which tends to deceive the reader. He quotes directory, is 922. Not so contemptible a numas follows: "The privilege to practise in any ber, after all!

town in Bavaria is granted only to favorites, Next we have come to the Homœopathists and that they are hardly ever (never?) of the United States. Here again the author, Homoeopathists, may easily be conceived." instead of consulting the best authority, the (P. 6.) Now the author must have known that directory of American Homoeopathists, cites the introduction of the word (never ?) in this an old journal of 1852. Here he finds the manner would seem to imply that there are no number in the Atlantic cities to be 398, and Homoeopathists in Bavaria. Yet, on the very sees no reason for supposing that 100 others page from which he quotes, are mentioned the could be found in the rest of the Union. Now names of eight Homoeopathists residing in the actual number by the directory is 1436! Munich alone. Of course he never alludes to showing a decided error in our author's mode them, although it seems impossible that he of computation. These numbers that we have could have overlooked them. Such little blun- cited authorize us to deny that the number of ders are so frequent that great caution is neces- Homoeopathic practitioners is so " contemptisary in receiving the author's quotations and bly small" as our author would make it appear. While American Homoeopathists may look with pride on their rapidly swelling ranks, they should not undervalue their German colleagues, who, though fewer in numbers, have heretofore contributed more than their quota to the literary and scientific progress of Homoeopathy.

statements.

Another argument of our author's, to show the low state of Homoeopathy, is the small number of its practitioners. For once he makes a correct statement in giving the number of Homoeopathists in Germany as 439, according to the German directory of Homoeopathic physicians; but he cannot refrain from But our author's most extraordinary propoadding, "but undoubtedly they represent the sition is that Homoeopathy is "not a system number as larger than it really is," and he in- that uses next to no medicines, but it is a syssinuates that many are "superannuated or in- tem that is forced to depend upon large doses firm, or unfit for business, or dead!" Unfortu- of the most active and poisonous drugs!". nately he does not submit any proof for these (P. 20.) Hitherto the theme of reproach has assumptions; and so they must go for what always been that Homoeopathic remedies were they are worth. In speaking of this German quite inert. But of late years, as the laws of directory the author gives us a pretty specimen" nature in disease" became better known, of the way in which he forms his opinions. He even the bitterest opponents of Homoeopathy acknowledges that he has never seen the book, doses gradually modified this treatment; so yet he tells us that it is "undoubtedly" no that they now give nothing or next to nothing more than an advertisement; and that, in the list in the very forms of disease, in the treatment of physicians, the name of the town where of which Homoeopathists were accused, years they reside is only given without furthur par- ago, of grievous "sins of omission." As the ticulars, lest they should" be thereby betrayed to the police!" Does the gentleman really believe, or does he only wish to make his readers believe, that Homoeopathists are hunted down like felons all over Europe?

doses of the old school thus gradually approximated to those of the new, it became evident that such proximity was undesirable, and might lead lookers-on to make unfavorable comparisons between the stability of the Homoeopathy Next he gives us the number of physicians and the contradictions and changes constantly in England; but here the temptation becomes taking place in the practice of the old school. too strong for him, and instead of giving us It thus became necessary that some new bugthe figures from the best source, that is, a re- bear should be found to frighten the people cent directory, he goes back to an old journal from Homoeopathy, and then the cry was raised of 1850. Here he finds the number put down that Homoeopathists gave strong medicines and as 116, and this, he thinks, is very little. Now poisons. Did the gentlemen never see that on referring to a directory for 1856, we find they were proving too much? If Homœopathat the number at that time was 208, and we thists are found guilty of giving too little medicannot but believe that the English Home- cine and also of giving too much, is it not a opathists must be satisfied with their progress, natural conclusion that they may possibly avoid having nearly doubled their number in six either extreme and give just the proper dose? years. The whole number of Homœopathic The Homœopathic poisoning is now the physicians in Europe, according to Meyer's watch word, and to show how well our author

