Chapter V: Part 5

I will endeavor to explain to you the diseases of the womb and ovaries. In the first place, you can injure the womb by miscarriages; but previous to this, perhaps the ligaments of the womb were weak, and the cause of the miscarriage might be attributed to that. No female should stand on the ends of her toes and reach, as it injures the womb; all tight lacing is injurious; by costiveness, you impair the womb; lifting, beyond your strength, should be avoided. Child-bearing, or violent labor in child-birth, retention of the after-birth--all combine to weaken every muscle and ligament of the womb, and bring on prolapsus uteri, or falling of the womb. I have known the womb to be caloused, in several cases; and as to its falling, as we say, it may be felt more on the rectum and ovaries, and there will, in these cases, be more pain in the sciatica joints, or hip bone, and it may press more on the lower part of the bowels; this is generally brought on by costiveness; long waists have done their work, as well as heavy petticoats; all these combine to press down the bowels and ligaments of the womb; all fall, or bear heavily on the ureter and fallopian tube, and bring on many distressing diseases, as leucorrhœa, or whites. I will here explain the cause of this running, as many are perfectly ignorant of it; in most cases, it is the weeping of the ovaries; when it is purely white, we call it weakness--as a sore or weak eye weeps, so do the ovaries; and when it changes color, green or yellow, and has a disagreeable smell, no doubt they are diseased--either ulcers in the ovaries, or womb, and the distillation is so acrid, that it causes itching and smarting in the vagina, and the lips of it are swelled. There have been, of late, several cases in my practice, in which the female has communicated the same disease to her husband--similar to the clap. But remember, I have known such cases among the most virtuous, and where there was not the least taint of any venereal disease in the system; I do not say but that their blood might be contaminated with humors; I seldom meet with a person, but has more or less humors to combat with. And how many have been injured by mercury, which poisons the blood. Girls may be troubled with the whites, at from three months to fourteen years of age. The womb can be ulcerated as well as the ovaries, and thence comes dropsy, cancers, and various other diseases; and by this pressing down, in fact, two-thirds die of consumption, because all the parts are pulled down, from the midriff, to the liver, intestines, kidneys, womb, and ovaries--there is no action--all is in a debilitated state. Now what can be done? In the first place, put waists on your petticoats; then obtain a cleansing syrup--you will find a recipe for one in the foregoing pages; then take a piece of leather, that will cover from the breasts to the pelvis, a quarter of a yard wide above, but narrower at the bottom, making a hole in it for the navel; spread it with strengthening plaster, a recipe for which will be found in this book; drink the following as a constant beverage: take five roots of sweet fern, a tablespoonful of dry tanzy, and boil in two quarts of water; then strain, and drink a tumbler half full twice during the day.

When the top of the womb falls forward, it infringes on the back part, and top of the bladder, and every few minutes you have a desire to evacuate the water; there is a sinking feeling at the stomach, and pain, or distress, in the bladder. Sometimes the womb will protrude in, and on the pelvis, and below, into the front passage; if there is no one near that understands my mode of treatment in this case, do it yourself; I learned it from a squaw, and have replaced ten thousand or more. In the first place, wash it well with cold water, and hold wet cloths to it; then lay on your back, and put it up carefully with your hand, holding or drawing in your breath; then apply a womb plaster. Never allow a male or female practitioner to plug your womb; it only destroys it, and causes ulcers, cancers, and a multitude of other diseases, in the womb.

ABORTION.

It seems to me, every female of common sense--letting alone christianity, would shudder at the expression of this word, if they really knew its definition, or could realize the extent of the crime. The Boston _Scalpel_ defines the word “abortionism,” to be “the knowledge and practice of expelling from the womb the ovum, or fœtus, ere it is matured.”

In this enlightened century, when the gospel is read and preached in every tongue, can it be possible that we find women so barbarous, as to destroy the immortal life which God has given. You may deprive the precious, unborn babe from coming into this beautiful world, but its spirit will return to God, who gave it, and arise in judgment against you. Many females at the present day, exclaim, (and it is a fashionable saying,) “I could have children, if I choosed, but I will not be annoyed with them, and my husband dislikes them.” How unlike the blessed Savior! He took children in his arms, and blessed them. What were your intentions, in taking upon you the duties of a wife? Surely, some motive must have prompted your ambition, or you did not take a realizing sense of its duties, as it was expressly commanded by God himself. After He had created Eve, He joined Adam and Eve together, and said, “Go forth and multiply!” He did not say, “gratify your carnal passions, and destroy the effects;” but He said, “replenish the earth.” The fruits of the womb are God’s reward, and He has chosen woman to bring forth at His command.

