occasion it, collect, accumulate, and spread themselves over the affected parts during the night, undisturbed; and on rising from bed in the morning, the oppression induced is severely felt. On this account, also, those who are subjected to these oppressions from thick, glutinous phlegm, feel more uneasiness at this time, than perhaps any other part of the day.--The remedy should, therefore, never be omitted at night in such cases, and ought to be again repeated early in the morning.

Those who suffer from hoarseness, should refrain, as much as possible, from any attempt at loud talking, because those efforts invariably increase the malady. Although night and morning are the periods when the use of the Balsam is indicated, in such cases, it will do good taken at any time of the day, in small doses, as the occasion requires. If, therefore, the patient labouring under this harassing complaint have occasion to speak much, he should always guard against the consequences, by previously taking a dose, to sheathe the lungs, and the subjoining parts affected. He will then be enabled to articulate with greater ease and comfort to himself, more intelligibly to his auditory, and prevent that violent straining which inevitably aggravates and increases the disorder.

When any person afflicted with hoarseness is going into company where his conversational powers will be unavoidably called into action, it will be advisable to take a dose of the Balsam, incorporated with honey; and again renew it, should not the first relieve him--which relief he would in vain endeavour to obtain by violent efforts--such efforts, without the use of this remedy, would only add to the existing evil.

Speaking with ease and clearness, is agreeable to every one; but to some it is of the utmost importance. The clergyman, who officiates in his duties as a minister in the pulpit; the advocate, who pleads the cause of his client at the bar; the actor, who caters on the stage, for the amusement of the spectators; and those vocalists, who contribute to the delight of the assembly or the concert, are often distressed in the highest degree by hoarseness, which it is of consequence should be obviated by the use of a counteracting remedy. In these cases, this medicine will certainly afford permanent relief.

OF CATARRH, COLD, INFLUENZA, AND COUGH; AND HOOPING COUGH, TO WHICH CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY LIABLE.

Although Catarrhs, or Colds, are the most common of all disorders, there are few which are less understood, or have called forth a greater diversity of opinion. Persons of a phlegmatic temperament, delicate constitution, and relaxed habit of body--and those with long necks and narrow chests, or who indulge in warm apartments and beds--who rise late, and take but little exercise in the open air--are most liable to the complaint.

In the spring and autumnal seasons, or in wet and changeable weather, its attacks are most general and severe. The coldness and moisture of the atmosphere, or in other states of the air, not perceptible to the senses, but which impede and check the insensible perspiration of the skin, or cutaneous surface, are the chief and prevailing exciting causes. When it arises from epidemic or infectious sources, as it sometimes does, the disorder is attended with symptoms of a febrile character, and is usually very severe in its effects; and in this case, it not only extends to the digestive mucus, producing great debility, but along the air passages, exciting cough, difficulty of breathing, and a host of melancholy feelings, to which the asthmatic are the constant subjects.

The uncertainty of our climate renders its inhabitants extremely liable to Colds; and one of the common effects arising from them is a Cough. A Cough is too frequently slighted, because it is common; but if the danger attendant on this apparently unimportant affection, were known, and the remedy applied in time, much mischief would be prevented. In young persons especially, Coughs are often the forerunners of Consumption; and in those who are far advanced in life, though not in the same degree liable to this dangerous consequence, the complaint will become habitual and confirmed, and of course most troublesome and distressing.

Colds are often brought on by taking hot liquors previous to going out of a warm room into the air in a cold evening; but generally they arise from an exposure of the body to the atmosphere, when it is heated above its usual temperature; or from a sudden transition from heat to cold. The natural perspiration is, in a great measure, retarded by the obstruction of the cutaneous pores; and the abundant humours, which should have passed off through the skin, lodge in the internal surface of the throat and lungs, where, by their quantity and acrimony, they create a constant tickling and wheezing, with a peculiar painful and distressing sensation; and the lungs, by endeavouring to dislodge the accumulated matter, become subject to a state of inflammation, with a harassing Cough, as the natural result.

In this case, those means must be used which will attenuate and subdue this acrimonious humour, lessen its quantity, and carry it off by the urinary passages; and this cannot be effected with advantage, but by ingredients of a balsamic quality, which, while they act with efficacy, will also mollify and sheathe the parts, and preserve them from the results which a chemical action of the corrosive matter would otherwise produce. Such then is the Balsam, herein recommended, which, for these purposes, can never be sufficiently extolled; and, in most cases, it acts as a preventative, as well as cure.

We would respectfully advise that on the first appearance of the Cough, recourse be immediately had to the remedy, of which one or two doses will generally cure. There are but few who do not suffer a Cough to be neglected, until it has gained a firm hold, and affects the whole frame, by febrile and other symptoms. If such be the case, no time must be lost in commencing with the remedy, and persevering in its use--as in these cases, it is a decided specific.

In Chronic Coughs, arising from a loaded state of the air vessels of the lungs with mucus, it proves pre-eminently beneficial, by increasing the power of the patient to expectorate the irritating matter; at the same time allaying irritability in the membrane lining the wind-pipe, &c.

A recent Cold may be cured by an extra full dose of the Balsam, taken at night. As in all Colds and Coughs, fever is an attendant symptom, the patient should refrain as much as possible from the use of meat, and especially strong spirituous liquors; and take gentle exercise in the open air, when the weather will admit; of course avoiding all draughts, which would renew and increase the Cold.