takes his cue, we will give one of his state- vigor and the other ease. They may be con-
ments as an example. "Children that have tinued for several years with good acceptance;
received the globules for every slight complaint but at length a collapse ensues, either of the
often show traces of poison imbibed. In some whole person or of some part." Now we ask,
the injury is less obvious than in others, but a where does our author get his authority for
certain unhealthful complexion, a peculiar these novel and extraordinary statements,
feebleness, or other symptoms, too often indi- which have never yet appeared in any work on
cate the operation of no trifling quantities!"-toxicology or therapeutics? Where in the whole
(P. 20.) This form of accusation is a new one Homoeopathic literature can he find such a
in this country, but we remember seeing mode of treatment recommended, or such re-
something similar in a little scandalous vol-sults spoken of? What right has he, in a
ume, published in Germany about twenty years pamphlet intended for general circulation, and
ago, which moreover assured its adult readers knowing as he must what vague fear the non-
that taking these pernicious little pellets would professional public has when it merely hears the
affect the mind, cause the hair to fall out, and use of such a drug as arsenic mentioned,-what
bring on premature old age! The moral in- right has he to make statements so enormous,
tended to be conveyed by all these formidable and so entirely unsupported by facts?
statements is, of course, avoid pellets and have said that the author was unfortunate in
Homoeopathy, and return to the good large speaking of the Homoeopathic use of these two
doses of the old school.
remedies, because one of them, white lead, is

In speaking of this subject the author cites scarcely known in Homoeopathic practice; its two cases, which again require correction for use as an application to ulcers, &c., as described the inaccurate and deceptive manner in which by the author, is confined altogether to the they are quoted. In the first case, (p. 21,) practitioners of the old school, so that any he gives us to understand that a child died of odium from its improper use must rest entirely excessive salivation caused by mercurials given with them. As to arsenic, surely physicians by a Homoeopathist. Now this is just the re- of the old school, who accuse any of using verse of what is reported in the journal he this remedy in immoderate quantities, forget quotes. The child had canorum oris; the that they live in glass houses. It is so easy to physician was accused of giving mercurials, but refer to that good authority of the old school, the coroner's jury found that the child died of the United States Dispensatory, and there to natural causes, and not from the use of mercury. find that Fowler's solution, the preparation of In the second case, (p. 15,) the author cites arsenic most commonly used, containing grain a journal which "tells of a coroner's inquest of this "poison" to a fluid drachm, is generally where death was supposed to have been caused to be given in doses of 10 drops, two or three by 20 grains of ergot which a Homoeopathist times a day, and this dose to be gradually inconfessed that he had given. The editor argues creased until its poisonous effects are observed; that the dose was a proper one not only in that these effects being among others, tender mouth, but in all similar diseases." This is false loss of appetite, sickness at the stomach, someagain. The jury found that death was not times salivation and the loss of hair and nails! caused by the ergot, and the editor does not When Homoeopathy can wring such "testimony say that this dose was proper in any disease, from the witnesses of its opponents," it is surebut said that this was a proper dose to stimu-ly not prudent for them to make any more such late the uterus in its natural functions. How hazardous accusations, or to talk about Homeocan our author expect to have the least influ- pathic dilutions being "as concentrated as any ence on his readers when he makes such bare- physician can ever wish to give." faced attempts to deceive them at every step? In another place our author refers to the But supposing that in these two cases the physi- use of tart. emetic in the 1st and 2d trituracians killed their patients either through igno- tion, and tells us that physicians have used it grance or malice, does this justify the con- in these doses for several centuries. But we clusion that all Homoeopathic physicians are in would remind him that his school occasionally the habit of using poisonous doses? give rather stronger doses. Take as an examIn giving an example of the "poisons" ple the contro-stimulant treatment of Rasori, Homoeopathists administer, the author makes which had quite a run in the profession, not a most unfortunate selection in naming white many years ago; the treatment being to give lead and arsenic. He tells us that these two 1 or 2 grains or more of tart. emetic every two remedies being used together, "one gives hours! In Braithwaite's Retrospect, Part 34,