No time in the life of woman, can she feel to lift up her heart and voice, to praise God, with more fervor for his protecting care, and rejoice in His mercy, than after a safe delivery of a living babe. She forgets all her suffering, when she clasps the little innocent to her breast. In ancient times, miscarriage was thought to be a curse on the female, as it endangers her life, by bringing on hemorrhage, from the adhesion of the placenta. There is a difference between miscarriage and abortion: an exclusion of the fœtus six, and sometimes seven weeks after the cessation of the menses, is termed miscarriage; between that and six months, an abortion; and between that and nine months, premature labor. Sometimes the fault lies in some deficiency on the part of the ovum. Abortion may be caused by the inability of the uterus to distend itself, beyond a certain limit; and this may be imputed to dress, nine cases out of ten.

Woman was designed by God, as I have said before, to bring forth; she is, by nature, a producer of her race, intended, by God, to feed and nourish, with her own blood, the fœtus, and bring it into the world, an image of God himself, and of man.

Abortion is unnatural; and many lose their lives, directly after it, and few gain their strength, as it was previous to it. And all those preventatives, which are in fashion at the present day, to baffle the will of God, are an abomination in His all-seeing eye, and He will repay ten fold.

Kind and beloved woman! preserve thy purity, virtue, and chastity, and thy days will be many and pleasant upon the earth; and finally, thou shalt become a chosen angel in Heaven, to sing the praises of God and the Lamb!

MASTURBATION.

Masturbation, or self-pollution, has brought many to an untimely grave. It is held to with tenacity, because of the evenescent, fleeting, and animal pleasure derived therefrom. Mothers, how many of your children could you save, by timely care, while in their infant state! Teach them chastity; not to expose their bodies; not to allow the least exposure to sisters, and never to brothers--it contaminates the mind; never allow boys and girls to sleep together. Children never forget what they hear, as many suppose. How often do we find mothers, who have no respect for their children, frequently using the most obscene language in their presence, and sowing the seeds of impurity. St. Paul says, “Being evil yourselves, give good gifts to them that ask.” Your children depend on every word, look, and action; you can form them as you will--to virtue, or vice. You can rule the nation!

Never allow your children to sleep with strangers; however young, they may learn more of impurity in ten minutes, than you could teach them virtue in years. The reason why I speak to you of the necessity of having a watchful eye on your offspring, is that so many young men and women, whom I have been called to visit, in consumption, and some in a deranged state, have confessed to me, that they had contracted an intimacy with a play-mate, who had taught them the act of self-pollution, and, to their sorrow, had practiced the same for years, till they had no control of themselves; this brought involuntary emissions, and thence come leucorrhœa, falling of the womb, and frequently insanity; the greatest number, as a general rule, end in consumption. Doctors are too delicate to mention the cause of this disease, and treat the case, directly opposite to what it should be, as all the internal organs are debilitated.

I will relate a very distressing case, which I hope will be a warning to mothers and daughters:

A daughter of one of the first families of Springfield, Massachusetts, a few years ago, was pronounced by all the physicians of that city, to be in a consumption. I was called on, by a friend of the family, and requested to visit the young lady, at her special request, immediately. I lost no time, but went instantly, and what a pitiful object I beheld! A living skeleton--a fearful picture of self-pollution! I desired all to quit the apartment, and this poor child confessed her weakness; she was willing to die, she said, if she could atone for the trouble and expense she had brought on her parents. Now what was to be done. I well knew her debility was too great to depend on tonics, and to save her, I must gain her confidence and love. I left her, and returned soon after, got her permission to divulge the secret to her mother, and lost no time, in order to save her from death. She must have her genital organ cut out; the operation should take place instantly, as involuntary emissions would soon carry her off, her debility was so great. But thanks be to God, she is still living, in the far west; but never can she enjoy the blessings of married life.

ROOTS AND HERBS.

HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE THEM.

COLLECT such as are sound and perfect, and separate from them such as are injured or decayed. Those precautions must be taken which are best fitted for preserving them, and they should, as a general rule, be defended from the effects of moisture, too great heat, or cold, and confined air. Vegetable matters should be collected in the countries where they are indigenous, and those which grow wild in dry soil and high situations, fully exposed to the air and sun, are, in general, to be preferred to those which are cultivated, or which grow in moist, low, shady, or confined places.

Roots which are annual, should be collected before they shoot out their stalks, or flowers; biennial roots, in the harvest of the first, or spring of the second year; perennial roots, either in spring, before the sap begins to mount, or in harvest, after it has returned. Those which are worm eaten, except some resinous roots, or which are decayed, are to be rejected; the others are immediately to be cleaned, with a brush and cold water, letting them lie in it as short a time as possible; the fibres and little roots, when not essential, are to be cut away. Roots which consist principally of fibres, and have but a small top, may be immediately dried, if they are juicy, and not aromatic; this may be done by heat, not 100 degrees of Fahrenheit; but, if aromatic, by simply exposing and turning them frequently in a current of dry air; if they are thick and strong, they should be split or cut into slices, and strung upon thread; if covered with a rough bark, they may be peeled fresh, then dried. Such as lose their virtues by drying, or are directed to be preserved in a fresh state, are to be kept buried in dry sand.

