note: the title goes on 'or and easy and natural method of curing mi=ost Disases...Hom sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto ;the 23rd edition;1791
the preface
23 when man came first out of the hands of the great Creator, clothed in body as well as in soul, with immortality and incorruption, there was no place for physic or the art of healing. as he knew no sin, so he knew no pain, no sickness, weakness, or bodily disorder. the habitation wherein the angelic mind, the Divinae Particula Aurae, abode, although originally formed out of the dust of the earth, was liable to no decay. it had no seeds of corruption or dissolution within itself. and there was nothing without to injure it: heaven and earth and all the hosts of them were mild, benign and friendly to human nature. the entire creation was at peace with man, so long as man was at peace with his Creator. so that well might the morning-stars sing together and all the sons of God shout for joy.
2, but since man rebelled against the Sovereign of heaven and earth, how entirely is the scene changed! the incorruptible frame hath put on corruption, the immortal has put on mortality. the seeds of weakness and pain, of sickness and death, are now lodged in our inmost substance; whence a thousand disorders continually spring, even without the aid of external violence. and how is the number of these increased by every thing round about us? the heavens, the earth and all things contained therein, conspire to punish the rebels against their Creator. the sun and moon shed unwholesome influences from above; the earth exhales poisonous damps from beneath: the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, are in a state of hostility: the air itself that surrounds us
24 on every side, is replete with the shafts of death: yea, the food we eat, daily saps the foundation of that life which cannot be sustained without it. so has the Lord of all secured the execution of his decree, - 'Dust thou rt and unto dust thou shalt return.
3. but can nothing be found to lessen those inconveniences, which cannot be wholly removed? to soften the evils of life and prevent in part the sickness and pain to which we are continually exposed? without question there may. one grand preventative of pain and sickness of various kinds, seems intimated by the grand Author of Nature in the very sentence that intails death upon us: 'in the sweat of they face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground. the power of exercise, both to preserve and restore health, is greater than can well be conceived: especially in those who add temperance thereto; who, if they do not confine themselves altogether to eat either 'Bread or the herb of the Field' (which God does not require them to do), yet steadily observe both that kind and measure of food, which experience shews to be most friendly to health and strength.
4. it is probable Physic, as well as Religion, was in the first ages chiefly traditional: every father delivering down to his sons, what he had himself in like manner received, concerning the manner of healing both outward hurts and the diseases incident to each climate and the medicines which were of he greatest efficacy for the cure of each disorder. it is certain this is the method wherein the art of healing is preserved among the Americans to this day. their diseases indeed are exceeding few; nor do they often occur by reason of their continual exercise and (till of late) universal temperance. but if any are sick or bit by a serpent, or town by a wild beast, the fathers immediately tell their children what remedy to apply. and it is rare that the patient suffers long; thos medicines being quick, as well as generally infallible.
5. hence it was, perhaps, that the Ancients, not only of Greece and Rome, but even of barbarous nations, usually assigned physic a divine original. and indeed it was a natural thought, that He who had taught it to the very beasts and birds the
25 Cretan Stag, the Egyptian Ibis, could not be wanting to teach man,
Anctius his Animal, mentisque capacious altae:
yea, sometimes even by those meaner creatures: for it was easy to infer, 'if this will heal that creature, whose flesh is nearly of the same texture with mine, then in a parallel case it will heal me. the trial was made: the cure was wrought; and Experience and Physic grew up together.
6. and has not the Author of Nature taught us the use of many other medicines, by what is vulgarly termed Accident? thus one walking some years since in a grove of pines, at a time when many in the neighboring town were afflicted with a kind of new distemper, little sores in the inside of the mouth, a drop of the natural gum fell from one of the trees on the book which he was reading. this he took up and thoughtlessly applied to one of those sore places. finding the pain immediately cease he applied it to another, which was also presently healed. the same remedy he afterwards imparted to others, and it did not fail to heal any that applied it. and doubtless numberless remedies have been thus casually discovered in every age and nation.
