New Guide to Health, Or, Botanic Family Physician; Containing a Complete System of Practice on a Plan Entirely New with a Description of the Vegetables Made Use Of, and Directions for Preparing and Administering Them to Cure Disease to Which Is Prefixed a (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1832. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... consented and began by clearing the wound of mercury, by washing it with weak lye; I then put on some drops, and did it up with a bandage which was kept wet with cold water. While I was dressing the wound, a young man, who was studying with Dr. French, came in and made a great fuss, telling the young man that I was going to spoil his hand. I told him that I was accountable for what I was doing, and that if he had any advice to offer I was ready to hear him; but he seemed to have nothing to offer except to find fault, and went off, after saying that Dr. French's bill must be paid very soon. I continued to dress his hand, and in ten days he was well enough to attend to his work, being employed in a nail factory. Soon after, I saw him there at work, and asked him how his fingers did; he said they were perfectly cured; he wished to know what my bill was for attending him. I asked him what Dr. French had charged, and he said he had sent his bill to his mother, amounting to seventeen dollars; I told him I thought that enough for us both, and I should charge him nothing. His mother was a poor widow depending on her labour and that of her son for a living. I remained in this place about two weeks, and the people were very urgent that I should stay longer; but Mr. Hale having arrived, I left them with a promise that I would visit them again in the spring. We arrived at Pepperell, where I remained several days with Mr. Hale, who was an ingenious blacksmith and a chemist, having been much engaged in the preparation of mineral medicine. He had an inquiring turn of mind and was very enthusiastic in his undertakings; although he prepared medicines from minerals, he acknowledged that he was afraid to use them on account of his knowing their poisonous qualities. I convinced h...