No very general rule can be given for the collection of herbs and leaves--some of them acquiring activity by age, and others, as the mucilaginous leaves, from the same cause, losing the properties for which they are efficient. Aromatics are to be gathered after the flower buds are formed; annuals, not aromatic, when they are about to flower, or when in flower; biennials, before they shoot, and perennials, before they flower, especially if their fibres become woody; they are to be gathered in dry weather, after the dew is off them, or in the evening, before it falls, and are to be freed from decayed, withered, or foreign leaves; they are usually tied in bundles, and hung up in a shady, warm, and airy place, or spread upon the floor, and frequently turned; if very juicy, they are laid upon a sieve, and dried by a gentle degree of artificial warmth, by the stove.

Sprouts are collected before the buds open, and stalks are gathered in autumn.

Barks and woods are collected when the most active part of the vegetable are concentrated in them, which occurs in spring and in autumn; spring is preferred for resinous barks, and autumn for others, which are not resinous, but rather gummy. Barks should be taken from young trees. Among the resinous woods, the heaviest, which sink in water, are selected; the alburnum is to be rejected.

Flowers are collected in dry weather, before noon, but after the dew is off, either when they are just about to open, or immediately after they have opened; of some, the petals only are preserved, and the colorless claws are even cut away; of others, whose calyx is odorous, the whole flower is kept. Flowers which are too small to be pulled singly, are dried with part of the stalk, and are called heads, or tops. Flowers and herbs are to be dried by the gentle heat of a stove, or common fire, in such quantities at a time, that the process may be finished as quickly as possible--for by this means their powers are best preserved, the test of which is the perfect preservation of their natural color; when they lose their color and smell, they are unfit for use.

Seeds and fruits, unless when otherwise directed, are to be gathered when ripe, but before they fell spontaneously. Some pulpy fruits are freed from their core, and seeds are strung on thread, and dried artificially; they are, in general, best preserved in their natural coverings, although some, as the colacynth, are peeled, and others, as the tamarind, preserved fresh. Many of these are apt to spoil, or become rancid; and as they are then no longer fit for medical use, no very large quantity of them should be collected at a time.

The proper drying of vegetable substances, is of the greatest importance. It is often directed to be done in the shade, and slowly, that the volatile and active particles may not be dissipated by too great heat. But this is an error; for they always lose infinitely more by slow than by quick drying. When, on account of the color, they cannot be exposed to the sun, and the warmth of the atmosphere is insufficient, they should be dried by an artificial warmth, less than 100 degrees of Fahrenheit, and well exposed to a current of air. When perfectly dry and friable, they have little smell, but after being kept some time, they attract moisture from the air, and regain their proper odor.

The boxes and drawers in which vegetable matters are kept, should not impart to them any smell or taste; and more certainly to avoid this, they should be lined with paper. Such as are volatile, of a delicate texture, or subject to suffer from insects, must be kept in well-covered glasses. Fruits and oily seeds, which are apt to become rancid, must be kept in a cool and dry, and by no means in a warm or moist place. Oily seeds, odorous plants, and those containing volatile principles, should be collected fresh every year; others, whose properties are more permanent and not subject to decay, will keep for several years. Vegetables collected in a moist and rainy season are, in general, more watery, and apt to spoil; in a dry season, they contain more oily and resinous particles, and keep much better.

MISCELLANY.

TYPHOID FEVER.

THIS disease, which has prevailed extensively at the west, is treated under a variety of names--such as nervous, putrid, gastrionic, brain fever, &c.; while the people of this vicinity, designate it by the name of slow fever, which, in my opinion, is about as descriptive of the disease as any above mentioned. It is most prevalent during the winter and spring. Patients are variously affected during the first stages of the disease. Some are taken with a chill, while others are not conscious of any such sensations, but merely complain of loss of strength and appetite; others complain of pain in their head and back. I have seen some take to their beds, and declare that nothing was the matter with them, and would insist on the correctness of their absurd opinions for several days. The pulse soon becomes small and frequent, the skin hot and dry, while insufferable thirst continually torments the sufferer. Patients frequently manifest a strong propensity to sing, while laboring under it, yet they seldom complain of pain, though delirium be constantly present, and the bowels morbidly sensitive to firm pressure. I have seen patients die without complaining of pain, and yet, on making post mortem examination, satisfactory evidence was furnished that inflammation of the brain, the lungs, and the mucuous membrane of the bowels, were present. These inflammations, therefore, constitute some of the complications of this disease, while a lack of sensibility, points to an obtunded condition of the nervous system. Ordinarily, for four or five days, the disease does not assume an aggravated appearance, during which time the fever has a remitting form; but shortly after this, if the patient is not relieved, the fever becomes continued; and now begin to rise gradually all the worst symptoms of typhoid fever; the tongue, which at first was white, or of a yellowish brown color, now becomes black, dry in the centre, and cracked; the patient soon falls into a deep coma, and delirium is almost constantly present. Twitching of the muscles of the face, subsultus-tendinum, and floccillation, are symptoms which generally attend this disease.