case,

page 42, we find another specimen of the use put confidence in the puffs on the last certain of immense doses of tart. emetic in croup, cure for consumption," and that "any wellrecommended by such authority as Dr. John informed person may ascertain by examination" Eliotson, F. R. S. &c. Here in one case a that they are nothing but "quack advertisegirl six years old took 32 grains of tart. ments." We are perfectly willing to abide by emetic, in four days. Another child of the decision of those persons who are really fourteen months took twenty-seven grains well-informed. We are confident that their in three days. This treatment caused ex- testimony will be to the effect that the Homoeotreme depression, and produced violent symp-pathic journals of this country and of Europe toms of tetanus, lasting three days and nights. stand as high as any medical journals extant, Yet Dr. Elliotson considers this the best mode as regards their standard of honor, as well as of treatment for croup that the old school their literary and scientific character. But our possesses! author can scarcely expect his opinion to be We have thus followed our author's example taken on this question, for, as his whole knowlin giving these specimens of the extreme doses edge of Homoeopathic literature seems to be that are sometimes employed by physicians of based on the perusal of a few numbers of one the old school; but we should be sorry to imi- English and two American journals, he certaintate him in his manner of arriving at conclu- ly does not deserve to be classed among the sions, and to infer from the facts cited that" well-informed," on this subject at least. Allopathists habitually poison their patients. Neither do we think it worth while to pay Still we do say that Homoeopathic doses, being any attention to the author's opinion of the infinitely smaller than the ordinary doses of the Homoeopathic law of similarity, since it is quite old school, they are certainly not liable to do plain that he is entirely ignorant of its practical harm; and if hurtful and even destructive application. But while on this point he makes doses of many of the most active drugs may a very remarkable and imprudent admission, easily be concealed in Homoeopathic disguises," he is evidently unaware that physicians of his why, such concealment is still more easy in the school in Germany, have been and are experimore massive doses of the old school, if such menting with remedies on healthy organisms, a disguise is attempted for any base purpose. just like the Homoeopathists. So while speakThe danger of giving too large doses, either ing of experimenting with medicines on the from carelessness or ignorance, is almost null sick, he asserts that "why the medicine to be in Homoeopathic practice, but very great when experimented with is the one selected, is a matthe larger doses of the old school are employed; ter of little importance; but the experiments witness the recent case in Baltimore, where a themselves are of much importance." preparation ignorantly prescribed by a physi- are sure that the better class at least of allocian, caused the death not only of his patient pathic physicians would earnestly deny that but also of the druggist, who ignorantly pre- they are in the habit of experimenting on their pared it, witness the cases of frequent occur- patients in such a wholesale and irrational manrence where con. sublimate is carelessly given ner; while their patients would probably be instead of calomel; in fact, only examine the but little pleased with the information that they papers of the day, and scarcely a week will be were the subjects of such indiscriminate experifound to pass without some accident from care- mentation, however interesting the results of lessness in handling these allopathic strong such experiments might ultimately be to their doses. physicians. Let such notions get abroad, and As to our author's accusation that Homoeo- these patients might even go so far as to seek pathists use large doses secretly, it is easy to aid at the hands of some heretical Homosce that he is here again actuated by that opathist, who knows the effects of his remedies malevolent determination to see everything in before trying any experiments at the sick-bed. its worst light, which is visible throughout his Our author gives another curious specimen volume. If Homoeopathists really make a of his medical knowledge on page 16, where secret of using anything but infinitesimals, how he cites a well-known axiom of Hahnemann's, is it that the use of larger doses is openly dis- to the effect that "in cases of sudden disease, cussed in the journals, which, as our author threatening speedy death," large doses are assures us, are written especially for the eyes necessary to change the morbid state. Hence of the general public. The author's opinion he draws the strange inference that Homoof these Homoeopathic journals is not very opathy is of no avail in "severe fevers, croup, flattering. He says that we might "as well dysentery, colic and cholera." Our author

