Country Herbalist Apothecary

The Thomsonian System of Practice, initiated by Samuel Thomson in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, represented a significant departure from the medical norms of the time. Thomson was not just a critic of the complex and often perilous medical practices; he was a proponent of a return to simplicity, natural remedies, and the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Today we delve deeper into the remedies commonly used by the medical faculty during Thomson’s era, examining their nature, effects, and the rationale behind his vehement opposition to them.

The Remedies Critiqued

Mercury (Calomel):

• Historical Context: Mercury, particularly in its chloride form known as calomel, was ubiquitous in medicine from the era of Paracelsus through to the 19th century. Its use was based on the ancient humor theory, where mercury was thought to purge the body of harmful substances.
• Application and Dosage: Calomel was administered for an astonishing variety of ailments, from fevers to digestive issues. The dosage was often excessive, given without precise knowledge of the patient’s ability to tolerate it.
• Adverse Effects:
  • Physical Deterioration: Chronic use led to what was termed “mercurialization,” with symptoms including loosening of teeth, weakening of joints, and a general decline in health due to the toxic effects on various organs.
  • Case Studies: Notable physicians like Dr. Powell, who once used calomel extensively, later condemned it as a disease creator rather than a cure. Dr. Chapman noted how its use could lead to a lifelong medical dependency for those surviving its initial applications.
• Public and Professional Reaction: The backlash against mercury included satirical hymns like “The Hymn on Calomel,” which humorously yet tragically highlighted the destructive nature of this “medicine.” Its use prompted not only public outcry but also a reevaluation by some within the medical community, leading to a gradual decline in its application.

Tune:  Old Hundred (Very grave.)
Physicians of the highest rank
(To pay their fees, we need a bank) Combine all wisdom, art and skill, Science and sense, in calomel
Howe’er their patients may complain Of head, or heart, or nerve, or vein, Of fever high, or parch, or swell, The remedy is calomel.
When Mr. A. or B. is sick—
“Go fetch the doctor, and be quick”—
 
The doctor comes, with much good will, But ne’er forgets his calomel.
He takes his patient by the hand, And compliments him as a friend; He sets awhile his pulse to feel, And then takes out his calomel
He then turns to the patient’s wife,
“Have you clean paper, spoon and knife ? I think your husband might do well
To take a dose of calomel”
He then deals out the precious grains “This, ma’am, I’m sure will ease his pains; Once in three hours, at sound of bell,
Give him a dose of calomel”
He leaves his patient in her care, And bids good-by with graceful air. In hopes bad humors to expel,
she freely gives the calomel.
The man grows worse, quite fast indeed— “Go call for counsel—ride with speed”— The counsel comes, like post with mail Doubling the dose of calomel.
The man in death begins to groan— The fatal job for him is done;
His soul is winged for heaven or hell— A sacrifice to calomel.
Physicians of my former choice, Receive my counsel and advice; Be not offended though I tell The dire effects of calomel.
And when I must resign my breath, Pray let me die a natural death, And bid you all a long farewell, Without one dose of calomel

Antimony:

• Background: Antimony, especially tartar emetic, was valued for its emetic properties, meant to cleanse the body through induced vomiting.
• Risks and Incidents:
  • Toxicity: Even small doses could be lethal, with a fine line between therapeutic and toxic levels. The narrative of Basil Valentine’s experiment with monks underscores this danger, where the “cure” proved fatal.
  • Public Health Impact: The unpredictability of antimony led to numerous poisoning cases, often misdiagnosed as the disease itself worsening, thus hiding the true cause of death or illness.
• Critique: Thomson’s system emphasized the folly of using such a volatile substance when safer, natural alternatives existed.

Opium:

• Use in Medicine: Opium was employed for pain management, sedation, particularly in children, and as a general analgesic. It was often administered in forms like paregoric.
• Issues:
  • Addiction and Overdose: The sedative effect masked symptoms rather than treating them, leading to dependency. In children, even small amounts could be lethal or lead to long-term health issues.
  • Ethical Concerns: The use of opium to “quiet” children raised significant ethical concerns about the long-term effects on cognitive and physical development.

Blistering:

• Therapeutic Theory: Blistering was thought to draw out bad humors or stimulate the immune response by creating local inflammation.
• Practical Effects:
  • Pain and Trauma: The process was not only painful but often led to secondary infections or scarring with minimal therapeutic benefit.
  • Lack of Evidence: There was little empirical evidence supporting blistering as an effective treatment, leading many to view it as an antiquated and cruel practice.

Bleeding (Blood-letting):

• Historical Practice: Blood-letting was based on the theory of balancing body humors, a practice that persisted from ancient times until well into the 19th century.
• Health Consequences:
  • Immediate Risks: Beyond the immediate shock and potential for infection from poor hygiene, blood-letting could lead to anemia, heart failure, or death, especially in already weakened patients.
  • Critics Within Medicine: Physicians like Dr. Steele, Dr. Reid, and Dr. Lobstein highlighted the lack of scientific rationale and the dire health outcomes. The case of George Washington, where bleeding was a significant factor in his death, became a poignant example of this practice’s dangers.

Thomson’s Alternative Philosophy

Thomson’s approach was revolutionary:

• Herbal Medicine: He advocated for the use of herbs like lobelia, cayenne, and others which he believed were inherently safer and more aligned with the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
• Heat and Stimulation: Promoting circulation and detoxification through heat was central to his practice, using methods like steam baths and hot herbal teas.
• Patient Empowerment: Thomson wanted to democratize medicine by teaching people to treat themselves, reducing reliance on doctors who might employ these harmful practices.
• Simplicity and Common Sense: His system was based on observable results and common sense rather than speculative theories or complex, often dangerous, concoctions.

The Thomsonian critique of the medical practices of his time was not merely an attack but a call for a profound reform in healthcare. By exposing the detrimental effects of mercury, antimony, opium, blistering, and bleeding, Thomson pushed for a shift towards natural, less invasive, and more patient-centered care. His legacy lies not just in the botanical remedies he promoted but in his challenge to the medical establishment to rethink how health should be managed. Today, his insights resonate in the holistic health movement, which prioritizes natural remedies and the body’s ability to heal itself, underscoring the historical lessons on the importance of evidence-based, humane medical practices.