BATHING.

Somebody has said, that God gives shower baths to every thing that will stay out doors. A very significant hint, this, to human bipeds; it seems very strange that we are such dull scholars, in this world. We see the fevered earth parch, and burn, and fail of its fruits, till the refreshing rain comes down and cures it; and we never once think, when our blood boils, our flesh burns, and our skin parches with fever, that the same blessed medicine that is poured out on the earth, will heal us; or, if men get a little theoretical faith of this kind, they lose it as soon as they become sick. Early superstition, of all kinds, generally come upon men with peculiar force, when they are weakened and confused by illness.

There is no more invigorating process for preserving health, after the inhaling of pure air, than the daily use of the cold bath. The bath is not useful alone because it removes impurities from the skin; but the fresh, sparkling water, has an absolute life in it, which we receive. And this is the reason why the bath is so much more useful, when the water is just drawn from the fountain, than when it is suffered to stand, and lose its living, or electrical properties.

The best time to take a bath is in the morning, when we rise. No one should take a cold bath, as if he were lazily doing an unpleasant duty; and no one can do it long. Beginners with the bath, should observe the following directions: Bathe the head and face first; bathe the rest of the body thoroughly and quickly; then use much friction--first with a towel, and then with the hand, or a soft brush; this should be continued until the subject is in a glow.

Some people think there are so many difficulties in the way of bathing, that they cannot overcome them, and they believe they must, perforce, be like the dirty representative to an eastern legislature, who boasted that he had not bathed for fifteen years! Let us look at these difficulties, and we shall find that “where there is a will there is a way.” Anybody, that is anybody, can surely get a bowl of water, and a sponge, or towel; with these, he can take a thorough washing, and, if he has any energy, he can rub the body in a glow with a brush, a hand towel, or the hand.

There is no preventive of colds equal to this simple process, repeated every morning. It makes a man feel clean, bright, and respectable. The use of warm baths, except in particular cases of illness, is mischievous; they weaken the skin, and expose the person who takes them, to attacks of colds and influenza. Still, the occasional use of warm baths for cleaning the skin, is better than to allow the skin to be dirty. Shower baths are useful in cases where there is high health, or general inflammation; where there is full reactive power they are safe, and not otherwise; where they induce a chill, they are very hurtful. The indiscriminate recommendation of the shower bath, is always an evidence of very partial knowledge. The sponge bath is probably more universally beneficial, and is safer than any other bath.

HERB TEA.

Mr. N. had been married but a few weeks, and his bride was a lovely and accomplished lady. Her health was perfect; she had never known, by personal experience, what sickness is, and they were looking forward to the future with the most sanguine expectations of happiness. But disappointment is written upon all earthly hopes, and Mr. N. was not to be an exception from the general rule. His wife was suddenly taken with cholera. The family physician was called in, and did what he could to arrest the disease. But she continued to grow worse, and a council of doctors was called, to consult measures for her relief.

Mrs. N. had requested that a friend of hers, who had long been employed in nursing and doctoring those who had confidence in her--a lady of great talent and education in the art of curing with roots and herbs--to call in and see her. As this lady approached the house, and saw the carriages of the physicians, she became alarmed for the safety of her friend; but when she entered the house, the silence and sadness that reigned in that once happy mansion, sent a chill to her heart. Soon the doctors came out, one by one, and silently left the house. Mr. N. did not inquire their opinion of the condition of his wife--he could read it in their looks. After all had gone but the attending physician, Mr. N. and the nurse, Mrs. T., entered the room, where the patient lay, apparently in the last stage of the disease. The doctor rose from his seat beside the bed; as Mr. N. advanced and inquired, “Is there no hope?” he could hardly command his voice to tell that afflicted man, that his wife must die; and his gushing tears spoke his sympathy with the sufferer.

Mrs. T. looked for a moment upon the unconscious form of her friend, then, turning to the doctor, said,

“Tell me, my dear sir, can you do nothing more for this woman?”

He shook his head, and then turned away.

“Then you are willing,” she continued, “I should do what I can to make her more comfortable while she lives?”

“Certainly,” said Mr. N.

“Certainly,” repeated the doctor. “If you can do anything for her comfort, do it, for she cannot stay with us long.”

As he said this, he left the house, and Mrs. T. applied herself to her task. She directed the friends to get some hot water, bricks, &c., while she sent a boy for some herbs; she wrote a note, and requested him to carry it to the man with whom she had been living. He soon returned with the articles. What she gave the patient to drink, we do not know; but we soon saw its effects. The cold sweat was wiped from her limbs--bottles of hot water were placed around her--a plaster was applied to her stomach, and, in a short time, she sank into a sweet sleep, which continued an hour or two, when she awoke, and began to vomit. The friends were now much alarmed, and thought she must certainly die. But the joyful expression of Mrs. T.’s countenance, told them that she, at least, had no fears of a fatal result.