7. thus far physic was wholly founded on experiment. the European, as well as the American, said to his neighbour, are you sick? drink the juice of this herb and your sickness will be at an end. are you in a burning heat? leap into that river and then sweat till you are well. has the snake bitten you? chew and apply that root and the poison will not hurt you. thus ancient men, having a little experience joined with common sense and common humanity, cured both themselves and their neighbors of most of the distempers, to which every nation was subject.
8. but in process of time, men of a philosophical (def - from Greek words for friend/lover of + wisdom) turn were not satisfied with this. they began to enquire how they might Account for these things? how such Medicines wrought such effects? they examined the human body and all its parts; the nature of the flesh, veins, arteries, nerves; the structure of the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, bowels; with the springs of the
26 several kinds of animal functions. they explored the several kinds of animal and mineral, as well as vegetable substances. and hence the whole order of physic, which had obtained to that time, came gradually to be inverted. men of learning began to set aside experience; to build physic upon hypothesis; to form theories if diseases and their cure and to substitute these in the place of experiments.
9. as theories increased, simple medicines were more and more disregarded and disused: till in a course of years the greater part of them were forgotten, at least in the politer nations. in the room of these, abundance of new ones were introduced by reasoning, speculative men: and those more and more difficult to be applied, as being more remote from common observation. (note - think beginnings of Big Pharma.) hence rules for the application of these and medical books were immensely multiplied; till at length physic became an abstruse science, quite out of the reach of ordinary men.
10. physicians now began to be had in admiration, as persons who were something more than human. and profit attended their employ as well as honour; so that they had now 2 weighty reasons for keeping the bulk of mankind at a distance, that they might not pry into the mysteries of the profession. to this end, they increased those difficulties by design, which began in a manner by accident. they filed their writings with abundance of technical terms, utterly unintelligible to plain men. they affected to deliver their rules, and to reason upon them, in an abstruse and philosophical manner, they represented the critical knowledge of Astronomy, Natural Philosophy (and what not? some of them insisting on that of astronomy and Astrology too) as necessarily previous to the understanding the art of healing. those who understood only how to restore the sick to health, they branded with the name of Empirics. they introduced into practice abundance of compound medicines, consisting of so many ingredients, that it was scarce possible for common people to know which it was that wrought the cure: abundance of exotics, neither the nature nor names of which neither had skill, nor fortune, nor time to prepare: ye and of dangerous ones, such as they could not use, without hazarding
27 life, by by the advice of a physician. and thus both their honour and gain were secured, a vast majority of mankind being utterly cut off from helping either themselves or their neighbours, or once daring to attempt it.
11. yet there have not been wanting, from time to time, some lovers of mankind, who have endeavoured (even contrary to their own interest) to reduce physic to its ancient standard: who have laboured to explode it out of all the hypotheses and fine spun theories and to make it a plain intelligible thing, as it was in the beginning: having on more mystery in it than this, 'such a medicine removes such a pain. these have demonstrably shewn, that neither the knowledge of Astrology, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, nor even Anatomy itself, is absolutely necessary to the quick and effectual cure of most diseases incident to human bodies: nor yet any chimical or exotic or compound medicine, but a single plant or root duly applied. so that every man of common sense (unless in some rare cases) may prescribe either to himself or his neighbour; and may be very secure from doing harm, even where he can do no good
12. even in the last age there was something of this kind done, particularly by the great and good Dr. Sydenham: and in the present, by his pupil Dr. Dover, who has pointed out simple medicines for many diseases. and some such may be found in the writings of the learned and ingenious Dr. Chenyne: who doubtless would have communicated many more to the world, but for the melancholy reason he gave one of his friends, that prest him with some passages in his works, which too much countenanced the modern practice, 'O Sir, we must do something to Oblige the Faculty, or they will tear us in pieces.
