Chapter V: Thompsonism, 103

Principles of the system as promulgated by its founder. Bold
confidence of Thompson in his mode of practice. Points in his
theory. Obstructed perspiration. Strife between the heat and the
cold. Simplicity of the system. No need of “learned doctors.”
Thompsonian views of the _modus operandi_ of medicines. Radicalism
of Thompsonism. Prejudice against mineral medicines. No article
injurious simply _because_ it is mineral. The most deadly poisons
in nature vegetable. Effects of vegetable poisons generally as
abiding as those of mineral. Lobelia a poison, sometimes fatal,
though Thompsonians claim it to be perfectly harmless. Definition
of _poison_. Some poisons more rapid than others in their effects.
Poison sometimes used in a relative sense. This word one of the
watch-words of Thompsonians, though they daily use poisons as common
articles of food. Changes in Thompsonian practice since the system
was first promulgated.