Through the day and night, the nurse continued her exertions for her friend; and the next morning, when the kind and sympathizing doctor came in to look at the corpse, he was very much surprised to find his patient sitting up in bed, eating a bowl of porridge!

Turning to the nurse, he asked, “What did you give this woman?”

“_Herb tea, sir!_” she answered, in a tone of voice which forbade further questioning.

Mrs. N. still lives, and, when her children are sick, she gives them HERB TEA!

PREJUDICE.

AS far as I can ascertain, the present season (1857-8,) has been a remarkable healthy one, in this portion of the west. But scientifically, every few days, some poor sufferer is consigned to the grave--but not until nature has disputed, most resolutely, every inch of ground, and at last has been compelled to yield to King Calomel! It is only a few days since, a child of ten or twelve years old was laid away, with a part of the lower portion of its face already fallen off, and appearances indicating that a large part of the rest would soon have followed, had not death terminated its sufferings in mercy, and spared its friends the anguish of beholding the farther devastations of this most potent “remedy.” In such instances, the outraged feelings of surviving friends, are usually quieted with the assurance that “it is the Lord’s will;” and so these works of iniquity are saddled upon the Supreme Arbiter of events, and He is made the scape-goat of one of the most wicked systems that ever cursed the world.

I am sometimes perfectly confounded by the blind bigotry which possesses the minds of those men, whose business it is to administer to the wants of suffering humanity. It does seem as though they thought more of conforming to the opinions of certain authors, and following the prescribed rules of a Medical Association, than they do of the lives of their patients. In their opposition, especially to reform in medical practice, some of them hesitate not to endanger the life of a fellow-being, if, by so doing, they can bring obloquy upon that system to which they are opposed.

These are hard sayings; but I am compelled to believe them, for it is but a short time since one of the poison-dealers tried to persuade a patient of mine to eat unripe peaches, only two days after he had reported him as in a very dangerous situation, with bilious fever. This same man, was prescribing for a slight ailment in a stout individual, who was still able to be about town and attend to his business. This person ate some of the same kind of fruit, and thought that it injured him. He told his physician what he had done, who broke out with an oath, and told him he wondered it had not killed him. This shows the estimation in which he held the fruit, which he had told my patient would do him good. Comments, upon such an act, are unnecessary, or upon a profession which feels itself obliged to treat with contempt, every thing not paying homage to its mandates--no matter how much it may promise to add to the welfare of mankind, if it cannot trace its origin within the walls of a legalized inclosure.

Of all men, the physician should be a liberal-minded man--ever anxious to learn all that will enable him to be of benefit to his suffering fellow-creatures. He should never conclude that he has nothing more to know, or that he can find all knowledge in any one system, or theory, of practice; he should ever be ready to learn, from every body. He who expects to find out all that can be known, in one train of reasoning, or round of study, is like a man traveling upon a circle, who thinks, because he can travel all his life-time upon that circle, he can consequently visit every place that the length of his life will permit him to visit. After a while, some one--who has learned that, in order to extend his knowledge, he must strike out a path diverging from that one, so long traveled--starts out accordingly in a new direction, and finds an extent of knowledge and research, of which he never before dreamed.

Our traveler, who thinks that the old path will lead him to all that he can ever know, comes around to the new road. He stops, and asks, “Who made this new track? Was it the man who marked out the one that I am in?”

“No!” says one; “the path which you are in, tells the same old story; this new path is a better way. Discoveries have been made in it, far more valuable than in the one in which you are, and they have been made by one who does not believe that your old way is perfect.”

Now see self-confidence, bigotry, and ignorance, encircling the lips of scorn. “Fools!” says he, and he goes, muttering vengeance on the “poor deluded fanatics!”

But this state of things cannot always remain. The light of truth is shining, and is destined to dispel the clouds of mystery, which have so long covered the pathway to the grave, of millions of our fellow-men. Men of intellect, science, and humanity, are engaged in this good cause, and, so sure as “truth is mighty,” it must prevail. In order, however, to the accomplishment of this desired event, physicians must be men of principle, and adhere firmly to that which they know to be right. In the practice of some, there is too much disposition to accommodate the taste and prejudice of the patient, even at his expense. I was talking with a physician not long since, who advocated the practice of making medicine to suit the taste of the patient. Instead of accommodating his desire too much, in a matter about which he cannot be a judge, the physician should take that course which will be most likely to cure him speedily, though the remedy be not quite so palatable; there should be no tampering with his whims, to the prolonging of his disease.

This principle cannot be too deeply impressed upon the mind of every one, while he is receiving his medical education; for the triumph of our cause, and the rescuing of suffering humanity from the iron grasp of medical tyranny, depend upon the integrity of our practitioners, and their strict adherence to the true principles of practice. In the name of Humanity, let us not fall into the same vortex of quackery, which characterizes the practice against which we war!

