History of the rise, progress, and principles of the American eclectic practice of medicine / by W. Paine.

  • Paine, William, 1821-
Date:
[1862?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of the rise, progress, and principles of the American eclectic practice of medicine / by W. Paine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    HISTORY RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRINCIPLES BY W. PAI^E, M. D., PBOFESJOR OF THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OP MEDICINE AND PATHOLOQT IN THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL COL- LEGE OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., EDITOR OP THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL OF PHILADELPHIA, AUTHOR OF THE EPITOME OP THE ECLECTIC PRACTICE' OP MEDICINE, 8UR- OERY, OBSTETRICS, DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, MATERIA MEDICA, ETC., ETC. Soon after the settlement of this Country by Europeans, it was discovered that the aborigines were in the habit of using a large number of native remedies for the removal of disease. The early white settlers not being well supplied with physicians, were induced to resort to the same means, and the beneficial influ- ence of the medicines soon introduced them into general use. The exposures and privations incident to the rapid settlement of the country induced many diseases, which were easily controlled by the use of the indigenous remedies. The increasing confidence in these medicines led many persons to devote themselves to the cure of diseases through their agency. This class of individuals were mostly ignorant of anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, and surgery; and although in many instances remarkable cures were performed, at other times an amount of ignorance was displayed which was truly lamentable, often proving most disastrous to the health and lives of the people. Notwithstanding these facts, the inefficiency of the Allopathic treatment increased the faith of the people in the efficacy,of native remedies; so that, in many sections of the United States, no other class of physicians could get employment. And notwith- standing the most stringent laws were enacted, prohibiting all per- sons from practising as physicians or surgeons, except regular Al- y.