13. without any regard to this, without any concern about the obliging or disobliging any man living, a mean had has made here some little attempt towards a plain and easy way of curing most diseases. I have only consulted herein, Experience, Common sense, and the common Interest of mankind. and supposing they can be cured this easy way, who would desire to use any other? who would not wish to have a Physician always in his house and one that attends without fee or reward?
28 to be able (unless in some few complicated cases) to prescribe to his family, as well as himself?
14. if it be said, but what need is there of such attempt? I answer, the greatest that can possibly be conceived. is it not needful in the highest degree, to rescue men from the jaws of destruction? from wasting their fortunes, as thousands have done and continue to do daily? from pining away in sickness and pain,either through the ignorance or dishonesty of Physicians? yea and may times throwing away their lies, after their health, time and substance?
is it enquired, but are there not books enough already, on every part of the art of medicine? yes, too many 10 times over, considering how little to the purpose the far greater part of them speak. but beside this, they are too dear for poor men to buy and too hard for plain men to understand. do you say, 'but there are enough of these collections of Receipts. (def - recipe) where? I have not seen one yet, either in our own or any other tongue, which contains only safe and cheap and easy medicines. in all that have yet fallen into my hand, I find many dear and many far-fetched medicines: besides many of so dangerous a kind, as a prudent man would never meddle with. and against the greater part of hose medicines there is a further objection: they consist of too many ingredients. the common method of compounding and de-compounding medicines, an never be reconciled to Common Sense. experience shews, that one thing will cure most disorders, at least s well as 20 put together. then why do you add the other 19? only to swell the Apothecary's bill: may, possibly, on purpose to prolong the distemper, that the Doctor and he may divide the spoil.
but admitting there is some quality in the medicine proposed which has need to be Corrected; will not one thing correct it as well as 20? it is probable, much better. and if not, there is a sufficiency of other medicines, which need no such correction.
how often, by this compounding medicines of opposite qualities, is the virtue of both utterly destroyed? nay, how often do those joined together destroy life, which single might have preserved it? this occasioned that caution of the great Boerha(a)ve, against mixing things without evident necessity,
29 and without full proof of the effect they will produce when joined together, as ell as of that they produce when asunder: seeing (as he observes) several things, which separately taken, are safe and powerful medicines, when compounded, not only lose their former powers, but commence a strong and deadly poison.
15. as to the manner of using the medicines here set down, I should advise, as soon as you know your distemper, (which is very easy, unless in a complication of disorders and then you would do well to apply to a Physician that fears God): first, use the first of the remedies for tat disease which occurs in the ensuing collection; (unless some other of them e easier to be had, and then it may do just as well.) Secondly, after a competent time, if it takes no effect, use the second, the third and so on. I have purposely set down (in most cases) several remedies for each disorder; not only because all are not equally easy to be procured at all times, and in all places: but likewise because the medicine which cures one man, will not always cure another of the same distemper. nor will it cure the same man at all times. therefore it was necessary to have a variety. however, I have subjoined the letter (I) to those medicines which some think to be Infallible. Thirdy, Observe all the time the greatest exactness in your regimen or manner of living. abstain from all mixed, all high-seasoned food. use plain diet, easy of digestion; and this as sparingly as you can, consistent with ease and strength. drink only water, if it agrees with your stomach; if not, good clear, small beer. use as much exercise daily in the open air as you can without weariness. sup at 6 or 7, on the lightest food: go to bed early and rise betimes. (def - early, in good time). to persevere with steadiness in this course, is often more than half the cure. above all, add to the rest, (for it is not labour lost) that old unfashionable Medicine, Prayer. and have faith in God who 'killeth and maketh alive, who bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up.
16. for the sake of those who desire, through the blessing of God, to retain the health which they have recovered, I have added a few plain, easy Rules, chiefly transcribed from Dr. Cheyne.
30 I. 1. THE AIR WE BREATHE IS OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE TO OUR HEALTH. those who have been long abroad in Easterly or Northerly winds, should drink some thin and warm Liquor going to be, or a draught (def - drink) of toast and water.