We

must have curious notions of pathology, and wrong-doing in this case, we find it more diffi-
sadly ignorant of the nature and course of cult to excuse him for the injury he has done,
disease, if the five forms he has so strangely not to Homoeopathy, but to the whole medical
placed together are the best examples he can profession, when we remember how every one
give of conditions threatening speedy death. of these disgraceful squabbles, characterized
Let us give the gentleman,as familiar examples, as they generally are by a total forgetfulness
cases of asphyxia or drowning, also cases of of professional dignity and honorable feeling,
poisoning; these are conditions where Homo- makes us sink lower and lower in the estima
opathy is inapplicable just as much as allopathy, tion and respect of the community.
the remedies which every educated physician But what was the purpose for which this
would employ in these cases being generally volume was written? From the unscientific
such as act on chemical or mechanical princi- nature of its contents, it is evident that it was
ples. Our author was here doubly unfortu- intended for non-professional readers. In fact,
nate, for he not only exposed his own ignorance, another medical journal has recommended it to
but he also happened to hit upon diseases in
all of which Homoeopathy has been amply suf-
ficient, while in some of these forms, for ex-
ample croup and cholera, this mode of treat-
ment has been signally triumphant.

H. S. H. HOFFENDAHL, M. D.

[Communicated for the Medical World.] IS SICKNESS A CRIME?

physicians as a proper book of which to put copies in their pocket, to be distributed among their patients, as an answer to their questions about Homoeopathy. We cannot join in such a recommendation. On the contrary we would, Having thus discussed our author's principal in concluding, warn all physicians to whom their propositions as thoroughly as our limited space principles of honor are more dear than the would allow, we would, before concluding, promptings of prejudice and party feeling, that advert to one question which involuntarily oc- if by distributing this book they endorse the curred to us in penning this pamphlet. This statements it contains, they will be just as acquestion is: Is the author honest? Does he countable as its author for the unscrupulous himself really believe all the extraordinary and dissemination of a tissue of falsehood and misuntrue statements he has put forth? It was a representation. difficult question to answer. On the one hand our suspicions were first aroused by the concealment of the author's name; then we saw numerous statements, palpably false; we discovered quotation after quotation tampered with, unfairly explained, and then used as Dr. Johnson is quoted by Sydney Smith, as premises to unjust conclusions. But on the other hand, we have too much confidence in saying that "every sick man is a rascal." the honor and honesty of our profession, to Mrs. Swisshelm, some years since, observed, believe hastily in the absence of these quali-" Persons ought to be as much ashamed to be ties in any of its members. Furthermore, it bilious as to be drunk," and it was brought, appeared to us that a man who deceived inten- as a very grave charge, against the Hon. tionally, would use more caution than our author Amasa Walker, many years ago, that he has done, and be careful to make his acts of affirmed, on a certain occasion, that it was deception more difficult of detection. We "wrong to be sick." But none of these, it therefore came to the conclusion that our author may be said, were medical men; what is their was, or at least believed he was, honest, but testimony on the subject? was what is called a "good hater." If any Now, I am not about to search the medical quality is more common in our profession than records, either of antiquity or of more modern another, it is probably a great amount of confi- days, to ascertain what has been said by those dence in what we believe, and a corresponding who are deemed competent authority in this amount of hatred and intolerance for those matter, both for want of inclination to do who have different opinions. These qualities so, and for want of time. And yet I am by our author undoubtedly possesses to a great no means sure that the search would be undegree, and therefore prejudice so warped his profitable. For the present, however, I will understanding, and gave such an obliquity to simply do what Elihu of old said he would do, his moral vision, as fully to explain the other- in the case of Job: I will give "mine opinwise unwarrantable manner in which he has ion." Of its value, the public must judge. It treated his subject. But although we are will- is, at least, the result of a long course of obing to acquit our author of any intentional servation on a very wide field.