RHEUMATISM--ITS CAUSES.

A PECULIAR acid, in rheumatic complaints, is now generally admitted to secrete, or accumulate, in the system; and, though this acid is found to pervade the entire body, yet this form of disease has been thought to be rather a local complaint--that the joints, or parts affected, are particularly in fault, and the remedies used are to be of a local, and external character; or, if general, are particularly to act on the seat of the pain.

The more we study the human frame, and become familiar with the organism of the human body, the more convinced we are that, whenever one organ or function of the system is deranged, all others feel its effects. In rheumatism, therefore, we have always discovered that the stomach and liver are diseased; these notions we have had very well substantiated by many. The internal irritation, renders the nutritive energy of certain parts at the periphery, (namely, the fibrous sheaths and covering of the muscles,) feeble, and their power of resisting external causes of disease, deficient. When cold and damp, therefore, are applied to the skin, the blood is driven thence toward the parts most ready, from their want of organic energy, to retain it, and least able to resist its flow. Those parts are the tissues which have been most violently employed--the tissues connected with the organs of voluntary motion, and the fibrous tissues of the muscles and joints. In some persons, these tissues are congenitally weak, the hereditary predisposition exists, and there is morbid sympathy always existing between them and the centre of nutrition. The laboring man who keeps his stomach and liver in a constant state of irritation, with spirituous drinks--who uses his voluntary muscles hard and long every day, and is exposed to all kinds of weather, is the most eligible, and the most frequent victim of rheumatism; for in him the condition of the stomach, the limbs, and the exciting cause, meet in all their strength. Hence, in places where perry and cider abound, the peasantry are especially subject to rheumatism.

Why the rheumatism seizes one joint or set of muscles, more than another, we know not, positively; but we do know, that more or less digestive derangements are present at the time. I never saw a rheumatic attack, in which such derangements were not present, previously to its commencement. How often does it happen that a patient, racked with pain is instantly relieved by a copious vomiting of bile, or by a common diarrhœa.

We come to the conclusion, then, that rheumatism is not a mere inflammatory pain of the sheaths of the muscles, but has its origin in some digestive irritation--exhibited by a certain kind and amount of fibrous inflammation, and this may be caused by the circulation of this acid blood, in its passage through the minute cappillaries of the joints and tendons, since nothing but the white and thin blood can pass through the circulation of the tendons and ligaments. Perhaps this blood may be almost entirely of an acid character; it has no red particles, and may lack those qualities which render it subservient to nutrition and assimilation.

If this view of the subject is correct, we readily perceive how the bleeding, cupping, leeching, and blistering processes, tend directly to weaken the energy of the organs, and render them more liable to distension and congestion.

A peculiar odor also arises from the patient, which I have thought quite symptomatic of the disease, while the evacuations are thin, dark, watery, and extremely offensive. The eruption on the skin I have observed, but am not able to say whether or not it is present in all cases; I have never been able to see it in negroes, neither do I know whether it is perceptible at all in such subjects, but I am inclined to the opinion that it is not. The eruption, as I have observed, is various in appearance. It consists of small, rosy blotches, of a roundish, or lenticular shape, scarcely, if at all, raised above the general surface of the skin on which they appear.

I have observed another eruption in this disease, called “petechiæ.” This eruption is most perceptible on the chest, and interior part of the arms. There is still another eruption which I have frequently observed, but it is not peculiar to this disease; I have also often observed it in other forms of disease. It makes its appearance about the neck, and the eruption varies in size, from a mere point to that of half a pea, and is filled with a transparent fluid; it looks not unlike large and small drops of dew, scattered about over the neck; this eruption I have often observed on negroes.

Shortly after the termination of the disease, and sometimes even before its termination, the skin commences desquamating. This desquamation is particularly apt to take place on the inner surface of the hands, and bottoms of the feet; the hair also frequently falls off, and even the nails are sometimes shed. Patients recovering from this disease, frequently have a numbness of the arms or legs, which sometimes amounts to a complete paralysis.

Abscesses often form about the thigh, leg, or some other part, which burrow in the inter-muscular substance, and are very hard to cure.

THE INFLUENCE OF OPIUM.

MRS. N. was the wife of a clergyman of high standing in the denomination to which he belonged. She was a worthy woman, and, as things are viewed by finite eyes, deserved a better fate than it was her fortune to meet. Some years previous to my acquaintance with her, she had a severe illness, and opium was freely prescribed, notwithstanding the opposition of her husband to its use. Being naturally of a nervous temperament, he feared that she would find it hard to relinquish a powerful stimulant, if she once became accustomed to its use. On her recovery, his fears were fully realized; for some time, she continued to take her daily dose; but at length her husband felt that the habit must be broken up, or her usefulness would be entirely destroyed. It would never do to have the parson’s wife an opium-taker, and he told her that she must give it up, for he should not get her any more.