2. tender people should have those who lie with them, or are much about them, sound, sweet and healthy.
3. every one that would preserve health, should be as clean and sweet as possible in their houses, clothes and furniture.
II. 1. the great rule of eating and drinking is, to suit the quality and quantity of the food to the strength of our digestion; to take always such a sort and such a measure of food as fits light and easy to the stomach.
2 all pickled or smoaked or salted food, and all high-seasoned is unwholesome.
3. nothing conduces more to health, than abstinence and plain food, with due labour.
4. for studious persons, about 8 ounces of animal food, and 12 of vegetable in 24 hours is sufficient.
5. water is the wholesomest of all drinks: quickens the appetite and strengthens the digestion most.
6. strong and more especially spirituous liquors, are a certain, though slow, poison.
7. experience shews, there is very seldom any danger in leaving hem off all at once.
8. strong liquors do not prevent the mischiefs of a Surfeit (def - excessive, immoderate, intemperate; to feed to excess or satiety), nor carry it off so safely as water.
9. malt liquors ( except clear, small beer or small ale, of due age) are exceeding hurtful to tender persons.
10. coffee and tea are extremely hurtful to persons who have weak nerves.
III. 1. tender persons should eat very light suppers; and that two or three hours before going to bed.
2. they ought constantly to go to bed about nine and rise at four or five.
IV. 1. a due degree of Exercise is indispensably necessary to health and long life.
2. walking is the best exercise for those who are able to bear it;
31 riding for those who are not. the open air, when the weather is fair, contributes much to the benefit of exercise.
3. we may strengthen an weak part of the body by constant exercise. thus the lungs may be strengthened by loud speaking or walking up an easy ascent; the digestion and the nerves, by riding; the arms and hams (note - where * is used the definition is from Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary; def - a buttock with its associated thigh ..usually plural) by strongly rubbing them daily.
4. the studious ought to have stated times for exercise, at least 2 or 3 hours a day: the one half of this before dinner, the other before going to bed.
5. they should frequently shave and frequently wash their feet.
6. those who read or write much, should learn to do it standing; other wise it will impair their health.
7. the fewer clothes any one uses, by day or night, the hardier he will be.
8. exercise, first, should be always on an empty stomach; secondly, should never be continued to weariness; thirdly, after it, we should take care to cool by degrees; otherwise we shall catch cold.
9. the flesh brush (* def - a brush for exciting action in the skin by friction.) is a most useful exercise, especially to strengthen any part that is weak.
10. cold-bathing is of great advantage to health: it prevents abundance of diseases. it promotes perspiration, helps the circulation of the blood, and prevents the danger of catching cold. tender people should pour water upon the head before they go in and walk swiftly. to jump in with the head foremost, is too great a shock to nature.
V. 1. Costiveness (* causing constipation..bowels slow-moving or immobilized) cannot long conflict with health. therefore care should be taken to remove it at the beginning and when it is removed, to prevent its return, by soft, cool. opening (clear bowels by removal of costiveness...)diet.
2. obstructed perspiration (vulgarly called catching cold) is one great source of diseases. whenever there appears the least sign of this, let it be removed by gentle sweats. (note - cause sweating by exercise.)
VI. 1. the passions (note - the feeling of the mind or the sensible effect of impression: excitement, perturbation or agitation of the mind as desire, fear, hope, joy, grief, love, hatred...violent agitation...occasioned by offense, injury, insult hence violent anger.)
2. all violent and sudden passions dispose to or actually throw people into acute diseases.
3. the slow and lasting passions, such as grief and hopeless love, bring on chronical diseases.
4. till the passion, which caused th disease, is calmed, medicine is applied in vain.
5. the love of God, as it is the sovereign remedy of all miseries, so in particular it effectually prevents all the bodily disorders the passions introduce, by keeping the passions themselves within due bounds. and by the unspeakable joy and perfect calm, serenity and tranquility it gives the mind, it becomes the most powerful of all the means of health and long life.
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