-

Indeed, the common sense of mankind, both

Let me say, then, in a few words, that while dences," as they are so often denominated, I have as little sympathy with the notion that why a single well-established germ of the animal all sickness is criminal, as with the equally world should perish. popular idea that all crime is misfortune, I have yet no doubt that there is very much ground enlightened and unenlightened, when left to its for both of these beliefs. Most certain it is, own deductions, without any preconceived thethat a large share a very large one of ories to support, comes to about this. Thus, a what we call disease, is the result of trans- plain man, whom I met in Hartford one day, at gression against law, somewhere and by some- the head of a family of ten stout children, most body. of them already arrived at maturity, said, in That much of this transgression comes of reply to certain inquiries and remarks of my ignorance, I grant; but even ignorance itself own, "Why, sir, it is as easy to raise ten is oftentimes culpable. There are many things children as it is ten pigs." And the wise and concerning which we have no right to be ig. christian editor of the American Annals of norant. A man who has eyes and ears has no Education, for 1830, at page 37, indorses the right to pass through the world with them statements of the first Annual Report of the shut. They are made for use, and thousands Board of Trustees of a Manual Labor Acadare blameable for not considering this. The emy in Pennsylvania, that the frequent sacrieye and ear are given them; they did not fice of bodily health, in our efforts to develop make them for themselves. They are valua- or quicken the intellect, is neither more nor ble. But are we under no sort of obliga- less than "sinful." tion on account of them? Men are not such Now, if these things are so, if the wickidiots as to be thoughtless on this subject, and ed do not live out half their days, because of yet blameless. As sure as I have eyes, they their wickedness, why should we not say so? are given me to use, to use as long as I Why is the blame, in case of premature sicklive, and, in order to this, to be well used. ness and death, and an average duration which When I abuse them, I violate law. Do I not should not be less than a century, dwindled know it? Does not every body who strains down to less than half that period, practically and injures his eyes, by reading with a bad thrown on the great Creator? Let us underlight, or with very little light, or by reading stand this matter as it truly is, and speak of it bad print, or by reading even good print too accordingly.

long, till inflammation ensues, know he has. But I have said enough for once. My object done wrong? that all wrong is sin? and, vice has been, mainly, to call forth some abler pen versa, all sin is wrong' g? May not disease of the eyes, therefore, be wrong?

But are these charges thus made against those who venture to abuse their eyes and ears the only charges of the kind which can be made against a world of free agents, like our own? Has man less to do with disease,in sowing its seeds, in multiplying and aggra vating its causes, and in tampering with the final results, in the case of other parts or organs, than in that of the eyes or ears?

It is a well-ascertained fact, that fully half our population die under ten years of age, in some localities, more than half under five. Is here no criminality? Is here nothing wrong on the part of ancestors, nurses or physicians? Did God intend, as some have maintained, that a large majority of our race should, like the fruits which we set out in our fields and gardens and groves, perish prematurely? Some, I know, have maintained such a doctrine; but they have been few and far between. There is no earthly reason, nor anything fairly be longing to the world of "mysterious provi

than my own, on a subject which greatly con-
cerns human happiness, and which is, by no
means, misplaced in the columns of a popular
medical journal. The prevention is by means
less noble, in the medical art, than the merely
curative.
W. A. ALCOTT.

AUBURNDALE, May 1st, 1857.

FLOATING

FACTS.

Persian Poison. One of the most subtle and remarkable vegetable poisons in the whole range of the botany, is found in Persia. It is from a plant of an ashy white color, found in the mountains of Kurdistan. The leaves being dried and next reduced to a powder, is perfectly tasteless; yet, when taken in very small doses, if the person is of a lymphatic temperament, causes immediate death. In the first instance, after being swallowed, a slight colica pain is experienced, which is followed by utter loss of muscular power, and death closes the scene.