As soon as she had used up what she had on hand, she was seized with vomiting and diarrhœa, which continued for one day, when she began to grow cold. Through the following night, the chills continued to increase, and toward morning she was taken with fainting. She could not retain a particle of food, or anything else, except brandy and water, on her stomach. By daylight, her strength was nearly exhausted, and she looked more like a corpse than a living person. It was a serious question with her husband, whether he should not send and get her some opium; but, as he was obliged to leave home on business, he resolved to wait until his return, and see if she would not get along without it.

As soon as he was gone, she took a full dose of brandy, and then started to go to the doctor’s house, which was but a short distance. She knew the doctor’s wife would supply her with what she wanted; but she did not dare to send one of her children, for she knew that they partook too much of their father’s spirit. She succeeded in reaching the door, and then fainted. The doctor’s wife, being aware of the real state of things, soon found means to relieve her, and she returned home, comparatively comfortable.

When her husband returned home, he was rejoiced to find her so much better, and he remarked that, as she had now began to amend without opium, he hoped she would not be compelled to use it again. This was a damper to her spirits, for which she was not quite prepared, as she had not thought of the results of her deception. But she was unwilling to mar her husband’s happiness by telling him the truth; so she permitted him to believe that she was, in reality, dispensing with the accustomed stimulus.

Months passed away, and she continued the secret indulgence. At length, the doctor and his wife suddenly left home, and she was again in great trouble. No opium could she get, without the assistance of her husband; and to acquaint him with her real condition, was not to be thought of. For two days she was very sick, and her husband thought she would die. A physician was called, but was desired not to give opium, lest she should again be brought under its influence. His prescription did her no good, and, finding she must die as she was, she requested to have a friend sent for, to whom she revealed her secret.

This woman was one of the few who have the moral courage to do right. Fearless of consequences, she went immediately to Mr. N., and told him of the apparent danger of one so dear, and finally procured what was wanted, for that time; but no entreaties could induce him to purchase a quantity, to keep in the house. What should she do now? Her eldest son was just married, and his wife was a kind, affectionate daughter, and a good nurse; she understood the cause of her mother’s suffering, but could not comprehend why the remedy was so cruelly withheld. She resolved to provide it herself, little suspecting what terrible results would follow such kindness.

Mrs. N. had given up in despair, and resigned herself to what seemed inevitable death, when her son’s wife came in with a largo bottle of laudanum in her hand, and presented it to her. She received it with that joy which can never be expressed by words, or in any degree comprehended, by one who has not passed through the horrible suffering which opium prepares for its victims.

Again she was able to fill her place as a pastor’s wife, and for many years she continued her course of deception, on which she had almost unconsciously entered. But it could not always last; her health declined--her mind became more and more feeble, until it seemed as though her intellectual faculties were almost destroyed. As the disease increased, she increased her use of opium, until she found herself in the iron grasp of consumption! Still, she thought opium would eventually relieve her, if she only took enough. With this idea, she one day swallowed a powerful dose. Worn out nature could no longer contend with so potent an enemy, and was on the point of giving up the contest. She became alarmed; a physician was called--the cause of the trouble and all the long train of deception brought to light. Much blame was cast upon the kind-hearted daughter-in-law, and much did she regret the deplorable results of her mistaken kindness.

The old doctor, who had been her friend and medical adviser for years, was now dead, and his place was filled by his son, who had little sympathy with such as voluntarily give themselves up to what he considered a sinful indulgence. He thought that, by breaking up this pernicious habit, he could again restore her to comfortable health. Her husband and daughter feared that she had not strength to survive the loss of her accustomed stimulus; but the doctor assured them that there was no danger--that the change in her habits should be gradual, and that, when once out from under its influence, she would not feel the need of opium.

He accordingly commenced the Herculean task, which the inspired writer truly compares to changing the Ethiopian’s skin, or the leopard’s spots. He gave her a weak solution of morphine, with other medicines; but it was only a trifle, compared with the large doses which she had formerly taken. He had prescribed for her about ten days, when I called to see her. No language can describe the unutterable anguish depicted in her countenance! She was reduced to a mere skeleton--too weak to roll from side to side, but every motion indicating such extreme nervous restlessness, as would have caused her to do so, if she had strength sufficient.

She had formerly made me her confidant, and now she felt that I should understand her real situation, and feel the deep sympathy for her suffering which she craved. As I stood by her bed, she took my hand in her own, so cold, emaciated, and corpse-like, that it sent an involuntary shudder through my frame, and said, in a whisper, “I am dying, for the want of a little opium!”

Seeing me start, as though I would speak, she said,

“No! no! don’t tell them! They don’t know how I suffer for the want of it; but you do, and you know how to pity me. O! I would give the whole world, if it were mine, for one little dose--yes, one little dose would be bliss to me!”