Disorders, which have been slowly induced, and established a firm hold in the constitution, will, of course, require a little time to pass off, even with the utmost care. No person, however, need suffer a Cough to fix upon him, if he will have timely recourse to this medicine; but if either by neglect or ignorance of the remedy, or other remedies, it has become habitual and confirmed, the use of this specific for a short period, twice or thrice a day, with an occasional dose of some gentle opening medicine, will complete the cure. This course must not be omitted by young persons especially, because, if the Cough in its early stages is neglected, Consumption will inevitably be produced. Had it no other excellent qualities to recommend its fame, it is, in this respect, entitled to a high estimate, as we shall hereafter demonstrate. How often do we notice medical men at a pause, not knowing what to do with obstinate and rebellious Coughs, which are proof against all their medicines; whereas there is no case of this kind in which the Balsam does not effect permanent advantage. Certainly, the sooner it is taken, the more speedily will the benefit be manifested; but there is no period when it will not effect a permanent and radical cure.

HOOPING COUGH.

The immediate cause of Hooping Cough is a viscid and glutinous matter or phlegm lodged upon the bronchiae, trachea, and fauces, which adheres so firmly as to be expectorated or discharged with the greatest possible difficulty.

In this peculiar calamitous and highly dangerous Cough, the object to be attained is a free expectoration, to dissolve and remove the phlegm, and to abate the fever. Emetics, which are often unwisely ordered, agitate the system, and aggravate the symptoms; blisters only irritate, without accomplishing the desired intention; and, in fact, the patient is too frequently abandoned to the chances of change of air, and strength of constitution, to sustain the shock. It will be a source of consolation to every anxious mother, that this valuable compound which operates so beneficially in Coughs, is also equally excellent in Hooping Cough; indeed, its balsamic, pectoral, expectorant, and emollient properties, render it peculiarly adapted to eradicate the worst stages of the complaint, for the reasons before advanced. It may be given in the quantity of a tea-spoonful, three or four times a day, in honey, or on lump sugar, as the urgency of the case demands. The contents of a 2s. 9d. bottle, seldom or ever fail to develope its specific qualities in such cases.

This disorder sometimes terminates in apoplexy and suffocation. In some, it lays the foundation for asthma and pulmonary complaints. It will, therefore, be manifest, that a remedy, which will remove the offending cause, should never be omitted.

OF THE TOUGH PHLEGM, WHICH USUALLY PRECEDES AN ATTACK OF ASTHMA.

Many individuals, especially those far advanced in life, are much subjected to a collection of tough phlegm, which adheres to the bronchial tube, or inner surface of the windpipe, in the morning, and renders their breathing most difficult and painful; occasioning hoarseness, and producing violent fits of coughing, until the matter is discharged. This affection is not, strictly speaking, a disease; and although it is most troublesome and disagreeable, as well as painful to its subject, and to others, there are but few persons who consult the physician for its removal.

This complaint should not, however, be neglected, for, by inattention to its early symptoms, it will be much increased, and often terminate in Asthma; and some have fallen a sacrifice to its consequences, by the rupture of a blood vessel, occasioned by violent straining. If it were asked of medical men, what medicine would cure this infirmity, and be a safe preventative to its return, the question would be with difficulty answered. No remedy could afford effectual relief, otherwise compounded than the Balsam before alluded to. The patient should have recourse to it on retiring to rest at night, and early in the morning, or on rising from bed; one or two tea-spoonsful in a little honey, or on lump sugar, will constitute the regular dose. Relief will be experienced from it the first day, and progressively increase, until the recovery is complete. It will, nevertheless, be advisable to take minute supplies occasionally, for a short period afterwards, to prevent a tendency to relapse: and if at any subsequent period, after the removal of the cold, the complaint again appear, the same course must be again adopted, and duly persevered in, until it is totally removed.

OF ASTHMA, OR DIFFICULTY OF BREATHING.

There are two distinct kinds of Asthma--one of which is denominated nervous or convulsive--the latter is not the disorder so prevalent in this country as the former. The true Asthma is a laborious breathing, wheezing, sense of suffocation, attended by anxiety, cough, and mucus expectoration. It is very frequent; and no disease is more distressing to the patient.

Asthma is a disease which usually attacks elderly people; and those who are subject to it, have frequent returns--for all the methods in common use are calculated only to promote relief in the present fit, not to produce a lasting cure. If the medical adviser be called in in the extremity of a fit, he bleeds his patient freely; and that practice is become too general, because it often affords immediate relief in the paroxysms, but the fits again return, and often with greater violence than before; and frequent renewals of this practice soon undermine and destroy the constitution.

The phenomena of Asthma arises from increased excitement of the branches of the eighth pair of nerves, distributed over the larynx, and the internal membrane of the wind-pipe, and bronchiae, brought on by a certain condition of the atmosphere, probably with respect to electric matter: for, opposite states of the air, with regard to its temperature, density, or humidity, do not disorder asthmatic subjects, so much as easterly or north-easterly winds. In consequence of the excitement of the nerves of the larynx, &c., the respiratory muscles, particularly those which perform the functions of expiration, become affected by spasms, whereby the free admission of the irritating air into the lungs is promoted. This is manifest by the excessive paroxysms, very similar to that which ensues on an attack of Asthma, which immediately follows an artificial irritation, the membrane of the larynx. The suffocating sensation produced by a morsel of food lodging in the membrane in the act of swallowing is of this nature. The muscles concerned in expiration immediately contract, to prevent the admission of an obnoxious article into the wind-pipe; and this state of muscles will continue many minutes: and, in asthmatics, whose nerves of the parts are morbidly irritable, it has continued many hours.

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