Ye who have hearts to feel for human woe, think, if you can, what were my feelings, as I stood beside that bed, witnessing such misery and hearing such language--well knowing, that I could do nothing for her relief, nor say anything to influence others to give her what she so much needed; and what, if she had done wrong in taking so long--who will dare to say, that it was right to withhold it from her, in that fearful emergency! But it was withheld--and in a few days she died!

Would that I could present the picture of this woman’s sufferings, to all those invalids in our land, who are beginning to tamper with this deadly drug, which at last “biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder!” Methinks they would hasten to deliver themselves, as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS.

THERE is no part of the human system which has such a controlling influence over the whole body, as respects health or disease, as the digestive organs. Any derangement in these, especially the stomach, calls up a sympathy of action from the whole animal economy. Nearly all the morbid actions found in the general system, are produced from causes, first operative on the stomach.

Hence, keeping the digestive system in a healthy state, secures, as a general rule, a healthy action in every other part of the physical organization. Therefore, to know something of the anatomy and physiology of the digestive organs, together with the laws of digestion, seems indespensable for every individual who would know how to take care of his health. By the term “digestive organs,” is intended the mouth, stomach, liver, and bowels, including the whole length of this canal is a lining membrane, called the mucous membrane, which continues from the lips to the opposite extremity; this membrane is filled through its whole extent with minute blood vessels, and in some parts, abundantly supplied with fine filaments of nerves. This membrane has important functions to perform in the process of digestion; it is a membrane of much delicacy of structure. Its healthy action is easily deranged, and when impaired in one part, becomes, by sympathy, deranged in every part.

THE MOUTH.

The mouth, with its teeth and glands, commences the digestive process; the teeth are to masticate the food; the salivary glands give important aid to digestion. There are three pairs of glands, which pour the fluid they secrete, into the mouth; this fluid is called saliva; the efforts of chewing food excites these glands, and promotes the secretion of saliva, which is essential to the healthy digestive process.

THE STOMACH.

The stomach is the most important organ of digestion. It has three coats; that which has most to do with digestion is the mucous coat, which lines it; this coat is supposed to furnish, by its glands, what is called gastric juice, which is the principal agent of digestion. The stomach is abundantly supplied with nerves, and holds a very powerful sway over the whole nervous system--so that, when the stomach is under the influence of disease, either acute or chronic, the whole system is immediately in a state of suffering. To secure, then, a healthy organization, the stomach must be kept in health.

THE LIVER.

This organ is also essential to digestion; it furnishes the bile; it is the largest gland in the body, and its office seems to be to gather from and carry out of the system substances which, if retained, might prove hurtful. When the liver is inactive, we have what is called the jaundice; the liver failing to take up from the system that substance which forms the bile. When this is the case, a yellow substance is found diffused throughout the whole body, and it exhibits a yellow tinge. The bile, when properly secreted and discharged, meets the contents of the stomach as discharged into that part of the bowels nearest the stomach, and is there supposed to assist in the process of separating the nutritious part of the contents from the refuse, which is to pass off by the bowels; but its more important office is, doubtless, to rid the passage of the refuse, or the fæces, by evacuation. The bile seems to be nature’s appropriate stimulus to the bowels, without which costiveness, and other irregularities, are likely to ensue.

THE BOWELS.

The bowels contain the absorbent vessels, which take up the nutritious part of the food and carry it into the circulation of the blood, for the support of the system; they also convey the refuse part of the food out of the body.

MASTICATION.

Mastication, or chewing, is the first step in the process of digestion. When food is taken, it should be thoroughly masticated, before it is suffered to pass into the stomach, or it is unprepared for the action of the gastric juice. Besides this, the action of chewing causes the food to be mixed with the saliva, which is an important item in the preparation of it for the action of the stomach and its juice. The food should be taken with sufficient moderation, to give time for the process of mastication, and the discharge of saliva from the glands of the mouth. Eating fast, or even talking while chewing, besides its incongruity with politeness and good breeding, is directly at war with thorough mastication.

Many persons seem to think, that hurrying their meals to save time is economy; their business drives them, and they drive their time of meals into the smallest possible compass. This is miserable economy; for, when they hurry down their food, half chewed and half moistened with saliva, it deranges the process of digestion throughout, and, as a consequence, the food not only sits bad on the stomach, and in time causes dyspepsia, but fails to accomplish the sole object of taking it--the nourishment of the body. In order to derive nourishment from food, it must be well digested; hence it must be well masticated. When, therefore, we hurry our eating, we hasten our steps on the wrong road; time curtailed in eating, is worse than hiring money at three per cent. a month. If we cannot spare time to eat, we had better not eat at all; this idea cannot be too deeply impressed upon the minds of all. Thousands, by this kind of careless and reckless eating, have, found themselves the victims of dyspepsia, and all its attendant train of evils; the digestive organs may bear the abuse awhile, without giving many signs of trouble, but the penalty of that broken law must sooner or later come; and it may come in the form of a broken constitution.

CHYMIFICATION.